English Revision Test | CBSE | Class 12

ENGLISH CORE ( 301)

CLASS XII

Max Marks 100 Time 3 Hrs.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This Question paper is divided into two sections. Part A consists of all Objective Type

Questions & Part B comprises Subjective type questions.

2. Answer each section together.

3. Adhere to word limits given in writing and literature sections.

4. For MCQ questions all the answers need to be written in full sentences. Don't write

only Option Number. 1/2 Mark will be deducted for each question if you don’t write both a

full word/phrase/sentence and the number containing the word.

PART A ( OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS)

1.Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (10 M)

The newest stress buster is paper yoga. Adults are now changing over from their smartphones to colouring books to beat anxiety and relax. They spend hours hunched over the drawing of mandalas filling in their words into the circle, with colours. These adult colouring books are classified in the adult category and are becoming fast selling items as people reach out to them to relax their minds. And it is ot just mandala drawings that in vogue. Others settle for elaborate landscapes, cultural tableaux, brimming with images of dancers, singers and

concerts. Involutes of various shapes also make up this list.

Just as the demand has kept growing, there are also authors who are much in demand for their relaxing creations. Leading in this field is Johanna Basford, who has sold 1.4 million copies of her books ‘Secret Garden’, Enchanted Forest’ and ‘Lost Ocean’, in a matter of just two years. More bookstores have now started stocking such books as customers are asking for them. Publishers now contend that it is not just celebrity authors in this category but any book with the tag line ‘de-stress’ has a ready made market for it.

Another reason for the success of these books is that they are multilingual in the way that they speak to adults of all age groups, cultures and dispositions. Each nursery teacher is fast becoming customers of these books not because they are overworked, but because of the fun that even five-year olds are having with these coloring books.

The new trend has been dubbed ‘paper Yoga’. While the junior versions of these books hold simple generously proportioned patterns that allow for a child’s broad strokes, the adult variants typically have tight kaleidoscopes that require a fine pen and a staunch eye. As they do not require special skills to execute , publishers are marketing it with the tagline that their target customer is anyone who can draw satisfaction from something beautiful . The skills of drawing and colouring or conceptualization, essentials for the art of drawing, are not in this list

of requirements. Thys the phobia of being an expert or amateur is not a deterrent.

So far publishers have had to import their stock as there are not sufficient titles available. But illustrators are fast catching up with this trend and some have even ventured into self-publishing in this line. Others are innovating still more meaningful inputs into this work by asking customers to bring their own experiences to the book.

Individual stories of success are making an appearance too. Illustrator Indu Harikumar started her self-published colouring book, ‘Beauty Needs Space’, on social media. She priced a copy of 12 art works at 1500 each and sold 155 of the 200 she had printed. ‘People have written to say that they connected with the book as they worked on it.’

While adults are discovering their inner selves through this creative pursuit, art-based therapeutics warn against expecting too much from these books for saving lives or minds. At best, they calm the mind and are a temporary diversion, for the mind and cut off the noise of clamouring thoughts. These books they claim can offer therapeutic returns only when used in conjunction with a therapist’s counsel. As yet the entire process is undergoing testing time but

whatever little of it has emerged, is being hailed as a step in the positive direction.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the statements given below with the help of options that follow:

(a) Adults spend hours over their mandalas _________

(i) colouring them (ii) filling in the words into them (iii) filling in messages into

them (iv) writing their life history in them.

(b) Johanna Basford named her colouring books _______

(i) Basford Gardens, Secret Garden

(ii) Paper Yoga, Beauty Needs Space

(iii) Enchanted Forest, Paper Boats

(iv) Secret Garden, Enchanted Forest, Lost Ocean

(c) Indu Harikumar started her colouring book _______

(i) on the social media

(ii) in public spaces

(iii) in school classrooms

(iv) in international meets.

