UNIT-1

PROSE
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
A.J. CRONIN
GLOSSARY:
WORD MEANING ANTONYMS

shrug raise one‟s shoulders slightly and Release/let go

momentarily

tunic a loose outer garment without sleeves

---

Slackened reduced raised/alert/tight/smart

(M-22,S-20)
demeanour appearance and behavior
---

Artless innocent, guileless artful/complicated

(J-23,A-21)
hawk sell things crying out loudly, going
from place to place ---

Deserted uninhabited, unoccupied inhabited, occupied

(M-20)
emigrate take up citizenship of another country stay/remain
Vexation annoyance delight/pleasure
(A-21)
vestibule lobby
---

chatter a series of short, quick high-pitched

---
sounds
intrude enter without permission
withdraw/leave

rubble debris, broken bricks

---

XII-ENGLISH Page 1
 ADDITIONAL:
WORD SYNONYMS ANTONYMS
Foothills a low hill at the base of a
---
mountain or mountain rage.
Alps a high mountain ---
Outskirts The outer parts of a town or Center/interior/down
city/a remote part town
Cautions careful careless certain foolish/
thoughtless/in cautions
Shabby ill-dressed, dressed in old/ clean/fresh/good
worm clothes poor and dirty
skinny lean and thin fat
Gazing look steadily/intently admired despise/dislike/look a way
surprised disbelieve/over
barely hardly/scarcely frequently/sufficiently
/adequately
tangled confused/mixed together clear/obvious/ordered/
untangled
Public square open public space/community
.....
gathering
provoked kindled/stimulate dissuade/discourage/halt
un provoked turn off/
dull/put out
errands charged assignment/
duty/manage/job .....

Tiny small large

destination end/aim/ambition/target start/beginning
Cubicle compartment/booth/cell/room .....
resemblance similarity difference/unlikeness/
dissimilarity
persuaded continued dissuade/fail
scarce lack adequate/sufficient/ample
spirit enthusiasm/courage/vigor apathy/cowardice fear/
vitality indifference

XII-ENGLISH Page 2
 SHORT ANSWER:
I. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO
SENTENCES EACH BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
STORY.
a. Who did the narrator meet at the outskirts of verona?
The narrator met Jacopo and Nicola at the outskirts of Verona.

b. Why did the driver not approve of the narrator buying fruits from the boys?(A-21)
Luigi, the cautious driver did not approve of the two boys because of their untidy
and shabby appearance. Moreover, he felt that better quality of strawberry would
be found at Verona.

c. The boys did not spend much on clothes and food. Why?
The boys did not wish to spend any money on themselves. They just ate the
minimum required for survival. Lucia‟s treatment was expensive so they willingly
gave away all the money they earned for her recuperation (recover). Their own
misery or poverty did not mean anything to the boys.

d. Were the boys saving money to go to the states? How do you know?
No, the boys were not saving money to go to the states. They were saving
money for their sister‟s treatment. They said, “We have other plans”.

e. Why did the author avoid going to Lucia‟s room?

The nurse asked the author if he would not like to go inside to meet Lucia as
it would make her happy. He shook his head and turned away as he could not bear
to intrude upon that happy family union.

f. What was Lucia suffering from?

Lucia was the twenty years old sister of Nicola and Jacopo. She was
suffering from spinal tuberculosis and was being treated at a hospital.

g. What made the boys join the resistance movement against the Germans?
The boys showed resistance towards the Germans because their house had been
bombed by the Germens their parents had been killed in the war. They had not
only been orphaned but their sister had also taken ill, because of the starvation and
extreme situations during the War.

XII-ENGLISH Page 3
h. What made the boys work so hard?
The boys were working hard to provide all possible help, to their sister, Lucia,
who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spire. The two boys worked day in and
day out, took every possible job, starved themselves to provide for their sister‟s
treatment.

i. Why didn‟t the boys disclose their problem to the author?

Despite leading a destitute (poor) life, the boys didn‟t disclose their problems to
the author because they did not want their private suffering be made public. They
would like to live with self-respect and had strong will power to accept
responsibility for their own lives.

II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN THREE OR FOUR

SENTENCES EACH.
a) Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo. (J-23,S-20)
The two boys were dressed in rags and shabby appearance. Nicola had on a worn
jersey and cut-off khaki pants, the other (Jacopo) a shortened army tunic gathered in
loose folds about his skinny frame with tangled hair, dark earnest eyes, and brown
skin. They appeared to be pathetic.

b) What were the various jobs undertaken by the little boys?(M-20,M-22,M-24)

They did different things like selling newspapers, fruits, polishing shoes,
delivering messages, showing the tourists around the city, etc., they worked very
hard to pay the bills of the hospital so that their sister could lead a normal life again.

c) How did the narrator help the boys on Sunday?(M-23)

The narrator is very impressed by the hard work and zest exhibited by the two
brothers. His visit was coming to an end, so the narrator offered help as the last sign
of goodwill. Jacopo requested the narrator to take them to Poleta, which was 30 km
away. Since the narrator had already given the day off to his driver, he volunteered
to drive the boys, himself.

d) Who took the author to the cubicle?

The nurse led the author through a cool, tiled hall into the villa which was more
of a hospital. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused, put her finger to her
lips, and with a smile gestured him to look through the glass partition.

XII-ENGLISH Page 4
e) Describe the girl with whom the boys were talking to in the cubicle.
The girl with whom the boys were talking to in the cubicle was Lucia, the twenty
years old sister of Nicola and Jacopo. Who was suffering from spinal tuberculosis
and was being treated at a hospital. The boys used to do odd jobs to earn enough
money to pay for the hospital expenses.

f) Recount the untold sufferings undergone by the siblings after they were rendered
homeless.
Nicola and Jacopo faced a lot of hardships at a very young age. Their childhood
was marred by war, poverty, disease and ill fortune. Yet they toiled and suffered to
work too a better future their home was bombed out in the war and they also lost
their father early on in the war. The odds were against them but they did not given
up. They were exposed to harsh weather and starvation. They had always known a
comfortable and cultured life and now they were out on the streets. They built a
shelter from amidst the rubble and managed to survive. After the war was over,
they discovered that their sister Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of spine.
They too their sister to the hospital and persuaded them to take her in. They
worked hard to ensure that they made the fee payment every week. They did odd
jobs to earn money. They sold fruits, shined shoes, hawked newspapers, and
conducted tourists around the town. They did not complain or cry. War did not
break their spirit. Their only endeavor was to see their sister get well and they
worked hard to ensure that she got proper medical care. They proved, without a
doubt, that where there is a will, there is a way.

g) The narrator did not utter a word and preferred to keep the secret to himself. Why?
Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
The narrator observed, that the boys preferred to keep their sister‟s illness and
their family‟s misfortune secret, he simply didn‟t want to interrupt the earnestness
displayed by the two boys and hurt their pride by intruding upon their privacy.

PARAGRAPH:
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
A.J.CRONIN
Archibald Joseph Cronin (1896-1981) was a Scottish novelist, dramatist and
physician. A doctor by training, Cronin was one of the most renowned storytellers
of the twentieth century. Cronin has very well carved the idea of „selfless help‟ and
explained the importance of dedication towards relationships in the story “Two

XII-ENGLISH Page 5
 Gentlemen of Verona”.The story revolves around the two boys named Nicola and
Jacopo who do numerous things to earn money only to pay for their sister‟s
treatment who suffers from tuberculosis of the spine. The story begins with the
narrator driving down the foothills of the Alps. Here is when he first encounters
the two brothers selling wild strawberries, They had dressed in rags and shabby
appearance with tangled hair, dark earnest eyes, and brown skin even after the
driver forbade the narrator to buy the wild fruits, he bought the biggest basket and
drove towards the town. This scene emphasizes on the first step of growing
intimacy between the narrator and the two boys. Next day, the boys were found
shining shoes in the public square. This amazed the narrator. Here is when they
revealed the fact that they did numerous kinds of things to earn money. Here, the
narrator is shown to develop a soft corner for them in his heart. He finds them to be
innocent, serious, pleasant and earnest.

“Their love and emotional strength is exemplary but most

exemplary is their maturity and sense of responsibility”.

The boys are very useful for the narrator. They are very willing to satisfy all that
the narrator required. They were also found selling newspapers by the narrator one
stormy night. One day, when the narrator asked if he could help them in any way
they said they would be very grateful if they got a lift to the nearby village Poleta.
Although it didn‟t come in the narrator‟s way he took them there. The boys got
down in a building and asked the author to wait in a nearby café while they would
be back within an hour. Eagerness led the narrator to follow the boys up to a place
which was actually a hospital. On peeping through a room led by a nurse, he
realized that the boys were talking to a girl who resembled them. He did not feel
like intruding and thus asked the nurse the details about the boys. This is when the
nurse told him the heart rendering story about their father being killed in a war and
home being destroyed in a war and their sister suffering from tuberculosis. The
brothers lived in a shelter and literally starved so that they could pay for their
sister‟s treatment. Keeping a secret and helping their sister showed that war had not
shaken their spirit. They were noble and gentle and great human beings in their
own special yet subtle way. This story distinctly talks about how true the
amplification says. “All that glitters is not gold”. In turn explaining the fact that
appearances are deceptive.
“WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY”

XII-ENGLISH Page 6
 POEM
THE CASTLE
- EDWIN MUIR
GLOSSARY:
turret wall - a small tower on top of a castle
mowers - people who trim grass and level the lawns
provender - food
towering battlements - tall towers with openings to shoot the enemies
tier - one above the other
friendly allies - helpful or supporting nations or armed forces
foothold - advantageous position
quick - alive
bait - something intended to entice someone to do
something
wicked - evil or morally wrong
wicket gate - a small gate
wizened warder - an aged or old guard
maze - a winding, intricate confusing path
treacherous - disloyal
groan - lament, cry
citadel - a safe and strong fort
overthrown - conquered, defeated
Maintain - believe

I. BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE POEM, ANSWER

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
1. Who is the narrator in the poem?
Edwin Muir is the narrator in the poem.
2. How long had the soldiers been in the Castle?
The soldiers had been in the Castle throughout the summer season (21st June-23
September)
3. Why were the soldiers in the castle fearless?
Because their gates were strong and the walls were thick,the Soldiers were
confident of their castle‟s physical strength.
4. Where were the enemies?
The enemies were standing half - a- mile away from the castle.

XII-ENGLISH Page 7
5. Why does the narrator say that the enemy was no threat at all?
The narrator says that the enemy was no threat at all as the enemies were half-
a-mile away and the soldiers were watching them from the turret wall.
6. Did the soldiers fight with the enemies face to face?
No, the soldiers did not fight with the enemies face to face
7. Who had let the enemies in ?
The wizened warder had let the enemies in.
8. How did the enemies enter the castle?
The enemies offered the wizened warder with gold and entered through a little
private gate.
9. Why were the secret galleries were bare?
Because the enemies ransacked after the castle was overthrown.
10. What was the „shameful act‟?
The „shameful act‟ was betrayal of the castle by the wizened warder.
11. Why didn‟t the narrator want to tell the tale to anybody?
Since the defeat of the castle was treacherous but not by face to face war, the
narrator did not want to tell this shameful tale to anybody.
12. Why did the narrator feel helpless?
The narrator‟s troop and castle were defeated by the enemies. He could not
accept this treacherous defeat. So he felt helpless.
13. Who was the real enemy?
The gold which was got as bribe by the warder, was the real enemy.

II. READ THE GIVEN LINES AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT
FOLLOW IN A LINE OR TWO.
BOOK BACK
a.“All through the summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay (M-23,S-20)
i. Who does „we‟ refer to?
„We‟ refers to the soldiers guarding the castle.
ii. How did the soldiers spend the summer days?
The soldiers spent the summer days stress free and relaxed
iii. What could they watch from the turret wall?
They could watch the mowers and no enemy was found up to the distance of
half - a-mile.

XII-ENGLISH Page 8
 b.“Our gates were strong, our walls were thick,
So smooth and high, no man could win. (M-20)
i. How safe was the castle?
The castle‟s gates were strong, our walls were thick
ii. What was the firm belief of the soldiers?
The firm belief of the soldiers was no man could win. The soldiers firmly
believed that no one could enter into the strong and well produced castle.

c. A foothold there, no clever trick

Could take us dead or quick,
Only a bird could have got in.”
i. What was challenging?
 It was challenging to reach the foothold of the castle and to capture the soldiers
dead or alive.
 The height of the castle wall was challenging. The walls were so high that only a
bird could enter the castle.
ii. Which aspect of the castle‟s strength is conveyed by the above line?
The strength of the gates and the walls‟s aspect is conveyed in the above line.

d.“Oh then our maze of tunneled stone

Grew thin and treacherous as air.
The castle was lost without a groan,
The famous citadel overthrown,”
i. Bring out the contrast in the first two lines.
The first line the poet says the castle is strong as stone. In the second line the
poet says that it has become thin as air.
ii. What happened to the castle?
The castle was conquered by the enemies and the famous galleries inside the
castle became bare.
e.“We could do nothing, being sold
i. Why couldn‟t they do anything?
Because they were betrayed by the warder/they could not do anything because
they (the enemies) won an unspecified battle.
ii. Why did they feel helpless?
The narrator‟s troop and castle were defeated by the enemies. He could not
accept this treacherous defeat. So he felt helpless.

XII-ENGLISH Page 9
 STANZA -I
“All through the summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay
And the enemy half a mile away
They seemed no threat to us at all.”
i. „at ease‟ refers to?
Free from worry or awkwardness, relaxed atmosphere.
ii. What is turret wall?
A small tower on top of the castle which is used to watch their their enemies
iii. From where were the mowers watch?
The mowers were watched from the turret wall.
iv. Threat refers to?
A person or thing likely to cause damage or danger.
STANZA - II
“For what, „We thought, had we to fear
with our arms and provender load on load
Our towering battlements, tier on tier
And friendly allies drawing near
On every leafy summer road”
i. What is provender?
Provender means food.
ii. What is towering battlements?
A towering battlements is defensive architecture such as the city walls or
castles in which gaps indentations, which are often rectangular, occur at
intervals to allow for the launch of arrows.
iii. Who said these words?
One of the soldiers said these words.
iv. Why were they not afraid?
They were not afraid because they had enough arms to fight and food for many
days.
v. What is the meaning of „drawing near‟?
„coming closer‟.
vi. What do these lines convey?
These lines convey that the friendly armies are coming to help them.

vii. Why were the soldiers confident that they were safe?

XII-ENGLISH Page 10
 The soldiers were confident of the physical strength of the castle. They had
plenty of weapons and food in stock.
viii. Who are friendly allies?
Friendly allies are helping or supporting nations or armed forces.
ix. What does the poet meant by “every leafy summer road”?
Every leafy summer road means the castle is surrounded by pleasantries of
spring and nature .
x. Who are supporting the soldiers?
Neighbouring countries are supporting the soldiers.

STANZA -III
“Our gates were strong, our walls were thick,
So smooth and high, no man could win.
A foothold there, no clever trick
Could take us dead or quick,
Only a bird could have got in.”
i. What is foothold?
There is a foothold from which an advance military operation is made. Men who
try to enter through this by clever trick could be dead or alive.
ii. “quick” refers to
quick refers to alive.
iii. Who could have got in the castle?
Only a bird could have got in the castle.
STANZA –IV
“What could they offer us for bait?
Our captain was brave and we were true.....
There was a little private gate,
A little wicked wicket gate.
The wizened warder let them through.”
i What could they offer us for bait?
The narrator says that their captain was brave and all soldiers were loyal. Hence,
the enemies could not use a bait to enter the castle.
ii “bait” refers to?
Bait refers to bribe or prey.
iii Them refers to?
“Them” refers to enemies.
iv Who is wizened warder?
The wizened means an old aged warder who was guarding the castle.
v. Who let the enemies through?
The wizened warder let them (enemies) through private gate.
XII-ENGLISH Page 11
 vi What attitude of the soldiers do these lines convey?
These lines convey the confidence of the soldiers.
vii What does the poet say about the captain and the soldiers?
The captain was very brave and the soldiers were very true to the captain.
viii What do you mean by a „wicked wicket gate‟?
A wicked wicket gate is an evil small door or gate.

STANZA -V
“Oh then our maze of tunneled stone
Grew thin and treacherous as air.
The castle was lost without a groan,
The famous citadel overthrown,”
i. Why the castle grow thin and treacherous as air?
The castle grow thin and treacherous as air because their winding and confusing
path grow weak and disloyal as the air and paved the way for the enemies to
enter.
ii. What is Citadel?
The Citadel means castle.
iii. Is their cause was lost without a lament?
Yes their cause was lost without a lament.
iv. „Cause‟ refers to?
Cause refers to prime aim.
v. Citadel is over thrown by?
The Citadel was over thrown by the enemies and all its secret galleries became
empty.
vi. Is the secret galleries became empty?
Yes , their secret galleries became empty.

STANZA -VI
“We could do nothing, being sold
„Our only enemy was gold
And we had no arms to fight it with‟.
Our only enemy was gold,
And we had no arms to fight it with.”
i. Why did the poet say „our only enemy was gold‟?
The enemies captured their castle by bribing the gold to their guard. So the poet
says their enemy was gold.
ii. What does the word „it‟ refers to?
„It‟ refers to the „gold‟
iii. How can this shameful act or tale to be told to anyone?

XII-ENGLISH Page 12
 The narrator wanted to hold the tale until his death.
Read the poem and complete the table with suitable rhyming words.
lay - hay
trick - quick
stone - groan
sold - gold
Identify the figure of speech used in the following lines.
a) A little wicked wicket gate. - Alliteration/Personification
b) Oh then our maze of tunneled stone - Apostrophe
c) Grew thin and treacherous as air. - Simile
d) How can this shameful tale be told? - Rhetorical question
e) Our only enemy was gold. - Personification

Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50-60 words each.
a) They seemed no threat to us at all.
Reference : This line is taken from „The Castle‟ written by Edwin Muir.
Context : The narrator talks about the confidence of the soldiers.
Explanation : The soldiers were watching from the turret wall. They could see the
mowers in the hay and the enemies half a mile away. Their castle had strong gates
and the walls were thick and tall. So the enemies posed no threat to them.
b) How can this shameful tale be told?
Reference : This line is taken from „The Castle‟ written by Edwin Muir.
Context : The narrator reveals the shameful act of the old guard in this context.
Explanation :The soldiers were very confident that the enemies could not enter their
castle because they had very strong gates and thick and tall walls. But all their
strength became very weak due to the treacherous act of a wizened warder. He
received bribe and opened the gates to the enemies. This tale of shame cannot be
told to others.
c) I will maintain until my death.
Reference : This line is taken from „The Castle‟ written by Edwin Muir.
Context : The narrator lamented over the disloyalty of the greedy warder. As it was
a shameful tale, he decided not to reveal it to anyone until his death.
Explanation : The soldiers were very confident that the enemies could not enter
their castle because they had very strong gages and thick and tall walls. But all their
strength became very weak due to the treacherous act of a wizened warder. He
received bribe and opened the gates to the enemies. This tale of shame cannot be
told to others. He has decided not to reveal this to anyone till his death.
d) Our only enemy was gold
Reference : This line is taken from „The Castle‟ written by Edwin Muir.
Context : The narrator insists that his only enemy was gold.

XII-ENGLISH Page 13
 Explanation : The soldiers were very confident that the enemies could not enter
their castle because they had very strong gates and thick and tall walls. Moreover
they had enough quantity of stock and more amenities and provisions for the
soldiers. They thought that the enemies could never win over them. But a wizened
warder after receiving gold from the enemies opened the gate to the enemies so the
castle fell to the hands of the enemies. Their enemy was not human but gold. So
they could not fight.

THE CASTLE
- EDWIN MUIR
EDWIN MUIR lived from 15th May 1887 to 3rd January 1959. He was a
novelist and translator as well as one of Scotland‟s most important poets of 1900s.
“The Castle” by Edwin Muir details a post event of castle‟s over taking through
account of a soldier, who witnessed the castle‟s fall first hand. It tells the story of an
unspecified battle. The soldiers of the Castle were totally stress free and relaxed.
They were confident of their castle‟s physical strength. Through the turrets, They
were able to watch mowers and no enemy was found up to the distance of half-a-
mile and so it seemed no threat to the castle. Secondly the fear of enemies
diminished that they had plenty of weapons to protect and a large Quantity of ration
in stock to take care of the well-being of the soldiers, who were inside the castle.
There was a foothold, from which an advance military operation is made. They
believed that the castle was absolutely safe because their captain was brave and
soldiers were loyal. Even by a trick no one could enter into the castle. Only a bird
could fly over the wall and reach the castle. No soldiers would be attracted with a
bribe for the entry inside the castle. But there was evil old guard, who was
fascinated by the bribery of the enemies and let them in through a little private gate.
He became a victim of bribery given by the enemies. Hence the enemies conquered
the castle. The citadel was known for it‟s secret galleries and intricating path. The
strong castle became grew and thin because of the greedy disloyal warder. The
narrator lamented over the disloyalty of the guard and he was feeling ashamed to
tell anyone about this shameful act of the guard. The citadel was captured by the
enemies for gold. He regretted for not finding any weapon to fight with enemy
called gold. Thus “Human greedy led to the mighty fall of the citadel”.
“BETRAYAL IS SECRET AND SUBTLE AND THAT AN ARMY IS
ONLY STRONG, IF ITS MEN CAN‟T BE BRIBED”
SUPPLEMENTARY READER

GOD SEES THE TRUTH, BUT WAITS

XII-ENGLISH Page 14
 - LEO TOLSTOY (1828 - 1910)

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors
of all time. In “God sees the truth, But waits” the author‟s deep seated faith in God
and moral values is expressed. We have the theme of guilt, forgiveness, faith,
conflict, freedom and acceptance. Ivan DmitrichAksionov is a merchant living in
Vladimir, town in Russia. Aksionov was a business man. He was respected by all the
inmates due to his gentle behavior. He lived with his wife and children. He was full
of life. He sang and played the guitar occasionally drank too. Once he got ready to
go to the fair. His wife tried to stop him saying that she had a bad dream.
“ I dreamt you returned from the town,
and when you took off your cap I saw that your hair was quite grey”
But Ivan ignored his wife warning and went to the fair.As he liked cool weather, he
left the inn early. He was intercepted by the police who searched his belongings.
Finding a blood stained knife in his bag, he was arrested on charges of murder. His
wife‟s petition for clemency(mercy) to the czar was turned down.
His wife‟s unwillingness to trust him was more devastating than czar‟s rejection of
mercy petition. He was flogged. After the wounds healed he was sent to work in the
mines of Siberia. Staying 26 years in Siberia he grew a long beard. He became
grandfather to the prisoners. He read “The lives of saints” and was found praying
and singing in the choir. He was respected both by the fellow prisoners and the jail
authorities for his gentle behavior. They called him grandfather and „The Saint‟.
Everyone in the jail believed in his innocence and unjust condemnation. One day a
new convict namely Makar Semyonich came there. When Makar blurted out how
the knife went to his bag kept under his head, Ivan recognized Makar as the real
murderer of the merchant. Ivan had a chance to expose Makar to the jail authorities.
But he kept quiet. Makar became remorsefully(regretful) and asked Ivan‟s
forgiveness. He forgave him. Makar confessed to the authorities. The order of
pardon came but then Ivan Was dead. It is very easy to take revenge, but it is very
difficult to forgive others. In this story, though Makar had murdered a merchant he
was the cause for the twenty six years imprisonment of Aksionov yet he was
forgiven by Aksionov. This act of
Aksionov made Makar to suffer humiliation and he admitted his fault to the
authorities. He wept bitterly and beat his head on the floor. ThusAksionov‟s
forgiveness is the best form of revenge on Makar.
Moral :
“FORGIVENESS IS THE SWEETEST FORM OF REVENGE”

UNIT – II
PROSE
A NICE CUP OF TEA
- GEORGE ORWELL
ADDITIONAL:
XII-ENGLISH Page 15
 Word Synonyms Antonyms
Violent Rough / destructive Gentle/Calm
Invariably Always Never
Considerable Significant Insignificant
Forward Move towards Backward
Unanswerable Unexplainable Answerable
Reasonable Agreeable Unreasonable/Unacceptable
Ruin Destroy Create
Subtilized Refined Unrefined
Worth Value Worthless
Predicting Anticipating Ignore
Subsidiary Supplementary Capital / Original
Wringing Extremely wet Extremely dry
Disputes Conflict Agreement
Stimulated Motivated Discourage / Stop
Shallow Empty Deep
Arrival Meeting Departure
Sufficient Enough Scare
Sketchy Vague Adequate / enough
Regard Consider Disregard/ carelessness/ neglect
Golden Important Unimportant/Normal
Swilling Rinsing ---
Infuses Fills Dry/Take out
Impact Effect Failure / Loss
Warmed Heated Cooled / Freezing
Infuse Insert / Fill Remove /Take out
Harmful Bad / Unhealthy Beneficial / Good/ Healthy
Issued Supply Debt / Lack
Minority The small number Majority

XII-ENGLISH Page 16
SHORT ANSWER

Words Meaning Antonyms

Indifferent/ disinterested /
curious Interesting
unconcerned
controversialarguable, disputable Certain/sure
virtues admirable qualities Vices(immortal, wicked behavior)
despised Hated Loved, liked
stimulation excitement, motivated Discourage
optimistic positive, hopeful Pessimistic
cauldron a big pot used for boiling ---
rationing restricting Whole
dangling hanging freely, suspended Rigid(unable to bend)
the pipe-like opening in a teapot
spout ---
through which tea is poured out
liable Likely Irresponsible
mysterious Incomprehensible Clear
etiquette socially acceptable behaviour Misbehaviour/ Impoliteness/Rudeness
1. BASED ON THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT, ANSWER EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO SENTENCES.
a. What seems 'curious' to the author?
The absence of “Tea” in the recipes of cookery book is curious to the author.
b. Why does the author says that it is important to Include tea recipe in cookery
books?
It is important to include tea in the cookery book because tea is one of the
mainstays of civilization in England, Eire, Australia and New Zealand. Besides, the
nicest manner of making tea is a subject of violent disputes among tea-loving
nations.
c. Mention the countries in which tea is a part of civilization?
Tea is part of civilization in Britain, Eire, Australia, and New Zealand
d. Which tea does the author prefer- China tea or Indian tea?
The author prefers Indian or Ceylonese tea.
e .According to the author ,what does the phrase ' a nice cup of tea' refer to?
According to the author, the phrase a nice cup of tea refers to 'Indian tea' which
makes one feel wiser, optimistic and wiser.
f .What is the second Golden rule in the preparation of tea?
The second golden rule in the preparation of tea is to make tea in small
quantities in a teapot made of China or earthenware.
g .How does the army tea taste ?
Army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease and whitewash.
h. Do tea lovers generally like strong tea or weak tea?

XII-ENGLISH Page 17
 Tea lovers generally love strong tea. They like it a little stronger with each year
that passes .
i. Why should tea be directly added to the pot?
Tea should be added directly to the pot because imprisoning tea leaves in
strainers, muslin bags or other devices can be really harmful.
j. Why does the author prefer the cylindrical cup to a flat cup?
The cylindrical cup(breakfast cup) hold more ,whereas the flat cup, shallow cup
makes tea always half cold before one starts on it.
k. What should be poured into the cup first tea or milk?
Tea should be poured first into the cup as one can exactly regulate the amount of
milk to be poured on it.
l. Why does the author advise removing cream from the milk ?
The author advices us to remove cream from the milk, as the milk, that is too
creamy, gives a sickly taste.
m. Does the author like drinking tea with sugar? Give reasons ?
No, the author doesn‟t like drinking tea with sugar because the flavor of tea is
destroyed by putting sugar in it.
n. Why does the author refer to himself being in „a minority‟?
The author refers to himself being an minority in drinking tea without sugar
because most the people prefer with sugar.
o. Whom does the author call 'misguided people'? What is his advice to them?
People, who only drink tea in order to be warmed and stimulated, need sugar to
take the taste away. The author calls these people as „misguided ones'. He advises
them to drink tea without sugar for a fortnight and after that, they would never
want to ruin their tea by sweetening it.

2. BASED ON THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT, ANSWER EACH OF

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN FOUR OR FIVE SENTENCES.
a. What are the author's views on China tea?
China tea has good beneficial, qualities, which are not to be hated nowadays. It
also economical and we drink it without milk. But there is not much stimulation in
it. One does not feel wiser, braver or optimistic after drinking it.
b .How does adding sugar affect the taste of tea?
If we sweeten tea, we are no longer tasting the tea. But we would be tasting the
sugar. You could make a very similar drink by dissolving sugar in the plain water.

C. Elucidate the author's ideas about teapots?

The author insists that the teapot should be made of China or earthenware. Tea
out of an urn is always tasteless .Silver or Britannia ware teapots produce inferior

XII-ENGLISH Page 18
 tea. Enamel pots are worse, but pewter teapot is not so bad.

PARAGRAPH:
A NICE CUP OF TEA
- GEORGE ORWELL
Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell , was an English
novelist, essayist, journalist and critic, whose work in marked by lucid prose,
awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism and outspoken support of
democratic socialism.
“Tea is one of the main stays of civilizations in this country”
- George Orwell
One of the most influential statement of the British „way of tea‟ is George Orwell‟s
essay. „A nice cup of tea published in the evening standard on 12 January 1946. It
was written at a time when tea was rationed and is short supply, against the
backdrop of serve food shortage across Europe.
The process of tea making is a subject matter of violent disputes. The author
has come up with eleven golden rules for preparation of a nice tea. First he begins
to insist on using an Indian or Ceylonese Tea, to feel wiser, braver and more
optimistic. Tea should be made in small quantities‟ in a china or earthenware. The
pot should be warmed beforehand. Tea should always be strong and it should be put
straight into the teapot. We should take the teapot to the kettle and after making
tea, one should stir it well. Tea should be drunk out of a cylindrical type of cup, as it
hold more tea. Milk that is too creamy always given the tea, a sickly taste. So we
should pour the cream of the milk. Two of these rules are generally agreed by the
public, but at least four other are actually controversial. „What should be poured
first in the cup‟ has become a subject of controversial points. George Orwell says
that one should pour tea first in the cup.While most of the people prefer to add
sugar in the tea, the author says to add pepper or salt to it. If we drink tea without
sugar for a fortnight, we would never ruin tea by sweetening it again. He claims
that there are some mysterious social etiquette surrounding the tea pot. It is vulgar
to drink tea out of one‟s saucer. There are some subsidiary uses of tea leaves such as
telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing burns and
sweeping the carpet.
IF YOU ARE COLD, TEA WILL WARM YOU;
IF YOU ARE TOO HEATED, IT WILL COOL YOU;
IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED, IT WILL CHEER YOU;
IF YOU ARE EXCITED, IT WILL CALM YOU.

POEM
OUR CASUARINA TREE
-TORU DUTT

XII-ENGLISH Page 19
 GLOSSARY:
gallantly - bravely or heroically
repose - a state of rest
casement - a type of window that is fixed on one side and opens like a door
baboon - a type of large monkey found in Africa and Asia
kokilas - a type of bird similar to the cuckoo
wend - stroll
hoar - white frost deposits on the tree
enmassed - amassed
shingle - rocky
wraith - apparition
tranced - dreamy condition, hypnotised
sublime - glorious,
fain - eagerly
consecrate - to officially make something holy
lay - amateur
rehearse - repeat
oblivion - a state of forgetfulness

APPRECIATION QUESTIONS:
Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow:
BOOK BACK
a)A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live.
i) Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
The Casuarinas tree is referred to in the above lines.
ii) How does the tree survive the tight hold of the creeper?
The tree is so strong that it bears the tight hold of the creeper.
iii) Why does Toru Dutt use the expression „a creeper climbs‟?
Toru Dutt uses this expression to emphasize the strength of the creeper and its tight
hold.
b)The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung
In crimson clusters all the boughs among
i)Who is the giant here?
The Casuarinas tree is the giant here.
ii)Why is the scarf colorful?
The scarf is colourful as the creeper with red crimson flowers has wound around
the tree
c) “Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton,
And Time the shadow;” and though weak the verse
That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse,
May love defend thee from oblivion‟s curse
XII-ENGLISH Page 20
i) What does the poet mean by the expression „May love defend thee from oblivion‟s
curse?
The poet means that the tree should not be forgotten
ii) What does the expression „fain‟ convey?
„Fain‟ means eager. The poet is eager to make the tree holy.
iii) What does the poet convey through the expression „fear, trembling hope‟?
The poet has taken above expression from the „Yew-trees‟ written by William
Wordsworth. The poet conveys that the negative forces of life like free and
trembling hope can be overcome with the power of love.

STANZA-1
[A]LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars,
Up to its very summit near the stars,
A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live. But gallantly
The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung
In crimson clusters all the boughs among
i)What looks like a python?
The creeper looks like a python.
ii)What did the trunk have on it?
The trunk had deep scars on it.
iii)Describe the Casuarina tree
The Casuarina tree is a deciduous tree. It grows to a height of 100 metres. It has
small cone and big straight stem. It lives for a long period.
iv) What is python?
A type of large constricting snake.
[B]Whereon all day are gathered bird and bee;
And oft at nights the garden overflows
With one sweet song that seems to have no close,
Sung darkling from our tree, while men repose.
i) Who gathered on the tree?
Birds and bees gathered on the tree
ii) What happens at night?
At night the garden seems to overflow with a sweet song which has no end.
iii) What overflows the garden at night?
One sweet song overflows in the garden at night.

XII-ENGLISH Page 21
iv) What is called the „darkling‟?
Nightingale is called the darkling
v) When does the bird sing her sweet song?
The bird sings her sweet song when people sleep at night.
vi) What often happens at nights?
The garden overflows with the sweet song of the nightingale
vii) What do men do when the nightingale sings?
Men take rest while they listen to the nightingale‟s song
viii) Whose sweet songs seem to have no close?
The songs of the nightingale seem to have no end.
ix) How sweet was the song of the nightingale?
The song was so sweet that it could be heard without end.

STANZA-2
[A] When first my casement is wide open thrown
At dawn, my eyes delighted on it rest;
Sometimes, and most in winter, - on its crest
A gray baboon sits statue-like alone
Watching the sunrise; while on lower boughs
His puny offspring leap about and play;
i) What is called a baboon?
Baboon is a type of large monkey lived in Asia and Africa.
ii) What is curious about the baboon?
The baboon sits like a statue and watches sunrise from the crest of the casuarina
tree.
iii) What do the puny offspring‟s of the monkey do?
The puny offspring‟s of the monkey were leaping and playing at the lower branches
of the tree.
iv) What does „offspring‟ refer here?
Offspring refers young one of the baboon.
v) Where does the poet see the casuarina tree?
The poet sees the casuarina tree through her casement.

[B]And far and near kokilashail the day;

And to their pastures wend our sleepy cows;
And in the shadow, on the broad tank cast
By that hoar tree, so beautiful and vast,
The water-lilies spring, like snow enmassed.
XII-ENGLISH Page 22
i) What do you mean by the word „hoar‟?
„Hoar‟ means the „greyish white‟
ii) What is so beautiful and vast?
The water lilies are so beautiful and vast
iii) Describe the pond.
The pond is covered with beautiful and vast lilies.
iv) What do Kokilas do?
Kokilas hail the day with their sweet voice.
v) Who stroll to their pastures?
The sleepy cows stroll to their pastures.
vi) Why are cows sleepy?
Cows are sleepy because they hear the songs of the Kokilas in the early hours of the
morning
STANZA-3
[A]But not because of its magnificence
Dear is the Casuarina to my soul
Beneath it w have played ; though years may roll,
O sweet companions love, loved with love intense,
For your sakes, shall the tree be ever dear.
Blent with your images, it shall arise
In memory, till the hot tears blind mine eyes !
i) What did they do under the tree?
They played under the tree
ii) Why should the tree be dear to the poet?
The tree should be dear to the poet because of the dear and beloved ones with
whom she played under the tree
iii) What is not the cause for Toru Dutt‟s love for the casuairna tree?
The magnificence or the impressive appearance of the tree is not the cause for Toru
Dutt‟s love for the Casuarina tree.
iv) What makes the tree dear to the poet?
As children, the poet and her siblings played under the trees. This experience made
the tree dear to the poet.
v) What is the poet unable to forget despite the passage of years?
The poet is unable to forget the wonderful time when she had under the tree with
her siblings.
vi) For whose sake the trees will be dear to the poet?
For the sake of two younger Dutt‟s who died of Tuberculosis, the tree will be dear
to Toru Dutt.

XII-ENGLISH Page 23
vii) Whose images bring out hot tears?
The images of siblings who died due to TB bring out hot tears.
viii) What blinds the poet‟s eyes?
Tears fill and blind her eyes.
[B]What is that dirge-like murmur that I hear
Like the sea breaking on a shingle beach?
It is the tree‟s lament, an eerie speech,
That haply to the unknown land may reach
i) What do you means by „dirge‟?
Dirge means a lament for the dead
ii) Why does the tree lament?
The tree laments the absence of the poet.
iii) What appears to be an „eerie speech‟?
The dirge like murmur appears to be an „eerie speech‟.
iv) What do you mean by „eerie‟ speech?
Eerie speech means unearthly or ghostly speech(strange sound)
STANZA-4
[A]Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith!
Ah, I have heard that wail far, far away
In distant lands, by many a sheltered bay,
i) What does the „wail‟ denotes?
The wail, denotes the cry of the Tree.
[B]Mine inner vision rose a form sublime,
Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime
I saw thee, in my own loved native clime.
i) What do you mean by the term „native clime‟?
Native clime means „our native climate‟ that is here she specifies her native land.
ii) What rose in the mind of the poet?
A glorious inner vision rose in the mind of the poet.
iii) What was found in the sublime inner vision?
The tree‟s youthful and handsome figure was found in the inner vision of the poet.
STANZA-5
[A]Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay
Unto thy honor Tree, beloved of those
Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,
Dearer than life to me, alas, were they!
Mayst thou be numbered when my days are done

XII-ENGLISH Page 24
 With deathless trees- like those in Borrowdale,
Under whose awful branches lingered pale
i) What does the poet want to do?
The poet wants to consecrate the tree.
ii) In whose honour does she want to consecrate the tree?
She wants to consecrate the tree to the memory of her beloved siblings.
iii) What does „blessed sleep‟ mean?
„Blessed sleep‟ means death.
iv) What does the poet predict in the words‟ when my days are done‟?
The poet predicts her own death in the words „when my days are done‟.
v) What were the condition of the trees in borrowdale?
The tree was ageing fast, it looked sickly as if it was waiting for the sickle of death.
vi) Who made the tree deathless? How?
William Wordsworth sang about the trees in Borrowdale and thus the trees became
deathless.
FIGURES OF SPEECH :

No Poem lines Device

1 LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round Alliteration/ Repetition/
Zoomorphism/simile
2 Up to its very summit near the stars, Hyperbole
3 The water-lilies spring, like snow enmassed.ong Simile
that seems to have no close,
4 i) But not because of its magnificence Contrast / Imaginary
ii)Dear is the Casuarina to my soul:
iii)Beneath it we have played; though years may roll
5 O sweet companions, loved with love intense, Apostrophe
6 What is that dirge-like murmur that I hear simile/personification.
7 Like the sea breaking on a shingle-beach? Simile
8 It is the tree‟s lament, an eerie speech, Personification
9 That haply to the unknown land may reach. Contrast
10 Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith! Personification /Contrast
11 When earth lay trancèdin a dreamless swoon: personification
12 Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime Apostrophe
14 With deathless trees - like those in Borrowdale Simile
15 “Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton, Personification
16 That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse Repetition
17 May Love defend thee from oblivion‟s curse. Personification

XII-ENGLISH Page 25
 18 With one sweet song that seems to have no close, Hyperbole
19 And the waves gently kissed the classical shore Personification
20 The giant wears the scarf Personification
21 A gray baboon sits statue like alone Simile
22 The water lilies spring, like snow enmassed Simile
23 Dearer than life to me, alas, were they! Simile

EXPLAIN WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

1. “Dear is the casuarinas to my soul;………….”

Reference:
This line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context:
The theme of the poem is the fondness that Toru Dutt had for the tree. The
reason for the bondage and the uniqueness of the tree is expressed here.
Explanation:
The word “dear”- “to my soul” highlights the influence and nearness of the
casuarinas tree. The influence of “Nature” oh human‟s beings play a great part in
shaping a individual casuarinas tree made its impact on the poet when she was
young. The positive impact is highlighted through the line. There is a symbol of
worship and the tradition is indirectly hinted and underlined through the words.
Moral : Casuarina tree is the source of strength and unhappiness. It is a
detoxicating agent.
2. “It is the tree‟s lament, an eerie speech…”
Reference:
This line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context:
The poet underlines the importance and influence the tree had oh here.
Explanation:
The tree laments and feels for the absence of the poet. The tree communication
its „feels „ to the poet through the other trees in the other parts of the world . The word
‟eerie‟ –adds mysterious to the expression. The vibes of the tree could be felt by the
poet. The bondage of the mother and daughter is painted impressively. The poet uses
„personification „to telling effects in the lines. The emotional sharing done by the tree
makes us understanding the holiness of our motherland. Though Indians travel a
distance and stay there, their roots are in Indian firmly bound by tradition and culture
Moral :
No mother likes to get separated from her children. This is drafted well by the words
used.

3. “Unto thy, tree, beloved of those

Who now in blessed sleep sleep for aye repose,”

XII-ENGLISH Page 26
 Reference:This line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina tree” written by Toru
Dutt.
Context: The poet and the Casuarina tree are inseparable. Toru Dutthonours the
tree. It deserves the honour for it has housed the souls of the soul mates of the
“friendship‟- lover –soul-Toru Dutt.
Explanation: The poet reflects sadness. The poet has lost her friends. She gets solace
and inspiration by communicating with the tree. The tree is the embodiment of her
soulmate and the happy-go-luck-time- lifestyle. To the poet the tree soul –inspire,
header, and renewer of energy and vitality . The Indian tradition –sanctifying tress,
is well handled by the poet with remarkable ease and pathos. Reaching God (by the
through) worshipping trees- the system is notified.
Moral:
The words „blessed sleep „refer to the eternal sleep of her friends. Their death
have shaken the poet. However “Casuarina tree‟ supports and lifts her sinking
morale up.

OUR CASUARINA TREE

-TORU DUTT

“Our Casuarina Tree” is a most celebrated poem of Toru Dutt. Toru

Dutt (1856-1877) was a Bengali poetess. She wrote poem and literary works in
English and French. Her family was a family of distinguished intellectuals and poets.
The theme of the poem is about “last Friendship” and “lost childhood”. The poet
Toru Dutt remembers how her days started with the ecstatic sight of the Casuarina
tree from her casement. The tree is tall and mighty. A creeper winds around its
huge and wide trunk like a python. She remembers how well the tree
accommodated birds to sing songs during days and nights. The tree had allowed the
creeper to embrace it like a lady love. Though it is sapped(weak) its vitality, like a
gallant lover, it allowed the creeper to stay around its neck like a scarf. She
remembers how a baboon seated at the crest of the tree had watched beautiful
sunrise while her young ones were leaping and playing in the lower branches of the
giant tree. The cows are grazing in the lush green meadows around the tree. Water
lilies add to the charm of the pond. She recalls that the tree is dear not because of its
majestic looks but because of the nostalgic memories attached to it.

Dear is the Casuarina to my soul

Beneath it we have played though years may roll
O sweet companions, loved with love intense.

Like Wordsworth, Toru Dutt is also a great lover of nature. The emotional
bonding between herself and the giant Casuarina tree is beyond reason. She

XII-ENGLISH Page 27
 remembers the happy times she had spent with her siblings, who are now no more,
under the tree. Their absence makes the tree much more endearing to the poet.
Mysteriously she hears the grief filled lament of the tree when she is on the shores
of France and Italy. The Surprising thing is that she was able to see the tree in its
prime in her own “loved native clime” .Though her verse may be weak, her love will
confer immortality on the Casuarina tree. She immortalizes the tree through her
poem like the poet Wordsworth who blessed the „YEW TREE‟ of Borrowdale in
verse. She expresses her wish that the tree should be remembered out of love .

“FAMILY ARE LIKE BRANCHES A TREE, WE ALL GROW IN

DIFFERENT DIRECTION YET ARE ROOTS REMAIN AS ONE”

****

SUPPLEMENTARY READER PARAGRAPH

LIFE OF PI
-YANN MARTEL
The famous novel “Life of Pi” is an abridged (shortened) version
written by a Spanish born canadian author Yann Martel published in 2001
become internationally famous and awarded the Man Booker prize in 2002.Pi
recounts the ordeal (sufferings) he faced in the middle of the pacific ocean
after the ship wreck. That is The Protagonist is Piscine Molitor “Pi” patel an
Indian boy from Pondicherry survives 227 days after a shipwreck while
stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard
Parker. The Crisis in the mid ocean brought the pathetic experience where pi
became lone and orphaned and in the state of shock . He found himself in the
company of Richard Parker, a tiger, a Zebra, Monkey (orange juice) and
Hyena. After two and a half days of drifting in the lifeboat, Pi discovered that
Richard Parker was on board just below him. They were literally and
figuratively in the same boat. Parker was unusually quiet because of sea-
sickness and the impact of heavy sedation might be given to him by Pi‟s
father.

I pinned by weakness to the tarpaulin. Even

thinking was exhausting ……………

He managed the fear of the animals but he could not manage the thirst.
His throat was parched he felt very thirsty. His blood had thickened. His leg
had become stiff. The author calls it “liquid life”. When Pi was dying of
thirst, he forgot his fear of Richard Parkar. His thirst overpowered his fear of
Richard parkar and he went about exploring for fresh water. A little later, he
succeeded in his search and came back to life and senses after drinking the
Elixir of life. His mouth became moist and soft. He was coming back to life
XII-ENGLISH Page 28
 from the dead. Pi accepted that the parker calmed him down. He said that
one who scared him brought him peace. He wanted to tame him. His attitude
was that the tiger would die first. But suddenly he realized that part of him
loved the tiger. He did not want to be left alone. So he wanted to live with
the tiger. At last Pi‟s boat reached an island. Richard Parker jumped and
walked away without even looking back at Pi. Pi was found by ship and
reunited with his family.

MORAL :
“THE GREAT LESSON THAT ONE SHOULD FOCUS ON LIVING
EVEN IN THE MOST ADVERSE SITUATION IS LIFE”

XII-ENGLISH Page 29
 UNIT-III

PROSE
IN CELEBRATION OF BEING ALIVE
-DR. CHRISTIAAN BARNARD
GLOSSARY:
WORDS MEANING ANTONYMS
consideration careful thought/ give Ignorance/ disregard
prevalent Common/ predominant Abnormal/ different
/ Rare
Cripples disability Strengthen/
suppress/encourage
agony extreme physical and mental Health/comfort
suffering/pain /happiness
perforated torn and damaged with holes / Intact
punctured
ennobles (figurative use) makes dignified, Condemn/humiliate
morally noble/improves
thrash around (idiom to move about restlessly ---
sophisticated Simple /primitive
(here) well advanced/refined
/backward
mutilating surgery injuring Aid/cure/strengthen
Grand Prix (here) one of several
international motor-racing ---
events
solace comfort or consolation in times Dissatisfaction
of grief or pain /inconvenience
/displeasure
Intrepid bold and daring Fearful/ cowardly
finale climax or an exciting end Beginning
/initiation/Debut
disfigured spoiled or marred in appearance Beauty /unspoiled
malignant (here, of diseases) very harmful Life-giving /healthful
to life
Tumour diseased growth in some part of ---
the body
amputated cut off by surgical operation Joined
profound very great Trivial /unintelligent
ADDITIONAL:

XII-ENGLISH Page 30
 WORDS MEANING ANTONYMS
cruelty grievously Kindly/mercifully
Gloomy Depressed/sorrowful/sad and Cheerful
unpleasant
Lane track ---
Struck Battered ---
Fractured Broken/cracked Fixed/unbroken
Clouded covered Uncovered
nobility Great/dignity Insignificance/dishonor
Commandeered Takeover/hijacked/seized Released /abandoned
galloping Hurrying / moving fast leap Crawling
scattered spread Connected/together
healed Recover /cure Injure/weaken /worsened
Amusement Delight/enjoyment /giving Gloom/sorrow
pleasure to one
Prevalent Common/widespread Rare /uncommon
Malignant Deadly Harmless/benign
ennobles dignifies Humiliate
recreation Relaxation Difficulty /drudgery
Important significant Insignificant
severe Depressed mild
Cruelly Unkind/brutal/inhuman Kind/merciful/mild
Stem arise out of/spring/power Go down/ decent
Knocked thrust with force Strike/weakness
crew Team/unit One/individual
mover deck a platform extend from mower -
steered guided a vehicle /navigated Abandoned/deserted
scraping dragging and rubbing against / smooth
third degree burns of the most serious kind -
flap skin broad and loosing -
fibrous tissue full of fibrous -
warmth moderate degree of heat Cool/chill
finale climax/excite end Beginning/start/opening
complain find fault with Praise/applause
tumour swelling -
SHORT ANSWER:
1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO
SENTENCES BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING
XII-ENGLISH Page 31
 a) What thoughts troubled Dr. Christiaan Barnard as he neared the end of his career
as a heart surgeon?
Towards the end of his career, Dr.Christiaan Barnard was troubled by the
suffering of people and especially of young children. He could not accept the fact
that 12 million children are unlikely to reach the age of one and about 6 million
children die annually before reaching age of five.
(b) What were Dr. Barnard's feelings when he was hospitalized after an accident?
He experienced not only agony but also anger after they had met with an
accident. He had eleven broken ribs and perforated lungs. His wife had a badly
fractured shoulder. He could not understand why they should undergo pain when
they had other important things to do in life during that time
c)When and where did the accident occur?
He and his wife were crossing the road after a lovely meal. A car hit him and
knocked into his wife .His wife was thrown into the other lane and was struck by a
car coming in opposite direction.
d) How did the hospitalization of Dr. Barnard and his wife affect their routine?
As a heart surgeon, he had to operate many heart patients. He was helpless as he
had perforated lungs and broken ribs. His wife could not take care of the baby. Thus
the routine life of both Dr.Barnard and his wife was affected adversely .
(e) How was Dr. Barnard's attitude to suffering different from that of his father's?
Dr. Barnard‟s father accepted suffering as God‟s will. He also believed that
suffering ennobles humans .But Dr Barnard found no meaning in the agony and
suffering of patients and especially of the young children.
f) How was the unattended trolley put to use?
The unattended trolley was used as a car for a race (Grand prix of Cape Town's
Red Cross children‟s hospital) within the hospital.
(g) What roles did the due take up?
The unattended trolley was commandeered by a crew of two boys. One served
as the driver and the other as a mechanic.
h) Why did the choice of roles prove to be easy for them?
The mechanic provided motor power by galloping along behind the trolley with
his head down. The driver steered the trolley by scraping his foot on the floor. The
choice of the roles was easy because the mechanic was totally blind and the driver
had only one arm.
i)Who encouraged them and how?
They were encouraged by laughter and shouts of encouragement from the rest
of the patients.
j) What does Dr. Barnard compare this entertainment to?
Dr. Barnard compared the trolley race as much better entertainment than
anything anyone puts on at the Indianapolis 500 car race.

XII-ENGLISH Page 32
 k) What happened in the grand finale?
There was a grand finale of scattered plates and silverware before the nurse and
ward sister caught up with them.
L) How does Dr. Barnard know the boy who played the trolley's driver?
Dr. Barnard knew the trolley's driver better. He had successfully closed a hole in
his heart a few years back.
(m) What was the profound lesson that Dr. Barnard learnt from the boys?
The boys had taught Dr. Barnard the lesson in getting on with the business of
living. The business of living is the celebration of being alive.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences:

(a) Detail the statistics Dr. Barnard has provided in his speech.
Of the 125 million children born that year, 12 million are unlikely to reach the
age of one. Another six million will die before the age of five. Among the rest, many
will end up as mental or physical cripples.
(b) What happened when the doctor couples were crossing the street?
After a nice meal, Dr. Barnard and his wife were crossing the street a car hit the
doctor. He dashed against his wife who was thrown on the other side of the road.
She was hit by another car from the opposite side.
(c) What injuries did they sustain in the accident?
Dr. Barnard had eleven broken ribs. A lung was profoundly perforated. His wife
had a badly fracturedshoulder.
d) Dr. Barnard couldn't find any nobility in suffering. Why?
As a doctor, he does not find any nobility in suffering. There is nothing noble in
a patient‟s thrashing around in a sweat-soaked bed, mind clouded in agony. He was
against his dad's faith that suffering ennobles human beings.
(e) Why does Dr. Barnard find suffering of children heartbreaking?
He has always found suffering of young children beard-breaking.Especially
because they have total faith in doctors. They believe doctors will help. They don‟t
complain even after undergoing a mutilating surgery.
f) How did the boy who played the mechanic lose his eyesight?
The mechanic was seven years old. One night when his drunk father tortured
his mom, she threw a lantern at him .the lantern broke over the Child‟s head and
shoulders. He suffered third degree burns on the upper parts of his body and last of
his eyes.
g) Why does Dr. Barnard describe the blind bay as "walking horror?
At the time of the grand prix, the boy was a walking horror. His face was
disfigured. A long flap of skin was hanging from the side of his neck to his body. As
the wound healed around his neck,his lower jaw become gripped in a mass of
XII-ENGLISH Page 33
 fibrous tissue the only way he would open his mouth was to raise his head.
h) What were the problems the trolley driver suffered from?
The trolley‟s driver had a malignant tumour of the bone. A few days before the
race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was no hope of recovery.

PROSE PARAGRAPH :
IN CELEBRATION OF BEING ALIVE
- Dr. Christian Barnard
“Celebrate Our living as We Celebrate a
festival”
Christian Barnard (1922 - 2001) was a famous heart surgeon from South
Africa. He Performed the World‟s first human heart transplant operation. In this
Prose, he points out that as we are alive now it is a matter of great importance to
us. “We should not keep lamenting over our loss which come across. What we have
now with us is more valuable than what we have lost”. The author had self pity and
was
cursing the accident that had caused him and his wife with great pain and
inconveniences in the daily routine. He could not take his father‟s vain that
suffering ennobles human beings.

“My son, it‟s God‟s will

That‟s the way God tests you
Suffering ennobles you – makes you a better persons”
The author describes the event as “the Grand prix of cape Town‟s Red Cross
Children‟s Hospital”. A nurse had left a breakfast trolly unattended . Very soon
this trolly was commandeered by a daring crew of two , a driver and a mechanic.
The mechanic provided motor power by galloping along behind the trolley head
down. While the drivers, seated on the lower deck held on with one hand and
steered it by scrapping his foot on the floor. The choice of roles was easy because
the mechanic was totally blind and the driver had only one arm. It was better than
Indianapolis 500 car race . The seven years old mechanic suffered third degree
burns on the upper part of his body. He had lost both his eyes. He was literally a
walking horror. A long flap of skin was hanging from the side of his neck to his
body. As the wound healed around his neck, his lower Jaw became gripped in a
mass of fibrous tissue. The trolley driver had a malignant tumor of the bone. A few
days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated . Dr. Barnard learnt the
lesson from the children that the business of living is joy in the real sense of the
world. It was not just something for pleasure, amusement or recreation. The
business of living is the celebration of being alive.
XII-ENGLISH Page 34
 “YOU DON‟T BECOME A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE YOU ARE
SUFFERING; BUT YOU BECOME A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE
YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED SUFFERING”

POEM-3
ALL THE WORLD‟S A STAGE
(FROM AS YOU LIKE IT)
-WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

GLOSSARY

time - lifetime
parts - here,characters
ages - here, periods of time
mewling - a small weak noise that a cat makes
puking – vomiting
whining - expressing unhappiness
creeping - walking slowly
satchel - a shoulder bag
furnace - place where fire is made
woeful - unhappy
oaths - promises
pard - a large cat, such as a leopard
justice - here, a judge, someone very respected
saws - sayings
pouch - a small bag for carrying money
hose - tights, thin trousers that men wore in Shakespeare's time
a world too wide - much too big
pipes - a high sound
second childishness - being like a child again
Sans - without

BOOK BACK
a) Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.”
i. Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?

XII-ENGLISH Page 35
 The second stage(Boyhood)is being referred here.
ii. What are the characteristics of the stage?
Laziness and unwillingness to go to school are the characteristics of the stage.
iii. How does the boy go to school?
The boy goes to school with his bag unwillingly like a snail.
iv) Which figure of speech has been employed in the second line?
Simile
b.“Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.”
i. What is the soldier ready to do?
The soldier is ready to guard his country. He involves himself in debates and
arguments.
ii. Explain „bubble reputation‟.
A Bubble is empty. So by seeking bubble reputation it is understood as short
lived glory.
iii. What are the distinguishing features of this stage?
The solider is aggressive and ambitious. He seeks reputation in all that he does.
He promises solemnly to guard his country. He thinks great of his honour.
c. “And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. ”
i. Whom does „justice‟ refer to?
„Justice‟ refers to the middle aged man. He has enough maturity to analyse and
judge
ii. Describe his appearance.
He is plumpy, has a formal cut beard and protruding stomach

iii. How does he behave with the people around him?

He is very firm and serious with people around him.
iv. What does he do to show his wisdom?
He show his wisdom, he often quotes modern examples and words of wisdom.

LINE 1- 5:
“All the world's a stage,
XII-ENGLISH Page 36
 And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages”.
a) What is the world compared to?
The world is compared to a stage.
b) What do the words „exits and entrances‟ mean ?
„Exits‟ refers to „death‟ and „Entrances‟ refers to „birth‟
c) Why does the poet call the world „a stage „? Why is the world compared to a
stage/parallel?
Stage is a platform in a theatre where actors perform their act. Similarly, life is
also a theatre where men and women play their part and die.
d) What are all the men and women of this world?
The men and women of this world are just like players on the stage oflife.
LINE 5-9
“At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.”
a) How does a schoolboy appear?
A schoolboy appears to be sulking and unwillingly carrying his school bag to the
school.
b) The schoolboy is depicted as „shining „ and „ whining‟? why?
Since he is a small boy, his face is shining. Whining depicts his unwillingness to
go to school.
c) What the first stage of human‟s life? / How is the life of a person like an infant?
The first stage of human‟s life is an infant who is wholly dependent on his
mother or nurse.
d) Describe the second stage of life as elaborated by Shakespeare.
The second stage is a schoolboy, who sling his bag over his shoulder and slowly
move like a snail to school .He is reluctant to go to school.
e) Does the schoolboy show eagerness to go to school?
No, the schoolboy doesn‟t show any interest in going to school and he is
unwilling to go there.
f) How does the schoolboy walk up to his school?
He is inching slowly and unwillingly like a snail towards his school.
h) Explain „mewling and puking‟.
It means crying and vomiting
XII-ENGLISH Page 37
 LINE 9-11
“And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistres‟s eyebrow”
a ) How does a man play a lover‟s role ?
The lover is busy composing ballads for his beloved, seeking her attention and
sighing like a furnace.
b ) What is the third stage at life?
The third stage of man‟s life is that at a lover.
c) What does the lover do for his mistress?
The lover‟s always sighing and longing for his beloved. He writes sad ballad
describing the eyebrow of his mistress.
d) Explain „sighing like furnace „.
It means moaning, breathing deeply and sadly like a fire place.
e) What does „woeful ballad‟ means?
Woeful ballad means unhappy or sad song.
LINE 9 -15
“Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.”
a) Describe the two traits of a soldier.
A soldier is always ready to swear and is full of oaths. He is ever ready to
compete for honour and glory.
b) Why does the soldier risk his life and what for?
The soldier risks his life for a momentary reputation and is ready even to enter
the cannon‟s mouth.
c) How is the soldier bearded?
He is bearded like a pard or a leopard.
LINE15-19
“And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. ”
a) What are the features of this stage?
In this stage man enjoys prosperity, self-satisfaction and wisdom. He is
fashionable.
XII-ENGLISH Page 38
 b) Explain the last line
At this stage man is full of wise sayings and examples from contemporary
life. He impresses others with his knowledge and wisdom.
LINE 19-25
“The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'dpantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.”
a) What is a „lean and slippered pantaloon‟?
It means a thin old man wearing slippers and loose trousers.
b) How does the „manly voice‟ turn into „childish„ in the sixth stage at life?
His manly voice turns into childish treble and whistles when he speaks as he
has no teeth in his mouth.
c)What is the sixth stage of man‟s life ?
In the sixth stage of life man plays the role of a „lean and slippered pantaloon‟.
d) Described his appearance .
He has spectacles to see and he keeps a pouch to carry money.
e)What happens to his younger days dress?
His younger day‟s dress which has been well maintained is too big for him
because he has become very lean and his shanks have shrunk.
f) What does the phrase „Shrunk shank‟ in this stanza mean?
It means that his legs have become weak and thin
g) How is the voice of a man at this stage?
The voice of a man at this stage becomes shrill like that of a child.
h) What stage of a man‟s life is referred to in these lines?
It is the sixth stage of man‟s life.

LINE 25-28
“Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
a) Which stage of man is referred to here?
The last and the seventh stage is referred to here.
b) What is the significance of this stage?

XII-ENGLISH Page 39
 In this stage man reaches his second childhood and he forgets everything about
the past. He is losing his teeth, sight and taste one by one and finally his life too.
c) Why is the last stage of man has been called a „second childishness‟?/What is the
last scene of man‟s life?
The last stage of man‟s life has been called a „second childishness‟ as man‟s
appearance and activities in this stage are quite similar to those of a child.
d) How is the last stage at man‟s life a „mere oblivion‟?
The last stage of life is a „mere oblivion‟ as old age is another stage of
forgetfulness .
e) Explain „eventful history‟.
It means the life –long history of man full of interesting incidents and
experiences.
f) What is man‟s condition in the last stage of life?
Man is very old and dependent in the last stage of life.
g) What do you mean by „Sans‟?
„Sans‟ means „without‟
h) What does „second childishness‟ mean?
Second childishness means that man is helpless and dependent once again like a child.
Figure of Speech:

No Poem Lines Device

1 And shining morning face, creeping like snail Simile
2 Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Simile
3 Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard Simile
4 Seeking the bubble reputation Metaphor
5 All the world‟s a stage Metaphor
6 And all them men and women merely players Metaphor
7 For his shrunk sharnk; and his big manly voice Metaphor
8 His youthful hose, well sav‟d a world too wide Personification
9 Even in the cannon‟s mouth. And then the justice Personification
10 And his big manly voice, turning again towards childish trible. Metaphor
11 They have their exits and their entrances. Oxymoron
EXPLAIN WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT
a) “They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,”
Reference:
These lines are taken from the poem “All the world‟s a stage” written by
William Shakespeare.
Context:
These lines are used by the poet when conveys, to the readers that all men and
women have to play their parts during their lifetime.
Explanation:

XII-ENGLISH Page 40
 The poet compares world to a stage and life to a play. All men and women born
here in this world have to play different roles during different stages of their life.
They enter the stage with their birth and exit it with their death.

b) “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation”.
Reference:
These lines are taken from the poem “All the world‟s a stage” written by
William Shakespeare
Context:
These lines are used by the poet when he describes the fourth stage of a man‟s
life.
Explanation:
The fourth stage of a man‟s life is that of a soldier. At this stage, he is a young man,
who seeks reputation and honour in all his words and deeds. His temper is
unpredictable and becomes violent during arguments. He is even ready to face the
gun to win short-lived glory.

c) “Is second childishness and mere oblivion;

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
Reference:
These lines are taken from the poem “All the world‟s a stage” written by
William Shakespeare
Context:
These lines are used by the poet to picture the last stage of a man‟s life.
Explanation:
The poet says that the final stage of the man‟s life is second childhood. At this
last stage, a man become helpless and dependent on others like an infant or a child.
Slowly he loses his faculties of sight, hearing, smell , taste and falls into a state of
oblivion or forgetfulness.

ALL THE WORLD‟S A STAGE

- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

„All the world‟s a stage‟ is an extract from the play „As you like it‟, a romantic
comedy by Shakespeare . It is spoken by Jacques in Act II. scene VII. In this poem,
Shakespeare Compares the „World‟ to a „stage‟, and„life‟ to a „play‟ . He has
divided life into seven stages each having its own Varied qualities and features .

SECOND CHILDHOOD
1.INFANT

2. SCHOOL BOY
XII-ENGLISH Page 41

7. VERY OLD AGE

 Shakespeare says that a world is a stage. All men and woman are only actors.
The stage has both „entrances‟ (birth) and „exits‟ (death). With the birth of an
„infant‟ begins the first stage of man‟s life. In this stage the child whispers in
mewling style and vomits, on the arms of the care taking nurse. The baby grows
and reaches the second stages, the unhappy school boy, reluctantly moving
like a snail to school. In the third stage, man plays the role of a lover. He sighs
like a furnace. He Keeps on writing ballads praising the beauty of the eyebrows of
his beloved. The fourth stage, he gets shifted to the „zone of bravery‟. Here he
acts as a soldier in the fourth stage. He Keeps a beard like that of a leopard. He
always runs after honors and fame. “He is ready even to enter a cannon‟s mouth
fast for momentary glory and bubble of reputation.” In the fifth stage, man
plays the role of a justice. He is fond of eating chicken and develops a fat round
belly. He is full of wise sayings and modern instances. He is a man of wisdom and
knowledge. In the sixth stage, man becomes weak and thin in body. He wears
slippers, spectacles and clothes that he bought when he was young. These pants and
stocking have become loose for his shrunk and thin legs. The seventh stage
is the „second childhood‟. In this stage, man becomes very old and starts
behaving like a child. His manly Voice changes into childish treble. Slowly he
loses his faculties of „sight‟, „hearing‟, „smell‟ and „taste‟ . Finally he exits the world.

