Please see below Class 12 English Sample Paper Term 1 Set C with solutions. We have provided Class 12 English Sample Papers with solutions designed by English teachers for Class 12 based on the latest examination pattern issued by CBSE. We have provided the following sample paper for Term 2 Class 12 English with answers. You will be able to understand the type of questions which can come in the upcoming exams.

CBSE Sample Paper for Class 12 English Term 1 Set C

Section A Reading

I. Read the passage given below.

1. Happiness is not something far away and unattainable. Happiness does not depend on circumstances or objects. It is an inseparable part of our consciousness, of our essence, but hidden and covered from sight by our thoughts, desires and worries. We all seek happiness but few, very-few, indeed, get it. We are unhappy partly because we desire much more than what we can hope to attain. Our countless desires are hard to be satisfied. And that is what makes us so sad in life. The secret of happiness lies in the simplification of life. Simple living encourages high thinking. It leads to contentment. Contentment gives us inner wealth, the wealth of the mind and of the soul.

2. A contented man devotes himself to virtues; such a man can feel true happiness. I do not mean that for simplification of life, a man should become an ascetic. The happiness of a sadhu is of a negative kind. I want positive kind of happiness. For this, I must live in the midst of life and faithfully carry out my responsibilities to my home and my country. But all this should be done in the spirit of selfless service.

3. Aman, who wants to lead a happy life, should also make others happy. In making others happy he will taste real and lasting happiness. There is a kind of joy in serving others with virtuous motives, in sacrificing what one has for the good of others. An act of goodness is itself an act of happiness. The secret of perfect happiness lies in renunciation.

4. Wealth may give us joy for a while and fame may provide us with fleeting excitement. But they cannot give us permanent happiness. Kings have everything to make them happy and yet they feel unhappy. It is because they do not practise renunciation. There is a sense of joy in doing one’s work honestly and efficiently. A research-worker feels joy in research and a journalist in writing. In doing one’s duty sincerely, one feels peace of mind which is an important essence of happiness. It is only by cultivating a spirit of renunciation, self-sacrifice, contentment and science work that one can really be happy. The strings of misfortune spare none but they will not cow such a person.

5. Happiness is like the sun, it is often hidden by the clouds of thoughts, worries and desires. We have to scatter and dissolve them to experience happiness. You don’t have to create happiness. All you have to do is calm your mind, because when there is a quiet mind and inner peace, there is happiness.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option.

Question 1. The author’s statement that we desire much more than what we can hope to attain aims to
(a) tell why we are unhappy
(b) tell about the materialistic madness of humans
(c) criticise the modern human values
(d) show man a mirror

Question 2. A collocation is a group of words that often occur together.
The writer says fame provides us with fleeting excitement.
Select the word from the options that correctly collocates with fleeting.
(a) Cast
(b) Encounter
(c) Shadow
(d) Visit

Question 3. Select the option that suitably completes the given dialogue.
Writer: Happiness depends upon our actions which _______(1)_______________.
X: But ___(2)______ often worries mankind.
Writer: Calmness of mind is the key.
(a) (1) can scatter all the thoughts, worries and desires, (2) misfortune
(b) (1) can keep ourselves happy, (2) Life
(c) (1) can stagnate a person, (2) stagnation
(d) (1) can do selfless service, (2) lack of happiness

Question 4. Which of the following signboards can be used to show the central idea of the passage?

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4

Question 5. Select the option that reflects the correct pair.

Question 6. What is the relationship between (1) and (2)?
(1) Happiness must be positive such that it brings gains.
(2) Carrying out worldly duties in the spirit of selfless service.
(a) (2) is the cause for (1)
(b) (1) is the cause of (2)
(c) (2) gives an example for (1)
(d) (1) is the reason for which (2) is not true

Question 7. Which of the following statements is TRUE in the context of the passage?
(a) Peace of mind brings happiness.
(b) Human beings seldom seek happiness.
(c) Doing one’s work sincerely hardly makes one happy.
(d) Simple life is like a life of an ascetic.

Question 8. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?
(a) One feels peace of mind in doing one’s duty sincerely.
(b) Renunciation is the result of perfect happiness.
(c) Multiplicity of desires makes us unhappy.
(d) Making others happy makes one happy.

