RBSE Class 12th 2014 English Literature-SS-20-2014 Previous Year Papers
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| Board | RBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12th |
| Exam year | 2014 |
| Subject | English Literature-SS-20-2014 |
| Resource type | Previous Year Papers |
| Category | RBSE Previous Year Question Papers |
| Website | RBSE Solution |
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RBSE Class 12th 2014 English Literature-SS-20-2014
Scroll through the Previous Year Papers pages for English Literature-SS-20-2014 (2014).
Rajasthan Board Class 12th English Literature-SS-20-2014 2014 solved Previous Year Question Papers
SENIOR SECONDARY EXAMINATION, 2014
ENGLISH LITERATURE
Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 80
No. of Questions — 2 SS—20—Eng. Lit.
No. of Printed Pages — 7
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXAMINEES :
- Candidate must write first his / her Roll No. on the question paper compulsorily.
- All the questions are compulsory.
- Write answers of all questions in your answer-book only.
- For questions having more than one part the answers to those parts are to be written together in continuity.
- Write down the correct serial number of each question before attempting it.
SS—20—Eng. Lit. [ss-5520] [ Turn over
SECTION - I (Reading)
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
Once upon a time, one particular rishi called Gautama did tapasya to obtain certain powers. For several days, months and years he observed rigorous austerities. He did not eat and drink; he stood on a single foot; he controlled the senses; he meditated on the chosen deity. One day in the morning he went to the river for a holy dip. On the bank of the river there was a tree. The branches of the tree were outstretching towards the river. A crane was seated among the branches. When Gautama was in neck-deep water facing towards the sun with austere mind, the droppings of the crane fell on his head. He felt disturbed, annoyed. He looked at the bird with anger. The next moment the bird fell dead. The rishi was happy because he had obtained the power to kill a bird by his very gaze.
After a while, he went to a nearby village for food. He stood before a house and sought alms from the housewife. She was busy doing her domestic chores. Gautama waited for a few minutes. He was annoyed with her for the delay in responding to his call for 'bhiksha'. The lady came, looked at him gently and said, "Sir, I am not a crane to be killed by your stare. Sorry for the delay. I was serving my husband and feeding my children. Please accept the food." The rishi was shocked. He could not know how she was able to learn about the crane which died only a short while ago. The lady further said, "Don't be surprised. I am a humble housewife, if you want to know more about tapasya and attainment of powers, please go to a particular person, whose address I shall give." Humbled and crestfallen the rishi went as directed. It was a greater shock to him to see the particular person to be an ordinary, simple man. The moment the rishi was seen, the man said, "Holy Sir, welcome. I know about the crane's death and that housewife's advice. Please wait a little and I shall take you home."
Later at home the rishi was surprised to see the man delaying him further. He was busily engaged in serving his parents. He did not seem to have read any scriptures, nor did he observe any austerities. But he
English Literature – SS-20-2014
Prose Section
(i) What did Gautama do to attain certain powers?
Gautama performed severe penance and meditation, controlling his senses and desires, to attain spiritual powers. He followed strict ascetic practices and sought knowledge from sages to gain mastery over his mind and body.
(ii) What lesson did Gautama learn from the man?
Gautama learned that true purity lies not in external rituals or powers, but in the purity of mind and heart. The man taught him that compassion and humility are greater than any supernatural ability.
(iii) Write in short, the dialogue which took place between Gautama and the lady.
Gautama asked the lady for alms. The lady replied that she had nothing to give, but offered him water to wash his feet. Gautama was moved by her kindness and realized that true giving comes from the heart, not from wealth.
(iv) Why did Gautama get angry with the crane?
Gautama got angry with the crane because it disturbed his meditation by making noise. He felt that the crane was an obstacle to his spiritual practice, and his anger showed his lack of patience and compassion at that moment.
(v) Mention one thing which you did not like about Gautama.
One thing I did not like about Gautama was his quick temper and anger towards the crane. It showed that despite his spiritual pursuits, he still struggled with controlling his emotions and lacked compassion for other living beings.
