CBSE Board Class 12 English Core Sample Papers 2008

ENGLISH CORE

Class-XII
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2008
Section A: Reading Max. Marks : 20
Read the passage given below and then answer the questions which follow: 12 marks

1 To make our life a meaningful one, we need to mind our thoughts, for our thoughts are the foundation, the inspiration, and the motivating power of our deeds. We create our entire world by the way we think. Thoughts are the causes
and the conditions are the effects.

2 Our circumstances and conditions are not dictated by the world outside; it is the world inside us that creates the outside. Self-awareness comes from the mind, which means soul. Mind is the sum total of the states of consciousness grouped under thought, will and feeling. Besides self-consciousness we have the power to choose and think. Krishna says: “no man resteth a moment inactive”. Even when inactive on the bodily plane, we are all the time acting on the thought plane. Therefore if we observe ourselves, we can easily mould our thoughts. If our thoughts are pure and noble, naturally actions follow the same. If our thoughts are filled with jealousy, hatred and greed, our actions will be the same.

3 Karmically, however, thought or intent is more responsible and dynamic than an act. One may perform a charitable act, but if he does not think charitably and is doing the act just for the sake of gain and glory, it is his thoughts that will determine the result. Theosophy teaches us that every thought, no matter how fleeting, leaves a seed in the mind of the thinker. These small seeds together go to make up a large thought seed and determine one’s general character. Our thoughts affect the whole body. Each thought once generated and sent out becomes independent of the brain and mind and will live upon its own energy
depending upon its intensity.

4 Trying to keep a thought from our mind can produce the very state we are trying to avoid. We can alter our environment to create the mood. When, for instance, we are depressed, if we sit by ourselves trying to think cheerful thoughts, we often
do not succeed. But if we mix with people who are cheerful we can bring about a change in our mood and thoughts. Every thought we think, every act we perform, creates in us an impression, like everything else, is subject to cyclic law and becomes repetitive in our mind. So, we alone have the choice to create our thoughts and develop the kind of impressions that make our action more positive.

5 Let us choose the thought seeds of right ideas, noble and courageous aspirations that will be received by minds of the same nature. Right introspection will be required of us to determine what we really desire to effect. Everything in the universe is inter-related and inter-dependent, that we live in one another and by accepting the grand principle of universal brotherhood we shall be in a position to appreciate what a heavy responsibility is ever ours to think right. Let us reflect and send loving and helpful thoughts and lighten the load of the world’s suffering.

1.1 Answer the following questions:
a. How can we make our life meaningful? 1 mark
b. Why does Krishna say,  “No man resteth a moment inactive?” 2 marks
c. How do our thoughts affect the whole body? 2 marks
d. How can we change our mood when we are depressed? 2 marks
e. How can we bring about the desired effect? 2 marks

1.2 Find the words from the passage which mean the same as: 3 marks
a. Full of activity (Para 3) (Para 3)
b. Happening in cycles (Para 4)
c. to look into one’s own thoughts and feelings (Para 5)

Question 2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 8 Marks

The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 A.D. by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka-one of the most prolific templebuilders. Belur and Helebid are among their-better-known works. While these suffered during the invasions of the 14 th century, the Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition. 

This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars, and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquiste figures of gods and goddesses. with many incarnations being depicted.

There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize (a symbol of plenty and prosperity. The elaborate ornamentation, very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look - and it is worth it - the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles, and swans. The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of the Hoyasala king, Narasimha the Third.

The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was the kalyana mandapa. Leading from here were three corridors, each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna-Venugopala, Janardana and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the darkness of the sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers. 

2.1 Make notes of the above passage using an acceptable format including abbreviations, with suitable titles 5 marks

2.2 Make a summary of the above passage in not more than 80 words. 3 marks

Section B: Advanced Writing Skills Max. Marks:  35

Q.3. You are the President of your school theatre club. Your club is organizing a play The Miser  to help the victims of earthquake. Design a poster informing the students about this play. Invent necessary details.