Question 9. Which of the following can be concluded from the given passage?
(a) The essence of happiness is sacrifice.
(b) Peace of mind can only be achieved if one is sincere.
(c) One must adopt a simple lifestyle to be happy.
(d) To be happy one must avoid all unfortunate events.

Question 10. Pick out the option that lists the correct chain of things, as mentioned in the passage,leading to happiness
1. Contentment   2. High thinking
3. Simple living   4. Inner wealth
(a) 3, 1, 4, 2
(b) 3, 2, 1, 4
(c) 4, 3, 2, 1
(d) 2, 4, 3, 1

II. Read the passage given below.

The interruption in the process of education during COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have substantial effects, extending beyond education. Many of these have been laid out in previous policy briefs and include, for instance, food insecurity, economic instability, and violence against women and girls. Closures of schools and other educational institutions are hampering the provision of essential services to children and communities.

The loss of school meals and other health and nutrition services in the first months of the pandemic affected 370 million children in 195 countries, increasing hunger and nutritional deficiencies for the most disadvantaged. Some countries, however, have been able to adapt and maintain school feeding programmes, for example Delhi in India. The interruption also concerns health and psychosocial services, since education institutions also serve as platforms for prevention, diagnosis and counselling. As a result, vulnerable groups are experiencing both a loss of essential services and a lack of social protection mechanisms.
As with previous pandemics, COVID-19 has shown that education institution closures represent an increased risk for women and girls, as they are more vulnerable to multiple types of abuse, such as domestic violence, transactional sex and early and forced marriages.
The closures have also affected the ability of many parents to work. A significant share of working parents rely on childcare and schools. In countries such as France, Germany, Italy, the UK and USA, 60 per cent of parents have been unable to find alternative solutions for schools and day-care centres.

A recent study highlights that women are bearing the greater share of additional time spent on childcare and household tasks. Coupled with the present economic disruption, this will likely contribute to higher earning gaps, thus widening gender inequality. Furthermore, studies project that working-hour losses will represent up to 400 million full-time jobs. As parents who lose income make difficult choices, enrolment and girl’s education rates may decline, while child labour, recruitment, and exploitation rise. With the number of people in extreme poverty due to COVID-19 projected to increase between 71 and 100 million, attention should be paid to dropouts, as well as opportunity costs that are likely to affect parent’s decisions to support their children’s education. School closures will have not only immediate economic consequences, but long-lasting effects. It is estimated that for the first time since its conception, the Human Development Index, of which the education dimension accounts for a third, will show a striking decline.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.

Question 11. Select the correct inference with reference to the following:
The interruption in the process of education during COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have substantial effects, extending beyond education.
(a) COVID-19 has the largest impact on the education sector.
(b) The education process includes many other sectors.
(c) The COVID-19 will bring humongous changes in the world.
(d) Education sector bears the maximum brunt of the pandemic.

Question 12. Functioning day-cares are more important to women compared to men because,
(a) women are able to look after home.
(b) women are able to look after children.
(c) women are able to go out to work.
(d) women are able to go to school.

Question 13. Choose the option that best lists the outcomes of disruption of education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Girl’s educational opportunities will reduce
2. Children may face domestic violence at home
3. Women will not be able to find jobs
4. Children may have to work to support their families
5. Women will open more day-cares
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 1, 5, 6
(c) 2, 3, 4
(d) 1, 2, 4

Question 14. Based on the reading of the passage, select the appropriate counter-argument to the given argument.
Argument: Gender equality is bound to see an immediate increase as both males and females take equal responsibility of the house during the lockdown.
(a) Gender gaps would increase during the lockdown as females are burdened with home responsibilities while also working.
(b) Gender equality will reduce because of the closing of functional day cares and schools.
(c) As parents lose income, parents would likely stop getting their girl child educated.
(d)Gender equality is a term that will become a thing of past during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question 15. Select the option that displays the correct cause-effect relationship.

Question 16. Choose the option which is not true as per the figure given in the passage.
(a) Human Development Index shows improvement in the year 1993 compared to previous year.
(b) Human Development Index shows improvement in the year 2000 compared to previous year.
(c) Human Development Index shows improvement in the year 2006 compared to previous year.
(d)Human Development Index shows improvement in the year 1998 compared to previous year.