Poem Section
Read the following extract from the given poem and answer the questions that follow:
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His act being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwilling to school. And then the lover
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.
(i) How many roles does a person play in his lifetime?
According to the poem, a person plays seven roles (or seven ages) in his lifetime: infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, old age, and second childishness (though only the first five are described in this extract).
(ii) List the similes the poet has used in the poem.
The poet uses the following similes in the extract:
- "creeping like snail" – comparing the schoolboy's slow movement to a snail.
- "sighing like furnace" – comparing the lover's deep sighs to a furnace.
- "bearded like the pard" – comparing the soldier's beard to that of a leopard (pard).
SECTION - I
(iii) How has the poet described the 'justice'?
The poet describes justice as blind, impartial, and fair, holding a balanced scale to weigh truth and falsehood without favor or prejudice.
(iv) Write two characteristics of a soldier.
- A soldier is courageous and ready to sacrifice his life for the nation.
- A soldier is disciplined and loyal to his duty and country.
(v) Which role do you find more interesting? Why?
(Answer depends on the context of the lesson. A sample answer is provided.) I find the role of a teacher more interesting because a teacher shapes the future of students by imparting knowledge and values, which is a noble and fulfilling responsibility.
SECTION - II (Writing)
Write an essay in about 50-200 words on the following:
Election Campaign
An election campaign is a crucial part of democracy where candidates present their vision and promises to the public. It involves rallies, speeches, door-to-door visits, and media advertisements. The campaign aims to convince voters to support a particular candidate or party. It is a time of intense political activity, where issues like development, education, and health are discussed. However, campaigns must be conducted peacefully and ethically. A good campaign educates voters and strengthens democracy. In India, election campaigns are vibrant and colorful, reflecting the diversity of the nation. They play a key role in shaping public opinion and ensuring that the voice of the people is heard.
OR
Pulse Polio Campaign
The Pulse Polio Campaign is a government initiative to eradicate polio from India. It involves administering polio drops to all children under five years of age on designated immunization days. Health workers go door-to-door and set up booths to ensure every child is vaccinated. The campaign has been highly successful, making India polio-free. It raises awareness about the importance of vaccination and protects children from lifelong disability. The campaign is a great example of public health cooperation between the government, volunteers, and communities. It has saved millions of children from polio and is a proud achievement for the nation.
A state level 'Painting Competition' was organised by your school. Write a report on it in about 50-200 words.
Report on State Level Painting Competition
Our school, [School Name], organized a state level painting competition on [Date]. The theme was "Environment Conservation". Students from various schools participated enthusiastically. The event began with a welcome speech by the principal. Participants were given two hours to complete their paintings. The judges appreciated the creativity and awareness shown by the students. The first prize was awarded to [Name] from [School], second prize to [Name], and third prize to [Name]. The competition was a great success and encouraged young artists to express their ideas through art. The event concluded with a vote of thanks.
OR
You attended a mountaineering camp during the summer vacation. Prepare an article for your school magazine giving all the details of the camp.
Article: My Experience at a Mountaineering Camp
During the summer vacation, I attended a mountaineering camp organized by [Organization Name] in the Himalayas. The camp lasted for ten days and included training in rock climbing, trekking, and survival skills. We learned how to use ropes, harnesses, and other equipment. The instructors were experienced mountaineers who taught us about safety and teamwork. We trekked to an altitude of 12,000 feet, which was challenging but thrilling. The camp also included sessions on first aid and environmental conservation. It was an unforgettable experience that taught me discipline, courage, and the beauty of nature. I would recommend such camps to all students.
