Class 12 English Question Paper Solved (2021) | English Class 12 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
 
 
        English Core(301) (Set -A) 
Time:3 hrs                                   M. M: 100 
General Instructions: 
(i). This paper consists of THREE sections : 
a. Section A           Reading          30 marks 
b. Section B           Writing                      30 marks 
c. Section C           Literature                  40marks  
(ii). Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 
(iii). Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the 
word limit.                      
 
 SECTION A-READING Marks 
1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
 
1. Two weeks ago, I travelled across northeast Karnataka and spent time in the districts of 
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir, including many villages and small towns. Almost all my 
time was spent in government schools, with children, teachers and other functionaries of 
the system. I also spent some time with people from a few village communities. 
2. This large area of Karnataka is very disadvantaged. A week spent in such a region can 
be very disturbing because it reveals the reality of inequality and injustice that millions 
of our fellow citizens face. But despite glaringly visible problems and challenges, the 
week was also deeply energizing and filled me with hope because of the spirit of the 
people I met there. My experience is best described by two examples. 
3. I met a girl who was about 16. She was clear that she wanted to join the police service. 
She opened up about her life. She spoke of an incident when a man harassed her, and 
how she confronted him directly and stopped him in his tracks. Her boldness and 
courage would do anyone proud. She comes from an area riven by deep seated gender 
disparity and discrimination. Her family is deeply disadvantaged and it is obvious that 
all odds are heavily loaded against her. 
4. However, she is what she is, an individual with courage, conviction and aspirations. She 
is admirable. A local group of people and an NGO, which mobilize the community to 
help young girls, have supported her. And she is one among the hundreds who have 
benefited. The young people I met and the NGO that works with them are a remarkable 
example of resilience and of battling for justice. 
5. I also met, across all villages and small towns, hundreds of teachers from government 
schools who are deeply committed and motivated. They spend their own money and 
come on their own time, often on a public holiday or weekend, to learn something new, 
so that they can become better teachers. 
6. I can tell you that even in a successful IT company there will be very few takers if you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


 
 
 
 
        English Core(301) (Set -A) 
Time:3 hrs                                   M. M: 100 
General Instructions: 
(i). This paper consists of THREE sections : 
a. Section A           Reading          30 marks 
b. Section B           Writing                      30 marks 
c. Section C           Literature                  40marks  
(ii). Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 
(iii). Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the 
word limit.                      
 
