Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 9 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 9 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. In 3000 years of our history people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards, The Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours.
2. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others. That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM. I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.
3. My second vision for India is DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation.
4. I have a third vision. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only strength respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. Both must go hand-in-hand. My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds.
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai of the Dept, of space, Professor Satish Dhawan, who succeeded him and Dr. Brahm Prakash, father of nuclear material. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life.
Here I am reminded an instance – One day an orthopedic surgeon from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences visited my laboratory. He lifted the material and found it so light that he took me to his hospital and showed me his patients.
5. There were these little girls and boys with heavy metallic calipers weighing over three kg each, dragging their feet around. He said to me Please remove the pain of my patients. In three weeks, we made these Floor reaction Orthosis 300 gram calipers and took them to the orthopedic centre. The children didn’t believe their eyes. From dragging around a three kg load on their legs, they could now move around! Their parents had tears in their eyes. That was a bliss to me.
I have a question
6. Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognise our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amasing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign TV’s we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported? Don’t we realise that self-respect comes with self-reliance?
7. I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14-year-old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is: She replied: ‘I want to live in a developed India.’ For her, you, I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim as an aside from yours truly. India is not an under developed nation, it is a highly developed nation in an advanced state of decay!
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 writer is in awe of his nation. (1)
(ii) What makes the freedom envisioned by the writer? (1)
(iii) Because we respect the freedom of others. How do ‘we’ respect the freedom of others? (1)
(iv) When did the writer get the idea of the freedom he envisioned? (1)
(v) Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined phrase/word with another phrase/ word from the passage. (1)
If something remain valid in bad conditions, it is not damaged or harmed by them.
(vi) Only strength respects strength. Validate. (1)
(vii) Select the suitable phrase/word from the passage to complete the following sentence appropriately. (1)
‘The hero should take acting lessons,’ my father said when the intermission began.
(viii) What is the author’s belief in the end? (1)
(ix) Analyse the questions asked by the author in the passage. (1)
Answer:
(i) We know that the writer is in awe of his nation as he points out that even though many nations have captured his lands, conquered his and other people in his nation’s minds, they had never tried to capture any other nation.
(ii) The Freedom envisioned by the writer is associated with the freedom of ourselves as well as others which brings respect. For him, if we are not free, no one will respect us.
(iii) We respect the freedom of other by not attempting to conquer them. We must not in any way try to affect their land, their culture, their history and try to enforce our way of life on them.
(iv) The writer got the idea of freedom first in 1857, when people of his nation started the war of independence.
(v) If something stands up to bad conditions, it is not damaged or harmed by them.
(vi) The given line by the writer indicates unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power.
(vii) “The hero should take acting lessons,” my father said as an aside when the intermission began, (viii) The author believes that India- his nation is not an under developed nation. It is a highly developed nation in an advanced state of decay and destruction.
(ix) The questions asked by the author in the passage reflect how being conquered by other nations had deeply impacted the people who had no belief in their own nation.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below.
1. Economic Times Online conducted a readers’ poll to gauge the mood of the public in a country that has been under a crippling lockdown for over 40 days. Now that the wheels have begun clacking again in factories and plants, we present here the insights gleaned from almost 13,000 of India’s best-informed readers of business news.
2. The survey basically sought to find out how readers thought India would eventually emerge from the coronavirus crisis. The broad themes covered included a SWOT analysis for the economy, things like what is helping India or what is making things worse, and most importantly, what lies ahead.
3. At a time when the situation appears more and more untenable even as India finds itself caught in the third phase of a sustained self-imposed blockade, here is a general idea of what is running through the mind of a country under siege.
4. The virus has brought the Indian economy to new low after new low over the past six weeks. But many still appeared to think that a rapid turn around was not out of the question. Only about 4% of survey respondents said that a quick economic recovery after lifting the lockdown was ‘not possible at all’. A majority of them- over 40%-said a quick recovery was ‘possible, but with riders’.
5. A big chunk of them (more then 32%) thought that 2020 was as good as lost, and that the economy should prep for a comeback in 2021.
6. The responses on the possibility of a quick recovery appeared to be a broad-based endorsement of government’s Covid-fighting strategy. According to as many as 53.8% survey participants, a ‘decisive leadership’ was the biggest factor on India’s side at this critical juncture. The rest of the responses were evenly spread across (a) a proactive RBI, (b) less political squabbling and (c) benign oil prices.
