Solved Paper 2018

ENGLISH CORE
Time : 3 Hours Class-XII Max. 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. Read these instructions very care-
fully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION -A the interconnectedness of the seasons from

(Reading Skills) 30 marks childhood, and marvelled at how the wind could
bring rain. Another evening, many rainy seasons
1. Read the passage given below: 12 ago, my paternal aunt observed the new moon
1. When you grow up in a place where it rains and worried, ‘‘Its legs are in the air, we’re in for
five months a year, wise elders help you to get some heavy rain.’’ She was right. That week,
acquainted with the rain early. They teach you a storm cut off power lines and brought down
that it is ignorant to think that it is the same rain trees and bamboos.
falling every day. Oh no, the rain is always doing 5. Eskimos boast of having a hundred names for
different things at different times. There is rain snow. Norwegians in the north can describe all
that is gentle, and also there is all rain that falls too kinds of snow by an equal amount of names :
hard and damages the crops. Hence, the prayer is pudder, powder snow, wet snow, slaps, extra
for the sweet rain that helps the crops to grow. wet snow, tight snowfall, dry snow, and at least
2. The monsoon in the Naga hills goes by the 95 more categories of snow. Likewise, in India
native name, Khuthotei (which means the rice- we have names and names for rain. Some are
growing season). It lasts from May to early or common, some are passing into history.
mid-October. The local residents firmly believe
6. The rains are also called after flowering plants
that Durga Puja in October announces the end
and people believe that the blossoming of those
of rain. After that, one might expect a couple of
plants draws out rain. Once the monsoons set in,
short winter showers, and the spring showers in
field work is carried out in earnest and the work
March and April. Finally, comes the ‘‘big rain’’ in
of uprooting and transplanting paddy in flooded
May; proper rainstorms accompanied by heart-
terrace fields is done. The months of hard labour
stopping lightning and ear-splitting thunder. I
are June, July and August. In August, as the
have stood out in storms looking at lightning arc
across dark skies, a light-and-sound show that phrogo plant begins to bloom, a rain will fall.
can go on for hours. This August rain, also called phrogo, is a sign
that the time for cultivation is over. If any new
3. This is the season when people use the word
grain seeds are sown, they may not sprout; even
sezuo or süzu to refer to the week-long rains,
if they do sprout, they are not likely to bear grain.
when clothes don’t dry and smell of mould,
The rain acts as a kind of farmer’s almanac.
when fungus forms on the floor and when you
7. The urban population of school-goers and office-
can’t see the moon or the stars because of the
goers naturally dislikes the monsoon and its
rainclouds. But you learn not to complain. Rain,
accompanying problems of landslides, muddy
after all, is the farmer’s friend and brings food streets and periodic infections. For non-farmers,
to the table. Rituals and festivals centre around the month of September can be depressing,
the agricultural rhythm of life, which is the when the rainfall is incessant and the awareness
occupation of about 70 percent of the population. persists that the monsoons will last till October.
4. The wise learn to understand its ways. I grew up One needs to have the heart of a farmer to remain
hearing my grandfather say, ‘‘It’s very windy this grateful for the watery days, and be able to
year. We’ll get good rain.’’ If the windy season observe — from what seems to the inexperienced
as a continuous downpour — the many kinds of
was short and weak, he worried that there might
rain. Some of the commonly known rain-weeks
not be enough rain for the crops. I learned
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (ENGLISH CORE)

