AHSEC – Class 12 | English Solved Question Paper -2017

2017
ENGLISH
Full Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 30
Time: 3 hours
The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions
SECTION A
(Reading Skill: 10 Marks)
1. Read the following passage carefully:
    Today’s woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work. Women are rational in approach, careful in handling situation and want to do things as best as possible. The Fourth World Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995 had emphasised that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems could be found without the participation and empowerment of the women. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development had also emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.
    The Constitution of India had conferred on women equal rights and opportunities – political, social, and educational and of employment – with men. Because of oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities, bestowed on them. One of the major reasons for this state of affairs is the lack of literacy and awareness among women. Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change in the status of women.
    The role of women in a society is very important. Women’s education is the key to a better life in the future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. The report says that the economic and social returns on investment in education of the girls considerably affect the human development index of the nation. Society would progress only if the status of women is respected and the presence of an educated woman in the family would ensure education of the family itself. Education and empowerment of women are closely related.
                1. On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the following questions:
(a) Mention some of the qualities of today’s women.                                     2
Ans. (i) Today’s woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity.
(ii) The importance of her functions in the private domain and the public domain of the world of work.
(iii) They are rational in approach, careful in handling situation and want to do things as best as possible.

(b) Where was the Fourth World conference of women held and what did it emphasize? 1+1=2

Ans. The Fourth World Conference of women was held in Beijing in September 1995. The Fourth World Conference of women emphasized that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems could found without the participation and empowerment of the women.

(c) What factors prevent a majority of women from enjoying their rights and opportunities? 2

Ans. Following factors prevent a majority of women from enjoying their rights and opportunities:

1) Oppressive traditions.

2) Superstitions.

3) Exploitations and corruption etc.

(d) What can education do for the cause of women? 2

Ans. Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change in the status of women.

(e) What is the observation of World Bank on girl education? 2

Ans. World Bank says that educating girls is good economics rather than charity. It says that developing countries must educate girls to eradicate poverty. The economic and social returns on investment in girl’s education affect that human development index of the action.

SECTION B
(Advanced Writing Skills: 25 Marks)
2. Design a poster for the World-Environment Day creating awareness among the people about the threats of environment degradation. (Maximum 50 words)                                                                                                              5
Ans:                                  
                                                          SAVE EARTH, SAVE THE FUTURE GENERATION
Avoid:
1)      Cutting excess trees, and mining natural resources.
2)      Exploiting the natural resources recklessly.
Always:
1)      Plant trees and minimize the use of non renewable resources.
2)      Try to find alternate sources of energy and replace it by eco-friendly resources.
3)      Aware people by making them aware of the threats of environment degradation.
GREEN EARTH, HAPPY EARTH
Issued by – x
Or
    You are Binod/Seema, the Cultural Secretary of St. Anthony’s College, Guwahati. Draft a notice, in not more than 50 words, for the notice board informing the students about the “Inter-College Song and Dance Competition” that your institution is going to organize.
Ans:                                                             
                                                                     St. Anthony’s College, Guwahati
              23rd Febuary, 2017                                        Notice                                                                                    
                                                              Inter-College Song and Dance Competition.
Students cheer up! Our college is going to organize a ‘Inter-College Song and Dance Competition’ as per the following details:
              Date: 25-2-2017 to 28-2-2017
              Venue: College Auditorium.
              Charges: NIL
This competition is open to all students of the college. Interested Students can submit their names to the undersigned. Only selected students will be sent to represent their streams in different activities of the program.
Hon’ble Sanjay kishan ( MLA) will be the chief guest.
Binod/Seema
(by Cultural Secretary)
3. You recently visited some flood-affected areas of Dhemaji District. As a press reporter of an English Daily write a report on the flood situation in 100-125 word. You are Amar/Nitu.                          10
Ans:  
                                                               Flood Causes Havoc in Dhemaji District
Dhemaji ,July 7th: The whole of Dhemaji district has been in the grip of a terrible flood for the last few days following incessant rains for a week. The flood situation turned critical today following a 30 ft. breach on the embankment of the river nearby. Road communication through the National Highway has been cut off as surging flood waters inundated a portion of the highway. Many people have taken shelter on the railway lines and primary schools. Many huts have been washed away. The army has been pressed into service to rescue the marooned people. Relief camps have been opened to help the sufferers. There has been a scarcity of drinking water and food. The district administration is making all-out efforts to lessen the sufferings of the flood affected people.
Or
    You are Gopal/Anita of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Karimganj. Your school has organized a Blood Donation Camp on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee Celebration. Write a report in 100-125 words as an editor for your school magazine, on this widely acclaimed activity.                     10
Ans:
                                                                                Blood Donation Camp
Karimganj ,26th January, 2017: Higher Secondary School ,Karimganj organized a blood donation camp on the eve of its Golden Jubilee to collect blood samples for saving thousands of life. The function started with a felicitation of a few good hearted residents of Assam who had been personally associated with the noble cause of helping the needful. The Chief Guest was renowned Assamese Doctors Dr. Ratul Bezbaruah, H.O.D. of GMCH who spoke on saving lives by donation blood. Next were seen some living performances by the school students. The special attraction came as a surprise. Singing sensation, Arjit Singh performed his soulful melodies to encourage the donators. A free health check up camp was also conducted by the medical students. It was a nice camp and some 10,000 blood samples were collected.
Gopal/Anita
(Organizer)
4. Write a letter to the editor of an English Daily drawing the attention of the authorities concerned to the menace of reckless driving in your town. You are Mukul/Ayesha.                    10
Examination Hall
23RD Febuary ,2018                
The Editor
The Assam Tribune
Guwahati (Assam)

