Series : WXYZ/S Set – 4

Q.P. Code 28/S

Roll No.
Candidates must write the Q.P. Code on
the title page of the answer-book.

ENGLISH (Elective)
Time allowed : 3 hours *ENGLISH-ELECTIVE* Maximum Marks : 80

• Please check that this question paper contains 15 printed pages.

• Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be
written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
• Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.
• Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the
answer-book at the given place before attempting it.
• 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the
candidates will read the question paper only and will not write any answer
on the answer-book during this period. #

General Instructions :
Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
(i) This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) This question paper contains three sections — Section A, B and C. Section A :
Reading, Section B : Grammar and Writing, Section C : Literature and
Fiction.
(iii) Separate instructions are given with each part and question, wherever necessary.
(iv) Do no exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

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 SECTION A
Reading (20 marks)

1. Read the following passage given below carefully : 12

Recently, when I visited the US, I had to speak to a crowd of both

students and highly successful people. I always prefer interacting with the
audience, so I opened the floor to questions.

After several questions were asked, a middle-aged man stood to speak.

‘Ma’am, I believe that you have studied abroad as you are very confident and
clear in communicating your thoughts. You are absolutely at ease while
talking to us...’

My mind went back to 1968. I was a seventeen-year-old girl with an

abundance of courage, confidence and the dream to become an engineer. I
came from an educated, though middle-class, conservative Brahmin family.
My father was a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Karnataka
Medical College at Hubli, while my mother was a schoolteacher before she
got married.

I finished my pre-university exams with excellent marks and told my

family that I wanted to pursue engineering. I had always been fascinated
with science, even more so with its application. Engineering was one of those
branches of science that would allow me to utilize my creativity, especially
in design. But it was as if I had dropped a bomb inside our house.

My grandfather, a history teacher and my first guru to teach me reading

and writing, only mildly opposed it. ‘My child, you are wonderful at history.
Why can’t you do something in this field ? You could be a great scholar one
day.’

My mother, who was extremely proficient in mathematics, said, ‘You are

good in math. Why don’t you complete your post-graduation in mathematics
and get a job as a professor ? You can easily work in a college after you get
married instead of being a hard-core engineer struggling to balance family
and work.’

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 My father, a liberal man who believed in education for women, thought
for a moment and said, ‘I think that you should pursue medicine. You are
excellent with people and languages. To tell you the truth, I don’t know
much about engineering. We don’t have a single engineer in our family. It is
a male-dominated industry and you may not find another girl in your class.
What if you have to spend four years without a real friend to talk to ? Think
about it. However, the decision is yours and I will support you.’
However, I didn’t care. As a student of history, I had read Hiuen Tsang’s
book Si-Yu-Ki. Hiuen Tsang was a Buddhist monk and scholar who travelled
to India in 629 A.D. Before Tsang’s travel to India, everybody discouraged
him from making the journey on foot, but he refused to listen and decided to
go. In time, he became famous for his seventeen-year-long journey to India.
Taking courage from Tsang, I told my family, ‘I want to do engineering.
Come what may, I am ready for the consequences of my actions.’
I filled out the application form for B.V.B. College of Engineering and
Technology, submitted it and soon received the news that I had been
selected to the college on the basis of my marks. I was ecstatic, but little did
I know that the college staff was discomfited by this development.
The Principal at the time was B.C. Khanapure, who happened to know
my father. They both met at a barber shop one day and the Principal
expressed his genuine anguish at what he perceived to be an awkward
situation. He told my father, ‘Doctor Sahib, I know that your daughter is
very intelligent and that she has been given admission only because of
merit, but I’m afraid we have some problems. She will be the only girl in
college. It is going to be difficult for her. First, we don’t have a ladies’ toilet
on campus. We don’t have a ladies’ room for her to relax either. Second, our
boys are young with raging hormones and I am sure that they will trouble
her. They may not do anything in front of the staff but they will definitely
do something later. They may not cooperate with her or help her because
they are not used to talking to girls. As a father of four daughters, I am
concerned about yours too. Can you tell her to change her mind for her own
sake ?’
My father replied, ‘I agree with you, Professor Sahib. I know you mean
well, but my daughter is hell-bent on pursuing engineering. Frankly, she’s
not doing anything wrong. So I have decided to let her pursue it.’
‘In that case, Doctor Sahib, I have a small request. Please ask her to
wear a sari to college as it is a man’s world out there and the sari will be an
appropriate dress for the environment she will be in. She should not talk to
the boys unnecessarily because that will give rise to rumours and that’s
never good for a girl in our society. Also, tell her to avoid going to the college
canteen and spending time there with the boys.’
28/S Page 3 of 15 # P.T.O.
 My father came back and told me about this conversation. I readily
agreed to all of the requests since I had no intention of changing my mind.
Eventually, I would become friendly with some of the boys, but I always
knew where to draw the line. The truth is that it were these same boys who
would teach me some of life’s lessons later, such as the value of keeping a
sense of perspective, the importance of taking it easy every now and then
and being a good sport. Many of the boys, who are now older gentlemen, are
like my brothers even after fifty years! Finally, it was the lack of ladies’
toilets on campus that made me understand the difficulty faced by many
women in India due to the insufficiency or sheer absence of toilets.
Eventually, this would lead me to build more than 13,000 toilets in
Karnataka alone!
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any twelve out of the
fifteen questions given below : 12%1=12
(i) Why did the speaker open the floor to questions ?
(A) Felt at ease while talking to a crowd of people
(B) To break the ice
(C) To begin an inactive session with the audience
(D) To make an open floor plan
(ii) A middle-aged man believed that she had studied abroad because the
speaker was ___________ and __________.
(iii) The speaker’s parents were
(A) mathematicians (B) nature lovers
(C) educationists (D) philanthropists
(iv) At seventeen, the speaker exhibited certain outstanding personality
traits. What are they ?
(v) The speaker realized the difficulty faced by many women in India due
to the insufficiency or sheer absence of toilets. Was it her sympathy
or empathy that led her to build 13,000 toilets in the state of
Karnataka ?
(vi) What does the speaker mean when she says, ‘I had always been
fascinated with science, even more so with its application’ ?
(A) Engineering uses science to solve problems and she was
interested in that.
(B) She was happy to challenge the status quo.
(C) She did not like studying the humanities.
(D) She had a great love for math and wanted to apply for that
course.
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 (vii) The speaker’s determination to pursue engineering shows that she
was :
(A) keen to follow the footsteps of her parents.
(B) very daring and loved challenges.
(C) easily influenced by conservative ideas.
(D) a fighter for equal rights and equal pay.
(viii) ‘I want to do engineering. Come what may, I am ready for the
consequences of my actions.’
This statement by the speaker shows she is
(A) arrogant (B) docile
(C) casual (D) determined
(ix) Which of the following is not true about Hiuen Tsang ?
(A) He travelled to India in 629 AD.
(B) He was a Buddist monk and a scholar.
(C) He is famous for his seventeen-year long journey.
(D) Everybody encouraged him to make this journey on foot.

