CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 1 with Solutions

Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 1 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 1 with Solutions

Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Maximum Marks: 40

General Instructions:

• The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
• Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section – A
Reading (14 Marks)

Question 1.
Read the passage given below.

I saw ‘Jaws’, the popular shark movie, the summer it came out, in 1975 and became paranoid about sharks. Though I kept swimming after Jaws, it was always with the vague fear that a shark’s teeth could tug on my leg at any moment. Never mind that there’d

5. been only two shark bites since 1900 on the Connecticut coast, where I lived.

So, when I got this assignment for the National Geographic magazine. I decided to accept and do what I’d never wanted to do: swim with the sharks. I had to go to a place in the Bahamas known as Tiger Beach and dive with tiger sharks, the species responsible for more

10. recorded attacks on humans than any shark except the great white. It was to be my first dive after getting certified – which meant it would be my first dive anywhere other than a swimming pool or a quarry – and without a diver’s cage. Most people who got wind of this plan thought I was either very brave or very stupid.

15. But I just wanted to puncture an illusion. The people who know sharks intimately tend to be the least afraid of them, and no one gets closer to sharks than divers. The divers who run operations at Tiger Beach speak lovingly of the tiger sharks the way people talk about their children or their pets. In their eyes, these sharks aren’t man-eaters any more than dogs are.

20. The business of puncturing illusions is never just black and white. My fellow divers had hundreds of dives under their belt and on the two-hour boat ride to the site in the morning of our first dive, they kept saying things like, “Seriously, I really can’t believe this is your first dive.” All this was okay with me until I reached the bottom and immediately had to fend off

25. the first tiger shark, I had ever laid eyes on. However, when I watched the other divers feeding them fish and steering them gently, it became easy to see the sharks in a very benign light.

I think it would be unfair not to mention that though tiger sharks are apex predators, they act as a crucial balancing force

30. in ocean ecosystems, constraining the numbers of animals like sea turtles and limit their behaviour by preventing them from overgrazing the sea grass beds. Furthermore, tiger sharks love warm water, they eat almost anything, have a huge litter and are the hardiest shark species. If the planet and its oceans continue to warm, some species will be winners and others will be losers, and tiger sharks are likely to be winners.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT questions from the nine given below. (1 x 8)

(A) Cite a point in evidence, from the text, to suggest that the writer’s post-Jaws fear was not justified. (1)
Answer:

• Not justified as stated in the text that there were only 2 shark attacks reported in 75 years i.e., from 1900 – 1975, so it was highly unlikely that he had anything to fear.

Detailed Explanation: The writer’s fear post ‘Jaws’ was not justified as there had been only two shark bites from 1900 to 1975 on the Connecticut coast, where he lived.

(B) State any one trait of the writer that is evident from lines 5-10 and provides a reason for your choice. (1)
Answer:

• Adventurous/Courageous/Bold/Experimental
• Because he feared the tiger sharks/ was aware of the fact that they were dangerous, yet accepted, as his very first assignment, that required him to face them.

Detailed Explanation: The writer was indeed adventurous, bold and experimental. Though he feared shark attack and knew that the tiger sharks were one of the most dangerous species, he accepted his assignment to swim and dive with tiger sharks at the Bahamas.

(C) People thought the writer was ‘either brave or very stupid. Why did some people think that he was ‘very stupid’? (1)
Answer:

• Because he was risking his life and could be bitten by the sharks as other people were/ side-lined the popular notion that tiger sharks are dangerous/ did not pay due attention to the fact that he was walking into obvious danger without the required expertise.

Detailed Explanation: People thought that the writer was ‘very stupid’ as it was his first dive after getting certified and was very dangerous. Moreover, he had to dive without a diver’s cage.

(D) Why does the writer, say that people who know sharks intimately tend to be least afraid of them? (1)
Answer:

• Because they find the sharks to be harmless/ as docile as pets – the sharks feed on the food they offer and seem as docile as pets.

