CBSE Class 12

English (Core)
Previous Year Question Paper 2017
Series: GBM/1 Set- 1
Code no. 1/1/1

• Please check that this question paper contains 12 printed pages.

• Code number given on the right-hand side of the question paper should
be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
• Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.
• Please write down the Serial Number of the question before
attempting it.
• 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the
students will read the question paper only and will not write any answer
on the answer script during this period.

ENGLISH (CORE)

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 100

General Instructions:
I. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. All the sections are
compulsory.
II. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary.
III. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A

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 READING 30 Marks
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
12 Marks
1. We sit in the last row, bumped about but free of stares. The bus rolls out
of the dull crossroads of the city, and we are soon in open countryside, with
fields of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, their heads all facing us. Where
there is no water, the land reverts to desert. While still on level ground we
see in the distance the tall range of Mount Bogda, abrupt like a shining
prism laid horizontally on the desert surface. It is over 5,000 metres high,
and the peaks are under permanent snow, in powerful contrast to the flat
desert all around. Heaven Lake lies part of the way up this range, about
2,000 metres above sea level, at the foot of one of the higher snow-peaks.
2. As the bus climbs, the sky, brilliant before, grows overcast. I have
brought nothing warm to wear: it is all down at the hotel in Urumqi. Rain
begins to fall. The man behind me is eating an overpoweringly smelly goat’s
cheese. The bus window leaks inhospitably but reveals a beautiful view. We
have passed quickly from desert through arable land to pasture, and the
ground is now green with grass, the slopes dark with pine. A few cattle drink
at a clear stream flowing past moss-covered stones; it is a Constable
landscape. The stream changes into a white torrent, and as we climb higher
I wish more and more that I had brought with me something warmer than
the pair of shorts that have served me so well in the desert. The stream
(which, we are told, rises in Heaven Lake) disappears, and we continue our
slow ascent. About noon, we arrived at Heaven Lake, and looked for a place
to stay at the foot, which is the resort area. We get a room in a small cottage,
and I am happy to note that there are thick quilts on the beds.
3. Standing outside the cottage we survey our surroundings. Heaven Lake
is long, sardine-shaped and fed by snowmelt from a stream at its head. The
lake is an intense blue, surrounded on all sides by green mountain walls,
dotted with distant sheep. At the head of the lake, beyond the delta of the
inflowing stream, is a massive snow-capped peak which dominates the vista;
it is part of a series of peaks that culminate, a little out of view, in Mount
Bogda itself.
4. For those who live in the resort there is a small mess-hall by the shore. We
eat here sometimes, and sometimes buy food from the vendors outside, who
sell kabab and naan until the last buses leave. The kababs, cooked on
skewers over charcoal braziers, are particularly good; highly spiced and
well-done. Horse’s milk is available too from the local Kazakh herdsmen,

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but I decline this. I am so affected by the cold that Mr. Cao, the relaxed
young man who runs the mess, lends me a spare pair of trousers, several
sizes too large but more than comfortable. Once I am warm again, I feel a
pre-dinner spurt of energy – dinner will be long in coming – and I ask him
whether the lake is good for swimming in.
5. “Swimming?” Mr. Cao says. “You aren’t thinking of swimming, are
you?”
6. “I thought I might,” I confess. “What’s the water like?”
7. He doesn’t answer me immediately, turning instead to examine some
receipts with exaggerated interest. Mr. Cao, with great off-handedness,
addresses the air. “People are often drowned here,” he says. After a pause,
he continues. “When was the last one?” This question is directed at the cook,
who is preparing a tray of mantou (squat white steamed bread rolls), and
who now appears, wiping his doughy hand across his forehead. “Was it the
Beijing athlete?” asks Mr. Cao.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the
statements given below with the help of options that follow : 1×4 =4 Marks
(a) One benefit of sitting in the last row of the bus was that :
(i) the narrator enjoyed the bumps.
(ii) no one stared at him.
(iii) he could see the sunflowers.
(iv) he avoided the dullness of the city.
Ans: (ii) no one stared at him.
(b) The narrator was travelling to :
(i) Mount Bogda
(ii) Heaven Lake
(iii) a 2000 metre high snow peak
(iv) Urumqi
Ans: (ii) Heaven Lake
(c) On reaching the destination the narrator felt relieved because :
(i) he had got away from the desert.

