Session Ending Exam, 2021-22
Class-XII
Subject –English Core (301)
Max. Marks 40 Max. Time 2 Hrs
General Instructions:
1. The Question paper contains THREE Sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Part A: Reading
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
1. Dugong or the sea cow is the State animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This endangered marine species survives on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation found in the area. It is the only herbivorous mammal that is strictly marine. Dugongs are usually about three-meter long and weigh about 400 kg. Dugongs have an expanded head and trunk-like upper lip. Elephants are considered to be their closest relatives. However, unlike dolphins and other cetaceans, sea cows have two nostrils and no dorsal fin. Distributed in shallow tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific region, in India, they are found in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
2. Having being declared vulnerable, the marine animal calls for conserving efforts. Studies have suggested the reasons for the extinction of the animal such as slow breeding rate, fishing, and the loss of habitat. The herbivorous mammal feeds on seagrass, which is at a loss. Human activities such as riding of speed-boats causes death of the animal due to boat and propeller strikes. Further, habitat loss is also attributed to the increase in conversion of coastal forests to banana, areca nut, and coconut plantations and high boat traffic
3. Natural factors are also responsible for the decline in Dugongs population. According to study (Das & Dey 1999), extreme weather events such as cyclones and high energy tidal storms may also contribute to the loss of seagrasses in the region.
4. Dugongs are also known to suffer due to accidental entanglement and drowning in gill-nets. Fishing activities around the Indian, Andaman, Nicobar, and Sri Lankan coasts include gill netting and dynamite fishing.
5. India’s first Dugong conservation reserve will be built in Tamil Nadu for the conservation of Dugong, a marine animal that has been enlisted vulnerable to extinction on a global scale by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The reserve will spread over an area of 500 km in Palk Bay on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu. Palk Bay is a semi-enclosed shallow water body with a water depth maximum of 13 meters.
6. The conservation reserve can promote growth and save the vulnerable species from the verge of extinction. Dugongs are protected in India under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 which bans the killing and purchasing of dugong meat. Community participation in dugong conservation can help in helping the dugong population recover. It also calls for creating awareness among the people, involving the local communities
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any ‘EIGHT ‘of the NINE questions given below:
i) According to the passage, what do Dugongs eat?
Ans. -seagrass and other aquatic vegetation found in the area
ii) What characteristic feature of Dugong, make them similar to elephants and different from Dolphins?
Ans. – trunk-like upper lip
-unlike dolphins and other cetaceans, sea cows have two nostrils and no dorsal fin
iii) Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined word with a phrase similar in meaning, taking cues from para 2.
The present crisis demands mature judgment on the part of our leaders.
Ans. The present crisis calls for mature judgment on the part of our leaders.
iv) Select a suitable word from para 5, that may replace the underlined word, to complete the following sentence appropriately.
The house is unsafe, since the foundations are weakened by floods.
Ans. Vulnerable
v) What could be the role of community in Dugong conservation?
Ans. creating awareness among the people, involving the local communities.
vi) Which aquatic conditions are favourable for Dugong population?
Ans. shallow tropical waters, sea grass, aquatic vegetation
vii) How is the natural habitat of Dugong at risk due to natural events?
Ans. loss of seagrasses due to cyclones and high energy tidal storms
viii) Which human activities need to be checked to save Dugongs from extinction?
Ans. – riding of speed-boats,
– conversion of coastal forests,
– high boat traffic,
– gill netting and dynamite fishing.
ix) “Dugongs are protected in India under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972.” To what extent such laws are successful in protecting the wildlife?
Ans. Not sufficient to protect the wild life due to lack of implementation
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The pandemic has been widely defined as the gateway to a new future for the world. For most people, particularly the millennials the changes were unprecedented, rapid and highly disruptive. Along with major lifestyle changes, Work from Home (WFH) became a reality that most of the working population was pushed into.
YouGov Millennial Survey found that the millennials are fundamentally divided in their perception of WFH. Before the pandemic, unlike many developed nations WFH was not a mainstream option for most of the workforce. The general notion was that WFH is a perk reserved for the lucky ones. However, when the pandemic forced the entire generation to WFH, the repercussions were unexpected.
The blurring boundaries between home and work has been a major flaw of WFH throughout the world. In this survey as well, 60% of the millennials reported difficulty in balancing household chores and office work. Women employees are projected to be suffering more due to this since they are the primary caregivers and shoulder most of the domestic work.
Presence of family members at home has been rated as a negative component for WFH by about 48% of the respondents. Globally all sections of the population have listed missing social interaction at work, with family and friends as a major problem during the pandemic. Resonating the same sentiment, 55% of the survey participants reported working without colleagues as unsatisfactory. In many fields, especially the creative and media sectors, where brainstorming with entire teams is a necessity, this was a major challenge.
Overall, the survey found that the millennials are gravitating towards perceiving WFH negatively, although numerous positive aspects have also shot to prominence. The changes brought about by the pandemic are expected to have far reaching changes in our lives and will shape our future significantly. But one thing is certain, WFH will continue to remain mainstream in the years to come.
Based on your understanding of the above passage, answer any SIX out of SEVEN questions given below:
i. What does the researcher mean by saying, ‘the millennials are fundamentally divided’?
