Sample Paper 17

Sample Paper 1
Class XII Exam 2023-24
English-Core

(301)

Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number in your
answer sheet to indicate the option/s being attempted.

SECTION A-READING SKILLS 20

I. Read the passage given below. 10

1. India continues to enjoy the No. 1 position as the leading information technology, business outsourcing
and consulting destination of the past two decades. In fact, the other emerging powerhouses of the BRIC
nations are all hot destinations for future investments.
2. But we cannot rest on our laurels. It is imperative that we strive to become the finest research hub the
world has ever seen. We can achieve this distinction by investing in our schools — the places where
future generations will develop the skills and resources that will drive our country’s economic growth.
3. The Royal Society’s seminal 2011 report, ‘Knowledge, Networks and Nations: Global Scientific
Collaboration in the 21st Century’, states that even in the difficult economic times we now face, national
governments need to maintain investment in their science base “in order to secure economic prosperity,
tap into new sources of innovation and growth, and sustain vital connections across the global research
landscape.”
4. Currently, a mere 0.25% of India’s GDP is spent on research and development (R&D). The government
proposes to step this up to 2% of GDP, with half of that amount coming from private industry and half
from the public sector. While admirable in its intentions, the goal falls short. Israel, for example, spends
6% of its GDP on scientific research. Switzerland and Sweden both spend 4% of their GDPs on research,
and even China is approaching 2%.
5. India is in danger of falling behind other nations in the race to build an advanced, 21st-century economy.
True, the country has increased its expenditures on education as a percentage of GDP to 4% during the
2011-12 school year from 3.3% in 2004-05. But compared to the other BRIC countries, we need to do
more. Brazil, for instance, spends some 5.7% of its GDP on education. Smaller developing nations like
Ethiopia spend 4.7%, and even Botswana spends 7.8% of its GDP on education, according to the World
Bank.
6. Make no mistake: India needs a sustainable pipeline of scientific research. To build this pipeline, it
is imperative to have strong investments in education. A population grounded in the sciences will
strengthen our industries and government. Our nation will have home-grown minds working on the
myriad problems facing society and improving the lives of everyone. The responsibility for this task lies
not just with government but with private industry, schools, families and individuals.
7. I encourage young scientists and students to consider careers in research — whether in corporate
laboratories or academic institutions. In the private sector, my colleagues and I set up the Infosys Science
Foundation (ISF), a not-for-profit trust, to promote scientific research in India. The ISF has set up a
series of public lectures by the winners of the Infosys Prize that we hope will kindle a spark of interest in
young minds. We hope also to make role models of the Infosys Prize winners — the Sachin Tendulkars
of science, if you will — that youngsters will want to follow.
8. The high point of our year is when we award the Infosys Prize to honour the outstanding achievements
of researchers and scientists in the fields of engineering and computer science, humanities, life sciences,
mathematics, physical sciences and social sciences. The Infosys Prize highlights the impact research has
had on areas important to India’s growth.
9. One of our recent winners, Professor Kalyanmoy Deb, was honoured for his work in engineering
and computer science. His research has led to advances in the areas of nonlinear constraints, decision
uncertainty, programming and numerical methods, computational efficiency of large-scale problems and
optimisation algorithms. His work has profound implications on a range of practical ideas — from how
the financial markets operate to how we can find sources of fuel in the future. The winner of the Infosys
Prize in life sciences, Dr Imran Siddiqui, worked on clonal seed formation in plants that has significant
implications for agriculture, especially in the developing world. The work of our winners is meaningful,
impactful and inspiring.
(The Times of India)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i. Choose the most appropriate statement to complete the sentence.

