CBSE Class 12 English Core Question Paper 2020 Set 1-5-2 Solutions

Set-2, Code No.-1/5/2 2020

Strictly Confidential: (For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination-2020
Marking Scheme – ENGLISH CORE
(SUBJECT CODE : 301) (PAPER CODE – 1/5/2)

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.

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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1/5/2 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’?
Ans.(d) The few hours during which, the harvested organ is alive / the time the harvested
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 The Environment Club of your school is organising a tree plantation drive on the
World Environment Day around your school and in the neighbourhood. Write a
notice in not more than 50 words inviting students to volunteer for the event. Give
all relevant details. You are the Secretary of the Club.

Ans. 3 Suggested value points:
- Notice and name of the issuing authority.
- event-where & when
- invitation to students to volunteer
Any other relevant point

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

Q.3 You have a 3-bedroom, ground floor flat in a posh locality. You want to sell it off
as you are going abroad. Write an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be
published in the classified column of local daily, giving all the necessary details.
Your contact number is XXXXXX….

Ans.3 Heading- To sell/ For Sale

Suggested value points:
- complete details of the flat
- contact address/ E-mail/ phone number of the owner
- price negotiable
(any other relevant details)
(due credit should be given to economy of words)

LETTER WRITING
4 6 marks
(JOB APPLICATION)
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.

Q.4 You have read an advertisement in the National Times for the post of Chartered
Accountant in Happy Times Industry, Kanpur. You believe you possess the
requisite qualifications and experience and would prove to be an asset to the
company. Apply for the post giving your complete biodata stressing your
suitability. You are Amrendra Singh of Kailash Puri, Delhi (120-150 words).

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

Content: Covering letter, Resume/ Biodata including personal details,
3 marks
qualifications and experience, achievements, suitability for the job
Expression
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling 1 mark
coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1 mark 2 marks

OR

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4 LETTER OF COMPLAINT

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
6 marks
Q.4 The main park in your locality is in a state of utter neglect. The gates of the park
are broken and the greenery has almost vanished. The employees responsible for
the upkeep of the park are seldom seen doing their assigned duties. Write a letter
to the Director, Horticulture Department, Meerut complaining about the problem
and requesting him to take appropriate action. You are Brij Kishore/ Gopa,
a resident of Kishore Nagar, Meerut (120-150 words)

Ans.4 Suggested Value Points

- statement of the problem
- causes
- effects
- remedial action

(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 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
(any other relevant point)
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 :
-household level (use of washing machine, dish washer)
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-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

Format: (Heading, name of the reporter, place, date) 1 mark

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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)
8 mark
7 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 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
Q.7 (a) thumping. 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?
Ans.(ii) in a forest/ the woods 1 mark
Q.( iii) Why did he lay his head on the ground?
he was tired/ he saw no way out/ because darkness was descending and he was
Ans.(iii) 1 mark
desperate/ he was lost
Q.(iv) Did he feel comfortable on hearing the thumping sound? Why?
Yes, would get human company/ he knew about the Ramsjo Ironworks nearby and
thought he would find shelter and people / warmth of the furnace in the mill ½ + ½ =1
Ans.(iv) 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.(ii) constant source of happiness and inspiration 1 mark
Q.(iii) Where is this fountain situated?
Ans (iii) heaven’s brink/ in heaven 1 mark
Q.(iv) Explain : ‘grandeur of the dooms’.
legacy left behind by the great ancestors/ beautiful buildings and ruins/ mausoleums 1 mark
Ans.(iv) and dooms dedicated to the mighty dead/ ancestors

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) Why did the elders of the village attend the last lesson?
they were sorry; they had not gone to school more often; to thank M.Hamel for his
Ans.(a) forty years of faithful services.to show their respect for their mother tongue/ country 2 marks
(any two)
Q.(b) What does Umberto Eco mean by the concept of ‘Interstices’ in our lives?
refers to empty spaces in our lives; removal of empty spaces will reduce the world to a
Ans.(b) 2 marks
size of the fist; the author uses empty spaces for creative work.
How was the make –up room in Gemini Studio a fine example of national
Q.( c)
integration?
In the make-up room of Gemini Studio there were people from all the states of the
country; though belonging to different states and speaking different languages they all
Ans.(c) 2 marks
work together

Q.(d) Describe the Tiger’s created by Aunt Jennifer.
Strong, fearless, denizens of a world of green; majestic in appearance; topaz/yellowish
Ans.(d) 2 marks
in colour; sleek chivalric; free/ confident/ proud/ unafraid.
What would Sam have done in Galesburg (instead of Galesbury) for his living?
Q.(e)
Why? (The Third Level)

would set himself up in a nice little hay, feed and grain business; wishes he could do 1+1=
Ans.(e) 2 marks
that ; could not go back to his old business.

Q.(f) What efforts did Dr. Sadao and Hana make to save the American soldier?
- brought the wounded soldier home
- ‘Hana washed him’
2 marks
Ans.(f) - administered aesthetic dose
- helped Dr. Sadao in operation and saving his life
- fed him gently with the porcelain spoon (any two)
Q.(g) Why did the prison officers call ‘Evans the Break’?
earned notoriety for escaping from prison; had escaped from prison thrice despite strict 2 marks
Ans. (g)
official vigilance

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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]
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
- exhaled in water and inhaled outside water 6 marks
- 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 - 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
- government confused 6 marks
- 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
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Expression: 3 marks
grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [1½ marks]
coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1½ marks]

Q.10 Why did the Tiger King decide to kill a hundred tigers? Describe the efforts he
made to attain his target?
Suggested value points
Ans. 10
- astrologers prediction
- the Tiger King may kill ninety nine tigers in exactly the same manner
- warned to be careful with the hundredth Tiger
- could be disastrous
- the king decided to kill hundred Tigers to prove the prophesy wrong
- went on a killing spree 6 marks
- his officers did their best to help him to realise his aim
- no tigers left in his own kingdom to be killed
- married a girl from another kingdom having large tiger population
- even offended a British officer by not allowing him to hunt tigers in his
kingdom
(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

OR
Q.10 Why is Antarctica the place to go for the scientists today? (Journey to the End of
the Earth)
Suggested value points
Ans.10 - no human habitation
- variety of flora and fauna
- pristine region
- can help understand carbon and ozone layer
- its ice-cores hold half a million years old carbon records trapped in layer of ice 6 marks
- can help understand the earth’s present, past and future
- simple eco system and lack of biodiversity
- it is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have
big repercussion
(any other relevant point)
(any three points)

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