CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2025 Solution English Elective

Marking Scheme
Strictly Confidential
(For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination, 2025
SUBJECT NAME: ENGLISH (Elective) (Q.P. CODE 28)

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.
2 “Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the confidentiality of the
examinations conducted, Evaluation done and several other aspects. Its’ leakage to public
in any manner could lead to derailment of the examination system and affect the life and
future of millions of candidates. Sharing this policy/document to anyone, publishing in any
magazine and printing in News Paper/Website etc. may invite action under various rules of
the Board and IPC.”
3 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. If any change in the marking scheme is to be
considered, this has to be raised with the Controller of Examinations and only after his
approval and after all evaluation centres are informed, can this be taken forward.
4 The Marking scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers.
The students can have their own expression and if the expression is correct, the due marks should
be awarded accordingly.
5 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. If there is any variation, the same should be brought down to zero after
deliberation and discussion. 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.
6 Evaluators will mark tick ( √ ) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer CROSS ‘X’ be marked.
No answer should be left unmarked by evaluators. This is most common mistake which
evaluators are committing.
7 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 then be totaled up and written in the left-hand margin and
encircled. This may be followed strictly.
8 If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand margin and
encircled. This may also be followed strictly.
9 If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving more marks
should be retained and the other answer scored out with a note “Extra Question/Over-
attempted”.
10 No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalised only once.
11 A full scale of marks __________(example 0 to 80/70/60/50/40/30 marks as given in Question
Paper) has to be used. Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the answer deserves it.
12 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 per day in other
subjects (Details are given in Spot Guidelines).
13 Ensure that you do not 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 totaling of marks awarded on an answer.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title page.
● Wrong question wise totaling on the title page.
● Wrong totaling of marks of the two columns on the title page.
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● Wrong grand total.
● Marks in words and figures not tallying/ not same.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to online award list.
● Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick ( √ ) mark is
correctly and clearly indicated. It should merely be a line. Same is with the CROSS ‘X’ for
incorrect answer.)
● Half or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks awarded.
14 While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it should be marked
as cross (X) and awarded zero (0)Marks.
15 Any unassessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page, or totaling 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.
16 The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the “Guidelines for Spot
Evaluation” before starting the actual evaluation.
17 Every Examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks carried over to the
title page, correctly totaled and written in figures and words.
18 The candidates are entitled to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request on payment of the
prescribed processing fee. All Examiners/Additional Head Examiners/Head Examiners are once
again reminded that they must ensure that evaluation is carried out strictly as per value points for
each answer as given in the Marking Scheme.

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SECTION A-READING COMPREHENSION
1 Read the passage given below: 12×1 = 12

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any twelve out of the
fifteen questions given below:

(i) (D) The cuisine was quite spicy
(ii) aromas
(iii) (B) the food did not have the spices the author was accustomed to
(iv) (D) the speaker was confident that Rekha will not take offence
(v) (A) study
(vi) (C) indigenous
(vii) too busy playing / fooling around / busy playing and fooling around
(viii) (B) unexpectedly
(ix) Nobody ate tomatoes over there thinking they were poisonous / contradicting
perspectives made it difficult for tomatoes to be incorporated into the diet of
European cuisine
(x) Its lack of value must have been a real push for initiating Spain’s tomato festival
(xi) The seeds found their way to India through colonizers and travelers / Vasco da
Gama / Marco Polo / the British.
(xii) The importance of chillies in indigenous cuisine is as important as salt in Indian
cooking / When Indians began using chillies they found that it tasted better than
black pepper.
(xiii) South America
(xiv) (C) Black pepper
(xv) (C) Her friends interested in farming supported her
2 Based on your understanding of the poem, answer four out of five given 4×1 = 4
questions:

Poem: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

(i) (B) pay close attention to her words
(ii) (C) perseverance and hardships
(iii) (A) monologue
(iv) The speaker criticizes American racism and tells her son that despite the
obstacles her son can succeed if he is a good fighter and follows her advice/
perseveres / remains motivated/reaches out for support from the community.
(v) splinters
3 Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any four out of the five 4×1 = 4
questions given:

Passage: Chemical treasury in Garlic

(i) (D) pungent flavour
(ii) TRUE
(iii) Sumerian clay tablets
(iv) A recent study of garlic using very sensitive analytical tools of Chemistry has
discovered 2300 chemicals in garlic.
(v) Bacteria/ fungi, nematodes, larvae, snails, mice, etc. (any two)

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SECTION B
APPLIED GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING

4 Transform the following sentences according to the instructions given 8×1 = 8
against each one. Attempt any eight:

(i) No sooner had I finished my lunch than I started feeling hungry again.
(ii) It was too noisy to hear the speaker.
(iii) The sign stated not to bring cell phones to school or they would be confiscated.
(iv) If we don’t wake up early we shall miss the train. / If we wake up late, we shall
miss the train.
(v) All we cared about was shooting and gymnastics.
(vi) Contribution of some books for charity was made by the entire class.
(vii) It was too dusty to conduct the games / It was too dusty for the games to be
conducted.
(viii) Never do you reach on time to attend the morning lecture.
(ix) Rita asked her classmate whether / if she would lend her dress to her for the
party.
(x) Their Math paper was so challenging that the students could not / did not do
well.
5 Attempt any three of the following four questions in 120 – 150 words each: 3×5 = 15

(I) Essay/ Article
Plight of Migrant Workers in India
Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks
Expression – 2 marks

Value Points:
- globalisation and urbanisation result in more job avenues for the labour class
- migration puts a burden on state’s infrastructure
- limited access to formal financial services
- their fight for survival leads to exploitation by agents
- their children become partners in their struggle for survival
(any other relevant point)
( any four points )

(II) Essay
Space Tourism
Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks
Expression – 2 marks

Value Points
- stimulates commercial activities
- creates employment opportunities in spacecraft manufacturing sectors
- interest in space exploration attracts investors / space enthusiasts
- offers novel adventure experiences
- leads to in-depth research and development
(any other relevant point)

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(any four points)

(III) Article
Impact of Improved Transportation and Infrastructure

Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks
Expression – 2 marks

Value Points
- connects economies of different corners of the country
- fosters unprecedented growth / development
- creates job opportunities
- connects remote areas
- enhances infrastructure
(any other relevant point)
(any four points)

(IV) Essay/Article

Effects of Chat GPT on Student Community

Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks
Expression – 2 marks

Value Points
Impact
- helps students to create appropriate content quickly
- provides immediate assistance and access to information
- improves accessibility for students with impairments and learning disabilities
- helps to grade exams and quiz programmes more accurately with a faster
feedback
- translation and audio facility help students with learning disabilities
(any two points)

Ethical responsibilities
- avoid sharing personal or sensitive information
- be cautious with financial information
- judicious use of Chat GPT is necessary
- to be used as a tool and to be validated by other sources
- avoid plagiarism
(any two points)
(any other relevant point)
6 Read the questions below and attempt any one of the following: 1×5 = 5
(I) Report

Inter- School Competition- One act play

Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks

5

Expression – 2 marks

Value points
- event, day, date, venue
- name of the Chief Guest, audience
- sequence of events
- prize distribution
(any other relevant point)

(II) Article Writing

Physical Fitness and Unhealthy Food Habits

Format- 1 mark
Content – 2 marks
Expression – 2 marks

Value points
Concerns
- high consumption of sugary drinks, sweets and processed foods leading to
obesity, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
- low intake of vegetables and fruits
- peer pressure influencing choice of food
- youngsters’ concern about body image
- teenagers susceptible to media portrayals promoting unrealistic beauty
standards
(any two points)
Suggestions
- focus on healthy food habits and staying hydrated
- limit the intake of fatty foods, processed foods and sugary drinks
- focus on regular exercises, sufficient sleep and limited screen time
- follow stress- reducing techniques like meditation, yoga and connect with
nature
(any two points)
(any other relevant point)
SECTION C– TEXTBOOK & FICTION
7 (I) Attempt any ONE of the two extracts (A) and (B) given below :

A. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
6×1=6
(i) Vienna had turned into a paradise of black marketeering and international
espionage.
(ii) Frau Frieda
(iii) She never revealed her real name / Frau Frieda stayed in a spot well-known for
black marketeering and international espionage / She ate in the student’s tavern on
the corner out of loyalty to her origins.
(iv)The Latin American students in Vienna had invented the name Frau Frieda / It is
the Germanic tongue twister for her because she never revealed her real name.
(v) Distant :
Frau Frieda, hailed from Quindio in Colombia and settled in Vienna
Different:
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Vienna ,a distant city well known for black marketeering and international
espionage (½ + ½ )

(vi) Compatriot
OR

B. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

(i) He bought the field and built houses in it (½ + ½ )
(ii) He was too grown up
(iii) to keep a watch
(iv) Keogh was a cripple, used to keep watch to alert his siblings. (½ + ½ )
(v) The joy of childhood / The strong family bond between family members when
her mother was alive.
(vi) Eveline had decided to elope with Frank and get married./ She felt she had a
right to happiness and she expected Frank to save her. / She believed
everything changes in life and she decided to leave home like others and
move ahead in life. (any one)

(II) Attempt any ONE of the two extracts (A) and (B) given below

(A) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

(i) The clock tower was destroyed in the riot and is eyeless and silent /
hatred and disharmony among religions.
(ii) It represents distorted society and religions.
(iii) Time’s relentless and unpredictable nature, symbolised by a damaged
clock tower.
(iv) Peace marches after riots may go out of control like a time bomb and
ruin the peace initiative.
(v) When things go out of control, nature intervenes at a precise moment
of history and restores order.
(vi) (B) Riot and hatred.

OR
(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follows :
(i) Beautiful:
The swans are beautiful, joyous and youthful in spirit / enjoying the supreme
bliss of love.
Mysterious :
The swans have maintained to stay energetic over the years. (½ + ½ )
(ii) Yes. The swans’ passion, energy and beauty will last and they will remain in
the world to delight people. The passing of time can’t change the swans
(iii) They drift / still water / they build / flown away / lake’s edge or pool (any two)
(iv) The speaker grows old and tired over time, the swans do not / Swans as a
species will remain in the world to delight people and they have permanence.
(v) The title names the real place and the real thing. Both the poet and the swans
take shelter at the lap of Coole Park.
(vi) Time and ageing is the central theme of the poem/ Life with all its wonders is
fragile.

8 Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 30 – 40 words.
(I) What message is conveyed in the line ‘Two Shadows went along with us’ 1X2=2
in ‘A Lecture Upon The Shadow’?
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- shadows - symbolic of different stages of love between the poet and his
beloved. (1+1)
- as love grows, the shadows flow and change their appearance.
(any one point)

(II) What are the reasons that motivate D.H. Lawrence to be a novelist?
- the author says, he considers himself superior to the saint, the scientist, the
philosopher and the poet
- the novel is the one bright book of life
- the novel as a tremulation can stir the soul of the whole man alive.
(any one point)
9 Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 50 – 60 words. 1x3 = 3

(I) How did the author solve the mystery of the mark on the wall at the end of
the lesson?
- someone, most likely the author’s companion or her husband, was going out to
buy a newspaper (2+1)
- he complained about the snail on the wall and the author realized that the mark
on the wall had been a snail the whole time

(II) Using the imagery of 'Hindered flags', how does Emily Dickinson portray
the beauty of a 'Summer Day’?
- in response to the sun, the flowers grow soaring up towards the sky and when
they bloom, they will slit open the calyx and their petals and blooms will be filled
with fragrance
- ‘hindered flags’ is a metaphor for the beauty of flowers that are not fully
bloomed

Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 120 – 150 words. 1x5=5
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(I) Chandalika is a tragedy of self-consciousness over-reaching its limit.
Elucidate.
(3+2)
- self-consciousness up to a point is necessary for self-development.
- without rights there can be no obligation, and service and virtue when forced
become marks of slavery
- self-consciousness, like good wine, easily intoxicates
- vanity and pride get the upper hand
- the heroine, Prakriti, in her eagerness to give herself, could not make her
surrender, without first possessing Ananda
- the mother who so unwillingly worked the spell to please her daughter, and who
willingly revoked it to save Ananda, dies in the process
- the daughter, though chastened and made wise by suffering, paid a heavy price
(any three points)

(II) How did a rattling film projector sow the seeds of film making in
Bergman?
Why does he say cinematography is based on deception of human eye?

