SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

ENGLISH ELECTIVE
SUBJECT CODE 001
CLASS XII (2023-2024)
Total Time: 3 hours Marks: 80 Marks

General instructions

1.This paper is divided in THREE sections.

SECTION A -READING
SECTION B – GRAMMAR & WRITING
SECTION C- LITERATURE & FICTION

2. Separate instructions are given with each part and question, wherever necessary. Read the
instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.

3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A
READING COMPREHENSION
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (Any Twelve) 12
1. The man with the white face entered the carriage at Rugby. He moved slowly in spite of the urgency of his
porter, and even while he was still on the platform I noted how ill he seemed. He dropped into the corner over
against me with a sigh, made an incomplete attempt to arrange his travelling shawl and became motionless,
with his eyes staring vacantly. Presently he was moved by a sense of my observation, looked up at me, and
put out a spiritless hand for his newspaper. Then he glanced again in my direction. I feigned to read. I feared
I had unwittingly embarrassed him, and in a moment I
was surprised to find him speaking.

2. "I beg your pardon?" said I.

"That book," he repeated, pointing a lean finger, "is about dreams."
"Obviously," I answered, for it was Fortnum Roscoe's Dream States, and the title was on the cover.
He hung silent for a space as if he sought words.
"Yes," he said at last, "but they tell you nothing."
I did not catch his meaning for a second.
"They don't know," he added. I looked a little more attentively at his face.
"There are dreams," he said, "and dreams."
That sort of proposition I never dispute.
"I suppose--" he hesitated. "Do you ever dream? I mean vividly."
"I dream very little," I answered. "I doubt if I have three vivid dreams in a year."
"Ah!" he said and seemed for a moment to collect his thoughts.
"Your dreams don't mix with your memories?" he asked abruptly.
"You don't find yourself in doubt; did this happen or did it not?"
"Hardly ever. Except just for a momentary hesitation now and
then. I suppose few people do."
"Does he say--?" He indicated the book.
"Says it happens at times and gives the usual explanation about intensity of impression and the like to
account for its not happening as a rule. I suppose you know something of these theories--"
"Very little--except that they are wrong."

3. His emaciated hand played with the strap of the window for a time. I prepared to resume reading, and that
seemed to precipitate his next remark. He leant forward almost as though he would touch me.
"Isn't there something called consecutive dreaming--that goes on night after night?"
"I believe there is. There are cases given in most books on mental trouble."
"Mental trouble! Yes. I daresay there are. It's the right place for them. But what I mean--" He looked at his
bony knuckles. "Is that sort of thing always dreaming? Is it dreaming?
Or is it something else? Mightn't it be something else?"

4. I should have snubbed his persistent conversation but for the

drawn anxiety of his face. I remember now the look of his faded eyes and the lids red stained--perhaps you
know that look.
"I'm not just arguing about a matter of opinion," he said.
"The thing's killing me."
"Dreams?"
"If you call them dreams. Night after night. Vivid!—so vivid . . . this--" (he indicated the landscape that
went streaming by the window) "seems unreal in comparison! I can scarcely remember who I am, what
business I am on . . . ."He paused. "Even now--"
"The dream is always the same--do you mean?" I asked.
"It's over."
"You mean?"
"I died."
"Died?"

5. "Smashed and killed, and now, so much of me as that dream was, is dead. Dead forever. I dreamt I was
another man, you know, living in a different part of the world and in a different time.I dreamt that night
after night. Night after night I woke into that other life. Fresh scenes and fresh happenings--until I came
upon the last--"
"When you died?"
"When I died."
"And since then--"
"No," he said. "Thank God! That was the end of the dream.. . "

6. It was clear I was in for this dream. And after all, I had an hour before me, the light was fading fast, and
Fortnum Roscoe has a dreary way with him. "Living in a different time," I said: "do you mean in some
different age?"
"Yes."
"Past?"
"No, to come--to come."
"The year three thousand, for example?"
"I don't know what year it was. I did when I was asleep, when I was dreaming, that is, but not now--not now
that I am awake.
There's a lot of things I have forgotten since I woke out of these dreams, though I knew them at the time
when I was--I suppose it was dreaming. They called the year differently from our way of calling the year . .
. What did they call it?" He put his hand to his forehead. "No," said he, "I forget." He sat smiling weakly.
For a moment I feared he did not mean to tell me his dream. As a rule, I hate people who tell their dreams,
but this struck me differently. I proffered assistance even. "It began--" I suggested.

