DAV SUSHIL KEDIA VISHWA BHARATI SCHOOL

JAWALAKHEL, LALITPUR

PRACTICE QUESTION 2024-2025

SET 1

English: XII F.M: 80

Time: 3hrs. P.M: 40

General Instructions:

A. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.

B. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A
READING SKILLS (22 marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully: (12)

In a room filled with people, each face illuminated by the soft glow of their smartphones, moments drift
away like autumn leaves in the wind. The constant hum of notifications fills the air, punctuating
conversations like an incessant drumbeat. Every vibration or ping sends fingers flying to screens, a
response ingrained by years of digital conditioning. The oncereliable tick-tock of analog timepieces has
been overshadowed by the constant flicker of notifications on the wrist watch, blurring the boundaries
between the virtual and the real.

Anxiety gnaws at the edges of consciousness when the phone is out of reach, a phantom limb syndrome
that leaves us feeling incomplete without our digital appendage. The fear of missing out permeates
every moment spent away from the screen, driving us to constantly check for updates and notifications.

Thumbs move with the speed and precision of skillful pianists, tapping out messages and scrolling
through feeds with practiced ease. Yet amidst the flurry of activity, the true rhythm of life remains
unheard, drowned out by the dissonance of digital noise. The weight of constant connectivity forms a
hunch upon our shoulders, a physical manifestation of the burden we carry in an age of information
overload. Our minds are perpetually on high alert, scanning for the next wave of excitement that comes
with each like, share, or comment.

And yet, for all our efforts to stay connected, we find ourselves increasingly isolated in a sea of digital
faces. Genuine connections are fleeting, drowned out by the constant clamour for attention. In the
pursuit of digital validation, we sacrifice the wealth of lived experience, trading meaningful moments for
fleeting glimpses of connection. The true essence of life lies not in the pixels on a screen, but in the
depth of human connection and the richness of shared experiences.

As we navigate this brave new world of constant connectivity, let us not forget the value of presence and
the beauty of being fully engaged in the moments that matter most. For in the end, it is not the number
of likes or followers that defines us, but the depth of our connections and the richness of our
experiences that truly matter.
Created for Academic Usage / 421 words

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

I. According to paragraph 1, what effect do smartphone notifications have on the people in the
room? (1)
II. How does the author use the metaphor of 'autumn leaves in the wind' to interpret the passing
of time in the setting described? (1)
III. Read and complete the following sentence suitably. (1)
The phrase ‘a phantom limb syndrome that leaves us feeling incomplete without our digital
appendage’ suggests that just as an amputee might feel pain in a limb they no longer have,
individuals can feel a sense of loss or incompleteness when they are separated from their digital
devices.
Choose the correct response from the two options to complete the sentence.
The concern this analogy points towards is about ________.
A. deep (psychological) dependence on technology for a sense of wholeness or connection
B. excessive physical damage that can be caused due to constant use of digital devices
IV. Complete the following suitably with ONE advantage, with reference to paragraph 2. Designating
specific hours each day to intentionally avoid checking digital devices can help ________. (1)
V. Why does the writer refer to digital noise as 'dissonance' in paragraph 3? (1)
Because-
A. It creates a jarring and chaotic environment that disrupts focus.
B. It contributes to a sense of overload, overwhelming the senses.
C. It interferes with our ability to engage with meaningful aspects of our life.
D. It induces stress by interrupting with regular updates about the device.
VI. Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to paragraph 3, to prove the following: The need to
be perpetually engaged with digital notifications manifests in the body. (1)
VII. In the line, ‘Yet amidst the flurry of activity, the true rhythm of life remains unheard…,’ what
does the phrase 'true rhythm of life’ refer to? (Paragraphs 3-4) (2)
VIII. Complete the analogy with ONE word from paragraph 4. (1)
whisper: quietly: ________ : loudly
A. validation
B. fleeting
C. essence
D. clamour
IX. Why is it fair to say that the statement ‘And yet, for all our efforts to stay connected, we find
ourselves increasingly isolated in a sea of digital faces’ from paragraph 4, employs irony? (1)
A. Despite the intent to connect more effectively, the result is the opposite.
B. The writer mocks the seriousness with which people approach digital connectivity.
C. The writer exaggerates the effects of digital connectivity to highlight its impact.
D. Use of ‘a sea of digital faces’ to symbolically represent digital platforms.
X. Assess the potential challenges OR benefits of relying on survey outcomes for designing health
interventions, as outlined in paragraph 5. (2)

2. Read the following carefully. (10)

Introduction:
In the hasty lifestyle of today's world, the choice of snacks can greatly impact one's health and well-
being. This case study aims to analyse the preference for seasonal fruits compared to packaged snacks
among different age groups and the implications for overall health.