are named after the plants that alternately bloom (j) When does rain become a memory in the minds
in August and September. The native belief is of the people of the Naga hills ?
that the flowers draw out the rain. (k) Find words from the passage which mean the
8. Each rain period has a job to fulfil: October rain same as the following:  (1 × 2 = 2)
helps garlic bulbs to form, while kümünyo rain (i) flowering (para 6)
helps the rice bear grain. Without it, the ears of (ii) nonstop (para 7)
rice cannot form properly. End October is the
Ans. (a) (iii) it is believed that the plants bring the
most beautiful month in the Naga hills, as the
rain.
fields turn gold and wild sunflowers bloom over
the slopes, all heralding the harvest. Prayers go (b) (i) It tells them when to sow and when to
up for protecting the fields from storms, and the harvest.
rains to retreat because the grain needs to stand (c) (i) It brings mud and sickness with it.
in the sun and ripen. The cycle nears completion (d) (iii) The crops need the sun and heat to
a few weeks before the harvest, and the rain does ripen
retreat so thoroughly from the reaped furrows
(e) Rain falls five months a year in Nagaland / it is
that the earth quickly turns hard. The months of
ignorant to think that it is the same rain falling
rain become a distant memory until it starts all
everyday/ because rain is always doing differ-
over again.
ent things at different times/ tells them when
On the basis of your understanding of the to sow and harvest/ rain may be gentle and
above passage, complete the statements given rain that is too hard, damages crops. 1 mark
below with the help of the options that follow :
(1×4=4) Detailed Answer:
(a) The rains are called after the flowering of plants (e) The elders want the children to understand the
because rains in the Naga hills because it rains there 5
(i) heavy rains kill plants. months a year and one must learn to distin-
(ii) flowers grow in the rainy season. guish between the different types of rain.
(iii) it is believed that the plants bring the (f) Announces the end of the rain.
rain. (g) ‘Season of weeklong rains (when clothes don’t
(iv) flowers grow all the year round. dry, fungus forms on the floor) /cannot see the
(b) The rain is like a calendar for farmers because moon or the stars because of rain clouds/ big
rain in May/rain in May accompanied with
(i) it tells them when to sow and when to
lightning and thunder.
harvest.
(ii) it tells them the birthdays of their children. (h) Agriculture/farming. 1 mark
(iii) each month has a time for plantation.
Detailed Answer:
(iv) different kinds of rain tell different things.
(h) Agriculture’ or farming is the occupation of
(c) People who live in cities don’t like rain because more than 70 percent of the population of Naga
(i) it brings mud and sickness with it. Hills.
(ii) they are not bothered about the farmers. (i) City people dislike monsoon/find it depressing
(iii) they don’t like the plants that grow during because of landslide, muddy streets, periodic
the rain. infections-farmers remain grateful for the rainy
(iv) going shopping becomes difficult. days.
(d) People pray asking the rain to retreat because
(j) A few weeks before the harvest/ at the end of
(i) the fungus and mould need to dry.
October. 1 mark
(ii) children don’t get a chance to play.
(iii) the crops need the sun and heat to ripen. Detailed Answer:
(iv) they like to pray. (j) The months of rain become a distant memory in
Answer the following questions briefly:  (1×6=6) the minds of the people of the Naga Hills until it
(e) Why do the elders want you to understand the starts all over again.
rains in the Naga hills ? (k) (i) Blossoming / to bloom
(f) What does Durga Puja mean to the farmers of the (ii) Incessant / continuous
Naga hills ? 2. Read the passage given below:  10
(g) What kind of rain is called sezuo ? 1. Every morning Ravi gives his brain an extra
(h) What is the occupation of more than half the boost. We’re not talking about drinking strong
population of the Naga hills ? cups of coffee or playing one of those mind-
(i) How is the heart of the farmer different from that training video games advertised all over
of the city person ? Facebook. ‘‘I jump onto my stationary bike and
 Oswaal CBSE 10 Previous years' Solved Papers, Class–12th