7. "It was vivid from the first. I seemed to wake up in it suddenly. And it's curious that in these dreams I am
speaking of I never remembered this life I am living now. It seemed as if the dream life was enough while it
lasted. Perhaps--But I will tell you how I find myself when I do my best to recall it all. I don't remember
anything clearly until I found myself sitting in a sort of loggia looking out over the sea. I had been dozing,
and suddenly I woke up--fresh and vivid--not a bit dreamlike—because the girl had stopped fanning me."
(956 words)

-adapted from A Dream of Armageddon by H.G.Wells

On the basis of your reading of the above excerpt, choose the correct option to answer the following
questions: (Any Twelve)

(a) How did the man with the white face behave as he entered the carriage?
(i) Excited and enthusiastic
(ii) Scared
(iii) Excited and nervous
(iv) showed no enthusiasm.

(b) What was the name of the book which the narrator was reading?
(i) Fortnum Roscoe's Dream States
(ii) Dream States
(iii) Dreams of the States
(iv) State of the Dream

(c) What was the man’s opinion about the theory of dreams given in the narrator’s book?
(i) He felt that it was all correct
(ii) He felt the book painted a wrong picture.
(iii) He felt that the book explained nothing.
(iv) He felt that the book was confusing.

(d) Statement 1: The narrator couldn’t snub the man’s conversation.

Statement 2: The man with the white face looked anxious.
(i) Both 1 & 2 are correct and 2 is the reason for 1.
(ii) Both 1 & 2 are correct and 2 is not the reason for 1.
(iii) 1 is correct and 2 is incorrect.
(iv) Both 1 & 2 are incorrect.

(e) What is NOT the reason for narrator being interested in listening to the man’s description of his last dream?
(i) The man’s dream was about an alien.
(ii) It was getting dark.
(iii) The narrator had still an hour’s journey left.
(iv) His book was getting boring.

(f) What did the man NOT say about the last dream which he had?
(i) It was a dream which wasn’t clear.
(ii) He was sitting in the loggia.
(iii) His last dream was very clear.
(iv) He would wake up in these dreams suddenly.

(g) Choose the correct option:

Which of the following is NOT true for the Man with the white face?
(i) He moved around slowly.
(ii) He looked sickly.
 (iii) He didn’t want to talk about his dream.
(iv) He didn’t believe in theories of Fortnum Roscoe's Dream States

(h)"I dream very little," I answered. "I doubt if I have three vivid dreams in a year. This line highlights that
the narrator did not –
(i) Have normal dreams.
(ii) Good sleep pattern.
(iii) Give much importance to the science behind dreams.
(iv) like talking to the man with the white face.

(i) How does the use of vivid and descriptive language in the passage enhance the reader's
understanding of the man's experience?

(j) Complete the sentence appropriately.

It is fair to say that the man's experience of consecutive dreaming is similar with being lost
in a maze because _______________.

(k) Choose the right answer which explains the phrase:

He hung silent for a space as if he sought words.

(i) he was at a loss of words.
(ii) he was indecisive.
(iii) he was left hanging because of his indecisiveness.
(iv) he stayed silent for some time as if he searched for words.

(l) State whether the following opinion is TRUE or FALSE.

The author implies that memory and consciousness are not objective, but rather are
shaped by our subjective experiences and perceptions.

(m) What does the man with the white face, most likely mean by "there are dreams, and dreams"?
(Reference-paragraph 2)

(n) What do the man's "vacant" stare and "spiritless" hand suggest about his condition?

(o) In paragraph 2, the narrator says , “I did not catch his meaning for a second.”
Which of the following expressions correctly display the usage of “catch”?
(a) catch a glimpse (b) catch a hunger (c) catch an anger
(d) catch a skill
2 Read the poem ‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney, given below. [1X4
Between my finger and my thumb =4]
The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.
Under my window, a clean rasping sound
When the spade sinks into gravelly ground:
My father, digging. I look down
Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds
Bends low, comes up twenty years away
Stooping in rhythm through potato drills
Where he was digging.
 The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft
Against the inside knee was levered firmly.
He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep
To scatter new potatoes that we picked,
Loving their cool hardness in our hands.
Digging by Seamus Heaney

Based on your understanding of the poem, answer FOUR of five given questions.

