Number of printed pages: 6

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL VARANASI

Pre-Board – II (2023-24)
Class – XII
Sub: English
Date: 15.12.2023 Time Allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and
follow them.
Section A: READING SKILLS (22 marks)
Q1. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
1. India continues to enjoy the No.1 position as the leading information technology, business outsourcing and
consulting destination for the past decades. In fact, the other emerging powerhouses of the BRIC nations are all
hot destinations for future investments.
2. But we cannot rest on our laurels. It is imperative that we strive to become the finest research hub the world has
ever seen. We can achieve this distinction by investing in our schools- the places where future generations will
develop skills and resources that will drive our country’s economic growth.
3. The Royal Society’s seminal 2011 report, ‘Knowledge, Networks and Nations: Global Scientific Collaboration
in the 21st Century’, states that even in the difficult economic times we now face, national governments need to
maintain investment in their science base “in order to secure economic prosperity, tap into new sources of
innovation and growth, and sustain vital connections across the global research landscape”.
4. Currently, a mere 0.25% of India’s GDP is spent on research and development (R&D). The government
proposes to step this up to 2% of GDP, with half of that amount coming from private industry and half from the
public sector. While admirable in its intentions, the goal falls short, Israel, for example, spends 6% of GDP on
scientific research. Switzerland and Sweden both spend 4% of their GDPs on research and even China is
approaching 2%.
5. India is in danger of falling behind other nations in the race to build an advanced, 21st – century economy. True,
the country has increased its expenditures on education as a percentage of GDP to 4% during 2011-12 school
years from 3.3% in 2004-2005.But compared to the other BRIC countries, we need to do more. Brazil, for
instance spends some 5.7% of its GDP on education. Smaller developing nations like Ethiopia spend 4.7%, and
even Botswana spends 7.8% of its GDP on education, according to the World Bank.
6. Make no mistake: India needs a sustainable pipeline of scientific research. To build this pipeline, it is imperative
to have strong investments in education. A population grounded in the sciences will strengthen our industries
and government. Our nation will have home- grown minds working on the myriad problems facing society and
improving the lives of everyone.
7. I encourage young scientists and students to consider careers in research-whether in corporate laboratories or
academic institutions. In the private sector, my colleagues and I set up the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF), a
not-for- profit trust, to promote scientific research in India. The ISF has set up a series of public lectures by the
winners of the Infosys Prize that we hope will kindle a spark of interest in young minds.
8. The high point of our year is when we award the Infosys Prize to honour the outstanding achievements of
researchers and scientists in the fields of engineering and computer science, humanities, life sciences,
mathematics, physical sciences and social sciences. The Infosys Prize highlights the impact research has had on
areas important to India’s growth.
9. One of our recent winners, Professor Kalyanmoy Deb, was honoured for his work in engineering and computer
science. His work has profound implications on a range of practical ideas – from how the financial markets
operate to how we can find sources of fuel in the future. The winner of the Infosys Prize in life sciences, Dr
Imran Siddiqui, worked on clone seed formation in plants that has significant implications for agriculture,
especially in the developing world. The work of our winners is meaningful, impactful and inspiring. (The Times
of India)
On the basis of your reading of the passage, complete the statements given below with the help of options that
follow. 12
1. India can look for future business outsourcing opportunities in …………. .
(a) The emerging powerhouses of the BRIC nations (b) The Royal society
(c) Switzerland and Sweden (d) Smaller developing nations like Ethiopia
2. The Royal Society’s report has indicated that national governments need to …… .