“ALL THE WORLD‟S A STAGE, AND ALL THE MEN AND

WOMEN MERELY PLAYERS”

SUPPLEMENTARY PARAGRAPH
“THE HOUR OF TRUTH”
- PERCIVAL WILDE
“Every hour is the hour of truth”
Percival Wilde (1887-1953) was an American author and playwright. He wrote
XII-ENGLISH Page 42
 novels, short stories and one -act plays. “The Hour of truth” is an intense
psychological study. This one act play particularly shows how easily people forget
their moral values and principles. We can see the battle between„self‟ and
„society‟ in the Character of Mr. Robert Baldwin, the secretary of a bank and the
bank President Mr. John Gresham.Robert Baldwin is the Protagonist of this play.
He leads a simple life with his wife Martha and his son John and daughter Evie. He
is a man of Principles. He is an honest, diligent and hardworking employee . He
has been Working in the bank for more than 35 years. He is not ready to make any
kind of compromise with his morality. He is Working under John Gresham in a
Bank. Baldwin had been thick friend for over 30 years and Baldwin had even
named his son after Gresham. When his friend John Gresham was arrested for the
misappropriation in bank account, Baldwin was not ready to make any Kind of
compromise and decided to part with him. Just before being arrested Gresham
offered him one hundred thousand dollars just to say “I don‟t remember”.
The play brings a positive note when the bad
people get punished, the good people get
rewarded

Both Martha and John were Very happy to get a huge sum from Gresham,
so that their family would also grow rich to some extent. When they came to know
that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham and justified
Gresham‟s act of offering money, stating that it was a compensation for his low
salary. So they started convincing Baldwin to accept the bribe. John also accused
Baldwin of betraying his dear friend Gresham. He also told that Baldwin will not
get an employment anywhere, as he will be considered a traitor. John compelled
Baldwin to accept the money offered by Gresham. Thus Martha and John reacted in
an unjust way when Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham.
Baldwin, felt disgusted with himself and the attitude of his family members. To save
Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, president of the Third National, Visited him and informed
him that Gresham had confessed his crime, in order to free him from betraying his
trusted friend and testifying painfully against him. Mr. Marshall also offered
Baldwin a job in his Bank, to reward him for his „honesty‟ and „Integrity‟. At
the end of the play the reader realizes that money only brings „ isolation‟,
„punishment‟, „deception‟ , „frustration‟ and „endless shame‟. Money has a great
influence on people but not on truthful virtues.
MORAL :
“TRUTH HAS NO SPECIAL TIME OF ITS OWN. ITS HOUR IS NOW -----
ALWAYS AND INDEED THEN MOST TRULY WHEN IT SEEMS
UNSUITABLE TO ACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.”

XII-ENGLISH Page 43
 UNIT-IV
THE SUMMIT
-EDMUND HILLARY
GLOSSARY:

WORD MEANING ANTONYM

traverse to cross a mountain slope horizontally or Back up

diagonally; the name given to such a crossing
(cross over)
rope links members of climbing party for safety; a ---
party may be referred to as “a rope”
cornice overhanging mass of snow or ice along a ridge, ---
shaped like the curling crest of a wave
cwm an enclosed arm-chair- shaped hollow situated ---
at the head of a valley
scrambling climbing hurriedly on hands and knees/push Retreating /
Retire
wriggle to move with a twist or turn Rest /Relax

tantalize tease or taunt Encourage / Aid

Cramponed climbing on ice wearing spike shoes ---

ADDITIONAL:

WORD MEANING ANTONYM

Laden Loaded Unlade
Fierce Intense/ tough Moderate /dull/ gentle
donned Worn / enrobed/ put on Disrobed /took of
Hoisted Picked up /lifted /hauled up Dropped / lowered
Move off Go away /proceed Arrive
Bumps Swelling ---
Narrowed Reduced/contracted Widened /broadened
Sparingly Moderate/economically Fully /richly / un
/carefully carefully/lavishly
Persisted Continued/preserved Discontinued /stopped
Slipped Dropped Remained

XII-ENGLISH Page 44
 Exhausted Weakness / finished / used up Energised/filled/replenished
Altitude Height Depth
Firm Strong /harder weak
Belay Halt Start
Enormous Gigantic Small / tiny/little
Jammed Blocked Loosened
Inched Slowed Hurried
Determination Perseverance Indifference
Hauled Pulled out Pushed /dropped
Zest /zeal Enthusiasm Apathy /hate / boredom
Grim Terrible Cheerful/pleasant /bright
Unexplored Uncharted /undiscovered Explored
Loomed Appeared / clear / threatened Vanished
Expedition Journey /purposeful journey ---
Perpetual Continual /never ending Temporary
Resolve Strong Give up
Heaved Lifted Dropped
Crest Peak /top Base / core
Frozen Iced Hot / vaporized
Diminishing Reducing Increasing
Levered Lifted Dropped
Muster Gather /mobilize Demobilise / lose
spurred Prompted /Urged/ propel / Calmed
stimulate /spark
Thrust Propulsion Retreat
Ridge Edge /point/ hill Plain / flat
crawled Creped/sneaked/ moved Race
slowly
wriggle Writhe/ twisted Calm / relax
dragged Pulled/ hauled Pushed
tiny Small /little Huge
hollow Empty/ muted High- pitched
scraped Rubbed/ scratched Smoother
gauges Measurement ---
Frequent Regular / often Rarely
stamping Fixing / sealing/stepping hard / Softly
crushing

XII-ENGLISH Page 45
 advisability Desirability / prudence / Inadvisability
suitability / sensibility /
Firmer Stable / strong / harder Smoother
Apparatus Device /tool/ equipment ---
Crystalline Very clear Dim
Shaft Tool ---
Solid Firm /concrete Liquid
traverse Pass through /go over /cross Stay
concealed Hidden / covered Exposed
Stretching off Widening / enlarging Shrinking
Clumsy- figured Awkward Graceful
lofty Height / top Lowly
crucifix Cross ( symbol) ---
Dragging Pulled Pushed
flapped Panicked /worried /swayed Enthusiastic/ happy
Ascent Climb / way up Descent
Comradeship Company / unity / partnership Enmity
Adventure Feat / exploits Inaction
Freedom Liberty Bondage / slavery
Giant Enormous Dwarf
Turn on Activated / Close
Over come Beat / defeated / conquer Surrender
Relieved Happy / pleased / relaxed Worried
Devout Pious Faithless
goggles Spectacles ---
Balaclava helmet Head cover ---
Encrusted Covered Un covered
Grin Laugh / smile Cry
Thumbed Beat Unbeatable
Cautiously Carefully Carelessly
Steep Vertical Horizon
Disguising Conceal / mask Disclose / revealing
Muster Collect / mobilize Demobilize
Hump Bulge Flat
Shuffle Walk quickly Slowly
Stance View point / position / solid Rigid / liquid
Gave way Collapsed Ordered

XII-ENGLISH Page 46
 Gale Violent storm Breeze
Formidable Tough Easy
Sardines A type of (sea )fish ---
Primus Stove ---
Trail Pathway ---
Chipped Broke Joined / fixed / mend
Summit Peak ---
Sink Dip Float
Loops Bend / curve Line
Spike Nail‟s ---
Ledge Ridge / edge Centre
Whacks Cracks ---
Flapped Swayed / swing Calm / stillness
Vengeance Revenge Forgiveness
Levered off Lifted Drop
hump Bulge/bump/lump -

SHORT ANSWER:
1) BASED ON YOUR READING OF THE TEXT, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO SENTENCES EACH
(a) What did Hillary do with his wet boots?
Hillary‟s shoes were wet with ice. So he softened the frozen shoes by placing
them over the flame of the Primus (a portable cooking stove.)
(b) Name an equipment‟s and a tool‟s carried by the climbers during their
expedition.
Oxygen gear is an equipment and ice- axe, ice hammer, crampons here some tools
were carried by the climbers during their expedition.
(c) Why did Hillary become clumsy-fingered and slow-moving?
Hillary became clumsy-fingered and slow-moving because his oxygen was getting
exhausted.
(d) What did Hillary find in a tiny hollow?
Hillary found two oxygen bottles in a tiny hollow. They had been left there on
earlier attempt by Evans and Bourdillon.
(e) When did Hillary feel a sense of freedom and well-being?
Their first bottle of oxygen was empty on reaching the Sough Peak. They had now
only one bottle of oxygen just over 20 pounds and so it was easy to carry their
oxygen-apparatus. Consequently Hillary felt a sense of freedom and well-being.
f) What did Hillary mean by saying “We had had enough to do the job, but by no
meanstoo much”?
After reaching the summit, Hillary and Tenzing began their descent to the South
Col. On the way to the camp the Sherpas George Lowe and Wilfred Noyce met them

XII-ENGLISH Page 47
 with soup and emergency oxygen. Just before reaching the tent Hillary‟s stock of
oxygen was depleted. The remaining oxygen was just sufficient to reach the tent but
not all more than necessary.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN TWO OR THREE SENTENCES EACH.

(a) How did the mountaineers belay?
Belaying refers to a variety of techniques used by mountaineers to exert tension on a
climbing rope so that a climber does not fall very far. A climbing partner (Hillary-
Tenzing) typically applies tension at the other end of the rope whenever the climber
is not climbing and removes the tension from the rope when the climber needs rope
to continue to climb.
(b) Why was the original zest fading away?
Just before reaching the summit they had to cross a ridge, there were great cornices
on the right side of the ridge and sloping rock on the lift. They had no idea where
the top was as the ridge curved away to the right. If they cut one bulge of the earth
they saw a larger one coming to view.
(c) What did Edmund Hillary do to escape the large overhanging ice cornices?
In order to escape from the overhanging large cornices , Hillary cut a series of steps
down to the place where the snow met the rocks on the west.
(d) What did Tenzing and Edmund Hillary gift to the God of lofty Summit? How
did they do it?
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary placed in a little hole on the ice a bar of
chocolate, biscuits and a few lollipops as a gift to the God of lofty summit. In
addition Hillary placed a crucifix given by Colonel Hunt, leader of the expedition.
(e) What did the photograph portray?
The photograph portrayed North Col and the old route which had been made
famous by the struggles of those great climbers in 1920‟s and 1930‟s.
f) The soft snow was difficult and dangerous. Why?
The soft snow made a route on top of the ridge both dangerous and difficult.
Sometimes it held Hillary's weight. But often it gave way suddenly. Thus it was
dangerous for the climbers. But both persisted and trudged ahead for 400 feet and
reached the southern summit
g) How did the firm snow at the higher regions fill them with hope?
The snow was crystalline and firm at the higher regions. Two or three blows of the
ice-axe produced a step large enough even for a over - sized High Attitude boots. A
firm thrust of the ice-axe would sink it half-way up the shaft, giving a solid and
comfortable belay. This filled them with hope.

PARAGRAPH:
THE SUMMIT
- EDMUND HILLARY

XII-ENGLISH Page 48
 Sir Edmund Hillary (1919 -2008) was one of the greatest explores and
mountaineers of the twentieth century. His conquest of mount Everest and the
south pole inspired generations of adventures and dreamers. This story of
„The Summit‟ narrates the achievement of Edmund Hillary and
Tenzing Norgay. They achieved success in climbing to the
summit of the Mount Everest. John Hunt led the expedition to Mount
Everest on May 29th 1953, six men started for the expedition. They were
Edmund Hillary, Tenzing, George Lowe, Alfred Gregory and the
two Sherpas, Pemba and Ang Nyima. As Pemba was too ill to
climb, others climbed that day to a height of 27,900 feet. At 4
a.m., they began to get ready for the climb. Hillary dragged their
oxygen sets into the tent, cleaned the ice off them and then rechecked and tested
them. They pulled three pairs of gloves on to their hands. At 6.30 am, they
hoisted 30 Ib. Of oxygen gear on to their backs, connected their
masks and turned on the valves to bring life into their lungs.
They traversed back towards the ridge. The soft snow made a route on
top of the ridge both difficult and dangerous. As one person was belaying, the other
person would go on cutting.

I literally cramponedbackwards up the crack,

praying that the cornice would remain attached to
the rock. My progress although slow was steady.

They had to escape the large overhanging cornices by cutting a line of steps down to
where the snow met the rocks on the west. The time was passing and the ridge
seemed never-ending, Hillary looked upwards to see a narrow snow ridge running
up to a snowy summit with a few more whacks of the ice-axe in the firm snow, they
can be on the top. They were relieved and grinned at each other, as they looked all
around them .They shook hands and thumped each other on the
back until they were breathless. It was 11.30 a.m. He felt that the
important photograph was a short down the North Ridge, showing the North col.
Tenzingmade a small hole in the snow and placed various small articles of food in it.
Hillary also made a small hole in the snow and placed in it a crucifix,which was
given to him by John Hunt. They scrambled cautiously over the rock traverse ,
moved one at a time over shaky snow sections and finally cramponed up their steps
and back on to South Peak. They reached their tent at 2.00 p.m. Then
they turned downwards safely descended the ridge to the South
Col. It was an unforgettable day for them. They had climbed to the top. There
were shouts of joy, handshakes and hugs for the two heroes. The adventure was
over .They made the impossible possible. They proved „There is
no height, no depth that the spirit of man guided by a higher

XII-ENGLISH Page 49
 spirit, cannot attain‟. “There are Everest to be climbed in our
everyday life”.

“KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE SUMMIT”

POEM-4
ULYSSES
- ALFRED TENNYSON
GLOSSARY

drink life to the lees – drink to the very last drop; here „live life to the fullest‟
scudding – moving rapidly because of the wind
Hyades – a group of stars in the constellation Taurus often associated with rain
vext – (past tense of „vex‟) upset
to rust unburnish‟d – to let go waste, without being used
three suns – three long years
Telemachus – son of Ulysses
smite – strike
furrow – mark made in the water by the ship
baths – outer ocean or river that the Greeks believed to surround the flat earth
Happy Isles – a fortunate island situated in the Atlantic Ocean, popularly known
as Greek Paradise
Achilles – the greatest of Greek warriors (as an infant his mother dipped into the
river Styx, which made him invulnerable everywhere but the feet by which she
held him)
BOOK BACK
a)I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”
(i) What does Ulysses do?
Ulysses distributes unequal laws to a savage race.
(ii) Did he enjoy what he was doing? Give reason.
No, he did not enjoy what he was doing. He was keen to travel. He disliked
because the people were for worldly pleasures and did not know his value.
b)“Yet all experience is an arch wherethro‟
Gleams that untravell‟d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
(i) What is experience compared to?
Experience is compared to an arch and describes the untraveled world as a place
that „gleams‟ at him through athal arch.
ii) How do the lines convey that the experience is endless?

XII-ENGLISH Page 50
 The untraveled world is a reference to death. Death is always looking at him
through to arch of his experience, but somehow seems to recede, as he keeps
moving. The more he travels, the more margins or edges are covered up.
c) Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were”.
i ) How is every hour important to Ulysses?
Every hour is important because Ulysses wants to travel and explore the world with
in his shot span of „Life‟.
ii) What does the term” Little remains” convey?
The term “Little remains” underlines the limited time he has to fulfill his dream.
d)“This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,
Well-loved of me,
(i) Who does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
Ulysses entrusts his kingdom to his son Telemachus in his absence.
ii) Bring out the significance of the “sceptre”
“Scepter” – the poet has used the figure of speech synecdoche to simplify the
power of a king.
“Sceptre” is an Ornamental rod carried by the rulers on Ceremonial occasions as a
symbol of sovereignty.

e)That ever with a frolic welcome took

The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
vii) What do „thunder‟ and „Sunshine‟ refer to
The Words “thunder” and “Sunshine” refer to the easy and difficult situations they
meet with they travel.
viii) What do we infer about the attitude of the sailors?
We infer the thrust for Voyage and unbeatable, unbendable positive attitude of the
sailors.
f)“Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
(i) The above lines convey the undying spirit of Ulysses, Explain.
Though death would end everything, Ulysses urges his companions to join him and
sail beyond the sunset and seek a newer world, regardless of consequences. They are
united by their undying spirit of adventure.
g)………….purpose holds

XII-ENGLISH Page 51
 To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
(i) What was Ulysses purpose in life?
„Ulysses‟ purpose in life was to travel all places of the world. Time and climate
cannot deter him.
ii) How long would his venture cast?
His venture would last till his last breath. Travel and Ulysses, are created for each
other.
h) One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
(i) Though made weak by time and fate, the hearts are heroic. Explain.
Ulysses and the sailors may be weak due to the age and their fate but they all have a
very strong will.

LINE – 1-5

“It little profits that an idle king,

By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match‟d with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”
(i) What does the phrase “If little profits” refer to?
The phrase “it little profits is another way of saying “it is useless” or “It isn‟t
beneficial”
(ii) „Match‟d with? refer to
It means something like “paired” or “partnered with”
(iii) What is mete and dole‟
It refers to the Kings allotment of rewards and punishments to his subjects.
(iv) What is „hearth‟?
A hearth is the floor of a fire place.
(v) Who is the speakor
The speakor is Ulysses, the Greek hero known for his love of adventure.
(vi) What do you mean by „crags‟?
The word „crags‟ means a steep, rugged cliff.
(vii) Trace a word from the lines which is the opposite of fertile.
The word „barren‟ is the opposite of fertile.
(viii) Pick out words that show lack of vitality from the lines.
The words, „still‟, „Barren‟ and aged show lack of vitality.
XII-ENGLISH Page 52
 LINE – 6-10

“I cannot rest from travel: I will drink

Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy‟d
Greatly, have suffer‟d greatly, both with those 8
That loved me, and alone, on shore, and when
Thro‟ scudding drifts the rainy Hyades”
(i) Who cannot rest-from travel?
Ulysses cannot-rest-from travel.
ii) What two aspects of life has the hero faced?
He has faced both good times and bad times of life.
iii) Is the character adventurous? How do we know?
Yes, the character is adventurous. The words. I will drink life to the lees‟ confirms
this.
iv) What is meant by „Hyades‟?
Hyades is a group of stars in the constellation Taurus, often associated with rain.
v) How does Ulysses want to live?
He wants to live his life to the fullest.
vi) Describe the experience of Ulysses.
Ulysses has enjoyed greatly and suffered greatly.
vii) What is scudding drifts”?
Scudding drifts are pounding showers of rain that one might encounter at sea during
a storm.
viii) Explain the phrase „drink life to the lees‟
This phrase means „to live life to the fullest.
ix) Bring out the meaning of „scudding‟
The word „scudding means moving rapidly because of the wind.
x) Bring out the meaning of „vext‟.
The word „vext‟ is the past tense „vex‟ and it means upset.

LINE – 11-15

“Vext the dim sea: I am become a name;

For always roaming with a hungry heart
Much have I seen and known; cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honour‟d of them all;”
(i) What is the hero popular for?

XII-ENGLISH Page 53
 The hero is popular for roaming.
ii) What type of heart does he have?
He has a hungry heart.
iii) What are the things he has seen and known?
He has seen and known, cities of men and manners, climates, councils, governments.
iv) What do you mean by the word „Vext‟?
The Word „Vext” means to be agitated or distressed.
v) What does the phrase “I am become a name” refer to?
Ulysses has become famous because he has travelled to so many places,
vi) How did Ulysses go around?
He always went around with a hungry heart, he wanted to explore new places.
vii) What did Ulysses come to know out of his Vast travel?
Ulysses came to know different cities, their men, manners, climate and types of
governs.
viii) What is “hungry heart”?
Heart with wonder least. He portrays himself as a Traveller with an insatiable desire
(“hungry heart”) to see as many places as he can.
ix) What does the phrase “Myself not least”
The phrase myself not least, but honoured of them all means something like
“I wasn‟t treated like the least Little thing but was honored by every body met”

LINE – 16-18
“And drunk delight of battle with my peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
I am a part of all that I have met;”
(i) How Describe the time Ulysses spent on the ringing plains of windy Troy?
Ulysses describes the time he spent “on the ringing plains of windy Troy”, the
famous city where the Trojan war took place. The “Plains” are ringing because of the
armourclashing together in battle.
ii) What is troy?
Troy is nothing but battle (Trojan War)
iii) „Part‟ refer to
All the places Ulysses have seen are how a part of him. It suggests that Ulysses left
parts of himself everywhere he went.
iv) What does „windy Troy‟ refer to?
The Phrase „Windy Troy‟ refers to Ulysses adventures at the battle of Troy.

LINE – 19-24

XII-ENGLISH Page 54
 “Yet all experience is an arch wherethro‟
Gleams that untravell‟d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish‟d, not to shine in use!
As tho‟ to breathe were life! Life piled on life”
i) What sort of justification made by Ulysses?
Ulysses further justifies his desire to keep travelling and living a life of
adventure.
ii) What is „unburnished‟?
It means to go waste being unusual. Ulysses doesn‟t want to waste his life by
reaming idle.
iii) What does Ulysses consider as „dull‟?
To remain stationary or to make an end is considered dull by Ulysses.

LINE – 25-28
“Were all too little, and of one to me
Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were”.
i) What is the phrase “but-Every hour is save” convey?
It means something like “each additional hour that belived, or each hour that he
saved from death, brings him new experiences.
ii)Which word in the line is the opposite of „food‟?
The word „vile‟ is the opposite of good.

LINE – 29-32
“For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought”
(i) What does his spirit do?
His spirit yearns in desire.
ii) What does he want to do? What is compared to? What is Olysses‟s yearning?
He wants to follow knowledge it is compared to sinking star.
iii) Give the meaning for the word “bound”?
The word “bound” means boundary
iv) Define “Three Suns”

XII-ENGLISH Page 55
 Three suns “doesn‟t mean three days, but rather three years.
v) What is sinking star? (Falling star)
The phrase “follow knowledge like a sinking star” is ambiguous.
* On one hand, Ulysses wants to chase after knowledge and try to catch it as it sinks
like a star.
*On the other hand, Ulysses himself could be the sinking star.
vi) What is considered as morally disgusting by Ulysses?
To spend one‟s life merely to score and accumulate wealth is considered as
morally disgusting by Ulysses.

LINE – 33-36
“This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,
Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfil
This labour, by slow prudence to make mild.
i) Who is well-loved of Ulysses?
Telemachus, his son is well-loved of Ulysses.
ii) What is the labour mentioned here?
The labour mentioned here is ruling the people.

iii) Slow prudence refer to

Ulysses has „slow prudence‟, meaning he is patient and willing to make the best-
decision for the people of Ithaca without being too hasty.

LINE – 37-40
“A rugged people, and thro‟ soft degrees
Subdue them to the useful and the good.
Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere
Of common duties, decent not to fail
(i) What is the literary device used here?
Metaphor the people of Ithaca are indirectly compared to a rugged surface.
ii) What do you mean by the word “subdue”?
“Subdue” means to Quieten (or) (make someone mild)
iii) „Rugged people‟ and „soft degrees‟ refer to
The people of Ithaca are „rugged‟ which means that they are a little uncivilized and
uncultured.
„Soft degrees‟ implies that Telemachus will civilize the citizens of Ithaca in stages
and in a nice way.

XII-ENGLISH Page 56
 iv) Explain the phrase “Decent not to fail‟
It means that Telemachus is smart enough not to fail at doing nice things for people
and paying the proper respect to the gods.
v) What is blameless ?
Blameless refers to faultless.
vi) Whom does the phrase „rugged people‟ refer to?
The Phrase „rugged people‟ refers to the people of Ithaca.
vii) Whom does the word „he‟ refer to?
The word „he‟ „refer‟ to Telemachus, the son of Ulysses.
viii) What are the positive Qualities that Ulysses finds in his son?
Ulysses finds prudence, patience, honesty and dutifulness in his son Telemachus.

LINE – 41 - 44
“In offices of tenderness, and pay
Meet adoration to my household gods,
When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.
There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:”
(i) Who are in Offices of tenderness?
Ulysses‟s son Telemachus is in offices of tenderness.
ii) Offices of tenderness convey what? Which is his power?
Offices of tenderness conveys “Telemachus” is very soft in nature. His power is
strong faith in God.
iii) Who meet adore to his house hold god, in the absence of Ulysses?
Telamachus will adore to the household god in the absence of Ulysses.
iv) Who is the „he‟ here?
The „he‟ here refers to Ulysses‟s son Telemachus.
v) Whom does the word „I‟ refer to?
The word „I‟ refers to Ulysses.
vi) What is „Telemachus‟ work?
Telemachus work is to rule the kingdom of Ithaca.
vii) What is Ulysse‟s work?
Ulysses‟s work is to continue sailing to seek newer world.

LINES – 45-50
“There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners,
Souls that have toil‟d, and wrought, and thought with me
That ever with a frolic welcome took

XII-ENGLISH Page 57
 The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads - you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;”
i) „Meet‟ refer to
Meet means “appropriate” “or” suitable.
ii) Who is the speaker?
The speaker is Ulysses.
iii) Whom does he speak about here?
He speaks about his mariners.
iv) How were they different from other subjects in his kingdom?
They did not prefer living under a king with free hearts and free fore heads. In
stead, they like to travel around and face challenges.
(v) Gloom refer to
„Gloom‟ here it is a Verb that means “appearing dark” or “scowling”
vi) What do “toil” and “wrought” refer to?
Toil → hardwork, wrought →work
ix) Is Ulysses proud of his mariners?
Yes, he is proud of his mariners.
x) What does he say about his sailors?
He says that they were hard working and always shared his thoughts and interests.

LINES –51 - 56

“Death closes all: but something ere the end,

Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,”
i) What is the meaning of „strove‟?
It means to try hard Vigorously.
ii) What is „Ere‟?
„Ere‟ is an old poetic word that means „before‟
iii) What is the symbolism used here?
Ulysses describes himself and his fellow travelers as men that „strove‟ with Gods‟.
They communicate easily with the Greek Gods.

LINES –57-64
“„T is not too late to seek a newer world.

XII-ENGLISH Page 58
 Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.”
i) What does “Furrow” refer to?
Furrow refers to the track or mark made in the water by the ship.
ii) What does “happy isles” refer to?
The happy isles refers to the lands of Blessed, a place where big time Greek heros
like Achilles enjoyed perpetual summer after they died. (We can Heaven).
Not! Ulysses realizes that he and his companions might die, but he with that. If
they die, they might ever get to go to the “Happy Isles” and visit their old pal
Achilles.
iii) who is Achilles?
Achilles is the greatest of Greek warriors.

LINE – 65 - 70
“Tho‟ much is taken, much abides; and tho‟
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
i) What does the poet say about the Voyagers?
The poet says that they should strive to find new things and not yield to failiers.
ii) Explain the meaning of “Abides”.
Abides” is a word that means remains.
FIGHURES OF SPEECH

POEM LINES POETIC DEVICE

“As tho„ to breathe were life! Life piled on life….”
Simile
“To follow knowledge like a sinking star….”
“I will drink to the less”
Metaphor
“Life to the less : All times I have enjoy‟d”

XII-ENGLISH Page 59
 “There lies the port; the vessel puffs her soil:”
“ The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed ”
“For always roaming with a hungry heart”
“And drunk delight of battle with my peers;”
“Gleams that untravell‟d world whose margin fades”
“To rust unburnish‟d, not to shine in use!”
“There Gloom the dark, broad seas My mariners”
The sounding smitefurnows”;
“To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths”
“A rugged people, and thro‟ soft degrees subdue them
to the useful and the good.”
“Thro „scudding drifting the rainy Hyades vext the
dim sea............”
Personification
“Death closes all : but something ere the end,”
“The long day wanes: the slow moon Climbs: ”
“..the deep moans round with many voices”
“It may be that qulfs will wash us down:”
“made weak by time and fate, but strong in will”
a hungry heart – transferred epithet (the epithet –
transferred epithet
„hungry‟ is transferred from a person to a thing
hungry man- hungry heart)
Far on the ringing plains of windy “Troy”
This is my son, mine own Telemachus
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
Allusion :(in Greek mythology the place is known as Allusion
Greek Paradise)
and see the great Achilles whom we know.
Allusion (Greek mythology)
It little profits that an idle king. Imagery
“By this still hearth, among these barren crags”.
“That heard, and sleep, and feet, and know not me.” Oxymoron
“I cannot rest from travel; I will drink”
“„Tho‟ much is taken, much abides; and tho‟
“Gleams forever and forever when I move.” repetition
“To whom I leave the scepter and the isle,”
synecdoche
(part of the whole)
“There gloom souls that have toil‟d and wrought and internal rhyme
though with me.”

XII-ENGLISH Page 60
 “Come, my friends „T is not too late to seek a newer
synecdoche
world ”
............ and opposed
Free hearts, free heads. Repetition or Anaphora
Repetition or Anaphora (The poet repeats the word
„free‟)

ERC
Explain with reference to the context the following lines
1. a) “I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees : . . . . . . . ,.”
Reference : These lines are an extract from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson
Context : These are the words of Ulysses, when he expresses his thirst for
adventure.
Explanation : Ulysses declares that he cannot remain stationary in his kingdom
and mete out punishments or justice for the savage people of his kingdom.
According to him, they only know to store away, sleep and feed. He believes his
purpose in life is to seek knowledge by travelling. He wants to live life to the fullest.
2. b) “. . . . .I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart”
Reference : These lines are taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson.
Context : These lines are uttered by Ulysses when he expresses his desire to
continue his travel all over the world.
Explanation : Ulysses says that he has experienced both enjoyment and
suffering both on shore and in seas. He considers himself as a symbol of the spirit of
adventure. He prefers to roam around the world and his heart is always hungry to
gain knowledge.
3. c) “How dull it is to pause, to make an end
To rust unburnish‟d not to shine in use!”
Reference : These lines are taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson
Context : These words are spoken by Ulysses when he emphasizes the fact that life
without adventure is meaningless .
Explanation : Ulysses feels that only when he keeps travelling, the margin of
the world that he hasn‟t traversed becomes shrunk. He believes that it is dull to
stop and make an end. He says that life should be like a sword that shines if used,
not like iron that rust, if unused.
XII-ENGLISH Page 61
4. d) “To follow knowledge like a sinking star.
Be yond the utmost bound of human thought.”
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson.
Context: These words of Ulysses express his thirst for knowledge.
Explanation: To Ulysses, every moment is a bringer of new things. He considers
it morally base to engage oneself in merely storing away and hoarding for years. He
declares that though he has grown old, he has a deep desire to pursue knowledge
like „a sinking star. He wants to seek knowledge which is beyond the boundary of
human thought.
5. e) “. . . . . He works his work. I mine”
Reference : This line is taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context : This line is uttered by Ulysses when he entrusts his kingdom to his son.
Explanation : Ulysses addresses the people of his kingdom and says that he is
proud to entrust his kingdom to his son. Telemachus. He says his son is blameless
and dutiful. He is prudent enough to civilize the savage subjects. Hence he is
confident that his son would fulfill his duties as a king, when he is away sailing to
different nation.
6. f) “. . . . . you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;”
Reference : These lines are taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson.
Context : These line are spoken by Ulysses to his compains.
Explanation : In these lines, Ulysses urges his companision to join him to set sail
to unknown lands. He reminds them that though they have become old now, old
age can bring honour if they toil hard. He exhorts them not to stop , as there is still
time left to do noble work before they die
7. g) “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. . . . . .”
Reference : These lines are an extract from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred
Tennyson.
Context : These lines are spoken by Ulysses to his mariners while urging them to
embark upon their next voyage.
Explanation : These lines describe the coming of the night and how the deep
sea with many voices beckon them to set sail once again. Figuratively, it means that
the young energetic days of their youth have gone and they have begun to
experience the troubles of old age. Yet, they listen to the call of the deep sea.

XII-ENGLISH Page 62
8. h) “It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,.
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.”
Reference :
These lines are an extract from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context :
These lines are spoken by Ulysses to his mariners while describing the possible
outcomes of their next voyage.
Explanation:
Ulysses tells his companions that their next voyage might involve both risk and
reward. They might be ruined by the gulfs, or they might perhaps, reach the Happy
Isles and see Achilles, the great Greek hero, who is believed to have been taken
there after his death.
9. i) “We are not now that strength which in old days
Money earth and heaven;”
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „Ulysses‟ written by Alfred Tennyson.
Context :
These words are uttered by Ulysses while encouraging his companions to pursue
their quest for travel.
Explanation :
Once, Ulysses and his friends had moved the earth and heaven with their heroic
deeds of bravery. But now, they have become physically weak due to their old age.
Yet, their spirit for adventure remains the same.
10. j) “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Reference : This line is an extract from the Poem „Ulysses‟ written by „Alfred
Tennyson‟
context : This is the concluding line of the monologue by which Ulysses wants
his companions to stay animated to pursue their quest for travel and knowledge.
Explanation: Ulysses says that although he and his mariners are not as strong as they
were in their youth, they are strong in their „will‟ and they want to push onward
relentlessly: Their purpose of life is to face struggles, to seek and find knowledge
and not to surrender to old age or fate.

ULYSSES
-ALFRED TENNYSON
The poem „Ulysses‟ is a dramatic monologue (That contains 70 lines of blank
Verse) in which Ulysses, the King of Ithaca, had returned to his kingdom after
twenty years of the Trojan War expresses his undying thirst of adventure overseas .

XII-ENGLISH Page 63
 He wishes to embark upon his next Voyage. He is quite sensitive to the moans of
the seas tantalizing him and his compatriots to set said quickly. He wants to “to
drink life to the lees”Ulysses doesn‟t want to bask on the glory he has earned in
the past . His inquisitive spirit is restless. He has seen much and acquired
knowledge of various cultures of the world.He wants to sail towards the area
„beyond sunset‟. He must shine in use like a sword but not “rust unburnished” . In
the second part of the poem Ulysses desires to hand over his Kingdom to his son
Telemachus who would fulfill his duties towards his subject with care and prudence.
Telemachus possesses patience and has the will to civilize the citizens of Ithaca in a
tender way. Ulysses is happy that his son would do his work blamelessly and he
would pursue his quest for travel and knowledge.

“ In offices of tenderness, and pay

meet adoration to may household gods
When I am gone. He works his work, I mine
There lies the port ; the vessel puffs her sail “

In the last part of the poem Ulysses addresses his fellow sailors. Ulysses beckons his
sailors together at the port where the ship is ready to sail. His companions who
have faced both thunder and sunshine with a smile , are United by their undying
spirit of adventure. Though death would end everything, Ulysses urges his
companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset and seek a newer world,
regardless of consequences .These brave hearts who had once moved heaven and
earth may have grown and old weak physically but their spirit is young and
undaunted(fearless). His call is an inspiration for all those who seek true
knowledge and strive to lead meaningful lives.

IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, THE RULE IS, EAT OR BE EATEN; IN

THE HUMAN KINGDOM, DEFINE OR BE DEFINED

SUPPLEMENTARY PARAGRAPH

THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR

-ROBERT ARTHUR
“Appearances are often deceptive”
Robert Jay Arthurjr.(1909-1969)was an America writer who specialised in crime
and Mystery fiction. The story „The Midnight Visitor‟ narrator how
Ausable„outsmarted‟ the deadly criminal with his „resourcefulness‟ and „presence of
mind‟ . Ausable was a secret agent . He was a fat and sloppy fellow . In his
appearance, he did not seem to be a romantic figure. He came to paris from Boston
twenty years ago. He could speak French and German fairly well. He had not-lost

XII-ENGLISH Page 64
 the American accent. He was very intelligent person, He had a great presence of
mind .Aside from his appearance, Ausable is a fitting secret agent to
the core. Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had every
read. Following hm down the musty corridor of the gloomy French hotel where
Ausable had a room, Fowler felt let down and disappointed on meaty Ausable

He had a different picture of a secret agent in his mind. Fowler was thrilled when
he entered Ausable‟s room because half way across the room he saw a tall man with
a small automatic pistol is his hand. That was Fowler‟s first authentic thrill of the
day. “The Unexpected presence of a criminal wielding a gun triggers different
reactions in the two men who entered the room . This is evident in the story of the
“The Midnight Visitor”. Max, a criminal had hatched an evil plan to take the
confidential report concerning a new missile from Ausable a secret agent. Seeing
that the criminal had been determined getting the report Ausable was shocked. But
his presence of mind was more powerful than the shock. He pretended to be
unaffected by this and moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. He told max
that there was a balcony just below his window. He told max that the balcony was
the part of the next room. He also complained that it was second time in a month
that somebody hadentered his room using the balcony. When the knock was heard,
Asuable Very cleverly made up a story and told max that it would be the police
whom he had called to protect the important report. This made max‟ black with
anger‟ as he backed swiftly towards the Window . Amusing that there was a
balcony. He fell straight from the sixth floor to the ground. He was dead. The
balcony in this story plays a significant role to get rid of a criminal.
Thus Ausable outwit max using his wit and quick wisdom. Fowler was
disappointed to meet him at the beginning of the story, was very much impressed
with his intelligence and presence of the mind at the end of the story.

MORAL : “NEVER LATE YOUR EMOTIONS

OVERPOWER YOUR INTELLIGENCE”

UNIT – V
PROSE - THE CHAIR

XII-ENGLISH Page 65
 - KI-RAJANARAYANAN
GLOSSARY:

WORD MEANING ANTONYM

Portly stocky skinny/lean
Spluttered Impudent polite/respectful/pertinent
Impudent disrespectful respectful
Expounded explained outlined
Languorously lethargically energetically
Hordes crowd/masses few
Exasperatedly annoyingly pleasingly
Splendour magnificence simplicity
paraphernalia things/stuffs -
Bereavement mouring/ grief comfort
Gait pace not moving/crawl

ADDITIONAL:

WORD MEANING ANTONYM

aped mimicked be original/ idle/ direct
anticipation expectation ignorance/doubt
aroma fragrance stink
astonishment surprise composure
banter tease flattery
bitterness resentment blessing
brimming full empty
burnish polish tarnish
chide scold praise
chuckle giggle groan
churn swirl unswirl
commended praised blamed
detest hate adore
doted on admired unpopular
eminent famous unknown
fortuitously luckily unfortunately
fad trend
giggle laugh cry

XII-ENGLISH Page 66
 intently attentively carelessly
interpreted understood
persuaded induced discouraged
propped supported dropped
peeped glanced -
pial raised platform at the -
entrance of the house
pierced punctured -
relished enjoyed disliked
retort answer/reply question
reverence respect disrespect
ridicule mock respect
seasoned garnished/enhanced the contaminated,reduced
flavour the falvour

spanking fresh so bad

spluttered cackled moaned
steal take without permission give
stout fat thin
stretched extended un extended
sturdy strong fragile/weak
scratch itch perfection
stingest most miserly -
stroked touched agitate/upset/distress
topple overthrow restore
tumbled rolled kempt
tuft a bunch of hair individual
uttered said banned
wretched miserable happy
SHORT ANSWER :
1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each based on your
understanding of the letter.
a) What was put on the family agenda?
The necessity of having a chair in the house was put on the family
agenda.
b) Who visited the family?
A family friend, who was a sub-judge, visited the family.

XII-ENGLISH Page 67
 c) Describe the stool that the narrotor‟s family had.
The narrator‟s family had a three-legged stool. It measured a mere three-
fourth foot.
d) What was pedanna‟s suggestion to their father?
Pedann‟s suggestion to his father was to buy a chair from the town.
e) What was offered to Maamanaar by their mother?
Buttermilk seasoned with asafoetida was offered to Maamanaar by their
mother.
f) Why were the two chairs compared to Rama-Lakshmana?
The two chairs were identical to one another. So they were compared to
Rama-Lakshmana.
g) When did the children shy away form the chair?
When the children came to know that a corpse was propped up on
the chair, they shied away form it.
h) How did Maamanaar handle the chair at home?
As soon as Maamanaar got up every morning, he would wipe it. If the chair
was to be shift he himself would carry it and put it down carefully. He would not
allow others to use it.
2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.
a) What happened to the visitor when he sat on the stool?
The visitor, who a sub-judge, placed one hand on the edge of the
three-legged stool and tried to sit on it. He didn‟t place his body exactly above the
legs of the stool. Since he was a little stout person and didn‟t balance his weight on
the stool, it toppled over. He fell down with a thud and rolled.
b) Why did the family find it difficult to make a chair?
Though the family wanted to make a chair, they faced difficulty. The
practical difficulty in getting it made was that there was not a single chair in their
village to show as a model. Besides, there was not a single carpenter either who
knew how to make a chair.
c) What was grandmother‟s suggestion of wood? why?
The grandmother‟s suggestion was to make the chair with Teak wood. She
told them that if the chair was made up of teak wood, it would be easy to lift and
carry around. At the same time, the teak wood not a single carpenter either who
knew how to make a chair.
d) How was the chair made and how did the villagers react to it?
The chairs were made as per the narrator‟s elder sister‟s wish. They were in
black wood with a mirror – like gleam, with perfectly shaped front legs and curved
back legs. The two chairs were identical with one another. They were like Rama –

XII-ENGLISH Page 68
 Lakshmana. The villagers came in a crowd to see it. A few even stroked it. An old
man lifted it and told that it was very strong. He commended the carpenter.
e) When did the children get over the fear of sitting on the chair?
Suganthi, from the neighbouring street, came by and put her baby brother on the
chair. It was only from then on that the children got over the fear of sitting on
thechair.
f) Why did Maamanaar hand over the chair to the villagers to retain it?
Maamanaar felt that the villagers needed a chair for the funeral rituals.
Whenever there was a death, the villagers would come and ask for the chair. In
order to solve the problem permanently, Maamanaar handed over the chair on the
humanitarian ground to the villagers to retain it.

XII-ENGLISH Page 69
 PARAGRAPH:
THE CHAIR
- KI.RAJANARAYANAN
Ki. Rajanarayanan popularly known by Tamil initials as Ki.Ra., is a Tamil folklorist
author. The short story „The Chair‟ is written in 1969 and its original title is
„Naarkaali‟. The story begins with discussions among family members to have chair
in their house. Earlier a family friend, a sub –judge, visited the narrator‟s house.
Since they did not posses any other furniture except a three-legged stool, they
brought it for him to sit. While the sub-judge tried to sit on it, he lost his balance
and fell down on the floor. The children could not contain their giggle and their
parents suppressed their giggles in front of the guest, who had tumbled over .After
this incident it was immediately resolved that they could get a chair made for their
home. The narrator‟s Maamanaar came to their house at that time of discussion.
Maamanaar‟s love and affection with the author‟s family were revealed on several
occasions. Whenever he visited his sister‟s house, he would be teased by his sisters‟s
children. He would sit mum with a smile, like a stone Pillaiyaar, as if to say that
they were his relatives and they had full liberty to tease him. Maamanaar was also
willing to have a chair. Therefore, two identical chairs were ordered. When the
chairs arrived, one was sent to Maamanaar‟s house. The children were eager to sit on
the chair.

If you looked at one, you didn‟t need to see the other-

they were like Rama – Lakshmana

When the two chairs arrived they were compared to Rama-Lashmana. The author‟s
family sent one chair to Maamanaar, but they had a doubt whether they had sent
the better one to him. When the news spread around the village, people arrived in
hordes to see the chair. A few even stoked it. Then the villagers started asking for
the chair to keep the corpse in a seated
position during the funeral rituals. Earlier they always seated the corpse only on the
floor. The children were scared even to look at the chair. The servant used to give a
hard scrub with hay and wash with fifteen big buckets of water. When a guest came

XII-ENGLISH Page 70
 and sat on it, the children peeped into see what happened to the man on the chair.
When a local elder sat on it, Pedanna remarked that the old man was rehearsing on
the chair. It revealed his humour. In order to avoid giving the chair for the funeral,
he told the villagers a lie that the chair was in his Maamanaar‟s house. He further
instructed them to go and ask for the chair from his uncle. It showed his
annoyance. He assumed that his Maamanaar would not give his chair as he was
considered to be the person in the village. After many days, the narrator visited
Maamanaar‟s house and saw he was sitting on the floor. The narrator asked him
about the chair. His Maamanaar told him that he donated the chair forever to the
villagers for the purpose of keeping the dead body. His Maamanaar‟s humanity was
revealed at the end.
A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless

POEM

A FATHER TO HIS SON

-CARL AUGUST SANDBURG
GLOSSARY :

humdrum monotony -boring routine

soft loam - fertile soil
lashes – whips
thwarted - frustrated
white lies - lies told to avoid hurting one‟s feelings
quest of lucre - money gained in a dishonourable way
resenting - disliking

BOOK BACK
a)“Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”
a) How should one face life?
One should face life like a steel or rock.
b)“Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.”
And this too might serve him.
a) Why does the poet suggest to take life easy?
Life is like a fertile soil. We can make our life fruitful if we take life as it comes.

c)Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong

XII-ENGLISH Page 71
 and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.
a) Can being in solitude help a strong human being? How?
Yes, being in solitude can help a strong human being. It helps him to know
his inner potentials and make him creative.
d)“Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool ever so often
a) Why does the poet suggests that time can be wasted?
One must find time for leisure or a relaxing oneself. So, the poet suggest that
time can be wasted.
e)Tell him to be a fool ever so often
and to have no shame over having been a fool
yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies”
a) Is it shame to be a fool at times?
No, it is not a shame to be a fool at times.
b) What does one learn from every folly?
One learns something new from every folly.
f)………free imaginations”
“Bringing changes into a world resenting change.
a) How does free imagination help the world?
Free imagination helps the world by bringing changes into it.
LINE 1-5
“A father sees his son nearing manhood.
What shall he tell that son?
“Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”
And this might stand him for the storms and
serve him for humdrum monotony”
a) What might help the son to face the storms?
Being strong like a hard rock or steel might help the son to face the storms .
b) What does the word „ storms‟ refer to here?
The word „ storm‟ refers to the difficult times of life .
c) Explain the phrase „ humdrum monotony‟.
The phrase „ humdrum monotony‟ means boring routine .
d) Whom does „ him‟ refer to ?
The pronoun „him‟ refers to the poet‟s son who is nearing manhood .

e) What can help the son overcome “the boring routine‟ in life ?

XII-ENGLISH Page 72
 One can overcome „ the boring routine‟ by keeping a strong steel/rock –like
will power and face life boldly

LINE 6-10
“and guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.
“Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.”
And this too might serve him.
Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”
a) What will guide the son among sudden betrayals ?
Being hard like a rock or steel will guide the son among sudden betrayals .
b) Bring out the meaning of the phrase „slack moments‟.
The phrase „ slack moments‟ means moments characterized by lack of work or
activity .
c) What could guide the son among unexpected betrayals ?
Rock / steel –like would guide the son among betrayals .
d) What could happen to the boy during slack moments ?
During slack moments , the boy may be betrayed by his trusted friends .
e) When does the Government or law use lashes?
When a brute has committed a crime, the law uses lashes to punish him .
f) What can transform brutes ?
Gentleness can transform brutes .
g) What might serve the son, according to the poet?
According to the poet, being gentle might serve the son.
h) What do you mean by „brutes‟?
Brutes means savage animals or human beings
i) Bring out the meaning of „lashes‟?
The word „lashes‟ means sharp blows with a whip.
f) How have the brutes been gentled?
Brutes have been gentled by people with their gentleness, and not with their
whips.
LINE 11-15
“The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split a rock.
A tough will counts. So does desire.
So does a rich soft wanting.
Without rich wanting nothing arrives.”
a) What has shattered and split a rock ?
The growth of the frail flower in a path up has shattered and split a rock .

XII-ENGLISH Page 73
b) What makes something arrive ?
Rich wanting make something arrive.
c) What does the word „frail‟ mean?
The word „frail‟ means weak.
d) How does a frail flower plant split a rock?
The plant‟s tough will to survive and growth forces the rock to split.
e) What quality does the poet emphasize here?
The poet emphasizes the quality of being gentle.
f) What does „wanting‟ mean?
Wanting means anything that is desired or needed.
g) What does the poet advise his son in this line?
The poet advises his son to have a deep desire to accomplish great things in life.
h) What does the poet mean by the second line?
Without the desire to earn sufficient money, one cannot satisfy one‟s basic
needs for survival.

LINE 16-20

“Tell him too much money has killed men

and left them dead years before burial:
the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs
has twisted good enough men
sometimes into dry thwarted worms”
a) What has too much money done ?
Too much money has killed men .
b) What has happened to „good enough men‟?
Good enough men have twisted into dry thwarted worms.
c) What is meaning for the word „thwarted‟?
The word „thwarted‟ means „frustrated‟.
d) Explain „quest of lucre‟.
The phrase „quest of lucre‟ means money gained in a dishonourable way.
e) What has destroyed good men?
The greed for easy money has destroyed good men. Too much money has left
men dead before their burial.

f) What happened to the good men who were greedy for easy money?
The poet men who were greedy for easy money were treated like thwarted
worms
XII-ENGLISH Page 74
g) What is the result such a quest?
It result in frustrating and ruining good men.
LINE 21-25
“Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool ever so often
and to have no shame over having been a fool
yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies”
LINE 26-30
“thus arriving at intimate understanding
of a world numbering many fools.
Tell him to be alone often and get at himself
and above all tell himself no lies about himself
whatever the white lies and protective fronts”
a) How should he be ?
He should be alone and he himself.
b) Should he tell lies?
No, he should not tell lies.
c) Give the meanings for the words.
Intimate & Fronts
Intimate – inform Fronts – act as a front or cover for illegal or secret activity
d) What is „white lies‟ mentioned here?
White lies are lies told to avoid hurting one‟s feelings.
e) Why should his son avoid white lies?
His son should avoid white lies to protect himself against other people
f) What are the alliterated words in the third line?
Whatever – white are the alliterated word.

LINE 31-35
“he may use against other people.
Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.
Tell him to be different from other people
if it comes natural and easy being different.”
a) What does the poet emphasize in this line?
The poet emphasizes the importance of solitude in this line.
b) What are the poet‟s thoughts on being different?

XII-ENGLISH Page 75
 The poet thinks that instead of being one among many, his son should stand
different if it is natural and easy.
c) What condition does the poet lay for being different?
The poet‟s son can be different if that is his nature.
LINE 36-40
“Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives.
Let him seek deep for where he is born natural.
Then he may understand Shakespeare and the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov,
Michael Faraday and free imaginations”
a) Whose work will be understood by his son?
The works of Shakespeare, the Wright Brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov and Michael
Farady will be understood by his son if he is on his own.
b) Why does the son may need lazy days?
He may need lazy days to find his inherent abilities.
LINE 41-46
“Bringing changes into a world resenting change.
He will be lonely enough
to have time for the work
he knows as his own.”
a) Why should the son be lonely?
The son should be lonely enough to have time to know the work of all the
celebrities
b) Pick out the alliterated words?
To – Time ;he – his

FIGURE OF SPEECH
NO. POEM LINES DEVICE

1. “Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.” Metaphor

2. Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed. Antithesis

3. and left them dead years before burial Transferred Epithet

4. Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives. Transferred Epithet

5. Bringing changes into a world resenting change. Transferred Epithet

6. Tell him to be alone often and get at himself Repetition

7. And this too might serve him. Metaphor

8. And this might stand him for the storms Metaphor

XII-ENGLISH Page 76
 9. Tell him to be a fool ever so often Metaphor

10. and above all tell himself no lies about himself Repetition

11. The growth of a frail flower in a path up Antithesis

12. “Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.” Metaphor

13. “And the final decisions are made in silent rooms” Personification

14. “Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted “ Simile

Explain the following lines with reference to the context.
a) “And guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.”
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „A Father to his Son‟ written by Carl August
Sandburg.
Context: These lines are used to by the pet when he explain how being a rock
would help a person .
Explanation:
The poet wants to direct his son who is reaching manhood. He motivates his son to
be like a hard rock. He can face life‟s challenges and untoward breach of trust by
being firmly resolved. „Slack moments‟ refers to a state of depression.

b) “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”

Reference :
This line is taken from the poem „A Father to his Son‟ written by Carl August
Sandburg.
Context: This lines is a piece of advice that a father gives his own son who is
nearing manhood
Explanation:
The poet motivates his son reaching manhood to be steely resolved. This will make
him face the challenges of life and sudden betrayals. At times gentleness overtakes
harshness. Thrashing may fail to change a man. But a gentle approach will make a
brute good-natured.
c) “Yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies”
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „A Father to his Son‟ written by Carl August
Sandburg.
Context: this is a piece of advice that a father gives his son , who is standing at the
threshold of manhood .
Explanation:

XII-ENGLISH Page 77
 The poet directs his son who is reaching manhood to be a successful person. From
his experience he advises his son to be careful in certain areas. Here he says that
making mistakes is not something to feel ashamed of. We can learn many things
from our mistakes. But we should be careful not to repeat the mistake.
d) “He will be lonely enough
to have time for the work”
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „A Father to his Son‟ written by Carl August
Sandburg.
Context: The poet uses these lines while emphasizing on the need to be alone to be
creative .
Explanation:
The poet wants his son to know how free imagination brings changes to the world
which resents change. During such resentment he will know that it is time for him
to be his own and try to achieve like great people.

A FATHER TO HIS SON

-CARL AUGUST SANDBURG

The poet Carl Sandburg gives a detailed description of a

father‟s worldly wisdom in directing his son who is at the
threshold of this manhood. Here a father who has earned experience from
the life wishes that his son should lead a life where he could have enough energy
and stamina to grapple with the burdles that come in the pathway of life. The father
motivates his son to be like a hard rock and withstand life‟s Challenges and sudden
betrayals. Life is like a fertile soil. we can make our life fruitful, if
we are gentle and calm. Gentle is quite rewarding because at
times gentleness overtakes harshness. The growth of a tender flower
can split a rock. One should have a deep desire and strong will power to achieve
success. Greed for money has left man dead before they really die.
don‟t feel ashamed to be called as a fool, when you seek
knowledge. At the same time, learn from your mistakes and
never repeat it.

Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong .......

Tell him to be different from other people.

The father exhorts his son to find time for introspection, and do not hesitate to

XII-ENGLISH Page 78
 accept his short comings, avoid white lies to protect himself against other people.
Solitude „Loneliness‟ helps to be creative and all the final
decisions are taken in silent rooms. He advises him to
understand his uniqueness and by to be different, instead of
being one among many.He believes that his son may need lazy days to find
his latent abilities, and understand what he is born for. He will then know
how free imaginations bring changes to the world, which resent
change. He expects his son to be on his own, and work to achieve like
Shakespeare the Wright brothers, pasteurs, Pavlov and Michael Faraday.

“LIVE THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS I.E., BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO

LIVE THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS ACCORDING TO YOUR VISION
AND PURPOSE INSTEAD OF THE EXPECTATIONS AND OPINIONS
OF OTHERS”.

SUPPLEMENTARY READER
All SUMMER IN A DAY
- RAY BRADBURY
Ray Douglas Bradbury(1920-2012) was an American author best known for
his highly imaginative short stories. Much of his work was „fantasy‟, „horror‟ or
„mysteries‟. This story is set on the „PLANET VENUS‟, where the sun shines for
only two hours once every seven years. Margot a frail, pale girl is the young
protagonist in “All summer in a Day”.It deals with a group of school children who
live on the planet Venus with their families. The children have only seen the sun in
their lives when they were two years old, but now they don‟t remember how it
looks or feels. And they are eagerly waiting for a momentous occasion. It has been
continuously raining for seven years and now the scientists on Venus have predicted
that the sun will appear for a brief period of two hours. Their dream about sun like a
yellow crayon or a gold coin leaves them aspire for more. Hence Margot‟s
description of the sun makes them envy (greet)her.

“All a joke!” Said the boy, and seized her roughly.

“Hey, everyone, let‟s put her in a closet before the
teacher comes!”

All the children resent(dislike) her for various reasons. Especially William,
envied Margot because she is the only one of them who can remember seeing the
sun. Though she tries to describe the sun she experienced, the other don‟t believe
her. She is depressed about being on Venus. She did not mingle well with the other

XII-ENGLISH Page 79
 children. It seems to them as if she thinks she is better than they are. Therefore ,
right before the sun comes out. They lock her in a windowless closet. After some
moments, the rain stops and the sun appears. All the children run, play and enjoy
the light of the sun. After some time, the rain clouds appear. The sun retreats and
the rain begins to fall. A girl remembers that Margot is locked in the closet. They
realized whatever Margot said about the sun was a truth .The girl then walk towards
the closet where they left Margot. They unlock the door and Margot slowly comes
out. Margot‟s cruel classmates treated her differently. They probably felt bad for
making Margot to miss the beautiful sight of the sun. They felt ashamed of their
actions . This shows their guilt strickened mind. The writer wants to convey that the
power of the sun over the children living on Venus is notable. They are pale and
colourless. The lack of the sun has washed away their compassion and consideration
and empathy for the people. They do not regain this until the sun reappears. The
sun is life- giving for the landscape as well as the inhabitants of Venus.
MORAL : “ WHEN YOU ARE GUILTY IT IS NOT YOUR SINS YOU
HATE BUT YOURSELF..”

UNIT – VI
PROSE
ON THE RULES OF THE ROAD
- A.G.GARDINER

GLOSSARY :
WORD MEANING ANTONYM
Confusion Mess / shuffle /disordered Order
peril risk / danger safety
pedestrians persons who walk on the ----
streets
chaos confusion Order / arrange
anarchy lawlessness/ rebellion Peace / order / fair
preserved maintained Neglected / abolish
curtailed Reduced / restricted Extended / increased /
enlarge
tyranny Autocracy / despotism Democracy
insolence rudeness Politeness / respect
/modesty /coordinately

XII-ENGLISH Page 80
 interfere Hinder Assist / aid / facilitate
contract commitment Disagreement
indifferent Unconcerned Concerned / troubled /
interested
fancy Desire / special Ugly / poor / hate
shandy lemonade ----
ridiculous comical Serious / sensible
conventional Normal / traditional Strange / revolutionary
accommodate fit in with Expand / develop
consideration scrutiny Disregard / close the eyes to /
ignore neglect

ADDITIONAL:

WORD MEANING ANTONYM

Accommodation Compromise / adaptation / Refusal/ disagreement
adjustment
Affair Matter / thing ---
Bitter Sour Sweet
Conscious Aware / unconscious Unaware/oblivions
/heedless
Declare State / announces Deny
Entitled Permitted /authorized Banned
Forbid Ban /prevent Allow
Hurry Rush Delay /leisure
Inquire Asked Responded
Judgment Wisdom /verdict Misjudgment
Liable Likely / accountable unlikely
Maelstrom Utter confusion / tumult / Calm
/chaos / agitation
nay No Yes
Object Protest / oppose Agree / accept
Observance Compliance/custom practice Violation/nonconformity
Outraged Infuriated /antagonized / Pacified / calmed / good
insulted /evil
Pavement Footpath / sidewalk ---

XII-ENGLISH Page 81
 Pulled Towed Pushed
Qualified Capable Incompetent/unqualified
Rare Unusual Normal
Remind Remember Forget
Stout Fat Thin / slim
Trombone a brass-instrument --
consisting of a long tube
whose length can be varied
by a „U‟ shape slide.
Dyeing Coloring /tint --
Waxing Enlarge / increase /added to Diminish/ abridge /reduce
Imperfection Blemishes / defective Perfection / immaculate
Foundation Basis Top / summit
Observance Adherence Violation
Civilized Refined/cultured / humane Uncivilized / rude
Uncivilized Rough/ vulgar / uncultured Kindness
Intercourse Communication / intimacy Miscommunication
/contradiction
Sacrifice Give-up/Offering /discount Increase / rise / posses
Heroism Daring/courage Coward
/fearlessness
Entitled Allowed Unacceptable
Reasonable Wise /sensible Arbitrary
submitted Yielded Defied
Prefer Choose / pick / opt Refuse / reject / decline
Champagne French Wine ---
Odd Peculiar / strange Familiar /Common place
Top Peak / summit Bottom
Object Protest Approval
Sleep Slumber Active / brisk
Unfortunately Regretfully/unluckily / bad Luckily
Conduct Behavior --
Sandals Strap shoe --
Curtailment Restrain Freedom
Liberty Freedom Denial

SHORT ANSWER
I) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OR TWO SENTENCES EACH.
XII-ENGLISH Page 82
 a. Why did the lady think she was entitled to walk down the middle of the road?
The old lady thought that she was entitled (daring) to walk down the middle of
the road, as everyone had got liberty to do what they liked.
b. What would be the consequence of the old lady‟s action?
The consequence of the old lady‟s action would be universal chaos
(confusion). Everybody would be getting in everybody else‟s way and nobody
would get anywhere. Individual liberty would have become social anarchy.
c. What does the „rule of the road‟ mean?
Rule of the road‟ means the regulations (rules) to be followed by any
one while making use of road. Here it is emphasized that the liberties of all
should be maintained curtailing one‟s own liberty by anyone who is making use of
the road.
d. Why should individual liberty be curtailed?
Individual liberty should be curtailed (limited) because if everybody gets
into everybody else‟s way, it would become a social
lawlessness (disorder).
e. How would a reasonable person react when his actions affect other person‟s
liberty?
A reasonable person would not allow his actions to cause inconvenience to others.
He should submit (imply) himself to acurtailment of private liberty
.so that a maelstrom (Utter confusion) would be averted anywhere and social order
could be maintained.
f. Define Liberty as perceived by the author.
By liberty, Gardiner means a person‟s freedom to eat and drink
what he likes. Wear what he chooses; dye his hair as he
pleases, sleep whenever he feels. The only condition is no such action
should affect fellow human beings in any way.
g. According to the author, what are we more conscious of?
We are more conscious of the imperfections (Blemishes) of others
in all walks of life. Whenever we are affected by the overviwe of others liberty,
we are quick to point it out. At the same time, we are not even conscious of such
faults on our own part.
h. What is the foundation of social conduct?
A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of
social conduct. We need not make supreme sacrifices (give up) for the
sake of others. But we can make small adjustments in the
interests of our fellow-citizens.

XII-ENGLISH Page 83
 i. How can we sweeten our life‟s journey?
We can sweeten our life‟s journey by being considerate (scrutiny) to the well-
being of others. We need not make supreme sacrifices for the sake of others. Small
acts of kindness can make life‟s journey a pleasant one.
j. What does the traffic policeman symbolize?
The traffic policeman does not symbolize tyranny, but liberty. He appears to
curtail an individual‟s liberty, but actually he does the same for others. Thus he
brings in order in public places.
ii). Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.
a. What is „liberty‟ according to the old lady?
According to the old lady, „Liberty is to walk wherever she likes to
roam”. It does not matter even if it affects others in some way. It is sheer
indifference (Unconcerned) to the inconvenience caused to others. The lady does
not bother about her own safety. She was walking in the middle of a busy road.
b. How would „liberty‟ cause universal chaos?
Liberty will cause universal chaos, if it exceeds its limits.
Individual liberty would have become social anarchy. On the other hand, limited
liberty would promote the common welfare of the society in general.
c. Why is there a danger of the world getting „liberty drunk‟?
There is a danger of the world getting liberty-drunk Like Russian old lady. That is,
everyone would over-use their liberty with the result that there
would be universal chaos.
d. „Curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order‟ – Do you agree?
Yes, curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order. Liberty is
not a personal affair (Matter / thing) only, it is a social contract.
There are a lot of people in the world who need to accommodate their liberty to the
liberties of others. A reasonable consideration of the rights or feelings of others in
the foundation of social conduct.

XII-ENGLISH Page 84
 PARAGRAPH:
ON THE RULE OF THE ROAD
- A.G.GARDINER
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIBERTY
Introduction:
A.G. Gardiner was a British journalist and author. He was a prolific essayist. and his
style and subject matter easily qualified him to be categorized as what the English
would call a very civilized gentleman. His essay “On the Rule of the Road‟ was
included in one of Gardiner‟s compilations titled “Leaves in the Wind”. In this essay
he describes the difference between „personal liberty‟ and „public liberty‟.
The Stout Lady: A stout lady was walking with her basket down the middle of a
street in Petrogard. When she was asked to walk on the pavement which was meant
for pedestriansshe replied that she would walk where she liked since she got liberty.
The Result of Personal Liberty: If the pedestrians walked down the middle of the
road, the end of such liberty would be universal chaos. Everybody would be
getting in everybody else‟s way and nobody would get anywhere. Individual
liberty would have become social anarchy. The Traffic Policeman:
The policeman is the symbol not of tyranny, but of liberty. So that the liberties of
all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed. When we are in
hurry and see our car pulled up by his rudeness and feel that our liberty has been
outraged. We feel that how would be interfere with our free use of the public
highway. A reasonable person would not allow his actions to cause inconvenience
to others. He should submit (imply) himself to acurtailment of
private liberty .so that a maelstrom (Utter confusion) would be averted
anywhere and social order could be maintained.
Definition of Liberty :Liberty is not a personal affair only, but a social contract. It is
an accommodation of interest. I can wear any kind of clothes, dye my hair or wax
my moustache or wear an overcoat and sandal or go to bed late and wake up late,
follow any religion I shall follow my fancy and no one has the right to ask me.
Public Liberty :We have a whole kingdom in which we can rule alone, can do what
we choose, be wise or ridiculous, harsh or easy, conventional or odd. But when we
step out of it we should qualify ourselves so that it will not affect other‟s liberty.
For eg: if I want to practise trombone from midnight till three in my bedroom or in
the street then I am interfering in other people‟s liberty because they would like to
sleep in quiet.
Small Matters of Conduct : There are lot of people in the world and we have to
accommodate our liberty to theirs. We forget this and we are much more conscious
XII-ENGLISH Page 85
 of the imperfections of others in this respect. A reasonable consideration for the
rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct. It is in this matter of
conduct, we must observe the rules of the road. We pass judgement upon ourselves
and declare that we are civilized or uncivilized.
Conclusion : The great moments of heroism and sacrifice are rare. It is the little
habits of common place intercourse that make up the great sum of life that sweeten
or make bitter our journey.
“LIBERTY MEANS RESPONSIBILITY. THAT IS WHY MOST MEN
DREAD IT”.

