Preboard Examination 2021
Class 12 Marks - 40
Sub – English Time – 90 mins
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 and Grammar 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
Read the passage given below.
(1) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again
was the last thing on your mind?
(2) If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot. Unlike robots, we
human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow despite our
circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and trying to make our dreams come true feels great
when life goes our way. But what happens when it does not? What happens when you fail despite
all your hard work? Do you stay down and accept defeat or do you get up again? If you tend to
persevere and keep going, you have what experts call ‘grit’.
(3) Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary human
experiences. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a
successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities
that has been described as the key to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are
curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is an
example of grit for trying more than 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this
with the lights on in your room, you will realise the importance of his success. When asked why
he kept going despite hundreds of failures, he merely stated that they had not been failures, they
were hundreds of attempts towards creating the light bulb. This statement not only revealed his
grit but also his optimism for looking at the bright side.
(4) Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques that help is
mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that makes an individual stay at the moment by bringing
awareness of his or her experience without judgement. This practice has been used to quieten the
noise of fears and doubts. Through this simple practice of mindfulness, individuals have the
ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.
(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self-sabotaging feelings of failure? Reflect on
what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to help you today.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that
follow: 1 × 10 = 10
1) The reason why you are not a robot is that:
(a) You fail miserably at tasks
(b) Failure and success can affect your emotions
(c) You work hard
(d) You have limitations
2) Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes.
(1) “What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?” —John
Green
(2) “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” —James Joyce
(3) “Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end.”—Denis Waitley
(4) “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” —Albert Einstein
(a) Option (1) (b) Option (2) (c) Option (3) (d) Option (4)
3) What is the tone of the following context: “Falling down or failing is one of the most…
educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life.”?
(a) Humorous (b) Optimistic (c) Horrifying (d) Solemn
4) Which of the following is relevant for the title of the passage.
(a) Dreams Always Come True (b) Failure and Grit Go Hand in Hand
(c) Humans vs Robots (d) Falling Down and Getting Up
5) ……………… was created after many attempts.
(a) electricity (b) light bulb (c) current (d) tube light
6) Which of the following sentences makes the correct use of “grit”, as used in the passage?
(a) Get rid of that grit in your shoes. (b) She had a bit of grit in her eye.
(c) The road had been covered with grit. (d) Her grit never made her give up.
7) To develop perseverance one must:
(a) become more aware (b) work hard
(c) be in the moment and be aware without judgement (d) seek guidance
8) How does mindfulness help?
(a) It creates awareness (b) It quietens the noise of fears and doubts
(c) It helps one become successful (d) It helps develop focus
9) What do you understand from this line, “Falling down or failing is one of the most
agonising, embarrassing, and scary human experiences.”?
(a) Falling down makes us angry. (b) Failure can deeply affect our emotions
(c) Stay positive and be optimistic (d) Self-control is empowering
10) Choose the option that correctly states the meaning of ‘social intelligence’ as implied in the
passage:
(a) Knowing others (b) Knowing oneself and others
(c) Knowing oneself (d) Knowing one’s surroundings
11) The importance of perseverance and optimism for a successful and fulfilling life is
explained using the example of?
(a) Thomas Edison (b) Flourishing (c) Grit (d) Limitations
12) What is the message conveyed in the last paragraph of the passage?
(a) Always aim for the best (b) Live life king size
(c) Through mindfulness we can overcome the negative impact of failure
(d) Social intelligence is crucial for a successful life
Section B – Writing and Grammar
Look at the following advertisement and answer the following question
13. The product gives freedom from
a. detergent b. manual washing c. clothes d. electricity
14. The product shown is a/ an ___________________
a. washing machine b. Oven Toaster c. Grill d. automagic
15. The word Leaflet means_____________
a. brochure b. specification table c. quotation d. User manual
16. The above pic is ________________
a. product advertisement b. offer on product c. Wishes from Thor d. Xmas greetings
17. The synonym of the word Rinse in the description is
a. use Rin soap b. use detergent c. clean d. scrub
18. The available scheme with the equipment is________________
a. EMI b. Free detergent c. Free detergent d. dryer device
GRAMMAR and WRITING
GRAMMAR
III. Answer any five out of the six questions by selecting the most appropriate option for each.
Q19. Vidushi said, “We went for a summer trip.”
A. Vidushi said that they went for a summer trip.
B. Vidushi said that they were on a summer trip.
C. Vidushi said that they had gone for a summer trip.
D. Vidushi said they went for a summer trip.
Q20. Harish said, “Will you accompany me there?”
A. Harish asked me if I would accompany him there.
B. Harish asked if I could accompany him there.
C. Harish enquired whether I will accompany him there.
D. Harish said to me that I accompany him there.
Q21. He said, “Guard the door.”
A. He pleaded with me to guard the door.
B. He asked if I could guard the door.
C. He enquired whether I may guard the door.
D. He commanded me to guard the door.
Q22. According to the prevailing rate, two dozen __________ rupees one hundred.
A costs B cost C costing D costed
Q23. The thief and the eye-witness __________.
A has escaped B has been escaping C was escaping D have escaped
Q.24“Shyam and his brothers” __________ a famous sweet shop in our neighbourhood.