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(ii) a difficult journey had come to an end.
(iii) he could watch the snow peak.
(iv) there were thick quilts on the bed.
Ans: (iv) there were thick quilts on the bed.
(d) Mount Bogda is compared to :
(i) a horizontal desert surface
(ii) a shining prism
(iii) a Constable landscape
(iv) the overcast sky
Ans: (ii) a shining prism
Answer the following questions briefly : 1 × 6 = 6 Marks
(e) Which two things in the bus made the narrator feel uncomfortable ?
Ans: The two things that bothered the narrator were -
1. The strong odour of the goat cheese that the man seated next to him was
eating.
2. The bus's leaky windows was really bothersome for the narrator because
it was pouring.
(f) What made the scene look like a Constable landscape ?
Ans: He noticed a pair of cattle drinking shining through moss-covered stones
in a translucent lake as the bus drove through the desert to pasture land. The
area appeared to be a desolate countryside as a result of the dream.
(g) What did he regret as the bus climbed higher ?
Ans: When they got to the top of the mountain, the narrator wished he had put
on something good to wear. Except for a pair of shorts, all of his clothes were at
the hotel in Urunqi.
(h) Why did the narrator like to buy food from outside ?
Ans: The narrator occasionally buys food from outsellers who serve kebabs and
naan. He like purchasing these because the kebabs, which were cooked on
skewers over charcoal braziers, were really tasty and spicy.
(i) What is ironic about the pair of trousers lent by Mr. Cao ?

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Ans: The irony is that, despite their big size, the trousers kept the narrator warm
and comfortable in the freezing weather.
(j) Why did Mr. Cao not like the narrator to swim in the lake ?
Ans: Many people had drowned in the lake, including the Beijing athlete, thus
Mr. Cao was opposed to the narrator swimming.
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following :
1 × 2 = 2 Marks
(i) sellers (para 4)
Ans: (i) Vendors
(ii) increased (para 7)
Ans: (iii) Exaggerated

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
10 Marks
1. Thackeray reached Kittur along with a small British army force and a few
of his officers. He thought that the very presence of the British on the
outskirts of Kittur would terrorise the rulers and people of Kittur and that
they would lay down their arms. He was quite confident that he would be
able to crush the revolt in no time. He ordered that tents be erected on the
eastern side for the fighting forces and a little away on the western slopes
tents be put up for the family members of the officers who had accompanied
them. During the afternoon and evening of 20th October, the British soldiers
were busy making arrangements for these camps.
2. On the 21st morning, Thackeray sent his political assistants to Kittur fort
to obtain a written assurance from all the important officers of Kittur
rendering them answerable for the security of the treasury of Kittur. They,
accordingly, met Sardar Gurusiddappa and other officers of Kittur and
asked them to comply with the orders of Thackeray. They did not know that
the people were in a defiant mood. The commanders of Kittur dismissed the
agent’s orders as no documents could be signed without sanction from Rani
Chennamma.
3. Thackeray was enraged and sent for his commander of the Horse
Artillery, which was about 100 strong, ordered him to rush his artillery into
the fort and capture the commanders of the Desai’s army. When the Horse
Artillery stormed into the fort, Sardar Gurusiddappa, who had kept his

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men on full alert, promptly commanded his men to repel and chase them
away. The Kittur forces made a bold front and overpowered the British
soldiers.
4. In the meanwhile, the Desai’s guards had shut the gates of the fort and
the British Horse Artillery men, being completely overrun and routed, had
to get out through the escape window. Rani’s soldiers chased them out of
the fort, killing a few of them until they retreated to their camps on the
outskirts.
5. A few of the British had found refuge in some private residences, while
some were hiding in their tents. The Kittur soldiers captured about forty
persons and brought them to the palace. These included twelve children and
a few women from the British officers’ camp. When they were brought in
the presence of the Rani, she ordered the soldiers to be imprisoned. For the
women and children she had only gentleness, and admonished her soldiers
for taking them into custody. At her orders, these women and children were
taken inside the palace and given food and shelter. Rani came down from
her throne, patted the children lovingly and told them that no harm would
come to them.
6. She, thensent word through a messenger to Thackeray that the British
women and children were safe and could be taken back any time. Seeing
this noble gesture of Rani, he was moved. He wanted to meet this gracious
lady and talk to her. He even thought of trying to persuade her to enter into
an agreement with the British to stop all hostilities in lieu of an inam (prize)
of eleven villages. His offer was dismissed with a gesture of contempt. She
had no wish to meet Thackeray. That night she called Sardar
Gurusiddappa and other leading Sardars and after discussing all the issues
came to the conclusion that there was no point in meeting Thackeray who
had come with an army to threaten Kittur into submission to British
sovereignty.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage complete the
statements given below with the help of options that follow :
1 × 2 = 2 Marks
(a) Thackeray was a/an :
(i) British tourist
(ii) army officer
(iii) adviser to Rani of Kittur