POEM
INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP
- ROBERT BROWNING
GLOSSARY:
stormed - sudden violent attack
Ratisbon - (German Regensburg) a city in Austria
Mound - hillock/ hill
out-thrust - extended forward
fancy – imagine
prone - inclined downward
oppressive - harsh, domineering
mused - thought deeply
Lannes - Duke of Montebello, a general in
Napoleon‟s army.
bridle - the head gear used to control a horse
compressed - pressed together
anon - soon
flag-bird - the imperial eagle on the French flag
perched - sat on, rested
sheathes - covers
BOOK BACK
a)Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind.”
a)Whose action is described here?
The chief of the French army, Napoleon Bonaparte's action is described here.
b) What is meant by „prone brow‟?
'Prone brow' means the eye –brow that looks downwards.
c) What is his state of mind?
XII-ENGLISH Page 86
 Napoleon was worried about the result of the war and was pondering over his
future war tragedy. (or)
His mind is oppressed with anxious thoughts regarding the outcome of the war at
Ratisbon.
b)„You‟re wounded!‟ „Nay‟, his soldier‟s pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
a) Why did the boy contradict Napoleon‟s words?
The boy contradicted Napoleon‟s words, as he was not merely wounded like
the hundreds of soldiers.
b) Why was his pride touched?
The boy‟s pride was touched when the emperor nearly said that he was
wounded. In actual fact, he was in his last moments.
c)“A film the mother-eagle‟s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes:
c) Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?
Napoleon is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines.
d) Explain the comparison.
Napoleon shows care and concern for the wounded soldier like mother eagle
worried and caretaking the eaglet.
LINE1-4
“You know, we French stormed Ratisbon:
A mile or so away,
On a little mound, Napoleon
Stood on our storming-day;”
a) Who is the speaker?
The speaker is one of the soldiers of napoleon‟s army.
b) What is Ratisbon?
Ratisbons is a city in Austria .
c) What do you mean by „Stormed‟?
The word „Stormed „means sudden violent attack.
d) Where was Napoleon on the storming –day?
Napoleon was standing on a small mound a mile away, on the storming –day.
e) Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?
The French took the city of Ratisbon by storm.

LINE 5-8
“With neck out-thrust, you fancy how,
Legs wide, arms locked behind,

XII-ENGLISH Page 87
 As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind.”

LINE 9-12
“Just as perhaps he mused, „My plans
That soar, to earth may fall,
Let once my army-leader Lannes
Waver at yonder wall‟, ”
a) Whom does „he‟ refer?
He refers to Napoleon Bonaparte.
b) Who is Lannes?
Lannes is the duke of Montebello, who was a general in Napoleon„s army.
c) Bring out the meaning of „Mused‟.
The word „Mused‟ means thought deeply.
d) What did Napoleon think deeply?/Why did Napoleon think that his plans that
soared might fall to earth?
Napoleon thought deeply that his ambitious plans might fall to the earth fall to
the if his army leader Lannnes failed to fight courageously.
e) What does the word „yonder „mean?
The word „Yonder „means over there.

LINE13-16
“Out ‟twixt the battery-smokes there flew
A rider, bound on bound
Full-galloping: nor bridle drew
Until he reached the mound.”
a) What is „bridle‟?
Bridle means the head gear used to control a horse.
b) When did the rider stop the horse? / Where did the soldier stop? Why?
The rider stoped the horse when he reached the mound, because he wanted to
convey the message of victory to Napoleon, before he dies.
c) Describe how the rider rode.
The rider rode the horse at top speed and he took several leaping strides. He
did not draw the bridle until he reached the mound.
d) Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?
A young French soldier came galloping on a horse to Napoleon.
e) What does the phrase ' Full galloping ' suggest?
The phrase „full galloping‟ suggests riding at a top speed.

XII-ENGLISH Page 88
 f) Why was the rider in a hurry?
The rider was in a hurry because he wanted to convey the message of victory
to Napoleon, before he dies.
g) What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?
The rider jumped off his horse and stood at attention before his chief and gave the
happy news of victory to the emperor.
LINE 17-20
“Then off there
in smiling joy,
And held himself erect
By just his horse‟s mane, a boy:
You hardly could suspect – ”
a) Who was smiling in joy?
The young soldier who approached Napoleon from the battlefield was smiling
in joy.
b) Why was he smiling in joy?
He was smiling in joy because he and his army had defeated the German army
and annexed Ratisbon.
c) Why did he stand erect?
He stood erect before his chief Napoleon to pay respected to him.
d) How did he hold himself?
He holds himself erect.
e) What is the meaning for the word „Mane‟?
The word Mane refers, long flowing hair growing on the back of the neck of horse /
Lion.
f) How did the young soldier face his end ?
There was a smile of pride and satisfaction on the young soldier‟s lips. He fell
dead near his emperor‟s feet.
e) What could one hardly suspect ?
One could hardly suspect that he was wounded.
f) Why did the young soldier keep his lips compressed?
The young soldier kept his lips compressed to prevent the flow of blood form his
mouth.

LINE 21-24
“(So tight he kept his lips compressed,
Scarce any blood came through)
You looked twice ere you saw his breast
Was all but shot in two.”
XII-ENGLISH Page 89
 a) Why did the boy keep his lips compressed?
The boy was badly wounded and his mouth was full of blood. So he kept his
lips compressed to stop the blood oozing out.
b) What could not be suspected by anybody?
Nobody could suspect that the young soldier was wounded severely.
c) Was the boy wounded severely? How do you know?
Yes, the boy was wounded severely .The last two lines if the stanza say that
his breast was shot in two.

LINE 25-30
“„Well‟, cried he, „Emperor, by God‟s grace
We‟ve got you Ratisbon!
The Marshal‟s in the market-place
And you‟ll be there anon,
To see your flag-bird flap his vans
Where I, to heart‟s desire…”
a) Who is the „he‟ here?
The he refers to the young wounded soldier.
b) Who is the emperor?
The emperor is napoleon Bonaparte.
c) What did the boy inform Napoleon?
The boy informed Napoleon that they had conquered the city of Ratisbon.
d) Bring out the meaning of „anon‟.
The word anon means soon.
e) Explain „flag – bird‟.
The expression flag- bird means the imperial eagle on the French flag.
f) What was the young soldier‟s heart‟s desire?
The young soldier‟s heart‟s desire was to see the French flag flutter over the
city of Ratisbon .
g) Which words suggest the speaker is very happy?
The words ' to heart desire‟ suggests the speaker is very happy.

h) Who will be in the market place?

Napoleon will be in the market place as desire by the speaker.
i) What was the flag – bird doing?
The flag- bird was flapping its vans.
j) Where did the rider plant the French flag after Ratisbon was captured?
The rider planted the French flag over Ratisbon.

XII-ENGLISH Page 90
 LINE 30-33
“The Chief‟s eye flashed; his plans
Soared up again like fire.
The Chief‟s eye flashed; but presently
Softened itself, as sheathes”
a) Why did the chief‟s eye flashed?
The chief came to know that his army succeeded in conquering the Austrian
city Ratisbon. Hearing this, his eyes flashed with hope.
b) How did his plans soar up?
His plans soared up like fire.
c) Why did Napoleon‟s eyes soften itself?
Napoleon saw the young boy‟s mortal wounded. So, his eyes softened showing
concern.
d) Bring out the meaning of „sheathes‟.
The word „sheathes „means covers.
LINE 34-40
“A film the mother-eagle‟s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes:
„You‟re wounded!‟ „Nay‟, his soldier‟s pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
„I‟m killed, Sire!‟And, his Chief beside,
Smiling, the boy fell dead.”
a) What does “bruised‟ mean?
The word „bruised „means wounded severely.
b) What was Napoleon‟s reaction on hearing the news of victory?
In hearing the news of victory, a sparkle of joy and satisfaction came to
Napoleon‟s eyes.
c) When did the narrator find that the boy was badly wounded?
After hearing the news of victory from the young soldier, Napoleon noticed
that the solider was fatally wounded.

FIGURE OF SPEECH

NO. POEM LINES DEVICE

1. With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, Metaphor

2. As if to balance the prone brow Personification

3. A rider, bound on bound Repetition

XII-ENGLISH Page 91
 Perched him!‟ The Chief‟s eye flashed; his
4. plan Personification

5. Soared up again like fire Simile

6. A film the mother-eagle‟s eye Simile

7. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon Synecdoche

RHYME SCHEME ab, ab

Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

i. “Then off there flung in smiling joy,
And held himself erect”
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem, „Incident of the French Camp‟ written by
Robert Browning.
Context: In these lines the poet describes how the young wounded soldier
approached Napoleon to deliver the happy news about their victory.
Explanation :
When Napoleon was standing on a mound and watching the war between France
and Austria, he saw a young soldier approaching him. A young soldier appeared
from the battery - smokes. Riding at great speed, he jumped off his horse. He was
smiling out of joy. He stood straight with the help of the horse‟s mane. He
approached the mound where Napoleon was standing to announce the happy news
of victory.

ii. “I‟m killed, Sire!‟ And, his Chief beside,

Smiling, the boy fell dead”.
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „Incident of the French Camp‟ written by
Robert Browning.
Context: These lines are used by the poet to show the extraordinary courage and
pride of the valour exhibited by the young soldier.

Explanation :
The young soldier was severly wounded. Inspite of it, he rode fast and approached
Napoleon to give the news of victory. The young soldier kept his lips compressed to
prevent the flow of blood from his mouth. He exclaimed with pride that French had
conquered Ratisbon. Hearing the news, Napoleon became extremely happy. But his
eyes softened when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. The soldier felt
proud to say that he was killed and fell dead with a smile.

iii. “To see your flag-bird flap his vans

XII-ENGLISH Page 92
 Where I, to heart‟s desire, Perched him”!‟
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem „Incident of the French Camp‟ written by
Robert Browning.
Context: These lines describe how the young wounded soldier proudly declared the
news of their triumph over the German army
Explanation :
The young soldier informed Napoleon that French had conquered Ratisbon. The
French army had a tough battle at Ratisbon. Finally they conquered Ratisbon. The
young soldier himself had hoisted the French flag in the market place.

INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP

- ROBERT BROWNING
The poem „The Incident of the French Camp‟ written by Robert Browning
narrates an actual incident in the war in 1809 between France and Austria, led by
Napoleon. Napoleon has been a great motivator to his army. His
Military skill and genius have won him many admirers. When the
poem begins, we get a description of the great warrior Napoleon standing on a little
mound and watching the war anxiously. His mind was oppressive with many
thoughts and he felt that all his ambition plans would become futile if they failed
(the army leader Lannes) to conquer Ratisbon.

Out twixt the battery-smokes there flew.

A rider, bound on bound
Full-galloping ; nor bridle drew
until he reached the mound.

Though the poem does not give a detailed description of the battle, We
come to know that the young boy has played a vital role in
bringing triumph to the French army. The young boy riding at great
speed approached the mound where Napoleon stood, in smiling joy. As he came
closer, the narrator observed that the rider, a young boy, was severely mounded.
The boy had kept his lips compressed to stop the blood coming
through. But he showed no sign of pain and jumped off the
horse and gave the happy news of Victory to the emperor. He
informed the emperor that they had won Ratisbon for him and he himself had
hoisted the flag of France. Soon his eyes softened when he saw that the boy was
fatally wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, he asked the boy if he was wounded.
This question touched the soldier‟s pride and he replied that he was killed and fell
dead, smiling beside his chief. Courage and patriotism are the basic
qualities of not only an emperor, but also every soldier. Soldiers
XII-ENGLISH Page 93
 fight their enemy not only for monetary considerations, but for the honour of their
motherland. It is evident that the young soldier obtained virtues
like devotion to duty, patriotism, gallantry and chivalry from
Napoleon, the legendary warrior.
“ A MAN IS A PATRIOT IF HIS HEART BEATS TRUE TO HIS
COUNTRY”

SUPPLEMENTARY READER
REMEMBER CAESAR
- GORDON DAVIOT
Josephine Tey was a pseudonym used by Elizabeth Mackintosh. She
was a Scottish author best remembered for her mystery novels. She also wrote as
Gordon Daviot, under which name she wrote plays, many with „biblical‟ or
„historical themes‟. „Remember Caesar‟ is a light hearted comedy. The name
„Caesar‟ refers to a brilliant military generaland great Roman Monarch. It
is about a pompous and proud judge who fears a life after he discovers a message
“Remember Caesar”, written on a piece of paper in his pocket. He exhorts his
assistant Roger to remain alert
to foil the possible attempt of the assassins. The play tells us whether Lord Weston
and Roger were able to the attempt or not. Weston was proud of being an honest
judge. He wanted Roger to consider his own success in the world more than being
dutiful to his master.

Roger, it is not alone a question of duty; there is your own

success in the world to be considered. It is not your intention
to be a secretary all your life, is it? No. Very well. Diligence,
and a respect for detail should be your care…………..

Weston just to remind himself of his appointment with the gardener Caesar
scribbles two words in a crumpled piece of paper “Remember Caesar” and kept it in
his coat pocket. After getting home he finds the paper and relates the day the “Ides
of March” with Caesar‟s murder. So he thinks that it was his death note. He was

XII-ENGLISH Page 94
 convinced that someone affected by his fair judgement, was plotting his murder.
Sensing the danger, he asked his assistant to take all the precautions needed and to
allow anyone into the house. But his wife, Lady Weston is a charming lady, with
great intelligence and practical simplicity. She was unmoved at the alarm and chaos
raised by her husband. According to her, her husband is not so great to be
assassinated Lady Weston was playful at his haste and fears as she is used to her
husband‟s raising alarms at foolish suspicions. The contrast between them provide
the humour to the play.
So, Lord Weston was angered by her callous(heartless) reaction. He ordered Roger to
send The Cook and The gardener away. Both Weston and Roger took elaborate
precautionary measures to thwart the assassination. Finally Weston was able to
recollect that he had written the message “Remember Caesar” himself as a reminder.
Caesar was actually a gardener who had an appointment to visit Weston‟s garden.
Weston absent mindedness is the crux of the play.

MORAL: “ABSENT – MINDEDNESS IS SPURIOUS INNOCENCE.”

POEM
FIGURES OF SPEECH – A GLANCE

1. The Castel 2. Our Casuarina Tree

3. All the World‟s a Stage 4. Ulysses
5. A Father to his Son 6. Incident of the French Camp

1. Simile It is a comparison made between two objects of

different kinds which have some
resemblance/similarities. It is introduced by a word
of comparison, such as, “like, so, as, as ..... so‟.
(e.g.) “Grew thin and treacherous as air” (Poem 1)
The path grew weak and disloyal as air.
“And shining morning face, creeping like
snail” (Poem 3)
The schoolboy‟s movement is compared to
snail‟s
movement. Direct comparison, using the
word, like

XII-ENGLISH Page 95
 “To following knowledge like a sinking star”.
(Poem 4)
The pursuit of knowledge is directly compared
to a sinking
star using the word, like
2. Metaphor It is a figure of speech that makes an implicit,
implied, or hidden comparison between two things
that are unrelated, but which share some common
characteristics.
(e.g) “Oh then our maze of tunneled stone”. (Poem
1) The tunneled stone is compared to maze. It is an
implied comparison, without using the words “like”
or “as”, or “so”.
“For always roaming with a hungry heart” (Poem 4)
Ulysses compares himself to a predatory animal.
It is an implied comparison, without using the
words “like” or “as” or “so”
3. Alliteration It is the repetition of the same consonant sound in
successive or nearby words. Note that in
alliteration the sound and sense go together.
(e.g) “There lies the port the vessel puffs her sail”
(Poem 4)
In this line, “p” is repeated (“port, puffs” are
alliterated Swords.)
“Let once my army-leader Lannes” (Poem 6)
In this line, “I” is repeated (Let-Leader-
Lannes).
“Waver at yonder wall” (Poem 6)
In this line, “w” is repeated (waver-wall)
4. Repetition It is a literary device that repeats the same words or
phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and
more memorable.
(e.g) “Tell him to be alone often and get at himself
and above all tell himself no lies about
himself” (Poem 5)
5. Anaphora Repetition of a certain word or phrase at the
beginning of successive lines, or repetition of a
word or a phrase at the beginning of a sequence of
sentences, paragraphs.
(e.g) “Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool every so often” (Poem 5)
“Tell him‟ is the Anaphora used here, as it is the
repetitionof words at the beginning of successive
lines to create a sonic effect.
XII-ENGLISH Page 96
 6. Personification An inanimate object or absteraction is given human
qualities or abilities, (i.e.) giving human qualities to
non-living things.
(e.g.) “There was a little private gate
A little wicked wicket gate” (Poem 1)
The small door or gate is personified as an evil
one.
7. Antithesis It is a literary device that emphasizes the idea of
contrast.
(e.g.) “The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split a rock”
(Poem 5)
“Brutes have been gentled where lashes
failed” (Poem 5)
8. Transferred It is a figure of speech in which an epithet
Epithet grammatically qualifies a noun other than the
person or a things, it is actually meant to describe.
(e.g.) “and left them dead years before burial:”
(Poem 5)
“Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper
motives”
Days are not lazy, but his son should be lazy
enough to seek his in born abilities.
“Bringing changes into a world resenting change”
(Poem 5)
The people in the world are referred here to dislike
the change.
9. Allegory An allegory is a complete narrative that involves
characters and events that stand for an abstract idea
or event. IN other words, a story, poem, or picture
that can be interpreted to reveal of hidden meaning,
typically a moral or political one.
(e.g.) “The Castle‟ an allegorical poem.
10. Zoomorphism It is the shaping of something in animal form or
terms. This is used to illustrate movement, making
the tree seem more actively alive and also implying
movement. This is a subtle indication of the process
of life.
(e.g.) “LIKE a huge Python, winding round and
round
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scar”.
(Poem-2)
The vine is described in animal terms (as a
python).
XII-ENGLISH Page 97
 (Since the vine is compared with a python, using
the word “like”, we can tell the figure of speech
applied in the first line as Simile also).
11. Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is a sound related word.
e.g. (i) When snaps the knee, and cracks the
wrist
(ii) I heard a thousand blended notes
12. Hyperbole When a character is exaggerated, it is called
hyperbole.
e.g. (i) He‟s broken every human law, he
breaks the law of gravity
In this line, the character cat breaks the „law of
gravity‟.
13. Archaism Certain words, which are no longer in use, are used
in poetry. (old usage)
e.g. While in a grove I sate reclined, („sate‟ is the
oldest form of „sat‟)
14. Rhetorical A rhetorical question is one which is asked in order
Question to make a statement rather than to get an answer.
e.g.What could they offer us for bait?
15. Oxymoron When two opposite meaning words are used next to
each other.
e.g. (i) Noisy silence, (ii) True lies
16. Imagery/irony The expression of one‟s meaning by using language
that normally signifies the opposite, typically for
humorous or emphatic effect.
e.g. With our arms and provender load on load
“A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live. But gallantly
The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung….”
(Poem-2)
“and his big manly voice, turning again toward
childish treble” (Poem-3)
17. Synecdoche “A figure of speech in which a part is made to
represent the whole or vice-versa”
e.g. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon.
Here, the word „French‟ refers to the
country and not the army.
18. Rhyming word It is making the last words in the lines produce the
same sound.
All through that summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay
And the enemy half a mile away
XII-ENGLISH Page 98
 They seemed no threat to us at all.

VOCABULARY-LEXICAL COMPETENCIES
BOOK BACK

UNIT- 1
(a) READ THE FOLLOWING WORDS TAKEN FROM THE STORY.
GIVE TWO SYNONYMS AND ONE ANTONYM FOR EACH OF
THESE WORDS. USE A DICTIONARY, IF REQUIRED.

WORD SYNONYMS ANTONYMS

cautious careful/alert careless/reckless
disapprove dislike/object to approve
brisk quick/swift/fast dull/sloppy
engaging charming/agreeable repulsive
humble ordinary/meek/submissive grand/proud
eager excited/anxious/impatient indifferent/apathetic
resistance opposition/hostility submission/acceptance
persuade convince/induce abundant/dissuade
scarce rare/scant/insufficient plentiful/abundant
nobility greatness/virtue/goodness meanness/dishonor

(b) HOMOPHONES AND CONFUSABLES:

HOMOPHONES /HOMOGRAPHS/HOMONYMS
Homonyms are two or more words that have same pronunciation but different
meanings. They are of two types:
i. Homographs
Homographs are words with same spelling and same sound but different in
meanings.
e.g. park – a piece of public land for recreation / park – to leave a vehicle in a
particular place
bat – a sport equipment for hitting the ball / bat – a mammal
ii. Homophones
Homophones are two or more words with the same sound but with different
spellings and meanings.
e.g.dear – a loved one / deer – a wild animal

XII-ENGLISH Page 99
 Heteronyms also known as heterophones are two or more words with same spelling
but different sounds and meanings.
e.g. lead – a metal / lead – guide, minute – a period of time / minute – very
small

BOOK BACK :
I) GIVEN BELOW IS A LIST OF COMMON CONFUSABLES.
DISTINGUISH THE MEANING OF EACH PAIR OFWORDS BY
FRAMING YOUR OWN SENTENCES.
a) emigrate(leaving homeland) – immigrate(come to live permanently in a foreign
country)
• My friend wants to emigratefrom India.
• He wants to immigrateto Australia.
b) beside(at the side of ) – besides( in addition to )
• I was sitting beside my friend.
• Besides a car, Radha has a scooter.
c) judicial(relating to justice) – judicious(wise/prudent)
• The minister is facing a judicial enquiry.
• Education should be a judicious mixture of skill and knowledge.
d) eligible(qualified) – illegible(not clear to read)
• He is eligibleto enter the university.
• His handwriting is illegibleso we cannot read the letter.
e) conscience(a person‟s moral sense of right and wrong) – conscious (being aware
of )
• As he did not receive any bribery his conscienceis clear.
• He is consciousof the mistake he committed.
f) industrial(relating to industry) – industrious(diligent/hardworking)
• Japan is an industrialcountry.
• Ant is known to be the most industriousof all insects.
g) eminent(famous) – imminent(something bad likely to happen very soon)
• Mr. Rajan is an eminentscientist.
• After storm, heavy rain is imminent.
h) illicit(unlawfall/illegal) – elicit(to evoke a response)
• He was caught by the police because he sold illicitliquor.
• The teacher elicited the answer from the student.
i) prescribed(set down rules) – proscribed(prohibited)
• The doctor prescribedmedicine for the child.
• Certain organizations are proscribedin Kashmir.
j) affect(acted upon) – effect(result/impact of something)
XII-ENGLISH Page 100
 • The severe cold affectsthe child.
• The child is cured because of the effectof the medicine.
k) aural (related to hearing)– oral(verbal/spoken only)
• The patient received something to assist her aural functioning.
• Oral medicine is prescribed for the child.
l) born(related to birth) – borne(carried by)
• She has bornethe adversity with dignity.
• She was bornin Ireland.

II) FILL THE BLANKS WITH SUITABLE HOMOPHONES OR

CONFUSABLES.
wallet valet hoard horde
fairy ferry/faerie desert dessert
medal metal/meddle night knight
wait weight sweet sweat
yoke yolk plain plane
grown groan might mite
earn urn/yearn quite quiet

(c) PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs can be defined as units consisting of verb and one or more adverbs or
prepositions. They often have idiomatic meaning.

BOOK BACK:
Give the meanings of the following Phrasal Verbs and frame sentences using them.
PHRASAL MEANING SENTENCE
VERB
cut off stop providing The rebels have cut off
something/remove electricity from the capital.
The branch was cut offfrom the
main tree
come upon to meet/encounter I came upon an old friend in
unexpectedly the street today.

put out stop or extinguish It took three hours to put out

the fire.

draw up to arrange in Together, they began to draw

order/halt/stop up plans for their first home.
Ram drew up his car on seeing
the red signal.

XII-ENGLISH Page 101

 pass out to distribute/become We will pass out copies of the
unconscious agenda.
The old women passed out
when a coconut fell on her head.
take off depart from the ground The plane will take off in a
minute.
turn away reject/refuse Hard times are forcing
community colleges to turn
away students.
The people at the gate were
turned away.
stand by to support an idea or I will stand byyou whatever
person happens.
bank on to depend on /relay on You can bank on him to get the
confidently job done quickly
We can always bank on our
English teacher

ADDITIONAL-1
GIVEN BELOW IS A LIST OF PHRASAL VERBS WITH PARTICLES.

I. in (Interrupt / enter a building)

out (escape)
break off (fail)
up (end / disperse)

II. Call upon (invite / appeal to )

Call up (recall)
Call for (require / demand )
Call off (cancel)
Call on (visit)
III. in (interrupt)
off (separate / stop the supply)
Cut short (reduce)
up (divide into small pieces)

IV. around (stay at a place impatiently)

behind (stay at a place, especially to meet someone)
Wait on (attend to someone by serving food)

XII-ENGLISH Page 102

 up (not going to bed until someone returns home)

V. see over (inspect a place carefully)

see through (not to be deceived by somebody or something)
see to (attend)
see about (deal with)
VI. away (not to go near)
up (continue / maintain)
Keep on (continue)
off ( avoid contact / touching / using)

out (be alert and watchful)

VII. after (take care of)
Look into (investigate / examine)
over (inspect/ examine)

VIII. on (criticize or blame someone unfairly)

up (improve /given a lift to somebody)
pick over (check carefully before selecting something)
out (choose or select)
Off (to remove)

IX. up (bringing a vehicle to halt / correct or reprimand

somebody / improve one‟s position)
pull back ( retreat or withdraws )
on (breathe something in)
through (recover from an illness)

X. by (be ready for action / support or help)

in for (substitute or take somebody‟s place)
Stand out (better than other, noticeable)
up (support / withstand / resist / stand straight on one‟s feet)

(d) PREFIX & SUFFIX

XII-ENGLISH Page 103

 In the English language, new words can be formed by a process called affixation.
Affixation means adding affixes to the root word to form a new word. Affixes can be
classified into prefix and suffix. If an affix is attached to the beginning of a word, it
is called a Prefix. If an affix is attached to the end of the word, it is called as Suffix.
Example :
Prefixes :
illiterate, disqualify, supernatural, suburban, malnutrition
Suffixes :
childhood, ability, examination, establishment, slavish.
“Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips
constantly moved in inaudible prayer.”
In the above sentence, the word „inaudible‟ is formed by adding the prefix in- to the
root/base word „audibl
A prefix is a letter or a group of letters which is added to the beginning of a
root word in order to modify it. Usually, the new word formed is the opposite of the
given word.
In the above sentence, we also come across the word „constantly‟. Here the suffix –ly
is added to the root word „constant‟.
A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a root word. By
adding suffixes, the grammatical function of the word changes.
Words that are derived or formed from the base word by adding prefixes and
suffixes are called derivatives.
BOOK BACK:
d) Form two derivatives from each of the following words by adding prefixes and
suffixes.
Word Prefix Suffix
patient impatient patiently
honour dishonour honourable
respect disrespect respectable/respectful
manage mismanage management
fertile infertile fertility
different indifferent difference/differently
friend befriend friendly/friendship
obey disobey obedience

UNIT – II
XII-ENGLISH Page 104
 BOOK BACK

A) FIND OUT THE SYNONYM OF THE UNDERLINED WORD IN EACH OF THE

FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1. But because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent disputes.
a) Agreements b) applauses c) conflicts d) discussions
2. ...tea is one of the mainstays of civilization in the country.
a) a society in an advanced state of social development
b) a society that has slow progress
c) a society that has no progress
d) a society in an average state of social development
3. ...that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated.
a) motivated b) discouraged c) passive d) admired
4. ...under the spout to catch thestray leaves.
a) fresh b) loose c) gathered d) harmful
5. One is liable to put in too much milk.
a) likely b) certain c) eager d) responsible

B) FIND OUT THE ANTONYM OF THE UNDERLINED WORD IN EACH OF THE

FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1. …which are not to be despised.

a) hated b) liked c) respected d) defeated

2. One does not feel wise, braver or more optimistic.

a) Opportunistic b) cheerful c) respected d) pessimistic

3. Not the flat, shallow type…

a) narrow b) wide c) deep d) direct

4. Predicting the arrival of visitors…

a) journey b) departure c) migration d) perusal

5 ...but they are sufficientto show how subtilized the whole business has become.

a) enough b) suffocative c)inadequate d) submissive

(c) PARTS OF SPEECH

Fill in the boxes with the correct answers. The first one has been
done for you.

XII-ENGLISH Page 105

 In language, the parts of speech are the categories of words based on
their function within a sentence. This is true with English, as well as with any
number of other languages like French and Spanish. This is a helpful way to look at
words to help you understand the underlying grammar and logic of any language
you study.
Parts of Speech in English
In English, there are eight different parts of speech. In each of the example
sentences below, the highlighted part of speech is in bold.
Nouns
Nouns name a person, place, thing idea or quality. They can act as the subject
or the object of a sentence.
Pronouns
Pronouns take the place of nouns to simplify speech and writing. They can
otherwise function in the same way as nouns, serving as subjects and objects in
sentences.

Verbs
Verbs express action or a state of being. It is because of the former that verbs
are often called "action verbs," but non-action verbscan be used to represent a state
of being, need, sense or preference.
Adverbs
Adverbs modify or describe a verb, adjective or another adverb or word
group. This modification can provide information relating to time, place, manner,
cause, degree, or circumstance.

Adjectives

Adjectives or describe a noun. These words ascribe an attribute to the noun

being modified.

Prepositions
Prepositions are used to indicate relationships, often spatial, between nouns
and pronouns. They indicate how one noun, noun phrase, or pronoun relates to
another.
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are used connect words, phrases and clauses together. They
coordinate the words together so they make sense as a cohesive thought, sentence or
paragraph.

Interjections

XII-ENGLISH Page 106

 Interjections are words used as exclamations to show feelings. They're
usually abrupt, interrupting the speech for emotional effect.

BOOK BACK
C) FILL IN THE BOXES SUPPLYING THE CORRECT ANSWERS.

Word with Noun/

S.No meaning Sentence Verb/ Sentence
and part of speech Adj. form
1 Word : wise My brother is wisdom My brother
Meaning : clever wise. (Noun) showed great
Parts of speech: wisdom in business
adjective
2 Word : harm We should not harmful What we do should
Meaning : damage harmothers. not beharmful to
Parts of speech : (Adjective) others
verb
3 stimulate Tea stimulates stimulation We take tea for
Meaning : kindle ourthinking (Noun) stimulation
parts of speech :
verb
4 Word : argue We argued to argument We should not
Meaning : discuss finalizethe (Noun) indulge in
Parts of speech : venue for the unnecessary
verb tournament . argument

5 Word : strong The wall is strength The strength of the

Meaning : sturdy very strong. (Noun) buildingdepends on
Parts of speech : the quality of
adjective steel and cement
6 Word : destroy Very old things destruction The destruction of
Meaning : abolish shouldbe (Noun) oldbuilding is being
/ destroyed. done bythe
annihilate workers.
Parts of speech :
verb

UNIT -III
(a) CONFUSABLES

XII-ENGLISH Page 107

 English has a lot of commonly confused words. They either look alike or look
and sound alike, but have completely different meanings and usage. Here are some
examples from the text.
brought (v) - past participle of bring. E.g.Anitha had brought a book from the
library.
bought (v) - past participle of buy. E.g. Lalitha had bought a new dress last
week.
affect (v) - to have an effect on. E.g. The pet‟s death affected his master.
effect (n) - anything brought about by a cause or agent; result. E.g. Both El Nino and
La Nina are opposite effects of the same phenomenon.

BOOK BACK
a) GO THROUGH THE LESSON AND SPOT THE WORDS WHICH MEAN
THE SAME AS THE FOLLOWING CLUSTERS.
1. profession career
2. sorrowful gloomy
3. decency nobility
4. destiny fate
5. hijacked commandeered
6. motivation encouragement
7. serious severe
8. significant important

b) GO THROUGH THE LESSON AND SPOT THE WORDS OPPOSITE

TO THE MEANING OF THE FOLLOWING.
1. rare prevalent
2. primitive sophisticated
3. fiction fact
4. fearful intrepid
5. benigh malignant
6. diffidence confidence
7. boredom amusement
8. criticize appreciate

c) FRAME ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES TO DISTINGUISH THE

MEANING OF THE WORDS IN THE FOLLOWING:
1. career – carrier – courier
a) We should be careful in choosing our career.

XII-ENGLISH Page 108

 b) My cycle has a carrier behind the seat.
c) I sent the parcel through courier.
2. patients – patience – patents
a) Nurses look after the patients.
b) Gita is known for her patience.
c) Scientists get patents before they create something new.
3. accident – incident – incidence
a) My neighbour met with an accident.
b) The roads were sealed off because of some major incident.
c) There‟s still a high incidence of Malaria in the area.
4. scraping – scrapping – scrubbing
a) The scrapings were collected from the lathe.
b) Government is thinking of scrapping the use of a particular aircraft.
c) The floor needs scrubbing
5. accept – except – expect
a) She accepts the new offer.
b) Everybody attended the class except Sundar.
c) We expect to get the results on Monday.
6. lesson – lessen – lesion
a) We should be thorough with the lesson before the exam.
b) This medicine will lessen the pain.
c) Apply this ointment on the lesion

7. severe – sever – sewer

a) Radha suffers from severe stomach ache.
b) The trunk of the tree was severed by the woodcutter.
c) The sewer is under repair.
8. raise – rise– rice
a) David raised his hands to join the competition.
b) The sun rises in the east.
c) Rice is the staple food of south Indians.
9. quiet – quite – quit
a) The teacher asked the students to keep quiet.
b) I saw quite a big snake.
c) He decided to quit the job.
10. final – finale – feline
a) The painter was giving the final touch.

XII-ENGLISH Page 109

 b) The competitors were getting ready for the finale.
c) She moves with a feline grace.

D) FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE WORDS GIVEN IN BRACKETS.

[PROFOUND, AMUSEMENT, CONFIDENCE, AGONY, SOLACE,
INTREPID, DISFIGURED, PERFORATED]

1. Theatrical plays were a main source of amusement before the advent of television.
2.Theintrepid warriors of the Spartan Army marched into battle against a powerful
enemy.
3. The agony of parents finally came to an end when their lost child was found with
the help of police.
4. Social media has brought about a profound impact on the lives of millennial.
5. The tyres of the car got perforated when the vehicle rolled over the rusted nails
scattered on the road.
6. Thomas Alva Edison did not lose his confidence, even after facing a series of
experimental failures in his quest to discover tungsten.
7. Many victims of the pipeline explosion in an oil refinery were left permanently
disfigured.
8. The old lady found solace in the company of the children in the neighborhood.

(e) BLENDED WORDS

Some words in English are formed by combining elements of two other
words is called blending words.
BOOK BACK
FORM A PHRASE WITH EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PAIRS OF NOUNS
GIVEN BELOW.
Here is an example from the lesson:
fibre + tissue – fibrous tissue
1. muscle + pain – muscular pain
2. skeleton + system – skeletal system
3. nerve + disorder – nervous disorder
4. digestion + enzymes – digestive enzymes
5. surgery + instruments – surgical instruments
6. agony + experience – agonizing experience
7. glory + victory – glorious victory
8. fancy + idea – fanciful idea
9. emotion + song – emotional song
10. sense + issue – sensitive issue

ADDITIONAL
XII-ENGLISH Page 110
 S.No. Word Blending word
1. Breakfast + lunch brunch
2. Smoke +fog smog
3. motorway + hotel Motel
4. motor + bike mobike
5. television + broadcast telecast
6. travel + catalogue travelogue
7. international + police Interpol
8. teleprinter + exchange telex
9. electro + execute electrocute
10. binary + digit bit
11. motor + pedal cycle moped
12. news + broadcast Newscast
TASK -2
1. Helicopter + Airport Heliport
2. Documentary + Drama Docudrama
3. Education + Entertainment Edutainment
4. Technology + Wizard Techno-wizard
5. Vegetable + Burger Vegeburger
6. Information + Commercial Infomercial
7. Lecture + Demonstration Lecdem
Flimsy + Miserable (miserable + Flimiserable /
8.
flimsy) mimsy
9. Information + Technology Info-tech
10. Medical + Care Medicare
11. Education + Satellite Edusate
12. Electronic + mail e-mail
13. Higher + Technology Hi-tech
14. Picture + element Pixel
15. Breath + analyser Breathalyser
16. Camera + recorder Camcorder
17. Fantastic + Fabulous Fantabulous
18. Transfer + resistor Transistor
19. Melody + drama Melodrama
20. Agriculture + Economy Agronomy

(F) FILL THE EMPTY BOXES WITH SUITABLE WORDS UNDER EACH
WORD CLASS.

NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE ADVERB

amusement amuse amusing amusingly
appreciation appreciate appreciative appreciably
XII-ENGLISH Page 111
 success succeed successful successfully
pride pride proud proudly
hope (n) hope (v) hopeful hopefully

(G)SPOT THE ERRORS IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES AND

REWRITE THEM CORRECTLY
1. My grandfather is well-known in the village for hiswellknowndeeds.
My grandfather is well – known in the village for his noble deeds.
2. I had evening meals in a restaurant near my office.
I had my dinner in a restaurant near my office.
3. The Boss had full confidence on his Manager for successful completion of the
project.
The Boss had full confidence in his Manager for successful completion of the project.
4. After the complicated surgery, the patient hoped of complete recovery.
After the complicated surgery, the patient hoped for complete recovery.
5. The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to the
children suffering with acute tuberculosis.
The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to the
children suffering from acute tuberculosis.
6. In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream carrier.
In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream career.

UNIT –IV
(a) IDIOMS

An idiom is an expression in English language that has a special meaning

of its own. It cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words.
For e.g. „I told him he would have to make good.‟ The idiom „to make good‟means
„to compensate for a wrongdoing‟
Idioms are groups of words put together as a unit with a particular meaning.
The meaning of the word is not literal.
For example, if one says that the cat is out of the bag then it does not literally
mean the cat is out of the bag but it has a figurative meaning which means the
secret is out.
That‟s why the meaning of idioms cannot be assumed based on the individual
meaning of the words but by studying the words as a unit.
Examples: 1. Lalitha takes a late night walk in the beach once in a blue moon. In the
above sentence „once in a blue moon‟ is an idiom which means an event that
happens rarely

XII-ENGLISH Page 112

 2. The women cricketers were on the ball in their last over of the match. In the
above sentence „on the ball‟ is an idiom which means when someone
understands the situations well.

BOOK BACK
(i) GIVEN BELOW ARE SOME IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS WITH
THEIR MEANINGS. UNDERSTAND THE MEANING
a) wait for the dust to settle - to wait for a situation to become clear or certain
b) get/have all your ducks in a row - to have made all the preparations needed to
do something/ to be well organized
c) fetch and carry (for somebody) - to do a lot of little jobs for somebody as
if you were their servant.
d) do the math - to think carefully about something
before doing it, so thatyou know all the
relevant facts or figures.
e) round the corner - very near

(ii) FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE RIGHT IDIOMS. CHOOSE

FROM THE ABOVE GIVEN IDIOMS.
a) The Sherpas are cheerful, gallant men, who fetch and carry tents, oxygen, food
etc., for climbersduring their ascent of the summit.
b) The team does the math carefully so as to reach the summit successfully.
c) When they had to climb through deep new snow the party sometimes had to
wait for thedust to settle.
d) Each member of the team had all their responsibility to get all their ducks in a
row.
e) We could not believe that with a few more whacks of the ice axe in the firm snow
we were round the corner to the top.
(iii) UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE GIVEN IDIOMATIC
EXPRESSION AND CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE TO COMPLETE
THE SENTENCE.
the icing on the cake – something extra and not essential, but is added to make it even
better

XII-ENGLISH Page 113

break the ice – to make people more relaxed, especially at the beginning of the
meeting
a) The conference room was silent though packed. The chairman introduced an
interactive session to break the ice.
b) Our headmistress not only promised us to take us for an excursion, but also
announced that on returnwe would get a holiday. It was like the icing on the
cake.

ADDITIONAL:

S.No. Idioms Meanings

1 A bad break A piece of bad luck.
2 A big ask Something you ask someone to do that
will be difficult for them
3 A bird in the hand is It‟s better to have a lesser but certain
worth advantage than the possibility of a
two in the bush greater one that may come to nothing.
4 A bite to eat A small meal, possibly taken quickly
when time is shot.
5 A feather in one‟s cap A symbol of achievement.
6 Bad break A serious bone fracture.
7 Bag lady A homeless woman, who carries all her
possessions in shopping bags.
8 Basket case A person or thing that is no longer able
to function effectively, either
through disability or misfortune
9 Calendar year Twelve months beginning from the first
of January
10 Canteen culture Rude behavior by rank and file police or
soldiers
11 Carbon footprint A measure of the amount of carbon
dioxide (CO2) emitted during an
industrial or domestic process.
12 Code monkey Slang term for a computer programmer
13 Come hell or high Despite any great difficult or obstacle.
water
14 Cherry ripe Cockney rhyming slang for pipe.
15 Cat got your tongue? A question addressed to someone who is
inexplicably silent.
16 Daily grind The dull daily routine.
17 Dial down Adjust a device to reduce sound or
temperature.

XII-ENGLISH Page 114

 18 Dead ringer An exact duplicate.
19 Ear popping Sound that is loud or that catches the
attention
20 Face card The jack queen or king in a set of
playing cards
21 First footing Making a round of visits at New Year.
22 Get a gold star Earn a merit point for doing well.
23 Get on board Accept and participate with an idea or
project.
24 Get over it Move beyond something that is
bothering you.
25 High and mighty Proud and arrogant.
26 Hit the hay go to bed.
27 In your face Aggressive confrontation
28 Jam jar Cockney rhyming slang for car.
29 Keep at bay Keep something away
30 Lend me your ear Politely ask for someones full attention.
31 Make a scene Cause a disturbance
32 Mind your language A warning not to swear.
33 North and south Cockney rhyming slang for mouth.
34 Once in a blue moon A rare occurrence
35 Plates of meat Cockney rhyming slang for feet.
36 Rest up Take a break from one‟s efforts.
37 Silver fox A handsome grey-haired man.
38 Man of means A wealthy man.
39 Zip your lip Say nothing; keep your mouth shut.
40 Made of money Having a lot of money.

(b) PHRASAL VERBS

i)GIVEN BELOW ARE THE PHRASAL VERBS WITH THEIR
MEANINGS. USE THE GIVEN PHRASAL VERBS IN SENTENCES
OF YOUR OWN.
turn on - to open
took over - took control of something / took lead
set off - start a journey
put off - postpone

1. My manager turned on a new account with the bank.

2. The son took over the company from his father.
3. During our last summerwe set off to Ooty
4. The match was put off due to rain.

XII-ENGLISH Page 115

 II) GIVEN BELOW ARE SOME PHRASAL VERBS WHICH ARE
FREQUENTLY USED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAVELLING.
GUESS THE MEANING AND MATCH.
see off - start off / to begin a journey
stop over - to go to station or airport to say good bye to some one
set off - to stay at a place for a short period of time when travelling
to another place
Answer :
see off – to go to station or airport to say good bye to some one
stop over – to stay at a place for a short period of time when travelling
to another place
set off – start off / to begin a journey
get in - leave a bus or train etc.
get off - to go away from home for a vacation.
get on - arrive inside train, bus etc.
get away - enter a bus, train place

Answer :
get in – enter a bus, train place
get off – leave a bus or train etc.
get on – arrive inside train, bus etc.
get away – to go away from home for a vacation.

check in - pay the bill when leaving a hotel.

check out - arrive and register at airport or hotel
Answer :
check in – arrive and register at airport or hotel
check out – pay the bill when leaving a hotel.

(c) COMPOUND WORDS

Compound Words
 Beyond the iron gates were the playing field and the two-storeyed school building
 The owner of the tea shop, now over sixty, a little rustic in appearance, with his
white neatly-combed hair and clean look, was the same a before.
 His nerves seemed overwrought for some reason.
 The words in italics are compound words. A compound word is
a combination of two or more words that function as a single
unit of meaning.
BOOK BACK
i) Here are some compound words chosen from the text.
ice fall knife-edge wind-proof sleeping-
bags
half-way never-ending partly-full ice-axe

XII-ENGLISH Page 116

 Let us learn a few more with their meaning.
ice-berg - an extremely large mass of ice floating in the sea
ice-cap - a layer of ice permanently covering parts of the earth, especially
around North and South Poles
ice-floe - a large area of ice floating in the sea
ice-sheet - a layer of ice that covers a large area of land for a long period of time
ice-rink - specially prepared flat surface of ice, where you can ice-skate;

ADDITIONAL
Complete the following table with two more compound words.

TASK -1

Noun + Noun dream-world, postman

bed-time , motorcycle
rabbit-hole , honeybee
chessmen, cork-screw
sun-dial, wonderland
Noun + Adjective (participle) knee-deep, homesick,
henpecked
Noun in Possessive case + Noun craftsman sportsman
childsplay
Adverb + Noun insight out-patient
postscript
Verbal noun in „-ing‟ + Noun looking-glass washing machine
Adjective + „-ing‟ participle curious-looking, good-looking
shabby-looking, easy-going
Adjective + „-ed‟ participle dreamy-eyed long-awaited
Adverbial + deverbal Noun daydream boat-ride
Verb + Object push-button, treadmill
Adjective + Verb safeguard, whitewash
Adverb + Verb overthrow, upset
Object + Agential Noun with „er‟/ „or‟ telephone operator, science teacher
Object + verbal Noun with „-ing‟ air-conditioning, sightseeing
Adjective + Noun blackboard, blue print
Noun + Adjective lifelong, jet black
Verb + Noun pop corn, cry baby
TASK -2
S.No. COMPOUNDS
Noun + Noun (Verb less compound)
1. School girl, Class room.

2. Noun + Verb Sunrise, Bus stop.

XII-ENGLISH Page 117
 Air-conditioning, Letter-
3. Noun + Gerund
writing.
Gerund + Noun (Adjective participle Dancing bird, Washing
4.
+ Noun) Machine.
5. Verb + Noun Play ground, Watch man.
6. Noun + adjective Duty free, Home sick.
7. Adjective + Noun Black board, Free bird.
8. Adjective + Adjective Red hot, Kind hearted.
9. Verb + Adverb Drawback, Tie up.

10. Adverb + Verb Over throw, Undergo.

11. Adjective + Verb White wash, Black mark.
12. Preposition + Noun Upstream, Downstream.
13. Adjective + (verb-past perfect) Long forgotten, well educated.
14. Adjective + Preposition + Noun Good-for-nothing, Free-for-all.
15. Noun + Preposition + Noun Day-to-day, Tit for tat.
16. Adjective + Verb + Adjective Happy-go-lucky.

17. Adverb + Preposition + Noun Down-to-earth.

!8. Adjective + Preposition + Verb Well-to-do.

TASK -3
Noun + Noun kitchen garden, time table
Noun + Verb mouthwash, rainfall
Verb + Noun watchman, tell-tale
Preposition + Noun overcoat, underground
Gerund + Noun bleaching powder, drinking water
Noun + Gerund housekeeping, horse riding
Adjective + Preposition + Noun good for nothing, free–for–all
Noun + Preposition + Noun mother-in-law, father–in–law
Combine the words in column A with those in column in B to form compound
words as many as you can.
Column A Column B Answer
rain Light rainfall
snow thing snowball
star fall drawback
play back plaything
lottery ticket lottery ticket
under walk underworld
man Note Manhole
side hole footnote
foot hold footnote

(d) SEMANTIC NETWORK

XII-ENGLISH Page 118

 i) Match the following with their right field choosing appropriately from the box
given.
Machinery Sports Transportation Geography Weather Travel
snow-board – sports
snow-storm – weather
snow-mobile – transportation
snow-bird – travel
snow-chains – machinery
snow-belt – geography

ii)Look at the following expressions used in the story. Match

them with their meanings.

let down disappointed

chuckled to himself laughed softly to himself
take cheer to be encouraged
raise the devil to complain or scold
black with anger become enraged
take chances try one‟s luck/take a risk
ABBREVIATIONS , ACRONYMS AND CONTRACTIONS

ABBREVIATION

ADDITIONAL
1. ATM - Automated Teller Machine
2. CVRDE - Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishments
3. CLRI - Central Leather Research Institute
4. IIT - Indian Institute of Technology
5. CPU - Central Processing Unit
6. UPS - Uninterrupted Power Supply Units
7.CD - Compact Disk

XII-ENGLISH Page 119

 8. DTP - Desktop Publishing
9. UN - United Nations
10.USA - United States of America
11. UK - United Kingdom
12. REM - Rapid Eye Movement
13. SWS - Slow Wave Sleep
14.EEG - Electroencephalogram
15.EMG - Electromyogram
16. EOG - Electroculogram
17.RP - Received Pronunciation
18.TV - Television
19.HSS - Higher Secondary School
20. Ltd - Limited
21.NLC - Neyveli Lignite Corporation
22.BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation
23.MA - Master of Arts
24. Kg - Kilogram
25.mm - Millimetre
26.LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas
27.VCR - Video Cassette Recorder
28. Rpm - rotations per minute
29. FM - Frequency Modulation
30.UNO - United Nations Organisation
31.PTI - Press Trust of India
32. KMVN - Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam
33. PC - Personal Computer
34. UGC - University Grants Commission
35.PSU - Public Sector Unit

ACRONYM
1. AVADI - Armed Vehicles and Ammunition Depot of India
2. LASER - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation
3. RADAR - Radio Detection And Ranging
4. GATT - General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs
5. ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation
6. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
7. WHO - World Health Organisation
8. SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation.
9. CAD - Computer Aided Designing
10. LASER - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
XII-ENGLISH Page 120
11. TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
12. VIBGYOR- Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red
13. RADAR - RadioDetection and Ranging
14. AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
15. ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation
16. GATE - Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering
17. HUDCO - Housing and Urban Development Corporation
18. LAN - Local Area Network
19. OPEC - Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
20. TANSI - Tamil Nadu Small Scale Industries
21. VIRUS - Vital Information Resources Under Siege
22. SALT - Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
23. UNICEF - United Nations International Children Emergency Fund
24. BARC - Baba Atomic Research Centre
25. BARC - Baba Atomic Research Centre

UNIT –V

a) Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the

following sentences.
1. Just as we thought our chuckles had subsided.
a)diminished b) increased c) completed d) submerged
2. Our father rejected it, saying it would not be sturdy
a) weak b) strong c) tall d) good
3. Anna would say with an impudent smile.
a) innocent b) fake c) disrespectful d) decent
4. A silver tumbler of buttermilk seasoned with asafetida.
a) mixed b) garnished c) filled d) loosened
5. A few people from the house of bereavement stood outside.
a) rejoice b) celebration c) grief d) war
b) Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the
following sentences.
1. The anticipation of this imagined separation only increases their fondness for the
calf.
a)expectancy b) contemplation c) outlook d) ignorance
2. Fortuitously, a guest visited our house.
a)luckily b) peacefully c) unfortunately d) happily
3. There he was sitting in splendor on his chair.
a)magnificence b) pomp c) effulgence d) simplicity

XII-ENGLISH Page 121

4. Maamanaar was unmatched.
a)inferior b) incomparable c) excellent d) supreme
5. He greeted me with his usual smile and banter.
a)flattery b) small talk c) chitchat d) repartee

c) COMPOUND WORDS
Words can be combined to form compound nouns. Compound nouns
often have a meaning that is different, or more specific, than the two separate
words. The elements in a compound noun or very diverse parts of speech.

BOOK BACK
Compound words Words
Noun + Noun Storeroom, Buttermilk
Noun + Adjective Diamond-hard
Adjective + Noun Grandmother, Milchcow
Adverb + Verb Overstep
Identify the correct combination of the following compound
words:
Haircut - Noun + Verb
Headmaster - Noun + Noun
Waterfall - Noun + Verb
Swimming pool - Gerund +Noun
Drawback - Verb + Adjective
Public speaking - Noun + Gerund
Output - Preposition + Verb
Software - Adjective + Noun
Showcase - Verb + Verb
World famous - Noun + Adjective

ADDITIONAL
Complete the following table with two more compound words.
TASK -1

Noun + Noun kitchen garden, time table

Noun + Verb mouthwash, rainfall
Verb + Noun watchman, tell-tale
Preposition + Noun overcoat, underground
Gerund + Noun bleaching powder, drinking water
Noun + Gerund housekeeping, horse riding
Adjective + Preposition + Noun good for nothing, free–for–all
Noun + Preposition + Noun mother-in-law, father–in–law
XII-ENGLISH Page 122
 PORTMANTEAU
d) Look at the following sentence from the text.
“The whole housespluttered into giggles before things settled down.”
“The word “spluttered” is the blended form of splash and sputter.
A portmanteau is a type of blend word in which the beginning of one word is
combined with the final part of another word. Let‟s take a look at some of the most
common portmanteaus in English.
BOOK BACK:
alphanumeric = alphabetic + numeric
brunch = breakfast + lunch
camcorder = camera + recorder
mechatronics = mechanics + electronics
newscast = news+ broadcast
smog = smoke + fog
Now, Blend the following words.
1.binary+digit = bit
2.electronic+mail = email
3.Foreign+exchange = Forex
4.Motor+pedal = Moped
5.parachute+troop = paratroop

ADDITIONAL :
LIST OF PORTMANTEAU
ANIMALS :
beefalo = beef + buffalo
buggalo = bug + buffalo
cameleopard = camel + leopard
cattalo = cattle + buffalo
hebra = horse + zebra
humanzee = human + chimpanzee
leopon = leopard + lion
puggle = pug + seagle
tigon = tiger + lion

EUPHEMISM
e) The term euphemism refers to polite, indirect expressions that
replace words and phrases considered that replace words and
phrases considered harsh and impolite, or which suggest
something unpleasant.

XII-ENGLISH Page 123

 When we wish to refer to a person as an old, we use the term “senior
citizen” instead of „old‟.
Euphemisms manipulate the meaning of a word or phrase to make them
appear more pleasant.
BOOK BACK
a.The culprit was sent to jail.
The culprit was sent to correctional facility (or) rehabilitation centre.
b.Dheeraj isunemployed.
Dheeraj isbetween jobs.
c.I saw a disabled man.
I saw a physically challenged (or) differently abled man.
d.Subsidies are given to the poor.
Subsidies are given to the economically disadvantaged/Needy/low
income/underprivileged.
e.Elambarathihas asecond-handcar.
Elambarathihas apre-loved /pre-owned car.
ADDITIONAL
Words Polite alternative
Deaf or hard of hearing Aurally challenged
Fat Horizontally / curvy challenged / full figured
short vertically challenged / cognitively challenged
stupid intellectually challenged
mentally ill mentally challenged / lost his marble
someone with disability Differently abled
Totally deaf Hearing impaired
Blind Visually impaired
Beer/ liquor Adult beverages
liar categorical inaccuracy / Economical with the
truth
prison / jail correctional facility
Prison camp Relocation centre
Firing someone letting someone go
Homeless on the streets
to defecate do your business
unemployed between jobs
old senior citizen / over the hill / a retiree / a
pensioner
enjoying retired life staying on the tractor
pregnant In the family in the club /Bun in the oven

XII-ENGLISH Page 124

 stolen fallen off the back of a lorry
vomit lose your lunch
drunk Tired over emotional / little tipsy
used car Pre-owned / pre loved vehicle
death passed away / pass on / kicked the bucket
idiot Intellectually challenged /not the sharpest
pencil in the box
special child disabled or learning challenged
bald a little thin on top
fallen ill feeling under the weather
second hand pre loved
you are fired letting you go
poor economically disadvantaged / under previlged /
needy / low income
poor country developing country
pay salary compensation, package
to quit to resign / to leave the company
Trash man sanitation worker
To abort To terminate the pregnancy
Lawyer Attorney
Problem Issue

UNIT –VI
PRONUNCIATION – FUNCTIONAL STRESS

Pronunciation - Functional Stress

 There are many English words with the same spelling but pronounced in two
different ways.
 Usually, when the first syllable is stressed, the word is a Noun and when the second
syllable isstressed, the word is a Verb.
 For example the word „contract‟, when it functions as a Noun will take the meaning
„commitment‟,
 while the same word, con‟tract as a Verb, will take the meaning „shrink‟. Make a
note on thechange in the word stress also.

a) NOW THE TEACHER WILL READ THE FOLLOWING WORDS.

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE STRESS IN EACH WORD.
Write against each word whether it is a noun or a verb and mark the stress.
„contract - Noun con‟tract - Verb
„conduct - Noun con‟duct - Verb
XII-ENGLISH Page 125
 „object - Noun ob‟ject - Verb
„subject - Noun sub‟ject - Verb
„present - Noun pre‟sent - Verb
„desert - Noun de‟sert- Verb
„project - Noun pro‟ject- Verb
„refuse - Noun re‟fuse - Verb
„address - Noun ad‟dress– Verb

BRITISH ENGLISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH WORDS

b) The most noticeable difference between American and British
English is in the vocabulary usage. There are hundreds of
everyday words that are different
For example, British call the front of a car the Bonnet, while Americans call it the
Hood.
BOOK BACK
C) SOME BRITISH ENGLISH WORDS ARE GIVEN IN COLUMN „A‟. WRITE
THEIR CORRESPONDING AMERICANENGLISH WORD IN COLUMN „B.‟
British English and American English Words
British American
pavement sidewalk
pull over sweater
waist coat vest
chips french fries
flat apartment
ground floor first floor
queue line
wind screen wind shield
indicator turn signal
time table schedule
post mail
holiday vacation
autumn fall
lift elevator
happy joyful
full stop period
loo rest room
sweets candies
bin can

D) SIMILARLY THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE SPELLING OF

CERTAIN WORDS BETWEEN AMERICAN AND BRITISHENGLISH. IN
COLUMN „A‟ WORDS ARE SPELLED IN AMERICAN. WRITE DOWN
THE CORRESPONDING

XII-ENGLISH Page 126

 BRITISH ENGLISH SPELLING FOR THOSE WORDS IN COLUMN „B‟.
(THE FIRST ONE IS DONE FOR YOU)
A B
odor odour
program programme
parlor parlour
apologize apologise
color colour
check cheque
theater theatre
gray grey
behavior behaviour
humor humour
labor labour
ADDITIONAL

AMERICAN BRITISH AMERICAN

BRITISH ENGLISH
ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH
Autumn Fall Lorry Truck
Biscuit Cookie Luggage Baggage
Crisps Potato Chips Mobile Phone Cell Phone
Film Movie Nappy Diaper
Ground Floor First Floor Petrol Gasoline
Holiday Vacation Post Mail
Tin Can Sweets Candy
Underground Subway Tap Faucet
Cheque Check Taxi Cab
Railway Railroad Flat Apartment
Lift Elevator Pavement Sidewalk
Rubber Eraser Aerial Antenna
Torch Flash Light Advertisement Commercial
Jam Jelly Note Bill
Motorway Freeway Gum Glue
Aero plane Airplane Cinema Theatre Movie-Theatre
Sticking Plaster Band-aid Trousers Pants
Pedestrian Crossing Crosswalk Goods Freight

ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY
SYLLABIC WORDS
Syllabification:
XII-ENGLISH Page 127
 Monosyllabic word :
Words having only one syllable.
Monosyllabic word‟.
E.g :

Disyllabic (or) Disyllabic Word :

Words having only two syllables.
„Disyllabic word‟.
E.g :
cen-sure sen-sual va-liant in-terred
grie-vous cae-sar cap-tives ran-soms
be-side de-tail wo-men cri-tic
in-stead de-lay a-gain se-nate
de-bate dor-mant

Trisyllabic Word :
Words having only three syllables.
„Trisyllabic word‟.
E.g :
beau-ti-ful ma-jes-tic po-pu-lar
in-ten-tion lu-per-veal lu-per-cal
mu-ti-ny le-ga-cy tes-ta-ment
be-lo-ved me-mo-ry un-kind-ly
tes-ta-ment ma-ga-zine tri-um-virs
Tetra syllabic word: (words with four syllables) :
Eg :
E – ra – di – cate Cal – cu – la – tion bi – o – lo – gy
pre – pa – ra – tion de – ve – lop – ment I –den-ti – cal

Penta syllabic word : (words with five syllables) :

Eg :
E-lec-tri-ci-ty, bi-o-lo-gi-cal ma –the-ma-ti-cal, ad-mi-nis-tra-tor

Polysyllabic word : .
E.g :
in-tel-li-gent in-i-ti-at-ve
XII-ENGLISH Page 128
per-so-ni-fi-ca-tion fun-da-men-tal-ly
in-fe-ri-o-ri-ty syl-la-bi-fi-ca-tion

CLIPPED WORD
S.No. Word Clipping word

1. Spectacles Specs
2. Telephone Phone
3. Examination Exam
4. Influenza Flu
5. Advertisement Ad
6. Aeroplane plane
7. Demonstration Demo
8. Microphone Mike
9. Laboratory Lab
10. Refrigerator Fridge
11. Automobile Auto
12. Omnibus Bus
13. Gentlemen Gents
14. Memorandum Memo
15. Photograph Photo
16. Hand kerchief Kerchief
17. Fountain pen Pen
18. Gymnasium Gym
19. Demarcate Mark
20. Kilogram Kilo
21. Suitcase Case
22. Perambulator Pram
23. Discotheque Disco
24. Taxicab Taxi
25. Hamburger Burger
26. Helicopter Copter
27. Telepathy Tele
28. Mathematics Maths

FOREIGN WORD

XII-ENGLISH Page 129

 English language has borrowed profusely from other languages of the world,
and absorbed and assimilated them
Foreign words and phrases
You have come across the French phrases „enfamille‟ and „bons mots‟ in
the lesson. Now look at the following phrases and their meanings.
„enfamille‟ { French with one‟s family: in an informal way(literally „in family‟) }
Eg: I was thinking about this the last time we went enfamille on a big trip
(as a family)
„bons mots‟ { (French) witty remarks}
Eg : I amused her for perhaps 20 minutes with a scattering of urbane bons
mots, then retired to the lavatory
a) viva voce - a spoken examination
b) sine die – without a date being fixed
c) resume - a brief summary
d) rapport - close relationship with good understanding
e) bonafide- genuine

B. Refer to the dictionary and find out the meanings of the following foreign
words /phrases. Use them in sentences of your own:
1) bon voyage 2) in toto 3) liaison 4) ex gratia
5) en masse 6) en route 7) ad hoc 8) faux pas

S.No Foreign words Meanings in English

1. alibi false plea of absence/ formal statement or
evidence (in law)
2. bonhomie pleasantness of manners
3. déjà vu a feeling that something has
happened before
4. elite select, choice,considered to be the
best/most important
5. en masse in a mass/ all together
6. fait accompli an accomplished fact/ things already
happened or done and cannot be changed.
7. Nouveau riche people who are newly rich
8. versus Against somebody / something
9. in memoriam in memory of
10. verbatim using exactly the same words as were
originally used (spoken / written)
XII-ENGLISH Page 130
 11. post meridiem afternoon (p.m)
12. bonafide in a good faith, sincere, genuine
13. sinedie for an indefinite period.
14. persona grata a person acceptable
15. en route on the way to
16. Via through
17. erratum error
18. de facto in fact
19. ex gratia as a matter of grace, favour
20. resume a summary, an abstract
21. in toto totally
22. rapport a close relationship
23. liaison co-ordination of activities
24. par excellence excellent, superb
25. via media middle course
26. in camera not open to public
27. prima-facie based on the first impression
28. ad hoc arranged for special purpose
29. bon voyage pleasant journey to you
30. alumni ex-students of an institution
31. alias otherwise, nickname
32. Anno Domini (AD) after the death of
33. de tour indirect way
34. exempli gratia for example (e.g)
35. nota bene take note (N.B)
36. entourage a person‟s subordinates
37. fiance a man to whom one is engaged to marry
38. fiancee a woman to whom one is engaged to marry
39. id est that is to say (i.e)
40 status quo the same position/ in the former state
41. sans without, deprived of
42. sanctum sanctorum the holy of holies
43. t'ete-„a-t'ete a private conversation, (or) face to face
44. viva voce an oral test
45. Viz namely, that is to say
46. vice versa in opposite ways

XII-ENGLISH Page 131

 47. xerox a photocopy
48. ad interim temporarily
49. protege one who is patronized by others
50. in cognito in disguise
51. faux pas for this special object
52. adieu good - bye
53. proforma for the sake of / form
54. Lingua franca common language
55. numero uno number one
56. Prima donna Leading woman singer
57. reinforce to make a feeling an idea etc. stronger
58. Deer this weird to put up with one‟s fate.
59. Magnum opus great work
60. a – la – carte each dishes has a separate price
61. per capita income per head.
62. Teta – tea private conversation face to
face.
63. Carte blanche complete discretion or authority
64. via media a compromise between two extremes;
middlecourse

SINGULAR - PLURAL
Note down the following rules to change singular forms into plural.
a) Singular nouns ending in‟ ____‟ us‟ become _____uses‟ or‟ ___i‟ in plural.
alumnus - alumni cactus - cacti / cactuses
bacillus - bacilli calculus - calculi /calculuses
fungus - fungi focus - foci / focuses
locus - loci nucleus - nuclei / nucleuses
stimulus - stimuli syllabus - syllabi / syllabuses
virus - viruses terminus - termini /terminuses
b) Singular nouns ending in‟ ___ius‟ become‟ ____ii‟ or ___iuses‟ in plural.
genius - geniuses
genie (djinn) - genies / genii
radius - radii / radiuses
c) Singular nouns endig in‟ ____um‟ become‟ ____a‟ or add „s‟ with them in plural
stratum - strata

XII-ENGLISH Page 132

 agendum - agenda
aquarium - aquaria / aquariums
bacterium - bacteria
curriculum - curricula / curriculums
medium - media/ mediums
datum - data
stadium - stadia / stadiums
erratum - errata
spectrum - spectra / spectrumns
memorandum - memoranda
d) Singular nouns ending in‟ _______ex‟ or‟ _____ix‟ become‟ _____ices or
add‟ ____es‟ with them in plural.
appendix - appendixes / appendices
index - indexes / indices
matrix - matrixes / matrices
vortex - vortexes / vortices
e) Singular nouns ending in‟____ a‟ take, e‟ or‟ ____s‟ in plural.
alumna - alumnae antenna - antennae/ antennas
alga - algae formula - formulae / formulas
larva - larvae nebula - nebulae / nebulas
f) Singular nouns ending in‟ _____is‟become‟____es‟ in plural.
axis - axes
hypothesis - hypotheses
basis - bases
synopsis - synopses
analysis - analyses
crisis - crises
diagnosis - diagnoses
thesis - theses
g) Singular nouns ending in‟____on‟ become‟ _____a‟ in plural.
Criterion - criteria
phenomenon - phenomena
h) Some singular nouns remain unchanged in their plural forms also.
advice - advice
innings - innings
deer - deer
luggage - luggage

XII-ENGLISH Page 133

 equipment - equipment
series - series
furniture - furniture
scenery - scenery
i) Some uncountable nouns.
news - news
cattle - cattle
information - information
tidings - tidings (news, report. word)

SENTENCE PATTERN
1. SV 1. Birds fly.
2. The baby smiled.
2. SVA 1. Birds fly in the sky
2. He goes there.
3. SVAA 1. Birds fly in the sky every evening.
2. He goes there by bus.
4. SVC 1. He is a doctor.
2. The leaf turned yellow.
5. SVCA 1. He is a doctor now.
2. The leaf turned yellow slowly.
6. SVOC 1. He painted the car blue.
2. He named his son Ajith.
7. SVOCA 1. He painted the car blue yesterday.
2. He named his son Ajith in the church.
8. SVO 1. He taught English.
2. He gave a pen.
9. SVOA 1. He taught English in America.
2. He gave a pen yesterday.
10. SVIODO 1. He taught me English.
2. He gave me a pen.
11. SVIODOA 1. He taught me English in America.
2. He gave me a pen yesterday.
12. VOCA Keep the room clean always.
13. VCA Be silent now.
14. VOA Open the door now.
15. VA Go fast.

XII-ENGLISH Page 134

16. SAVC He always looks happy.
17. SVAC He is always happy.
18. ASVOC Yesterday he painted the car blue

SUFFIXES (Or) RIGHT DEFINITION OF THE WORD

In the letter of Prof. George L. Hart, we come across the words „linguistics‟
and „aesthetics‟. The suffix „-ics‟ means „Pertaining to‟ or „relating to”. The word
“linguistics‟ means the scientific study of a language.

a) Match the –ics words with their appropriate meanings. You can make use of a
dictionary.
S.No
Words Meanings

1 Linguistics the scientific study of a language

2 Numismatics The study of money and coins
3 Electro Dynamics The study of the way that electric current and
magnetic fields affect each other
4 Phonetics The study of speech sounds
5 Aesthetics The study of principles of beauty
6 Genetics The study of genes
7 Statistics The study of analysing information given in
numbers
8 Politics The study of government and using power in
public life
9 Aeronautics The study of building and flying air-craft
10 Informatics The study of processing data for storage and
retrieval
S.No. Term Definition

1. anglophobia fear of using english

2. hydrophobia fear of water
3. claustrophobia fear of enclosed space
4. acrophobia fear of heights
5. xenophobia an abnormal fear of strangers
a fear of being in public places where there are
6. agarophobia.
many other people
7. kleptomania. a strong desire to steal.
8. bibliomania a craze for books.
9. megalomania mental illness in which one has exaggerated
belief in one‟s importance.

XII-ENGLISH Page 135

 10. pyromania. a strong desire to set fire to things .
11. squandermania. a craze to spend money wastefully
12. dipsomania a strong desire for alcoholic drinks

13. suicide killing of self.

14. homicide killing of another person.
15. genocide killing of people.
16. patricide killing of father
17. matricide killing of mother
18. infanticide killing of in infant
19. fratricide killing of brother
20. regicide killing a member of a royal family
21. insecticide something used to kill insects
22. ornithologist a scientist who studies birds.
23. entomologist one who studies insects
24. archeologist one who studies ancient cultures by
analysing the physical remains
25. pathologist one who studies diseases
26. musicologist one who studies music
27. palaeontologist one who studies the fossils
28. sinologist one who studies china
29. optimist a person who is always hopeful.
30. pessimist a person who sees the worst in all things
31. teetotaller a person who abstains from alcohol.
32. philanthropist a person who performs charitable actions
33. misanthrope a person who dislikes mankind
34. sadist a person who feels happy by inflicting pain on
35. octogenarian a person who is between 80 and 90 years.
others
36. polyglot a person who speaks many languages
37. hedonist a person who goes in pursuit of pleasure
38. misogynist a person who hates women
39. pugilist a person who is fond of fighting

Choose the correct spelling

1. believe –believe
2. pleasant – plaesant 8. awfully –awefully
3. separate-seperate 9. buoyantly - bouyantly
4. assistant - asisstant 10. necessary – neccesary
5. chocolate–choclate 11. amatuer - amateur
6. hippocrites - hypocrites 12. evolution - evolusion
7. secretary – secretary 13. athletics –atheletics

XII-ENGLISH Page 136

14. warehouse -wearhouse
15. contemtuously - contemptuously
16. indispensible - indispensable
17. tommorrow- tomorrow
18. foriegn - foreign
19. dysentery - dysentry
20. lieing- lying
21. concience – conscience
22. competent –competant

XII-ENGLISH Page 137

 GRAMMATICAL COMPETENCIES
UNIT-I
TENSES
 THE VERB
 TENSES
1. Present Tense :
 Refers to present time
Eg: I write , I love.
2. Past Tense:
 Refers to past time
Eg: I wrote, I loved.
3. Future Tense:
 Refers to future time
 Eg: I shall write , I shall love.
 CONJUGATION

TENSE FORM EXAMPLE SENTENCE

Present Simple S + V1 + O I play basket ball every week.
Present S + am/is/are + V+ing + O I am playing basketball now
Continuous
Present Perfect S + have/has + V3+ O I have just played basketball
Present Perfect S + have/has been + I have been playing basketball
Continuous V+ing+O for 3 hours.
Past Simple S + V2 + O I played basketball yesterday.
Past Continuous S + was/were + V + ing + O I was playing basketball the
whole evening.
Past Perfect S + had + V3 + O I had played basketball whole
evening.
Past Perfect S + had been + V + ing + O I had been playing basketball
Continuous when he came.
Future Simple S + will + V + O I will play basketball tomorrow
Future Continuous S + will be + V + ing + O I will be playing basketball by
this time tomorrow.
S + will/shall have + V3 + I will have played basket ball
Future Perfect O tomorrow.
Future Perfect S + will/shall have been + I will have been playing basket
Continuous V3 + O ball this time tomorrow.

 THE USES OF THE TENSES

XII-ENGLISH Page 138

 TENSE FUNCTION EXAMPLE
Simple Present Tense i) For habitual action I get up early in the
ii) For instantaneous morning.
present (commentaries, Sehwag hits a sixer.
demonstration)
iii) future expressed with My uncle arrives from
certainty. Delhi next week.
iv) To indicate possession I have a Maruti car.
v) In proverbs Slow and steady wins the
vi) Universal truths race.
vii) Scientific facts
The Sun rises in the east.
viii) Conditional Clause - I
Water boils at 1000C
If you study well, you
will pass.
Present Continuous i) To refer to an action in They are playing
Tense progress at the moment of cricket now.
speaking.
ii) An action which is Mr. Obama is visiting
planned to take place in India next week.
near future.
Present Perfect Tense i) To refer to an action He has just finished
which has just completed. his work.
ii) To refer to a past action
recollected at the present I have seen all his films.
time
iii) To refer to a past action It has rained all
whose effect is even at through the night.
present.
Present Perfect To refer to an action that He has been
Continuous Tense began in the past and is studyingsince
still in progress. morning.
Simple Past Tense i) To refer to past events I met him last week.
ii) In conditional Clause II If I were an angel, I
iii) In reported speech would help you.
He told me that he was a
good boy.
Past Continuous i) To refer to an action in I was searching for a
Tense progress in the past good job when I was in
ii) To refer to an action Chennai.
which began and When I saw Tom, he
continued before the was talking Sam.
action in the simple past.
Past Perfect Tense i) To refer to the earlier of The train had already

XII-ENGLISH Page 139

 the two past actions left before he reached
ii) In Conditional Clause- the station.
III. If had known of your
arrival, I would have
received you.
Past Perfect To indicate an action The workers had been
Continuous Tense which began before a demanding a hike in
certain point in the past the salary throughout last
and continued upto that year.
time.
Simple Future Tense To refer to future events They will visit us
with certainty. tomorrow.
Future Continuous To refer to an action as He will be writing his
Tense going on some time in the public examinations next
future. month
Future Perfect Tense To indicate the completion They will have
of an action by a certain reached Chennai by
time. 4.00 p.m. tomorrow.
Future Perfect To refer to an action By the end of next
Continuous Tense which is in progress and month, Shankar will
will be completed in have been shooting
future. his next film.

BOOK BACK:
Task 1
Tick the correct option and complete the dialogue.
A: Hello, Whatdo you watch / are you watching?
B: A programme about the JallianWalabagh massacre, which I recorded last night.I
study / I am studyingabout it this term.
A: All that I know/I‟ve knownabout it is that hundreds of people died / had diedin
it.
B: Yes, it was much, much worse than anyone has expected / had expected. It went
on/ has gone onfor hours.Do you want/ Have you wanted to watch the programme
with me?
A: No, thanks, I have got to do some veena practice. I‟ve just remembered/ I just
remembered thatwe‟ve got a concert tomorrow andI don‟t have/ I haven‟t had time
to practice my new piece thisweek.
B: Ok. I‟ve already done / I already did my practice, so I have got time to watch
TV. See you later.

Task 2

XII-ENGLISH Page 140

 Complete the sentences with the correct tense form of the verbs in brackets.
a) Tell (tell) exactly what happened (happen) last night.
b) Mrs. Mageshwari is my maths teacher. She has been teaching (teach) me for four
years.
c) I had never thought (never / think) of a career in medicine before I spoke to my
Biologyteacherbut now I am seriously considering (seriously / consider) it.
d) Oh no! I have forgotten(forget) to bring my assignment! What am I going to do?
This is the secondtimeI have done(do) this!
e) I can‟t remember what my teacher said (say) yesterday about our homework. I did
notlisten(notlisten) properly because Hussain was talking (talk) to me at the same
time.
f) Last year we went (go) on a school trip to Kanyakumari. We had (have) a very
interesting time.
g) At the moment Iam thinking (think) about what course to pursue next year but I
haven‟tmade (not make)a final decision yet.
h) I get (get) up at 7 every morning but this morning Iwas sleeping (sleep) for a
long time andI did not get (not get) up until 8.
Task 3
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets.
a) Everyone was sleeping when the earthquake hit the small town. (sleep)
b) Evangelenequit her job a couple of years ago. (quit)
c) Where did you spend your last holidays? (you spend)
d) I think Sureshwill leave for Tiruvallur next morning.(leave)
e) I was angry that Ihad made such a mistake (make).
f) My mother was tired yesterday because she did not sleep well the night before
(not sleep)
g) Her parents will be in Coimbatore for two weeks from today (be).
h) Nothing much had happened when I got to the meeting (happen).
i) Scientists predict that by 2050, man will have landed on Mars. (land)
j) Uh! Someone is listening to our conversation. (listen)
k) The planewill take off in a few minutes. (take)
l) Theywere talking about me when I interrupted their conversation. (talk)
m) Justin and his parents are living in an apartment right now because they can‟t
find a cheap house.(live)
n) Rajini Prem‟s family isin Chengalpet now. (be).
o) Yusuf goes to the movies once in a while (go)
p) This has beenan easy quiz so far (be).
q) Our team did not winany games last year. (not win)

XII-ENGLISH Page 141

 r) We sawa wonderful film in the cinema last night. (see)
s) Hurry up! The movie has already begun.(already, begin)
Complete the sentences in present forms.
1. Saravanan always ______ (go) for a walk in the morning.
2. We _______ (gather) here for a meeting and the chair person is yet to arrive.
3. Aruna _______ eagerly ______ (wait) to meet her friend since morning.
4. Sheeba ______ (move) to a new house next week.
5. Naseera _______ (attend) music classes regularly.
6. Ilakiya and Adhira ______ (enjoy) each other‟s company very much.
7. Mani ______ (work) in this school for five years.
8. It ______ (pour) outside now.
Answers :

Complete the sentences in past forms.

1. I ______ (go) to her place on fort.
2. The children ____ (play) in the ground when then teacher arrived.
3. They ______ (request) him when the manager arrived.
4. If you ____ (work) hard, you would have won the relay match.
5. Joanna and joy _____ already _____ (leave) for Ooty, when the others reached the
station.
6. We all ______ (sing) in the chair last week.
7. Nancy ______ always _____ (ask) for help.
8. The office goers _____ (wait) for the train.
Answers :

Fill in the blanks using the verbs in the brackets in the future form:
1. We ______ not _______ to take market, in case it rains (go)
2. Keerthi _______ her work by next weak (do)
3. The peon ______ the ball by the time I reach the school (ring)
4. I ______ my sister‟s house next spoil if I go to utter hand (visit)
5. If you listen carefully, you _____ my point
6. By next year I _______ in Chennai for fifteen years (line)
7. The new edition of this both _______ out shortly (come)
8. She hopes you _______ her (help)
XII-ENGLISH Page 142
 Answers :

MODALS
AUXILIARIES
 An auxiliary is a verb which is used with another verb to help make tenses other than
simple present and simple past.
 There are two kinds of auxiliaries
AUXILIARIES

Primary Auxiliaries Modal Auxiliaries

am, is, are, was, were,
have, has & had, do, did, does
 MODAL AUXILIARIES.

Modal Auxiliaries
can Ability : I can speak English.
Permission : Can I go to the library?
Request : Can you wait a moment, please?
Offer : I can lend you my pen.
could ability : (past) I could speak English.
polite request : Could you wait a moment, please?
may Possibility : It may rain today.
Permission : May I go to the cinema?
might possibility (less possible than may) : It might rain today.
must force, necessity : I must go to the supermarket today.
Recommendation : You must read the new novel by Bhagat.
shall Suggestion : Shall I carry your bag?
should Advice : You should drive carefully on the highway.
Obligation : You should switch off the lights when you leave the
classroom.
will wish, request, demand, order : Will you please shut the door?
prediction, assumption : I think it will rain on Friday.
spontaneous decision : Can somebody take me to the hospital?
XII-ENGLISH Page 143
 I will.

would wish, request : Would you shut the door, please?

habits in the past : Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.
Semi / Quasi / Marginal Modals

Ought Duty : You ought to submit your assignment on time.

to moral obligation : We ought to help the needy.
Necessity : We ought to hire some furniture for the party.
Used to habits in the past: My grandfather used to walk for long hours when
he was young.
Need Necessity : I need to buy a packet of milk.
to moral obligation : We need to keep our environment clean.
Dare to Boldness : I dare not go out in the dark.
Challenge : How dare you enter my room?
BOOK BACK:
Task 1
Fill in the blanks with modal auxiliaries.
a) The candidates must answer five out of ten questions.
b) How dare / canyou open my bag?
c) Tajudeenwillfinish this work by Monday.
d) Can / ShallI go to school today?
e) I wish you wouldtell me the truth
f) Poonam couldnot catch the bus yesterday.
g) People who live in glass houses should / mustnot throw stones.
h) You neednot go to the market as I have brought vegetables.
i) Mustyou have taken all this trouble?
j) You mustbe joking.
k) I tried to climb up the tree, but couldnot.
l) Hima Das ran so fast that she couldwin the medal.
m) You canlead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.
n) I wouldlike to have a cup of coffee.
o) My grandfather used to / wouldvisit this temple when he was young.

Task 2
Complete the following sentences with modals using the clues given.
a) You must / ought to help the needy. (moral obligation)
b) If I were you, I would not behave like that. (conditional Sentence)
c) I willnever tell a lie. (determination)
d) My uncle might have reached by now. (possibility)

XII-ENGLISH Page 144

 e) The patient is critical. Hemust be taken to the hospital.(compulsion)
f) I used to / would to play hockey when I was a student. (past habit)
g) You mustnot attend my class. (order)
h) Hemight come today. (remote possibility)
i) You must/ought tofollow the traffic rules. (regulation)
j) He will play the match. (willingness)
k) You neednot waste time on it. (necessity)
l) Had the doctor come in time, he wouldhave saved the patient. (probability)

 SEMI MODALS
Ought to, Used to, Need and Dare are semi-modals/quasi modals, because
technically speaking they are not modals. They do not shareall the properties of other
modal verbs.„Dare‟ and „need‟ can be used both as lexical (main) and auxiliary verbs.
1. We have been here for more than an hour. Needwe wait any longer?
2. You ought to feel sorry for what you have done.
3. When I was in the army we used to undergo a rigorous and punishing schedule.
4. How dare you ask me such a question?
5. As his class mates, we ought to stand by him through this crisis.
6. I used to wake up at 5 O‟ clock in the morning when I was a young boy.
7. She dare not play with pets.
8. You need not read every chapter.
9. He used to play football in his college days.
10. My marks are so poor that I dare not show my progress report to my father.
11. You need not submit your assignment today.
12. The firefighter dare to brave the raging fire.
13. You need not buy me a new dress. I already have one.
14. You ought to see the boss immediately. It is very urgent.
15. When my grandfather was young, he used to go for a long walk.
16. India ought to win the match.
17. We ought to help the needy.
18. I dare swim in this river against the current.
19. You ought to pay your debts.
20. I used to be an atheist but now I believe in God.
21. I don‟t need your advice.

XII-ENGLISH Page 145

 22. How dare you contradict me?
23. He is so timid that he darenot go out in the dark.
24. How dare you oppose the leader?
25. He ought to be ashamed of his conduct.
26. Students ought to submit the record note books on time.
27. He used to play cricket before his marriage.
28. You need not trouble yourselves.
29. He used to read many books during his school days.
30. You need not come tomorrow.
31. Need he beat the boy for this small mistake?
32. He dare not take the risk.
33. I used to swim in the river everyday when I was young.
34. “He doesn‟t need to work so late, does he?”
35. She dare not swim in this river against the current.
36. We used to go for walking when we were in Chennai.
37. I need to buy a carton of milk.
38. He used to play football in his college days.
39. you need not poke your nose in my matter.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

REPORTED SPEECH
Change of Reporting verb: (step -1)

Types of Reported
DIRECT INDIRECT
Sentences
said
Said
told
I Statement said to
tells
says to

II Question said / said to asked

commanded/ordered
requested/advised
III Imperative said / said to informed/warned, etc
(according to the sense of the
reported sentence)
Let --------- Said suggested / proposed
IV Exclamatory Said exclaimed / exclaimed with joy /

XII-ENGLISH Page 146

 exclaimed with sorrow

Adding Conjunction:(step -2)

Types of Reported Sentence Conjunction
Word
Statement that
Question the same
a) Wh-type question word if
b) Yes/No – type / whether
Imperative to
a) Affirmative not to
b) Negative (don‟t ---) that
c) Expressing suggestion / proposal
(Let--)
Exclamatory that
Change of Pronoun : (step -3)
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
I person pronouns denote the speaker
I he/she
My his/her
Me him/her
Mine his/hers
Myself himself/herself
We they
We they
Us them
Our their
Ourselves themselves
Ours theirs
II Persons Pronouns denote the
Listener
𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠 he/she
𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑛
𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑝 they
𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠 him/her
𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑛
𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑝 they
yours (s) his/her
your (p) their
Yourself himself/herself
Yourselves themselves
III Person Pronouns denote neither the speaker nor the
listener. The remain unchanged. (he, she, it, they, his, her,
its, their, etc.,)
IV. Change of Tense : (step -4)

XII-ENGLISH Page 147

 Reporting Reported Verb
Verb
Direct Indirect
1. Simple Present Simple Past
2. Present Continuous Past Continuous
3. Present Perfect Past Perfect
4. Present Perfect Past Perfect Continuous
Continuous
5. Simple Past Past Perfect/ Simple Past
6. Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
1. Past Tense
7. Past Perfect No Change
8. Past Perfect Continuous No Change
9. Simple Future Simple Future in the (would +V)
10. Future Continuous Future Continuous in the past
11. Future Perfect Future Perfect in the past
12. Future Perfect Future Perfect Continuous in
Continuous the past
2. Present Tense Any Tense No change
3. Future Tense Any Tense No change
Modals
Can Could
May Might
Must Must/had to would have to
Past Tense
Should Should
Ought to Ought to
Universal truth(Any No Change
Tense)
V. Change of specialwords: (step -5)
Direct Indirect
this that
these those
here there
now then
ago before
hence thence
today that day
tonight that night
yesterday the day before / the previous day
last night the night before / the previous
night
next week the week after / the following
week
day after tomorrow day after the next day
XII-ENGLISH Page 148
 day before yesterday day before the previous day
thus so
tomorrow the next day

BOOK BACK
Task 1
Read what these people say and rewrite as sentences.
1. I am very busy.
Raja said that he was very busy.
2. I have completed my work.
Satya said that she had completed her work
3. I don‟t like to go out.
Johnson said that he did not like to go out.
4. I have just come back from Chennai.
Rehana said that she had just come back from Chennai
5. I am learning English.
Jayan said that he was learning English
6. I bought a pen yesterday.
Madhu said that he had bought a pen the previous day
7. We will go for shopping tomorrow.
Joseph and Mary said that they would go for shopping the next day.
8. We can‟t attend the party.
Afsar and Ayesha said that they could not attend the party.
9. How are you?
Satish asked how he was.
10. I am fine. Thank you.
Victor said that he was fine and he thanked him.
Task 2
Read the following dialogue and complete the report in the space provided.
a) Priya : Where are you going?
Vijay : I am going to the Railway station.
Priya : Why are you going there?
Vijay : I want to receive my uncle who is coming from Bengaluru.
XII-ENGLISH Page 149
 Priya asked Vijay (a) where he was going
Vijay replied (b) that he was going to the Railway station
Priya further inquired (c) why he was going there.
Vijay said that (d) he wanted to receive his uncle who
was coming from Bengaluru.
b) Teacher : Why are you late?
Divya : I missed the bus.
Teacher : You should have reached the bus stop on time.
Divya : My grandmother is ill. So, I had to take her to the doctor.
Teacher : I am sorry. What ails her?
Divya : She has high fever.

The teacher asked Divya why she was late. Divya replied that (a)
she had missed the bus.The teacher told her that (b) she should
have reached the bus stop on time. Divya said that
hergrandmother was ill so she had to take her to the doctor. The
teacher felt sorry and further asked her(c) what ailed her. Divya
explained that she (d) had high fever.
Task 3
Rewrite the following passage in indirect speech.
Pradeep got out of bed with much excitement. “It is going to be a lovely sunny day,” he
remarked to his sister Varshini.
“Just let me sleep a bit longer, Pradeep,” Varshini begged, “and since you are feeling so
enthusiastic,” shesuggested, “Why don‟t you go and help mother in cooking?”
“Sure, I will”, said Pradeep. “Can I help you, mum?”, he said to his mother.
“Yes, of course. There are idlis and vadas on the dining table. Have your breakfast.”
“Thank you mum, I‟ll surely help you by eating them.

Pradeep got out of bed with much excitement. He remarked to his

sister Varshini that it wasgoing to be a lovely sunny day. Varshini
begged him to let her sleep a bit longer. She suggested thathe
should go and help mother in cooking since he was feeling so
enthusiastic. Pradeep said that hewould and asked the mother
whether he would help her. She said that he could and continued
thatthere were idlis and vadas on the dining table and asked him
to have his breakfast. He thanked his motherand said that he
would surely help her by eating them.
Reported Speech:
1. Meena said, “I have the habit of reading before I go to bed”.
2. My friend said, “Are they coming with us?”
3. My neighbor said, “When did the men catch the stray dogs?”
4. My friend said, ”Which colour will you choose?”
XII-ENGLISH Page 150
5. The Judge said to the culprit, “Tell me the truth”.
6. Mother said, “Keep your shelf neat”.
7. My friend said to me, “Please help me”.
8. The foreigner said, “What a man Gandhiji is!”
9. Pritam asked the shopkeeper whether he would exchange the defective torch which he
had bought from him the previous day.
10. Shreya requested Swarna to give her book and also she said that she would return it
the next day.
11. Lalitha told Sarah that she had returned the library book the previous day.
12. She told me that she would meet me the next day.
13. Balan told his mother that he was preparing for his examination and so he could not go
with her to the movie.
14. Our Prime Minister said that he was determined to abolish poverty.
15. The teacher asked Ravi why he was late.
16. Mr. Ramesh ordered his driver to drop him at his office and pick him up at 6 p.m.
17. The Headmaster told the students the next day was a holiday
18. The Manage said to his clerk, “Did you check the pending files?”
19. The tourist said, “What a lovely piece of art it is!”
20. The teacher said to the students, “Don‟t write on both sides of the paper”.
21. Rangan said to Ashok, “I have completed this exercise. Now I can submit it without
fail tomorrow
22. Doctor to me : “Avoid sweets”
23. Teacher to Raj : “Go home”
24. “Doy you like snails?” Dennis to his mother.
25. Renu said : “What a tragedy?”
26. “What excellent batsman Rohit is!(Vickey)

Report the Dialogue

1. Tourist : How can I reach Mahabalipuram?
Tourist guide : You can drive along the East Coast Road. The road is smooth and
free from raffic jams and in about 90 minutes you will reach Mahabalipuram
Tourist : Oh, that‟s fine, Thank you
2. Teacher : Mani, why were you absent yesterday?
Mani : Yesterday I had cold and fever, sir, I couldn‟t inform you beforehand
Teacher : That‟s okay. Take care of your health.
3. Passenger : Please give me two tickets to Ambattur. How much is it?
Conductor : Five rupees a ticket
Passenger : Okay. Here‟s ten rupees
4. Anil : Hello Atul, how are you?
Atul : Fine Anil, what brings you here?
Anil : I have just come to see you It is long since we‟ve met.
Atul : Thank you, Let us have tea.

XII-ENGLISH Page 151

5. Latha : What are you looking for?
Mala : I have lost my purse.
Latha : Where did you keep it?
Mala : I remember keeping it in the shelf
Latha : Don‟t worry. We will find it soon.
6. Bank Manager : Tell me, what can I do for you?
Student : I am a student. Could I open an account here?
Bank Manager : Sure. Get the application form and fill it up.

UNIT- II
PREPOSITION
 They show the relationship between two things.
 A preposition is placed before a noun or noun phrase or pronoun.
PREPOSTIONS SHOWING
TIME at - exact time
by - time limit
on - day, date
at - festival
in - month, year, season and parts of a days.
within - before the end of
from - non perfect tense
since - perfect tense
for - total period
during till, to – throughout
PLACE AND at - small towns and villages.
POSITION in - countries, cities
on - contact with a surface
against - close proximity. support
away - from some place
from - starting place
off –away, out of - from
near
beside by the side of , near
by
over - vertically above
under - vertically below
above-higher than, below - lower than
up - to a higher place position
about - a disturbed activity.
around - a closer proximity
down - from a higher level to a lower level
along - from one end to the other end

XII-ENGLISH Page 152

 across - from one side to the other side
through - to enter at one side and come out at
the other.
by
TRAVEL in - conveyance
on
CURE of – relief
or - destination
to - directing destination
towards - in the direction of
DIRECTION
from - starting point to departure.
out of - from the interior
of - from the surface
MOTION into - direction or motion
MATERIAL of - material or substance
AGENT by - the doer
TOOL with - instrument, material
between - two persons
GROUPS
among - more than 2 persons

BOOK BACK
Task 1
Recall your learning of basic prepositions and complete the sentences using the
prepositions given in brackets.

over under on between

among into with since
in front of near/beside
a) The boy jumped into a narrow stream.
b) Afsar will meet me onFriday morning.
c) A temple is near/beside the bank.
d) My friend will meet me with his brother tomorrow.
e) There is usually a garden in front of a bungalow.
f) Yuvan has been studying wellsincechildhood.
g) A trekker climbedovera mountain meticulously.
h) There was a skirmish between my brother and sister.
i) The laudable thoughts were apparent among many scholars in a conference.
j. It is easy to work under the aegis of a visionary leader

Task 2
Complete the following passages using prepositions given in brackets.
(among, for, at, to, in,)

XII-ENGLISH Page 153

 i) When Lakshmi was 1) at school, she practised music from Mondayto Friday. She
involved herself 3) in the school orchestra. She was responsible
4) for conducting many programmes. She was verypopular 5) amongher
schoolmates, as she was good friendly and helpful.
(after, with, on, before, of, in, for)
ii) 1) Beforethe interview started, Riaz was confident 2)of getting the job. He knew
that he wasqualified 3) for the job. He was interested 4) indischarging his duty
perfectly. The interview panelwas impressed 5)with his attitude and skills. So 6)
after the interview, he was 7)on cloud nine.
Preposition
Complete the sentences with appropriate
propositions:
Task 2
i) Fill in tha blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. When Lakshmi was ______ school, she was keen _____ learn music and languages.
2. She involved herself ______ the school Orchestra.
3. She was responsible _______ conducting many programmes.
4. Lakshmi was very popular _______ her schoolmates, as she was good, friendly and
helpful.
ii) 5. ______ the interview started, Riaz was confident _____ getting the job.
6. He knew that he was qualified ______ the job.
7. He was interested _______ discharging his duty perfectly.
8. The interview panel was impressed ______ attitude and skills.
9. ________ the interview, he was ________ cloud nine.

Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with

appropriate prepositions.
1. The English language is vital _____ the medical test.
2. He climbed ______ the stairs to get ______ the terrace.
3. This seat is not very comfortable ______ sit.
4. My father gave me some pictures ________ look ______.
5. Was it worth waiting ______?
6. In case _______ difficulty, you should refer ______ a dictionary.
7. You should refer ________ a dictionary and then respond ______ the question.
8. The clothes that he has put ______ are very impressive. He is going _____ his home
town.
9. He is going to his hometown _____ pay homage _____ the village head.
10. The nearest hospital _______ this place is _______ a distance of twenty kilo meter.
11. You can reach the hospital either ______ car or ______ bus
12. The upper section is large enough ______ the wearer to be able ______ make his
head and arms.
13. A month‟s supply ______ food and drinking water can also be stored ______ the
floating life preserver.

XII-ENGLISH Page 154

 14. The corer an be closed _______ rough weather and the wearer can see _____ the
window.
15. The wearer can see ______ the window in the front and breathe ______ a curved
pipe.
16. The life preserver is made _______ water proof cloth attached _____ circular metal
tubes.
17. They protect the wearer _______ sharp rocks ad hungry fish.
18. The new machines are limit different _____ the old ones. They are able to work
_____ a much faster pace.
19. The students discussed the problem _______ themselves however, they did not
arrive _______ any conclusion.
20. They went to their class teacher and discussed ______ her. She gave a solution
______ it and they were happy.
21. The wreck ________ the RMS Titanic lies ______ a depth of about 12,000 feat.
22. The wreck of the Titanic lies ______ two main pieces about a third ______ a mile
apart.
23. A debris filed _______ the wreck contains thousands ______ items spilled.
24. She sank ______ the year 1912.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
A Preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in
what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something
else.
(i) Simple prepositions
At, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, through, till, to, up, with.
(ii) Compound Prepositions which are generally formed by prefixing a
Preposition (usually a = no or be = by) to a Noun, an Adjective or an Adverb.)
About, above, across, along, amidst, among, amongst, around, before,
behind, below,beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath,
within, without.
(iii) Phrase Prepositions (Groups of words used with the force of a single
preposition.)
1.according to -- in accordance with -- in place of
agreeably to -- in addition to -- in reference to
along with -- in (on) behalf of -- in regard to
XII-ENGLISH Page 155
 away from -- in case of -- in spite of
because of -- in comparison to -- instead of
by dint of -- in compliance with -- in the event of
in consequence of -- on account of -- owing to
in favour of -- in front of -- with reference to
for the sake of -- in order to -- with regard to
A prepositional phrase is made up of a preposition and a noun
phrase
Task 1
Underline the prepositional phrases. The first two examples have been done for you.
a. With reference to your advertisement in a local news paper, I am applying for the
post of a salesman.
b. The assignment will be completed in a few weeks.
c. Ravi was appreciated by his teachers.
d. We feel sorry for our mistakes.
e. The boy studied well in spite ofmany obstacles.
f. Our nation is famous for its glorious culture.
g. We are proud of our children.
h. My brother will return home in the evening.

Task 2

Fill in the blanks with the suitable prepositional phrase given in brackets.
(infavourof , in case of, according to, on the whole,on account of,
on behalf of, in spite of, instead of).
a) Insteadof Kiran, Rajesh may attend a programme.
b) Many tourists visited Ooty in spite of heavy rains.
c) Expressing gratitude on behalf of others is common in a vote of thanks.
d) On the whole, I had a happy childhood.
e) Our teacher always acts in favour of her students.
f) On account of his laziness, the boy remained passive for a long time.
g) According toGandhiji, ahimsa means infinite love.
h) In case of rain, take an umbrella.

XII-ENGLISH Page 156

 CONNECTIVES OR LINKERS
CONJUNCTIONS
A conjunction is a word that joins together words, phrases, clauses or sentences.
There are two types of conjunctions, namely coordinating conjunctions and
subordinating conjunctions.

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating conjunctions are used in compound sentences. They help in
joining sentences and independent clauses of equal rank.
Cumulative conjunctions and, also, as well as
Choice conjunctions or, or else, otherwise
Contrast conjunctions yet, but, still, nevertheless, whereas,
while
Consequence so, and so, therefore, consequently, for
conjunctions

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating conjunctions are words that join two clauses, one being sub
ordinate to the other. They are used to join complex sentences.
Subordinating conjunctions express:
Time before, after, when while, till
Place where, wherever, whether,
whither
Manner as, as if, as though
Comparison as, than
cause/reason because, since, for
result/ consequence that, so that
Purpose so that, in order that
condition/concession if, unless, provided, even if
Contrast though, even though, although

Correlative conjunctions are words that are always used in pairs to join sentences.
both…..and, either …..or, neither…..nor, whether…..or, not only…..but also,
such...that, scarcely...when, no sooner...than, as...as, so...that, rather than..

XII-ENGLISH Page 157

 BOOK BACK
Task 1
Choose the appropriate linker from within the brackets and complete the sentences.
a) I could not complete my paper in the examination because(because, but) I was
slow in answering the questions.
b) It started raining,so(yet, so) we could not play.
c) As (as, if) I got up early, I managed to reach school on time..
d)Though(though /whereas) he committed a mistake, he apologized and (and /since )
promised that he would not repeat it.
e) This is how (how/what) it must be done.

f) The vendor saw the train moving slowly from the platform, therefore (therefore /

until) he got in.

g) I was not well,so( but / so) I did not attend the class
h) (If, Although) Although she can drive, she travels by Bus.
i) (If / Unless)Unless you register your name, you cannot participate in the
competitions.
j) (As soon as / Besides) As soon as my father arrived home, I narrated the incident.
k) Be quick to hear and (then/ and) slow to speak.
l) I am an ascetic neither (neither/either) in theory nor (nor/or) in practice.
m) We fail to harness the rain water; consequently(consequently, nevertheless) we
suffer.
n) My brother will certainly clear GRE; for (yet, for) he works very hard.

Task 2
Combine the sentences and rewrite them using the words given in the brackets.
a) The well was deep. Therefore, the fox could not get out of the well. (because)
XII-ENGLISH Page 158
 The fox could not get out of the wellbecause it was deep.
b) The work was over. We went home. (when)
When the work was over, we went home.
c) A library is a public place. We see a number of books kept there for reading. (where)
A library is a public place wherewe see a number of books kept for reading.
d) The culprit was caught. Immediately, he was taken to the police station. (as soon as)
As soon as the culprit was caught, he was taken to the police station.
e) The boys were stealing mangoes from a grove. At that time, the owner of the grove
came in. (while)
While the boys were stealing mangoes from a grove, the owner of the grove came in.
f) Artificially flavoured juices are hazardous to health. Moreover, they lead to kidney
problems. (and)
Artificially flavoured juices are hazardous to health and they lead to kidney problems.
g) Adit has been promoted .Ranjan has been promoted. (as well as)
Aditas well as Ranjan has been promoted.
h) Caesar was declared emperor. The conspirators killed him. (After)
After Caesar had been declared emperor, the conspirators killed him.

Task 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate correlative conjunctions.
a) She is such an understanding person that everybody likes to be with her.
b) Suraj ownsboth a typewriter and a computer.
c) Vani is not only a good singer but also a good dancer.
d) Amit did not know whether his father met his class teacher or not .
e) I would rather starve than beg.

UNIT-III
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
RULES
Voice is the quality of the transitive verb that refers to the relationship between the
verb and it subject.

Basic Rules:
1. A sentence can be separated into subject, verb and object.
2. The object of the sentence must be turned into subject.
3. The „be‟ form must be used according to the tense of the verb.
4. Preposition „by‟ must be added.
5. The subject must be made the object.
Change of Subject:
When active voice changed into passive voice, the subject of the active voice
comes as the object of the passive voice.
Active Passive Voice
XII-ENGLISH Page 159
 Voice
I me
We us
You you
He him
She her
It it
They them

Change of Verb :
In the charts given below. Observe the change of tense forms from active voice to
passive voice for assertive sentences. (in singular and plural forms).
S.N TENSE ACTIVE PASSIVE
am/is/are + past participle
VV + S/V + es do/does + not
am/is/are + not + part participle
Simple +V
I 1. The plants are watered by him
Present 1. He waters the plants
2. The plants are not watered by
2. He does not water the plants
him
V2 was/were+ past participle
Simple did not + V was / were + not + past participle
II
Past 1. He drew a picture 1. A picture was drawn by him.
2. He did not draw a picture 2. A picture was not drawn by him.
am/is/are + being + past participle
Present am/is/are + V + ing
1. Cricket is being played by them.
III Continu 1. They are playing cricket
2. The trees are being looked after
ous 2. She is looking after the trees.
her.
was/were/being + past participle
was /were + V + ing
Past 1. The saplings were being plants
1. He was planting the saplings.
IV Continu him.
2. They were constructing a
ous 2. A building was being constructed
building
them.
have/has + past participle
have/has + been + past participle
1. The gardener has plucked
Present 1. The flowers have been plucked
V flowers.
Perfect gardener.
2. They have selected him
2. He has been selected captain
captain
had + Past participle had + been + Past participle
Past
VI 1. He had watered the plants. 1. The plants had been watered
Perfect
2. I had sharpened my pencil. 2. My pencil had been sharpened
will/shall + be + past participle
will/shall + V
1. The work will be completed by
Simple 1. They will complete the
VII them.
Future work.
2. A book will be given to you by
2. I shall give you a book
me.

XII-ENGLISH Page 160

 will / shall + have + past will/shall + have + been + past
participle participle
Future 1. They will have constructed 1. The building will have been
VIII
Perfect the building constructed by them.
2. They will have watered the 2. The plants will have been
plants watered by them.
will, would, shall, should, The same modal auxiliaries +
can, could, may, might, Past participle
Modal
must, used to, need to, dared 1. This box can be lifted by me.
IX Auxiliar
to, ought to + V 2. My money must be returned by
ies
1. I can lift this box. them.
2. She must return my money
Imperati Let + subject + be + past
V+ Object
ve participle
X 1. Open the door.
Sentenc 1. Let the door be opened.
2. Don‟t beat the dog.
e 2. Let the dog not be beaten.
V + Complement
You are ordered to keep quiet.
1. Keep quiet

will/shall + V will/shall + be + past participle

1. They will complete the 1. The work will be completed by
Simple
work. them.
Future
2. I shall give you a book 2. A book will be given to you by
me.
will/shall + have + Past will/shall + have +been + past
participle participle
Future 1. They will have constructed 1. The building will have been
Perfect the building constructed by them.
2. They will have watered the 2. The plants will have been
plants watered by them
will, would, shall, should, The same modal auxiliaries +
can, could, may, might, Past participle
Modal must, used to , need to, 1. This box can be lifted by me,
Auxiliaries dared to, ought to + V 2. My money must be returned by
1. I can lift this box. them.
2. She must return my money.
V + Object Let + subject + be + past
Imperative 1. Open the door. participle
Sentence 2. Don‟t beat the dog. 1. Let the door be opened.
2. Let the dog not be beaten.
V + Complement You are ordered to keep quiet.
1. Keep quiet

BOOK BACK

XII-ENGLISH Page 161

 Task 1
Change the following sentences into Passive Voice.
a) The Governor inaugurated the exhibition at ten o‟ clock.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor at ten o‟ clock.
b) The crowd expected their leader to arrive early in the morning.
Their leader was expected by the crowd to arrive early in the morning.
c) Who taught her Computer Science?
By whom was Computer Science taught to her?
d) They unanimously named Ravi the captain of team.
Ravi was unanimously named the captain of the team by them
e) The President gave the commander an award.
The commander was given an award by the President. (OR)
An award was given to the commander by the President.
f) Do not tell a lie.
Let a lie not be told.
Let not a lie be told
g) Please open the door.
You are requested to open the door.
h) It is time to stop the work.
It is time for the work to be stopped.
I) they say he is a spy.
He is said to be a spy by them
j) One should keep one‟s promise.
Promise should be kept.
k) People burn a great deal of wood in winter.
A great deal of wood is burnt by people in winter.
l) Where had you kept the book?
Where had the book been kept by you?
m) When did you feel the tremors?
When were the tremors felt by you?
n) How did you do the experiment?
How was the experiment done by you?
o) Whose car did someone park in front of your gate?
Whose car was parked in front of your gate?
Task 2

Change the following sentences into Active Voice.

a) The smuggler has been nabbed by the police.
The police has nabbed the smuggler.

XII-ENGLISH Page 162

 b) By whom were you interviewed?
Who interviewed you?
c) Why were you scolded by your parents?
Why did your parents scold you?
d) Not a word was spoken by the convict in self–defense.
The convict did not speak a word in self-defense.
e) Good news is expected shortly.
We expect good news shortly.
f) The mail has just been received.
He has just received the mail.
g) Sundari has been taken to hospital by her husband.
Sundari‟s husband has taken her to hospital.
h) Our television is being repaired now.
The mechanic is repairing our television now.
I) Sweets have not been distributed to children by the organizers.
The organizers have not distributed sweets to children.
j) Prizes were being given by the chief guest.
The chief guest was giving prizes.
k) Nobody has been seen in the library this week.
We have seen nobody in the library this week.
l) Nobody would have known the truth if you had not disclosed it.
The truth would have been known by nobody if it had not been disclosed by
you. (Passive voice)
m) You are advised to help the poor and needy.
Help the poor and needy.
n) You are requested to make a cup of tea for the guest.
Please make a cup of tea for the guest.
Active and Passive Voice:
Rewrite the sentences in the other voice:
1. The boys are catching butterflies.
2. The gardener has watered the plants.
3. Santa Clause is distributing sweets to the children.
4. Change your shirt.
5. Please tell me your address
6. Who will help you?
7. What will they see tonight?
8. They invited us over for lunch.
9. You are requested to hire a taxi.
10. Let not the money be lost.
11. By whom have the messages been sent?

XII-ENGLISH Page 163

12. I had sharpened my pencil and I had sued it to sketch the diagram
13. The boy realized that he had committed a mistake
14. Santa Clause gave sweets to all the children.
15. My aunty will visit me on my birthday. She will give me a gift.
16. A gift was given to me. It was received with joy.
17. My uncle will visit me on my birthday. He will give me a watch.
18. He was awarded a prize by the government.
19. The gardener gathered flowers from the garden and put them in his basket.
20. The prizes were distributed to the winners by the Chief Guest and he was thanked by them.

QUESTION TAG
A tag question is a short question form added at the end of a declarative or an
imperative sentence. It is generally used to draw the attention of the listener to the
sentence and to seek confirmation. Sometimes they are used to encourage a reply from
the person who is spoken to. Tag questions are commonly used in conversations and
not usually in formal English.
Points to remember while framing tag questions
RULE -1

The question tag always begins with an auxiliary verb or a modal verb. Question
tags are formed with the same auxiliary or modal verb found in the main part of the
sentence.
 The subject of the question tag is a personal pronoun (except „there‟), which is a
substitute for the subject of the statement.
 The pronoun should agree with the number, gender and person of the subject of the
statement.
 The negative adverb „not‟ is always used in contracted form.
[isn’t, wasn’t, aren’t, weren’t, hasn’t, haven’t, hadn’t, doesn’t, don’t, didn’t,
won’t, shan’t, can’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, mustn’t, needn’t, oughtn’t,
daren’t]
RULE -2

 If the statement is in the affirmative, the tag it takes is usually negative. If the
statement is negative, the tag it takes is positive.
e.g. Mr. Ranjith is a great scholar, isn‟t he?
You can complete this project in a week, can‟t you?
e.g.Ahalyawill never accept your proposal, will she?
RULE -3

 If the main part of the sentence doesn‟t have an auxiliary verb or a modal verb, the
question tag is formed with the appropriate form of „do‟ based on the tense of the main
verb and the number of the subject.
e.g. Mahathisings very well, doesn‟t she? (present tense – singular subject)

XII-ENGLISH Page 164

 These girls sing very well, don‟t they? (present tense – plural subject)
Mahathisang very well yesterday, didn‟t she? (past tense – singular subject)
These girls sang very well yesterday, didn‟t they? (past tense - plural subject)
RULE -4

 The subject hidden in an imperative sentence is always „you‟ and so the subject of the
question tag is also „you‟.
 Imperative sentences that express a polite request, obligation, suggestion, invitation,
impatience, warning etc. take „will or would‟ as verbs in the question tag.

e.g. Please, bring me a glass of water, would you? (polite request)

Always follow the traffic rules, would you? (obligation)
Join us for lunch tomorrow, will you? (invitation)
Don‟t ever meddle with my papers, will you? (warning)

RULE -5

 The pronoun „they‟ is used if the subject of the sentence refers to people or animals or
things in plural.

e.g.The young should learn to take up responsibilities, shouldn‟t they?

The toys in the box are not new, are they?
RULE -6

 Though the subjects „someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody,

everything, everyone and everybody‟ are singular in meaning, the pronoun „they‟ is
used in the question tag.
e.g.Nobody has arrived yet, have they?
Everyone will attend the party, won‟t they?

RULE -7

 The pronoun „it‟ is used in the question tag when the subject of the statement is:
• a thing or an animal in singular form
• „ Something‟, „Anything‟ or „Nothing‟
• „This‟ or „That

e.g.The peacock is the national bird of India, isn‟t it?

The blue frock was more expensive than the pink one, wasn‟t it?
Something has gone wrong in the circuit, hasn‟t it?
This is not your dad‟s car, is it?

RULE -8

 When the statements begin with „There‟, the same is used as the subject of the question
tags too.
XII-ENGLISH Page 165
 e.g.There is not much time left, is there?
There was a pond beside the temple, wasn‟t there?
RULE -9
 The words „hardly, scarcely, rarely, barely and seldom‟ are considered as negatives and
therefore take positive question tags.
e.g. We rarely visit our native town,do we?
Ajith seldom speaks in English, does he?
RULE -10

 Statements having „a little‟ or „a few‟ are positive and therefore they take a negative tag.
Statements having „little‟ or „few‟ are negative and therefore take a positive tag.

e.g.A few germs can be viewed through this microscope, can‟t they?
Little do your parents know about this problem, do they?

RULE -11

 The appropriate form of „be‟ is used, if the statement contains a „be‟ verb. The „be‟ forms
„is, are, was, were‟ are repeated in the tag. The verb am in the statement takes aren‟t as
its tag; ain‟tis not used in formal English; „am I not‟is very formal.

e.g. I am a very honest and humble being, aren‟t I?

RULE -12

 Sentences that begin with „Let‟s…‟ take „shall we?‟ as the question tag.
e.g.Let‟s close our eyes and meditate for some time, shall we?
Let‟s all go to the beach this evening, shall we?

RULE -13

 Sentences that begin with „Each of‟, „Either of‟, „Neither of‟, „Both of‟ and „All of‟ take
plural pronouns as the subject in the question tag.
e.g.Neither of my two brothers helped me in that situation, did they?

All of us are not eligible to apply for this course, are we?

BOOK BACK
ITask 1
Add suitable question tags to the following sentences and punctuate properly.
1. The children are very happy today.
The children are very happy today, aren’t they?
2. You have not returned my books yet.
You have not returned my books yet, have you?
3. We enjoyed the trip very much.
We enjoyed the trip very much, didn’t we?
XII-ENGLISH Page 166
 4. Let‟s clean the shelves this weekend.
Let‟s clean the shelves this weekend,shall we?
5. My mother rarely travels by bus.
My mother rarely travels by bus, does she?
6. Somebody must bell the cat.
Somebody must bell the cat, mustn’t they?
7. Anita never comes late to office.
Anita never comes late to office, does she?
8. I am always the winner.
I am always the winner, aren’t I?
9. Don‟t commit this mistake again.
Don‟t commit this mistake again, will you?
10. There is a pharmacy near that bus stand.
There is a pharmacy near that bus stand, isn’t there?
11. Bacteria can never survive in extreme weather conditions.
Bacteria can never survive in extreme weather condition, can they?
12. I am not as smart as you are.
I am not as smart as you are, am I?
13. The boys broke the window pane last evening.
The boys broke the window pane last evening, didn’t they?

14. Leaves wither during autumn.

Leaves wither during autumn, don’t they?
15. You should add a little salt to the buttermilk.
You should add a little salt to the buttermilk, shouldn’t you?

Task 2
Correct the error found in the question tag in each of the following.
1. The evil doers cannot cross the path of truth, can‟t they?– can they?
2. The vegetables in the fridge are still fresh, aren‟t it?–aren’t they?
3. The village head understood the intention of the politician, doesn‟t he?–didn’t he?
4. I claim to be a person of faith and prayer, aren‟t I?–don’t I?
5. The employees are seldom allowed to meet their boss, aren‟t they?–are they?
6. Let‟s organize a trip to Goa, can we? – shall we?
7. The landlady will charge me for the damage, shan‟t she?–Won’t she?
8. Both the sisters have left for Canada, aren‟t they?–haven’t they?
9. That‟s definitely not the right thing to do in this situation, isn‟t that?–is it?
10. We needn‟t apply for a bank loan, do we?–need we?
XII-ENGLISH Page 167
 11. The Chief Guest spoke a few words, did he?–didn’t he?
12. The rhinoceros has a horn made of keratin, haven‟t they?–hasn’t it?

UNIT - IV

SIMPLE, COMPOUND, COMPLEX

PHRASE:
A Phrase is a group of words without afinite verb.
Example :
an intelligent boy, a costly pen, an interesting story
The above group of words are known as phrases. It doesn‟t contain a finite verb.
CLAUSE:
• A Clause is a group of words which consists of a finite verb.
Example :
a boy who is intelligent, a pen which is costly, a story which is interesting
The groups of words given above are clauses
More Examples:
• Having completed the work, the boy went out to play.
The underlined part of the sentence, doesn‟t contain a Finite verb. This group of
words is a Phrase.
• After the boy had completed the work, he went out to play.
The underlined part of the sentence contains a finite verb. Hence, we call it a clause.
We have three kinds of phrases according to their functions in sentences.
1. ADJECTIVE PHRASE:
It is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. It describes the noun.
Example :We bought chairs made of wood for our auditorium.

2. ADVERB PHRASE:
It is a phrase which functions as an adverb. This Phrase supplies some information
about the action.
Example :When the patient was taken to the Emergency ward, the doctors rushed
there in a hurried manner.

3 NOUN PHRASE:
This is a phrase which acts as a noun.
Example :A boy of class X became the house captain.
L. Identify the phrases in the following sentences and classify them as Adjective,
Adverb or Noun phrase.
1. The girl in blue saree is my sister. (Adjective phrase)
2. Kohli hopes to win the trophy. (Noun phrase)
3. The train halts at every junction. (Adverb)
XII-ENGLISH Page 168
 4. I have never seen such a picture. (Adverb)
5. She worked in an enthusiastic manner. (Adverb)

KINDS OF CLAUSES
1. Adverb Clause :
It modifies the verb, that is, it tells something about the action. This Clause gives
details about the action.
Example: The students were sitting quietly in the classroom until the teacher arrived.
(The highlighted part of the sentence speaks about the time of the action)
2. Noun Clause :
This clause functions as a noun. Example: Whoever wins the contest will get a
prize. (The highlighted portion acts as a noun here)
3. Adjective Clause :
It acts as an adjective and describes a noun. Example: I went to the place where I
was born. (The highlighted words describes the place)
M. Identify the clauses and classify them accordingly.
1. Ramu bought a pen that doesn‟t write well. (Adjective Clause)
2. Come back as soon as possible. (Adverb Clause)
3. Most of her friends whom she had invited attended her wedding. (Adjective Clause)
4. My brother visits my father whenever he comes to Chennai. (Adverb Clause)
5. Call me in case there is an emergency. (Adverb Clause)
6. Until the sun sets, the old woman cannot step out of her house. (Adverb Clause)
7. She knows where I go. (Noun Clause)
8. You can go wherever you want. (Adverb Clause)

MOST IMPORTANT RULES

RULE -1 „NEGATIVE‟/ „CONTRAST‟

Simple Complex Compound

Inspite of … / Despite Though … / …but ../yet…/ still…
…/ unmindful of …/ Although…/
Eventhouth…
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : Despite his poor performance, he got the job.
Complex : Though his performance was poor, he got the job.
Compound : His performance was poor but he got the job
2. Simple : In spite of her poverty, she is always cheerful.
Complex : Although she is poor, she is always cheerful
Compound : She is poor yet she is always cheerful.

RULE -2 „REASON‟

XII-ENGLISH Page 169

 Simple Complex Compound
Being .. Due to …/ As…/Since …/Because … and so…
Owing to/ Because of
…/ On account of
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : Being clever, she solved the problem easily.

Complex : As she was clever, she solved the problem easily.
Compound : She we clever and so she solved the problem easily.
2. Simple : Due to heavy rain, the meeting was postponed.
Complex : As it rained heavily, the meeting was postponed.
Compound : It rained heavily and so the meeting was postponed.

RULE – 3 „TIMING‟

Simple Complex Compound

On../ Participle,… When / As soon as / … and at once …/ and
No immediately

EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : On seeing the stranger, the dog barked
Complex : As so as the dog saw the stranger, it barked.
Compound : The dog saw the stranger and at once it barked.

2. Simple : On reaching home,. Radha started cooking.

Complex : When Radha reached home, she started cooking
Compound : Radha reached home and at once she started cooking.
RULE -4 „TWO PAST ACTION‟

Simple Complex Compound

Having + Past After + subject + had+ … and then …
participle/ After + verb…
present participle
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : Having posted the letter, I returned home.
Complex : After I had posted the letter, I returned home.
Compound : I posted the letter and then I returned home,

2. Simple : After finishing the assignment, she went to bed.

Complex : After she had finished the assignment, she went to bed.
Compound : She finished the assignment and then she went to bed.

RULE -5 „CONDITION -POSITIVE‟

XII-ENGLISH Page 170
 Simple Complex Compound
In the event of …/ If… … and …
Incase of …
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : In the event of your working hard, you will score very good
marks.
Complex : If you work hard, you will score very good marks.
Compound : Work hard and you will score very good marks.

2. Simple : In case of your walking fast, you will reach the station in time.
Complex : If you walk fast, you will reach the station in time.
Compound : Walk fast and you will reach the station in time.

RULE -6 CONDITION -NEGATIVE‟

Simple Complex Compound
In the event of …not Unless… … must / should ...+ or
…/ Incas of ….not… /or else/otherwise

EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : In the event of children not being vaccinated, they will fall ill.
Complex : Unless children are vaccinated, they will fall ill.
Compound : Children should be vaccinated or else they will fall ill.
2. Simple : Incase of your not helping him,he will suffer a lot.
Complex : Unless you help him, he will suffer a lot.
Compound : You must help him otherwise he a will suffer a lot.

RULE - 7 „TOO‟ – „TO‟ FACTOR

Simple Complex Compound
… too …to + infinitive ..so … that + subject + …very… and
cannot )present tense) / so+subject + cannot /
could not past tense) could not…
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : The sum is too difficult for me to understand it.
Complex : The sum is so difficult that I cannot understand it.
Compound : The sum is very difficult and so I cannot understand it.

2. Simple : The coffee is too hot for me to drink.

Complex : the coffee is so hot that I cannot drink.
Compound : The coffee is very hot and so cannot drink.

RULE -8 „PURPOSE‟

XII-ENGLISH Page 171

 Simple Complex Compound
… to …/ in order to …so that + subject + …very … and so…
…/ so as to … can / could
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : I work hard in order to become a successful businessman.
Complex : I work hard so that I can become a successful businessman.
Compound : I work hard and so I can become a successful businessman.
2. Simple : He runs three miles daily so as to reduce his weight.
Complex : He runs three miles daily so that he can reduce his weight.
Compound : He runs three miles daily and so he can reduce his weight.

RULE -9 „INFINITIVE‟

Simple Complex Compound

… must …to + …so that … can … …then only … can…
infinitive … (or)…or else …
cannot…

EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : You must work hard to succeed.
Complex : You must work hard so that you can succeed.
Compound : You must work hard then only you can succeed.

2. Simple : We must walk fast to reach the station in time.

Complex : We must walk fast so that we can reach the station in time.
Compound : We must walk fast or we cannot reach the station in time.

RULE -10 „INFINITIVE‟

Simple Complex Compound
subject + verb + to + Subject + verb+ that + Subject + will would
infinitive subject + will / would + verb + and + it is …
verb
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : I hope to score centum in Mathematics.
Complex : I hope that I will score centum in Mathematics.
Compound : I will score centum in Mathematics and it is my hops.

2. Simple : We expect the Chief Guest to arrive very soon.

Complex : We expect that the Chief Guest will arrive very soon.
Compound : The Chief Guest will arrive very soon and it is our expectation.

RULE -11 „USE OF RELTIVE PRONOUN‟

XII-ENGLISH Page 172

 Simple Complex Compound
subject + verb+ object S+V+O+Rel. pronoun+ S+V+O - and + it is…
sub clause
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : I bought an old house.
Complex : I bought a house which was old.
Compound : I bought a house and it was old.

2. Simple : We sell fresh vegetables.

Complex : We sell vegetables that are fresh.
Compound : We sell vegetables and they are fresh.
RULE -12
Simple Complex Compound
subject + verb+ S+who/which+subclause+V+O/V+C Clause 1 + and +
object clause 2

EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : I Our sister Archana bought a car last week.
Complex : Archana who is our sister bought a car last week.
Compound : Archana is our sister and she bought a car last week. .

2. Simple : Our Head Master Mr. Saravanan is a man of principles.

Complex : Mr. Saravanan who is our Head Master is a man of principles..
Compound : Mr. Saravanan is our Head Master and he is a man of principles.
RULE -13
Simple Complex Compound
subject + verb+ object subject + verb +than Clause l )subordinate
+sub clause clause in complex
sentence) +and + Clause
2 (main clause in
complex sentence)
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : He confessed his guilt.
Complex : He confessed that he was guilty.
Compound : He was guilty and he confessed it.
2. Simple : I can prove my innocence.
Complex : I can prove that I am innocent.
Compound : I am innocent and I can prove it.

RULE -14

XII-ENGLISH Page 173

 Simple Complex Compound
…for… …as… …and so…
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : Harichandra was praised by all for his honesty.
Complex : Harichandra was praised by all as the was honest
Compound : Harichandra was honest and so he was praised by all.
2. Simple : Priya is appreciated for her intelligence.
Complex : Priya is appreciated as she is intelligent.
Compound : Priya is intelligent and so she is appreciated.

RULE -15 „BUT FOR-WITHOUT‟

Simple Complex Compound
But for … If + subject + had + subject + v…
verb or…subject+ would
have / would not have
EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : But for your help I would have suffered a lot.
Complex : If you had not helped me I would have suffered a lot.
Compound : You helped me, otherwise I would have suffered a lot.

2. Simple : But for your hard work, you would not have scored very good marks.
Complex : If you had not worked hard, you would not have scored very good marks.
Compound : You worked hard or else you would not have scored very good
marks.
RULE - 16
Simple Complex Compound
Besides being … / ---- .. not only… but also…
Besides + verb+ ing

EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS

1. Simple : Besides robbing old man, the thief wounded him severely.
Compound : The thief not only robbed the old man but also wounded him
severely.
2. Simple : Besides being a good batsman, Yuvraj is great fielder.
Compound : Yuvraj is not only a good batsman but also a great fielder.

RULE -17 „IMPERATIVE SENTENCE‟

Simple Complex Compound

Assertive/Imperative subject + verb+ Rel ---
sentence + phrase…+ Adj+ subject+ verb…
verb +ing

XII-ENGLISH Page 174

 EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS
1. Simple : I don‟t know the reason for his absence.
Compound : I do not know why he is absent.
2. Simple : Tell me about your place of birth.
Compound : Tell me where you were born.

BOOK BACK
(a) SIMPLE SENTENCES
Task 1
Pick out the finite verbs in the following sentences.
a) You can solve this problem in different ways.
You can solve this problem in different ways.
b) The professor has been working on the lastchapter of the book since March.
The professor has been working on the last chapter of the book since March
c) Despite being a celebrity, Ravi mingles easily with everyone.
Despite being a celebrity, Ravi mingles easily with everyone
d) You must speak clearly to make yourself understood.
You must speak clearly to make yourself understood.
e) The chairman being away, the clerk is unable to approve the proposal.
The chairman being away, the clerk is unable to approve the proposal.
f) Getting down from the car, the Chief Guest walked towards the dais amidst applause.
Getting down from the car, the Chief Guest walked towards the dais amidst
applause.
g) The old man struggled to walk without support.
The old man struggled to walk without support.
h) In case of emergency, please contact this number.
In case of emergency, please contact this number.
i) The sun having set, the temperature fell rapidly.
The sun having set, the temperature fell rapidly.
j) But for your help, I could not have completed the assignment.
But for your help, I could not have completed the assignment.
Task 2
Read the following passage and identify the simple sentences.
Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. In other words, they „ chase the
light‟. Haveyou ever wondered what happens on cloudy, rainy days when the sun is
completely covered by clouds?If you think the sunflower withers or turns its head
towards the ground, you are completely mistaken. Do you know what happens?
Sunflowers turn to each other to share their energy. Learning from Nature, we too
should support and empower each other.

XII-ENGLISH Page 175

 ANS: (i) Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun
(ii) In other words, they „ chase the light‟
(iii) Sunflowers turn to each other to share their energy

(b) COMPLEX SENTENCE

Task 1
Look at the following complex sentences. Circle the Main clauses and underline the
Subordinate clauses.
a) Nobody knows when the power supply will resume.
Nobody knowswhen the power supply will resume.
MC SC

b) Please tell me what the time is.

Please tell mewhat the time is.
MC SC
c) The man who directed the film was my schoolmate.
The manwho directed the filmwas my schoolmate.
MC SC MC
d) I believe that all men are basically good.
I believethat all men are basically good.
MC SC
e) No one knows when he will return.N
No one knowswhen he will return.
MC SC

Task 2
Pick out the complex sentences in the following passage.
A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the forest. He did not
know what to do. He was helpless. He was too scared to turn around and run. He just
knelt down as if he were getting ready to pray. He closed his eyes, thinking that the
lion would pounce on him anytime. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the lion on its
knees too. Shocked, he asked the lion what it was doing. The lion replied that he was
praying before he started his meal.
ANS: (i) A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the fores
(iii) He just knelt down as if he were getting ready to pray
(iv) He closed his eyes, thinkingthat the lion would pounce on him anytime.
(v) Shocked, he asked the lion what it was doing.
(vi) The lion replied that he was praying before he started his meal.

XII-ENGLISH Page 176

 (c)COMPOUND SENTENCE
Task 1
Identify the two Main clauses and conjunction in each of the following sentences.
a) It started raining suddenly and people ran for shelter.
It started raining suddenly andpeople ran for shelter
MC C MC
b) Understand the concept well, otherwise you cannot solve the problem.
Understand the concept wellotherwiseyou cannot solve the problem
MC C MC

c) Fifty candidates appeared for the interview, but only five were selected.
Fifty candidates appeared for the interviewbut only five were selected
MC C MC
d) Ramesh did not know Spanish, so he wanted a translator.
Ramesh did not know Spanishsohe wanted a translator
MC C MC
e) He is a good actor, still he is not popular.
He is a good actorstill he is not popular
MC C MC

Task 2
Pick out the compound sentences in the following passage.
The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body. The air we
breathe in, has to be thrown out, to help us survive. But we hold negative emotions
like insecurity, anger and jealousy within ourselves for years. If these negative
emotions are not eliminated, the mind grows corrupt and diseased. Let us do away with
hatred and lead a healthy lifefilled with peace and joy.

ANS: (i) The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body.
(ii) Let us do away with hatred and lead a healthy lifefilled with peace and joy.

Task-3
Complete the sentences choosing the right endings
We were thoroughly disappointed since our team did not get a prize.
Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain.
They wanted to find out his address.
Since we had run out of petrol we could not go further.
The cause of his injury was his reckless driving.

4. CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

XII-ENGLISH Page 177

 The term „Conditional‟ is applied to clauses which hypothesis or imply conditions. By
condition we-mean a grammatical relationship in which one situation is dependent on
another situation.

Task 1
Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks.
a. If I were(be) a spider, I would weave(weave) webs.
b. If Raj were(be) a sculptor, he would make(make) beautiful idols.
(or) If Raj isa sculptor he will make beautiful idols.
c. If Mary had an umbrella, she would lend(lend) it to me.
d. Rex would have played with me, if he had had(has) time.
e. If I were you, I would accept(accept) this offer.
f. We will select(select) story books for kids, if we allot time for storytelling.
g. The Education Ministerwill visit(visit) our school tomorrow, if he goes by this
way.
h. You will be rewarded by the wise, if you stand(stand) for truth.
i. If my mother knows(know) of my poor performance in the exam, she will not
allow me to watch a movie.
j. If I had won the lottery, I would have donated(donate) relief materials for the
flood victims.
Task 2
Rewrite the following sentences using „If‟ without changing the meaning.
EXAMPLE: Unless you go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight. (Use
„If‟)
If you do not go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight.
a) Sindhu would not have won the world championship, unless she had had single-
mindeddevotion.
Sindhu would not have won the world championship, if she had not had single-
minded devotion.
b) You will not reach your goal, unless you chase your dream.
You will not reach your goal, if you do not chase your dream.
c) Unless we plant more trees, we cannot save our planet.
If we do not plant more trees, we cannot save our planet.
d) The rescue team would not have saved the victims unless they had received the call
in time.
The rescue team would not have saved the victims if they had not received the
call in time.
e) The palace cannot be kept clean, unless we appoint more people.
The palace cannot be kept clean, if we do not appoint more people.

