CENTRE FOR ADVANCEMENT OF STANDARDS IN EXAMINATIONS

(GEMS ASIAN SCHOOLS)

COMMON REHEARSAL EXAMINATIONS 2025
(ALL INDIA SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION)

Subject: ENGLISH CORE Time: 3 hours

Subject Code: 301 Max. Marks: 80

General Instructions:
Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them.

i. This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.

ii. The question paper contains three sections:
Section A: Reading Skills
Section B: Creative Writing Skills.
Section C: Literature
iii. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct
question number and part thereof in your answer sheet.
iv. Separate instructions are given with each questions/part wherever necessary.
v. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A
READING SKILLS (22 marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully: (12)

(1) Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us
to survive in the outside world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an
individual’s development restricted to merely academics? In India, from an early age,
we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only;
the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always
considered a hoax. This has hindered students’ development. But the truth is that
education represents a considerably broader field than we know of it. Our teaching,
from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades and job offers, rather than
being creative and unique.

(2) In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for a
whole new type. The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People
have now come to understand that education is a 360-degree activity that should

Page 1 of 16
 focus on students’ overall development, rather than restricting him/her to the
classroom.

(3) Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or
supplement classroom curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today.
These activities help in the growth of the child, in more than one way. Participating
in such activities helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and individually.
Intellectual development of a student is developed in the classroom, but for the
aesthetic development such as team- building, character- building, and physical
growth, students must step out into the outside world. For instance, if a student is a
part of school football team, he/ she will learn team- work and coordination, in a
practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.

(4) Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a need for practical exposure so that
the students can experience the actual working of an industry. For example, taking a
student to a manufacturing firm will give him/ her the real insight and better
learning of the industry. Catering to this change, most professional colleges including
B schools, have started providing practical exposure to students through regular
guest lectures, industrial visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals, and so on.
With industry visits, students are able to better identify their prospective areas of
work in the overall organizational function. Moreover, they help enhance
interpersonal skills and communication techniques. In addition, guest lectures are
equally important for all – round development of students. It is a great way for
students to gain maximum exposure, as guest speakers talk about their real- life
experiences and not what is there in the text books.

(5) Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different
events wherein, they get to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom
teaching provides the foundation, and co-curricular or extra- curricular activities
provide practical exposure and opportunities to implement what students learn in
the classroom. This helps in developing the overall personality of the students,
inculcating various soft – skills in them, which otherwise are difficult to teach.
Clearly, life beyond academics creates creative and empowered professionals.
(507 Words)
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

I What is the author's purpose in stating, "Our teaching, from the basics, has been
focused on getting good grades and job offers, rather than being creative and
unique"?
A. To highlight the success of traditional education
B. To criticize the current educational focus
C. To encourage students to work harder
D. To praise the teachers for their efforts

Page 2 of 16
 II Assertion (A): "Participating in co-curricular activities helps youngsters grow
mentally, socially and individually."
Reason (R): "Co-curricular activities reinforce or supplement classroom curriculum."
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

III Complete the sentence by identifying the characteristic from the passage:
"If a student is a part of the school football team, he/she will learn __________."
A. theoretical knowledge
B. team-work and coordination
C. memorization techniques
D. how to get good grades

IV What is the irony in the statement, "Education is limited to the boundaries of

academics only"?

V Which fact presented in the passage is elaborated with examples of football teams
and guest lectures?
A. Traditional education is sufficient.
B. Co-curricular activities are unnecessary.
C. Practical exposure is essential for overall development.
D. Classroom teaching is the only important aspect of education.

VI Imagine a discussion between two fictional students, A and B:

Student A: "I believe that only academic grades matter for a successful career."
Student B: "I think practical experiences are just as important as academic grades."
Which statement aligns with the passage's viewpoint?
A. Student A is correct.
B. Student B is correct.
C. Both are equally correct.
D. Neither is correct.

