COMMON PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION 2023-24

Subject: ENGLISH CORE (301)

Class XII

Time: 3 Hrs. Max. Marks: 80

General instructions:

1.The Question paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.

2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION – A: READING (22 MARKS)

1.Read the passage given below. (1x12=12m)

1. There were hundreds of us in the lecture hall, watching the descent of the Vikram Lander,
with the Pragyan rover descending on the lunar surface, its thrusters in full force, slowing down
the free fall of the delicate component of the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, all 1498 kg of it hurtling
down, pulled by the gravity of Moon. It had separated from the rest of the spacecraft four days
ago leaving the orbiter in its path about 100 kms above the lunar surface, where it is going to
spend at least 7 years, with its eight excellent instruments sending back crucial scientific
information about the Moon, its environment and even the Sun.
2. We were applauding as the green dot on the plot of the landing trajectory, showing the
altitude and the range of the lander, reached about two kms above the surface, at which point
its speed was about 50mls. Far too high still, we thought- it had to come well below 5 m/s for a
soft landing as it reached the ground. Then our spirits fell as it deviated from the expected
course, and got stuck, indicating that we had lost communication. This is the phase, which the
ISRO Chairperson Dr K Sivan had described as the, “15 minutes of terror”. We still haven‟t
recovered communication, but thermal imaging from the orbiter‟s cameras has located the site
of the landing on Sunday. The extent of the damage to Vikram is still being assessed. If things
had gone according to plan, India would have joined an elite club of three other nations that
have landed in one piece on an extra- terrestrial surface—the Moon, Mars or an asteroid. If the
Rover had been out on its 14 days prowl, we would have learnt about the traces of gaseous
elements near the surface of the Moon and also about the low level Moonquakes from the
embedded seismometer.
3. Chandrayaan-2 was launched in July on the GSLV-3, taking a complicated, fuel efficient path
to the Moon lasting over 40 days. In contrast with the Apollo missions being launched on the
more powerful Saturn-V launchers in the 1960s, this mission was kept affordable, but sent the
mission on a long journey fraught with possible pitfalls. Till the last minute the entire maneuver
had worked like clockwork, showing the high level of sophistication that ISRO is capable of in
its planning, design,fabrication and execution. This, in my mind, is the major success story of
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 ISRO sofar in this mission.
4. We are now hopeful that we will gain contact with Vikram, lovingly named after the founder of
ISRO in its birth centenary year. Even if some of the instruments can be made to work, we
would have valuable information and images close to the lunar surface and learn more about
what to do and what not to in our next attempt. It is also time to look beyond the landing
event. Chandrayaan-2 is so much more than the landing event which seemed to have caught
most of the attention of the public and the media. On the rest of the vehicle in orbit, we have
two very sophisticated imagers. The high-resolution Orbiter Camera photographs the lunar
surface to a resolution of 0.3 m, the best in any Moon mission so far, by any nation. Another
terrain-mapping camera takes photos in multiple colours. Since all previous missions have
concentrated on the equatorial region and northern hemisphere of the Moon, Chandrayaan-2‟s
work in the southern polar region will be unique.
5. The CLASS instrument on the orbiter will quantify the amount of calcium, magnesium, sodium
and other useful elements on or below the lunar surface through X-ray fluorescence. The HRS
instrument, also on the orbiter will tell us about water and minerals under the surface. In
addition to detecting them, it can also help us quantify and tell us about how hard they would be
to extract. Why do we need this information? It is inevitable that one day humans will have to go
out into the solar system to look for resources, and even for habitation. India as the most
populous nation of the earth will have to play a leading role.
6. Even if we choose not to live on the Moon, we need a Moon base, as a refuelling station, or as
an assembly or service we have to know what resources are available on the Moon. What is a
small part of this mission not successful? In my mind, the journey of ISRO team that has
brought the mission to where it is now is more important than the task that will be performed.
Similarly, the complicated journey of the spacecraft from the Earth to and around the Moon has
adequately demonstrated what Indian technology can achieve.
1. On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer thefollowing
questions:
(a) How many days ago was the Vikram Lander separated from the spacecraft?
(i) one day (ii) two days
(iii) three days (iv) four days
(b) For how long was it supposed to remain upon the lunar surface?
(i) 5 years (ii) 6 years
(iii) 7 years (iv) 8 years

(c) Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the
CORRECT order of the sentences.
1. The extent of the damage to Vikram is still being assessed.
2. The HRS instrument, also on the orbiter, will tell us about water and minerals
under the surface.
3. Vikram Lander deviated from the expected course, and got stuck, indicating that
we had lost communication.