Methodology:
A survey was conducted among individuals across various age groups, ranging from children to seniors,
to determine their snacking preferences. Participants were asked to indicate their preferred snack
choices and provide reasons for their preferences. The data was then analysed to identify trends and
patterns among different age demographics.

Survey Examination:
The survey encompassed a comprehensive examination of snacking habits, including not only preferred
snack choices but also delving into the underlying motivations and influences guiding these choices.
Beyond mere preference, participants were encouraged to articulate the reasons behind their selections,
providing invaluable insights into the multifaceted nature of snacking behavior.

Results:
The survey results revealed interesting insights into snacking preferences among different age groups:

Age- Preferred
% Reasons for preference
group snack

Seasonal Taste, Health benefits,

Children 77
fruits Parental guidance

Packaged Convenience, Taste, Peer

Teenagers 65
snacks influence

Transitional
lifestyle(college,
seasonal
beginning careers, and
Young fruits and
52 establishing
adults packaged
independence), Health
snacks
consciousness,
Convenience

Middle- Seasonal Freshness, Nutrition,

83
aged fruits Health Consciousness

Seasonal Health benefits, Digestive

Elderly 90
fruits ease

Implications for Interventions:

By discerning the diverse preferences among different age groups, policymakers and health practitioners
can tailor interventions to address specific demographic needs. For instance, targeting educational
campaigns towards parents could empower them to instill healthy eating habits in their children from an
early age. Concurrently, efforts to mitigate the influence of advertising and peer pressure on teenagers
could involve regulatory measures and educational initiatives aimed at promoting critical thinking and
informed decision-making. Furthermore, the prominence of seasonal fruits as a preferred snack choice
among middleaged adults and senior's points towards the importance of promoting access to fresh
produce and nutritional education across all age demographics.

Conclusion:
The survey outcomes serve as a roadmap for designing targeted interventions that not only cater to
diverse demographic needs but also nurture a culture of health and well-being. By harnessing the
insights gleaned from this study, stakeholders can collaboratively work towards building healthier
communities and promoting sustainable practices for generations to come.
Created for Academic Usage / 315 words

A. Answer the following questions, based on given passage.

I. Complete the following suitably.

In the introduction, the researcher links a hasty lifestyle with the choice of snacks in the study to
highlight ________. (1)
II. What would the following be classified as? (1)
To examine snacking preferences across various age groups in detail, and assess health
implications.
Select the appropriate response.
A. Primary purpose
B. Secondary objective
C. Method of analysis
D. Research outcome
III. Give two points to support why it is likely that fresh fruits were given as an option to the survey
participants to choose from in the study on snacking preferences. (2)
IV. Paragraph 3 includes words - ‘motivations’ and ‘influences.’ (1)
Classify the following sentences as 'influence' or 'motivation':
Sentence 1: Peer pressure leads teenagers to prefer packaged snacks over healthier options.
Sentence 2: The drive to maintain health as one ages makes middle-aged adults to choose
seasonal fruits.
V. Read the following: (1)
Seema regularly enjoys snacking on chips and cool drinks while watching movies. Mohan, her
neighbour, prefers to snack on oranges and also some nuts occasionally. Arindam, who lives
across, often tends to eat a mix of carrot sticks and instant noodles, in between meals. Select the
option that identifies the correct demographic Seema, Mohan and Arindam belong to.
A. Seema - young adult; Mohan - teenager; Arindam - middle-age
B. Seema - teenager; Mohan - middle-age; Arindam - child
C. Seema - young adult; Mohan - child; Arindam - teenager
D. Seema - teenager; Mohan - elderly; Arindam - young adult
VI. Although children, middle-aged, and elderly groups all prefer seasonal fruits, why is the
preference percentage highest among the elderly? (1)
VII. Analyse how targeted interventions based on the diverse snacking preferences of different age
groups can lead to improved health outcomes. (Paragraph 5) (2)
VIII. What is the ultimate goal for stakeholders, based on the insights from the study? (1)
 A. Increase profitability through enhanced snack marketing
B. Building healthier communities
C. Reducing the cost of healthcare services
D. Expanding the range of available snack product

SECTION B
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

3. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words (1x4=4)
A. Your school is planning to conduct an inter-class seminar on the topic- The Importance
of Mental Health-to create awareness in adolescents. As the head of the organising
committee, write a notice to inform all students about the seminar and invite
registrations from classes XI-XII. Include other necessary details. Put your notice in a box.