 SECTION A-READING Marks 
1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
 
1. Two weeks ago, I travelled across northeast Karnataka and spent time in the districts of 
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir, including many villages and small towns. Almost all my 
time was spent in government schools, with children, teachers and other functionaries of 
the system. I also spent some time with people from a few village communities. 
2. This large area of Karnataka is very disadvantaged. A week spent in such a region can 
be very disturbing because it reveals the reality of inequality and injustice that millions 
of our fellow citizens face. But despite glaringly visible problems and challenges, the 
week was also deeply energizing and filled me with hope because of the spirit of the 
people I met there. My experience is best described by two examples. 
3. I met a girl who was about 16. She was clear that she wanted to join the police service. 
She opened up about her life. She spoke of an incident when a man harassed her, and 
how she confronted him directly and stopped him in his tracks. Her boldness and 
courage would do anyone proud. She comes from an area riven by deep seated gender 
disparity and discrimination. Her family is deeply disadvantaged and it is obvious that 
all odds are heavily loaded against her. 
4. However, she is what she is, an individual with courage, conviction and aspirations. She 
is admirable. A local group of people and an NGO, which mobilize the community to 
help young girls, have supported her. And she is one among the hundreds who have 
benefited. The young people I met and the NGO that works with them are a remarkable 
example of resilience and of battling for justice. 
5. I also met, across all villages and small towns, hundreds of teachers from government 
schools who are deeply committed and motivated. They spend their own money and 
come on their own time, often on a public holiday or weekend, to learn something new, 
so that they can become better teachers. 
6. I can tell you that even in a successful IT company there will be very few takers if you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ask people to come on a Sunday, at their own cost, to learn and become better software 
engineers. But these teachers do this. They recognize from within themselves that as 
educators, they have a deep responsibility. That, in many ways, the future of our 
children is in their hands. 
7. This positive experience with government schoolteachers is not limited to Karnataka but 
true across the country. Our experience has been that 10-20 per cent teachers 
everywhere are highly motivated. They lead positive change.  
8. It’s true that 10-20 per cent are quite disengaged. However even more importantly, the 
middle 60 per cent work positively if the right atmosphere and support structure is 
provided. Also, if young people who are just getting into the profession have the right 
environment, then they can develop as genuinely committed educators. 
9. To me, all this is a reason for great hope. It certainly is positive reason for hope that in 
the frontline of our public education, in the government school system, there are a 
significant number of people working for genuine improvement. And this includes not 
just teachers but also officials at various levels of the system. 
10. Our schools and colleges need to improve on very many counts. We are aware of these 
challenges. I believe our efforts to improve the system will receive a big fillip if we 
harness and channelise abundant positive energy that I alluded to. We can’t always keep 
blaming and castigating people in our public systems because that is no way for any 
positive change to happen. 
11. We have to provide support and create the environment for such change to happen, for 
people to feel empowered and take initiative. And at the same time, we must strongly 
reaffirm our commitment to the public education system; this is very fundamental issue. 
12. Let me end by saying that all my life, I have learnt that ordinary people are capable of 
doing extraordinary things. For this they need to be trusted, encouraged and empowered. 
This is not the only thing that needs to be done, but nothing else will work unless we do 
this. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions 
with the help of the given options: 
(a) While travelling across Northeast Karnataka, the author ………………. 
(i) Spent time in the districts of Gulbarga, Bijapur etc. 
(ii) Also met government school teachers and students etc. 
(iii) Spent time with people from a few village communities. 
(iv) All of the above. 
(b) NGO stands for ……………………… 
(i) Non-government organization 
(ii) Neo-government organization 
(iii) Non-governmental organization 
(iv) No-government organization 
(c) The author met a girl who ……………………… 
(i) Was from an advantaged background 
(ii) Had no ambition in life 
(iii) Was bold and courageous 
(iv) Was not supported by the NGO 
(d) To progress, any good society needs ………………………….. 
(i) Clean and hygienic environment 
(ii) A committed public education system 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
Page 3


 
 
 
 
        English Core(301) (Set -A) 
Time:3 hrs                                   M. M: 100 
General Instructions: 
(i). This paper consists of THREE sections : 
a. Section A           Reading          30 marks 
b. Section B           Writing                      30 marks 
c. Section C           Literature                  40marks  
(ii). Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 
(iii). Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the 
word limit.                      
 
