AHSEC Class 12 English Solved Question Paper 2020 [AHSEC Class 12 Solved Question Papers]

English Solved Question Paper 2020
AHSEC Class 12 English Solved Question Paper

(For both New and Old Course)

Full Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 30

Time: Three hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions

SECTION – A

(Reading Skill: 10 Marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully:

The next time you take printouts or you throw a paper into the bin, think for a minute as to how many trees have been felled to manufacture something you use so often every day.

Can you take out some time from your everyday routine and devote it to starting a simple recycling programme at your school or your neighbourhood? Not only would you save our planet from the torture of felling greenery, but you would also reduce generation and dumping of waste into the environment.

Using recycled papers conserves natural resources. As our worldwide population grows, the strain of these resources becomes even greater. You can drastically reduce the number of trees cut down for manufacturing paper. In addition to saving landfill space, you cut down on your expenses of trash-disposal. There is a reduction in air pollution caused due to incineration. Making papers from discards instead of trees not only saves forests, but it also reduces energy use by up to three quarters and require4s less than half as much water. Items that are made of paper and may be recycled are called the loose paper, a few examples are paper bags, magazines, newspapers and cardboard egg-trays.

A paper-recycling programme gives a positive image to large corporations or business organizations. Parents can teach their children for importance of recycled paper by bringing about simple changes in their lifestyle. Schools can also train students to make paper products like folders, penholders, material for the display board, lampshades, teaching/learning aids, etc. Students can creatively make their own cards, files, folders, invitation cards and certificates for the school. Working on a paper recycling plant demonstrates the concept of recycling waste into ‘wealth’. The real success of such programmes is visible in the seemingly simple acts like students exchanging books in a new academic session, indirectly saving paper and thereby, trees. This is amazing that only a single sheet is saved by each child; 40,000 trees could be saved per year by students only.

Learning the facts about recycling paper will help you as you fulfill your part to keep the environment green. If we keep your minds focused on the desire to be friendly to our earth and her resources, recycling will become important. After a while, we will be in the habit of recycling the paper that we use in the course of a given day.

On the basis of your reading of passage, answer the following questions:

a) Why do you need to think before you take printouts unnecessarily? 2

Ans: One needs to think before taking unnecessary printouts because the manufacturing of paper involves felling trees (which is a "torture of felling greenery"), and by reducing usage, you also reduce the generation and dumping of waste into the environment.

b) Name some of the products that can be obtained from recycled paper.              2

Ans: The passage mentions that students can be trained to make:

- Folders

- Penholders

- Material for the display board

- Lampshades

- Teaching/learning aids

- Also, cards, files, invitation cards and certificates for the school.

c) How can parents and schools help in creating awareness about paper recycling?            2

Ans: Parents can teach their children the importance of recycled paper by bringing about simple changes in their lifestyle.

Ans: Schools can train students to make paper products like folders, penholders, and teaching/learning aids, and encourage them to creatively make their own cards, files, and certificates.

d) How can students help in saving trees indirectly?          2

Ans: Students can help in saving trees indirectly through seemingly simple acts like exchanging books in a new academic session. The passage notes that if only a single sheet is saved by each child, 40,000 trees could be saved per year by students only.

e) Give a synonym of ‘conserve’.                               1

Ans: The synonym used in the passage is save.

f) Find a word in the passage which means “the destruction of something, especially waste material by burning”. 1

Ans: The word is incineration.

SECTION – B (Advanced writing Skills: 25 Marks)

2. You are Gautam/Geeta, General Secretary of Radhakrishnan College, Guwahati. Your college is organizing an educational trip to Delhi during the summer vacations. Write a notice for the college notice board giving all the details of the trip. (Word Limit: 50 words) 5

Ans.

Radhakrishnan College, Guwahati

1^st November, 2025

NOTICE: Educational Trip to Delhi

Our college is organizing an educational trip to Delhi as per the following details:

Date: 01/2/2026 To 15/2/2026

Charges: Rs. 4000 per head (Including travelling expenses, board and lodging)

Those who want to join this educational trip should give their names to the undersigned on or before 25/01/2026. A no-objection note by the parents is a must.

