ENGLISH CORE CODE NO. : 301
Class – XII Sample Question Paper
Section A : Reading Max. Marks : 20
1. Read the passage given below and then answer the questions which follow : 12 Marks
1. From the moment a baby first opens its eyes, it is learning. Sight and sensation spark of a
learning process which will determine in large measure the sort of person it will become. Language
stands head and shoulders over all other tools as an instrument of learning. It is language that
gives man his lead in intelligence over all other creatures. No other creature can assemble a list
of ideas, consider them, draw conclusions and then explain his reasoning. Man can do all this
because he possesses language. And if thought depends on language, clearly the quality of an
individual's thought will depend on that person's language-rudimentary or sophisticated, precise
or approximate, stereotyped or original.
2. Very young babies are soothed by human voice uttering comforting words close to them. This
essentially emotional response provides early evidence that feeling is an important component
of language learning. Children learn to use language in interaction with other human beings and
this learning proceeds best against a background of affectionate feedback from the person who
is closest to them. This is seen to perfection in the interaction between parent and baby : eyes
locked together, the adult almost physically drawing 'verbal' response from the baby, both engulfed
by that unique experience of intimate and joyful 'connecting' which sets the pattern of relationships
between two people.
3. Thus, long before they can speak, children are involved in a two-way process of communication
which is steadily building a foundation on which their later use of language will be based.
Constantly surrounded by language, they are unconsciously building structures in their minds
into which their speech and reading will later fit-grammatical constructions, tense sequences
and so on. The forms of these structures will depend on the amount and complexity of speech
they hear. The fortunate children are those who listen to articulate adults expressing ideas and
defending opinions. They will know, long before they can contribute themselves that relationships
are forged through this process of speaking and listening; that warmth and humour have a place
in the process, as have all other human emotions.
4. Using books is the most important means of ensuring a child's adequate language development.
None of us can endlessly initiate and maintain speech with very small children; we run out of
ideas or just get plain sick of it. Their lives are limited and the experience just isn't there to
provide the raw material for constant verbal interaction, without inevitable boredom on the
child's part and desperation on the adult's...
5. Parents and children who share books share the same frame of reference. Incidents in every day
life constantly remind one or the other of a situation, a character, an action, from a jointly
enjoyed book, with all the generation of warmth and well being that is attendant upon such
sharing. All too often, there is a breakdown of communication between parents and children
when the problems of adolescence arise. In most cases this is most acute when the give-and-take
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of shared opinion and ideas has not been constantly practised throughout childhood. Books can
play a major part in the establishment of this verbal give-and-take, because they are rooted in
language.
6. Young children's understanding greatly outruns their capacity for expression as their speech
strains to encompass their awareness, to represent reality as they see it. Shades of meaning
which may be quite unavailable to the child of limited verbal experience are startlingly talkedto
toddler. All the wonderful modifying words-later, nearly, tommorrow, almost, wait, half,
lend, begin to steer the child away from the simple extremes of "Yes" and "No" towards the
adult word of compromise; from the child's black and white world to the subtle shades and tints
of the real world. The range of imaginative experience opened up by books expands the inevitably
limited horizons of children's surroundings and allowed them to make joyful, intrigued, awestruck
acquaintance with countless people, animals, objects and ideas in their first years of life,
to their incalculable advantage.
7. Books also help children to see things from other points of view besides their own as they
unconsciously put themselves into other people's places- 'if that could happen to him, it could
happen to me.' This imaginative self-awareness brings apprehensions and fears as well as
heightened hopes and joys.
8. In books children can experience language which is subtle, resourceful, exhilarating and
harmonious; languages which provides the human ear (and understanding) with a pointed and
precise pleasure, the searing illuminating impact of good and true words.
(Adapted from Babies Need Books by Dorothy Butler)
9 Marks
(1) List three things that a baby can do from the moment that it is born that 1 Mark
enable it to learn about the world around it.
(2) How does the range of language affect a person's thinking ? 1 Mark
(3) What advantages do children who listen to articulate adults enjoy in 2 Marks
comparison with the others ?
(4) Why according to the writer is talking alone an inadequate base for 1 Mark
language development ?
(5) What is the role of books in maintaining good relationships ? Explain. 2 Marks
(6) Pick out two other advantages of books mentioned in the passage. 2 Marks
(7) Find words from the passage that mean : 3 Marks
(a) Pronounce distinctly (para 3)
(b) accompany (para 5)
(c) give and take (para 6)
2. Read the passage given below : 8 Marks
If you wish to pursue higher studies without taxing your parents with education debts, it's time to act
now. As education costs escalate every year, it is not feasible for parents to spend the lion's share of
their savings on your higher education. However, with a number of scholarship programmes available
these days, you can fund your own studies, at least in part. All that you need is a sound academic
record and the ability to complete with other candidates. If you are not meritorious, look out for loans,
which can be repaid once you have finished your degree.
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Scholarships
One of the first avenues that students must explore is the National Science Talent Search (NSTS),
which is available to students of class V to XII. If you have an interest in Science and can make a good
science project, apply to the NSTS. "After school, fellowships are available for different levels of
study that include science, arts and social science. There are also scholarships available for research
abroad, the information for which is posted to colleges and university departments directly."
For scholarships in the US, enquire at the office of the United States Educational Foundation in India
(USEFI) which has an office in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Similarly, if you wish to
pursue higher studies in the UK, drop in at The British Council, which has branches all over the
country. The British Chevening Scholarship is awarded to gifted studies in various disciplines in the
U.K. Similarly, Fulbright is a distinguished US fellowship programme for research scholars.
There are also a number of exchange programmes with different countries, provided by the Government
of India. The German Academic Exchange fellowship invites PG students in bio-engineering, biopharmacology,
metallurgy, environment science, agronomy, veterinary science, horticulture and animal
husbandry, with two years of teaching or research experience.
Loans
Alternately, you can look for loans, which can be repaid once you start earning. In India, such loans
are available from commercial banks and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), but both
require security. "In banks, some security in the form of immovable property or jewellery may have to
be mortgaged, while in the case of LIC, you should have a life insurance policy with premium having
been paid for a certain number of years."
If you seek loans to study abroad, such as in the US, you must have a US citizen co-signer and you
should have already taken admission in US university. The whole process requires a lot of hard work,
merit and self-motivation, but once you complete your degree, self-funding can be extremely rewarding.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using 5 Marks
headings and sub headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever
necessary
(b) Write a summary of the above passage using the notes in 80 words. Also 3 Marks
suggest a title.
Section B : Advanced Writing Skills Max. Marks : 35
3. You are Anil/Anita, the school captain of Orchids International School. You wish to 5 Marks
call a meeting of the Students' Council to discuss the measures to be taken to check
the explosion of crackers in the school premises during Diwali time. Draft the Notice
in not more than 50 words.
OR
You are Ankit/Aditi School Captain of Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya. You have decided to
celebrate "The Grand Parents Day" in school. Draft a formal invitation to be sent to
the grandparents of students of your school giving details of the programme, day date
and time etc. (50 words)Labels: India Question Papers