BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN, KOCHI

SECOND UNIT TEST 2023-2024

Std XII ENGLISH CORE (301) MARKS: 25
TIME: 80mins.

SECTION B 5
WRITING

I. You are Amit/Amita, a resident of Prashanti Colony, Kochi. Stray

dogs have become a menace to the residents of your locality.
Recently many people were bitten by dogs and one person even
died. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily in 120-150
words, expressing your concern to the related authorities over this
stray dog menace and also give suggestions to solve this problem.

OR

Along with air and water pollution, our cities are also under an
attack of noise pollution. Marriage processions, DJs during wedding
receptions, loud music from neighborhood flats etc. are all sources
of noise pollution which is not good for the old, the ailing and the
students. Write a letter in 120 -150 words to the editor of a local
newspaper describing the problem and making a request to the
authorities concerned, to solve it. You are Karuna /Karan M114,
Mall Road, Delhi.

SECTION C
LITERATURE

II. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that
follow.

1. ‘It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.’
 i. What is the exotic moment the poet wishes for? 1
a. When there is a rush and sound of engines everywhere
b. When fishermen at sea stop hunting the whales
c. When everyone keeps quiet and there’s no movement
d. When everyone moves their arms so much

ii. ‘Hurt hands’ symbolise _______________________________ 1

iii. Which of these uses the same literary device as in ‘in a sudden 1
strangeness’
a. But Custard cried for a nice safe cage
b. The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew
c. He was sly like a fox
d. Life is a song and we each get to write our lyrics

2.
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. I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits. On
the way down I planned: When my feet hit the bottom, I would make
a big jump, come to the surface, lie flat on it, and paddle to the edge
of the pool.

i 1
What did the narrator do on the way down to the pool?
a. He screamed for help
b. He failed his arms
c. He planned his escape
d. He closed his eyes

ii The expression “not yet frightened out of my wits ” suggests that 1

_________________________________

iii Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the narrator 1
had some swimming skills.

3. From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers
inhabiting Pratibandhapuram. The state banned tiger hunting by
anyone except the Maharaja. A proclamation was issued to the
effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all
his wealth and property would be confiscated .
 i. The tone of the speaker when he says ‘it was celebration time for all 1
tigers’ is
a. solemn
b. sarcastic
c. sympathetic
d. mocking

ii. On the basis of the passage, choose the option that best enumerates 1
the characteristics of the king:
1. gullible 2. arrogant 3. wilful
4. aggressive 5. apathetic 6. scrupulous

a. 1,3,6 b. 3,4,6
c. 3,5,6 d. 2,3,5

III. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 2x2=4
40-50 words.

i. What unpleasant memories were revived in Douglas when he went

to the YMCA pool for swimming?

ii. What symbol from nature does the poet use to prove that keeping
quiet is not total inactivity?Why?

iii. Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire?

IV. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 2x1=2
40-50 words.

i. ‘Students on Ice’ is a programme that prepares global citizens.

Explain.

ii. What considerations influenced the Tiger King to get married?

V. Answer the following question. 3x1=3

‘Fear is man’s greatest handicap’. Expantiate with reference to the

lesson ‘Deep Water’.

VI. Answer the following question. 3x1=3

How can a visit to Antarctica be an enlightening experience?

Elaborate. (Journey to the end of the earth)