Please see below Class 12 English Sample Paper Term 1 Set D 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 D

Section – A

I. Read the passage given below.

1. Why don’t I have a telephone?
Not because I pretend to be wise or pose as unusual. There are two chief reasons: because I don’t really like the telephone and because I find I can still work and play, eat, breathe, and sleep without it. Why don’t I like telephone? Because I think it is a pest & time-waster. It may create unnecessary suspense and anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call that doesn’t come, or irritating delay, as when you keep ringing a number that is always engaged.

2. As for speaking in a public telephone box, that seems to me really horrible. You would not use it unless you’re in a hurry and because you are in a hurry you will find other people waiting before you. When you do get into the box, you are half asphyxiated by stale, unventilated air, flavoured with cheap face powder and chain smoking; and by the time you have begun your conversation your back is chilled by the cold looks of somebody who is fidgeting to take your place.

3. If you have a telephone in your house, you will admit that it tends to ring when you least want it to ring-when you are asleep, or in the middle of a meal or a conversation, or when you are just going out or when you are in your bath. Are you strong minded-enough to ignore it, to say to yourself, ‘Ah well, it will all be the same in a hundred years’ time? You are not.

4. You think there may be some important news or message for you. Have you never rushed dripping from the bath, or chewing from the table, or dazed from bed, only to be told that you are a wrong number? You were told the truth. In my opinion all telephone numbers are wrong numbers. If, of course, your telephone rings and you decide not to answer is, then you will have to listen to an idiotic bell ringing and ringing in what is supposed to be the privacy of your own home. You might as well buy a bicycle bell and ring it yourself.

5. If, like me, one is without a telephone, somebody is sure to say, Oh! But don’t you find you have to write an awful lot of letters?’ The answer to that is ‘Yes, but I should have to write an awful lot of letters anyway. This may bring the remark ‘Ah, well, if you don’t have a telephone, at least you must have a typewriter.’ And the answer to that is ‘No’. What, no telephone and no typewriter! Do please explain why.’Well, I am a professional man of letters.

6. I thought a typewriter would be convenient. I even thought it was necessary, and that editors and publishers would expect anything sent to them to be typewritten. So I bought a typewriter and taught myself to type, and for some years I typed busily. But I didn’t enjoy typing. I happen to enjoy the act of writing. I enjoy forming letters or words with a pen, and I never could enjoy tapping the key of a typewriter.

7. There again, there was a bell-only a little bell that rang at the end of each line-but still, a bell. And the fact is, I am not mechanically minded, and the typewriter is a machine. I have never been really drawn to machines. I don’t like oiling, cleaning, or mending them. I do not enjoy making them work. To control them gives me no sense of power-or not of the kind of power that I find interesting. And machines do not like me. When I touch them they tend to break down, get jammed, catch fire, or blow up.

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

1. The writer’s question about why he doesn’t have a telephone is intended to
(a) criticise all aspects of telephone
(b) highlight the negative aspects of telephone
(c) show how letter writing is being overtaken by telephone
(d) encourage letter writing over telephone

2. An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words in it.
The author uses the idiom ‘man of letters’ to point out his scholarly nature. Select the option which is a correct idiom regarding the nature of a man
(a) Self-made man
(b) Man of books
(c) Con-man
(d) Be one’s own man

3. Select the option that suitably completes the given dialogue as per the passage.
Writer 1. ______ ; Hello, who is it?
Caller : Can I speak to Mr. XYZ?
Writer : Who?
Caller : 2. _________
(a) (1) Jovially (2) Mr. XYZ
(b) (1) Irritated (2) I think I called the wrong number
(c) (1) Angry (2) Wrong number!!
(d) (1) Dejected (2) Mr. XYZ, Please !!

