KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA No 1, SAGAR
1ST PRE BOARD EXAMINATION 2014 – 15
CLASS- XII
ENGLISH CORE
TIME 3 HOURS
M.M. 100
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. This paper is divided into 3 sections. All 3 are compulsory.
2. Stick to the word limit wherever it is mentioned.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SECTION- A (READING)
30 MARKS
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions which follow:
12 marks
Khadi - The Fabric of Freedom and Fashion
The first true Indian designer was Mahatma Gandhi when he urged the people of India to wear khadi garments.
It was not only a call to create self-reliance but a call to wear something that could prove the unity of India.
Khadi was given a more important status by Gandhi after his return from South Africa. While in search of the
charkha Gandhi felt that for a nation to turn self-reliant, it had to return to indigenous manufactured goods.
Gandhi wrote, “Swaraj (self-rule) without swadeshi (country made goods) is a lifeless corpse and if Swadeshi is
the soul of Swaraj, khadi is the essence of swedeshi.” Therefore khadi became not only a symbol of revolution
and resistance but part of an Indian identity.
Many fashion conscious Indians will know that India‟s rendezvous with textile dates back to ancient times when
the Aryans in the Vedic period produced their own cloth. In fact, khadi (which means any cloth that is hand
spun and hand woven) had a most religious role in marriages when brides in India were presented with a khada
charkha in their wedding trousseau to encourage spinning of the yarn. It was in 1921 that Gandhi launched the
movement of spin your own cloth and buy hand spun cloth which gained momentum making khadi the fabric of
the freedom struggle.
Around that time Gandhi used khadi as the uniform for the first Non Cooperation movement and the Gandhi cap
had strong symbolic overtones- that of the Indo-British battle over the looms of Manchester and a bid for a
modern Indian identity. So deep rooted was the sentiment attached to this fabric that Pandit Nehru wove for his
daughter Indira a wedding sari in salmon pink khadi while he was in jail. This sari is still worn by women of the
Nehru-Gandhi family on their wedding day.
Khadi over the decades has moved from a freedom fighter‟s identity fabric to a fashion garment. At one time it
was scorned as fabric for the farmer and the rural wearer. Today there is such an increasing demand for khadi
cloth that despite the million workers all over the country involved in spinning it they are unable to meet the
demands of the market.
In 1989 the first high fashion khadi show was presented in Mumbai by the Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC) where nearly 85 dazzling garments were created by Devika Bhojwani. In 1990 designer
Ritu Kumar of Delhi presented her first Khadi collection at the Crafts Museum. Her Tree of Life show, an audio
visual tableau spanning the history of textiles in India, showed the design lexicon of the country, the creators of
textiles, those who have regenerated textile crafts and those who would wear the garments. Once again in 1997
Ritu Kumar presented the Tree of Life shown this time in London where the British were amazed with her khadi
collections.
Once the sign of freedom, Khadi today holds it own on the fashion scene… it is a part of every wardrobe when
it comes to selecting fabric with a discerning eye, informs Ritu Kumar. Reveals Ritu, “Actually, the first
generation growing up after Independence feeling the need to underline their identity, was immense. There was
also the need to emerge with something totally different and in opposition from the dress code foreign rulers
had imposed.”
But since Khadi is woven by hand in villages it is often difficult to provide large quantities of the fabric at short
notice. Yet it is this handmade quality of the fabric with its inherent defects that is the beauty of Khadi and that
is what the buyer wants at times. It is not a poor man‟s fabric although it provides employment to the poor man.
It is a very up-market fabric. Khadi dhotis are turned into printed Kurtas and dupattas.
There are times when the price and coarseness of the fabric deterred the fashion conscious from wearing it. But
today khadi has many faces which are not just restricted to cotton. Khadi is quite competitive now and
depending on the style of the garment it could range between Rs.400-2500.
There is a quaint story of how Gandhi while visiting a poor village spoke to an old woman huddled in her dark
dingy hut asking if there was anything she needed. The woman said she had everything pointing to an old
charkha in the corner.