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 4. Chandrayaan-2 was launched in July on the GSLV

(i) 1, 2, 4, 3 (ii) 3, 1, 4, 2
(iii) 3, 2, 4, l (iv) 2, 3, 4, 1

(d) Chandrayaan-2 was supposed to land on......

(i) Southern Pole (ii) Northern Pole

(iii)Lunar surface (iv) Equatorial region

(e) The CLASS instrument on the orbiter will quantify the amount of which of the following
element?

(i) Image 1 (ii) Image 2

(ii) Image 3 (iv) Image 4

(f) Chandrayaan-2 was launched in July on the.....

(i) ALSV-5 (ii) GSLV-3
(iii) HRS (iv) GSLV-4 1.2

(g) Why were the scientists happy when they saw the green dot on the trajectory?

(h) What is the function of CLASS instrument on the orbiter?

(i) Which things are required on the moon even if we don‟t make it our habitat?
(j) Which word in the passage means same as „distinctive‟? (Para 4)

(k) Pick the option that tells the feeling of the writer when the Lander deviated from
expected course, and got stuck, indicating that it had lost communication.
(i) Frustrating (ii) provoking (iii)Disheartening (iv) hostile

(l) The ISRO Chairperson Dr K Sivan had described as the, “15 minutes of terror”. How this
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 affected the nation in this regard?
2. Read the following text (1x10=10m)

1. Education in India is primarily provided by public schools (controlled and funded by the
government at three levels: central, state and local) and private schools. Under various articles
of the Indian Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to
children aged 6 to 14. The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is 7:5.
2. India has made progress in increasing the attainment rate of primary education. In 2011,
approximately 75% of the population aged between 7 and 10 years, was literate. India‟s
improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic
development. Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research, has
been credited to various public institutions.
3. At the primary and secondary level, India has a large private school system complementing
the government run schools, with 29% of students receiving private education in the 6 to 14 age
group. Certain post-secondary technical schools are also private. The private education market
in India had revenue of US$450 million in 2008 but is projected to be a US $40 billion market.
Education in Republic of India
Ministry of Education
Minister of Education: Ramesh Pokhriyal
National education budget
Budget 4.1% of GDP
General details
Primary languages Indian languages, English System
type Federal, State or Private
Established 1 April 2010
Compulsory
Education
Literacy (2011)
Total 74%
Male 82.2%
Female 69.5%
Enrolment
Total (N/A)
Primary 95%
Secondary 69%
Post-Secondary 25%

4 As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASEH) 2012, 96.5% of all rural children
between the ages of 6-14 were enrolled in school. This is the fourth annual survey to report
enrolment above 96%. India has maintained an average enrolment ratio of 95% for students in
this age group from year 2007 to 2014. As an outcome the number of students in the age group
6-14 who are not enrolled in school has come down to 2.8% in the year academic year 2018
(ASER 2018). Another report from 2013 stated that there were 229 million students enrolled in
different accredited urban and rural schools of India, from Class 1 to XII, representing an
increase of 23 lakh students over 2002 total enrolment, and a 19% increase in girl‟s enrolment.
5. While quantitatively India is inching closer to universal education, the quality of its education
has been questioned particularly in its government run school system. While more than 93

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percent of children attend primary school, just 40 percent of Indian adolescents attend
secondary school (Grades 9-12). Since 2000, the World Bank has committed over $2 billion to
education in India. Some of the reasons for the poor quality include absence of around
25% of teachers every day. States of India have introduced tests and education assessment
system to identify and improve such schools.
6. Although there are private schools in India, they are highly regulated in terms of what they
can teach, in what form they can operate (must be a non-profit to run any accredited
educational institution) and all other aspects of operation. Hence, the differentiation of
government schools and private schools can be misleading.
7.In January 2019, India had over 900 universities and 40,000 colleges. In lndia‟s higher
education system, a significant number of seats are reserved under affirmative action policies
for the historically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward
Classes. In universities, colleges and similar institutions affiliated to the federal government,
there is a maximum 50% of reservations applicable to these disadvantaged groups, at the state
level it can vary. Maharashtra had 73% reservation in 2014, which is the highest percentage of
reservations in India.
2. On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following
questions:

(a) The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India

is............................

