Question Paper pdf at bottom of the post.
West Bengal Class 12 English Question Paper 2017 with Solution
2017
Part - A [Marks:60]
1. Answer any two of the following questions each in about 100 words: 6×2=12
A. “Then I made a mistake.”- What ‘mistake’ did the speaker make? Why was it a ‘mistake’? What removed the speaker’s doubts? What did the speaker do then? 1+2+1 +2
i) What ‘mistake’ did the speaker make?
The speaker, who is the narrator, made the mistake of asking the girl, “What is it like outside?”
ii) Why was it a ‘mistake’?
It was a mistake because it might have revealed to the girl that the narrator was blind, as someone who could see would usually just look out the window.
iii) What removed the speaker’s doubts?
The speaker’s doubts were removed when the girl didn’t find the question strange and instead suggested that he look out of the window, indicating that she had not noticed he was blind.
B. “Our locality was predominantly Muslim”- Who is the speaker? How does the speaker describe the locality? What picture of communal harmony do you find in this description? 1 +3 +2
i) The speaker is APJ Abdul Kalam.
ii) Kalam describes his locality as predominantly Muslim but also home to many Hindu families. Despite religious differences, the community lived together harmoniously. He highlights the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between the two communities, as well as the spiritual bond shared by his father and the Hindu high priest.
iii) The description portrays a picture of communal harmony, where Muslims and Hindus lived amicably, respected each other’s beliefs, and shared a sense of unity despite their religious differences.
C. “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.”- Who speaks to whom? Did the speaker manage to teach what he/ she claimed to teach? Give reasons for your answer. 2 + 4
i) Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones speaks to Roger.
ii) Yes, Mrs. Jones managed to teach Roger right from wrong. Instead of punishing him for trying to steal, she took him home, fed him, and talked to him about his actions. She gave him ten dollars to buy the shoes he wanted, showing him that kindness and honesty are more rewarding than stealing. Her actions left a lasting impact on Roger, as he wanted to say more than just “thank you” before he left, indicating he had learned a valuable lesson.
D. Why did the bearded man become an enemy of the Tsar? What did the man swear and resolve to do? Why did he ask forgiveness of the Tsar and what did he promise him? 1 +2 + 3
i) The bearded man became an enemy of the Tsar because the Tsar had executed his brother and seized his property.
ii) The man swore to take revenge on the Tsar and resolved to kill him when he heard the Tsar was visiting the hermit alone.
iii) He asked forgiveness because the Tsar saved his life by tending to his wounds. Grateful and remorseful, he promised to serve the Tsar faithfully, and vowed that his sons would do the same, thus seeking to make amends for his prior enmity.
2. Answer any two of the following questions each in about 100 words: 6×2 = 12
A. How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction? How does its resistance fail? 3+3
i) A tree offers resistance to its destruction through its deep roots, regenerative capacity, and ability to heal wounds, such as sprouting new twigs and boughs from its “bleeding bark.”
ii) Its resistance fails when the tree is completely uprooted, exposing its roots and removing its life source, leading to its eventual withering and death.
B. “In his side there are two red holes” — (a) Who is the person referred to here? (b) What do the two ‘red holes’ signify? 30 (c) What attitude of the poet to war is reflected here? 1+2+3
Ans: (a) The person referred to here is the young soldier lying in the valley.
(b) The two red holes signify bullet wounds, indicating that the young soldier was fatally shot in battle.
(c) The poet’s attitude to war is one of sorrow and critique. By juxtaposing the serene, beautiful valley with the stark image of the dead soldier and his wounds, the poet highlights the senseless loss and tragedy of war, emphasizing its devastating impact on young lives and the natural world.
C. “But thy eternal summer shall not fade/ Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st,”- Whose ‘eternal summer’ is being referred to here? What does ‘eternal summer’ mean? What conclusion does the poet draw at the end of the poem? 1 +2+ 3
i) Whose ‘eternal summer’ is being referred to here?
The eternal summer refers to the beauty of the person, whom Shakespeare is addressing.
ii) What does ‘eternal summer’ mean?
