List of top English Core Questions asked in CBSE Class Twelve Board Exam

What, according to the psychiatrist, was Charley’s problem? (The Third Level)

Why were the servants not in favour of Sadao’s decision to keep the American prisoner of war in their house? (The Enemy)

How did the Maharaja’s harmless wooden tiger lead to his death? (The Tiger King)

Explain why Umberto Eco said, "I started writing novels by accident.'' (The Interview)

How would humanity benefit if people maintained silence? (Keeping Quiet)

Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers? (Indigo)

Why is the Englishman's visit referred to as an unexplained mystery? (Poets and Pancakes)

What is the complaint of the country folk against the `party in power'? (A Roadside Stand)

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
So it is hardly surprising that opinions of the interview—of its
functions, methods and merits—vary considerably. Some might
make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a
source of truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities
who see themselves as its victims, might despise the interview as an
unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow
diminishes them.
(The Interview)
(i) What does the author mean by the phrase ‘extravagant claims’?
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in the brackets to fill in the blank.
The phrase ‘hardly surprising’ indicates that the writer is ___ (taken aback/unsurprised) at the varied opinions of the interview.
(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The people have diverse opinions about an interview. Some consider it ___, while others ___.
(iv) What does the phrase ‘unwarranted intrusion’ illustrate about an interview?
(A) celebration
(B) confession
(C) invitation
(D) interference
(v) Select the textual option that is closest to indicating a feeling of deep dislike:
(A) celebrities see themselves as victims
(B) extravagant claims
(C) despise the interview
(D) vary considerably
(vi) Why do celebrities feel that interviews ‘diminish’ them?

Why did Sophie dream of having a boutique after leaving school? (Going Places)

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
(A Thing of Beauty)
(i) Select the phrase that suggests the following :
The small streams make a shelter for themselves.
(ii) What does the phrase ‘An endless fountain of immortal drink, Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink’ not imply in the extract?
(A) unlimited beauty
(B) eternal inspiration
(C) finite resources
(D) everlasting joy
(iii) Complete the following suitably:
In the line, ‘the grandeur of the dooms’, the word ‘dooms’ refers to ___.
(iv) The poet has used phrases like ‘mighty dead’ to illustrate the ___ (irony/satire) in the lasting impact of beauty and heroism.
(v) Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: The poet views beauty as a finite source of inspiration.
Reason: Natural elements and tales of heroism provide a continuous flow of joy and inspiration.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:
(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(vi) State in one sentence, what message you would give to those seeking inspiration from nature.

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at
all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. They were all
incandescent lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery of those
subjected to make-up. The make-up department was first headed by
a Bengali who became too big for a studio and left. He was succeeded
by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an
Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the
usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of
national integration long before A.I.R. and Doordarshan began
broadcasting programmes on national integration. This gang of
nationally integrated make-up men could turn any decent-looking
person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truck-
loads of pancake and a number of other locally made potions and
lotions.
(Poets and Pancakes)
(i) Why does the author compare the make-up room to a salon?
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
The term ‘crimson hued monster’ refers to the make-up applied to actors to make them look ugly so that they look \underline{\hspace{1.5cm}} (beautiful/terrified) on screen.
(iii) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The make-up team’s ability to transform actors reveals two things about their skills:
First, their ___ and second, their use of ___.
(iv) Give textual evidence to prove that the make-up team reflected national integration.
(v) Explain the phrase ‘fiery misery’ with reference to the given extract.
(vi) What does the following line from the extract showcase?
“With the help of truck-loads of pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions.”
(A) creativity
(B) normalcy
(C) exaggeration
(D) simplicity

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
At another time he was in danger of losing his throne. A
high-ranking British officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was very
fond of hunting tigers. And fonder of being photographed with the
tigers he had shot. As usual, he wished to hunt tigers in
Pratibandapuram. But the Maharaja was firm in his resolve. He
refused permission. “I can organise any other hunt. You may go on a
boar hunt. You may conduct a mouse hunt. We are ready for a
mosquito hunt. But tiger hunt! That’s impossible!”
(The Tiger King)
(i) Complete the following suitably.
The passage suggests that the Maharaja was in danger of losing his throne because ___.
(ii) What phrase in the above passage indicates that the Maharaja was a determined man who stuck to his decision?
(iii) By saying ‘that’s impossible’, the Maharaja in the above passage means ___.
(A) he will not give up his throne
(B) that the British officer cannot go on a tiger hunt in his kingdom
(C) he would pass a law which forbade hunting of boars
(D) that the Maharaja would accompany the officer on a tiger hunt
(iv) List any one characteristic of the Maharaja as demonstrated in the above passage.

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
My journey began 13:09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras,
and involved crossing nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies
of water, and at least as many ecospheres.
By the time I actually set foot on the Antarctic continent I had been
travelling over 100 hours in combination of a car, an aeroplane, and
a ship; so, my first emotion on facing Antarctica’s expansive white
landscape and uninterrupted blue horizon was relief, followed up
with an immediate and profound wonder.
(Journey to the end of the Earth)
(i) Complete the following suitably.
The passage suggests that the author’s journey to Antarctica was ___.
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank :
The author highlights the numerous challenges and difficulties to emphasise the ___ (remoteness/proximity) of Antarctica.
(iii) How does the mention of crossing multiple time zones, checkpoints and bodies of water impact the writer?
(A) is excited by the adventure of travel
(B) feels indifferent towards the journey
(C) is surprised by the number of obstacles
(D) feels overwhelmed by the logistical challenges
(iv) How does the description of the journey reflect the author’s initial emotions upon arriving in Antarctica?

Write a letter to the editor of a local daily about the significance of voting and encouraging young people to participate in elections. Also suggest the importance of making informed decisions. Use the given cues and your own ideas. You are Ragini/Raghu, a responsible citizen, residing at M-5, View Nagar, Vayupur.

You are Shanti/Satwik from, 375/P-I, Rasalpur, Bahutnagar. You came across the following advertisement for the post of a dance teacher in a reputed public school. Write an application for the position advertised along with your bio-data.

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
(Keeping Quiet)
(i) Select the phrase from the extract that suggests the ceaseless activity in our daily life.
(ii) What does the imagery of ‘single-mindedness’ not represent?
(A) flexibility
(B) unwavering determination
(C) dedication
(D) persistent efforts
(iii) Complete the sentence:
In the line, ‘might interrupt this sadness’, the phrase ‘this sadness’ refers to ___.
(iv) The poet has used phrases like ‘never understanding ourselves’ to illustrate the ___ (irony/humour) in continuous movement without reflection.
(v) Assertion: The poet emphasizes the need for productive silence and reflection.
Reason: Purposeless continuous movement leads to sadness and existential threats.
Choose the correct option:
(A) Both are true, but reason is not the correct explanation.
(B) Both are true, and reason is the correct explanation.
(C) Assertion is true, reason is false.
(D) Assertion is false, reason is true.
(vi) State in one sentence what advice you would give to people who are always busy.

You are Suman/Sharman, a Class XII student. Write an article for the school magazine exploring the importance of digital literacy for Indian youth. Provide examples to illustrate your points. You may use the following cues along with your own suggestions.

An invitation had been issued by Leena/Lokesh Kapoor, the HR Head of your company, inviting you to a workshop on diversity and inclusion. As Rajni/Rakesh Sharma, senior analyst, draft a reply in not more than 50 words, consenting to attend.

As activity incharge of your school, draft an invitation card in not more than 50 words inviting parents and students to the school career fair (for students of Class XI and XII). Mention a compelling highlight of the event along with necessary details.

What had been haunting Derry? How did Mr. Lamb give him a new vision of life?

How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace?