KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN, SILCHAR REGION

PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION-1

CLASS: XII MAX. MARKS: 80

SUBJECT: ENGLISH CORE (301) TIME: 3 hours

General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question
number in your answer sheet to indicate the option/s being attempted.

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (22 marks)

1. Read the following text. 12 m

1.Many of us believe that ―small‖ means ―insignificant‖. We believe that small actions and
choices do not have much impact on our lives. We think that it is only the big things, the big
actions and the big decisions that really count. But when you look at the lives of all great
people, you will see that they built their character through small decisions, small choices
and small actions that they performed every day. They transformed their lives through a
step-by step or day-by-day approach. They nurtured and nourished their good habits and
chipped away at their bad habits, one step at a time. It was their small day-to-day decisions
that added up to make tremendous difference in the long run. Indeed, in matters of personal
growth and character building, there is no such thing as an overnight success.

2. Growth always occurs through a sequential series of stages. There is an organic

process to growth. When we look at children growing up, we can see this process at work:
the child first learns to crawl, then to stand and walk, and finally to run. The same is true in
the natural world. The soil must first be tilled, and then the seed must be sowed. Next, it
must be nurtured enough water and sunlight, and only then will it grow, bear fruit and
finally ripen and be ready to eat.
3. Gandhi understood this organic process and used this universal law of nature to his
benefit. Gandhi grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He did not wake up one day
and find himself to be the ―Mahatma‖. In fact, there was nothing much in his early life that
showed signs of greatness. But from his mid-twenties onwards, he deliberately and
consistently attempted to change himself, reform himself and grow in some small way
every day. Day by day, hour by hour, he risked failure, experimented and learnt from
mistakes. In small and large situations alike, he took up rather than avoid responsibility.
4. People have always marvelled at the effortless way in which Gandhi could
accomplish the most difficult tasks. He displayed great deal of self-mastery and discipline
that was amazing. These things did not come easily to him. Years of practice and disciplined
training went into making his successes possible. Very few saw his struggles, fears, doubts
and anxieties, or his inner efforts to overcome them. They saw the victory, but not the
struggle.
5. This is a common factor in the lives of all great people: they exercised their freedoms
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 and choices in small ways that made great impact on their lives and their environment. Each
of their small decisions and actions, added up to have a profound impact in the long run. By
understanding this principle, we can move forward, with confidence, in the direction of our
dreams. Often when our ―ideal goal‖ looks too far from us, we become easily discouraged,
disheartened and pessimistic. However, when we choose to grow in small ways, taking
small steps one at a time, performing it becomes easy.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above

i The main idea in the first paragraph is that a. 1
Big things, big actions and big decisions make a person great
b. Small actions and decisions are important in one‘s life
c. Overnight success is possible for all of us
d. Personal changes are not important
ii What does the writer mean by saying ‗chipped away at their bad habits‘? 1
a. Completely gave up bad habits
b. Slowly produced bad habits
c. Gradually gave up bad habits
d. Ignored bad habits
iii Which of the following statements is true in the context of the third paragraph? 1
a. Gandhi became great overnight
b. Gandhi showed signs of greatness in childhood itself
c. Every day Gandhi made efforts to change himself in some small way
d. Gandhi never made mistakes
iv. What is done by great people to transform their lives? 1
a. They approach life on a day-by-day basis
b. They build character in small ways
c. They believe in performing everyday
d. All of these
v Find out the word which is opposite of ‗shallow‘ or ‗superficial‘. (Para 5) 1
vi How did Gandhi demonstrate the sequential nature of growth? (30- 40 words) 2
vii How do small actions and choices impact our lives? 1
viii How can we achieve our ‗ideal goals‘? 2
ix State your understanding of the ‗universal law of nature' with example, in 30-40 words 2

