MBOSE Class 12 Question Paper 2026 for Elective English

FOR MBOSE CLASS 12 EXAM PREPARATION

MBOSE Class 12 2026
Question Paper ·
Elective English
EXAM YEAR TYPE SUBJECT

MBOSE Class 12 2026 Question Paper Elective English

Notes · Sample Papers · Previous Year Papers · Mock Tests

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Total No. of Printed Pages—15
HS/XII/A/e/NC/26
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ELECTIVE ENGLISH

( New Course )

Full Marks : 80

Time : 3 hours
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. for the questions
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The figures in the margin indicate full marks

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General Instructions :
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(i) Write all the answers in the Answer Script.

(ii) Attempt all parts of a question together at one place.

SECTION—A
( Marks : 20 )

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1. Read the passage given below :

c. o1. The Internet has revolutionized the way we sem
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communicate and access information. Social media

ag platforms have become an integral part of our daily
lives, allowing us to connect with people from all over
the world. We can share our thoughts, ideas and
experiences with others and stay updated about
what’s happening around us.

/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 2 )

2. However, excessive use of social media can have
negative effects on our mental health. Studies have
shown that spending too much time on social media
can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and
depression. Moreover, the constant comparison with
others on social media can lead to low self-esteem
and a distorted view of reality.
3. Despite these risks, social media can also be a
powerful tool for good. It can be used to spread
awareness about important issues, mobilize support
for social causes and provide a platform for
marginalized voices. Many people have used social
media to connect with others who share similar
interests and passions.
4. Social media has also changed the way we consume
news and information. With the rise of online news
sources and social media, people can now access
information from anywhere in the world. This has
made it easier for people to stay informed about
current events and make informed decisions.
5. In conclusion, social media is a double-edged sword.
While it has many benefits, it also has some
drawbacks. By being aware of these risks and
benefits, we can use social media in a way that is
healthy and productive.
On the basis of your understanding, answer the following
questions (any twelve) : 1×12=12
(a) What has revolutionized the way we communicate
and access information?

(b) What have social media platforms become in our
daily lives?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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(c)
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What can excessive use of social media lead to?
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(d) What is m
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s e media?
a negative effect of constant comparison
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on social
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(e) How can social media be used for good?

(f) What has social media changed the way we do?

(g) What is a benefit of online news sources and social
media?

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(h) Why is it important to be aware of the risks and
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benefits of social media?
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(i)
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What can social media provide

(j) What is a result of spending too much time on
social media?

(k) How has social media impacted the way we stay
informed?

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(l)
m What is social media compared to in the passage?
c. o(m) What can people use social media to connect with sem .co
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a
ag (n) What is a drawback of social media?

(o) What should we do to use social media in a
healthy way?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 4 )

2. Read the poem Dust of Snow given below :
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree.
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

Based on your understanding of the poem, answer any
four of five given questions : 1×4=4

(a) Who is the poet of the poem Dust of Snow ?

(i) Robert Frost

(ii) William Wordsworth

(iii) Emily Dickinson

(iv) Walt Whitman

(b) What fell on the poet from the hemlock tree?

(i) Snowflakes

(ii) Dust of snow

(iii) Leaves

(iv) Flowers

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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What effect did the dust of snow have on the poet?
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m . sentence appropriately : s e
e tone in the poem can be described as
(d) Complete the
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The a
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———

(e) Fill in the blank :
The dust of snow has given my heart a change of
———.

3. Read the passage given below :
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A study conducted in urban schools found that

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70% of teenagers spend more
g a than 4 hours daily on
smartphones, mostly onasocial media, gaming and
streaming videos. Among these teens, 60% reported
difficulty falling asleep and 45% experienced daytime
fatigue. Experts found a strong correlation between
late night screen time and decreased academic
performance.

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m to 2 hours daily reported better sleep quality and m .co
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2. Interestingly, teenagers who limited smartphone use

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ag 3. Schools have begun introducing ‘digital wellness’
programmes to encourage balanced smartphone
use, promote outdoor activities and educate students
about blue light exposure. The study highlights the

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 6 )

need for self-regulation and awareness in managing
technology use.

Daily Smartphone Use % of Teens with Sleep Problems
Less than 2 hours 15%
2–4 hours 30%
4–6 hours 60%
More than 6 hours 75%

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any
four of five given questions : 1×4=4

(a) Fill in the blank by selecting the appropriate option :
Late night screen time is strongly correlated with
decreased ——— in class.

