AHLCON PUBLIC SCHOOL

MAYUR VIHAR-1, DELHI-91

Practice Exam TERM-I (SESSION 2021-2022)

Class: XII
Subject: English (301)
Time: 90 minutes M.M.:40
Total No. of Questions: 60 Total No. of Pages:15

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.

READING
I. Read the passage given below.

I. The Amazon rainforest is home to a wide variety of notorious, yet fascinating, snakes. Some of the
most deadly (and well-known) snakes in the world—the green anaconda, the boa constrictor, the
lancehead—live in the Amazon.

II. Agile on water but awkward on land, the green anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the world.
At 29 feet long and 550 pounds, these snakes are huge! Most people assume that anacondas are
very poisonous, but they are actually non-venomous. Instead, they are constrictors, meaning they
squeeze their prey to death before swallowing it whole. The green anaconda loves to lie in wait in
shallow, slow moving waters like marshes, swamps, and creeks.

III. The tree dwelling cousin to the green anaconda is the boa constrictor. Like the green anaconda, the
boa constrictor can also grow to be larger than most snakes. These snakes prefer to wrap their
six-foot-long bodies around tree limbs, rather than slither through swamps. Because boas are so
muscular, they have no problem hanging in the trees until it is time for a snack. The boa has the
capability to squeeze its prey to death and swallow an entire animal in one bite. Eating such large
meals allows this snake to go weeks before eating again.

IV. By contrast, the lancehead is a much smaller snake. It typically grows to be about a foot long. Like
the boa, the lancehead loves to curl itself around tree limbs, but it is not strong enough or large
enough to be a constrictor. Despite its size, the lancehead is one of the most deadly snakes in
South America because it is extremely sneaky and venomous. It stealthily hunts for its prey by using
heat sensors in pits on the side of its face. Once it detects a warm body, it strikes, releasing
paralyzing venom into its victim.
 V. Long and strong green anacondas, constricting boas, and life-threatening lanceheads are just a few
of the deadly variety of snakes that dwell in the Amazon rainforest.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following any eight out of the ten
questions by choosing the correct option.

Q.1 As used in paragraph I, which of the following choices gives the best meaning of the word notorious?
A. included in popular culture
B. famous or commonly celebrated
C. widely and unfavorably known
D. evil or ill-intentioned

Q. 2 According to information in the passage, both green anacondas and boa constrictors

1. constrict their prey before eating it whole

2. are larger than most other snakes
3. love curling themselves around trees

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Q. 3 Based on its use in paragraph II, it can be understood that agile belongs to which of the
following word groups?
A. gentle, soft, light
B. athletic, nimble, quick
C. secret, stealthy, hidden
D. gigantic, huge, enormous

Q. 4 According to information in the passage, the boa constrictor is

A. extremely venomous
B. the deadliest snake in South America
C. always looking for its next meal
D. six feet long

Q. 5 Which of the following statements from the passage best summarizes how boa constrictors differ from
green anacondas?
A. Like the boa, the Lancehead loves to curl itself around tree limbs.
B. Agile on water but awkward on land, the Green Anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the
world.
C. The boa has the capability to squeeze its prey to death and swallow an entire animal in one bite.
D. These snakes prefer to wrap their six-foot-long bodies around tree limbs, rather than
slither through swamps.

Q. 6 Which of the following choices correctly orders these snakes from smallest to largest in
terms of length?
 A. Lancehead, Boa Constrictor, Green Anaconda
B. Green Anaconda, Boa Constrictor, Lancehead
C. Lancehead, Green Anaconda, Boa Constrictor
D. Boa Constrictor, Lancehead, Green Anaconda

Q. 7 According to the passage, how is the lancehead different from both the boa constrictor and
the green anaconda?
1. It injects paralyzing venom into its prey.
2. It curls itself around tree limbs.
3. It searches out its prey, rather than lying in wait.

A.1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Q. 8 What is the relationship between (1) and (2)?

(1) ...the boa constrictor eats very large meals

(2) ...it can go weeks before eating again.
.
A. (2) is the cause for (1).
B. (1) repeats the situation described in (2).
C. (2) contradicts the situation described in (1).
D. (1) is the reason for (2).

