Sample Paper – 2013

Class - XII

TIME: 3hrs. ENGLISH Max. Marks: 100

Section A: Reading Max. Marks : 20

1.Read the passage given below and then answer the questions that follow:

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

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

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

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

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

1.1 Answer the following questions:

a. How can we make our life meaningful? 1 mark

b. Why does Krishna say, “No man resteth a moment inactive?” 2 marks

c. How do our thoughts affect the whole body? 2 marks

d. How can we change our mood when we are depressed? 2 marks

e. How can we bring about the desired effect? 2 marks

1.2 Find the words from the passage which mean the same as: 3 marks

a. Full of activity (Para 3) (Para 3)

b. Happening in cycles (Para 4)

c. to look into one’s own thoughts and feelings (Para 5)

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8)

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

This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars, and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of gods and goddesses. With many incarnations being depicted. There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize (a symbol of plenty and prosperity. The elaborate ornamentation the very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look - and it is worth it - the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles, and swans.

The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of the Hoyasala king, NarasimhaIII. The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was the kalyana mandapa. Leading from here were three corridors, each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna-Venugopala, Janardana and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the darkness of the sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers.

2.1 Make notes of the above passage using an acceptable format including

abbreviations, with suitable titles 5 marks

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

Section B: Advanced Writing Skills - 35Marks

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

OR

The students’ council of your school has organized an excursion to Goa for students of class XII during the Autumn Break. As President of the council, write

a notice in not more than fifty words informing the students about this excursion.

Sign yourself as Ravi / Raveena.

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

OR

The International Book Fair was inaugurated by the Chairman of Children’s Book Trust, Dr. Kumar. The theme this year was Illustrated Works of Children. You are

Akshay/Akanksha a class XII student of A.K. International School Mathura.You

visited the exhibition and were impressed with the range of books on display. Write a factual description in about 125 words.

5. You are Naresh/Neetu. Recently, you came across a newspaper report on the

burning of a young woman as her parents could not meet the dowry demands. You

feel that even after 60 years of independence we have not really progressed as a nation. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper expressing your views and also giving suggestions to improve the status of women in Indian Society.

OR

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

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

OR

You are Amit/Amita a student of class XII at K.N. Senior Secondary School

Nagpur. You recently visited a hill station along with your parents. It was an

exhilarating, adventurous and joyful experience. Write an article for the school

magazine, sharing your experience in 150-200 words.

Section – C(Literature-45 marks)

7. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:(4)

And yet, for these

Children, these windows, not this map, their world,

Where all their future’s painted with a fog,

A narrow street sealed in with a lead sky

Far far from rivers, capes and stars of words.

(a) What does the map on the wall signify? 1

(b) Who are these children? What is their world like? 2

(c) What kind of future does the poet foresee for them? 1

Or

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us.

a. ‘A thing of beauty is joy for ever’. Explain. 2

b. Why does a beautiful thing ‘pass into nothingness’? 1

c. What does poet mean by ‘a bower quiet for us’ 1

(b) Answer any three of the following questions in about 30words: (3x2=6)

(a) What does Stephen Spender want for the children of the slums? How can their lives change?

(b) How will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us?

(c) Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?

(d). What is the significance of the parting words of the poet and her smile, in My

Mother at Sixty-six?

8. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words. 10 marks

(a) Why was Franz afraid when he was going to school that day?

(b) What is the misadventure that William Douglas speaks about?

(c). Mention any two hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

(d). How did Douglas overcome the old terror?

(e). The crofter can be called as a good host. Why?

9. Answer any one of the following in about 125-150 words. 10 marks

The life of bangle makers of Firozabad was full of obstacles which forced them

to lead a life of poverty and deprivation. Discuss with reference to Lost Spring.

OR

How were the two hosts’ - the crofter and the ironmaster different from one another?

10. Answer any one of the following in about 125-150 words. 7 marks

Individuals who belong to enemy countries tend to hate each other even if they do not know each other personally. At times it is seen that some of them rise above such prejudices. What makes a human being do so?

OR

The modern consumerist world is full of fear, insecurities, stress and wars. What

are the ways in which we try to combat them? Answer with reference to The Third

Level.

11. Answer the following briefly (30-40 words) 8 marks

(1) Why does Charley say that grand station is growing like a tree in the story

The Third level?

(2) Even though the Maharaja lost Rs. 3 lac, he was still happy. Why?

(3) In a short span of 12 thousand years man has managed to create a ruckus

on this earth. How?

(4). What did they think would be the best & the kindest thing to do for the injured man?