B.D.JAIN MODERN SCHO0L (HS.

)
PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION (2023-2024)
ENGLISH (Core)
Time allowed: 3 lhours Class: XII Maximunm Marks: 80

General Instruction:

Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:

() This question paper comprises 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper contains three sections: Section A- ReadingSkills. Section B Creative
Writing Skills. Section C- Literature.
(i) Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part.
(iv) Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION -A

Reading Skills 22 marks

1. Read the following passage carefully:

Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us to
survive in the outside world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an individual's
development restricted to merely academics? In India, from an early age, we have been
taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only; the idea of getting
out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always considered a hoax. This has
hindered students' development. But, the truth is that education represents a considerably
broader field than we know of it. Our teaching, from the basics, has been focused on
getting good grades and job offers, rather than being creative and unique.
II. In the 21" century, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for awhole
new type. The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People have now
come to understand that education is a 360 degree activity that should focus on students'
overall development, rather than restricting him/her to the classroom.
II. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement
classroom curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today. These activities
help in the growth of the child, in more than one way. Participating in such activities
helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and individually. Intellectual development of a
student is developed in the classroom, but for the aesthetic development such as team
building, character- building, and physical growth, students must step out into the outside
world. For instance, if astudent is apart of school football team, he/ she will learn team
work and coordination, in a practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.

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 exposure sothat the
IV. Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a nced for practical taking a student
students can experience the actual working of an industry. For example, learning of the
to a manufacturing firm will give him/ her the real insight and better B-schools, have
industry. Catering to this change, most professional colleges including industrial
started providing practicalexposure to students through regular guest lectures
visits, students
visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals, and so on. With industry organizational
are able to better identify their prospective areas of work in the overall communication
function. Moreover, they help enhance interpersonal skills and
development
all - round
techniques. In addition, guest lectures are equally important for
of students, It iiS a great way for students to gain maximum exposure, as guest speakers
talk about their real- life experiences and not what is there in the text books.
V. Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different events
wherein, they get to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom teaching provides
the foundation, and co-curricular or extra- curricular activities provide practical exposure
and opportunities to implement what students learn in the classroom. This helps n
developing the overall personality of the students, inculcating various soft - skills in
them, which otherwise are difficult to teach. Clearly, life beyond academics creates
creative and empowered professionals.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below: (12x1=12)
i. From earlier times what has not been the focus of education?

ii. Students' development is hindered by

(a) limiting education to academic boundaries.
(b) getting out to the field.
(c) being creative and unique.
(d) gaining practical knowledge.
ii. Co- Curricular activities that take place outside the classroom do not help in

(a) teamwork and co-ordination.

(b) mental and social growth.
(c) intellectual development.
(d) character building.
iv. Guest speakers talk about

(a) all round development.

(b)their real life experiences.
(c) what is in text books.
(d) gaining exposure.
V. Identify a word that conveys the same meaning as indulging' from words used in paragraph
IV.

vi. What will give students a better insight into industry?

2
Co vii.
The shif in the cducation system means
(a) to restrict to classroom activities.
(6) to focus on academic development.
(c)to ignore 360 degree activity.
(iv) to focus on overall development.
vii, Life beyondacadeics facilitates

(a) organizational functions

(b) creativity
(c) professional fields
(d) industrialvisits
ix. Classroom teaching provides

(a) practical exposure

(b) opportunities to implement what is learnt in classroom
(c) chance to learn soft skills
(d) the foundation

X. What kind of co- curricular activities have become points of focus today?

xi. Why are soft skills difficult to teach in the classroom?

xii. Which quote best captures the central idea of paragraph V?