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2. Read the following text: 10 m
1. The international response to the coronavirus pandemic had towards mid 2020
slashed global carbon emissions by more than 8%, according to detailed estimates from a
pair of independent research teams. That‘s roughly three times the annual emissions of Italy.
But energy consumption was already rebounding in China and elsewhere, and the pandemic
could register as little more than a blip in the climate system as government-imposed
lockdowns come to an end.
2. Most reporting on carbon emissions takes place annually, but the unprecedented
social and economic shock brought about by the pandemic had spurred interest in tracking
energy and emissions trends in real time. Pulling information from a variety of sources —
including energy and weather reports, satellite-based observations and traffic data collected
by vehicle navigation systems in more than 400 cities around the world — two international
teams provided the first estimates of how carbon emissions were changing daily across the
globe.
3.―The question was in the air,‖ says Corinne Le Quéré, a climate scientist at the University
of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, and lead author of one study, published on 19 May in Nature
Climate Change. ―We developed two different methods, so it‘s quite encouraging to see that
our results are comparable.‖Le Quéré‘s team compiled information on daily emissions from
different sectors in a variety of cities, regions and countries, and then analysed the measures
taken by governments to control the spread of coronavirus
4.On the basis that these measures were to be relaxed over the course of the year, the team
projected that the cumulative global emissions for 2020 could drop by anything from 4–7%,
which would represent the largest drop since the Second World War. ―We‘ve never seen
anything like this,‖ LeQuéré says
5.Lockdowns in China helped to maintain lower emission levels in the country, accounting
for a 10% reduction until the end of March 2020 compared with year 2019. As economic
activity picked up in China, other countries went into lockdown mode, depressing global
emissions throughout April 2020.
6.The aviation industry experienced a dramatic decline, with emissions falling by more than
21% in the first four months of the year, but the largest emission reductions in absolute
numbers were in the electric power and ground transport sectors

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Answer the following questions based on the passage above
i. Select the correct inference with reference to the impact of the pandemic on climate a. 1
impact on climate is negligible
b. impact on climate is prominent
c. emissions across the globe never changed
d. there was no impact
ii. Select the central idea of the paragraph 1
a. the global threat of Corona Virus
b. global warming trends
c. decline in power consumption
d. the pandemic slashed carbon emissions

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iii. Select the option that displays the true statement with reference to Figure (1) a. 1
power sector touched the lowest level of emission
b. residential and aviation sectors touched lowest emission levels
c. industrial sector dipped to the lowest emission level
d. ground transport and power sectors hit the lowest mark of emission.
iv. The phrase ' the question was in the air implies that ………… … … 1
v. Enlist the sources that acted as the basis for carbon emission studies 2
vi. Select the option that displays the correct cause-effect relationship. 1
a. Cause-Governments across the world over took measures to combat corona virus
Effect - There was reduction in carbon emissions from various sectors b. Cause -
The measures were to be relaxed over the course of the year
Effect – projected drop by 4-7%in 2020
c. Cause–Economic activity picked up in China
Effect – Other countries went into lockdown mode d.
Both options A and C
vii. The survey projected that the cumulative drop in emissions for 2020 would be 1
a. 4% - 7%
b. the utmost since world-war II
c. both A and B
d. none of the options
viii What method did LeQure adopt for her studies? 2

SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

3. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words: 4
A. You are the Head Boy/Head Girl of Vidyanjali Public School. Write a notice informing the
students of Class XII about an upcoming career guidance seminar to be held in the school
auditorium. Include details such as the date, time, guest speakers, and the importance of
attending this seminar.
OR
B. You are Suman, Secretary of the Arts Club of Vidyanjali Public School. The club has decided
to start a music band. Draft a notice informing children about the same and asking the
interested ones to appear for an audition. Invent necessary details.

4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words: 4

A. You are the President, Literary Society of Sunshine International School, Vivekananda Road,
Ranchi. Draft an invitation to author, Ms Manjul Bajaj of 17, Magnolia Avenue, Plot 80C,
Ranchi, requesting her to conduct a workshop on creative writing in your school.
OR
B. You are Malvika Mohan, Mayor of Chennai Municipal Corporation. You have received an
invitation from The Principal, DPS, Chennai, to be the Chief Guest of the Investiture
Ceremony of the newly selected Student Council of the school. Draft a reply accepting the
invitation and expressing your pleasure in attending the function.