cycle for 45 minutes to work,’’ says Ravi. ‘‘When (a) Ravi gets his brain to work at peak level by
I get to my desk, my brain is at peak activity for (i) drinking three cups of coffee.
a few hours.’’ After his mental focus comes to (ii) playing games that need brain activity.
a halt later in the day, he starts it with another
(iii) cycling on a stationary bike.
short spell of cycling to be able to run errands.
(iv) taking tablets to pump up his brain.
2. Ride, work, ride, repeat. It’s a scientifically
proven system that describes some unexpected (b) When nerve cells work during exercise then
benefits of cycling. In a recent study in the (i) the body experiences stress.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, (ii) the brain is strengthened by multiplying
scientists found that people scored higher on them.
tests of memory, reasoning, and planning after
(iii) you start to lose your temper.
30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike than
(iv) your stationary cycle starts to beep.
they did before they rode the bike. They also
completed the tests faster after pedalling. Answer the following questions briefly:
3. Exercise is like fertilizer for your brain. All  (1×6 = 6)
those hours, spent on exercising your muscles, (c) How does exercise help the brain ?
create rich capillary beds not only in leg and (d) Why does Ravi do a circuit of ‘ride, work,
hip muscles, but also in your brain. More blood ride’ ?
vessels in your brain and muscles mean more
(e) What is the work of neurotransmitters ?
oxygen and nutrients to help them work. When
you pedal, you also force more nerve cells to fire. (f) What benefits other than greater brain
The result : you double or triple the production activity does one get from cycling ?
of these cells — literally building your brain. You (g) Why is exercise so important for adults ?
also release neurotransmitters (the messengers (h) How is exercise itself a stress ?
between your brain cells) so all those cells, (i) Find words from the passage which mean
new and old, can communicate with each other the same as the following: (1×2 = 2)
for better, faster functioning. That’s a pretty
(i) manure (para 3)
profound benefit to cyclists.
(ii) inactive (para 4)
4. This kind of growth is especially important with
each passing birthday, because as we age, our Ans. (a) (iii) cycling on the stationary bike.
brains shrink and those connections weaken. (b) (ii) The brain is strengthened by multiplying
Exercise restores and protects the brain cells. them.
Neuroscientists say, ‘‘Adults who exercise display (c) Exercise acts as fertilizer for the brain/ cre-
sharper memory skills, higher concentration ates rich capillary beds not only in leg and hip
levels, more fluid thinking, and greater problem- muscles but also in the brain/ multiplication of
solving ability than those who are sedentary.’’ nerve cells/ release of neurotransmitters/ faster
5. Cycling also elevates your mood, relieves functioning / more oxygen and nutrients to the
anxiety, increases stress resistance, and even brain.
banishes the blues. ‘‘Exercise works in the same
(d) Gives his brain an extra boost /enjoys benefits
way as psychotherapy and antidepressants in
of cycling / can score higher on tests of memo-
the treatment of depression, maybe better,’’ says
ry, reasoning and planning/ can complete tests
Dr. Manjari. A recent study analyzing 26 years
of research finds that even some exercise — as faster after pedalling. 1 mark
little as 20 to 30 minutes a day — can prevent Detailed Answer:
depression over the long term.
(d) Ravi does a circuit of ‘ride, work, ride’ because
6. Remember : although it’s healthy, exercise itself he wants to stay focused. After cycling to work,
is a stress, especially when you’re just getting his brain is at the peak of activity level. After a
started or getting back into riding. When you few hours when his mental focus level comes to
first begin to exert yourself, your body releases a a halt, he starts it with another short session of
particular hormone to raise your heart rate, blood cycling.
pressure, and blood glucose levels, says Meher
(e) Neurotransmitters Act as messengers between
Ahluwalia, PhD, a professor of integrative
brain cells/ cells can communicate with each
physiology. As you get fitter, it takes a longer, other for better, faster and functioning.
harder ride to trigger that same response.
On the basis of your understanding of the (f) Elevates mood / relieves anxiety/ increases
passage, complete the statements given stress, resistance/ banishes the blues/prevents
below with the help of the options that depression. 1 mark
follow : (1×2 = 2)
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (ENGLISH CORE)