Or

The students’ council of your school has organized an excursion to Goa for students of class XII during the Autumn Break. As President of the council, write a notice in not more than fifty words informing the students about this excursion.
Sign yourself as Ravi / Raveena.

Q.4. You are Rahul, the Headboy of Creative Public School, Delhi. Recently your school hosted the Regional Level CBSE Science Exibition. Write a report of this event for your school newsletter in about 125 words.

Or

The International Book Fair was inaugurated by the Chairman of Children’s Book Trust, Dr. Kumar. The theme this year was Illustrated Works of Children. You are Akshay/Akanksha a class XII student of A.K. International School Mathura. You
visited the exhibition and were impressed with the range of books on display. Write a factual description in about 125 words.

Q.5. You are Naresh/Neetu. Recently, you came across a newspaper report on the burning of a young woman as her parents could not meet the dowry demands. You feel that even after 60 years of independence we have not really progressed as a
nation. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper expressing your views and also giving suggestions to improve the status of women in Indian Society.

OR

You are Satish/Sonali, the student prefect incharge of the school library. You have been asked to place an order for children’s story books (Ages 10-13 yrs). Write a letter to M.S. Book Depot Ramnagar, Bikaner placing an order for the books.
Invent the necessary details.

Q.6. India is a country with diverse cultures, traditions, religious and political beliefs.To keep such a country together, to bind the people and take the nation ahead on the path of progress, democracy is the most suitable form of government. Write an article in about 150-200 words. You are Akshay/Asha a class XII student at Rosary Senior Secondary School Lucknow.

OR

You are Amit/Amita a student of class XII at K.N. Senior Secondary School Nagpur. You recently visited a hill station alongwith your parents. It was an exhilarating, adventrous and joyful experience. Write an article for the school magazine sharing your experience in 150-200 words. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Section C : Text Books.

Q7. Read the extract given below and answer the question tha follow : 4 marks
a) Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.

(a) Why were Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering? 1 mark
(b) What is suggested by the image the massive weight of uncle’s wedding band? 1 mark
(c) Why did Aunt Jennifer create animals which were so different from her own character? 2 marks

OR

And yet, for these
Children, these windows, not this map, their world,
Where all their future’s painted with a fog,
A narrow street sealed in with a lead sky
Far far from rivers, capes and stars of words.

(a) What does the map on the wall signify? 1
(b) Who are these children? What is their world like? 2
(c) What kind of future does the poet foresee for them? 1
(b) Answer any three of the following questions in about 30-40 words. 6 marks

(a) What does Stephen Spender want for the children of the slums? How can their lives change?
(b) How will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us?
(c) What is the childish longing that the poet refers to? Why is it  ‘vain’  ?
(d) Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?

Q.8. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words. 10 marks
(a) Why was Franz afraid when he was going to school that day?
(b) What is the misadventure that William Douglas speaks about?
(c) Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
(d) Why was Sophie jealous of her brother’s silence?
(e) Why did Rajkumar Shukla go to meet Gandhi?

Q.9. Answer any one of the following in about 125-150 words. 10 marks
The life of bangle makers of Firozabad was full of obstacles which forced them to lead a life of poverty and deprivation. Discuss with reference to  Lost Spring.

Or

Asoka mitran has used humor and satire effectively in Poets and Pancakes. Discuss.

Q.10. Answer any one of the following in about 125-150 words. 7 marks 
Individuals who belong to enemy countries tend to hate each other even if they do not know each other personally. At times it is seen that some of them rise above such prejudices. What makes a human being do so?

Or

An adult’s perspective is different from that of a child. Why? Answer with reference to the story Should Wizard hit Mommy?

Q.11. Answer the following briefly (30-40 words) 8 marks
(1) Why does Charley say that grand station is growing like a tree in the story The Third level?
(2) Why does Derry tell Mr. Lamb that he is afraid of seeing himself in the mirror in the story On the Face of It?
(3) Why did people doubt Evan’s sincerity towards taking the ‘O’ Level Exam,  in Evan Tries an O-Level?
(4) What does Zitkala-sa do to avoid having her hair cut