Language – Part II – English
Instructions : (1) Check the question paper for fairness in printing. If there is any lack of fairness, inform the Hall Supervisor immediately.
(2) Use Blue or Black ink pen to write and underline and pencil to draw diagrams.
Note : (i) Answer all the questions.
(ii) Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and write both the option code and the corresponding answer for each question.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
1. These two children had given me a profound lesson.
2. They only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated.
3. Our father rejected it, saying it wouldn’t be sturdy.
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
4. We came upon them in the windy and deserted square.
5. Fortuitously, a guest visited our house.
6. I experienced not only agony and fear but also anger.
7. Choose the word that has been spelt correctly.
8. Choose the word that is not a noun.
9. Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
There was a grand of scattered plates and silverware after the show.
10. Fill in the blank with the suitable phrasal verb.
After a long break, the regiment began to towards their destination.
11. Choose the polite alternative for the underlined word in the following sentence.
The burglars were sent to jail.
12. Choose the suitable American English word equivalent to the British English word in the following sentence.
Aswin bought sweets from the stall.
13. Choose the correct combination of the compound word – ‘software’.
14. Choose the word that can be blended with the word – ‘smoke’.
15. Choose the correct meaning of the Idiom in the given sentence.
When they had to climb through deep snow the party sometimes had to wait for the dust to settle.
16. Choose the suitable preposition to fill the blank in the following sentence.
She was popular her schoolmates.
17. Choose the right expansion for TNPSC.
18. Choose the appropriate linker.
We fail to harness the rain water, we suffer.
19. Choose the appropriate determiner.
There are only chocolates left for you.
20. Choose the right article and fill in the blank.
Radha is tallest of the three.
Choose any four of the following sets of poetic lines and answer the questions that follow.
21. This is my son, mine own Telemachus
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle
Well-loved of me,
(a) What does ‘the sceptre’ mean?
(b) Whom does Ulysses entrust his Kingdom to?
22. A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live.
(a) How does the tree survive the tight hold of the creeper?
(b) Pick out the words in alliteration.
23. Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.
(a) Mention the figure of speech employed here.
(b) What does ‘cannon’ mean ?
24. 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 ?
25. Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.
(a) Can being in solitude help a strong human being ? How ?
(b) Identify the poetic device used here.
26. With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, a
Legs wide, arms locked behind, b
As if to balance the prone brow a
Oppressive with its mind.
(a) Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
(b) Whose action is described here ?
Do as directed.
Answer any three questions.
27. Please tell me what the time is.
(Rewrite as a Simple sentence)
28. The chief guest was distributing the prizes.
(Change into Passive Voice)
29. Unless we plant more trees, we cannot save our planet. (Rewrite using ‘if’ without changing the meaning)
30. Change into reported speech.
The manager said, “I will speak to you on Friday.”
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context.
31. Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.
32. It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech, …
33. To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words each.
34. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo.
35. What did Tenzing and Edmund Hillary gift to the Gods of lofty Summit ?
36. Why did the family find it difficult to make a chair ?
Answer any three of the following.
37. Create a catchy slogan for each of the following topics.
(a) Junk Food
(b) Save Water
(c) Eye Donation
38. Extend the conversation with three more relevant exchanges.
Passenger : Has the Rockfort Express arrived ?
Railway Staff : No, it will arrive in ten minutes.
Passenger :
Railway Staff :
Passenger :
Railway Staff :
Passenger :
Railway Staff :
39. Study the following pie- chart and answer the questions given below.
The pie- chart represents the number of participants in School Annual Day events.
(i) How many students participated in dance and drama ?
(ii) Which event has the least number of participants ?
(iii) Write true or false : Drama and Folk Songs have equal number of participants.
40. Describe the process of preparing apple juice.
Answer the following.
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
(a) Summarise George Orwell’s distinctive ideas in “A Nice Cup of Tea”.
OR
(b) What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the Rule of the Road’ ?
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
(a) Describe the various stages of a man’s life pictured in the poem “All the World’s a Stage.”
OR
(b) What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon ?
43. Develop the following hints into a paragraph of about 150 words.
(a) Pi Patel – Indian boy – 227 days – shipwreck – Bengal tiger – Richard Parker – hyena – search water – succeeded – cans of drinking water – left Richard Parker in a jungle – reunited.
OR
(b) The Scientist – Venus – children wait for Sun – seven years – getting ready – Margot – William – rain stopped – Sun comes out – started raining – let her out.
44. (a) Write a summary of the following passage.
