MUST DO CONTENT

CLASS XII (2021-22) TERM II

ENGLISH (core)
Under the Guidance of:
Sh. K. S. Upadhyay (RDE)
Dr .Mohd. Javed Qamar (DDE EAST)
Sh. S.K.Sharma (DDE- Zone-II)
Ms. Sushma Meena (HoS, R.P.V.V., I.P.Ext.)

Prepared by:
Dr. Prachi Ahmad, Lecturer
S.K.V. Gazipur, 1002184
Ms. Vijaishwari Negi, Lecturer
S.K.V., West Vinod Nagar,1002032
Ms. Kiran Bala,Lecturer
S.O.E.,Khichripur,1002400
Ms Seema Verma, Lecturer
S.K.V., West Vinod Nagar,1002032
 BLUEPRINT OF THE QUESTION PAPER TERM II
SUB: ENGLISH (CORE)
CLASS: XII (2021-22)
TOTAL MARKS 40
QUESTION NO. TOTAL MARKS WEIGHTAGE

READING SKILLS
1. COMPREHENSION 8
35%
2. CASE STUDY 6
WRITING SKILLS
3. SHORT COMPOSITION: INVITATION AND REPLIES 3
4. LETTER WRITING: JOB 20%
APPLICATION/REPORTWRITING 5
LITERATURE
5. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (FLAMINGO AND
VISTAS) 2x5 10
45%
6. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION (FLAMINGO &
VISTAS) 4x2 8
40 100%

Project 10 Marks
 ENGLISH CORE (CODE 301)
CLASS – XII (2021-22)
Term II
Revised Pattern of the Question Paper/ Syllabus

Total: 40 MARKS

Section A- Reading : 14 Marks

1. Short questions based on one unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation and
inference. Vocabulary and inference of meaning will also be assessed. The passage may be
factual, discursive, persuasive or literary. Eight out of nine questions to be done. (1x8=8 Marks)
2. Short questions based on one unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like
statistical data, charts, newspaper report etc. Six out of seven questions to be done.(1x6=6
Marks)

Section B -Writing 08 Marks

3. Short Writing Task (3x1=3)
(Word limit 50 words)
Formal and Informal Invitations/
Replies to Invitations
4. Long Writing Task (one) (5x1=5)
Letter of Application for Job
Report Writing (120-150 words)

Literature: 18 Marks
Questions based on texts to assess comprehension and appreciation, analysis, inference and
extrapolation.
. 5 Short questions out of 6 based on texts Flamingo and Vistas (both prose and poetry) (540
words) 2x5=10 Marks
6. 2 long questions out of 3 based on texts Flamingo and Vistas (both prose and poetry) (120-
150 words) 4x2=8 Mark

Flamingo (prose)
• The Rattrap
• Indigo
Flamingo (poetry)
• A Thing of Beauty
• Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Vistas
• Should Wizard Hit Mommy
• On the Face of It
• Evans Tries an O Level
Formal Invitation
LETTER FORMAT
TEMPLATE
Sender’s address

Date

Receiver’s address

Subject:___________

Sir/Madam

…….Name of host…. has the pleasure of inviting……. name of guest ……..in the….. name of event…. as
a chief guest/ judge/ resource person/Speaker on…. Date… at …..time…. at …..venue….. .

A word of confirmation will be appreciated.

Regards

Name

FORMAL INVITATION-CARD FORMAT

(FOR FAMILY FUNCTIONS)
TEMPLATE
Mrs. and Mr.__________________
Cordially invite you
on the occasion of
Marriage /birthday/housewarming party/any other occasion
of
name
as per details given below
Date:____________
Time:___________
Venue:____________
R.S.V.P. With best compliments from
Address and phone number Family and friends
Note:

• Programme overleaf
• Entry from Gate No. 2
 FORMAL INVITATION-CARD FORMAT
SCHOOL FUNCTION
TEMPLATE

The Principal, Staff and Students of

NAME of SCHOOL
Cordially invite you on the occasion of
NAME of EVENT
as per details given below
Date :___________
Time:__________
Venue:_____________
Chief guest:__________

R.S.V.P.
Vice Principal
Phone No.__________________
Note:

• Entry from Gate No.2

• Programme overleaf

INFORMAL INVITATION
TEMPLATE
Sender’s address

Date

Dear Name of the receiver

It gives me great pleasure to inform you that I have arranged a small party on the occasion of
………………………………………………… on …….date………at ……..time………. at ….. Venue……. . Please
do come to join the function and make it a memorable event for us.

Yours sincerely
Name of the sender
 REPLIES TO INVITATIONS
A.FORMAL REPLIES
B.INFORMAL REPLIES

1.ACCEPTANCE:
2.REFUSAL
Formal Reply:
Acceptance

TEMPLATE: ACCEPTANCE

Date

……Mrs/Miss/Mr .Name /Names of the sender of the reply…..thanks/thank ... Mr/Mrs

Name/Names of the receiver of the reply…..for the kind invitation for …...Name of the
function….to be held on..Date……...at……..Time ……...at...Venue. .She/He/They is/are happy to
accept the invitation and will attend the function.

