CBSE Class 12 English Core Question Paper 2020 Set 1-1-1 Solutions

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

Strictly Confidential: (For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination-2020
Marking Scheme – ENGLISH CORE
(SUBJECT CODE : 301) (PAPER CODE – 1/1/1)
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and correct
assessment of the candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to serious problems which
may affect the future of the candidates, education system and teaching profession. To avoid
mistakes, it is requested that before starting evaluation, you must read and understand the spot
evaluation guidelines carefully. Evaluation is a 10-12 days mission for all of us. Hence, it is
necessary that you put in your best efforts in this process.

2. Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It should not be
done according to one’s own interpretation or any other consideration. Marking Scheme should
be strictly adhered to and religiously followed. However, while evaluating, answers which are
based on latest information or knowledge and/or are innovative, these may be assessed for
their correctness and marks be awarded to them.

3. The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by each evaluator on
the first day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as per the instructions given in the
Marking Scheme. The remaining answer books meant for evaluation shall be given only after
ensuring that there is no significant variation in the marking of individual evaluators.

4. Evaluators will mark (√) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer “X” be marked.
Evaluators will not put right kind of mark (√) while evaluating which gives an impression that the
answer is correct and no marks are awarded. This is the most common mistake which
evaluators are committing.

5. If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part. Marks awarded
for different parts of the question should be then totalled up and written in the left-hand side
margin and encircled. This must be followed strictly.

6. If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left hand margin and
encircled. This must also be followed strictly.

7. If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving more marks
should be retained and the other answer scored out.

8. No marks are to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized only
once.

9. A full scale of marks 0-80 has to be used. Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the
answer deserves it.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 1

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

10. Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e. 8 hours every
day and evaluate 20 answer books per day in main subjects and 25 answer books in other
subjects (details are given in the spot guidelines).

11. Ensure that you don’t make the following common types of errors committed by the Examiner
in the past:-

 Leaving answer or part thereof unassessed in an answer book.
 Giving more marks for an answer than assigned to it.
 Wrong totalling of marks awarded for an answer.
 Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title page.
 Wrong question wise totalling on the title page.
 Wrong grand total.
 Marks in words and figure not tallying.
 Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to the online award list.
 Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick mark (√) is
correctly and clearly indicated. It should not merely be a line. Same is with the (X) for an
incorrect answer.)
 Half or a part of the answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks awarded.

12. While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it should be
marked as (X) and awarded zero (0) Marks.

13. Any unassessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page or totalling error detected
by the candidate shall damage the prestige of all the personnel engaged in the evaluation work
as also of the Board. Hence, in order to uphold the prestige of all concerned, it is again
reiterated that the instructions be followed meticulously and judiciously.

14. The examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the ‘Guidelines for Spot
Evaluation’ before starting the actual evaluation.

15. Every examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks carried over to the
title page, correctly totalled and written in figures and words.

16. The Board permits candidates to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request in an RTI
application and also separately as a part of the re-evaluation process on payment of the
processing charges.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 2

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

1/1/1 SUGGESTED VALUE POINTS 2020
SECTION A: READING
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE

NOTE: No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and
1 grammar, spelling, or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student 12 marks
has been able to identify the core ideas. If a student literally lifts a portion
of the given passage as an answer to a question, no mark(s) to be deducted
for this as long as it is relevant.
1.1 MCQ (Any Five)
(a) The first green corridor in India was created in
Ans.(a) (ii) Chennai 1 mark
(b) The organisation which is framing a proposal to airlift cadaver organs is
Ans.(b) (iii) National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation 1 mark
(c) The onerous task that the author is talking about in para 1 is
Ans.(c) (iii) to carry the harvested organ in the shortest possible time 1 mark
(d) Most of the people do not go for heart transplant as
Ans.(d) (iv) the cost is prohibitive 1 mark
(e) Most states refer organ transplant cases to big hospitals because
Ans.(e) (i) they don’t have well-trained experts 1 mark
(f) Heart retrieved from a body is alive only for _____ hours.
Ans.(f) (iii) four 1 mark

