NAVY CHILDREN SCHOOL

SAMPLE PAPER 3
ENGLISH CORE
CLASS XII
Time: 3 Hours Max. Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. The paper is divided into three sections Section-A: Reading Comprehension, Section-B:
Writing Skills and Section-C: Literature. All the sections are compulsory.
2. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
3. Please write down the serial number of the question in the answer script correctly before
attempting it.
4. Separate instructions are given with each question, wherever necessary. Read these
carefully.
SECTION A – (READING 22 MARKS)
Q I. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. (12x1=12)
In a disarmingly frank talk at the Indian Merchants Chamber in Mumbai, the Japanese Ambassador
in India dwelt at length on issues that exercise the minds of Japanese investors when they consider
investment proposals in India. Raising the question―What comparative advantages does India offer
as an investment market? He said, though labour in India is inexpensive, wage levels are offset by
productivity level to a large extent.
Acknowledging that the vastness of the Indian market is a great inducement for investment in
manufacturing industry, he wondered if it was justifiable to provide that overseas remittance of profit
in foreign exchange be fully covered by exchange earnings as had been done.
Significantly, on the eve of the Prime Minister‘s visit to Japan, the government delinked profits
repatriation from exports, meeting this demand. The Ambassador said foreign investors needed to be
assured of the continuity and consistency of the liberalization policy and the fact that new measures
had been put into force by means of administrative notifications without amending government laws
acted as a damper. The Ambassador pleaded for speedy formulation of the exit policy and pointed to
the highly restrictive control by the government on disinvestment by foreign partners in joint ventures
in India.
While it is all too easy to dismiss critical comment on conditions in India contemptuously, there can
be little doubt that if foreign investment is to be wooed assiduously, we will have to meet exacting
international standards and cater at least partially to what we may consider the idiosyncrasies of our
foreign collaborators. The Japanese too have passed through a stage in the fifties when their products
were derided as sub-standard and shoddy. That they have come out of that ordeal of fire to emerge
as an economic superpower speaks as much of their doggedness to pursue goals against all odds as
of their ability to improvise and adapt to internationally acceptable standards.
There is no gainsaying that the past record Japanese investment is a poor benchmark for future
expectations. For attaining a level field for equal play, India will have to accelerate reforms in all fields.
Economic reforms embarked on in early 1990s have almost reached their saturation and new areas
for reforms will not only have to be identified, but also be implemented in an expedite manner. Stability
in implementing laws will definitely pave the path of reforms, as we all know what havoc the
retrospective implementation of some laws produced in India.
To reap the demographic dividends, India will have to cater to the needs of the aspiring young
population.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i. The author has appreciated the Japanese for their 1
A. quality of products manufactured in the fifties.
B. passing through an ordeal.
C. perseverance in raising quality of products.
D. future expectations.

ii. According to the Japanese Ambassador, which of the following motivates the foreign investors to
invest in Indian manufacturing industry? 1
A. very large scope of Indian market
B. overseas remittance of profit in foreign exchange
C. assurance of continuity of the liberalization policy
D. high productivity levels

iii. The purpose of the author in writing this passage seems to be to 1

A. discourage foreign investment in India.
B. critically examine Indian investment environment.
C. paint a rosy picture of India‘s trade and commerce.
D. criticize government‘s liberalization policy.