Detailed Explanation: People who know sharks closely are of the view that sharks are quite harmless and as docile as pets. They feed on the food they offer and never harm them.

(E) Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with another one, from lines 10 – 20.
Some academicians think that reward, as a form of discipline, is a simple right or wrong issue. (1)
Answer:

• Some academicians think that reward, as a form of discipline, is a simple black and white issue.

Detailed Explanation: Some academicians think that reward, as a form of discipline, is a simple black and white issue.

(F) What does the use of the phrase ‘benign light’ suggest in the context of the writer’s viewpoint about the tiger sharks? (1)
Answer:

• Benign light – viewed as benevolent/ gentle/ friendly
• Tiger sharks did not seem to be that harmful/dangerous/ They seemed fairly docile/less dangerous than the other sharks

Detailed Explanation: The phrase ‘Benign light’ means to view something as benevolent, gentle and friendly. The writer witnessed other divers feeding tiger shark’s wherein they seemed totally harmless than the other sharks.

(G) Select a suitable phrase from lines 15-25 to complete the following sentence appropriately.
I agree the team will find this experience tough, but competing will be easier next time after they get this tournament ………….. (1)
Answer:

• I agree the team will find this experience tough, but competing will be easier next time after they get this tournament under their belt, (line 21).

Detailed Explanation: I agree the team will find this experience tough, but competing will be easier next time after they get this tournament under their belt.

(H) Apex predators serve to keep prey numbers in check. How can we say that tiger sharks are apex predators? (1)
Answer:

• Because tiger sharks restrict the number of sea turtles (by feeding on them), and act as a balancing force in the ecosystem. If the numbers weren’t constrained, it would result in the depletion of sea-grass which supports other marine life forms.

Detailed Explanation: Tiger sharks restrict the number of sea turtles by feeding on them and thus, act as a balancing force in the ecosystem. If the numbers of the turtles weren’t constrained, it would result in the depletion of sea-grass which supports other marine life forms.

(I) Analyse why having a large litter is one of the features that empowers tiger sharks to emerge winners if global warming persists. (1)
Answer:

• Reduces the possibility of extinction or destruction due to harsh conditions, as large numbers would ensure that some definitely survive.

Detailed Explanation: A large Litter reduces the possibility of extinction or destruction due to the harsh climatic conditions, as it would ensure that some would definitely survive. Also, Tiger sharks are the hardiest species.

Question 2.
Read the passage given below.

Changing food preferences have brought about rapid changes in the structure of the Indian diet. The rapid proliferation of multinational fast-food companies and the influence of Western culture have replaced traditional home-cooked meals with ready-to-eat,

5. processed foods thus increasing the risk of chronic diseases in urban IndiAnswer: Therefore, nurturing healthy eating habits among Indians from an early age would help to reduce health risks.

To date, little is known about the quality and quantity of foods and beverages consumed by urban Indian adolescents. This lack of evidence

10. is a significant barrier to the development of effective nutrition promotion and disease prevention measures.

Therefore, a self-administered, semi-quantitative, 59-item meal-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to assess the dietary intake of adolescents. A total of 1026 students (aged 14-16 years)

15. attending private, English-speaking schools in Kolkata completed the survey.

A Sample percentage of the food consumption pattern is displayed (Fig. 1)

The survey results report poor food consumption patterns and highlight the need to design healthy eating initiatives. Interestingly, while there were no gender differences in the consumption of legumes and fried snacks, the survey found more females consumed cereals, vegetables and fruits than their male counterparts.

In conclusion, the report suggested that schools ought to incorporate food literacy concepts into their curriculum as they have the potential of increasing the fruit and vegetable intake in teenagers. Additionally, healthy school canteen policies with improved availability, accessibility, variety and affordability of healthy food choices would support the consumption of nutritious food in students.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY SIX out of the seven questions given below. 1×6

(A) What does the researcher mean by ‘changing food preferences? (1)
Answer:

• Urban population’s transition from healthy home-cooked meals to ready-to-eat-processed foods.