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 (a) Develop skills and resources like Western nations. (b) Encourage young scientists to go abroad
(c) Maintain investment in their scientific base (d) Have strong investments in America
3. To build a strong pipeline in scientific research India needs to………. .
(a) Get scientists from developing nations like Botswana (b) Set up a series of public lectures by scientists
(c) Build an advanced 21st century economy (d) Have strong investments in education
4. We can become the finest research hub by investing in ………… .
(a) Our schools (b) Our hospitals (c) Foreign countries (d) Our agriculture
5. What is ISF?
(a) Infosys Science foundation (b) Importer security filing
(c) Internal security forces (d) Imaging science foundation
6. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to ‘necessary’(Para 2)
7. To whom and why is the Infosys prize awarded?
8. Which invention has significant implication in the field of agriculture?
9. In which field India is facing the danger of falling behind other countries?
10. Find the word from the passage which means the same as: Various(Para 6)
11. Very important and having a strong influence on later developments (Para 3)
12. Why India needs a sustainable pipeline of scientific research India?
Q2. Read the passage given below
1. Many people believe that science and religion are contrary to each other. But this notion is wrong. As a matter
of fact, both are co-related to each other. There is no doubt that the method of science and religion are different.
2. The method of science is observation, experimentation and experience. Science takes it recourse to progressive
march towards perfection. The rules of religion are faith, intuition and spoken word of the enlightened. In
general, while science is inclined towards reason and rationality, spiritualism is the essence of religion.
3. In earlier times when man appeared on Earth, he was over-awed at the sight of violent and powerful aspects of
nature. In certain cases, the usefulness of different natural objects of nature overwhelmed man. Thus began the
worship of forces of nature — fire, the sun, the rivers, the rocks, the trees, the snakes etc. The holy scriptures
were written by those who had developed harmony between external nature and their inner self. Their objective
was to ennoble, elevate and liberate the human spirit and mind. But the priestly class took upon itself the
monopoly of scriptural knowledge and interpretation to its own advantage.
4. Thus, the entire human race was in chains. Truth was flouted and progressive, liberal and truthful ideas or ideas
expressing doubt and skepticism were suppressed and their holders punished. It was in these trying
circumstances the science emerged as a savior of mankind. But its path was not smooth and safe. The scientists
and free thinkers were tortured. This was the fate of Copernicus, Galileo, Bruno and others. But side by side
science gained ground.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions by choosing the correct option. 10
1. What is the reason for man to worship the forces of nature?
(a) The holy scriptures advocate the worship of forces of nature.
(b) The worship elevates and liberates the human spirit and mind.
(c) The worship makes man believe in faith and intuition.
(d) Forces of nature teach us spiritualism.
2. According to the passage science and religion both:
(a) Emerged out of the fear of man
(b) Emerged from the desire of man to worship the forces of nature
(c) Employee different methods of enquiry
(d) work at the cross-purpose of each other
3. What was the objective of the authors of the Holy Scriptures?
(a) To teach man the methods of worshipping nature
(b) To educate and raise the human spirit and mind
(c) To develop harmony between external nature and their inner self
(d) None of these
4. According to the passage, at present juncture there is a need to:
(a) free man from all sorts of bondages
(b) judiciously mix the principles of science and true spirit of religion
(c) teach people to worship the forces of nature
(d) encourage spiritualism as much as possible
5. Why it is said in the passage that, “science emerged as a saviour of mankind”?
(a) Science takes recourse to progressive march towards perfection
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 (b) Science is inclined towards reason and rationality
(c) Man was bound in chains by religious orthodoxy
(d) The free thinkers and enlightened men were tortured
6. Truth was:
(a) Flouted (b) Progressive (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
7. Find the synonym of the word ‘belief’ used in paragraph 2.
(a) Observation (b) Experience (c) Faith (d) Enlightened
8. Find the synonym of the word ‘show up’ used in paragraph 3.
(a) Appear (b) Scripture (c) Developed (d) Usefulness
9. Find the antonym of the word ‘non contradictory’ used in paragraph 1.
(a) Believe (b) Each (c) Method (d) Contrary
10. Find the antonym of the word ‘retrogression’ used in paragraph 4.
(a) Flout (b) Progress (c) Truth (d) Liberal
SECTION B – CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)
Q3. Attempt any one of the following. (4)
a) You are Health Secretary, Students Council Citizens Public School, Sector 47, Chandigarh. The Council has
decided to start from the first of September a week-long Cleanliness drive around the school .Draft a notice in
about 50 words asking the Class XII Students to enroll for the drive.
OR
b) Gandhi Education Society, a charitable organization, is coming to your school to distribute books for the needy
students. As Head Boy/Head Girl, write a notice in not more than 50 words asking such students to drop the list
of books they need in the box kept outside the Principal's office. You are Akhilesh/Abhilasha of Modern Public
School, Ghaziabad. Give all necessary details.
Q4. Attempt any one of the following. (4)
a) You are Faiz/FalakMazumdar living at 39. Udampur Colony, Shimla. You decide to hold a dinner party to
congratulate your grandparents on their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Draft a formal invitation in about 50
words to all family members to attend a grand dinner at home.
OR
b) You are Dr.Amit Gupta, an eminent educationist. You have been invited to preside over an Inter Zonal
Declamation competition by Nalini, the President of English Literary Club of Government Model Sr. Sec.
School, Sector-20, Chandigarh. Write a reply accepting the invitation.
Q5. Attempt any one of the following. (5)
A. Sunshine Public School, Pune requires two sports coaches (one male and one female). Each should be a degree
holder in physical education as well as a SAI certified coach in athletics. You have seen their advertisement and
you know that you have these qualifications. Write an application in 120 – 150 words along with your resume.
You are Praveen/Praveena, M – 114, Najafarh, Delhi.
OR
B. You are deeply disturbed to see the problems faced by commuters due to Reckless driving. Write a letter to the
Editor of The Hindu Chennai, about rash and reckless driving by the people in our country, suggesting
preventive measures. You are Harini / Raghavan of 10, AlagarKavil Road Madurai.
Q6. Attempt any one of the following. (5)
A. Your school organized an exhibition-cum-sale of the items prepared under Work Experience by the school
students. There was an overwhelming response from the parents. Prepare a report in 200-250 words for your
school magazine. You are the Cultural head, S.U.P.W. activities, DPS Varanasi.
OR
B. Teenagers are full of energy as well as ideas. Write an article in 200-250 words on ‘How to Channelize the
Energy of the Teenagers’. You are Roma / Raman.
SECTION C-LITERATURE(40)
Q7. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one of the two given. (6x1=6)
A. Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering saltwould look at his hurt hands.
a) Which activity does the poet not want the fisherman to do
i. Not go out into the sea ii. Not harm the whales
iii. Kill the other sea-creature iv. Not to go for sailing during storms
b) What are some of the other men doing?
i) De-silting ii) Selling salt iii) Drinking salty water iv) Gathering salt