The rediscovery of the charkha has brought in a new economic thinking for Indians. It has given new life to the
individual, made him more resourceful and self dependent, making khadi a true start of democracy in the true
sense. Khadi, however, can no longer be sold on an emotional level. A new approach has to be adopted for the
new generation who are unaware of its original implications. It will be worthwhile for the young and trendy
generations of the 90s to discover the beauty of khadi and support is as a fabric of our tradition.
1.1 Answer the following questions
a. What was khadi symbolic of in pre-independent India?
2
b. What was the importance of Khadi in Indian marriages?
2
c. How is the growing demand of Khadi felt in the market?
1
d. Why did Khadi develop into a fashion fabric?
2
e. What should be the approach of the new generation to Khadi?
2
1.2 From the passage, find words or phrases which mean the following
3 marks
a) a collection of personal possessions a bride takes to her new home
b) existing as a natural or basic part of something
c) a representation of a scene by people who do not move or speak
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions which follow:
10 marks
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working of our life. He allots teacher,
namely our parents, to guide us through this path. We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or
fail. Every morning we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only difference in
this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though from time to time one may doze off and not
pay heed to the message that is being given to us.
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. Life has been kind, sometimes
harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that
i'm 22 years old, i can review every step taken by me.
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a billion good thoughts, the
universe will throw back a billion good actions.
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all just start listening to our inner
soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while taking the final exam. I am not at all close to being perfect but
i know i want to get near it....... not by mattering the business world, not by buying perfect self-according to
me.... is kind, compassionate, and empathetic one who sees the good in people and shares the good within
themselves.
The true test is for us to examine, and to be honest to over selves before we give a tick mark to our answer
sheets. I had a lot of questions ready, my doubt all written, point by point ......... since i could not get the answer
from my teachers i made an appointment with God. Doubts about life love death, fear, sorrow. i was angry.
Why cant' He guide us?
God was there by my side, every minute, every step. Even though i haven't gotten all the answers i know i will
get there.... He will take me there, in my own time, the same way He has gotten me here, where i am now.
Some say one should never pity nor envy anyone else..... and i am happy to be me. The first important teaching
to learn, count your blessings. We all stand to be a little more aware about what life is really trying to teach us...
. and for some be aware that life is trying to teach us something.
Money is like our grades in school... it helps us move to the next steps but after that, who remembers what we
scored in maths in the third standard? People forget that when we die......money does not come along with us. It
becomes like our grades, we don't remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families fight,
friendships are ruined; parent child bonds are broken. Isn't that a waste......why would any over choose paper
over love?
Here's plea for whoever is reading this ........... let us all try and be the best pupils in this school called life. Be
true .... love not only others but also yourself Love God wholeheartedly because that's all He wants, and you
know what they say. "Be in his good books and you will go to the head of the class."
2.1 Do as directed:
10 marks
A) Choose the correct option :a) All our questions can be answered by
(i) Parent
(ii) Friends
(iii) Good
(iv) Ourselves
b) We can be good pupils by :(i) Loving ourselves
(ii) Loving others
(iii) Both a and b
(iv) Only a
Answer the following questions :(c) How is God equal to a principal?
(d) What is the difference between life at school and school of life?
(e) Why are good thoughts compared to good actions?
(f) 'Money is like our grades in school.' 'Explain'?
(g) What is the first important teaching to learn?
(h) Pick out a word similar in meaning to :- absentee
(i) Pick out a word similar in meaning to :-' Correct/right.'
(k) Pick out a word opposite in meaning to :- 'uncover
3. Read the following passage and answer the question that follow :(8 marks)
1. How often do we exclaim : "That was a mistake!" That bewildered expression of regret and panic gets
relayed through life. Some mistakes we forget, others we don't. The mistakes can be mundane as forgetting to
turn the geyser off or to pick up your passport from the airport counter.
2. Absent mindedness, preoccupation, distraction carelessness, nervousness there are umpteen excuses to justify
mistakes. However major decisions like relocations of home of an unwarranted resignation letter can cause
much trouble and upheaval and lead to regrets that leave you sad and depressed. Some mistakes are irreversible
then is there room for hope?
