ENGLISH CORE (301)

FIRST PRE-BOARD(TERM 1), CHANDIGARH REGION

CLASS – XII

2021-22

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, 0.8 marks for each attempted question.
6. There is no negative marking
READING

I. Read the passage given below.

1. Giving soothes an individual with the vibration of joy. Unconditional giving is a natural principle and
evident everywhere in nature which gives us solids, liquids and minerals. Water gives itself away for our
agriculture and other uses. Trees give flowers, fruits and wood. Air gives us the very life-breath and the
sun gives us light of life.
2. Even the animals give us milk, egg, meat, skin and various services. But what do we humans
contribute to the cosmos in return? Isn't our role predominately selfish and destructive? We expand
civilisation to disturb ecological balance, spread pollution in the fresh natural atmosphere, indulge in
ruthless deforestation, kill animals even for sport and consume all natural resources for our own selfish
interest.
3. It is always great to make donations, but what about giving your own time? It's wonderful to drop off
used clothing, books and toys at a shelter for the homeless, but what about spending an hour to each
week reading and playing with the deprived children? Come face to face with the person you are
helping. It will make your giving more meaningful.
4. It is not about just the time that you give to the deprived children, but what you give to your family.
Are you there when they need you? Or, is it always you who demand help and cooperation from the
rest of your family members? How much do you care for the elderly that live with you or are far away
from you? How do you utilise your spare moments? Isn't it that you just sit before the television and
keep on flipping the channels trying to find something that suits your interest? Shut it down!... You can
use these precious spare moments making a 'Get Well Soon' card for your grandmother, or someone
dear to you not in good spirits, or send a letter via Internet. Why be on the 'Facebook' all the time
chatting with your friends whom you already meet daily at school?
5. The law of Karma is a natural law whereby we are paid back in the same coin. We have added much
for our comforts, but we have not been able to attain tranquility. We are constantly haunted by
excessive greed for grabbing which is severely disturbing peaceful coexistence. We rarely do what we
can for preservation of nature and even our own fellowmen. We have not moved much from the
primitive selfish mentality where self preservation was the law for survival.
6. What can we give back to the cosmos? We humans are predominantly gifted with mind and intellect.
These are very sharp instruments indeed which can be used as surgeon's knife for healing or an
instrument for killing. Instead of nurturing anger, jealousy, hatred, selfishness and animosity, we can
spread love, care, kindness and benevolence to all, thereby transform the earthly vibration into a
heavenly one. If not anything else, we can at least pray for the happiness and well-being of all. We are

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here in the image of God. We have divine inheritance of love. wisdom and self-transformation. We may
resolve to be engaged in divine enjoyment of nature and God's creation with love. Jesus said, "Those
that give shall receive."
7. Instead of being always at the receiving end, let us abide the principle of giving by all means and see
how things change for humanity at large.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions bychoosing
the correct option

Q.1 The principle which is seen everywhere in nature is of:

A. law B. Discipline C. Love D. unconditional giving

Q.2 Ecological imbalance is the result of:

A. man's growing needs. B. selfishness C. cutting of trees D. expansion of civilisation

Q.3 Giving becomes worthwhile by:

A. donating old clothes to the needy B. donating books and toys to the homeless
C. spending an hour with the deprived children D. None of the above

Q.4 Which of the following option is correct?

A. It is good to utilise your spare moments in chatting with your friends on Facebook
B. It is good to utilise your spare moments in watching your favourite channel on T.V.
C. It is good to utilise your spare moments in sleeping for the whole day
D. It is good to utilise your spare moments in making 'Get well soon card for someone dear.

