AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SECTOR-1, VASUNDHARA
SUBJECT-ENGLISH
TERM-1
CLASS-XII
Time Allowed: 3 hrs M.Marks-80 Marks
SECTION-A (READING PART)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions: 10 Marks
1) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to
do it again was the last thing on your mind?
(2) If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot.
Unlike robots, we human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all
meant to grow despite our circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and trying to
make our dreams come true feels great when life goes our way. But what happens
when it does not? What happens when you fail despite all your hard work? Do you
stay down and accept defeat or do you get up again? If you tend to persevere and
keep going, you have what experts call ‘grit’.
(3) Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary
human experiences. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and
essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that
perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities that has been described as the key
to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are curiosity,
gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is an
example of grit for trying more than 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. If you are
reading this with the lights on in your room, you will realise the importance of his
success. When asked why he kept going despite hundreds of failures, he merely
stated that they had not been failures, they were hundreds of attempts toward
creating the light bulb. This statement not only revealed his grit but also his
optimism for looking at the bright side.
(4) Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques
that help is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that makes an individual stay at
the moment by bringing awareness of his or her experience without judgement.
This practice has been used to quieten the noise of fears and doubts. Through this
simple practice of mindfulness, individuals have the ability to stop the self-
sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.
(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self-sabotaging feelings of
failure? Reflect on what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to
help you today.
Moral: Learn from your Mistakes
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the questions by
choosing the correct option.( 1 × 10=10)
(A) The reason why you are not a robot is that:
(a) You fail miserably at tasks
(b) Failure and success can affect your emotions
(c) You work hard
(d) You have limitations
(B) Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from
the given quotes.
“A person
“Failure should be who never
our teacher, not our made a
“What is the point undertaker. Failure mistake
of being alive if “Mistakes are is delay, not defeat. never tried
you don’t at least the portals of It is a temporary anything
try to do something discovery.” detour, not a dead new.”
remarkable?” (2) end.” (4)
(1) —James (3) —Albert
—John Green Joyce —Denis Waitley Einstein
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
(C) What is the tone of the following context: “Falling down or failing is one of
the most… educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful
and fulfilling life.”?
(a) Humorous
(b) Optimistic
(c) Horrifying
(d) Solemn
(D) Which of the following is relevant for the title of the passage?
(a) Dreams Always Come True
(b) Failure and Grit Go Hand in Hand
(c) Humans vs Robots
(d) Falling Down and Getting Up
(E) ……………… was created after many attempts.
(a) electricity
(b) light bulb
(c) current
(d) tube light
(F) Which of the following sentences makes the correct use of “grit”, as used
in the passage?
(a) Get rid of that grit in your shoes.
(b) She had a bit of grit in her eye.
(c) The road had been covered with grit.
(d) Her grit never made her give up.
(G) To develop perseverance one must:
(a) become more aware
(b) work hard
(c) be in the moment and be aware without judgement
(d) seek guidance
(H) How does mindfulness help?
(a) It creates awareness
(b) It quietens the noise of fears and doubts
(c) It helps one become successful
(d) It helps develop focus
(I) What do you understand from this line, “Falling down or failing is one of
the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary human experiences.”?
(a) Falling down makes us angry.
(b) Failure can deeply affect our emotions
(c) Stay positive and be optimistic
(d) Self-control is empowering
(J) Choose the option that correctly states the meaning of ‘social intelligence’
as implied in the passage:
(a) Knowing others
(b) Knowing oneself and others
(c) Knowing oneself
(d) Knowing one’s surroundings
2. Read the passage carefully. 10 Marks
Over the last five years, more companies have been actively looking for intern
profiles, according to a 2018-19 survey by an online internship applications-with
2.2 million applications received in 2018 compared to 1.27 million in the year
before. The trend was partly due to more industries looking to have fresh minds
and ideas on existing projects for better productivity. What was originally seen as a
western concept, getting an internship before plunging into the job market, is fast
gaining momentum at Indian workplace.
According to survey data, India’s National Capitol Region has been the top
provider of internship opportunities, followed by Mumbai and Bengluru at 20 %
and 15%, respectively. This includes opportunities in startups, MNCs and even
government entities. The survey also revealed popular fields to find internships in
Figure-1.There has been growing awareness among the students about the intern
profiles sought by hiring companies that often look for people with real time
experience in management than B-school masters
The stipend has been an important factor influencing the choice of internships.The
survey data reveals that the average stipend offered to interns was recorded as
Rs.7000 while the maximum stipend went upto Rs.85000.According to statistics, a
greater number of people considered virtual internships than in-office
internships.Virtual internships got three times more applications than in office,
since a large number of students were the ones already enrolled in various courses
or preferred working from home.
Internship portals have sprung up in the last three to four years and many of them
already report healthy traffic per month.Reports suggest that on an average, an
internship portal company has around 200000 plus students and some 8000
companies registered on it. It gets around two lakh visits online every month. The
managing director of a leading executive search firm says that though these web
platforms are working as an effective bridge between the industry and students,
most established companies are still reluctant to take too many intern on board for
obvious reasons.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions

(1X10=10)
A) Select the correct inference with reference to the following
Over the last five years, more companies have been actively looking for
intern profiles….
i. The past five years have seen active applications by interns to
several companies.
ii. The activity for intern profiling by the companies has reached a
gradual downslide over the past five years.
 iii. There were lesser companies searching for intern profiles earlier,
as compared to those in the recent five years
iv. Several companies have initiated intern profiling five times a year
in the recent years.
B) Select the central idea of paragraph number-1 of the passage.
i. Process of registering for internships
ii. Knowing more about internships
iii. Dos and Don’t for an internship interview
iv. Startups and internships
C) Select the option that displays the true statement with reference to
figure-1
i. Internships and engineering and management are the top two
favourites.
ii. Design and architecture internships are significantly more
popular than others.
iii. Internships for Media and others have nearly equal popularity
percentage
iv. Management internships’ popularity is more than twice that for media
D) Based on your reading of paragraphs II-III, select the appropriate
counter argument to the given argument
Argument: I don’t think you will be considered for an internship just because
you have been the student editor and head of student council.
i. I think I have a fair chance because I am applying for a virtual position
than an office one.
ii. I have real time experience in managing a team and many companies
consider it more meritorious than a degree in management
iii. I know that my stipend might be on the lower side but I think that it’s a
good earn while you learn opportunity
iv. Lot of metro cities have a good percentage of positions open and I think I
should definitely take a chance.
E) Select the option that displays the correct cause effect relationship
 F) The survey statistics mention the average stipend, indicating that
i. 50 %interns were offered 85000
ii. 7000 Rs. Was the lowest and 85000Rs. Was the highest
iii. Most interns were offered around Rs.7000
iv. No intern was offered more than 7000Rs.
G) The phrase healthy traffic refers to..
i. Updates from portals about health and road safety
ii. Statistics about adherence to traffic rules by the portals
iii. Sizeable number of visitors to the portal per month
iv. Monthly data about the health of internship applicants
H) Read the two statements given below and select the option that suitably
explains them
1. Established companies are reluctant to take too many interns on
board
2. Probability of intern leaving the company for a variety of reasons, is
high
i. (1) is the problem and (2) is the solution
ii. (1) is false but (2) correctly explains
iii. (1) summarizes ( 2).
iv.(1) is true and (2) is the reason
I) What is the present form of ‘sought’?
J) The synonym of unwilling is…………..(Para4)
SECTION-B (WRITING SKILL)
3. Attempt any one of the following. (50 words) 5 Marks
A.You are Sahil Sagar, the president of Nehru Yuva Club, Delhi.You have planned
to take a trekking trip for 15 days to Rohtang Pass next month. Write a notice
giving necessary information to invite participants for trekking programme.
Or
B.An interhouse skit competition is to be held in al Bharti Public
School,Bhopal.As Arshil,Arshi, Head boy/Girl of the school,draft a notice in about
50 words to be put up on the noticeboard inviting entries.
4. Attempt any one of the following. (50 words) 5 Marks
A. Darft an invitation to be sent to all the parents on the eve of your school Annual
Dayto be held on 15 October, 2022. Give necessary details.
Or
You are Rahul / Ravina. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your
friend’s brother. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it.
5. You are Neeraj/Neerja residing at II/23, Venus Apartments, Amit Colony
Mumbai. You have observed with the increasing concern that people waste a
lot of water and it results in shortage of water too. Write a letter in 120-150
words to the Editor of Hindustan Times, expressing your concern about it.
5 Marks

6. Today mobile phone is no longer a means of communication only.Music

lovers are so glued to it that they don’t pay attention even to the traffic while
crossing the roads.This leads to accidents,sometimes even fatal ones.Write an
article in 120-150 words for the magazine,Techno Times evaluating the pros
and cons of having a mobile phone.You may use the cues given below along
with your own ideas. 5 Marks
Mobile phones as the necessity of modern life,
Multipurpose phones
Used for music, file storage, internet and you tube etc.
Careless use may result in fatal accidents
Life is precious-not mobile phones
Or
You are Manav /Manjiri of Mharaja Agrasen Public school,Patna.Your
school has recently organized a blood donation camp on the occasion of
Gandhi Jyanti.Write a report as the ditor of your school magazine on this
widely acclaimed activity in 120-150 words.You can use the cues given below
along with your own ideas.
 Blood donation camp in school premises
In association with Red Cross Society
Qualified doctors, volunteers and staff
A great success for a great social cause

LITERATURE
7. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Those who prepare green wars, (1X6=6)

wars with gas, wars with fire,
Victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
(a) Who are ‘those’ in line 1?
(i) politicians
(ii) scientists
(iii) statesman
(iv) all of these
(b) What are ‘green wars’?
(i) war with the trees
(ii) war with the vegetables
(iii) war against nature
(iv) war for nature
(c) Identify the figure of speech used in ‘clean clothes’
(i) personification
(ii) alliteration
(iii) metaphor
(iv) hyperbole
(d) What does the poet expect from the men?
(i) to indulge in Chemical wars rather than fire arms
(ii) to fight harmoniously
(iii) co-exist in peaceful atmosphere
(iv) to spare atmosphere and then fight
(e)The poet wants the nature exploiters to adopt a new approach towards life
True/False
(f)Who is the poet of this extract?

8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“It is his karam, his destiny,” says Mukesh’s grandmother, who has watched her
own husband go blind with the dust from polishing the glass of bangles. “Can a
god-given lineage ever be broken?” She implies. Born in the caste of bangle
makers, they have seen nothing but bangles in the house, in the yard, in every
other house, every other yard, every street in Firozabad
(1X6=6)
(a) What has happened to Mukesh’s grandfather?
(i) he suffered from asthma due to working in glass factory
(ii) he went blind with the dust of polishing bangles
(iii) he died due to suffocation in dingy cells of glass factory
(iv) he purchased the glass factory and became the owner
(b) Identify the literary device in this statement ‘for the children it is wrapped
in wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival’.
(i) metaphor
(ii) antithesis
(iii) irony
(iv) hyperbole
(c) Why didn’t Mukesh’s family stop working in glass factory?
(i) they were under heavy debt
(ii) they were born in the caste of bangle makers
(iii) it was their ancestral business
(iv) both (ii) and (iii)
(d) Which city’s every street is comprised with bangle makers?
(i) Firozabad
(ii) Faridabad
(iii) Ghaziabad
(iv) Moradabad
(e)What does ‘his’ refers to in the first line?
(f)Can God given lineage be broken? Give your opinion.

9.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

‘‘Who is that?’’ Hana cried. She dropped Sadao’s arm and they both leaned over
the railing of the veranda. Now they saw him again. The man was on his hands
and knees crawling. Then they saw him fall on his face and lie there. (1X4=4)
(a) Why did Hana cry?
(i) she saw a creature coming towards her
(ii) she saw waves rising high
(iii) she was frightened to see an animal
(iv) she was shocked to see an injured man
(b) Identify the figure of speech in the statement “Those islands yonder, they
are the steppingstones to the future of Japan.”
(i) simile
(ii) metaphor
(iii) hyperbole
(iv) irony
(c) How was the man moving?
(i) he was moving with difficulty
(ii) he was crawling
(iii) he was moving with pain
(iv) all of these
(d)What happened to the man?
(i) he ran away through the sea
(ii) he fell down lying flat on his face
(iii) he stood up perfectly fine
(iv) he attacked Dr. Sadao
10. Attempt any five out of the given questions in 40-50 words.(2X5=10)
(a)What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school that day?
(b)Why has the mother been compared to the late winters moon in ‘My
mother…..Six’.
(c)How did Saheb get a pair of shoes? Was he happy with them?
(d)Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
(e)Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
(f) How did Douglas’s misadventure at Y.M.C.A. pool affect his after life?
11. Answer the questions given below in 40-50 words.(2X2=4)
(a)Why does Charley say that the grand central station is growing like a tree in
‘The Third Level’?
(b)How do the servants react to the presence of an American prisoner in the house?
(c) How has Antartica sustained itself and managed to remain pristine?
12. Attempt the following question in 120-150 words. (5 Marks)
Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and
conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw by this experience?
13. Attempt the following question in 120-150 words.(5Marks)
Astrology is considered to be a science which is logical and rational.But the
prediction made by the astrologers about the tiger king and its after effect seem to
be highly irrational.It has brought disastrous effect on nature.Write an article on
the topic Rational Thinking-Need of the hour.
…………………………………………………..