NAVJYOTI CONVENT SR.SEC.

SCHOOL,
Radhakishanpura, Sikar (Raj.)
PREBOARD-IV (2024-25)
Subject – English
Time : 3.15 Hrs Class – XII M.M. : 80

(Section-A)
Q.1 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:- (9x1=9)
Man is born historian, in as much as he. if not the product of today, is a sum-total of his
past traditions, thoughts, and experiences. This inborn love of history is revealed behind
the child's love for myths and folklore, and grown-up man's joy in epic. We are all
interested in old stories of chivalry and valour, charity and generosity, fidelity and
devotion. History is the record of the past and the past is always a source of perpetual
fascination for us. We speak of the golden age in the past and look longingly on the days
that are no more. This accounts for our deeply ingrained interest in history which
recreates the past for us and enables us to re-live in it. History, in the widest sense of the
term, is a complete record of man's activities in every possible sphere of life. It embraces
literature and philosophy, science and arts, politics and sociology. A true historian is not
concerned only with facts and dates, great person- ages, and dignitaries but his
endeavour is to recapture the spirit of the past, to trace the main currents of thought and
principles of conduct which governed and guided the people of bygone age. Thus, in the
course of his investigations, he will be led to the knowledge of those basic ideas and
principles which are indispensable for success and action which inevitably lead man to
his doom. The historian will thus rise to the stature of a philosopher capable of pro-
nouncing a verdict on humanity's past record. It is thus that "Histories", as Bacon
observes, "Make men wise".
(i) In what sense is history a source of inspiration for us?
(ii) What is history?
(iii) What are the pillars of our success?
(iv) What is the great lesson that history teaches us?
(v) What is the word from the passage which means-hugs.
(vi) Who cheerfully drank hemlock for the sake of truth?
(a) Aristotle (b) Socrates (c) Horace (d) None of the above
(vii) Which great lesson does history bring?
(a) The lesson of the constant endeavor to keep alive the voice of reason and the light
of turn
(b) The lesson of the readiness to accept new ideas and the capacity to adapt oneself
to changing time
(c) To learn something from previous mistakes
(d) All of the above
(viii) Who said. ‘History makes man wise’?
(a) Aristotle (b) Socrates (c) Horace (d) Bacon
Q.2 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow (6x1=6)
Of all the words that are more spoke of and less understood, democracy is the most
striking. Many political writers have made their best possible efforts to explain this
important term but none has been able to give any perfect and precise definition.
Abraham Lincoln's definition that democracy is 'a government of the people, by the
people and for the people is nothing more than a play on the prepositions.
 It is admitted that in a democratic form of government, all citizens should be equally
interested in the affairs of the States. This principle, though outwardly perfect and
pleasing, has in reality many imperfections. Every man is endowed with his own
qualities, talents and limitations; and no society can ever hope to be so composed in such
a manner that every citizen makes as valuable a contribution to its corporate life as every
other. In India, we cannot expect a villager to take the same kind of intelligent interest in
political affairs as an educated gentleman does. The Indian villager cares only for three
things; his family, his religion, and his field. His universe is limited to these three
interests only. He can have no interest in franchise or voting and other important
economic and political matters of the country. In such a case, it would be ludicrous to
count his opinion as valuable as that of university graduate. In democracy, there is no
difference between a peasant and a professor, a shoemaker, and a scholar.
Another principle of democracy is that the majority is always in the right, but human
experience has in every age and in every country revealed that the majority generally
consists of unwise people and wise people are always in the minority. Generally
speaking, under this system of voting, only clever politicians who are ever ready with
their false promises and lies are elected. Wise men, slow to make promises for fear they
might not be able to fulfill them, avoid all show and noise, so they are not elected. In
democratic countries, it is generally seen that those who possess the power of the purse
get seats in the parliament and rule the fate of the country in their own selfish ways. In
democracy, full freedom of thought and speech is granted to all with the result that
numerous conflicting political parties crop up and fight with one another for their own
limited group-interests. Outwardly, these parties declare that they want the welfare of the
people while in reality, they work for the increase of their own individual powers. In the
affairs of the State, people in democracies are always motivated by personal or party
interests and hardly anybody thinks of the general welfare of the State. The permanent
struggle between ambitious parties encourages the game of power politics and destroys
peace and order in the social life of the people.
(i) How did Abraham Lincoln define democracy?
(ii) Why is the opinion of a villager in India not as valuable as that of a university
graduate?
(iii) Why are the wise men not elected in democracy?
(iv) Who do the political parties fight with one another?
(v) Find the similar word for ‘matters’ from the passage.
(vi) Find antonyms for ‘inaccurate’ from the passage.
(Section-B)
Q.3 You have been invited to attend Prize Distribution Function on 16 th February, 2017,
at 2.00 P.M. as Chief Guest of the function. As the director, Career Point, write a
formal reply to the Principal of Govt. Sr. Sec. School Amer accepting it. (4)
OR
Your school is organizing a debate on “Ban the Use of Mobile Phones for Students.”
Write your ideas for or against the topic.
Q.4 You are the monitor of your class. You organized and conducted a quiz competition
in your class. Write a report of it to be published in the school magazine. (5)
OR
Write a paragraph on “Rain Water Harvesting” in 100 words.
Q.5 Write a letter to the editor of the times of India complaining about air and water
pollution in your city. (6)
OR
 You are Apoorva /Arpit. You bought a mixer for Ganesh Electronics and Electricals,
Gandhi Marg, Nagpur. It does not function properly. Write a letter to the Sales
Manager of the shop, complaining about the defect and asking for immediate
replacement or repair, as necessary.
Q.6 Combine the sentences using the words given in brackets:- (2x1=2)
(i) We went to Pune in 2018 our friend also visited then. (when)
(ii) The teacher called Mahesh. He is an obedient student. (who)
Q.7 Combine two sentences into one sentence reading the instruction in the
brackets:- (2x1=2)
(i) I missed the bus. I was late for school. (Make a complex sentence)
(ii) The movie was boring. We left before it ended. (Make a compound sentence)
Q.8 Combine the following sentences using the phrasal verbs given in the
brackets: (2x1=2)
(i) We reached the hotel, the function started. (as soon as/if)
(ii) The event ________ two days ago. (came about/ came up)
Q.9 Combine the following sentences using the conjunctions given in the
brackets: (2x1=2)
(i) He is very ill. The doctors do not expect him to recover. (so ……. That)
(ii) I had no ticket. Still I was able to get in. (though)