Ans. -millennials have a split opinion regarding WFH (work from home) in view of shortcomings and perks it offers.
ii. Comment a possible reason for the second most common complaint about ‘Work from Home’ as stated in the survey
Ans. 60% of the millennials found it difficult to balance household chores and office work due to blurring boundaries between home and work.
iii. Write one conclusion that can be drawn from the findings of the Survey and its expected future impacts.
Ans. The survey found that, despite numerous significant positive aspects, the WFH (Work from home) hampers productivity and results in mounted stress level.
iv. What can be concluded by the percentage of the survey participants who reported ‘working without colleagues as unsatisfactory’, with reference to the figure1?
Ans. 55% of the survey participants reported working without colleagues as unsatisfactory. Missing social interaction at work, with family and friends as a major problem during the pandemic. In many, creativity driven fields missing team work was a major challenge.
v. Elucidate the most common and least common complaints about Work from Home as stated in the survey?
Ans. 80% of survey participants reported increased office work load as the most common complaint and 48% of survey participants reported disturbance by family members as the least common complaint about work from home.
vi. How WFH (Work from home) was perceived earlier? Substantiate with reasons.
Ans. WFH (Work from home) was not a mainstream option earlier and seen mostly as a rare perk, but the onset of the pandemic forced the entire generation to WFH (Work from home).
vii. Identify the reasons responsible for difficulty in balancing household chores and office work specifically in view of gender difference.
Ans. Women employees face more difficulty in balancing household chores and office work since they shoulder most of household caretaking.
SECTION – B (WRITING)
3. You are the famous journalist and writer Ravish Kumar, who has received an invitation to be the chief guest for the inaugural reading event from the Principal of St. Thomas Public School, Meerut. The school is organising a week-long Book Fair as reading event. Draft a reply giving your consent for the same. Do not exceed the word limit of 50 words.
Ans. Value Points
• Reference to invitation
• Acceptance of invitation
• Confirmation of date, time and venue
• Appreciation Comment on reading event
4. Attempt ANY ONE A and B given below
A. You are Kashish/Kailash, residing at B-94, Bela Road, Dehradun. You have read the advertisement given below. You are qualified for the job. Write an application in 120 – 150 words along with resume.
Ans. Value points
• Covering Letter
• Reference to the advertisement
• Conveying suitability for the position
• Submission of application
• Resume / Bio data as separate enclosure
• Profile of self
• Educational Qualifications
• Any other relevant information
OR
After Russia attacked Ukraine and launched a military operation on February 26,2022, a crisis situation emerged to bring back Indian students studying in Ukraine. You are Praveen Chaudhary/ Maasooma Ghazal, a staff reporter of an Indian national daily. You have been asked to cover the homecoming of Indian students, studying in Ukraine. Write a report in 120-150 words.
Ans. Value Points
• what – Russia attacked Ukraine
• when & where- launched a military operation on February 26,2022
• details of causes/reasons0- Ukraine is one of the favoured destinations for medical education, many Indian students are studying there.
• miserable plight of the Indian students studying in Ukraine
• Operation Ganga to bring back students stranded in Ukraine via Romania and Hungary
• Any other valid relevant information
SECTION – C (LITERATURE)
5. Attempt ANY FIVE of the six questions given below, within 40 words.
i. What is the message of the story ‘The Rattrap’?
Ans. – Edla treated the peddler as if he was a captain
– The peddler got the power to clear himself
– Message-Love and kindness are powerful reformers
ii. How did synthetic Indigo become a problem for poor peasants?
Ans. – The peasants used to pay Indigo as rent to the British Landlords
– Synthetic Indigo was developed meanwhile
– British Landlords wanted money as compensation
iii. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers not afraid of men?
Ans. – gallant and fearless
– Prancing on the screen
iv. What image does the poet use to describe the continuity in beautiful bounty of the earth?
Ans. – ever lasting
– Leaves an indelible print on our mind
– Like fountain of immortal drink
v. If you were given a chance to choose an end for the story ‘On the face of It’ What would be that?
Ans. – Happy end of the story
– Derry saves Mr. Lamb to his handicap
– Both become good friends
vi. What was the ‘new phase’, that Jack referred to with respect to Jo?
– was no longer a passive listener, became inquisitive
– Asked questions, cross-checked facts from mother or father
– Insisted that Skunk’s story – ended on a happy note
6. Answer any TWO of the following in about 120-150 word each.
i. Give evidences from the story ‘The Rattrap’ to bring out the differences in the character of the ironmaster and his daughter?
Value Points
• ironmaster and his daughter-totally different
• iron master-proud man
• mistook peddler as an old regimental comrade
• tried to help him out of his sense of pride
• realized mistake-peddler to be dishonest
• warned him of calling the sheriff
• worried about his silver spoons
• On the other hand, the ironmaster’s daughter
• kind lady-wanted to help the peddler
• treated him with respect
• her kind nature-changed the peddler
• made him a good person.
ii. Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans’ having the last laugh?
Ans. Value Points
• Governor reached the hotel – Evans Surrendered
• Evans disclosed his plan
• despite security arrangements- hint from question paper
• Role of Mc Leery, German tutor and friends
• escaped fourth time also
• had final victory- last laugh
iii. How does beauty lead to ‘a sleep full of sweet dreams’ and how does such a sleep help us?
Ans. Value Points
• bower- full of sweat dreams and healthy breathing
• refreshes and gives peace of mind
• relieves-trials and tribulations of life
• remove the sadness from dark spirits
• sound sleep- good health
• restful sleep promotes mental well being