ENG PRE BOARD PAPER KV HYD SET 1

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KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN :: HYDERABAD REGION

FIRST PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION 2024-25


CLASS XII - ENGLISH CORE
SET-I
TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS MAXIMUM MARKS :80

General Instructions :

Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

(i) This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) This question paper contains three sections Section A : Reading Skills,
Section B : Creative Writing Skills and Section C : Literature.
(iii) Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the
correct question number and part thereof in your answer sheet.
(iv) Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
(v) Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
SECTION A 22(marks)
READING SKILLS

1. Read the following passage carefully : (12M)


1. The very term ‘machine intelligence’ is premised on the limits of human potential since
machines are created by human beings. If machines could think for themselves, without
having to be pre-programmed by humans, one can safely assume that artificial intelligence is
coming of age – that there is the possibility of their having common sense, to make decisions
outside of their packaged abilities. But then, large language models (LLMs) such as Chat GPT
and other such generative AI platforms have not so far evidenced independent, volitional
thought processes or actions. They are as yet mere tools, functioning as per human design
patterns and inputs. It follows therefore that for truly creative writers, pre-programmed
AI tools like ChatGPT are hindrances rather than enablers as they cramp imagination,
limiting the writer’s infinite creativity. If and when the day comes when machines can think
for themselves independent of human inputs, only then can we conclude that yes, we have a
huge threat or wonderful ally on our hands, depending on the perspective from which you
view LLMs, for instance. And depending on the extent to which you can exercise some sort
of control so that AI does not go off the rails. It will also open up the debate as to whether
machines can have consciousness, for, to be self-aware and ruminate on the nature of the
higher Self, so far, one needs to be human with the ability to carry out this kind of thought
process.

2. At best, generative AI could serve the purpose of guidebooks that students resort to on
the eve of examinations, with all the risks of rote learning, and inbuilt errors.

3. Autocorrect, a boon for quick reviews and proof-reading, can also completely change the
context and meaning of a sentence or phrase when spell checks are done without common
sense. This is how causal is “corrected” to casual and Hare Krishn becomes Hate Krishn!
Hence relying on generative AI completely when it is still functioning on human inputs, even
if it has some amount of deductive ability, can be a slippery slope.

4. Can AI be engineered to the extent that it can have its own common sense? In other
words, can AI be endowed with the power of discrimination? Can it deal with abstract
scenarios? Human cognitive ability, intuition, emotion and imagination are attributes that are
currently absent in AI including LLMs. So, AI response is always constrained by facts,
figures and cold logic rather than reasoning and common sense. A choreographed, deliberate
response or reaction to a situation is not always the optimal way to deal with it; more human
qualities like self-awareness, reflection, reasoning, imagination and compassion can play far
more crucial roles.

5. AI tools may not have social skills, so there are several limitations holding back AI from
replicating human capabilities. But who knows, soon enough, not only might AI become more
human-like; they may even become our pathfinders. As Nature Magazine says in its report:
“In the long-term, perhaps the biggest contribution of the science of machine common sense
will be to allow humans to understand themselves more deeply.” Geoffrey Hinton, awarded
the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on AI, says: “The idea that this stuff (AI)
could actually get smarter than people…I thought was a long way off…but I no longer think
that.”
(Source: “The Speaking Tree” TOI)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above


I. As Machines cannot think for themselves, which human quality do they lack as per
paragraph 1? 1
II. Provide textual example you find in paragraph 1 that tells us that LLMs are yet mere
tools. 2
III. Complete the analogy with one word from the passage
dangerous :enemy::wonderful:______________ 1
IV. The words “depending on the extent to which you can exercise some sort of control so
that AI does not go off the rails.” imply the same as which of the following 1
a. He went off the rails when he got into the college after school
b. Shyla was off the rails as she was getting down the staircase.
V. Complete the following suitably with inputs from the passage 1
The down side of AI tools for creative writers is …………………………
VI. Autocorrect cannot be completely correct. 1
Which of the following options does not support the above statement
a. It can erroneously correct out of context
b. It can choose appropriate meaning
c. It makes mistakes in spelling colloquial words
d. It depends on input by humans.
VII. Mention the qualities that can make a difference in the capabilities of AI as mentioned
in paragraph 4. 1
VIII. AI response is limited by which factors? 1
IX. In what ways can AI become our pathfinders? 1
X. “perhaps the biggest contribution of the science of machine common sense will be to allow
humans to understand themselves more deeply” What do these lines in the last paragraph
suggest? 2

