Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 2 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 2 with Solutions
General Instructions :
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections. Reading, Writing and Literature.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Maximum Marks: 40
Time: 2 Hrs
Section A Reading
Question 1.
Read the passage given below.
1. Off the Northern tip of Scotland, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, lies a group of islands called the Orkneys. These treeless isles are frequently battered by Atlantic storms and rain. It was during one such storm in the winter of 1850, when the combination of wind and high tides stripped away the grass from the top of a small hill called Skara Brae on the west side of the largest island. This revealed a number of stone dwellings.
2. The local landowner started excavations on the site, and within twenty years the remains of four ancient houses were unearthed. However, work was later abandoned until 1925 when another storm damaged some of the excavated buildings. A sea wall was proposed to protect the site, and, during construction, more buildings were discovered.
3. It was first believed that the village was an Iron Age settlement. However, radiocarbon dating proved that it was a Neolithic village which dated back to 3000 B.C. The village named Skara Brae now consists of eight dwellings, connected by low, covered passages which had been inhabited for about 600 years by not more than hundred people. The stone buildings are extremely well-preserved, thanks to the layer of sand that protected the settlement. The interior fittings, furniture and household objects also survive to this day.
4. The houses were partly built into a mound of waste material known asmidden’, which would have provided both stability and a thick layer of insulation against the harsh climate. From the outside, the village would have looked like a low, round mound, from which the rooves emerge. Nothing remains of these, so it is assumed that driftwood or whalebone beams supported a roof made of turf, skins, seaweed or straw.
The dwellings were all connected by a series of passageways covered by stone slabs. This allowed the villagers to travel from one house to another without stepping outside – not a bad idea. There was only one main passageway leading outside the village, which could be sealed from the inside. Evidence suggests that there were never more than eight dwellings which are all very similar in design, consisting of a large square room with a central fireplace.
The furnishings were all made of stone, given the shortage of wood on the islands.
Two stone-edged compartments on either side of the fireplace appear to be beds.
Every house also had a distinctive shelved, stone dresser. Its position was always opposite the doorway and illuminated by the fire, indicating that it was notust a useful storage space, but had special significance. There was a sunken floor tank in each dwelling, possibly to supply shell fish.
5. One of the buildings, now known as house seven’, is intriguingly different and detached from the others. It has a door which could only be secured from the outside, suggesting that the house may have served as a type fail. House eight’ is also unique, having none of the furnishings of the other houses. Excavators have found that the floor of the building is littered with fragments from the manufacture of tools, suggesting that the room was a workshop.
The standardised house design has led some to believe that there was no hierarchy of rank within the settlement. Whether or not this is true is debatable. However, it is likely that life here was probably quite comfortable. Why the village was abandoned is still under study.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight questions from the nine given below. (1 x 8)
(i) Cite a point in evidence, from the text, to suggest that the Atlantic storms were fierce. (1)
(ii) Not more than four houses would have been uncovered if the idea of construction
of a sea wall had not been proposed. Why? (1)
(iii) The dwellings were all connected by a series of passageways covered by stone slabs. Provide a reason of why it is not a bad idea’. (1)
(iv) Why are the stone buildings still preserved? (1)
(v) Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined phrase/word with another phrase/word from the last paragraph. (1)
Concrete purpose-built resorts are scattered across the mountainsides.
(vi) What does the use of the phrasequite comfortable’ suggest in the context of the writer’s viewpoint about life in the village? (1)
(vii) Select the suitable phrase/word from the last paragraph to complete the following sentence appropriately. (1)
Students who had completed the program scored significantly higher on tests.
(viii) How can we say that the village was occupied by not more than 100 people? (1)
(ix) Analyse how the houses were made to keep specific conditions of the isle in mind? (1)
Answer:
(i) We can say that the Atlantic storms were fierce because it was the combination of winds and high tides present in such storms that stripped away grass from one of the islands.
(ii) Not more than four houses would have been uncovered if the idea of construction of a sea wall had not been proposed. This is because until 1925 only four houses had been discovered. Later when construction of, a sea wall was started more houses were discovered.
(iii) The dwellings were all connected by a series of passageways covered by stone slabs. This is considered asnot a bad idea’ because it allowed the villagers to travel from one house to another without suffering the harsh climate.
(iv) The stone buildings are still preserved because of the layer of sand that protected the settlement from any wear and tear. As a result, the interior fittings, furniture and household objects also survive to this day.
(v) Concrete purpose-built resorts are littered across the mountainsides.
(vi) In the context of life in the village, the writer states that people in the village lived aquite comfortable’ life to point out that they had everything that they needed. Further, they had a settlement which functioned efficiently even under harsh weather conditions.
(vii) Students who had completed the program scored significantly higher on standardised tests.
