ISC Class 12 Competency Based Questions (CBQ) English Language

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PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their
teaching-learning processes.

September 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel
Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE

English Language ISC-Class XII

Table of Contents

S.No. Type of Questions Page Nos.

I. Composition-Based Section 1-2

A. Very Long Answer Questions 1

B. Long Answer Questions 1-2

II. Comprehension Section (Passage I & II) 3-8

A. Very Short Answer Questions 4&7

B. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 4-5 & 7

C. Short Answer Questions 5 & 7-8

D. Long Answer Questions 5&8

III. Grammar Section 9-12

A. Transformation of Sentences 9-10

B. Phrasal Verbs 10-11

C. Forms of Verbs 12

Answer Key 13-20

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions

English Language ISC-Class XII

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ISC-CLASS XII

English Language

I: Composition-Based Section

S.No. Questions

A. Very Long Answer Questions (20 Marks Each) (Word Limit: 400-450 words) (Create)

1. Narrate a humorous experience of how a new tech gadget that you had purchased gave you more
trouble than it was worth.

2. Write a composition on Sunshine.

3. Make an original short story that begins with the following words:
‘Walking through the crowd, she saw…’

4. Describe your experience of a school excursion to a place of historical interest. Give an account
of some of the sights and sounds, your interactions with your classmates, your feelings, and your
learning from the trip.

5. All school examinations should be open-book. Express your views either FOR or AGAINST the
given statement.

6. ‘Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change
anything’. Present your reflections on this statement.

B. Long Answer Questions (Application & Evaluate)

DIRECTED WRITING: BOOK REVIEW & REPORT WRITING (15 Marks Each )

7. Recently you read an interesting fictional book. Write a review of it, using the guidelines given
below:
Name of the book and author - a brief outline of the story - main characters - setting - the best
feature of the work of fiction - impact on readers.

8. Your teacher has asked you to write a report on your annual sports day for the school magazine.
Write the report in about 250 words using the guidelines below:
Date and venue of the event– march past and opening ceremony–athletic events–displays–chief
guest’s speech–prize distribution and closing ceremony.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

English Language ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

DIRECTED WRITING: PROPOSAL WRITING (10 Marks Each)

9. As the Literary Secretary of your school, you have been given the responsibility of starting a book
club. Write a proposal in not more than 150 words, outlining the steps you will undertake to
establish this club successfully.

10. As the Head Boy/ Head Girl of your school, you would like to organise an interclass dance
competition. Write the proposal in not more than 150 words, outlining the steps you will undertake
to make this competition a success.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

English Language ISC-Class XII

II. Comprehension Section

Read the passage given below and answer the questions (A), (B), (C) and (D) that follow:
Passage I:
[1] Kenny Merchant- that wasn’t his real name, but then, little was real about Kenny. He had selected
Harrods on a quiet Monday morning as the venue for the first part of his operation.
[2] He was dressed in a pinstriped suit, white shirt and a Guards tie. The door was held open for him
by a commissionaire who on spotting the tie immediately saluted him. The same commissionaire had
not saluted him on any of his several visits during the previous week, but to be fair, he had been
dressed then in a shiny, well-worn suit and open-necked shirt. But last week had only been for
reconnaissance; today he planned to be arrested.
Although Harrods has over a hundred thousand customers a week, the quietest period is always
between ten and eleven on a Monday morning. Kenny knew every detail about the great store.
[3] He knew where all the CCTV cameras were placed, and could recognise any of the security guards
at thirty paces. He even knew the name of the assistant who would be serving him that morning,
although Mr Parker had no idea that he had been selected as a tiny cog in Kenny’s well-oiled machine.
[4] When Kenny appeared at the jewellery department that morning, Mr Parker was briefing a young
assistant on the changes he required to the shelf display.
“Good morning, sir,” said Mr Parker, turning to face his first customer of the day. “How can I help
you?”
“I was looking for a pair of silver cufflinks,” Kenny said, in the clipped tones he hoped made him
sound like a Guards officer.
Mr Parker proceeded to place on the counter a box of silver cufflinks.
Kenny already knew the pair he wanted, as he had picked them out the previous Saturday afternoon.
“What about those?” he asked, pointing to the top shelf.
[5] As the shop assistant turned away, Kenny checked the TV surveillance camera and took a pace
to the right, to be sure that they could see him more clearly.
Mr Parker reached up to remove the cufflinks and Kenny slid the chosen pair off the counter and
slipped them into his jacket pocket.
He saw a security guard moving swiftly towards him. He asked him to accompany him.
“I have never been so insulted in my life,” said Kenny.
[6] About half an hour later the police arrived and Kenny was driven to the Horseferry Road
Magistrates’ Court.
The charge was read out and he pleaded guilty.
“Is there anything else you would like me to take into consideration before I pass a sentence?” Asked
the magistrate.
“Yes, sir,” said Kenny. “I stole a watch from Selfridges last week. I would like to return it.”
The judge nodded and looking at the defendant’s address ordered that a constable should accompany
Mr Merchant home to retrieve the stolen merchandise.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