Q. 9 Which of the following correctly uses the meaning of the phrase ‘lie/lying/lay in wait’?

A. The hired men were lying in wait when Mr. Gill came out of the hotel.
B. As promised, the friends lay in wait for Rhea in the sweltering heat outside.
C. He was surrounded by fans who had been lying in wait for him.
D. I lay in wait in front of the TV for my favourite serial.

Q. 10 The word ‘venomous’ , with respect to a person’s behaviour , would NOT include
A. Malicious
B. Toxic
C. Voluble
D. Vindictive

II. Read the passage given below.

I. Noise pollution, an urban territorial phenomenon, is assuming serious proportions in Delhi, the third
largest urban centre of India. Back in 2011 , a study by the Centre of Science and Environment
(CSE) confirmed that New Delhi is the loudest city in India. The level of noise in the streets can go a
100 decibels, which is several times louder than Singapore. The frequency and intensity of pollution
has been increasing day by day. The analysis reveals tremendous increase in population, industrial
activities, unchecked growth in vehicular traffic and rapidly changing lifestyle are the major factors
 that have created and aggravated the problem of noise pollution. The major health implications
include irritation, disturbance in sleep, interference with communication and other harmful effects.
With the help of scientific analysis, the cause and effect relationship between the intensity of noise
pollution and occurrence of diseases among sampled households of Delhi has been established by
a study conducted.

II. Traffic noise is probably the hardest and most widespread type of noise pollution. The most
common manifestation of noise pollution is
hearing loss or impairment. According to
studies, the citizens in New Delhi are 10
years older in terms of hearing, which
means they are at a greater risk of losing
hearing in their 50s or early 60s. Hearing
impairment is mostly classified as an
occupational hazard especially when the
individual is affiliated with an industry that
propagates loud sound or noise. Moreover,
several effects of noise pollution exist. The
combination of noise and air pollution is
associated with respiratory ailments,
dizziness, tiredness and work efficiency in
children and adults. The pie diagram given
below depicts the effects of pollution - both noise and air pollution. Noise pollution has been found to
be associated with high blood pressure and cognitive difficulties. It continues to negatively affect
foetal development, annoyance, anxiety, mental health issues, sleep disturbance and insomnia,
cardiovascular disorders in pregnant women, cardio cerebrovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and
other physical symptoms.

III. Some suggestions such as land use and transportation planning are also given for reducing and
managing the noise pollution problem in the sustainable urban development perspectives. The loud
noise is often generated by the honking of cars, which means changes in attitude and behaviour can
reduce the main source of the noise. Other sources of noise could include trains, neighbour's music
systems or televisions, factories and their machinery. Planting bushes and trees in and around
sound generating sources as well as regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can effectively
reduce noise pollution. Community development or urban management should be done with long
term planning, along with an aim to reduce noise pollution. Social awareness programmes should
be taken up to educate the public about the causes and effects of noise pollution.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions
by choosing the correct option.
Q.11 According to the passage, vehicular traffic
A. is the worst cause of noise pollution.
B. does not affect human work efficiency.
C. demolishes the need for buffer zones.
D. is homogeneous in all the cities.

Q. 12 Pick the options that list statements that are not true :
 1. Regulating traffic cannot reduce the pollution levels.
2. High levels of noise cause health hazards.
3. Noise pollution causes jams at intersections.
4: Noise levels in Delhi are appallingly high.
Choose the correct option from the following:
A. 1 and 3
B. 3 and 4
C. 2 and 4
D. 2 and 3

Q. 13 "...... the hardest and most widespread type of noise pollution ......” The phrase suggests that it is
A. the most intense type of noise pollution.
B. the limited nature of noise pollution.
C. the rarest type of noise pollution.
D. the irregular quality of noise pollution

Q. 14 Choose the option that is true with respect to noise pollution.

A. Noise pollution does not affect unborn babies.
B. In Delhi, the rate of pollution has been reduced.
C. Combined air pollution and noise pollution affect only children.
D. Traffic noise can cause complications for pregnant women.

