CBSE Class 12 English Core Question Paper 2020 Set 1-3-2 Solutions

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

Strictly Confidential: (For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination-2020
Marking Scheme – ENGLISH CORE
(SUBJECT CODE : 301) (PAPER CODE – 1/3/2)

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-2, Code No.-1/3/2 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-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

1/3/2 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 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-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

2 NOTE MAKING
Note: 8 marks
 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-2, Code No.-1/3/2 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 ADVERTISEMENT 4 marks
Format
Heading – SITUATION VACANT / GOLDEN SOFTWARE SOLUTION
1 mark
NEEDS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Content 2 marks
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, spelling, coherence etc. Due credit to economy of words 1 mark

As General Manager, Golden Software Solutions, New Delhi, you need a
software engineer for your organisation. Draft an advertisement for
‘Situation Vacant’ columns of a national newspaper stating your
requirements regarding age, qualifications, experience and salary offered.
(50 words)
Suggested value points:

 requirement – software engineer
 job/ duties
 qualifications
 experience
 contact details
 last date for applying / date of walk in interview
 salary, perks offered
(any other relevant details)

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 5

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

OR

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

Expression 1 mark
Grammatical accuracy, spelling, coherence etc. Economy of words

You are Nitin/Nalini, Cultural Secretary, S.V.A. Public School, Jaipur. Your
school is staging the play, ‘Shakuntalam’. Write a notice, to be displayed on
your school notice board, mentioning time, date and the city theatre where
the play will be staged. Invite the students and their parents to come and
watch the play. (50 words)

Suggested value points:
-what - Shakuntalam
-when – date & time
-where – any city theatre
- tickets

( any other relevant detail)

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 mark
1. sender's address
2. date
3. receiver
4. receiver's address
5. subject /heading
6. salutation
7. closing

3 marks
Content
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling 1 mark
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1 mark 2 marks

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 6

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

A 72-year-old Municipal Councillor of your area expired last Friday and as
she had desired, her body was donated to Army Medical College. It would be
a second life for some persons receiving some vital organs retrieved from her
body. Write a letter to the Editor, ‘Indian Times’, Chennai, highlighting the
importance of donation of eyes and other organs to persons in need. You are
Navita/Namit, 125, Sohna Road, Kodaikanal.

Suggested value points
4 6 marks
- incident
- its nobility
- need of donation (people dying etc.)
- effects on lives
- example to be set by leaders (political, social)

(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

OR

Fire broke out in one corner of the auditorium when your school’s annual 6 marks
day function was going on. Latha/Lalith, Head girl/ Head boy took command
of the situation and got all the doors opened at once, used fire extinguishers,
vacated the auditorium, provided first-aid and called the ambulance.
Imagine you are the Principal of M.V. Public School. Write a letter to the
Director of Education, recommending your student’s name for a bravery
award.

Suggested value points
4
- what
- where
- when
- how - role of student leader, various steps taken
- recommendation
- example for others

(any other relevant point)

5 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.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 7

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

Format - opening address / greetings, introduction of self whether for/
against the topic 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

‘Only managing waste is enough for the health of our citizens’. Write a
debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. You are Sarita /
Sachin.
Suggested value points
In Favour
- what is waste, kinds – industrial, e-waste etc.
- waste – increasing alarmingly
- at present little waste management (segregation and disposal)
- health hazards – leads to malaria, dengue, cancer, deformities, mutation
- how – chokes drains, breeding ground for microbes, bacteria, virus, mosquito
etc.
- pollutes water bodies – reaches animal and aquatic food
- pollutes land – contaminates farm produce
- only waste management – way to healthy nation
Against

- health – a comprehensive term
- many factors affect health – diet, life style, mental health, resources, health
awareness, hygiene, surroundings
- waste management one aspect only
- reduction in waste equally important

(any other relevant points)
(any three points)

OR

5 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]
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 8

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

Annual Examinations are approaching. You, as Principal, want to wish all
your students to prepare well for the exams. Write a speech in 150-200
words on the topic, ‘Preparing for Annual Examinations’ to be delivered in
the morning assembly. You are Reena/Rohit.

To be delivered as Principal

Suggested value points
- no need to feel tense
- just another exam
- healthy diet
- have worked hard all the year round
- revision – not continuous; not hours together ; breaks
- meditation in the morning, stay calm
- attempt easy questions first
- save time for revision
- prepare and follow your time table
- teachers / faculty support available

(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

6 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 saw a stout man riding a cycle rickshaw in the market. When the
rickshaw puller took a sharp turn, it overturned and both of them fell down.
The man started beating the poor rickshaw puller. You along with some of
the shopkeepers intervened and sorted the matter out. Write a report in 150-
200 words on the incident. You are Sohan/Sohani.

Title :
Suggested value points
- what
- when
- where
- how – the matter was sorted out?
- creativity to be rewarded

(any other relevant point)

OR
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 9

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

6 ARTICLE 10 marks
Format : Title / Heading 1 mark
Content 5 marks
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 marks]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 marks] 4 marks

The attitude of the parents towards the girl child is changing. They have
begun to realize that daughters are as good as sons. Parents are more
supportive and paying more attention to their education. Write an article in
150-200 words on the topic, ‘ Today’s Parents and the Girl Child’. You are
Suhas/Suhasini.

Suggested value points
- context building – a comparison between past and present
- birth of girl child – welcome – change in mindset
- respect for daughter’s choices
- treated on a par
- encouraged to go for unconventional professions like loco pilots (train
drivers), airlines pilots, astronauts, wrestlers, boxers etc.
- may be supported with suitable examples

(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

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.