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(iv) treasury officer
Ans: (ii) army officer
(b) British women and children came to Kittur to :
(i) visit Kittur
(ii) enjoy life in tents
(iii) stay in the palace
(iv) give company to officers
Ans: (iv) give company to officers

Answer the following questions briefly : 1 × 6 = 6 Marks

(c) Why did Thackeray come to Kittur ?
Ans: Thackery arrived in Kittur as soon as possible to put down the rebellion.
He reasoned that the presence of the British armed force would terrorise the
rulers and people of Kittur, causing them to readily submit.
(d) Why did the Kittur officials refuse to give the desired assurance to
Thackeray ?
Ans: The commander of Kittur refused agents' orders because no paper
could be signed without Rani Chennama's approval. Rani Chennama was
Kittur's queen.
(e) What happened to the Horse Artillery ?
Ans: When the Horse Artillery stormed the fort, Sardar Gurusiddappa, who had
maintaiRani's behaviour must have moved the British women, in my opinion.
They might have felt remorse for the nasty British experience with that polite
woman. She truly has a noble soul. She shielded them and gave them food and
shelter for his men on high alert, immediately ordered his men to repel and chase
the British soldiers away. The Kittur warriors made a daring front and easily
defeated the British soldiers. Some of them were assassinated.
(f) How do we know that Rani was a noble queen ?
Ans: Rani chastised the soldiers for arresting women and children. She was
simply gentle with them. She directed that they be fed and housed in her palace.
Rani descended the throne and gently patted the youngsters. Despite the fact that

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they were on the other side, she solely had love and affection for children and
women.
(g) How in your opinion would the British women have felt after meeting
Rani ?
Ans: Rani's behaviour must have moved the British women, in my opinion. They
might have felt remorse for the nasty British experience with that polite woman.
She truly has a noble soul. She shielded them and gave them food and shelter.
(h) Why did Rani refuse to meet Thackeray ?
Ans: Rani refused to meet Thackrey with contempt because she didn't need to
meet someone who had come with an army to threaten Kittur.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following :
1 × 2 = 2 Marks
i. entered forcibly (para 3)
Ans: (i) defiant
ii. aggressive / refusing to obey (para 2)
Ans: ( ii ) stormed

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
8 Marks
The most alarming of man’s assaults upon the environment is the
contamination of air, earth, rivers, and sea with lethal materials. This
pollution is for the most part irrevocable; the chain of evil it initiates is for
the most part irreversible. In this contamination of the environment,
chemicals are the sinister partners of radiation in changing the very nature
of the world; radiation released through nuclear explosions into the air,
comes to the earth in rain, lodges into the soil, enters the grass or corn,
or wheat grown there and reaches the bones of a human being, there to
remain until his death. Similarly, chemicals sprayed on crops lie long in soil,
entering living organisms, passing from one to another in a chain of
poisoning and death. Or they pass by underground streams until they
emerge and combine into new forms that kill vegetation, sicken cattle, and
harm those who drink from once pure wells.
It took hundreds of millions of years to produce the life that now inhabits
the earth and reached a stage of adjustment and balance with its

