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English Core (301) Sample Question Paper (Term 1) Class - XII

Time: 90 Minutes Max. Marks 40

General Instructions:

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections.
2. Section A-READING has 18 questions. Attempt a total of 14 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
3. Section B-WRITING SKILLS has 12 questions. Attempt a total of 10 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
4. Section C-LITERATURE has 30 questions. Attempt 26 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
5. All questions carry equal marks.
6. There is no negative marking READING

I. Read the passage given below.

I. I got posted in Srinagar in the 1980s. Its rugged mountains, gushing rivers and vast meadows reminded me of the landscapes of my native place – the Jibhi Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike Srinagar that saw numerous tourists, Jibhi Valley remained clouded in anonymity. That’s when the seed of starting tourism in Jibhi was planted. I decided to leave my service in the Indian Army and follow the urge to return home.

II. We had two houses – a family house and a traditional house, which we often rented out. I pleaded with my father to ask the tenant to vacate the house so that I could convert it into a guesthouse. When my family finally relented, I renovated the house keeping its originality intact, just adding windows for sunlight.

III. I still remember the summer of 1992 when I put a signboard outside my first guesthouse in Jibhi Valley! The village residents, however, were sceptical about my success. My business kept growing but it took years for tourism to take off in Jibhi Valley. Things changed significantly after 2008 when the government launched a homestay scheme. People built homestays and with rapid tourism growth, the region changed rapidly. Villages turned into towns with many concrete buildings. Local businesses and tourists continued putting a burden on nature.

IV. Then, with the 2020-21 pandemic and lockdown, tourism came to a complete standstill in Jibhi Valley. Local people, who were employed at over a hundred homestays and guesthouses, returned to their villages. Some went back to farming; some took up pottery and some got involved in government work schemes. Now, all ardently hope that normalcy and tourism will return to the valley soon. In a way, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to introspect, go back to our roots and look for sustainable solutions.

V. For me, tourism has been my greatest teacher. It brought people from many countries and all states of India to my guesthouse. It gave me exposure to different cultures and countless opportunities to learn new things. Most people who stayed at my guesthouse became my repeat clients and good friends. When I look back, I feel proud, yet humbled at the thought that I was not only able to fulfill my dream despite all the challenges, but also

play a role in establishing tourism in the beautiful valley that I call home. (394 words)

Source: https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/71458/how-one-mans- conviction-put-jibhi-valley-on-the-world-tourism-map

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight o u t of the ten questions bychoosing the correct option

Q.1 The scenic beauty of Srinagar makes the writer feel

A. awestruck B. nostalgic C. cheerful D. confused

Q.2 A collocation is a group of words that often occur together. The writer says that Jibhi valley remained clouded in anonymity. Select the word from the options that correctly collocates with clouded in.

A. disgust B. anger C. doubt D. terror

Q.3 Select the option that suitably completes the given dialogue as per the context in paragraph II.

Father: Are you sure that your plan would work? Writer: I can’t say (1) …………………………………………. Father: That’s a lot of uncertainty, isn’t it? Writer: (2) ............................................................ , father. Please let’s do this.

A. (1) that I would be able to deal with the funding (2) Well begun is half done B. (1) anything along those lines, as the competition is tough (2) Think before you leap C. (1) that, because it’s a question of profit and loss (2) All’s well that ends well D. (1) I’m sure, but I can say that I believe in myself (2) Nothing venture nothing win

Q.4 Which signboard would the writer have chosen for his 1992 undertaking, in Jibhi Valley?

C. We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understanding and our hearts.

• William Hazlett D. I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God than in church thinking of the mountains. - John Muir

Q.10 Select the option that lists what we can conclude from the text.

(1) people of Jibhi Valley practiced sustainable tourism. (2) the people of Jibhi valley gradually embraced tourism. (3) tourists never revisited Jibhi Valley. (4) the writer was an enterprising person.

