KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IIM LUCKNOW

PERIODIC TEST-II
ENGLISH CORE
CLASS:- XII
MM:50 TIME: 1:30HRS
READING
1. Read the passage and answer the questions given below: (08)
1. There is a clear dichotomy between Jayashankar Prasad’s daily life and the one that found expression in
his literature. In his literary formulations, Prasad advocated an escape- frompersonality ideal and
categorically stated: “An artist‟s art, and not his person, is the touchstone to assess his work . . . it is only
after losing his personality that he emerges in his art as an artist”.
2. In Prasad‟s works – his poems, short stories, novels, dramas etc. – what emerges is life as shaped in the
writer‟s inner self by his emotions, fancies, dreams, reveries . . . His writings are a record not of outer
reality, but of the artist‟s inner world. As such, of a proper appreciation and understanding of his works
more emphasis needs to be placed on the working of his mind, than the events of his dayto-day life.
3. Prasad was born in a renowned family of Varansi. His grand-father Shiv RatanSahu, a dealer in high
quality perfumed tobacco (snuff). Besides being an astute businessman, he was endowed with a marked
cultural taste. His home was the meeting place of the local poets, singers, artists, scholars and men of
religion. Prasad‟s father Devi Prasad Sahu carried forward this high tradition of family. Prasad, therefore,
had a chance to study the various phases of human nature in the light of the business traditions, artistic
taste and religious background of his family.
4. When the business had somewhat recovered, Prasad planned the publication of a literary journal. Prasad
started the “Indu”. The inaugural number appeared in July 1909. By this time Prasad‟s notions of literature
had crystalized into a credo. In the first issue of Indu, he proclaimed, „Literature has no fixed aim; it is not
slave to rules; it is free and all-embracing genius, gives birth to genuine literature which is subservient to
none. Whatever in the world is true and beautiful is its subject matter. By the dealing with the True and
Beautiful it establishes the one and affects the full flowering of the others. Its force can be measured by the
degree of pleasure it gives to the reader‟s mind as also by criticism which is free of all prejudice”. The
words sound like the manifesto of romanticism in literature.
5. Even while recognizing the social relevance of literature, Prasad insisted, “The poet is a creator . . . he is
not conditioned by his milieu; rather it is he who moulds it and gives it a new shape; he conjures up a new
world of beauty where the reader for the time being, becomes oblivious of the outer world and passes his
time in an eternal spring garden where golden lotuses blossom and the air is thick and pollen”. Thus, the
chief aim of literature according to Prasad is to give joy to the reader and to create a state of bliss in him.
Later under the impact of Shaivadvaitism, this faith of Prasad got further strengthened.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you
consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. (4)
1.2 Write a summary of the passage in about 100 words. (4)
Q.2RJ Public School is located in a Central Government employees residential colony.Cultural Society of the
school has decided to organized a fancy dress show on 25th ofJanuary in which each participant will wear
the dress particular to his/her region. Theaim is to show the cultural diversity of India. As Secretary write a
notice in about 50words inviting the names of those who want to participate. You are Arun/ Aruna
OR
You wish to sell your two storied building situated in a prime location as you are shifting abroad. It can be
used for office cum residence. Draft an advertisement for the same. You are Arun/ Aruna of 147/C Kidwai
Nagar, Lucknow (4 marks)
Q3. As the stationary In-charge of BhartiyaVidyaMandir, Meerut. Place an order for some stationary articles
like charts, crayons etc. to Natraj Stationary Suppliers ,Gurugram. You are Rishika/ Rakesh.(6 marks)
Or
The roads in your locality have been destroyed due to rains as a result the residents are facing a lot of
problems. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily highlighting your issues. You are Arun/Aruna of
Green Wood Apartments, Lucknow.
Q4.By 2050, India will be amongst the countries which will face acute water shortage. You are highly
alarmed and terrified of the future world without water. So, write an article on „Save water- are we doing
enough?‟ for the local daily in 150-200 words. (10)
Or
India is standing at the threshold of joining the developed nations but that is not possible till we achieve
complete literacy in the country. The contribution of students may be very significant in achieving our goals.
Write in 150-200 words on ‘The Role of the Students in Removing Illiteracy.’ Write a speech in 150-200
words expressing your views. You are Manish / Manisha.

LITERATURE : TEXT BOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT

Q5. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:- 4 marks
” Perhaps the earth can teach us
As when everything seems dead
And later prove to be alive
Now I’ll count up to twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go.”
a) Who can teach us and what?
b) Name the poem and the poet
c) Why does the speaker count up to twelve?
d) Explain-‘you keep quiet and I will go’?
Q6. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:- 4 marks
In death there is peace. There is terror only in the fear of death, as Roosvelt said“ All we have to fear the fear
itself.” Because I had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it can produce, the
will to live somehow grew in intensity.
Answer the following questions:-
a. Name the chapter from which the extract has been taken.
b. According to the narrator where we find peace?
c. Where the real terror lies?
d. What is the effect of dying on the narrator?
Q7. Answer of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each7x2 = 14 marks
(a) What was the effect of drowning on Douglas?
(b) Why the Rattrap man sign himself as Captain the end of the chapter?
(c) Why Stephen Spender calls Shakespeare wicked?
(d) Why Dr. Sadao was not send on the front like other doctors of japan?
(e) Why Gandi was against the stooping of Mr. Andrews in India?
(f) Why Jack was not in the favour of changing the story the was Joanne wanted?
(g) What would happen when we would keep quiet?