HBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2024 English Core

Haryana Board

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PAPERS
2024

HBSE PYQP

CLASS : 12th (Sr. Secondary) Code No. 1201
Series : SS/Annual Exam.-2024
Roll No. SET : A

ENGLISH (Core)
[ For all Groups I, II, III ]
ACADEMIC/OPEN
(Only for Fresh/Re-appear/Improvement/Additional Candidates)
Time allowed : 3 hours ] [ Maximum Marks : 80
• Please make sure that the printed pages in this question paper are 16 in number
and it contains 13 questions.
• The Code No. and Set on the right side of the question paper should be written
by the candidate on the front page of the answer-book.
• Before beginning to answer a question, its Serial Number must be written.

• Don’t leave blank page/pages in your answer-book.
• Except answer-book, no extra sheet will be given. Write to the point and do not
strike the written answer.
• Candidates must write their Roll No. on the question paper. Except Roll No. do not
write anything on question paper and don't make any mark on answers of objective
type questions.
• Before answering the questions, ensure that you have been supplied the correct and
complete question paper, no claim in this regard, will be entertained after
examination.
General Instructions :
(i) This question paper is divided into four Sections : A, B, C and D.
(ii) All the sections are compulsory.
(iii) Attempt all the parts of a question together.
(iv) Stick to the word-limit wherever prescribed.

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

(2) 1201/(Set : A)
SECTION – A

(Reading Skills) [ M. M. : 15

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :

1. Scientists have developed a gel that helps brains recover from traumatic
injuries. It has the potential to treat head injuries suffered in combat,
car accidents, falls, or gunshot wounds. Developed by Dr. Ning Zhang at
Clemson University in South Carolina, the gel is injected in liquid form at
the site of injury and stimulates the growth of stem cells there.

2. Brain injuries are particularly hard to repair, since injured tissues swell
up and can cause additional damage to the cells. So far, treatments have
tried to limit this secondary damage by lowering the temperature or
relieving the pressure at the site of injury. However, these techniques are
often not very effective.

3. More recently, scientists have considered transplanting donor brain cells
into the wound to repair damaged tissue. This method has so far had
limited results when treating brain injuries. The donor cells often fail to
grow or stimulate repair at the injury site, possibly because of the
inflammation and scarring present there. The injury site also typically
has very limited blood supply and connective tissue, which might prevent
donor cells from getting the nutrients they require.
4. Dr. Zhang's gel, however, can be loaded with different chemicals to
stimulate various biological processes at the site of injury. In previous
research done on rats, she was able to use the gel to help re-establish
full blood supply at the site of brain injury. This could help create a
better environment for donor cells. In a follow-up study, Dr. Zhang
loaded the gel with immature stem cells, as well as the chemicals they
needed to develop into full-fledged adult brain cells. When rats with
severe brain injuries were treated with this mixture for eight weeks, they
showed signs of significant recovery.

1201/(Set : A)

(3) 1201/(Set : A)
5. The new gel could treat patients at varying stages following injury, and is
expected to be ready for testing in humans in about three years.
Questions : 10 × 1 = 10
(i) What kind of brain injuries can the gel mentioned in the passage cure ?
(a) Car accidents (b) Gunshot injury
(c) Falls (d) All of the above
(ii) Why, according to the author, brain injuries are hard to mend ?
(a) As it is difficult to find good doctors to repair it
(b) As injured tissues swell up and can cause additional damage to the
cells
(c) As the person dies instantly after his head is injured
(d) All of the above
(iii) Which of the following statements is/are true in context of the passage ?
(a) Dr. Ning Zhang at Clemson University in South Carolina has
developed a gel which could help brain recover from injuries.