A. (1) and (2) are true. B. (2), (3) and (4) are true. C. (2) and (4) are true. D. (1), (3) and (4) are true.

II. Read the passage given below.

I. Over the last five years, more companies have been actively looking for intern profiles, according to a 2018-19 survey by an online internship and training platform. This survey reveals that India had 80% more internship applications — with 2.2 million applications received in 2018 compared to 1.27 million in the year before. The trend was partly due to more industries looking to have fresh minds and ideas on existing projects for better productivity. What was originally seen as a western concept, getting an internship before plunging into the job market, is fast gaining momentum at Indian workplaces.

II. According to the survey data, India’s National Capital Region has been the top provider of internships, with a total of 35% internship opportunities, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru at 20% and 15%, respectively. This includes opportunities in startups, MNCs and even government entities. The survey also revealed popular fields to find internships in (Fig 1). There has been growing awareness among the students about the intern profiles sought by hiring companies that often look for people with real-time experience in management than B- school masters.

III. The stipend has been an important factor influencing the choice of internships. The survey data reveals that the average stipend offered to interns was recorded as ₹7000 while the maximum stipend went up to ₹85,000. According to statistics, a greater number of people considered virtual internships than in-office internships. Virtual internships got three times more applications than in-office, since a large chunk of students were the ones already enrolled in various courses, or preferred working from home.

IV. Internship portals have sprung up in the last three to four years and many of them

alreadyreport healthy traffic per month. Reports suggest that on an average, an internship portalcompany has around 200,000-plus students and some 8,000 companies registered on it. It gets around two lakh visits online every month. The Managing Director of a leading executive search firm says that though these web platforms are working as an effective bridge between the industry and students, most established companies are still reluctant totake too many interns on board for obvious reasons. (355 words)

Source: (1) https://www.businessinsider.in/internships-in-india-on-the-rise-with-startups-leading- the- way/articleshow/67655265.cms (2) https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/story/online-portals-helping-college- students-paid-internships-46215-2014-06-

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.

Q.11 Select the correct inference with reference to the following: Over the last five years, more companies have been actively looking for intern profiles…

A. The past five years have seen active applications by interns to several companies. B. The activity for intern profiling by the companies has reached a gradual downslide over the past five years. C. There were lesser companies searching for intern profiles earlier, as compared to those in the recent five years. D. Several companies have initiated intern profiling five times a year in the recent past.

Q.12 Select the central idea of the paragraph likely to precede paragraph I.

A. Process of registering for internships B. Knowing more about internships C. Dos and Don’ts for an internship interview D. Startups and internships

Q.13 Select the option that displays the true statement with reference to Fig 1.

A. Internships for Engineering and Management are the top two favourites. B. Design & Architecture internships are significantly more popular than Others. C. Internships for Media and Others have nearly equal popularity percentage. D. Management internships’ popularity is more than twice that for Media.

For the Visually Impaired Candidates

The survey states that internship opportunities

A. are the most in Mumbai. B. can be available in MNCs. C. are limited to the National Capital Region. D. Can be pursued only after a B-school degree.

Q.14 Based on your reading of paragraphs II-III, select the appropriate counter- argument to the given argument.

Argument: I don’t think you’ll be considered for an internship just because you’ve been the student editor and Head of Student Council.

WRITING

III. Answer any four out of the five questions given, with reference to the context below.

The President of R.W.A. Chelavoor Heights, Kozhikode, has to put up a notice to inform residents about a power-cut for their residential area.

Q.19 Select the appropriate title for the notice.

A. Choosing Own Power Cuts B. Scheduled Power Cut C. The Need to Save Power D. Power and Resident Safety

Q.20 Select the option that lists the most accurate opening for this notice.

A. Greetings and attention please, to one and all in Chelavoor Heights. B. This notice is written to share some news with you all about… C. This is to inform all the residents of Chelavoor Heights about… D. I wish to share with all officials of R.W.A. Chelavoor Heights that…

Q.21 Select the option with the information points to be included in the body of the notice.