Good teaching must The important thing is not so For the things we If you can't
be slow enough so much that every child should have to learn before explain it simply,
that it is not be taught as that every child we can do them, we youdon't
confusing, and fast should be given the wish to learn by doing them. understand it well
enough so that it is learn. enough.
not boring
Sidney J.Harris John Lubbock -Aristotle -Albert Einstein
2 3 4

(a) Option 1
(b)Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
2. Read the following passage carefully:
I. ChatGPT has been gaining attention for how closely it mimics human-like responses.
Created by OpenAI in 2022, it is a chatbot that has been trained to have knowledge of
worldly events and phenomena up till September 2021 and to interpret the context of texts to
produce meaningful responses. The tool can provide answers on many topics, and
states disclaimers ifit cannot answer a prompt accurately. Unljke a search engine, often
it cannot
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 informationof
browse tlhe internet for information, It also does not collect any personal
Users.

education,
II. Asurvey was administcred to undcrstand the uses of ChatGPT in the fields ofrespondents
healthcare and rescarch. Therc were 420 participants in the study of which 59 research
were fromn the medical field, 118 respondents were students and faculty fromthe their
field, 70 respondcnts identified as administrative staff, and 173 people mmarked 'other' as
Occupation.Of the 420 respondents, only 40% had used ChatGPT before. More medical medical
trainees and students as wellas rescarch students had used ChatGPT as comparedIto
staff and rescarch faculty.
III. The survey asked about the viabilityof ChatGPT for its use within the fields of education,
rescarch, and healthcare. The following table summarises the responses.

Number of
Question Statement
respondents
Should No, it should be banned.
ChatGPT be I dont know; it is too early to make a
used in stateent. 226

Education? Yes, it should be actively incorporated. 183

No, itshould not be used at all. 6
Idon't know; it is too early to make a o
75
Should statement.
ChatGPT be Yes, but it should only be used to
Used in brainstorm. 68
Research? Yes, as long as iis use is transparently
disclosed. 259
Yes, disclosure is NOT needed. 10
No, it should not be used at al. 15
Idon't know; it is too early to make a
Should statement. 177
ChatGPT be Yes, it can be used for administrative
used in 176
purposes.
Healthcare? Yes, it
can be used for any purpose. 51

Based on the responses, there was a greater uncertainty around its use in
education, compared to using it in research. Regarding the use of ChatGPT inhealthcare and
healthcare, a
significant portion of respondents (42%) approved of using it for
example, preparing patient profiles or reports) and a smaller administrative
population of
purposes (for
respondents
(12.2%) felt it could be used for any purpose.
IV. The current application of ChatGPT and its future potential needs to be
students understand texts and write more effectively, simplify medical examined. It can help
information for
patients and automate administrative tasks, and prepare a summary of information which
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 otimpact
herwisemustwoulalsdo require
be consihours
dered ofbeforc
reading through various resources. However, its negative
institutions approve its use.
Bascd
i.
on your
understanding ofthe passage, answer the qucstions given below:
COmplete the oiven sentence in ONE word. (1)

Based on the summary table, the number of respondents think that ChatGPT
should not be used.
ii
ne tollowing are the profiles of some respondents from the survey. Based on the passage,
Which of hese profiles is MOST LIKELY to be a part of the 40% who have used ChatGPT
before? ()

(a) a manager in a hospital who has done Syears of administrative work

(b) a college graduate who is studying in a 2-year Master's course
(c) a professor of Psychology who has 30 years of teaching experience
(d) a 25-year-old teacher who is working in a public school
iii. The following was a prompt posted bya user in ChatGPT as their first question: (4)
"What's my name?"

Based on information from the passage, which of these is most likely to be ChatGPT's
response?

(a) 'Error 404: page not found.'

(b)'Your name is user 1000004.'
(c) 'Sorry, can you repeat the, question?
(d) 'Sorry, I don't have access to your data.'
iv. Which of these is true about the respondents of the survey? (1)
(a) It had 118 respondents who were employed in the field of education.
(b) It had 70respondents who had administrative roles in educational institutions.
(c) It had 173 respondents who were working in the field of research including students.
(d) It had 59 respondents who were from the medical field including those who study
medicine.

V Imagine that you have to write a news report on a major landslide that occurred in Manipur
on 30 June, 2022. Would using only ChatGPT be useful for your project? State why or why
not in 40-50 words. (2)
vi. Locate a detail from the passage that shows that we still do not know enough about
ChatGPT. Answer in one sentence. (4)
vii. State TRUE or FALSE. (1)
More than half of the respondents think it is ok touse ChatGPT in research if one clearly
states its contribution.

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 ChatGPT should be banned in education? State
viii. Why do you think some respondents fccl that (2)
areason in 40-50 words.