(x) State whether the following opinion is True or False.

‘The speaker had read Hiuen Tsang’s book’ ‘Si-Yu-Ki’, and it
influenced her decision-making.’
(xi) The Principal of B.V.B. College of Engineering and Technology
explained some of the problems the daughter would face because she
would be the only girl student in the college. What are they ?

(xii) What were the conditions the speaker had to follow as the only girl
student of B.V.B. Engineering College ?

(xiii) Select an idiom from the passage which means “to set a limit on what
one is willing to do or allow to happen”.

(xiv) The following are the various themes on the speaker’s everyday
struggles and victories, large and small, except for :
(A) Courage, self-confidence and a dream to be an engineer
(B) Breaking barriers
(C) Reading Hiuen Tsang’s travel to Asia
(D) Life’s lessons learnt from classmates

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 (xv) Some of the lessons learnt by the speaker from her classmates and
the college campus are :
Statement 1 : The value of keeping a sense of perspective, importance
of taking it easy every now and then and being a good
sport.
Statement 2 : Lack of ladies’ toilets on college campus increases
dropout rates among students.
(A) Both 1 and 2 are correct.
(B) Both 1 and 2 are incorrect.
(C) 1 is correct and 2 is incorrect.
(D) 1 is incorrect and 2 is correct.

2. Read the poem ‘The True Knowledge’ by Oscar Wilde given below : 4
The True Knowledge
Oscar Wilde
Thou knowest all; I seek in vain
What lands to till or sow with seed –
The land is black with briar and weed,
Nor cares for falling tears or rain.
Thou knowest all; I sit and wait
With blinded eyes and hands that fail,
Till the last lifting of the veil
And the first opening of the gate.
Thou knowest all; I cannot see.
I trust I shall not live in vain,
I know that we shall meet again
In some divine eternity.
Based on your understanding of the poem, answer four out of the five
questions given below : 4%1=4
(i) What is the mood in the first stanza of the poem ?
(A) optimism and jubilance
(B) despair and lack of purpose
(C) trust and hope
(D) solace and resolution

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 (ii) “The land is black with briar and weed” is a metaphor for :
(A) guidance and counselling
(B) helplessness and despair
(C) resolution and peace
(D) uncertainty and resolution
(iii) What is the difference in the mood of the first stanza of the poem and
the last stanza of the poem ?
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately.
‘Despite the desperation, the speaker does not give up ___________ .
(v) True knowledge is :
(A) to know the value of time
(B) to learn and observe
(C) a quest for purpose and reliance on a higher power
(D) to have an open mind and desire to enjoy all the material
comforts