(i) 5:7 (ii) 1:9

(iii) 7:5 (iv) 9:7

(b) Pick the option that lists statements that are NOT TRUE according to the passage.
1 India‟s improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its
economic development.
2. At the primary and secondary level, India has a large private school system

3. Report from 2013 stated that there were 329 million students enrolled in different
accredited urban and rural schools of India.

4. Maharashtra had 33% reservation in 2014, which is the lowest percentage of

reservations in India.

(i) 3 and 4 (ii) 2 and 4

(iii) l and 2 (iv) 1 and 3

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 (c) India‟s improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to
its ......................

(i) Overall development (ii) Social development

(iii) Economic development (iv) Political development

(d) Based on the Statistical data in the passage, which option represents the correct
graphical representation of enrolment rate in Primary and Secondary schools?

E 65%

25%

(i) Image 1 (ii) Image 2

(iii) Image 3 (iv) Image 4
(e) According to table, what was the literacy rate of females in the year 2011?

(i) 74% (ii) 82.2%

(iii) 69.5% (iv) 69%
(f) Based on the given statistical data in the passage, choose the option that lists the
statements that are TRUE with respect to the education policy-
1 Enrolment in Secondary Schools was 69%.
2. National Education Budget passed by the ministry is 3.1%
3. The literacy rate of women was 69.5% in 2011
4. As per 2011 census; total literacy rate was 82.2%
(i) 1 and 4 (ii) 2 and 4
(iii) 3 and 4 (iv) 1 and 3

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 (g) Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research, has
been attributed to......
(i) Private institutions (ii) Public institutions
(iii) Government institutions (iv) Semi government institution

(h) One of the reasons for the poor quality of education in Government-run schools in India
is....................................................

(i) Which state in India has the highest percentage of reservation in colleges and
universities?
(j) Which word in the passage means same as „registered? (Para 4)

SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

3. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. 4

A. Draft a notice (50 words) to invite the 12th graders of Alpha Tech school, Manipur to a career
counselling session to be convened in the campus on the 6th of February '24. Universities abroad
have been invited. This initiative by the prefectorial body aims at introducing the learners to the less
exposed streams that assure global placement. You are Steve/ Steffy, the school captain.

OR

B. You are Athira Sebastian, the Secretary, Residents‟ Association, Sky Towers, Calicut. The
Association is organizing a drive for sheltering the stray dogs of the locality. Draft a notice in about 50
words, for the notice board, addressing residents, informing them about this drive and urging them to
donate money and to be part of the endeavour.

4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. 4

A. You are Ms. Hemalatha K. M, an eminent scientist and author. You have received an invitation
from K.V Public School, Kannur, to inaugurate the Science Club, and to deliver a keynote address on
„Scientific Temper and Students‟ on 14 January, 2024 at 10 a.m. Respond to accept the invitation in
about 50 words.

OR

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B. You are a student of Laxmi Public School, Model Town, Delhi. The School is holding its Annual
Function at 5.30 p.m.on 2nd February, 2024. The Education Minister has consented to be the Chief
Guest. Design an invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invitees.

5. Attempt ANY ONE of two , in about 120-150 words. 5

A.Bal Vidya Public School, Bhilai urgently requires a Post-Graduate Teacher to teach Political
Science for which they have placed an advertisement in „The Bhilai Express‟. You are
Sanjay/Sanjana from 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a letter including a CV, applying for the advertised
post.

OR

B. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of „The Hindustan Times‟ drawing attention of the
public to the frequent road accidents due to negligent and rash driving in spite of the warning issued
by the Police. Make suitable suggestions to minimize such mishaps. You are Rahul/ Rohini.

