CBSE Class 12 English Core Question Paper 2020 Set 1-5-1 Solutions

Set-1, Code No.-1/5/1 2020

Strictly Confidential: (For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination-2020
Marking Scheme – ENGLISH CORE
(SUBJECT CODE : 301) (PAPER CODE – 1/5/1)

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.

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).

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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.

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1/5/1 SUGGESTED VALUE POINTS 2020
SECTION A: READING
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE

NOTE: No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and grammar,
1 spelling, or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student has been able to 12 marks
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 cleared
Ans.(a) 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 preservation
Ans.(b) 1 mark
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 other
Ans.(c) 1 mark
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 harvested 1 mark
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

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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 notes) 2 marks
Abbreviations/Symbols (with/without key ) 1 mark

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

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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: Name of the organization / Name of the institution, the
word “NOTICE”, Heading, Date, and Writer’s Name with designation. The candidate 1 mark
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, appropriate words and spelling, coherence and relevance of
ideas and style
Q.3 You are Dhruv/ Nidhi, Student Editor of your school magazine, ‘The Buds’. Write
a notice in not more than 50 words to be placed on your school notice board
Ans. 3 inviting short stories, article, poems etc. from students of all classes for the school
magazine. Give all the necessary details.

Suggested value points:
- what is required
- for what purpose
- any specifications (original and word limit etc.)
- last date of submission
- whom to submit and where
Any other relevant point

OR

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3 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT 4 marks
Format 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Expression 1 mark

Q.3 You are Vinod/ Vineeta, General Manager, Global Solutions, Meerut. You want to
rent a bungalow to be used as a guest house. It should have all the modern
amenities. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to be
published in the local newspaper.

Ans.3 Heading- To Let/ Accommodation Required/ Accommodation Wanted
Suggested value points:

Suggested value points:
 accommodation (bungalow to be used as guest house)
 preferred location (optional)
 size, no. of rooms
 amenities desired
 price range
 contact (Vinod/ Vineeta, General Manager, Global Solutions, Meerut)

(any other relevant details)
(due credit should be given to economy of words)

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
coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1 mark 2 marks

Q.4 A book fair was organised in your city, Bhopal. Thousands of people including a
large number of students visited the fair. It arouse a great interest in reading and
buying books. You want that such book fairs are held in other cities of the state 6 marks
also to promote the habit of reading. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor
of a local newspaper giving your views. You are Navtej/ Navita, F-112, Malviya
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Nagar, Bhopal.

Letter to Editor
Ans. 4
Suggested Value Points
- visit to a book fair
- how impressed you were
- attractive stalls, crowd puller
- request that book fair should be held in more cities
- helps to promote reading
- significance of book fairs for the students, common man , the elderly
(any other relevant point)

OR
4 LETTER OF COMPLAINT 6 marks

You carried a hit and run accident victim to a local hospital. You are shocked to
Q.4 see that in its causality ward the conditions were chaotic. The patient was attended
to after a lot of precious time was lost. You are Deepak/ Deepa, A-114 Roop Nagar
, Delhi. Write a letter of complaint in 120-150 words to the Chief Medical Officer
of the Hospital.

Ans.4 Suggested Value Points

- what you saw, an accident
- what you did
- your experience in the causality ward
- your suggestions to the Chief Medical Officer

(any other relevant point)

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 remarks & closing remarks 1 marks
Content 5 marks
Expression
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [ 2 marks]
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [ 2 marks] 4 marks

Q.5 Every year there are floods or droughts in the country. Victims suffer a lot. The
government does a lot to help the people, but it is not enough. Society also must do
its bit. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the school morning
assembly describing how the student can also help by collecting clothes, money
and medicines from their neighbourhoods. You are Arun/ Aruna.

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Ans.5 Suggested Value Points

- what has prompted you to speak
- helplessness of the victims
- what the Government is doing
- students- part of society
- what they can do - collect money, clothes, medicines

OR
DEBATE 10 marks
5
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.

