FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH CODE NO. : 101
Class – XII Sample Question Paper – II
Section A : Reading Max. Marks : 20
1. Read the following passage :
1. MARIA AURORA COUTO’s Goa: A Daughter’s Story is an extraordinary narrative that weaves
together autobiography and collective history, bringing to light a rich social and cultural tapestry
little known outside its locus. Couto takes, as her demanding subject, the complex story of the
Goan identity as a product of the colonial encounter between the Indic and Iberian cultures,
launched by this circumstance on a trajectory distinct from his neighbours in British ruled
India. Goa and its people have long had to suffer the foolish stereotypes imposed upon them by
Hindi cinema, charter tourism, and fanatical Indianisers: the pernicious myths of the easy -
going Goan drunkard, Goa as a kingdom of sun and sand, Goan culture as a European aberration
in an Indian environment, are all dispelled by Couto’s treatment, which is distinguished by an
elegance and sensitivity, a felicity of touch that masks the labour of archival research and
fieldwork.
2. Couto’s inquiry leads her into the records of the Portuguese colonial administration, the
reminiscences of the fast-vanishing generation of mandarins, scholars and activists who grew
up in colonial Goa. She re-creates vividly for us the lives of thinkers inspired by the drama that
was the European Enlightenment. She imparts a flesh-and-blood reality to the generic bugaboo
of “conversion”, attesting to the strategic, yet traumatic, choices made by communities faced
with the Hobsonian inquisitor’s choice between preservation of religious identity and loss of
social and economic prestige.
3. The title of Couto’s book holds its key gesture; the author speaks as the inheritor of various
legacies, heirloom dilemmas, family tragedies, and sources of hope and regeneration. It is both
a meditation on the persistence and lacunae of collective memory, and also a compelling account
of the development of a private self through the momentous passage from colonialism to the
post-colonial period. As her father’s daughter, Couto paints a moving portrait of her father, a
man devoted to the refinement of sensibility, but at odds with conventional society; she
memorializes the graceful, vanished milieu of cultivated intellectuals and gifted artists in Goa
and Dharwar, where she grew up during the 1950s. As the daughter of a particular community,
whose way of life was forever altered by the arrival ofthe Portuguese in 1510 A.D., Couto
reflects on the Saraswat Brahmins of Goa, descendants of Kashmiri scholar-priests who became
influential landowners and mandarins, and were locked into a complicated sequence of
negotiations with the Portuguese colonialists.
4. By contrast to the simple-minded tale of ruthless conquistadors thrusting sword and cross upon
hapless locals, Couto unfolds an intricate fabric of social and religious transactions,
demonstrating how concessions alternated with impositions, force was succeeded by relative
tolerance; and if conversion to Catholicism was used as a basis to divide Hindu families by the
colonial administration, through differentials of property transfer, those who remained
unconverted and marginalized staged a comeback through the espousal of trade. One lasting
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result of this uneven rhythm of upheaval and tranquility was that, between the 16th and 18th
Centuries, one section of Goa’s elite converted to the Catholic faith, while others crossed the
river into North and South Kanara, or sailed to Kerala, or migrated to the Maratha territories, to
preserve their religious freedom in exile.
5. Sharing Couto’s ethnic background as I do (her ancestors remained behind and were baptized;
my ancestors crossed the river with their gods), I am amazed at the honesty and courage with
which she has chosen to address the theme of conversion, in a public sphere dominated by the
forces of aggressive majoritarianism. Living at the cusp of cultural narratives, couto investigates
the processes of self-definition and self-renewal, in response to the historical crises of migration,
invasion, conversion and flight. With her, we trace the gradual assimilation of the majority into
the Portuguese language and European world-view; a slower entry, shadowed by insecurity,
into that world; the changing positions of the Portuguese as the notion of divinely sanctioned
kingship yielded before a humanist conception of the body politic. And so we come to an
appreciation of the distinctive character of Goan culture, in which the major divides are also
the most enduring bridges.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding answer the following. 8 Marks
1. Why is “Goa : A Daughter’s Story” called an extraordinary narrative? 1 Mark
2. What are the usual impressions one has of Goa? 2 Marks
3. Mention two aspects of Goa that Couto tries to reveal to us? 2 Marks
4. How did Goa’s elite save themselves from being converted to 2 Marks
Christianity?
