PRACTICE PAPER(2022-23)

CLASS : 12th (Sr.Secondary) Code No: A

Roll No

ENGLISH (CORE)

ACADEMIC/OPEN

Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 80

• Please make sure that the printed pages in this question paper are 10 in
number and it contains 14 questions.

• The Code No. and Set on the right side of the question paper should be
written by the candidate on the front page of the answer-book.

• Before beginning to answer a question, its Serial Number must be written.

• Don’t leave blank page/pages in your answer-book.

• Except answer-book, no extra sheet will be given. Write to the point and do
not strike the written answer.

• Candidates must write their Roll Number on the question paper.

• Before answering the questions, ensure that you have been supplied the
correct and complete question paper, no claim in this regard, will be
entertained after examination.

General instructions:

1. This question paper is divided into four sections: A,B,C and D.

2. All the sections are compulsory.
3. Attempt all the parts of a question together.
4. Stick to the word limit wherever prescribed.

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 Section-A (Reading Skills)
1. Read the following passage and answer the questions : 1x4=4

Maharana Pratap ruled Mewar alone for 25 years. However, he achieved such greatness during his
reign that his glory transcended the borders of countries and time making him an immortal
personality. He along with his kingdom became synonymous with courage, sacrifice and
patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap took the
throne. The kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established
traditions in the kingdom that added to its magnificence despite the obstacles of having a smaller
area under their rule and less population. There were a few thorny occasions where the kingdom
flag seemed to slide down. His flag flew high in the sky again, thanks to the bravery and brilliance
of the people of Mewar.

Mewar’s fate was good in the sense that, apart from a few kings, most of the rulers were
competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years
since its establishment, from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact, just 60 years before Maharana
Pratap, Rana Sanga brought the kingdom to the height of fame. His reputation went beyond
Rajasthan and he reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given the
kingdom a new stature through victories and development work. During his reign, literature and
art also made tremendous progress. Rana himself was inclined to writing and his works are read
with reverence even today. The atmosphere of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high-
quality works of art and literature. These achievements were the result of a long tradition
sustained by several generations.

The lives of the Mewar people must have been peaceful and prosperous for a long period of time;
otherwise such an extraordinary achievement in these fields would not have been possible. This is
reflected in his art and literature, as well as his loving nature. They make up for the lack of an
admirable physique by his firm but pleasant nature. The atmosphere of Mewar remains charming
thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people.

Questions:
i) Difficulties in the way of Mewar were:

(a) lack of cooperation the nobility

(b) ancient traditions of the kingdom
(c) its small area and small population
(d) the poverty of the subjects

ii) Maharana Pratap became immortal because:

a) he ruled Mewar for 25 years

b) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar
c) of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism
d) both (a). and (b).

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iii) During thorny occasions:

a) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered

b) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high
c) the people of Mewar showed gallantry
d) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief

iv) Mewar was lucky because:

a) all of its rulers were competent

b) most of its people were competent
c) most of its rulers were competent
d) only a few of its people were incompetent

OR

The suspense ended when my high school results finally came out. But I was upset. I hadn’t done
as well as I’d hoped. My father tried to comfort me. “Why are you worried? You’ve done very well,
my dear.” “No, I haven’t, Baba,” I protested, fighting my tears and wondering if I had let him
down. What did I get when I finished high school?” I looked at Baba’s face and waited for the
answer to his own question. “You know,” he said. “I never told you this. I only have a third
division. did quite well.” Baba got a third division! I was almost in shock, but the thought of having
done so much better made me realize that I had no reason to complain. I certainly felt better!
“Everything is under control said Baba, smiling. That was his favorite phrase. Posted in Calcutta,
my father was then a senior civil servant in the Indian Railway Service and an expert in freight
traffic operations. Railways When he retired in 1981, he was general manager of Central Railways.
When Baba passed away in November 2000, his name had also found a place in many hearts. He
was open, easy to get to know and full of life. We were very close, but I had a lot more to learn
about him than a lot of things I came to know after his death.

In September 2000, he was in the hospital for cancer treatment and had only two months to live.
When he found out, his reaction was extremely rational. He asked me to find files in his closet so
he could explain the details of my mother’s pension. He also dictated her will from his hospital
bed. “It’s all under control!” After Baba’s death, Satish, our former family servant, was
heartbroken. We try to cheer him up. “Your Baba had scolded me only once in all these years!” he
yelled . Satish pointed to the watch on his left hand. “He was late for work and everyone in the
family was complaining,” Satish said. “Then one day your Baba gave me this watch and said, ‘Now
that you have a watch, you can’t be late.'” That was the scolding Satish received. On the fourth
day after Baba’s death, my sister and I had to perform a ceremony. As several relatives were
expected, we decided to order lunch from a caterer in our town, famous for its homemade food.
But, when we went to pay the owner, we got a surprise. He refused to accept money! “When I
wanted to start my catering business, it was your father who lent me money,” he told us. It seems
that Baba never asked him. Now, after four or five years, the catering company wanted to pay off
that debt. Of course we made him accept full payment for the excellent food and service. ‘It was
Baba’s gift and must remain so,’ I told him.