Gautam

General Secretary

Or

Design a poster in not more than 50 words to create awareness about the safety measures to be taken during an earthquake.  5

3. A team of twenty students from Japan visited your school as part of a cultural exchange programme. A special welcome assembly was organized for them. Write a report about the same in 100 – 125 words for your school magazine. 10

Or

The students of the local college have organized a campaign on ‘Say on to Plastic’ in your town. Prepare a report in 100 – 125 words to be published in an English daily.       10

Ans:

4. You are Rekha/Ramesh of Barpeta. You have seen an advertisement for the post of a sports teacher in Lakhimpur High School. Write a letter to the President of the Managing Committee of the school applying for the post. Give your detailed bio-data as well. 10

Ans:

XYZ Road, Barpeta

23^rd Febuary, 20XX

The Headmaster

Lakhimpur High School

Jorhat(Assam)

Subject: An application for the post of Sports teacher

Sir,

This is in response to your advertisement in ‘The Assam Tribune’ dated 10/12/20XX regarding the post of a ‘sports teacher’. I wish to apply for the same post.

I am outgoing, diligent and open to learning and have good command over English speaking. I have all the requisite qualification and experience. I have done my bachelor’s degree in physical education from Matrix university Rohtak. I worked as a physical education teacher in XYZ School, Gurugram for 2 years. Presently working as, a sport coach with ABC Club, Guwahati. I believe that students are the future of India so i want to inspire them to stay fit and that’s my vision of life.

As regard my qualification and experience, I am enclosing my bio- data for your kind consideration.  I shall be available for an interview on any day of your convenience.

If selected I shall discharge my duties with utmost devotion and sincerity to your full satisfaction.

Yours sincerely

Ramesh

ENCLOSURE:

1. Bio- data

 

BIO-DATA

NAME                             :                Ramesh

FATHER NAME                :                Y

ADDESS                             :                Examination Hall

CONTACT                          :                9987XXXXXX

DATE OF BIRTH                :                10/12/18XX

NATIONALITY                   :                Indian

RELIGION                          :                Hindu

MARITAL STATUS            :                Married

GENDER                            :                Male

AGE                                   :                XX years

Language Known            : Hindi, English, Bengali, Assamese.

Professional Experience:

1. Worked as a physical education teacher in XYZ School, Gurugram for 2 years.

2. Presently working as a sport coach with ABC Club, Guwahati.

Educational Qualification:

1. Passed Higher Secondary School Examination, CBSE Board from Central School Delhi with 81% aggregate.

2. Bachelor’s degree in physical education from Matrix university Rohtak

3. SAI Certified Coach in Athletics.

SKILLS:

1. Ability to coach different children.

2.  Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

3.  Highly organized and dedicated to work.

4.  Goal-oriented and resourceful.

5.  Great communication skills.

6  Ability and patience to play with children

Declaration:

I solemnly declare that all the above information are correct to the best of my knowledge.

Date:    23/02/20XX                                                                                                                                     Ramesh

Place:    Barpeta                                                                                                                                           Signature

 

Or

You are Gaurav/Garima, a resident of Guwahati. Write a letter to the editor of a local daily expressing your views against the incentives use of loudspeaker during festival. 10

Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati

15^th Febuary,20XX

The Editor

The Telegraph

Guwahati- 781001

Sub: Complaining about noise pollution

Sir,

Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I want to draw the attention of the authorities towards the noise created by loudspeakers and vehicles.

Not a single day passes, when one cannot escape from the noisy atmosphere. The blaring (loud unpleasant noise) of loudspeakers at the time of religious ceremonies, birthday parties or wedding ceremonies adds to the noise in the area. People use the loudspeakers at a high volume, which harms our ears and other sensitive parts of the body. The vehicular pollution too disturbs our health. The patients are unable to have a sound sleep. The attention of the students is affected due to loud noise, and thus, puts a direct impact on their health and studies.

 

 I request the authorities to take remedial steps in this regard and instruct to use the loud speakers at the lower pitch. This will definitely bring a relief to all. I hope my voice will reach to the authorities and the residents would be protected.