(b) The gel developed for curing brain injuries is injected in gaseous form
at the site of injury and stimulates the growth of stem cells there.
(c) The gunshot wounds are the worst injuries that a brain could
experience and could not be cured by anyone.
(d) The new gel would be ready for testing in humans in the next five
years.
(iv) Which animal has Dr. Ning Zhang used to test her gel ?
(a) Cows (b) Mouse
(c) Rats (d) Dogs
(v) Which of the following statements is/are false in context of the study
performed by Dr. Ning Zhang ?
(1) She applied the gel on rats to help reestablish full blood supply at the
site of brain injury.

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

(4) 1201/(Set : A)
(2) Dr. Zhang loaded the gel with immature stem cells, as well as the
chemicals they needed to develop into full-fledged adult brain cells.
(3) When rats with minor brain injuries were treated with the mixture
produced by her, for eight weeks, they showed signs of significant
recovery.
(a) Only (1) (b) Only (3)
(c) Both (1) and (3) (d) Only (2)

(vi) Why do the donor cells often fail to grow according to the author ?
(vii) Find the word which is most nearly the opposite in meaning to the word
'Traumatic'.

(viii) Find the word which is most nearly the opposite in meaning to the word
'Stimulates'.
(ix) Find the word most similar in meaning to the word 'Combat'.
(x) Find the word most similar in meaning to the word 'Significant'.

OR
1. A recent survey has brought back focus on teenage smoking. According to
the survey 80% of smokers form the habit when they are minors. It is
estimated that one out of five teenage smokers smoke about 10 cigarattes
everyday. What is more, teenage smokers are no longer satisfied with
nicotine and are increasingly taking to deadly contraband like marijuana
and cannabis.
2. Initially, smoking starts from curiosity but soon becomes a habit. Oblivious
of the fatal dangers involved, nascent smokers ignore even the statutory
warning inscribed on the pack.
3. Forming the habit of smoking in an early age is often attributed to a whole
lot of psychological reasons but the problem is also precipitated by the
glamorous representation of smoking by stars on the silver screen, linking
it with style.

1201/(Set : A)

(5) 1201/(Set : A)
4. Peer pressure is another big reason for minors taking up smoking. Besides,
locally manufactured tax free cigarettes also push them towards this habit.
These cigarettes are particularly popular among the youth, as they are
available at a significantly lower price than the legally manufactured
cigarettes. According to a FICCI report on these cigarettes, the government
suffers huge revenue loss annually due to them, while youths fall victim to
smoking. While in the short term smokers get sick due to common
ailments, in the long run their lungs get badly affected. Diseases such oral
cancer are associated with tobacco use in any form.
5. Smokers can quit smoking by monitoring some of their food habits. Food rich
in vitamin C reduces the urge to smoke. Also milk, celery, carrot, fruits and
vegetables when taken before smoking, compel the smoker to quit the habit.
Questions : 10 × 1 = 10
(i) Why have teenagers started consuming contraband and have not remained
satisfied with nicotine consumption only ?
(a) It is cheaper than the cigarettes

(b) It does not have harmful impact on health
(c) People consuming contraband are not looked down upon by the
society
(d) Not mentioned in the passage
(ii) Why are locally manufactured cigarettes sold at a lower price ?
(a) Because they are popular
(b) No tax is levied on these cigarettes
(c) The manufacturers of these cigarettes intend to capture a bigger
market share
(d) They have a limited market and therefore cannot be sold at a higher
price
(iii) Which of the following is false in context of the passage ?
(a) Most of the smokers start smoking at an early age
(b) Smoking leads to psychological diseases leading to a weak memory

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

(6) 1201/(Set : A)
(c) People drawn to smoking are charmed by big stars showing smoking
on the screen
(d) Smoking affects lungs if the habit is not got rid of at an early stage
(iv) Which of the following has been mentioned about the FICCI report in the
passage ?
(a) Tax free cigarettes help keep a vigil on frequent smokers as they are
sold at few shops only
(b) More and more people indulge in smoking as tax free cigarettes
remain available at a reduced price
(c) Tax free cigarettes cause a huge revenue loss to the government
(d) Only (b) and (c)
(v) Which of the following food items do not help smokers get rid of smoking ?
(a) Vegetables (b) Fruits
(c) Celery (d) Chocolate
(vi) Who ignores the statutory warning inscribed on the pack of cigarettes ?
(vii) Find the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
'annually'.