OR

B. Your school is organising an inter-House webinar on enhancing coding skills, As the

President of the Computer Club, write a notice to inform all House members from IX-XII
about the webinar and specify the number of registrations invited per House. Include
other necessary details. Put your notice in a box.
4. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. (1x4=4)
A. Draft an invitation in not more than 50 words from Vani Gopalan, Chief Project Officer of
an NGO, for the launch of the 'Each One Teach One' programme, addressed to school
Principals and Coordinators. Mention a compelling highlight of the programme along
with other necessary details

OR

B. An invitation had been issued by Mr. Cherian, the HR Head of your company inviting you
for the company picnic. As Joseph Vijayan, Asst. Manager, Operations, draft a reply in
not more than 50 words, consenting to attend.
5. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in 120 150 words (1x5=5)
A. Financial literacy is increasingly recognised as a crucial 21st-century skill for young
individuals. Write a letter to the editor of a local daily discussing the benefits of
providing financial literacy education to children. Also, suggest effective ways to raise
awareness about the importance of this education among parents and guardians. You
may use some of the given cues along with your own ideas to draft the letter. You are a
counsellor, Chitra Mahapatra from Puri, Odisha.

• What are the long-term benefits of

learning financial independence from
a young age?
• Why is understanding the power of
finances beneficial for young learners?
• Why skills learned during childhood
tend to have a lasting impact.
 OR

B. You are Maya Syiem from Shillong. You read the given advertisement and wish to apply
for the post advertised. Write this job application along with your bio-data.

Join our Creative Team!

A renowned publishing house in Shillong
-A NEW WORLD-
is seeking a talented illustrator for children's
books. Creative individuals with a passion
for storytelling through art, welcome.
Experience, not mandatory.
Team players with degree/diploma in Fine
Arts/Graphic Design may apply with 5 samples
from portfolio illustrating a variety of work.
Write to the Project Lead, 23-C Rosewood
Lane, Shillong-793005

6. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in 120 150 words (1x5=5)
A. In an era of rapid globalisation and technological advancement, the preservation of
cultural heritage remains a vital challenge, particularly for the youth. India continues to
navigate the complexities of maintaining tradition alongside modernity. Write an article
exploring the role of cultural heritage in shaping the identities of today's Indian youth.
Provide examples to illustrate your points wherever necessary. You may use some of the
given cues along with your own ideas. You are Arti Nirula of Class XII-A.

• How have global interactions and

technologies influenced or changed
these traditional practices among
today's youth?
• What are the benefits of preserving
cultural heritage for young people?
How does it contribute to their sense
of identity and community?
• Suggest ways in which young people
and institutions can work together to
ensure the preservation of cultural
heritage.

OR

B. You are Hina Aziz, student of Class XII-D and a member of the school magazine editorial
board. Write a comprehensive report detailing the activities undertaken by students as
 part of the celebrations on Yoga Day. Include descriptions of the events, participation
details, and the overall impact of these activities on the school community. You may
organise your report by following - Who - What - When - Where - Why - How

SECTION C
LITERATURE (40 marks)

7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two-A or B
(1x6=6)
A. Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
(poem - Keeping Quiet)
I. What is a common outcome of all the wars described?
II. What does the imagery of ‘walking about with their brothers in the shade’
primarily represent?
A. The readiness for further conflicts.
B. A return to normal activities post-conflict.
C. A moment of unity and peaceful reflection.
D. The physical environment of a typical war zone.
III. Complete the following suitably.
The putting on of ‘clean clothes’ by the warmongers, symbolises ________.
IV. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
The excerpt tells us that the speaker ________ (condemns / glorifies) the
destructive nature of modern warfare.
V. Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: The poet advocates for 'doing nothing' as a way to prevent the
devastation of war.
Reason: 'Doing nothing' refers to a time for stopping any action for a few
moments.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship.
A. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct
explanation of the assertion.
B. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the
correct explanation of the assertion.
C. The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
D. The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
VI. How can the message in the excerpt, about the outcome of wars be applied to
promote peace?