TEMPLATE: REFUSAL

Date

….Mrs./MisMr..Name/Names of the sender of the reply…...thanks/thank

….Mrs/Miss/Mr.Name /Names of the receiver of the reply…..for kind invitation for…...Name
of the function….to be held on ...Date…….at……...Time…….at...Venue. She/He/They is/are
regret her/his/their inability to attend the function due to prior engagement.
FORMAL REPLY ACCEPTANCE
Example :
Q1. Miss Jyotika Rani had received an invitation from Mr Jaidev Babu for his housewarming
party. Write a formal reply on her behalf accepting the invitation.
Ans:
16 February 2022

Ms. Jyothika Rani thanks Mr. Babu for the kind invitation for the housewarming party of his
new house on Monday 21st February 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at Bharat Community Centre
Apartments ground. She is very delighted to accept the invitation and confirms her presence
in the function.

FORMAL REPLY: REFUSAL

Example

Q2. On behalf of Mrs. and Mr. P.R. Dev. Draft a reply declining the invitation to the wedding
party of Mrs. and Mr. M.N. Raja.
Ans:
16 February 2022
Mrs. and Mr. P.R. Dev thank Mrs. and Mr. M.N. Raja for the kind invitation to their wedding
party to be held on Monday 21st February 2022 at 7 PM at Rose Banquet Hall, East Delhi.
They regret their inability to attend the party due to a prior engagement. They extend their
best wishes.

*POINTS TO REMEMBER:
*Written in third person.
* Only Date is mentioned
*No salutation, subject, signature

INFORMAL REPLIES: ACCEPTANCE

TEMPLATE :
Address of the sender of the reply

Date

Dear name/Sir/Madam

I am happy to receive your invitation for your….. party/function ……... to be held on …Date…
at…..Time…….at….Venue.... I would be happy to join the party on time. Looking forward to
have a great time with you.
 Yours truly
name
TEMPLATE: REFUSAL

Address of the sender of the the reply

Date

Dear Name/Sir /Madam

I am happy to receive invitation for your party/function to be held on……... Date ……...at
Time.. at …...Venue. I regret to inform you that I would not be able to join the function due
to an urgent work. I wish you a great time.

Yours truly
Name

INFORMAL REPLIES: ACCEPTANCE

EXAMPLE
Q1. Sociology Club of Sarvodaya School, Vinod Nagar is organising a grandparents’ day in which
you are being invited as a chief guest. Draft a reply to the invitation accepting it

Examination Hall
Delhi

16 February 2022

Dear Madam
Thanks a lot for inviting me as a chief guest for grandparents day function to be held on 28
February
2022 at 10:00 AM in the school hall. I shall attend the function. I express my best wishes for
its success.

Yours sincerely
Abc

Ans:
INFORMAL REPLIES REFUSAL

EXAMPLE
Q2. Your friend Jaidev invited you to attend the function organised by him to celebrate his
selection in IIM Ahmedabad. Draft a reply expressing your inability to attend the function. You
are Rudranksh, from C 5, Lakshmi Nagar.

Ans:
C 5 Lakshmi Nagar
Delhi

15 February 2022

Dear Jaidev

Thanks a lot for inviting me to the function to celebrate your selection in IIM Ahmedabad to
be held on 28 February 2022 at 8:00PM at DDA Park Lakshmi Nagar. I am sorry to inform you
that I shall not be able to join you due to prior engagement in another city.

Yours truly
Rudranksh

Points to remember:
To be written:
Sender's address
Date
Dear /Respected Sir/Madam/Name
First person, Second person is used .
APPLICATION FOR JOB
TEMPLATE

Sender's address
__________________
___________________

Date

Designation of Receiver
Receiver's address
___________________

Subject: Application for the post of____________________.

Sir
In response to your advertisement in the…..newspaper’s name …..dated…. for the post
of….._Name of the post…, I hereby offer my candidature for the same. I have the needed
qualification and experience for the above post.
I have pleasant personality. I am young and dynamic. I have good communication skills in English
and regional language. I have working knowledge of computers. I assure you of the best services
if selected. I am enclosing my biodata.
Thank you
Yours sincerely
Name
Enclosures: 1) Biodata
2) Photocopies of certificates

BIODATA/RESUME/CURRICULAM VITAE (CV)

1. Name: As you wrote in the letter

2. Father's name: Mr______________
3. Age:_________________________
4. Address: As you wrote in the letter
5. Email ID: ________________
6. Hobbies: Photography, listening music
7. Languages known: English, Hindi
8. Nationality: Indian
9. Educational qualification:
S.No. Class Board/University Marks
1 X CBSE 80 %
2 XII CBSE 70 %
3 Graduation Delhi University 65 %
 4 Diploma Delhi University 89 %

10. Experience: 02 Years in Name of company/ organisation/ school.

11. Expected Salary: Negotiable
12. References: 1. Name
Address:
Contact No.:
2. Name
Address:
Contact No.:

Report writing
Format
……Heading / Title……
By … Name of the Reporter
……..Date…..
Content
I Para – Introductory Para
What, day, date, place, time
II Para – Participants, preparation of the event, welcome of guests
III Para – Main features
Main steps
Main attractions.
IV Para – Conclusion

Expression:

• Past tense
• Spelling
• Proper order of ideas.

