KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

SESSION- 2022-2023
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 1
ENGLISH CORE
CLASS XII
TIME: 3 HRS MM:80

________________________________________________________________________
General Instructions :

Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

(i) This question paper contains THREE sections READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.

(ii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

________________________________________________________________________

SECTION A (Reading)

I Read the passage given below : (10 marks)

1. Punctuality is a necessary habit in all public affairs of a civilised society. Without it nothing
could ever be brought to a conclusion; everything would be in a state of chaos. Only in a
sparsely populated rural community, it is possible to disregard it. In the ordinary living there
can be some tolerance of unpunctuality. The intellectual, who is working on some abstruse
problem, has everything coordinated and organised for the matter in hand. He is therefore
forgiven if late for the dinner party. But people are often reproached for unpunctuality when
their only fault is cutting things fine. It is hard for energetic, quick-minded people to waste
time, so they are tempted to finish a job before setting out to keep an appointment. If no
accidents occur on the way, like punctured tyres, diversion of traffic, or sudden descent of fog,
they will be on time. They are more often industrious useful citizens than those who are never
late. The over-punctual can as much be atrial to others as the unpunctual. The guest who arrives
half an hour too soon is the greatest nuisance. Some friends of my family had this irritating
habit. The only thing to do was to ask them to come half an hour later than the other guests.
Then they arrived just when we wanted them. If you are catching a train, it is always better to
be comfortably early than even a fraction of a minute too late. Although being early may mean
wasting a little time, this will be less than if you miss the train and have to wait an hour or so
for the next one. And you avoid the frustration of arriving at the very moment when the train is
drawing out of the station and being unable to get on it. An even harder situation is to be on the
platform in good time for the train and still to see it go off without you. Such an experience
befell a certain young girl the first time she wastravelling alone.

2. She entered the station twenty minutes before the train was due, since her parents had
impressed upon her that it would be unforgivable to miss it and cause trouble to the friends with
whom she was going to stay to make two journeys to meet her. She gave her luggage to a porter
and showed him her ticket. To her horror he said that she was two hours too soon. She felt in
 her handbag for the piece of paper on which her father had written down all the details of the
journey and gave it to the porter. He agreed that a train did come in the station at the time on the
paper and that it did stop, but only to take on water, not passengers. The girl asked to see a
timetable, feeling sure that her father could not have made such a mistake. The porter went to
fetch one and arrived back with the station-master, who produced it with a flourish and pointed
out a microscopic ‘o’ beside the time of the arrival of the train at his station. This little ‘o’
indicated that the train only stopped for water. Just at that moment the train came into the
station. The girl, tears streaming down her face, begged to be allowed to slip into the guard’s
van. But the station-master was adamant; rules cannot be broken. And she had to watch that
train disappear towards her destination while she was left behind.

1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the best of the choices . (1x 5 = 5Marks)

(a) A person arriving late for a dinner party is forgiven if he ……………………..

(i) is from a rural background

(ii) is intellectual, working on some abstruse problem

(iii) has been an industrious and useful citizen

(iv) is in the habit of arriving half an hour before time

(b) The girl had arrived at the station 20 minutes earlier ……………………….

(i) as her parents had instructed her likewise

(ii) she wanted to be there to see the train go off

(iii) to give her luggage to the porter

(iv) she wanted to slip into the guardroom

(c) The ‘o’ in the timetable indicated ……………

(i) the train would not halt at that station

(ii) it was just stopover to pick up railway staff

(iii) the train only stopped for water

(iv) the station master could apply the rules

(d) If you are catching a train, it is always better to be ………………….

(i) late by a few minutes

(ii) on time always

(iii) early by a couple of hours

(iv) late by only a fraction of a minute

(e) The station master was adamant. Pick the ANTONYM of the word ‘adamant’?
(i) resolute

(ii) uncompromising

(iii) unshakable

(iv) agreeable

1.2 Answer anyFIVE of the following questions briefly: (5x1=5Marks)

(I). Why is punctuality necessary in a civilised society?

(ii) The over-punctual can as much be a trial to others as the unpunctual. Why ?

(iii) Why do energetic, quick-minded people arrive late for appointments?

(iv) What instructions did the young girl get from her parents?

(v) Where is it possible to see disregard for punctuality?

(vi) Finda word from the passage which means the same as ‘blamed’ from (para1)

II. Read the passage given below.

“Hunger and under nutrition cannot and should not be fixed by mere calorie provision.
All stakeholders must pay attention to making balanced healthy diets which are
climate-friendly, affordable and accessible to all.’’ Shweta Khandelwal, Head of
Nutrition Research, Public Health Foundation of India ‘.