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surroundings. The environment contained elements that were hostile as well
as supporting. Even within the light of the sun, there were short wave
radiations with power to injure. Given time, life has adjusted and a balance
reached. For time is the essential ingredient, but in the modern world there
is no time.
The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created
follow the heedless pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature.
Radiation is no longer the bombardment of cosmic rays; it is now the
unnatural creation of man’s tampering with the atom. The chemicals to
which life is asked to make adjustments are no longer merely calcium and
silica and copper and all the rest of the minerals washed out of the rocks
and carried in the rivers to the sea; they are the synthetic creations of man’s
inventive mind, brewed in his laboratories, and having no counterparts in
nature.
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage make notes on
it using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations
(wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable.
Also supply a title to it. 5 Marks
Ans:
1. Pollution of the environment
• Pollution is, for the most part, irreversible.
• Starts an unbreakable chain of evil.
2.Chemicals are the nefarious companions of radiation
• Radiations generated through nuclear exp.
• Comes to Earth in the form of F. O. rain.
• Enters human bodies and remains till death.
2.1Chemicals and laying in the soil
• Passes from one to another in F. C.
• destroys vegetables, sickens cattle, and so on.
3.The beginning of life on Earth.
• It took hundreds of millions of yrs to complete.

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 • The env featured both hostile and supportive elements.
4.Changes in Earthly Life Life has adj. and attained a state of balance.
• Time is crucial, but the modern society lacks it.
• Man's inconsiderate pace
• Radiation is no longer defined as the bombardment of cosmic rays.
• The chemicals are no longer biodegradable.
• They've been tainted to be synthetic.
Abbreviation used:-
exp. – explosions
F.O. – form of
F.C. – food chain
yrs. – years
env. – environment
adj. – adjusted

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. 3 Marks

Ans: Humans are gradually destroying our environment, with poisons and
hazardous nuclear radiations being the main culprits. We are exposed to them as
a result of a "poison and death chain." The pollutants enter our bodies after
entering the soil via rain or repeated sprinkling on crops. The environment has
always been subjected to these issues. Because these horrors were perpetrated by
nature, everyone has battled and adapted to adapt. However, dealing with man-
made obstacles is challenging.

SECTION – B
WRITING SKILLS 30 Marks
4. You are Vikram/Sonia, an Hons graduate in history with specialization in
Medieval India. You are well acquainted with places of historical interest in
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You are looking for a job as a tourist guide. Write

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an advertisement in about 50 words for the situation wanted column of a
local newspaper. Your contact no. 999751234. 4 Marks
Ans:

A TOUR GUIDE IS AVAILABLE.

A history honours graduate with a focus in Medieval India is looking for a
career as a tourist guide with a travel and tourism company. Well-versed with
historical landmarks in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Hindi, English, German,
Punjabi, and French are all fluent.
Interested companies should contact Sonia at 999751234 for a telephonic
interview.

Or
While walking in a park in your neighbourhood you found a small plastic
bag containing some documents and some cash. Write a notice in about 50
words to be put on the park notice board asking the owner to identify and
collect it from you. You are Amar/Amrita 9399123456. 4 Marks
Ans:

NOTICE
11th March 2017
Discovered some documents in the garden.
While strolling in the garden,On March 11, 2020, at approximately 5:30 a.m., I
discovered a little plastic bag holding valuable documents and cash while
walking in a park in our neighbourhood. Whoever has misplaced it may retrieve
it from the undersigned by identifying it.
Amrita
9399123456

5. In our society we do not give our women the respect and status that they
deserve. Women are stared at, stalked and even molested. We need to
change the male mindset about women. Write a letter in 120-150 words to
the editor of a national newspaper giving your views on the problem. You
are Omar/Amna, A114 Mall Road, Delhi. 6 Marks

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Ans: A11 14
Mall Road
Delhi
The Editor
Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Respected sir,
I'd like to call your readers' attention to misbehaviour and ill-treatment of
women through this column in your prestigious daily. No woman nowadays can
declare that she feels safe and protected. We talk about women's empowerment
and protection, but no one ever discusses how women feel when they become
subject to hunger in the eyes of males. Women are nowhere secure in this world
as long as men's attitudes and beliefs remain unchanged. The problem isn't with
women's fashion; it's with society's mindset.
If we want to improve the world and make it safer for women, we must all
modify our attitudes toward them and stop objectifying them. I'm hoping that
this post may be useful in changing and influencing people's minds.
Yours Truly
Anna/Omar
Or
You want to spend a week-long holiday at Shimla in the month of October.
You have decided to stay at Hotel Snowview. Write a letter in 120-150 words
to the manager to book a room. Mention the dates, facilities in the room,
food, sight-seeing facilities etc you will need. You are Amar/Amrita M114,
Lake Road, Karnal. 6 Marks
Ans: M114 Lake Road
Karnai
March 09, 2017
The Manager,
Hotel Snowview
Shimla

