English (Core) (Class 12) Term 2 Question Paper 2023
1. Read the passage given below :
(1) I know many friends of mine who drink coffee regularly but do not know that coffee exists in different forms other than instant coffee. There are many who swear by Flora enfé classic or Coco gold, which they consider premium coffee. I may sound offensive but instant coffee is not the only way; in fact, it's a very bad way of making coffee! Instant coffee does not match brewed coffee's flavor nor does it have Arabic beans. It uses Robusta beans that are lower in Navour. Don't know the difference ?! Read on ...
(2) That plant might be a genius! It created a chemical that would keep pests away. Fortunately for us and unfortunately for the plant - that plan did not work as intended toy The&chemical might have averted a few pest attacks. but attracted a far greater threat - the chemical is caffeine human beings, The Plant I am talking about is coffee and the chemical is caffeine.
(3) To begin from the beginning - coffee is from a more mature part of the tree - the seed - unlike other stimulants. The ripe berry is picked and de-pulped leaving us with a seed called 'green bean' or green coffee. Green bean is uncharacteristically bland with a taste nowhere close to that of coffee. but it is valued for its higher antioxidant levels.
(4) Its an interesting phenomenon to see how this bland green bean turns to a flavourful coffee beary Coffee bean is a seed and like any other seed is rich in proteins, fats, and all necessary ingredients for giving birth to a new plant. When exposed to heat, the fats and carbohydrates in the bean turn into essential oils, which give the characteristic taste and aroma to the coffee bean, The degree of roasting depends on the need or purpose of use
(5) These beans are ground so that the surface area of the bean is increased, which makes extraction easier. The bean can be ground or crushed but making the particles uniform will ensure equal extraction, or else the smaller particle will get over-extracted and the larger one under-extracted. Hence, the burr grinder is used to ensure that the coffee bean gets ground in a uniform way in which all particles are of similar sizes.
(6) Does under-extraction give a lighter coffee and over-extraction a stronger one? No, For lighter or stronger coffee less or more coffee powder has to be used. Why P Under extraction will not get all the flavors of the coffee as the water runs too quickly. It will not get what you want - it will taste sour. Over-extraction will bring out all unnecessary flavors rendering the taste bitter.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below :
(i) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option The author complained that his friends___________ (a) consumed only Flora classics. (b) were not aware of different forms of coffee. (c) were severely addicted to drinking coffee. (d) considered Coco gold as premium coffee.
(ii) Comment on the writer's reference to the unique feature of the coffee plant. (paragraph 2) (iii) List the reason why the author refers to humans as 'great threat to coffee' plants. (iv) Select an option that conveys the same meaning as "'energizer' from words used in paragraph 3.
(a) bland (b)mature (d) stimulants (e) antioxidant
(v) Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference with respect to the following : Fats and carbohydrates turn into essential oils leading to_____________
(vi) Comment on the writer's reference to the interesting phenomenon in paragraph 4. (vii) Over-extraction does not give a stronger coffee. Based on your understanding of paragraph 6. list one method to get stronger coffee. (vi) The writer would not agree with the given statements based on paragraph five EXCEPT
(a) The burr grinder grinds coffee beans uniformly. (b) Less surface area makes extraction easier. (c) Grinding gives a stronger aroma. (d) Good coffee is a mix of smaller and bigger particles.
(ix) Why is it fair to say that the right degree of extraction of coffee is Important?
(x) Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
(a) The Art of Coffee Making (b) Benefits of Consuming Coffee (c) Green Coffee - The perfect antioxidant (d) The Coffee Addict
Read the passage given below:
(1) News - If you can't remember the last time, you saw a teenager reading a book, newspaper, or magazine, you're not alone. In recent years, less than 20 percent of teens report reading a book, magazine, or newspaper daily for pleasure. More than 80 percent say they use social media every day, according to research published by the World Psychological Association.
(2) Compared with previous generations, teens in the 2010s spent more time online and less time with traditional media, such as books. magazines and television." wud the lead author of the book yGen and professor of psychology at ABC University. -Time on digital media has dispensed time once spent enjoying a book or watching TV.
(3) Swaner and her colleagues analyzed data concluded from an ongoing study of a nationally representative sample of approximately 50.000 eighth, tenth, and twelfth-grade students annually. They looked at survey results from 1976 to 2016, representing more than 1 million teenagers. While the study started with only twelfth-graders in the 1970s, eighth- and tenth-grader» were added in 1991.
(4) Use of digital media increased substantially from 200G to 2016. Among twelfth-graders, internet use during leisure time doubled from one to two hours per day during that period. It also increased by 75 percent for tenth-graders and 68 percent for eighth-graders.
(5) "In the mid-2010s, the average twelfth-grader reported spending approximately two hours a day texting, just over two hours a day on the internet - which included gaming - and just under two hours a day on social media." said Swaner. That's a total of about six hours per day on just three digital media activities during their leisure time."
(6) In comparison, tenth-graders reported a total of five hours per day and eighth-graders reported four hours per day on those three digital activities. Consequently, the spent time in the digital world is seriously degrading the time they spend on more traditional media such as print books and newspapers.