(viii) Find the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
'nascent'.
(ix) According to the passage the smokers can quit smoking by ……………….. .
(x) Initially, smoking starts from curiosity but soon becomes a habit.
…………… is another big reason for minors taking up smoking.
2. Read the following passage carefully and make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary) supply an
appropriate title also : 4+1=5
A vast blanket of pollution stretching across South Asia is cutting down
sunlight by 10 percent over India, damaging agriculture, modifying rainfall
patterns and putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk, according to a
new study. The startling findings of scientists working with the United Nations
Environment Programme indicate that the spectacular economic growth seen in
this part of the world in the past decade may soon falter as a result of pollution.

1201/(Set : A)

(7) 1201/(Set : A)
Research carried out in India indicates that the haze caused by pollution might
be reducing winter rice harvests by as much as 10 percent, the report said.
"Acids in the haze may, by falling as acid rain, have the potential to damage
crops and trees. Ash falling on leaves can aggravate the impact of reduced
sunlight on earth's surface. The pollution that is forming the haze could be
leading to several hundred of thousands of premature deaths as a result of
higher level of respiratory diseases", it said. Results from seven cities in India
alone, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, estimate that air
pollution was annually responsible for 24000 premature deaths in the early
1990s.
SECTION – B
(Grammar) [ M. M. : 10

3. Attempt any two from each sub-part :
(a) Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals/auxiliaries : 2×1=2
(i) The daughter asked her mother if she ………… go out.

(a) shall (b) may
(c) would (d) can
(ii) Speak slowly lest you ………… awake the child.
(iii) ………… her soul rest in peace !
(b) Change the narration : 2×1=2
(i) The speaker said, "Be quiet and listen to my words".
(ii) He said to me, "I don't believe you".
(iii) 'Where is the post office ?' asked the stranger.
(a) The stranger asked where the post office was.
(b) The stranger asks where the post office were.
(c) The stranger said where is the post office.
(d) The stranger asked in surprise where is the post office ?

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

(8) 1201/(Set : A)
(c) Fill in the blanks with suitable articles wherever necessary : 2×1=2
(i) Do you see ………… blue sky ?
(ii) ………… music is my life.
(iii) I gave him ……………… one rupee note.
(a) a (b) an
(c) the (d) ×
(d) Change the voice of the following sentences : 2×1=2
(i) Nobody touched your bag.
(ii) Why did you not tell me this ?
(iii) You must ask your parents.
(a) Your parents must be asked by you.
(b) You must be asked by your parents.
(c) Your parents must ask you.
(d) You ask your parents must be.
(e) Fill in the blanks with correct form of the verbs given in the brackets :
2×1=2

(i) It seldom ………… (rain) here in February.

(ii) He ………… (go) to Shimla tomorrow.
(iii) The child ………… (cry) because it cannot find its mother.
(a) is crying (b) cried
(c) was crying (d) shall crying

SECTION – C
(Creative Writing Skills) [ M. M. : 15

4. Attempt any one from (a), (b) and (c) given below : 5
(a) Every year in the central part of the city a flower show is held in the month
of February. Your school has received a circular from the District Collector
inviting your students to visit it. Write a notice in about 50 words informing
the students about the show and advising them to go and enjoy it. You are
Navtej/Navita, Head Boy/Head Girl, Sunrise Public School, Surat.

1201/(Set : A)

(9) 1201/(Set : A)
(b) You want to rent out your newly constructed flat in the heart of the city.
Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in 'The
Deccan Herald', Bangalore under classified columns. Give all the necessary
details. You are Mohan/Mahima of Jayanagar, Bengaluru.
(c) Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words on kindness to animals to be
displayed in the city at public places appealing to people to show kindness
to animals. You are Secretary of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.

5. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below : 5
(a) You have noticed many stray animals on the road during the busy hours of
the day. These animals have caused traffic jam as well as accidents. You
have already written to the concerned authorities but no action has been
taken so far. So write a letter to the Editor of a leading newspaper telling
him about the nuisance created by the stray animals. Sign your name as
Preeti/Krishnan, C/5, Assam.

(b) You are Ram/Rajani, living at 1, Rana Pratap Marg, New Delhi. Read the
advertisement given below and apply for the job that suits you giving your
bio-data separately.
Sun University requires Lecturers in English and Demonstrators in
Physics, Chemistry and Botany for their new Campus at Panipat.
Candidates with a minimum of 5 year experience alone can apply. Excellent
command of English is a must. Excellent package and compensation for
experienced persons. Those interested may e-mail to sununiversityjobs@
gmail.com or mail their response to : Box No. 123, 'The Harbinger', New
Delhi.

6. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below : 5
(a) You are Ramesh/Rani, Sports Secretary, Government Senior Secondary
School, Chandigarh. Last Monday an inter-school twenty-over cricket
match was played on your school ground. Write a report in 100-125 words
on the match.

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

( 10 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(b) Last week as you were coming back from school you happened to see a
huge plastic bag full of leftovers of food being flung into the middle of the
road from a speeding car. You wondered how people can be so devoid of
civic sense. Write an article in 125-150 words on why we lack civic sense
and how civic sense can be inculcated in children at a very young age. You
are Shiva/Shamini.

SECTION – D
(Literature) [ M. M. : 40

7. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. Attempt any
one of the two extracts (A) and (B) :
(A) But soon
put that thought away
looked out at young
Trees sprinting, merry children spilling

Out of their home, but after the airport's
security check, standing a few yards away
Questions : 5×1=5
(i) What thought does the poetess put away ?
(a) of getting rich (b) of getting poor
(c) Ageing of her mother (d) Ageing of herself
(ii) What did the poetess notice when she looked out of the car ?
(a) Youth running on the road
(b) Children fighting with one another
(c) Car was running speedily
(d) None of these
(iii) Which poetic device has been used in 'Young trees sprinting' ?
(a) Alliteration (b) Personification
(c) Pun (d) None of these

1201/(Set : A)

( 11 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(iv) What was Kamala Das feared of ?
(a) losing her mother (b) losing her flight
(c) losing her job (d) losing her rapport
(v) What made the poet look out of the car ?
(a) Her laziness
(b) Her lethargy
(c) Pathetic condition of her mother
(d) Pathetic condition of her car

(B) Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across the screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree :
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

Questions : 5×1=5
(i) Name the poem :
(a) My Mother at Sixty Six
(b) An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum
(c) Keeping Quiet
(d) Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
(ii) What does the word "prance" mean in the stanza ?
(a) To walk with proud gait
(b) To sit idly
(c) To eat wild animals
(d) To bask in the sun

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

( 12 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(iii) Which poetic devices has been used in the line "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
prance across the screen" ?
(a) Pun (b) Personification
(c) Antithesis (d) Transferred Epithet
(iv) Why have the tigers been called Aunt Jennifer's Tigers ?
(a) For Aunt is the owner of the Tigers

(b) For Aunt Jennifer has created them on a screen

(c) For Aunt Jennifer has bought them
(d) For Aunt Jennifer controls them in the ring

(v) What does the poet mean by "They do not fear the men beneath the tree" ?

(a) They are not afraid of humans.
(b) They are not afraid of anyone.

(c) They walk freely and confidently.

(d) All of these

8. Read any one of the following extracts (A) and (B) carefully and answer the
questions that follow :
(A) On the days when there was a crowd shooting, you could see him mixing
his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the surface of the face in the
process of applying makeup. He wasn't exactly a boy; he was in his early
forties, having entered the studios years ago in the hope of becoming a star
actor or a top screenwriter, director, or lyrics writer. He was a bit of a poet.
Questions : 5×1=5
(i) Who does 'he' refer to in the passage ?
(a) The office boy (b) A star actor
(c) A top screenwriter (d) A lyrics writer

1201/(Set : A)

( 13 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(ii) What work did he do in the Gemini Studios ?
(a) He did the makeup of heroes.
(b) He did the makeup of heroines.

