MOTHER’S PUBLIC SCHOOL

UNIT-1, BHUBANESWAR
PRACTICE PAPER
CLASS - XII
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
Time Allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. This paper is divided into two parts A and B. All questions arecompulsory
2. Separate instructions are given with each section andquestion,
wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering thequestions.
4. Complete one part fully before moving on to the nextpart.

PART – A (40 Marks)

Reading
Q1. Read the followingpassagecarefully: [20marks]

1. When we are young, we don't recognise that there will be a time when our limbs will go weak, our
eye-sight less sharp and our body less agile than before. A family, the state and the society shoulder
the responsibility towards seniorcitizens.
2. Unfortunately, of late, we have not been able to recognise the concept of respecting, caring and
helping older generations in a systematic way as some of the countries in the west have been doing.
This is not to suggest that our culture and history do not recognise this phase of life. There have been
many practices of caring and helping old people in our system. But, with the dismantling of the joint
family system, the problem has assumed graver and more complicated proportions. Although we have
started recognising the needs of the young generation but when it comes to the older generation, we
have quite comfortably chosen to ignore them and leave them to fend forthemselves.
3. The modern era is the era of old-age homes. There are residential units for lower income groups in
particular districts where there is a part-time medical officer to attend to the inmates. Then there are
day-care centres and mobile medicare services besides other NGOs (Non-GovernmentOrganisations).
4. Old-age homes in the country are not only inadequate but also ill equipped to cater to the needs of the
old inmates. This should be the responsibility of the state to keep close and regular monitoring. The
social welfare departments in the Government have very little to boast when it comes to caring for
oldergeneration.
5. Society, too has an important role to play. It must take up the charge of respecting the aged and placing
them ahead of any other interest. In the western countries when an old person is climbing down the
stairs, he or she is assisted. It is this kind of mind-set, which is the greatest need of the hour. While
travelling in a public transport, offering seats to the old, helping them cross the roads, assisting them
carry their bags fetching them water etc. are some gestures which increase acceptability of oldpeople.
6. In the family also, the senior citizens deserve a better deal. If they are thrown out of the homes, the
state is not to be blamed. The state is providing everything to their families. Therefore the old ones
have the right to be recognised as important members. Sending old parents to deposit electricity bills,
asking them to fetch children from schools and to guard the house while the rest of the family is away,
are some of the manifold tasks which are thrust upon them, which is nonetheless enslaving the weakest
class ofpeople.
7. Moreover old people are found to be quite complacent with what they have. They are not too
demanding except in cases where there may be genuine reasons of health or constraints of family
environments.

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 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any ten
of the given questions by choosing the mostappropriateoption. (10 x1=10)
(a) When we are young we don't realisethat:
(i) we will marry one day and have children (ii) our parents need ourhelp
(iii) we will become physically weak one day (iv) We will retire one day from our job
(b) What is the plight of the old-age homes in ourcountry?
(i) Uncaring (ii) Sufficient (iii) Ill-equipped (iv) All ofthese
(c) What is the general attitude of the people of our country towards seniorcitizens?
(i) ofindifference (ii) of love and respect
(iii) ofhostility (iv) None of these
(d) Pick the word which is opposite to‘inadequate’.
(i) Notproper (ii) Interesting
(iii) Sufficient (iv) None ofthese
(e) In the west old people are helped when they are………….
(i) readingabook (ii) drinkingwater (iii) takingbath (iv) crossingroads
(f) The major reason of our old people being ignored by their family is……………
(i) dismantling of the joint familysystem (ii) lack of education
(iii) families being financiallyweak (iv) None of the above
(g) What is the role of the society towards oldpeople?
(i) Respecting the old people and placing their interest ahead of anythingelse
(ii) Opening old-age homes forthem
(iii) Keeping them away from theirfamilies
(iv) None of theabove
(h) How can families take care of the oldpeople?
(i) By not involving them in the familyaffairs
(ii) By making them free from householdduties
(iii) By offering them seats in the public transports, by helping them cross theroads,
assisting them carry bags, fetching them wateretc.
(iv) All of theabove
(i) How do some families treat the elderlypeople?
(i) Give them separate room in thehouse
(ii) Ignore theirdemands
(iii) Send them to deposit electricity bills, guard their homes when theyare
away, ask them to fetch children fromschool
(iv) None of theabove
(j) What should be the responsibility of the state towards old-agehomes?
(i) To collect funds for theirmaintenance
(ii) To keep a close and regularmonitoring
(iii) To arrange festivalcelebrations
(iv) All of theabove.
(k) Pickawordfromthepassage,whichmeans “tomake someoneslaveofsomeone”.
(i) Ignore (ii) Monitor (iii) Enslave (iv) Boast