Sub: Rash and reckless driving on Guwahati Roads.

Sir,

I want to draw the attention of your news paper on the reckless driving in our city. It is become fashion to drive carelessly and at a very high speed. It is now a days matter of risk to venture to walk along the streets. It is seen that the streets are made for the drivers of cars, taxi, rickshaws etc. They drive very fast that no one could cross the road, even they don’t think necessary to stop on the signals. They do not care about anyone, as they get into their vehicles they seems to forget all about the world except themselves.

It is so we cannot imagine why we ,the pedestrians, should not be allowed to walk safely. Because of their reckless driving daily we used to listen about many accidents.

Effective measure should be taken to make the drivers drive their vehicles in strict accordance with the traffic rules more effectively enforced on the drivers. Prevention, they should be made to realize in all circumstances better than cure.

Yours faithfully

Mukul/Ayesha.

                                                                                                                                        
Or
    You are Rita/Gourav. You have seen an advertisement for the post of a Sales Executive in a reputed company. Write an application to the Regional Director of the Company in response to the advertisement applying for the post.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      10
Ans:
Examination Hall
Tinsukia college
Tinsukia(Assam)
12th December, 2017
The Manager
Human Resource Department
ABC Pvt. Ltd
Bangalore
Subject: An application for the post of sales executive
Sir,
This is in response to your advertisement in ‘The Assam Tribune’ dated 10/12/2017 regarding the post of a sales executive. I wish to apply for the same post.
I am outgoing, deligent and open to learning and have good command over English speaking. I have all the requisite qualification and experience. I did my BBA from IIM, Delhi. I worked as a sales executive  in XML Pvt. Ltd. Guwahati  for 2 year. Having worked extensively in sales profession, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the senior managers to figure out sales strategies and work to achieve them. During my work at XML Pvt. Ltd. Guwahati  , I  had the opportunity to increase sales by 35% during the first year!. Moreover, I possess exceptional presentation skills which would help me to communicate effectively with potential customers.
As regard my qualification and experience , I am enclosing my bio- data for your kind consideration.  I shall be available for an interview on any day of your convenience.
If selected I shall discharge my duties with utmost devotion and sincerity to your full satisfaction.
Yours sincerely
Rita/Gourav
        
ENCLOSURE:
1.Testimonials
2. Bio- date
                                                                                              BIO-DATA
NAME                               :                Firoz/Meena
FATHER NAME                :                S.K Dutta
ADDESS                             :                Examination Hall, Tinsukia College, Tinsukia (Assam)
CONTACT                          :                9987XXXXXX
DATE OF BIRTH                :               xx/xx/1992
NATIONALITY                   :               Indian
RELIGION                          :               Hindu
MARITAL STATUS            :               Unmarried
GENDER                            :               Male
AGE                                   :               25 years
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
YEAR
EXAMINATION
BOARD/UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE
PERCENTAGE
DIVISON
2009
HSLC
SEBA
A NEW HIGH SCHOOL
79%
      I
2011
H.S 2ND YEAR
AHSEC
TINSUKIA COLLEGE
86%
      I
2014
BBA
IIM, Delhi
IIM, Delhi
76%
       I
WORK EXPERIENCE:
S.No
Organisation
Position held
From
To
1
XML Pvt. Ltd. Guwahati 
Sales executive
1/1/2015
31/12/2017

SKILLS:

– Excellent written and verbal communication skills

– Working knowledge of Tally, Excel, MS-Word , Powerpoint

– Identifying and creating business requirements with senior decision makers

– Building strong relationships at all stakeholders

– Developing successful territory plans

Achievements:

– Winner of Inter –college Debate Competition (2011)

– Best employee of the year 2016 at XML Pvt. Ltd. Guwahati.