Detailed Answer: City compost has the additional advantage of being

(f) Cycling elevates one’s mood, relieves anxiety weed-free unlike farmyard manure which brings
and increases stress resistance. It can even with it the seeds of undigested grasses and requires
prevent depression in the long run. a substantial additional labour cost for weeding as
(g) sharpens memory /increases concentration the crops grow.
levels/ enhances fluid thinking/enhances City compost is also rich in organic carbon, and our
problem solving ability/ restores and protects soils are short in this. Farmers clearly recognize the
the brain cells. value of city compost. If city waste was composted
(h) When one first exercises, body releases a
before making it available to the farmers for applying
particular hormone to raise heart rate, blood
to the soil, cities would be cleaned up and the fields
pressure and blood glucose levels.
around them would be much more productive.
(i) (a) fertilizer
(b) sedentary Quite apart from cleaning up the cities of
3. Read the passage given below: biodegradable waste, this would be a major and
Keeping cities clean is essential for keeping their sustainable contribution to improving the health
residents healthy. Our health depends not just on of our soil without further damage by excessive
personal hygiene and nutrition, but critically also on chemical inputs. What a marvellous change from
how clean we keep our cities and their surroundings. waste to health!
The spread of dengue and chikungunya are The good news is that some states are regularly
intimately linked to the deteriorating state of public laying plastic roads. Plastic roads will not only
health conditions in our cities. withstand future monsoon damage but will also
The good news is that waste management to keep solve a city’s problem of disposing of non-recyclable
cities clean is now getting attention through the plastic. It is clear that if the mountains of waste from
Swachh Bharat Mission. However, much of the our cities were to be recycled into road construction
attention begins and stops with the brooms and the material, it would tackle the problem of managing
dustbins, extending at most to the collection and waste while freeing up scarce land.
transportation of the mixed waste to some distant or
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above
not so distant place, preferably out of sight.
passage, make notes on it using headings and
The challenge of processing and treating the
sub-headings. Use recognisable abbreviations
different streams of solid waste, and safe disposal
wherever necessary (minimum four) and a
of the residuals in scientific landfills, has received
much less attention in municipal solid waste format you consider suitable. Also supply an
management than is expected from a health point of appropriate title to it. 5
view. (b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80
One of the problems is that instead of focusing words. 3
on waste management for health, we have got Ans. The notes provided below are only guidelines.
sidetracked into ‘‘waste for energy’’. If only we were Any other title, main points and sub-points
to begin by not mixing the biodegradable component may be accepted if they are indicative of
of solid waste (close to 60 percent of the total) in our the candidate’s understanding of the given
cities with the dry waste, and instead use this stream
passage, and the notes include the main points,
of waste for composting and producing a gas called
with suitable and recognizable abbreviations.
methane.
Complete sentences are not to be accepted as
City compost from biodegradable waste provides an
alternative to farmyard manure (like cow-dung). It notes.
provides an opportunity to simultaneously clean up Numbering of points may be indicated in
our cities and help improve agricultural productivity different ways, as long as a consistent pattern
and quality of the soil. Organic manure or compost is followed. 1 mark
plays a very important role as a supplement to NOTE MAKING
chemical fertilisers in enriching the nutrient- Distribution of Marks 5 marks
deficient soils. City compost can be the new player (a) Title & Indentation 1 mark
in the field. Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-head-
Benefits of compost on the farm are well-known. ings, with proper indentation and notes) 3
The water holding capacity of the soil which uses marks
compost helps with drought-proofing, and the Abbreviations / Symbols (with /without key) –
requirement of less water per crop is a welcome any four 1 mark
feature for a water-stressed future. By making the
NOTE:
soil porous, use of compost also makes roots stringer
Accept the notes and summary in the third per-
and resistant to pests and decay. Farmers using
compost, therefore, need less quantity of pesticides. son
There is also evidence to suggest that horticulture Suggested Notes:
crops grown with compost have better flavour, size, Title: Waste Management: Some Facts or any
colour and shelf-life. other suitable title.
 Oswaal CBSE 10 Previous years' Solved Papers, Class–12th

Ans. (a) Suggested Notes be mixed with dry waste. Instead it should be
Title: Keeping our cities clean used for composting and producing methane
1. Why is it important? gas. City compost from biodegradable waste
is an alternative to farmyard manure. It does
(a) for healthy residents
a dual job of cleaning the cities and improving
(b) for checking diseases like dengue and the productivity of the soil. Compost has a
chikungunya great water-holding capacity. By making the
2. Swachh Bharat Mission soil porous, the roots will become stronger and
(a) a waste management initiative by govt. will need less quantity of pesticides. It is also
(b) begins and stops with brooms and dust- weed free and is rich in carbon content, which
bins our soil lacks. But the good news is, some
states are regularly laying plastic roads. These
(c) extends at the most, to collection and
will withstand future monsoons and solve the
transp. of waste to a place which is out
problem of non-recyclable plastic. Also, the
of sight.
problem of managing waste will be tackled and
3. Solid waste management scarce land will be freed.
(a) not much attention given
4. Waste for energy SECTION -B
(a) should not mix biodegradable waste (Writing Skills) 30 marks
with dry waste
(b) instead use it for composting and pro- 4. You are Faiz/Falak Mazumdar living at 39, Udampur
ducing methane gas Colony, Shimla. You decide to hold a dinner party
to congratulate your grandparents on their golden
5. City compost from biodegradable waste
wedding anniversary. Draft a formal invitation in
(a) alt. to farmyard manure not more than 50 words to all family members to
(b) does a dual job–clean cities and improve attend a grand dinner at home. 4
productivity of soil OR
(c) has a water-holding capacity
You are Harish/Harshita of 12, Seva Nagar, Pune. You
(d) makes soil porous, roots stronger and want to sell your flat as you are shifting to another
need less quantity of pesticides city for work. Draft a suitable advertisement in not
(e) is weed free more than 50 words to be published in The Pune
(f) rich in organic carbon Times under the classified columns.
6. Good news NOTE: The objective of the section on Advanced
(a) Some states are regularly laying plastic Writing Skills is to test a candidate’s writing ability.
roads Hence, expression assumes as much importance as
(i) withstand future monsoons and solve the content of the answer.
the problem of non-recyclable plastic Ans.
(ii) tackle the prob. of managing waste and
Invitation
free up scarce land
39, Udampur
Abbreviations:
govt - government Colony;
transp – transportation Shimla
alt – alternative 20th February; 2018
prob - problem Sub.: Invitation
(b) Summary:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Keeping cities clean is important for keeping
their residents healthy. Spread of diseases like We are glad to inform you that we are hosting a dinner
dengue and chikungunya is linked to unclean party on the occasion of my grandparent’s golden
surroundings. Swachh Bharat Mission is a waste wedding anniversary.
management initiative by the government. But, Venue : Golden Gate Hall
the attention begins and stops with the brooms Date : 25th February 2018
and the dustbins, extending at the most to Time : 8 pm onwards
collection and transportation of waste to a place Hope to see you there.
which is out of sight. Solid waste management
has not been given much attention. The policy Thanking you
of ‘waste for energy’ should be adopted. It Yours sincerely
means that biodegradable waste should not Falak Mazumdar
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (ENGLISH CORE)