5. Explain the statement “Living at the cusp of cultural narratives” 1 Mark
1.2 Find words that are similar in meaning to the following: 4 Marks
1. fabric (para 1)
2. regard as an example of a fixed type (para 1)
3. recollection of the past (para 2)
4. forced upon (para 4)
2. Read the following passage:
STRESS is arguably the greatest killer in the world today. Stress per se does not kill but it leads to
several other medical conditions that are killers such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, and
ulcers. It is important to understand that stress does not occur overnight. It builds up over a period of
time. Second, stress knows no gender bias. It affects both men and women. Third, stress has begun to
strike early. Youngsters and school students also fall prey early and this affects them for a very long
time. Fourth, stress also has no industry bias. Last stress has begun to take its toll even in areas like
sports earlier considered stress busters.
Stress is a mental condition, not one of the body. From a behavioural disease in the past, it has now
become pathological since it causes stress changes in the normal physiology of the body.
Regardless of how stress is viewed in other systems of medicine, acupuncture tends to classify stress
in three ways. First are what can be called over-anticipators - perfectionists and workaholics. These
are inveterate chasers of work and when they do not have anything to do, they start worrying. The
second category is hyperactive people, either children or adults. The third can be called the “doubting
Thomases”. They are among the high-risk category of the stress-prone people.
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All systems of medicine say the thinking, memory and ‘mind’ are seated in the brain. But in acupuncture,
the mind is situated in the Heart Meridian. The heart houses the mind. So anything concerned with
behavioural problems, that too in a stressed stage, will see the Heart Meridian being hyperactive,
which naturally leads to a stressed state in the brain. For, such people, either adults or children, the
Heart Meridian is stimulated for 15 days (30 minutes a day). After a gap of two to eight days, the
procedure has to be repeated. After about 90 days, the patient generally becomes normal.
Over-anticipators remain mentally active during nights leading to insomnia. Stimulation of their
Pericardium Meridian along their Heart Meridian eases their mind and they get a good night’s sleep
after 60 sittings. Sometimes over anxiety leads to nightmares and dreams. Disturbance in the Liver
Meridian may cause this. This problem is also solved by a 60-day session.
Acupuncture says that when the Gall Bladder Meridian is not working properly, the person will
become indecisive. The more they are indecisive, the more confused they become and they go into a
state of unidentified stress. For such patients, the Gall Bladder Meridian will be stimulated for 15
days and after a gap of 2-8 days, the procedure will be repeated. A total of 60 days treatment will be
required.
Most medical systems work at how to “manage” stress. Consequently it is kept at minimal levels
without it being eliminated. However, in Acupuncture, because of superior aetiology, causes for the
conditions are known. Thus, for these vulnerable groups, Acupuncture is a pure definitive and time
bound system.
Source: The Hindu
2.1 Make notes on the main points using recognizable abbreviations.
Suggest a suitable title. 5 Marks
2.2 Make a summary of the above passage using the notes in not more than 80 words. 3 Marks
Section B : Advanced Writing Skills Max. Marks : 25
3. You are the Secretary of your school’s sports club. You are planning to start ‘Joggers' Club’
for your school students during summer vacation. Draft a notice for the school display board
inviting students to join the club. Give all relevant details. You may mention any offers for
early birds.(word limit 50-80) 5 Marks
OR
You are Ajay Chandran, the Secretary of your school “Painting Club”. You have received an
invitation from the nearby Kendriya Vidyalaya to participate in the activities of the Painting
Club during autumn break. Write a reply declining the offer and giving a valid reason. (word
limit 50-80) 5 Marks
4. You are Pooja Sharma, a citizen of Delhi. You feel deeply concerned about the growing apathy
of people towards eve-teasing in local buses. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper
expressing your deep concern about the problem and suggest ways in which women can all
ensure their own, safety. (word limit 125-150) 10 Marks
OR
You are Malvika the head girl of your school. On the occasion of farewell function to Class
XII your class has decided to give a gift of Children’s Encyclopedia for the school library.
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Write a letter to Messrs. Galgotia & Sons, Connaught Place, New Delhi, placing an order for
the same mentioning the discount. (word limit 125 150) 10 Marks
OR
5. The use of computers is becoming very popular in every sphere of life in India. On the basis of
reading the news item given below, write a speech in about 200 words emphasizing the
advantages of using computers in everyday life. 10 marks
Computer sales in Asia rise 16% in QI : Computer sales in Asia, including India,
rose 16% to 7.4 million units in the March quarter compared with the previous year.
Sales were slightly higher than expected, including in the key markets of Australia
and India, IDC said. Compared with the previous quarter, however, sales dipped 5%
due to seasonal trends. “The Asia Pacific region’s PC market got off to a solid start
in 2004”, said IDC analyst Bryan Ma.