A are B have been C is D have
WRITING
IV. Answer any five out of the six questions given below.
A formal letter has been given below. Some of the portions have been left blank. Fill in the
spaces by choosing the correct option. The unsanitary conditions in your colony are causing
multiple diseases. Write a letter to the municipal Commissioner bringing the problem to his
notice and request him to take urgent action in the matter. You are Ravindra/ Rani of B 12/44
Loni, Ghaziabad of Ankur Vihar, Loni, Ghaziabad.
Q.25 (i) ………………………
Loni. Ghaziabad
Uttar Pradesh 201XXX
Q.26 (ii) ………………….
The Municipal Commissioner
Loni
Ghaziabad 201XXX
Q.27 (iii) ……………….
Subject: Unsanitary conditions in the colony
I have been a resident of Ankur Vihar, Loni, Ghaziabad for the past 8 years. I would like to bring
to your notice Q.28(iv) ……..
Rubbish and garbage lie in heaps. Lack of drainage system raises a persistent foul smell in the
area.
During the rainy season, water stagnates in pits on the street which makes the whole condition
even worse. These become the breeding ground for mosquitoes, which expose the residents to
multiple diseases like dengue, malaria, etc. Our colony has become an unhealthy and disease-
prone area. Every day, someone or the other is succumbing to deadly diseases. Some of the
families have also shifted to better localities
You are requested to take immediate remedial action to set things right.
Q.29(v)…………..
Q.30(vi) …………..
Rani
From the following choices select the correct option for the blanks in the letter given above.
Q.25 (i)
A.Ankur Enclave, B 12/44 B. Ankur Vihar, B 12/44
C. B 12/22 Loni, Ghaziabad D. B 12/44, Ankur Vihar
Q.26 (ii)
A.20th August 20XX B. 20 Aug. 20XX C. August 20, 20XX D.20 August, 20XX
Q.27 (iii)
A. dear Sir/madam B.Dear sir/madam C. Dear Sir/Madam D. Dear sir, madam
Q.28 (iv)
A. the sanitary conditions in our colony B.the condition of our locality
C. the colony’s condition D. our condition sanitary
Q.29 (v)
A.Thanks B. Thank you C. Thanking you D. Thanks a lot
Q.30 (vi)
(a) your sincerely (b) Yours faithfully (c) Faithfuly Yours (d) faithfully yours
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 broadl
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.
Q36. Why did Douglas go to swim at Lake Wentworth?
A. To showcase his skills for all who had doubted him.
B. To honour the efforts of his swimming instructor.
C. To build on his ability of swimming in a natural water body.
D. To know for sure that he had overcome his fear of drowning in water.
Q37. Select the option that lists the correct inference based on the information in the extract.
A. Triggs Island and Stamp Act Island are both located in Lake Wentworth.
B. Lake Wentworth is a part of Triggs Island.
C. Stamp Act Island is two miles away from New Hampshire.
D. Lake Wentworth is connected via docks to New Hampshire.
Q38.What was the reason for the ‘return’ of terror?
A. Superstitions about the dock at Triggs Islands
B. Recent reports about drowning incidents
C. Prior drowning experiences
D. Warnings by experienced swimmers
Q39. Douglas mentions that the old sensation returned in miniature.
He means that he felt the familiar feeling of fear …………………………….
A. at irregular intervals. B. on a small scale. C. repeatedly. D. without notice.
Q40. How did Douglas handle the ‘old sensation’?
A. Addressed it. B. Avoided it. C. Submitted to it. D. Stayed indifferent to it.
VII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:
The tall girl with her weighed-down head. The paperseeming boy, with rat’s eyes. The stunted,
unlucky heir Of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease, His lesson, from his desk. At
back of the dim class One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream…
Q41.The poet draws attention to the problem of while describing the boy as paper-seeming.
A. malnutrition B. untidiness C. isolation D. abandonment
42. 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
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D. introspection
Q52. On his way to school, Franz says that he had the strength to resist and chose to hurry
off to school.
The underlined phrase suggests that Franz was
A. hesitant.
B. threatened.
C. tempted.
D. repentant.
Q53.Select the suitable option for the given statements, based on your reading of Lost Spring.
(1) The writer notices that Saheb has lost his carefree look.
(2) Saheb has had to surrender his freedom for ₹800 per month.
A. (1) is false but (2) is true.
B. Both (1) and (2) are true.
C. (2) is a fact but unrelated to (1).
D. (1) is the cause for (2).
Q54. Select the option that lists the qualities of Douglas’ trainer.
(1) adventurous
(2) generous
(3) patient
(4) methodical
(5) encouraging
(6) courageous
A. (1) and (6)
B. (3), (4) and (5)
C. (2) and (5)
D. (1), (4) and (6)
Q55.The metaphor ‘lead sky’, is used by Stephen Spender to bring out
A. the image of sky-high constructions in the slum.
B. a response to death and destruction.
C. the strong dreams and aspirations of the children.
D. a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Q56. Sadao’s servants leave his house, but none of them betrays the secret of the American
P.O.W. Select the option that explains this.
A. The servants truly believed that they must not be a part of the household which sheltered
aprisoner of war, but their love and loyalty to Sadao made them keep the secret safe.
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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-2
B. F-2, 3; O-1,4
C. F-2; O-1,3,4
D. F-3,4; O-1,2
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 an