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 5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words: 5
A. With the technological explosion, we notice that cybercrimes have increased considerably. As
a concerned citizen, write a letter to the editor of the Deccan Herald, Hyderabad pointing out
the issue and suggesting measures to prevent such happenings. You are Devi/Dev Verma 103,
New Ray Apartment, High Court Road, Hyderabad. The given cues may be used to compose
the letter
- Daily reports of cybercrimes in news paper
- various means of cyber frauds - lack of awareness in people -Measures
to prevent - Efforts to create awareness of Cyber safety - Examples of cyber
safety tips.
OR
B. ABC Public School, Dindigul, urgently requires a post-graduate teacher to teach
Economics for which they placed an advertisement in 'The Dindigul Express'. You are
Harsh/ Harshita Sharma from 19, Vasant Vihar, Dindigul. Draft a letter including a CV,
applying for the advertised post.
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words: 5
A. The untimely rains, flash floods, deluge, severe draughts, are all signalling a bleak future to
the planet. As a responsible citizen you are really concerned about the visible proof of
climatic change. Write an article to be published in a leading daily in about 150 words
discussing the issue and suggesting solutions. Use the given cues with your own ideas to
compose this article
The Issue
- Impact of human activities like deforestation, burning of
fossil fuel - global warming at alarming condition resulting in
climatic changes
- catastrophies - affecting all areas of life -food production,
global economies Solutions
- Be responsible and respectful towards environment - reduce
carbon emission
OR
B. An exhibition titled ‗Innovation & 21st Century Skills‘, was hosted by Mahendra Public
School, Salem under the banner of PM SHRI YOJANA. Write a report covering this event
in about 120-150 words to be published in a leading daily. You are Rohit Roy, Special
Correspondent. You may make use of the outline cues.
- Purpose of the celebration - date & venue
-Chief guest- inaugural ceremony, words of the Chief Guest
-arrangement of exhibits - categories, types of exhibits - visited by - Opinion of visitors.

SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK and SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 marks)

7 Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given 6

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A Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o‟er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.”

i. Choose the option which does not match with ‗unhealthy and o‘er darkened ways. 1
a. Egoistic and selfish ways of life.
b. Offensive and arrogant ways of life.
c. Evil and deceitful ways of life.
d. Simple and honest ways of life

ii. What does the poet mean by inhuman dearth of noble natures‘? 1
iii. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given 1
below.
Statement 1: Without beautiful things the earth would be a sad and unpleasant place to
live.
Statement 2: The beautiful band created by human beings ushers hope in their lives.
(a) Statement 2 is true but Statement 1is false.
(b) Statement 2 is false but Statement 1 is true.
(c) Both Statements can be inferred from the lines
(d) Both Statements cannot be inferred from the lines.
iv. State whether the statement given below is TRUE or FALSE 1
The explanation of ―the flowery bands that bind us to the earth.‖ Would be ‗Beautiful things,
experiences and impressions which give us hope about life‘.
v. The appropriate meaning of ‗despondence‘ as used in the stanza by the poet would be _____. 1

vi. What according to the poet dispels darkness from our spirit? 1
OR
B. I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and looked
out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children
spilling out of their homes, ...
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i. The poet compares her mother's face to a corpse because___________ 1

ii. What effect does the phrase 'open mouthed' create? 1

a. It builds a mood of surprise and shock in the poem.
b. It reveals the speaker's fear of her own death and mortality.
c. It adds to the imagery of the speaker's mother appearing dead.
d. It highlights the speaker's attempt at hiding her emotions from her mother.
iii. Complete the given sentence appropriately. 1
The contrast present in the given extract is between __________

iv. State a reason for the following. 1

The speaker looks out of the window while travelling with her mother.
v. Which of these phrases uses the same poetic device as the following line from the extract? 1
I looked out at Young Trees sprinting...
a. that restaurant is as nice as the Big Fish
b. the pen became my highway to success
c. that fluffy cloud crying with sadness
d. the tall trees with many branches
vi. Why do you think the trees are ' sprinting'? 1

8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 4
A. Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do exactly
this by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with
inspiring educational opportunities which will help them foster a new understanding and
respect for our planet. It‟s been in operation for six years now, headed by Canadian Geoff
Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who could
only „give‟ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice, he offers the future generation of
policymakers a lifechanging experience at an age when they‟re ready to absorb, learn, and
most importantly, act.
i. The writer refers to the educational opportunities as ‗inspiring‘ because…….. 1
ii. Which of the following would NOT be a ‗life changing experience‘? a. 1
Being given a lead role in a play.
b. Going on an adventure trip.
c. Playing a video game.
d. Meeting a great leader whom you admire.
iii. Why does the writer refer to ‗act‘ as more important than ‗absorb‘ or ‗learn‘? 1
iv. The rich curiosity seekers failed to fulfil Geoff Green's objective as … 1
OR

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B. In other words, the Tiger King is dead. The manner of his death is a matter of extraordinary
interest. It can be revealed only at the end of the tale. The most fantastic aspect of his
demise was that as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretold that one day the Tiger
King would actually have to die. “The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors,
hero of heroes, champion of champions. But...” they bit their lips and swallowed hard.
When compelled to continue, the astrologers came out with it. “This is a secret which
should not be revealed at all. And yet we are forced to speak out. The child born under this
star will one day have to meet its death.
i. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
The author‘s purpose in delaying the revelation of the Tiger King's death, may be to
_________
ii. In the given extract, what emotions were the astrologers feeling when they "bit their lips 1
and swallowed hard"?
1.Humiliation 2. Disbelief 3.Concern 4. Unease 5. Hesitation 6. Amazement a)
3,4 & 5
b) 1,2 & 3
c) 4,5& 6
d) 1,3& 6
iii. What contradiction do you notice in "the most fantastic aspect of his demise"? 1
iv. The narrative style employed by the writer in this extract is……………. 1
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6

A. Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul Huq and several other prominent
lawyers had arrived from Bihar. They conferred with Gandhi. What would they do if he was
sentenced to prison, Gandhi asked. Why, the senior lawyer replied, they had come to advise
and help him; if he went to jail there would be nobody to advise and they would go home.
What about the injustice to the sharecroppers, Gandhi demanded.The lawyers withdrew to
consult. Rajendra Prasad has recorded the upshot of their consultations —“They thought,
amongst themselves, that Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet he was prepared to go to
prison. If they, being not only residents of the adjoining districts but also those who claimed
to have served these peasants, should go home, it would be shameful desertion.
i. The phrase ‗upshot of their consultations‘ can be best referred to as a. 1
The final or eventual outcome of the discussion.
b. The content of the discussion in a nutshell
c. The detailed summary of the discussion.
d. The main topic of discussion
ii. A word from the extract that can serve as opposite to the phrase 'situated far away from' 1
iii. Gandh 's words acted as an eye opener to the Lawyers - True/ False? 1
iv. Shameful desertion here refers to _________ 1

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v. The leadership quality displayed by Gandhi in this context is… … … . a. 1
Personal charisma
b. To overcome obstacles
c. Power of convincing
d. Debating skills
vi. The word ‗why‘ at the beginning of the senior lawyer‘s reply means that __________ 1

OR
B. H. G.Wells in an interview in 1984 referred to the 'interviewing ordeal ' but was fairly
frequent interviewee and forty years later found interviewing Joseph Stalin. Saul Bellow,
who has consented to be interviewed on several occasions, nevertheless once described
interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the
interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. “These days, more than
at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through
interviews,” Denis Brian has written. “Almost everything of moment reaches us through one
man asking questions of another. Because of this, the interviewer holds a position of
unprecedented power and influence.”
i. Pick up the phrase from the extract that brings out the writer's opinion about Interview 1
ii. Locate the word from the passage that mean the opposite of' disagreed' 1
iii. H. G Wells referred to interview as ‗ordeal‘ to indicate he… … .. a. 1
Enjoyed interviews
b. was horrified by interviews
c. Didn't care for interviews
d. Faced interviews boldly
iv. Locate the word from the extract that mean ' never having happened before' 1
v. Who among the given individuals contradicted own opinion on interviews with action a. 1
Denis Brian
b. H. G Wells
c. The writer ( Christopher Silvester)
d. Joseph Stalin
vi. What do you understand by the expression ―thumbprints on his windpipe‖? 1
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in 40-50 words. 5x2=10
i. How does Adrienne Rich make use of symbols in Aunt Jennifer's Tigers?
ii. What connection does Asokamithran find between the boss of Gemini studio and ' The God
that Failed'?
iii. How according to Robert Frost do the ' greedy good doers' destroy the sleep of the rural
farmers?
iv. For Franz, what was much more tempting than going to school and why?
v. What opinion did Sophie's father have about her?
vi. What factors make the bangle makers of Firozabad remain poor through generations?

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11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in 40-50 words. 2x2=4
i. Enlist the unfamiliar things that Charlie noticed in the third level of the grand Central
Railway Station.
ii. What made Dr. Sadao feel that the General was 'in the palm of his hand'?
iii. What do you understand by the phrase, 'the parable of the Phytoplankton'?
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 120-150 words. 5
A. 'Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.‖ Do you think
this quote stands true with the efforts put by Douglas in learning swimming even after his
near death misadventure?

OR
B. Both the Iron master and Edla were kind to the peddler. Yet there is an obvious contrast
between the father-daughter duo. Elaborate.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 120-150 words. 5
A. 'Injustice can‘t escape even the eyes of a child' . How do Zitkala and Bama justify the
statement with their respective acts in the lesson" The Memories of Childhood.‖

OR
B. "The attitude of the society towards the handicapped is more difficult to deal with than the
actual pain and inconvenience caused by the disability" - How true is this statement with
reference to Derry, as depicted in the play ' On the Face of It'?

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