XII-ENGLISH Page 178

 f) The portraits would not have been so natural unless the artist had given his best.
The portraits would not have been so natural if the artist had not given his best.
g) The manager would not have selected Nithiksha unless she exhibited good
accounting skill.
The manager would not have selected Nithiksha if she had not exhibited good
accounting skill.
h) The policeman would not have arrested the man unless he had violated the rules.
The policeman would not have arrested the man if he had not violated the rules.
i) Mr. Kunaal would not sponsor my higher education unless I studied well.
MrKunaal would sponsor my higher education if I did not study well.
j) Kavin will not stop flying kites unless he understands the risk involved in it.
Kavin will not stop flying kites if he does not understand the risk involved in it.
k) Tanya would not know the answer unless she referred to the answer key.
Tanya would know the answer if she did not referto the answer key.
l) My village cannot achieve 100 % literacy rate, unless the elders of the village
cooperate with the education department.
My village cannot achieve 100 % literacy rate, if the elders of the village do not
cooperate with theeducation department.

UNIT-V
NON-FINITE VERBS
Finite And Non-Finite Verbs
Finite And Non-Finite Verbs:
Words which denote an action are known as verbs. We classify verbs into two
types. They are:
1. Finite verbs:
a. My brother goes to temple daily.
b. We have already finished the project.
The words printed in bold letters are
1. Finite verbs indicate the tense and time of actions.
2. Finite verbs undergo a change as and when the Subject (number or person) changes.
2. Non-Finite Verbs:
1. Non-finite verbs do not indicate the tense and time of actions.
2. Non-finite verbs do not change even when the Subject (number or person) changes.
There are three kinds of non-finite verbs.
1. An infinitive (to + verb)
2. A gerund (verb + ing)
3. A participle
Example:
a. My son likes to watch cricket matches. (Infinitive)

XII-ENGLISH Page 179

b. Playing chess is my hobby. (Gerund)
c. Driven out of the kingdom, the king hid himself in a forest. (Participle)

Non-Finite Verbs
 There are three verbals– „gerunds’, I’nfinitives’ and „participles’.
 All these are formed from verbs, but are never used alone as action words in sentences.
Insteadverbals function as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
Task 1
Underline the gerunds in the following sentences.
1. Boys love playingcricket.
2. I love eatingice creams.
3. Jessie enjoys botheringothers.
4. Paintingis an interesting hobby.
5. Dancinggives me joy.
Task 2

Use the gerundial form of the verb in the brackets and fill in the blanks.
1. Exercising(exercise) is good for health.
2. Flying(fly) a kite is fun.
3. Shopping(shop) is my favourite hobby.
4. My friend waited for the meeting(meet).
5. Huckleberry Finn was responsible for signaling(signal).
Task 3

Fill in the blanks with the correct infinitives.

1. Deva forgot to post the letter.
2. The doctor advised the patient to take his medicines without fail.
3. Rajesh went to the airport toreceive his friend.
4. The bear climbed up the tree todrinkthe honey.
5. The boys went to the forest towatch birds.
6. I tried hard tomake both ends meet.
7. The archaeologists are trying tostudy the ruins of Keelady.
8. Solar energy is used togenerate electricity.
9. Toget concession, you have to apply well in advance.
10. We have plans togo to London during summer vacation.
Task 4
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences using participles. The first one is
done for you.
Example: I didn‟t know what to do. I phoned the police.
Not knowing what to do, I phoned the police.
XII-ENGLISH Page 180
 1. The baby cried. She was feeling sleepy.
Feeling sleepy, the baby cried.
2. He lived alone. He had forgotten everybody.
Living alone, he had forgotten everybody./Having forgotten everybody, he lived
alone.

3. She walked out. She was smiling.

Giving a smile , She walked out/She walked out smiling/Having walked out, she
was smiling.
4. The child says he needs attention. He shouts loudly.
Shouting loudly, the child says she needs attention
5. I threw the pen. It was broken.
I threw the broken pen./Being broken , I threw the pen.
6. His coat is tattered. It needs mending.
His tattered coat needs mending.
7. I heard the noise. I turned around.
Hearing the noise, I turned around.
8. He was dissatisfied. He quit his job.
Being dissatisfied ,he quit the job.
9. The politician entered the campus. He was accompanied by many comrades.
Accompanied by many comrades, the politician entered the campus.
10. The girl entered the room. She was singing a song.
Singing a song, the girl entered the room.

5. ARTICLES AND DETERMINERSArticles

 DETERMINERS ARE THE WORDS THAT INTRODUCE A NOUN AND PROVIDE SOME
INFORMATION ABOUT IT ( BUT DO NOT DESCRIBE IT )
 DETERMINERS ARE FOLLOWED BY A NOUN.
TYPES OF DETERMINERS
ARTICLES DEMONSTRATIVES POSSESSIVE
ADJECTIVES
the , an, a this , that , these, those my, our, your, his, her,
its, their
QUANTIFIERS CARDINAL ORDINAL
NUMBERS NUMBERS
some, any, few, little, one, two, three, twenty, first, second, third,
more, much, many, forty, hundred, etc. twentieth, etc
every
 The quantifiers all, any, enough less, a lot of, more, most, no, none of , some
etc., are used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
 The quantifiers both, each, either, fewer, neither etc.., are used only with
XII-ENGLISH Page 181
 countable nouns.

RULES FOR ARTICLES

A) USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLE:
i) When a singular noun is meant to represent the whole class
The cow gives us milk.
The dog barks at night.
ii) When we refer to a particular person or thing again:
I saw a man yesterday. The man is a beggar.
iii) Before the name of mountains, seas, oceans, gulfs rives and group of island etc,.
the Himalayas, the Indian ocean, the Ganges, the Bay of Bengal
iv) Before the name of Holy books.
The Bible, the Geetha, the 4
v) Before the name of nouns which are unique and only one of its kind:
the sun, the earth, the moon.
vi) With superlatives:
the best boy, the cleverest girl, the most beautiful bird.
vii) Before the dailies, sjips, airlines etc.
the India Express, the Indian Airlines,
viii) Before ordinal numbers:
the first, the second, the third
ix) Before important events and buildings:
the Taj Mahal, the Civil disobedience movement.
x) Before plural names:
the U.S.A.,the U.A.E.
xi) Before names of musical instruments:
the Guitar, the Veena,the Violin
xii) If the language stands for its people:
the Tamil, the English
Note: not to mention the language but to the people.
xiii) If an adjective represents people:
the rich, the poor ,the weak
xiv) Before some comparative adjective.
the more you work,------------
xv) Before directions.
the east, the west, the north
XII-ENGLISH Page 182
 xvi) To specify a particular person or thing
He is the person I want.
This is the book I bought.

B) USE OF INDEFINITE ARTICLES:

1. „a‟ and „an; are used in the sense of one.
i) „A is used before consonant sound:
Twelve inches make a foot.
seven days make a week.
ii) In the sense of any one.
there is a dog in front of my house
Here is a bus.
iii) Before a singular noun. „a‟ is used as an example of class of things.
A child needs love and affection.
A driver must have a licence.
A car must be insured
iv) In expression of price, speed, ratio
Sixth rupees a Kilo.
Forth Km. is not a distance.
Once a day
v) With certain number:
a hundred rupee, a thousand metre.
vi) Before the names of a profession.
My brother is a doctor.
He is a clerk.
vii) Before surname: (If he is a stranger)
a Mr. Gopal, a Mrs. Darwin
viii) If the vowel sounds like a consonant;
a University, a union, a useful, a European, a one rupee note, a unit.
i) An is used in the sense of „one‟ before a vowel sound: an ass, an egg,
an umbrella
ii) Before „h‟ silent: an honest, an hour.
iii) if a consonant sounds like a vowel: an M.P an M.L.A., an M.Sc, an L.I.C agent.

OMISSION OF ARTICLE:
i) Before common nouns used in their widest sense:
man is mortal.
what kind of X book is this?
ii) Before countries and capitals
America, X Delhi
iii) Before Abstract nouns.

XII-ENGLISH Page 183

 anger is dangerous
wisdom is the gift of God.
iv) Before the names of games.
I play X cricket.
v) Before uncountable noun.
sugar, X rice
vi) Before the names of languages
Tamil X English
Task 1
Complete the following exercise using a/ an/ the/ „o‟ (no article) in the underlined
space
where appropriate. Change capital letters to lower case letters at the beginning of a
sentence
if necessary.
According to (1)the National Weather Report, cyclones are winds circulating
(2) „O‟ counter clockwisein (3)theNorthern Hemisphere and clockwise in (4) the
southern Hemisphere. Cyclones are usuallyaccompanied by (5) „O‟stormy weather.
Tornadoes and hurricanes are types of cyclones. (6) The hurricane is (7)a cyclone that
forms over (8)the tropical oceans and seas. (9) The hurricane rotates in (10) the shape
of (11) an oval or a circle. (12) TheHurricane Andrew, which hit (13)the coasts of
Louisiana and Southern Florida in August 1992, caused (14) „O‟ extreme devastation. It
was one of (15) the most devasting hurricanes ever to hit (16) the U.S. Fourteen
people died of (17) the Andrew‟s effect.

Task 2
Complete the following sentences using appropriate determiners.
1. Only a fewpeople can afford to buy a flat in Chennai.
2. She earns so little that she could not make a decent living.
3.Some information that she gave proved false.
4. How much sugar do you want?
5. I am very tired today, as I had many guests today.
6. Some of my students have become doctors.
7. Littledo I know about his personal life.
8. How manypages did you read?
9. Somefertilizer used these days spoils the soil.
10. During my student life I used to givelittle trouble to my teachers.
XII-ENGLISH Page 184
 DEGREES OF COMPARISION
Changing the form of an adjective we can denote the degree of the quality of person,
place or thing, in a sentences. Such changes in the form of an adjective is called degrees
of comparison.
Degrees

Positive Comparative Superlative

1. The Positive Degree:

Denoting only the mere existence of one‟s quality is called positive degree.
As
So + Adj + as
2. Comparative Degree :
Comparative degree of an adjective denotes a higher degree of quality than the
positive, and is used when two things (or set of things) are compared.
Eg.: This pencil is longer than that one.
Adj + er
More +Adj + than
3. Superlative Degree:
Superlative degree of an Adjective denotes the highest degree of the quality, and is
used when more than two things (or set of things) are compared.
Eg. Mohan is the strongest in the class.
The + Adj + est
The + most + Adj

Formation of adjectives :
a) TO COMPARE A MULTISYLLABIC ADJECTIVE, ADD ‘ER’ IN THE COMPARATIVE
DEGREE ‘EST’ IN THESUPERLATIVE DEGREE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Bright Brighter brightest
Kind Kinder Kindest
Rich Richer Richest
Sweet Sweeter Sweetest
Tall Taller Tallest

b) TO COMPARE A MONO SYLLABIC WORD THAT ENDS WITH ‘E’ ADD ‘R’ IN THE
COMPARATIVE AND ‘ST’ INTHE SUPERLATIVE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Fine Finer Finest
Large Larger Largest
XII-ENGLISH Page 185
 Noble Nobler Noblest
Nice Nicer Nicest
wise wiser wisest

c) IF AN ADJECTIVE ENDS WITH ‘Y’ AND THE ‘Y’ IS PRECEDED BY A CONSONANT THEY
‘Y’ CHANGES IN TO‘I’ AND BECOMES ‘IER’ IN THE COMPARATIVE AND ‘IEST’ IN THE
SUPERLATIVE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Dry Drier Driest
Happy Happier Happiest
Healthy Healthier Healthiest
lucky luckier Luckiest

d) IF AN ADJECTIVE ENDS WITH ‘Y’ AND THE ‘Y’ IS PRECEDED BY A VOWEL, ADD ‘ER’ IN
THE COMPARATIVE AND ‘EST’ IN THE SUPERLATIVE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Gay Gayer Gayest
gray Grayer grayest

e) IF AN ADJECTIVE ENDS WITH CONSONANT AND THE CONSONANT IS PRECEDED BY A

VOWEL, DOUBLETHE CONSONANT AND ADD ‘ER’ IN THE COMPARATIVE ‘EST’ IN THE
SUPERLATIVE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Big Bigger Biggest
Fat Fatter Fattest
Hot Hotter Hottest
Red Redder Reddest
thin thinner thinnest
f) IF AN ADJECTIVE ENDS WITH CONSONANT AND THE PRECEDING LETTERS ARE
DOUBLE VOWEL, ADD ‘ER’IN THE COMPARATIVE AND ‘EST’ IN THE SUPERLATIVE.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Cool Cooler Coolest
Deep Deeper Deepest
g) FOR ADJECTIVES HAVING TWO OR MORE THAN TOW SYLLABLES, PUT ‘MORE BEFORE
THE ADJECTIVE INTHE COMPARATIVE AND ‘MOST’ IN THE SUPERLATIVE.

Positive Comparative Superlative

Beautiful More Beautiful Most Beautiful
Comfortable More Most
Difficult Comfortable Comfortable
Expensive More Difficult Most Difficult
Useful More Expensive Most Expensive
More Useful Most Useful
XII-ENGLISH Page 186
h) IRREGULAR COMPARISON
Positive Comparative Superlative
Good / well Better Best
Bad /evil /ill Worse Worst
Many / much More Most
Little Less Least
far farther farthest

i) ADJECTIVES WITH TWO COMPARATIVES.

Positive Comparative Superlative
Eg: Old Older / elder Oldest /
Late Later / latter eldest
Latest /
lattest

Rules :
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
No Other so er, more than the „est‟
…….. as
Very few as …….. er, more than One of the
as „est‟
Not so ………. as er, more than ------

Changing the Degrees of Comparison:

Type I: The elephant is the biggest land animal. (Superlative degree)
The elephant is bigger than ANY OTHER land animal. (Comparative degree)
NO OTHER land animal is so big as the elephant. (Positive degree)

Type II : Iron is one of the most useful metals. (Superlative degree)

Iron is more useful than MOST OTHER metals. (Comparative degree)
VERY FEW metals are as useful as iron. (Positive degree)

Type III : (a) Kala is cleverer than as Latha. (Comparative degree)

Latha is not so clever as Kala. (Positive degree)
(b) Ramu is as tall as Somu. (Positive degree)
Somu is not taller than Ramu. (Comparative degree)

Type - 1
• No other profession is as nobleas teaching. (Positive)
• Teaching is noblerthan any other profession. (Comparative)
• Teaching is the noblestof all professions. / Teaching is the
noblestprofession.(Superlative)

Type - 2

XII-ENGLISH Page 187

 • Very few professions are asnobleas teaching. (Positive)
• Teaching isnoblerthan many other / most other professions. (Comparative)
• Teaching is one of thenoblestprofessions. (Superlative)

Type - 3
• Apples are costlier than mangoes in the summer season. (Comparative)
• Mangoes are not socostlyas apples in the summer season. (Positive)

Type - 4
• Apples are not more expensive than mangoes during winter. (Comparative)
• Mangoes are as expensive as apples during winter. (Positive)

Type - 5
• We have not watched such a thrilling movie as this. (Positive)
• This movie is more thrilling than any other movie, we have ever watched.
(Comparative)
• This is the most thrillingmovie, we have ever watched. (Superlative)
Type - 6
• My brother can climb a tree as fast as a monkey. (Positive)
• A monkey cannot climb a tree faster than my brother. (Comparative)
BOOK BACK
Task 1
Transform each of the following sentences using the comparative degree without
changing
the meaning.
1. Very few Indian languages are as ancient as Tamil.
Tamil is more ancient than many other Indian languages.
2. Hurricanes are as dangerous as tornadoes.
Tornadoes are not more dangerous than hurricanes.
3. This is the most challenging task I have ever undertaken.
This is more challenging than any other task I have ever undertaken.
This task is more challenging than any other task I have ever undertaken.
4. E-mail is the fastest means of communication.
E-mail is faster than any other means of communication.
5. Compulsive gambling is the worst habit a man can develop.
Compulsive gambling is worse than any other habit a man can develop.

Task 2

XII-ENGLISH Page 188

 Rewrite each of the following sentences using the superlative degree retaining the
meaning.
1. Shakespeare is greater than many other dramatists of the world.
Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists of the world.
2. Some people think that nothing is as important as money in life.
Some people think that money is the most important thing in life.
3. The peacock is more colourful than any other bird found in India.
The peacock is the most colourful bird found in India.
4. Very few people in this town are as generous as Mr. Mohan.
Mr. Mohan is one of most the generous people in this town.
5. No other planet in our solar system is as cold as Neptune.
Neptune is the coldest planet in our solar system.
6. I cannot do anything better for you than this.
This is the best thing I can do for you.
Task 3
Replace the comparative adjectives in the following sentences with their positive
forms.
1. Rural life is certainly more peaceful than urban life.
Urban life is certainly not so peaceful as rural life.
2. The pen is mightier than the sword.
The sword is not so mighty as the pen.
3. Train journey is more comfortable than bus journey.
Bus journey is not so comfortable as train journey.
Train journey is not as comfortable as bus journey.
4. My mother can speak more sweetly than anyone else.
No one can speak so sweetly as my mother.
5. Gold is not more useful than iron.
Iron is as useful as gold.

UNIT- VI
AGREEMENT OF THE SUBJECT WITH THE VERB.
Agreement or concord:
 Agrement or concord denotes the agreement between the subject and the verb in a
sentence.
 It is the correspondence of a verb with its subject in person and number.

BOOK BACK
Task 1

XII-ENGLISH Page 189

 I. Choose the correct option and complete the sentences.
1. Manoj ____was____ (was, were) present along with his parents.
2. Each of these boys ___has____ (has, have) passed.
3. Neither Lekha nor Leela ____has__ (has, have) been selected.
4. Every man, woman and child ___was____ (was, were) happy.
5. One of the machines ____is___ (is, are) defective.
6. A number of books ____are_____ (is, are) missing.
7. Sekar or his brothers ___have_____ (has, have) done it.
8. To make a promise and then not to keep it ___is_____ (is, are) dishonesty.
9. One or the other of those men ___has____ (has, have) lodged a complaint.
10. Each leaf and each flower ___was____ (was, were) stripped off the tree.

Task 2
II. Identify the errors in each of the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
1. Either Shyam or Ram have to pay the fine.
Either Shyam or Ram hasto pay the fine.
2. Abdul as well as Karim deserve praise.
Abdul as well as Karim deserves praise.
3. Ten thousand rupees a month are an insufficient income.
Ten thousand rupees a month isan insufficient income.
4. Many a student were awarded at the function.
Many a student wasawarded at the function.
5. Neither Veena nor her sisters has been informed of the accident.
Neither Veena nor her sistershave been informed of the accident.
6. Mithra as well as her daughters enjoy singing.
Mithra as well as her daughters enjoyssinging.
7. You, who is my friend, should help me.
You, whoare my friend, should help me.
8. My scissors is missing.
My scissorsare missing.
9. A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye.
A variety of pleasing objects charmsthe eye.
10. Sixty miles are a long distance.
Sixty miles is a long distance.

RELATIVE PRONOUN
Relative pronouns:

XII-ENGLISH Page 190

 A Relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that often introduces dependent (or
relative) clauses in sentences. They also can stand alone as the subject or object, of a
sentence. There is a specific list of relative pronouns and here they are :

Sometimes when and where can be used as relative pronoun as well.

Who Persons only

whose Persons, animals, things.
Whom Person.
which Things without life and for animals.
That Person and things. (never used with a preposition preceding)
What Things only . (It is used without an antecedent expressed)
What = That which
Where Places. (adverb)

1. This is the boy who won the race.

2. Show me the book which you bought yesterday.
3. Is there anyone who can help me do this homework?
4. That is the house where I was born.
5. My friend, whose father works in Agra, has made a clay model of the Taj Mahal.
6. Most of the friends whomshe had invited came for her wedding.
7. Students who speak English fluently will easily get jobs.
8. This is what I heard about him.
9. Tell me the address of the boywhom you want to meet.
10. He is the man whose bike is stolen.
11. I got the book which was last yesterday.
12. Among forty flats, which one attracts you?
13. He listened to what I said.
14. Show me the book which you bought yesterday.
INVERSION
1. If an angel were to tell me such a thing of her I would not believe it. (Begin with
„were‟)
Were an angel to tell me such a thing of her I would not believe it.
2. If I had known you were ill, I would have called on you. („Begin with „Had‟)
Had I known you were ill, I would have called on you.
3. If it were not for the expenses involved I would go by air. (Begin with ‟were‟)
Were it not for the expenses involved I would go by air.
4. I you should need to meet me, you can call this number. (Begin with „should‟)
Should you need to meet me, you can call this number.
XII-ENGLISH Page 191
5. If he had told them the truth, he would not have been punished. (Begin with „had‟)
Had he told them the truth, he would not have been punished.
6. If I were a monkey, I would hop from tree to tree. (Begin with „were‟)
Were I a monkey, I would hop from tree to tree.
7. If you should be late once again, you will lose your job. (Begin with „should‟)
Should you be late once again, you will lose your job.
8. If you should need my help again, just give me a ring. (Begin with “Should”)
Should you need my help again, just give me a ring.
9. If I were a bird, I would fly. (Begin with „were‟)
Were I a bird, I would fly.
10. If he had known the impending danger he would have stayed at home.
(Begin with „had‟)
Had he known the impending danger he would have stayed at home.
11. If it had not rained, we should have gone to the theatre.(Begin the sentence with „had‟)
Had it not rained, we should have gone to the theatre.
12. If he had explained the problem, I would have helped him.
(Begin the sentence with„had‟)
Had he explained the problem, I would have helped him.
13. If I had enough money, I would donate it to your school. (Begin the sentence with „had‟)
Had I enough money, I would donate it to your school.
14. If he had walked fast, he would have caught the bus. (Begin the sentence with „had‟)
Had he walked fast, he would have caught the bus.
15. If you wish to meet me, you can call this number. (Begin the sentence with „should‟)
Should you wish to meet me you can call this number.
16. If I had known you needed help, I would have helped you.(Begin the sentence with „had‟)
Had I known you needed help, I would have helped you.
17. Had he been invited he would have attended the function.(Begin the sentence with „If‟)
If he had been invited he would have attended the function.
18. Should you require any more guidance, ask me without any hesitation.
(Begin the sentence with „if‟)
If you should require any more guidance, ask me without any hesitation.
19. If you are late once again, you will lose your job. (Begin with „should‟)
Should you be late once again, you will lose your job.

20. If the trees had not been cut, the garden would have been shady. (Begin with „had‟)
Had the trees not been cut, the garden would have been shady. (J-16)
Conditional clause – Rules :
Type 1 : Zero Conditional clause

XII-ENGLISH Page 192

 To refer scientific facts and universal truths, this clause is used. If you heat water, it melts.

Type 2 : Probable Condition

Simple Present Will / can + V1
Ex : If you study well, you can/will pass
If you run fast, you can/will get a medal.
If you score high marks, you will join medical course.

Type 3 : Improbable or Imaginary Condition

Simple Past Would / Could + V1
Ex: If I were a bird, I would fly.
If I went to Delhi. I would stay in a hotel.
If I were the president, I would abolish examination.

Type 4 : Impossible Condition

Past Perfect Would have / Could have +V3 (If and V3)
Ex : If I had gone by cab, I would have boarded the train.
If he had studied well, we would have become a doctor.
If she had had enough money, she would have flown to Delhi last week.

ERROR SPOT RULES:

1. How to spot the error?
In the this section, you will be given a sentence with an error in it. Read the
sentence carefully and find the error .Errors are generally tested in the following
areas.
 Articles
 Prepositions
 Numbers (singular and plural)
 Usage of wrong words
 Usage of tenses
 Usage of conjunctions
 Usage of adverbs and adjectives
 Word order
 Question tags
 Conditional clauses
 Conjunctions
 Concord (agreement of the verb with its subject)
1. Articles:
Rule 1: Words like one , university, universal, useful, unique, union, European
are preceded by the article „a‟
Incorrect Questions Correct Answer

XII-ENGLISH Page 193

 I saw an one-eyed man I saw a one-eyed man.
My brother is an university rank - My brother is a university rank -
holder. holder.
It is an useful advice It is a useful advice
An European invented this machine A European invented this machine

Rule :2 Half is followed by the article „a‟

Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I have taken half day leave I have taken half a day leave
I bought half liter of milk. I bought half a liter of milk

Rule :3 Abbreviations beginning with L/M/N/S/F/H are preceded by the article

„an‟.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Mr. Susai is a LIC agent. Mr. Susai is an LIC agent
Sheela is a M. A ., in English Sheela is an M.A., in English
Mr. Nazar is a N.R.I living in Mr. Nazar is an N.R.I living in
America. America.
I want to make a STD call to I want to makean STD call to
Mumbai. Mumbai
He bought a H. M. T. Watch He bought an H.M.T. watch
yesterday yesterday.
Rule :4 Words like hour, honest, honourableetc, are preceded by the article „an‟.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Ramesh played for a hour. Ramesh played for an hour
Balu is a honest boy. Balu is an honest boy
Dr. Shylu is ahonourable person Dr. Shylu is an honourable
person.

Rule :5 Definite article ‟the‟ is used before

i) Superlative degrees. (the most …. the tallest, …..) ii) unique objects (the
moon, the earth etc) iii) rivers (The Cauvery), iv) seas (The Arabian sea), v)
mountain ranges (The Himalayas), vi) group of islands (The Maldives)
vii) musical instruments (The guitar), viii) holy books and epics (The Bible, The
Ramayana) ix) directions (the east). x) World wonders and historical
monuments (The Tajmahal) etc.

Incorrect Question Correct Answer

XII-ENGLISH Page 194

 Ram is most intelligent boy in our Ram is the most intelligent boy in our
lass. class.
Earth is planet. The earth is planet.
Nile is the longest river in Egypt. The Nile is the longest river in
Pacific Ocean is the deepest Egypt.
ocean in the world Thepacific Ocean is the deepest
He lives in Andaman islands ocean in the world.
She plays violin excellently He lives in theAndaman island.
James reads Bible every-day. She plays the violin excellently.
The sun rises in east. James reads the Bible every-day.
Have you ever seen The sun rises in the east.
Tajmahal? Have you ever seen
United States of America theTajmahal?
recovered from the stock The United States of America
market crash. recovered from the stock market crash.

Rule :6 Suitable article should be placed if the sentence is wrong due to omission
of article.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I have headache. I have a headache.
India defeated Srilanka by innings India defeated Srilanka by an innings.

Rule :7 Generally proper nouns and subjects/languages do not take any article
before them.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
She can speak the Hindi She can speak Hindi,
My friend resides at the My friend resides in Chennai
Chennai.

II. Prepositions:
Rule:8 Words like prefer, inferior, superior, prior, senior, juniors, exterior,
interior, anterior, posterior should be followed by the preposition „to‟ and not by
than.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I prefer coffee than tea. I prefer coffee to tea.
Mohan is senior than Guru Mohan is senior to Guru.

Rule:9
i) Difference in the usage of between and among:
Between: distribution involving only two persons/things

XII-ENGLISH Page 195

 Among: distribution involving more than two person / things
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
There is no friendship among Kala and There is no friendship between Kala
Mala and Mala.
The brokers shared the profit between The broker‟s shared the profit among
themselves. themselves.

ii) Difference between the usage of besides and beside.

Beside: by the side of
Besides: in addition to
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I can speak English beside Hindi. I can speak English besides Hindi.
There is a Church besides our school. There is Church beside or school.
iii_) Difference between the usage of after and behind.
After : used with time
Behind: used with place
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I never do any work behind 10 I never do any work after 10
p.m. p.m.
My school is after the temple My schools is behind the
temple.
iv) Difference between the usage of since and for
Since: refers to specific time (in the perfect continuous tense)
For: refers to period of time (in the perfect continuous tense)
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I has been raining since five It has been reining for five hours.
hours. He has been working here since
He has been working here for 2001.
2001.

v) Difference between the usage of on and upon

On: refers to things at rest
Upon: refers to things in motion
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
My books is upon the table My book is on the table.
The cat jumped on the wall. The cat jumped upon the wall.
vi) Difference between the usage of in and into
in: refers to things at rest

XII-ENGLISH Page 196

 into: refers to things in motion.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
My ID card is not my bag. My ID card is in my bag.
She jumped in the well. She jumped into the well.

viii) Difference between the usage of by and with

By: used before a doer / person
With : used before instrument / object.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
The letter was posted with Raja. The letter was posted by Raja
Brutus stabbed Caesar by a Brutus stabbed Caesar with a
dagger. dagger.

Rule:10 Known‟s is followed by „as‟ while „called‟ should not be followed by „as‟
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Patel is known the Iron man of India. Patel is known as the Iron man of
The camel is called as the ship of the India
desert. The camel is called the ship of the
desert.

Rule :11 Some verbs will take their own prepositions only. For example, listen to
congratulations on, hope for, arrive at, succeed in, rather than, leave for, suffer
from, knock at, meet with, good at, poor in, confident of / about, sympathise
with etc.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
He is leaving to Chennai tonight. He is leaving for Chennai tonight.
Anand is suffering with fever. Anand is suffering from fever.
I listened the music. I listened to the music.
Santhosh knocked the door. Santhosh knocked at the door.
Raja met in an accident. Raja met with an accident.
Ramesh is good in English. Ramesh is good at English
Suresh is poor at Mathematics. Suresh is poor in Mathematics
He is confident on his success He is confident of his success
They have been accused for the murder. They have been accused of the murder.
The Principal is angry on you. The Principal is angry with you
Ialways sympathise for the poor. I always sympathisewith the poor.

Rule: 12 The verbs discuss, describe, order, regret, request, stress and emphasize
are transitive and therefore they cannot be sued with prepositions.
XII-ENGLISH Page 197
 Incorrect Question Correct Answer
He discussed about the matter yesterday He discussed the matter yesterday.
I have ordered for a cup of coffee. I have ordered a cup of coffee.
He requested for my help. He requested my help
They described about the scenery They described the scenery
We regret for the inconvenience. We regret the inconvenience.

Rule: 13 Some verbs generally do not take prepositions.

Incorrect Question Correct Answer
He discussed about the matter yesterday. He discussed the matter yesterday.
She entered into the room. She entered the room
He accompanied with his friends to Ooty. He accompanied his friends to Ooty.
He told to me that he was busy. He told me that he was busy.
I have answered to all their questions. I have answered all the their questions.

Rule :14 Some more errors which we commonly commit in prepositions.

Incorrect Question Correct Answer
He discussed about the matter He discussed the matter yesterday.
yesterday I came on foot (or) I came walking.
I came by walk Smoking is injurious to health.
Smoking in injurious for health He was listening to the music between
He was listening to the music between 1.p.m.a and 3p.m.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The children were sitting under a tree.
the children were sitting below a tree. Water boils at 1000C
Water boils on 1000C. Several dams were built across the
Several dams were built over the river. river.
The bridge is being built on the A bridge is being built over the
Cauvery river Cauvery river
III. Concord (Subject- verb agreement)
Rule:15 Nouns coming after the phrases like One of the …………Some of the
……..None of the ………Each of the ……..Very few of the ……..etc should be
in plural form only.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
One of his brother is in America One of his brothers is in America.
None of the student scored good marks None of the students scored good
Each of the player performed well. marks.
Each of the players performed well.

XII-ENGLISH Page 198

 Rule:16
Two nouns connected to a singular subject using „with‟ as well as‟ in addition to,
together with, along with, either …….nor , ‟etc take a singular verb only.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
The Principal as well as the Staff are The Principal as well as the Staff is
present. present.
Cotton as well as jute have fallen in price. Cotton as well as jute has fallen in price.
Neither Kamala nor Vimala are intelligent Neither Kamala nor Vimala is intelligent
The teacher along with the students go for The teacher along with the students goes
a picnic every year. for a picnic every year.
The house with its contents were insured. The house with its contents was insured.
Rule:17 Words like Physics, Civics, Politics, Linguiistics, Statistics,
Mathematics, News and Economics are singular and so they take a singular verb
only.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Physics are my favourite Physics is my favourite subject.
subject. The news is very good.
The news are very good.
Rule:18 Acronyms are considered as singular and so they take a singular verb
only.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
AIDS are considered as the most AIDS is considered as the most
dreadful disease dreadful disease.
The UNICEF carry out a lot of noble The UNICEF carries out a lot of noble
service for the protection of children service for the protection of children.

Rule:19 When two subjects express a single idea, they take a singular verb.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Slow and steady win the race. Slow and steady wins the race.
The cup and saucer are place on the The cup and saucer is place on the
table. table.
Bread and butter make a wholesome Bread and butter makes a wholesome
breakfast breakfast.
Early to bed and Early to rise are good Early to bed and Early to rise is a good
habit. habit.
Greed and grief go hand in hand. Greed and grief goes hand in hand.
Honour and glory are his reward. Honour and glory is his reward.
The ebb and flow of the tide are due to The ebb and flow of the tide is due to

XII-ENGLISH Page 199

 the lunar influence. the lunar influence.

IV. Number: (singular and plural)

Rule: 20 Words like „luggage‟ „furniture;, baggage‟ deer‟ staff‟ information‟ etc.
are always in singular. They should never be used in plural from.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
We bought a lot of furnitures. We bought a lot of furniture.
The staffs gathered for the meeting. The staff gathered for the meeting
Raj followed his wife carrying the Raj followed his wife carrying the
luggage. luggage.
We have got all the information from We have got all the information from
our boss. our boss.

Rule:21 Phrases like A lot of …….some of ……….plenty of ………etcare

singular when they are followed by any amount or quantity but they are
singular when they are followed by any amount or quantity but they are plural
when they are followed by a number.

Incorrect Question Correct Answer

A lot of work are to be finished by A lot of work is to be finished by me.
me. A lot of students are attending the
A lot of students is attending the seminar.
seminar.
Rule:22 Some nouns such as police, people cattle, livestock children etcare
already in plural form. So it is wrong to add -s/ -es to them to make plural forms.
They take plural verbs only.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
The cattles are grazing The cattle aregarazing
The police is in search of the criminal. The police are in search of the criminal.
Rule:23 The plural forms for son-in law and passer-by are sons-in law and
Speers-by respectively.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I have two son-in-laws. I have two sons-in-law
Several passer-by have seen it. Several passers-by have seen it.

Rule:24 Words like sheep, dozen, scenery , scissors, trousers etc, should be used
as such both in singular and plural forms.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer

XII-ENGLISH Page 200

 About forty sheeps followed the shepherd. About forth sheep followed the shepherd.
He bought three dozen mangoes. He bought three dozen mangoes
The beautiful sceneries attracted the The beautiful scenery attracted the tourists.
tourists.
Get me a scissor from the tool box. Get me a pair of scissors from the tool box.

Rule:25 The plural forms mouse, louse, man etc are mice, lice men respectively.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I saw a cat chasing two mouses. I saw a cat chasing two mice.

V. Conjunctions:
Rule:26 Both the co ordinate conjunction and the sub-ordinate conjunction
should not occur in the same sentence.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Though he is rich, but he is humble. Though he is rich, he is jumble. (or)
As the boy was weak, so he could not He the rich but he is sumble.
run fast. As the boy was weak, he could not
run fast.

Rule:27 phrases like „Due to‟,‟ owing to‟, in the event of‟. „In case of „. Because of‟
etc. do not take any conjunction (in simple sentences)
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Due to his intelligence and he passed Due to his intelligence, he passed the
the examination. examination.
In spite of her hard work, but she In spite of her hard work, she could
could not secure the first rank. not secure the first rank.
Rule:28 Simple sentences beginning with participle should not take any
conjunction.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
On seeing the dog, and the cat ran On seeing the dog, the cat ran away.
away.

VI. Word Order:

Rule: 29 Adverbs like „always‟ frequently‟, „never‟, „hardly‟, ‟often‟, „ seldom, „
scarcely‟, „mostly‟, „sometimes‟ etc are placed before the verb the verb if it is a
„main verb‟ and are place after the verb if it is „be‟ verb.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
The trains often are late. The trains are often late.
The opposition party supports rarely The opposition party rarely supports

XII-ENGLISH Page 201

 the ruling party. the ruling party.
My friend always is cheerful. My friend is always cheerful.
I read always in the morning. I always read in the morning.

VII. Tenses:
Rule: 30
Present form of verbs, coming after III person singular subject, must take-s/-ies
with them.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Asha sing songs everyday Asha sings songs every day.
Everyday he went to temple Every day he goes to temple.
He buys a TV this morning. He bought a TV this morning.
Kishore has arrived yesterday. Kishore arrived yesterday.
He is reading the newspaper daily. He reads the newspaper daily.
Everyone fights their battle. Everyone fights his/her battle.
He reads a short story now. He is reading a short story now.

Rule: 31 The clause coming after „as if‟ should take the verb „were‟.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
He behaves as if he is rich. He behaves as if he were rich.

VIII. Conditional Clauses :Rule: 32

Incorrect Question Correct Answer
If it rains, we would cancel the If it rains, we will cancel the match.
match. If you heat ice, it melts
If you heat ice, it will melt. (because it is a scientific truth)
If I were the Flash, I would travel
If I was the Flash, I would travel around the world in seconds.
around the world in seconds. If he had come on time, we would
If he had come on time, we would havepermitted him.
permit him.

IX. Questions tags:

XII-ENGLISH Page 202

 Rule:33 Sentences with words like neither, none, nobody, rarely, scarcely,
hardly, seldom, little and few are treated as negative statements, So they are
followed by positive question tags.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Barking dogs seldom bite, don‟t they? Barking dogs seldom bite, do they?
We rarely go to movies, don‟t we? We rarely go to movies, do we?
Rule :34 Sentences with subjects like „everyone‟, „some of‟ etc. carry plural tags.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
Everyone has a rose, doesn‟t Everyone has a rose, don‟t they?
he?

Rule:35 The question tag for „I am” is „aren‟t I? or ain‟t I?

Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I am a teacher, amn‟t I? I am a teacher, aren‟t I?

X. Usage of Correct words / expression

Rule: 36
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
1. Returned back Returned / Come back
2. awaiting for awaiting / waiting for
3.popular among the people popular / famous among the
4. cousin brother / sister people
5. aim to cousin
aim at
Rule: 37 some verbs like have, own, possess, belong, want, like, understand,
appeal, seem,etc.
Incorrect Question Correct Answer
I am wanting a pen, I want a pen
He is possessing new car. He possesses a new car.

S. N old Textual Exercise Answer

1. The trains often are late. The trains are often late.
2. His salary is Rs.20,000/- per year. His salary is Rs.20,000/- a year
I am not understanding the
3. I don‟t understand the problem
problem
4. Have you had your meals? Have you had youmeal?
He invited us to stay a few days He invited us to spend a few days with
5.
with him. him.

XII-ENGLISH Page 203

 My sister was recently operated My sister was recently operated upon for
6.
for appendicitis. appendicitis.
Thirukkural has been translated to Thirukkural has been translated into
7.
many languages. many languages.
There are no reliable evidences to There is no reliable evidence to show
8.
show that he is guilty. that he is guilty.
I bought a blue colour shirt and a
9. I bought a blue shirt and a tie.
tie.
There is always heavy traffic There is always a heavy traffic during
10.
during peak hours. peak hours.
I am not on talking terms with my I am not on speaking terms with my
11.
neighbour. neighbour.
The teacher says, “He is making a The teacher says, ”He is making good
12.
good progress in studies” progress in studies”
He was proclaimed as a traitor by the
13. He was proclaimed a traitor by the king
king.
The letter was written partially in The letter was written partly in English
14.
English and partially in Tamil and partly in Tamil.
We are unable to locate the
15. We are unable to identify the mistake.
mistake.
He took up gymnastic when he He took up gymnastics when he was
16.
was eight years old. eight years old.

BOOK BACK
Spot the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
1.My grandfather is well-known in the village for his Nobel deeds.
My grandfather is well known in the village for his noble deeds.
2. I had my evening meals in a restaurant near my office.
I had my evening meal in a restaurant near my office.
3. The Boss had full confidence on his Manager for successful completion of the
project.
The Boss had full confidence in his Manager for the successful completion of the
project.
4. After the complicated surgery, the patient hoped of complete recovery.
After the complicated surgery the patient hoped for complete recovery.
5. The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to the
children suffering with acute tuberculosis.
The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to
the children suffering from acute tuberculosis.
XII-ENGLISH Page 204
 6. In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream carrier.
In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream career.

GRAMMAR EXERCISES
UNIT-I
TENSES
Correct the errors in the underlined words.
Taking a career aptitude test. There is dozens of career aptitude tests online that
asks a series of questions.These is formulated to find out what kind of work would suits
you the best. These tests analyzes yourstrengths, weaknesses, interests, and personality
to help you narrow down your career choice. You canalso does an Internet search for
“career aptitude tests” and takes several so you can compare the results.Once you have
an idea of what field you want to work in, consider all the options within that field.
Forinstance, if you would wants to work in healthcare, you could be a nurse or a
doctor, you can also considersparamedical careers in physiotherapy, occupational
therapy and micro-biology.
ANSWER:
Taking a career aptitude test.There are dozens of career aptitude tests online thataska
series of questions. These areformulated tofind out what kind of work would suityou
the best. These tests analyzeyour strengths, weaknesses,interests, and personality to
help you narrow down your career choice. You can alsodoan Internet searchfor
“career aptitude tests” andtakeseveral so you can compare the results. Once you have
an idea of whatfield you want to work in, consider all the options within that field. For
instance, if you wantto work inhealthcare, you could be a nurse or a doctor, you can
also considerparamedical careers in physiotherapy,occupational therapy and micro-
biology.
MODAL AUXILIARIES
Complete the following news item choosing the best phrases given below:

can‟t be can‟t have could take may get may not have
might be may be may be may not be ought not

As a result of the flooding, as many as 5,000 families a) might be homeless, although

the figure is onlyan estimate. „The emergency services are working hard, but I‟m sure
they b) may not have more than 20helicopters for rescue operation. It c) could
takedays to reach everyone and take them to safety,‟ said anaid worker in the area.
„Conditions for those families still waiting to be rescued d)might be/must

XII-ENGLISH Page 205

 bedreadful. Theree) can‟t beany clean water to drink. Worryingly, more rain is
forecast, so the floods f) may getworse inthe next few days. The emergency services
g) may not havetime to reach everyone before the watersrise again.

REPORTED SPEECH

Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

a) The pilot said to the passengers, “The plane will land in Delhi at 9 p.m.”
The pilot told the passengers that the plane would land in Delhi at 9
p.m.
b) The Principal said, “Young students must think about the ways to control the use of
plastic band in the school campus.”
The Principal advised/said that young students must think about
theways to control the use of plastic band in the school campus.
c) Gowtham said to me, “I was very ill last week, but I am better now.”
Gowtham told me that he had been very ill the previous week , but
hewas better then.
d) Priya said, “I want to give my sister a present.”
Priya said that she wanted to give her sister a present.
e) Madhu said to me, “I am so happy you have completed your project.”
Madhu told me that she was happy that I had completed my project.
f) The manager said, “I will speak to you on Friday.”
The manager said that he would speak to him on Friday.
g) Mani said to his coach, “I shall improve, if you guide me.”
Mani told his coach that he would improve if he guided him.
h) My mother said to me, “You can go swimming tomorrow.”
My mother told me that I could go swimming the next day.
i) Sandeep said to John, “Would you like to watch a movie with me?”
Sandeep asked John whether he would like to watch a movie with
him.
j) Geetha asked Angel, “Will you help me to pack my bag?”
Geetha asked Angel whether she would help her to pack her bag.
k) The librarian said to the students, “You are not allowed to scribble anything on the
library books.”
The librarian warned/ told the students that they were not allowed to
scribble anything on the library books.
l) The motorist said to me, “Can you direct me to the post office?”
The motorist asked me whether I could direct him to the post office.
m) Umar said to his mother, “Could you make me a cup of coffee?”
Umar asked his mother whether she could make her a cup of coffee.
n) The little boy said to me, “Alas! My dog is dead.”
XII-ENGLISH Page 206
 The little boy exclaimed sorrowfully that his dog was dead.
o) Grandmother said to her grandson, “May God bless you.”
Grandmother blessed her grandson that God might bless him
UNIT-II
PREPOSITION
Edit the following passage by circling the incorrect prepositions and writing the
correct preposition against each line.
a) Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest betweenthe sea creatures. 1. among
b)There have been several stories ofdolphins helping drowning sailors. 2. About
c)The more we learnondolphins, the more we realise how 3. About
d) amazing they are, they care offthe sick, protect the weakest 4. for
e) at danger, they communicate very well with each other. 5. In

CONJUNCTION
Spot the errors in the following sentences. Correct and rewrite them;
a) NeitherRamya is a singer nor a dancer.
Ramya is neither a singer nor a dancer.
b) Scarcely had the workers stepped out, than the building collapsed.
Scarcely had the workers stepped out when the building collapsed.

c) No sooner did the power resume, when the children screamed in joy.
No sooner did the power resume than the children screamed in joy.
d) My friend can type so fast as I.
My friend can type as fast as I
e) Sitha had no other assignment, but that of collecting the data.
Sitha had no other assignment than that of collecting the data.
f) Rekha cooks like her mother does.
Rekha cooks as her mother .
g) Professor Usha is not only a writer but an orator.
Professor Usha is not only a writer but also an orator
h) Your neighbours are not so wicked like you think.
Your neighbours are not so wicked as you think.
i)The girl both won an award and a scholarship.
The girl won both an award and a scholarship.
j) Three years have passed when my cousin resigned his job.
Three years have passed since my cousin resigned his job

UNIT –III

XII-ENGLISH Page 207

 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE
Change the voice of the following sentences
1. Gayathri gave a set of pens to Mani. (Active Voice)
A set of pens was given to Mani by Gayathri
2. By whom will the new stadium be built? (Passive Voice)
Who will build the new stadium?
3. Where will the holidays be spent by your family? (Passive Voice)
Where will your family spend the holidays?
4. They offered the job to Sundari. (Active Voice)
The job was offered to Sundari by them.
5. Could some money be lent to me by your father? (Passive Voice)
Could your father lend some money to me?
6. Let the door not be opened. (Passive Voice)
Don‟t open the door.
7. Sophia sold her old car to Selvi. (Active Voice)
Sophia‟s old car was sold to Selvi by her
8. Don‟t touch the electric wire with bare hands. (Active Voice)
Let the electric wire not be touched with bare hands.
9. I cannot agree to your proposal. (Active Voice)
Your proposal cannot be agreed to by me.

10. Kindly complete the assignment in time. (Active Voice)

Let the assignment be completed in time.
You are requested to complete the assignment in time.
11. Raman is known to me since childhood. (Passive Vice)
I know Raman since childhood.
12. Don‟t insult the poor and weak. (Active Voice)
Let the poor and weak not be insulted.
13. Who has broken the chair? (Active Voice)
By whom has the chair been broken?
14. His shoulder was hurt in an accident. (Passive Voice)
He hurt his shoulder in an accident.
15. It is time for the bell to be rung. (Passive Voice)
It is time to ring the bell.
16. We wish you forget this episode. (Active Voice)
It is wished by us that this episode is forgotten by you.
17. They would not have done this shameful act. (Active Voice)
This shameful act would not have been done by them.
18. How do you know my uncle? (Active Voice)
How is my uncle known to you?
19. It is believed that he is an honest man. (Passive Voice)

XII-ENGLISH Page 208

 People believe that he is an honest man.
20. My request was acceded to by the authorities. (Passive Voice)
The authorities acceded to my request.

QUESTION TAGS
Find out if the question tag used in each of the following sentences is right. If it is
correct, put a tick () or if it is incorrect, replace it with the correct tag question in the
box provided against each sentence.
1. These children look very weak and tired, aren‟t they? don‟t they?
2. Nobody can resolve this issue, can they?
3. We seldom speak to our neighbors, do we?
4. The old woman sells dolls made of sea-shells, doesn‟t she?
5. I have captured some beautiful moments in my camera, aren‟t I? haven‟t I ?
6. Pragathi put the bunch of flowers in the vase, doesn‟t she? didn‟t she ?
7. Arun was in a great dilemma at that time, didn‟t he? wasn‟t he?
8. I am an expert in cooking, am n‟t I? aren‟t I ?
9. Let‟s take this matter to court, can we? shall we?
10. Don‟t forget to hand over this file to my manager, do you? will you?
11. The pair of shoes near the door is not yours, are they? is it?
12. They have a resort in Yercaud, isn‟t it? haven‟t they?
13. Our dog scarcely sleeps at night, doesn‟t it? does it?
14. You do a lot of social service, don‟t you?
15. There is a stadium near your office, isn‟t it? isn‟t there?

UNIT –IV
KINDS OF SENTENCES
SIMPLE COMPLEX COMPOUND
Do as directed.
a) Besides being a singer, she is also a dancer. (Rewrite as a compound sentence)
She is not only a singer but also a dancer.
b) Praveen ran into the field so that he might congratulate the winners.
(Rewrite as a simple sentence)
Praveen ran into the field to congratulate the winners
c) The mountain was steep but he was able to climb it.
(Rewrite as a complex sentence)
Though the mountain was steep he was able to climb it.
d) Smita carried out the survey and presented her report.
(Rewrite as a simple sentence)
XII-ENGLISH Page 209
 Having carried out the survey, Smita presented her report
e) Unless you have a valid passport you cannot leave the country.
(Rewrite as a compound sentence)
You must have a valid passport or you cannot leave the country.
f) This is not the way to answer. (Rewrite as a complex sentence)
This is not the way that one should answer.
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence.

a)I met a man at the party. He is the Chairman of a computer

form.

a) I met the Chairman of a computer form at the party. (Simple Sentence)

b) I met a man who is the Chairman of a computer form at the party.
(Complex sentence)
c) I met a man at the party and he is the chairman of a computer form.
(Compound Sentence)
b) Mahatma Gandhi stood for Ahimsa. The whole world knows it.
a) The whole world knows that Mahatma Gandhi stood for Ahimsa.
(Complex Sentence)
b) Mahatma Gandhi stood for Ahimsa and the whole world knows it.
(Compound Sentence)
c) Concentrate on your strengths. You will reap success in your
life,
a) Concentrate on your strength to reap success in your life. (Simple Sentence)
b) If you concentrate on your strength you will reap success in your life.
(Complex Sentence)
c) Concentrate on our strength and then you will reap success in your life.
(Compound Sentence)
d) Consider all the facts once again. Then make your decision.
a )Make your decision after considering all the facts once again. (Simple Sentence)
b)Consider all the facts once again and then make your decision. (Compound Sentence)
e) A number of books are missing from the library. Measures
should be taken to retrieve them.
a )As a number of books are missing from the library measures should be taken to
retrieve them. (Complex Sentence)
b) A number of books are missing from the library and so measures should be taken to
retrieve them. (Compound Sentence)
c) Measures should be taken to retrieve a number of books missing from the library.
(Simple Sentence)

UNIT-V
XII-ENGLISH Page 210
 NON-FINITE VERBS
Fill in the blanks using suitable gerunds.
1. My friend is good at playing the saxophone.
2. They don‟t like working on Saturdays.
3. They started late, so they were afraid of missing the train.
4. She enjoys watching horror movies.
5. Walking on the wall can prove dangerous.
6. Driving a two wheeler without a helmet may prove fatal.
7. Wearing uniform to school is compulsory.
8. Planting trees is a must, to prevent soil erosion.
9. Seema apologized for coming late.
10. Organizing an event successfully is a challenge

UNSCRAMBLE THE SENTENCES.

1. rupees / lunch / to buy / it / twenty / costs
It costs twenty rupees to buy lunch.
2. become / my / is / a doctor / dream / to
My dream is to become a doctor
3. eight years / to win / it / took / the world cup
It took eight years to win the world cup.
4. as / a / I / want / collector/ to see / you
As a collector I want to see you.
I want to see you as a collector
5. divine / is / to forgive
To forgive is divine.
Complete the conversation with the words from the box.
( to reach - to drive- to pay - to know - to turn)
Man : Could you show the way to the hospital?
Woman : Sure. I will guide you (1) to reach the hospital. In about 15 minutes you
will get there. Start by taking the GST Road for about 10 minutes. Remember, (2)
todrive carefully. The road is usually very busy. After 10 minutes you will reach a
grey wall. From there you have (3) to turn right and go straight. As you drive along
you will notice a bank. It is also important for you (4) to pay attention to the road as
there is a school nearby. Once you cross the school, you will get (5) to know the
whereabouts of the hospital.

XII-ENGLISH Page 211

 Rewrite changing the gerund in each of the following sentences to infinitives without
changing the meaning.
1. Teach me swimming.
Teach me to swim.
2. Giving is better than receiving.
To give is better than to receive
3. Seeing is believing.
To see is to believe.
4. I like reading.
I like to read.
5. He managed reaching there in time.
He managed to reach there in time.
6. Walking in the sun is harmful to the eyes.
To walk in the sun is harmful to the eyes
7. Stealing is a crime.
To steal is a crime
8. What I hate most is running across traffic.
What I hate most is to run across traffic.
9. Sitting here is wasting time.
To sit here is to waste time.
10. Exercising is good for health.
To exercise is good for health.

SPOT THE ERRORS, IF ANY.

1. She wants to continuing her studies abroad.
She wants to continue her studies abroad.
2. It was a shame breaking up.
It was a shame to breakup.
3. It will be a waste throwing the food away.
It will be a waste to throwthe food away.
4. She made me to cry.
She made me cry.(bare infinitive)
5. My company has delayed to give pay rise due to economic problems.
My company has delayed giving pay rise due to economic problem.
6. There‟s someone to talk on the phone, but they cannot hear me.
There‟s someone talking on the phone, but they cannot hear me.
7. My friends and I were sitting in a cafe and to talk.
My friends and I were sitting in a caféto talk.
8. To carry a heavy pile of books, she tripped and fell.
Carrying a heavy pile of books, she tripped and fell.

XII-ENGLISH Page 212

 ARTICLES AND DETERMINERS
Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles or determiners.
1. We met some/few/many Americans at the restaurant.
2. Monisha has some/few/many films in her hands.
3. I am the eldest in my family.
4. There are only few chocolates left for you.
5. Can you get me some butter?
6. They haven‟t got any roses in their garden.
7. Samuel hasn‟t got any homework today, so he is playing cricket.
8. Please give me a/the hammer and a/the nail.
9. My mother is an honest woman.
10. She bought a useful gadget.
11. Please give me an ice cube.
12. We need some light in the room.
13. Why are you reading this book?
14. My boss wanted adraft of the report in a day.
15. The hand-out is available online.

DEGREES OF COMPARISON
Identify the error in each of the following sentences and correct them appropriately.
1. Oxygen is more heavier than hydrogen.
Oxygen is heavier than hydrogen.
2. Very few indoor games are more interesting than chess.
Very few indoor games are as interesting as chess
3. Henry is the most strongest of all the players in the team.
Henry is the strongest of all the players in the team.
4. Faster you run, sooner you get tired.
The faster you run, the sooner you get tired.
5. Diamond is more precious than any gem.
Diamond is more precious than any other gem.
6. Mr. Sridhar is wiser than all men in our family.
Mr. Sridhar is wiser than all other men in our family.
7. The Biology lab in our school is spacious than the Chemistry lab.
The Biology lab in our school is more spacious than the Chemistry
lab.
8. This is one of the busier streets in our town.
This is one of the busiest streets in our town.
9. The sparrow is the most unique bird.

XII-ENGLISH Page 213

 The sparrow is a unique bird.
10. Beema is stronger among the five Pandava brothers.
Beema is the strongest among the five Pandava brothers.
11. An ounce is lesser than a gallon.
An ounce is less than a gallon.
12. Let me introduce my oldest daughter to you all.
Let me introduce my eldest daughter to you all.
13. Of the two sisters, Helen is the prettiest.
Of the two sisters, Helen is the prettier.
14. This is the most least mark I have ever scored.
This is the least mark I have ever scored.

PART III & IV

LSRW
NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Example :
1.Study the pie chart given and answer the question that follow :

Questions :
i) Which type of tourist centre is preferred by the second largest number of tourists?
Ans : Beach resorts type of tourist centre is preferred by the second largest number
of tourists.
ii) Which type of tourist centre is preferred by the least number of tourists?
Ans : Theme part type of tourist centre is preferred by the leasst number of tourists.
iii) Give your own reasons for more tourists preferring to visit Hill Stations.

XII-ENGLISH Page 214

 Ans : Nature is at its best in Hill Stations. So the preference to visist Hill Stations
more.

2.Study the pie chart given and answer the question that follow:

Questions :
i) What does the graph represent?
ii) What does the difference between the performance of 2002 and 2004?
iii) Which year had the maximum increase in export?
Answer:
i)The graph represent the export performance – Tata Steel.
ii) 84mt
iii) 2004 – 150 mt

3.Study the pie chart given and answer the question that follow:

Questions :
i) Which energy is available in abundance?
ii) What is the ratio between Hydro energy and Oil energy?
iii) Name the other sources of energy.
Answer :

XII-ENGLISH Page 215

 i) Oil energy
ii) 49%
iii) Nuclear 9%, coal 36%
4.Study the table and answer the question that follow

Questions :
i) What is the pollution level of Coovam in the year 2002?
ii) In which years do we see a difference of 200 millmetres of pollution level?
iii) What is the difference between the maximum and minimum pollution level
Answer :
i) 500 millimeter
ii) 2001-2002
iii) 600 millimeter

5.Percentage of vehicles crossing the bridge during peak hours.

Questions :
i) Which two vehicles show 45% of movement during peak hours?
ii) What is the difference in percentage between bicycles and bus?
iii) Which shows the least percentage of movement during peak hours?
Answer :
i) Bike 30% , cars 15%
ii) 30%
iii) Vans 5%
ROAD MAPS (3 MARKS)

XII-ENGLISH Page 216

 1. A man approaches you to direct him to a nearby bank. Here you find the road-map.
Write three instructions by way of helping him.
Raja stores

Main Road

R
State Bank Bus stop
School
You are here
Answer:
1. Please go straight and reach the main road.
2. Turn left an walk past the bus stop.
3. After crossing the first turn, you will find the State Bank opposite to Raja Stores.
COMPLETE THE DIALOGUE/DIALOGUE WRITING
Example :
a) Dialogue is a conversation between two or more persons in a narrative style.
Write a dialogue between a student and the class teacher regarding an educational
trip.
Student : Good morning, sir,
Class teacher : Good morning, Dany
Student : Are we going on an educational tour this year?
Class teacher : Oh, sure. As usual we go this year.
Student : Which is the main area of visit, sir?
Class teacher : Do you want to suggest a place?
Student : We haven‟t been to Ooty. So far sir.
Class teacher : Well, that‟s fine. This year we go to Ooty.
Student : I‟m very happy, sir. Thank you, sir.
Class teacher : It‟s Okay. Bye, take care.

b) Build a conversation for the following situations with a minimum of Five

exchanges.
1. A passenger and a railway staff regarding the cancellation of the reserved tickets.
Passenger : Excuse me, Sir,
Railway staff : May I help you?
Passenger : I reserved my ticket two days back.
Railway staff : What do you want, now?
Passenger : Sir, Actually, I had an interview in Delhi, next week. But it
has been postponed to next month. So I want to cancel it
now, Sir.
XII-ENGLISH Page 217
 Railway staff : Well, fill up the application and submit it with yourreservation
ticket.
Passenger : Here‟s the application and my ticket.
Railway staff : You may lose 25% of the fare. Is that okay.
Passenger : It doesn‟t matter, sir, Thank you, sir.

XII-ENGLISH Page 218

 DESCRIBING A PROCESS.

Example:-

e.g : How will you prepare potato chips? Describe the process briefly.
Slice the potato on a chip board. Wash them in water 3 to 4 times. Pour
sufficient water with necessary salt to taste and a bit of alum. Now, boil the
potato in this water till it is half cooked . Strain the water and dry them in hot
sun. Store it in air tight container. Fry them whenever needed. Add pepper or
chilly powder for taste.

BOOK BACK
1. Cleaning a flask.
 Steps :
 Add a pinch of non – abrasive washing powder or few drops of mild cleaning liquid
inside the flask.
 Add some hot water and shake well. you can also clean with bottle brush.
 Also clean the outer surface and cap of the flask.
 Wash the flask with water for 3 – 4 times until the foam disappear. Then allow it to
dry.
 If there is an unpleasant odour, add a pinch of sugar and clean the flask with hot water.
2. Preparation of apple juice
You plan to delight your parents and sister, serving them chilled apple juice. Here is
the process (Complete the sentences with the right form of the verbs)
Four or five apples are taken (take) and washed (wash) well. They are wiped (wipe)
dried and cut into pieces of medium size. The seeds are remove d (remove). Then
the apples are put (put) into the mixer. Some milk is added (add). The apples are
crushed (crush) and a fine liquid is obtained (obtain). This liquid is filtered (filter)
and the juice is stored (store)
in the refrigerator, It is taken (take) our whenever needed, and after adding sugar,
it served (serve) cups.
3. Installing a computer
The description of installing a computer in your study room is given in the form of
jumbled sentence.
Answer :
1, First open the box and take out the computer parts.
2.Set the computer on a table or flat surface
3, Plug both the computer and the monitor with a power cord.
4. Once you connect the CPU, connect the keyboard and mouse
XII-ENGLISH Page 219
 5. Before turning on the power, check that all parts are connected to the CPU.
6. Finally turn on the power.
Attempt a description of the following processes, in about 100 words each, either using
the imperative or the passive.

1. Preparing your favourite dish (Fried Rice)

 Steps :
 Taske required quantity of chopped onions, garlic, carrot and peas.
 Stir fry them with oil until tender in a pan.
 Add 2 cups of boiled rice and required salt in the pan and fry them.
 Add scrambled eggs and sauce to the rice and cook well.
 Now the fried rice is ready to serve.
2. Organizing a birthday party in your house.
 Sit down with your child and choose a party theme.
 Set a date.
 Book a venue or entertainment, if desired.
 Order invitations or purchase the supplies needed for homemade cards.
 Set a budget
 Write up a guest list.
 Begin shopping for gifts for the birthday kid.
3. Sending a letter by courier service
 Steps :
 Put the letter in a cover.
 Write the receiver‟s full address and his / her mobile phone number on one side of the
cover .
 On the other side write your address and your phone number.,
 Them close the over with a cello tape.
 Hand over the cover to the courier collection centre, pay ther changes and get a
receipt.
4. Obtaining a demand draft from a bank ?.
Visit any bank and ask for a demand draft application form or fill the form
online. Form details – you need to till up the details like the mode in which you want
to pay through cash or from your account using cheque.

XII-ENGLISH Page 220

 INFERENCE ABOUT THE DATA
1. Study the following table pertaining to the given topics and write threesentences on
your inference about the data:-
Look a the following non-verbal representational. Based on your understanding and
inference, write a paragraph on career trends in the next decade.
Managed by No. of blood Volume of blood Percentage
banks collected in million units
State Government 567 0.99 50.98
Private Hospitals 203 0.76 38.77
Voluntarty and Social 56 0.20 10.25
Organisations

Answer :
 The state government has more blood banks than private hospitals and voluntary
& social organizations.
 The state government collects more blood than private hospitals and voluntary &
social organizations.
 voluntary & social organizations collect the least volume of blood.

2. The following table gives information about the classification of foreign tourists
from four countries according to their mode of travel to India in 2002. Read the table
carefully and write a paragraph describing the information provided.

Country or Arrivals Proportion to the total (%)

Nationality
Japan 59709 94.7 1.1 4.2
Korea (South) 29374 94.3 0.1 5.6
Australia 50743 97.6 0.6 1.8
New Zealand 10811 96.7 0.8 2.5

Ans: Tourist from Japan are more than from the other three countries. The
tourist from Japan and Korea (South) who travel by air are nearly the safe.
Very few tourist travel by sea.

XII-ENGLISH Page 221

 UNSCRAMBLE THE SENTENCES.

1. rupees / lunch / to buy / it / twenty / costs

It costs twenty rupees to buy lunch.
2. become / my / is / a doctor / dream / to
My dream is to become a doctor
3. eight years / to win / it / took / the world cup
It took eight years to win the world cup.
4. as / a / I / want / collector/ to see / you
As a collector I want to see you.
5. divine / is / to forgive
To forgive is divine.

SEMANTIC NETWORK
Example:-
1. a) The flight was cancelled owing to fog.
b) The fertility of the soil can be preserved by the use of Bio-fertilizers.
c) The number of drop-outs has reduced drastically
d) The captain was reprimanded for insulting the umpire.
e) The UPS is not functioning properly.
(Education , Agriculture, Sports, Computer, Weather)

Ans: a) Weather b) Agriculture c) Education d) Sports e) Computer

2. a) Egg provides more protein and repair the worn-out tissues.

b) I got a chance to drive a Maruthi Swift which was very comfortable.
c) Make vegetable soup with coriander roots and carrots
d) The Cartoon Network Channel is liked by all children.
e) The chief justice of India, Mr. G.G. BalaKrishanan suggested the extension of ages
for the Judges.
(Law, Travel, Cooking, Nutrition, Media)

LETTER WRITING

a) Read the following letter carefully, discuss with your partner and answer the
questions.
Sir,
I request you to publish the following letter in your daily to address an important issue
which needs immediate redressal.
During weekends motorcyclists are seen racing on the East Coast road and the Old
Mahabalipuram road of Chennai. The amateur racers are risking their own lives and of

XII-ENGLISH Page 222

 the public as well. They are fearless and irresponsible, not knowing the price of human
lives. Risking others and their lives for their pleasure is highly condemnable. Even
school students indulge in such activities and cause fatal accidents. The racers have
started occupying the lanes and streets of busy localities. As such, the violation of
traffic rules often results in loss of young lives. Such reckless riders who violate traffic
rules should be punished severely. As a responsible citizen of the society, I request the
authorities concerned to take appropriate measures to put an end to this menace.
Yours truly,
Srivatsav.

a. Who is the sender of the letter?