3. Read the passage given below : 4

The elephant population in India stands at 25,000 to 30,000, earning the
species an “endangered” status. Their range today is estimated to be only
3·5% of what it was earlier, being restricted to the Himalayan foothills, the
northeast, some forests of central India, and hilly forests of Western and
Eastern Ghats.
Frequent movement of elephants between their habitable zones brings
them into contact with roads and railway lines. The range of a female
elephant covers about 500 sq. km, and travelling over so much distance in
the age of fragmented habitats makes a road or railway crossing very likely.
In a Canadian study attempting to mitigate animal-train collisions,
train-triggered warning systems comprising flashing lights and bell sounds
were installed at various locations along the tracks. These signals, activated
30 seconds before train arrival, were aimed at conditioning animals to
associate the warnings with approaching trains.
The Indian Railways has a vast network of optical fiber cables. These
support telecommunications and carry data, and importantly transmit
signals for train control. In a recently introduced system called Gajraj,
geophonic sensors on these OFC lines are tuned to pick up the vibrations of
the deep and resonant footsteps of passing elephants.

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 This AI-based intrusion detection system analyses data from the
sensors, extracting relevant features such as frequency components and
duration of vibration. If elephant-specific vibrations are detected, an alert is
promptly sent to locomotive drivers in the area, and train speeds are
reduced. The system is now operational in the Alipurduar area of north West
Bengal, which has been the site of several tragic accidents in the past.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any four out of the five
questions given below : 4%1=4
(i) To mitigate animal-train collisions in Canada, __________ were
installed along the tracks.
(A) Train-triggered warning systems
(B) Optical fiber cables
(C) AI-based intrusion detection systems
(D) Vibrators
(ii) Statement 1 : Frequent movement of elephants between fragmented
habitats is common.
Statement 2 : A female elephant covers about 500 km between their
habitat zones, makes a road or railway crossing very
unlikely.
(A) Both 1 and 2 are correct.
(B) 1 is correct and 2 is incorrect.
(C) Both 1 and 2 are incorrect.
(D) 1 is incorrect and 2 is correct.
(iii) The word ‘intrusion’ suggests :
(A) withdrawal (B) encroachment
(C) confrontation (D) abandonment
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately.
‘Geophonic sensors on optical fiber cable lines are tuned to pick up the
vibrations of the deep and resonant footsteps of passing elephants.’
This new system is called _________ .
(v) State a point in support of the given opinion.
‘AI helps the locomotive drivers to reduce speed when elephants cross
the railway lines.’

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 SECTION B
Grammar and Writing (28 marks)
4. Transform the following sentences according to the instructions given
against each one. Attempt any eight out of the ten questions that follow : 8%1=8
(a) He said to me, “What are you doing ?”
(Begin : He asked me __________)
(b) The guard refused us entry till he ___________ (examine) our pass.
(c) He had been reading a novel.
(Begin : Had __________ ?)
(d) He was ill. He came to the class.
(Begin : Despite __________)
(e) A cadet (he plays the trumpet) has not come today.
(Begin : The cadet __________)
(f) Correct the following sentence.
“Neither the rain or the subsequent landslide was able to destroy the
spirit of the people.”
(g) Complete the following sentence.
Scarcely ___________ he (step) out, when it began to rain.
(h) Complete the following sentence.
Our followers are but ___________ handful.
(i) Correct the following sentence.
“They walked besides each other in silence.”
(j) When we saw him last he ___________ to catch a bus.
(Choose the correct option)
(A) ran (B) was running
(C) has run (D) could be running
5. Attempt any three of the following four questions in 120 – 150 words each :
3%5=15
(a) Handwriting has deteriorated after the arrival of computers and
mobile phones. The decline started with the advent of photocopiers,
word processors and PowerPoint. Poor handwriting can affect the
creativity of children. Good handwriting instils confidence and pride
in children. It is linked to cognitive processes like memory
comprehension and concentration.
Write an article expressing your views to be published in a local daily
on the importance of handwriting in education today. You are
Kamey/Kanish.

