COUNCIL MODEL QUESTION PAPER PAGE 1 — ENGLISH WBCHSE
Class 12 Semester 3 English (Full Marks: 40 | Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes)
Complete Questions 1 to 40 with Solved Answers & Detailed Explanations
PART I: MODEL QUESTION PAPER (QUESTIONS 1 – 25)
1. Fill in the blank:
The narrator finally chose not to search for the basket-seller because he believed that—
A. she had forgotten him completely.
B. memories often possess greater emotional truth than reality.
C. she had migrated to another town.
D. he feared punishment from his family.
Answer: B. memories often possess greater emotional truth than reality.
Explanation: He preferred to preserve the romantic, unblemished memory rather than risk shattering his cherished dream against harsh reality ('It may spoil my game').
2. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): The brief encounters at Deoli transform the narrator's understanding of love.
Reason (R): Emotional attachment does not always depend upon prolonged companionship.
A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Explanation: Though meeting only twice briefly, the narrator felt deep tenderness and lasting emotional attachment, demonstrating that profound love can blossom instantaneously without prolonged acquaintance.
3. Case Study:
A traveller deliberately avoids revisiting a place that once brought him immense happiness because he fears the present may destroy his cherished memories.
This situation most closely reflects the narrator's decision in 'The Night Train at Deoli' because—
A. he considered memories more permanent than reality.
B. he disliked travelling by train.
C. he had forgotten the girl.
D. he no longer visited Dehra.
Answer: A. he considered memories more permanent than reality.
Explanation: The narrator deliberately avoided breaking his journey to uncover her fate because idealized memories remain pristine and permanent, whereas reality can be disappointing or painful.
4. Match the Columns:
Column A Column B
i. Basket a. Symbol of hope and continuity
ii. Platform b. Silent expression of affection
iii. Smile c. Space of fleeting encounters
Options:
A. i-b, ii-c, iii-a
B. i-a, ii-b, iii-c
C. i-c, ii-a, iii-b
D. i-b, ii-a, iii-c
Answer: A. i-b, ii-c, iii-a
Explanation: Buying the basket was a silent expression of affection (i-b); the lonely Deoli platform represents the physical space of brief, transient encounters (ii-c); her parting smile represents enduring hope and continuity in the narrator's heart (iii-a).
5. Rearrangement:
Arrange the following ideas according to Kalam's development as portrayed in Strong Roots:
i. Learning spiritual values from his father
ii. Observing religious harmony
iii. Developing scientific curiosity
iv. Achieving national recognition
A. i, ii, iii, iv
B. ii, i, iii, iv
C. iii, i, ii, iv
D. i, iii, ii, iv
Answer: A. i, ii, iii, iv
Explanation: Kalam first imbibed austere spiritual values from his father (i), witnessed communal and religious harmony in Rameswaram (ii), later developed scientific pursuits (iii), and ultimately attained national recognition (iv).
6. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): Jainulabdeen possessed wisdom despite lacking formal education.
Reason (R): True wisdom originates only from academic qualifications.
A. Both A and R are true.
B. Both A and R are false.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
Answer: C. A is true, R is false.
Explanation: Assertion A is true (Kalam states his father had neither much formal education nor wealth, yet possessed great innate wisdom). Reason R is completely false because wisdom is experiential, spiritual, and innate, not exclusive to academic degrees.
7. Case Study:
A leader refuses personal credit for solving people's problems and instead encourages self-belief and faith.
Which value does this behaviour best represent?
A. Humility
B. Pride
C. Authority
D. Ambition
Answer: A. Humility
Explanation: Such self-effacing leadership, exactly like Jainulabdeen acting merely as a conduit for prayer and divine grace, embodies genuine humility.
8. Fill in the blank:
The lawyer's final letter proves that he ultimately rejected __________
A. knowledge.
B. literature.
C. material wealth and worldly pleasures.
D. religion.
Answer: C. material wealth and worldly pleasures.
Explanation: In his final letter, the lawyer asserts: 'I despise freedom and life and health, and all that in your books is called the good things of the world... I renounce the two million.'
9. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): The lawyer deliberately forfeited the prize moments before completing the wager.
Reason (R): His intellectual and spiritual transformation made money meaningless to him.
A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Explanation: The lawyer walked out five hours before the deadline specifically to invalidate his legal claim and visibly demonstrate his contempt for earthly riches.
10. True or False:
(i) During his imprisonment, the lawyer's reading habits reflected different phases of intellectual growth.
(ii) The banker admired the lawyer's moral victory without any feeling of shame.
A. (i) True, (ii) False
B. (i) False, (ii) True
C. Both True
D. Both False
Answer: A. (i) True, (ii) False
Explanation: (i) True: His reading evolved from light novels to languages, philosophy, theology, and science. (ii) False: The banker was overwhelmed with acute shame, tears, and self-contempt.
11. Match the Columns:
Column A Column B
i. Creeper a. Enduring affection
ii. Tree b. Childhood memories
iii. Lyre / dirge c. Music created by nature / lament
Options:
A. i-b, ii-a, iii-c
B. i-a, ii-c, iii-b
C. i-c, ii-b, iii-a
D. i-b, ii-c, iii-a
Answer: B. i-a, ii-c, iii-b (or i-a, ii-b, iii-c)
Explanation: The creeper embraces the tree with passionate, enduring affection (i-a); the tree is inextricably bound up with beloved childhood memories (ii-b); the music/murmur is the eerie lament created by nature (iii-c).
12. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): The Casuarina Tree becomes a symbol of immortality.
Reason (R): Poetry preserves emotional experiences beyond physical existence.
A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B. Both are true, but R is not the explanation.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Explanation: Toru Dutt explicitly seeks to consecrate a lay so that love and art defend the tree and her memories from oblivion's curse.
13. Case Study:
A woman living abroad treasures an old Casuarina tree from her childhood because it keeps alive the memories of her deceased siblings.
Which theme is most strongly conveyed?
A. Ecological conservation
B. Nostalgia intertwined with grief
C. Adventure
D. Scientific curiosity
Answer: B. Nostalgia intertwined with grief
Explanation: The Casuarina tree is beloved because it is blent with images of her deceased siblings, evoking bittersweet nostalgia tinged with profound bereavement.
14. Fill in the blank:
The "dirge-like murmur" primarily reflects the poet's __________
A. fear of darkness.
B. homesickness and remembrance.
C. excitement.
D. religious devotion.
Answer: B. homesickness and remembrance.
Explanation: Hearing the tree's eerie lament while exiled in France or Italy evokes deep nostalgia, longing for her homeland, and remembrance of lost loved ones.
15. Rearrangement:
Arrange the sequence of imagery in the poem Our Casuarina Tree:
i. Creeper embracing the trunk
ii. Baboon greeting the sunrise
iii. Birds and bees welcoming the morning
iv. Reflection on childhood memories
A. i, ii, iii, iv
B. ii, i, iv, iii
C. iii, i, ii, iv
D. i, iii, ii, iv
Answer: D. i, iii, ii, iv
Explanation: Sequence in the poem: Creeper like a python around the scarred trunk (Stanza 1, line 1) -> Crimson flowers with bird and bee (Stanza 1, line 8) -> Dawn window opening with gray baboon watching sunrise (Stanza 2, line 15) -> Recalling happy childhood play beneath the boughs (Stanza 3).
16. Fill in the blank:
According to Ulysses, every experience serves as __________
A. an obstacle.
B. an arch opening into newer worlds of knowledge.
C. a burden of old age.
D. a source of regret.
Answer: B. an arch opening into newer worlds of knowledge.
Explanation: Tennyson writes: 'Yet all experience is an arch wherethro' / Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades / For ever and forever when I move.'
17. Case Study:
A retired scientist refuses to stop researching because he believes learning has no final destination.
This attitude most closely resembles Ulysses' belief in—
A. passive retirement.
B. continuous striving despite age.
C. political leadership.
D. domestic responsibility.
Answer: B. continuous striving despite age.
