ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL – BRANCH 1, AL WATHBA

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION: (2022-2023)

GRADE: XII DIV __ MAX MARKS: 80
SUBJECT: English DURATION: 3 hrs.
NAME OF THE STUDENT/ EXAM NO/GR. NO: DATE: 07/10/2022
General Instructions: This paper is divided into three sections.
Section A: Reading -20 Marks
Section B: Creative Writing-20 Marks
Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text -40 Marks
SECTION A : READING (2X10=20)
I. Read the passage given below. (10 marks)
1. Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s been
lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost fishing problem,
which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the ocean can pose a threat to marine
life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean it stops working. These nets continue to trap
everything in their path, presenting a major problem for the health of our oceans and marine life.
2. Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching
fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the
surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets
harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed
sunlight.
3. Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or
other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets
make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become
smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this microplastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal
organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.
4. Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation. Many groups are
working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and governments around the
world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In 2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for
Nature (WWF)-led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up 268 tons of nets, ropes and other material.
5 .To stop these nets from becoming ghosts in the first place, conservation organisations advocate for
fishing gear that can be traced to its owner so anyone dumping nets can be fined and refundable deposits
on nets to encourage returning or recycling rather than littering. Tools like sonar reflectors that can make
ghost nets easier to find and working with small-scale fisheries to develop more sustainable fishing gear
and practices are other suggestions. It is only by attacking this problem from all sides, together with
conservation partners, fishers and supporters, can we banish ghost nets and protect our oceans.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. (1×10)
1. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option.
Ghost nets have been named so because they __________
A. cause much harm to the marine life. B. are functional though not in use by fishers.
C. are not owned by anyone. D. act as a snare for all animals in oceans.
2.Comment on the writer’s reference to the ghost nets in paragraph one, as a health problem for the
oceans.
3. List the two ways being entangled in a ghost net is likely to impact a walrus. (Clue: Think about the
type of animal a walrus is)
4. Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘negligible’, from words used in paragraph two.
A. unimpressive. B. monumental C. exposing D. threat
5. The writer would agree with the given statements based on paragraph three, EXCEPT:
A. Most ghost nets take a few years to completely disintegrate.
B. Ghost nets contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
C. Most ghost nets provide nutrition to marine animals, upon disintegration.
D. Ghost nets can curtail freedom of marine animals.
6. Some records share that fishing nets used to be made of common rope using natural fibres, prior to
the 1960s. Based on your understanding of paragraph three, list one major advantage that these
had over the fishing nets being used in present times.
7. Why is it fair to say that commitment and innovation have to go hand-in-hand to rid the oceans of
ghost nets?
8. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference, with respect to the following:
The writer quotes the example of the WWF-led mission in the Baltic Sea (Paragraph 4), in order
to………………………………………………….
9. How can the solutions, suggested in paragraph five, best be described?
A.practical B.popular C. prejudiced. D.presentable
10. Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
A. The Scary Side of Ghost Nets
B. Ghost Nets – A Result of Human Dominance
C. Ghost Nets – A Menace to Marine Life
D. Ways to Tackle the Problem of Ghost Nets
II.Read the passage given below and study the pie chart to answer the questions that follow: (10 )
The White Revolution, known as Operation Flood, was launched in 1970. It was an
initiative by India‘s National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and was the world‘s
biggest dairy development programmed. It transformed India from a milk deficient
nation into the world‘s largest milk producers. Operation Flood was based on the
experimental pattern set up by Verghese Kurien, chairman and founder of AMUL, who