English Language ISC-Class XII
“Oh, my God,” said the young constable as he opened the door to Kenny’s apartment. The place was
full of expensive jewellery, paintings, objects d’art and antique furniture.
[7] “What is your game, laddie? I don’t believe any of it belongs to you.” Asked Chief Inspector
Travis after he had been called by the constable.
“Then you will have to prove it, because if you fail to do so, the law assumes that it belongs to me.
The only thing I admit stealing, and am returning, is one watch. Timex Masterpiece, value forty-four
pounds, stolen from Selfridges and that being the case, I will be able to dispose of it as I wish,”
replied Kenny.
[8] Kenny was in the dock and charged with the theft of goods to the value of twenty-four thousand
pounds.
The police made an inventory of everything and spent the next six months trying to trace the owners
of the treasure trove. But despite advertising in all the recognised journals and even showing the
goods on Crimewatch over 80 percent of the items remained unclaimed.
Kenny pleaded guilty to the indictment, aware that when the police gave evidence, they would be
unable to mention any of the goods that had remained unclaimed. In fact, the police had to return the
property that they were unable to prove had been stolen.
Adapted from: Crime Pays
By Jeffrey Archer

S.No. Questions

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each) (Understanding)

A. Find a single word from the passage that will exactly replace the underlined word or words
in the following sentences.

11. The diplomat made a commendable effort to get back the stolen artefact of the nation from
the foreign country.

12. The sailors were careful to see that goods to be sold and bought were not damaged because
of the harsh weather.

13. He looked trim and tidy in his new outfit.

14. His service was required only as a small connector to reach the main culprit.

Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each) (Understanding & Evaluate)

B. For each of the words given below, choose the correct sentence that uses the same word
unchanged in spelling, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in the
passage.

15. Operation (Paragraph 1)
(a) There were certain restrictions on the operation of market forces.
(b) They wondered if the well-known store was still in operation.
(c) She has never felt better since her by-pass operation.
(d) After several espionage operations, the spy retired to a life of anonymity.

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English Language ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

16. Fair (Paragraph 2)
(a) In all fairness, the film was not up to our expectations.
(b) To be fair, the old man did not recognise his friend as it had been years since they had
met.
(c) The fairground was crowded and lively.
(d) Sukhi marvelled at all the beautiful and bright bangles at the fair.

17. Suit (Paragraph 2)
(a) They won't let men into the gym without a jogging suit and sneakers.
(b) Customers will be offered solutions that best suit their needs.
(c) She decided to wear a grey suit to the business meeting that morning.
(d) He can be very helpful but only when it suits him.

18. Counter (Paragraph 5)
(a) My grandmother dislikes people putting dirty shopping bags on her kitchen counter.
(b) I tried to argue but my mother countered that I would have to be eighteen to drive a
car.
(c) You can get computers to help the counters count the votes.
(d) Businesses would like to see new laws to counter late payments of debts.

C. Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each) (Understanding & Analysis)

19. How does the writer indicate right at the beginning that Kenny Merchant was up to no good?

20. Why do you think Kenny chose the quietest period for his plan?

21. ‘The same commissionaire had not saluted him on any of his several visits during the
previous week…’ Why did this happen? What does this tell you about people in general?

