Class 12 English: CBSE Sample Question Paper- Term II (2021-22)- 3 | Sample Papers for Class 12 Commerce PDF Download

Class-XII
Time: 120 Minutes

General Instructions: 

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections- READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

I. Read the passage given below: 

1. Emma Raducanu had sprung from nowhere at Wimbledon, defeating a string of higher-ranked players in a startling run that captivated the nation. Promoted to No 1 Court – and the front pages – for a fourth-round match against Ajla Tomljanović of Australia, the 18-year-old suffered dizziness and breathing difficulties and retired. “I think the whole experience caught up with me,” she said later.
2. Dr. Claire-Marie Roberts was watching with a pang of recognition. Roberts, 43, was a promising teenage swimmer, who once qualified for the 100 m breaststroke at the 1996 Olympics. But she had done so despite almost crippling competitive anxiety.
3. “I‘d be vomiting in the toilets before races with so many self-doubts and ridiculous scenarios playing out in my mind,” she says. “I‘d worry about letting my dad and coach down and think everyone was much better than me. Sometimes I‘d visualize myself with armbands on, struggling even to swim to the end of the pool.” Happily, and unusually for the time, Roberts had a sports psychologist to turn to for help: “In the early 90s nobody really even knew what a sports psychologist was.” It was only then that she was able to start managing her anxiety and qualify for Atlanta with Team Great Britain.
4. When a pre-games injury snuffed out her Olympic dream, Roberts’ experience inspired a job swap. She is now a sports psychologist at the University of the West of England in Bristol and learning and development manager at the Premier League.
5. Dr. Andrea Furst, a sports psychologist who works with England Rugby and the Australian sailing team, says the discipline to focus on what needs to be improved is what separates elite athletes and mortals. “Many of the things that are needed to be elite are not particularly complex but it‘s the requirement for them to be done day after day that makes supreme performers,” she says. “One of the best pieces of advice in everyday life would be to pick one thing to focus on you want to change and stick at it.”
6. “The performances we love the most are the ones where we can see huge hearts, deep character and the mastery of skill at an inspiring level; where we can see ‘humanness‘ – not robotic perfection or emotionless ‘execution‘,” psychologist Pippa Grange says. “There is something for all of us to take from that.”
7. When the recent England-Italy Euro final went to penalties, Dr Geir Jordet, a sports psychologist, grabbed a notepad. His analysis, covering more than 45 years of shootouts, has revealed that when a team only needs one more successful penalty to win the match, the player who takes it will score 92% of the time. When a team loses the match by missing the next penalty (for example, Bukayo Saka‘s turn for England), the player taking that penalty scores only 62% of the time. “In life, it‘s about considering the positive consequences of what you‘re doing rather than dwelling on the negative consequences if you mess up,” he says.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT questions from the nine given below.
Q.1. ‘Emma Raducanu had sprung from nowhere’ means:

She was neither famous nor expected to win

Q.2. Assertion: Emma dropped out of the 4th round match. 
Reason: All of a sudden, she was severely injured.
What can be inferred from the two statements given above?

A is correct, R is not correct

Q.3. Statement 1: Dr Claire Roberts was surprised to see whatever happened to Emma.
Statement 2: She was able to overcome a similar situation in her youth.
How are both the statements related to each other?

Statement 1 is false

Statement 2 is true

Q.4. When Dr Roberts was a young swimmer, she was worried about:

disappointing her father and her coach and facing much stronger opponents

Q.5. Back in the 90s: 

nobody really even knew what a sports psychologist was

Q.6. To become a top sports person: 

one must focus on what needs to be developed and the efforts to improve must be consistent

Q.7. The most inspiring sports performances are achieved through:

huge hearts, deep character and the mastery of skill at an inspiring level; where we can see ‘humanness‘ – not robotic perfection or emotionless ‘execution‘

Q.8. Match the words in the first column with those in the second column.

A-2; B-3; C-4

Q.9. What can be said about penalty shootouts?

The chances of winning are better when only one goal is required to win; the chances of winning are comparatively lower when missing means a loss. It is about concentrating on positive results and to not worry about negative consequences.