Q. 15 Based on the pie diagram (provided with the passage), choose the option that shows the highest
effect of noise and air pollution on an individual.
A. Tiredness
B. Fatigue
C. Headache
D. Work efficiency

Q. 16 Which of the following statements is substantiated by the information in

paragraph 2 ?
A. Noise pollution is less detrimental to health.
B. Loud noises take a toll on animals and humans.
C. Hearing power of the residents of Delhi is at risk.
D. Minor modification in traffic management may help.

Q. 17 According to the passage, pick the options that have been suggested to combat pollution :
1. Increasing vehicular traffic.
2. Regular maintenance of vehicles.
3. Creating social awareness.
4. Conducting scientific analysis.
Choose the correct option from the following:
 A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 4
D. 3 and 4

Q. 18 Based on the bar graph given below, pick the location that shows the least noise pollution by trains.

A. Location 1
B. Location 3
C. Location 4
D. Location 6

WRITING
III. Answer any four out of the five questions given, with reference to the context below.
The Librarian of Sunshine Valley School has to put up a notice to inform the students about the scheduled
dates for the return of library books for the purpose of annual stock-taking.

Q.19 Select the appropriate title for the notice.

A. Choose Your Own Time to Return
B. Schedule for Return of Library Books
C. Return Books Before Autumn Break
D. Come Fast and Return Books

Q.20 Select the option that lists the most appropriate opening for this notice.
A. Young ladies and gentlemen,please listen carefully...
B. This notice is purposely written to share some news with you all about...
C. This is to inform all the students of Sunshine Valley that...
D. I wish to share with all students of Sunshine Valley that...

Q.21 Select the option with the suitable set of information points to be included in the body of the
notice.
 1) Opinion about reading books
2) Reason for Notice to return books
3) Dates and time for return of books
4) Complaints about poor quality of books
5) Library card requirement for return of books
A. (1) , (4) and (5)
B. (2), (3) and (5)
C. (1), (2) and (3)
D. (2), (3) and (4)

Q.22 Would this notice reflect the name of the School?

A. Yes, because it is the issuing authority.
B. No, because the school’s name is irrelevant .
C. Yes, because it makes it informal.
D. No, because it creates confusion .

Q.23 Select the appropriate option to be included in this notice.

A. Stay informed and safe.
B. Collaboration solicited.
C. Stay prepared and alert.
D. Adherence to schedule required.

IV. Answer any six of the seven questions given, with reference to the context below.

Rohan is concerned about the health hazards caused by the use of pesticides and other harmful
chemicals. He writes a letter to the editor of The Indian Times expressing his views on the subject.
Q. 24 An editor is likely to select a letter which has a
A. Public cause and is ornately written.
B. Public cause but exposes writer‘s vested interest.
C. Public cause but is patronised.
D. Public cause but is authentic and personalized.

Q. 25 Why did the writer decide to write a letter to the editor?

A. To vent his anger and bitterness about pesticides and chemicals
B. To advocate and raise awareness about pesticides and chemicals.
C. To write a report in favour of farmers.
D. To instigate people against farmers.

Q. 26 How is the opening sentence of the letter vital for the success of a writer‘s letter?
A. It should inform the editor and readers about what he is writing.
 B. It should expect an immediate personal response.
C. It should be an argumentative one.
D. It should be a caution to the readers.

Q. 27. As the letter is about harmful effects of pesticides and chemicals, it should discuss which one
of the following?
A. The pros of their usage
B. The adverse effects on people’s health
C. The concern about farmers‘ health.
D. The farmer’s good yield.

Q. 28 Which option will be the most relevant to the issue he raises in the letter?
A. It is high time the government banned the use of hazardous adhesives and
chemicals.
B. It is high time stringent laws curb such child labour in the concerned industries.
C. It is high time stringent laws are made to ensure regular wages in agriculture.
D. It is high time that eco-friendly measures are taken to benefit the farmers and also
improve the health of people.

Q. 29 What is the recommended complimentary close in a letter to the editor?

A. Thank you immensely
B. Look forward to your immediate action.
C. Yours truly
D. With noblest regards.

Q. 30 Rohan makes rough notes of the issue he is going to highlight through his letter. While
thinking about the same, he makes a relevant venn diagram. Which one best depicts the relation
between the use of pesticide and chemicals and the negative effect on the health of the people? ( In
the diagram, A is the use of pesticide and chemicals and B is the effect on people).
A. Option 1 and 2
B. Option 2 and 3
C. Only option 2
D. Only option 4
 LITERATURE

This section has sub-sections: V, VI, VII, VIII, IX. There are a total of 30 questions in the section.
Attempt any 26 questions from the sub-sections V to IX.

V. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

“It is his karam, his destiny," says Mukesh's grandmother, who has watched her own husband go blind with
the dust from polishing the glass of bangles. “Can a God-given lineage ever be broken ?" she implies. Born
in the caste of bangle makers, they have seen nothing but bangles — in the house, in the yard, in every
other house, every other yard, every street in Firozabad.

Q. 31 Firozabad is
A. famous because of people who believe in destiny.
B. not famous for its bangles but its yards.
C. famous for its houses, yards and streets.
D. famous for its bangle-making industry.

Q. 32 The grandmother's statement shows her belief in

A. hard work
B. the danger
C. tradition
D. herself
Q. 33 What was the cause of Mukesh's grandfather's blindness ?
A. God-given lineage.
B. Dust from polishing bangles.
C. Overcrowding of the house with bangles.
D. Darkness of the dingy cells.

Q. 34 The word closest in meaning to ‘implies' is

A. suggests
B. decides
C. dislikes
D. deprives

Q. 35 Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (O).

(1) Firozabad is in Uttar Pradesh.
(2) The God-given lineage of bangle-making can never be broken.
(3) The bangle making industry employs children.
(4) Mukesh has an elder brother.
A. F-1,3,4; O-2
B. F-2, 3; O-1,4
C. F-2; O-1,3,4
D. F-3,4; O-1,2

VI. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

I had not been there long when in came a big bruiser of a boy, probably eighteen years old. He had thick
hair on his chest. He was a beautiful physical specimen, with legs and arms that showed rippling muscles.
He yelled, "Hi, Skinny! How'd you like to be ducked ?" With that he picked me up and tossed me into the
deep end. I landed in a sitting position, swallowed water, and went at once to the bottom.

Q. 36 Where did the misadventure happen?

A. The Yakima river
B. The beach in California
C. The Y.M.C.A. swimming pool
D. Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire

Q. 37 Which word best describes the action of the 'big bruiser'?

A. beautiful
B. cruel
C. breathtaking
D. unexciting
Q. 38 The incident turned Douglas' aversion to water into fear. What was he
now scared of ?
A. landing in a sitting position
B. Yakima river
C. water
D. the big bruiser

Q. 39 The meaning of the phrase 'to be ducked' in the above lines is closest to
A. a term of endearment.
B. to be turned into a duck.
C. to evade responsibility.
D. to be thrown suddenly into water.

Q. 40 “I had not been there long..” What had Douglas been doing at the pool right before this mishap?
1. Sitting hesitantly at the idea of swimming alone
2. Waiting for more people to be around to feel more secure
3. Waiting for his best friend to show up
4. Waiting for his trainer to come back

A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 and 4
D. 1 and 4

VII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

This map becomes their windows and these windows
That shut upon their lives like catacombs,
Break O break open till they break the town
And show the children to green fields, and make their world
Run azure on gold sands, and let their tongues
Run naked into books the white and green leaves open
History theirs whose language is the sun.

Q. 41 Pick the option that is NOT TRUE according to this extract.

A. The children should be allowed to read books and form their opinions.
B. Education without breaking the shackles of poverty, is meaningless.
C. The policy makers show the reality of the real world to the children.
D. The children see the world of poverty and misery through the windows.
Q. 42 Pick the option that is at odds with the meaning of ‘catacomb’ in the extract.
A. Underground cemetery
B. Tombs
C. Labyrinth
D. Amphitheatre

Q. 43 On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is closest to that of the poet.
A. The children should be left to play in the fields after their captivity.
B. The children must experience only nature from a safe distance.
C. The condition of the children can improve if they are shown the beautiful world out of their window.
D. The children are capable of creating history if they get access to nature and education.