iv. Write at least two suggestions expected from the Japanese Ambassador? 2
v. According to the Japanese Ambassador, what motivates the investors to invest in a country like
India? 1
vi. For seeking more and more foreign investment, what are different suggestions (minimum two)
given by the speaker? 2
vii. Complete the following statement with two words. 1
From the passage it can be inferred that the author is a .
viii. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true about the critical comments on investment
conditions in India? 1
I. These comments are difficult to be countered.
II. These comments are received from various international quarters.
III. These comments are based more on biases than on facts.
A. Only III B. Only II C. Only I D. I and II only
ix. What does the author attribute Japan‘s emergence as an economic superpower to? 1
x. Find the word in the passage which means, “with careful and consistent efforts” (Para3 1
Q II. Read the passage given below: (10x1=10)
With no concept of Open Defecation Free (ODF) and solid waste processing at just 18% in the urban
areas, it was clear that an accelerated approach was necessary to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision
of Swachh India within the time frame of five years. A framework was, therefore, needed to bring about
rigour in progress monitoring and a spirit of healthy competition amongst cities and States to improve
their performance in key cleanliness parameters. It was this underlying thought that led to the
conceptualization and implementation of Swachh Servekshan, the annual cleanliness survey
conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban (MoHUA) that has today taken shape of the largest
urban sanitization survey in the world.
The journey that started in 2016 with only 73 cities with million plus population has grown manifold
today with 4,242 cities in 2020. Hence, the Survekshan’s scale of coverage has gone up by nearly 60
times covering the entire urban India.
Till July 2020, five rounds of Swachh Survekshan have been conducted and the Protocol for the 6th
edition has been launched on July 3, 2020. While the first three rounds adopted a mix of paper-based
evaluation methodology, the survey from 2019 onwards has been completely digital and paperless.
The design of Swachh Survekshan is based on three key pillars as follows:
1. Service Level progress: evaluating ODF status, waste collection and disposal of solid waste.
2Citizens’ voice: Direct feedback from citizens
3Certification: Ministry’s certification protocols, viz, star rating for garbage free cities and
ODF/ODF+/ODF++
While the actual assessment is conducted every year, between January 4th – 31st across all ULBs,
it is preceded with Swachh Survekshan League with the objective of sustaining the on-ground
performance of cities along with continuous monitoring of service level performance.
Today, urban India has not just become ODF but has moved beyond the Mission mandate to focus
on maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of community/public toilets, wastewater treatment and faecal
sludge management through ODF+ and ODF++ Protocols. As on date, 1319 cities have been certified
ODF+ and 489 cities have been certified ODF++, which may be largely attributed to the Swachh
Survekshan framework which has built in these indicators for promoting sustainability.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i. According to the passage, what led to the conceptualization of Swachh Survekshan? 1

ii. Since its commencement in the year 2016, the annual cleanliness survey has grown 1
 by:
A.5800% B.6000% C.5500% D.5000%
iii. Before conducting the actual assessment, which department/ministry of the Government of India
conducts a pre-assessment drive. What is this drive known as and how does it assist in smooth
conduct of the actual assessment? 2
iv. According to the graph, which of the following depicts the progress of the years 2016-17 and
2017-18? 1

(1) (2) (3) (4)

A. Option (1) B. Option (2) C. Option (3) D. Option (4)

v. Annual Cleanliness Survey built in indicators like ODF+ and ODF++ to 1
I. To sustain cleanliness
II. To Promote competition for achieving goals of the state
III.To promote sustainability
A. Only I B. Only II and III C. Only I and III D. All of the above
vi. What are the key points of the Swachchata Sarvekshan? 2
vii. According to the graph outlining the progress in achieving ODF, which two sets of the year depict
the maximum progress? 1
SECTION B : CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)
QIII. (i) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Rishav Public School will be conducting an online course on news reading during the summer
vacations for students of Class XI and XII. In this course, students will learn to understand news
reports, build the habit of reading the news regularly, and will have a chance to interact with well-
known journalists. As Reyansh Sen, Editor of the school magazine, draft a notice in about 50
words for the school notice board, urging students to sign up. Mention any other relevant details
required for the notice.

B. You are the Secretary of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, Jastinapur, Sector D-3 Society. Draft
a notice for the Society notice board, informing residents about the change of personnel, Head
Security, Gate 2 and share necessary details. Also, include the news of installation of the much
awaited security camera, on the Eastern periphery of the Society. 4
(ii) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. You are Rajeev/Risha. Your father, Mr Ravi Garg Noida wants you to draft an invitation to
be sent to friends and relatives on the occasion of your elder sister’s marriage. Prepare a
formal invitation giving necessary details in not more than 50 words.
B. You are Dr. Keshav, a certified art therapist from Leh. You have been invited by G. K Public
School, Jammu, to conduct a seminar for students on ‘Art Therapy the Way Forward”. This
seminar is to introduce students to the usefulness of art in dealing with personal and social
problems. Write your reply, in about 50 words accepting the invitation. 4
(iii) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. India still faces a long road ahead in its quest to achieve Zero Hunger. Over 25 years since India
ushered in its economic reforms, the country’s has undergone significant structural
transformations, encouraging planners to turn their focus away from agriculture and instead
towards the service and manufacturing sector. Keeping the priority to providing food security,
reducing poverty and generating employment under COVID-19 into consideration, write a letter
to the Editor of a National Daily highlighting the issue. You are Tara/Tanmay, B – 7/9, Mall Road,
Delhi.

B. You are Sumit/Sakshi. You come across the following advertisement in a national daily. You
consider yourself suitable and eligible for the post. Write an application in response to the
advertisement.