OR

B. 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.
(poem-The Roadside Stand)
I. Select the phrase that suggests the following:
The so-called aids are not offered out of genuine care or consent but are
imposed in a controlling and perhaps unwelcome manner.
II. What does the imagery of ‘swarm’ NOT represent in the given extract?
A. Coordinated help
B. Overwhelming force
C. Discomfort and chaos
D. Neglect of individual needs
III. Complete the following suitably.
In the line, ‘destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way,’ the phrase ‘the
ancient way’ refers to ________.
IV. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
The poet has used phrases like ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of
prey’ to illustrate the ________ (irony/satire) in the situation where those
claiming to help the rural poor actually impose self-serving and detrimental
actions on them.
V. Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: The poet criticizes the way the rural poor are treated by benefactors,
suggesting it instills ambition. Reason: The interventions are overwhelmingly
calming and lead to a loss of critical thinking among the rural poor.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:
A. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct
explanation of the assertion.
B. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the
correct explanation of the assertion.
C. The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
D. The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
VI. State in one sentence, what cautionary advice your address to the rural poor
from the extract, is most likely to include.
8. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (A) or (B)
(4x1=4)
A. To visit Antarctica now is to be a part of that history; to get a grasp of where we’ve come
from and where we could possibly be heading. It’s to understand the significance of
Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon; evolution and
extinction. When you think about all that can happen in a million years, it can get pretty
mind-boggling. Imagine: India pushing northwards, jamming against Asia to buckle its
crust and form the Himalayas; South America drifting off to join North America, opening
up the Drake Passage to create a cold circumpolar current, keeping Antarctica frigid,
desolate, and at the bottom of the world.
(Journey to the End of the Earth)
I. Complete the following suitably.
The passage suggests that visiting Antarctica offers insight into geological
processes and Earth's history by ________.
II. How does the author imply the role of geological knowledge in understanding
the Earth's past and potential future changes?
 III. The writer says, ‘When you think about all that can happen in a million years, it
can get pretty mind-boggling.’
What is the most likely impact on the writer?
A. Feels overwhelmed by the vastness of geological time scales.
B. Is uneasy about the rapid pace of geological changes.
C. Feels indifferent towards geological phenomena.
D. Is surprised by the lack of significant geological events over a million
years.
IV. How might understanding the geological processes mentioned in the passage
help scientists in predicting and mitigating future environmental changes,
particularly in polar regions?

OR

B. I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors
against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit.
Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities. People had
stared at me. I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long
hair was shingled like a coward’s! In my anguish I moaned for my mother, but no one
came to comfort me. Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to
do; for now, I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder. (Memories of
Childhood: The Cutting of My Long Hair)
I. Complete the following suitably. Zitkala-Sa's description of her experience at the
boarding school conveys a sense of abandonment through her portrayal of
________.
II. List any one emotion that Zitkala-Sa experiences as her hair is being cut.
III. Select the suitable option to complete the following. The metaphor of being
‘tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet’ contribute to the reader's
understanding of Zitkala-Sa's feelings of being ________.
A. forced to interact with others
B. manipulated and controlled
C. preached at and insulted
D. made to exist like toy animals
IV. In what ways does the imagery of her ‘long hair shingled like a coward's’
symbolise the erasure of Zitkala’s cultural heritage and the imposition of
Western norms?
9. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, A or B.
(1x6=6)
A. What a thunderclap these words were to me! Oh, the wretches; that was what they had
put up at the town-hall! My last French lesson! Why, I hardly knew how to write! I
should never learn anymore! I must stop there, then! Oh, how sorry I was for not
learning my lessons, for seeking birds’ eggs, or going sliding on the Saar! My books, that
had seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to carry, my grammar, and my history
of the saints, were old friends now that I couldn’t give up. And M. Hamel, too; the idea
that he was going away, that I should never see him again, made me forget all about his
ruler and how cranky he was.
(The Last Lesson)
I. What was the writer’s purpose in using the metaphor of a ‘thunderclap’?
 II. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
The use of exclamatory marks in the first five sentences of the extract serves to
express the speaker’s ________ (hidden/ intense) emotions.
III. Complete the following suitably.
The activities of seeking birds' eggs and sliding on the Saar reveal two things
about Franz's character before his change in perspective. First, his youthful
carefree nature and second, his preference for ________.
IV. What is reflected through the shift in the speaker’s perception of Mr. Hamel,
conveyed through his readiness to forget the ruler?
V. Select the textual option that is closest to indicating a sense of panic.
A. Oh, how sorry I was for not learning my lessons…
B. Why, I hardly knew how to write!
C. Oh, the wretches; that was what they had put up at the town-hall!
D. And M. Hamel, too;
VI. What does the following line from the extract, showcase?
My books, that had seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to carry, my
grammar, and my history of the saints, were old friends now that I couldn’t give
up.
A. realization
B. confusion
C. expectation
D. affirmation