In recent years, environmental pollution has increased so much that it has become a global problem. Almost all cities in Asian Countries face this problem. The causes of environmental pollution are quite obvious. Vehicles burn petrol and emit toxic smoke. Various chemical factories pollute the air as well as water. Water is so contaminated because of effluents that both marine and organic life is destroyed. The ozone layer has developed a big hole due to this pollution and lets in harmful rays.
This environmental pollution has begun to affect human health. School children are easy victims to this pollution because they come in direct contact with fumes from the exhaust pipes of the vehicles. Crops have failed in many places. Flora and Fauna have been deeply affected. The sea water level has begun to rise and coastal cities may sink due to this.
We need to pay attention to this as human survival is in grave danger. More and more trees should be planted in every available inch of land. A public awareness programme must be launched to fight this manmade menace.
OR
(b) Write a paragraph in about 150 words on ‘The Hazards of the Internet’.
45. (a) Write a letter to the Manager of Waves Furniture Company ordering furniture for a coaching centre. Include the following details: description of the furniture, number of pieces, mode of payment, time and delivery options.
OR
(b) Write a letter to your friend describing how you celebrated Pongal.
46. (a) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
(i) Nobody can solve this issue,
[Add a suitable question tag]
(ii) She bought useful gadget.
[Fill in with appropriate determiner]
(iii) I like to have a cup of tea.
[Fill in with suitable modal verb]
(iv) The police tried to the information from the culprit regarding the source of materials.
[elicit/illicit]
OR
(b) Identify the error in each of the following sentences and correct them appropriately.
(i) Oxygen is more heavier than hydrogen.
(ii) It was a shame breaking up.
(iii) Professor Uma is not only a writer but an actor.
(iv) A man walked through the bank of the river.
(v) If you exercise regularly, you would become strong.
47. (a) Prepare a dialogue between Rahim and Ragav discussing their preparation for a tour, in not less than five exchanges.
OR
(b) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
When Andrew Carnegie came to America from Scotland, he was just a lad. He started out by running errands and ended up as one of the largest steel manufacturers in the United States. Someone once asked Mr. Carnegie how he dealt with people. Andrew Carnegie replied, “Dealing with people is a lot like digging for gold. When you go digging for an ounce of gold, you have to move tons of dirt. But when you go digging, you don’t go looking for the dirt, you go looking for the gold.”
Andrew Carnegie’s reply has a very important message. Though sometimes it may not be apparent, there is something positive in every person and every situation. We have to look deep for the positive.
Questions:
(i) Who is Andrew Carnegie?
(ii) Where did he come from?
(iii) How did Carnegie start out in his career?
(iv) What does Carnegie compare dealing with people to?
(v) Pick one word from the passage that means the opposite of ‘shallow’.
Answer Key – 12th Standard English
Language – Part II – English
Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi | Question Paper 3
PART – I
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
1. These two children had given me a profound lesson.
2. They only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated.
3. Our father rejected it, saying it wouldn’t be sturdy.
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
4. We came upon them in the windy and deserted square.
5. Fortuitously, a guest visited our house.
6. I experienced not only agony and fear but also anger.
7. Choose the word that has been spelt correctly.
8. Choose the word that is not a noun.
9. Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
There was a grand of scattered plates and silverware after the show.
10. Fill in the blank with the suitable phrasal verb.
After a long break, the regiment began to towards their destination.
11. Choose the polite alternative for the underlined word.
The burglars were sent to jail.
12. Choose the suitable American English word equivalent to the British English word.
Aswin bought sweets from the stall.
13. Choose the correct combination of the compound word – ‘software’.
14. Choose the word that can be blended with the word – ‘smoke’.
15. Choose the correct meaning of the Idiom.
When they had to climb through deep snow the party sometimes had to wait for the dust to settle.
16. Choose the suitable preposition.
She was popular her schoolmates.
17. Choose the right expansion for TNPSC.
18. Choose the appropriate linker.
We fail to harness the rain water, we suffer.
19. Choose the appropriate determiner.
There are only chocolates left for you.
20. Choose the right article and fill in the blank.
Radha is tallest of the three.
PART – II
SECTION – 1 (Poetic Lines)
21. “This is my son, mine own Telemachus
To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle
Well-loved of me,” (Ulysses – A.L. Tennyson)
(a) ‘The sceptre’ symbolises royal authority or kingship.
(b) Ulysses entrusts his kingdom to his son, Telemachus.
22. “A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live.” (The Casuarina Tree – Toru Dutt)
(a) The tree survives because it is strong; the creeper’s embrace does not kill it.
(b) Alliteration: creeper climbs; whose embraces bound.
23. “Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.” (All the World’s a Stage – Shakespeare)
(a) Metaphor – ‘bubble reputation’ compares fleeting fame to a bubble.
(b) ‘Cannon’ means a large heavy gun used in war; symbol of danger.