4. Which signboard would the writer place in a telephone box if given an opportunity to do so?

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

5. Select the option that clearly indicates the author’s choice and its reason.

6. What is the relationship between (1) and (2)?
(1) … it may create unnecessary suspense and anxiety.
(2) I thought a typewriter would be convinient.
(a) (1) is the cause for (2)
(b) (1) sets the stage for (2)
(c) (2) elaborates the problem described in (1)
(d) (1) and (2) are unrelated

7. The writer says ‘All telephone numbers are wrong numbers’ because
(a) the author always gets wrong calls
(b) he always calls the wrong numbers
(c) he does not give much importance to telephone numbers
(d) None of the above

8. What happens when the writer decides not to answer the telephone?
(a) The phone is automatically cut off
(b) The telephone stops working and people question him about it
(c) The person on the other call looks at you rudely
(d) The telephone keeps on ringing and ringing

9. ‘…..your back is chilled by the cold looks of somebody’means
(a) You feel cold at the back
(b) You feel uneasy due to people staring
(c) People rudely ask you to hurry up
(d) People behind you get angry and hate you

10. Pick the option that correctly lists the feelings of the writer with reference to using telephone.
1. frustrating
2. amusing
3. satisfying
4. disillusioning
5. exacting
6. enlightening
(a) 2 and 5
(b) 1 and 4
(c) 3 and 6
(d) 1 and 3

II. Read the passage given below.

Despite some progress, the gaps in labor force participation between men and women remain large. This uneven playing field between women and men hampers productivity and weighs on growth. A recent IMF staff study finds that barriers to women entering the labour force (think of tax distortions, discrimination and social and cultural factors) are costlier than suggested and the benefits from closing gender gaps are even larger than thought before.
In the standard textbook analysis, the labour force is the sum of the headcounts of workers. Because replacing a man by a woman in this sum does not affect the labour force, there are no gains from gender diversity.
Adding more women to the labour force brings larger economic gains.

A bigger boost to growth The productivity and growth gains from adding women to the labour force are large. Indeed, our calibration exercise suggests that, closing the gender gap could increase GDP by an average of 35 per cent.
Higher productivity When interpreting past data in situations where the gender gap has been narrowing over time, the contribution to growth from improved efficiency is overstated. A portion of this gain is actually due to the increased participation of women.
Higher male incomes Men’s wages will also increase as a result of greater inclusion of women in the labour force since productivity will increase. This is important because these higher wages should strengthen support for removing barriers that hold women back from work.
A bigger payoff along development paths The rise of the services sector driven by economic development brings more women into the labour force. But barriers to women’s employment slow this process.
Reforming taxes can incentivize labour force participation among low-income earners. Tackling gender inequality in education and health care, including publicly financed maternity and paternity leave, expanded childcare and elder care availability can increase women’s participation in the labor market.
For years, the IMF has been at the forefront of policy analysis highlighting the economic costs of inequality and possible remedies. What we are now learning is that these costs are even larger than we thought. Now that we see the full picture, the case for greater gender equity has become even more compelling.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.

11. Select the correct inference of the underlined part with reference to the following.
The writer of the given passage states that gender gaps ‘weighs on growth’.
(a) There is a need for women employment in labour force.
(b) That increasing women labour force promotes growth.
(c) Thre is a lack of proper labour laws slows down the rate of growth.
(d) There is huge effect of gender gap on growth.

12. Pick the option that list statement that is TRUE according to the passage.
(a) More women in labour force means more salary and incentives.
(b) Presence of a woman in a professional team reduces risk and increases performance.
(c) The study of IMF works towards justifying the slow process of closing of gender gap.
(d) The presence of women increases productivity of an organisation which reflects in increasing salaries.

13. Based on the given graphical representation of data in the passage, choose the option that lists the statements that are TRUE.
(a) The welfare gains and marketable gains of closing gender gaps are proportional to each other.
(b) The highest scope of growth due to women participation in economy can be seen in Middle East and North Africa.
(c) The barriers to female labour force are least in Europe.
(d) All of the above

14. Based on your reading of the passage, select the counterargument to the given argument.
Argument : I don’t think adding more female staff in my organisation would increase productivity. It would only add to the liabilities.
(a) The study of IMF states otherwise as women play a supplementary role in the organisation.
(b) Women bring more skills to an organisation. Their perspective has been found to benefit the organisation by decreasing risk and increasing collaboration.
(c) Women brings the gains from gender diversity. They play a complementary role in increasing an organisation’s profit thereby increasing the GDP.
(d) A portion of the gain attributed to productivity is actually due to the increased participation of women over time.