‘Eternal summer’ means everlasting beauty and youthfulness.
iii) What conclusion does the poet draw at the end of the poem?
At the end of the poem, Shakespeare concludes that his poetry will ensure that the beauty of the person he’s addressing will live forever, defying the passage of time and even death.
D. What does Keats mean by ‘the poetry of earth? Why does he say that this poetry never ceases?
i) Keats means the natural music and sounds of nature, like the songs of the Grasshopper and Cricket.
ii) Keats says this poetry never ceases because there is always some creature making music, no matter the season. In summer, the Grasshopper sings, and in winter, the Cricket sings. This shows that nature’s music never stops, whether it’s hot or cold.
3. Answer any one of the following in about 100 words: 1×6=6
1. “If you like, I’ll make you a present of them.” (1+1+1+3)
Who is the speaker?
- The speaker is Lomov.
Who is the person spoken to?
- The person spoken to is Natalya.
What would the speaker make a present of?
- The speaker offers to make a present of the Oxen Meadows.
Why did the speaker say so?
- Lomov says this sarcastically during their argument over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. He is frustrated by the dispute and, in a moment of exasperation, offers to gift the meadows to Natalya, even though he believes they belong to him.
2. “She’s like a ‘love-sick cat” (1+1+4)
Who said this and about whom?
- Chubukov said this about his daughter Natalya.
Analyze the character of the person referred to here under the light of the comment above.
- Natalya: She is portrayed as a strong-willed and spirited young woman. Her father’s comment about her being like a “love-sick cat” suggests she is deeply infatuated with Lomov but is unable to express her feelings directly. This comment highlights her vulnerability and desire for love, as well as her emotional nature. Despite being argumentative and stubborn during disputes, she genuinely wants to reconcile with Lomov when she realizes his true intentions. Natalya is depicted as a complex character with a mixture of pride, passion, and a longing for love.
7. Sketch the character of Natalya. (6)
Natalya Stepanovna is a central character in The Proposal:
Strong-willed: Natalya is assertive and not afraid to speak her mind, especially during arguments with Lomov over land and dogs.
Prideful: She takes great pride in her family’s possessions and heritage, leading to heated disputes with Lomov about their claims.
Emotional: Despite her strong exterior, Natalya is sensitive and emotional, especially when she learns about Lomov’s marriage proposal.
Intelligent: Natalya is well-educated and practical, as noted by Lomov when considering her as a potential wife.
Persistent: She is persistent in her arguments, unwilling to back down easily, which shows her determination and stubborn nature.
Romantic: Natalya has a romantic side, evident when she becomes distressed upon realizing Lomov’s intention to propose and is eager to make amends to ensure he returns.
4. (a) Do as directed:
(i) “We’ll soon be at your station,” I said to the girl.
→ I told the girl that we would soon be at her station.
(ii) My parents were widely regarded as an ideal couple.
→ People widely regarded my parents as an ideal couple.
(iii) I was the most important man.
→ No other man was as important as I was.
(iv) I do not recall the exact number of people she fed every day.
→ I recall being unsure of the exact number of people she fed every day.
(v) Mine was a very secure childhood.
→ Mine was not an insecure childhood.
(vi) The water dripping from his face, the boy looked at her.
→ Water was dripping from his face. The boy looked at her.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and/or prepositions:
We lived in our ancestral house, which was built in the middle of the 19th century. It was a fairly large pucca house, made of limestone and brick, on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram.
(c) Correct the error in the sentence:
Few girls can resist flaggering.
→ Few girls can resist flattery.
5. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
In those days Chumley and Tulu, our pair of chimpanzees were very much with us. When you went to visit him, Chumley, after his hysterical morning greeting, which consisted of bared teeth, loud crazy screams and swinging to and fro around the cage would sit down and dissect an orange with the deep concentration and delicacy of a specialist surgeon operating on a Prime Minister. Lulu, well aware of her husband’s perfect manners when it came to the weaker sex, took no chances. While her husband was busy with his display she stuffed her mouth with grapes, gathered together as much fruit as she could and sat on it, in the hope that it would escape the attention of her spouse. Chumley, having completed his surgery on the orange, ate the content and threw the skin at Lulu, hitting her on the back of the head softly. Chumley was an underarm bowler, but his skill and accuracy was remarkable. Having thus informed Lulu of his devotion, he leapt on her, when she least expected it, cuffed her over the back of the head and dragged her, screaming, off the pile of fruit she was hiding.