SECTION B
18 mmarks
Creative Writing Skills
(4)
3. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below:
(A) You are Veena/Vijay, the Activity Coordinator of Shivajt Public School, Mumbai. Your school
students will need
ISorganising an excursion to Elephanta Caves for students of Class XI. Interested
tomake a payment of Rs $00 each. Draft anotice about this, in about 50 words, for your school
notice board, inviting registration of students interested in going for the excursion along with
necessary details. Also, infon that registrations would be invalidwithout parent-consent slips,
available in the Activity Room.
OR

(B) TriveniPublic School willbe conducting an online course on news reading during the summer
vacations for students of Class XIand 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 Rishav/Rishika 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.

4. Attempt any one from (A)and (B) given below: (4)

(A) You are N. Kapoor, the Secretary of the Literary Club of Model Public School, Vellore. Your
club members are staging Anton Chekhov's play 'Uncle Vanya', as part of their annual showcasing.
Draft an invitation in not more than 50 words for Mr. Paresh Rawal, noted theatre and cinema artist
and Chairperson of The Drama School, Chennai requesting him to be the guest of honour for the
event.
OR

(B) You are Dr. Stanzin, acertified art therapist from Leh.You have been invited by G. D. 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.
5. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below: (5)
(A) As Sarah Alter, a student at Lotus World Residential School, Nainital, you've observed the
littering issue, in and around the city, during the tourist season. Discuss the environmental and
community impact of this littering problem caused by most tourists and suggest measures to address
it, in a letter to the Editor of The Himalayan Daily'. Use the given cues along with
to create this letter in about 120-150 words.
your own ideas

Description of the issue -Consequences (environmental) -

Impact on the community (local residents) - Solutions - Appeal for
awareness &significance of a clean environment
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 National College of Commerce,
OR
Commerce graduate from the. of
(B)YOu are Vihan Kapadia, a
recent
across the following adyertisement in the Classificds columns
Write a
Surat, loOking for a job. You came requirements are agood fit for your skills/personality. advertised
a national daily. You think the job
about 120-150 words, expressing your interest in the
letter along with your bio-data, în
post. Star-Bharat Lever Limited
Hyderabad -500001
12, Greater Kent I,
WANTED

launching of new products.

Marketing Executives, for Pradesh & Telangana.
Allzones of Andhra
Commerce graduates, with good
Driven,goal- oriented fresh multitask may apply.
communication skills & the ability to mandatory.
Working knowledge of AI tools -
Manager, HR.
Apply within 7 days to the
(5)
given below:
6. Attempt any one from (A) and (B)
shared
platforms and the ease with which information can be
(A)With the rise of social
media
consequences. Write an article for the local daily, in 120
m dire
online, false information can have the growing menace of fake news and misinformation,
the problem
150words, highlightingprovide
of Sinha, from Siliguri,
suggestions to tackle it. You are Kabir/ Kabita
analysing the issue and with your own ideas to create
the article.
Use the given cues, along
West Bengal.
media?
and why has it become a significant concern in the age of social
1. What is fake news,
2. Analysing the Issue -
public opinion and behaviour?
How does misinformation affect combatting the spread of false information?
society face in
What challenges do individuals and Tackle Fake News -
3. Suggestions to news?
platforms take to address the issue of fake
What measures can social media encounter online?
How can individuals critically evaluate
the information they
4.Local Perspective
local community?
How does the issue of fake news affect the
address this problem?
What local resources or organisations can help

XI
on 'Stress Management' for students of Classes
(B)Your school recently organised a workshop Verma, a member of the organising committee,
and XII on 02 January, 2024. As Sameer/ Samriddhi newspaper. Support your ideas with the outline
draft a report covering the event for your school's
cues given below to craft your report.

purpose of the workshop

who attended the workshop
activities that took place
key messages or takeaways from the workshop
post-workshop resources and information given to attendees
what impact the workshop would have on the students and their environment
 SECTION -C
Literature 40 marks

7. Atempt any one from (A) and (B) given

below:
(A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (6x l=6)
What I want should not be
Confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
Iwant no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.
() Complete the given sentence
appropriately.
Based on the extract, silence would help
humanity to
(ii) What does the speaker mean when he
describes people as 'single-minded?
a) People who can focus on only one task at a
b) People who only work towards time.
c) People who only focus on rushingunderstanding themselves.
d) People who are driven by only onethrough their life.
passion in their life.
(ii)What do you think is the mood of the poet in
the above extract?
a) gloomy, cynical
b) reflective, inspired
c) introspective, aware
d) critical, demotivated

(iv) What might the huge silence" signify?

a) melancholy
b) discomfort
c) understanding
d) flexibility
(v) Justify the following statement as FALSE.

