PRACTICE PAPER–9( 2016-17)

Class : XII Time : 3 hours

Subject :English Core Marks: 100

General Instructions:

(i) This paper is divided into three Sections: A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read
these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A
(Reading) 30 Marks

I. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 11 Marks

1. For lasting and clear eyesight, eyes need care in the form of preventive measures, a
continuous life-long exercise. Eyes don't just see, they do the talking. This is why of all our
senses the most precious is eyesight. Eyes need care in the form of prevention, and knowing
some preventive methods in eye care can make your eyes look bright and healthy and leave
you with excellent eyesight.
2. How do we keep eyes bright and healthy? Eat good helpings of vegetables, fruits,
omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotenes with vitamins A, C and E, enjoy good sleep and avoid
direct sunlight. Therefore, good habits and good general health care does play a major role
in eye care. Eyes are windows to the human body; while you look out through this window,
we, the eye doctors, can look in to find conditions such as glaucoma, abnormal blood
pressures, diabetes, heart diseases and other health concerns much before you notice its
adverse impact, and help you take preventive measures.
3. It is never too early to begin eye checkups. Throw a torchlight from different
directions and look for fixation in newborns and, if in doubt, take the baby to an eye
specialist. By the time a child is four, it is imperative to have a check up every year to look
for squint, signs of opacity brought in by cataracts and minus or plus powers to decide
whether or not glasses are needed. Ultraviolet- protective sunglasses from childhood can
help protect eyes from the harmful UV rays. Once in the teens, contact lenses can be worn in
place of glasses, but never sleep with them on as they reduce the supply of air and blood to
the cornea and can damage eyes. When in 20s, you can get rid of glasses with lasers, Lasik
or permanent contact lenses.
4. An emerging and alarming trend is the Computer Eye Syndrome, which appears to
be catching on in early adult life. We cannot escape the use of computers but, sadly, our eyes
are not designed to cope with these screens. Continuous staring at the monitors reduces
blinking, causes strain to the eyes and can lead to dry eyes as well. Therefore, it is always
better to take a break of 10 minutes every hour and look at distant objects such as the
landscapes or even television.
5. Glaucoma or raised pressure in eyes and diabetic retinopathy are silent killers of
eyesight. Therefore, checking eyes once every six months is essential. If afflicted with
diabetes, diet, exercise and drugs are to be remembered in that order to keep the doctor
away.
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 6. Around the age of 40, more or less everybody requires reading glasses, a condition
known as presbyopia. But now you can get rid of these glasses as well, with lasers called
INTRACOR and SUPRACOR. One can develop cataract- defined as the loss of
transparency in the natural lens of the eye - at any age, but it usually strikes in old age. It's
treated by replacing the opaque lens with an artificial lens called the intraocular lens. The
latest in cataract removal techniques is called femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery,
which is blade-free, hands-free and makes the operation precise, safe and accurate.
7. That said, eye care is, inevitably, a continuous exercise through life.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following
questions given below with the help of the options that follow:

a. We keep our eyes bright and healthy by:

i. playing in the sun
ii. wearing spectacles
iii. rubbing our eyes frequently
iv. eating good helping of vegetables and fruits

b. By examining the eyes, the doctors can detect health conditions like :
(i) fractures
(ii) sinus
(iii) glaucoma
(iv) transilitis
c. Eye checkups should begin :
(i) at the time of birth
(ii) at school
(iii) only when a person complaints
(iv) when a person is above 50 years of age.
d. We should not wear contact lenses for long hours, as they might harm the:
i. Retina
ii. Cornea
iii. Tear Glands
iv. None of the above Ans. Cornea

Answer the questions briefly

e. State any two ways in which we can keep our eyes bright and healthy.
f. What will prevent eyes from harmful UV Rays?
g. Excessive Computer usage causes which problem ?
h. What are 'INTRACOR' and 'SUPRACOR'?
i. What is 'Cataract'?
(j)Find out the words which mean the same as the following : 2 Marks
a. Grievously affected especially by disease (Para 5)
b. By necessity (Para 7)

II. Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow: 11 Marks

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 I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sat reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And’ tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes;

The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:-
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man? –

On the basis of your reading of the above poem answer the following
questions given below with the help of the options that follow:

a. What is the mood of the poet in these lines?

