CBSE Class 12 Board Exam English Core Paper 2018 2019 2020 With Solutions

Class 12 Subject English Core Paper Set 1 with Solutions

SECTION A

(Reading Skills)
1. Read the passage given below :
Donated Organs and their Transportation
1. Once an organ donor’s family gives its consent and the organs are matched to a recipient,
medical professionals are faced with the onerous challenge of transporting organs while ensuring
that the harvested organ reaches its destination in the shortest possible time. This is done in order
to preserve the harvested organs and involves the police and especially the traffic police
department.
2. The traditional method of transporting organs by road is referred to as a ‘green corridor’. This
process entails police escorting an ambulance, so as to move around traffic -- usually a specific
traffic lane is chosen and all signals on the route stay green to ensure it reaches its destination in
the shortest possible time. A green corridor is a route cleared and cordoned off by the traffic police
to ensure the smooth and steady transportation of harvested organs, on most occasions, to those
awaiting a life-saving transplant. Organs tend to have a very short preservation time, such as the
heart, which has to be harvested and transplanted within four hours or the lungs, which can be
preserved for only six hours once they are harvested.

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3. The first green corridor in India was created by the Chennai Traffic Police in September 2008
when they accomplished their task of enabling an ambulance to reach its destination within 11
minutes during peak hour traffic. That organ saved a nine-year-old girl whose life depended on the
transplant.
4. Similarly, such green corridors have been created by traffic police of various cities such as
Pune, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, etc. Personnel are stationed at selected points to divert, control and
clear the traffic giving way to the ambulance. Apart from this, a motorcade of police vehicles
accompanies the ambulance ensuring that it does not face any problems. Delhi Traffic Police
provided a green corridor from IGI Airport to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Vasant
Kunj for transportation of a liver. The distance of 14 kms was covered in 11 minutes.
5. Experts point out the lack of a robust system to transport organs to super-speciality hospitals in
least possible time. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the
country’s apex organ donation agency, is now framing a proposal to airlift cadaver organs and will
send a report to the Union Health Ministry. ‘‘Cadaver organs have a short life and so transplant
should be done within a few golden hours,’’ Director (NOTTO) expressed. ‘‘Therefore, we are
preparing a proposal for airlifting organs at any given moment.’’
 6. Most States do not have enough well-trained experts to retrieve or perform transplant
procedures. Also, there is an acute shortage of advanced healthcare facilities to carry out a
transplant. So, it is referred to other big centres in metropolitan cities. Organs retrieved from
Aurangabad, Indore, Surat, Pune are sent to Mumbai as these cities do not have super-specialty
healthcare centres, informed officials.
7. ‘‘In India, about fifty thousand to one lakh patients are suffering from acute heart failure and
need heart transplant at any point of time. In a private set-up, a heart transplant costs ₹ 15 – 20
lakh, which is followed up by post-operative medication of about ₹ 30,000 per month lifelong.’’

Question 1.1 (Marks 5)

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any five of the following
questions by choosing the most appropriate options :
(a) The first green corridor in India was created in
(i) New Delhi
(ii) Chennai
(iii) Mumbai
(iv) Pune

Answer :
(ii) Chennai
(b) The organisation which is framing a proposal to airlift cadaver organs is
(i) Union Health Ministry
(ii) Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation
(iii) National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation
(iv) State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation

Answer :
(iii) National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation
(c) The onerous task that the author is talking about in para 1 is
(i) finding organ donors.
(ii) finding doctors capable of performing transplants.
(iii) to carry the harvested organ in the shortest possible time.
(iv) to arrange the requisite facilities for the transplant.

Answer :
(iii) to carry the harvested organ in the shortest possible time
(d) Most of the people do not go for heart transplant as
(i) it is very risky.
(ii) it is very painful.
(iii) it may cause death of the recipient.
(iv) the cost is prohibitive.

Answer :
(iv) the cost is prohibitive
(e) Most states refer organ transplant cases to big hospitals because
(i) they don’t have well-trained experts.
(ii) the patients don’t trust local doctors.
(iii) the state hospitals are very crowded.
(iv) they don’t have a pool of harvested organs.

