English Question Paper' 2024
AHSEC Class 12 Question Papers

Full Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 30
Time: Three hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions

SECTION – A

[Reading Skill: 10 Marks]

1. Read the following passage carefully:

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was a multifaceted personality, a statesman and visionary and above all a good human being. He was a brilliant scientist and modern thinker. When I joined him as Press Secretary after ten days of his becoming President, at his very first meeting he gave me his vision of a developed India. He spoke of how he wanted to make Rashtrapati Bhavan a people’s place where voice of the millions of downtrodden people of India would be heard and action taken. Indeed during his time Rashtrapati Bhavan become a people’s place and he became popular as People’s President. He wanted that institution of the President to be totally identified by ordinary people.

President Kalam took his Presidency seriously from day one. He was as comfortable with constitutional and legal issues as he was with school children. He was committed to nation-building and created a vision document to make India a developed nation by 2020. He made a PowerPoint presentation to senior ministers and bureaucrats on this.

He used to make PowerPoint presentation at conferences and seminars both in India and abroad to discuss that vision. On these, he used to work himself and he was very particular about every word and sentence.

He did it during his visits abroad and while meeting dignitaries such as US President George Bush and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. When he presented his vision of India’s nuclear energy requirements to Mr. Bush and his vision of a joint fight India and Pakistan could wage against poverty, the respective Presidents commented that they had to become scientists to understand the presentation. You can’t think of any other President of a country who would have done that.

His vision for the nation was based on equality, the dignity of the individual and justice, social, economic and political, to every Indian. Only then can India succeed and everybody sing the song of India, he used to say.

I meet him last on July 22, five days before his demise. It was a one-on-one meeting that lasted a good 40 minutes. He was full of ideas as always, very active and discussed different subjects. He used to tell me, “Whatever you do, do differently. Wherever you work, leave a mark and be remembered.”

During his presidency he was always comfortable, except on two occasions, when his unease was visible. When he had to give his consent to the Office of Profit Bill, 2006 after it was sent for the second time by the Parliament, and when he had to approve the ordinance on Disqualification of Elected Representatives in 2004 as it was sent to him by the Cabinet for a second time.

He was an icon for the youth. He used to say, “Aiming small is a crime Youth should have the courage to think differently and explore unexplored paths. Difficulties would come but don’t be afraid of them – overcome them with your intellect and hard work.”

The man who pioneered India’s missile programme was always proud of his work at the Indian Space Research Organisation and other scientific institutions. He used to believe that a scientific approach could find a solution to every problem.

He was an ardent secularist, and also a religious man. He believed that all religions are like beautiful islands; but there is no connectivity between them. We should strive to achieve this connectivity and transform religion into spirituality. For him religion and morality were the same.

A man of vision, he always worked in mission mode. He had a mission to meet 10 lakh students and interact with them. He completed this when he left Rashtrapati Bhavan. He continued with this till his last breath. His childlike simplicity was an instant hit.

He got the sobriquet of being the People’s President because of his humility and accessibility. President Kalam always worked towards building consensus rather than ramming down decisions.

He came from a modest background, but educated himself and worked hard to rise to the top. He was simply the missile man whose books were prime-sellers, whose lectures were always housed full. He was adored by children as he would give them easy-to-digest messages.

On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions:

(a) Which of the following traits explain in a single word the many qualities of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam? 1

(1) Brilliant scientist.

(2) Visionary.

(3) Statesman.

(4) Multifaceted.

(b) What was so special about A. P. J. Abdul Kalam that no other president could do? 2

(d) What were the bills not passed by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam initially? 2

(e) What was his mission? 2

(f) What is the antonym of ‘modest’? 1

SECTION – B

[Advanced Writing Skill: 25 Marks]

2. As the Secretary of Debate in Mayong Anchalik College, write a notice for the students interested in participating in Inter-College Debate Competition to be held shortly. Mention the deadline of registration, the topic and sign yourself as Juktiman/Juktimoni. (Word limit 50 words) 5

You are Barun/Birina who had lost a file folder containing important documents in a bus going towards Lumding. Get an advertisement published in the classified page and promise the finder a reward. 5

3. You are Roshan/Rohini, The General Secretary of Merryland Public School, Tezpur. Your school joined a campaign organized by various agencies of your city to create awareness among people to conserve water. Write a report in 100-125 words highlighting the activities such as rainwater harvesting etc. 10

Your school has organized an exhibition-cum-sale of the items made by students in their work experience classes. You had an excellent and overwhelming response from the parents and the visitors. The proceeds of the sale have been donated by your school in a function to Helpline India, an organization supporting the cause of orphans. Make a report of the same in 100-125 words to be published in your school magazine.