(i) amused
(ii) pessimistic
(iii) melancholy
(iv) bewildered
b. What ‘seemed a thrill of pleasure’?
(i) birds hopping and playing
(ii) the budding twigs
(iii) nature’s holy plan
(iv) nature’s music

c. Who hopped and played around the poet?

(i) children
(ii) birds
(iii) rabbits
(iv) peacocks

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 Answer the questions briefly
d. Why was the poet sad?
e. Identify the rhyme scheme of the poem.
f. Where is the poet sitting?
g. What thoughts grieved the poet’s heart?
h. What were the budding twigs doing?
i. Why does the poet have reason to lament?
j. Find out the words which mean the same as the following : 2 Marks
(i) windy (stanza 5)
(ii) sprouting leaves (stanza5)

III. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 5 + 3 = 8

1. The monsoon is such a welcome respite from the scorching summer thanks to the overcast
sky, gentle rain and lush greenery all around. Almost all of us love to savour spicy and
crunchy food items such as fritters (pakoras) and chaats like panipuri, sevpuri teamed with
cutting chai as the rainwater lashes against the window pane. However, the season also brings
along a lots of diseases such as dengue, malaria, conjunctivitis, typhoid, viral fever,
pneumonia, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, food poisoning, cholera, cough and cold
and jaundice due to bacteria in the environment. The challenge lies in going about your daily
routine without falling ill. If you suffer from low immunity, you are at a higher risk of
contracting these diseases. However, the right dietary tips can strengthen you immunity and
help you say hale and hearty.

2. Due to the humid climate, you may not feel too thirsty and consume just one litre of water
every day. But you need to be well hydrated as sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly in monsoon.
Consequently, this prevents the body from releasing heat. So consume a lot of water as it
helps to flush out toxins from the body. Ensure that the water is clean, pure and safe to drink.
Avoid aerated drinks; instead consume warm beverages such as green tea with holy basil
leaves, ginger, pepper and honey as they have anti-bacterial properties. A bowl of hot
vegetable soup is also a good option. The hot beverages increase your body temperature
(which will in turn give you warmth) while the ingredients will boost your immunity.

3. Consume fruits such as cherries, bananas, apples, pomegranates, plums, litchis and pears as
they are packed with anti-oxidants and are rich in vitamin A,E, C and minerals. Vegetables
such as cauliflower, potatoes, cluster beans, lady’s finger, kidney beans pigeon pea and
sprouted grains get spoilt easily due to the humidity. So, they should be avoided. Opt for
cooked or steamed veggies. Avoid salads as they comprise raw vegetables that contain active
bacteria which lead to various infections and affect the body’s immunity. Avoid strong
smelling or extra sweet fruits such as mangoes and jackfruit that attract flies as their excess
intake can cause skin irritation and stomach ache. It’s also important to store vegetables the
right way during the rains. Do not wash the veggies thoroughly before storing, as the
moisture will attract pathogenic fungus. These bacteria can spread to other susceptible food
items as well, making them unhygienic. Instead, pat dry and store separate food items in
different containers. Buy them in limited portions and use them as soon as possible. –

4. Dehydration makes your hair brittle and scanty. So hydrate yourself. Zinc and iron help to
keep your tresses healthy and beautiful. Consume nuts, eggs and walnuts to maintain hair
strength. Walnuts are rich in biotin and vitamin E, which are excellent antioxidants. Proteins
are important for hair strength too. So add curd to your diet, as it is a great source of protein.
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 Amla juice, organs and other citrus foods are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C keeps your hair
strong as it helps in production of collagen that among other things strengthens the hair
capillaries (ensuring proper nutrient supply to our hair). Also, ensure that you wash your
locks on alternate days and cover them well during the monsoon. Dried apricots, roasted
sunflower seeds and lentils are better foods to consume during monsoon than other iron-rich
foods which are susceptible to microbial attack. Do not forget to eat yummy corn on cob as
corn is also rich in iron and zinc.

