Class 12 English: CBSE Sample Question Paper- Term I (2021-22)- 4 | English Class 12 PDF Download

Class-XII
Time: 90 Minutes

M.M: 40

General Instructions: 

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections.
2. Section A – READING has 18 questions. Attempt a total of 14 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
3. Section B – WRITING SKILLS has 12 questions. Attempt a total of 10 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
4. Section C – LITERATURE has 30 questions. Attempt 26 questions, as per specific instructions for each question. 
5. All questions carry equal marks. 
6. There is no negative marking.
   
   

I. Read the passage given below:

1. The sage of science, Einstein, was sitting in a depressive and pensive mood one evening. His eyes were brimming with tears. The pain was evident on his face. He peeped out of the window of his room. The sun had set a few minutes back. The sky was filled with a reddish glow. At this sunset, he felt that it was humanity that had sunk into devilish darkness and the reddish glow in the sky was the blood of humanity spilling all over the sky from earth. With tired steps, he walked back to his chair and settled down. It was the 9th of August 1945. Three days back, he had felt the same agony as if someone had tom him apart. He was deeply hurt and depressed when he heard on the radio that America had dropped an atom bomb on the Japanese city, Hiroshima. Today, within three days another bomb was dropped on another city, Nagasaki and lakhs of people had been killed.
2. He had heard that the blast released so much energy that it had paled all past destructions in comparison and death had played out a pitiable dance of destruction. The flames that broke out of the bomb were burning, melting and exploding buildings. Scared of the heat of the bomb, people had jumped into lakes and rivers, but the water was boiling and the people too were burnt and killed. The animals in the water were already boiled to death. Animals, trees, herbs, fragrant flowering plants were all turned into ashes. The atomic energy destruction had just not stopped there. It had entered the atmosphere there and had spread radiation that would affect people for generations to come and would also bring about destructive irreversible biological change in animals and plants. 
3. As the news of the atomic attack reached Einstein, and he became aware of the glaring horror of the abuse of atomic energy, his distress and restlessness knew no bounds. He could not control himself picked up his violin to turn his mind on to other things. While playing the violin, he tried to dissolve his distress in its sad notes, but couldn’t. He was burning on the embers of destruction; his heart was filled with an ocean of agony and tears just continued streaming uncontrollably out of his eyes. Night had fallen. His daughter came up and asked him to eat something as he had not taken anything for the last four days. His voice was restrained and he said, “I don’t feel like eating.” 
4. He could not sleep that night. Lying down, he was thinking how he had drawn the attention of the then American President Roosevelt towards the destructive powers of an atomic bomb. He had thought that this would be used to scare Hitler and put an end to the barbarism that Hitler was up to. However, Roosevelt kept him in the dark and made false promises. Eventually, he had abused Einstein’s equation of E = mc² that resulted in the destructive experiments. His actions had made science and scientists as murderers. Einstein kept on thinking for a long time. Eventually, he slipped into sleep. When he woke up at dawn, there was a new dawn in him too. The atomic threat had transformed his heart. 
5. The next day, he decided to disassociate himself from the scientific policy of the government and all governmental institutions. He decided to open educational institutions for children, adolescents and youth—institutions where along with science, spirituality will be compulsorily taught. 
6. To inaugurate this institution, he had invited two great philosophers, Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer. Ten other great scientists who had own Nobel Prizes in different fields were also invited. They all saw a different Einstein, not a great scientist but a sage in him. The institution was opened by garlanding a photo of Mahatma Gandhi. While garlanding the Mahatma, he became emotional and said with a lump in his throat, “I bow down to the great man who fought for the independence of his country through nonviolence. He could do so because he was a truthful man and true spiritualist.” 
7. Those who teach science should be taught, spirituality too. Without harmony between science and spirituality, the destruction would continue unabated. A few years after this institution was built, a Japanese delegation came to meet him. Einstein broke down in the meeting and said. “You can give me any punishment and I will accept it. Anyway, I have decided to lead my life in penitence.” The Japanese were moved by this sincerity and forgot their grief.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option.
Q.1: Which musical instrument did Einstein play when he was in grief?
(a) Harmonium
(b) Guitar
(c) Violin
(d) Flute

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.2: Einstein came to know that America had dropped an atom bomb on the Japanese city, Hiroshima through ________.
(a) television
(b) newspaper
(c) radio
(d) a telephonic message

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.3: Einstein said to the Japanese delegation,
(a) ‘You can give me any punishment and I will accept it.’
(b) ‘I am not at fault.’
(c) ‘What could I do?’ 
(d) ‘The President didn’t agree to my advice.’

