KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN, JAIPUR REGION

FIRST PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION (2023-24)

CLASS-XII ENGLISH CORE (Code No. 301)

Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

Answer Key

Section A Reading
Ans 1

(i) (b) The bird took pity on the old man and wanted to help him. 1
(ii) (c) The fisherman fumbled when asked about Kaha. 1
(iii) Torn between greed and his sense of gratitude to the bird, the fisherman could not
give a coherent reply to the courtiers. 2
(iv) (d) Kaha saved the fisherman from the king’s wrath. 1
(v) Flew away. 1
(vi) The bird began to drop a large fish at his doorstep every evening. All that
the fisherman had to do was take it to the market and sell it. As big fish were in
great demand, he was soon rolling in money. He bought a cottage near the sea,
with a garden around it and engaged a servant to cook for him. 2
(vii) (c) alight 1
(viii) Any suitable title with justification 2
(ix) (c) Both (a) and (b) 1

Ans 2

(i) (c) Statement (2) is the reason for (1). 1

(ii) (b) 700,000 1
 (iii) There is no shark species that eats humans as part of its regular diet. In most shark
attack cases. The shark leaves after realising that it has mistakenly bitten a human and not
its intended prey. 2
(iv) (d) All of the above 1
(v) Dangerous 1
(vi) Many shark species possess powerful problem-solving abilities and social skills.
“Sharks do not want to attack humans,” he asserts. “There is no shark species that eats
humans as part of its regular diet. In most shark attack cases. The shark leaves after
realising that it has mistakenly bitten a human and not its intended prey.” 2
(vii) The years between 1990 to 2000 1
(viii) His main objective is to spread awareness that sharks are not dangerous man-eaters
but essential creatures in our oceans, as they provide ecological balance and help to
control other species. 1

SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

Note : All names and addresses of places and organisations used, are fictitious.
3. NOTICE: Format – 1 Content -2 Accuracy of spelling and grammar -1

A  Correct format (as listed)

 Drawing attention—students of IX-XII
 Mentioning the event
 Giving details -Date, Time, Venue
 Inviting names for volunteers (latest by…..)
 Line with reference to the undersigned
B  Correct format (as listed)

4. INVITATION & REPLY : Format – 1 Content -2 Accuracy of spelling and grammar -1

 A Letter type-formal invite
 a single sentence presentation in third person / end line punctuations skipped
 Use the simple present tense
 answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for what
B Letter/Note type-formal reply
Reply (Acceptance)
Format- of Formal letter/ Note
Content- acknowledgement and thanks for invitation, giving assurance,
date, time and venue
(any other relevant points)
5. FORMAL LETTER:
Format – 1 Content -2 Organisation -1 Accuracy of spelling and grammar -1
Format
Sender’s address, Date, Receiver’s address, Subject and Salutation/ Salutation and Subject,
Letter, Complimentary close (largely accepted –Yours truly for letter to editor & in business
circuits -Yours sincerely)
A Content
 drawing attention of authorities
 details of the situations
 problems faced due to noise pollution
 suggestions

B Content
 Covering Letter
 Reference to the advertisement
 Conveying suitability for the position
 Submission of application ,
Bio data as separate enclosure
 Profile of self
 Educational Qualifications (include advertised requirements)
 Work experience/s (if relevant)- only internship / part-time relevant here
 References
 Any other relevant information
6. ARTICLE WRITING / REPORT WRITING:
Format – 1 Content -2 Organisation -1 Accuracy of spelling and grammar -1
 Article Writing
Format
 Title & By line
Organisation & Content:

A • Healthy mind resides only in a healthy body

• Avoid junk food
• Regular exercise, proper sleep
• Prime Minister’s initiative of International Yoga Day
• Eat healthy and stay fit

B Report Writing

Format
 Headline & By line
 Reporting place and date
 Paragraphing organisation (Introductory paragraph + one or two Body
paragraphs including event details + Concluding paragraph inclusive of
witness accounts)

Organisation & Content:

 Reason why the programme was launched
 Host State & Guest State
 No. of participants
 Dates, Time, Venue
 organised—by whom? When? Who attended?

Section C: Literature

Ans 7. ANY ONE 1*6=6 marks

 A. (i) (c) The cars and other vehicles speeding towards city.

(ii) The letters N and S in the signs were painted the wrong way.
(iii) (a) callous
(iv) (b) The farmer cursed wealthy city people for not stopping and buying something
from the stand.
(v) (d) silver warts
(vi) Transferred epithet

B. (i) Aunt Jennifer was an oppressed lady who was dominated by her husband. She is
very scared as her fingers are fluttering and she is bent with the weight of the Uncle’s
wedding ring.

(ii) She feels burdened in her marriage. Uncle seems to dominate over her weak
demeanour.
(iii) (b) Option 2
(iv) (a) Finger fluttering through the wool.
(v) (b) Statement I and III are False, Statement II cannot be inferred.
(vi) (c) She sympathises with her.

Ans 8. ANY ONE 1*4=4 marks

A. (i) (d) The seventh day after the arrival of the American prisoner.
 (ii) The General sent for Dr. Sadao as he was not well.
(iii) The General’s gall bladder was much affected.
(iv) (c) The servants had left the job.

B. (i) (b) Her hair was being cut by school authorities.

(ii) ‘I’ miss her mother.