Q2. Read the passagecarefully:

1. Education in India is primarily provided by public schools (controlled and funded by thegovernment
at three levels: central, state and local) and private schools. Under various articles of the Indian
Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to children aged 6to
14. The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is 7:5.

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2. India has made progress in increasing the attainment rate of primary education. In 2011,
approximately 75% of the population, aged between 7 and 10 years,was
literate. India’s improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its
economic development. Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research,
has been credited to various public institutions.

3. At the primary and secondary level, India has a large private school system complementing the
government run schools, with 29% of students receiving private education in the 6 to 14 age group.
Certain post-secondary technical schools are also private. The private education market in Indiahad
revenue of US$ 450 million in 2008, but is projected to be a US$ 40 billionmarket.

Education in Republic of India

Ministry of education

Ministerofeducation RameshPokhriyal

National education budget

Budget 4.1% ofGDP

General details

Primary Languages Indian languages, English

System type Federal, State or Private
Established 1 April 2010
Compulsory Education

Literacy (2011)
Total 74%
Male 82.2%
Female 69.5%

Enrollment

Total (N/A)
Primary 95%
Secondary 69%
Post-Secondary 25%

4. As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012, 96.5% of all rural children between the
ages of 6 – 14 were enrolled in school. This is the fourth annual survey to report enrollment above
96%. India has maintained an average enrollment ratio of 95% for students in this age group from the
year 2007 to 2014. As an outcome the number of students in the age group 6 – 14 who are not enrolled
in school has come down to 2.8% in the academic year 2018 (ASER 2018). Another report from 2013
stated that there were 229 million students enrolled in different accredited urban and rural school of
India from Class I to XII, representing an increase of 23 lakh students over 2002 total enrollment, and
a 19% increase in girl’senrollment.
5. While quantitatively India is inching closer to universal education, the quality of its education has been
questioned particularly in its government run school system. While more than 95 percent of children
attend primary school, just 40 percent of Indian adolescents attend secondary school (Grade 9-12).
Since 2000, the World Bank has committed over $2 billion to education in India. Some of the reasons
for the poor quality include absence of around 25% of teachers every day. States of India have
introduced tests and education assessment system to identify and improve suchschools.

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6. Although there are private schools in India, they are highly regulated in terms of what they can teach,
in what form they can operate (must be a non-profit to run any accredited educational institution) and
all other aspects of operation. Hence, the differentiation of government schools and private schools can
bemisleading.

7. In January 2019, India had over 900 universities and 40,000 colleges. In India's higher education
system, a significant number of seats are reserved under affirmative action policies for thehistorically
disadvantaged Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. In universities,
colleges, and similar institutions affiliated to the federal government, there is a maximum 50% of
reservations applicable to these disadvantaged groups. At the state level it can vary, Maharashtra had
73% reservation in 2014, which is the highest percentage of reservations inIndia.

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten of the following questions by
choosing the mostappropriateoption: (10x1=10)

(a) The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in Indiais.

(i) 1:9 (ii) 5:7 (iii) 7:5 (iv) 9:7
(b) Pick the option that lists statements that are NOT TRUE according to thepassage.
(i) India's improved education system is often cited as one of the maincontributors
to its economicdevelopment.
(ii) At the primary and secondary level, India has a large privateschool
(iii) Report from 2013 stated that there were 329 million students enrolled indifferent
accredited urban and rural schools ofIndia.
(iv) Maharashtra had 33% reservation in 2014, which is the lowest percentage ofreservations
inIndia.
(i) 3and 4 (ii) 2and 4 (iii) 1and2 (iv) 1 and3
(c) India’s improved education system is often cited as one of themain
contributors toits
(i) overalldevelopment (ii) social development
(iii) economicdevelopment (iv) politicaldevelopment
(d) Based on the Statistical data in the passage, which option represents the correctgraphical
representation of enrollment rate in Primary and Secondaryschools?

