22-12-2022 - Sr.2Hrs Prog. (ICON & MEDICON) - CBSE - BOARD - PHASE-2 - ENGLISH - Q.Paper

Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions, India
Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions,India.,

 A.P  T.S  KARNATAKA  TAMILNADU  MAHARASTRA  DELHI  RANCHI
A right Choice for the Real Aspirant
Central Office – Bangalore, Karnataka
Sec: Sr. 2hrs Prog (ICON & MEDICON) Date: 22-12-2022
Time: 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM CBSE BOARD PHASE-2 Max. Marks: 80M
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ENGLISH
General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and
LITERATURE.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the
correct
question number in your answer sheet to indicate the option/s being
attempted.
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SECTION – A
READING SKILLS (20 marks)
I. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 10M
1. Given the standing of some of its institutions of higher learning, the IITs and IIMs, India
is a potential knowledge power. Realising the potential, however, is not going to be easy.
The impressive strides made by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) notwithstanding,
universal access to quality school education- a minimum necessary condition for any
progress towards making India a knowledge society’, as the 2006 report of the National
Knowledge Commission (NKC) puts it-remains a distant goal.
2. There is as yet no legislation at the national level to affirm the right to education, a
fundamental right under the Constitution. The number of school buildings for
elementary and secondary education falls far short of requirements and so does the
number of qualified teachers. The pressure on government budgets, which forces
governments to hire teachers on contract paying a pittance of a salary, is playing havoc
with quality. While the incursion of the private sector in the field is providing some
competition, mechanisms to enforce the required standards are lacking.
3. Not that there are no national standards or standards-enforcing agencies. We have the
National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to bring out
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textbooks in various subjects for school education. The central government runs several
model schools. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts
examinations for schools affiliated to it across the country. The states too have their
school boards to conduct exams and enforce minimum standards. How even the
standards vary widely. In their anxiety to show spectacular performance, some states are
overly lenient-in marking answer papers.
4. Questions arise even over the standards applied by CBSE. Going by the number of
students securing 90% or more in their higher secondary exam, it would appear India is
on the brink of a knowledge revolution. The numbers are so large that the cut-off point
for admission to top colleges is now above 90%. However, admissions to IITs and
medical colleges are not based only on CBSE or state board exam results. Leading
undergraduate colleges offering non-professional degree courses hold their own
admission tests. Obviously, higher secondary school results are not taken to be a reliable
index of the quality of a student’s learning capability or potential.
5. It is not difficult to see why. In the CBSE class XII exam., the number of successful
candidates securing more than 90% in economics this year turned out to be over 8000 in
the Delhi region alone; in English it was above 9000.
The numbers seem to be growing every year. If the country produces so many children
who attain very high levels of performance even before graduation, we can expect India
to produce Amartya Sens by the dozens.
6. While scoring high marks or even 100 out of 100 may not be out of a good student’s
reach in subjects like mathematics or physics, it is difficult to figure out the quality of
the answers that fetch 90% marks in Economics or English. The standards applied by
higher secondary boards like CBSE seem to have been diluted to the point that leaves a
big gap between what students learn at school and what they have to face on entering
institutions of higher learning. Thriving teaching shops around the country promise to
bridge that gap.
7. In an attempt to remedy the situation, NCERT had recently commissioned experts to
rewrite textbooks on macro and micro economics. Though not entirely free from
blemishes, these new texts should go some way in helping beginners get acquainted with
the basic concepts in the subject and their applications.
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8. Not surprisingly, their introduction is facing roadblocks. Teachers do not like to be
compelled to look at textbooks they are not familiar with. Those who revel in seeing
students score 90% are chary of ushering in something that may stop the rush of such
scores. Lastly, even teaching shops see red as they fear loss of business if the higher
secondary finalists can get their skills upgraded without buying their help.
9. One wonders if our Knowledge Commission is aware of these insidious impediments to
India’s knowledge ambitions.