2. Read the following passage carefully : 10


Climate change is the long-term shift in the Earth's average temperatures and weather
conditions. Between 2014 and 2023, the world was on average around 1.2C warmer than
during the late 19th Century, the World Meteorological Organization says. And 2024 is
"virtually certain" to end up as the world's hottest year on record, according to the latest
projections by the European climate service.

The climate has changed naturally throughout the Earth's history. But natural causes cannot
explain the particularly rapid warming seen over the last century, according to the UN's
climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).This warming has been
caused by human activities, mainly the widespread use of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - in
homes, factories and transport systems.
When fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases - mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). This
CO2 acts like a blanket, trapping extra energy in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface.
This causes the planet to heat up.
Since the start of the Industrial Revolution - when humans started burning large amounts of
fossil fuels - the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has risen by about 50%, far above levels
seen in the Earth's recent history. The CO2 released from burning fossil fuels has a
distinctive chemical fingerprint. This matches the type of CO2 increasingly found in the
atmosphere.

A global average temperature increase of 1.2C might not sound much. However, it has already
had a huge effect on the environment, including: more frequent and intense extreme
weather, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, rapid melting of glaciers and ice sheets,
contributing to sea-level rise huge declines in Arctic sea-ice ,warmer oceans, which can fuel
more intense storms and hurricanes and damage wildlife such as coral reefs People's lives
are also changing. For example, in 2022, parts of East Africa suffered their worst drought
for 40 years, putting more than 20 million people at risk of severe hunger. In the same year,
intense European heatwaves led to an abnormal increase in deaths across the continent.
Major changes need to come from governments and businesses, but individuals can also help
through actions like:
● taking fewer flights
● using less energy
● improving home insulation and energy efficiency
● switching to electric vehicles or living car-free
● replacing gas central heating with electric systems like heat pumps
● eating less red meat
(source: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above


I. Complete the following sentence 1
The opening of the passage suggests that it is almost sure that__________________.
II. The jump ln global average temperature in the last 10 years is nearly which of the
following 1
a. Double
b. half
c. one-third
d. one-fourth
III. The drastic rise in temperature is approximately from which decade 1
a. fifties
b. sixties
c. seventies
d. eighties
IV. Which of the following is not a contributor to global warming as per the passage 1
a. increase in number of electric motor vehicles owned by people
b. use of LPG for cooking
c. chemical factories depending on hydroelectricity
d. public transport
V. The atmospheric CO2 concentration has nearly doubled from the year________ 1
VI. Choose the most appropriate cause and effect 1

CAUSE EFFECT

a declines in Arctic sea-ice damage wildlife such as coral reefs

b fossil fuels burn sea-level rise

c warmer oceans intense storms

d melting of glaciers increase in hurricanes

VII. What explanation is given in the passage regarding the heating up of our planet? 2
VIII. Complete the following statement to summarise the actions given in last paragraph to
be taken by individuals to reduce global warming
Switch from using ____________ to ______________ . 2
SECTION B
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)

3. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) ,in about 50 words: 1x4=4
A. You are Sahil Sagar, the President of Nehru Yuva Club, Delhi. You have planned to take a
trekking trip for 15 days to Rohtang Pass next month. Write a notice giving all necessary
information to invite participants for trekking programme.
OR
B. Your school is planning to organise a Water Conservation Awareness Programme for the
students. As school captain of SLV Public School, Lucknow, draft a notice in about 50 words
informing the students about the programme mentioning day, date, time and venue. You are
Sanjay/Sanjana.

4. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B),in about 50 words: 1x4=4
A, Your school is going to organize a painting competition as part of the Arts Day. Write a
formal invitation letter to invite Mrs. Shrividya Reddy a renowned artist to inaugurate the
function. Include details of the events such as date, time, cultural programmes, etc. You are
Karan/Kriti, Principal, Vidyaniketan Public School.
OR
B. You are Ramesh/Reena. You have received an invitation from your friend Manoj to a party
to celebrate his admission in a prestigious Management Institute. Write an informal reply in
about 50 words accepting the invitation. Mention day, date, time and venue.

5. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) ,in about 120-150 words: 1x5=5
A. You are Ranjeesh /Rajee, a fresh graduate from Trichy Arts & Science College. You saw
the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply. Write a letter, along with your
bio-data, expressing your interest in one of the advertised posts.
DECATHLON
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Content Writer, Data Entry, Computer Operator, Back Office, Typist,
Trainer
(Part time)
Candidates should be min. Class XII passed & must have good communication
skill in English /Tamil/ Hindi.
Pay- ₹24,600 - ₹29,000 a month
Job type
Part-time/Fresher-- Shift and schedule---Day shift
Benefits *Flexible schedule * Pick & Drop facility * Overtime pay
Apply now with resume to Decathlon-HR Office, Chennai Head Office.
B. You are Vidya Rao who runs an NGO that helps rural people produce and sell home made
products, Write a letter to The Editor of The Hindu in about 120–150 words to make
readers aware of your mission and urge them to go 'Vocal for Local' by buying locally‐made
products. Use the clues given below along with your own ideas to draft this letter.
♦ Local communities ‐ have specific indigenous skills ‐ use the local resources sustainably ‐
create products without harming the environment
♦ The enterprise ‐ finds markets for specific products ‐ scales up using local labour ‐
creates more job opportunities

6. Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) ,in about 120-150 words: 1x5=5
A. Every year, a lot of old and used textbooks are either sold as scrap or thrown away at the
beginning of a new academic session. The idea of recycling textbooks for use by the juniors
has not fully caught up with students and parents. As a volunteer for INDIA for
RECYCLING, an NGO trying to promote recycling of material in different forms, write an
article for the magazine Our Earth how creating awareness in the matter will save valuable
resources.
OR
B. With a view to create awareness regarding health, St. Anne’s school organised ‘Health
Mela’ in the school premises. Various charts, models and fitness equipment were displayed.
Lectures, debates, discussions and plays were organised. A workshop on low calorie cooking
was also organised. Write a report in 150-200 words on the ‘health Mela’ for the school
Magazine. You are Neha/ Nikhil, Secretary of the School.

SECTION C
LITERATURE (40 marks)
7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two
(A) or (B): 1X6=6
A. Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand.
I. How would you describe Aunt Jennifer based on the above extract? 1
a. oppressed
b. malnourished
c. ageing
d. diseased
II. Uncle's wedding band sits heavily on Aunt Jennifer's hand because 1
a. it is an expensive and heavy ring.
b. she was married against her will.
c. she feels burdened in her marriage.
d. their relationship is lacking in love.
III. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the
extract 1
a. The dazzling drizzle drenched all.
b. I’m as happy as I can be.
c. Life is a roller coaster ride.
d. Nature is God’s gift to us.
IV. Assertion: Aunt Jennifer finds it difficult to pull even the ivory needle. 1
Reason: Her marital life has left a debilitating impact upon her.
a. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is a correct explanation of
Assertion.
b. Assertion and Reason both are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of
the Assertion.
c. Assertion is true, Reason is false.
d. Assertion is false, Reason is true.
V. Marital subjugation is symbolised by the ________. 1
VI. Mention if the following statement is True or False 1
Aunt Jennifer is a victim of the patriarchal society.

