CBSE 12th English Core Sample Paper 05 Page 1

Sample Paper 05
English core (301)
Class-XII Exam 2024-25
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions :
Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
i. This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
ii This question paper contains three sections :
Section A : Reading Skills
Section B : Creative Writing Skills
Section C : Literature.
iii. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct ques-
tion number and part thereof in your answer sheet.
iv Seperate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
v. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A - READING SKILLS 22

1. Read the following passage carefully: 12
1. In a quiet village in the heart of India, there stood an old house with walls made of
mud and a roof of red clay tiles. The house had seen many seasons come and go, but it
remained strong, standing tall under the shade of a giant peepal tree. Every morning,
as the first rays of the sun touched the village, the house glowed softly in the golden
light. The fragrance of jasmine flowers filled the air, carried by the gentle breeze from
the garden where they bloomed next to marigolds and hibiscus.
2. The house belonged to the Verma family, who had lived there for generations. Grand-
father Verma, now old and wise, often sat in the front courtyard under the shade of the
peepal tree, telling stories to the village children. The stories were about brave kings,
ancient battles, and forgotten legends of the land. His voice was slow and steady, and
the children sat in a circle around him, listening with wide eyes. Even the adults would
sometimes pause in their daily work to hear a story they had known since their child-
hood, yet never tired of.
3. The courtyard was always alive with activity. In the mornings, birds chirped from the
tree branches, and the soft mooing of cows could be heard from the nearby fields. Grand-
mother Verma would be busy in the kitchen, preparing food for the family—chapatis
on the clay stove, dal bubbling in a brass pot, and vegetables freshly plucked from the
garden. The smell of spices, ginger, and coriander filled the air, and it seemed to mix
with the earthiness of the mud walls.
4. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the village, the quietness set-
tled in. The sky turned from blue to pink, and the only sounds were the distant laughter
of children and the low hum of crickets. The Verma house, with its familiar rhythms of
life, stood quietly, a symbol of simplicity, tradition, and the passage of time.

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5. For the villagers, the house was more than just a structure—it was a reminder of their
roots. It was a place where stories were passed down, where life slowed down, and where
the traditions of their ancestors lived on. Even as the world outside changed, the Verma
house remained, standing strong in the heart of the village, untouched by time.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. According to paragraph 1, what natural feature provides shade to the old Verma
house? 1
ii. How does the author describe the role of Grandfather Verma in the village, as mentioned
in paragraph 2? 1
iii. Read and complete the following sentence suitably. 1
The phrase “a symbol of simplicity, tradition, and the passage of time” in paragraph 4
suggests that the Verma house is more than just a building; it represents the village’s
connection to its past and a simple way of life.
Choose the correct response from the two options to complete the sentence.
The Verma house symbolizes _____.
(A) the traditions and history of the village
(B) the changing times and modern life
iv. Complete the following with ONE example, with reference to paragraph 3 : 1
The Verma family kitchen was filled with the aroma of _____.

v. Why does the writer describe the courtyard as “alive with activity” in paragraph 3? 1
Because
(A) The village children gather to listen to stories.
(B) Birds, cows, and the preparation of food make the courtyard lively.
(C) It is where the family gathers for important discussions.
(D) It represents the heart of the village’s social life.

vi. Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to paragraph 4, to support the following : 1
The Verma house stands as a reminder of the village’s traditions.

vii. In the line, ‘the quietness settled in…’ (Paragraph 4), what does the phrase ‘quietness
settled in’ suggest about the mood as the evening approaches? 2

viii. Complete the analogy with ONE word from paragraph 3 : 1

chapatis: stove :: dal: _____
(A) brass pot (B) garden
(C) mud walls (D) courtyard
ix. Why is it fair to say that the statement ‘the Verma house was more than just a struc-
ture’ in paragraph 5 uses figurative language? 1
(A) It emphasizes the symbolic importance of the house.
(B) It compares the house to a living entity.
(C) It reflects the emotional connection of the villagers to the house.
(D) It personifies the house as something alive and active.

