ISC English Language Previous Year Question Paper 2014 Solved for Class 12

Question 1.
Write a composition (in approximately 450-500 words) on any one of the following subjects: (You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.) [30]
(a) ‘The small things that we own are the most precious to us. ’ Give your views on the statement.
(b) Write about an incident in your life when you experienced the pain of defeat. It had seemed to you then that life would come to an end. What lessons did you learn from the experience and how did you move ahead after that incident?
(c) Describe the career you have decided to pursue and the factors that have influenced you to make that decision)
(d) ‘Capital punishment should be abolished. ’ Argue for or against the proposition.
(e) Luck.
(f) Write an original story beginning with the following words :
“The silence of the evening was broken when I heard my sister’s shrill cry ……………………………”
Answers:
(a) Develop the following value points and complete the essay.

  • small things, usually taken for granted
  • importance felt only in their absence
  • broom, an agent of cleanliness
  • gas lighter/matchbox
  • process of cooking, begins with it
  • soap for bathing, and washing
  • pillow, mosquito repellent
  • no substitute for these small things

(b) Make use of the following points and write the essay.

  • engaged to a beautiful girl
  • dreaming of a happy married life ahead
  • she died in an accident
  • shocked and defeated in my aspirations
  • phase of frustration, no meaning of life
  • appointed in a village hospital
  • served the sick and the needy, found a new meaning of life
  • life is foil of uncertainties, try to live in the present
  • make the best use of the present

(c) Develop the following value points and complete the essay.

  • I shall pursue the career of a Civil Servant
  • security of service, no boss to ‘dismiss’ me
  • adequate income, position and power
  • regular promotion, recognition of talent/merit
  • ample opportunity to pursue hobbies, literary or artistic tastes
  • no inclination to indulge in political activities.

(d) Make use of the following hints and write the essay.

  • a hotly debated topic
  • should certainly be abolished
  • life is given by God, He alone has the right to take it back
  • inhuman, cruel
  • inhumanity cannot be countered with inhumanity n
  • every sinner has a future, every saint had a past s n!
  • should be replaced by life imprisonment.
  • term of imprisonment may vary from twenty to two hundred years

(e) Develop the following value points and write the essay.

  • the word ‘luck’ differently interpreted
  • fortune, favours only fools
  • fate or chance, may or may not favour
  • good opportunities, prosperity, comforts of life, no difficulties in life
  • supreme power, favours the industrious
  • not blind, favours according to one’s deservings

(f) Make use of the following points and write the story

  • time of evening, black clouds hovering
  • electricity failed, pitch darkness
  • silence, suddenly broken, shrill cry of Meenu, my sister
  • rushed to her room on first floor
  • trembling with fear, had seen some strange being in darkness
  • big teeth, dishevelled hair
  • took a round of the house in torchlight
  • nobody to be found, after an hour calmed, refused to sleep in her room

Question 2.
You have recently visited a tourist destination. Write a description of it for a travel magazine in about 300 words using the points given below: [20]
Name of the place — location — means of travelling to the destination — climate — best season to visit – picturesque landscape — lodging and food — recreational facilities — places of interest in the area – local language/dress — handicrafts/products — overall experience.
Answer:
One of the most beautiful places in Kangra valley is Dharamshala which I visited last month in the company of my friends. We had heard a lot about this beautiful tourist resort of Himachal Pradesh. From Pathankot to Jogindar Nagar we travelled by train. The joumey was really enjoyable by train. The journey was really enjoyable as the weather was very fine. There was greenery all around and a cold wind was blowing.

We stayed in Sood Guest House on Cantt road in Kotwali Bazar. The rooms there were quite comfortable with all modem facilities. It was the month of June, the best season for visiting this place.

The guest house had a balcony from where the valley presented a picturesque view. We took our breakfast in the balcony where tables and chairs were laid. Then we made a programme of visiting Mcleod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and head quarter of the Tibetan Government in exile. It is about 10 kilometres from Dharamshala. We visited the famous temple the home of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. We came across many Tibetan monks who greeted us with a friendly smile. We enjoyed western food in a hotel. In the evening we came back to our guest house.

The next day we visited Kangra Art Musium. From our guest house it was at a distance of only one kilometre. We preferred to go on foot. We saw beautiful miniature paintings of Kangra school of art. Beautiful elaborately embroidered costumes of Kangra people were also displayed there. The wood carvings and the tribal jewellery displayed there were indeed very beautiful.

We spent five days in Dharamshala. Dining the daytime the weather was cool and enjoyable but the nights were rather cold/Twice it rained. On the whole the stay was highly enjoyable.

Question 3.
Answer sections (a), (b) and (c).
(a) In each of the following items, sentence A is complete, while sentence B is not. Complete sentence B, making it as similar in meaning as possible to sentence A. [10]
Write sentence B in each case.
Example :
(0)
(A) I lost the book.
(B) The book ………………………………
Answer:
(0) The book was lost by me.

