Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School

Thimphu Thromde
Trial Examination: 2020
ENGLISH PAPER I
CLASS: XII (Twelve) Three Hours and Fifteen Minutes Total Marks: 100
Instructions:
1. This paper has two sections: Section A for Writing and Section B for Language. Section and B
is further divided into Nature of Language and Grammar.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. The intended marks for each questions are given in the brackets.
4. You are advised to spend 2 hours on Section A and 1 hour on Section B.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A: Writing (60 Marks)
Question 1. (30)
Direction: Write an original essay of about 450 to 500 words using the features of an
argumentative essay on any ONE of the following topics. (You are reminded that you will be
awarded marks for orderly and correct presentation of material, use of appropriate features and
style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.)
A. Covid 19 is a blessing in disguise for our country. Argue for or against the topic.
B. Smart phone is not a boon, but a bane.
C. Who is more responsible for the overall development of a child. Teachers or parents? Take
your stand.

Question 2. (30)
Direction: Use the prompt given below to write an original short story of 450 to 500 words by
employing all the elements of short story. Emphasis should be made on CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT. You are reminded that in the above task, you will be assessed on the use of
language, content and mechanics of writing a short story.
Pemala was standing on the balcony watching the last rays of the sun. Loud and angry voices in
the street below distracted his attention. He ran down the stairs to see what had happened…….

YHSS/Cl-12/English-I/Trial Exam/2020 Page 1 of 4

© Copyright Reserved
 SECTION B: Nature of Language and Grammar (40 Marks)

Question 2: Nature of Language (10)

A. Direction: For each question, there are four alternatives. Choose the correct answer and
write in the answer sheet provided. (3)

i. The semantic level of language deals with

a. Sound c. Gestures
b. Forms d. Meanings

ii. “Thou shall be punished if thy err!” raved the actor on stage. The underlined words are no
longer used as they are now
a. Obsolete c. derogative
b. Informal d. meaningless

iii. You met your childhood friend after a long gap of 15 years, your friend starts to talk
about your childhood days. Which feature of language is displayed here?
a. Arbitrariness c. Duality of structure
b. Displacement d. Cultural transmission

B. (i) Language is arbitrary. Explain with one example how it can help to develop itself. (3)

(ii) “Language is power”, Evaluate this statement with two examples. The reference can be
done to the purpose of language. (4)

YHSS/Cl-12/English-I/Trial Exam/2020 Page 2 of 4

© Copyright Reserved
Question 2: Grammar (30 Marks)
A. Direction: Keeping the meaning similar as far as possible to the original sentences, rewrite
the sentences according to the instructions given in the brackets. (10)

1. The aeroplane flies faster than birds.

(End with: ……...the aeroplane)

2. Gold is not as heavy as iron.

(Use: heavier)

3. Tashi said that she was going home the next day.
(change into direct speech)

4. If you don’t make use of this golden opportunity, you will feel really sorry later.
(Begin: Unless……)

5. Penden does not have to attend the religious discourse.

(Use: Exempted)

6. He heard a loud explosion. He woke up.

(Change into simple sentence)

7. When the clown entered the birthday party hall, everyone broke into laughter.
(Use: filled)

8. Your library membership card is valid till December 31, 2018.

(Begin: You can’t…)

9. Thinley is a man of great talents.

(Change into complex sentence)

10. Though she was unkind to me, I like her.

(Begin: Inspite of……)

B. Direction: Each set of words is a jumbled sentence. Rearrange each set of words to form a
sentence. (5)

i. Places makes/ develop/ travelling to/ towards other cultures/ one/ a positive attitude.
ii. Opportunity/ other people/ one gets/ to understand/ and their customs/an
iii. love/ of others/ good manners/ and/ win the/respect
iv. Who is/ has been/ the present/ elected as/ of the team/ the person/ in blue/president
v. To the press/ of the/ are/ team/ advised/ not to/ the members/ speak

YHSS/Cl-12/English-I/Trial Exam/2020 Page 3 of 4

© Copyright Reserved
C. Direction: Each of the sentence has ONE ERROR in it. Identify and correct it in the space
provided to you. (5)
i. Please accept my hearty condolences.
Error - Answer
ii. one of my friend has fallen ill.
Error - Answer
iii. The mother as well as her daughters are excited to go to the cinema.
Error - Answer
iv. Shakespeare’s plays are mainly written on blank verse.
Error - Answer
v. If I wear he, I would help you shift your belongings.
Error - Answer

D. Direction: For each of the following questions there are four alternatives: a, b, c and d.
Choose the correct response and write it on your answer sheet. (5)
i. I ……. the letter you were looking for. Here it is
a. have found c. has found
b. found d. was found
ii. I’m working hard, ………?
a. amn’t c. am I
b. aren’t I d. isn’t it
iii. I gave him…...he wanted.
a. which c. that
b. what d. that which
iv. Open the book ……page 45.
a. in c. on
b. at d. for
v. The pickpocket got ……. only with a warning.
a. off c. over
b. along d. through

E. Direction: Fill in the blanks with correct phrasal verbs. (5)

come by bring out run down run over
look into Look after bring on bring up

i. Dorji was…………...by his maternal uncle.

ii. The publisher has…………. a book on Mental health.
iii. During the epidemic, the old man ………the child.
iv. We shall …. your problem next week.
v. Dorji is …...because of her illness.

ALL THE BEST!

YHSS/Cl-12/English-I/Trial Exam/2020 Page 4 of 4

© Copyright Reserved