REPORT WRITING

1.Tragic incident
2. Pleasant incident

EXAMPLE-Tragic Incident

Q1. You are Derry/Edla, a resident of Delhi. Last week while travelling to Seemapuri you
witnessed a train accident. Write a report on it.

Ans:
 Title/Topic: A Train Accident
By: Derry/Edla
Date __________

A fatal train accident took place on 10th January at 8 a.m. near Seemapuri Colony crossing. The
Rajdhani Express coming from Patna collided with a goods train coming from Rohtak. The
Rajdhani Express got derailed.

There were six hundred people in the Rajdhani Express. Six people died on the spot including two
women. Forty people got injured including ten children. Many people got trapped in bogies of
the train. Local people took the injured to nearby hospital. According to the doctors, the
condition of five persons was critical.

There was chaos at the accident site. Luggage were lying scattered all around. People were
looking for their dear ones. The rescue team arrived after one hour. They rescued the people
trapped in the bogies. A team of doctors and nurses arrived at the site. The DM expressed his
grief. An enquiry committee was set up.

EXAMPLE-Pleasant Incident

Q 2: You are Jennifer/Jack, head girl /boy of Sarvodaya School, Mandawali. Your school organised
a zonal level workshop on value based education last week. Write a report on it.

Ans: Title/Sub: Workshop on Value Based Education

By: Jennifer/Jack
Date:………….. .

A workshop on Value Based Education was organised by Sarvodaya School, Mandawali on 28

January 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the school hall. The school was decorated with
posters, flags and charts.

Two hundred students of class 11th and 12th and their teachers took part in it. Mrs. Jayanti Rani,
head of CBSE, Mr. Jay Raja, head of NGO Bharat and Mrs. K. Tuli, head of NCERT were the resource
persons.

Mrs. Tara Devi, the school principal welcomed the guests and participants. Students of class 9th
presented a small skit on importance of value based education.

Mrs. Jayanti Rani began the workshop with an introductory lecture. She highlighted the
importance of workshops on such topics. After that the participants were given topics to discuss
in groups. It was followed by a question answer session. The resource persons answered all the
questions. A documentary prepared by SCERT was shown. After that booklets by NCERT were
distributed to students.
At the end of the session, the principal of the school thanked the resource persons. She praised
the students for their active participation. There was also an arrangement of light refreshment.

LITERATURE

CH- THE RATTRAP

By Selma Lagerlof

Short answer type questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer)

Q1: From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
A: The peddler had a boring life. He sold rattraps made by him. One day while thinking
about his rattraps, the idea struck him. He enjoyed the idea of the world being a rattrap.
Q2: Why did peddler feel happy to think about the world being a rattrap? Why was he
amused by the idea?
A: Nobody ever welcomed the peddler. People were unkind to him. He felt happy thinking
bad about the world.
Q3: Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality/welcome he received from the crofter?
A: No, the peddler did not expect any kind of hospitality/welcome. He was surprised by the
warm welcome.
Q4: Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
A: The crofter was a lonely man. He had no wife or children. He was happy to get someone
to share his feelings.
Q5: Why did the crofter show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
A: The crofter was a simple man. He told the peddler about thirty kronor he had earned. He
thought that the peddler did not believe him, so he showed him the money.
Q6: Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
A: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. The
peddler stole his money.
Q7: What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
A: When the peddler entered the forest, he lost his way. He kept on walking. It became
dark. He was tired and cold in the forest. This made him realize that he had indeed fallen
into a rattrap.
Q8: Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler & invited him home?
A: The ironmaster mistook the peddler for his old friend, a captain. He wanted to help him
regain his health and start some work.
Q9: Why did the peddler decline the invitation of ironmaster?
A: Peddler had stolen money with him. He feared that he would be caught by the police.
Q10: What did Edla notice about the peddler?
A: Edla noticed fear in his eyes. She thought he had either stolen something or escaped
from prison.
Long answer type questions (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)

Q1: What made the peddler finally change his ways?

A: The peddler was never welcomed by anybody. He had bitterness towards people. He did
not have any sense of dignity and self-respect.
Edla’s kind and generous treatment of the peddler uplifted his sense of dignity. She called
him captain. She assured him that he was free to move out of the house at his own will. She
requested her father to let the peddler stay for the Christmas party. She gifted her father’s
suit to him.
The peddler wanted to prove himself worthy of the kindness and respect shown to him. He
left the house as a reformed man leaving behind the stolen money and a letter thanking
Edla.
Q2: Compare and contrast the characters of the ironmaster and Edla? /Why only Edla could
bring the reform in peddler and not her father?
A: The ironmaster was the owner of the iron mill. He was an ambitious man. He had poor
observation power. He mistook the peddler for his old friend, a captain. He wanted to help
him. He did not have persuasive power. He could not convince the peddler. He did not
accept his own mistake easily. He wanted to handover the peddler to police.
Edla was iron master’s daughter. She was kind and considerate. She had sharp observation
power. She noticed the fear in the eyes of the peddler. She persuaded her father to let the
peddler stay at their home for Christmas party. She brought positive changes in peddler by
her goodness.
Q3: How does the metaphor of the world being a rattrap serve to highlight the human
predicament? / “The world is a rattrap” justify. / Justify the title of the story ‘The Rattrap’.
A: The metaphor of “The world being a rattrap” symbolizes the negative impact of greed,
low self-esteem and loneliness. In the world full of baits like money, riches and food, a man
can easily get trapped into it. Love, respect and moral support can provide enough strength
to a man to break open the trap and reform himself.
In the story “The Rattrap” the peddler with his extreme poverty and helplessness has no
human dignity left in him. He steals the money of the crofter who gives him food and
shelter. It pushes the peddler into a trap of fear and guilt. He cannot enjoy simple life
anymore. Edla with her kind and compassionate behaviour brings about a change in Pedler.
He returns the stolen money and becomes a better person.

