CBSE Class 12 English Core 2014
CBSE Class 12 English Core 2014
CBSE Class 12 English Core 2014
English (Core)
Previous Year Question Paper 2014
Series: OSR Code no. 1/1
ENGLISH (CORE)
2. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : 8 Marks
1. I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall
experiencing some of the most carefree times of my life. But I can also
remember, even more vividly, moments of being deeply frightened. As a
child, I was truly terrified of the dark and getting lost. These fears were
very real and caused me some extremely uncomfortable moments.
2. Maybe it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar
room at night that scared me so much. There was never total darkness,
but a street light or passing car lights made clothes hung over a chair take
on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw
curtains move when there was no breeze. A tiny creak in the floor would
sound a hundred times louder than in the daylight and my imagination
would take over, creating burglars and monsters. Darkness always made
me feel helpless. My heart would pound and I would lie very still so that
‘the enemy’ wouldn’t discover me.
3. Another childhood fear of mine was that I would get lost, especially on
the way home from school. Every morning, I got on the school bus right
near my home — that was no problem. After school, though, when all the
Word Abbreviation
and &
adventure advnt.
school schl
importance imp.
related reltd.
(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes
made and also suggest a suitable title. 3 Marks
Ans: Summary
SECTION - B
(Advanced Writing Skills) 35 Marks
3. You were very upset about the reports on communal riots in various parts of
the country. As a concerned social worker, design a poster in not more than 50
words, highlighting the importance of communal harmony. You are
Vinay/Vineeta. 5 Marks
Ans:
ANYTHING VIOLENCE CAN DO, PEACE CAN DO BETTER.
We are more alike than different. We Are One.
Let’s End Communal Fights!!
Issued in Public interest
Social worker – Vinay/Vineeta
Or
The literary club of your school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’. As
secretary of the club, draft an invitation inviting the famous writer Sudeesh
Gupta to be the guest of honour at the function. Write the invitation in not more
than 50 words. You are Govind/Gauri.
Ans:
ABC School, Krishnanagar
Bharatpur
23rd July 2014
4. Last week the newly built auditorium of your school was inaugurated. As
Deepak/Deepti Saha, the head boy/girl of the school, write a factual description
of the auditorium in 125 – 150 words. 10 Marks
Ans: New Auditorium of School
Deepak/Deepti
The inauguration of our school’s new auditorium was held on June 5, 2014. Its huge
gates and entrance were nicely decorated for the inauguration function. As the chief
guest, environmentalist Dr. Madhu Sharma cut ribbon, we got to see a well-lit up
auditorium which had the capacity to accommodate more than 800 people. The inner
architecture of the auditorium left everyone surprised and excited. The dance
students and theatre students especially gave a loud cheer from the crowd after
seeing it because it had a very big, elevated centre-stage. The stage had computer-
controlled stage rigging and LED theatrical lighting. The auditorium had stepped
seating arrangement for a better view. The auditorium was well ventilated. It had
soundproof walls, hi-tech sound, projection, and lighting systems. It was very
spacious. The guests of honour congratulated everyone at the end for being lucky to
have such a magnificent auditorium.
Or
5. You are Anand/Arti of 14, Model Town, Delhi. You have seen an
advertisement in The Hindu for the post of Chief Chef in a 5-Star Hotel. Apply
for the job with complete biodata. Write in 125 – 150 words. 10 Marks
Ans:
14, Model Town,
Delhi
10 January 2014
Recruitment officer
10, NVC district,
Uttar Pradesh
Subject: Application for the post of chief chef
Sir/Ma'am,
Or
You are Prem/Parul of 16, TT Nagar, Bhopal. You would like to apply for the
post of Marketing Manager in a reputed firm in Mumbai. Write a letter to the
Public Relations Officer, Chantac Enterprises, Mumbai, applying for the job.
Write the letter in 125 – 150 words giving your biodata.