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

16. The phrase ‘while there is no silver bullet’means
(a) lack of immediate solution
(b) need for policies to bring rapid change
(c) lack of policies that will bring large changes
(d) All of the above

17. The passage is talking about barriers that women face while entering the work force.
Pick the option that lists those barriers correctly.
1. expanded childcare
2. tax redemptions
3. social expectations
4. discrimination
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4

18. Read the two statements given below and select the option that suitably explains them.
(1) Recent studies have found that closing gender gaps is an urgent requirement.
(2) The case for greater gender equity has become even more compelling.
(a) (2) repeats the premise of (1)
(b) (1) is the problem and (2) is the solution
(c) (1) is true and (2) correctly explains it
(d) (1) and (2) are false

Section – B

Attempt any 10 questions in this section.

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

Yesterday during lunch break, you misplaced your history notes. You have to write a notice for the same.

19. Select the appropriate title for the notice.
(a) Lost
(b) Important
(c) History Notes Misplaced
(d) Both (a) and (c)

20. Select the option that lists the most accurate opening for this notice.
(a) This is to inform everyone that I have misplaced …
(b) Please help me find my history notes …
(c) I need to find my misplaced notes …
(d) Attention everyone, to the lost history notes …

21. Select the option with the information points to be included in the body of the notice
1. Your class details
2. Description of notes folder
3. Location where it was lost
4. Timing during which you lost it
5. Reward details
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 3, 4, 5
(c) 2, 3, 4
(d) 1, 5, 4

22. Would this notice reflect the name of your school?
(a) Yes, because it makes it formal
(b) No, because school is not related to it
(c) Yes, because the school needs to authorise it
(d) No, because it is implicit

23. Select the appropriate complimentary close for the notice.
(a) Dipika – History student 
(b) Dipika – Student
(c) Dipika  XII
(d) Dipika – Class XII-C

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

Kareena is a student correspondent of her school’s magazine. She has been asked by her social science teacher to write about the diversity present in the nation while highlighting the need for unity.

24. Select the option that lists an appropriate title for Kareena’s article.
(a) Unity in Diversity
(b) India : The United Land
(c) Diversity Calling For Integration
(d) Need for National Integration

25. Which option (1-4), should Kareena choose to elaborate on the reasons for Unity and Integration?

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

26. Which option would help Kareena with appropriate organisation of relevant ideas for the article?
(a) Introduction of Unity, Diversity and Integration-Communal Harmony-Need of National Integration-Conclusion
(b) Introduction-Communal Harmony-National Integration-Problem in National Integration-Need of National Integration
(c) Introduction – Diversity present in the nation – Problems in National Integration-Need of National Integration-Promoting Integration-Conclusion
(d) The Need of National Integration-Questioning the base behind problems of National Integration-Providing suggestions to improve Integration-Conclusion

27. Which of the following would be appropriate for Kareena’s article?
(a) Communal harmony breaks the secular foundation of the nation.
(b) Role of media to mold public opinion and promote healthy communal relations.
(c) India boasting of multiple cultural assimilations, tolerance and equity.
(d) Both (a) and (b)

28. Read the sentence from Kareena’s article draft and help her complete it by selecting the most appropriate option.
We also need to encourage the educated stratum of the society to participate in the works of (i) __________. It is the (ii) _______ who become easy victims of anti-social forces and render the entire society vulnerable.
(a) (i) social unity (ii) deprived
(b) (i) educating the masses (ii) poor section
(c) (i) social integration (ii) illiterate masses
(d) (i) stratification (ii) gullible people

29. Which quote should Kareena use to summarise the central idea of the article?
(a) “A House divided against itself cannot stand together.”-Hindu Proverb
(b) “All great religions of the world inculate equality and brotherhood of mankind and the virtue of tolerance.”-Mahatama Gandhi.
(c) Peace is not unity in similarity but unity in diversity, in the comparison and conciliation of differences.”-Mikhail Gorbachev
(d) “We must all build National Unity, build all revolutionary forces, into one powerful wave to sweep away our main enemy, political imperialism and economic imperialism”-Sukarno.

30. Read the following options for the self-check list for this article and select the option that includes the most appropriate self-checklist for the article.

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

Section – C 

This section has sub-sections V, VI, VII, VIII and IX. There are a total of 30 questions in the section. Attempt any 26 questions from the sub-sections V to IX.

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

Whenever I looked up from my writing I saw M. Hamel sitting motionless in his chair and gazing first at one thing, then at another, as if he wanted to fix in his mind just how everything looked in that little school-room. Fancy! For forty years he had been there in the same place, with his garden outside the window and his class in front of him, just like that. Only the desks and benches had been worn smooth; the Walnut-trees in the garden were taller and the hopvine that he had planted himself twined about the windows to the roof.