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 and conclusion 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

Q.5 ‘Rain harvesting is the only solution to water crisis in the present times’. Write a
debate either for or against the motion in 150-200 words. You are Sujatha/ Ajith

Ans.5 Suggested Value Points

For
- What is rain harvesting?
- its purpose
- nature of crisis-saving water
- all other ways have failed
- which ones and why
- household saving of water
- agriculture, water guzzling crops like rice, sugarcane etc.
- Industrial waste- profit motive
- most of the river water is wasted
- rain harvesting is the only solution
Against
 rain water harvesting is not the only but one of the many solutions
 need of sincerity act :
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-household level (use of washing machine, dish washer)
-state level (stringent laws to curb pollution of river water)
-Industry level (use R&D to use less water)
-agriculture (change of crop pattern)
 ‘only solution’ is a pessimistic view
 essential requirements is to use water sensibly

Note: ( A candidate may be awarded marks if he/ she has given more or
different but convincing arguments)

(any other relevant details)

6 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]

Q.6 Rising prices of essential commodities make life difficult for the common man.
You are Nalini/ Ranbir. Wirte an article in 150-200 words describing the causes,
possible solutions and how student can help their parents to cope with the
problem.

Ans.6 Title: Rising Prices and Common Man (any other relevant title)

Suggested Value Points

- why prices are rising:
-more demand
-rising population
-less production
-profiteering
-floods and droughts
-Lax Government control
-International effect
- what can be done
- more production
- liberal imports if required
- student must learn to live within their means, not make excessive demands,
contribute to household chores

(any other opinion expressed by the students to be accepted and adequately
compensated)

OR
6 REPORT 10 marks

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Format: (Heading, name of the reporter, place, date) 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

Q.6 On your way to school, right in front of the school gate, you saw a verbal dispute
leading to a physical fight between an auto rickshaw driver and his passenger. A
teacher of your school intervened, found out the cause of the quarrel and amicably
resolved the issue (problem). Write the report on the incident in 150-200 words.
You are Balbir/ Bimla

Ans.6 Heading:

Suggested value points
- what happened
- where
- when
- why/ cause
- how the teacher intervened and resolved the quarrel amicably
Note: Students’ creativity and imagination should be given due credit

SECTION C: LITERATURE (TEXT BOOKS AND LONG
READING TEXT)

7 NOTE: The objective of the section on Literature is to test a candidate’s ability 8 mark
to understand and interpret the prescribed text through short and long answer type
questions. Hence, both content and expression in answers to be given 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 based on the given
extract. In other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension ONLY.
But just as he laid his head on the ground, he heard a sound-a hard regular thumping.
Q.7 There was no doubt as to what that was. He raised himself, ‘Those are the hammer
strokes from an iron mill’, he thought.
Q.(i) Who is he?
the peddler/ the vagabond/ the tramp/ the rattrap man/ the rattrap seller/ the rattrap
Ans (i) maker/ the protagonist 1 mark

Q.(ii) Where was ‘he’ at that moment?
(ii) in a forest/ the woods 1 mark
Q.(iii ) Why did he lay his head on the ground?
Ans. he was tired/ he saw no way out/ because darkness was descending and he was
1 mark
(iii) desperate/ he was lost
Q.(iv) Did he feel comfortable on hearing the thumping sound? Why?
Ans. Yes, would get human company/ he knew about the Ramsjo Ironworks nearby and ½ + ½ =1
(iv) thought he would find shelter and people / warmth of the furnace in the mill mark