India ranked 94 among 107 nations in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 and was in the ‘serious’
hunger category with experts blaming poor implementation processes, lack of effective monitoring,
siloed approach in tackling malnutrition and poor performance by large states behind the low
ranking.

Nepal in 73rd and Sri Lanka in 64th position were in ‘moderate’ hunger category, the report showed
Seventeen nations, including China, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkey, Cuba and Kuwait, shared the top
rank with the GHI scores of less than five, the website of the Global Hunger Index, and tracks
hunger and malnutrition, said on Friday. According to the report released on Friday, 14 percent of
India’s population was undernourished.

It also showed the country recorded a 37.4 per cent stunting rate among children under five and a
wasting rate of 17.3 percent. The under- five mortality rate stood at 3.7 percent.

Wasting is children who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute under-nutrition. Stunting
is children under the age of five who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic under
nutrition.
Data from 1991 through 2014 for Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan showed that stunting was
concentrated among children from households facing multiple forms of deprivation, including poor
dietary diversity, low levels of maternal education, and household poverty.

During this period, India experienced a decline in under-five mortality, driven largely by a decrease
in deaths from birth asphyxia or trauma, neonatal infections, pneumonia, and diarrhea, the report
stated.

‘’However, child mortality, caused by prematurity and low birth-weight, increased particularly in
poorer states and rural areas. Prevention of prematurity and low birth-weight is identified as a key
factor with the potential to reduce under- five mortality in India through actions such as better ante-
natal care, education, and nutrition as well as reductions in anaemia and oral tobacco use,’’ it said.

Experts think that poor implementation processes, lack of effective monitoring and soiled
approaches to tackling malnutrition often result in poor nutrition indices.

Source: The Tribune

2.1On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions
from the eleven given below. (5x1 = 5)

a. According to the passage, one of the reasons for India’s poor ranking in GHI 2020
is_____________________

(i). lack of result oriented supervision

(ii). lack of financial resources

(iii). high population

(iv). lack of human resource to tackle it

b. Identify the statement that is NOT TRUE according to the passage.

(i). India performed better than Cuba and Kuwait

(ii). Hunger and malnutrition is tracked by the website of GHI

(iii). Sri Lanka ranked higher than Nepal

a. 1 & 2

b. 1 only

c. 2 only

d. 2 & 3

c. The word ‘moderate’, as used in paragraph 2, means the same as

(i). very serious

 (ii). extreme

(iii). critical

(iv). within reasonable limits

d. According to the report, 14% of India’s population is undernourished which means if India’s
population is 138 crore, then ________people are undernourished.

(i) 19.32 crore

(ii) 18 crore

(iii).16.26 crore

(iv).21 crore

e. If a child’s body weight is considered too low to be healthy as per his height, he is suffering
from___________

(i). Wasting

(ii). Stunting

(iii). both (a) & (b)

(iv)neither (a) nor (b)

2.2.Answer ANY FIVE questions as per your understanding of the passage:

5x 1=5 Marks

(i). ‘Stunting reflects chronic under-nutrition.’ What does ‘Chronic’ mean?

(ii).What are the reasons for child mortality in rural areas?

(iii). What is the common reason for wasting and stunting among children?

(iv) What actionshould be taken to reduce the under-five mortality rate in our country?

(v) According to experts, how can we grapple with the problem of malnutrition?

(vi) Suggest a suitable title for the passage.

III CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS

1.A. Attempt ANY ONE of the given choices.

Every year on Children’s Day, an exhibition of Science projects is held at the Indira Gandhi
Auditorium inviting the students of your school to visit it.Write a notice in about 50 words
informing the students about the display,advising them to go and enjoy it. You are Sunil/Sunita
Sahoo, Head Boy/Head Girl Bright Minds Public School, New Delhi.
OR
1.B.As Principal of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lucknow, draft a notice in not more than 50 words
informing students of the change in school timings with effect from 1st of October. State valid
reasons for the change. (5 Marks)

2.A. Attempt ANY ONE of the given choices.

As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited to inaugurate a Book Exhibition in your
neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in not more than 50 words, expressing your inability
to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi.
OR
2.B. M/s Shyam Lal & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali
Enclave, Dwarka, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October 20XX
at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft for formal invitation for the purpose. (5 Marks)

3.A.Attempt ANY ONE of the given choices.