(d) Colouring books can serve best if combined with ______

(i) A temporary diversion of the mind

(ii) working on social media

(iii) a therapist’s counsel

(iv) without a therapist’s advice

(e) People wrote to Harikumar saying that they ________

(i) could not connect with her books.

(ii) found the price of the books steep

(iii) connected with the books as they worked on it.

(iv) lost their interest while going through the books.

(f) The title of Indu Harikumar’s self published colouring book is _____

(i) Beauty Needs Space.’

(ii) Enchanted Forest, Paper Boats

(iii) Secret Garden

(iv) None of the above.

(g) The leading author of adult colouring books is _____

(i) Indu Harikumar

(ii) Johanna Basford

(iii) Jonathan Swift

(iv) None of the above

(h) The colouring books are called multi-lingual because they are written in

different languages.

(i) True’

(ii) False

(iii) Evidence not sufficient.

(i) The word which has similar meaning as the word ‘ curative’ in para 7 is

(i) therapeutic

(ii) pursuit

(iii) clamouring

(iv) counsel

(j) The word which has similar meaning as the word ‘ non-specialist’ in para 4 is

___

(i) amateur

(ii) deterrent

(iii) phobia

(iv) kaleidoscope

Q2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (10 M)

India is the world’s most populous democracy and will, by 2030, be the most populous country, overtaking China. And it is young — there are more Indian 10-year-olds than there are Australians. With more than a dozen distinct languages, scripts and religions, India is multiculturalism on the grandest scale. And to sustain a vibrant modern democracy, surely India is one of the greatest political achievements of our times.

Once you appreciate its size, you see its potential. Think of all those 10-year-olds who will one day be voting in India’s elections and who will also, one day, belong to India’s middle class, the engine of its booming economy.Put all that together and it’s easy to understand why India will play a central role in our region and the world and, I hope for Australians, it is easier to see why the relationship between our two countries has never been more important.

That formal relationship began for many Australians in 1950, when Robert Menzies became the first Australian leader to visit independent India. Since then, both countries have been transformed. Now we must turn our attention to transforming the relationship to one that matches India’s huge needs and its enormous potential with our people, Australia’s best assets, as well as our resources and our shared democratic traditions.

I am delighted to be taking up Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to make my first official visit to India as Prime Minister, from April 9-12.

Three focus areas

During the visit we will focus on three areas of our relationship that show great potential: our economic, knowledge and strategic partnerships. India is inspiring the world with its explosive economic growth. Its economic take-off is lifting millions out of poverty, transforming the country into the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with forecasted growth of 7.5% in 2017. This is a stunning result for India, and a rare opportunity for Australia. From Mumbai to

Melbourne, from Bengaluru to Brisbane, India will be in the market to buy some of

the best things Australia has to offer.

Two-way trade is growing, and approaching $20 billion, but that’s far too low and there’s so much more we can do. This will be a key focus of my visit. I’ll meet with executives from some of India’s biggest companies, and speak with Australian entrepreneurs in India who are expanding their market reach into this extraordinary country.

The Government will announce the results of the tenth round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. Worth more than $100 million, this initiative has enabled our sharpest minds to collaborate in areas such as food security and health, and advance the boundaries of human knowledge in quantum computing, nanotechnology and astronomy. By combining our talents, we can add to the technological achievements already made in both our countries.

As an education destination

For decades our citizens have been criss-crossing the Indian Ocean in search of knowledge. Last year, Australia was the second-most popular study destination for Indian students — 60,000 came to Australia to learn. Through the Government’s New Colombo Plan, I want to see more and more young Australians choosing India as a place to study and boost their own qualifications and experience. India’s demand for our minerals and resources remains high. But education is a new pathway to shared prosperity. Consider the numbers — the Indian Government is aiming to train 400 million people by 2022. We can help them achieve this goal.

A great strength of our education relationship is found in the higher education and research sector. Collaboration between our institutes on high-end research, innovation, science and technology are central to developing our knowledge partnership.Having met twice already, Mr. Modi and I know that our close economic cooperation is also matched by shared strategic priorities.