(a) State whether the following statements are True or False. Write T for True and ‘F’ for False: (You need not write the sentences, write only the numbers)
(i) Chumley would carefully eat an orange. → T
(ii) Lulu was Chumley’s sister. → F
(iii) Chumley’s action was like that of a fast bowler. → F
(iv) Lulu stuffed her mouth with raisins. → F
(b) Answer each of the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) Briefly describe Chumley’s morning greeting.
→ Chumley greeted visitors with bared teeth, loud screams, and wild swinging in his cage, showing excitement and hysteria.
(ii) What did Chumley do next after his surgery of the orange?
→ Chumley ate the orange and then threw its skin at Lulu, softly hitting her on the back of her head.
(iii) What did Lulu do while Chumley ate his orange?
→ Lulu stuffed her mouth with grapes, gathered more fruit, and sat on it to hide it from Chumley.
6. (a) Write a report on the measures taken in your district to look after the health of the people and suggest what further improvements could be made. (Word limit: 150 words) 2 +8 = 10
Improving Healthcare in Our District
Our district administration has implemented several measures to improve public health. Free medical camps are being held in rural areas, and vaccinations are provided for children and the elderly. Community health centers have been upgraded with modern equipment and medicines. Awareness campaigns on hygiene and nutrition are conducted regularly. However, there is still room for improvement. More doctors and healthcare staff need to be appointed, especially in remote areas. Ambulance services should be increased, and mental health facilities must be prioritized. With these improvements, our district’s health services can become exemplary.
Or, (b) Write a letter to the Post Master complaining about the delay in the delivery of a very urgent letter addressed to you, due to negligence of the postman. (Word limit: 150 words) 2 + 8 = 10
To
The Postmaster
[Post Office Name]
Subject: Complaint Regarding Delay in Delivery of an Urgent Letter
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain about the delay in the delivery of an urgent letter addressed to me. The delay was due to the negligence of the postman, and it caused me great inconvenience. The letter contained important documents that required immediate attention.
I kindly request you to take necessary steps to ensure such delays do not occur in the future. Please look into the matter urgently and hold the responsible person accountable.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Or, (c) Write a précis of the following passage. Add a suitable title. 2+8=10
The saving of certain wild animals from extinction has for many years been a problem for zoologists and other specialists, but more recently the problem has become so acute, and has received so much publicity, that most people are now concerned about it. This may at first seem strange because one of the most satisfying developments of the last few years has been the passing of strict laws to protect wild animals and the consequent decline in the hunting of big game for sport. Why is it then that some rare wild animals are still threatened with extinction and even some of the less rare ones are rapidly declining in number?
One reason is the ‘ march of civilization. When an area is wholly cleared of vegetation to make room for new towns, factory sites or hydroelectric plants, the natural home of special species is destroyed. The displaced animals must either migrate to another area or perish. Even the clearing of land for a road or an airfield may involve’ pushing back the Jungle and the smaller the area in which wild animals compete for a living, the smaller the number that can hope to survive.
Civilization brings too, swift and easy transport and so assists those who are determined to break the various protective laws. Thieves can elude the forest wardens, shoot and elephant for its tusks, a rhinoceros for its horn, or a dove for its meat, and be miles away from the site of crime before the dead or dying victim is even discovered.
It is sad to reflect that civilization which can bring so many benefits to people who have previously known only hunger and misery, brings also facilities for the heartless criminals who, for material gain will slaughter some harmless animals and threaten the disappearance of its kind from the Earth forever. (250 words)
Threats to Wildlife from Civilization
Despite laws protecting wildlife, many species are nearing extinction. Civilization destroys animal habitats by clearing forests for towns, factories, and roads. As habitats shrink, animals face competition and death. Modern transport helps poachers evade authorities and hunt elephants for tusks, rhinos for horns, and birds for meat. While civilization brings benefits to humanity, it also enables heartless criminals to exploit and endanger wildlife. Conservation efforts must intensify to prevent the permanent loss of these species. (91 words)
Part - B [Marks: 20]
[Multiple Choice Type Questions (MCQ) and Short Answer Type Questions (SAQ) of 1 mark.]