Applications are invited for the post of a nursery teacher in a reputed school of Delhi. The
candidate must have at least 5 years’ experience of teaching tiny-tots. The applicant must have
a pleasant personality. He/she should be creative and innovative. Attractive salary. Interested
candidates should apply to The Principal, AKS International, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad within 10
days with a detailed resume.
5
(iv) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Teenagers are full of energy as well as ideas. Write an article, in 120-150 words on the topic
“How to channelize the Energy of the Teenagers?” You are Tejshri/Simrat. You can use the
following hints:
Teenagers curious—full of questions—question elders—sometimes even wrongly—generation
gap—may go astray—effect on society—how to channelize—productive hobbies—social work—
sports—part-time job, etc.
B. Ranikhet district, Uttarakhand, on the occasion of Basant Panchami celebrations had organized
a three-day cultural festival. You are Bhaskar/ Parul Bisht. Your newspaper had deputed you to
cover the inaugural event of this festival. As a newspaper reporter, use the given cues along
with your own ideas to write a report about the same in 120-150 words.
Big crowds -main grounds of the marketplace
Colourful decorations
Inauguration-local panchayat member to inaugurate.
Folk dance and songs
Speeches 5

SECTION C: LITTERATURE & SUPPLEMENTRY READING TEXT (40 Marks)

QIV. i) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below 6
A. “I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winter’s moon and felt that old familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile.”
i. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
i. aggressive ii. Tolerant iii. Sarcastic iv. resigned v. emotional
A. Only (i)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (iv) and (v)
D. Only (iii)
ii. Identify and write the phrase/expression from the extract, that suggests the following:
“Fear of separation from the loved one is universal.”
iii. Just as the brightness of the winter’s moon is veiled behind the haze and mist, similarly:
A. The pain of separation has shaded mother’s expression
B. Age has fogged mother’s youthful experience
C. Growing up has developed a seasoned maturity in the poet
D. Memories warm the heart like the pale moon in winter
iv. Complete the following sentence by filling in the blanks using the same word. The poet’s smile is
an effort not only to ………………………………….herself but also to ........................... her mother.
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
1. The poet knows her mother has aged.
2. The poet feels the pain of separation.
A. (1) is true but (2) is false.
B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
C. (2) is the reason for (1)
D. (1) is the reason for (2)
vi. Mention one poetic device used in the lines.

B. A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth
i. What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate ?
ii. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in extract.
A. I’m as happy as I can be.
B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
C. Nature is God’s gift to us.
D. The dazzling divas enchanted all.
iii. What does the poet mean by “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”?
A. Anything that is beautiful provides us with an, everlasting and eternal joy.
B. A beautiful thing is a constant source of joy.
C. Anything that is beautiful creates beautiful memories.
D. All of the above
iv. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given
below.
(1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.
(2) Beautiful things provide us joy.
A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.

v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given
below.
(1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.
(2) Beautiful things provide us joy.
A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.
vi. Answer in ONE word.
When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means that it
is .

ii) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below: 4

A. Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time. Will the West
Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end
of the world as we know it? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Antarctica is a crucial element in this
debate — not just because it’s the only place in the world, which has never sustained a human
population and therefore remains relatively ‘pristine’ in this respect; but more importantly, because it
holds in its ice-cores half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice.
(Journey to the End of the Earth)
i. How does the absence of a human population in Antarctica make it significant in the climate
change debate?
ii. Why is "climate change" described as a "hotly contested" issue in the extract provided?
This is so, because there .
A. is universal agreement on the causes and implications of climate change
B. is a planned path ahead about how to address climate change
C. are differing views on the causes and implications of climate change
D. are minimal reports of fresh threats to climate change
iii. The analogy of a time machine is an appropriate analogy for the role of carbon records in the
study of climate change because .
iv. Give one reason why the writing style of the extract can be called factual and informative.

B. From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram. 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.
The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers.
Initially the king seemed well set to realise his ambition.
Not that he faced no dangers. There were times when the bullet missed its mark, the tiger leapt
upon him and he fought the beast with his bare hands.
Each time it was the Maharaja who won.

i. What is the tone of the author when he says, ‘it was celebration time for all tigers’?
ii. Pick the pair of TRUE statements based on the extract.
1. Tiger hunting was absolutely banned in the kingdom.
2. The Maharaja was extremely courageous and fearless.
3. The Maharaja paid no heed to matters related to his kingdom.
4. The Maharaja was able to fulfill his ambition, without any perils.