Srivastav is the sender of the letter.
b. Who is the receiver?
The receiver is the editor of a leading newspaper .
c. What is the issue?
The issue is the violation of traffic rules.
d. What is the request of the sender?
The request of the sender is to take appropriate measures to put an end to the
menace of traffic violence.
e. Who will take steps after reading it?
The traffic police official / authority will take steps after reading it.

b) You have chosen Computer Science in the Higher Secondary Course. Write a letter
to your friend giving reasons for your choice. Read the clues given in brackets to
complete the letter.
Dear Albert,(Greeting)

Hope you are in the pink of your health. (enquire about his well being). I would
like to inform you that I‟ve chosen Computer Science in the Higher Secondary Course
Firstly, the knowledge of Computer Science is the need of the hour. The whole world
depends on Computer for everything. (reason for your choice of group). I wish to
become a journalist and a media expert. (state your ambition). We come to hear a lot of
fake news and false propagations in the social media and the society. (discuss recent
unhealthy happenings in social media and the society). These have made me realise
that there is need for this profession. (demand or need of this profession). I have plans
to pursue my MCA after my graduation. (higher studies or specialization). All the best
for your CA preparation. Convey my regards to your parents.
Yours lovingly,
(your name)
a) You had been to your Grandma‟s house during the summer holidays. You enjoyed
your stay in her company. Write a letter to your Grandma stating how much you miss
her after returning to your home. 16, Selva Avenue,

XII-ENGLISH Page 223

 Tirunelveli - 21,
August 10, 2023.
Dear Grandma,
I hope this letter finds you in the pink of health. Everyone at home is missing you.
However, I miss you the most after returning home.
I can forget my stay there during the summer holidays. You were with me always.
You took care of me in every way. I was treated like a prince. The tales which you
told almost concerning everything were wonderful.
The food that you cooked was very delicious. The tea that you make was so tasty.
No one does cooking like you. There was the flavor of love and affection in everything
that you gave me to eat and drink.
I remember you always. I miss you very much on returning here. Everyone sends
their love. All are quite fine.
Yours lovingly.
xxxx
b) You are the head of the English department in a renowned institution. You are
invite to preside over the inauguration of the English Literary club in your alma mater.
Respond to the letter you have received either accepting the invitation or expressing
your inability to attend the function.

i) Acceptance letter:
From
Department of English,
St.Paul Arts & Science College,
Tuticorin - 18,
July 12, 2023.
To
The Secretary
English Literary Club,
St. James Higher Secondary School,
Tuticorin.
Sir,
Sub: Acceptance of invitation - Reg.
Indeed I‟m very glad to know about the inaugural function of the English Literary Club
at your school. Thanks for your invitation to preside over the function in my alma
mater. I would like to utilize this opportunity and deliver the residential address.
I do hereby confirm my participation in the function.
18.9.23
xxxx Yours sincerely,
xxxx
(OR)

ii) Expressing inability letter:

From

XII-ENGLISH Page 224

 Department of English,
St.Paul Arts & Science College,
Tuticorin - 18,
July 12, 2023.
To
The Secretary
English Literary Club,
St. James Higher Secondary School,
Tuticorin.
Sir,
Sub: Inability to accept the invitation - Reg.
Thank you very much for inviting me to preside over the inauguration of the
English Literacy Club in my alma mater. I feel honoured and obliged. However, I shall
not be able to accept your invitation due to some previous commitments which keep
me confined to my place on that day.
Thanking you, once again for your kind invitation.
18.9.23
xx Yours Sincerely,
Xxxx
c) Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting him to help you obtain a
duplicate mark sheet of class XII, which you lost while travelling.
From
xxx,
S / O Dr. Jose Paul,
Palayamkottai.
To
The Headmaster,
Cathedral Higher Secondary School,
Palayamkottai.
Sir,
Sub: Issuance of duplicate Mark Sheet - Reg.
I would like to inform you that I passed class XII in March 2022. My registration
number is AA065784. Unfortunately, I lost my original mark sheet while travelling a
few days ago.
Hence, I request you to issue me a duplicate mark sheet.
Thanking you

Yours Faithfully,
12.08.23 xxx
d) Write a letter to AZ Company requesting them to replace the defective juicer that
you bought recently. Include the following details the problem, date of purchase,
receipt number, model and warranty.
From
xxx,

XII-ENGLISH Page 225

 16,Adalph Apartments,
Madurai.
To
Customer Service Manager,
Everest Electronics,
NSCB Road,
Madurai
Sir,
Sub: Replacement of defective juicer - Reg.
I purchased a juicer mixer grinder on 26th May, 20xx from your store. The receipt
number is 1057 and the product model number is M4589. It has a warranty for two
years.
The product is not working properly. The grinder blades are blunt and while
running the mix the machine becomes very hot in a few seconds.
So, I request you to kindly look into the matter and replace the defective juicer at
the earlier I have here with enclosed the copy of the receipt.
Thanking you
Yours Sincerely
30.09.2023 xxxx

e) You wish to become a pilot. Write a letter to a college enquiring about the details of
the pilot training course offered by the college. Include the following details in your
enquiry: duration of the course, fee structure, scholarships, hostel facilities and
placement details.
From
xxx,
45,Pearl Avenue,
Dharmar Nagar,
Tirunelveli
To
The Principal,
Star Pilot Training College,
Rajiv Nagar,
Bangaluru.
Sir,
Sub: Enquiry about Pilot training Program -Reg.
I have passed Std. 12 with 85% of marks in March 2019. I would like to join the pilot
training programme this year.
I shall be obliged if you could send the details regarding the duration of the course,
fee structure, scholarship, hostel facilities and placement details.
I have enclosed here with the copies of my certificates and testimonials for your
perusal and favourable disposal.
Thanking you,

XII-ENGLISH Page 226

 Yours faithfully,
12.08.23 xxxx

f) Write a letter to the manager of Waves Furniture Company ordering furniture for a
coaching centre. Include the following details: description of the furniture, number of
pieces, mode of payment, time and delivery options.

From
The Director,
Angel Coaching Centre,
52, WCC Road,
Tuticorin-628001.
To
The Manager,
M/S Waves Furniture Company,
Nagercoil-629007.
Kanyakumari(District)
Sir,
Sub: Order for furniture - Reg.
Please send the following items of furniture for our coaching centre at the above
address. These items should be suitable for the age group of 14 to 18 years. It will be
your responsibility that the items supplied by you should be of the specifications passed
by the state administration.
All the items should be sent through State Bank of India, Beach Road, Tuticorin.
The goods must be delivered through TVS parcel service during the working hours
between 9 am and 5 pm on all days except Sundays and government holidays.
1. dual Desks 100
2. Tables (General size) 10
3. Wooden chairs (General size)25
4. Stools 75
25th Sep,23 Yours Faithfully,
xxxx
(Director)

g) Write an application for the post of Personal Secretary to the Managing Director of a
company. Include the following details: Educational qualification, experience, various
other qualifications required for the post.
From
xxx,
36, Emerald street,
Diamond Nagar,
Coimbatore.

To

XII-ENGLISH Page 227

 The Managing Director,
M/S Eureka Scientific Suppliers,
Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600 002.
Sir,
Sub: Application for the Post of Personal secretary.
In response to your advertisement in the “The Hindu” dated 13th Oct 20xx, I offer
myself as a candidate for the post of personal secretary to the Managing Director of
your company.
I have been working since May 20xx as a Secretary to the Manager of M/S SJR
Computer Solution Pvt. Ltd, Salem. It is a reputed company. I am thinking of leaving
the job for better prospects and am interested in a challenging job. I am a graduate
from Madras University, Chennai securing a first class. I have also done a diploma
course in Computer Application from the Institute of Computer Technology,
Bangalore.
I possess an amiable nature but I am quite active in my work. By temperament and
disposition. I am sure to be suitable for promoting public relations.
I assure you that with my long experience and qualifications, I shall discharge my
duties to the entire satisfaction of my superiors.
Hope you will consider my application for appointment as early as possible.
Thanking You,
Yours faithfully,
14.10.23 xxx
Encl: Copies of certificates and testimonials.

h) Write a letter the Editor of a newspaper about the nuisance created by the roadside
vendors blocking the pavements and occupying the parking zone.
From
yyy,
70,Alpha Apartments, 5 Sep, 2023.
Gandhi Nagar,
Coimbatore - 1,

To
The Editor - in - chief,
The Indian Express,
Coimbatore.
Sir,
Sub: Vendors usurping pavements and parking zones - Reg.
As an avid reader of your newspaper, I always admire the way you take up social and
political issues in the hope of raising awareness and creating change in the country.
In this regard, I would like to bring to your attention the problems being created in
Gandhi Nagar area where I live.

XII-ENGLISH Page 228

 In our location, road side vendor have set up their tents of their carts selling fruits,
meat, vegetables and completely blocking the pavements for pedestrians and
sometimes even the road. The local police have not taken any action since years now
and I feel the situation is only getting worse as these vendors have been polluting
pavements and it has even led to an increase in crime.
Could you please kindly create an awareness about the situation through your
newspaper as it will help us a lot.
Thanking you,
Place: yyy,
Date: 05.09.2023 Yours sincerely,
xxx

i) Write a letter to your relative or friend who is admitted in hospital for treatment of
jaundice. Advise him / her not to worry about the illness and be positive. Assure him
/here of your psychological and financial help during the crisis.
63,Queens Street,
Nazareth,
16Oct,2023.
My dear ----------------------,
Hope this letter finds you in a good state of mind. Only today I came to know that
you are admitted in the Bell hospital, Tirunelveli for treatment of jaundice. It is good
that the doctors have diagnosed it in the early stage itself. Jaundice is a curable disease.
Proper treatment and systematic medication will easily make you healthy. You need to
take nutritious food regularly to sustain your health. Don‟t worry about anything.
Think positively. I‟m with you always. I‟m ready to help you financially. Be in touch
with me for your assistance. Though I‟m your friend, you are one among our family
members. Be of good cheers and I pray for your speedy recovery. Convey my love and
regards to your parents.
Yours sincerely,
xxx

The following table will help you to select the require qualification

Name of the post Required qualification

Principal ( College ) M.A., / M.Sc., / M.Com.,
M.Phil., Ph.D
Lecturer M.A., / M.Sc., / M.Com.,
M.Phil., / Ph.D
(Additional - A pass in the SLET
exam)
Head Master / Principal (School) M.A., / M.Sc., / M.Com.,& B.Ed.,
M.Ed.,
XII-ENGLISH Page 229
 Post Graduate Teacher in English / M.A., B.Ed., / M.Ed.,
Tamil / History / Economics)
Post Graduate Teacher in Physics / M.Sc., B.Ed., / M.Ed.,
chemistry / Botany / Zoology /
Mathematics
Special Teachers:
Computer Science M.C.A / M.Sc., ( Computer Science)
Librarian B.L.I.S., / M.L.I.S.,
P.E.T‟s Degree with B.P.Ed.,
Music Degree / Diploma in Music
Special Language Teachers (Hindi, Degree in the relevant subject
French, Sanskrit etc.)
Sales Executive Any degree with field experience

Sales Manager M.Com., with computer knowledge

Accounts Officer / Accountant / clerk Any degree
Stenographer Any degree with qualification in
shorthand
Typist Any degree with qualification in
typewriting
Personal Secretary / Telephone Any degree with good
Operator / Receptionist / Sales communication skill and fluency in
Representative / Medical English
Representative
Computer Operator Any degree with practical computer
knowledge
Nurse ( Male / Female) Degree / Diploma in Nursing
Pharmacist B.Pharm / D. Pharm
Radio & TV / AC & Fridge / Electrical A Diploma in the subject concerned
& Plumbing Mechanics

JOB APPLICATION LETTER

From yyy,
XXXX, 20.02.2023.
YYYY.
To
……………….,
……………….,
………………..
Sir,
Sub : Application for the post of ________ regarding.
Ref : Your advertisement in ________ dated _________.

XII-ENGLISH Page 230

 With reference to your advertisement in _______ dated _______ , I wish to apply for the
post of _________ . I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for your perusal and favourable
consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will discharge my duties in an
exemplary manner.
Thanking you,

Place : YYYY Yours faithfully,

Date : XXXX.
BIO – DATA
Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth :
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender :
Religion :
Nationality :
Marital Status :
Qualification :
Experience :
Languages known to speak :
Languages known to write :
Salary expected :
Other Skills :
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Station :
Date : XXXX
Signature of the applicant
Address to the envelope:
Application for the post of
…………._______________________________________

To stamp

………………

………………

………………

STENOGRAPHER CUM
XII-ENGLISH Page 231
TYPIST
An experienced graduate, either male or female
 From yyy,
XXXX, 20.2.2023.
YYYY.
To
Gokul Bros
7, car street ,Trichy-1
Sir,
Sub : Application for the post of STENOGRAPHER CUM TYPISTregarding.

Ref : Your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 17.02.2020.

With reference to your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 17.02.2022, I wish to apply
for the post of STENOGRAPHER CUM TYPIST . I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for
your perusal and favourable consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will
discharge my duties in an exemplary manner.
Thanking you,
Place : YYYY Yours‟ faithfully,
Date : 20.02.2023. XXXX.

BIO – DATA
Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth : 30-03-87 (32)
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender : Male.
Religion : Hindu.
Nationality : Indian.
Marital Status : Single.
Qualification :
S.No. NAME NAME OF NAME OF THE PERSENTAGE YEAR
XII-ENGLISH Page 232
 OF THE THE UNIVERSITY OF MARKS OF
DEGREE COLLEGE PASSING
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
1. B.Com., College., 75 % 2001
Madurai.
Pollachi.

Experience : 5 years in Madura Coats, Madurai

Languages known to speak : Tamil, English, Hindi
Languages known to write : Tamil, English, Hindi
Salary expected : 10,000
Other Skills : DCA with Tally. Senior Grade in type writing and
short hand.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Station : YYYY.
Date : 20.02.2023. XXXX
Signature of the applicant

Address to the envelope:

Application for the post of stenographer

To stamp

GOKUL BROS
7,Car Street, Thichy - 1

7,Car Street, Thichy - 1

Applications are invited from Eligible
GOKUL BROS
candidates for Receptionist for a reputed
hospital in Madurai
Chennai - 600 007.
Immediately apply to

From yyy,
………………
XXXX, 10.03.2023
………………
YYYY.

XII-ENGLISH
……………… Page 233
 To
SMS Hospitals,
27, Metamasi Street, Madurai.
Sir,

Sub : Application for the post of Receptionist regarding.

Ref : Your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 07.3.2023.

With reference to your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 07.3.2023, I wish to apply
for the post of Receptionist . I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for your perusal and
favourable consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will discharge my duties in
an exemplary manner.

Thanking you,

Place : YYYY Yours‟ faithfully,

Date : 20.8.2024. XXXX.

BIO – DATA

Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth : 30-03-87 (32)
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender : Male.
Religion : Hindu.
Nationality : Indian.
Marital Status : Single.
Qualification :
NAME NAME OF YEAR
NAME OF THE PERSENTAGE
S.No. OF THE THE OF
UNIVERSITY OF MARKS
DEGREE COLLEGE PASSING
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
1. B.A., College., 75 % 2001
Madurai.
Pollachi.
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
2. M.A., College., 80 % 2004
Madurai.
Pollachi.
Experience : 5 years in SVB textiles, Madurai
Languages known to speak : Tamil, English, Hindi
Languages known to write : Tamil, English, Hindi
Salary expected : 10,000.

XII-ENGLISH Page 234

 Other Skills : DCA with Tally. Senior Grade in type writing and
short hand.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Station :
Date : XXXX
Signature of the applicant
Address to the envelope:
Application for the post of Receptionist

To stamp
SMS Hospitals,
27, Metamasi Street,
Madurai.

3.
Applications are invited from qualified and
well experienced candidates with pleasing
personality and fluency in spoken language
in English for an esteemed pharmaceuticals
……..Apply with in 7 days ……….

Royapuram, Chennai
From yyy,
XXXX, 20.3.2023.
YYYY.
To
S.D.S. Pharmaceuticals,
Royapuram,
Chennai.

Sir,

Sub : Application for the post of Medical Representatives regarding.

Ref : Your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 17.03.2023.
With reference to your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 17.03.2023, I wish to apply
for the post of Medical Representatives. I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for your perusal
and favourable consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will discharge my
duties in an exemplary manner.
Thanking you,
Place : YYYY Yours faithfully,
XII-ENGLISH Page 235
 Date : XXXX.

BIO – DATA

Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth : 30-03-87 (32)
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender : Male.
Religion : Hindu.
Nationality : Indian.
Marital Status : Single.
Qualification :
NAME OF
NAME OF THE NAME OF THE PERSENTAGE YEAR OF
S.No. THE
COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF MARKS PASSING
DEGREE

TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
1. B.Pharm College., 75 % 2001
Madurai.
Pollachi.

TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
2. M.Pharm College., 8o % 2004
Madurai.
Pollachi.

Experience : 5 years in SVB Hospitals, Pollachi

Languages known to speak : Tamil, English, Hindi
Languages known to write : Tamil, English, Hindi
Salary expected : 10,000.
Other Skills : DCA with Tally. Senior Grade in type writing and
short hand.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my knowledge and
belief.
Station : YYYY.
Date : 20.03.20232. XXXX
Signature of the applicant
Address to the envelope:
Application for the post of Medical Representatives

To stamp

S.D.S. Pharmaceuticals,
Royapuram,
XII-ENGLISH Page 236
Chennai.
 4. Wanted English Teachers, PG degree with B.Ed. with two years experience.
Apply with full Resume to
The Principal,
ABC Matric Hr. Sec. School,
Chennai – 28.

From yyy,
XXXX, 25.03.2023.
YYYY.
To
The Principal,
ABC Matric Hr. Sec. School,
Chennai – 28.

Sir,
Sub : Application for the post of English Teacher regarding.
Ref : Your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 25.03.2023.
With reference to your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 25.03.2023, I wish to apply
for the post of English Teacher. I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for your perusal and
favourable consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will discharge my duties in
an exemplary manner.
Thanking you,
Place : YYYY Yours faithfully,
Date : XXXX.
BIO – DATA
Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth : 30-03-87 (32)
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender : Male.
Religion : Hindu.
Nationality : Indian.
Marital Status : Single.
Qualification :

XII-ENGLISH Page 237

 NAME NAME OF YEAR
PERSENTAGE
S.No. OF THE THE NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
OF MARKS
DEGREE COLLEGE PASSING
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
1. B.A., College., 75 % 2001
Madurai.
Pollachi.
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
2. M.A., College., 8o % 2004
Madurai.
Pollachi.
SVB
TN
College of
3. B.Ed., TeatchersEducationalUniversity., 85 % 2006
Education.,
Chennai.
Pollachi.
Experience : 5 years in SVB.,Hr. Sec. School., Madurai
Languages known to speak : Tamil, English, Hindi
Languages known to write : Tamil, English, Hindi
Salary expected : 40,000.
Other Skills : DCA with Tally. Senior Grade in type writing and
short hand.

DECLARATION
I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Station : YYYY.
Date : 25.03.2023. XXXX
Signature of the applicant
Address to the envelope:
Application for the post of salesman

To stamp

The Principal,
ABC Matric Hr. Sec. School,
Chennai – 28.

5.
Qualifications required:

Bachelor degree in Library Science Highly

talented and experienced candidates can
apply immediately to

Wisdom Light
Higher Sec. School,
Mettur Dam, Salem District
XII-ENGLISH Page 238
 From yyy,
XXXX, 27.03.2023.
YYYY.
To
Wisdom Light,
Higher Sec. School,
Mettur Dam,
Salem District.
Sir,
Sub : Application for the post of Librarian regarding.
Ref : Your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 27.03.2024.
With reference to your advertisement in „THE HINDU‟ dated 27.03.2024, I wish to apply
for the post of Librarian. I have herewith enclosed my bio-data for your perusal and
favourable consideration. If I am appointed, I assure you Sir, that I will discharge my duties in
an exemplary manner.
Thanking you,
Place : YYYY Yours faithfully,
Date : 20.12.2022 XXXX.
BIO – DATA

Name : XXXX
Father‟s Name : ABC
Postal Address : YYYY
Age / Date of Birth : 30-03-87 (32)
E-mail id : 1. xxx@yahoo.com
2.xxx@hotmail.com
Gender : Male.
Religion : Hindu.
Nationality : Indian.
Marital Status : Single.
Qualification :
NAME NAME OF YEAR
NAME OF THE PERSENTAGE
S.No. OF THE THE OF
UNIVERSITY OF MARKS
DEGREE COLLEGE PASSING
TMG Arts
M.K.University.,
1. BLIS College., 75 % 2001
Madurai.
Pollachi.

Experience : 5 years in SVB College of Arts and Science, Madurai

Languages known to speak : Tamil, English, Hindi
Languages known to write : Tamil, English, Hindi
Salary expected : 30,000.

XII-ENGLISH Page 239

 Other Skills : DCA with Tally. Senior Grade in type writing and
short hand.
DECLARATION

I hereby declare that all the above given details are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Station: YYYY.
Date : 27.03.2023. XXXX
Signature of the applicant

Address to the envelope:

Application for the post of salesman

To stamp
Wisdom Light,
Higher Sec. School,
Mettur Dam,
Salem District.

PARAGRAPH WRITING

Write a paragraph of about 150 words, on the following topics.

a) THE TEACHER I LIKE THE MOST
A teacher is a nation builder. They are held in high respect by all. But every
stone is not a gem. All teachers are not alike, nor equally gifted. These are only few
shining gems among them. There are number of teachers who have taught me in my
school but Mrs. Carr has impressed me the most for her learning, ability and her
approach towards students. She has an impressive personality. She teaches us English.
She is simple in dress and habits. Though a little serious and stern in her appearance,
she is tolerant and sympathetic at heart. She knows the mind of her children. A very
helpful lady. Her behaviour with the students is mother like. She seldom uses a cane.
She believes in obedience and discipline on the part of the students. She is regular and
punctual. She knows how to teach effectively. She creates an interest even into the
dull and dry lesions on grammar. Not a single student is found inattentive in her class.
She has won the confidence of her students. She is a mobile dictionary. I shall always
remember her with gratitude.

b) THE VALUE OF DISCIPLINE

There is value of discipline in all walks of life. Whether at school or at home, in
the office or in the factory, in the playground or in the battlefield, discipline is a
necessity. Discipline gives us an opportunity to learn, experience and grow without
discipline, there will be complete chaos and disorder. There will be no peace and
progress. To be guided by rules, to pay due regard to elders and superior officers, to
obey them and to behave in an orderly manner, all these come under the discipline. In

XII-ENGLISH Page 240

 schools, if the children are not disciplined, they will learn nothing and the very
purpose of education will be defeated. Similarly if the subordinates do no obey their
senior officers in offices and factories, it will become difficult to carry on the work of
production and administration. The country will not succeed if its public servants are
not disciplined. There will be no plan and no organization. Thus an undisciplined
nation cannot expect to remain independent even for a moment. Discipline is a virtue
and there is no evil in it. It builds character, develops strength and unity and fosters
co-operation. It is therefore necessary that students should be taught discipline from
their very childhood. It should never be overlooked, as it is the secret of success in life.

c) NEED FOR MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

In today‟s world man, machine and money are the modern day trinity where as
morality is just a casualty. As a result of this, our society has been suffering from much
of corruption, exploitation, merciless killings, casteism, communalism, terrorism and a
total crisis of character. In addition to all these the schools have been facing unhealthy
behavioural and indiscipline problems from students. The only solution for all these
problems is teacheringstudents moral education. The great goal of education is not to
cosmetically furnish the minds to produce doctors and engineers but to develop the
sense of right, duty, honour, love of god and humanity by imparting moral education
in schools. With this students can improve over allbehaviour with their teachers and
society too. If they learn moral values in school days, they will bring strong
foundation to beat social evils. Inspirational lesions about the great persons, so that
students may learn by their life. Education is complete when it leads to all round
development of the individual which encompasses not only mental but also moral
development. Moral Education influences the social thinking of the individual and
makes him/her distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. Moral education
is a basic need for modern where one is one fast witnessing a degeneration of moral
values. Moral education is important as it teaches diversity, tolerance mutual respect
and pluralistic values. The word „moral‟ comes from a Latin root „moralis‟ and means.
The code or customs of people, the social glue that defines how individuals should live
together. Moral values are values that express ideas about the good life, Education will
equip learners with tools of judgment in various situations leading to making
responsible choices and decisions. Therefore moral education should be an integral
part of the school and college curriculum.

d) THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD HEALTH

Good health is important because a man of health can enjoy great happiness
during his life-time. Without health we cannot do anything is this world. A man
suffering from ill health remains confined to bed. He cannot get out of doors. He
XII-ENGLISH Page 241
 cannot do anything for anybody. Health is more valuable than wealth. A sound mind
lives in a sound body. Health is essential for all our activities of life whatever we may
be a doctor, a leader, an artist, we must possess health by all means. We must follow
the laws of health from our very childhood. Early rising is the first law of health. The
first and essential condition of good health is regular exercise at stated times. Walking
is best form of exercise to remain healthy. Intoxicating drink and smoking should be
avoided for good health. As Gautam Buddha said, “To keep the body in good health is
a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear”. A person
must ensure good physical and mental health to lead a happy life. The physical and
mental are interconnected. Physical activities increase flow of oxygen and endorphins,
the” feel good” chemicals in our brain because of which it can work in a better way. So
we must take care of both. Maintaining healthy lifestyle is vital as its all about our
personal well being.

SUMMARY WRITING
Notes: Ants
Ants - divide up -work - innumerable kinds - scattered - world -called social
insects - because of - way they live - live in groups or colonies - ant colony -
made up of worker ants - female ants - not lay eggs - queen ants lay eggs - young
queens, male ants have wings - Some gather food - Some housekeeping - take
care of - queen, baby ants - some guard nest – guard workers -bigger, stronger
jaws - called soldiers - army ants march, build bridges, rope ways - fierce - Even
elephants - get out - way of an ant army - ant colony - anthill - to make rooms -
underground to line in - workers carry sand up to the surface - dump it - not all
ants live underground - Carpenter ants - live in dead wood - some live inside –
people’s houses - four stages in life – eggs, larvae, pupae and grown ants.
Summary
Rough Copy:- Ants
There are innumerable kinds of ants in the world. They are called social
insects, since they live in groups. An ant colony is called anthill. Queen ants lay
eggs. Young queens and male ants have wings. Worker ants gather food, do
housekeeping, take care of queen and baby ants and guard the nest. Some ants
build bridges. They have bigger and stronger jaws. They are called soldiers.
Some ants live in dead wood and some live in people’s houses. There are four
stages in ant‟s life. They are eggs, larvae, pupae and full grown ants.

Fair Copy :- Ants

XII-ENGLISH Page 242

 There are innumerable kinds of ants in the world. They are called social
insects, since they live in groups. An ant colony is called anthill. Queen ants lay
eggs. Young queens and male ants have wings. Worker ants gather food, do
housekeeping, take care of queen and baby ants and guard the nest. Some ants
live in dead wood and some live in people‟s houses. There are four stages in ant‟s
life. They are eggs, larvae, pupae and full grown ants.

XII-ENGLISH Page 243

 PROSE COMPREHENSION
Now read the following article on the emerging career options in the modern era and
answer the questions that follow.
SLOGAN WRITING

Write slogans to create awareness of the following topics using the tips given above.
• Junk food - Fast food, Fast death.
• Labour Day - Salute those who sweat and struggle for us.
• Save Water - Conserve water. Preserve life.
• Yoga - For a healthy, brisk and bustling life.
• Blood Donation - Donate Blood. Save Life.

DRAFTING A SPEECH
Task 1
On the occasion of World Environment Day you have been asked to deliver a
speech during morning assembly on the „Importance of Tree Planting‟. Write the
speech in about 100 – 150 words:
Respected Principal, learned teachers and my friends, I am Sundar from std XII and
I am here today to talk about the Importance of Tree Plantation. Tree plays a
significant role for all of us as well as for animals, insects, birds etc. We know the
famous slogan “Save trees, Save life”. So, let us acknowledge it. Trees give us shade.
Trees give beauty to any place. Trees bear beautiful and colourful flowers. They are
home to many animals, birds and insects. When trees are cut, these creatures lose their
home. Trees give food to man and all herbivorous animals and birds. Insects also
depend on trees to complete their life cycle. They are of great ecological importance.
Trees and forests help in maintaining monsoon cycles and rainfall patterns. They also
bind the soil and prevent the top layer of the soil, which is the most fertile, from
getting washed away in rains and floods. As trees are important for Planet Earth and
the environment, we must protect them. Tree plantation is an important activity that
makes our environment green, clean and healthy.
So, „Save trees, Save life‟. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.
Task 2
XII-ENGLISH Page 244
 Prepare a speech on “The Importance of Reading Habit” in about 100 – 150 words
using the hints below together with your own ideas.
Respected Principal, learned teachers and my friends, I am Sundar from std XII and I
am here today to talk about the Importance of Reading Habit. Reading is one of the
most important and priceless activities. Reading is the kind of exercise that keeps our
mind active and healthy. It is important to develop the habit of reading not only for
knowledge but also for personal growth and development. It develops positive thinking
and gives us a better perspective of life. It develops our imagination and provides us
with a fund of knowledge. Once we start reading, we experience a whole new world.
Reading can help us grow and give a new perspective about life. Good books can
influence us positively and guide us towards the right direction in life. Reading
develops language skills and vocabulary. Reading books is also a way to relax and
reduce stress. Reading increases creativity and enhances our understanding of life. If
we want to adopt some good habits in life reading should definitely be on the top of
our list. It plays a vital role in the optimistic growth and development of a person.
Reading leads to self-improvement. The pleasure of reading cannot be expressed in
words. One needs to read to experience the joy of reading. Remember the words of
Bacon, “Reading maketh a full man”.
Dear friends, „Be a reader. Become a leader‟.
Thank you for the patient hearing.

PROVERBS
1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
2. A bad settlement is better than a good lawsuit
3. The best is cheapest.
4. The good is the enemy of the best.
5. Put a beggar on horseback and he‟ll ride it to death.
6. A bellyful is one of meat, drink. or sorrow.
7. Better is the enemy of good.
8. Fine feathers make fine birds.
9. Don‟t bark if you can‟t bite.
10. Blood is thicker than water.
11. Good blood always shows itself.
12. Bloom where you are planted.
13. A book is a friend.
14. A rising tide lifts all boats.
15. Better bow than break.
16. Much bran and little meal.
17. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
18. A broken watch is right two times a day.
19. A new broom sweepethcleane.

XII-ENGLISH Page 245

20. You can‟t milk a bull.
21. If you buy quality, you only cry once.
22. You can‟t have your cake and eat it too.
23. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
24. Don‟t burn the candle at both ends.
25. Paddle your won canoe.
26. All cats love fish but hate to get their paws wet.
27. Curiosity killed the cat.
28. Cheaters never prosper.
29. “Never count your children twice”
30. Good clothes open all doors.
31. Cobblers children are worst shod.
32. Counsel is no command.
33. Common sense is not so common. A man is known by the company he keeps.
34. Better to be alone than in bad company.
35. Misery loves company.
36. A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
37. Courage lost, all lost.
38. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
39. Deep calls to deep.
40. First deserve then desire.
41. Give the devil his due.
42. Who digs a trap for others ends up in it himself.
43. An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit.
44. Better go about than fall into the ditch.
45. All are not thieves the dogs bark at.
46. The dogs bark but the caravan passes on.
47. The guilty dog barks the loudest.
48. Eat your own dog food.
49. Good eating deserves good drinking.
50. You don‟t shit where you eat.
51. Eavesdroppers hear no good of themselves.
52. There is no little enemy.
53. Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
54. Avoid evil and it will avoid thee.
55. Evil begets evil.
56. Fair play‟s a jewel.
57. We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
58. Good fences make good neighbors.
XII-ENGLISH Page 246
59. A burnt child dreads the fire.
60. Do not add oil to the fire.
61. You can‟t catch a fish without bones.
62. All is fish that comes to the nets.
63. If wishes were fishes, we‟d all cast nets.
64. Forgive and forget.
65. He is my friend who grinds at my mill.
66. No longer foster no longer friend.
67. Our friends are our mirrors and show us ourselves.
68. Stolen fruit is the sweetest.
69. You know the tree by its fruit.
70. A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.
71. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration.
72. Give and take is fair play.
73. Only the good die young.
74. Goose, gander and gosling are three sounds but one thing.
75. That government is best which governs least.
76. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
77. Fretting cares make grey hairs.
78. Hard words break no bones.
79. Drumming is not the way to catch a hare.
80. Two heads are better than one.
81. History repeats itself.
82. Who lives by hope will die of hunger.
83. A nod‟s as good as a wink to a blind horse.
84. Don‟t put the cart before the horse.
85. You can lead a horse to water but you can‟t make it drink.
86. Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse.
87. Admiration is the daughter of ignorance.
88. Ignorance is bliss.
89. Don‟t have too many irons in the fire.
90. No man is an island.
91. Hasty judgment leads to repentance.
92. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
93. Learning is the eye of the mind.
94. Kill your darlings.
95. A good mind possesses a kingdom.
96. It ain‟t over till the fat lady sings.
97. Laws catch flies, but letshomets go free.
XII-ENGLISH Page 247
98. Life begins at forty.
99. Life imitates art.
100. Life is what you make of it.
101. The best things in life are free.
102. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
103. Don‟t wash your dirty linen in public.
104. Little by little and bit by bit.
105. Live and let live.
106. All is not lost that is in danger.
107. Cometh the hour cometh the man.
108. Manners make the man.
109. Measure twice, cut once.
110. Repetition is the mother of memory.
111. It‟s never too late to men.
112. The longest mile is the last mile home.
113. Misfortunes never come singly.
114. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
115. Money makes the mare go.
116. Money talks, bullshit walks.
117. Don‟t make a mountain out of a molehill.
118. Burn not your house to rid it of the mouse.
119. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.
120. Nature is beyond all teaching.
121. A night with Venus and a life with mercury.
122. Old habits die hard.
123. Out of sight... Out of mind.
124. In for a penny in for a pound.
125. Penny wise, pound foolish.
126. Little pitchers have big ears.
127. Poets are born, but orators are trained.
128. Politeness costs nothing and gains everything.
129. A little pot is easily hot.
130. Poverty is the reward of idleness.
131. Every man has his price.
132. Pride comes before the fall.
133. A problem shared is a problem halved.
134. He that swells in prosperity will shrink in adversity.
135. proverbs run in pairs.
136. Punishment is lame but it comes.
137. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
138. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
139. There is no royal road to learning.
140. Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance.

XII-ENGLISH Page 248

141. There are sins of omission as well as of commission.
142. If you snooze you lose.
143. Call a spade a spade.
144. Variety is the spice of life.
145. A drowning man will clutch at a straw.
146. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.
147. A store is no sore.
148. Confidence is the companion of success.
149. Success is a journey not a destination.
150. There is nothing new under the sun.

XII-ENGLISH Page 249

 Q.R CODE
UNIT – I
PROSE : TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA – A.J.CRONIN
I. Choose the most appropriate synonym for the underlined word in each of the
following sentences:
1. -------my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanor.
a) curbed b) reversed c) kindled d) developed.
2. We came upon them in the deserted square, resting on the stone pavement beneath the
lights.
a) pedestal b) footpath c) parapet d)footbridge
3. I imagined that our destinations would be some humble dwellings.
a) houses b)meadows c)shrines d)orchards
4. I could scarcely believe my eyes.
a) instantly b) firmly c) thoroughly d)hardly
5. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused.
a)shelf b) chamber c)garage d)mill

II. Choose the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word in each of the
following sentences:
1. “Don‟t buy,” warned Luigi, our cautious driver.
a) worthless b) fearless c) hopeless d)reckless
2. In the week which followed we saw them frequently.
a)regularly b) rarely c) randomly d)routinely
3. What struck one most was their willingness to work.
a) compliance b) tolerance c) reluctance d)endurance
4. ----------they had suffered horribly from near starvation and exposure to the cold
winter.
a) protection b) disclosure c) comfort d)severity
5. In the twelve months she has been our patient she has made good progress.
a) distress b) improvement c)compression d)deterioration

6. Form compound words by combining the words in Box B with that of the words in
BOX – A BOX – B Box A : ANSWER
i) stair Skirts i) staircase
ii) hill Burn ii) hillside
iii) out Right iii) outskirts
iv) foot Side iv) foothills
v) side Berries v) sideburn
vi) up Case vi) upright
vii) straw Square vii) strawberries
viii) steel Hills viii) steel-rimmed
ix) public rimmed ix) public square
GRAMMAR
XII-ENGLISH Page 250
 I.Change the following sentences IN DIRECT SPEECH into indirect speech by
choosing the right options:
1. My father said, “How do you like your new job?”
a) My father asked how did I like my new job.
b) My father asked how I liked my new job.
c) My father enquired whether I liked my new job.
2. Vivek said to his sister,” You can use my phone, whenever you want.”
a) Vivek told his sister that she could use his phone, whenever
she wanted.
b) Vivek told his sister to use his phone, whenever she wanted.
c) Vivek told his sister that she could use his phone, whenever she wants.
3. The doctor said to Jane, “Don‟t eat fried food items till you recover completely”.
a) The doctor told Jane that she could not eat fried items till she recovered completely.
b) The doctor advised Jane not to eat fried food items till she had recovered
completely.
c) The doctor advised Jane not to eat fried food items till she
recovered completely.
4. My relatives said, “What a talented woman your mother is!”
a) My relatives exclaimed that my mother was a very talented
woman.
b) My relatives exclaimed what a talented woman my mother was.
c) My relatives exclaimed that your mother was such a talented woman.
5. Anu said to Priya, “Did you discuss this matter with the Manager yesterday?”
a) Anu asked Priya, whether she discussed that matter with the Manager the previous
day?”
b) Anu asked Priya, if did discuss that matter with the Manager yesterday.
c) Anu asked Priya if she had discussed that matter with the
Manager the day before.

MIXED TENSES:
II. choose the correct answer:
1. Raj ------------------lunch by the time they arrived.
a) finished b) was finished c) had finished d)has finished
2. I ------------------ a terrible headache. I am going to take medicine.
a) has b) have c) had had d)will have
3. A hot wind------------------ since Monday.
a) has been blowing b) is blowing c) blows d)blew
4. We‟ll meet in September when she ------------------ back.
a) will come b)will have come c)came d)comes
5. Adhira ------------------ a comic when the teacher asked her to come to the
blackboard.
a) was reading b) has been reading c) read d)has read

XII-ENGLISH Page 251

6. You won‟t need the jacket. It ------------------ warmer.
a) gets b) is getting c)has got d)had got
7. Vijay ------------------ when the meeting started.
a)hasn‟t arrived b) hadn‟t arrived
c) hasn‟t been arriving d)wasn‟t arriving
8. To be honest, I ------------------ she will be able to handle this properly.
a)doubt b) have doubted c) am doubting d)will doubt
9. They ------------------ for 5 years at the end of this year.
a) will work b) will have been working
c) will be working d)are going to work
10. The students ------------------ hard for the finals since morning.
a) have been practiced b)have practiced
c) have been practicing d) has practiced
11. Call the police. Our apartment ------------------ into pieces.
a) was broken b) has been broken c) is broken d) will be broken
12. She can‟t go hiking with us. She ------------------ on her new assignment all day
tomorrow.
a) will be working b)will work c) is working d) will have worked
13. By the time you finish my dress, it ------------------ old – fashioned.
a)will become b)will be becoming
c) is becoming d) will have become
14. They --------- for some time when their mother told them to be silent.
a) had shouted b)have shouted
c) had been shouting d) have been shouting
15. The letter by the end of the week.
a) is not going to be delivered b)won‟t be delivered
c) is not delivered d)won‟t have been delivered.
16. When the Principal entered the class, a student --------on the blackboard.
a) wrote b) writes c) was writing d) is writing
17. He saw me by chance and ----the car.
a) stop b) stops c) stopped d) was stopping
18. I was watching TV when she -------in
a)comes b)came c)come d)was coming
19. Philomena still remembers the day when she first -------to church.
a)went b) gone c) was going d)going
20. Had you worked hard, you ------------passed?
a) would b) would have c) will d)will have

MODAL VERBS:
1. When Hima Das was 16, she was a fast runner. She ------run 200 metres in 22 seconds.
a) can b) could c) can‟t d)couldn‟t

XII-ENGLISH Page 252

2. I‟m afraid I -------------- come to your party next Saturday.
a) can b) could c) can‟t d)couldn‟t
3. I was feeling terribly sick yesterday. I -------------- eat anything.
a) can b) could c) can‟t d)couldn‟t
4. This is a very precious book. You -----------lose it.
a)must b) mustn‟t c) needn‟t d) may not
5. You --------------- wash those carrots. They‟ve already been washed.
a)must b) mustn‟t c) needn‟t d) dare not
6. We ---------hurry. We don‟t have time.
a) might b) mustn‟t c) needn‟t d) ought to
7. This is a very interesting novel. You --------read it.
a) shall b)will c)should d)used to
8. The fire-fighters ------------enter the burning mall.
a) used to b) ought to c) need to d)dare to
9. Thou --------not steal.
a) shall b)will c)need d)would
10. -----------you mind looking after the baby?
a) Will b) shall c)would d)could

POEM : THE CASTLE – EDWIN MUIR

Read the Poem thoroughly and Complete the following by Choosing the Best Option :
1. ----------the soldiers had been in the castle.
a) From January to March b) During war
c)During winter d) Throughout summer
2. The soldiers had been watchful and did not find any --------to the castle
a) risk b)allies c) weapon d) mowers
3. The castle had really very strong and high walls and so no army could ---there easily.
a) footboard b) hold on c) footage d) foothold
4. The loyal soldiers would not ----------the trespassers
a) go with b) agree with c) spare d) fight with
5. ----------could only enter the castle.
a)The Civilians b) The Soldiers‟ families c) TheAnimals d) The Bird‟s
6. The captain and the soldiers had been --------------
a) brave and broadminded b) brave and bully
c) brave and loyal d) brutal land atrocious
7. Grew thin and treacherous air means ---------------
a) air has grown weak
b) the castle became air
c) the soldiers became weak
d) suddenly the castle has lost its strength

XII-ENGLISH Page 253

8. The secret galleries of the castle became bare because ---------------
a) someone had been baited b) some soldiers had been killed
c)allies soldiers had withdrawn d)civilians entered and looted.
9. In no time the strength of the citadel soldiers was ----by the greedy man.
a) summoned b)soiled c) severed d)sanctioned
10. True soldiers of the citadel were defeated by the --------------
a)loyal warder b) warder warrior
c)ambitious warder d) sincere gatekeeper

UNIT – II
PROSE: A NICE CUP OF A TEA – GEORGE ORWELL
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER:
1. The real name of George Orwell is
a) T.s. Eliot b) Eric Arthur Blair c) George Eliot d)Jane Austen
2. ----------is economical
a) Ceylonese tea b) Indian tea c) China tea d) green tea
3. Find out the word which is same in meaning to the word „comforting‟ --
a)confronting b)consoling c) baffling d) confusing
4. In the sentence ---------------„And with the other kind one‟s tea is always half cold. The
phrase the other kind refers to ----------
a) flat tea cup b) cylindrical tea cup c) flat, shallow tea cup d) mud tea cup
5. Morning coffee hour in England is called------------
a) breakfast hour b) elevenses c) thirteensies d) elevators
6. Find out the opposite to the word „destroy‟
a) ruin b) preserve c)stink d) allow
7. The tea that is served with sherry at the end is ------------
a) high tea b) low tea c) royale tea d) celebration tea
8. According to George Orwell, there are ------ golden rules for the perfect cup of tea
a) nine b) ten c)eleven d) eight
9. The word “Eire” refers to the country ------------
a) Scotland b) Eriteria c) Ireland d) Indonesia
10. As an idiom „cup of tea‟ refers to one‟s ------------
a) favourite place b) favourite activity
c) favourite phrase d) favourite beverage

GRAMMAR

1. Fill in the blanks with suitable PREPOSITIONS:

a) The angry client rushed straight into the Manager‟s room with the damaged
product. b) The children had slept before I returned home from office.
c) We have planned to tour around the ancient city for the next three days.

XII-ENGLISH Page 254

 d) We congratulate the woman athlete, who is undoubtedly an epitome of conviction,
on her winning India‟s first gold medal.
e) The researcher placed the specimen slide under the microscope and viewed the
magnified image through the eye-piece.

2. Fill in the blanks with suitable PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES given in the box
below:
From end to end / at peace with / in addition to / upside down /
without any exception / side by side / all at once / day by day /
beyond doubt / for the sake of
a) -----------the main course, we also had a dessert.
b)The political scenario appears to be worsening -------------
c) Place both the dolls --------------in the show case.
d) When the man saw his smiling baby his anger disappeared ------------
e) The Management decided to interview all the applicants ------------
f) The accused has been proved guilty ------------
g) I watched the movie keenly ------------
h) The breakthrough invention turned the world------------
i) Parents are always ready to sacrifice anything --------- their children.
j) You should be ------------ all your friend and colleagues.

Answer : a) in addition to b) day by day c) side by side d) all at once e)

without any expectation f) beyond doubt g) from end to end h) upside down i)
for the sake of j) at peace with

CONNECTIVES / LINKERS
I. Choose the appropriate linker from the brackets and complete the Sentences
(therefore, as if, such as, neither nor, however, after, so that)
1. He speaks about the subject ----------he were an expert.
2. We opened the window ---------- fresh air would blow into the house.
3. The flight fare is expensive; ---------- he booked a train ticket.
4. ----------commercial establishments ----------road side kiosks were left with much
stock of packaged drinking water in hot summer.
5. California is set to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos, ---------- scientists deemed it a toxic
air contaminant that harms brain development in babies.
6. The simplest of things, ---------- the names of the streets, can tell us so much about the
history and heritage of the past generations.
7. The worker died of sunstroke. ---------- the cause of the death was yet to be officially
confirmed.

Answer : 1) as if 2) so that 3) therefore 4) Neither, nor

5) after 6)such as 7) However

XII-ENGLISH Page 255

 II. SPOT THE ERRORS in the following sentences. Correct and rewrite them:
1. Neither Lekha is a singer nor a dancer.
Answer :Lekha is neither a singer nor a dancer.
2. Scarcely had the workers stepped out, than the building collapsed.
Answer : Scarcely had the workers stepped out, when the building collapsed.
3. No sooner did the power resume when, the children screamed in joy.
Answer : No sooner did the power resume than, the children screamed in joy
4. Tell me if you will come to movie or not.
Answer : Tell me if you can come to movie or not.
5. Sheetal had no other assignment, but that of collecting the data.
Answer : Sheetal had no other assignment, than that of collecting the data
6. Rekha cooks like her mother does.
Answer : Rekha cooks like her mother does – No Error
7. Professor Usha is not only a writer but an orator.
Answer :Professor Usha is not only a writer but also an orator
8. Your neighbours are not so wicked like you think.
Answer : Your neighbours are not so wicked as you think.
9. The girl both won an award and a scholarship.
Answer : The girl won both an award and a scholarship.
10. Three years have passed when my cousin resigned his job.
Answer : Three years had passed when my cousin resigned his job.

POEM : OUR CASUARINA TREE - TORU DUTT

Choose the correct answer: -

1. The casuarinas tree is compared to ----------
a) python b) scarf c) boughs d) flowers
2. The flowers are ---------- in colour
a) red b) blue c) green d)crimson
3. A ---------- sits like a statue in the tree
a) bird b) baboon c) kokila d) cow
4. ----------flower is found in the pond
a) Lotus b)Water lilies c)Roses d) Lilies
5. The poet likes the casuarina tree for its ----------with
a) magnificence b)strength c)bond d) love
6. The poet is able to leas the ----------of the tree
a)lament b) murmur c) speech d) noise
7. The poet was at ---------- when she wrote the poem remembering the casuarina tree
a) London or Yales b)France or Italy c) India &Bonlodes d) New
York
8. According to the poet the casuarina tree is ----------
a) happy b) deathless c) mortal d) heavenly
XII-ENGLISH Page 256
9. The meaning of the phrase „ oblivions curse‟ is
a) wiping the memory off b) forget c) death d) heavenly
10. ----------haunts her memory from prime to youth
a) Death b) Waves
c) Memory of the casuarina tree d) Memory of brothers.

UNIT – III

PROSE : IN CELEBRATION OF BEING ALIVE

– DR. CHRISTIAAN BARNARD

I. Choose the correct answer: -
1. Choose the single word equivalent of the phrasal verb „stem from‟ in the sentence.
My gloomy thoughts stem from an accident I had a few years ago.
a)dissipate b) originate c) resume d) flourish
2. Choose the most appropriate synonym of the work „perforated‟
a) punctured b) refreshed c)vanished d) enlarged
3. Which of the following is the suitable alternative for the phrase „over and over‟
a) force fully b) repeatedly c) excitedly d) ultimately
4. Choose the appropriate antonym of the word „gloomy‟
a)hopeful b) powerful c) graceful d) cheerful
5. There was a grand finale of scattered------------------
a) plaits b)plights c)plates d) pleats
6. Dr. Bernard is a -----surgeon.
a) cardiac b) neuro c) pediatric d) dental
7. Which of the following is not a derivative of the root word „noble‟
a) nobleness b)ignoble c) ennoble d) nobleless
8. Choose the word which is not the antonym of „important‟
a) trivial b)minor c) serious d)petty
9. They put on quite a show that day.
a) arranged b)displayed c) transported d) commenced
10. ---------the mechanic was totally blind.
a)sight impaired b)visionless person
c) bleary - eyed d) visually challenged

II. Choose the most suitable synonym for the underlined word in the sentence below.
11. Suffering seems so cruelly prevalent in the world today.
a) common b)painful c) violent d) sensitive
12. Grand Prix is one of several international ---------events.
a) ice-skating b) swimming c) motor-racing d) gun shooting

GRAMMAR

XII-ENGLISH Page 257

 In the following questions,. a sentence has been given in ACTIVE / PASSIVE
VOICE. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the
same sentence in PASSIVE / ACTIVE VOICE.
1. One should keep ones promises
a) Promises should be kept by someone b)One promise should be kept
c) Once a promise should be kept d) Promises should be kept.
2. People in Egypt speak Arabic.
a) Arabic was spoken by people in Egypt
b) Arabic is spoken in Egypt.
c) In Egypt Arabic is spoken
d) Arabic is being spoken by people in Egypt
3. The poor must be looked after by society.
a) Society must have looked after the poor.
b) Society must look after the poor.
c) Society must be looked alter the poor.
d) Society must looked after the poor.
4. We should respect elders.
a) Elders should have respected b) Elders are to be respected
c) Elders have been respected d) Elders should be respected
5. Can we rely on him?
a) Can he be relied on? b) Can we be relied by him?
c) Can he be relied by us? d) Can we be relied on by him?
6. Who teaches you English?
a)Bywhom you are taught English?
b) By whom English is taught to you?
c) By whom was you taught English?
d) By whom are you taught English?
7. Do not insult the poor
a) Let the poor not to insult b) Let not the poor be insulted
c) Let the poor to be not insulted d) Let us not insulted the poor
8. It interests me.
a) I have been interested in It b) I am interested in it
c) I will be Interested in it d) I was interested in it
9. The boy laughed at the lame man.
a) The boy laughed seeing the lame man
b) The lame man was laughed at by the boy.
c) The boy laughed when he saw the lame man.
d) The lame man was laughed by the boy
10. Rohit was taken to the hospital by the villagers.
a) Rohit was helped by the villagers to reach the hospital
b) The villagers took Robit to the hospital
c)The hospital was reached by the villagers with Rohit
d) The villagers reached the hospital with Rohit.

XII-ENGLISH Page 258

11. Complete the minutes of the last meeting.
a) The last meeting‟s minutes are completed.
b) The completed minutes of last meeting is to be tabled
c) Miuntes of the last meeting are to be completed
d) The meetings last minutes are completed.
12. Grandfather was digging the flowerbeds.
a) The grandfather was digging flowerbeds.
b) The flowerbeds were digging grandfather.
c) Grandfather‟s flowerbeds were being dug
d) The flowerbeds were being dug by grandfather.
13. I will complete my project next week.
a) Next week my project I will complete.
b) Next week my project will be completed.
c) My project will be completed by me next week.
d) My project I will completed next week
14. God helps those who help themselves.
a) Those who help themselves help God.
b) Those who help themselves are helped by God.
c) Those who help God help themselves.
d) Those who are helped by themselves are helped by God.
15. He will object to my proposal.
a) My proposal will be objected to by him.
b) The objection to my proposal will come from him
c) His objection will be to my proposal
d) There will be an objection to my proposal by him.
16. Why didn‟t you bring the matter to my notice?
a) Why wasn‟t the matter brought to my notice
b) Why isn‟t the matter brought by you to my notice?
c) Why isn‟t the matter brought to my notice?
d) Why wasn‟t the matter brought by you to my notice?
17. People say that he is a spy.
a) It was said that he is a spy.
b) It is said by people that he is a spy.
c) It has been said that he is a spy
d) It is said that he is a spy.
18. The task should have been completed by the student.
a) The student should have completed the task.
b)The student should complete the task.
c) The student should be completing the task.
d) The student should have complete the task.
19. He was caught by the police for littering up the street.
a) The police has caught him littering up the street.
b) The police was catching him littering up the street.

XII-ENGLISH Page 259

 c) The police caught him for littering up the street.
d) The police catches him littering up the street.
20. Let the window be opened.
a) Window be opened b) Leave the window open
c) Open the window d)Don‟t close the window

SUPPLEMETARY : THE HOUR OF TRUTH (PLAY)

– PERCIVAL WILDE
Match the idioms under column A with their meanings in column B :
A B
1. to make good a) sudden unexpected event
2. save one‟s skin b) compensate for a wrong doing
3. make both ends meet c) to be very powerful
4. a bolt from the blue d) protect oneself from difficulty
5. have the whip hand e) manage one‟s expenses within one‟s income
Answer : 1. b) compensate for a wrong doing
2. d) protect oneself from difficulty
3. e) manage one‟s expenses within one‟s income
4. a) sudden, unexpected event
5. c) to be very powerful

UNIT – IV

PROSE : THE SUMMIT – EDMUND HILLARY

A. Read the following sentences and choose the right synonym from the given for the
underlined words.
(thrust, devout, perpetual, donned, enormous)
1. Over our down clothing we put on our windproof and on to our hands we pulled three
pairs of gloves – silk, woolen and windproof.
2. -------a firm push in a specified direction of the ice – axe would sink it half-way up the
shaft, giving a solid and comfortable belay.
3. It was a great thrill to look straight down this huge rock face and to see, 8000 feet
below us, the tiny tents of Camp 4 in the Western Cwm.
4. Small offerings, indeed, but at least a token gift to the Gods that all pious Buddhists
believe have their home on this lofty summit.

XII-ENGLISH Page 260

5. We crawled into the tent and, with a sigh of delight, collapsed into our sleeping – bags,
while the tents flapped and shook under the everlasting Sough Col gate.

Answer : 1. donned 2. thrust 3. enormous 4. devout 5. perpetual

B. Choose the antonyms for the given words from the text.
Lowered, gradually, lost, extravagantly, follow, narrow, heavier,
attached, Law, appearing, carelessly.
Answer :
lowered x hoisted gradually x suddenly
lost x found extravagantly x sparingly
follow x lead narrow x wide
heavier x lighter attached x removed
low x high appearing x concealed
carelessly x cautiously

POEM : ULYSSES – ALFRED TENNYSON

Choose the correct answer:

1. Ulysses -----------his life in his kingdom.
a) enjoys b) despises c) prefers d) favours
2. Ulysses has become ------------by virtue of his travels.
a) tired b) hungry c) liberal d)popular
3. This gray spirit yearning in desire to follow knowledge like a sinking star. This „gray
spirit‟ belongs to -----------
a) all sailors b) knowledgeable persons c) Ulysses d) travelers
4. “To whom I leave the scepter and the isle”. The „isle‟ refers to ----------
a) The kingdom of Ulysses b) Land of three suns
c) The Hyades d)Troy
5. Telemachus would subdue his subjects through ------------
a) austerity b) ruthlessness c) genuineness d)gentleness
6. --------with a frolic welcome faced thunder and sunshine pleasantly.
a)The subjects b) The household gods
c) The horsemen d)The mariners
7. The venture of Ulysses and his sailors ----------
a) is for conquests b) seeks newer worlds
c) lasts up to the sunset d) results in certain death
8. Achilles is ---------
a)a mighty Greek warrior b) an enemy of Ulysses
c) a fairy d) a terrible monster

XII-ENGLISH Page 261

9. Ulysses laments the -------of his youth.
a) loss of strength b)loss of his kingdom
c) happy life d) power and wealth
10. Which of the following did Ulysses and his sailors not have?
a) striving b) seeking c) finding d) yielding

GRAMMAR
CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Choose the correct form of the verb and complete the following conditional sentences :
1. If you -------------(complete / completed / had completed / have completed ) your
plus two successfully. you will have many choices before you for your further studies,
employment and vocation.
2. If you are a nature lover, you ---------(can try / trying / tried / are trying )
horticulture and gardening.
3. If you are good at language, storytelling, original writing skill --------(go / are going /
going / can go)for language and culture studies.
4. Music, television and film may be a good choice if you ---------(have / has / having /
had had) skill in acting.
5. Logistics ------(are going / will be / were / would) a good choice if you want to try
your luck in import and export business.
6. If you -----wished / wish / wishing / are wishing ) to show your talent in capturing the
beauty photography may give you amazing opening.
7. If you want to be a trend setter -----(take / took / taken / have taken / had taken ) a
new pat and don‟t travel on a beaten track.
8. Most importantly students will have bright vocational choices in life if they -----------
(give / gave / given ) skill based training from the schools as Gandhiji emphasized.
9. Knowing well about the deadly weather at our border if they are ready to serve our
nation, what do we -----------them?
a) call b)called c)calling d)have called
10. If you -----a citizen of this nation you ought to know its glorious past.
a) are b)being c) be d) been
11. Will I get admission in this college if I ------more than 85%?
a) secured b) scored c) score d) am scored
12. What would Raja do if he -------------that this one is a fake company?
a) knew b) Found c) has found d) finds
13. How -------I support Saritha if she had no plan for the needy?
a)is having b)is c) has d) would
14. Omar would have joined army if he ----------the physical tests.
a) has passed b) has pass c) passes d) had passed

XII-ENGLISH Page 262

15. If I won the lottery I ------you.
a) would inform b) would be informed
c) will have inform d) would have been informed
16. If Ramya wears a light colour saree she ---------awesome.
a) may look b) look c) looked d) looks
17. If you ----------composed even in a difficult situation, you shall win the hearts of
many people.
a) stay b)stayed c)have stayed d)had stayed
18. If the crow had been careful it --------its vada
a) would not lose b) should have lost c)could d) would not have lost
19. If Selvi -------the lecture she would have changed her earlier view.
a) had attended b) has attended
c) has been attended d) have been attended
20. My mother and her friend -------if they had had an idea about the horrible weather
condition of that place.
a) would have pilgrimage b) would have pilgrimaged
c) would not have pilgrimaged d) should not have pilgrimaged
21. Even if I don‟t know the answer I ---------from my neighbor.
a) will no copy b)won‟t copy c) would copy d)shall copy
22. If a person says he knew his future he --------kidding.
a) would be b)will c) will be d) is
23. If a person goes on smoking the air around him ------------polluted.
a) will get b) gets c)would get d) would have got
24. If I ----------a Millionaire, I would help others.
a) am b) was c) were d) have been
25. People ------if the rich helped them unconditionally.
a) suffered b) will suffer c) would not suffer d) suffering

UNIT – VI
PROSE : ON THE RULE OF THE ROAD – A.G. GARDINER
Choose the correct answer :
1. A stout --------- was walking with her basket down the middle of the street in
Petrograd.
a) old man b) old woman c) young lady d) small
2. The pavement is for --------------
a) pedestrians b)buses c) trains d) flight
3. If all take liberty in their hands the end will be ---------------
a) brother b) chaos c) peace d) bliss
4. -----------liberty could have become social anarchy.
a) Social b) Individual c) Universal d)Mob
5. Liberty is a ----------------affair.
a) social b) Personal c) genial d) Universal

XII-ENGLISH Page 263

6. Dying the hair red is ----------
a) Social contract b) Personal libertyc) individual liberty d) reasonable
7. We are always conscious of the ------of others.
a) good nature b) imperfections c) silly thing d) behavior
8. The behavior of the police men to maintain traffic may be termed as ----
a) tyranny b) liberty c) insolence d) social order
9. The air ailment of personal liberty will result in ------------
a) confusion b) liberty – drunk c) social anarchy d) social order
10. When one steps out of the personal demon and enter into public our personal liberty
of action becomes qualified by -----------
a) other‟s liberty b) public liberty
c) personal liberty d) our insolent behavior

GRAMMAR
Choose the correct Answer :
1. Man and woman -----------complementary to each other .(is /are)
2. Plenty of mangoes and bananas-------available in this season (is / are)
3. A dictionary and an atlas ------------missing from the library (is / are )
4. Here ----------the keys (is / are )
5. Cats and dogs ----------not get along (do / does)
6. The brothers as well as their sister --------good at their studies (is / are )
7. The students accompanied by their teacher ---gone on a picnic. (has / have)
8. A lot of houses ---------------collapsed in the Fan storm. (has / have)
9. The children as well as their mother -----------missing. (is / are )
10. A large sum of money ----------stolen. (was / were)

POEM : INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP

– ROBERT BROWNING

I. Choose the best option and complete the following sentences.

1. The French stormed ----------
a) Ratisbon b)Moscow c)London d)Brisbane
2. Ratisbon is in --------------
a) England b) Russia c) Germany d) Asia
3. Napoleon was the emperor of --------------------
a) Germany b) Greece c) France d)Italy
4. Napoleon stood on a ----------on a storming day.
a)palace b) mound c) mount d) roof
5. The young soldier came on a --------------
a) cart b) chariot c) horse d) palanquin

II.Answer the following after reading the given poetic lines.

XII-ENGLISH Page 264

1. “Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind”.
a) Pick out the rhyming words. behind - mind
b) Write the alliterating words. legs – locked
2. „you‟re wounded!‟‟Nay‟, his soldier‟s pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
a) Who is wounded? The young soldier
b) Was he really wounded? Yes
c) What do you mean by „Nay‟? Nay means No

XII-ENGLISH Page 265

 HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION
PTA MODEL QUESTION PAPER – 1/ 2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90
SUBJECT:ENGLISH

PART-I
Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. -----------Seeing your car pulled up by his insolence of office.
a) gentleness b) modesty c) awareness d)Rudeness
2. I experienced not only agonyand fear but also anger.
a) suffering b)frustration c)confusion d) Pride
3. We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackenedwe went over.
a)increased b) heightened c) reduced d) Multiplied
4. Choose the antonym of the underlined word in the following sentences
The end of such liberty would be universal chaos.
a) Confusion b) orderliness c) disorder d) Commotion
5. We came upon them in the windy and desertedsquare.
a) deprived b) inhabited c) lonely d) despised.
6. He had returned to the hospital because he had a malignanttumour of the bone.
a) serious b)big c)benign d) Harmful
7. Choose the meaning of the foreign word“ fau pas”.
a)Wonderful incident b) social behaviour c) good decision d) false pass
8. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation OPEC
a) Organisation of Proper Education Committee
b)Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
c) Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries
d) Oil, Petrol and Ethanol Committee
9. Choose the correct compound word that can be placed after before the word “fast”
a)run b) walk c) break d)Sit
10. Choose the suitable meaning for the idiom “ in deep waters”
a) Under the water b) under the ocean c) in trouble d) Wealthy
condition
11. Write the American English word for the underlined word in the following sentence
“He is a beggar”
12. Choose the clipped form of the word “influenza”
a)influ b) influence c)fluenza d)Flu
13. Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence
“Manu taught me English”
a) SVCA b)SVAA c)SVIODO d)SVOC
14. All citizens -----------obey the laws of the land. (Use a Modal verb)
a) can b) could c) must d)Would

XII-ENGLISH Page 266

15. Form a new word by adding suitable prefix to the root word “lucky”
a) On b)in c)dis d) Un
16. Numismatics is the study of --------------
a) numbers b) money and coin c) speech sounds d) Lunatics
17. Choose the correct plural form of “calf”
a) Calfs b) calve c) calves d) Calf
18. Choose the trisyllabic word
a)initial b) command c) property d) Enthusiastic
19. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct homophone
The ---------ate the -------of the coconut (kernel / colonel)
20. Choose the correct question tag for the following statement
Sakthi was in a great dilemma at that time -------------?
a)Didn‟t she? b) Did she? c) wasn‟t she? d)isn‟t she?

PART – II
SECTION – A
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions 4x2=8
21. “Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind”
a) Whose action is described here?
b) What is his state of mind?
22. “Then the whining school boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school”
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) How does the boy go to school?
23. “Life is hard, be steel, be a rock”
a) How should one face life?
b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line
24. “A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live”
a)Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
b) What quality of tree in highlighted here?
25. “ ---for my purpose hold,
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths,
Of all the western stars, until I die”
a) What was Ulysses‟ purpose in life?
b) What does the word “baths” mean here?
26. “Our gates were strong our walls were thick
So smooth and high, no man could win”

XII-ENGLISH Page 267

 a) How safe was the castle?
b) What was the firm belief of the soldiers?