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly:
(a) What is a ‘green corridor’?
traditional method of transferring/transporting organs by road / a short route
Ans.(a) cleared and cordoned off by the traffic police / a route for the smooth and steady 1 mark
transportation of the harvested organs
(b) Why is smooth transportation of the retrieved organ necessary?
A harvested / retrieved organ has a short life / organs have a very short
Ans.(b) 1 mark
preservation time
What opinion do you form of the Chennai Police with regard to the
(c)
transportation of a harvested heart?
proved to be very efficient / helpful / caring / responsible / quick / prompt / any
Ans.(c) 1 mark
other relevant point
(d) What does the author mean by ‘a few golden hours’?
The few hours during which the harvested organ is alive / the time the harvested
Ans.(d) organ is to be transported and transplanted / short preservation time of the 1 mark
harvested organ
(e) How much does a heart transplant cost a patient in a private hospital?
Ans.(e) 15-20 lakhs 1 mark

1.3 Pick the words from the passage which mean the same
(a) save (para 1)
Ans.(a) preserve 1 mark
(b) achieved / carried out (para 3)
Ans.(b) accomplished 1 mark

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 3

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

2 NOTE MAKING 8 marks
Note:
 If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit
should be given.
 1 mark allotted for the title is to be given, even if a student has
written the title either in Q2 (a) or Q2 (b).
 Content must be divided into headings and sub-headings.
The notes provided below are only guidelines. Any other title, main points
and sub-points may be accepted if they are indicative of the candidate’s
understanding of the given passage, and the notes include the main points,
with suitable and recognizable abbreviations. Complete sentences are not to
be accepted as notes.
Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a
consistent pattern is followed.
(a) NOTE-MAKING 4 marks
Distribution of Marks
Title 1 mark
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and 2 marks
notes) 1 mark
Abbreviations / Symbols (with / without key )

Suggested notes:

Title: Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television / How
Television affects lives / Any other relevant title

1. Benefits
1.1 increases know.
1.1.1 of outside world
1.1.2 science
1.1.3 medicine
1.1.4 diff. arts
1.2 recreation for old ppl. & patients
1.3 informal lang. practice
1.4 increases vocab. & helps practise listening

2. Disadvantages
2.1 ppl. watch for 6 hrs. or more
2.2 students stare at screen for hrs.
2.3 negative influence
2.4 effect on human brain
2.4.1 poor conc.

3. Impact
3.1 feels life not very exciting
3.2 TV more real, life seems boring
3.3 depression when can’t solve problems

4. Violence shown on TV
4.1 Children become violent
4.2 killings seem normal
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 4

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

Abbreviations: (minimum 4)
1. ppl. – people
2. know. – knowledge
3. & – and
4. diff. – different
5. vocab. – vocabulary
6. lang. - language
7. hrs. – hours
8. conc. – concentration
9. TV - Television

(b) Summary 4 marks
The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.
Content 2 marks
Expression 2 marks

SECTION B
(WRITING SKILLS)
NOTE: The objective of the section on Writing Skills is to test a candidate’s
writing ability. Hence, expression assumes as much importance as the
content of the answer.

3 NOTICE 4 marks
Format-
The format should include: ISSUING AUTHORITY / NAME OF THE
INSTITUTION, the word ‘NOTICE’, HEADING, DATE, and
1 mark
WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION.
The candidate should not be penalized if he / she have used capital letters for
writing a notice within or without a box.
Content 2 marks
Expression 1 mark
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.

Suggested value points:
 what
 when
 where
 importance of book fairs (optional)
 any special arrangements made by the school (optional)
 any other relevant details

(due credit should be given to economy of words)

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 5

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

OR

3 POSTER 4 marks
Format-
1 mark
The format should include: TITLE, ISSUING AUTHORITY
Content 2 marks
Expression
Catchy phrases; No special marks for colourful presentation; Creativity 1 mark

Prepare a poster highlighting the dangers of drunk driving advising
motorists to abstain from alcohol before taking the wheel.

Suggested value points:

-dangers of consuming alcohol and driving
-chances of fatal accident
-financial ruin, effect on job, work, family life
-advising to abstain

( any other relevant point)

4 LETTER WRITING 6 marks
Note: - No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given.
Credit should be given for the candidate's creativity in presentation of ideas.
Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted.
Mixing of the formats is not permitted.

