CBSE Class 12 English Core 2023 Sample Paper Set A

Section A: READING SKILLS

I Read the passage given below.

1. Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s been lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost fishing problem, which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the ocean can pose a threat to marine life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean it stops working. These nets continue to trap everything in their path, presenting a major problem for the health of our oceans and marine life.
2. Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight.
3. Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this microplastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.
4. Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation.
Many groups are working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and governments around the world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In 2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up 268 tons of nets, ropes and other material.
5. To stop these nets from becoming ghosts in the first place, conservation organisations advocate for fishing gear that can be traced to its owner so anyone dumping nets can be fined and refundable deposits on nets to encourage returning or recycling rather than littering. Tools like sonar reflectors that can make ghost nets easier to find and working with small-scale fisheries to develop more sustainable fishing gear and practices are other suggestions. It is only by attacking this problem from all sides, together with conservation partners, fishers and supporters, can we banish ghost nets and protect our oceans.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i Ghost nets have been named so because they
A. cause much harm to the marine life.
B. are functional though not in use by fishers.
C. are not owned by anyone.
D. act as a snare for all animals in oceans.
Answer: C

ii Comment on the writer’s reference to the ghost nets in paragraph one, as a health problem for the oceans.
Answer: The ghost nets are the reason the marine life is frequently sick. If not addressed, this ‘health issue’ would soon be chronic.

iii List the two ways being entangled in a ghost net is likely to impact a walrus.
(Clue: Think about the type of animal a walrus is)
Answer: 1. entangle and cause injuries
2. entangle and prevent resurfacing, leading to death by drowning

iv Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘negligible’, from words used in paragraph two.
A. unimpressive
B. monumental
C. exposing
D. threat
Answer: B

v The writer would not agree with the given statements based on paragraph three,
EXCEPT:
A. Most ghost nets take a few years to completely disintegrate.
B. Ghost nets contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
C. Most ghost nets provide nutrition to marine animals, upon disintegration.
D. Ghost nets can curtail freedom of marine animals.
Answer: C

vi Some records share that fishing nets used to be made of common rope using natural fibres, prior to the 1960s. Based on your understanding of paragraph three, list one major advantage that these had over the fishing nets being used in present times.
Answer: Used to be bio-degradable/ easily disintegrated, as compared to artificial fibre nets that do not disintegrate.

vii Why is it fair to say that commitment and innovation have to go hand-in-hand to rid the oceans of ghost nets?
Answer: Commitment—This task will require perseverance/a long time to accomplish
Innovation—Creative ideas and strategies would be needed to address this problem

viii Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference, with respect to the following:
The writer quotes the example of the WWF-led mission in the Baltic Sea (Paragraph 4), in order to.
Answer: --draw attention to the magnitude of the problem --indicate that Governments need to collaborate with such
groups for addressing the problem of ghost nets --share evidence of human apathy/ carelessness towards natural resources

ix How can the solutions, suggested in paragraph five, best be described?
A. practical
B. presentable
C. popular
D. prejudiced
Answer: A

x Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
A. The Scary Side of Ghost Nets
B. Ghost Nets – A Result of Human Dominance
C. Ghost Nets – A Menace to Marine Life
D. Ways to Tackle the Problem of Ghost Nets
Answer: C

II Read the passage given below.

1. It is generally accepted that leadership development should be a part of the education system's responsibility for preparing individuals to participate in a democratic and progressive society.
Many schools, colleges and universities, across nations, provide their students with leadership courses, curricular programs and co-curricular programs that are designed to develop students’ formal knowledge about leadership as well as opportunities and experiences to develop students as leaders and actually practise leadership. Yet, only a handful of studies have sought to understand leader development from the students’ point of view, with students describing their own experiences and what they learned from them in their own words.

2. A 2014 descriptive study sought to understand student leadership with research through key events via the following research questions:
Research Question 1: What key events do student leaders in college, report as significantly impacting their development as a leader?
Research Question 2: What lessons do student leaders in college, report learning as a result of the key events they have experienced?
Research Question 3: Are certain key events more likely to be linked to particular lessons?
Approximately 130 students were contacted and the 72 interested, were interviewed. Two members of the research team were present for each 15–45-minute interview. One member served as the primary interviewer while the second ran the audio equipment.
The results for lessons learned (Table 1), were varied, but there were a few that were frequently quoted. 