(i) academic performance/concentration

(ii) sleep quality

(iii) alertness

(iv) reasoning power

(b) Compare sleep problem percentages between
teenagers using less than 2 hours and those using
more than 6 hours of smartphones daily.

(c) Name one intervention schools have introduced to
improve students’ digital wellness.

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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( 7 )

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State True or False :
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The main conclusion of the study is that government
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intervention and regulation is needed to manage
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teenage smartphone use.
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a you think technology is harmful or helpful for
(e) Do
teenagers according to the passage?

SECTION—B
( Applied Grammar and Writing )
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( Marks : 28 )

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4. Transform the following sentences as per the given
instructions (any eight) :
ag 1×8=8

(a) The chef prepares a special menu for the guests
every weekend.
( Begin : A special menu … )

(b) She is very tired. She can’t work.

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( Use ‘too’ )

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(c)

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s e ( Transform the sentence into a question )
g l a
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a ( Begin : The teacher asked … )

(e) He is rich. He can afford a luxury car.
( Rewrite using ‘enough’ )

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 8 )

(f) If you don’t hurry, you will miss the train.
( Use ‘unless’ in the sentence )

(g) This is the best cake I have ever tasted.
( Use ‘never’ in the sentence )

(h) The book is very interesting. I couldn’t put it down.
( Use ‘so … that’ )

(i) She is not as tall as her sister.
( Change into a comparative sentence )

(j) Let’s go to the park.
( Change into a suggestion )

5. Answer any three of the following four questions
in 120 –150 words each : 5×3=15

(a) Write an essay discussing the benefits of reading
books. Explain how reading can improve your
knowledge, imagination and language skills.

(b) Write an essay analyzing the factors contributing
to the rise in teenage mental health issues in
recent years and the most effective solutions being
implemented.

(c) Write an essay exploring the meaning of fashion, its
influence on individuals and its impact on society.

(d) In today’s fast-paced world, where lifestyles and
communication are constantly evolving, write an
essay exploring how core values such as respect,
honesty and kindness are affected.

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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( 9 )

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6. Answer any one of the following two questions in
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120 –150 words :
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(a) India is a land of diversity. One way in which it

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makes us feel proud of it is the number of festivals
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we enjoy. Write an article on ‘Festivals of India’.
(b) Write a report about a recent event in your school.
Include details like what happened, who was
involved, when and where it took place and why it
was important.

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SECTION—C
( Textbook )
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( Marks : 32 )
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7. (a) Attempt any one of the two extracts (i) and (ii) given
below : 6

(i) Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow : 1×6=6
“Her conviction was so real that I boarded the
last train to Rome that same night. As for me,
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catastrophe I never experienced. I still have not
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returned to Vienna.”

ag 1. What did the narrator do after being
influenced by Frau Frieda’s conviction?

2. Why did the narrator consider himself a
survivor of a catastrophe?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 10 )

3. Has the narrator returned to Vienna since
that night?

4. What can be inferred about the narrator’s
attitude towards Frau Frieda’s words?

5. What kind of catastrophe did the narrator
consider himself a survivor of ?

6. Which word can be a good synonym for
‘catastrophe’?
(A) Miracle
(B) Triumph
(C) Windfall
(D) Disaster

Or

(ii) Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow : 1×6=6

“It was hard work—a hard life—but now that
she was about to leave it she did not find it a
wholly undesirable life.”

1. Who does ‘she’ refer to here?

2. What does the phrase ‘hard work’ suggest
about her past experience?

3. What does her reflection tell us about her
emotional state?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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( 11 )

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4. What does the line ‘‘now that she was about
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to leave it she did not find it a
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wholly undesirable life’’ highlight about her
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character?
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tone of the story?

6. Why is her realization significant in the
context of the story?

(b) Attempt any one of the two extracts (i) and (ii) given
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below :
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(i) Read the extract given below and answer the

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questions that follow : 1×6=6
“Bright Flowers slit a Calyx
And soared upon a Stem
Like Hindered Flags—Sweet hoisted—
With Spices—in the Hem—
’ Twas more—I cannot mention—
How mean—to those that see—
Vandyke’s Delineation
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1. What did the bright flowers do to the Calyx?
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the stem?