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 (b) Climate change can encourage unprecedented weather, precipitating
heavy rains, landslides, flooded rivers, clogged drains, etc., resulting
in death and destruction. A recurring issue is an abject lack of
advance warning and emergency preparedness. Big cities getting
flooded has become a routine. Haphazard constructions and failure to
desilt drains add up to the problem.
As a concerned citizen, write a discursive essay on “The Impact of
Climate Change”. You are Janet/Jackey.
(c) The massive growth of e-commerce in India is causing social
disruption and has a detrimental effect on employment and consumer
welfare. The presence of e-commerce is inevitable today, but its
growth needs to be ‘orderly’ and ‘citizen-centric’. According to a study,
for every job created in e-commerce, four and a half jobs are lost by
traditional retailers. The scenario that is unfolding is a matter of
great concern for the citizens of India.
Write an article on ‘The Detrimental Effect of Rapid Growth of
e-commerce in India.’ You are Karuna/Kavi.
(d) The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that there are
2 billion air-conditioning units in the world today heating up the
globe. This figure is set to rise to over 5·5 billion by 2050 and China
and India will have more than 45% of the total A.C. units available
globally. Increased use of electricity increases greenhouse gas
emissions and the tendency of people to buy less efficient A.C. units
heats up the globe further and adds to the problem.
Write an article illustrating the role of ‘air-conditioners’ in global
warming and the measures to be taken to mitigate it. You are
Gamini/Garv.

6. Read the following questions and attempt any one of them in

120 – 150 words : 1%5=5
(a) Addressing income inequality is a serious national challenge which
requires different strategies to find a more suitable way to a faster,
more equitable society. Progressive tax policies, access to education,
skill development, enforcing labour rights, minimum wages,
investments in infrastructure etc. are some of the areas which need
serious consideration to ensure that all benefit from economic growth.
Using the cues and your own ideas, write a speech on “The Challenges
of Rising Income Inequality in India.’’ You are Tanya/Tanish.

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 (b) The Prime Minister led the nation in celebrating the 78th
Independence day from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in Delhi
on 15th August, 2024. He unfurled the National Flag and delivered
the customary address to the nation. Foreign dignitaries, ministers,
members of the Parliament and 6000 special guests from diverse
backgrounds graced the occasion. You were one of the special guests
invited to participate in this programme. As a student correspondent
of the school magazine write a report. You are Indu/Irin.

SECTION C
Literature and Fiction (32 marks)

7. (I) Attempt any one of the two extracts (a) and (b) given below : 6
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
6%1=6
I glanced over his shoulder, and it was true. Three tables
away sat an intrepid woman in an old-fashioned felt hat and a
purple scarf, eating without haste and staring at him. I recognised
her right away. She had grown old and fat, but it was Frau Frieda,
with the snake ring on her index finger.
She was travelling from Naples on the same ship as Neruda
and his wife, but they had not seen each other on board. We
invited her to have coffee at our table, and I encouraged her to
talk about her dreams in order to astound the poet. He paid no
attention, for from the very beginning he had announced that he
did not believe in prophetic dreams.
‘Only poetry is clairvoyant,’ he said.
(i) What was the motive for the author to glance over the poet’s
shoulder ?
(ii) Who was curious to look at the author and stare at him ?
(iii) How did she look in her appearance ?
(iv) Why didn’t the poet pay attention to Frau Frieda’s talking
about her dreams ?
(v) Why does Pablo Neruda say “Poetry is clairvoyant” ?

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 (vi) What is the synonym of ‘clairvoyant’ ?
(A) A person with a higher level of intelligence
(B) A short-sighted person
(C) A palm reader
(D) A fortune-teller

OR

(b) Dr. Solomon Margolin took a last look in the mirror and left
the house. He felt refreshed by the half-hour nap he had after
dinner. Despite his age, he still wanted to impress people with his
appearance ⎯ even the Senciminers. He had his illusions. In
Germany he had taken pride in the fact that he looked like a
Junker, and in New York he was often aware that he could pass
for an Anglo-Saxon. He was tall, slim, blond, blue-eyed. His hair
was thinning, had turned somewhat grey, but he managed to
disguise these signs of age. He stooped a little, but in company
was quick to straighten up. Years ago in Germany he had worn a
monocle and though in New York that would have been too
pretentious, his glance still retained a European severity. He had
his principles. He had never broken the Hippocratic Oath.
(i) What was the reason behind Dr. Margolin’s decision to leave
his house ?
(ii) Explain − ‘even the Senciminers’.
(iii) ‘He had his illusions.’ What is referred to here ?
(iv) What were the signs of age which Margolin managed to
disguise ?
(v) Why had he never broken the Hippocratic Oath ?
(vi) A monocle is _____________.
(A) a single-celled organism
(B) a pocket watch
(C) a circular lens
(D) a bow tie
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 (II) Attempt any one of the two extracts (a) and (b) given below : 6
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
6%1=6
What needs my Shakespear for his honour’d Bones,
The labour of an age in piled Stones,
Or that his hallow’d reliques should be hid
Under a Star-ypointing Pyramid ?
Dear son of memory, great heir of Fame,
What need’st thou such weak witness of thy name ?
Thou in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thy self a live-long Monument.
(i) What does the poet mean by ‘his honour’d Bones’ ?
(ii) What do you infer from the line ‘his hallow’d reliques’ ?
(A) Souvenir (B) Holy corpse
(C) Memento (D) Antique
(iii) What is a star-ypointing Pyramid ?
(iv) What does the poet call as ‘weak witness of thy name’ ?
(v) How has Shakespear built himself a ‘live-long Monument’ ?
(vi) What is the literary device used by the poet in the phrase
‘weak witness’ ?
OR
(b) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody Poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase:
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
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 (i) The poet says ‘pity has become a necessity’ because ______ .
(A) man has become selfish
(B) man is hard hearted by nature
(C) man has created poverty
(D) man is helpful by nature
(ii) The poet says “And Mercy no more could be” if _________ .