 SECTION A-READING Marks 
1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
 
1. Two weeks ago, I travelled across northeast Karnataka and spent time in the districts of 
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir, including many villages and small towns. Almost all my 
time was spent in government schools, with children, teachers and other functionaries of 
the system. I also spent some time with people from a few village communities. 
2. This large area of Karnataka is very disadvantaged. A week spent in such a region can 
be very disturbing because it reveals the reality of inequality and injustice that millions 
of our fellow citizens face. But despite glaringly visible problems and challenges, the 
week was also deeply energizing and filled me with hope because of the spirit of the 
people I met there. My experience is best described by two examples. 
3. I met a girl who was about 16. She was clear that she wanted to join the police service. 
She opened up about her life. She spoke of an incident when a man harassed her, and 
how she confronted him directly and stopped him in his tracks. Her boldness and 
courage would do anyone proud. She comes from an area riven by deep seated gender 
disparity and discrimination. Her family is deeply disadvantaged and it is obvious that 
all odds are heavily loaded against her. 
4. However, she is what she is, an individual with courage, conviction and aspirations. She 
is admirable. A local group of people and an NGO, which mobilize the community to 
help young girls, have supported her. And she is one among the hundreds who have 
benefited. The young people I met and the NGO that works with them are a remarkable 
example of resilience and of battling for justice. 
5. I also met, across all villages and small towns, hundreds of teachers from government 
schools who are deeply committed and motivated. They spend their own money and 
come on their own time, often on a public holiday or weekend, to learn something new, 
so that they can become better teachers. 
6. I can tell you that even in a successful IT company there will be very few takers if you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ask people to come on a Sunday, at their own cost, to learn and become better software 
engineers. But these teachers do this. They recognize from within themselves that as 
educators, they have a deep responsibility. That, in many ways, the future of our 
children is in their hands. 
7. This positive experience with government schoolteachers is not limited to Karnataka but 
true across the country. Our experience has been that 10-20 per cent teachers 
everywhere are highly motivated. They lead positive change.  
8. It’s true that 10-20 per cent are quite disengaged. However even more importantly, the 
middle 60 per cent work positively if the right atmosphere and support structure is 
provided. Also, if young people who are just getting into the profession have the right 
environment, then they can develop as genuinely committed educators. 
9. To me, all this is a reason for great hope. It certainly is positive reason for hope that in 
the frontline of our public education, in the government school system, there are a 
significant number of people working for genuine improvement. And this includes not 
just teachers but also officials at various levels of the system. 
10. Our schools and colleges need to improve on very many counts. We are aware of these 
challenges. I believe our efforts to improve the system will receive a big fillip if we 
harness and channelise abundant positive energy that I alluded to. We can’t always keep 
blaming and castigating people in our public systems because that is no way for any 
positive change to happen. 
11. We have to provide support and create the environment for such change to happen, for 
people to feel empowered and take initiative. And at the same time, we must strongly 
reaffirm our commitment to the public education system; this is very fundamental issue. 
12. Let me end by saying that all my life, I have learnt that ordinary people are capable of 
doing extraordinary things. For this they need to be trusted, encouraged and empowered. 
This is not the only thing that needs to be done, but nothing else will work unless we do 
this. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions 
with the help of the given options: 
(a) While travelling across Northeast Karnataka, the author ………………. 
(i) Spent time in the districts of Gulbarga, Bijapur etc. 
(ii) Also met government school teachers and students etc. 
(iii) Spent time with people from a few village communities. 
(iv) All of the above. 
(b) NGO stands for ……………………… 
(i) Non-government organization 
(ii) Neo-government organization 
(iii) Non-governmental organization 
(iv) No-government organization 
(c) The author met a girl who ……………………… 
(i) Was from an advantaged background 
(ii) Had no ambition in life 
(iii) Was bold and courageous 
(iv) Was not supported by the NGO 
(d) To progress, any good society needs ………………………….. 
(i) Clean and hygienic environment 
(ii) A committed public education system 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
(iii) Technology 
(iv) Both (i) and (ii) 
(II) Answer the following questions briefly. 
(e) Why did the author find a week spent in Karnataka disturbing? 
(f) How did the girl deal with the man who harassed her? 
(g) The village teachers were committed. How can we say that? 
(h) What percentage does the author say is highly motivated and what is quite 
disengaged? 
(i) What can be done to make people feel empowered and take initiative? 
(j) How can the ordinary people do extraordinary things. 
(III) Find words fromm the passage which mean the same as: 
(k) Deprived (para 2) 
(l) Rebuke severely  (para 10) 
 
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
1. Bhagwati Kumari, 23, was at the threshold of a promising run in athletics when she got the 
chance to meet ace sprinter PT Usha at a national sporting event in 2007. 
2. The three-time state level athletics champion, who represented Rajasthan in various under-19 
national championships and acquired the nickname ‘Bhago’ because of her passion for running, 
is living in utter penury these days, eking out a living as a National Rural Employment 
Guarantee Scheme worker. 
3. Practicing at a sporting arena is a thing of the past for Bhago, who works along her sister-in-
lawnear Nagini village in Sirohi district. The athlete can barely afford two square meals a day 
now. Traditional clothes and a pair of slippers have replaced the track suits and running shoes. 
4. This is sharp contrast to her feat in 2006, when she came to Jaipur to take part in the state-
level athletics championship and gave her career best performance. “I became champion in 800 
metres, completing the race in 2 minutes and 32 seconds,” Bhago recalls proudly. 
5.Bhago’s passion for becoming a national champion in the open category was overtaken by a 
sequence of events starting with the death of her brother six years ago and that of her father two 
years later. Her husband divorced her too two years ago. She now lives with her mother, brother 
and sister-in-law helping them make ends meet. 
6. Born in 1992, Bhago made her village proud when she participated in a district level athletics 
championship in 2002. “I was the sarpanch of Nagani village at that time,” recalls Narayan 
Singh. “She won gold medals in different championships held in the state. Today I feel bad 
when I see her working as a labourer” he adds. 
7. After winning the 400m race in her school in an under-14 district tournament in 2002, Bhago 
represented Sirohi and won gold in the 200m race in 2003 in Didwana, Nagaur. However, the 
defining moment of her career came when she was picked up to represent the state for the 
national games held in Pune in 2005-06 in under-14 category. 
8. She was subsequently selected for All India Rural Sports Championships held in Assam in 
January 2007 and in Tamil Nadu in November 2007. “I met PT Usha in Tamil Nadu. That was 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 4


 
 
 
 
        English Core(301) (Set -A) 
Time:3 hrs                                   M. M: 100 
General Instructions: 
(i). This paper consists of THREE sections : 
a. Section A           Reading          30 marks 
b. Section B           Writing                      30 marks 
c. Section C           Literature                  40marks  
(ii). Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 
(iii). Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the 
word limit.                      
 