5. So, the secret to enjoy the rains, without the fear of affecting your health is to go light on
eating. Have a safe and healthy monsoon.

a. On the basis of your reading of the passage, make notes on it using headings
and sub-headings in a format you consider suitable. /5 Marks/
b. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Also supply a suitable
title to the passage. /3 Marks/

SECTION – B
(Advanced Writing Skills) 30 Marks

IV. You have decided to open a Gymnastic Centre with the motto 'Health for All'. Draft a
suitableposter for the purpose. /4 Marks/
(OR)
You are the Secretary of the English Literary Association of Memorial School, Patna. Write out a
notice for the school notice board, inviting names of those who would like to participate in the
proposed inter house debate, oratorical and elocution contest

V. You had bought an expensive wrist watch last week. Now you realize that it is not functioning
properly. Write a letter in 125-150 words to the Manager, Edison Watch Works, New Delhi,
complaining about it and requesting him to repair or replace it immediately. You are Gopi/Gopika
of 68, Park Street, Chennai. /6 Marks/
(OR)
You are Rajeshwar/Rajeshwariof160, Kesarganj, Lucknow. Write a letter to the Municipal
Chairman of Lucknow about the dilapidated condition of a public monument requesting him to
take urgent steps for the preservation of this valuable heritage. You are Anarkali/Akbar, 10
Pudupet, New Town, Lucknow

VI. Joint family system is gradually disintegrating in the country. Many elderly people get neglected
because of the nuclear setup of families. It increases the need of homes for the aged. Write an
article in 150-200 words on the topic entitled “Homes for the Aged in India”.
/10 Marks/
(OR)
You feel that there is an unwanted pomp and show and wastage of food during the
marriages these days. It is a social evil since it leads to great wastage and puts a burden on
the not-so-rich people. Write an article in 150 words. You are Mohit / Mohini.

VII. Write a debate in about 150-200 words on the topic ‘Capital Punishment has No Place in a
Civilized Society’. /10 Marks/
(OR)

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 Your school is organizing an Inter School Debate Competition on the topic‘Homework
should be Abolished’. Draft a debate either for or against the motion in about 150
words.

SECTION – C
(Literature: Text Books & Long Reading Text) 40 Marks

VIII. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 4 Marks

…..I looked again at her, wan, pale

as a late winter’s moon and felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
All I did was smile and smile and smile ……

a. Who looked wan and pale? Why?

b. What is the comparison in the stanza?
c. Which figure of speech is used in the second line?
d. How does she comfort/ console her mother?

IX. Answer any four of the following in about 40 words each: 4 X 3 = 12

a) ‘We have all a great deal to reproach ourselves’. Explain. (The Last Lesson)
b) Do you agree that the servants where right in leaving their master’s house for sheltering the
enemy soldier? Why /why not?
c) How did the teacher describe the French language?
d) Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
e) What did the astrologers foretell as soon as the tiger king was born?
f) How did Sadao’s marriage with Hana come to take place?
X. Answer the following question in 125 to 150 words : / 6 Marks/

Why does the writer feel that it will be difficult for Mukesh to break away from this tradition?
(OR)
‘Lost Spring’, is a sad commentary on the political system of our country that condemns thousands
of people to a life of abject poverty. Comment.
XI. Answer the following question in 125 to 150 words : / 6 Marks/
“The Tiger King”, is a satire on the conceit of those in power.” Do you agree with the statement?
Elucidate.
(OR)
Humanity transcends over Patriotism. Discuss with reference to ‘The Enemy’
XII. Attempt the following question in 125 to 150 words : / 6 Marks/

Describe Cuss’s visit to Griffin.

(OR)
Who was Sally Oates? What happened to her? What did Silas do? What was its effect on
the villagers?

XIII. Attempt the following question in 125 to 150 words : / 6 Marks/

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To save himself from the cold and the snowstorm of London, where did Griffin go? How
did he spend the night there and what happened next morning? Write in detail.
(OR)
Draw a character sketch of Godfrey Cass.

ALL THE BEST!!! ALL THE BEST!!! ALL THE BEST!!!

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