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.4: What did Einstein do to show his displeasure over the atomic attack?
(a) He decided to open a science laboratory.
(b) He decided to establish an Educational Institution.
(c) He disassociated himself from governmental institutions. 
(d) He invited two great philosophers.

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.5: The depressive mood of Einstein was compared to:
(a) Sunrise
(b) Sunset 
(c) Devilish darkness
(d) Tired steps

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.6: What made Einstein more restless and sleepless?
(a) When America was hit by atomic bomb.
(b) When Nagasaki was hit by atom bomb.
(c) When atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by America.
(d) Both (b) and (c)

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.7: Pick out the event after which Einstein could not control himself and tried to play instrument to divert his mind.
(a) After getting the news of atomic attack
(b) By inventing sad notes
(c) Over barbarism of Hitler
(d) When he was pained by false promises

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.8: Which event in 1945, according to Einstein, turned science and scientists into murderers?
(a) The wrong use of Einstein’s equation
(b) False promises of Roosevelt
(c) The dropping of atom bombs on the two Japanese cities
(d) None of these

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.9: Einstein invited which philosopher to inaugurate the new institution?
(a) Bertrand Russell 
(b) Albert Schweitzer 
(c) Both (a) and (b) 
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.10: Besides two great philosophers, how many other scientists were invited by Einstein to inaugurate the institution where spirituality would be compulsorily taught?
(a) Five
(b) Ten 
(c) Eight
(d) Fifteen

Correct Answer is Option (b)

II. Read the passage given below: 

1. Human life changes constantly over time. Mobile phones were previously seen only among few high-class people and were considered as something lavish. Then slowly, even the average or the common men on the street, like a cobbler or vegetable vendor, could be seen having a cell-phone. In the world today, even young kids and school going children are found busily chatting away on their mobile phones. Now kids as young as seven and eight too have started owning a mobile phone. Welcome to the new age world!
2. Studies recommend that mobile phones should only be given to children above sixteen years of age. Children below the age of sixteen should not be given mobile phones since their brain is too sensitive to withstand the effects of mobile radiation. Since the tissues in the brain and body are still developing, these radiations can cause cell damage. Due to the absorption of radiation, children can have severe health issues. Although, adults also get affected by these radiations, it will be more severe in children because of increased absorption of these radiation levels. Experts also believe there is a link between childhood cancer and mobile phone usage among children. 
3. A survey was conducted to get the views of the parents and teachers as to whether the children below sixteen years of age should be given mobiles or not. The responses received were formulated into a pie diagram as under:
   

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.
Q.11: What is the minimum age prescribed by the studies to give mobile phones to children? 
(a) Ten
(b) Twelve
(c) Fourteen 
(d) Sixteen

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.12: Which of these diseases is linked to mobile phone usage?
(a) Childhood obesity
(b) Childhood retardation 
(c) Childhood cancer
(d) All of these

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.13: What percentage of parents and teachers are against giving mobile phones to students in any situation?
(a) 7%
(b) 20%
(c) 30%
(d) 43%

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.14: Which of these categories is represented by this pictorial representation?
(a) Yes, no restrictions 
(b) Yes, but not during class hours 
(c) Yes, but only in emergency 
(d) No, never

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.15: Pick out the word or phrase from the passage which means the same as ‘extravagant’ (used in Para 1).
(a) High-class
(b) Lavish
(c) Vendor
(d) Busily

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.16: Pick out the word or phrase from the passage which means opposite to ‘contracting’ (Para 2).
(a) Recommending
(b) Developing
(c) Absorbing
(d) Linking

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.17: The word ‘conducted’ used in Para 3 here means:
(a) Steered
(b) Sold 
(c) Planned
(d) Finalised