OR OR
21, Vasant Marg
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Bhilai
A fully– furnished flat is available in Pune. Prime
location, walking distance from the market. All major February 26th, 2018
necessities like schools, hospitals, etc. available nearby.
Price ` 50 Lacs (negotiable). The Principal
Contact : Harshita, Bal Vidya Public School
12, Seva Nagar, Bhilai
Pune

Contact No. : 9871XXXXXX Subject: Application for the post of Political Sci-
ence teacher
5. You are Neeraj/Neeraja Shekhar, Principal, Vasant
Public School, Pune. Your school has just started a
music department. Write a letter to the Manager Dear Sir
of Melody House, Pune-wholesale suppliers of With reference to your advertisement published
musical instruments, placing an order for musical in ‘The Bhilai Express’ dated February 25th, 2018, I
instruments for the school. Ask for a discount on the would like to apply for the post of teacher (Political
catalogue prices. (120–150 words)  6 Science). I did my post-graduation and graduation
in Political Science from Bhilai University. I did
OR
my B.ED from MDU. I have a total experience of 5
Bal Vidya Public School, Bhilai, urgently requires a years in the relevant field. If given a chance I will do
post-graduate teacher to teach political science for everything in my capability to prove my worth.
which they have placed an advertisement in The I have attached my resume for your kind
Bhilai Express. You are Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma from consideration.
21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a letter including a CV, Hope to get a positive response from your side!
applying for the advertised post. (120–150 words)
Thanking you
Ans. Vasant Public School
Yours truly
Pune
Sanjana Sharma
February 26, 2018
The Manager RESUME
Melody House Name Sanjana Sharma
Pune Father’s name Mr. Santosh Kumar Sharma
Date of Birth 28-10-1975
Subject: Placing an order for musical instruments Address 43/B8 Sikandra, Agra
Educational
Dear Sir, qualification M.A. (Political Science)
Thank you for the catalogue that you had sent with Professional
the latest price list. After going through it, we would qualification B.ED from MDU
like to place an order for the following items:
Experience 5 years
Product Quantity
Marital status Married
Guitar 6
Phone number 78956XXXXX
Tabla 3
Email Id [email protected]
Drums 3
Languages
Trumpet 2
known English, Hindi
Piano 6
Hobbies Reading, Painting
Attached herewith is a draft of 30% advance
6. Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the
payment. Rest of the payment will be made after
country during the monsoon season laid bare, the
the delivery of the listed items. Also, kindly provide
hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities
necessary discounts on the products.
of their preparedness. The poor had to bear the
brunt of the problem while no one was ever held
Thanking You accountable. Write an article in 150–200 words on the
Yours truly common man’s woes during the monsoons and the
Neerja Shekhar need for accountability of the officials concerned.
You are Sumit/Smita Verma.  10
 Oswaal CBSE 10 Previous years' Solved Papers, Class–12th

