Class 12 English Official Sample Question Paper (2020-21) | English Class 12 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2020-21) 
               ENGLISH – Core 
CLASS-XII (Rationalised syllabus) 
 
Time allowed: 3 Hrs.      Maximum Marks: 80 
 
General Instructions: 
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B.  All questions are compulsory. 
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them. 
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions. 
 
Part A (40 Marks) 
READING                                                                                                                      (20 marks) 
1. Read the passage given below.                                                                    (1x10 = 10)                             
 
1. “ Wh o doesn't know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes t ime. ” said my                
father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “ H ow to 
cook r ice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn't have access to a rice 
cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust 
and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the 
pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to 
drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less 
than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the 
mark.  
2. The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I 
have heard that professionals don't need to measure everything; they just know 
what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to 
experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice 
to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I d on’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has 
to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disinte-
grating. 
3. After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a 
good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off 
but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly 
turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitch en ?” shouted Mother, while 
coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.  
Page 2


 
 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2020-21) 
               ENGLISH – Core 
CLASS-XII (Rationalised syllabus) 
 
Time allowed: 3 Hrs.      Maximum Marks: 80 
 
General Instructions: 
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B.  All questions are compulsory. 
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them. 
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions. 
 
Part A (40 Marks) 
READING                                                                                                                      (20 marks) 
1. Read the passage given below.                                                                    (1x10 = 10)                             
 
1. “ Wh o doesn't know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes t ime. ” said my                
father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “ H ow to 
cook r ice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn't have access to a rice 
cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust 
and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the 
pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to 
drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less 
than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the 
mark.  
2. The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I 
have heard that professionals don't need to measure everything; they just know 
what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to 
experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice 
to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I d on’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has 
to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disinte-
grating. 
3. After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a 
good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off 
but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly 
turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitch en ?” shouted Mother, while 
coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.  
 
 
4. Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It w asn ’t bad at 
all. The rice had the desired consistency. Sure, a little more salt would've been  
better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly rewarding and 
memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a  
regular basis at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally.  
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions 
from the eleven given below.                                                                  (1x10 = 10) 
i. F at her ’s question to the narrator, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to  
 
a. criticize the na r r at or ’s lack of abilities. 
b. make the process sound simple. 
c. encourage the narrator to take up cooking. 
d. showcase his own expertise in cooking rice. 
ii. “I switched from news to YouTube …” Pick the option in which the meaning of 
‘sw it ch(ed) ’ is NOT the same as it is in the passage.  
 
a. He switched on the radio to listen to the news while having dinner. 
b. “ F or g et these diet supplements and switch to yoga, if you want a true sense of  
  well- b ei ng.” 
 
c. Mom switched to reading fiction recently because she was bored with cook-books. 
d. The company will switch the trucks to other routes to bring down city pollution. 
iii. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct             
sequence of the process.  
 
1. Use water to wash the rice. 
2. Repeat the process three times. 
3. Drain the water off. 
4. Put rice in a utensil. 
5. Swirl the water in and around the rice. 
 
a. 4,2,1,3,5 
b. 1,3,2,5,4 
c. 4,1,5,3,2 
d. 5,1,2,4,3 
Page 3


 
 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2020-21) 
               ENGLISH – Core 
CLASS-XII (Rationalised syllabus) 
 
Time allowed: 3 Hrs.      Maximum Marks: 80 
 
General Instructions: 
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B.  All questions are compulsory. 
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them. 
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions. 
 
Part A (40 Marks) 
READING                                                                                                                      (20 marks) 
1. Read the passage given below.                                                                    (1x10 = 10)                             
 
1. “ Wh o doesn't know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes t ime. ” said my                
father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “ H ow to 
cook r ice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn't have access to a rice 
cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust 
and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the 
pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to 
drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less 
than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the 
mark.  
2. The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I 
have heard that professionals don't need to measure everything; they just know 
what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to 
experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice 
to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I d on’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has 
to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disinte-
grating. 
3. After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a 
good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off 
but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly 
turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitch en ?” shouted Mother, while 
coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.  
 
 
4. Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It w asn ’t bad at 
all. The rice had the desired consistency. Sure, a little more salt would've been  
better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly rewarding and 
memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a  
regular basis at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally.  
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions 
from the eleven given below.                                                                  (1x10 = 10) 
i. F at her ’s question to the narrator, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to  
 
a. criticize the na r r at or ’s lack of abilities. 
b. make the process sound simple. 
c. encourage the narrator to take up cooking. 
d. showcase his own expertise in cooking rice. 
ii. “I switched from news to YouTube …” Pick the option in which the meaning of 
‘sw it ch(ed) ’ is NOT the same as it is in the passage.  
 
a. He switched on the radio to listen to the news while having dinner. 
b. “ F or g et these diet supplements and switch to yoga, if you want a true sense of  
  well- b ei ng.” 
 
c. Mom switched to reading fiction recently because she was bored with cook-books. 
d. The company will switch the trucks to other routes to bring down city pollution. 
iii. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct             
sequence of the process.  
 