Detailed Explanation: By ‘changing food preferences, the writer refers to the urban population’s transition from healthy home-cooked meals to ready-to-eat-processed foods.

(B) Why was this survey on the food consumption of adolescents under-taken? (1)
Answer:

• understand the food consumption pattern of urban adolescents and
• make recommendations based on the data.

Detailed Explanation: The survey was undertaken to understand the food consumption pattern of urban adolescents and to make recommendations based on the given data.

(C) With reference to fig. 1, write one conclusion about students’ consumption of energy-dense drinks. (1)
Answer:

• Close to 47% drink three or more servings of energy-dense beverages while a mere 5% said ’no’ to more than one serving of the beverage.

Detailed Explanation: As per the data given in fig. 1, close to 47% of students drink three or more servings of energy dense beverages while a mere 5% said ‘no’ to more than one serving of the beverage.

(D) What can be concluded by the ‘no intake’ data of fruit consumption versus energy-dense snacks, with reference to fig. 1? (1)
Answer:

• Nearly half the respondents (45%) did not consume any servings of fruit in contrast to 95% that had some form of an energy-dense snack.

Detailed Explanation: The category ‘no intake’ suggests that nearly half of the respondents (45%) did not consume any servings of fruit in contrast to 95% who had some form of energy-dense snack, the majority of them being females.

(E) There were no gender differences
observed in the consumption of healthy foods, according to the survey. Substantiate. (1)
Answer:

• Females had more nutritious dietary intake as they consumed more cereals, vegetables and fruits compared to their male counterparts.

Detailed Explanation: Though there were no gender differences observed in legumes and fried snacks, females had more nutritious dietary intake as they consumed more cereals, vegetables and fruits as compared to their male counterparts.

(F) Why is ‘affordability’ recommended as a significant feature of a school canteen policy? (1)
Answer:

• The consumers are school children and therefore food should be affordable.

Detailed Explanation: ‘Affordability’ is recommended as a significant feature of a school canteen policy because the consumers are school children and so, it should be affordable. Besides, affordability of healthy food choices would promote the consumption of nutritious food in students.

(G) Identify a word from lines 9-18 indicating that the questionnaire was specifically designed to be completed by a respondent without the intervention of the researcher collecting the data. (1)
Answer:

• Self-administered

Section – B
Writing (8 Marks)

Question 3.
You are Natasha, residing in Pune. Your cousin, from the same city is hosting your grandmother’s eightieth birth anniversary and has extended an invite to you. He has also requested your assistance for the arrangements needed. Draft a reply of acceptance, in not more than 50 words. (5)
Answer:

• Reference to invitation
• Acceptance of invitation
• Confirmation of date, time and venue
• Comment on extending assistance

Detailed Explanation:
I am delighted to receive your invitation for grandma’s eightieth birthday anniversary. I accept and look forward to the event I am eager to meet you, grandma and all the other family members. I will be arriving on Friday at 6 pm on flight 40 to assist you for the required arrangements. Kindly, let me know if I can bring something with me. I look forward to having a great time.

Best Wishes
Natasha

Question 4.
Attempt ANYONE from A and B given below.

(A) You are Shantanu, residing at Ghar B-94, Balimela Road, Malkangiri. You come across the following classified advertisement in a local daily. Write a letter, in about 120-150 words, applying for the position of a volunteer for the Each One Teach One campaign.

Situation Vacant
WANTED committed volunteers, aged 18 years and above, to teach under-privileged children, for one hour a week, in the district of Malkangiri. Ability to speak, read and write Odiya fluently, important. Experience not necessary. All volunteers to receive training.

