Class XII Practice Set -1
Subject English Core [Time: 3 Hrs., M.M.:100]
General Instructions :-
1. This paper is divided into three sections A, B & C. All the sections are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
Section-A (Reading) [30 Marks]
1. Read the following passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. 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 stats of consciousness grouped under thought, will and feeling. Besides self-consciousness, we have the power to choose and think. Krishna says: “no man rests a moment inactive.” Even when inactive on the bodily plane, we are all the time acting on the thought plane. If our thoughts are pure and noble, naturally acting follow the same. If our thoughts are filled with jealousy, hatred and greed, our acting will be the same.
3. Karmically, however, thought or intent is more responsible and dynamic than and 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 and that 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 seed of right idea, 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 with 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.
Questions
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions.
(i) How can we make our life meaningful? (1)
(ii) Why does Krishna say, “No man rests a moment inactive?” (2)
(iii)How do our thoughts affect the whole body? (2)
(iv) How can we change our mood when we are depressed? (2)
(v) How can we bring about the desired effect? (2)
(b) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option. (1x3=3)
(i) Man is not inactive even for a moment because
(a) Man is always pre occupied with work.
(b) Man prefers activity to inactivity.
(c) Man always thinks.
(d) Man always remains active through the biological functions of the body.
(ii)The result of the charity is determined by
(a) The amount of money given as charity.
(b) The money value of the goods given.
(c) Thoughts of the person.
(d) Frequency of given charity.
(iii)What is the best remedy when one is in a state of depression?
(a) Positive thinking.
(b) Company of the fun living people.
(c) Reflection on the situation.
(d) Seeking advice of a trustworthy person.
2.Read the following passage given below and answer the question that follow.
1. Modern English is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. Language becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts and so on indefinitely. Below are various means by which the work of good prose construction is habitually dodged.
2. Dying metaphors are used because they save people trouble of inventing phrases for themselves. However, they have to lost all evocative power. Examples are ‘toe the line’ and ‘ride roughshod over’. Many of these are used without knowledge of their meaning and incompatible metaphors are frequently mixed. Some metaphors have been twisted out of their original meaning without those who use them even being aware of fact.
3. Verbal facts limbs save the trouble of picking out appropriate verbs and noun. Characteristics phases are ‘render inoperative’ and ‘militate against’. In addition, noun constructions are used instead of gerunds (e.g., by examination of instead of ‘by exampling’).
4. Pretentious diction is used to dress up a simple statement and give an air of scientific impartiality to biased judgments. Foreign words and expressions such as ‘mutatis mutandis’, ‘status quo’, and ‘weltanschauung’ are used to give an air of culture and elegance. There is no real need for any of the hundreds of foreign phrases now current in the English language. The result, in general, is an increase in slovenliness and vagueness.
5. Meaningless words abound. The word ‘fascism’ has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’. The words ‘democracy’, ‘freedom’ and ‘justice’ have each of them several different meanings which can not be reconciled with one and another. In the case of a word like ‘democracy’, not only there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides. It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it.
6. Consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that it is democracy and fear that they might have to stop using that word if it were tied down to any one meaning. Words of this kind are often used in a consciously dishonest way. The person uses them has his own private definition, but allows his hearer to think he means something quite different.
7. In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible. Political language consists largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness. Defenseless villages are bombarded from the air; this is called pacification.
8. Millions of peasants are sent trudging along the roads with no more than they can carry; this is called transfer of population or rectification of frontiers. People are imprisoned for years without trial; this is called elimination of unreliable elements. Such phraseology is needed if one wants to think without calling up mental pictures of them.
9. Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. One cannot change this all in a moment, but one can at least change one’s own habits. If one gets rid of these habits, one can think more clearly and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political regeneration.