CH-INDIGO
Louis Fischer

Short answer type Questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer)

Q1: Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?

A: Rajkumar Shukla was an Indigo sharecropper from Champaran, Bihar. He wanted Gandhi
ji's help against the injustice done to the sharecroppers. Gandhi ji had other engagements.
He followed Gandhi ji for several weeks and succeeded in making Gandhi ji visit Champaran.
Q2: What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British demand
 and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo? /
What was the entire issue of indigo sharecroppers?
A: Peasants of Champaran were compelled to plant 15 percent of their land with indigo.
They paid the entire indigo harvest as rent. Germany developed synthetic indigo. It lowered
the price of natural indigo. The landlords did not want indigo crop any more. Instead of
freeing the peasants from 15 percent arrangement, they demanded compensation for it.
Some of the peasants happily gave compensation. When they came to know about the
synthetic Indigo, they felt cheated. They wanted their money back. They filed cases in the
court.
Q3: Why did Gandhi ji agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmer?
A: Gandhi ji agreed to 25 percent refund because for him the amount of refund was less
important than the fact that the landlords were found guilty. They had to surrender not
only the illegal money but also their prestige.
Q4: "Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor". Do you think
that the poor of India are free from fear after independence?
A:No, the poor of India are not free from fear even after independence. The common man
is afraid of raising his voice against injustice. He is afraid of police, politicians, bureaucrats,
rich and the system. In fact, freedom from fear is the real freedom. If the people are
fearless, they can fight against injustice.
Q5:What did Gandhi ji do to remove the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran
villages? / “Gandhi ji’s style of politics was intertwined with sociocultural upliftment of poor
people”. Justify. / “Sociocultural upliftment of the common man was an integral part of
Gandhi Ji’s politics.” Justify.
A: During his stay in Champaran, Gandhi ji saw the cultural and social backwardness in the
Champaran villages and wanted to do something about it. Primary schools were opened in
six villages with the help of two teachers- Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh. Kasturbai
taught the Ashram rules of personal cleanliness and community sanitation. Gandhi ji got a
doctor to serve the villagers for six months with the help of only three medicines locally
available.
Q6: Who was Charles Andrews? What did he want to do? Why did Gandhi ji oppose his
help? / How did Gandhi ji teach a lesson of self-reliance to the lawyers?
A: Charles Freer Andrews was an English pacifist. He became a follower of Mahatma
Gandhi. He had to go to a tour of duty to the Fiji Islands. He came to say goodbye. Gandhi
ji's lawyer friends wanted him to stay in Champaran and help them. But Gandhi ji strongly
opposed the idea. He scolded the lawyers. They should not feel weak and seek help of an
Englishman. They should themselves fight for their cause.
Q7: How did the Champaran episode change the plight of the peasants?
A: Settlement of compensation cases boosted the morale of the peasants. Earlier the British
landlords were above the law. The peasants knew that they had rights and defenders. They
were free from fear. Within a few years, the British landlords left Champaran and the indigo
sharecropping disappeared completely.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)
Q1: Why do you think Gandhi ji considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in
his life?
A: The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhi ji's life. Champaran peasants were
being exploited by the British landlords. Gandhi ji started a movement in order to help the
indigo sharecroppers. It involved civil disobedience, spontaneous protests from indigo
sharecroppers, non-violent mass demonstrations and Satyagraha. It also gave strength to
the peasants and made them free from fear. For the first time, the Indians saw that they
had rights and defenders. They learnt to be courageous. Gandhi ji also realised the
importance of common man in any national struggle. Only after Champaran episode, the
path of India’s independence became clear. So the Champaran episode is considered as a
turning point in his life.
Q2: The ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement. Comment? / According
to Gandhi ji the real relief for the peasants of Champaran was freedom from fear. How did
Gandhi ji succeed in making the peasants free from fear? / How did Civil Disobedience
triumph for the first time in modern India?
A: Gandhi ji started enquiry into the issue of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran.
Sharecroppers arrived at Muzaffarpur to meet their champion. Later in Motihari, Gandhi ji
was served with an official notice to quit Champaran. Gandhi ji disobeyed the order. In
return Gandhi ji received a summons to appear in court the next day. The common man
learned courage and spontaneously assembled in front of the court house in big numbers.
The British were helpless. They had to free Gandhi ji without any trial. The civil disobedience
won for the first time in India. Ordinary people were the base of Indian freedom movement.
It was led not only to gain political freedom but to free Indians from fear of British.
Champaran episode was an example of common man’s contribution to the freedom
struggle.