6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words. 5

A. There has been a change in perspective in the new education policy. As Priyanka/Pranam, a
columnist of „Youth Times‟, write an article in 120-150 words on „Education-A Paradigm Shift.‟

THEN NOW
Rote learning Spirit of inquiry
Academic focus EDUCATION Holistic focus
Theoretical Experiential
Text-based Skill based

OR

B.Your school has recently organized a TEDx event. Renowned writer and dancer, Tishani Doshi,
was one of the main speakers. She shared her experiences during „Student on Ice‟ programme which
she took part in 2006. As Student Editor, write a report on the event in 120-150 words. You are
Laxman/ Lata

SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT

(40 marks)
7.Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6

A. Driving from my parent‟s

home to Cochin last Friday

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 morning, I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that of a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes,………

[i] The poet‟s mother looks [1]

I. exhausted
II. healthy
III. rejuvenated
IV. pale
V. relaxed
Choose the most appropriate option
a. Only V
b. I, III and IV
c. I, II and IV
d. I and IV

[ii] The phrase „she realized with pain‟ indicates the poet‟s [1]
a. anxiety of missing the flight
b. fear of losing her mother
c. fear of illness
d. anxiety of taking her mother on flight

[iii] Complete the following analogy correctly [1]

Trees sprinting:…………………: ashen like that of a corpse: Simile

[iv] The poet looks out of the car because……………………………….. [1]

[v] What does the phrase „sprinting trees‟ symbolize? [1]

[vi] Name the poet of the above extract. [1]

OR

B. The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts

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 At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong…
[i] The polished traffic in particular refers to the………………. [1]

a. Sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles.

b. Shiny cars that the poet sees on the road.
c. Extremely affluent people living in the neighbourhood.
d. Civilized manner in which traffic is coordinated.

[ii] „The urban and educated people have their minds ahead.‟ Suggest the correct meaning behind
this line. [1]
[iii] What do the urban rich feel about the S and N signs that have been painted wrong? [1]
a. Tolerant b. Amused
c. Sympathetic d. Annoyed
[iv] The passers-by find the sign artless but the landscape ___________. [1]
a. animated b. aesthetic
c. amusing d. ancient
[v] Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract.
According to the people driving by…………………………had marred the landscape. [1]
[vi] Name the poem and the poet. [1]

8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 4

A. The man ceased his mutterings, and then a third bell was tapped. Every one picked up his knife
and fork and began eating. I began crying instead, for by this time I was afraid to venture anything
more. But this eating by formula was not the hardest trial in that first day. Late in the morning, my
friend Judewin gave me a terrible warning. Judewin knew a few words of English; and she had
overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting our long, heavy hair. Our mothers had taught us
that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Among our
people, short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards!
(Memories of Childhood: The Cutting of my Long Hair)

i Which of these can be inferred from the extract? [1]

a. The speaker did not understand or speak English.
b. The speaker did not think highly of her own culture.
c. The speaker did not have any living family members.
d. The speaker did not know what a knife or fork were used for.

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ii How was the speaker feeling by the time the third bell rang? Why did she feel
this way? [1]
iii Complete the given sentence appropriately.
The speaker compares her experience of eating to that of a trial because……….. [1]
iv Based on the extract, what would it mean to the speaker if her long hair was cut? [1]
OR
B. The clerk figured the fare — he glanced at my fancy hatband, but he figured the fare — and I had
enough for two coach tickets, one way. But when I counted out the money and looked up, the clerk
was staring at me. He nodded at the bills. „„That ain‟t money, mister,‟‟ he said, „„and if you‟re trying to
skin me….
[i] Why did Charley ask for two tickets? [1]
[ii] Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option [1]
When Charley offered money to the booking clerk, the latter stared at Charley because
the booking clerk

a. thought it wasn‟t money

b. did not trust Charley
c. thought Charley was trying to tease him
d. thought that Charley had given him less money
[iii] What do you come to know from Charley from this extract? [1]
[iv] „If you are trying to skin me‟ suggests…………….. [1]

9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

(A) A girl from the countryside, she hadn‟t gone through all the stages of worldly experience that
generally precede a position of importance and sophistication that she had found herself
catapulted into. She never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. That was the end of a
brief and brilliant acting career — the legal adviser, who was also a member of the Story
Department, had unwittingly brought about that sad end. While every other member of the
Department wore a kind of uniform — khadi dhoti with a slightly oversized and clumsily tailored
white khadi shirt — the legal adviser wore pants and a tie and sometimes a coat that looked like a
coat of mail. Often, he looked alone and helpless …
(Poets and Pancakes)
(i) Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately. „Stages of worldly experience‟
in the given context would refer to . [1]
(a) Good education to gain knowledge.
(b) Situations that require one to be street smart.
(c) Smaller, not so important roles in acting.

