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 CBSE 2026
ENGLISH CORE

CLASS 12

Chapter-wise Question Bank

Based on Previous 20 Years 63 Papers

NODIA AND COMPANY

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CBSE English Core Question Bank Class 12
Edition April 2025
Copyright © By Nodia and Company

Information contained in this book has been obtained by author, from sources believes to be reliable.
However, neither Nodia and Company nor its author guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any
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 Contents
CBSE Examination Paper 2025 5-18
Section A : Reading Skills

CHAP 1. Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages 19-50

CHAP 2. Case Based Factual Passages 51-79

Section B : Creative Writing Skills

CHAP 1. Notices 80-91
CHAP 2. Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies) 92-104
CHAP 3. Letters 105-131
CHAP 4. Article 132-140
CHAP 5. Report 141-148

Section C : Literature
Flamingo – Prose Section
CHAP 1. The Last Lesson 149-174
CHAP 2. Lost Spring (Stories of Stolen Childhood) 175-200
CHAP 3. Deep Water 201-222
CHAP 4. The Rattrap 223-252
CHAP 5. Indigo 253-280
CHAP 6. Poets and Pancakes 281-309
CHAP 7. The Interview 310-330
CHAP 8. Going Places 331-354
Flamingo – Poetry Section
CHAP 1. My Mother At Sixty-Six 355-367
CHAP 2. Keeping Quiet 368-382
CHAP 3. A Thing of Beauty 383-395
CHAP 4. A Roadside Stand 396-415
CHAP 5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers 416-428

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 Supplementary Reader : Vistas
CHAP 1. The Third Level 429-446
CHAP 2. The Tiger King 447-465
CHAP 3. Journey to the End of the Earth 466-482
CHAP 4. The Enemy 483-506
CHAP 5. On the Face of It 507-525
CHAP 6. Memories of Childhood 526-542

********

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

CBSE Examination Question Paper 2025

Class XII
English Core (301)
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. This Question Paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
ii. This question paper contains three sections –
Section – A: Reading Skills,
Section – B: Creative Writing Skills, and
Section – C: Literature.
iii. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number and
part thereof in your answer sheet.
iv. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
v. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A-READING SKILLS 22 in defusing tense, aggressive situations and in

managing alliances and friendships should not be
1. Read the following passage carefully: 12 underestimated either.
1. Having a sense of humour might mean having 5. Schmoozing with a bunch of new people at a
the ability to entertain other people by making cocktail party is an opportunity to engage in
them laugh, but it can also mean having a quick light-hearted banter, and other people are grateful
wit that is frequently employed to criticize other when someone is skillful enough to turn a stiff
people with snide comments. Some might define and awkward situation into fun. Cracking jokes,
the sense of humour as the ability to see humour making witty remarks, and engaging in tongue-in-
in everyday life or as appreciating the cleverness cheek observations about the social world can be
of puns and other wordplay, and may think it like fishing for other minds that connect naturally
entirely possible to possess a good sense of with one’s own. In other words, humour can be a
humour without ever having those around them device for connecting people who are operating on
become aware of it. the same wavelength.
2. In any case, a sense of humour is a socially valued 6. Observing the performance of other people in such
trait that almost all of us would prefer to have situations tips you off as to who you might like
more, rather than less, of – akin to the way to get to know better – and who might be best
that we think about intelligence or good looks. left behind, wallowing in indignation and blank
A person with an undeveloped sense of humour stares. In short, a sense of humour is the Swiss
lacks a social skill that puts him or her at a severe Army Knife of social skills. Perhaps it is indeed
disadvantage in the hurly-burly of everyday social a single instrument, but it contains an arsenal
life. of tools – each exquisitely designed for a unique
social purpose.
3. Freud thought of humour as an outlet for forbidden
impulses, and philosophers ranging from Aristotle Answer the following questions, based on the given
to Descartes believed that we are amused by passage above:
something when it makes us feel superior to other
i. How does the author prove in paragraph 1 that
people.
sense of humour is a double edged sword? 1
4. Evolutionary psychologists believe that humour,
along with other creative abilities, such as art and ii. Cite evidences from the passage to prove that
music, evolved as an honest signal of intelligence sense of humour is a valuable tool to make
and genetic quality. The value of such a skill someone’s life better. 2

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page 6 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

iii. Complete the following sentence suitably with sarcastic jabs. In this way, humour is revealed
reference to paragraph 3: 1 to have the power to produce both uplifting and
One significant advantage of humour is that it harmful effects.
helps one _____. ii. Evidences that humour improves life:
1. “The value of such a skill in defusing tense,
iv. Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to aggressive situations and in managing alliances
paragraph 5, how a good sense of humour can be and friendships should not be underestimated
a great ice breaker. 1 either.” (Paragraph 4)
v. Select the correct option from those given in 2. “Schmoozing with a bunch of new people at
brackets to fill in the blank: 1 a cocktail party is an opportunity to engage
According to evolutionary psychologists, people in light-hearted banter, and other people are
with a sense of humour can _____ (trigger/ grateful when someone is skillful enough to
lighten) tense situation. turn a stiff and awkward situation into fun.”
(Paragraph 5)
vi. Choose the correct option: 1 iii. One significant advantage of humour is that it
“...humour can be a device for connecting people helps one cope with stress and social interactions
who are operating on the same wavelength.” by making situations more enjoyable and light-
By the phrase ‘same wavelength’ the author refers hearted.
to: iv. “Schmoozing with a bunch of new people at a
(A) people of age group cocktail party is an opportunity to engage in
(B) people who belong to same line of profession. light-hearted banter, and other people are grateful
(C) people having similar interests and attitudes. when someone is skillful enough to turn a stiff and
(D) people who are working in the same awkward situation into fun.”
organisation. v. According to evolutionary psychologists, people
with a sense of humour can lighten tense
vii. Complete the analogy with one word from
situations.
paragraph 6: 1
vi. (C) people having similar interests and attitudes.
advantage : benefit :: _____ : anger
When the author says humour connects people
(A) situation
“operating on the same wavelength,” they mean
(B) stare
that shared tastes, values, or ways of seeing the
(C) indignation
world make humour resonate. A joke lands best
(D) arsenal
among those who think alike. Thus, humour
viii. In the line perhaps ”it is indeed a single instrument, becomes a bridge between individuals who share
but it contains an arsenal of tools...” What does common perspectives and emotional responses.
the phrase ‘arsenal of tools’ refer to? 2 vii. (C) indignation
In paragraph 6 the author uses “indignation” to
ix. Provide ONE textual evidence from the text denote a strong feeling of anger or moral outrage.
which states lack of sense of humour may prove to Just as an advantage yields a benefit, indignation
be a handicap in one’s life. 1 corresponds to anger. This analogy highlights
how humour equips us with various “tools”—here
x. An undeveloped sense of humour shows lack terms—to navigate social emotions, pairing each
of a social skill that puts him or her at a concept with its natural counterpart.
disadvantage. 1 viii. The phrase “arsenal of tools” refers to the wide
Choose the correct option (A) or (B) which range of social skills that humour provides—such
reaffirms the idea conveyed in the above extract:
as ice‑breaking, tension‑diffusing, witty banter,
(A) Sense of humour elevates the status of a
and bonding strategies—each “tool” serving a
person in the social circle.
different purpose in human interaction.
(B) People with sense of humour are not taken
ix. “A person with an undeveloped sense of humour
seriously in the society.
lacks a social skill that puts him or her at a severe


Ans : disadvantage in the hurly‑burly of everyday social
i. The author proves humour’s double‑edged nature life.” (Paragraph 2)
by stating that it can both delight people with x. (A) Sense of humour elevates the status of a
laughter and serve as a cutting weapon for person in the social circle.

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

The passage emphasizes that humour is a respondents. Yet, female respondents face
prized social skill akin to intelligence or good discriminatory biases in hiring, have less paid
looks. Having wit makes one more engaging and work experience than their male counterparts,
respected in group settings. Conversely, lacking and face greater barriers in pursuing skills
humour leaves one “at a severe disadvantage.” development opportunities. 60 percent of female
Therefore, possessing a good sense of humour respondents, for example, report having no
raises one’s social standing and ease of paid work experience, compared to 54 percent
connection. of male respondents. In addition, 15 percent of
female respondents report personal biases such as
2. Read the passage carefully: 10 marital status, gender, age, or family background
1. This report presents findings from the Youth as a main barrier to employment compared to 9
Aspirations in India Survey in which 5,764 percent of male respondents. While more female
youth between the ages of 15 and 30 were asked respondents report being very interested in
about their employment, education, and skilling participating in a skills development programme,
aspirations. only 19 percent have enrolled in a programme,
compared to 26 percent of male respondents.
2. Indian youth valued higher education. 50 percent
of respondents aspire to attain a post-graduate Answer the following questions, based on the given
degree, 24 percent a Ph.D., and 21 percent a passage:
bachelor’s degree. Only 2 percent of respondents
hope to attain a college or vocational diploma as i. As per the survey, Indian youth is broadly focused
their highest form of education. on 1
(A) skill development and entrepreneurship.
3. Respondents have a strong preference for attaining (B) private sector jobs and technology.
higher education degrees. At the same time, there (C) higher education and career opportunities.
is an awareness of changing skills requirements (D) vocational diploma and public sector jobs.
and an interest in augmenting their skills. 76
percent of youth report being very interested in ii. With reference to paragraph 3, what is the latest
pursuing a skills development programme. 70 trend among Indian youth in preparing themselves
percent of youth identified more employment for the job market? 1
opportunities as the main motivation for wanting
to pursue skills development training. iii. With reference to the table, state one reason for
entrepreneurship being the last preference among
4. A study related to their job preference reveals their Indian youth. 1
strong desire for job security and opportunities
for career advancement. It is evident from the iv. Cite two evidences from the text to show that
following data: gender bias is still a hindrance in the progress of
women in society. 2
Percentage Preference
49% Public Sector v. Complete the following sentence suitably. 1
The driving force for the Indian youth to join a
23% Private Sector skill development programme is _____.
17% Entrepreneurship
vi. Paragraph 5 uses words ‘competencies’ and
5. In the context of technological adoption and ‘adoption’. Classify the following sentences which
digitization, jobs and tasks, along with the talks about ‘competency’ and which talks about
competencies required to execute them, are ‘adoption’. 1
changing. 86 percent of youth feel very or Sentence 1 : Ria embraced new technology to gain
moderately up to date with changes in skills global market for her paintings.
requirements. Yet, 39 percent of youth feel very Sentence 2 : Ria displays her artistic skill through
prepared or prepared for their ideal job, while 16 her paintings.
percent of youth feel either not prepared or very
vii. Cite two evidences from the text to show that
unprepared for their ideal job.
Indian youth is adapting itself to the needs of the
6. Female respondents’ education and employment job market. 2
aspirations match, if not exceed, those of male

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page 8 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

viii. Choose the correct option: 1 vii. Evidences from the passage:
The main roadblocks to employment opportunities 1. 76% of youth report being very interested in
for females are : pursuing a skill development programme.
(i) lack of interest 2. 86% of youth feel very or moderately up to
(ii) marriage date with changes in skill requirements.
(iii) lack of opportunities viii. (C) (ii), (iii), and (v)
(iv) over qualification Marital status (marriage) and family background
(v) family background are explicitly mentioned as discriminatory
Options : barriers for women. They also face fewer skill
(A) (i) & (ii) development and hiring opportunities, indicating
(B) (iii) & (iv) a “lack of opportunities.” Overqualification and
(C) (ii), (iii) & (v) lack of interest are not cited as barriers. Thus, (C)
(D) (iv) & (v) (ii), (iii) & (v) is correct.


Ans :
i. (C) higher education and career opportunities. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 18
The survey shows that 50 percent of youth want Note : All details presented in the questions are
postgraduate degrees, 24 percent a PhD, and 21 imaginary and created for assessment purpose.
percent a bachelor’s. Seventy‑six percent wish
to join skills programmes and 49 percent prefer 3. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in
secure public‑sector jobs. Together, this indicates about 50 words: 1×4=4
a strong focus on advanced education and stable
(A) Your school is organizing a road safety awareness
career paths.
workshop for students of class IX – XII. As the
ii. The latest trend among Indian youth is a strong
head boy of your school, draft a notice informing
inclination toward acquiring higher education
the students about the workshop. Include other
degrees while also demonstrating a growing
necessary details. You are Ashna/Ashish. Put
awareness of evolving skill requirements. In fact,
your notice in a box.
76% of youth are interested in pursuing skill

Ans :
development programs.
iii. One reason entrepreneurship is the least preferred GREEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, DELHI
option (17%) is the greater emphasis on job
NOTICE
security and career advancement, which are more
commonly found in public (49%) and private ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS WORKSHOP
sector jobs (23%).
Date: 16 April 2025
iv. Evidences from the passage:
All students of Classes IX to XII are informed
1. Female respondents face discriminatory biases
that a Road Safety Awareness Workshop will be
in hiring and have less paid work experience
held on 25 April 2025 (Tuesday) from 10:00 a.m.
compared to their male counterparts. to 12:00 p.m. in the school auditorium. Traffic
(Paragraph 6) police officials will guide us on safe driving and
2. 15% of female respondents report personal pedestrian rules.Attendance is compulsory. For
biases such as marital status, gender, age, or any queries, contact the undersigned.
family background as barriers to employment,
compared to only 9% of male respondents. Ashish
(Paragraph 6) (Head Boy)
v. The driving force for the Indian youth to join a
skill development programme is the increasing

O
awareness of changing skill requirements and the (B) Your school is organizing an Inter-House Science
need for better employment opportunities. Model-Making Competition. As President of the
vi. Classification of the sentences as competency or Science Club, draft a notice to inform all House
adoption based on paragraph 5 : members from IX – XII about the competition
1. Ria embraced new technology to gain a global and specify the number of registrations invited
market for her paintings. (Adoption) per house. Include other necessary details. You
2. Ria displays her artistic skill through her are Mitali/Mukesh. Put your notice in a box.
paintings. (Competency)

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

Ans :

Ans :
HORIZON PUBLIC SCHOOL, LUCKNOW Mrs. Savita Manjrekhar
Professor of English
NOTICE XYZ College, Cochin
INTER-HOUSE SCIENCE MODEL- Date: 16 April 2025
MAKING COMPETITION To
The Principal
Date: 16 April 2025 J.M. Public School
All House members from Classes IX–XII are Cochin
hereby informed that an Inter-House Science Subject: Inability to Accept the Invitation
Model-Making Competition will be held on 28 Dear Sir/Madam,
April, 2025 (Monday) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Thank you for inviting me to judge the Inter-
p.m. in the School Auditorium. Interested
School Debate Competition. I am honored by your
students should submit their names to the
consideration. However, due to prior academic
undersigned by 22 April 2025. For queries,
engagements, I regret to inform you that I cannot
contact the Science Club.
attend. I wish the event every success and hope to
Mukesh participate in the future.
(President, Science Club) Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Savita Manjrekhar
4. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in (Professor of English)
about 50 words: 1×4=4
5. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in 120–
(A) Draft an invitation card on behalf of the Principal
150 words: 1×5=5
of J.B. Bhatia Public School for the launch of
‘Yoga for Life’ programme in the school. Mention (A) You are Ajay of 36, N.J. Colony, Pune. You read
a compelling highlight of the programme along the given advertisement and wish to apply for the
with other necessary details. post advertised. Write this job application along


Ans : with your bio-data.

J.B. BHATIA PUBLIC SCHOOL, DELHI Bloom Public School, Bhopal

Cordially invites you to Requires
LAUNCH OF THE “YOGA FOR LIFE” Hockey
PROGRAMME Coach : Graduates with B.P.Ed degree preferred.
Minimum 4 years experience.
Date : 25 April 2025 (Friday) Skills : Well versed in defence techniques,
knowledge of physical and psychological
Time : 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. performance development. Ability
Venue : School Auditorium to foster team culture and promote
sportsmanship. Prepare students for
Programme Highlight
A special interactive session led by renowned state/national championships.
yoga mentor Dr. Kavita Sharma, focusing on Write to The Principal, Bloom Public School,
stress management and holistic well-being. Bhopal


Ans :
Kindly grace the occasion with your presence. 36, N.J. Colony
Principal Pune – 411001
J.B. Bhatia Public School 16 April 2025
The Principal


O Bloom Public School
(B) You are Mrs. Savita Manjrekhar, a professor in Bhopal
English. You are invited to be one of the judges Subject: Application for the Post of Hockey Coach
for the inter-school debate competition by the Dear Sir/Madam,
Principal of J.M. Public School, Cochin. Write a In response to your advertisement for Hockey
formal letter expressing your inability to accept Coach, I hold a B.P.Ed and four years’ school‑level
the invitation. coaching experience. Skilled in defensive tactics

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page 10 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

and physical‑psychological conditioning, I build

O

cohesive, sportsmanlike teams and have guided (B) Social literacy is increasingly recognized as a
players to state and national events. crucial 21st century skill for young individuals.
My credentials and passion fit Bloom Public Write a letter to the editor of a local daily
School. Bio‑data attached; I look forward to discussing the benefits of providing social literacy
discussing the post. education to children. Also, suggest effective ways
Thank you for your consideration. to raise awareness about the importance of this
Yours sincerely, education among parents. You may use some of
Ajay the given cues along with your own ideas to draft
Bio-Data the letter. You are a counsellor, Reena Sharma of
36, M.V. Apartments, Pune.
Name : Ajay Sharma
• What is social literacy?
Gender : Male
• What is the role of school in imparting
Father’s Name : Kamlesh Sharma social literacy to young students?
Data of Birth : 08th January, 19xx • What are the benefits of social literacy?
• How is social literacy connected to career
Current Address : 36, N.J. Colony, Pune –
advancement?
411001


Ans :
Contact No. : 782305xxxx
36, M.V. Apartments
Languages known : English and Hindi Pune – 411001
17 April 2025
Educational Qualifications
The Editor
• B.P.Ed – University of Pune (Year of
Pune Herald
Completion: 2021)
Pune
• Bachelor of Arts (Physical Education
Subject: Need for Social Literacy Education in
as Elective) University of Pune (Year of
Schools
Completion: 2019)
Sir/Madam,
Professional Experience Social literacy—the ability to communicate
• Hockey Coach, XYZ School, Pune (2021 – respectfully, collaborate across cultures, and
Present) manage emotions—is now as vital as numeracy.
• Assistant Coach, Pune Sports Academy (2019 Schools can integrate it through group projects,
– 2021) peer‑mediation clubs and community service
Key Skills modules, letting children practise empathy and
• Expertise in defensive hockey techniques conflict‑resolution daily. These skills reduce
• Knowledge of sports psychology and classroom bullying, sharpen teamwork and, later,
performance enhancement boost employability: employers increasingly prize
• Strong communication and team-building skills emotional intelligence, cross‑cultural competence
and ethical decision‑making.
Achievements
To familiarise parents with these benefits,
• Led school teams to win multiple district-
PTA meetings should include short workshops by
level tournaments
counsellors, while schools can share success stories
• Organized sports camps focusing on holistic
via newsletters and social media. Local NGOs
player development
could host “family social‑skills fairs” combining
References games and expert talks. Such steps will convince
Available upon request parents that social literacy is not an optional extra
I hereby declare that the information given above but a foundation for their children’s academic
is true and correct to the best of my knowledge success, career growth and responsible citizenship.
and belief.
Yours faithfully,
Date : 16 April 2025 Place : Pune
Reena Sharma
Ajay Sharma Counsellor
(Signature)

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

6. Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in You may organize your report by following –
120–150 words: 1×5=5 Who – What – When – Why – How


Ans :
(A) Write an article on the commercialisation
of festivals, analyzing the reasons for Mango Mania Sweeps the Farmer’s Market
commercialisation and its impact on the younger By Suraj, Reporter, The Times of India
generation. You may use some of the given cues Pune, 18 April 2025
along with your own ideas. You are Vinita Yadav The Pune District Horticulture Board, in
of XII B. collaboration with the local Kisan Cooperative,
hosted the annual Mango Festival, drawing more
• Impact of globalization on celebration of than 5,000 visitors and 120 growers from across
festivals. Maharashtra.
• Sanctity & essence of festivals. A vibrant showcase of 40‑plus mango
• Role of Media in commercializing festivals. varieties—including Alphonso, Kesar, Langra and
• Suggest ways in which individuals and the rare Ratna—filled the air with sweet aroma.
communities can work together to preserve Highlights featured a mango‑eating contest,
tradition and culture in the celebration of live pulp‑extraction demos, a recipe corner
festivals. run by culinary students, and an exhibition of
value‑added products such as pickles, jams and


Ans :
artisanal aam‑papad.
Commercialisation of Festivals The two‑day celebration ran from 16–17 April,
By Vinita Yadav, XII B 2025 at the Kothrud Farmer’s Market arena, open
Globalisation has transformed traditional festivals 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
into global shopping carnivals. Multinational Organisers aimed to boost farmer incomes
brands, aided by round‑the‑clock media coverage before the peak harvest season, promote
and targeted social‑media influencers, push lesser‑known cultivars, and encourage consumers
“festive‑exclusive” goods that drown out rituals to “buy local, buy fresh.”
and reflection. As discounts eclipse devotion, Interactive workshops on grafting and organic
young people begin to equate celebration with pest control equipped 300 growers with new
consumption, judging the “success” of Diwali techniques, while a “Mango for Health” talk by
or Christmas by the size of gift‑hauls and dietitians underlined the fruit’s nutritional value
selfie‑worthy décor. The sanctity that once bound for over 400 attendees. Retail stalls reported a
families, honoured deities and reaffirmed cultural 30 percent spike in weekend sales, injecting
identity is diluted into a marketing hashtag. much‑needed cash into village economies.
Media houses, seeking advertising revenue, Local schools brought students for taste‑testing
schedule countdown shows, flash sales and sessions, instilling pride in regional produce.
celebrity‑endorsed “must‑buy” lists, further Overall, the festival blended commerce, culture
normalising this consumer mindset. To reclaim and education—reinforcing community ties and
authenticity, schools can organise heritage clubs, cementing Pune’s reputation as a mango lover’s
neighbourhoods can host no‑sale community haven.
feasts, and families might set spending caps,
donating the surplus to social causes. Promoting
folklore, sustainable crafts and shared rituals over SECTION – C (LITERATURE) 40
shopping can help the next generation celebrate
with meaning rather than merchandise. 7. Read the following extracts and answer the
questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or


O (B): 1×6=6
(B) You are Suraj, reporter of The Times of India. You (A) It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
are sent to cover the Mango Festival organized at Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered
the farmer’s market. in
Write a comprehensive report detailing the To live in villages, next to the theatre and
activities at the festival. Include descriptions the store.
of the events, participation details, the overall Where they won’t have to think for themselves
impact of these activities on the local community. anymore,

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page 12 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of When the poet says “It is in the news,” he hints
prey, that some authority has already decided the
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits villagers’ fate and publicised it. The information
That are calculated to soothe them out of reaches them through newspapers or officials, not
their wits, by their own choice, showing top‑down power.
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep Hence option (B) fits: an important government
all day decision has been taken.
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient ii. (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true
way. and the Reason is the correct explanation.
(A Roadside Stand) The poem accuses leaders of exploiting trusting
villagers. The poor believe rosy promises, so they
i. The expression ‘It is in the news’ suggests are easily “bought out” and controlled. Their
(A) it is good news for the roadside stand owners. blind faith (Reason) directly explains why the
(B) an important decision has been taken by the powerful can exploit them (Assertion). Thus
government. both statements are true and the reason correctly
(C) the roadside stand owners have protested explains the assertion.
against the government. iii. lulling the villagers into a dazed state so they stop
(D) that the news was not there in the newspaper. questioning or resisting.
iv. The line sounds like a favour, yet it really mocks
ii. Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with
the plan—depriving villagers of the freedom to
reference to the given extract.
Assertion : The poet complains that the rural think for themselves.
people are exploited by the people in power. v. criticize
Reason : The rural people reposed blind faith in vi. sarcastic and bitterly critical as he condemns the
the false promises of the people in power. exploitation and false promises made to the poor.
Choose the correct option regarding their


O
relationship:
(B) If we were not so single-minded
(A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true
about keeping our lives moving,
and the Reason is the correct explanation.
and for once could do nothing,
(B) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true,
perhaps a huge silence
but the Reason is not the correct explanation
might interrupt this sadness
of the Assertion.
of never understanding ourselves with death.
(C) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
(D) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
as when everything seems dead
iii. Complete the following suitably: and later proves to be alive.
In the line “that are calculated to soothe them Now I’ll count up to twelve
out of their wits”, the phrase “soothe them out of And you keep quiet and I will go.
their wits” refers to _____. (Keeping Quiet)

iv. Bring out the irony in the expression “they won’t i. Complete the following suitably:
have to think for themselves.” The poet uses the expression “single-minded” to
refer to _____.
v. Select the correct option from those given in
brackets to fill in the blank: ii. Why does the poet refer to silence as a welcoming
The poet uses the expression “greedy good-doers” interruption?
to _____ (criticize / appreciate) the intention
of the powerful people. iii. Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with
reference to the given extract.
vi. Complete the following suitably: Assertion : The poet personifies Earth as a
The tone of the poet in the above extract is teacher.
_____. Reason : We learn from the Earth that pausing


Ans : doesn’t mean the end.
i. (B) an important decision has been taken by the Choose the correct option regarding their
government. relationship:

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

(A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, 8. Read the following extracts and answer the
and the Reason is the correct explanation of questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or
the Assertion. (B): 1×4=4
(B) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, (A) When I heard this, I didn’t want to laugh any
but the Reason is not the correct explanation more, and I felt terribly sad. How could they
of the Assertion. believe that it was disgusting if one of us held
(C) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false. that package in his hands, even though the Vadai
(D) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true. had been wrapped first in a banana leaf, and then
iv. Complete the following suitably: parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and angry
By the expression “keeping our lives moving” the that I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais
poet refers to _____. myself straight away. Why should we have to fetch
and carry for these people. I wondered. Such an
v. Choose the correct option: important elder of ours goes meekly to the shops
The intention of the poet in the above extract is – to fetch snacks and hands over reverently, bowing
(A) to make us aware of the importance of Earth. and shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there
(B) to criticize our single-mindedness. and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought of it
(C) to highlight the reason for our sadness. infuriated me.
(D) to highlight the importance of sustaining (Memories of Childhood)
peace and silence.
i. ‘I felt terribly sad’. The reason for the speaker’s
vi. What is the significance of the last line of the sadness is because it was an act of _____.
extract “you keep quiet and I will go”?


Ans : ii. Choose the correct option:
i. our obsessive focus on constant work and progress. ‘The thought of it infuriated me’ — with reference
ii. Silence offers a break from nonstop activity, to the above line, what do you think is the impact
giving us time to reflect and ease the sadness born of the incident on the speaker?
of self‑ignorance. (A) The speaker was sympathetic and helpless.
iii. (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, (B) The speaker was angry and condemning.
and the Reason is the correct explanation of the (C) The speaker was excited to see the incident.
Assertion. (D) The speaker was very impressed and
Neruda treats Earth like a teacher that shows life motivated.
returns after apparent death—dry seeds sprout iii. Complete the sentence suitably:
after rest. This lesson proves pausing isn’t final; ‘I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself’
it brings renewal. Because the reason directly The above expression indicates the speaker’s
explains the assertion, both are true and the _____.
reason is the correct explanation.
iv. the ceaseless hustle of earning, competing and iv. Select the correct option from those given in
producing. brackets, to fill in the blank :
v. (D) to highlight the importance of sustaining The incident made the speaker realize that the
peace and silence. discrimination was _____. (dehumanizing/
The poet’s chief aim is to make readers value stillness. elevating)
By proposing a shared moment of quiet, he hopes

Ans :
to end conflict and sorrow. Options about ecology i. discrimination and untouchability.
or criticism are secondary; option (D) captures his ii. (B) The speaker was angry and condemning.
focus on sustaining peace through silence. The phrase “The thought of it infuriated me”
vi. After counting to twelve, the poet withdraws, clearly shows that the speaker was filled with
letting readers practise silence alone—showing anger. The incident had a strong emotional
guidance, then humble retreat, so the lesson impact, making the speaker upset and critical
becomes their own experience. about what happened. It shows disapproval, not
sympathy or excitement, so the correct tone is
anger and condemnation.
iii. defiance and anger against discrimination.
iv. dehumanizing.

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page 14 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

O A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-

(B) Mr. Lamb : When I go down the streets, the kids up department. The chief make-up man made the
shout ‘Lamey Lamb’. But they will come into the chief actors and actresses ugly, his senior assistant
garden, into my house; it’s a game. They’re not ‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant the
afraid of me. Why should they be? Because I’m main comedian and so forth. The players who
not afraid of them, that’s why not. played the crowd were the responsibility of the
Derry : Did you get your leg blown off in the war? office boy. (Even the make-up department of the
Mr. Lamb: Certainly. Gemini Studio had an ‘office boy’)
Derry : How will you climb on a ladder and get On the days when there was crowd-shooting, you
the crab apples down, then? could see him mixing his paint in a giant vessel
Mr. Lamb : Oh, there’s a lot of things I’ve learned to and slapping it on the crowd players. The idea
do and plenty of time for it. Years. I take it steady. was to close every pore on the surface of the face
(On the Face of It) in the process of applying make-up.
(Poets and Pancakes)
i. Complete the following suitably:
‘Years. I take it steady’. — The above line speaks i. What does the writer mean by the phrase ‘indoor
of the speaker’s _____. shooting’ in the first line of the extract?
ii. Derry, how will you climb on a ladder? What does ii. Pick up one sentence from the extract that reflects
Derry hint at in the above query? the sarcastic tone of the writer.
iii. ‘When I go down the streets, the kids shout iii. The hierarchy in the make-up department puts
Lamey Lamb.’ the ‘office boy’ in the _____ (lowest/top) rung
The attitude of the speaker expressed in the of the ladder.
above line is:
(A) his habit of finding fault. iv. Complete the following suitably:
(B) he is timid and faint hearted. On the days when there was a ‘crowd-shooting’.
(C) his acceptance of reality and positive attitude. By the phrase crowd-shooting, the author refers
(D) his indifferent and careless attitude. to _____.

iv. Fill in the blank suitably: v. Choose the correct option:

Mr. Lamb’s handicap has not _____ his “...mix his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it
attitude towards life. on the crowd players.”


Ans : The choice of words like ‘paint’ and ‘slapping’ by
i. patience and resilience. the author reflects –
ii. Derry is hinting at Mr. Lamb’s physical disability (A) author’s intention to degrade the office boy’s
(his missing leg) and questioning how he manages role in the make-up department.
daily activities despite it. (B) the office boy’s lack of seriousness.
iii. (C) His acceptance of reality and positive attitude. (C) author’s sarcastic and humorous writing
The speaker calmly mentions how children mock style.
him by calling “Lamey Lamb,” but he does not (D) author’s dislike of the office boy.
show anger or sadness. Instead, he accepts it as
a part of life with a positive attitude. He is not vi. Choose the correct option:
complaining or feeling hurt, showing that he has What does the following line from the extract
showcase?
learned to deal with reality happily.
“A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-
iv. affected
up department.”
9. Read the following extracts and answer the (A) The office boy took all the decisions in the
questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or make-up department.
(B): 1×6=6 (B) A system of ranks according to importance of
(A) Those were the days of mainly indoor shooting, work was followed.
and only five percent of the film was shot (C) Everyone was given an equal share of work in
outdoors. I suppose the sets and studio lights the department.
needed the girls and boys to be made to look (D) Nepotism was prevalent in the make-up
ugly in order to look presentable in the movie. department.

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

Ans : i. Choose the correct option:

i. The phrase “indoor shooting” refers to film What is the tone of the speaker in the expression
shooting that takes place inside a studio, using “I hardly knew how to write … how sorry I was
artificial lighting and sets, rather than outdoor for not learning my lessons”?
locations. (A) confused
ii. Sentence that reflects the sarcastic tone of the (B) regretful
writer is as follows: (C) surprised
“I suppose the sets and studio lights needed the (D) happy
girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to
look presentable in the movie.” ii. Choose the correct option:
The speaker refers to “seeking birds’ egg” and
iii. lowest
“sliding on the Saar” as
iv. the shooting of scenes involving a large number of
(A) part of his routine
junior artists or extras.
(B) his daily routine
v. (C) Author’s sarcastic and humorous writing
(C) source of distraction from learning
style.
(D) fun time with friends
The words “paint” and “slapping” are
exaggerations used for comic effect. They don’t iii. What is reflected through the shift in the speaker’s
literally describe the process but reflect the perception of his books through his expression
author’s light-hearted and humorous way of of calling them his “old friends” rather than
describing the office boy’s actions. The tone is considering them as “nuisance”?
playful and sarcastic, not insulting or angry,
which makes option (C) the correct choice. iv. Select the correct option from those given in
vi. (B) A system of ranks according to the importance brackets to fill in the blank:
of work was followed. “It was because they were sorry too…”
The phrase “strict hierarchy” means that the They were sorry for _____ (not following the
make-up department was organized by levels of government order/not learning their language)
authority or importance. Higher-ranked artists
v. What is inferred from the expression “the country
handled lead actors, while lower-ranked workers
that was theirs no more”?
like the office boy dealt with crowd extras. This
clearly shows a rank-based system, making option vi. What does M. Hamel’s ruler reflect about his
(B) the correct answer. image?


Ans :


O
i. (B) Regretful
(B) My Last French Lesson! Why, I hardly knew
The speaker expresses sadness about not learning
how to write! I should never learn any more! I
earlier and feeling sorry for it. The phrase “I
must stop there, then! Oh, how sorry I was for
hardly knew how to write” shows his realization
not learning my lessons, for seeking birds’ eggs
of what he missed. This clearly reflects regret over
or going sliding on the Saar! My books, that had
wasted time and lost opportunities, making the
seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to
tone regretful and option (B) the correct answer.
carry, my grammar, and my history of the saints,
ii. (C) Source of distraction from learning
were old friends now that I couldn’t give up and
The speaker mentions activities like “seeking
M. Hamel, too; the idea that he was going away,
birds’ eggs” and “sliding on the Saar” while
that I should never see him again, made me forget
recalling how he ignored his studies. These fun
all about his ruler and how cranky he was.
activities distracted him from learning his lessons.
Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson
that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes, and He regrets wasting time on such things instead
now I understood why the old men of the village of studying, which makes option (C) the correct
were sitting there in the back of the room. It was choice.
because they were sorry, too, that they had not iii. The change in perception shows that the speaker
gone to school more. It was their way of thanking has realized the importance of education and feels
our master for his forty years of faithful service regret for not valuing his lessons sooner.
and of showing their respect for the country that iv. not learning their language
was theirs no more.
(The Last Lesson)

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page 16 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

v. It refers to the loss of Alsace and Lorraine to the v. ‘What I want should not be confused.’
Prussians, symbolizing the end of French rule in What clarification does Pablo Neruda give to his
the region and the imposition of German control. readers? (Keeping Quiet)
vi. Hamel’s ruler symbolizes his strict and disciplined

Ans :
teaching style, as well as his deep commitment Pablo Neruda clarifies that his message is not
and affection for his language and students. about complete inactivity or laziness. He wants
people to pause and reflect, not stop living. His
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions idea of keeping quiet means taking a moment to be
in 40–50 words each: 5 × 2 = 10 still and thoughtful, helping us better understand
i. “One of these days you’re going to talk yourself ourselves and live in peace with others.
into a load of trouble;” her father said aggressively.
vi. “But the game he is watching so intently is out of
What do you learn about Sophie’s father from
his reach.”
these lines? (Going Places)
What are the factors that have made their game


Ans :
inaccessible to Saheb? (Lost Spring)
From these lines, we learn that Sophie’s father is


Ans :
a strict and practical man. He doesn’t believe in
The game is out of Saheb’s reach because of
daydreams and warns Sophie to be careful with
poverty and lack of opportunity. He cannot afford
her imagination. His aggressive tone shows he
proper equipment or join a club. His life is limited
is worried she might get into trouble for saying
to rag-picking and survival, leaving no room for
things that aren’t true or possible.
dreams or hobbies. Social and economic inequality
ii. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Explain with keeps such joys away from children like him.
reference to the poem. (A Thing of Beauty)
11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three


Ans :
questions in 40–50 words each: 2×2=4
The line means that beautiful things give us joy
that lasts forever. Their beauty never fades and i. What is so ironical about Sam reaching the third
continues to bring comfort, peace, and happiness level?
even during tough times. In the poem, the poet

Ans :
suggests that nature and beautiful moments lift The irony about Sam reaching the third level is
our spirits and remove sadness from our lives. that he never believed it existed. He used to say
it was just Charlie’s imagination. But later, he
iii. How did Franz plan to turn the commotion in the himself disappears and is found to be living in the
classroom to his favour? past at the third level, proving it was real and not


Ans : just a fantasy.
Franz planned to use the noise and confusion in
the classroom as a chance to slip into his seat ii. What image of the Tiger King is revealed in the
quietly without being noticed. He was late and diamond ring episode?
afraid of being scolded by M. Hamel, so he hoped

Ans :
the commotion would distract the teacher and The diamond ring episode shows the Tiger King
save him from punishment. as clever, cunning, and willing to bribe to get
what he wants. To please the British officer’s wife
iv. How do the expressions ‘polished traffic’ and a stand and avoid trouble, he sends expensive gifts. It
that ‘pathetically pled’ depict the contrasting worlds reveals that he uses wealth and flattery to protect
that co-exist in the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’? his pride and position, not true bravery.


Ans :
The expression “polished traffic” shows the iii. “In that short time, we’ve managed to create
wealthy, fast-moving world of city people, while quite a rukus.” What does Tishani Doshi refer to
the “stand that pathetically pled” represents the by ‘rukus’ ?
poor villagers begging for attention and help.

Ans :
These lines highlight the contrast between the In the poem Journey to the End of the Earth,
rich, who ignore the poor, and the poor, who Tishani Doshi uses the term “ruckus” to describe
struggle to survive and hope for support. the significant environmental damage humans
have caused in a relatively short time. This
includes issues like deforestation, pollution,

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 CBSE EXAMINATION Question PAPER 2025

and climate change. Despite our brief existence In A Thing of Beauty, Keats celebrates how
on Earth, our actions have led to considerable beautiful elements of nature—trees, flowers,
ecological disruption. rivers, and sunlight—bring joy, calmness, and
comfort. Nature, for him, is a source of eternal
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions happiness that removes sadness and helps us stay
in 120–150 words: 1×5=5 hopeful.
(A) ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ The above Both poets beautifully highlight how nature
saying aptly describes the character of Douglas heals, inspires, and strengthens the human spirit.
from ‘Deep Water’ and Mukesh from ‘Lost
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions
Spring’. Compare and contrast their characters
in terms of their courage, determination, and the in 120–150 words: 1×5=5
pursuit of their goals. (A) The element of dilemma, between humanity and


Ans : patriotism, elevates the character of Dr. Sadao in
The saying ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’ ‘The Enemy’. Support your answer with evidence
fits perfectly for both Douglas from Deep Water from the text.
and Mukesh from Lost Spring. Douglas, after a

Ans :
terrifying experience with water, does not let his Dr. Sadao’s character in The Enemy is deeply
fear control him. With great courage and strong shaped by the dilemma between his sense of
willpower, he takes training and slowly overcomes humanity and his duty to his country. As a
his fear of water. His determination helps him loyal Japanese citizen during wartime, he knows
regain confidence and live freely. that helping an enemy American soldier is
Similarly, Mukesh, a poor boy born in a considered a betrayal. However, as a doctor and a
family of bangle-makers, dreams of becoming a compassionate human being, he cannot ignore the
motor mechanic. Despite poverty, child labour, wounded man’s need for help.
and social pressure, he dares to think differently. Despite the risk to his own life and reputation,
He is determined to break free from the traditional Dr. Sadao chooses to save the enemy soldier. He
occupation and work in a garage. performs surgery, cares for him, and hides him
Both characters show great strength in in his home—even though this could have led to
chasing their dreams. While Douglas fights a punishment or death. His inner conflict is strong,
personal fear, Mukesh fights social and economic but his human values win over his patriotic duty.
barriers. Their stories show that with courage and In the end, Dr. Sadao secretly helps the
determination, even the toughest challenges can soldier escape, resolving his moral dilemma. His
be overcome. actions show that true humanity can rise above
blind nationalism, making his character morally


O courageous and admirable.
(B) Kamala Das in ‘Keeping Quiet’ and Keats in ‘A
Thing of Beauty’ depict nature as a source of

O
inspiration and strength to man. Analyse both (B) How did Tishani Doshi’s visit to Antarctica as
the poems in terms of the above perspective. part of the Students on Ice Programme make her


Ans : realise the importance of preserving the Earth?
In both Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda (not (Journey to the End of the Earth)
Kamala Das) and A Thing of Beauty by John

Ans :
Keats, nature is shown as a powerful source of Tishani Doshi’s visit to Antarctica through
inspiration, peace, and strength for humans. the Students on Ice programme gave her a life-
In Keeping Quiet, the poet urges people to changing experience. Being in Antarctica, far
pause, stay silent, and reflect. He believes that away from cities and pollution, she saw the planet
this stillness, like the calmness found in nature, in its purest form. The icy landscape, untouched
can help us understand ourselves better and bring by humans, made her realize how beautiful and
peace. He uses the image of Earth, which appears fragile Earth truly is.
still during winters but later blossoms, to show She understood how human activities, even
how nature teaches us that rest is not the end but in distant places, are affecting the entire planet.
a chance to grow. Global warming, melting glaciers, and disturbed
ecosystems in Antarctica showed her the real

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page 18 CBSE CLASS 12 english Core Chapterwise PYQ

impact of climate change. Meeting scientists and

observing the delicate balance of nature made her
realize that even small environmental changes can
have huge global effects.
The journey helped her see the urgency of
protecting Earth. It taught her that young people
must be aware and responsible, as they are the
future caretakers of the planet. The visit turned
her into a strong supporter of environmental
preservation.

******

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 19

CHAPTER 1

Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

1. introduction and analytical. Informational passages provide

facts and data about a topic. Analytical passages
Comprehension means the mind’s capability to go one step further and analyze or interpret the
grasp the meaning of a given passage. Thus, it information.
involves a thorough understanding of a passage.
Comprehension questions are meant to test the
understanding and intellectual skills of a student. 3. Points to remember
In the Class XII examination, one passage
Students are advised to keep the following
carrying a total of 12 marks is asked from this
suggestions in mind in order to be able to
chapter. The passage may be factual, descriptive
understand a given passage and to answer the
or literary.
related questions in a clear and effective manner:
1. Read the given passage slowly and carefully.
2. Types of Passage 2. Try to understand the gist of the passage or
The types of passage given is designed to test the what it is about.
reading skills of students in exams. One passage 3. Read the passage once again if you have not
on any of the following kinds is asked in the grasped its meaning fully at the first reading.
examination: 4. Don’t get unduly upset if you don’t know
the meanings of some difficult words in the
Factual Passage passage. By applying a little thought, you can
Factual passages convey information in a straight guess the meaning of such words in relation
forward and direct manner about a particular to the sense in which they have been used in
subject. Usually, the language and style are a particular sentence or context.
simple and clear. Factual passages may give
5. After you have grasped the passage, read the
instructions or descriptions or report of an event
questions given below it, one by one.
or a new finding. These passages are taken from
Newspapers and magazines or Brochures or 6. Underline those pars of the passage which
Reference books or Encyclopedias. give the key or due to your answers.
7. When the answers to all the given questions
Descriptive Passage are clear to you, pen them down in your
Descriptive passages provide detail about people, answer-book.
places, things, or events. They are used to help 8. As far as possible, use your own words. Don’t
the reader see, feel, and experience what is being copy the language of the passage.
described. Descriptive passages may give Opinions
9. Your answers should be brief clear and to
or Persuasive text or Argumentative text or
the point. Often it is possible to give a good
Interpretative text. These passages are taken from
answer using only a single word or phrase,
News papers and magazines or Reference books.
and it is not necessary to write in complete
Literary Passage sentences.
Literary passages are used to explain something 10. Your language should be simple but correct.
or provide information. They are often found in 11. Revise your answers, and examine them
textbooks, history books, or biographies. They can carefully to see that they are clear and
also be found in fiction texts. Literary passages complete. If an answer is too long, you must
can be divided into two categories: informational compress it by omitting unnecessary details.

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

12. Correct all mistakes in spelling, grammar, and share information more freely. Display
punctuation, etc. attentiveness by keeping good eye contact and
13. If you are required to give a heading to listening actively.
the passage, keep in mind that the heading 7. If you happen to be shy and need time to warm
should be very suitable, short and crisp. It up before you share your own views, you can
should refer to the central character, theme ask open-ended questions or encourage the other
or incident of the passage. If some idiom or person to elaborate on their insights. This kick-
proverb sums up the theme of the passage, it starts the conversation and before you know it
can also be used as a heading. you are engaged in a good conversational flow.
8. To start a conversation, go up to someone and
introduce yourself. It is both polite and necessary
4. Some important examples to start off things smoothly.
9. When the occasion calls for it, you can offer a


Passage 1 handshake and then smile and make eye contact.
Being friendly puts the other person at ease
1. The art of conversation, like any art, is a skill of and opens the door for him or her to introduce
elegance, nuance and creative execution. I happen themselves.
to believe that there is an art to everything we
do, and why not? Without flair and panache 10. The art of conversation, like any skill, takes
most things become a drudgery. Why settle for practice. Period. Do not expect to be adept after
drudgery when you can have art? your first few attempts. It will take practice as well
as exposure to many different social situations.
2. When it comes to the art of conversation, we’ve
all met people who seem to have the knack for Answer the following questions, based on the passage
it. They can talk to anybody about anything above.
and they seem to do it with complete ease. And
while it’s true that there are those who are born i. Select the option that classifies the narrator’s idea
with the gift of the gab, luckily for the rest of of not being settled to drudgery.
us, conversation skills can be developed and (a) Conversation is a form of art.
mastered. (b) Without flair and panache most things
3. Conversation is a form of communication; become drudgery.
however, it is usually more spontaneous and less (c) Art overcomes drudgery.
formal. We enter into conversations for purposes (d) Whatever we do is drudgery.
of pleasant engagement in order to meet new
people, to find out information and to enjoy social ii. Which quality is not essential to the art of
interactions. As far as types of conversation, they conversation?
vary anywhere from intellectual conversations (a) Paying attention to the answers.
and information exchanges to friendly debates (b) Asking fitting questions.
and witty banter.
(c) Ability to listen attentively.
4. While there is more to having good conversation
(d) Writing
skills than being a comedian, a dramatic actor, or
a great story teller, it is not necessary to become iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words
more gregarious, animated, or outgoing. to support the view that the narrator’s writing
5. Instead, you can develop the ability to listen style is descriptive in nature.
attentively, ask fitting questions, and pay
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with its
attention to the answers-all qualities essential to
description.
the art of conversation. With diligent practice and
Shy people may start open-ended questions or
several good pointers, anyone can improve his or
encourage the other person _____.
her conversation skills.
6. People who are genuinely interested in others v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to
are usually interesting themselves. Why? ‘witty’.
Because they are more open to learning about (a) dull (b) humorous
and understanding new things. Showing interest (c) boring (d) scratchy
also encourages the other person to be relaxed

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 21

vi. Explain the reason, in about 40 words, showing purpose of pleasant engagement in order to meet
interest in others leads to interesting conversation. new people, to find out information and to enjoy
social interactions. The types of conversation vary
vii. In the line “... with diligent practice and several anywhere from intellectual conversations and
good pointers, anyone can improve his or her information exchanges to friendly debates and
conversational skills”. What does the word
witty banter.
‘diligent’ imply?
ix. (c) Both (1) and (2)
viii. “....conversations and information exchanges to
friendly debates and witty banter.” What does
the author want to say? Answer in about 40

Passage 2
words. 1. The arts which admit of exact reproduction are
such that the disciple is on the same level as the
ix. Read the five statements (1)–(5) given below. creator, and so it is with their fruits. These are
(1) A good listener always listens to other person useful to the imitator, but are not of such high
attentively. excellence as those which cannot be transmitted as
(2) A person who is interested in others will an inheritance like other substances. Among these,
always listen to others. painting is the first. Painting cannot be taught to
(3) Being a comedian or actor, a person needs to him on whom nature has not conferred the gift of
receiving such knowledge, as mathematics can be
be a good listener.
taught, of which the disciple receives as much as
(4) Showing interest in others also encourages the master gives him.
the other person to be relaxed and share
information more freely. 2. It cannot be copied, as letters can be, in which
the copy equals the original. It cannot be
(5) A person should speak politely. stamped, in the same way as sculpture, in which
Identify the option that displays the statements the impression is in proportion to the source
that DOES/DO corresponds with the listening as regards the quality of the work. It does not
ability of a person. generate countless children, as do printed books.
(a) Only (1) (b) Only (2)
(c) Both (1) and (2) (d) (3), (4) and (5) 3. It alone remains noble, it alone confers honour on
its author and remains precious and unique, and


Ans : 2022
does not beget children equal to itself. And it is
i. (c) Art overcomes drudgery. more excellent by reason of this quality than by
ii. (d) Writing reason of those which are everywhere proclaimed.
Now do we not see the great monarchs of the East
iii. In the given paragraph, the narrator writes a
going about veiled and covered up from the fear of
text which says that every person has the art of
diminishing their glory by the manifestation and
conversation. It is an art and a skill of elegance. the divulgation of their presence? And do we not
Its purpose is to describe and reveal the art of see that the pictures which represent the divine
conversation in particular. deity are kept covered up with inestimable veils?
iv. to elaborate on their insights, which kick-starts 4. Their unveiling is preceded by great sacred
the conversation. solemnities with various chants and diverse music.
v. (b) humorous When they are unveiled, the vast multitude
of people who are there flocked together,
vi. This is because they are more open to learning immediately prostrate themselves and worship.
about and understanding new things. Showing They invoke those whom such pictures represent
interest also encourages the other person to be that they may regain their lost holiness and win
relaxed and share information more freely display eternal salvation, just as if the deity were present
attentiveness by keeping good eye contact and in the flesh.
listening actively.
5. This does not occur in any other art or work of
vii. It implies that with persistent, careful effort and man. If you say that is owing to the nature of the
practice anyone can improve his or her conversational subject depicted, rather than to the genius of the
skills. painter, the answer is that the mind of man could
viii. Conversation is usually more spontaneous and satisfy itself equally well in this case, were the
less formal. We enter into a conversation for some man to remain in bed and not make pilgrimages

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

to places which are perilous and hard to access as (b) A holy expedition
we so often see is the case. (c) A trip
6. But if such pilgrimages continually exist, what is (d) An expedition
then their unnecessary cause? You will certainly
admit that it is an image of this kind, and all vi. Explain, in about 40 words, why was the unveiling
the writings in the world could not succeed in of painted images is unique?
representing the semblance and the power of such
vii. In the line, “... Therefore this deity takes pleasure
a deity.
in the pictures and bestows grace and gifts of
7. Therefore, it appears that this deity takes pleasure salvation to those who meet together in such a
in the pictures and is pleased that it should be place.” What does the word ‘pleasure’ refer to?
loved and revered, and takes a greater delight in
being worshiped in that rather than in any other viii. What is the core idea that displays the most likely
semblance of itself. By this reason, it bestows reason for including the line, “It alone confers
grace and gifts of salvation according to the belief honour on its author and remains precious and
of those who meet together in such a place. unique and does not beget children equal to
itself.”? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
above. ix. Read the five headlines (1) to (5) given below:
i. Select the option that agrees with the information (1) Art is a passion.
given in the passage. (2) Art is in blood.
(a) Painting and mathematics are at par, when it (3) Art cannot be inherited.
comes to learning.
(4) Art can never be copied.
(b) Painting can only be taught to one who is
(5) Art is a chanting.
capable of receiving this knowledge.
Identify the option that displays the headline/s
(c) Painting cannot be taught except as a form of that correspond/s with the occurrences in the
imitation. passage.
(d) Paintings cannot be transferred as an (a) Only (1)
inheritance. (b) Only (2)
ii. Which is the statement that shows the writer (c) Both (3) and (4)
aimed to change the general outlook about (d) (1), (2) and (5)
painting, correctly?

Ans : 2021
(a) It cannot be stamped in the same way as
i. (d) Paintings cannot be transferred as an
sculptures can in which the impression is in
inheritance.
proportion to the source.
(b) As sculptures are closest to painting and yet ii. (b) As sculptures are closest to painting and yet
there is a fundamental difference. there is a fundamental difference.
(c) It cannot be copied as letters can be. iii. The writing style of the narrator is descriptive
(d) It does not generate countless children in the in nature as he is describing thoughts on art and
way printed books can. life. According to him, art is something which
cannot be copied anyhow. It does not generate
iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words countless children. It alone remains noble, it alone
to support the view that the writer’s writing style confers honour on its author and remains precious
is descriptive in nature. and unique, and does not beget children equal to
itself.
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a
characteristic or its description. iv. their lost holiness and win eternal salvation, just
They invoke those whom such pictures represent as if the deity were present in the flesh
that they may regain _____. v. (b) A holy expedition
v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to vi. The unveiling of painted images is unique because
‘pilgrimages’. it is preceded by great sacred solemnities with
(a) A journey various chants and diverse music. When they are

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 23

unveiled, the vast multitude of people who are and large situations alike, he took up rather than
there flocked together, immediately prostrate avoiding responsibility.
themselves and worship. They invoke those whom 4. People have always marvelled at the effortless
such pictures represent that they may regain their way in which Gandhi could accomplish the most
lost holiness and win eternal salvation. difficult tasks. He displayed a great deal of self-
vii. The word ‘pleasure’ refers to ‘happiness’. mastery and discipline that was amazing. These
things did not come easily to him. Years of
viii. The core idea that displays the most likely reason practice and disciplined training went into making
for including the given line is to show painting his successes possible. Very few saw his struggles,
as inborn talent and not inherited or passed to fears, doubts and anxieties or his inner efforts to
children. And it is more excellent by reason of overcome them. They saw the victory, but not the
this quality than by reason of those which are struggle.
everywhere proclaimed.
5. This is a common factor in the lives of all great
ix. (c) Both (3) and (4) people: they exercised their freedoms and choices
in small ways that made great impact on their lives
and their environment. Each of their small decisions


Passage 3 and actions, added up to have a profound impact in
1. Many of us believe that ‘small’ means ‘insignificant’. the long run. By understanding this principle, we
We believe that small actions and choices do not can move forward with confidence in the direction
have much impact on our lives. We think that it of our dreams. Often when our ‘ideal goal’ looks
is only the big things, the big actions and the big too far from us, we become easily discouraged,
decisions that really count. But when you look at disheartened and pessimistic. However, when we
the lives of all great people, you will see that they choose to grow in small ways, taking small steps
built their character through small decisions, small one at a time, performing it becomes easy.
choices and small actions that they performed every Answer the following questions, based on the passage
day. They transformed their lives through a step- above.
by-step or day-by-day approach. They nurtured i. Gandhiji followed a process of growth. Which of
and nourished their good habits and chipped away the following is the third step in this process?
at their bad habits, one step at a time. It was their
(a) Experimentation
small day-to-day decisions that added up to make
a tremendous difference in the long run. Indeed, in (b) Learning from mistakes
matters of personal growth and character building, (c) Risking failure
there is no such thing as an overnight success. (d) Attempt to change
2. Growth always occurs through a sequential series
ii. The main idea in the first paragraph is that
of stages. There is an organic process to growth.
When we look at children growing up, we can (a) overnight success is possible for all of us
see this process at work: the child first learns to (b) small actions and decisions are important in
crawl, then to stand and walk and finally to run. one’s life
The same is true in the natural world. The soil (c) big things, big actions and big decisions make
must first be tilled and then the seed must be a person great
sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with enough
(d) personal changes are not important
water and sunlight and only then will it grow,
bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to eat. iii. What is the one common thing that Gandhiji did
in small and large situations? Answer in about 40
3. Gandhi understood this organic process and used
words.
this universal law of nature to his benefit. Gandhi
grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He iv. Complete the following sentence with reference to
did not wake up one day and find himself to be the extract.
the ‘Mahatma’. In fact, there was nothing much in The phrase _____ in the first paragraph means
his early life that showed signs of greatness. But ‘to steadily give up bad habits’.
from his mid-twenties onwards, he deliberately v. Select the option that conveys the opposite of
and consistently attempted to change himself, ‘unintentionally’ from words used in paragraph 3.
reform himself and grow in some small way every
(a) Organic (b) Consistently
day. Day-by-day, hour-by-hour, he risked failure,
experimented and learnt from mistakes. In small (c) Risked (d) Deliberately

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

vi. Comment on the writer’s reference to the way in variations in meaning. We can turn a statement
which great people transform their lives. Answer into a question, state whether an action has taken
in about 40 words. place or is soon to take place, and perform many
vii. Describe the ‘universal law of nature’ mentioned other word tricks to convey subtle differences in
in the passage. Answer in about 40 words. meaning. Nor is this complexity inherent to the
English language. All languages, even those of so-
viii. What did Gandhiji try to do after he was 25 years called ‘primitive’ tribes have clever grammatical
old? components. The Cherokee pronoun system, for
example, can distinguish between ‘you and I,
ix. Pick the option that correctly lists the tone of the
‘several other people and I’ and ‘you, another
writer with reference to the passage.
person and I. In English, all these meanings
1. Sympathetic are summed up in the one, crude pronoun ‘we.
2. Encouraging Grammar is universal and plays a part in every
3. Wonder language, no matter how widespread it is. So the
4. Regret question which has baffled many linguists is - who
created grammar?
5. Matter of fact
Codes : 2. At first, it would appear that this question is
(a) Only 3 (b) Only 4 impossible to answer. To find out how grammar
is created, someone needs to be present at the
(c) Only 2 (d) 1 and 5
time of a language’s creation, documenting its


Ans : 2020 emergence. Many historical linguists are able to
i. (a) Experimentation trace modern complex languages back to earlier
ii. (b) small actions and decisions are important in languages, but in order to answer the question
one’s life of how complex languages are actually formed,
the researcher needs to observe how languages are
iii. The one common thing that Gandhiji did in small started from scratch. Amazingly, however, this is
and large things is that he took up responsibility possible.
rather than avoiding it.
3. Some of the most recent languages evolved due
iv. ‘chipped away at their bad habits’ to the Atlantic slave trade. At that time, slaves
v. (d) Deliberately from a number of different ethnicities were forced
to work together under colonizer’s rule. Since
vi. Great people do the following things in order to they had no opportunity to learn each others’
transform their lives languages, they developed a make-shift language
(a) They believe in performing every day. called a pidgin. Pidgins are strings of words copied
(b) They build their character in small ways. from the language of the landowner. They have
little in the way of grammar, and in many cases it
(c) They approach life on a day-to-day basis.
is difficult for a listener to deduce when an event
vii. The universal law of nature mentioned in the happened, and who did what to whom. Speakers
passage refers to the organic process of growth. need to use circumlocution in order to make their
The soil must first be filled and then the seed meaning understood. Interestingly, however, all it
must be sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with takes for a pidgin to become a complex language
enough water and sun light and only then will it is for a group of children to be exposed to it at the
grow, bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to time when they learn their mother tongue. Slave
eat. children did not simply copy the strings of words
uttered by their elders, they adapted their words
viii. Gandhiji tried to change and reform himself, after
to create a new, expressive language. Complex
he was twenty five years-old.
grammar systems which emerge from pidgins are
ix. (c) Only 2 termed creoles, and they are invented by children.
4. Further evidence of this can be seen in studying


Passage 4 sign languages for the deaf. Sign languages are
not simply a series of gestures; they utilise the
1. No student of a foreign language needs to be
same grammatical machinery that is found in
told that grammar is complex. By changing word
spoken languages. Moreover, there are many
sequences and by adding a range of auxiliary verbs
different languages used worldwide. The creation
and suffixes, we are able to communicate tiny

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 25

of one such language was documented quite (a) they were basically pidgin
recently in Nicaragua. Previously, all deaf people (b) they incorporated the same grammatical
were isolated from each other, but in 1979 a system found in spoken languages
new government introduced schools for the deaf.
(c) they were developed from the English
Although children were taught speech and lip
language
reading in the classroom, playgrounds, they began
to invent their own sign system, using the gestures (d) children developed it with lip reading system
that they used at home. It was basically a pidgin.
v. What was the main disadvantage of the sign
Each child used the signs differently, and there
language used in the schools for deaf in 1979?
was no consistent grammar. However, children
who joined the school later, when this inventive vi. Which word in para 3 have the same meaning as
sign system was already around, developed a quite “extrapolate”?
different sign language. Although it was based
(a) Complex
on the signs of the older children, the younger
children’s language was more fluid and compact, (b) Opportunity
and it utilised a large range of grammatical (c) Evolved
devices to clarify meaning. What is more, all the (d) Deduce
children used the signs in the same way. A new
creole was born. vii. “Some of the most recent languages evolved due
to the Atlantic slave trade:’ Justify this statement
5. Some linguists believe that many of the world’s
in about 40 words.
most established languages were creoles at first.
The English past tense-ed ending may have viii. How do children play a role in the creation of a
evolved from the verb ‘do’ It ended’ may once language? Answer in about 40 words.
have been ‘It end-did. Therefore it would appear
that even the most widespread languages were ix. The pidgin language was created so that _____.
partly created by children. Children appear 1. colonisers can speak to the slaves
to have innate grammatical machinery in their 2. slaves can learn new languages
brains, which springs to life when they are first 3. slaves with different languages could
trying to make sense of the world around them. communicate with one another
Their minds can serve to create logical, complex
4. to improve existing language of the land
structures, even when there is no grammar present
for them to copy. owners
5. slaves with different languages could not
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
communicate with one another.
above.
(a) only 1
i. Why did the narrator say that it is impossible to
(b) 2 and 5
say who created grammar? Answer in about 40
words. (c) only 3
(d) 3 and 4
ii. Complete the following sentence appropriately.


Ans : 2020
The language created by children of slaves with
complex grammar system is called _____. i. In the second paragraph, the narrator said that
it was impossible to say who created grammar
iii. All the following sentences about Nicaragua sign
because of the fact that someone had to be present
language are true EXCEPT :
when the language was created. This will require
(a) The language incorporates signs which
the individual to not only be present but also
children used at home.
document the creation process of the language.
(b) The language is based on speech and lip
ii. Creoles
reading.
(c) The language has been created since 1979. iii. (c) The language has been created since 1979.
(d) The language was perfected by younger iv. (b) they incorporated the same grammatical
children. system found in spoken languages

iv. Sign language is not simply a series of gestures v. The signs were used differently, and there was no
because consistent grammar.

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

vi. (d) Deduce the small mean eyes, the hideous trunk which coils
vii. The narrator believes that the Atlantic slave itself snakishly round everything, the formless
legs, the piggish back, with the steep slope down
trade was one way of spreading or integrating
to the mean, bare tail, features so unlike any
different languages. The slaves from different
other familiar and friendly beast.
ethnicities who were forced to work together
had no chance to use their known language so 5. Before I came out from England, I dreamt of
they had to create/come up with a new way of howdahs and cloth-of-gold trappings, but my
communicating among themselves. elephant had neither. In fact there was nothing
grand about him but his ugliness. I dropped into
viii. Children have an innate grammatical machinery one of two baskets on either side of his back from
in their brains that comes to life when they are the porch, a young Malay lad dropped into the
first trying to make sense of the world around other and my bag was tied on behind with more
them. And it is this sense to create logical, ropes.
complex structures that makes their minds work
6. My ride was not comfortable. One sits facing
even without the presence of any grammar for
forwards with the feet dangling over the edge of the
them to copy. basket. This edge soon produces a sharp ache or
ix. (c) only 3 cramp and, when one tries to get relief by leaning
back on anything, the awkward rolling position is
so painful that one reverts to the former position


Passage 5 till it again becomes intolerable.
1. This is the largest Malay house on the peninsula. 7. After we had travelled two hours, the baskets
It is built of wood painted green and white, with slipped down very dangerously and needed
bold floral designs on a white background around adjustment. We were forced to dismount while the
some of the circular windows and a very large pack was adjusted. Then, while the elephant was
porch for followers to wait in, up a ladder of still sitting, the driver jumped on the elephant’s
course. back and giving me his hands hauled me up over
2. Really the upper class of Malay houses show some the head, after which the creature rose gently
very good work. The thatch of the steep roof is from the ground and we went on our journey.
beautifully put on and between the sides of finely 8. Soon the driver abandoned the elephant for a
woven checked matting interspersed with lattice gossip and a smoke, leaving the animal to go its
work and bamboo work, the shady inner rooms own way for a mile or more. The elephant turned
with their carved doorways and portières of red into the jungle, where he began to rend and tear
silk, the pillows and cushions of gold embroidery the trees and going to a mud-hole, he drew what
laid over the exquisitely fine matting on the floors, water there was out of it and squirted it with
the light from the half-shaded windows glancing a loud noise over himself and his riders, soaking
here and there as the breeze sways the screens, my clothes with it. When he turned back to the
there is an indescribable appropriateness to the road again, he several times stopped and seemed
region. to stand on his head by stiffening his trunk and
3. I waited for the elephant in a rambling empty leaning upon it and when I hit him with my
house and Malays brought pierced coconuts, umbrella he uttered the loudest roar I ever heard.
buffalo milk and a great bouquet of lotus blossoms My Malay fellow-rider jumped off and ran’ back
and seed-vessels, out of which they took the seeds for the driver, at which the baskets both came
and presented them on the grand lotus leaf itself. down on my side of the elephant.
Each seed is in appearance and taste like a hazel- 9. On the driver’s return I had to dismount again
nut, but in the centre, in an oval slit, the future and this time the elephant was allowed to go and
lotus plant is folded up, the one vivid green seed take a proper bath in a river. He threw large
leaf being folded over a shoot and this is intensely quantities of clear water over himself and took up
bitter. plenty more with which to cool his sides as went
4. The elephant at last came up and was brought along. Thick as the wrinkled hide of an elephant
below the porch of the house. They are truly ugly is, a very small insect can still draw blood from it
beasts, with their grey wrinkled, hairless hides, and so, like the water buffalo, he wisely plastered
the huge ragged ‘flappers’ which cover their ears himself with mud from the river’s edge for
and with which they fan themselves ceaselessly, protection.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 27

Answer the following questions, based on the passage Codes:

above. (a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
i. Select the option that explains the reason why the (c) Only 4 (d) 3 and 5
light in the inner room kept changing?

Ans : 2018

(a) Because of the movement inside the room i. (c) Because of the winds that were swaying the
(b) Because of the changing direction of the sun screen
(c) Because of the winds that were swaying the ii. (b) The driver of the elephant did not want the
screen elephant to run away.
(d) Because the screens were being repaired iii. The author had previously regarded riding on an
ii. The writer would agree with the given statements elephant as a luxurious means of travel because
based on paragraph eight, except. he dreamt of howdahs and cloth-of-gold trappings
on the elephant.
(a) The elephant did not like being hit.
(b) The driver of the elephant did not want the iv. unfriendly nature of the elephant.
elephant to run away. v. (d) Sways
(c) The speaker was not amused by the water vi. The writer had an unpleasant experience riding
thrown by the elephant. the elephant contrary to his expectations. This
(d) The driver of the elephant needed to rest. was so because it was not only uncomfortable but
the elephant also threw water all over them.
iii. Share evidence from the text in about 40 words
that the author had previously regarded riding on vii. The author describes the elephant’s act of putting
an elephant as a luxurious means of travel. mud over his body as wise because the mud would
save it from insect bites.
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with
an appropriate inference, with respect to the viii. The two ways in which the Malay houses are
following. appropriate for the region are
The writer has described the features of the (a) Pillows and cushions laid on the floor are
elephant in paragraph 4 in order to highlight the embroidered with gold.
_____. (b) The inner rooms have carved doorways with
red silk curtains on them.
v. Select the option that means the same as ‘moves’,
from the words used in Paragraph 2. ix. (a) Only 1
(a) Glancing (b) Matting
(c) Interspersed (d) Sways

Passage 6
vi. The writer did not enjoy the elephant ride. Based 1. Very often, we do not take the first step towards a
on your reading of the passage, list the reasons, in good cause because we say to ourselves, “The task
not more than 40 words, for such an attitude. is so big. What can I do alone?” So nothing gets
done. There is much talk about environmental
vii. In the line “...so, like the water buffalo, he wisely protection, air pollution and saving our forests. Do
plastered himself with mud from the river’s edge we really care? If we do, here are a few things we
for protection” the author calls him wise. Explain. can do to make our surroundings more pleasant.
2. It is good to adopt a two-uses-attitude! By putting
viii. List two ways in which the Malay houses are
an article to a second use, we are giving it a longer
appropriated for the region. Answer in about 40
lease of life and using up less raw material from
words.
nature. One of the worst things we do is the abuse
ix. What was the author’s expectations regarding the
of paper. The clean sides of envelopes can be used
elephant ride?
to write small notes, lists and reminders around
(1) Exciting the house. The more paper we use, the more trees
(2) Doubtful will have to be cut down. For the same reason, we
(3) Scornful should avoid the use of paper napkins or paper
(4) Prejudiced plates. Cloth napkins are just as good, for they can
be washed and used over and over again.
(5) tentative

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

3. Another area which needs the most urgent iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a
attention is effective garbage disposal. People who characteristic or description.
are conscious about it follow rules and laws strictly. The internet is a _____ and a group on social
As a result, their neighbourhoods are clean and media of like-minded people can be formed.
beautiful. Similarly, each one of us can contribute v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to the
to a cleaner environment. All kitchen waste should word ‘succeeds’.
be collected separately. Those of you who have
green fingers can turn this into valuable manure. (a) happy (b) lost
Dig a pit and put the kitchen waste into it. When (c) triumph (d) sad
the pit is a little over half full, cover it up with vi. Explain in about 40 words, what procedure should
mud. Let nature do the rest. Within three or six one adopt for kitchen?
months, we will have a good garden manure. It can
vii. In the line, “...a lot of people don’t care about the
also be done as a community project by digging
environment because they don’t understand the
a large pit in the colony. Do take help of all the
adverse effect that society has on it.” What does
members, for nothing succeeds like co-operation.
the word ‘adverse’ mean here?
4. A lot of people don’t care about the environment
viii. How does the following impact the reader?
because they don’t understand the adverse effect
‘There is much talk about environmental
that society has on it. It is important to convince
protection, air pollution and saving our forests’.
people to care about the environment. The first
Answer in about 40 words.
step would be to convince people to change by
providing simple alternative solutions and ways ix. Read the five options (1)–(5) given below.
of doing things. The internet is a powerful tool (1) More paper-less cutting of trees
and a group on social media of like-minded people (2) Ineffective garbage disposal
can be formed. People can share environmental
stories and issues, as well as pool in solutions and (3) Internet– a powerless tool
alternatives to educate one another. With the (4) Adopt a two-uses attitude
current state that our planet is in, it is imperative (5) Make unpleasant surrounding
that people actively care about the environment Identify the option that DOES/DO corresponds
and most importantly to act now. with the passage.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage (a) (1) and (2) (b) Only (4)
above. (c) (3) and (4) (d) Only (5)
i. Select the option that classifies the reason for not

Ans : 2017
taking first step towards a good cause.
i. (c) Because we feel that the task is too big and we
(a) Because we feel that we are not responsible cannot do anything alone.
for that task.
ii. (b) Putting an article to a second use giving it a
(b) Because we feel that nothing gets done
longer lease of life.
anyhow.
(c) Because we feel that the task is too big and iii. The writer gives the description to make our
we cannot do anything alone. surroundings more pleasant. Concern about
abuse of paper is also there. The writer asks us
(d) Because we feel that it is not our work to
not to destroy even a small piece of paper. He also
fulfill the task.
discusses the place to be “Clean and Green”.
ii. What is the significance of two-uses attitude in iv. powerful tool
the given extract?
v. (c) triumph
(a) Putting less material from nature.
vi. All the kitchen wastes should be collected
(b) Putting an article to a second use giving it a
separately. Those who have green fingers can turn
longer lease of life.
the kitchen waste into manure. They can dig a pit
(c) Putting an article to a second person. and put kitchen waste into it. Then when it is half
(d) Putting the task apart itself. full, put some mud over it and let nature do the
rest.
iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words,
to support the view that the writer’s writing style vii. unfavourable
is descriptive in nature.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 29

viii. The given line creates a sense of irresponsibility degree courses hold their own admission tests.
towards nature. Nobody cares about nature by Obviously, Higher Secondary School results are
heart. If we do, here are a few things we can do to not taken to be a reliable index of the quality of a
make our surroundings more pleasant. student’s learning capability or potential.
ix. (b) Only (4) 5. The numbers seem to be growing every year. The
standards applied by Higher Secondary Boards
like CBSE seem to have been diluted to the point


Passage 7 that leaves a big gap between what students learn
1. Given the standing of some of its institutions at school and what they have to face on entering
of higher learning, the IITs and IIMs, India is institutions of higher learning.
a potential knowledge power. Realising the 6. In an attempt to remedy the situation, NCERT
potential, however, is not going to be easy. had recently commissioned experts to rewrite
The impressive strides made by Sarva Shiksha textbooks on economics. Though not entirely
Abhiyan (SSA) notwithstanding, universal access free from blemishes, these new texts should go
to quality school education- a minimum necessary some way in helping beginners get acquainted
condition for any progress towards making India with the basic concepts in the subject and their
a knowledge society’, as the 2006 report of the applications.
National Knowledge Commission (NKC) puts it-
remains a distant goal. 7. Not surprisingly, their introduction is facing
roadblocks. Teachers do not like to be compelled
2. There is as yet no legislation at the national level to look at textbooks they are not familiar with.
to affirm the right to education, a fundamental Those who revel in seeing students score 90% are
right under the Constitution. The number of reluctant of ushering in something that may stop
school buildings for elementary and secondary the rush of such scores.
education falls far short of requirements and
so does the number of qualified teachers. The Answer the following questions, based on the passage
pressure on government budgets, which forces above.
governments to hire teachers on contract paying a i. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate
pittance of a salary, is playing havoc with quality. option.
While the incursion of the private sector in the Governments have to hire teachers on contract
field is providing some competition, mechanisms basis due to _____.
to enforce the required standards are lacking. (a) the guidelines issued by the Central
3. Not that there are no national standards or Government
standards-enforcing agencies. We have the (b) abundance of teachers in an area
National Council for Educational Research and (c) the non-availability of regular teachers
Training (NCERT) to bring out textbooks in
various subjects for school education. The Central (d) the pressure on government budgets
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts ii. What is the tone of writer when he remarks “India
examinations for schools affiliated to it across is on the brink of a knowledge revolution?”
the country. The states too have their school
boards to conduct exams and enforce minimum (a) Imaginative
standards. How even the standards vary widely. (b) Optimistic
In their anxiety to show spectacular performance, (c) Sarcastic
some states are overly lenient-in marking answer (d) Presumptuous
papers.
4. Questions arise even over the standards applied iii. List the reason in about 40 words, as why India is
by CBSE. Going by the number of students referred as a potential knowledge power.
securing 90% or more in their higher secondary iv. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate
exam, it would appear India is on the brink of inferences with respect to the following.
a knowledge revolution. The numbers are so The main factor that has affected the quality of
large that the cut-off point for admission to top education is _____.
colleges is now above 90%. However, admissions
to IITs and medical colleges are not based only v. Select the option that conveys the opposite of
on CBSE or State Board Exam results. Leading ‘plenty’ from words used in Paragraph 2.
undergraduate colleges offering non-professional

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

(a) Looking Teachers do not like to be compelled to look at

(b) Mechanisms textbooks they are not familiar with. Those who
(c) Incursion revel in seeing students score 90% are reluctant of
ushering in something that may stop the rush of
(d) Pittance
such scores.
vi. Why do leading undergraduate colleges hold their viii. The writer of the passage feels frustrated and
own admission tests? Answer in about 40 words. disillusioned with the education system of India.
vii. Based on the information given in the last ix. (a) Only (1)
paragraph, why do you think that teachers are
opposing the introduction of new textbooks?


Passage 8
Answer in about 40 words.
1. From the moment a baby first opens its eyes, it is
viii. State the feelings of the writer with reference to learning. Sight and sensation spark off a learning
the topic concerned in the passage. process which will determine in large measure,
the sort of person it will become. Language
ix. The writer would not agree with the following stands head and shoulders over all other tools
statements based on Paragraph 4 EXCEPT as an instrument of learning. It is the language
(1) a large number of students score more than that gives man his lead in intelligence over all the
90% in their higher secondary school exams. other creatures. No other creature can assemble
(2) the cut-off point for admission to top colleges a list of ideas, consider them, draw conclusions
is above 85%. and then explain his reasoning. Man can do
(3) admissions to IITs are based only on CBSE all this because he possesses language. And if
thought depends on language, the quality of an
or state board results.
individual’s thought will depend on that person’s
(4) higher secondary school exam results are language-rudimentary or sophisticated, precise or
taken to be a reliable index of the quality of a approximate, stereotyped or original.
student’s learning capabilities.
2. Very young babies are soothed by human voice
(5) a large number of students score less than uttering comforting words close to them. This
90% in their higher secondary school exams. essentially-emotional response provides early
(a) Only (1) evidence that feeling is an important component of
(b) Only (2) language learning. Children learn to use language
(c) (1) and (3) in interaction with other human beings and this
learning proceeds best against a background
(d) (1), (4) and (5)
of affectionate feedback from the person who


Ans : 2017 is closest to them. This is seen to perfection in
i. (d) the pressure on government budgets the interaction between parent and a baby: eyes
locked together, the adult almost physically
ii. (c) Sarcastic drawing ‘verbal’ response from the baby, both
iii. India is referred as a potential knowledge power engulfed by that unique experience of intimate
due to the excellent rankings of its institutions of and joyful connecting, which sets the pattern of
higher leanings like the IITs and IIMs. Realising the relationship between two people.
the potential, however is not going to be easy. 3. Thus, long before they can speak, children are
iv. shortage of well-qualified teachers. involved in a two-way process of communication,
which is steadily building a foundation on
v. (d) Pittance which their later use of language will be based.
vi. The leading undergraduate colleges offering Constantly surrounded by language, they are
non-professional degree courses hold their own unconsciously building structures in their minds
admission tests because they distrust the school into which their speech and reading will later fit
results. Higher secondary results are not taken grammatical constructions, tense sequences and
to be reliable index of the quality of a student’s so on. The forms of these structures will depend
learning capability or potential. on the amount and complexity of speech they
hear. Fortunate are those children who listen to
vii. Teachers are opposing the introduction of the new articulate adults, expressing ideas and defending
textbooks as they are not familiar with them.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 31

opinions. They will know, long before they can which is subtle, resourceful, exhilarating and
contribute themselves and understand, that harmonious; languages that provide the human
relationships are forged through this process of ear (and understanding) with a pointed and
speaking and listening; that warmth and humour precise pleasure, the searing illuminating impact
have a place in the process, as have all other of good and true words.
human emotions. Answer the following questions, based on the passage
4. Using books is the most important means of above.
ensuring a child’s adequate language development.
i. What makes a man superior over all the other
None of us can endlessly initiate and maintain
creatures?
speech with very small children; we run out of
ideas or just get plain sick of it. Their lives are (a) Their body-language
confined to a limited circle and they do not have (b) Their language
enough experience to provide raw material for (c) Their way of observing things
constant verbal interaction. (d) Their skills
5. Parents and children who share books share the
same frame of reference. Incidents in everyday life ii. What are the most important means of ensuring
constantly remind one or the other of a situation, a child’s adequate language development?
a character, an action, from a jointly enjoyed (a) Two-way process of communication
book, with all the generation of warmth and well- (b) Providing raw material for constant verbal
being that is attendant upon such sharing. All interaction
too often, there is a breakdown of communication
(c) Maintaining speech
between parents and children when the problems
of adolescence arise. In most cases, this is most (d) Using books
acute when the give-and-take of shared opinions iii. How can language distinguish between human
and ideas have not been constantly practised beings and others? Answer in about 40 words.
throughout childhood. Books can play a major
role in the establishment of this verbal give-and- iv. Complete the sentence appropriately.
take because they are rooted in language. The parents can’t rely only on constant verbal
6. Young children’s understanding greatly outruns interactions because _____.
their capacity for expression as their speech
strains to encompass their awareness, to represent v. What are the advantages of books mentioned in
reality as they see it. Shades of meaning which the above passage?
may be quite unavailable to the child of limited (a) It enables children to see things from other’s
verbal experience are startlingly talked to toddler. point of view.
All the wonderful modifying words-later, nearly, (b) It creates self awareness in children.
tomorrow, almost, wait, half, lend, etc. begin to (c) Expose children to a wide range of vocabulary.
steer the child away from the simple extremes
(d) All of these
of “Yes” and “No” towards the adult world of
compromise from the child’s black and white world vi. How do children develop language? Answer in
to the subtle shades and tints of the real world. about 40 words.
The range of imaginative experience opened up
by books expands the inevitably limited horizons vii. What is an important component of language
of children’s surroundings and allows them to learning?
make joyful, intrigued, awestruck acquaintance
with countless people, animals, objects and ideas viii. What role do books play? Answer in about 40
in their first years of life. words.
7. Books also open children to new points of view, ix. Read the given headlines and identify the option
besides their own as they unconsciously put that does not correspond with the message of the
themselves into other people’s places-if that could passage.
happen to him, it could happen to me: This 1. Develop new viewpoints through book.
imaginative self-awareness brings apprehensions
and fears as well as heightened hopes and joys. 2. Sight and sensation - The spark of learning.
3. No role played by adults in children’s language
8. In books, children can experience language
acquisition.

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

4. Communication - A two way process. and consumed around the world. Peanuts started
5. Walk faster - show some hustle. to be produced in large quantities in the 1900s
due to the growing popularity of peanut butter,
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2, 3 and 4
peanut candies and other peanut products.
(c) Only 3 (d) 2, 3 and 5
3. Although peanuts come in many varieties, four


Ans : 2016
main types can be found in the United States:
i. (b) Their language Virginia Peanuts, Runner Peanuts, Spanish
Peanuts and Valencia Peanuts. Peanuts are a
ii. (d) Using books
wonderful food, rich in nutrients and flavour.
iii. Language is a great measure to give a lead to The combination of fibre and protein in peanuts
human beings in intelligence over all the other satiates hunger. Thus, eating peanuts helps
creatures. No other creature can combine a list of manage weight and provides the key nutrients
ideas, consider then, draw conclusions and then that are important to diets. Peanuts are also
explain his reasoning. Because man possess this natural energy boosters that contain healthy
language, this is possible. fats, proteins and antioxidants. Research shows
that eating peanuts can decrease your risk of
iv. they will run out of ideas and get sick of it.
heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health
v. (d) All of these conditions. Peanut butter is also full of the good
vi. Children develop language by observing. kind of fat also known as mono-unsaturated fat
Children are involved in a two-way process of that is heart-healthy and prevents belly fat that
people get from carbohydrates or saturated fat.
communication, long before they can speak. They
unconsciously build structures in their minds 4. For centuries, peanuts have been used in many
later in this structure they will fit grammatical culinary applications, including Chinese, African
constructions, tense sequences, etc. They majorly and Western cooking-in stews, sauces, mixed
develop their language skills by learning from the dishes, boiled or even plain-nourishing various
adults around them. populations with an enjoyable flavour. The great
advantages of using peanuts in the kitchen are
vii. Environment their availability and affordability. Peanut oil
viii. Parents and children who share books share the is also becoming a popular option for cooking
same frame of reference. Books also open new because of its healthy fats and high cooking
points of view, apart from and along with their temperature.
own as they unconsciously put themselves in 5. Pureed peanut is also great to infuse nutty
situations and other people’s places and think, if goodness into a variety of dishes such as soups,
that could happen to him, it could happen to me? sauces, bread mixes, salsa recipes, salad dressings
Books also help children to experience language and pasta dishes. For those who like hummus,
that is subtle, resourceful and harmonious. pureed peanuts and chickpeas are a great
combination. On the sweet side, peanuts are
ix. (c) Only 3
commonly used for ice cream, brownie mix or
cake batter. Peanut flour is an asset for pastry


Passage 9 chefs because of its ability to act as a fat binder
1. Convenient, inexpensive, nutritious, good for you in confectionery products or to add flavour and
and delicious: they have it all! Peanuts are the extend shelf-life.
most popular and consumed nuts in the United 6. A long-time American favourite, peanuts offer
States and can be found nearly everywhere. countless healthy properties and natural nutrition
Perfect for a quick snack, a handful of these nuts to all populations and age groups, peanuts
provide a highly nutrient food for less than 200 enhance the flavour and boost the nutritional
calories. value of food dishes from breakfast and snacks to
2. According to the Peanut Institute, the peanut dinner and dessert. As a nut, oil, flour or butter,
plant originated in South America, probably peanuts are a very versatile and tasty ingredient.
first domesticated and cultivated in the valleys Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
of Paraguay. Spread by European explorers and the questions given below.
traders, the plant eventually reached Asia, Africa
and North America. Millions of peanuts are grown i. Select the option that displays the key reason why
peanuts are regarded as ‘healthy fats’.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 33

(a) It is popular option for cooking at high (3) The concluding sentence of the text makes
temperature. for a clear case of old and young can together
(b) It is full of monounsaturated fats that is heart enjoy cooking and eating peanuts.
healthy. (4) The concluding sentence of the text makes for
(c) It provides key nutrients for cooking. a clear case of as yet no negative conclusions
(d) It is natural oil and boosts the energy of about peanuts have been drawn.
hearts. (5) The concluding sentence of the text makes for
a clear case of peanuts is an unhealthy option
ii. Select the option that conveys the most likely for old aged people.
reason for including peanuts in diets. Identify the option that displays the correct
(a) It was found to be healthy food because of its concluding statements that corresponds with
flavours. occurences in the passage.
(b) It was found that peanuts satiates hunger. (a) Only (1)
(c) Peanuts decreased the risk of heart disease, (b) (2) and (3)
diabetes and other heart related problems. (c) Only (5)
(d) It was found that peanuts in America had (d) (4) and (5)
four varieties.

Ans : 2016

iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words i. (b) It is full of monounsaturated fats that is heart
to support the view that the writer’s writing style healthy.
is descriptive and informative.
ii. (c) Peanuts decreased the risk of heart disease,
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a diabetes and other heart related problems.
characteristic or description. iii. The writer tells about peanuts, its importance
The popularity of peanuts in cuisines across the and its uses as well as its benefits. Further, it has
world is because of their _____. been told us that peanuts came in many varieties.
v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to Research shows that eating peanuts can decrease
‘satiate’. your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other
(a) hungry chronic health conditions.
(b) slave iv. availability and affordability
(c) satisfy v. (c) satisfy
(d) honourable vi. Pastry cooks are partial to the use of peanut flour
vi. Explain, in about 40 words, the reason for peanuts because of the binding quality of peanut flour
being a favourite with pastry cooks. when used in confectionery products, for adding
flavour and extending shelf life.
vii. In the line, “...Peanuts enhance the flavour and
boost the nutritional value of food dishes from vii. intensify, increase
breakfast and snacks to dinner and dessert”. viii. The spread of peanuts can be attributed to
What does the word ‘enhance’ mean here? European traders and explorers who took the plant
from Paraguay where it had been domesticated,
viii. How does the following line impact the readers
that ‘the spread of peanuts can be attributed to their various destinations in Asia, Africa and
to European traders and explorers”? Answer in North America.
about 40 words. ix. (a) Only (1)

ix. Read the statements (1)-(5) given below.

(1) The concluding sentence of the text makes for

Passage 10
a clear case of peanuts is a healthy option for 1. Global warming is the warming up of the Earth
all ages of people. due to the trapping of gases like carbon dioxide,
(2) The concluding sentence of the text makes for carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide,
a clear case of peanuts is what makes bakers when the atmosphere fails to perform its function
and cooks in America want to cook. of acting as a protective blanket. The incoming
solar radiation is partly absorbed by carbon

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

dioxide, though a vastly higher amount of the temperatures had been undergoing a downward
outgoing radiation is trapped in the atmosphere. trend. Could the recent spurt in temperatures be
2. Carbon dioxide possesses immense staying a natural cyclical process, or a temporary offshoot
properties in the atmosphere. It is being of the shifting pressure belts?
speculated that carbon dioxide concentrations 8. Given the rising temperatures, growing seasons
may double in about a century. This increased would be prolonged. Higher temperatures would
carbon dioxide level, according to predictions, also lead to an increased evaporation from
indicates an increase in temperature ranging from oceans, thereby intensifying cloudiness, leading
1.5 - 4 degrees Celsius, or a rise in sea levels by to moderate temperatures during the day and
about 50 cms by AD 2100. warmer nights. Warmer temperatures during the
night enhance agricultural productivity. Increased
3. However, Earth apparently has its own system
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will also result
of checks and balances. Water vapour in the
in an increase in fertility. Global warming will
atmosphere is known to absorb radiation more
also have an impact on the El Nino phenomenon-
than any other atmospheric component. A
the circulation of weather disturbances around
doubling of carbon dioxide concentration would
the world as a result of the warming of Pacific
increase the capacity of the Earth’s surface
Ocean around the tropics.
to absorb infra-red radiation by about 4 watts
per square metre, though overall, the levels of 9. However, a few questions remain in the ongoing
absorption would be small. debate on global warming. The process of heat
transfer in the atmosphere-convection-is a field in
4. Volcanic eruptions, too, are believed to be which a lot of research needs to be done. Secondly,
responsible for reduction in the carbon dioxide clouds and vapour are known to be major
content in the atmosphere. Cooling through absorbers of incoming radiation from space. If the
volcanic eruptions is believed to release certain cloud cover, as a result of increased evaporation
gases, which are responsible for decrease in due to rising temperature, were to increase, it
the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere. would result in more containment. Plants, which
Measurement of the incident of carbon dioxide both absorb and release carbon dioxide, too have
in the atmosphere made in Hawaii indicate that a crucial role to play. Their role, however, has
during 1992-93 about two billion tonnes of the gas been till now underestimated.
was found missing from the atmosphere.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
5. As far as the impact of ozone depletion is above.
concerned, it seems to be dictated more by
political considerations than any other factor. i. It is being surmised that carbon dioxide
The increased burning of fossil fuels for energy is concentrations may _____.
largely responsible for the increase in temperature (a) increase 100% in about a decade
through ozone depletion. (b) triple in about a century
6. A tug-of-war has been going on among the (c) increase slightly in about a century
industrialised countries and the developing (d) increase 100% in about a century
countries on the share of the blame. In fact,
the USA, the erstwhile USSR, Brazil and China ii. The writer would not agree with given statements
account for almost half of the net global emissions based on the passage EXCEPT
of harmful gases such as CFCs. While North (a) Global warming will have an impact on the El
America generates about 5 tonnes per head of
Nino phenomenon.
carbon dioxide, Africa, China and India together
generate approximately 1 tonne of carbon dioxide (b) 1996 was one of the hottest years of the
per head. twentieth century.
7. However, despite the fact that 1995 was one of (c) Water vapour in the atmosphere does not
the hottest years of the twentieth century, heavy absorb radiation.
snowfalls have been recorded in some parts of the (d) Higher temperatures would lead to decreased
world-notably on the Eastern coast of America evaporation from oceans.
and in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, during
the latter half of the twentieth century, the Arctic iii. Describe the impact of rising temperature on the
climate has not been undergoing any noticeable growing seasons.
temperature changes. In fact, till 1975, global

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 35

iv. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate viii. If the cloud cover were to increase, the radiation
inference, with respect to the following as well as the percentage of carbon dioxide in
There is a tug-of-war between the industrialised the atmosphere would be contained as it absorbs
and developing countries in order to _____. most of the radiation coming from space and CO2,
present in the atmosphere.
v. Fill in the blanks appropriately by choosing the
correct option. The major reason for the increase ix. (c) Only 4
in temperature through ozone depletion is
_____.


Passage 11
(a) generation of CFCs
1. For lasting and clear eyesight, eyes need care in
(b) increased rainfall the form of preventive measures, a continuous
(c) increased burning of fossil fuels life-long exercise. Eyes don’t just see, they do the
(d) None of these talking. This is why of all our senses the most
precious is eyesight. Eyes need care in the form of
vi. List the things that effect global warming. Answer
prevention, and knowing some preventive methods
in about 40 words.
in eye care can make your eyes look bright and
vii. What is the result of animal discharge in the healthy and leave you with excellent eyesight.
atmosphere?
2. How do we keep eyes bright and healthy? Eat
viii. How is cloud cover contain carbon dioxide’s good helpings of vegetables, fruits, omega-3 fatty
percentage in the atmosphere? Answer in about acids, beta carotenes with vitamins A, C and
40 words. E, enjoy good sleep and avoid direct sunlight.
ix. Select the option/s that convey/s the opposite of Therefore, good habits and good general health
‘massive’ from words used in Paragraph 8. care does play a major role in eye care. Eyes
are windows to the human body; while you look
1. Prolonged
out through this window, we, the eye doctors,
2. Intensifying can look in to find conditions such as glaucoma,
3. Enhance abnormal blood pressures, diabetes, heart diseases
4. Moderate and other health concerns much before you notice
5. Tropics its adverse impact, and help you take preventive
measures.
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Only 4 (d) 3 and 5 3. It is never too early to begin eye checkups. Throw
a torchlight from different directions and look for


Ans : 2015
fixation in newborns and, if in doubt, take the
i. (d) increase 100% in about a century baby to an eye specialist. By the time a child is
four, it is imperative to have a check up every
ii. (a) Global warming will have an impact on the El
year to look for squint, signs of opacity brought in
Nino phenomenon. by cataracts and minus or plus powers to decide
iii. Rising temperatures will lead to an increase in the whether or not glasses are needed. Ultraviolet-
duration of the growing seasons. Higher temperatures protective sunglasses from childhood can help
would also lead to an increased evaporation from protect eyes from the harmful UV rays. Once in
oceans, thereby intensifying cloudiness, leading to the teens, contact lenses can be worn in place
moderate temperatures during the day and warmer of glasses, but never sleep with them on as they
nights. reduce the supply of air and blood to the cornea
and can damage eyes. When in 20s, you can get
iv. share the blame for ozone depletion rid of glasses with lasers, Lasik or permanent
v. (c) increased burning of fossil fuels contact lenses.
vi. The things that affect global warming are water 4. An emerging and alarming trend is the Computer
vapour to be major absorbers of incoming Eye Syndrome, which appears to be catching on
radiations from space and the plants also absorb in early adult life. We cannot escape the use of
and release carbon dioxide also play crucial role. computers but, sadly, our eyes are not designed to
cope with these screens. Continuous staring at the
vii. The increase in the levels of methane in the monitors reduces blinking, causes strain to the
atmosphere is a result of animal discharge. eyes and can lead to dry eyes as well. Therefore,
it is always better to take a break of 10 minutes

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

every hour and look at distant objects such as the v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to
landscapes or even television. ‘grievously affected especially by disease’ from
5. Glaucoma or raised pressure in eyes and diabetic paragraph 5.
retinopathy are silent killers of eyesight. Therefore, (a) blink
checking eyes once every six months is essential. (b) inevitably
If afflicted with diabetes, diet, exercise and drugs (c) intelligently
are to be remembered in that order to keep the
(d) afflicted
doctor away.
6. Around the age of 40, more or less everybody vi. Explain in about 40 words, why “...contact lenses
requires reading glasses, a condition known as can be worn in place of glasses, but never sleep
presbyopia. But now you can get rid of these with them on”.
glasses as well, with lasers called INTRACOR
and SUPRACOR. One can develop cataract- vii. In the line, ‘That said, eye care is, inevitably,
defined as the loss of transparency in the natural a continuous exercise through life’, the word
lens of the eye-at any age, but it usually strikes in ‘inevitably’ refers to whom?
old age. It’s treated by replacing the opaque lens viii. How does the following impact our eyes?
with an artificial lens called the intraocular lens. ‘Monitors are bad for our eyes.’
The latest incataract removal techniques is called Answer in about 40 words.
femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery, which
is blade-free, hands-free and makes the operation ix. Read five statements (1) to (5) given below.
precise, safe and accurate. (1) Eyes don’t just see, they do the talking.
7. That said, eye care is, inevitably, a continuous (2) It is never too early to begin eye checkups.
exercise through life.
(3) Once in the teens, contact lenses can be worn
Answer the following questions, based on the passage in place of glasses, but never sleep with them
above. on as they reduce the supply of air and blood
to the cornea and can damage eyes.
i. Select the option that may become a preventive
(4) Glaucoma or raised pressure in eyes and
measure for eyes as given in paragraph 1.
diabetic retinopathy are silent killers of
(a) Eyes need care and continuous life-long
eyesight.
exercises.
(5) Around the age of 20, more or less everybody
(b) Eyes need Vitamin C as a preventive measure.
requires reading glasses, a condition known as
(c) Eyes are designed to cope up with screens. presbyopia.
(d) Eat good amount of vegetables. Identify the option that displays the statement
that DOES NOT correspond with the occurrence
ii. What is the significance of eyes as windows to in the given passage.
human body?
(a) Only (1)
(a) Eye doctors find out major health problems
(b) (1) and (2)
while seeing in our eyes.
(c) (3) and (4)
(b) Eye doctors also look at this window.
(d) Only (5)
(c) Eye doctors find various health conditions
such as glaucoma, etc.