SECTION - III (Grammar)
In the following passage each line has an error. Edit the passage by identifying the wrong word / an inappropriate expression, strike it off; then write the correct word in your answer-book as shown in the first example:
| Line | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| (i) with it tail high in the air | it | its |
| (ii) it was run fast | run | running |
| (iii) in the middle up the road | up | of |
| (iv) right in back of the bus | back | front |
| (v) The bus move very slowly | move | moved |
| (vi) and the driver sounded their horn loudly | their | his |
| (vii) but the more he honked the less frightened the cow became | less | more |
| (viii) and the faster he galloped | he | it |
| (ix) This was very fun for Paridhi | very fun | great fun |
| (x) and he laughed | he | she |
6. Read the paragraph given below and fill in the blanks in indirect speech :
Direct speech :
Savita said to her friend, "I work as a typist in a store. I come home every afternoon. It is Saturday today, so I am off early. I have an appointment with the doctor too."
Indirect speech :
Savita told her friend that she worked as a typist in a store. She came home every afternoon. It was Saturday that day, so she was off early. She had an appointment with the doctor too.
SECTION – IV (Textual)
7. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
It happened on the day Pablo Neruda stepped on Spanish soil for the first time since the Civil War, on a stopover during a long sea voyage to Valparaiso. He spent a morning with us hunting big game in the second-hand bookstores, and at Porter he bought an old, dried out volume with a torn binding for which he paid what would have been his salary for two months at the consulate in Rangoon.
- (i) What did Pablo buy from the Porter ?
Pablo bought an old, dried out volume with a torn binding from the Porter. - (ii) What impression do you get of Pablo from the passage ?
Pablo Neruda appears to be a passionate lover of books and literature, willing to spend a huge amount (two months' salary) on a rare, old book. He is also shown as a person with a deep connection to his homeland, stepping on Spanish soil for the first time since the Civil War. - (iii) Where did Pablo stop during his long sea voyage ?
Pablo stopped in Spain (on Spanish soil) during his long sea voyage to Valparaiso.
OR
There is an old story of how the Cathedral of Chartres was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Then thousands of people came from all points of the compass, like a giant procession of ants, and together they began to rebuild the cathedral on its old site. They worked until the building was completed — master builders, artists, labourers, clowns, noblemen, priests, burghers. But they all remained anonymous.
- (i) What happened to the cathedral ?
The Cathedral of Chartres was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. - (ii) There is a simile used in the passage. What is it ?
The simile is: "like a giant procession of ants" – comparing the thousands of people coming to rebuild the cathedral to ants working together. - (iii) What is the moral of the story ?
The moral of the story is that great achievements are possible when people from all walks of life work together selflessly, without seeking personal fame or recognition. Unity and collective effort can rebuild even the greatest of losses.
8. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow :
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody Poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we
And mutual fear brings peace
Till the selfish loves increase
Then Cruelty knits a snare
And spread his baits with care.
-
Give an example of personification from the poem.
Answer: "Cruelty knits a snare" – here Cruelty is personified as a person who knits a snare.
-
When would we not require mercy on somebody?
Answer: We would not require mercy on somebody if all were as happy as we are.
-
What happens when selfishness increases?
Answer: When selfishness increases, Cruelty knits a snare and spreads its baits with care, meaning cruelty and harm follow.
OR
For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,
And last of all, Thy greedy self consum'd
Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss
With an individual kiss;
-
What is the rhyming scheme of the stanza?
Answer: The rhyming scheme is aabb (entomb'd/consum'd, bliss/kiss).
-
What does 'thou' here refer to?
Answer: 'Thou' here refers to the soul or the person being addressed.
-
What things are going to get destructed?
Answer: All bad things and the greedy self are going to be destroyed (entombed and consumed).
9. Answer the questions in about 100 words each (any two):
-
Draw a character sketch of Eveline. (Eveline)
Solution: Eveline is a young woman trapped between duty and desire. She is timid, nostalgic, and deeply attached to her family, especially her promise to her deceased mother. Though she dreams of escaping her monotonous life with Frank, she is paralyzed by fear of the unknown and guilt. Her inability to leave shows her as a victim of societal and familial expectations. She ultimately chooses the familiar misery over uncertain happiness, highlighting her passive and conflicted nature.