Contact:
Nethra N, Coordinator
(Each One Teach One),
4 Literacy, Ambaguda, Malkangiri,
Odisha- 764045
Answer:

• Covering Latter
• Reference to the advertisement
• Conveying suitability for the position
• Submission of application
• Resume/Bio-data as a separate enclosure
• Profile of self
• Educational Qualifications
• Any other relevant information

Detailed Explanation:
Ghar B-94, Balimela Road
Malkangiri
Odisha
26th April, 20XX

BIO-DATA

Father’s Name : Praveen Kumar
Address : Ghar B-94, Balimela Road, Malkangiri
Date of Birth : 17th, October, 20XX
Educational Qualifications :

• MA (hons.) from Bala Institute, Ram Ghar, Odisha.
• B.A. (hons.) from Bala Institute, Ram Ghar, Odisha.

Experience : Volunteered as an Assisstant Teacher in Kalakriti Vidyalaya, Odisha Communication skills teacher in Sanskriti Vidyalaya, Bichkula Road, Odisha
Marital Status : Unmarried
Languages known : Hindi, English, Tamil and Odiya
References :

• Mr Saket Bhisht, MD, Bala Institute, Ram Ghar, Odisha, 9897xxxxxx
• Mrs Rachna Goi, Principal Sanskriti Vidyalaya, Bichkula Road, Odisha, 9786xxxxxx

To
The Coordinator
Each One Teach One
4 Literacy
Ambaguda, Malkangiri
Odisha- 764045

Subject : Application regarding volunteering for teach India campaign

Respected Nethra N,
This is with reference to your advertisement in the Local Daily. I am pleased to inform that I am interested in volunteering for the Each One Teach One campaign. I have significant experience working with children and enjoy being around them.

I volunteered as an Assistant Teacher in a government school and gained ample exposure towards building a splendid and upstanding classroom experience. Besides, I have an experience in teaching elementary to middle school children.

Other than English, Hindi and Tamil I am also fluent in speaking, writing and reading Odiya. I tend to contribute my additional time after school to assist non-profit organisations. Also, I am available to volunteer during the day and over the weekends.

I believe I would prove to be a valuable asset to your organization. It would be an excellent opportunity for me to learn and grow as a person. I have attached my C.V. for your kind perusal.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Shantanu
Encl: Bio-data
OR
(B) The efforts of 400 volunteers working with the NGO, 4Literacy, in the district of Malkangiri, Odisha, was lauded by the District Collector, Shri V. Singh (IAS). As a staff reporter of ‘The Odisha Bhaskar’, write a report about this in 120-150 words covering all the details of the event, such as training, teaching and infrastructure involved in the ‘Each One Teach One’ campaign, initiated by the district administration in association with the NGO. (5)
Answer:

• what -the efforts of400 volunteers in the Each One Teach One campaign lauded by the District Collector
• who were taught and what was taught
• when & where
• details of the volunteer work
• training received by the volunteers by the NGO and district administration
• the infrastructure – classrooms, black-board etc
• Any other valid relevant information

Detailed Explanation:
Volunteering at NGO, 4 Literacy
By Amit/ Amita, Staff Reporter – The Odisha Bhaskar’

In an event, the efforts of 400 volunteers working with the NGO, 4Literacy, in the district of Malkangiri, Odisha, was lauded by the District Collector, Shri V. Singh (IAS). The campaign aimed at providing opportunities to the underprivileged children in rural and urban India by giving them education. It was held in a government school after the school regular working hours during weekends.

The participants were adolescents from marginalized class who were taught soft skills, personality development, team work and time management apart from age-appropriate basic education. The volunteers received training by the NGO and district administrator and carried out their duty well.

All the basic infrastructure such as classrooms and blackboard was appropriately provided to the participants. The programe was a success and the NGO planned to organize more such campaigns in future, with an aim to teach basic life skills and day-to-day approach to dealing with various situations.

Section – C
Literature (18 Marks)

Question 5.
Attempt ANY FIVE of the six questions given below, within 40 words each. (2 x 5)
(A) A mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him? (2)
Answer:

• Gave him the power to dear his conscience
• Brought out his latent goodness
• Lent him conviction to become a better human/ a chance at elevating himself from being a thief
• Allowed him the opportunity to behave in a dignified manner befitting that of a Captain.

