Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 7 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 7 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.
Nothing better sums up the outdoors than the centuries-old human endeavour to scale mighty peaks. Mountaineering involves hiking, climbing, or just simply walking, on hilly or mountainous ground, with the help of technical equipment and support. In mountaineering, you’ll come across different types of terrain – mainly snow, glaciers, ice or just naked rocks.
The feats of the like of Edmund Hilary and George Mallory to mention just two legendary mountaineers, have contributed to making this activity a popular one all around the world, one that has also been known to build a person’s character.
One has to be physically robust, very fit and display a decent level of athleticism and suppleness of body to climb mountains; training, conditioning and preparation are essential if you are looking to attempt an ascent on a particularly challenging peak. In addition, the mountaineer, often having to withstand extreme climatic conditions, has to display a good degree of mental fortitude to survive and succeed.
But in the end, all of this is worth your while – there is no better feeling than being out in the open. In high nature’s playground, breathing in the pristine mountain air, as close to the sky as it’s humanly possible to be.
Mountaineering is as old as the earth, as old as human life. In the 19th century, many people would climb just for pleasure, for the sheer thrill of conquering peaks near and far. But over time, the sport has split into separate disciplines, each of them calling for varying degrees of skills and preparation.
Today, climbers have the comfort of having the most advanced equipment and gear at their disposal. In contrast, men in ancient times had to rely on their feet, their legs, their arms and their hands – and their wits – to climb mountains. These old climbing techniques are still very much relevant today (as well as being utterly reliable and safe) but the 21st century mountaineer has the added advantage of depending on hi-tech safety equipment.
Closer home, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has played a big part in the conquest of the Greater Himalayas. Many of the planet’s mountaineering greats have tested their skills, and earned their name, in the Himalayan theatre of dreams, considered the ultimate arena for climbing enthusiasts.
Mountaineering demands a lot of your physical fitness, and attempts on the highest peaks can push your body to the limit. Before attempting any climb, make sure you are fit enough to endure everything that nature and the elements may throw at you. Remember that mountaineering may be a very exhilarating activity but it is far from being an easy sport! At high altitudes, it is important to give enough time for acclimatisation. And make sure you get a clean bill of health from your doctor before embarking on an expedition.
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 mountaineering requires a decent level of athleticism and suppleness of body. (1)
(ii) State how the author feels about the feat of climbing mountains. (1)
(iii) The author credits Edmund Hilary and George Mallory in the field of Mountaineering. What does he credit them for? (1)
(iv) How has mountaineering changed over the years? (1)
(v) Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined phrase/word with another phrase/ word from the passage. (1)
I pray we have the mental strength to carry on fighting.
(vi) Mountaineering has become comparatively easy in the present times. Comment, (1)
(vii) Select the suitable phrase/word from the passage to complete the following sentence appropriately. (1)
Romantic comedies require some suspension of disbelief, but this.
(viii) The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has played a big part in the conquest of the Greater Himalayas. How? (1)
(ix) Mountaineering is not an easy sport. Substantiate. (1)
Answer:
(i) Mountaineering requires a decent level of athleticism and suppleness of body because a mountaineer has to display a good degree of mental fortitude to survive and succeed in withstanding the extreme climatic conditions.
(ii) The author feels that the feat of climbing mountains and the preparations that goes behind it is worth your while. He believes that there is no better feeling than being out in the open, breathing in the pristine mountain air, as close to the sky as it’s humanly possible to be.
(iii) The author credits Edmund Hilary and George Mallory for making mountaineering a popular activity all around the world while letting the world know that the activity has also been known to build a person’s character.
(iv) Mountaineering has changed over the many years. In the 19th century, people would climb just for pleasure, for the sheer thrill of conquering peaks. But over time, the sport has split into separate disciplines, each of them calling for varying degrees of skills and preparation.
(v) I pray we have the fortitude to carry on fighting.
(vi) Mountaineering has become comparatively easy in the present times. Men in ancient times had to rely on their feet, their legs, their hands and their wits to climb mountains. In contrast, today, climbers have the comfort of having the most advanced equipment and gear at their disposal.