OR angry at someone or the other. Instead, if you tackle

You are Ali/Alia, Head girl / Head boy of your any situation peacefully, you can take better decision
school. You are deeply disturbed by the rising cases which you will not regret later. Hence, we can say that
of aggressive behaviour of students in your school. aggression leads us to nowhere and it only makes our
You decide to speak during the morning assembly problems worse.
about it. Write a speech on ‘Indiscipline in Schools’. 7. ‘‘Academic excellence is the only requirement for
(150–200 words)
a successful career.’’ Write a debate either for or
Ans. Article against the motion. (120–150 words)  10
The Common Man’s Woes During Monsoons
OR
-by Smita
MMD School, Nashik, recently organised a science
Monsoons play an important role in our lives and symposium on the topic: ‘‘Effect of pollution on
they play a very crucial role in the life of farmers. quality of life.’ You are Amit/Amita Raazdan, editor
Without monsoons, the crops will not get sufficient of the school magazine. Write a report on the event
water and hence, the agricultural sector will be badly for your school magazine. (120–150 words)
hit. But for the common man, monsoon can become
Ans. Debate
a serious menace at times especially since the recent
Respected Chairperson, honorable judges and all
floods in many metropolitan cities have revealed
present here,
the lack of effort on the part of the authorities to
solve the problem. The drains overflowed and laid I stand before you to express my views against
bare the claims of the civic societies about their the motion that ‘Academic excellence is the only
preparedness. They claimed to have cleaned the requirement for a successful career’. Sourav
drains, way before the monsoons had hit but the Ganguly, Saina Nehwal, Zakir Hussain, Deepika
truth is that they failed miserably. The poor and Padukone, all of these are names that we all know.
the common man have to face the consequences Are any of them related to the field of education?
of their irresponsibility. At times, car's engine stops No! They have pursued their dreams in their
working due to flooding of water on the roads. The respective fields and today they stand as role models
civic societies responsible for monsoon preparation for the youth. Education is not only about bookish
should be held responsible and punished for not knowledge. It is about the overall development of
carrying out their duties. Also, the government our personality. We study many subjects in our
should take an initiative to vigil these societies, so school. But do we excel in all of them? No! We excel
that from the next season onwards, the problems in some of them. Similarly, the potential of the
are resolved and the common man gets some relief. students, lies not only in excelling in their studies.
Somebody can be an average student but may be an
OR
excellent dancer or an artist. We should not judge a
Good Morning respected teachers and my dear child’s capability only on the basis of their marks.
friends! We should try to bring out the inner talent of the
Today I am going to talk about something that is child and nurture it so that the child can do what
very important in a student’s life – discipline she/he likes.
‘Discipline is the key to success’ - this saying stands OR
true for all times and for all people of all age groups. As all of you are aware our school organised a sci-
But especially for students, it holds great value. In ence symposium on the topic: ‘Effect of pollution
contemporary times there are so many temptations on the quality of life’ on 1st March 2018. It was an
that can lure a student away from his basic objective enriching session for the students where they
in life. learned about the various hazards of pollution.
All of us have witnessed the aggressive behaviour Pollution has greatly affected the health of our citi-
that the students portray towards others. Self- zens. Each child was given the responsibility of a
restraint is very important in life and all of us should plant and was told to nurture it. The students also
work towards achieving it. We should respect our organised an awareness march. Many students
fellow students and not portray any kind of violence came up with models on how to clean the rising
towards them. Self-restraint and discipline together levels of pollution.
can work wonders. They can help us achieve our The students had a wonderful time attending the
goals in life. Aggressive behaviour has never helped symposium. Our Principal Ms Anjali Aggarwal
anybody in life. Instead, it causes harm both to you thanked the students and teachers for their enthu-
and towards whom you portray your aggression. It siastic participation.
robs you off your inner peace as you are constantly
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (ENGLISH CORE)

9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40

SECTION -C
words each:  (3×4=12)
(Literature : Textbooks and Long Reading Text)
(a) What does the poet’s smile in the poem, ‘My
40 marks
Mother at Sixty-Six’ show ?
8. Reading the extract given below and answer the (b) ‘‘Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds ....
questions that follow:  (1×4=4) .’’ In the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker’s
.... and clear rills son, which two worlds is Anees Jung referring
That for themselves a cooling covert make to?
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake, (c) Though, the sharecroppers of Champaran
received only one-fourth of the compensation,
Rich with the sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
how can the Champaran struggle still be termed
..............
a huge success and victory ?
(a) Identify the poem and the poet. (d) Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played
(b) What is the role of the clear rills ? perhaps the most significant role in Evans’
(c) How has the mid forest brake become rich ? escape and how ?
(d) Name the figure of speech in ‘cooling covert.’ (e) Why does Derry’s mother not want him to go
OR back to visit Mr. Lamb ?
.......... On their slag heap, these children (f) What considerations influenced the Tiger King
Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles to get married ?
of steel Ans. (a) In the poem, 'My Mother at Sixty Six' the poet,
With mended glass, like bottle bits on stones. smiled to hide her anxiety and fear of the un-
(a) Name the poem and the poet. known. She smiled again and again because she
(b) Explain : ‘slag heap.’ wanted to hide her fear of separation, fear of
(c) What future awaits these children ? mother’s death. She smiled in order to reassure
(d) Name the figure of speech used in the third line. her mother that she would see her again soon.
Ans. (a) A Thing of Beauty ; John Keats ½+½ mark (b) -Poverty stricken family/ burdened by stigma
(b) To create a cooling covert/ to cool the area/ pro- of caste and
vide cooling shelter. 1 mark -Vicious circle created by sahukars, middlemen,
policemen, keepers of law, bureaucrats (any
Detailed Answer: two). 3 marks
(b) Keats mentions the sun, moon, trees, flowers Detailed Answer:
and clear rills as things of beauty.
(b) “Listening to them, I see two different
(c) With a sprinkling of fair musk rose blooms/ due worlds…”, the author here is talking about two
to the presence of musk roses blooming in the families, one caught in the web of poverty, bur-
forest. dened by the stigma of caste in which they were
(d) Alliteration/ Imagery. born and the other is the vicious circle of sahu-
OR kars, the middleman, policemen, the keepers of
(a) An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum; law, the bureaucrats and the policemen. All of
them together have put the burden on Mukesh
Stephen Spender.
that he cannot keep aside. Before he becomes
(b) Refers to garbage dump, mound of industrial aware, he accepts it naturally like his father. For
waste/ slum. 1 mark him to do anything else would mean to dare.