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 c) Men would look at their hurt hands. What do the 'hurt hands' refer to?
i. The harm that the salt is doing to his hands ii. Wounded hands
iii. Both (i) and (ii) iv. Hands that hurt others
d) What does the poet advocate through the above lines?
e) What poetic device has been used in "his hurt hands?
f) Give the symbols used by the poet in above stanza.
OR
B. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle‘s weeding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
a) Her fluttering fingers are an indication of-
i) Her nervous state of mind. ii Her extremely busy life
iii) Her uncomfortable and furious nature. iv) Her cool and peaceful temperament.
b) Pick out the lines that show her unhappy married life-
c) Aunt Jennifer creates animal which are-
i) Timid and small ii) ii) nervous and idle
iii) iii) similar to her character iv) iv) different to her character.
d) She makes tigers in order to express her desire for
i)A lavish life ii) freedom iii) solitude iv) education.
e) What figure of speech has been used in “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band”?
f) The last two lines indicate gender inequality and male______________.
Q8. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one of the two given by answering the questions that
follow: (4x1=4)
A. “What about the injustice to the sharecroppers?’’ Gandhi demanded. The lawyers withdrew to consult. Rajendra
Prasad has recorded the upshot of their consultations: “They thought, amongst themselves, that Gandhi was
totally a stranger, and yet he was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants: If they, on the other hand,
being not only residents of the adjoining districts but also those who claimed to have served these peasants,
should go home, it would be shameful desertion.”
a. What was Gandhi’s demand from the lawyers?
(i)to stay in Champaran and fight for the cause of the sharecroppers
(ii) to take fees from the sharecroppers
(iii) to support the British landlords
(iv) to talk with officials
b. The lawyers withdrew to consult means
(i)the lawyers refused to discuss (ii)the lawyers decided to consult
(iii)the lawyers withdrew their support (iv)the lawyers stopped to consult
c. Upshot of consultations means
(i)record of consultations (ii)result of consultations
(iii)idea of consultations (iv)review of consultations
d.Shameful desertion would mean
(i) leaving the sharecroppers in desert
(ii)leaving the sharecroppers without getting them justice
(iii)leavingChamparan
(iv)refusing to go to prison
OR
B. They weren’t very good at the trapeze and their acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner table, but they
presented two plays in a most professional manner. Their’ Jotham Valley ’and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ can
several shows in Madras and along with the other citizens of the city ,the Gemini family of six hundred saw the
plays over and over again. The message of the plays were usually plain and simple homilies ,but the costumes
were first rate.
i. Which literary device has been used in ‘Forgotten Factor’?
a. Transferred Epithet b. Simile c. Metaphor d. Alliteration
ii. What was MRA famous for?