Question 17. According to the report, what is most appropriate conclusion?
(a) Human Development Index reflects a sharp fall because children did not go to school.
(b) Children, especially girls are at high risk of social-emotional trauma post COVID-19 pandemic.
(c) There is a need to ensure food security is provided to all children.
(d) School have no impact on the vulnerable groups and therefore unnecessary for girls.

Question 18. Read the two statements given below and select the option that suitably explains them.
(1) Poverty and unemployment is likely to increase during the pandemic.
(2) Hunger and malnutrition will see a all time high for the most disadvantaged.
(a) (1) is the problem and (2) is the solution for (1).
(b) (1) is true but (2) does not correctly explain (1).
(c) (1) summarises (2).
(d) (1) and (2) are true but unrelated.

Section B Writing Skills

III. Answer any four out of the five questions given, with reference to the context below.

As a member of your school council, you have to write a notice informing the students about the details of your school being closed.

Question 19. Select the appropriate title for the notice.
(a) School Closed For a Week
(b) Attention Please
(c) Important Notice
(d) Closing of the School

Question 20. Select the option that lists the most accurate opening for this notice.
(a) Greetings and attention please, to the students…..
(b) This notice is written to share with you all about…
(c) This is to inform all the students that…..
(d) I wish to share with all parents and students that ….

Question 21. Select the option with the information points to be included in the body of the notice.
1. Why the school is closed
2. The duration for which the school is closed
3. Opinions about the school closing
4. The date of reopening
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, and 4

Question 22. Which of the following is essential for the notice?
(a) The time of publishing of the notice
(b) The word ‘NOTICE’
(c) Signature of the principal
(d) Contact information for further details.

Question 23. Select the appropriate conclusion for this notice.
(a) Stay informed.
(b) Have a safe stay at your homes.
(c) Stay home, stay safe.
(d) Inconvenience regretted.

IV. Answer any six out of the seven questions given, with reference to the context below.

The tendency to use violence at the slightest provocation and thus to solve personal and general problems is growing among people in our society. This is not a civilised way of dealing with the problems. Write a letter to the editor for the same.

Question 24. Select the option that suggests the appropriate subject line for the letter.
(a) Violence is not the solution
(b) Violence- the biggest evil
(c) Violence Solves No Problem; It Must Be Shunned
(d) Low happiness in India- The problem with Violence

Question 25. Select the option that can be used to give hints to the writer of the letter.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4

Question 26. Which option would be an appropriate introduction for the letter?
(a) Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper….
(b) With the purpose of this letter…
(c) Violence is one of the most problematic issues faced by the country….
(d) This is to inform all the readers that….

Question 27. Which of the following lists the reason that the writer can elaborate upon within the context of the letter?
1. Gender
2. Race
3. Religion
4. Accidental events
5. Car related events
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 2, 3, 4
(c) 3, 4, 5
(d) All of these

Question 28. Read a sentence from letter draft and help him complete it by selecting the most appropriate option.

All it takes for a violent attack on another person is their presence. Women have been attacked for working at offices or studying in colleges because others believe they do not have the right to be there, people of different race or colour are ………………………….. simply for existing in a certain space.
(a) abused and attacked verbally or physically
(b) faced with violence
(c) are violated, depreciated and included
(d) included, celebrated and respected

Question 29. Choose the option that you will select to end the letter.
(a) I wish the people of our nation understand the downside of violence and look for other means to solve all conflicts.
(b) I hope that the people of our nation understand the downside of violence and solve conflicts peacefully.
(c) I desire that the people of our nation understand the downside of violence and help our nation become unified again.
(d) I want the people of our nation and the government to promote peace and shun violence completely.

Question 30. When writing a formal letter, you think about who you are writing to. What else is important?
(a) What you need to tell the reader
(b) Why you are writing
(c) What you want the reader to do
(d) All of the above

Section C Literature

V. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow :

I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz; you must feel bad enough.See how it is! Every day we have said to ourselves, ‘Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it
tomorrow.’ And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow.
Now those fellows out there will have the right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.”