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.18: Now-a-days, who are found busily chatting on their mobile phones?
(a) Vegetable vendors
(b) Cobblers
(c) Executives
(d) Kids

Correct Answer is Option (d)

III. Answer any four out of the five questions given below.
Q.19: An advertisement is a ______________. 
(a) public announcement 
(b) private announcement 
(c) personal announcement 
(d) service announcement 

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.20: An advertisement is used to influence the __________ of the masses.
(a) mind
(b) taste
(c) motive
(d) All of these

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.21: Language of the Notice should be _______________________. 
(a) very formal
(b) simple and formal 
(c) complicated and tricky
(d) highly informal and simple

Correct Answer is Option (b) 

Q.22: Which of the following shouldn't be a part of Notice?
(a) Date
(b) Greetings 
(c) Heading
(d) Authorised Signatory

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.23: The word 'Notice' is written in ___________ letters.
(a) block
(b) cursive
(c) calligraphy
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer is Option (a)

IV. With the understanding of the format of the Letter answer any six of the seven questions given.
Q.24: What is written on the top of a Business Letter on the left side?
(a) Sender’s address
(b) Receiver’s address
(c) Date 
(d) Salutation

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.25: What is written below sender’s address in a Business letter?
(a) Date 
(b) Receiver’s address
(c) Subject
(d) Salutation

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.26: Which of these is the right format of writing the date in all the formal or Business letters?
(a) 23/03/2021
(b) 23rd March, 2021
(c) March 23, 2021
(d) Both b and c

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.27: The subject of Business letter should be…
(a) As long as possible 
(b) Brief, Clear and Relevant
(c) Stretched and Irrelevant
(d) None of these

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.28: Where is the salutation placed in a Business letter?
(a) Just above the date
(b) Just below the date
(c) Along with the date
(d) None of these

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.29: Which of these is the most suitable salutation of a Business letter?
(a) Dear Sir/Madam
(b) Sir/Madam
(c) Loving Mr. xyz/Mrs. xyz
(d) All of these

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.30: Which of the following statements is incorrect about Enquiry Letter?
(a) Letter to Enquiry is written to provide details
(b) Letter to Enquiry is written to fetch details
(c) Letter to Enquiry is written to make a complaint
(d) None of these

Correct Answer is Option (b)

V. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow: 
I jumped over the bench and sat down at my desk. Not till then, when I had got a little over my fright, did I see that our teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.
Q.31: Why did Franz sit quickly at his desk?
(a) He was embarrassed when everyone noticed him coming late to the class.
(b) He was scared that M. Hamel might get angry and punish him.
(c) He wanted to settle down before the lesson began.
(d) All of the above.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Franz was embarrassed as he had come late. He also knew that teacher might punish him so he jumped up and sat down quickly.

Q.32: Owing to his fright, what couldn’t be noticed by Franz?
(a) M. Hamel’s powerful voice.
(b) M. Hamel’s confident demeanour.
(c) M. Hamel being over-dressed.
(d) M. Hamel looking old and tired. 

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Owing to his fear, Franz could not see the change in the dress worn by M. Hamel.

Q.33: Why was M. Hamel wearing embroidered clothes that he wore only on special occasions?
(a) He was enjoying uninterrupted teaching.
(b) All the old villagers were present in his class.
(c) He was delivering his last lesson.
(d) Germans were visiting their school.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
M. Hamel had to deliver his last lesson, so he had worn that dress which he used to wear on special occasions.

Q.34: What transformation did Franz find in his class, even before entering it?
(a) The class was absolutely clean.
(b) There were not many people present in the school.
(c) The class was occupied by the villagers instead of the students.
(d) The class was silent without any chaos.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
When Franz entered the classroom he found the class silent unlike other days.

Q.35: Why was little Franz frightened?
(a) He was late for the class.
(b) There were soldiers in the class.
(c) He had PTM that day.
(d) M. Hamel seemed to be very angry that day.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
He was late as he was always casual about reaching school on time.