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CBSE 12th English Core Sample Paper 05 Page 3

x. Assess the potential challenges or benefits of maintaining the old Verma house, as sug-
gested in paragraph 5. 2

2. Read the following carefully. 10

1. Introduction :
Climate change has significantly impacted global weather patterns, resulting in more
frequent and severe natural disasters. This case study explores the frequency of various
natural disasters over the last two decades and examines their geographical distribution.
The study aims to understand how regions are affected differently and what measures
can be taken to mitigate the impacts of such disasters.
2. Methodology :
Data was collected from multiple international agencies, tracking the occurrence of natu-
ral disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and earthquakes. The data was analysed
to observe trends in disaster frequency and geographical distribution over the years. A
detailed comparison of regions most affected by each type of disaster was conducted,
leading to actionable insights for disaster preparedness.
3. Survey Examination :
The data from the survey focused on natural disasters that have occurred globally be-
tween 2000 and 2020. The disasters were classified by type, and their frequency in vari-
ous regions was compared. The study aimed to identify which regions are more vulner-
able to specific disasters and why. Factors like climate, geography, and human activities
were examined to understand their roles in increasing disaster risk.
4. Results: The chart below illustrates the frequency of major natural disasters in different
regions of the world over the last 20 years.
Region Floods (%) Cyclones (%) Droughts (%) Earthquakes
(%)
North America 30% 15% 10% 45%
South America 40% 5% 35% 20%
Africa 25% 10% 60% 5%
Asia 35% 40% 15% 10%
Europe 50% 5% 5% 40%
5. Implications for Interventions :
Understanding regional vulnerability to different natural disasters is critical for devising
effective disaster management strategies. Regions like Africa, where droughts dominate,
need to focus on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. In contrast, Asia,
which is prone to cyclones, should invest in early warning systems and coastal defenses.
International collaboration is essential to build resilience and reduce the loss of life and
property from future disasters.
6. Conclusion :
This study highlights the need for targeted interventions based on the types of natural
disasters each region faces. By addressing specific vulnerabilities, regions can improve
their disaster preparedness and reduce the impact of future catastrophic events.

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Answer the following questions, based on given passage.

i. Complete the following suitably. 1

In the introduction, the researcher links climate change with natural disasters to high-
light _____.

ii. What would the following be classified as? 1

To examine the frequency and geographical distribution of natural disasters.
Select the appropriate response.
(A) Research outcome
(B) Primary objective
(C) Secondary objective
(D) Method of analysis

iii. Give two points to support why geographical distribution was included as a focus in the
study on natural disasters. 2

iv. Paragraph 3 includes words – ‘climate’ and ‘geography.’ 1

Classify the following sentences as ‘climate’ or ‘geography’:
Sentence 1: The high frequency of droughts in Africa is due to prolonged dry seasons.
Sentence 2: The occurrence of earthquakes in North America is due to tectonic plate
movement.

v. Read the following : 1

Sarah lives in North America, where earthquakes are frequent, while her friend Carlos
lives in South America, which is more prone to floods. Meanwhile, Fatima in Africa
struggles with droughts that affect her community’s livelihood.
Select the option that identifies the correct disaster vulnerability for Sarah, Carlos, and
Fatima.
(A) Sarah – cyclones; Carlos – droughts; Fatima – floods
(B) Sarah – floods; Carlos – cyclones; Fatima – earthquakes
(C) Sarah – earthquakes; Carlos – floods; Fatima – droughts
(D) Sarah – droughts; Carlos – earthquakes; Fatima – cyclones

vi. Although Asia and Europe experience different natural disasters, why does Europe have
a higher percentage of floods? 1

vii. Analyse how targeted disaster preparedness interventions can reduce the impact of nat-
ural disasters in regions like Africa and Asia. (Paragraph 5) 2

viii. What is the ultimate goal for stakeholders, based on the insights from the study? 1
(A) To predict future natural disasters with certainty
(B) To build international cooperation for disaster relief
(C) To reduce the loss of life and property from natural disasters
(D) To focus on preventing only specific types of disasters

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SECTION B - CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 18

3. Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. 1#4 = 4

A. You lost your wristwatch in your school auditorium. Write a notice in nbt more than 50
words for your school notice board giving a detailed description of the watch. You are
Anirudh/Arundhati of class XII of Springfield School, Pune.


O
B. Your school is celebrating Grandparents’ Day next week. Write a notice in 50 words to
be put up on the school notice board informing students of the celebration and request-
ing them to be present with their grandparents. You are Samir/Suman, Head Boy/Head
Girl ABC Sen. Sec. School, Delhi.

4. Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. 1#4 = 4

A. Modern Public School, Delhi is organising an inter school music competition. You have de-
cided to invite noted classical musician. Mohan Gandhi as the judge and guest of honour.
Draft a formal invitation for him in 50 words. You are Neeraj/Neetu, Cultural Secretary.


O
B. As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited to inaugurate a Book Exhi-
bition in your neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in not more than 50 words,
expressing your inability to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi.

5. Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B), in 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

A. You are Raj/Rati, 115, Ram Nagar, Noida. Read the advertisement given below and
write a letter to the advertiser, applying for the job. Also give your detailed resume,
which you would send along with your letter of application for the job. (120-150 words)
Wanted experienced Post Graduate Teacher in Chemistry to teach Classes XI and XII
in a reputed ICSE affiliated residential school. Fluency in English is a must. Working
knowledge of computers is preferable; salary commensurate with experience and exper-
tise. Please apply to : Box No. 205, C/O The Hindu, Noida.


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B. You have realised the necessity of education and financial independence of women for
their family, society and in turn for the nation. Write a letter to the Editor, ‘The Na-
tional Times’ highlighting your ideas on the importance of education of women leading
to a better status for them. You are Tarun/Taruna, B-7/9, Mall Road, Delhi (120-150
words)

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6. Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

A. You are Anurag/Anjali, a reporter with a national daily. You have heard that a multisto-
rey building near the main railway station has collapsed causing panic in the area. You
rush to the site of the accident along with your team. Write a report in 120-150 words
mentioning the time and place of the accident, number of casualties, the cause of the
accident and the rescue operation conducted by the authorities.


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B. There is a vast pool of women talent in our country. Given encouragement and opportu-
nities, women can excel in every field. They are contributing to the nation’s progress as
scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, sports persons, etc. There is no limit to what they can
achieve. Write an article in 120-150 words on “Women Empowerment”. You are Ram/
Roma.

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40

7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two -
(A) or (B) 1#6 = 6
A. Now we will count to twelve
And we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth
Let’s not speak in any language
Let’s stop for one second
And not move our arms so much.
(Keeping Quiet)

i. Why is the poet asking the people not to speak?

ii. Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion : The poet urges people to pause and embrace silence and stillness for a mo-
ment.
Reason : The poet believes that by stopping all activity and speech, even for a short
time, humanity can reflect on its actions.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:
(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explana-
tion of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct expla-
nation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

iii. Complete the following suitably.

“Not move our arms” in the given extract refers to _____.

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CBSE 12th English Core Sample Paper 05 Page 7

iv. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
During counting to twelve, the poet wants us to remain _____ (noisy/quiet).

v. Which poetic form has been used in the given extract?

vi. Select the option that is NOT true.

(A) During this moment, we will forget our differences and experience a strength of
togetherness.
(B) When we stop for a second, we get an opportunity to introspect our follies.
(C) We will realize the harm we are causing to the world with our words and actions.
(D) We should always remain lazy.


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B. When Aunt is dead, her temfied hands will lie
still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)

i. Identify the figure of speech in ‘terrified hands’.

(A) Transferred epithet (B) Imagery
(C) Hyperbole (D) Synecdoche

ii. Which issue is the poet addressing through this poem?

iii. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
The rhyming scheme of the poem is _____ (aabb/aaab).

iv. Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion : Even after Aunt Jennifer’s death, the tigers she created will continue to sym-
bolize freedom and fearlessness.
Reason : The tigers represent Aunt Jennifer’s inner strength and confidence, which she
displayed in her life through her actions.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:
(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explana-
tion of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct expla-
nation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

v. Aunt Jennifer’s life is ringed with ordeals. ‘Ringed’ has a significant meaning here. What
is it?

vi. Complete the following suitably.

Aunt Jennifer faced ordeals from the oppressive male _____ society.

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8. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (A)
or (B) 4#1 = 4
A. Friends everywhere. People come in .....everybody knows me. The gate’s always open.
They come and sit here. And in front of the fire in winter. Kids come for the apples
and pears. And for toffee. I make toffee with honey. Anybody comes. So have you.
(On the Face of It)
i. Why Mr. Lamb always keeps gate of his garden open?

ii. What does the phrase ‘gate’s always open’ show about the speaker?

iii. The extract shows the speaker to be _____.

(A) overthinker (B) genial
(C) pessimistic (D) None of these

iv. Name the writer of the given extract.