Though India has the Number 1 position in information technology, business outsourcing and consulting,
we must _____.
(a) make BRIC nations hothouses for future development
(b) we must distinguish ourselves in schools
(c) become the finest research hub in these fields, in the world
(d) become the Royal Society’s seminal report

ii. What is the general consensus of opinion about investing in school education?

iii. State why, according to the findings of the Royal Society, even in difficult economic times, societies
need to maintain investment in their science bases.

iv. Select the antonym for the word ‘industry’ from para 4 of the text.
(a) indulgence
(b) indolence
(c) Indologist
(d) indole

v. Based on your understanding of the text what are the findings of the World Bank about the Indian
economy?

vi. What is the need for a science-based education in India?

vii. To achieve strong investments in education, India needs _____.
(a) private industry
(b) schools
(c) family and individual
(d) All of the above
viii. Below are given the goals behind the setting up of the Infosys Science Foundation. Which goal is not in
the list of its goals?
(a) Provide a space for Public lectures by Infosys Prize Winners.
(b) Kindle spark of interest in research in young minds.
(c) Make role models of Infosys prize winners.
(d) Making young minds follow Sachin Tendulkar’s scientific base.
ix. Mention how Prof. Kalyanmoy Deb’s research will provide practical benefits.
x. Which of the titles suggested below is a worthy one for this passage?
(a) Encouraging Young Scientists to Teach and Research
(b) Making Young India a Research Hub
(c) Private Investment in Home-grown Science
(d) The Infosys Prize

II. Read the passage given below. 10

1. People being what they are get practical about creating their own currency as long as it is honoured. In
Africa sea shells were used until the 19th century as money. But gold — practically useless but known
for its short supply and lasting quality — has been the most popular non-currency form of money and is
a standard for central banks.
2. Now in the age of the Internet and digital technologies, money is undergoing an exciting makeover
with talk of virtual currencies, mobile wallets and software apps that pretty much do what gold has
been doing for centuries and currency notes have been doing for a while. Technologies such as near-
field communications are being used to make the mobile phone an instrument of payment without the
customer having to sign a credit card voucher, thus making it more secure.
3. In general, software apps are being developed to substitute for money in various ways. Some companies
like Starbucks allow ‘digital tipping’ of its baristas through a mobile app. Pre-paid cash cards are being
used as swipe instruments where customers do not need credit cards or even bank accounts. The NextGen
ATM machines will recognize your face through facial biometric technologies.
4. Bitcoin, the most popular virtual currency, started circulating in 2009. Its current market value has
been estimated at around $8 billion, about 80,000 transactions occurring daily, according to reputable
accounting firms. However, Washington’s Internal Revenue Service ruled that bitcoin is not currency but
more like property — and thus subject to capital gains tax.
5. Meanwhile other virtual currencies are taking off — and influencing politics. In Iceland, which saw
its banking system more or less wiped out, during the 2008 global financial crisis, there emerged the
eurocoin, a new currency, now estimated to be worth $11.37 billion. This currency is aimed at fighting
capital controls imposed by the Iceland government.
6. Cryptocurrencies are a very important milestone in this fight for liberty from political control. They
bring the hope of a new era of free currencies immune to the meddling of politicians.
7. In addition, money is undergoing an exciting makeover through innovations galore. Telecom companies
the world over, for instance, with support from their central banks are offering customers ‘mobile
money’ as a service. Another innovation that is much talked about is the mobile wallet and companies
are helping their customers carry the equivalent of cash in their handsets much like one carries travellers’
cheques.
8. Thus more and more practical solutions are being spawned across the planet to focus not so much on
money’s ‘store of value’ but as a medium of exchange.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i. Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1?
The contents of para 1 state the people are getting smarter about creating their own currency that will
downgrade the gold standard of currency.

ii. Do you think the findings about currencies will change the way for money transactions in India? Select
which of the given options gives an authentic answer.
(a) Practical usage of money shapes its use.
(b) Everyone in India is computer and internet literate.
(c) The digital learning in money is making transaction less fraudulent.
(d) Gold is gradually getting to the stage of digital currency.

iii. State what are the types of software available to substitute for money.

iv. Complete the sentence based on the following statements.

