RBSE Class 12th 2018 English Literature-SS-20-2018 Previous Year Papers

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Time: 3¼ Hours    Maximum Marks: 80

No. of Questions: 27    No. of Printed Pages: 07

SI.No.:   S S-20-Eng. Lit.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXAMINEES:

1. Candidates must write first his/her Roll No. on the question paper compulsorily.
2. All the questions are compulsory.
3. Write answers of all questions in your answer-book only.
4. For questions having more than one part, the answers to those parts are to be written together in continuity.
5. Write down the correct serial number of each question before attempting it.

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Reading Comprehension

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Questions based on the passage:

1. What forms of violence do women face according to the passage?

   According to the passage, women face sexual harassment, abuse, rape, trafficking, dowry-related violence, death, and domestic violence.

2. When does the cycle of violence against women begin?

   The cycle of violence against women begins from the moment a girl is conceived, that is, even before she is born.

3. Why did the Indian Government ban sex determination tests?

   The Indian Government banned all sorts of sex determination tests because pre-natal sex selection and aborting female foetuses had become a big problem.

4. What does the passage say about educating a girl?

   The passage says that when a girl goes to school, she transforms her future prospects. She learns about diseases, hygiene, and becomes capable of earning money. It is rightly said, "When we educate a girl, we educate the whole family."

5. How can gender discrimination be reduced according to the passage?

   According to the passage, social awareness on the part of all can considerably reduce discrimination against women.

6. What benefits come when women are given equal rights?

   When women are given equal rights, development is boosted. Educated girls earn good money, take good decisions at the community level, tend to marry and conceive later, and believe in having fewer but healthier children.

7. What role should men play according to the passage?

   According to the passage, men should not consider women as inferior but instead help them to come out of the four walls of their homes. Men should assist women in household chores and child upbringing.

8. What attitude should students have towards gender?

   Students in schools and colleges should not have any gender bias. Forgetting biological differences, they should look forward to developing fair and justified friendly relations with each other.

Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:

1. What all is faced by the Females in India and around the world?

   Females in India and around the world face issues such as gender discrimination, harassment, domestic violence, lack of education, unequal opportunities, and social prejudices. They often struggle for basic rights like safety, equality, and respect.

2. What is banned by Indian Government?

   The Indian Government has banned practices like female foeticide, child marriage, dowry, and sati. It has also banned certain forms of discrimination and harassment against women through laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act.

3. "When we educate a girl, we educate the whole family." How?

   Educating a girl has a ripple effect: she becomes aware of health, hygiene, and nutrition, which benefits her family. She can earn a livelihood, support her children's education, and make informed decisions. An educated woman empowers her entire family and community, breaking the cycle of poverty and ignorance.

4. Who should not consider women as inferior?

   No one should consider women as inferior. Society, including men, families, and institutions, must treat women as equals. The poem emphasizes that true humanity lies in sympathy and kindness, not in wealth or status, and women deserve equal respect and dignity.

5. Find words from the passage which mean the same as:

   • i) Molestation — Distress (the poem mentions "deep distress" and "grief", implying suffering and harassment)
   • ii) Cleanliness — (No direct word in the poem) — The poem does not contain a word meaning cleanliness. However, the context of "bound my head" and "gave me bread" suggests care and hygiene, but no exact synonym is present.

6) How did the proud man help the poet when he was 'in deep distress'? [ ]

7) How did the poor man take care of the poet? [ ]

8) Enlist the rhyming words in the poem. [2]

9) ‘Oh, gold is great, but greater far is heavenly sympathy'. How? [2]

0) Which word in the poem means [1]

SECTION - B (WRITING)

1) Write an essay in about 50-200 words on any one of the following topics: [8]

2) Write a report in about 50-200 words for your school magazine on: [7]

SS—20-Eng. Lit. 055

SECTION - C

(GRAMMAR)

3-7. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error and write it correctly in your answer book.

8-22. Transform the sentences into indirect speech.

8. Ram said to Ravi, "what is your dog's name"?

   Answer: Ram asked Ravi what his dog's name was.

9. The student said to his teacher, "please forgive me this time".

   Answer: The student requested his teacher to forgive him that time.

10. Rubi said, "where are you all going to night"?

    Answer: Rubi asked where they all were going that night.

11. "What time is it"? she said.

    Answer: She asked what time it was.

12. She said to me "what do you want"?

    Answer: She asked me what I wanted.

SECTION - D

(LITERARY TERMS)

23) Write notes on any two of the following literary terms in about 50 words each. [2×3=6]

1. Interior Monologue

   Interior monologue is a narrative technique that presents the inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions of a character directly to the reader, as if the character is speaking to themselves. It often lacks logical order and mimics the natural flow of consciousness. It is used to reveal a character's deepest psychological state.

2. Metaphysical Poetry

   Metaphysical poetry is a style of poetry that flourished in the 17th century, characterized by the use of wit, intellectual play, and elaborate conceits (extended metaphors). Poets like John Donne explored themes of love, religion, and mortality using unconventional imagery and argumentative structure.