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B. Yes, I’ve taken the obvious step: I talked to a psychiatrist friend of mine, among oth-
ers. I told him about the third level at Grand Central Station and he said it was a
waking dream wish fulfillment. He said I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of
mad, but he explained that he meant the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war,
worry and all the rest of it and that I just want to escape. Well, who doesn’t? Ev-
erybody I know wants to escape, but they don’t wander down into any third level at
Grand Central Station.
(The Third Level)
i. Why did the narrator go to a psychiatrist?

ii. What is ‘waking dream wish fulfillment’ according to the psychiatrist in the lesson?
(A) Charley’s finding, of a Third Level at Grand Central Station.
(B) Charley’s realisation of his wish to visit Galesburg Illinois.
(C) Charley’s escaping into his daydreaming everyday.
(D) Charley’s post stamp collecting habit.

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately.

The third level, according to Charley, was _____.

iv. What does the psychiatrist explain to Charley?

9. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (A)
or (B). 1#6 = 6
A. It seemed a long way down. Those nine feet were more like ninety, and before I
touched bottom my lungs were ready to burst. But when my feet hit bottom I sum-
moned all my strength and made what I thought was a great spring upwards. I imag-
ined I would bob to the surface like a cork. Instead, I came up slowly. I opened my
eyes and saw nothing but water - water that had a dirty yellow tinge to it.
(Deep Water)

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CBSE 12th English Core Sample Paper 05 Page 9

i. Why did the nine feet deep pool seem ninety to Douglas?
ii. The expression “I imagined I would bob to the surface like a cork” implies that
(A) Frightened, Douglas was not able to shout for help.
(B) Douglas accepted his failure and ultimate death.
(C) Though Douglas was frightened he was not out of his wits.
(D) Douglas was afraid to die.
iii. Pick the word from the given extract which means to ‘make a quick, short movement up
and down.
iv. What does the speaker mean by I summoned all my strength?
(A) That he called up his strength.
(B) That he accumulated his strength.
(C) That he gathered his strength.
(D) All of these

v. Where did the given event take place?

vi. ‘It seemed a long way down. What was the author referring to?


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B. He was involved, he told the court, in a ‘conflict of duties’- on the one hand, not to set
a bad example as a lawbreaker; on the other hand, to render the ‘humanitarian and
national service’ for which he had come. He disregarded the order to leave, not ‘for
want of respect for lawful authority, but in obedience to the higher law of our being,
the voice of conscience.’ He asked the penalty due.
(Indigo)
i. List any two details about Gandhiji discussed in the extract.

ii. Why did Gandhiji call fighting for the rights of the poor farmers ‘national service?
(A) Because he wanted all sharecroppers throughout the country to unite against the
landlords.
(B) Because the plight of the sharecroppers was the same throughout the country.
(C) Because the sharecroppers of Champaran were leading the fight.
(D) Because the sharecroppers refused to be convinced by the commission.
iii. What was the consequence of the court proceeding?

iv. Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that Gandhiji disobeyed the authority.
v. Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(A) Gandhiji – an authoritarian
(B) Gandhiji – a humanitarian and nationalist
(C) Gandhiji – a lawbreaker
(D) Gandhiji – a political activist
vi. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The ‘conflict of duties’ refers to _____.

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10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in 40-50 words each : 5 # 2 = 10

i. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios? (Poets and Pancakes)

ii. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? (The Rattrap)

iii. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’ ? (My Mother at Sixty-Six)

iv. Describe the endless fountain of immortal drink. (A Thing of Beauty)

v. Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel ?

(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)

vi. What does the title ‘Lost Spring’ convey? (Lost Spring)

11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in 40-50 words each : 2#2 = 4

i. Why did the Maharaja decide to get married? (The Tiger King)

ii. Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the cutting of her hair? (Memories of Childhood)

iii. What indicates that Dr. Sadao’s father was a very traditional and conventional man?
(The Enemy)

12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

A. Describe the difficulties the bangle makers of Firozabad have to face in their lives.
(Lost Spring)


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B. Imagine a child from the farmer’s family migrates to the city for their education. As the
child, write back to your family telling them whether you would or would not want to
turn into a city-person. Use the context of the poem “A Roadside Stand” in mind to pen
down this letter.

13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

A. In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappoint-
ment? What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to overcome these feelings? (On the
Face of It)


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B. How did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his Kingdom? How was he able to
avert the danger? (The Tiger King)

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