Thanking You,                                                                                                                                               Yours Faithfully,

                                                                                                                                                                             Mohan/Anjali

SECTION – C (Grammar: 20 Marks)

5. Change the form of the narration in the following sentences: 2x2=4

a) Alexander said to Porus, “How do you desire to be treated?” He answered, “Like a king.”

Ans: Alexander asked Porus How you desired to be treated. He answered that he desired to be treated like a king.

b) The boys exclaimed in joy that they had all passed the test and that they would celebrate their success the next day.

Ans: The boys said, "Hurrah! we have all passed the test. ‘’we shall all celebrate our success tomorrow".

6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences:        1x3=3

a) The nurse is looking after this little girl.

Ans: This little girl is being looked after by the nurse.

b) Morning shows the day.

Ans: The day is showed by morning. Or It is said that morning shows the day.

c) The glass has not been broken by anybody.

Ans: Nobody has broken the glass.

d) What causes an earthquake?

Ans: By what an earthquake is. caused?

e) The ground has to be cleared by us.

Ans: We have to clean the ground.

f) The Governor gave him a reward.

Ans: A reward was given to him by the Governor.

7. Rewrite any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense forms: 1x5=5

a) My brother (practise) law these days.

Ans: Practices

b) The patient (die) before the doctor reached.

Ans: had died

c) You (sleep) when I entered the room.

Ans: were sleeping

d) She (come) here the day after tomorrow.

Ans: will come

e) They (win) the match.

Ans: won

f) We (visit) the Taj Mahal last year.

Ans: visited

8. Rewrite any four of the following sentences filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions: 1x4=4

a) The ship is sailing _______ the shore.

Ans: towards

b) Cut the rope _______ a knife.

Ans: with

c) I am taller than you _______ two inches.

Ans: by

d) There was a bridge _______ the river.

Ans: over

e) We depend _______ you.

Ans: on

f) He begged _­­­­___ help from me.

Ans: for

g) I do not believe _______ his honesty.

Ans: in

9. Rewrite any four of the following sentences as directed:            1x4=4

a) Why waste time in this fruitless occupation? (Make in assertive)

Ans: I should not waste time in this fruitless occupation.

b) It is often difficult to speak the truth. (Make it negative without changing the meaning)

Ans: It is often not easy to speak the truth.

c) Being ill, he could not attend school. (Make it a compound sentence)

Ans: He was ill so that he could not attend school.

d) On seeing the lion, he ran away. (Make it a complex sentence)

Ans: As soon as he saw the lion he ran away.

e) The students who are good do their homework regularly. (Make it a simple sentence)

Ans: Good students do their homework regularly.

f) Atul is the best boy in the class. (Change it into positive degree)

Ans: No other boy in the class is as good as Atul.

SECTION – D (Text books: 45 Marks)

10. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

a)    “Now we will count to twelve

And we will all keep still.

Fit once on the face of the Earth

Let’s not speak in any language,

Let’s stop for one second,

And not move our arms so much.”

Question:

1. How long does the poet want to stay still?       1

Ans. The poet wants to stay still until everyone counts to twelve.

2. Why does he ask us to keep still and not use any language?      2

Ans. There are only twelve-hour signs on the clock to measure hours. Therefore, he asks us to count until the clock measures those hours.

3. What does the poet mean by ‘not move our arms so much’?   1

Ans: Ans. The poet means that we should not involve in any physical activity.

Or

b)    “Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,

The sadness that lurks near the open window there,

That waits all day in almost open prayer

For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car.”

Questions:

1. What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘in vain’?  1+1=2

Ans. The poet thinks that the people who are running the roadside stand suffer from a childish longing. The childish longing the poet refers to in ‘A Roadside Stand’ is the simple desire of the roadside stand sellers to sell their products. They wait beside the open window the whole day and pray for customers to turn up. This childish longing is in vain as nobody passing by buys from their stand.

2. Who waits near the open window?     1

Ans: The people who are running the roadside stand waits near the open window.