1. Use water to wash the rice. 
2. Repeat the process three times. 
3. Drain the water off. 
4. Put rice in a utensil. 
5. Swirl the water in and around the rice. 
 
a. 4,2,1,3,5 
b. 1,3,2,5,4 
c. 4,1,5,3,2 
d. 5,1,2,4,3 
 
 
 
iv. The narrator says that he has dexterous hands. He would have had a problem had it 
been the opposite. NOT BEING dexterous means, being 
 
a. uncomfortable. 
b. clumsy. 
c. unclear. 
d. clueless. 
v a. Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
 
 
 
a. Image 1 
b. Image 2 
c. Image 3 
d. Image 4 
 
 
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES IN LIEU OF Q  v a  
      
v b.Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
a. 50% water: 50% rice 
b. 70% water: 30%rice 
c. 25% water: 75% rice 
d. 45% water: 55% rice 
 
vi. How did mother react to the burning smell?  
 
a. She commented on it. 
b. She brushed it aside. 
Page 4


 
 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2020-21) 
               ENGLISH – Core 
CLASS-XII (Rationalised syllabus) 
 
Time allowed: 3 Hrs.      Maximum Marks: 80 
 
General Instructions: 
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B.  All questions are compulsory. 
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them. 
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions. 
 
Part A (40 Marks) 
READING                                                                                                                      (20 marks) 
1. Read the passage given below.                                                                    (1x10 = 10)                             
 
1. “ Wh o doesn't know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes t ime. ” said my                
father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “ H ow to 
cook r ice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn't have access to a rice 
cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust 
and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the 
pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to 
drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less 
than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the 
mark.  
2. The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I 
have heard that professionals don't need to measure everything; they just know 
what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to 
experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice 
to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I d on’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has 
to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disinte-
grating. 
3. After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a 
good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off 
but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly 
turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitch en ?” shouted Mother, while 
coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.  
 
 
4. Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It w asn ’t bad at 
all. The rice had the desired consistency. Sure, a little more salt would've been  
better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly rewarding and 
memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a  
regular basis at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally.  
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions 
from the eleven given below.                                                                  (1x10 = 10) 
i. F at her ’s question to the narrator, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to  
 
a. criticize the na r r at or ’s lack of abilities. 
b. make the process sound simple. 
c. encourage the narrator to take up cooking. 
d. showcase his own expertise in cooking rice. 
ii. “I switched from news to YouTube …” Pick the option in which the meaning of 
‘sw it ch(ed) ’ is NOT the same as it is in the passage.  
 
a. He switched on the radio to listen to the news while having dinner. 
b. “ F or g et these diet supplements and switch to yoga, if you want a true sense of  
  well- b ei ng.” 
 
c. Mom switched to reading fiction recently because she was bored with cook-books. 
d. The company will switch the trucks to other routes to bring down city pollution. 
iii. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct             
sequence of the process.  
 
1. Use water to wash the rice. 
2. Repeat the process three times. 
3. Drain the water off. 
4. Put rice in a utensil. 
5. Swirl the water in and around the rice. 
 
a. 4,2,1,3,5 
b. 1,3,2,5,4 
c. 4,1,5,3,2 
d. 5,1,2,4,3 
 
 
 
iv. The narrator says that he has dexterous hands. He would have had a problem had it 
been the opposite. NOT BEING dexterous means, being 
 
a. uncomfortable. 
b. clumsy. 
c. unclear. 
d. clueless. 
v a. Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
 
 
 
a. Image 1 
b. Image 2 
c. Image 3 
d. Image 4 
 
 
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES IN LIEU OF Q  v a  
      
v b.Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
a. 50% water: 50% rice 
b. 70% water: 30%rice 
c. 25% water: 75% rice 
d. 45% water: 55% rice 
 
vi. How did mother react to the burning smell?  
 
a. She commented on it. 
b. She brushed it aside. 
 
 
c. She enquired about it . 
d. She handled it . 
 
vii. According to the passage, the fact that the narrator risked experimentation, on his 
maiden attempt in the kitchen, shows that he was 
 
a. conscientious.  
b. nervous. 
c. presumptuous. 
d. courteous. 
viii. Pick the option showing the CORRECT use of the word ‘c hu t z p ah’.  
 
a. It is the cou r t’s duty to dispense chutzpah to everyone irrespective of caste or creed. 
b. The speaker may not have much of a stage presence, but you've got to admit she's 
got chutzpah. 
c. I could crack the code easily which proved me to be a chutzpah and I was the only 
one who could do so. 
d. After his father’ s demise, the daughter took over the fam ily ’s chutzpah to save it 
from disaster. 
 
ix. Pick the option that correctly states what DID NOT happen after the writer checked on 
the rice. 
 
a. Turning the stove off. 
b. Being taken aback at the condition of rice. 
c. Forgetting to scrape the stuck rice. 
d. Smelling the delicious aroma of cooked rice. 
 
x. The na r r at or ’s creation was 
 
a. almost perfect to taste. 
b. way off from what he wanted. 
Page 5


 
 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2020-21) 
               ENGLISH – Core 
CLASS-XII (Rationalised syllabus) 
 
Time allowed: 3 Hrs.      Maximum Marks: 80 
 
General Instructions: 
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B.  All questions are compulsory. 
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. 
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them. 
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions. 
 