Q.5 Our peaceful co-existence is disturbed by:

A. our Karmas B. our selfish nature

C. our excessive greed D. None of these

Q.6 The sharp instruments, humans are gifted with are:

A. jealousy and anger B. mind and intellect

C. hatred and enmity D. love and care

Q.7 The natural principle of unconditional giving is:

A. spread pollution in atmosphere B. Indulge in ruthless deforestation

C. nature gives solids, liquids and minerals D. None of the above

Q.8 Human's attitude towards nature is:

A. very kind B. destructive C. selfless D. All of these

Q.9 The 'law of Karma' is:

A. we get the fruit of what we haven't done. B. we should do good deeds.

C. a natural law whereby we are paid back in the same coin. D. None of the above.

Q.10 There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). choose the correct option:

Assertion (A) The man is not able to attain peace and tranquility.
Reason (R) he is the victim of excessive greed
(A) A is true but R is false. (B) Both A and R are true.
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(C) A is false but R is true. (D) Both A and R are false

II. Read the passage given below.

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

Global weather is warming leading to Arctic meltdown. This is primarily a result of the greenhouse effect
caused by too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which acts as a blanket, trapping heat and
warming the plant. Burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for energy cutting down and
burning forests to create pastures and plantations leads to carbon accumulation. Refrigeration and air
conditioning and certain agricultural practices also aggravate the problem by releasing additional potent
global warming gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. Over the last century, global average
temperature has increased by more than 1.0º F. A warming would also have the potential to change
rainfall and snow patterns, increase droughts and severs storms, reduce lake ice cover, melt glaciers,
increase sea levels and change plant and animal behaviour. The impact of global warming on our planet
is extremely serious and if this problem is not talked on an urgent basis it will lead to melting of polar ice
caps leading to an increase in sea level drowning coastlines and slowly submerging continents. Our
generation needs to give a healing touch to the earth which we have ourselves made sick.

Q.11 Global warming is a result of:

(i) warm planet. (ii) trapped heat. (iii) greenhouse effect. (iv) carbon dioxide.

Q.12 The cause of greenhouse effects is:

(I) global warming. (ii) Burning of coal.

(iii) Cutting down trees. (iv) excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Q.13Carbon accumulation is caused by

(I)burning of fossil fuel. (ii) burning forests.

(iii) burning natural gas. (iv) all the above

Q.14The word in the passage which means the same as ‘to make worse’ is:

(i)Potent (ii) severe

(iii) aggravate (iv) accumulation

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Q.15The main greenhouse gas emissions is by:

(i) power stations. (ii)Industries

(iii)Land use (iv)Transportation fuel

Q.16On the basis of the pie chart choose the option that is NOT TRUE:

(1) Transportation fuel emits more gases than industries

(2) The treatment of waste disposal and treatment emits the least gases
(3) There is a stark difference between gases emitted by land use and residential/commercial sources
(4) The gases emitted by agricultural by products is more than that by fossil fuels

(i)Option 2 and 4 (ii) Option 3 and 4

(iii) Option 1 and 2 (iv)Option 1 and 3

For the Visually Impaired Candidates

The word ‘submerging’ in the passage DOES NOT mean the same as:
(i) Drown (ii) Go over
(iii) Sinking (iv) Go under

Q.17If global warming is not tackled on an urgent basis it will lead to

(i)melting of polar ice caps. (ii) submergence of continents.

(iii) drowning coastlines (iv)All the above

Q.18Which of the following statement is true

1.Global weather is warming is leading to melting of ice.

2.All agricultural practices also aggravate the problem of global warming
3.Refrigeration and air conditioning adds to global warming
4. Burning of fossil fuels is one of the reasons for Global warming

i) 1,2 3 ii) 1,3,4 iii) 1,2,4 iv)2,3,4

WRITING

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

You are Saumya/ Sumit Head girl / boy of Vivekanand Vidyalaya Kanpur. Your school is going to organise
an Inter-House Debate Competition to be held in the month of October. Write a notice for your school
notice -board requesting for entries from students

Vivekanand Vidyalaya Kanpur

NOTICE
(19) ____________ 2021 (20)________________________

This is ( 21)____________ the students of classes IX to XII that an Inter-House

DebateCompetition t is to be held on 8th October 2021 at 8:00 a.m. in
auditorium.
(22)____________students may give their names to the house master for the
selection to be conducted by House Masters during CCA periods on 28th
September 2021.

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 -Sumit
Head boy

Q.19 Choose the correct date

i. 4th October ii. 4th November iii. 20th September iv. 20th October

Q.20 Which of the following is the best heading

i. Contest for Selection ii. Selection for Debate Competition

iii. Inter House Selection iv. Inter House Debate Competition

Q.21 Tick the correct option

i. information ii. for information

iii. to inform iv. an information

Q.22 Choose the correct word

i. few ii. intelligent

iii. all iv. interested

Q.23 Which of the following statement is not true

i)A notice is written in not more than 50 words

ii)In notice writing First person pronoun is used
iii)Notice writing does not start with a salutation
iv) Heading of the notice should be catchy

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

You are Amit / Amita staying at Sunrise apartments, Gymkhana road, Pune. The main road leading to
this colony has three open manholes causing frequent accidents at night. The street light is also not
available. Complete this letter to the editor of the Times of India expressing your concern about the part
of the authorities towards this situation. Also suggest ways to mobilize city dwellers, with the help of
school children for the cause of safety roads.

C4 Sunrise apartment,
Gymkhana road,
Pune

June 13 2021

The Editor
The Times of India
Mumbai

Sub: 24 __________________________________________
Respected Sir
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the kind attention of the relevant
authorities towards the 25. ____________________.I would like to draw the attention of the relevant
authorities towards the issue of three open manholes on the main road leading to a colony. These open
man holes are turning into death traps for the residents who have demanded that the authorities
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 concerned take steps to cover them.
Moreover, our colony has no street lights since January. There are no street lights even on the main
roads leading to a colony. With the open manholes and lack of street lights 26._______________ , the
road gets dark even after seven in the evening. People fear going out not only to avoid accidents but
also to avoid being prey to unscrupulous elements. The open manholes not only 27. _______________
but are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Motorist, elders and children are the main victims of these manholes and many times accidents have
been reported due to these manholes. Whenever torrential rains hit the areas they cause
even more problems. For the cause of safe roads, we plan to 28. ______________
from sunrise apartments main gate to Mr Rehan, the current MP’s house and hope
this letter will elicit a suitable response from our elected representatives.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Amita

24. Choose the most appropriate option

(a) Mobilization of city dwellers. (b) Darkness around sunrise apartments.

(c) Road safety in the colony. (d) Concern about night accidents.

25. Choose the most appropriate option

(a) Pitiable condition of local residents. (b) Miserable condition of people residing in colony.
(c) Pathetic condition of residents of Sunrise apartments Gymkhana Road.
(d) Frequent accidents that occur during night.

26. Choose the most appropriate option

(a) Accidents happen. (b) Accidents are on a rise.

(c) There are racing accidents. (d) Most accidents occur.

27. Choose the most appropriate option

(a) Emit bad smell and cause pollution. (b) Give foul smell and lead to accidents.
(c) Create a pollution. (d) Create worst situation

28. Choose the most appropriate option

(a) organise a student rally (b) organised a student rally

(c) organises a student rally (d) organising a student rally.

29.___________ part of a formal letter contains the key points of the letter.

(a) postscript (b) body

(c) opening (d) closing

Q.30Which of the following is not the feature of letter to the editor?

i) It expresses opinion and views ii) It is brief and clear

iii) Suggestions cannot be given iv) Solutions of issues raised are provided

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 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:

What a thunderclap these words were to me! Oh, the wretches; that was what they had put up at
the town-hall! My last French lesson! Why, I hardly knew how to write! I should never learn any more!
I must stop there, then! Oh, how sorry I was for not learning my lessons, for seeking birds’ eggs, or
going sliding on the Saar! My books, that had seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to carry,
my grammar, and my history of the saints, were old friends now that I couldn’t give up. And M. Hamel,
too; the idea that he was going away, that I should never see him again, made me forget all about his
ruler and how cranky he was.

Q.31“What a thunderclap these words were to me!”. The words were:

(a) loud and clear. (b) startling and unexpected. (c) pleasant and welcome. (d) None of these
Q.32 Who are called as ‘Wretches’?
(a) People of France (b) Germans (c) Prussians (d) None of these

Q.33 What regret did Franz have?

(a) that he could never play in the school.
(b) that he did not learn French.
(c) that he would miss his old friends and M. Hamel.
(d) None of these

Q.34 What had been put up on the bulletin-board at the town-hall?

(a) The news of the lost battles
(b) The draft of the commanding officer
(c) The order from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
(d) All of these

Q.35 In the above passage the narrator is gripped with the feeling of ____________?
(a) repentance (b)agitation (c)nostalgia (d)betrayal

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

Then all effort ceased. I relaxed. Even my legs felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain. It wiped
out fear; it wiped out terror. There was no more panic. It was quiet and peaceful. Nothing to be afraid
of. This is nice... to be drowsy... to go to sleep... no need to jump... too tired to jump... it’s nice to be
carried gently... to float along in space... tender arms around me... tender arms like Mother’s... now I
must go to sleep... I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell

Q.36Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The author tried his best to jump out of water.
Statement 2: After a while, the author was not anxious in water.

a) If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.

b) If Statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause.
c) Both the statements are the effects of a common cause.
d) Both the statements are the effects of independent causes.

Q.37 The ‘curtain (of life) fell’ corresponds to an aspect of

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a) Geometry. b) History. c) Sports. d) Drama.

Q.38The purpose of using “…” in the above passage is to

a) show omission. b) indicate pauses. c) shorten a dialogue. d) replace an idea.

Q.39Which option indicates that the author lost consciousness?

a) ‘It was quiet and peaceful.’ b) ‘I crossed to oblivion.’

c) ‘Tender arms like Mother’s.’ d) ‘It wiped out fear.’

Q.40 In the following sentence which word can be filled in the blank

The hostilities _______________ and normal life was resumed"

i) Ceased ii)Wiped iii)Drowsy iv)oblivion

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

Far far from gusty waves these children’s faces.

Like rootless weeds, the hair torn around their pallor:
The tall girl with her weighed-down head.
The paper-seeming boy, with rat’s eyes.

Q.41What are the children compared to?

a. rootless weeds b. gusty waves c. jolly birds d.children of other countries

Q.42Why do you think the tall girl is sitting with a weighed down head?
a.Because she is physically and mentally exhausted b.Because she possess thick hair
c.Because she is suffering from head-ache d.Because she is weighed down by
responsibility

Q.43In the extract ‘with rat’s eyes’ suggests that the children
a.search for food or something to eat as they are famished b.make fun with their fellow mates
c.go to the school eagerly for learning d.play Hide & Seek on the way like rats

Q.44Where, do you think, are these children sitting?

a.In the school classroom in a slum b.In the school classroom in a town
c.In the forest under a tree d.On the banks of a river

Q.45 Which figure of speech is there in the line ‘these children’s faces. Like rootless weeds, the
hair torn around their pallor’
a.Simile b.Metaphor c.Alliteration d.Pun

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

The note is signed Sam. At the stamp and coin store I go to, I found out that Sam bought eight
hundred dollars’ worth of old-style currency. That ought to set him up in a nice little hay, feed
and grain business; he always said that’s what he really wished he could do, and he certainly
can’t go back to his old business. Not in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1894. His old business? Why, Sam was my
psychiatrist.

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Q46 Select the correct one out of the given options that depicts Sam’s feelings accurately when he
says, “I got to wishing that you were right. Then I got to believing you were right.”

a.Sam didn’t believe in Charley’s story but that came out to be a true story.
b.Sam wanted to believe in Charley’s story and that happened to be a true story.
c. Sam believed in Charley’s story which was not a true story.
d.Sam didn’t believe Charley and his story was all imaginary.

Q47. How is it there at Galesburg, Illinois as described in the letter?

i. Men are smoking cigar and women waving palm leaves.
ii. Someone is playing piano and they are all singing a song.
iii. He was invited for a lemonade party.
iv. There are fire-flies all around.

a. i and iii. b. ii and iii. c. i and iv. d. i and ii.

Q48. What did Charley do to confirm that Sam has found his way to the third level?
a. He went to his psychiatrist friend.
b. He went to Galesburg, Illinois to confirm about Sam.
c. He went to the stamp and coin shop to inquire.
d. He went to the third level himself to check on Sam.

Q.49 Select out of the given options which describe Sam as described in the given extract.

i. Sam is a city boy.

ii. Sam doesn’t like to hear about Galesburg.
iii. Sam wishes to set up hay, feed and grain business.
iv. Sam is Charley’s psychiatrist friend.
a. i and iv. b. i and ii c. ii and iii. d. iii and iv.

Q.50 Which of the following statement/s are correct?

i. Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist.

ii. Sam had invited Charley and Louisa over to Galesburg, Illinois.
iii. Hay, feed and needle business was what Sam really wanted to do.
iv. The letter inside the first-day cover was sent by Sam to Charley’s grandad.
a. Only ‘i’ is correct.
b. Both ‘i’ and ‘ii’ are correct.
c. Only ‘iv’ is correct.
d. All the statements are correct.
IX. Attempt the following

Q.51Why do you think the poet employs words like “exotic” and “strangeness”? (Keeping Quiet)

A) Man will not understand cruelty, greed and harmful actions.

B) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once
C)Unnecessary rush and noise is created
D)The moment will won’t be unique and special

Q.52- What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
A ) there was hustle-bustle B) people were happy
C) teachers were sad D) strange quietness and sadness

Q.53“Sahib-e-Alam which means the Lord of the universe is directly in contrast to what Saheb is in
reality.” which device is used here?

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a. Metaphor b. contrast c. simile d. irony

Q.54‘And then in the midst of terror came a touch of reason.’ Which of the following words can replace
the word ‘reason’ in the above line?

a. Logic b. Sense c. Cause d. Fear

Q.55 Who is the unlucky heir and what has he inherited?

A) a fat boy, has inherited obesity from his mother

B) a short, thin boy, has inherited stunted growth from his family
C) an intelligent boy, has inherited intelligence
D) thin boy with rat’s eyes, has inherited a deformed body from his father

Q.56‘She did not wish to be left alone with the white man’ Hana feel so despite having studied in
America because…….

a) being Japanese, it was not appropriate to stay on with a stranger.

b) America and Japan were not allies in the on-going world war.
c) he was someone she had recognized from her past in America.
d) her husband had cautioned her against the American.

Q.57. Read the following two statements and identify the correct relation between them.

STATEMENT 1 – Charley swears to see a third level at the Grand Central Station.

STATEMENT 2 – Charley wants to seek attention.

(a) Statement 1 is right but Statement 2 is false.

(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is right.
(c) Statement 1and 2 are correct.
(d) Statement 1 and 2 are incorrect

Q.58 In the poem Keeping Quiet what does the poet mean by saying‘I want no truck with death’

(a) will not die of the truck accident (b) will not struggle for death
(c) have no association or deal with death (d) will not drive a truck
Q.59After the General recovered from his operation, he confirmed to Dr. Sadao that he did not send the
assassins because

a) of lack of patriotism b)of lack of dereliction of duty

c) he forgot his promise to Dr. Sadao d) the assassins were unavailable at that time

Q.60Choose the option that completes the sentence given below.

Just as the brightness of the winter’s moon is veiled behind the haze and mist, similarly, _______,

(a) The pain of separation has shaded mother’s expression

(b) Age has fogged mother’s youthful appearance.
(c) Growing up has developed a seasoned maturity in the poet
(d) Memories warm the heart like the pale moon in winter.
_________________________________________________________________________________

END OF PAPER
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