was named the Chairman of NDDB and was also recognized as the architect of Operation
Flood.
There were three phases of the White Revolution in India.
Phase 1: This phase started in July 1970 with the objective of setting up dairy
cooperatives in 18 milk sheds in 10 states. They were to be linked with the four best
metropolitan markets. By the end of this phase in 1981 there were 13,000 village dairy
cooperatives covering 15,000 farmers.
Phase 2: It aimed at building on the designs of phase 1 and on the assisted Dairy
development programmes in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. By the end of
this phase in 1985 there were 136 milk sheds, 34,500 village dairy cooperatives and over
36 lakh members.
Phase 3: This phase emphasised on consolidating the gains of the earlier two phases by
improving the productivity and efficiency of the dairy sectors for long term sustainability.
It ended in 1996 and by that time there were 73,300 dairy cooperatives and over 9.4
million farmer members.
It ended the imports of milk solids in India and India started exporting milk powder
to many foreign nations.
i)The White Revolution was responsible for turning India to__________ .
ii)The major achievement of White Revolution was _________________
iii. In decreasing order, the share of states in Milk Production in India is
________________
iv. UP‘s production of milk is___________________ that of Gujarat and Punjab. v. Milk
production in Maharashtra and MP is_________________
vi. Milk production in Haryana and Tamil Nadu together is closest to.
vii. The word ‗sustainability‘ in the passage means the ability to___.
viii. Who was known as the architect of Operation Flood and why?
ix. What was the development in phase 2 of the White Revolution in India ?
x) What did phase 3 emphasise on ?
SECTION B: WRITING (5x4=20)
III. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A . You are Josely Mathew, the President of the school book club. The club is organising a drive for
promoting reuse of study materials and books. Draft a notice in about 50 words, for the school
notice board, addressing students of classes X-XII, informing them about this drive and urging
them to contribute to the endeavour. Mention how the donated books would benefit a charitable
cause.
OR
B.You are the Secretary of Vishvas Flats Welfare Association, Delhi-51. Write a notice to
be circulated to the members of the Association, requesting them to attend a meeting
to discuss about the security measures of the flats and appointment of new security
guards. (Word limit 50words.)
IV.A. You are organising an Exhibition of Painting 'Nayika Series' on 30th October at
Azad Bhavan Art Gallery at 5:45 p.m. Draft an invitation card to invite the General
Public.
OR
B. Mrs. and Mr. Sharma wishes to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. As
Mr. Sharma write an informal invitation inviting their best friend Mrs. and Mr.
Vohra. Write necessary details.
V. A.You are Dr. Shailesh Gupta, an eminent educationist. You have been invited to
preside over an Inter Zonal Declamation Competition by Neha, the President of
English Literary Club of Government Model Sr. Sec. School Sector 19, Chandigarh.
Write a letter for refusal of the invitation.
 OR
B. You are Dr. Shailesh Gupta, an eminent educationist. You have been invited to
preside over on Inter Zonal Declamation competition by Neha,the President of the
English Literary Club of Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 19, Chandigarh.
Write a letter of acceptance of the invitation
VI. A.You are Krishna / Krishan from F-9, Mayur Vihar, Delhi. You have come across
an advertisement in a national daily for recruitment of Radio Jockey by Radio One,
Noida. Apply in response to this advertisement giving your detailed bio-data.
You are Ritu / Ritva of 131, Jagriti Vihar, Gurgaon. You recently read about a post of
chemist being advertised by Charak Research Ltd. Noida. You wish to apply for it.
Apply with full details to the Managers of the Production Unit.
SECTION C: LITERATURE (40 MARKS)
VII. 1.Read the extract and answer the questions that follow: (1x6=6)
Now we will count to twelve
And we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth
Let’s not speak in any language,
Let’s stop for one second,
And not move our arms so much.
a. What is the poet’s view about ‘war’ in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
(A)A man may get the satisfaction of being victorious
(B)but ironically, wars leave behind no survivors
(C)War does not make anyone a winner
(D)Both (A) & (B)
b. What is desirable as per the poet of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
(A)Strong financial gains (C)Power
(B)Fame (D)Quiet productivity
c. In a nutshell, what is the theme of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
(A)The need for mankind to introspect
(B)To put an end to all destructive activities
(C)To live in peaceful coexistence with nature
(D)All of the above
d. Who has penned down a beautiful thought in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
(A)Ruskin Bond (C)Kamala Das
(B)Ogden Nash (D)Pablo Neruda