(Section-C)
Q.10 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:(6x1=6)
Since its invention a little over 130 years ago, the interview has become a commonplace
of journalism. Today, almost everybody who is literate will have read an interview at
some point in their lives, while from the other point of view several thousand celebrities
have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly. So it is hardly surprising
that opinions of the interview - of its functions, methods, and merites vary considerably.
Some might make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a source
of truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities who see themselves as its
victims, might despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel
that it somehow diminishes them, just as in some primitive cultures it is belived that if
one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then one is stealing that person's soul.
(i) What are some of the positive views on interviews?
(ii) Why do most celebrities hate to be interviewed?
(iii) What is thought regarding taking pictures of a person in some primitive cultures?
(iv) What is an important part of journalism?
(v) Find the word from the passage which means ‘One who is able to read and write'.
(vi) Find out the opposite in meaning to ‘increases’.
Q.11 Write the answer of the following in about 60 words: (4)
What did the French teacher tell his students in his last French lesson?
(The Last Lesson)
OR
Write the character sketch of Sophie. (Going Places)
Q.12 Write the answer of the following in about 20-30 words:- (2x2=4)
(i) The crofter can be called a good host. Why? (The Rattrap)
(ii) How did Franz feel when M. Hamel told them about the order from
Berlin? (The Last Lesson)
Q.13 Explain the following stanza with reference to the context:- (6)
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

Q.14 Write the answer of the following in 60 words: (4)

What is the confusion that the poet is talking about? (Keeping Quiet)
OR
Why do the villagers run the roadside stand? (The Roadside Stand)
Q.15 Write the answer of the following in 20-30 words: (2x2=4)
(i) List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem. (A Thing of Beauty)
(ii) What is the central idea of the poem “ The Roadside Stand”.
Q.16 Write the answer of the following in 60 words: (2x2=4)
‘Dr. Sadao hated all Americans yet he saved the life of the American solider.’
Why? Explain. (The Enemy)
OR
Draw a character sketch of Charley? (The Third Level)
Q.17 Write the answer of the following in 20-30 words: (2x2=4)
(i) Why was it difficult to find the hundredth tiger? (The Tiger King)
(ii) Do you think Derry’s meeting with Mr. Lamb would prove meaningful
to him? (On the face of it)
Q.18 Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (6x1=6)
(i) Bama’s brother was asked by the landlord’s men:
(a) His name and street (b) His address only
(c) His parents’ names (d) His caste
(ii) The elderly man, Bama saw, was carrying a small packed and this
made her:
(a) Want to cry (b) Dance
(c) Want to sing (d) Want to shriek with laughter
(iii) How many children does Dr. Sadao have?
(a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) 2
(iv) Hana assisted Sadao in giving the soldier:
(a) Anesthetic (b) Artificial Respiration
(c) Dressing the wound (d) Removing the bullet from the body
(v) Where was Charley ducked on Central Station?
(a) Into a room
(b) Into an office
(c) Into an arched door heading for the subway
(d) Into a store
(vi) What was the name of the Southern Supercontinent?
(a) Asia (b) Asia Pacific (c) Northern Pole (d) Gondwana