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 a. The costumes b. The theme of their plays
c. Messages of their plays d. None of the above
iii. Their acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner table means________________
iv. MRA means
a. Moral Assessment Academy b. Moral Rearmament Army
c. Moral Rearrangement Army d. Moral Reassignment Army
Q9. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow: (6x1=6)
A. This morning, Saheb is on his way to the milk booth. In his hand is a steel canister. I now work in a tea stall
down the road, he says, pointing in the distance. I am paid 800 rupees and all my meals. Does he like the job? I
ask. His face, I see, has lost the carefree look. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would
carry so lightly over his shoulder. The bag was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea shop.
Saheb is no longer his own master!
a)His face, I see, has lost the carefree look. This means as per the assumption of the author,in his looks,
Saheb is ……..
i. not burdened with responsibility ii. burdened with responsibility
iii. Burdened but without any responsibility iv. Not burdened but feels responsible
b)Choose the appropriate statements for:Saheb is no longer his own master!
(i) Saheb has lost his freedom. (ii) Saheb works in a tea stall.
(iii) Saheb is paid 800 rupees. (iv) Saheb carries canister
c. Read the statements given below. Choose the correct statement to analyse the mental condition of
Saheb-e- Alam.
i. He seems to be dignified working at the tea-stall.
ii. He seems to be proud collecting milk from the milk booth.
iii. He seems to be responsible carrying the steel canister.
iv. He seems to be enjoying his freewheel at the tea-stall.
d. Is Saheb happy working at the Tea Stall? Explain.
e.How does the Saheb’s story correlate with the title ‘Lost Spring’?
f.What do you suggest, government should do for the children like Saheb?
OR
B. Rajendra Prasad was out of town, but the servants knew Shukla as a poor yeoman who pestered their master to
help the indigo sharecroppers. So they let him stay on the grounds with his companion, Gandhi, whom they took
to be another peasant. ButGandhi was not permitted to draw water from the well lest some drops from his
bucket pollute the entire source; how did they know that he was not an untouchable?
a)Rajendra Prasad later went on to become the ………….. President of independentIndia
i) First ii) Second iii) Third iv) None of the above
b)With what thought in mind did the servants make Gandhi sit on the grounds with his companion?
i.That he was also a poor peasant. ii.That he couldn't stand for long.
iii.Guests were not allowed to sit on chairs. iv. All of these
c) To meet Rajendra Prasad, both Gandhi and Shukla had boarded the train to which one of the cities of
Bihar?
i. Bhagalpur ii Muzzafarpur iii Patna iv.Gaya
d) Why was Gandhi not allowed to draw water from the well?
e) When Gandhi first visited Patna, ………………was out of town.
f) In this passage, Rajendra Prasad is spoken as master of Shukla.( True/False)
g) Rajendra Prasad was ……………….. by profession.

Q10. Attempt any five out of six questions given below in 40-50 words each. (5x2=10)
i) What kind of relationship did Sophie and her brother share?
ii) What is the untold sorrow of the owners of the road side stand?
iii) What was the contract between the sharecroppers of Champaran and their British landlords?
iv What was the mood in the classroom when M Hamel gave his last French lesson?
v) What were the contents of the package left by the peddler as a Christmas gift for EdlaWillmanson ?
vi) What does The God That Failed refer to?
Q11. Attempt any two out of three questions given below in 40-50 words each. (2x2=4)

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 i) How did Sam reach Galesburg? What did he advise Charley to do?
ii) What dilemma did Dr.Sadao face?
iii) What does ZitkalaSa remember about her first day in land of apples?

Q12. Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words. (1x5=5)
A. Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain the value of these qualities in the light of Douglas’
experience in “Deep Water”.
OR
B. What kind of pain in the world does Pablo Neruda visualize and what does he suggest to achieve through it?
(Keeping Quiet)

Q13. Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words. (1x5=5)
A. The story ‘Tiger King ’gives a strong message to preserve wildlife. It is the callous attitude of those in power to
plunder natural resources which have led to the miserable condition of Mother Earth. Write an article on it.
OR
B. The lesson, ‘On The Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense ofAlienation experienced by
people on account of a disability and how hard times teach us profound meaning for life., write a diary entry
imagining yourself as Derry on how you felt on meeting with the old man who was lonely and the imprint he
left on you for a life time.

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