SECTION – B
DO as directed (Any three) 3x2=6
27. Rathi said to me, I was very ill last week, but I am better now” (Change into Indirect speech)
28. If you should need my help, just call me (Begin with should)
29. By whom will the new stadium be built? (Change the voice)
30. Sibi is a very intelligent student. (Change into complex sentence)

PART – III
SECTION – A
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “The wizened warder let them through”
32. “Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect”
33. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel”
SECTION – B
Answer any two of the following briefly 2x3=6
34. What is liberty according to the old lady?
35. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopa
36. What happened in the grand finale?
SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following 3x3=9
37. Expand the following Headlines
a) Onion price goes up
b) Arun Jaitly passes away
c)Plastic carry bags banned in shops

38. Write a dialogue of at least 10 utterances between a politician and a citizen.

39. Prepare an Exam check list for a student appearing fo the public exam.
40. Rearrange the jumbled proverb
a)who help / themselves / God / those / helps
b) brain / is the / workshop / An idle / devil‟s
c) a pound / prevention / of cure / an ounce of / is better than
PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Summarise George Orwell‟s distinctive ideas in “A nice cup of tea”
b) Explain in your own words “What freedom means?”
42. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer
b) Describe the various stages of a man‟s life picturised in the poem “ All the World‟s a stage”

XII-ENGLISH Page 268

43. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)”Water is the elixir of life” Explain this through Pi‟s story
b) The sun brought about a positive change in the attitude of the children. Illustrate the
statement through the story “All summer in a Day”.
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
Women education is very important for the proper social and economic growth of the
country. Both men and women are like two dies of the coin and run equally like two wheels
of the society. Hence both are important elements for the growth and development of the
country. Thus they require equal opportunity for education. If anyone is neglected social
progress is not possible. The female education in India is highly necessary for the future of the
country as women are the first teachers of their children, the future of the nation. If education
of women is ignored, it would be a deterrent to the bright future of the nation. An uneducated
woman cannot handle the family, give proper care for the children and thus cannot guide the
future generation. An educated woman may easily handle her family, make each family
member responsible, infuse good qualities in children, and participate in social work. All these
would lead towards a social and economically healthy nation. By educating a man, only a man
be educated however by educating a woman, a whole country can be educated. Lack of
women education weakens the society. So women should have full rights for education and
should not be treated as inferior to men. India is now a leading country in the field of women
education. History of India is replete with brace women philosophers like Gargi, Vishwabara,
Maritreyi and other famous women like Mirabai, Durgabeti, Ahalyabi, Laxmibai etc. All the
famous historical women in India are inspiration for the women of this age. We should never
forget their contributions to the society and country.
45. Write a letter to the manager of Waves Furniture Company ordering furniture for a coaching
centre. Include the following details.
 Description of the furniture
 Number of pieces
 Mode of payment, time and delivery option
(OR)
Write a Paragraph about “Your Science Project”
46. Spot the error
a) Oxygen is more heavier than hydrogen
b) Professor Usha is not only a writer but an orator.
c) We needn‟t apply for a bank loan, do we?.
d) The dog jumped in the well.
e) One of my teachers are rich.
(OR)
Do as directed
a) I -------------(talk) to my brother, when the guests arrived. (Use a suitable tense form)
b) I -------------(help) you, if I had time. (Use a suitable tense form)
c) Caesar‟s wife ----------------be above suspicion. (use a model verb)
d) My marks are so poor that I ---------not show my progress report to my father. (Use a

XII-ENGLISH Page 269

 semi modal verb)
a) Karishma did not act in any film. (Add a suitable question tag)
47. Develop the following hints into a story.
Birbal – courtiers jealous of him – ask Akbar to test – one courtier questioned him – how
many crows in Agra – a week time given – Akbar seen in terrace – after a week – replied – as
many as hairs in the courtier‟s head – Akbar laughs
(OR)
Read the following passage and answer in your own words, the questions given below.
Varanasi, the pre eminent historic centre in India, is a cumulative city. Over many
centuries it has been accrued by design, reconfigured by rulers, lost parts to devastating
demolitions, been replenished by meaningful additions, and disfigured by insensitive
constructions. As Diana Eck perceptively says in her hugely popular book on Varanasi, there is
“hardly a stone left upon stone”. The city continues to churn and the biggest of all changes has
just been initiated. A project to redevelop areas around the Vishwanath temple and provide
upgraded amenities to pilgrims was started. The details are now accessible, and it appears that
the project is by far the most extensive attempt to intervene in the urban setting and historical
landscape of the city. When completed, it will radically alter the ground and bestow singular
importance of Vishwanath temple. In a multinucleated, labyrinthine and fine grain city such
as Varanasi, the new scale and order imposed by the project has set off fiery debates. Some
approvingly argue in favour of its decisive strategy to upgrade the place, while some clearly
disagree and critique the extensive demolition, loss of historical character and its potential to
change the multicultural nature of the city.
Questions:
a) What is Varanasi considered as ?
b) Why did it lose pats of it?
c) What did Diana Eck say about Varanasi?
d) What is the purpose of the new project?
e) What debate has the project set off?

XII-ENGLISH Page 270

 HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION
PTA MODEL QUSTION PAPER – 2/2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
PART-I
Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. I continued making the trail on up the ridge.
a) design b) signal c) sound d)Track
2. I have liberty to be indifferentto you
a) concerned b)interested c)unconcerned d) Anxious
3. ------ but there is not much stimulationin it.
a)energy b)acceptance c) respect d) Excitement
4. Choose the antonym of the underlined word in the following sentences
Their devotion had touched me deeply.
a) dedication b) attraction c) loyalty d) Disloyalty
5. We came upon them in the windy and desertedsquare.
a) deprived b) inhabited c) lonely d) despised.
6. Far away across the clouds, the great bulk Kanchenjunga loomed on the horizon.
a) emerged b) loosened c)appeared d) Vanished
7. Choose the meaning of the foreign word in the sentence.
Benson always tried to maintain the status quo with the company‟s policy.
a)Existing condition b) interest c) strength d) Instruction
8. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation UAE
a) United Arab Emirates b) United American Establishment
c) Unity and Equivalent d) United Australian Emirates
9. Choose the correct compound word that can be placed after before the word “power”
a)house b) head c) horse d)Dog
10. Choose the suitable meaning for the idiom found in the following sentence.
His name is “under cloud”for the theft case
a) On suspicion b) convicted c) acquitted d) not in the list
11. Write the American English word for the underlined word in the following sentence
“Please stand in queue”
12. Choose the clipped form of the word “public house”
a)public b) house c)pub d)Pubse
13. Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence
“Judges sentenced him guilty”
a) SVCA b)SVOA c)SVIODO d)SVOC
14. I -----------drink coffee when I was young . (Use a Semi Modal verb)
a) can b) could c) must d) used to
15. Form a new word by adding suitable suffix to the root word “familiar”
a) ----ing b) ----ise c)-----let d) -----ed

XII-ENGLISH Page 271

16. Linguistics is the study of --------------
a) liquor b) lizards c) languages d) Lunatics
17. Choose the correct plural form of “Curriculum”
a) curriculum b)curriculumes c)ccurricula d)Curriculae
18. Choose the Mono syllabic word
a)Busy b) flight c) again d)Lucky
19. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct homophone
The most ---------scientist in the world has been warning about the -------danger of nuclear
war (imminent / eminent)
20. Choose the correct question tag for the following statement
She completed her work -------------?
a)Didn‟t she? b) Did she? c) Doesn‟t she? d)Does she?
PART – II
SECTION – A
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions 4x2=8
21. “All through the summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay”
a) Who does we refer to ?
b) How did the soldiers spend the summer days?
22. “A film the mother – eagle‟s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes”
a)Why did Napoleon‟s eyes becomes soft as a mother eagle‟s eyes?
b) What is the figure of the speech employed in the first line?
23. “Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
And the final decisions are made in silent rooms”
a) How would his being alone help the boy?
b) Where are the final decisions taken?
24. “Little remains: but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more”
a)What does the term “little remains” convey?
b) Mention the figure of speech employed in the above lines. ?
25. “ The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung,
In crimson cluster all the bough among”
a) Who is the giant here?
b) Mention the figure of speech employed here
26. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel
Seeking the bubble reputation”
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) Explain “”bubble reputation”
SECTION – B
DO as directed (Any three) 3x2=6

XII-ENGLISH Page 272

27. Report the dialogue
Asha said to Karthiga, “Please don‟t make too much noise”
28. If I had had money I would have helped him (Begin with had)
29. They have made a film based on this novel. (Change the voice)
30. Though Sharan is not sick, he feels weak (Change into compound sentence)
PART – III
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following questions.
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round,
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars”
32. “I will maintain unto my death”
33. He will be lonely enough
To have time for the work”
SECTION – B
Answer any two of the following briefly 2x3=6
34. What are the author‟s view on China tea?
35. The soft snow was difficult and dangerous. Why?
36. “ Curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order” – Do you agree?
SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following 3x3=9
37. You are Ram / Reena, Secretary of the English Literary Club. Your literary club is screening a
documentary film about “Life of Kalam” in the auditorium, for the students of Classes XI and
II. Draft a notice inviting the students to view this film.
38. Write a dialogue of at least 6 utterances between the pedestrian and the traffic police man.
39. Describe the processof preparing bread sandwich
40. Complete the proverb
a)A cat has ---------lives. ( i. One ii. Four iii. Nine)
b) An empty purse frightens away ----------( i. Friends ii. Wife iii. Children)
c) An idle man‟s mind is a ---------work shop. (i. god ii. Angel iii. Devil)
PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) “There is no height, no depth that the spirit of man, guided by higher spirit cannot attain”
Explain the above statement in the context of the achievement of Edmund Hillary and
Tenzing.
b) Justify the title of the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona”.
42. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) The Human greed led to the mighty fall of the citadel. Explain
b) Explain how the poet Carl August Sandburg guides his son who is at the threshold of
manhood, to face the challenges of life.

XII-ENGLISH Page 273

43. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)How did Ausable outwit Max?
b) “Forgiveness is the best form of revenge” Substantiate this statement through Aksionov‟s
story.
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
Preethi Srinivasan is a former cricketer from Tamil Nadu, who played domestic cricket in
the 1990‟s. At the age of eight, she was the youngest girl to play in the State Cricket team. At
the age of 17, she captained the Tamil Nadu Women‟s under 19 cricket team in a national
tournament in 1997, and registered its only victory ever. She was also a state-level gold
winner in 50m breaststroke swimming event. But the following year, she suffered a spinal
cord injury in an accident in Puducherry that left her quadriplegic. Her own trauma inspired
her to create “Soul- Free”, a foundation that aims to help Indian youth to cope with disabilities
related to spinal cord injuries, and how suitable precautions can help them out. Instead of the
term “differently – abled”, “Soul Free” employs the term “Positively-abled” for those suffering
from a disability. She is active in social life and earned many honours too. In 2018, she
received the Kalpana Chawala Award for Courage and Daring Enterprise.
45. Write a letter to AZ Company requesting them to replace the defective juicer that you bought
recently. Include the following details.
 The problem
 The date of purchase, receipt number and model
 What action you expected from them.
(OR)
Write a Paragraph about “Joint family system in child development”
46. Spot the error
a) The teacher along with the students attend the function.
b) I bought a blue colour shirt and a tie.
c)I am not understanding the problem.
d) The trains often are late.
e) He said that he can drive a car.
(OR)
Do as directed
a) When I ------------- (reach) the bus stop, the bus had already left.
b) Shankar -------------(play) Cricket every Sunday.
c) Even if you ask me not to go, I ----------. (use a model verb)
d) Thou ----------not steal (use a modal verb)
a) He -----------play football in his college days. (use a semi modal verb)
47. Develop the following hints into a story.
Manager of a firm advertised – night watchman – applications presented – manager not
satisfied – rejected all – there was Raju – sat in a corner – patiently waiting – manager
questioned his health – got reply – suffering from sleeplessness – manager happy – appointed
himl
(OR)

XII-ENGLISH Page 274

 Read the following passage and answer in your own words, the questions given below.
The government is taking seriously the issue of road safety and is committed to reducing the
number of people killed in accidents. Discussions are being conducted regularly to bring law
makers, law enforcement officers and road users together to discuss way to tackle the rise in
road accidents. Everyone agrees that more needs to be done on road safety in its determination
to curb the rate of road accidents in the country. The Government is making serious efforts to
instill proper road culture in children, young adults and the public in general. Within 10
months, the traffic police issued 1,43,077 summonses to motorists for traffic light related
offences. The traffic police however, have taken a tough stand against traffic lights include
rushing to an urgent appointment or even worse, to be completely oblivious of the changing
of the lights. Usual punishments include a fine, a ban on driving for a specified time and may
even be a prison sentence. Sometimes, the court may even order to pay out compensation if
death occurs as a result of the accident.
Questions:
a. Why is the Government taking the issue of road safety seriously?
b. What steps is the Government taking to tackle the rise in road accidents?
c. How many people were caught breaking the rules about traffic lights in the first ten
months?
d. Give two reasons as to why people said they broke the rules about traffic lights.
e. Name some of the usual punishments given to those breaking the traffic rules.

XII-ENGLISH Page 275

 HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION
PTA MODEL QUESTION PAPER – 3/ 2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90
SUBJECT: ENGLISH

PART-I
Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. One is liableto put in too much milk.
a) Likely b)responside c) eager d)Certain
2. Liberty is not a personal affair only but a social contract .
a) Concern b)Commitment c)allotment d) Connection
3. The trolley was commandeeved by an intrepidcrew of two.
a)gallant b) timid c) happy d) Sad
4. Choose the antonym of the underlined words from the options given
We have a whole kingdom in which we rule alone, can do what we choose, be wise or
ridiculous.
a) Comical b)sensless c) Sensible d) Absurd
5. China tea has virtues which are not to be despisednowadays
a) disliked b) hated c) liked d)Accepted
6. I imagined that our destinations would be some humble dwellings.
a) meek b)yielding c) mild d) Proud
7. Choose the suitable option to pair it with the given word “Pop”to form a compound word.
a)blast b) Corn c) turn d) Head
8. Choose the right expansion of NOC
a) National Optical Company b) Name Of the Company
c) No Objection Certificate d) Nation Oriented Company
9. Choose the meaning of the foreign word in the sentence
The project was rejected intoto
a)totally b) Partially c) slightly d)Partly
10. Choose the right definition for the given term “theophobia”
a) Fear of light b) Fear of God c) Fear of devil d) Fear of rain
11. Choose the clipped form of the word “demonstration”
a)demon b) demo c)station d)Demons
12. Substitute the single word in the sentence with a phrasal verb
He will not yield to pressure
a)give out b) give away c) give in d)give off
13. Form a new word by adding a suitable prefix to the root word “tour”
a) non b)de c)co d)Mis
14. Replace the British English word with American English word
We bought two sets of spanner a) pipetongs b) gripper c) pliers d) wrench

XII-ENGLISH Page 276

15. Substitute the underlined word with the appropriate polite alternative
The man in the grey suit is a barber
a) hair splitter b)hair remover c)hair dresser d) hair designer
16. Fill in the blanks with a suitable Relative pronoun
This is the town ---------I spent my childhood
a) Which b) Where c) Whom d) Who
17. Choose the right combination for the blended word “modem”
a) mo+dem b) Module + demo c) modulator + domo d) Modulator + demodulator
18. Choose the meaning of the underlined idiom
Mano is a down – to – earth man
a)Difficult b) Practical c) Rare d) Useful
19. Choose the correct question tag for the following statement
Everybody welcomed the project, -------------
a) do they? b) don‟t they c) didn‟t they? d)did they?
20. Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence.
We are meeting on sunday
a)SVO b) SVC c) SVA d)SVOC

PART – II
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions
4x2=8
21. Our gates were strong, our walls were thick
So smooth and high, no man could win
a) How safe was the castle?
b) What was the firm belief of the soldiers?
22. A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bround
No other tree could live
a) Why does Toru Dutt use the expression a creeper climbs?
b) How does the tree survive the tight hold of the creeper?
23. All the world‟s a stage,
And all the men and women merel players
They have their exits and their entrances.
a) What does the poet mean by the terms exits and entrances?
b) Which figure of speech has been used in the second line?
24. This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle
Well – Loved of me.
a) Who does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
b) Bring out the significance of the sceptre?

XII-ENGLISH Page 277

25. Life is a soft loam be gertle go easy And this too might serve him
a) Why does the poet suggest to take life easy?
b)Indentify the figure of speech in the above line
26. „You‟re wounded” „Nay‟ his soldier‟s pride
Touched to the quick, he said
a) Why did the boy contradict Napoleon‟s words?
b) Why was his pride touched?
SECTION – B
Do as directed (Any three) 3x2=6
27. Answer any three of the following
Report the following dialogue
Manager : Have you brought all your certificate?
Arun : Yes Sir, you can verify them
28. Combine the following sentences using „if‟ clause.
Raj may join us. We will win the game.
29. Rewrite the sentence making an inversion in the conditional clause
If i were a lion, I would kill all the animals in the forest
30. Smita carried out the survey and presented her report. (Rewrite a a simple sentence).
(change into complex)
PART – III
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following questions
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed”
32. “He works his work, I mine”
33. “They seemed no threat to us at all”
SECTION – B
Answer any two fo the followign briefly 2x3=6
34. What did Hillay do with his WCT boots?
35. What does the „rule of the road‟ mean?
36. What made the boys join the resistance movement against the Germans?

SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following 3x3=9
37. Study the pie – chart given and answer the questions that follow
[ Distribution of students at graduate level in seven institutes.

Distribution of students

Questions :
a) Which institute is least preferred by the students?

XII-ENGLISH Page 278

 b) What are the two institutes equally preferred by the students?
c) Which institute is highly preferred by the students.
38. Build a dialogue of minimum three exchanges between vegetable vendor and a customer.
39. Describe any three precautionary method you take after a cyclone hit.
40. Complete the given proverb by choosing the best option.
1) Cruelty deserves no ------------
a) enemy b) Fiend c) Mercy
2) Care and diligence bring ---------
a) bane b) luck c) Curse
3) Burnt child ------------fire
a) likes b) hates c) dreads

PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer any one of the following in about 150 words.
a) Summarise George Orwell‟s distinctive ideas in “A nice cup of tea”
b) What do you infer from Gardiner‟s essay „On the rule of the Road‟?
42. Answer any one of the following in about 150 words
a) Describe the reminiscences of the poet when she sees the casuarina tree.
b) How according to the poet Carl August Sandburg is it possible of his son to bring changes
into a world that resents change?
43. Write a paragraph by developing the following hints [any one]
a)IranDmitrich – Merchant – Russia – decides – business venture – Wife – bad dream – Iran
disregards – meets another merchant – travel together – retrieve separately – Stopped by –
police – Sentenced – Siberia – new prisoners came – discloses the fact – Makaradmits –
Aksionov dies.
b)Ausable – Secret agent – important paper – Fowler thrilled – Max – Pistol – Wanted report –
Ausable – fabricated story – balcony – knocking heard – befooled Max – jumps – died.
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
There is an enemy beneath our feet. He recognizes no national boundaries, no political
Parties. Everyone in the world is threatened by him. The enemy is the Earth Quake. The
Power of a quake is greater than anything man himself can produce. But today, scientists are
diverting more of the efforts in to finding some way to combat earth quakes and it is possible
that at some time in the near future mankind will have discovered a means of protecting itself
from it. An earth quake strikes without warning. When it does, its power is immerse. If it
strikes a modern city, it can take down buildings and cause death and injury. I the quake
strikes the sea, huge tidal waves sweep inland. If it strikes in mountain regions, avalanches
roar down the valleys. There are three regions in the world where earthquakes are mostly
likely to happen. Scientists call them earthquake zones. The first runs along the East coast of
the Asia continent and the second runs down the west coast of South America. The third runs
across the south of Europe and North Africa. If you take a map of the world and mark on it the
locations of all the major earthquakes In history, you will see that they have occurred

XII-ENGLISH Page 279

 somewhere in these zones. So, it is possible for scientists to say where the earthquakes will
strike, but they cannot say exactly when.
45. Letter writing.
a) Write an application for the post of personal secretary to the managing director of M/S Vikas
power corporation, Mount Road Chennai – 2 Include the following details Educational
Qualification, Experience, various other qualification required for the post. (OR)
b) You are the school pupil leader of your school you organized an inter school cultural
Competitions. Write a report about this competition.
46. Spot the errors and rewrite the sentences:
1) The angry man entered into the room.
2) Earth revolves around the sun.
3) I met the concerned officer
4) Vimala has attended the party yesterday.
5) The news are very thrilling. (OR)
a) Fill in the blanks suitably.
1) The Priest wanted to -------the ----------(altar / alter)
2) ------------I carry your bag? ( use a modal verb)
3) I ---------buy a packet of milk (use quasi modal verb)
4) Darkness sets in ----------the sun sets (use a suitable link word)
47. Read the poem and answer the following questions:
“For oh, “say the children, we are weary
And we cannot run or leap
If we cared for any meadows, it were merely
To drop down in them and sleep
Our knees tremble sorely in the stooping
We fall upon our faces, trying to go
And underneath our heavy eyelids drooping
The reddest flower would look as pale as snow.
Questions:
a) what do the children do all the day?
b) What do they cry for?
c) Whom does „we‟ refer to?
d) Give the meaning of „Stooping”
d) what would they do if they saw any meadows? (OR)
a) Expand the following outlines into complete story:
Big cotton merchant – owned a factory – many employees – one day a heap of cotton stolen –
no clue – merchant‟s Secretary assured to find out – asked him to host dinner – invite all
workers – merchant agreed – middle of feast – secretary suddenly shouted – cotton sticking to
hair of thieves – the guilty dusted their heads – tried to clear – caught in the trap – punished.

HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION

PTA MODEL QUSTION PAPER – 4/ 2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90

XII-ENGLISH Page 280

 SUBJECT: ENGLISH

PART-I
Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour.
a) appearance and behaviour b) sloth c)aswareness d)Rudeness
2. My progress, although slow, was steadv .
a) weak b)bad c)firm d) worse
3. Individual liberty would have become social anarchy .
a)lawlessness b) order c) control d) lawfulness
4. Choose the antonym of the underlined words in the following sentence
He had full confidencein the mechanic.
a) trust b) diffidence c) reliance d) acceptance
5. A stout old lady was walking with her basket in the middle of a street.
a) fat b) bulky c) plump d)thin
6. Their devotion had touched me deeply.
a)dedication b)loyalty c) disloyalty d) love
7. Choose the suitable phrasal verb for the underlined word in the sentence.
Ram‟s request was“rejected ”by his manager
a)turned off b) turned down c) turned in d) turned away
8. Choose the blended form of “motel”
a) Motor car + hotel b) motor + hotel c) motorway + hotel d) motorist + hotel
9. Choose the clipped form of the word for “newscast”
a)cast b) new c) casts d)news
10. -----------is one who studies atmosphere, weather and climate
a) meteorologist b) geologist c) archaeologist d) Seismologist
11. Choose the suitable meaning for the underlined idiom in the following sentence.
At present, the performance of the State‟s Kabbadi team is“at a low ebb”
a)at the peak b) outstanding c)up to the expectation d)On the decline
12. Which word can be placed before power to form a compound word.
a)head b) house c) horse d)mute
13. Form a new word by adding a suitable prefix to the root word “dominate”
a) il b)re c)pre d)dis
14. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation CRPF
a) Central Railway Protection Force b) Central Reserve proper Force
c) Common Reserve Police Force d) Central Reserve Police Force
15. Choose the tetra syllabic word from the given option
a) expression b) energetic c) merchant d) father
16. Choose the most appropriate question tag for the following statement.
I haven‟t answered your questions, -------?
a) haven‟t I b) don‟t I c) did I d) have I

XII-ENGLISH Page 281

17. Choose the American English word for “wash basin”
a) washer b) basin c) sink d) sinker
18. Choose the correct preposition for the following sentence.
The shop is open ----------midnight.
a)above b) until c) with d) of
19. Choose the polite alternative word for the underlined word in the following sentence.
“This watch is very cheap”
a) low b) inferior c) depreciate d)economical
20. Identify the sentence pattern of the following sentence
Kailash gave Vidhya a rose
a)SVOA b) SVAA c) SVOC d)SVIODO

PART – II
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions 4x2=8
21. “Then off there flung in smiling joy
And held himself erect”
a) Whose action is described here ?
b) Why was the rider in a hurry?
22. “Then the whining school boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school”
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) How does the boy go to school?
23. “Life is hard, be steel, be a rock”
a) How should one face life?
b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line
24. “Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay,
Unto thy honour”
a) Which three is referred to in the above lines?
b) What does the expression “fain” convey here?
25. “-------for my purpose hold,
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths,
Of all the western stars, until I die”
a) What was Ulysses‟ purpose in life?
b) What does the word “baths” mean here?
26. “All through the summer at ease we lay”
a) Who does „we‟ refer to?
b) How did the soldiers spend the summer days?

SECTION – B

XII-ENGLISH Page 282

 DO as directed (Any three) 3x2=6
27. Report the dialogue
Sibi :Could I open an account here?
Manager :Sure. Get the application form and fill it up.
28. If I had a car, I would drop you (Begin with had)
29. Sita is watering the plants (change the voice)
30. He found a bag that was full of gold coins. (Change into simple sentence).

PART – III
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following questions
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “Dear is the Casuarina to my soul”
32. “Tell him too much money had killed men”
33. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”
SECTION – B
Answer any two of the following briefly 2x3=6
34. What is liberty according to the old lady?
35. Does George Orwell like drinking tea with sugar? Give reasons.
36. What happened in the grand finale?
SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following 3x3=9
37. You are Nithish / Nithya, Cultural Secretary of ABC School. Draft a notice inviting the
students to participation in the music competition.
38. Write a dialogue of at least 6 utterances between a customer and a Bank manager
39. Describe the process of preparing butter milk for four persons
40. Complete the proverbs
1) ----------I the best policy (Punctuality / Honesty / Sincerity)
2) ------- makes a man. ( Money / Power / Manners)
3) ------------ was not built in a day ( India / Rome / Italy)
PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Write the character sketch of Nicola and Jacopo.
b) What do you infer from Gardiner‟s essay „On the rule of the Road‟?
42. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Describe the how Sandburg guides his son who is at the threshold of manhood, to face the
challenges of life.
b) Describe the various stages of a man‟s life picturised in the poem “ All the World‟s a stage”?
43. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty faring criticism? Why do you say

XII-ENGLISH Page 283

 so?
b) How did Ausable outwit Max?
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
The aim of education is the overall development of the personality of man. It means the
development of not only the mind but also the body. Games keep the body fit. Swami
Vivekananda was of the view that only a healthy mind can realize God. But a healthy mind
can dwell only in a healthy body/ For keeping a body healthy, games are indispensable. For
this reason Swami Vivekananda has advised that all young men and women should play
games. People who have developed the habit of playing games regularly can maintain good
health. Games help to build a muscular body. They include sound sleep which is a sign of good
health. Therefore games are food for the body as knowledge is food for the mind. In fact, all
work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Everybody likes games because these keep them
physically fit and mentally alert.
Games help us to keep out body active and vigorous. They instill in us the spirit of
adventure. They enable us to face dangers boldly. When a person plays games, his blood
circulation increases and his digestive system improves. He does not fall prey to any disease.
Games inculcate in us the spirit of sportsmanship. They also teach us courage and
perseverance. Games foster the qualities of fair play. Good players maintain equanimity in the
event of victory or defeat.
45. Write an application or the post of Personal Secretary to the Managing Director of a company.
Include the following details.
 Educational qualification
 Experience
 Various other qualification required for the post
(OR)
Write a Paragraph about “My Dream House”
46. Spot the error and write the corrected sentences
a) I can speak English beside Hindi
b) I have ordered for a cup of coffee.
c) Have you ever seen Taj Mahal.
d) There is no friendship among Sooraj and Manu
e) Akash is suffering with fever.
(OR)
Do as directed
a) I -------(buy) shares in that company, if I had some money.(Use a suitable tense form)
b) Water ---------(collect) in the tank. (Use a suitable tense form)
c) -----------God bless you. (use a modal verb)
d) You ------------feel sorry for what you have done. ( use a semi modal verb)
e) The protruding --------------(route / root) of the tree objected our way. (use the appropriate
word)
47. Develop the following hints into a story.
A rich farmer – lot of land-two sons-happy life- sons grown – younger son unhappy – asked
his share – got it – sold them all – fell into had ways – became poor – understood his mistake –
returned to family.

XII-ENGLISH Page 284

 (OR)
Read the following poem and answer in your own words, the questions given below, A man
and a lion once had a dispute,
which was reckoned the greater, the man or the brute,
The lion discoursed on his side at some length,
And greatly enlarged on his courage and strength.
Said the man, “Don‟t be prating: look yonder, I pray?
At the sculpture of marble now what will you say?
The lion is vanquished: But as for the man,
He is striding upon him: deny if you can”
“But pray” Said the lion, “Who sculptured that stone?”
“One of us “said the man, “I must candidly own”
“But when we are sculptors”, the other replied.
“You will then on the man see the lion stride”.
Questions:
1) What was the dispute between the man and the lion about?
2) What did the lion claim to be?
3) In what way did the man try to give proof of his strength?
4) What had the man to admit?
5) What was the lion‟s retort?

XII-ENGLISH Page 285

 HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION
PTA MODEL QUSTION PAPER – 5/2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90
SUBJECT: ENGLISH

PART - I
Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences
Suffering seems so cruelly prevalent in the world today.
a) Rare b) abnormal c)common d)irregular
2. In some countries, teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets
a) Colouring b)brimming c)twisting d) hanging freely
3. I have liberty to be indifferent to you.
a)concerned b) troubled c) unconcerned d)anxious
4. Choose the antonymof the underlined words in the following sentences
He had full confidence in the mechanic.
a) trust b) diffidence c) reliance d) acceptance
5. Suffering ennobles you, makes you a better person.
a) flatters b) humiliates c) honours d)exalts
6. The best manner of making tea is the subject of violent disputes.
a)rough b)gentle c) severe d) harsh
7. Choose the clipped form of the word for“Public house ”
a)pub b) house c)pubse d) public
8. Choose the suitable meaning for the underlined phrasal verb in the sentence.
War broke out on 15th September.
a) Started suddenly b) spread all over c) ended suddenly d) damaged entirely
9. Choose the blended form of “biopic”
a)biography + pic b)biography + picture c) bio + pic d)biographical + picture
10. ------------is one treats kidney diseases
a) neonatologist b) neurologist c) nephrologist d) pulmonologist
11. Choose the suitable meaning for the underlined idiom in the following sentence
The judgment of the lower court was declared“null and void”by the high court.
a)invalid b) relevant c)valid d)correct
12. Which word can be placed before word to form a compound word.
a)cross b) good c) bad d)mute
13. Form a new word by adding a suitable suffix to the root word “cease”
a) age b)less c)hood d)ness
14. Choose the correct expansion of the acronym INSAT
a) International Satellite b) Independent Satellite Track
c) Indian National Satellite d) Inter National Space And Technology
15. Choose the disyllabic word from the given option
a) count b)house c)economy d) bizarre
XII-ENGLISH Page 286
16. Choose the most appropriate question tag for the following statement.
This chapter is quite interesting, ----------?
a) isn‟t it b) aren‟t they c) are they d) is it
17. Choose the meaning of the foreign word in the given sentence.
Its time to bid “adieu” to all of you gathered here
a) salute b) welcome c) good bye d) ovation
18. Choose the correct preposition for the following sentence.
The prayer session will be held ------------Fridays.
a)at b) on c) with d) of
19. Choose the polite alternative word for the underlined word in the following sentence.
“This is a school for “blind”
a) mentally challenged b) handicapped c) unseeing d)visually impaired
20. Identify the sentence pattern of the following sentence.
My sister keeps the house clean
a)SVOA b) SVAA c) SVOC d)SVIODO
PART – II
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions 4x2=8
21. “Full galloping : nor bridle drew
Until he reached the mound”
a) Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?
b) What does the phrase “full galloping” suggest?
22. “They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts”
a) What does the poet mean by the term „exits and entrances‟?
b) What is the figure of speech used here?
23. “ -------fee imaginations
Bringing changes into a world resenting change”
a) How does free imagination help the world?
b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line
24. “ A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live”
a) Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
b) What quality of tree is highlighted here?
25. “------I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and
Know not me”
a) What does Ulysses do?
b) Ulysses is not happy to perform his duties as a king. Why?

XII-ENGLISH Page 287

26. “ We could do nothing, being sold”
a) Why couldn‟t they do anything?
b) Why did they feel helpless?
SECTION – B
Do as directed (Any three) 3x2=6
27. Report the dialogue:
Maya :What are you searching for ?
Usha :I am searching for my physics record note book.
28. Deepa attended the interview. She secured the job. (use „if clause‟)
29. I completed my homework yesterday (Change the voice)
30. In spite of his illness he attended the meeting. (change into compound sentence)
PART – III
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following questions
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “May Love defend thee from oblivion‟s curse”
32. “Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives”
33. “He works his work, I mine”
SECTION – B
Answer any two of the following briefly 2x3=6
34. What does the „rule of the road‟ mean?
35. What did Edmund Hillary and Tenzing gift to the God of lofty Summit? How did they do it?
36. What happened in the grand finale?

SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following . 3x3=9
37. You are Raja / Rani. Draft an email to your friend inquiring about her studies.
38. Write a dialogue of at least 6 utterances between a student and a teacher.
39. Describe the process of preparing fruit salad for 2 persons.
40. Rearrange the jumbled sentence
a) every hope / there is / walk and sing / that / she will
b) ennobles you / suffering / a better person / and makes you
c) a personal / liberty is not / but a social contract / affair only

PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Summarise George Orwell‟s distinctive ideas in “A nice cup of tea”
b)Describe the feelings of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing as they reached the top of the Summit.
42. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer
b) Describe the capture of the Castle

XII-ENGLISH Page 288

43. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”
b) Bring out the irony in the message “Remember Caesar?
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
Since time immemorial, Mahablipuram has been always a city whose fame has spread far
and wide as a seat of religion, learning and an important port in the ancient world.It is located
in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and is home to several architectural monuments
built between the 7th and the 9th century. Mahabalipuram was at the height of its plendour and
glory during the reign of Narasimha Varman who played an improtant role in building the
many amgnificient temples. The Shore Tample at Mahabalipuram is a world heritage site as
classified by UNESCO and is believed to be the only existing temple amongst the seven shore
temples that were originally constructed. Constructed during the 7th century by Narasimha
Varman the temple bears exquisite designs and carvings and is supposed to be the fore runner
of Dravidian architecture. Arjuna‟s Penance is a rock structure carved to resemble a whale and
was built by Raja Narasimha the first. Krishna Mandapam is one of the largest madapams and
is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the mentor and guide of the Pandavas. Varaha Mandapams lies
beside the Arjuna penance and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu‟s Varaha incarnation.
Mahabalipuram is well connected to other cities in India. The Chennai airport is located 60
km from Mahabalipuram. The city is also well connected by road to Chennai, Kanchipuram
and Pondicherry.
45. You are interested in applying for a scholarship programme to study at a foreign University.
Write a letter to the foreign university Inquire about the course. In your letter.
 Explain which course you are interested in
 Tell what you know about the University
 Explain why you should receive the scholarship
(OR)
Write a Paragraph about “Youth – the Power of Nation”
46. Spot the error and write the corrected sentences
a) Brutus stabbed Caesar by a dagger.
b) They described about the scenery.
c) She doesn‟t like coffee, isn‟t it?
d) India defeated Pakistan by innings
e) I never do any work behind 10 p.m
(OR)
Do as directed
a) The guests arrived when we -----------(watch) the T.V.(Use a suitable tense form)
b) If you ---------(speak) more slowly, he might have understood you. (Use a suitable tense
form)
c) Even if you aks me not to go, I ----------- (use a modal verb)
d) My father ------------play foot ball in his college days. ( use a semi modal verb)
e) He ----------(threw / through) the book out of the window. (use the appropriate word)

XII-ENGLISH Page 289

47. Develop the following hints into a story.
Priya – domestic help – natural singer – often sings while at work – visitor noticed – made a
video of her song – uploaded it – becomes viral – singing sensation overnight.
(OR)
Read the following passage and answer in your own words, the questions given below.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a nation – wide campaign in India for the period 2014 to 2019 that
aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India‟s cities, towns, urban and rural
areas. The campaign‟s official name is in Hindi and translates to “Neat and tidy India Mission”
in English. The objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation through the
construction of house hold – owned and community – owned toilets and establishing an
accountable mechanism of monitoring toilet use. Run by the Government of India, the
mission aims to achieve an “open – defecation free India” by 2nd October 2019, the 150th birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by constructing 100 million toilets in rural Indial at a
projected cost of Rs. 1.96 lakh crore. The campaign was officially launched on 2nd October
2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is Idnia‟s largest cleanliness
drive. Modi has called the campaign “Satyagrah se Swachhagrah” in reference to Gandhi‟s
“Champaran Satyagraha” launched on 10th April 1916. The government has constructed 11
million toilets since 2014. Many people continue not to use tilets despite having them. The
campaign has been criticized for using coercive approaches to force people to use toilets. Many
household have been threatened with a loss of benefits such as access to electricity or food
entitlements through the public distribution system. As per an independent survey released by
Quality Council of India in August 2017, overall national rural access to toilets increased to
62.5% and usage of toilets to 91.3%. The World Health Organization has in its report stated
that at least. 1,80,000 diarrhoeal deaths were averted in rural India since the launch of Swachh
Bharat Mission
Questions:
1) What is the meaning of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan?
2) What is the main objective of this mission?
3) When and by whom this mission was launched?
4) Name the project launched by Mahatma Gandhi
5) Mention two coercive approach made by the government?

XII-ENGLISH Page 290

 HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION
PTA MODEL QUSTION PAPER – 6 / 2019-2020
STD : XII MARKS :90
SUBJECT: ENGLISH

PART-I

Choose the synonym of the underlined word in the following sentences 20x1=20
1. Then as trade slackened we went over.
a) prospered b) continued c)increased d)reduced
2. These are not the only controversial points to arise in connection with tea drinking.
a) acceptable b)peaceful c)arguable d) agreeable
3. Suffering was something basic that was full of solace for me.
a)comfort b)distress c) anguish d)boredom
4. Choose the antonymof the underlined words in the following sentences
I shall not inquireof you whether I may eat mustard with my mutton.
a) respond b) ask c) investigate d) interrogate
5. Tenzingcollapsed at the top like a giant fish.
a) refreshed b) fell down c) gave way d)fainted
6. He had returned to the hospital because he had a malignant tumour of the bone.
a)serious b)big c) benign d) harmful
7. Choose the meaning of the foreign word“en route ”
a)returning b)on the way to c)on the short cut road‟ d) on the wrong route
8. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation OPEC
a) Organisation of Proper Education Committee
b)Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
c) Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries
d) Oil, Petrol and Ethanol Committee
9. Choose the correct compound word that can be placed after the word “soft”
a)run b)walk c) ware d)pillow
10. Choose the suitable meaning for the underlined idiom in the following sentence
I told him flatthat I did not like him
a) Expressed opinion directly b) expressed opinion indirectly
c) expressed to confuse d) expressed in his apartment
11. Write the American English word for the underlined word in the following sentence
“He is a beggar”
Choose the correct phrasal verb for the underlined word in the given sentence.
12. Can you understandWhat she is talking about?
a)make for b) make in c) make out d)make up
13. Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence.
“Meenu is a doctor in London”
a) SVCA b)SVAA c)SVIODO d)SVOC

XII-ENGLISH Page 291

14. Choose the unclipped form of “teen”
a) teendom b) teenager c) teeny d) teenhood
15. Form a new word by adding suitable prefix to the root word “lucky”
a) On b)in c)dis d) un
16. Numismatics is the study of --------------.
a)numbers b) money and coin c) speech sounds d) lunatics
17. Choose the correct plural form of “analysis”
a) analysises b) analyses c)analysis d)analysi
18. Choose the mono syllabic word
a)weight b) command c) biscuit d) able
19. Choose the blended for of “breathalyzer”
a) Breath + analyzer b) breadth + analyze c) bread + analyzer d)Breathing + analyze
20. Choose the correct question tagfor the following statement
I am a teacher ----------?
a)am not I b) aren‟t I c) don‟t I d)am I

PART – II
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the following questions 4x2=8
21. “You know, we French stormed Ratisbon”
a) Where is Ratisbon?
b) Who took the city of Ratisbon?
22. “And all the men and women merely players”
a) Mention the poet and poem name
b) Pick out the words in alliteration
23. “ Life is a soft loam, be gentle, go easy”
a) Why does the poet suggest to take life easy?
b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line
24. “ There was a little private gate
A little wicked wicket gate”
a) What do you mean by a “wicked wicket gate”?
b) What is the figure of speech employed in the second line?
25. “------for my purpose hold,
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths,
Of all the western stars, until I die”
a) What does Ulysses yearn for ?
b) How long would his venture last?
26. “ A gray baboon sits statue – like alone
Watching the sunrise”
a) What is a baboon?
b) Mention the figure of speech used in the above lines

XII-ENGLISH Page 292

 SECTION – B
Do as directed (Any three) 3x2=6
27. Report the dialogue:
Ambika :What type of movies do you like ?
Deepa :I like horror movies.
28. I was a teacher. I taught English . (use „if clause‟)
29. They have made a film based on this novel (Change the voice)
30. My friend was not there and so I came back disappointed. (change into complex sentence)
PART – III
SECTION – A
Answer any seven of the following questions
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context 2x3=6
31. “I am become a name:
For always roaming with a hungry heart”
32. “What is the dirge like murmur that I hear”
33. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel”
SECTION – B
Answer any two of the following briefly 2x3=6
34. Define liberty as perceived by A.G. Gardiner?
35. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopa
36. What did Hillary do with his wet boots?
SECTION – C
Answer any three of the following 3x3=9
37. Expand the following Headlines
a) Onion price goes up
b) Arun Jaitly passes away
c) plastic carry bags banned in shops
38. Write a dialogue of at least 10 utterances between a politician and a citizen.
39. Prepare an Tour check list for a student going on school tour.
40. Rearrange the jumbled sentence
a) who help / themselves / God / those / helps
b) brain / is the / workshop / An idle / devil‟s
c) a pound / prevention / of cure / an ounce of / is better than
PART – IV
Answer the following 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Summarise George Orwell‟s distinctive ideas in “A nice cup of tea”
b)Explain in your own words “What freedom means?”.
42. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a)The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer
b) Human greed led to the mighty fall of the Castle. Explain.

XII-ENGLISH Page 293

43. Answer in a paragraph any one of the following
a) Describe how the reminder “Remember Caesar” becomes an assassination attempt and how
is it thwarted?
b) How did he presence of Richard Parker influence the attitude of Pi?
44. Write a summary or make notes of the following passage
The Kanchi Athi Varadar festival began on July 1, 2019. The temple of Varadar is in
Kancheepuram. The deity is made of fig tree and hence the name Athi Varadar He is
immersed in Anantasara, the temple tank. The speciality about this temple is, the Deity is
brought out once in 40 years and pujas done for 48 days and restored to his water bed. The
last time he came out was on July 2, 1979, and earlier on July 12, 1939. What is so special
about this deity? Why He gives darshan once in forty years only? During Muslim invasion,
the Athi Varadarvigraha was immersed inside the sacred Anantasara of the temple secretively
and the truth was known only to one family. For forty long years, the temple had no deity for
worship thus no puja happening in the temple. The two brothers in the Dhatacharya lineage
under whose authority the Deity was hidden passed away thus taking away the secret forever.
Unable to locate the original Deity of Athi Varadar, the authorities of the temple decided to
install the Deity made out of stone and thus a Deity from Padma Giri was brought and
worshipped. Around 1709, the Anantasara of the temple was emptied and Lord Athi Varadar
was seen at the base of the sacred tank. The authorities then decided to take the vigraha out
only once in forty years for 48 days and keep Him back.

45. You recently had a holiday and stayed in your friend‟s house. Write a letter to your friend. In
your letter.
 Thank your friend
 Tell her what you enjoyed the most
 Invite her to your house for the next vacation
(OR)
Write a Paragraph about “Swachh Bharat Mission”
46. Spot the error and write the corrected sentences
a)We bought a lot of furnitures.
b) Neither Pranav nor Krishna are intelligent.
c) Ramesh is senior than Venkat.
d) The dog jumped in the well
e) She completed her work, isn‟t she?
(OR)
Do as directed
a) I -------------(meet) my friends in Chennai, next week.(Use a suitable tense form)
b) If you had obeyed his words, he ---------(help) you (Use a suitable tense form)
c) In the army, soldiers -----------obey their officers. (Use a modal verb)
d) How ------------you ask me such a question?.( use a semi modal verb)
e) I have no ----------(piece / peace) of mind. (use the appropriate word)

XII-ENGLISH Page 294

47. Develop the following hints into a story.
Manager of a firm – advertised for night watchman – received many applications – not happy
with them – found something wrong with them – Raju an applicant – waiting patiently –
feeling drowsy – manager questioned him – suffering from sleeplessness – manager happy –
appoints him immediately.
(OR)
Read the following passage and answer in your own words, the questions given below.
Nation building refers to the process of engaging all the citizens in the development of the
nation. There are three key elements that contribute towards the progress of the nation. These
are education, employment and empowerment. A nation develops at a steady pace when the
youth of the country is educated and their education is put tot right use. Majority of youths in
our country are uneducated. Most of them can‟t read and write. So illiteracy is one of the
biggest problems of our nation. The illiterate population of our country holds back and
hinders the progress of our nation. The government of our country must make special efforts
to provide right education to them in order to make them think logically, rationally and open
mindedly. This help them act in a responsible manner and work for the progress of our nation.
Providing employment opportunities to the unemployed and underemployed youths of the
nation is also very important. Lack of employment opportunities can lead to social unrest. It is
important to channelize the energy and intelligence of youths in the right direction and
provide them employment opportunities as per their potential or they may move to a wrong
track in life. Youth should be prevented from engaging in violent or other evil activities.
Thirdly, it is vital to empower the youth to take charge of their life. It is important to
promote their rights and involve them in community decision – making. Thus the power of
youth should be used wisely for the progress of our nation. It is important to frame policies
which aim at empowering our youths to assure better tomorrow and brighter future.
Youth constitutes major portion of the total national population. Around 60 percent
population of India is youth. Such a major portion of the population plays an important role in
the development of the nation and cannot be ignored. The determination and energy with
which youth can work makes them the most valuable and capable citizens of the nation.
However it is important that the youth gets to exercise their freedom of speech, ideas and
opinions. They should get the right platform to voice their opinions, share their ideas and
showcase their talent.
Questions:
1) What are the three key elements in achieving progress?
2) In what ways right education useful to our youth?
3) Which is the main hindrance to the progress of our country?
4) Which problem can lead to social unrest?
5) What is the total percentage of youth in our country?

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

MARCH – 2020
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and
write the option code and the corresponding answer.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the underlined words from
the options given.

XII-ENGLISH Page 295

1. ....that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated.
a) admired b) motivated c) comforted d)welcomed
2. It was a great thrill to look straight down this enormous rock face.
a) huge b) rough c) steep d) lofty
3. .......the end of such liberty would be universal chaos.
a) mystery b) destruction c) confusion d) harmony
Choose the correct of antonyms of the underlined words from the options
given:
4. One right, we came upon them in the windy and deserted square.
a) crowded b) secured c) fertile d) desolate
5. Suffering seems so cruelty prevalent in the world today.
a) unbelievable b) unavoidable c) unfair d) uncommon
6. It seemed vital to her that they do so ---------
a) jovial b) social c) trivial d) partial
7. Choose the correct singular form of “Bacteria”.
a)Bacterian b) Bacteri c) Bacteriae d) Bacterium
8. Choose the suitable meaning for the idiom found in the following sentence.
Eleventh hour preparation will not help the students.
a) till 11 p.m. b) at the last moment c) much in advance d) late at night
9. Fill in the blank with the most suitable Preposition.
The tea should be put straight -------the pot.
a) over b) on c) into d) in
10. Choose the correct American English word for ‘queue’
a) straight b) level c) line d) order
11. Choose the correct expansion of the acronym TOEFL.
a) Testing of Energy, Fuel and Liquid
b) Test of Engineering for Fundamental Learners
c) Testing of Education for foreign Learness
d) Test of English as a Foreign Language
12. Choose the correct question tag for the following statement.
The story tries to relate history to science, ------?
a) is it b) Isn’t it c) does it d) doesn’t it
13. Identify the Sentence Pattern of the following sentence.
The birds are flying gracefully in the sky.
a) SVOA b) SVAA c) SVOC d) SVCA
14. Fill in the blank with a suitable Relative Pronoun for the following sentence.
Ram -----house we live in, is in engineer.
a) whom b)which c)who d) whose
15. Form a new word by adding a suitable prefix to the underlined word.
It is rather an expensive compliment.
a) non - b) un - c) in - d) dis -
16. Choose the disyllabic word.
a) benefit b) again c) weight d) strength
17. Choose the clipped form “Perambulator”.
a) Pram b) Peram c) ramtor d) rambul

XII-ENGLISH Page 296

18. Choose the right meaning of the idiom ‘a bolt out of a clear sky’ from the
options given.
a) a much – awaited information b) a deafening noise of bomb blast
c) a flash of bright lightning d) a sudden unexpected event.
19. One who represents the government of his country in a foreign country is
a/an --
a) envoy b) martyr c) ambassador d) patriot
20. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb.
The fire was extinguished by the fire brigade.
a) put off b) put on c) put off d) put in
PART – II
SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four sets : 4 x 2 = 8
21. “A gray baboon sits statue – like alone”
a) Where did the baboon sit?
b) Mention the figure of speech employed here.
22. “...Free imaginations
Bringing changes into a world resenting change.”
a) How does free imagination help the world?
b) identify the figure of speech.
23. “Our gates were strong, our walls were thick,
so smooth and high, no man could win.”
a) How safe was the castle?
b) What was the firm belief of the soldiers?
24. “Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if no balance the prone brow
oppressive with its mind.”
a) What is meant by ‘prone brow’?
b) Pick out the words in alliteration.
25. “This is my son, mine own Telemachus
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle
Well loved of me.”
a) Why does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
b) Bring out the significance of the sceptre?
26. “All the world’s a stage
and all the men and women merely players.”
a) What is the world compared to?
b) Identify the figure of speech employed in the first line.

SECTION – 2
Answer any three of the following questions. 3x2=6
27. Change the direct speech into Reported form.
Vidya said to Kanya, “Would you like to come to the party with us tomorrow?”
28. Change into other voice form.
I shall have completed my project next week.
29. If I had come earlier. I would have attended the interview. (Begin with ‘Had’)

XII-ENGLISH Page 297

30. Smitha carried out the survey and presented her report. (Rewrite as a simple
sentence)
PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round
the rugged trunk, indented deep with scars.”
32. “....... I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart.”
33. “I’m Killed, sire” And, his chief beside,
Smiling, the boy feel dead.”
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. What were the various jobs undertaken by Nicola and Jacopo?
35. How did the boy who played the mechanic lose his eyesight?
36. How would liberty cause universal chaos?
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Study the following table, and write three sentences on your inference about
the data.
Average Annual rainfall in the Southern States of India in the year 2012
S. No States of India Average rainfall in mm
1. Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry 1996
2. Andhra Pradesh 3580
3. Karnataka 5160
4. Kerala 3055
38. Write any three precautions to be taken at home, before a cyclone hit.
39. Build a dialogue between a beggar and a social reformer with a minimum of 3
exchanges.
40. Rearrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) a road / never / a turning / without / there is
b) the last straw / broke the / it was / that / camel’s back
c) the child / and / spare / spoil / the rod.
PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35
41. Answer in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Summarise George Orwell’s distinctive ideas in “ A Nice Cup of Tea”.
[or]
b) How did Hillary and Tenzing prepare themselves before they set off to the
summit?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) ‘Human greed led to mighty fall for the citadel.’ – Explain.
[or]
b) The young soldier matched Napoleon in courage and patriotism.. Elucidate
your answer.

XII-ENGLISH Page 298

43. Write a paragraph in about 150 words by developing the hints.
a) Robert Baldwin an honest man – fraud in a bank – Gresham arrested –
pressurised Baldwin – to falsely declare – offered huge bribe – Baldwin refused
– family members tempted – ashamed of greed – stood for justice – Gresham
confessed – Baldwin rewarded. [or]
b) Life on Venus – other planet – raining for seven years – school children –
nine years sold – forgotten the sun – appeared once in 7 years – Margot
from Earth – came five years before – children hated her – locked her in a
room – sun came – only for two hours – rained again – unlocked the door –
let Margot out – missed the chance.
44. Either Make Notes or Summarize the following passage.
a) Soybeans belong to the legume family. The beans are the seeds of the
leguminous soybean plant. They can be grown on a variety of soil and in a
wide range of climates. Soybeans are versatile as they can be used as whole
beans, soy sprouts or processed as a variety of food items, such as soy milk,
tofu, soy sauce, soy oil and soy diary alternatives. They are also used for
making candles and bio – diesel.
Soy is an excellent source of high quality protein; is low in saturated fats
and is cholesterol – free. It is also rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin B
complex, minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium and copper. In
recent times it has been highly recommended because of its ability to lower the
levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), a bad cholesterol. the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has confirmed that foods containing soy propteing are
likely to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
An easy way to take soy is as soymilk now available with added flavour.
Soymilk does not contain lactose (ilk sugar) and can be drunk by those who
are allergic to normal milk. to get soymilk, soybeans are soaked in water,
ground and then strained. If you don’t mind the trouble, you can also
make it at home. [OR]
b) Write a paragraph of about 150 words on the hazards of using mobile
phone.
45. a) Recently, you ordered for a watch through online shopping, and when it
arrived, it was damaged. Write a letter to the company that sold you the
watch. - give details about the order you mad. - explain what was wrong
with the watch. - tell the company, what to you want them to do about it.
[OR]
b) Write a letter to your friend sharing your travel experience to Delhi.
46. a) Read the following sentences, spot the errors and correct him.
i) It will be a waste throwing the food away.
ii) Kailash never does any work behind 10 p.m.
iii) Neither Suresh nor kamalesh are intelligent.
iv) Though he is ill, but he attends the class.
v) One of my uncle lives in Canada.
[or]
b) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
i) Usha ------(buy) laptop recently. She -------(use) it at the moment. (Use the

XII-ENGLISH Page 299

 verb in the correct him)
ii) Mu sister ------dance so well, when she was in school. (Use a semi modal verb)
iii) The bugle is -------in our school -----. (band / banned)
a) Develop the hints into a story of 150 words.
Once a bee – fell into a pond – pigeon flew past – dropped a leaf – bee
climbed on leaf – escaped – a hunter – aimed at pigeon – the bee stung – lost his
aim – pigeon escaped.
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
“The Little Tramp”, the unforgettable character Charlie Chaplin invented was
born purely by accident in 1915. While rushing to a film shoot in California, he
grabbed clothes what other people had left behind in the changing room. And
when he emerged, he found, he had created a personality everybody loved a little
guy in a bowler hat, a close – Fitting jacket, a can e, a pair of outsized shoes and a
brush – like moustache.
Before long, Chaplin found himself a star. That puzzled him, for he saw himself
essentially as a shy British Music Hall Comedian. The U.S., acknowledged him as
its king of silent film comedy. Soon, so did crowds all over the world.
But life wasn’t always a laugh for Charles Spencer Chaplin. Both his parents were
Music Hall artists, who separated when Charlie was very young. His childhood
was very sad, for his mother never earned enough to look after her children.
Sometimes, Chaplin had to sleep on the streets.
Charlie took his first bow on the stage, when his mother made her last
appearance. It happened when her voice broke during a song. Her son stepped on
stage and sang a popular song. That’s when a star was born.
Questions :
a) Which unforgettable character did Charlie Chaplin invent?
b) Describe the personality created by Charlie, whom everybody loved.
c) What did Charlie see himself as?
d) Give one reason to show that Charlie’s early life was very sad.
e) Find the word in the passage that is opposite in meaning to
i) “body” and ii) “tragedy”

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

SEP – 2020
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most suitable answer from the given four alternatives and
write the answers along with the corresponding option codes.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the words underlined in the
following sentences.
1. --------- then as trade slackened we went over.
a) commenced b) improved c) continued d) reduced
2. ----and no more humps to tantalize us with hopes of success.
a) attract b) disappoint c) taunt d) encourage

XII-ENGLISH Page 300

3. You may ------seeing your car pulled up by his insolence of office, feel that your
liberty has been outraged.
a) rudeness b) greediness c) laziness d) sloppiness
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the underlined words in the
following
sentences.
4. One does not feel wise, brave or more optimistic.
a) realistic b) pessimistic c) pragmatic d)naturalistic
5. He had a malignant tumour of the bone.
a) harmful b) moderate c) benign d) terminal
6. She was a very frail girl.
a) strong b) brilliant c) wealthy d) modern
7. Choose the correct American English word for ‘pavement’
a) pedestal b) scaffold c) pavilion d) sidewalk
8. From a derivative by adding a suitable prefix to the rootword ‘belief’.
a) mis --------- b) dis -------- c) non------- d) un ---------
9. Choose the word that cannot be added after ‘over’ to form a compound word.
a) piece b) board c) flow d)coat
10. The study of principles of beauty is ---------
a) Numismatics b) Aesthetics c)Phonetics d) Linguistics
11. A person who is unable to pay his debts is a ------
a) traitor b) bankrupt c) tyrant d) convict
12. Choose the right word to replace the phrasal verb in the following sentence.
On hearing the shocking news, the woman passed out.
a) trembled b) wailed c) perspired d)fainted
13. Choose the suitable meaning of the idiom in the following sentence.
The medical shop is round the corner.
a) in the farthest end b) near the junction
c) at a short distance d) around the traffic circle
14. Choose the most appropriate word from the given confusables and fill in the
blank.
The astronomers recently ------------a new planet in our solar system.
a) invented b)discovered c) diagnosed d) investigated
15. Choose the right plural form of the word ‘apparatus’.
a) apparatuses b) apparati c) apparatusis d) apparaties
16. Choose the appropriate expansion of the acronym ‘PAN’.
a) Personal Aggregate Number b) Private Authentic Number
c) Postal Assurance Number d) Permanent Account Number
17. Choose the appropriate links from the following sentence.
--my father arrived home, I narrated the incident.
a)As soon as b) Besides c) If d)Although
18. Fill in the blanks with appropriate article.
I am ______eldest in the family.
a)an b) the c) a d) none of the above

XII-ENGLISH Page 301

19. Identify the pattern of the following sentence.
The child hid his toy car under the cot.
a) SVOA b) SVCA c) SVOC d) SVIODO
20. Fill in the blank with the most suitable preposition.
The sun faded -------a stir of mist.
a) upon b) behind c)among d) during
PART – II
SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer the questions that
follow. Choose any 4 sets. 4x2=8
21. “We watched the mowers in the hay”.
a) Who does ‘we’ refer to? b) What work do the mowers do?
22. “The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung,”
a) Who is the giant here ? b) Mention the figure of speech used in this lien.
23. “The Marshal’s in the market-place
And you’ll be there anon.”
a) Where does the soldier ask Napoleon to go?
b) Why does he want the emperor to go there?
24. “Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail.”
a) What is ‘satchel’? b) Identify the figure of speech used here.
25. “Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.”
a) Explain the comparison made here.
b) Pick out the words in alliteration.
26. “ For some three suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire”.
a) Explain “three Suns”. b) Who speaks these words ?
SECTION – 2
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6
27. Vivek is taking the kids on a picnic today. ( Change into Indirect Speech)
28. The curator of the museum said to the visitors, “Don’t touch these paintings,
please.” (Change into indirect speech)
29. You should sleep well, otherwise you will ruin your health.
(Change into complex using ‘unless’)
30. A young lady sold me this gold chain. I want to meet her.
(Combine using the relative pronoun ‘who’)
PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “He works his work, I mine.”
32. “O sweet companions, I loved with love intense,
For your sakes, shall the tree be ever dear,”
33. “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo.
XII-ENGLISH Page 302
35. What injuries did the Barnard couple sustain in the accident?
36. Why did Hillary become clumsy – fingered and slow - moving?
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Describe the process of cleaning the salt – stained and slippery floor tiles in
your washroom.
38. A tenant is facing an acute water scarcity. He meets the landlord to explain the
situation and request him to address the problem. Frame a dialogue between
the tenant and the landlord discussing the issue.
39. Write a slogan for each of the following
a) to advertise a fairness cream.
b) to create awareness on the importance of educating girl child.
c) to advertise a baby food product.
40. Complete the proverbs with the right options.
a) The squeaky wheel gets the --------
i) diesel ii) resin iii) grease iv) water
b) people who live in glass houses should not throw ------------
i) pellets ii) stones iii) garbage iv) marbles
c) The _________is always greener on the other side.
i) brook ii) parrot iii) moss iv) grass
PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Enumerate the eleven golden rules to be followed to prepare a perfect cup of

tea, as suggested by George orwell. [or]

b) How does A.G. Gardiner distinguish between individual liberty and social
freedom, through his essay ‘On the Rule of the Road’?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) How does Shakespeare describe the seven different roles played by man
during his life – time?
[or]
b) Bring out the qualities of the young French soldier as portrayed by the poet
in “Incident of the French Camp”.
43. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words by developing
the given hints.
a) Aksinonoy – young merchant of Vladimir – lives with family – goes to Nizhny
fair – meets a merchant friend – during travel – stays in an inn – leaves inn
before daybreak – gets arrested – innocent prisoner – accused of murder –
spends 26 years in prison – meets Makar – Aksionov saves Makar – Makar feels
guilty – confesses his crime – Aksionov forgives criminal – dies peacefully.
[or]
b) Ausable – secret agent – in his room – criminal enters – holds a pistol –
Ausable turns anxious – wants to save – important document – spins a clever
story – uses presence of mind – makes Max believe – presence of balcony –

XII-ENGLISH Page 303

 someone knocks door – Ausable says – called police to safeguard papers – Max
gets terrified – jumps out – gets killed.
44. a) Summarize the following passage in about 100 words.
The three fundamental essentials for existence of man in this planet
are food, clothing and shelter. In pre- historic times, human beings dwelt in
caves to protect and shield themselves from wild animals and harsh weather
conditions. In the course of evolution, man developed the ability to build his
own shelters in convenient locations using the materials available locally. The
concept of fabricated permanent shelters thus came into being. The term
‘shelter’ as a basic necessity is perceived differently by different people. People
house themselves in different types of shelters based on the preferred
geographical locations, climate, affordability, job or business based
compulsions and availability of desired facilities and infrastructure. In remote
Northern Polar Regions, people live in shelters made of ice blocks called
‘igloos’. In deep jungles, the tribes live in stilted houses constructed out of
materials available in the forest. In plains, people live in villages, suburbs and
cities, where a multitude variety of need – based shelters are constructed. Most
of the people in villages live in individual houses that are self – containing. In
suburbs, people live in bungalow type houses in areas connected by roads and
provided with basic amenities. In cities, we find people residing in individual
houses as well as multi – storeyed buildings. The individual units in the multi –
storeyed buildings are known as apartments. Here people share all common
amenities and utilities. Gated communities are also formed, wherein a big
cluster of individual houses are enclosed in an exclusive area with access
control. People at times temporarily stay in farm houses for rest and relaxation.
They stay there to manage cultivation and farming activities as well. Some
people reside n ranch houses in order to monitor and take care of vast
stretches of private lands that are usually not fenced. Man has thus learnt not
only to put a roof over his head but also in a way that suits all his needs.
[or]
b) Write a paragraph of about 150 words on the topic “ The importance of
personal Hygiene’.
45. a) Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting her to grant you a
fee concession. Give reasons to support your application.
[or]
b) Write a letter to your friend, whose mother is admitted in hospital for a
heart surgery.
46. a) Read the following poem and answer the questions given below :
Gods are happy in their heaven,
when women are honoured upon the earth,
Not it is a favour for them,
But to respect their merit alone.
Their hopes do live in dreams at night,
To make them true in broad day – light,
They don’t have any sign in sight,
this is in fact their miserable plight.

XII-ENGLISH Page 304

 Women are holy by their birth,
Sacred are their ways of life,
In pious ways they spare their time,
Serving God through serving all.
If women are fearless, frank and free,
And lead a simple and humble life,
And treated with a sense of love,
This world will turn a heaven indeed !
Questions :
i) When, according to the poet, do Gods in heaven feel happy?
ii) What is considered as the miserable plight of women?
iii) Why does the poet call the life of women sacred?
iv) How can this world be transformed into a heaven?
v) Suggest a suitable title to the poem.
[or]
b) Develop the hints into a story of about 150 words .
An unhappy King – subjects very lazy – wants to teach – lesson -
places a big stone – middle of a busy road – people pass – no one removes stone
– stays there – one whole week – curse the King and Government – King orders
soldiers – roll the stone aside – front of public – people find box – full of gold
coins – a note reads – “gift to the one who removes stone” – people hang heads
down – feel ashamed – King blames people – laziness and sense of
irresponsibility.
47. a) Spot the errors in the following sentences and correct them suitably.
i) No sooner did the actor enter the stage, when the audience shouted in
excitement.
ii) Let’s change the curtains today, can we?
iii) Everyone know that smoking is injurious to health.
iv) We have decided to follow an uniform system of appraisal.
v) The sparrow is one of the most smallest birds I have seen. [OR]
b) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
i) The children remained ------for -----some time. (quite / quiet)
ii) My parent ------never ---------(beat) me so far. (use the correct tense
form of the verb)
iii) I -------not violate the traffic rules at any cost. (use a semi – modal verb)
iv ) The Manager congratulated the team members ---the Management.
(use a suitable prepositional phrase)

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

AUGUST – 2021
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most suitable answer from the given four alternatives and
write the answers along with the corresponding option codes.