Answer :
(i) they don’t have well-trained experts
(f) Heart retrieved from a body is alive only for _________ hours.
 (i) two
(ii) three
(iii) four
(iv) five

Answer :
(iii) four

Question 1.2 (Marks 5)

Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) What is a ‘green corridor’ ?
(b) Why is smooth transportation of the retrieved organ necessary ?
(c) What opinion do you form of the Chennai Police with regard to the transportation of a
harvested heart ?
(d) What does the author mean by ‘a few golden hours’ ?
(e) How much does a heart transplant cost a patient in a private hospital ?

Answer :
(a) Traditional method of transferring/transporting organs by road / a short route cleared and
cordoned off by the traffic police / a route for the smooth and steady transportation of the
harvested organs
(b) A harvested / retrieved organ has a short life / organs have a very short preservation time
(c) Proved to be very efficient / helpful / caring / responsible / quick / prompt / any other relevant
point
(d) The few hours during which the harvested organ is alive / the time the harvested organ is to be
transported and transplanted / short preservation time of the harvested organ
(e) 15-20 lakhs

Question 1.3 (Marks 2)

Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following :
(a) save (para 1)
(b) achieved/carried out (para 3)

Answer :
(a) preserve
(b) accomplished
2. Read the following passage :
1. How does television affect our lives ? It can be very helpful to people who carefully choose the
shows that they watch. Television can increase our knowledge of the outside world; there are high
quality programmes that help us understand many fields of study, science, medicine, the different
arts and so on. Moreover, television benefits very old people, who can’t leave the house, as well
as patients in hospitals. It also offers non-native speakers the advantage of daily informal
language practice. They can increase their vocabulary and practise listening.
2. On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages of television. Of course, it provides
us with a pleasant way to relax and spend our free time, but in some countries people watch
television for an average of six hours or more a day. Many children stare at the TV screen for
more hours a day than they spend on anything else, including studying and sleeping. It’s clear that
TV has a powerful influence on their lives and that its influence is often negative.
3. Recent studies show that after only thirty seconds of television viewing, a person’s brain
‘relaxes’ the same way that it does just before the person falls asleep. Another effect of television
on the human brain is that it seems to cause poor concentration. Children who view a lot of
television can often concentrate on a subject for only fifteen to twenty minutes. They can pay
attention only for the amount of time between commercials.
4. Another disadvantage is that television often causes people to become dissatisfied with their
own lives. Real life does not seem so exciting to these people. To many people, television
becomes more real than reality and their own lives seem boring. Also many people get upset or
depressed when they can’t solve problems in real life as quickly as television actors seem to.
5. Before a child is fourteen years old, he or she views eleven thousand murders on the TV. He or
she begins to believe that there is nothing strange about fights, killings and other kinds of violence.
Many studies show that people become more violent after viewing certain programmes. They may
even do the things that they see in a violent show.

Question a: (Marks 4)
One the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (minimum four) and a format you consider suitable.
Supply a suitable title to it.

Answer :
NOTE-MAKING
Distribution of Marks
Title
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)
Abbreviations / Symbols (with / without key )
Suggested notes:
Title: Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television / How Television
affects lives / Any other relevant title
1. Benefits
1.1 increases know.
1.1.1 of outside world
1.1.2 science
1.1.3 medicine
1.1.4 diff. arts
1.2 recreation for old ppl. & patients
1.3 informal lang. practice
1.4 increases vocab. & helps practise listening
2. Disadvantages
2.1 ppl. watch for 6 hrs. or more
2.2 students stare at screen for hrs.
2.3 negative influence
2.4 effect on human brain
2.4.1 poor conc.
3. Impact
3.1 feels life not very exciting
3.2 TV more real, life seems boring
3.3 depression when can’t solve problems
4. Violence shown on TV
4.1 Children become violent
4.2 killings seem normal
 Question b: (Marks 4)
Make a summary of the above passage in about 80 words.

Answer :
Summary
The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.
Content
Expression
SECTION B

(Writing Skills)

Question 3: (Marks 4)
An International Book Fair is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 7th to 14th February
2020. As Librarian, Goodwill Public School, Maurice Nagar, Delhi, write a notice informing the
students about the fair. Give all other necessary details. (50 words)
OR
Prepare a poster highlighting the dangers of drunk driving advising motorists to abstain from
alcohol before taking the wheel. (50 words)