3. This study described the rich array of leadership lessons that students are learning through their experiences. It revealed that student leaders are learning foundational leadership skills and competencies that have positively impacted how to accomplish work, how to work with others and how to be both supported by and support others.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1?
The researcher believes that educational institutions have ideal resources to study impact of leadership skills on young adults.
Select from the following:
True - if the statement agrees with the information
False - if the statement contradicts the information
Not Given - if there is no information on this
Answer: FALSE
[the researcher indicates that educational institutions have opportunities and programmes to inculcate leadership skills]

ii Do you think the researchers of the study aimed to change the students’ outlook towards the development of leadership skills, directly or indirectly? Support your answer with reference to the text.
Answer:
♦ No
♦ The aim of seeking students’ perspectives was to enable a better designing/ creation/ of the leadership programmes in educational institutions
OR
promote higher efficacy / betterment of leadership programmes

iii Select the option that displays the most likely reason for including Research Question 3 in the 2014 study.
In order to find out if...
A. learning opportunities shape students’ overall personality.
B. leadership lessons are the result of the designed learning opportunities.
C. all learning opportunities cater to a specific lesson.
D. certain lessons are common in more than one learning opportunity.
Answer: D

Iv Complete the sentence based on the following statement.
More than 50% of the identified student respondents were keen to participate in the 2014 study.
We can say this because.
Answer: 72 of 130 students consented and were interviewed Note-72 out of 130 is more than half / 50%.

v Select the option that displays the key event designed with “Balancing Roles” (Table 1) as the objective.
A. Students will be able to debate the issue at hand, with different teams.
B. Students will be able to manage the responsibilities of a mentor, planner researcher and presenter.
C. Students will be able to surmount minor problems and focus on the final goal.
D. Students will be able to explain concepts and clarify them for peers.
Answer: B

vi Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
The 2014 study attempts to understand student leadership by focussing on .
A. experiences that shaped students’ overall personality.
B. lessons gained by students as they grew up.
C. relationship of key events with particular lessons.
D. students in leadership roles.
Answer: C

vii The lessons for ‘Individual competencies’ had a range of responses.
Give one reason why having the least number of responses for ‘Decision Making’, is a matter that needs attention.
Answer: This needs attention because it clearly indicates that the lessons created / student experiences do not allow sufficient opportunity for development of this crucial skill.

viii Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
The concluding sentence of the text makes a clear case for by listing it as a core competency for student leadership.
A. collaboration
B. flexibility
C. hard work
D. observation
Answer: A

ix Complete the sentence appropriately with one/ two words.
In the context of “Working with Others” in Table 1, the lesson of ‘Conflict’ refers to.
Answer: Being able to amicably and effectively resolve matters/ conflict resolution

x Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement.
When theoretical knowledge about leadership suffices, it is a waste of funds by educational organisations, to organise leadership camps and programmes.
Answer: I disagree because no amount of theoretical knowledge can aid students to actually apply their learning about leadership and develop various skills.

SECTION B – CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS

1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. You are Josely Mathew, the President of the school book club. The club is organising a drive for promoting reuse of study materials and books. Draft a notice in about 50 words, for the school notice board, addressing students of classes X-XII, informing them about this drive and urging them to contribute to the endeavour. Mention how the donated books would would benefit a charitable cause.
Answer: 
♦ Correct format ( as listed above)
♦ Drawing attention—students of X-XII
♦ Mentioning the event
♦ Giving details -D,T,V
♦ Sharing how donated books would benefit a charitable cause + urging them to contribute
♦ Line with reference to the undersigned

OR

B. As the House Captain of A.B.M Public School, Telangana, draft a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board, informing House members from X-XII about the change in topic and submission dates for Round 1 of ‘Discovery’ - the upcoming Inter- House Reasearch-based Paper Presentation Competition. Do not forget to issue an apology for the above. You are Kruthika Reddy.
Answer: 
♦ Correct format ( as listed above)
♦ Drawing attention—House members of X-XII
♦ Sharing the changes—giving context
♦ Giving details -D,T,V
♦ Line of polite apology/ inconvenience regretted etc.
♦ Line with reference to the undersigned