VI. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:
Sometimes, I think Grand Central is growing like a tree, pushing out new corridors and staircases like roots. There’s probably a long tunnel that nobody knows about feeling its way under the city right now, on its way to Times Square and maybe another to Central Park. And maybe — because for so many people through the years Grand Central has been an exit, a way of escape — maybe that’s how the tunnel I got into... But I never told my psychiatrist friend about that idea.
Q.36: The above extract is NOT an example of _________.
(a) allegory
(b) analogy
(c) imagery
(d) metaphor

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Allegory means a story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Q.37: Charley decided not to tell his psychiatrist friend about his idea. Choose the option that reflects the reaction Charley anticipated from his friend.
(a) “That’s such a lovely comparison. Why don’t you become a writer, Charley?” 
(b) “Oh Charley. It is so sad to see your desperation to run away! So very sad.”
(c) “Maybe that’s how you entered the third level. Who would have thought?!”
(d) “You need help, my raving friend. You are way too invested in this crazy thought!”

Correct Answer is Option (d)
He thought that his psychiatrist friend would make fun of him.

Q.38: Look at the given image that lists some of the ways in which the symbolism of a tree is employed.
Which of the following would represent an example as used by Charley in the above extract? 
(a) ‘Stay grounded’ as the train station is underground. 
(b) ‘Connect with your roots’ as he desires to go back to his past. 
(c) ‘Enjoy the view’ as the station leads to all tourist sights of the city. 
(d) ‘Keep growing’ as the station keeps renovating and expanding.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Growth in terms of expansion.

Q.39: The idiom ‘feeling its way’ implies _____________ movement.
(a) swift 
(b) tentative
(c) circular
(d) disorganized

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Tentative- not certain or fixed; provisional.

Q.40: The tone of the speaker in the above extract is:
(a) apprehensive
(b) confident 
(c) optimistic 
(d) pessimistic

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Charley was doubtful about his moves and also speculative about his future.

VII. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse and realized with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away…
Q.41: Choose the option that best applies to the given extract.
(1) A conversation
(2) An argument 
(3) A piece of advice
(4) A strategy
(5) A recollection
(6) A suggestion 
(a) 1, 3 & 6 
(b) 2, 4 & 5
(c) Only 5
(d) Only 1

Correct Answer is Option (c)
It is recalling an incident from past memories.

Q.42: Choose the book title that perfectly describes the condition of the poet’s mother.
(a) Title 1
(b) Title 2
(c) Title 3
(d) Title 4

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Some last years/ moments of the life of poet's mother.

Q.43: Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below.
Assertion: The poet wards off the thought of her mother getting old quickly.
Reason: The poet didn’t want to confront the inevitability of fate that was to dawn upon her mother.
(a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred.
(b) Assertion cannot be inferred but the Reason can be inferred.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason cannot be inferred.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Some truths are hard to accept and believe, as parting from our loved ones.

Q.44: Choose the option that displays the same literary device as in the given lines of the extract. her face ashen like that of a corpse…
(a) Just as I had this thought, she appeared and…
(b) My thoughts were as heavy as lead that evening when …
(c) I think like everyone else who…
(d) I like to think aloud when …

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.45: Which of the following displays the same literary device as in 'her face ashen like that of a corpse'?
(a) The grandmother's sand papery voice.
(b) Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer.
(c) She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.
(d) I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed.

Correct Answer is Option (c)

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:
Have you ever been there? It’s a wonderful town, still with big old frame houses, huge lawns and tremendous trees whose branches meet overhead and roof the streets. And in 1894, summer evenings were twice as long, and people sat out on their lawns, the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fire-flies all around, in a peaceful world. To be back there with the First World
Q.46: ‘You’ here refers to:
(a) Charley ’s psychiatrist, Sam Weiner
(b) Charley ’s wife, Louisa
(c) The reader
(d) Nobody in particular, it is a figure of speech.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The narrator is trying to involve the readers in the story to have a lasting impression.

Q.47: Choose the option that best describes the society represented in the above extract.
(a) Satisfied, non-violent
(b) Relaxed, emotional 
(c) Conventional, upper class
(d) Calm, antique

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The line that proves this is – ‘the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-leaf fans’.

Q.48: What kind of a description is given by the writer in this paragraph?
(a) Traditional
(b) Vivid picturesque
(c) Grotesque
(d) Emotional

Correct Answer is Option (b) 
Clear and detailed description, a picture can be formed with words.

