ISC English Language Previous Year Question Paper 2013 Solved for Class 12
Question 1.
Write a composition (in approximately 450-500 words) on any one of the following subjects: [30]
(You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.)
(a) ‘One should judge a man not by what he has, but by what he is. ’ Express your views on this statement.
(b) Write a description of the most interesting person you have ever met.
(c) It is right for a person to interfere in the affairs of another. ’ Write for or against this statement.
(d) Memories.
(e) Relate how travel has been of educational value to you.
(f) Write an original story with the following ending :
“…………………… It was exactly as he had said it would be.”
Answers:
(a) Make use of the following hints and develop them into a complete essay.
- man may be rich
- but dishonest and greedy
- a man may be poor and humble
- very helpful and useful
- a great use to society
- enjoys material comforts
- of no use to society
- attaches importance to values in life
- a selfless man
(b) Make use of the following hints and develop them into a complete essay.
- Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam – a Missile Man
- faced problems and hardships of life
- rose to the .highest position of the President of India
- his achievements as a scientist
- honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1981
- successful testing of Trishul (1985), Prithvi (1988) and Agni (1989)
- his role in the Pokhran atomic bomb blast (1998)
- popularly known as the Missile Man of India
- author of a number of books
- friendly with the children
(c) Make use of the following hints and develop them into an argument against the statement:
It is right for a person to interfere in the affairs of another.
- no good to interfere in the affairs of another
- bad manners
- causes disturbance
- zoss of concentration
- output poor
- liberty and freedom in doing something is undermined
- hampers prosperity
- conclusion
(d) Make use of the following hints and develop them into a complete essay.
- good memories
- bad memories
- memories of childhood
- imaginative process
- mind becomes active
- a good pastime
- sharing memories with others
(e) Make use of the following hints and develop them into a complete essay.
- classroom teaching and educational value of travelling
- theoretical knowlege and practical knowledge
- the importance of educational tours
- a close study of natural surrounding and things like meadows, mountains, rivers, gardens and valleys.
- architectural beauty of historical monuments
- a close study of history
- travelling – a medium of education
- addition to knowledge
(f) Make use of the following hints and develop them into a complete story.
- a man hired a room in a street in the city
- patches of discolouration on the walls; one of these looked exactly like a human face
- the man came to think of it as real
- the patch resembling the face of a person took hold of the man
- it grew more and more real and remarkable
- the man decided to find this man in the city street and public places
- the search became a mania with him
- finally he could locate the man in a busy place
- a surprising discovery
- “it was exactly as he had said it would be.”
Question 2.
Write a review of a book you have recently read (in approximately 300 words) for your school magazine. Make use of the given points. [20]
Name of the book — author — publisher — readership — cover and illustrations—plot — characters — insight into some interesting incidents — message if any — appeal the book holds for you.
Answer:
Name of the book: The Canterville Ghost
Author: Oscar Wilde
Publisher: Maple Press Classics
Readership: a great number of readers
Cover and illustrations: Suggestive and meaningful
Plot: The ghost in the story is real. Weary of his long, unhappy life, the ghost seeks salvation through peaceful death which is denied to him because of his diabolic act of murdering his wife. Virginia, the American girl, prays for him and weeps for him—as desired by the ghost—and Death shows mercy on him at last. The ‘golden girl’ toms out to be a saviour for him. Through her caring and concern, she proves that love is stronger than life and even death.
Characters:
1. The Ghost: The ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville is the central figure in the novel. Unlike conventional ghosts, he is a moody, weary, helpless ghost. Though he has done enough mischief, he fails to do any harm to the stubbornly materialistic American family. He becomes a pathetic figure with repeated failures to frighten the new inhabitants. In spite of his supernatural powers, he is unhappy and yearns for the release of his soul. When Virginia helps him get peaceful death, he gives her precious jewels out of gratitude.
2. Mr Otis : Mr Otis, the American minister, is totally materialistic and ruthless in his attitude. He believes that money can buy anything, even a ghost. He does not have faith in the world of ghosts. So he confronts the ghost boldly and defeats him in his bad intentions. He is a fond father. When Virginia disappears, he does his best to find her out. He does not like British conventions and traditions. He is a thorough Republican.
3. Virginia : Virginia is a young daughter of the American minister. She is an expert rider. She loves the young Duke of Cheshire whom she marries later. She is unlike other members of her family. She remains aloof from her family’s anti- ghost campaign and does not scoff at the ghost. The ghost, too, is soft towards her. She is caring and affectionate. She takes pity on the ghost in his extreme depression. She takes a calculated risk in helping the ghost get peaceful death. By her attitude she proves that love is really stronger than life and even death.
Insight into some interesting incidents:
The ghost of Sir Simon appears before Mr Otis who is awakened by a curious noise at 1 o’clock in the night. The ghost, and old man of terrifying appearance, fails to frighten Mr Otis.
When (he ghost again tries to terrify the family, hc meets the same fate as before. The twins shoot two pellets on him which their peashooters. and Mr Otis covers him with his revolver and asks him to hold up his hands. The ghost shrieks and gives his most horrible laugh, but to no avail.