Ans : 2014

(d) Eyes are windows to human health. i. (a) Eyes need care and continuous life-long
exercises.
iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words,
to support the view that the Computer Eye ii. (a) Eye doctors find out major health problems
Syndrome is an alarming trend. while seeing in our eyes.
iii. Computer Eye Syndrome is an alarming trend
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a
that appears to be catching on in adult life.
characteristic or description.
Our eyes cannot escape the use of computers’
Eating good amount of vegetables, fruits, omega-3
continuous staring at the screen. It causes strain
fatty acids, beta carotenes with vitamins A, C
to the eyes and leads to dry eyes as well.
and E, enjoy good sleep and avoid direct sunlight
helps _____. iv. eyes to be bright and healthy

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 37

v. (d) afflicted are packed with anti-oxidants and are rich in

vitamin A, E, C and minerals. Vegetables, such as
vi. Contact lenses can be worn in place of glasses,
cauliflower, potatoes, cluster beans, ladyfingers,
but never sleep with them on because they reduce
kidney beans, pigeon pea and sprouted grains get
the supply of air and blood to the cornea and
spoilt easily due to the humidity. So, they should
can damage eyes. When in 20s, you can get rid
be avoided. Opt for cooked or steamed veggies.
of glasses with lasers, Lasik or permanent contact Avoid salads as they comprise raw vegetables
lenses. that contain active bacteria which lead to various
vii. The word ‘inevitably’ refers to ‘necessarily’ infections and affect the body’s immunity. Avoid
strong smelling or extra sweet fruits, such as
viii. Continuous staring at the monitors reduces
mangoes and jack-fruit that attract flies as their
blinking, causes strain to the eyes and can lead
excess intake can cause skin irritation and stomach
to dry eyes as well. Therefore, it is always better
ache. It’s also important to store vegetables the
to take a break of 10 minutes every hour and look right way during the rains. Do not wash the
at distant objects such as the landscapes or even veggies thoroughly before storing, as the moisture
television. will attract pathogenic fungus. These bacteria can
ix. (d) Only (5) spread to other susceptible food items as well,
making them unhygienic. Instead, pat dry and


Passage 12 store separate food items in different containers.
Buy them in limited portions and use them as
1. The monsoon is such a welcome respite from the soon as possible.
scorching summer thanks to the overcast sky, gentle
rain and lush greenery all around. Almost all of 4. Dehydration makes your hair brittle and scanty.
us love to savour spicy and crunchy food items, So hydrate yourself. Zinc and iron help to keep
such as fritters (pakoras) and chaats like panipuri, your tresses healthy and beautiful. Consume
sevpuri teamed with cutting chai as the rainwater nuts, eggs and walnuts to maintain hair strength.
lashes against the windowpane. However, the Walnuts are rich in biotin and vitamin E, which
season also brings along a lot of diseases, such as are excellent antioxidants. Proteins are important
dengue, malaria, conjunctivitis, typhoid, viral fever, for hair strength too. So add curd to your diet,
pneumonia, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, as it is a great source of protein. Amla juice,
food poisoning, cholera, cough and cold and jaundice oranges and other citrus fruits are rich in vitamin
due to the presence of bacteria in the environment. C. Vitamin C keeps your hair strong as it helps
The challenge lies in going about your daily routine in production of collagen that among other things
without falling ill. If you suffer from low immunity, strengthens the hair capillaries (ensuring proper
you are at a higher risk of contracting these diseases. nutrient supply to our hair). Also, ensure that you
However, the right dietary tips can strengthen your wash your locks on alternate days and cover them
immunity and help you stay hale and hearty. well during the monsoon. Dried apricots, roasted
sunflower seeds and lentils are better foods to
2. Due to the humid climate, you may not feel consume during monsoon than other iron-rich
too thirsty and consume just one litre of water foods which are susceptible to microbial attack.
every day. But you need to be well hydrated as Do not forget to eat yummy corn on cob as corn
sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly in monsoon. is also rich in iron and zinc.
Consequently, this prevents the body from
releasing heat. So consume a lot of water as it 5. So, the secret to enjoy the rains, without the fear
helps to flush out toxins from the body. Ensure of affecting your health is to go light on eating.
that the water is clean, pure and safe to drink. Have a safe and healthy monsoon.
Avoid aerated drinks; instead consume warm Answer the following questions, based on the passage
beverages, such as green tea with holy basil above.
leaves, ginger, pepper and honey as they have
i. The correct way to store veggies is to :
anti-bacterial properties. A bowl of hot vegetable
soup is also a good option. The hot beverages (a) wash them properly before storing
increase your body temperature (which will in (b) buy them in bulks
turn give you warmth) while the ingredients will (c) pat them dry, store separate items in different
boost your immunity. food containers
3. Consume fruits, such as cherries, bananas, apples, (d) soak them in water
pomegranates, plums, litchis and pears as they

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

ii. Choose an appropriate heading for the given v. (c) Amla juice, oranges and other citrus fruits are
passage. rich in vitamin D.
(a) How to Store Your Food During the Rainy vi. Merits :
Season 1. Monsoons provide a relief from the scorching
(b) Beat the Monsoon Woes by Eating Right summer heat, with lush greenery all around.
(c) Monsoon Sickness 2. People love to savour various delicacies like
(d) Hair Fall Remedy pakoras, chai, chaats, etc. to enjoy the rainy
season.
iii. Raw vegetables should be avoided because
Demerits :
_____.
1. Monsoons bring with it various diseases like
iv. List any two benefits of drinking water. dengue, food poisoning, diarrhea, viral fever,
cough and cold, etc.
v. Which of these statements is false?
2 The weather becomes humid and due to less
(a) Warm beverages like soup is healthier option water intake dehydration can also occur.
than aerated drinks.
vii. Keeping ourselves well-hyderated can help us as
(b) Vegetables such as cauliflower, bean sprouts,
sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly in monsoons.
ladyfingers are more likely to get spoilt.
Consuming a lot of water can also help in
(c) Amla juice, oranges and other citrus fruits
flushing out the toxins from our body. We should
are rich in vitamin D.
avoid aerated drinks. We should consume warm
(d) Iron and Zinc helps in keeping our hair healthy. beverages with ingredients that have anti bacterial
properties. Hot vegetable soup is also a good
vi. Give two merits and two demerits of monsoon.
option to consume. Hot beverages can increase
Answer in about 40 words.
the body temperature and their anti-bacterial
vii. How can different beverages help in monsoon? properties ingredients can boost immunity.
Answer in about 40 words. viii. During monsoons due to dehydration hair can
viii. Discuss about the hair care during monsoons. become brittle and scanty. So to take of one’s
Answer in about 40 words. tresses, one should consume zinc and iron. Walnuts
rich in biotin and Vitamin E and nuts and eggs
ix. Read the headlines (1)-(5) given below and are also good for hair. Adding curd which is high
identify the option that corresponds with message in protein is also good for hair health. Vitamin C
of the passage. that helps in production of collagen is also good
(1) Rains mean crispy pakoras and cutting chai which can be found in citrus fruits like oranges,
(2) The Rains do not bring diseases etc.
(3) Maintain your physical well-being during ix. (d) only (3)
rains
(4) The best hair days are rainy days

Passage 13
(5) A rainy day comes as a relief after a hot 1. While there is no denying that the world loves
summer day. a winner, it is important that you recognise the
(a) (1) and (2) (b) only (4) signs of stress in your behaviour and be healthy
(c) (1), (2) and (5) (d) only (3) enough to enjoy your success. Stress can strike
anytime, in a fashion that may leave you unaware


Ans : 2013
of its presence in your life. While a certain amount
i. (c) pat them dry, store separate items in different of pressure is necessary for performance, it is
food containers important to be able to recognise your individual
ii. (b) Beat the Monsoon Woes by Eating Right limit.

iii. they contain active bacteria which lead to various 2. Stress is a body reaction to any demands or
infections changes in its internal and external environment.
Whenever there is a change in the external
iv. 1. keeping the body hydrated environment such as temperature, pollutants,
2. flushing toxins out of the body humidity and working conditions, it leads to

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 39

stress. In these days of competition, when a mentally undecided, confused and accident prone
person makes up his mind to surpass what has as well. Diet, massage, food supplements, herbal
been achieved by others, there is an imbalance medicines, hobbies, relaxation techniques and
between demands and resources, which causes dance movements are excellent stress busters.
psycho-social stress.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
3. Stress reduces productivity and pressure to the above.
management of organisations. Today companies
i. The writer would not agree with the given
prefer women to men as employees because of
statements based on paragraph three EXCEPT
the hope that they bring additional qualities
such as innovation, patience and dedication in (a) An employee will give an average contribution
the workplace. But due to increased pressure when kept happy and without stress.
for women both at the workplace and at home, (b) Women face stress only due to increased
they face stress. Thus, any employee will make pressure at home.
the maximum effort and give the maximum (c) Stress increases productivity.
contribution when kept happy and without
(d) To increases productivity the employer should
any stress. Hence, to increase productivity, it is
keep his/her employees free from stress.
the responsibility of the employer to keep the
employees free from stress. Hence, it is essential to ii. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate
take steps to minimise the effects of determinants option.
of stress and help individuals and organisations A certain amount of pressure is _____.
evolve newer and more effective coping strategies. (a) necessary for performance
4. Stress takes a different meaning, depending on (b) necessary for under performance
the stage of life you are in. The loss of a toy or (c) not necessary for performance
a reprimand from the parents might create a (d) necessary for failure
stress shock in a child. An adolescent who fails in
examination may feel as if everything has been lost iii. List the symptoms of stress in individuals. Answer
and life has no further meaning. In an adult, the in about 40 words.
loss of his or her companion, job or professional
failure may appear as if there is nothing more to iv. Complete the given sentence with an inference
be achieved. with respect to the following.
The writer quotes the example of a child, an
5. Such signs appear, in the attitude and behaviour of adolescent and an adult in Paragraph 5 in order
the individual, as muscle tension in various parts to highlight that _____.
of the body, palpitation and high blood pressure,
indigestion and hyperacidity. Ultimately the result v. Select the option that conveys the opposite of
is self-destructive behaviour such as eating and ‘praise’ from words used in Paragraph 5.
drinking too much, smoking excessively or relying (a) shock (b) loss
on tranquilisers. There are other signs of stress
(c) stage (d) reprimand
such as trembling, shaking, nervous blinking,
dryness of throat and mouth and difficulty in vi. What causes psycho-social stress?
swallowing. The professional under stress behaves
as if he is a perfectionist. vii. When does ‘chronic fatigue’ occur? How does it
6. A person under stress reacts in different ways and affect a person? Answer in about 40 words.
the common ones are flight, fight or flee depending
viii. Road the five descriptions (1)-(5), given below.
upon the nature of the stress and capabilities of
How can the solutions suggested in the last
the person. The three responses can be elegantly
paragraph best be described?
chosen to cope with stress so that stress does not
damage the system and become distress. (1) Practical
7. When a stress crosses the limit peculiar to an (2) Presentable
individual, it lowers his performance capacity. (3) Popular
Frequent crossings of the limit may result in (4) Prejudiced
chronic fatigue, in which a person feels lethargic, (5) Prediction
disinterested and is not easily motivated to
(a) only 1 (b) only 4
achieve anything. This may make the person
(c) 1, 2 and 5 (d) 2, 3 and 4

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

ix. List the ways in which a person under stress dancing to rhythm which is provided on large
behaves. Answer in about 40 words. horizontal drums played by men.


Ans : 2012 4. In the Chang Lo dance of Nagaland, men and
i. (d) To increases productivity the employer should women gather together in community tribal
dances that strengthen the bonds of relationships.
keep his/her employees free from stress.
The movements of the dance begin with a slow
ii. (a) necessary for performance pace gradually becoming faster to the beat of
iii. Symptoms of stress are found in the attitude drums. The dancers create formations of circles
and behaviour of the individual. It includes and semi-circles, all of them following the same
muscle tension, palpitation, high blood pressure, steps.
indigestion, hyper acidity, trembling, shaking, 5. The origin of the martial dance of Manipur is
nervous blinking, dryness of throat and mouth, associated with the myth of creation. Most of the
and difficulty in swallowing. practitioners of martial arts learn and perform
with both spear and sword.
iv. stress takes different meanings, depending on the
stage of life an individual is in 6. The Bhutia is a community in Sikkim having
their distinct culture, religion, tradition, custom
v. (d) reprimand and language. Their dance is called Shabdo, the
vi. The increasing competition and the desire to brisk movement of feet. Their songs describe the
surpass what had already been achieved results in natural beauty of the land, holy lakes, sacred
psycho-social stress. caves, serene monasteries, and rich flora and
fauna.
vii. ‘Chronic fatigue’ occurs when stress frequently
crosses the limit that a person can handle 7. Chu Faat or Lepcha dance also belongs to Sikkim.
effectively. Such a person may feel lethargic, The literary meaning of Chu Faat is the worship of
disinterested and is not easily motivated to snowy range. This age-old folk dance is performed
achieve anything. in the honour of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third
highest mountain. Carrying butter lamps and
viii. (a) only 1 green bamboo leaves, the dancers perform this
ix. A person under stress behaves in different ways. dance to the accompaniment of songs.
The reaction of an individual depends upon the 8. Chakri, the most popular group song form
nature of the stress and capabilities of the person. of Kashmir’s folk music, is sung to the
Considering these two factors, it can be flight, accompaniment of the nout (geger), ruhab,
fight or flee. sarangi and tumbaknaer – an earthen pot with a
high neck.
9. Nati is a common name given to many types of


Passage 14 dances performed in Himachal Pradesh. During
1. In India, the performing arts are closely the Dussehra festival which is very popular in
associated with every aspect of people’s lives. Himachal Pradesh, the temple deities are taken
Dance, music and song are associated with the out in procession in Kulu with gods accompanied
occupation of people such as harvesting, sowing, by dancers and musicians.
fishing, grinding of grain as also with celebrating
10. The Bhangra dance of Punjab is performed after
the seasons or describing nature such as animals,
harvesting to celebrate the fruit of their labour
birds and flowers.
and hard work. Vigorous movements and simple
2. Bihu dance, a seasonal festival celebrated acrobatics are accompanied by the drum beat.
by the farmers in Assam, centres around the
11. In the Munda tribal dance of Jharkhand, the
agricultural activity of the region. Rows of
Munda women form a chain by linking arms
dancers move backwards and forwards showing
around one another’s waists and move in unison
the transplanting of paddy and the harvesting of
to the beat of the drums played by the Munda
rice. Simple rhythms, body movements in perfect
men.
synchronisation and the costumes add to the
beauty of the dance. 12. In India there are three types of Chhau dances
practised in Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.
3. The Wangala dance is performed by women
who create formations of circles and semi-circles

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 41

Answer the following questions, based on the passage ix. Read the five options (1)-(5) given below.
above. (1) Performing arts - associated with every aspect
of people’s lives
i. Select the option that describes the movements of
Wangala dance. (2) Performing arts - not a good thing
(a) Formation of circles and semi-circles all to the (3) Dance - a way of bonding
beat of large horizontal drums. (4) Dance - not related to movement
(b) Formation of semi-circles and then making (5) Dance - only materialistic
larger circles all to the rhythm of the Wangala Identify the option that corresponds with the
drum. above passage.
(c) Formation of circles within semi-circles, while (a) (1) and (2) (b) (1) and (3)
dancing. (c) (4) and (5) (d) (3) and (4)
(d) Formation of horizontal lines all to the beat

Ans : 2011
of circular and semi-circular drums.
i. (b) Formation of semi-circles and then making
ii. Which of the following statements is relevant to larger circles all to the rhythm of the Wangala
the context? drum.
The Indian lifestyle is contextualised around ii. (b) the occupations of people, their celebrations
_____. and their descriptions of nature
(a) the occupations during festivals and for
iii. These dances in general speak about the beauties
describing their natures
of nature, particularly the snowy ranges, lakes,
(b) the occupations of people, their celebrations rivers sacred caves, serene monasteries, and are
and their descriptions of nature performed using products of their land such as
(c) dance, music and song for all seasons butter.
(d) the occupations of dancing, singing and iv. dance as a way of bonding, celebrating harvests
celebrating on every opportunity and praising the bounties of nature
iii. State how the dances of the Lepchas and the v. (a) robust
Bhutias differ from those of the northeast of India vi. The Manipur dances are martial dances associated
in about 40 words.
with the myth of creation, while the dance forms
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a of the Nagas and Wangala dancers attempt to
characteristic or its description. build stronger bondings of friendship.
The subject matter of the passage indicates vii. facet
_____.
viii. The movements of Bihu dancing include standing
v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to in rows and moving backwards and forwards to
‘vigorous.’ emulate paddy planting and harvesting, while
(a) robust (b) feeble synchronising their body movements and their
costumes.
(c) accompaniment (d) popular
ix. (b) (1) and (3)
vi. State how the Manipur dance differs from other
dance forms of this region. Answer in about 40
words.

Passage 15
1. It was the city’s first indoor play park of its kind.
vii. In the line, “In India, the performing art are
Like a good mother, I was sceptical of virtually
closely associated with every aspect of people’s
every aspect of it. How could it succeed? Why
lives.” What does ‘aspect’ mean here?
should it succeed? How would a set of contraptions
viii. How does the following, impact the reader? in a room hold the attention of today’s children?
“Bihu dance, a seasonal festival celebrated by the Don’t call me paranoid: I stood with dozens of
farmers in Assam, centres around the agricultural mothers in similar states of quandary while the
activity of the region.” cheerful staff whisked away the curious kids for
Answer in about 40 words. an hour. “I thought she blew the whistle after 15
minutes,” huffed the pre-teen when she returned.

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

2. The manager came up to me. “I told you, the Answer the following questions, based on the passage
child would have a blast,” she laughed. And above.
explained, “There are hardly any parks in our
i. The author was paranoid about the indoor play
cities.” She meant, hardly anywhere children can
park because _____.
be themselves and like a Maria in ‘The Sound
of Music’, where they could climb a tree, scrap (a) it could never provide the feeding of playing
their knees and tear their dresses. Most of the in a real park
recreation now is limited to electronic activity (b) it would not engage the children
and given half a chance, children would jump for (c) she felt that the children may not like it
something more physically explorative. Even if it (d) she was worried about her child
is simple stuff like climbing, whizzing down and
jumping on a trampoline. ii. The writer would not agree with the given
3. Latest research shows that computer games statements, based on paragraph 4, EXCEPT.
slow down brain development. The ‘in’ thing till (a) Computer games aid a child’s agility in
yesterday, they are ‘out’ today. Says Nandita controlling their response to an unsavoury
Sharma, parent of a well-adjusted teenager, situation.
“Any mother can tell that standing at a console (b) A child becomes a zombie if he/she plays
juggling a joy-stick isn’t conducive to physical computer games.
relaxation. I rationed Karan’s hours at the video
(c) Computer games make a child more violent.
games and made sure he spent evenings with
his friends in the little space outside the house.” (d) Computer games stimulate activity in the
Nandita was also afraid that the bright lights of brain associated with vision and movement.
computer games could hurt young eyes. Nor did
iii. Comment on the writer’s reference to computer
she like the topic most of the games are based on.
games in paragraph 3, as a health problem for
“There’s just too much violence and fast activity.
children. Answer in about 40 words.
I know my kid can’t lag behind in today’s world
and computer games certainly sharpen reflexes, iv. Complete the sentence appropriately.
but I wish the games would be more interactive Most computer games isolate a child from the
and socially inclusive.” group fun of playing outdoor games. As a result,
4. Indeed, apart from making a zombie out of the the child becomes _____.
child, research indicates that computer games
only stimulate activity in the parts of the brain v. Select the most suitable title for the above
associated with vision and movement. It can also passage.
lead the child to be more violent. The lack of mental (a) Say No to Overindulgence in Gadgets
calisthenics curbs their agility in controlling their (b) The Side Effects of Computer Games
response to an unsavoury situation. (c) The Indoor Park
5. Moreover, most electronic games isolate the child (d) The Play Park
from the group fun of playing outdoors. Playing
vi. List two reasons why parents prefer outdoor
with peers and taking a toss or two appreciably
physical activity for their children in comparison
strengthens the child’s tolerance of others. This
to video games. Answer in about 40 words.
behaviour is governed by the frontal lobe, which
continues to develop in humans till about 20 years. vii. In the line, “...behaviour is governed by the
The more this lobe is exercised during moments frontal lobe _____”, describe the role of the
of restraint, the more the fibres connecting frontal lobe as explained in the passage.
the neurons in this part of the brain thicken,
improving the individual’s control of reactions. viii. The given passage posits that the ‘indoor play
Playing electronic games, research shows does not park’ was a hit. Based on your understanding,
encourage the development of this lobe. state the reason for this success. Answer in about
6. So now parents know what to do-put away the 40 words.
placebos. After school and home assignment
ix. Read the five words (1)-(5), given below :
hours, the best thing they could do for their kid is
invite his friends home and roll the carpet away! (1) Quandary
(2) Aspect
(3) Paranoid

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 43

(4) Sceptical difference in the long run. Indeed, in matters of

(5) Attention personal growth and character building, there is
Select the option that conveys the synonym of no such thing as an overnight success.
‘doubtful’ from words used in paragraph 1. 2. Growth always occurs through a sequential series
(a) only 1 (b) 2 and 5 of stages. There is an organic process to growth.
(c) only 4 (d) 3 and 4 When we look at children growing up, we can
see this process at work: the child first learns to


Ans : 2011
crawl, then to stand and walk, and finally to run.
i. (a) it could never provide the feeding of playing in The same is true in the natural world. The soil
a real park must first be tilled, and then the seed must be
ii. (a) Computer games aid a child’s agility in sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with enough
controlling their response to an unsavoury water and sunlight, and only then it will grow,
situation. bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to eat.

iii. As per the writer, computer games slow down 3. Gandhi understood this organic process and used
brain development. There is a lot of violence this universal law of nature to his benefit. Gandhi
grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He
in computer games which adversely affects the
did not wake up one day and find himself to be
children. Apart from this, the bright light of these
the “Mahatma”. In fact, there was nothing much
games also hurt the eyes of the young children.
in his early life that showed the signs of greatness.
iv. less tolerant of others But from his mid twenties onwards, he deliberately
v. (c) The Indoor Park and consistently attempted to change himself,
reform himself and grow in some small way every
vi. Parents prefer outdoor physical activity in day. Day by day, hour by hour, he risked failure,
comparison to video games because experimented and learnt from mistakes. In small
(a) Most of the games are full of violence. and large situations alike, he took up rather than
(b) The computer games slow down brain avoid responsibility.
development. 4. People have always marvelled at the effortless
vii. The frontal lobe helps in strengthening a child’s way in which Gandhi could accomplish the
tolerance and helps in controlling his/her most difficult tasks. He displayed great deal of
self-mastery and discipline that was amazing.
reactions.
These things did not come easily to him. Years
viii. The ‘indoor play park’ was a hit among parents of practice and disciplined training went into
as well as children because it not only kept the making his successes possible. Very few saw his
children away from computer games but also struggles, fears, doubts and anxieties, or his inner
made sure that children play with their peers in efforts to overcome them. They saw the victory,
the midst of nature. but not the struggle.
ix. (c) only 4 5. This is a common factor in the lives of all great
people: they exercised their freedoms and choices


Passage 16 in small ways that made great impact on their
lives and their environment. Each of their small
1. Many of us believe that “small” means decisions and actions, added up to have a profound
“insignificant”. We believe that small actions and impact in the long run. By understanding this
choices do not have much impact on our lives. We principle, we can move forward, with confidence,
think that it is only the big things, the big actions in the direction of our dreams. Often when our
and the big decisions that really count. But when “ideal goal” looks too far from us, we become
you look at the lives of all great people, you will easily discouraged, disheartened and pessimistic.
see that they built their character through small However, when we choose to grow in small ways,
decisions, small choices and small actions that taking small steps one at a time, performing it
they performed every day. They transformed becomes easy.
their lives through a step-by-step or day-by-day
approach. They nurtured and nourished their Answer the following questions, based on the passage
good habits and chipped away at their bad habits, above.
one step at a time. It was their small day-to-day
i. Select a proverb that echoes the statement,
decisions that added up to make tremendous
‘Each of their small decisions and actions, added

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

up to have a profound impact in the long run.’

Ans : 2010

(a) Look before you leap i. (b) Rome was not built in a day
(b) Rome was not built in a day ii. self- mastery and discipline
(c) Too many cooks spoil the broth iii. It is true that the great people built their life
(d) A stitch in time saves nine and character through small decisions and small
actions that they performed on daily basis. They
ii. Complete the sentence appropriately with themselves transformed their lives by adopting a
referring to the word underlined. step- by- step approach. It was their small day-
Based on the information given in the excerpt
to day decisions that added up to make a huge
about Gandhi ji, the narrator infers ‘These things
difference in the long run and it obviously made
did not come easily to him. ‘These’ refers to
them great.
_____.
iv. (d) Insignificant
iii. Explain in about 40 words, how did the great
people build their life and character through v. organic growth
small actions with small decisions. vi. It is a common belief that small actions and
choices do not have much impact on a human
iv. After the reading the above passage, select the being’s life. We also think that it is only the big
word that means the same as ‘trivial’. actions and the big decisions that really count.
(a) Omnipotent (b) Valuable Generally, we move forward in the direction of
(c) Magnificent (d) Insignificant our goals and want to fulfill our dreams. But
when our goal looks far from us, we become easily
v. Complete the sentence appropriately. disheartened and discouraged.
‘The child first learns to crawl, then to stand
and walk, and finally to run: We call this process vii. (c) What Makes Great Men Great
_____. viii. Gandhi ji understood the organic process to
growth. He realized to use this universal law
vi. Explain in about 40 words, how does ‘our ideal of nature to his benefit. He deliberately and
goals’ make us disheartened and discouraged.
consistently attempted to change himself, reform
vii. Based on the information given in the excerpt, himself and grow in some small way every day.
select the suitable title for the given passage. Every day he risked failure, experimented and
(a) How to conquer Self- Doubt learnt from mistakes. He took the situations as
they are rather than to avoid them. It took every
(b) A closer Look in Self-Growth
hour of a day to find him a ‘Mahatma.
(c) What Makes Great Men Great
ix. (d) only 4
(d) Gandhi and his Struggle in his Early Days

viii. Explain in about 40 words, how did Gandhi ji

Passage 17

realize the universal law of nature in his life.
1. Self-respect is very different than relying on one’s
ix. ‘Struggles, fears, doubts and anxieties. Which of ego or False Self persona that serves as a cover to
the following words given below can you add in show the world only “the good stuff” of a person’s
the given line that agrees to the general theme? personality. It is the gift we give ourselves when
(1) Dexterity we become less motivated to please others in
order to get their approval and more motivated
(2) Certainty
to live a life of authenticity and personal integrity
(3) Acceptance despite whatever anyone else thinks about us.
(4) Insecurities 2. The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing
(5) Tremendous to do with the approval of others–who are, after
Codes : all, deceived easily enough; has nothing to do
(a) only 2 with reputation which is something that people
(b) 2 and 3 with courage can do without. It is to know the
difference between the price of things and their
(c) 3 and 5
value and the courage to own your mistakes.
(d) only 4

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 45

3. In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain (c) self-respect has stood its ground come what
toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display may.
what was once called character, a quality which, (d) it is losing ground to more instantly negotiable
although approved in the abstract, sometimes virtues.
loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable
virtues. Its slipping prestige is dismissed when one iii. Why is it fair to say that the intrinsic worth of a
sees people coveting success or money or fame at person and self-respect have to go hand-in-hand?
all costs. Nonetheless, character–the willingness Answer in about 40 words.
to accept responsibility for one’s own life–is the
source from which self-respect springs. iv. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate
inference, with respect to the following.
4. To live without self-respect is to lie awake
Character– the willingness to accept responsibility
some night, beyond the reach of warm milk,
for one’s life is the source _____.
phenobarbital, and the sleeping hand on the
coverlet, counting up the sins of commission and v. Select the option that conveys the opposite of
omission, the trusts betrayed, the promises subtly ‘logical’, from words used in paragraph two. 1
broken, the gifts irrevocably wasted through sloth (a) intrinsic (b) paradoxical
or cowardice or carelessness. However long we
postpone it, we eventually lie down alone in that (c) consort (d) untenable
notoriously uncomfortable bed, the one we make vi. Comment on the writer’s reference to self-respect
ourselves. Whether or not we sleep in it depends, as a gift we give ourselves. Answer in about 40
of course, on whether or not we respect ourselves. words.
5. To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which,
for better or for worse, constitutes self-respect, vii. In the line “... people with self-respect exhibit a
is potentially to have everything: the ability to certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve, they
discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To display what was once called character ...”, What
lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically does the word ‘nerve’ mean here?
incapable of either love or indifference. If we do not
viii. Based on your understanding of paragraph 4,
respect ourselves, we are on the one hand forced
interpret the metaphor used by the author in the
to despise those who have so few resources as to
given statement. in about 40 words.
consort with us, so little perception as to remain
‘However long we postpone it, we eventually lie
blind to our fatal weaknesses. On the other, we are
down alone in that notoriously uncomfortable
peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously
bed, the one we make ourselves.’
determined to live out-since our self-image is
untenable–their false notions of us. We flatter ix. Read the five statements (1)–(5) given below.
ourselves by thinking this compulsion to please
(1) If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall
others an attractive trait: a gift for imaginative
for anything.
empathy, evidence of our willingness to give.
(2) Handsome is as handsome does.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
(3) Putting backbone into someone.
above.
(4) Neither fish, nor fowl.
i. Select the option that states the false self persona
(5) Rolling stone gathers no moss.
in a person according to the author.
Identify the option that displays the title/s that
(a) self-respect DOES/DO correspond with the passage.
(b) a person’s true personality (a) (1) and (2) (b) Only (1)
(c) unauthentic mask (c) (2) and (3) (d) Only (5)
(d) ‘real good stuff’


Ans : 2010

ii. The writer would not agree with the given i. (c) unauthentic mask
statements based on paragraph three, EXCEPT
ii. (c) self-respect has stood its ground come what
_____.
may.
(a) self-respect is a virtue not appreciated in
modern times. iii. The intrinsic worth of a person and self-respect
are two sides of the same coin: they give us the
(b) it used to be a non-negotiable virtue.
ability to discriminate, to love and also to remain

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

indifferent. If we lack it, we become incapable of plants that have been found especially to contain
either love or indifference. healing powers.
iv. from which self-respect springs 5. Over the years, I have come to distinguish
three types of medicinal practitioners in African
v. (b) paradoxical
societies and to classify the extent to which each
vi. The writer calls it a gift because self-respect uses medicinal plants. The first is the herbalist,
allows us to live a life of authenticity and personal who generally enjoys the prestige and reputation
integrity despite whatever anyone else thinks of being the real traditional medical professional.
about us. It is the gift we give ourselves when we The second group represents the divine healers.
become less motivated to please others. They are fetish priests whose practice depends upon
their purported supernatural powers of diagnosis.
vii. fortitude
Thirdly, the witch doctor, the practitioner who is
viii. We can interpret the metaphor used by the author credited with ability to intercept the evil deeds of
in the given statement as follows : a witch.
A lack of self-respect is going to pinch us hard 6. From the drugstores in New Delhi, I picked up
eventually and only we will suffer for the lack of some well-packaged bark and roots of Rauwolfia
it. Serpentina, a plant that was very well known in
(A metaphor is a Figure of speech that is used to ancient Asiatic medicine. The storekeeper said
make a comparison, but in a way different from that it cures hypertension.
a simile, Instead, it makes the description of an
object look as if it was literally true.) 7. For health, social and economic reasons, it seems
clear that developing countries should begin an
ix. (b) Only (1) extensive programme aimed at an examination
and research into the properties of the most


Passage 18 important medicinal plants. In most countries,
the information on such plants is dispersed and
1. The therapeutic value and healing powers of unorganised. Much of it is in the heads of aging
plants were demonstrated to me when I was a boy herbalists, who represent a dying breed.
of about ten. I had developed an acute persistent
abdominal pain that did not respond readily to Answer the following questions, based on the passage
hospital medication. In total desperation my above.
mother took me to Egya Mensa, a well-known i. Select the option that tells about the special thing
herbalist in my hometown in the Western province in the plant Rauwolfia Serpentina that influences
of Ghana. the mind.
2. After a brief interview, he went out to the field. He (a) Metals (b) Mind
returned with several leaves and the bark of a tree (c) Alkaloids (d) Alkalies
and one of his attendants immediately prepared a
decoction. I was given a glass of this preparation, ii. Which parts of the plant Rauwolfia Serpentina
it tasted extremely bitter, but within an hour or are used to cure hypertension?
so I began to feel relieved. Within about three (a) Stem and roots
days, the frequent abdominal pain stopped and I (b) Leaves and flowers
recall gaining a good appetite. I have appreciated (c) Bark and roots
the healing powers of medicinal plants ever since.
(d) Flowers and stem
3. In fact, demographic studies by various national
governments and inter-governmental organisations iii. In desperation, where did the mother take her
such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) suffering son? and why? Answer in about 40 words.
indicate that for 75 to 90 per cent of the rural
populations of the world, the herbalist is the only iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a
person who handles their medical problems. characteristic or its description.
Based on the information given in the extract,
4. In African culture, traditional medical practitioners one can infer that the author was suffering from
are always considered to be influential, spiritual _____.
leaders as well, using magic and religion along with
medicines. Illness is handled with the individual’s v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to the
hidden spiritual powers and with application of word ‘well-off’.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 47

(a) established iv. acute persistent abdominal pain

(b) ill v. (c) affluent
(c) affluent vi. The WHO demographic studies display that the
(d) non-affluent herbalist is the only doctor for 75 to 90 per cent
of the world’s rural population. He is the one who
vi. Explain, in about 40 words, what do the WHO
handles their medical problems.
demographic studies display?
vii. The word ‘bitter’ refers to the taste which is not
vii. In the line, “I was given a glass of this preparation, sweet.
it tasted extremely bitter, but within an hour or
so I began to feel relieved.” What does the word viii. Rauwolfia Serpentina cures hypertension and
‘bitter’ refer to? lowers the blood pressure and pulse. It is also
used to treat diabetes and cure cataract.
viii. In the line, “I picked up some well-packaged bark
ix. (c) (4) and (5)
and roots of Rauwolfia Serpentina, a plant that
was very well-known in ancient Asiatic medicine.”
How is Rauwolfia Serpentina useful? Answer in

Passage 19
about 40 words. 1. We often make all things around us the way
ix. Read the five statements (1)-(5) given below: we want them. Even during our pilgrimages we
have begun to look for whatever makes our heart
(1) From the drugstores in New Delhi, I picked
happy, gives comfort to our body and peace to the
up some well-packaged bark and roots of mind. It is as if external solutions will fulfil our
Rauwolfia Serpentina, a plant that was very needs, and we do not want to make any special
well-known in ancient Asiatic medicine. efforts even in our spiritual search. Our mind is
(2) The storekeeper said that it cures resourceful-it works to find short-cuts in simple
hypertension. and easy ways.
(3) In African culture, traditional medical 2. Even pilgrimages have been converted into
practitioners are always considered to be tourism opportunities. Instead, we must awaken
influential, spiritual leaders as well, using our conscience and souls and understand the
magic and religion along with medicines. truth. Let us not tamper with either our own
(4) Illness cannot be handled with the group’s nature or that of the Supreme.
hidden spiritual powers and with application 3. All our cleverness is rendered ineffective when
of plants that have been found especially to nature does a dance of destruction. Its fury can
contain healing powers. and will wash away all imperfections. Indian
(5) In most countries, the information on such culture, based on Vedic treatises, assists in human
plants is not dispersed and organised. evolution, but we are now using our entire energy
Identify the option that displays the statement in distorting these traditions according to our
that correspondences with occurrences in the convenience instead of making efforts to make
passage. ourselves worthy of them.
(a) Only (1) 4. The irony is that humans are not even aware
(b) (2), (3) and (4) of the complacent attitude they have allowed
themselves to sink to. Nature is everyone’s Amma
(c) (4) and (5)
and her fierce blows will sooner or later corner
(d) Only (5) us and force us to understand this truth. Earlier,


Ans : 2009 pilgrimages to places of spiritual significance were
rituals that were undertaken when people became
i. (c) Alkaloids
free from their worldly duties. Even now some
ii. (c) Bark and roots seekers take up this pious religious journey as a
iii. In total desperation, the mother took her suffering path to peace and knowledge. Anyone travelling
son to a well-known herbalist Egya Mensa because with this attitude feels and travels with only a few
he had developed an acute persistent abdominal essential items that his body can carry. Pilgrims
pain that did not respond readily to hospital traditionally travelled light, on foot, eating light,
dried chickpeas and fruits, or whatever was
medication.
available. Pilgrims of olden days did not feel the

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

need to stay in special AC bedrooms, or travel by (c) Pilgrimages have been converted into tourism
luxury cars or indulge themselves with delicious nowadays.
food and savouries. (d) Pilgrimages should be done for the purpose of
5. Pilgrims traditionally moved ahead, creating fun only.
a feeling of belonging towards all, conveying a
message of brotherhood among all they came iii. How does nature show its anger? Answer in about
across whether in small caves, ashrams or local 40 words.
settlements. They received the blessings and
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately.
congregations of yogis and mahatmas in return
The word ‘Amma’ used by the writer signifies
while conducting the dharma of their pilgrimage.
_____.
A pilgrimage is like penance or sadhana to stay
near nature and to experience a feeling of oneness v. As per your understanding of the passage, choose
with it, to keep the body healthy and fulfilled the words that best describe the response of
with the amount of food, while seeking freedom nature against cleverness shown by us.
from attachments and yet remaining happy while
(a) Catastrophic and Gratifying
staying away from relatives and associates.
(b) Gratifying and Detrimental
6. This is how a pilgrimage should be rather than
(c) Buoyant and Gratifying
making it like a picnic by taking a large group along
and living in comfort, packing in entertainment, (d) Detrimental and Catastrophic
and tampering with environment. What is worse
vi. How does the human of today act? Answer in
is giving a boost to the ego of having had a special
about 40 words.
darshan. Now alms are distributed, charity done
while they brag about their spiritual experiences! vii. As given in the passage, it states that most of the
7. We must embark on our spiritual journey by first time, people prefer to do _____.
understanding the grace and significance of a
pilgrimage and following it up with the prescribed viii. Describe the traditional pilgrim. Answer in about
rules and rituals - this is what translates into 40 words.
the ultimate and beautiful medium of spiritual ix. Pick out the option that is not true according to
evolution. There is no justification for tampering the passage.
with nature. A pilgrim can keep his body healthy
8. A pilgrimage is symbolic of contemplation and 1. by travelling a lot of places
meditation and acceptance, and is a metaphor for
2. by travelling light
the constant growth or movement and love for
nature that we should hold in our hearts. 3. by keeping free from attachment
4. by eating small amount of food
9. This is the truth !
5. by eating snacks and rich food
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
(a) Both 1 and 2 (b) only 2
above.
(c) 1, 3, 4, and 5 (d) only 4
i. Select the option that is similar to narrator’s
expression, “Nature is everyone’s Amma”?

Ans : 2007

(a) All mothers are nature. i. (b) Nature is the only supreme power.
(b) Nature is the only supreme power. ii. (c) Pilgrimages have been converted into tourism
(c) Nature is motherly. nowadays.
(d) Mother and nature are same. iii. The narrator suggests us to not temper with
either nature or that one supreme power. When
ii. Pick out the option that is TRUE about the
nature strikes with it furious snap, all our wisdom
pilgrimages, as discussed in the above passage.
and efforts will be futile. Nature is above all and
(a) One should avoid eating food while on a with its actions it can make the human beings
pilgrimage. realise the pettiness of their existence.
(b) Pilgrimages should be performed at the young
iv. the importance of nature without ‘whom’ we
age only.
cannot survive

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 49

v. (d) Detrimental and Catastrophic 4. Another unfortunate effect is the alienation of the
younger generation as expressed in their rejection
vi. In today’s world, human beings keep themselves
of culture and tradition and loss of faith in the
as priority. They often make things as they want
social, political and cultural tradition. Modern
them. Even during pilgrimages, people have
youth is drifting away from familial ties. They
began to look for things that make their heart
wish for independence, privacy and space. As a
happy, give comfort to body and peace to the result, the traditional joint family system has
mind. Pilgrimages have been turned into tourism given way to a nuclear family system.
opportunities.
5. The foreign channels propagate violence, vulgarity
vii. what makes their heart happy and promiscuity in the name of entertainment for
viii. Traditionally pilgrims travelled light, on foot, gaining wide viewership. The Indian media blindly
eating light-dried chickpeas and fruits or whatever and blatantly copies their eroticism better than
was available. Pilgrims moved ahead creating them. As a result, the national channels defining
the Indian culture and broadcasting education-
a feeling all belonging towards all, conveying a
oriented programmes have been sidelined.
message of brotherhood. A pilgrimage is like a
penance and while on this journey pilgrim received 6. Another impact of globalisation is associated with
blessings. the problem of unemployment. It has brought
machines, new factories and new approaches into
ix. (d) only 4 the Indian market. Everything is computerised.
The most vulnerable section of society, that is


Passage 20 women, are being exploited continuously.
7. Over the past five decades, the world has seen
1. Globalisation is largely the result of planning
several models and paradigms which have failed
by statesmen to break down borders hampering
to provide concrete results. What we really need is
trade to increase prosperity and interdependence,
a globalised economy, but one which is placed in a
thereby decreasing the chance of future war.
human context. The policies should be introduced
Their work led to the Bretton Woods Conference,
in such a way that they boost the economy and do
an agreement to lay down the framework for
not affect the very essence of Indian culture. The
international commerce and finance and the
developing countries need to improve healthcare.
founding of several international institutions
literacy rate, education and most importantly,
intended to oversee the process of globalisation.
restore the cultural heritage, because it is culture
These institutions include the International Bank
which identifies a country.
for Reconstruction and Development (the World
Bank) and the International Monetary Fund Answer the following questions, based on the passage
(IMF). above.
2. Globalisation, the integration of the world i. Which one of the following is not a key dimension
economy, has been a persistent theme of the past of globalisation?
thirty years. Growth of cross border economic (a) Social organisation of countries
activity has changed the structure of economics and (b) Communication
the political and social organisation of countries. (c) Trade in goods and services
Not all effects of globalisation can be measured (d) Movement of people
directly. But the scope and pace of change can be
monitored along four key dimensions - trade in ii. Globalisation is associated with the issue of all of
goods and services, financial blows, movement of the following except
people and communication. (a) unemployment
3. In the last two decades of the 20th century, (b) environment
developing countries have adopted globalisation (c) traditional systems
and liberalisation as the medium to strengthen (d) computerisation
their poor economic condition and to increase
foreign investment. This worldwide change iii. List any two ways in which Indian culture has
brought social and cultural calamity in India. been damaged. Answer in about 40 words.
The worst effect was on the Indian culture, the
transition being from traditional to modern, iv. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate
national to global, old to new. inference, with respect to the following.
The concept of globalisation means _____.

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Ch 1 : Factual, Descriptive and Literary Passages

v. Select the option that conveys the opposite of the viii. According to the writer of the given passage, while
word ‘ resilient’ from words used in Paragraph 6. globalisation strengthened the poor economic
(a) computerised (b) sterile condition of India, it has a devastating impact
(c) vulnerable (d) exploited on the Indian culture where the traditional values
are being lost.
vi. Globalisation was essential to avoid any possibility ix. (b) 3 and 5
of future wars. Give reason in about 40 words for
your answer.



vii. How has computerisation affected women?

viii. Comment on the writer’s belief that globalisation

started the destruction of the Indian culture?
Answer in about 40 words.

ix. Pick the option that correctly lists the final

feelings of the writer with reference to the process
of globalisation.
1. Happy
2. Satisfied
3. Disillusioned
4. Regretful
5. Enlightened
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 5
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 4


Ans : 2005

i. (a) Social organisation of countries

ii. (b) environment
iii. The two ways in which the Indian culture is said
to have been damaged are
• rejection of the joint value system and
increasing need for individuality.
• propagation of violence, vulgarity and
promiscuity in place of Indian cultural shows.
iv. aspiring towards oneness of all countries
v. (c) vulnerable
vi. Yes, I agree with the statement that globalisation
was essential to avoid any future wars as it brought
the world together under economic prosperity
and interdependence. Economic relation requires
a nation to maintain good relations with other
nations thus, decreasing the possibility of nay
future wars.
vii. Computerisation had left women the most
vulnerable section of the society open to
continuous exploitation.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 51

CHAPTER 2

Case Based Factual Passages

1. Introduction 3. Some important examples

A case based factual passage deals with facts
usually shared in the form of reports, scientific
articles and historical descriptions. The contents

Passage 1
of such a passage are a collection of facts 1. The internet offers anonymity that makes life
put together in a sequential manner. Factual easier for bullies. As both research and common
description involves creating a complete mental sense attest, allowing users to hide their identity
picture of a particular person, place, object, beings abets abuse. If you use the internet, the odds are
or events. A factual description allows the reader about even that you’ll be mistreated there. A
to get a comprehensive view of the subject under 2021 Pew Research report found that 41 per cent
discussion. It involves a step by step description of US adults have personally experienced online
of the subject in the best possible manner. In this harassment. Fifty-five per cent think it is a “major
way, the reader is able to compare or contrast facts, problem.” Seventy-five per cent victims say that
data or other information that is relevant. In other their most recent experience was on social media.
words, a factual passage is a detailed description of It is akin to driving in rush-hour traffic–exposing
the physical attributes of the given topic. ourselves to regular abuse.
2. We mistakenly assume that cyber attackers follow
conventional behaviour. People try to reason with
2. Points to remember trolls or appeal to their better nature in vain
One should keep the following points in mind because they misapprehend a troll’s true motives–
before answering the questions set on a given attract attention, exercise control, and manipulate
factual passage: others. Online harassers are not considered
1. Read the passage quickly to have some general ‘well-adjusted.’ A 2019 study found significant
idea of the subject matter. associations between trolling and psychopathy,
2. Read the passage again and underline the Machiavellianism, sadism, and narcissism, in that
important points. order. In other words, strangers attacking you on
social media or in person are severely damaged.
3. Read the questions and try to know what has
But, we often have trouble understanding that
been asked. and take online attacks seriously, as a form of self-
4. Underline the portions where the probable criticism, that is hard to ignore.
answers may be available.
5. Remember that the word limit must always
be honoured and taken seriously.
6. Make sure to use the same tense in which the
question has been asked.
7. In multiple choice questions, analyse the
questions and options carefully before
selecting the correct option because at times
the four options are closely related.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

3. But somehow, online harassment seems more iv. Identify the online abuser from the following three
bothersome. Americans rate online political online users.
discussions as 50 per cent more negative than (a) Sohna – My target is to just scroll down the
offline discussions. The reason is that once things happening online.
abusers enter an online space, they tend to take it
(b) Roshan – My target is to meet my foreign
over because all bullies have personality disorders.
friends here.
Trolls like trolling, without much threat of being
beaten up, while moral people exit-all increasing (c) Harsh – My target is to hurt, harass or upset
the troll-to-normal ratio over time. someone else.
4. Even if you want to bid the online sewer a not-so- v. Which of the following displays the most likely
fond adieu, your circumstances might make doing reason for us feeling more bothered about online
so, too costly. And maybe you simply don’t want trolling than facing abuse in real life?
to be forced off social media by the trolls, any (a) Those who get bothered by constant abuse
more than you would placidly accept being forced
exit social media.
off the playground because of menacing bullies
who treat it as their exclusive property. But we (b) Trolls invade and dominate online space
are not helpless in the face of either online abusers without any fear of consequences.
or the ones flipping us off on the highway. (c) Online political discussions are 50 per cent
5. In the case of threats or hate speech, you may more negative than offline discussions.
want to make your non-receipt more tangible (d) We take online attacks as a form of self-
by blocking the trolls, and reporting the abuse. criticism that is hard to ignore.
This remedy is imperfect at best, unfortunately,
given social-media companies’ spotty record at vi. Quite a few solutions for ‘dealing with trolls’ have
enforcement of their own norms. Not receiving an been proposed by the author. Pick out the only
insult (blocking and reporting an attacker) and solution that displays an underlying irony as well
ignoring trolls is crucial for stopping abuse. Deny as contradiction. Answer in about 40 words.
them the reward they seek. Responding to a bully vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
on the internet or in real life-remember, they are The 2021 study attempts to enlighten the victims
typically the same people-is proof that they seek of online abuse by _____.
dominance through aggression. Don’t feed this viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
monster, in person or online. When possible, meet Americans rate online political discussion as 50
aggression with deafening silence. per cent more positive than offline discussions.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage

Ans : 2022

above. i. The author compares negotiating heavy traffic

with the business of trolling directly as well as
i. Infer if the author compares negotiating heavy
traffic with the business of trolling directly or indirectly as in person or online, we inadvertently
indirectly. Answer in about 40 words. expose ourselves to abuse by strangers. He asks
us not to feed this monster in person or online.
ii. Which option DOES NOT substantiate the When possible, meet aggression with deafening
author’s view about the unconventional social silence.
behaviour of the online abusers?
ii. (a) Trolls can be reasoned with and their better
(a) Trolls can be reasoned with and their better nature can be appealed to.
nature can be appealed to.
iii. The survey about if we use the internet, the odds
(b) Online abusers are not considered ‘well-
are about even that we’ll be mistreated there
adjusted’ individuals.
says 41 per cent of the US adults have personally
(c) Online abusers are psychopaths. experienced online harassment and 55% think it is
(d) They troll for sadistic entertainment. a ‘major problem’.
iii. What do the survey says about if you use the iv. (c) Harsh – My target is to hurt, harass or upset
internet, the odds are about even that you’ll be someone else.
mistreated there? v. (d) We take online attacks as a form of self-
criticism that is hard to ignore.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 53

vi. When moral people exit social media platforms it 4. According to researchers, India has a variety of
increases the troll-to-normal ratio over time and 250 career options available across 40 domains
gives abusers a free run. covering 5,000 job types. This shocking lack of
awareness among Indian students regarding their
vii. asking us to make our non-receipts more tangible
future career options can spell a death knell for
and stonewalling aggression with silence.
the economic bonus that could have come to India
viii. FALSE. due to its demographic dividend the time period
where its population is young and earning.


Passage 2 5. Thus, if parents and teachers can build their own
awareness regarding new career options coming
1. The average age of India will be just 27 in 2020,
up, then they can be a very helpful part in their
which means that the majority of the country will
child’s career decisions rather than being one of
comprise young students and youth. But even now
those parents who push their child into one of
with the clock ticking, the unemployment crisis is
the most common careers simply because they are
raging the country and the main reason behind
unable to understand which area would be the
this problem is that there are a huge number of
perfect fit for their child.
youth passing out from schools and colleges every
year and there are many new career options and 6. If parents utilise the available technology and
job roles being added to various industries as well. tools available, they can become more aware of
which careers will help their children grow the
2. However, the youth do not have the kind of skills
most and career counselling can help both parties
the new industries want which results in a wide
get the desired satisfaction.
skill gap. A recent survey by Mindler, an online
career-counseling platform, has proved that the Answer the following questions, based on given
majority of Indian students are aware of just passage.
seven career paths, even though there are 250 i. Do you think the researchers of the study aimed
career options that can be pursued in India - most to change the students outlook towards the
new and in-demand. new career options? Support your answer with
3. The survey on the awareness of career options reference to the text. (Answer in about 40 words)
among Indian students in the age group of 14-
20 was conducted among 10,000 participants. The ii. What is the main essence of the passage?
responses collected in the survey showed that a (a) Only 7 professional field are popular in India.
staggering 93% of the students who participated (b) There is a lack of awareness regarding new
in the survey were aware of just seven career professions available.
options -- law, engineering, medicine, accounts (c) Parents must be involved in the process of
and finance, design, computer applications and career selection.
IT, and management.
(d) There is a huge gap between education and
employment opportunities.

iii. Which two fields, according to the survey, was

most popular among students?

iv. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most

appropriate option.
Career counselling can help both the students and
_____ to get satisfactory results
(a) survey team
(b) parents
(c) teachers

v. How can parents become more aware?

(a) By providing career counselling to their


Figure : Common Career Options Considered by Students children
(b) By talking to their children

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

4. Will Delhi be worth living in? Can the city state 7. Nothing has been done on that front so far. Nor
of Delhi escape the pressures put on it by an ever for the redevelopment of 45 resettlement colonies
expanding National Capital Region (NCR), which such as Ambedkar Nagar and Trilokpuri, which
touches as far as Alwar now? Are we prepared at were developed during Emergency to rehabilitate
all for this population explosion? slum dwellers. The rejuvenation of the Yamuna is
also on the plan, but the river remains severely
polluted in the Delhi stretch.
8. Will Delhi be liveable? Jain is not very hopeful.
He says Delhi won’t be a highly liveable city even
if the master plan is implemented in its entirety.
“Delhi is part of the National Capital Region
(NCR). So, Delhi’s development can’t happen in
isolation,” he explains.
Answer the following questions, based on given
passage.

i. Based on reading of the text, state a point to

challenge the statement. Answer in about 40 words.
Many important respects of MPD-2021 have been
implemented.

ii. The urban planners are collecting data based on

Figure : Population Growth in Major Global Cities
_____.
5. In a small office in Delhi’s India Habitat Centre, (a) transport
a group of urban planners-all belonging to the (b) land
National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)-have
(c) heritage
just started collecting baseline data on land,
housing, transport, environment, heritage, water, (d) All of these
among others, for Master Plan for Delhi (MPD)
iii. Based on the given graph, choose the option that
2041. “Our deadline for preparing the Master Plan
lists the statements that are true.
is 2021. But unlike its earlier editions, it won’t be
(a) Beijing and Delhi will see a decline in
a flat 20 year plan. This one will be divided into
various achievables, say, for every five years,” says population growth.
Nilesh Rajadhyaksha, lead coordinator of MPD (b) The population of Tokyb’ is ‘expected to
and urban specialist in NIUA. remain the same over 10 years.
(c) The population of New York had grown
The NIUA-an autonomous research and advisory
exponentially.
body that comes under the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs-has been roped in by the Delhi iv. What problem will prevail even if the Master
Development Authority (DDA) to undertake this Plan is implemented in its entirety?
colossal strategy plan for Delhi 2041. The current
master plan, MPD-2021, which was notified in v. Whom had the Delhi development Authority
2007 and was prepared by an in-house team of hired to look into the development of Delhi?
the DDA, would expire in 2021. (a) NIUA
6. The concern is that a sense of urgency to fix (b) The Urban Planner
Delhi is missing. Many crucial elements of MPD- (c) MHUA
2021 still remain on paper, with just two years
(d) All of these
left for the plan to expire. AK Jain, former
commissioner-planning in DDA and key architect vi. Describe the crucial issue related to Master plans
of MPD-2021, gives a long list of what have not created for Delhi. Answer in about 40 words.
been implemented. The master plan talks about
brownfield redevelopment of rehabilitation colonies vii. Complete the following sentence based on the
such as Lajpat Nagar, Old Rajendra Nagar and information given in the passage.
Mukherjee Nagar, which were originally meant for The given passage wants to drive attention to
Partition refugees. _____.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 55

competitiveness, India still ranked 34th in the potential.

‘Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019’
and could only capture 1.24% of the world’s viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
international tourist arrivals. The country’s Foreign tourists splurge more on star-rated
share is evidently a fraction of its potential. We, accommodation and services.
regrettably, have failed to realize the true impact

Ans : 2022

of Tourism and convert our natural advantages i. The foreign tourists are bigger spenders in
into potential economic benefits. comparison to domestic tourists because if they
spend seven nights in India it means at least fifty
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
million room nights are consumed in India at a
above.
conservative level. They are bigger spenders and
i. Infer that the foreign tourists are bigger spenders consume services of local guides, dine in hotels
in comparison to domestic tourists. Answer in and pay a higher room rent compared to domestic
about 40 words. tourists.
ii. Select the option that proves that hospitality ii. (a) The DefExpo 2022 was postponed due to
industry had been facing a deep turmoil in the Russia-Ukraine war.
last two years and it is not over yet. iii. The given statement can be challenged because
(a) The DefExpo 2022 was postponed due to the author proposes to reduce GST on tour
Russia-Ukraine war. operators from 5% to 1.8%.
(b) Most hotels are offering pre-2019 rates in iv. (c) Pranjol – I will be here just for a month only.
desperation.
v. (a) GST @ 5 per cent
(c) Around 40% of hotels have closed shop.
(d) Only hotels with deep pockets will be able to vi. Indian domestic tourists do not spend much on
tide over the tough times. destination shopping because they are on a tight
budget with inflation eating into their savings.
iii. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to They do not like to spend too much on good
challenge the given statement. hotels.
Domestic tourists are on a tight budget scouting
vii. inversely
for discounts till the last moment but tour
operators are in a better position to serve the viii. TRUE.
cause of tourism industry.

iv. Identify the domestic tourist from the following

Passage 4

three tourists.
1. Politics and now Pollution keep Delhi forever in
(a) Rakesh – WOW! I love this scene.
the news, but a third P (Population Growth) has
(b) Lokesh – I will stay here forever now. gone missing from the discourse on the capital:
(c) Pranjol – I will be here just for a month only. population growth, which has soared during the
last two decades and its disastrous fallout.
v. Which of the following should not be in the list if
India has to reap potential economic benefits in 2. Already, India’s capital city is the world’s second
tourism sector? most populous urban agglomeration. The future
is even more frightening: a United Nations report
(a) GST @ 5 per cent released in mid-2018 says Delhi could be the world’s
(b) highly-rated cultural resources most populous city by 2028 with 37.2 million people.
(c) competitiveness prices That is eight million more in just 10 years.
(d) highly-appreciated natural resources 3. According to the report called World Urbanisation
Prospects 2018 by the Population Division of the
vi. Why do domestic tourists not spend excessively UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
on destination shopping? (Answer in about 40 the population of Delhi and its immediate
words) neighbourhood is now estimated to be 29 million,
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately. second only to Tokyo with 37 million people. But
India’s share of world’s international tourist Delhi will zoom past Tokyo, whose population is
arrivals is _____ proportional to its actual projected to decline to 36.8 million by 2028.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

(b) Babita – I’m reading books since night. estimated that, globally, 1.1 billion people breathe
(c) Daisy – I’m watching television for two hours. in unhealthy air. The World Health Organization
(WHO) has estimated that urban air pollution is
v. Which of the following is the correct option for responsible for approximately 800,000 deaths and
what does the author mean by degrading the 4.6 million people lose their lives every year around
time? the globe.
(a) Spending less time (b) Wastage of time 2. Traffic and transportation problems, inadequate
(c) Consuming more time (d) Saving time drainage facilities, lack of open spaces, carbon
emission, and the accumulation of waste
vi. What are the various digital activities in which aggravate the problem. Air pollution is associated
the twelfth graders indulge in the mid-2010s? with increased risk of Acute respiratory Infections
Answer in about 40 words. (ARI), the principal cause of infant and child
mortality in developing countries.
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
3. Urban air quality in most mega cities has been
Traditional media has been replaced by digital.
found to be critical and Kolkata is no exception
We can say this because _____.
to this. An analysis of ambient air quality in
viii. State TRUE or FALSE. Kolkata was done by applying the Exceedance
The title, ‘Social Media Usage by Age’ is Factor (EF) method, where the presence of
appropriate for this passage. listed pollutants’ (RPM, SPM, NO, and SO2)


Ans : 2014
annual average concentration are classified into
four different categories; namely critical, high,
i. Digital media has completely displaced time once moderate, and low pollution. Out of a total of 17
spent enjoying a book or watching TV. While ambient air quality monitoring stations operating
it is true that digital media has become more in Kolkata, five fall under the critical category,
prevalent in our daily lives, many people still and the remaining 12 locations fall under the
enjoy reading books and watching TV as a form high category of NO2 concentration, while for
of entertainment and relaxation. These two are RPM, four record critical, and 13 come under
anyhow, parallel to each other. the high pollution category. The causes of high
ii. (b) To know about digital competency of teenagers concentration of pollutants in the form of NO,
and RPM have been identified in earlier studies
iii. Yes, the researchers added eighth and tenth vehicular emission (51.4%), followed by industrial
graders to the survey deliberately. This is stated sources (24.5%) and dust particles (21.1%).
in paragraph 3, which says, “While the study
4. Later, a health assessment was undertaken
started with only twelfth-graders in the 1970s,
with a structured questionnaire at some nearby
eighth and tenth-graders were added in 1991.”
dispensaries which fall under areas with different
iv. (a) Anchal – I’m using WhatsApp since morning. ambient air pollution levels. Three dispensaries
v. (b) Wastage of time have been surveyed with 100 participants. It
shows that respondents with respiratory diseases
vi. The digital activities in which the twelfth graders (85.1%) have outnumbered waterborne diseases
indulged in are: (14.9%) and include acute respiratory infections
Texting for over two hours a day on the internet (ARI) (60%), chronic obstructive pulmonary
which included gaming and just under two hours diseases (COPD) (7.8%), upper tract respiratory
a day on social media. They spend about six hours infection (UTRD) (1.2%), Influenza (12.7%), and
per day on just three digital media activities acid-fast bacillus (AFB) (3.4%).
during their leisure time.
5. To live a healthy life and have better well-being,
vii. young people today are more dependent on digital practising pollution averting activities in one’s
media. day-to-day activities is needed. These pollution
viii. TRUE. averting practices can only be possible when
awareness among the masses is generated that the
air they breathe outdoors is not found to be safe.


Passage 16
1. Air pollution is a major threat to human health.
The United Nations Environment Programme has

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 57

viii. State TRUE or FALSE. 4. According to Elia Tsouros, an executive at

Currently, Delhi is the third most polluted city in UUNET, the broadband penetration in SA is
the world. abysmal compared to that of other countries. One


Ans : 2021 contributing factor is Telkom’s pricing structure,
i. The given statement is false. As per the and, the fact that SA is so large, and has such a
distributed population. The ramifications are vast
information given in the passage, many aspects of
- a slowing down of broadband uptake; a barrier
MPD-2021 have not been implemented.
for educational institutions; limitation for learners
ii. (d) All of these to gain access to the Internet; poor response times
iii. (b) The population of Tokyb’ is ‘expected to for researchers; limited business and marketing
remain the same over 10 years. opportunities and the list goes on. The absence
of a wholesale facilities leasing regime for ADSL
iv. Even if the Master plan is implemented in its in South Africa makes it difficult for ISPs to get
entirety, Delhi won’t be a liveable city. a significant portion of the ADSL revenue. ISPs
v. (a) NIUA are not entitled to ADSL line rentals at wholesale
prices, and thus subscribers have to rent the
vi. The crucial issue related to Master plans created line directly from the incumbent, Telkom. This
for Delhi is that they are not yet implemented. then further negates the opportunity for ISPs to
vii. the problem of rising population in Delhi bundle value-added offerings, such as video and
voice services with the ADSL line. Coupled with
viii. FALSE.
the high cost of line rentals is that of international
bandwidth. Telkom international bandwidth


Passage 5 charges on the SAT-3 cable are very high, and
it is common knowledge that even though both
1. Competition, deregulation, and intervention
Telkom and British Telecom’s purchase their
are all crucial to South Africa’s Road to a true
bandwidth from the same supplier; Telkom marks
broadband infrastructure. As of this year, SA had
up its costs by 80%, and British Telecoms by only
some 67,000 ADSL subscribers. This represents
20%.
about 0.4% of the worldwide total, and supports
the statement that SA remains, and will remain, 5. Roman Hogh, product development manager at
way behind the rest of the world for a long time M-Web Business, says that Icasa should have the
to come. power to audit how much Telkom charges for the
cable.
2. Broadband penetration in households varies
globally, with Korea being the world leader with Answer the following questions, based on given
a penetration of 68%, the USA having 28%, and passage.
the UK 16%. SA shamefully has a broadband
household penetration of 0.3%. The question i. Suggests two possible reasons in about 40 words
posed here is why South Africa is so far behind... behind the statement, ‘SA remains, and will
The answer lies not, in the unavailability of the remain, way behind the rest of the world for a
technology, but simply in the pricing. Many long time to come.’
people think that Telkom’s ADSL solution is
ii. Which hindrances contribute to the broadband
one-step closer to a true broadband solution in
infra of SA?
this country. However, many industry specialists
disagree. (a) Huge population
(b) Competition, interference and irregularity
3. “Telkom’s ADSL offerings are great; however, they
just cost too much, and are not viable solutions (c) Unaffordability of telecom
for many home users,” says Dave Gale, business (d) Lack of video services
development manager at Storm. “South Africa’s
broadband costs may be the butt of global jokes, iii. Justify the statement, ‘a barrier for educational
but to local users, especially individuals, schools, institutions : What does the speaker want to
small businesses and current ADSL users, the convey?
affordability factor just makes one’s blood boil,”
iv. Select the correct statement.
says Michelle Branco; product-marketing manager
at Internet Solutions. (a) Small businesses and the common users can
afford broadband width easily.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

(c) By using the available tools and technology 2. So, let’s put a perspective on this thinking. In
(d) By finding which career options are the best 2019, which was a normal year for tourism arrivals,
fit for their children. India received over 10.9 million foreign tourists as
per government data. On average, foreign tourists
vi. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to spend seven nights in India and this means at
challenge the given statement. least fifty million room nights were consumed
Parents need not be aware of the upcoming career in India, at a conservative level, the bulk of this
options. spending is in star-rated hotels in India. They
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately are bigger spenders and consume services of local
Lack of awareness among Indian students guides, dine in the hotels and pay a higher room
regarding their future career options is affecting rent compared to domestic tourists.
our country badly since _____. 3. The year 2020 was a washout for inbound into
India, there was a slight recovery in 2021 but
viii. State TRUE or FALSE. nothing economically significant. Is domestic
The youth of today do have the kind of skills the tourism the panacea of the tourism economy in
view industries want. India? At the most, it can act as a band-aid to the


Ans : 2022
tourism economy.
i. Yes, the researchers of the study aimed to change 4. Indian domestic tourists do not spend much
the students’ outlook towards the new career on destination shopping as they are on a tight
options. The last paragraph of the passage budget with inflation eating into their savings.
mentions how parents and teachers can play a They avoid spending on good hotels too. For the
helpful part in their child’s career decisions by last two years, all hotels-be they top or average
making the student choose a career that fits him/ ones, have slashed their rates as were in 2017-18.
her best. Only deep-pocketed hotels are going to survive
because around 40% of hotels closed shop by early
ii. (d) There is a huge gap between education and
2021 and the situation has only worsened. Even
employment opportunities.
hotels in metros are charging rates prevalent in
iii. Engineering and computer application and IT 2017-18.
were the most popular career fields among the
5. Domestic tourists book last-minute scouting for
students. discounts whereas foreign visitors lock their rates
iv. (b) parents at least six months in advance. It’s the foreign
tourists that drive the tourism economy as they
v. (c) By using the available tools and technology
consume all forms of services when visiting India
vi. The given statement is wrong. Parents should be and no amount of domestic numbers can make up
aware of the upcoming career options so that they for the shortfall in terms of value. This is the best
can help their child in choosing the best career for time for the government to open its doors fully to
them. international tourism. To encourage tourism, the
vii. it is unable to reap the economic benefits that goods and service tax (GST) on tour operators
should be levied at about 1.8% instead of the
could have come to India due to its demographic
current 5%.
dividend
viii. FALSE.

Passage 3
1. Inbound tourism the world over was closed for two
years. India was no exception and this has taken
its toll on the tourism economy. The DefExpo
2022 scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar has
been postponed citing the Russia-Ukraine war. It
may be but it points to a larger picture of the
Indian hospitality industry losing out due to such
postponement. 6. Despite its rich treasure trove and high rankings
in cultural and natural resources as well as price

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 59

Answer the following questions, based on the passage ii. (a) Undertake journeys that give relaxation,
above. adventure or knowledge.
i. Infer two purposes of travelling as mentioned in iii. No, the researchers of the survey did not aim
the given paragraph. Answer in about 40 words. to popularize a particular type of tourism.
Researchers, in the table, mentioned four types
ii. Which of the following options displays the most of purposes to travel, i.e. adventure, education,
likely reason for people to make travel budgets?
relaxation and new travellers.
(a) Undertake journeys that give relaxation,
adventure or knowledge. iv. (c) Roshan – I love to explore isolated places full
of challenges.
(b) Learn about new people and their language.
(c) Buy the latest designs in the market. v. (c) Trying new things full of difficulties
(d) In order to gain relief from work pressure. vi. There are huge differences between travellers who
travelled for adventure and education. In the
iii. Do you think the researchers of the survey aimed survey, those who travelled for fun and adventure
to popularize a particular type of tourism? are the 20-30 years old. However, people below
20 years old are keen travellers who travelled for
iv. Identify the adventurous traveller from the
education.
following three travellers.
(a) Roshni – I love to capture photographs while vii. a thirst for knowledge and experience.
travelling. viii. TRUE.
(b) Reshma – I love to travel with tight travelling
budgets.


Passage 7
(c) Roshan – I love to explore isolated places full 1. The United States Postal Service (also known as
of challenges. USPS, the Post Office, informally known as the
P.O., or the U.S. Mail) is the third largest employer
v. Which of the following is an example of an
in the United States, after the Department of
opportunity for a sense of adventure?
Defence and Walmart. It employs over 785,000
(a) Hiring a taxi or cab workers in over 14,000 U.S. postal facilities.
(b) Being a tourist 2. The Postal Service has certainly grown and
(c) Trying new things full of difficulties changed since 1775 when the first Postmaster
(d) Advance booking of the travel tickets General -Benjamin Franklin - was named to head
the Post Office Department, the forerunner of the
vi. How might the differences in purpose of travellers current USPS. At that time, members of the Second
between adventure and education impact the age Continental Congress agreed that the Postmaster
groups offered by researchers in survey? Answer General headquarters, or most important offices,
in about 40 words. would be stationed in Philadelphia, and that the
Postmaster would be paid $1,000 a year for his or
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately. her service.
The similarities in the percentage of people 3. As the country grew westward, it became necessary
belonging to below 20 age group who are for the railroad system to carry the mail. The
interested in adventure and educational travelling Railway Mail Service (RMS) was initiated in 1862.
may be due to _____. The RMS workers sorted mail on the train, and
became some of the fastest workers in the system.
viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
They sorted about 600 pieces of mail per hour. All
The title, “Travelling for Fun”, is appropriate for
the mail had to be sorted before the train reached
this passage.
the first stop, since some of the mail was destined


Ans : 2021
for that first stop on the route.
i. Today, people travel for the purposes of business 4. By 1918, the Post Office took over air mail from
or leisure. They travel for relaxation, new the U.S. Army. The first airplanes used in U.S.
cultures, foreign food and normal surroundings. air mail were surplus planes from World War
Travel takes up 25-30% of the annual budget of a I. The Post Office started with only four pilots
family, according to a survey conducted in 2021. flying these leftover planes in August 1918, but
by the end of that year, the Post Office had hired

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

‘Arable’ land mentioned in Paragraph 3 means 3. The second is an offshoot of the first. Nowhere
_____. else do so many 7,000 metre plus peaks crowd up


Ans : 2008 such a confined space. And the third is really a
i. The advantages that processed foods provide are consequence of the first and the second with the
sharp gradation creating the most variegated flora
(a) Greater value addition - Value addition is
and fauna possible anywhere in the mountains.
a way to improve the quality, shelf life and The fourth uniqueness is also a consequence of
market ability of food products. If can also the first and the second and lies in the extremes
help to reduce post-harvest coses and improve of the climate which ranges from the tropical
the profitability of farmers and food processing to the typical arctic type. And the fifth claim
business. Some specific examples of value is its thin permanent population and relatively
added food products are canned foods, juices, fewer travellers by virtue of its remote far-
doing products, frozen fruits etc. eastern Himalayan location. The startling facts
(b) Reducing food wastage - which benefits about Sikkim never seem to end. For starters,
individuals, manufacturers and the all of Sikkim lies in a mere 110 kms by 65 kms
environment. of mountains, peaks, glaciers, rivers and forests.
A little dot on the map at a latitude 27 degrees
ii. (d) All of these
North and longitude 88 degrees East. Its 7,000 sq.
iii. Drying, threshing and grading are a part of kms make it about as large as the National Capital
primary food processing. Region of India! To the North and extending to
iv. (a) Agriculture the East of Sikkim, is Tibet/China and to the
West is Nepal. To the South are the Himalayan
v. As per the information given in the last paragraph and sub Himalayan regions of West Bengal. It
of the passage, quality standards have emerged as is, in fact, these geographical extremes and the
an important factor with the increasing importance resulting ambience, that makes mountaineers
of processed food. Hence, the given statement is trek here, when they are not climbing, besides
incorrect. fuelling mountaineering dreams in the minds of
vi. (b) The growing demand of processed food trekkers, what with the closest possible proximity
to magnificent peaks while trekking.
vii. FALSE.
4. On the subject of trekking here, it is strange
viii. cultivable but true that acclimatisation is much tougher in
Sikkim than elsewhere. It may have something to


Passage 20 do with being closer in latitude to the Tropic of
Cancer, beside the rather sharp stages involved in
1. This isn’t a mountain region of mere subjective
each day of trekking. The closeness to the Tropic of
beauty. Nor one, which claims its greatness,
Cancer has meant that On the subject of trekking
based on just an overwhelming opinion of a large
here, it is strange but true that acclimatisation
majority. For Sikkim, it is a treasure that few
is much tougher in Sikkim than the snowline
know about. However, the facts of its remarkable
will always be much higher and therefore human
geography bear enough testimony to pitch Sikkim
settlements are seen even at altitudes of 16,000
in a slot that no other mountain region anywhere
feet!
in the world could duplicate or rival. What
Everest is to peaks, Sikkim is to the mountains. Answer the following questions, based on given
Tragically, a region so wild and exotic and with passage.
such geographic and climatic extremes, that its
amazing wilds and not its unremarkable hill i. What makes Sikkim such a unique place? Mention
stations, ensure its accessibility to the adventurous two points.
only.
ii. Which proverb resonates the idea of “subjective
2. Just delve on these facts a bit. From the plains, in a beauty” given in the first line?
mere 80 kms as the crow flies, the altitude reaches (a) Too many cooks spoil the broth
28,168 feet at the very top of Kanchenjunga, the
third highest peak in the world. Such a sharp (b) A rolling stone gathers no moss
elevation is unrivalled anywhere else and is the (c) Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
first geographical claim of Sikkim. (d) All that glitters is not gold

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 61

Passage 8 users are growing, so do the chances of cyber

1. The internet has become the integral part of exploitation and cyber crimes. Even a small
today’s generation of people; from communicating mistake in securing data or bad social networking
through instant messages and e-mails to banking, can prove to be extremely dangerous. If accounts
travelling studying and shopping, internet has are not properly secured, it makes easier for
touched every aspect of life. With the growing use hackers or unauthorised users to spread viruses
of the internet by people, protecting important or social engineered attacks that are designed
information has become a necessity. A computer to steal data and even money. Such types of
that is not having appropriate security controls issues highlight the need for cyber security as an
can be infected with malicious logic and thus any essential approach in protecting and preventing
type of information can be accessed in moments. data from being used inappropriately.

2. Hacking of important data, network outages, 6. In simple language, Cyber security of Information
computer viruses and other cyber related technology security means protecting data,
threats affects our lives that range from minor networks, programs and other information from
inconvenience to serious incidents. Cyber unauthorised or unintended access, destruction
threats can be caused due to negligence and or change. It encompasses all the mechanisms
vulnerabilities, or unintentional accidents. Such and processes that protect digital equipment,
hackers are a part of what is called Cybercrime. information and records from illegal or unintended
With the increasing use of net, the number of access, manipulation or destruction.
cybercrime complaints has seen a rise by 350% In today’s dynamic environment, cyber security
from 2013 and by over 44% from 2016, according has become vital for individuals and Jar .flies,
to cyber cell statistics. as well as organisations (such as military,
government, business houses, educational and
3. Most crimes are related to online banking, financial institutions, corporations and others)
emphasising why policymakers are concerned that collect and store a wide range of confidential
about digital security as the government pushes data on computers and transmit that to other
for a more cashless economy and card-based computers across different networks. For families,
or wallet-based transactions. As many as 3,474 protection of children and family members from
cybercrime complaints have been registered in cyber crime has become substantially important.
the past 10 months till October, 2017. A total of
2,402 such complaints were registered last year Answer the following questions, based on given
and 760 in 2013. Cyber cell cops said the online passage.
transaction was by cyber offenders who used i. Do you think that cyber security alone would
IMPS/RTGS transfer after blocking Kumar’s be able to reduce cyber crimes? Give reasons for
SIM, which was linked to his bank account. your answer. in about 40 words.
4. The number of online banking fraud-related
ii. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most
complaints had increased nearly nine times in the
appropriate option.
last five years. The number jumped from 248 in
Regarding the increasing cybercrimes, the cyber
2013 to 2,095 in 2017 (till October). While online
cell blames _____.
banking and credit card fraud tops the list, social
networking-related crime, email hacking, online (a) the unlimited access to internet
sexual harassment, lottery fraud, data-theft (b) technological advancement
and job-related fraud are also frequent. Social (c) lack of cyber wall
networking related complaints have doubled from
(d) lack of investment in cyber security
2016. Cyber cell cops blame ease of access to
information and technological advancement for iii. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to
the spurt in cybercrime cases. Net-banking has challenge the given statement. The internet can
made it easy for criminals to siphon off money easily become secure if we teach people about its
from accounts. Bank-related fraud takes time to correct usage.
solve and constitute the maximum of cybercrime
iv. Select the option that displays the list of people
cases lying unsolved with the police, said an
who could be a cybercriminals.
official with the cyber cell.
(a) Tech-savvy youth
5. As the number of data networks, digital
applications, as well as internet and mobile (b) Unemployed youth
(c) Poorly paid people

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

36 more pilots. By 1920, over 49 million air mail in about 40 words.

letters had been delivered. ii. The railway mail service was established in
5. The Post Office has used alternate methods of
(a) 1884 (b) 1980
transmission during its history. It owned and
operated the first telegraph lines from 1884 to (c) 1862 (d) 1775
1887 - when the lines were privatized. It utilized iii. How did the RMS become some of the fastest
“V-Mail” (Victory Mail) during World War II workers in the service?
when U.S. military mail was put on microfilm (a) By using pigeons
in the U.S. and printed near its destination, in
(b) By sorting the mail on the train before every
order to save space on military transport. During
the 1980s, Electronic Computer Originated Mail, stop
called ECOM, was used for some bulk mailings. (c) By inviting people to sort the mail.
Computer generated mail was printed near its iv. What was the system of transporting mail called?
destination, and bore a blue ECOM logo on its
special envelopes. v. Who was the first Postmaster General?
6. In 1970, the Postal Reorganization Act, signed by vi. The second largest employer in the US is
President Richard Nixon, replaced the Post Office (a) Walmart
Department (a Cabinet-level department) with the (b) Department of Defense
independent US Postal Service. The independent (c) United States Postal Service
US Postal Service has streamlined its workload (d) Domino’s
and modernized operations. Today’s multi-line
optical character readers (MLOCRs) can read the vii. How does the independent US Postal service work
entire address on an envelope, print a barcode on Answer in about 40 words.
the envelope, and sort the mail at the rate of nine
viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
letters per second. The zip code +4, a four digit
code added to the end of the existing 5-digit code, The price of first-class stamp-recently approved
has decreased the number of times a piece of mail at 5 cents apiece.
needs to be handled.

Ans : 2019

7. Special barcode sorters assign an 11-digit zip code i. The mails were being carried through the railway
to each address, apply a barcode to each letter, system and this was initiated in 1862. The RMS
and sort the mail in order of delivery. The Postal workers become some of the fastest in the system.
Service has installed automated customer-service They used to sort mails on the train. And they
equipment in lobbies, and is planning to automate were capable of sorting 600 mails per hour. The
even more of its work, including more machines reason being some of the mails were supposed to
which will process parcels and forwarded mail. be dropped at the first stop of the route.
The price of a first-class stamp-recently approved
at 44 cents and good for up to one-ounce domestic ii. (c) 1862
mail- seems relatively inexpensive compared to its iii. (b) By sorting the mail on the train before every
predecessor; the first U.S. postage stamp, issued stop
in 1847. The first stamps, adorned with a picture
iv. It was called Railway Mail Service (RMS).
of Benjamin Franklin, sold for 5 cents apiece.
They were used for letters weighing less than one v. Benjamin Franklin
ounce with a travel distance of less than 300 miles. vi. (a) Walmart
By way of comparison, pay records available for
the 1890s indicate that a typical year’s pay for a vii. The independent US Postal service has streamlined
schoolteacher was around $500, or 10,000 times its workload and modernized operations. MLOCRS
the price of a stamp. Stamp prices then seem (Multi-line Optical Character Readers) now can
relatively high when compared to today’s average read the entire address on a mail, print a barcode
teacher pay, in the $40,000 per-year range, or on an envelope and sort the mail at a speed of nine
about 1,000,000 times the price of a postage letters per second. Also the zip code +4, a four
stamp! digit code added to the end of the existing 5 digit
Answer the following questions based on the passage code, has decreased the number of times a mail
above. needs to be handled.

i. How did the mail sorting work in RMS? Answer viii. FALSE.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 63

a high net worth or hold property entitlements, The concluding paragraph of the passage makes a
are treated comparatively well by their family clear case for _____.
members” said Rath.
viii. State whether the given statement is TRUE or
7. “Managing home care for the elderly is a massive FALSE.
challenge as multiple service providers-nursing In order to get proper case and support, the old
agencies, physiotherapists and medical suppliers- people have to adjust their lifestyle as per the
are small scale and unorganised and, therefore, wishes of their children.
provide incomplete care,” he said. “In India,

Ans : 2018
health insurance coverage is essentially limited to
hospitalisation. The concept of geriatric care has i. The two essential requirements for older people
remained a neglected area of medicine so far in suffering from mobility issues are:
the country.” 1. Wheelchairs
Answer the following questions, based on given 2. Adult diapers.
passage. ii. (b) They are treated with much more care and
i. List two essential requirements for older people respect.
suffering from mobility issues. iii. Traditional family support is the primary need of
all the elderly people in India.
ii. Select the option that displays the reason behind
financially independent elderly being better off. iv. (c) social responsibilities
(a) They are seen as one to be revered. v. (d) All of the above
(b) They are treated with much more care and vi. The given statement is incorrect because while the
respect. need for private space has created the challenges
(c) They have money to meet their financial in long term elderly care, the joint family system
needs. has always made sure that the elderly were well
(d) They have medical expenses. loved and cared for. In fact, it was the breaking
up of the joint family system that initiated the
iii. According to the passage, what do you think problems in elderly care.
is the primary need of all the elderly people in
India? vii. providing insurance cover for patients breeding
geriatric case.
iv. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most
appropriate option. viii. TRUE.
According to the study, long-term and palliative
care comes under the purview of _____.

Passage 10
(a) government responsibilities
1. The first Indian woman physician Anandibai
(b) liabilities Joshi, graduated in 1886. Starting from that
(c) social responsibilities single figure, about 125 years later, Indian women
have started to outnumber men in admissions to
v. Select the option that displays the most likely medical colleges and the trend continues to grow
reason for stating that older people who live with stronger by the year, particularly over the last
family are no better. five years. During this period, India has produced
It is so because 4500 more female doctors than male ones.
(a) they have additional burden of responsibility
2. In India women constituted 51% of the students
(b) they have no one who loves or cares for them joining medical colleges, cornering 23,522 seats
(c) they also suffer from loneliness in 2014-15, compared to 22,934 men. In fact, in
(d) All of the above the neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and
Bangladesh there are much higher portions of
vi. State a point to challenge the given statement :
women in medical colleges, with figures standing
Joint Family System along with the need for
at 70% and 60% respectively.
private space has brought challenges to the long
term elderly care. 3. According to the medical journal Lancet, only
17% of all allopathic doctors and 6% of those
vii. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate in rural areas are women. This is less than one
inference from the last paragraph of the passage. female allopathic doctor per 10,000 population

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

10 million people will die every year of tobacco (b) Consumption of tobacco is limited to only
related causes. lower income families
4. Even though governments are now recognising (c) With the ban of tobacco, its consumption has
and accepting the fact that tobacco harms decreased
their economies and kills their countrymen (d) Tobacco consumption is rampant in only males
prematurely, not all governments are able to or
want to introduce strong effective legislation and iii. According to the CPAA, what is main cause of
contribute in other ways to tobacco control. increasing consumption of Gutkha?
5. More and more young smokers are being recruited (a) Lack of restrictions on its consumption
into the ranks of the tobacco habituated by (b) Lack of restriction on its production
deceptive and manipulative advertising. Though
(c) Lack of restrictions on its advertisements
the industry claims that use of tobacco is a decision
made by informed individuals, the true picture (d) Lack of economic stability in the poor groups
is that today’s youth is making an uninformed iv. Based on the reading of the text, complete the
choice when it comes to tobacco consumption. following statement.
6. This is because the promotion of tobacco by As a part of manipulative advertising, youngsters
the industry hides the truth about the effects of are made to believe that tobacco is _____.
tobacco and goes to great lengths to make tobacco (a) a key to happy and healthy life
use seem to be the key to a healthy, happy, social
life. (b) a key to a reclusive life
(c) a symbol of higher status
7. Cancer patients Aid association (CPAA) in its
survey gave the following information : v. How are people attracted towards tobacco?
• Children between ages of 7 and 8 smoked
bidis. vi. Complete the sentence approximately with one/
• The youngest smoker was 6 years old. two words.
• 87 children had already acquired pre- The government knows the effects of tobacco
cancerous lesions. consumption but it does not _____ its
• Over 50% of people are addicted to tabacco. consumption.
• 4 million people die every year due to tabacco
vii. State TRUE or FALSE.
realted causes.
The promotion of tobacco by the industry reveals
• By the year 2030, approximately 10 million
the ill-effects of tobacco consumption.
people will die every year of tabacco related
causes. viii. Based on the theoretical reading of the text, state
two points to challenge the given statement in
about 40 words.
Addiction of tobacco afflicts only the elder (18+)
stratum of the society.