(viii) We can say that the village was occupied by not more than 100 people as only eight dwellings were found in the village. Out of those eight dwellings, two houses had different infrastructure and use.
(ix) The eight houses were made while keeping in mind the conditions of the isle. The houses and the passages were built into a mound using midden’, which provided both stability and insulation against the harsh climate. There was only one main passageway leading outside the village, which could be sealed from the inside.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below.
1. Bangladesh has made much progress in improving its human development indicators, faring well above its South Asian neighbors on several fronts. Chief among these achievements is girls’ education, for which Bangladesh now stands as a model.
2. Since the 1980s, secondary school enrolments for girls jumped from 39 percent in 1998 to 67 percent in 2017. Such progress is the result of several incentives, especially the Female Secondary School Assistance Project (FSSAP), which was instrumental in achieving gender parity since it started in the early 1990s first as a pilot and then a nationwide program.
3. FSSAP was part of a coordinated effort to increase girls’ enrolment and retention in secondary schools by providing stipends and tuition waivers. Building on this success, the World Bank introduced a second-generation stipend program for the poorest children of whom 55 percent were girls. However, despite better enrolment rates, educations outcomes for girls remain inadequate as low and unequal levels of learning persist.
4. Data from the 2017 Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics show that dropout rates for girls are at a high 42 percent at the secondary school level; completion rates are low, with grade 10 rates bottoming at only 10 percent, and secondary level completion rates reaching a mere 59 percent.
These trends carry through tertiary education, resulting in low female labor force participation. What explains these high female dropout rates? Child marriage, household responsibilities, high levels of pregnancies, mental health issues and school-based violence are some of the main factors.
Figure- Share of individuals that have at least completed Grade 6 after’ completing/passing Grade 5 – by gender and age (%)
5. Ensuring that students complete secondary education is at the core of the 2018 – 2022 Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP). A key feature of the program is the Adolescent Girls’ Program, which aims to improve girls’ retention in secondary schools through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The school-based program will address menstrual management, ensure separate sanitation facilities for girls, and provide female students with cash incentives to attend school. It will also tackle mental well-being and gender-equitable behavior.
6. Prioritising girls’ education is the first vital step to economic development in Bangladesh. The next critical step is to leverage the better-educated female labour force to propel economic and social progress in Bangladesh.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the seven questions given below. (1 x 6)
(i) What does the author means by ‘Bangladesh now stands as a model’? (1)
(ii) Why does the author say that ‘Education outcomes for girls remain inadequate as low and unequal levels of learning persist’? (1)
(iii) With reference to the figure, write one conclusion about the education level of males and females. (1)
(iv) What is FSSAP? (1)
(v) Prioritising girls’ education is the first vital step to economic development in Bangladesh. Substantiate. (1)
(vi) Why is the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare essential for female education? (1)
(vii) Identify a word from the passage indicating a maximum advantage that can be taken from a program. (1)
Answer:
(i) By the phraseBangladesh now stands as a model’ the author wants to highlight how Bangladesh has set an example in improving its human development indicators, especially girls education, faring well above its South Asian neighbors on several fronts.
(ii) The author says that Educations outcomes for girls remain inadequate as low and unequal levels of learning persist’ because the data from the 2017 Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics show that dropout rates for girls are at a high and completion rates are low, resulting in low female labor force participation.
(iii) The figure shows that the education levels of males and females show completely different outcomes. While male education saw an average rise, the education levels of the girls have been decreasing.
(iv) The Female Secondary School Assistance Project (FSSAP) was part of a coordinated effort to increase girls’ enrolment and retention in secondary schools by providing stipends and tuition waivers. It was instrumental in achieving gender parity since it started in the early 1990s first as a pilot and then as a nationwide program.
(v) Prioritising girls’ education is the first vital step to economic development in Bangladesh. This will ensure that female labour force increases and promotes economic and social progress in the nation.
(vi) The collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare essential for female education because it will address menstrual management, ensure separate sanitation facilities for girls, and provide female students with cash incentives to attend school.
(vii) Leverage
Section B Writing
Question 3.
Write an invitation to your friend Rameshwari to spend her winter vacations with you in Kerala. You are Puja/ Puneet of 25, MG Road, Kerala. (3)
Answer:
25, MG Road
Kerala
10th December, 20XX
Dearest Rameshwari,
How are you doing? I hope everyone in your family is hale and hearty. I have written this letter to invite you to spend your winter vacation in Kerala with me. As you know winters are approaching and so are our winter vacations. Therefore, I will be travelling to my ancestral home in Kerala from 24th December to 2ndanuary. Considering that you had always wanted to visit Kerala, we would be overjoyed if you come with us.