Ans:
16,TT Nagar
Bhopal
15 March 2014
Public Relations Officer
Chantac Enterprises
Mumbai
Subject: Application for the post of Marketing Manager
Sir/Ma’am,
With reference to your advertisement in The Hindustan times on 3rd July 2014, I
intend to apply for the post of Marketing Manager in your company.
I have completed my MBA from Indian school of business, Hyderabad with a
specialization in marketing and finance. I have worked as a junior marketing head
for 2 years as well as Digital & Executive marketing manager for 3 years in ABC
limited.
I am very passionate about my work and have strong workplace ethics. I have
attached my resume along with this application for you to see. I am certain that I
would be a great asset for your company. I will undertake this job with utmost
sincerity.
6. Last week as you were coming back from school you happened to see a huge
plastic bag full of leftovers of food being flung into the middle of the road from
a speeding car. You wondered how people can be so devoid of civic sense. Write
an article in 125 – 150 words on why we lack civic sense and how civic sense can
be inculcated in children at a very young age. You are Shiva/Shamini. 10 Marks
SECTION - C
8. Answer any two of the following in about 30 – 40 words each : 2x2=4 Marks
(a) What was the poet’s childhood fear ?
Ans: The poet’s childhood fear was of losing her mother. She saw her mother’s old
face which made her realize that her mother is getting old and how since childhood
she has always feared losing her.
(b) What is the sadness the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ ?
Ans: The sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping quiet’ is ‘not
understanding ourselves, of not giving time to our own selves’. Sadness is about
running after money and not giving time to our mental and physical health. It is about
always engaging in war, killing each other etc.
(c) How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her ?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are portrayed as brave and fearless. However it is
mentioned that her hand has become weak due to the weight of her marriage ring
which implies that she is dominated by her husband. Unlike the tiger who fears no
man, who can sing and dance, Aunt Jeniffer is fearful of her husband and not brave
enough to confront him.
10. Answer any one of the following in 100 – 125 words : 5 Marks
11. Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the
responsibility of society to understand and support people with infirmities so
that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, write
in about 100 words what you would do to bring about a change in the lives of
such people. 5 Marks
Ans: Derry had a burnt face while Lamb had a tin leg. People like them have parallel
challenges along with the already existing challenges of life. We should treat them
like normal people and not be too curious about their story (unless they are willing
to share). We must not just befriend them just to know their story. We must treat
them with empathy. We must encourage them in various walks of life in order to
revive their spirit of living. We must try to ensure that they are not taken as weak/
12. Why did Dr. Mortimer need the service of the detective Sherlock Holmes ?
Answer in about 125 words. 8 Marks
Ans: Dr. Mortimer had sought Sherlock Holmes' help to save Henry Baskerville. Sir
Charles Baskerville, owner of a large fortune and Baskerville Hall, died under
suspicious circumstances. He had two brothers who were dead as well. His second
brother’s son, Henry Baskerville, a young lad, was the last heir of the Baskervilles.
Before dying Charles had discussed with Mortimer about an old tale that was passed
on from generation to generation. The tale was believed to narrate the fate of the
heirs of baskervilles where their death would involve a mostrous powerful hound.
Dr. Mortimer wanted to find out the cause of death of Mr. Charles to find out its real
cause. He sought advice from Holmes on the matter so that he could help Henry out
of it.
13. Who is Laura Lyons ? What confession did she make to Sherlock Holmes ?
Answer in about 125 words. 7 Marks
Ans: Laura Lyons was a young woman who worked as a typist near Coombe Tracey.
Her family left her when she married against their wish. Later, her husband also left
her and then she fell for Mr Stapelton who tricked her into wrongdoings.
Laura Lyons told Sherlock Holmes that Mr. Stapleton had promised to marry her if
she divorced her husband and that is why she supported him. She confessed how
Stapleton had used her and made her write and send a letter to Mr. Charles for an
appointment. In the letter she had written that she would meet him at his driveway.
She also said that, when she read of Mr. Charles' death in the newspapers Stapleton
convinced her to not say anything about the letter of appointment, lest she become
the suspect.