AHSEC Class 12 English Solved Question Paper 2013 [AHSEC Class 12 Solved Question Papers]

English Solved Question Paper 2013

AHSEC Class 12 Solved Question Papers

Full Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 30

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1.       In spite of all the honours that we heaped upon him, Pasteur, as has been said, remained simple at heart. Perhaps the imagery of his boyhood days, when he drew, the familiar scenes of his birthplace, and the longing to be a great artist, never wholly left him. In truth he did become a great artist, though after his sixteenth year he abandoned the brush for ever. Like every artist of worth, he put his whole soul and energy into his work, and it was this very energy that in the end wore him out. For him, each sufferer was something more than just a case that was to be cured. He looked upon the fight against hydrophobia as a battle, and he was absorbed in his determination to win. The sight of injured children, particularly, moved him to an indescribable extent. He suffered with his patients, and yet he would not deny himself a share in that suffering. His greatest grief was when sheer physical exhaustion made him give up his active work. He retired to the estate at Villeneuve Etang, where he had his kennels for the study of rabies, and there he passed his last summer, as his great biographer,….. Radot, has said, “Practicing the Gospel virtues.”

2.       “He revered the faith of his fathers, “says the same writer,” and wished without ostentation or mystery to receive its aid during his last period,”

3.       The attitude of this man to the science he had done so much to perfect can be best summed up in a sentence that he is reputed once to have uttered, concerning the materialism of many of his contemporaries in similar branches of learning to his own: “The more I contemplate the mysteries of Nature, the more my faith becomes like that of a peasant.”

4.       But even in retirement he loved to see his former pupils, and it was then he would reiterate his life principles: “Work, “he would say, “never cease to work.” So well had he kept this precept that he began rapidly to sink from exhaustion.

5.       Finally on September 27, 1895, when someone leant over his bed to offer him a cup of milk he said sadly: “I cannot”, and with a look of perfect resignation and peace, seemed to fall asleep. He never again opened his eyes to the cares and sufferings of a world, which he had done so much to relieve and to conquer. He was within three months of his seventy-third birthday.

6.       Thus passed, as simply as a child, the man whom the French people were to vote at a plebiscite as the greatest man that France had ever produced. Napoleon, who had always been considered the idol of France, was placed fifth.

7.       No greater tribute could have been paid to Louis Pasteur, the tanner’s son, the scientist, the man of peace, the patient worked for humanity.

Answer the following questions:

a)       Even accolades and honours did not change the simple man that Pasteur was. Why?                 2

b)      How did Pasteur view those who suffered from diseases?     2

c)       How did Pasteur engage himself in the estate?    2

d)      What advice did he always give to his pupils?         2

e)      How did France, the country of his birth, honour this great scientist?

1.2 Find the words from the passage which mean the same as: (3 marks)

a)       To give up (para 1)

b)      People belonging to the same period (para 3)

c)       Vote by the people of the country to decide a matter of national importance (para 6)

ANS: a) Pasteur did not change from the simple man that he was because he continued to live in his childhood. He also remained a simple-hearted person always. Pasteur used to paint and he always wished to be a painter.

(b) Pasteur believed that the sufferer was something more than just a case to be dealt with and cured.

(c) Pasteur retired to the estate at Villeneuve Estang and conducted a study on rabies. He also practised the gospel virtues.

(d) Pasteur advised his pupils never to stop working. According to him, work was the most important of life’s principles.

(e) The greatest tribute that was paid to Louis Pasteur was that the French people voted him as the greatest man that France had ever produced.

1.2 Ans: (a) Abandoned (b) Contemporaries (c) Plebiscite

2. Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words for the Inter-School On-the-spot Painting competition that the Three Arts Club of your school is going to organize at your school.   5

Or

You are the proprietor of Hotel Pinewood, Gangtok. Draft an advertisement for publication in an English newspaper offering attractive discount to Holiday Packages. (Word limit: 50 words)

ANS:

HOTEL PINEWOOD GANGTON OFFERS FANTASTIC OFF-SEASON INCENTIVES HONEYMOON / HOLIDAY PACKAGES 2 days / 3 nights Bonanza Package Rs. 5,555/- per person (Including accommodation, all meals, transfer and sight seeing and two children below 12 adjusted in the same room without any extra charges.)

