CBSE Question Paper 2010 class 12 English Core

1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B, and C. All the sections are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A
(READING)

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12)

1. Today’s woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work. Women are rational in approach, careful in handling situations and want to do things as best as possible. The Fourth World Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995 had emphasised that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems could be found without the participation and empowerment of the women. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development had also emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.

2. The Constitution of India had conferred on women equal rights and opportunities – political, social, educational and of employment – with men. Because of oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities, bestowed on them. One of the major reasons for this state of affairs is the lack of literacy and awareness among women. Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change In the status of women.

3. The role of women in a society is very important. Women’s education is the key to a better life in the future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. The report says that the economic and social returns on investment in education of the girls considerably affect the human development index of the nation. Society would progress only if the status of women is respected and the presence of an educated woman in the family would ensure education of the family itself. Education and empowerment of women are closely related.

4. Women’s education has not received due care and attention from the planners and policy makers. The National Commission for Women has rightly pointed out that even after 50 years of independence, women continue to be treated as the single largest group of backward citizens of India. The role of women in overall development has not been fully understood nor has it been given its full weight in the struggle to eliminate poverty, hunger, injustice and inequality at the national level.

Even when we are at the threshold of the 21st century, our society still discriminates against women in matters of their rights and privileges and prevents them from participating in the process of national and societal progress. Various Committees and Commissions have been constituted before and after the independence to evaluate the progress in women’s education and to suggest ways and means to enhance the status of women. The female literacy rate has gone up in the 20th century from 0.6 percent in 1901 to 39.29 percent in 1991 but India still possesses the largest number of illiterate women in the world.

The female literacy index for the year 1991 shows that there are eight States which fall below the national average. The most populous States of the country, UP, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan fall in the category of most backward States as far as female literacy is concerned.

5. The prevailing cultural norms of gender behaviour and the perceived domestic and reproductive roles of women tend to affect the education of the girls. Negative attitude towards sending girls to schools, restrictions on their mobility, early marriage, poverty and illiteracy of parents affect the girl’s participation in education.

6. Women’s political empowerment got a big boost with the Panchayati Raj Act of 1993 which gave them 30 percent reservation in Village Panchayats, Block Samities and Zila Parishads throughout the country. The National Commission for Women was also set up in 1992 to act as a lobby for women’s issues.

7. The educational system is the only institution which can counteract the deep foundations of inequality of sexes that are built in the minds of people through the socialization process. Education is the most important instrument of human resource development. Educational system should be used to revolutionize the traditional attitudes and inculcate new values of equality.

(a) (i) Mention any two attributes of a modern woman. (2)

(ii) Why are women’s participation and empowerment considered necessary? (2)

(iii) Which factors adversely affect the education of girls? (2)

(iv) What benefits did the women get with the enactment of the Panchayati Raj Act of 1993? (2)

(v) By what process can we remove the sense of inequality of sexes from the minds of the people? (1)

(b) Pick out words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: 1 × 3 = 3

(i) cruel and unfair (para 2)

(ii) remove (para 3)

(iii) full of people (para 4)

Ans. (i) – highly self – directed / progressive

– alive to the sense of her dignity

– aware about the importance of her functions in domestic and public domains

– rational in approach

– careful in handling situations

– desire to do things as best as possible (any two)

(ii) – enduring solutions of society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems possible only through women’s participation and empowerment

(iii) – prevailing cultural norms of gender behaviour and perceived domestic and reproductive roles of women

– negative attitude towards sending girls to schools

– early marriage, poverty, illiteracy of parents, restrictions on their mobility

– deep foundation of inequality of sexes (any two)

(iv) – women’s political empowerment got a big boost

– 30% reservation in Village Panchayats, Block Samities and Zila Parishads throughout the country. (anyone)

(v) – educational system / socialisation process

(b) (i) oppressive / exploitation

(ii) eradicate

(iii) populous

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8)

Despite all the research, every one of us catches cold and most of us catch it frequently. Our failure to control one of the commonest of all ailments sometimes seems ridiculous. Medical science regularly practices transplant surgery and has rid whole countries of such killing diseases as Typhus and the Plague. But the problem of common cold is unusually difficult and much has yet to be done to solve it.

It is known that a cold is caused by one of a number of viral infections that affect the lining of the nose and other passages leading to the lungs but the confusing variety of viruses makes study and remedy very difficult. It was shown in 1960 that many typical colds in adults are caused by one or the other of a family of viruses known as rhinoviruses, yet there still remain many colds for which no virus has as yet been isolated.

There is also the difficulty that because they are so much smaller than the bacteria which cause many other infections, viruses cannot be seen with ordinary microscopes. Nor can they be cultivated easily in the bacteriologist’s laboratory, since they only grow within the living cells of animals or plants. An important recent step forward, however, is the development of the technique of tissue culture, in which bits of animal tissue are enabled to go on living and to multiply independently of the body. This has greatly aided virus research and has led to the discovery of a large number of viruses. Their existence had previously been not only unknown but even unsuspected.