(vii) Romantic comedies require some suspension of disbelief, but this pushes the limits.
(viii) The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has played a big part in the conquest of the Greater Himalayas as it had successfully trained many mountaineers for climbing the Himalayans ranges.
(ix) Mountaineering is not an easy sport. It demands a lot of physical fitness, and attempts on the highest peaks can push one’s body to the limit. So, before attempting any climb, one must make sure to be fit enough to endure everything that nature may throw.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below.
To supplement his family’s income, Hatia started working in a highway dhaba when he was just nine years old. Like Hatia, there are many children who are exploited and forced to do menial labour. The most worrying thing is that their numbers keep rising every year. The main reason behind this is lack of awareness and poverty.
With low levels of awareness and poor living conditions, parents who work as labourers cannot afford to fund their children’s education. Instead, they make them work from a tender age to supplement family income.
However, what they do not know is that child labour creates a vicious cycle of illiteracy and low income. It exploits children and strips them off numerous opportunities and deprives adults of better employment opportunities and higher wages.
A survey conducted by the Odisha state labour department in 2013 found that Odisha had 2.15 lakh child labour, of which 121,526 were boys and 93,696 were girls. A report prepared by V. V. Giri National Labour Institute provides national and state level statistics on Work Participation Rate (WPR) of children disaggregated by age group.
The survey reports of working children as young as five to nine years. Around 0.3% children aged five to nine years in India and 0.5% in Odisha are working. It reported that in the 5 to 14 year age group, Odisha has 4.9% working children as compared to 3.3% in India.
In February 2019, a written reply by the Minister of Labour and Employment in the Parliament disclosed that Odisha reported 4517 cases and accounts for almost 42% of the cases reported nationally.
A substantial proportion of the child labour in the state is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. This sector alone accounts for over two-thirds of child labour. Manufacturing sector accounts for more than 15 percent of child workers followed by trade, hotels, and restaurants.
Many children are engaged in various hazardous occupations such as tobacco rolling, labelling, and packaging; collection and assembly of charcoal and coal; workhands in motor garages; labourers in brick kilns and stone quarries; making and selling country liquor; and workers at matchbox and fireworks factories. Such occupations not only snatch away their innocence and childhood, but also endanger their health and lives.
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 mean by ‘it creates a vicious cycle of illiteracy’? (1)
(ii) What is the reason for the rise in child labour? (1)
(iii) With reference to the figure, state any one conclusion regarding child labour in Odisha. (1)
(iv) What does the given data tell us about child labour in Odisha? (1)
(v) Many children are engaged in various hazardous occupations. What are occupations? (1)
(vi) Why are many occupations called hazardous for children? (1)
(vii) Identify the word from the passage which means to reveal. (1)
Answer:
(i) For the author, child labour creates a vicious cycle of illiteracy because when children start earning at an early age, they are robbed of education and other opportunities. It exploits children and deprives adults of better employment opportunities and higher wages.
(ii) The main reason behind the rise of child labour is lack of awareness and poverty. With low levels of awareness and poor living conditions, parents who work as labourers cannot afford to fund their children’s education. Instead, they make them work to supplement family income.
(iii) The given figure points out that children from age group 10-14 are majorly engaged in labour.
Even in that the average is higher for Odisha in comparison to India.
(iv) The given data tells us that most of the children in Odisha is employed in agricultural and allied activities comprising almost two-thirds of the overall child labour percentage.
(v) Many children are engaged in various hazardous occupations such as tobacco rolling, labelling, and packaging; collection and assembly of charcoal and coal; work hands in motor garages; labourers in brick kilns and stone quarries; making and selling country liquor; and workers at matchbox and fireworks factories.
(vi) Many occupations called hazardous for children because they rob the children of many opportunities, take away their innocence and childhood, and endanger their health and lives.
(vii) Disclose
Section B Writing
Question 3.
M/s Radheshyam & Sons are opening a new Assorted sweets store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ -g in Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarka. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October, 20XX at 11:00 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation letter for the purpose. (3)
Answer:
M/S RADHESHYAM & SONS
announce the opening of
GALAXY NOVELTIES
An assorted sweet store
in Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika
INAUGURATION
on
SUNDAY THE 19TH OF OCTOBER, 20XX
At 11:00 a.m.