31. M. Hamel is sitting motionless in his chair. This suggests his
(a) dilemma
(b) overwhelming emotions
(c) nostalgia
(d) depression

32. The use of the word ‘Fancy!’ in the mood of the given lines seems out of place. What, according to you does the author want to convey with it?
(a) The author wants to reader to imagine a situation
(b) The author wants to depict the beauty of the school
(c) The author wants to show Franz’s reaction to M. Hamel’s acts
(d) The author wants to highlight the contrasting moods of the students

33. The poet had described the garden present in the school.
Why do you think the author had done so?
(a) To depict the beauty M.Hamel would be leaving.
(b) To show that the garden had been changed by M.Hamel.
(c) To show the long time for which M.Hamel nurtured the school and garden.
(d) To depict how nature was sorrowful for M.Hamel.

34. Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the following.
(1) … he wanted to fix in his mind just how everything looked …
(2) … he had been there at the same place …

35. Select the option that lists reasons, why M. Hamel is overwhelmed?
1. It was his last day in the province.
2. It was his last French lesson.
3. It was his last day as a teacher.
4. It was his retirement day.
5. It was his last day in the school.
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 2, and 5
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 3

VI. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow.

Next, he held me at the side of the pool and had me kick with my legs. For weeks I did just that. At first my legs refused to work. But they gradually relaxed; and finally I could command them. Thus, piece by piece, he built a swimmer. And when he had perfected each piece, he put them together into an integrated whole. In April he said, “Now you can swim. Dive off and swim the length of the pool, crawl stroke.” I did, the instructor was finished. But I was not finished.

36. Why was Douglas not finished?
(a) Because he wanted to check if he could swim properly.
(b) Because he wanted to check if he still feared water.
(c) Because he wanted to practice more.
(d) Because he wanted to see his skill when he was alone.

37. Select the option that lists the correct inference based on the information in the extract.
(a) The instructor used a well known strategy to help Douglas.
(b) The instructor motivated Douglas throughout his lessons.
(c) The instructor was patient, strategic and encouraging.
(d) The instructor’s only job was to teach the skill and not the removal of fear.

38. Douglas mentions that the instructors build a swimmer out of him ‘piece by piece’. 
He means that he became a swimmer …………… .
(a) with regular practice
(b) over time as his determination increased
(c) with self belief and gradual increasing confidence
(d) in gradual stages, learning one skill at a time.

39. What was the reason for Douglas’ leg’s refusal to work?
(a) Return of terror
(b) Weariness
(c) Superstitution regarding water
(d) Reports of drowning

40. How did Douglas come to ‘command his legs’?
(a) Forcefully
(b) Repeated practice
(c) With patience
(d) With his sincerity and determination

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

I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes

41. The tone of the poet in the extract is of ………………… .
(a) dauntlessness
(b) apprehension
(c) dejection
(d) disappointment

42. Which option has the underlined phrase that applies the poetic device used for ‘ashen like that of a corpse’?
(a) He is considered the black sheep of the royal family.
(b) I’m sure that he is very nervous, he is standing as stiff as board on the stage.
(c) I was like I walked into the Garden of Eden.
(d) The exhilarated girl danced along the sidewalk making her way to her friend’s house.

43. Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) The poet was already dejected at leaving home and the thought of her mother’s age added to the dejection.
(2) The poet looks out to deviate her thought but is unsuccessful in it.
(a) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are true.
(b) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) cannot be inferred.
(c) Statement (1) is true but Statement (2) is false.
(d) Statement (1) is false but Statement (2) is true.

44. The phrase ‘Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling’ indicate
1. youth
2. energy
3. nature
4. joy
5. innocence
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 2, 3, 4
(c) 3, 4, 5
(d) 1, 2, 4

45. Why does the poet decide to put that thought away?
(a) As it made her not want to leave
(b) As it filled the poet with regret and sorrow
(c) As it made the poet realise her sense of duty
(d) As the poet couldn’t do anything about it 

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

But I’ve never again found the corridor that leads to the third level at Grand Central Station although I’ve tried often enough.
Louisa was pretty worried when I told her all this and didn’t want me to look for the third level any more, and after a while I stopped; I went back to my stamps. But now we’re both looking, every weekend, because now we have proof that the third level is still there. My friend Sam Weiner disappeared! Nobody knew where, but I sort of suspected because Sam’s a city boy, and I used to tell him about Galesburg. I want to school there-and he always said he liked the sound of the place.

