CBSE Past Year Paper Session (Comp.Delhi 2017) Set- 1, English Class 12 | English Class 12 PDF Download

 Page 1


1/1/1 1 [ P.T.O. 
                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Roll No.  
 
 
ENGLISH (Core) 
 
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100 
 
General Instructions :    
 (i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.  
 (ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.  
 (iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.  
 
 
   SECTION – A 30 Marks 
   READING 
 
1. Read the passage carefully : 12 
 The Art of Living 
 1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From 
humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we 
can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The 
daily routines of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique 
life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here 
are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you. 
 
 Series : GBM/1/C 
Code No.  
 
1/1/1
? Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.  
? Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the 
title page of the answer-book by the candidate. 
? Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions. 
? Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it. 
? 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be 
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the 
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this 
period. 
 
Candidates must write the Code on 
the title page of the answer-book. 
 
SET – 1 
Page 2


1/1/1 1 [ P.T.O. 
                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Roll No.  
 
 
ENGLISH (Core) 
 
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100 
 
General Instructions :    
 (i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.  
 (ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.  
 (iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.  
 
 
   SECTION – A 30 Marks 
   READING 
 
1. Read the passage carefully : 12 
 The Art of Living 
 1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From 
humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we 
can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The 
daily routines of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique 
life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here 
are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you. 
 
 Series : GBM/1/C 
Code No.  
 
1/1/1
? Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.  
? Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the 
title page of the answer-book by the candidate. 
? Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions. 
? Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it. 
? 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be 
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the 
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this 
period. 
 
Candidates must write the Code on 
the title page of the answer-book. 
 
SET – 1 
1/1/1 2  
 2. A private workplace always helps. Jane Austen asked that a certain squeaky 
hinge should never be oiled so that she always had a warning whenever 
someone was approaching the room where she wrote. William Faulkner, 
lacking a lock on his study door, detached the doorknob and brought it into the 
room with him. Mark Twain’s family knew better than to breach his study door 
– they would blow a horn to draw him out. Graham Green went even further, 
renting a secret office; only his wife knew the address and the telephone 
number. After all, everyone of us needs a workplace where we can work on our 
creation uninterruptedly .Equally we need our private space too! 
 
 3. A daily walk has always been a source of inspiration. For many artists, a regular 
stroll was essentially a creative inspiration. Charles Dickens famously took 
three hour walks every afternoon, and what he observed on them fed directly 
into his writing. Tchaikovsky made do with a two – hour jaunt but wouldn’t 
return a moment early; convinced that doing so would make him ill. Ludwig 
van Beethoven took lengthy strolls after lunch, carrying a pencil and paper with 
him in case inspiration struck. Nineteenth century composer Erik Satie did the 
same on his long hikes from Paris to the working-class suburb where he lived, 
stopping under street lamps to jot down ideas that came on his journey; it’s 
rumoured that when those lamps were turned off during the war years, his 
music declined too. Many great people had limited social life too. One of 
Simone de Beauvior’s close friends puts it this way. “There were no receptions, 
parties. It was an uncluttered kind of life, a simplicity deliberately constructed 
so that she could do her work.” To Pablo the idea of Sunday was an “at home 
day”. 
 
 4. The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so 
unattainable. The very idea that you can organize your time as you like is out of 
reach for most of us, so I’ll close with a toast to all those who worked with 
difficulties. Like Francine Prose, who began writing when the school bus 
picked up her children and stopped when it brought them back; or T.S. Eliot, 
who found it much easier to write once he had a day job in a bank than he had 
as a starving poet and even F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early books were written 
in his strict schedule as a young military officer. Those days were not as 
interesting as the nights in Paris that came later, but they were much more 
productive – and no doubt easier on his liver. 
Page 3


1/1/1 1 [ P.T.O. 
                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Roll No.  
 
 
ENGLISH (Core) 
 
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100 
 
General Instructions :    
 (i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.  
 (ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.  
 (iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.  
 