OR
The following newspaper headlines relate to an earthquake in your city. Read these
headlines and write an article for your school magazine suggesting ways to manage the
disaster. (about 200 words) 10 Marks
4000 feared dead in the earthquake
multi-storeyed buildings collapse
Builders mafia violate certification
NGOs come to rescue
Disaster management techniques help children escape the calamity.
Section C : Grammar Max. Marks : 20
6. Rearrange the following words to form meaningful sentences.
One has been done for you. 5 Marks
(i) were created / a thousand years ago / in / the sea / the foundations for / a whole city /
(ii) oil / much more / was found / in the 1960s / North seal recently / the / under
(iii) designed / as a result / very differently / those / the new rigs / from / In calmer waters / were
(iv) all around / hundreds / 1967 and 1985 / between / of / the new rigs / were built / in / the North
Sea / Shipyards
(v) 170 Eiffel Towers / enough steel / than / in building / them / for more / was used
Example
* A thousand years ago, the foundations for a whole city in the city were created.
7. The following passage has ten errors. Identify the errors and write them along with the corresponding
corrections as shown in the example. 5 marks
The forests is inexhaustible reserves is are
(a) Providing subsistence to a growing millions --------------------------- ----------------------------
(b) and are not only essentials for the ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------
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(c) conservation of soil, forest, grasslands and ----------------------------- ----------------------------
(d) water, also our very life depend on -------------------------------------- ----------------------------
(e) them. The oxygen which we breathe are -------------------------------- ----------------------------
(f) emit from trees and the water we ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------
(g) drink is in many way dependent ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
(h) from trees and plants. Alongwith beautifying the palace ------------- ----------------------------
(i) the trees provides us shade and timber and keep a check ------------ ----------------------------
(j) of soil erosion which avoid natural disasters like floods. ------------ ----------------------------
8. You are the editor of the school magazine. You have been asked to collect information about the
reading habits of the students of the middle school. You need to collect data about the types of
books that students enjoy the kind of books they possess and the magazines and newspapers
they read. You would also want to know if they visit book fairs and book shops. Frame a
questionnaire to conduct the above survey by adding eight more questions to the one given
below. 5 Marks
Questionnaire
1. How many hours a week do you spend in reading for pleasure?
(Begin your questions using any of the following words - would, do, what, which, have, can,
how, where, when).
9. Amit I Amita has to appear for an interview on 10th March for the post of a teacher. She wants
the directions to the address. Use the information given in the box and construct a dialogue.
The first one has been done for you. 5 Marks
1. Where’s your residence
Vasant Vihar
2. Take the road on the right
Will that lead to Kay Tee Placement
3. We come to T point and take a right there near Jaypee Palace
Now, I know- Kay tee Placement is right across.
4. How long will you take ?
About an hour
5. How will you come ?
By car
Section D : Literature Max. Marks : 35
10. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: 7 Marks
“They’ll soon forget their haunted; their cowed
Subjection to the ghosts of friends who died,
Their dreams that drip with murder; and they’ll be proud
of glorious war that shattered all their pride.”
(i) Who are the “they” in the above lines? 1 Mark
(ii) What will they forget soon? 2 Marks
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(iii) Explain - “Their dreams that drip with murder”, 2 Marks
(iv) What is the contradiction in the last line? 2 Marks
OR
“Where are the songs of Spring! Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains’ with rosy hue.”,
(i) Name the poet and the poem. 2 Marks
(ii) Who is referred to as, “thou”? 1 Mark
(iii) What does the poet mean when he says “songs of spring”? 2 Marks
(iv) What image is conjured up with “stubbled plains”? 2 Marks
11. Answer any two of the following in 50 words each: 4 × 2 = 8 Marks
(i) What is a poem according to Archibald Macleish? .
(ii) What are the images used by Ramanujan to describe his mother as a young woman?
(iii) Cite two instances of irony from the poem “Curtain”.
12. Answer any one of the following (80 to 100 words): 5 Marks
Alexander is a wiser man at the end. How has he changed?What would you attribute these changes to?
OR
Seargeant Morris was very apprehensive about handing over the paw to anyone else. That night he
writes a diary entry expressing his feelings and why he is apprehensive. Write his diary entry.
13. Answer any two in 50 words each: 4 × 2 = 8 Marks
(i) “I remained in the litchi tree, pondering over his wisdom ....” says the narrator of ‘What’s
YourDream?’ What was the wisdom?
(ii) Why does Robert Lynd say, “ .... the bee is morally far higher in the scale than the mosquito”?
(iii) How was Doronin’s attitude towards the love they felt for each other different from Lisa’s?
14. Answer any one in
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