VII Match the following elements from the passage with their descriptions:
1) Co-curricular a) Real-life experiences shared by
activities professionals
2) Guest lectures b) Opportunities for team-building and
3) Industrial visits coordination
c) Insight into the actual working of an
industry
Options;
A. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
C. 1-c, 2-a, 3-b D. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Page 3 of 16
VIII Imagine a student, Anusha, who is part of her school's drama club and regularly
participates in inter-school competitions. She also attends workshops conducted by industry
professionals. Based on the passage:
What benefits is Priya likely gaining from these activities?
A. Physical skills
B. Holistic development
C. Nothing significant
D. Theoretical knowledge

IX Based on question 8, these activities complement her classroom learning by

_______.
A. providing only academic knowledge
B. giving her practical exposure
C. making her memorize more content
D. limiting her growth to academics

X Which of the following questions can be part of the passage?

A. Does participating in co-curricular activities help in the intellectual
development of a student?
B. Should schools focus solely on academic achievements?
C. How can industrial visits contribute to a student’s practical learning?
D. Are good grades more important than practical skills?

XI How is the situation of students' overall development presented in the passage?

A. As an unattainable goal
B. As a current challenge with existing solutions
C. As an unnecessary addition to academics
D. As an already achieved objective

XII What could be a catastrophic outcome of continuing with only traditional academic
education without practical exposure?

2. Read the following passage carefully: (10 marks)

(1) Nowadays companies demand an outstanding job performance by every single

employee to be better than that of their competitors because there is competition
among enterprises. The employers make efforts to motivate the employees and
optimise performance.

(2) There are numerous factors affecting job performance. These can be divided into
external and internal factors. The internal factors are team spirit, competent boss,
respect from colleagues and job satisfaction. The external factors are chance for

Page 4 of 16
 personal development, job security, promotion prospects and monetary incentives.
The decisive determinant is that the employees remain highly motivated. One
possible method to increase motivation is the salary. Employees are willing to stay
longer hours in the office and perform better, when they have the chance to get
financial rewards, for instance, a higher salary or bonuses.
(3) The bar graph (given) shows the result of a survey conducted among workers in a
company to analyse their work performance across ten different factors that
contribute to make their work environment pleasant. The workers are grouped into
two categories those between the ages of 18-30 and those between 45-60.
Interestingly, in six out of the ten factors
surveyed, the 18-30 age group is shown to
be more affected than the 45-60 age group.
Factors, besides the salary, which affect the
work performance of the two different age
groups are interesting. These factors are the
chance for personal development, relaxed
working environment, promotion
prospects, job satisfaction and monetary
incentives. Furthermore, two out of the
remaining four factors namely, team spirit
and work environment have been equally
influential among the two groups. The 45-
60 years workers are impacted a lot by
'respect from colleagues' whereas the
prospect of a promotion is an important
reason that drives younger employees to work better.
(4) Job performance of happy employees is 31% more productive and they show three
times more creativity than their unhappy counterparts. They are more resilient and
more likely to stay in the same company for a longer period. Consequently, they drive
the company towards long-term goals by being more productive and efficient.

Answer the following questions, based on the given passage.

I What can be inferred about the author’s perspective on motivation from the usage
of the word ‘decisive’?
A. The author believes motivation is a minor aspect of job performance.
B. The author views motivation as the critical determinant of job performance.
C. The author thinks motivation is secondary to other factors.
D. The author is indifferent about the role of motivation.

II Complete the sentence: According to the passage, happy employees are more
productive because...
A. they receive higher salaries.

Page 5 of 16
 B. they have better job security.
C. they show more creativity and resilience.
D. they are older and more experienced.

III What is the relationship between job performance and employee happiness as
described in the passage?
A. Job performance decreases as employee happiness increases.
B. Job performance is unaffected by employee happiness.
C. Job performance improves significantly with employee happiness.
D. Job performance only improves slightly with employee happiness.

IV Which of the following is NOT listed as an internal factor affecting job

performance?
A. Team spirit
B. Competent boss
C. Job security
D. Job satisfaction

V The line “Employees are willing to stay longer hours in the office and perform
better” implies that:
A. Employees are naturally hardworking.
B. Financial rewards motivate employees to work harder.
C. Employees prefer working longer hours.
D. Longer working hours lead to better performance.

VI What is the narrator's opinion on the role of salary in employee motivation?