(a) What is the significance of the comparison of the pen to a gun in the second line of the
poem?
(i) It highlights the violence and aggression associated with writing.
(ii) It emphasizes the power of the written word to bring about change.
(iii) It suggests that the act of writing can be just as dangerous as using a weapon.
(iv) It demonstrates the speaker's admiration for their father's skill with both a pen and a
spade.

(b) Which of the following statements best describes the speaker's attitude towards his
father's work in the poem?

i. The speaker admires his father's hard work and dedication to his task.
ii. The speaker is critical of his father's choice of profession and feels it is beneath him.
iii. The speaker is indifferent to his father's work and does not place much value on it.
iv. The speaker is resentful of his father for making them participate in the work.
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The poet’s use of a metaphor in the line "The coarse boot nestled on the lug, ...” compares
________________________________.

(d) What can be inferred about the setting of the poem based on the description of the sound
of the spade sinking into the ground?

(i) The setting is rural and quiet.

(ii) The setting is urban and noisy.
(iii) The setting is industrial, yet serene.
(iv) The setting is suburban and bustling.

(e) What is the effect of the repetition of the word "digging" throughout the poem?
3 Read the passage given below. [1X4
=4]
Most cities, may not be prohibit hawking as a profession, but do place restrictions on the use
of urban space. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted in 1998-99 on street
vending, to provide concrete data for furthering the cause of the hawkers.
Eight cities were selected—Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Imphal, Patna, Bhubaneswar and
Bangalore.
Three points were important while selecting respondents –hawkers were from different parts
of a city; sold a variety of goods and adequate numbers of women were covered. The
questionnaire was included questions on personal details, details regarding the work and the
hazards faced.

Table : Results of the survey

It is fair to say that hawkers cannot be removed, because apart from their own livelihood,
their services benefit the common urban dweller.
(120 words)
Adapted from: https://www.wiego.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/Bhowmik-Hawkers-URBAN-
INFORMAL-SECTOR.pdf
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer FOUR of five given questions.

(a) Fill in the blank by selecting the appropriate option.

The study aims to ________________ the practice of street vending in urban spaces.

(i) support
(ii) discourage
(iii) understand
(iv) prove

(b) Jagan goes door to door with his basket of goods to sell bananas in the city. What action
from his end would lead to a prohibition on hawking?

(c) State TRUE or FALSE

The following question could have been a part of the study survey.
 Question: What are the challenges presented by the security guards?

(d) Complete the sentence appropriately.

The most preferred form of source of capital, according to the survey table, exposes the
hawkers to exploitation because ___________.

(e) State a point in support for the given opinion:

Street vending must be legalised as a profession.
SECTION B
APPLIED GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING
4 Transform the following sentences as per the given instructions. (Any eight) [1X8
= 8]
(a) The librarian orders books for the school library every year.
(Begin: Books…)
(b) No one will deny that the children have worked very hard this year.
(Begin: Everyone…)
(c) As soon as the teacher enters, she is greeted by her students.
(Begin: No sooner….)
(d) She is so busy that she finds no time to entertain her friends.
(Rewrite using ‘too’)
(e) In spite of the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy some bread.
(Begin: Despite.…)
(f) Sheela will be selected for the competition only if she goes for the auditions.
(Begin: Unless….)
(g) I would rather eat fruit than a lot of unhealthy junk food.
(Begin: I prefer….)
(h)The tree was cut down ruthlessly.
(Begin: They…)
(i) The old woman said to Arun, “Can you help me to cross the street?”
(Begin: The old woman asked Arun …………………)
(j) How cruel Shylock was to demand his pound of flesh!
(Begin: It was cruel…………………)

5 Attempt any three of the following four questions in 120-150 words each. [5X3=
15]
(a) “What man calls civilization always results in deserts. Man is never on the square he uses
up the fat and greenery of the earth. Each generation wastes a little more of the future with
greed and lust for riches”- Don Marquis

With our modern awareness of ecology are we likely to make sufficient progress in
conservation, or are we still in danger of damaging the earth beyond repair? Write a discursive
essay discussing the issue being raised.