OR
B. Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing. (Keeping Quiet)

I. What does the phrase “victory with no survivors” mean? 1


a. The bloodshed caused by the result of wars.
b. Nobody would be able to celebrate the victory of wars.
c. Degradation of human life.
d. Both a. and b.
II. Based on the extract, select the correct option with reference to (1) and (2). 1
(1) Not every win is a triumph.
(2) Self reflection is crucial to evolution.
a. (1) is the result of (2)
b. Both (1) and (2) are true
c. Both (1) and (2) are false
d. (1) is a hypothesis based on (2)
III. Which of the following, poetic devices has been used in ‘clean clothes’? 1
a. Metaphor
b. Alliteration
c. Oxymoron
d. Assonance
IV. What would NOT be the result of “put on clean clothes”? 1
a. peace and harmony
b. violence, wars and destruction
c. environmental awareness
d. mutual respect
V. ‘green wars’ refer to___________ 1
VI. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following: 1
The poet does not promote inactivity or death but wants fraternity.
8. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given
two (A) or (B): 1X6=4
A. Sometimes I think Grand Central is growing like a tree, pushing out new corridors and
staircases like roots. Reprint 2024-25 The Third Level 3 There’s probably a long tunnel that
nobody knows about feeling its way under the city right now, on its way to Times Square, and
maybe another to Central Park. And maybe — because for so many people through the years
Grand Central has been an exit, a way of escape — maybe that’s how the tunnel I got into...
But I never told my psychiatrist friend about that idea.
I. Choose the correct option based on the assumption and reason given below: 1
Assertion (A): Sometimes Charley thought that Grand Central was expanding fast just like a
tree, pushing out new corridors and staircases like roots.
Reason (R): Charley had realization of his wish to visit Galesburg, Illinois, a peaceful world.
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
II. “But I never told my psychiatrist friend about that idea.” What might have been his
friend’s reaction that made Charley keep it to himself? 1
a. You really have a very good imagination.
b. You are desperate to run away from here. Aren’t you?
c. You are in need of help. You need to overcome this feeling.
d. Really, are you sure. Can we try again?
III. Which of the following does not mean ”Feeling its way” according to the context? 1
a. to move forward carefully to feel anything in the way
b. to move toward a goal very slowly and carefully
c. to act slowly and carefully because you are not certain
d. to move or advance slowly to find something
IV. Charley was most probably ….. 1
a. confused, happy -go-lucky
d. Escapist, shy
c. imaginative, nostalgic
d. friendly, extrovert
OR
B. You lose all earthly sense of perspective and time here. The visual scale ranges from the
microscopic to the mighty: midges and mites to blue whales and icebergs as big as countries
(the largest recorded was the size of Belgium). Days go on and on and on in surreal 24-hour
austral summer light, and a ubiquitous silence, interrupted only by the occasional avalanche
or calving ice sheet, consecrates the place. It’s an immersion that will force you to place
yourself in the context of the earth’s geological history. And for humans, the prognosis isn’t
good.
I. “The visual scale” refers to which of the following in context of the extract above 1
a. a measuring device
b. things one can see at a glance
c. magnitude of vision
d. range of things one can see around
II. Which one of the following statements is true about the authors feelings 1
a. She was bewildered on being exposed to the area
b. She was paranoid on reaching the place
c. She was amazed at the grandeur of the icy world
d. She felt confused and lost sense of time.
III. Complete the following Analogy 1
microscopic:_______________::_____________:Giant
IV. ”With Students on Ice Programme, Geoff Green offered the future generation of policy
makers a life changing experience at an age when they’re ready to absorb, learn and most
importantly, act.” 1
Quote the words from the extract above which prove that Geoff Green’s aim was achieved
when the author visited the place. 1

9. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two
(A) or (B): 1X6=6
A. “I will learn to drive a car,’’ he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms like
a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous for its bangles.
Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India’s
glass- blowing industry where families have spent generations working around furnaces,
welding glass, making bangles for all the women in the land it seems. Mukesh’s family is
among them. None of them know that it is illegal for children like him to work in the glass
furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light.
I. The phrase ‘dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets...’ indicates that his
.dream was- 1
a. A reality yet seemed distant.
b. Lost in sea of dust.
c. Illusory and indistinct.
d. Hanging in the dusty air
II. “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. This sentence
highlights that Mukesh was- 1
a. Determined and ambitious
b. Fearless and foolish
c. Hopeful and humble
d. stern and disciplined
III. ‘None of them know that It is illegal for children like him.’ Here ‘it’ indicates- 1
a. To make bangles
b. To work at home
c. To work in hazardous conditions
d. To dream big
IV. Choose the literary device used in this line: 1
‘His dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad,
famous for its bangles.’
a. alliteration
b. simile
c. metaphor
d. personification
V. Which of the following statements is not true? 1
a. People of Firozabad are working in the industry of bangle making for
generations.
b. Majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making.
c. Children love to spend their time around the furnaces.
d. Firozabad is the major producer of bangles in the country.
VI. ‘....making bangles for all the women in the land it seems.’ This shows that: 1
a. It is the only industry in Firozabad.
b. A large number of bangles are made in Firozabad.
c. Bangles are made only in Firozabad.
d. none of the above
OR

B. No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods
along the road, left to his own meditations. But one day this man had fallen into a line of
thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his
rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him — the
whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages — was nothing but a big rattrap. It
had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people.
I. The man referred to in the above extract is the _______________. 1
II. Why does the peddler fall into a line of thoughts? 1
a. was bored and had nothing to do
b. was tired of travelling
c. was lonely and aware of his misfortune
d. was poor
III. Which literary device has been used in the extract 1
a. Personification
b. Metaphor
c. Synecdoche
d. Simile
IV. The philosophy of rattrap, serves to show 1
a. Human predicament
b. Human sufferings
c. Existentialism of life
d. The theory of fatalism
V. The word meditation in the extract implies ……. 1
a. attention on only one thing
b. religious activity
c. calm and relaxed
d. serious thought
VI. Mention if the following statement is true or false 1
The vagabond plod along the road as he was tired
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following SIX in about 40 - 50 words, each. (5x2=10)
I. How was Gandhi treated by the British when he approached them to discuss the issue of
indigo and sharecropping? (Indigo)
II. What efforts did Douglas make to get over his fear of water and why? (Deep Water)
III. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting
impression on us? (A Thing of Beauty)
IV. What does the story of Subbu’s success in the film industry reveal about the importance
of loyalty, creativity, and versatility in this field? (Poets and Pancakes)
V. “Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing,”-why was Sophie upset after
Jansie told her that she knew about the meeting?(Going Places)
VI. What does Umberto Eco mean by the concept of 'interstices' in our lives? (Interview)

11. Answer ANY TWO of the following THREE in about 40 - 50 words, each. (2x2=4)
I. Why did Charley feel that he faced the risk of going to jail? (The Third Level)
II. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the ‘Students on
Ice’ expedition? What is the aim of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme? (Journey to the End
of the Earth)
III. If all the Japs were like you there wouldn’t have been a war,” said Tom. Justify his
statement (The Enemy)

12. Answer ANY ONE of the following TWO questions, in 120-150 words. 1x5=5
A. “The Last Lesson” reflects the flaws in human character that led to the sad plight of
people in Alsace. Substantiate your answer with evidence from the text.
OR
B. How does Robert Frost, bring out in ‘A Roadside Stand’ that progress and development are
unequal between the cities and villages leading to feelings of distress and unhappiness among
the rural people?

13. Answer ANY ONE of the following TWO questions, in 120-150 words. 1x5=5
A. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find
them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a
similarity in today’s political order? (The Tiger King)
OR
B. Imagine you are Sadao. You have helped the American prisoner to escape. Write down
your thoughts recollecting how you helped him and what made you do so. (The Enemy)

THE END

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