Format
1. sender's address
2. date
3. receiver's address 1 mark
4. subject /heading
5. salutation
6. closing
Content 3 marks
Expression
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling 1 mark
2 marks
coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1 mark

4 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 4 titles and number of copies).

PLACING ORDER
Suggested Value Points
- opening remark
- titles (at least 4)
- number of copies
- date of delivery / discount demanded / terms of payment
- any other relevant point
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 6

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

OR
4 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.

LETTER OF COMPLAINT

Suggested Value Points

- the problem
- effects on discipline in the class
- effect on teaching-learning process
- lack of individual interaction / attention
- conclusion (may contain suggestions)

5 ARTICLE 10 marks
Format (Title and Writer’s Name) 1 mark
Content 5 marks
Expression
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 marks] 4 marks
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 marks]
In the mad rush of today’s fast-paced life, we often forget to enjoy the simple
5 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.

Suggested Value Points:

- problems of present day life
 rat race for money
 friends equally busy
 no leisure
 leads to physical, mental and emotional issues
 any other relevant point

(any 2)

-how to get over this problem
 reading
 going for a walk
 movies with family
 chatting with friends
 any other relevant point
(any 2)

OR

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 7

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

5 REPORT 10 marks
Format –Title & By line (writer’s name) 1 mark
Content 5 marks
Expression
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 marks] 4 marks
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 marks]
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.

Suggested Value Points:

- what: heavy rains, floods
- affected areas: streets, colonies; low-lying areas (worst affected)
- role of NDRF rescue team
- help rendered: as given in the question

Note: Past Tense should be used

6 DEBATE 10 marks
NOTE
- In case of the stand taken by the candidate / examinee, if the
arguments presented are contradictory to the stand taken, deduct
only half a mark.
- Students’ views to be expressed either ‘for’ or ‘against the motion
and not a mixed response.
- No title is required.
In case a candidate gives a title, no mark to be awarded to it and if a
candidate does NOT give a title, no mark to be deducted, either.
Format - opening address with taking a stand for or against the topic with
1 mark
appropriate closure
Content 5 marks
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 marks] 4 marks
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 marks]
Write a debate either for / against the motion: ‘Admission to top-notch
institutes guarantees a successful career’.

Suggested Value Points:

In Favour
- worldwide reputation
- good teaching atmosphere, well-qualified teachers
- academic infrastructure of high quality
- liaison with foreign universities
- faculty exchange-better and wider exposure
- big companies approach for placements
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 8

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

- any other relevant point

(any 3 points)

Against
- success in career depends on individual merit, not much on institute
- head hunters not easily influenced by the big name institutes but merit
- skills required for any career / profession
- any other relevant point

(any 3 points)

OR
6 SPEECH 10 marks
Note:
- No title is required.
- In case a candidate gives a title, no mark to be awarded to it and if a
candidate does NOT give a title, no mark to be deducted, either

Format - opening address , closing 1 mark
Content 5 marks
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 marks] 4 marks
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 marks]
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.

Suggested Value Points:

 importance in life
- expensive
- increasing consumption causing strain on supply

 how to save at home
- in the industry
- in the agricultural fields
- theft to be stopped
- loss in transmission
- improved infrastructure required
- what the gain will be-saving fossil fuels, lower prices, 24-hour availability
- any other relevant suggestion (any 2)

SECTION C: LITERATURE (TEXT BOOKS)
NOTE: The objective of the section on Literature is to test a candidate’s
ability to understand and interpret the prescribed text through short and long
answer type questions. Hence, both content and expression in answers to the
given questions deserve equal importance while awarding marks.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 9

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

This question has been designed to test the students’ understanding of the
7
text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions 8 marks
based on the given extract. In other words, it attempts to test their reading
comprehension ONLY.
RTC Poetry
(a)
“When Aunt is dead........proud and unafraid.”

(i) Who is the aunt afraid of?
Ans. uncle / her husband / her husband’s domination / any other relevant point 1 mark
(ii) What do the tigers represent here?
Ans. fearlessness / boldness / bravery / pride / any other relevant point 1 mark
(iii) How has Mrs. Jennifer failed in her aim?
even after her death, she is suffering from the pain / torture / has not gained 1 mark
Ans.
freedom from oppression / still ringed by her ordeals
(iv) Name the figure of speech used in the second line.
Ans. Metaphor / pun / personification 1 mark

RTC Prose
(b)
“Here I sit, she said...........believed me when I told them.”