(i) image1 (ii) image2 (iii) image3 (iv) image4

(e) According to table, what was the literacy rate of females in the year2011?
(i) 74% (ii) 82.2% (iii)69.5% (iv)69%

(f) Based on the given statistical data in the passage, choose theoption
that lists the statements that are TRUE with respect to the education policy.
(1) Enrollment in Secondary Schools was69%
(2) National Education Budget passed by the ministry is3.1%
(3) The literacy rate of women was 69.5% in2011.
(4) As per 2011 census, total literacy rate was82.2%
(i) 1and 4 (ii) 2and 4 (iii) 3and 4 (iv) 1 and3

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(g) Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientificresearch, has been
attributed to...........
(i) privateinstitutions (ii) public institutions
(iii) governmentinstitutions (iv) semi government institution
(h) One of the reasons for the poor quality of education inGovernment-run
schools in India is……………..
(i) poorinfrastructure (ii) absence of around 25% of teachers everyday
(iii) low enrollmentofgirls (iv) no aid given by thegovernment
(i) Which State of India has the highest percentage of reservationsin Universities
andColleges?
(i) Maharashtra (ii) Odisha (iii) Bihar (iv) UttarPradesh
(j) Which word in the passage means same as 'registered? (para4)
(i) survey (ii) accredited (iii)enrolled (iv)representing
(k) Arrange the given sentences in the sequence in which they appeared in thepassage.
1. In universities, colleges, and similar institutions, there are a maximum 50% ofreservations
applicable to the disadvantagedgroups.
2. Certain post-secondary technical schools are alsoprivate.
3. The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is7:5.
4. While more than 95 percent of children attend primary school, just 40 percentof
Indian adolescents attend secondaryschool.

(i) 1,2,4,3 (ii) 4 1,2,3 (iii) 3, 2,4, 1 (iv) 3 1, 4,2

LITERATURE [ 20 MARKS ]
3. Read the extracts given below and attempt any two of the three given by answering thequestions
thatfollow: [ 2 x 4 = 8]

A) No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods alongthe
road, left to his own meditations. But one day he had fallen into a line of thought, which really seemed
to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the
idea that the world about him-the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages – was
nothing but a bigrattrap.

(a) Who is the ‘vagabond’ mentioned in theextract?

(i) The old crofter (ii) Theironmaster (iii) The rattrap seller (iv) None of theabove

(b) Why is his life sad andmonotonous?

(i) He had nojob
(ii) He was tortured by hiswife
(iii) He had no one in this world and he was poor, so took tobegging
(iv) None of theabove
(c) What was the line of thought which seemed to himentertaining?
(i) He could sell his rattraps and earn a lot ofmoney
(ii) He could spend some time at the crofter’shouse
(iii) The world was also a bigrattrap
(iv) All of theabove

(d) “The world was nothing but a big rattrap”. Which literary device doyou
find in thisstatement?
(i) simile (ii) Metaphor (iii) Hyperbole (iv) Personification

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B) “He smelled so bad that none of the other little woodland creatures would play with him”. Jo
looked at him solemnly; she had not foreseenthis.
“Whenever he would go out to play”.

(a) Whom does ‘he’ refer to in the firstline?

(i) Astreetboy (ii) Abeggar (iii) Aragpicker (iv) Ananimal
(b) Why did he smell ‘sobad’?
(i) He had not taken a bath sincelong (ii) His clothes were dirty
(iii) It was his naturalsmell (iv) None of the above
(c) Why would the other woodland creatures not play withhim?
(i) He looked ugly (ii) He fought with them (iii) Hesmelled bad (iv) None ofthese
(d) Did the little creature get rid of his badsmell?
(i) for a short periodoftime (ii) No,never (iii) Yes (iv) None ofthese

C) “No, he is just a congenital kleptomaniac, that’s all. “The Governor was tempted to add something
else, but he thought better of it. He would look after that particular side of things by himself.
“Presumably”, said the Secretary, “You can arrange a room where…”

(a) Between whom is the conversation goingon?

