NEB - GRADE XII
Compulsory English
Model Question Solution
Time: 3 hrs.
Full Marks: 75
1. Read the following text and complete the tasks that follow. [15]
A. Complete the sentences using the words highlighted in the text. (5x1=5)
a. He looks like a bodybuilder as he has a strong muscle.
b. You can still get a good house for a very reasonable price.
c. It was really freezing. So, we gathered some wood to build a fire.
d. Although he lost his job, he didn't despair.
e. Jogging regularly is the best preventive measure for heart disease.
B. Read the text again and write: (5x1=5)
a. According to the author, only strong physical exercise keeps people healthy.
Answer: FALSE
b. The author thinks that walking is better than running in the initial stage.
Answer: TRUE
c. Regular exercise frequently releases our brain cells.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
d. Physical exercise ensures the overall growth of a person.
Answer: TRUE
e. The author advises people to make notes of the duration and distance of the daily walk.
Answer: TRUE
C. Give short answers to the following questions. (5x1=5)
a. Why does the author mention 'exercise researchers' in the first paragraph?
Answer: To establish credibility and introduce the scientific consensus that walking is a preferable path to health.
b. Where does Johnna Manson work?
Answer: At a leading Harvard women's hospital.
c. Why does the author use the phrase 'a magic bullet' in the third paragraph?
Answer: To emphasize that regular physical activity is an incredibly powerful and effective solution for preventing diseases.
d. Do you agree or disagree with the author's point of view? Why, why not?
Answer: I agree because the text provides evidence-based reasons and expert opinions that convincingly argue for the health benefits of walking.
e. How is the author in this text trying to convince the readers?
Answer: By using scientific evidence, quoting experts, explaining physiological benefits, and giving practical advice.
2. Write short answers to the following questions. (5x2=10)
a. Why was the success of Rakesh a matter of discussion in the neighbourhood? (A Devoted Son)
Answer: Rakesh's success was a matter of discussion because he topped the country in the medical entrance exams, a phenomenal achievement for a boy from a simple village family, making him a local legend.
b. Describe the irritating things that the people do with the strange old man. (A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings)
Answer: The people treat the old man with cruelty by throwing stones at him, prodding him with a branding iron, pulling his feathers, and tossing him food like a circus animal for their amusement.
OR
Describe marriage as a social institution. (Marriage as a Social Institution)
Answer: Marriage is a socially sanctioned and legal union that establishes rights between partners, creating stable family units for rearing children, regulating sexuality, and providing emotional and economic support.
c. 'Human beings are connected with hope.' Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons. (The Awakening Age)
Answer: I agree because hope is the fundamental force that drives human progress and resilience, inspiring people to strive for a better future even in adversity, as envisioned in the poem.
d. Do you agree with the author's view that history has been a major debatable issue in the present world? Give your opinion. (Humility)
Answer: I agree because history is often written with bias and interpreted through different cultural lenses, leading to conflicting narratives about conquests and heroes, making it a contested ground for identity and politics.
OR
How can wisdom be taught? Give examples. (Knowledge and Wisdom)
Answer: Wisdom cannot be taught directly but can be cultivated through examples, experiences, and reflection, such as through mentorship, literature, and encouraging ethical thinking about the use of knowledge.
e. How does Famous Actress try to convince Earnest Young Woman? (A Matter of Husbands)
Answer: She cleverly pretends to be a victim herself, painting her husband as a habitual liar to make the young woman doubt his confession and pity her, thus protecting her own affair.
3. Write long answers to the following questions. (2x5=10)
a. Explain the following lines with reference to the context. (I Was My Own Route)
Answer: These lines represent the speaker's declaration of independence from patriarchal expectations. She asserts her self-sufficiency ("I was all in me") and rejects the inauthentic identity designed for her by men ("a game of hide and seek with my being"). Rooted in the present ("I was made of nows"), she refuses the homage of the traditional society ("the old guard"), choosing to forge her own path and define her own worth, making it a powerful feminist reclaiming of self.