The security and stability of the Indo-Pacific is fundamental to both of us and my visit provides an opportunity to discuss key regional and geostrategic issues and strengthen our engagement. As liberal democracies, we can work together to encourage free trade and prosperity and to help safeguard security and the rule of law in our region.

The Indian link

At home, we are lucky that India — its culture, its art, its food, its people — has become such a large and important part of Australian life. Half a million Australians are of Indian descent. That number increases each year. Whether it’s Little India in Melbourne, Diwali celebrations in Brisbane, or the long-established Sikh community on the North Coast of New South Wales, modern Australia, the most successful multicultural society in the world, could not be imagined without the contribution of Indian-Australians.

(Source: The Hindu)

(1). According to the given passage, which of the following statements

regarding 'Robert Menzies ' is correct?

(a) He is the current Prime Minister of Australia.

(b) He was the first Australian leader to visit independent India.

(c) He is the current Defence Minister of Australia.

(d) He was the first Anglo-Indian leader to visit Australia in 1950.

(2). Consider the following statements regarding 'India' as described by the writer

I. India will be the most populous country by 2030.

II. India is one of the greatest political achievements of the world.

III. Currently, India is the biggest defence partner of Australia.

Which of the above statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II only

(b) II and III only

(c) I and III only

(d) All are Correct

(3). What is the worth of the tenth round of the Australia-India Strategic

Research Fund?

(a) $ 400 Million

(b) $ 50 Million

(c) $ 100 Million

(d) $ 300 Million

(4). The writer of the above passage is visiting India on the invitation of

(a) CM of Maharashtra

(b) Vice-President

(c) President

(d) Prime Minister

(5). Currently, the two way trade between India and Australia is

(a) $ 100 Million

(b) $ 20 Billion

(c) $ 100 Billion

(d) $ 200 Million

(6) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Australia in context with India?

(a) Last year, Australia was the second-most popular study destination for Indian

students.

(b) Half a million Australians are of Indian Origin

(c) Last year, Australia was the most popular study destination for Indian students

(d) Both (a) and (b)

(7). Choose the word/words which is Most Similar to the word printed in bold in the passage.

Booming

(a) Failing

(b) Growing

(c) Profitable

(d) Thunderous

(8). Choose the word/words which is Most Similar to the word printed in bold

in the passage.

Vibrant

(a) Spirited

(b) Pale

(c) Sluggish

(d) Zippy

(9). Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed in bold in the passage .

Delighted

(a) Captivated

(b) Entranced

(c) Ecstatic

(d) Melancholy

(10). Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed in bold in the passage.

Descent

(a) Plunge

(b) Droop

(c) Ascent

(d) Swoop

Q3. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. 4

...and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,

but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,

all I did was smile and smile and smile... .

(a) What does the poem revolve around?

(i) Kamala Das’s feelings for her mother

(ii) her own insecurities

(iii) advancing old age and the expected end

(iv) poetess’s journey

(b) What was the poet’s childhood fear?

(i) losing her mother

(ii) losing her sibling

(iii) shifting from one school to another

(iv) losing a friend

(c) Choose an example of alliteration from the following.

(i) like winter’s moon

(ii) trees sprinting

(iii) smile and smile and smile

(iv) none

(d) The expression ‘smile and smile and smile’ signifies something about the poet. What

is it?

(i) Be optimistic about life.

(ii) The poet is trying to hide her fears behind her smile.

(iii) Smile and win the hearts.

(iv) Embrace difficulties with a smile.

Q4. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. 4

The paper seeming

boy, with rat’s eyes. The stunted, unlucky heir

Of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease,

His lesson, from his desk. At back of the dim class

One unnoted sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream,

Of squirrel’s game, in tree room, other than this.

(a) Who is the stunted unlucky heir being referred to here?

(i) a boy

(ii) a random student of the class

(iii) the diseased boy

(iv) none

(b) What is the meaning of ‘reciting a father’s gnarled disease’?