PLUS: At 8000 feet height in lap of green valley Fishing, Riding & Trekking in Sylvan Surroundings Modern Bar Audio/Video/Children & Indoor Games Conference * Club facility Library CONTACT:  HOTEL PINEWOOD TELEPHONE NO. 01902-254379, 254380

3. You have witnessed a train accident where the Delhi bound Guwahati express derailed. Write a report in 100-125 words to be published in an English daily of Guwahati. You are Arun/Anima.                         10

ANS:

TRAIN ACCIDENT Guwahati, 25th Sep, 2012: Train accidents have become quiet frequent these days. Yesterday, derailment of Delhi bound -Guwahati Express near Rangia Junction , took away two innocent lives and 50 got minor injuries. Minutes after the train had reached the outer signal of the junction , some mistake committed by the signal man caused the derailment  of three boggies. The railway officials and a rescue team arrived at the spot with the police to do the needful. Residents of the place helped the passengers with water, food, and consolation. The government announced compensation of Rs. 500000 to the family of the passenger died and Rs. 100000 to the injured passenger. Reported by Arun/Anima.

Or

You are Priyam/Priya and you have visited your friend, who is staying in the school/college hostel. Write a factual description in 100-125 words including the facilities such as accommodation, food, entertainment, and sports etc, provided there.

Ans:

Visit To My Friend I visited my friend who stays in Dibrugarh in a private hostel near Milan Nagar. I was very happy to reach his place. His room is in the first floor from where the view of the Brahmaputra River is very clear. The building looked like an old one but when I entered it; I found that the room was very spacious. It has an open space outside the house where proper bathroom. It has an open space outside the house where the boys of the hostel could spend time by playing outdoor games. The hostel provided meal three times a day. I found the food quite good. In the evening the boys spend time by watching television and in the evening I along with them sat on the terrace to view the beautiful lights of the city being reflected in the beautiful Brahmaputra River. The town looks very calm from the hostel. Eventually the boys moved to their own rooms to study. The hostel according to me a very congenial place and I loved the environment in and around it. Priyam

4. Write a letter to the Editor on English daily drawing the attention of the authorities concerned to the erratic power supply, particularly during study hours, in your locality. You are Sallman/Syesha.      10

Ans:

To,

The Editor

The Sentinel

Guwahati – 781003

Subject: Erratic power in Dibrugarh.

Dear Sir,

Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw attention of the Assam Power Distribution Company and the concerned department of the Assam Government to the erratic power supply in the entire Dibrugarh.

The residents of this area have been facing great trouble because of unscheduled load-shedding and cutting off of power supply particularly in the evening hours and night. During this summer season people are compelled to spend sleepless nights. The worst sufferers are the students. They are bound to study in candle light at night.

The residents of this area have met high officials of the Assam Power Distribution Company and submitted a petition highlighting the problems and urging them to regularize the power supply. So far nothing has been done and unscheduled load-shedding and power-cuts continued as before in spite of their assurances. The residents have also brought the matter to the notice of concerned department of the Government.

Hope this will attract the attention of the concerned authority and make them take requisite steps to regularize power-supply in the areas.

Yours Truly,

Gautam

Dibrugarh

Or

You are Raja/Sunita. You want to study Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) under Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU), Guwahati. Write a formal letter to the Registrar of KKHSOU to get necessary information about the course, duration of the course, fee structure, mode of learning, evaluation, etc.                              10

Ans:

To

The Registrar

Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU),

Guwahati( Assam)

Subject: Seeking information about Bachelor of Business Management (BBM).

Sir,

I am writing this letter to enquire about Bachelor of Business Management (BBM). I have cleared my H.S 2^nd year examination this year with 78% in commerce stream from Tinsukia College, Tinsukia (Assam). I want to persue BBM from your renowned university. Kindly provide the following information:

1.       How do you evaluate students for admission?

2.       Total yearly cost including tuition fee.

3.       Mode  of Learning

4.       Duration of the course.

5.       Career opportunity.

6.       Faculty Members

Kindly provide the above mentioned details as early as possible so that I can take a sound decision regarding my career.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanking You                                                                                                                                           Yours’ truly

                                                                                                                                                                     Raja/Sunita  

 

Grammar (20 Marks)

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

a)       “Why aren’t you wearing chappals?”

        I ask one boy.

