English 2025 -26 II PUC MODEL QUESTION PAPER 1

PART-A

I. Answer the following questions by choosing the right option. 10×1=10

1. Juliet does not describe the night as _________________ .

a. garish b. loving c. gentle d. black browed
2. In ‘Too Dear!’, ______________ was the initial punishment given to the criminal.
a. life imprisonment. b. death sentence c. temporary stay in lock up d. grant of pension
3. According to the speaker of 'On Children', Life does not tarry with ________.
a. today b. tomorrow c. yesterday d. day after tomorrow
4. Dona Laura enters the park, accompanied by _____ in the play ‘A Sunny Morning’.
a. Juanito b. guard c. Don Gonzalo d. Petra
5. In ‘The Gardener’, the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah started moving from visible to
abstract domain when Tammanna thought of ___________.
a. composing his experiences as ballads and singing them, b. taking the recourse to the police
c. taking the case to the court of law, d. asking some persons to attack Basavaiah
6. Borges believes that 'Poetic act' happens when - i. the poet writes it, ii. the reader reads it,
a. