Tilak Highschool & Jr. College, Karad

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Tilak Highschool & Jr. College, Karad.

Preliminary Exam. (2020 -2021)


XII Arts/Commerce/Science Time : 3.00 Hours
ACTIVITY SHEET Marks -80
Subject : English
SECTION I (Prose)
(Reading for Comprehension, Language study, Summary, Mind Mapping)
Q.1(A) Read the given extract and complete the activity given below: (12 Marks)
A.1 Sequence Order (2)
Read the following statements from the extract and arrange them in the sequential
order as they occur in the story.
i) Vendor of fried groundnuts gave his ware a fancy name each day.
ii) The astrologer sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree.
iii) He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers.
iv) The place was lit up by shop lights.
Punctually at midday he opened his bag and spread out his professional equipment,
which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic
charts on it, a notebook and a bundle of Palmyra writing. His forehead was resplendent
with scared ash and vermilion and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which
was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple
clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The power of his eyes was
considerably enhanced by their position placed as they were between the painted forehead
and the dark whiskers which streamed down his cheeks: even a half-wit’s eyes would
sparkle in such a setting. To crown the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around
his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are
attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind
tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall part. It was a remarkable place
in many ways. A Surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from
morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way:
medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians, and above all, an
auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din all day to attract the whole town.
Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a
fancy name each day, calling it “Bombay Ice Cream” one day and on the next “Delhi
Almond” and on the third “Raja’s Delicacy” and so on and so forth, and people flocked
to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too. The
astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare which crackled and smoked up
above the groundnut heap nearby. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact
that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by shop lights.
One or two had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles. Some were lit
up by old cycle lamps and one or two, like the astrologer, managed without lights of their
own. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the
astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an
astrologer when he began life; and he knew no more of what was going to happen to
others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute. He was as much
a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said things which pleased
and astonished everyone: That was more a matter of study, practice and shrewd guesswork.
All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labour as any other, and he deserved the
wages he carried home at the end of a day.
(P.T.O)
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A.2. Give Reasons : (2)
i) The gleam of astrologer’s eyes was enhanced because of ………………………
ii) People always got attracted towards astrologer because …………………………
A.3 Find Out : (2)
Find out a proof from the extract that shows that initially the astrologer too did not
know anything about his profession.
A.4 Personal Response : (2)
You also must have visited some weekly bazar or a village fair where you must have
come across such different things as told in the extract. Describe your experience in
about 50 words.
A.5 Language Study : (2)
i) The place was lit up by the shop lights.
( Rewrite your answer beginning with ‘Shop lights …………………………… )
ii) He opened his bag and spread out his professional equipment.
( Rewrite making it simple)
A.6 Vocabulary : (2)
Match the words given in ‘A’ with their meanings given in ‘B’
A B
1. Punctually a) unclear
2. remarkable b) holy
3. Obscure c) Striking
4. Sacred d) at the proper time

Q.1(B) Non-textual Grammar : (4 Marks)


I) Do as directed : (3)
i) Being …………….. university student, she failed to bring with her ………..
useful reference book while going to return it to the library.
(Fill in the blanks with suitable articles and rewrite the sentence.)
ii) The story traces the downfall …………. a man who is overcome …….. greed.
(Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions and rewrite the sentence)
iii) Curiosity is one of the noblest things.
(Rewrite the sentence beginning with ‘Very Few ………)
II) spot the error and rewrite the sentence: (1)
i) There is not any substitute for hard work.

Q.2 (A) Read the following extract and complete the activities given below : (12 Marks)
It is true that progress in knowledge has led to the development of science and
technology, which has, in turn, profoundly altered our environment. For example fertilizers
and insecticides have increased agricultural output, which is required to feed the swelling
population of the world. However, both give rise to population. Each one in the modern
world has accumulated in our bodies a few milligrams of D.D.T. which is organo-chlorine,
a type of insecticide. The D.D.T. level in fish is rising and already some fish eating birds
are becoming sterile. Fertilizers used in farmlands are washed away by rain in to rivers,
lakes and reservoirs. The heavy intake content in fertilizers leads to wild grown of
vegetation in them, which in turn de-oxygenizes the waters and as a result all the fish is
lost.

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Massive industrialization too has led to serious pollution of the environment.
Millions of tons of smoke, sulphur gas, ash and unknown quantities of toxic by-products
are sent up every day all over the world and we simply do not know if our chemical
environment is slowly poisoning us all. What is even worse, the increase in the carbon
dioxide content of the atmosphere from burning oil and coal may, in time, prevent the
escape of the sun’s heat from the earth. Leading to a rise in the earth’s temperature, the
melting of ice-caps, and arise in the level of the ocean.
The sea has become a cheap dumping ground for all kinds of waste products.
Although the sea has a great capacity to break down all kinds of waste, this capacity is
not unlimited, especially in shallow seas. Industrial effluent gets washed out to sea,
for industries tend to concentrate in coastal areas in order to be able to dispose of
unwanted waste cheaply. Atomic wastes as well as poision gases are dumped in the
sea by industrial and military authorities.
It would be foolish to shut our eyes to the dangers of the pollution that human
beings cause. It is true that more and more people have become aware of the dangers
of pollution. Rivers are being gradually restored to health; international organizations
are trying to keep the seas clean. Industries are being asked to pay large sums to meet
the cost of disposing of effluents. Campaigns are being organized against cutting down
trees. Public opinion is gradually being aroused to concern and if all of us become
concerned about our environment, we shall be able to keep the earth habitable for
future generations.
A.1 True or False
Read the following sentences and write down whether they are True or False (2)
against it.
i) Excessive industrialisation has led to serious pollution of the environment.
ii) Progress in knowledge has led to the development of science and technology
but has kept environment intact.
iii) Now a days more and more people have become unaware of the dangers of pollution.
iv) Sea has great capacity to break down all kinds of waste but this capacity is limited.
A.2 Find out : (2)
Find out from the extract how people have become aware of the dangers of pollution
and measures that they are taking to control it.
A.3 Explain: (2)
Explain the relation between the progress in knowledge, development of science
and deeply changed environment.
A.4 Personal Response: (2)
“ It would be foolish to shut our eyes to the danger of the pollution that human
being cause.” Describe or state at least two steps that you would take to protect
environment and pollution of your area.
A.5 Language Study: (2)
i) Although the sea has a great capacity to break down all kinds of waste, this
capacity is not unlimited. (Rewrite the sentence using ‘but’)
ii) Fertilisers and insecticides have increased agricultural output.
(Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary showing ‘obligation’)
A.6 Vocabulary: (2)
Find out the words from the extract which mean:
i) poisonous ii) not able to provide children
iii) movement or drive iv) fit to live on

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Q.2 (B) Summary
Write a short summary of the above extract with the help of the given (3 marks)
clues and suggest a suitable title.
Increasing environmental pollution ………….. pollution result of …………..
contamination of the things ……….. survival problem …………. need to control
……….. including humans all in danger ……….. population growth.
Q.2(C) Mind -Mapping : (3marks)
You and your family are thinking to visit a hill station during this summer.
Prepare a Mind Mapping frame for it with the help of the following points :
Place to visit, Mode of Transport, Accomadation, stuff to carry with you and
anything that comes in your mind related to it.

SECTION II - (Poetry and Appreciation)


Q.3 (A) Read the given extract and complete the activity given below: (10 Marks)
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road.
Healthy, free, the world before me.
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-forture, I myself am good-fortune.
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticism.
Strong and content I travel the open road.
The earth, that is sufficient.
I do not want the constellations any nearer.
I know they are very well where they are.
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.
(Still here I carry old delicious burdens)
A.1 Pick Out : (2)
Pick out at least two lines from the extract showing that the poet is prepared to
enjoy every moment of his journey.
A.2 Explain : (2)
“Henceforth, I ask for no good-fortune, I myself am good fortune.”
Explain the meaning of the above lines from the extract.
A.3 Personal Response: (2)
Give any two problems which you may face during a journey and suggest the
ways to overcome these problems.
A.4 Figure of Speech: (2)
“Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing”
Identify and explain the figure of speech in the above lines from the extract.
A.5 Poetic Creativity : (2)
The following is a free verse on the topic “The road that leads to my home” There are
some blanks in it. Fill in those blanks using suitable words given in the bracket.
(roam, lined, home, true)
“ The little path that leads to ………..,
That is the road for me,
I know no longer path to ……….,
With finger sights to see,
With thoroughfares the world is ……..,
That leads to wonders new,
But he who treads leaves behind,
The tender things and ……….
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Q.3 (B) Appreciations : (4 Marks)
Read the given extract and write the appreciation of the given poem based on the
following aspects.
My father travels on the late evening train
standing among silent commuters in the yellow light
suburbs slide past his unseeing eyes.
His shirts and pants are soggy and his black raincoat
stained with mud and his bag stuffed with books
Is falling apart. His eyes dimmed by age
fade homeward through the humid monsoon night.
Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
He hurries across the length of the grey platform,
Crosses the railway line, enters the lane,
His chappals are sticky with mud, but he hurries onward.
a) Title of the poem and its significance.
b) Language, poetic style, poetic devices
c) Special features, message, values, morals reflected
d) Your opinion about the poem and critical evaluation

SECTION III (Writing Skill)


Q.4. Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 Marks)
(A) Attempt any ONE of the following : (04)
Drafting a virtual message :
Vanita is a Junior College student, living in a city. She has given some reference
books to her classmate Sarita. Now she needs those books for her study but Sarita
has not come to college for last one and half month and living in a remote village.
Draft a virtual message for Sarita.
OR
Statement of Purpose :
Read the following personal details and prepare a suitable statement of purpose.
Imagine that after 12th standard you would like to pursue your career in nursing.
You are inspired by the service rendered by the nurses during this period of
pandemic Kovid-19. Your aim is also to be a nurse.
Prepare a statement of purpose to join a Govt.Nursing college.
OR
Group Discussion:
Your college has arranged group discussion for the students of 12th standard to
celebrate the centenary of your college. The topic of discussion is ‘How students will
contribute their ideas to the centenary celebration and take active part in it’
(B) Attempt any ONE of the following : (04)
Email writing :
Recently you are selected for a job of clerk in local cooperative bank and you
need a character certificate of your college where you are keeping terms in 12th standard.
Write an email to your college principal, asking him to send that certificate directly to
the concerning cooperative local bank.
OR

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OR
Report Writing :
Write a report of the celebration of Republic day held in your college this year.
Use the following points:-
* The day and date of programme.
* The purpose of the function.
* The chief guest
* The flag hoisting ceremony
* Chief Gust’s speech.
* Concluding speech of the principal.
* Vote of thanks.
OR
Interview Questions :
Imagine that you are going to have an interview with a newly elected ‘Sarpanch’.
Election of your village ‘Gram Panchayat’ is just over. Frame at least 8 questions
related with his future planning for the welfare of your village.
(C) Attempt any ONE of the following : (04)
Speech Writing :
School federation in your town has organized a cleanliness drive in your town.
Prepare a speech on ‘Clean-School-Green School’ as you are a student’s representative
of your junior college.
OR
Compering :
The vice-principal of your college is going to retire from his service. You all
students are planning to give him farewell. All your friends want you to compere the
retirement programme of him/her. Prepare a script for the same with the help of the
following points.
* Introduction
* Welcome of the guest and welcome speech
* Lighting the lamp
* Main event of Farewell programme
* Vote of thanks.
OR
Expansion of Idea:
Expand the following idea with the help of the points given below.
Write your answer in about 100 to 150 words.
“Necessity is the mother of invention”
* Importance of invention.
* Use of the term ‘Mother’
* Examples or proof.
* Human tendency of invention
* Conclusion.
D. Attempt any ONE of the following : (04)
Film Review :
Write a review of a film you have recently seen based on any four of the following points.:
* Names of the characters (Main and supporting roles)
* About the story /theme of the film.
* Why you liked or disliked the film ?
* Special features /novelties / novel ideas
* Music /Dance /Songs /Action /Direction
* Should others watch this film/ would you recommend it to your friends ? /Why?
OR 6
OR
\Blog Writing :

Write a blog in proper format on “Social Distancing Need of Time” Since the
Corona/Covid-19 out break has spread the whole world, we need to follow physical
distancing strictly. Use following points:
* Outbreak of disease
* Overcrowded cities and the whole country.
* We are social by nature
* The spread of disease.
* Need of social, physical distancing is only solution.
OR
Appeal Writing:
A student in your college seeks immediate medical help, his/her parents are unable
to afford the huge amount needed for the surgery. Prepare an appeal to be displayed on
college notice board, requesting the students and teachers to donate generously. Take
help of the following points.
* The seriousness of the illness.
* The hospital concerned.
* Parents contact.
* How the contribution can be made.

SECTION IV : Literary Genre-Novel


Q.5(A) Do the following as per the instructions : (16Marks)
(I) Match the column A with the column B (2)

A B

1) Murasaki Shikibu a) Cervantes

2) Novella b) The Heart of Darkness

3) Don Quixote c) Tale of Genji

4) Joseph Conrad d) New

(II) Pick out the odd element from the group (2)
1) Anita Desai, Nayantara Sehgal, R.K.Narayan, Herman Melville
2) Place, Period, theme, climate, life-style.
3) Theme, Language style, character, stream of consciousness, setting.
4) Realistic, Psychological, Autobiographical, complex, Picaresque.

(B) (I) Which one among the following is a teacher in the extract ? (2)
Select the correct one.
Cite a couple of lines from the extract ‘To sir, With Love’ in support of your answer.
a) Denham B) Sapiano C) Miss Joseph D) Dale-Evans

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(II) Give a brief character-sketch of Denham (2)
(C) (I) Arrange the incidents in correct sequence as per their occurrence in the extract :
‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (2)
a) Aouda accepted Fogg’s proposal of marriage.
b) When set free, the first thing that Fogg did was he knocked Fix down.
c) As a part of duty, Fix arrested Fogg.
d) At the fifty-seventh second, Fogg entered the Reform Club Saloon.
(II) Give a short description of Phileas Fogg’s release at custom house and his
journey from Liverpool to England. (2)
(D) Give reasons: (2)
a) Statement
Miss Morstan plans to meet Sherlock Holmes.
Reason: …………………………………………………………………………
b) Statement
Miss Morstan received a pearl every year.
Reason: …………………………………………………………………………
(II) Write 7-8 sentences about the meeting of Miss Morstan with Sherlock Holmes. (2)

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