12th English - Quarterly Exam 2024 - Original Question Paper | Thiruvallur District

12th English Quarterly Exam Question Paper & Answer Key 2024

Thiruvallur District - Common Quarterly Examination 2024

Standard XII - English Question Paper

Part - I (20 x 1 = 20)

Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the underlined words in the following sentences from the options.

1. They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless.
   a) strange b) innocent c) gentle d) wicked
2. In those days they didn't have sophisticated heart surgery.
   a) strong b) serious c) weak d) advanced
3. It was a great thrill to look straight down this enormous rock face.
   a) lofty b) rough c) huge d) sleep

Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the underlined words in the following sentences from the options.

4. China tea has virtues which are not be despised.
   a) ethics b) excellence c) vices d) advantages
5. I experienced not only agony and fear but also a anger.
   a) suffering b) happiness c) fruitfulness d) restless
6. We watch for a few moments then as trade slackened and we went over.
   a) reduced b) increased c) omitted d) avoided

7. Choose the correct compound word that can be placed before power.
a) house b) horse c) head d) dog

8. Choose the expanded form of "IIT"
a) International Information Technology b) Indian Institute of Technology c) Indian Info Tech d) Indian Information Technology

9. Form a new word by adding a prefix to the root word agree.
a) un b) dis_ c) mis d) in_

10. Choose the correct phrasal verb for the underlined word.
The fire was extinguished by the fireman.
a) put off b) put on c) put out d) put in

11. Add a suitable question tag to the following sentence.
We rarely go to movies, _____?
a) don't we? b) aren't we? c) do we? d) isn't it?

12. Choose the clipped form of the word "Cafeteria"
a) cofet b) coffee c) cafe d) teria

13. Replace the underlined idiom with its suitable meaning.
The Examinations are round the corner.
a) not to be avoided b) very near c) not in the near future d) to be postponed

14. Fill in the blanks with suitable preposition.
There was a skirmish _____ my brother and sister.
a) among b) between c) in d) on

15. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositional phrase given below.
_____ rain take an umbrella.
a) according to b) instead of c) favour of d) in case of

16. Choose the right combination for the blended word Edutainment.
    a) educational + entertainment b) education + entertainment c) educate + entertainment d) educator + entertainment
17. Choose the right definition of the word Bibliomania.
    a) craze for sports and games b) craze for books c) craze for money and assets d) craze for new things
18. Choose the appropriate linker and fill the blank.
    _____ you register your name, you cannot participate in the competitions.
    a) If b) Unless c) Or d) As
19. Choose the correct plural form of datum.
    a) data b) datums c) datum d) datua
20. Choose the correct American English word for 'holiday'.
    a) schedule b) vacation c) rest d) trip

Part-II (14 marks)

Section-1 (8 marks)

Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four sets. (4x2=8)

21. "Our gates were strong, our walls were thick,
    So smooth and high, no man could win"
    a) How safe was the castle? b) What was the firm belief of the soldiers?
22. The giant wears the scraf, and flowers are hung
    In crimson clusters all the bough among!
    a) Who is giant here? b) Why is the scarf colourful?
23. Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
    And shining morning face, creeping like snail
    Unwillingly to school.
    a) Which stage of the life is being referred to here by the poet?
    b) How does the boy go to school?
24. Our only enemy was gold,
    And we had no arms to fight it with.
    a) Who was their enemy? b) Identify the figure of speech used here.
25. This is my son, mine own Telemachus,
    To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle
    Well - loved of me,
    a) Who does Ulysses entrust his kingdom to in his absence?
    b) Bring out the significance of the "sceptre".
26. Seeking the bubble reputation
    Even in the cannon's mouth.
    a) What is meant by "Bubble Reputation"?
    b) Identify the figure of speech used here?

Section - 2 (6 marks)

Answer any three of the following. (3x2=6)

27. Mani said, "I have completed my work". (change into indirect speech)
28. If I had money, I would help you. (Begin with 'Had')
29. Adit had been promoted. Ranjan has been promoted. (combine using 'as well as')
30. Prize were being given away by the chief guest. (change into the other voice)

Part - III (21 marks)

Section - 1 (6 marks)

Explain any two of the following with reference to the context. (2x3=6)

31. Dear is the Casuarina to my soul;
32. Our captain was brave and we were true...
33. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Section - 2 (6 marks)

Answer any two of the following briefly. (2x3=6)

34. What were the various jobs undertaken by the little boys?
35. How does adding sugar affect the taste of tea?
36. Name an equipment and a tool carried by the Climbers during their expedition.