(i) reciting something about the disease

(ii) the disease got as inheritance from his father

(iii) feeling dejected about the misfortune

(iv) thinking about the father

(c) What kind of looks are these children representing?

(i) rich

(ii) robust

(iii) poor

(iv) malnourished

(d) His eyes live in a dream. What is the boy dreaming about?

(i) of an outdoor life filled with better times

(ii) about going out for a picnic

(iii) about flying in an airplane

(iv) about watching a comedy show

Q5. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. 4

“There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.”

“If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking.

“Yes,” he says, smiling broadly.

A few days later, I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?” ‘It takes longer to build a school.” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.

(a) Between whom is the conversation going on in the above extract?

(i) two friends

(ii) the author and her friend

(iii) the author and Mukesh

(iv) Saheb and the author

(b) What was the author embarrassed about?

(i) about having made a false promise

(ii) about raising the boy’s hopes

(iii) about talking to him about a non-existent school

(iv) all of these

(c) For whom is the world bleak?

(i) beggars

(ii) poverty-stricken children

(iii) small shop owners

(iv) road-side vendors

(d) Promises that are not fulfilled are

(i) special

(ii) heartbreaking

(iii) hollow

(iv) both (ii) and (iii)

Q6. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. 4

‘‘If we sheltered a white man in our house we should be arrested and if we turned him over as a

prisoner, he would certainly die,’’ Sadao said. ‘‘The kindest thing would be to put him back into the sea,’’ Hana said. But neither of them moved. They were staring with a curious repulsion upon the inert figure.

(a) Why would they be arrested if they sheltered a white man?

(i) they would have been labelled as traitors

(ii) Japan was at war with America

(iii) the white man was an American

(iv) all of the above

(b) If they turned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die. What made them say that

he would die?

(i) he looked sick

(ii) he was terribly wounded and was bleeding

(iii) he was emaciated

(iv) his body was thin and frail

(c) What did Hana suggest would to be the kindest thing?

(i) he be taken inside

(ii) an emergency surgery to be done

(iii) he be thrown back into the sea

(iv) he be left on his own

(d) “But neither of them moved.” What does this statement indicate about their state?

(i) they were frozen to death

(ii) they were too shocked to move

(iii) one was waiting for the other to move first

(iv) there was a dilemma going on in their minds

Q7. Attempt any eight questions : 1x8=8

(i) Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE with reference to Douglas

a. Douglas’s fear kept him away from leisurely activities in water.

b. The fall in the pool at YMCA taught Douglas a life lesson.

c. The fear of drowning was the source of Douglas’s anxiety and terror.

d. Douglas decided to practice relentlessly to overcome his fear.

(ii) Concluding his last lesson by writing ‘Vive la France!’ on the blackboard shows that M.

Hamel

a. was overwhelmed with emotions.

b. wanted to distract all attending class that day.

c. was keen on not leaving the country.

d. wanted to teach French participles through it.

(iii) . Saheb’s discarded and worn out tennis shoes are

a. an indication to procure different ones.

b. a dream come true.

c. a sign of his poverty.

d. an insult to the sport itself.

(iv) In the poem, My Mother at Sixty-six, all that the poet did was smile and smile and smile…,

Her smile is

a. sudden, in response to her mother’s.

b. meaningful and loaded with love.

c. accompanied with tears of farewell.

d. put on to cheer her mother.

(v) ‘Keeping Quiet’ uses fishermen to symbolize man’s

a. persistent pollution of the natural environment.

b. rapid degradation of human values.

c. limitless exploitation of natural resources.

d. constant participation in acts of terror.

(vi) Why is Shakespeare called ‘wicked’?

a. He uses wicked words

b. He uses wicked characters in his poem/plays.

c. He has no relevance to the learning needs of children.

d. None of the above.

