CBSE Class 12 English (Core) — Real Previous-Year Papers

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) Your school is organising a career counselling session for students of classes XI and XII to help them make informed decisions about their future career choices. As the Head Girl / Head Boy of M.L.C. School, draft a notice informing them about the session. Include all necessary details. You are Riya/Rohan. Put the notice in a box. OR (B) You are Kavya/Karan, Chief Editor of 'Parakh' the school magazine. Draft a notice inviting contributions in the form of articles, stories, poems, artwork etc. for the special annual edition. All contributions are to be submitted to the Chief Editor. Include necessary details. Put your notice in a box.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) Draft an invitation to invite the M.L.A. of your Constituency to be the Chief Guest at a felicitation function to honour eminent residents who have contributed to the upliftment of the colony. Mention one compelling highlight of the programme. You are Satupa/Satish, President of the Surya Vikas, RWA. OR (B) You are Dr. Vora, a certified art therapist from Manipur. You have been invited by Green Valley Public School, Jammu to conduct a seminar on 'Art Therapy, the Way Forward' for the students. Draft a reply accepting the invitation.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) You are Kaneshta/Shirish, an avid yoga follower. Write a letter to the editor expressing your views and urging people, especially students and young adults, to incorporate yoga into their daily lives. You may use some of the given cues along with your own ideas: need to follow a disciplined exercise routine; reduces stress, improves physical and mental health; increases focus; schools and educational establishments must encourage practice of yoga. OR (B) You are Roshni/Rohan, a final year student pursuing a degree in Computer Science. You have read an advertisement in 'The National Times' (Tech Innovate Solutions — AI Engineers Wanted). You find yourself suitable for the job and wish to apply for the post. Write this job application along with your bio-data.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) You are Aanya/Ankit. You are deeply disturbed by how moments of silence and relaxed living are vanishing from today's fast-paced lives. You decide to write an article for the newspaper on 'The Vanishing Art of Slowing Down'. You may use the following cues along with your own ideas: impact of hustle culture and technology on mental well-being; losing connection with nature, people and self; importance of mindful celebrations and slow/relaxed living; role of schools, communities, and media; need for digital boundaries, reflection, and simple joys. OR (B) Your school organised a 'Tastes of India' Week to educate students on the diversity of Indian cuisine. Write a comprehensive report detailing the activities conducted during the week. Describe the events, participation details, chief guest, and the overall impact of the programme on the school. You are Arti/Aryan, a student of Std. XII and the Secretary of the School Magazine Editorial Board. You may organise your report on the basis of What – When – Where – Who – Why – How.

What does the phrase 'an exotic moment' in the extract signify? (A) surreal pause from mechanized human activity enabling reflection and unity. (B) ceremonial halt wherein humans acknowledge traditional and ecological wisdom. (C) spontaneous event where all human labour becomes obsolete. (D) rare disruption of routine that highlights cultural diversity and isolation. (Keeping Quiet)

Complete the following sentence suitably: The words 'we' and 'together' in the extract signify _____. (Keeping Quiet)

Select the option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank: The excerpt tells us that the poet _____ (condemns/glorifies) the moment of stillness free of rush and engines. (Keeping Quiet)

Choose the correct option that BEST reflects the tone of the poet in the given extract: (A) despairing and cynical (B) aggressive and accusatory (C) meditative and hopeful (D) humorous and sarcastic (Keeping Quiet)

Complete the sentence: The phrase 'hurt hands' is a symbol of _____. (Keeping Quiet)

What message is the poet conveying through the given extract? (Keeping Quiet)

What emotion does the speaker reveal in the opening lines of the extract? (A) curiosity (B) bitterness (C) indifference (D) detachment (A Roadside Stand)

What does the speaker imply when he says that the hurt to the scenery would not be his complaint? (A Roadside Stand)

Complete the following suitably: The word 'expand' in the extract implies an aspiration to _____. (A Roadside Stand)

Read the two statements and choose the correct option: Assertion (A): The speaker critiques the governing party for withholding opportunities from the rural poor. Reason (R): The extract praises the government for their promises of 'a life of the moving pictures'. (A) Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A). (B) Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (C) Assertion (A) is true, but the Reason (R) is false. (D) Assertion (A) is false, but the Reason (R) is true. (A Roadside Stand)

Which of the following concerns is NOT explored in the extract? (A) political manipulation of rural dreams (B) discrimination faced due to different religious policies (C) transactional disconnection between the city and the village (D) impact of unfulfilled expectations (A Roadside Stand)

State in one sentence: What advice, addressed to the politicians, from this extract is most likely to be included? (A Roadside Stand)

Complete the following suitably: 'Then I lost my spirit' indicates that the speaker _____. (Memories of Childhood)