Poem: A Thing of Beauty

John Keats

Short answer type questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer):
Q1: Why does the poet call a thing of beauty a joy forever?
A: A thing of beauty always gives happiness. Its importance in life never ever becomes less.
Q2: List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem. / Mention any four things of beauty
that add joy to our life. / Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his
poem?
A: The sun, the moon, trees, the daffodil flowers, small streams and musk rose are the
beautiful things mentioned in the poem.
Q3: List the things that cause suffering and pain. / Mention any two things which cause pain
and suffering to human beings.
A: Days without any hope, lack of good people, days full of sadness, wrong ways of people
cause suffering and pain to human beings.
Q4: What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
A: Beautiful things in nature like the sun, the moon, the trees and flowers help human
 beings to love life. These things remove all kinds of sadness and fill the minds with hope and
happiness.
Q5: Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?
A: The deeds of the mighty dead and their stories inspire us and remove all kinds of sadness
from the mind and fill the mind with hope and happiness.
Q6: What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
A: Poet uses the image of the sun, the moon, old and young trees, the daffodils, green
world, the clear rill, musk rose. He also uses the image of an endless fountain of immortal
drink.
Q7: In the hot season how do man and beast get comfort?
A: Nature's bounty of beautiful things help man and beast to get comfort even in hot
seasons. Examples are quiet bower with shady trees, clear rills with cool water, old and
young trees.
Q8: How is man bound to the earth as per the poem A Thing of Beauty?
A: Things of beauty remove all kinds of pain and hopelessness. They create hope and fill the
minds with happiness. The beautiful things make man form a close bond with the Earth.
Q9: What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call
its drink immortal?
A: Keats considers beautiful bounties of nature as fountain of immortal drink. He calls it
immortal as the happiness and hope given by it is everlasting.
Q10: What is the message of the poem 'A Thing of Beauty?
A: Message of the poem is that a thing of beauty is always a source of joy for us. Nature is
full of beautiful things. We can get inspiration and happiness from them.

Long answer type questions (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)

Q1: List the poetic devices used in the poem 'A Thing of Beauty'.
A: The poem has a beautiful language full of poetic devices. Metaphor is used in ‘bower
quiet’, ‘sweet dreams’, ‘wreathing a flowery band’, pall and ‘endless fountain of immortal
drink’.
Alliteration in ‘noble nature’ and ‘cooling covert’.
Imagery is in ‘flowery bands’, ‘shady boon’, ‘clear rill’, ‘daffodils in green world’, ‘endless
fountain of immortal drink’.
Symbol in ‘simple sheep’. Transferred epithet in ‘gloomy days’. Oxymoron in ‘mighty dead’.
Q2: What is the relevance of the message of the poem 'A Thing of Beauty' in the 21st
century city life?
A: The poet describes the adverse situation around man like hopelessness, lack of noble
people, days full of sadness but at the same time the poet suggests the ways to overcome
these problems. The bounty of nature is full of beautiful things. Beautiful things remove all
kind of sadness and fill the mind with hope and happiness.
In twenty-first century city life people of all ages feel stressed. They think that there is no
support that can calm down their mind. But nature is there to help. People can take time
out from their busy life and go near nature, appreciate the beauty of nature, and spend
time with nature. It will help them to divert their mind from stress, from pollution, from
uncertainty and from pandemic. Nature is the best healer. Nature is there everywhere. We
 can go out of the city for a few hours if time allows, otherwise we can look around at the
plants, the birds, the sky and the moon .We can enjoy the sunlight and thank the Nature.
The message is relevant in the present times also.

POEM: AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

By Adrienne Rich

Short answer type questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer)
Q1: Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer?
A: The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are bold and brave. They are not afraid of men. They
live in forest. They are made by aunt on a screen.
Q2: Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?
A: Aunt Jennifer was timid. She was afraid of men. She wanted to show her wish to be
fearless and bold by making tigers on the panel.
Q3: What happens to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead?
A: The tigers will remain on the screen. They will remain bold and fearless.
Q4: How do ‘denizens and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitude?
A: ‘Denizens’ refers to tigers who live fearlessly in the forest. ‘Chivalric’ refers to their bold
and courageous nature.
Q5: What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’?
A: It shows the burden of married life women face. It keeps the women away from simple
enjoyment of life.
Q6: Interpret the symbols found in the poem.
A: ‘Tiger’ is a symbol of strength, confidence and bravery. These qualities are
associated with men. Ring is a symbol of bondage, a married woman feels in an unhappy
marriage.