Q. 44 Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two
statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is in anguish at the plight of the children in slums and is
sympathetic towards them.
Statement 2: The poet presents an exaggerated version of the struggles of the
slum children, to garner sympathy.
A. Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
B. Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
C. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
D. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Q. 45 Below are a few phrases from the poem. Pick the ones that portray ‘poverty and hopelessness’ in
the poem.
1. slag heap
2. spectacles of steel
3. gusty waves
4. run azure on gold sands
5. mended glass
6. squirrel’s game
7. language is the sun
A. 2, 4 and 7
B. 1, 3 and 5
C. 3, 4 and 6
D. 1, 2 and 5

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 War still twenty years off, and
World War II over forty years in the future... I wanted two tickets for that.

Q. 46 And in 1894, summer evenings were twice as long….the underlined means

1. Days are shorter now because of climate change.
2. Evenings had a more relaxed air about them.
3. Back then, people enjoyed their time in an unhurried manner.
4. People deliberately took longer over their evening rituals to avoid work.

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. 2 and 4

Q. 47 “branches meet overhead and roof the streets..” indicates that the streets
1. Had trees only on one side.
2. The tall trees created a canopy.
3. The streets were flanked by the trees.
4. Trees were on the terrace of the houses nearby.

A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 2 and 4
D. 1 and 4

Q. 48 Which option does not correctly describe the mood of the narrator in the given lines?
A. Sentimental
B. Nostalgic about an earlier era
C. Yearning for an escape from the post-war world
D. Overtaken by wander-lust

Q. 49 Fire-flies are also known as

A. Glow worms
B. Flying fire
C. Twinkling flies
D. Dusk flies

Q. 50 Which of the following Movement is likely to use the description of Galesburg to support itself?
 A. Go Slow
B. Hustle and Bustle for Success
C. Make Every Second Productive
D. Shop Till You Drop

IX. Attempt the following.

Q. 51 On his way to school, Franz says that he had the strength to resist and chose to hurry off to school.
This suggests that Franz was
A. tempted and he fell for it.
B. tempted but did not succumb to it.
C. threatened but did not get intimidated.
D. too busy to notice anything.

Q. 52 When Douglas was first pushed into the water, he was

A. frightened out of his wits
B. relaxed as he knew what to do
C. frightened, but held on to his wits
D. absolutely sure he would bob to the surface

Q. 53 What were the dominant traits of Dr. Sadao's personality ?

A. competent and compassionate
B. Obstinate but kind
C. Disobedient and disorganised
D. Rude but loving

Q. 54 Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (O), based on your reading of The Third Level.
(1) First day covers are never opened.
(2) Grand Central is growing like a tree.
(3) President Roosevelt collected stamps.
(4) Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist.
A. F-1,3,4; O-2
B. F-2, 3; O-1,4
C. F-2; O-1,3,4
D. F-3,4; O-1,2

Q. 55 The poetic device used in ‘pale as a late winter’s moon’ is also seen in which option here?
A. Tore my heart asunder..
B. I hummed a forgotten ditty...
C. Like a knife through my heart...
D. Slippery slope of dashed hopes...
Q. 56 “I never saw him look so tall”. Which of the following best captures M. Hamel on the last day of
school?
A. cranky, miserable, dedicated, resigned
B. patient, dignified, emotional, courageous
C. bitter, nostalgic, disappointed, abrasive
D. proud, reproachful, sarcastic, heroic

Q. 57 What statement does not hold true about wars through the poem ‘Keeping Quiet”?
A. Wars are of varied kinds – internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire
etc.
B. Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property
and life.
C. Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can
be measured.
D. Wars are unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and
power.

Q. 58 The real reason Dr Sadao was not sent abroad with the troops was because...
A. He was not keen to be a part of the war
B. Family came first for him
C. He insisted upon staying back for work
D. The old General might need his services

Q. 59 The ‘exotic’ moment in ‘Keeping Quiet’ would have elements of

1. Tranquility
2. Senility
3. Reflection
4. Introspection
5. Soul-searching
6. Frenzy

A. 1, 3, 4 and 6
B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 3, 4 and 5
D. 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q. 60 With reference to ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’, choose the option that applies correctly to the two
statements given below:
Statement 1: The poet is shaken by the thought of her mother looking like a corpse.
Statement 2: She tries to distract her mind by looking out of the window.
A. (2) is the cause for (1).
B. (2) contradicts the situation described in (1).
C. (1) has no relevance (2).
D. (1) is the reason for (2).