The ghost gives up the hope of ever frightening the American family. Virginia happens to see the ghost in extreme depression.
The disappearance of Virginia causes a flutter in the house. It is thought that she has been abducted. When she appears finally, she tells her flimily that the ghost is finally dead. The ghost is ceremonially buried.
Message : Oscar Wild conveys the message that love is a potent force. It can achieve anything by overcoming all obstacles. It can conquer even life and death.
Appeal the book holds : The Canterville Ghost is a ghost story in an uncoventional for you way. The ghost has some supernatural powers but he is a weary ghost. He is unable to inflict any real harm. Throughout the novel there is nothing violent and ghoulish. The novel has a popular appeal.
Question 3.
Answer sections (a), (b) and (c).
(a) In each of the following items, sentence A is complete, while sentence B is not Complete sentence B, making it as similar as possible to sentence A. Write sentence B in each case. [10]
Example : (0)
(A) : Though it was a cloudy day, the temperature was 45°C.
(B) : Despite ………………………………….
Answer :
(0) Despite it be ng a cloudy day. the temperature ivas 45°C.
(1)
(A) : They are demolishing the entire block of flats.
(B) : The entire ………………………………….
(2)
(A) ; Anil thought the examination would be held later.
(B) ; Anyway ………………………………….
(3)
(A) : I do not like this food as much as you do.
(B) : You ………………………………….
(4)
(A) : Raju failed in the examination, yet he was not upset.
(B) : In spite of ………………………………….
(5)
(A) : “Don’t lend Ramesh any money;” I said to Rita.
(B) : I advised ………………………………….
(6)
(A) : As soon as the arrangements were made to release extra water from the reservoirs, the rain came in a downpour.
(B) : No sooner ………………………………….
(7)
(A) : He had to sign or be arrested.
(B) : libe ………………………………….
(8)
(A) : Meena complained of not being able to see the performance from the back row.
(B) : Meena complained that ………………………………….
(9)
(A) : Many ambitious people see politics as a stepping stone to personal power.
(B) : Politics ………………………………….
(10)
(A) : Rahul has wasted bis walth and ruined his health by his drinking habit.
(B) : Rahul has not only ………………………………….
(b) Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (Do not write the sentence.) II
(1) Let us talk …………………………………. then tomorrow about their homework.
(2) The Principal gave us a tallc …………………………………. bullying.
(3) Manoj was not at home when his grandfather passed ………………………………….
(4) When we visited Daihousie, we passed …………………………………. the house in which we had lived twenty years ago.
(5) This novel has been written …………………………………. Jeffrey Archer.
(6) In the Middle Ages, books were written …………………………………. a variety of subjects.
(7) He had promised her that he would come to the party but he didn’t turn ………………………………….
(8) I was forced to turn …………………………………. Maya’s invitation as I was going to be out of town the following week.
(9) R.ashi has applied …………………………………. a scholarship in an American university.
(10) Arjun applied …………………………………. the university for higher studies but was denied admission.
(c) Fill in the banks in the passage given below with the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets. Do not write the passage, but write the verbs in the correct order. [5]
Breathing is good, on this we …………………….. (1) (can) agree. That is why sleep apnoea. a condition in which sufferers repeatedly …………………….. (2) (stop) breathing and …………………….. (3) (awake) during the night …………………….. (4) (be) so distressing and dangerous. Doctors …………………….. (5) (Xhave) long known that the majority of people with sleep apnoea also …………………….. (6) (havc) gas and reflux, so they oflen …………………….. (7) (treat) the reflux with heartburn medica tion. To prove the connection between reflux and sleep apnoea, scientists at an army hospital …………………….. (8) (observe) apnoea patients as they …………………….. (9) (sleep). They (10) (find) that reflux could, in fact, be the cause of many night-time awakenings.
Answers:
(a)
(1) The entire block of flats is being demolished.
(2) Anil was of the opinion that the examination would be held later.
(3) Youlikctliisfoodasldo.
(4) In spite of his failure in this examination Raju was not upset.
(5) I advised Rita not to lend Ramesh any money.
(6) No sooner were the arrangements made to release extra water from the reservoirs, the rain came in a downpour.
(7) If he did not sign, he would be arrested.
(8) Meena complained that she was unable to see the performance from the back row.
(9) Politics is a stepping stone to personal power for many people to realise their ambitions.
(10) Rahul has not only wasted his wealth but also ruined his health by his drinking habit.
(b) (1) to (2) about (3) away (4) by (5) by (6) on (7) up (8) down (9) for (10) to
(c) (1) can (2) stop (3) awake (4) is (5) have (6) have (7) treat (8) observed (9) slept (10) found
Question 4.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions (a), (b) and (c) that follow :
Boyhood And Balance
(1) My eldest boy has just turned nine. One day not long after, he was on his way to the pool on his bike when he slammed on his brakes in front of me and did a really neat skid. He looked back and gave me his cheesy smile of satisfaction.