XII-ENGLISH Page 305

 Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the words underlined in the
following sentences.
1. I follow my fancy and ask no man’s permission.
a) Plan b) instinet c) temper d) desire
2. They are childish enough and in many ways artless.
a) selfless b) artistic c) guileless d) foolish
3. Suffering seems so cruelly prevalent in the world.
a) bearable b) massive c) unattended d) common
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the underlined words in the
following
sentences.
4. The anticipation of this imagined separation only increases their fondness for
the calf.
a) expectancy b) contemplation c) ignorance d) outlook
5. Nicola was glaring at his brother in vexation.
a) confusion b) anger c) surprise d) happy agreement
6. He was a good driver, and he had full confidence in the mechanic.
a) diffidence b) hope c) significance d) assurance
7. Choose the word that can be placed after the word ‘wind’ to form a compound
word.
a) fan b) man c) proof d) pulse
8. Replace the underlined word with the polite form of expression.
I saw a disabled man
a) gifted b) handicapped c) dyslexic d) physically challenged
9. Choose the word that has been spelt correctly from the options given.
a) amateur b) ametuer c) amateur d) amatuer
10. Replace the underlined word with its polite form.
Reghav submitted his resignation last week and is unemployed right now.
a) unpaid b) retired c) on probation d) between jobs
11. Form a new word by adding a suitable prefix to the underlined word.
Fertile soil is essential for the growth of plants
a) in - b) im - c) dis - d) un -
12. Choose the correct combination for the blended word ‘cyborg’.
a) cybernetic + organisation b) cybernetic + organism
c) cybernetic + organ d) cybernetic + org
13. Choose the correct American English word for ‘full stop’.
a) hash b) dot c) period d) end
14. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb.
The meeting was postponed as the chairman was on an official tour.
a) put off b) put forward c) put up with d) put out
15. Choose the correct combination of the compound word Overstep.
a) Noun + Verb b) Preposition + Adverb
c) Adverb + Noun d) Adverb + Verb
16. Choose the suffix that can be added after the word ‘noble’.
a) –able b) – ity c) – ful d) - ness

XII-ENGLISH Page 306

17. Choose the correct question tag for the following statement.
Let’s go for a movie this weekend,------------?
a) let we b) shouldn’t we c) won’t we d) shall we
18. Fill in the blank choosing the correct prepositional phrase.
-----your advertisement in a local newspaper, I am applying for the post of a
salesman.
a) In reference to b) With reference to
c) In the event of d) According to
19. Fill in the blank choosing the correct preposition.
There was a skirmish -----my brother and sister.
a) with b) on c) between d) among
20. Complete the sentence choosing the appropriate linkers.
We fail to harness the rain water, -------- we suffer.
a) consequently b) nevertheless c) although d)besides

PART – II
SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any 4 sets. 4x2=8
21. A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live.
a) Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
b) How does the poet describe the creeper?
22. Let him have alzy days seeking his deeper motives.
Let him seek deep for where he is born natural.
a) Why does the poet advise his son to have lazy days?
b) identify the figure of speech used in the above lines.
23. When I am gone. He works his work, I mine
There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail :
a) Where does the speaker plan to go?
b) Identify the figure of speech used in the second line.
24. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation”
a) Explain “bubble reputation”.
b) What are the distinguishing features of this stage?
25. ....for my purpose holds
to sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die
a) What was Ulysses’ purpose in life?
b) How long would his venture last?
26. Tel him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.
a) Can being in solitude help a strong human being? How?
b) Identify the figure of speech used in the above line.
SECTION – 2
Do as directed.
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6

XII-ENGLISH Page 307

27. She said that she would be using the car that night ( Change into Direct
Speech).
28. My mother is knitting the sweaters (Change the voice)
29. Unless you go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight (Rewrite
the sentence using ‘If’ without changing the meaning of the sentence).
30. Suresh did not know Hindi, so he wanted a translator (Rewrite as a complex
sentence.)
PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
32. It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech .......
33. And one man in his time plays many parts.
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. How does Dr. Bernard know the boy who played the trolley’s driver?
35. How was the chair made and how did the villagers react to it?
36. Why did the driver not approve of the narrator buying fruits from the boys?
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Describe the process of planting a sapling in a pot.
38. Build a dialogue of atleast three utterances between a student and his mother
regarding online classes.
39. Re arrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) went /we/a/on/year/trip/to/last/Kanyakumari
b) get / in / at / seven o’clock / I / up / morning / the
c) take / will / a / the / off / plane / few / minutes / in
40. The following graph depicts the result of a survey conducted among 120
students of class XII of a certain school. Study the graph and answer the
questions based on it.
Favourite Dish Number of Students
Pizza 40
Burger 25
Dosa 10
Pasta 15
Briyani 30

(i) which is the most favourite dish of the students?

(ii) How many students have ‘dosa’ as their favourite dish?
(iii) What is the difference in the number of students who preferred Pizza to
Burger?
PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35

XII-ENGLISH Page 308

41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Narrate the humorous incidents that happened in the author’s home after
the arrival of the chair. [or]
b) Adversity brings out the best as well as the worst in people. Elucidate this
statement with reference to the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona’.
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) The poet immortalizes the Casuarina Tree. Elucidate.
[or]
b) How does the poet Carl Sandburg give a vivid description of a father’s
worldly
wisdom in directing a son who is at the threshold of manhood?
43. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words by developing
the given hints.
a) Ivan dmitrich Aksionov – lived – Vladimir – wite and children – trip – Nizhny
Fair – wife – bad dream – not to start – local police – arrested Aksionov –
charged with murder – petition – turned down – sent – mines of Siberia – grew
old – frequently prayed to God – respected by inmates – gentle behaviour – one
day – met – Makar Semyonich – Aksionov – found out the truth – Makar
admitted – Aksionov – forgave – died in peace. [or]
b) Children of Venus – glimpse of the sun – after seven years – Margot stood
apart – William – shoved and disliked – remembered – sun – four years – Ohio –
children heated her – told her – a joke – locked in a closet – rain stopped – sun
came out – children laughed – ran among trees – boom of thunder – children
trembled – one of them – remembered – looked at each other – unlocked closet
door – only silence – let Margot out. .
44. a) Make notes or summarise the following passage.
Imagine looking down on the vast expanse of the sea with its mighty
waves cresting and crushing the sand, then claiming it with the soft hush of
their froth and foam from the effort. This is Varkala, one of the many beaches
along Kerala’s 600 ka shoreline. It is perhaps the best of the beaches of the
coastline. Kamur bench has the cliffs but no sand, the Cheray beach has a
coconut grove but no cliffs, Kavalam has too many tourists but neither the cliffs
nor cstunries. Varkala just 41 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, has everything
– never ending eliffs, white sand, bubbling integral springs – quaint caves,
swaying palms, glimpses of history, wonder of geography and spiritual richness
and rejuvenation therapies.
Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where one can find cliffs adjacent
to the Arabian Sea. They are known among geologists as the Varkala Formation.
There are numerous water spouts and geysers on the cliff faces, making this
place a natural spa. [or]
b) Write a paragraph on the importance of being kind to animals.
45. a) Write a letter to EZ Company requesting them to replace the defective juicer
that you bought recently. Include the following details ; the problem, date
of purchase, receipt number, model and warranty. [or]

XII-ENGLISH Page 309

 b) You had been to your Grandfather’s house during the Christmas holidays.
You enjoyed your stay in his company. Write a letter to your Grandfather
stating how much you miss him after returning to your home.
46. a) Read the following sentences, spot the errors and correct them.
i) she made me to cry.
(ii) Faster you run, sooner you get tired.
(iii) This is the most least mark I have ever scored.
(iv) My friends and I were sitting in a cafe and to talk.
(v) No sooner did the power resume, when the children screamed in joy.

[or]
b) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
(i) Yusuf _______to the movies once in a while.
( Use the verb ‘go’ in the correct form)
(ii) My grandfather ----------visit this temple when he was young.
(Fill in with a semi modal)
(iii) She had to -------out her papers before she --------help from the clerk,
(sought / sort)
(iv) ----------I got up early, I managed to reach school on time.
(Use an appropriate linker)
47. Develop the hints into a story of about 150 words.
a) Manager of a firm – advertised – night watchman – applicants interviewed –
manager – not satisfied – on applicant – Raju – sat in a corner – patiently
waiting – his turn came – manager questioned – about his health – suffering
from sleeplessness – replied Raju – manager – happy – appointed Raju.
[or]
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
Mr. bean is a television series created by Rowan Alkinson and Richard
Curtis,which was aired form 1990 – 95 . It was first released in U.K. as a live
action comedy, and was later also made into an animated series for children.
Atkinson plays the role of the protagonist Mr. Bean with great comic timing. He
admits to having conceived hte character within a span of 48 hours while he ws
studying in Oxford. Following the style of old silent films.Mr. Bean rarely
speaks, but his faial expressions and physical gestures convey the plot of each
episode. since language is into an issue, this series has been broadest in about
200 countries around the world.
(i) Who created the television series Mr. Bean?
(ii) When and how did the character of Mr. Bean emerge?
(iii) What medium did the character use to convey the plot to the audience?
(iv) What feature of the series has made it possible to be broadcast in about
200 countries?
(v) Pick out the word from the passage which means – “a lead character or one
of the major characters in a play, film or novel.”

XII-ENGLISH Page 310

 PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
MAY – 2022
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and
write the option code and the corresponding answer.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the words underlined in the
following sentences.
1. We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went over.
a) reduced b) improved c) loosened d) ended
2. Individual liberty would have become social anarchy.
a) welfare b) anxiety c) lawlessness d) deprivation
3. He was a walking horror, with a disfigured face and long flap of skin hanging
from the side of his neck to his body.
a) majestic b) marred c) dismantled d) diseased
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the underlined words in the
following sentences.
4. In those days, they didn’t have sophisticated heart surgery.
a) artificial b) painful c) primitive d) modern
5. Our father rejected it, saying it wouldn’t be sturdy.
a) pretty b) weak c) fashionable d) strong
6. We have a whole kingdom, in which we rule alone, can do what we choose, be
wise or conventional or odd.
a) unconventional b) inefficient c) insufficient d) unbiased
7. Replace the underlined idiom with its suitable meaning : The examinations are
round the corner.
a) not to be avoided b) not in the near future
c) very near d) to be postponed
8. Replace the underlined word with a polite form of expression.
Slow learners are to be taught with more care and attention.
a) bright b) unwilling learners c) hyper active d) slow bloomers
9. Choose the word that can be placed before the word ‘drive’ to form a compound
word
a) pen b) roll c) rash d) dash
10. Choose the correct British English equivalent for the American English word
“Vacation”.
a) Weekend b) Holiday c) Tour d) Leave
11. Fill in the blank with the most suitable prepositional phrase: ------- rain, take
an umbrella.
a) In favour of b) in case of c) On behalf of d) in spite of
12. Choose the appropriate linker and complete the sentence.
----you book in advance, you cannot witness the show.
a) Unless b) If c) Although d) Otherwise

XII-ENGLISH Page 311

13. Choose the correct word front he options given below and complete the
sentence. It was a memorable ----------
a) accident b) incidence c) resident d) incident
14. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb: The fire was
extinguished.
a) put up b) put in c) put out d) put off
15. Choose the word with correct spelling.
a) dysentery b) seperate c) secretary d) foreign
16. Identify the correct combination of the word ‘haircut’.
a) noun + adjective b) noun + verb c) noun + adverb d) noun + noun
17. Form a new word by a adding a suitable suffix to the underlined word and
complete the sentence.
a) -ity b) - ness c) - able d) – ment
18. Chose the best option that is the expansion of the abbreviation “TNPSC.
a) Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
b) Tamil Nadu National People Service Commission
c) Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
d) Tamil Nadu Public Service Council
19. Choose the appropriate question tag and complete the sentence.
a) do you b) will you c) would you d) won’t you
20. Which of the following sentences is of the pattern SVOA?
a) We should encourage sports persons b) I ate an apple yesterday
c) The pot called the kettle black d) Your words make me proud
PART – II
SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four sets : 4x2=8
21. “LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars”.
a) What is winding round and round
b) Identify the figure of speech in the first line.
22. One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will.
to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
a) Who are referred to heroic hearts?
b) Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.
23. “He will be lonely enough
to have time for the work
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
a) Who does the word ‘He’ refer to?
b) How does loneliness help the person?
24. All the world’s a stage
a) What is the world compared with?
b) Identify the figure of speech.
25. ‘O sweet companions, loved with love intense,
for your sakes, shall the tree be ever dear.

XII-ENGLISH Page 312

 a) Why shall the tree remain ever dear?
b) What are the alliterated words in the first line?
26. ‘It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew’.
a) Which place would they travel to?
b) Whom would they meet with, in the course of their voyage?

SECTION – 2
Do as directed.
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6
27. Reena said, “ I am learning French” ( Change into Indirect Speech)
28. My request was acceded to by the authorities. (Change the Voice)
29. I met a man at the party. He is the Chairman of a computer firm.
(Combine into a Single Sentence)
30. Unless we plant more trees, we cannot save our planet. (Rewrite using “If”
without changing the meaning)
PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “Without rich wanting nothing arrives’.
32. “This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle’
33. ‘Mayst thou be numbered when my days are done
With deathless trees – like those in Borrow – dale’
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. What were the various jobs undertaken by the little boys?
35. what happened to the visitor when he sat on the stool, at the narrator’s
house?
36. Define “liberty’ as perceived by A.G. Gardiner.
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Complete the proverbs.
Choosing the right word from he list.
a) Variety is the --------of life.
i) source ii) spice iii) need
b) Every dog has its --------------------
i) bone ii) meat iii) day
c) Time and ------------wait for none.
i) ride ii) side iii) tide
38. Rearrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) delayed / denied / justice / is / justice
b) spoil / and / rod / spare / the / child / the
c) time / a/ nine / stitch / saves / in
39. Describe the process of making a glass of lemonade.

XII-ENGLISH Page 313

40. The following table contains information on the types of English and Tamil
books borrowed from a lending library. Study the table and answer the
questions based on it.

Types of Books Lent English Tamil

Plays 500 600
Historical Novels 625 641
Social Novels 612 816

a) How many English books have been lent totally?

b) Social novels are read the most in English and Tamil. Is this statement
“True’ or ‘False’?
c) On the whole, which type of books is read least?
PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Justify the title of the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona’. [or]
b) Describe the situation in the narrator’s household before and after the chair
was bought.
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) What are the poet’s reminiscences of the Casuarina tree? [or]
b) What is the father’s advice to his son when he is on the threshold of
manhood?
43. Write a paragraph in about 150 words by developing the hints.
a) Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov – young merchant – sets out to fair – against wife’s
warning – stays in an inn – next morning sets off – gets arrested – supposed to
have killed the merchant – is sent to Siberia – spends the time reading and
praying – gians respect – Maker Semyonich – comes there – seems to know
Aksionov – his behaviour makes Aksionov suspect – finally learns that Makar
had murdered – the merchant – Aksionov forgive Makar – orders of release
arrive – Aksionov is dead. [OR]
b) Children in Venus – long for the sun – Margot exception – seen sun five
years ago – has come from the Earth – other children – seven years ago –
cannot recall the sun – all await excitedly – sun in predicted – to come out
that day – they seize Margot – lock her up in the closet – run out – enjoy
sunshine – an hour – drops of rain – dismayed – taken inside –s tarts raining
heavily again – remember Margot – open the closet – let her out.
44. Write a summary (or) make notes of the following passage.
a) One of the key factors which sustain the pace of modern life style is
Telecommunication. It plays a very vital role in the commercial, industrial and
economic activities of mankind and has helped to shrink the world into a global
village.

XII-ENGLISH Page 314

 Exchange of information, data and facts and figures, including live pictures
from one part of the world to any other part is now routinely possible.
Telegraph was the earliest means of communication between two points
separated by distance. In 1876. Alexander Graham Bell discovered the
telephone which made possible the transmission of human voice over long
distances. In both telegraph and telephone, the transmitting and receiving
points have to be connected by metal wires through which electrical signals
travel in the form of current variations. The discovery of wireless at the turn of
hte century by Marconi was a revolution in the history of communication
technology.
It is no longer necessary to connect the transmitter and hte receiver by wires.
instead electromagnetic waves, the existence of which was predicted by
Maxwell in 1873. could be sued to carry information and messages from one
point to another. The advent fo artificial satellites has marked a new age int e
history of global communication.
b) Write a paragraph on the ‘Value of Time’.
45. a) Write a letter to your friend congratulating him / her on having been
selected for the Semi – Final of a state – level hockey tournament. [or]
b) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper about the menace caused by rash
driving of bike and car racers in the city. .
46. a) Read the following sentences,spot the error in them and correct them:
i) One of my sister is rich
ii) Rahim was senior than Abdul in college.
iii) Speakers after speaker came on the stage.
iv) You can also considers paramedical carrers.
v) She bought an useful gadget. [or]
b) Read the following sentences and classify them according to their fields.:
i) They -------to ----------more money. (earn / yearn)
ii) I ----------like to meet you in person and discuss the matter.
(Fill in the blank with a modal verb)
iii) Hurry up! the movie ------------(already begin)
(Fill in the blank with a modal verb)
iv) The boy -------got the first prize is my brother.
(Use an appropriate relative pronoun)
47. a) Develop the hints into a story of 150 words.
A traveller reaches an inn – the door locked – knocks – “Key is Lost”, says
the innkeeper – the traveller slips a silver coin – innkeeper happy – opens the
door – keeps the coin with him – asks the keeper to bring in his luggages –
locks the door – innkeeper shouts – the traveller says – “ I have Lost the key”. –

XII-ENGLISH Page 315

 the innkeeper returns the coin – traveller lets him in – “it for tat”.
[OR]
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
The word Photography is derived from two Greek words which
together mean ‘to draw by light’. Producing a photograph is simply obtaining
the image of an object by the action of light on a prepared sensitive surface.
Taking a photograph with a modern camera is a comparatively simple process
compared with that which produced some of the early photographs, still to be
seen, for instance, in family albums. The early camera was large and
cumbersome to handle, and when assembled in position, had to be carefully
focused on the object –a lengthy operation. Later on, with focusing scales on
cameras (and built – in range finders on the more expensive models), the
setting occupied only a few seconds. With the early and – operated cameras the
exposure was made by removing a lens cover, and counting the length of the
exposure in seconds. There was also the tedious task of loading and of
preparing a sensitive glass for which the photographer had to carry with him a
portable dark rook or a large plate changing box. Now the same operation
consists simply of breaking dark rook or a large plate changing box. Now the
same operation consists simply of breaking the seal on a carton and loading, in
daylight, a roll of film, which provides sufficient and light sensitive material for
eight to thirty six exposures according to the type of camera used.
Questions :
a) Trace the origin and meaning of the word ‘photography’
b) What were the difficulties faced by people operating the camera in early
days?
c) How was the exposure made in the early hand – operated cameras?
d) Why did the photographer of earlier days carry a portable dark room with
him?
e) How is the light - sensitive material obtained in modern days?

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

JULY - 2022
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives
and write the option code and the corresponding answer.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the underlined words from the
options given.
1. What is important is what you have left.
a) suitable b) significant c) impulsive d) motivating
2. The end of such liberty wrould be universal chaos.
a) confusion b) battle c) peace d) debate
3. ………they had barely kept themselves in a sort of shelter they built ……..amidst
the rubble.
a) circumstances b) crisis c) granite d) debris
XII-ENGLISH Page 316
 Choose the correct of antonyms of the underlined words from the options
given: 3x1=3
4. He had a malignant tumour of the bone.
a)dangerous b) curable c) benign d) mild
5. A stout old lady was walking with her basket down the middle of a street -----
with no small peril to herself.
a) safety b) reward c) danger d) recognition
6. Jist as we throught. our chuckles had subsided.
a) diminished b) submerged c) increased d) completed
7. Form a mew word by adding a suitable prefix to the underlined word Roja
treated the elders with respect.
a) un b) ir c) in d) dis
8. Choose the correct word and complete the sentence. He was an __________
acholar.
a) eminent b) imminent c) immaterial d) immature
9. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb.
The enemies stopped the water supply to the city.
a) put out b) cut off c) broke in d) let in
10. Choose the word that can be palced after he word ’soft’ to form a compound
word.
a) wear b)ware c)pen d)ice
11. What is sentence pattern of hte given sentence?
Ravi gave Raja a pen on his birthday.
a) SVOA b) SVOAA c)SVOCA d) SVIODOA
12. Fill in the blank choosing the correct prepostional phrase.
Many tourists visited Ooty _____heavy rains.
a) in spite of b) on account of c) in case of d) instend of
13. Replace the underlined word with its pollite form.
Rajathi has a second – hand. car.
a) used b) pre – owned c) owned d) utilised
14. Choose the correct British English word for ’program’
a) Programe b) Programm c) Proggram d) Programme
15. Form a new word by adding a suitable suffix to the underlined word.
Ravi could manage the finances of his company very well.
a) ly b) ment c) mis d) ful
16. Complete the sentnce choosing an appropriate linker.
______you register your name, you cannot participate int eh competitions.
a) If b) Otherwise c) As d) Unless
17. Choose the correct queation tag for hte following statement.
The employees are seldom allowed to meet their boss, __________?
a) are they b) arem’t they c) can they d) can we
18. Fill in the blanks with the right verb.
Sh! Someone ________to our conversation.
a) will listened b) listens c) is listening d) were listening

XII-ENGLISH Page 317

19. Choose the correct combination of the compound word ’world famous’.
a) Noun + Verb b) Noun + Adjective
c) Noun + Gerund d) Noun + Participle
20. Choose the word that has been spelt correclty from the opitons given.
a) awefully b) awfully c) awefuly d) awfully

PART – II
SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four sets : 4 x 2 = 8
21. and above all tell himself no lies about himself
whatever the white likes and protective fronts.
a) Explain the term ‘white lies’.
b) Pick out the words in alliteration in the given lines.

22. --------for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, unitil I die,
a) What was Ulysses. purpose in life?
b) How long would his venture last?
23. Seeking hte bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) Explain ‘bubble reputation’.
24. Much have I seen and known; cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments.
a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
b) What has been seen and known by hte narrator?
25. The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split a rock.
a) How can a frail flower affect a rock?
b) Pick out the words in alliteration in the given lines.
26. “ Like a huge Python, winding round and round,
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars”.
a) What winds round and round like a python?
b) Mention the figure of speech int he first line.

SECTION – 2
Do as directed. (any three) 3x2=6
27. Geetha asked angel whether she would help her to pack her bag.
(Change into direct Speech)
28. The Governor inaugurated the exhibition at ten O’ clock. . (Change the Voice)
29. Mr. Kunaal would not sponsor my higher education unless I studied well.
(Rewrite using ’if’ without changing the meaning of hte sentence.)
30. Apples are costlier than Oranges. . (Rewrite using the positive degree.)

XII-ENGLISH Page 318

 PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “Tell him too much money has killed men
and left them dead years before burial:
32. Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime,
O saw thee, in my own loved native clime.
33. Turning again toward childish treble, pipes,
And whistles in his sound.
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. The boys did not spend much on clothes and food. Why?
35. How did the boy who played the mechanic lose his eyesight?
36. What does the traffic policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolize?

SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Write a slogan on each of the following topics.
a) Avoid junk food b) Save Electricity c) Planting trees.
38. Rearrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) Foolish / penny / wise / pound / I
b) before / don’t / chickens / hatch / your / count / they
c) another / meat / man’s / is / one / poison / man’s
39. Describe the process of obtaining a demand draft from a bank.
40. Complete each of the following proverbs with the right option.
a) ___________is not a bed of roses.
b) _____once lost is lost forever.
c) _____was not built in a day. (Rome, Time, Life)

PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) What message is conveyed through the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona”?
[or]
b) Why does A.G. Gardiner say that curtailment of private liberty is required to
establish social liberty ?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Why does the poet consider the Casuarina tree dear to her and wish it to
remain forever? [or]
b) What makes Ulysses seek newer adventures ?
43. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words, by developing
the hints.
a) Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov – young merchant – lived – Vladimir – Nizhny fair –
wife – bad dream – stayed at inn – met another merchant – murdered at night –

XII-ENGLISH Page 319

 Aksionov arrested – petition rejected – sent – mines of Siberia – 26 years –
grew – old – gentle – prayed often – respected by inmates – one day – met
another prisoner – found out – he murderer – Makar confessed – Aksionov
forgave – died in peace – before order – for release came.
[OR]
b) Ausable – secret agent – very fat – fowler – young writer – disappointed –
dull evening with sloppy man – unlocks door – find man with a pistol – wants
report about missiles – Ausable unperturbed – talks about balcony with
irritation – knock at door – max – nervous –Ausable – cool – says – it is the
police knocking continues – max nervous – Ausable – says – police will shoot –
in fear max – jumps from window – thinks – there is a balcony – dies – door
opens – waiter brings wine – fowler – shocked tolearn – no police – no balcony.

44. a) Make notes of the following passage.

a) The earth goes round the sun and the moon goes round the earth. There are
several other bodies, which like the earth, go round the sun. All these, including
our earth, are called the planets of the sun. The moon is called a satellite of the
b) Write a paragraph on the topic “Effective uses of good communication”.
45. a) Write a letter to your friend congratulating him / her on having been
selected for the Semi – Final of a state – level hockey tournament. [or]
b) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper about the menace caused by rash
driving of bike and car racers in the city. .
46. (a) Read the following sentences, spot the errors and correct them :
i) Very few indoor games are more interesting than chess.
ii) I prefer coffee than tea.
iii) Neither of the two boys were late.
iv) Pragathi put the bunch of flowers in the vase, doesn’t she?
v) The Chairman had full confidence on his Manager for successful completion
of the project.
Fill in the blanks appropriately
i. This is to inform you that all the members _____Ram, ________ your
proposal. (accept /except)
ii. I _____to play hockey, when I was a student. ( Fill in with a semi modal)
iii. Can you get me _____Butter? (Use an appropriate determiner)
iv. In most of the guests ______attended the party left early.
(Fill in the blank with a relative pronoun )
47. a) Develop the hints into a story of 150 words.
A traveller reaches an inn – the door locked – knocks – “Key is Lost”, says
the innkeeper – the traveller slips a silver coin – innkeeper happy – opens the
door – keeps the coin with him – asks the keeper to bring in his luggages –
locks the door – innkeeper shouts – the traveller says – “ I have Lost the key”. –
the innkeeper returns the coin – traveller lets him in – “it for tat”.
[OR]
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
XII-ENGLISH Page 320
 The word Photography is derived from two Greek words which
together mean ‘to draw by light’. Producing a photograph is simply obtaining
the image of an object by the action of light on a prepared sensitive surface.
Taking a photo graph with a modern camera is a comparatively simple process
compared with that which produced some of the early photographs, still to be
seen, for instance, in family albums. The early camera was large and
cumbersome to handle, and when assembled in position, had to be carefully
focused on the object –a lengthy operation. Later on, with focusing scales on
cameras (and built – in range finders on the more expensive models), the
setting occupied only a few seconds. With the early and – operated cameras the
exposure was made by removing a lens cover, and counting the length of the
exposure in seconds. There was also the tedious task of loading and of
preparing a sensitive glass for which the photo grapher had to carry with him a
portable dark rook or a large plate changing box. Now the same operation
consists simply of breaking dark rook or a large plate changing box. Now the
same operation consists simply of breaking the seal on a carton and loading, in
daylight, a roll of film, which provides sufficient and light sensitive material for
eight to thirty six exposures according to the type of camera used.
Questions :
a) Trace the origin and meaning of the word ‘photography’
b) What were the difficulties faced by people operating the camera in early
days?
c) How was the exposure made in the early hand – operated cameras?
d) Why did the photographer of earlier days carry a portable dark room with
him?
e) How is the light - sensitive material obtained in modern days?

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

MARCH – 2023
Part – I
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and
write both the option code and the corresponding answer for each
question.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the words underlined in the
following sentences.
1. One is liable to put in too much milk.
a) eager b) likely c) forced d) certain

XII-ENGLISH Page 321

2. ---------Anna would say with an impudent smile.
a) disrespectful b) indifferent c) ungrateful d) misleading
3. ----the end of such liberty would be universal Chaos.
a) confusion b) mystery c) failure d) destruction
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the underlined words in the
following
sentences.
4. We can’t appreciate light if we haven’t known darkness.
a) reduce b) forget c) neglect d) condemn
5. There he was sitting in splendour on chair.
a) dejection b) simplicity c) shame d) laziness
6. In those days, they didn’t have sophisticated heart surgery.
a) critical b) artificial c) primitive d) dangerous
7. Replace the underlined idiom with its suitable meaning.
Raja betrayed his friend to save his skin.
a) avoid allergic reaction b) protect himself from difficulty
c) help his suffering family d) receive a coveted award
8. Choose the suitable meaning for the idiom found in the following sentence.
The Finance Department should get the ducks in a row before the audit.
a) be well - connected b) be well - trained
c) be well -advanced d) be well – organised
9. Choose the word that can be placed after the word “wind” to form a compound
word.
a) craft b) pane c) brake d) screen
10. The epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’ is considered as John Milton’s magnum opus.
The foreign phrase ‘magnum opus’ means the author’s -----------
a) most forgotten composition b) most important work
c) most translated epic d) most criticized document
11. Fill in the blank with the suitable prepositional phrase.
___________Gandhiji, Ahimsa means infinite love.
a) In connection with b) Except for c) On behalf d) According to
12. Choose the appropriate linker and complete the sentence.
I could not attend the party ______I had to take care of my ailing mother.
a) although b) until c) otherwise d) because
13. Replace the British English word with its equivalent in American English.
Ramesh lifted the car’s bonnet to check the engine.
a) Trunk b) Hoot c) Hood d) Boot
14. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb.
The meeting was postponed as the chairman was on an official tour.
a) put away b) put off c) put out d) put on
15. Choose the word that has been spelt correctly.
a) existance b) espionage c) repurcussions d) technically
16. Identify the correct combination of the word “sunlight”.
a) Adjective + Verb b) Gerund + Verb
c) Adverb+ Noun d) Noun + Noun

XII-ENGLISH Page 322

17. Form a new word by adding a suitable ‘prefix’ to the underlined word.
Today, I am certainly the most partial judge in England.
a) im b) un c) in d) de
18. The expansion of the abbreviation IMF.
a) Indian Mountaineering Foundation b) Indian Medical Foundation
c) International Military Force d) International Manpower Force
19. Choose the appropriate question tag and complete the sentence.
Let’s close our eyes and meditate for some time, _______?
a) shall we b) can’t we c) shan’t we d) can we
20. Choose the unclipped form of ‘champ’.
a) champagne b) champaign c) chamberlain d) champion
PART – II
SECTION – 1
Choose any four of the following sets of poetic lines and answer the
questions that follow: 4x2=8
21. “All through the summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay”.
a) Who does ‘we’ refer to?
b) What could they watch from the turret wall?
22. “Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail”
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) Identify the figure of speech employed in the second line.
23. “….free imaginations
Bringing changes into a world resenting change”.
a) How does free imagination help the world?
b) Identify the figure of speech.
24. “The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung
In crimson clusters all the boughs among!”
a) Who is the giant here?
b) Pick out the words in alliteration in the given lines.
25. “For some three Suns to store and hoard myself,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge...”
a) Explain “three Suns”.
b) What does Ulysses yearn for ?
26. “Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if to balance the prone brow
oppressive with its mind”.
a) Whose action is described here?
b) What is meant by ‘Prone brow’?
SECTION – 2
Do as directed.
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6

XII-ENGLISH Page 323

27. Raju said, “I was playing tennis the whole morning”.
( Change into Indirect Speech)
28. I was not invited to the party. (Change the Voice)
29. Unless you do these exercises regularly, you will not recover. (Rewrite as a
compound sentence)
30. The work was over. We went home. (Rewrite using “when”)
PART – III
SECTION – 1
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “our gates were strong, our walls were thick’.
32. “They have their exits and their entrances “
33. “Life is hard; be steel; be a rock”
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words. 2x3=6
34. How did the narrator help the boys on Sunday?
35. What was the profound lesson that Dr. Barnard learnt from the boys?
36. When did the children get over the fear of sitting on the chair?
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Complete the proverbs. Choosing the right word from he list.
a) Brevity is the ------of wit.
i)base ii) soul iii) root
b) One ------------------- does not make a summer.
i)eagle ii) swallow iii) owl
c) Necessity is the mother of -------------
i) adventure ii)innovation iii) invention
38. Rearrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) get / in /at / 7 O’ clock / I / up / morning / the
b) is / when / virtue / discipline / the most essential / should acquire / young /
one
c) humanity / to the / pledge / to consecrate / service of / solemnly / myself / I
/ my life
39. Describe the process of making a glass of Mango juice.
40. Study the Pie – chart given and answer the questions that follow :
Temperature of various places in Tamil Nadu
a) Which is the coolest place of all?
b) Which place has the second highest temperature?
c) Which places are hotter than Kanyakumari?
PART – IV
Answer the following : 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Summarise the distinctive ideas of George Orwell in the essay “A Nice Cup of
Tea’. [or]
b) What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the Rule of the Road’?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Describe the various stages of a man’s life picturised in the poem “ All the

XII-ENGLISH Page 324

 World’s a Stage”.
[or]
b) How was the young soldier’s patriotism described in the poem, ‘Incident of
the French camp’?
43. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words by developing
the hints.
a) Pi – survived – shipwreck – life boat – gets stranded in the Pacific – Bengal
tiger – Richard Parker – on board – Pi searched for water – found stacks of
cans – drinking water – elixir of life – gave him energy – managed to overcome
fear – realized that alive – because of Parker – scared him earlier – brought
peace – purpose – helped him survive for 227 days – left Parker in a jungle –
reunited – family. [or]
b) Ausable – clever – secret agent – entered – his room – found – Max – aimed –
pistol – lose – courage – quick – witted man – complained – balcony –
intruder – window – management did not block – knocking – door – police –
extra protection – important paper – Max – hid – balcony – fell to death – no
police – no balcony – Ausable’s plan – to get rid of Max.
44. a) Write a summary of the following passage.
The aim of education is the over all development of the personality of
the personality of amn. It means the development of not only the mid but also
the body. Games keep the body fit. A healthy mid can dwell only in a healthy
body. For keeping a body healthy, games are indispensable. people who have
developed the habit of playing games regularly can maintain good health.
Games help to build a muscular body. They include sound sleep which is a sign
of good health.
Therefore, games are food for the body, as knowledge is food for hte mind.
In fact, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. Everybody likes games
because these keep them physically fit and mentally alert.
Games help us to keep our body active and vigorous. They enable us to face
dangers boldly. When a person plays games, his blood circulation increases and
his digestive system improves. He does not fall prey to any disease. Games
inculcate in us the spirit of sportsmanship. They also teach us courage and
perseverance. [or]
b) Write a paragraph on “The Importance of Reading “.
45. a) Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting him to help you
obtain a duplicate mark sheet of class XII, which you lost while travelling.
[or]
b) Your friend is in hospital, undergoing treatment for a fractured leg. Write a
letter of consolation, assuring him / her that he / she will get well soon. .
46. a) Read the following sentences, spot the error and correct them :
i) Usha is not only a writer but an orator.
ii) Though she is weak but she is active.
iii) the bus conductor gave me an one rupee coin.
iv) Children prefer sweets than snacks.
v) Pradeep is my cousin brother [or]
b) Fill in the blanks appropriately.

XII-ENGLISH Page 325

 i) I had no __________. My friend gave me a ______of advice. (peace / piece)
ii) How ______ you open my bag! (Fill in the blank with a semi – modal verb)
iii) We ------------(see) a wonderful film at the cinema last night.
(Fill in the blank with the right tense form )
iv) -------(shop) is my favourite hobby.
(Use the gerundial form of the verb in the bracket appropriate relative
pronoun)

47. a) Develop the hints into a story of 150 words.

A milkman – became wealthy – dishonest way – had to cross a river –
reached city – mixed – river water – sold – customers bought – good profit –
went around – purchased articles – clothes – returned to river – while crossing
– boat capsized – all purchases lost – right punishment – for greed.
[or]
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
The earth is losing its forests. Trees over about 30 percent of the
earth’s surface, but they are being destroyed at an alarming rate especially in
the tropics. Timber harvesting is a major reason for the destruction of the
forests. Trees are used for building houses, making furniture and providing
pulp for paper products, such as newspapers and magazines. At least 40
hectares of rain forests are being felled every minute, mostly in order to extract
the valuable timber.
Questions :
a) What is the major reason for the destruction of forests?
b) Mention any two uses of trees.
c) Why are rain forests being destroyed?
d) How much of the earth’s surface is occupied by trees?
e) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “wood”.

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

JUNE -2023
PART – 1
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the underlined words in the
following sentences.
1. They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless.
a) innocent b)humble c) playful d) generous
2. My gloomy thoughts probably stem from an accident I had a few years ago.
a) sensible b) mixed c) sorrowful d) profound
3. -----------------he was sitting in splendor on his chair.
a) excitement b) magnificence c) satisfaction d) hesitation
Choose the most appropriate antonyms for the underlined words in the
following sentences.

XII-ENGLISH Page 326

4. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic.
a) opportunistic b) systematic c) realistic d) pessimistic
5. -------------- and set ourselves to the task of safely descending the ridge.
a) proceeding b) ascending c) treading d) expanding
6. ---------- and with no small peril to herself.
a)worth b)safety c) profit d) delight

7. Replace the underlined idiom with its suitable meaning.

Do the Math before investing your – savings on this business venture.
a)Think carefully b) Calculate properly
c) Share equally d) work confidently
8. Replace the underlined word with a polite form of expression.
It is our duty to take care of the old.
a)aged weaklings b) senior citizens c) elderly folks d) infirm beings
9. Choose the correct American English equivalent for the British English word.
‘windscreen’
a) windshield b) wind sail c) wind sheet d) wind glass
10. Fill in the blank with the suitable preposition phrase.
All the delegates attended the conference ____________ heavy rains.
a) in case of b) in spite of c) in favour of d) in the event of
11. Choose the appropriate linker and complete the sentence.
The children were very tired; _________they went to bed early last night.
a) otherwise b) therefore c) because d) though
12. Replace the underlined word with a suitable phrasal verb.
The selection committee rejected your application.
a) turned out b) turned against c) turned down d) turned up
13. Choose the tetra-syllabic word from the following.
a) equipment b)apparatus c) insolence d) universe
14. Identify the correct blended form of ‘binary + digit’.
a) bid b) bit c) bind d)bigit
15. Replace the clipped word in the following sentence with its unclipped form.
We always save the scanned copies of the important documents in a floppy
disc.
a) pan b) fore c) semi d) dis
16. Choose the right expansion of the abbreviation DCP.
a) District Controller of Police b) Director of Convoy police
c) Department of Civil Police d) Deputy Commissioner of Police
17. Choose the appropriate question tag and complete the sentence.
Vivek played some great shots today, ?
a) doesn’t he b) hadn’t he c) didn’t he d)won’t he
18. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition.
I shall be back here _______three hours.
a) since b) over c) within d) across
19. Choose the noun that cannot form a verb using the prefix ‘en ___________’
a) circle b) danger c) slave d) friend
20. Choose the word that has been spelt wrongly.
XII-ENGLISH Page 327
 a) secretary b) vengence c) demeanour d) avalanche

PART – II (SECTION – I)
Answer any four of the following.
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four of the
following. 4x2=8
21. A gray baboon sits statue-like alone
Watching the sunrise; while on lower boughs
His puny offspring leap about and play;
And far and near kokilas hail the day;
a) What is the baboon compared to ? b) Explain the last line.
22. “And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
a) What do the words ‘exits’ and ‘entrances’ mean? ?
b)Identify the figure of speech in the first ine.
23. How can this shameful tale be told?
I will maintain until my death
We could do nothing, being sold;
Our only enemy was gold.
a) What was the ‘shameful act’? b) Who was the real enemy?
24. “This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,
Well-loved of me ………..
a) Who does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to, in his absence?
b) Bring out the significance of the ‘sceptre’.
25. “A film the mother-eagle’s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes:
a) Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?
b) Explain the comparison.
26. “Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”
a) How should one face life, according to the poet?
b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line.

SECTION – 2
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6
27. Change the following into Indirect speech.
The policeman said to the thief, “Open your bag and show what it contains.”
28. Someone has found your mobile phone in the canteen. (Change the voice )
XII-ENGLISH Page 328
29. You will not reach your goal, unless you chase your dream.
(Rewrite using ‘If’ without changing the meaning)
30. Mangoes are not so costly as apples in this city.
(Rewrite this sentence using the comparative degree)

PART – III (Section – 1)

Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “Dear is the causarina to my soul;”.
32. “Is second childishness and mere oblivion; sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans
everything.”
33. “I’m killed Sirel’ And, his Chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead.

Section -2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words
each. 2x3=6
34. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo.
35. Why were the two chairs compared to Rama- Lakshmana?
36. What does the ‘rule of the road’ mean?
PART – III (Section – 1)
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9

37. Complete the proverbs by choosing the right words form the list.
a) Every _______has a silver lining.
(i) planet (ii) cloud (iii) stream
b) Don’t judge a _______by its cover.
(i) gift (ii) seat (iii) book
c)________speak louder than words.
(i) Actions (ii) Thoughts (iii) Expressions
38. Rearrange the following jumbled sentences correctly.
a) run / to / learn/before/walk / you
b) it / spectacle /a/glorious / was
c) before / cowards/death/times/die/their/ many
39. Describe the process of arranging a birthday party in your house.
40. The following table contains information of medals won by a few countries in
Tokyo Olympics Study the table and answer the questions based on it .
Country Gold Silver Bronze
China 38 31 18
America 36 39 33
Japan 27 12 17
Russia 20 26 23

a) Which country has won the maximum number of medals?

b) What are the three medals awarded at the Olympics?
XII-ENGLISH Page 329
 c) Name the countries that have won more gold medals than silver.

PART – IV
Answer the following. 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) “These two children had given me a profound lesson ……….” Elucidate.
(OR)
b) How did Tenzing and Hillary prepare themselves before they set off to the
summit?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of 150 words.
a) Human greed led to the mighty fall of the citadel in “The Castle” - Explain.
(OR)
b) Write a summary of the poem “A Father to his son”.
43. Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints.
a) Robert Baldwin – an honest man – worked under Gresham – thick friends –
fraud in a bank – Gresham arrested – misappropriation of money – pressurised
Baldwin – to falsely declare – offered huge bribe – Baldwin refused – family
members tempted – tried to justify Gresham’s act – ashamed of greed – stood
for justice – Gresham confessed – Baldwin rewarded.
(OR)
b) Lord Weston – judge – secretary – Roger – discovered – paper in his pocket –
words – Remember Caesar – feared – message – warning – March 15 – Julius
Caesar – assassinated – sensing attack – shut doors – sent cook – gardener –
elaborate precautionary measures – commotion – recollect – appointment –
Caesar a gardener – absent – mindedness.
44. a) Summaries the following passage.
Encouraged by the archacological findings in Keeladi htat testified the
existence of an ancient Urban Tamil Civilisation, the Department of
Archacology has decided to launch excavations at seven more sites and field
studies in two places.
Excavations would be carried out in keeladi and surrounding areas in
Sivagangai Dsitrict, Adichanallur and surrounding areas, Sivakalai and
surrounding areas and Korkai and surrounding areas in Thoothukudi
District, Kodumanal in Erode District. Mayiladumparai in Krishnagiri
District as well as Gangai Konda Cholarpuram and Maligai medu in Ariyalur
District.
A field study will be conducted to find new stone age sites in
Krishnagiri, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and Salem district.
Antoher field study will be done in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts to
find the Thamiraparoni river civilization. The excavations and field studies
are milestones in the efforts to restore the ancient cultural greatness of
Tamil through scientific methods.
There is a renewed interest in archaeology and culture in the State
and the new excavation would help – reveal the pluralist culture of Tamil
XII-ENGLISH Page 330
 Nadu to the world.
(OR)
b) Write an essay of about 150 words ont eh topic “A Memorable Journey”.
45. a) Respond to the following advertisement with a Bio-data.
[Write XXX for your name and YYY for your address]
Wanted
Computer Operator for CYBER ELEVATORS Pvt. Ltd.
- graduate with computer knowledge- good fluency in English
– minimum 2 years experience.
Apply to :
The Manager,
Cyber Elevators Pvt. Ltd.
Mount Road, Chennai – 600002.

(OR)
b) Write a letter to your friend who is studying abroad, describing how
the 44th chess Olympiad was conducted in Mamallapuram.
46. a) Read the following sentences, spot the error and correct them.
i) The lawyer gave me some valuable advices.
ii) My teacher told me that my answer is wrong.
iii) I go to school by walk.
iv) As the weather was pleasant, so we went for a walk.
v) Many a student have passed with distinction.
(OR)
b) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
i) The cook spilled the ‘wheat on the kitchen _______________ . (floor /flour)
ii) I not venture out in the dark.
(Fill in the blank with a suitable semi – modal verb)
iii) Last year we _____ (go) on a school trip to Kanyakumari.
(Fill in the blank with the right tense form)
iv) Geetha --------is my neighbor left for Delhi yesterday.
(Use an appropriate relative pronoun )
47. a) Develop the following hints in to story of 150 words.
A washer man reared a dog – also a donkey – both helped him – one night
– washer man and family – in deep sleep – a thief entered – dog did not bark –
donkey became angry – tried – dog’s duty – brayed loudly – thief ran away –
master’s sleep disturbed – turned wild – beat the donkey.
(OR)
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic. Durign
his life time, his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity. Heis now
considered a literary genius’ because he created some of the world’s best –
known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelists of the
Victorian era. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
XII-ENGLISH Page 331
 Dickens’ literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of
‘The Pickwick Papers’. Within a few years he had become an international
literary celebrity, famous for his humour,, satire and keen observation of
character and society. Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age.
His novella – ‘A Christmas Carol’ (1843). remains popular and continues to
inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great
Expectations are also frequently adapted and like many of his novels, evoke
images of early Victorian London. His novel, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859), set
in London and Paris, is his best – Known work of historical fiction.
Dickens’ creative genius has been praise by fellow writers – from Leo
Tolstoy to George Orwell and G.K. Chesterton – for its realism, comedy, prose
style, unique characterizations and social criticism.
Questions:
a) Who is Charles Dickens?
b) Why is Charles Dickens considered a ‘literary genius’?
c) When did Dickens’ literary success begin?
d) What do you know about Dickens’ novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’?
e) What made his fellow writers praise Dickens’ works?

XII-ENGLISH Page 332

 DEPARTMENTAL MODEL QUESTION
DEPARTMENTAL MODEL QUESTION PAPER -2019-20
PART-I
Answer all the Questions: 20X1=20
Choose the correct synonyms for the underlined words from the options given.
1. Nicola was glaring at his young brother is vexation
a) Approval b) Appreciation c) Annoyance d) Admiration
2. Suffering seems so cruelly prevalent in the world today.
a) Common b) Scaree c) Abundant d) Meagre
3. Seeing car pulled up by his insolence of office, feel that your liberty has been outraged.
a) Calmness b) Rudeness c) Closeness d) Attraction
Choose the correct antonyms for the underlined words from the options given
4. Let me state unequivocally that Tamil is one of the greatest classical literatures and traditions
of the world.
a) Ambiguously b) Clearly c) Unmistakably d) Undoubtedly
5. China tea has virtues, which are not to be despised
a) Hated b) Loath c) Averted d) Liked
6. One night, we came upon them in the windy and deserted square,
a) Inhabited b) Unoccupied c) Crowded d) Shrouded
7. Choose the correct compound word for the combination “clear cut”.
a) Adjective + verb b) Gerund + noun c) Noun + noun d) Noun + verb
8. Choose the correct expansion of GDP
a) Gross domestic product b) Gross domestic purchase
c) Great demand for purchase d) Great domestic purchase
9. Choose the meaning of the foreign word in the sentence English is the lingua Franca of many
countries.
a) Mother tongue b) Foreign language
c) Unknown language d) Common language
10. Choose the right combination for the blended word “diplonomes”
a) Diplo + economics b) Diplumacy + economy
c) Diplo + economy d) Diplomacy + economics
11. Choose the clipped word for “pianoforte”
a) Fort b) Pite c) Piano d) Piaforte
12. Study of codes‟ is called -----------
a) Cynology b) Cryptology c) Criminology d) Cytology
13. Form a derivative by adding the right prefix to the word “argue”
a) Contra b) Counter c) Bi d) Pre
14. Fill in the blanks with a suitable relative pronoun.
He -------- hesitates is lost
a) Whose b) Whom c) Who d) That
15. Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition.

XII-ENGLISH Page 333

 Here is the watch that you asked ---------
a) Of b) From c) For d) At
16. Choose the correct question fag for the following statement.
Let‟s go to the beach -----------?
a) Don‟t we b) Do we c) Shall we d) Didn‟t we
17. Choose the suitable meaning of the idiom found in the following sentence.
When asked to reconsider his decision, he put his foot down.
a) Accepted b) Refused c) Felt happy d) Grew angry
18. Substitute the underlined word with the appropriate polite alternative. She is a felt woman.
a) Bulky b) Obese c) Puli-figured d) Heavy weight
19. Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence. The Headmaster sent the
latecomer out.
a) SVCA b) SVOA c) SVOC d) SVIODO
20. Fill in the blank with a suitable phrasal verb
Prajeeth is --------- a placement is Australia.
a) Longing on b) Longing to c) Longing for d) Longing of

PART – II / SECTION – 1
Read the following sets of poetic line and answer any four from it. 4x2=8
21. “Out gates are strong, our walls were thick.
So smooth and high, no man could win”
a) How safe was the castle?
b) What was the firm belief of the soldier?
22. “A creeper climbs, in whose embrace bound
No other tree could live”.
a) Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
b) How does the tree survive the light hold of the creeper?
23. “Then the whining school boy, with his satchel
And shinning morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school”.
a) Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
b) What are the characteristics of this stage?
24. “------- for my purpose holds.
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
of all the western stars, until I die.”
a) What was Ulysses‟ purpose in life?
b) How long would his venture last?
25. „Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives
Let him seek deep for where he is born natural”
a) Why does the son need lazy days?
b) What is the figure of speech used here?
26. “A film the mother eagle‟s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes”
XII-ENGLISH Page 334
 a) Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?
b) What are the alliterated words?

SECTION – 2
Explain any two of the following with reference to the contest. 2x 3=6
27. Report the following dialogue.
Customer : do you have a thesaurus.
Shop owner : Yes. We have. Which publication do you want?
28. I was ill. I did not attend the exam. (combine using if)
29. Rewrite the sentence making an inversion in the conditional clause.
If I had a car, I would drop you.
30. I watched a fantastic movie (Change the following into a complex sentence).
PART III / SECTION – I
Explain any two of the following with reference to the contest. 2x3=6
31. “They seemed no threat to us at all”
32. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation”
33. I‟m killed, sire! “And his chief beside
Smiling, the boy fell dead.
SECTION – 2
Answer any two of the following questions in about 30 words each.
34. What were the various jobs undertaken by Nicola and Jacopo?
35. How did the hospitalization of Dr. Barnard and his wife affect their routine?
36. Define liberty as perceived by A.G. Gardiner.
SECTION – 3
Answer any three of the following questions in about 30 words each.
37. Study the pie chart given and answer the questions that follow.
Favorite sports of students

a. Which is the motfavourite game of the students?

b. Name the game prepared by the least number of students?
c. Which two games have equal number of students?
38. Write dialogue of minimum 3 exchanges between student and a cultural secretary.
39. Describe the process of preparing onion raita.
40. Complete the proverbs using the word given below.
a) Brevity is the ----------- of wit (base, soul, root)

XII-ENGLISH Page 335

 b) -------- alone triumphs (truth, god, love)
c) A man is known by the -------- he keeps (company, neighbor, relatives)

PART – IV
Answer the following questions : 7x5=35
41. Justify the title of the story “Two gentlemen of Verona”.
(or)
How does George L. Hart justify the statement that Tamil is a classical language?
42. Describe the various stages of a man‟s life picturised in the poem “All the World‟s a Stage”.
(or)
The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer.
43. Write the paragraph in about 150 words by developing the following hints.
Ivan DimitrichAksionov – merchant in Vladimir – prone to drinking – goes to fair on business
– meets another merchant – retire separately – stopped by the police – charged of murder and
robbery – sentenced and sent to Siberia – 26 years in jail – new prisoner maker semyonich –
admits his crime – Aksionv dies.
(or)
Group of school children – planet Venus raining for seven years – predicted suo – for two
hours – children in activity – margot thin girl – not mingling – children locked her in a closet
– sun appeared – children played – rain clouds appeared – unlocked the closet – margol came
out – power of sun.
44. Write a summary (or) make notes of the following passage.
The aim of education is to enable the human personality to grow to its full stature. We have a
body, a mind and a spirit. Accordingly, education aims at our physical, intellectual, spiritual
and moral development.
Games are a means of keeping the body healthy and fit. Physical fitness and freedom from all
kinds of ailments are the desire and ambition of every human being. Indeed, good health is
the first condition of happiness in life. Those who play games generally maintain good health.
Games are an excellent means of bodily exercise. Whether it is sophisticated games like
hockey, football and tennis or simple games like Kabaddi, they provide the much needed
exercise to the body and thus keep the body healthy and strong. Players always have a better
appetite and a better digestion than those who play no games or do exercises. Games not only
make the body healthy and strong, but also make it muscular.
45. You have got a job offer for the post of clerk at Cheyyar Constructions Pvt Ltd., Mount Road,
Chennai – 2, but cannot join on time due to some urgent work at home. Write a letter to the
HR (Human Resource Manager) of that company, and in your letter. Say why you are writing
Explain your situation
What you want to request from Manager (write XXX for your name and YYY for your
address).
(or)
Write a paragraph of 150 words on “Newspaper Reading”.
46. Spot the errors and rewrite the sentences correctly.
(a) He gave a lot of advices

XII-ENGLISH Page 336

 (b) I have finished my meals
(c) They discussed about polities
(d) Though he is ill, but he attends the class.
(e) If they had contacted me, I would help them.
(or)
Fill in the blanks correctly
a) I can‟t ------------- the heat, if I want on ------------ foot. (bare, bear)
b) --------- you excuse me for a moment? (use a modal verb)
c) You ----------- not lose any more weight. You are already slim (use a semi modal verb)
d) My brother ------- (buy) a bike recently (use a proper tense)
47. Identify each of the following sentences with the fields given below:
a) India, U.K. Oncologists collaborate
b) Ganeshaidals immersed
c) Kejriwal wins the conference vote
d) Sunflower oils cuts down cholesterol
c) Green tea plantation in Ooty.
(Health, Medicine, Agriculture, Religion, Polities)
(or)
Read the following passage and answer the questions in your own words.
Kabbadi is a contact team sport that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is the national sport of
Bangladesh. Kabbadi is played between two teams of seven players, the objective of the game
is for a single player an offence referred to us a „raider‟ to run in to the opposing teams half of
a court, tag out as many of their defenders as possible, and return to their own half of the
court-all without being tackled by the defenders. Points are scored for each player tagged by
the raider, while the opposing team cams a point for stopping the raider. Players are taken out
of the game., if they are lagged or tackled, but can be revived for each point scored by their
team from a tag or tackle. The raider should hold his breath and utter the words like
“Kabbadi, Kabbadi” “hututuhututu, chadu kudu”, etc., while the opponents try to catch him.
If he stops uttering those words, he is considered out.
a) Kabbadi is a national sport of ---------------
b) Kabbadi is played between two teams of ----------- players.
c) How does a raider score points for his team?
d) When does a raider concede a point to the opponent team?
e) Can a player be revived when he/she is out of the game?

PUBLIC EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

MARCH -2024
PART – 1
Answer all the questions. 20x1=20
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the underlined words in the
XII-ENGLISH Page 337
 following sentences.
1. When our ridicule overstepped the limits, Amma would retend to chide us.
a) scold b) tease c) thrash d) advise
2. I experienced not only agony and fear but also anger.
a) hatred b) hunger c) insecurity d) suffering
3. The snow on this face was dangerous but we persisted in our efforts to beat a
trail up it.
a) rejoiced b) focussed c) continued d) survived
Choose the most appropriate antonyms for the underlined words in the
following sentences.
4. We have a whole kingdom in which we rule alone ------- be wise or ridiculous --
----------- conventional or odd.
a) inhuman b) abnormal c)unskilful d) illogical
5. I opened it the way I had the first and its contents vanished.
a) overflowed b) developed c) shattered d) appeared
6. Everything is so difficult now; food is so scarce and dear.
a) nutritious b)expensive c) adequate d) important
7. Choose the word that can be added after ‘good’ to form a compound word.
a) will b) idea c) news d) deed
8. Choose the right combination of words used to from the blended word
‘staycation’.
a)stray + education b) stray + allocation
c) stay + location d)stay + vacation
9. Choose the right expansion of the acronym ‘RAW’.
a) Results and Analyses Wing b) Research and Analysis Wing
c) Review Action Wing d) Resource Application Wing
10. Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
I do wish that Joel wouldn’t leave ____________ of water on the landing!
a) peals b) piles c) pails d)pales
11. Replace the underlined word in the given sentence with its unclipped form.
The pleasant music at the party is spreading good vibes among the guests.
a) vibrations b) vibratos c) vibriosis d) vibraphones
12. Choose the word that has been misspelt.
a)encouragement b) misapparopriate
c) precautionary d) unambiguous
13. Choose the right meaning of the idiom in the given sentence.
I did not become Lord Weston by twiddling my thumbs and hoping for
favours.
a) cheating others b) facing failures c) showing hatred d) being idle
14. Choose the word that cannot form a derivative with the suffix “-ship’.
a) champion b) craftsman c) apprentice d) container
XII-ENGLISH Page 338
 15. Choose the monosyllabic word from the given options.
a) trifle b) alarm c) vague d) worthy
16. The police seized a ‘lorry’ loaded with smuggled goods.
Replace the British English word with its equivalent in American English.
a) caravan b) truck c) tanker d) wagon
17. Fill in the blank with the suitable sentence connective.
It’s already very late and you can’t leave now. --------------, it is raining heavily.
a) Moreover b) Nevertheless c) Consequently d) Meanwhile
18. Replace the phrasal verb with the most appropriate single word.
The soft snow made a route ---------- which sometimes held my weight but often
gave way suddenly.
a) crumbled b) expanded c) hardened d) splashed
19. The task force managed to complete the project on time ----------many
challenges.
Choose the suitable prepositional phrase to fill the blank.
a) in favour of b) in lieu of c) in honour of d) in spite of
20. Identify the right pattern of the following sentence.
We must not throw garbage on the streets.
a) SVOC b) SVIODO c) SVOA d) SVAA

PART – II (SECTION – I)
Choose any four of the following sets of poetic lines and answer the
questions that follow. 4x2=8
21. “A film the mother – eagle’s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes:”
a) Explain the comparison made in these lines.
b) Pick out the words in alliteration.
22. “---- while on lower boughs
His puny offspring leap about and play;”
a) Whose offspring is mentioned here?
b) Where is it playing?
23. “Life is hard; be steel; be a rock,”
a) How should one face life?
b) Identify the figure of speech used here.

24. “------I mete and sole

Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”
a) Who is the speaker here?
b) What does he say about his subjects?
25. “How can this shameful tale be told?
I will maintain until my death”
XII-ENGLISH Page 339
 a) Which aspect of the tale is considered shameful?
b) Mention the figure of speech used here.
26. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.”
a) What are the distinguishing features of man in this stage?
b) Explain the phrase ‘bubble reputation’.
SECTION – 2
Do as directed.
Answer any three questions. 3x2=6
27. After removing the shoes, the boy jumped into the river.
(Rewrite as a compound sentence)
28. My parents do not allow me to eat junk food.
(Change into passive voice)
29. Mickey Mouse is one of the most popular cartoon characters among children.
(Rewrite using the comparative degree of adjective )
30. Change into reported speech.
Weston: Did you open the door to the gardener?
Roger: No, My lord. I spoke through the shutter.

PART – III (Section – 1)

Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. 2x3=6
31. “His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; ……….”
32. “What could they offer us for bait?
Our captain was brave and we were true...”
33. “How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!”
Section -2
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words
each. 2x3=6
34. Why does Orwell prefer a cylindrical teacup to a flat one?
35. What were the various jobs undertaken by Nicola and Jacopo? What made
them work so hard?
36. How was the chair made and how did the villagers react to it?
Section – 3
Answer any three of the following. 3x3=9
37. Create a catchy slogan for each of the following topics.
a) Blood Donation b)Importance of Education c) Textile Showroom
38. Write at least 5 different ways of keeping your eyes healthy and maintaining
good eyesight.
39. Choose the right word from the list and complete the proverbs given below.
XII-ENGLISH Page 340
 (a) Bare words buy no ------------------
(i) butter (ii) Beauty (iii) barley
(b) The squeaky wheel gets the --------------
(i) grease (ii) glue (iii) gelatine
(c) Keep your friends close, and your ---------- closer.
(i) relatives (ii) enemies (iii) neighbours
40. Study the following table and write three sentences on your inference about
the data.
Indian Premier League, 2023.
Teams qualified for Play – offs
Rank TEAM M W L N/R P NRR
1 Gujarat Titans 14 10 4 0 20 +0.809
2 Chennai Super Kings 14 8 5 1 17 +0.652
3 Lucknow Super Giants 14 8 5 1 17 +0.284
4 Mumbai Indians 14 8 6 0 16 -0.044
M - Matches N/ R – No Result (game abandoned)
W - Won P - Points
L - Lost NRR - Net Run Rate

PART – IV
Answer the following. 7x5=35
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) How did a casual incident in a hospital help Dr. Barnard perceive a new
dimension of life?
(OR)
b) Give an account of the preparations made by Hillary and Tenzing before they
set off to the summit.
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of 150 words.
a) Describe the reminiscences of the poet, when she sees the casuarina tree.
(OR)
b) Explain how the poet guides his son to face the challenges of life, when he
was on the threshold of manhood.

43. Develop the following hints into a paragraph of about 150 words.
a) Aksionov – young merchant of Vladimir – small family – trip to Nizhny Fair –
meets merchant friend – stays at inn – Aksionov arrested – murder case –
shifted to mines of Siberia – innocent convict for 26 years – grew old and weak
– spent time in prayers – life of saint – respected by inmates – meets Makar and
saves him – Makar feels guilty – confesses his crime – Aksionov forgives
criminal – dies peacefully – order for release. .
(OR)
b) Lord Weston – judge in England – Roger’s request – holiday – not happy –
discovers a piece of paper – “ Remember Caesar” – plot to kill victim of fair

XII-ENGLISH Page 341

 judgement – warning message on Caesar’s assassination – 15th of March – takes
precautionary measures – shuts doors and windows – sends away cook and
gardener – Weston recollects – reminder message – Caesar, a gardener –
appointment given – Weston’s absent – mindedness.
44. a) Write a summary of the following passage.
We need to use our energy sources wisely and economically and
conserve as much of our energy resources as we can. How can we do this?
Firstly, we must reduce our dependence on non – renewable resources. For
example, can we design or invent vehicles that do not use petrol or diesel as
fuel? If we can, then we can reduce our consumption of petroleum. Many
scientists and engineers are working on this idea. Can we use water and wind
power, rather than diesel or petrol or coal power to generate electricity?
Secondly, we must look for and use alternative fuels and sources. Rather
than using coal, kerosene or cooking gas, can we use animal wastes or plant
wastes? We have learnt to extract energy from animal wastes such as cow
dung and plant wastes. One successful method is to ferment animal waste in
closed containers and produce a gas called biogas, which is just as good as
cooking gas. The waste from the biogas plant can be used as manure in fields
and plantations. A second example is the use of windmills, where wind is used
to turn a paddle wheel to produce electricity or to lift water.
Thirdly, we must make greater and cleverer use of the sun. The sun is
a perennial source of light and heat for the earth, and it is absolutely free! If we
could devise methods for capturing the heat and light from the sun and
transforming it into electricity, mankind could benefit greatly.
(OR)
b) Write a paragraph on an interesting news item you have read or heard
about, in recent times.
45. a) Write a letter of application to the Manager of a glass manufacturing
company for the post of clerk. Enclose a detailed Bio – data with the
covering letter.
(OR)
b) Write a letter to your friend describing your plans for the upcoming
summer holidays.

46. a) Fill in the blanks appropriately.

(i) The ________stored the unsold grain bags in the ________ (cellar / seller)
ii) The children are very happy with the new car. (Add a suitable question tag)
(iii) Mahathi is ----------a great singer __________ a talented violinist.
(Fill in the blanks with a correlative conjunction)
(iv) If I __________(see) your message, I would have come to the airport to
receive you. (Use the correct from of the verb)
(OR)
b) Read the following sentence, spot the errors and write them correctly.
(i) My mother asked me when would I return from school.
(ii) There weren’t much women tourists in the group.
(iii) One of my sister lives in Canada.
XII-ENGLISH Page 342
 (iv) The Captain as well as his soldiers were ready to face the enemy assault.
(v) I borrowed these books at the library.
47. a) Imagine that you are vacating your house and relocating to another city.
You are contacting an employee of a Packers and Movers Company to shift
your household things. Build a telephone conversation with that
employee in not less than seven exchanges.
(OR)
b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
Dr. Carver was an American Black slave, who by dint of his ability became
a scientist and educator of word – wide fame. A national monument has now
been erected to honour him. This monument has been built at his birth – place
in the United States of America. Carver’s life and achievements prove the
American saying: “You can’t keep a great man down.” From childhood he
showed qualities which gave promise of his genius. He would get up before
sunrise to study the wonders of nature before the break of dawn. His
guardians wanted to educate him but were too poor to do so. So, he left home
when he was hardly ten years old, and began to work at small jobs. Thus he
earned a little money for his school expenses. He continued to do so even
when he was at college. Thus he passed his M.Sc. examination and became a
professor. There he wrote several books on scientific subjects. His chief desire
was to do the greatest good to the greatest number of people. He left all his
life’s savings to found scholarships for research in Agricultural Chemistry. He
knew that this research was bound to benefit farmers all over the world.
Though world –famous, he never felt proud of his discoveries. “I discovered
nothing,” he once said,” I am God’s agent – the instrument through which He
works.”
Questions:
(i) How does Dr. Carver’s Life prove that “You can’t keep a great man down”?
(ii) What can you say about the early life of Dr. Carver?
(iii) What did Dr. Carver do with his life’s savings?
(iv) How was he honoured for his commendable achievement?
(v) Is there anything to prove that Dr. Carver was a humble person?

XII-ENGLISH Page 343