CBSE Class 12 English (Core) 2026 — Set 1/2/1

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) Your school is organizing a workshop on – 'Building Financial Literacy in Teenagers', to help students understand the basics of budgeting, saving, and digital banking. You are Jyoti / Jawahar, the Head girl / boy of Mystic Falls High School. Draft a notice inviting the students of Std. XI and XII to attend the event. Include all relevant details. Put the notice in a box. OR (B) Your school is preparing for the Annual Day function and needs enthusiastic volunteers to assist in various organizational committees, such as decoration, stage compering, and backstage management. As the Cultural Head, draft a notice inviting students of X to XII to register their names for the same. You are Ananya / Arnav. Put the notice in a box.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) You are Kinjal / Kenneth, the school leader of St. Aloysius School, Gwalior. Your school is organizing a student led 'Culinary Festival' on 10th October 2025 at 10 a.m. Draft a formal invitation inviting parents to the festival. Include all the necessary details. OR (B) You are Dr. Ria Sen, a renowned environmentalist. You have received an invitation to speak at an inter-school conclave on 'Climate change – the Role of Youth'. Draft a reply consenting to attend the event.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) You are Priya / Pranav, a former school teacher. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily highlighting the need to prioritize health and fitness of children in schools today. Emphasize on the need to play sports, eat nutritious food, and involvement of families in setting positive examples. Draft the letter using your own ideas as well as the cues given below. • Importance of forming good habits • Promotion of constructive leisure activities • Significance of physical sport and daily exercise • Importance of sleep and limiting screen time OR (B) You are Meera Thomas of 52, Green Meadows, Kochi. You read the following advertisement and wish to apply. Write an application along with your bio-data. [Advertisement: STARLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL requires a DRAMA TEACHER. Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts or its equivalent. Experience required: 3 years of teaching drama, direction, stage management; experience in educational institution or workshops with children. Skills Required: Communication, Leadership to motivate, lead and manage, Creativity, Organizational ability. Apply to The Principal, Starlight International School, Seawood Avenue, Bengaluru within ten days.]

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) In a world dominated by screens and social media, the need for regular digital detox has become more important than ever, especially for teenagers. Write an article for your school magazine highlighting the importance of disconnecting from digital devices for mental clarity, real-world connection, and holistic growth. You may use the cues given below along with your own ideas. You are Neelima / Neel Roy of Class XII B. • What are the psychological and emotional impacts of excessive screen time? • How will digital detox help? • Suggestions on steps that students, parents, and schools can take to promote mindful use of technology. OR (B) You are Tarini / Tarun Bedi of Class XII E and a member of the school's library council. Your school recently hosted a pop-up literature café in the library, wherein students shared poetry, flash fiction, and held themed table discussions. Write a comprehensive report describing the event, its purpose, student response and how it will contribute to promoting the reading culture in your school. Use the Who – What – When – Where – Why – How structure to organize your report.

What does the phrase 'the flower of cities' symbolically represent in the context of the poem? (A Roadside Stand)

Read the statement and choose the correct option: Assertion (A): The roadside stand is a desperate appeal for inclusion in economic progress. Reason (R): The villagers do not seek charity but want to be part of the mainstream financial flow that nourishes urban centers. (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false. (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true. (A Roadside Stand)

Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank. The roadside stand is positioned at the edge of the road to ___ (attract / discourage) the attention of city dwellers in their cars. (A Roadside Stand)

Complete the following suitably: In the excerpt the phrase 'polished traffic' symbolizes ____. (A Roadside Stand)

Which of the following ideas is not supported by the extract? (A) The villagers are seeking alms from the affluent to survive. (B) There is a disconnect between urban wealth and rural struggle. (C) The signage used by villagers lacks professional polish. (D) Passing motorists are disinterested in the stand's appeal. (A Roadside Stand)

What is the message that the poet wishes to convey in the given excerpt? (A Roadside Stand)

What is the irony reflected in the contrast between Aunt Jennifer and the tigers she embroidered? (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

Select the phrase that suggests the following: The oppressive nature of Aunt Jennifer's marriage. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

What does the imagery of the 'tigers' NOT represent in the given extract? (A) Terror (B) Freedom (C) Fearlessness (D) Majesty (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

The poet's tone towards Aunt Jennifer can BEST be described as: (A) celebratory (B) indifferent (C) empathetic (D) judgemental (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

Aunt Jennifer is referred to simply as 'Aunt' in the end, highlighting ____. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

State in one sentence, what is your advice to Aunt Jennifer with reference to the given extract and other women like her most likely to include? (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