(b) "That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives
everything its value."- Thomas Paine
 Do we value only what we struggle for? Plan your response, and then write an essay to explain
your views on this issue. Be sure to support your position with specific points and examples.
(You may use examples from your reading, observations, and inputs from subjects such as
History, Science and literature)

(c) Certainly anyone who insists on condemning all lies should think about what would happen
if we could reliably tell when our family, friends, colleagues, and government leaders were
deceiving us. It is tempting to think that the world would become a better place without the
deceptions that seem to interfere with our attempts are genuine communication. On the other
hand, perhaps there is such a thing as too much honesty. - Adapted from Allison Kornet, “The
Truth About Lying

Would the world be a better place if everyone always told the complete truth? Plan and write an
essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with
reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

(d) It is widely believed that people do their best work when they are promised rewards for their
achievements. Our schools and workplaces operate on the assumption that good work occurs
when people are competing for grades, money, or recognition from others. In truth, the prospect
of rewards provided by others can inhibit and limit people’s drive and creativity.People do their
best work when motivated from within by their enjoyment of a particular challenge and their
satisfaction in doing something well.

What do you think motivates people to do their best? Plan and write an essay in which you
develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples
taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.

6 You are the editor of your school magazine. You have recently attended a cultural programme [5X1=
in your city. Write a report of this programme in about 120-150 words using the points given 5]
below:

Date and venue – occasion – Chief Guest – other invitees –

inauguration – events –other important features – highlights – reaction
of audience – conclusion
SECTION C- TEXTBOOK & FICTION
7 (a) Read the extracts given below and attempt one out of the two. [1x6
i During the morning nobody worried about the car encrusted in the wall, for people assumed it =6]
was one of those that had been parked on the pavement. But when the crane lifted it out of its
setting, the body of a woman was found secured behind the steering wheel by a seat belt. The
blow had been so brutal that not a single one of her bones was left whole. Her face was
destroyed, her boots had been ripped apart and her clothes were in shreds. She wore a gold ring
shaped like a serpent, with emerald eyes.”

a. Who wore a gold ring?

b. How did she make her living?
c. What state was ‘She’ discovered in?
 d. Why did the author mention the snake ring?
e. Why did no one bother about the damaged car?
f. Which word can be a good synonym for brutal?

(i) Brash (ii) ebullient

(iii) cruel (iv) crass

OR

(b) “He was tall, slim, blond, blue eyed. His hair was thinning, had turned somewhat grey, but
he managed to disguise these signs of age. He stooped a little, but in company was quick to
straighten up. Years ago in Germany he had worn a monocle…”

a. Who does ‘he’ refer to?

b. What signs of age were evident on him?
c. ‘But in company was quick to straighten up….’ What does this phrase reflect about ‘him’?
d. Pick out the word from the extract which means to conceal one’s appearance by using
wigs/glasses etc.
(i) straighten (ii) disguise
(iii) monocle (iv) stooped

(e) What had happened to his uncle?

(f) Give a brief description of him.
7 (a) Read the extract given below and answer the questions which follow: [1x6
ii To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love =6]
All pray in their distress;
And to these virtues of delight
Return their thankfulness.
For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God, our Father dear,
And Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is man, His child and care.
For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.

Then every man, of every clime,

That prays in his distress,
Prays to the human form divine,
Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.

(a) What is the central message of the poem?

(b) What is the significance of the repetition of "Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love" throughout the
poem?
(c) What is the meaning of the phrase "the human form divine" in the poem?
 (d) In what ways does the poem reflect Blake's religious beliefs and philosophy?
(e) How does the poem address the themes of compassion and unity across cultures and
religions?
(f) Pick out the word from the stanza which is an antonym of ‘earthly’.

OR
(b) Read the extract given below and answer the questions which follow:
Stand still, and I will read to thee
A Lecture, Love, in Love's philosophy.

These three hours that we have spent,

Walking here, two shadows went
Along with us, which we ourselves produced;
But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduced.

So whilst our infant loves did grow,

Disguises did, and shadows, flow
From us, and our cares; but now 'tis not so.
That love has not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.

(a) What is the central message of the poem?

(b) What is the significance of the shadows in the poem?
(c) What is the meaning of the phrase "Love's philosophy" in the poem?
(d) In what ways does the poem reflect Milton's view of love and relationships?
(e) How does the poem use imagery and figurative language to convey its message?
(f) Pick out the word from the extract which is an apt synonym of ‘conscientious’.
8 Answer any one of the following two questions in 30-40 words. [2X1
a) What are the contrasts in "The Wild Swans at Coole" by W.B. Yeats? =2]
OR
b) Why did Dr. Margolin not want to attend the wedding at Brownsville?