(1)
(A): Raju plays both cricket and football.
(B): Not only ………………………………

(2)
(A): She was too full for another meal.
(B) : She was so ………………………………

(3)
(A): Ranjeet said, “Sheela, why don’t you take the advice of your parents in this matter?”
(B): Ranjeet asked Sheela ………………………………

(4)
(A): Rahul has not been to school for over two months.
(B): It has ………………………………

(5)
(A): As soon as he entered the room, he slipped and fell.
(B): Hardly ………………………………

(6)
(A): Candidates may not bring textbooks into the examination hall.
(B) : Candidates are ………………………………

(7)
(A): Although it was a sunny day, it was very cold.
(B) : Despite ………………………………

(8)
(A): The book I had read earlier was better than this book.
(B) : This book is ………………………………

(9)
(A): They said that he had broken the chair.
(B): They accused ………………………………

(10)
(A): All the girls have brought their books with them.
(B): Each of the girls ………………………………

(b) Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (Do not write the sentence). [5]
1. We failed to agree ____________ a common plan of action.
2. When I explained my plan of action to him, he did not agree ____________ me.
3. The Principal does not approve ____________ indiscipline.
4. I need his approval ____________ I can start the work.
5. An explanation about the evolution of species is given ____________ Chapter 2.
6. The answers to these questions are given ____________ page 44.
7. One fine day, he set ____________ on his adventurous trip.
8. As soon as he entered the room, he set ____________ his heavy bag.
9. It has been a long time ____________ I saw her.
10. I have not seen Ravi ____________ ten years.

(c) Fill in the blanks in the passage given below with the appropriate form of the verbs given in brackets. Do not write the passage, but write the verbs in the correct order. [5]
We decided to travel by car and ……………………………… (1) (leave) the house early. We ……………………………… (2) (be) on the road for two hours, when our car ……………………………… (3) (hit) a stone that ……………………………… (4) (he) in the middle of the road. The car ……………………………… (5) (go) off the road but we ……………………………… (6) (escape) with minor injuries. Had we ……………………………… (7) (travel) faster, we ……………………………… (8) (involve) in a serious accident. The mishap ……………………………… (9) (delay) us but did not ……………………………… (10) (damp) our enthusiasm.
Answers:
(a) 1. Not only does Raju play cricket but football also.
2. She was so full that she couldnot have another meal.
3. Ranjeet asked Sheela why she didn’t take the advice of her parents in that matter.
4. It has been over two months’ since Rahul has not been to school.
5. Hardly had he entered the room when he slipped and fell.
6. Candidates are not allowed to bring textbooks into the examination hall.
7. Despite being a sunny day, it was very cold.
8. This book is not so good as the one I had read earlier.
9. They accused him of breaking the chair.
10. Each of the girls has brought her books with her.

(b)
(1) to (2) with (3) of (4) before (5) in (6) at (7) out (8) aside (9) since (10) for

(c)
(1) leave (2) had been (3) hit (4) lay (5) went (6) escaped (7) traveled (8) would have been involved (9) delayed (10) dampen

Question 4.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions (a), (b) and (c) that follow:

The Snow Goose

(1) In the late spring of 1930, Philip Rhayader came to the abandoned lighthouse at the mouth of the river Adder on the Essex coast. He was a painter of birds and of nature and had withdrawn from all human society. He was afflicted with a hunched back and a deformed, twisted hand.

(2) Although physical deformity often breeds hatred of humanity in people, Rhayader did not hate any one. His heart was filled with pity and understanding. He had mastered his handicap, but he could not master the rebuffs he suffered because of his appearance. The thing that drove him into seclusion was his failure to find anybody who loved him as much as he loved nature and humanity.

(3) One November afternoon, three years after Rhayader had come to the Great Marsh, a child approached his lighthouse studio. In her arms, she carried a burden. She was no more than twelve, slender, dirty, nervous and timid as a bird, but beneath the dirt, as beautiful as a fairy. She was desperately frightened of the ugly man she had come to see, but greater than her fear was the need of that which she carried. For locked in her child’s heart was the knowledge picked up somewhere in the swamp-land, that this ogre who lived in the lighthouse had magic that could heal injured things.

(4) She had never seen Rhayader before and was close to fleeing in panic at the dark apparition that appeared at the studio door, drawn by her footsteps—the black head and beard, the sinister hump and the crooked hand, bent at the wrist. She stood there staring, poised like a disturbed marsh bird for instant flight. But his voice was deep and kind when he spoke to her.

“What is it, child?”

(5) She stood her ground, and then edged timidly forward. The thing she carried in her arms was a large white bird, and it was quite still. There were stains of blood on its whiteness and on her dress where she had held it to her.

(6) The girl placed it in his arms. “I found it, sir. It is hurt. Is it still alive ?” “Yes. Yes, I think so. Come in, child, come in.” Rhayader went inside bearing the bird, which he placed upon a table, where it moved feebly.