A. It has little effect.
B. It is the most important factor.
C. It is one possible method
D. It demotivates employees.

VII In the passage, the word ‘resilient’ most closely means ______________

VIII Based on the passage and the graph, which factor should a company focus on to
improve job performance in younger employees (18-30)?
A. Respect from colleagues
B. Job security
C. Promotion prospects
D. Work environment

IX What would be the most appropriate title for the passage? Justify.
X How do internal and external factors differently influence the job performance of
the 18-30 and 45-60 age groups?

Page 6 of 16
 SECTION B
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

3. Attempt any one of the two (A) or (B) given below, in about 50 words: (1x4=4)

A. You are Sunil/Sunila, Head Boy / Girl of Lotus Valley Public School, Ahmedabad.
Your school is planning to organise a theatre workshop for students. Draft a notice
in about 50 words informing the students about the workshop mentioning day, date,
time and venue.
OR
B. You are Gaurav / Geeta, Sports Captain of A.J. Bhopal School. Your school is
planning to start football coaching for middle school students. As Sports Captain,
draft a notice in about 50 words informing students about the details of the football
coaching. Mention all the necessary details

4. Attempt any one from (A) or (B) given below, in about 50 words: (1x4=4)

A. You are Amit / Amita. You are planning a weekend trek to Kalghat. Write an
informal letter of invitation to your friend inviting him / her to join you. Mention
day, date, time and any other relevant information. (Word limit about 50 words)
OR
B. You are Prof. R.K. Chadha, an eminent environmentalist. You have been invited to
chair a panel discussion on ‘Solar Power – The Alternate Liftstyle’. Write a reply
accepting the invitation in about 50 words.

5. Attempt any one from (A) or (B) given below, in about 120-150 words: (1x5=5)

A. We often hear about ‘Women's Rights, Reservation for Women in Election and
Women Empowerment’ on one hand and the 'Increasing Rate of Crime against
Women' on the other. You feel disturbed at this contradiction. Write a letter to the
editor of a national daily expressing your views in 120 - 150 words. You are
Suhina/Sohail. You may use the above given input.

OR
B. You are Sara/Sam. You came across the given advertisement for the post of
receptionist. Write a letter of application along with your bio-data in 120 150 words
applying for the position advertised.

Page 7 of 16
6. Attempt any one from (A) or (B) given below, in about 120-150 words: (1x5=5)
A. You travel to office by the metro rail every day. You are delighted to observe how
well maintained it is even after ten years. Write an article in 120-150 words expressing
your views on the sense of civic responsibility among citizens today. You are Tanmay
/ Tanisha. Support your ideas with cues given below.

OR
B. Your school recently conducted an inter-school debate competition. As a student
reporter Anita/Anish, write a report of the event to be published in your school
magazine. Use the input given below and your own ideas to write a report in 120-150
words.

Page 8 of 16
 SECTION C
LITERATURE (40 marks)

7. Read the following extract and answer the questions for any one of the given two- A
or B (1x6=6)

A. I looked again at her, wan,

pale
as a late winter’s moon 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... (Poem- My Mother at Sixty-Six)

I Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (1) and (2).
(1) The poet looks at her mother's ageing face.
(2) The poet remembers an old fear she used to have as a child.
A. (1) is the result of (2).
B. (1) is the cause of (2).
C. (2) is false but (1) is true.
D. (2) furthers the meaning of (1).

II Which of these best describes the poet's 'childhood's fear'?

A. Losing mother/sight of mother.
B. Old age will give us wrinkles and pale skin.
C. Our parents will disown us for shameful acts.
D. We will have to leave our parents' house someday.

III What is the poet trying to do in the last line of the extract?
A. soothe her mother's fears about old age
B. hide her own fear about her mother growing old
C. forget about her guilt about leaving her mother alone
D. remember her mother's image before she passes away

IV Which of these is true about the poet's 'childhood's fear'?

A. It has resurfaced and is painful to experience.
B. It has been revealed to her mother and shared openly.
C. It has been forgotten and is a bitter-sweet memory now.
D. It has emerged as new information and is a strange experience.

V The above extract shows a contrast between which two aspects?

Page 9 of 16
 A. how the poet feels and what the poet says
B. how old the poet is and how old her mother is
C. how the poet's mother looks and how the moon looks
D. how the poet sees things and how the poet's mother sees them

VI This poem can be best described as the poet's __________.