(iii) How long can peace exist ?

(iv) Explain ‘Cruelty knits a snare, And spreads his baits’ ?

(v) Only fears and tears can humble man. Do you agree ?
(vi) What is the synonym of bait ?
(A) Alarm (B) Repellant
(C) Cajolery (D) Trap

8. Answer any one of the following questions in 30 – 40 words : 1´2=2

(a) Why does Ingmar Bergman say ‘The moment I lose this freedom I will
cease to be a filmmaker’ ?
(b) Cutting false distinctions between religions and cultures, why does the
poet in the poem ‘The Divine Image’ say God lives in all human beings
irrespective of their religious beliefs ?

9. Answer any one of the following questions in 40 – 50 words : 1´3=3

(a) Why did Gretl decide not to attend Sylvia’s wedding ?
(b) What did the Portuguese ambassador say about his housekeeper Frau
Frieda who died in the Havana Riviera disaster ?

10. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 – 150 words : 1´5=5
(a) Marx spent his life proving that there is no extremity of selfish cruelty
at which the slavery of man to man will stop, if it be not stopped by
law. Do you agree with his argument ?
(b) While shooting a film, why does the author stress on the importance of
cancelling out conflicts through working together ?

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11. Answer any one of the following questions in 30 – 40 words : 1´2=2
(a) What did Swamiji announce to Tiger Raja on the advent of his old
age ? What was his plan ?
(b) Why did Margayya refuse to part with his purse in exchange for
Dr. Pal’s manuscript ?

12. Answer any one of the following questions in 50 – 60 words : 1´3=3

(a) While all living creatures avoided the tiger, there was one which he
took great care to avoid. Who was it and why ?
(b) Why did Mr. Murti, the Arithmetic and English teacher accept to be
the home tutor of Balu ?

13. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 – 150 words : 1´5=5
(a) What was the jungle superstition about how the tiger came to have
stripes and whom did he blame for it ? Why did the tiger feel helpless
in tackling it ?
(b) Margayya says “People did everything for money. Money was man’s
greatest need, like air or food.” Why was Margayya fascinated by the
power and influence of money in his life ?

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 28/S
Marking Scheme
Strictly Confidential
(For Internal and Restricted use only)
SR. SECONDARY SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION, 2025
SUBJECT NAME : ENGLISH (ELECTIVE) (SUB. CODE-001)
General Instructions: -
1. You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and
correct assessment of the candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to
serious problems which may affect the future of the candidates, education system
and teaching profession. To avoid mistakes, it is requested that before starting
evaluation, you must read and understand the spot evaluation guidelines
carefully.
2. “Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the
confidentiality of the examinations conducted, Evaluation done and
several other aspects. Its leakage to public in any manner could lead to
derailment of the examination system and affect the life and future of
millions of candidates. Sharing this policy/document to anyone,
publishing in any magazine and printing in Newspaper/Website etc. may
invite action under various rules of the Board and IPC.”
3. Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It
should not be done according to one’s own interpretation or any other
consideration. Marking Scheme should be strictly adhered to and religiously
followed. However, while evaluating, answers which are based on latest
information or knowledge and/or are innovative, they may be assessed
for their correctness otherwise and due marks be awarded to them. In
class-XII, while evaluating two competency-based questions, please try to
understand given answer and even if reply is not from marking scheme
but correct competency is enumerated by the candidate, due marks
should be awarded.
4. The Marking Scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers.
These are in the nature of Guidelines only and do not constitute the complete
answer. The students can have their own expression and if the expression is
correct, the due marks should be awarded accordingly.
5. The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by
each evaluator on the first day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as
per the instructions given in the Marking Scheme. If there is any variation, the
same should be zero after deliberation and discussion. The remaining answer
books meant for evaluation shall be given only after ensuring that there is no
significant variation in the marking of individual evaluators.
6. Evaluators will mark ( √ ) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer CROSS
‘X’ be marked. Evaluators will not put right (✓ ) while evaluating which gives an
impression that answer is correct and no marks are awarded. This is most
common mistake which evaluators are committing.
7. If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part.
Marks awarded for different parts of the question should then be totaled up and