For the same, my parents had already conversed with your parents. If you accept, we would enjoy there a lot. We will go for backwater boat riding and even visit some of the famous temples there. So, kindly confirm as soon as possible.
Yours affectionately
Puja/Puneet
Question 4.
Attempt any one from A and B given below.
A. Draft an application for the post of an accountant in Pioneers Pvt. Ltd. Co.
Hyderabad in response to their advertisement that appeared in a leading daily. You are Nipun/Apama. (5)
Or
B. You are Sandhya/Sohan an active member of the Animal Lovers Club which works for the welfare of animals by preventing cruelty to them. Recently you visited Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home. You were pleasantly surprised to see the good treatment given to the animals. Write a report in 150-200 words on your visit. (5)
Answer:
A. 23, Raman Villa
Race Course Road
Bhopal
11th August, 20XX
The Personnel Manager
Pioneers Pvt. Ltd. Co.
Hyderabad
Subject Application for the Post of an Accountant
Sir/Ma’am
This is in response to your advertisement inThe Times of India’ dated 11th August, 20XX for the post of an accountant, I wish to apply for the same.
I possess requisite qualifications and experience. In my previous capacity as a Staff Accountant at River Tech, I accurately maintained multiple ledgers within Quickbooks. I was responsible for compiling the company’s financial statements for the purposes of providing it to the auditor. Having worked on many teams and as a people-oriented person, I am very enthusiastic about the possibility to work with a diverse team while managing sole responsibilities as an Accountant. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications would be an asset to the organisations continued success.
I am enclosing my detailed Bio Data for your perusal. You may call me for an interview on any date as per your convenience. I shall be able tooin my duties at one month’s notice if appointed.
I hope of a positive reply.
Yours sincerely
Nipun
Enclosure
Name : Nipun
Father’s Name : Sh. Mohan Lal verma
Date of Birth : 15th September, 1970
Age : 51 Years
Address : 23, Raman villa, Race Course Road, Bhopal
Email id : [email protected]
Nationality : Indian
Educational Qualification :
| Name of the Exam | Name of the Institute | Year | Percentage/GPA |
| CA | ICWAI | 1997 | Qualified |
| B.com | Delhi University | 2017 | 73% |
Hobbies : Music, Net Surfing, Photography, Sports.
Languages Known : Hindi, English
Experience : TISCO Bhopal since November, 2003 The CA house, for 6 years
References : 1. Mr. Ashok Kumar Director TISCO. 2. Mr. Rajesh Veraapalli Chief HR The CA House
Or
B. Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home: A Heaven for Animals by Sandhya, Animal Lovers Club
Durgapur, 28th February, 20XX.
On a recent visit to Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home I was completely mesmerised. Being an active member of the Animal Lovers Club working for the welfare of animals I was sure this park would be treating their animals with cruelty. Generally, such parks are money minting organisations that try to attract people especially children by the display of animals. They underfeed the animals and treat them mercilessly. My eyes however met a completely different picture. The animals in the park were all healthy, clean and properly fed.
There were six animal keepers constantly at the service. The animals were given a good amount of space to graze about. Humans were not allowed to touch or feed them, nor disturb them. Nice and powerful field glasses were fixed at points from where the animals and their activities could be viewed. There were a number of peacocks, deer, rabbits, monkeys, chimps, birds and from what it looked there were old animals as well. But all were hale and hearty.
Upon enquiry I got to know that most of them are abandoned pets, rescued animals, and the ones injured on the streets. It was astounding to see the quality of care the animals are being given. They have a family-like environment for them. Further, the animal home has all the facilities ranging from a well-equipped medical room to a veterinary surgeon. Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home is doing a mind-blowing job by understanding and fulfilling the needs of those who can’t speak for themselves. The experience was an overwhelming one.
Section C Literature
Question 5.
Attempt any five of the six questions given below, within 40 words each. (2 x 5)
(i) Gandhiji felt that taking the Champaran Case to the court was useless. What does this show about him? (2)
(ii) Isolation and solitude made the crofter gullible. Comment. (2)
(iii) Things of beauty leave a huge impact on the man’s spirit. Explain. (2)
(iv) Auntennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear is futile but her courage takes a form that will always exist. Substantiate. (2)
(v) Do you think realised that her father was telling her something from his childhood? (2)
(vi) Empathy is what blossoms the friendship between Derry and Mr. Lamb. Validate. (2)
Answer:
(i) Gandhiji felt that taking the Champaran Case to the court was useless. This showed that he had immense knowledge and insight about the local farmers. He also understood the mentality of the officials in the court. He knew that the poor farmer had no courage and feared the Britishers. The court officer then could easily dominate the farmers into accepting their decision.