Questions:
1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions
(1 x 10= 10)
1. Why is quality school education a distant goal?
(a) There are no fundamental rights.
(b) There is no legislation at the national level.
(c) Measures to enforce the required standards are not there.
(d) There are no minimum necessary conditions.
2. What is the tone of writer when he remarks: ‘India is on the brink of a knowledge
revolution.’
(a) Optimistic (b) Imaginative (c) Sarcastic (d) Presumptuous
3. What is the main factor that has affected the quality of education?
4. Why do leading undergraduate colleges hold their own admission tests?
5. What is the problem created by the results of CBSE examinations?
6. Why does the author state, “we can expect India to produce Amartya Sens by the
dozens”?
7. What are some states doing for ensuring good performances?
(a) Lenient marking
(b) Following their own school boards
(c) Following CBSE
(d) All of these
8. Why do teachers oppose the new textbooks?
(a) They are not familiar with them.
(b) They want students to score good marks.
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(c) They are happy with the old books.
(d) Teaching shops would lose their business.
9. The word in the passage that means the same as REPUTATION in para
(1)………………………
10. The word in the passage that means the same as IMPRESSIVE in para
(3)……………….
II. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [10 M]
The rapid transition to online learning, as a consequence of COVID-19, has highlighted
the risks of student disengagement, and the subsequent impact on lower student
achievement across multiple courses.
1. The recent pandemic has changed how millions around the globe are educated. New
solutions and innovations in the education system are the need of the hour. Looking at
the new digital split, the approach may increase the equality gaps. More than 500 million
students across the globe had to pause their on-going studies at various levels. These
changes have and will create a degree of inconvenience, but at the same time would
promote innovations and future transformations within the education system.
2. The ‘pile-on effect’ of the coronavirus is that, during the global COVID-19 pandemic,
interruptions to education can have long term implications — especially for the most
vulnerable. There is a real risk of regression for children whose basic, foundational
learning (reading, math, languages, etc.) was not strong, to begin with. And millions of
children who have already been deprived of their right to education, particularly girls,
are being more exposed to health and well-being risks (both psychosocial and physical)
during COVID-19.
3. Girls: Young and adolescent girls are twice as likely to be out of school in crisis
situations and face greater barriers to education and vulnerabilities such as
domestic/gender-based violence when not in school.
4. Refugees, displaced and migrant children: These populations often fall between the
cracks as national policies might not necessarily include these vulnerable groups and
they must be included and catered for in any global responses to this crisis if this has not
already occurred.
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5. Children and youth with disabilities: Along with other marginalized populations,
including children from minority groups,they are neglected in the best of times and have
lower educational outcomes than their peers.
6. Young people affected by trauma or mental health issues: Schools and learning centres
are places for communities to address health related issues, including mental health and
psychosocial support (MHPSS), which the most vulnerable students rely on for their
wellbeing and development in order to learn.
The graphic above, made by the consulting firm CB&A, shows how the adaption curve
typically impacts in the online learning method users:
* Before the COVID-19, only a few educational institutions were implementing online or
blended learning methods. Little by little, more schools, universities and ministries of
education started enforcing them, but at a very slow rate. Only early adopters, the
enthusiasts and visionaries, were willing to give it a try.
* When the pandemic hit, everyone had to switch from offline to online classes; in fact,
according to UNESCO, 191 countries in the world (98% of the global student
population) switched to online lessons. Some popular sites used were Google
Classrooms, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This time, even the pragmatists and
conservatives decided to switch to online learning methods, as they were unable to offer
on-site lessons.
* When the pandemic vanishes, the majority of people will go back to on-site lessons, but
there will still be a percentage that will remain to assist to class from their homes. It will
also be eye-opening for many people, and even skeptics will be open to implement them
in their learning.
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Questions:
2. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions
(1 x 10= 10)
1. Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1?