 
   SECTION – A 30 Marks 
   READING 
 
1. Read the passage carefully : 12 
 The Art of Living 
 1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From 
humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we 
can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The 
daily routines of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique 
life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here 
are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you. 
 
 Series : GBM/1/C 
Code No.  
 
1/1/1
? Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.  
? Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the 
title page of the answer-book by the candidate. 
? Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions. 
? Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it. 
? 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be 
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the 
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this 
period. 
 
Candidates must write the Code on 
the title page of the answer-book. 
 
SET – 1 
1/1/1 2  
 2. A private workplace always helps. Jane Austen asked that a certain squeaky 
hinge should never be oiled so that she always had a warning whenever 
someone was approaching the room where she wrote. William Faulkner, 
lacking a lock on his study door, detached the doorknob and brought it into the 
room with him. Mark Twain’s family knew better than to breach his study door 
– they would blow a horn to draw him out. Graham Green went even further, 
renting a secret office; only his wife knew the address and the telephone 
number. After all, everyone of us needs a workplace where we can work on our 
creation uninterruptedly .Equally we need our private space too! 
 
 3. A daily walk has always been a source of inspiration. For many artists, a regular 
stroll was essentially a creative inspiration. Charles Dickens famously took 
three hour walks every afternoon, and what he observed on them fed directly 
into his writing. Tchaikovsky made do with a two – hour jaunt but wouldn’t 
return a moment early; convinced that doing so would make him ill. Ludwig 
van Beethoven took lengthy strolls after lunch, carrying a pencil and paper with 
him in case inspiration struck. Nineteenth century composer Erik Satie did the 
same on his long hikes from Paris to the working-class suburb where he lived, 
stopping under street lamps to jot down ideas that came on his journey; it’s 
rumoured that when those lamps were turned off during the war years, his 
music declined too. Many great people had limited social life too. One of 
Simone de Beauvior’s close friends puts it this way. “There were no receptions, 
parties. It was an uncluttered kind of life, a simplicity deliberately constructed 
so that she could do her work.” To Pablo the idea of Sunday was an “at home 
day”. 
 
 4. The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so 
unattainable. The very idea that you can organize your time as you like is out of 
reach for most of us, so I’ll close with a toast to all those who worked with 
difficulties. Like Francine Prose, who began writing when the school bus 
picked up her children and stopped when it brought them back; or T.S. Eliot, 
who found it much easier to write once he had a day job in a bank than he had 
as a starving poet and even F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early books were written 
in his strict schedule as a young military officer. Those days were not as 
interesting as the nights in Paris that came later, but they were much more 
productive – and no doubt easier on his liver. 
1/1/1 3 [ P.T.O. 
 5. Being forced to follow someone else’s routine may irritate, but it makes it 
easier to stay on the path. Whenever we break that trail ourselves or take an 
easy path of least resistance, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep 
walking. 
 1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete each of the 
statements given below with the help of options that follow : 1 ? 4 = 4 
  (a) The passage is about : 
   (i) how to practise walking. 
   (ii) walking everyday. 
   (iii) the life of a genius. 
   (iv) what we can learn from the routines of geniuses. 
 
  (b) The writers in the past : 
   (i) followed a perfect daily routine. 
   (ii) enjoyed the difficulties of life. 
   (iii) can teach us a lot. 
   (iv) wrote a lot in books. 
 
  (c) In their daily routines : 
   (i) they had unique life styles. 
   (ii) they read books and enjoyed them. 
   (iii) they did not get any privacy. 
   (iv) they did not mind visitors. 
 
  (d) Some artists resorted to walking as it was : 
   (i) an exercise 
   (ii) a creative inspiration 
   (iii) essential for improving their health 
   (iv) helpful in interaction with others 
Page 4


1/1/1 1 [ P.T.O. 
                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Roll No.  
 
 
ENGLISH (Core) 
 
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100 
 
General Instructions :    
 (i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.  
 (ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.  
 (iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.  
 