Explanation: Ulysses rejects pausing and resting ('How dull it is to pause, to make an end'), choosing instead to follow knowledge like a sinking star beyond mortal boundaries.
18. Match the Columns:
Column A Column B
i. Rust unburnished a. Unlimited possibilities
ii. Arch b. Inactive existence
iii. Sunset c. Closing phase of life
Options:
A. i-b, ii-a, iii-c
B. i-a, ii-c, iii-b
C. i-c, ii-b, iii-a
D. i-b, ii-c, iii-a
Answer: A. i-b, ii-a, iii-c
Explanation: 'To rust unburnish'd' symbolizes stagnation and inactive existence (i-b); the 'arch' symbolizes expanding, unlimited vistas of experience (ii-a); 'beyond the sunset' represents the closing phase of life and mortality (iii-c).
19. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): Ulysses entrusts Ithaca to Telemachus.
Reason (R): He believes Telemachus possesses qualities better suited for peaceful governance than adventurous exploration.
A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B. Both, but R is not the explanation.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Explanation: Ulysses praises his son's patience and prudence ('by slow prudence to make mild a rugged people'), knowing Telemachus is ideally suited for civil administration while he himself yearns for heroic exploration.
20. True or False:
(i) Ulysses believes old age should inspire renewed effort rather than resignation.
(ii) His final message encourages surrender before fate.
A. (i) True, (ii) False
B. (i) False, (ii) True
C. Both True
D. Both False
Answer: A. (i) True, (ii) False
Explanation: (i) True: He asserts 'Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.' (ii) False: He famously champions unyielding defiance: 'To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.'
PART II: RIDERS TO THE SEA, GRAMMAR & COMPREHENSION (QUESTIONS 21 – 40)
21. Fill in the blank (Riders to the Sea):
Maurya's final acceptance of her fate reveals that she has attained __________
A. complete despair
B. spiritual resignation and inner peace
C. hatred towards her daughters
D. confidence that Michael will return
Answer: B. spiritual resignation and inner peace
Explanation: Once the sea has claimed all her men, it has no further power to hurt her ('there isn't anything more the sea can do to me'), bringing her sublime tragic peace and stoic resignation.
22. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): Maurya blesses Bartley despite fearing that he is going to his death.
Reason (R): She realizes that a mother's love cannot always protect her children from destiny.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
Answer: D. A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Assertion A is FALSE because Maurya was completely unable to utter a blessing at the door or at the well ('something choked the words in my throat'). Reason R is true as a universal philosophical truth of the play.
23. Match the Columns:
Column A Column B
i. Grey pony a. Mourning ritual
ii. White boards b. Supernatural omen
iii. Holy water c. Protection and blessing
iv. Keening d. Preparation for burial
Options:
A. i-b, ii-d, iii-c, iv-a
B. i-d, ii-b, iii-a, iv-c
C. i-a, ii-c, iii-d, iv-b
D. i-c, ii-a, iii-b, iv-d
Answer: A. i-b, ii-d, iii-c, iv-a
Explanation: The grey pony bearing Michael's ghost is a supernatural omen of death (i-b); the white boards are for coffin preparation (ii-d); holy water offers ritual blessing and sanctification (iii-c); keening is the traditional mourning chant (iv-a).
24. Case Study:
A coastal family repeatedly loses its members in natural disasters. Eventually, the oldest surviving member says, "Nature has taken everything from me; I have nothing left to fear."
This idea most closely reflects—
A. revenge against nature
B. tragic acceptance of the inevitable
C. disbelief in religion
D. desire to leave the island permanently
Answer: B. tragic acceptance of the inevitable
Explanation: This mirrors Maurya's cathartic realization that when the worst has already occurred, anxiety ceases, yielding tragic acceptance of fate.
25. Rearrangement:
Arrange the following events in their correct order:
i. Maurya fails to bless Bartley before he leaves.
ii. The sisters identify Michael's clothes.
iii. Maurya sees the vision of Michael.
iv. Bartley's body is brought home.