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 1 of 14

 written in the left-hand margin and encircled. This may be followed strictly.
8. If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand
margin and encircled. This may also be followed strictly.
9. If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving
more marks should be retained and the other answer scored out with a note
“Extra Question”.
10. No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be
penalized only once.
11. A full scale of marks __________(example 0 to 80/70/60/50/40/30 marks as given in
Question Paper) has to be used. Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the
answer deserves it.
12. Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e., 8
hours every day and evaluate 20 answer books per day in main subjects and 25
answer books per day in other subjects (Details are given in Spot Guidelines). This
is in view of the reduced syllabus and number of questions in question paper.
13. Ensure that you do not make the following common types of errors committed by
the Examiner in the past:-
● Leaving answer or part thereof unassessed in an answer book.
● Giving more marks for an answer than assigned to it.
● Wrong totaling of marks awarded on an answer.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title
page.
● Wrong question wise totaling on the title page.
● Wrong totaling of marks of the two columns on the title page.
● Wrong grand total.
● Marks in words and figures not tallying/not same.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to online award list.
● Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right
tick mark is correctly and clearly indicated. It should merely be a line. Same
is with the X for incorrect answer.)
● Half or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks
awarded.
14. While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it
should be marked as cross (X) and awarded zero (0) Marks.
15. Any unassessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page, or totaling
error detected by the candidate shall damage the prestige of all the personnel
engaged in the evaluation work as also of the Board. Hence, in order to uphold the
prestige of all concerned, it is again reiterated that the instructions be followed
meticulously and judiciously.
16. The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the
“Guidelines for Spot Evaluation” before starting the actual evaluation.
17. Every Examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks
carried over to the title page, correctly totaled and written in figures and words.
18. The candidates are entitled to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request on
payment of the prescribed processing fee. All Examiners/Additional Head
Examiners/Head Examiners are once again reminded that they must ensure that
evaluation is carried out strictly as per value points for each answer as given in
the Marking Scheme.
MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 2 of 14
Set 4
MARKING SCHEME
ENGLISH (ELECTIVE) (SUB. CODE-001)

Distribu-
Q.
Expected Answer / Value Points tion of
No.
Marks

SECTION – A : READING COMPREHENSION

1. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the

121=12
following questions :

(i) C : to begin an interactive session

(ii) Confident and clear

OR

Confident and at ease while talking

(iii) C : educationists

(iv) At seventeen the speaker showed an abundance of courage,

confidence and the dream to become an engineer.

(v) empathy

(vi) Engineering uses science to solve problems and she was very
interested in that.

(vii) B : Very daring and loved challenges

(viii) D : determined

(ix) D : everybody encouraged him to make this journey on foot

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 3 of 14

 (x) TRUE

(xi) (a) Absence of ladies’ toilet in the college.

(b) No ladies’ room for rest and relaxation.

(c) The principal feared that boys would trouble her.

(d) Boys may refuse to help her

(any two)

(xii) The speaker had to

(a) wear sari to the college always

(b) avoid talking to the boys

(c) avoid college canteen and spending time with the boys.

(any two)

(xiii) To draw the line

(xiv) C : Reading Hiuen Tsang’s travel to Asia.

(xv) C : 1 is correct and 2 is wrong.

SUDHA MURTY, Three Thousand Stitches, Chapter-2, Page-17

2. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer four of the five 41=4
given questions :

(i) B : Despair and lack of purpose

(ii) B: helplessness and despair

(iii) The despair and lack of purpose of the first stanza of the
poem is contrasted with the optimism and resilience of the
last stanza.

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 4 of 14

 (iv) : hope

(v) C : Quest for purpose and reliance on higher power.

Poem – The True Knowledge by Oscar Wilde

3. Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any four of 41=4

the five given questions :

(i) A : train triggered warning systems

(ii) B : 1 is correct and 2 is wrong.

(iii) B : encroachment

(iv) Gajraj

(v) Analysing the frequency and duration of the vibrations of the

footsteps of the passing elephants with the help of AI the
locomotive drivers reduce the speed of the train to prevent
train – animal collision.

The Hindu, dated July-7, 2024

SECTION – B : GRAMMAR AND CREATIVE WRITING

4. Transform the following sentences according to the instructions 81=8

given against each one. Attempt any eight out of the ten
questions that follow :

(a) He asked me what I was doing.

(b) he had examined our pass.

(c) Had he been reading a novel.

(d) Despite being ill, he came to the class.

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 5 of 14

 (e) The cadet who plays the trumpet has not come today.

(f) Neither the rain nor the subsequent landslide was able to
destroy the spirit of the people.

(g) Scarcely he had (had he) stepped out when it began to rain.