OR
Sketch the character of Monsieur Durand. (Facing Death)
Answer: Monsieur Durand is a tragic figure defined by paternal love and despair. A ruined widower, he struggles to provide for his three ungrateful daughters. His character is marked by immense sacrifice; he sells all his possessions for them. Despite their disrespect, his love is unwavering. His tragedy culminates in his calculated suicide, provoked to ensure his daughters receive his life insurance money, making him a complex blend of a loving father and a self-destructive hero.
b. How does the play make a satire on the feudal system of Nepali society of the late 18th century? (The Bull)
Answer: The play satirizes the feudal system by exposing its absurd injustice and disparity in value. The death of the king's bull causes panic not for the animal, but for fear of the king's irrational wrath. The cowherds and Laxmi are forced into a ridiculous farce, praising the dead bull's imaginary beauty to deceive the king. This highlights how the feudal lords valued livestock more than human subjects, reducing people to groveling sycophants and revealing the dehumanizing nature of feudal power.
4. Summarise the following text. [7]
Summary:
Madhav Prasad Ghimire was a renowned Nepali poet honored as Rashtra Kavi. A key figure from the golden age of Nepali literature, he was a romantic and lyrical poet inspired by Tagore. His celebrated works, like Gauri and Malati Mangale, are known for their inspiring themes and portrayal of social truths. Despite his complex poetry, he was known for his personal simplicity. He was an inspiration for his positive outlook, advocating for yoga, positive thinking, and creativity. He emphasized education and believed poets should transcend social hierarchies to pursue truth.
5. Write a letter to your cousin. [8]
Answer:
[Your Address]
[Date]
Dear [Cousin's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I just finished a book I couldn't put down and immediately thought of you – "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.
It's a fascinating fable about a shepherd's journey to find his purpose, or his "Personal Legend." What I loved most was its powerful message that the universe helps those who pursue their dreams with courage. It’s more than a story; it feels like a guide to life. The simple yet profound writing makes it a quick but incredibly thought-provoking read.
I highly recommend it and would love to hear what you think once you’ve read it!
With love,
[Your Name]
6. Write an essay. [10]
Essay:
"Privatization in Education: A Catalyst for a Two-Tiered Society?"
The debate around privatizing education is highly charged. The opinion that it creates "two-class citizens" holds significant merit, as it often worsens social inequality, though it has some perceived benefits.
The main advantage is the potential for higher quality. Private schools, with more resources and competition, often have better infrastructure and facilities, potentially leading to better academic outcomes and offering more choice to affluent parents.
However, these pros are far outweighed by the cons. The biggest issue is accessibility. High fees make quality private education a privilege for the wealthy, while others are left with often underfunded public schools. This creates a cycle where wealth buys better education, which leads to better opportunities, cementing economic disparity and creating two distinct classes of citizens.
The government's role is crucial. It must strengthen public education by investing more in infrastructure and teacher training. It must also regulate private schools to ensure they don't become exclusionary and maintain high standards of quality and inclusivity.
In conclusion, while privatization might spur some innovation, its tendency to make education a commodity for the elite makes it a strong force for social division. Without strong government action to support public education, privatization risks creating a permanent system of inequality.
7. Do as instructed. (10x1=10)
a. I have to go to the dentist because my tooth is aching terribly.
b. His house is on the way from Itahari to Biratnagar.
c. ...I have been waiting for him since early morning.
d. You must stop smoking. It is very harmful.
e. He usually does his homework in his room.
f. ...they requested their teacher to stop studying.
g. Both Ganesh and his wife are doctors.
h. The man who is in the garden is wearing a blue jumper.
i. A wonderful play was written by my uncle.
j. Mohan said that his brother had arrived home late.
8. Choose and copy the correct alternatives. (5x1=5)
a. iv) filled
b. i) a noun
c. ii) fertile
d. ii) examine
e. ii) call off