With the recent shift to online education, the world saw a decreasing trend in student
accomplishments.
Select from the following:
True - if the statement agrees with the information
False - if the statement contradicts the information
Not Given - if there is no information on this
2. Do you think the ‘Pile-on effect’ has affected the children with weak basic foundations
the most? Support your answer with reference to the text.
3. The new digital split will ________.
a) Dampen spirits
b) Decrease innovations
c) Divulge inconvenience
d) Diminish equal opportunities
4. Complete the sentence based on the following statement.
A sizable portion of students around the world switched to online lessons.
We can say this because________________.
5. Which of the following is a synonym of ‘aggravation’- (para 2)
a) Innovation b) Achievement c) Inconvenience d) Pandemic
6. ‘Pragmatists’ refers to __________
a) Someone who is irrational b) Someone who is very idealistic
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c) Someone who pleases everyone d) Someone who acts sensibly
7. When the pandemic hit, everyone had to switch from offline to online classes.
Give one reason why pragmatists and conservatives decided to switch to online learning
methods.
8. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
Online classes were advantageous for some learners due to
i. Self-paced courses ii. Family interactions
iii. Cost efficiency iv. Reduced commuting
a) i, ii, iii b) ii, iii, iv c) i, ii, iv d) i, iii, iv
9. Complete the sentence appropriately with one/two words.
According to the adaption curve, the people fastest to adjust were the ______________.
10. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement.
Online lessons will completely replace traditional ones following the pandemic.
SECTION – B
III. CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (20 marks)
1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5M
You are Sanjeev/Sanjana, President of the Students’ Council of St Mark’s School, Goa.
Your school has completed 50 years of meritorious service to the society. Write a notice
informing the Council’s decision to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the school. Invent all
necessary details (Word limit: 50 words)
OR
Water supply will be suspended for eight hours (10 am to 6 pm) on 6th of January 2023
for cleaning of the water tank. Write a notice in about 50 words advising the residents to
store water for a day. You are Karan Kumar/Karuna Kumari, Secretary, Adarsh Group
housing Society, kundanhalli, Bangalore.
You are the Principal of Cambridge Senior Secondary School, Bangalore. The school
has completed 25 years of its meritorious services to the society. The Silver Jubilee
Celebrations are to be held on Sunday, the 22nd December, 2022. Mrs M. Kamath, the
founder Principal will preside. Draft a suitable invitation to be sent to important
dignitaries of the city and the parents of students.
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OR
Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the marriage anniversary
celebrations of your friend Ramesh Pradhan of 123, Vivekananda Marg, Bangalore. You
are Somesh Rai.
Write a letter to the Editor, ‘Deccan Times’, Bengaluru about the inadequate parking
facilities in the Commercial Street, MG Road, which is causing a lot of inconvenience to
the people. Offer your suggestions. You are Samuel/ Smriti, 24 Xpress Road, Bengaluru.
OR
You are Sahil/Parul of 16, TT Nagar, New Delhi. You would like to apply for the post of
Manager in a reputed firm in Mumbai. Write a letter to HR Manager, Tata Enterprises,
Mumbai, applying for the job. Write the letter in 125-150 words giving your resume as
well. Invent all necessary details.
You are Sagarika/Rajdeep, a reporter for a national daily. You have witnessed a clash
between a group of college students and a State Transport bus crew which finally ended
in the students stoning the buses and the bus crew calling for a flash strike. Write a
report in 100-125 words about the incident.
OR
The youth are indebted to society in several ways. They are nurtured by a family at
home, educated in a school and enjoy so many facilities to lead a smooth life. They owe
a lot to society. In several ways they can help the society to function better. Write an
article in 150-200 words on 'Students and their social responsibilities'. You are
Suhail/Sadaf .
SECTION – C
LITERATURE (40 marks)
IV. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context.
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1x6=6M
1. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store
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Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
1) What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
(i) Aggressive
(ii) Tolerant
(iii) Sarcastic
(iv) Resigned
(v) Sentimental
Choose the most appropriate option.