3. What does the person waiting near the open window pray for?              1

Ans: The person waiting near the open window pray for customers to turn up.

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30 – 40 words:           2x3=6

a) What is the message that Keats wants to convey through “A Thing of Beauty”?

Ans. The poem, 'A Thing of Beauty' leaves with the message that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The memories of a beautiful thing continue to gladden our hearts and inspire us in the journey of life. A beautiful thing will never fade away, but its loveliness will increase with time. Despite the burdens, troubles and sufferings in life, a thing of beauty will uplift and inspire us to lead and love life.

b) What do you young sprinting trees signify in the poem, “My Mother at Sixty-Six”?

Ans. The poet was driving a car with her mother. When she looked at the trees, they appeared to be 'sprinting because the car was speeding past in the opposite direction. The 'young trees' represented life in contrast to her mother's approaching death. It signifies a zeal and enthusiasm for life.

c) Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ in the poem, “My Mother at Sixty-Six”?

Ans. The poet compares her mother's face to a late winter's moon. Just as a 'late winter's moon' looks colourless and dull because of mist and fog, the poet's mother's face looks pale and lacks shine due to old age. Moreover, winter is the last season, and old age is the last phase of life.

d) What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem “Keeping Quiet”?

Ans. The sadness that Neruda talks about in ‘Keeping Quiet’ is the sorrow of not understanding ourselves. We go about life rather mechanically without knowing what we like or what we want to do. We are immensely busy in achieving materialistic things which ultimately leads to sadness. We can understand ourselves only if we stop all our actives for moments and do some quiet introspection.

e) What is ‘in the news’ as mentioned in the poem “A Roadside Stand”?

Ans. It is in the news that the pitiful kin are to be bought out and gathered in mercifully. They would be settled in villages next to the theatre and the store. Their places will be taken over by the rich and the cunning people. The villagers ‘won’t have to think for themselves anymore’. The greedy and cruel exploiters will dominate them.

12. Answer any five of the following questions:                1x5=5

a) What, according to M. Hamel, is the great trouble with Alsace?

Ans: The great trouble with Alsace, according to M. Hamel, is that its people constantly put off learning until tomorrow. This procrastination leads to them losing their own language.

b) What does Mukesh want to become?

Ans: Mukesh wants to become a motor mechanic and dreams of learning to drive a car, thereby escaping the traditional cycle of poverty in the bangle-making industry.

c) Where was the original home of Saheb’s family?

Ans: Saheb’s family originally came from the green fields of Dhaka in Bangladesh, which they left many years ago due to storms that swept away their homes and fields.

d) Why was Gandhi visiting Lucknow in 1916?

Ans: Gandhi was visiting Lucknow in 1916 to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress party. It was here that he met Rajkumar Shukla.

e) For whom does Sophie ask Danny Casey an autograph?

Ans: Geoff, Sophie's older brother, works as an apprentice mechanic far away in the city, but he never seems to have much money.

f) What work does Geoff do?

Ans. Geoff is Sophie’s elder brother. He is an apprentice mechanic.

g) What position did John Rowntree hold before leaving Shillong a few days after Independence?

Ans: Before leaving Shillong, a few days after Independence, John Rowntree held the post of senior conservator of the forests of Assam.

13. Answer any five in 30 – 40 words:    2x5=10

a) Why did Wachter, the blacksmith, bell Franz that he would reach school in ‘Plenty of time’?

Ans: Wachter, the blacksmith, was reading the bulletin when Franz passed by. He told him not to hurry to school as he was aware that it would be M. Hamel's last lesson that day. The bulletin board carried the news that only German would be taught in the districts of Alsace and Lorraine.

b) Give a brief description of Seemapuri.

Ans: Seemapuri is a place on the outskirts of Delhi. It was previously a wilderness but is now populated by the migrants from Bangladesh who came to stay there in 1971. They live in mud structures with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. More than 10,000 rag pickers live here without any facilities of sewage, drainage and running water.

c) Was Saheb happy with his job at the tea stall?