22. How do you think Kenny knew every detail about Harrods?

23. What was Kenny’s purpose in ensuring that the surveillance cameras caught him in their
frame?

24. Mr Parker is described as a ‘tiny cog in Kenny’s well-oiled machine’. Explain the meaning
of this phrase.

25. Why did Kenny plead guilty to the accusation/indictment?

D. Long Answer Questions (8 Marks Each) (Evaluate & Create)

26. Using material from Paragraphs 2 to 5, write in not more than 100 words, Kenny’s
meticulous planning in his bid to be arrested at Harrod.

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English Language ISC-Class XII
Passage II:
(1) I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf
for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more
appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
(2) And I have imagined what I should most like to see if I were given the use of my eyes, say,
for just three days. I should divide the period into three parts. On the first day, I should want
to see the people whose kindness and companionship have made my life worth living.
(3) I do not know what it is to see into the heart of a friend through that ‘window of the soul’, the
eye. I can only ‘see’ through my fingertips the outline of a face I know my friends from the
feel of their faces.
(4) How much easier, how much more satisfying it is for you who can see to grasp quickly the
essential qualities of another person by watching the subtleties of expression, that quiver of a
muscle, the flutter of a hand.
(5) Oh, the things I should see if I had the power of sight for just three days!
(6) The first day would be a busy one. I should call to me all my dear friends and look long into
their faces, imprinting upon my mind the outward evidence of the beauty that is within them.
I should like to see the books which have been read to me, and which have revealed to me the
deepest channels of human life. And I should like to look into the loyal, trusting eyes of my
dogs, the little Scottie and the stalwart Great Dane. In the afternoon I should take a long walk
in the woods and intoxicate my eyes on the beauties of the world of nature. And I should pray
for the glory of a colourful sunset. That night, I think, I should not be able to sleep.
(7) The next day I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle by which night is
transformed into day. I should behold with awe the magnificent panorama of light with which
the sun awakens the sleeping Earth.
(8) My next stop would be the Museum of Art. So, on this, my second day, I should try to probe
into the soul of man through his art. The things I knew through touch I should now see.
(9) The evening of my second day I should spend at a theatre or at the movies. How I should like
to see the fascinating figure of Hamlet, or the gusty Falstaff amid colourful Elizabethan
trappings!
(10) The following morning, I shall spend in the workaday world, amid the haunts of men going
about the business of life. The city becomes my destination. First, I stand at a busy corner,
merely looking at people, trying by sight of them to understand something of their daily lives.
I see smiles, and I am happy. I see serious determination, and I am proud. I see suffering, and
I am compassionate. I stroll down Fifth Avenue in New York City. I throw my eyes out of
focus, so that I see no particular object but only a seething kaleidoscope of colour. Always
my eyes are open wide to all the sights of both happiness and misery so that I may probe deep
and add to my understanding of how people work and live.
(11) My third day of sight is drawing to an end. At midnight, the permanent night would close in
on me again. Naturally in those three short days, I should not have seen all I wanted to see.
(12) I am, however, sure that if you faced that fate, you would use your eyes as never
before. Make the most of every sense; glory in all the facets of pleasure and beauty which
the world reveals to you through the several means of contact that nature provides. But of
all the senses, I am sure that sight must be the most delightful.
Adapted from: Three days to see
By Hellen Keller

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

English Language ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

A. Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each) (Understanding & Evaluate)

Find a single word from the passage that will exactly replace the underlined word or words in the
following sentences.

27. The contribution was absolutely necessary for the survival of the family.

28. The unbelievable magic that happened in their lives is beyond imagination.

29. The rooftop gave a complete view of every direction of the landscape.

B. Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each) (Understanding & Evaluate)

For each of the words given below, choose the correct sentence that uses the same word unchanged
in spelling, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage.

30. Parts (Paragraph 2)
(a) Parting is such sweet sorrow.
(b) The two parts look similar to the rest of the diagram.
(c) There are always tears when she parts from her mother.
(d) Part of the fault lies in your behaviour.