 
   SECTION – A 30 Marks 
   READING 
 
1. Read the passage carefully : 12 
 The Art of Living 
 1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From 
humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we 
can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The 
daily routines of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique 
life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here 
are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you. 
 
 Series : GBM/1/C 
Code No.  
 
1/1/1
? Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.  
? Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the 
title page of the answer-book by the candidate. 
? Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions. 
? Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it. 
? 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be 
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the 
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this 
period. 
 
Candidates must write the Code on 
the title page of the answer-book. 
 
SET – 1 
1/1/1 2  
 2. A private workplace always helps. Jane Austen asked that a certain squeaky 
hinge should never be oiled so that she always had a warning whenever 
someone was approaching the room where she wrote. William Faulkner, 
lacking a lock on his study door, detached the doorknob and brought it into the 
room with him. Mark Twain’s family knew better than to breach his study door 
– they would blow a horn to draw him out. Graham Green went even further, 
renting a secret office; only his wife knew the address and the telephone 
number. After all, everyone of us needs a workplace where we can work on our 
creation uninterruptedly .Equally we need our private space too! 
 
 3. A daily walk has always been a source of inspiration. For many artists, a regular 
stroll was essentially a creative inspiration. Charles Dickens famously took 
three hour walks every afternoon, and what he observed on them fed directly 
into his writing. Tchaikovsky made do with a two – hour jaunt but wouldn’t 
return a moment early; convinced that doing so would make him ill. Ludwig 
van Beethoven took lengthy strolls after lunch, carrying a pencil and paper with 
him in case inspiration struck. Nineteenth century composer Erik Satie did the 
same on his long hikes from Paris to the working-class suburb where he lived, 
stopping under street lamps to jot down ideas that came on his journey; it’s 
rumoured that when those lamps were turned off during the war years, his 
music declined too. Many great people had limited social life too. One of 
Simone de Beauvior’s close friends puts it this way. “There were no receptions, 
parties. It was an uncluttered kind of life, a simplicity deliberately constructed 
so that she could do her work.” To Pablo the idea of Sunday was an “at home 
day”. 
 
 4. The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so 
unattainable. The very idea that you can organize your time as you like is out of 
reach for most of us, so I’ll close with a toast to all those who worked with 
difficulties. Like Francine Prose, who began writing when the school bus 
picked up her children and stopped when it brought them back; or T.S. Eliot, 
who found it much easier to write once he had a day job in a bank than he had 
as a starving poet and even F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early books were written 
in his strict schedule as a young military officer. Those days were not as 
interesting as the nights in Paris that came later, but they were much more 
productive – and no doubt easier on his liver. 
1/1/1 3 [ P.T.O. 
 5. Being forced to follow someone else’s routine may irritate, but it makes it 
easier to stay on the path. Whenever we break that trail ourselves or take an 
easy path of least resistance, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep 
walking. 
 1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete each of the 
statements given below with the help of options that follow : 1 ? 4 = 4 
  (a) The passage is about : 
   (i) how to practise walking. 
   (ii) walking everyday. 
   (iii) the life of a genius. 
   (iv) what we can learn from the routines of geniuses. 
 
  (b) The writers in the past : 
   (i) followed a perfect daily routine. 
   (ii) enjoyed the difficulties of life. 
   (iii) can teach us a lot. 
   (iv) wrote a lot in books. 
 
  (c) In their daily routines : 
   (i) they had unique life styles. 
   (ii) they read books and enjoyed them. 
   (iii) they did not get any privacy. 
   (iv) they did not mind visitors. 
 
  (d) Some artists resorted to walking as it was : 
   (i) an exercise 
   (ii) a creative inspiration 
   (iii) essential for improving their health 
   (iv) helpful in interaction with others 
1/1/1 4  
 1.2 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following 
questions :  1 ? 6 = 6 
  (e) What did Jane Austen like ? 
  (f) Why do you think Graham Green hired a secret office ? 
  (g) What was the rumour about Erik Satie’s productivity ? 
  (h) How did her limited social life affect Simone de Beauviore ? 
  (i) In what way did T.S. Eliot’s day job help him to write ? 
  (j) What makes it easier for one to stay on the path ? 
 