9 Answer any one of the following two questions in 40-50 words each. [3X1
(a) Why did Eveline let go of the opportunity to escape? =3]
OR
(b) What makes Marquez call Neruda a renaissance pope?
10 Answer any one of the following two questions in 120-150 words each. [5X1
(a) Comment on the significance of the river Alph in "Kubla Khan"? =5]
OR
(b) "Chandalika" is a powerful exploration of the intersection of caste, gender, and identity in
Indian society. Elucidate.
11 Answer any one of the following questions in 30-40 words. [2X1
a) What is the significance of the title "A Tiger for Malgudi"? =2]
OR
 b) What lesson is learnt by the tragic event at the end of the novel?
OR
c) Explain the meaning of the name ‘Margayya’ in the novel ‘The Financial Expert’.
OR
d) Describe No 14 D Vinayaka Street.
12 Answer any one of the following questions in 40-50 words [3X1
a) How does Narayan use symbolism to represent Raja's character in the novel? =3]
OR
b) How does Narayan use humor in the novel, and what effect does it have on the story?
OR
c) Comment on the father-son relationship in the novel ‘The Financial Expert.’
OR
d) Describe briefly Margayya’s newfound career in the publishing house
13 Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words. [5X1
(a)The Grand Malgudi Circus is a prominent setting in R.K. Narayan's novel "A Tiger for =5]
Malgudi. Discuss.
OR
(b) How does "A Tiger for Malgudi" explore the theme of the relationship between humans
and animals?
OR
(c) Lakshmi Holmstrom in “The Novels of R. K. Narayan” Calcutta: Writers Workshop
Publication, 1973, comments “Different abilities and values are opposed and matched until Pal
becomes a “nightmare to Margayya”. Keeping the above statement in mind, trace the evolution
of Margayya and Mr. Pal’s relationship.
OR
(d) “A man whom the goddess of wealth favours need not worry much. He can buy all the
knowledge he requires. He can afford to buy all gifts that Goddess Saraswathi holds in her palm”
In the light of the above lines, elaborate the relation of the human and divine realms in R.K.
Narayan’s, The Financial Expert.
 MARKING SCHEME
ENGLISH ELECTIVE
CODE NO. 001
(2023-2024)
Total Time: 3 hours Marks: 80 Marks

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1.This paper is divided in THREE sections.
SECTION A -READING
SECTION B – GRAMMAR & WRITING
SECTION C- LITERATURE & FICTION

2. Separate instructions are given with each part and question, wherever necessary. Read the
instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions
SECTION A
READING COMPREHENSION
1 On the basis of your reading of the above excerpt, answer the following 12
questions briefly.
a) showed no enthusiasm.
b) Dream States
c) He felt that the book explained nothing.
d) Both 1 & 2 are correct and 2 is the reason for 1.
e) The man’s dream was about an alien.
f) It was a dream which wasn’t clear.
g) He didn’t want to talk about his dream.
h) Give much importance to the science behind dreams.
i) Any one of the following:
 immerses the reader in the man's dream world
 allows for a more empathetic understanding of his experience
j) Any one of the following:
 both experiences involve a sense of being trapped or confined.
[Just as being lost in a maze involves being trapped within the maze's walls,
the man's experience of consecutive dreaming involves being trapped within
his own mind, unable to escape his dream state.]
 both experiences involve a sense of seeking a way out or a path
to resolution [Just as someone who is lost in a maze seeks a way out of the
maze, the man in the story is seeking a way to break the cycle of consecutive
dreaming and return to a normal state of consciousness.]
k) he stayed silent for some time as if he searched for words.
l) TRUE
 [In the passage, the man is unable to remember his current life while in his
dream state, and his dreams are influenced by his memories and experiences.
The dreams are described as "intensely real" and the man becomes lost in
them, which suggests that his consciousness is fully immersed in the dream
world. This blurring of reality and dream, memory and consciousness, suggests
that our perceptions of the world are shaped by our subjective experiences and
are not necessarily objective or fixed.].
m) Any one of the following:
 It suggests that not all dreams are equal or have the same significance.
 It alludes to the idea that some dreams are merely the product of
random brain activity while others may hold deeper meaning or insight
into one's subconscious.
n) suggests that not only is he physically ill but mentally /emotionally
drained
o) (a)
2 Based on your understanding of the poem, answer FOUR of five given 4
questions.
a) (iii) . It suggests that the act of writing can be just as dangerous as
using a weapon.
[The potential impact that words can have on the world and highlights the
responsibility that writers have to use their words wisely.]
b) (i). The speaker admires his father's hard work and dedication to
his task.
[Throughout the lines, the speaker describes his father's work in detail and
shows an appreciation for the effort and skill required to do it well. The final line,
"Loving their cool hardness in our hands," suggests that the speaker has a
positive association with the work and enjoys the results of their father's labour.]
c) ...the boot to a part of a machine [implying that the foot is firmly and
securely in place, like a component of a lever]
d) (i). The setting is rural and quiet.
[The description of the "clean rasping sound / When the spade sinks into gravelly
ground" suggests a natural and peaceful environment, with no other sounds to
drown out the sound of the digging. This description, combined with the image
of the flowerbeds and potato drills, creates a picture of a rural and tranquil
setting.]
e) (Any one)
 emphasizes the physical labour involved in the work,
 creates a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem
 underscores the speaker's appreciation for the effort and
skill required to do the work well
 draws attention to the importance of the work and creates
a sense of continuity and connection between past and
present.
3 Read the passage given below. 4