Answer :
Format-
The format should include: ISSUING AUTHORITY / NAME OF THE INSTITUTION, the word
‘NOTICE’, HEADING, DATE, and WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION.
The candidate should not be penalized if he / she have used capital letters for writing a notice
within or without a box.
Content
Expression
An International Book Fair is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 7 th
to 14th February 2020. As Librarian, Goodwill Public School, Maurice Nagar,
Delhi, write a notice informing the students about the fair. Give all other
necessary details.
Suggested value points:
► what
► when
► where
► importance of book fairs (optional)
► any special arrangements made by the school (optional)
► any other relevant details
(due credit should be given to economy of words)
OR
Format-
The format should include: TITLE, ISSUING AUTHORITY
Content
Expression
Catchy phrases; No special marks for colourful presentation; Creativity
Prepare a poster highlighting the dangers of drunk driving advising motorists
to abstain from alcohol before taking the wheel.
Suggested value points:
-dangers of consuming alcohol and driving
-chances of fatal accident
-financial ruin, effect on job, work, family life
-advising to abstain
( any other relevant point)

Question 4: (Marks 6)
Imagine that you are the Principal, Mayur Public School, Mall Road, Mathura. Write a letter to the
Sales Manager, Apsara Publishing House, Mandir Marg, Mathura, placing an order for some
books for your school library. (Minimum four titles and number of copies). (120 – 150 words)
OR
You are a social worker. You are upset as some reputed schools are admitting as many as 50 – 60
students in a section just to make extra money. This inappropriate teacher-student ratio adversely
affects the academic standards. Write a letter to the Editor, The Nation, Delhi highlighting this
unfair practice. You are Rahul/Rashmi, 41/178, Hind Colony, Delhi. (120 – 150 words)

Answer :
PLACING ORDER
Suggested Value Points
- opening remark
- titles (at least 4)
- number of copies
- date of delivery / discount demanded / terms of payment
- any other relevant point
OR
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
Suggested Value Points
- the problem
- effects on discipline in the class
- effect on teaching-learning process
- lack of individual interaction / attention
- conclusion (may contain suggestions)

Question 5: (Marks 10)

In the mad rush of today’s fast-paced life, we often forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of life like
reading a good book, going out for a walk in the nearby park, a simple conversation with a friend
or watching a movie with family. Write an article on ‘Simple Pleasures of Life’ in 150 – 200 words.
You are Rakshita/Rakshak.
OR
You are Akhil/Anjana, a resident of Kailash Colony, Fort Road, Patna. Recently your city
experienced a lot of rain and consequently people living in the low-lying areas suffered a lot of
difficulties. NDRF rescue teams reached the affected areas in time. The marooned people were
taken to safer places and provided with shelter, food and medicines. Write a report on the floods
and rescue efforts in 150 – 200 words.

Answer :
Suggested Value Points:
- problems of present day life
► rat race for money
► friends equally busy
► no leisure
► leads to physical, mental and emotional issues
► any other relevant point
(any 2)
-how to get over this problem
► reading
► going for a walk
► movies with family
► chatting with friends
► any other relevant point
(any 2)
Suggested Value Points:
- what: heavy rains, floods
- affected areas: streets, colonies; low-lying areas (worst affected)
- role of NDRF rescue team
- help rendered: as given in the question
Note: Past Tense should be used

Question 6: (Marks 10)

Write a debate either for or against the motion : ‘Admission to top-notch institutes guarantees a
successful career’. (150 – 200 words)
OR
You are Saurabh/Savita, a student of Pinewood School, Shimla. Your school is celebrating ‘Save
Electricity Week’. You have been asked to deliver a speech in the school assembly. Write the
speech in 150 – 200 words stressing the importance of saving electricity, making some practical
suggestions for the same. (120 – 150 words)

Answer :
Suggested Value Points:
In Favour
- worldwide reputation
- good teaching atmosphere, well-qualified teachers
- academic infrastructure of high quality
- liaison with foreign universities
- faculty exchange-better and wider exposure
- big companies approach for placements
- any other relevant point
(any 3 points)
Against
- success in career depends on individual merit, not much on institute
- head hunters not easily influenced by the big name institutes but merit
- skills required for any career / profession
- any other relevant point
(any 3 points)
OR
Suggested Value Points
► importance in life
- expensive
 - increasing consumption causing strain on supply
► how to save at home
- in the industry
- in the agricultural fields
- theft to be stopped
- loss in transmission
- improved infrastructure required
- what the gain will be-saving fossil fuels, lower prices, 24-hour availability
- any other relevant suggestion (any 2)
SECTION C

(Literature : Text Books)

Question 7: (Marks 8)
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow :
(a) When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
(i) Who is the aunt afraid of ?
(ii) What do the tigers represent here ?
(iii) How has Mrs. Jennifer failed in her aim ?
(iv) Name the figure of speech used in the second line.