In the given extract, the speaker is ordering readers to do

certain actions.
()Observe how the lines in the noem hrenk of at certain vords. Give one reason why the poCL nas
struçtured the lines in this manner.
OR

(B)Read the following extract and answer the qucstions that follow: (6x 1=6)

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;

Andsuch too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring untous from the heaven's brink.
() Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?

a) The immortality of art and literature

b) The inevitability of death
c) The beauty of nature
d) The power of imagination
drink' suggests.
(i) Pick the option that refers to what 'an endless fountain of immortal
1. inspirational deeds of great men
2. a ceaseless series of dreams
3. an infinite source of strength
4. an elixir of life for upliftment of the soul
5. an eternal source of delight
6. a boundless gift of love

a) 1,4 and 5
b) 2, 3 and 5
c) 1,2 and 6
d) 2,4 and 6
extract, from the list below.
(iii) Pick the option that pairs the TRUE statements based on the

1. The bushes with fragrant flowers lift the human spirit and bring joy.
2. Death is inevitable and everyone faces it no matter how powerful.
3. Immortality is achieved by man when he drinks the nectar of joy.
4. Legendary heroes and their heroiç deeds instil inspiration in us.
a) land 2
b) 2 and 4
c) land 4
d) 2 and3
1?
(iv) Based on the poem rhyme scheme of the given lines, which word would rhyme with line
(a) Shrink (b) Said (c) Rooms
9
 ()State whether thegiven statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract:
By refering to the dead as"mighty", the poet emphasizes their importance and the power hey
cxerted on the people.
()seieCt the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of line 2 in he
Cxtract.

a)Creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects the line with the second line.
b) Creates a sense of
c) Encourages a revisitanticipation and
to the ideas in expectation
for the reader.
d) Encourages the reader to continue the preceding lines.
reading seamlessly without any pause.
8. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below:
(A)Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (4x l=4)
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
end of the world as we know it? Maybe. ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the
this debate not just Maybe not. Either way, Antarctica is a crucial element in
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
it holds in its ice-cores
half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in itsmore importantly, because
layers of ice.
(i) Why is "climate change" described as a
This is so, because there "hotly contested" issue in the extract provided?

a) is universal agreement on the causes and

b) is a planned path ahead about how to implications of climate change
c) are differing views on the causes and address climate change
d) are minimal reports of fresh threats to implications of climate change
climate change
(ii) The analogy of a time machine is an appropriate
study of climate change because analogy for the role of carbon records in the

(iii) 'remains relatively "pristine' in this

words. respect-Choose the option to replace the underlined set of
a) stays as it is throughout the year.
b) becomes a perfect place to travel.
c) is left to be an uncorrupted area.
d) abides by the strict laws of nature.

(iv) Give one reason why the writing style of the extract can be called factual and informative.

OR
(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:. (4x I=4)

Have you ever been there? It'sa wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and
tremendous trees whose branches meet overhead and roofthe streets, And in 1894, summer
10
 talking
evenings were twice as long, and people sat out on their lawns, the mensmokingcigars and To be
world.
quictly,the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fire-flies allaround, in a pcaceful
back there with the First World War stilltwventy ycars off, and World War IIover forty ycars in the
future...I wanted two tickets for that.
() Who does 'you' refer to?

a) Charley's psychiatrist, Sam Weiner

b) Charley's wife, Louisa
c) The reader
d) Nobody inparticular, it is afigure of speech.
name of the town that the narrator refers to here?
(1) "Its a wonderful town" - What is the