POETIC DEVICES:
Alliteration: Fingers fluttering
Prancing proud
Hyperbole: The weight of husband’s wedding ring
Symbols: Tigers, ring, band, aunt, uncle, Aunt’s hand
Pun: Ringed
Irony: A weak and submissive women weaving tiger
RHYMING SCHEME - aabb

Long Answer Type Questions (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)

Q1: Analyse the symbols used in the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tiger.
A: Symbols used in the poem represent the situation of a Aunt Jennifer and her fight to
overcome the oppression.
‘Tigers’ are the symbol of free spirit and fearlessness. Aunt Jennifer has a hidden wish to be
 free from all kinds of bondages which the marriage has created for her.
Wedding band symbolises the oppressive customs of the society which expect a married
woman to be obedient and submissive.
Embroidery symbolises the creative energy of a woman who in spite of all kinds of burdens
keeps creating. She uses creativity as a way of expression of her wishes in a male
dominated society.
Uncle symbolises a patriarchal society which believes in keeping women under control in
the name of societal customs like marriage.
Q2: Do you think the theme of the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers is relevant in the twenty first
century? Justify your answer.
A: Yes, the theme of the poem is relevant even in the twenty first century. The patriarchy
always tries to control women. It restricts their freedom in the name of various societal
norms like duties as a married woman or as a daughter of the family.
In the twenty first century in spite of educational opportunities and laws to protect
women's rights, societal oppression is very much there in every strata of the society.
Domestic violence, gender specific crimes against women, discriminations in workplaces
show that women are oppressed and harassed by people with a patriarchal mindset.
Women are expected to do all kinds of domestic work and child rearing even if they have a
full time office job or other responsibilities. Raising voice against oppression is not
welcomed by the society .Women can become the victim of honour killing or may be
labelled as unfit to be a wife or a mother.

Should Wizard Hit Mommy

By John Updike

Short answer type questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer)

Q1: Who is Jo? How does she respond to her father's story telling?
A: Jo is a little girl of 4 years. Her father Jack tells her stories from his own imagination. She
takes interest in the story and asks questions in between.
Q2: How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?
A: The wizard used his magic wand and chanted some magic words and changed Roger
Skunk’s bad smell to the smell of roses.
Q3: How did Roger Skunk's mommy react to his new smell?
A: Mommy did not like the smell of roses. She was angry that his smell had changed. She
immediately went to the wizard, hit him with her umbrella and got the old smell back.
Q4: Why did Jo want the wizard to hit Mommy?
A: When Wizard changed the smell of Roger Skunk, Jo was very happy that he had friends.
But, when Mommy hit the wizard and got his smell back, she did not like it. He wanted the
wizard to hit Mommy and retain the smell of roses.
Q5: What are the moral issues that the story raises?
A: The story raises the issue of Parental Control. Should children be given absolute
freedom? Should parents be given absolute control? The story also raises issue of
generation gap and lack of communication.
 Q6: How does Jo want to end the story and why?
A: Jo wants to end the story when Roger Skunk smells of roses. She is a young child and for
her friends are really important .She doesn't want any unhappiness or sadness around. So
she wants to end the story on a happy note.
Q7: Why did Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and not the mother?
A: Jack wanted to establish that parents knew better than their children. Mother was
experienced and knew that the bad smell was the protective mechanism and identity for
skunk. Jack wanted to communicate that parents always wanted the best for the children.
Q8: What makes jack feel caught in the ugly middle position?
A: Jack is caught in an ugly middle position. Perhaps as a child he had to face the Parental
Control of his mother and had to act in contrast to his wishes. Now he himself is a parent
and has to control his daughter. So he finds himself caught between an ugly middle
position.
Q9: Give an example to show that Jo was a sensitive child?
A: Jo was a sensitive child as she was sad and felt the pain of small Roger Skunk. She did not
want Roger to suffer loneliness.

Long Answers (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)

Q1:'An adult's perspective is different from that of a child'. Why? Answer with reference to
the story 'Should Wizard Hit Mommy'
A: An adult always behaves according to their experience of the world. Whereas children
are innocent and react spontaneously and naturally. Roger Skunk's mother knows that his
bad smell is the protective mechanism of nature. She knows that this bad smell saves him
from many dangers.
But Jo's perspective is very innocent and natural. For her, friends are important and she
wants the smell of roses to win friends. So she insists on the smell of roses and even wants
the wizard to hit Mommy and retain the smell of roses.
Q2: Why did Jo disapprove of Jack's ending of the story of Rodger Skunk? How did she want
it to end?
A: Jo was a child of 4 years. For her the problems and solutions are very simple. She had the
problem that Roger Skunk did not have any friend due to his bad smell. She had a very
simple solution that his smell should be changed. When Wizard changed his smell to roses,
she thought that the problem was gone and now Roger would have a lot of friends to play.
In the end of the story, when Jack brought in an adult perspective that the bad smell was
the defence mechanism of Skunks. Jo disapproved of it. She didn't like the reaction of Roger
Skunk's mother who went to the wizard, hit him with an umbrella and restored his bad
smell. She insisted his father Jack to change the ending of the story and wanted the wizard
to hit Mommy and retain the smell of roses.

