ISC 2025 Elective English Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is the ISC Class 12 Elective English paper from the 2025 board examination, code 1225-850. It carries 80 marks and runs for three hours, with fifteen minutes extra for reading. There are seven questions. In Section A, worth 20 marks, candidates attempt any ten of twenty multiple-choice items and any five of ten short answers, from any three of the five prescribed texts. Section B, worth 60 marks, has five long questions of 20 marks each; any three must be answered, on three different texts, each with a choice between an essay and two short notes. The texts are To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hungry Tide, A Doll’s House, Death of a Salesman, and Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Verse edited by Chris Woodhead. This copy has the questions only.

Exam

ISC Class 12

Subject

Elective English

Year

2025

Paper code

1225-850

Maximum marks

80

Time allowed

3 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

7

Pages

8

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Section A

  20 marks

  Question 1: any ten of twenty multiple-choice items, one mark each, from any three texts. Question 2: any five short answers, two marks each, from any three texts

• Section B

  60 marks

  Any three of Questions 3–7, one on each of three texts, 20 marks each, with a choice between an essay and two short notes

Topics covered

• To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Hungry Tide
• A Doll's House
• Death of a Salesman
• Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Verse
• The Shield of Achilles
• The Ship of Death
• Discord in Childhood

Questions from this paper

1. State any two points that Atticus explains to Jem and Scout about the jury system.
2. What is the first thing Aunt Alexandra tells Scout to do when she comes to stay, and why does she come?
3. How can the Christmas tree be interpreted symbolically in A Doll’s House?
4. What is the significance of Linda’s closing words, “We’re free…”?
5. With reference to the role of Boo Radley, evaluate whether he can be considered the hero of To Kill a Mockingbird.
6. How does D. H. Lawrence use imagery and symbolism to convey mortality in The Ship of Death?