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. You are Dr. Suchitra Mukherjee. You have received an invitation from the Director, Health Services, Kharagpur, W.B, to preside over a gathering of leading medical practitioners attending a workshop on mental wellness on 09 November, 2023 at 11 a.m. in the Public Hospital, Jammu, J & K. Respond to accept the invitation in about 50 words.
Answer: 
♦ Reference to invitation
♦ Acceptance of invitation
♦ Confirmation of date, time and venue
♦ Comment on looking forward to attending (if at all)

OR

B. Draft an invitation in about 50 words, on behalf of your aunt, Meghna Menon, which she has to share to invite prior work colleagues to the inaugural event of her own investment consultancy firm, in the Acer mall, Kozhikode, Kerala.

3. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. You are Minu Sen, an intern in a software company in Hyderabad. You feel that the growing relationship of companies with non-profit organisations have made Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) the buzzword today. Your own involvement in one such project for your company has convinced you that CSR looks beyond the company profits and focuses on benefiting the greater community.
Write a letter to the editor of a national daily in about 120-150 words, sharing your opinion about CSR and its advantages and provide suggestions to make it an integral part of every organisation. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose this letter. 

Answer: 
♦ Opinion—CSR looks beyond company profits & benefits community – reference to first- hand experience + CSR efforts(cues)
♦ Advantages (reference --cues)
♦ Importance of making it an integral part of every organisation
♦ Suggestions-awareness, laws to mandate companies include CSR, privileges or offers of some kind to
companies that show some positive change in society via CSR, special rebates for students who take
up CSR projects in collaboration with such companies etc.

OR

B. You are Minu Sen, employed as an Asst. Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in your current company in Hyderabad. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the position advertised. 

Write a a letter to Credit Sage Pvt. Ltd. along with your bio-data, expressing your interest in the situation vacant.
Answer: Content
♦ Covering Letter
♦ Reference to the advertisement
♦ Conveying suitability for the position-CSR (Head) / CSR Manager (as advertised)
♦ Submission of application
Bio data as separate enclosure
♦ Profile of self
♦ Educational Qualifications (include advertised requirements)
♦ Work experience/s (if relevant)- include as it is a senior post
♦ References
Any other relevant information

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. The construction sector is believed to be quite hazardous and has the maximum number of fatal work injuries because apart from other causes, stakeholders in this sector tend to ignore safety regulations.
As a columnist for an e-zine, draft an article in about 120-150 words, on the theme of the importance of worker safety in construction zones. Explore possible reasons for the prevailing situation and include suggestions for addressing it. Support your ideas with cues given below.

Answer: 
♦ Explain the hazardous nature of the construction sector and write why --refer to the importance of worker safety
♦ Examine the issue with Reasons (any 2)–
♦ Stakeholders ignore safety regulations -exploitation
♦ Fatigue of workers (cues) –overworked
♦ Extreme weather conditions (cues) –work doesn’t stop—accidents/ health problems
♦ Provide Suggestions (any 2) ---
♦ Awareness
♦ Stricter laws and penalties
♦ Bridge gap between managers and workers (cues)
♦ Frequent training programmes for workers

OR

B. The construction sector is believed to be quite hazardous and has the maximum number of fatal work injuries. A safety fair was organised by ‘Building Safely’, an NGO in Mysuru, Karnataka with the overarching theme pertaining to the importance of worker safety in construction zones. You were asked to cover this event as the junior correspondent of a local daily. Write a report covering this event in about 120-150 words. Support your ideas with outline cues given below, to craft your newspaper report. 

Answer: Reason why the safety fair was organised—by whom? When? Who attended?
Event details –(refer to cues)
Conclude including witness/ participant account/s

SECTION C - LITERATURE

IV Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context.