Detailed Answer: (c) -Landlords obliged to surrender part of money

and part of prestige; peasants saw they had
(b) ‘Slag heaps’ refers to the badly nourished and
rights; defenders ; learnt courage; broke the
very weak bodies of the children who live in
deadlock between landlords and farmers.
poor conditions in slum. They are just like un-
(any two) 3 marks
wanted waste materials.
(c) Dark/bleak/dismal/hopeless/painted with fog/ Detailed Answer:
miserable. 1 mark (c) Gandhiji’s persistent efforts, firm determination
and resolution led to his success in Champaran.
Detailed Answer: He went to Champaran at the request of an
(c) The poet thinks that these children have a dark illiterate peasant and there he listened to the
and bleak future. There is no chance of any grievances of the sharecroppers and started
growth or progress. It is very difficult to say the Civil Disobedience Movement. He became
whether they will be able to fulfill their dreams victorious and the landlords withdrew their
or not. claims over their estates and reverted them to
the farmers. Gandhiji had a long discussion
(d) Simile/Alliteration.
 Oswaal CBSE 10 Previous years' Solved Papers, Class–12th

with the lawyers and he asked them to let go OR

off their fear of the Britishers. He even tried Fear is something that we must learn to overcome
to improve the social life of the farmers by if we want to succeed in life. How did Douglas get
providing them with doctors and teachers. over his fear of water ?
Even though, the farmers received only one-
fourth of the compensation, the victory gave Ans. Q10 & 11 [These questions have been set to
them hope that they could triumph over the test the students’ understanding of the text
British. and their ability to interpret, evaluate and
respond to the issues raised therein. Hence,
(d) -Semi-inflated rubber ring/tube with pigs no particular answer can be accepted as the
blood; which he used to escape (pretend to be only correct answer. All presentations may
wounded McLeery) be accepted as equally correct provided they
-The question paper, provided the escape plan have been duly supported by the facts drawn
that misguided the jail authorities to go in an- from the text. The important thing is that the
other direction. 3 marks student should be able to justify his or her
viewpoint.]
Detailed Answer: Distribution of marks:
Evan was a habitual jail-breaker, who outwitted Content: 3 marks
everyone and the precautions escaped from the Expression : 3 marks
prison in spite of all. From the very beginning, grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and
when the German teacher entered the prison to
spelling [1½ marks]
the last encounter with the Governor in the ho-
tel, the latter outsmarted everybody. The ques- coherence and relevance of ideas and style
tion paper for the examination served to send [1½ marks]
a message to Evans. McLerry drew the Gover- -Jansie- practical, aware of their poor socio-
nor’s attention to the photocopied sheet super economic status/ background, knows ‘both
imposed over the last sheet of the question pa- earmarked for the biscuit industry’
per. It contained a message for Evans. He had -Sophie- dreamer, unrealistic, aspired to be an
been asked to follow the escape plan. The most actress, own a boutique or be a manager, all
important point in time, according to the mes- beyond her means. 6 marks
sage was three minutes before the end of the OR
examination. The Governor was unable to deci- - appointed a swimming instructor, went to
pher the next line of the German text. Then, he the pool, practised five days a week, an hour
was asked to hit McLerry and not to overdo the each day, in six months, learnt to swim, in July
Scott’s accent. The correction slips also played tested his newly learnt skills in different lakes
a crucial role. At first, they hadn’t been able to
and water bodies. 6 marks
fix a hotel. The slips gave Evans the name of the
hotel where he was to stay. Detailed Answer:
(e) Lamb was new to the place and she had not Sophie had unrealistic dreams about her career.
much personal information about him. She They were unrealistic because she neither had
had also heard adverse remarks made by the money nor the talent to start a boutique and
people about Mr. Lamb, who was leading a she considered herself to be a natural manager.
lonely life, with no contact with outside world. She dreamt of achieving things which she had
Earlier, children used to tease and chase him, no access to. She belongs to a lower middle
so he would not be a healthy company for her class family but dreams of owning a boutique,
son. 3 marks or becoming an actress or a manager. Moreover
(f) The Tiger King had to kill hundred tigers. instead of working towards her goals, she only
He had killed all the seventy tigers in dreams about them.
the forest of his kingdom. In order to kill Jansie on the other hand, was a practical girl
30 more tigers. he called his Diwan and who knows that Sophie gets lost in her fanta-
asked him to find a girl from a kingdom sy world. She understands that the world that
Sophie talks and dreams about, is far beyond
that had maximum number of tigers. He
them. So, she discourages Sophie from escaping
was influenced by his desire to disprove the
the world.
prediction of the astrologer. It was purely his
conceit, vanity and arrogance to marry the OR
princess. 3 marks William Douglas’s aversion to water started
when he was three or four years old and his
10. Answer the following question in 120–150 words : 6 father took him to the beach in California. He
In one’s approach to life one should be practical hung on to his father but the waves swept over
and not live in a world of dreams. How is Jansie’s him. He was almost buried in water, his breath
attitude different from that of Sophie ? was gone and he was terrified.
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (ENGLISH CORE)