Ans: Saheb has a job at the tea stall down the road for which he is paid 800 rupees and given all his meals. He does not look happy. His face has lost the carefree look that it used to have before. The light plastic bag he used to carry earlier is replaced by the heavy steel canister, which seems heavier than the plastic bag. He is no longer his own master and has lost the freedom to roam about with his army of barefoot boys.

d) Why was Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter to Gandhi ‘extraordinary’?

Ans: Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter to Gandhi was extraordinary because in smaller localities, Indians were afraid of the Britishers and they hesitated to show sympathy for people like Gandhi who advocated Indian rule.

e) What other dreams does Sophie have besides having a boutique?

Ans: Sophie wants to have a boutique when she grows up. She would like to be a manager, to begin with. She is also keen on becoming an actress or a fashion designer. She wants a sophisticated career which would also earn her a lot of money.

f) Why was Sophie fascinated by Danny Casey? Was it a one-sided affair?

Ans: Sophie was fascinated by Danny Casey because she was a dreamer who lived in a world of fantasy. Danny Casey, a young, handsome, and talented Irish football prodigy, represented all the success, glamour, and escape she desired. She idealized him as an "innocent genius".

Yes, it was entirely a one-sided affair. Sophie's entire relationship with Danny Casey, including their supposed meeting in the arcade, was a fabrication of her own imagination.

g) Write, a brief, the scene observed by the author from the veranda of his bungalow on the bank of the Brahmaputra.

Ans. The veranda of his bungalow at Gauhati gave a splendid view of the river and its shipping and beyond it the Himalayas. Peacock Island could be seen in the foreground and the dome of a Hindu temple was visible through the trees.

14. Answer any one of the following question in 80 – 100 words: 5x1=5

a) How does M. Hamel make the people realize how they, the students and he have been responsible for not learning their language well?

Ans. M. Hamel did not wish to blame Franz for his failure to learn his lessons. He said that there were others also to be blamed. The children’s parents were not too keen on their children getting education. They preferred to send them to work on a farm or at the mills so that a little more money could be generated. M. Hamel blamed himself too, and said that he was also responsible for the children's failure to learn. He used to send them to water the flowers in his garden instead of making them learn their lessons. Whenever he wanted to go fishing, he used to give them a holiday. He pointed out that the great trouble with the inhabitants of Alsace was that they always practiced procrastination and put off learning their language to an indefinite time. They used to think that they had plenty of time, and learning could take place later. On account of this, others will have the opportunity of telling them that despite being Frenchmen, they can neither speak nor read their own language fluently.

Or

b) Write briefly on the hazard of working in the glass bangles industry.

Ans. Firozabad is famous for its glass bangle industry. Most of the families there are involved in bangle making. Young boys and girls sit with their parents and works in dark huts, by the flickering light of oil lamps welding pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes become more used to the dark than to the light outside. Due to this reason, children often lose their eye-sight before they become adults. Working in the glass bangle industry is hazardous for both young children and adults. However, they continue to do so as they are oppressed by the nexus of sahukars and middlemen, who are supported by powerful people in the exploitation of the poor bangle makers. They work in small dark rooms without air and light. They are affected by the high temperature of the furnace. The dust from the bangles harms their eyes. All these conditions are put significant risk to their health.

15. Answer any one of the following question in 125 – 150 words:           7x1=7

a) Compare and contrast the stories of Zitkala-Sa and Bama.

Ans. Two women Zitkala-Sa and Bama, both from marginalised communities look back on their childhood days and reflect on their relationship with mainstream culture. Zitkala is a Native American born in the late 19th century whereas Bama is a contemporary Tamil Dalit writer.  Zitkala-Sa is a victim of racial discrimination. and Bama has witnessed caste discrimination

Zitkala-Sa was a young Native American in a boarding school. People from her community grew their hair and kept long, thick hair. It was a matter of pride for them to keep long hair. Only mourners wore short hair and cowards had shingled hair. Unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Regardless of her feelings or opinion in the matter, she was hunted down like an animal, when she had concealed herself to protect her hair. She was dragged out from her hiding place, under the bed and forcibly carried downstairs and tied up in a chair, after which her hair was cut off. She loses her spirit when one of her thick braids is cut off.