        “My mother did not bring them down from the shelf”, he answers simply.

Ans: I ask one boy why he is not wearing chappals. He answers simply  that his mother did not bring them down from the shelf.

b)      One day Mukesh told me that he would be a motor mechanic and leave Firozabad. I asked him if he knew anything about cars.

Ans: One day Mukesh said to me,’’ I shall be a motor mechanic and leave Firozabad. I said to him, ‘Do you know anything about cars?’’

6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences: 3x1=3

a)       My bicycle has been stolen.

Ans: Someone has stolen my bicycle.

b)      He is expected soon.

Ans: we expect him soon.

c)       He likes tea.

Ans: Tea is liked by him.

d)      Please give me some more time.

Ans: You are requested to give me some more time.

e)      When will the work be finished?

Ans: when will someone finish the work.

f)        Shut the window.

Ans: You are requested to shut the window.

7. Rewrite any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense forms:     5x1=5

a)       Ice (float) on water.

Ans: Floats

b)      He (go) home when we met him.

Ans: was going

c)       I want to go for a walk, but I (not finish) my work yet.

 Ans: Have not finished

d)      Perhaps it (rain) yesterday.

 Ans: Had been raining

e)      All the students (leave) when I reached the school.\

Ans: had left

f)        You (sleep) for three hours now.

Ans: Have been sleeping

g)       We (walk) for two hours at a stretch and now we need to rest.

Ans: have been walking

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

a)       We informed the police ____ the theft in the house.

Ans: about

b)      The children were looking forward ____ their visit to Shillong.

Ans: To

c)       I spoke to her ____ the office.

Ans: At

d)      Did you enjoy yourself ____ the party last night?

ANS: In

e)      The girl standing ____ the two boys is their sister.

Ans: Between

f)        Flour is made ____ wheat.

Ans: From

9. Rewrite any four of the sentences as directed:           4x1=4

a)       Kolkata is bigger than any other city in India. (Change into Positive Degree).

Ans: No other city in India is as big as Kolkata.

b)      He left no plan untried. (Change into affirmative).

Ans: He tried every plan.

c)       He came in the evening. (Change into a complex sentence)

Ans: It was evening when he came.

d)      I shall never forget you. (Change into interrogative).

Ans: Shall I ever forget you?

e)      You must work hard to succeed. (Change into a compound sentence)

Ans: Work hard and you will succeed.

f)        No sooner did he see me than he began to quarrel. (Change into affirmative).

Ans: As soon as he saw me, he began to quarrel.

Text Books 45 Marks

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

a)       “Those who prepare green wars,

Wars with gas, wars with fire,

Victory with no survivors,

Would put on clean clothes

And walk about with their

Brothers

In the shade, doing nothing”

                     i.            What are the different kinds of wars mentioned by the poet in the passage? 1

Ans: The different kinds of wars mentioned by the poet are green wars, Wars with gas, wars with fire.

                   ii.            What kind of victory do they achieve? 1

Ans: They achieve victory with no survivors left.                                                

                 iii.            What should the warmongers do?    1

Ans: The warmongers should walk about with their brothers in the shade , doing nothing.

                 iv.            Find words in the passage that mean “those left alive” and “win”. 1

Ans: : Those left alive- survivors Win- victory.

b)      “The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint

So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid:

Here far from the city we make our roadside stand

And ask for some city money to feel in the hand

To try if it will not make our being expand,

And give us the life of the moving-pictures’ promise

That the party in power is said to be keeping from us”.

                     i.            What is not the complaint of the poet?          1

Ans: The complaint of the is not that the clumsy paint of the building has  spoiled the beauty of the landscape.

                   ii.            What is the real worry of the Poet?     1

Ans: The real worry of the poet is that no one supports the people running the roadside stand.

                 iii.            Why do the people who are running the roadside stand ask for some city money? 1

Ans: To improve their standard of living.

                 iv.            What is the party in power doing for the rural poor?    1

Ans: They make false promise to get their vote and exploit them.

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words:   3x2=6

                     i.            Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their homes’?

Ans: Sprinting trees and merry children bursting out from the doors suggest fresh life and warm energy. The poet draws this image to strikes a scene of contrast with the pale, dull and withered face of the mother. Here the curtain is falling and the life coming to an end and there the curtain is rising and fresh life is beginning and bubbling with energy and vitality.

                   ii.            What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem, ‘keeping quiet’?