Question 31. ‘‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language?’’ In which tone is the given line being uttered?
(a) Humurous
(b) Sarcastic
(c) Suppressive
(d) Mocking

Question 32. Who do you think M. Hamel is referring to as ‘those fellows’, in the given sentence?
(a) The soldiers
(b) The Berlin officials
(c) The Germans
(d) Englishmen

Question 33. ‘And now you see where we’ve come out’ shows that
(a) now the people of Alsace are robbed of the opportunity to learn french
(b) now the people of Alsace will have to learn German
(c) now the people of Alsace won’t be able to use French
(d) now the people of Alsace won’t see him

Question 34. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) M. Hamel does not want the people of Alsace to forget their mother tongue.
(2) M. Hamel’s view on the people of Alsace for delaying learning is rational.
(a) Statement (1) is true and statement (2) is false
(b) Statement (1) is false and statement (2) is true
(c) Both statement (1) and statement (2) can be inferred
(d) Both statement (1) and statement (2) cannot be inferred

Question 35. Which of the following statements is TRUE with reference to the extract?
1. M. Hamel wants to teach something very important to the people of Alsace.
2. Franz’s inability to recite the rules of participles earned him a scolding.
3. M. Hamel is sad that the people of Alsace don’t know their native tongue properly.
4. Franz is amongst the many people of Alsace who deserve to reproach themselves.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

VI. Read the given extract to attempt 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.

Question 36. Who does ‘they’ refer to here?
(a) Mukesh and his family
(b) Children of Firozabad
(c) The young wives
(d) The female population living in Firozabad

Question 37. What was ‘the Karam’ talked off in the given extract?
(a) To go blind
(b) To become a bangle maker
(c) To live in poverty
(d) To teach the art of bangle making to his children.

Question 38. Select the option that lists the correct inference based on the information in the extract.
(a) The people of Firozabad had accepted their conditions.
(b) The people of Firozabad are satisfied with their work.
(c) The people of Firozabad are scared of the authorities.
(d) The people of Firozabad are not revolutionary.

Question 39. The author says that the people of Firozabad are born in the caste of bangle making.
She means that ……………………………….
(a) bangle making should be declared as a caste.
(b) bangle making is very prevalent in the town.
(c) children are born under the profession of bangle making.
(d) bangle making has become central to the lives of people.

Question 40. Why does Mukesh’s grandmother say that the God-given lineage can never be broken?
(a) Because she is very religious.
(b) Because the profession of making bangles is a family profession.
(c) Because she feels that it is her responsibility to carry on the art.
(d) Because she knows that no one is daring enough to not become a bangle maker.

VII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow :

On sour cream walls, donations. Shakespeare’s head,
Cloudless at dawn, civilized dome riding all cities.
Belled, flowery, Tyrolese valley. Open-handed map
Awarding the world its world. And yet, for these
Children, these windows, not this map, their world,
Where all their future’s painted with a fog,

Question 41. What does the expression ‘sour cream walls’ suggest?
(a) Contrast between the wall and the donated artefacts
(b) Badly maintained sour colored walls
(c) The hopeless and sad condition of the slum children
(d) A poor quality of paint for walls.

Question 42. Which option correctly lists the significance of Shakespeare’s head and Tyrolese valley?
(a) They are pictures of sophistication and luxury which is not attainable.
(b) They tempt the children to enter immoral and criminal things.
(c) Children of the slum do not understand the significance of the picture.
(d) They present a contrast to the sour colored walls in its beauty.

Question 43. In the extract, ‘future’s painted with a fog’ suggests that the
(a) classroom is as foggy as the paint on the walls.
(b) beautiful valleys are not a part of the children’s future.
(c) life ahead for the slum children is as unclear and hazy as fog.
(d) fog often finds itself in the classrooms through broken windows.

Question 44. The literal meaning of ‘painted’ refers to decorate with colors. What does its figurative meaning refer to?
(a) Covered and unclear
(b) Dirty and dingy
(c) Unclear due to pollution
(d) Lack of positivity

Question 45. Pick the literary device that is present in almost every line of the given extract.
(a) Repetition
(b) Irony
(c) Allegory
(d) Personification

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:

Now, I don’t know why this should have happened to me. I’m just an ordinary guy named Charley, thirty-one years old, and I was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band; I passed a dozen men who looked just like me. And I wasn’t trying to escape from anything; I just wanted to get home to Louisa, my wife.