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A few days later, there was more information as we prepared for the main ceremony. Vikram, my
brother took me to the local market. Recognizing our car, the parking attendant, in his twenties,
came running up to us and asked why he hadn’t seen his owner in a long time. We had to break
the news to him and to our surprise he started crying. We were really surprised by this reaction
from a stranger, until the man told us that Baba used to pay his daughter’s school fees and buy her
books. Apparently, it was on my father’s advice that he even started sending the boy to school.
More than three years after Baba’s death, while going through Baba’s personal belongings, we
found an old file with Baba’s certificates and found among them, his high school diploma from
1937, the one he had told me some 30 years before. , about the third division that had not made
any difference in his life or career.

He had made me see beyond mere grades and first classes as the main path to success. But there
was one more fact. In fact, Baba had achieved a first division, a rare achievement in his time.
Today, years after his passing, when I think of Baba, I see a man who was able to sympathize with
others so easily and touch their lives in such a special way.

Questions:

i) Why was the narrator in tears when her school results came out?

(a) She did better than she expected.

(b) She did not do as expected.
(c) Her Baba had not done well.
(d) Her Baba had done better than her.

(ii) On knowing the result, how did the narrator’s father react?

(a) He scolded her.

(b) He beat her.
(c) He consoled her.
(d) He made fun of her.

(iii) Why did the narrator say that she had nothing to complain?

(a) She had done better than her father.

(b) She had done as well as her father.
(c) She had topped in her school.
(d) She had not worked hard at all.

(iv) Choose the option that is not correct.

(a) Baba was a senior official in the Indian Railway Service.

(b) Baba was to become a director with the Railway Board.
(c) Baba was the general manager of the Central Railways.
(d) Baba had got a third division in high school

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2. Read the following passage carefullyand make notes on it using headings and sub headings.
Supply an appropriate title also. 4+1=5

The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 A.D. by the
Hoyasalas of Karnataka – one of the most prolific temple builders. Belur and Halebid are among
their better-known works. ‘While these suffered during the invasions of the 14th century, the
Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition. This small temple
captivates the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls,
pillars, and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with
24 edges.

The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved
plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of gods and goddesses
with many incarnations being depicted. There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize – a
symbol of plenty and prosperity.

The elaborate ornamentation, the very characteristic of Hoysala sculptures, was a remarkable
feature. On closer look – and it is worth it – the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed
intricately carved caparisoned (covered decorative cloth) elephants, charging horsemen, stylized
flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles and swans. The temple was actually commissioned by
Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of the Hoysala
king, Narasimha, the third.

The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was the
Kalyana Mandapa. Leading from here ‘were three corridors each ending in a shrine, one for each
kind of Krishna – Venugopala, Janardana, and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their
original form. In the, darkness of the sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images.
The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three
elegantly carved towers.

Section –B: Grammar/ Writing Skills

3.Attempt any two from each sub-part:

a) Change the form of narration: 1x2=2

i) “ I have read a new novel by R.K. Narayan’, said Monika.
ii) “ Do you wish to open an account”, the manager asked the customer.
iii) He said, “ Bravo! Well done.”
b) Supply articles wherever necessary: 1x2=2
i) There is _____ swimming pool in our area.
ii) Air is important for _____life to exist.
iii) Mr. Rao is _____ Director of the institute.
c) Fill in the blank with suitable modal auxiliary: 1x2=2
i) I am sure that the Principal ______ be in his room. ( might/must)
ii) If we request her, she _____ give a lift. ( must/ might)

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 iii) She expects that her son _____ return. ( may/can)
d) Use the correct form of the verb given in the brackets: 1x2=2
i) More men than one ____ absent today. ( was/were)
ii) What evidence _____ these acts? (is/ are)
iii) Neither of the two boys ______ done it(has/have)
e) Change the voice: 1x2=2
i) I do not know the answer.
ii) I would like someone to help me.
iii) The jug contains water.