Ans: Man’s sadness is formed out of his own thinking. Men fail to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with death. When they do not understand themselves they become sad. A long silence might interrupt this sadness and make them good.

                 iii.            Explain the line: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.

Ans: John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never devalued. It never passes into nothingness.

                 iv.            Name some of the things that the roadside stand offered for sale.

Ans: Wild berries and golden squash.

12. Answer any five of the following questions:                 5x1=5

a)       What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing?

Ans: when M. Hamel  wanted to go fishing he declared holiday.

b)      What is ‘Lost Spring’ about?

Ans: ‘Lost Spring’ is about two poor Indian children Saheb and Mukesh who owing to the poverty had to lose their childhood happiness for the sake of supporting their family.

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

Ans: The original home of Saheb’s family was in Dhaka.

d)      Whom did Gandhi and Shukla propose to meet at Patna?

Ans: Dr. Rajendra Prasad

e)      Why was Gandhi visiting Lucknow in 1916?

Ans: Gandhi visited Lucknow to attend the annual Convention of the Indian National Congress.

f)        How old was the author when he decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool? ( not in syllabus now)

g)       How was Geoff employed?

Ans: Geoff was engaged as an apprentice mechanic

13. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words:       5x2=10

a)       What was the commotion that Franz anticipated in the classroom?

Ans: . Franz anticipated that a great bustle of the school would be heard from the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison and teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table.

b)      What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans: M. Hamel loved his native language very much. He understood the beauty and importance of his language. That day he appreciated his language saying it is the most beautiful language in the world-the clearest, the most logical. He requested them to guard it so that they can be united and fight back for their freedom.

c)       ‘Garbage to them is gold’. Why does the author say so about the rag picker?

Ans: For the rag picker of Seemapuri, garbage is noting less than gold. It is their daily bread for children it is wrapped in wonder. Sometime they find a ten rupee note or even a silver coin in a heap of garbage. For the elders it is a means of survival.

d)      What is the irony inherent in Saheb’s full name?

Ans: Saheb was a rag picker of Seemapuri. His full name was ‘Saheb-E-Alam’, which means lord of the universe. But the irony of it is that Saheb neither knows the meaning of it nor does he possess the characteristic of it. He scrounges for gold in the garbage dumps.

e)      What was the incident that prompted Gandhi to raise his voice of protest against the British?

Ans: While going to attend the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party Lucknow, Gandhi met Rajkumar Shukla there. On his request, Gandhi went to his district, Champaran to find a way out of the unfairness done to the Sharecroppers by the landlords. He, at last, forced out a way for an honourable settlement of the peasants. This episode of Champaran promoted Gandhi to protest against British as it made him clear that they must quit India sooner.

f)        How and why did Douglas develop an aversion to the water when he was in it?( Not in syllabus now)

g)       What other dreams Sophie had besides having a boutique?

Ans: Sophie  had a bundle of big deams, she wants to have a amazing boutique the city has ever seen. Besides, she desires to become an actress or a fashion designer. She can run boutique as side business.

14. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 1x5=5

a)       Describe the unusual things that Franz noticed on the day of the last lesson.

Ans: Franz started for school very late. He was frightened because he had not prepared his lesson on participles. When he reached the school he noticed many unusual things. First, he noticed the school was as quit as on a Sunday. The sound of opening and closing of desks, lessons read in unison and the rapping of teacher’s ruler were not heard. When Franz entered the classroom the teacher did not scold him although he was late. He saw that the class was maintaining complete silence. M. Hamel had come in his best brass, which he used to wear on inspections and prize day. Moreover the back benches of the classroom were occupied elderly people of the village who had come to thanks M.Hamel for his faithful service. They all looked very sad.

b)      Describe the exploitation of the indigo sharecroppers by the English landlords. Did Gandhi help them to get an honourable statement?

Ans:  The English landlords in Champaran compelled all sharecroppers to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo. They had to surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent to the landlords. This was done by a long-term contract. Then Germany developed synthetic indigo. The plantation of natural indigo was no more a profitable business for English landlords. They decided to free the Indian sharecroppers from 15% contract. They were to pay compensation for this freedom. The peasants saw through the trick and fraud of the landlords. Therefore, they refused to pay the compensation. Those who had signed the agreement demanded their money back.