 SECTION A-READING Marks 
1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
 
1. Two weeks ago, I travelled across northeast Karnataka and spent time in the districts of 
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir, including many villages and small towns. Almost all my 
time was spent in government schools, with children, teachers and other functionaries of 
the system. I also spent some time with people from a few village communities. 
2. This large area of Karnataka is very disadvantaged. A week spent in such a region can 
be very disturbing because it reveals the reality of inequality and injustice that millions 
of our fellow citizens face. But despite glaringly visible problems and challenges, the 
week was also deeply energizing and filled me with hope because of the spirit of the 
people I met there. My experience is best described by two examples. 
3. I met a girl who was about 16. She was clear that she wanted to join the police service. 
She opened up about her life. She spoke of an incident when a man harassed her, and 
how she confronted him directly and stopped him in his tracks. Her boldness and 
courage would do anyone proud. She comes from an area riven by deep seated gender 
disparity and discrimination. Her family is deeply disadvantaged and it is obvious that 
all odds are heavily loaded against her. 
4. However, she is what she is, an individual with courage, conviction and aspirations. She 
is admirable. A local group of people and an NGO, which mobilize the community to 
help young girls, have supported her. And she is one among the hundreds who have 
benefited. The young people I met and the NGO that works with them are a remarkable 
example of resilience and of battling for justice. 
5. I also met, across all villages and small towns, hundreds of teachers from government 
schools who are deeply committed and motivated. They spend their own money and 
come on their own time, often on a public holiday or weekend, to learn something new, 
so that they can become better teachers. 
6. I can tell you that even in a successful IT company there will be very few takers if you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ask people to come on a Sunday, at their own cost, to learn and become better software 
engineers. But these teachers do this. They recognize from within themselves that as 
educators, they have a deep responsibility. That, in many ways, the future of our 
children is in their hands. 
7. This positive experience with government schoolteachers is not limited to Karnataka but 
true across the country. Our experience has been that 10-20 per cent teachers 
everywhere are highly motivated. They lead positive change.  
8. It’s true that 10-20 per cent are quite disengaged. However even more importantly, the 
middle 60 per cent work positively if the right atmosphere and support structure is 
provided. Also, if young people who are just getting into the profession have the right 
environment, then they can develop as genuinely committed educators. 
9. To me, all this is a reason for great hope. It certainly is positive reason for hope that in 
the frontline of our public education, in the government school system, there are a 
significant number of people working for genuine improvement. And this includes not 
just teachers but also officials at various levels of the system. 
10. Our schools and colleges need to improve on very many counts. We are aware of these 
challenges. I believe our efforts to improve the system will receive a big fillip if we 
harness and channelise abundant positive energy that I alluded to. We can’t always keep 
blaming and castigating people in our public systems because that is no way for any 
positive change to happen. 
11. We have to provide support and create the environment for such change to happen, for 
people to feel empowered and take initiative. And at the same time, we must strongly 
reaffirm our commitment to the public education system; this is very fundamental issue. 
12. Let me end by saying that all my life, I have learnt that ordinary people are capable of 
doing extraordinary things. For this they need to be trusted, encouraged and empowered. 
This is not the only thing that needs to be done, but nothing else will work unless we do 
this. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions 
with the help of the given options: 
(a) While travelling across Northeast Karnataka, the author ………………. 
(i) Spent time in the districts of Gulbarga, Bijapur etc. 
(ii) Also met government school teachers and students etc. 
(iii) Spent time with people from a few village communities. 
(iv) All of the above. 
(b) NGO stands for ……………………… 
(i) Non-government organization 
(ii) Neo-government organization 
(iii) Non-governmental organization 
(iv) No-government organization 
(c) The author met a girl who ……………………… 
(i) Was from an advantaged background 
(ii) Had no ambition in life 
(iii) Was bold and courageous 
(iv) Was not supported by the NGO 
(d) To progress, any good society needs ………………………….. 
(i) Clean and hygienic environment 
(ii) A committed public education system 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
(iii) Technology 
(iv) Both (i) and (ii) 
(II) Answer the following questions briefly. 
(e) Why did the author find a week spent in Karnataka disturbing? 
(f) How did the girl deal with the man who harassed her? 
(g) The village teachers were committed. How can we say that? 
(h) What percentage does the author say is highly motivated and what is quite 
disengaged? 
(i) What can be done to make people feel empowered and take initiative? 
(j) How can the ordinary people do extraordinary things. 
(III) Find words fromm the passage which mean the same as: 
(k) Deprived (para 2) 
(l) Rebuke severely  (para 10) 
 
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
1. Bhagwati Kumari, 23, was at the threshold of a promising run in athletics when she got the 
chance to meet ace sprinter PT Usha at a national sporting event in 2007. 
2. The three-time state level athletics champion, who represented Rajasthan in various under-19 
national championships and acquired the nickname ‘Bhago’ because of her passion for running, 
is living in utter penury these days, eking out a living as a National Rural Employment 
Guarantee Scheme worker. 
3. Practicing at a sporting arena is a thing of the past for Bhago, who works along her sister-in-
lawnear Nagini village in Sirohi district. The athlete can barely afford two square meals a day 
now. Traditional clothes and a pair of slippers have replaced the track suits and running shoes. 
4. This is sharp contrast to her feat in 2006, when she came to Jaipur to take part in the state-
level athletics championship and gave her career best performance. “I became champion in 800 
metres, completing the race in 2 minutes and 32 seconds,” Bhago recalls proudly. 
5.Bhago’s passion for becoming a national champion in the open category was overtaken by a 
sequence of events starting with the death of her brother six years ago and that of her father two 
years later. Her husband divorced her too two years ago. She now lives with her mother, brother 
and sister-in-law helping them make ends meet. 
6. Born in 1992, Bhago made her village proud when she participated in a district level athletics 
championship in 2002. “I was the sarpanch of Nagani village at that time,” recalls Narayan 
Singh. “She won gold medals in different championships held in the state. Today I feel bad 
when I see her working as a labourer” he adds. 
7. After winning the 400m race in her school in an under-14 district tournament in 2002, Bhago 
represented Sirohi and won gold in the 200m race in 2003 in Didwana, Nagaur. However, the 
defining moment of her career came when she was picked up to represent the state for the 
national games held in Pune in 2005-06 in under-14 category. 
8. She was subsequently selected for All India Rural Sports Championships held in Assam in 
January 2007 and in Tamil Nadu in November 2007. “I met PT Usha in Tamil Nadu. That was 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the moment of my life. I wanted to become like her;” Bhago said. 
9. An NGO, Society for All Round Development, has taken up Bhago’s case. “We are trying to 
help her. She is the icon of her village. The villagers honour her during Republic Day and 
Independence Day celebrations, but her financial conditions is really bad,” says Sunita Sharma, 
secretary of SARD. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions with the 
help of the given options: 
(a) Bhagwati Kumari, three-time state level athletic champion is presently working as a 
………………………. 
 (i) maid 
(ii) labourer  
(iii) sports teacher 
( iv) sweeper 
(b) Bhago’s dream of becoming a national champion came to an end because of 
……………………….. 
(i) death of her brother followed by her father’s later 
(ii) divorce from her husband 
(iii) total apathy shown by the government 
(iv ) All of the above 
 