1 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

1.A It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.

i. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
(i) aggressive
(ii) tolerant
(iii) sarcastic
(iv) resigned
(v) sentimental
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (i)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (i), (iv) and (v)
D. Only (iii)
Answer: D

ii. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following:
No one bothers to take ‘their’ consent before pushing the promise of a better life, their way.
Answer: enforcing benefits

iii. What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
A. gullible
B. futuristic
C. hypocritical
D. ambitious
Answer: A

iv. Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
greedy good doers: alliteration :: ................................... oxymoron
Answer: beneficent beasts of prey

v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
(2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
A. (1) is true but (2) is false.
B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
C. (2) is the reason for (1).
D. Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: C

vi. Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract.
‘… calculated to soothe them out of their wits’ implies that ‘them’ are being .
Answer: manipulated / fooled / duped

OR

1.B A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth

i. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the extract.
A. I’m as happy as I can be.
B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
C. Nature is God’s gift to us.
D. The dazzling divas enchanted all.
Answer: B

ii. What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate?
A. serenity
B. morality
C. superiority
D. diversity
Answer: A

iii. The benefits of a thing of beauty for humans include .
(i) healthy body
(ii) calm mind
(iii) struggle-free life
(iv) better relationships
(v) hope to carry on
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (v)
B. (i), (ii) and (v)
C. (i), (iii) and (iv)
D. (ii) and (iv)
Answer: B

iv. Answer in ONE word.
When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means that it is .
Answer: immortal/ everlasting/ eternal / undying

v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.
(2) Beautiful things provide us joy.
A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.
Answer: B

vi. Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?
A. Full to the Brim with Joy
B. Beauty Galore
C. Live Life King Size
D. Hope Floats
Answer: D

2 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

2.A DERRY: You’re ... peculiar. You say peculiar things. You ask questions I don’t understand.
MR LAMB: I like to talk. Have company. You don’t have to answer questions. You don’t have to stop here at all. The gate’s open.
DERRY: Yes, but...
MR LAMB: I’ve a hive of bees behind those trees over there. Some hear bees and they
say, bees buzz. But when you listen to bees for a long while, they humm. ... and hum
means ‘sing’. I hear them singing, my bees.
DERRY: But....I like it here. I came in because I liked it ..... when I looked over the wall.
MR LAMB: If you’d seen me, you’d not have come in.
DERRY: No.

i. List the playwright’s purpose of using ellipses (…) in this extract.
Answer: To indicate to the character to pause for thought/ to act showing gathering of thoughts

ii. Select the option that best describes Derry and Mr. Lamb in the extract.
A. Derry: introvert; Mr. Lamb: friendly
B. Derry: fearful; Mr. Lamb: domineering
C. Derry: friendly; Mr. Lamb: weird
D. Derry: open minded; Mr. Lamb: charming
Answer: D

iii. Which of the following best summarises Mr. Lamb’s attitude towards the bees?
A. Beauty is being true to yourself.
B. There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.
C. Beauty is the promise of happiness.
D. The beauty of the world lies in the details.
Answer: D

iv. Derry says, “I came in here because I liked it ….” What was the one significant thing Derry might have liked about the place, as per the extract?
Answer: Away from prying eyes/ people

OR

2.B Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do exactly this by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with inspiring educational opportunities which will help them foster a new understanding and respect for our planet. It’s been in operation for six years now, headed by Canadian Geoff Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who could only ‘give’ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice, he offers the future generation of policy-makers a life-changing experience at an age when they’re ready to absorb, learn, and most importantly, act.

i. Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract.
The writer refers to the educational opportunities as ‘inspiring’ because .
Answer: These educational opportunities would motivate them to work towards the good of the planet / allow them to observe first-hand that the planet needs to be respected /
nurtured rather than abused.

ii. Which of the following would NOT be ‘a life changing experience’?
A. Being given the lead role in a play.
B. Going on an adventure trip.
C. Playing a video game.
D. Meeting a great leader, you admire.
Answer: C

iii. Select the most suitable title for the given extract.
A. Adventure with a Mission
B. Adventure – The Spice of Life
C. The Wanderlust
D. Students of the Future
Answer: A

iv. Why does the writer refer to ‘act’ as more important than ‘absorb’ or ‘learn’?
Answer: Because having the right knowledge or inclination/ understanding is just half the job done. It fails to have an impact till it is applied/ practised/ put to use in our actions.

Please click the link below to download CBSE Class 12 English 2023 Sample Paper.