31. Sense (Paragraph 12)
(a) I sensed tension in the room.
(b) My hearing is sharper than the other senses.
(c) There is no sense in repeating the task.
(d) A dog’s sense of smell is ten times stronger than a human’s.

32. Haunts (Paragraph 10)
(a) They say that a ghost haunts this mansion.
(b) The ice cream parlour is our favourite haunt.
(c) She has a haunted look about her.
(d) Gardens and meadows are the usual haunts of poets.

C. Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each) (Understanding & Analysis)

33. Why do you think Helen Keller would not be able to sleep on the day after receiving her
sight?

34. What evidence is provided in the passage that Helen Keller harboured an attitude of
gratitude?

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English Language ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

35. Why do you think she says she is sure that sight must be the most delightful of all the
senses?

36. According to Helen Keller, why would it be a blessing if all human beings became blind
and deaf for a few days?

37. What difference would sight make to her with regard to her friends?

38. What do you understand about Helen Keller’s character from the advice she gives to people
who have the gift of sight?

39. What does the phrase ‘subtleties of expression’ mean in the context of this passage? Why
does Helen Keller wish to see them?

D. Long Answer Questions (8 Marks Each) (Evaluate & Create)

40. Using material from Paragraphs 6 to 9, write in not more than 100 words, what would Helen
Keller like to do for the first two days if she were to gain sight.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

English Language ISC-Class XII

III. Grammar

S.No. Questions

A. Transformation of Sentences (Application) (1 Mark Each)

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each of them in brackets.

41. As soon as he stepped into the house, Shane’s father scolded him for being late.
(Begin: Hardly ..………… )

42. Although the odds were overwhelming, the crew of the ship navigated the globe.
(Begin: Despite……)

43. “Why did Hercules set out to complete these daunting tasks?”, said the teacher to Tom.
(Begin: The teacher……..)

44. They rushed to the airport so that they do not miss the flight.
(Use: …………………Lest………………………)

45. Had it not been for your help, he would have failed.
(Begin: But ……….)

46. I have no knowledge whatsoever about artificial intelligence.
(Use:…………….know……………..)

47. No sooner does the child wake up than she calls for her mother.
(Begin: Barely……..)

48. Scarcely did he leave when his friends came looking for him.
(Begin: As soon as…….)

49. The veena is said to be the oldest stringed instrument in India.
(Use:…….. as old as…………..)

50. As soon as the boys spot the coach, they hide.
(Begin: No sooner………….)

51. As soon as the bell rang, my mother rushed to check who was calling.
(Use: …………than……………….)

52. The accused was too gentle to have committed the crime.
(Use:………..so…………..that…….)

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S.No. Questions

53. Beena is a good dancer as well as a great singer.
(Use: ………………..but also…………….)

54. As soon as the discussion ended, the director left the room.
(Begin: No sooner…………….)

B. Phrasal Verbs (Application) (1 Mark Each)

In the following sentences, replace the INCORRECT underlined words to make the sentences
meaningful and grammatically correct.

55. The soldiers fought out when attacked by the enemies.
We should have the courage to fight with our rights.

56. The tickets for the new Avengers movie were sold away within a few hours.
The chef was eager to sell out the last of the cakes.

57. The grandmother promised to bring about the children well.
The new principal said he would bring on many changes.

58. Although she faced a tragedy, we are sure she will get off it soon.
At the end of the year, we all want to get out from the hustle and bustle of the city.

59. Be sure to put out your lifejacket before you get onboard.
She refused to put on with their antics any more.

60. She was let away with a warning as her actions were not deliberate.
The rain did not let on so they were forced to cancel the plan for a picnic.

61. When he got his birthday cake, he blew off all the candles on it.
They had to take shelter for the night till the storm blew away.

62. She always brought on the best in her students.
The guests were cautioned not to bring about the sensitive topic.

63. Their plans fell off due to disagreements in the team.
They have not spoken to each other since they fallen away many years ago.