(II) Answer the following questions briefly. 
( c) How did Bhagwat Kumari get the nickname “Bhago”? 
(d) Where is Bhagwati working presently? 
(e) What does she recall proudly? 
(f) When did the defining moment of her career come? 
(g) Who is Bhagwati’s role model and where did she meet her? 
(h) Who has taken up Bhago’s case now? 
 
( III) Find words from the passage which mean the same as: 
(i) Extreme poverty (para 2) 
(ii) Symbol/ representative (para 9)           
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
Page 5


 
 
 
 
        English Core(301) (Set -A) 
Time:3 hrs                                   M. M: 100 
General Instructions: 
(i). This paper consists of THREE sections : 
a. Section A           Reading          30 marks 
b. Section B           Writing                      30 marks 
c. Section C           Literature                  40marks  
(ii). Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 
(iii). Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the 
word limit.                      
 
 SECTION A-READING Marks 
1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
 
1. Two weeks ago, I travelled across northeast Karnataka and spent time in the districts of 
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir, including many villages and small towns. Almost all my 
time was spent in government schools, with children, teachers and other functionaries of 
the system. I also spent some time with people from a few village communities. 
2. This large area of Karnataka is very disadvantaged. A week spent in such a region can 
be very disturbing because it reveals the reality of inequality and injustice that millions 
of our fellow citizens face. But despite glaringly visible problems and challenges, the 
week was also deeply energizing and filled me with hope because of the spirit of the 
people I met there. My experience is best described by two examples. 
3. I met a girl who was about 16. She was clear that she wanted to join the police service. 
She opened up about her life. She spoke of an incident when a man harassed her, and 
how she confronted him directly and stopped him in his tracks. Her boldness and 
courage would do anyone proud. She comes from an area riven by deep seated gender 
disparity and discrimination. Her family is deeply disadvantaged and it is obvious that 
all odds are heavily loaded against her. 
4. However, she is what she is, an individual with courage, conviction and aspirations. She 
is admirable. A local group of people and an NGO, which mobilize the community to 
help young girls, have supported her. And she is one among the hundreds who have 
benefited. The young people I met and the NGO that works with them are a remarkable 
example of resilience and of battling for justice. 
5. I also met, across all villages and small towns, hundreds of teachers from government 
schools who are deeply committed and motivated. They spend their own money and 
come on their own time, often on a public holiday or weekend, to learn something new, 
so that they can become better teachers. 
6. I can tell you that even in a successful IT company there will be very few takers if you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ask people to come on a Sunday, at their own cost, to learn and become better software 
engineers. But these teachers do this. They recognize from within themselves that as 
educators, they have a deep responsibility. That, in many ways, the future of our 
children is in their hands. 
7. This positive experience with government schoolteachers is not limited to Karnataka but 
true across the country. Our experience has been that 10-20 per cent teachers 
everywhere are highly motivated. They lead positive change.  
8. It’s true that 10-20 per cent are quite disengaged. However even more importantly, the 
middle 60 per cent work positively if the right atmosphere and support structure is 
provided. Also, if young people who are just getting into the profession have the right 
environment, then they can develop as genuinely committed educators. 
9. To me, all this is a reason for great hope. It certainly is positive reason for hope that in 
the frontline of our public education, in the government school system, there are a 
significant number of people working for genuine improvement. And this includes not 
just teachers but also officials at various levels of the system. 
10. Our schools and colleges need to improve on very many counts. We are aware of these 
challenges. I believe our efforts to improve the system will receive a big fillip if we 
harness and channelise abundant positive energy that I alluded to. We can’t always keep 
blaming and castigating people in our public systems because that is no way for any 
positive change to happen. 
11. We have to provide support and create the environment for such change to happen, for 
people to feel empowered and take initiative. And at the same time, we must strongly 
reaffirm our commitment to the public education system; this is very fundamental issue. 