3. In fact, there are no mistakes, only experiences. There are no problems only challenges. Every experience
teaches us something in life Every mistake inspires retrospection and introspection. The experience is humbling
and it makes us wiser. That is, if every mistake is regarded as an experience and not as a source of self
condemnation. Many times people are unable to reconcile with the change grooved in the blame culture and
rooted in the past, they had to realise the life time benefits they receive from changes.
4. Nature abounds in examples of flexibility and relocation in case of birds and beasts. Scientific research in the
behaviour of birds has confirmed this. Birds, animals and even nomads, travel miles and miles in search of
better food, congenial climate and safety. These relocations may cause some amount of stress, no doubt, but
they are the source of survival: helping to group bonding and cooperation; and to explore the beauty of new
space and better environment.
5. To the weak problems are stumbling blocks, to the brave, they are stepping stones." An untimely resignation
and or termination letter is certainly traumatic and disturbing. But think of possibilities it can throw open for
you. A young man felt disappointed when he failed an interview for a corporate job. At that point of time, he
left dejected. Today, looking back he says, "It was a blessing in disguise. I would have never reached this far."
Some mistake‟s bring in a very important message. "Believe and achieve! And in order to do so, faith is
essential. It is the triple faith that men need today. faith in one self, faith in the world around us, and above all
faith in God!"
3.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using heading and subheadings. Also
use recognisable abbreviations (Minimum 4). Supply a suitable title.
(5 Marks)
3.2 Write a summary of the above passage in your own words.
(3 Marks)
SECTION B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS)
30 Marks
4. You are Anoop/Anagha, School Captain of Vidya Vikas Vidyalaya. Your school has decided to celebrate
"The Grand Parents Day" in the school. Draft a formal invitation to be sent to the grandparents of students
of your school giving details of the programme, day, date, time etc. (50 words)
4 marks
OR
Your company is launching a new range of shoe for children next month. Draft an attractive poster which can
be displayed on all the market areas of your town to promote its sale.
4 marks
5. You have placed an order for a few books with City Central Book Shop, Rohini, Delhi. You have not
received the book so far. Write a letter to the bookshop complaining about the non-compliance of your order
and also asking him to cancel the order. You are Sahil/Sahin, Librarian of your school.
OR
You are Rashi / Rashid of A 25/ B12, Bank Road, Chennai. Last Month, you bought a Sony Bravo LED T.V.
from Devi Electronics, Tambaram. Now the T.V. is not working properly. Write a letter to the dealer asking
him to replace it immediately.
06 marks
6. You were shocked to know that fact that India has the largest no. of child workers in the world. As
Arun/Anju, write an article for your school magazine titled „Child Labour - A Curse on Childhood‟.
OR
The climatic pattern has changed a lot in the recent years. Untimely rains or the lack of it has affected the
agriculture. There is drought in many parts of the country when there is flood somewhere else. Trees are cut
down for industries and croplands are converted to housing colonies. Write an article for school magazine
stressing the need to maintain an ecological balance in order to ensure the survival of the earth and mankind.
You are Vinay/Vineeta of Mahaveer colony, Sagar. Word limit- 200 words
10 marks
7. You are Vidya/Vijay, a student of Sarvodaya School Dilshad Colony. You feel disturbed to read news about
increasing cases of honour killing. in northern India. You feel that such attitude of some elders in the society
deprives children of their free will and pose hindrance in choosing life partner and career of their choice.
Prepare a speech in about 200 words on the topic „Honour Killing a Stigma on Modern Society‟.
OR
In spite of awareness raising campaigns, stress on education and claims for equality among men and women, we
can still see discrimination on the basis of gender in all walks of life. Although of late there has been a welcome
change in this mind set, a lot more needs to be done. You are Pankhauri/Pankaj and you have to give a speech in
the morning assembly on the topic – Gender Discrimination – Still a Reality. Draft the speech and give
suggestions as to what should be done to cope with this issue.
10 marks
SECTION C (TEXT BOOKS)
40 marks
FLAMINGO AND VISTAS – 28 marks
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
04 marks
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen.
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
(i) Where do the tigers appear?
(ii) What are they doing?
(iii) Explain „Bright topaz denizens of a world of green‟?
(iv) Name the two qualities of the tiger as shown in the extract.
OR
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
(i) Why does Jennifer find it difficult to pull the needle?