(iii) Due to bad treatment with the children in Carlisle School.
(iv) (a) moan

Ans 9. ANY ONE 1*6=6 marks

A. (i) (c) similar feelings of devotion

(ii) (b) Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion.
(iii) being an avid fan and her sense of closeness with Danny. She always dreamt of
meeting Danny and fantasised her life with him.
(iv) (b) Scenario 2
(v) Sophie, father, Derek and Geoff
(vi) (d) A.R. Barton
 B. (i) Mukund Padmanabham

(ii) (c) A famous writer

(iii) dull, drab and depersonalised
(iv) (a) narrative and experimental
(v) (d) All of the above
(vi) five

Ans 10. ANY FIVE 2*5=10 marks

(i) The mother tongue is the key to unity and integrity. M. Hamel made the villagers realise
the importance of their language. He spoke about the beauty of it. He expressed his
dismay that the whole population of Alsace was responsible for neglecting their mother
tongue. He called upon them to guard it among them and never forget it. Their language
was the key to their unity and liberation.
(ii) According to the poet, Pablo, Neruda, the moment when everyone would be quiet
would be an exciting and thrilling moment. There will be no rushing of everyday work,
no sound of machines polluting the environment. It will be a moment of introspection
and universal brotherhood.
(iii) The peddler had left a gift for Edla. This showed Edla that her care and kind gesture
had transformed the peddler. Her trust was not broken by the peddler and her goodness
had been paid off. This also saved Edla from her father's criticism of trying to help a
thief. Rather, she would have a high image of transforming a thief into a compassionate
person.
(iv) Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of mere 25 percent compensation from the British.
because he wanted them to part not only with money but also with their prestige. For
him, breaking the deadlock was more important than the amount of money.
(v) The mother has been compared to the 'late winter moon' because she has become pale
like the moon in the winter. She is dull and lifeless. Her face has lost its glow and is
misted with wrinkles, as the winter moon is shrouded with clouds.
(vi) Subbu's four specialties were:
 a. Subbu was tailor-made for films. He was always ready with a solution to every
problem.
b. Subbu was a poet who was capable of writing complex and higher form of poetry.
c. Subbu was a fine novelist.
d. He could stay cheerful even in the face of failure.

Ans 11. ANY TWO 2*2=4 marks

(i) The servants felt that they could not stay if Sadao kept that white man anymore in the
house. People would think that they liked Americans. The servants grew more watchful
daily. On the seventh day, the servants left altogether.
(ii) Unlike Derry's thought that Mr. Lamb would be angry at him if he saw him entering
stealthily into the garden. Mr. Lamb treated Derry very gently and welcomed him to his
garden. In fact, he was happy to get someone to talk to him in his loneliness. Like a
father, he even advised Derry to be careful while fetching apples as he might slip and get
hurt physically.
(iii) The hundredth tiger was arranged by the Deewan from people's park. The king shot
at the tiger but missed the aim. But he didn't come to know about it. He believed that he
had killed the tiger. Later, when the king's men went near it, they realised that it was not
dead. The bullet that was fired by the king did not kill the tiger. He had simply fainted.
When the king went away thinking that he had killed the tiger, his men shot the tiger, as
they thought that the king would get annoyed if he got to know the truth and they
would have to look for another tiger.
Ans 12. ANY ONE 5 marks
(i) & (ii) Any suitable answer will be accepted.

Content - 2 → Full credit for sustained, clear, well-developed personal response to the
task that appropriately justifies any arguments → Partial credit of 1 ½, 1 and ½ as per the
response clarity and relevance
 Expression – 2 → Full credit for effective organisation -structure, relevant vocabulary
and effective relay of ideas → Partial credit of 1 ½, 1 and ½ as per the level of coherence
and cohesion
Accuracy - 1 → Full credit for none to minimal errors → Partial credit of ½ for spellings
and/or grammatical, largely accurate → No credit for error density causing impediment
in understanding

Ans 13. ANY ONE 5 marks

Content 2 Expression 2 Accuracy 1
(i) The lesson 'On the Face of It' aptly depicts the loneliness and sense of alienation
experienced by Derry and Mr. Lamb on account of a disability. The actual pain and
inconvenience caused by the disabilities is often much less than the sense of alienation
felt by the disabled person. Derry suffered from severe negative complexes because of
his burnt face. He became a pessimistic loner who indulged in self-pity and was always
suspicious of the intention of others. His anger and frustration made him withdrawn and
an introvert. Mr. Lamb, on the other hand, was inwardly a loner who craved company
and acceptance. Though outwardly he was always jovial, outgoing and optimistic; he
was an extremely sensitive person. Derry and Mr. Lamb's physical disabilities caused
pain and suffering, not only to their body, but also to their mind and soul.
(ii) We all would have heard about concepts like Time Travel and Time Machine. An
unproven concept still amazing to imagine Time Machine can take us either to the past
or to the future. This gave me a thought for a while - What if I had a time machine?

My friends and I were discussing this topic and we came up with so many interesting
and funny ideas. While we were in a debate about what to choose - past or future, most
of us opted for the past. Yes, going to the future might be a bit risky since we never
know how the world would be after any particular time. But, at the same time, choosing
to go to the past at least is more or less a known path. Since we know the past, we can
go to the time period we wish to be in.
We discussed what changes we can make if we had a Time Machine and were able to
make a journey to 1900. Roughly 125 years of the journey is what we decided to make if
we had a Time Machine and we came out with plans like:
● Re-framing the past in such a way that we have useful and effective social reforms.

● Changing the course of science and technology towards a pollution-free

environment.
● Banishing armed forces, weapons, and such other violence from the world.

● Eradicating the systems of the society which leads to extremely different sets of
people-Very rich people and beggars. We will design the past in such a way that
people live prosperously.

Our ideas were accumulating and we decided to make the changes, if possible, in the
present and become great visionary of the same.