Section - 3 (9 marks)

Answer any three of the following questions. (3x3=9)

37. Describe the process of installing a computer.
38. Study the given data and answer the questions.

    Tamil Nadu State Expenditure

    Electricity	9%
    Agriculture	59%
    Diary	6%
    Roads	9%
    Others	17%

    a) How much the state spends on agriculture?
    b) Which of the utilities have equal amount of expenditure?
    c) Which utility has the least expenditure?
39. Construct a dialogue between a father and his daughter about the advantages of the habit of newspaper reading. (minimum Three exchanges)
40. Complete the proverbs choosing the correct option.
    a) Blood is thicker than _____ (bone, water, ink)
    b) One flower makes no _____ (garland, island, fragrance)
    c) Barking _____ seldom Bite. (tigers, lions, dogs)

Part - IV (35 marks)

Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words. (7x5=35)

41. a) Justify the title of the story "Two Gentlemen of Verona". (OR)
    b) What lesson did Dr.Barnard learn From children who took part in Grand Prix?
42. a) How does the nature communicate with the poetess Toru Dutt? (OR)
    b) Describe the various stages of a man's life in the poem "All the World's Stage".
43. Answer any one of the following in a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints.
    a) Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov - young merchant - Vladimir Nizhny Fair - wife - had dream - at inn - met another merchant - murdered - Aksinov arrested - sent - mines of Sibera - 26 years - Makar - confessed - Aksinov forgave - died in peace - before order - for release. (OR)
    b) The midnight visitor - concerned - physical appearance - not matter - secret agent - Ausable - fat sloppy - Fowler - first sight - never thought - spy - after hearing - interested to collect - new missiles - frightened - Ausable - made - mind - to be fool - Max - Fowler - wondered - presence of mind.
44. Either Make notes or Summarise the following passage.

    Artificial Intelligence, or AI is like teaching computers to be really smart. It's like magic that makes machines think and learn. Al is everywhere - in games, phones, and even some toys! It helps us by understanding what we say and do. Imagine having a friend in our computers! But, we must be careful and use AI nicely. It's important to share and be good to others. AI can do amazing things, like talking to us or helping with homework. So let's be happy with our smart machines, always be kind, and remember that technology is here to make our lives fun and easier! If we observe, many aspects of our day-to-day lives now involve the use of artificial intelligence, for instance, face ID and image recognition features in mobile phones, emails, various apps, digital voice assistants like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, Google search, route mapping, traffic updates, weather updates, Netflix and Amazon for entertainment, etc. So AI is like a smart buddy, learning, helping, and making things exciting!

45. a) Write an application for the post of Personal Secretary to the Managing Director of a company. Including the following details: Educational qualification, Experience, Various other qualifications required for the Post. (OR)
    b) Write a letter to your friend about a good book you have read.
46. a) Read the following sentences, spot the errors and correct them.
    1. She prefers coffee than tea.
    2. She gave me an one-rupee coin.
    3. One of the boy has got the first prize.
    4. Though he was rich but he was happy.
    5. Remove the furnitures from here.
    (OR)
    b)
    1. I found this _____ in front of the Aavin _____. (Fill up with diary; dairy)
    2. We _____ (see) a wonderful film at the cinema last night. (Fill in the blank with right tense form)
    3. My grandfather _____ visit this temple when he was young. (use a semi-modal)
    4. I _____ like to have a cup of coffee. (use a modal)
47. a) Write a General paragraph in about 150 words about Rain Water Harvesting. (OR)
    b) Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below.

    Science has not discovered much about the human brain and its functioning. However, the harmful effects of drugs upon the brain are quite clear. Drugs may cause anything from decline of health to death as they act directly on the brain. The drug-addict suffers from physical discomfort and personality changes. He suspects that people always mock at him for his addiction. Drug-related health disorders are many. Dirty needles can cause pus formation, liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidneys and brain. Women addicts give birth to babies that suffer from mental illness. Cocaine causes fall of hair and marijuana damages cells. A drug user is easily affected by Pneumonia and Tuberculosis. An overdose of the drugs can lead to heart failure and death. Drugs disturb the chemistry of the brain cells. They block the transmission of messages. Thus the effective functioning of the brain is affected.

    Questions:

    1. What is quite clear about the human brain?
    2. Mention some drug-related health disorders.
    3. What do women addicts do?
    4. What causes baldness?
    5. What can an overdose of the drug do?