(ii) What is Jennifer doing with wool?
(iii)What does the „massive weight‟ suggest?
(iv) Name the poet.
9. Answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words:
4x3= 12 marks
a) What was the special gift the Maharaja gave to his son on his birthday? How did he acquire it?
b) What does M Hamel mean when he says, „we‟ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with”?
c) Why did people doubt Evans‟s sincerity towards taking the „O‟ level examination?
d) Which factors led Douglas to decide in favour of Y.M.C.A. Pool?
e) Why did Evans not take off his hat when Jackson had ordered him to do so?
10. Answer any one of the following in about 125 – 150 words.
06 marks
“If we surrender to our fears, they overpower us; if we face them, they fade away. Do you agree? Why/ Why
not? Discuss with reference to the lesson “Deep Water.”
OR
Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor peasants of
Champaran?
11. Answer any one of the following in about 125 – 150 words.
06 marks
The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of
alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind of behaviour that the person expects from others?
OR
What steps were taken by the prison authorities to prevent any escape attempt by Evans and also for the smooth
conduct of examination?
12. Answer any one of the following in about 125 – 150 words.
06 marks
Write the character sketch of Griffin?
OR
Draw the character sketch of Dr. Kemp?
13. Answer any one of the following in about 125 – 150 words.
06 marks.
What two reasons did the stranger gives to Mrs. Hall for not being interrupted?
OR
What plan does Dr Kemp make to catch the invisible man?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MARKING SCHEME
SECTION-A (READING)
1. No marks to be deducted for mistakes in grammar, spelling or word limit.
2. Full marks to be awarded if the student identifies the core ideas.
3. No marks deducted for lifting portion of the given passage.
1.1
(i) khadi was not only a symbol of revolution and resistance but part of an Indian identity. (2)
(ii) brides were presented with a khada charkha in their wedding trousseau to encourage spinning of the
yarn.
(2)
(iii) despite the million workers all over the country involved in spinning it they are unable to meet the
demands of the market.
(1)
(iv) the first generation growing up after Independence feeling the need to underline their identity, was
immense. There was also the need to emerge with something totally different and in opposition from the
dress code foreign rulers had imposed
(2)
(v) to discover the beauty of khadi and support is as a fabric of our tradition.
(2)
1.2 (a) trousseau
(b) inherent
(c) tableau
1 mark each
2.1
1 mark each
a) iv
b) iii
c) God looks over the entire working of our life
d) in the school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day
e) because thoughts are converted in to action
f) Money helps us to carry on life as marks helps us to clear exam
g) count your blessings
h) truant
i) true
j) conceal
3. NOTE MAKING
Distribution of marks:
Title- (1) Content (3)
Abbreviations/symbols -any four
(1)
3.1 Title : Mistakes and experiences
5 Marks
1.Different. aspects of mistakes
a) Forgetting type
b) Regret & panic.
2. Common excuses
a) Preoccupation, carelessness, Absent mindedness,
3. Aftereffects
a) causes
(i) trouble
.
(ii) upheaval
(iii)leads to frust
b) often irreversible
4. Positive Approach
a) Learn from mistakes
b) inspire, intro. & retro.
c) change for the better
5 Relocations in nature.
a) Birds & Beasts reloc. for home, food.
b) Humans relocate for survival
6. problems
a) Not stumbling blocks but stepping stones
b) Blessing in disguise
7. how to face problem?
a) have faith
( i.)in one self
( ii) in the world around us
(iii) above all, in God
Abbreviation
Intro- introspection
Retro- retrospection
Reloc- relocation
Frust- frustation
3.2 The summary should include all the points given in the notes.
Content:- 2 marks
Expression- 1 mark
SECTION –B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS )
4. formal Invitation
4 marks
Content (2)
Expression (2)
Deduct 1 marks for incorrect format
Suggested value points
-Celebration of “Grand parents day” By Vidya Vikas Vidyalaya –date, place, & time
- chief guest
OR
Poster Designing
4 marks
Content -2 (use of jingles, slogans, pictures etc)
Accuracy-2
Deduct 1 marks for incorrect layout
5. Letter Writing
6 marks
No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given .