Curiosity overcame fear. The little girl followed and found herself in a room warmed by a coal fire, shining with many coloured pictures that covered the walls, and full of a strange but pleasant smell.

(7) The bird fluttered. With his good right hand Rhayader spread one of its immense white pinions. The end was beautifully tipped with black. Rhayader looked and marvelled, and said, “Child, where did you find it ?”

(8) “In the marsh, sir, where fowlers had been. What – what is it, sir ?”

“It is a snow goose from Canada. But how in heaven did it come here ?”

(9) The name seemed to mean nothing to the little girl. Her deep, violet eyes, shining out of the dirt on her thin face, were fixed with concern on the injured bird.

She said, “Can you heal it, sir ?”
“Yes, yes,” said Rhayader. “We will try. Come, you shall help me.”

(10) There were scissors and bandages and splints on a shelf, and he was marvellously deft, even with the crooked hand that managed to hold things. He said, “Ah, she has been shot, poor thing. Her leg is broken, and the wing tip, but not badly. We will bandage the wing closer to her body, so that she cannot move it until it has set, and then make a splint for the poor leg.”

(11) Her fears forgotten, the child watched, fascinated, as he worked, and fixed a fine splint to the shattered leg. “A bitter reception for a visiting princess,” concluded Rhayader. “We will call her the Lost Princess. And in a few days, she will be feeling much better. See ?”

(12) He reached into his pocket and produced a handful of grains. The snow goose opened its round yellow eyes and nibbled at it. The child laughed with delight.

Paul Gallico — The Snow Goose (Adapted)

(a)
(i) Given below are four words and phrases. Find the words which have a similar meaning in the passage: [4]
(1) cruel and frightening person
(2) seemingly evil and dangerous
(3) wings
(4) skilful

(ii) For each of the words given below, write a sentence of at least ten words using the same word unchanged in form, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage : [4]
(1) master (Line 6) (2) flight (LineT9)
(3) still (Line 22) (4) bitter (Line 44)

(b) Answer the following questions in your own words as briefly as possible :
1. Why did Rhayader live alone ? [2]
2. What was the child’s reaction on first seeing Rhayader? [3]
3. What was the child’s burden ? [2]
4. How did Rhayader manage to fascinate the child and make her happy ? [3]

(c) Describe how Rhayader attended to the bird (paragraphs 6 to 12) in not more than 100 words. Failure to keep within the word limit will be penalised. You will be required to:
1. List your ideas clearly in poifit form. [6]
2. In about 100 words, write your points in the form of a connected passage. [6]
Answers:
(a) (i)
(1) ogre
(2) sinister
(3) pinions
(4) deft

(ii)
(1) Master : With regular and constant practice you can become a master craftsman.
(2) Flight: An airplane crash took place when it was in flight over a tall cliff.
(3) Still: If you are still adamant to go, you can do so at your own risk.
(4) Bitter: Her pain grew bitter and bitter till she could bear it no more.

(b)
1. Rhayader lived alone as he was afflicted with a hunched back and a deformed, twisted hand. He had withdrawn from all human society.
2. The child’s first reaction on seeing Rhayader was of fear. She turned panicky at his black head and beard, the sinister hump and crooked hand. She had never seen such a dark apparition-like person before.
3. The child was carrying an injured snow goose in her hands. She came to Rhayader to seek relief and dressing for the bird.
4. Rhayader fascinated the child with his deft and sy mpathetic handling of the bird. He assured her that the harm done to the bird was manageable and the bird would be all right soon with the bandage and treatment.

(c) (i) Points
A. The girl hands over the bird
(i) her curiosity to know about the condition of the bird
(ii) Rhayader takes the bird in hand
(iii) both in the studio

B. Rhayader’s query about the bird
(i) where the girl found it
(ii) how a snow goose from Canada came there
(iii) The girl’s concern only about the bird’s treatment

C. How Rhayader manages to treat the bird
(i) even with crooked hand he could handle things deftly
(ii) his assurance to the girl
(iii) bandage and splint to be helpful

D. The girl’s fascination over the treatment
(i) (he girl watching Rhayader applying bandage and splint eagerly
(ii) Rhayader calls the bird Lost Princess
(iii) feeds her with grains
(iv) the girl’s delight

(ii) Rhayader attended to the injured bird brought by the girl earnestly. The girl wished the bird to be treated soon. Rhayader wanted to know how this snow goose from Canada landed there. But the girl was concerned only about the treatment. hayader handled the injured bird skilfully. He told the girl that the bird’s wing and leg which were broken needed bandage and splint. The girl was fascinated and her fears disappeared. Rhayader gave a fine splint to the leg of file bird. He lightheartedly called the bird the Lost Princess. He fed the bird with some grains which she nibbled, thus giving a delight to the girl.

ISC Class 12 English Language Previous Year Question Papers

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