1. Complete each of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided: 1×4 = 4
(a) Abdul Kalam’s ancestral house was built in…
(i) mid 19th century
(ii) late 19th century
(iii) early 20th century
(iv) early 19th century
(b) The boy wanted to buy…
(i) blue suit shoes
(ii) black suede shoes
(iii) blue suede shoes
(iv) black suit shoes
(c) The hermit was…
(i) tall and weak
(ii) short and weak
(iii) frail and strong
(iv) frail and weak
(d) The blind girl said that she loved the…
(i) tree
(ii) animals
(iii) hills
(iv) forests
2. Answer any four of the following questions, each in a complete sentences: 1×4= 4
(a) How did the narrator in “The Eyes Have It” describe the voice of the blind girl?
→ The narrator described the blind girl’s voice as sweet and clear.
(b) What were the eyes of the narrator in “The Eyes Have It” sensitive to?
→ The narrator’s eyes were sensitive to light and darkness.
(c) Who was bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur’ in “Strong Roots”?
→ Abdul Kalam’s father was bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur.’
(d) Where did the hermit in “Three Questions” live?
→ The hermit lived in a forest.
(e) Which part of the body of the bearded man was injured in the story “Three Questions”?
→ The bearded man was injured in his stomach.
(f) What was the full name of Mrs. Jones?
→ The full name of Mrs. Jones was Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.
(g) According to Mrs. Jones, how old was the boy?
→ According to Mrs. Jones, the boy was fourteen or fifteen years old.
(h) Who was the priest of the Shiva temple in “Strong Roots”?
→ Abdul Kalam’s father was the priest of the Shiva temple.
3. Complete each of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided: 1×4= 4
(a) The ‘darling buds’ are shaken by rough winds in …
(i) March
(ii) April
(iii) May
(iv) June
(b) The soldier’s pillow is made of …
(i) flowers
(ii) fern
(iii) grass
(iv) leaves
(c) The root needs to be pulled out of the …
(i) firm soil
(ii) anchoring earth
(iii) underground
(iv) firm earth
(d) The birds hide in …
(i) shade of trees
(ii) shadow of trees
(iii) cold trees
(iv) cooling trees
4. Answer any four of the following questions, each in a complete sentence:1×4= 4
(a) How does a tree grow?
→ A tree grows by absorbing sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil.
(b) What does ‘the eye of heaven’ refer to?
→ ‘The eye of heaven’ refers to the sun.
(c) Where was the Grasshopper seen in summer?
→ The Grasshopper was seen among the hedges in summer.
(d) What is described as “gentle, without guile”?
→ The cricket’s song is described as “gentle, without guile.”
(e) What might one hear on a lone, cold and silent winter evening?
→ One might hear the shrill song of the cricket on a lone, cold, and silent winter evening.
(f) “So long lives this” – What is referred to by the word ‘this’?
→ The word ‘this’ refers to the poet’s eternal lines of poetry.
(g) Where does the stream leave ‘long strands of silver’?
→ The stream leaves ‘long strands of silver’ on the bright pebbles.
(h) From where would the curled green twigs rise?
→ The curled green twigs would rise from the rough bark of the tree.
5. Complete each of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided: 1X4= 4
(a) Natalya was shelling … for drying.
(i) beans
(ii) peas
(iii) barley
(iv) meadows
(b) According to Natalya, they had lent Lemov their …
(i) hunting dog
(ii) lands
(iii) peasants
(iv) threshing machine
(c) Chubukov ordered Lemov shut up or he would shoot him like a …
(i) partridge
(ii) fox
(iv) dog
(iv) wolf
(d) Chubukov addresses Lemov as …
(i) a devil
(ii) a peasant
(iii) an angel
(iv) an angle