64. The boy takes over his father in every way.
I took on swimming quicker than my parents thought I would.

65. The lyrics had been put for music.
His indifferent attitude has put us in.

66. The disgraced minister fell for power.
New Year’s Day falls in a Tuesday this year.

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S.No. Questions

67. The candidate’s name was struck away the rolls on his request.
I was struck with the startling resemblance between the mother and the daughter.

68. The judge was bowled away by the talent of the students at the fest.
The player was declared bowled over by the umpire.

69. Maanya was able to deal away the delicate situation.
Mr Lakhmani deals with antiques and curios.

70. Vansh keeps putting on going to the dentist.
They offered to put us in for the night when we visited their city.

71. It is a good idea to back on your files onto a memory stick.
He lost confidence and backed off of the deal at the last minute.

72. It was cloudy since morning but the sun finally broke over the clouds at noon.
The burglars broke through the store after midnight.

73. It is time to fight with street crime.
He was hurt while trying to fight away the robbers.

74. The doctors think that she will pull away.
No one expected him to pull on a trick like that.

75. The coach called away the training session due to heavy rain.
We decided to call out our aunt who lived in a nearby city.

76. While looking through the old album, I came to a funny picture of mine.
The food in this restaurant is so good that we will surely come up for more.

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C. Forms of Verbs (Application) (1 Mark Each)

Fill in the blanks in the passage given below with the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets.
Do not write the passage but write the verbs in the correct order.

Passage I

77. Clashes between generations are nothing new. In the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll was berated as
immoral, and fifty years later, hip-hop has had much the same treatment.
The exact same thing (1) ___________ (happen) in ancient Rome over two thousand years
ago.
During the Second Punic War, when Hannibal had nearly (2) _______ (lead) the
Carthaginians to victory over the Roman Republic,

78. A young man, Scipio Africanus (3) ________ (step) in to save the day. He was, without doubt,
a military genius, but his personal habits (4) _______ (earn) him the disrespect of the Roman
Senate’s venerable older members.

79. The Roman historian Livy records that young Scipio (5) _____ (have) long “flowing” hair,
quite different from the usual Roman fashion of shaved scalps. This (6) ____ (be) semi-
scandalous in Rome.

80. Later, when Scipio (7) ________ (propose) to (8) ______(invade) Carthage,

81. his hairstyle and dress sense (9) ______ (hold) against him by an elder statesman and general,
Fabius Maximus. However, much we idolise ancient Rome, it is worth (10)__________
(remember) that they too had serious inter-generational clashes over things as minor as
fashion.

Passage II

82. It was midnight and a train was______ (1) (race) to its destination with a howl in the silence
of the night. A man _______ (2) (sleep) with his head on the side window of the train.

83. Suddenly, he ______ (3) (wake) up from his sleep. He jumped from his seat and pulled the
chain_____(4) (hang) just over his head.

84. The train moved for some more distance and _______(5) (stop) suddenly. The employees and
other passengers on the train rushed to the compartment to know what ______(6) (happen)

85. "There is a crack in the rail a few meters from here !!! If the train____(7) (go) over it, there is
surely going to be a mishap," the man said quietly.
"In this dark night, how ____(8) (do) you see the crack which is far in front ?” someone asked.

86. He said that he ______(9) (hear) the vibrating sound from the track change so drastically that
he recognised it was due to the crack in the railway line. The man who _____(10) (save) many
lives that night was none other than the best engineer that India has ever produced,
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya or Sir M.Visvesvaraya.

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ANSWER KEY

Q.No. Expected Answers

1. This is a narrative topic. Students must begin the essay by referring to the situation given
in the question and then narrate their humorous experience of the way a new tech gadget
that they had purchased gave them more trouble than it was worth.

2. This is a one-word topic. Any type of composition, even a short story, may be written, as
long as it is connected with the word.

3. This has to be an original short story. The story must begin with the words given in the
question. It must contain all the essential elements of a short story such as, plot, setting,
characters, and the beginning and ending must be a logical one.

4. This is a descriptive topic. Students must use adjectives to describe what they saw, the
sounds they heard and the interactions they had with their classmates at the School
excursion. They must also express how they felt, what they learnt when they were on the
trip.