Gandhi went to Bihar to take up the cause of poor peasants. There was a huge demonstration of thousands of peasants the very next day. The government was baffled. A commission of inquiry was constituted. Gandhi was the sole representative of the peasants. The landlords decided to refund the money to the peasants. At last, they settled for 25%. The amount of refund was less important. The more important thing was the victory of the peasants and the victory of the Civil Disobedience in India.

15. Answer any one of the following questions in 125-150 words:      1x7=7

a)       How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of human kind? How is Antarctica a part of that human history?

Ans: Definitely, geological phenomena help us to know about the history of human kind. Geologists tell us that about 650 million years ago, a giant 'amalgamated' supercontinent existed in the south. This supercontinent was called Gondwana. At that time India and Antarctica were parts of the same landmass. Gondwana centered around present-day Antarctica. Things were quite different at that time. Man had not appeared on the global scene yet. The climate of Gondwana was much warmer. It had a huge variety of flora and fauna. The supercontinent survived for about 500 million years. Then the dinosaurs became totally extinct. The age of mammals got underway. Then due to certain geological disturbances, the landmass was forced to separate into countries.

Antarctica is a part of that human history. It is a place where 90 per cent of the Earth's total ice volumes are stored. Here, we can study ozone and carbon; evolution and extinction. India was pushed northwards. South America drifted off to join North America. It opened up the Drake Passage. It created a cold circumpolar current. The cold current kept Antarctica frigid and desolate.

Or

b)      Describe the experience Bama had on her way back home which made her feel sad.

Ans: A strange scene amused Bama. A threshing floor had been set up at a corner of the street. Men were working and the landlord was watching the proceedings. An old man came from the side of the bazaar. He was carrying a food packet. He was holding it by its string without touching it. The manner of holding the packet amused Bama.

Bama narrated the whole story to her elder brother. But he was not amused. There was nothing comic about it. The landlord belonged to a high caste. The old man belonged to a low caste. He couldn't even touch the food packet. Had he done so, the food could have been polluted.

The landlord would not have accepted it. On hearing this Bama was filled with anger, dismay and revolt. She felt like touching that packet with her own hands. She believed that all are human beings. They need not bow low to their masters. Her elder brother told her that the people of their caste had no respect and dignity. They can earn honour and dignity if they get education and knowledge. The words of her brother touched her deeply. She worked hard and stood first in the class. She proved that she was second to none.

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words: 4x2=8

a)       What emotions did the author experience on reaching Antarctica?

Ans: The first emotion of the narrator on facing Antarctica was that of relief. He felt relieved to set foot on the Antarctic continent after over 100 hours. Its vastness and immense white landscape dazzled his eyes. So was its endless blue horizon. Its isolation from rest of the world created a sense of wonder and mystery.

b)      Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?

Ans: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Jilani Jung Bahadur is called the tiger king.

        The tiger king got his name because when was born, the astrologer predicted that his death would come from a tiger, so he decided to kill hundred tigers for his safety.

c)       Why and how did Derry enter Mr. Lamb’s garden?

Ans: Derry entered Mr. Lamb’s garden by walking slowly and cautiously through the long grass and round a screen of bushes and finally by climbing over the ground.

Derry entered Mr. Lamb’s garden with an intention to spend some time at an empty place. He thought it was an empty place.

d)      Why does Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end?

Ans: Derry is determined to go back to Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb says “things nobody else has ever said”. Moreover, he has promised Mr. Lamb to come back to him. He wants to prove that he has fulfilled his promise. Mr. Lamb has given him a new meaning of life. So he is coming to meet him again.

e)      When did Bama experience untouchability?

Ans: When the narrator was in the third class, she hadn't yet heard people speak only of untouchability. But the curse of untouchability did exist in the society. She had already seen, felt and experienced it. There were occasions when she felt humiliated by it.

f)        How did Zitkala-sa try to hide herself from the ‘others’ in the school? Did she succeed?

Ans: The narrator disappeared unnoticed. She came to a large room with three white beds in it. She crawled under the bed and cuddled herself in the dark corner. From her hiding place she peered out. She shuddered with fear. She couldn't succeed in hiding herself for long. They stormed into the room and dragged her out.

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