English (Core)

CBSE Class XII Board Examination 2024

Time allowed: 3 hoursMaximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

The paper has 13 questions; all are compulsory.
It has three sections: Section A – Reading Skills, Section B – Creative Writing Skills, Section C – Literature.
Follow the specific instructions given with each question or part, and write the correct question number and part in the answer sheet.
Keep to the word limit stated for each answer.

SECTION A

Reading Skills (22 marks).

Unseen passage — a factual piece on how Artificial Intelligence is entering everyday life (education, industry, transport, healthcare, personalised services) — not reproduced. Q1 (i)–(ix) are based on it: MCQs, word meaning, sentence completion, a headline-matching item (1 mark each) and short answers of about 40 words (2 marks each).

Unseen passage — a survey on the happiness and well-being of young people aged 16–24 in seven countries, with data on family support, purpose, stress and loneliness — not reproduced. Q2 (i)–(viii) are based on it: short answers using the data (2 marks each), plus MCQ, True/False, fill-in and ordering items (1 mark each).

SECTION B

Creative Writing Skills (18 marks). Each question has an internal choice: attempt (a) or (b).

Notice writing (about 50 words): You are Raghav/Ragini, Secretary of the Trekking Club, Amar Bahadur School. To get students outdoors, the school is organising a 7-day trek to Rohtang Pass for Classes VIII–X in the summer vacation. Draft a notice for the school notice board with all the necessary details.

Notice writing (about 50 words): Parking by residents has become a growing worry in Goodwill Flats, Shripur, and often ends in small quarrels. As Secretary of the Goodwill Flats Welfare Association, draft a notice telling residents about a meeting to discuss the issue and agree on a fair solution. Invent the necessary details.

Formal invitation (about 50 words): You are the Student Head of the Cultural Affairs Club, Newton Public School. The school's annual function is on Saturday, 20 April 2024 at 11 am, and the Hon'ble Education Minister, Dr. Shah, has agreed to be the Chief Guest. Design an invitation card for parents and other guests with the necessary details.

Formal reply (about 50 words): You are a well-known doctor. The alumni of your old school invited you as Chief Guest at the Annual Graduation Ceremony of Green School on Sunday, 24 March 2024. Write to the President of the Alumni Association declining because of an earlier commitment, and send your congratulations to the graduating students.

Job application (120–150 words): You are Amar/Anita, a fresh MBA graduate of Singla Institute of Management, Khushbagh. India Helptel Company has advertised for Management Trainees in its India-wide Logistics Department, wanting fresh MBAs with a Marketing specialisation, excellent written and spoken communication, and knowledge of English and the State language. Write a letter applying for the post, with your bio-data.

Letter to the editor (120–150 words): More vehicles on the roads have led to more traffic jams, road rage and accidents. As Brinda/Bharat, write to the editor of a national daily expressing concern, examining the causes of such behaviour and suggesting ways to manage it. Cues — causes: more vehicles, several cars per family, cheap cab services, people ignoring traffic rules; suggestions: better peak-hour traffic management, stricter enforcement of laws, media creating awareness.

Article writing (120–150 words): India is becoming one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. As Leela/Laksh, write an article on India as a popular choice of foreign visitors. Cues — importance: jobs for local people, promotion of local culture, food and crafts, medical/religious/eco-tourism putting India on the world map; what is needed: stronger efforts by authorities, media awareness, information centres for tourists.

Report writing (120–150 words): Senior residents of your colony have started a Reading Club for children of a nearby slum. As Ramesh/Ranjita, local correspondent of the neighbourhood newsletter, write a report on the project. Cues: senior citizens' initiative, 2 hours of voluntary service on Sunday mornings, help with reading school texts, comprehension quizzes, newspaper reading to share information and encourage discussion.

SECTION C

Literature (40 marks).

Extract from 'A Thing of Beauty' (John Keats): the opening lines, where the poet says a beautiful thing gives lasting joy, never fades away, and keeps for us a quiet shady retreat full of sweet dreams, health and calm breathing.
(i) Which theme does the extract best show? (A) Beauty provides security and peace (B) Beauty lies in owning expensive things (C) Beauty means power and riches (D) Beauty lies in our heritage, palaces and temples
(ii) Complete: A thing of beauty never passes into nothingness because it is ______.
(iii) A 'quiet bower' is a peaceful, shady spot under trees. It creates a sense of ______.
(iv) True or False: the quality of a thing ensures that its beauty lasts forever.
(v) Lines 3 and 4 end in 'keep' and 'sleep'. Which word rhymes with them? (A) please (B) sweep (C) help (D) self
(vi) The word 'health' suggests beautiful things give a happier, more wholesome life. It creates an image of: (A) rejuvenation (B) attachment (C) long life (D) eternity

Extract from 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' (Adrienne Rich): the opening stanza, describing the bright yellow tigers that Aunt Jennifer has embroidered on a screen, moving proudly through a green jungle, unafraid of the men under the tree.
(i) Which of these are symbolised by the tigers? I. masculine world II. feminine world III. world of bold, fearless creatures IV. world of beautiful handicrafts — (A) I, II and III (B) II, III and IV (C) III and IV (D) I, III and IV
(ii) True or False: the creator of the tigers was fearless and assertive like the tigers.
(iii) Complete: the word 'topaz' suggests that the image of the tiger on the screen is ______.
(iv) The tigers do not fear the men beneath the tree because they are: (A) tamed (B) in a cage (C) fearless (D) kings of the jungle
(v) Lines 1 and 2 end in 'screen' and 'green'. Which of these rhymes: mean, akin, cream?
(vi) 'Chivalric certainty' is an example of which poetic device? (A) Alliteration (B) Metaphor (C) Simile (D) Repetition