e. The poet appeals to the readers to keep quiet for………………

f. What is earth personified as in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
OR
2. Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
a.Why are we despondent?
(A)Follow evil ways (C)Hurt others and ourselves
(B)Help when needed (D)Both A & B
b.Identify the poetic device in the 2nd and 3rd line.
(A) Oxymoron (C)Metaphor
(B) Anaphora (D)Pun
c. Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.” ’
d. What are we doing every day?
e. Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?
f. What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
(A)Some memories (B)Anything Beautiful
(C)Good thoughts (D)All of the above
VIII. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (1X4=4)
1. I jumped over the bench and sat down at my desk. Not till then, when I had got a little over my
fright, did I see that our teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little
black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days. Besides,
the whole school seemed so strange and solemn. But the thing that surprised me most was to
see, on the back benches that were always empty, the village people sitting quietly like
ourselves; old Hauser, with his three-cornered hat, the former mayor, the former postmaster,
and several others besides.
(a) Franz was frightened because:
(i) he had not learnt the participles. (ii) his teacher was angry.
(iii) he was late for school. (iv) both (i) and (iii)
(b) M. Hamel was dressed in his formals:
(i) in honour of the last French lesson.
(ii) in a gesture of bidding farewell.
(iii) to pay his respect to the village elders who were present.
(iv)to show his respect for a country that was not theirs any more.
(c) The atmosphere prevailing in the whole school on that day was:
(i) threatening (ii) trivial (iii) haphazard (iv) grave
(d) The word 'Strange' means the same as:
(i) Queer (ii) Usual (iii) Ordinary (iv) Typical
OR
2. From the beginning, however, I had an aversion to the water when I was in it. This started
when I was three or four years old and father took me to the beach in California. He and I stood
together in the surf. I hung on to him, yet the waves knocked me down and swept over me. I was
buried in water. My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in
my heart at the overpowering force of the waves.
My introduction to the Y.M.CA. swimming pool revived unpleasant memories and stirred
childish fears. But in a little while I gathered confidence. I paddled with my new water wings,
watching the other boys and trying to learn by aping them. I did this two or three times on
different days and was just beginning to feel at ease in the water when the misadventure
happened.
(a) The phrase "knocked me" refers to the waves that are
(i)high (ii) inadequate (iii) low (iv) dangerous
(b)Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence "swimming pool revived unpleasant
memories".
(i)Personification (ii) Simile (iii) Metaphor (iv) Alliteration
(c) What does "overpowering force of waves" mean?
(i)Waves are not so powerful. (ii)Waves are skilled in overpowering. (iii)The force of waves
is tremendously powerful (iv) Waves are weak.
(d) William gathered confidence by watching other boys swim and tried to copy them. What does
this show about William?
(i) Determined and sad (ii) Courageous and brave (iii) Determined and honest (iv) Courageous and
quick learner
IX. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (1X6=6)
And maybe - because for so many people through the years Grand Central has been an exit, a way
 of The escape - maybe that's how the tunnel I got into ... But I never told my psychiatrist friend
about that idea. The corridor I was in began angling left and slanting downward and I thought that
was wrong, but I kept on walking. All I could hear was the empty sound of my own footsteps and
I didn't pass a soul. Then I heard that sort of hollow roar ahead that means open space and
people talking. The tunnel turned sharp left; I went down a short flight of stairs and came out on
the third level at Grand Central Station. For just a moment I thought I was back on the second
level, but I saw the room was smaller, there were fewer ticket windows and train gates, and the
information booth in the centre was wood and old-looking.
(a) Why does the narrator refer to Grand Central as an 'exit'?
(i) it is the medium to go to other places (ii) it is a medium of escape (iii) people
enter it unknowingly (iv) people enter it willingly (b) Why did Charley not tell his
friend about his idea?
(i) he thought his friend might too look for this means to escape
(ii) his friend might tell Louisa about it.
(iii) his friend would not have agreed to it.
(iv) his friend might dissuade him.
(c) How was the third level different from the second?
(i) the information booth was wooden (ii) there were many train gates (iii) the rooms were
bigger (iv) there were many ticket windows
(d) What according to Charley, did the 'hollow roar' signify?
i. there was an open space (ii) not a soul was there
iii. people were talking (iv) both (i) and (iii)
e. What was the strangest thing at the Third Level?
f. How did Charlie reach the Third Level?
X. Answer ANY FIVE questions in 40-50 words. (2X5=10)
i. Give three reasons for the presence of villagers in the classroom on the day of the last lesson .
ii. Bring out the horrible condition within the glass blowing industry.
iii. What effect did the drowning in the YMCA have on Douglas.
iv. Why are promises to the poor rarely kept?
v. “The battle of Champaran is won.” When and why did Gandhiji exclaim this?
vi. Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
XI. Answer ANY TWO questions in 40-50 words : (2X2=4)
i. Did the Maharaja relent to the demands of the English Officer ? What did he do ?
ii. What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?
iii. In what context does Hana remember General Takima? What does she infer?

XII. Answer ANY ONE the following in 120-150 words. (1X5=5)

i. The Rattrap’ highlights the impact of compassion and understanding on the hidden goodness in
human beings. Substantiate with evidence from the story.
OR
ii. How did Gandhiji use satyagraha and non-violence at Champaran to achieve his goal?

XIII. Answer ANY ONE the following in 120-150 words. (1X5=5)

i. How did Dr. Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race and country to help a human being in
need?
OR
ii. The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica. How is the study of this region is useful to
us?