3. What is mentioned as being in the hem of
the flowers?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 12 )

4. What does the poet say they cannot do?

5. What season is being described in the
poem?

6. Which word or group of words is a good
antonym for ‘hoisted’?
(A) Raised
(B) Lifted
(C) Raised up
(D) Lowered down

Or

(ii) Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow : 1×6=6
“Or listen to the clocktowers
Of any old well-managed city
beating their gongs round the clock,
each slightly
Off the others’ time, deeper or lighter
in its bronze, beating out a different
sequence each half-hour, out of
the accidents
of alloy, a maker’s shaking hand
in Switzerland, or the mutual distances
commemorating a donor’s whim.”

1. What is being described in the extract?

2. What do the clocktowers do?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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( 13 )

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3. Why do the clocktowers have slightly
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different times?
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4. What commemorates a donor’s whim in the
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a 5. How often do the clocktowers beat out a
different sequence?
6. Which word serves as an antonym of
‘commemorating’?
(A) Honouring
(B) Memorializing
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(C) Disregarding

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(D) Remembering
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8. Answer any one of the following
30 –40 words : 2

(a) What is the poet’s attitude towards love in the poem
A Lecture upon the Shadow?

(b) Who is Dr. Margolin and what is his background?

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9. Answer any one of the following two questions in
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e3m

e m (a) How does the poet’s vision of the Abyssinian maidlas
l as ag
ag and her song relate to the creative
artistic inspiration in Kubla Khan?
process and

(b) What were the events that led to Dr. Margolin’s
confused state of mind in A Wedding in Brownsville?

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ P.T.O.

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( 14 )

10. Answer any one of the following two questions in
120 –150 words : 5

(a) Discuss the difference between natural slavery to
Nature and unnatural slavery to Man as described
by Shaw in his essay Freedom.

(b) How does D. H. Lawrence’s essay Why the Novel
Matters reflect the wholeness of life?

11. Answer any one of the following two questions in
30 –40 words : 2

(a) Describe Raja’s experiences in the circus and
film industries. How does he adapt to these
environments? 1+1=2

(b) Describe Dr. Pal’s role in the story and his
relationship with Margayya. How does Dr. Pal’s
advice influence Margayya’s financial decisions?

12. Answer any one of the following two questions in
40 –50 words : 3

(a) Analyze Raja’s interactions with humans throughout
the novel. How does his perspective on humans
change over time and what does this reveal about
his character? 1+1+1=3

(b) Discuss the themes of ambition and greed in the
novel. How do these themes drive the plot and
character development, particularly in the case of
Margayya? 1+2=3

HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 [ Contd.

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( 15 )

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13. Answer any one of the following three questions in
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120 –150 words :
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(a)
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How does the ending of Tagore’s Chandalika reflect
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Prakriti’s inner transformation and moral awakening?
g ag
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(b) Analyze the relationship between Margayya and his
son. How does Margayya’s obsession with wealth and
status affect their relationship and what insights
does this offer into the consequences of prioritizing
material success? 2+3=5
(c) In what ways does the monk guide Raja toward
self-realization and what does this say about
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compassion and understanding? 3+2=5
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HHH

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HS/XII/A/e/NC/26/53 26K—500

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Total No. of Printed Pages—8
HS/XII/A/e/OC/26

2026

ELECTIVE ENGLISH

( Old Course )

Full Marks : 100

Time : 3 hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions

General Instructions :
(i) Write all the answers in the Answer Script.
(ii) Attempt Part—A (Objective Questions) serially.
(iii) Attempt all Parts of a question together at one place.

( PART : A—OBJECTIVE )
( Marks : 50 )

SECTION—I
( Marks : 20 )

1. State whether the following statements are True or False :
1×6=6

(a) Raju’s love for Nalini is selfless until the end.

(b) Velan’s brother was about twenty-one, a semi-moron
who had grown up as a dependent in Velan’s house.

/52 [ P.T.O.

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( 2 )

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‘‘If there is one good man anywhere, the rains would
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s e m
s em quoted Raju’s mother from a Tamil poem.
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g la (d) Marco stayed for over a month at Peak House. ag
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(e) Raju’s father owned a small shop in the Mempi
railway station.

(f) The novel, The Guide, is told in a straight forward
chronological narrative.
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2. Name the speaker and the person spoken to : 1×6=6

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(a) What would you do, most noble Empress?

(b) I quite agree with your account of yourself. You are a
romantic idiot.

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(c) What am I looking for? Sleep-danger-don’t know.