He tried to overcome his fear of water by going had raised a question about whether the Wizard
to the YMCA swimming pool. But even there he should hit the mommy Skunk or not. Jack was
was pushed into the pool by a bully and had a unable to satisfy her as he was very cautious
near to death experience. This left a very strong about the downside world where his wife Clare
impact on his psychology. A haunting fear of
was painting. The house was not well kept and
water took control of his physical strength and
the household items were scattered. They were
emotional balance for many years and when he
tried to go near to the water, his fear seized him expecting a baby and he was supposed to go and
and his legs were paralyzed and the icy terror help her as she was working hard to make both
grabed his heart. the ends meet. In this way Jack was caught in
He decided to overcome his fear. His instructor an ugly middle position between the romantic
was very dedicated. He took immense pain and world and the real world upstairs-downstairs.
drove fear out of Douglas’ mind by making him OR
practice hard. He taught him different steps one Children are much more sensitive and observant
by one and then asked him to swim. Finally, than the adults. They see, hear, and feel whatever
Douglas was able to overcome his fear and is happening around them. They are quick to
become a good swimmer. notice any deviation from the normal. Zitkala-
11. Answer the following question in 120–150 words : 6 Sa shows that she has the seed of rebellion at
At the end of the storytelling session, why does a tender age. Her friend Judwin tells her that
Jack consider himself ‘caught in an ugly middle the authorities will cut her long, heavy hair
position’? and she will have to submit as the authorities
OR were stronger than her. But Zitkala-Sa rebels
It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, and declares that she will not submit. And, she
but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. does carry out her resolution. She hides herself
How did Zitkala-Sa face oppression as a child and to foil their attempt. When she is detected to be
how did she overcome it ? hiding under the bed, she is dragged out. She
Ans. Jack was ‘caught in an ugly middle position’ kept resisting by scratching and kicking them
because he was caught between two difficult wildly. But, she was overpowered and tied to
situations. He was unable to escape the harsh a chair. She doesn’t take things lying down and
realities of life rather he tried to habituate instead keeps resisting. The spark of rebellion is
not put out by oppression.
himself to the prevailing situation. He had
*12. Answer the following question in 120-150 words : 6
to manage his family with two children, his
daughter Jo and his son Bobby. And hence, Jack How does the perception and attitude of the villagers
of Raveloe towards Silas Marner change from the
was en-tangled between two worlds. The first
beginning to the end of the novel ?
world belonged to Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel or
OR
Roger Chipmunk where he is telling the story of
a wise owl and the Wizard with a magic wand. How do you perceive Dr. Kemp based on his
interaction with Griffin ? (The Invisible Man)
The world upstairs consists of his children. Jo

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