4. Regional Baghdevi College, Sipajhar has published the advertisement for the post of Music Teacher. As Shahnawaz/Shahnaz Siddqui from Naobaicha, write an application, along with your detailed resume, to the Managing Director of the school.

As a conscious citizen, you have observed gradual loss of focus and concentration among the selfie-freak youngsters. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily showing your concern over the issue and recommend some measures to curb the e-addiction. 10

SECTION – C

[Grammar: 20 Marks]

5. Change the form of the narration of any two of the following sentences: 2x2=4

(a) M. Hamel said, “My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorrain.”

(b) Aditi asked Raju if his sister was at home. Raju replied that she was not. She had gone shopping with their mother.

6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences: 1x3=3

(a) She likes sweets.

(b) The man narrated me a story.

(d) Don’t spread the rumour.

(e) The baby is being taken care of by the maid.

(f) The tree has been uprooted.

7. Rewrite any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct forms: 1x5=5

(a) You _______ (go) to attend the party tonight?

(b) If you have gone there, you _______ (meet) the celebrities.

(d) They _______ (finish) the course by next month.

(e) It _______ (snow) many times every winter in Frankfurt.

(f) Jane _______ (wear) her blue jeans today, but usually she wears a skirt or a dress.

(g) Milk _______ (be) white.

(h) I _______ (do) a lot of work today.

8. Rewrite any four of the following sentences filing in the blanks with appropriate preposition: 1x4=4

(a) You can place the book _______ the table.

(b) The Second World War broke _______ on 1^st September, 1939.

(d) Patriotism consist _______ the honesty of service.

(e) One should not be blind _______ one’s mistake.

(f) Hitler took advantage _______ jingoism.

(g) I have full confidence _______ your ability.

9. Rewrite any four of the following sentences as directed: 1x4=4

(a) I known his birthplace. [Turn into simple sentence]

(b) If you do not study hard, you will fail. [Make it a compound sentence]

(d) Very few metals are as precious as gold. [Change it into comparative degree]

(e) Only Anita can do this. [Make it negative without changing the meaning]

(f) Who does not wish to be happy? [Make it assertive]

(g) Though he was poor, he was happy. [Make it a simple sentence]

SECTION – D

[Textbooks: 45 Marks]

10. Read one of the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

(a) And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

(1) Name the poem. 1

(2) Who are the ‘mighty dead’ referred to here? 1

(3) What is the endless fountain of immortal drink? 1

(4) What does the word, “brink” mean? 1

(b) The little old house was out with a little new shed

Infront at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports

The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

(1) Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose? 1+1=2

(2) Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’? 1

(3) Explain: ‘too pathetically pled’ 1

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2x3=6

(1) What childhood fear did Kamala Das refer to in her poem? How did she hide it?

(2) In the poem, ‘Keeping Quite’, what is the appeal made by the poet?

(3) What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

(4) According to Pablo Neruda, how would keeping quite be an exotic moment?

(5) Describe any four things of beauty mentioned in the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’.

(6) Why is the longing of the roadside stand people called childish?

12. Answer any five of the following questions: 1x5=5

(a) Who is Savita?

(b) Who asked Franz not to hurry to school?

(d) How many times did Gandhi meet the Lt. Governor?

(e) What animals did the author discover in Peacock Island?

(f) Who is Derek?

(g) For whom did Sophie want to get Danny Casey’s autograph?

(h) What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent?

13. Answer any five in 30-40 words: 2x5=10

(a) How was M. Hamel dressed differently that day?

(b) Translate “Viva is France” into English. Where was it written?

(d) How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

(e) Explain the statement: “The Battle of Champaran is won.”

(f) How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting with Danny Casey?

(g) How does Saheb’s life change when he starts working at the tea-stall?

(h) Who was John Rowntree?

(i) What information does the author give us about Manas Wildlife Sanctuary?

14. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 5x1=5

(1) Describe the condition of Seemapuri.

(2) Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast between the two friends citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places”.

(3) What were the topics and subjects taken up by M. Hamel on the day of the last lesson?

15. Answer any one of the following questions in 125-150 words: 7x1=7

(a) Write a character-sketch of either (1) Tiger King or (2) Derry.

(b) How did Zitkala feel on the first day in the land of apple? What did she do to escape the plight?

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2x4=8

(a) Define Domahi.

(b) How do the Kacharis observe the ritual of Magh Bihu?

(d) Is the Tiger King a satire?

(e) Which words of her brother made a deep impression on Bama?

(f) “Tin doesn’t hurt, boy.” Explain with reference to context and its speaker.

(g) How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge upon the Tiger King?