3. Indo-Anglian Literature

   Indo-Anglian literature refers to the body of literary works written in English by Indian authors. It reflects Indian culture, traditions, and social issues while using the English language. Notable writers include Rabindranath Tagore, R. K. Narayan, and Mulk Raj Anand. It bridges Indian and Western literary traditions.

4. Impressionism

   Impressionism in literature is a style that focuses on the subjective impressions and sensory experiences of characters rather than objective reality. It uses vivid imagery, fragmented descriptions, and a focus on mood and atmosphere. Writers like Virginia Woolf and Joseph Conrad employed this technique to capture fleeting moments and inner consciousness.

SS—20-Eng. Lit. 055 [ Turn Over

SECTION - E

(TEXT)

24. Answer any two of the following textual questions in about 100 words. [2×6=12]

    1. Write character sketch of Rosemary. (A Cup of Tea)

       Solution: Rosemary Fell is a wealthy, young, and fashionable woman who appears kind but is actually self-centered and possessive. She impulsively brings a poor girl, Miss Smith, home to show off her generosity. However, when her husband Philip admires the girl's beauty, Rosemary becomes jealous and quickly sends Miss Smith away. Her charity is driven by vanity and a desire for control, not genuine compassion. She is shallow, insecure, and values her social status over true kindness.

    2. Explain the central idea of the poem 'Trees' by giving examples from the poem to show that it is a result of close observation of natural phenomena. (Trees)

       Solution: The central idea of the poem 'Trees' is the beauty and majesty of trees, celebrating their intimate connection with nature. The poet, Joyce Kilmer, observes trees closely, noting details like a tree "whose hungry mouth is prest / Against the earth's sweet flowing breast" (roots drawing nourishment) and "a tree that looks at God all day, / And lifts her leafy arms to pray" (branches reaching skyward). These images show the tree as a living, breathing being, rooted in earth and reaching for heaven, reflecting the poet's deep appreciation for nature's creation.

    3. In what ways is the novel, the book of life, according to D.H. Lawrence? (Why the Novel Matters)

       Solution: According to D.H. Lawrence, the novel is the "book of life" because it captures the whole, living human being—body, mind, and spirit—in a way that other forms of knowledge cannot. Unlike philosophy or science, which deal with abstract parts, the novel presents characters in their full, flawed, and dynamic reality. It shows how people change, grow, and interact with life's complexities. Lawrence believes the novel teaches us how to live fully by revealing the "trembling instability" of human existence, making it the most vital and truthful form of literature.

25. Answer any four of the following questions in about 50 words each. [4×3=12]

    1. Write a short note on Mr. Carvil. (To-morrow)

       Solution: Mr. Carvil is a blind, elderly man in the story "To-morrow." He is the father of Jenny, a young woman who waits for her lover. Mr. Carvil is dependent on his daughter for care and guidance. He is portrayed as a quiet, resigned figure, living in the shadows of his daughter's hopes and disappointments. His blindness symbolizes the inability to see the futility of waiting, and he represents the passive, suffering side of human existence.

    2. What do we do when in distress? (The Divine Image)

       Solution: In the poem "The Divine Image" by William Blake, when in distress, we turn to Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love—the four divine virtues that are also the essence of God and humanity. These qualities are not just abstract ideals but are found in every human heart. In times of trouble, we pray for these virtues, and by practicing them, we connect with the divine image within ourselves and others, finding solace and strength.

    3. What essential qualities of a true leader are highlighted in the poem? (dp)

       Solution: The poem "dp" (likely referring to a poem on leadership) highlights qualities such as courage, integrity, selflessness, and the ability to inspire others. A true leader does not seek personal glory but works for the common good. They remain calm in crisis, make wise decisions, and lead by example. The poem emphasizes that a leader must have a strong moral compass, empathy for followers, and the vision to guide them through challenges.

    4. Discuss the topic of debate between Arjun and Krishna in the Bhagwat Gita. (The Argumentative Indian)

       Solution: In the Bhagavad Gita, the debate between Arjun and Krishna centers on duty (dharma) versus personal emotion. Arjun, facing war against his own kin, is filled with moral doubt and refuses to fight. Krishna argues that Arjun must perform his duty as a warrior without attachment to the results. The debate explores themes of righteousness, action, renunciation, and the nature of the soul. It is a philosophical dialogue about how to live a meaningful life while fulfilling one's responsibilities.

    5. Which two questions are generally asked to an author? (Broken Images)

       Solution: In the play "Broken Images," the two questions generally asked to an author are: "Why do you write?" and "What is the message of your work?" These questions probe the author's motivation and the deeper meaning behind their writing. The play explores how authors often struggle to answer these questions honestly, as their creative process is complex and not always driven by a single message or purpose.

SECTION - F

(FICTION)

26) Answer anyone of the following question in about 60 words: [4]

OR

27) Answer the following question in about 60 words: [6]