A) Only (i) B) (ii) and (iii) C) (i), (iv) and (v) D) Only (iii)
2) Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following: No one bothers to take
‘their’ consent before pushing the promise of a better life, their way………….
3) What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
A) gullible B) futuristic C) hypocritical D) ambitious
4) Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example. Greedy
good doers: alliteration ::........................... oxymoron
5) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given
below.
(1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
(2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
A) (1) is true but (2) is false.
B) (2) is true but (1) is false.
C) (2) is the reason for (1).
D) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
6) Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract. ‘… calculated to
soothe them out of their wits’ implies that ‘them’ are being-------------.
OR
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Aunt Jennifer’s finger fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
1. What is Aunt Jennifer doing with wool?
(a) she is embroidering a panel
(b) she is knitting a scarf
(c) she is making a ball of wool
(d) she is making pictures of men
2. The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band is a subtle reference to
(a) male oppression
(b) suppression at the hands of her husband
(c) the heavy gold ring
(d) the huge gold wedding band makes her uncomfortable
3. The rhyme scheme in above stanza is
(a) aabb (b) abab (c) abcd (d) abba
4. Who is the poet of the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
(a) Adrienne Rich (b) Jonathan Rich (c) Pablo Neruda (d) Pablo Abley
5. The poetic device in given stanza is
(a)Simile (b)Metaphor (c)Personification (d)Hyperbole
6. The lines aptly depict
(a)Evils of matriarchal society and woman emancipation
(b)Evils of patriarchal society and woman emancipation
(c)Importance of art and matriarchal society
(d)Importance of art and Evils of matriarchal society
2 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1x4=4M
You could lock yourself up in a room and never leave it. There was a man who did that.
He was afraid, you see. Of everything. Everything in this world. A bus might run him
over, or a man might breathe deadly germs onto him, or a donkey might kick him to
death, or lightning might strike him down, or he might love a girl and the girl would
leave him, and he might slip on a banana skin and fall and people who saw him would
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laugh their heads off. So he went into this room, and locked the door, and got into his
bed, and stayed there.
1. The above extract is taken from the lesson
A) Going places by Stephen Spender
B) Poets and Pancakes by Stephen Spender
C) On the Face of it by Susan Hill
D) Memories of Childhood by Zitkala sa and Bama
2. Who is the narrator?
A) Derry B) Mr Lamb C) Sophie D) Zitkala sa and Bama
3. What does the speaker mean by ‘laugh their heads off’?
4. What does the phrasal verb’ run him over’ imply?
OR
When I heard this, I didn't want to laugh any more, I felt terribly sad. How could they
believe that it was disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands, even though the
vadai had been wrapped first in a banana leaf, and then parceled in paper? I felt so
provoked and angry that I wanted to touch those wretched vadais myself straightaway.
Why should we fetch and carry for these people, I wondered. Such an important elder of
ours goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands them reverently, bowing and
shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there and stiffs them into his mouth. The thought
of it infuriated me.
i) The elder handing snacks reverently, bowing and shrinking to the fellow indicates that
the fellow was
1) condescending 2) unassuming 3) submissive 4) disdainful
5) aggressive 5) domineering
a) 2, 3 and 6 b)1, 4 and 5 c)1, 4 and 6 d) 2, 3 and 4
ii. Based on the given context, choose the option that illustrates when a person can be
provoked, out of the examples given below.
1. The employees organised a peaceful protest outside the firm.
2. The manager ill-treated one of the employees and wrongfully terminated him.
3. The employees wrote a letter of complaint against the manager.
4. The director of the firm scheduled a meeting for reconciliation.
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a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4
iii. What changed the mood of the narrator?
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract.
The narrator of the given extract is a Tamil Dalit woman whose penname is ________.
