CLASS XII English First Pre Board QP
CLASS XII English First Pre Board QP
PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION
ENGLISH CORE (Code No. 301) CLASS-XII
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum 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 SKILLS 22
Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages marks
1. Read the following text. 12X1=12
1. How often do we remember to treat others as we would like them to treat us? In
our quest to get more and more, we forget that the quality of our lives depends
on the kind of personalities we have cultivated for ourselves. Genes might play
a role when it comes to one’s disposition, but the major portion of our attitudes
and behavior is influenced by the choices we make. So at the beginning of
every year should you resolve to make more money, learn a new language, or
travel more frequently then you must discontinue being the same grumpy,
impatient soul you always were, should you then not seek to refine your
character, focus on nuances like how you treat people, react to challenges and
deal with stressful situations? For most people, such a course would yield rich
results.
2. According to Mary Thomas, usually, our New Year resolutions remain
unachieved because we try to achieve the impossible or, sometimes, just add
more goals that we wish to accomplish to the list of resolutions, but, strangely,
we do not remember much about them during the course of the year as we do
not seem to value them enough to complete them. The better an option would
be to address something fundamental to you, to who you really are, and go
ahead with completing them instead of making any drastic resolutions that you
will never be able to fulfill. You could resolve to be a better person by having a
positive attitude towards people you come across in life. This could involve
being nice to the lady who cleans the house, or your colleague who sits near
you, but you never interacted with. Another trick is to acknowledge people for
the value they add to your personal or professional life. By extending basic
courtesies to people around you, you add value to your life and that pays off in
the long run.
3. Sometimes, we know that there is room for improvement as far as our
personalities are concerned but we have little or no idea where to make the
start. An easy starting point could be to look for opportunities in one’s
immediate surroundings. One positive starting point could be taking a positive
attitude towards life and dispelling all negative thoughts. You could make a
positive beginning by being a better person at work. This means treating
everyone with respect. You should not only interact politely but also value each
person’s ideas however far removed they may be, from your own. After all,
your friend’s ideas are an integral part of the organization to which both of you
belong. Inculcating this habit of making an effort to talk to people you would
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normally not have to interact with on a daily basis, would make you a better
person at the workplace.
4. Also, you do not have to do something extraordinary to prove your good
intentions. Just greeting or smiling at your colleagues’ first thing in the morning
could always brighten someone’s day. These are simple things that we are
taught while growing but tend to forget as we move through life. So essentially,
being better is an exercise in learning to be nice, and you will see that playing
nice will get your work done better than scolding or frowning, or passing
orders.
5. A purposeful life should contain skills that lead to practical changes. After all,
no people are alike, so why should your ideas be the only right solution? A
company, where individual differences are nurtured, and information is not
suppressed, soon becomes a workplace that adds value to its employees, rather
than merely extracting work out of them. It makes workers feel intrinsically
rewarded. It is, therefore, imperative that co-workers and partners share a
camaraderie that transcends mere professional conduct and delivery. Thus, for a
person who wishes to remain happy and content, it is as valuable to spend time
on nurturing qualities like friendship and consideration as it is on acquiring
skills and knowledge.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the
statements given below with the help of the options that follow.
(a) The quality of our lives depends on …………………………..
(i) the personalities we have cultivated for ourselves
(ii) the number of New Year resolutions we make
(iii) the challenges that people give us
(iv) None of the above
(b) Our New Year resolutions remain unfulfilled, according to Mary Thomas, because
we …………………………..
(i) make too many resolutions
(ii) add more goals than what we can accomplish
(iii) get caught up with our studies
(iv) feel happy about them
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(ii) not help you at all
(iii) make people see your virtues
(iv) get your work done better
1.2 Answer the following by filling in the blanks with one word only
(a) (a) To improve our personalities, an easy starting point is to look for
…………………………. in our surroundings.
(b) (b) Our …………………………. might play a part in shaping our dispositions, but
our behavior and attitudes are influenced by our choices.
(d) (d) By extending basic courtesies to people around us we add value to our lives.
(True/False)
1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) basic (para 2)
(b) to prevent something from being expressed (para 5)
(2) Among those who prefer solo travel, the most common reason cited was the
desire for independence and freedom (58%), followed closely by the opportunity
for introspection and self-discovery (52%). Additionally, solo travellers
appreciated the ability to customize their itinerary to their preferences (44%) and
the chance to meet new people on their own terms (36%).
(3) On the other hand, those who prefer group travel often cited the desire for
socializing and making new friends (61%) as their primary reason. Group travel
also provided a sense of security and safety in unfamiliar places (52%) and
allowed for shared experiences and memories with others (48%).
Additionally, group travellers enjoyed the convenience of having pre-
planned itineraries and organized transportation (38%).
(4) Interestingly, both groups had similar levels of interest in exploring new
cultures and trying new experiences (40% for solo travellers, 36% for group
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travellers). Similarly, both groups valued the opportunity to relax and escape
from the stresses of everyday life (36% for solo travellers, 32% for group
travellers).