Ans : 2014

i. Yes, I think that putting a stop on manipulative

advertising regarding tobacco can help in reducing
tobacco. This is so because it is the manipulative
advertising that attracts many people towards it.
By putting a stop on it, we can ensure that more
Answer the following questions, based on given people are not afflicted by tobacco addiction.
passage.
ii. (b) Consumption of tobacco is limited to only
i. Do you think that putting a stop on manipulative lower income families
advertising regarding tobacco can help in reducing
iii. (c) Lack of restrictions on its advertisements
its consumption? Support your answer with
reference to text in about 40 words. iv. (a) a key to happy and healthy life

ii. Which of the following assumptions does the v. People are attracted towards tobacco through
passage negate? deceptive advertisements that show that tobacco
consumption is good for a healthy life.
(a) Consumption of tobacco is considered illegal

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 65

ii. (d) It is higher than the figures in India. urbanised, and diversified with the growth of
new industries, unlike most other regions in the
iii. In the neurology department of AIIMS, the woman
world. In fact, rapid growth experienced by the
HOD attracts a lot of women joining faculty. It is
US and China in the past century illustrate how
because the woman HOD becomes a role model
improving the gender balance in the workforce
and thus, more women are encouraged to join it.
contributes to a nation’s economic growth. Female
iv. (c) Suraj: I perform surgeries. labour force participation is 56 percent in the US
v. (a) 4500 and 64 percent in China.
6. The above correlation is also strengthened by a
vi. According to a paper on women in medicine
2017 IMF study, which states that increasing the
published in the journal ‘Indian Anthropologis’
female labour force participation will grow India’s
by sociologist Dr Mita Bhadra, the gender gap
GDP by an estimated 27 percent. Contrast this
persists at the postgraduation and doctoral levels.
with the projections made by the government’s
The percentage of women doctors here is around big idea reforms ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital
one-third of male doctors. She also observed India’, which aim to boost India’s growth by 16
that positions of leadership in academics and percent and 5 percent, respectively.
administration are still mostly occupied by men.
7. Yet, GDP goals aside, the gender imbalance
vii. paraclinical in India’s workforce stunts future prospects
viii. FALSE. for inclusive growth in the country. It deprives
women and girls from positions of role models in


Passage 11 the workplace, reduces their motivation to study
1. India’s labour market is the second largest in the further and perpetuates unhealthy socio-cultural
world, after China, with a working age population attitudes. Leaving out one half of the population
of about 520 million people. In 10 years, it is from its workforce will also prolong India’s status
expected to be the world’s largest as China’s as a developing country.
population aged 15 to 64 drops from 20.5 to 18.3
percent.
2. While this positive demographic growth should be
advantageous for business, only a small portion
of India’s working age population is actually
engaged in the formal workforce. The primary
reason being that barely one in four women are
part of the country’s workforce. Today, industry
estimates show that women in India only make
up five to six percent of directorships at most
listed companies; this after amendments to the
Companies Act mandated at least one woman on
company boards.
3. These figures underline the highly distorted nature
of India’s labour market where women hold 45
percent of university degrees but are either denied
employment opportunities or experience much
slower career growth trajectories due to gender-
based discrimination.
4. India has the lowest female labour force
participation rate in its neighbourhood. At
about 27 percent, it falls well below Sri Lanka,

Figure : Female Workforce Participation Rate in South
Bangladesh and Nepal. While female employment Asia
is higher in rural India, it is mostly as underpaid
and temporary labour, though even here the rate Answer the following questions, based on given
of participation is declining. passage.
5. The overall rate of female labour force participation i. According to the passage, what may be a negative
declined as the Indian economy opened up, factor that can impact the positive growth of the

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

(b) In the absence of getting revenue, ISP’s have

Passage 6

to pay the rent directly for the Telkom. 1. Travel today, whether for purposes of business or
(c) Telkom and the British Telecom purchase the leisure, takes up 25-30% of the annual budget of
bandwidth from the same supplier. family, according to a survey conducted in 2021.

v. Which of the following country has become 2. Today, it is trending to spend money on
the second most powerful country in terms of experiences rather than consumables. Travel is
computation? no longer looked at as just visiting a new place.
It underlines an ethos, a culture, a pandora’s
(a) India box full of surprises. People who love to travel
(b) Korea enjoy relaxation, new cultures, foreign food or
(c) USA incredible landscapes different from their normal
(d) South Africa surroundings. Some people enjoy the motion of
travelling, being on a boat, plane, train or bus.
vi. Based on the understanding of the above extract, The list is endless and the reasons range from
suggest any similarity or dissimilarity between simple to complex. The study further revealed
Telkom and British Telecom. Answer in about 40 changing trends in travel tourism. While some are
words. serious travellers who fall under the category of
medical tourism, a large percentage are splurging
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately. on pleasure travel. When questioned on why, what
As the population of SA is so large, the perception are the benefits or purpose, the responses can be
of broadband has become _____ when we categorized under a few common headings.
compare to rest of the countries.
3. Those who do it for fun, for a sense of adventure,
viii. State TRUE or FALSE. to take on risks and challenges are the 18-30
The title, ‘What caused the decline of South year-olds. While the 30-40 years bracket couple
Africa, is appropriate for this passage. fun with education, a thirst for knowledge and


Ans : 2021 experience-to see beautiful places, explore cultures
i. Two possible reasons behind the given statement and cuisines. They believe that an ever-changing
are as follows : environment is stimulating, refreshing and brings
endless learning opportunities. Those between the
1. It has been found through a survey that South
40-50 years travelled to expand their minds and
Africa had only 0.4% telecom subscribers in
challenge perspectives. They want a break from
the world wide due to its high pricing.
their soul-destroying lifestyles. The 60 years and
2. South Africa is also lagging behind because of above were the NOW travellers-they feel they
its huge and distributed population. might drop dead the day before they retire or be
ii. (b) Competition, interference and irregularity too old and unfit to travel, or take on, physical
challenges. The in-between 50-60 years adopt the
iii. By taking up broadband in educational best of both worlds.
institutions, students won’t be able to get
the access for internet as it costs much to the 4. The survey concluded that travel has become an
institutions. It has become a hindrance for the integral part of people’s lives, and it provides us
educational institutions. our greatest stories, our most cherished moments
and countless learnings that broaden our horizons
iv. (c) Telkom and the British Telecom purchase the and above all teach us about ourselves and others.
bandwidth from the same supplier.
Age-wise distribution of holiday-goers in percentages
v. (c) USA
Age Adventure Education Relaxation Now Travellers
vi. Both Telkom and British Telecom’s purchase their Below 20 39 38 6 17
bandwidth from the same supplier; but Telkom
20 – 30 44 28 12 16
marks up its costs by 80%, and British Telecoms
30 – 50 25 24 30 21
by only 20%.
Above 50 8 10 40 42
vii. extremely bad/abysmal
viii. TRUE.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 67

the youth of India is not properly educated and if 12. In the meantime, we as citizens of the world and
there are not enough jobs created, India will lose descendants of India have to make a difference.
its opportunity forever. There are danger signs in We have to ensure that India and its youth attain
abundance. that potential both through our business pursuits
5. Fifty-three per cent of students in primary schools and the support of educational charities, on-the-
drop out, one-third of children in Class V cannot ground proponents of participative democracy
read, three quarters of schools do not have a as well as other deserving organizations and
functioning toilet, female literacy is only 45 per initiatives.
cent and 80 million children in the age group of 13. I believe that hope can triumph and that this can
6-14 do not even attend school. be India’s century-not one that will happen as
6. India’s IT and BPO industries are engines of job surely as the sun will rise each day, but one that
creation, but they still account for only 0.2 per many willing hands will need to create together.
cent of India’s employment. The country has no Answer the following questions, based on given
choice but to dramatically industrialize and inflate
passage.
its domestic economy. According to a forecast by
the Boston Consulting Group, more than half of i. India is on its way to establish a reputation as
India’s unemployed within the next decade could
(a) production centre
be its educated youth. We cannot allow that to
happen. (b) back office to the world
(c) technology nerve centre
7. India is stuck in a quagmire of labour laws that
hinder employment growth, particularly in the (d) all of these
manufacturing sector. Inflexible labour laws
ii. Why is India amongst the youngest countries of
inhibit entrepreneurship so it is quite ironic
the world ? Answer in about 40 words.
that laws ostensibly designed to protect labour
actually discourage employment. iii. “This confidence has them demonstrating a great
8. Employment creation needs an abundant supply propensity to consume” the confidence referred
of capital. Controls on foreign investment have here is :
resulted in China getting five times the foreign (a) India being the world’s back office.
direct investment, or an advantage of $200 billion (b) The feeling that India can be at least as good
over the past five years. The growing interest in if not better than anyone else in the world.
India by global private equity firms offers well as
(c) India being a young country.
they represent pools of patient and smart capital,
but they too face many bureaucratic hurdles. iv. State any one factor that is obstructing the
9. When it comes to domestic capital availability, growth of employment in manufacturing sector in
budget deficits adding up to 10 per cent of the India.
national GDP impede capital availability for
investment and infrastructure. v. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The narrator suggests _____ for creating more
10. Raising infrastructure spending, coupled with rapid employment.
privatization, may not only create employment but
also address the growing gaps in infrastructure. vi. Synonym of the word morass is _____.
China has eight times the highway miles and has (a) Quagmire (b) Remorse
increased roads significantly in the past few years
(c) Hiatus (d) Problem
while India has only inched along. Freight costs
at Indian ports are almost double the worldwide vii. According to the narrator, raising infrastructure
average, just to, give two examples. spending and rapid privatization will create more
employment opportunities. TRUE or FALSE.
11. Moreover like the Lilliputians that kept the giant
Gulliver tied down there are some 30,000 statutes in viii. The narrator states ‘India is stuck in a quagmire
India of which only a portion are even operational of labour laws. Explain in about 40 words.
and these keep the employment creation engine

Ans : 2016

tied down. Since there are no sunset provisions in i. (d) all of these
any laws the regulatory morass only grows every
year. ii. India’s civilization has been from ancient times.
But despite the fact that its civilization has been

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

in rural areas, whereas the ratio is 6:5 in urban 73.8% in Estonia to 50.2% in Spain. In two non-
areas. OECD countries, Latvia and Lithuania, females
4. According to a paper on women in medicine accounted for over 74% and 70% of physicians.
published in the journal ‘Indian Anthropologis’ In contrast, only one in five doctors in Japan
by sociologist Dr Mita Bhadra, the gender gap and Korea were women. In the United States
persists at the postgraduation and doctoral levels. it is one in three, confirming the fact that the
The percentage of women doctors here is around disproportion among women and men doctors is a
one-third of male doctors. She also observed universal phenomenon.
that positions of leadership in academics and Answer the following questions, based on the passage
administration are still mostly occupied by men. above.
5. In Pakistan, though 70% of medical students
are women, only 23% of registered doctors were i. Infer the purpose of the survey as mentioned in
females because a large number of those who the given extract. Answer in about 40 words.
graduated never took to practising. The trend
ii. What is the number of women joining the medical
of more women joining the medical profession is
profession in Pakistan and Bangladesh? 1
welcomed in all these countries as female doctors
are seen as committed and caring. A paper on (a) It equals women doctors in India.
women in medicine published by Dr Rakesh (b) It is growing faster than the doctors in India.
Chaddha and Dr Mamta Sood of the psychiatry (c) It is much lower than the figures in India.
department of AIIMS noted that medicine has been (d) It is higher than the figures in India.
a male-dominated profession because it demands
long working hours that are disadvantageous to iii. How does the woman HOD impact faculty?
women who, even today, struggle to juggle career
and family responsibilities. iv. Identify the surgeon from the following three.
6. Earlier, though women were largely restricted (a) Roshan: People come to me in fever.
to fields such as obstetrics, gynaecology and (b) Latasha: I work over tooth of the people.
paediatrics, this is changing now. There has (c) Suraj: I perform surgeries.
always been a preponderance of women in pre-
clinical subjects like anatomy, physiology and v. By how much did the female doctors have
biochemistry and paraclinical subjects like outnumbered the male doctors in 125 years in
pharmacology, pathology and microbiology, right India?
from the 70s. In departments headed by women, (a) 4500
the women faculty was 49% as compared to just (b) 4300
19% in those headed by men, says Dr Chaddha,
(c) 4000
giving the example of the neurology department
at the AIIMS, which saw a lot of women faculty (d) 2383
joining when the HOD was a woman. ‘It is probably
vi. At what level did the gender gap persist in the
because the head of the department becomes a
extract? What did Dr Mita Bhadra observe?
role model and more women are encouraged to
Answer in about 40 words.
join,’ said Dr Chaddha.
7. There are skews within the medical profession vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
in most parts of the world with some medical Pharmacology, pathology and microbiology are
specialties, such as surgery and other disciplines termed as _____.
requiring emergency duty with irregular hours
being male-dominated. Even in the United viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
Kingdom, though women account for 56% of The title, “Studying is disadvantageous to
those opting for medical education, 49% are women” is appropriate for the given passage.
public health and only 8% are surgeons, according

Ans : 2017

to a Royal College of Physicians expert. i. The purpose of the survey as mentioned in the given
extract is to confirm the fact that the disproportion
8. Among the Organization for Economic Co- among women and men doctors all over the world
operation and Development countries (OECD), is a universal phenomenon. Further, to prove his
across ten of them, predominantly from the
confirmation, the researcher has provided statistics
erstwhile Eastern Bloc, the proportion of female
also.
physicians is more than 50%, ranging from a high

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 69

experts, for years have been calling for freeing up ii. (a) Lack of proper sewage systems
the flow of rivers to allow them to rejuvenate. So iii. The presence of septic tanks result in the
the good news for the moment is water resources
contamination of groundwater because they leak
Minister Uma Bharti’s announcement that no
on the groundwater due to overflow.
new dams will be sanctioned on the Ganga if the
project interrupts flow of the river. iv. (a) The sewage treatment capacity of the country
needs to be increased.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage
above. v. (d) Both (a) and (b)
i. What does the revealation by the Municipal vi. The Water Aid report looks at sanitation systems
Corporation of Gurugram point to? Answer in in six states and presents a snapshots of how
about 40 words. much wastewater is dumped untreated. It show
that 87% of water used by people of Delhi returns
ii. Which of the following is the reason for Yamuna as waste, out of which only 61% is treated.
being the most polluted rivers in the country?
vii. Uttar Pradesh
(a) Lack of proper sewage systems
(b) Lack of treatment of contaminated water viii. TRUE.
(c) Flooding with the onset of rains
(d) Improper sanitation facilities


Passage 14
1. A number of citizens suffer from a variety of
iii. Why does the presence of septic tanks result in diseases that can be linked to tobacco addiction.
contamination of ground water? In a recent check-up camp organised by the
Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), 830
iv. Which of the following facts can be inferred from
street children were examined and the following
the given graph?
grim picture was established
(a) The sewage treatment capacity of the country • All the boys, young and old, smoked ganja.
needs to be increased. • Girls consumed supari or burnt tobacco
(b) The condition of treatment of sewage is still powder.
better in class II cities. • ‘Solutions’ or ‘white ink’ or ‘erasing fluids’
(c) The maximum contamination of water takes are also inhaled by these children to get a
place in Delhi. ‘high’
• These substances are easily accessible, legal
v. What is true regarding the contaminated water? and cost a mere ` 2.
(a) Less than 20% of the contaminated water is But this trend is not only confined to any
treated. particular segment of society. According to
(b) Most of the contaminated water is dumped doctors, consumption of gutkha and smoking
into the water bodies. is quite rampant amongst children from higher
(c) Contaminated water is the reason for the lack income groups.
of potable water. 2. According to CPAA officials, consumption of
(d) Both (a) and (b) gutkha has gone up considerably in the last
few years. Since there is no restriction on the
vi. What information does the Water Aid report advertisements of this product, even during
present? Answer in about 40 words. Ganesh festivals, companies producing gutkha
sponsor events and display huge ads.
vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The state of _____ in the country has the 3. Over 50% of the people screened so far are
lowest treatment percentage. addicted to tobacco. The most common form
of tobacco use is gutkha and chewing tobacco.
viii. State TRUE or FALSE. Gutkha is being consumed by people of all ages,
Delhi has the capacity to treat 61% of the upto 22 times a day.
wastewater it generates. 4 million people die every year due to tobacco


Ans : 2015 related causes. Unparalleled expansion of tobacco
i. The revelation by the Municipal Corporation of production and its aggressive and unrestricted
Gurugram points to the problem of contamination promotion, especially in our country, confirms
of water bodies due to sewage. the fears that by the year 2030, approximately

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

v. What has made it easy for people to illegally take conducted for the United Nations. The survey of
out money from banks? more than 10,000 respondents across Northern,
(a) Aadhar numbers Southern, Western, Eastern and Central India
during May-June 2018, showed that 62.1% of
(b) Smart cards
the elderly did not get such care. More than half
(c) Net-banking of these people, 52.4%, said they primarily need
(d) Mobile numbers traditional family support, says a study by Age
well Research and Advocacy Centre.
vi. Ease of access to information and technological
advancement is the reason for the spurt in 2. Older people in India often face problems such as
cybercrime cases. Give a reason for such a claim. disability, restricted mobility, loneliness, poverty
Answer in about 40 words. and lack of awareness on accessing old-term care.
With a fast growing population of older people,
vii. Complete the sentence based on the following the ever-increasing gap between generations and
statement. the fast and demanding lifestyle of young people,
According to the passage, if accounts are not for a majority of older people, life is still a struggle
properly secured, hackers can easily _____. for independence.

viii. State TRUE or FALSE. 3. “According to 64% of elderly respondents,

The government’s push for a more cashless loneliness, marginalisation and isolation are the
economy and card-based or wallet-based most critical issues faced by bedridden, elderly
transactions is not a well thought of decision. patients as they cannot visit, meet or interact


Ans : 2019
with their relatives, friends and neighbours,” said
Himanshu Rath, founder of Agewell Foundation.
i. No, I do not think that cyber security alone would
4. The elderly have to compromise and make
be able to reduce cyber crimes totally. It might
adjustments in their lifestyle according to the
reduce the percentage of crimes but without
wishes of the younger members of their families
proper laws to punish the criminals, it wouldn’t
to ensure they are cared for, the study revealed. It
be as effective.
highlighted that 67.6% of the elderly being taken
ii. (b) technological advancement care of their family members have to look after
iii. The given statement is incorrect because while the children of the families. They have to perform
tasks such as babysitting in return for proper care
correct usage of internet will help in maintaining
and support.
internet security, it does not guarantee cyber
security. The chances of fraud and crimes will still 5. “Around 73.7% said they have to take care of the
remain at the same level if we do not come up house and other properties of their younger family
with proper codes of security and stringent laws members to ensure long-term and palliative care
to punish offenders. in old age”, the study report said. “Over 75%
of respondents have to limit their personal social
iv. (a) Tech-savvy youth interactions as their family members direct them
v. (c) Net-banking to do so, otherwise their family members can
avoid providing their basic needs of food and
vi. Ease of access to information and technological
medicines.”Most elderly respondents (68.5%) said
advancement is the reason for the spurt in
breaking up of the joint family system is one of
cybercrime cases because with net banking, a form the biggest factors for the challenges they face in
of banking increasing in today’s’ world, all details getting long-term palliative care.
are easily availed through the internet. This form
of banking has made it easy for criminals to 6. Healthcare equipment such as wheelchairs, relief
siphon off money from accounts. material such as adult diapers and care-giving
service should be provided on a regular basis to
vii. spread viruses to steal data and even money destitute older people, who are bedridden and
viii. TRUE. suffering from acute mobility issues, the report
said.
“Though providing long-term and palliative care


Passage 9 to older persons comes in the purview of family
1. A large majority of the elderly in India does not responsibilities in India, it is observed that older
get long-term and palliative care, revealed a study persons, who are financially independent, have

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 71

vi. restrict more traditional media such as print book and

vii. FALSE. newspapers.
7. The decline in reading print media was especially
viii. The given statement is incorrect as the report
steep. In the early 1990s, 33 per cent of tenth-
from CPAA posits that it is children who are
graders said they read a newspaper almost every
most affected by tobacco addiction are children
day. By 2016, that number was only 2 per cent. In
between 7 and 8 years who smoke bidis with the the late 1970s, 60 per cent of twelfth-graders said
youngest being only 6 years old. they read a book or a magazine almost every day;
by 2016, only 16 per cent did. Twelfth-graders


Passage 15 also reported reading fewer books each year in
2016 compared to how much they read in 1976
1. News-If you can’t remember the last time, you and approximately one-third did not read a book
saw a teenager reading a book, newspaper or (including e-books) for pleasure in the year prior
magazine, you’re not alone. In recent years, less to the 2016 survey.
than 20 per cent of teen report reading a book,
magazine or newspaper daily for pleasure. More 8. There’s no lack of intelligence among young people.
than 80 per cent say they use social media every However due to over dependence on digital media
day, according to a research published by the they find it difficult to focus for long periods of
World Psychological Association. time and to read long-form text. Subsequently,
they find it challenging to understand complex
2. “Compared with previous generations, teens in the issues and develop critical thinking skills.
2010s spent more time online and less time with
traditional media, such as books, magazines and
television,” said lead author of the book yGen and
professor of psychology at ABC University. ‘Time
on digital media has displaced the time that was
once spent enjoying a book or watching TV’
3. Swaner and her colleagues analyse data
concluded from an ongoing study of a nationally
representative sample of approximately 50,000
eighth, tenth and twelfth grade students annually.
They looked at survey results from 1976 to 2016,
Answer the following questions, based on given
representing more than 1 million teenagers. While
passage.
the study started with only twelfth-graders in the
1970s, eighth and tenth-graders were added in i. Infer two possible ways that the survey, mentioned
1991. in the given extract, could be beneficial. Answer
in about 40 words.
4. Use of digital media increased substantially from
2006 to 2016. Among twelfth-graders, internet use ii. Select the option that displays the most likely
during leisure time doubled from one to two hours reason for the study of this research.
per day during that period. It also increased 75
(a) To know about reading choices of teenagers
per cent for tenth-graders and 68 per cent for
eighth-graders. (b) To know about digital competency of
teenagers
5. “In the mid-2010s, the average twelfth grader
(c) To know about speed of reading text
reported spending approximately two hours a day
texting, just over two hours a day on the internet (d) To know about the decline of time spent on
which included gaming and just under two hours traditional media
a day on social media,” said Swaner. That’s a
iii. Do you think that the researchers of this study
total of about six hours per day on just three
added eighth and tenth graders to the survey,
digital media activities during their leisure time.
deliberately? Support your answer with reference
6. In comparison, tenth-graders reported a total of to the text.
five hours per day and eighth-graders reported
four hours per day on those three digital activities. iv. Identify the person who uses social media from
Consequently, the spent time in the digital world the three following people.
is seriously degrading the time they spend on (a) Anchal – I’m using WhatsApp since morning.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

from the dawn of human habitation, the country sewage network, the rest depending on septic tanks
is still among the youngest countries in the world. and pit latrines. There are more numbers to raise
This is because more than half of the country’s a stink about. More than 5 lakh pit latrines are
population is under 25 years of age and more than unsanitary, being nothing more than open pits.
a third is under 15 years of age. More than 9 lakh toilets empty directly into drains.
Among the 18% of urban household that don’t
iii. (b) The feeling that India can be at least as good have access to individual toilets, more than 12%
if not better than anyone else in the world. resort to open defecation.
iv. Uneducated youth 5. The story gets murkier beyond the numbers.
v. raising infrastructure spending and rapid Where sewers exist, they often leak or overflow.
privatization Instead of being cleaned every few years, septic
tanks are left to accumulate fecal sludge that
vi. (a) Quagmire
percolates into ground water. When the tanks are
vii. TRUE. cleaned the black water is disposed off in fields
viii. The country’s slow employment growth has and water bodies, once again contaminating open
fresh water.
left the youths of the country unable to do
anything. Added to this are the various ‘laws’ 6. The Water Aid report looks at sanitation systems
that hinder growth. The many laws laid down in six states and offers a snapshot of how much
by the government with the supposed intention wastewater is dumped untreated. Delhi, for
of making more jobs available are in actuality, instance, uses 4,346 million litres of water per
discouraging employment. day of which 87% returns as waste. However,
Delhi has the capacity to treat only 61% of the
total wastewater it generates. The class I cities of


Passage 13
Maharashtra together consume water three times
1. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram recently as much as Delhi does, turn 80% of that into sewage
admitted before the National Green Tribunal and treat less than half of their total wastewater.
that untreated sewage from the city mixes with The statistics are far worse for class II cities.
treated wastewater in the drains into the Yamuna.
The putrid river that flows through New Delhi is
only one of the many severely polluted surface
water bodies in the country. Government agencies
estimate that as much of 80% of India’s surface
water is contaminated and most of it comes from
sewage.
2. The effects of this contamination are immediately
felt with the onset of the monsoons. No sooner
had the rains begun the reports of water-borne
diseases like diarrhoea and cholera breakouts
trickled in from Delhi, Pune, Varanasi and Chennai
as broken water pipes and flooding allowed fecal
sludge mix (polluted water) into potable water.
3. The Central Pollution Control Board in 2009
calculated that major cities and towns together
generate more than 38 billion litres of sewage
everyday, of which only 30% is collected. Less

Figure : Percentage of Total Wastewater that is Treated
than 20% of this is treated because that’s all
the treatment capacity available. The rest is just 7. Even with the creation of the National Urban
emptied into rivers, lakes, seas and ponds. Sanitation Policy in 2008 and several thousands of
4. A soon-to-be-released report by Water Aid India crores being spent by states on sewage networks,
on fecal sludge management documents the chinks the problem has grown worse in the last five years.
(gaps) in India’s sewage system. Seventeen million, The Water Aid report recommends enforcing
or roughly 20%, of urban households, lack sanitation a national building code, public promotion
facilities, the report says. Among those that have campaigns and decentralising sewage treatment
access to sanitation only 32% are connected to a plants as remedies to the sewage problem. Water

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 73

vi. What is the recommendation to the readers from

researcher’s point of view? Answer in about 40
words.

vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.

Pollution caused by transports is much more than
_____.

viii. State TRUE or FALSE.

The use of diesel generator is responsible for more
than fifty per cent of air pollution.


Ans : 2013

i. The main idea of the survey, highlighted in the

given passage is to educate people about the
threat of air pollution. It also discusses the causes
of air pollution such as traffic and transportation
problems, inadequate drainage facilities, lack of
Answer the following questions, based on the given open spaces, carbon emission and the accumulation
passage. of waste, etc.

i. Infer main idea of the survey in about 40 words, ii. (c) Cause: traffic and transportation problem ::
highlighted in the given passage. effect : 4.6 million deaths
iii. Around 4.6 million people lose their lives every
ii. Select the option that displays the correct ‘cause
year in India due to air pollution.
and effect’ relationship.
(a) Cause : air pollution :: effect respiratory iv. (c) Hamid – I’m suffering from respiratory
diseases disorders.
(b) Cause : lack of open spaces :: effect : mega v. (b) Urbanization leads to deterioration of air
cities quality.
(c) Cause: traffic and transportation problem :: vi. The researcher advises people to follow pollution
effect : 4.6 million deaths averting activities seriously. He wants people to
(d) Cause : air quality monitoring stations :: reduce vehicular emissions, which may help in
effect : emission of NO2 reducing air pollution.
vii. the pollution caused by industries
iii. How many people lose their lives due to air
pollution every year in India? viii. FALSE.

iv. Identify the person suffering from a disease caused

due to air pollution.
(a) Roshani – I’m suffering from fever since last
week.
(b) Ciara – I’m suffering from baldness.
(c) Hamid – I’m suffering from respiratory

Passage 17
disorders. 1. Our history makes it evident that the Indian
Plastics Industry made a vigorous beginning in
v. Which of the following is the correct opinion of 1957 but it took more than 30 years for it to
the researcher on the development of mega cities? pervade Indian lifestyles. In 1979, ‘the market for
(a) Mega cities are the right spots to study air plastics’ was just being seeded by the state-owned
pollution. Indian Petro-Chemicals and it was only in 1994
(b) Urbanization leads to deterioration of air that plastic soft drink bottles became a visible
quality. source of annoyance.
(c) Cities face transportation problems due to 2. In the same year, people in other cities were
heavy traffic. concerned about the state of public sanitation
(d) Cities face the problem of congestion. and also urged regulatory bodies to ban the

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

Indian labour force? Answer in about 40 words. iii. The result of the gender imbalance in the Indian
workforce include
ii. What is the reason for the highly destorted nature
(a) Reduction in future prospects of inclusive
of the female workforce in India’s labour market?
growth
(a) Women are unskilled and uneducated
(b) Reduction in motivation to study further
(b) Women are denied employment opportunities
(c) Perpetuation of unhealthy socio-cultural
(c) Women have slower career growth
attitudes
(d) Both (b) and (c)
iv. (b) need of more women participation in the
iii. What is the result of the gender imbalance in workforce
India’s workforce?
v. (b) The female labour force participation declined
iv. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most in the Indian economy.
appropriate option. vi. As per the information given in the text, a 2017
The given passage highlights _____. IMF study states that increase in the female
(a) gaps in women empowerment in the workforce labour participation will grow India’s GDP by
(b) need of more women participation in the 27%.
workforce vii. gender-based discrimination
(c) the reasons for declining GDP
viii. FALSE.
v. Which of the following statements is NOT
substantiated by information in Paragraph 4?

Passage 12
(a) Leaving out one half of the population from
1. Today, India looks like it is on course to join the
its workforce will also prolong India’s status
league of developed nations. It is beginning to
as a developing country.
establish a reputation not just as the technology
(b) The female labour force participation declined nerve centre and back-office for the world, but
in the Indian economy. also as its production centre. India’s secularism
(c) Female labour force participation is 56 and democracy serve as a role model to other
percent in the US and 64 percent in China. developing countries. There is great pride in an
(d) Rapid growth experienced by the US and China Indian that easily integrates with a global economy,
in the past century illustrate how improving yet maintains a unique cultural identity.
the gender balance contributes to a nation’s 2. But what is breathtaking is India’s youth. Despite
economic growth. being an ancient civilization that traces itself
to the very dawn of human habitation, India is
vi. Based on the reading of the text, state a point, in among the youngest countries in the world. More
about 40 words, to challenge the statement. than half the country is under 25 years of age and
Increase in female labour participation will affect more than a third is under 15 years of age.
our GDP adversely.
3. Brought up in the shadow of the rise of India’s
vii. Complete the sentence based on the following service industry boom, this group feels that it
statement. can be at least as good if not better than anyone
Women in India experience a much slower growth. else in the world. This confidence has them
This happens because of _____. demonstrating a great propensity to consume,
throwing away ageing ideas of asceticism and
viii. State TRUE or FALSE. thrift. Even those who do not have enough to
The rapid growth made by UK in the past century consume today feel that they have the capability
was due to the improving gender balance in the and opportunity to do so.
workforce.
4. The economic activity created by this combination


Ans : 2016
of a growing labour pool and rising consumption
i. According to the passage, Lack of the younger demand is enough to propel India to double digit
working population in the formal workforce can economic growth for decades. One just has to look
negatively impact the positive growth of the at the impact that the baby boomers in the US had
Indian labour force. over decades of economic activity, as measured by
equity and housing prices. This opportunity also
ii. (d) Both (b) and (c)
represents the greatest threat to India’s future. If

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 75

ii. (d) Because people are concerned about public

sanitation.
iii. It can be concluded with the production of
plastics in 2019 that India’s trajectory of plastic
production was increasing.
iv. (b) Shivam – I am drinking soft drink in plastic
bottle as it is cheaper than tin can.
v. (d) Andhra Pradesh
vi. Ten states of India are sending their plastic
collected waste to cement plants for co-processing,
12 other states are using plastic waste for polymer
bitumen road construction and others are using it
for waste to energy plants and oil production. 4. It wasn’t just that we lost a lot of mammals.
vii. more sustainable and holistic way It was almost exclusively the world’s largest
mammals that vanished. This big decline of
viii. FALSE. mammals is referred to as the Quaternary
Megafauna Extinction (QME). The QME led to
the extinction of more than 178 of the world’s
large mammals (‘megafauna’).
5. Many researchers have grappled with the question
of what caused the QME. Most evidence now
points towards humans as the primary driver.


Passage 18 Most of this human impact came through
hunting. There might also have been smaller local
1. To understand how the richness of the mammal impacts through fire and other changes to natural
kingdom has changed, we need a metric that landscapes. When our ancestors arrived in Europe,
captures a range of different animals and is the European megafauna went extinct; when they
comparable over time. We could look at their arrived in North America, the mammoths went
abundance-the number of individuals we have- extinct; then down to South America, the same.
but this is not ideal. We would be counting every
species equally, from a mouse to an elephant, and 6. What’s most shocking is how few humans were
this metric would therefore make an ecosystem responsible for this large-scale destruction of
taken over by the smallest mammals look much wildlife. There were likely fewer than 5 million
richer than one in which bigger mammals roam. people in the world. Around half the population
If the world’s mouse populations multiplied and of London today.
multiplied-maybe even to the detriment of other 7. A global population half the size of London helped
animals-then this abundance metric might suggest drive tens to hundreds of the world’s largest
that these ecosystems were thriving. mammals to extinction. The per capita impact
2. Instead, ecologists often use metric biomass. This of our hunter-gatherer ancestors was huge. The
means that each animal is measured in tons of romantic idea that our hunter-gatherer ancestors
carbon, the fundamental building block of life. lived in harmony with nature is deeply flawed.
Biomass gives us a measure of the total biological Humans have never been ‘in balance’ with nature.
productivity of an ecosystem. Tracing the footsteps of our ancestors will help
reveal the level of extinction.
3. If we go back to around 100,000 years ago-a time
when there were very few early humans and only Answer the following questions, based on given
in Africa-all of the wild land mammals on Earth passage.
summed up to around 20 million tons of carbon. i. The writer states, ‘Humans have never been in
This is shown as the first column in the chart. The balance with nature. What do you understand by
mammoths, European lions, and ground sloths this? Answer in about 40 words.
were all part of this. By around 10,000 years ago,
we saw a huge decline in wild mammals. This is ii. The writer used the term ‘metric’ to refer to
shown in the second column. _____.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

production, distribution and use of plastic bags. Answer the following questions, based on given
However, the challenge was greater than it passage.
appeared at first.
i. Infer what does our history make evident, as
3. The massive generation of plastic waste in India mentioned in paragraph 1. Answer about in 40
is due to rapid urbanisation, spread of retail words.
chains, plastic packaging from grocery to food
and vegetable products, to consumer items and ii. Why do people demand a ban on plastics?
cosmetics. The projected high growth rates of (a) Because of political pressure.
GDP and continuing rapid urbanisation suggest (b) Because of personal interests.
that India’s trajectory of plastic consumption and
(c) Because of rapid decrease in plastic bottles.
plastic waste is likely to increase.
(d) Because people are concerned about public
sanitation.
iii. What can one conclude about the production of
plastics in 2019? Answer with reference to the
graph given in the extract.

iv. Identify the user who did not accept the ban of
plastic bottles in India.
(a) Sunaina – I am buying a soft drink tin can as
plastic bottles after use create foul smell.
(b) Shivam – I am drinking soft drink in plastic
bottle as it is cheaper than tin can.
4. According to the United Nations Environment (c) Harpreet – I love soft drinks, therefore, I am
Programme (UNEP) report of 2018, India stands buying a tin can.
among few other countries like France, Mongolia
and several African countries that have initiated v. Which of the following is an example that is
total or partial national-level bans on plastics in currently sending its collected waste to cement
their jurisdictions. On World Environment Day in plants for co-processing, as per the extract?
2018, India vowed to phase out single-use plastics (a) Goa
by 2022, which gave a much needed impetus to (b) Delhi
bring this change. (c) Madurai
5. In this context, thereafter ten states (Andhra (d) Andhra Pradesh
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, vi. What step must be taken to combat the challenges
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu) are currently sending of plastic waste management? Answer in about 40
their collected waste to cement plants for co- words.
processing, twelve other states/UTs are using plastic
waste for polymer bitumen road construction and vii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
still four other states are using the plastic waste for The time is now to formulate robust and inclusive
waste-to-energy plants and oil production. A world National Action Plans to combat the plastic
of greater possibilities has now opened up to initiate jeopardy in a _____.
appropriate and concrete actions to build up the viii. State TRUE or FALSE.
necessary institutions and systems before oceans The projected growth rates of GDP and continuing
turn, irreversibly into a thin soup of plastic. rapid urbanisation suggest that India’s trajectory
6. However there is no one single masterstroke to of plastic consumption is likely to decrease
counter the challenges witnessed by the staggering tremendously.
plastic waste management in the country. The

Ans : 20111

time is now to formulate robust and inclusive i. The Indian history makes it quite evident that
National Action Plans and while doing so, the
the Indian Plastics Industry made a vigorous
country will establish greater transparency to
beginning in 1957 but it took more than 30 years
combat the plastic jeopardy in a more sustainable
for it to pervade Indian lifestyles. In due course of
and holistic way.
time, it made its place in every household.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 77

promoting inclusive growth, it has been identified 7. The share of processed food in world especially
as one of the key thrust areas under the ‘Make in Indian exports in value terms has remained stable
India’ programme. over the years. In 2018, it accounted for 6.5
4. Food processing is defined as transforming percent of total world processed exports and 5.7
agricultural products into food that are in percent of total world exports.
consumable form or transforming one food item 8. With the increasing importance of processed food
into another by adding value to it (Government in consumers’ food basket, quality standards have
of India, 2019). Based on physical properties of also emerged as an important factor with new
the final product, the Ministry of Food Processing regulations. The food system is being regulated
Industries categorises food processing under two through a mix of private-public standards which
sub-categories, viz. (i) manufactured processes, provide the basis of competitive strategies
whereby the original physical properties of the while also proving to be entry barriers. The
product undergo a change through a process implementation of quality standards has been
involving employees, power, machines or money an issue of contention between developed and
and the transformed product is edible and has developing countries.
a commercial value and (ii) other value-added Answer the following questions, based on given
processes where the product does not undergo
passage.
any manufacturing process, but gains significant
value addition like increased shelf life, shelled and i. List two advantages of processed food as
ready for consumption, etc. mentioned in the passage. Answer in about 40
words.
5. Depending on the type and extent of value
addition, it is categorised as primary and ii. Which of the following leads to a change in the
secondary processing. Primary processing relates food consumption pattern?
to conversion of raw commodity to one that is fit
(a) Urbanisation (b) Demographic shifts
for consumption. It involves steps such as drying,
threshing, cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, etc. (c) Improved transportation (d) All of these
Secondary processing involves creation of value iii. What are drying threshing and grading a part of?
added products like bread, wine, sausages, etc.
6. The importance of processed food items in the iv. According to the passage, why India has become
consumer basket has increased globally over time. self-reliant?
With higher income, urbanisation, demographic (a) Agriculture
shifts, improved transportation and changed (b) Stable income
consumer perceptions regarding quality and
(c) Employment opportunities
safety, food consumption patterns have changed
over the years. Further, advertising through mass v. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to
media/social media is also found to have resulted challenge the given statement. Answer in about
in a higher demand-led Food Processing Industry 40 words.
(FPI) growth in India. Quality standards do not play an important role
in FPI.

vi. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most

appropriate option.
What does the given passage highlight?
(a) The system of imports and exports
(b) The growing demand of processed food
(c) The food capacity of India
(d) The share of Indian exports in food market

vii. State TRUE or FALSE.

In the future, the demand for processed food
items in Northern India is going to increase.

viii. Complete the sentence appropriately with One

Figure : Pattern of Processed Food Trade Word.

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Ch 2 : Case Based Factual Passages

(a) a degree of temperature iv. (c) 2, 3 and 4

(b) a degree of education v. The Quaternary Megafauna Extinction (QME)
(c) a degree of measurement refers to the large-scale decline of wild mammals
(d) a degree of freedom from nature.
iii. What do you think is the main theme of the given vi. From the given statement, we can say that
passage? wherever humans move or set foot on, the
(a) Humans are the primary cause of most mammal population of that particular area
mammal extinction. began to dwindle, to the extent of extinction of
(b) Humans deserve to live longer than most certain species. Be it Europe, North America or
mammals. South America, human’s arrival resulted in the
(c) The Quaternary Megafauna Extinction is a extinction of certain species of mammals.
result of time lapse. vii. TRUE.
iv. What are the main causes of mammal extinction viii. Romanticism, an 18th century literary concept
in nature? that celebrates the relationship of nature and
1. weakness common man, is used to try to make a reference
2. hunting to how humans and animals have a peaceful
coexistence. But contrary to this notion, the given
3. natural causes
passage shows how humans have been detrimental
4. fire
for the mammalian population. It was because
5. accidents of humans that major mammals such as the
(a) 1, 2, and 3 (b) 1 and 4 mammoth, European lions and ground sloths
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4 have become extinct.
v. What is the QME?


Passage 19
vi. Consider the statement :
When our ancestors arrived in Europe, the 1. India is a major producer of several agricultural/
European megafauna went extinct; when they food items in the world but only less than 10
arrived in North America, the mammoths went percent of that is processed. Demand for processed
food items is set to increase in India in the
extinct; then down to South America, the same.
coming years providing opportunities for greater
What can you infer from this statement?
value addition, lower wastages and alternative
vii. State whether TRUE or FALSE. employment opportunities. Analysis of corporate
Based on the two columns, it can be seen that data shows that food processing firms have been
there is a 5 million tons of carbon decline in the profitable, but the value addition component
biomass of mammals. needs to increase significantly.

viii. What do you think the writer meant when 2. India has made vast progress overtime in providing
using the word ‘romantic idea to refer to the food security for its people and has become largely
relationship of humans with nature? Answer in self-reliant in agriculture. Accordingly, the policy
about 40 words. focus has shifted from attaining self-sufficiency


Ans : 2010
to generating higher and stable income for the
farming population. Food Processing Industry
i. By stating that humans have never been in (FPI) is one area which has the potential to add
balance with nature, the writer seems to point value to farm output, create alternate employment
the fact that humans and mammals do not have opportunities, improve exports and strengthen the
a peaceful coexistence. Any action done by us domestic supply chain.
has always affected nature one way or the other,
3. India, with about 11.2 percent of total arable land
thereby resulting in either a loss, or even death of in the world, is ranked first in the production
animals and plants. of milk, pulses and jute, second in fruits and
ii. (c) a degree of measurement vegetables and third in cereals (Government of
India, 2019). It is also the sixth largest food and
iii. (a) Humans are the primary cause of most
grocery market in the world (Law, et al., 2019).
mammal extinction.
Recognising the immense potential of FPI in

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 79

iii. Why is acclimatisation much tougher in Sikkim

than elsewhere?

iv. Which of these statements is incorrect?

(a) Sikkim lies in a mere 110 kms by 65 kms of
mountains, peaks, glaciers, rivers and forests.
(b) Sikkim is about 7000 sq. km.
(c) Sikkim shares its eastern border with Nepal.

v. Complete the sentence appropriately.

Synonym of ‘unrivalled’ is _____.
(a) riddled
(b) outstanding
(c) unfit
(d) hideous

vi. The narrator states “in a mere 80 kms as the crow

flies....’. What is significant about this statement?
vii. Give an appropriate title for the given passage.

viii. State TRUE or FALSE.

Sikkim isn’t a mountain region of mere subjective
beauty?’ What does “this” stand for in the line?


Ans : 2005

i. 1. Sikkim is a region so wild and exotic, with

geographic and climatic extremes that enables
or ensures access to adventurous activities.
2. It has the most variegated flora and fauna
possible anywhere in the mountains, with
a temperature ranging from tropical to the
typical arctic type.
ii. (c) Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
iii. It is because the sharp stages involved in climbing
and being closer in latitude to the Tropic of
Cancer.
iv. (c) Sikkim shares its eastern border with Nepal.
v. (b) outstanding
vi. By using the word ‘mere’ in referring to the
distance between the plains of Sikkim and Mt.
Kanchenjunga, the narrator presents the contrast.
Sikkim is on the plains and just a short distance
from it is the third highest mountain in the world.
This shows a unique feature of the small state.
vii. Sikkim : Why it is So Unique
viii. TRUE.



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Ch 1 : Notices

CHAPTER 1

Notices

1. Introduction 6. As a notice usually announces an upcoming

event/celebration, etc., so future time
A notice is an important written communication reference is used while writing a notice.
tool that is used by both individuals and
7. A notice should have all the details related to
organizations to announce upcoming events or to
the event. It must have an answer to what,
provide information about upcoming functions,
when, where, why, how.
events, and occasions. It is formal in tone. A
notice is usually affixed on the noticeboard by an 8. The information should be presented
organization or institution to announce an event, accurately and concisely.
celebration or some important information, etc. 9. The language should be formal.
10. It must be in third person, i.e. pronouns like
I, me, you, mine, your, etc. should not be
2. Types of Notice used.
1. Notice for Meeting 11. Use present tense or future tense.
2. Notice for events like Competition/Tour/ 12. Adhere to the word limit, if mentioned in the
Celebration/Annual Sports/Cultural event, question.
etc.
3. Notice for Lost or Found 4. Format of notice
4. Notice for Exhibition/Campaigns/Seminar/
Workshop/Debate/Other Literary Event Name and address of Institution/
5. Notice for Appeal/Warning/Guideline/ Organization
Message in Public Interest NOTICE
6. Notice for Change of Name/Residence/ Date of Issue
Company/Bank/Account/Timings, etc.
Heading/Title
7. Notice for Miscellaneous
Body of the Notice (including details like date,
day, time, venue, name of the concerned person,
3. Points to remember etc.)

General points to be remembered while writing a Full name

notice are as follows : (Designation)
1. A notice is always written in a box.
2. It must be dated.
3. It should have the title, which is not a
5. Parts of a Notice
complete sentence. There are three parts of a notice which are as
4. It should always have the name, the follows :
designation and the signature of the issuing Format
authority. It includes the name of the organization issuing
5. A notice is generally written in complete the notice, the word ‘Notice’, date, heading or
sentences, but at time phrases are also subject of the notice, name and designation of
acceptable. the person who has issued the notice at the end
of notice.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 81

Content

IMPORTANT QUESTION

It must address the questions What, When,
Where, How, Why, etc. and contain all the other 1. You lost your wallet in the school playground.
relevant details related to the subject of the Write a notice for your school notice board giving
notice. all the necessary details.


Ans : 2022

Expression
It relates to the overall grammatical and spelling APJ School, Delhi
accuracy as well as fluency. NOTICE
24th October, 2016


 Lost Wallet in the playground
This Information is about a wallet which I,
Abhinay Gupta of class XI-A, has lost. It
went missing in or around the playground
of the school, in recess hour. The wallet is
chocolate-brown in color. It is an Eskee wallet
and contains my school id and multiple other
essential documents. If the wallet is found by
any staff or student, s/he is humbly requested
to submit it in the school office.

Student of XI-A
Abhinay Gupta

2. You lost your wristwatch in your school auditorium.

Write a notice in nbt more than 50 words for your
school notice board giving a detailed description
of the watch. You are Anirudh/Arundhati of class
XII of Springfield School, Pune.


Ans : 2022

Spring Field School, Pune

NOTICE
5 November, 20xx
Lost/Found
I lost my Fastrack wristwatch today in our
school auditorium. It’s an analogue watch with
a white case, white dial, colourful numerals and
white silicon strap. A suitable reward will be
given to the one who finds and returns it to the
undersigned.

Anirudh Roy
XII-B

3. As Teacher Co-ordinator of the Quiz Club of

AMM School, Pune, draft a notice in not more
than 50 words informing students of the inter-
class quiz contest asking them to register their
names with the Secretary of the Club within a
week.

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Ch 1 : Notices

11. You lost your wristwatch in your school auditorium. ‘School Uniforms Should be Banned’.
Write a notice in not more than 50 words for your

Ans : 2016

school notice board giving a detailed description

ST. GIRI PUBLIC SCHOOL, MATHURA
of the watch. You are Anirudh/Arundhati of class
XII of Springfield School, Pune. NOTICE


Ans : 2017 25 April 20xx

SPRINGFIELDS SCHOOL, PUNE DEBATE COMPETITION

NOTICE All the students are hereby informed that an

English Debate competition of the Zonal Level
Lost! Lost! Lost!
will be held in the school as per the details
Dear students,
given below :
This notice is to inform that a (brands name )
wrist watch was lost in our school auditorium Date : 7 May 20xx
on 4/4/18. It’s colour is blue with black thick Time : 10:00 a.m.
straps. It would be a great help if you could Venue : School Auditorium
search for the wrist watch. Anyone who finds Topic : School uniforms should be banned.
this watch should return to the office or to Time limit : 3-4 mins. One each in favour and
Arundhathi of class XII as soon as possible. The against. Interested students may give their
finders will get a treat from the canteen. name in pair to the undersigned by 2 May.
Yours Faithfully
Arundhathi For further details, contact the undersigned.

Manak
12. Your school is organizing a SPICMACAY
(Head Boy)
programme on the occasion of the World Dance
Day wherein the renowned Bharatanatyam
dancer, Geeta Chandran would be giving a lecture 14. You are Health Secretary, Students Council
demonstration. As the President, Cultural Society Citizens Public School, Ram Bagh, Varanasi. The
of your school, draft a notice in about 50 words, Council has decided to start from the second of
informing the students about the same. You are October a week-long cleanliness drive around the
Rakhsita/Rohit of MVN Public School. school. Draft a notice in about 50 words asking


Ans : 2017
the Class XI students to enrol for the drive.


Ans : 2016

MVN Public School

Students Council Citizens Public School,
NOTICE Rani Bagh
24 March, 20xx
NOTICE
SPICMACAY Presentation by Geeta 25 September 20xx
Chandran Cleanliness Drive
On the occasion of World Dance Day, our school
is organising a SPICMACAY programme, The Students Council of the school has decided
where Geeta Chandran would be giving lecture to start a week-long cleanliness drive around
demonstration. You all are hereby invited the school from 2 October. It is in keeping with
to attend the same and make the occasion the spirit of Prime minister’s initiative “Swachh
memorable. Bharat Abhiyaan”. Students of class XI are
When : 27 March, 20xx requested to enrol for the drive as volunteers.
Where : School Auditorium Registration is open for two days, 28 September
and 29 September, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Rohit
(President, Cultural society) Vinay Kapoor
(Health Secretary)
13. You are Manak/Meera, the Head Boy/Girl of
St. Giri Public School, Mathura. Write a notice 15. As the Director, Primary Section, write a notice
in about 50 words informing the students about in about 50 words for the children announcing the
the debate competition in the school on the topic programme for the Children’s Day.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 83

Ans : 2019
the national flag of the country from the ramparts
MALVIYA NAGAR RESIDENTS’ WELFARE of the Red Fort and address the nation. Massive
ASSOCIATION, BLOCK A arrangements for seating and security are in the
offing. The Delhi Traffic Police will be making
NOTICE
traffic diversions on the big day in order to avoid
15 December 2022
inconvenience to the travellers and commuters,
New Year Bash 2023 it has issued a public notice about the same.
Malviya Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, Reproduce the notice. You are Jayram Patil of
Block A is organising a grand New Year Party Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.
in the colony on 31 December 2022. The

Ans : 2018
celebrations will begin by 6 pm onwards. The
residents are requested to join enthusiastically Delhi Traffic Police
and make it a grand bash. NOTICE
Sumptuous food, games, music, dance, prizes, 14 August 20xx
and surprises are on the cards.
Kindly deposit 500 per head with Mr. Traffic Diversion
Krishnakant Kalra (Treasurer). This is to inform the citizens of Delhi that the
Sd/- route from ISBT to Red Fort via Kashmere
Dharam Sethi Gate will remain closed in view of security
President arrangements for the Independence Day
Residents’ Welfare Association, Block A Celebrations at the Red Fort on 15 August
20XX. No vehicles will be allowed on this route
8. You are Vijay Dhawan, a student of Florence from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. All the commuters and
Nightingale Convent, Rohtas Nagar, Aurangabad. travellers should use the Outer Ring Road to
Your school is planning an Inter-House poster reach the ISBT. Inconvenience is regretted.
making competition to conclude the week-long Issued in public interest by
Environment Week. As the secretary of the
Sd/-
school’s cultural association, write a notice in The Chief Commissioner
about 50 words informing students of classes IX- Delhi Traffic Police
XII about the competition.


Ans : 2018
10. You are the Secretary of your School Literary
Florence Nightinllgale Convent Association. Write a notice in not more than 50
words for your school notice board, giving details
NOTICE
of the proposed inauguration of the Literary
20 October, 20xx
Association of your school. You are ‘XYZ’ of Jain
INTER-HOUSE POSTER MAKING Vidyashram, Cuddalore.
COMPETITION

Ans : 2018
Sanskriti, the school’s cultural association invites
students of classes IX to XII to participate in JAIN VIDYASHARAM, CUDDALORE
the Inter- House poster making competition to NOTICE
round off the week-long Environment Week on 1 March, 20xx
27 October, 20XX at 10 am. The participants School Literary Association Inauguration
will bring their own material. The topics will
All students and staff are cordially invited
be declared on the spot. The best entries will
to the inauguration of the school’s Literary
be rewarded. Those interested should register
Association on Monday, 10 March 20xx in the
their names with the undersigned by Saturday,
school library, 11 a.m. onwards. Our Chief
this week.
Guest, renowned writer, Ms. Arundhati Roy,
Sd/- shall speak to the students on the importance
Vijay Dhawan of reading and writing.
Secretary
XYZ
(Secretary, Literary Association)
9. In a few days, the country will be celebrating its
Independence Day. The Prime Minister will hoist

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Ch 1 : Notices

Ans : 2021

Ans : 2020

A.M.M. School, Pune St. John’s School, Lucknow

NOTICE NOTICE
21 April, 20xx 20 Aug., 20xx

Register for Quiz Competition Inter-School Football Match

This is to inform all students of classes VI-XII An Inter-school football match will be held on
that an interclass quiz competition will be held Friday 25th August, 20xx, 9:00 a.m. onwards
this Friday, 25 April, 20xx in the audio - visual at our school playground. All students are
room from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Maximum requested to be present at the venue to cheer
number of students representing per class is and encourage the participants. Contact the
three. Those interested can give their names to under signed for further query.
the secretary of the Quiz Club for registration.
Mahender
XYZ
(Teacher Co-ordinator, Quiz Club) 6. Your school is celebrating Grandparents’ Day
next week. Write a notice in 50 words to be put
4. Water supply will be suspended for eight hours up on the school notice board informing students
(10 am to 6 pm) on 6th of March for cleaning of of the celebration and requesting them to be
the water tank. Write a notice in about 50 words present with their grandparents. You are Samir/
advising the residents to store water for a day. Suman, Head Boy/Head Girl ABC Sen. Sec.
You are Karan Kumar/Karuna Bajaj, Secretary, School, Delhi.
Janata Group Housing Society, Palam Vihar,

Ans : 2020

Kurnool.


Ans : 2021
ABC Sen. Sec. School, Delhi.
NOTICE:
Janata Group Housing Society January 29, 2019
Palam Vihar, Kurnool
Grandparent’s day Celebration
Notice
We are glad to notify you that we have planned
4th March, 20xx
to celebrate Grandparent’s day in our school
Suspension of Water Supply: premises on February 9, 2019 at 5 pm. So, we
Residents are hereby informed that water request all the students of the school to take
supply will be suspended for eight hours (10 am part in the celebration with their grandparents.
to 6 pm) on 6th March for cleaning of the water Our school correspondent Mrs Menaka Suresh
tank. Residents are advised to make necessary will honour the function.
arrangements to store water for a day. We regret For more details, contact
the inconvenience caused.
Samir
Karan Kumar Head Boy
Secretary ABC Sen. Sec. School, Delhi

5. You are Mahender, Sports Captain, St. John’s 7. You are the president of the Malviya Nagar
School, Lucknow. Write a notice in 50 words for Residents’ Welfare Association, Block A and
the school notice board informing students about you are organising a “New Year Party” in your
an Inter School Football match to be played in area. Draft a notice as Dharam Sethi informing
your school. Invite them to watch and cheer the the residents of your block of the same. Include
teams. details which you deem necessary for the purpose.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 85

Ans : 2015
17. You are Amit/Amita, Head Boy/Girl of your
Ramjas School, R.K. Puram school (Zenith Public School). Write a notice for
NOTICE your school notice board requesting for entries
2 November 20xx from students for Britannia Quiz Contest to be
held in your school.
Children’s Day Programme

Ans : 2015
The school is arranging a special programme for
you on Children’s Day, i.e. November 14. You Zenith Public School, Agra
can come in fancy dress and win a prize. There
NOTICE
will be games for you. Kindly give the circular
20 February 20xx
to your parents so that they can dress you
beautifully for the Fancy Dress Competition. Selection for Quiz Contest
Do not bring your books on November 14.
The students of classes from 9 to 12 may give
Monisha Mohanty their names for participating in I3ritannia Quiz
Director Contest to be held on 25 March 20xx.
Primary School The applicants should have participated in the
inter-house Quiz Contest. The selection will be
16. Recently there has been an increase in the cases held on 28 February 20xx.
of kidnappings, especially of children. On closer R.K. Singh
investigation it has been found that domestic helps or Vice Principal
some persons familiar with the family were involved
in most cases. You are the Secretary of the Residents’
18. As librarian of Crescent International School,
Welfare Association. Write a notice in about 50
Gwalior, draft a notice in not more than 50
words to be put up on the noticeboard of the colony
words asking all students and teachers to return
informing the citizens about the following :
the library books they have borrowed, two days
• Police verification of servants, identity cards before the commencement of the examination.
to be made

Ans : 2014

• Register entry of visitors at the gate

• Installation of CCTV in the premises CRESENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,


Ans : 2015 GWALIOR

RESIDENTS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION, LIABRARY NOTICE

GREEN PARK, NEW DELHI 5TH March 20xx
NOTICE
17th July 20xx All the students are hereby requested to deposit
their library books with the librarian two days
Alert for Kidnapping before the commencement, they will not be
As you all are aware a number of cases of permitted to appear in the examination. It may
kidnappings have taken place in our society be given topmost priority.
in the past two months. This notice has been
put up to inform everyone that after a close R.Gupta
investigation, involvement of domestic help or Librarian
some person closer to the family has been found
in most cases. To ensure the safety of the child
19. Gandhi Education Society, a charitable
we all need to follow the steps listed below:
• Ensure police verification of servants, identity
organization, is coming to your school to distribute
cards to be issued books for the needy students. As Head Boy/
• Register entry of unknown persons at the gate Head Girl, write a notice asking such students to
with the gatekeeper drop the list of books they need in the box kept
• Installation of CCTV cameras in the premises outside the Principal’s office. You are Akhilesh/
Everyone is requested to co-operate so that Abhilasha of Modern Public School, Ghaziabad.
such incidents do not happen. Give all necessary details.
ABC
(Secretary, RWA)

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Ch 1 : Notices

Ans : 2010

Ans : 2010

BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL, NOIDA K.V. Senior Secondary School, Badodhra
NOTICE NOTICE
10 April 20xx 5 April 20xx
Selection of Athletes for Zonal Athletic Rajasthan Tour
Meet
This is to inform the students of classes 11
This is to inform the students of classes 5 to 8 and 12 of a trip to Rajasthan from 12 to 17
that the selection of the athletes for the coming May 20xx. The trip will cover Jaipur, Udaipur,
zonal athletic meet for sub-juniors and juniors Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
will be done as per the timetable given below. Those who wish to join the trip should submit
written permission from their parents and a
15 April 20XX (Sub-Junior events)
draft for `3000 latest by 12 April 20xx to the
100 m and 200 m races, long jump, swimming :
Vice Principal.
7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
17 April 20xx (Junior events) Mani
100 m 200 m, 4 x 100 m relay race, long jump, Secretary, History Club
high jump, swimming : 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
30. You are Jairam Reddy, the Head of the English
BS Batra Club. On the occasion of the International Day
Head, Physical Education Department of English Language, your school has decided to
organize English Week. You are required to call
28. You are Sapna Singh, the Secretary of Cultural a meeting of the officer bearers of the English
Committee of your school. Write a notice in about Language Club to plan arrangements for the
50 words inviting students to participate in the event. Draft a notice for the same.
Annual Day of the school to be organized next

Ans : 2009
month.


Ans : 2010 Rev. Francis School
GALT PUBLIC SCHOOL, AGRA NOTICE
9 March 20xx
NOTICE
20 September 20xx Meeting of English Language Club
Annual Day Function On the occasion of International Day of
English Language, our school is organizing
The school is going to organize a cultural
its Annual English Week from 2 - 8 April,
programme on Annual Day to be held on 12
20xx in the school campus. All executive
October. The students willing to participate
members should join a meeting on
are invited to take part in theme song, group
11 March 20xx at 12:30 pm in the Conference
dance and instrumental music programmes.
Room. Discussion regarding the detailed
They should submit details (along with cultural
itinerary, the arrangements and duties for the
achievements) to the undersigned latest by 28
Week will also be on the agenda of the meeting.
September 20xx.
Sd/-
Sapna Singh
Jairam Reddy
Secretary
President
(Cultural Committee)
English Club
29. You are Man/Mani, secretary of the History Club
31. Your school is organising a Bal Mela on
of K.V. Sr. Sec. School, Badodhra. Draft a notice
‘Children’s Day’ in the school. The primary wing
in not more than 50 words informing the students
of the school is going to put up various stalls in
of class XI and XII about a proposed tour to
the mela. Draft a notice giving details of the mela
Rajasthan during the coming summer vacations.
as well as inviting the senior students to attend
the same. Sign your name as Rajesh Roshan,
Secretary, Cultural Society.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 87

Ans : 2012

Ans : 2011

Modern Public School Bright Future High School

NOTICE NOTICE
3 May 20xx 24 May 20xx
FINAL TRIALS FOR UNDER-16 AND FOUND
UNDER-18
An unclaimed cricket kit bag was found in the
All the budding cricketers must attend the final school playground on 20 May 20XX after the
trials in the school ground on 7 May, 20XX 9 recent Inter-School Cricket Championship. The
a.m. to 4 p.m. bag is black and has several stickers and logos
Eighteen players will be shortlisted for each but no name or initials for identification of the
team. You must carry your cricket kit and be in owner.
sports attire. The owner should kindly collect the kit from
Sunny Arora the undersigned immediately.
Sports Captain Niti Singhal
XI-A
24. You are, Aditi Mohan, School Prefect. Draft a Member
notice for the noticeboard about a trekking Sports Club
holiday that your school is organising, giving all
necessary details in about 50 words and asking 26. While walking in a park in your colony you found
the interested students to give their names. a small briefcase with some documents and cash.


Ans : 2012
Write a notice in about 50 words to be put on the
park noticeboard asking the owner to identify and
XYZ School collect it from you. You are Rajat/Rani.
NOTICE

Ans : 2011

10 September 20xx
PARK NOTICEBOARD
Trekking Tour
Lost and found
This is to inform the students of classes IX to XI 16th September 20xx
that the school Adventure Club are organising a Attention!! Attention!!
trekking tour in the Uttarkashi ranges.
Those interested in trekking in the October A briefcase containing some cash and documents
holidays may please note the following : was found in the park near the gymnasium side.
Charges : 5000 per person The bag would be handed over to the owner
Dates : 10th to 17th October after he/she identifies the same and is able to
Trek to : Uttarkashi prove that it belongs to him/her. The owner
Names to be given to the undersigned by 20 may contact the undersigned between 7 a.m.
September. For further information, please and 9 a.m. Rajat, C-4/67 Ist Floor, Sector 6,
contact tour incharge Mr. Anurudh on Rohini Delhi.
756836xxxx Mob. No. 887166xxxx

Aditi Mohan
(School Prefect)

25. You are Niti Singhal, studying at Bright Future

High School, Mysuru and an active member of
the school sports club. Recently, your school had
organized an Inter-School Cricket Championship. 27. As the head of Physical Education Department,
After the final match was over, you found an write a notice in about 50 words informing the
unclaimed cricket kit on your school playground students about the selection of athletes for the
and have been asked to draft a notice to locate coming Zonal Athletic meet.
its owner.

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Ch 1 : Notices

Ans : 2014

Ans : 2013

Modern Public School, Ghaziabad Children’s Park

NOTICE NOTICE
5 July 20xx 10 March 20xx
Distribution of Books for Students FOUND! FOUND!
This is for the information of all students that Found a small black plastic bag containing some
a charitable organization, Gandhi Education documents and cash today morning. It was lying
Society is coming to the school at 11 a.m. on in the corner bench of the park. The owner may
15 July 20xx to distribute books to the needy please contact the undersigned and collect the
students. Such students are requested to drop bag after identifying the documents and details
the list of the books they need into the box kept of the cash. Please contact at 785312xxxx.
outside principal’s office latest by 10 July 20xx.
Amrita
Abhilasha (A concerned citizen)
(Head Girl)

20. You are Shikha Kapoor, General Secretary of 22. You are Shalini/ Shailesh, in charge of the NSS
Sports Club of Meera Bai School, Dehradun. Your Club of St. Andrew’s School, Bhopal. Write a
school has decided to celebrate the Silver Jubilee notice about a charity show being organized by
function of the school in the form of Annual the club to collect articles and money for people
Sports Day. Write a notice on the school notice affected by earthquake in Uttarakhand. Write the
board inviting the names of the students who notice in about 50 words. Include relevant details
want to participate in any of the sports activity such as purpose of the show, kind of events, tickets
or to put up any show on the stage. and show timing, etc.


Ans : 2013

Ans : 2012

MEERA BAI SCHOOL, DEHRADUN St. Andrew’s School, Bhopal

NOTICE NOTICE
1 December 20xx 10th July 20xx
Silver Jubilee-Cum-Sports Day AN EVENING FOR A CAUSE
All are informed that our school is going to
This is to inform all the students that the school
organize a charity show to collect articles and
is celebrating its silver jubilee soon.
money for people affected by earthquake in
Students/volunteers are invited to submit their
Uttarakhand.
names for participating in sports activities or
The details are as follows :
wishing to organise/participate in the cultural
Date : 15th July 20xx
programme.
Time : 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Annual Sports Day on December 15 between 4
Events : Puppet Show, Magic Show, Rock
p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Band
Names should reach the undersigned latest by
Stalls : Books and Handicrafts
December 7 at the club, between 10 a.m. - 1
Venue : Playground
p.m.
Tickets are available at the reception. Invite
Shikha Kapoor your family and friends and help in raising
(General Secretary) funds for the noble cause.
Sports club Shalini
Incharge, NSS Club
21. While walking in a park in your neighbourhood
you found a small plastic bag containing some 23. As the Sports Captain of your school, write a notice
documents and some cash. Write a notice in in about 50 words informing budding cricketers to
about 50 words to be put on the park noticeboard attend trials for Under-16 and Under-18 for final
asking the owner to identify and collect it from selection to the school teams. Sign off as Sunny
you. You are Amar/Amrita 943912xxxx. Arora. Invent all necessary details as required.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 89

Ans : 2009

Ans : 2009

XYZ School BHUMIKA HOUSING SOCIETY

NOTICE NOTICE
4 November 20xx 20 May 20xx
Bal Mela Developing Soft Skills
We are pleased to inform that the primary wing
of our school is organising a Bal Mela on 14 A four-week soft skill training course (1 June
November 20xx. There will be attractive stalls 20xx to 28 June 20xx) is being organized for
for eatables and games. Moreover, there will children of Bhumika Housing Society. Students
be joyrides and a lively musical band too. The will be made aware of acceptable personality
students from classes VI-XII are invited to attend traits, social graces, effective communication
the Mela along with their parents. and leadership training. The class will be held
The schedule is as follows: in the community hall of the Society between
Date : 14 November 20xx 10 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. The participants will be
Time : 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. selected on the basis of a test, which will be
Venue : School Playground conducted on 25 May. For details, contact :
Yashika
Looking forward to your active participation. Prefect
For details contact the undersigned: Progressive Public School
Rajesh Roshan
Secretary
34. You are Joseph Mathew, Vice Principal of Sr.
(Cultural Society)
Aloysius Higher Secondary School. Write a notice
for the school noticeboard informing the students
32. As the librarian of your school, write a notice about the audition schedule for the Annual Play
in about 50 words informing the students of the Festival to be organised soon.
penalty for losing or damaging the books issued

Ans : 2008
to them.


Ans : 2009 ST. ALOYSIUS HIGHER SECONDARY
SCHOOL, AGRA
New Age School, Rohini
NOTICE
NOTICE 2 September 20xx
10 July 20xx
PLAY FESTIVAL AUDITION
Penalty For Losing or Damaging the Books
All four Houses will conduct auditions for the
This is to inform all the students that
Annual Play Festival from 7th to 14th September
• a fine of n per day will be charged if a book is not
returned on the due date;
20XX, after school hours from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00
• the library card will be withdrawn if the returned p.m.
book is found torn or damaged; Those interested should give their names to
• The full price will be recovered from the student their House Captains. Previous experience of
if a book is lost. acting is not necessary.
Shalini Singh Joseph Mathew
Librarian Vice Principal

33. You are planing a four-week course for the children

of your housing society complex for developing
their soft skills as part of school project. Prepare
a notice to be put up on the society’s noticeboard
stating the purpose of the course and giving all
necessary details asking the children to join the 35. Neelam/Neelesh is the head girl/boy of Surya
course. You are Yashika/ Yasu, studying in Class Public School, Agra. She/He decides to call
XII in a reputable public school. a meeting of all house appointments for prize
distribution function on Annual Day. Draft a
meeting notice on her/his behalf.

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Ch 1 : Notices

Ans : 2008
to invite volunteers for this camp. You are the
SURYA PUBLIC SCHOOL, AGRA Head Boy of Prakriti International School, Delhi.


Ans : 2007
NOTICE
22 January 20xx PRAKRITI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,
Urgent Meeting DELHI
All House Captains, Vice Captains and House
Prefects are requested to attend a meeting NOTICE
at 12:30 p.m. on 23 January 20XX in the 4 October 20xx
Conference Room to discuss prize distribution
on Annual Day to be held on 29 January 20XX. BLOOD DONATION CAMP
All should submit their proposals as well as give It is a matter of pride that our school is
suggestions. organizing a blood donation camp from 10:30
Neelam a.m. to 5 p.m. on 9 October 20xx. For this camp,
Head Girl we need volunteers who can devote their time
to making the camp a success. The interested
students are requested to give their names to
the undersigned within three days.
Kamal
Head Boy

38. As the Principal, write a notice in about 50

36. You are Sukant Roy, the head of Ujjwal Bhavishya
words informing the prefects, monitors and other
Educational Institution. You are moved by the
discipline in-charge students of a Leadership
condition of the destitute children near your
Training Camp being organised by the school.
area. You decide to uplift their lives by deciding


Ans : 2006
to raise funds and ensuring that they have a
better chance at life. Draft a notice to your fellow A.P.J. School, Vasant kunj
colleagues and students, making an appeal for
monetary donations or any other assistance. You NOTICE
can also include additional details which you may 10 April 20xx
be necessary for the purpose.


Ans : 2007 Leadership Training Camp
A leadership training camp is being organised on
Ujjwal Bhavishya Educational Institution
15 April 20XX from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All
NOTICE prefects, class monitors, bus and line monitors
Helping Destitute Children shall attend this camp.
12 October 20xx The programme will include the following :
Our educational institute is sponsoring a Leadership Training Workshop
campaign to help countless destitute children - 9 : 00 a.m. to 11 : 00 a.m.
on our streets and enable them to have a better Refreshment Break
life. You can strengthen us by sending your - 11 : 00 a.m. to 11 : 30 a.m.
contributions in cash or kind. You can also Question and Answer Session with Experts
assist these children by sending us your old - 11 : 30 a.m. to 12 : 00 p.m. S.K. Gulati
devices such as tablets or laptops which will be Principal
repurposed for learning. Clothes and medicines
are also accepted. 39. You are Sahil Sagar, the President of Nehru Yuva
sd/-
Club, Delhi. You have planned to take a trekking
Sukant Roy
trip for 15 days to Rohtang Pass next month.
Head
Write a notice giving all necessary information to
Ujjwal Bhavishya Educational lnstitution
invite participants for trekking programme.
37. Your school is going to organize a blood donation
camp next week. Write a notice in about 50 words

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 91

Ans : 2005

NEHRU YUVA CLUB

NOTICE
20 May 20xx
Trekking Notice
The Nehru Yuva Club, Delhi, is going to
organize a 15-day trekking programme to
Rohtang Pass from 20 June 20XX. All boarding
and lodging arrangements will be done by
the club with necessary equipment, etc. The
interested participants may book their seats by
depositing 55000 with the undersigned latest by
10 June 20xx.

Sahil Sagar
President

40. You, as the School Secretary of the Social Service

Club, have to write a notice to be put up on the
school noticeboard regarding the need to raise
funds for lepers in your city. Funds collected will
be sent to the Red Cross, New Delhi. Each donor
will be issued a formal receipt for the donation.
The Red Cross will award a Red Cross to the
donor donating more than `500.


Ans : 2005

XYZ School, New Delhi

NOTICE
5 September 20xx
Donation for Red Cross

Donations are invited for raising funds for

lepers in the city. Funds collected will be sent
to the Red Cross, New Delhi. Donors will be
issued a formal receipt for the donation. A Red
Cross will be awarded to the donor donating
more than `500. You can leave your donation
with the School Secretary.
Date : 6 September - 10 September 20xx
Time : 8:00 a.m. (zero period)
Place : Social Service (Lab Room 4)
The undersigned may be contacted for further
queries.
Anju Puri
(School Secretary)
Social Service Club



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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

CHAPTER 2

Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

1. introduction which means repondez s’il vous, plait’; please

reply.
An invitation is a request, a solicitation, or
7. The address of the person who extends the
an effort to persuade someone or a group of
invitation must always be given even if the
people to attend a special event such as a
function is organized at some other venue.
conference, show, house-warming party, birthday
celebration, inauguration ceremony, etc. It is a Format of Formal invitation
short composition. It can be drafted in the form You are opening an exclusive parlour for ladies.
of formal letters or printed on cards. Draft a formal invitation for its inauguration with
There are two types of invitations : the necessary details.
1. Formal invitations
2. Informal invitations

2. FORMAL INVITATIONS
Formal invitations are courteous, kind, and polite.
Formal invitations are typically associated with
printed invitation cards. The designation of the
organizer should come first on a formal invitation
card, followed by the host’s name and address, the Letter Format of Formal Invitation
function’s date, time, and location. In addition, Vivekanand Public School is organizing its 25th
the chief organizer’s name appears on the card in Annual Sports day. The District Magistrate, Mr.
the lower left corner next to the word “RSVP.” P K Gupta, is invited by the Principal to serve
Points to remember while writing formal as the Chief Guest and oversee the event. Write a
invitations are as follows: Formal invitation letter to be sent to the official
1. Formal invitations are written in the third named above.
person. The person who extends the invitation
writes his name.
2. Formal invitations answer the questions—
who, whom, when, where, what time, and for
what.
3. Then comes the name of the person, who is
being invited.
4. Date, venue, time, etc. should be clearly
mentioned.
5. In case, the party is organized at some other
place, like a hotel, etc. then the complete
address of the person, along with his contact
number, has to be clearly mentioned.
6. Some formal invitations like the wedding
invitations carry the expression of RSVP,

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 93

3. Informal Invitations 2. It is written in the third person.

Informal invitations are sent to close friends or 3. The format will be the same as given in the
family members on special occasions. They are invitation.
composed in the style of personal letters. It has a 4. No specific reasons are given for refusal. Only
laid-back, informal vibe. Informal invitations may expressions like prior commitment, etc. are
express sentiments that are private to the sender. used.
Points to remember while writing informal 5. In an acceptance reply, expressions like ‘will
invitations are as follows: be delighted to attend it’ are used.
1. These are like short informal letters.
Format of Formal Reply
2. Personal feelings and emotions are used in
Draft a suitable reply to the given formal
informal invitations.
invitation.
3. The salutation, subscription, address on the
top are the same, like in an informal letter.
4. These are always written in the first person.

Format of Informal Invitation

You are opening an exclusive parlour for ladies.
Write an informal invitation, inviting your best
friend for its inauguration.

Accepting the Invitation

4. Replies to Invitations
An invitation reply is a written response to the Declining the Invitation
invitation sent to the host. It also lets the host
know who is attending or not at the event. A good
response is always agreeable. When accepting an
invitation, make sure to verify the event’s date
and time. If you turn down an invitation, be sure
to apologize and provide a clear explanation.

FORMAL REPLIES
Formal replies involve a certain standard and
form. These are usually very short and to-the- INFORMAL REPLIES
point. In a formal reply, first of all, the invitation The layout of a reply to an informal invitation
is acknowledged and then gratitude is expressed is also informal, like the invitation. In informal
in the third person. replies, simple language is used and the
Points to remember while writing formal invitation is acknowledged in the first or second
refusal or acceptance of invitation are as follows: person. Acceptance is communicated and refusal
1. A formal reply is like a formal invitation, but is regretted with a specific reason.
it is not a card. It is a handwritten reply to Points to remember while writing informal
the invitation. refusal or acceptance of invitation are as follows:

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

1. These are written in the same format as in

IMPORTANT QUESTION

the informal invitation.
2. These are written in the first person. 1. As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s
School, Ahmedabad, draft a formal invitation in
3. A specific reason for refusal can be given.
not more than 50 words for the inauguration of
Format of Informal Reply the club in your school.
Draft a suitable reply to the given informal

Ans : 2022

invitation. St. Anne’s School, Ahmedabad

214, Ram Nagar, Invites
Mansarovar The students, teachers, and staff members
Delhi To the Inauguration
10th October, 20xx of
My Dear Prakash, Literary Club
You will be delighted to know that our son, on
Ravi, is getting married on 28th November, Monday, 18 March, 20xx
20xx. Our would-be daughter-in-law, Rashi, is
10:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
a lecturer in a private college in the same city.
Your bhabhi, Ravi and I are looking forward to Venue : School Library
your presence at the wedding, with family. Famous writer and poet Mr. Vikram Seth shall
grace the occasion with his presence.
Yours affectionately
R P Sharma Secretary, literary Club
(Please be seated by 10:00 A.M.)
Accepting the Invitation
2. You are the President, Literary Society of
Sunshine International School. Draft an invitation
to author, Ms Manjul Bajaj requesting her to
conduct a workshop on creative writing in your
school. You are Romi/Rohit of Zenith Public
School.


Ans : 2022

SUNSHINE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

24th OCTOBER
INVITATION
Declining the Invitation It’s a humble request that Ms. Manjulal Bajaj
please conduct a workshop on creative writing
in Zenith Public School. It’s a golden invitation
from us.

Rohit
Head Boy
Please Mark it as Brainliest

3. You are Riya/Ryan living at 40, Krishna Colony,

Manali. You decided to hold a lunch party to
congratulate your grandparents on their golden
wedding anniversary. Draft a formal invitation in
not more than 50 words to all family members to


 attend a grand lunch at home.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 95

Ans : 2021

Ans : 2020

40, Krishna Colony, Manali The Principal Staff and Students of

Date : 20 Feb. 20xx Modern Public School
My dear uncle and aunt on the auspicious INVITATION
occasion of the Golden wedding Anniversary of
my grandparents, I am inviting you to the grand Cordially invite you as the guest of honour and
lunch at our residence. The lunch is scheduled judge for the inter school music competition.
to be on 28 Feb. at 12 : 30 pm. We hope you shall accept our humble request
Kindly confirm your presence by 25 and grace the occasion. We would appreciate a
February. line in reply.
Thank you
Thank you Yours Sincerely
Riya Neetu Jha
(Cultural Secretary)
4. The literary club of your society is putting up
the play ‘Macbeth. As secretary of the club, draft 6. You are Nidhi Aggarwal, Secretary of the Literary
an invitation inviting the famous writer Rohit Club called Shakespearewala of your school. The
Sharma to be the guest of honour at the function. literary club has produced some great theatre
Write the invitation in about 50 words. You are actors in the past and has a phenomenal repertoire
Gaurav/Garima. of dramas. Now, it is putting up the famous


Ans : 2021 Shakespeare play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The
principal of your school has asked you to draft an
NEW HOME invitation inviting the famous writer Mr. Ruskin
Tilak Nagar, New Delhi Bond to be the Chief Guest at the event. Write
the invitation in not more than 50 words. Invent
INVITATION
necessary details as required.
Date : 15 January 20xx

Ans : 2020

Respected sir,
Richmond High School
The Literary club of our society is going to
Indirapuram
present the play ‘Macbeth’ on 3 February 20xx
Ghaziabad
in the Community Hall of our society. We would
Uttar Pradesh
be pleased if you accept to be the guest of
8 October 20xx
honour for the same.
Mr. Ruskin Bond
Kindly confirm your presence for the
Landour, Mussoorie
occasion.
Uttarakhand
Hoping for a positive reply.
Dear Mr. Bond,
Thank you
Subject : Invitation to be the Chief Guest
Yours Faithfully
Shakespearewala, the Literary club of our
Garima Mehra
(Secretary, Literary Club) school is performing ‘The Taming of the Shrew’
on 27th October, 20xx, 12 pm onwards. The
management of Richmond High cordially
invites you to be the chief guest. We would be
honoured if you consent to grace this occasion
and bless the budding talent. The school will
make arrangements for your stay and travel.

5. Modern Public School, Delhi is organising an Yours faithfully

inter school music competition. You have decided Nidhi Aggarwal
Secretary, Literary Club
to invite noted classical musician. Mohan Gandhi
as the judge and guest of honour. Draft a formal
invitation for him in 50 words. You are Neeraj/ 7. Sakshi, the secretary of the English Literature
Neetu, Cultural Secretary. Society of St. Francis Convent Senior Secondary
School, Gurugram, has to organise as Interschool

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

Ans : 2007

Ans : 2007

9B Gariahat Road Dr. Swarupa Mitra expresses her thanks to the

Kol- 700081 secretary and members of LION’S CLUB for
Date: 8.09.2020 their kind invitation, to act as the chief guest
To at their public function to celebrate the Silver
The Headmaster Jubilee Day. She regrets her inability to attend
New era public school the function due to her sudden illness this
76/2 Chowranghee Square morning which has confined her to bed.
Kol- 700009 The inconvenience and embarrassment is deeply
Sub : Refusing the invitation for debate regretted.
competition
Sir, Swarupa Mitra
I am Probal Roy, have just received your 15th December 20xx
invitation to be a judge for debate competition
in your school. So, I am writing on the same. 34. You are Sunil/Sunita Bhasin, a celebrated
I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able illustrator. You have been invited by the literacy
to attend your programme because I already club, S.K. School, Jaipur, to deliver a lecture on
have another programme to attend on the same ‘Life Skills’. Draft a letter of formal acceptance
day. of the invitation in about 50 words. Address it to
I would be obliged if you understand my the Director of the school.
situation.

Ans : 2006

Yours faithfully, C-6, Sector 9

Probal Roy Rohini
Delhi
32. As the principal of a reputed college, you have been 15 November 20xx
invited to inaugurate a Book Exhibition in your The Director
neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in S.K. School
not more than 50 words, expressing your inability Jaipur
to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi. Dear Sir/Madam


Ans : 2007 Subject : Acceptance of invitation
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the literary
The Principal club of your school for inviting me to speak on
ABC College ‘Life Skills’, on 25th November 20XX. I wish to
March 25th, 20xx convey my acceptance of the invitation. I shall
Subject : Inability to accept the Invitation Sir reach the venue by 10:00 a.m. My session would
I would like to express my gratitude to the be of 45 minutes followed by 30 minutes of open
Civil Lines Book Club for inviting me to question and answer rounds.
inaugurate the first edition of the Civil Club
Book Exhibition. But I regret my inability to Regards,
attend the function due to a prior commitment. Sunita Bhasin
I have to attend a meeting with the governing
body of our college on the same day for which
the inauguration is scheduled.

Yours faithfully
Tanvi
Principal

35. Your friend has invited you to her sister’s wedding

33. You are Dr. Swarupa Mitra, an eminent oncologist
to be held at Nasik. Write a letter declining the
working at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer and Research
invitation because of prior engagement. You are
Institute. You have the honour of being invited
Abha of C-4/140, sector 8 Tandon Road, Nasik.
as the chief guest at a public function. However,
due to sudden illness you are unable to attend the
same. Draft a suitable reply in about 50 words.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 97

Sr. Sec. School, Agra. Draft an invitation in about parents. The famous writer Ketan Anand is the
50 words requesting her to come and grace the guest of honour. Write an invitation in not more
occasion. than 50 words.


Ans : 2017

Ans : 2016

St. Joseph’s Academy The Literary Club

Agra of
Uttar Pradesh St. Joseph Convent School, Muraina
9 August 20xx Solicits the pleasure of your company on the
Dr. Hansa Bhogle occasion of the play
Director “The Merchant of Venice,,
Department of Education at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, 19 November, ZIXX.
Lucknow Mr. Ketan Anand, famous writer,
Uttar Pradesh will be the Guest of Honour
Dear Madam, R.S.VP
Subject : Invitation to preside over the Inter- Raman
zonal Declamation Competition St. Joseph Convent School
The English Literary and Cultural Society Muraina
of our school is going to organize an English Mob. : 886952xxxx
declamation competition on the topic
‘Communication skills are very important in 14. Your Father, Mr O P Agarwal, residing at C-4/116,
modern world’, on 21st August 20XX at 9:30 Mission Compound, Jhansi, wants to celebrate the
a.m. in the school auditorium. success of your sister Snigdha’s clearing the CLAT
Kindly consent to preside over the above Entrance Examination and securing admission in
stated programme. one of the best colleges of the country. He wants
you to draft a formal invitation for him on his
Yours faithfully
behalf. Draft the invitation in not more than 50
Disha
words.


Ans : 2015
12. You are going to open a confectionery store at
Sipri Road, Jhansi, and want to invite your friends MRS AND MR O.P. AGARWAL
and the people of your locality on its inaugural
ceremony. Draft a suitable invitation in 50 words. Seek your auspicious presence at the grand


Ans : 2016 celebration party of their daughter Snigdha’s
successfully clearing the
M/s Jainson
Announce the opening of CLAT — Entrance Examination
Raman Confectionery Store at
60, Sipri Road, Jhansi
INAUGURATION Rajshree Banquet Hall
on C-6/CP, Mission Compound. Jhansi
Saturday, the 15th April, 20XX at 9:00 a.m.
by at 7:00 p.m.
Shri Kulbhusan (Former MLA) on
All are cordially invited
27 September 20xx
Visit for all kinds of confectionery Items
at most reasonable rates R.S.VP
Inaugural Discount C-4/116 Mission Compound
10% on All goods Jhansi
R.S.VR Compliments from Friends and Relatives
Raman Confectionery Store
Ph. 811723xxxx 15. You have opened up a new coaching centre
catering to all subjects for Class XII. Based on
13. The literary club of your school is putting up the the inputs given below, prepare a draft of formal
play “The Merchant of Venice”. As the secretary invitation letter for the purpose.
of the club, draft an invitation inviting the

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

Extempore competition for students of classes IX-

Ans : 2018

XII. You wish to invite Rajat Sharma, the eminent MRS AND MR SATISH SINHA
media personality to preside over the function to solicit your gracious presence on
be held on 30 September, 20xx, at 11:00 a.m. the auspicious occasion
Write the letter of invitation in 50 words. Of


Ans : 2019
the marriage of their grandson
St. Francis Senior Secondary School Akshat
Gurugram
(S/o Mrs. and Mr. Dinesh Sinha)
5 September 20xx
Dear Sir, with
The English Literary Society of our School is
Ravina
organising an English Enter pore Competition
(D/o Mrs and Mr Sushil Sinha)
on 30 September 20xx at 11:00 a.m. in the school
on 15 December 20xx, Wed at 7 p.m.
auditorium. We would be extremely grateful if
you could accept our invitation to preside over at
the function.
Kindly confirm. Amardeep Banquet Hall, Peeragarhi, Delhi
R.S.V.P. With Best Compliments from
Yours faithfully Mob. 783593xxxx Radhika Sinha
Sakshi
10. You are a student of St. Joseph Public School,
8. Mr and Mrs Tiwari want to invite all their Nainital. The school is holding its annual function
friends and acquaintances to the wedding of their on Saturday, the 9th of October, 20xx at 5 p.m. The
granddaughter Deepika. Design an invitation card Education Minister, Dr. M.N. Johri, has consented
for the wedding inventing the necessary details, in to be the Chief Guest. Design an invitation card to
50 words. be sent to the parents and other invitees.


Ans : 2019

Ans : 2017

Mrs. and Mr. JK Tiwari THE PRINCIPAL, STAFF AND STUDENTS

Of
Cordially invite you St. Joseph School, Nainital
to Solicit the pleasure of your company
the auspicious occasion of the Marriage On
of The auspicious occasion
their granddaughter Of
Deepika The Annual Function of their school
(daughter of Mrs. and Mr. RM Tiwari) At
with 5 P.M. on Saturday, the 9th October, 20xx
Anil Sharma Dr. M.N. Johri, the Education Minister
(Son of Mrs. and Mr. MN Sharma) Will be the chief guest and give away the prizes
on 15 November 20xx to the deserving students.
at 7 : 30 p.m.
at : Golden Plaza, Rohini, Delhi 110085 R.S.V.P
Principal
R.S.VR St. Joseph School, Nainital
R.M. Tiwari Mob : 783566xxxx
With Best Compliments
From all friends and relatives
11. You are David/Disha, the Secretary of the English
Literary and Cultural Society of St. Joseph’s
9. You are Radhika Sinha, D/O Dinesh Sinha of Academy, Agra. You have to organize an Inter-
Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Your father wants you zonal extempore competition at the +2 level.
to draft a formal invitation to be sent on the You wish to invite Dr. Hansa Bhogle, an eminent
occasion of your brother, Akshat Sinha’s marriage. educationist, to preside over the function to be
Prepare the invitation with all necessary details. held on 15 October at 9:30 a.m. at Govt. Model

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 99

Ans : 2014
50 words. Invent necessary details.


Ans : 2013
Mr. Arjun Singh
C-1144, Rohan Rood C-11/171 Sector 5
New Delhi Sagar Enclave
10 August 20xx Sagar
Dear Sir Madhya Pradesh
Subject : Invitation to preside over the school 25 October 20xx
annual function Dear Antriksh
Don Bosco School, Sonepat, is organising its It gives me great pleasure to invite you to
Annual Cultural Programme on the 18 August my home for Diwali celebration. I know your
20XX, between 6 pm to 8 pm at Talkatora parents have gone to Canada and you would all
Stadium, New Delhi. We would be greatly be alone in the hostel. It would give me tonnes
honoured if you could grace the occasion and of happiness. I’m sure you will enjoy yourself
felicitate our budding students. Your presence with my parents and younger sister.
will be a great motivating factor for them. Please come one day before so we can plan
We look forward to a positive response out how we will celebrate. Looking forward for
from you. your company.
Thanking you
Yours affectionately
Yours faithfully Rajini
Rte,
Raman 21. You are opening a coaching institute for students
Headmistress of classes IX-XII. Write an informal invitation,
Don Bosco School, inviting your best friend for its inauguration. Do
New Delhi not exceed more than 50 words. Invent necessary
details.
19. Christ King College, Lalitpur, is celebrating its

Ans : 2012
Annual Day and wants to invite the parents and
other guests to the occasion. Design an invitation 13-C.P.,
card for the same in 50 words. Invent necessary Mission Compound
details. Gwalior


Ans : 2013 7 March 20xx
Dear Shalini
THE PRINCIPAL, STAFF AND STUDENTS Finally my dreams of opening a coaching
of Institute has come true. This project had been
in my mind for a long time and by God’s grace
CHRIST KING COLLEGE, LALITPUR the time has come.
requests the pleasure of your company on the The inauguration is on 10th March 20xx
ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION at 10 am. My Guruji is going to inaugurate
on Sunday, the 24th Dec., 20xx the institute followed by hawan and lunch. The
at 6:30 pm address is 20-CP, Mission Compound, Gwalior.
in the school auditorium Please come and give me your best wishes.
Shri Ramesh Sharma, MLA has very Yours affectionately
kindly consented to be the chief guest.
Rajini
R.S.V.P (This card admits only two)
Father Augustine
22. Your parents have completed 25 years of happy
You are requested to be seated by 6 p.m.
married life. Invite your uncle, living in Surat, to
Principal join you in the silver jubilee celebrations of their
992541xxxx marriage at your residence C-4/Sector 9, Kumar
Enclave, Sagar.
20. Your friend Antriksh is staying in the school
hostel. You wish to invite him at your house for
Diwali celebration. Invite him in not more than

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

Shyam Coaching Centre - All subjects - Experts 17. You are a student of St. Anthony School, Gwalior.
- morning, evening classes - inaugural discount The school is holding its annual function. Write
small batch.. an invitation on behalf of the Principal inviting
the parents and dignitaries of the town to attend


Ans : 2015
the function to be held on September 18, 20xx at
SHYAM COACHING CENTRE 5:00 p.m.
Announce the Opening of

Ans : 2014
its
Vikas Marg Branch THE PRINCIPAL AND THE STAFF
Inauguration of
on
Sunday, 15 October, 20XX St. Anthony School, Gwalior
at 11:00 AM Request your benign presence on the
All are cordially invited auspicious occasion
Salient features
• Class XII
of
• Subject Experts The Annual Function of the school
• Assured about 95%
• Small batch size at 5:00 p.m. on September 18, 20XX
• One week trial class Shri. A.K. Dewan, IAS,
Inaugural discount for those registering till 31”
will be the chief Guest and will give away the
of October.
prizes to the meritorious students
R.S.V.P.
R.S.V.P:
Raman Sharma
Mob. 782562xxxx Principal
St. Anthony School
16. You are the secretary of the Alumni Club, S.K.
International School, Roshan Road, Raipur. Using Gwalior
the information given below, write an invitation
letter to all the old students of the school on the
Alumni Meet.
Alumni Meet on 25th December-Dinner-DJ-
Mahek Hotel-Raipur-6 PM to 10 PM-confirm
your seats.


Ans : 2014

S.K. International School

Roshan Road, Raipur
28 October 20xx
Dear Alumni
Subject : Alumni Meet
10th Alumni Meet of S.K International School,
Raipur, will be held on 25 December, 20XX at
18. Your school is going to hold its Annual Day
Mahek Hotel, Sipri Road, Raipur. Old students,
celebrations on 18th August at Talkatora Stadium,
including their spouses, will be our guests of
honour. New Delhi. You want Mr. Arjun Singh, a noted
Kindly assemble at 6 p.m. in the Banquet playback singer to be the chief guest on this
Hall for a get-together and dinner and dance. occasion. Write a formal invitation in about 50
Please confirm your seat by sending T500 words requesting him to preside over the function.
to the undersigned. You are Raman/Rani, Headmistress, Don Bosco
Thanking you School, New Delhi.

Yours faithfully
S.K. Jain
Secretary

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 101

Ans : 2009
29. Write a formal reply accepting an invitation to be
753-L Defence Colony present in the birthday celebrations of your friend,
Roorkee Suresh’s daughter, who lives at 1231, Chattarpur,
25th August 20xx Delhi. You are Abhishek Khanna.
Dear Reena

Ans : 2008

I invite you at the inauguration ceremony of our Aashirwad Apartment, Chattarpur, Delhi
new house in Defence Colony, Roorkee. It would
be a real pleasure to have your presence on this Date : 15 Sept., 20xx
auspicious occasion. Dear Suresh
The Hawan Ceremony is at 10 a.m. and I have received your invitation for your
lunch at 1:30 p.m. Please grace the occasion daughter’s birthday celebration on 30 Sept.
with your presence and give us your blessings. 20xx at 7 p.m. at Hotel Treebo. I am extremely
happy to know that all our old friends are likely
Yours faithfully to be there.
Radha Mehra I would like to confirm my participation, looking
forward to the momentous occasion.
27. Invite your class fellows and friends on the
wedding of your elder sister. Invent necessary With love
details. (50 words). Abhishek


Ans : 2009

30. You are Amit Dubey. You have received an

16, Nai Sarak invitation from the Director, Health Services,
New Delhi Punjab who has invited leading medical
15 August 20xx practitioners of the state to attend a workshop
Dear Reena on ‘child care’ on 25 July, 20x x at 9 a.m. in
I invite you to grace the occasion of my elder New Hope Hospital, Ambala. Draft a reply to the
sister Riya’s marriage on 30th august 20xx.
invitation in 50 words.
Please grace the occasion at 4 p.m. The marriage


Ans : 2008
party will leave for Hotel Park, New Delhi at 5
p.m. Kindly join us on the auspicious day and Director Health Services, Punjab
oblige
Date : 15 July, 20××
Yours faithfully Respected Sir,
Rita Thanks you for your thoughtful invitation. I am
honoured on being invited to attend a workshop
28. Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be on
present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush ‘Child care’ at New Hope Hospital, Ambala.
S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, I accept the invitation and consider it will be a
Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, pleasure to attend the workshop.
Agra.


Ans : 2008 Yours sincerely,
Amit Dubey
Mr And Mrs Shankar, Kanpur
Date : 5 May, 20XX
Mr and Mrs Vikram Gaur thank Mr And Mrs
Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the
wedding of their son Ankush at 24, Green Park
Road, Kanpur on 15 May, 20XX and assure
them that they will be present on the occasion
to wish the newly weds a very happy married 31. You have been invited as a judge for a debate
life. Mr and Mrs Gaur will reach Kanpur by the competition by New Hope public School. Draft a
Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m. formal refusal in about 50 words.

Vikram Gaur

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

Ans : 2011

Ans : 2010

C-4/sector 9, 2734 Urban Colony

Kumar Enclave Sector 9 Ghaziabad
Sagar 23 September 20xx
Madhy Pradesh Dear Rehana
24 September 20xx You will be glad to know that we have decided
Respected Uncle to go for a picnic to Rang Mahal Lake this
My parents Sh. R.S. Agarwal and Smt. Vimla coming Saturday, i.e. 30 September 20xx. We
Devi will be completing 25 years of their happy, will be going by my car and our entire group is
prosperous and fruitful married life the next accompanying us. We will depart from my place
month. We are going to celebrate the silver at 7:30 a.m. Please confirm your presence by 25
jubilee on 5 October, 20xx. All close-knit September.
members will be present. Do join us on this Looking forward to your company.
auspicious occasion and bless the couple.
Yours lovingly
Your faithfully Liza
Roshni Agarwal
25. You are Seema Singh. The wedding of your elder
23. You are Roshan/Roshni, a resident of Rajasthan. brother Jivitesh Singh is going to be held on 17th
Invite your friend Ritika Agarwal who lives in December 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Udaipur.
Delhi to spend a part of her winter vacation with Write out an informal invitation to your friend
you at your farm house near outskirts of Udaipur. Rohini requesting her to attend the function.


Ans : 2011

Ans : 2010

Shivaji Farm C-16/361 Hansraj Road

Ramjas Road, Udaipur 3130xx Sector 5, Agra
Rajasthan 30 November 20xx
Dear Rohini,
23 November 20xx
You will be glad to know that my elder brother
Dear Ritika
Jivitesh is getting married next month. You
I will be spending this winter vacation at my are cordially invited to attend the wedding on
farm house which is situated at the outskirts 17 December at Hotel Lake View, Udaipur.
of Udaipur. It is a pollution free place with lots I invite you to join us for lunch at 1:30 p.m.
of trees and greenery. Horse riding would be in the hotel. The wedding ceremony will take
another activity. place at 9 p.m. Hoping for your presence on this
The soothing environment will really refresh auspicious occasion.
you. Please join me for this vacation. Hoping Yours lovingly
for a positive reply. Seema
Your lovingly
Roshan

26. Write an invitation to your friend inviting him

on the inauguration ceremony of your new house.
Use the information given below.

24. You are Liza. You are going for a picnic with a Inauguration of home - Hawan ceremony -
group of your friends to Rang Mahal Lake near Lunch
Ghaziabad. Write an informal invitation to your
friend to join you on that day. Invent necessary
details.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 103

Ans : 2006

Ans : 2006

C-4/140 Sector 8 1 March 20xx

Tandon Road Thank you Mr. P.V. Sathish for your kind
Nasik invitation to the wedding of your sister, Jaya on
15 September 20xx 12 March 20xx. We regret our inability to attend
Dear Rani as our daughter, Preethi has Board examination
Thanks a lot for inviting me to your elder sister’s on the day of the wedding. Wishing the newly
marriage. I am really happy for you and your sister wedded couple a very happy married life.
that after such a long search for a suitable suitor a Best wishes
perfect match has been found. I really want to be Sushmitha Nair
part of this grand celebration but, unfortunately, M-114, Fort Road
I have my final year exam, hence will not be able Chennai
to attend the function.
Please convey my best wishes to the couple. 38. You are Rahul/Radhika of Krishna Nagar, Chennai.
I will certainly come for the reception. Enjoy You have been invited to attend the wedding of
yourself. your uncle’s daughter/your cousin. Send a reply
Yours affectionately confirming your acceptance to the invitation in not
Abha more than 50 words.