Detailed Explanation: A mistaken identity gave the rattrap peddler the power to dear his conscience and bought out his inner goodness that was hidden for so long. It also instilled in him a belief that he could become a better human being and also provided him a chance of elevating himself from being a thief. It was also an opportunity for him to behave in a dignified manner befitting that of a Captain and not that of a thief.

(B) As the host of a talk show, introduce Rajkumar Shukla to the audience by stating any two of his defining qualities. You may begin your answer like this: Meet Rajkumar Shukla, the man who played a pivotal role in the Champaran Movement. He….. (2)
Answer:

• Determined/ Resolute
• Persevering
• Dedicated
• Any other valid quality

Detailed Explanation: He was the man who played a pivotal role in the Champaran Movement. He was determined and resolute to achieve his aim. With his perseverance and dedication, he was able to support the movement He accompanied Gandhi everywhere to comply him to join the movement.

(C) Adrienne Rich chose to express her silent revolt through her poem, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, just as Aunt Jennifer did with her embroidery. Explain. (2)
Answer:

• Adrienne Rich, through her poem, criticizes the traditional institution of marriage, in her times, suggesting that it oppresses women.
• Similarly, Aunt Jennifer, a victim of an unhappy marriage, under a domineering husband, chooses embroidery to vent her angst.
• Both use their creative outlet as a form of protest against societal expectations.

Detailed Explanation: Adrienne Rich criticizes the traditional institution of marriage in her times through her poem, suggesting that it oppresses women and is a burden for them. Similarly, Aunt Jennifer, a victim of an unhappy marriage, under a domineering husband, chose embroidery to vent her sorrow and feelings Of oppression. Both used their creative outlet as a form of protest against the expectations of society, especially from women.

(D) Rationalize why Keats uses the metaphor ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ in his poem, A Thing of Beauty. (2)
Answer:

• Things of beauty are just like the immortal drink of the gods that flow continuously and never die
• Just as the endless fountain of immortality is an elixir of life, similarly things of beauty are constant/ perennial in providing everlasting joy/ motivation/bliss.

Detailed Explanation: Things of beauty are just like the immortal drink of the gods that flow continuously and never gets finished. Just as the endless fountain of immortality is an elixir of life, similarly things of beauty are constant and everlasting in providing unending joy and bliss.

(E) How do you think Derry’s mother contributes to his sense of alienation and isolation? (On the Face of It) (2)
Answer:

• Mother is overprotective and doesn’t understand her son’s longing for companionship.
• She treats him with a sense of pity and robs him of his dignity by perpetually treating him like a helpless victim.

Detailed Explanation: Derry’s mother was overprotective and didn’t understand her son’s longing for a companionship. She made him suffer in isolation by keeping him home because of his facial injury and looked at him with a sense of pity and snatched his dignity by always treating him like a helpless victim.

(F) Validate John Updike’s open-ended title, ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy?’ (2)
Answer:

• The story title is a question that suggests agreeing with Jo, who believes in justice for the skunk, or the father, who believes that mothers cannot err. Both seem right.
• The author leaves it open-ended for the reader to allow flexibility and creative insight.
  (any other valid purpose)

Detailed Explanation: The author has deliberately kept the story title a question. The story can take either of the direction and conclusion, based on the point of view of the reader. One may go with it or oppose it. It is a question that provides a choice for agreeing with Jo, who believes injustice for the skunk, or the father, who believes that mothers cannot make mistake. Both seem right in their own place. It allows flexibility and creative insight. Hence, the title is convincing and appropriate.

Question 6.
Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 – 150 words each. (4 x 2)
(A) How does Keats’ poem, A Thing of Beauty appeal richly to the senses, stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell? Write your answer in about 120-150 words. (4)
Answer:
Introduction:
Keats’ descriptions allow for a deeper perception of the imaginary, converting it into a life-like experience stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell.