(5) However, there were also some notable differences between the two
groups. For example, solo travellers placed a higher priority on budget-
friendly travel options (38%) compared to group travellers (24%). Conversely,
group travellers were more likely to prioritize luxury and comfort during their
travels (28%) compared to solo travellers (12%).
(6) Overall, the survey results suggest that both group and solo travel have their
own unique advantages and appeal to different individuals, based on their
preferences and priorities.
(i) Infer two possible ways that the survey, mentioned in paragraph (1) could be 2
beneficial.
Answer in about 40 words.
(ii) Which travel choice point of the survey would influence tour operators to 1
incorporate group dinners, social events, and shared accommodations in their
itinerary?
A. Freedom to customise itinerary
B. Luxury and comfort
C. Security and safety
D. Desire for making new friends
(iii) What do the top choices in the survey, for traveling solo and in a group suggest 1
about young adults?
(iv) Identify the solo traveller from the following three travellers: 1
(a) Reshma- I don’t want to keep hunting for rickshaws or taxis. A pre-
booked vehicle is perfect.
(b) Nawaz-I’m happy sharing a room in a hostel. I don’t need hotel
accommodation.
(c) Deepak-I’m not worried about my well-being , even while exploring remote
areas.
(v) Which of the following is an example of an opportunity for self-discovery, as 1
mentioned in paragraph 2?
A. Trying new cuisine
B. Hiring a tour guide
C. Purchasing local artifacts
D. Advance booking travel tickets
(vi) How might the differences in budget priorities between solo and group travellers 2
impact the types of accommodations and activities offered by the travel industry in
India?
(vii) Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
The similarities in the percentage of both solo and group travellers who are
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interested in exploring new cultures and trying new experiences may be due
to_______________________________________
.
(viii) State TRUE or FALSE. 1
The title, "Wanderlust: The Solo Travel Trend Among Young Adults in India", is
appropriate for this passage.
A You are Darshan Singh of H-12, Ashok Nagar, Chandpur. You saw an
advertisement in a newspaper for the post of software engineer in Marconi
Technologies, Gurugram. Write a letter to the Director, applying for the post along
with your bio-data.
OR
B Child labour is very common in Indian society. There are laws against it, but they
are neither respected nor enforced. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily,
sharing your concern and examining the reasons for such behaviour. Provide
suggestions for spreading awareness of rules and ways to ensure adherence. You
are Sonam Bajpai, a concerned citizen.
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Reduces stress and puts us in a better mood.
Develops imagination
increases knowledge and wisdom.
Improves thinking capabilities.
OR
B Your school recently organized a book fair with the help of National Book Trust.
Write a report, covering this event as Md. Sabir Anwar, staff reporter of Hindustan
Times. Include following points and your own ideas to write the report.
iii Select the word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.
The description of the mother as "wan, pale / as a late winter's moon" creates a
vivid image of ______________
A. vulnerability
B. sensitivity
C. frailty
D. mortality
iv State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The poetic device used in the line, ‘pale as a winter’s moon’ is the same as the one
used in the line, ‘the winter wind wistfully wailed at night’.
v What message do these lines highlight, in the context of familial
relationships, and the speaker’s sense of anxiety and fear at the prospect of
losing her mother?
vi Complete the sentence appropriately.
The repetition of the word, ‘smile’ suggests that _________________.
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.
OR
B For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.”
i The poet uses the word “let’s” to _______
A) initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers.
B) invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity.
C) welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject.
D) address readers as fellow members of the human race.
ii Margaret Atwood said, “Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be
whole.” Choose the option that correctly comments on the relationship between
Margaret Atwood’s words and the line from the above extract – “let’s not speak in
any language”
A) Atwood endorses Neruda’s call to not speak in any language.
B) Atwood opposes Neruda’s request to not engage in any speaking.
C) Atwood undermines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any language.
D) Atwood surrenders to Neruda’s desire for silence and not speak in any
language.
iii Name the poetic device used in the last line
iv Why would it be an exotic moment?
v Name the poem and its poet.
vi Explain the pun used in not move our arms so much.
8 Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, 4x1=4
given
A Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern
supercontinent Gondwana did indeed exist, centred roughly around the present-
day Antarctica. Things were quite different then: humans hadn’t arrived on the
global scene, and the climate was much warmer, hosting a huge variety of flora
and fauna. For 500 million years Gondwana thrived, but around the time when the
dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of the mammals got under way, the
landmass was forced to separate into countries, shaping the globe much as we
know it today.
i How was the world of Gondwana different from our own?
A It was cooler
B It was warmer
C It had variety of plants and animals
D Both B and C
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sentence only)
iii The style of the passage is
A factual
B fictional
C literary
D all of the above
iv Gondwana did indeed exist, centred roughly around the present- day __________.