5. This is an argumentative topic. Students are to present their arguments either for or against
the topic. At least four distinct arguments must be provided.
There should be cohesive, well-constructed logical arguments and ideas based on logical
reasoning and experience.

6. This is a reflective topic. Students must provide their views on the given topic and
substantiate them by citing examples.

7. Adequate amplifications of the points given. Marks are allotted as – 1 mark for the given
point and 1 mark for the amplification. The number of sentences does not matter.

8. Adequate amplifications of the points given. Marks are allotted as – 1 mark for the given
point and 1 mark for the amplification. The number of sentences does not matter.

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English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

9. TITLE:
• The title must be centre-aligned.
• The title should be around 5-6 words.
HEADING/ INTRODUCTION:
• Two points about the importance of reading.
• Also, must mention the intention to start the book club in order to ….
(In complete sentences)
OBJECTIVES:
• The objectives should have at least two points (in the form of a paragraph and
not pointwise) about how this club would benefit students. (In complete sentences)
• The student should introduce two distinct reasons for such a proposal. It may be the
benefits of it from the receiving end as well as the institution.

LIST OF MEASURES:
At least four points of steps taken to get the Literary Club running.

MEASURES:
• The list of measures must be at least four in number-when, where, who, how.
• Subheadings to be mentioned.
• It should be a coherent plan of action that you propose to use while setting up your
club.
• Try to use the word ‘may’ in your list of measures as you propose the list of measures
to be taken. The final decision is to be made by the head of the institution.
• The words need to be formal and polite.
CONCLUSION:
• One-line statement to end your proposal.
• It should politely request the head of the institution to accept your offer.

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Q.No. Expected Answers

10. TITLE:
• The title must be centre-aligned.
• The title should be around 5-6 words.
HEADING/ INTRODUCTION:
• Two points about the importance of dance.
• Also, must mention the purpose of organising the competition.
(In complete sentences.)
OBJECTIVES:
• The objectives should have at least two points (in the form of a paragraph and not
pointwise) about how this competition would benefit students.
(In complete sentences)
• The student should introduce two distinct reasons for such a proposal. It may be the
benefits of it from the receiving end as well as the institution.

MEASURES :
• The list of measures must be at least four in number.
• Subheadings to be mentioned.
• It should be a coherent plan of action that you propose to use while planning for the
dance competition.
• Try to use the word ‘may’ in your list of measures as you propose the list of measures
to be taken. The final decision is to be made by the head of the institution.
• The words need to be formal and polite.
CONCLUSION:
• A concluding line to request the principal to approve of the proposal to organise the
dance competition.
• A one-line statement to express hope that the proposal would be accepted

11. retrieve

12. Merchandise

13. dapper

14. cog

15. (c) She has never felt better since her by-pass operation.

16. (d) Sukhi marvelled at all the beautiful and bright bangles at the fair.

17. (b) Customers will be offered solutions that best suit their needs.

18. (d) Businesses would like to see new laws to counter late payments of debts.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 15

English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

19. Kenny not his real name, in fact everything about him is dubious.

20. To ensure that he got Mr Parker’s undivided attention because the success of his plan
depended on it.

21. Earlier, he used to dress in a shiny, well-worn suit and open-necked shirt. But later, he
was dressed in a pinstriped suit, white shirt and a Guards tie.
This showed that people judge a book by its cover.

22. The previous week he had been there for reconnaissance; he had planned everything out
meticulously, right to being arrested that day.

23. He had planned to be arrested so that he was caught with all of his heist, blamed only for
one, and able to outwit the law./ To ensure he was clearly caught by the camera while he
pocketed the item – wanted to be arrested.

24. Mr Parker is a small part of the large plan that Kenny has made to get arrested. His plan
is described as well-oiled because it is foolproof.