Ans : 2005

36. You are Anita/Rajnish. You have been invited to

Krishna Nagar
attend the wedding of your friend’s sister during Chennai
summer vacation. Respond to the invitation 15 Jan 20xx
accepting the invitation. Dear Uncle


Ans : 2006
Thank you for your kind invitation of your
daughter’s marriage on 23 January 20xx. We
15, Ruhana Nagar
shall be delighted to attend the function.
Hubli 75012xx
West Bengal Yours sincerely
15 March 20xx Radhika
Dear Roshini
39. You are Rachna Madan. Your friend Archana
My heartfelt thanks for inviting me to attend
Gupta has invited you to her engagement
the wedding of your elder sister Suman. It’s
ceremony to be held at Hotel Crowne Plaza on
an auspicious occasion for both, you and your
family. It would be my pleasure to attend the 27th November 20xx at 8 p.m. Draft a reply
wedding and see all the rituals. saying politely that due to an exam on that day,
I will come a day before to help you in the pre- you cannot attend the engagement ceremony.
wedding chores. Thanking you Wish her a good luck.


Ans : 2005

Yours faithfully 6-B/176, Sector 12

Anita RP Greens
Ghaziabad
24 November 20xx
Dear Archana
Thank you for inviting me to your engagement
ceremony, I am really happy for you. Hope you
have a happy married life.
37. Your friend, P.V. Nithish, has invited your Archana, I regret to say that I would not be
family to attend the wedding of his sister, Jaya. able to come to your engagement ceremony
You have your board examination on the day of as my entrance exam is on the same date in
the wedding. Since, south Indian weddings are Bhopal. I very much wanted to be part of this,
traditionally morning events, you will not be able but, unfortunately, I will not be able to be so.
to attend the event. Write a formal reply in about Once again all the best.
50 words to the family expressing your regret. You Yours lovingly
are Sushmitha Nair, M-114, Fort Road, Chennai. Rachna Madan

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Ch 2 : Invitations (Formal and Informal; and Replies)

40. You are Rohana/Rohit. You have been invited

to attend the wedding of your friend’s brother.
Respond to the invitation regretting your inability
to attend it. Invent necessary details and do not
exceed 50 words.


Ans : 2005

206, Kidwai Nagar

Delhi
17th July 20xx
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your cordial invitation to the
occasion of your brother’s marriage. I, however,
regret my inability to attend this auspicious
occasion as I am flying to Canada to join my
sister’s family. Please excuse my absence.
Do convey my regards and best wishes to the
couple.

Yours affectionately
Rohana



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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 105

CHAPTER 3

Letters

1. INTRODUCTION address of the receiver. Candidates must

start with the receiver’s designation followed
Letter writing is an art. It is the commonest mode by the name of the organization and then the
of communication. It is different from other forms full address.
of writing because it is intended for a specific
4. Subject : Followed by the receiver’s details,
reader. A letter is written when something has to
you must include the subject line. Basically,
be conveyed to someone sitting far away. Writing
this subject line talks about the purpose of
requires imagination, creativity, careful planning
the letter.
and organization. The language of the letter
5. Salutation : You should greet the person to
should be interactive.
whom you are writing the letter. As you are
writing a formal letter, the greeting should
2. TYPES OF LETTERs not be too personal.
6. Body : Basically, the body of the letter is
There are broadly two types of letter, namely
divided into 3 parts which are as under:
Formal Letters, and Informal Letters. Let us have
Paragraph 1 : Purpose of writing the letter.
a look at these types of letters:
Paragraph 2 : Now explain the reason in
1. Formal Letters : These letters follow a certain detail.
pattern and formality. They are strictly kept Paragraph 3 : Concthe letter. This section
professional in nature, and directly address must say what you’re expecting or the
the issues concerned. Any type of business solution.
letter or letter to authorities falls within this 7. Complimentary Closing : Now conclude the
given category. letter with complementary closing like yours
2. Informal Letters : These are personal letters. sincerely, yours faithfully, etc.
They need not follow any set pattern or adhere 8. Signature : Below the complementary
to any formalities. They contain personal message, write your name followed by your
information or are a written conversation. signature and designation.
Informal letters are generally written to
friends, acquaintances, relatives etc.

3. elements of a formal
letter
The essential parts of a formal letter are as follows:
1. Sender’s address : One of the most essential
components, also known as the return address.
It is the mailing address of the sender. The
address and contact details of the person
sending the letter are written here.
2. Date : Immediately after the sender’s address
comes the date on which the letter is written. 4. FORMAT OF A FORMAL LETTER
3. Receiver’s designation and address : After A formal letter must adhere to the prescribed
writing the date you should mention the format. The format of a formal letter is as

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Ch 3 : Letters

mentioned below: 3. Underlining the main points is very important.

But it is advised to do it after finishing your
Sender’s Address: [Address and contact details exam. Use a pencil and scale for underlining.
of the sender]
4. Presentation is very important.
Date: 5. Read a lot of letters to get an idea.
6. Never mention any of your personal details,
Receiver’s Designation and Address:
i.e., name, school name or address.
[Designation and Address of the receiver]
Subject: [Name the request/complaint] 7. Never write in one go. Make sure you follow
Salutation: [Respected Sir/Madam] the right format and make paragraphs.
8. Don’t use slangs or short forms.
Body of the letter: 9. Try not to exceed the prescribed word limit of
Paragraph 1 [State the purpose of application] 120-150 words.
Paragraph 2 [Here start writing detailed
information]
Paragraph 3 [Now conclude your letter that is

EXAMPLE
write what you are expecting]
1. Bal Vidya Public School, Bhilai, urgently requires
Complimentary Closing: [Now end the letter a post-graduate teacher to teach political science
with – yours sincerely, faithfully, thankfully] for which they have placed an advertisement in
Signature: [Name followed by Signature] The Bhilai Express. You are Sanjay/Sanjana
Sharma from 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a
letter including a CV, applying for the advertised
post.(120 – 150 words)
5. Application for a job with

Ans : 2017

bio-data 21, Vasant Marg

Bhilai
Employment application means the letter written
01 March, 20xx
for getting a job. It is the primary means of
The Principal
introducing the job seeker to the employer.
Bal Vidya Public School
Through the job application, job seeker offers his
Bhilai
or her labour and service for a return. Therefore,
Subject : Application for the post of a post-
the application for employment acts as a personal
graduate teacher
advertisement. Job application contains appeal for
Sir/Madam
the job along with the job seeker’s personal data
In response to your advertisement in The Bhilai
like name, address, qualification, and experience.
Express, dated February 25, 20xx for the post of a
What do You mean by Bio-Data? political science teacher in your renowned school,
Bio data refers to a person’s life, experience I wish to offer my candidature. I am enclosing a
and achievements. It should be representative copy of my bio-data for your perusal and kind
of all your personal and professional details in a consideration.
specified format. It is generally divided into four I am available for the interview on any day of
parts: your convenience. If given a chance to serve you, I
1. Personal Details assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity
and dedication up to your satisfaction.
2. Qualifications
Thank you
3. Experience
Yours faithfully
4. References Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma
The following points should be remembered
while writing job application and biodata in a Bio-Data
better way- Name : Sanjay/Sanjana
1. Make sure you double check for grammatical Sharma
accuracy and spellings. They carry marks.
Father’s Name : Mithun Sharma
2. Leave adequate number of lines between
paragraphs to make it look clean. Data of Birth : 25th July, 19xx

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 107

Marital Status : Unmarried all the aforementioned qualities required for the
job. I am enclosing a copy of my bio-data for your
Current Add. : 21, Vasant Marg, perusal and kind consideration. I am available for
Bhilai the interview on any day of your convenience. If
Contact No. : 981502xxxx given a chance to serve you, I assure you that I
shall work with utmost sincerity and dedication
Languages known : Fluent in English and
up, to your satisfaction.
Hindi
Thank you
Educational Qualification Yours faithfully
• Passed XII from SRM School, Bhilai, with Ram/ Rajani
78% Marks Bio-Data
• Passed B.A (Hons.) from Agarwal College,
Bhiali, with 62% marks Name : Ram/Rajani
• Passed M.A Sociology from Agarwal College, Nationality : Indian
Bhilai, with 65% marks Father’s Name : Rajan
• Passed B. Ed from Bhilai
Data of Birth : 21th April, 19xx
References
• Mr. Vijay Mathur, Principal Marital Status : Unmarried
D.A.V. School, Gurudwara Road, Delhi Current Add. : 11, Rana Pratap Marg,
• Mr. Satish Ohri New Delhi
Head of Commerce Department
Contact No. : 971321xxxx
Punjab University, Chandigarh
Languages known : Fluent in English and
2. You are Ram/Rajani, living at 1, Rana Pratap Hindi
Marg, New Delhi. Read the advertisement given
below and apply for the job that suits you Educational Qualification
giving your bio-data separately. Sun University • Passed XII from Gyan Jyoti School, Delhi,
requires Lecturers in English and Demonstrators with 84% Marks
in Physics, Chemistry and Botany for their new • Passed B.Sc from Delhi University with 78%
Campus at Panipat. Candidates with a minimum marks
of 5 year experience alone can apply. Excellent • Passed M.Sc from Delhi University with 71%
command of English is a must. Excellent package marks
and compensation for experienced persons. Those
interested may e-mail to sununiversityjobs@gmail. Work Experience
com or mail their response to: Box no 123, ‘The • 7 years as English Lecturer OR Demonstrators
Harbinger’, New Delhi. in Physics, Chemistry, and Botany in


Ans : 2014
University of Delhi
11, Rana Pratap Marg References
New Delhi • Mr. Vijay Mathur, Principal
01 March, 20xx GD Goenka Public School, Pitampura, Delhi
The Principal, Sun University • Mrs. Satish Ohri
Box no 123 Head of Department : Commerce
‘The Harbinger’ Delhi University, Delhi
New Delhi 3. You are Arjun of 14, New Town, Delhi. You have
Subject : Application for Post of Lecturer in seen an advertisement in The Times of India for
English/Demonstrator in Physics/Chemistry/ the post of Chief Chef in a 5-Star Hotel. Apply
Botany for the job with complete biodata. Write in 125-
Sir/Madam, 150 words.
In response to your advertisement in The Times

Ans : 2011
of India, dated February 25, 20xx for the post 14, New Town
of English Lecturer/Demonstrators in Physics, New Delhi
Chemistry and Botany in your new campus, I 24 April, 20xx
wish to offer my candidature. The Human Resource Manager
I would like to bring into notice that I possess The Leela Hotel

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Ch 3 : Letters

rules. They drive vary rash under the influence Chintpumi Temple Crossing and suggesting some
of liquors. They even jump the red light signals remedy for it.
installed on the roads.

Ans : 2012

Still the private bus operators stop at 232, Friends Colony

unauthorized stops. The uncontrollable speed Noida
and race with other buses is the main cause of 16th May, 20xx
accidents. They even overtake the other buses for To,
picking up more passengers. The conductors pack The Editor
their buses to suffocation. As a result, ladies and The Hindustan Times
old people are unable to get into the buses. New Delhi
It requires stricter watch on the part of Subject : Chaotic traffic condition near Chintpumi
the traffic police. More traffic police should be Temple Crossing
employed to check the violations of the traffic Respected Sir,
rules. Proper road signals and road marks should
Through this letter of mine, I wish to draw the
be marked. The surprise check by traffic police in
attention of the authorities towards the problems
civil dress can play an effective role in booking
faced by students everyday. We reach our college
the culprits.
fifteen minutes late as our college bus gets stuck
Yours truly
in a traffic jam near Chintpumi Temple crossing.
Priyanshu
People park their vehicles in a haphazard way.
2. You are Praveen of 23, Civil Lines, Jaipur. Write Beggars crowd the gates as well as roads, waiting
a letter to the Editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Jaipur for someone to come out of the temple and give
about frequent break-down of electricity. alms to them. There is a traffic signal at that


Ans : 2016 crossing but people do not follow it.
23, Civil Lines, It is my humble request that a parking area
Jaipur should be allotted to the Temple site so that
25 January, 20XX people can park their vehicles in a proper way.
To, The Temple Trust should appoint someone who
The Editor can make the beggars sit in a queue and that too
Dainik Bhaskar on the footpath and not on the road. And last but
Jaipur not the least, a police-picket should be there at
Subject : Frequent breakdown of electricity in the crossing to make people follow the rules and
civil lines, Jaipur regulations.
Sir, I hope you’ll publish this letter in your
esteemed newspaper so that some actions can be
Please permit me some space in your newspaper.
taken in this matter.
I wish to draw the attention of the government
Thanking you
towards the supply of electricity in Jaipur.
Yours sincerely
The lack of electricity supply is causing much
Akriti
trouble to this city. The supply we get is not only
short but also highly irregular. We do not know 4. India is a highly populated country. People lack
about the hours of cut. in maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene as a
It has also affected the supply of water. If result they suffer from various diseases. India has
there is no light in the morning, there is no water a serious sanitation challenge; around 60 per cent
either. The local water board also depends on the of the world’s open defecation takes place in India.
supply of electricity. Streets are dark in the night. Poor sanitation causes health hazards including
It causes accidents. The students cannot study diarrhoea, particularly in children under 5 years
well. of age, malnutrition and deficiencies in physical
I wish to make an urgent appeal to every development and cognitive ability. You are Nitin/
person concerned to help. Nikita, head boy/girl of Vikas Public School,
Thanking You Jaipur. Write a letter to the editor of a national
Yours faithfully daily, highlighting the problem and suggesting
Praveen practical ways to ensure public sanitation and the
right to dignity and privacy. (120-150 words)
3. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper
highlighting the problem of traffic jam near

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 109

Bio-Data or both.
The following points should be remembered
Name : Minu Sen
while writing a letter to the editor:
Gender : Female 1. Express your ideas clearly and concisely.
Father’s Name : Mr. Mrinal Sen 2. Confine yourself to one topic. Use simple
Data of Birth : 16th July, 19xx words, short words, short sentences and short
paragraphs.
Marital Status : Unmarried
3. The letter should be timely and newsworthy.
Current Add. : 520, Ashok Nagar, Its meaning should be clear.
Hyderabad 4. Plan your first sentence carefully. Make it
Contact No. : 981626xxxx short and interesting.
Languages known : Fluent in English and 5. If you write to criticize, begin with a word
Hindi of appreciation, agreement or praise. A calm,
constructive presentation is persuasive.
Educational Qualification 6. Help supply the truth that may have been
• Passed XII from Vivekanand School, Delhi, omitted or slanted in reporting the news or
with 82% Marks editorializing on it.
• Passed B.A (Hons.) from Kirori Mal College, 7. Use a relevant experience (a situation in your
Delhi, with 73% marks school district) to illustrate a point. When
• Passed M.A Sociology from Kirori Mal rightly (and tightly) told, it can be persuasive.
College, Delhi, with 68% marks 8. Desired steps to rectify the situation should
Work Experience also be mentioned.
• Assistant Manager for Corporate Social 9. Close the letter with formal request to solve
Responsibility (CSR) in Inde Associates, the problems.
Hyderabad
References
• Mr. Rakesh Sood

EXAMPLE
Senior Manager, Nippon India Ltd., New
Delhi 1. Write a letter to the Editor of “The Times of
• Mrs. Kalpana Aiyer India”, Delhi expressing your concern over the
Vice President, L & T, Mumbai increase in the rate of road accident, rash driving
and overcrowded road transport. You are Priya/
Priyanshu living at B-47 Avas Vikas, Mayur
6. letter to the editor Vihar, New Delhi.


Ans : 2018
A Letter to the Editor is a formal comprehensive
B-47, Avas Vikas
letter, addressed to the Editor of a certain
Mayur Vihar
publication/magazine/newspaper with the intent
New Delhi
of complimenting, critiquing, informing, or
13 November, 20XX
communicating a certain piece of information.
To,
Newspapers, weeklies and magazines play an
The Editor
important role in shaping public opinion, public
The Times of India
minds and decisions about many national and
New Delhi
international issues because they have a large
Subject : Increasing cases of road accidents, rash
number of readers. Writing letters to the editors
driving and overcrowding.
is a great way to engage with a topic you are
Sir,
passionate about and to influence public opinion.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
These letters are written to shape public opinion,
I wish to express the anguish of the general public
to share information and ideas, to increase
over the increasing number of road accidents, cases
awareness, to advocate your cause or to start
of rash driving and the problem of overcrowding
community conversation. It is a written way of
in the buses.
talking to a newspaper or magazine. It takes a
The bus drivers have no regard for the traffic
position for or against an issue or simply inform

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Ch 3 : Letters

DLF Business Park, Sector 78 4. You are Minu Sen, employed as an Asst. Manager
Gurugram, for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in
Subject : Application for the position of Chief your current company in Hyderabad. You saw the
Chef given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to
Sir/Madam, apply for the position advertised.
This is with reference to the advertisement Write a letter to Credit Sage Pvt. Ltd. along with
published in the esteemed daily, The Times your bio-data, expressing your interest in the
of India, on April 05, 20xx. I am Arjun. I have situation vacant.
completed my MBA in hotel management from
CREDIT SAGA Pvt. Ltd
Indian Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi
. I intend to apply for the post of chief chef in Required- Corporate Social responsibility
your esteemed organization. Manager (CSR) Head
I would like to bring into notice that I possess
Job Responsibilities :
all the aforementioned qualities required for the
• Define strategy for Credit sage’s CSR value
job. I am enclosing a copy of my bio-data for your
of 1% of people’s time, 1% of products and
perusal and kind consideration.
I am available for the interview on any day of 1% of profits to the society.
your convenience. If given a chance to serve you, I • Develop various CSR initiatives in the
assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity company’s adopted village
and dedication up to your satisfaction. • Strategise and initiate various community
Looking forward to working for The Leela benefit schemes and laison with NGO’s,
Hotel. Govt. Bodies etc.
Yours faithfully Preferred Skills & Qualifications
Arjun Singhania • Bachelor or Master’s degree in Sociology/
Bio-Data Public Relations
• Strong interpersonal and communication
Name : Arjun Singhania
skills (verbal and written)
Nationality : Indian • Proven experience in CSR project
Father’s Name : Kaushal Singhania management and execution
• Proven experience working with non-profit
Data of Birth : 27th March, 19xx organizations or Corporate CSR
Marital Status : Unmarried Send your bio-data within 10 days to Gagan
Vij, HR Head, Credit Saga Pvt. Ltd, Nashik
Current Add. : 14, New Town, Delhi
For further details please check our website -
Contact No. : 985137xxxx www.sage.com/careers/csr
Languages known : Fluent in English and

Ans : 2007
Hindi 520, Ashok Nagar
Hyderabad
Educational Qualification
1st October, 20xx
• Passed XII from Delhi Public Shcool, Delhi,
HR Head
with 77% Marks
Credit Sage Pvt. Ltd.
• Passed B.A. from Delhi University with 76%
Nashik
marks
Kind Attn.: Mr. Gagan Vij
• Passed M.B.A. In Hotel Management from
Subject : Application for the post of CSR Manager
Delhi with 82% marks
Sir,
Work Experience This is in response to your advertisement published in
• 8 years of experience as a sous- chef in The The Times of India dated 30th September, 20XX for
Oberoi Hotels. the subject vacancy in your esteemed organisation. I
References wish to apply for the same. Please find enclosed my
• Mr. Vijay Kukreja, biodata for your kind perusal and consideration. I
Chief The Oberois, New Delhi look forward to your positive response.
• Mrs. Ram Prakash Thanking you
IIHM, Dean, New Delhi Yours sincerely

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 111

Ans :
Vikas Public School
2008


IMPORTANT QUESTION
Jaipur
23nd November, 2019 1. You are Raj/Rati, 115, Ram Nagar, Noida. Read
To, the advertisement given below and write a letter
The Editor to the advertiser, applying for the job. Also give
Rajasthan Patrika your detailed resume, which you would send along
Jaipur with your letter of application for the job. (120-
Subject : Need for public sanitation. 150 words)
Sir,
Through the column of your esteemed daily Wanted experienced Post Graduate Teacher
I want to highlight the serious problem of in Chemistry to teach Classes XI and XII in
a reputed ICSE affiliated residential school.
sanitation. Everybody knowns that India is a
Fluency in English is a must. Working knowledge
highly populated country. The people have no
of computers is preferable; salary commensurate
proper sanitation and hygiene facilities. Around
with experience and expertise. Please apply to :
60 per cent of the world’s open defecation takes
Box No. 205, C/O The Hindu, Noida.
place in India. As a result, people suffer from
various diseases. Diarrhoea, among various health

Ans : 2022

hazards, is very common among the children 115, Ram Nagar

of below five years of age. Poor sanitation also Noida
causes deficiencies in physical development and 31st March, 20xx
cognitive ability among people. Box No. 205,
The government and the concerned authorities C/o The Hindu,
must take steps in this regard. They should put Noida
the public sanitation facilities at important places Subject : Job Application for Chemistry Teacher
of villages, towns and cities. Besides, people Sir/Madam,
should be made aware of diseases caused by open This refers to your advertisement in The Hindu,
defecation. Sanitation should become our right to dated 28th March, 20xx, for the vacancy of
ensure dignity and privacy. Chemistry teacher’s post in your esteemed school
Yours faithfully for Classes XI and XII. I wish to apply for the
Nitin same. I have the qualification and experience
Head Boy required for the post. My detailed bio-data is
enclosed.


 I hope you shall consider my application for
interview.
Thank you
Yours faithfully
Rati Shah
Encl. Bio-data

Bio-Data

Name : Rati Shah

Gender : Female
Father’s Name : Mr. Somesh Shah
Data of Birth : 15th April, 1988
Marital Status : Unmarried
Current Add. : 115, Ram Nagar, Noida
Contact No. : 82877xxxxx
Languages known : Fluent in English,
Hindi and German

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Ch 3 : Letters

This is in response to your advertisement in The The Principal

Hindustan Times dated 7 October, 20xx for the Sunflower Public School
post of Chief Chef in the Orchard. I wish to offer Jaipur
my candidature for this post. Rajasthan
I have the relevant qualifications and work Dear Sir,
experience for the job. Although I can handle Subject : Application for the post of Sports Coach
gourmet cooking, continental cuisine is definitely With reference to your advertisement in the
my forte. Times of India of 16 May 20xx for the post of
Attached herewith is my brief resume. I male sports coach, I wish to apply for it. I am
would be grateful if I am considered for the above- enclosing details of my educational qualifications
mentioned post in your reputed hotel. and experience in my resume. As required by you,
I am a degree holder in Physical Education and
Yours faithfully
have been certified by the Sports Authority of
Aarti Hempal
India (SAD in Athletics.
In Addition, I have four year’s experience of
Bio-Data
coaching students of a reputable Public School. I
Name : Aarti Hempal am confident that I will not disappoint you and
produce some champion athletes of whom you
Gender : Female will be proud of.
Father’s Name : Shri Sudesh Hempal I am available for the interview at any time
convenient to you.
Data of Birth : 17th March, 19xx
Yours faithfully
Marital Status : Unmarried Prateek Aggarwal
Current Add. : 14, West Punjabi Bagh, Bio-Data
New Delhi
Name : Prateek Aggarwal
Contact No. : 702345xxxx
Gender : Male
Languages known : Hindi, English
Father’s Name : Shri Rajat Aggarwal
Educational Qualifications
Data of Birth : 18th Jun, 19xx
• Class XII (PCB) CBSE 2008 76%
• 3-year course Pusa Institute of Hotel Marital Status : Unmarried
Management 2008-2011 80% Current Add. : N-109, Azadpur Delhi
• Advanced Diploma in Continental Cooking
from F&B 2012 Contact No. : 883135xxxx

Work Experience Languages known : Hindi, English

• Worked as trainee chef with Lodhi Hotel, Educational Qualifications
New Delhi for 2 years (2013-15) • Passed Class X, CBSE with 72%
• Worked as Assistant sous chef with Hotel • Passed Class XII, CBSE with 81%
Weekend, Gurgaon (2016-2020) • BA (Physical Education) from University of
• At present heading a team of chefs in The Delhi 77%
Orbit, Chandigarh (2020-2022)
Personal Qualifications
6. Sunflower Public School, Jaipur, requires 2 sports • Certified Coach in Athletics by sports
coaches (one male and one female). Each should Authority of India 90%
be a degree holder in Physical Education as well Work Experience
as an SAI certified coach in athletics. Write an • I have been working as Physical Education
application in 120-150 words along with your Instructor in Satyawati Public School, New
resume. You are Prateek/Payal, House No. 109, Delhi, since March 20xx
Azadpur, Delhi. Strengths


Ans : 2009
• Have coached students in Athletics and
House No.-109, Azadpur
Dodgeball with discipline and good time
Delhi
management
30 June 20xx

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 113

Educational Qualification : Bio-Data

Examination Institution Board/Uni. Marks Name : Arti Pandey
B.Ed Miranda House Delhi University 65% Father’s Name : Mr. Daksh Pandey
MA. (English) L.S.R Delhi University 60%
Address : 14, Model Town, Delhi
BA. (English) L.S.R. Delhi University 60%
Phone : 92572xxxx
XII (Hum.) St. Joseph School CBSE 96%

X St. Joseph School CBSE 90%

Date of Birth : 24th September 1989
Marital Status : Unmarried
Scholarship Awarded :
Have been a Scholarship holder in XII.
References : Educational Qualifications :
• M.Sc. in Culinary Arts, HM College, Delhi
1. Mrs. J.S. Sharma, Principal, Miranda House,
(2006- 2007)
Delhi, 981871xxxx.
• B.Sc. in Hotel Administration, IHM, Kolkata
2. Dr. Sutapa Banerjee, (H.O.D) English
(2003-2005)
Literature L.S.R. Delhi, 991071xxxx.
Experience :
4. You are Anand/Arti of 14, Model Town, Delhi. • Working as a Senior Chef in Radisson Hotels,
You have seen an advertisement in The Hindu for Gurgaon
the post of Chief Chef in a 5-Star Hotel. Apply Skills :
for the job with complete bio-data. Write in 120- • Excellent communication skills, team player,
150 words. knowledge of different cuisine, sincerity


Ans : 2010
• Very effective in maintaining standards of
14, Model Town
food quality through active observation
Delhi
of dishes and direct supervision of special
3rd March, 2014
recipes.
The General Manager
• Experienced in interviewing candidates for
JW Marriott
kitchen positions.
New Delhi
Subject: Job application for the position of Chief Languages known :
Chef • English, Hindi and Gujarati
Sir/Madam, References :
Having seen your advertisement for an experienced • Mr. Deepak Chautaliya Manager, F&B
Chef, I wish to apply for the same in your reputed Operations The Radisson, Gurgaon
organization. I came to know about the vacancy • Dr. Krishna Chand Rai Director IHM,
through the newspaper The Hindu dated March Kolkata
15, 2014. Please find attached my bio-data for the
purpose. 5. You are Asit/Aarti Hempal of 14, West Punjabi
I have been working with organizations of Bagh, New Delhi. You have seen the following
international repute for the last seven years. At advertisement in The Hindustan Times for the
present, I am working with Radisson Hotels, post of Chief Chef in a Five Star Hotel. Apply
Gurgaon as a Senior Chef. I believe that I have for the job with complete biodata. Write a cover
the skills, creativity and qualifications to excel in letter also.
the role and would like to bring my enthusiasm

Ans : 2010

for creating new dishes to your hotel. 14, West Punjabi Bagh
I would appreciate the chance to discuss my New Delhi
abilities and your menus and explain how I could 10 October 20xx
contribute to your restaurant’s success. The Advertiser
I thank you in anticipation of an early P.O. Box 101
response. The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Yours truly,
Sir,
Arti
Subject : Application for the post of Chief Chef

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Ch 3 : Letters

forbidden websites, they can have disastrous 34. Meera Ranjan is a resident of Kerala. She writes
effects on children. a letter to the editor of a local newspaper giving
We all know how mobile phones are her strong views on the disadvantages of setting
being used for wrong purposes like cheating in up a chemical factory in your area and makes an
exams, criminal activities and even for making appeal to the central government to reconsider its
objectionable video clips. The common element in decision, as it will worsen the environment of the
these gadgets is that they distract children from city. Add your own ideas and write this letter in
the right course and lead to wastage of time. 120-150 words.
Controlled and guided use of electronic

Ans : 2015
gadgetry is essential, and that is the message I 108, Ernakulam Road
wish to convey to your readers. Kidwai Nagar
Yours faithfully Kerala 6820xx
Pushpit pandey 20 April 20xx
The Editor
33. You are Wasim/Wahida of New Ashok Colony, The Hindu
Agra. The main road leading to the colony is in Bengaluru 5300xx
a very bad condition with many potholes and Dear Sir,
open manholes. To add to the woes, there is no Subject : Disadvantages of setting up a chemical
streetlight that makes the matters worse at night. factory in urban areas
Write a letter in about 120-150 words to the Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I
Editor of The Times of India drawing attention of would like to draw the attention of the authorities
the authorities concerned to the problem and to concerned to the disadvantages of setting up a
seek immediate remedial action. chemical factory in our town.


Ans : 2015 With the setting up of a chemical factory
10 New Ashok Colony in our town a large amount of industrial wastes
Agra will be discharged into rivers and lakes without
18 July 20xx any treatment. Water will get polluted with toxic
The Editor waste; and emissions from refineries will float
The Times of India on the rivers and lakes. Chemical explosion and
New Delhi radioactive wastes will also pollute the atmosphere
Dear Sir to an extent beyond imagination.
Subject : Complaint about bad condition of roads Air also gets polluted due to emission of
of the locality fumes. Oxides of nitrogen emitted by automobile
Through the columns of your esteemed daily exhausts change into nitric acid when it reaches
newspaper, I want to draw your kind attention to the atmosphere. We cannot forget how the
the poor conditions of roads in our colony. chemical gas leaked from a chemical factory in
The main road leading to the colony is in a Bhopal, and killed thousands of innocent people.
very bad shape with potholes and open manholes. It is the high time the authorities woke up and
These often cause accidents or injuries to the reconsidered their decision to set up the chemical
people walking down it. Day by day things are factory in our town. I look forward to you for
getting bad to worse. One can’t travel on such publishing this letter in your editorial column at
roads. To add to our woes, there are no street your convenience.
lights. For quite some time the roads have become
Yours faithfully
impassable. We have already made several
Meera Ranjan
complaints but still things have not improved.
The situation gets more complicated during the 35. You are Srikhant, living at 7C-189, Ist floor,
rainy season as even the slightest rain floods the Ramjas Colony, Muzzafarpur. Write a letter to
roads, adding more problems. Often all this mess the Editor of a newspaper about the burden of
causes traffic jams on the roads. heavy bags the young children carry to school.
I would be grateful if you publish my letter

Ans : 2014
in your newspaper and help draw the attention of 7C-189 1st Floor
authorities concerned to our plight.
Ramjas Colony
Yours faithfully
Muzzafarpur
Wahida
17 March 20xx

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 115

References Educational Qualifications

• Dr. Pradeep Malik • MBA from Time Institute in 20xx with 78%
• Senior Coach, Sports Authority of India New • B.Com from Dungar College, Jaipur in 20xx
Delhi (785262xxxx) with 86%
• Sri PM Rajput, Financial Advisor GRASM • Class XII, CBSE in 20xx with 89% (Commerce
Bengaluru (881262xxxx) stream)
• Class X CBSE in 20xx with 91%
7. You are Prem/Parul, 16, TT Nagar, Bhopal. You
Work Experience
would like to apply for the post of the Marketing
• Worked as Marketing Manager at Vistas
Manager in a reputable firm in Mumbai. Write a
Enterprises for the last 4 years.
letter to the Public Relations Officer, Chaitanya
• Currently working as Marketing Head,
Enterprises, Mumbai, applying for the job. Write
Shinaya Enterprises for the last 3 years.
the letter in 120-150 words giving your biodata.


Ans : 2009 References
16, T.T. Nagar • Mr. Rajat Mehra
Bhopal CEO, Vistas Enterprises, Delhi
7 December 20xx • Mr. Keshav Das
The Public Relations Officer MD, Universal Marketing Ltd., Bengaluru,
Chaitanya Enterprises Karnataka
Link Road, Versova
Mumbai
Dear Sir,
Subject : Application for the post of Marketing
Manager
In response to your advertisement in ‘The Times
8. You are Krishna of 13-C/169 Sector 16, Rohini,
of India’, dated 5 December 20xx for the post
Delhi. You have seen an advertisement in the
of a marketing manager, I wish to offer my
Hindustan Times for the post of Chief Chef in
candidature for the same.
a Five Start Hotel. Apply for the same with
I have requisite qualifications and excellent
complete resume. Do not exceed 120-150 words.
communication skills. I am enclosing a copy of my
biodata for your perusal and kind consideration. Invent necessary details.


Ans : 2009
I have a passion for marketing and am keen to
implement new strategies. 13-C/169, Sector 16
Hoping for a favourable response from you. Rohini
Yours faithfully Delhi
Prem Raghuvanshi 26 June 20xx
The Managing Director
Encl. :
The Park Hotel
1. Photograph
Connaught Place
2. Testimonials & certificates New Delhi
3. Resume Dear Sir,
Bio-Data Subject : Application for the post of Chief Chef
This is with reference to the advertisement in
Name : Prem Raghuvanshi The Times of India and The Hindustan Times
Gender : Male dated 24 June 20xx for the post of Chief chef in
your esteemed organisation. I would like to offer
Father’s Name : Shri Vineet Raghuvanshi
my candidature for the same as I fulfil all the
Data of Birth : 26th November, 19xx requirements.
Marital Status : Unmarried I am an ardent worker, who believes in
honesty, dedication and sincerity. I am enclosing
Current Add. : 16, TT Nagar Bhopal my resume for your consideration.
Contact No. : 823535xxxx In anticipation of an early response.
Languages known : Hindi, English Yours faithfully
Krishna Singh

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Ch 3 : Letters

Chattisgarh 120-150 words to the Manager, Rockfield Pvt.

17 March 20xx Ltd., Bhopal, offering your candidature.
The Principal You are Raman Mehta/Reshma Mehta.
Khetan Public School

Ans : 2007

Raipur 87, Gandhi Road

Dear Sir, Jhansi
Subject : Application for the post of TGT English 23 March 20xx
In response to your advertisement in the Danik
Jagran dated 15th March, 20xx, for the post of The Manager
TGT English, I would like to apply for the same. Rockfield Pvt. Ltd.,
I have the requisite qualifications and experience Bhopal
and possess good communication skills. If given Dear Sir,
an opportunity to serve your esteemed Institute Subject : Application for the post of an Accountant
I assure you I will work to your satisfaction. I With reference to your advertisement in The Hindu
am enclosing my resume for your perusal and dated 20 March, 20xx, I wish to apply for the
consideration. position mentioned above. I feel my qualifications
and experience are adequate to enable me to
Yours faithfully discharge my duties.
Rohini Mittal For your kind consideration I am attaching
Bio-Data my testimonials as well as resume for further
perusal.
Name : Rohini Mittal Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Gender : Female
Raman Mehta
Father’s Name : Shri O.P. Mittal
Bio-Data
Data of Birth : 12th April, 19xx
Name : Raman Mehta
Marital Status : Unmarried
Gender : Male
Current Add. : 130, Tandon Road,
Sadar Bazar, Raipur Father’s Name : Shri Sohan Mehta
Contact No. : 89283535xxxx Data of Birth : 07th November, 19xx
Languages known : Fluent in English, Marital Status : Unmarried
Hindi and German Current Add. : 87, Gandhi Road, Jhansi
Extra skills Well versed in Contact No. : 933535xxxx
computers
Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi
Educational Qualifications
and German
• XII, CBSE 85%
• BA (Hons), Delhi University, 70% Extra skills Well versed in computers
• B ed, Delhi University, 75% Educational Qualifications
• MA English, Delhi University, 74% • CBSE (10+2) - 90%
Work Experience • B Com (Hons) - 68%
• 7 years as a TGT English in S.K. Public • CA - 70%
School, Raipur • ICWAI - 60%
References Work Experience
• Mr. S.P. Rai, Director, Himalaya Public • Jindal Pvt. Ltd., Jhansi, for 3 years
School, Raipur References
• Mr. Leela Kaul, Professor K.K. College, • Dr. R.K. Agarwal, C.M.O. Civil Hospital,
Raipur. Jhansi,
13. You see a classified advertisement in a leading • Sh. R.K. Khandelwal, Financial Advisor,
daily inviting application for the post of an Jindal Pvt. Ltd., Jhansi
accountant. Write a letter along with resume in

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 117

Bio-Data of a Nursery Teacher I offer my candidature for

the same. I fulfil the requisites laid by you and
Name : Anita Singh
assure you that if given a chance. I will work with
Gender : Female full devotion and dedication for the upliftment of
Father’s Name : Shri O.P. Singh both students and Institute.
I am enclosing my resume for your perusal
Data of Birth : 30th December, 19xx and consideration. Waiting in anticipation.
Marital Status : Unmarried Yours faithfully
Current Add. : 87, Tandon Road, Sipri Suraj Prakash
Bazar, Jhansi Bio-Data
Contact No. : 772351xxxx
Name : Suraj Prakash
Languages known : Hindi, English
Gender : Male
Educational Qualifications Father’s Name : Shri Balram Prakash
• B.Com (Hons), MD University, Rohatak
Data of Birth : 21th Jun, 19xx
Work Experience
• Have worked for two years in Rajat Pvt. Ltd. Marital Status : Unmarried
References Current Add. : C-14/140 Sector 11,
• Sh. B.K. Singh Rohini, Delhi
CMO, Civil Hospital Contact No. : 7823535xxxx
• Rajat Sharma
Languages known : Hindi, English
Manager, Rajat Pvt. Ltd.
Educational Qualifications
11. You are Suraj/Sohana. You came across the
• XII CBSE Board 85%
following advertisement in a national daily. You
• BA (Hons), Delhi University 65%
consider yourself suitable and eligible for the post.
• JBT, Delhi University 60%
Write an application in about 120-150 words in
• BEd, Delhi University 75%
response to the advertisement.
• MA (English) Pursuing
Applications are invited for the post of a Work Experience
nursery teacher in a reputable school of north • Worked for six years in SK Internal School,
west Delhi. The candidate must have at least Vikas Marg, Delhi
5 years experience of teaching tiny tots. The
applicant must have good command over Expected Salary
English and be well versed in computer. He/she • 7th Pay commission
should be innovative and creative. Attractive References
salary. Interested candidates should apply to the • Shri Jagdish Prasad
Principal, Ramnarayan International School, Manager, SK International School, Vikas
Ghaziabad, within 10 day with detailed resume. Marg, Delhi


Ans : 2008
• Sh. S.K. Bhagat
C-14/140 CMO, Civil Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi
Sector 11, Rohini
Delhi 12. You are Rohini/Rohit. You have seen an
13 August 20xx advertisement for the post of an English Teacher
The Principal in Khetan Public School, Raipur. Write a letter
Ramnarayan International School in response to the advertisement applying for the
Gaziabad post. Give your detailed resume. Invent necessary
Respected Sir details.
Subject : Application for the post of Nursery

Ans : 2007
Teacher. 130 Tandon Road
With reference to your advertisement in ‘The Sadar Bazar
Daily’ dated 10th August, 20XX, for the post Raipur

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Ch 3 : Letters

• Excellent communication skills, Diploma in Current Add. : 642, Gandhi Road,

Computer with Python C++ and MS Office Jhansi
References Contact No. : 88535xxxx
• Dr. A.K. Gosh
Professor, Amba Bai Hospital, Bhopal Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi
(953253xxxx) and German
• K.K. Khanna Extra skills Well versed in computers
Sr. Marketing Manager, Shanti Industries,
Bhopal (931513xxxx) Educational Qualifications
• Graduation with 60% marks from M.D.
University in 20xx
16. Study the following advertisement and then write
• Postgraduation with 75% marks from M.D.
a suitable application for the post of a receptionist.
University in 20xx
Wanted smart and dynamic female with good References
communication skills to serve as a receptionist • Dr. S.K. Jha, Head of Department Political
in the front office of a five star Hotel. Fresh Science M.D. University, Rohtak (785253xxxx)
graduates with knowledge of foreign languages • Mr. R.N. Narayan
preferred. Apply with two passport sized Manager, North Campus School, Rohtak
photographs & complete biodata to The Times (885123xxxx)
of India, P.B. No 73XX within 7 days from the
date of the publication of this advertisement. 17. You are Archana/Ashish living at C-16/714
Saraswati Lane, Gwalior. You came across an


Ans : 2006
advertisement for the post of Trainee Accountant
642 Gandhi Road
in S.R. Medical Labs, Gwalior. Write a letter to
Jhansi
the advertiser applying for the job. Also give your
23 August 20xx
detailed resume.
The Times of India

Ans : 2005
Post Box No 73xx C-16/714, Saraswati Lane
New Delhi Gwalior
Dear Sir, 13 September 20xx
Subject : Application for the post of Receptionist To,
In response to your advertisement for the post of The Manager
a receptionist in a five star hotel, I offer myself as S.R. Medical Labs
one of the candidates for the same. Gwalior
I am a dynamic young girl with a pleasing
Dear Sir,
personality. My communication skills are very
Subject : Application for the post of Trainee
good and also I have a reasonable command over
Accountant
French.
This is in response to your advertisement dated
I am sure, if given a chance, I can be an asset
for the organisation. 10 September, 20xx, in the Times of India for
I am enclosing my bio-data for your kind the post of Trainee Accountant in your esteemed
consideration. organization. As my qualifications match those
required for the post, I would like to apply for the
Yours faithfully same. I am enclosing my bio-data for your kind
Rachna Sharma perusal.
Bio-Data I promise to serve the organisation sincerely
and to the my best of ability, if selected.
Name : Rachna Sharma Yours faithfully
Gender : Female Ashish
Father’s Name : Sh. R.K. Sharma Bio-Data
Data of Birth : 27th April, 19xx Name : Ashish
Marital Status : Unmarried Gender : Male

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 119

14. You saw an advertisement in a daily newspaper • Sh. L.L. Verma

for the post of a Sales Executive in a reputable Sr. Advocate, Delhi High Court (999111xxxx)
MNC. Write a letter with bio-data in 120-150
words to the HR Manager, Goel Sons Ltd, Vinod 15. You are Ram/Raman of 17, TT Nagar Bhopal.
Nagar, Delhi, applying for the post advertised. You would like to apply for the post of Marketing
You are Rani/Rajesh. Manager in an MNC in Delhi. Write a litter to the


Ans : 2006
Director, Chipmuk Enterprises, D-7 Vikas Marg,
171, Vinod Nagar Delhi, applying for the job. Write the letter in
Delhi 1100xx 120-150 words giving your bio-data
13 April 20xx

Ans : 2006

The HR Manager 17, TT Nagar

Goel Sons Ltd. Bhopal 4620xx
Vinod Nagar 25 June 20xx
Delhi 1100xx The Director
Dear Sir, Chipmuk Enterprise
Subject : Application for the post of a Sales D-7 Vikas Marg
Executive Delhi 1100xx
With reference to your advertisement in the Dear Sir
Hindustan Times of 10 April 20xx for the post Subject: Application for the post of Marketing
of a sales executive, I would like to offer my Manager
candidature for the same. In response to your advertisement dated 20th
For your kind consideration I am enclosing June, 20XX in the Times of India, I wish to offer
my bio-data. If given a chance, I would work with my candidature. I fulfil the conditions laid down
full sincerity and devotion. in your advertisement. I have completed my MBA
in Marketing Management from Symbiosis Pune
Yours faithfully with 90% marks. I have also 3 years experience
Rajnesh Singhal working for a reputable concern in Bhopal. I am
Bio-Data enclosing my bio-data for your kind consideration.
Hoping for a favourable response.
Name : Rajesh Singhal
Yours faithfully
Gender : Male Ram Sharma
Father’s Name : Sh. Kamlesh Singhal Bio-Data
Data of Birth : 08th January, 19xx
Name : Ram Sharma
Marital Status : Unmarried
Gender : Male
Current Add. : 171, Vinod Nagar, Delhi
Father’s Name : Shri Gopal Sharma
Contact No. : 782305xxxx
Data of Birth : 09th November, 19xx
Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi
and German Marital Status : Unmarried
Extra skills Well versed in computers Current Add. : 17, TT Nagar Bhopal
Contact No. : 872525xxxx
Educational Qualifications
• Senior Secondary- 90% with distinction in Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi
English and maths and German
• B.Com (Hons)- 80% marks from Satyavati Extra skills Well versed in computers
College, Delhi Computers- C++, Java, Net,
Unix from Apple Educational Qualifications
• MBA in Marketing Management, Symbiosis
References
Institute, Pune
• Sh. A.K. Dewan
Principal, Satyavati College, Delhi Work Experience
(773125xxxx) • Manager at Shanti Industries, Bhopal (3
years)

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Ch 3 : Letters

advertisement. Choose a post for which you Educational Qualification

think you are suitable. Send your application in • Passed XII from Harmony Sr. Sec school
response to this advertisement. Roorkee with 90% Marks
• Passed BCom from Mehak College of
An Upcoming School in Ghaziabad Commerce, Roorkee, with 70% marks
Requires the Following Staff
Work Experience
Lab Assistant : Science graduates having 2-5 • Worked as an ‘Accountant’ for 2 years at
years of lab experience Shree Ganesh Chemicals Ltd, Ghaziabad.
Accountant : B. Com. with minimum
experience of 2 years in References
Receptionist : maintaining accounts • Mr. Raja Ram, Sales Manager,
Young female candidates Diamond Industries Ghaziabad.
fluent in English with good • Dr. M.K. Agarwal, Manager (Finance),
communication skills and Shree Fertilizers Ltd. Ghaziabad.
proficiency in computer/Net
20. Write a letter to Editor of local daily, New Delhi
surfing with 3 year experience
about water scarcity in you locality suggesting
Please send your detailed updated resume within ways to improve the condition of water supply.
seven days to the Manager, Prayag International You are Bobby/Babita of Ghaziabad.
School, 674, Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad, 20xx.

Ans : 2022

Ans : 2005 A-10, New Colony

13, Vikas Marg Ghaziabad
New Delhi 2 March, 20xx
22 October 20xx The Editor
The Manager Hindustan Times
St. Prayag School New Delhi- 12001
67A Kavi Nagar Subject : Water crisis in New Colony
Ghaziabad Respected Sir,
Dear Sir, Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
Subject : Application for the post of ‘Accountant’ I wish to draw the attention of the concerned
In response to your advertisement dated 20 authorities towards the problem of water scarcity
October, 20XX in the Times of India, for the post in our locality.
of Accountant, I want to offer my candidature. I It is still early summer and the residents are
am a dynamic young man of pleasing habits and already facing acute water shortage in the area.
personality with the necessary qualifications and The supply starts at 7.30 a.m. and cuts off at 8.30
experience. I can join immediately if desired. a.m in the morning and is restored only for half
Looking forward for a positive response. an hour in the evening between 5.00 p.m. to 6.30
p.m. Since the timings are erratic, many people,
Yours faithfully especially, the working couples are unable to store
Rajan Sharma water. Frequent complaints to the Jal Board haven’t
Bio-Data yielded any result as the authorities express their
helplessness saying that one of the tanks of the
Name : Rajan Sharma Hyderpur Water Treatment plant is under repair
Gender : Male and has been shut down for a month or so thereby
affecting the water supply in the area. But it is
Father’s Name : Shri Ram Narayan
nearly one and a half months since the problem
Sharma
began, yet there is no respite for the residents.
Data of Birth : 10th July, 19xx The Jal Board should, in the meantime, make
Marital Status : Unmarried provisions for water tankers at different hours of
the day. Also, measures must be taken to expedite
Current Add. : 13, Vikas Marg, Delhi the repair work.
Contact No. : 981876xxxx Thank you
Languages known : Fluent in English and Yours sincerely
Hindi Bobby

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 121

Father’s Name : Shri Vinod sharma firm in Bengaluru. I want to change my job due to
proximity to my native place. I hold a BSc (Hons)
Data of Birth : 24th April, 19xx degree in chemistry from Pune University.
Marital Status : Unmarried My resume is enclosed herewith for your kind
perusal. If selected, I assure you, I will prove an
Current Add. : C-16/714 Saraswati Lane
asset to your company. I am looking forward to
Gwalior
joining your esteemed organization at the earliest.
Contact No. : 88535xxxx Thanking you
Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi Yours faithfully
and German Pankaj Das

Extra skills Well versed in computers Bio-Data

Educational Qualifications Name : Pankaj Das

• Passed Class X, CBSE with 92% Gender : Male
• Qualifications Passed Class XII, CBSE with
Father’s Name : Shri Sanjay Das
68%
• B Com (Hons) from Bundelkhand University Data of Birth : 29th May, 19xx
with 72% Marital Status : Unmarried
• M Com from Bundelkhand University with
Current Add. : 95, Dehu Road Pune
62
Contact No. : 982535xxxx
Work Experience
• Worked for 1 year as Trainee Accountant Languages known : Fluent in English, Hindi
with XYZ Company, Gwalior and German
References Extra skills Well versed in computers
• Mr. S.K. Gupta, Principal, XYZ School, Educational Qualifications
Gwalior, Mob. 972353xxxx • Passed Class X, CBSE with 82%
• Dr. R.K. Jain, CMO, Civil Hospital, Gwalior, • Qualifications
Mob. 982455xxxx Passed Class XII, CBSE with 78%
• BSc (Hons) in chemistry from Pune University
18. Pankaj Das of 95, Dehu Road, Pune, sees an
with 77%
advertisement for the post of a supervisor and
decides to apply for the job. The requirements Work Experience
for the job are graduation in any science subject, • Working as Supervisor in Raman Chemist,
knowledge of English and possession of computer Annasandra Palaya, Bengaluru for last three
skills. Write an application along with the biodata years.
in about 120-150 words to the Personnel Manager, Scholarship/Awards
Light Sight Chemists, Dehu Road, Pune. • Scholarship holder in Class XI and XII. Won


Ans : 2005
gold medal in post Graduation for highest
95, Dehu Road score.
Pune
23 July 20xx References
The Personnel Manager • Dr. S.N. Dharwadkar, Head, Dept. of
Light Sight Chemists Chemistry, Pune University
Delhi Road, Pune • Dr. P.C.A. Raghavan, Professor, St. Paul’s
Dear Sir, College, Pune
Subject : Application for the post of Supervisor Date : 23, July 20xx
With reference to your advertisement in the Times Place : Pune
of India dated 22 July 20XX, inviting applications
for the post of supervisor, I wish to apply for the 19. You are Rajan/Rama, living in Ghaziabad.
same. You have just completed your studies and are
I possess strong understanding of office in search of a job. While browsing through the
supervision, and daily transaction with the
Times of India, you came across the following
customers. Currently I am working in a chemist

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Ch 3 : Letters

Bio-Data Bio-Data

Name : Krishna Singh Name : Gunjeet Jain

Gender : Male Father’s Name : Shri Sanjay Das
Father’s Name : Shri Rajesh Singh Data of Birth : 15th October, 19xx
Data of Birth : 19th November, 19xx Marital Status : Unmarried
Marital Status : Unmarried Current Add. : 334, Naraina Vihar,
Current Add. : 13-C/169, Sector 16, New Delhi
Rohini Delhi 85 Contact No. : 993125xxxx
Contact No. : 7756315xxxx Languages known : Hindi, English
Languages known : Hindi, English Extra skills Computer Knowledge

Educational Qualifications Educational Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration from • Passed class 10 with 78%
Delhi University with 80% Marks • Class 12 from National Open School 80%
• Graduation in Hotel Management, Pusa • BBA (IGNOU) with 75%
Institute, Delhi Work Experience
Work Experience • Worked as Supervisor on ad hoc basis at
• Trainee at the Radisson Blue, Delhi. Vistas Enterprise for 2 years
References References
• Mr. L.K. Jha • Mrs. Meena Kaul (CEO), Vistas Enterprise
Professor - Pusa Institute Delhi • Dr. Rahul Goswami (CMD), Sagar Ratna
• Dr. A.K. Dewan
Oncologist - Civil Hospital, Delhi 10. Draft an application for the post of an accountant
in Gurukul Public School that was advertised in
9. During summer months after your exams are the Times of India. Also, include your biodata.
over, you want to utilize your time by working in You are Anil/Anita.
a leading chain of superstores. You are Gunjeet/

Ans : 2008

Gagan. Write an application for the post of a 87 Tandon Road

supervisor giving your complete bio-data to the Sipri Bazar
HR Manager, Apna Ghar, GK Part II, New Delhi. Jhansi


Ans : 2008 13 May 20xx
334, Naraina Vihar The Principal
New Delhi Gurukul Public School
11 April 20xx Jhansi City
The HR Manager Dear Sir,
Apna Ghar Subject : Application for the post of Accountant
GK Part II This is with reference to your advertisement in
New Delhi ‘The Time of India’ dated 10 May for the post
Dear Sir, working of an accountant.
Subject : Application for the post of supervisor Presently I am working at St. Joseph School,
With reference to your advertisement for the post Mission Compound, Jhansi, where I have been
of a supervisor in your company, I would like to working for the last 2 years. I fulfil all the requirements
offer myself as a candidate for the same. If selected, laid down by your esteemed organisation, hence would
I assure you, that I will help the company through like to offer my candidature.
my duties. My biodata is enclosed herewith. I assure you if given a chance I will work with
full devotion, dedication and zeal to uplift the
Yours faithfully standard of the students. I am enclosing my bio-
Gunjeet Jain data for your kind consideration.

Yours faithfully
Anita

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 123

21. Write a letter to the Editor, Deccan Times, Rohini

Bangalore about the inadequate parking facilities Delhi
in the Commercial Street, M.G. Road, which is Dear Sir,
causing a lot of inconvenience to the people. Offer Subject : Control Net Surfing at School
your suggestions. You are Anoop/Ritu, 24 Hennus Our public schools have modernised their
Road, Bangalore. libraries to provide internet surfing facilities to


Ans : 2022 senior students so that they can complete their
24, Hennus Road assignments better and gain knowledge necessary
Bangalore-37 to be well informed and do well in their exams.
10 February, 20xx However, the schools have not introduced much
The Editor, control on the net surfing by students, resulting
Deccan Times in the students wasting their time in entertaining
Bangalore -42 themselves by playing interactive games available
Subject : Inadequate Parking Facility on various sites or watching videos and other
Sir, prohibited material. Actually students should use
With due respect, I wish to say that I Anoop, own the internet mostly for gaining knowledge rather
an electronic shop in the Commercial Street, M.G. than wasting their time merely on entertainment.
Road. There is a good number of shops on both This will also lead to poor performance of such
sides of the street. Every day, huge crowd gathers students in the exams, thus affecting the overall
here for shopping. Many shopkeepers and people reputation of the school concerned.
In this regard, schools must ensure that they
come by their car in the area. Many visitors also
install suitable software programmes which will
come by their car. But the main problem is that
block content like interactive games and other
the parking facility is inadequate, space is less, the
sites which are prohibited. Unless this is done
vehicles are more. This causes great inconvenience
effectively, the whole purpose of providing the
to the people. Shopping in this area has become net facility will be defeated. So the schools should
very difficult, as the passages and by-lanes get control student’s net surfing at school and enable
jammed by vehicles. Besides, too many vehicles them to use the internet fruitfully.
cause too much traffic, which further worsens the Thank you
situation, sometimes by causing accidents even.
An open field adjacent to the commercial area, is Yours faithfully
lying vacant. This can be used as an authorised Raveena
parking place, which will reduce the problem of
parking in the area. 23. You are Akhilesh/Abhilasha of Amar Colony,
I hope the concerned authorities will take this Ghaziabad. The road near your house was washed
matter into consideration without further delay away in the previous monsoon rains and has not
and take an immediate action. been repaired since then. As a result, people living
Thank you in the colony are facing a lot of problems. Write a
Yours faithfully letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national
Ritu Jalota daily drawing the attention of the authorities
concerned to the grave situation in the colony.
22. You are Rajat/Raveena, a resident of Gwalior.
You feel students should use the Internet mostly
for gaining knowledge rather than wasting time
merely on entertainment. Write a letter in 120-
150 words to the Editor of The Economic Times
pointing out how schools can control students
net surfing at school and enable them to use the
Internet fruitfully.


Ans : 2021

M-71, Gokuldham Colony

Gwalior
2 March 20xx
The Editor
The Economic Times

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Ch 3 : Letters

Ans : 2021
Subject : Faulty and fraudulent advertisement
Amar Colony about education abroad
Ghaziabad Through the columns of your esteemed daily I
15 June 20xx would like to bring to your kind notice the fact
The Editor that I came across an advertisement, concerning
The Times of India education abroad, in the Telegraph. The ad read,
Ghaziabad “The BTN Sussex University in collaboration
Dear Sir, with its Indian counterpart offers the first year
Subject : Repair of colony road before monsoon of study in India and three subsequent years in
season the U.K.” In good faith, I joined the above course
I want to draw your attention to the poor civic and spent 10,00,000. But, it was proved that it
facilities in our city. The main road of our colony was a fraud ad and I was trapped unfortunately.
has been in miserable condition for a long time Such advertisements are now befooling students
and nobody paid attention to it to date. at random.
In the last monsoon season, the road was I would, therefore, request the attention of
badly damaged due to heavy rains and was almost the public and education authorities concerned to
wiped out. The water was clogged there for hours take drastic action against the false ads.
and nobody tried to clear it. As a result, it is left
full of ditches and deep pot holes and the vehicles Yours faithfully
like bikes and cars can’t move smoothly. There is Renu Sharma
always a danger of accidents and loss of life.
Through you I would like to draw the attention 25. As a citizen of Delhi, you find that the
of the authorities concerned about the unhygienic Government’s odd-even formula did not reduce
and uncomfortable living conditions of our colony. the pollution to the extent that it helped in the
I also request them to get the road repaired. de-congestion of the traffic on the roads. It was a
Thank you. laudable effort nevertheless. Write a letter to the
Editor of a national daily expressing your views
Yours faithfully
on the initiative. Also give suggestions on how
Akhilesh
vehicular pollution on Delhi roads can be reduced.
24. You are Renu of 334, Kirti Nagar. You have You are Tina/Tarun Gautam of 14, Barakhamba
just come across an advertisement concerning Road. New Delhi.
education abroad.

Ans : 2019

14, Barakhamba Road

The BTN Sussex University in collaboration New Delhi 110001
with its Indian counterpart offers the first year 4 April 20xx
of study in India and the three subsequent years The Editor
in the UK. The Times of India
You joined the above course. Despite having spent Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
a substantial amount, you haven’t been able to New Delhi 110002
proceed to the UK for your studies. Write a letter Dear Sir,
in 120-150 words to the editor of a newspaper Subject : Odd-Even formula
drawing attention of the public and the education Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
authorities to such advertisements which befool I would like to state that the implementation of
students. Suggest measures which could be taken the government’s odd-even formula was a short-
up against unscrupulous vendors of education. term successful effort so far as de-congestion of


Ans : 2020
Delhi roads was concerned. People did go for
334, Kirti Nagar ride-sharing and made use of whatever public
Delhi transport facility was available (Delhi metros
25 November 20xx were bursting at the seams).
The Editor But, at the same time, I feel that this policy
The Times of India had too many minuses. Public transport was not
New Delhi geared to cope with the excess load. Taxi and auto
fares shot up. The Delhi government overlooked
Dear Sir,
the pollution-causing vehicles-the buses, trucks,

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 125

tempos and two wheelers. Yours faithfully

As corrective measures, I would like to Bhavjeet Kaur
suggest that pollution causing vehicles should be
heavily penalized, sale and registration of new 27. You are Sunanda of 7, South Extension, New Delhi.
vehicles controlled, pollution checks enforced Write a letter to the editor of a national daily
strictly and a long-term practical planning be put expressing your concern over the rising exodus
in place. Only then Delhiites will breathe easy in of people from neighbouring states. Express your
a pollution-free city. apprehensions and give a few suggestions about
the issue.
Yours faithfully

Ans : 2018

Tina Gautam 7, South Extension

New Delhi
26. You are Bhavjeet Kaur of 25/A, Defence Colony, 8 June 20xx
New Delhi. You are deeply concerned about the The Editor
growing apathy of people towards eve-teasing The Hindu
in local buses. Write a letter to the editor of a New Delhi
newspaper expressing your concern and suggesting Dear Sir,
ways in which are women can ensure their own Subject : Exodus from Neighbouring States
safety. The recent exodus of people in large numbers


Ans : 2019 from neighbouring states has created an alarming
25/A, Defence Colony situation. The long queues everywhere is not only
New Delhi frustrating but also unmanageable. It is a great
7 February 20xx stress on the infrastructure and resources available
The Editor in metropolitan cities. People come to the cities
The Hindu in search of employment, medical facilities or
M.G. Road educational opportunities. There is mushroom
New Delhi growth of slums wherever some construction takes
Dear Sir, place. The unskilled workers land up in creating
Subject : Concern over eve-teasing law and order problems. The number of thefts,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, murders and arson is increasing alarmingly.
I wish to express my concern over the increasing It is high time that the Central and the state
eve-teasing in local buses. governments took adequate steps to check this
Every day we come across tragic incidents of exodus. It is the responsibility of the governments
eve-teasing and at times women are thrown out to provide proper education and equip the health
of moving buses and they are grievously injured. centres and hospitals with the best facilities
The worst situation is when the onlookers turn a available. The fair and advanced standard of
blind eye to the situation. education which is available in big cities should be
It is a matter of grave concern that the provided in smaller towns also so that when one
general public is becoming insensitive to the leaves the native place, one is capable enough to
security of women and young girls. People need to contribute to its development rather than be a
be more sensitive to women’s security as they are compulsive burden. The governments have the
an integral part of the society. It has been rightly resources to check the exodus. They can strengthen
said that the society where women are respected, the state governments by providing financial help.
progresses better. Such steps will not only reduce the burden on city
Women themselves should be aware of their infrastructure and resources, it will also make life
security and respect. They need to learn martial better and safer for all.
arts or self-defence techniques. The latest defence
Yours faithfully
techniques, such as pepper spray or chilli powder,
Sunanda
should be kept handy. They should be dressed up
in comfortable mode which doesn’t obstruct their 28. You are Anushka/Amit staying at A-23/1, Ashok
safety. They should shout for help and immediately Nagar, Delhi. You find it disturbing that despite
react to the situation. a ban on smoking in public places, people are
I am sure that my views will find some space
seen smoking in cities. It shows a lack of civic
in your reputable newspaper.
sense in the people. Write a letter to the editor

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Ch 3 : Letters

of a national daily expressing your concern about Subject : Train accident

indifference of people to their own as well as Watching a train accident is probably the worst
others’ health. It is harmful to the environment experience of life. Last week I witnessed a horrible
too. Suggest some ways to sensitize city dwellers train accident when the Rajdhani Express was
about the safe environment. rushing through the outer signal at Faridabad


Ans : 2018 and collided with a local passenger train. It
A-23/1 all happened before me and, in a moment, the
Ashok Nagar peaceful track turned into a turmoil of cries,
Delhi shouts and people running helter skelter.
11 July 20xx Soon, the spot became overcrowded with
The Editor ambulances and police. The doors of two
The Times of India compartments were blocked and couldn’t be
New Delhi opened. Passengers inside were crying out of
Dear Sir desperation and suffering. The gas cutters were
Subject : Smoking-a serious health hazard brought in and with great difficulty the injured
Through the columns of your reputable passengers were taken out. People were also seen
newspaper, I would like to attract the attention helping one another. The injured were rushed
of the general public to the menace of smoking. to hospital. Soon, the accident was flashed on
Recently, government imposed a ban on smoking television and I came to know that thirty persons
in public places, yet people can be seen flouting died while more than fifty were injured. It was
really a tragic accident and the Railways must do
the rules without caring for others or themselves.
all to avoid such unfortunate accidents.
Smoking kills not only the smoker but the persons
Yours faithfully
around him/her too. Such a callous attitude of
Nitin Chawla
people shows a lack of civic sense and indifference
towards their environment. A smoker harms 30. Write a letter to the editor of The Hindu about
others who inhale smoke as passive smokers. rash and reckless driving, suggesting preventive
When people smoke they present a bad measures. You are Neha/Nehal living at B-3/345
example before others. Smoking is really a bad Sector 8, Defence Colony, New Delhi.
habit that must be quit at the earliest. People

Ans : 2017
need to be more aware of its harm. B-3/345 Sector 8
Anti-smoking posters and banners should be Defence Colony
put up across the city. Stricter action should be
New Delhi
taken against the offenders.
25 August 20xx
I hope the readers would realize the harm of
The Editor
smoking and quit the bad habit.
The Hindu
Yours faithfully 3rd Floor
Amit Milap Bhavan
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
29. You saw a train accident last week when a train
Delhi
collided with another train while changing the
Dear Sir,
track. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the
Subject : Rash and Reckless Driving on Roads of
editor of a national newspaper describing the
Delhi
accident. You are Nitin/Riya Chawla of Sewa
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I
Kutir, Pankha Road, Faridabad.
want to highlight the dangers of rash and reckless


Ans : 2017
driving in Delhi. Death stalks on Delhi roads in
III, Sewa Kutir
the shape of reckless drivers who do not value
Pankha Road
human life.
Faridabad
The worst criminals are teenagers and spoiled
17 June 20xx
children of the neo-rich. Power and wealth rules
The Editor them making them throw caution and rules of the
The Hindustan Times roads to winds. Money, Power and influence save
New Delhi them and they go scot-free. DTC drivers and bus
Dear Sir, drivers also excel in crushing and killing people

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 127

on roads. This is because they want to have more arguments resulting in injuries or, in some extreme
prospective passengers from others. The greed, cases, even death.
the show-off has caused so many untimely deaths. Road rage in most cases is due to lack of
I suggest certain measures that may help in traffic sense, impatience or excessive speed to
curbing rash and reckless driving on Delhi Roads. name a few. Children, below 18 years of age, drive
Licences should be issued only after thorough their bikes at flying speeds. Their excitement
tests and screenings. Secondly, the DTC should results in accidents. Everyone cringes about road
take periodic tests and training of its drivers. accidents but never realizes that these happen
Constant patrolling by the traffic police can put due to their own carelessness. Be it an adult or a
a reasonable check on this menace. Last but not teenager, everyone wants to move speedily, hardly
least, the authorities concerned should launch a caring for the life of others. Even the traffic police
sustained campaign to promote road culture. become helpless when it comes to traffic control.
It’s high time authorities concerned took
Yours faithfully steps to control road rage problems. People
Neha should be made aware of the traffic rules so that
people follow them faithfully. If not, then hefty
31. You are perturbed to read about the rising cases of fines must be imposed. A growing country needs
road rage in the National Capital. People become to be a safe country. Hope my letter would find a
so aggressive and violent that an argument results suitable place in your newspaper.
in injuries or, in some extreme cases, even death. Thanking you
Write a letter in 120-150 words to the Editor Yours faithfully
of a daily to make the public aware of the need Anvita
to curb such behaviour to make roads safer for
the people. You are Anvita/Anmol, a resident of 32. You are Pushpit/Pushpa Pandey of 62 B, Mayur
Ashok Nagar, New Delhi. Vihar, Delhi. Write a letter to the editor of the
Hindustan Times about ‘Misuse of Computers,
TV and Mobile Phones by Children’.


Ans : 2016

62 13, Mayur Vihar

Delhi
26 May 20xx
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Subject : Misuse of Computers, TV and Mobile


Ans : 2016
Phones by Children
25A, Ashok Nagar
I wish to draw the attention of your readers to an
New Delhi
important issue of our times. That we are in the
25 October 20xx
age of electronics, is fortunate, but at the same
The Editor
time we should make sure that the electronic gifts
The Hindustan Times
are not misused, especially by our children.
KG Marg
Computers, TV and mobile phones are
Delhi inevitable in modern life but their uncontrolled
Dear Sir, use can be disastrous. We are all aware of the harm
Subject : Rising menace of Road Rage TV can cause to the values, culture preferences
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, and even morals of our youngsters. All kinds of
I want to draw attention of the authorities entertainments and information is available on
concerned and the masses in general to reckless TV.
and rash driving. It is highly perturbing to read We have to be judicious in what we allow our
about the cases of road rage in the Capital. children to watch.
Nowadays, the level of aggression has reached Similarly, if computers are used only for
its peak. Minor altercations lead to heated playing games, social networking and visiting

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Ch 3 : Letters

Extra skills Well versed in Areas of Expertise :

computers • Library Management
• Social Studies
Teaching Experience :
Work Experience • Librarian at DPS, Madurai 2017 to Present
• Currently working with Glory Public School Education :
since two years. • M.Lib from Madurai University, 2010
• Worked in D.P.S., Sec 43, Gurugram for three • B.Lib from Madurai University, 2007
years.
Scholarship/Awards 3. You have seen an advertisement in a national
• Scholarship holder in Class XI and XII. Won newspaper for the post of Senior Teacher in
gold medal in post Graduation for highest English at Sunrise Global School, Noida. You
score. are Karuna, M-114, Mall Road, Delhi. You are
MA (English), B.Ed. from Delhi University and
References
yet to have any teaching experience. Write a job
• Mr. R.K. Sharma, Principal, D.P.S.
application in 120-150 words to the principal.
Gurugram, 951234xxxx

Ans : 2011
• Dr. Shoma Chatterjee, HOD Chemistry M 114,
Dept., Ramjas Colg., Delhi, 981880xxxxx Mall Road,
2. Write a letter in about 120-150 words for the Delhi
post of the Librarian in Vision Senior Secondary 1 March, 20xx
School, Calicut. Also, enclose your Bio-data with The Principal,
it. You are Radhika/Rajeev from 21, Cherry Sunrise Global School,
Road, Madurai. Noida


Ans : 2021
Subject : Job Application for English Teacher
21, Cherry Road This refers to your advertisement in the Hindustan
Madurai Times, dated 28 February 20xx for the vacancy of
May 15, 20xx Senior English Teacher post in your school. I wish
The Director to apply for the same. I have done M.A. (English)
Vision Senior Secondary School and B.Ed. from Delhi University. I have enclosed
Calicut my detailed bio-data with this letter.
Subject: Application for the post of librarian Although I do not have prior work experience, I
Sir, assure you that I shall give my hundred percent to
With reference to the advertisement for situation my profession and work to your full satisfaction.
vacant for a librarian in your esteemed institute I hope you shall consider my application for
given in The HT on May 10, 20xx, I am interested interview.
in the job. I am a professional librarian with 5 Thank you
years’ experience. I have done M. Lib in first class.
Yours faithfully
Currently I am working at DPS, Madurai. Given
Karuna Singh
the opportunity, I will work according to your
End. Bio-data
expectations. I am attaching my detailed resume
with this letter. Looking forward to hearing from Bio-Data
you.
Name : Karuna Singh
Yours truly,
Rajeev Gender : Female
Bio-Data Father’s Name : Mr. Jayant Singh
Name : Rajeev Sharma Date of Birth : 20 March 1982
Address : 21, Cherry Road, Madurai
Marital Status : Unmaried
Objective : Resourceful and highly competent
individual seeking a teaching position in a reputed Current Add. : M 114, Mall Road,
educational organization where my skills will be Delhi
a great advantage in the student’s development. Contact No. : 919144xxxx

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 129

The Editor harmful germs. Due to the negligence of the

Times of India authorities the entire locality is living in fear that
Delhi epidemic may break any time now.
Dear Sir, Despite many requests to the officers of
Subject : Undue burden of school bags the Municipal Corporation, the ground has not
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper been cleared and dried off for a very long time.
I would like to draw the attention of the authorities Children and adults are still exposed to multiple
concerned to the burden of heavy school bags the diseases because of unhygienic conditions within
children are compelled to carry. the locality.
The burden is uncalled for as certain books The situation needs to be checked soon as it
are not even taught from but the teachers insists is hazardous for everyone’s health. I wish that the
that child must carry everything. The load is much authorities will pay heed to our urgent requests
higher than their physical strength and can have and take remedial action immediately.
lasting effect on their health. When imparting Thank you
education is not solely dependent on books and Yours sincerely
notebooks then why to carry heavy bags. Renu
Psychologists and NCERT have evolved games
and methods of stress free learning without books. 37. As a regular commuter by bus from Noida to
This ought to be coupled with the optimum use of Delhi, you have been witnessing rash driving
computers. by the bus drivers daily without an exception.
Tangible changes in the technique, innovative Write a letter to the Editor, ‘The Times of India’
methods of the teachers will go a long way in drawing the attention of the General Manager,
helping these little children. Delhi Transport Corporation to this problem.
Yours faithfully You are Priti/Prakash, 15, Udyog Vihar, Noida.
Srikant

Ans : 2013

15, Udyog Vihar

36. Write a letter the Editor, ‘The Hindu’ about Noida
the mosquito menace due to stagnant water in 1st October, 20xx
your locality. Give suggestions to improve the The Editor
situation. You are Raman/Renu, living in Rajaji The Times of India
Nagar, Tiruneveli. Delhi


Ans : 2014
Subject : Rash driving by bus drivers
Rajaji Nagar
Sir,
Tiruneveli
Through the medium of the columns of your
9 March, 20xx
esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention
The Editor
of the General Manager of the Delhi Transport
The Hindu
Corporation towards the rash driving of bus
New Delhi
drivers from Noida to Delhi.
Subject : Mosquito Menace in the Locality I am a regular commuter from Noida to Delhi
Sir, and have been witnessing rash driving by the
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, bus drivers without an exception. These reckless
I wish to draw the attention of the concerned drivers carelessly endanger the lives of so many
authority towards the mosquito menace in our people on a daily basis. They flout all traffic rules,
locality. jump red lights, do not adhere to speed limits
I am a resident of Ram Vilas Society, which is etc. They need to be issued very stern warnings
situated in one of the poshest localities of Rajaji with immediate effect. The Delhi Transport
Nagar. However, due to lack of maintenance, the Corporation needs to take stringent action against
locality has lost its charm. One of the empty plots these drivers. Despite repeated pleas and warnings
has, by default, become the garbage dumping by various passengers, these drivers have turned
ground. a deaf ear to the passengers’ pleas and continue
In addition, the heavy down pour last month with their rash driving. The General Manager of
let a lot of water get accumulated in the ground. the Delhi Transport Corporation needs to take
The unattended garbage and the stagnant water immediate action and if required cancel the
has resulted in breeding of mosquitoes and other driving licences of non-compliant drivers.

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Ch 3 : Letters

I hope you will publish my letter in your 39. After passing the secondary school examination,
esteemed newspaper so that this matter is brought a candidate has to make a very difficult choice
to the attention of the concerned authority. from a number of streams available to him for
Yours sincerely further studies at senior secondary level. There
Prakash is no valid mechanism to assess the suitability
of a candidate for a particular stream. The
38. You have realised the necessity of education and aggregate percentage is deemed sufficient to
financial independence of women for their family, decide the stream of a candidate. Write a letter
society and in turn for the nation. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily emphasizing the
to the Editor, ‘The National Times’ highlighting need for educational counsellors for guidance in
your ideas on the importance of education of this matter in each school. You are Rishi Negi of
women leading to a better status for them. You Koregaon, Pune, Maharashtra.
are Tarun/Taruna, B-7/9, Mall Road, Delhi (120-

Ans : 2012

150 words) 23-C, Koregaon

Ans : 2013 Pune
B-7/9 Maharashtra
Mall Road, 10 October 20xx
Delhi The Editor
June 20, 20xx The Times of India
The Editor Pune
The HT Sir,
Phase 3 Subject : Need to have educational counsellors for
City the guidance of students
Subject : Importance of education of women Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
Sir, I wish to emphasize the need of having educational
I am writing to your good self to express my views counsellors in each school for students who have
on the importance of women education. The just cleared class X Boards.
nation is working concertedly to eliminate gender After passing class X, a candidate has to make
discrimination, inequality, injustice against a very difficult choice from a number of streams
women, etc. True women empowerment can only and a plethora of subject combinations available
be achieved through girls’ education. to him at the senior school level. There is no valid
All social evils, discrimination, inequality, mechanism to assess the candidate’s suitability for
low literacy among girl children, female foeticide, a particular stream except for aggregate percentage
etc. can only be stopped through girls’ education. in the board exams. So he and his parents get
Empowering girl child with education is the only extremely confused and often make wrong choices
panacea. An educated girl will have the power to due to societal and peer pressure without taking
make her dreams come true. Only an educated into account the student’s aptitude and interest.
girl can earn her own living and free in true sense. The right choice at this level can help lay the right
India is a fast developing country. The goal foundation for a sound career in the future.
of complete advancement is not possible until Appointing educational counsellors should be
each and every Indian becomes not only highly made mandatory as it will prove beneficial for all.
educated but also highly skilled. This task can only I hope the matter is brought to the notice of
be accomplished with the women’s education and the concerned authorities and they can initiate timely
contributions. It is possible through education of action to help the students and parents avoid pitfalls.
women only. So, empowering women with education Yours faithfully
is the best investment a nation can make! Rishi Negi
Through the columns of your esteemed daily,
I appeal to the Government and the people to 40. Local authorities have neglected two major parks
promote women’s education to really empower in your area. They have virtually been taken over
them and bring their status on par with men. by undesirable elements. As a result, residents
Thanking you. have stopped visiting the parks. Write a letter in
120-150 words to the editor of a local newspaper
Yours truly, expressing your concern about the problems the
Tarun neglect has created and suggest measures to

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 131

reclaim the parks for children. You are Gautam/

Gauri of 2, Krishna Enclave, Meerut.


Ans : 2012

2, Krishna Enclave,
Meerut-19
31st August, 20xx
The Editor
The Morning Chronicle
31, MG Road,
Meerut-01
Subject : Utter Neglect of the Two Main Parks in
the Locality
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I
would like to draw the attention of the concerned
authorities and express my concerns regarding the
problems arising due to utter neglect of the two
main parks in Krishna Enclave both of which are
visible from my house.
The caretaker and gardener assigned by the
horticulture department are inefficient in doing
their jobs. As a result, the trees, grass as well
as the bushes remain untrimmed. The garden
too is not properly tended to because of which
there aren’t many flowers to please our senses.
Needless to say, the local authorities have failed
to do their duties of looking after the two main
parks, and now they have virtually been taken
over by undesirable elements, who are often seen
involved in substance abuse. Many residents have
complained about the nuisance they create for
the park-goers under the influence of alcohol.
However, no action has been taken against these
anti-social elements. These parks used to be a
sight for the sore eyes because they were so well
maintained and beautiful. I regret to inform you
that because of the above mentioned reasons the
residents have stopped going to the park.
The concerned authorities must take adequate
action immediately to restore the two main parks
of Krishna Enclave to their old glory. It must hire
responsible people to tend to the parks and the
gardens and keep a check on their maintenance by
paying surprise visits. They should appoint two
security guards on 24x7 basis who must be alert
on duty. Only then the undesirable elements will
be prevented from entering the parks.
I hope I have been able to put my concerns
and views across in this letter and that required
actions will be taken by the concerned authorities
at the earliest.
Thank you

Yours sincerely
Gautam Pradhan

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Ch 4 : Article

CHAPTER 4

Article

1. introduction 3. Format of an article

A written item for a newspaper or magazine on An article must adhere to the prescribed format.
a certain topic is called an article. It is a piece The format of an article is as mentioned below:
of writing written for a large audience. It is an
expression of one’s thought on an issue or a subject Title/Heading
logically and coherently written in meaningful Byline
paragraphs. It may be the topics of interest of the Introduction ....................................................
writer or it may be related to some current issues. ..........................................................................
It like having a direct discussion with the reader, ..........................................................................
in reality. It’s essential to have a clear purpose for
each article. Development of Topic .....................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
2. elements of an Article
The essential parts of an article are as follows: Summing-up .....................................................
1. Title/Heading : Make the title/heading eye- ..........................................................................
catching. It should illustrate the theme of the ..........................................................................
article.
Conclusion .......................................................
2. Byline : The name given in the question is to
..........................................................................
be used. If the name is not given, then write
..........................................................................
XYZ/ABC, etc.
3. Introduction : Put the topic in a proper
perspective. Relevant facts and statistics
should be stated along with quotations.
4. points to remember
4. Development of Topic : Various aspects of
the topic including merits/ demerits, causes/ General points to be remembered while writing
reasons, effects/results, positive/negative an article are as follows :
points, etc., should be discussed. 1. Read and understand carefully the hints/
5. Summing-up : This should include your information given in the question.
opinion, comments, recommendations, steps 2. Arrange all hints/information in the order
to be taker/suggestions, solutions, etc. you want them to develop.
6. Conclusion : An article should be concluded 3. If necessary, divide your article into several
with hope/warning, making an appeal or call paragraphs. All of the sentences in the
for an action. paragraphs should logically lead to the
article’s objective.
4. The whole composition should not be
disjointed or fragmented. Every sentence
should be linked with the rest into a single
whole.
5. The first few sentences should introduce
the topic and its central idea. The middle

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 133

paragraph should focus on the topic’s main

IMPORTANT QUESTION

facts, such as causes and effects, benefits and
drawbacks, and so on. The final few sentences 1. India is emerging as one of the most popular
should provide a conclusion to the topic. tourist destinations in the world. The number
6. Language must be simple and grammatically of tourists has definitely picked up after the
correct. It should be direct, to the point, and pandemic. The bar graph given below shows the
objective. criteria or parameters that play a decisive role
for a foreign visitor in choosing and finalizing the
7. Articles are generally written in third person.
country where he is going to spend his money
and time. The government of India is making


 sustained efforts in projecting India as a great
tourist destination but the citizens also need to
understand their duties. Utilising this bar graph,
write an article on “India as the popular choice of
foreign visitors” as Lakshya Sen.

Ans : 2022

India-The Evergreen Choice of Tourists

By Lakshya Sen
India is the chosen destination for the tourists all
over the world. FTAs from Bangladesh, the US,
UK top the list. From Russia to Europe to South
Asia our tourist industry today is seeing a new
influx. There’s a vigour in its promotion. However,
some factors hinder its growth too like pollution,
crimes against foreign tourists and our own lack
of respect towards our collective heritage.
The government is leaving no stone unturned
in mitigating these impediments but it is also the
responsibility of every citizen to strengthen the
efforts of the ASI, NGOs and government bodies
to showcase and promote the rich cultural and
geographical diversity of India.
To ease the arrival of visitors to India, the
Indian government offers e-visa facility for a
period of ninety to up to 180 days at a time. An
e-visa can be obtained twice in a single calendar
year.
ASI has identified 100 monuments to be
developed as Model Monuments. These monuments
would be provided with necessary tourist facilities
including Wi-Fi, security, signage, encroachment-

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Ch 4 : Article

13. Deepak/Deepa has been involved as a student of energy and much more. We are dependent on
volunteer in the ‘Adult Literacy Drive’ and has energy for almost everything in our life. We must
been working in the slums for the last six months. use all the resources judiciously and efficiently.
He/She has to write an article in about 120-150 One must practise sustainable development which
words on the ‘Need for a Literate Nation’. teaches that development should take place


Ans : 2011 without harming the needs of future generations.
Need for a Literate Nation We must do our bit to add to conservation of
By Deepak energy. There are many ways to conserve energy.
It depends on the kind of choice we make to help
There are no two views about the fact that if a us save our environment and help the coming
nation has to grow exponentially the one and the generations. There are many ways such as turning
only requirement is the literacy rate. Literacy is off electrical appliances when not in use, using
not something that should be a choice it has to be public transport instead of personal vehicles or
the necessity and nation’s priority. It is the only choosing to walk, use air conditioners only when
tool to fight backwardness and poverty. required. Every year we celebrate ‘Earth Hour’
The well-known lawyer, Nani Palkiwala also that is a great initiative to save energy at a global
mentioned that if a nation has to progress it needs level. Even the climatic changes depend on all
to be literate. If one decides to put a check on these resources, minerals, etc. Conserving energy
population, then also literacy is needed. Visit will keep changes in environment balanced. So the
to the slums reiterates this view all the more. mantra should be ‘Save energy, save earth’.
Increasing number of children does not mean In short, our small acts will help in making
more working hands it means more mouths to environment a better and safer place to live in.
feed. This has to be explained and it can only be For maintaining and living a better life, start
understood by a literate mind. Every now and conservation of energy right now.
then leaderships insists on the need of literacy
and many programmes have been initiated time 15. You are extremely disturbed by the growing
and again. Adult literacy programme, mid-day crime against the elderly people in your city.
meal, and free education for girls till class 10, etc. Write an article commenting upon the reasons for
have been introduced to promote literacy in the such crimes and how one can prevent them. Sign
country. yourself as Khoshali Bhardwaj.
We all, as aware citizens, know that nothing

Ans : 2010
is more important than literacy and it should be Growing Crime against Elderly People-
our priority
Reasons and Prevention
14. Recently you got a chance to participate in a week- By Khoshali Bhardwaj
long workshop on ‘Energy Conservation’. By the Almost daily we come across reports about the
end of the workshop, you were much enlightened murder of elderly people. About 17% of our
about the need and ways of conserving energy. population comprises elderly people. Changing
Write an article titled ‘Energy Conservation: family structures and withering away of the joint
the need of the hour’. You are Amrit/Annie family system have forced most of the senior
of Sarvodya Vidyalaya No. 1, Kanpur, Uttar citizens to live alone-unprotected and uncared for.
Pradesh. They are left alone to fend for themselves in their


Ans : 2010 old age when they are in utmost need of care,
love and support. They are generally left alone
Energy Conservation: The Need of the Hour
at the mercy of domestic servants. The infirmity
By Amrit
and sickness associated with old age makes them
Everyone is familiar with the words ‘energy hapless dependents on servants.
conservation’ which means an act of saving Criminals take advantage of this and other
energy by various means. In other words, to save shortcomings and make them their soft targets.
energy we need to cut down on our electricity With the motive of theft and robbery, they break
usage. Scientists have assumed that in the coming into their houses and murder them.
years all the resources are going to be exhausted. Unverified entries of plumbers, electricians,
Energy conservation is a very important part domestic help, etc. make the elderly soft targets
of energy planning. This is because it saves energy as their routine is easy to track.
resources for future, avoids wasteful utilization These crimes can be prevented. The police

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 135

the world. The death rate due to starvation can cause you to commit a traffic violation, or
has increased immensely. We human beings are even injure a pedestrian.
solely responsible for bringing this calamity There is a thumb rule that can help you keep
upon us. We pollute our planet in many ways. a safe distance while travelling the roads. It is
Deforestation, industrial pollution, toxic wastes, called the “Two Second Rule’: Following a vehicle
vehicular pollution and lack of greenery are the too closely is called “Tailgating”. Use the two-
chief causes of imbalance in the ecosystem. The second rule to determine a safe following distance.
urgent need of the hour is that each one of us take Select a fixed object on the road ahead such as
steps to save the planet in every possible way. We a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead
should protect our forests, save fuel, plant trees, of you passes the object, count “one-thousand-
take care of toxic pollutants, conserve water and one, one-thousand-two.” You should not reach the
change our life style. object before you count to one thousand-two. If
Awareness programmes must be launched by you do, you are following too closely. Most rear
the students and NGOs to make people aware of end collisions are caused by the vehicle in the
environmental problems. The public should avoid back following too closely.
the use of polythene bags. All of us must strive
hard to save our beautiful planet for the future 6. Does getting more degrees really help in getting
generations. employment in this fast competitive scene of
unemployment? Describe your views in an article
in 120-150 words. You are Megha/Mayur.


Ans : 2018

Relevance of Degrees in Competitive World

By Megha
Education is the core necessity of a human being
and everybody wants to be highly educated after
5. Accidents happen when people violate traffic rules. getting degrees with the dream to succeed in the
Careless drivers cause suffering to themselves and world. Nowadays, our youth are facing a very
to others. Write an article in 120-150 words on highly competitive world when the question of
“Safe Driving”. employment comes to them. While opening the


Ans : 2019 pages of newspapers, we come across a number
Safe Driving of advertisements promising degrees in even a
By XYZ short span of time. They make us believe that
There are many ideas and laws that are created to their degree is the only solution to the problem
ensure a safe and pleasurable driving experience. of unemployment and it will open the gate of
Some are avoiding aggressive drivers, alertness success for the degree holders. Of course, they
while driving, and following vehicle distance, promise a degree like B tech., BBA, BCA, MBA
vehicle speed, and special driving situations. and MCA but soon our young students realize
One of the many factors in remaining safe on the bitter truth that such degrees do not lead
the roads is the ability to control your emotions to employment and one has to face the devil of
and your stress. Some drivers do not know how unemployment after getting such degrees.
to deal with stress. This emotion can hinder the Commercialization of higher education is also
ability to drive safely and ensure safety on the responsible for such non-employable pass-outs
roads. If you encounter a vehicle who is driving as they lack due reputation with the companies
recklessly and constantly following, the best thing that offer employment. Take any big name, their
to do is to avoid a confrontation, to reduce speed employability aspect is difficult to realize. After
and allow him to overtake your vehicle. Do not getting degrees the youth have to enter once again
provoke the driver, just let them pass. the battlefield of a competitive world and crack the
Accident are avoidable, all it takes is to be competition once again finding themselves on par
aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to with all other aspirants.
what you are doing. Cell phones and radios are
common distractions while in a motor vehicle. If 7. There is a vast pool of women talent in our country.
you must use a mobile device, ensure that you Given encouragement and opportunities, women
have a hands free accessory for it. If not, pull over can excel in every field. They are contributing
and make your call. Never try to understand or to the nation’s progress as scientists, doctors,
navigate a map while operating a vehicle. This entrepreneurs, sports persons, etc. There is no

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Ch 4 : Article

limit to what they can achieve. Write an article in travelling or going on a vacation so much fun and
120-150 words on “Women Empowerment”. You entertaining? It is so probably because being at
are Ram/Roma. new places allows one to learn about new cultures,


Ans : 2017 lifestyles, languages, experience new things,
make new memories, try new cuisines, etc. One
Women Empowerment is intrigued no doubt, when one comes face to
By Ram Jain face with the vast diversity, which one way or the
With the slogan of women empowerment the other unites the world. A wise person once said
question arises that “have women become really that it’s not the destination that matters. It is
strong?” and “has long term struggle ended?”. always the journey made to reach the destination
Many programmes have been implemented and that matters the most. How profound!
run by the government such as International
Women’s day, Mother’s Day, etc. in order to 9. You are Preeti/Pranay. You feel that India,
bring awareness in the society about the true with its rich and varied heritage, linguistic and
rights and value of the women in the development cultured diversity, is an excellent destination for
of the nation. Women need to be progressed in tourism. Promoting tourism will surely promote
a number of spheres. There is a high level of our economy. Write an article titled, ‘Promoting
gender inequality in India where women are ill- Tourism is Promoting Ourselves’, in 120-150
treated by their family members and outsiders. words, specifying the advantages of promoting
The percentage of illiterate population in India is tourism and how it can be accomplished.
mostly covered by the women. The real meaning

Ans : 2015
of the women empowerment is to make them well
Promoting Tourism is Promoting Ourselves
educated and leave them free so that they can be
By Pranav
capable to take their own decisions in any field.
Given chance they are capable of achieving Tourism plays a vital role in the economic
great heights and being equal to their male development of a country. It is the second largest
counterparts. The ratio of female sex and female foreign exchange earner for India. The tourism
literacy both has increased over the time and industry employs a large number of skilled as well
should continue like this. India needs to take some as unskilled persons. It also promotes national
advance steps to improve the position of women integration and international brotherhood. Thus
in the society through the proper health, higher we should promote it for our own benefit.
education and economic participation. Women India has fascinated people from all over the
empowerment needs to take full speed in right world with its secularism and culture. There are
direction instead of being in nascent stage. historical monuments, places of religious interest,
beaches and hill resorts that attract tourists.
8. Visiting new places and meeting new people Every region is identified by its handicrafts, folk
enhance our understanding and knowledge dances, music, fair, people, etc. Bounded by the
besides being a source of great pleasure. Write an Himalayan mountain ranges in the north by the
article in 120-150 words on ‘Travel, a Source of Arabian Sea, Indian ocean and the Bay of Bengal
Knowledge and Pleasure. You are Gopal/Govindi. on the other three sides, it can give a delightful


Ans : 2016 experience to the tourist. The enchanting
backwaters, hill stations and landscapes make
Travel, a Source of Knowledge and Pleasure
India a beautiful country to visit.
By Gopal The government’s Department of Tourism
Some might say that they detest travelling because promotes international and domestic tourism
it leaves them completely wearied and irritated. in the country. The tourism advisory board
However, there are others who beg to differ. They recommends measures for promotion of tourist
believe that travel, most certainly, is a source of traffic to India. However, international tourism
pleasure as well as knowledge, and that is why, has been adversely affected by tourism as well as
they enjoy their vacation to the fullest. pollution, Sincere efforts to combat such problems
One cannot deny that visiting new places and are required to further develop this industry.
meeting new people enhances one’s understanding Thus, tourism, one of the fastest growing
and knowledge and at the same time lets one industries today, plays a vital role in the economic
unwind from his/her daily routine. Travelling is development of our country. By promoting
a great stress buster as it entertains one, thus tourism, are will be promoting ourselves.
rejuvenating one to his/her core. But, why is

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 137

10. You had to appear for your Maths Tutorial on 7th with the open display of wealth by the former, the
of May this year and were travelling by one of the latter feel crime is the shortest and surest way to
local buses. You were stuck in a traffic jam. Write achieve the same goals. Movies romanticise the
an article stating your experience and expressing bad and the ugly side of life, adding fuel to the
your concern over the growing vehicular traffic on fire. People themselves break laws by not getting
the roads and its ill effects. their servants or tenants verified or by turning a


Ans : 2014 blind eye to the wrongdoings.
The city is acquiring a bad reputation. Where
Growing Vehicular Traffic on the Roads and once only selected areas were considered unsafe,
Its Ill Effects now the whole city is vulnerable.
By Arvind The government needs to take strict action
The growing vehicular traffic jam on the roads against the recalcitrant police officers and those
has been a grave cause of concern in recent times. who block the course of justice. Judgements in
I will focus on this burning issue that demands criminal cases must be swift and harsh. People
the attention of all. must realise that they also have the responsibility
Due to vehicular traffic jams on the roads of keeping crime at bay. It is only when everyone
and dislocation of traffic, people are put to severe works together, we can make Delhi a place worthy
inconvenience. Everyone is affected, especially, to live in.
school-going children, and women and office-goers
are the worst sufferers. Even ambulance vans and
fire brigade vehicles are not spared. The students
get late for exams and the commuters look on
helplessly. The drivers hardly follow traffic rules,
unnecessary blaring horns can create sound
pollution too. 12. As Shreya/Shrey, write an article on ‘Junk the
Hence, the problem should be dealt with Junk Food’ to create an awareness among children
on war footing. Traffic rules and road discipline that junk food is unhealthy and unhygienic.
should be strictly followed. Regular pollution

Ans : 2012
check is necessary to maintain road-friendly
environment. My point is that these measures, Junk the Junk Food
if implemented, properly, will go a long way in By Shreya
alleviating the suffering of the people. Today junk food is like a fashion; people are
getting addicted to it. It is cheap and available
11. Every day you read in the newspaper about at every nook and cranny of the city. Its easy
the increasing rate of crimes in Delhi. You live availability is one of the reasons for its increasing
in Delhi and feel really bad about it. As Chinar popularity.
Gulati, write an article for your school magazine Once in a while it is acceptable to go for
on the topic. such food but if we take such food daily, it will


Ans : 2013 lead to many health problems. In India every
Delhi-A City of Crimes third man is suffering from obesity which results
By Chinar Gulati in diseases such as high blood pressure and heart
problems and diabetes.
Delhi has become notorious for crimes-robberies Junk food generally contains trans fats which
in daytime, murders of senior citizens in crowded make one obese, lousy and dull. The unhygienic
colonies, kidnappings from main roads and rapes places where these products are made make it
in moving cars. This is in addition to the pick more unhealthy. This food at times causes acidity
pocketing, eve-teasing and hit and run cases, and sleeplessness which bring energy levels down
rampant in all areas. With the police dragging its and the person feels lethargic.
feet in catching the wrongdoers and the courts’ Children should avoid junk food or try to
lackadaisical attitude in passing judgement reduce its intake and instead eat healthy food
speedily, criminals are encouraged to continue for proper growth. Schools can also help develop
their nefarious activities. healthy eating habits by banning junk food in
This situation is compounded when highly their canteens and by setting marks for tiffins.
placed officials and politicians use their influence Only healthy young people can take a nation
to protect the guilty. The gap between the forward. So eat healthy and remain healthy.
wealthy and the underprivileged is growing, and

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Ch 4 : Article

free surroundings, and interpretation centres for magazine giving details of the talk and its impact
foreign guests. on you. You are Akshay/ Akshita of Brightland
India is also emerging as one of the most Public School.
credible destinations for curative treatment.

