NBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2022 Alternative English

Total number of printed pages : 4 NB/XII/AEN/1
2022
ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH
Full marks : 80 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 & general choice have been provided in some questions.
N.B: Check to ensure that all pages of the question paper is complete as indicated on the
top left side.

SECTION -A (Prose)

1. What does ‘Vive La France’ mean in the Last Lesson? 1

2. Why was Nehru not taken to Bareilly station? 2

3. What is meant by factious followers? 2

4. Why did the lesson appear easy to Franz on the last day? 3

5. Why does Nehru say that the goal in Dehradun is better than the one in
Bareilly? 3

6. a. What are the different kinds of followers Bacon warn against?
Or 4
b. How does Russell distinguish between knowledge and wisdom?

7. Answer any one (1) from the following questions:

a. How can a potential benefit become a threat? Explain in context of
‘Knowledge and Wisdom’. 5

b. “How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak
nor write your own language?” But you are not the worst, poor little
Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.
(i) Who will say that they are pretending to be Frenchmen? 1
(ii) Why couldn’t they speak or write in French? 2
(iii) Why is Franz not the worst? 2

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c. “I have placed the skeleton of old happenings before you, and I have wished
that I had the power to cover it with flesh and blood, to make it living and vital
for you. But I am afraid I have not got that power, and you must rely upon your
imagination to work the miracle.”
(i) What is the skeleton referred to? 1
(ii) What does the author mean by flesh and blood? 2
(iii) What is the author afraid of? 2

SECTION- B (Poetry)

8. What is meant by ‘Woeful Ballad’ and ‘Bubble Reputation’? 2

9. Why does John Donne feel that death is arrogant? How does he belittle this
arrogance? 4

10. Critically analyse the lines given below:
a. Weavers weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight chill?...
White as a feather and white as a cloud,
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.
Or 4
b. A heart – how shall I say? – too soon made glad
Too easily impressed: she liked whate’er
She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.

11. Answer any one (1) from the following questions: 1x5=5
a. Write a note on the seven ages of a man as proposed by Jacques.

b. Paint a picture of the duke’s character according to the poem ‘My Last
Duchess’.

c. The poet associates the morning with birth, the time of sunset with marriage
and night with death. Do you agree with these associations? Give your
opinion.

SECTION- C (Drama)

12. How is Mrs. Higgins decribed in the play? 2

13. “ You’ll find that juries have kept pretty much the same ideas, I fancy.”
(i) Who makes this statement and why? 1
(ii) What is the time period being implied in this statement? 2

14. a. Give a character sketch of Uncle James.
Or 5

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b. Identify and explain the use of humour in the play with suitable examples.

SECTION -D (Fiction)

15. What was the name given to Pip by his friend Herbert Pocket? 1

16. Why does Pip become ashamed of Joe? 2

17. How does Miss Havisham feel about her behaviour at the end of her life? 3

18. a. ‘Great Expectations’ portrays the moral world of Good vs. Evil. Examine.
Or 4
b. Describe the situation when Pip meets the convict in Great Expectations ?

19. a. ‘Great Expectations presents us the journey of experiences and their
consequences.’ Discuss.
Or 5
b. Give a character sketch of Pip.

SECTION -E (Grammar)

20. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions: 3x1=3
(a) The caterpillar turned _________ a butterfly.
(b) There was a tunnel ________ the mountain.
(c) Shakespeare was born ______ 1564.

21. Insert correct conjunctions: 4x1=4
(a) She is _________ intelligent and beautiful.
(b) I tried to hit the nail _______ hit my thumb instead.
(c) This batch of mushroom stew is savoury ______ delicious.
(d) They will _________ go camping or stay home.

22. Correct the following sentences and rewrite them: 3x1=3
(a) Both countries signed a piece treaty to encourage friendly relations.
(b) He don’t attend his classes.
(c) Kindly put this order into affect immediately.

SECTION-F (Reading)

23. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
All the great man have been successful. They are remembered for their
great achievement. But it is certain that success comes to those who are sincere,
hardworking, loyal and committed to their goals, success has been man’s greatest
motivation. It is very important for all. Success has a great effect on life. It brings
pleasure and pride. It gives a sense of fulfilment. It means all-round

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development. Everybody hopes to be successful in life. But success smiles on
those who have a proper approach, planning, vision and stamina. A proper and
timely application of all these things is bound to bear fruit. One cannot be
successful without cultivating these certain basic things in life. It is very difficult
to set out on a journey without knowing one’s goal and purposes. Clarity of the
objectives is a must to succeed in life. A focused approach with proper planning
is certain to bring success. Indecision and insecurity are big obstacles on the path
to success.
One should have the capability, capacity and resources to turn one’s dream
into reality. Mere desire cannot bring you success. The desire should be weighed
against factors like capability and resources. This is the basic requirement of
success. The next important thing is the eagerness, seriousness and the urge to be
successful. It is the driving force which decides the success. It is the first step on
the ladder of success. One needs to pursue one’s goal with sincerity and passion.
One should always be in high spirit. Lack of such spirit leads to an inferiority
complex which is a big obstruction on the path to success. Time is also a
deciding factor. Only the punctual and committed have succeeded in life. Lives
of great men are examples of this. They had all these qualities in plenty which
help them rise to the peak of success.
Hard labour is one of the basic requirement for success. There is no
substitute for hard labour. It alone can take one to the peak of success. Every
success has a ratio of five percent inspiration and ninety-five percent
perspiration. It is the patience, persistence and perseverance which play a
decisive role in achieving success. Failures are the pillars of success as they are
our stepping stones and we must get up and start again and be motivated.

a. Answer the following questions:
(i) To whom does success come? 1
(ii) What are the basic things we need to achieve success in life? 2
(iii) What did great men have in plenty to rise to the peak of success? 2
(iv) What plays a decisive role in achieving success? 2

b. Find the synonyms from the passage: 3x1=3
(i) Transparency
(ii) Potential
(iii) Determination

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