(i) JacksonandStephen (ii) Governor andPolice
(iii) Governor andtheSecretary (iv) None of theabove
(b) Who is the person beingdiscussed?
(i) Acomedian (ii) A student who wants to takeexam
(iii) Aprisoner (iv) None of theabove
(c) Which ‘room’ is referred to in the Lastline?
(i) A room for the prisoner tobekept (ii) A room for thesecretary
(iii) A room where the exam canbearranged (iv) None of theabove
(d) What does ‘Kleptomaniac’mean?
(i) A person who entertains people
(ii) A person who is good atmimicry
(iii) A person who has an impulse to steal withoutneed
(iv) None of theabove

4. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one of the two given by answering the questions
thatfollow: [ 1 x 4 = 4]

A. “Those who prepare greenwars,

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”.

(a) What does the poet mean by “greenwars”?

(i) Wars fought in greenuniform (ii) Wars which never end
(iii) Wars against forests andjungles (iv) None of the above
(b) Explain ‘War withfire’.
(i) War by burningjunglewood (ii) war with bombs
(iii) War by setting houseson fire (iv) None of theabove
(c) Who would put on cleanclothes?
(i) People who would go totheirwork (ii) People who will go toparty
(iii) People who are involved indestructiveactivities (iv) None of theabove

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(d) When will ‘they’ walk about with their brothers in theshade?
(i) When they will haveaholiday (ii) when they aretogether
(iii) When they will stop theirdestructiveactivities (iv) None of theabove

[OR]

B. ‘Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through herwool.

Find even the ivory needle hard topull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band Sits
heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand’.

(a) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s fingersfluttering?

(i) Due touttercold (ii) Due to lack ofconfidence
(iii) Because she is nervous andphysicallyweak (iv) None of theabove
(b) What is the auntdoing?
(i) She is knitting a sweaterwith wool (ii) She is embroidering on a piece ofcloth
(iii) She is making a rollofwool (iv) None of theabove
(c) Why has the poet used ‘ivoryneedle’?
(i) Because it is verybeautiful (ii) Because it is very light in weight
(iii) Because stitching becomeseasy (iv) None of the above
(d) The poet has used ‘symbolism’ in:
(i) fingersfluttering (ii) ivory needle
(iii) massive weight of uncle’s weddingband (iv) None of the above

5. Answer any eight of thefollowingquestions: [ 8 x 1 = 8]

(a) What did the two women in the street say to hurtDerry?
(i) it was a face no one couldlove
(ii) it was a face everyone could love
(iii) it was a face only a mother couldlove.
(iv) it was a face only kids would be scaredof.
(b) Why is a thing of beauty a joy forever according to JohnKeats?
(i) it rarely passes intonothingness
(ii) it seldom passes intonothingness
(iii) it never passes intonothingness
(iv) it often passes intonothingness
(c) Keeping Quiet uses fishermen to symboliseman’s
(i) persistent pollution of the naturalenvironment
(ii) rapid degradation of humanvalues.
(iii) limitless exploitation of naturalresources.
(iv) constant participation in acts ofterror.
(d) Why did the peddler decline the invitation of theironmaster?
(i) He was afraid of beingcaught (ii) He wanted to reach the city
(iii) He wasn’thungry (iv) He wanted to meet the crofter
(e) How did the Champaran episode change the plight of thepeasants?
(i) They got a lot ofmoney (ii) They got their fields back
(iii) They became aware of theirrights (iv) They got a chance to meet Gandhi
(f) Why did Roger Skunk go in search of thewizard?
(i) To get some magicalpower (ii) To learn some magic tricks
(iii) To change his foulsmell (iv) None of the above.