Ans : 2020
Medical tourism is boosting our foreign
Title: Honorable PM’s interaction on occasion of
reserves. Eco-tourism and adventure tourism if
Teacher’s day.
implemented properly, will generate jobs for local
people, boost awareness of local culture, food, By Akshitha
handicrafts and bring about economic betterment On the occasion of Teacher’s day, our honorable
at the grassroots level. Prime Minister broadcasted his interaction with
We need to capitalize on India as a destination students from all over the country live from Delhi
where the Royal Bengal Tiger, common labourer, to the rest of the nation via satellite link. It was
a few millionaires, religious dichotomies, exotic a great learning experience as he shared much
culinary treasures and some of the most expensive information and knowledge regarding studies,
spas of the world co-exist. schools and teachers.
During the interactive session, the PM spoke
2. Healthy environment is the utmost necessity of about the role of teachers in the life of a student.
our life and use of plastic bags certainly affects He said that a teacher is like a ‘second mother’ to
the quality of our life. Write an article on ‘Plastic a student who teaches him/her to take the first
Bags as Curse of Modern Life’ in 120-150 words steps into the world of knowledge and education.
to be published in a magazine. You may use the He also stressed the importance of having healthy
cues given below along with your own ideas. You and dynamic student-teacher relationship to
are Raghav/Rekha. ensure a positive learning experience.
In addition to this, he spoke about the need
Plastic bags-a threat to environment for teachers to be more understanding of the
Most adverse effect on our health stress that students go through during exams and
Cause of diseases/asthma/cancer, etc. he suggested different ways by which teachers can
Suggestions to remove plastic bags from our life help their students. Furthermore, he talked about
‘stress-relief’ by fun activities in classrooms as


Ans : 2021
well.
Plastic Bags: A Curse of Modern Life Special arrangements were made by the school
By Rekha staff for students to view this telecast. The telecast
Plastic bags are a curse of modern century. was widely enjoyed by both students and teachers
They cover human life like a monster and kill it alike. The topic was relevant and relatable, and it
ruthlessly without any escape. The thoughtless was indeed, an informative session.
use of plastic bags has created a myth that they As a take home message, students and
are convenient and unavoidable. This is a known teachers alike had a better understanding on how
fact that plastic bags cannot be recycled and, to handle interactions so that both are benefitted.
thus, are left to be rotten in the environment
for infinite time. At times, animals like cows 4. It is very important to take significant actions to
and buffaloes eat plastic bags and it results even save our planet. Write an article in about 120-
in their death. They destroy our eco-friendly 150 words for your school magazine on how can
environment and are the breeding ground of most we save and protect our planet. You are Akshay/
dangerous diseases like asthma and cancer, etc. Akshita of Graham Public School, Indore.
The government must ban the use of plastic bags

Ans : 2020
absolutely and should also impose fine for non- Save the planet, Earth
compliance. In the interest of creating a healthy
- By Akshita
world for tomorrow, all of us must take a pledge
This is a cause of complete concern across the
to stop the use of plastic bags.
globe today. The global warming has accelerated
3. On the occasion of Teacher’s Day, the Honourable the rise of temperature on Earth which is said to
PM of India had an interactive session with have risen by 40 C. The sea level is also rising.
The glaciers are also melting away resulting in
students from all over the country through satellite
massive floods causing huge losses. On the other
link. Your school also made special arrangements
hand there has been very less rainfall in the recent
for the students to view the telecast. Write an
years resulting in the scarcity of food around
article in about 120-150 words for your school

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 139

and Residents’ Welfare Associations should keep emerging opportunities in various streams so that
a strict watch in residential areas. Neighbourhood the aspirants can decide their career.
Watch Scheme should be encouraged. Each
entry should be maintained and verified through 17. You are Priya/Piyush. You find illiteracy as
intercom system. A record of domestic helps the biggest impediment to the development of a
should be kept by the police. Elderly people nation. You strongly believe that education can
should be taught certain safeguards. Their main play a very important role in the progress of a
doors should be equipped with the magic-eye, country. Write an article in 120-150 words on
door chain and wire mesh. I think with the help of ‘Education—The Biggest Tool of Progress’.
these measures we can secure them, and support

Ans : 2008

them in their twilight years. Education-The Biggest Tool of Progress

16. After class 12, students are apprehensive about By Priya
choosing the course and the college. The ‘Mission Illiteracy is the root cause of most evils and it
Admissions’ organized by the Times of India is often breeds ignorance, and this ignorance may
a great platform for college aspirants. It would prove to be dangerous. Educated people can
think rationally and are able to see the bright
help them to get knowledge about emerging
side of the coin. An illiterate and ignorant person
opportunities in various streams. Write an article
is a liability rather than an asset to the nation.
in 120-150 words emphasizing the need of career
Education enables a person to take better care of
counselling to help students with the admission
himself as well as his family.
process. As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the


Ans : 2009
most powerful weapon which you can use to change
Importance of Career Counselling the world.” Education is the key to eliminating
With the increasing number of colleges and gender inequality, to reducing poverty and to
universities, the variety of courses offered is also fostering peace. Education is an investment for
increasing. For a student it is a dilemma. If a a better future of any country. Educated people
student chooses a path and career that is far are considered highly respected in the society.
away from his interest and ability, it can cause Moreover, in today’s fast changing world, new
long-term dissatisfaction. Hence it is essential technologies keep coming up and one must keep
to plan one’s career carefully for success and up with the world. Without education it would
contentment. Most students choose a career based be really difficult for us to be updated about all
on unnecessary factors like following the peers, these changes. An educated person is aware of
accepting parents’ choice, lack of knowledge the latest advancements in technology and all the
about other fields, current trends or grabbing the changes that are taking place all over the world.
most sought-after career opportunities. At such a For example, an uneducated person may not know
point, career counselling helps. Career counselling about the benefits of the Internet, whereas an
involves personality tests, aptitude tests and educated person uses this gift of technology and
interviews. Based on the report of a student, the maximizes his output for better growth of his
counselling panel guides the child through his/ company. Hence, it is very necessary to spread
her career choice. A child should be made free awareness about the need to be educated.
to choose his area of interest. Career counselling
helps one to find the true calling of his talent and 18. Mohit Sen, the president of the youth forum of his
choose the career path accordingly. It also helps colony, attends a seminar on rampant corruption
to define the pros and cons of each course and in social and political life in India. He decides
career path one desires, hence clarifying students’ to write an article on the ‘Role of Youth in
doubts. Career counselling can boost morale Combating Corruption’. Write his article in 120-
and confidence and give new inclination to the 150 words.
students which will be beneficial to the whole

Ans : 2008
society. Thus, with the help of career counselling,
most students end up choosing the right career, Role of Youth in Combating Corruption
and performing their level best, which ultimately By Mohit Sen
help them succeed and achieve new heights. The Corruption is the cancer that eats into the vitals
`Mission Admission’ launched by the Times of of society. It arises from moral deterioration. It
India is one such platform, which helps college has spread its vicious tentacles everywhere. The
aspirants to gain relevant knowledge about youth have a great role in combating corruption.

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Ch 4 : Article

The youth should not keep quiet at the sight to lead a healthy lifestyle, a person must consume
of corruption. As it is born out of the unholy healthy food, exercise regularly and stay away
wedlock between the bribe-giver and bribe-taker, from junk food, drugs and alcohol. One must
the youth have to take them to task. Giving include at least one outdoor activity to keep
and receiving bribe is an offence. Instances of one’s mind and body fresh as part of one’s daily
corruption have rocked the nation now and then. routine. Improving your lifestyle choices one by
Those who are in power indulge in favouritism, one, rather than trying them all at once, is an
corruption and illegal gratification, therefore the easier way to improve your chances of avoiding
youth have to deal with all kinds of corruption diseases.
cases. For example, when a political leader takes
money from some of illiterate people to contest 20. Write an article in about 120-150 words for
elections, the youth should look into the matter. your school magazine on ‘Drug Abuse and Its
Weak-minded people are generally tempted to Prevention’.
allurements. The youth can check corruption

Ans : 2005

by a constant vigil. They can form a league of Drug Abuse and Its Prevention
youths to deal with corruption cases. The youth
must have devotion to fight corruption in the Drug abuse is a grave problem in India. It has been
society. They may even help the authorities in very common among the youth in metropolitan
their fight against illegal hoarding and rowdyism. cities. It is observed that students leave home
They should try to upgrade moral standard of the to attend classes but become the prey of some
masses. As youths are the backbone of the society, wolfish people who multiply their profits by selling
so it is their bounden duty to combat corruption drugs. Particularly slum children are very much
in the society. influenced by drug sellers. In fact, drugs weaken
the human brain due to biochemical changes. It
19. Nowadays children are becoming prey to many affects reproductive hormones and also growth
lifestyle diseases. Write an article in 120-150 hormones of humans. Thus, it causes many fatal
words putting stress on the need to maintain a diseases pertaining to lungs and lever. Hence, it
healthy lifestyle. You are Sharan/Shilpa. has become a social stigma. So, it is necessary


Ans : 2007 to conduct drug control drive and destroy illicit
drug plantation. Rehabilitation centres for
Unhealthy Lifestyle: Add ‘12 Years’ to Your addicts should be set up to control drug abuse.
Age Workshops should be held in schools for creating
By Shilpa awareness about drug abuse. So, what is needed
Health is wealth, and without health, one is to combat this harrowing situation is to instil a
nothing. Living a comfortable life depends upon sense of purpose into our youths.
good health. But today’s youngsters don’t seem
to pay attention to this fact. Eating junk food,
late sleeping habits, no exercise, excessive use of


electronic gadgets among others have become an
integral part of children’s life. All these factors
combine together to form a deadly combination
of diseases hence proving to be a health hazard.
According to recent researches, unhealthy lifestyle
adds 12 years to the age of the person and doubles
the risk of paralysis too. It is really disturbing to
see children stay inside their homes and become
a couch potato instead of going out and engage
in outdoor activities. And, if outside, they get
attracted to only junk food. Even parents are to
be blamed for this. Most of them do not encourage
their child to adopt healthy habits. A plethora
of problems such as increased BMI, early heart
attack, low immune system and diabetes are
making their way into a child’s body. Children
must be made aware of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy lifestyle has long-term benefits. In order

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 141

CHAPTER 5

Report

1. INTRODUCTION 3. FORMAT OF A Report

A report is a written account of an event. It gives Keep in mind that good report writing depends
relaying information or recounts certain events on first writing a report outline to start organizing
in a widely presentable form. The events could the content in the best way possible. A standard
be an exhibition, a seminar, a rally, a theatre report format goes a little something like this :
event, a theft, blood donation campaign, etc. It is
often used to display the result of an experiment,
investigation or an inquiry. It may use graphics,
images or specialized vocabulary to persuade the
audience to undertake an action.

2. Elements of a report
As already mentioned above, a report is an
exhaustive piece of information. Or a report to
be good in its nature, multiple factors have to be
included in it. Thus, it is important to know what
goes into making a report.
1. Heading : A descriptive title which is
expressive of the contents of the report.
2. Byline : Name of the person writing the
report. It is generally given in the question.
Remember, you are not supposed to mention
your personal details in your answer.
3. Date and Place : It is generally mentioned in
a newspaper report below the byline.
4. Introductory Paragraph : It may include the
‘5 Ws’ namely, What, Why, When and Where 4. Points to Remember
along with Who was invited as the chief guest. General points to be remembered while writing a
5. Details : The proper sequence of events that report are as follows :
occurred along with their description. It is 1. Create an eye-catching headline for the report’s
the main paragraph and can be split into two topic. This is where you can tell the reader
short paragraphs if required. what to expect without going into detail.
6. Conclusion : This will include the description 2. The aim of the report and source from where
of how the event ended. It may include quote it was obtained should be mentioned in the
excerpts from the Chief Guest’s speech or beginning itself.
how did the event wind up. 3. Provide brief background information while
7. Recommendations : A set of recommended remaining insightful about your report’s
goals or steps to complete with the information selection. Perhaps it is related to something
provided in this report. discussed in class, or it could be an answer
8. Appendices : A list of your sources used to to a burning question posed by yourself or a
compile the information in your report. classmate.

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Ch 5 : Report

4. Briefly describe the steps of the investigation

IMPORTANT QUESTION

or the methodology used. A good report
doesn’t leave any questions unanswered. 1. As a newspaper reporter, write a report of a train
Readers always want to know exactly what accident, the site which you visited. Your report
steps were taken to reach the conclusion. should be in 120-150 words.
5. Explain the reasons why the report is

Ans : 2022

meaningful for the audience or readers. Train Accident : 200 Killed, 450 Injured
Convince through your writing that it is By Raman: TOI correspondent
something for them to remember. Gwalior, 3 March 20xx Yesterday I happened to
6. Read the report aloud to make sure it flows visit a site near Gwalior where a ghastly train
from concept to concept. Make it interesting accident had occurred. On enquiry from an eye-
enough so as to catch the attention of the witness it was learnt that the accident occurred
in the early hours of the morning, 3:00 am to
reader.
be precise, when a sudden explosion sent shock
7. Finally, check for spelling and grammar. waves in the nearby villages. The scene of
Remember that a good report is properly accident was a gory one. Many passengers lay
edited. stranded in the coaches which had been damaged,
8. Write in less formal and descriptive manner. derailed and sandwiched by the onslaught of the
9. Write in indirect speech and passive voice. Gwalior Express running into a standing goods
10. Adhere to the word limit of 120-150 words. train. The impact of the accident was so severe
that 6 coaches were derailed, two of them turned
turtle and crushed badly. The bodies of ill-fated


 passengers were mauled and mangled, distorted
and disfigured by the sudden impact. The railway
protection force, civil police and many volunteers
were engaged in extricating the wounded
passengers from these bogies. More than two
hundred persons had died on the spot. About six
hundred and fifty passengers were sent to Gwalior
hospitals. Others who had received minor injuries
were given medical assistance on the spot. There
was an atmosphere of bewailing and heart rending
crises. A team of high ranking railway officials
arrived at the site. Though the cause of accident
was not clearly ascertained, human error has not
been ruled out. The Railway Minister expressed
shock and sympathy with the unfortunate victims
and announced grant of immediate relief.

2. You have recently visited an island on the Pulicat

Lagoon in Tamil Nadu. Write a report in 120-150
words on how children go to school by boat from
this island.


Ans : 2021

The Boat to School

By Jothi Ramalingam
Tamil Nadu, 22 July 20xx The motorised boat
slices through the Pulicat lagoon, forming foamy
slipstreams. Its 150 occupants are oblivious to
the engaging sight and the dangers of riding on
an overcrowded boat on windswept backwaters.
Except for the boatman, they are school-going
children, this isn’t excursion from school, but a
daily commute towards it.
These children of Irrukam, a spit of earth

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 143

on the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal, take a Horrible train accident-heavy fog
dangerous boat ride every day to Tamil-medium Train crossing the bridge-derailed all of a sudden
schools at Arambakkam and Obasamudram in Injured and wounded passengers seen all around
Gummudipoondi taluk of Tiruvallur district. Help by local people/ambulances/medical staff
The children are not wearing life-jackets, which Visit by local minister/financial help announced
the Tiruvallur administration had issued to them
three years ago. The ride is not safe despite the

Ans : 2019

safety measures. The steel railings and wooden Train Derails near Bhusawal
racks are there as on any passenger boat. By Ashima, Correspondent, Amar Ujala
The smaller children sit on the racks,
Bhusawal, 22 November 20xx In the early winter
hemmed in protectively by their seniors, who
hours, the Punjab Mail was running at full speed
are perched precariously on the railings. The
with heavy fog around it. As it crossed the railway
boat ride takes one hour each way, and most
bridge near Bhusaval, it jerked many times and
children cram homework and ‘book cricket’ into
left the track abruptly. In a flash, it became clear
it. The Tamil Nadu government pays a monthly
that the train was derailed changing it into a
“boat allowance” of `300 each to students at the
site of horrible train accident scene. A number of
elementary level. Senior students have to meet the
passengers were thrown out of the compartments
expense themselves, ranging from `600 to `900
while many were crushed in the bogies. The
per month.
injured bodies were seen here and there and
3. You are Mridul/Mridula, an HT correspondent. people were crying for help. The local people ran
You witnessed a protest rally by a youth to the site for rescue work while many ambulances
organisation. Mentioning the purpose of rally, were also seen on the spot taking the injured to
places covered and reaction of public, write a the nearby hospital. Later, the railway minister
also visited the site and announced financial help
report in 120-150 words for your newspaper.


Ans : 2020
for the dead and free medical treatment for all
injured passengers.
Protest Rally Against Rampant Corruption
By Mridul Gupta, HT Reporter 5. You are Jay/Jaya, studying in Shyamala Memorial
New Delhi, 24 May, 20xx Members of the Young Hall, Trichy. Some students of our school attend
Urban Volunteers Association (YUVA), a youth a first aid training camp for a week at Red Cross
organisation, held a protest rally on 23 May, 20xx. Headquarter of our state. Write a report for
Young boys and girls of YUVA organised the rally your school magazine in 120-150 words on the
to raise their voice against rampant corruption events of the campo and your participation and
in the society. The four hours long rally saw performance.
participants from various age groups who took

Ans : 2019
to the road at 11:00 a.m. sharp. The rally started
First Aid Training Camp
from Connaught Circus and moved further to
Janpath. From there the rally group walked By Jaya, student trainee
to various iconic places of capital city, singing Recently a First Aid Training Camp was held
patriotic songs and shouting slogans on anti- at Trichy Headquarter of Red Cross. Our school
corruption. The rally finally stopped at Qutub students too participated in this week-long
Minar where the youth representatives of YUVA camp. All students very excited to know about
performed a street play on corruption and how the activities take place there. There were many
to curb it. The attempt to spread the message of volunteers who were helping in different kind of
protest against corruption proved quite successful activities. There were doctors called from hospitals
with general public joining in and vowing to fight to give children the practical demonstrations how
against it. First Aid to the person is to protect or save life
and help him/her recovery. But at the same time,
4. You witnessed a ghastly train accident of Punjab we must keep ourselves cool. A small first aid box
Mail near Bhusawal in the early morning hours. was also taught to be made and what important
As a press reporter, write a report in 120-150 things should the box contain. At the end of
words to be published in a local daily. You are the workshop, everyone felt of herself confident
Ashit/Ashima. You can use the cues given below enough to provide first aid to the person in need.
along with your own ideas.

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Ch 5 : Report

saplings in the school premises. They planted

Ans : 2010

different kinds of plants such as jacaranda A Glorious Moment

(neeli gulmohur), purple orchid, African tulip By Tara
tree, Indian laburnum, mountain ebony, scarlet It was a moment of pride and pleasure for
fountain tree (pichkari), rain tree, jurul and mango Kendriya Vidyalaya Noida Sr. Secondary School,
trees. The students also attended the orientation when the alumni batch of 2019 was welcomed on
programme arranged by the British Council. The September 18, 2019. Beside the normal welcome
teachers explained about the importance of tree and get-together planned for the students, it
plantation. They also explained the negative was an important occasion for many academic
impact, if tree are felled, on the environment and achievers as the school had decided to felicitate
ecology. Nonetheless, the help staff told different them for their brilliant class XII Board results.
things about the plants and their uses. At the end Himanshu Bhagat, the district topper of commerce
of the programme, there was an impressive photo stream was awarded scholarship for next three
session with Principal, teachers and students. years, while the other achievers were given merit
certificates and medals for their hard work and
13. You recently attended a seminar on “Tiger success.
Reserve: Economic and Environmental Win-Win” The chief quests for the occasion were none
at India International Centre, New Delhi. Write other than the parents of all the achievers. The
a report on the same in about 120-150 words for Principal in his address thanked the parents for
your school magazine. You are Rohan Pandey, their guidance and contribution to shape the future
Secretary, Cultural Club, Doon School, Dehradun. of the students. The day was also remarkable as


Ans : 2011 the current class XII students presented medley
Tiger Reserve: Economic and of songs and dance, and a video presentation,
Environmental Win-Win captured by the juniors, highlighting the pranks
By Rohan Pandey played by them in their school campus. That was
thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
The headline in a recent PTI report, “Saving The achievers in unison reiterated that the
two tigers gives more value than Mangalyan” glory was achieved by the leadership, inspiration
was intriguing, since it said that saving two and motivation of the Principal and teachers who
tigers yields a capital benefit of 2520 crore while exhorted them to show grit, determination and
Mangalyaan cost 2450 crore. The heading was tireless effort. They also admitted that there is
exciting and hurtful. Putting a price on nature no substitute for hard work. The proud parents
and commodifying it may hurt our sensibilities. openly and candidly expressed their gratitude
On the other hand, the speakers pointed out that to the school authority, Principal and teachers
an economic analysis of the above topic helps in for their guidance and support to their wards.
determining the quality of goods such as fuel, wood The function left many potential achievers quite
and fodder that can be allowed for extraction by motivated and determined to follow the footsteps
local communities. The analysis also highlights of their achievers.
why such “large” areas are reserved for preserving
fierce animals like the tiger, when we need more 15. A new indoor gymnasium has recently been
land for human use. constructed and inaugurated at St. John’s School,
What is the total amount of land set apart for Bengaluru. As a special correspondent of ‘The
the 18 ranges as tiger reserves? It is 68,000 sq. Hindu’, draft a report in 120-150 words on the
km, which is about 2% of the area of India-set gymnasium and the inauguration ceremony.
apart for the nation’s pride animal. The six

Ans : 2009
reserves-Corbett, Kanha, Kaziranga, Periyar,
Ranthambore, Sundarbans-house many other Inauguration of New Indoor Gymnasium
endangered animals such as the elephant, rhino, By Special Correspondent, Bengaluru
langur, barasingha, mongoose, river dolphin, St John’s School, Bengaluru, recently constructed
oliver ridley turtle, crocodile-not to speak of the a magnificent gymnasium in the school. It is
millions of herbs, plants and trees. equipped with all modern facilities and is air
conditioned. It is state-of-the-art venue, which
14. Write a report in 120-150 words for your school
has been constructed at a cost of `10 crore. It has
magazine describing the prize distribution
a built-up area of 25,000 square metre. It is also
ceremony that was held to honour the academic
equipped with green building features like thermal
achievers of class XII of the previous year.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 145

9. Some students of the Senior Wing of St 11. As part of an Entrepreneurship project the
Mary’s School, Safdarjang Enclave, New Delhi, commerce students of your school recently
collectively authored a book, ‘School Memorabilia’ launched a product called oatlicious. They not
that recounts episodes from their school days, only set up a company to produce the product
anecdotes and the legacy of the school alumni but also designed its advertising and marketing
who achieved legendary success in their respective strategy. Write a report in about 120-150 words
fields. As student reporter for The Hindustan for your school magazine giving details of the
Times’ PACE programme, write a report in 120- enterprise and its launch. You are Akshay/
150 words. Akshita of Graham Public School, Indore.


Ans : 2013


Ans : 2015
Oatlicious–The product of Entrepreneurship
Budding Authors of St. Mary’s project
By Saravani Gautam
By Akshita
New Delhi 8 October, 20xx The Senior Wing July 25, 20xx The commerce students of our
of St Mary’s School, Safdarjang Enclave, New school recently launched a new breakfast
Delhi, have collectively authored a book, ‘School product, Oatlicious. This was a part of their
Memorabilia’ that recounts episodes from their entrepreneurship project. The students went
school days, anecdotes and the legacy of the ahead to not only set up a company to produce
school alumni who achieved legendary success in the product but also designed its advertising
their respective fields. and marketing strategy. Just like its name, the
The written capsules are interspersed with product tastes and looks delicious.
beautiful pictures, thoughtful quotes and colourful The product box has a picture of a huge bowl
illustrations of artwork make this book a must of delicious looking oats. The group also revealed
have. It’s had to believe that the book from start that they have already started selling the product
to finish is the handiwork of high school pupils in small 10 rupees pack at the canteen. On the
such is the phenomenal standard of creativity. It first day of the launch, the students gave free oat
was released on the Founder’s Day of the school. packets to the first ten students. Baveen, one of
‘It has been a great learning experience,’ said the team members revealed how much struggle
one of the young authors. They have already their they had to face initially to come up with an
own page in the second edition of this book. innovative idea for the project. According to him,
it was just a project earlier but now it has become
10. National Science Centre, New Delhi organised their dream. Baveen and his team found it hard
“Cancer Drug Discovery” workshop. Write a to get sponsors earlier. He revealed how they did
report on the same to be published in a newspaper. part-time jobs and asked their parents to sponsor


Ans : 2014 the project. Now that they are successful, Vibha,
Cancer Drug Discovery Workshop one of the teammates revealed that they are
Lucknow 11 October 20xx Ramakrishna Mission getting offers from many companies. They have,
Hospital at Mathur Road, U.P., held a ‘Cancer however, not decided anything and are just happy
Drug Discovery Workshop’ from October 3 and thankful for the response they got.
to October 10 in the hospital compound. CM
Jogi Adityanath presided over the workshop as 12. You are Nitin Sharma, the newly elected Secretary
the chief Guest. Pictures, posters and cartoons of Einstein Society of Cambridge School, Nagpur.
depicting harmful effects of cancer were displayed Write a report in 120-150 words for the school
along the corridors of the hospital. Dr. R.K. magazine about the ‘plantation week’ held
Batra from Appolo hospital, Delhi, and a panel recently in your school.
of experts from well-known institutes from all

Ans : 2012

over India, attended the workshop. They gave Plantation Week

an illuminating discourse in the dreadful cancer By Nitin Sharma
diseases and mentioned recently discovered drugs
Nagpur, 16 July 20xx The ‘Plantation Week’
to fight cancer. A documentary film was also
was held in the school from 9 July to 15 July
screened showing the plight of the patients dying
in the school premises. The students from
of blood cancer.
classes 5 to 12 actively participated in the tree
plantation programme. The school Principal, Dr.
Ranen Malhotra, teachers and students planted

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Ch 5 : Report

6. You are a TOI correspondent. Write a report in

Ans : 2017

120-150 words on the ‘use of solar energy’ for your Flood Relief Programme
newspaper. By Krishna
In an initiative to provide immediate material and
trauma relief to the evacuees of the flood calamity
struck victims in our area the volunteers of ‘The
Saviours of the Earth Foundation’ organized a
flood relief programme of which I was an active
participant. Ever since incessant rains resulting
in heavy floods lashed our area, volunteers of our
organization have been working in coordination
with the disaster management team to distribute
door to door relief material to the victims. For
providing material relief, our organization has
been raising funds and has also been conducting
trauma-relief meditation for the evacuees. A team
of 250 volunteers of our organization including
doctors are constantly providing medical aid and
food, assisting in rescue operations and clearing


Ans : 2018 the debris.
Use of Solar Energy
By TOI Correspondent 8. You are Anurag/Anjali, a reporter with a national
daily. You have heard that a multistorey building
New Delhi, 20 July 20xx After a month-long
near the main railway station has collapsed
campaign to spread awareness about solar energy,
causing panic in the area. You rush to the site of
Greenpeace India found that 1,043 residents in
the accident along with your team. Write a report
the city and over 5,000 in different parts of the
country want to adopt solar panels. The result in 120-150 words mentioning the time and place
was an outcome ‘solar shakti’ campaign by of the accident, number of casualties, the cause of
Greenpeace India, which started on the World the accident and the rescue operation conducted
Environment Day, June 5. During the campaign, by the authorities.
a unique ‘Solar Comet’-a house on wheels-which

Ans : 2016

toured the city, interacting with RWAs, slums and

Multistorey Building Collapses
government bodies on the benefits of solar energy.
The solar comet was a bus fitted with solar By Anjali, Staff Correspondent
panels of 1.8 kW on the roof and furnished as a New Delhi, 5th September 20xx Tragedy struck
1-BHK home from inside, which had all necessary the city early on Monday morning when an eight
appliances. storeyed NDMC building collapsed around 7 a.m.
‘Delhiites have shown great interest in in Central Delhi, near the main railway station.
installing solar panels’, said Pujarini Sen, Climate This building, civic officials said, was old and
and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India probably not maintained well. Rescuers raced to
considers these as indicators to the fact that reach the dozens of people feared trapped in the
Delhiites are opening up to the idea of going rubble. At least ten people are reported killed
solar’, Sen added. and twenty have been so far pulled alive from the
In Delhi, the total solar potential is 2,500 building and rushed to the hospital, said Alok
MW with a residential potential of 1,250 MW. Bansal, local commander of the National Disaster
The official target is to reach 1,000 MW worth Response Force. “Approximately 70 to 80 people
solar installations by 2023 and 2,000 MW by 2025. are believed to be left behind under the debris.”,
Mr. Bansal said, citing reports from his team on
the scene. This is the latest of several building
7. Incessant rain has caused irrecoverable damage in collapses in Delhi and NCR this year. The State
your area. As an active participant in the flood Government has ordered an enquiry into the
relief programme, write a report in 120-150 words mishap.
on the different flood relief measures carried out.
You are Krishan/ Krishna.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 147

insulation of entire roof, gypsum board partition, 14 and analyses data on child marriages based on
and wall panellings and energy-efficient lighting the 2011 census. The report also found that 75% of
features. The entire gym is under electronic all child marriages took place in rural areas. The
surveillance through fixed and PTZ cameras, number was even higher for the period between
connected to the control room. 2007 and 2011, at 82%. Uttar Pradesh accounted
The inauguration ceremony took place on 12 for the highest percentage of child marriages in
November 20XX with Mr. S. Siddaramaiah, by the India, at 16.6%. In fact, U.P., Andhra Pradesh,
school director and other eminent personalities of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra and
Bengaluru. Madhya Pradesh accounted for 70% of all child
The school is proud of this innovative gym marriages in India. While releasing the report,
where students will remain lit. the chairperson of Action-Aid India, Shabana
Azmi, said that there was a need to address the
16. Vidya Bhawan Senior Secondary School, Noida, underlying causes of child marriage.
recently organised a 3-day environment awareness “Patriarchy is at the root of child marriage,
camp for the students to be prefects/monitors. and patriarchy has to be tackled to eliminate
Write a report about the same in 120-150 words child marriage. Spreading education and building
for the school magazine. confidence among girls will enable them to resist


Ans : 2008 child marriage and chart their own lives,” she
said.
Environment Awareness
By XYZ 18. You visited Delhi Public School, Kanpur. You
A three-day environment awareness camp was were impressed at seeing students participate in
organised on 13 December at Vidya Bhawan Senior various co-curricular activities of the school such
Secondary School, Noida. The purpose of this camp as debates, music and theatre workshops. Write
was to raise environment awareness among the a report on it in 120-150 words for your school
masses. The camp was inaugurated by the Principal, magazine. You are Shalini/Sumiti, Editor of the
Dr N K Jain, followed by his valuable welcome magazine.
address. Many environmentalists and ecologists

Ans : 2007
were present in the camp. Dr R K Pachauri,
the Nobel laureate, was the main speaker who Co-curricular Activities of DPS, Kanpur
encouraged students to participate in the By Shalini, Editor of the School Magazine
environment awareness campaign. He emphasised Last Friday, on 17 November 20xx, I visited Delhi
many environmental issues such as garbage Public School (DPS), Kanpur, on the occasion of
clearance, plantation, pollution and the role of a cultural function held in the school auditorium.
the students to keep environment pollution free. There were many cultural programmes. Students
About thirty young aspirants vying to be monitors of classes 9 to 12 participated in debate, music
and prefects participated in the camp. A panel of and theatre workshop. The topic of the debate
judges, including Dr R K Pachauri and the Principal was “Justice delayed is justice denied”. The
Dr N K Jain, presided over the activities of the Head Boy of class XII won the first prize in the
students in environment issues. In addition, many debate competition. There was also an interschool
parents and teachers were also present in the music competition. Renu Agarwal of class XI was
camp. awarded Scholar of the Schools’ award for her pop
music performance. A theatre workshop was also
17. You are Sapna Gupta, a news reporter. Write a held in collaboration with Aagaaz Theatre, New
report in 120-150 words on ‘child marriage’ to be Delhi. It was a two-hour workshop. At the end of
published in a local newspaper. the function, the principal thanked all who made


Ans : 2008 efforts to make it a memorable function.
Child Marriage 19. You are a press reporter. Write a report in 120-150
By Sapna Gupta words on the recent cattle catching drive launched
New Delhi, 23 July 20xx With over 10 crore by MCD to clear stray cattle from Delhi roads.
Indians, including 8.5 crore girls, being married

Ans : 2006

off before they turn 18, every third child bride Cattle-Catching Drive
in the world is an Indian, a report has said. The By Manish Madan
report titled ‘Eliminating Child Marriage in Following a directive issued from the Delhi High
India’, was released by Action-Aid India on July Court to clear the city of stray cattle, MCD’s

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Ch 5 : Report

Veterinary Department launched a week-long

cattle-catching drive in all its zones.
The eight-member team could be seen
catching stray cattle in different areas of Delhi.
The technique consisted of throwing a rope
around the animal’s neck and manoeuvring it into
a waiting truck. According to an eyewitness in the
Okhla Industrial Area, a caravan of trucks halted
in the area and a group of eight men armed with
lassos and tranquilliser guns leapt out and soon
the whole place was transformed into a bull ring.
The catchers rounded up 22 stray cattle from
this area on the very first day, six of these were
buffaloes. These animals were sent to a shelter
house run by Delhi Administration ‘gaushalas’.
I is expected that similar drives will be
launched by the municipal authorities of West
Delhi and North Delhi zones.

20. You are a reporter with ‘India Today’. You

recently witnessed ‘illegal trade of rare animals on
some websites’. Write a report in about 120-150
words about the same for your magazine.


Ans : 2005

Illegal Trade of Rare Animals on Some

Websites
By XYZ
New Delhi, 4 May 20xx Trade in rare animals
and their body parts is going on through popular
websites, the government said today. The Union
Environment Minister said, “Online smuggling of
rare animals and their parts is being monitored
by the state and central governments as part of
combating cyber crime.”
“Several websites are seen advertising sale
of rare animals and their parts,” he said in a
written reply. Even he furnished a list of 106 such
websites collated by the Wildlife Crime Control
Bureau (WCCB).
A wildlife body had recently alleged that a
prominent website was selling wildlife specimens,
including sea horses and alligator heads,
protected under the country’s laws. Wildlife SOS
had claimed the website was offering an array
of wildlife trophies, including alligator heads,
preserved snakes, butterflies, starfish, rare beetles
and seahorses, besides hunting manuals and
devices.



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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 149

CHAPTER 1

The Last Lesson

1. INTRODUCTION saw his classmates sitting in their places and his

teacher was passing up and down. He was afraid
The Prussian forces under Bismarck attacked to enter the class but nothing happened like that.
France in the year 1870. All the Germans M. Hamel saw him and asked him kindly to take
stood by Prussia and France was defeated. The his seat.
French districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed
into Prussian hands. The new Prussian rulers The Whole School Strange and Solemn
disallowed the teaching of French in the schools of Franz sat down at his desk and got over his
these two districts. The French teachers in these fright. He saw his teacher in a beautiful green
schools were asked to leave. This story describes coat, a frilled shirt and a little black cap on his
the last day of one such French teacher in his head. Besides the whole school seemed so strange
school. Though he knows he has been transferred and solemn. But Franz was much surprised to
and will no longer remain in his old school, he see the villagers, the former Mayor, the former
gives his last lesson to his students with as much postmaster and others in the class too. M. Hamel
devotion and sincerity as ever. The story brings announced it as their last French lesson according
out the pathos of the whole situation and also to an order from Berlin.
depicts the quiet dignity of the French teacher,
named Mr Hamel. A Sudden Change in Franz’s Views
To hear of the last French lesson from the mouth
of M. Hamel, Franz was much astonished. He was
2. SUMMARY much sorry for not learning his French lessons.
Little Franz Late for School Earlier he never took any interest in his studies. He
The narrator little Franz was a student of school. started liking M. Hamel and forgot all about his
That morning he started very late for school. ruler as well as his troubling behaviour. Everyone
Consequently, he was in a great dread of being wanted to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of
scolded by his teacher M. Hamel for not knowing faithful service and of showing their respect for
the first word on participles because he was to be the country that was their’s more.
asked questions from this topic. Calling the Narrator’s Name
Crowd at the Town Hall When Franz was called to recite, he got mixed on
On his way to school, Franz passed the Town the first words and stood there holding on to his
Hall. There he saw a crowd in front of the bulletin desk. His teacher M. Hamel instead of scolding
board reading some news as this had been the Franz made him feel very ashamed. The teacher
place for attaining the news or orders from Berlin pointed out that the parents of Franz kept him
for the last two years. away from learning on one or the other excuse.

Unusual Calm at School Importance of French Language

Usually there used to be a great hustle and bustle Then M. Hamel told that the French language
when the school began. But that day everything was the most beautiful language in the world
was quiet like Sunday morning. On the other – the clearest and the most logical language in
days, the opening and closing of desks and the world. He called the present gathering to
lessons repeated loudly in unison created a lot of guard the language and never forget it because
commotion. The noise of the teacher’s great ruler for enslaved people holding fast the language
rapping on the table was absent. So there was becomes the key to their prison. So they must
silence on that day. Through the window, Franz guard their own language.

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Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

An Amazing Teaching 21. Bustle = noisy activity

Then M. Hamel taught grammar so dedicatedly 22. In unison = together
that Franz understood it very well. He explained 23. Ruler = rod
everything in detail and with much patience. It 24. Rapping = thumping/beating
seemed that M. Hamel was intending to give all 25. Counted on = depended on
in one stroke he knew before going away. Whereas 26. Commotion = confusion
he was broken with the news of the last lesson. 27. Classmates = class fellows
28. Terrible = dreadful
Vive La France : 29. Frightened = scared
Then they had a lesson in History. All the babies 30. Blushed = feel red in the face
chanted their “ba, be bi, bo, bu.” The old Hauser 31. Fright = fear
was holding his primer in his hands and spelled 32. Happen = take place
letters with them. Franz remembered that last 33. Kindly = politely
lesson very well. It was noon and all at once the 34. Frilled = with ornamental edging
Church clock struck twelve and the Angelus. At 35. Embroidered = ornamental with needle work
the same moment, the trumpets of the Prussian 36. Except = apart from
soldiers sounded under their windows. M. Hamel 37. Strange = peculiar
stood up in his chair. He looked very pale and 38. Seemed = appeared
powerless. He tried to speak and called them 39. Solemn = serious
his friends but something choked him. Then he 40. Thumbed = made dirty with thumbs
turned to the blackboard, took a piece of chalk 41. Former = previous
and with all his might, he wrote as large as he 42. Primer = a small book for learners
could “Vive La France.” 43. Spectacles = glasses
Then without uttering a word, he leaned 44. Mounted = occupied
against the wall and made a gesture with his hand 45. Gentle = mild
– “School is dismissed –you may go.” 46. Tone = manner of voice
Thus, M. Hamel taught his last lesson very 47. Thunderclap = startling
dedicatedly but he was deeply overcome by a 48. Wretches = unhappy persons
strong emotion. 49. Seeking = trying to find out
50. Nuisance = something annoying
51. Saints = sages
3. Word meanings
52. A while ago = a little before
1. Dread = fear 53. Give up = sacrifice/leave
2. Scolding = rebuking 54. Their way = their style
3. Participles = words combining the functions 55. Faithful = sincere
of adjectives and verbs 56. Recite = to utter loudly a piece of writing
4. Out of doors = in the open 57. Mixed up = confused
5. Chirping = twittering 58. Beating = palpitating
6. Edge = boundary 59. Daring = taking courage
7. Woods = jungle 60. Scold = rebuke
8. Sawmill = a mill for sawing wood 61. Put off = postpone
9. Prussian = habitant of prussia 62. Pretend = show off
10. Drilling = parading 63. Reproach = scold
11. Tempting = enticing 64. Anxious = worried
12. Resist = control/oppose 65. Preferred = gave preference to
13. Bulletin-board = notice board 66. Logical = according to reason
14. Draft = conscription 67. Guard = protect
15. Blacksmith = iron-smith 68. Enslaved = made slaves
16. Apprentice = learner/trainee 69. Patience = being patient
17. Bub = boy 70. At one stroke = all at once
18. Plenty = enough 71. Floating = swimming
19. Making a fun = laughing at 72. Ought to = should
20. Out of breath = gasping 73. Scratching = sound

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 151

74. Produced by a pen writing on paper

Ans : 2018

75. Beetles = flying insects Franz was expected to be prepared with the
76. Tracing = copying lesson on ‘participles’. His teacher, M. Hamel,
77. Fish-hooks = hooks for catching fish had announced an oral test on participles, but
78. Pigeon = a bird Franz didn’t know anything about the rules of
79. Cooed = sound made by pigeons participles.
QUESTION 2.�
80. Motionless = still
2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about
81. Gazing = looking intently
the school that day?
82. Fix in his mind = imprinted


Ans : 2015
83. Fancy = imagine
When he reached the school, Franz was surprised
84. Worn = rubbed
to find everything still and quiet as if it was a
85. Walnut tree = hazel tree
Sunday morning. His teacher, M. Hamel, was
86. Hopvine = a kind of vine
dressed in his green coat, frilled shirt and black
87. Twined = wound
cap he used to wear this formal dress only on
88. Chanted = recited/sang
special days. Moreover, the last benches of the
89. Trembled = shook
classroom were occupied by the village elders who
90. Emotion = strong feelings
looked very sad.
91. Angelus = bell for prayer QUESTION 3.�

92. Funny = strange 3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?

93. Trumpets = trumpets

Ans : 2013
94. Pale = wanting in colour An order from Berlin had been put up on the
95. Choked = blocked in the throat bulletin-board. It stated that from the next day
96. Go on = continue only German would be taught in the schools of
97. Vive la france = long live france Alsace and Lorraine.
98. Gesture = sign
99. Dismissed = dispersed/closed

THINK AS YOU READ 2
QUESTION 1.�

4. ncert textbook questions 1. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in
QUESTION 1.
school that day ?
1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their

Ans : 2012

meaning from the context There was complete silence everywhere. Everyone
looked sad and serious. Old people of the village
1. in great dread of
had come to thank Mr Hamel for his faithful
2. in unison service of forty years.
3. counted on QUESTION 2.�

4. a great bustle 2. How did Franz’s feelings about Mr Hamel and

5. thumbed at the edges school change ?
6. reproach ourselves with

Ans : 2007

Ans : Franz was now very sad for Mr Hamel. He forgot

1. In great dread of : very much scared and all about his rod and his cranky nature. Now he
worried no longer hated school. He looked upon books as
his friends.
2. In unison : together
3. Counted on : depended on
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
4. A great bustle : noisy activities QUESTION 1.�

5. Thumbed at the edges : turned over (the 1. The people in this story suddenly realise how
pages) precious their language is to them. What shows
6. Reproach ourselves with : be responsible. you this ? Why does this happen ?


Ans : 2016

THINK AS YOU READ 1 Prussia gained victory over Alsace. It affected the
QUESTION 1.
life at M. Hamel’s school a great deal. Orders were
1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for sent from Berlin that the schools of the Alsace
school that day? and Larraine would teach only German instead

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

of French. There came a sudden sea-change in
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT

the minds of students who were indifferent to QUESTION 1.�

their own language, its grammar and literature. 1. “When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold
They developed a new profound love for French. fast to their language it is as if they had the key
Even M. Hamel in his last address told about the to their prison.”
importance of French. He called French as the Can you think of examples in history where a
most beautiful, clearest and most logical language conquered people had their language taken away
of the world. Thus M. Hamel aroused not only the from them or had a language imposed on them ?
patriotic feelings but also love of one’s language.

Ans :
Franz was a shirker. He too became In The Last Lesson, the teacher M. Hamel told
sentimental. He felt sorry for neglecting his lessons the students about the importance of a language
in French. He developed a craving for French. He in the lives of the people. He implicitly stated
also felt deep reverence for his teacher. M. Hamel that a language always keep the people united.
who was leaving them the next day M. Hamel was He encouraged them to fight unitedly to win their
the worst affected. He was deeply overcome by a freedom from slavery. In the words of M. Hamel:
strong patriotic emotion. With profound grief he “When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold
made a gesture with his hand ‘School is dismissed fast to their language, it is as if they had the key
– you may go’. to their prison.” In stating so M. Hamel is very
QUESTION 2.� much right.
2. Franz thinks : “Will they make them sing in There are examples in history where a
German, even the pigeons ?” What could this conquered people who had held fast their
mean ? (There could be more than one answer). language they could win back their freedom from


Ans : 2011 their ruler. The biggest example in history is that
The districts of Alsace and Lorraine were under of British on India who left the impact of English
the regime of France. During the Franco-Prussian on us. History is replete with such examples of the
war (1870-1871) France was defeated and both races holding fast to their languages, that proved
these districts became the part of Prussia to be their keys to their prison. That is why, M.
(Germany). Earlier they were reading their own Hamel went on to say to his enslaved people of
language, i.e. the French. With the new set-up, France in the school at the district of Alsace:
an order was issued from Berlin to teach only the “We must guard it (the language) among us
German in these two districts. M. Hamel was a and never forget it.”
teacher who had been teaching the French for the In other example, we can see that Spanish
last 40 years. and Portuguese have been imposed on the people
In his last lesson, he told that from the next day of Latin American countries.
the students would be learning the German from QUESTION 2.�

a new teacher. They won’t be learning their own 2. What happens to a linguistic minority in a state
most beautiful, clearest and the logical language ? How do you think they can keep their language
which is quite foreign to them. In a way he told alive ?
the significance of their own language and aroused For example :
their patriotic feelings. The old villagers too Punjabis in Bengaluru
endorsed his views. There came a sudden change Tamilians in Mumbai
in Franz. He developed a sort of great disliking Kannadigas in Delhi
for German. He heard and saw the pigeons cooing Gujaratis in Kolkata
on the roofs. He immediately remarked : “Will

Ans :
they make them sing in German, even the pigeons A linguistic minority in a state remains well in
?” It is worthnoting here that the Germans can touch with one another. They of course have a
impose German language on the people of Alsace good interaction within their community. They
and Lorraine powerfully but they can’t impose gather and celebrate their festivals with pomp
this language on the birds, etc. They can enslave and show with full swing. This helps them to
the people but have no authority to compel the increase their happiness and keeps them satisfied.
cooing pigeons. Any forceful imposition will cease They are never ignored by a lot of the states but
their love for them. they hardly develop social relations with others
outside their linguistic group. They hold fast to

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 153

their language. They have their minority schools

Ans :

to teach the language to the next generation. The origin of each words is given below:
Through shows, celebrations, public libraries and Words Origin
public gatherings they keep their language alive.
Therefore, the Punjabis’ of Bengaluru, Tycoon (tar'kun) Japanese
Tamilians of Mumbai, Kannadigas of Delhi Barbecue Spain
and Germany also imposed German in the two
Zero French
districts of Alsace and Lorraine after taking them
under their regime. Gujaratis of Kolkata can keep Tulip French
their languages alive by having their minority Veranda Hindi and Portuguese
schools, organising their individual celebrations
Ski Norwegian (skith)
and competitions periodically.
QUESTION 3.� logo Greek
3. Is it possible to carry pride in one’s language too robot Czech
far? Do you know what linguistic chauvinism
means ? trek Dutch


Ans : bandicoot Telugu
Yes, people do feel the way. They cam pride in
QUESTION 2.�

their language that in democracy like the Indian,

2. Notice the underlined words in these sentences
the linguistic groups even oppose the screening of
and tick the option that best explains their
films of other languages in their talkies. They even
meaning :
paint black the sign-board: of other languages in
their states. (a) “What a thunder clap these words were to me
‘Linguistic chauvinism’ is the unreasonable !”
belief, especially when aggressively expressed in The words were :
the superiority of one’s own language. As the (i) loud and clear
Germans and the British had the unreasonable (ii) startling and unexpected
belief in the superiority of their language: German (iii) pleasant and welcome
and English respectively. People wits linguistic
(b) “When a people are enslaved, as long as they
chauvinism think their own language superior to
hold fast to their language it is as if they had
other languages spoken in the world In the same
the key to their prison.”
way German was imposed to be taught in the
It is as if they have the key to the prison as
schools of Alsace and Lorraine and the teaching
long as they
of French was stopped.
(i) do not lose their language.
(ii) are attached to their language.

WORKING WITH WORDS
(iii) quickly learn the conqueror’s language
QUESTION 1.�

1. English is a language that contains words from (c) Don’t go so fast, you will get to your school in
many other language. This inclusiveness is one of plenty of time. “You will get to your school.”
the reasons it is now a ‘world language’. (i) very late
For example: (ii) too early
(iii) early enough
petite – French
kindergarten – German (d) I never say him look so tall.
M. Hamel
capital – Latin
(i) had grown physically taller
democracy – Greek (ii) seemed very confident
bazaar – Hindi (iii) stood on the chair


Ans :
Find out the origins of the following words :
(a) (i) loud and clear
tycoon barbecue zero tulip veranda (b) (ii) are attached to their language.
ski log o robot trek bandicoot (c) (iii) early enough
(d) (iii) stood on the chair

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Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

19. Where did the parents send their children? 26. What had been put up on the Bulletin Board that
(a) school (b) farms and mills day?
(c) coaching (d) movies (a) Teach only German


Ans : (b) Speak only English
(c) farms and mills (c) Teach only French
20. Why were the parents sending their children to (d) all of these
the farms and mills?

Ans :
(a) Teach only German
(a) to play (b) to meet friends
(c) to earn money (d) to meet relatives 27. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in


Ans : school that day?
(c) to earn money (a) hustle-bustle
21. Why did the villagers come to meet M. Hamel in (b) people were happy
the school? (c) strange quietness and sadness
(a) to complain (b) to show gratitude (d) teachers were sad
(c) to gossip (d) to say goodbye

Ans :


Ans : (c) strange quietness and sadness
(b) to show gratitude
28. What changed Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel
22. Why did Mr. M. Hamel call the French language and school?
the most beautiful? (a) Orders from Berlin
(a) Because people were from France (b) Police Patrolling
(b) Because it was his native language (c) Strict words from M. Hamel
(c) Because it was the clearest and logical (d) old Primer
(d) None of these

Ans :


Ans : (a) Orders from Berlin
(c) Because it was the clearest and logical
29. What made Franz and the people realize about
23. What was Franz expected to be prepared for at the preciousness of their mother tongue?
school that day? (a) M. Hamel’s words
(a) Participles (b) dance (b) School orders
(c) essay writing (d) song (c) School Principal


Ans : (d) Sudden orders from Berlin
(a) Participles

Ans :
(d) Sudden orders from Berlin
24. When people are enslaved, what key do they have
to the prison, according to M. Hamel? 30. Expression ‘Thunder Clap” in the lesson means
(a) aggressiveness (b) mother tongue _____.
(c) their behaviour (d) power (a) loud but not clear


Ans : (b) loud and clear
(b) mother tongue (c) unpleasant
25. What did Franz notice that was unusual that day? (d) startling and unexpected


Ans :
(a) crowd in school
(d) startling and unexpected
(b) soldiers in the school
(c) quietness in the school 31. What did Mr. Hamel bring for his class on his last
(d) all of these day in the school?


Ans : (a) new pens (b) sweets
(c) quietness in the school (c) new notebooks (d) story books


Ans :
(c) new notebooks

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 155
QUESTION 3.�

block will be viewed seriously. All students are 3. Have you ever changed your opinion about
requested to note and co-operate. someone or something that you had earlier liked
Sadhna Bose or disliked ? Narrate what led you to change your
Chief Prefect. mind.


Ans :
QUESTION 2.�

2. Write a paragraph of about 100 words arguing

Franz’s dislike for his teacher M. Hamel is nine
for or against having to study three languages at
out of ten opinions formed about people initially
school.
and change gradually in many cases. But same is


Ans :
very little true in case of opinion of likes changing
FOR : to dislikes. But in case of majority of the students
To Study Three Languages At School of my school it happened so. One always has a
India is a secular democracy comprising of people room for second opinion.
having faith in different religions and speaking Next day after the summer vacation at
different languages. Above all English is gaining school, we got a new teacher of History. He almost
good ground as one of the link languages at regularly spoke on typical events in the assembly.
national and international stage. Not only I but many others also developed liking
Students of urban as well as rural areas have for him. But the time was not far off when we were
been going to live or travel throughout the length astonished to hear him always boast of himself
and breadth of the country on business, trade, and his family and a foreign land all the time.
tourism, education or professional requirements. Soon all were taken aback to hear him
As different languages are spoken in each uttering filthy words and abusive language all the
region, so the three language formula for school time, for anyone whosoever and on every matter
teaching has been proving a boon. The three whatsoever. We even overheard other teacher’s
languages studied by students at school not only talk about his uncultured habits and uncivilized
help better communication and understanding behaviour most of the time. Such persons betray
among people but also promote national others from their path of goodness and themselves
integration. Therefore, the three languages study would never shun their hypocrisy.
in their schools will go a long way in promoting I changed my first opinion about him .and
national interests among the citizens and now dislike him like most others because such
strengthening India. persons incur more harm to students community
than any benefit of their teaching. But like the
village people the old Hauser, the former Mayor,
AGAINST : the former postmaster and others, can anyone
To study Three Languages At School expect us, to thank and respect such a person
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” truly. Of course, not.
A kid at the age of three is sent to study at
school. There the kid gets the lessons in English,

THINGS TO DO
a language mostly not spoken at home. In his QUESTION 1.�

high school, he is taught Sanskrit due to three 1. Find out about the following : You may go to
language formula. This language is not spelt in the Internet, interview people, consult reference
publicly. books or visit a library.
Most of the students settle in life in their
(a) linguistic human rights
native places and hardly get any chance to
move out to the places where they can find the (b) Constitutional guarantees for linguistic
utility of the second and the third language they minorities in India.
have studied at school. The time and labour

Ans :
spent by them could have been better used for (a) Linguistic human rights are rights of humans
imparting the know-how of one or the other to preserve and promote communication in
professional skills. Every where one can see the any language in private and public sphere.
school passouts, doing petty jobs for earning their International human rights law has been
livelihood. Of what use, they find having studied imposed all over the world, which gives right
the two additional languages at school ? Of course to promotion and protection of identity to all
it is a mere wastage. the groups. In the international law, linguistic

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson
QUESTION 20.

Berlin, only German would be taught in the schools

20. What surprised the narrator most when he took
of Alsace and Lorraine. This announcement made
his seat in the class?


Ans : 2015
Franz very sad. He felt sorry for not learning his
Franz entered the class and took his seat. It was lessons in French. He had never liked his books.
strange that he was not rebuked by his teacher. But now he no longer hated his books. He even
It was also strange that the whole school seemed started liking M. Hamel, in spite of his harshness.
calm and quiet. But what surprised him most
QUESTION 24.�

24. What was unusual about M. Hamel’s dress on his

was that the village people were sitting on the
last day in the school ?
back benches. Everybody sat quiet and looked


Ans :
sad. He saw that the former mayor, the former
postmaster and many others villagers were sitting

O
there. They were sad to know that from the next What was unusual about M. Hamel’s dress and
day, German would be taught in the schools of behaviour on the day of his last French lesson ?
Alsace and Lorraine.

Ans : 2016, 2014

QUESTION 21.� M. Hamel was unusually dressed in a beautiful

21. What shocking news did M. Hamel give to the green coat, a frilled shirt and a little black cap
students and the villagers? What was its effect on his head. His dress was fully embroidered that
on them? he never more except on inspection and prize


Ans : 2017, 2014 days. It was quite unusual on his part. He taught
That day villagers attended the class of M. Hamel. grammar very delicately. M. Hamel was seen
They were sitting on the back benches. Everything sitting motionless in his chair during the lesson
was quiet and calm. M. Hamel took his chair. He on writing. His voice get choked. With a gesture
spoke in a grave and gentle tone. He announced he declared that the school was dismissed. He was
that it was his last French lesson. He said that an deeply overcome by a strong emotion.
order had come from Berlin. German would be QUESTION 25.

taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The 25. Franz could not recite the rules for the participles.
new teacher was coming the next day. This news How did M. Hamel react?
made everyone sad. They were shocked.

Ans : 2007

QUESTION 22.� Franz heard his name called. It was his turn to
22. Why does M. Hamel reproach himself for his recite the rules of participles. In spite of his best
students’ unsatisfactory progress in studies ? efforts, he could not recite the rules. He stood
there holding on the desk. His heart was beating.


O
He did not dare to look up. But the teacher did
Why did M. Hamel blame the parents and himself
not rebuke him. He told Franz kindly that he
for showing little care to the learning of the
would not rebuke him. He said that Franz was
French ?


Ans : 2014, 2011
not the only one who neglected learning French.
In the last lecture, M. Hamel told the importance Many others in Alsace and Lorraine were like him.
QUESTION 26.�

of learning their own language. He pointed out

26. Why were the elders of the village sitting in the
that most of the people of Alsace pretended to
classroom?
be Frenchmen but they were illiterate about


Ans : 2015, 2014
the language. Even the parents were indifferent
M. Hamel had been teaching in that school for
towards its learning and they would prefer their
the last forty years. His dedication, devotion,
sons to learn a little instead of learning the
discipline and strong inclination towards the
language. Blaming himself as well, he told that he
students community had become a commendable
himself had often sent the students to water his
record in the area. In order to pay their respect
plants. He gave them a holiday because he wanted
and heart-felt emotions, the old men and other
to go for fishing.
high dignitaries had come to school. They went
QUESTION 23.

on sitting in the classroom to pay their deepest

23. What was the effect of M. Hamel’s announcement
respect for his selfless services.
on the narrator?
QUESTION 27.

Ans : 2005
27. What kind of clothes was M. Hamel wearing?
M. Hamel announced that it was his last French
Why had he put on that fine dress?
lesson. He said that according to an order from

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 157

Ans : 12. Who occupied the back benches in the class?

(d) Loss of language and freedom
(a) weak students (b) monitors of the class
6. What does The Last Lesson signify? (c) teachers (d) village elders
(a) Change of power

Ans :
(d) village elders
(b) change of Government
(c) change in life 13. Why was Franz surprised?
(d) Change of teachers (a) Because of village elders


Ans : (b) because of M. Hamel’s kind and polite
(c) change in life behaviour
7. What do the marching soldiers under the windows (c) because of students’ behavior
represent? (d) Because of police patrolling
(a) The victory of French

Ans :
(b) because of M. Hamel’s kind and polite
(b) The defeat of Prussia
behaviour
(c) The Dawn of Prussia in the defeat of French
people 14. Why was Franz feeling regretful and sad?
(d) None of these (a) for not learning his mother tongue


Ans : (b) for not learning participles
(c) The Dawn of Prussia in the defeat of French
(c) for change of the Government
people
(d) for reaching late
8. From where did the orders come to teach only

Ans :
German in the districts of Alsace and Lorraine? (a) for not learning his mother tongue
(a) France (b) Berlin
15. Whom did M. Hamel blame for not sending
(c) Lorraine (d) Germany students to school?


Ans :
(a) watchman (b) friends
(b) Berlin
(c) teachers (d) Parents
9. What does effects this story speaks about?

Ans :
(a) people (b) Money (d) Parents
(c) Power (d) Transition 16. What did Hauser bring?


Ans :
(a) friends (b) children
(d) Transition
(c) sweets (d) old Primer
10. Why was Franz reluctant to go to school?

Ans :
(a) wanted to enjoy warm Sunlight (d) old Primer
(b) wanted to see soldiers drill 17. What made Franz forget M. Hamel’s ruler and
(c) lesson on participles was not prepared crankiness?
(d) wanted to enjoy outdoor (a) Police Patrolling


Ans : (b) The idea of his going away
(c) lesson on participles was not prepared
(c) Bustle on the streets
11. What did Franz find on reaching the school? (d) Strange Quietness
(a) strange quietness

Ans :
(b) The idea of his going away
(b) school was closed
(c) Police patrolling 18. For how many years did M. Hamel serve the school?
(d) People were dancing (a) 40 years (b) 35 years


Ans : (c) 30 years (d) 20 years
(a) strange quietness

Ans :
(a) 40 years

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

come from Germany. According to the order, magazine on the need for revival of patriotic spirit
only German would be taught in the schools amongst the youth in India.
of Alsace and Lorraine. The new teacher was

Ans : 2013

coming the next day. In his last lesson, M. Hamel The Need for Revival of Patriotic Spirit
became very sentimental. He said that the French amongst the Youth in India
language was the most beautiful language in the By XYZ, Std. XII
world. It was the most logical language. He urged The future of a country depends on its citizens
the students and the villagers to protect their especially the young generation. The youngsters
beautiful language. He said that our language can will take the lead for the future. But unfortunately,
be the key to our happiness and freedom. in this era of liberalization, modernization and
Then he asked Franz to recite his lesson. He globalization, country’s youth value is starving.
got up but could not recite it. However, M. Hamel It’s facing a total crisis. Instead of doing something
did not rebuke him for neglecting the learning of productive and bringing good results, the youth
French. He blamed the parents for not showing remain busy in violence, separations and inter and
due attention and care to the learning of French. intra group conflicts. It’s really a political apathy
Most of the people of Alsace could neither speak that it is the reigning order of the day. It is true
nor write their own language. The parents were that we have secured freedom many years back but
not anxious to have their children learn it. They we have not utilized freedom in its true perspective.
preferred to put them to work to earn a little This is the time for young people to wake
more money. M. Hamel blamed himself also. He up, mark their presence or create their own
had often sent his students to water his flowers identity. Infact, there is need for good leadership
instead of learning their lessons. And he gave and governance too. The government should take
them a holiday because he wanted to go on fishing initiatives for it. Education may be used as a
Just then the church clock struck twelve. The tool for it. There is need to inculcate the spirit of
trumpets of the Prussian soldiers sounded under nationalism alongwith humanism in children right
the window. It was time to close to school. M. from the beginning. They must value for freedom
Hamel stood up. He looked very pale. He tried only then they can respect it.
to speak, but could not. His emotions choked his QUESTION 15.�

speech. Then he turned to the blackboard and 15. While speaking about the importance as well as
took a piece of chalk. He wrote in big letters, the richness of French language, M. Hamel said,
“Vive La France!” (Long Live France). Then, “When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold
without a word, he made a gesture to those in the fast on to their language it is as if they had the
classroom with hand, “School is dismissed – you key to their prison.” This statement of M. Hamel
may go.” expresses his love for his own language. Keeping
QUESTION 14.�
in view of the above fact write en the value of
14. Read the following and answer the question that loving one’s own language.
follow :

Ans : 2010
Then he turned to the blackboard, took a piece of If we meditate deeply we can realise the importance
chalk and bearing on with all his might, he wrote of learning our own language since it is the prime
as large as he could– key to our communication and solution to a
“Vive La France !” number of problems. While speaking about the
Abraham Lincoln, a farmer President of America French language, M. Hamel called it as the most
said, beautiful and logical language in the world. He
“I like to see a man proud of the place in which stressed its value which serves as a key to their
he lives, I like to see a man live so that his place bright and prosperous future. It is in reality they
will be proud of him.” peculiar the key to their freedom from slavery.
After reading the lesson and the above quotes But see the crux of the problem that people
of Abraham Lincoln, you begin to reflect on the are hankering after the foreign language. We
last spirit of patriotism amongst the youth in should feel proud in talking in our own language
India due to which there is no respect for ones and keep it on the podium. Though it is good
countrymen and no determination amongst the that we must learn foreign languages for having
youth to lead the country to a better future. an access to the outer world but we must make
Write an article in about 200 words for a national it a point that our own language is the best and

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 159

32. “The Last Lesson” story was written in which 39. What attitude of M. Hamel surprised Franz?
year? (a) soft and kind (b) rude
(a) 1870 – 1871 (b) 1869 – 1870 (c) firm and strict (d) none of these
(c) 1872- 1873 (d) 1870 – 1872

Ans :


Ans : (a) soft and kind
(a) 1870 – 1871
40. Who was M. Hamel?
33. Don’t go so fast, you will get to your school in (a) a spy (b) language teacher
plenty of time means ___ (c) soldier (d) School Principal
(a) getting late (b) very early

Ans :
(c) early enough (d) not early (b) language teacher


Ans :
(c) early enough
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1.�

34. What was there in front of the Bulletin Board? 1. Why did Franz not want to go to school that day?
(a) a crowd (b) police

Ans : 2017

(c) hawkers (d) children Franz did not want to go to school that day because


Ans : he was to answer the question on “Participles”
(d) a crowd which was already given to him by his teacher
M. Hamel. Since the boy did not know even the
35. What bad news used to come from the Bulletin first wood about them So he feared scolding from
Board? his teacher. He rather wanted to enjoy the bright
(a) the draft day, the chirping as the birds and the drill of the
(b) lost battles Prussian soldiers.
QUESTION 2.

(c) orders of commanding officers 2. What is the background of the story ‘The Last
(d) All of these Lesson’ ?


Ans :

Ans : 2022
(d) All of these This story is set in the days of the Franco-Prussian
War (1870-1871). In this war, France was defeated
36. Which language would the students study from
by Prussia (Germany). Then an order came
the next day?
from Germany. According to this order, German
(a) Dutch (b) German language was imposed on the French districts of
(c) English (d) Spanish Alsace and Lorraine. A student named Franz is


Ans : the narrator of the story. The writer describes the
(b) German effect of this shocking news on the narrator, his
teacher, M. Hamel and the villagers.
37. What does the expression “in great dread of QUESTION 3.�

scolding” mean? 3. Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the
(a) To be indifferent school late that day ?
(b) very badly scared of scolding

Ans : 2017

(c) to be happy about it Franz reached his school late. He was troubled
(d) None of these at heart for being inordinately delayed. He saw


Ans : M. Hamel with his ruler under the arm. Without
(b) very badly scared of scolding much a do, Franz jumped over the bench and sat
down on the desk. His teacher very politely asked
38. Why was Franz was shocked to see M. Hamel? him to have his seat as he non-going to start his
(a) Because of his formal dress lesson. Franz noticed seriousness everywhere. It
(b) because he gave sweets was because his teacher had been transported and
it was his last lesson on Franz.
(c) because he had a flower in his hand QUESTION 4.

(d) all of these 4. Why was Franz afraid of?

Ans :

Ans : 2021
(a) Because of his formal dress Franz was very late for school. He feared that he

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

NOTICING FORM JIWAN PUBLIC SCHOOL, ALIPUR, DELHI

QUESTION 1. 16th April, 20...
1. Read this sentence : NOTICE
M. Hamel had said that he would question us on
Participles. In the sentence above, the verb form TOUR TO MUSSOORI
“had said” in the first part is used to indicate an The students of senior classes are informed that a
“earlier past.” The whole story is narrated in the three day tour to Dehradun and Myssoori is being
Past. M. Hamel’s “saying” happened earlier than organized by the Historical Society of the school
the events in this story. This form of the verb is during the summer vacation as per schedule given
called the Past Perfect. below :
Pick out five sentences from the story with this 1. Date of : 4th May from the school
form of the verb and say why this form has been Departure in a school bus at 4
used. O'clock in the evening


Ans :
upto the New Delhi
Past Perfect Why used Railway Station as the
train leaves at 4.40 p.m.
1. I had counted on 1. Little earlier past
the commotion thought on. 2. Means of : Train and Buses
to get to my desk Conveyance
without being 3. Arrival : 10th May
seen. 4. Charges per : ` 5,000/-
2. Not till then, when 2. Earlier past student
I had got a little action of
Those interested deposit the above mentioned
over my fright, overcoming his
amount with a consent letter from their respective
did I see that our fear.
parents by 22nd April with the undersigned.
teacher had on his
Manoj
beautiful green
Students’ Adviser
coat.


O
3. Hauser had 3. Earlier past (ii) A requirement to be fulfilled :
brought an old action of bringing
SARDAR PATEL VIDYALAYA, KANGRA
primer. primer with.
20th February, 20...
4. In the same grave 4. To indicate a
NOTICE
and gentle tone little earlier
All the students of X and XII standards are
which he had used past action of
hereby informed to return the library books
to me, said: "My speaking in
issued to them latest by 25th February otherwise
children, this is gentle tone.
they would not be issued their Admission Tickets
The Last Lesson, I
for the Board Examination. A late fine of `5/- per
shall give you."
day will be charged after that day.
5. My books that 5. Till a little before Aman Saini
had seemed such the past thought Librarian
a nuisance a while of thinking books

O
ago..." a nuisance. (iii) A rule to be followed :
FERTILE VALLEY SCHOOL, NISHAT BAGH,

WRITING JAMMU
QUESTION 1.�
4th November, 20...
1. Write a notice for your school bulletin- board.
Your notice could be an announcement of a NOTICE
forthcoming event, or a requirement to be fulfilled, In a meeting of Class Prefects and School
or a rule to be followed. Discipline Committee, it has been decided to


Ans : improve the students discipline on all fronts. Acts
of late coming, class-bunking, truancy, improper
(i) Forthcoming Event :
uniform and creating nuisance in school teaching

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 161

bright. Open fields and the chirping of birds were

Ans : 2018

more attractive than the participles. He could also Franz was late for school. He feared that if he
watch the Prussian soldiers drilling in the open. was noticed, he would be punished. But he also
But he had the strength to resist this temptation. hoped that he would be able to enter the school
He decided to hurry off to the school. unnoticed. Generally, when the school began, there
QUESTION 12.�
was a lot of bustle. This noise was so great that it
12. What caused the bustle when the school began? could be heard in the street. He hoped that in that


Ans : 2014 bustle no one would notice that he was late.
Usually when the school began, there was a great QUESTION 16.�

bustle. The noise could be heard out in the street. 16. How did Mr. Hamel display his love for the french
This bustle was caused by the opening and closing language ?
of desks. The students repeated their lessons very

Ans : 2015

loud in unison. This caused a lot of noise. The M. Hamel was a very dedicated teacher of French
teacher rapped his ruler on the table. All these language. While delivering his lesson in the
things caused a lot of bustle. class,he touched upon many aspects of French.
QUESTION 13.�
He called it the most clear and logical language in
13. What was Franz’s regret when he knew that Mr. the world. He urged all to guard it and never to
Hamel was leaving the school forever ? forget it. If they held fast to their language, they
had the key to their prison.


O QUESTION 17.

What were Franz’s regrets after M. Hamel’s 17. What did he find unusual about the school?
announcement of his last lesson?

Ans : 2019

O When the narrator reached school, he found

What announcement did M. Hamel make ? What something unusual. Generally, there was a great
was the impact of this on Franz ? hustle and bustle at the school in the morning.
The noise was created by the opening and closing


O
of desks and the repeating of lessons loudly. The
How did Franz react to the declaration that it was
sound made by the teacher by rapping his ruler
their last French lesson ?
on the table could also be heard from the street.


Ans : 2013, 2012, 2011
But that day, everything was calm and quiet. It
Franz was shocked when he came to know that
was quite unusual.
Mr. Hamel was leaving school for ever. He was
QUESTION 18.�

sorry for not learning his lessons. His feeling

18. How did Franz enter the school? How did the
had given a sea-change. He forgot all about Mr.
teacher react?
Hamel’s ruler and hard discipline. Now he thought


Ans : 2010
the books as his old friends whom he could not
Franz was late for school. He feared that he
give up. He regretted and realised his foolishness.
would be rebuked by his teacher. He wanted to
QUESTION 14.

get to his desk without being noticed. But that

14. Why was there a big crowd in front of the bulletin
day, everything was calm and quiet. He had to
board? What kind of news did people get from
open the door and go in before everybody. The
there?
teacher was already there. Franz blushed and was


Ans : 2017
frightened. But nothing happened. His teacher
On his way to school, Franz passed by the Town
spoke very kindly and asked him to take his seat.
Hall. There he found that there was a big crowd
QUESTION 19.�

in front of the bulletin board. It was a usual sight

19. What was the mood in the classroom when M.
these days. For the last two years, all kinds of
Hamel gave his last French lesson?
bad news had come from there. People got the


Ans : 2011
news of the lost battles, the draft and the orders
When M. Hamel gave his last French lesson in
of the commanding officer. That day, there was
the classroom, there was no commotion. There
another bad news. The order from Berlin said
was pin-drop silence. He was politely and
that German would be taught in the schools of
dedicatedly talking with the students. There was
Alsace and Lorraine.
no strictness, looked solemn, serious and deeply
QUESTION 15.�

grieved. Whenever he spoke, his throat choked.

15. Why had Franz hoped that he would be able to
He felt as if his bodily parts were being pierced.
enter the school unnoticed?

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

(iii) contrast (f) Which of the following word combinations

(iv) metaphor best describe the atmosphere in the school as
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word. shown in the extract?
‘I thought he was making fun of me.’ Here, (i) Anxious and sad
Franz is referring to _____. (ii) Afraid and horrified


Ans : 2015 (iii) Humiliated and seething
(a) The narration by a young boy, Franz makes (iv) Enraged and aggressive
the story more realistic and poignant.

Ans : 2018

(b) (ii) an opinion (a) (i) Franz didn’t notice that M. Hamel was all
(c) It was the last lesson in French language dressed up.
that day as German would be taught from (ii) He also didn’t notice the village elders
tomorrow in the schools of Alsace and sitting at the back.
Lorraine. (b) (iii) He was honouring his mother tongue.
(d) I had counted on the commotion to get to my (c) everyone knew that it was the last lesson in
desk without being seen; but, of course that French they were attending.
day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday (d) It signifies respect for his services of teaching
morning. for forty long years.
(e) (iii) contrast (e) It indicates the late realisation of their love
(f) Wachter, the blacksmith for their mother tongue and regret of not
QUESTION 3.�
learning it.
3. Read the following extract and answer the
(f) (i) Anxious and sad
questions that follow.
I jumped over the bench and sat down at my QUESTION 4.�

desk. Not till then, when I had got a little over 4. Read the following extract and answer the
my fright, did I see that our teacher had on his questions that follow.
beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little While I was wondering about it all, M. Hamel
black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore mounted his chair, and, in the same grave and
except on inspection and prize days. Besides, the gentle tone which he had used to me, said, “My
whole school seemed so strange and solemn. But children, this is the last lesson, I shall give you.
the thing that surprised me most was to see, on the The order has come from Berlin to teach only
back benches that were always empty, the village German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
people sitting quietly like ourselves; old Hauser, The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last
with his three-cornered hat, the former mayor, the French lesson. I want you to be very attentive.”
former postmaster and several others besides. What a thunderclap these words were to me!
(a) List any two examples from this extract that (a) What is the writer’s purpose in showing
prove that ‘Panic blinds people’. what was going in the mind of little Franz, as
opposed to only a writer’s commentary in the
(b) What had made M. Hamel dress up in his
last two lines of the extract?
best clothes? What was the occasion?
(b) “While I was wondering about it all, M.
(i) He was getting a farewell from the village
Hamel mounted his chair.” What was Franz
elders.
wondering about?
(ii) He had got a new job.
(i) about the Prussian soldiers drilling
(iii) He was honouring his mother tongue. nearby
(iv) He was going to give a speech. (ii) about M. Hamel’s strange behaviour
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (iii) about not learning participles
The expression “the whole school seemed so
(iv) about the villagers around the bulletin
strange and solemn” suggests that _____.
board
(d) What does the presence of the village elders
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can be
in the classroom signify for M. Hamel’s work?
drawn from the fact that M. Hamel mounted
(e) What does the expression ‘the village people his chair.
sitting quietly like ourselves’ indicate?

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 163

Ans : 2013, 2010

in the world. It was the most logical language.
M. Hamel had put on his beautiful green coat, his He urged upon his students and the villagers to
frilled shirt and the little black silk cap. He never guard this language. He said that their language
wore those clothes except on inspection and prize is the key to their happiness and freedom. They
days. But that day he was wearing those clothes must not forget it.
in honour of the last French lesson. An order from QUESTION 32.�

Berlin had come that only German would be 32. What made M. Hamel cry towards the end of his
taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The last lesson ?
new teacher was coming the next day.

Ans : 2014
QUESTION 28.�
The teacher M. Hamel could not speak because
28. What was the impact of the last lesson in grammar something choked him. He was troubled to leave
over Franz ? How did he feel? the school. He wrote on the blackboard in very


Ans : 2016
large letters : ‘Vive La France’
While teaching grammar, M. Hamel taught it so With a gesture to the students with his hand,
dedicatedly and patiently that everything came in he hinted : “School is dismissed, you may go.”
the mind of Franz. What ever he said, it seemed QUESTION 33.�

very easy and interesting. Franz understood it so 33. Describe the atmosphere in the class on the day
well. He had never listened to his teacher with of the last lesson.
so much rapt attention. It seemed as if the poor

Ans : 2013
man wanted to give his students all he knew in M. Hamel was a very dedicated and learned
one stroke. teacher of French language. On getting orders
QUESTION 29.
form Berlur, he told that he was leaving as
29. What did M. Hamel say about the French German would he taught in the school. He was
language? What did he urge upon his students deply shocked and his throat choked, whenever
and villagers to do? he spoke. He felt as if his bodily parts was being


Ans : 2019
pierced.
It was M. Hamel’s last French lesson. He talked On that day, these was no commotion in the
in length about the French language. He told the classroom. It was pin drop silence. He was talking
students and villagers that French was the most with his students very politely and dedicatelly.
beautiful language in the world. He said that it These was no strictness. Rather he looked solemn,
was the clearest and most logical language. He serious and deeply grieved. In his lesson he told
urged upon the students and the villagers to about the importance of learning their own
protect it among themselves. He reminded them language. Blaming himself he told their he was
never to forget it. himself responsible for not paying due attentions
QUESTION 30.�
towards hold the language and the students. He
30. When did M. Hamel blame for Franz’s inability to
told that French was the most clear and logical
answer his questions ?
language in the world. He urged to guard it unever


Ans : 2015
to forget it. On his failure to speak in the class he
In his last lesson M. Hamel told the importance of
wrote-Vivela France. Hes made a gesture “School
learning their own language. He told the people to
is dismissed-for may go.”
learn and guard it. He himself blamed his ownself
QUESTION 34.

for remaining indifferent towards Franz. He also

34. What was the effect of the last lesson on the
told that he often allowed the students to water
narrator?
the plants. He gave them a yholiday because he

Ans : 2009
wanted to go for fishing. M. Hamel was giving his last French lesson.
QUESTION 31.
After praising the French language, he opened
31. Why did M. Hamel ask his students and the
a grammar book and read them their lesson.
villages to guard French among themselves?
Franz found that lesson seemed very easy. He


Ans : 2011, 2008
understood it so well. He was very attentive.
It was M. Hamel’s last French lesson to his
M. Hamel had never explained everything with
students. From the next day, German would be
so much patience. It appeared as if the teacher
taught in all the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. M.
wanted to give his students all he knew before
Hamel was sad but helpless. In his last lesson, he
going away. He wanted to put it all into their
said that French was the most beautiful language
heads with one stroke.

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

(c) Explain what the author wishes to emphasise (c) Explain any one possible inference that can
through the sentence, “How is it; you pretend be drawn from the line, “ All he said seemed
to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither so easy, so easy!”.
speak nor write your own language?’ (d) Identify the line from the text that bears
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that a community or
evidence of the fact that M. Hamel is reproving people’s language is their identity.
everyone for the problem under discussion. (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, which of the following can be attributed to M.
select the most likely one that stands for Hamel’s declaration about the French language?
‘those fellows’ in the lines above. (i) Patriotic magnification
(i) The Germans (ii) Subject expertise
(ii) The officials of the local government (iii) Nostalgic pride
(iii) The new masters (iv) Factual accuracy
(iv) The parents of the children (f) Complete the sentence with a word or two.
(f) Complete the sentence appropriately. The central theme of the story highlights the
M. Hamel says to Franz, “I won’t scold you, fact that sometimes even the most _____
little Franz; you must feel bad enough.” Franz in our lives are taken for granted by us.
already felt bad enough about _____.

Ans : 2009

Ans : 2010 (a) The writer has used metaphors to compare

(a) M. Hamel’s tone is filled with regret and knowing one’s native language to a key and
sadness. prison to the loss of freedom.
(b) (iv) The habit of procrastination (b) (ii) an opinion
(c) The author wishes to emphasise that our (c) Franz was now more open and responsive so,
native tongue gives us our unique identity. he found grammar easy to understand.
(d) ‘We must guard it among us and never forget
(d) “We have all a great deal to reproach ourselves
it.’
with.”
(e) (i) Patriotic magnification
(e) (i) the Germans
(f) precious things
(f) not learning participles QUESTION 8.�

QUESTION 7.�

8. Read the following extract and answer the

7. Read the following extract and answer the
questions that follow.
questions that follow.
I was amazed to see how well I understood it.
M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language,
All he said seemed so easy, so easy! I think, too,
saying that it was the most beautiful language in
that I had never listened so carefully, and that
the world – the clearest, the most logical; that
he had never explained everything with so much
we must guard it among us and never forget it,
patience. It seemed almost as if the poor man
because when a people are enslaved, as long as
wanted to give us all he knew before going away
they hold fast to their language it is as if they
and to put it all into our heads at one stroke.
had the key to their prison. Then he opened a
grammar book and read us our lesson. I was (a) In what way does the story being told as a
amazed to see how well I understood it. All he first-person narrative of Franz impact your
said seemed so easy, so easy! reading and understanding of the story?
(a) What is the writer’s purpose in using the (b) Select the option that does NOT explain why
phrase ‘the key to their prison’ ? Franz found the grammar lesson “easy”.
(i) Franz was paying careful attention in
(b) The line, “It was the most beautiful language
class this time.
in the world – the clearest, the most logical”
can be best classified as: (ii) M. Hamel was being extremely patient
and calm in his teaching.
(i) a fact
(iii) Franz realised that French was the
(ii) an opinion
clearest and most logical language.
(iii) a theme
(iv) Franz was inspired and had found a new
(iv) a plot point meaning and purpose to learning.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 165

“terrible” ruler under his arm and one could hear French was the most beautiful language in the
its rapping in the street. He always maintained world. It was the most logical language. He urged
decorum and discipline in the class. On the last day his students and the villagers to protect this
he came out by wearing his fine Sunday dress that language. Everyone listened to him with attention
he used to wear on specific ceremonial occasions. and respect. In the end, he got up. He took a
That day school looked quite solemn and strange piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard, “Vive
and there was no commotion of any sort. Even La France!” (Long Live France). Then without a
the distinguished personalities had assembled word, he made a gesture to convey that the school
there to pay their deepest reverence to the teacher was over and they could go.
for his forty years of meritorious service. While QUESTION 5.�

addressing all he spoke: “My children, this is the 5. Give a character sketch of M. Hamel on the basis
last lesson of French”. He was deeply pained at of your study of the story, ‘The Last Lesson’.
the order from Berlin which stated the ban of

Ans : 2012

teaching French. In this respect he detailed the M. Hamel was the French teacher at a school
importance and love of one’s own language. He in the French districts of Alsace-Lorraine. He
was highly respected by all. He loved France and had served the school selflessly for forty years.
French language from the innermost core of his He always stressed upon the glory of the French
heart. language and the need to keep the ‘language alive.
Being a dedicated and a patriot, he taught He always taught patiently and meticulously in
the grammar lesson with complete depth that was order to leave an indelible imprint on their minds.
followed by all. He had the courage to hear every He was particularly so on the day he delivered
lesson to the last. But he pointed out that he was his last lesson. He felt tormented at the fact that
sorry that the people of Alsace had never been people had become indifferent towards learning
serious about learning. He was overwhelmed with French. This reflects his determination to teach
deep emotions and looked at everything keenly so the language and his faithfulness towards it.
as to fix them in his mind. The hall, garden and M. Hamel was a patriot in the real sense, as he
the love of area was breathing his heart heavily. regarded the national language as a means to
While speaking his voice choked and he wrote in retain our identity and uniqueness. On the outside,
a chalk, Wive La France’. With the gesture of his he looked cranky and strict, but in reality, he was
hands he dismissed the school. over concerned for his pupils. With a heavy heart,
QUESTION 4. he wrote on the blackboard in very bold letters-
4. What was the order from Berlin? What was its Vive La France !
effect on M. Hamel, Franz and the people of QUESTION 6.

Alsace? 6. Write a brief character-sketch of M. Hamel, the

Ans : 2013, 2010 narrator’s teacher.
For the last two years all bad news had come

Ans : 2014, 2011

from Berlin. That day also there was shocking M. Hamel is the central character in the story
news. An order had come from Berlin. According ‘The Last Lesson’. He is a teacher of French in a
to that order, German would be taught in the school of Alsace. He is the narrator’s teacher. Like
schools of Alsace and Lorraine. the other teachers of that time, he was also strict.
The order from Berlin shocked the people The students of his school were afraid of him. The
of Alsace. M. Hamel was a teacher in a school narrator, Franz, was in great dread of him. He
in Alsace. He was also heart broken. That day feared that he would be rebuked by his teacher
he gave his last lesson in French to his students. because he had not prepared his lesson. M. Hamel
From the next day, German would be taught. always maintained strict discipline in the class.
Apart from his students, people from the village However, the writer presents the other side
also attended his school that day. This was a of his character also. When the order from Berlin
mark of honour for the teacher. M. Hamel broke comes, we find that M. Hamel is very patriotic.
the news to his students and the villagers. He told He was very sentimental. He did not rebuke the
that it was his last lesson. The new teacher would narrator when he came late. He did not lose his
join the school the next day. The narrator, Franz, temper even when Franz did not recite his lesson
was shocked. The villagers were also sad. Then M. properly. He urged upon the students and the
Hamel praised the French language. He said that villagers to protect the French language. He said

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

that it was not proper for them to neglect their in the garden. He became fond of shirking from
own language. work and used to put off his learning as well as
In the end, he got up. He wanted to say home task. But he was much scared of his teacher
something but his sentiments choked his voice. He M. Hamel.
took a piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard In addition to this, the boy had an acute sense
in big letters, “Vive La France!” (Long Live of understanding, feeling, recognition and respect.
France). Then without speaking, he made a Entering the school, he sensed unusualness and
gesture to indicate that the school was over and calmness there. He was much surprised at this
they could go. Thus we find that he was very and was rather troubled to know that his teacher
patriotic. was leaving them because of an order from Berlin
QUESTION 7.� had banned the teaching of French. During the
7. How did Mr. Hamel display his love for French writing period, he noticed sad expressions over
language ? the face of M. Hamel. When the teacher taught a


Ans : 2015 lesson in grammar, it left an indelible impression
Mr. Hamel while talking to the French Language, on the boy. He felt that the teacher was going to
said that it was the most beautiful, the clearest pour everything in their minds. Then the teacher
and the most logical language in the world. He said wrote on the blackboard `Long Live France’.
that they must guard it among them and never The boy was deeply moved and he recognised
forget it because when the people are enslaved, as his teacher for his worth. Thus Franz had all the
long as they hold fast to their language, it is as if senses of head and heart.
they had the key to their prison.
Then, Mr. Hamel opened a grammar book
and read the lesson to the students. All he said
seemed so easy. He had never explained everything
with so much patience. After the grammar, they
had a lesson in writing. He requested all of them
to hold fast to their language and culture for QUESTION 9.�

only their language could get them freedom. The 9. What did the French teacher tell his students in
moment they lost their language, they would be his last French lesson ? What impact did it have
colonized forever. Mr. Hamel had new copies for on them? Why?
the students, written in a beautiful round had

Ans : 2022

‘France, Alsace’. He had the courage to hear Hamel was a very dedicated French teacher in
every lesson to the very last. He wanted to say one of the schools of Alsace. He was a man of
something, but he could not, so he wrote on the perfect discipline. There came an order from
black board ‘Vive La France’ ! and finally with the Berlin banning the teaching of French. In his last
gestures of his hand he told the students that the lesson Hamel taught so well that all the students
school was dismissed and they could go. understood word by word. It looked as if he
QUESTION 8.�
wanted to pour everything in the minds of his
8. Write the character sketch of Franz, the little boy. students just in one stroke. Then M. Hamel talked
that the French language was the most beautiful,


O clearest and logical language in the world. They
What feelings and experiences did Franz have on must guard it among themselves and never
the day of the last lesson ? forget it. So enslaved people holding fast to their


O language works the key to their prison.
How did Franz spend the day of the last lesson at The village elders who have come to pay their
school? last reverence to the teacher seem to endorse M.


Ans : 2012 Hamel’s views. They feel that they must guard it
Franz was a student in one of the schools in the among themselves and never forget it. They must
districts of Alsace. Having a poor family set-up, hold fast to their language, thus the old men of
the boy was often asked to work in some mill for the village, sitting on the back benches, showed
earning some money. But the family could not their respect for their country and language
pay due attention towards his education, so the that more theirs no more. Hence their order of
boy loved outside environment and wanted to imposing German will not be able to contain their
enjoy it. In the school too, he often loved to work love for their beautiful language.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 167
QUESTION 10.

Franz like a thunderbolt. He had hardly learnt to

10. Write a brief character-sketch of Franz, the
read and write. He was sorry to have wasted his
narrator of the story.
time. The same thought was passing through the


O minds of other village elders. Then, he praised his
What impression do you form about Franz after mother tongue. He said that French was the most
reading this story? beautiful, most logical and the clearest language


Ans : 2018
in the world. He exhorted the people to stick to
Franz is the narrator of this story. He is a student it. He assured them that if they held fast to their
in a school of Alsace. M. Hamel was his school language, they would be able to get rid of the
teacher. He is an ordinary student and has such Prussian rulers. Their language was the key to
feelings about the school and his teacher as such their freedom from slavery. When the clock struck
students have. He is not brilliant at studies. So he twelve, he tried to say something but he couldn’t.
dreads his teacher. When the story starts, he is Then, he wrote in large letter on the blackboard,
going to school. He is in great dread of his teacher “Vive La France!”. Mr. Hamel reproached himself
because he is late for school. Moreover, he has for his student’s unsatisfactory progress.
not prepared his lesson on participles. He fears QUESTION 12.�

that his teacher, M. Hamel would rebuke him. 12. Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school
For a moment he thinks of running away from the changed gradually by the end of the text, though
school. He thinks that there are many things which he had a great disliking for both in the beginning
are more attractive than his teacher’s lecture. He of the story. It is said that first impression is the
likes the chirping of birds in the woods. He likes last impression. Is it true in context of The Last
to watch the Prussian soldiers drilling. However, Lesson’ ? Definitely not.
he resists the temptation and attends the school. Write a small paragraph of about 100 words
However, there is a change in Franz’s opinion penning down your views on, ‘A person can be
about his teacher. That day M. Hamel says that best judged in his first appearance only’.
it is his last French lesson. The new teacher is

Ans : 2020
coming the next day. Now only German would be A well-known dictum states that ‘appearances
taught in the schools. Like others, Franz is also are deceptive’. In fact, it is true that one cannot
shocked to hear this news. When he hears the be judged in just one meeting. Actually, one or
cooing of pigeons, he remarks, “Will they make more meetings are not enough to judge a person’s
them sing in German, even the pigeons?” Now personality. Every person reacts differently on
Franz begins to respect his teacher. He thinks different situations at different times. So it is not
that M. Hamel is a dedicated teacher. He has a matter of single appearance to form a judgement
been in the school for the last forty years. He feels about a person. It might be a prejudice.
sorry for having neglected the study of French. He Now-a-days every person appears to be social
agrees with his teacher that French is the most and gentle. They want to be presentable in the
beautiful language in the world. When M. Hamel society. No matter what their background is.
reads out the lesson to the class, he finds that he One’s clothes, gestures, habits etc., do not define
understands it all. He listens to his teacher’s last one’s personality in just one appearance. Due time
lesson with rapt attention and respect. should be taken to form opinion about a person.
QUESTION 11.�
Different situations reveal different aspects
11. Our language is part of our culture and we are of one’s personality. Sometimes a life remains
proud of it. Describe how regretful Mr. Hamel short to know a person. But sometimes even a
and the village elders are for having neglected few seconds are enough to know one’s real face.
their native language, French. Hence, it is not a matter of first or last impression


Ans : 2016
but the issue of time needed to know one in one’s
One day Mr. Hamel told everyone that an order right colours.
had come from Berlin that French would not QUESTION 13.

be taught any more. Among the listeners were 13. How did M. Hamel bid farewell to his students
village people, the former Mayor, the former and the people of the village?
Post-Master, and old Hauser. He further, told

Ans : 2019
them that instead of French, German was going M. Hamel told his students and the villagers
to be taught. That day, they were going to have that it was his last French lesson. An order had
their last lesson in French. Those words struck

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Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

rights come under educational and cultural Languages you Home Neigh- City/ School
rights. Some of the linguistic rights include, know language bourhood Town language
language language
right to one’s own language in legal work,
1. Hindi, English Hindi Hindi Hindi Hindi
education and media.
There are many worldwide organisations such 2. Hindi, English, Bihari Hindi Bihari Hindi
Bihari, Avadhi
as UNESCO are working on the protection of
3. Hindi, English, Hindi Hindi Punjabi Hindi
linguistic human rights. Punjabi
(b) The term “Linguistic minorities” is referred 4. Hindi, English, Pahadi Hindi Pahadi Hindi
to the people who speaks a language that Pahadi
is not common in an area and is spoken by 5. Hindi, English, Hindi Hindi Hindi Hindi
less number of people. For example, Tamil Urdu

language in Northern India. The constitution

of India is the longest and most elaborated
constitution in the world. It guarantees and 5. Other IMportant questions
preserves right of every group in the society.
In the same line, there are some articles that
MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS
prevents exploitation of the rights of linguistic
minorities in India. Some of them are: 1. Who is the author of ‘The Last Lesson’ ?
(i) Article 29 : Right to establish and manage (a) Jane Austen
educational institutions to minorities (b) Rabindra Nath Tagore
This article gives right to the people (c) None of these
to establish the minority group based (d) Alphonse Daudet
educational institutions and giving

Ans :
instructions accordingly, to preserve their (d) Alphonse Daudet
culture and heritage.
(ii) Article 350A : Facilities of instruction in 2. Alphonse Daudet was from which country?
mother tongue at primary stage (a) New Zealand (b) France
Every child in India has a right to receive (c) England (d) India
education in their mother tongue at the

Ans :
primary level, taht is till class 5. (b) France
(iii) Article 350B : Provision for Special
officer for linguistic minorities under 3. The story ‘The Last Lesson’ highlights which
constitution human tendency?
For the preservation of a minority group’s (a) Courage (b) Cowardice
language, a special officer is appointed
(c) Male Chauvinism (d) Procrastination
to keep a check if the rules are being

Ans :
followed or not. (d) Procrastination
QUESTION 2.