Part A (40 Marks) 
READING                                                                                                                      (20 marks) 
1. Read the passage given below.                                                                    (1x10 = 10)                             
 
1. “ Wh o doesn't know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes t ime. ” said my                
father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “ H ow to 
cook r ice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn't have access to a rice 
cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust 
and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the 
pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to 
drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less 
than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the 
mark.  
2. The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I 
have heard that professionals don't need to measure everything; they just know 
what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to 
experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice 
to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I d on’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has 
to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disinte-
grating. 
3. After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a 
good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off 
but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly 
turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitch en ?” shouted Mother, while 
coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.  
 
 
4. Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It w asn ’t bad at 
all. The rice had the desired consistency. Sure, a little more salt would've been  
better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly rewarding and 
memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a  
regular basis at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally.  
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions 
from the eleven given below.                                                                  (1x10 = 10) 
i. F at her ’s question to the narrator, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to  
 
a. criticize the na r r at or ’s lack of abilities. 
b. make the process sound simple. 
c. encourage the narrator to take up cooking. 
d. showcase his own expertise in cooking rice. 
ii. “I switched from news to YouTube …” Pick the option in which the meaning of 
‘sw it ch(ed) ’ is NOT the same as it is in the passage.  
 
a. He switched on the radio to listen to the news while having dinner. 
b. “ F or g et these diet supplements and switch to yoga, if you want a true sense of  
  well- b ei ng.” 
 
c. Mom switched to reading fiction recently because she was bored with cook-books. 
d. The company will switch the trucks to other routes to bring down city pollution. 
iii. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct             
sequence of the process.  
 
1. Use water to wash the rice. 
2. Repeat the process three times. 
3. Drain the water off. 
4. Put rice in a utensil. 
5. Swirl the water in and around the rice. 
 
a. 4,2,1,3,5 
b. 1,3,2,5,4 
c. 4,1,5,3,2 
d. 5,1,2,4,3 
 
 
 
iv. The narrator says that he has dexterous hands. He would have had a problem had it 
been the opposite. NOT BEING dexterous means, being 
 
a. uncomfortable. 
b. clumsy. 
c. unclear. 
d. clueless. 
v a. Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
 
 
 
a. Image 1 
b. Image 2 
c. Image 3 
d. Image 4 
 
 
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES IN LIEU OF Q  v a  
      
v b.Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘pe r fect r ice’? 
 
a. 50% water: 50% rice 
b. 70% water: 30%rice 
c. 25% water: 75% rice 
d. 45% water: 55% rice 
 
vi. How did mother react to the burning smell?  
 
a. She commented on it. 
b. She brushed it aside. 
 
 
c. She enquired about it . 
d. She handled it . 
 
vii. According to the passage, the fact that the narrator risked experimentation, on his 
maiden attempt in the kitchen, shows that he was 
 
a. conscientious.  
b. nervous. 
c. presumptuous. 
d. courteous. 
viii. Pick the option showing the CORRECT use of the word ‘c hu t z p ah’.  
 
a. It is the cou r t’s duty to dispense chutzpah to everyone irrespective of caste or creed. 
b. The speaker may not have much of a stage presence, but you've got to admit she's 
got chutzpah. 
c. I could crack the code easily which proved me to be a chutzpah and I was the only 
one who could do so. 
d. After his father’ s demise, the daughter took over the fam ily ’s chutzpah to save it 
from disaster. 
 
ix. Pick the option that correctly states what DID NOT happen after the writer checked on 
the rice. 
 
a. Turning the stove off. 
b. Being taken aback at the condition of rice. 
c. Forgetting to scrape the stuck rice. 
d. Smelling the delicious aroma of cooked rice. 
 
x. The na r r at or ’s creation was 
 
a. almost perfect to taste. 
b. way off from what he wanted. 
 
 
c. overly seasoned.  
d. quite distasteful. 
xi. Pick the option that correctly lists the final feelings of the writer with reference to the                  
cooking experience.  
 
1. frustrating 
2. amusing 
3. satisfying  
4. disillusioning  
5. exacting 
6. enlightening 
 
 
a. 1 and 4 
b. 2 and 5 
c. 3 and 6 
d. 1 and 3 
 
2.A  Read the passage given below.  
 
1. The present generation is well updated in the use of internet and computers. The rapid 
development in computer technology and increase in accessibility of the internet for 
academic purposes has changed the face of education for everyone associated with it. 
L et ’s look at the data arising out of a recent survey that was done to ascertain the time 
spent on utilisation of the computer and internet: 
 
 
2. At present, many schools and universities have been implementing internet-based 
learning, as it supplements the conventional teaching methods. The internet                
provides a wide variety of references and information to academics as well as                
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
utilization of
computer for
academic activities
utilization of
computer for
personal use
How often do you
use email?
How often do you
use the internet for
work?
How often do you
use the internet for
leisure?
everyday 2-3days a week once a week once a month never