25. He pleaded guilty so that he could expose all his other thefts and get away with them.

26. • Kenny had visited Harrods for several weeks before the operation.
• He knew every detail of the store, especially where all the CCTV cameras were placed.
• He could recognise every security guard and even knew the name of the assistant who
would serve him that day.
• He dressed in a pin-striped suit, white shirt and a Guard’s tie in order to impress the
commissionaire who immediately saluted and opened the door for him.
• Kenny chose Monday morning for his operation since he knew it was the quietest time
of the week.
• He spoke in clipped tones while speaking to the store’s assistant and hoped he would
sound like a Guards officer.
• He pointed to the silver cufflinks which he had already picked out the previous
Saturday.
• When the assistant turned to get the cufflinks, he placed himself so that the CCTV
camera would capture him when he stole the cufflinks.

27. essential

28. miracle

29. panorama

30. (c) There are always tears when she parts from her mother.

31. (c) There is no sense in repeating the task.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 16

English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

32. (a) They say that a ghost haunts this mansion.

33. She would be so excited to see the things she had only imagined so far and the images
would keep her from sleeping. (Any relevant answer to this effect)

34. On the first day, Keller said she would want to see those people who had stood by her as
friends and companions and made her life worth living….she was grateful for the books
that had revealed to her the deepest channels of human life…..and she referred to her dogs
as loyal.

35. According to Keller, the sense of sight gave more clues to understanding than any other.
She believed that the world is revealed to you through the wonderful contact with nature.
She herself did not have the gift of sight./ Since she herself was deprived of sight.

36. Darkness would make them more appreciative of sight; silence would teach them the joys
of sound.

37. She would be able to see into the heart of their souls through the ‘window’ of their eyes.
Until now, she only knew the outline of their faces by touching with her fingers.

38. She did not resent her lack of sight and hearing. She would want others to appreciate their
faculties and not take it for granted.

39. Small movements or gestures that provide clues to understand the essential qualities of a
person. It would be satisfying to understand the characteristics of her friends./They help
in understanding the character or feelings of others or to understand the heart of a friend.

40. • She would call her friends and look into their faces to imprint the outward evidence
of their inner beauty.
• See the books that were read to her which revealed the channels of life.
• Look into the eyes of her dogs to see their loyalty
• Take a walk in the woods to intoxicate her eyes on the beauty of nature.
• See the thrilling miracle by which night is transformed into day.
• Behold with awe the magnificent panorama of light with which the sun awakens the
sleeping Earth. Go to the Museum of Art to look into the soul of man.
• Go to the theatre or the movies to watch Elizabethan plays.

41. Hardly did Shane step into the house when his father scolded him for being late./Hardly
did Shane step into the house when Shane’s father scolded him for being late.

42. Despite the overwhelming odds, the crew of the ship navigated the globe./Despite the
odds being overwhelming, the crew of the ship navigated the globe.

43. The teacher asked Tom why had Hercules set out to complete those daunting tasks.

44. They rushed to the airport lest they miss the flight.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 17

English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

45. But for your help, he would have failed.

46. I do not know anything whatsoever about artificial intelligence.

47. Barely does the child wake up when she calls for her mother.

48. As soon as he left, his friends came looking for him.

49. No other stringed instrument in India is said to be as old as the veena.

50. No sooner do the boys spot the coach than they hide.

51. No sooner did the bell ring than my mother rushed to check who was calling.

52. The accused was so gentle that he could not have committed the crime.

53. Not only is Beena a good dancer but also a great singer.

54. No sooner did the discussion end than the director left the room.

55. back/ on
for

56. out
off

57. up
about/ in
over
58.
away

59. on
up

60. off
up

61. out
over

62. out
up

63. through
out

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 18

English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

64. after
to

65. to
off

66. from
on

67. off
by

68. over
out

69. with
in

70. off
up

71. up
out

72. through
into

73. against
off

74. through
off

75. off
on/up

76. across
back

77. (1) happened
(2) led

78. (3) stepped
(4) had earned

79. (5) had
(6) was

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 19

English Language ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

80. (7) proposed
(8) invade

81. (9) were held
(10) remembering

82. (1) racing
(2) was sleeping

83. (3) woke
(4) hanging

84. (5) stopped
(6) had happened

85. (7) goes
(8) did

86. (9) had heard
(10) had saved

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 20