 1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following : 1 ? 2 = 2 
  (k) glance/look (para 1) 
  (l) noisy (para 2) 
 
2. Read the passage carefully : 10 
 1. Amomon means “fragrant spice plant” in Arabic and Hebraic and in Italian, 
canella means “little tube”. These are a few of the many terms given to the 
popular spice known as cinnamon. Dating back as far as 2800 B.C., Chinese 
writings describe cinnamon as an important part of the culture, so much so that 
over the years this spice was traded right up there with silver. Now-a-days we 
find it in sweetened cereals, baked goods and sprinkled on various foods such 
as yogurt. Yet, many do not consider its wealth of healing capabilities including 
the potential as a weight loss remedy. 
 
 2. Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree grown and 
harvested mostly in Sri Lanka but also found in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, 
China and Burma. After a cinnamon tree grows for about six to eight years it is 
cut down leaving a stump to allow it to grow again making it a very sustainable 
practice. It is then stripped from the bark, dried and packaged as sticks for 
export.  
Page 5


1/1/1 1 [ P.T.O. 
                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Roll No.  
 
 
ENGLISH (Core) 
 
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100 
 
General Instructions :    
 (i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.  
 (ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.  
 (iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.  
 
 
   SECTION – A 30 Marks 
   READING 
 
1. Read the passage carefully : 12 
 The Art of Living 
 1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From 
humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we 
can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The 
daily routines of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique 
life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here 
are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you. 
 
 Series : GBM/1/C 
Code No.  
 
1/1/1
? Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.  
? Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the 
title page of the answer-book by the candidate. 
? Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions. 
? Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it. 
? 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be 
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the 
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this 
period. 
 
Candidates must write the Code on 
the title page of the answer-book. 
 
SET – 1 
1/1/1 2  
 2. A private workplace always helps. Jane Austen asked that a certain squeaky 
hinge should never be oiled so that she always had a warning whenever 
someone was approaching the room where she wrote. William Faulkner, 
lacking a lock on his study door, detached the doorknob and brought it into the 
room with him. Mark Twain’s family knew better than to breach his study door 
– they would blow a horn to draw him out. Graham Green went even further, 
renting a secret office; only his wife knew the address and the telephone 
number. After all, everyone of us needs a workplace where we can work on our 
creation uninterruptedly .Equally we need our private space too! 
 
 3. A daily walk has always been a source of inspiration. For many artists, a regular 
stroll was essentially a creative inspiration. Charles Dickens famously took 
three hour walks every afternoon, and what he observed on them fed directly 
into his writing. Tchaikovsky made do with a two – hour jaunt but wouldn’t 
return a moment early; convinced that doing so would make him ill. Ludwig 
van Beethoven took lengthy strolls after lunch, carrying a pencil and paper with 
him in case inspiration struck. Nineteenth century composer Erik Satie did the 
same on his long hikes from Paris to the working-class suburb where he lived, 
stopping under street lamps to jot down ideas that came on his journey; it’s 
rumoured that when those lamps were turned off during the war years, his 
music declined too. Many great people had limited social life too. One of 
Simone de Beauvior’s close friends puts it this way. “There were no receptions, 
parties. It was an uncluttered kind of life, a simplicity deliberately constructed 
so that she could do her work.” To Pablo the idea of Sunday was an “at home 
day”. 
 