Justification (any 2-3)

• Keats establishes this with powerful imagery and word play
• The cooling comfort of the bower, dancing daffodils in its green environs, the babbling stream and the mid forest brake with the musk rose blooms evoke our imagination, sense of hearing, touch and smell.
• The stories of mighty and the doom that befalls them appeals to our intellect
• The endless fountain may be an allusion of the fountain of youth however it has a sublimating effect on the reader.
• Keats poetic descriptions presents beauty that appeals to our senses and gives delight.
  (Accept associated relevant points)

Detailed Explanation: Keats’ descriptions allow for a deeper perception of the imaginary, converting it into a life-like experience by stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell. Keats was able to do this by effectively playing with words. The cool comfortable bower, dancing daffodils, the babbling stream and the mid-forest brake with the musk rose blooms arouse our imagination along with the sense of hearing, touch and smell.

The stories of mighty and the doom that befalls them appeals to our intellect. The eternal fountain may suggest the fountain of youth yet it has a sublimating effect on the reader. The poetic descriptions indeed showcases beauty appealing to our senses and gives delight.

(B) Colin Dexter, the author of Evans Tries an O-level employs the red herring technique of intentionally misleading readers by placing false clues to keep the plot enigmatic. Substantiate with reference to text, in about 120 – 150 words. (4)
Answer:
Introduction:
The stage is set – a maximum-security prison and a kleptomaniac with a record of breaking out of prison.

Analysis (any 3-4)

• Evans’ grubby appearance, jovial manner and friendly banter distracts from sharp intelligence and extraordinary talent for deception
• The silly but filthy looking bobble hat (a knit beanie with a pom-pom on top) distracts, giving readers the appearance of a comical character
• ’Number two Handkerchief neatly placed on the bed, where’s number one?
• The first. mention of Reverend Stuart McLeery exiting his bachelor flat in Broad Street
• Mention of the nail file and then reference to McLeery’s meticulously manicured fingers
• Illusion of Me Leery having grown thinner and then ‘Me Leery’ slumped in a chair
• Clues in the question paper, a chase all over town (Accept similar relevant points)

Conclusion:
Colin Dexter’s Evan’s Tries an O-level – a creative and highly complicated prison break interspersed with twists in the plot.

Detailed Explanation: The story is about a high-security prison and a kleptomaniac with a record of breaking out of prison a number of times. Evans’ grubby appearance, jovial manner and friendly banter are just a veil for his sharp intelligence and extraordinary talent for deception. His silly clothing also made him look like a funny character. The misleading clues on the question paper, the nail file and McCleery’s perfectly manicured fingers, the inflated rubber ring, and the paper-knife, all were misleading. This keep, the plot enigmatic.

Colin Dexter’s ‘Evan’s Tries an O-level’ is a creative and highly complicated prison break interspersed with twists in the plot.

(C) Biographies include features of non-fiction texts – factual information and different text structures such as description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, or problem and solution. Examine Indigo in the light of this statement, in about 120-150 words. (4)
Answer:
Introduction:
Focus on Indigo being an excerpt of a biography and thus having features of fiction as well as non-fiction texts.

Examination:
Substantiation to support the point that it includes:

• Factual information (any 2)
• Text structures (examples of any 2 different features)
  • explanation;
  • content recorded in order of occurrence:
  • points of comparison between people;
  • action and impact;
  • problem-solution/ conflict resolution

(The learner is expected to elaborate on both aspects – factual information,+ text structure)

Conclusion:
Reiterating that Indigo does include features of a non-fiction text.

Detailed Explanation: Indigo can be rightly called a biography because of its features of non-fiction texts – factual information and different text structures such as description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, or problem and solution. The text is based on an interview of Mahatama Gandhi by Louis Fischer and, hence, contains factual information. The story is about the Indigo movement and the struggle of Gandhi and other prominent leaders.

The text is sequential as it describes the movement from its commencement till its success, at the same time narrating the efforts of the peasants to safeguard themselves from the atrocities of the landlord. One particular farmer Rajkumar Shukla played a great role in the movement He was the one who came to Gandhi and shared his problem and after a long struggle got the solution too.