Complete the following suitably. Bama's description of her observation of an elder portrays a ____ society. (Memories of Childhood : We Too are Human Beings)

What shift in understanding does the narrator undergo after her brother explains the event? (A) confusion to clarity (B) humour to indifference (C) laughter to awareness (D) pride to shame (Memories of Childhood : We Too are Human Beings)

List one emotion that Annan feels on hearing Bama's account. (Memories of Childhood : We Too are Human Beings)

Why according to Annan, did the elder have to carry the packet by the string? (Memories of Childhood : We Too are Human Beings)

Complete the following suitably: The idea evoked by the singing of 'Seeing Nelly Home' and having lemonade on the porch strongly evokes ____. (The Third Level)

What is ironical in Sam, the psychiatrist, being the one who 'escapes' to Galesburg and the past? (The Third Level)

Why does Charley want Sam to come to the third level? (The Third Level)

What is the overall tone that is conveyed through the content and style of Sam's letter to Charley? (A) melancholic and uncertain (B) cheerful and inviting (C) cynical and friendly (D) detached and factual (The Third Level)

Gandhi's method of engaging with the officials, as depicted in the passage, primarily demonstrated: (A) The power of non-violent resistance and moral authority. (B) His willingness to compromise on key principles for cooperation. (C) A tactical retreat to gain future advantages. (D) A strategy of negotiation and reconciliation. (Indigo)

Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blanks. The reaction of the officials when Gandhi regulated the crowd was of ____. (bafflement / indifference) (Indigo)

Complete the following sentence suitably: The government's decision to postpone the trial to consult higher authorities implies that they ____. (Indigo)

What is reflected through the phrase 'voice of conscience' in the given excerpt? (Indigo)

Choose the correct option: 'On the one hand not to set a bad example as a lawbreaker; on the other hand, to render humanitarian and national service' — The above line from the extract expresses ____. (A) conflict (B) humiliation (C) admiration (D) suppression (Indigo)

Complete the following with a suitable reason: Gandhi asked for the penalty due because ____. (Indigo)

Where did she walk after it was dark? (Going Places)

Why does the sound of the city being 'muffled and distant' matter in the context of her present mood? (A) reflects her desire to escape the noise of daily life. (B) suggests a peaceful contrast to her inner excitement. (C) creates a dreamy atmosphere that supports her fantasy. (D) emphasizes her emotional detachment from the real world. (Going Places)

How does the description of the setting contribute to the mood of the extract? (A) creates a nostalgic and emotionally reflective tone through memories. (B) builds suspense and tension with dark, unfamiliar surroundings. (C) highlights a lively and energetic atmosphere with city sounds. (D) emphasizes a sense of urgency and action in Sophie's movements. (Going Places)

Complete the following sentence with a reason: She chose the particular location for her meeting because __. (Going Places)

Why did she feel that he would approve of her choice of location? (Going Places)

Complete the following with a suitable reason: She sat down on a wooden bench beneath the solitary elm because ____. (Going Places)

Eco's non-fictional writing and scholarly work is a marked departure from a regular academic style. Comment on Umberto Eco's writing style in the context of the above statement. (The Interview)

Why does the ironmaster comment, 'You do preach worse than a parson' to his daughter on her request to let the peddler stay on for Christmas? (The Rattrap)

Elucidate – 'There is terror only in the fear of death.' (Deep Water)

Why do the children of Firozabad continue working in glass making factories despite the hardships? (Lost Spring)

'Pale as a late winter's moon' is used to describe the mother sitting in the car. What does this image convey of the mother? (My Mother at Sixty Six)

Briefly comment on the personality of the legal adviser in the Story Department in 'Poets and Pancakes'. (Poets and Pancakes)

How is the 'Student on Ice Programme', a step towards the future? (Journey to the End of the Earth)

How did Dr. Sadao's father's upbringing impact his values and choices later in life? (The Enemy)

Why does Mr. Lamb tell Derry to shift his focus from his own scarred face to the world around him? (On the Face of It)

In the poem 'Keeping Quiet', nature serves as a model for stillness and rejuvenation and in the poem 'A Thing of Beauty' natural elements offer constant comfort and solace against the hardships of life. Discuss. (Keeping Quiet / A Thing of Beauty)

'The Last Lesson' and 'The Interview' highlight the importance of language in one's life. Comment with reference to the given texts. (The Last Lesson / The Interview)

How does Kalki use irony at the end of the story to deliver poetic justice to the Tiger King? (The Tiger King)

'No, I will not submit. I will struggle first!' How does Zitkala – Sa's resistance reflect her inner strength and identity? (Memories of Childhood)