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(g) Which option is TRUE with reference to Gandhiji’s meeting withthe
Commissioner and the Secretary of British landlords’association?
(i) the Commissioner asked Gandhiji to settle down thematter.
(ii) the Commissioner threatened Gandhiji to leave Champaranimmediately.
(iii) the Commissioner asked Gandhiji to join his service
(iv) the Secretary of British landlords’ association offered bribe toGandhiji
(h) ‘Evans had the last laugh’, what does it reflect about Evans’character?
(i) he was anunpretentiousman (ii) he was not as cunning as he seemed tobe
(iii) Evans had full dedication in learningGerman
(iv) he was a crafty and calculativeman
(i) How did the peddler break the confidence reposed in him bythecrofter?
(i) By leavingquietly (ii) By making fun of him
(iii) By stealing themoney (iv) By taking his cow away
(j) Whyinyouropinionisthesmell ofrosesobnoxiousforSkunk’smother?
(i) she doesn’tlikeroses (ii) she does not like thewizard
(iii) she wants to change her smellaswell (iv) It has snatched Skunk’s identity

PART – B
WRITING [ 16 Marks ]
6. A. You are Samiksha / Sanjay, the owner of “The Pink Power Café”. You are looking for an
interior designer to design the interiors of the café. Draft a suitable advertisement for the samein
about50words. [ 3 marks]
[OR]
B. Spark Electronics has launched a new invertor with a special ability to minimise
consumption of electricity and many other innovative features. Draft an advertisement tocreate
awareness about its launch. (50words)

7. A. You are Rishi/Rishika. You received an invitation letter from your friend Manish to join
him/her on a two days trip to Mussoorie. Respond to the invitation regretting your inability toattend
it.(50words) [ 3 marks]
[OR]
B. Your niece / nephew turns one on 26th Dec. 2020 and you are planning to host a partyto
celebrate the occasion. Invite your friends to join you on this special day (50words).

8. A. You are Siddharth / Shreya. You have come across an advertisement for the post of
Mechanical Engineer in ACS Technology Ltd., Chennai. Write an application giving yourcomplete
resume. Word limits 120 –150words. [ 5 marks]
[OR]
B. You are Radhika of 609, Sanskar Apt. Pune. You have graduated from Symbiosis Pune.
You have also done a secretarial practice course in Mumbai.You have seen an advertisement for the
post of receptionist. Write an application with complete resume to the Director for the post. (120–
150words).

9. A. Daisy Public School organised a “Fit India Camp” in its school premises.As
the Sports Secretary, write a detailed report about the camp in 120 – 150words.
[ 5 marks ]
[OR]

B. On 25th Nov. 20XX the Bharti Express train caught fire. Several people were injured and
many died. It caused an unimaginable loss of life and material. As a staff correspondent of a local
daily, write a report in 120 – 150words.

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 Literature(24marks) (5x2=10)

10. Answer any five out of the six questions given below in 30-40 wordseach.

(i) List the things that cause suffering and pain as mentioned by John Keatsin
the poem “A Thing ofBeauty.”
(ii) Why do you think Edla still entertained the peddler even after she knew the truth abouthim?
(iii) What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help usachieve?
(iv) How is the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ a forceful expression of the evils ofmale
chauvinism?
(v) Why do you thank Gandhi was opposed to CF Andrews helping him inChamparan?
(vi) When did the ironmaster realise his mistake? What did the peddler say in hisdefence?

11. Answer any two out of the three questions given below in 30-40 wordseach.[2x2=4]

(i) Which article in Mc Leerys suitcase played the most important role inEvan’s
escape and how?
(ii) What peculiar things does Derry notice about Mr.Lamb?
(iii) Why did Jo want the Wizard to hit the motherskunk?

12. Answer any one of the following in about120-150words. [ 5 marks]

A) Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be aturning

point?
[OR]

B) “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy forever “Explain.

13. Answer any one of the following in about120-150words. [ 5 marks]

A) Despite the extra precautionary measures adopted by the Oxford prison authorities, Evans
succeeded in escaping from the prison. What were those blunders committed by theprison
authorities which helped Evanstoescape?

[OR]

B) What moral issue does the story” Should wizard Hit Mommy”raise?

******

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