12. Let me end by saying that all my life, I have learnt that ordinary people are capable of 
doing extraordinary things. For this they need to be trusted, encouraged and empowered. 
This is not the only thing that needs to be done, but nothing else will work unless we do 
this. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions 
with the help of the given options: 
(a) While travelling across Northeast Karnataka, the author ………………. 
(i) Spent time in the districts of Gulbarga, Bijapur etc. 
(ii) Also met government school teachers and students etc. 
(iii) Spent time with people from a few village communities. 
(iv) All of the above. 
(b) NGO stands for ……………………… 
(i) Non-government organization 
(ii) Neo-government organization 
(iii) Non-governmental organization 
(iv) No-government organization 
(c) The author met a girl who ……………………… 
(i) Was from an advantaged background 
(ii) Had no ambition in life 
(iii) Was bold and courageous 
(iv) Was not supported by the NGO 
(d) To progress, any good society needs ………………………….. 
(i) Clean and hygienic environment 
(ii) A committed public education system 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(iii) Technology 
(iv) Both (i) and (ii) 
(II) Answer the following questions briefly. 
(e) Why did the author find a week spent in Karnataka disturbing? 
(f) How did the girl deal with the man who harassed her? 
(g) The village teachers were committed. How can we say that? 
(h) What percentage does the author say is highly motivated and what is quite 
disengaged? 
(i) What can be done to make people feel empowered and take initiative? 
(j) How can the ordinary people do extraordinary things. 
(III) Find words fromm the passage which mean the same as: 
(k) Deprived (para 2) 
(l) Rebuke severely  (para 10) 
 
 
 
 
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Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
1. Bhagwati Kumari, 23, was at the threshold of a promising run in athletics when she got the 
chance to meet ace sprinter PT Usha at a national sporting event in 2007. 
2. The three-time state level athletics champion, who represented Rajasthan in various under-19 
national championships and acquired the nickname ‘Bhago’ because of her passion for running, 
is living in utter penury these days, eking out a living as a National Rural Employment 
Guarantee Scheme worker. 
3. Practicing at a sporting arena is a thing of the past for Bhago, who works along her sister-in-
lawnear Nagini village in Sirohi district. The athlete can barely afford two square meals a day 
now. Traditional clothes and a pair of slippers have replaced the track suits and running shoes. 
4. This is sharp contrast to her feat in 2006, when she came to Jaipur to take part in the state-
level athletics championship and gave her career best performance. “I became champion in 800 
metres, completing the race in 2 minutes and 32 seconds,” Bhago recalls proudly. 
5.Bhago’s passion for becoming a national champion in the open category was overtaken by a 
sequence of events starting with the death of her brother six years ago and that of her father two 
years later. Her husband divorced her too two years ago. She now lives with her mother, brother 
and sister-in-law helping them make ends meet. 
6. Born in 1992, Bhago made her village proud when she participated in a district level athletics 
championship in 2002. “I was the sarpanch of Nagani village at that time,” recalls Narayan 
Singh. “She won gold medals in different championships held in the state. Today I feel bad 
when I see her working as a labourer” he adds. 
7. After winning the 400m race in her school in an under-14 district tournament in 2002, Bhago 
represented Sirohi and won gold in the 200m race in 2003 in Didwana, Nagaur. However, the 
defining moment of her career came when she was picked up to represent the state for the 
national games held in Pune in 2005-06 in under-14 category. 
8. She was subsequently selected for All India Rural Sports Championships held in Assam in 
January 2007 and in Tamil Nadu in November 2007. “I met PT Usha in Tamil Nadu. That was 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the moment of my life. I wanted to become like her;” Bhago said. 
9. An NGO, Society for All Round Development, has taken up Bhago’s case. “We are trying to 
help her. She is the icon of her village. The villagers honour her during Republic Day and 
Independence Day celebrations, but her financial conditions is really bad,” says Sunita Sharma, 
secretary of SARD. 
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions with the 
help of the given options: 
(a) Bhagwati Kumari, three-time state level athletic champion is presently working as a 
………………………. 
 (i) maid 
(ii) labourer  
(iii) sports teacher 
( iv) sweeper 
(b) Bhago’s dream of becoming a national champion came to an end because of 
……………………….. 
(i) death of her brother followed by her father’s later 
(ii) divorce from her husband 
(iii) total apathy shown by the government 
(iv ) All of the above 
 