(ii) What kind of life did the people of the town lead?
a) comfortable
b) relief
c) tranquil
d) wonder
off, and World
How is the line "To be back there with the First World War stilltwenty years
(iv)
example of contrast?
War II over forty years in the future" an
given below:
9. Attempt any one from (A) and (B)
(6x 1=6)
the questions that follow:
(A) Read the following extract and answer
*was a
Champaran episode was a turning-point in Gandhi's life. What I did," he explained, " But
The order me about in my own country.
could not
very ordinary thing. I declared that the British out of an attempt to alleviate the distress of
Champaran did not begin as an act of defiance. It grew pattern -his politics were intertwined
poor peasants. This was the typical Gandhi
large numbers of Hiswas not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a
with the practical, day-to-day problems of the millions.
moreover, he tried to mould a new free
loyalty to living, human beings. In everything Gandhi did,
Indian who could stand on his own feet..
strong commitment to
(i) In the extract, the phrase loyalty to abstractions' refers to a

a) selected groups
b) simple pleasures
c) certain ideologies
d) governmental authorities

(i) Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

The primary motive of Gandhi's actions was to
a) make Indians self-reliant
b) eradicate peasant poverty
c) unite the people of Champaran
d) expose the incompetence of the British
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(ii) Seleet asuitable word from he cxtract to complete the following anaiogy
change : transform : relicve :
(iv)Which of these best describes the prinary purposc of tlhe eXtraetr

a) Ithighlights Gandhi's intention to use peasants to overthrow colonial power.

b) Itpoints outwhy theChamparan cpisode is still rclevant in free modern Ind1a.
C) It explains the differcnces bctwecn the political strategies of Gandhi and the British.
d) ltshows how Gandhi's position in the Champaran struggle reflected his political views.
(v) Complete thescntence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract.
Gandhi uses the words 'turning point' to refer to theChamparan incident because it
(vi) ldentify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer Gandhi's view of his
own
accomplishments (clue: aword).
OR

(B)Read the following extract and answer the questions that

follow: (6x l=6)
Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the
opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our street, the
hands over
understand better, and the teacher's great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all soour ears to
counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that still! Ihad
had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my day everything
places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler classmates, already in their
the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine howI blushed under his arnm. I had to open
and how frightened I was.
(i) Why does the protagonist feel anxious about entering the
classroom on this particular day?
a) The classmates have started the lesson
b) The teacher is in a bad mood
c) The classroom is too quiet
d) The protagonist is running late
(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase "as quiet as Sunday morning'" suggests that
(ii) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that this was not the
being late to school.
protagonist's first time

(iv) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?

a) The Fears of a Latecomer

b) The Importance of Punctuality
c) The Rigidity of the School System
d) The Anxiety of a Young Student
(V) List any two sensory details prèsent in this extract.
12
(vi) What does the term 'terribleiron ruler' indicate
about M.IHamcl?
10. Answer any five of the following questions in about 40- 50 (5x2=10)
words each:

() wny was the discovery of Stephen Spender's book. wThe God That Failed," a moment of
illumination, for Ashokamitran?
(D) State any two characteristics that can be inferred about the people from the countryside in e
Roadside Stand'.
(c) How does the setting of the remote forest location in "The Rattrap' contribute to the overall tone
and mood of the story?
ofwater that one can
(a) Wnat were some strategies that helped the narrator to overcome his fear
apply in their own life for facing any major fear? Explain any two.
inside the car
(e) In the poem, 'My Mother At Sixty-Six', how has the poet contrasted the scene
with the activities going on outside?
she wants to live in. Elucidate.
(1) Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world
50words each: (2x2=4)
11. Answer any two of the following questions in about 40
Lamey
(a) In 'On the Face of It', Mr. Lamb told Derry about his tin leg and how kids called him
Lamb'. Why do you think Mr. Lamb shared these details? State twO reasons to support your
answer.

(b) How did the Tiger King become the victim of the hundredth tiger?

(c) What did Dr. Sadao do to help the American soldier escape to freedom?
12. Answer any one of the following questions in about 120 - 150 words: (5)
(a) In the poem 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers', what is the contrast between the reality of Aunt's life and
her creations?

(b) 'Saheb is no longer his own master. Mukesh insists on being his own master'. Discuss this with
reference to 'Lost Spring'.

13. Answer any one of thefollowing questions in about 120 150 words: (5)
(a) 'Memories of Childhood' describes two types of discrimination - racial and caste
discrimination. Elucidate.

(b) The Tiger King' is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the
literary device of dramatic irony in the story?

13