ENGLISH - SCORING KEY (QUARTERLY EXAM - SEP 2024)

PART - I

Question No.	Answer	Marks
Choose the correct synonyms
01	(b) innocent	3 Marks
02	(d) advanced
03	(c) huge
Choose the correct antonyms
04	(c) vices	3 Marks
05	(b) happiness
06	(b) increased
07	(b) horse power	1 Mark
08	(b) Indian Institute of Technology	1 Mark
09	(b) dis	1 Mark
10	(c) put out	1 Mark
11	(c) do we?	1 Mark
12	(c) cafe	1 Mark
13	(b) very near	1 Mark
14	(b) between	1 Mark

15	(d) in case of	1 Mark
16	(b) education + entertainment	1 Mark
17	(b) craze of books	1 Mark
18	(b) unless	1 Mark
19	(a) data	1 Mark
20	(b) vacation	1 Mark

PART - II

SECTION - 1 (4 x 2 = 8)

Q. No.	Answer	Marks
21	(a) The castle had strong gates and thick walls. (b) No man could win them	1 Mark 1 Mark
22	(a) casuarina tree (b) creeper hung with crimson flowers	1 Mark 1 Mark
23	(a) second stage / school boy (b) unwillingly going to school	1 Mark 1 Mark
24	(a) gold (b) personification	1 Mark 1 Mark
25	(a) Telemachus / to his son (b) symbol of kingly power	1 Mark 1 Mark
26	(a) short lived glory / temporary fame (b) metaphor	1 Mark 1 Mark

SECTION - 2 (3 x 2 = 6)

Q. No.	Answer	Marks
27	Mani said that he had completed his work.	2 Marks
28	Had I money, I would help you.	2 Marks
29	Adit as well as Ranjan had been promoted.	2 Marks
30	The chief guest was giving prizes.	2 Marks

PART - III

SECTION - 1 (2 x 3 = 6)

Explain any two of the following with reference to the context.
(Marking Scheme: Name of the poem - 1 Mark, Name of the poet - 1 Mark, Explanation - 1 Mark)

Q. No.	Answer Details
31	Poem: Our casuarina tree Poet: Toru Dutt
32	Poem: The castle Poet: Edwin Muir
33	Poem: Ulysses Poet: Alfred Lord Tennyson

SECTION - 2 (2 x 3 = 6)

Q. No.	Answer	Marks
34	Polished shoes, sold strawberries, hawked newspapers, guided visitors and ran errands.	3 Marks
35	No, the author doesn't like drinking tea with sugar because sugar destroys the flavour of tea and we merely taste sugar instead of tea.	3 Marks
36	The oxygen apparatus, ice-axe, ice hammers and crampons were carried by the climbers during their expedition.	3 Marks

SECTION - 3 (3 x 3 = 9)

Q. No.	Answer	Marks
37	Installing computer. (Detailed answer expected)	3 Marks
38	a) 59% b) electricity and roads c) dairy	3 Marks
39	(Dialogue writing)	3 Marks
40	a) water b) garland c) dogs	3 Marks

PART - IV (7 x 5 = 35)

Marking Scheme for Paragraphs (Q. 41, 42, 43, 47a):
Content- (60%), Language, style and organisation (40%)

• Exceptionally good paragraph: 5 Marks
• Correct answer with all points with no mistakes: 4 Marks
• Correct answer with a few mistakes: 3 Marks
• Answer with a few points: 2 Marks
• Answer with a few points and many mistakes: 1 Mark

Q. No.	Answer / Marking Scheme	Marks
44 (b)	Summarising – Format Rough copy / First Draft Fair copy / Final Draft Suitable title (The number of words in the Fair Draft need not be taken into account)	1 mark 3 Marks 1 Mark
44 (a)	(OR) Note making : Format Title Sub-titles Key points under each sub-titles	1 Mark 2 Marks 2 Marks
45 (a)	Application Letter From: ½ mark To: ½ mark Salutation: ½ mark Subject: ½ mark Body of the letter: 2 marks Subscription: ½ mark Superscription / Address on the envelope: ½ mark	Total 5 Marks
45 (b)	(OR) Personal letter (Similar mark distribution for format and body)	Total 5 Marks
46 a)	Spot the errors and correct them. i) She prefers coffee to tea. ii) She gave me a one-rupee coin. iii) One of the boys has got the first prize. iv) Though he was rich, he was happy. / He was rich but he was happy. v) Remove the furniture from here.	1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark
46 b)	(OR) i) diary / dairy ii) saw iii) used to iv) would	2 Marks 1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark

Q. No.	Answer	Marks
47 a)	Write a paragraph on “Rain water harvesting” (Refer to paragraph marking scheme above)	5 Marks
47 b)	Comprehension passage. i) The harmful effects of drugs upon the brain are quite clear. ii) Physical discomfort and personality changes. iii) Women addicts give birth to babies that suffer from mental illness. iv) Cocaine causes baldness. v) An overdose of the drug can lead to heart failure and death.	1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark 1 Mark