ON THE FACE OF IT
By Susan Hill

Short Answer type Questions (2 markers with two value points as an answer)
 Q1: Why does Mr. Lamb leave the gate of his house always open?
A: Mr. Lamb likes to welcome people to his garden. He does not want to shut the things.
Q2: How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cold?
A: Mr Lamb gets a ladder and a stick. He pulls down the crab apples from the trees. He
makes jelly.
Q3: What kind of garden does Mr. Lamb has? Why does he like it?
A: Mr Lamb has a big garden. It has many fruit trees, herbs and weeds in it. The gate of the
garden remains open. He likes his garden as it has many things which keep him busy.
Q4: How does Mr Lamb react when Derry enters his Garden?
A: Mr Lamb does not express any kind of surprise and anger. He welcomes Derry and tells
him that his gate remains open to all.
Q5: How does Mr lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?
A: Mr Lamb helps Derry to come out of his narrow views on life. He tells him to enjoy the
beauty hidden in everything. He tells him to ignore people's attention and see the positivity.
Q6: Why did Mr Lamb help Derry?
A: Mr Lamb knew the pain and alienation a person feels on account of his disability. He had
learnt to divert his mind away from taunts of people. He wanted to help Derry overcome his
pain. He wanted to help him to develop positive attitude.
Q7: What is the bond that Unites Mr Lamb and Derry?
A: Physical disability and isolation from society forms a bond between them. Mr Lamb uses
his experience to guide Derry to change his negative attitude.
Q8: Why does Derry's mother not want him to go back to visit Mr. Lamb?
A: Derry's mother believes her neighbours. They have many baseless and wrong opinions
about Mr. Lamb. She thinks Mr Lamb is not a normal person.
Q9: In what sense is the friendship between Mr. Lamb and Derry fruitful?
A: The friendship helps Derry to get over his baseless fears. He finds a person whom he can
trust and share his fears with. Mr Lamb finds Derry as a person who can help him overcome
his sense of loneliness.
Q10: How did Mr Lamb spend his time?
A: Lamb spent his time sitting in the sun, reading books, listening to bees, making Jelly and
watching nature.
Q11: Why did Derry jump into Mr Lamb's garden?
A: Derry thought that there was nobody inside the garden. He wanted to avoid people.

Long Answer type questions (4 Markers with four value points as an answer)

Q1: What was it that drew Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of himself?
A: Mr. Lamb did not ask uncomfortable questions. He did not show any kind of shock or
surprise. This normal way of looking at him made Derry feel drawn towards Mr Lamb.
Mr Lamb told Derry about his tin leg to make Derry feel one with him. He did not talk much
about his personal problems. He kept talking about the things around him, the trees, the
bees and even weeds. He helped Derry to see and enjoy the gifts of nature. He gave his own
example to help Derry ignore people's comments.
 Derry got impressed with the way Mr Lamb took his disability. He found in Mr. Lamb a
person who was different and genuine.
Q2: Derry and Mr Lamb both are victims of physical impairment but their attitude towards
life are completely different? Elaborate.
A: Derry is a young boy. He lives with his family. One side of his face is burnt because of
acid. He thinks that his life is ruined because of the burnt face. He believes that the people
talk about his face and feel sorry for him. He hates this behaviour of people. He wants to
run away from people. He has a negative attitude towards life.
Mr Lamb is an old man, one of his legs is of tin. He has no family. He lives alone in a big
house. He loves nature and enjoys every little thing which is there around him. He has no
complaints. He spends his time sitting in the sun and listening to bees. He welcomes people
in his garden. He does not mind children making fun of him and calling him lamey lamb.
His positive attitude towards life helps him to overcome the sense of loneliness and pain.
Mr Lamb with his positive outlook helps Derry to look towards the positive side of life and
enjoy it.

TERM II
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22)
ENGLISH – CORE CLASS-XII
Time allowed: 2 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 40
General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A – READING (14 marks)
Read the passage given below

1. While there is no denying that the world loves a winner, it is important that you recognize
the signs, of stress in your behaviour and be healthy enough to enjoy your success. Stress can
strike anytime, in a fashion that may leave you unaware of its presence in your life. While a
certain amount of pressure is necessary for performance, it is important to be able to recognize
your individual limit. For instance, there are some individuals who accept competition in a
healthy fashion. There are others who collapse into weeping wrecks before an exam or on
comparing marks sheets and finding that their friend has scored better.
2. Stress is a body reaction to any demands or changes in its internal and external environment.
Whenever there is a change in the external environment such as temperature, pollutants,
humidity and working conditions, it leads to stress. In these days of competition when a person
makes up his mind to surpass what has been achieved by others, leading to an imbalance
between demands and resources, it causes psychosocial stress. It is a part and parcel of
everyday life.
3. Stress has a different meaning, depending on the stage of life you are in. The loss of a toy or
a reprimand from the parents might create a stress shock in a child. An adolescent who fails an
examination may feel as if everything has been lost and life has no further meaning. In an adult
the loss of his or her companion, job or professional failure may appear as if there is nothing
more to be achieved.
4. Such signs appear in the attitude and behaviour of the individual, as muscle tension in
various parts of the body, palpitation and high blood pressure, indigestion and hyperacidity.
Ultimately the result isis self-destructive behaviour such as eating and drinking too much,
smoking excessively, relying on tranquilisers. There are other signs of stress such as trembling,
shaking, nervous blinking, dryness of throat and mouth and difficulty in swallowing.
5. The professional under stress behaves as if he is a perfectionist. It leads to depression,
lethargy and weakness. Periodic mood shifts also indicate the stress status of the students,
executives and professionals.
6. In a study sponsored by World Health Organization and carried out by Harvard School of
Public Health, the global burden of diseases and injury indicated that stress diseases and
accidents are going to be the major killers in 2020.
7. The heart disease and depression both stress diseases are going to rank first and second in
2020. Road traffic accidents are going to be the third-largest killers. These accidents are also an
indicator of psychosocial stress in a fast-moving society. Other stress diseases like ulcers,
hypertension and sleeplessness have assumed epidemic proportions in modern societies.
8. A person under stress reacts in different ways and the common ones are flight, fight and flee
depending upon the nature of the stress and capabilities of the person. The three responses
can be elegantly chosen to cope with the stress so that stress does not damage the system and
become distressed.
9. When stress crosses the limit, peculiar to an individual, it lowers his performance capacity.
Frequent crossings of the limit may result in chronic fatigue in which a person feels lethargic,
disinterested and is not easily motivated to achieve anything. This may make the person
mentally undecided, confused and accident-prone as well. Sudden exposure of unnerving stress
may also result in a loss of memory. Diet, massage, food supplements, herbal medicines,
hobbies, relaxation techniques and dance movements are excellent stress busters.(CBSE DELHI
2012)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT questions from the nine given
below.
1x8=8