II. Read the following passage.

1. Every day, we put our trust in computing technology in the financial networks that drive the global economy, the aircraft control systems that guide thousands of flights safely to their destinations, the computers that store our documents at work and at home. Yet most people still do not count on computing the way they rely on electricity or the telephone. Individuals and businesses alike are concerned about the privacy, security and availability of their data about upgrading their hardware, about how new applications might affect their systems. Until these concerns are addressed, computing‘s potential to enrich our daily lives will not be fully realized. 
2. Right now, we are only scratching the surface of what computing technology can do. Already, networks of smart, connected devices make it possible for us to do business, communicate, learn and be entertained using everything from full featured PCs to smart, handheld devices. And in the years ahead, a combination of inexpensive microchips and smart software will weave computing into almost every part of our lives. The advance of computing technology has in many ways tracked the growth of electric power more than a century ago. Manufacturing companies were among the first to use electricity, mostly to improve the productivity. However, in the home, it remained a novel luxury. Many people were reluctant to use the new electrical appliances, unsure of their safety and reliability. By the 1930s, however, technology advanced industry safety initiatives and gradual public acceptance led to a rapid increase in electricity use in many countries- the technology was still not fully trustworthy, but it was safe and reliable enough. 
3. Today, the developed world takes electricity for granted. For computers to be taken for granted they must always be available wherever and whenever people need them, they must reliably protect personal information from misuse, give people control over how their data is used and they must be unfailingly secure. We call this concept Trustworthy Computing. 
4. Making Trustworthy Computing a reality is both an immediate challenge and a long-term research goal. Trustworthy Computing technology is far more advanced and used in vastly different ways than, it was in the mid-20th century. Yet the way we build computers and the way we largely design software and services around those computers, has not really changed much.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY SIX out of the seven questions given below.
Q.1. The examples of computing technology that are put to everyday use include:

the financial networks that drive the global economy, the aircraft control systems that guide thousands of flights safely to their destinations, the computers that store our documents at work and at home.

Q.2. What can possibly follow the last line of the passage?

Changes should be made to make Trustworthy Computing a reality.

Q.3. The writer draws an analogy between public acceptance of computing technology and:

electric power

Q.4. The author uses the word ‘weave’ in the passage to imply: 

a smooth blend of technology with our daily lives.

Q.5. Trustworthy Computing does not include:

controlling usage of others data.

Q.6. The word ‘REALIZED’ in the passage, means the same as:

accomplished

Q.7. The most suitable title for the passage would be: 

Indispensable computer (or any other suitable title)

III. Your friend, P. V. Sathish, has invited you to attend the wedding of his sister, Jaya. You find that you have an important paper of pre-board examination on the day of the wedding. Thus you cannot attend the event. Write in about 50 words a formal reply to the invitation expressing your regret. You are Puneet / Pueeta Vij, M-114, Fort Road, Chennai.

M-114, Fort Road
Chennai - 600009
03 March 2019
Dear Satish
It was great pleasure to receive the invitation to attend your sister Jaya’s wedding. It is a good news to hear and thanks for inviting me. But I am sorry to inform you that I won’t be able to attend the same as the Physics paper of my pre-board examination is scheduled on the same day of wedding. Please convey my best wishes to Jaya and her fiancé.
Yours lovingly
Puneet

IV. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below.
(A) Cultural Society, Sunshine Public School, Nellore organised an adult literacy camp in its neighbourhood. Write a report in 120-150 words on the camp for your school newsletter. You are P.V. Sunitha, Secretary. Use the following clues: No. of volunteers—hours spent in teaching—location of the class—chairs, blackboards—No. of people attending the camp—benefit.
OR
(B) You have read an advertisement in the newspaper, 'Pune Times' for the post of software engineer in Alex Software, Pune. You believe that you possess the requisite qualifications and experience and your innovative ideas will prove an asset to the company. Write an application in 120-150 words emphasizing your strong points and your suitability for the post. Also include your bio-data. You are Saurab/Shikha, 12, Mall Road, Chandigarh.