4. Attempt any two of the following: 3x2=6

a) Design a poster creating awareness about ‘ Cyber Safety’

b) You are Rohini/Rohit , the owner of an independent house in D-Block, Sector-6,
Panchkula . Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words for the column ‘To
Let’.
c) On the occasion of World Book Day, the school has decided to organize a Book
Fair. You are Vidushi/Vibhor, the Secretary of the Book Club of your school. Write
a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board to announce the
programme.
5. Attempt any one of the following: 5
a) Write a paragraph of about 100 words on ‘Freedom of Speech’
b) You are Ankit/Ankita. You participated in a career counseling programme
organized by ‘Careers’ . Write a report of the programme in about 150-200 words.
6. You think that there should be moral education in schools. Write a letter to the editor of a
newspaper, stressing the need of introducing moral education in schools. 5

Section-C (A) Main Reader ( Prose)

7. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 1x5=5

This gang of nationally integrated make-up men could turn any decent-looking person into a
hideous crimson-hued monster with the help of truck-loads of pancake and several other locally
made potions and lotions. Those were the days of mainly indoor shootings and only five percent
of the film was shot outdoors. I suppose the sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to be
made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie.

Questions:

i) Name the author of the chapter from which this passage has been taken:
(a) Louis Fisher
(b) Asokamitran
(c) Christopher Silvester
(d) A.R.Barton

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 ii) What could makeup men do?

(a) Change the appearance of a person

(b) Cheat any person
(c) Teach moral values
(d) all of the above

iii ) What is used by makeup men?

(a)Pancakes

(b) potions

(c) lotions

(d) all of these

iv) What type of shooting was done mostly in those days?

(a)Indoor

(b) outdoor

(c) both (a) and (b)

(d) neither (a) and (b)

v) In those days only _____films were shot outdoors.

(a) 1%

(b) 5%

(c) 10%

(d) 20%

OR

It was late in December. Darkness was already descending over the forest. This increased the
danger, and increased also his gloom and despair. Finally he saw no way out, and he sank down on
the ground, tired to death, thinking that his last moment had come. But just as he laid his head on
the ground, he heard a sound—a hard, regular thumping. There was no doubt as to what that was.
He raised himself. “Those are the hammer strokes from an iron mill,” he thought. “There must be
people nearby.” He summoned all his strength, got up, and staggered in the direction of the
sound.

Questions:

i) Name the story from which these lines have been taken?

(a)The Rattrap

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 (b) The Lost Spring

(c) The Interview

(d) Going Places

ii) Name the writer of this passage.

(a) Selma Lagerlof
(b) Anees Jung
(c) William Douglas
(d) Alphonse Daudet
iii) What increased the rattrap’s despair?
(a) The darkness

( b) the loneliness

(c) fear of police

(d) fear of wild animals

iv) What did he hear when he laid his head to the ground?
(a) Sound of rain drops
(b) a hard,regular thumping
(c) people talking
(d) siren of mill
v) Where did he go after summoning his strength?
(a) In the direction of the sound
(b) to city
(c) to village
(d) None of these

8. How did Douglas come over his fear of water? 5

Or

Write down a brief character sketch of M.Hamel, the narrator’s teacher?

9. Answer any five questions briefly: 2x5=10

i) Give an account of the background of Saheb and his fellow rag pickers?
ii) What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school that day?
iii) Why did the iron-master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
iv) What did Franz notice that was unusual for the day in the school?
v) Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
vi) What were Sophie’s plan for her future?

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 Section –C: (B) Main Reader (Poetry)
10. . Read the following passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 1x5=5

What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing.
i) From which poem have these lines been taken?
ii) Name the poet who has written the above lines.
iii) What does the poet want?
iv) With whom does the poet want to have no dealing?
v) Find words from the stanza which mean the same as: a) big ,b) misunderstood.

OR
The stunted, nlucky heir
Of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease’
His lesson ,from his desk. At the back of the dim class
One un-noted, sweet and young.

Questions:
i) From which poem have these lines been taken?
ii) Name the poet who has written the above lines.
iii) Who is the unlucky heir?
iv) What has he inherited?
v) Who is sitting at the back of the dim class?

11. Answer any two questions from the following : 2x3=6

i) List the things that cause suffering and pain. (A Thing of Beauty)
ii) What symbol from nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be a life under
apparent stillness?
iii) What does the poet say about the polished traffic?

Section-D Supplementary Reader

12. The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the
literary device of dramatic irony in the story? 5

Or

Why do people visit Antarctica?

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 13. Answer any two questions: 2x3=6
i) What does the third level refer to?
ii) Who was Dr. Sadao? Where was his house?
iii) Will Dr. Sadao be arrested on the charge of harboring an enemy?

14. Read the following questions and choose the correct option:
1x3=3
(i) People avoid Derry because of:
(a) Broken leg
(b) A scar on the leg
(c) The acid burnt face
(d) None of the above

(ii) Who ordered Evans to take off his hat?

(a) Jackson
(b) Stephens
(c) Governor
(d) All of the above

(iii)What was the name of the psychiatrist?

(a) Louisa
(b) Sam
(c) William
(d) Charley

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