Welcome to our comprehensive post on Question Paper – Unit Test 1 for Class 12 English Core. In this post, we provide the Class 12 English Core Question Paper 2024 with Solutions to help students prepare effectively for their upcoming exams. The paper includes multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and long answer questions, covering key topics like My Mother at Sixty-Six, Deep Water, and more. Whether you’re revising for the Unit Test or simply looking to practice with previous question papers, this detailed solution guide will serve as a valuable resource in your preparation journey.
Solution of Question Paper – Unit Test 1
Q1. Choose the most suitable answers from each of the following multiple-choice questions.
i. Which of the following phrases best explains the meaning of ‘look so tall’ about M. Hamel in the sentence – I never saw him look so tall.
- b. Seemed very confident
(Explanation: The phrase “look so tall” metaphorically means that M. Hamel seemed dignified and confident, not physically taller.)
ii. Which of the following is incorrect? The sentence “Garbage to them is gold” means:
- c. Gold items can be found in the garbage
(Explanation: Garbage is valuable to them because it provides them with a means of livelihood, not literally gold.)
iii. Which of the following is incorrect? The bangle makers of Firozabad suffer because…
- a. They are born in the castle of bangle makers
(Explanation: There is no castle; their suffering comes from poverty, societal indifference, and exploitation.)
iv. Which of the following stories is about conquest of fear?
- b. Deep Water
(Explanation: In “Deep Water,” Douglas overcomes his fear of drowning.)
v. What is the tone in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’?
- a. Nostalgic
(Explanation: The tone of the poem reflects a sense of nostalgia and a fear of loss.)
Q2. Answer any four of the following questions very briefly.
i. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet‘?
Answer: The ‘sadness’ refers to the lack of understanding between people and their inability to live in harmony with nature. It suggests an inner void caused by continuous strife and activity.
ii. How had Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school changed in the story ‘The Last Lesson‘?
Answer: Franz felt guilty for not paying attention in class and developed a deep respect for M. Hamel. He realized the importance of the French language and regretted taking school for granted.
iii. What plans did Douglas make to come up to the surface of the pool as he was drowning in it?
Answer: Douglas tried to push himself up by kicking the bottom of the pool. He planned to use his arms and legs to spring up but felt helpless when he failed multiple times.
iv. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six‘?
Answer: The poet’s parting smile is an attempt to hide her deep anxiety and fear about losing her mother. It signifies her effort to stay positive despite her inner sorrow.
v. How do you think Saheb felt while working at the tea stall?
Answer: Saheb felt a sense of disappointment working at the tea stall. Though he had a job, it did not bring him the freedom and joy he experienced when rag-picking.
Q3. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 words.
i. What does the third level refer to in the story?
Answer: The third level refers to a fictional and mystical platform at Grand Central Station, representing an escape from the harsh realities of life. It symbolizes Charley’s longing for peace and a simpler, happier past. The third level serves as a metaphor for the psychological refuge that Charley seeks from the stress and tension of the modern world.
ii. What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?
Answer: Sam’s letter suggests that even he has found solace in the past, just like Charley. It implies that Sam, too, yearns for a simpler time and has escaped to the third level, confirming Charley’s belief that the third level exists in an alternate reality.
Q4. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 words.
i. Describe the tiger king briefly.
Answer: The Tiger King, Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, was a proud and eccentric ruler who became obsessed with killing tigers to avoid a predicted death by a tiger. His arrogance and superstition led him to take extreme measures, including hunting down 100 tigers to defy his fate. Ironically, he ultimately dies due to a freak accident involving a wooden tiger.
ii. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him?
Answer: The Maharaja’s minions were sycophantic and fearful of his temper. They followed his orders blindly, often indulging his whims and fancies without question. They manipulated situations to please him, as seen when they found a tiger for him to shoot, even if it meant staging the scene. They lacked any sense of integrity or moral courage.
Q5. Write a notice for your school notice board asking the students of classes 11th and 12th to prepare speeches for selection on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The notice should be in 50 words.
Notice
St. Mary’s School
Date: 25th September 2024
All students of classes 11th and 12th are invited to prepare speeches on the life and values of Mahatma Gandhi. Selected speeches will be presented during the Gandhi Jayanti function. Submit your speech to the English Department by 30th September.
Signed: Principal
Q6. Draft a reply accepting an invitation to be present on the birthday celebration of your friend Alok Gupta/Sonia Gupta. You are Dinesh Ajuha/Pooja Ahuja of 42, Ashok Vihar, Delhi. Word limit is 50 words.
Reply:
Dear Alok/Sonia,
Thank you for inviting me to your birthday celebration. I am delighted to accept your invitation and look forward to being part of the special occasion on [date]. Wishing you all the best for a wonderful celebration.
Warm regards,
Dinesh Ahuja/Pooja Ahuja
42, Ashok Vihar, Delhi