a) i
b) If he were to set up a stall using the city space, he would be
prohibited from hawking goods.
c) TRUE [ it could have been a part of the study survey because the
survey questionnaire included questions on the hazards faced by
hawkers -paragraph 3]
d) moneylenders can charge high interest rates
e) Agree, because it cannot be prohibited as it provides income to the
hawkers and various services to the citizens.
SECTION B
APPLIED GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING
4 (a) Books for the school are ordered by librarian every year. 8
(b) Everyone agrees that children worked very hard this year.
(c) No sooner did the teacher enter that she was greeted by her students.
(d) She is too busy to entertain her friends.
(e ) Despite the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy bread.
(f) Unless she goes for the auditions, she won’t be selected.
(g) I prefer eating fruit to unhealthy junk food.
(h) They cut down the tree ruthlessly.
(i) The old woman asked Arun if he could help her to cross the street.
(j) It was cruel of Shylock to demand a pound of his flesh.
5 Attempt any three of the following four questions in 120-150 words 15
each.
Credit to be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas,
appropriate use of language and skills of reasoning.

(a) The marks may be divided as

Content – 2 marks
Organisation – 1 marks (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical
accuracy)
(b) The marks may be divided as
Content – 2 marks
Organisation – 1 marks (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical
accuracy)
(c) The marks may be divided as
Content – 2 marks
Organisation – 1 marks (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical
accuracy)
(d) The marks may be divided as
Content – 2 marks
Organisation – 1 marks (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
 Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical
accuracy)

6 The marks may be divided as 5

 Format 1 (heading + name of contributor)
 Content –2 marks (inputs from the verbal cues to be used)
 Expression – 2 marks (grammatical accuracy, vocabulary,
coherence, fluency)
SECTION C – TEXTBOOK & FICTION
7 (i) 7 (i) (a) 6
(a) Frau Frieda
(b) She earned her living by working as a psychic- she sold her dreams
(c) her body was crushed as a result of massive blow of the wave.
(d) Snake ring proved very important in the narrator recognizing the woman as
Frau Frieda.
(e) No one bothered about the damaged car because they thought that there were
no occupants – it was just a wreckage-
(f) (iii) cruel