 4. The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so 
unattainable. The very idea that you can organize your time as you like is out of 
reach for most of us, so I’ll close with a toast to all those who worked with 
difficulties. Like Francine Prose, who began writing when the school bus 
picked up her children and stopped when it brought them back; or T.S. Eliot, 
who found it much easier to write once he had a day job in a bank than he had 
as a starving poet and even F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early books were written 
in his strict schedule as a young military officer. Those days were not as 
interesting as the nights in Paris that came later, but they were much more 
productive – and no doubt easier on his liver. 
1/1/1 3 [ P.T.O. 
 5. Being forced to follow someone else’s routine may irritate, but it makes it 
easier to stay on the path. Whenever we break that trail ourselves or take an 
easy path of least resistance, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep 
walking. 
 1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete each of the 
statements given below with the help of options that follow : 1 ? 4 = 4 
  (a) The passage is about : 
   (i) how to practise walking. 
   (ii) walking everyday. 
   (iii) the life of a genius. 
   (iv) what we can learn from the routines of geniuses. 
 
  (b) The writers in the past : 
   (i) followed a perfect daily routine. 
   (ii) enjoyed the difficulties of life. 
   (iii) can teach us a lot. 
   (iv) wrote a lot in books. 
 
  (c) In their daily routines : 
   (i) they had unique life styles. 
   (ii) they read books and enjoyed them. 
   (iii) they did not get any privacy. 
   (iv) they did not mind visitors. 
 
  (d) Some artists resorted to walking as it was : 
   (i) an exercise 
   (ii) a creative inspiration 
   (iii) essential for improving their health 
   (iv) helpful in interaction with others 
1/1/1 4  
 1.2 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following 
questions :  1 ? 6 = 6 
  (e) What did Jane Austen like ? 
  (f) Why do you think Graham Green hired a secret office ? 
  (g) What was the rumour about Erik Satie’s productivity ? 
  (h) How did her limited social life affect Simone de Beauviore ? 
  (i) In what way did T.S. Eliot’s day job help him to write ? 
  (j) What makes it easier for one to stay on the path ? 
 
 1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following : 1 ? 2 = 2 
  (k) glance/look (para 1) 
  (l) noisy (para 2) 
 
2. Read the passage carefully : 10 
 1. Amomon means “fragrant spice plant” in Arabic and Hebraic and in Italian, 
canella means “little tube”. These are a few of the many terms given to the 
popular spice known as cinnamon. Dating back as far as 2800 B.C., Chinese 
writings describe cinnamon as an important part of the culture, so much so that 
over the years this spice was traded right up there with silver. Now-a-days we 
find it in sweetened cereals, baked goods and sprinkled on various foods such 
as yogurt. Yet, many do not consider its wealth of healing capabilities including 
the potential as a weight loss remedy. 
 
 2. Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree grown and 
harvested mostly in Sri Lanka but also found in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, 
China and Burma. After a cinnamon tree grows for about six to eight years it is 
cut down leaving a stump to allow it to grow again making it a very sustainable 
practice. It is then stripped from the bark, dried and packaged as sticks for 
export.  
1/1/1 5 [ P.T.O. 
 3. Several studies have been published regarding the weight loss properties of 
cinnamon which include its unique ability to be used for type 2 diabetes which 
is a disease often resulting from obesity. When eaten, the spice seems to slow 
down glucose absorption within the intestines while stimulating insulin 
production. This normalizes blood glucose levels which in turn can indirectly 
decrease weight gain.  
 
 4. “The results of a study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3 or 6 g of cinnamon per 
day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol 
in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the 
diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with 
diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.” 
 
 5. A study from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, called “Effect 
of ground cinnamon on after meal blood glucose level in normal-weight and 
obese adults” found that cinnamon may be effective in moderating post meal 
glucose level in normal weight and obese adults. 
 
 6. Columbia University nutritionist Tara Ostrowe comments to Reader’s Digest on 
the benefits of this spice: “Cinnamon really is the new skinny food…Scientists 
already credit cinnamon with helping lower blood sugar concentration and 
improving insulin sensitivity. When less sugar is stored as fat, this translates 
into more help for your body when it comes to weight loss.” 
 
 7. Talk to your doctor about adding cinnamon daily into your healthy diet and 
exercise program. Add it to your tea, oatmeal, fruit, toast or anything else you 
can think of, as a small amount will go a long way and potentially assist in your 
weight loss mission.