A Asia
B Arctic
C Africa
D Antarctica
OR
B The Maharaja and the dewan held deliberations over this issue. As a result, a
telegram was dispatched forthwith to a famous British company of jewellers in
Calcutta. Send samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. Some
fifty rings arrived. The Maharaja sent the whole lot to the British officer’s good
lady. The king and the minister expected the Duraisani to choose one or two rings
and send the rest back. Within no time at all the Duraisani sent her reply: “Thank
you very much for your gifts.” In two days a bill for three lakh of rupees came
from the British jewellers.
i Why did the king order expensive diamond rings?
A. To save his kingdom
B. To make the good lady look beautiful
C. To celebrate his son’s 3rd birthday
D. None of the above
ii The tense used in the line Some fifty rings arrived is
A simple past
B past perfect
C past continuous
D present perfect
9 Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, 6x1=6
given
A “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His dream
looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous
for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is
the centre of India’s glass-blowing industry where families have spent generations
working around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for all the women in the
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land it seems. Mukesh’s family is among them. None of them know that it is
illegal for children like him to work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures,
in dingy cells without air and light; that the law, if enforced, could get him and all
those 20,000 children out of the hot furnaces where they slog their daylight hours,
often losing the brightness of their eyes. Mukesh’s eyes beam as he volunteers to
take me home, which he proudly says is being rebuilt.
i Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE with reference to the extract?
A. Children work in badly lit and inadequately ventilated furnaces.
B. The children are not aware that it is forbidden by law to work..
C. Children work in the furnaces for hours which poorly affects their eyesight.
D. Firozabad has emerged as a budding producer of bangles in the country.
ii The simile ‘dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets’ indicates that his
dream was
A. a reality, yet seemed distant.
B. lost in the sea of dust.
C. illusory and indistinct.
D. hanging in the dusty air.
iii ‘I will learn to drive a car,’ he answers, looking straight into my eyes. This
sentence highlights Mukesh was
1. Determined 2. Fearless 3. Hopeful 4. Valiant 5. Ambitious 6. Stern
(pick the best alternative)
A. 1 & 5
B. 2 & 4
C. 2 & 5
D. 3 & 6
iv Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles indicates that
A. bangle making is the only industry that thrives in Firozabad.
B. Everyone in Firozabad works in the bangle industry.
C. majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making.
D. bangle making is the most profitable occupation in Firozabad.
v “the law, if enforced, could get him and all those 20,000 children out of the hot
furnaces” The tone of the author is
A. pessimistic.
B. sarcastic
C. elegiac
D. optimistic.
vi The word dingy in the passage means__________________
OR
B My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my
heart at the overpowering force of the waves. My introduction to the Y.M.CA.
swimming pool revived unpleasant memories and stirred childish fears. But in a
little while I gathered confidence. I paddled with my new water wings, watching
the other boys and trying to learn by aping them. I did this two or three times on
different days and was just beginning to feel at ease in the water when the
misadventure happened.
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i Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below
Statement 1: The author’s father laughed to mock his son’s inability to swim.
Statement 2: The author wanted to swim just to prove to his father that he can
swim.
A) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
B) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
C) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
D) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
ii “My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my
heart …” Where did the incident take place?
A) Yakima river
B) California beach
C) YMCA pool
D) Lake Wentworth
iii The misadventure that took place right after the author felt comfortable was
that
A) the author slipped and fell into the swimming pool.
B) a bully tossed him into the pool for the sake of fun.
C) his coach forgot to teach him how to handle deep water.
D) his father couldn’t help him from drowning into the water
iv
Choose the option that describes the equipment used by the author while learning
to swim.
A) Option 1
B) Option 2
C) Option 3
D) Option 4
10 Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words. 5x2=10
i The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stahle in the end. What do you thing
could be the reason behind it?
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ii All we have to fear is fear itself said Roosevelt. Elucidate on the basis of what you
have read in ‘Deep Water’
iii Beautiful things help us to live a happy life. Give two reasons based on the poem A
Thing of Beauty
iv What does the story of Subbu's success in the film industry reveal about the
importance of loyalty, creativity, and versatility in this field?
v Though money holds the same value everywhere, the poet draws a distinction
between city money and country money. How? ( A Roadside Stand)
vi The interviewer should respect the feelings of the interviewee while conducting
interview. Mention any two possible harms to the interviewee if the same is not
taken care of
11 Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words 2x2=4
i Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why/ Why
not?
ii If you were to give a different ending to the story, ‘On The Face of It’ how would
you end it?
iii Why, despite the fact that it was an unpatriotic act on his part, did Dr. Sadao treat
the American soldier?
12 Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words 5
A Lost Spring and A Roadside Stand, both, present a pathetic view of the poor and
deprived class. Compare and contrast both the views
OR
B What values do we learn from Gandhi’s campaign (Indigo) to combat the present
day problems of exploitations?
13 Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words 5
A After reading about the oppression and discrimination that Zitkala-Sa and Bama
experienced during their childhood, you have decided to write a diary entry
making an analysis of their oppression and whether their responses to their
respective situations were appropriate. Write the diary entry.
OR
B You were amused to read The Tiger King and found the story full of fun and
humour. At the same time, you were also disturbed by the whims of those in
power. Taking the ideas given in the story and incorporating your own views
make a diary entry highlighting the king’s false ego and whims.
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