Class XII English Core www.vedantu.com 12

Subject: Request for Reservation of Rooms
Sir,
In October, I'll be travelling to Shimla with fifteen other folks. I'd like to reserve
5 rooms for the same event. I'd like to reserve accommodations that include
breakfast and dinner, as well as continuous hot water supply. My booking
information is as follows:
Arrival date: October 5, 2017
5 rooms are required, including 2 suites.
Departure date: 10 October 2017.
I would appreciate it if you could confirm the reservations and provide me with
any more information.
Yours truly,
Amar/ Amrita

6. Our performance in the Rio Olympics has told us that we do not pay
enough attention to athletics and outdoor games. It is time we revised our
attitude. Sports should be an important part of a school's daily routine.
Write an article in 150-200 words in ‘Importance of Outdoor Games’. You
are Sreeja/Thomas. 10 Marks
Ans: Importance of Outdoor games
By- Sreeja/ Thomas
Outdoor activities such as cricket, hockey, tennis, football, and badminton are
played on open grounds. They are games that need physical exertion as well as a
good competitive attitude. Outdoor games are excellent for relaxing and
increasing stamina.
Because of today's lifestyle, children of all ages are suffering from ailments such
as obesity and diabetes, and as a result, outdoor activities have become an
important component of their curriculum. Outdoor games are also beneficial to
one's health in the long run because they enhance one's immune system. These
aid in the development of children and help them to remain fit in the long run.
These activities also assist children develop cognitively since they teach pupils
leadership skills and teamwork. They increase their self-esteem and confidence.
They learn to engage with one another, which helps them improve their

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communication abilities. In this age of electronics and technology, it is critical
for youngsters to disconnect from their phones, laptops, and televisions and
engage in outdoor activities for their own good.
Or
Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore organised an adult literacy
camp in its neighbourhood. Write a report in 150-200 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.
Ans:

CAMP FOR ADULT LITERACY

SECRETARY -P. V. SUNITHA
Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore, hosted an adult literacy camp
in the school area yesterday, giving educational possibilities to adults who have
lost the opportunity and have passed the age of formal schooling. The activities
of the camp were carried out by the school's cultural organisation, with a total of
25 volunteers. The camp started with a welcome address for the main visitor,
Mrs. Kavita Naik, a well-known social worker. The camp had 400 people in it.
They were placed into various groups based on their competencies.
They were taught the fundamentals of reading and writing. For quality
education, free books and stationery are offered. All of the arrangements,
including the desks and blackboards, were made ahead of time.
Aside from educational requirements, significant attention was paid to hygiene
and sanitation. They were taught the fundamentals of cleaning, such as the
different sorts of garbage and how to handle them. Participants were also given
refreshments. The overwhelming excitement and zeal of the people to study was
the primary motivator.The chief guest gave participation certificates to the
volunteers. The camp ended on a high note. There was a sense of community in
which everyone was learning and growing together.

7. Your PGT English Ms. Geetha is a short story writer also. ‘Sky is not Far’
is a collection of her latest short stories. This book has won a national award.