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(b) And such too ……………………….heaven’s brink.
Q.(i) Which two things of beauty are mentioned in these lines?
Grandeur of the dooms/ lives of great people/ beautiful and grand mausoleums/ lovely 1 mark
Ans.(i)
tales/ beautiful poetry
Q.(ii) Why are the ‘lovely tales’ called an endless fountain?
Ans. 1 mark
constant source of happiness and inspiration
(ii)
Q(iii) Where is this fountain situated?
Ans. 1 mark
heaven’s brink/ in heaven
(iii)
Q(iv) Explain : ‘grandeur of the dooms’.
legacy left behind by the great ancestors/ beautiful buildings and ruins/ mausoleums 1 mark
Ans.
and dooms dedicated to the mighty dead/ ancestors
(iv)
Short answer type questions (Any five)
Distribution of marks: 2 X 5 =10
8 Content: 1 mark marks
Expression : 1 mark
(deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/spelling mistakes)
Q.(a) How was Saheb’s life at the tea-stall?
was paid Rs. 800 and all his meals/ a source of income/ loss of freedom/ no longer his
Ans.
own master/ lost his carefree look/ steel canister was heavier than the plastic bag/ he 2 marks
(a)
was his own master then (any two)
Q.(b) What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Ans. an excellent medium of communication/interview-an art/source of truth/ one will get
2 marks
(b) clear impression of the interviewee
Q.( c) Why is Jansie so critical of Sophie?
They were earmarked for the biscuit factory./ Sophie lived in her world of fantasy.
Ans.
Jansie wanted her to think sensibly/ wants to bring her back to reality 2 marks
(c)
Q.(d) How do we know that children at the elementary school are coming from a slum?
Ans. poor, mal–nourished, unhealthy, diseased and retarded/ the condition of the school is
2 marks
(d) poor, polluted and dirty (any two examples)
Q.(e) Why does Mr. Lamb leave the gate of his house always open?
He is lonesome and likes to meet and talk to people/ warm and welcoming/ everything
Ans. 2 marks
that belongs to him belongs to everyone / not embarrassed by his disability/ very
(e)
positive outlook
Q.(f) How did Zitkala-Sa feel when her hair was shingled?
Zitkala-Sa, an American Indian, was ashamed, very disturbed, moaned for her mother/
Ans. 2 marks
no one reasoned with her / no one comforted her/ lost her spirit/ felt like an animal
(f)
driven by a herder
Q.(g) When did the ‘Tiger King’ decide to get married?
Unforeseen hurdle came, tigers became extinct in Pratibhandhpuram, only seventy
Ans.
killed so far, for the remaining thirty the king wanted access to a kingdom with enough
(g)
tigers, marriage was the only way
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

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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]
Q.9 How did the swimming instructor build a swimmer out of Douglas?

Ans.9 Suggested value points
- everyday a bit of panic ceased
- repeated the exercises taught by the instructor hundreds of times
- practiced five days a week
- an hour every day, used a belt/ rope/ pulley
- pulled back and forth across the pool
6 marks
- exhaled in water and inhaled outside water
- felt the same old fear when the instructor loosened the rope
- held at the side of the pool and was made to kick with his legs
- piece by piece he built a swimmer
- the instructor put them together into an integrated whole.
any other relevant point)
(any three points)

OR
Q.9 How did the court scene at Motihari change the course of India’s struggle for
freedom?
Ans.9 Suggested value points
- order to leave Champaran
- refused summons
- curiosity of the peasants
- large number of people gathered in front of court
- British asked Gandhi to control the crowd
6 marks
- government confused
- Gandhi -pleaded guilty
- ready to go to jail
- case ultimately dropped
- Civil Disobedience won for the first time in India.
any other relevant point)
(any three points)

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]

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Q.10 Describe briefly the scene at the third level of Grand Central as seen (or seemed to
be seen) by Charley.

Ans. Suggested value points
10
- fewer tickets windows
- smaller rooms
- people dress like eighteen-ninety something
- information booth- made of wood
- ticket clerk with green eyeshade and longed black sleeve protector
- lights were dim and flickering
6 marks
- open-flame gas lights
- brass spittoons on the floor
- small Currier and Ives locomotive
- stack of papers “the World”- printed , June 11, 1894

(any other relevant point)

(any three points)

OR
Q.10 How did Dr. Sadao resolved the conflict in his mind between his loyalty to his
country and his duty as a doctor?

Ans. Suggested value points
10
- his duty was to save lives
- decided to operate on the PoW
- had studied in the US but working in the army
- loyal towards his country 6 marks
- informed General Takima about the PoW
- provided all the facilities for Tom to escape when the assassins did not arrive as
promised by the General

(any other relevant point)

(any three points)

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