(7) The decline in reading print media was especially steep. In early 1984. 33 percent of tenth-graders said they read a newspaper almost every day. By 2016, that number was only 2 percent. In the 19705. 60 percent of twelfth-graders said they read a book or a magazine almost every day; by 2016, only 16 percent did. Twelfth. graders also reported reading fewer books each year in 2016 compared to how much they read in 1976, and approximately one. third did not read a book (including e-books) for pleasure in the year prior to the 2016 survey.
(8) There's no lack of intelligence among young people. However, due to over-dependence on digital media, they find it difficult to focus for long periods of time and to rend long-form text. Subsequently, they find it challenging to understand complex issues and develop critical thinking skills.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below
(i)Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1? The writer believes that very few teens indulge in reading as a pleasurable activity. Select from the following : True: if the statement agrees with the information. False: if the statement contradicts the information. Not given: if there is no information on this.
(ii) Select the option that displays the most likely reason for this research. In order to find out ..... (a) reading choices of teenagers. (b) digital competency of teenagers. (c) speed of reading text. (d) the decline of time spent on traditional media.
(iii) Complete the statement based on the following statement: Traditional media has been replaced by digital media, we can say this because_______
(iv) Do you think that the researchers of the study added tenth and eighth graders to the survey deliberately? Support your answer with reference to the text.
(v) Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option: The concluding sentence of the text makes a clear case for ________ by listing it as a core competency for analysis and application. (a) following social media (b) reading long texts (c) building focus and concentration (d) developing constructive habits
(vi) Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option : The digital activities that the twelfth-graders indulge in are_________ (a) texting, gaming, television (b) texting, gaming, social media (c) newspaper, books, magazine (d) television, books, gaming
(vii) Complete the sentence appropriately with one/two words Teens today hardly read print media for_________
(viii) Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement: "Time on digital media has displaced time once spent enjoying a book or watching T.V."
(ix) What does the author mean by 'degrading the time' in para 6? (a) spending less time (b) waste of time (c) consuming more time (d) saving time
(x) As per Fig. 1, the percentage of people above 50 yrs is_______ the percentage of teenagers using social media. (a) greater than (b) less than (c) equal to (d) negligible to
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES. In lieu of Q. 2 (x)
(x) The decline in reading print media was especially steep. What does 'steep' mean in the above sentence? (a) slow (b) sharp (C) steady (d) gradual
SECTION - B Creative Writing Skills
3. Attempt any ONE from (n) and (b) given below:
(a) The Debating Society of your school is organizing an inter-school debate. The Inst date for submitting names for the audition is Friday 17 March. There will be on-the-spot trials. Draft a notice in about 50 words informing students about the team selection time, date, and venue. You are Sarita / Sarit, President. Debating Society. Flora International School.
OR
(b) There has been an increase in the number of cyberbullying cases in sour schools. This has led to parents and students getting very anxious. As the school counselor, you are organizing a talk during the morning assembly by Mr. Kakkar, Director, Cybercrime Department inviting both students and parents. Draft a notice in about 50 words informing students of the same mentioned day. date, time, and venue.
4. Attempt any ONE from (a) and (b) given below in about 50 words:
(a) Amit is planning to invite his friends and relatives for the celebration of the 801 birthday of his grandmother. Draft an invitation letter in about 50 words on his behalf. Mention the day, date, time, and venue.
OR
(b) You have been invited to inaugurate the art and craft exhibition at Rashida Public School on the occasion of the school's Annual Day on 20% Mareb, 2023 in the school auditorium. Write a formal letter of regret in about 50 words expressing your inability to attend due to a prior engagement. You are SaliV/Reena.
5. Attempt any ONE from (a) and (b) given below:
(a) You are Minal / Mrinal. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the position advertised in about 120-150 words. Write a letter of application for the same.
ROYAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Required - English Teacher for Primary Classes Skills & Qualifications:
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Graduate. Montessori trained.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills
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Experience - 3-5 years.
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Competency in computers.
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Send your bio-data within 10 days to Mr. Shams. Principal. Roval Public International School.
OR
(b) ONLINE TEACHING IMPACT
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Social isolation
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Loneliness
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Obesity
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Stress, anxiety
SOLUTIONS
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Physical Activity
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Family time
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Constructive leisure time
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Maintaining balance
The recent increase in online teaching is of great concern for both parents and teachers: A fine balance needs to be maintained between the two. Using the given cues and your own ideas. write a letter to the editor on this topic and give suggestions. You are Manju/Manav. Word limit 120-150 words.
6: Attempt any ONE from (a) and (b) given below: (a) You are a Kanika / Kavish student reporter for Galaxy School. Your school celebrated Annual Sports Day recently. Write a report in about 120-150 words on it to be published in your school magazine. You may use the cues given below.
- Date - venue - time - Chief Guest - opening ceremony - sports events - prize distribution
OR
6. (b) "The return of the cheeths will help in the restoration of open forests and grassland ecosystems in India". Write an article in 120-150 words expressing your views on how this will help conserve biodiversity. wildlife and soil conservation. You Bela/Bhanu. Use the following cues along with your own ideas to compose your article.
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ecological balance of nature
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helps keep the food chain in place
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maintains ecological stability
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diversity ensures healthier ecosystems
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cultural significance
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good for mental health
