NBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2021 for English Alternative

Total number of printed pages : 5 NB/XII/AEN/1
2021
ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH
Full marks : 90 Time : 3 hours

General instructions:
i) Approximately 15 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the
answers.
ii) The question paper consists of 23 questions. All questions are compulsory.
iii) Marks are indicated against each question.
iv) Internal choice has been provided in some questions.

N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper is complete as indicated on the top left side.

SECTION -A (Prose)

1. What does Nehru want his daughter to rely upon to work the miracle? 1

2. Is it possible for equals to be friends? 2

3. Who had become old friends of Franz ? 2

4. What was the purpose of Nehru’s letters to his daughter? 3

5. How does one determine if a follower is trustworthy? 3

6. Who was to be blamed for the children not learning the French language ? 4

7. a. How can having too many followers be harmful in Bacon’s opinion? 5
OR
b. ‘Sadly he has not always known how to use this new power, and he has
often misused it. Science itself has been used by him chiefly to supply him
with terrible weapons to kill his brother and destroy the very civilization
that he has built with so much labour.

(i) What is referred to as the new power? (1)

(ii) What did man do with the new power and for what? (2)

-2- NB/XII/AEN/1

(iii) Man has destroyed the very civilization that he has built up with so much
labour. Do you agree? Why? (2)

SECTION- B (Poetry)

8. What does ‘break of day’ signify in the poem ‘Indian Weavers’ ? 2

9. Describe in detail the figure of the justice and contrast it with the stage that
follows. What are the changes that take place from one to the next? 4

10. Critically analyse the lines given below:

And poppy,or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past ,we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death thou shalt die. 4

11. a. How does the poet use the work of the Indian weavers to explain the cycle of
life and death?
Or 5
b. Discuss the central theme of the poem ‘Death Be Not Proud’.

SECTION- C (Drama)

12. What does Uncle James expect Philip to do while in his house? 2

13. Philip had served in the army for four years. What changes do you see after he
returned home ? 3

14. a. In the play ‘ The Boy Comes Home’, who did you sympathise more, Uncle
James or Philip? Why? 5
Or
b. Give the character sketch of Aunt Emily.

-3- NB/XII/AEN/1

SECTION -D (Fiction)

15. What does Joe Gargery do for a living? 1

16. What did Pip plan to do after Joe left London ? 2

17. Why was Pip taken to Miss Havisham? What did Pip tell Mrs. Joe and Uncle
Pumblechook about his visit? 3

18. a. Why did Estella marry Drummle and not Pip in Great Expectations ?
Or 4
b.What incident led Miss Havisham to become revengeful on all the male sex ?

19. a. What is the moral lesson of Great Expectations ?
Or 5
b.What are the three phases of Pip’s Great Expectations ? Comment on them.

SECTION -E (Grammar)

20. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions: 5x1=5

(a) Tina shall return _______a week.
(b) We are going on a vacation ____April.
(c) Write the answers ______a blue pen.
(d) I went to my father ______guidance.
(e) Tommy stood waiting _____the sky turned dark.

21. Insert correct conjunctions: 5x1=5

(a) I will eat ____carrots or peas for dinner.
(b) We know ____she is innocent.
(c) ____he speaks seldom, he says meaningful words.
(d) Don’t go near the fire____ you will get burnt.
(e) Those apples look better _____the oranges.

-4- NB/XII/AEN/1

SECTION -F (Writing)

22. Write an essay on any one in about 250-300 words:

a. Organic food for a healthy life.
Or 10
b. Practice makes a man perfect.

SECTION-G (Reading)

23. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

It has been part of Nelson’s prayer, that the British fleet might be
distinguished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an example
himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable, supposing
that she had struck; because her great guns were silent; for as she carried no flag,
there was no means of instantly ascertaining the fact. From this ship, which he
had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball fired from her mizzen-top,
which ,in the then situation of the two vessels, was not more than fifteen yards
from that part of the deck where he was standing struck the epaulette on his left
shoulder, about a quarter after one, just in the heat of action. He fell upon his
face, on the spot which was covered with his poor secretary’s blood. Hardy, who
was a few steps from him, turning round, saw three men raising him up. “They
have done for me at last, Hardy!” said he . “I hope not !” cried Hardy. “ Yes” ,he
replied; “my back-bone is shot through!” Yet even now ,not for a moment losing
his presence of mind, he observed as they were carrying him down the ladder,
that the tiller-ropes, which had been shot away, were not yet replaced, and
ordered that new ones should be roped immediately. Then, that he might not be
seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief, and covered his face and his
stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour from the enemy, England,
perhaps, would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle
of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men; over those
bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the
midship men’s berth. It was soon perceived upon examination, that the wound
was mortal. This ,however, was concealed from all, except Captain Hardy ,the
Chaplain and the medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the
sensation in his back, and the gush of blood he felt momently within his
breast,that no human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave
him and attend to those to whom he might be useful.

-5- NB/XII/AEN/1

Answer the following questions:

a) i) How close was the narrator from the ‘mizzen-top’? 1

ii) How can Nelson be said to have been partly responsible for his own death? 2

iii) Why did Nelson insist that the surgeon should leave him and attend to others? 2

iv) What qualities in Nelson’s character are revealed by this passage? 2

b) Find the antonyms from the passage: 3x1=3
i) immortal ii) overlooking iii) uncover

********************************