(ii) The statement that isolation and solitude made the crofter gullible is true and apt. The crofter was an old man without any family and companion. He lived alone in his cottage and would thus have enjoyed any company. As a result, when the peddler came to his house, he was so excited that he forgot that he was telling a crucial secret to a complete stranger. Such an excitement comes due to the fact that he had been solitary and lonely for the most part of his life and the aspect of a companion was great for him.
(iii) Things of beauty leave a huge impact on the man’s spirit. They provide him comfort and peace during stressful times. The beauty surrounding us heal our injured spirit and brings us out of dark times. It provides greatoy, happiness and calmness to man.
(iv) Auntennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear is futile but her courage takes a form that will always exist. We know that Auntennifer is bound in the patriarchal society and still suffers under the male chauvinism by her husband. Even her death won’t free her from her marital sufferings. However, her desire for courage would always exist in the form of her embroidered tigers.
(v) No, I do not think thato realised that her father was telling her something from his childhood. I can say this because,o is a young girl who lives in the innocent fairytale-like world. If she understood that the story was her father’s own experience, she would not have contradicted her father’s version.
(vi) It is truly said that empathy blossomed the friendship between Derry and Mr. Lamb. Both Derry and Mr. Lamb were victims of physical disability and isolation. They both have been ignored by people and made to feel inferior. Thus, they both feel a connection. The friendship then blossomed even though their world views were different as they went through similar experiences.
Question 6.
Answer any two of the following in about 120-150 words each. (4 x 2)
(i) “The nature of humanity, its essence is to feel another’s pain as one’s own and to act to take that pain away. There is nobility in compassion. A beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness.” Elaborate with reference to the Rattrap. (4)
(ii) Auntennifer symbolises women who are exploited and oppressed at the hands of the male-dominated world. Comment (4)
(iii) Attempt a character sketch of the Governor in the story, Evans tries an O-level’. (4)
Answer:
(i) The good people we meet sometimes leave an impression on us. Compassion and understanding can transform a person and bring out his essential human goodness. As in the case with the rattrap peddler whose meeting with the crofter and Edla bring about a positive transformation in his nature.
The lonely old crofter was extremely kind to the peddler. Despite his hospitality, the peddler stole his money and committed a breach of trust. Edla too treated him nicely, even after she came to know his true identity. The peddler who had always considered the world to be a rattrap that enclosed upon people finally felt released from this rattrap due to the kind, generous and sympathetic treatment of the crofter and Edla.
He leaves behind a letter of thanks for Edla with a Christmas gift and the money he had stolen from the crofter, to be restored to its rightful owner.
(ii) Auntennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich tells the story of the hard life of all women in a male-oriented society. Auntennifer symbolises women who are exploited and oppressed. She is an old lady who has passed through painful experiences as well as the unpleasant and terrifying periods during her married life.
There are several places in the poem which shows that Aunt Jennifer is unhappily married and is oppressed by her husband. She is a woman hemmed in by the demands of her life that makes her nervous. She is a timid woman, trying very hard to live up to the expectations of her husband but is unable to overcome the nervousness.
The wedding ring is a heavy burden which makes Auntennifer unsatisfied. She is not happy with her life and her husband but has no power to change it. In a society governed by men, women have little freedom and independence. The author very vividly illustrates how the ring, becomes a means of oppression and torture of women.
Marriage then is one of many ways men use to oppress women. In this society, women are given definite roles and they cannot break the rules. They are trapped by social norms and regulations and are not free to express their feelings and desires.
The author illustrates that hard housework and the burden of everyday responsibilities may limit female life. She shows that Auntennifer has free time for knitting but still she does not feel satisfied as she cannot control her life and has to mold herself into the social roles defined by a society controlled by men.
(iii) The Governor of the HM Prison, Oxford, appears to be a kind-hearted and generous human being. He arranges for an O-level exam for a prisoner, who is renowned for his ability to escape. He was, though, quite skeptical of Evans and took every necessary precaution to make sure that Evans had no means to escape. He was aust and a fair person. He complied with Evans’ requests despite his misgivings.
He was also very proud and self-conscious. He did not want Evans to disgrace him by escaping from his prison. He had a sharp presence of mind, which was clear from the fact that he cross-checked every call that was made to the prison that day. However, he got over-confident of his arrangements and underestimated Evans. He also comes as an intelligent man who is very gullible. He could trace Evans back again at Golden Lion hotel but he believed in others easily which gave Evans a chance to escape in front of him.
The Governor was a person who does not mind showering praise on a prisoner. When Evans revealed his secret plan to him, he admired him. He was a simple man and didn’t realise the extent of deception. At last, he proved to be just another gullible Governor when Evans tricked him again and successfully escaped. His overconfidence and self-praise let him down.