This question has been designed to test the students’ understanding of the
text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions
7 based on the given extract. In other words, it attempts to test their reading 4+4=8 marks
comprehension ONLY.

RTC (Prose)
There was a wooden bench beneath a solitary elm where lovers sometimes
(a)
came. She sat down to wait. It was the perfect place, she had always thought
so, for a meeting of this kind.
(i) Who is she?
Ans. Sophie 1 mark
(ii) Who was she waiting for?
Ans. Danny Casey 1 mark
(iii) Why did lovers like this place for their meetings?
Ans. lonely place, no disturbance 1 mark
(iv) What was special about this meeting?
Danny Casey was not coming / Sophie was only dreaming it (day dreaming) / no
Ans. 1 mark
meeting was going to take place

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 10

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

RTC (Poetry)
Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear,
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
(b)
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car
(i) Why does the poet call this desire childish?
no car was going to stop to buy from this road side stand so foolish to hope / 1 mark
Ans.
asking for city money
(ii) Why is there sadness among people?
Ans. poor people (hoping against hope), no actual sale takes place hence so sad 1 mark
(iii) Why do these people pray for a car to stop?
Ans. so that they may be able to sell something to the motorists / get some money 1 mark
(iv) What does the word ‘squeal’ mean?
screeching sound of a stopping car (vehicles) / sound produced by a car when it 1 mark
Ans.
brakes

Short answer type questions (Any five)
Only five better answered questions to be awarded marks if more than five
are attempted.
8 10 marks
Distribution of marks:
Content: 1 mark
Expression : 1 mark
(deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/spelling mistakes)
(a) Why was the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz?
- shocking news for Franz
Ans. 2 marks
- deprived of the opportunity of learning his mother tongue – ‘French’
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishmen and the
(b)
people of Gemini Studio?
- language barrier, accent difficult to comprehend
Ans. 2 marks
- little awareness of the content of his lecture, purpose of the visit
Explain Roosvelt’s observation, “All we have to fear is fear itself.” (Deep
(c)
Water)
- fear – worst enemy
Ans. - one needs to fight and overcome fear 2 marks
- Douglas realised ; won over his fear
(d) How can suspension of activities help in making life better? (Keeping Quiet)
- time for introspection / understand ourselves / self-realisation
- gives peace and stops destruction
Ans. 2 marks
- promotes universal brotherhood
(any two)
What reason was given by McLeery for carrying a small semi-inflated
(e)
rubber ring? What did it actually contain?
- suffering from haemorrhoids / piles
- had to sit down for long hours
Ans. - ring contained pig’s blood mixed with trisodium citrate / a chemical / an 2 marks
anti-coagulant

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 11

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

What objects/activities in the marketplace attracted Bama on her way back
(f)
from school?
performing monkey, snake charmer, cyclist, pongal offerings, dried fish stall,
sweet stall, stall selling fried snacks, huntergypsy - wild lemur, selling needles,
Ans. 2 marks
political activities, street play, puppet show, coffee clubs, shopkeeper chopping
onion, fruits and snacks (any two)
Was it fear or a feeling of patriotism which prompted the servants to leave
(g)
Dr. Sadao’s residence?
Ans. either fear or patriotism / or both 2 marks

Q9 & 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. Why do the bangle makers of Firozabad have to live in poverty? 6 marks

Suggested value points
- ancestral occupation; God given lineage
- working conditions; hot furnace, welding, soldering pieces of glass;
polishing - health hazards
- spiral – poverty to apathy to greed to injustice
Ans. - vicious circle - clutches of sahukaars, middlemen, policemen, the keepers 6 marks
of law, bureaucrats and the politicians
- too exhausted to dream / think of something else / organise into co-
operatives
(any other relevant point)
(any three points)
OR
What impressions do you form of Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on
the basis of your study of ‘The Interview’?
Suggested value points
- a scholar on the study of semiotics (study of science), literary
interpretations and medieval aesthetics
- write fiction, academic texts, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles
- his writing provides difficult reading experiences
Ans. - the novel, ‘The Name of the Rose’ made him popular 6 marks
- interstices – to utilise time effectively
- style of writing – narrative
- philosophical aspect of his writing – non-violence and peace
(any other relevant point)
(any three points)
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 12

Set-2, Code No.-1/3/2 2020

10 Answer the following question in 120-150 words 6 marks
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]

Describe Charley’s experience at the third level of the Grand Central
Station.
Suggestive value points
- fewer ticket windows, train gates
- information booth – wooden and old looking
- man in booth wore green eye shade, long black sleeve protectors
- open – dim flame, flickering gas lights
- brass spittoons
- pocket watch
Ans. - people wearing old fashioned clothes (1890s) 6 marks
- old fashioned moustache and side burns
- locomotive with a funnel shaped stack
- old newspaper dated June 11, 1894 (The World)
- old currency
- ticket clerk stared at him
(any other relevant point)
(any six points)
OR
Attempt a character sketch of the Tiger King.
Suggested value points
- Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur
- a sensation right from infancy (when 10 days old)
 asked intelligent questions
 warned the tigers
- whimsical and stubborn, man of conceit – killed 99 tigers to disprove the
Ans. royal astrologer 6 marks
- highly careless – king, husband, father
- man of no ethics – bribed British officer’s wife, didn’t pay for the wooden
tiger
- a terror for his minions
(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Page 13