List of top English Core Questions

Mr. Lamb: “Oh, there’s a lot of things I’ve learned to do, and plenty of time for it. Years. I take it steady.”
On the Face of it
Mr. Lamb, despite his handicap, learned to be independent and has proved where there is a will, there is a way. As a motivational speaker, write a speech to be delivered to school students, highlighting how one should develop resilience and determination to achieve one’s goal, citing references from this story.
You may begin like this:
To remain resilient during difficult times, will help one move forward in life.}

Until then the Maharaja had given his entire time and energy to tiger hunting. He had no time to spare for the crown prince.
In the present times, we see people following their profession and running after money and neglect their children. As a professional counsellor, you address working parents, stressing the need to spend quality time with children. Take material from the story to reinforce your points of view.
You may begin like this:
Spending time with children will boost their confidence….

What evidence from the text reveals that Rudyard Kipling did not walk the talk?

‘Soaf, you really should be sensible!’ What does Jansie’s advice to her friend Sophie reveal about their friendship?

How can you say ‘Students on Ice Programme’ was a step towards the future?

Louisa behaves like a perfect wife. Give evidence from The Third Level in support of the above statement.

What was the servants’ reaction to Sadao’s decision of treating the American soldier?

Wars with gas, wars with fire, Victory with no survivors.
(Keeping Quiet)
Pablo Neruda in the above lines highlights the futility of war. Gandhi also brought about the change in the plight of the Champaran sharecroppers through civil disobedience and not violence. Write an article on the importance of peace and the right way to resolve issues.

“I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits.” Says Douglas. Which qualities of the speaker are highlighted in the above statement?

‘And such too is the grandeur of the dooms; we have imagined for the mighty dead.’ Explain the inference you can draw from the phrase ‘mighty dead’.

The Last Lesson

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz: you must feel bad enough, see how it is! Everyday we have said to ourselves, Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those fellows out there will have the right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But, you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.”

(The Last Lesson)

Memories of Childhood

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

I did not open my mouth to answer. Then the steps were quickened, and the voices became excited. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Women and girls entered the room. I held my breath and watched them open closet doors and peep behind large trunks. Someone threw up the curtains, and the room was filled with sudden light. What caused them to stoop and look under the bed, I do not know. I remember being dragged out, though I resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. In spite of myself, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair.

(Memories of Childhood)

The little old house was out with a little new shed
in front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped.
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread.
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

(A Roadside Stand)

You are Ravi/Rajni, a class XII student. Write an article for a youth magazine on selfie safety, advising youngsters to be more cautious and careful.

Use the following cues along with your own ideas to draft the article:

You are Tanvi of Rosewood Colony, Sagar Nagar. You have recently observed that people waste a lot of food in hotels, at marriages, and parties. You are upset at the casual attitude of people towards wastage of food.

Write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your concern and suggesting ways to improve the situation. Use the given points along with your own ideas to compose this letter.

 

(a) You are Ujwal/Urmila of J.P. Nagar, A.B. Puram. You saw the given advertisement in a newspaper and wish to apply for the position advertised.

 

Read the following passage carefully:

(1) We’re all familiar with the usual reasons workers cite for wanting to stay away even after lockdowns have long ended: flexible schedules, not having to commute, and of course, increased productivity. However, productivity isn’t the only reason people want to stay away from the office. We recently surveyed 1,000 remote workers to find out what’s really keeping them tied to their work-from-home lives.

(2) The findings include: 72% want to be able to take a nap or exercise during the day. Nearly three out of four remote workers surveyed stated that the ability to take a nap or workout during the workday was one of the reasons they wanted to stay home. Though these activities may very well increase worker productivity, there’s no doubt that a nap on the kitchen couch would be frowned upon in the office.

(3) 73% want to be able to watch TV while they work. Three out of four respondents again say that being able to entertain themselves with TV, podcasts, music, or other media is one of the reasons they want to keep their work-from-home lifestyle.

(4) 62% cite concerns about their appearance. Well over half of respondents stated that they are concerned about their co-workers seeing them in-person again after such a long time apart. Whether it’s weight loss or gain, not having the right clothes, or another concern about appearance, most would rather not have to worry about the way they look to their co-workers outside a Zoom call.

(5) When asked to choose the reason that most affects their desire to keep working from home, predictable answers like caring for children and lack of a commute were still the most common number one reasons. 14% of respondents stated that working remotely was so important to them, that they would not go back to work in-person even if their employers required it.