(h) Our followers are but a handful

(i) They walked beside each other in silence.

(j) When we saw him last, he was running to catch a bus.

5. Attempt any three of the following questions in 120-150 words 35=15

each :

(credit to be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of

ideas, appropriate use of language skills and reasoning)

(a) The marks may be divided as

Content – 2 marks

Organization – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)

Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas,

grammatical accuracy)

(b) The marks may be divided as

Content – 2 marks

Organization – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)

Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas,

grammatical accuracy)

(c) The marks may be divided as

Content – 2 marks

Organization – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 6 of 14

 Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas,
grammatical accuracy)

(d) The marks may be divided as

Content – 2 marks

Organization – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)

Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas,

grammatical accuracy)

6. Read the questions given below and attempt any one in 120-150 15=5
words :

Marks may be divided as

Format – 1 mark (heading and name)

Content – 2 marks

Expression – 2 marks (grammatical accuracy, vocabulary, fluency,

coherence)

SECTION – C : LITERATURE AND FICTION 32

7. (I) Attempt any one of the two extracts (a) and (b) given below :

(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions 61=6

that follow :

(i) The author was told by Pablo Neruda that there

was someone behind him who would not stop
looking at him.

(ii) It was Freu Frieda

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 7 of 14

 (iii) She was an intrepid woman, old and fat wearing
an old fashioned felt hat and a purple scarf

(iv) From the beginning the poet had announced that

he did not believe in prophetic dreams.

(v) According to the poet, poetry helps us to

understand ourselves better and to search for the
truth.

(vi) A fortune teller

Kaleidoscope, I Sell My Dreams, Page-7

OR

(b) Read the following extract and answer the questions 61=6
that follow :

(i) Dr. Margolin was visiting the senciminers to

attend the wedding of Sylvia, the youngest
daughter of Abraham Mekheles.

(ii) Senciminers are native Jewish inhabitants of the

town of sencimin in Poland who fled the country in
the 2nd World War.

(iii) In Germany he looked like a Junker and in New

York he looked like an Anglo-Saxon.

(iv) He disguised his thinning and his grey hair.

(v) He was a man of principles.

(vi) A monocle is a circular lens.

Kaleidoscope, A Wedding In Brown Ville, Page-25

(II) (a) (i) The poet means Shakespeare’s sacred remains or

his life’s work.

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 8 of 14

 (ii) Holy corpse

(iii) A pyramid shaped tomb that points up towards

heaven.

(iv) Lifeless stones of the tomb as a pitiful tribute to

Shakespeare’s name.

(v) Shakespeare’s true monument is not a sepulcher or

a statue or a tomb but a legacy etched in the hearts
and minds of humanity and proving the
immortality of art.

(vi) Alliteration

Kaleidoscope, On Shakespeare, Page-95

(b) (i) C: man has created poverty

(ii) if everyone was happy as those who have the

means to share their fortune.

(iii) As long as people are afraid of each other.

(iv) When selfish desires get out of control and

neutralizes peace, cruelty takes control and
entraps everyone.

(v) Yes : When fears and tears swell man is humbled

and then religiosity spreads its root beneath him.

(vi) Trap

Kaleidoscope, Human Abstract, Page-99

8. (a) Ingmar Bergman says that he works with integrity, and he 1  2 =

has no skill in the art of compromise. His only significance in 2
the world of film lies in the freedom of his creativity.

Kaleidoscope, Film Making, Page-157

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 9 of 14

 (b) The poet says God lives in the “human form” and God’s
goodness lives in every person. All people must love every
single ‘human form’ for this reason. Through Mercy, Pity and
Peace God lives in every human form and unites all people.

Kaleidoscope, The Divine Image, Page-97

9. (a) Sunday was the only evening in the week Gretl and Margolin 1  3 =
could spend together. She had decided that she was not going 3
to let herself to be carted off to a wedding somewhere out in
the wilds of Brownville. Moreover, it was the only day when
they took a walk in the central park after breakfast.

Kaleidoscope, A Wedding in Brown Ville, Page-22

(b) The Portuguese ambassador spoke about his housekeeper

with great enthusiasm and enormous admiration. He said,
she was very extra-ordinary and gave surprising details. He
also added, one would have been obliged to write a story
about her.

Kaleidoscope, I Sell My Dreams, Page-9

10. (a) Slavery of man to man is hateful to the body and to the 1  5 =
spirit. Our poets do not praise it: they proclaim that no man 5
is good enough to be another man’s master. Marx spent his
entire life improving that there is no extremity of selfish
cruelty at which the slavery of man to man will stop if it be
not stopped by law. We can see that it produces a state of
continual civil war between slaves and their masters,
organized as Trade unions on one side and Employer’s
Federations on the other. Thomas More believed we can
never abolish slavery of man to man unless we do our share

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 10 of 14

 of world’s work with our own hands and brains and not
putting on anyone else. Our master class, through its
parliaments and schools and newspapers prevent us from
realising our slavery. We are taught that our country is the
land of the free and our freedom was won for us by our
forefathers. When we complain, we are told that our miseries
are our own doing because we have the vote. When famous
writers like Voltaire, Rousseau, Shelley, Karl Mark or Lenin
protested, they were branded as atheists, murderers and
criminals. If their disciples make a revolution, the master
class will join the other powers, forcing to restore the slave
order again. The only option available is use the vote to elect
a government that will enact laws to prevent slavery of man
to man.

Kaleidoscope, Freedom, Page-121

(b) The author insists that when shooting begins those who work
with the director feel a definite contact that all of us cancel
out all our conflicts though working together. The author
emphasises that they must pull in one direction for the sake
of the work at hand. Sometimes it leads to disputes. But with
clear and definite dismissal of the issue, it is easy to reach
the goal which has been set. This is the basis for the conduct
as director. The author goes further and says the reviewers
and the critics have every right to interpret his films as they
like. Each person has the right to understand a film as he
sees it. Either he is attracted or repelled. A film is made to
create reaction. If the audience does not react one way or
another, it is an indifferent work and worthless. He did not
believe in being different at any price. Either you are original
or you are not. He also believed it is completely natural for
artists to take from and give to each other, to barrow from

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 11 of 14

 and experience one another.

Kaleidoscope, Film Making, Page-155

11. Answer any one of the following questions in 30-40 words : 2  1 =

2

(a) Swamiji addressing Raja said, beautiful old age had come on
him when faculties are dimmed one by one, so that he could
relax before his final rest. He said that he would live another
five years maximum, he should not risk starvation or attack
from other creatures or hunters. Swamiji’s plan was to
release him from all bondages and hand over to a zookeeper.

Tiger F. Malgudi, Page-174

(b) Margayya refused to part with his purse because he believed,

it was a lucky purse, and he had it for countless years.

Financial Expert, Page-114

12. Answer any one of the following questions in 50-60 words : 1  3 =

3

(a) The tiger avoided human beings stemming from a sense of

self preservation and the understanding of the human
capacity for both destruction and manipulation. Tiger F. Malgudi, 5

(b) Murti was too happy to accept this job as a tutor since he
earned only twenty-five rupees at school and the ten rupees
that Margayaa offered him was most welcome. He was also
elated at the thought of perpetual contact with the secretary
of the school board. It enhanced his status at scholar among
his colleagues and also with the headmaster of the school.

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 12 of 14

 Financial Exp., Page-141

13. Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words. 1  5 =

5

(a) The first tiger in creation was very much like a lion, with a
tawny, shining coat of pure gold. But he accidently offended
some forest spirit which branded his back with hot coal. Thus
goes the fable, which the tiger did not believe in. It was a
fabricated story, started by some jealous leopards who felt
inferior owing their spots. The leopard couple said this fable
everytime the tiger passed by. The tiger would have put an
end to it, had he been able to locate them. They moved with
lightning speed and the tiger felt helpless before them. It
hurt his pride as a ruler of the jungle, where all creatures
respected his status except the leopard. Night and day the
tiger spent in planning and thinking how best to humble the
leopard and exterminate him whenever the tiger went in
search of the leopard, he would anticipate his arrival and
sneak away to a steep rock or go up a banyan tree and look at
the tiger with contempt. The leopard always succeeded in
disturbing and scaring off his game and was always ahead of
the tiger in hunting. Gradually the tiger realised that he had
to tolerate his existence.

Tiger F. Malgudi, Page-17

(b) Margayya admired the power and dynamism of money and

its capacity to make people do strange deeds. He saw a toddy
tapper going a hundred feet up a coconut tree, day after day,
for forty years or more just for money. He saw officies and

MS_XII_ English (Elective)_001_28/S Page 13 of 14

 shops opened and people sweating and fatiguing themselves,
all for money. Margayya concluded that they wanted money
because they wanted others to speaks to them with respect
and courtesy or so that they might wear unpatched dhotis
and be treated seriously. Margayya believed that nothing is
impossible in this world. If he had money, he would not be
dodging the spectacle dealer, or he need not ever cringe
before the stores man. If he had money, the doctor would
treat his wife with more interest, and he could give his son,
Balu, the best of education, in a convent school where he
would have privilege of hobnobbing with the children of the
elites in the society. And after his schooling, he would go
abroad for studies and grow into an aristocrat. He longed to
have a car and a bungalow in Lawley Road for his son. He
longed to be rich and powerful and money alone mattered in
his life.

Financial Expert, Page-41

_______________

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