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- when the author was ten years old he received his first rattling film projector
- he found it both mystifying and fascinating
- the first film was nine feet long and brown in colour with a girl lying asleep in a
meadow
- rickety machine was his first conjuring set
- cinematography is based on deception of the human eye
- when he shows a film, he is guilty of deceit
- the film apparatus is constructed to take advantage of a certain human
weakness
- it could sway his audience, make them laugh, scream with fright, smile, feel
shocked, charmed, deeply moved, or perhaps yawn with boredom
- he claims to be an imposter or a conjurer performing conjuring tricks
(any three points)
11 Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 30 – 40 words. 1x2=2

(1+1)
(I) How does Raja describe the daily routine of the self-exiled Swamiji in the
hut at the foot of Mempi Hills?
- at dawn Swamiji would bathe, wash his single piece of cloth and wear it,
allowing it to dry on his body
- he would then pray and meditate and break off to go to the forest and return
with an armful of roots, herbs and leaves
(any one point)

(II) Describe Margayya when he emerged from the little room after 40 days
of prayer and penance
- when Margayya emerged triumphantly from the little room after 40 days of
prayer and penance, he had a beard and moustache and hair on his nape.
- he looked venerable, his voice became weak and he had lost 10 pounds of
weight
(any one point)
12 Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 50 – 60 words. 1x3=3

(I) Swamiji described God in his own terms as the creator, and the great
spirit pervading every creature. Later Swamiji questioned Raja, about his
(2+1)
understanding of God. What was his reply ?
- the word ‘God’ had been unheard by the Tiger Raja. He said that God must be
an enormous tiger
- Swamiji laughed and said, ‘God made man in his own image and man makes
God in his own image.’
- Raja was perfectly right in thinking of God as a super tiger
(any two points)

(III) What were the endless complications that were produced for
Margayya because of the loss of the little red-bound account book?

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- Margayya could hardly transact any business without the red-bound account
book, and he had to conceal the loss from his customers
- He had to keep out of the tree shade, remain standing or moving about, and
give out figures from his head. It was irksome. He felt helpless.
13 Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 120 – 150 words. 1x5=5

(I) Do you think the man-animal conflict in R.K. Narayan's 'Tiger for (3+2)
Malgudi' could have been averted? Elucidate.
- Raja, the tiger, is seen as a dangerous predator by the humans of Malgudi,
- the reader sympathises with him
- man, animal conflict is caused by competition for natural resources
- in Raja’s case, his cubs were tragically killed by a group of hunters
- he sought revenge by stalking human villages and eating their livestock
- he is captured by a man called ‘Captain’, who runs a travelling circus
- the Chairman of ‘Save Tiger Project’ takes a bribe and declares Raja, a man-
eater
- no action taken against Alphonse, a well-known poacher
- better collaboration between forestry, wildlife, livestock and agriculture would
have helped to prevent conflict between man and animal
- Swamiji has set an example by proving that man can co-exist with tigers
(any three points)

(II) Even though Margayya had his flaws and weaknesses, he had certain
traits and values that were dear to him, that can't be ignored. Do you agree?
Elaborate
- Margayya is a man of sharp intelligence and wit
- his excellent entrepreneurship and diplomacy help him scale the peaks of
success
- a financial wizard, his thorough knowledge about banking is extraordinary
- a man of modest living, he goes out of his way to help customers
- his great success in printing and publishing ‘Domestic Harmony’ shows he is
very daring
- a family man, he wanted to give the best of education to his son, Balu
- money was his weakness, to become rich, he would do anything
- in the end, he lost all his wealth, but he was not the one to give up
- he asked Balu to begin all over again
- R.K. Narayan succeeds in presenting Margayya as a multi-faceted personality
and a captivating character
(any three points)

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