7. As to which factors could complicate the economy’s fight for survival, almost of third (32.4%) of respondents pointed to a possible second surge of the virus. Nearly 29% said they feared the consequences of a broken labour market. The rest were divided between non-recovery of global trade and deeply negative sentiment.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the seven questions given below. (1 x 6)
(i) What does the researcher mean by ‘crippling lockdown’? (1)
(ii) How was the survey carried out? (1)
(iii) With reference to the figure, write one conclusion about how people think that the economy would recover. (1)
(iv) The responses on the possibility of a quick recovery appeared to be a broad-based endorsement of government’s Covid-fighting strategy. How? (1)
(v) Which factors could complicate the economy’s fight for survival? (1)
(vi) What does the given data reveal? (1)
(vii) Identify a word from the passage which means obtained from various sources, (1)
Answer:
(i) By ‘Crippling Lockdown’, the researcher seems to indicate the negative impact that the lockdown had on the society.
(ii) The survey was carried out through a SWOT analysis for the economy where participants were asked about things like what is helping India or what is making things worse, and what lies ahead.
(iii) The given figure shows that the Indian economy, according to people, could recover if there were riders or activities that would promote the Indian economy all the while keeping the general livelihood in mind.
(iv) The responses on the possibility of a quick recovery appeared to be a broad-based endorsement of government’s Covid-fighting strategy. People believe that a ‘decisive leadership’ is a big factor on India’s side. They also point out the need for a proactive RBI, less political squabbling and benign oil prices.
(v) The factors that could complicate the economy’s fight for survival, include a possible second surge of the virus. Some people feared that the consequences of a broken labour market, non-recovery of global trade and deeply negative sentiment would also complicate the recovery process.
(vi) The given data reveals that majority of the people believe that the economy would recover if not now than later. Only 4% think it would not recover at all.
(vii) Gleaned
Section B Writing
Question 3.
The Manager Director of Surya Enterprises desires to invite the staff for New Year Celebration Party. Draft a formal/informal invitation for the same. (3)
Answer:
SURYA ENTERPRISES
Solicit the benign presence
On
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION PARTY
on 31st December, 20XX
at 10:00 p.m.
at THE LALIT Delhi
RSVP
Managing Director
87566 XXXX
Note- This invitation is valid for members only.
Question 4.
Attempt any one from A and B given below.
A. You are Mrinal of 83, Model Town,Delhi. You are a Security Supervisor. Sunrise Pharma Limited, Delhi, has advertised the requirement of a Security Supervisor, in the local newspaper. You are excited and decide to apply for the post. Write a letter, responding to the given advertisement, submitting your candidature with a detailed bio-data. (5)
Or
B. Andhra Pradesh faced heavy destruction due to flood over the past week, which resulted to trains and vehicles stranded, people displaced and killed and destruction of property. The death toll due to the recent floods in the state . As a newspaper reporter, write a report on facing problems due to flood. You are Shahistha Azmi, TOI correspondent. (5)
Answer:
A. 83, Model Town
Delhi
2nd February, 20XX
The Managing Director
Sunrise Pharma Limited
Delhi
Subject Application for the post of Security Supervisor
Sir/Ma’am
In response to your advertisement in the national daily ‘Hindustan Times’ dated 1st February 20XX for the post of a Security Supervisor, I want to offer my candidature.
I am a smart, confident and hard-working retired army officer of 40 years with pleasing personality. I am computer literate and possess excellent command over English as well. I have been a national-level Basketball player since my teenage years. I assure you of my best services if given an opportunity for the same.
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
Mrinal
Enclosed Bio Data and required certificates
Bio Data
Name : Mrinal
Father’s Name : Mr. Shubham
Date of Birth : 11th July, 1982
Nationality : Indian
Permanent Address : 83, Model Town, Delhi
Educational Qualification :
Interests and Hobbies : Reading and singing
Job Experience : Worked for 17 years in the Indian army
Reference : Mr Ravi Sharan Singh, Lt. Colonel Indian Army
Or
B. Andhra Pradesh Floods: Wreaking Havoc
by Shahistha Azmi, TOI Correspondent
18th November, 20XX, Andhra Pradesh. Heavy destruction due to flooding in Andhra Pradesh over the past week has wreaked havoc on lives and livelihood. Trains and vehicles have been stranded, people have been displaced and there has been a large destruction of property. The death toll is rising continuously reaching 31 on Sunday. Rivers Pennar and Cheyyeru swept away several villages and flooded major roadways leading to a connectivity loss.
As of now, the Chennai Highway-16 had been closed and more than 17 trains had been canceled. Many train routes have been diverted to safety. The rescue operations were soon increased with NCC Cadets and Army officers using boats to reach stranded populations and taking them towards safety. The current weather reports and data predict that the flood will soon cease and relief would come.
Section C Literature
Question 5.