A. i, iii, ii, iv
B. ii, i, iii, iv
C. i, ii, iii, iv
D. iii, i, ii, iv
Answer: C. i, ii, iii, iv (or sequence matching: Bartley departs unblessed -> Sisters examine clothes -> Maurya returns with vision -> Bartley brought in)
Explanation: Chronological order: Bartley departs without Maurya's blessing (i) -> While Maurya walks to the well, Nora and Cathleen identify Michael's stocking and shirt (ii) -> Maurya returns in horror recounting the vision of Michael on the grey pony (iii) -> Bartley's corpse is carried into the kitchen (iv).
GRAMMAR & ERROR CORRECTION (QUESTIONS 26 – 30)
26. Synthesis of Sentences:
Combine the sentences into a complex sentence:
"The banker entered the lodge. He found the lawyer asleep."
A. The banker entered the lodge and found the lawyer asleep.
B. When the banker entered the lodge, he found the lawyer asleep.
C. Having entered the lodge, the lawyer was asleep.
D. The banker entered the lodge because the lawyer was asleep.
Answer: B. When the banker entered the lodge, he found the lawyer asleep.
Explanation: A complex sentence requires a subordinate clause; 'When the banker entered the lodge' functions as an adverbial clause of time modifying the main clause.
27. Splitting of Sentences:
Choose the correct pair of simple sentences:
"Inspired by his father, Kalam developed faith in humanity."
A. Kalam was inspired by his father. He developed faith in humanity.
B. Kalam developed faith because his father inspired him.
C. His father inspired Kalam developing faith.
D. Kalam inspired his father. Humanity developed faith.
Answer: A. Kalam was inspired by his father. He developed faith in humanity.
Explanation: Splitting requires two grammatically complete, independent simple sentences expressing the cause and effect clearly.
28. Narration Change:
Choose the correct indirect speech:
Ulysses said, "Come, my friends, it is not too late to seek a newer world."
A. Ulysses urged his friends that it was not too late to seek a newer world.
B. Ulysses urged his friends to come, saying that it was not too late to seek a newer world.
C. Ulysses asked his friends whether it was too late.
D. Ulysses told that his friends come to seek a newer world.
Answer: B. Ulysses urged his friends to come, saying that it was not too late to seek a newer world. (or A depending on board key)
Explanation: The imperative call 'Come, my friends' is rendered into indirect speech as an encouraging plea ('urged his friends to come') with tense backshift ('it was not too late').
29. Voice Change:
Choose the correct passive form:
"The forest rangers arrested the poachers."
A. The poachers were arrested by the forest rangers.
B. The poachers are arrested by the forest rangers.
C. The poachers had arrested the forest rangers.
D. The poachers have been arresting the forest rangers.
Answer: A. The poachers were arrested by the forest rangers.
Explanation: Simple Past active ('arrested') changes to past passive ('were arrested') + agent ('by the forest rangers').
30. Error Correction:
Identify the correct correction:
"Neither the teacher nor the students was aware of the sudden announcement."
A. were
B. is
C. have been
D. No correction is required.
Answer: A. were
Explanation: Rule of Proximity: In 'neither... nor...', the verb agrees with the closer subject. Since 'the students' is plural, the plural auxiliary 'were' must be used.
READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGE & QUESTIONS (31 – 40)
Read the following passage carefully and answer Questions 31–40:
"Deep beneath the Arctic ice, scientists deployed an autonomous underwater vehicle to study microscopic organisms that survive in one of Earth's harshest environments. These organisms, though invisible to the naked eye, play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems by forming the foundation of the polar food chain.
During the expedition, researchers noticed that rising ocean temperatures had begun altering the distribution of these microorganisms. Some species flourished in newly warmed waters, while others declined rapidly, creating unexpected imbalances throughout the ecosystem. The findings suggested that even the smallest changes in climate could produce widespread ecological consequences.
The research team also collaborated with indigenous Arctic communities, whose traditional knowledge helped identify long-term environmental changes that scientific instruments alone had overlooked. The study demonstrated that meaningful conservation depends upon combining modern scientific investigation with local experience and global cooperation."
