English (Core) · 2020

CBSE Class 12 English (Core) 2020 — Previous-Year Question Paper

CBSE Class XII Board 2020 · Set 1/1/1

Real board examination⚠ Old pattern · pre-2020 syllabus

Sets

This paper has 3 questions on a topic removed in CBSE’s 2023-24 syllabus update (each marked Not in syllabus). It’s kept for historical accuracy — the exam really asked it that year — but isn’t in the current syllabus and doesn’t count toward a concept’s importance. Switch to to focus on what’s still examinable.

About this paper

The real Class-12 board examination held in 2020. Every question below is solved the concept-first way. Sample papers are labelled honestly — never shown as a past exam.

Total marks: 80
Questions: 10
Duration: 180 min
Sections: 3

The marks / questions / duration above are the official exam pattern. We currently have 20 of this paper’s questions (200% of the full paper), with 20 fully solved. Questions we couldn’t yet extract or verify are held — never shown as complete.

Sections & marks

Section	Type	Questions	Marks each	Total
ASection A	Reading Skills	—	—	—
BSection B	Writing Skills & Grammar	—	—	—
CSection C	Literature (Text Books)	—	—	—
Total		10		80

The question paper

The questions we hold for this paper, laid out by section. Solutions are on the Answers tab.

Board Examination

English (Core)

CBSE Class XII Board 2020 · Set 1/1/1

Series/Set: 1/1/1Roll No. ________

Time Allowed: 3 hoursMaximum Marks: 80

General Instructions

This question paper contains 10 questions divided into 3 sections — A, B, C.
Section A (Reading Skills).
Section B (Writing Skills & Grammar).
Section C (Literature (Text Books)).

Above is the official exam pattern. The questions printed below are those we currently hold for this paper.

Section A

Reading Skills

Q1.

Reading comprehension — unseen passage 2 (Section A). The copyrighted passage is omitted; candidates answered 2 questions based on it worth 8 marks:

(a) make notes with headings/subheadings, recognizable abbreviations and a suitable title (4 marks);
(b) write a summary of the passage in about 80 words (4 marks).

⚠ This question is not in the current syllabus — NOTE-MAKING (removed 2023-24)

[8]

Q2.

Reading comprehension — unseen passage 1 (Section A). The copyrighted passage is omitted; candidates answered 13 objective/short comprehension questions based on it worth 12 marks (5 MCQs choosing the most appropriate option, 5 short-answer questions, and 2 vocabulary word-meaning items).

[12]

Page 1 of 5

Section B

Writing Skills & Grammar

Q1.

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)

⚠ This question is not in the current syllabus — POSTER making (removed 2023-24)

[4]

Q2.

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)

[6]

Q3.

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.

[10]

Page 2 of 5

Q4.

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)

[10]

Section C

Literature (Text Books)

Q1.

Who is the aunt afraid of ?

[1]

Q2.

What do the tigers represent here ?

[1]

Q3.

How has Mrs. Jennifer failed in her aim ?

[1]

Q4.

What was the contract between the sharecroppers of Champaran and their British landlords ?

[2]

Q5.

What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired ?

[2]

Q6.

How did William Douglas's fear of water start ?

[2]

Page 3 of 5

Q7.

Why does the speaker call Shakespeare wicked and the map a bad example ?

⚠ This question is not in the current syllabus — An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (removed 2023-24)

[2]

Q8.

How has Mr. Lamb kept himself open to everyone ?

[2]

Q9.

What distracted Bama most on her way back from school ?

[2]

Q10.

How was Gondwana different from today's world ? Describe it. (Journey to the end of the Earth)

[2]

Q11.

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. (Answer in 120 – 150 words)

[6]

Q12.

Why do celebrities find fault with an interview ? (Answer in 120 – 150 words)

[6]

Q13.

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) (Answer in 120 – 150 words)

[6]

Page 4 of 5

Q14.

How did the Tiger King meet his end ? What is ironical about his death ? (Answer in 120 – 150 words)

[6]

Page 5 of 5