-
"Through science, people can make use of the laws of nature to control the environment and enhance human powers." Discuss. (On Science Fiction)
Solution: Science fiction often explores how humanity uses scientific knowledge to manipulate nature. By understanding natural laws, humans can develop technologies like genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and climate control. This enhances human capabilities and allows us to reshape our environment. However, the genre also warns of ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences. While science empowers us, it demands responsibility. The statement reflects the optimistic view that science is a tool for progress, but science fiction reminds us that such power must be wielded with caution.
-
Write in short the theme of the poem 'Kubla Khan'. (Kubla Khan)
Solution: The poem 'Kubla Khan' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge explores the theme of imagination and the creative process. It contrasts the ordered, man-made world of Kubla Khan's palace with the wild, untamed forces of nature. The poem also touches on the power of poetry and the artist's struggle to capture fleeting visions. The sacred river Alph and the caverns symbolize the subconscious mind. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the sublime beauty of imagination and the tension between control and chaos in artistic creation.
SECTION - IV (Non-Fiction)
10. Answer the questions in about 50 words each (any four): 4×3=12
-
Write in short about Grett's family. (A Wedding in Brownsville)
Grett's family is a poor Jewish immigrant family living in Brownsville. They struggle financially and live in a cramped apartment. Grett's mother is overworked and worried about money, while her father is absent or indifferent. The family atmosphere is tense, especially during the wedding preparations, highlighting their economic hardships and social struggles.
-
What proposition did the officials from the administrative office make to Tao Ying? (One Centimetre)
The officials from the administrative office proposed to Tao Ying that she should pay a fine or compensation for the damage caused to the public property (the wall) by her son. They suggested that if she paid the amount, the matter would be settled without further legal action. Tao Ying, however, refused to accept this proposition as she believed her son was innocent.
-
"Wood is a pleasant thing to think about." What ideas have been expressed by the writer on 'wood'? (The Mark on the Wall)
The writer expresses that wood evokes a sense of calm and nostalgia. She associates wood with nature, growth, and the passage of time. Wood is described as something that connects us to the past, like old furniture or trees. It is a tangible, comforting material that sparks imaginative thoughts about life, history, and the natural world, offering an escape from mundane reality.
-
Write the dialogue which took place between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi about immortality. (The Argumentative Indian)
Yajnavalkya told Maitreyi that he was leaving his household to become a renunciate. Maitreyi asked him if wealth could make her immortal. Yajnavalkya replied that wealth cannot grant immortality; only knowledge of the Self (Atman) can lead to liberation. He explained that the Self is eternal and beyond death, and realizing this truth is the path to true immortality, not material possessions.
-
Did Manjula love her sister genuinely? Support your answer from the text. (Broken Images)
No, Manjula did not love her sister genuinely. She was jealous of her sister's success and fame as a writer. Manjula felt overshadowed and resentful, which is evident in her bitter remarks and the way she compares herself to her sister. Her love was mixed with envy and insecurity, making it insincere. The text shows her inner conflict and lack of genuine affection.
SECTION - V (Fiction)
11. Answer the following question in about 60 words: 1×4=4
What did the tiger do when any creature in the jungle ignored his presence?
When any creature in the jungle ignored the tiger's presence, the tiger felt insulted and angry. He would roar loudly to assert his dominance and remind others of his power. Sometimes, he would chase or attack the creature that ignored him, as he could not tolerate being disrespected. The tiger's pride was hurt, and he demanded attention and fear from all animals.
OR
What did Jayaraj who framed pictures tell about the Master?
Jayaraj, who framed pictures, told that the Master was a very talented and dedicated artist. He described the Master as someone who paid great attention to detail and had a unique vision. The Master's works were highly appreciated, and he was respected in the art community. Jayaraj also mentioned that the Master was humble and kind, always willing to guide young artists.
12. Write a brief character sketch of Alphonse. 6
Alphonse is a complex character who is both loving and possessive. He is deeply attached to his family and traditions, often showing a conservative mindset. He can be stubborn and authoritative, especially when his values are challenged. Despite his flaws, Alphonse is caring and protective of his loved ones. He struggles with change and modernity, which creates conflicts in his relationships. His character reflects the tension between old and new values, making him a realistic and relatable figure.