The fact that we can catch cold repeatedly creates another difficulty. Usually a virus strikes only once and leaves the victim immune to further attacks. Still we do not gain immunity from colds. Why? It may possibly be due to the fact that while other viruses get into the blood stream where anti-bodies can oppose them, the viruses causing cold attack cells only on the surface. Or it may be that immunity from one of the many different viruses does not guarantee protection from all the others. It seems, therefore, that we are likely to have to suffer colds for some time yet.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it in points only, using abbreviations wherever necessary. Also suggest a suitable title. (5)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made. (3)

Ans. (a) NOTE MAKING

Distribution of Marks

Abbreviations / Symbols (with /without key) – any four

Title

Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)

Suggested Notes

Title: Cold / Common Cold / Common Cold – A Menace / any other suitable title

1. The Problem of common cold / What is common cold?

1.1 catching cold – common / commonest of all ailments

1.2 diff. to control occurs repeatedly / caught frequently / one suffers time and again

1.3 med. sc. has failed to find cure / not much done to solve it

2. Causes / Causes and areas affected

2.1 no. of viral infections

2.2 spread by family of viruses / rhinoviruses are responsible

2.3 affects lining of nose

2.4 affects other passages leading to lungs

2.5 viruses for many colds still not isolated

3. Virus research / Difficulty in controlling common cold virus

3.1 viruses can’t be seen with ord. microscope

3.2 diff. to cultivate in bacteriologist’s lab / can’t be cultivated in labs.

3.3 can’t be isolated

3.4 tissue culture has led to discovery of many viruses

3.5 attacks surface cells: dif. to oppose

3.6 immunity from one does not guarantee against others

4. Techniques of tissue culture

4.1 a recent step

4.2 has aided virus research

4.3 bits of animal tissues enabled to live independently of the body

4.4 led to discovery of unknown / unsuspected viruses

5. Immunity to cold

5.1 no immunity

5.2 viruses attack cells on the surface

5.3 many types of viruses – hence no protection

(b) Summary

The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.

Content

Expression

SECTION – B
(Advanced Writing Skills)

3. You are General Manager of Ivy Software Solutions, Agra Cantt, Agra. You need a software engineer for your organisation. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in ‘The Times of India’ under the classified columns. (5)

OR

As Sports Secretary of G.D.G. Public School, Pune, draft a notice in not more than 50 words for your school notice board informing the students about the sale of old sports goods of your school. You are Rohini/Rohit.

Ans. ADVERTISEMENT

Content

Expression

Suggested value points

(SITUATION VACANT – SOFTWARE ENGINEER)

– advertiser

– post advertised

– qualifications (essential / desirable), work experience

– age, salary, last date for applying (mode of applying)

– address, tel. nos., email – address

(due credit should be given for economy of words used)

OR

NOTICE

Format

The format should include: NOTICE / TITLE, DATE, and WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION The candidate should not be penalized if he has used capital letters for writing a notice within or without a box.

Content

Expression

Suggested value points

(SALE OF OLD SPORTS GOODS)

– day, date, time, venue of sale

– sports items for sale (category)

– condition of the items, etc.

– whom to contact

4. You are Sweety/Suresh of L.M. Jain School, Ajmer. As Secretary of your School Cocurricular Activities Club, you visited a slum area in your city where the people suffered a great loss of life and property in a massive fire. The students of your school rendered their services and material help to the victims. Write a report in 100-125 words for your school magazine. (10)

OR

Recently your school held a Seminar on Conservation of Water as a part of World Water Day celebrations. As the School Pupil Leader of Maryland School, Gurgaon, write a report in 100-125 words for a local daily. Sign as Pritham/Preeti.

Ans. REPORT WRITING

Format

1. title, reporter’s name

Content

Expression

grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling

coherence and relevance of ideas and style

Suggested value points:

(LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IN MASSIVE FIRE / any other suitable heading)

– what, when, where, how, why (whichever applicable)

– the tragedy.

– help rendered by students

– any other relevant details

OR

Suggested value points

(SEMINAR ON CONSERVATION OF WATER)

– what, when, where, how / why (whichever applicable)

– participants

– issues discussed

– action plan prepared / resolutions adopted

– highlights of the programme

– any other relevant details

5. You are Sruthi/Shiraj staying at R.K. Puram, Secunderabad. Your locality being away from the main city, the poor bus service adversely affects the life of residents. Write a letter to the Editor, Deccan Chronicle, highlighting the problems faced and also giving a few possible solutions. (10)

OR

You are Varsha/Varun, Incharge of Excursion Club of B. V.P. School, Mathura Road, Delhi. Write a letter to the General Manager, Northern Railways, requesting reservation of a bogie for 80 students from New Delhi to Chennai and back by G.T. Express.