OR

B. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the
proportions of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread, a roof over their
heads, even if it is a leaking roof. But for a child it is even more “I sometimes find a
rupee, even a ten-rupee note,” Saheb says, his eyes lighting up. When you can find a
silver coin in a heap of garbage, you don’t stop scrounging, for there is hope of finding
more. It seems that for children, garbage has a meaning different from what it means to
their parents. For the children it is wrapped in wonder, for the elders it is a means of
survival.
(Lost Spring - Stories of Stolen Childhood)
I. What does Saheb's statement about finding money in the garbage reveal about
his daily life and aspirations?
II. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
Describing garbage as ‘gold’ metaphorically elevates its value to the children,
helping the reader understand the ________ (dynamic/desperate) conditions
under which these children live, where even garbage can represent crucial
economic resources.
III. Complete the following with a suitable reason.
Children continue to scrounge in the garbage because ________.
IV. How does the perception of garbage differ between children and adults in
Seemapuri?
V. What is implied by the description of rag-picking as having ‘acquired the
proportions of a fine art’ in the excerpt?
 A. Rag-picking is an undesirable and simple task that anyone can do
without effort.
B. Rag-picking has evolved into a complex skill that is valued within the
community.
C. Rag-picking is a temporary activity that does not significantly impact the
community.
D. Rag-picking has the status of an artistic hobby that children pursue for
enjoyment.
VI. What is the reason for Saheb’s eyes ‘lighting up’?
A. The immediate experience of finding something valuable.
B. Discussing his findings with others.
C. Reminiscing about past findings in the garbage.
D. Planning future scavenging expeditions.
10. Answer any five of the following six questions in 40 50 words each: (5x2=10)

I. Identify an instance of hope or resilience in ‘Lost Spring’ and analyse how it reflects one
of the story's themes.
II. Interpret the use of visual imagery by Kamala Das in her poem to depict the passage of
time.
III. What does the contrasting imagery of the church clock and the Prussian trumpets
represent, in ‘The Last Lesson’?
IV. How does the author's writing style in ‘The Interview’ affect the reader's understanding
of the story?
V. Explain how the rattrap symbolises the dual aspects of human nature. (The Rattrap)
VI. What factor/s were largely instrumental in the victory of the peasants in ‘Indigo’?

11. Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 50 words each: (2x2=4)

VII. Discuss the significance of the toy tiger in the climax of ‘The Tiger King.’
VIII. Interpret the significance of both literal and metaphorical journeys in the story, ‘The
Third Level.’
IX. How does Susan Hill subtly portray a blend of pessimism and optimism in ‘On the Face of
It’?

12. Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. (1x5=5)

A. Analyse the poems, A Roadside Stand and Aunt Jennifer's Tigers for the theme of
inequality and its impact on the bearers.

OR

B. How does humour and satire enliven the account of the events and personalities at
Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran in ‘Poets and Pancakes’?

13. Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words (1x5=5)
C. The influence of belief in traditions such as religion, family bonds, or patriotism can be
used to develop narrative techniques like setting, motivation, sources of conflict, and
pacing. Analyse how the writer has incorporated such influences to good effect in the
story, The Enemy. Support your answer with valid textual evidence.

OR

D. Discuss the narrative techniques used by the author in The Third Level. How do these
techniques effectively convey the themes of escapism and nostalgia? Provide specific
examples from the text to support your analysis.