Attempt any five of the six questions given below, within 40 words each. (2 x 5)
(i) Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played perhaps the most significant role in Evans’ escape and how? (2)
(ii) Do you agree with Jo’s opinion that Roger Skunk’s mother was stupid? Give reasons for your answer. (2)
(iii) What does the line, “Therefore, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth” suggest to you? (2)
(iv) Can you think of any other way in which you can understand the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer? (2)
(v) What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was? (2)
(vi) What made Gandhiji demand 50% refund from the British landlords? (2)
Answer:
(i) The most significant article of McLeery’s suitcase as per Evans plan was the rubber tube, which he said he required to sit on since he was suffering from piles. In reality, the rubber tube contained pig blood which Evans was to use in his strategy to escape. Evans was going to disguise as Rev. McLeery and pretend to be bleeding and pig’s blood acted as the blood.
(ii) I do not agree with Jo’s opinion that Roger Skunk’s mother was stupid. I believe that the Mother Skunk knew how the smell was important to her child and thus did not approve of the new smell of roses. She wanted her child to smell like a skunk and be safe from predators.
(iii) The line suggests that these things of beauty are like a beautiful band made of flowers. We use them to bind us to our sorrowful life on Earth. These things of beauty keep us happy even when life is full of anxiety and sorrows. Beside them, there is no other source of happiness in our miserable lives.
(iv) Yes, we can related the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer to be symbolic of man. Aunt Jennifer is creating tigers, which are a symbol of strength, fearlessness and confidence. These are the qualities possessed by man in a male dominated society.
(v) When the ironmaster realised that the peddler was not the person the iron master had thought he was, the peddler defended himself by saying that it was not his fault. He told the ironmaster that he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader. He pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. He added that he had not done any harm and at worst he would put on his rags again and go away.
(vi) Gandhiji demanded 50% refund from the British landlords because he knew that the British would negotiate the payable amount not wanting to play the full repayment of the money that had illegally extorted from the sharecroppers. Gandhiji wanted them to surrender a part of the money and their prestige also.
Question 6.
Answer any two of the following in about 120-150 words each. (4 x 2)
(i) Describe how, according to Louis Fischer, Gandhiji succeeded in his Champaran campaign. (4)
(ii) “A Thing of Beauty presents the reader with the views of Keats on beauty and its value, and its importance to humans”. Justify. (4)
(iii) The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain. (4)
Answer:
(i) The objective of Gandhiji in his Champaran campaign was to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus make India free. He succeeded because, as Rajendra Prasad said, “Gandhiji in this way taught us a lesson in self-reliance”.
Throughout the campaign, the peasants did not take the help of any specialist lawyers and even later denied the help of all Englishmen like CF Andrews to fight their case. This gave them a new-found confidence in fighting their own battles and they were liberated from fear of the British.
The fact that the British planters agreed to refund some of the money paid by the peasants was the crucial point that made the Champaran campaign successful. It showed that both the British and Indians could be treated equally. This ultimately led them in the freedom struggle and gave India its freedom.
(ii) The very opening line of the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty….’ openly recites the very theme that all beautiful objects are always treasured in our mind because it provides us eternal and everlasting joy. The happiness that anything beautiful provides, never fades into nothingness but multiplies whenever it returns to our mind.
These are the views of Keats on beauty and its importance to humans. Beauty, brings eternal joy to humans, because it offers humans the constant opportunity to reflect on that beauty, which stands in such stark contrast to the dejection, monotony and ugliness of everyday lives. In spite of all the difficulties and the sufferings that humans face, beauty has the ability to produce happiness.
Keats therefore, establishes that in his view of the world, life for humans consists of struggles and difficulties, and it is only beauty in its various guises that is able to shift those trials and produce happiness. The poem concludes with a list of things that constitute ‘beauty’ for Keats, which include both natural beauty such as daffodils, and beauty that can be found in art, such as ‘the lovely tales we have heard or read’.
All of these forms of beauty act as ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’, allowing humans to forget bleak reality and experience joy. This poem therefore, focuses on the theme of happiness and how it can be experienced.
(iii) The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Both Mr. Lamb and Derry have different sorts of physical disability. While Mr. Lamb has a tin leg, one side of Derry’s face was burnt by acid and now is scarred. Both Derry and Mr. Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is the feeling of loneliness. Both suffer alienation from the society.
Derry feels that he is feared rather than accepted by the society because of his scarred face.
Mr. Lamb also has to face name calling-‘Lamey-Lamb’ although it does not bother him much. Loneliness has caused constant pain for both Derry and Mr. Lamb. They both crave for friends, but neither of them have any true friends.
However, while his isolation makes Derry a bitter person, Mr. Lamb has a positive outlook and believes that being a handicap is not a drawback. Both expect that the society would neither treat them differently, as freaks, nor with pity.