Extract from 'On the Face of It' (Susan Hill): Derry has climbed into what he thought was an empty garden and is startled to find Mr. Lamb there; he stammers, Mr. Lamb calmly reassures him that the house is 'empty' only while he is outside, and Derry panics and wants to leave.
(i) Derry was stammering because of: (A) a speech defect (B) excitement (C) anger (D) fear
(ii) Complete: Derry insisted on going back because ______.
(iii) Mr. Lamb was trying to tell Derry that: (A) it was a matter of perception (B) Derry could stay with him (C) he spent all his days in the garden (D) he was fond of company
(iv) From the extract one can infer that Mr. Lamb was a/an: (A) compassionate man (B) mysterious character (C) new neighbour (D) unreasonable man

Extract from 'The Third Level' (Jack Finney): Charley describes how, after working late one summer night, he took the subway at Grand Central to get home faster, and calls himself an ordinary 31-year-old man dressed like a dozen others he passed.
(i) List any two details of how Charley was dressed.
(ii) Charley chose the subway because it was: (A) quicker (B) cheaper (C) more fashionable (D) safer
(iii) Complete: landing at the third level was due to Charley's flight of ______.
(iv) Which period does his outfit represent? (A) pre world war era (B) the present times (C) the eighteenth century (D) the future

Extract from 'Lost Spring' (Anees Jung): the author describes the Seemapuri ragpickers who have lived there for over thirty years without identity or permits but with ration cards; women explain that food matters more than identity, and that they set up their tents wherever they find food.
(i) The ragpickers have been living there for ______ decades: (A) three (B) four (C) two (D) five
(ii) Why do these people have ration cards?
(iii) What do you infer about their lifestyle from the phrase 'pitch their tents'?
(iv) Complete: in spite of hardships they are unwilling to return home because ______.
(v) The women had a/an ______ approach to life: (A) idealistic (B) passive (C) indifferent (D) practical
(vi) What does going to bed 'without an aching stomach' indicate?

Extract from 'Indigo' (Louis Fischer): thousands of peasants gather around the Motihari courthouse during Gandhi's trial; the officials need Gandhi's help to control the crowd, which shows that British power can be challenged, and the puzzled government asks for the trial to be postponed.
(i) Complete: the result of the demonstration was that ______.
(ii) The people in the spontaneous demonstration were: (A) Gandhi's lawyers (B) people of Champaran (C) indigo landowners (D) Indian soldiers
(iii) Gandhi cooperated with the British by: (A) not going to the court (B) remaining quiet when accused (C) helping to manage the crowd (D) leaving Champaran for Delhi
(iv) The authorities wanting to consult their superiors showed the British officials' ______.
(v) 'Baffled' most nearly means: (A) strengthened (B) disgusted (C) frightened (D) confused
(vi) Whose might did this demonstration question?

10.

Answer any five of the following six questions in 40–50 words each (2 marks each).

(a)

What can you infer about Sophie's relationship with her father from the story 'Going Places'? (40–50 words)

(b)

We value a thing most when we fear losing it. With two examples from 'The Last Lesson', show how the people suddenly realised how precious their language was. (40–50 words)

(c)

In 'The Rattrap', what did the peddler say in his defence once it was clear he was not the person the ironmaster had taken him for? (40–50 words)

(d)

In 'Poets and Pancakes', what does 'The God That Failed' refer to? (40–50 words)

(e)

In 'The Interview', what belief do most journalists and publishers hold, according to Umberto Eco? (40–50 words)

(f)

The face is said to reflect our emotions. In 'My Mother at Sixty-six', why did the poet keep smiling at her mother at the airport? (40–50 words)

11.

Answer any two of the following three questions in 40–50 words each (2 marks each).

(a)

In 'The Tiger King', what confusion does the Dewan have when the Maharaja raises the subject of his marriage? (40–50 words)

(b)

In 'Journey to the End of the Earth', Tishani Doshi says her time in Antarctica was full of moments of sudden insight. Which experience does she rate as the best, and why? (40–50 words)

(c)

In 'Memories of Childhood', Zitkala-Sa says that eating 'by formula' was not her hardest trial on the first day. What does she mean by eating by formula? (40–50 words)

12.

Imagine you are John Keats, poet of 'A Thing of Beauty'. Write a letter (120–150 words) to Robert Frost, poet of 'A Roadside Stand', advising him how to deal with the sadness he describes lurking near the roadside stand's open window. Begin by saying you recently read his poem, and end by saying that though life is full of sorrow, the beautiful things around us give us strength to bear it. Sign off as John Keats.

Compare the themes of 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' and 'My Mother at Sixty-six', especially how each poem presents struggle and resilience. (120–150 words)

13.

In 'The Enemy', Dr. Sadao is torn after deciding to help a wounded enemy soldier. As Dr. Sadao, write a diary entry (120–150 words) describing his inner conflict and the problems he faced.

In 'The Third Level', reality and fantasy are woven together. Justify. (120–150 words)

— END —

Questions restated from the CBSE Class XII Board Examination 2024 (set 1/1/1) for practice. Reading passages and map items are described, not reproduced.