Hobby: Interacting with people, reading books, etc.

Language Known: Hindi, English, Bengali, Assamese.

Declaration:

I solemnly declare that all the above information are correct to the best of my knowledge.
Date:    12/12/2017                                                                                                                 Firoz/Meena
 Place: Tinsukia                                                                                                                         Signature
SECTION C
(Grammar: 20 Marks)
5. Change the form of narration in the following sentences:                        2×2=4
a)      The boy said to the teacher, “Sir, I am weak in English and seek your advice.” “Read the text thoroughly and try to express your ideas in simple correct English,” said the teacher.
Ans: The boy told the teacher respectfully that he was weak in English and sought his advice. The Teacher advised him to read the text thoroughly and try to express his ideas in simple correct English.
b)      My friend told me that he was very thirsty and requested me to give him a glass of water.
Ans: My friend said to me,’’ I am very thirsty. Please give me a glass of water’’.
6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences:                      3×1=3
a)      Football is played everywhere.                                              Ans: People play football everywhere.
b)      Do the work immediately.
Ans: you are ordered to do the work immediately/ Let the work be done immediately.
c)       Who opened the door? Ans: By whom was the door opened.
d)      I have lost my book.   Ans: My book has been lost by me.
e)      The coach is training the players. Ans: Players are being trained by the coach.
f)       Who has broken the window plane? Ans: By whom has the window plane been broken?
7. Rewrite any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense forms:       5×1
a)      Recently the price of petrol ____ (go) up.   Ans: had gone
b)      I ____ (do) a lot of work today. Ans: did
c)       The train ____ (leave) before we reached the station. Ans: had left
d)      I wish my brother ____ (be) here.  Ans: were
e)      As he ____ (cross) the road a bus knocked him down. Ans: was crossing
f)       I ____ (think) of going abroad for quite sometime.  Ans: thought
g)      The paper ____ (appear) twice a week.  Ans: appears
8. Rewire any four of the following sentences filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:                               4×1=4
a)      I met him ____ the road.  Ans: on
b)      I congratulate you ____ your success.  Ans: on
c)       John was annoyed ____ his mother. Ans: at
d)      The work should be finished ____ next Friday.
e)      We are not interested ____ your story. Ans: in
f)       He was frightened ____ the noise. Ans: by
9. Rewrite any four of the sentences as directed:                             4×1=4
a)      The Brahmaputra is the longest river in India. (Change it into positive degree)
Ans: No other river in india is as long as Brahmaputra.
b)      Everybody wishes to be happy. (Make it interrogative)
Ans: Who does not wish to be happy?
c)       Only Ram was present there. (Make it negative without changing the meaning)
Ans: None but Ram was present there.
d)      He desired that I should go there. (Make it a simple sentence)
Ans: He desired me to go there.
e)      He is so lazy that he cannot shine in life. (Make it a simple sentence)
Ans: He is too lazy to shine in life.
f)       Having done his work he left the place. (Make it a compound sentence)
Ans: He done his work and left the place.
SECTION D
(Text Books: 45 Marks)

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

a) “The little old house was out with

a Little new shed

In front 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.”

Questions:

i. Where was the shed put up? 1

Ans: The Shed was put up in front at the edge of the road.

ii. What was its purpose? 1

Ans: Its purpose was to earn some city money so as to improve the standard of living.

iii. Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’? 1

Ans: The poet has used the pathetic because it is totally unattracted and has no appeal to the passers- by.

iv. Who are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’? 1

Ans: The best things of the cities are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’?

Or

“Those who prepare green wars,

Wars with gas, wars with fire,

Victory with no survivors,

And walk about with their brothers

In the shade, doing nothing.”

Questions: ( See page no. 18, paper 2013)

i. What are the different kinds of wars mentioned by the poet in the passage? 1

ii. What kind of victory do they achieve? 1

iii. Who are the brothers mentioned in the stanza? 1

iv. Find words in the given stanza that mean ‘those left alive’ and ‘win’. 1

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words: 3×2=6

a) How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?