24. “Our gates were strong, our walls were thick.
So smooth and high, no man could win.” (The Castle – Edwin Muir)
(a) Very safe – gates strong, walls thick, smooth and high.
(b) They firmly believed no enemy could conquer their castle.
25. “Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.” (A Father To His Son – Carl Sandburg)
(a) Yes, solitude helps a strong person – it gives quiet space for reflection and clear decisions.
(b) Poetic device: Enjambment (sentence continues beyond line break).
26. “With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, a
Legs wide, arms locked behind, b
As if to balance the prone brow a
Oppressive with its mind.”
(a) Rhyme scheme: abab.
(b) The action of a soldier in a thoughtful, alert posture is described.
SECTION – 2 (Do as Directed)
27. Please tell me what the time is. (Rewrite as a Simple sentence)
28. The chief guest was distributing the prizes. (Change into Passive Voice)
29. Unless we plant more trees, we cannot save our planet. (Rewrite using ‘if’)
30. The manager said, “I will speak to you on Friday.” (Change into reported speech)
PART – III
SECTION – 1 (Explain with Reference to Context)
31. “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”
Reference: From “A Father To His Son” by Carl Sandburg.
Context: The father advises his son that life is both hard and soft; one must be strong yet gentle.
Explanation: Even wild animals (‘brutes’) have been tamed by kindness where physical punishment (‘lashes’) failed. Gentleness and patience achieve what force cannot. The father teaches that compassion is more powerful than brutality.
32. “It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech, …”
Reference: From “The Casuarina Tree” by Toru Dutt.
Context: The poet hears a strange, sad sound from the tree.
Explanation: The casuarina tree makes a sad, ghostly sound (‘lament’, ‘eerie speech’). The poet personifies the tree, suggesting it mourns or grieves through this haunting sound, expressing the tree’s sorrowful voice.
33. “To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.”
Reference: From “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Context: Ulysses expresses his endless thirst for knowledge and adventure.
Explanation: Ulysses wants to pursue knowledge endlessly, like following a sinking star. He wishes to go beyond the limits of human thought and explore the unknown, showing his restless spirit and unquenchable desire for learning.
SECTION – 2 (Short Answers – 30 words)
34. Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo.
Answer: Two young brothers, aged about 13 and 12. They wore worn-out, oversized clothes, had thin, malnourished bodies, and faces showing determination beyond their years.
35. What did Tenzing and Edmund Hillary gift to the Gods of lofty Summit?
Answer: Tenzing and Edmund Hillary gifted a small cross, a packet of sweets, and a piece of cloth to the Gods of the lofty summit as a token of gratitude and respect.
36. Why did the family find it difficult to make a chair?
Answer: The family was very poor and had no money to buy one. They had to make it from whatever materials they could find, requiring skill and effort.
SECTION – 3 (Creative & Applied)
37. Create a catchy slogan for each of the following topics.
(a) Junk Food: “Don’t be a junkie – eat healthy, live long!”
(b) Save Water: “Save water today, secure life tomorrow.”
(c) Eye Donation: “Donate your eyes – give the gift of sight.”
38. Extend the conversation with three more relevant exchanges.
39. Study the pie-chart and answer the questions.
(i) Dance (35) + Drama (20) = 55 students
(ii) Classical Songs has the least participants (10)
(iii) True – Drama (20) and Folk Songs (20) have equal participants
40. Describe the process of preparing apple juice.
Answer: Wash and peel fresh apples. Remove seeds and cut into small pieces. Blend with some water until smooth. Strain through a fine cloth or sieve to remove pulp. Add sugar or honey to taste, and a few drops of lemon juice. Chill and serve fresh.
PART – IV (Long Answers)
41. (a) Summarise George Orwell’s distinctive ideas in “A Nice Cup of Tea”.
Answer: Orwell presents eleven golden rules for making perfect tea. He insists on using a china or earthenware teapot, warmed beforehand. Loose tea leaves, not tea bags, should be used, added to boiling water. The tea should be stirred and brewed for a few minutes. He advocates removing the lid and stirring before pouring. On milk, he favours milk-first only with thin china. He recommends drinking tea without sugar, considering it a sacrilege to spoil the taste. His essay is a humorous yet serious reflection on British tea culture, emphasising tradition, technique, and personal preference.
OR
41. (b) What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the Rule of the Road’?
Answer: Gardiner reflects on individual liberty and social order. Using a traffic policeman, he shows how rules are necessary for social functioning. Personal freedom must balance with social responsibility. True liberty lies in respecting others’ rights and following rules ensuring public safety. Laws are not restrictions but enablers of freedom. A well-ordered society requires both individual liberty and collective discipline; the rule of the road metaphorically governs social and political life.