Credit should be given to creativity in presentation of ideas.
Format-(1 sender‟s address 2.date 3.receiver‟s address 4. subject heading 5 salutation 6.complimentary close)
Content
(3)
Expression (3)
(Grammatical accuracy , appropriate words and spellings (1)
Coherence and relevance of ideas (2) )
6. Article Writing
10 marks
Format (title and writer‟s name (1) )
Content (4)
Expression (5)
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling –(21/2 marks)
(Coherence and relevance of ideas and style-(21/2 m)
Suggested value points
7. Speech Writing
10 marks
Content (4)
Accuracy (3)
Coherence and relevance of ideas (3)
SECTION –C (LITERATURE)
8. This question has been designed to test only the students‟ understanding of the text. Therefore, no
penalization for language errors. 1 mark each
i. screen
ii. Prancing, displaying bravery
iii. tiger- bright yellow in colour and are residents of forest
iv. bravery and fearlessness
OR
i. fingers fluttering through wool
ii. knitting tiger on screen
iii. misadventure of marriage
iv. Adrienne Rich
9. Short answer type questions
3 marks each
Distribution of marks :
Content (2)
Expression (1)
(deduct ½ marks for two or more grammatical /spelling mistakes.)
Value Points:a. Wooden tiger from shopping complex- asked shopkeeper to present
b. All should feel sorry parent- for sending the children to work
Student for being unattentive M. hamel – for giving holiday and sending students for watering plants
c. Already escaped thrice- they thought this might be his plan
d. Deep 3 feet at shallow end- 9 feet deep at deep end- drop was gradual
e. Lucky charm- used for hiding hair style- helpful in putting on color and beard
10. Long answer
06 marks
Distribution of marks
Content (3)
Expression (3)
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling-21/2 marks)
(Coherence and relevance of ideas and style -21/2 marks.)
For exceeding word limit deduct ½- 1 mark.
Value points
The misadventure William Douglas had at California beach and YMCA Pool
How it haunted him in the later years of his life - How he tried to overcome it - What his efforts to overcome
it teach him
OR
Gandhiji visited Champaran –
-free India from British rule through non-violence and truth –called Satyagrah -refused to quit Champaran
-peasants of Motihari-demonstrated around court house- Gandhiji helped the Britishers to regulate the crowd
-helped people of Champaran to liberate themselves from fear and inspire faith and confidence in them
-uplift the masses –educating them necessary.
11. Long answer
06 marks
Distribution of marks
Content (3)
Expression (3)
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling-21/2 marks)
(Coherence and relevance of ideas and style -21/2 marks.)
For exceeding word limit deduct ½- 1 mark.
Value points
Differently abled people expects normal behaivour and equal opportunity- people alienates themDerry ,a quiet,shy defiant boy, brunt face-Victim of inferiority complex – mr. Lamb advises Derry to accept as
they are and to pay attention on other‟s comments -Inspires him to eliminate negativity from life -Reminds him
life is to be lived overcoming all hurdles on our way
OR
Took all things which could be weapon- search Mc leery- placed microphone in invigilation room- Stephen
keeping vigil- Governor supervising
12. Long answer
06 marks
Distribution of marks
Content (3)
Expression (3)
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling-21/2 marks)
(Coherence and relevance of ideas and style -21/2 marks.)
For exceeding word limit deduct ½- 1 mark.
Value points
Griffin scientist- left medicine- experiment on refractive index- stole money from his father- became visiblestole money- wish to change himself back- faced problem due to invisibility- cruel- hit people- set house on
fire- reign of terror- killed by public
OR
Kemp college mate of Griffin- knew plan of invisible man – brave- clever- made plan to catch Griffin- did not
loose hope at death of Col. Adyes
13. Long answer
06 marks
Distribution of marks
Content (3)
Expression (3)
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling-21/2 marks)
(Coherence and relevance of ideas and style -21/2 marks.)
For exceeding word limit deduct ½- 1 mark
Value points:
Experimental investigator- conducting experiment- needs solitude- met an accident
OR
Food, sleep and shelter should not be given to the invisible man- spread glass powder- home closed- dogs can
smell- train‟s door should be closed- people should not go alone