2. Given below is a survey form. Talk to atleast five 4. What were the things being taken for granted by
of your classmates and fill in the information you the people of Alsace?
get in the form. (a) Time and school
Languages Home Neigh- City/Town School (b) Teachers of the school
you know language bourhood language language
language (c) People around
1. (d) Money and power


Ans :
2.
(a) Time and school
3.

4. 5. What does The Last Lesson symbolize?

5. (a) Loss
(b) Loss of freedom


Ans :
I talked to 5 of friends, Anu, Sunil, Arshdeep, (c) Loss of language
Asha and Asif. The details they provided me are: (d) Loss of language and freedom

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 169

we must guard it in every possible way. It is our

Ans : 2017

moral duty to interact in our official language (a) (i) The day was warm and bright. (visual)
and in this regard the modern youth can take (ii) The birds were chirping at the edge of the
the leap as well as shoulder the responsibility of woods. (auditory)
safeguarding their language. (b) (i) M. Hamel scolding him in front of the
Ultimately on hearing M. Hamel, people entire class.
setting these to pay their last respects to him, (c) Franz had no idea about participles at all.
resolved to protect their language French as it (d) As Prussia had occupied the districts of
was their key to freedom and redemption. Alsace and Lorraine after defeating France in
the Franco-Prussian War, the soldiers were

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS performing a drill.
QUESTION 1.�

(e) It indicates that Franz was like any other child

1. Read the following extract and answer the
of his age not much interested in attending
questions that follow.
school.
I started for school very late that morning and was
in great dread of a scolding, especially because (f) (ii) Resisting temptations
M. Hamel had said that he would question us
QUESTION 2.�

2. Read the following extract and answer the

on participles, and I did not know the first word
questions that follow.
about them. For a moment, I thought of running
I thought he was making fun of me, and reached
away and spending the day out of doors. It was
M. Hamel’s little garden all out of breath.
so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at
Usually, when school began, there was a great
the edge of the woods; and in the open field back
bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the
of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling.
opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in
(a) List any two sensory details present in this
unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to
extract.
understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler
(b) Why does the protagonist feel anxious about rapping on the table. But now it was all so still!
entering the classroom on this particular day? I had counted on the commotion to get to my
The protagonist felt anxious about entering desk without being seen; but, of course that day
the classroom on this particular day because everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning.
he dreaded _____.
(a) What is the writer’s purpose in narrating the
(i) M. Hamel scolding him in front of the story through Franz, as opposed to only a
entire class. writer’s commentary?
(ii) M. Hamel beating him with his great iron (b) The line, “I thought he was making fun of
ruler. me” can be best classified as:
(iii) relentless teasing by his classmates. (i) a fact
(iv) being expelled from the class. (ii) an opinion
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (iii) a theme
The phrase “did not know the first word”
(iv) a plot point
suggests that______.
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can
(d) Why does the author mention the presence of
be drawn from the line, “But now it was all
the Prussian soldiers drilling at the back of
so still!”.
the sawmill?
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears
(e) What does the sentence ‘I thought of running
evidence to the fact that the narrator’s plans
away and spending the day out of doors’
were bound to end in failure.
indicate about Franz?
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
select the most likely figure of speech that the
what happens immediately after the extract?
writer has used to describe the atmosphere in
(i) Running away from school the school.
(ii) Resisting temptations (i) hyperbole
(iii) The fear of M. Hamel (ii) symbolism
(iv) The love for the outdoors

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

would be rebuked for coming late. But his real (v) It upset all the students and their teacher.
dread was his failure to learn the participles. On All the schools of Alsace and Lorraine would
that day, the teacher, M. Hamel, had to question teach German and the new master would
the students about participles. But Franz had come the next day. For the students, this
not prepared his lesson. So he was afraid of being would be their last lesson.
rebuked. QUESTION 8.�

QUESTION 5.� 8. How different did M. Hamel look that particular

5. “What a thunderclap these words were to me !” morning in ‘the last lesson’ ?
Which were the words that shocked and surprised

Ans : 2017

little Franz ? M. Hamel look different on the morning of his

last lesson. He had put on a beautiful green coat,


O
frilled shirt and a little black silk cap. The clothes
What did the French teacher tell his students in
he would normally wear on inspiration and prize
his last French lesson ? What impact did it have
days. He was unusually polite and humble.
in them? Why?
QUESTION 9.


Ans : 2013, 2011
9. What was the bulletin board news that caused a
The following words of M. Hamel shocked and
change in the school ?
surprised little Franz. They were thunderclap to


Ans : 2015
him. “My children, this is the last lesson I shall
The Bulletin Board put up at the Town Hall
give you. The order has come from Berlin to
stated that the teaching of the French language
teach only German in the schools of Alsace and
had been stapped in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine. The new master comes tomorrow. This
Lorraine districts that came under the regime
is your last French lesson. I want you to be very
of Prussia. There will be the teaching of only
attentive.”
German. Here Mr. M. Hamel had been teaching
QUESTION 6.

Frencyh for the last forty years and Thus he had

6. What did Franz decide to do for a moment ?


Ans : 2022
to go.
QUESTION 10.
Franz was late for school. Secondly, on that day,
10. What was the parting message of M. Hamel to his
his teacher had to ask questions on participles.
students and the village old people ?
But he had not learnt his lesson. He feared that
the teacher would rebuke him. So for a moment

O
he thought of running away and spending the day How did Hamel say farewell to his students and
in the countryside. But then he decided to attend the people of the town ?
the school and hurried on.

O
QUESTION 7.�
Why did M. Hamel write ‘Vive La France’ on the
7. What was the order from Berlin and what changes blackboard ?
did it cause in the school ?

Ans : 2015, 2012

O The Church bell struck twelve. Mr. Hamel stood

What changes did the order from Berlin cause in up from his chair. His face looked pale and
the school ? troubled. His voice choked when he tried to utter


Ans : 2013, 2012 ‘My friends’. On his failure to speak he wrote
The order from Berlin caused the following with a piece of chalk Tive La France’–`Long Live
changes in the school that day : France’. Then he leaned against the wall and
(i) The school and all other things were quiet made his last announcement by making a gesture
like Sunday morning. ‘School is dismissed–you may go’.
(ii) The whole school seemed very strange and
QUESTION 11.

11. What was the temptation and how did Franz

solemn.
resist it?
(iii) M. Hamel had put on his finest dress which he

Ans : 2012
wore only on inspection and prize ceremonial Franz had not prepared his lesson. He feared that
days of school. his teacher would rebuke him. For a moment he
(iv) The village people came and sat silently on decided to run away and spend the day in the
the back benches in school room to thank the countryside. There was a great temptation before
teacher for his services that way. him. The weather was very warm and the day was

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 171

(d) Identify the line from the text that bears blamed solely only on them. It was a _____
evidence to the fact that the teacher M. problem.
Hamel was also suffering remorse and guilt. (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, infer that Franz’s opinion of M. Hamel was
select the most likely option that was a also getting transformed.
‘thunderclap’ to Franz’s ears? (e) What do the words ‘the country that was
(i) The new master comes tomorrow. theirs no more’ indicate about the people of
(ii) The order has come from Berlin. France?
(iii) I want you to be very attentive. (f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
(iv) This is your last French lesson. the attitude of the villagers in the given
extract?
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
The fact that German would be taught from (i) Too little, too late
the next day in the schools of Alsace and (ii) Too many cooks spoil the broth
Lorraine was proof that Prussia had _____ (iii) Too close to call
France. (iv) Too many chiefs and not enough Indians


Ans : 2012

Ans : 2015

(a) The writer’s purpose is to showcase the (a) The villagers and the children had taken the
emotional turmoil going on in the young learning of their mother tongue and their own
boy’s mind. identity for granted.
(b) (ii) about M. Hamel’s strange behaviour (b) (iii) He had to leave the school after forty
(c) He wanted to hold the attention of his class years of service.
for his last address. (c) multi-dimensional
(d) M. Hamel’s tone was ‘grave and gentle.’ (d) The use of the words ‘Poor man!’ show
(e) (iv) This is your last French lesson. empathy and change of heart in Franz.
(f) conquered (e) France had been defeated by Germany.
QUESTION 5.�
(f) (i) Too little, too late
5. Read the following extract and answer the QUESTION 6.�

questions that follow. 6. Read the following extract and answer the
Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson questions that follow.
that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes and I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you,
now I understood why the old men of the village little Franz; you must feel bad enough. See how it
were sitting there in the back of the room. It was is! Every day we have said to ourselves, ‘Bah! I’ve
because they were sorry, too, that they had not plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now
gone to school more. It was their way of thanking you see where we have come out. Ah, that’s the
our master for his forty years of faithful service great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till
and of showing their respect for the country that tomorrow. Now those fellows out there will have
was theirs no more. the right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to
(a) How did the villagers and the children take be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor
the learning of their mother tongue? write your own language?’ But you are not the
(b) Why does the narrator refer to M. Hamel as worst, poor little Franz. We have all a great deal
‘Poor man!’ ? to reproach ourselves with.”
(i) M. Hamel earned a small salary. (a) What is the tone of M. Hamel’s speech while
(ii) He was delivering the last lesson. concluding the last lesson?
(iii) He had to leave the school after forty (b) In the line, “I have plenty of time. I will learn
years of service. it tomorrow,” what trait of the French people
is reflected?
(iv) Even he will have to learn German.
(i) Time management skills
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The extract clearly demonstrates that the (ii) Level of self-confidence
school students in M. Hamel’s school not (iii) Critical thinking skills
learning their native language could not be (iv) The habit of procrastination

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 Ch 1 : The Last Lesson
QUESTION 35.�

attention to the lesson since school had become

35. “We’ve all a great deal to reproach outselves
very important for him.
with”, said M. Hamel. Comment.


Ans : 2015
Asking Franz about reciting the rules of
On his last day, Hamel pointed out that he was participles, the teacher told that the villagers had
sorry that the people of Alsace had never been not been able to study and kept their children away
serious about learning. He reproached the elders from school. There came a sudden change in Franz.
for not attending the school and for keeping their He began to realise the real worth of his school as
children away from their classes to work on their well as of the teacher whom they had all taken for
farms. He was overwhelmed with deep emotions granted all these years. Now M. Hamel became a
and looked at everything keenly so as to fix them good teacher for him rather than a boring one. For
in his mind. him, the teacher seemed to be a good gentleman
QUESTION 36.
who was leaving the village on that day. Thus,
36. How did M. Hamel bid farewell to his students there developed a specific liking to study history
and the villagers? and grammar in Franz since on that day M. Hamel


Ans : 2012, 2011 put all this heart and soul in teaching.
The church clock struck twelve. The trumpets of QUESTION 2.

the Prussian soldiers sounded under the window. 2. Reproduce in your own words what Franz did or
It was time to close to school. M. Hamel stood thought on his way to school ?
up. He looked very pale. He tried to speak, but

Ans : 2020

could not. His emotions choked his speech. Then Franz was late for school. He feared that his
he turned to the blackboard and took a piece of teacher M. Hamel would rebuke him for coming
chalk. He wrote in big letters, “Vive La France!” late. Moreover, Franz had not prepared his lesson.
(Long Live France). Then, without a word, he He feared that his teacher would rebuke him. For a
made a gesture to those in the classroom with moment he decided to run away and spend the day
hand, “School is dismissed – you may go.” in the countryside. There was a great temptation
QUESTION 37.�
before him. The weather was very warm and the
37. Why had the villagers come to school on the day day was bright. Open fields and the chirping of
of the last lesson ? birds were more attractive than the participles.


Ans : 2021 He could also watch the Prussian soldiers drilling
M. Hamel had almost served the student in the open. But he had the strength to resist
community with his forty years of faithful service. this temptation. He decided to hurry off to the
The villagers had come there to attend to the last school. When he passed by the Town hall, he saw
lesson as it was their way of paying their respect a big crowd in front of the bulletin board. It was
to the departed teacher. a usual sight these days. For the last two years all
kinds of bad news came from Berlin. But Franz

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS did not stop there. He continued going fast. When
QUESTION 1.�
he reached his school, he was all out of breath.
1. Franz’s attitude towards school as well as towarads QUESTION 3.�

M. Hamel changes when he comes to know about 3. Give a brief note on the feelings, emotions and
the take over of his village by Prussians. Do you behaviour of M. Hamel on his last day in school.
agree ? Discuss with reference to the Last Lesson.

O


Ans : 2013 What changes did the narrator find in the school
On arriving at school, Franz noted an unusual when the order from Berlin came ?
silence. His teacher M. Hamel was dressed


O
nicely and asked Franz to sit so that he could
How was M. Hamel a different teacher while
start his lesson. The teacher made a startling
giving his last lesson ?
announcement that this would be their last lesson
in French as the new teacher would be arriving the

O
following day. He reiterated about an order from How did Mr. Hamel look different on the day of
Berlin that German was to be taught in schools the last lesson ?
of Alsace and Lorraine. Franz was overcome with

Ans : 2018

a feeling of remorse and regretted for wasting M. Hamel was a very devoted, dedicated and a
his time in trivial pursuits. He decided to pay strict man of discipline in his school. He kept the

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 173

(c) Complete the statement appropriately. (c) Complete the sentence about Old Hauser
A shortcoming of M. Hamel that comes to the appropriately.
fore after reading the extract is his _____. The phrase that “his voice trembled with
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one emotion” suggests that _____.
infer that M. Hamel was exasperated and (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
desperate. infer that the atmosphere in the class was
(e) What does the idiom ‘at one stroke’ mean? bitter sweet.
(f) Franz was able to understand the grammar (e) What do the words Old Hauser ‘spelled the
lesson easily because he was _____. letters with the babies’ indicate?
(i) appreciative of his mother tongue for the (f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
first time. the central idea of the extract?
(ii) he was in an introspective mood. 1. M. Hamel (i) 'Remorse
(iii) he was feeling competitive at last. distributed is memory
(iv) he was receptive in the class for a change. new copies that awake' (Emily


Ans : 2008 looked like little Dickinson)
(a) The story of awakening and national and French flags,
linguistic identity of a people leaves a deeper and ended the
impact because it is told through the eyes of class with an
a young, naive, and innocent Franz. emphatic "Vive
La France!".
(b) (iii) Franz realised that French was the
clearest and most logical language. 2. Hauser sat at (ii) 'A House
(c) lack of patience. the end of the called
class, thumbing Tomorrow'
(d) “the poor man wanted to give us all he knew
his primer, (Alberto Rios)
before going away, and to put it all into our
desperately
heads at one stroke.”
trying to
(e) a single action that happens suddenly and
learn with the
completely.
children, even as
(f) (iv) he was receptive in the class for a change. he cried.
QUESTION 9.�

9. Read the following extract and answer the 3. M. Hamel shared (ii) 'For Whom
questions that follow. how Alsace the Bell Tolls'
But he had the courage to hear every lesson to always put off (John Donne)
the very last. After the writing, we had a lesson learning, and
in history; and then the babies chanted their ba, how its people
be, bi, bo, bu. Down there at the back of the room always thought
old Hauser had put on his spectacles and, holding they had plenty
his primer in both hands, spelled the letters with of time.
them. You could see that he, too, was crying; his 4. The class (iv) 'Do Not Go
voice trembled with emotion, and it was so funny ended when gentle into
to hear him that we all wanted to laugh and cry. the churchclock that Good
Ah, how well I remember it, that last lesson! struck twelve. night' (Dylan
(a) List any two sensory details present in this And then Thomas)
extract. the Angelus.
(b) What qualities of M. Hamel come to the Simultaneously,
forefront during the Last Lesson? Prussian
trumpets
(i) cranky, miserable, dedicated, resigned
sounded under
(ii) patient, dignified, emotional, courageous the school
(iii) calm, nostalgic, disappointed, patriotic windows.
(iv) proud, reproachful, persistent, heroic

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Ch 1 : The Last Lesson

(i) 1 – (i); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (iv)

(ii) 1 – (ii); 2 – (iii); 3 – (iv); 4 – (i)
(iii) 1 – (iii); 2 – (iv); 3 – (i); 4 – (ii)
(iv) 1 – (iv); 2 – (i); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iii)


Ans : 2013

(a) (i) ‘The babies chanted their ba, be, bi, bo,
bu’ (auditory).
(ii) ‘Old Hauser had put on his spectacles and,
holding his primer in both hands’ (visual)
(b) (ii) patient, dignified, emotional, courageous
(c) he was overcome with remorse and patriotic
feelings.
(d) It was so funny to hear him that we all wanted
to laugh and cry.
(e) Even adults didn’t know how to read or write
their mother tongue.
(f) (iv) 1 – (iv); 2 – (i); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iii).



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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 175

CHAPTER 2

Lost Spring

1. INTRODUCTION threw his school bag on the bed. The authoress

immediately recollected the prayer another boy
In this lesson, the writer describes the pitiable had made. He thought that the Goddess might
condition of poor children who have to live in have granted his prayer of shoes. Now the young
slums and work hard in very dirty conditions. boys like the son of the priest wear shoes but
They are never sent to school because their many others like the rag-pickers remain shoeless.
parents are too poor to pay for their education.
In order to describe their lot, the writer first takes Seemapuri - A Home for Rag-pickers
up the case of poor rag-pickers who have settled Seemapuri is a place on the periphery of Delhi.
in the Seemapuri area of Delhi. Then she takes Most of the rag-pickers live there. They are from
up the case of the poor bangle makers who have Bangladesh and have occupied unauthorised land
been living for generations in the dingy town of like Saheb’s family. Their structures a made of
Firozabad. These people have been exploited by mud with roof of tin and tarpaulin. They are
all sections of society. While the elders have learnt devoid of sewage, drainage or running water.
to live with their lot, the younger generation does More than 10,000 rag-pickers have been
have some dreams of their own. They want to get living here for more than thirty years without
out of their family traditions and live a better life. an identity. But they have ration cards and their
names in the voters’ list. Food is more important
for survival than an identity. So they prefer to
2. SUMMARY live in Seemapuri rather than to the green fields
of Dhaka that keep them hungry.
PART-I
Sometimes I Find a Rupee in the Garbage Saheb in Tennis Shoes
Saheb likes tennis and sees young men playing
Writer’s Encounter with Saheb it standing by the fenced gate of a club. He goes
The writer encounters Saheb every morning inside when no one is around. The gatekeeper
scrounging for gold in the garbage dumps. Saheb lets him swing. One day he gets discarded tennis
hails from the green fields of Dhaka. His house shoes. it was like a dream come true for him.
and field were swept away by the storms. He Now Saheb works in a tea-stall. He gets 800
does not attend any school. On asking by the rupees and all his meals. His face has lost the
writer, the boy announces his name ‘Saheb-e- carefree look. He carries a steel canister that
Alam’ which means “Lord of the Universe.” They seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry
are too poor to afford any things. They live in a so lightly over his shoulder. The bag was his but
perpetual state of poverty. the canister belongs to the shop owner. Saheb is
no longer his own master.
Story of a Man from Udipi
The authoress tells a story of a man from Udipi. PART-II
When he was a young boy, he would stop near a
temple to pray for a pair of shoes. His father was a I Want to Drive a Car
priest there. The authoress visited the place after
Mukesh Wants to be His Own Master
thirty years. It was found in an air of desolation.
The authoress has a chance to see another boy
There lived a new priest and there were red and
named Mukesh who insists being his own master
white ‘plastic chairs. There came a young boy
by becoming a motor mechanic. He lives amidst
in a grey uniform, wearing socks and shoes. He
the dusty streets of Firozabad. It is a town famous

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Ch 2 : Lost Spring

for the bangles. Every other family in Firozabad them, beat them and put them into prison for
is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of doing illegal activity. They don’t have any leader
India’s glass blowing industry. Here families have among them to tell them to do things differently.
spent generations making bangles for women. Their elders are as tired as they are. They talk
Mukesh’s family is among them. endlessly in a spiral taking them from poverty to
insensibility to greed and to injustice.
Children Work in Glass Furnaces and Their
Living Conditions Two Distinct Worlds
About 20,000 children work in glass furnaces with The authoress sees clearly the two worlds : One
high temperature, without air and light. Their is that of the family caught in the web of poverty,
living conditions too, are pitiable. carrying the work of bangle making. The other
is the cheats’ circle of sahukars, middlemen,
The Family of Mukesh policemen, keepers of law, bureaucrats and
Mukesh’s house is like a half-built shack. Its one politicians. All these together have enforced the
part is thatched with dead grass. On the fire- child with this baggage which he cannot put
wood stove, she see large vessel of sizzling spinach down. By the time he becomes aware of it, he
leaves. Mukesh’s father is an impoverished bangle- also accepts it as naturally as his father. The
maker. He has not been in a position to send his authoress sees a ray of hope in the eyes of Mukesh
two sons to school except teaching them the art to become a motor mechanic. The garage is
of bangle-making. far away from his house but he shall walk. The
narrator asks him if he dreams of flying a plane.
Strong Belief in One’s ‘Karam’
He silently says ‘No’. Thus he is satisfied with
Mukesh’s grandmother says “It is his karam’, his
the dream of cars that move down the streets of
destiny, who has watched her own husband go
Firozabad. Few airplanes fly over his town.
blind with the dust from polishing the glass of
bangles. They cannot give up God-given lineage.
They have born in the caste of bangle-makers, 3. Word meanings
they will see nothing except the bangles.” All
the family members living in the dark huts, sit 1. Garbage = rubbish
together and weld pieces of coloured glass into 2. Encounter = come across
circles of bangles. Their eyes are more set to 3. Scrounging = searching for something
work in the dark than to the outside light, often 4. Dumps = heaps
blinding them before they grow adult. 5. Amidst = in the middle of
6. Distant = far off
Savita - A Young Girl Soldering the Glass Ends 7. Swept away = washed away
Savita, alongside an elderly woman, sol rs the 8. Else = any other thing
glass pieces, her hands moving mechanically. The 9. Mutters = grumbles
authoress wonders if Savita knows the sacredness 10. Glibly = easily
of the bangles she works upon. The bangles 11. Hollow = empty
represent the symbols of Indian woman’s Suhaag, 12. Sound = seem
auspiciousness in marriage. 13. Broadly = widely
14. Embarrassed = confused
Bangles on Wrist but No Light in Eyes 15. Abound = in plenty
The old woman has still the bangles on her wrist 16. Bleak = dark, cheerless
but there is no light in her eyes. In her whole life 17. Hard time = difficult time
time she did not eat one full meal - that is all 18. Unaware = ignorant
she has earned. Her old husband tells that except 19. Represents = stands for
bangles he knows nothing. Nothing has changed 20. Roams = wanders
in Firozabad over years, there is still the mind 21. Barefoot = without shoes
mumbling hard work which kills all initiative and 22. Disappear = go out of sight
ability to dream. 23. Match = equal
24. Shuffles = keeps shifting
About Organising a Cooperative
25. Lack = shortage
The authoress asks them to have a cooperative.
26. Owned = possess
They say if they get organised, police will catch

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 177

27. Tradition = custom 80. Impoverished = very poor

28. Wonder = surprise 81. Despite = in spite of
29. Excuse = pretext 82. Renovate = repair
30. Perpetual = never ending 83. Implies = means
31. Drowned = submerged 84. Spirals = coils
32. Briefly = for a short period 85. Mound = heap
33. Desolation = ruin 86. Unkempt = messy/untidy
34. Panting = breathing heavily 87. Shanty = hut
35. Ragpickers = those who pick rags 88. Flickering = shining unsteadily
36. Acquaintance = introduction 89. Drab = dull
37. Periphery = border 90. Soldering = welding
38. Metaphorically = symbolically 91. Suhaag = auspiciousness in marriage
39. Squatters = illegal settlers 92. Dyed = coloured
40. Wilderness = desolate area 93. Henna = mehandi
41. Tarpaulin = coarse waterproof cloth 94. Entire = complete
42. Devoid = without 95. Achieved = got
43. Sewage = slush 96. Echo = reflected sound
44. Grain = corn 97. Organise = unite
45. Survival = living 98. Vicious = wicked
46. Aching = paining 99. Trapped = cheated
47. Transit = passing, temporary 100.Hauled up = dragged
48. Proportions = forms 101.Apathy = indifference
49. Heap = mound 102.Distinct = clear
50. Wrapped = covered 103.Stigma = mark of disgrace
51. Fenced = having a fence around 104.Bureaucrats = officials
52. Content = satisfied 105.Imposed = burdened forcibly
53. Swing = to sway 106.Flash = dazzle of light
54. Discarded = given up/in disuse 107.Murmur = grumble
55. Intently = attentively 108.Regret = repentance
56. Canister = tin 109.Hurtling = clattering
57. Insists = stresses
58. Announce = declare
59. Mirage = false appearance 4. NCERT TEXTBook questions
60. Furnace = hearth QUESTION 1.

61. Illegal = against the law 1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their
62. Dingy = dark and dirty meaning from the context.
63. Slog = toil 1. looking for
64. Beam = brighten 2. perpetual state of poverty
65. Volunteers = offers himself
3. slog their daylight hours
66. Stinking = foul smelling
67. Choked = blocked 4. dark hutments
68. Hovels = sheds 5. roof over his head
69. Crumbling = falling 6. imposed the baggage on the child
70. Wobbly = unstable

Ans :
71. Primeval = very ancient 1. Looking for : searching.
72. Thatched = having a roof of straw 2. A perpetual state of poverty : being poor
73. Vessel = utensil continually.
74. Spinach = a leafy vegetable
3. Slog their daylight hours : work very hard
75. Platters = large plates
and steadily throughout the day which is
76. Frail = delicate
extremely boring.
77. Command = order
78. Bahu = daughter-in-law 4. dark hutments : rooms or places without light
79. Veil = face cover and fresh air.

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

(b) (iii) She had raised the boy’s hopes in jest. (d) Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi
(c) for the poverty-stricken children, the world is yet miles away from it, metaphorically.
a hopeless place. (e) (iii) It still is, but it is no longer empty.
(d) naivete (f) illegal immigrants.
(e) The boy was keen to get an education. QUESTION 3.�

3. Read the following extract and answer the

(f) (i) There is no dearth of promises which
questions that follow.
remain unfulfilled.
QUESTION 2.�
“If at the end of the day, we can feed our families
2. Read the following extract and answer the and go to bed without an aching stomach, we
questions that follow. would rather live here than in the fields that gave
My acquaintance with the barefoot rag-pickers leads us no grain,” say a group of women in tattered
me to Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi saris when I ask them why they left their beautiful
yet miles away from it, metaphorically. Those who land of green fields and rivers. Wherever they find
live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh food, they pitch their tents that become transit
back in 1971, Saheb’s family is among them. homes. Children grow up in them, becoming
Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is, but it is partners in survival. And survival in Seemapuri
no longer empty. In structures of mud, with roofs of means ragpicking. Through the years, it has
tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage and drainage or acquired the proportions of a fine art.
running water, live 10,000 rag-pickers. (a) List any two sensory details present in this
(a) What does the statement, ‘Seemapuri was extract.
then a wilderness’ tell about the place? (b) Through the years, it has acquired the
(b) The line, “Squatters occupy a place with proportions of a fine art. What does ‘it’
no legal claim to the property” can be best represent in the text?
classified as: (i) making bangles
(i) a fact (ii) tilling the fields
(ii) an opinion (iii) becoming a motor mechanic
(iii) a theme (iv) rummaging through the garbage
(iv) a plot point (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can The phrase “ transit homes” refers to
be drawn from the line, “ It still is, but it is _____.
no longer empty.” (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears infer that the availability of food is the prime
evidence to the fact that Seemapuri lacks the priority of the squatters.
glitziness of a cosmopolitan city. (e) What gives the group of women the satisfaction
(e) Based on your understanding of the extract, that makes them resolute to continue staying
select the example in which the author has where they are?
used irony. (f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
(i) A place on the periphery of Delhi the central idea of the extract?
(ii) Saheb’s family is among them. (i) The struggle for survival
(iii) It still is, but it is no longer empty. (ii) The art of ragpicking
(iv) Devoid of sewage and drainage (iii) The search for food
(f) Complete the sentence with two words. (iv) The survival of the fittest


Ans : 2008
“Those who live here are squatters who
came from Bangladesh back in 1971.” This (a) (i) ‘Beautiful land of green fields and rivers’
indicates that the squatters are _____. (visual)


Ans : 2010 (ii) ‘It has acquired the proportions of a fine
(a) Seemapuri was uninhabited. art’ (tactile)
(b) (i) a fact (b) (iv) rummaging through the garbage
(c) Seemapuri is now crowded but still a (c) temporary shelters.
‘wilderness’ with no hallmarks of a civilisation.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 179

without an identity except a ration card for voting learn.”

and buying grain. They remain barefoot and The determination and strong will of
garbage to them is gold. The writer asks Saheb, a becoming a motor mechanic and learning to drive
rag-picker for school. The boy replies that there is a car, seems to be as firm as a rock in Mukesh.
none in his neighbourhood. He further says if they That is why he says he will walk to the garage
build it, he will go. But this is never done. which is a long way from his home. Though his
In the same way about 20,000 children work dream appears to be vague, unclear and like a
in bangle factories and work in glass furnaces mirage in his state yet he has a different ambition
with high temperature. They live in dingy cells to fulfil.
and stingy lanes choked with garbage. They He can materialise his dream once he walks
pass their lives in grinding poverty and fail to down to the garage. There he must see the owner
get proper food. Thus the poor have no dreams of the garage and request him to become. motor
and no initiatives. They are the safest targets of mechanic. He must request for any petty work
exploitations. pertaining to the garage. Though his sincere
QUESTION 3.� efforts and hard work and the guidance of his
3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in owner he can attain the skills of a mechanic and
bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty ? then gradually that of car driving. It is sure that


Ans : he can get his dream materialised properly.
In her lesson, the writer points out that the bangle-
makers of Firozabad live in the state of grinding QUESTION 2.�

poverty. These people are burdened the stigma 2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass
of caste in which they are born. All the members bangles industry.
of the family are engaged in doing various jobs

Ans : 2015

pertaining to the bangle-making. Before they The glass blowing industry of Firozabad employs
become adult and dar to do something they fall local families and these families have spent
to their ancestral profession. They are unable to generations working around furnaces, welding
go away from the God given lineage and believe in glass and making bangles of different colours.
Karam theory. Thus they go on looming in their Working around the high temperature furnaces
own world. is very injurious to our growing bodies. The dark
Further, there are other force that conspire dingy cells without light and air, worsen the
them to work in bangle industry. The sahukars, working conditions of the children. The dazzling
the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of and sparking of welding light and the high
law, the bureaucrats and the politicians, all eat in temperature render the situation hellish. About
parts the flesh of the bangle-makers. They cannot 20,000 children slog their day light hours and
run a cooperative. Together they push them to often lose the brightness of their eyes before they
the sorrowful state and became often blind before become adults.
becoming adult. Thus more than 20,000 children The bangle-makers lead their life in utter
are working in this ha”’rdous profession against miseries and grinding poverty. They could never
the law. The parents, society and the bureaucrats prosper working in this industry. They hardly get
all are responsible to this sorry state of affairs. a belly full of meal in their lifetime. Thus they
are not only underfed but also prone to ailments

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT and education. The dingy cells and stinking smell
QUESTION 1.�
of garbage choke their bodies. There are flames
1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his of flickering oil lamps, the blinding polishing and
dream ? the welding work put a deep impact on their


Ans : complete bodies. Those who work in, they lose
Mukesh belongs to the family of bangle-makers their eyesight before they become adult.
who prepare colourful bangles like that of rainbow. QUESTION 3.�

But his attitude to this situation is different from 3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how ?
others. He is a daring boy o.nd he announces, “I

Ans :
will be a motor mechanid, I will learn to drive a The child labour employed in any form of the
car. Though the garage is a long way from his hazardous work is an offence. It is banned under
home yet he insists I will go to the garage and law. Yet it goes on unabated, at the industrial
towns like Firozabad, Shivakasi, Mirzapur and so

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

Ans : 2015
bread and butter when they become able-bodied.
Migration - An Increasing Trend It gives rise to violence and corruption. Child
Due to urbanisation, education, employment, labour should be stopped and the governments
safety and other basic amenities more and more should educate these children free of cost. At
people are migrating from villages to the cities. least elementary education should be given to all
In the lesson at hand, people have fled from children.
Bangladesh because their fields and houses were QUESTION 19.

swept away by the storm. There they could not get 19. Who is Mukesh? What is his ambition? Describe
even enough food to fill their belly. The settlement the author’s visit to the house of Mukesh?
of Seemapuri is a fine example, of this kind. In

O
addition to this one can see that the pressure What did the writer see when Mukesh took him
on the land has increased due to population to his home?
and mechanised farming. So, the requirement of

Ans : 2022
labour is very acute. Consequently, people flee Mukesh is a young bangle maker of Firozabad.
towards the cities for work. In earlier days means His family has been doing this job for generations.
of education and transportation, etc., were very Like the other families of bangle makers, Mukesh’s
few. Only a few could get education. Agriculture family is also very poor. They think that their
was their main profession. With extensive and destiny is fixed and they will spend their lives
renovated education, the youths run from post to making bangles only. But Mukesh seems to be
pillar in search of job. They do not want to stay different. He is determined that one day he will
in unhealthy and unhygienic rural surrounding. leave this job. He wants to become a motor
Not to speak of this, all sorts of village crafts mechanic. He dreams of driving a car one day.
have been replaced with the machines. The The author thinks that Mukesh can achieve his
market is full of competition, quality and cheap aim as he seems determined.
goods. The villagers fail to compete with the new The author visits Mukesh’s home. He lives in
system of heavy industrialisation. So the people a stinking lane, choked with garbage. The houses
migrate from villages to cities to attain a city-like in the streets are just hovels with crumbling
presence for themselves. walls and no windows. They are crowded with
QUESTION 18.�
families of humans and animals. Then they enter
18. Child abuse is a very serious problem in our Mukesh’s home. It is a half-built rough hut. In
country. Children are forced by circumstances to one part of it, the roof is covered with dry grass.
work in various factories. Write the value points There is firewood stove. A frail woman is cooking
of statement. the evening meal for the family. She is the wife


Ans : 2006
of Mukesh’s elder brother. Mukesh’s father is a
Child abuse is a grave problem in India. Many poor bangle maker. He has been making bangles
children work for dhabas, factories and tea stall for many long years. Yet he has not been able
owners. These are those unfortunate children of to renovate the house and to send his two sons
this country who don’t get even meals three times to schools. He could just teach them the art of
a day. It is a blemish on our nation. It is the bangle making. Mukesh’s grandfather had gone
duty of the governments to make arrangements blind with the dust from polishing the glass of
of education for these children. Child labour is bangles.
common in the fields of agriculture, domestic QUESTION 20.�

service, sex industry, carpet and textile industries, 20. ‘In this case the elder is an impoverished bangle-
quarrying, bangle making and brick making. maker. Despite long years of hard labour, first
These children are forced to work in horrible as a tailor, then a bangle-maker, he has failed
conditions. There are no set working hours for to renovate a house, send his two sons to school.
these children. They are given low wages. In All he has managed to do is teach them what he
some cases poverty of the household and low level knows: `the art of making bangles’.
of parental education are responsible for child These lines show the apathy prevailing in some
labour. Employing children in factories implies strata of society. These groups have been known
that the nation’s future is in dark. These children by their profession. Their ‘profession’ is their
never feel happy. They become devoid of human ‘caste’. Is it fine to force someone to be a part of
emotions. They adopt illegal ways to earn their his ancestral profession ? Or some specific reasons

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 181

3. Stone crushing (c) Poor children and their exploitation

4. Dhabas and restaurants etc. (d) Her works
5. Handlooms

Ans :
(c) Poor children and their exploitation
6. Bamboo and cane industry
7. Carpentary and saw mills 4. What is the central theme of the story Lost
Let us study the last i.e. carpentary and saw- Spring?
mills. (a) Pitiable Poor children and their lost childhood
In my neighbourhood there are many saw mills
(b) Garbage
and bamboo factories. In all of them one can see
many children helping the workers in doing their (c) Saheb and Mukesh
work. In the saw mills, there is a work pertaining to (d) Spring Season
the cutting, and sawing of different kinds of woods.

Ans :
During the working they help the skilled people. (a) Pitiable Poor children and their lost childhood
They remain attached to them. The dust, dirt and
5. What forces the children to live a life of
the saw ash go on disturbing them. They trouble
exploitation?
them and enter in their bodies through nose, mouth
and eyes. Some of the boys lose their eye-sight while (a) Greed (b) Extreme Poverty
it is their time to develop and get education. (c) Peers (d) Parents
Cases of asthma, respiratory problems, lung

Ans :
problem, cough and cold are very frequent. In a (b) Extreme Poverty
short span of their life they become a prey to
6. According to the author what was garbage for the
one or the other disease pointed out. Their health
parents?
deteriorates and the ailments turn chronic. The
owners never think of their upkeep but employ (a) Means of survival (b) Means of
them to earn their booty. There are strict laws entertainment
banning the child labour but none bothers for (c) Means of sorrow (d) Means of joy
them. They play with the tender lives of children

Ans :
and do a national waste. (a) Means of survival

7. According to the author what was garbage for the

5. Other important questions children ?
(a) Means of playing (b) Means of

MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS entertainment
1. Who is the author of Lost Spring? (c) Means of timepass (d) A wonder


Ans :
(a) Anees Jung (b) Arundhati Roy
(d) A wonder
(c) Sudha Murthy (d) James Bond


Ans : 8. Who was Saheb?
(a) Anees Jung (a) A shopkeeper (b) A servant
2. This story is an excerpt from which book of the (c) A rag-picker (d) All of these


Ans :
author?
(c) A rag-picker
(a) Lost Spring – Stories of Stolen Childhood
(b) The Song of India 9. What was Saheb looking for?
(c) Breaking the Silence (a) Eggs (b) Gold
(d) Unveiling India (c) Coins (d) Toys


Ans :

Ans :
(a) Lost Spring – Stories of Stolen Childhood (b) Gold

3. What does the author analyze in the story? 10. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall?
(a) Rich people (a) Yes
(b) Garbage (b) Yes, he earns money

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Ch 2 : Lost Spring

(c) No earning (c) Lost money

(d) No, earning but no freedom (d) Lost age


Ans :

Ans :
(d) No, earning but no freedom (b) Lost blooming childhood

11. Why did Saheb-e-Alam not go to school? 18. Saheb hailed from which place?
(a) Not interested (a) Delhi (b) Greenfields of Dhaka
(b) Had no money to pay fees (c) Seemapuri (d) None of these
(c) Wanted to go for movie

Ans :
(b) Greenfields of Dhaka
(d) Wanted to earn money


Ans : 19. Why did Saheb go through garbage dumps?
(b) Had no money to pay fees
(a) A rupee (b) To find a silver coin
12. What is the meaning of Saheb-e-Alam? (c) A ten rupee note (d) All of these
(a) Owner (b) Rich man

Ans :
(d) All of these
(c) Poor man (d) Lord of the Universe


Ans : 20. Why did Saheb leave his house?
(d) Lord of the Universe
(a) Because the storm swept away his house and
13. Where was Saheb employed? field
(a) At a tea stall in Seemapuri (b) To enjoy a life of leisure
(b) At a saree shop (c) To find friends
(c) At a jewellery shop (d) To go to college


Ans :
(d) At a sweet shop


Ans : (a) Because the storm swept away his house and
(a) At a tea stall in Seemapuri field

14. Why is the author calling garbage as ‘gold’ in the 21. What forced Saheb to be a rag-picker?
story? (a) Hard work (b) Destiny
(a) Because of jewels in it (c) People around him (d) Acute poverty


Ans :
(b) Because of gems in it
(d) Acute poverty
(c) Because of gold in it
(d) Because of its encashment value 22. Where is Seemapuri?


Ans : (a) In Noida (b) South Delhi
(d) Because of its encashment value (c) North Delhi (d) East Delhi


Ans :
15. What do the boys appear like to the author in
(d) East Delhi
the story?
(a) Morning crows (b) Evening crows 23. Why did Saheb leave Dhaka?
(c) Morning birds (d) Evening Birds (a) Because of lack of resources


Ans : (b) Because of lack of enough food
(c) Morning birds
(c) Because of friends
16. Name the birthplace of the author. (d) Because of parents
(a) U.S.A (b) California

Ans :
(b) Because of lack of enough food
(c) Koch (d) Rourkela


Ans : 24. Who are responsible for the poor condition of
(d) Rourkela bangle makers in Firozabad?
17. What does the title ‘Lost Spring’ symbolise? (a) Parents (b) Society
(a) Autumn season (c) Bureaucrats (d) All of these
(b) Lost blooming childhood

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 183

Ans : 31. Who is Mukesh?

(d) All of these
(a) Student (b) Worker
25. What efforts can help Mukesh materialise his (c) Bangle maker (d) Ragpicker
dream of becoming a car driver?

Ans :
(a) Hard work (c) Bangle maker
(b) Guidance of his owner 32. What are the reasons for the migration of people
(c) Going to garage from villages to city in the lesson?
(d) All of these (a) Sweeping of houses and fields by storms


Ans : (b) No money
(d) All of these
(c) Education and unemployment
26. What are the hazards of working in the glass (d) Safety
bangles industry?

Ans :
(a) Poor health (a) Sweeping of houses and fields by storms
(b) Impaired vision 33. What compels the workers in bangle industry of
(c) Miserable life Firozabad to poverty?
(d) All of these (a) Cast and ancestral profession


Ans : (b) Karam theory and society
(d) All of these
(c) Bureaucrats and politicians
27. Who employs the local families of Firozabad? (d) All of these
(a) Bureaucrats

Ans :
(d) All of these
(b) Merchants
(c) Politicians 34. The city of Firozabad is famous for what?
(d) The glass blowing industry (a) For casteism (b) For rag-pickers


Ans : (c) For poverty (d) For bangles
(d) The glass blowing industry

Ans :
(d) For bangles
28. What is the function of glass blowing industry?
(a) To make windows 35. Firozabad is the centre of which industry?
(b) To make doors (a) Cotton industry (b) Furniture industry
(c) To mould glass (c) Textile industry (d) Glassblowing
(d) To mould glass and make colorful bangles industry


Ans :

Ans :
(d) To mould glass and make colorful bangles (d) Glassblowing industry

29. What makes the working conditions of the 36. How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of
children worst in the glass industry? his family?
(a) Dark dingy cells without light and air (a) Being daring, firm and clear
(b) Dazzling and sparking of welding light (b) Being a fighter
(c) High temperature (c) Being a coward
(d) All of these (d) Not clear


Ans :

Ans :
(d) All of these (a) Being daring, firm and clear
30. What excuse do the rag pickers give for not 37. What is the means of survival in Seemapuri?
wearing chappals?
(a) Work (b) Education
(a) No interest (b) Mothers don’t give
(c) Merchandising (d) Ragpicking
(c) A tradition (d) All of these

Ans :


Ans : (d) Ragpicking
(d) All of these

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

38. What is the metaphorical symbol of Seemapuri in

O

the lesson? How Mukesh’s attitude towards life different
(a) Enjoyment (b) Exploitation from that of his family ?
(c) Poverty (d) A little hell

O


Ans : A youngman in Firozabad is burdened under the
(d) A little hell baggage of two worlds. What are they ?

39. What is Mukesh’s dream?

O

Who is Mukesh and what is his dream ?
(a) To be a rogue


Ans : 2014, 2013, 2012
(b) To be a merchant Mukesh belongs to the family of bangle makers
(c) To be a doctor in Firozabad where each family is engaged in
(d) To be a motor- mechanic bangle making. They live in half built huts and


Ans : stinky lanes. On asking, Mukesh says„ “I will be
(d) To be a motor- mechanic a motor mechanic. I will learn to drive a car”.
Thus he wants to be his own master. Though his
40. What change did Anees Jung see in Saheb family believes in “Karam Theory”. His attitude
when she saw him standing by the gate of the is different from that of his family.
neighbourhood club? QUESTION 4.

(a) Lost joy (b) As if lost his freedom 4. Where does the author encounter Saheb every
(c) Lost ownership (d) All of these morning?


Ans :

Ans : 2021

(d) All of these Saheb is a rag-picker. The author encounters him

every morning searching the garbage dumps for

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS bits of papers and rags. He is one of the army
QUESTION 1.� of rag-pickers who can be seen scrounging the
1. Inspite of despair and disease pervading in the garbage. Most of these boys are migrants from
lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of Bangladesh and have settled in Seemapuri in
hope. How far do you agree ? Delhi.


Ans : 2013 QUESTION 5.�

Though the lives of the slum children are absorbed 5. How do the children become the victims of losing
in poverty. It is completely deprived, dejected and the brightness of their eyes?
impoverished still, hope always exists there. They

O
can be educated in order to remove poverty from Mention any two hazards of working in the glass
their lives. These slum children should enjoy the bangles industry.
equivalent status in the society and the well-offs


O
of the society should step ahead to take the moral
What is the condition of the children working in
responsibility to bring a better life to them. They
the glass furnaces of Firozabad ?
still have dreams alive in their eyes. Thus I agree


Ans : 2013
that they are not devoiding of hope.
QUESTION 2.
More than 20,000 children are illegally working in
2. Where has Saheb come from? glass-blowing factories in Firozabad. They work


Ans : 2020
around furnaces in high temperatures to weld
Saheb’s family belonged to Dhaka, in Bangladesh. glasses. They work in dingy cells without light and
He, along with his family, left his home long ago. air. Their eyes are adjusted to the dark than to
His house in Dhaka was set amidst the green the light outside. Many of them become victims of
fields. But there were many storms that swept losing their eye-sight before they become adults.
away their homes and fields. That is why they They work all day long.
had to leave. His family came to Seemapuri where
QUESTION 6.

6. Give an account of the background of Saheb and

Saheb started working as a rag-picker.
QUESTION 3.�
his fellow rag-pickers.
3. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle

Ans : 2008

makers of Firozabad ? Saheb belongs to a community of rag-pickers who

scrounge the dumps of garbage for paper and rags.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 185
QUESTION 11.�

He is one of more than 10,000 persons who are 11. Which industry is a boon and also a bane for the
engaged in this profession. Most of them migrated people of Firozabad and how?
to India from Bangladesh in 1971. They were
compelled to leave their homes because of many

O
storms which destroyed their homes and lands. Why does the author say that the bangle-makers
They are living in Seemapuri on the outskirts of are caught in a vicious web?
Delhi.

Ans : 2017, 2005

QUESTION 7.�
The residents of Firozabad are depended on
7. How was Mukesh different from other bangle- bangle-making. It is a boon for them. But they
makers? are caught in the vicious web of poverty. They are


Ans : 2016 forced to practise their ancestral profession. They
Mukesh belonged to the family on bangle makers remain ill fed and ill clad throughout life. They
who lived in half built huts and stingley lanes. have no money to switch over their profession.
But Mukesh says, ‘I will be a motor mechanic. Their hard work is mind numbling. The police
I will learn to drive a car’. He wants to be his does not allow them to form co-operatives. This
own master though the family believes in ‘Karam business is both boon and bane for the people of
Theory’. But his attitude is quite different. Firozabad.
QUESTION 12.
QUESTION 8.

8. What happens when the author asks Saheb to go 12. What is ironical about Saheb’s full name?
to school?

Ans : 2007

Ans : 2022 The author often comes across a poor rag-picker

Saheb spends his time scrounging the garbage named Saheb. His full name is ‘Saheb-e-Alam’,
dumps for bits of paper and rags. He tells the which means ‘Lord of the Universe.’ This name
author that he has nothing else to do. She tells is quite ironical. He is a poor boy who earns his
him to go to school. Saheb replies that there is no living by scrounging the dumps of garbage for bits
school in his neighbourhood. At this the author of paper and rags. His life is full of poverty and
asks him he would come if she started a school. misery.
Saheb says that he would be glad to come. QUESTION 13.�

QUESTION 9.�
13. In what sense is garbage gold for the rag-pickers ?
9. Listening to them, see two distinct worlds. In

O
the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker’s son. Garbage has two meanings for the rag-pickers of
Which two worlds is Anees Jung referring too? Seemapuri. What are they ?


Ans : 2016

Ans : 2014, 2010
The author is referring to two worlds-one is Garbage has the following two meanings for the
that of the family which is caught in the grip of rag-pickers of Seemapuri:
utmost poverty. They all carry the work bangling. More than 10,000 rag pickers of Seemapuri
Further they are caught in the vicious oc circle live as squatters. For them garbage is gold and it
of sahukars, middlemen, policemenl, keepers of is wrapped in wonder. For a child, it is his daily
law, bureau crats and Politicians. All these have bread. Sometimes, he finds a silver coin in a heap
enforced the child with this baggage which he of garbage. He hopes of finding more and more. It
cannot put down. is a source of survival and earning of daily bread
QUESTION 10.
for the elders.
10. What hollow promise does the author make to QUESTION 14.

Saheb? 14. What story did a man from Udipi once tell the


Ans : 2022
author?
Saheb tells the author that he cannot join a school

Ans : 2009
as there is no school in his neighbourhood. At this Once a man from Udipi told the author that as a
the author asks him whether he would come if young boy he would go to school past a temple.
she started a school. Saheb becomes happy. A few His father was a priest at that temple. He would
days later, he asks her if she has started a school. stop briefly at the temple and prayed to the
Now the author feels embarrassed at having made goddess for a pair of shoes. Finally the goddess
a hollow promise to a poor boy. granted his prayer and he got a pair of shoes.

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

ready?” She feels embarrassed at having made a means rag- picking. In reality that have become
promise that was not meant. professionals. It is no more a dirty job. It has
QUESTION 32. acquired the position of a fine art.
32. What for is Firozabad known? QUESTION 37.

Ans : 2005 37. Describe the kind of bangles made in Firozabad.

Firozabad is known for its bangles industry. The glass

Ans : 2014

blowing industry of Firozabad employs more than Firozabad is known for its bangles industry. The
twenty thousand workers, most of whom are children. town produces all kinds of bangles for Indian
In Firozabad, families have spent generations working women. In the factories of Firozabad, bangles of
around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for all sizes and colours are made. These bangles can
women. be sunny gold and paddy green. One may have
QUESTION 33.� royal blue, pink or purple bangles.
33. What different excuses do the rag-pickers children QUESTION 38.�

offer for not wearing chappals ? 38. How did Saheb get a pair of shoes?


Ans : 2013, 2009

Ans : 2020

The writer comes across many barefoot rag-picker One morning the writer saw Saheb standing by
children. On asking about not wearing chappals, the gate of the neighbourhood club. Two young
they offer very solid excuses. One answers that his men were playing tennis. Saheb was in tennis
mother has not brought them down from the shelf. shoes. On enquiry, Saheb told that some rich boy
Another points out that he will throw them if she discarded them because there was a hole in one of
brings. The third one replies that he has never them. So he felt no harm in wearing them. It was
owned a pair all his life. The writer concludes that rather good on his part that the dream of wearing
walking across the country barefoot is a tradition. shoes had come true.
QUESTION 34. QUESTION 39.�

34. What has Mukesh’s father achieved after years of 39. Why does the authoress think that Mukesh’s
hard labour? dream seems to be looming like a mirage ?


Ans : 2005

Ans : 2022

Mukesh’s family is engaged in bangle making. The family of Mukesh is engaged in making glass
His father started his career as a tailor. But soon bangles of different kinds like the colours of a
he became a bangle maker. But even many years rainbow. But Mukesh does not want to adopt
of hard labour as a bangle maker, his life is still his family profession. He want: ‘o be a motor
poor and miserable. He has failed to renovate his mechanic and will learn to drive a car. His dream
house. Nor has he been able to send his two sons seems like a mirage to the writer as it is vague
to school. He has only been able to teach them and unclear amidst the dust of Firozabad streets.
the art of bangle making. QUESTION 40.

QUESTION 35.� 40. What does the author think when she sees Savita
35. What type of contrast does the writer point out helping to make bangles?
between Saheb and the son of the priest ?

Ans : 2008

Ans : 2011 The author sees Savita is sitting alongside an

The writer recollects the story of a man from elderly woman. She is joining with solder pieces
Udipi when he was a child. It was told that while of glass and thus helping to make bangles. The
going to school he would pray the Goddess for a author wonders whether Savita knows the sanctity
pair of shoes. But the young boys like the son of of bangles she helps make. She finds that Savita
the priest now wear shoes. The rag-pickers at her does not know that bangles symbolise an Indian
neighbourhood like Saheb remain barefoot. This woman’s ‘suhaag’.
exhibits the different phrases of society. QUESTION 41.�

QUESTION 36.� 41. Describe the irony in Saheb’s name.

36. Specify how rag-picking has acquired the

Ans : 2016

“proposition of a fine art” in Seemapuri. Saheb-e-Alam is a rag-picker and live as squatters.

Ans : 2008 He leads a carefree life. By chance he gets a job
The rag-pickers of Seemapuri play a crucial role at a tea-stall and earns Rs. 800 and all his meals.
for their survival. An army of barefoot children, The irony is that his face has lost his carefree
women and elders can be seen searching through look. He is no longer his own master. The milk
the garbage. All work for their survival. Seemapuri canister seems heavier than his plastic bag. From

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 187
QUESTION 23.�

in this season, in the same way the childhood

23. What does the writer mean when she says, ‘Saheb
should bloom but through the poverty of Saheb
is no longer his own master’ ?


Ans : 2011
and Mukesh, we come to know about their stolen
Saheb gets some job at a tea stall. There the childhood. It is being destroyed and dumped in
owner pays him `800/- and all his meals. The the web of poverty, dirt and dust. They have a
narrator now finds him with a tin canister on his strong desire to come out of this poor situation
way to the milkbooth. But he has lost his carefree and work hard for this. Let us make a strong
look. The canister seems heavier than the plastic determination to realize our dreams.
bag he would carry so lightly on his shoulder.
QUESTION 28.

28. Who is Mukesh? Describe his background.

This was his own bag but the canister belongs


Ans : 2010
to his master. Thus Saheb was no longer his own
Mukesh is a poor boy of Firozabad. He belongs to
master.
QUESTION 24.
a family of bangle makers. He is one of the 20,000
24. How did Saheb get a pair of shoes? young people engaged in bangle-making. He and


Ans : 2009, 2007
his family lead a poor and miserable life. They
One morning the author saw that Saheb was work by glass furnaces with high temperature. His
standing by the fenced gate of the tennis club. Two family lives in half-built hut. The street is choked
young men were playing tennis. Saheb was also with garbage.
wearing tennis shoes. These were the discarded
QUESTION 29.�

29. What does Anees Jung want to reveal in her story

shoes of a rich boy. Perhaps he had discarded
‘Lost Spring’ ?
them as there was a hole in one of them. In this


Ans : 2011
way, Saheb got a pair of shoes.
QUESTION 25.�
Anees Jung has portrayed two stories in ‘Lost
25. How is the garbage heap wrapped in wonder for Spring’ and both depict the grinding poverty,
the children ? pitiable condition of life and the other traditions


O that condemn the children to a life of exploitation.
Garbage to them is gold. Why does the author For the rag-pickers of Seemapuri, garbage is gold
say to about the rag-pickers ? and means of survival. The bangle-makers of


Ans : 2014
Firozabad live in dingy cells and stinking lanes.
More than 10,000 rag-pickers of Seemapuri live Even after much toil, they do not get full meal.
in squatters. For them garbage is gold and it is
QUESTION 30.

30. Describe the conditions in which the bangle

wrapped in wonder. For a child, it is their daily
makers of Firozabad work.
bread and more than this since he is hopeful of


Ans : 2020
getting more. Sometimes a child can find a silver
More than 20,000 persons are engaged in bangle
coin or more in a heap of garbage. For the elders it
making work in Firozabad. They work in miserable
is a means of survival.
QUESTION 26.
conditions. They work near glass furnaces with
26. “Saheb is no longer his own master.” Why does high temperature. They make bangles in small
the author feel so? rooms without proper light or air. Because of dim


Ans : 2017, 2015
light and because of the dust rising from polishing
Saheb gets a job in a tea stall. The author sees the glass, most of the children lose their eyesight
him on his way to the milk booth. He is carrying before they become adults.
a steel canister on his head. Now he gets Rs 800
QUESTION 31.�

31. What makes the authoress embarrassed at having

per month and all his meals. But he has lost his
made a promise that was not meant ?
carefree look. The bag in which he picks the rags


Ans : 2012
was his. But the canister belongs to the tea shop
On encountering with Saheb, the authoress asks
owner. So, the author feels that Saheb is no longer
him go to school. Immediately at the second
his own master.
QUESTION 27.�
thought she realises that the advice must sound
27. What does the title ‘Lost Spring’ convey ? very hollow. On the other hand, Saheb replies that


Ans : 2009
there is no school in his neighbourhood. And he
The title ‘Lost Spring’ conveys and pictorises that will go if the authorities make one. The authoress
childhood is like the spring. As everything blooms asks half jokingly if she starts to school, will he
go ? Saheb goes on asking her “Is your school

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Ch 2 : Lost Spring

on. 5. As her hands move mechanically like the

The child labour is hazardous in nature. It tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the
inflicts physical and mental harm to the boys. sanctity of the bangles she helps make.
The work in the glass bangle industry often ends 6. She still has bangles on her wrist, but not
up them losing their eyesight before they become light in her eyes.
adults. The mind-numbling toil of bangle-making 7. Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.
kills all their initiatives, drive and ability to dream
8. Web of poverty.
in life. They are even deprived of the school
education and proper growth. 9. Scrounging for gold.
According to Anees Jung about 20,000 10. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-
children are working in the glass bangle industry picking. Through the years, it has acquired
of Firozabad. Some of the industrialists conspire the proportions of a fine art.
in unison with the sahukars, the middlemen, the 11. The steel canister seems heavier than the
policemen and the politicians and then go on plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his
stealing their childhood for some extra coins. The shoulders.
only possible solution lies with the government

Ans :
and the society to punish the wrongdoers very 1. Hyperbole, 2. Metaphor, 3. Metaphor, 4.
strictly; and keep a careful watch and vigil over Contrast, 5. Simile, 6. Metaphor, 7. Contrast,
them. 8. Hyperbole, 9. Hyperbole, 10. Metaphor, 11.
Contrast.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
QUESTION 1.

THINGS TO DO
1. Although this text speaks of factual events an QUESTION 1.

situation of misery it transforms these situations 1. The beauty of the glass bangles of Firozabad
with an almost poetical prose into a literary contrasts with the misery of people who produce
experience. How does it do so ? Here are some them. This paradox is also found in some other
literary devices : situations, for example those who work in gold
and diamond mines, carpet weaving factories and
• Hyperbole is a way of speaking or writing
the products of their labour, construction workers
that makes something sound better or more
and the buildings they build.
exciting than it really is. For example :
Garbage to them is gold. • Look around and find examples of such
paradoxes.
• Metaphor as you may know, compares two
things or ideas that are not very similar. A • Write a paragraph of about 200 to 250 words
metaphor describes a thing in terms of a on any of them. You can start by making
single quality or feature of some other things; notes.
we can say that a metaphor transfers a quality Here is an example of how one such paragraph
of one thing to another. may begin :
For example : The road was a ribbon of light. You never see the poor in this town. By day they
toil, working cranes and earthmovers, squirreling
• Simile is a word or phrase that compares one
deep into the hot sand to lay the foundations
thing with another using the words “like” or
of chrome. By night they are banished to bleak
“as”. For example : As white as snow.
labour camps at the outskirts of the city.
Carefully read the following phrases and

Ans :
sentences taken from the text and name the The students can make their own surveys and
figures of speech used. write a paragraph accordingly. However one such
1. Saheb-e-Alam which means the lord of the paragraph is given for reference.
universe is directly in contrast to what Saheb Generally most of the handicraft and other
is in reality. factories, run on the small scale basis, engage
2. Drowned in an air on desolation children to work with them because they are
3. Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi cheap and easily available due to poverty. Some
yet miles away from it, metaphorically. of the industries can be named here :
4. For the children it is wrapped in wonder; for 1. Candle making
the elders it is a means of survival. 2. Brick kilns

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 189
QUESTION 47.�

freedom, he has turned a slaven and thus feels 47. “The elderly woman has still bangles in her wrists,
unhappiness. but no light in her eyes”. Why ?


Ans :
QUESTION 42.�
2019
42. What custom prevails among the ladies of bangle-
The elderly woman laments very much over her
makers ?
‘Karam’, i.e. destiny. She says that during her


Ans : 2006
life time, she has not had a full meal. Instead of
The daughter-in-law in the house commands
hard toil, they loom in perpetual state of poverty.
respect as the ‘bahu.’ There is custom of putting
Her cheerless eyes are the ready example and
veil on their faces when an elder enters in the
recognition of it. The bangles symbolised her
house. She will go near the wall and brings her
‘Suhaag.’ The homes of the bangle makers cry
veil closer to her face. It is their custom that the
for money.
daughter in law must veil their faces before the QUESTION 48.�

male elders. 48. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight
QUESTION 43.

of the bangle makers ?

43. Why don’t the bangle makers of Firozabad
organise themselves into a cooperative?

O


Ans : 2017 Why don’t the younger ones of the bangle-makers
The author asks some bangle makers as to why they do anything else ?
don’t organise themselves into a cooperative. They

Ans : 2011

reply that they are caught in a vicious circle. The The years of mind numbing and hard toil kill the
sahukars, the middlemen and the police all conspire desire of making new attempts to improve their
to keep them poor. If they try to make a cooperative, conditions and the ability to dream. In Firozabad
the police hauls them up and beats them on false doing any other work needs dare, strong will and
charges. These forces will never let them organise determination of the bangle makers want to do
into a cooperative. anything else, they need dare. The same is very
QUESTION 44.� much absent on the part of the younger ones.
44. What does the grandmother of Mukesh lament ? They cannot run a cooperative because the police


Ans : 2009 will catch, beat and put them in a prison for
The grandmother of Mukesh laments that her doing illegal activity. They don’t have any leader
husband became blind with the dust of polishing to guide and help them.
bangles. Her son could teach his sons only the
bangle making. She says, ‘It is his Karam, his
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
destiny. He cannot go beyond the god, given QUESTION 1.�

lineage’. Born in the caste of bangle makers, they 1. Do the poor have the right to dream? Why then
have learnt nothing except making bangles. does the author call Mukesh’s dream ‘a mirage’ ?
QUESTION 45.�

Ans : 2017

45. Why was Saheb unhappy while working at the Not only the poor, but also everyone has the right
tea-stall ? to dream. In reality, without dreaming nothing


Ans : 2016 can be achieved. Though the writer considers the
Saheb was no longer happy while working as the dream of Mukesh, a futile and a mirage because
tea-stall. Though he was earning 2800 but his face of utter poverty and orthodox views of the family
had last all his carefree level. He was not at all his but the boy is determined to become a motor
own master. The steel milk container was heavier mechanic. He has got enough courage and base
than his plastic bag. His life was under the control to move away from the traditional work. He is
of his mater so he was unhappy. conscious of inconveniences, health he lost in his
QUESTION 46.
family work.
46. What is the ambition of Mukesh? Mukesh takes the writer to her home, who


Ans : 2010 finds them living in stinking lanes choked with
Mukesh is a bangle maker of Firozabad. But he is garbage. She is much perturbed to see their
different from others. He does not want to make miserable living conditions. Mukesh realises that
bangles all his life. His ambition is to become a his parents can’t provide them even the basic
motor mechanic. He dreams of driving a car one necessities of life. But he frankly tells the writer
day. He is determined and hopeful. The author feels that he will become a motor mechanic. He will
that one day he will be able to realise his dream. learn to drive a car and he will not hesitate to go

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

to the far off garage. He has no desire to live and started a school. Now the author feels embarrased
become the victim of poverty. In the true sense he at having made a hollow promise to a poor boy.
dreams of the cars that rattle own in the dingy QUESTION 4.�

streets of Firozabad. He remarks To do anything 4. ‘Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and
else means having some dare and the same is traditions that condemn thousands of people to a
flashing on his face’. Thus, the dream of Mukesh life of abject poverty. Do you agree ? Why/Why
does not seem to be looming like a mirage, he will not?
cherish it very soon.

O
QUESTION 2.�
Describe the difficulties the bangle makers of
2. Describe the circumstances which keep the Firozabad have to face in their lives.
workers in the bangle industry in poverty.

Ans : 2015


Ans : 2015
The authoress presents a very pathetic picture of
In her lesson, the writer points out that the bangle- bangle-makers of Firozabad since they are born in
makers of Firozabad live in the state of grinding poverty, live in poverty and even die in poverty.
poverty. These people are burdened the stigma They lead a life of trouble, torture, tension,
of caste in which they are born. All the members deprivation and poverty and for generations
of the family are engaged in doing various jobs together they have been engaged in this trade.
pertaining to the bangle making. Before they They work in dingy and dark cells sitting before
become adult and dare to do something they fall high temperature which often makes them blind
to their ancestral profession. They are unable to before they become adults. They labour very hard
go away from the God given lineage and believe in at a very little profit.
Karam theory. Thus, they go on looming in their They live in small and dingy houses which are
own world. called hovels. Their houses are overcrowded with
Further, there are other force that conspire humans and animals. They have their own social
them to work in bangle industry. The sahukars, customs and traditions. The old man in the house
the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of has the authority to do everything. They remain
law, the bureaucrats and the politicians, all eat in poor. They cannot adopt another profession due
parts the flesh of the bangle-makers. They cannot to interference of the middlemen, moneylenders,
run a co-operative. Together they push them to politicians and policemen. They are unable to
the sorrowful state and became often blind before organise themselves into a cooperative. The
becoming adult. Thus more than 20,000 children rag pickers of Seemapuri are also struggling for
are working in this hazardous profession against survival. I agree that the grinding poverty and
the law. The parents, society and the bureaucrats traditions are condemning them to lead a life of
all are responsible to this sorry state of affairs. abject poverty.
QUESTION 3.
QUESTION 5.�

3. What does the writer want Saheb to do ? Why 5. “For the children it is wrapped in wonder, for the
has she to feel embrassed about it later ? elders it is a means of survival.” What kind of life


Ans : 2011
do the rag-pickers of Seemapuri lead ?
Saheb is a rag-picker. The author encounters him

Ans : 2017
every morning searching the garbage dumps for More than 10,000 basefoot rag pickers of Seemapuri
bits of papers and rags. He is one of the army roam in the villages and the city roads. The
of rag-pickers who can be seen scrounging the children recourage for gold in the garbage dumps
garbage. Most of these boys are migrants from and often find a silver coin, a rupee, a ten rupee
Bangladesh and have settled in Seemapuri in note or more. They are living in the structures of
Delhi. Saheb spends his time scrounging the mind with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. They are
garbage dumps for bits of paper and rags. He tells devoid of sewage, drainage or running water. These
the author that he has nothing else to do. She have occupied illegal places to live and have been
tells him to go to school. Saheb replies that there living there for the last thirty years so key are there
is no school in his neighbourhood. At this the without permits excepts the ration card for ration
author asks him if he would come if she started in voting. They have no identity, so food is more
a school. Saheb says that he would be glad to important them for their survival.
come. A few days later, Saheb sees the writer. They consider food on the chief ingredient of
He comes running to her and asks her if she has their survival. At the end of the day they go to

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 191
QUESTION 8.�

the bed without an acting and to much. They 8. Give a brief account of the life and activities of the
pitch their sents wherever they find food. Thus, people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.
they become their transit homes. Children grew

Ans : 2011
in them and become partners in survival and Saheb-e-Alam is a rag-picker from a suburban
survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. For colony of East Delhi. Their family had migrated
them garbage is their gold, food and everything. from Bangladesh. The people like Saheb live
For the children it is wrapped in wonder but for as squatters. Seemapuri of East Delhi is such a
the elders it is a means of their survival. place where the squatters have migrated from
Bangladesh. In their nomadic quest for food and
QUESTION 6.�

6. “It is his Karam, his destiny” that made Mukesh’s

water, they settle there and set-up their transit
grandfather so blind. How did Mukesh disprove
camps. The structures are made of mud with
this belief by choosing a new vocation and making
roofs of tin and tarpaulin.
his own destiny?
They are devoid of basic facilities like water,


Ans : 2015
drains and sewer. They have ration cards to buy
The grandmother of Mukesh lawents that her
grain and for votes. They look for gold by picking
husband became blind with the dust of polishing
rag and there dwell more than 10,000 children.
bangles. Her son could teach sons only the-bangle
They move in the streets barefoot and sometimes
making. She says, ‘It is his Karam, his destiny.’
they find a coin or even a ten rupee note. Even after
He cannot go beyond the God, given lineage.
finding a silver coin, they don’t leave scrounging
Born in the caste of bangle makers, they have
garbage in hope of finding more. For the elders
learnt nothing except making bangles.
the garbage is gold. It is a means of survival for
But Mukesh is deeply determined and
their children and is wrapped in wonder. They are
has gathered courage to move away from his
abused and can go for any criminal activity. They
traditional work. He is very much aware of the
lack resources and are unable to improve their lot.
inconveniences and hazards to the people engaged QUESTION 9.�

in this industry. Mukesh realises that his parents 9. Garbage to them is gold. How do rag-pickers of
have remained miserable even to cover their heads Seemapuri survive ?
under a roof. He frankly admits before the writer

Ans : 2017
to be a motor mechanic. He will learn driving In Seemapuri more than 10,000 rag-pickers have
a car and will not hesitate to go to the far off occupied illegal places to live and they have
garage. He has ceased desires to become the been living for the last thirty years or so. It is
victim of poverty. He reminds ‘To do anything a settlement colony with mud roofs of tin and
else means’ having some dare and same is flashing tarpauline. They are divoid up sewage, drainage
on his face. It looks that he will cherish his dream. or running water. They have ration cards to
purchase grain and to caste votes. They think
QUESTION 7.

7. Reproduce briefly the story related to the man

the availability of food on their sole survival.
from Udipi ?
Their routine starts from the early homes at the


Ans : 2009
morning. They loiter basefoot and scrounge for
The writer once goes on a visit to Udipi. There
the gold in the garbage dumps.
she met a man from Udipi. The man told the
For the say, pickers, garbage is wrapped in
author that as a young boy he would go to school
wonder. Sometimes, due can find a rupees more of
past a temple. His father was a priest at that
a silver coin and hope to find more and more. For
temple. He would stop briefly at the temple and
them, garbage is gold. At the end of the day, they
prayed to the goddess for a pair of shoes. Finally
go to bed without an acting stomach. They can
the goddess granted his prayer and he got a pair
even pitch their tents wherever, they find food.
of shoes. The author again visited Udipi thirty
Thus, they become their transit homes. Children
years later. She went to the temple. She saw that
grew up at them and become partners in survival
there was a new priest in that temple. She saw a
and survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking.
young boy. He was dressed in a grey uniform and
For them garbage is gold, food and everything
was wearing socks and shoes. Now young boys like
for children, it is wrapped in wonder but for the
the priest’s son wore shoes.
elders it is a means of survival.
But many others like the rag-pickers in her
neighbourhood were still without shoes.

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring
QUESTION 10.

in rag-picking and tells that he is scrounging for

10. What is ironical about Saheb’s name? Describe
gold in the garbage dumps. He points out that
the life of Saheb and the life of the other rag-
they can find a silver coin, a rupee, a ten rupee
pickers of Seemapuri.


Ans : 2005
note or more. More than 10,000 barefoot rag-
Saheb is a poor rag-picker. He is one of the pickers roam in the villages and the city roads.
numerous rag-pickers of Seemapuri which is on the In her visit to the settlement cc- my of
periphery of Delhi. Saheb’s full name is ‘Saheb-e- Seemapuri, the writer finds them living in the
Alam’ which means ‘Lord of the Universe’. This is structures of mud with roofs of tin and tarpaulin.
highly ironical. He leads a very poor and miserable They are devoid of sewage, drainage or running
life. He moves barefoot as he has no money to buy water. More than 10,000 rag-pickers have occupied
shoes. He earns his living by scrounging garbage illegal places to live and they have been living for
dumps for pits of paper and rags. He does not the last thirty years or so. They have been living
know what his name means. there without permits. Only they have ration cards
Saheb and the other rag-pickers of Seemapuri for grain purchase and to cast the votes. They have
lead a miserable and poor life. They live in no identity, so food is more important for their
dingy huts made of mud with roofs of tin and survival. Through discussion, the writer comes to
tarpaulin. They live amidst dirty and unhygienic know that they consider food as the chief ingredient
surroundings. There is no sewerage, no drainage of their survival. At the end of the day they go to
and no running water in their colony. They move bed without an aching stomach. They pitch their
around without shoes in the scorching heat. There tents wherever they find food. Thus, they become
is no development and no progress. For these poor their transit homes. Children grow up in them
people survival means rag-picking. For these poor and become partners in survival and survival in
children, garbage is wrapped in wonder. It is their Seemapuri means rag-picking. For them garbage is
source of livelihood. their gold, food and everything. For children it is
QUESTION 11.�
wrapped in wonder but for the elders it is a means
11. The bangle-makers of Firozabad make beautiful of survival.
bangles and make everyone happy but they live QUESTION 13.

and die in squalor. Elaborate. 13. Describe the life of the rag-pickers of Seemapuri.


Ans : 2010
Why does the author say that Seemapuri is on
The houses of the bangle sellers are located in the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it,
stinking lanes choked with garbage. Their homes metaphorically?
are like hovels with crumbling walls, wobbly

Ans : 2010

doors and without windows. They are crowded The rag-pickers of Seemapuri lead a life of poverty
with families of humans and animals like the and misery. There are more than ten thousand
ancient days. The impoverished bangle sellers rag-pickers in Seemapuri. Most of them came here
are not in a position to send their sons to school from Bangladesh in 1971. They have been living
except teaching them the art of bangle making. here for more than thirty years. They don’t have
The workers usually go blind with the dust identity and permits. But they do have ration
from polishing the glass of bangles. The bangle cards which enable them to buy grain and cast
makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles of all their votes at the time of elections. For them
colours. They make everyone happy. But they are food is more important than identity. As children
ill fated to live and die in squalor. Their women grow up in Seemapuri, they become a part of the
have no light in their eyes. They never eat one barefoot army of rag-pickers. Here survival means
f..11 meal ever in their life. The hard work breaks rag-picking. These young rag-pickers appear in the
their backs. They are ever afraid of the police if morning with their bags on their shoulders. They
they form co-operatives. Those who give cheer to scrounge the garbage dumps for bits of paper, rags,
others are lotted to live in gloom. plastic items or other things which they can sell
QUESTION 12.�
to the Kabariwallah. A garbage dump for them is
12. Elucidate the statement : “Food is more important wrapped in wonder. Sometimes, a rag-picker may
for survival than an identity”. find a rupee, a ten rupee note or even a silver coin.


Ans : 2013 Seemapuri is on the periphery of Delhi. Yet
Anees Jung encounters a rag-picker boy named the author says that it is metaphorically miles
Saheb daily in her neighbourhood. He is engaged away from Delhi. She means to say that the

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 193

glitter and development of Delhi has not touched says he will go to a garage and learn. Though the
Seemapuri. The poor rag-pickers live in huts made garage is a long distance from his house yet he
of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. There is will walk to the garage.
no disposal system for sewage, no draining and no Saheb was a rag-picker. By chance he got a job to
running water. It is unimaginable that Seemapuri work at the tea stall down the road. There he was
is part of Delhi, the capital of India. Here we find paid 800 rupees and all his meals. But his face
no signs of development, only squalor and poverty. lost his carefree look. He was no longer his own
QUESTION 14.�
master. The steel milk canister seemed heavier
14. Who is Saheb and what do you gather about his than his plastic bag. It belonged to his teamster
life and living conditions from the lesson ? and the life under the master was not a life of
happiness. So, he is no longer his own master.


O Thus, Mukesh wants to be his own master
Write the character sketch of Saheb-e-Alam of while it is opposite with Saheb.
Seemapuri. QUESTION 16.

O 16. Do you think the poor rag-pickers remain barefoot

Describe in details the life of a rag-picker turning because of tradition or lack of money?
to be servant at a tea stall.

Ans : 2014

Ans : 2008 The author comes across Saheb, a rag-picker

Saheb is a rag-picker from Seemapuri whose of Seemapuri. He is part of many rag-pickers
parents migrated from Bangladesh in the year settled in Seemapuri. They live in poor and
1971. The writer encounters him every morning dirty conditions. Saheb and other rag-pickers
with barefoot in her neighbourhood. He is are barefoot. The author calls them an “army of
scrounging for gold in the garbage dumps. He is barefoot boys.” She asks one of them why he is
unable to go to school because there is none in not wearing shoes. He replies that his mother did
his neighbourhood. Saheb-e-Alam is his full name not bring the shoes down from the shelf. Some
though he does not know its exact meaning. It boys tell them that it is a tradition with them to
means ‘Lord of the Universe.’ It is ironical on remain barefoot. But the author thinks that this
his part that a poor fellow roams in the streets is only an excuse to explain away the perpetual
picking up the rags. poverty which compels them to remain barefoot.
For the rag-pickers of Seemapuri, Garbage She remembers a story, which a man from Udipi
is wrapped in wonder. Sometimes one can find told her. As a young boy he would go to school
a rupee, more of a silver coin and they always past a temple. His father was a priest in that
hope to find more. They live in squatters with temple. He was poor and could not afford shoes.
roofs of tin and tarpaulin. They have no identity He would stop briefly in the temple and pray for
except a ration card for voting and buying grain. shoes. Thirty years later, the author visited the
They are devoid of sewage, drainage and running same temple. She saw a young boy dressed in gray
water. Survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. uniform, wearing socks and shoes. But the boys
At present Saheb is working at some tea stall. of Seemapuri are too poor to afford shoes. Some
The writer sees him with a steel canister. He has days later, she finds Saheb wearing discarded
lost his carefree look of his early days. He is not tennis shoes. This shows that the rag-pickers are
happy with his work because he is no longer his barefoot not because of any tradition but because
own master. of their poverty.
QUESTION 15.� QUESTION 17.�

15. How is Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation 17. Everyone wishes to live a lavish life in a big city.
different from that of Saheb ? Why ? Big cities provide big dreams in one’s eyes. These


Ans : 2015 attract everyone especially from villages or small
Mukesh is a boy with a daring attitude to drive a towns.
car. His family is engaged in making bangles. But After reading the text ‘Lost Spring’ you must
his dream seems like a mirage. His family believes have been able to point out the possible reasons
in ‘Karam theory’. behind migration from a place to other. Write
But Mukesh insists on being his own master. a paragraph is about 100 words for a social
So, he announces, I will be a motor mechanic. He magazine highlighting the issue ‘The reasons for
repeats “I wants to be a motor mechanic.” He the migration of people from villages to cities’.

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

5. Roof over his head : a house of his own. different. He wants to become a motor mechanic
6. Imposed the baggage on the child : forced the and drive a car.
burden on the child.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

THINK AS YOU READ 1 QUESTION 1.�

QUESTION 1.
1. What could be some of the reasons for the
1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? migration of people from villages to cities ?
Where is he and where has he come from?

Ans :


Ans : 2013 Due to urbanisation, education, employment,
He is looking for some silver coin or currency note. safety and other basic amenities more and more
It is no less than gold for him. He is in Seemapuri people are migrating from villages to the cities.
(Delhi) and he has come from Bangladesh. In the lesson at hand, people have fled from
QUESTION 2.� Bangladesh because their fields and houses were
2. What explanations does the author offer for the swept away by the storm. There they could not get
children not wearing footwear even enough food to fill their belly. The settlement


Ans : 2010 of Seemapuri is a fine example of this kind. In
She says that the children are too poor to have addition to this one can see that the pressure
any shoes. It could also be a tradition among on the land has increased due to population
them to go barefoot. and mechanised farming. So the requirement of
QUESTION 3.� labour is very acute. Consequently, people flee
3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain. towards the cities for work. In earlier days means


Ans : 2008 of education and transportation, etc., were very
No, Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. few. Only a few could get education. Agriculture
Though he is now earning `800 per month along was their main profession. With extensive and
with two times’ meal, yet he has lost the carefree renovated education, the youths run from post to
look at his face. He is no longer his own master pillar in search of job. They do not want to stay
and has lost his freedom. in unhealthy and unhygienic rural surroundings.
Not to speak of this, all sorts of village crafts

THINK AS YOU READ 2 have been replaced with the machines. The market
QUESTION 1.�
is full of competition, quality and cheap good. The
1. What makes the city of Firozabad famous? villagers fail to compete with the new system of


Ans : 2011 heavy industrialisation. So the people migrate from
The city of Firozabad is famous for bangles. The villages to cities.
bangle making industry of Firozabad is famous all QUESTION 2.�

over the world. It is India’s largest glass blowing 2. Would you agree that promises made to the poor
industry where glass is welded into colourful children are rarely kept? Why do you think this
bangles. happens in the incidents narrated in the text ?
QUESTION 2.�


Ans :
2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass There is no denying the fact that promises
bangles industry. made to the poor children are rarely kept. In


Ans : 2008 our modern democratic India, people living in
Men have to work in dingy cells without air and slum colonies, resettlement areas and jhuggi and
light. They lose the brightness of their eyes. They jhopary colonies hardly have an access to civic
go blind with the dust from polishing the glass amenities and the education. They are meant for
bangles. casting their votes. ....... show attendance in the
QUESTION 3.� political rallies. Their grieves are hardly adhered
3. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different to by the bureaucrats. The writer has given two
from that of his family? current examples of the residents of Seemapuri


Ans : 2005 and Firozabad.
Mukesh does not want to accept his situation In Seemapuri one can see more than 10,000
as permanent. He is ambitious and wants to be rag-pickers who live in structures of mud, with
his own master. He does not want to spend his roofs of tin and tarpaulin. They are devoid of
life making bangles. He wants to do something sewage, drainage or running water. They live

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 195

or thoughts are responsible for it. Write an article field encourages them to have indepth knowledge.
to be published in your school magazine on the Those who dare to climb the hill conquer Mount
issue–Profession can not be termed as legacy’. Everest. Dedication has no substitute. It is the
Sign yourself as Amrita/Amrit. (100 words). only way to great accomplishments.


Ans : 2020

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
Profession v/s Legacy QUESTION 1.�

By Amrita 1. Read the following extract and answer the

Indian society has many facets. There is caste questions that follow.
system prevalent, as one of the major evils in “There is no school in my neighbourhood. When
the society. Not only this, in some parts of the they build one, I will go”.
country, the profession of some people has turned, “lf I start a school will you come?” I ask half-
out to be their caste. They are indulged in the joking’
same profession from generation to generation. “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly.
They treat it like the god-given lineage that A few days later, I see him running up to me.
is unbreakable. Some as in the case of bangle- “Is your school ready?”
makers at Firozabad, new generation is said to ‘It takes longer to build a school.” I say,
believe to have born in the caste of bangle makers. embarrassed at having made a promise that was
This ancestral profession, despite many health- not meant. But promises like mine abound in
hazards, runs in their blood. To do anything else every corner of his bleak world.
would mean to dare. The youngsters have to treat (a) Cite evidence from the extract to prove that
it like their ‘Karam’ or destiny. They lived a life of the boy was taken in by the hollow promises.
sacked employees. Profession has been imposed as (b) Why does the author feel anxious and
a legacy on them. Whether it brings full facilities embarrassed on meeting the poor boy?
to live or not, nothing else can not be tried even.
(i) Her school was not willing to give him
This is unfair and not done. Now the younger
admission.
generation has the spark to do anything else. A
doctor’s son should not necessarily be a doctor. (ii) The school was not ready as yet.
One can opt for profession according to one’s (iii) She had raised the boy’s hopes in jest.
choice. This is the only way to break the vicious (iv) The boy had been harassing her.
circle of the abject poverty. (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
QUESTION 21.�
The phrase “a bleak world” suggests that
21. Dedication, determination and devotion are _____.
the factors responsible for phenomenal success.
(d) The fact that the poor boy fell for the empty
Substantiate the value points above statement.
promises made by the author shows this


Ans : 2014
character train in the boy’s personality.
Hard work is the key to success. Dogged
determination and strong will power are the mid- (e) What does the statement, “There is no school
night oil and strive hard to achieve the desired in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I
goals. It is said that between two stools one falls will go” suggest about the boy?
on the ground. Thus, one has to dedicate one’s life (f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
to a specific field. The long term goals and aims of the central idea of the extract?
life must be set thoughtfully and not whimsically. (i) There is no dearth of promises which
The capricious nature of a fellow does not allow remain unfulfilled.
him to reach the heights. Devotion always brings (ii) There is a scarcity of people promising
good results and rewards. The essence of devotion things for betterment.
is trust or faith. If one has trust in performing
(iii) People make a lot of promises which are
the actions, one is able in winning the battle
often fulfilled.
‘of life. Trust gives strength and strength gives
(iv) Promises made, live up to the expectations
birth to determination which leads to dedication.
of people.
Devoted and dedicated people never become a


Ans : 2014
part of a problem. They remain a part of the
solution. They do not do different things but (a) A few days later, I see him running up to me.
they do things differently. Their devotion to the “Is your school ready?”

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

(c) For some, remaining barefoot is a habit.

Ans : 2013

(d) It points to the fact that for some poor (a) Saheb is ‘content to watch it (the game)
children, even mismatched shoes are a luxury. standing behind the fence.’
(e) (iv) Bewilderment and exasperation (b) (iii) He understands the desires of the children
because he is poor too.
(f) sparsely
QUESTION 6.�
(c) Saheb too is wearing tennis shoes that look
6. Read the following extract and answer the strange over his discoloured shirt and shorts.
questions that follow. (d) Saheb wants to emphasise that he has not
“I like the game,” he hums, content to watch it stolen the shoes.
standing behind the fence. “I go inside when no (e) Saheb is fascinated by tennis.
one is around,” he admits. “The gatekeeper lets (f) (ii) One man’s meat is another man’s poison
me use the swing.” QUESTION 7.�

Saheb too is wearing tennis shoes that look 7. Read the following extract and answer the
strange over his discoloured shirt and shorts. questions that follow.
“Someone gave them to me,” he says in the Mukesh insists on being his own master “I will be
manner of an explanation. The fact that they are a motor mechanic”, he announces.
discarded shoes of some rich boy, who perhaps ‘Do you know anything about cars ?’ I ask.
refused to wear them because of a hole in one “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers,
of them, does not bother him. For one who has looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms
walked barefoot, even shoes with a hole is a like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill
dream come true. But the game he is watching so his town Firozabad, famous for its bangles. Every
intently is out of his reach. other family in Firozabad is engaged in making
(a) Tennis is beyond the reach of Saheb. Cite bangles. It is the centre of India’s glass blowing
evidence from the text to justify the given industry where families have spent generations
statement. working around furnaces, welding glass, making
(b) Why does the gatekeeper allow Saheb to use bangles for all the women in the land it seems.
the swing? Mukesh’s family is among them. None of them
know that it is illegal for children like him to work
(i) He does it in exchange for money.
in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, ...
(ii) He sees his own children in these rag- ... ...
pickers.
(a) Through the expression “... looking straight
(iii) He understands the desires of the children into my eyes” the narrator is trying to convey
because he is poor too. _____
(iv) He does it for fun. (b) “None of them know that it is illegal for
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. children to work in glass furnaces.” Select the
An example of contrast given in the extract inference in reference to the above statement.
is _____. (i) The children are innocent and do not
(d) What can you infer from the statement given realise the hardships of life.
below? (ii) Their illiteracy and ignorance are exploited
“Someone gave them to me,” he says in the by the unscrupulous businessmen.
manner of an explanation.
(iii) They have no one to support them legally
(e) What does the word ‘intently’ suggest about to get out of the situation.
Saheb in ‘But the game he is watching so
(iv) The children are ready to work in glass
intently is out of his reach?
furnaces due to their poverty.
(f) Which of the following headlines expressed in
(c) Explain any two qualities of Mukesh that can
popular idioms best suggests the central idea
be drawn from the line, “ Mukesh insists on
of the extract?
being his own master.”
(i) Different folks, different strokes.
(d) The expression, “making bangles for all the
(ii) One man’s meat is another man’s poison. women in the land it seems’ refers to _____
(iii) Birds of a feather flock together. (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(iv) Sell in May and go away. select the most likely reason why the author

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 197

(d) Wherever they find food, they pitch their (d) The steel canister seems heavier than the
tents that become transit homes. plastic hag he would carry so lightly over his
(e) Their families don’t sleep on a hungry shoulder.
stomach. (e) (ii) Lost childhood
(f) (i) The struggle for survival (f) metaphor
QUESTION 4.� QUESTION 5.�

4. Read the following extract and answer the 5. Read the following extract and answer the
questions that follow. questions that follow.
This morning, Saheb is on his way to the milk “Why aren’t you wearing chappals?” I ask one.
booth. In his hand is a steel canister “I now work “My mother did not bring them down from
in a tea stall down the road,” he says, pointing in the shelf” he answers simply.
the distance. “I am paid 800 rupees and all my “Even if she did he will throw them off” adds
meals.” Does he like the job? I ask. His face, I another who is wearing shoes that do not match.
see, has lost the carefree look. The steel canister When I comment on it, he shuffles his feet and
seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry says nothing. “I want shoes,” says a third boy who
so lightly over his shoulder. The bag was his. The never owned a pair all his life. Travelling across the
canister belongs to the man who owns the tea country I have seen children walking barefoot, in
shop. Saheb is no longer his own master! cities, on village roads. It is not lack of money but
a tradition to stay barefoot, is one explanation. I
(a) What does the author wish to convey in ‘His wonder if this is only an excuse to explain away a
face, I see, has lost the carefree look? perpetual state of poverty.
(b) The comparison used in the line, “The steel (a) What is the writer’s opinion about children
canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he not wearing shoes or chappals of any kind?
would carry so lightly over his shoulders.” can
(b) The line, “Tradition is an excuse to remain
be best classified as:
barefoot”, can be best classified as:
(i) a fact
(i) a false perception
(ii) an opinion
(ii) an opinion
(iii) a contrast
(iii) a theme
(iv) a plot point
(iv) one of the few explanations
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can
be drawn from the line, “The bag was his.”
be drawn from the line, “Even if she did he
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears will throw them off,” adds another.
evidence to the fact that ragpicking for some
(d) What does the example of a boy wearing
is not just a matter of survival but also
mismatched shoes suggest to you?
something they love doing.
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
select the option that reflects the attitude of
select the most likely explanation for the
the author towards shoes.
story’s title.
(i) Sympathy and concern
(i) Lost wealth
(ii) Apathy and carelessness
(ii) Lost childhood
(iii) Empathy and kindness
(iii) Lost spring
(iv) Bewilderment and exasperation
(iv) Lost shoes
(f) “My mother did not bring them down from
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
the shelf,” he answers simply.
The steel canister carried by Saheb is a
Complete the sentence with ONE word.
_____ for the loss of freedom.
For some, the shoes are used _____ as a


Ans : 2005
luxury item.
(a) When Saheb was a rag-picker, he was carefree

Ans : 2017
and happy.
(a) Anees Jung thinks that it is due to a perpetual
(b) (iii) a contrast state of poverty.
(c) Saheb was his own master when he was a rag- (b) (iv) one of the few explanations
picker.

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring
QUESTION 15.� QUESTION 19.�

15. Seemapuri is on the periphery of Delhi and yet 19. Is it possible for Mukesh to realize his dream ?
miles away from it. Why does the author say so ? Justify your answer.


Ans : 2012

O
Seemapuri is still in wilderness but it is no longer What was Mukesh’s dream ? In your opinion did
empty. In 1971 it was inhabited illegally by more he achieve his dream ?
than 10,000 rag-pickers from Bangladesh. It is on

Ans : 2019

the periphery of Delhi yet it is miles away from it Mukesh belongs to the family of bangle-makers.
metaphorically. People live in structures of mud, He tells the writer to become a motor mechanic.
with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. It is devoid of He will learn to drive a car and does not hesitate
sewage, drainage and running water. They have to go to the far off garage. He has no desire to live
got ration cards for votes and buying grains. They and become the victim of poverty. He says “To
have no identity. Women move in tattered saris. do anything else means having some dare and the
Survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. same is flashing on his face.” In this way Mukesh
QUESTION 16. will surely realize his dream.
16. What did the author observe when she went to QUESTION 20.

Udipi thirty years later? 20. Describe the miserable condition of the rag-


Ans : 2015, 2011 pickers of Seemapuri.
The author again visited Udipi thirty years later.

Ans : 2012

She went to the temple. She saw that there was a The rag-pickers of Seemapuri lead a life of misery
new priest in that temple. She saw a young boy. and poverty. They live in dirty conditions. Their
He was dressed in a grey uniform and was wearing houses are made of mud with roofs of tin and
socks and shoes. Now young boys like the priest’s tarpaulin. There is no sewerage system, or
son wore shoes. draining. They don’t have running water. Children
QUESTION 17.� are without shoes and are dressed in tattered
17. Explain “Survival in Seemapuri means rag- clothes. Survival in Seemapuri means ragpicking.
picking.” QUESTION 21.�

O 21. Give a brief write-up about a man from Udipi.

How do their children become partners in their

O
survival ? What stories did a man from Udipi once tell the


Ans : 2006 authoress, Anees Jung ?
Seemapuri is a place in the outskirts of Delhi. The

Ans : 2013

rag-pickers scrounge gold in the garbage dumps. Once the writer meets a man from Udipi. About
For the children garbage is wrapped in wonder the shoes, he tells that as a young boy, he would
and for the elders, it is a means of survival. A daily go to school past an old temple. In his way
group of women say that they pitch their tents, he would stay there for some time to pray to the
where they find food. They become their transit goddess for a pair of shoes. His father was a priest
homes. There the children grow and participate in at the temple. Finally, he got a pair of shoes and
the process of survival. became contented.
QUESTION 18. QUESTION 22.

18. The author says, “Seemapuri is on the periphery 22. Why does the author say that survival in
of Delhi, yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Seemapuri means ragpicking?
What does she mean to say?

Ans : 2021

Ans : 2011 Seemapuri is a dirty colony on the outskirts of

Seemapuri is a settlement of thousands of rag- Delhi. It is a colony of rag-pickers. More than ten
pickers. It is on the periphery of Delhi. It is a dirty thousand people are engaged in this job. Most
colony, where people live in poverty and misery. of them have migrated from Bangladesh. They
The houses are made of mud, tins and tarpaulin. lead miserable and poor lives. They have no other
The streets are full of dirt and sewerage. There means of earning their livelihood. So they have to
is a complete contrast between the modern Delhi scrounge the garbage dumps for bits of paper and
and Seemapuri. That is why, metaphorically, it is rags. That is why the author says that survival in
far away from Delhi. Seemapuri means ragpicking.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 199

says that “His dream looms like a mirage? The sentence “ Few airplanes fly over
(i) Most people in Firozabad make bangles. Firozabad!” suggests that had Mukesh seen
(ii) It looks as unachievable as finding water as many airplanes in the sky as the cars on
in a desert. the streets of his town, _____.
(iii) Bangle making is a generational (d) Pick the strongest evidence from the extract
occupation in Firozabad. that helps one infer that Mukesh has good
chances of realising his dreams.
(iv) The streets of the town are dusty.
(e) ‘Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.’ Choose the
(f) “None of them know that it is illegal for
correct figure of speech based on the repetition
children like him to work in the glass furnaces
of a similar sound for this statement.
with high temperatures, ... ... ...” In the given
statement, the words “like him” indicate a (f) Which of the following personality traits of
social problem also? Identify it. Mukesh get highlighted in the extract?


Ans : 2011
1. determined 2. fearless 3. hopeful 4. valiant
5. ambitious 6. stern 7. optimistic
(a) the determination and courage in Mukesh to
express his opinion. (i) 1, 5 and 7
(b) (ii) Their illiteracy and ignorance are (ii) 2, 3 and 4
exploited by the unscrupulous businessmen. (iii) 2 and 5
(c) Mukesh wants to be independent and take his (iv) 3, 6 and 7
own decisions.

Ans : 2006

(d) all the womenfolk of India. (a) He wants to break off from the generational
(e) (ii) It looks as unachievable as finding water lineage of bangle making.
in a desert. (b) (iv) He wants to fly a plane also someday.
(f) Mukesh like many others is a child labourer. (c) maybe he would have dreamt of being a pilot.
QUESTION 8.� (d) I will walk.
8. Read the following extract and answer the (e) Alliteration
questions that follow.
(f) 1, 5 and 7
“I want to be a motor mechanic,” he repeats.
He will go to a garage and learn. But the garage QUESTION 9.�

is a long way from his home. “I will walk” he 9. Read the following extract and answer the
insists. “Do you also dream of flying a plane?” questions that follow.
He is suddenly silent. “No”, he says, staring at None of them know that it is illegal for children
the ground. In his small murmur, there is an like him to work in the glass furnaces with high
embarrassment that has not yet turned into temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light,
regret. He is content to dream of cars that he that the law, if enforced, could get him and all
sees hurtling down the streets of his town. Few those 20,000 children out of the hot furnaces
airplanes fly over Firozabad! where they slog their daylight hours, often losing
(a) Which revolutionary trait of Mukesh’s brightness of their eyes. Mukesh’s eyes beam as
personality comes to the fore in this extract he volunteers to take me home, which he proudly
when he says that “I want to be a motor says is being rebuilt. We walk down stinking lanes
mechanic? choked with garbage, past homes that remain
(b) There is an embarrassment that has not yet hovels with crumbling walls, wobbly doors, no
turned into regret. One of the options given windows, crowded with families of humans and
below does not correspond to the given animals coexisting in a primeval state.
statement and so should not be on the list. (a) In the statement, ‘None of them know that it
Remove it. is illegal for children like him to work in the
(i) Mukesh is positive about his aim in life. glass furnaces with high temperatures’, ‘None
of them’ refers to whom?
(ii) He still has the ability to dream.
(b) The abject poverty of Firozabad described
(iii) Mukesh has not given up on life.
in ‘stinking lanes choked with garbage, past
(iv) He wants to fly a plane also someday. homes that remain hovels with crumbling
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. walls, wobbly doors, no windows, crowded

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 Ch 2 : Lost Spring

with families of humans and animals (a) The literary device in ‘Their fathers are as
coexisting in a primeval state’ is: tired as they are’ is _____.
(i) a factual description (b) Which of the explanations given below
(ii) a subjective description corroborates the statement: ‘They talk
(iii) a symbolic theme endlessly in a spiral that moves from poverty
to apathy to greed and to injustice.
(iv) a plot point
(i) The bangle makers are exhausted yet
(c) Explain any one common factor between the
they are enterprising and have dreams.
hot furnaces and the dingy hovels in which
the people of Firozabad work and live. (ii) The drudgery of work has destroyed their
willingness to improve their lot.
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears
evidence to the fact that the houses their are (iii) The daily grind has stolen the dreams of
not in proper condition. the bangle makers and made them dull.
(e) Based on the context provided below, select (iv) The bangle makers have been working so
the most likely explanation to justify it. hard that there’s no time to dream.
‘That the law, if enforced, could get him (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
and all those 20,000 children out of the hot The phrase “no one who could help them see
furnaces where they slog their daylight hours.’ things differently” suggests that _____.
(i) A law against child labour exists in India. (d) Pick an example of harassment from the
(ii) The law is not implemented properly. extract.
(iii) People misuse loopholes in the law. (e) What do the words ‘fallen into the vicious
circle of middlemen who trapped their fathers
(iv) The law needs to be redrafted.
and forefathers’ indicate about the young
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word. people of Firozabad?
20,000 children working in the hot furnaces
(f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
only in Firozabad means that child labour is
the central idea of the extract?
_____ in India.
The idea of getting organised into cooperatives


Ans : 2014
falls through even before taking off because
(a) The people of Firozabad _____.
(b) (i) a factual description (i) it is an illegal measure.
(c) Both are devoid of air, light and ventilation. (ii) no one wants to lead the poor bangle
(d) We walk down stinking lanes choked with makers.
garbage, past homes that remain hovels with (iii) the middlemen would throw a spanner.
crumbling walks wobbly doors, no windows,
(iv) the police favour the powerful.
crowded with families of humans and animals


Ans : 2016
coexisting in a primeval state.
(a) simile
(e) (ii) The law is not implemented properly.
(b) (ii) The drudgery of work has destroyed their
(f) rampant/widespread
willingness to improve their lot.
QUESTION 10.�

10. Read the following extract and answer the (c) there is no one to help the bangle makers
questions that follow. cultivate awareness about their rights.
“Why not organise yourselves into a cooperative?” (d) ‘We are the ones who will be hauled up by the
I ask a group of young men who have fallen into police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing
the vicious circle of middlemen who trapped their something illegal.’
fathers and forefathers. ‘Even if we get organized, (e) They also borrow money from the middlemen
we are the ones who will be hauled up by the police, and spend a lifetime in repaying it, mostly in
beaten and dragged to jail for doing something vain.
illegal,” they say. There is no leader among them, (f) (iv) the police favour the powerful.
no one who could help them see things differently.
Their fathers are as tired as they are. They talk
endlessly in a spiral that moves from poverty to



apathy to greed and to injustice.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 201

CHAPTER 3

Deep Water

1. Introduction Growing Panicky

He tried to come up but the nine feet were more
William Douglas was an American writer. He was than ninety. His lungs were about to burst.
born in Maine, Minnesota. This lesson has been When his feet hit the bottom, he gathered all his
taken from his book “Of Men and Mountains’. strength and made a great spring upwards. He
This deals with a childhood experience of the imagined to bob to the surface like a cork but he
author. One day he went to a swimming pool. came up slowly. He opened his eyes and saw water
A boy threw him into the pool. He was nearly every where. It was dirty and some what yellow.
drowned in the swimming pool. That was a He grew panicky. He was suffocating. He tried to
terrifying experience for him. This childhood yell but no sound came out. He swallowed water
incident created fear of water in his mind. It took and choked. His legs became paralysed. He tried
several years of his life to overcome this fear. But many times to come out of the pool but failed
he was able to conquer his fear with courage and and finally fainted. When he woke up, he found
determination. himself lying on his stomach beside the pool.
He was vomiting water. The boy who threw
him, admitted that he was only fooling. Some one
2. Summary
said that the kid had nearly died. Several hours later
he walked home, weak and trembling. There was a
Decision of Douglas to Swim
haunting fear in his heart. It remained in him for
Douglas was ten or eleven years old when
days together. The slightest exertion upset him and
he decided to learn to swim. He got a good
he never went back to the pool. He feared water and
opportunity to learn at the YMCA pool.
avoided it whenever he could. After few years he
Douglas’s Childhood Fear wanted to get into the waters of the cascades or the
Since childhood he had an aversion to the water. ‘Teton or Bumping River or bathing in the Warm
Once he was standing at a beach in California. Lake, the terror would seize him. This handicap
At that Lime he was three or four years old. By remained with him for years. It ruined his fishing
chance the waves knocked him down and swept trips and even his joys of canoeing, boating and
over him. He was buried in water and his breath swimming. He failed to overcome this fear in-spite
was gone. He was awfully frightened and terror of using every way he knew.
developed in his heart. But in a little while he
An Instructor for Swimming
gathered confidence. He paddled with new water
At last one October, he engaged an instructor
wings by copying the other boys. He started
to train him to overcome this fear. At a pool he
feeling comfortable when there occurred the
practised five days a week an hour each day. The
misadventure.
instructor put a belt round him. A rope attached
The Misadventure to the belt went through a pulley. Each time when
Once Douglas was alone on the pool. There came he went under, some of the old terror returned
a big bruiser who tossed him into the deep end of and froze his legs. It took three months before
water. The narrator was frightened but had not the tension began to disappear. Then he was
lost his wits. He decided to take a big jump from taught to breathe out and breathe in after putting
the bottom. He would come to the surface, lie flat his face under water. He repeated this exercise
on it and paddle to the edge of the pool. hundreds of times. Bit by bit he could shed his
haunting fear.

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Ch 3 : Deep Water

Piece by Piece a Swimmer 27. Toss = throw

When the instructor had perfected his each piece 28. Swallow = gulp down
in swimming, he told Douglas to dive off, to swim 29. Summoned = gathered
across and to crawl and other strokes. When he 30. Bob = come up
was in the middle of the lake, the old sensation 31. Tinge = colour
returned in miniature. In water he did the crawl 32. Panicky = afraid
breast stroke, side stroke, back stroke, etc. 33. Grab = grip
34. Clutched = grabbed
The Residual Doubts 35. Suffocating = choking
The haunting water fear was gone like his friend 36. Paralyzed = unable to move
Doug Corpron, on swimming across the other 37. Rigid = stiff
shore and back of Warm Lake. He shouted with 38. Struck = thumped
joy, “I had conquered the fear of water”. 39. Expending = spending
40. Nightmare = a bad dream
A Deep Meaning
41. Throbbed = palpitated
This drowning experience had a deep meaning for
42. Dizzy = feeling giddy
Douglas. In death there is peace. But in the fear
43. Strategy = plan
of death, there is terror only. Roosevelt once said.
44. Thrash = strike
“All we have to fear is fear itself”. The author
45. Stark = complete
William Douglas had experienced both – one,
46. Sheer = only
the sensation of dying and other the terror that
47. Endlessly = completely
fear of dying produces. Thus ‘the will to live’ has
48. Shrieking = crying
grown higher in him. Douglas felt released – free
49. Seized = caught
to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to
50. Frozen = choked
brush aside fear.
51. Midst = in the middle of
52. Mass = heap
3. Word meanings 53. Charge = current
54. Fright = fear
1. Graduating = receiving a bachelor’s degree
55. Awful = fearful
2. Pursue = to follow
56. Sucked = inhaled
3. Excerpt = part
57. Ceased = ended
4. Pool = swimming pool
58. Relaxed = eased
5. Offered = provided
59. Limp = lifeless
6. Treacherous = dangerous
60. Drowsy = sleepy
7. Shallow = not deep
61. Oblivion = forgetfulness
8. Gradual = by degrees
62. Haunting = coming again and again
9. Skinny = very thin
63. Slightest = least
10. Subdued = overcame
64. Exertion = tiredness
11. Aversion = dislike
65. Wobbly = unstable
12. Surf = wave
66. Cascade = waterfall
13. Beach = seashore
67. Wading = walking through water
14. Frightened = terrified
68. Bumping = bouncing
15. Revived = reminded
69. Handicap = hindrance
16. Unpleasant = not enjoyable
70. Canoes = small boats
17. Stirred = arose
71. Salmon, bass, trout = kind of fish
18. Paddled = moved on water
72. Ruined = destroyed
19. Aping = imitating
73. Trips = journeys
20. Misadventure = accident
74. Forth = ahead
21. Timid = lacking courage
75. Relaxed = let loose
22. Bruiser = muscular man
76. Hold = grip
23. Specimen = example
77. Tension = stress
24. Rippling = waving
78. Slack = lessen
25. Yelled = shouted
79. Exhale = breathe out
26. Duck = dive

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 203

80. Inhale = breathe in sitting alone on the side of the pool. There was no
81. Shed = gave up one there. He was afraid of going into the water
82. Command = order/direct alone. So he was waiting for others to come.
83. Integrated = complete Suddenly a big boy came in. He picked the writer
84. Vestiges = signs up and tossed him into the pool. The writer at
85. Frown = scowl once went to the bottom of the pool. On the way
86. Dock = part of port down, he made a plan. He would hit the bottom
87. Sensation = strong feeling and make a big jump to the surface. But he came
88. Residual = left over up very slowly. He could see nothing but water.
89. Hurried = went in a hurry He grew panicky. Twice he tried to jump, but
90. Meadow = grassland the jump made no difference. At last he stopped
91. Stripped = took off clothes all efforts. He relaxed. There was no more panic.
92. Appreciate = praise Everything blanked out. The curtain of life fell.
93. Intensity = power/strength But luckily, before he was dead, he was taken out
94. Released = freed of the pool and saved.
95. Trails = paths QUESTION 2.�

2. What were the series of emotions and fears that

Douglas experienced when he was thrown into
4. ncert textbook questions the pool? What plan did he make to come to the
QUESTION 1. surface?
1. Notice these words and expressions in the text.

Ans : 2014

Infer their meaning from the context. When Douglas was thrown into the water by a big
1. treacherous bruiser, initially he was shocked and frightened.
He went deep into the water in the same posture
2. misadventure
in which he was sitting. He was terrified and
3. subdued my pride panic-stricken. But he kept his presence of mind
4. bob to the surface like a cork and planned to make a big jump the moment
5. flailed at the surface his feet touched the bottom and to spring to the
6. curtain of life fell surface like a cork. But unfortunately all his three
7. fishing for landlocked salmon attempts failed and at the end he felt suffocated
and paralysed. Full of stark terror, he became
8. back and forth across the pool
unconscious.


Ans :
QUESTION 3.�

1. Treacherous : dangerous, deceitful 3. How did this experience affect him ?

2. Misadventure : an unfortunate incident

Ans : 2010

3. Subdued my pride : got rid of negativity The experience shook the writer badly. After some
4. Bob to the surface like a cork : make a quick, hours, he was able to walk back home. He was
short movement up and down feeling very weak. He was trembling. He shook
and cried when he lay on his bed. He could eat
5. Flailed at the surface : moved arms and legs
nothing that night. For days, a terrible fear filled
around without control
his heart. He never went back to that pool again.
6. Curtain of life fell : become unconscious
7. Fishing for landlocked salmon : catching a
THINK AS YOU READ 2
type of fish QUESTION 1.�

8. Back and forth across the pool : from one side 1. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear
to another in a pool of water?


Ans : 2016

THINK AS YOU READ 1 Douglas wanted to live his life to the fullest. This
QUESTION 1.
fear was a hindrance to his enjoying the pleasures
1. What is the ‘misadventure’ that William Douglas of life. This fear ruined all his fishing trips. He
speaks about ? could not enjoy any water sport like canoeing,


Ans : 2019
fishing, swimming, etc. So he was determined to
The misadventure referred to happened at the get over his fear of water.
YMCA swimming pool. One day, the writer was

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

(a) What do you make of the writer’s commentary were _____.

in describing the hefty teen? (b) Douglas wasn’t really scared when tossed into
(b) The line, “I was timid about going in alone, the pool at first because he _____.
so I sat on the side of the pool to wait for (i) was overconfident.
others” can be best classified as: (ii) was confident of his strength.
(i) a fact (iii) knew swimming well.
(ii) an opinion (iv) thought there were people around who
(iii) the central theme would save him.
(iv) a rumour (c) Decipher the highlighted words and complete
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can the sentence appropriately:
be drawn from the writing style adopted by “I summoned all my strength and made
the author. what I thought was a great spring upwards”
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears suggests that _____.
evidence to the fact that the narrator was (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
painfully shy. infer that the narrator tried to save himself.
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, (e) What do the words ‘water that had a dirty
select the most likely explanation for the big yellow tinge to it’ indicate about the situation?
boy’s behaviour towards the narrator. (f) Which of the following headlines best suggests
(i) He wanted to frighten the author. the central idea of the extract?
(ii) He was just fooling around. (i) Fall flat on your face
(iii) He bullied a skinny lad sitting alone. (ii) Down and out
(iv) His intention was benevolent. (iii) Fight a losing battle
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word. (iv) Threescore and ten
The figure of speech in the expression ‘as

Ans : 2009

white and clean as a bath tub’ is _____. (a) likely filled up with water.


Ans : 2008
(b) (ii) was confident of his strength.
(a) The writer found the muscular build-up of (c) the force or effort applied by the narrator was
the teen admirable. inadequate.
(b) (i) a fact (d) He shouted for help and tried to push himself
(c) William Douglas has written an to the surface.
autobiographical account. (e) The words indicate that the narrator was
(d) I went to the pool when no one else was there. slowly losing his consciousness.
(e) (iii) he bullied a skinny lad sitting alone. (f) (iii) Fight a losing battle.
(f) simile QUESTION 21.�

QUESTION 20.� 5. Read the following extract and answer the

4. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
questions that follow. But the jump made no difference. The water was
It seemed a long way down. Those nine feet were still around me. I looked for ropes, ladders, wings.
more like ninety, and before I touched bottom my Nothing but water. A mass of yellow water held
lungs were ready to burst. But when my feet hit me. Stark terror took an even deeper hold on
bottom I summoned all my strength and made me, like a great charge of electricity. I shook and
what I thought was a great spring upwards. I trembled with fright. My arms wouldn’t move.
imagined I would bob to the surface like a cork. My legs wouldn’t move. I tried to call for help, to
Instead, I came up slowly. I opened my eyes and call for mother. Nothing happened.
saw nothing but water—water that had a dirty And then, strangely, there was light. I was
yellow tinge to it. I grew panicky. I reached up as coming out of the awful yellow water. At least my
if to grab a rope and my hands clutched only at eyes were. My nose was almost out too.
water. I was suffocating. (a) What makes the reader realise that the efforts
(a) The author says, “before I touched bottom of the narrator were futile?
my lungs were ready to burst” because they

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 205

terror stricken. At the other occasion he was the end of our life. One of the boy came outside
thrown into the deep end of the YMCA pool by and saw the villagers. He cried and cried. They
a big bruiser of a boy. A stark terror overpowered came and brought us out of the water. But this
and gripped him. It followed and haunted him enabled us to challenge the fears of life and we can
wherever he went. He realised that his joys of undertake adventurous works.
fishing, canoeing; boating and swimming had QUESTION 2.�

ruined. Keeping in view its severe consequences, 2. Find and narrate other stories about conquest
he engaged an instructor who trained him in fear and what people have said about courage. For
swimming and Douglas was able to conquer his example, you can recall Nelson Mandela’s courage
fear. and his struggle for freedom, his perseverance to
This experience had a deeper meaning for achieve his mission, to liberate the oppressed and
Douglas. Because he had experienced both the the oppressor as depicted in his autobiography.
sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it The story “We’re Not Afraid To Die,” which you
can produce. He learnt the will to live in great have read in class XI, is an apt example of how
intensity. This experience can only be realised by courage and optimism that helped the family
those who had faced to conquer it. This exactly service under the direst stress.
happened with Douglas. He knew : In death, there

Ans :
is peace, there is terror only in the fear of death.” It is correct that hard struggle and honest labour
Thus one can estimate what matters is the will to never go unrewarded. They help in overcoming
live.” As Roosevelt said, “All we have to fear is all kind of terror and fear. India’s struggle for
fear itself.” So will to live is great and it can take freedom is the best example of this type. Here
man to touch the highest peaks of life. thousands of Indians scarified their lives for
the noble cause. They were tortured, terrified,

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT put behind the bars and painful cruelties were
QUESTION 1.�
inflected on them. Ultimately India became free
1. “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Have you ever from the clutches of the Britishers. Now we lead a
had a fear that you have now overcome ? Share free and democratic life being masters of our own.
your experience with others in the class. In the same way South Africa was facing the


Ans : problem of Apartheid till 1992 when the black
Roosevelt has appropriately said, “All we have people were segregated and despised by the
to fear is fear itself.” These words have a deeper Whites. Only the 20% population of the Whites
meaning for all of us. It implies that we fear from governed over them. Nelson Mandela launched
fear. Those who have undergone this experience a heroic struggle to liberate the blacks. They
of fear, they can only appreciate its worth. demonstrated against the policies of the Whites.
William O. Douglas has faced it twice in his life. Mandela alongwith his friends were tortured.
He had a terrible fear of water. He could not go Finally, he was able to overcome all the terror
for swimming, boating, canoeing and rafting, etc. and got freedom for the blacks. His story is also
He realised that it would ruin his career since a fine example of struggle, sacrifice, perseverance
fear was following and haunting him wherever he and hard toil to achieve his mission. During the
went. Fear is our hard core enemy. We must get elections, Nelson Mandela became the President
rid of it at the earliest like Douglas. I too had a of South Africa.
terrible experience in my life. The other story “We’re not Afraid to Die”
A small tributary flows near our village. is an example to conquest over fear and other
During the summer vacation we used to go there obstacles. It is their patience, perseverance and
for bathing and swimming. Very often we were struggle that win over all their terrors and fears.
made cautious by the villagers not to bathe in it. They land safely on the island and people give
There is a deeper whole inside the stream. Being them a warm welcome.
children we never bothered. One day we took out
our clothes and plunged into it. By chance the
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
water was overflowing the banks and the current QUESTION 1.�

was fast. While diving, two among us got stuck 1. If some one else had narrated Douglas’s experience
into the hole. We cried and cried but we were how would it have differed from this account ?
going deeper and deeper. We thought that it was Write out a sample paragraph or paragraphs from

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

this text from the point of view of a third person Write an essay of about five paragraphs recounting
or observer, to find out. Which style of narration such an experience. Try to recollect minute
would you consider to be more effective ? Why ? details of what caused the fear, your feelings,


Ans : the encouragement you got from others or the
The present lesson is an excerpt from “Of Men and criticism.
Mountains” – i.e. an autobiographical account of You could begin with the last sentence of the
W. O. Douglas. Here he describes how as a young essay you have just read - “At last I felt released
boy he was nearly drowned in the swimming pool. - free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and
Here he pens his own experiences, fears and terrors to brush aside fear.”
of water. The narration is in the first person, i.e

Ans :
the author has involved himself in the narrative. Doing well-A Great Struggle
It is his personalised description which has a At last I felt released, free to walk the trails and
direct impact over the readers. It stirs our feelings climb the peaks and to brush aside fear. Now
and equips us to challenge the dangers of life. the haunting fear had been shed and I can drive
Douglas gives a vivid account of his drowning in not only the motorcycle but the car also on the
the water and the fear pertaining to it. He gives a crowded roads of Delhi without any trace of fear
personal touch in the feeling of the drowning, fear in me.
the paralysed legs and penkining to it hands that Every one indulging in a sport or music or
ruined his wishes of canoeing, swimming, boating dance or painting or riding a motorcycle or a car,
and, etc. He points out his personal experiences of knows it very well that doing well in the activity
fear, horror and terror and the strategy that helps involves a great deal of struggles. It is true that
him overcome his terror of water. Thus the writer most of us get very nervous to begin with until bit
has very appropriately stirred up our emotional by bit, we overcome our fears and perform well.
aspect and the same can’t be done by writing the When for the first time I rode a motorcycle I
account in third person. When the narrator points felt very thrilled. Moreover, I drove on an empty
out that the “curtain of life fell”, it immediately road in the rural part after sunset. It was after
touches our inner feelings. travelling a distance of four kilometers drove
back. At a sharp curve a passenger bus came
A Sample Paragraph from opposite side. To my utter horror, I could
Douglas has presented a fine account when he notice the fallen-tree on my road-side when I just
looms in between fear, death and terror and in reached it. I had no choice but to drive down the
the end he is crowned with a rewarding success road. I jumped flat behind, leaving the running
because of his grit, courage, hard toil, strong motorcycle in the grove of trees. I was badly hurt
will and grave intensity to win over his terror. and found the bike in damaged form standing
It happened when Douglas was thrown deep into in the trees. I got terror struck and shook and
nine feet pool of water. He reached the bottom and trembled badly. There was no help.
became panicky. He felt suffocated and swallowed The driving fear followed me whenever I
water. He lost his breath and went down and drove in residential areas as well as on busy roads.
down. He shrieked to see nothing except water– I could never think of driving beyond the speed
terror seized him in. He was paralysed and his of 40 km. ph. My condition worsened when I was
shrieks were frozen. Thus he made three attempts stuck in the traffic jams. Terror used to freeze my
but went on going down and down. A blackness hands and legs. They could hardly coordinate.
swept over his brain. He was lost in oblivion with At last, I engaged an instructor to teach me
death around his body. When he woke up, he was driving. It was one hour daily for one month I
vomiting water on the surface. was given a signal to drive independently. I drove
on busy roads, crowded roads, jammed roads and

WRITING finally, on roads with deep curves in the hills. It
QUESTION 1.�
made me to feel free of the haunting driving fear.
1. Doing well in any activity, for example a sport, The residual fear also was won over a long time. I
music, dance or painting riding a motorcycle or a won it, and felt free to drive.
car, involves a great deal of struggle. Most of us QUESTION 2.�

are very nervous to begin with until gradually we 2. Write a short letter to someone you know about
overcome our fears and perform well. your having learnt to do something new.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 207

Ans :

Ans :
32, Conoor (d) William Douglas
Tamil Nadu,
November 4, 20... 2. In which subject has the author graduated?
Dear Payal, (a) English and History
You will be surprised to know that I have learnt (b) English and Economics
swimming. Now I am preparing for representing my (c) Science and Social studies
school in the inter-school swimming competitions
(d) English and Science
due next spring. I very well remember the day I

Ans :
was very nervous when I entered the pool for the (b) English and Economics
first time. For days, I had a great fear, a fear of
water. Whenever, I had my face under water I was 3. For how many years had the author taught in
much frightened for long. I often felt some force high school in Yakima?
pulling me down. But I always got encouragement (a) 3 years (b) 4 years
from other’s swimming beside me.
(c) 2 years (d) 5 years
I had to struggle a lot, practise swimming

Ans :
everyday for three months to get rid of the fear (c) 2 years
and feel free to swim. Now I know the joys of
swimming, which can only be felt, not explained. 4. After the author was fed up with teaching , he
I hope you are also learning something now-a- decided to opt for which career?
days. (a) Engineering (b) Gardening
Do write.
(c) Medical (d) A legal career
With love

Ans :
Yours truly (d) A legal career
Mohini
5. What is the story Deep Water speaking about?

THINGS TO DO (a) Fear of water and the way to overcome it
(b) Fear of dogs
QUESTION 1.�

1. Are there water sports in India ? Find out about

(c) Fear of people
the areas or places which are known for water
sports? (d) Fear of swimming


Ans :

Ans :
In India, we organise many water sports, some of (a) Fear of water and the way to overcome it
these are :
6. How did the author’s fear vanish?
• Water-Polo : These games are arranged in the
(a) With courage, guidance and determination
Ganges, Beas
(b) With care
• Yachting : Tiesta.
(c) With mother’s words
• Canoeing : Kashmir, Goa and Chandigarh are
some of the places for water sports in India. (d) With guidance


Ans :
• Rafting (a) With courage, guidance and determination
• Swimming
• Water-ski. 7. Y.M.C.A stands for?
(a) Young Men’s Christian Authority
5. other important questions (b) Young Men’s Christopher Association
(c) Young Men’s Christian Army

MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS (d) Young Men’s Christian Association


Ans :
1. Who is the author of Deep Water? (d) Young Men’s Christian Association
(a) William George Bernard Shaw
8. Where is Yakima located?
(b) William Shakespeare
(a) In Newzealand (b) In California
(c) William Wordsworth
(c) In Washington (d) None of these
(d) William Douglas

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

made up his mind to get rid of it. Finally, he was He wanted to cry for help but water entered in
able to overcome his fear of the water. his month. His legs became paralysed stiff and
rigid. A great force was pulling him under. He

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS started his back journey to the bottom for the
QUESTION 1.� second time. He could not bob to the surface like
1. How did Douglas develop an aversion to water ? a cork’ as he had thought. He went down and


O down endlessly.
Which two frightening experiences did Douglas The sheer stark terror seized him. He was
have in water in his childhood? crying under water. He called his mother to help
him but nothing happened. He looked for ropes,


O water ladders, water wings for help but there was
Point out the ‘misadventure’ that William Douglas no help. He was trembling with fear. He started
had to encounter at the YMCA pool. What was down a third time. In place of air, he sucked water
its effect over the writer ? every time. All his efforts stopped. Black darkness


O covered his brain. There was no panic, no fear
“... there was terror in my heart at the and no terror. It was calm and peaceful. It was
overpowering force of the waves.” When did nice and he felt sleepy as if he had been in his
Douglas start fearing water ? Which experience mother’s arms. The curtain of life fell and he lay
had further strengthened its hold on his mind and unconscious.
personality ? QUESTION 3.

Ans : 2012, 2010 3. How did Douglas develop an aversion and then
From the very beginning, Douglas was much fear of water? How did he overcome his fear of
eager to learn swimming. When he was three water?
or four years old, his father took him to the

Ans : 2022

beach in California. He was standing in the surf. Douglas developed an aversion for water when he
A strong wave knocked him down and he was was only three or four years old. One day his father
buried in water. His breath was gone. He was took him to the California Beach. They stood in
much frightened but his father was holding him. the surf. Suddenly a huge wave came and swept
Even then, the boy was much terrified by the over him. He was knocked down. He developed an
destructive force of the wave. He developed an aversion for water. Then a boyhood ‘misadventure’
aversion to water. changed that aversion into fear. One day when he
Next time, when he was ten or eleven years was ten or eleven years old, he went to the YMCA
old he resolved to learn swimming. He went to swimming pool. He sat at the edge of the pool.
the YMCA pool at Yakima. He was sitting there A big boy came and threw him into the pool. He
alone waiting for others to come. A big muscular was nearly drowned in the pool. Now the fear of
boy addressed him ‘Skinny’ and asked him to be water seized him. This fear remained with him as
ducked. He tossed up Douglas and threw him into he grew up. Finally, he made up his mind to get
the deep end of the pool. He went down to the rid of that fear. He engaged an instructor to teach
bottom and got panicky. This experience further him how to swim. He practiced swimming one hour
strengthened the terror and fear of water in his daily . for fives days a week. The instructor made
mind and personality. him a perfect swimmer. Yet the writer was not
QUESTION 2.� completely sure that the fear had left him. So he
2. Describe the various attempts that Douglas had went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock at
to make while he was in the YMCA pool. Triggs Island. He swam for two hours across the


Ans : 2012 lake. Only once did he feel afraid of the water.
When Douglas was thrown into the nine feet deep But it fled soon and he swam on. In this way, he
YMCA pool, he landed in a sitting position in the conquered his fear of the water.
beginning. He swallowed water and went down QUESTION 4.�

at once to the bottom. On the way down he was 4. How did Douglas react sharply to get over his fear
frightened but not completely out of wits. His of water ?
lungs were ready to burst but made a strategy to

O
spring upwards on hitting the bottom. He came What was Douglas’s fear ? How did he overcome
up slowly and saw the dirty water on all his sides. that fear ?

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 209

22. What plans did he make to come to the surface (a) Because of fear of swimming
of the pool? (b) Because of fear
(a) Tried to jump and push himself up (c) Because of inability to move
(b) Shouted (d) Because of fear and inability to move
(c) Cried aloud

Ans :
(d) Shouted “help” (d) Because of fear and inability to move


Ans :
29. What was the impact of the pool incident?
(a) Tried to jump and push himself up
(a) Developed fear
23. How did this experience affect the author? (b) Became confident
(a) Became fearless (b) Confident (c) Became overconfident
(c) Overconfident (d) Became hydrophobic (d) Hydrophobia was revived


Ans :

Ans :
(d) Became hydrophobic (d) Hydrophobia was revived
24. What lesson did Douglas learn from his experience 30. How many times did Douglas try to come to the
of drowning learning to swim? surface of the pool?
(a) Learnt swimming (a) Twice (b) Once
(b) Love for swimming (c) Five times (d) Thrice
(c) Swimming is not difficult

Ans :
(d) Face the fear (d) Thrice


Ans :
31. Why did Douglas hate to walk with bare legs?
(d) Face the fear
(a) Ugly looking legs (b) Because of skin color
25. How did the instructor make Douglas a good (c) Fat legs (d) Because of skinny
swimmer? legs
(a) Planning

Ans :
(b) With the help of ropes (d) Because of skinny legs
(c) By pushing him into the pool 32. Why did Douglas’ mother recommend that he
(d) With the help of ropes and belts should learn swimming at the Y.M.C.A swimming


Ans : pool?
(d) With the help of ropes and belts (a) Because it was local
26. What plan did Douglas make to learn swimming? (b) Because it was safe
(a) Planned to get an instructor (c) Because it was shallow
(b) Planned to swim more (d) Because it was shallow and safe


Ans :
(c) Planned to watch swimmers
(d) Because it was shallow and safe
(d) Planned to jump


Ans : 33. Why did Douglas hire an instructor?
(a) Planned to get an instructor (a) To be confident in swimming
27. What does Douglas do to save himself in the pool? (b) To compete with others
(a) Used his mind and pushed himself up (c) To flaunt
(b) Shouted aloud (d) To overcome his fear of water and learn
(c) Called people swimming


Ans :
(d) Shouted help help
(d) To overcome his fear of water and learn


Ans :
swimming
(a) Used his mind and pushed himself up
34. “I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell”.
28. Why did Douglas fail to come to the surface of
What does oblivion mean?
the pool as he hoped to?

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Ch 3 : Deep Water

(a) spavilion (b) changing room (b) Because he was sleeping

(c) unconsciousness (d) death (c) Because he thought that the lifeguard would


Ans : come to his rescue
(c) unconsciousness (d) Because of confidence


Ans :
35. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear
(d) Because of confidence
of water?
(a) because he wanted to swim in the waters of
the Cascade
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
(b) because his friend had challenged him QUESTION 1.�

(c) because he had a bet on it 1. When did Douglas first become afraid of water?


Ans : 2016
(d) because he wanted to win a medal At the age of three or four, Douglas was standing


Ans :
at a beach in California. By chance the waves
(a) because he wanted to swim in the waters of
knocked him down and swept over him. He was
the Cascade
buried in the water and his breath was gone. He
36. What was stopping Douglas to get into the waters was awfully frightened and terror developed in his
of Cascade? heart. This was the time when he first became
afraid of water.
(a) Memories of Washington
QUESTION 2.

(b) Memories of California 2. What did the author’s mother tell him about the
(c) Instructions given by the instructor Yakima river?
(d) Memories full of terror in the pool

Ans : 2020

Ans : When he was ten or eleven years old, the author

(d) Memories full of terror in the pool decided to learn how to swim. He could learn
swimming in the Yakima River. But his mother
37. How did Douglas make sure that he had conquered forbade him to do so. She told him that the
the old terror? Yakima River was treacherous. She reminded him
(a) By visiting California about the details of each drowning in the river.
(b) By swimming into the lake Wentworth QUESTION 3.�

(c) By taking a lesson from the instructor 1. (a) Why was the YMCA pool considered safe to
learn swimming outsiders.
(d) By jumping into the waters


Ans : (b) How did the instructor make Douglas a good
(b) By swimming into the lake Wentworth swimmer ?


Ans : 2015

38. What distance Douglas covered while swimming (a) YMCA Pool was considered the safest site to
across the lake Wentworth? learn swimming. It was only two or three feet
(a) 5 miles (b) 3 miles deep at the shallow end while at the other it
(c) 4 miles (d) 2 miles was nine feet. There at the pool, slope was


Ans : also very gradual and under control. These
(d) 2 miles can be nomishads.
(b) The instructor give one hour training five
39. Where was the lake Wentworth? days a week. He put a belt around Douglas. A
(a) In New Hampshire rope was attached to a bell that went through
(b) In Washington a pulley, running and the end of the orpe. He
(c) In California taught Douglas to put his face under water
and exhale and to raise his nose and inhale.
(d) In Washington D.C


Ans : The repetition of exercises and practice under
(a) In New Hampshire his supervision turned Douglas into a good
swimmer.
40. At first, why was the writer not much frightened QUESTION 1.

when he was thrown into the pool? 3. Why did Douglas think that the YMCA pool was
(a) Because he was intoxicated safe?

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 211

Ans : 2015
He was frightened. Then Douglas developed
Douglas wanted to learn how to swim. He decided aversion for water when he was in it.
to learn swimming in the YMCA pool. He felt QUESTION 6.�

that it was a safe pool. This pool was only two or 8. Why did William Douglas develop an aversion to
three feet deep at the shallow end. It was nine feet the water when he was three or four year old?
deep at the other end. But the drop was gradual.

Ans : 2010
QUESTION 2.�
Douglas had a keen desire to wade into the water
4. Why did. Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New since his childhood. But he had developed an
Hampshire? aversion


O from the water. When he was at the age of
How did Douglas finally get rid of the fear he had three or four, his father took him to the beach
of water? in California both were standing together at the


Ans : 2012, 2011
surf. There came a wave that knocked him down
A stark terror overpower I and gripped Douglas and swept over him. Consequently, he was burried
on account of his bitter experiences at California in the water. His breath was gone and a deep
beach and at the YMCA pool. It followed and terror overpowered his heart.
haunted him wherever he went. An instructor QUESTION 7.

trained him in swimming. Douglas was able to 9. What did Douglas do when once he went to the
conqner his fear. Piece by piece he built himself swimming pool when no one was there?
a swimmer. He went to Lake Wentworth in New

Ans : 2009
Hampshire to remove his doubts and to say One day, Douglas went to the YMCA swimming
farewell to his chronic terror. pool. He found that there was no one there. The
QUESTION 3.
water was still and the tiled floor of the swimming
5. What misadventure took place when Douglas was pool was clean. He was alone to go into the water
ten or eleven years old? alone. So he sat on the side of the pool and waited


Ans : 2011
for others.
One day, Douglas went to the YMCA swimming QUESTION 8.�

pool. He was alone at the pool. He sat at the edge 10. How did the swimming instructor “build a
of the pool. Suddenly, a big boy came. He picked swimmer” out of Douglas?
up Douglas and threw him into the pool. Douglas
landed at the deepest part of the pool. He was

O
nearly drowned in the pool. That incident created How did the instructor help Douglas to overcome
a fear of water in him. It took him many years to his fear of water?


Ans : 2014
get rid of that fear.
QUESTION 4.�
To give him the best guidance, the instructor
6. What deep meaning did his experience at the gave Douglas a practice for five days in a week.
YMCA swimming pool have for Douglas? It was of one hour duration. In the beginning he


Ans : 2016
put a belt around Douglas and it was attached
The experience of water terror at the YMCA pool to the belt. The rope went through a pulley that
had a deeper meaning for Douglas. In reality the ran on an overhead cable. Douglas was made to
author put a deep meaning for all of us. Only go back and forth across the pool. Each time his
those who had encountered a stark terror and old fear returned. It went on for three months.
conquered it, can appreciate it. It stresses the Then he taught him to put his face under water
point that a man must encounter all obstacles or and exhale. He taught him to raise his nose and
terrors in his life by having a determined mind inhale. Thus, piece by piece the instructor built
and the success would crown him in the end. Douglas a swimmer.
QUESTION 9.
QUESTION 5.

7. When and why did Douglas develop an aversion 11. What did Douglas plan to do when the big boy
for water when he was in it? threw him into the pool?


Ans : 2022


Ans : 2021

When Douglas was three or four years old, his A big boy threw Douglas into the pool. He was
father took him to the beach in California. They frightened. But he did not lose his presence of
stood together in the surf. Suddenly the waves mind. He planned that when his feet hit the
came and swept over him. He was knocked down. bottom of the pool, he would make a big jump

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water
QUESTION 14.�

upwards and come to the surface. Then he would 16. What does the mother of Douglas say about the
lie flat on the surface for some time. After that he YMCA pool?
would paddle to the edge of the pool.
QUESTION 10.�


O
12. William Douglas says, “The experience had a Why did Douglas’ mother recommend that he
deep meaning for me.” Explain the statement. should learn swimming at the YMCA swimming
pool?


O


Ans : 2015
What did Douglas learn from his experience of
Douglas wanted to learn swimming. His mother
drowning?
had advised him against his visit to the Yakima


Ans : 2020
river since it was treacherous in nature. She had
The experience of water terror had a deeper
kept fresh in his mind the details of each drowning
meaning for Douglas. In realty the author put a
in that river. She considered YMCA pool as the
deep meaning for all of us. Only those who had
safest place because it was two or three feet at the
encountered a stark terror and conquered it, only
shallow end and nine feet at the deeper end. The
they can appreciate it. It stresses the point that a
slope was also gradual.
man must encounter all obstacles or terrors in his QUESTION 15.

life by having a determined mind and the success 17. What was Douglas’s condition when he was under
would crown him in the end. water in the pool?


Ans :
QUESTION 11.
2022
13. How did Douglas feel when he went down in the
Douglas made a jump upwards. But he was
water and there was water all around him?
coming very slowly. He opened his eyes. He found


Ans : 2011, 2007
only water around him. Once his eyes and nose
When he was in the water, he opened his eyes. He
came out of the water. But then he went down
saw water all around him. He was not coming up
again. He felt suffocating under the water. He
quickly. He was seized with terror. He felt that
tried to bring his legs up. But they seemed lifeless
he would die. He started shrieking. But even his
and paralyzed. His lungs ached and his head
screams were frozen in his throat. He felt alive
throbbed. He thought that he was going to die.
only because he could hear the beating of his QUESTION 16.�

heart and the pounding in his head. 18. “All we have to fear is fear itself”. Describe
QUESTION 12.�

Douglas’s experiences which led to the making of

14. How did his experience at the YMCA swimming
this statement.
pool affect Douglas?


Ans : 2015


Ans : 2016
It was said by Roosevelt, “All we have to fear
After his misadventure in the pool, Douglas
is fear itself’. This exactly happened to Douglas.
wanted to get into the waters of the cascades
He knew “In death, these is peace, there is terror
but the old fear overpowered him. His legs would
only in the fear of death”. It means that we
become paralysed and icy terror would grab his
must possess the strong will to live and face the
heart. He could not enjoy the sports games like
challenge and thereby the fear will automatically
canoeing, boating and swimming. He tried to get
flee. Since childhood, Douglas’ had a mind for
rid of this fear yet it held him in its firm grip.
swimming but he had developed a terror when a
So he decided to get over his fear of water by
wave swept over and buried him. On the second
engaging an instructor.
occasion a big boy threw Douglas in the pool
QUESTION 13.

which created a stark fear in his mind. He made

15. Who threw Douglas into the swimming pool?


Ans : 2005
three attempts to come outside but he was going
Douglas was sitting alone at the edge of the deeper and deeper. He became unconscious when
swimming pool. He did not want to go into the he got up he was vomitting beside the pool.
QUESTION 17.
water alone. Suddenly an eighteen-year-old boy
19. What did Douglas do to save himself? Did he
came there. He was strongly built. He had strong
succeed?
muscles on his arms and legs. He called Douglas


Ans : 2018
skinny. Then he lifted Douglas and threw him
Douglas was seized with fear. He felt paralyzed.
into the deep end of the pool.
Suddenly, an idea came to him. He planned to
make a jump when his feet touched the bottom.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 213

He jumped with all his energy. But the jump other shore as well. His trips made a loud echo :
made no difference. Now fear seized him. He cried “I have conquered my fear of water”. In this way
and called for help. But nothing happened. Douglas was able to get rid of his residual fears.
QUESTION 18. QUESTION 23.

20. How did Douglas feel when he wanted to get into 25. Why did the boy who had thrown him into the
the waters of the Cascades? pool say in the end?


Ans : 2014

Ans : 2021

Douglas’s boyhood misadventure created a fear A big boy threw Douglas into the pool. He was
of water in him. Whenever he wanted to get into nearly drowned in the pool. When he came to
the waters of the Cascades or other places, the old his senses, he found the big boy standing by him.
fear came back. It would take possession of him He defended himself by saying that he was only
completely. ‘fooling’. Someone told him, ‘The kid nearly died.
QUESTION 19.� QUESTION 24.

21. Which two different experiences did Douglas have 26. What did Douglas do get rid of his fear of the
during his misadventure? water? Did he succeed?


Ans : 2013

Ans : 2020

In his third attempt, Douglas was in oblivion. He Douglas tried his best to overcome his fear of the
left all efforts and he was dying. He was seized water. But he did not get much success. Finally,
with terror. His limbs were paralysed. But he had one October, he got an instructor and decided
already realised the sensation of dying, there was to learn how to swim. He went to a pool and
peace in it. In this moment of peace, Douglas felt practiced five days a week, an hour each day.
himself to be in his mother’s arms. All terror left Douglas succeeded in overcoming his fear of
him. water. He became a swimmer.
QUESTION 20. QUESTION 25.�

22. What did Douglas find when he became conscious? 27. What lesson did Doughas learn when he got rid of
his fear of water ?


Ans : 2010


Ans : 2015
When Douglas went down for the third time, With the help of his instructor and constant
he felt that he would die. All efforts seized. A practice Douglas was completely out of fear. He
blackness swept over him. Now there was no stated that a fear is nothing but all. We have to
panic. All was quiet and peaceful. He crossed into fear is fear itself. In reality it in the ‘will to live’
oblivious. When he came to his senses, he found that removes all our fears terrors, troubles and
that he was lying on his stomach by the side of difficulties if we struggle hard and make a strong
the pool and was vomiting. determination to encounter it.
QUESTION 21.
QUESTION 26.�

23. How did the fear of water ruin Douglas’s trips and 28. How did Douglas finally overcome his fear of the
other joys? water?


Ans : 2018


Ans : 2005
The fear of water stayed with Douglas as he grew The instructor made Douglas a perfect swimmer.
up. Wherever he went, this fear accompanied him. Yet he was not satisfied. He was not sure whether
In canoes on the Maine Lakes or fishing for trout the fear of water had completely left him. So he
and salmon, he always felt the old fear. It ruined went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock at
his fishing trips. It deprived him of the joys of Triggs Island. He swam for two hours across the
swimming and boating. lake. Only once did he feel afraid of the water.
QUESTION 22.�
But it fled soon and he swam on. In this way, he
24. How did Douglas remove his residual doubts conquered his fear of the water.
about his fear of water ? QUESTION 27.�

Ans : 2015, 2012

29. What message does Douglas convey in this lesson
In order to make himself free from his residual ?
doubts, Douglas went up Tieton to Conard

Ans : 2008
Meadows, up the Conard Creak Trail to Meade Douglas conveys the message that all we have to
Glacier. Then he was happy to camp in the high fear is fear itself. All fears and terrors are only in
meadows near Warm Lake. On the next morning the mind. A determined man does not feel any
he was happy to swim and return back to the fear. Douglas felt fear of water only till he had not

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water
QUESTION 2.

2. How did the instructor ‘build a swimmer’ out of stark terror over-powered him. He shrieked in the
Douglas ? water but only the water heard him. After feeling


Ans : 2013
the tiles under his feet, he jumped with all his
The instructor was a very experienced and patient might but it made no difference. His lungs ached
person. He used a novel method to train the writer and head throbbed. Stark terror took him in its
in swimming. He put a belt round the writer. A grip. His legs and arms could not move. He again
rope was attached to the belt. It went through a tried for the third time. He searched for air but
pulley. The pulley ran on an overhead cable. The swallowed water. He felt drowsy and ceased all
instructor held on to the end of the rope. Thus efforts. He was crossed to oblivion. The curtain of
the writer went back and forth across the pool. his life fell and he lay unconscious.
He practised for many weeks. The tension began
to grow less. Then the instructor taught him to
exhale under water and inhale above water. The
writer repeated this exercise hundreds of times.
Bit by bit, he lost some of his old fear. Next,
the instructor taught him to kick with his legs. QUESTION 2.�

Thus, piece by piece, the instructor built out of 2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water ?
the writer a swimmer. And at last he said, “Now

Ans :
you can swim. Dive off and swim the length of the After his misadventure in the pool at the YMCA,
pool.” The writer was able to do it. Douglas was amidst the Fear of water. He realised
QUESTION 3.�
that his fishing trips, canoeing, swimming and
3. How did Douglas make sure that he had conquered boating were over. He tried his best to overcome
the old terror ? it but the haunting fear of the water followed


Ans : 2010 him everywhere. Finally he decided to engage an
The writer visited some of the famous water instructor to learn to swim and to overcome his
spots. At last he went to Lake Wentworth in fear. He went to the pool and practised for five
New Hampshire. He swam two miles across the days a week, an hour each day. The instructor put
lake. Then he went and camped by the side of a belt around him and a rope was attached to the
the Warm Lake. The next morning, he dived into belt. The rope went through a pulley that ran an
the lake. He swam across to the other shore and overhead cable. Douglas held one end of the rope
back. He shouted with joy. He had conquered his and went back and forth across the pool. On each
fear of water. trip, some of the terror would seize him up. After
three months, the tension began to decrease.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT Piece by piece he shed the panic. He taught
QUESTION 1.�
him to put his face under water and exhale. He
1. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense also learnt how to raise his nose and inhale. This
of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned ? exercise was repeated hundreds of times. Now
Describe the details that have made the description he was able to shed part of the fear that seized
vivid. him under water. He went to Lake Wentworth,


Ans : Triggs Island and Slamp Act Island. He swam two
Once Douglas was sitting alone at the YMCA pool miles across the lake. Now he was determined and
waiting for others to come. Then there came a big he swam on. He -shouted with joy and he had
bruiser of a boy. He tossed him up and threw him conquered his fear of water. He emerged a very
into the deep end of the pool. Douglas went deep successful swimmer.
and swallowed water. He was in a sitting position QUESTION 3.�

at the bottom. He was frightened but was not out 3. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood
of his wits. On the way down, he had a strategy experience of terror and his conquering of it ?
in his mind. When his feet touched the bottom, What larger meaning does he draw from this
he would make a great spring upward. Then he experience ?
would paddle to the edge of the pool, but he

Ans :
came up slowly. He opened his eyes and saw dirty Douglas had two childhood experiences of terror.
water. He was greatly frightened. His legs seemed One at the California beach when the waves
paralysed. A great force was pulling him down. A knocked him down and swept over him. He was

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 215

O his childhood, Douglas was deeply horrified and

How did the swimming instructor build a swimmer thus he avoided water as all costs. The terror of
out of Douglas ? water was creating the gravest trouble in him for


O learning to swim. He tried his best to overcome
How did Douglas experience at the YMCA pool ? his fear. He took a great v w and adapted a


Ans : 2013
sense of deep courage in his mind. He made a
On two different occasions, Douglas developed strong resolution to come our form the water
a stark terror of water. At the age of three or fear. Accordingly he engaged an instructor who
four he was standing on the beach of California taught him different skills and modes to face is
with his father. There the waves swept over him kick in water with his legs. He learned everything
and buried in the water. On the second occasion, piece by piece but never lost courage. After his
he was thrown deep into the YMCA pool by a practice, he saw that his terror was fleeing away.
muscular boy. He struggled hard and made three He went to take went worth and dived off at Trigs
different attempts to get out of water but he went Island. Thus heaver came all his fear and terror
on deeper and deeper. A stark terror overpowered and swam with joy to Conrad Mendows. Hence if
him. The very sight of the pool, river or lake we have courage we can achieve a lot like Douglas
seized him. He was followed by terror wherever he as nothing is impossible in this world.
went. He realised that he could not enjoy boating, QUESTION 6.

fishing, swimming or canoeing. He decided to 6. Describe the ‘misadventure’ of Douglas and how
overcome his fear. he survived it.


Ans : 2018
He engaged an instructor and practised
Douglas describes a ‘misadventure’ of his boyhood
five days a week, an hour a day. He taught him
days. One day, when he was ten or eleven years
swimming piece by piece. In the beginning he put
old, Douglas went to the YMCA swimming pool.
a belt round Douglas. A rope was attached to
He was alone there and sat at the edge of the
the belt. The rope went through a pulley and the
pool. Suddenly a big boy came and threw him into
pulley ran on a overhead cable. He held on to
the pool. He landed at the bottom of the pool in
the end of the rope. They went back and forth
its deepest part. Douglas was greatly frightened.
across the pool. A bit of panic seized Douglas.
But still he had not lost his presence of mind. He
After three months his tension began to slacken.
was going down, he planned to touch the bottom
Then the instructor taught him to exhale under
of the pool with his feet and jump upwards. He
water and inhale outside it. This exercise was
thought that he would come out of the water.
repeated hundreds of times. He made him a
He would then swim on the surface of the water
perfect swimmer piece by piece but Douglas had
towards the edge of the pool. But it took a long
fear in his mind. To have a complete grip over
time going down. The nine feet appeared to be
it, he went to lake Wentsworth and dived off a
more than ninety. His feet touched the bottom.
dock at Triggs Island. He swam two miles across
As planned, he hit the bottom with his feet and
the lake. To remove his residual doubts, he dived
started coming up. But he was coming up very
into the Warm Lake and swam across to the other
slowly. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but
shore and backs. He shouted with joy that he had
water. He grew panicky. It appeared to him as if a
conquered his fear of water. Thus the writer bade
great force was pulling him down. His leg seemed
goodbye to the terror for ever.
QUESTION 5.�
to be paralyzed. He made another jump upwards.
5. With the help courage one can achieve a lot. How But that made no difference. He thought that he
did Douglas overcome his fear of water ? was going to die. He called for help, but nothing


Ans : 2016
happened. When he came to his senses, he was
It is quite appropriate to say that we can reach lying beside the pool, vomiting. The boy who had
on the greatest heights in care we possess thrown him into the water was standing near. He
courage, strong with power and determination. In said that he had only been `fooling’ with Douglas.
the absence of all these, the results are bound QUESTION 7.�

to come beyond our satisfaction as negativity 7. Write down the sense of panic and terror that
has overpowered all our planning, resolutions, gripped Douglas after he was thrown into the
coverage and honest labour. YMCA pool by a big boy.
The story “Deep Water” details that during

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

Ans : 2005
shore and back, I shouted and the Gilbert Peak
Young Douglas was waiting at the YMCA pool returned the echo.
for other boys to come. There came a big bruiser I had conquered my fear of water. When you
of a boy and threw Douglas in the deep water. He find some free time do write about your one such
landed in the water in a sitting position. At first rare experience.
he was frightened but he did not lose his wits. Yours truly
Going towards the bottom, he hatched a plan to William Douglas
come up to the surface by making a big jump. QUESTION 9.

Then he would lie flat on it to paddle to the edge 9. How did the fear of water stay with Douglas as
of the pool. He went up slowly and grow panicky. the years rolled by?
He was suffocating. He shouted but there was no

Ans : 2017
sound. He tried to bring his legs up but a great When he was a boy, a misadventure created in
force was pulling him under water. him a deep fear of water. Once he went to the
His downward journey started. He was YMCA swimming pool. There, a big boy threw
paralysed with terror. His legs turned limp. He him into the water. He was nearly drowned.
was gripped with terror but was not still out of But the incident created a fear of water in him.
wits. He felt the tiles under him. He was crying After a few years, he came to know the waters of
under water for help but he sucked water. A the Cascades. He wanted to get into them. But
blackness swept over him. He jumped with all whenever he tried to do so, the old fear of water
his strength and made a third attempt. He came returned. That fear would take possession of him
down under the water. He decided to stop all his completely. His legs would become paralyzed. The
efforts. He relaxed and there was no panic. He fear of water remained with him for many more
thought that the life of curtain had fallen. He years. It ruined his joy of swimming, fishing or
crossed to oblivion when he got senses he was boating. In canoes on Maine Lakes, fishing for
lying on his stomach beside the pool, vomiting. salmon, he felt the same old fear. The paralyzing
QUESTION 8.�
fear came back when he went for bass fishing in
8. As William Douglas write a letter to your friend New Hampshire or trout fishing on the Deschutes
B. N. Khare of India briefing your efforts of and Metolius in Oregon. The same fear troubled
conquering your fear of water. him while fishing for salmon on the Coumbia or


Ans : 2014
at Bumping lake in the Cascades. Whenever he
30 C, Times Square went, the haunting fear of water followed him. It
Washington D.C. deprived him of the joy of canoeing, boating and
23rd November, 20.... swimming.
My dear Khare, QUESTION 10.�

Right from my childhood I have developed water 10. Read the following and answer the question that
terror in my heart. The overpowering force of the follows :
waves buried me under water when I was three The story “Deep Water” has made you realize
or four years old. Secondly, at the age of ten or that with determination and perseverance one
eleven I was almost drowned in the YMCA pool at can accomplish the impossible. Write a paragraph
Yakima. After that I was completely in possession in about 120-150 words on how a positive attitude
of terror in the water. and courage will aid you to achieve success in life.
Wherever I went, the haunting fear of water

Ans : 2014
followed me. It ruined my fishing, my joy of The story “Deep Water” is a perfect blend of
canoeing, boating, and swimming. When my all not only determination, perseverance but also of
methods, failed to overcome the fear of water, strong-will, courage and honest labour. It explains
I engaged an instructor to train me to swim. that nothing is impossible in this world in case we
After seven months of continuous training, I was adopt positive attitude and work on the above
declared a perfect swimmer. mentioned steps whole heartedly. Failures and
For ensuring , I swam, dived off and shouted impossibilities are the fool’s paradise. If Douglas
with anger at it when once it returned. In order had not made a strong determination of learning
to drive out any residual doubts of the haunting how to swim, he would have remained a complete
fear in the West I went upto Tieton to Conrad failure. When he was thrown into a big YMCA
Meadow, Conrad Creek Trail to Meade Glacier. pool by a big bruiser of a boy. He was almost
After swimming in Warm Lake to the other

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 217

on the verge of collapse. He paddled hard thrice pool. He sat at the edge of the pool. Suddenly
though his legs had paralysed. He again tried a muscular boy came and threw him into the
and searched for air but swallowed water. He felt pool. Douglas was nearly drowned in the water.
drowsy and ceased all the efforts and thereby he That incident created a fear of water in him.
was overpowered by terror. That fear remained with him till he grew up.
But he did not lose heart. With the help Then he decided to overcome that fear. He made
of an instructor, he learnt swimming. Piece by determined efforts and learnt swimming. He
piece, the instructor built him a swimmer and engaged an instructor to teach him swimming.
he challenged terror which ultimately flew away Finally, he went alone to Lake Wentworth and
from him. It was the result of his determination dived off a dock at Triggs Island. He swam for two
hard toil, courage, strong will power and positive hours across the lake. Only once did he feel afraid
attitude. If we follow and adopt these virtues, we of the water. But it fled soon and he swam on. In
can accomplish the impossible and achieve the the end, he was able to overcome his fear of water
crowning success. and swimming. This experience has a symbolic
QUESTION 11.� meaning. Douglas wants to convey the idea those
11. Desire, determination and diligence lead to persons can appreciate an experience who have
success. Explain the value of these qualities in gone through it. Secondly his experience tells us
the light of Douglas’ experience in “Deep Water”. that with determination we can overcome our


Ans : 2014 fears.
It is quite appropriate to say that not only desire, QUESTION 13.�

determination, diligence but also dedication are 13. It is often said that ‘No Pain, No Gains’. One
the chief valued keys of proceeding towards the cannot get anything if one does not work hard.
path of success. Failures embolden as well as teach Write about the value of the statement.
us how to overcome them. After his misadventure

Ans : 2020

in the pool at the YMCA, Douglas was amidst The dictum implies that one can’t attain
water and thought that his fishing trips canoeing, phenomenal success without making sincere
swimming and boating were over and the fear of efforts. There is no substitute to hard work. There
water haunted as well as followed him wherever is no short cut to success. All successful persons
he went. have emphasised the importance of hardwork in
Consequently he made a determination life. Nobody achieved greatness overnight. The
alongwith a strong will to face the challenges of secret of their success was hard and systematic
overcoming the fear. He engaged an instructor work. Destiny never obliges the shirkers. God
to learn swimming in order to overcome his fear. helps those who help themselves. Rome was
Bits by bits and alongwith a lot of practice for not built in a day. Man must comprehend the
three months, he realised that his tension was significance of doing hard labour. One must
decreasing. The exercise of going under water and burn the midnight oil to succeed in this world of
inhaling continued. Ultimately his determination intense competition. Never forget that rest is rust
and diligence brought results and he swam across and work is worship. A person who toils and work
two miles of Lake Wentworth, Triggs Island and hard gets applause and recognition everywhere.
Stamp Act Island. He knew that he had conquered Hard work is the only key to success. Those who
his fear. Thus, the qualities of desire, diligence work hard flourish and those who are passive ruin
and determination are the real steps of stepping their earthly existence. They lose their identity.
success. Industrious people reach at their long cherished
QUESTION 12. destinations. They lead their fellow human beings
12. What message does Douglas want to convey? with politeness and humility.


O QUESTION 14.�

What is the theme of the lesson ‘Deep Water’ ? 14. Look at the following quotes :


Ans : 2010
Life is to live Faith steers the ship like of life
In ‘Deep Water’, Douglas recounts a childhood Life is a precious gift Life is a teacher itself
experience of terror. He was almost drowned in a Life is a mixtureo Roses and Thorns
pool. Douglas also tells us about his determination Reading all these and the lesson ‘Deep Water’
to overcome his fear of water. When he was a boy, you decide to write a paragraph for your school
one day William Douglas went to a swimming magazine on ‘How to overcome trouble’. Write it

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Ch 3 : Deep Water

Ans : 15. What is the theme of the story Deep Water?

(c) In Washington
(a) Victory in facing the fear
9. Where did the writer go when he was 3 or 4 years (b) Being fearful
old in the story? (c) To learn swimming
(a) Washington (b) New Zealand (d) All of these
(c) California (d) Canada

Ans :


Ans : (a) Victory in facing the fear
(c) California
16. Deep water is an excerpt from which book?
10. Why did he develop a fear of water? (a) Fear of water (b) Of Men and
(a) Because of knocking down by waves at a Mountains
beach (c) How to Swim (d) Fearless
(b) Because of a young boy

Ans :
(c) Because of instructor (b) Of Men and Mountains
(d) Because of his mother 17. What does Deep Water signify?


Ans :
(a) Because of knocking down by waves at a beach (a) Beauty (b) Depth of Sea
(c) Depth of ocean (d) Fear
11. What is haunting the author?

Ans :
(a) Terrible experience in the pool (d) Fear
(b) Ghosts
18. Who threw Douglas into the swimming pool?
(c) His mother’s words
(a) A young boy (b) Instructor
(d) A push by a young boy
(c) Mother (d) Watchman


Ans :


Ans :
(a) Terrible experience in the pool
(a) A young boy
12. How did the author learn swimming?
19. What was the fear in Douglas’ mind?
(a) With the help of a rope
(a) To be defeated (b) To be pushed
(b) With the help of a friend
(c) Being drowned (d) None of these
(c) With the help of his mother

Ans :
(d) With the help of a swimming instructor (c) Being drowned


Ans :
(d) With the help of a swimming instructor 20. At the age of 3 or 4 Douglas visited the beach
with his father. What caused a terror in his heart
13. What did William O Doughlas desire for? then?
(a) Visit to California (b) To be a judge (a) The sight of the sea waves
(c) To learn swimming (d) To be with his (b) The overpowering force of the waves
mother (c) The colour of the water


Ans :
(d) All of these
(c) To learn swimming


Ans :
14. What did the author realize while drowning in (d) All of these
the pool?
21. What were the series of emotions and fears that
(a) Terror in fear of death Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the
(b) Swimming was fun pool?
(c) The lifeguard did not come to his rescue (a) Fear
(d) All of these (b) Confidence


Ans : (c) Overconfidence
(a) Terror in fear of death
(d) Mixed feelings of confidence and fear


Ans :
(d) Mixed feelings of confidence and fear

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 219

(iii) Because it was near his house. (i) a fact

(iv) Because it was shallow and safe. (ii) an opinion
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (iii) a theme
`Mother continually warned against it and (iv) a plot point
kept fresh in my mind the details of each (c) Explain any one possible inference that can be
drowning in the river’ suggests that _____. drawn from the line, “My introduction to the
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps YMCA swimming pool revived unpleasant
one infer that the narrator was as concerned memories and stirred childish fears.”
about his safety as was his mother. (d) Identify the word from the extract that is
(e) How do we know that until the author was synonymous with ‘revived’.
ten or eleven, he had no fear of water? (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(f) Which of the following is the correct full form select the most likely option to complete the
of YMCA statement:
(i) Young Men’s Christian Association The misadventure that took place right after
(ii) Young Men’s Care Association the author felt comfortable was that _____.
(iii) Youth Mentoring Christian Association (i) the author slipped and fell into the
(iv) Young Men’s Christian Authority swimming pool.


Ans : 2018 (ii) a bully tossed him into the pool for the
(a) The word ‘treacherous means ‘dangerous, sake of fun.
unsafe and deep’. (iii) his coach forgot to teach him how to
(b) (iv) Because it was shallow and safe. handle deep water.
(c) she feared for the safety of her child and kept (iv) his father couldn’t help him from
him warned. drowning into the water.
(d) I got a pair of water wings and went to the (f) State whether the given statement is True or
pool. False.
The author’s father laughed to mock his son’s
(e) He had decided to learn to swim at the YMCA
inability to swim.
pool.


Ans : 2017
(f) (i) Young Men’s Christian Association
(a) Douglas’ father had no inkling about his son’s
QUESTION 18.

mental state; he assumed that the fear was

2. Read the following extract and answer the
‘childish.’
questions that follow.
My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father (b) (ii) an opinion
laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the (c) Douglas suffered from repressed phobia.
overpowering force of the waves. (d) stirred
My introduction to the YMCA swimming pool (e) (ii) a bully tossed him into the pool for the
revived unpleasant memories and stirred childish sake of fun.
fears. But in a little while I gathered confidence.
(f) False
I paddled with my new water wings, watching the
QUESTION 19.�
other boys and hying to learn by aping them. I
3. Read the following extract and answer the
did this two or three times on different days and
was just beginning to feel at ease in the water questions that follow.
when the misadventure happened. I went to the pool when no one else was there.
The place was quiet. The water was still, and the
(a) What is the writer’s purpose in saying,
tiled bottom was as white and clean as a bathtub.
“Father laughed, but there was terror in my
I was timid about going in alone, so I sat on the
heart”?
side of the pool to wait for others.
(b) The author says that he was, “just beginning I had not been there for long when in came
to feel at ease in the water.” ‘Had the a big bruiser of a boy, probably eighteen years
misadventure not happened, he would have old. He had thick hair on his chest. He was a
overpowered his fear of swimming’ can be beautiful physical specimen, with legs and arms
best classified as: that showed rippling muscles. He yelled, ‘Hi,
Skinny! How’d you like to be ducked?”

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

within 100 words.

Ans : 2021

Ans : 2019
In reality nothing is impossible in this world in case
we labour and act with a strong will-power and
How to Overcome Trouble honesty. It is the negative attitude that vitiates
Life is a mixture of the ‘Pleasant’ and the our thinking and hampers our work. We should
`Unpleasant’, of joy and sorrow. As the ..... be brave and bold enough to take adventurous
almist declares–”Weeping may endure for a night, jobs and without it one can never attain fame as
but joy comes in the morning”. Joy and sorrow well as name.
follow each other as day follows night. But when The story ‘Deep Water’ under reference is
suffering comes, the period appears to be long. A the best example which shows that in his early
year of joy appears as a day and a day of suffering childhood, Douglas was deeply horrified and
appears longer than a year. avoided water. The terror of water was creating
Suffering is a part of life. It is a teacher. We trouble in him for learning to swim. He tried his
would miss some of the best lessons in life, if best to overcome the fear and decided to learn
suffering did not come to us. Many of us do not swimming through an instructor. He went to a
recognise this truth and do all we can to avoid a pool and practised for five days with the help of
painful experience. When trouble approaches, we a rope, belt and a pulley. The instructor taught
try to run away from it, but trouble can never be him to put his face under water, exhale and to
avoided. The unpleasant experience recedes only raise his nose and inhale. Then he taught Douglas
for a while to return to us again. By avoiding how to kick in water with legs. Thus, Douglas was
trouble, we invite greater trouble at a later stage. learning everything piece by piece and his terror
There are some who knowing that trouble cannot was fleeing away. He went to Lake Wentworth and
be avoided, resign themselves to the experiences dived off at Trigs Island. Then he swam across to
which fall to their lot. They do not resist; they Stamp Act Island. On the slight attack of terror,
become resigned. Often such persons are heard to he overcame it with skill and dexterity To clear all
say : ‘What cannot be cured must be endured’. his doubts he went up to Lake Tieton to Conard
Meadows and swam across to the other shore and
QUESTION 15.�

15. People says that failures are the stepping stones.

back. He shouted with joy to have succeeded in
They are the best teachers. Discuss the value of
overcoming the fear. He proved that nothing is
the statement.
impossible in this world.


Ans : 2007

It is rightly said that failure plays an important

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
role in a man’s life. Failure in one field becomes
QUESTION 17.

the cause of exploring success in other fields. It

1. Read the following extract and answer the
is a sure key to many a riddle. Failures make us
questions that follow.
familiar with our weaknesses and flaws. They
It had happened when I was ten or eleven years
become the stepping stones and inspire us to fight
old. I had decided to learn to swim. There was
against odd circumstances. Man should learn
a pool at the YMCA in Yakima that offered
from his mistakes and strives hard to reach at his
exactly the opportunity. The Yakima river was
destination. Most of the successful peoples failed
treacherous. Mother continually warned against
at any step but could get their target because
it and kept fresh in my mind the details of each
failures guided them and encouraged them to try
drowning in the river. But the YMCA pool was
harder. One should never give one’s target. Our
safe. It was only two or three feet deep at the
duty is to our ‘karma’. The result is in the hands
shallow end; and while it was nine feet deep at the
of Almighty. It is certain that failure inspires us to
other, the drop was gradual. I got a pair of water
work with more strength and vigour. One should
wings and went to the pool.
never get depressed and dejected. All leaders,
fighters, businessmen, bureaucrats firmly say that (a) What does the author mean by the word
failures are the pillars to success. ‘treacherous’ in this extract?
QUESTION 16.� (b) Mother always warned the author against
16. “Nothing is impossible in this world. It is our the river Yakima. But she recommended the
will-power and action that can turn impossible YMCA pool. Why?
into possible. In the context of the lesson “Deep (i) Because it was shallow.
Water” elaborate the statement. (ii) Because she liked the pool.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 221

(b) The author has used this literary device in (a) What is the use of ellipses (...) by the author
the sentence, “ Stark terror took an even in this extract?
deeper hold on me, like a great charge of (b) When the author says, “The ‘curtain of life
electricity”_____. fell,’ it corresponds to an aspect of _____.
(i) metonymy (i) a comedy
(ii) simile (ii) a drama
(iii) oxymoron (iii) a musical
(iv) metaphor (iv) a mystery
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
be drawn from the statement: The jump to The phrase “a blackness swept over my brain”
rise upwards by Douglas was not making any suggests that _____.
difference. (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps
(d) Identify the line or words from the text that one infer that the protagonist went through a
bear evidence to the fact that the author felt gradation of stages in fear.
paralysed due to panic. (e) What does the statement, ‘I crossed to
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, oblivion’ indicate?
select the most likely option to complete the (f) Which literary devices have been used in
statement : the following examples extracted from the
This incident at the YMCA pool nearly killed passage above?
Douglas and developed _____.
1. tender arms like Mother’s;
(i) an aversion to water
2. the curtain of life fell
(ii) a phobia for swimming
(i) 1. simile, 2. metaphor
(iii) fear of depth
(ii) 1. simile, 2. synecdoche
(iv) fear of height
(iii) 1. metaphor; 2. personification
(f) If you were to describe what the author felt,
(iv) 1. simile; 2. symbolism
in a word or two, what would you write?


Ans : 2009


Ans : 2007
(a) They indicate pauses between moments.
(a) He looked in vain for ropes, ladders, wings.
(b) (ii) drama
(b) (ii) simile
(c) Douglas was fast losing consciousness.
(c) He had been thrown into the deep end of the
pool and being a learner, he couldn’t manage (d) The author uses fear-terror-panic to show the
to rise to the surface. gradation of stages in fear.
(d) My arms wouldn’t move. My legs wouldn’t (e) The author fell unconscious.
move. (f) (i) 1. simile, 2. metaphor
(e) (ii) a phobia for swimming QUESTION 23.�

7. Read the following extract and answer the

(f) desperate and panic-stricken
questions that follow.
QUESTION 22.�

The next I remember I was lying on my stomach

6. Read the following extract and answer the
beside the pool, vomiting. The chap that threw me
questions that follow.
in was saying “But I was only fooling.” Someone
Then all effort ceased. I relaxed. Even my legs
said, “The kid nearly died. Be all right now Let’s
felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain. It
carry him to the locker room.”
wiped out fear; it wiped out terror. There was no
Several hours later, I walked home. I was
more panic. It was quiet and peaceful. Nothing to
weak and trembling. I shook and cried when I lay
be afraid of. This is nice... to be drowsy... to go on my bed. I couldn’t eat that night. For days
to sleep... no need to jump... too tired to jump... a haunting fear was in my heart. The slightest
it’s nice to be carried gently... to float along in exertion upset me, making me wobbly in the
space... tender arms around me... tender arms like knees and sick to my stomach.
Mother’s... now I must go to sleep... I never went back to the pool. I feared water.
I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life I avoided it whenever I could.
fell.

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 Ch 3 : Deep Water

(a) What does the writer wish to tell the reader in (a) The attribute of the author’s personality that
the opening statement: ‘The next I remember gets reflected in this extract is _____.
I was lying on my stomach beside the pool, (b) The protagonist says that, “a bit of the panic
vomiting? seized me.” What he means is reflected in this
(b) The sentence, “Several hours later, I walked idiom:
home” shows this attribute of the writer. (i) seize the day
(i) determination and resoluteness (ii) hold an opportunity
(ii) optimism and foresight (iii) to have a lock on
(iii) stamina and courage (iv) seize the lion’s share
(iv) resilience and perseverance (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can The phrase “the tension began to slack”
be drawn from the line, “But I was only suggests that_____.
fooling.” (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears one infer that both Douglas and his coach
evidence to the fact that the author felt achieved the impossible with patience.
possessed. (e) Which word/phrase or sentence in the given
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, passage means ‘Practice makes a man perfect?
select the most likely comment that the (f) The most appropriate justification for the
narrator would have made, based: title of the chapter ‘Deep Water’ is that it is
(i) get beyond a joke about_____.
(ii) the joke is on someone (i) the methods of the author’s coach to
(iii) the joker in the pack overcome the fear of deep water.
(iv) a whole new ball game (ii) the author’s fear of water and how he
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word. overcomes it.
After this incident, the author _____ went (iii) the author’s lack of surety about
back to the pool. overcoming his fear of swimming.


Ans : 2011 (iv) the dangers one might encounter while
(a) The author had been saved from getting swimming.
drowned.

Ans : 2013

(b) (iv) resilience and perseverance (a) perseverance

(c) The chap who had thrown Douglas into the (b) (iii) to have a lock on
deep end of the pool hardly seemed to be (c) the fear started losing its grip over Douglas.
remorseful or ashamed of what he had done. (d) It was three months before the tension began
(d) For days a haunting fear was in my heart. to slack.
(e) (i) get beyond a joke (e) I repeated the exercise hundreds of times.
(f) never. (f) (ii) the author’s fear of water and how he
QUESTION 24.� overcomes it.
8. Read the following extract and answer the
questions that follow.
On each trip across the pool a bit of the panic


seized me. Each time the instructor relaxed his
hold on the rope and I went under, some of the
old terror returned and my legs froze. It was three
months before the tension began to slack. Then he
taught me to put my face under water and exhale,
and to raise my nose and inhale. I repeated the
exercise hundreds of times. Bit by bit I shed part
of the panic that seized me when my head went
under water

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 223

CHAPTER 4

The Rattrap

1. introduction Trapped into the Woods

The peddler was happy at his smartness. He
Selma Lagerlof was a Swedish writer. She worked was walking on the public highway. Thinking it
as a country school teacher for nearly ten years unsafe, he turned into the woods. In the day he
before adopted writing as her career. The realised that it was a confusing forest. He walked
particular focus of her stories and novels was on and walked without coming to an end. He felt
the legends she had learned as a child. In 1909 that he had been walking in the same part of the
she was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. forest. He recalled that he let himself befooled by
She was the first woman to get this prize for the bait and had been caught. The whole forest
literature. ‘The Rattrap’ is an interesting story. It was closing him like an impenetrable prison from
has been told somewhat in the manner of a fairy which he cannot escape. Darkness was spreading
tale. The rattrap peddler is a poor man. He robs everywhere in the forest. In gloom and despair, he
the same who gives him shelter and food. But he thought that his last moment had come. Finding
is reformed by the compassionate behaviour of a no way out, he sank down on the ground and
young girl Edla. The story gives the message that heard the hammer strokes from an ironmill. He
the essential goodness of man can be awakened mustered all his strength and moved towards that
through love and understanding. direction.

Ramsjo Ironworks
2. Summary Then he reached the Ramsjo Ironworks, a large
plant with smelter, rolling mill and forge, buzzing
Seller of Small Rattraps with its activity. Usually the poor vagabonds
This is the story of a Rattrap seller. His business came there to warm themselves in the winter. The
was not profitable. So he had to resort to both tramp did not say anything as he had come there
begging and petty thievery to help himself alive. only to warm himself and sleep. The Ramsjo
Ironmill’s owner ironmaster was on his round of
The Whole-World-A Rattrap
inspection. Immediately he caught sight of this
One day this man had an entertaining idea that
peddler and called him ‘Nils Olof’. Considering
the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap.
him as his old acquaintance though the man with
Its only purpose was to set baits for people. All
the rattraps had never seen him earlier, he invited
the riches, joys, shelter, food, heat, clothing were
him to his manor house. The peddler thought that
like the baits as we offer cheese and pork in the
going in the manor house would be like throwing
rattrap. As soon as we are tempted to touch
himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. Rather he
these baits, the rattrap closes in all of us. Then
told the iron-master that he wanted a chance to
everything comes to an end.
sleep there. Then the iron master requested him
At the Crofter’s Cottage for the Christmas as he had none for accompany.
The peddler reached a crofter’s cottage. He But the stranger refused.
was an oldman. He thought that it would be a
Pursuation by Edla Willmansson
pleasure to talk some one in his loneliness. So he
The ironmaster sent his daughter Edla to
gave him supper, bed and both played ‘majolis’.
persuade the man. She told him his name politely
The crofter told him about his ex-profession,
and requested to stay with them over Christmas
family and belongings. He show thirty Kronor.
Eve. She spoke in such a friendly manner that
The next day the Rattrap-seller stole his money
the captain was free to leave as he liked. So he
and run away.
followed the young lady.

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Ch 4 : The Rattrap

Ironmaster’s Concern about the Regimental They returned at ten o’clock wondering if any
Comrade silver spoon was left behind or not. The girl hung
Sitting in the dining room for breakfast told his her head even more sadly than usual. Their valet
daughter, “First of all we must see to it that at the gate told them that the fellow had gone
he gets a little flesh on his bones. And then we and had not taken anything with him at all. On
must see that he gets something else to do than the contrary, he left behind a little package as
to run around the country selling rattraps. His Christmas present for Miss Williamson.
daughter also told that there was nothing about
him to show that he had once been an educated Honour to Edla
man. Just then the stranger entered appropriately The young girl opened the package and she gave
dressed because the valet had turned him to be a little cry of joy. She found a small rattrap, in
a good-looking person. The iron master looked which lay three wrinked ten Kronor notes and a
at him very keenly. He understood his mistake of letter of thanks and regards to Edla.
taking him as an old acquaintance in the reflection
from the furnace. So he thundered at him. The 3. Word meanings
peddler understood that he had been exposed. On
1. Universal = belonging to the whole world
the other hand he told the ironmaster that it was
2. Awakened = made mentally alive
not his fault. He did not want to deceive anybody.
3. Amidst = in the middle of
He had never pretended to be anything else than
4. Legends = myths
a poor peddler. He had only begged to be allowed
5. Rattrap = device for catching rats
to stay in the forge. As he had done them no
6. Odd = not regular
harm, he could put on his rags again and go away.
7. Especially = particularly
The ironmaster threatened to call the Sheriff.
8. Profitable = giving profits
Tramp Stopped by Edla 9. Resort to = forced to do
The tramp tells the ironmaster “The whole world 10. Petty = small
is nothing but a big rattrap. All good things 11. Thievery = stealing
offered to you are pork pieces with cheese coating 12. Rags = old, torn clothes
which tempt a poor fellow into trouble.” At this 13. Sunken = hollow
the ironmaster laughed and asked the stranger to 14. Gleamed = shone
get out of there as fast as he could. But as he was 15. Monotonous = boring, joyless
opening the door, the girl went ahead and closed 16. Vagabond = wanderer
the door saying, “I think he ought to stay with us 17. Plod = trudge
today, I don’t want him to go.” Her father could 18. Meditation = deep thinking
not oppose her. The stranger was led to the dining 19. Struck = suddenly came to mind
table. The man said not a word, he only sat down 20. Existed = lived, remained
and ate food, looking at the girl time after time, 21. Set bait = place food, etc to catch an animal
thinking “What could be the crazy idea ?” 22. Shelter = refuge
23. Pork = pig meat
Christmas Eve at Ramsjo 24. Tempted = lured
The Christmas Eve at Ramsjo passed as usual 25. Unwonted = not habitual
without any trouble. The stranger did nothing but 26. Dreary = dull
slept all the time. In the evening Christmas tree was 27. Snare = trap
lighted. He stood for a while there, later again went 28. Trudging = wandering
to bed after dinner. She gave him the impression 29. Sour = unpleasant
of her father’s intention to take her father’s suit 30. Porridge = oat meal
as Christmas present and was welcome again at 31. Carved off = cut
Christmas Eve, if he liked, to rest in peace. 32. Mjolis = a game of cards
33. Prosperity = affluence
Early Christmas Service 34. Crofter = who farms a piece of land
Next morning the ironmaster and his daughter 35. Supported = sustained
went to early Christmas service, leaving behind 36. Creamery = a small dairy
the guest asleep. At church they learnt that the 37. Kronor = swedish currency
old crofter was robbed by a man selling rattraps. 38. Incredulous = unbelievable

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 225

39. Bossy = domineering 89. Acquaintance = known, familiar with

40. Pouch = small bag 90. Manor = farmhouse
41. Nodding = shaking head 91. Comrade = friend
42. Stuffed = packed tightly 92. Alarmed = frightened
43. Peddler = travelling vendor 93. Voluntarily = willingly
44. Smashed = broke 94. Apprentice = trainee
45. Pane = window glass 95. Den = cave
46. Thrust = pushed 96. Sneak away = go away unnoticed
47. Got hold = caught 97. Inconspicuously = without being noticed
48. Smartness = cleverness 98. Embarrassed = feeling uneasy
49. Confusing = perplexing 99. Abroad = in a foreign country
50. Fooled = deceived 100.Give in = surrender
51. Bait = food to lure and catch animal 101.Persuasion = bringing round
52. Trunks = stems 102.Valet = servant
53. Thickets = bushes 103.Modest = gentle
54. Descending = coming down 104.Glowed = shone
55. Gloom = sadness 105.Stretched = spread out
56. Despair = disappointment 106.Evidently = obviously
57. Sank down = sat down 107.Abruptly = suddenly
58. Staggered = walked unsteadily 108.Compassionately = sympathetically
59. Summoned = gathered collected 109.Bother = worry
60. Smelter = one who melts ore to get metal 110.Astonished = surprised
from it 111.Glance = look at
61. Forge = furnace 112.Forebodings = predictions
62. Barges = boats 113.Probably = perhaps
63. Scow = flat bottomed boat 114.Queer = strange
64. Dripping = thoroughly wet 115.Fall away = go away
65. Groaned = moaned 116.Puckered = wrinkled
66. Sifted = separated 117.Uncertain = not clear
67. Pig iron = raw iron 118.Dissimulate = hide
68. Anvil = an iron block on which a blacksmith 119.Pretended = gave a false show
hammers things 120.Pleaded = requested
69. Glowing = shining 121.Sheriff = an officer for keeping law and order
70. Stir = move a little 122.Struck = gave a blow
71. Bellows = device for producing a strong blast 123.Rind = peel
of air 124.Christmassy = of Christmas
72. Shovelled = put through shovels 125.Wretch = unfortunate
73. Clatter = loud noise 126.Interceded = mediated
74. Whipped = sharp blowing or thrusting 127.Cross-examined = interrogated
75. Vagabonds = wanderers 128.Mumbled = murmured
76. Sooty = covered with soot 129.Preach = sermonize
77. Glanced = looked at 130.Parson = priest
78. Casually = carelessly 131.Regret = to repent
79. Indifferently = without caring 132.Fare = festivity
80. Intruder = one who is not invited 133.Blinking = winking rapidly
81. Ragged = shabbily clothed 134.Aroused = woken up
82. Haughty = proud 135.Boundless = endless
83. Consent = agreement 136.Amazement = surprise
84. Tramp = wanderer 137.Dejectedly = sadly
85. Ship out = shape out 138.Done up = finished
86. Prominent = famous 139.Contents = things, inside
87. Deigned = bothered 140.Jagged = rough
88. Slouche = crouches

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

kindness and frudness had a magical effect on is not a habitual thief. If he had been a habitual
the peddler. Consequently the essential goodness thief, he would have committed big thefts and
awoke in him. there would have been no need for him to wander
While learing the peddler left a rat trap and a here and there selling rattraps. He commits thefts
Christmas gift with a letter for Edla to send thirty only when he has nothing to eat. Although he is
kroner for the crofter. Thus, peddler expressed his a poor, he is a thinker. He can philosophise about
gratitude to her and became a reformed man. his condition. He steals the money of the old
QUESTION 17.� crofter. But the feeling of guilt remains with him.
17. The act of kindness and hospitality shown to a When Edla shows love and sympathy to him, he
dishonest person can motivate him to redeem repents at his deed. His goodness is awakened. He
himself from his dishonest ways. Discuss the value leaves the money and requests Edla to return it to
point. the old man. Thus we find that the poor rattrap


Ans : 2007 peddler is not a criminal. He is only a victim of
The acts of kindness and hospitality can circumstances.
transform anyone. These acts, at some state of QUESTION 19.�

our life, touch the chord of our heart and make 19. The story ‘The Rattrap’ suggests that the whole
us redeem ourselves from our dishonest ways. world is like a rattrap. What is your interpretation
This is true depicted in the story ‘The Rattrap’. of the statement ? Write in about 100 words.
The peddler lived a lonely life as he was homeless

Ans : 2013

and very poor. He sometimes resorted to begging It is rightly said that the whole world is nothing
and stealing to survive. He lived with a feeling of but a big rattrap. All riches, joys, food and shelter
insecurity. Thus, he kept on moving from place to are just baits. The moment anyone attracted
place. His lonesome life made him a bitter person towards the bait and touches it, the rattrap closes
who betrayed the hospitality of the crofter by one into itself. Then everything comes to an end.
stealing his kroners. But when Edla came into The man has made his life full of materialistic
his life and invited him to stay with her family pleasures. These materialistic pleasures tempt
till the Christmas evening he was touched by her everyone towards them. Every person runs
sentiments. He was amazed as they had accepted towards them, tries hard to achieve them and
him as he was and without any condition. He ultimately comes to an end. This is nothing but
felt human again and his way of thinking was the dark side of these materialistic pleasures. A
transformed. He felt secure and ultimately was coin has two sides same as the world is formed
a changed man. The kindness shown by Edla of good and bad deeds. If one is able to maintain
and her father restored the peddler’s dignity. It and control one’s wishes in order to live a happy
motivated him to step back from his dishonest and contented life, he may escape to be a victim
ways. So, one should always be positive while of this rattrap.
dealing with the dishonest. They must be made to QUESTION 20.�

realise their importance and dignity. A simple act 20. Human beings are social animals. They need bond
to friendship or hospitality can bring a person out with others. The feeling of loneliness is a negative
of his depression. He can change his own attitude feeling which must be fought. Justify with the
towards life and it may help to boost his self- reference to the chapter ‘The Rattrap’.
confidence.

Ans : 2009

QUESTION 18. Man is social animal. He cannot live alone. In

18. Do you think that the peddler is a criminal or a every field of life, he need the help of someone
victim of circumstances? or the other. But there are a few people who do
not live to socialize with others. They stay away


O
from their fellow beings. They shirk the company
Write a brief character-sketch of the peddler.


Ans : 2006
of their friends and become recluses. They are
The rattrap seller is a very poor man. He goes from overpowered by negative feelings. This is a wrong
place to place selling rattraps. But he does not way of spending one’s life just like the life of the
earn enough to keep his body and soul together. peddler. He is lonely and thinks that the world is
So he resorts to begging and petty thefts. We like a rattrap. He is always left to his meditation till
know that stealing is a crime. Yet we do not hate he meets the crofter, ironmaster and his daughter.
him. We have sympathy for him. We know that he The meeting with all these people, teach him the

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 227
QUESTION 3.�

3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation ? is welcome and can feel at home.” Each word


Ans : 2011
spoken by the young girl shows the purity and
The peddler had thirty stolen kronor in his pocket. compassion of her heart.
He was afraid that by going to the manor house,
he would be throwing himself into the lion’s den.
THINK AS YOU READ 4
QUESTION 1.�

1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the

THINK AS YOU READ 3
QUESTION 1.�
peddler?
1. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s

Ans : 2015

invitation ? Edla was deeply shaken when she heard at the

Ans : 2016
church that the peddler was a thief. But after
The girl seemed full of compassion for the peddler. reading the letter and receiving her gift, she came
Her manner was very friendly. The peddler felt to know what a gem the man really was. Naturally
confidence in her. That was why he accepted her she was very happy.
invitation.
QUESTION 2.�

QUESTION 2.�
2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von
2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler? Stahle ?


Ans : 2012


Ans : 2008

Edla noticed that peddler was very scared. She It was as a captain that he had been invited to
thought he could either be a thief or an escapee the manor house. And it was as a captain that
from a prison. he had got all the opportunity to come out of the
QUESTION 3.�
rattrap into which he had been caught.
3. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake


Ans : 2010
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
The ironmaster looked at the peddler in the broad QUESTION 1.�

light of the morning. Now he had been washed, 1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of
his hair was cut, and he had been shaved. He kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the
was also well-dressed. Now the ironmaster could ironmaster and his daughter?
clearly see that he had been mistaken in taking

Ans :
the tramp for an old regimental acquaintance. The peddler was a man who went around selling
QUESTION 4.�
his self-made small rattraps of wire. He was
4. What did the peddler say in his defence when leading a hard, monotonous, dull and lonely life
it was clear that he was not the person the of a vagabond. While moving along the road, it
ironmaster had thought he was ? became dark. So he knocked at the door of the


Ans : 2006 cottage of a crofter who showered all possible
The peddler said that it was not his fault. He hospitality over the peddler. He gave him
had never pretended to be a former captain. He porridge, bed, lodging and played Majolis till bed
had shown himself only as a poor trader. He had time. He even proudly displayed the thirty kronor
begged that he should be allowed to stay at the that he had got as payment for the cow’s milk
forge. Thus the peddler tried to defend himself. and put them in his leather pouch. This tempted
QUESTION 5.� the peddler to steal away his money. In a way he
5. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the
after she knew the truth about him? crofter.


Ans : 2005 On the other hand, the owner of the
Edla was a very noble-hearted girl. She had Ramsjo Ironworks mistook him to be as his old
thought of entertaining a poor hungry man on acquaintance. He invited him for spending the
Christmas Eve. She had made great preparations Christmas evening but the peddler firmly declined
for it. She did not want to let away this joy all his offer though it was a bait for a vagabond to
at once. So she pleaded with her father to let the be the guest of honour at the manor house. The
tramp stay with them for Christmas Eve. She was peddler had the view that the owner might give
feeling real pity for him. She said, “He walks and him some Kronor. So he did not reveal his identity.
walks the whole year long, and there is probably The owner sent his daughter Edla to bring the
not a single place in the whole country where he peddler. She pleaded most sympathetically and

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

shelter. only a writer’s commentary?

(ii) He hoped for some monetary help from (b) The words, “The old man on the roadside,
the ironmaster. who has the money pouch hanging on the
(iii) He just casually went with the situation. window frame as a bait for poor wanderers”
(iv) He was hoping to escape getting arrested. can be best classified as:
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (i) a fact
The extract suggests that the peddler was (ii) an opinion
an incorrigible fellow because apparently he (iii) a premise
_____. (iv) a hypothesis
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one (c) Mention any two traits that can be attributed
infer important information about Nils Olof. to the peddler after analysing his letter.
(e) Which personality traits of the ironmaster can (d) Identify the words or a line from the text
be distinguished from the extract? Mention that bears evidence to the fact that the writer
any two. intends to keep his promise for good.
(f) Which of the following idiomatic expressions (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
best suggests the doings of the peddler? select the most likely explanation for the
(i) Pull wool over someone’s eyes peddler choosing to give a rattrap as a
(ii) To err is human, to forgive divine Christmas present.
(iii) Slip of the tongue (i) It was all the peddler had that he could
(iv) The sleep of the just give away, and represented his turn to


Ans : 2014
honesty.
(a) to deteriorate or worsen (ii) It symbolized his successful escape from
entrapment as he returned the stolen
(b) (ii) He hoped for some monetary help from
money.
the ironmaster.
(iii) It served as a reminder for the receiver to
(c) didn’t learn his lesson and was cheating and
be wary of the dangerous temptations of
lying again.
the world.
(d) Nils Olof was a regimental mate of the
(iv) It was a practical and convenient present
ironmaster who had resigned prematurely
that the lady of the house could effectively
from the army.
use.
(e) Impulsiveness and gullibility
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
(f) (i) Pull wool over someone’s eyes ‘Captain von Stahle’ wrote the letter to
QUESTION 7.�
_____.
7. Read the following extract and answer the

Ans : 2006
questions that follow.
(a) It shows his transformation and redemption.
“Since you have been so nice to me all day long,
as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you, in (b) (ii) an opinion
return, as if I was a real captain – for I do not want (c) indebtedness and self-awareness
you to be embarrassed at this Christmas season (d) His signing the letter as Captain von Stahle.
by a thief; but you can give back the money to (e) (i) It was all the peddler had that he could
the old man on the roadside, who has the money give away, and represented his turn to honesty.
pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for
(f) Edla
poor wanderers. QUESTION 8.�

The rattrap is a Christmas present from a 8. Read the following extract and answer the
rat who would have been caught in this world’s
questions that follow.
rattrap if he had not been raised to captain,
Darkness was already descending over the forest.
because in that way he got power to clear himself.
This increased the danger, and increased also his
“Written with friendship and high regard,
gloom and despair. Finally he saw no way out,
Captain von Stahle.”
and he sank down on the ground, tired to death,
(a) What is the writer’s purpose in allowing the
thinking that his last moment had come. But just
peddler to speak for himself, as opposed to
as he laid his head on the ground, he heard a

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 229

since her father has considered him to be his old get tempted to the pouch baits hung on the
aquaintance of a regiment. While on his way to window frame, break the window pane and steal
the manor house, the peddler realises that he has the Kronor. For self-temptation people like the
voluntarily offered himself to the lion’s den. After peddler don’t want to undeceive others about
reaching the ironmaster’s house, the peddler themselves. The touching of the bait always
is beautifully dressed and shaved by the valet. makes people realise that they are caught in the
When he enters for the breakfast, the ironmaster world rattrap now. It is their turn now, they must
realises his mistake about him. The truth is stop cherish it as their pastime of thinking about
exposed and the ironmaster threatens to call for the known who get trapped and others who are
the sheriff. But here Edla plays a significant role. circling around the trap. They must rise above
She intercedes for the vagabond and pleads that the baits and shun evil doings like Captain Von
the peddler hardly finds a single home where he is Stahle.
welcome. He is always chased away. She advocates QUESTION 6.�

to let him enjoy a day of peace in their company. 6. The peddler comes out as a person with a great
She even does not think it nice to chase away sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening
a man whom they have themselves invited for the seriousness of the theme of the story and also
Christmas cheer. endear him to us ?
The rattrap man does not utter a word but

Ans :
goes on looking at the girl in utter astonishment. The peddler is presented with a great sense of
All these circumstantial events go on jolting the humour by the writer. He goes around selling
peddler from his evil ways. In a way the iron- self-made small rattraps of wire. The rattraps are
master has declared the peddler a thief. When dangling over his chest and not a single one is
they return from the church service, they find shown sold. His business was not profitable so he
everything intact. The valet tells about a package indulges in begging and petty thievery to keep
has been left by the peddler while leaving the body and soul alive. He has fallen into a line of
house. She finds a letter of rattrap and a thirty thought that the whole world is nothing but a big
Kronor bill. She feels utmost happy since the rattrap offering riches and joys. shelter, food, like
peddler has shown true faith in her. His letter the bait of a rattrap. Anyone who touches it, it is
states that the rattrap is a Christmas present closed in on him bringing an end for everything
from a ‘rat’ who would have been caught if he to him. Still he steals thirty Kronor of the old
had not been raised to a captain. crofter who gave him a good hospitality. Later he
QUESTION 5.� thinks that it is his turn now to be caught in the
5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to big world rattrap when he is unable to move out
highlight the human predicament ? of the forest.


Ans : 2005 The ironmaster of the Ramsjo Ironmills talks
The writer Selma Lagerlof sends a universal theme to him thinking to be his old regimental comrade.
through all her stories. One cannot imagine how But he does not clear his identity and answers,
dull and sad a vagabond might be walking slowly “Yes, God knows things have gone downhill with
along the roads for his bread. The metaphor of me.” The peddler keeps quiet when he is told that
the rattrap struck on one such occasion. He was he should not have resigned from the regiment,
plodding along the road, duly lost in his own that was his mistake. He knowingly befools the
meditations. iron-master. While going to the manor house he
The whole world about him with its lands, feels that he has thrown himself voluntarily into
seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big the lion’s den. The ironmaster feels his mistake
rattrap. The world had never existed for any and threatens to call the sheriff. The peddler says,
other purpose than to set baits for people to trap “It is not my fault, sir.” But no harm has been
them. The world offered riches and joys, heat and done. At worst I can put on my rags again and
clothing, shelter and food exactly as the rattrap go away.”
offered cheese and pork as bait. As soon as anyone While leaving in his letter to Edla he says : “Since
is tempted and he touches the bait, it closes on you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I
him and then everything came to an end for him was a captain, I want to be nice to you in return,
in life. as if I was a real captain.” It, sounds surprisingly
Like the poor wretch rattrap seller, people mysterious.

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap
QUESTION 6.

acquaintance. He invited him for spending the 6. Describe the peddler’s stay with the old crofter.
Christmas evening. But the peddler firmly declined How did he respond to the old man’s kindness
his offer though it was a bait for a vagabond to and hospitality?
be the guest of honour at the manor house. The

Ans : 2010
peddler had the view that the owner might give One dark evening, the peddler was walking along
him some Kronor. So, he did not reveal his identity. the road with great difficulty. He noticed a little
The owner sent his daughter Edla to bring the grey cottage by the roadside. He knocked on the
peddler. She pleaded most sympathetically and door, an old man welcomed him. He was a crofter
friendly. He agreed to go home. On his way to without wife or child. The old man was happy to
the manor house, he had ‘eveil forebodings’. He get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He fed the
was feeling guilty for stealing the crofter’s money. peddler and played a game of cards with him until
Similarly he thought that bring upto the manor bedtime. The old man told him that he had been
house was like throwing himself voluntarily into a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks. Now he earned his
the lion’s den. When the ironmaster came to know living by selling his cow’s milk. He said that the
that the peddler was not his old acquaintance, he previous month he had received thirty kronors in
asked him to go out of the house immediately. payment. The old man showed him the money
But Edla insisted to let the stranger spend the which he kept in a leather pouch hung on a nail
Christmas evening one day in peace since they in the window frame. The next morning both the
had called him. Her nice treatment, kindness, men left the cottage at the same time. But half
hospitality awoke the essential goodness in him. an hour later, the peddler came back to the house.
She moved the peddler so much that he left a He went to window, smashed a pane and got hold
Christmas gift with a letter to send thirty Kronor of the pouch. He took out the money and hung
for the crofter. Thus the peddler expressed his the pouch back in its place. Then he went his way.
gratitude to her. He became a reformed person. QUESTION 7.�

QUESTION 5.�
7. Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap” shows that
5. The peddler believed that the whole world is a basic human goodness can be brought out by
rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the understanding and love.
same ?

Ans : 2005


Ans : 2017
The Rattrap man happens to get refuge for a
Once a man was selling self-made rattraps of wire. night shelter at the Ramsjo Ironworks. By chance
His condition was for miserable to say an idea the owner mistakes him as an old acquaintance
flashed into his mind. He thought that the whole and invites to spend for the Christmas eve but
world around him was a big rat¬trap. It offered the Rattrap declines his offer. The ironmaster
riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait sends his daughter Edla to bring and persuade
offering cheese and park in a rat-trap for the rats. the man at their house. Hearing milk of human
Those who were tempted to touch the bait, it kindness flowing in her body, she finds the
closed on them bringing an end to everything. peddler in a very miserable condition. Through
One dark evening he was at the Crofter’s her kind, considerate and persuasive power, she
Cottage who told him about his life and earning gets success in taking the peddler alongwith her.
duly kept in a leather poach. By smashing the She promises to him ‘to leave as and when he
window-pane, the peddler stole the money and desires. Being a perfect host, she takes every care
left. Out of fear he changed his way into the to make her guest feel comfortable at home. She
woods. It was complicated and was returning to is a practical and fine observer of people. She
the same place where he had started. He failed to immediately tells her father that the peddler
understand the strategy to be adopted. He tried seems to be both uneducated and thief. But the
his best but he was returning on the same path. father points out that the stranger will be fine
There was no end to it. Then the rattrap peddler after properly dressed.
realised his thought about the world and the red When the truth is known, the ironmaster
trap. He felt that he had himself befooled by a becomes ugly and threatens to call the sherrif. He
bait and had been caught into it. The whole forest orders to peddler to leave away at once. But Edla
seemed to be a like a prison from where he could intercedes for the vagabond and lets her father
never escape. concede for his proper stay till the Christmass
Eve. She is against chasing away a person whom

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 231

This theme changed the life of the bandit Terms Context/Attitude

totally. He returned the horse to the saint at once.
One day he became a prominent saint in India. 1. A man : Story about a man
QUESTION 4.�
2. A vagabond : A worthless fellow-
4. The story is both entertaining and philosophical. wanderer.


Ans :
3. Stranger : He was a stranger for
The story “The Rattrap” is set amidst the iron
the roadside cottage
ore rich area of Sweden. It has figured as a legend
owner.
of that country. The story is told somewhat
in the manner of a fairy tale. That is why, it 4. Guest : The owner of the
keeps entertaining the reader or listener from cottage treated and
its beginning to end, and also sends a universal amused him as a
theme. guest.
The rattrap peddler is imagined to be making 5. The other man : The roadside cottage
the small rattraps of wire. He is seen going owner had no wife
around selling the rattraps of wire. Yet he finds or a child. So that
himself unable to pull on with life, so he resorts night there was also
to begging and small thievery. The old crofter the other man' in the
who entertained him in his cottage with supper, cottage.
tobacco, game of cards and amusing talks of his
past, was robbed by that peddler. 6. Rattrap : For people he was
But the world rattrap of the forest caught peddler a travelling hawker
him and he was about to meet his death there. selling his rattraps—
The hammer strokes sound was heard by him so a 'peddler'.
through earth. He reached the Ramsjo Ironworks. 7. The tramp : A vagrant like such
The ironmaster mistook him his old regimental others often stay at
comrade. The peddler was again tempted for the mill.
getting Kronor but this time he was caught. He 8. Tall ragmuffin : He was a tall ragged
was a stranger and not the captain. mean fellow the
Then the young girl Edla Willmansson came ironmaster carefully
to rescue him. She treated him very friendly with noted.
understanding and love all day long on Christmas
Eve. It awakened the essential goodness of the 9. Old : The ironmaster
peddler who also behaved with them as if he was acquaintance thought the tall
a real captain and no more a thief. ragmuffin at the
forge was his ‘old
acquaintance.’
10. Old regimental : An old companion
comrade from the army unit of
the ironmaster.
11. Nils Olof (or : The ironmaster

WORKING WITH WORDS Captain Von thought he was his
QUESTION 1.�
Stahle) : old army regiment
1. The man selling rattraps is referred to by many companion with this
terms such as ‘peddler, stranger’, etc. Pick out all name and rank.
such references to him. What does each of these
labels indicate of the context or the attitude of
QUESTION 2.�

2. You came across the words plod, trudge, stagger

the people around him.


Ans : in the story. These words indicate movement
The man selling the rattraps is referred to by accompanied by weariness. Write down five other
many terms in the story text. They are given words with a similar meaning.


Ans :
below along with the context of the attitude of
There are different words with similar meanings
the people around him :

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap
QUESTION 24.

allowed to enjoy a day at peace with them. Since

32. What happened when the ironmaster realised his
they had invited them and promised Christmas
mistake?


Ans : 2011
cheer, it was improper to send him away.
The iron master realised that the peddler was not
QUESTION 28.�

36. What did Edla Willmansson give the peddler to

his old friend. He thundered at him and asked
understand after Christmas dinner ?
him who he was. He threatened to call the sheriff.


Ans : 2009
But the peddler said that it was not his fault.
Edla cleared before the peddler about the ‘will’ of
He had not tried to deceive anybody. At this the
her father for the suit that he wore. She declared
ironmaster asked him to go away.
QUESTION 25.�
that it was a Christmas gift on his behalf. If he
33. What conclusion did the iron master reach when wanted to spend the next Christmas Eve in a
he heard that the crofter had been robbed by the place where he could relax in peace, and with full
peddler? faith that no evil would reach him, he would be
welcome again.


O QUESTION 29.

How did the ironmaster and Edla react on hearing 37. What present did the peddler leave for Edla?
the news at the church ? What did he write in his letter to her?


Ans : 2014

Ans : 2015
When the ironmaster and his daughter, Edla The valet told Edla that the peddler left a little
visited the church, they heard that a person selling package for her. She found a small rattrap in the
rattraps had robbed one of the crofter of the package. Inside the package there were three ten-
ironmaster. On hearing this, the ironmaster was kronor notes and a letter. In his letter he thanked
worried about his silver spoons in the cupboard her for being so nice to him as if he was really a
and Edla was deeply dejected. She hung her head captain. He did not want her to be troubled with
in extreme disbelief. They ran to save their house a thief on Christmas. He requested her to return
for being thieved. the money to the old crofter. He wrote that the
QUESTION 26.
rattrap was a Christmas present to her.
34. What news did the ironmaster and his daughter QUESTION 30.�

hear at the church? What did the ironmaster fear? 38. Based on your reading of the story `The Rattrap’


Ans : 2012 what do you conclude to be the main cause of
The next morning, the ironmaster and his compelling a man to indulge in vices and sins ?
daughter went to church for Christmas service.

Ans : 2008
The rattrap seller was still asleep. At church the When a man is struggling hard in life and fails to
ironmaster and his daughter came to know that make his both ends meal, he starts re-thinking.
one of the old crofters had been robbed by a man He is tempted to light, quick and easy gains of
who sold rattraps. That news made Edla sad. Her the baits of the world rattrap. He switches on to
father was afraid that the rattrap seller might petty thievery, dishonesty, cheating etc., to keep
have stolen all their silver spoons in their absence. his body and soul together.
QUESTION 27.�
QUESTION 31.�

35. How did Edla persuade her father to let the 39. How did Edla treat the Peddler ?
peddler stay in their home till Christmas?

Ans : 2016

O Edla is the modest, mind, considerate and a noble

Why did Edla plead with her father not to send kind of girl. On having refused the ironmaster’s
the vegabond away ? request for the Christmas, she persuaded the
peddle and urged that she had been sorry for


O his hard time. She assured him to leave just as
How did Edla Willmansson intercede for the freely as he comes. Her manners, attitude and
vagabond? openness created confidence in the peddler and


Ans : 2017, 2014
he accompained her to their manor house.
On realising that the peddler was an old
When the ironmaster knew that the peddler
acquaintance, the ironmaster asked him to go
was quite unknown, the young girl pleaded by
away from there at once. But Edla intervened and
saying, “If ought to stays with us today.” She
told her father that the poor fellow was chased
closed the door and caught him on the hand so
away by all and welcomed by none. He should be
take him to the dining table for foods. At night

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 233

Ans : (c) Begging

Uncommon terms for ‘a small farmer’: Crofter,
(d) Thievery and begging
kissan, farmer, haali, gittey etc.


Ans :
(d) Thievery and begging
5. other important questions 8. Why does the peddler knit up various kind of

MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS thoughts?
(a) Because of greed
1. Who is the author of The Rattrap? (b) Because of travelling
(a) Selma Lagerlof (b) Sudha Murthy (c) Because of loneliness and poverty
(c) Howard Phillips (d) Thomas B. Allen (d) None of these


Ans :

Ans :
(a) Selma Lagerlof (c) Because of loneliness and poverty
2. Which country does the author belong to? 9. In peddler’s view, what does the world look like?
(a) Sweden (b) Sydney
(c) Singapore (d) Switzerland (a) A Rat (b) A Jungle


Ans : (c) A Jigsaw (d) A Rattrap
(c) Sweden

Ans :
(d) A Rattrap
3. Where has the story been set up?
10. According to the seller what leads us to various
(a) Roads of Sweden (b) Forests of Sweden
miseries?
(c) Jewellery shops (d) Mines of Sweden
(a) Attractions


Ans :
(d) Mines of Sweden (b) People
(c) Friends
4. In what manner has the story been narrated? (d) Wishes and greed of comfort
(a) Non-fictious style (b) Realistic manner

Ans :
(c) Fairy tale manner (d) None of these (d) Wishes and greed of comfort


Ans :
(c) Fairy tale manner 11. Why did the peddler have to take shelter?
(a) Because of his wishes
5. What is the message of the story? (b) Because he wants to steal
(a) Love and kindness are powerful reformers. (c) Because he wants to be with his friends
(b) Kindness is powerless (d) Because he had no home
(c) Kindness encourages thieves

Ans :
(d) Thieves need reprimand (d) Because he had no home


Ans :
(a) Love and kindness are powerful reformers. 12. Who offered shelter to the Peddler?
(a) A beggar (b) A friend
6. This story revolves around whom? (c) A milkman (d) An old Crofter
(a) Around Crofter and his daughter

Ans :
(b) Around crofter (d) An old Crofter
(c) Around ironman
13. What made the Peddler finally change his ways?
(d) Around peddler - the Rattrap seller
(a) Edla’s beauty


Ans :
(d) Around peddler- the Rattrap seller (b) His mistaken identity
(c) His greed
7. What does the rattrap seller have to do to make (d) Kindness and care
his both ends meet?

Ans :
(a) Peddling (d) Kindness and care
(b) Selling

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

friendly. He agreed to go home. On his way to the peddler was not a thief. On the other hand,
the manor house, he had `evil forebodings’. He his sympathic attitude reformed the stranger.
was feeling guilty for stealing the crofter’s money. QUESTION 3.�

Similarly he thought that bring upto the manor 3. The story has many instances of unexpected
house was like throwing himself voluntarily into reactions from the characters to other behaviour.
the lion’s den. When the ironmaster came to know Pick out instances of these surprises.
that the peddler was not his old acquaintance, he

Ans : 2012

asked him to go out of the house immediately. The story ‘Rattrap’ has many instances of
But Edla insisted to let the stranger spend the unexpected reactions from the character to others
Christmas evening one day in peace since they behaviour. In the first instance we can note
had called him. Her nice treatment, kindness, contractions in the character of the rattrap man.
hospitality awoke the essential goodness in him. He sells his self made rattraps and to keep his
She moved the peddler so much that he left a body and soul together. He does petty thievery
Christmas gift with a letter to send thirty Kronor but he has no mind for begging. Rather he
for the crofter. Thus the peddler expressed his possesses a philosophical attitude towards life and
gratitude to her. He became a reformed person. the people. He considers the whole world as a big
QUESTION 2.� rattrap. Then he goes to the crofter’s cottage for
2. What are the instances in the story that show a night shelter. Though he expects ‘sour faces’
that the character of ironmaster is different from but the open-heartedness of the crofter as a host
that of his daughter in many ways ? shows unexpected attitude. The crofter gives him


Ans : food, lodging and plays ‘majolis’. He shows his
Naturally the character of the ironmaster is thirty Kronor notes. But the evilness plays an
different from that of his daughter Edla in many upper hand in the peddler. He steals his money
ways. Being the owner of the Ramsjo Ironworks, and does an act of thanklessness.
it had been his constant endeavour that only the Similarly the ironmaster mistakes the peddler
quality goods be sent in the market. Consequently as his old acquaintance and invites him at his
he had his schedule of both day and night house but he flatly refuses. Still he follows Edla
inspection and the best work was done at his when she persuades him very much. Knowing
mill. In addition to this he was a man of social, the reality about the peddler, the ironmaster
sympathetic and sober nature. Considering the threatens to call the sheriff but one can notice
peddler as his old acquaintance of regiment, he the commendable role played by Edla. She stops
invited him at his house for Christmas. He felt the peddler against the wish of her father and
deep for peddler’s hard days. The peddler declined pleads that the person has been invited by them.
his offer so the ironmaster sent his daughter Let him enjoy a single day of peace with them as
Edla to request the stranger for the Christmas a peddler who never finds a single place where
company because she had more persuasive powers he is welcome. In the end, one can notice that
than her father. Being a keen observer, she told the peddler rises above all heroic qualities by
her father that the stranger did not look like an presenting a Christmas gift for the daughter
educated man and he looked frightened as if he alongwith thirty Kronor notes for the crofter. Thus
had been a thief or ran out from a jail. But the one can note the series of unexpected reactions
ironmaster consoled her that she could see him a from the characters to other’s behaviour.
good gentleman when his clothes of tramp were QUESTION 4.�

taken away. He wished that his friend should get 4. What made the peddler finally change his ways ?
a little flesh on his bones.

Ans : 2011

In addition to this Edla had all the basic The writer has highlighted the fact that a petty
qualities of a human being. When the truth was peddler-cum thief gets an opportunity to rise
known and the peddler was ready to leave, she himself to the standard of a real captain through
closed the door. She asked her father let the the goodness, sympathy, love and considerate
peddler should enjoy a day of peace with them. behaviour of Edla Willmansson. His philosophical
She took him at the breakfast table and the family attitude towards life is changed and he turns out
had the Christmas cheer in his company. While to be a reformed man.
leaving,the peddler left a Christmas present and At her father’s request, Edla brings the
a thirty Kronor note for the crofter. She felt that peddler to her house for the Christmas cheer

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 235

Ans :

Ans :
(d) Because of his greedy action and pitiable (d) Edla’s goodness and care
circumstances
31. What was the Peddler’s profession and who he
25. Why did Crofter show 30 Kronor to the Peddler? was?
(a) To show him down (a) Selling, traveller (b) Begging, traveller
(b) To flaunt (c) Stealing, thief (d) None of these
(c) Because he is sad

Ans :
(c) Stealing, thief
(d) To share his feelings of pride


Ans : 32. Why did the Peddler feel like stealing?
(d) To share his feelings of pride
(a) has to repay a loan
26. Why did the Peddler have to resort to begging (b) has to buy a drink
and thievery? (c) habitual of it
(a) He was habitual of it (d) due to others’ indifference to his needs
(b) Miserable life

Ans :
(c) Because of non-profitability of his business (d) due to others’ indifference to his needs
(d) None of these 33. How did the Crofter tempt the Peddler to steal


Ans : his money?
(c) Because of non-profitability of his business
(a) By his kindness
27. How did Crofter treat the Peddler? (b) By showing him money
(a) Very rudely (b) In a strange manner (c) By his warm care
(c) Friendly manner (d) None of these (d) None of these


Ans :

Ans :
(c) Friendly manner (b) By showing him money

28. Why did Peddler sign himself as Captain Von 34. Why did the Peddler decline the invitation?
Stahle? (a) Because he had stolen money
(a) He didn’t want to hurt them (b) He wanted to run
(b) Because he forgets his name (c) He wanted to hide money
(c) Because he wants to meet Edla’s expectations (d) He wanted to remain at the mill
of him being an armyman

Ans :
(d) None of these (a) Because he had stolen money


Ans : 35. Why did Edla plead her father not to send the
(c) Because he wants to meet Edla’s expectations Vagabond away?
of him being an armyman
(a) Because of her father
29. When does the ironmaster realise his mistake? (b) Because he resembled her father’s friend
(a) when the peddler speaks (c) Because she liked him
(b) when he sees an old photograph (d) Because of sympathy and his poor life
(c) when the peddler changes clothes and cleans condition
his face

Ans :
(d) Because of sympathy and his poor life
(d) All of these


Ans : condition
(c) when the peddler changes clothes and cleans 36. What did the ironmaster’s daughter say when the
his face peddler was about to leave?
30. What made the Peddler finally change his heart? (a) she asked him to stay for that day only
(a) Edla’s words (b) Edla’s appearance (b) she said she wanted to go with him
(c) Edla’s father (d) Edla’s goodness and (c) she told him not to mind what her father had
care said

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

Ans :
4. ncert textbook questions 2010

No, the peddler did not expect the kind of

QUESTION 1.
hospitality that he received from the crofter. He
1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their was always refused whenever he asked anyone for
meaning from the context. any kind of kindness. Thus, he had expected the
1. keep body and soul together same, but, to his surprise, the crofter treated him
2. hunger gleamed in his eyes very kindly and gave him food and shelter.
3. plods along the road
QUESTION 4.�

4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly

4. unwonted joy
with the peddler?
5. impenetrable prison

Ans : 2009

6. nodded a haughty consent The crofter was a lonely man. He had no one in
7. eased his way his house to give him company. He had no wife,
8. fallen into a line of thought no children. So when he saw the peddler, he was
very happy to get someone to talk to.
9. things have gone downhill
QUESTION 5.�

Ans :
5. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
1. Keep body and soul together : survive

Ans :
2. Hunger gleamed in his eyes : twinkled in The crofter thought that the peddler did not
someone’s eyes, that means he was hungry believe his story of the thirty kronor. That was
and starved why he showed him the money to make him
3. Plods along the road : walks slowly on the believe his story.
road QUESTION 6.�

4. Unwonted joy : unusual happiness 6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in
him by the crofter?
5. Impenetrable prison : a jail which is not easily

Ans : 2005
accessible No, the peddler did not live up to the confidence
6. Nodded a haughty consent : agreed happily reposed in him by the crofter. In fact, he abused
7. Eased his way : made his way the trust of the crofter. He returned after some
8. Fallen into a line of thought : came into his time, opened the window of the cottage and stole
mind suddenly the crofter’s hard-earned money.
9. Things have gone downhill : fallen to bad days.

THINK AS YOU READ 2
QUESTION 1.�

THINK AS YOU READ 1 1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed
QUESTION 1.
fallen into a rattrap?
1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the

Ans : 2018
world being a rattrap ? After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler


Ans : 2017
avoided the road and walked through the forest.
While going his way, the man was thinking of his Soon the night fell and he could not find his way
rattraps. Suddenly, an idea came to him that the out. He walked and walked without coming to
whole world was also like a rattrap. Some had the end of the wood. He finally realised that he
already been caught in the snare and the others was walking round and round the same spot. This
were still circling round the bait. made him frustrated and tired. Now he realised
that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap.
QUESTION 2.�

2. Why was he amused by this idea? QUESTION 2.�

Ans : 2013
2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the
The peddler had never been treated well by the
peddler and invite him home?
world. So he felt happy thinking ill of the world.

Ans : 2014
That is why he was amused by the idea that the The ironmaster mistook the peddler to be his
whole world around him was nothing but a big old acquaintance Nils Olof who was a captain
rattrap. and had resigned from the regiment long back.
The ironmaster thought that the man was going
QUESTION 3.�

3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality

through a bad phase in his life and so invited him
that he received from the crofter?
home, especially as it was Christmas Eve.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 237

When a person is tempted towards these bats, he to chase away a man whom they have invited
is caught like a rat. themselves. All these facts brought a big
QUESTION 5.� transformation in the life of the peddler.
5. What hospitality did the peddler receive from the (b) At the Crofter’s home, the peddler felt very
crofter ? happy because he was welcomed thefe with a


Ans : 2016
smiling face. He was happy to get someone to
In reality, the peddler was expecting our faces talk in his loneliness. He give him super and
when he would under at the door and request for tobacco. He played the game of ‘Majolis’. He
the night shelter. But the crofter was happy to get became friendly with him and even showed his
someone to talk in his loudliness. He immediately money kept in the pouch.
put his put his porridge pot on the fire and gave QUESTION 1.

him super. Then he gave him tobacco to smoke. 9. What did the old crofter show the poor peddler?
He was entertained with the same as ‘Majolis’

Ans : 2009
until bed time. The old crofter told the peddler he earned his
QUESTION 6.
living by selling his cow’s milk. He said that the
6. Where did the peddler seek shelter one evening? previous month he had received thirty kronors in


Ans : 2022
payment. The old man showed him the money,
One dark evening, the peddler was walking along which he kept in a leather pouch hung on a nail
the road with great difficulty. He noticed a little in the window frame.
grey cottage by the roadside. He knocked on the QUESTION 2.�

door, an old man welcomed him. He was a crofter 10. Why did Edla invite the peddler ?
without wife or child. He gave shelter and food to

Ans : 2016, 2010
the peddler. On being refused, the ironmaster sent his
QUESTION 7.�
daughter to bring the stranger home. Speaking
7. Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked very politely, she showed her deep concern for
on the door of the cottage ? spending his hard time. She even assured him


Ans : 2011
to leave and come at his own will. She further
The peddler knocked at a little grey cottage by requested him to stay with them till Christmas so
the roadside. He longed to seek shelter for the that he could enjoy the festival. She wanted him
night. The oldman, the owner of the cottage was not to remain alone on this pious tune.
sick of his loneliness. He gave the peddler supper QUESTION 3.

and shelter for the night. It surprised the peddler. 11. How did the old crofter and the peddler leave the
QUESTION 8.
cottage the next morning?
8. Why was the old crofter happy to see the peddler?

Ans : 2021


Ans : 2016
The next morning, the old crofter and the peddler
The old crofter welcomed the poor peddler. left the cottage simultaneously. The crofter locked
He was happy to get someone to talk to in his the door and put the key in his pocket. The
loneliness. He fed the peddler and played a game peddler thanked the old man and bade him good
of cards with him until bedtime. The old man bye. Then they went their own ways.
told him that he had been a crofter at Ramsjo QUESTION 4.�

Ironworks. 12. “Edla sat and hung her head even more dejectedly
QUESTION 9.�
than usual”. Which two reasons forced her to
1. (a) What brought about a change in the life of behave in that manner ?
the peddler?

Ans : 2010
(b) At the crofter’s home, why did the peddler Edla had shown kindness to the peddler even
feel very happy? after knowing that he was not a captain. This was


Ans : 2015 the reason why she felt more dejected. When she
(a) It was Edla’s kind, sympathetic, considerate knew the peddler was actually a thief. Further
behaviour and her hapitable theator at she also felt bad because he had ruined her faith
for giving a shelter on the Christmas Eve which she had developed from him.
jolted the mind and his internal feeling. She QUESTION 5.

pleaded his stay and a happy christmas in 13. How did the peddler steal the old crofter’s money?
their company. She does not think it better

Ans : 2015, 2011

The next morning both the men left the cottage at

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Ch 4 : The Rattrap

in every language. The words : happy, glad, 4. He thought to go to the manor house would
cheerful, merry, all mean the same. Words with be like throwing himself voluntarily into the
similar meanings are as follow : lion’s den.
Here : The reflexive pronoun ‘himself is used
Word Meaning to convey the emphasis.
1. Plod Movement accompanied 5. You cannot show yourself there.
Trudge by weariness. Here : The reflexive pronoun ‘yourself’ is
Stagger used to convey the emphasis.
2. Vagabond One who wanders
Wanderer aimlessly.
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
Rambler QUESTION 1.�

Tramp 1. Notice the words in bold in the following sentence

:
In addition to above we can put our attention to “The fire boy shovelled charcoal into the maw of
the following words: the furnace with a great deal of clatter.” This is
1. Crawl, 2. Stumble, 3. Hobble, 4. Drag, 5. Inch a phrase that is used in the specific context of an
iron plant.

NOTICING FORM Pick out other such phrases and words from the
QUESTION 1.
story that are peculiar to the terminology of
1. Notice the way in which these reflexive pronouns ironworks.
have been used (pronouns + self)

Ans :
1. He made them himself at odd moments. 1. a hard regular thumping (sound of the regular
2. He raised himself. powerful hammer strokes on pig iron)
3. He had let himself befooled by a bait and had 2. a large plant with smelter, rolling : ill and
been caught. forge. (A big iron mill with all machinery of
4. ......... a day may come when you yourself turning iron-ore into iron)
may want to get a big piece of pork. 3. coal dust which sifted down from the big
• In 1 and 4 the reflexive pronouns “himself” charcoal crates. (the black soot falling down
and “yourself” are used to convey emphasis. while the big charcoal crates were loaded and
• In 2 and 3 the reflexive pronoun in used in unloaded)
place of personal pronoun to signal that it 4. dark forge near the furnace (the forge was not
refers to the same subject in the sentence. lit when furnace was in use at night)
• Pick out other examples of the use of reflexive 5. Put on the anvil (the glowing iron from
pronouns from the story and notice how they furnace is put on the iron block on which
are used. blacksmith works)


Ans : 6. stir the glowing mass (moving with iron rod
1. As soon anyone let himself be tempted to the molten pig iron mass)
touch the bait, it closed in as him. 7. big bellows groaned (The sound of the big air
Here : The reflexive pronoun “himself’ is used driving pipes into fire)
in place of personal pronoun to signal that QUESTION 2.�

it refers to the same subject ‘anyone’ in the 2. ‘Majolis’ is a card game of Sweden.
sentence. Name a few indoor games played in your region.
2. Think of the people he knows who had let ‘Chopar’ could be an example.
themselves be caught in the dangerous snare.

Ans :
Here : The reflexive pronoun ‘themselves’ is Indoor games played in our region : Chopar, chess,
used in place of the personal pronoun to signal card games, table-tennis, badminton, snooker,
that it refers to the same subject ‘people’ in billiard.
the sentence. QUESTION 3.�

3. A crofter is a person who rents or owns a small

3. He had not come there to talk but only to
farm especially in Scotland. Think of other
warm himself and sleep.
uncommon terms for ‘a small farmer’ including
Here : The reflexive pronoun “himself’ is used
those in your language.
to convey emphasis.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 239

Ans : 2005

Ans : 2020

The ironmaster was the owner of the Ramsjo The ironmaster and his daughter Edla tried their
Ironworks. It was his ambition to ship out good best to make the peddler comfortable at their
iron to market. He supervised the work day and home. The ironmaster ordered his valet to dress
night in order to make sure that the work was well and shave him. He was ordered to give a good
going on well. That night also he had come to the bath. So he was dressed with the clothes of the
ironworks for his round of inspection. ironmaster. He was served with Christmas fish
QUESTION 15.� and porridge.
23. Why could the peddler come out of the forest ? QUESTION 20.

Ans : 2014 28. At last the peddler agreed to go to the ironmaster’s

The peddler was walking through the forest. It house and spend the night there. Why?
was a big and confusing forest. His paths turned

Ans : 2014

back and forth very strangely. The peddler walked The ironmaster had a young daughter named
and walked but always moved around in the same Edla. He thought that his daughter might
part of the forest. He realised that now his turn persuade his old friend to stay with them. So he
had come. He was in the forest rattrap. went home and brought his daughter. Edla looked
QUESTION 16. at him compassionate. She requested him to come
24. How did the ironmaster react when he saw the to her home. At last, the rattrap seller agreed and
ragged peddler? went with them.


Ans : 2007 QUESTION 21.�

After some time, the ironmaster, who owned the 29. How did the ironmaster come to know about the
mill, came for his nightly inspection. He saw the reality of the peddler ?
peddler who was in rags. He mistook the peddler

Ans : 2010, 2006

for an old acquaintance, Nils Olof. He wondered After having fully dressed, the peddler presented
why his old friend was in rags. He invited him to himself at the breakfast table. The ironmaster
visit his house and spend the night there. saw him with keen eyes but he did not look
QUESTION 17.� pleased. He realised that the stranger was not an
25. How did the peddler defend himself against not old acquaintance of him. He had appropriately
having revealed his true identity ? misunderstood him. So the ironmaster thundered


Ans : 2009, 2005 and threatened to call the sheriff. He asked him
The peddler pleaded that it was not his fault. He to go away at once.
had never pretended to be anything but only a QUESTION 22.

poor trader. He only begged that he should be 30. When did the ironmaster realise that the peddler
allowed to stay for the night near the forge. Since was not his old friend?
he had done them no harm, so he was ready to

Ans : 2018

put on his old rags again and would leave at once. The next day was Christmas. The servant had
QUESTION 18. bathed the peddler, cut his hair and shaved him.
26. Why was the peddler surprised when the When the ironmaster came into the dining room
ironmaster referred to him as his old friend? Why he looked at him in broad daylight. Now he
did he refuse to go with him.? realised that he had been mistaken and that man


Ans : 2017 was not his old friend.
The peddler had never seen the ironmaster QUESTION 23.�

before. Nor did he know his name. But he told 31. When the ironmaster threatened to call the
the ironmaster that he was running into bad luck. sheriff, how did the peddler conduct ?
The ironmaster told him that he should not have

Ans : 2021

resigned from the regiment. Then the ironmaster The peddler defended himself that he was a
invited him to his house for the Christmas Eve. poor man. On threatening to call the sheriff, the
But the peddler did not want to fall into any fresh peddler said that the whole world is nothing but
trouble. So he emphatically refused to go with a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered
him. to him were just baits. The baits were set out to
QUESTION 19.� drag a poor fellow into trouble. In case the sheriff
27. What type of hospitality did the peddler enjoy at came to lock him up, the day was not far when
the manor-house ? the ironmaster would be trapped himself.

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Ch 4 : The Rattrap

14. What does the metaphor Rattrap in the lesson (c) He was good looking
signify? (d) Because of his resemblance to her father’s old
(a) Humans friend
(b) Thieves

Ans :
(d) Because of his resemblance to her father’s old
(c) Attractions
friend
(d) Human greed and distractions


Ans : 20. Why did the Peddler leave the stolen money in a
(d) Human greed and distractions Rattrap?
15. What lightens the seriousness of the lesson? (a) Because of his plan
(a) Peddler’s greed (b) To deceive them
(b) Peddler’s gossip (c) Because his heart was changed with Edla’s
kindness
(c) Peddler’s tricks
(d) None of these
(d) Peddler’s sense of humour


Ans :


Ans :
(c) Because his heart was changed with Edla’s
(d) Peddler’s sense of humour
kindness
16. From where did the Peddler get the idea of the
21. How is the Peddler influenced by meeting the
world being a Rattrap?
Crofter and Edla?
(a) From his friends’ situation
(a) He was encouraged to steal money
(b) From Crofter’s behavior
(b) He became a rattrap seller
(c) From Edla’s words
(c) His heart was changed
(d) From his circumstances and miserable life
(d) None of these
condition


Ans :


Ans :
(c) His heart was changed
(d) From his circumstances and miserable life
condition 22. Why did Edla have doubts about the Peddler?
17. Why was he amused by his idea of a rattrap? (a) His behavior
(a) It was a bad joke (b) His fear and appearance
(b) It was a good comparison (c) His words
(c) It was the exact situation and was humorous (d) None of these


Ans :
(d) None of these
(b) His fear and appearance


Ans :
(c) It was the exact situation and was humorous 23. Why did the Peddler not reveal his true identity?
18. Why was the ironmaster so talkative and friendly (a) Because of fear
with the Peddler? (b) He didn’t want to hurt them
(a) Because he knew him. (c) In the greed of getting money
(b) He was his friend (d) None of these


Ans :
(c) He was his neighbour
(c) In the greed of getting money
(d) Because of his resemblance to one of his old
friend 24. Why did the Peddler feel that he had fallen into


Ans : the Rattrap?
(d) Because of his resemblance to one of his old (a) Because he fell into a pit
friend (b) Because he fell in love with Edla
19. Why did Elda bring the Peddler to her house for (c) Because his heart is changed
Christmas cheer? (d) Because of his greedy action and pitiable
(a) Because she knew him circumstances
(b) He was very funny

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 241

he slept well and in evening, the Christmas tree good host. She treats him as if in reality he is a
was lighted. He stood for a while and went to bed captain and gives him good clothes to wear. She
after dinner. Edla offered him her father’s suit brings the transformation in him by providing the
as Christmas gift and was asked to came again comfortable and most concerned behaviour. She
.on the Christmas Eve. She was of the opinion values for the humanity the most. That is why
that the peddler should rest in peace. Thus her she is successful in bringing out the change in
kind and hospitable treatment left an indelible the peddler’s life. As it is rightly said, `Kindness
impression on the peddler. In turn he left behind pays, rudeness never’.
a little package for Edla as Christmas present. QUESTION 3.

3. Who was the poor peddler? Why did he think

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS that the whole world was a rattrap?
QUESTION 1.�


Ans : 2014

1. The peddler declined the invitation of the The peddler was a poor man. He made small
ironmaster but accepted the one from Edla. Why? rattraps of wire. He wandered from place to place


Ans : 2015 selling these rattraps. But he could not earn
The peddler was afraid as he was carrying stolen enough to make both ends meet. So he had to beg
money with him. The peddler knew that the as well as resort to petty thefts. His clothes were
ironmaster had mistaken him for an old regimental in rags, his cheeks were sunken and he had often to
comrade and feared that the ironmaster would remain hungry. His life was sad and monotonous.
send him to the police. He felt as if he was walking One day, while selling rattraps, an idea struck his
into a lion’s den. He didn’t want to go there. He mind. He thought that the whole world is also like
only wanted to spend the night in the forge. He a rattrap. In a rattrap, the rat is caught when he
wanted to sneak away in the morning unnoticed. is attracted to the bait and tries to eat it. In the
Then he thought of the thirty kronors. They were same way the world sets baits for people. These
a bait and he couldn’t resist the temptation. baits are riches, joys, shelter, food and clothing.
However he accepted Edla’s invitation as she When a person is tempted towards these baits, he
spoke kindly to him. She realised that he was is caught like a rat. Then there is no escape from
afraid. Therefore, she assured him that no harm the clutches of the world. The peddler thought
would come to him and he was at liberty to leave that life had never been kind to him. This world
whenever he wanted. The compassionate manner was just like a rattrap to him. This idea amused
of the daughter won the confidence of the peddler him. He was able to philosophise his misery and
who agreed to go to her home. poverty.
QUESTION 2.� QUESTION 4.�

2. There is a saying, ‘Kindness pays, rudeness 4. Why did the peddler accept Edla’s invitation
never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s attitude when he had already declined the ironmaster’s to
towards men and matters is different from her go home with him ?
father’s attitude. How are the values of concern

Ans : 2013

and compassion brought out in the story, ‘The The peddler was a man who went around selling
Rattrap’ ? his self-made small rattraps of wire. He was


Ans : 2010, leading a hard, monotonous, dull and lonely life
In the story ‘The Rattrap’, the compassion, of a vagabond. While moving along the road, it
affection and understanding brought the change became dark. So, he knocked at the door of the
in the peddler’s way of life. In the beginning, cottage of a croafter who showered all possible
the iron master seems to be a sympathetic hospitality over the peddler. He gave him porridge,
person when he mistakes the stranger as his old bed, lodging and played Majolis till bed time. He
regimental friend and tries to persuade him to join even proudly displayed the thirty Kronor that
him on Christmas. But his attitude changes when he had got as payment for the cow’s milk and
he comes to know the truth that the stranger is put them in his leather pouch. This tempted the
not his friend. peddler to steal away his money. In a way he
But, Edla even after knowing the truth betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the
continued her kindness and sympathetic behaviour crofter.
towards the peddler. She intervenes to stop her On the other hand, the owner of the
father from ill-treating the stranger and plays the Ramsjo Ironworks mistook him to be as his old

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

(d) she asked him to leave after 2 days not to walk on the public highway. So he turned


Ans : off into the forest to avoid being caught.
(a) she asked him to stay for that day only It was a big and confusing forest. The paths
turned back and forth so strangely. He walked,
37. The first move of the ironmaster was to make sure and walked the whole day but he realised that he
that the guest could had only been walking around in the same part
(a) gain some flesh on his bones of the forest.
(b) have verification done Suddenly he recollected his ideas about the
(c) be given some money world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had
(d) be given some clothes come. He had let himself be tempted by a bait and


Ans : had been caught. The whole forest, had closed in
(a) gain some flesh on his bones upon him like an impenetrable prison from which
he could not escape.
38. The purpose of her visit to the iron mill was to QUESTION 2.

(a) persuade the rattrap seller to spend Christmas 2. Did the rattrap peddler earn enough money to
Eve at their house keep his body and soul together?


Ans : 2010
(b) propose to him
No, the rattrap peddler did not earn enough money
(c) counsel him to make both ends meet. He went from place to
(d) advise him to give up stealing place selling the rattraps. Yet the business was


Ans : not good. He was always in rags. His cheeks were
(a) persuade the rattrap seller to spend Christmas sunken and he often remained hungry. Sometimes
Eve at their house he had to resort to begging or stealing in order to
remain alive.
39. In what way is the story has been narrated?
(a) fictitious style (b) fairy tale manner
QUESTION 3.�

3. How did the peddler react when he saw that the

(c) realistic manner (d) non-fictitious
iron-master had recognised him as Nils Olof, an


Ans :
old regimental comrade ?
(b) fairy tale manner


O
40. Why was the Crofter so talkative and friendly How did the ironmaster react on seeing the
with the Peddler? stranger lying close to the furnance ?
(a) because he knew him.

O
(b) he was his friend Why did not the stranger tell the ironmaster that
(c) he was his neighbor he was not Nils Olof ?
(d) because of his resemblance to one of his old

Ans : 2012

friend In the reflection of the furnace light, the iron-

Ans : master eyes caught sight of a man. In the reflection
(d) because of his resemblance to one of his old he considered him on an old regimental comrade
friend and called him Nils Olof. The rattrap man did
not know him at all rather it came to him that he

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS might throw him a couple of kronor. So he did not
QUESTION 1.�
want to undeceive him all at once.
1. Very soon after stealing the crofter’s money, how QUESTION 4.

did the peddler realise than he was himself caught 4. What philosophical idea came to the peddler’s
in a rattrap? mind one day?


O

Ans : 2020

How did the seller of rattraps realize that he One day, while selling rattraps, an idea struck his
himself was caught up in a rattrap after he left mind. He thought that the whole world is also like
the crofter’s cottage ? a rattrap. In a rattrap, the rat is caught when he


Ans : 2017, 2013
is attracted to the bait and tries to eat it. In the
After stealing money from the old crofter, the same way the world sets baits fox people. These
man was pleased with his smartness. He dared baits are riches, joys, shelter, food and clothing.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 243

they have invited for a promised “Christmas and the forest was getting cold. When he had lost
Cheer”. Her persuasive powers make the stranger hope of survival, he heard a sound. It was the
surrender to her wish. She is happy when the sound of hammer strokes coming from an iron
peddler leaves for her a Christmas present and mill. He got up and moved with difficulty towards
a thirty Kronor note. In his letter to Edla, he the sound. The rattrap seller reached the Ramsj6
thanks for being so nice to him. He finally thanks Ironworks and entered it. The blacksmiths looked
her saving him from falling into the “world’s at him with indifference. He asked permission to
rattrap”. It is thus, that love and understanding stay there for the night which was granted by the
bring out a basic human goodness in the peddler. chief blacksmith.
QUESTION 8.� QUESTION 10.�

8. The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rat- 10. Edla’s empathetic and passionate behaviour
trap. This view of life is true only of himself and changed the life in the rat-trap selter: Do you
if no one else in the story. Comment. think that an act of kindness can change person’s


Ans : 2017 view on the world?
The peddler appropriately thinks that the whole

Ans : 2018

world is a rat-trap. All riches, joys, food, luxurious The writer has high-lighted the fact that a petty
life, wonders of the world and varied comforts peddler-cum thief gets an opportunity to rise
are just baits. The moment anyone is attracted himself to the standard as a read captain through
towards these baits, the rat-trap closes suddenly the goodness, sympathy, love and considerate
itself. Ultimately everything comes to an end. behaviour or Edla will maneson. Its philosophical
In the true sense, a man has made his life full attitude towards life is changed and he turnsout
of materialistic pleasures which tempt everyone. to be a reformed man.
This view of life is true not only of the Rat-trap At her father’s request, Edla brings the
but also true for everyone in the common life. peddler to her house for the Christmas cheer
The story under reference is a fine example since her father has considered him to be his old
of this reality. After stealing money from the old aquaintance of a regiment. While on his way to
crofter, the rattrap man dared not to walk on the the manor house, the peddler realises that he
public highways. So he turned towards the forest has voluntarily offered himself to the lion’s den.
and went on walking. He walked the whole day but After reaching the ironmaster’s house the peddler
he realised that he had been walking around in the is beautifully dressed and shaved by the valet.
same part of the forest. Suddendly he collected the When he enters for the breakfast, the ironmaster
idea about the world and the rat-trap. Now his realises his mistake about him. The truth is
own turn had come. He had let himself be tempted exposed and the ironmaster threatens to call for
by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest the sheriff. But here Edla plays a significant role.
had closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison She intercedes for the vagabond and pleads that
form which he could not escape. the peddler hardly finds a single home where he is
QUESTION 9. welcome. He is always chased away. She advocates
9. Where did the peddler go after stealing the old to let him enjoy a day of peace in their company.
crofter’s money? She even does not think it nice to chase away


Ans : 2014 a man whom they have themselves invited for
The old crofter treated the peddler in a kind Christmas cheer.
manner. He offered him food and shelter for the The rattrap man does not utter a word but
night. He played a game of cards with him until goes on looking at the girl in utter astonishment.
bed time. But the peddler stole his money and All these circumstancial events go on jolting the
went away. With the stolen money in his pocket, peddler from his evil ways. In a way the ironmaster
it was not safe for the peddler to walk on the has declared the peddler a thief. When they return
public highway. So he turned off the road into from the church service, they find everything
a forest. Later in the day he got into a big and intact. The valet tells about a package has been
confusing forest. He walked and walked without left by the peddler while leaving the house. She
coming to the end of the forest. Now he felt that finds a letter of rattrap and a thirty Kronor bill.
the world was really a big rattrap. The money he She feels utmost happy since the peddler has
had stolen was the bait and he had been trapped. shown true fraith in her. His letter states that the
Darkness was descending. It was late in December rattrap is a Christmas present from a ‘rat’ who

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

Finally, he gives a rattrap to Edla as a He was an old man without wife and child. So
“Christmas present from a rat.” He writes that he was happy to get someone to talk to in his
he would have been caught in the world’s rattrap, loneliness.
if he had not been raised to a captain. At once, he prepared for him and served him
supper. After that he took out enough tobacco for

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT his pipe and played “majolis.”
QUESTION 1.� The old crofter informed his guest that in his
1. The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right days of prosperity he had been a crofter at the
from the beginning of the story. Why is this so ? Ramsjo Ironworks. Now he was old and his cow
Is the sympathy justified ? supported him. He got thirty Kronor he received


Ans : last month for cow’s milk. He got up and took out
Right from the beginning the peddler is shown the pouch and showed him the three wrinked ten
going around selling small rat raps of wire. He Kronor notes moving them knowingly before his
is struggling hard begging the wires to make the guest’s eyes.
rattraps himself in his odd times. The business is The story focuses also on the need to bond
not profitable so he takes to begging and small with others.
thievery also. Discuss the following in groups of four. Each
Once the peddler fell in the line of thought and group can deal with one topic and present the
concluded that the whole world with all its things, views of yourgroup to the whole class.
lands, seas, mountains, cities, villages is a big world
rattrap. It offers joys, riches, clothing, shelter, food,
heat which tempt anyone; if he touches the bait
he is trapped and can never come out. This is a
universal theme.
One knows and sees people trapped and others
circling around the bait to get trapped: Even then
everyone is moving downhill so does the peddler QUESTION 3.�

do. He steals from the old crofter’s pouch, he 3. Have you ever known/heard of an episode where
does not like to undeceive the ironmaster under a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a
temptation. person’s view of the world ?
The reader feels himself moving along with

Ans :
the peddler without indulging in what he does. There is no dearth of such episodes where good
The reader sympathises with him because every deeds or acts of kindness changed persons’ views
time he touches the bait, he clearly speaks of the of the world. Once upon a time a saint lived in
big world rattrap. And it is his turn to be caught. an Indian forest. In his ashram he had a beautiful
He has evil forebodings but even then he flows horse which was the fastest of its time. Whenever
downhill and finally, finds trapped. ‘It is because the saint rode the horse it used to talk with air. Its
of the young girl who has been remained nice also fame spread soon all around.
to him all day long on Christmas Eve that he A bandit got very much interested in the
musters up courage and behaves as if he is a real saint’s horse. He went to the saint to buy the
captain, otherwise he would have been caught horse at any price but he refused to sell the horse.
in the world rattrap. Finally, the change in the But the bandit did not give in.
ways of the peddler wins the sympathy of all the One day disguised as a saint he lay groaning
readers, at the end of the story too. on the path, the saint was riding on his steed. He
QUESTION 2.� signalled and the rider saint stopped near him.
2. The story also focuses on human loneliness and He pretended to be suffering and asked for a ride.
the need to bond with others. Explain. The saint helped him ride first and the disguised


Ans : 2010 robber made the horse gallop leaving behind the
Man is a social animal. His interaction with saint. He revealed his robber’s identity.
others makes him, generally, unwelcome by every The saint called him back and requested
one. When the peddler knocked on the door of the him not to tell this incident to anyone otherwise
roadside cottage to ask shelter for the night, he nobody would be prepared to help a sufferer or a
was allowed with a welcoming face of the owner. person in need.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 245

like a real captain with food. In their absence from the fate of being caught in the rattrap of the
when they were at church he left. At the church world for which he was most grateful. He signed
they learnt the rattrap seller had robbed the old himself off as Captain Von Stable, the name of
crofter. So they became worried. the person for whom he had been mistaken.
When they returned the valet told that the QUESTION 15.

stranger had taken nothing with him and left 15. Why did the ironmaster’s daughter insist that the
behind a Christmas gift for Miss Willmansson. peddler should stay with them? What happened
She found a small rattrap, thirty kronor and a in the end?
letter in it. The letter stated that she had took

Ans : 2022

him as if he were a captain, so he would be nice The ironmaster asked the peddler to go away.
to her as a captain. It had given him power to But his daughter Edla wanted the peddler to
cleanse himself. stay with them that day. She said that they let
QUESTION 14.� him stay and enjoy a day of peace. They should
14. Edla proved to be much more poersuasive than her not chase away a man whom they had promised
father while dealing with the peddler. Comment. invitation to enjoy the Christmas joy. Then she


Ans : 2015 asked him to sit down and eat. The next morning
When the ironmaster having mistaken him for the ironmaster and his daughter went to church
a regimental comrade invites him to his house for Christmas service. The rattrap seller was still
to share his Christmas lunch, he feels a sense asleep. At church the ironmaster and his daughter
of entrapment, having the stolen money on his came to know that one of the old crofters had
person, and thus declines the invitation. He feels been robbed by a man who sold rattraps. That
that to accept the hospitality of the ironmaster news made Edla sad. Her father was afraid that
would be like voluntarily throwing himself into the rattrap seller might have stolen all their silver
the lion’s den. However, he does not at the outset spoons in their absence.. But the valet told them
disclose his true identity because he hopes to that the peddler had not taken anything with
profit from the mistake, thinking perhaps a few him. Rather he had left a little package for the
Kronor would come his way but now he only girl. She found a small rattrap in the package.
wants to rest near the forge at night and quietly Inside the package there were three ten-kronor
slip away in the morning. notes and a letter. In his letter he thanked her for
The ironmaster’s daughter invites him to being so nice to him as if he was really a captain.
their house with more compassion and this act of He did not want her to be troubled with a thief on
kindness touches the tramp’s heart making him Christmas. He requested her to return the money
feel more worthy. She, with her understanding to the old crofter. He wrote that the rattrap was
and keen perception, makes him feel comfortable a Christmas present to her.
and raises his self-esteem. Even after his true QUESTION 16.�

identity has been discovered she feels sympathetic 16. To be grateful is a great virtue of a gentleman.
towards him and convinces her father to let him How did the peddloer show his gratitude to Edla
stay and share Christmas cheer with them. She ?
understands the difficulties of the life of a person

Ans : 2015

like him who can never hope to be made welcome The peddler was a man who went around selling
in any home and feels that if he can feel safe and his self-made small rat, traps of wire. He was
secure in theirs, he should be able to enjoy it for leading a miserable life and was moving on the
atleast one day in the year. road like a vagabond. He knocked at the crafters
She does not know for a moment doubt his door who showed him extra hospitality. But the
integrity and the tramp repays this faith and owner of the Rams go Iron works mistook him as
kindness by leaving behind the stolen Kronor to his old acquaintance and invited for Christmas
be returned to the rightful owner alongwith one of eve but he refused. He sent his daughter Edla who
his rattraps as a present and a letter addressed to sympathetically pleaded and the peddler agreed
the daughter thanking her for elevating his status to go their home for christmas. On knowing that
to that of a captain and for the chance to redeem the peddler was the not his known fellow, the
his mistake. He said that having been treated with ironmaster asked him to go out but his daughter
such dignity he could not embarrass them and Edla insisted to let him spend the Christmas
was thus leaving the money. He had been saved evening with them peacefully. Her kill treatment,

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap
QUESTION 10.�

the same time. But half an hour later, the peddler 18. What did the peddler write to Edla in his letter ?
came back to the house. He went to window,
smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch. He

O
took out the money and hung the pouch back in Why did the peddler sign himself as “Captain
its place. Then he went his way. Von Stahle” ?
QUESTION 6.�


Ans : 2014

14. “The crofter can be called as a good host.” Why ? The peddler wrote “since you have been nice to
me all day long, as if I were a captain. So I want


O
to be nice to you as a real captain. I do not want
How was the peddler treated at the crofter’s
to be embarrassed at this Christmas season as
cottage ?
a thief. You can give back the money to the old


Ans : 2010
crofter. The rattrap is a present from a rat who
The peddler knocked the door of a crofter and
would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if
requested for night shelter. The crofter happily
he had not been raised to captain, because in that
took him inside as he wanted someone to talk to.
way he got power to clear himself. So he siged
He offered him hot supper. Then he gave him a
himself as Captain Von Stahle.
big slice of tobacco for his pipe to smoke. Finally, QUESTION 11.

he entertained the stranger by playing the game 19. Where did the peddler go after escaping from the
of cards ‘Majolis’ with him until bed time. forest?


Ans :
QUESTION 7.
2020
15. After stealing the money, why did the peddler feel
The peddler heard some sound and went in its
that he was trapped?
direction. He reached the Ramsjo Ironworks and


Ans : 2008
entered it. The blacksmiths looked at him with
With the stolen money in his pocket, it was not
indifference. He asked permission to stay there
safe for the peddler to walk on the public highway.
for the night which was granted by the chief
So he turned off the road into a forest. Later in
blacksmith.
the day he got into a big and confusing forest. He QUESTION 12.�

walked and walked without coming to the end of 20. Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the
the forest. Now he felt that the world was really a world being a rattrap ?
big rattrap. The money he had stolen was the bait

Ans : 2016
and he had been trapped. One day the peddler went round selling his
rattraps. All of a sudden he was left to his own
QUESTION 8.�

16. Which act of the crofter surprised the peddler ?

meditations. He thought that the whole world
Why?
about him was nothing but a rattrap. Its lands,


Ans : 2010
seas, cities, villages existed only to set baits for
The owner of a roadside cottage gave shelter to
people. It offered riches, joys, shelter, food, heat
the peddler. He showed him warm hospitality
and clothing to the people as the rattrap offered
and told him how he earned thirty Kronors by
cheese and pork for the rats. As soon as anyone
selling cow-milk in his old days. Then the old man
got tempted to touch the bait, it closed him in
took down a leather pouch hung on the nail of a
and thus everything came to an end for him.
window frame and showed thirty Kronor bills to QUESTION 13.�

him. Then he stuffed them back into the pouch. 21. How did the hard regular thumping sound heard
The act of showing the Kronor bills surprised the by the peddler with his head on the ground,
peddler since he was a perfect stranger. proved a fresh breather for him ?
QUESTION 9.


Ans : 2022

17. What did the peddler hear when he had lost the Walking hungry and thirsty all day long in the
hope of his survival? forest, the peddler lay on the ground tired to


Ans : 2013, 2008 death. Then he heard a hard regular thumping.
Darkness was descending. It was late in December Undoubtedly, he realised that those were the
and the forest was getting cold. When he had lost hammer strokes from an ironmill. He tottered in
hope of survival, he heard a sound. It was the direction of the sound and reached the ironmill.
sound of hammer strokes coming from a iron mill. QUESTION 14.

He got up and moved with difficulty towards the 22. Why did the ironmaster come to the Ramsjo
sound. Ironworks in the night?

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 247

need to human bonds. They insisted him to stay (f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
with them and spend sometime. They provided The literary device used in the title of the
him with the basic necessities of life. Thus, he story is _____.
was made to realise that no one can live alone

Ans : 2018

in this world. The feeling of love and human- (a) His business of making rattraps was not
bonding is above all other feelings. One must have profitable.
someone to share one’s joys and sorrows. It gives (b) (i) to earn barely enough to survive
him contentment, peace and sheer happiness. It is
(c) The author has used the traditional beginning
well said that sharing a sorrow halves it whereas
of a fairy tale for her ‘fantastic’ story.
sharing a joy doubles it.
(d) He made them himself at odd moments from
the material he got by begging in the stores

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS or at the big farms.
QUESTION 1.�
(e) (i) Notwithstanding, thievery and begging
1. Read the following extract and answer the
questions that follow. (f) metaphor
QUESTION 2.�
Once upon a time there was a man who went
2. Read the following extract and answer the
around selling small rattraps of wire. He made
questions that follow.
them himself at odd moments from the material
It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat
he got by begging in the stores or at the big farms.
and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese
But even so, the business was not especially
and pork and as soon as anyone let himself be
profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and
tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him,
petty thievery to keep body and soul together.
and then everything came to an end.
Even so, his clothes were in rags, his cheeks were
The world had of course, never been very kind
sunken and hunger gleamed in his eyes.
to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill
(a) The peddler had to resort to petty thievery of it in this way. It became his cherished pastime
and begging. What do you conclude from of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think of
this? people he knew who had let themselves be caught
(b) What does the expression ‘keeping body and in the dangerous snare and of others who were
soul together mean’ ? still circling around the bait.
(i) to earn barely enough to survive (a) In the statement, “It offered riches and joys,
(ii) indulge in binge eating to stay alive shelter and food.” What does ‘It’ stand for
here?
(iii) to exercise and meditate regularly
(b) Being poor and discontented, what gave the
(iv) to do breathing exercises
peddler immense pleasure to think of people
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can in a certain way?
be drawn from the words, “Once upon a
(i) He thought that people were foolish.
time” used by the author at the beginning of
the story. (ii) He assumed that people would get caught.
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears (iii) He knew that people were unreliable.
evidence to the fact that the peddler wanted (iv) He was sure that people succumb to
to live an honourable life but the world didn’t temptations.
let him. (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, The words “it gave him unwonted joy to think
select the most likely explanation for the ill of it in this way” suggests this about the
author using the words “Even so” in the peddler’s personality _____.
sentence “Even so, his clothes were in rags.” (d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
(i) Notwithstanding, thievery and begging infer that people get trapped despite clearly
(ii) While, petty thievery and begging knowing that it is a trap.
(iii) Regarding, thievery and begging (e) What makes the author talk about riches,
food, heat on one hand and cheese and pork
(iv) However, thievery and begging
on the other?

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

would have been caught if he had not been raised invited him to his house for the Christmas Eve.
to a captain. But the peddler did not want to fall into any fresh
QUESTION 11.� trouble. So he emphatically refused to go with
11. Why was it urgent on the part of the ironmaster him. The ironmaster then asked his daughter
to need the company of Nils Olof? Edla to persuade his old friend to stay with them.


O She requested him to come to her home. At last,
Why did the ironmaster’s invitation to the peddler the rattrap seller agreed and went with them. The
to spend Christmas Eve with him make him think next day was Christmas. The servant had bathed
that he was going to fall into a trap ? him, cut his hair and shaved him. When the


Ans : 2006 ironmaster came into the dining room he looked
Finding no way out in the impenetrable forest, at him in broad daylight. Now he realised that he
the rattrap was totally tired. He lay on the had been mistaken and that man was not his old
ground and heard the striking of the hammer. friend. He thundered at him and asked him to go
He proceeded in that direction and reached away.
the Ramsjo Ironworks. Here he requested the QUESTION 13.�

smith for the night shelter near the furnace. On 13. How can we transform and clean an evil doing
his usual visit, he glanced at a tall ragamuffin person? Give example from the story “The
near the furnace and mistook him to be his old Rattrap.”
acquaintance from some regiment. He called him

O
“It is for, Nils Olof ! How do you look”. How did the line of thought bring a change in the
The rattrap man recalled his memory but life of the rattrap peddler ?
failed to get any idea about him. But it struck

Ans : 2008

in his mind that the gentleman might offer him The writer has highlighted a universal theme in
some Kronor, still he was his old acquaintance. this story. It is that we can arouse the goodness in
The tramp revealed that it was his bad time. the life of a man by love, understanding, sympathy,
The iron master pleaded that he should not have and respect. Once upon a time there was a man
resigned from the regithent but rather requested who went around selling self-made small rattraps
the peddler to accompany to his manor house on of wire. His condition was too miserable to beg
the Christmas Eve. The peddler was in no mood and do petty thefts. He was in rags, with sunken
to accept his invitation. He was much afraid to cheeks and hungry eyes.
go there since it would be like throwing himself One day an idea flashed into his mind. He
voluntarily into the lion’s den. He knew about thought that the whole world around him was a
his thievery at the crofter’s cottage and thirty big rattrap. It offered riches, joys, food, shelter
Kronor were with him. A slight wink might put and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork
him in a great difficulty. So the peddler declined in a rattrap for the rats. Those who were tempted
his offer. The ironmaster too left the iron mill. He to touch the bait, it closed on them bringing an
rather asked the blacksmiin about the lonely stay end to everything.
of Captain with him. One dark evening while staying at a crofter’s
QUESTION 12.
cottage, he was given food and lodging. But the
12. Why did the peddler agree to spend the night next morning the tramp stole his thirty Kronor.
at the house of the ironmaster? Why did the He kept on walking all day long on the same path
ironmaster ask him to go the next morning? in the forest. On hearing the sound of hammer


Ans : 2020 strokes, he reached the ironmill and lay near the
The peddler was given permission to stay at the furnace.
ironworks. After some time, the ironmaster came The ironmaster mistook him to be his old
for his nightly inspection. He saw the peddler who acquaintance and invited him for Christmas
was in rags. He mistook the peddler for an old cheer but he refused. He sent his daughter Edla
acquaintance, Nils Olof. He wondered why his old who persuaded him to their house. After having
friend was in rags. The peddler had never seen him well dressed, the ironmaster found that he
him. Nor did he know his name. But he told the mistook him Captain “Nils Olof.” So he ordered
ironmaster that he was running into bad luck. him to get out at once. The young girl interceded
The ironmaster told him that he should not have for him and said she wanted him to stay as they
resigned from the regiment. Then the ironmaster promised him Christmas cheer. He was treated

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 249

(d) What do you infer from, ‘The peddler stole (c) Which literary device dominates the given
the money from the very person who had extract? Cite evidence to justify it.
hosted and treated him well’ ? (d) Identify the line from the text that bears
(e) Why did the peddler not try to get inside the evidence to the fact that the peddler had
house but instead chose to break the window? ironically succumbed to the same temptations
(f) Would you say that the crofter was to blame he used to often deride.
for tempting the peddler to some extent to (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
betray his trust? If so, how did he do it? select the most likely explanation for the
(i) He treated him kindly. peddler’s feeling that he too had fallen into
(ii) He gave him shelter for the night. the rattrap.
(iii) He flaunted the thirty kronor before the (i) He was afraid of being arrested.
peddler. (ii) He had lost his way in a forest.
(iv) He shared all his secrets with him. (iii) He walked inside the forest in circles.


Ans : 2007 (iv) The forest had fallen logs, thickets and
(a) (i) He got hold of the pouch with the thirty trunks.
kronor. (tactile) (f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
(ii) He smashed a pane. (auditory) The literary device in the statement, “The
(b) (iii) to steal the crofter’s money forest closed in upon him like an impenetrable
prison from which he could never escape”
(c) He felt quite pleased about his smartness. is______.
(d) The world had been unkind to him and that’s

Ans : 2016

what he had to give back to the world. (a) It symbolises greed and distractions.
(e) He didn’t want to be caught stealing money (b) (i) a fact
and being handed over to the police. (c) Irony. All at once, he recalled his thoughts
(f) (iii) He flaunted the thirty kronor before the about the world and the rattrap. Now his own
peddler. turn had come.
QUESTION 5.�
(d) He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had
5. Read the following extract and answer the been caught.
questions that follow. (e) (iii) He walked inside the forest in circles.
He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction,
(f) simile
but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely!
QUESTION 6.�

He walked and walked without coming to the end

6. Read the following extract and answer the
of the wood, and finally he realised that he had
questions that follow.
been walking in the same part of the forest. All
“But of course it is you, Nils Olof.!” he said. “How
at once, he recalled his thoughts about the world
you do look!”
and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come.
The man with the rattraps had never before
He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had seen the ironmaster at Ramsjo and did not even
been caught. The whole forest with its trunks and know what his name was. But it occurred to him
branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in that if the fine gentleman thought he was an old
upon him like an impenetrable prison from which acquaintance, he might perhaps throw him a couple
he could never escape. of kronor. Therefore he did not want to undeceive
(a) What is the writer’s purpose in naming the him all at once.
story ‘The Rattrap? “Yes, God knows things have gone downhill
(b) The line, “Finally he realised that he had with me,” he said.
been walking in the same part of the forest” “You should not have resigned from .the
can be best classified as: regiment,” said the ironmaster
(i) a fact (a) What does the expression ‘things are going
downhill’ mean?
(ii) an opinion
(b) Why does the protagonist not reveal his true
(iii) a theme
identity?
(iv) a premise
(i) He was afraid of not getting food and

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 Ch 4 : The Rattrap

(f) Which of the following options best explains (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
the negative thoughts of the peddler towards select the most likely option for the given
people? question: Where did the peddler go in the
(i) He was greedy by nature. morning?
(ii) He found it hard to earn money. (i) The peddler helped the old man to milk
(iii) He suffered from loneliness and poverty. the cow.
(iv) He was born pessimist. (ii) He went his own way.


Ans : 2014 (iii) He went back to the forest.
(a) ‘It’ stands for ‘the world.’ (iv) He came back to the cottage after a walk.
(b) (iv) He was sure that people succumb to (f) Complete the sentence with a word or two.
temptations. The next day both men got up in good season’.
(c) he was petty and mean-hearted. Here ‘in good season’ means _____.


Ans : 2011
(d) People “had let themselves be caught in the
dangerous snare.” (a) The old man was showing off his money with
great pride.
(e) The author is comparing all these to baits,
people and rats to the victims and the world (b) (ii) an opinion
to a rattrap. (c) The old man was trustworthy and naive.
(f) (iii) He suffered from loneliness and poverty. (d) The peddler stayed the night at the old man’s
QUESTION 3.� cottage.
3. Read the following extract and answer the (e) (ii) He went his own way.
questions that follow. (f) quite early.
The stranger must have seemed incredulous, for QUESTION 4.�

the old man got up and went to the window, took 4. Read the following extract and answer the
down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the questions that follow.
very window frame, and picked out three wrinkled But half an hour later the rattrap peddler stood
ten-kronor bills. These he held up before the eyes again before the door. He did not try to get in,
of his guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed however. He only went up to the window, smashed
them back into the pouch. a pane, stuck in his hand, and got hold of the
The next day both men got up in good season. pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money
The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow and the and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung
other man probably thought he should not stay the leather pouch very carefully back in its place
in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. and went away.
They left the cottage at the same time. As he walked along with the money in his
(a) What is the old man’s purpose in showing the pocket he felt quite pleased with his smartness.
peddler the thirty kronor? He realised, of course, that at first he dared not
(b) The line, “the other man probably thought he continue on the public highway.
should not stay in bed when the head of the (a) List any two sensory details present in this
house had gotten up” can be best classified as: extract.
(i) a fact (b) With what motive do you think, the rattrap
(ii) an opinion peddler had gone back to the crofter’s house?
(iii) a theme (i) To express his gratitude
(iv) a sub theme (ii) To get back something that he had
(c) What character traits of the old man come forgotten
to the fore from the line, “These he held (iii) To steal the crofter’s money
up before the eyes of his guest, nodding (iv) To have a last look at the place where he
knowingly, and then stuffed them back into had stayed
the pouch”? (c) As the peddler pocketed the money, he felt
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that very pleased. What was he feeling pleased
substantiates the fact that the peddler was about?
treated well by his host.

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 251

sound–a hard regular thumping. (a) Was the ironsmith addressing the real Captain
(a) List any two sensory details present in this von Stahle?
extract. (b) ‘The ironmaster laughed to himself because
(b) Why does the protagonist feel anxious about he knew that the captain will not be able to
darkness descending on the forest? refuse his last offer’ can be best classified as:
(i) He would be easily caught by the police. (i) a fact
(ii) All chances of escaping the maze-like (ii) an opinion
forest will vanish. (iii) an assumption
(iii) He was scared of being devoured by the (iv) a hypothesis
wild animals. (c) Explain any one possible inference that can
(iv) He would die of hunger. be drawn from the line, Tut the stranger said
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. ‘No’ thrice and said it emphatically.’
The whole forest with its trunks and branches, (d) What is the meaning of the expression ‘he
closed in upon the peddler like_____. had not said his last word?
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps (e) Based on the context provided in the extract,
one infer that the protagonist was certain of select the most likely reason for the stranger
dying in the dark, dense forest. repeatedly saying ‘No.’
(e) “But just as he laid his head on the ground, (i) The stranger repeatedly refused
he heard a sound–a hard regular thumping.” Stjernstrom’s invitation to stay with him.
What do you infer from the thumping? (ii) The stranger repeatedly refused the
(f) Which of the following headlines best suggests ironmaster’s invitation to stay with him.
the central idea of the extract? (iii) The stranger repeatedly refused the shift
(i) Saved by the bell worker’s invitation to stay with them.
(ii) Live to tell the tale (iv) The stranger repeatedly refused Edla’s
(iii) A stitch in time saves nine invitation to spend Christmas with them.
(iv) The last straw (f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.


Ans : 2018 The peddler did not accept the offer as he
(a) (i) He heard a sound–a hard regular thumping. knew that he was hiding the _____.
(auditory)

Ans : 2007

(ii) Darkness was already descending over the (a) No, he had mistaken the peddler for his
forest. (visual) former regimental mate.
(b) (ii) All chances of escaping the maze-like (b) (i) a fact
forest will vanish. (c) He was afraid that he would be caught at
(c) an impenetrable prison the ironsmith’s house because he had stolen
(d) ‘thinking that his last moment had come.’ thirty honor.
(e) The hammer strokes suggested that there was (d) The matter had not been settled as yet.
an iron mill nearby. (e) (ii) The stranger repeatedly refused the
(f) (i) Saved by the bell ironmaster’s invitation to stay with him.
QUESTION 9.� (f) truth
9. Read the following extract and answer the QUESTION 10.�

questions that follow. 10. Read the following extract and answer the
But the stranger said no, and no, and again no, questions that follow.
and the ironmaster saw that he must give in. “It When, at about ten o’clock they drove back from
looks as though Captain von Stahle preferred to the church, the young girl sat and hung her head
stay with you tonight, Stjernstrom”, he said to even more dejectedly than usual. At church she
the master blacksmith, and turned on his heel. had learned that one of the old crofters of the
But he laughed to himself as he went away, and ironworks had been robbed by a man who went
the blacksmith, who knew him, understood very around selling rattraps.
well that he had not said his last word. “Yes, that was a fine fellow you let into the house,”
said her father “I only wonder how many silver

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Ch 4 : The Rattrap

spoons are left in the cupboard by this time.”

The wagon had hardly stopped at the front
steps when the ironmaster asked the valet whether
the stranger was still there. He added that he had
heard at church that the man was a thief
(a) The girl was sitting dejected and disheartened
because _____.
(b) “Yes, that was a fine fellow you let into the
house,” said her father. What light does
the given line throw on the ironmaster as a
father?
(i) The ironmaster was disapproving of
Edla’s decision to let a stranger stay.
(ii) The ironmaster blamed his daughter for
being kind to a thief.
(iii) The ironmaster was being playful with
Edla, and supported her decisions.
(iv) The ironmaster loved Edla but thought
her to be too naïve and idealistic.
(c) “I only wonder how many silver spoons are
left in the cupboard by this time.” Did the
ironmaster’s fears come true? Give a reason.
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one
infer that the peddler also had a Christian
spirit and belied the apprehensions of the
ironmaster.
(e) What are the mood and tone in the extract?
(f) Which of the following idioms best suggests
the information the father-daughter duo came
across in the extract?
(i) be a jigsaw puzzle
(ii) be in a rut
(iii) join the dots
(iv) pick up the pieces


Ans : 2013

(a) she feared that the rumours might be true.

(b) (ii) The ironmaster blamed his daughter for
being kind to a thief.
(c) No, because the peddler had left their house
empty-handed.
(d) He returned the stolen money and left a gift
for Edla for Christmas.
(e) gloomy and disappointed
(f) (iii) join the dots



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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 253

CHAPTER 5

Indigo

1. introduction home of Professor Malkani. The news of Gandhi’s

arrival and his mission spread everywhere. Gandhi
Louis Fischer was an American writer. He started chided the lawyers for collecting big fees from the
his career as a journalist and wrote for The New share-croppers. He asked lawyers to stop going
York Times’ and a number of other publications. to courts taking such cases because the peasants
He came to India and was influenced by Mahatma were fear-stricken. It was essential to make them
Gandhi. This essay has been taken from his book free from fear.
‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’. In this essay he
tells us how Gandhi fought against the injustice Englishmen Owned Large Estates
done to the peasants of Champaran by the British Most of the arable land in Champaran was owned
landlords. He fought against the authorities using by Englishmen and Indian tenants worked on the
satyagraha and non-violence. He was successful in land. Indigo was the chief commercial crop. The
his fight against the authorities. landlords compelled all tenants to plant 15 percent
of their holdings with indigo. The sharecropping
arrangement was irksome to the peasants.
2. Summary
Gandhi at Champaran
Apprising Louis Fischer about the Departure of After arriving in Champaran, Gandhi began to
the British collect me facts. He met different authorities to
The author first met Gandhi in 1942. In December resolve the issue but all remained vain. Moreover,
1916, during the annual convention of the Indian he was summoned to the court.
National Congress Party, a poor peasant named
Raj Kumar Shukla came to complain about the Motihari Black with Peasants
injustice of the landlord system in Champaran In the morning he found the town of Motihari
(Bihar). Being a firm and determined man, he black with peasants. The next morning, thousands
followed Gandhi everywhere and begged him to of peasants demonstrated to support Gandhi. It
fix a date to come to his district. was the beginning of their liberation from fear
of the British. Gandhi gave the British officials
At the House of Rajendra Prasad concrete proof that Indians could challenge their
Gandhi was very much impressed by the share- power.
cropper’s tenacity and story. He told Shukla But Gandhiji heard the voice of conscience.
about his fixed schedule to Calcutta. He waited He asked for the punishment. The magistrate
till Gandhi was free. Then both reached Patna. stated to announce punishment after two hours
There Shukla led him to the house of a lawyer for which Gandhi must arrange for bail. But
named Rajendra Prasad who later became the Gandhi refused and was released without bail.
President of the Congress and then of free India.
Prasad was out of his town. So they waited let The Battle of Champaran is Won
him stay on the grounds with his companion Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishore Babu, Maulana
Gandhi. They took Gandhi as another peasant. Mazharul Haq and several other prominent
lawyers came there from Bihar. Gandhiji asked
To Muzzafarpur En Route Champaran them about the injustice to the share-croppers.
Gandhi decided to go first to Muzzafarpur, The lawyers thought that Gandhi was totally a
which was en route to Champaran to obtain stranger yet he was ready to go to jail for the
more complete information about conditions in peasants. If they go home it would be an act of
Champaran. He stayed there for two days in the shame. So they declared to follow him into jail.

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Ch 5 : Indigo

who had signed and they wanted their money (f) (iv) They understood the deception and
back. hypocrisy of the landlords.
At this point Gandhi arrived in Champaran. QUESTION 6.�

He began by trying to get the facts. First 6. Read the following extract and answer the
he visited the secretar), of the British landlord’s questions that follow.
association. The secretary told him that they Gandhi protested against the delay. He read
could give no information to an outsider. Gandhi a statement pleading guilty. He was involved,
answered that he was no outsider. he told the court, in a “conflict of duties”—
(a) Why did many peasants willingly pay the on the one hand, not to set a bad example as
compensation to their landlords? a lawbreaker; on the other hand, to render the
(b) What was irksome to the peasants about the “humanitarian and national service” for which he
sharecropping arrangements? had come. He disregarded the order to leave, “not
(i) Their regular payment of their indigo for want of respect for lawful authority, but in
holdings obedience to the higher law of our being, the voice
of conscience”. He asked the penalty due.
(ii) Compensation to the British to release
them from their long term contract (a) What did Gandhi mean by rendering
“humanitarian and national service”?
(iii) The British being their landlords in their
own country (b) The phrase, “Conflict of duties’ implies that
Gandhi _____.
(iv) The ill-treatment meted out by the
Englishmen (i) preferred to listen to his inner voice.
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (ii) wanted to help the British.
The phrase “The landlords hired thugs” (iii) wanted to go to the prison.
suggests that _____. (iv) refused to obey the court orders.
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one (c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
infer that Gandhi’s approach to the problem Gandhi refused to furnish the bail; as a result,
of the sharecroppers was like that of a lawyer. he was _____.
(e) Was the secretary right in telling Gandhi that (d) Explain any one possible inference that can
they could give no information to an outsider? be drawn about Gandhi from the line, “He
Give a reason. read a statement pleading guilty.”
(f) What was the point of discord between the (e) ‘Gandhi protested against the delay.’ Which
poor peasants and the Englishmen? Choose delay was he protesting against?
the best option. (f) Based on the context provided in the extract,
(i) Most of the peasants were illiterate. select the most likely penalty that was levied
(ii) Some had signed for an arrangement by the magistrate on Gandhi.
regarding the compensation willingly. (i) a two-hour recess in court
(iii) They wanted their money back after (ii) furnish bail for the duration of the recess
some time. (iii) to leave Motihari
(iv) They understood the deception and (iv) to jail Gandhi
hypocrisy of the landlords.

Ans : 2005


Ans : 2011
(a) He meant the resolution of the injustice of the
(a) They didn’t want to be compelled to grow landlord system in India and the deceptive
indigo in 15% of their holdings and pay it as manner of trapping the farmers in long-term
rent. contracts.
(b) (ii) Compensation to the British to release (b) (i) preferred to listen to his inner voice.
them from their long term contract (c) released without it.
(c) they were trying to bully the peasants into (d) Gandhi was a humble, law-abiding citizen.
silence.
(e) The prosecutor had requested the judge to
(d) He began by trying to get the facts. postpone the trial as the authorities wanted
(e) No, because Gandhi was an Indian and a to have some time to consult their superiors.
champion of the peasants’ cause. (f) (ii) furnish bail for the duration of the recess.

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CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 255

40. Estates = landed property 93. Protracted = prolonged

41. Tenants = tillers as tenants 94. Sole = only
42. Compelled = forced 95. Initial = early
43. Holdings = fields 96. Uninterrupted = without interruption
44. Entire = the whole 97. Undertaken = taken up
45. Synthetic = artificially prepared 98. Entreaty = request
46. Compensation = making good the loss 99. Unlettered = illiterate
47. Resist = oppose 100.Assembled = gathered
48. Thugs = musclemen/robbers 101.Deceitfully = by deception
49. Proceeded = moved forwards 102.Extorted = taken by force
50. Vast = huge 103.Adamant = stubborn
51. Multitude = crowd 104.Episode = event
52. Investigation = looking into 105.Give way = surrender
53. Maltreated = ill treated 106.Amazement = surprise
54. Complied = obeyed 107.Deadlock = stalemate
55. Quit = leave 108.Prestige = honour
56. Immediately = at once 109.Lords = masters
57. Summons = court’s orders 110.Defender = one who defends
58. Merely = only 111.Abandoned = given up
59. Authorities = officials in power 112.Reverted = given back
60. Spontaneous = come naturally 113.Contented = satisfied
61. Demonstration = show/march 114.Eruptions = rashes
62. Liberation = freedom 115.Filthy = dirty
63. Regulate = control 116.Trenches = ditches
64. Concrete = solid 117.Defiance = disobedience
65. Dreaded = feared 118.Attempt = effort
66. Might = force 119.Alleviate = remove
67. Hitherto = until now 120.Distress = trouble
68. Apparently = evidently 121.Pattern = method
69. Protest = oppose 122.Intertwined = mixed up
70. Delay = procrastination 123.Pacifist = one who is against war
71. Conflict = dispute 124.Vehemently = very strongly
72. Render = do 125.Rely = depend on
73. Want = lack 126.Prop = support
74. Conscience = the inner self 127.Self-reliance = self-dependence
75. Pronounce = declare 128.Bound = joined
76. Sentence = verdict of a judge
77. Recess = break
78. Reconvened = started again 4. ncert textbook questions
79. Prominent = important QUESTION 1.

80. Conferred = conversed 1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their
81. Upshot = conclusion meaning from the context.
82. Desertion = abandonment
1. urge the departure
83. Residents = dwellers
84. Communication = message 2. conflict of duties
85. Triumphed = became victorious 3. harbour a man like me
86. Far flung = remote 4. seek a prop
87. Grievances = complaints

Ans :
88. Depositions = giving evidence 1. Urge the departure : insist on the going away
89. Evidence = proof of the British from India.
90. Throbbed = quivered 2. Conflict of duties : clash of obligation or
91. Vehement = forceful responsibility.
92. Summoned = sent for

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 Ch 5 : Indigo

he went. He even went to Ahmedabad at Gandhi’s

O

Ashram. In the end, Gandhi told Shukla to meet Describe the trial of Gandhi in Motihari court
him in Calcutta. Then he could take Gandhi with during his stay at Champaran.
him to Champaran.

O
When Gandhi reached Calcutta, Shukla How did Gandhiji win the battle of Champaran ?
was waiting for him. They boarded a train for

Ans : 2012, 2010
Patna in Bihar. There they stayed at the house After his arrival at Motihari, Gandhiji used a
of Rajendra Prasad who later became the first house as the headquarter so that he can have
President of India. He was out of the city. complete investigation for the share croppers.
Gandhi wanted to get complete information At that time there came a report about mal-
about the situation in Champaran: So he went treating a peasant. Next morning Gandhiji went
first to Muzzafarpur, which was on the way to to see him but he was overtaken by the police
Champaran. At Muzzafarpur, he stayed for two superintendent’s messanger with an order to
days at the house of Prof. Malkani. From there return beck. When he reached home, Gandhiji
Gandhi went to Champaran and fought against was asked to quit Champaran at once. Gandhiji
the injustice being done to the peasants. signed the order but wrote to disobey the order.
QUESTION 4.�
Next day Gandhi appeared in the court. That
4. Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25 per night Gandhiji telegraphed Rajendra Prasad
cent refund to the farmers ? How did it influence to come with the influential friends. When the
the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran ? peasants knew that Gandhiji was in trouble with


Ans : 2013
the authorities, the court ground of Motihari
Raj Kumar Shukla from Champaran, on the
became black with peasants. The officials felt
annual meeting of Indian National Congress,
powerless and they had to seek his help. The trial
apprised Gandhiji about the appalling condition
was postponed but Gandhiji protested the delay.
of share-croppers there. Gandhiji reached there
In between he was left at liberty. Now Gandhiji
and came to know that the large estates were
asked the prominent lawyers what they would do
owned by the Englishmen and the Indians worked
in case he was sent to jail. They told that they
as their tenant farmers and they had to pay 15%
would follow Gandhiji and give the court arrest.
of their land. After the investigations by Gandhi
Gandhiji exclaimed : “The battle of Champaran
and the lawyers into the grievances of the farmers,
is won”.
it was decided by the Britishers that 25% of the QUESTION 6.�

money would be refunded. The farmers learnt 6. What did Gandhiji do to remove the cultural and
that they had their rights and they became social backwardness in the Champaran villages ?
courageous. Within a few years the landlords

Ans : 2015
relinquished their claims over the estates and the After winning the Battle of Champaran, Gandhi
farmers became the owners. saw the cultural and social backwardness in the
Gandhi saw their social, economic and cultural Champaran villages. For educating the villagers,he
backwardness of the area. He appointed volunteers made an appeal for teachers. Immediately his
to teach the villagers. Kasturba Gandhi taught two pupils Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh and
the Ashram rules and personal cleanliness and their wives offered to work. Several more teachers
community sanitation. He got a doctor to volunteer came from Mumbai and Poona. His youngest son
his services for six months to improve the health Devdas and Mrs. Gandhi (Kasturba) also arrived
conditions of the people. They realised the value from the Ashram Primary schools were opened
of self reliance. The lawyers helped the peasants in in six villages to teach children. Kasturba taught
their cases. Women gave Gandhiji whole-hearted the ashram rules on personal cleanliness and
support and the countrymen embarked in the community sanitation. For improving the health
national freedom movement. The Champaran conditions, Gandhi got a doctor. He volunteered
episode had completely changed the concept of the his services for six months. Kasturba talked to the
peasant-landlord relationship in the area. women to get rid of their filthy state of clothes.
QUESTION 5.�
During his long stay at Champaran, Gandhiji
5. “The battle of Champaran is won” Gandhiji taught people self reliance and freedom from the
exclaimed. When and why did Gandhiji exclaim fear of the British.
this ?

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 CBSE chapterwise QB Class 12 English Core page 257

Champaran apprised Gandhiji of appalling around Gandhiji and requested that they would
conditions of share-croppers there. Gandhiji follow him to jail. Gandhiji said that the battle
reached there. He came to know that the large of Champaran is won. This is how Gandhiji
estates were owned by the Englishmen and the influenced the lawyers.
Indians worked as their tenant farmers. They were QUESTION 3.�

required to pay 15% of their land yields. Gandhiji 3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in
and the lawyers investigated into the grievances smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home-
of the farmers. The Britishers decided that 25 rule’ ?
per cent of the money would be refunded. The

Ans :
farmers became bold when they got their rights. In the year 1917 the movement of freedom struggle
Within a few years, the landlords relinquished was on its footing. The advocates of home-rule
their claims over the estates and the farmers were moving throughout the country to encourage
became the owners. the common man to participate in it.
Gandhiji viewed the social, economic and The peasants were leading miserable lives
cultural backwardness of the area. He appointed due to the atrocities of the landlords. Raj Kumar
volunteers to teach the villagers. Kasturba taught Shukla brought Gandhi to Champaran and he
the Ashram rules and personal cleanliness and himself investigated the cases of misdeeds. He
community sanitation. A doctor volunteered his felt that the peasants were terror-stricken and
services for six months to improve the health exploited. The average Indian was indifferent
conditions of the people. They realized the value to show sympathy to the advocates of the home
of self reliance. The lawyers helped the peasants rule. In order to gather more information and true
in their cases. Women offered him whole hearted picture about the share-croppers, Gandhi sent a
support. The countrymen embarked on the task of telegram to Prof. J. B. Kripalani. He came there
national freedom movement. It became a turning at the station with a large body of students. For
point in Gandhiji’s life (career). Gandhiji termed two days Gandhi stayed at the house of Professor
it as his huge success and victory. Malkani. Gandhi praised the courage shown
QUESTION 2.� by these people. In those days it was quite an
2. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers ? Give extraordinary thing and a courageous act to give
instances. shelter to a man like Gandhi. The average Indians


Ans : were afraid of mixing with such courageous people
On his way to Champaran, Gandhiji stopped at those who were the advocates as “home rule.”
Muzzafarpur to obtain more information about They preferred to remain aloof from such things.
the atrocities done to the share-croppers. There QUESTION 4.�

the lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him since 4. How do we know that ordinary people too
they represented the peasant groups in the courts. contributed to the freedom movement ?
They charged high fees for these cases. Gandhiji

Ans :
scolded them for this and advocated that it was For the success of any movement, cooperation and
useless to go to the law courts where the peasants participation of all and sundry is a must. They
were much fear-stricken. make the movement not only a success but also
When Gandhiji received summons to appear lead to the pinnacle. When Gandhiji arrived in
in the court, he telegraphed Rajendra Prasad to Muzzafarpur, the multitude of peasants blackened
come with some influential people from Bihar. Motihari. They knew that the Mahatma who
Thousands of peasants gathered round the court wanted to help them, was in trouble with the
house. Many prominent lawyers arrived and they authorities. It was perhaps the first kind of
conferred with him. Gandhiji asked them if he spontaneous demonstration of Indian against the
was sentenced to prison what would they do ? Britishers. Seeing the situation beyond control,
The senior lawyer replied that they had come to they sought his help to regulate the unprecedented
advice and help him. In case Gandhiji was sent to crowd. The Government was baffled. It has such
jail there would be none to advise theni. Side by an impact on the Government that the civil
side they thought Gandhiji was a total stranger disobedience won for the first time in 1917 in
and yet he was ready for prison for the peasants. modern India.
They considered that it would be a shameful Side by side the Government had to appoint
abandonment for them. Then they all collected an official inquiry commission to find out the

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 Ch 5 : Indigo
QUESTION 40.

worked according to the voice of his conscience. He 40. What did Gandhi do to improve the health
told that he had come to render the humanitarian conditions at Champaran?
and national service.

Ans : 2020, 2014

Gandhi found that health conditions were also

QUESTION 36.

36. What happened after four meetings between