(c) He did the makeup of child artists.

(d) He did the makeup of those who played the crowd.
(iii) Why did he join the studios ?
(a) He hoped to become a star actor.
(b) He hoped to become a top screenwriter.
(c) He hoped to become a director.
(d) All of the above
(iv) Why was he disappointed ?
(a) Because he could not become a character artist.

(b) Because he could not become a music director.

(c) Because he could not become a lyrics writer.

(d) Because he couldn't become an office boy.

(v) Who has been called "a bit of a poet" ?

(a) The screenwriter

(b) The director

(c) The lyrics writer

(d) The office boy

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

( 14 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(B) They thought he would demand repayment in full of the money which they
had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers. He asked only
50 percent. "There he seemed adamant", writes Reverend J. Z. Hodge, a
British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close
range. "Thinking probably that he would not give way, the representative of
the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25 percent, and to his
amazement Mr. Gandhi took him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock."
This settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission.
Questions : 5×1=5
(i) Gandhi knew that he would not get an agreement on the demand for 50%
repayment. Choose the option that offers the correct justification for the
assumption made above :
(a) He had anticipated the negotiating tactics of the planter's
representative.

(b) He had been informed about the depleting funds of the planters.

(c) He had taken the advice of the Reverend on board.

(d) He had evaluated the commission's attitude towards Indians.

(ii) Name the chapter from which these lines have been taken :

(a) The Last Lesson (b) Indigo

(c) The Interview (d) Lost Spring

(iii) Name the writer of these lines :

(a) Alphonse Daudet (b) Anees Jung

(c) Selma Lagerlof (d) Louis Fischer

1201/(Set : A)

( 15 ) 1201/(Set : A)
(iv) The deadlock broke because :
(a) Gandhi's settlement offer was worth considering.
(b) All commission members agreed to adopt the representative's offer.

(c) Reverend J. Z. Hodge's intervention brought both parties together.

(d) The sharecroppers refused to be convinced by the commission.
(v) Find out a word from the passage which means as −'that is supported by
everyone in a group' :

(a) illegally (b) deceitfully

(c) probably (d) unanimously

9. Answer any four of the following in about 40-50 words each : 4×2=8
(a) "This is your last French lesson." How did Franz react to this declaration of
M. Hamel ?

(b) Do you think Saheb was happy to work at the tea stall ? Answer giving
reasons.
(c) How was the peddler treated at the crofter's cottage ?
(d) What does Umberto Eco mean by the concept of 'Interstices' in our lives ?
(e) Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

10. Answer any two questions from the following in about 40-50 words each :
2×3=6
(a) What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us
to earth' suggest to you ?
(b) Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her
own character ? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference ?
(c) Explain : "soothe them out of them wits" with reference to the poem "The
Roadside Stand".

1201/(Set : A) P. T. O.

( 16 ) 1201/(Set : A)
11. Answer any three questions of the following in about 40-50 words each :

3×2=6

(a) How did the Maharaja overcome the difficulty a high-ranking British Officer
created ?

(b) Why was Dr. Sadao being kept in Japan and not sent abroad with the troops ?

(c) What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut ?

(d) Why was Tishani Doshi filled with relief and wonder when he set foot on the
Antarctic continent ?

12. Answer any one question of the following in about 120-150 words : 5

(a) Eco's academic work has certain playful and personal quality about it.
Comment.

(b) Comment on the appropriateness of the title 'The Last Lesson'.

13. Answer any one question of the following in about 120-150 words : 5
(a) Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley ?
Why ?

(b) The lesson, 'On The Face of It', is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense
of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.

S
1201/(Set : A)

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