(i) Who is ‘she’? Who is ‘he’?
Ans. Sophie, Danny Casey ½ + ½ mark
(ii) Why did ‘she’doubt that ‘he’ would not come?
her infatuation for Casey was a result of her fanciful imagination, not based on 1 mark
Ans.
reality / all a figment of her mind
(iii) When did ‘she’ realise that ‘he’ would not come?
Ans. when a long time passed / she recalled Geoff’s words 1 mark
Which word in the passage is opposite in the meaning to the word
(iv)
‘certainty’?
Ans. doubt 1 mark

Short answer type questions (Any five) 2 X 5 =10
Distribution of marks: marks
8. Content: 1 mark
Expression : 1 mark
(deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical / spelling mistakes)

What was the contract between the sharecroppers of Champaran and their
(a)
British landlords?
-forced to grow Indigo on 15% of holdings and surrender entire produce to the 2 marks
Ans.
British as rent
(b) What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired?
Loyalty / energy / creativity / talented actor / poet / always helpful in most 2 marks
Ans. aspects of film production / generous hearted
(any two)
(c) How did William Douglas’s fear of water start?
-at California beach with father-three or four years old-a great wave knocked him 2 marks
Ans.
down-buried in water-fear started

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 10

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

(d) Why does the speaker call Shakespeare wicked and the map a bad example?
-Shakespeare and map both have no relevance for the slum dwellers / 2 marks
Ans. Shakespeare tempts through depiction of life of nobility and maps paint a rosy
picture of the world
(e) How has Mr. Lamb kept himself open to everyone?
-no curtains on windows / gates always open / does not want to shut out the world 2 marks
Ans. / open to making friends / offers apples, pears and toffees to visitors
(any two)
(f) What distracted Bama most on her way back from school?
-an elder of the street; his way of walking carrying a small packet-holding out its 2 marks
Ans.
string
How was Gondwana different from today’s world? Describe it. (Journey to
(g)
the end of the Earth)
Gondwana- huge land mass existing 650 million years ago; having no human life; 2 marks
Ans. climate warmer; had huge variety of flora and fauna; now part of it divided into
Indian sub-continent and South America; today a frigid zone
Q.9 & 10: These questions have been set to test the students’
understanding of the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond
to the issues raised therein. Hence no particular answer can be accepted as
the only correct answer. All presentations may be accepted as equally
correct provided they have been duly supported by the facts drawn from the
text. The important thing is that the student should be able to justify his or
her viewpoint.
Distribution of marks:
Content: 3 marks
Expression : 3 marks
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [1½ marks]
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1½ marks]

9. 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.

Ans. Suggested Value Points:

- bangle makers work hard under dingy, unhealthy conditions
6 marks
- children deprived of education
- working conditions adversely affect their eyesight-end up losing their vision
- bangle makers exploited by sahukars etc.
- belief in destiny / karma / their god-given lineage

(any three)

OR
9. Why do celebrities find fault with an interview?

Ans. Suggested Value Points:
6 marks
- see themselves as victims
- intrusion into their private lives

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 11

Set-1, Code No.-1/1/1 2020

- it diminishes them
- feel that interviewer is in a position of power and influence
- immoral, a crime, assault on personality, cowardly and vile-Rudyard
Kipling
- interviews like thumbprints on one’s wind pipe-Saul Bellow
- views of V.S. Naipaul / Lewis Carrol / H.G. Wells etc.

(any 3)

10. 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)

Suggested Value Points:
6 marks
- reference to Charley and how he deals with it
- indulges in stamp collecting-a temporary refuge from the present
- strays into the third level because of desire to go back to Galesburg when
life was free of insecurities, stress, anxiety and wars

OR
10. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

Suggested Value Points:

1st part

-Tiger King met his end at the hands of a wooden tiger
- made by unskilled craftsman
-tiger with slivers sticking out
-sliver causes wound
6 marks
-king needs surgery
-dies during surgery

Irony

-king unaware that he had not killed the 100th tiger (dramatic irony)
-killed 99 live tigers but was killed by a wooden tiger
-surgery declared a success even though the king died
(any one)

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 12