42. (a) Describe the various stages of a man’s life pictured in “All the World’s a Stage.”
Answer: Shakespeare describes seven stages: (1) Infancy – crying baby in nurse’s arms. (2) Childhood – reluctant schoolboy with satchel. (3) Adolescence – sighing lover writing sad poems. (4) Adulthood – soldier seeking honour, risking life. (5) Middle age – justice, full of wisdom and authority. (6) Old age – weak, with spectacles and shrill voice. (7) Second childhood – loses senses, returns to dependency, ending in death. Life is a continuous cycle.
OR
42. (b) What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon?
Answer: In “Incident of the French Camp” by Robert Browning, the young soldier plays a crucial role. He volunteers to climb the dangerous wall to spy on the enemy. Despite being mortally wounded, he reports the mission’s success to Napoleon. His courage inspires the French army to fight harder and win. His selfless sacrifice and loyalty exemplify patriotism and heroism. He is not just a messenger but a hero whose bravery turns the tide of battle.
43. (a) Develop the hints: Pi Patel – Indian boy – 227 days – shipwreck – Bengal tiger – Richard Parker – hyena – search water – succeeded – cans of drinking water – left Richard Parker in a jungle – reunited.
Answer: Pi Patel, an Indian boy, survived 227 days after a shipwreck. He found himself on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, Richard Parker, and a hyena. After the hyena was killed, Pi had to survive with the dangerous tiger. He searched for water and found cans of drinking water. He trained Richard Parker and coexisted with him. When they reached land, Pi left Richard Parker in the jungle. He was later reunited with his family and shared his incredible story of survival and the bond he formed with the tiger.
OR
43. (b) Develop the hints: The Scientist – Venus – children wait for Sun – seven years – getting ready – Margot – William – rain stopped – Sun comes out – started raining – let her out.
Answer: On Venus, children eagerly waited for the Sun, which appeared only once every seven years. They got ready, with Margot and William among them. When the rain stopped, the Sun came out, and the children were delighted. However, their joy was short-lived as it started raining again. In a cruel twist, the children locked Margot, who had waited longest for the Sun, in a closet. The story highlights jealousy, isolation, and the fleeting nature of happiness.
44. (a) Write a summary of the environmental pollution passage.
Answer: Environmental pollution has become a global problem, especially in Asian cities. Vehicles emit toxic smoke, and chemical factories pollute air and water. Water contamination destroys marine and organic life, and the ozone layer has a hole, letting in harmful rays. This pollution affects human health, especially school children inhaling vehicle fumes. Crops have failed, flora and fauna are affected, and sea levels are rising. To address this, we must plant more trees and launch public awareness programmes to combat this manmade menace and protect human survival.
OR
44. (b) Write a paragraph on ‘The Hazards of the Internet’.
Answer: The Internet has revolutionised communication but poses several hazards. Cyberbullying causes severe psychological harm, especially to young people. Misinformation and fake news mislead people and negatively influence public opinion. Online privacy is at risk as personal data can be stolen or misused by hackers. Excessive use leads to addiction, affecting mental health and social skills. Children are vulnerable to inappropriate content and online predators. To mitigate these hazards, we must promote digital literacy, implement strict privacy laws, and encourage responsible Internet use. Awareness and education are key to a safe online environment.
45. (a) Write a letter to the Manager of Waves Furniture Company ordering furniture for a coaching centre.
OR
45. (b) Write a letter to your friend describing how you celebrated Pongal.
46. (a) Fill in the blanks appropriately.
(i) Nobody can solve this issue, can they?
(ii) She bought a useful gadget.
(iii) I would like to have a cup of tea.
(iv) The police tried to elicit the information from the culprit.
OR
46. (b) Identify the error and correct them.
| Incorrect Sentence | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| (i) Oxygen is more heavier than hydrogen. | Oxygen is heavier than hydrogen. |
| (ii) It was a shame breaking up. | It was a shame to break up. |
| (iii) Professor Uma is not only a writer but an actor. | Professor Uma is not only a writer but also an actor. |
| (iv) A man walked through the bank of the river. | A man walked along the bank of the river. |
| (v) If you exercise regularly, you would become strong. | If you exercise regularly, you will become strong. |
47. (a) Prepare a dialogue between Rahim and Ragav discussing their preparation for a tour.
OR
47. (b) Read the passage and answer the questions.
(i) Andrew Carnegie was one of the largest steel manufacturers in the United States.
(ii) He came from Scotland.
(iii) He started out by running errands.
(iv) He compares dealing with people to digging for gold.
(v) The opposite of ‘shallow’ in the passage is ‘deep’.