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m .co (d) My orders! Why should I order you to bring Captain
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a (e) Louka! Are you mad, Sergius? Why, this girl’s
engaged to Nicola.

(f) I sent her away. I wanted to be alone.

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ Contd.

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( 3 )

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words : 1×8=8

(a) In _____ and around Rome the disease was until
recently a curse.
( Europe / Holland / Greece )

(b) Manson and Ross defeated the tiny flying insect
which until the beginning of the _____ century was
the most dreaded enemy.
( twentieth / nineteenth / twenty-first )

(c) It was like a _____ groaning out some banal song of
long ago.
( trombone / barrel-organ / horn )

(d) And still of a _____ night, they say, when the wind is
in the trees.
( moonlit / cold / winter’s )

(e) They heard a Highland girl singing in _____ at her
reaping.
( Arabic / Gaelic / English )

(f) On His Blindness was written in _____.
( 1608 / 1655 / 1674 )

(g) Milton’s poem, On His Blindness is _____.

( an octave / a sestet / a sonnet )

(h) When I _____ how my light is spent.
( think / ponder / consider )

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ P.T.O.

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( 4 )

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( Marks : 30 )

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l a 4. Answer any ten of the following questions in 2 or 3 ag
ag sentences each : 3×10=30

(a) Briefly describe the village dispute in Mangala that
arose between the shopman and his customer.

(b) Compare the personalities of Marco and Rosie, and
explain how their differences affect Rosie’s life.
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Why does Louka defy her fiancé, Nicola’s warning?
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(d)
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What is the practical thing that Bluntschli carries in
g
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his cartridge belt instead of bullets? Why?

(e) How do those who ‘best bear His mild yoke’, serve
God?

(f) What is the question the poet ( ‘I’ ) fondly asks?

(g) What are the two types of stories Wordsworth
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s e (h) Explain the meaning of the final lines : ‘‘ The music
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g la in my heart I bore, Long after it was heard no more’’.
a
a (i) How did critics react to Sir Ronald Ross’s
experiments with mosquitoes?

(j) Why does Gardiner call liberty ‘a social contract’?

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ Contd.

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( 5 )

(k) Give a few humorous examples of ‘social anarchy’
from A. G. Gardiner’s essay.

(l) What is the role of Tim the ostler in the tragic love
story of the Highwayman and Bess?

(m) How did the soldiers treat Bess and her father?

( PART : B—DESCRIPTIVE )
( Marks : 50 )

5. What is the foundation of social conduct? Cite examples
from A. G. Gardiner’s essay. 5
Or

How did Manson’s work on filariasis influence Ross’s
research on malaria?

6. Show with examples how the ballad, The Highwayman
blends love, sacrifice and tragedy. 5
Or

Explain the biblical allusion of the ‘ Talent’ and its
significance in the poem.

Or

What is the significance of nature and memory in
Wordsworth’s The Solitary Reaper?

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ P.T.O.

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( 6 )

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7. Answer any one of the following questions :
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(a). Arms and the Man ends in marriage(s). Is Shaw’s e
s em subtitle ‘An Anti-Romantic Comedy’ appropriate to glas
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a the play?

(b) Describe the famous ‘photograph scene’ in Act III as
a moment of high comedy and crucial dramatic
irony.

(c) Write short notes on any two of the following : 5×2=10

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(i) Louka

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(ii) Nicola
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(iii) Catherine

8. Answer any one of the following questions : 10

(a) Give a character sketch of Raju as a rogue and fraud
in R. K. Narayan’s The Guide.

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(b) How is the theme of religion portrayed in The .Guide?

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(c) Write short notes on any two of thelfollowing : 5×2=10

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a (i) Raju’s mother

(ii) Gaffur

(iii) James J. Malone

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ Contd.

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( 7 )

9. Read the poem given below and answer the questions that
follow : 10

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh! I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence :
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Questions :

(a) Why does the speaker choose the second road? 2

(b) How does the speaker feel about their choice of road
at the end of the poem? 2

HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 [ P.T.O.

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( 8 )

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What does the speaker see in the yellow wood? 2
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a (e) What decision does the speaker make regarding the
roads? 2

10. Write an essay in about 250 words on any one of the
following topics : 10

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(a) Is technology making
isolated?
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(b) The role of kindness in daily life.

(c) How natural disasters remind us of nature’s power?

(d) The writer I admire the most and why.
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HS/XII/A/e/OC/26/52 26K—90

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