Question 46. What does ‘this’ refers to?
(a) Seeing the non-existent third level
(b) Collecting post stamps
(c) Getting lost at Grand Central Station
(d) Going into the past

Question 47. The narrator gives a description of the event to ……………….. his friend’s claims.
(a) clarify
(b) negate
(c) explain
(d) go against

Question 48. Select the option that would make people want to escape.
1. Stress              2. Fear
3. Melancholy    4. Violence
5. Despair
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 4 and 5
(d) All of these

Question 49. Select the option that displays a cause-effect relationship.

Question 50. Why does the narrator say that he was not trying to escape from anything?
(a) Because his friends thought he was trying to escape his struggles.
(b) Because his psychiatrist friend told him he was trying to escape the modern life.
(c) Because he was mentally ill.
(d) Because his psychiatrist friend told him that he always hallucinated going to Galesburg.

IX. Attempt the following.

Question 51. ‘Thus agreed, together they lifted the man. He was very light, like a fowl that had been half-starved for a long time until it is only feathers and skeleton.’ (The Enemy) The given lines indicate
(a) Torture
(b) Starvation
(c) Inhumanity
(d) Barbarism

Question 52. Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE with reference to the poem ‘Keeping Quiet‘.
(a) Neruda criticizes the antagonism between the nations of the world.
(b) Neruda wants people to leave everything for some time and think about their actions.
(c) Neruda propagates peace and happiness.
(d) Neruda uses a formal tone in the poem to teach something important.

Question 53. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) Saheb has lost his identity as he lived in Seemapuri.
(2) Saheb also lost his freedom as he started working in the tea stall.
(a) Statement (1) is true but Statement (2) is false.
(b) Statement (1) is false but Statement (2) is true.
(c) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) can be inferred
(d) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) cannot be inferred

Question 54. Select the option that lists the things that afflict the children of the slum.
1. Dingy surrounding      2. Lack of education
3. Poverty and disease   4. Lack of a playground
5. Employment opportunities
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 2, 3, 4
(c) 3, 4, 5
(d) 1, 2, 5

Question 55. Through out of the lesson ‘The Enemy’, Sadao goes though many dilemmas. Pick out the option that states the dilemma not faced by Sadao.
(a) Duty of a doctor v/s loyalty to the nation
(b) To tell the Governor v/s to not tell the Governor
(c) Whether to throw the man back in the sea or not
(d) to help his wife or to save the injured man

Question 56. Which of the following illustrates the significance of the title ‘Lost Spring’?
(a) The modern world does not allow the spring like children to remain youthful and innocent
(b) Spring represents youth but the youth of the country is struggling and living in poverty.
(c) The childhood joy and innocence is lost in the modern child.
(d)A child is burdened with innumerable expectations that ruins childhood energy.

Question 57. Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (Q), based on your reading of ‘The Thid Level’.
1. Louisa’s inability to understand what the problem with Charley is reflects lack of self awareness.
2. Louisa accepts the diagnosis made by Sam, Charley’s psychiatrist.
3. Louisa feels that she is responsible for Charley’s unhappiness.
4. Louisa only believes Charley due to Sam’s letter.
(a) F – 1, 4 ; O – 2, 3
(b) F – 2, 4 ; O – 1, 3
(c) F – 2, 3 ; O – 1, 4
(d) F – 1, 2 ; O – 3, 4

Question 58. Why did the poet (Kamla Das) look at her mother again?
(a) Because she was busy
(b) Because she was going away
(c) Because she wanted to stay back
(d) Because of fear and insecurity

Question 59. Which was the first accident that led Douglas to being afraid of water?
(a) He had almost drowned in the Yakima river.
(b) His instructor nearly drowned him in the swimming pool.
(c) He was knocked down by a huge wave on a beach in California.
(d) He was tossed in nine feet deep water by a boy at YMCA pool.

Question 60. Stephen Spender uses the image of catacombs to signify…………………. .
(a) impoverishment
(b) confinement
(c) hopelessness
(d) injustice