Bitcoin is not currency because the Internal revenue service, Washington, rules that _____.

v. Select the option that best describes the linkages between government control and cryptocurrencies.
(a) Other virtual currencies are taking off and influencing politics.
(b) The eurocoin emerged to curb controls on capital by the Icelandic government.
(c) Cryptocurrencies will ban national currencies.
(d) Crypto is money exchange only.

vi. What does the writer mean by freedom for cryptocurrencies?

vii. What is the offer being made by telecom companies?

(a) They are offering mobile money.
(b) They are offering support from their respective central banks.
(c) They are offering mobile money which has the support of their central banks.
(d) They are offering central banking services.

viii. Complete the given sentence.

Gradually the shift is from money’s financial value to _____.
ix. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
Central banks are encouraging their customers to switch to mobile wallets because _____.
(a) it is equal to travellers’ cheques
(b) it allows travellers to carry cash in the same manner as travellers’ cheques
(c) it is an exchange in the form of travellers’ cheques
(d) it is a handset built for carrying money

x. Based on the reading of the text, state a point whereby you can challenge the statement below.
Cryptocurrencies are a way of freeing oneself from the impediments imposed by national currencies.
(a) Besides controls by national currencies, there is also political control to contend with, when it
comes to currencies.
(b) Besides different currencies in different countries, there is also, international money exchange to
contend with.
(c) National currencies are a way of providing customers availability of money in an easy format.
(d) Cryptocurrencies can topple governments.

III. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 20

All the names and addresses used in the questions are fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely
coincidental.
1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. Neelam/Neelesh is the head girl/boy of Surya Public School, Agra. She/He decides to call a meeting of
all house appointments for prize distribution function on Annual Day. Draft a meeting notice on her/his
behalf. (Word limit: 50)

O
B. You are Sukant Roy, the head of Ujjwal Bhavishya Educational Institution. You are moved by the
condition of the destitute children near your area. You decide to uplift their lives by deciding to raise funds
and ensuring that they have a better chance at life. Draft a notice to your fellow colleagues and students,
making an appeal for monetary donations or any other assistance. You can also include additional details
which you may be necessary for the purpose.

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. The literary club of your school is putting up the play “The Merchant of Venice”. As the secretary of
the club, draft an invitation inviting the parents. The famous writer Ketan Anand is the guest of honour.
Write an invitation in not more than 50 words.

O
B. You are Liza. You are going for a picnic with a group of your friends to Rang Mahal Lake near Ghaziabad.
Write an informal invitation (in 50 words) to your friend to join you on that day. Invent necessary details.

I
3. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. You saw a train accident last week when a train collided with another train while changing the track.
Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national newspaper describing the accident. You are
Nitin/Riya Chawla of Sewa Kutir, Pankha Road, Faridabad.

O
B. Study the following advertisement and then write a suitable application for the post of a receptionist.
Wanted smart and dynamic female with good communication skills to serve as a receptionist in the
front office of a five star Hotel. Fresh graduates with knowledge of foreign languages preferred. Apply
with two passport sized photographs & complete biodata to The Times of India, P.B. No 73XX within
7 days from the date of the publication of this advertisement.

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. You visited Delhi Public School, Kanpur. You were impressed at seeing students participate in various
co-curricular activities of the school such as debates, music and theatre workshops. Write a report on it
in 120-150 words for your school magazine. You are Shalini/Sumiti, Editor of the magazine.

O
B. Does getting more degrees really help in getting employment in this fast competitive scene of
unemployment? Describe your views in an article in 120-150 words.

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40

IV. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context.
5. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1#6 = 6
1.A ...that she was as old as she
Looked but soon
Put that thought away, and
Looked out at young trees,
Sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes
(My Mother At Sixty-six)

i. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?