Class XII English Core www.vedantu.com 14

Write a speech in 150 – 200 words you will deliver in her honour in the
morning assembly. 10 Marks
Ans: IN HONOR OF MS GEETHA'S SUCCESS
It is true that ‘surprises give more pleasure, especially when they are completely
unexpected. 'Everyone has a wonderful morning. Respected Principal, educators,
and good friends
I, Vinod, an XII class student, am exceedingly delighted and honoured to speak
about my lovely teacher, Ms. Geeta P.G.T. (Eng. ), who created the short storey
‘Sky is Not Far,' which got a national prize. It is truly a source of pride for our
institution. We all desire to touch the sky, but only a few of us are brave enough
to pursue our ambitions, and our English instructor did just that with a strong
resolve and a keen passion for writing stories. Her easy style of writing, as well
as the concerns related to everyday life, were highly accepted by readers,
particularly young people.
This short narrative deals with women's challenges and, essentially, their
achievement of desired goals, and as more women relate to it, it progresses and
introduces some other "newer issues." This is a fantastic accomplishment for both
her and our school. Pier's narrative is unrivalled, unrivalled, and unrivalled. I am
deeply grateful to her for her contributions to society and her wonderful work. She
will continue to be an inspiration to everyone.
Thank you very much.
Or
‘Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the
cities.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion.
10 Marks
Ans: IN CONGESTED AREAS, PRIVATE CARS WILL BE
PROHIBITED
Hello and good morning to everyone here. Respected jury panellists, teachers,
and friends! I, Raja, am here today to give my thoughts on whether private cars
should be banned in congested commercial sections of cities.
I am in favour of the motion. It is causing a great deal of inconvenience to those
who are obliged to travel through congested locations. To tackle this challenge,
we must think unconventionally and differently. During peak traffic hours, i.e. 8
a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the roads leading to commercial areas should
be made one way. People who wait inside their automobiles in the 'No waiting'
zone should be fined heavily. Due to a lack of parking lots, more subterranean

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parking facilities are required. Officials must exercise extreme caution in this
matter. It should be mentioned that a large number of cars generally reduces the
efficiency of commercial districts because they produce traffic jams and are the
primary source of pollution. The government should outlaw automobiles in order
to force people to use public transit and increase the efficiency of commerce.

SECTION – C
Literature : Textbooks And Long Reading Text 40 Marks
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
1x4 = 4 Marks
Far far from gusty waves on these children’s faces.
Like rootless weeds, the hair torn round their pallor;
The tall girl with her weighed-down head.
(a) Who are these children ?
Ans: The children mentioned in the extract above are the youngsters who are
victims of societal injustice as well as extreme poverty.
(b) Which figure of speech has been used in the first two lines ?
Ans: In the first two lines of the poem, simile and alliteration figures of speeches
are used. Alliteration is the repetition of consonants at the beginning of two or
more syllables that follow each other immediately or at short intervals, whereas
simile is a figure of speech in which one item is compared to another, typically
using the words "like" or "as" in English.
(c) Why is the tall girl’s head weighed down ?
Ans: In the first two lines of the poem, simile and alliteration are used. That is
why she has a heavy head. The head of the tall girl is weighed down because she
is ill and exhausted.
(d) What does the word, ‘pallor’ mean ?
Ans: Pallor is defined as "an unhealthy pale appearance."
Or
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.

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They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
(a) Why are the tigers called Aunt Jennifer’s tigers ?
Ans: The tigers are known as Aunt Jennifer's tigers because they represent her
hidden dreams and aspirations.
(b) How are they described here ?
Ans: They are depicted as living in a deep green forest, prancing around unafraid
and bright-eyed.
(c) How are they different from Aunt Jennifer ?
Ans: They vary from Aunt Jennifer in that the creatures she made demonstrated
gallantry and fearlessness, whereas she herself is oppressed and scared.
(d) What does the word ‘chivalric’ mean ?
Ans: The word chivalric denotes "brave."

9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each :

3 x4 = 12 Marks
(a) Why did Franz not want to go to school that day ?
Ans: Due the beautiful weather, Franz did not want to attend school that day.
The bright day, the chirping of birds, the woods and fields, the open atmosphere
outside, and the drilling by Prussion soldiers all prevented him from attending
school. Furthermore, he had not prepared his lesson and was afraid of Mr. M.
Hamel's reprimand on that particular day.
(b) What was Sophie’s ambition in life ? How did she hope to achieve that ?
Ans: Sophie's life goals included opening a store, becoming a manager, and
becoming an actor. Furthermore, she aspired to be a fashion designer in order to
make money. However, because she came from a low-income family, she was
aware that her family would be unable to assist her in realising her ambitions. As
a result, Sophie devised a plan to raise funds for the same by managing a business.
Sophie might potentially earn the money she needed by becoming a fashion
designer or an actor.
(c) What kind of pain does Kamala Das feel in ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ ?