(vii) In which context is the word ‘catacombs’ used in the poem?

a. Slum is the cemetery for children.

b. Cemetery shut the dead bodies

c. Slums outside the windows of classrooms is like catacombs.

d. All the above.

(viii) The poet advises us not to do two things while keeping quiet. What are these?

a. Not to speak and quarrel.

b. Not to move our arms and weapons.

c. Not to speak and move our arms.

d. All the above.

(ix) What does 'sudden strangeness' mean?

a. strangeness which is sudden

b. moment of sudden blissful quietness

c. a moment of sudden blissful experience.

d. Both 3 & 4 above.

PART B ( SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS)

Q8. Attempt ANY ONE of the following. (1x5=5)

(A)You are Sameera/Sameer the owner of Pink Power, a café run only by women. You are looking for an interior designer to design the interiors of the café. Draft a suitable advertisement for the same, in about 50 words to be published in the classified columns of the National Daily, the local newspaper.

OR

(B) You are Rachael/Rueben, President of the Wellness Cell of your school. You decide to organise a workshop, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. This workshop would be conducted by the school counsellor. Write a notice in about 50 words, informing the students of class XI-XII about the workshop.

Q9. Attempt ANY ONE of the following. (1x5=5)

(A) You are Dr. Stanzin, a certified 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 dealing with personal and social problems. Write your reply, in about 50 words accepting the invitation.

OR

(B)You are Rukmini/ Raja of R-201, Fort Road, Chennai. You have just purchased a new house. You decide to have a house-warming ceremony and invite your cousin Balaji. Write the invitation in 50 words giving all necessary details.

Q10. in our society we do not give our women the respect and status that they deserve. Women are stared at, stalked and even molested. We need to change the male mindset about women . write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national newspaper giving your views on the problem . You are Omar/Amna, A 114 Mall road, Delhi. 8 Marks

Q11. While reading about new places and searching for them online has its merits, the advantages of actually travelling to various destinations far exceed them. Write an article in 120-150 words for the magazine Travel Times, evaluating both these options. You may use the cues given below along with your own ideas. You are Amrit/ Amrita. 8 Marks.

• Builds confidence

• Make friends and memories

• Experience new cultures

• Expands knowledge

Q12. Attempt ANY FOUR out of the six questions given below, in 30-40 words each (2x4=8)

(a) How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?

(b) Why was Franz not scolded on reaching the school late that day?

(c)What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

(d) How is Mukesh different from other bangle makers of Firozabad?

(e) Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

(f) What factors led Douglas to decide in favour of YMCA pool?

Q13. Attempt ANY Three out of the six questions given below, in 30-40 words each. (2x3=6)

(a)What strange things did the narrator see when he reached the third level of

Grand Central?

(b) How does the narrator describe Galesburg, Illinois?

(c) Why did Dr. Sadao seek Hana’s help to treat the US soldier?

(d) What solution did Hana offer to resolve Dr. Sadao’s predicament?

(e)How did Hana react when she saw a messenger at the door in official

uniform?

(f) Give two reasons why Dr. Sadao was not sent with the troops abroad?

Q14.Attempt ANY Three of the following questions in 120-150 words. (2x3=6)

a) Why has the mother been compared to the late winter’s moon?

b) What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

c) How does the poet describe the classroom walls? What do they symbolize?

d) What does the poet want for children of the slums? How can their lives be made to change?

e) Which symbol from nature does the poet invoke that there can be life under apparent stillness?

f) Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?

Q15. Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words. (1x5=5)

a) The day of the last lesson was full of regret and sadness. Describe the events of the day in the classroom in the light of the above remark.

b) The story Deep Water talks about Douglas’ attempts to overcome his fear of water. The story can also be viewed as a figurative manifestation of life’s many challenges. Elaborate with reference to the text.

Q13. Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words (1x5=5)

(a) The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry, tension and stress. What are the ways in which we attempt to overcome them?

(b) Good human values are far above any other value system. How did Dr. Sadao succeed as a doctor as well as a patriot?

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