Answer :
(i) uncle / her husband / her husband’s domination / any other relevant point
(ii) fearlessness / boldness / bravery / pride / any other relevant point
(iii) even after her death, she is suffering from the pain / torture / has not gained freedom from
oppression / still ringed by her ordeals
(iv) Metaphor / pun / personification
(b) Here I sit, she said to herself, wishing Danny would come, wishing he would come and sensing
the time passing, I feel the pangs of doubt stirring inside me. I watch for him but still there is no
sign of him. I remember Geoff saying he would never come, and how none of them believed me
when I told them.
(i) Who is ‘she’ ? Who is ‘he’ ?
(ii) Why did ‘she’ doubt that ‘he’ would not come ?
(iii) When did ‘she’ realise that ‘he’ would not come ?
(iv) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to the word ‘certainty’ ?

Answer :
(i) Sophie, Danny Casey
(ii) her infatuation for Casey was a result of her fanciful imagination, not based on reality / all a
figment of her mind
(iii) when a long time passed / she recalled Geoff’s words
(iv) doubt

Question 8: (Marks 10)

Answer any five of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each :
(a) What was the contract between the sharecroppers of Champaran and their British landlords ?
(b) What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired ?
(c) How did William Douglas’s fear of water start ?
(d) Why does the speaker call Shakespeare wicked and the map a bad example ?
(e) How has Mr. Lamb kept himself open to everyone ?
 (f) What distracted Bama most on her way back from school ?
(g) How was Gondwana different from today’s world ? Describe it. (Journey to the end of the
Earth)

Answer :
(a) -forced to grow Indigo on 15% of holdings and surrender entire produce to the British as rent
(b) Loyalty / energy / creativity / talented actor / poet / always helpful in most aspects of film
production / generous hearted (any two)
(c) -at California beach with father-three or four years old-a great wave knocked him down-buried
in water-fear started
(d) -Shakespeare and map both have no relevance for the slum dwellers / Shakespeare tempts
through depiction of life of nobility and maps paint a rosy picture of the world
(e) -no curtains on windows / gates always open / does not want to shut out the world / open to
making friends / offers apples, pears and toffees to visitors (any two)
(f) -an elder of the street; his way of walking carrying a small packet-holding out its string
(g) Gondwana- huge land mass existing 650 million years ago; having no human life; climate
warmer; had huge variety of flora and fauna; now part of it divided into Indian sub-continent and
South America; today a frigid zone

Question 9: (Marks 6)
Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words :
Life of the bangle makers of Firozabad shows the grinding state of poverty and traditions that
condemn thousands of people to live a life of misery. Elaborate.
OR
Why do celebrities find fault with an interview ?

Answer :
Suggested Value Points:
- bangle makers work hard under dingy, unhealthy conditions
- children deprived of education
- working conditions adversely affect their eyesight-end up losing their vision
- bangle makers exploited by sahukars etc.
- belief in destiny / karma / their god-given lineage
(any three)
OR
Suggested Value Points:
- see themselves as victims
- intrusion into their private lives
- it diminishes them
- feel that interviewer is in a position of power and influence
- immoral, a crime, assault on personality, cowardly and vile-Rudyard Kipling
- interviews like thumbprints on one’s wind pipe-Saul Bellow
- views of V.S. Naipaul / Lewis Carrol / H.G. Wells etc.
(any 3)

Question 10: (Marks 6)

Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words :
The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the ways in which we
attempt to overcome them ? (The Third Level)
OR
How did the Tiger King meet his end ? What is ironical about his death ?

Answer :
Suggested Value Points:
- reference to Charley and how he deals with it
- indulges in stamp collecting-a temporary refuge from the present
- strays into the third level because of desire to go back to Galesburg when life was free of
insecurities, stress, anxiety and wars
OR
Suggested Value Points:
1st part
-Tiger King met his end at the hands of a wooden tiger
- made by unskilled craftsman
-tiger with slivers sticking out
-sliver causes wound
-king needs surgery
-dies during surgery
Irony

-king unaware that he had not killed the 100th tiger (dramatic irony)
-killed 99 live tigers but was killed by a wooden tiger
-surgery declared a success even though the king died
(any one)