46. Why did the information that Charley gave her make Louisa ‘worried’?
(a) It made her realise that Sam’s diagnosis was correct.
(b) It suggested that Charley was unhappy in his life.
(c) It made her aware that Charley needed medical treatment.
(d) It seemed to her that Charley was not mentally stable.

47. Charley’s act of trying to look for the third level suggests his _____.
(a) fascination with past
(b) excitement at the idea of going to the past
(c) obsession with pre-war times
(d) desperation to prove his point

48. Select the option that signifies the ‘proof’mentioned in the extract.
1. Sam’s disappearance
2. Sam’s act of buying old currency notes
3. Sam’s fascination with Galesburg
4. First day Cover
5. Sam’s letter
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 1, 4, 5
(c) 1, 2, 5
(d) 2, 4, 5

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

50. Why did Sam ‘like the sound of the place’?
(a) Due to his romantic fascination with the past.
(b) Because he wanted to live a simple life.
(c) Because he was suffering from the stress and anxieties of the modern world.
(d) Because, he wanted to enjoy a childhood similar to that of Charley.

IX. Attempt the following.

51. Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below.
(1) Stephen Spender is critical of the famous personalities for ignoring the under privileged.
(2) The picture of the slum classroom presented by the poet shows no hope or future.
(a) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) can be inferred.
(b) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) cannot be inferred.
(c) Statement (1) can be inferred but the Statement (1) cannot be inferred.
(d) Statement (1) cannot be inferred but the Statement (2) can be inferred.

52. Now, I don’t know why this should have happened to me. Charley’s tone in the given lines is
(a) Disdain
(b) Frustration
(c) Depression
(d) Sympathetic

53. Select the option that lists the reason why Hana becomes solemn when the white man washes ashore?
1. He was white
2. He was American POW
3. He was injured
4. He was dirty
5. He was an enemy to Japan
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 5
(d) 2, 3 and 4

54. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) Mukesh’s father feels despairing as he feels that even though he had worked all his life, he could not build even a proper house.
(2) Mukesh, however, seems satisfied with what they have and just dreams to drive a car.
(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) cannot be inferred
(d) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) can be inferred

55. Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE with reference to the poem ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’.
(a) Lack of interest in learning among underprivileged
(b) Sensitivity towards the underprivileged
(c) Need for Educating the underprivileged
(d) Social injustice and class inequalities.

56. “It takes longer to build a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.
Pick out the option that CANNOT be inferred from the given lines.
(a) The promises made of authorities are never fulfilled.
(b) The author feels dejected for the ragpicker boy
(c) The ragpicker boy’s name is Saheb as opposed to his real condition.
(d) The author did not expect the boy to ask her about the vain promise of school.

57. Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) and opinion (O) based on your reading of ‘The Enemy.’
1. Sadao should have not treated the prisoner of war if it meant he would lose all respect.
2. Sadao was a human first, doctor second and then belonged to any nation.
3. Sadao’s work as an efficient doctor made him worthy of praise by the Governor.
4. Sadao’s decision to help the POW made him repay his debt to the Americans.
(a) F – (1) and (4) ; O – (2) and (3)
(b) F – (2) and (3) ; O – (1) and (4)
(c) F – (1) and (2) ; O – (3) and (4)
(d) F – (2) and (4) ; O – (1) and (3)

58. Pick the option that can suitably complete the given sentence as per the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’.
Threatening ourselves with death …………….. .
(a) makes us introspects
(b) feeds on the fear of death
(c) makes us restless and impatient
(d) challenges everything in life

59. Franz thinks, “will they make them sing in German.” What does this indicate?
(a) When people are deprived, surrounding are also affected.
(b) Nothing will change expect them.
(c) All changes are welcome.
(d) Changes are not going to benefit them.

60. Just as the moon becomes dull in the winter haze, similarly …………….. .
(a) age has fogged the mother’s energy.
(b) the pain of seperated has dulled the poets’ mood.
(c) her happy memories with her mother had lost its spark
(d) growing up had brought acceptance and maturity in the poet.