All are cordially invited
Visit for all kinds of Grocery & Domestic items AVAIL INAUGURAL DISCOUNT OF 10% ON ALL GOODS
R.S.V.P
Galaxy Novelties
Phone: 011-2754XXXX
Question 4.
Attempt any one from A and B given below.
A. Write an application for the post of Assistant Manager in NewTech Ltd, Mumbai.
Include your bio data. You are Niraj Kumar of 14, New Town, Delhi. (5)
Or
B. Mr. Ranbir, head of TUM HO, an NGO, visited St. Paul’s International School on 27th February, 2018, to give a speech on “CLIMATE CHANGE and ITS IMPACTS.” He specifically highlighted “THE DUMPING OF PLASTIC WASTE IN HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS”. Write a report on the event.
Answer:
A. 14, New Town
New Delhi
India
10th April, 20XX
The H.R Manager
NewTech Ltd
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Subject Application for the post of Assistant Manager
Sir/Mam
This is with reference to your advertisement published in “The Hindustan Times’ dated 5th April, 20XX, requiring an Assistant Manager, I wish to apply for the same.
I feel that my experience and qualification are suitable for the above-mentioned post. If given a chance I shall put my best foot forward in your organisation and strive hard for the development of the same. I shall leave no stone in fulfillment of my duties.
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 to join my duties at one month’s notice if appointed. I hope of a positive reply.
Yours sincerely
Niraj Kumar
Enclosure 1. Bio-data
2. Attested copies of mark sheet
Bio Data
Name : Niraj Kumar
Father’s Name : Mr. Amit Kumar
Contact Number : 99XXXXXXXX
Contact Address : 14, New Town, New Delhi
Email id : [email protected]
Languages Known : English and Hindi
Nationality : Indian
Educational Qualification :
| S.No. | Qualification | Board/University | Marks/Grades |
| 1. | MBA (Marketing) | IIM- Indore | 82% |
| 2. | BBA | IIM- Indore | 80% |
| 3. | Senior Secondary (12th) | CBSE | 98% |
| 4. | Secondary School (10th) | CBSE | 94% |
Job Experience : (i) From 2008 – 2012
Marketing Manager
Rama Krishna Industries
New Delhi
(ii) From 2012- Present
Head Marketing
Techy Limited
New Delhi
References : (i) Mr. Akshay Pathak
M.D, Rama Krishna Industries
(ii) Mrs. Amita Pustak
CEO, Techy Limited, New Delhi
Or
An Event on Global Warming and its Impacts
By Shamsher
On 27th February, 2018, our school organised a session on ‘Global Warming’ in the school premises where the students got the chance to hear from Mr. Ranbir, head of TUM HO (an NGO) about Climate Change and its impacts. It was a one-day event to educate the students about Global Warming and Climate Change. With around 150 students to listen to Mr. Ranbir, the event inspired students to adapt a sustainable means of living.
The event was attended by five distinguished guests who were all Environmentalists and Scientists. It was organised with the motive of educating the children about the wrongdoings that has devastated our planet, because of which Mother Nature is suffering.
In this respect, Mr. Ranbir, who had worked in the Himalayan Foothills, talked about the ‘Dumping of plastic waste.’ He highlighted the behaviour of the tourists who leave plastic wastes here and there, which is affecting the fertility of the soil and Mother Nature at large. He asked us to treat nature as a precious possession and to understand how to properly dispose waste in extreme conditions like the Himalayan foothills.
By the end of his speech, everyone present there, be it teachers or students or school the staff, agreed with what he said, and took an oath to treat nature – as a very precious possession of humanity.
Section C Literature
Question 5.
Attempt any five of the six questions given below, within 40 words each. (2 x 5)
(i) The crofter was a good host. Substantiate. (2)
(ii) Why did Gandhiji tell the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’? (2)
(iii) Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ in the second stanza. Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull? (2)
(iv) Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us? (2)
(v) What were the contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried? (2)
(vi) Do you think there was some problem with Jo? Give reasons for your answer. (2)
Answer:
(i) The crofter was indeed a good host. He welcomed the peddler in his cottage with immense warmth. He shared with him his meal and tobacco. He also played a game of cards with him and engaged the stranger in a conversation.