A. resentment of her situation
B. realisation of a difficult truth
C. reflection on her own identity
D. commitment to look after someone

OR

B. A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth (Poem- A Thing of Beauty)

I Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the
extract.
A. I’m as happy as I can be.
B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
C. Nature is God’s gift to us.
D. The dazzling divas enchanted all.

II What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate?

A. serenity
B. morality
C. superiority
D. diversity

III The benefits of a thing of beauty for humans include .

i. healthy body
ii. calm mind
iii. struggle-free life
iv. better relationships
v. hope to carry on

Choose the most appropriate option.

Page 10 of 16
 A. Only (v)
B. (i), (ii) and (v)
C. (i), (iii) and (iv)
D. (ii) and (iv)

IV Answer in ONE word.

When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means that
it is __________.

V On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two
statements given below.

(1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.

(2) Beautiful things provide us joy.

A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.

B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.

VI Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?

A. Full to the Brim
B. Beauty Galore
C. Live Life King Size
D. Hope Floats

8. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two-
A or B (1x4=4)

A. He said I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of mad, but he explained that he
meant the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and all the rest of it, and
that I just want to escape. Well, who doesn’t? Everybody I know wants to escape, but
they don’t wander down into any third level at Grand Central Station. But that’s the
reason, he said, and my friends all agreed.
Everything points to it, they claimed.
My stamp collecting, for example; that’s a ‘temporary refuge from reality.’ Well, maybe,
but my grandfather didn’t need any refuge from reality. (Third Level)

I Select the option that displays a cause-effect analogy.

A. Cause: Charley’s stamp collecting :: Effect: Wandering into the third level
B. Cause: Everybody wants to escape :: Effect: Modern world full of insecurity
C. Cause: Charley’s wandering into the third level :: Effect: Charley’s stamp collecting
D. Cause: Modern world full of insecurity :: Effect: Everybody wants to escape

Page 11 of 16
 II Sam’s explanation to the reaction of Charley’s wife was________ in nature.
A. critical
B. aggressive
C. clarifying
D. accusatory

III Select the option that signifies the condition of people of the ‘modern world’
mentioned in the extract.
(1) unsure (2) lazy (3) offensive (4) anxious (5) afraid
A. (1) and (3) B. (2) and (5)
C. (2), (3) and (4) D. (1), (4) and (5)

IV Why did Sam’s verdict make Charley’s wife ‘mad’?

A. It made it difficult for her to accept that Charley would consult a psychiatrist.
B. It seemed to suggest to her that she was the cause of Charley’s unhappiness.
C. It made her aware of Charley’s delicate state of mind.
D. It offended her that Charley and Sam collectively accused her.

OR
B. Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do
exactly this by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing
them with inspiring educational opportunities which will help them foster a new
understanding and respect for our planet. It’s been in operation for six years now,
headed by Canadian Geoff Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and retired, rich,
curiosity-seekers who could only ‘give’ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice,
he offers the future generation of policy-makers a life-changing experience at an age
when they’re ready to absorb, learn, and most importantly, act.
(Journey to the End of the Earth)

I Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract. The writer refers
to the educational opportunities as ‘inspiring’ because _________________

II Which of the following would NOT be ‘a life changing experience’?

A. Being given the lead role in a play.
B. Going on an adventure trip.
C. Playing a video game.
D. Meeting a great leader, you admire.

III Select the most suitable title for the given extract.
A. Adventure with a Mission
B. Adventure – The Spice of Life
C. The Wanderlust
D. Students of the Future

Page 12 of 16
IV Why does the writer refer to ‘act’ as more important than ‘absorb’ or ‘learn’?

9. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two-
A or B (1x6=6)

A. I heard M Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz; you must feel bad enough.
See how it is! Every day we have said to ourselves, ‘Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it
tomorrow.’ And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with
Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those fellows out there will have the
right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither
speak nor write your own language?’ (The Last Lesson)
I Select the option that completes the sentence appropriately.

Franz could have been scolded for___________

A. being late to school B. not learning participles
C. spending the day out of doors D. not answering M Hamel’s question

II Select the suitable word/s from the extract to complete the following analogy.
Reprimand: Scold:: Postpone: ____________

III Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

‘Those fellows out there’ refers to ______________ .
A. the old men of the village B. the blacksmith, Wachter and his apprentice.
C. the Prussians D. the French people

IV Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that M Hamel believes in ‘Your
language is your identity’.

V Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract.

M Hamel expresses his concern about Alsace’s attitude of procrastination because
French language ________________.
VI Pick out the option that correctly states M Hamel’s feelings as reflected in this extract.
1. Angry 2. Regretful 3. Sad
4. Hatred 5. Apologetic 6. Sympathetic
A. 1 and 4 B. 2 and 3 C. 5 and 6 D. 1 and 3

OR
B. “I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly,
realising immediately how hollow the advice must sound. “There is no school in my
neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.” “If I start a school, will you come?” I

Page 13 of 16
 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. (Lost Spring)

I Saheb’s muttering and ‘looking away’ suggests his

A. anger
B. shyness
C. embarrassment
D. anxiety

II Of the four meanings of ‘glibly’, select the option that matches in meaning with its
usage in the extract.
A. showing a degree of informality
B. lacking depth and substance
C. being insincere and deceitful
D. speaking with fluency

III Who do you think Saheb is referring to as ‘they’, in the given sentence? “When they
build one, I will go”
A. The officials
B. The inhabitants
C. The teachers
D. The journalists

IV Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the following:
(1) I ask half-joking
(2) ...he says, smiling broadly

V The name of the author is _____________________.

VI What is the theme of this story?

10. Answer any five of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words. (5x2=10)

I How was Gandhi's strategy of sacrifice and non-violence in the Champaran Indigo
movement a formidable catalyst for change?
Page 14 of 16
 II How does Neruda challenge the conventional notion of stillness in the poem,
Keeping Quiet?
III What is the range of opinions about interviews in ‘The Interview’ suggest about
the subjective nature of this journalistic tool?
IV In what ways does Sophie’s claim of meeting Danny Casey contribute to our
understanding of the complexities of her relationships within her family?
V The author of 'Poets and Pancakes' is extremely observant of people and their
behaviour. Support this statement with an example of a description he gives us
about any one of the characters.
VI Explain the metaphor of the rattrap.

11. Answer any two of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words. (2x2=4)

I Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived?
II What gave Derry the courage to go back to Mr. Lamb’s house despite his mother’s
refusal?
III How does the autobiographical nature of Zitkala-Sa and Bama's narratives
enhance the impact on readers?

12. Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. (1x5=5)

A. Observe the following lines from two different poems:

(Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
(A Roadside Stand)
I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
Imagine that you are interviewing Adrienne Rich and Robert Frost together. Ask
them any two questions that would highlight two points of similarity between their
poems, and create their responses to each.
You may begin this way:
Interviewer:
Rich:
Frost:
OR
B. Anil Singh is an acclaimed athlete who has recently announced giving up on sports
because of successive defeats in international and national events. As his friend,
write a letter to him, sharing advice to help him overcome this mental roadblock
caused by the fear of losing. Develop your response, based on your understanding
of Deep Water, along with the given ideas:
 Identify the reason behind his mental roadblock
 Explain that everyone has to deal with fear at some point in their life

Page 15 of 16
  Share William Douglas’s experience – his resolve- his perseverance- his victory
over fear
 Offer advice

Begin this way –

Dear Anil,
Hope you’re feeling okay. Your announcement to drop out and not participate in the upcoming ...

13. Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words (1x5=5)

A. Imagine Tom reaches home safely. He has fully recovered and the war has now come
to an end. He owes his life to Sadao and Hana and is forever indebted to them. Years
later he has been invited on a radio show as a war hero where he recounts his
tribulations and the experience of being granted a new life by the Japanese couple.
As Tom, write down the narration.

OR

B. Be it poaching of animals or animals used in laboratories, their exploitation has gone

unabated for ages on end. Man feels that he can exploit nature at his will. What he
fails to understand is that he is a speck on the nature’s time scale. He, too, has to go
as the dinosaurs did when the time comes. Kalki in his work ‘The Tiger King’ teaches
us a valuable lesson that nothing is permanent and that Humans need to learn to
coexist. Put yourself in his shoes and elaborate on the whims and fancies of the rich
and the powerful giving references from the text ‘The Tiger King’.

*************************************

Page 16 of 16