Questions
a) On the basis of your reading of above the passage, answer the following questions briefly.
i) What makes language disagreeable and incorrect? (1)
ii)What are the various factors that land ambiguity to prose construction. (2)
iii)Why is there a tendency towards using pretentious or showy diction and foreign words in modern English.(1)
iv) Why does the author consider a large no. of words in the English language meaningless? (2)
v) Who use language to serve their selfish motives? (1)
b) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following question by choosing the correct option.(1x3=3)
i) The use of showy words makes the language.
a) Influential b) unclear c) expressive d) easy
ii) Why do people use obsolete or old metaphors?
a) They like using classical theme
b) They do not want to devise new metaphors
c) It is considered fashionable
d) It reflects their learning
iii) Language at which level is twisted for the wrong reasons?
a) Cultural level b) societal level c) economic level d) political level
3. Read the following passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
The human mind is the most versatile organ in the body. It is a store house of excessive information, experience, images and emotions. In fact, it is not only stores, but also analyses and selects the material. It is constantly working and has a tremendous power of creation. It is always at our command provided, we treat it like a helper and do not allow it to become the master.
The human brain carries unlimited sources of energy and strength, which can be utilized in constructive as well as destructive ways. See how some among us become so creative and productive. Such people have stimulated their brains cells in appositive direction. They have oriented their minds towards one goal and trained them to dip into the deep, hidden sources of energy present in each of us.
Our day-to-day problems and worries keep our minds entangled and exhaust us. The increasing involvement with so many routine activities leads to mental exhaustion. Some of these, of course, cannot be avoided. We have to follow a pursuit for earning a livelihood. We have to pay many for everything we purchase in the market. Similarly, we have to look after our family. But there are a no. of mental activities that can be avoided to save energy: for instance, ideal gossip, the criticism of others, quarreling over trifles and digging pits for other to fall into.
What happens when we are angry? We feel completely mentally exhausted. We even loose control over our mental faculty and do certain acts just to repent later. We frequently pick up fights with others and spoil relations with them. Our brain cell remain constantly over-excited. So, we consume more energy even when we are actually doing nothing. They find themselves in capable of doing higher tasks.
One must remember that a relatively or completely relaxed mind can provide better coordinated and effective output. You may have seen some people who are usually relaxed. Other have mastered the simple psychological, behavioral and physical techniques to become relaxed. Millions of people around the world have learnt these techniques and there is no reason why you can’t do the same and get the benefit.
Questions
a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum 4). Also suggest a suitable title. (5)
b) Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. (3)
Section-B (Writing) [30 Marks]
4. 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 student about this play. Invent necessary details. (4)
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 50 words. Informing the students about this excursion. Sign yourself as Ravi/Raveena.
5. India is a country with diverse culture 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. (10)
Or
You are Amit /Amita a student of class XII at KN 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.
6. 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 sixty 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. (6)
Or
You are Satish/Sonali, the Student Prefect Incharge of the school library. You have been asked to place an order for children’s story books(ages 10-13 years). Write a letter to MS Book depot, Ramnagar, Bikaner placing an order for the books. Invent the necessary details.
7. Peer pressure is useful for development. If there is no peer pressure at all then there would be no goal or aim to succeed. Write a speech on the topic –‘Is Peer Pressure More Beneficial than Not?’ to be delivered on account of children’s day celebration in your school. (150-200 words). (10)
Or
Racism is bad. Anyone and everyone can be exposed to racism. Write a speech in about 150-200 words on the topic ‘Racism’ to be delivered in the morning assembly.
Section-C (Literature and Long Reading Text) [40 Marks]
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1x4=4)
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
i) Why were aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering?
ii) What is suggested by the image of the massive weight of uncle’s wedding band?
iii) Why did aunt Jennifer create animals which were so different from her own character?
iv) How was she pulling the needle?
Or
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 from rivers, capes and stars of words.
i) What does the map on the wall signify?
ii) Who are these children? What is their world like?
iii) What kind of future does the poet foresee for them?
iv) What do the children crave for?
9. Answer any four of the following questions. (3x4=12)
i) What does Stephen Spender want for the children of the slums? How can their lives change?
ii) How will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us?
iii) Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?
iv) Why does the poet, Stephen Spender call the map a bad example?
v) How does the poet describe Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger?
10.Answer the following questions in about 120- 150 words.
i) The life of bangle marks of Firozabad was full of obstacles which forced them to lead a life of poverty and deprivation. Discuss with reference to ‘Lost Spring’.
ii) 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?
Long Reading Text (Novel)
11. Why did the narrator say that Mrs Hall had the better of the Invisible Man in the bar?
12.Mrs. Hall was a strong Woman. However, we see some flaws in her character. In the light of this statement attempt her character sketch.( The Invisible Man).