31. Synonym:
The word "deployed" most nearly means—
A. abandoned
B. positioned for use
C. hidden
D. destroyed
Answer: B. positioned for use
Explanation: In technical/scientific contexts, to 'deploy' equipment or vehicles means to position and activate them for effective operational use.
32. Antonym:
The antonym of "flourished" is—
A. prospered
B. expanded
C. declined
D. succeeded
Answer: C. declined
Explanation: To flourish means to thrive or prosper; its direct antonym is to decline, diminish, or wither.
33. Verb Form:
Choose the correct verb:
"Scientists __________ the Arctic ecosystem for several years before publishing their report."
A. studied
B. had been studying
C. study
D. will study
Answer: B. had been studying
Explanation: Past Perfect Continuous tense ('had been studying') is used to express an ongoing action completed prior to another past event ('before publishing').
34. Passive Voice:
Choose the correct passive form:
"Researchers discovered several new microorganisms."
A. Several new microorganisms were discovered by researchers.
B. Several new microorganisms are discovered.
C. Researchers were discovered.
D. Several new microorganisms have discovering.
Answer: A. Several new microorganisms were discovered by researchers.
Explanation: Simple Past active ('discovered') transforms into 'were discovered by researchers'.
35. Vocabulary:
The word "indigenous" refers to people who—
A. recently migrated
B. are native to a particular region
C. conduct scientific experiments
D. travel frequently
Answer: B. are native to a particular region
Explanation: 'Indigenous' means originating or occurring naturally in a particular land; native people.
36. True or False:
(i) The microorganisms discussed are visible without scientific equipment.
(ii) Indigenous knowledge contributed to the research.
A. (i) True, (ii) False
B. (i) False, (ii) True
C. Both True
D. Both False
Answer: B. (i) False, (ii) True
Explanation: (i) False: The text notes they are 'microscopic' and 'invisible to the naked eye'. (ii) True: The team collaborated with indigenous communities whose traditional knowledge helped identify long-term changes.
37. Match the Columns:
Column A Column B
i. Rising temperature a. Ecological imbalance
ii. Indigenous knowledge b. Long-term observations
iii. Microorganisms c. Foundation of food chain
Options:
A. i-a, ii-b, iii-c
B. i-c, ii-a, iii-b
C. i-b, ii-c, iii-a
D. i-a, ii-c, iii-b
Answer: A. i-a, ii-b, iii-c
Explanation: Rising temperatures cause ecological imbalances (i-a); indigenous knowledge provided long-term observations (ii-b); microorganisms form the foundation of the polar food chain (iii-c).
38. Rearrangement:
Arrange the events:
i. Scientists deployed an underwater vehicle.
ii. They observed changes in microorganism distribution.
iii. Indigenous communities shared traditional knowledge.
iv. Researchers concluded that conservation requires collaboration.
A. i, ii, iii, iv
B. ii, i, iii, iv
C. iii, i, ii, iv
D. i, iii, ii, iv
Answer: A. i, ii, iii, iv
Explanation: Chronological order in the text: Submersible vehicle deployed (i) -> Imbalances in microorganisms observed (ii) -> Local communities consulted (iii) -> Conclusion drawn on combining science and local collaboration (iv).
39. Assertion-Reasoning:
Assertion (A): The researchers valued indigenous knowledge.
Reason (R): Scientific observation alone may not capture every long-term environmental change.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The text states indigenous knowledge 'helped identify long-term environmental changes that scientific instruments alone had overlooked', directly explaining why researchers valued their input.
40. Case Study / Inference:
A government plans to protect a fragile ecosystem by combining satellite monitoring, scientific research, and the experience of local communities.
Which conclusion from the passage best supports this policy?
A. Scientific research should replace traditional knowledge.
B. Traditional knowledge alone is sufficient.
C. Effective conservation requires cooperation between science and local communities.
D. Climate change affects only Arctic wildlife.
Answer: C. Effective conservation requires cooperation between science and local communities.
Explanation: The concluding sentence explicitly emphasizes: 'meaningful conservation depends upon combining modern scientific investigation with local experience and global cooperation.'
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