OR
7 (i) (b)
(a) Dr Margolin
(b) grey thinning hair,stooped
(c) Very careful about his public image-how he appeared to others-took great pride
in appearance
(d) (ii) disguise
(e) His uncles had been had perished during the Jewish Genocide in Germany.
(f) Dr. Margolin was a skilled and respected physician- was a poor man’s son who
had risen in life due to his hard work and intelligence-was called a prodigy in
childhood-
7 (ii) Suggestive Responses 6
7.(ii) (a)
(a) The central message of the poem is that the qualities of Mercy, Pity, Peace, and
Love are divine and should be revered in all people, regardless of race or religion.
The poem suggests that these virtues are the essence of God and that they exist in
every human being.
(b)The repetition of "Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love" throughout the poem
emphasizes the importance of these virtues and reinforces the idea that they are
divine. The repetition also creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the
poem.
(c)"The human form divine" refers to the idea that the qualities of Mercy, Pity,
Peace, and Love are not only divine, but also inherent in human beings. Blake
believed that God was present in every person and that we all have the potential to
embody these virtues.
(d) The poem reflects Blake's religious beliefs and philosophy in several ways.
Blake was a Christian mystic who believed that God was present in every person
and that the qualities of Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love were divine. He also
 believed in the importance of compassion and unity across cultures and religions,
as reflected in the poem.
(e) The poem addresses the themes of compassion and unity across cultures and
religions by suggesting that the qualities of Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love are
universal and that they exist in every human being.
(f) divine
OR
7.(ii) (b)
(a) The central message of the poem is that love is fleeting and prone to change,
much like the shadows that follow us throughout the day. The speaker suggests
that as our love grows and matures, it becomes less subject to the whims of fate
and more stable and enduring.
(b) The shadows in the poem symbolize the fleeting nature of love and the
transience of human life. The speaker suggests that just as our shadows change
throughout the day, so too does our love evolve and grow.
(c) "Love's philosophy" refers to the idea that love is a complex and ever-changing
emotion that is difficult to understand or predict. The speaker suggests that just as
philosophy seeks to understand the nature of existence, so too does love seek to
understand the nature of human relationships.
(d) The poem reflects Milton's view of love and relationships as being complex
and subject to change. The speaker suggests that love is often driven by passion
and impulse, but that it can also be a source of stability and endurance as it
matures over time.
(e) The poem uses imagery and figurative language to convey its message by
comparing love to the shadows that follow us throughout the day. The use of
metaphors and similes, such as comparing love to a child or a game, adds depth
and complexity to the speaker's message.
(f) diligent
8 Suggestive Responses 2
(a) W. B. Yeats establishes several fundamental contrasts past to present, present to
future, bound to free. Poet is keenly aware of his ageing while the swans seemed
to have not changed at all.

(b) Dr. Margolin did not want to attend the wedding at Brownsville as he would
have to report early to the hospital on Monday Morning. Furthermore, he disliked
the fact that Jewish laws and customs were distorted in such events.
9 Suggestive Responses 3
(a) Eveline let go of the opportunity to escape as she feels a sense of obligation to
her family and home. She is afraid of the unknown thus, prospect of leaving
everything she knows behind and starting a new life in a foreign country with a
man she barely knows is overwhelming.

(b) Neruda is being compared to the Renaissance Popes, who were known for
being gluttons. Neruda, too was fond of eating and took extreme pleasure in
tasting, observing and discussing food. His wife would put an enormous bib
around him to save his clothes from the sauce. Renaissance Popes were known for
being corrupt.
10 Suggestive Responses 5
(a) The river Alph in "Kubla Khan" is significant as a symbol of the creative power
of the human imagination. The speaker describes the river as "holy" and originating
from a "cavern" before flowing through "measureless" and "sacred" grounds. This
 imagery suggests that the river is a source of divine inspiration and creativity, and
that it represents the deep subconscious or mystical realm of the human mind. The
river is also associated with the process of artistic creation, as the speaker describes
the "ancestral voices prophesying war" that he hears while under the influence of
the river's magical power. The fact that the river is eventually interrupted by a
"mortal" and "damsel" who forbid the speaker from completing his vision suggests
that the limits of human imagination are always subject to the restrictions of the
physical world. In this way, the river Alph represents both the limitless potential and
the inherent limitations of human creativity.
OR
(b) The play delves into the issue of caste discrimination. Prakriti is treated as an
outcast due to her birth, and she is forced to live on the margins of society, deprived
of many basic rights and opportunities. The play highlights the injustice of this
system, showing how it perpetuates inequality and hinders social progress.
The play also deals with the issue of gender discrimination. It shows how it can
impact women’s sense of self-worth and identity. Prakriti, who is a woman as well
as an outcast, is further ostracized by society, and the play explores the ways in
which this affects her psyche and her sense of self.
The play also explores the theme of identity, particularly the question of how one's
social identity intersects with one's personal identity. Prakriti struggles with her
identity as an outcast, and her encounters with Ananda, a Buddhist monk, prompt
her to question her sense of self and her place in the world.
11 Suggestive Responses 2
(a) The title suggests that Raja is not just a character, but rather a symbol for the
town of Malgudi. Raja is untamed, wild nature that exists in the world and serves
as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment.

(b) The event serves as a powerful commentary on the cruelty of keeping wild
animals in captivity for entertainment purposes. It also highlights the danger
inherent in interacting with them, as they are inherently unpredictable.