(1) Opinion about regular power cuts (2) Resolution for power cuts (3) Reason for the power cut (4) Timings of the power cut (5) Complaint against regular power cuts (6) Date of the power cut

A. (1) and (4) B. (2), (3) and (5) C. (2) and (6) D. (3), (4) and (6)

Q.22 Would this notice reflect the name of the R.W.A?

A. Yes, because it is the issuing body. B. No, because it is understood through the signature. C. Yes, because it makes it informal. D. No, because the title makes it clear.

Q.23 Select the appropriate conclusion for this notice.

A. Stay informed. B. Collaboration solicited. C. Stay prepared. D. Inconvenience regretted.

IV. Answer any six of the seven questions given, with reference to the context below.

Venu is a member of Co-existence , a school club that actively promotes animal rights and care. He has to write an article emphasising the need for prevention of cruelty to animals and peaceful co- existence between animals and human beings.

Q.24 Select the option that lists an appropriate title for Venu’s article.

A. Man and Animal-A Struggle to Co-exist B. The Rehabilitation and Conservation of Species C. Remodelling the Future by Peaceful Co-existence D. Smart Moves- Survival of the Fittest

Q.25 Which option (1-4), should Venu choose to elaborate on reasons for cruelty to animals?

A. Option (1) B. Option (2) C. Option (3) D. Option (4)

For the Visually Impaired Candidates

While elaborating on the causes for cruelty, which is the cause Venu SHOULD NOT include?

A. Habitual poaching B. Animal activists C. Deliberate neglect D. Animal abuse

A. Option (1) B. Option (2) C. Option (3) D. Option (4)

LITERATURE

This section has sub-sections: V, VI, VII, VIII, IX. There are a total of 30 questions in the section. Attempt any 26 questions from the sub-sections V to IX.

V. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

“I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realising immediately how hollow the advice must sound. “There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.” “If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking. “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly. A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?” “It takes longer to build a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.

Q.31 Saheb’s muttering and ‘looking away’ suggests his

A. anger B. shyness C. embarrassment D. anxiety

Q.32 Of the four meanings of ‘glibly’, select the option that matches in meaning with its usage in theextract.

A.

(1) part arrogance, part seriousness

(2) hesitation

B.

(1) part amusement, part irritation

(2) submissiveness

C.

(1) part concern, part hurt

(2) pride

D.

(1) part humour, part earnestness

(2) self-belief

A. showing a degree of informality B. lacking depth and substance C. being insincere and deceitful D. speaking with fluency

Q.33 Who do you think Saheb is referring to as ‘they’, in the given sentence? “When they build one, I will go”

A. The officials B. The inhabitants C. The teachers D. The journalists

Q.34 Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the following:

(1) I ask half-joking

(2) ...he says, smiling broadly

Q.35 Select the option that lists reasons why Saheb’s world has been called ‘bleak’.

(1) The absence of parental presence (2) The poor socio-economic conditions (3) His inability to address problems (4) His lack of life-skills (5) The denied opportunities of schooling

A. (1) and (4) B. (2) and (5) C. (3) and (5) D. (2) and (4)

VI. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

Tiny vestiges of the old terror would return. But now I could frown and say to that terror, “Trying to scare me, eh? Well, here’s to you! Look!” And off I’d go for another length of the pool. This went on until July. But I was still not satisfied. I was not sure that all the terror had left. So, I went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Triggs Island, and swam two miles across the lake to Stamp Act Island. I swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke, and back stroke. Only once did the terror return. When I was in the middle of the lake, I put my face under and saw nothing but bottomless water. The old sensation returned in miniature.

D. abandonment

Q42. Which option has the underlined phrase that applies the poetic device used for ‘rat’s eyes’?

A. He shut up like a clam when interrogated. B. She runs as swift as a gazelle. C. He is considered the black sheep of the family. D. She ran away chattering with fear.