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Ans: The poetess is worried and haunted by her elderly mother's declining health.
Her mother, she believes, is on the verge of death. She is leaving her mother for
an extended period of time and travelling abroad; she is concerned that she will
not find her mother alive when she returns.
(d) How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty ?
Ans: John Keats was the most youthful of the Romantic poets. He was known
for his sensuality, depicting the heroic dead as majestic warriors who selflessly
sacrificed their lives for the sake of their homeland and achieved grandeur or
glory. As a result, achieving this is equivalent to achieving an object of beauty.
(e) Why was the Maharaja once in danger of losing his kingdom ?
Ans: The Maharaja had irritated a senior British officer by refusing to allow him
to hunt tigers in Pratibandapuram and even refusing to let him be photographed
with a dead tiger. As a result, he faced the prospect of losing his throne. Later, as
a bribe, he delivered fifty samples of pricey diamond rings to the officer's wife.
(f) What was the basic plot of each story told by Jack ?
Ans: Jack used to tell his little daughter, Jo, a storey about Roger. Typically, each
narrative included a small critter named Roger fish, Roger squirrel, or Roger
chipmunk who always had a problem and sought guidance from the wise owl,
who subsequently directed him to the wizard, who fixed the problem for a charge.
Roger would next go to the well to collect some coins to pay the fee. The wizard
utilised his magical spell to address the problem before returning home for a
family supper.

10. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words : 6 Marks

Garbage to them is gold. How do ragpickers of Seemapuri survive ?
Ans: Garbage provides a way of survival for the rag-pickers. It is what they eat
on a daily basis. In the garbage, they occasionally find cash notes or even silver
coins. For them, it is enveloped in awe, and this appropriation is nothing less than
gold. Poor ragpickers like Saheb spend their entire life searching for gold in
rubbish dumps. Seemapuri's ragpickers resided in mud, tin, and tarpaulin
structures with no sewage or drainage system for running water. Their parents do
not have a steady source of income. They are fighting poverty and hunger. They
have no dream other than to find a way to survive. These folks have been living
there without an identity or a permit for almost thirty years. They have ration
cards, which allow them to purchase food and register to vote. For them, food is
more important than identity, and rag picking is their means of subsistence.

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 Or
The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rattrap. This view of life is true
only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment.
Ans: This point of view on life is universal. It applies to everybody who has ever
been a victim of circumstance. To make ends meet, the Peddler, a destitute
vagrant, creates and sells rat traps. He even discovered a metaphor between the
globe and the rattrap. He'd been living a wretched life of suffering, despair, and
frustration, picturing the entire world as a rattrap ready to devour anyone who
succumbed to the bots of its riches and joy. The world had been harsh to him
because others like Crofter, Edla, and Ironmaster were not enticed with anything
because they already had everything, so he was content to think negatively about
it. Despite the Crofter's hospitality and generosity, he broke his confidence and
took his money. But Edla's sympathy and understanding eventually brought
about a change in his character. So, in his opinion, he is the only one who suffers.

11. Answer the following question in 120-150 words : 6 Marks

Untouchability is not only a crime, it is inhuman too. Why and how did
Bama decide to fight against it ?
Ans: When Bama told her elder brother about the 'funny event' of an elderly man
from a low caste carrying a food packet on a thread without touching it, he
couldn't laugh. He correctly led her. He described the social stigma of
untouchability to her. He explained that they were victims of social
discrimination. Bama was greatly impressed by her elder brother's statements.
She opposed untouchability by outclassing the achievements of the upper classes,
demonstrating that she is equal to them. She reacted angrily, saying, 'We, too, are
Human Beings; our people should never perform these degrading things for
them.' She stood up against oppression, prejudice, stigma, superstition, and
ignorance. She worked hard in school and made a name for herself. She utilised
writing as a weapon in her fight against discrimination, which restricts and
confines the free flow of the soul.
Or
Good human values are far above any other value system. How did Dr.
Sadao succeeds as a doctor as well as a patriot ?
Ans: The storey, The Enemy, is set during World War II and deals with a
quandary. When a man is faced with the tough option of being patriotic or
professional, he acts impatiently in both instances. Dr. Sadao is a consummate

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professional who gets oblivious to other facts when it comes to his patients. So,
despite the knowledge that the injured man is an American soldier and an enemy,
Dr. Sadao prioritises saving the dying soldier's life. As a doctor, he performed his
first and most important obligation, which is to the sick and injured who require
prompt assistance, regardless of his nationality. However, being a real patriotic
nationalist and a loyal Japanese citizen, he later handed him over to the police
after alerting the General about him. The General, on the other hand, is
completely controlled by self-absorption. Dr. Sadao was eventually persuaded to
comply with the escape plot. As a result, Dr. Sadao was able to serve as both a
doctor and a nationalist.