A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 1 and 4
iii. On the basis of this passage, mention two characteristics of the king.
iv. What was Maharaja’s attitude towards his responsibilities of his kingdom?
iii) Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below: 6
A. “Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you, in
return, as if I was a real captain — for I do not want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas
season by a thief; but you can give back the money to the old man on the roadside, who has the
money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for poor wanderers.
The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap
if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself.
“Written with friendship and high regard,
Captain von Stahle.
i. Which of the following CANNOT be attributed to the peddler, according to the above extract?
A. indebtedness
B. reform
C. self-pity
D. self-awareness
ii. Why did the peddler gift a rattrap as a Christmas present?
iii. The word ‘frame’ has been used to indicate a rigid structure that surrounds something such as a
picture, door, or windowpane. There are other meanings of ‘frame’ too.
Choose the option that DOES NOT list the meaning of ‘frame’.
1) A thing solid object that seals a container or hole; a lid.
2) The triangular structure for positioning the red balls in snooker.
3) A single complete picture in a series forming a cinema, or video film
4) a person’s body with reference to its size or build
A. Option (1)
B. Option (2)
C. Option (3)
D. Option (4)
iv. Prove that this communication includes regret.
v. Why did the peddler sign as ‘Captain Von Stahle’?
vi Identify the literary device used in the expression “The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat.”

B. But Champaran did not begin as an act of defiance. It grew out of an attempt to alleviate the
distress of large numbers of poor peasants. This was the typical Gandhi pattern — his politics
were intertwined with the practical, day-to-day problems of the millions. His was not a loyalty to
abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings. In everything Gandhi did, moreover, he tried
to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus make India free.

i. Statement 1: His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings.
Statement 2: Gandhi was a humanitarian at heart.
A Statement 1 is the cause of Statement 2.
B Statement 2 is the effect of Statement 1.
C Statement 2 can be inferred from Statement 1.
D Statement 1 and Statement 2 are independent of each other.

ii. The given extract DOES NOT talk about

A. details of the daily problems faced by human beings.
B. efforts to relieve suffering of the common people.
C. the reason for the occurrence of Champaran.
D. Gandhi’s principles in the field of politics.
iii. Use the word ‘alleviate’ in your sentence which corresponds to the meaning of the word in the
given extract.
iv. Prove that Gandhian way of tackling the problem was more practical than theoretical.
v. What is the tone of the writer in the above passage?
vi. State at least one reason to prove the given statement as TRUE.
Gandhiji helped Indian become self-sufficient.

QV. Attempt ANY FIVE from the six questions given below in 40- 50 words each:
(5x2=10)
i. Why does Sophie's father look at Sophie with disdain in the following scene from 'Going
Places'? "Sophie's met Danny Casey", Geoff said.
ii. “When I sense a flash of it (daring) in Mukesh I am cheered.” Comment on this statement in
the light of the story, Lost Spring.
iii. Douglas uses sensory details to create a vivid image of the unfortunate experience in the pool.
What might be the impact on the reader if the narration were more informative than sensory?
iv. What does the story of Subbu's success in the film industry reveal about the importance of
loyalty, creativity, and versatility in this field? (Poets and Pancakes)
v. Give two reasons why, according to Pablo Neruda, is ‘keeping quiet’ essential to attaining a
better, more peaceful world. (Keeping Quiet)
vi. How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal? (Aunt Jennifer’s
Tigers)
Q VI. Attempt ANY TWO from the three questions given below in 40- 50 words:
(2x2=4)
i. At the dining table, why did Zitkala-sa begin to cry when others started eating?
ii. How, according to Annan, was the caste system discriminatory? How can one overcome the
indignities? (Memories of Childhood)
iii. The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the ways in which
we attempt to overcome them? (The Third Level)
QVII. Attempt ANY ONE from the two questions given below in 120-150 words:
(1x5=5)
i. In the story “The Last Lesson” M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it
was the most beautiful language in the world — because when a people are enslaved, as long
as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.
Why did M. Hamel lay so much emphasis on preservation of one’s language? Answer the
question in 120-150 words citing example(s) from the history substantiating M Hamel’s point
of view in the form of a letter addressed to Mast Franz.

ii. Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast between
the two friends citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places” in the form of a speech.
QVIII. Attempt ANY ONE from the two questions given below in 120-150 words:
(1x5=5)
i. In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment?
What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to overcome these feelings? Express it in the form
of a diary entry.
ii. Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection. Discuss as expressed in
the story ‘The Third Level’. Write your response in the form of a diary entry.