CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper 2017 Set B

SECTION – A 

Q.1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below : [12]

1. Many of us believe that 'small' means 'insignificant'. We believe that small actions and choices do not have much impact on our lives. We think that it is only the big things, the big actions and the big decisions that really count. But when you look at the lives of all great people, you will see that they built their character through small decisions, small choices and small actions that they performed every day. They transformed their lives through a step-by-step or day-by-day approach. They nurtured and nourished their good habits and chipped away at their bad habits, one step at a time. It was their small day-to-day decisions that added up to make tremendous difference in the long run. Indeed, in matters of personal growth and character building, there is no such thing as an overnight success. 

2. Growth always occurs through a sequential series of stages. There is an organic process to growth. When we look at children growing up, we can see this process at work: the child first learns to crawl, then to stand and walk, and finally to run. The same is true in the natural world. The soil must first be tilled, and then the seed must be sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with enough water and sunlight, and only then will it grow, bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to eat.

3. Gandhi understood this organic process and used this universal law of nature to his benefit. Gandhi grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He did not wake up one day and find himself to be the 'Mahatma'. In fact, there was nothing much in his early life that showed signs of greatness. But from his mid-twenties onwards, he deliberately and consistently attempted to change himself, reform himself and grow in some small way every day. Day-by day, hour-by- hour, he risked failure, experimented and learnt from mistakes. In small and large situations alike, he took up rather than avoid responsibility. 

4. People have always marvelled at the effortless way in which Gandhi could accomplish the most difficult tasks. He displayed great deal of self-mastery and discipline that was amazing. These things did not come easily to him. Years of practice and disciplined training went into making his successes possible. Very few saw his struggles, fears, doubts and anxieties, or his inner efforts to overcome them. They saw the victory, but not the struggle.

5. This is a common factor in the lives of all great people: they exercised their freedoms and choices in small ways that made great impact on their lives and their environment. Each of their small decisions and actions added up to have a profound impact in the long run. By understanding this principle, we can move forward, with confidence, in the direction of our dreams. Often when our 'ideal goal' looks too far from us, we become easily discouraged, disheartened and pessimistic. However, when we choose to grow in small ways, taking small steps one at a time, performing it becomes easy.

a) On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option. 

i) The main idea in the first paragraph is that

(a) big things, big actions and big decisions make a person great.

(b) small actions and decisions are important in one's life.

(c) overnight success is possible for all of us.

(d) personal changes ·are not important.

ii) What does the writer mean by saying 'chipped away at their bad habits'?

(a) Steadily gave up bad habits. (b) Slowly produced bad habits.

(c) Gradually criticised bad habits. (d) Did not like bad habits.

iii) Which of the following statements is true in the context of the third paragraph?

(a) Gandhi became great overnight.

(b) Gandhi showed signs of greatness in childhood itself.

(c) Every day Gandhi made efforts to change himself in some small way.

(d) Gandhi never made mistakes.

iv) What is done by great people to transform their lives?

(a) They approach life on a day-by-day basis.

(b) They build character in small ways.

(c) They believe in performing everyday

(d) All of these

b) Answer the following questions as briefly as possible 

i) How do small actions and choices impact our lives?

ii) Describe organic process of growth through an example from the text.

iii) What according to the author is the 'universal law of nature")

iv) How did Gandhi accomplish the most difficult tasks effortlessly?

v) Which things about Gandhi's life were not seen by most of the people?

vi) How can we achieve our ‘ideal goals’?

c) Pick out words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following.

(a) intentionally / purposely (Paragraph 3)

(b) of deep significance; far-reaching (Paragraph 5)(1×2=2)

Q.2 Read the following passage carefully. 

1. South India is known for its music and for its arts and rich literature. Madras or Chennai can be called the cultural capital and the soul of Mother India. The city is built low in pleasant contrast to the ghoulish tall structures of Mumbai and Kolkata. It has vast open spaces and ample greenery. The majestic spacious Mount Road looks like a river, wide and deep. A stroll on the Marina beach in the evening with the sea glistening in your face is refreshing. The breeze soothes the body, it refreshes the mind, sharpens the tongue and brightens the intellect.

2. One can never feel dull in Chennai. The intellectual and cultural life of the city is something of a marvel. Every street corner of Chennai has a literary forum, a debating society and music, dance and dramatic club. The intelligent arguments, the sparkling wit and dashing irony enliven both the political and the literary meetings. There is a young men's association which attracts brilliant speakers and equally brilliant listeners to its meetings. It is a treat to watch the speakers use their oratorical weapons. Chennai speakers are by and large sweet and urbane, though the cantankerous, fire-eating variety is quite often witnessed in political campaigning. The more urbane speakers weave their arguments slowly like the unfolding of a leisurely Karnataka raga.

3. Music concerts and dance performances draw packed houses. There is hardly any cultural family in Chennai that does not learn and patronise music and dance in its pristine purity. Rukmani Devi Arundale's 'Kalakshetra' is a renowned international centre. It has turned out hundreds of celebrated maestros and dancers who have brought name and glory to our country. Karnataka music has a peculiar charm of its own. It has the moon’s soft beauty and moon's soft pace. Thousands of people flock to the temple 'maidans' to get drunk with the mellifluous melodies of their favourite singers. They sit out all night in the grueling heat, swaying to the rhythm of 'nadaswaram' and rollicking with the measured beats of 'mridangam'. M. S. Subbulakshmi is considered to be the nightingale of the South.

4. The Gods might descend from heaven to see a South Indian damsel dancing. There are several varieties of South Indian dance - Bharatnatyam, Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kathakali, etc. Age cannot wither nor custom stale its beautiful variety.

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