(i) What is stress?

(ii) What factors lead to stress?
(iii) What are the signs by which a person can know that he is under stress?
(iv) What are the different diseases a person gets due to stress?
(v) Give any two examples of stress busters.
(vi) How does a person react under stress?
(vii) What makes a person mentally undecided?
(viii) Which things are stress busters?

(ix) Which word in the above passage mean the same as “inactive” (para 9)

2. Read the passage given below. 6

I. Himachal Pradesh. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have emceed as the front runners in the
race to achieve key sustainable development goals (SDG) like removal of poverty
inequality, while Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the laggards in ranking of
states.
II. According to the SDG India Index, the nation as a whole has a store of 57, showing
the country has reached a little beyond the halfway mark in meeting the sustainable
development goals adopted by India and 192 other nations in 2015. The index
covers 13 of the 17 sustainable development goals, including healthcare, gender
equality, clean energy, infrastructure, education, peace and building strong,
accountable institution.
III. For goals, including climate action and sustainable use of marine resources, were left
out because of lack of data the state level. Kerala’s overall top rank(69) is attributed
to its strong performance in good health, reducing hunger, achieving quality
education The rank shows distance each state has to cover to reach 100- the point
at which it fully meets sustainable development goal.

IV. Himachal Pradesh ranks high with a similar overall score in providing clean water

and sanitation, reducing inequalities and preserving the mountain ecosystem. Tamil
Nadu has a score of 66. Among Union territories, Chandigarh takes the lead with a
score of 68 on account of its track record in providing clean water and sanitation.
Performance in providing quality education has also helped Chandigarh achieve high
score
V. Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction, while Kerala topped in providing
quality education, closely followed by Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. Kerala and
 Tamil Nadu also topped in facilitating good health and well-being. Gender equality,
however, is an area all states and the nation as a whole need to improve upon.

VI. The toppers in gender equality, Sikkim and Union territories .Andaman and Nicobar
Islands and Chandigarh, have crossed the hallway mark in reaching the goals. The
scores represent the current status of achievement in meeting the goals. (Adapted
from https://ncerthub.in/2021/10/case-based-factual-passage-mcqs-html)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY SIX questions from the seven given
below: 1x6=6

(i) According to the survey which state topped in providing quality education?
(ii) Name any two sustainable goals covered in the index?
(iii) Which states topped in providing good health and well-being?
(iv) Which state ranks high in providing clean water?
(v) Which SDG needs to be improved by all states?
(vi) How Chandigarh has scored sixty eight in SDG index?
(vii) Which states are toppers in gender equality?

SECTION B – WRITING 8 Marks

3. You have received an invitation from your sister at Mumbai to spend some days during your
summer vacation with her. You are Amit/ Amita, of 36, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Draft a reply of
acceptance in not more than 50 words. jj 3 Marks
4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5 Marks

A. Sun Pharma Ltd. urgently requires an accountant for which they have placed an
advertisement in a national daily. You are Rajat/Rekha Sharma from 48, Vasant Vihar,
Delhi. Draft a letter including a CV, applying for the advertised post.

OR

B. You had attended a workshop on career counselling for students. Many eminent
personalities had been present their to give guidance on different career paths. Write a
report in 125-150 words on how the workshop proved to be beneficial. You are
Sohan/Shubha..

SECTION C - LITERATURE 18 Marks

5. Attempt ANY FIVE of the six questions given below, within 40 words each. 5x2=10
i. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler & invited him home?
ii. Why did Gandhi ji feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?
iii. Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?
iv. How can “mighty dead" be things of beauty?
v. What is the bond that Unites Mr Lamb and Derry?
vi. Why did Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and not the mother?

6. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words each. 4x2=8
i. Gandhi ji's was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was loyalty to living, human beings. Why did
Gandhi ji continue his stay in Champaran even after indigo sharecropping disappeared? Write
your answer in about 120-150 words.
ii. How does a thing of beauty bring joy in our lives? Explain in about 120-150words.
iiii. What is more responsible for Evan's escape, his smartness or the flaws on the part of jail
authority? Give reasons in 120-150 words to support your answer.