CBSE 2016 English Core Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is the CBSE Class 12 English (Core) paper from the 2016 board examination, code 1/1 (Series ONS, Set 1). It carries 100 marks over three hours and has 13 questions in three sections. Section A (Reading) has a passage on Maharana Pratap and the glory of Mewar, a passage on how a mother panther rears its cubs, and a note-making and summary passage on collecting as a hobby. Section B (Writing) asks for an advertisement or formal invitation, a letter on noise pollution or road rage, a debate or speech, and an article on education or literacy. Section C covers Flamingo, Vistas and the long reading texts The Invisible Man and Silas Marner, with choices in most questions. This copy has the questions only, without solutions.

Exam

CBSE Class 12

Subject

English Core

Year

2016

Paper code

1/1

Maximum marks

100

Time allowed

3 hours

Questions

13

Pages

13

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Section A (Reading)

  30 marks

  Questions 1–3: two comprehension passages with multiple-choice and short answers, and a passage for note-making and an 80-word summary

• Section B (Writing Skills)

  30 marks

  Questions 4–7: advertisement or invitation, letter, debate or speech, and article, each with a choice

• Section C (Literature: Text Books and Long Reading Text)

  40 marks

  Questions 8–13: poetry extract, four of six short answers, and four long answers on the textbooks and long reading texts

Topics covered

• Reading comprehension
• Note-making and summary
• Advertisement and invitation writing
• Letter writing
• Debate, speech and article writing
• Keeping Quiet
• Lost Spring
• The Rattrap
• Going Places
• On the Face of It
• The Invisible Man
• Silas Marner

Questions from this paper

1. Our cities are under attack from noise pollution, along with air and water pollution. Write a letter in 120–150 words to the editor of a local newspaper describing the problem and requesting the concerned authorities to solve it.
2. Write a debate in 150–200 words either for or against the motion 'Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India'.
3. What does the reference to chappals in 'Lost Spring' tell us about the economic condition of the rag pickers?
4. At the dining table, why did Zitkala-Sa begin to cry when others started eating?
5. Both Derry and Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is the feeling of loneliness. Comment.
6. Marvel is the only character in 'The Invisible Man' who interacts with Griffin and gains something. Comment.