Ans: John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. A thing of beauty gives us eternal and everlasting joy. It loveliness increases day by day. It stays in our imagination and becomes a source of joy forever. It never passes into nothingness.

b) Why does the poet Neruda ‘wish to count to twelve’?

Ans: Counting upto twelve and keeping still will help us to get some to stop all our normal activities and self-introspect our action. It will promote peace and brotherhood among men. It will make us energetic.

c) What do the young sprinting trees signify?

Ans: The poet was driving in a car with her mother. When she looked at the trees, they appeared to be ‘sprinting because the car was speeding past in the opposite direction. The ‘young trees’ represented life in contrast to her mother’s approaching death.

d) What are being sold in the Road-side stand?

Ans: Wild barriers and golden squash.

e) What is the ‘Childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘in vain’?

Ans: The poet thinks that the people who are running the roadside stand suffer from a childish longing. They are always waiting for their customers. They keep their windows open to attract them. But when no one turns up, they get sad. They are always waiting to hear the squeal of brakes or the sound of a stopping car. But everything goes in vain. Passing cars hardly stop there, they could sell nothing.

f) Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’?

Ans: The poet compares her mother’s face to a late winter’s moon. Just as a ‘late winter’s moon’ looks colourless and dull because of mist and fog, the poet’s mother ‘s face looks pale and lacks shine due to old ago. Moreover, winter is the last season and old age is the last phase of life.

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

a) What was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel for the students in a beautiful round hand?

Ans: ‘France, Alsace, France, Alsace’ was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel for the students in a beautiful round hand.

b) What does the ‘garbage’ mean for the elders of Seemapuri?

Ans: For the elders of Seemapuri garbage mean the means of survival. It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads.

c) Where does Mukesh live?

Ans: Mukesh lives with his family in a half-built shake in a dirty overcrowed bangle makers’ colony in Firozabad.

d) Where did John Rowntree and his family make their first home at Guwahati?

Ans: John Rowntree and his family make their first home in a bungalow on the bank of Brahmaputra.

e) Whom did Gandhi and Shukla want to meet at Patna?

Ans: Gandhi and Shukla wanted to meet Dr. Rajendra Prasad at Patna.

f) Who is Geoff?

Ans: Geoff is the elder brother of sophie. He was engaged as apprentice mechanic.

g) Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person?

Ans: The only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person was in the football field on every Saturday.

13. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words: 5×2=10

a) Why did Franz want to spend his day out of doors?

Ans: Franz feared a scolding at school as he had not prepared his lesson on participles, on which his French teacher M Hamel was to question the class that day. Besides, the warm and bright weather, the chirping of birds and the sight of the marching of Prussian soldiers also tempted Franz to stay away from school.

b) Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn?

Ans: M Hamel blamed himself for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz. He was a little irregular, and took leave whenever he needed it, which reflected on the behaviour and studies of the students. He also blamed their parents who were not anxious to have him learn. Instead they wanted him to work on a farm or at the mill to earn money.

c) What is the significance of banglers in an Indian Society?

Ans: In Indian society bangale symbolizes ‘suhaag’ for married woman. An Indian bride invariably wears red bangles in their wrist

b) What does Rowntree say about the river banks in the Manas Sanctuary?

Ans: Rowntree mentioned that during his time, the river banks in the Manas Sanctuary were a favourite site for governor’s Christmas camps.

c) What was the incident that prompted Gandhi to raise his voice of protest against the British?

Ans: While going to attend the December 1916 annual convension of the Indian National Congress Party Lucknow, Gandhi met Rajkumar Shukla there. On his request, Gandhi went to his district, Champaran to find a way out of the unfairness done to the Sharecroppers by the landlords. He, at last, forced out a way for an honourable settlement of the peasants. This episode of Champaran promoted Gandhi to protest against British as it made him clear that they must quit India sooner.

d) What are the other options that Sophie dreams of besides owning a boutique?

Ans: Sophie was dreaming of opening a boutique. When Jansie told her that it would require a lot of money, she would said that she would become a manager till then to save the money for her boutique. She also hoped of becoming an actress.. She can run boutique as side business.

e) What job is Geoff engaged in? Does he entertain wild and impractical dreams like his sister does?

Ans: Geoff was engaged as an apprentice mechanic. He has to travel to his work place each day to the far side of the city. He is not a day-dreamer like his sister. Perhaps he knows his and his family’s limitations better than her.

14. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 1×5=5

a) Describe the unusual things that Franz noticed on the day of the last lesson.