1. Sentimental
2. Sarcastic
3. Ironical
4. Aggressive
5. Tolerant
Choose the most appropriate option.
(a) Only 1. (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 4 and 5 (d) Only 3
ii. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following.
The poetess realized that her mother was old now.
iii. Which phase of life is quiet happy and full of energy?
(a) The phase of life in which poet’s mother lies.
(b) The phase of life in which sprinting trees lie.
(c) The phase of life in which merry children spilling out of their homes.
(d) The phase of life in which poet lies.
iv. Complete the following analogy correctly.
Poetess : frightened :: children : _____.
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) statements given
below.
1. The parting words suggest the optimism of the poetess.
2. They console the mother that she would return soon and give her a hope of survival.
(a) 1 is true but 2 is false.
(b) 2 is true but 1 is false.
(c) 2 can be inferred from 1.
(d) 2 is the reason of 1
vi. Fill in the blank with appropriate words, with reference to the extract.
The poetess noticed young children playing outside; the young trees moving rapidly in the opposite
direction of the moving car. These represent energy and youth in contrast to the _____.

O
1.B The little old house was out with a little new shed,
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
In would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports,
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
(A Roadside Stand)
i. Name the poetic device as used in the third line of the extract.
ii. Which of the following words as used in the extract represents movement?
(a) Pled (b) Shed
(c) Faint (d) Sped
iii. The purpose of making the roadside stand is _____.
(a) To extend the of existing house.
(b) To get something free of cost.
(c) To reduce speed of traffic.
(d) To earn some money.
iv. Answer in ONE word.
In the line “the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint”, the words ‘flower’ refers to _____.

v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
1. People living in that old house were in need of money.
2. People living in that house did not want mercy from others.
(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) People of cities (b) The old house
(c) Hope to Earn (d) Things for sale

6. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1#4 = 4

2.A “If we sheltered a white man in our house, we should be arrested and if we turned him over a prisoner,
he would certainly die,” Sadao said.
“The kindest thing would be to put him back into the sea,” Hana said. But neither of them moved. They
were staring with a curious repulsion upon the inert figure. “What is he?” Hana whispered.
“There is something about him that looked American,” Sadao said. He took up the battered cap. Yes,
there, almost gone, was the faint lettering. ‘A sailor;” he said, “from an American warship.” He spelled
it out : “US Navy”. The man was a prisoner of war! “He has escaped.” Hana cried softly, “and that is
why he is wounded.”
(The Enemy)

i. What is the tone of the speaker in the first line?

(a) Fearful (b) Apologetic
(c) Baffled (d) Nostalgic

ii. Select the option that best describes Hana in the extract.
(a) Frightened (b) Escaped
(c) Bold (d) Aggressive

iii. Which of the following best summarises Sadao’s attitude towards the wounded man?
(a) He wants to save his life.
(b) He does not want to save his life.
(c) He wants to throw him back.
(d) He wants to kill him.

iv. Sadao said that there is something about him that looks American. How did he figure out that the man
was American?


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2.B “It’s a nice collection too, blocks of four of practically every US issue, first-day covers, and so on.
President Roosevelt collected stamps too, you know Anyway, here’s what happened at Grand Central.
One night last summer, I worked late at the office. I was in a hurry to get uptown to my apartment so I
decided to take the subway from Grand Central because it’s faster than the bus. Now, I don’t know why
this should have happened to me.”
(The Third Level)
i. Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract.
Charley got the subway because _____.

ii. Which of the following would NOT be collected by Charley?

(a) Bus (b) Philately
(c) Stamps (d) Tickets

iii. Select the most suitable title for the given extract.
(a) Journey to the Third Level
(b) Journey to an Unknown Place
(c) Journey to Grand Road
(d) Journey to an Imaginary Place

iv. What is First Day Cover?

7. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1#6 = 6

3.A “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 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. Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately.
In “When they build one, I will...”, Saheb is referring to as ‘they’ to the _____.
(a) Inhabitants (b) Officials
(c) Teachers (d) Journalists

ii. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following analogy.
Glibly : insincere :: bleak : _____.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

‘I’ has migrated from _____.
(a) Firozabad (b) Bangladesh
(c) Delhi (d) Seemapuri
iv. Based on the above extract, choose the statement that is TRUE for ‘I’.
(a) ‘I’ go to school.
(b) ‘I’ build a school.
(c) ‘I’ say go to school glibly.
(d) ‘I’ live in Hyderabad city.

v. Write two textual clues that allow the reader to infer that Saheb-e-Alam does not go to school.

vi. Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract.
The irony in Saheb’s name was he was a poor ragpicker _____.

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3.B She said this in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler must have felt confidence in her.
“It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself miss,” he said. “I will come
at once.”
He accepted the fur coat, which the valet handed him with a deep bow, threw it over his rags, and
followed the young lady out to the carriage, without granting the astonished blacksmiths so much as a
glance.
But while he was riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings.
“Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?” he thought. “Now I am sitting in the trap and will never
get out of it.”
(The Rattrap)

i. What is the most likely reason that ‘he’ is unhappy?

(a) He was dressed in rags.
(b) He looked ugly.
(c) He was ashamed of accompanying the girl.
(d) Cursing himself for stealing crofter’s money.

ii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with its inference.
The purpose of the young lady’s visit was _____.

iii. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
1. The world for peddler is not kind and just.
2. He is a poor rattrap seller.
(a) 1 can be inferred from the extract but 2 cannot.
(b) 1 cannot be inferred from the extract but 2 can.
(c) 1 is true but 2 is false.
(d) 2 is the reason for 1.

iv. Rationalize to support the given opinion.

But while he was riding up to the manor house, he had evil forebodings.
v. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract.
He accepted the fur coat, which the valet handed him with a deep bow, threw it over his rags, and
followed the young lady out to the carriage, without granting the astonished blacksmiths so much as a
glance.
vi. The peddler’s view for the world is that _____.
(a) The whole world was something related to a rattrap.
(b) The whole world was nothing but a big rattrap.
(c) The whole world is full of people.
(d) The whole world is full of people like him.

V Answer ANY FIVE of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2 # 5 = 10

i. How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of the rest of his family?

ii. The ironmaster’s daughter noticed things about the peddler that the ironmaster in his excitement had
overlooked. What were the things that Edla had observed?

iii. What does the ring on Aunt Jennifer’s fingers signify?

iv. What kind of thought the poet wishes to put away in ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’? Why?

v. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

vi. What had been put on the bulletin board?

VI. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2#2 = 4

i. How did Zitkala-Sa try to avoid the loss of her long hair?

ii. Comment on the ending of the play “On the Face of It”.

iii. Why was the general not interested in sending Dr. Sadao with the troops?

VII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

i. Obstacles determine the quality of life. Hermits feel convinced that sweet are the uses of adversity.
Problems are opportunities. Elucidate the saying taking ideas from the given lines: “Events justified
Gandhi’s position. Within a few years, the British planters abandoned their estates, which reverted to the
peasants. Indigo sharecropping disappeared.”

O
ii. “It is his karma, his destiny.” The prose section Lost Spring includes this telling comment said by
Mukesh’s grandmother. In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, destiny of common housewife is discussed.
Imagine yourself to be a motivational speaker who has to address high school students. Write this address
in about 120-150 words elaborating on occurrences from the two texts to inspire your audience and to
convince them about the importance of creating their own destiny through hard work.
VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words. 1#5 = 5

i. Take care of small things and the big things will take care of themselves. Instead of ignoring things
whether big or small, do care of things to make them more sustainable. You wish to include a cameo
for the above statement’s explanation in your upcoming blog post. (A cameo is a short description that
neatly encapsulates someone or something)
As a part of the research, discuss the statement in relation to Antarctica in about 120-150 words.

O
ii. Both Sam and Charley experienced the presence of the third level at Grand Central Station. Instead of
coming out from this illusion, Sam, being a psychiatrist got trap in this illusion. It is a story about time
travel.
Imagine yourself to be Sam, and express your thoughts whether the third level exists or not.

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