(A)

ADULT LITERACY CAMP

Nellore March 8, 2017
An adult literacy camp was organized on March 8, 2017 in our neighbourhood. The activities of the camp were carried out by the cultural society of the Sunshine Public School with a total of 20 volunteers. The chief guest for the occasion was Mrs. Kavita Naik, a renowned social worker. There were 500 participants in the camp.
They were divided into different groups and free classes were given to them in the various classrooms from 10 am to 1 p.m. They were taught through writing the points on blackboards with colourful chalks. A cleanliness drive was organized with stress on the need to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. There were also talks on ethics, moral values, discipline and punctuality. Free books and stationery were distributed. Later, the chief guest presented the volunteers with appreciation certificates. She congratulated all for organizing such a noble event.
P. V. Sunitha
Secretary, Cultural Society
Sunshine Public School

OR

(B) 

12, Mall Road
Chandigarh
14th March, 20XX
The Human Resource Manager
Alex Software
Pune
Subject : Application for the Post of Software Engineer  
Sir
With reference to your advertisement in the Pune Times dated 12 March 20XX for the post of a Software Engineer in your esteemed company, I would like to apply for the same.
I assure you that I will perform my duties with great dedication and sincerity. I possess the requisite qualifications and experience. I believe that my innovative ideas will prove an asset to the company.
I am enclosing my bio-data for your perusal.
Thank you
Yours sincerely
Shikha

V. Attempt ANY FIVE of the six questions given below, within 40 words each.
Q.1. A mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him

The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old acquaintance, Nils Olof (Captain von Stahle). and this mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for him. It was the genuine kindness of Edla that reformed peddler and lent him conviction to elevate himself from being a thief. This allowed him the opportunity to behave in a dignified manner befitting that of a captain after being treated like a Captain. This gave him the power to clear his conscience and brought out his latent goodness.

Q.2.: As the host of a talk show, introduce Rajkumar Shukla to the audience by stating any two of his defining qualities.
You may begin your answer like this:
Meet Rajkumar Shukla, the man who played a pivotal in the Champaran Movement. He ……

Raj Kumar Shukla is determined and resolute. He followed Gandhi ji wherever he went so that he could convince Gandhi ji to accompany him to Champaran where the poor peasants were facing injustice. Being impressed of his tenacity, Gandhi ji fixed a date told Shukla to meet him in Calcutta. It was the perseverance and dedication of Rajkumar Shukla that made Gandhi ji reach Champaran and raise his voice against the social injustice.

Q.3. Adrienne Rich chose to express her silent revolt through her poem, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, just as Aunt Jennifer did with her embroidery. Explain.

Adrienne Rich, through her poem, criticizes the traditional institution of marriage, in her times, suggesting that it oppresses women.

Similarly, Aunt Jennifer, a victim of an unhappy marriage, under a domineering husband, chooses embroidery to vent her angst.
Both use their creative outlet as a form of protest against societal expectations.

Q.4. Rationalize why Keats uses the metaphor ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ in his poem, A Thing of Beauty?

Things of beauty are just like the immortal drink of the gods that flow continuously and never die. Just as the endless fountain of immortality is an elixir of life, similarly, things of beauty are constant or perennial in providing the everlasting joy, motivation and bliss to humanity.

Q.5. How do you think Derry ’s mother contributes to his sense of alienation and isolation? (On the Face of It)

Derry ’s mother is overprotective and doesn’t understand her son’s longing for companionship. She treats him with a sense of pity and robs him of his dignity by perpetually treating him like a helpless victim. She contributes to his isolation by keeping him home because of his facial injury. She also forbids him from returning to Mr Lamb’s house. All this is done without any intentional harm but it proves to bring more negativity than any amount of positivity.

Q.6. Validate John Updike’s open-ended title, Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

The title “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?” is apt and justified, in spite of the fact that the father – the mouthpiece of the author – is firm in his opinion that mothers all over the world are supreme and cannot err. The reader is face to face with two contrasting view-points. The spirit of equality, stamped in her mind urges Jo to condemn the mother and demand that the wizard should hit the mother in retaliation. The child’s thinking is simple and innocent. She fails to understand that her father wants to tell her that mothers are above all blame.