Ans. LETTER WRITING

Format

1. sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address. 4, subject / heading, 5. salutation, 6. complimentary close.

Content

Expression

grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling

coherence and relevance of ideas and style

(POOR BUS SERVICE)

Suggested Value Points

Problems faced

– poor bus service – adversely affecting the lives of residents

– colony far from the main city

– long wait / few buses frequenting the area / at times don’t even stop

– buses overcrowded

– boarding not safe

– school children, office goers worst affected

– money wasted on autos, taxis for commuting

Possible solutions

– improving bus service

– increasing no of buses

– repeated pleas and requests to the transport dept / corporation no relief

– any other relevant details

OR

(RESERVATION OF A RAILWAY BOGIE)

Suggested Value Points

– purpose of writing the letter / request

– train no. and name

– class (AC/ non AC), no. of berths needed / size of group

– starting point / destination

– date of onward journey / return journey

– request for student concession

– amount to be paid

– confirmation

– any other relevant details

6. Presently the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing causing much hardship to the common man. Write an article in 150-200 words expressing your views and suggesting measures to curb this problem. (10)

OR

The number of women in the police force seems insufficient specially when we see the increasing involvement of women in terrorist activities. Write an article in 150- 200 words for ‘The Hindustan Chronicle’, on the need of having more women in the police force.

Ans.  ARTICLE WRITING

Format: (Title and writer’s name)

Content

Expression

grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling

coherence and relevance of ideas and style

Suggested Value Points

(PRICE RISE OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES / any other suitable title)

– the problem of price rise / alarming rise in prices of essential commodities

– causes and effect

– hardships faced by common man

– poor people worst affected

– family budgets badly affected

– any other relevant details measures to curb the problem

– improving the production / importing essential commodities

– improving the Public Distribution System (PDS) /fair price shops, Kendriya

Bhandars, Safal outlets, etc

– checking hoarding and black marketing

– any other relevant details

OR

Suggested Value Points

(MORE WOMEN IN POLICE FORCE / WOMEN AND POLICE FORCE / any other suitable title)

the problem – fewer women in police force

the need – more women needed to join the police force

– screening of women terrorists becomes easier

– more sensitive to the needs of the public

– to keep them away from the influence of anti-social groups

– to provide decent employment the solution

– more encouragement, better salary and better incentives

– easy process of recruitment

– empowerment through recruitment

– creating awareness through campaigns

– conducive environment in police forces

– any other relevant details

SECTION – C
(Text Books)

7. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (4)

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

(a) What does ‘it’ refer to? (1)

(b) Who is the poet speaking to? (1)

(c) What would be the moment like? (2)

OR

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.

(a) How are aunt Jennifer’s tigers described? (1)

(b) Why are they described as denizens of a world of green? (2)

(c) Why are they not afraid of the men? (1)

Ans. (a) – keeping still / keeping quiet

– not speaking in any language

– not moving our arms so much

– taking a break from all senseless activities

– without rush / without engines

– stillness / togetherness (anyone)

(b) – to everybody (humanity)

– to us / to the readers

– to those engaged in destructive activities (anyone)

(c) – exotic / without rush / without engines / togetherness / sudden strangeness / stillness/ promoting harmony and brotherhood (any two)

OR

(a) – bright topaz denizens of a world of green

– pacing in chivalric certainty

– fearless

– prancing across a screen (anyone)

(b) – found mostly in forests; woods / green cover (anyone)

(c) – fearless by nature / wild / ferocious / not real tigers (embroidered on the panel) / alternate reality (anyone)

8. Answer any three of the following in 30-40 words each: 2 x 3 = 6 marks

(a) Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’? (My Mother at Sixty-six)

(b) How does the poet describe the class-room walls? (An Elementary School Class-room in a Slum)

(c) What image does Keats use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

(d) What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’? (A Roadside Stand)

Ans. (a) – trees seen from a moving car (theory of relativity)

– trees young, mother old

– contrast shown between young trees and old mother (figurative meaning also accepted) (anyone)

(b) – sour cream walls / bleak / depressing / gloomy / pictures of Shakespeare, ships / sun /cities / scenery / flowers/ Tyrolese valley (any two)

(c) – bower / flowery band / the sun / the moon / trees old and young / shady boon / daffodils / green world / clear rills / cooling covert / mid forest brake / fair musk rose / visual images / audio images / images of sense and smell (any two)

(d) – waiting for cars to stop to buy their wares (to earn money)

– few cars stop / few buyers / endless wait.

Last Year Question Paper Class 12 English Core 2010