What does Zitkala-Sa imply about the prejudice prevailing in society when she talks of having 'suffered extreme indignities'? (Memories of Childhood)

Why did Zitkala-Sa yearn to be with her mother in her moment of anguish? (Memories of Childhood)

The tone of the narrator in the extract can be best described as (A) bitter and strong willed (B) detached and impersonal (C) pained and despairing (D) grateful and reflective (Memories of Childhood)

Which emotion dominates Derry's dialogue in this extract? (A) superiority (B) shrewdness (C) vulnerability (D) indifference (On the Face of It)

Complete the following suitably: According to Derry, the people put up a pretence when they see him because _____. (On the Face of It)

Complete the following suitably: When Mr. Lamb reassures Derry that his injury is not the whole of him, he means _____. (A) Your face will get healed and your ideas about your appearance will change. (B) You are not just your face or your injury. That is not the sum total of who you are. (C) I am afraid of your face and your appearance. (D) You shouldn't look into the mirror so that you don't get the feeling of dejection. (On the Face of It)

State in one sentence: What advice will you give to the people who pretend to look away when they see Derry's face? (On the Face of It)

Why did the make-up room have a look of a hair-cutting salon? (Poets and Pancakes)

What does 'fiery misery of those subjected to make-up' suggest? (A) emotional stress faced by the actors (B) physical discomfort due to heat and lighting (C) anger of the make-up artists due to irritation (D) the discomfort caused by the cramped room (Poets and Pancakes)

Complete the following suitably: The tone of the author in the phrase 'hideous crimson hued monster' is _____. (Poets and Pancakes)

Why was excessive make-up considered a cinematic necessity at Gemini Studios during that era? (A) minimised the cost of set design and costumes (B) was a mandated practice by the studio's creative heads and lead actors (C) aligned with the theatrical traditions the studio admired (D) compensated for the lack of advanced lighting and camera technology (Poets and Pancakes)

What does 'became too big for the studio and left' imply about the Bengali make-up artist? (Poets and Pancakes)

Complete the sentence with a suitable reason: The author refers to the presence of people from different regions in the make-up department to _____. (Poets and Pancakes)

What does the speaker mean when he says 'The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap'? (A) The world offers many chances for success and prosperity. (B) Temptations in life are traps that lead people into trouble. (C) Good deeds are always rewarded with cheese rinds. (D) Justice and fairness are not guaranteed for everyone. (The Rattrap)

What does the phrase 'Cheese rinds' from the extract showcase? (A) temptation (B) affirmation (C) gluttony (D) deprivation (The Rattrap)

Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank: By calling himself a 'poor fellow', the speaker emphasises his _____. (vulnerability/credibility) (The Rattrap)

What does the speaker imply through his warning to the ironmaster? (The Rattrap)

What does the ironmaster's remark about letting the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve showcase about his nature? (A) materialistic (B) understanding (C) conniving (D) enterprising (The Rattrap)

Complete the following with a suitable reason: In the extract, it is implied that the speaker would be locked up because _____. (The Rattrap)

The poem explores the relationship between a mother and daughter. Comment. (My Mother at Sixty Six)

What does Umberto Eco mean when he says he is 'a professor who writes novels on Sundays'? (The Interview)

The British landlords agreed to refund 25% of the money to the sharecroppers in the Champaran dispute. What is the significance of this event? (Indigo)

How did Douglas' experience at the beach in California affect him? (Deep Water)

The constraints of Aunt Jennifer's married life leave her terrorised and emotionally scarred. Elaborate. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

'Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?' What does Franz's remark suggest about the imposition of German in school in Alsace? (The Last Lesson)

What does Bama's decision to excel in academics reveal about her character? (Memories of Childhood – We Too are Human Beings)

How did the newspaper 'The World' contribute to Charley's belief in the existence of the third level? (The Third Level)

Evaluate the role of the court astrologer in shaping the trajectory of the Tiger King's life. (The Tiger King)

Answer in 120-150 words: Sophie in 'Going Places' and Mukesh in 'Lost Spring' aspire for a better life, yet external forces shape their realities and opportunities. Discuss. (Going Places / Lost Spring)

Answer in 120-150 words: How is the transient nature of beauty and life portrayed in the poems 'My Mother at Sixty Six' and 'A Thing of Beauty'? (My Mother at Sixty Six / A Thing of Beauty)

Answer in 120-150 words: Examine how the presence of school students on the expedition contributes to the message of environmental responsibility and hope. (Journey to the End of the Earth)

Answer in 120-150 words: How does Pearl S. Buck explore the theme of humanitarianism versus patriotism in the lesson 'The Enemy'? Support your answer with evidence from the text. (The Enemy)