The author deliberately keeps the story open-ended and does not categorically state his opinion and the title has a question mark leaving the readers to decide whether the mother needs to be hit or spared, because he wants the gingerliness to correspond with the ending of the story that leaves the narrator caught in the “ugly middle position” of uncertainties.

VI. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words each.
Q.1. How does Keats’ poem, A Thing of Beauty appeal richly to the senses, stimulating the reader ’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell? Write your answer in about 120-150 words.

Keats’s descriptions allow for a deeper perception of the imaginary concept, converting it into a life-like experience stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell.

Keats establishes this with powerful imagery and word play. The cooling comfort of the bower, dancing daffodils in its green environs, the babbling stream and the mid-forest brake with the musk rose blooms, evoke our imagination, sense of hearing, touch and smell. The stories of mighty and the doom that befalls them appeals to our intellect. The endless fountain may be an allusion of the fountain of youth, however, it has a sublimating effect on the reader. Keats poetic descriptions presents beauty that appeals to our senses and gives delight.
This poem, in many ways, signifies a romantic finale of Keats’s firm belief in the non-destruction of beauty, and of its claim to legitimacy with reference to its permanence, and its ability to call up, or contextualize the truth. This forms the main theme of the poem.  The poet’s artistic view of beauty as an obstinate source of pleasure and joy comes in the face of a knowledge of the sharp problems of life, to which the essential thing of beauty offer their own mode of struggle. Unlike the common place objects of everyday certainty, the objects of beauty are resistant to the perishability of time, and indeed of mortality. This interlaces the melancholic note characteristic to many of the poet’s odes with a classical, fleeting form of beauty. Their power rises with time. They are the signifiers of a continuity that is reflected as historical truth, of a story that exceeds the limitations of specific insight, but includes and decides the collective flow. The sun, the moon, the flora and the fauna in Nature are protectors of an infinity that can never be equated with the temporariness and incontinency of human schemes.

Q.2. Colin Dexter, the author of Evans Tries an O-level employs the red herring technique of intentionally misleading readers by placing false clues to keep the plot enigmatic. Substantiate with reference to text, in about 120-150 words.

The stage is set with a maximum security prison and a kleptomaniac with a record of breaking out of prison.

Evans’ grubby appearance, jovial manner and friendly banter distracts from sharp intelligence and extraordinary talent for deception. The silly but filthy looking bobble hat (a knit beanie with a pom-pom on top) distracts, giving readers the appearance of a comical character. ‘Number two Handkerchief’ neatly placed on the bed, where’s number one? This technique eludes the reader’s attention always to the distractors and never lets them focus on to the main point.
The first mention of Reverend Stuart McLeery exiting his bachelor flat in Broad Street, mention of the nail file and then reference to McLeery’s meticulously manicured fingers are quite illusive. The illusion created about McLeery’s thin demeanour and then ‘McLeery’ slumped in a chair are perfect distractors to mislead the reader. Further, clues in the question paper and a chase for Evans all over town are all false cues to keep the plot enigmatic.
Thus, Colin Dexter’s Evan’s Tries an O-level is a creative and highly complicated prison break interspersed with twists in the plot.

Q.3. Biographies include features of non-fiction texts – factual information and different text structures such as description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, or problem and solution. Examine Indigo in the light of this statement, in about 120-150 words.

‘Indigo’ is an excerpt of a biography and thus has features of fiction as well as non-fiction texts.
The factual information provided in the text with reference to the exact dates are recorded in order of occurrence. The events which are part of the text, illustrate Gandhiji’s method of working. Gandhiji’s politics was intermingled with the day-to-day problems of the millions of Indians. He opposed unjust laws. He was ready to court arrest for breaking such laws and going to jail. The famous Dandi March to break the ‘Salt Law’ is another instance. The resistance and disobedience was peaceful and a fight for truth and justice. This was linked directly to his ideas of Satyagraha and Non-Violence.
The points of comparison between people, Gandhiji’s interaction with the peasants, the lawyers and his attitude towards C. F. Andrews all give an insight into Gandhiji’s character and his impact on people. The problem solving approach administered by Gandhiji and his conflict resolution techniques support the features of non-fiction text.
So we can conclude that Indigo reiterates the fact that it includes features of non-fiction text.