Bama saw the landlord practise untouchability against an important elderly person from her community. The man had been asked to bring vadais, and he was carrying it in such a way that his hands did not touch the package. He was holding the package by its string. Bama was too young to understand that what she saw was an act of discrimination. She found it funny and told her brother about what she had seen. Her brother was not amused and enlightened her about the discrimination against them because they were Dalits and the others thought that they would be polluted if they touched them. On hearing this, Bama is deeply sad and also angered at this distinction. She follows her brother's advice to study hard and learn all that she could to progress in life to overcome the disadvantages of being born in a particular community.

 Both the stories are narrated in the first person, and we feel the anguish experienced by the writers as they faced discrimination.

Or

b) Give an elaborate account of the celebration associated with Uruka, the important part of Magh Bihu.

Ans. Uruka is celebrated on the eve of Bihu. Women make preparations for the next day with chira, pita, laru, curd etc. There are works to be done like fuel to be gathered, fish to be caught from ponds or streams and meat to be got. The tribal women prepare undistilled rice beer, which in winter requires four to five days to mature. Temple, like structures have to be built in the fields. These are made with green bamboo, dried banana leaves and hay. They are temple shaped and called meji. The hut-like structure is called Bhelaghar. Cowherds make use of these bhelaghars at night, warming themselves by a fire and using the vegetables stolen from villagers' gardens, along with the eatables that are given to them. Uruka feasting may be enjoyed with family or community. The day after the evening feast, a family member ties thin strips of bamboo, jute or hay around fruit trees at the crack of dawn.  After this, they call out to the dogs and offer them rice. Women clean the house and the cooking utensils. Everybody takes a purifying bath and puts on clean clothes. Men and children go to the mejis and bhelaghars to offer eatables to Agni, the fire god. After this, chanting the name of God, the structures are set on fire, with the flames giving warmth to the people shivering from the cold. Brahmins or elderly persons put ash marks on the forehead of people and bless them.  The half-burnt bamboo sticks are scattered in the fields and pieces are also thrown near the fruit trees. It is believed that this increases the fertility of the fields and gardens. After the mejis and bhelaghars are burnt, a hymn singing session is held to the accompaniment of kettle drums and cymbals. Chira, pita and curd are consumed for lunch instead of the usual rice and curry. There are other special preparations also made for the occasion.

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words:  2x4=8

a) How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the tiger king?

The king was killed by the wooden toy tiger, the hundredth tiger. An unskilled carving left tiny wooden slivers on the toy. One quill pierced the Maharaja’s right hand, causing a severe infection that spread across his arm. Surgeons failed to save him, and he died. Thus, the hundredth tiger took its final revenge.

b) Why did the messenger come to Dr. Sadao?

Ans: The messenger had come to Dr Sadao’s house to inform him that the old General was in pain again and had to be attended to. When Hana first saw the uniformed messenger, she got frightened, for she thought that he had come to arrest her husband for harbouring an enemy in their house.

c) How did Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?

Ans. To remove Derry's baseless fears, Mr. Lamb tells him a story about a man who was afraid of everything in the world. He was afraid that things would go wrong, and the worst would happen. He locked himself up in his room to be safe. A picture hanging on the wall fell on his head and killed him. Derry is amused at this story and laughs.

d) Why did it take Bama to reach home in 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes?

Ans: The bazaar, on the way home, was always buzzing with activity. The snake charmer, street plays, puppet shows, and stunt performance were a few interesting things going on there. Bama used to love all these things. Due to this reason, it took Bama thirty minutes to cover a ten-minute distance.

e) How did Annan explain the elder man’s action to Bama?

Ans. Annan explained to Bama that the elderly man wasn’t being funny when he carried the packet by the string. He did it as people believed that they were upper castes and the touch of Dalits would pollute them. Hence he had to carry the package without touching it.

f) What are the different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi?

Ans.  An interesting feature of Magh Bihu is the conduct of sports like wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo fighting and egg fighting. In earlier times, it was customary to have martial games like sword play and javelin throw. Young people used to practise earnestly for the events, weeks ahead.

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