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 (d) Training in soft skills.
(ii) Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following analogy.
Sealed: closed: propelled: ………………… [1]
(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank. [1]
The harm done to the actress was a/an
(a) Well-planned act. (b) Unintentional act.
(c) Act of jealousy. (d) Act of male dominance.
(iv) Based on the above extract, choose the statement that is TRUE for the legal adviser.
[1]
(a) He disliked the actress from the countryside.
(b) He acted after thinking through things carefully.
(c) He did not gel well with others in the Department.
(d) He was always dressed smartly.
(v) Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the writer is sympathetic towards the
professional fate of the actor. (Clue: a phrase)………………… [1]

(vi). Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract
The writer uses the word „uniform‟ to refer to the outfits of the Department members because
just like a uniform …………………… (Complete the statement) [1]
OR
B. My last French lesson why I hardly knew how to write I should never learn anymore I must stop
there then oh how sorry I was for not learning my lessons for seeking Birds eggs or going sliding on
the Saar my books that had seemed such a nuisance a while ago so heavy to carry my grammar and
my history of the saints were old friends now that I couldn't give up.
(Last Lesson)

i.. Why was it the speaker„s last French lesson? [1]

a. because his French teacher was retiring
b. because of a government order to teach only German
c. because the speaker was migrating
d. because French has become a language to be taught in higher classes

ii. What is the speaker feeling after getting to know that it is his last French lesson? [1]
a. Sad
b. Regretful
c. Frightened
d. Distraught
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iii. What did Franz do to skip his French lessons? [1]
a. seeking bird eggs
b. going on the slides
c. working on the mill
d. both a and b

iv. How does Franz„s feelings regarding his books change? [1]
a. He feels that they were his friends
b. He believes that they were a nuisance
c. He feels that his identity is related to his books
d. He believed that they are of no use to him

v. Assertion (A): Franz was filled with repentance and guilt on the last day of French class.
Reason (R): He did not study French when he had time, he wasted his time in seeking birds„eggs and
sliding on the Saar. [1]

a. Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

b. Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
c. A is true but R is false
d. A is false but R is true
vi Which of the following can be attributed to M. Hamel„s declaration about the French language?
[1]
a .subject expertise
b. nostalgic pride
c. factual accuracy
d. patriotic magnification

10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words. (5x2=10)

i. How did Gandhi influence the lawyers? (Indigo)

ii. Why did Douglas quote Roosevelt‟s statement „All we have to fear is fear itself‟? Explain.(Deep
Water)
iii. What was the sentiment expressed by the tramp in the letter that he left for Edla? (Rattrap)
iv. Why did Aunt Jennifer create tigers so different from her own character?
v. What are some of the positive views on interviews? (The Interview)
vi. Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead? (A Thing of Beauty)

11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2x2=4)

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 i. How would a student‟s learning experience be enhanced in the 'Students on Ice' programme
as compared to studying only in a classroom? Analyse any one point. (Journey to the End of
the Earth)
ii. In the story, 'On the Face of It', what brings Derry and Mr Lamb together as friends?
iii. What considerations influenced the Tiger King to get married?

12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. (5)

A. What kind of an ideal world does Pablo Neruda visualise in the poem „Keeping Quiet‟?

(OR)

B.It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. With reference to „Going places‟, what
would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasizing?

13. .Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. (5)

A. Recall the story 'We too are Human Beings' from the text 'Memories of Childhood'. Imagine that
Bama stops the elderly man who was carrying the packet of vadais, and strikes up a conversation
with him. She asks him a couple of questions and the man responds to Bama's questions. You
may follow the given format and include the two questions in your conversation.

Bama: Hi sir, I noticed that you were carrying that packet in a funny manner. Why were

you doing so?

Elderly man: ...

Bama: But that's terrible. How does that make you feel? Complete the conversation.

OR

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

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