3 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1x6=6M
A girl from the countryside, she hadn’t gone through all the stages of worldly experience
that generally precede a position of importance and sophistication that she had found
herself catapulted into. She never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. That
was the end of a brief and brilliant acting career — the legal adviser, who was also a
member of the Story Department, had unwittingly brought about that sad end. While
every other member of the Department wore a kind of uniform — khadi dhoti with a
slightly oversized and clumsily tailored white khadi shirt — the legal adviser wore pants
and a tie and sometimes a coat that looked like a coat of mail. Often, he looked alone
and helpless …
i. Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately.
‘Stages of worldly experience’ in the given context would refer to………
A) good education to gain knowledge.
B) situations that require one to be street smart.
C) smaller, not so important roles in acting.
D) training in soft skills.
ii. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following analogy:
sealed: Closed :: propelled: ………
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank. The harm done to the actress was
a/an……………
A) well-planned act. B) unintentional act.
C) act of jealousy. D) act of male dominance.
iv. Based on the above extract, choose the statement that is TRUE for the legal adviser.
A) He disliked the actress from the countryside.
B) He acted after thinking through things carefully.
C) He did not gel well with others in the Department.
D) He was always dressed smartly.
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v. Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the writer is sympathetic
towards the professional fate of the actor. (Clue: a phrase)
vi. Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract. The writer
uses the word ‘uniform’ to refer to the outfits of the Department members because just
like a uniform………………. .
OR
Some might make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a source
of truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities who see themselves as its
victims, might despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel
that it somehow diminishes them, just as in some primitive cultures it is believed that if
one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then one is stealing that person’s soul.
(The Interview)
i. What is the most likely reason some people consider the practice of interview to be an
art? This could be because it requires………..
A) fluency of words. B) sensitive and careful handling.
C) creativity and imagination. D) probing and focusing on details.
ii. Rewrite the sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with its inference. Celebrities
feel that an interview diminishes them.
iii. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two
statements given below.
(1) Celebrities don’t consent to be interviewed.
(2) Interviews intrude the privacy of celebrities.
A. (1) Can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
B. (1) cannot be inferred from the extract but (2) can.
C. (1) is true but (2) is false.
D. (2) is the reason for (1).
iv. Rationalise, to support the given opinion: To say that an interview, in its highest form, is
a source of truth, is an extravagant claim.
v. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract.
Some celebrities hate the idea of having to give an interview because it makes them feel
like supporters.
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vi. The author’s views on interview, in the extract, can best be described as statements
based on .
A) facts B) hypothesis C) beliefs D) superstitions
V. Answer ANY FIVE of the following in about 40-50 words each. 5x2=10M
i. Why was Professor Malkani's action of offering shelter to Gandhi 'extraordinary'?
ii. What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
iii. What was Lewis Carroll’s attitude towards being interviewed? .
iv. How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting with Danny
Casey?
v. What news in the poem ‘A Road Side Stand’ is making rounds in the village.?
vi. How can we say that marriage was a compromise for Aunt Jennifer? Support your
response with two justifications.
VI. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2x2=4M
i. How do we know that Dr. Sadao was conscientious as well as loyal?
ii. “Mind the apples!”, says Mr Lamb. Why do you think, does he issue this
instruction, to whom and how many times?
iii. What had Zitkala’s mother told her about the tradition regarding hair in their tribe?
VII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words. 1x5=5M
Rajkumar Shukla, a poor, unassuming peasant, became a catalyst for change by taking
Gandhiji to Champaran, an act which later culminated into the first successful instance
of civil disobedience in India. What qualities do you think helped Shukla and Gandhiji
respectively to initiate one of the most powerful movements in the history of our
national struggle?
OR
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience
at Gemini Studios?
VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words. 1x5=5M
Dr Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a
wounded American POW or should he hand him over to the Japanese police? How did
he resolve the clash of values?
OR
Page 14
The lesson, ‘On The Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of
alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.
Page 15

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