(2) Normally that little skid would have provoked a stem warning not to “wear out your tyres.” I was always taught to take care of my things and keep them in good shape. I’ve come to learn, though, that there is a difference between the natural course of w earing things out and trying to make things last at any price. The difference became acute to me one bright sunny day four years ago.
(3) My then five-year-old boy had spent a normal summer afternoon playing in the park and swimming at the neighborhood pool. At his bath time that night, I noticed he had small red spots all over his body. Some kind of measles, I thought, and called my wife to take a look. Bu pure chance, the next day he had an appointment with his pediatrician.
(4) Several tests (and long hours) later, the doctors figured my son had an illness called ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), which causes your spleen to kill of your body’s own blood-clotting platelets. If it got worse, he could bleed to death internally. Only time would tell whether it would get better on its own. You can imagine the fear that crept into our hearts.
(5) Three days into his stay at the hospital, I went to pick out a present for him. I reached for a yellow toy convertible (he loves cars). My hand hesitated. I knew that it wouldn’t last long with a five-year-old boy. Then I thought to myself: So what if the doors break off and the wheels fall off. If those things happen, it will mean he is alive and well. I bought it in the hope that he would be well enough to play with it. He was thrilled to receive it, and it helped him pass the week he spent at the hospital.
(6) I saw the car the other day, sitting on a shelf in his room. The wheels have fallen off, the doors are broken and all of the chrome has worn off. I see it and I smile to myself. My boy has been perfectly well these past four years, and is full of vitality. His mysterious illness came and went.
(7) And I learned that thi’h^k’ (ire things and can be replaced if necessary. If any one of my three boys happens to break something or wear it out playing with it, instead of chastising him for carelessness, I now prefer to celebrate his boyhood. The empty shell of what once was a nice car, the balding tyre of his new bike, the lost pieces of his Monopoly game, all bear witness to the fact that there lives a healthy, happy boy.
(8) Prudence and preservation have their place, as do experimentation and curiosity. In the end, it is my relationships with my sons and my wife that have real lasting power. I choose to celebrate our lives with the losses.
(9) Besides, I used to skid my tyres the same way – just not in front of my dad.
Elliot Van Egmond – The Globe and Mail (.Adapted)
(a) (i) Given below are four words and phrases. Find the words which have a similar meaning in the passage : [4]
(1) strict
(2) energy and vigour
(3) scolding
(4) strong desire to know
(ii) For each of the words given below, write a sentence of at least ten words using the same word unchanged in form, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage : [4]
(1) shape – (Line 5)
(2) park – (Line 9)
(3) present – (Line 17)
(4) well – (Line 20)
(b) Answer the following questions in your own words as briefly as possible :
(i) Why is the disease ITP so serious?
(ii) What does the yellow car look like at present?
(iii) What did the writer learn from his experience?
(iv) What is most important to the writer now?
(c) Summarize thc given passage in not more than 100 words. Failure to keep within the word limit will he pcnalised. You will he required to:
(i) List your ideas clearly in point form. [6]
(ii) In about 100 words, write your points in the form of a connected passage. [6]
Answer:
(a) (i)
(1) strict : stem
(2) energy and vigour : vitality
(3) scolding : chastising
(4) strong desire to know : curiosity
(ii) (1) shape : The painter has given a beautiful shape to his model.
(2) park : Do not park your vehicle here.
(3) present : She was present in the class.
(4) well : The child has fallen int the well.
(iii) (1) shape The painter has given a beautiful shape to his model.
(2) park Do not park your vehicle here.
(3) present She was present in die class.
(4) well The child has fallen into the well.
(b) (i) The disease ITP is serious because it causes patient’s spleen to kill off his body’s own blood-clotting platelets. If it becomes worse, the patient could bleed to death internally.
(ii) The yellow car looks like a present. It is convertible and it would be well enough for the boy to play within it. Moreover it does not matter if its doors break off and the wheels fall off.
(iii) The writer learnt a lot from his experience. He noticed the car on a shelf in his room. It has no wheels and doors. The writer smiled and concluded that boy’s mysterious illness came and went. The boy was perfectly well.
(iv) The writer concludes that prudence and preservation have their place as do experimentation and curiosity. Relationship within the family is the most important thing. Therefore, the writer chooses to celebrate their lives and live with the losses.
(c) (i)
(a) Writer’s way of thinking and handling things in his boyhood.
(b) his five-year-old boy had developed red spots all over his body; a serious kind of disease called ITP.
(c) The boy admitted in the hospital, spent three days there.
(d) the writer presented a yellow toy car to his son; the boy played with the toy, broke it and became well; his illness had gone.
(e) the writer learnt from his experience. He concluded that prudence and preservation have their place in family relationship.
(ii) The writer compares his childhood with that of his children. He finds that there is a difference between the natural course of wearing things out and trying to make things last at any price. The contrast became clear to him when his five-year-old boy was admitted in the hospital for treatment of ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). The disease was serious but it disappeared mysteriously. The writer experimented with a toy car and it worked very well. The boy became perfectly well.