12. Answer the following question in 120-150 words : 6 Marks

Describe Marvel as an opportunist.
Ans: Mr Thomas Marvel is a cheerful old wanderer without a home or a job. He
wanders from place to place, asking for food or money from others.
Unknowingly, he becomes the Invisible Man's first visible collaborator or
assistant. Griffin is the one who chooses him. He wishes for Marvel to serve and
assist him. He later realises, however, that the man is lethargic, ignorant, and
useless. Mr Marvel is a cunning figure that takes every opportunity to deceive
others. He agrees to Griffin's proposal because he believes Griffin is a powerful
man who can assist him much. But, the first chance he has is from Griffin, he
tries to flee with his books, but is apprehended. The second time, he succeeds in
fleeing with three of his books and all of his money. He hides the books in a
marsh and is astute enough to get himself imprisoned because he knows Griffin
will find him. As a result, Marvel becomes Griffin's accomplice but defrauds him.
He establishes himself with Griffin's money and opens the 'Invisible Man' inn.
He is, without a doubt, the ultimate opportunist, becoming wealthy at the expense
of the Invisible Man.
Or
George Eliot has portrayed Godfrey as a morally weak character.
Comment.
Ans: Godfrey is a morally ambiguous character, as depicted by George Eliot. He
is a coward with no moral bravery, despite the fact that he is not a bad guy. He
has no intention to cause harm to anyone. He dislikes taking responsibility or
being held accountable for his actions, and he seeks to avoid conflict.
Eliot sums up Godfrey's character near the beginning of the work as "irresolution
and moral cowardice," a state he maintains until nearly the finish. Godfrey is not

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in any way evil. He has no intent to hurt anyone and is distressed when he does
so. However, he lacks the fortitude to accept responsibility for his actions or to
give up his impulses when they contradict with duty.
Eliot is wary of making excuses for Godfrey. The early marriage was not entirely
his fault; he has good intentions toward Eppie and aspires to live a better life.
However, this is merely the most severe complication of Godfrey's case.

13. Answer the following question in 120-150 words : 6 Marks

How does Dr. Cuss’s encounter with Griffin ends in a disaster ?
Ans: Dr. Cuss, the general practitioner, was ecstatic to meet the foreigner.
Everyone at Iping was remarking on his outlandish appearance and manner.
When he learned that he was an experimental investigator, he grew even more
eager to meet him.He arrived at Coach and Horses one morning and knocked on
the stranger's door. Griffin did not appreciate his arrival and greeted him harshly.
Dr. Cuss began questioning Griffin, which irritated him. Then, all of a sudden, a
draught from the window blew a piece of paper into the fireplace. The stranger
hastened to prevent the paper from burning because it contained vital information
about his studies. Dr. Cuss noted the stranger was missing a hand and merely had
an empty sleeve. This piqued Dr. Cuss's interest, and he asked him further
questions. Griffin was even more enraged by this. Griffin brought his invisible
hand up to Dr. Cuss's face.
Or
What kind of life did Silas lead at Lantern Yard ?
Ans: Silas Marner, the story's protagonist, was a kind and gentle man. He was a
handloom weaver by trade. He had a lot of buddies. He donated the majority of
his money to charity. He was a devout Christian. He lived in Lantern Yard, an
industrial town. William Dane was his best friend. Silas suffered from cataleptic
fits, which led William to believe he was possessed by Satan. Silas Marner
relocated to Raveloe to escape the embarrassment of being wrongly accused of
stealing from his church.Silas departs for Raveloe, leaving everything in Lantern
Yard behind. When William Dane accused Silas of stealing, Silas lost his
community's esteem as well as his own pure confidence in humanity. The
allegation was proven true, and Marner apprehended the perpetrator. Then, in
disguise, he fled his village and settled in the remote village of Raveloe.

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