Q43. Select the correct option to fill the blank. The tall girl’s head is weighed down due to the.

A. effect of diseases B. need for concentration C. desire to remain unnoticed D. burdens of poverty

Q44. The literal meaning of ‘reciting’ refers to delivering the lesson aloud. What does its figurativemeaning refer to?

A. Showing extra interest in the lesson. B. Carrying his father’s disease. C. Resigning to his disease and condition. D. Voicing the poor conditions, he lives in.

Q45. How does the ‘unnoted’ pupil present a contrast to others?

A. He appears to be in a world of dreams. B. He struggles with the fulfilment of dreams. C. He seems taller than most. D. He sits in the dimmest part of the classroom.

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

He said I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of mad, but he explained that he meant the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and all the rest of it, and that I just want to escape. Well, who doesn’t? Everybody I know wants to escape, but they don’t wander down into any third level at Grand Central Station. But that’s the reason, he said, and my friends all agreed. Everything points to it, they claimed. My stamp collecting, for example; that’s a ‘temporary refuge from reality.’ Well, maybe, but my grandfather didn’t need any refuge from reality.

Q46. Why did Sam’s verdict make Charley’s wife ‘mad’?

A. It made it difficult for her to accept that Charley would consult a psychiatrist. B. It seemed to suggest to her that she was the cause of Charley’s unhappiness. C. It made her aware of Charley’s delicate state of mind. D. It offended her that Charley and Sam collectively accused her.

A.

cause effect

Charley’s stamp collecting

Wandering into the third level

B.

cause effect

Everybody wants to escape

Modern world full of insecurity

C.

cause effect

Charley’s wandering into the third level

Charley’s stamp collecting

D.

cause effect

Modern world full of insecurity

Everybody wants to escape

Q47. Sam’s explanation to the reaction of Charley’s wife was in nat

A. critical B. aggressive C. clarifying D. accusatory

Q48. Select the option that signifies the condition of people of the ‘modern world’ mentioned inthe extract.

(1) unsure (2) lazy (3) offensive (4) anxious (5) afraid

A. (1) and (3) B. (2) and (5) C. (2), (3) and (4) D. (1), (4) and (5)

Q49. Select the option that displays a cause-effect set.

Q50. Why didn’t Charley’s grandfather need refuge from reality?

A. He was too busy to bother. B. He had chosen to deny his reality. C. He lived in peaceful times. D. He was a very secure person.

IX. Attempt the following.

Q51. In ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet does not want the reader to confuse his advice for with total inactivity.

A. experimentation B. relaxation C. isolation

B. The servants knew that any information about the P.O.W would result in punishment for them and their families which is why they revealed nothing. C. The servants were superstitious and scared with a white man on the premises and consequently, chose to remove themselves and stay silent about the situation. D. The servants did not want to incur the wrath of Dr. Sadao and lose their jobs, therefore theychose to exit instead, and return later.

Q57. Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (O), based on your reading of The Third Level.

(1) First day covers are never opened. (2) Grand Central is growing like a tree. (3) President Roosevelt collected stamps. (4) Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist.

A. F-1,3,4; O- B. F-2, 3; O-1, C. F-2; O-1,3, D. F-3,4; O-1,

Q58. Identify the tone of Pablo Neruda in the following line: Perhaps the Earth can teach us….

A. Confident and clear about the future events. B. Dramatic about the prediction he made. C. Convinced about the sequence of events to follow. D. Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility.

Q59. Dr. Sadao mutters the word ‘my friend’ while treating the American P.O.W. in the light of the circumstances, we can say that this was

A. humourous. B. climactic. C. ironical. D. ominous.

Q60. The sight of young trees and merry children, on the way to Cochin, is _____ the poet’s aging mother.

A. like a divine assurance for B. in sharp contrast to C. a distraction from pain for D. the bridge between the poet and