Ans: Franz started for school very late. Franz was expected to be prepared with his lesson regarding the rules of participles. His French teacher, M Hamel, had announced that he would question the class on particles. Franz did not know even a single word about them so he was afraid of a scolding from his teacher. When he reached the school he noticed many unusual things. First, he noticed the school was as quit as on a Sunday. The sound of opening and closing of desks, lessons read in unison and the rapping of teacher’s ruler were not heard. when franz entered the classroom the teacher did not scold him although he was late. He saw that the class was maintaining complete silence. M. Hamel had come in his best bress, which he used to wear on inspections and prize day. Morever the back benches of the classroom were occupied elderly people of the village who had come to thanks M.Hamel for his faithful service. They all looked very sad.

                                                                                            Or

b) Describe the miserable plight of the people of Firozabad.

Ans: The bangle makers of Firozabad are exposed to multiple health hazards while working. Many of them are children who work near hot furnaces during daylight, often losing their eyesight before adulthood. Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to even think of talking up another profession. They are not able to organise themselves into a cooperative due to bullying and exploitation by the politicians, authorities, moneylenders and middlemen. They live in stinking lanes choked with garbage, having homes with crumbling walls, wobbly doors, no windows, overcrowded with families of humans and animals coexisting in a primeval state. They have not even enjoyed even one full meal in their entire lifetime because of their poverty.

Or

c) Describe the exploitation of the indigo sharecroppers by the English landlords. Did Gandhi help them to get an honourable settlement?

Ans: Most of the arable land in Champaran was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked on by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was indigo. The landlords compelled all the tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was done through a long-term contract.

When the landlords learned the Germany had developed synthetic indigo, they obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from the 15% arrangement.

Gandhiji, with the lawyers of Muzzafarpur, conducted an inquiry into the grievances of the farmers. The investigations, documentation and evidence collected favoured the peasants. Hence, Gandhiji asked for only 50% of the money as compensation as opposed to the landlord’s thinking that he might demand the whole amount they had extorted. However, an agreement was reached at 25% of the money to be compensated to the peasants. Gandhiji accepted the settlement because he did not want to deadlock between the landlords and the peasants. Thus, Gandhiji played a very proactive role in resolving the issue.

15. Answer any one of the following questions in 125-150 words: 1×7=7

Why is Antarctica the place to go, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?(Not in syllabus)

                                                                                Or

Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations?

Ans: Zitkala-Sa was an American Native. She was forcibly taken from her mother and an alien culture was thrust upon her against her wishes. But this was not the end of her misery. Her hair was cut. This was unacceptable to her. In her community, shingled hair was worn by cowards and short hair by those in mourning. Her experience depicts racial discrimination.

Bama belongs to a community which is considered low caste. They were untouchables and the high caste people thought that they would be polluted if low caste people touched them. She was very sad and the thought infuriated her.

Both of them refused to be victims. Zitkala put up a fight before her hair could be shingled. she does not want her hair to be shingled. Bama studied like crazy and stood first in her class. Throughout their lives they continued to fight social discrimination.

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words: 4×2=8

a) What did the chief astrologer predict about the Tiger King?

Ans: When he was born, the astrologer foretold that he would grow up to be a warrior of warriors, hero of heroes and champion of champions, but one day he will have to meet his death. His death would be caused by a tiger.

b) What is Gondwana? (Not in syllabus now)

c) Why and how did Derry enter Mr. Lamb’s garden?

Ans: Derry entered Mr. Lamb’s garden by walking slowly and cautiously through the long grass and round a screen of bushes and finally by climbing over the ground.

Derry entered Mr. Lamb’s garden with an intention to spend some time at an empty place. He thought it was an empty place.

d) Why does Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end?

Ans: Mr. Lamb has changed the way Derry looks the world. Derry is determined to go back to Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb says “things nobody else has ever said”. Moreover, he has promised Mr. Lamb to come back to him. He wants to prove that he has fulfilled his promise. Mr. Lamb has given him a new meaning of life. So he is coming to meet him again.

e) When did Bama experience untouchability?

Ans: Bama came to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community when she was in the third class. She saw an important elder of her community serve vadais to a landlord without touching them. The incident was funny to her until Annan told her the horrific truth

f) What was Zitkala’s idea regarding short, shingled hair?

Ans: Zitkala Sa’s mother had taught her that shingled hair was worn by mourners, cowards, and unskilled warriors caught in war. She had a great deal of love for her traditions and her hair. For her the hair meant much closer to her culture. To save her identity, to uphold her civilization and pride so she fought against the attempts of the authorities to cut her hair.

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