(c) The word Marga means way and the word Ayya is an honorific suffix used in
southern parts of India. The name Margayya thus means the one who guides and
shows the way to others.

(d) Margayya’s house was situated on Vinaayk Mudali marg and bore the address
14 D .It was a famous landmark and was one of the earliest house to be built there.
It was on the outskirts of the town beside a cremation ground.
12 Suggestive Responses 3
a) Raja is a symbol of the untamed wilderness and natural world that exists outside
of human civilization. Narayan uses Raja to explore the tension between civilization
and the natural world, and to suggest that our relationship with the environment is
a fundamental aspect of our humanity.

(b) Narayan uses humor to offset the seriousness of the novel's themes, and to
explore the absurdity of the human-animal relationship. The comic moments in the
novel serve to humanize the animal characters, and to highlight the ways in which
human behavior can seem nonsensical from an outsider's perspective.

(c) The book financial expert presents a realistic and detailed picture of the father-
son relationship. Margayya and his son Balu share a fraught relationship. Being an
 only child, he was pampered in childhood and thus became a menace for
them.Margayya failed in imparting moral values and life lessons, thus ruining him.

(d)Margayya sold the manuscripts of Bed Life by Dr. Pal for whatever cash he had
and was assured that the book named Domestic Harmony would sell in thousands
if the right publisher was found. Madan Lal agrees to publish it on a 50-50
partnership. The book becomes popular and Margayya hits a fortune.
13 Suggestive Responses 5

(a) It is a traveling circus that features a wide range of acts and performances,
including acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, and animal acts. The circus is known for
its colorful and lively atmosphere, and it attracts crowds of people wherever it goes.
One of the most popular acts in the Grand Malgudi Circus is Raja the tiger, who is
kept in captivity and forced to perform in a cage. The novel explores the ways in
which these animals are treated by their handlers, highlighting the cruelty and
mistreatment that can occur in circuses. Despite its popularity, the Grand Malgudi
Circus is also depicted as somewhat seedy and run-down, with characters who are
often down on their luck and struggling to make ends meet. This adds to the novel's
overall sense of melancholy and introspection, characters grapple with questions of
identity, purpose, and morality against the backdrop of the colorful and chaotic
circus world.

(b) The novel explores the complex and often fraught relationship between humans
and animals, highlighting the cruelty and mistreatment that animals can face at the
hands of humans. Through its personification of Raja, the novel validates the
experiences and emotions of animals who are too often neglected by their captors,
promoting cultures of nonviolence between humans and animals. Tiger’s idyllic,
natural life is brutally interrupted when hunters kill all of Raja's cubs. By
demonstrating Raja's profound grief at the loss of his children, Narayan encourages
the reader to think of tigers as creatures with emotions not so different from our
own. Through the stark juxtaposition between Raja's life in the wild and in captivity,
Narayan encourages the reader to treat animals as fellow creatures with all the
wants, needs, and feelings that we have and to ultimately let them be free in the
wild.

(c) Value points

Lakshmi Holmstrom in “The Novels of R. K. Narayan” Calcutta: Writers Workshop
Publication, 1973, comments “Different abilities and values are opposed and
matched until Pal becomes a “nightmare to Margayya”. Pal truly becomes a
nightmare for Margayya as he accelerates his downfall. His book’s purpose as he
stated was to create happiness in the world andto prevent tragedies relating to ill-
matched couples.Though he was crucial in lifting Margayya’s economic status but
also took him away from Saraswati’s way.He became Balu’s constant companion
and initiated him into immoral activities of playing cards, drinking alcohol and
womanizing Margayya's spar with Pal ended with disastrous implications for
Margayya and he lost all his wealth and became poor. He is the cause for the ruin
of Margayya’s son, spreads rumours about him and brings about his decline.

(d)
Value points
A man whom the goddess of wealth favours need not worry much. He can buy all
the knowledge he requires. He can afford to buy all gifts that Goddess Saraswathi
holds in her palm” In the financial expert human and divine realma are
interconnected and manifest themselves at various junctures. Margayya’s sacred
little ledger contained a symbol of Goddess Saraswati and it transformed Margayya.
Having got fame, he becomes a new devotee of Goddess Laxmi
Having lost his original name Krishna, in fact has also lost his own way.Though he
gains material wealth but loses his soul and fails to give moral values to his
son.Ultimately after losing everything, he returns to Goddess Saraswati