(II) Answer the following questions briefly. 
( c) How did Bhagwat Kumari get the nickname “Bhago”? 
(d) Where is Bhagwati working presently? 
(e) What does she recall proudly? 
(f) When did the defining moment of her career come? 
(g) Who is Bhagwati’s role model and where did she meet her? 
(h) Who has taken up Bhago’s case now? 
 
( III) Find words from the passage which mean the same as: 
(i) Extreme poverty (para 2) 
(ii) Symbol/ representative (para 9)           
 
 
 
 
 
 
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3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 
Ask anyone who has organized traditional Indian wedding what the most painstaking task 
of all is, and the chances are the answer would be the entire process of sending out 
invitations. First one has to make a thousand calls to collect the addresses, write each of 
them on the card and then courier or post them. In addition to this, there is that special lot 
that needs to be delivered personally no matter how much time is wasted braving long hours 
in traffic jam. 
It is a little wonder that e-invites or e-vites as they are popularly called, are catching on with 
the young and techie these days. They save paper, time and money and can be personalized 
to suit the couple. It is also environment friendly. The people can also be non-traditional in 
the sense that they can send light, amusing messages in the e-vites retaining the main 
purpose but this liberty can be taken with just a handful of people who would understand. 
Paper invites, especially the designer ones, are expensive and can cost even Rs. 10,000 per 
card. For a Delhi’s industrialist’s wedding in Dubai, iPad Air Tabs were sent out as special 
invites and each reportedly cost Rs. 30,000. Excess, however doesn’t always impress, no 
matter, how expensive or exotic the invitation. It eventually lands up in trash! 
E-invites have their pros. They are not easy only to create and cheap to make but also make 
the process of inviting guests faster. There are no reports of cards getting lost on the way. 
However a few cons cannot be overlooked. They make a wedding feel less formal, can land 
up in scam and guests may still keep waiting for a physical invite and not send only RSVPs. 
Some couples choose a middle path- send a save-the-date via e-mail followed by a physical 
invite. 
There are many websites and apps that allow people to create their e-vites. Paperless post, 
offers around 390 free designs. It also lets you use the same design for digital as well as 
physical invites. Users can play around with fonts and colours of the text as well as the 
texture and shade of the envelope. And of course, the content is personalized. On 
Desievite.com, one can make e-invites in ten Indian languages apart from English. This site 
which is located in the US, has e-invites for a number of Indian festivals and religious 
events like Satyanarayan puja and Kali puja. 
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it, using headings and 
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations and a format you consider suitable. Also 
give an appropriate title to it. 
(b) Write a summary in about 80 words. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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