You are Naresh / Nandini of Safdarjung, New Delhi. You are deeply saddened by the attacks on
elderly persons who live alone. Write a letter to the editor of ‘The New India News’ making people
sensitive to the problem. Give suggestions to the people living alone and the authorities to ensure that such
attacks do not take place.
OR

3.B. You are Aami/ Ajoy Sarkar of 83, Model Town, Guwahati, Assam. You are a sports enthusiast.
Rangshala School, Guwahati, has advertised the requirement of a Sports teacher, in the local
newspaper. You are excited and decide to apply for the post. Write a letter responding to the given
advertisement, submitting your candidature with a detailed bio-data. 5 Marks

RANGSHALA SCHOOL, GUWAHATI

SPORTS TEACHER REQUIRED
A P.T.I needed (B.P.Ed), National level player,coaching experience preferred. Specialisation in
volleyball/hockey a pre-requisite. Salary inclusive of PF.
Apply with bio-data, addressed to the Principal at 108, Model Town, Guwahati
Attempt ANY ONE of the given choices.

4.A. You are Radha/Rajesh, the Sports Captain of your school P.B. Bose Public School. The
Annual Sports Day was conducted last Monday. As a sports reporter, write a report in about 120
150 words covering all the details such as day, date, time, venue, Chief Guest, march past, field
events, award ceremony, etc.

OR

4.B. With the onset of monsoons, mosquitoes have also arrived. As Ajay Arora of class XII, write
an article for the school bulletin about the mosquito menace and the ways to get rid of it in not more
than 200 words. 5 Marks

The onset of Monsoon- heavy rainfalls- mosquito breeding- Dengue spreads- the fatal spread of
the disease, hospitals swarming with patients, lack of proper health care –people suffer- need to
take proper precaution and increase awareness.

SECTION C- LITERATURE

IV. Read the following extracts carefully to attempt the questionswith reference to the
context.
1.Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given. (6X1= 6 Marks)

1.A.The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong
Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,
Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts,
Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

(a ) In ‘the polished traffic’ , What poetic device has been used?

Hyperbole ii) oxymoron iii)Transferred Epithet iv) refrain

(b) The landscape was ‘marred ‘ mean?

i) Painted ii) damaged iii)Marked iv) artlessness

(c) What is meant by ‘out of sorts’ ?

i) irritated. ii) in ill health . iii) with no care iv) with sarcasm

d) What was the roadside stand selling ?

e). Why didn’t the polished traffic stop by the roadside stand?
f) What do you thinks the signs ‘N’ and ‘S’ stand for?

OR

1.B. Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

(a). In the given extract, the poet mentions "fishermen' which is a symbolism for ___________ ?

(i) the entire fishing community.

(ii) man's indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interest.

(iii) thelabour working in industries.

(iv) none of these.

(b). What is the poet's message for the man gathering salt?

(i) He must take care of himself and realize the harm caused by his tireless efforts.

(ii) To stop and introspect.

(iii) To give time for the wounds to heal.

(iv) All of these.

(c) What kind of image is created by the poet in the last lines?

(i) The image of stillness

(ii) The image of suffering

(iii) The image of destruction

(iv) None of these.

d)What message does the poet wish to give through these lines?

(e)How would man and nature benefit from this silence?

(f) Which poetic device is used in the last line of the extract?

2.Attempt ANY ONE of the two extractsgiven 4x1=4 Marks

(A) Mr Lamb: Mind the apples!

Derry: What? Who’s that? Who is there?

Mr Lamb: Lamb’s my name. Mind the apples. Crab apples those are. Windfalls in the
long grass. You could trip.

Derry: I…there…I thought this was an empty place. I didn’t know there was anybody
here…..

(a). _______ is the author of the chapter

(i). Susan Hill

(ii). John Updike

(iii) Adrienne Rich

(iv). John Keats

(b). ‘’Mind the apples!’’. Mr Lamb was being

(i). aggressive

(ii). protective

(iii). revengeful

(iv). hostile

(c). Why did Derry get shocked?

(d). What state of mind Derry was in?

OR

2.B. The mists screened them now completely, and at this time of day no one came by. The
fishermen had gone home and even the chance beachcombers would have considered the day at an
end.

“What shall we do with this man?”,Sadao muttered. But his trained hands seemed of their own will
to be doing what they could to stanch the fearful bleeding. He packed the wound with the sea moss
that strewed the beach. The man moaned with pain in his stupor but he did not awaken. The best
thing that we could do would be to put him back in the sea, Sadao said, answering himself.

a) What does the speaker mean by ‘The mists screened them’?

i) Mist had hid them

ii) Mist had protected them

iii) Mist had concealed them

iv) All of these

b) Who is beachcomber?

i) A vagrant living on beach

ii)A person walks along a beach looking for valuables

iii) A wanderer searching for things on the beach

iv)All of these

c) What does the word ‘Strewed’ mean?

d) Why did they want to throw the man back into the sea?

3. Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given 6x1=6 Marks

3.A. His wife, Caroline, writes in her diary for 14 October 1892 that their day was ̳wrecked by two
reporters from Boston‘. She reports her husband as saying to the reporters, ―Why do I refuse to be
interviewed? Because it is immoral! It is a crime, just as much of a crime as an offence against my
person, as an assault, and just as much merits punishment. It is cowardly and vile. No respectable
man would ask it, much less give it.

a. Who refused to be interviewed?

b. (i)Umberto Eco. (iii) Caroline

c. (ii) H.G.Wells (iv) Rudyard Kipling

d. b. Give the antonym of ‘vile’.

e. (I) pleasant. (iii) unpleasant

f. (ii) feeble. (iv) annoyed

c) ’My day was wrecked’ means—-

(I). Ruined my day (iii) enjoyed the day

(ii) made my day. (iv) wasted my day

d) Why does the husband consider interviewing to be immoral?

e) Why did he refuse to be interviewed?
f) What happened on 14 October, 1892?

OR

3.B. After months of knowing him, I ask him his name. ―Saheb-e-Alam,‖ he announces. He does
not know what it means. If he knew its meaning — lord of the universe — he would have a hard
time believing it. Unaware of what his name represents, he roams the streets with his friends, an
army of barefoot boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon. Over the months, I
have come to recognise each of them.

a). The author asks the name of Saheb after months of knowing him. This suggests that ....

(i) She does not care about barefoot rag-pickers who live in a slum dwelling

(ii) She has been waiting for the right opportunity

(iii) Names are insignificant for her as she is more interested in their problems & their solutions
 (iv) It is difficult for her to remember so many names together

(b) Which of the following is not rightly matched?

(i) Name of Saheb-e-alam : irony

(ii) An army of barefoot boys : Anaphora
(iii) Boys who appear like morning birds : Simile
(iv) ask him his name : Alliteration

(c) Why is the author interested in these barefoot rag -pickers?

(i) She will write a book about such children & earn money
(ii) She will gain popularity by publishing their story in a newspaper
(iii)She will attract the attention of the authorities towards their problems
(iv) She is moved by the plight of these unfortunate children

(d) What does author‘s interaction with these children reflect about her nature?

(e) What is ironical about Saheb-e-alam’s name?

(f) What has the writer compared the boys with?

V .Answer any FIVE of the following questions in about 40-50 words each.

5x2=10 Marks

I) “Your parents were not anxious enough to have you learn. They preferred to put you to work on
a farm or at the mills, so as to have a little more money. And I? ”Why did M Hamel blame their
parents and himself for acting as a hindrance in the children learning French?

ii) What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

i) Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

iv) Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the iron master and accept Edla’s?

v) What was the fiery misery of those subjected to makeup?(Poets and Pancakes)

vi) What is the common worry of all of us regarding parents? How can we help them bear old age
with comfort? (My Mother at Sixty-Six)

VII) Adrienne Rich chose to express her silent revolt through her poem, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, just
as Aunt Jennifer did with her embroidery. Explain.

VI. Answer any TWO of the following questions in 40-50 words: 2x2=4 Marks

(i) How does the narrator describe Galesburg, Illinois?(The Third Level)

(ii) Who killed the 100th tiger? Why?

(iii) What was Geoff Green’s reason for including High school students in the students on Ice
Expedition?
(iv) “I’m not afraid. People are afraid of me,” says Derry. What do people think on seeing his face?
How do they react then?

VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words:

i)“Freedom from fear is more important than Legal justice for the poor.”
Do you think that the poor of India are free from fear after Independence?(Indigo)
OR

ii“I don’t believe it.” “There I was looking at the clothes in Royce’s window when someone came
and stood beside me, and I looked around and who should it be but Danny Casey.”
Describe Sophie as a teenager with a world of her own. Do you think she is an ideal to follow?
Support your answer.(Going Places) 5 Marks

VIII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words.

i.There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private
individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty? Discuss with reference to the story
“The Enemy”.

OR
ii“We too are human Beings” highlights higher andcaste-low discrimination in society. How do
people suffer on account of this? What advice did Bama’s brother give her to overcome the caste-
based problem? 5 Marks