(ii) Gandhiji told the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’. On one hand, he didn’t want to set a bad example as a lawbreaker; on the other hand, he wanted to render humanitarian and national service for which he had come to Champaran.
(iii) Aunt Jennifer has become so old that it appears that her fingers are trembling through wool when we find her embroidering in the second stanza. This shows that she has become so weak that she even finds the needle hard to pull. However, metaphorically it highlights how her dominating husband has scared her to the point that she cannot sit or do anything without fear.
(iv) According to Keats, a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The poet says that a thing of beauty leaves a lasting impression on our minds. It never passes into nothingness. Whenever we are sad or disappointed, it is a thing of beauty that gives us some sort of joy.
(v) The contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried were a sealed question paper envelope, a yellow invigilation form, a special ‘authentication’ card from the Examination Board, a paper-knife, a Bible, a copy of ‘The Church Times’ and a small semi-inflated rubber ring.
(vi) I do not think there was any problem with Jo. Jo was in the growing phase of her life. Like other children of her age she did not take the things at their face value. She had become very inquisitive and she wanted to know the reason behind things. Further, for her, everything was innocent and fairytale-like. She loved happy endings and expected the same.
Question 6.
Answer any two of the following in about 120-150 words each. (4 x 2)
(i) The Sharecropping agreement showed the shrewd nature of the British Landlords. Comment. (4)
(ii) Keats’ poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty, allows for a deeper perception of the imaginary. Explain. ‘ (4)
(iii) How did Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life? (4)
Answer:
(i) The Sharecropping agreement showed the shrewd nature of the British Landlords. They had not only usurped the land but also asked the farmers to saw only indigo on some part of the land as it was the chief commercial crop of Champaran.
The British landlords compelled all the tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was done by a long-term contract. Then the landlords came to know that the Germany had developed synthetic indigo. Now producing natural indigo was not at all profitable.
Very cunningly the British landlords obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from the 15% agreement. Many sharecroppers signed it willingly while the others engaged lawyers.
So, the landlords hired thugs to get the farmer to submit to their will.
All of this showed that the landlords were shrewd and self-centred people who wanted their own benefit.
(ii) It is truly said that Keats’ poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ allow for a deeper perception of the imaginary. Everything he says in his poems can be converted into a life-like experience allowing the reader to experience exactly what he wants to convey in one’s imagination.
In the poem, Keats establishes his idea of beauty in everything around us with powerful imagery and word play. The cooling comfort of the bower, the dancing daffodils in its green environment, the babbling stream and the mid-forest brake with the musk rose blooms evoke our imagination.
As readers, we can imagine ourselves in such a setup with sense of hearing, touch and smell. We can hear the sounds of the scene, smell the flowers and even feel like we are in the middle of nature. Even the stories of mighty ancestors and the doom that befalls them appeals to our intellect as we can relate to them.
The endless fountain may be an allusion of the fountain of youth. One can imagine the fountain as rain that falls on our planet. Thus, Keats poetic descriptions present beauty that appeals to our senses and gives delight as it inters the world of imagination.
(iii) Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry indeed proved to be a turning point in a young boy’s life. Derry had been an isolated and a solitary boy as one side of Derry’s face was burnt due to acid. People would treat Derry differently and would say that it was the ugliest thing that they have ever seen.
Derry felt afraid of him when he saw himself in the mirror. Further, he knew even his mother didn’t love him truly. She would just fulfil her duty as a mother. Therefore, she never kissed him on the burnt side of his face; she would always kiss on the other side of his face. All this had deeply impacted the young boy who was terrified of having company.
But Mr. Lamb gave the boy great solace and inspiration. He told him he was not handicapped like him. He had two legs, two eyes, two ears and two hands. He could do anything in life. He also advised him to have an optimistic approach in life. Thus, this meeting proved to be a turning point in Derry’s life.