Q.49: “the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fire-flies all around” is NOT an example of :
(i) Imagery
(ii) Allusion
(iii) Alliteration
(iv) Anachronism
(a) Options (i) and (ii) 
(b) Options (i) and (iii)
(c) Options (ii) and (iii)
(d) Options (ii) and (iv) 

Correct Answer is Option (d)
No referential comparison done; no archaic words used here.

Q.50: Why was Charley fascinated by Galesburg?
(a) It had beautiful landscape.
(b) It had exotic beaches.
(c) That was his escape from the troublesome world.
(d) His old friends had settled there.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Charley wanted to go there to escape from insecurity, fear, war, worry and tension of the modern world.

IX. Attempt the following.
Q.51: ‘So blot their maps with slums as big as doom’.
What does the poet show through this expression?
(a) Obstacles on the path of progression.
(b) Study of the minor areas located on the map.
(c) Big maps show perfect images.
(d) Poet’s protest against social injustice and inequalities.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Slums are like blots on the map of a civilized world as they indicate poverty and class inequality.

Q.52: Which of the following lines from the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’, direct towards human’s dual coping mechanism of denial and escape?
(a) but soon put that thought away
(b) doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse
(c) Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes
(d) … but after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The poet compares her dozing pale mother to a corpse and this almost reflexive comparison that the poet makes in her head culminates in the brutal realization that her source of life had actually aged and become old. But before the poet could even complete this painful train of thought, she brushed it aside, not allowing this realization to get processed.

Q.53: The imprisoned minds and lives of the slum children can be released from their ________ if they are made familiar with the outer world.
(a) depression
(b) oppression
(c) suppression
(d) extraction

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Oppression means harassment.

Q.54: ‘She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes.’ This indicates that:
(a) though she is married, she has no fascination.
(b) though she is a married woman, she doesn’t dress up like one.
(c) though she is married, her eyes are bereft of happiness.
(d) she is a married woman who has lost her eyesight.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
She has not enjoyed even one full meal in her entire lifetime. Her husband, an old man says, “I know nothing except bangles. All I have done is make a house for the family to live in.”

Q.55: The wars have no survivors. Why?
(a) Wars are fought for personal gains.
(b) Wars are fought with latest weapons.
(c) During the wars, loss of life is experienced by both winning as well as losing side.
(d) Wars are fought on land, air and water.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The winning as well as the losing side lose their people and those who survive may also undergo trauma or guilt.

Q.56: Cause of the war: social, political and religious problems.
Solution to the problem: self-introspection Conclusion: ________
(a) keeping quiet
(b) united people 
(c) making an appeal
(d) pleading to be one

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Self-introspection will bring people together.

Q.57: What questions arise due to the complication of the situation in the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’?
(a) How to engage oneself in old age?
(b) How to take care of one’s problems?
(c) How to drive fast?
(d) How to strike a balance between duties and responsibilities?

Correct Answer is Option (d)
To fulfil the demands of one’s career, one has to part away from the old parents and thus, feel helpless not being able to perform one’s responsibilities at the home-front.

Q.58: ‘Deep Water’ is an autobiographical account of the author’s ________________ at the swimming pool.
(a) childhood achievement 
(b) childhood misfortune
(c) miraculous victory
(d) lifetime achievement

Correct Answer is Option (b)
In this chapter, he tells us how as a young boy, he was nearly drowned in the swimming pool. Thereafter, he feared water so much that he avoided it whenever he could.

Q.59: Sadao felt that he got his reward as a doctor when ______________. 
(a) the prisoner could escape
(b) he got recognition from the government
(c) his servants returned back to his place 
(d) his wife appreciated him

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The doctor felt rewarded after saving the soldier’s life as a sincere doctor and helping him to escape.

Q.60: Sadao changed his mind when the assassins did not come. So he decided __________.
(a) to kill the prisoner himself
(b) to help him escape
(c) to hand him over to the police
(d) to send him to India

Correct Answer is Option (b)
When the General's men did not come to kill the American, Sadao decided to save his life. Dr. Sadao gave his boat to the young soldier, arranged food for him and provided him valuable information which helped him to escape successfully. This is how Sadao helped the American soldier flee and thereby, saved his life.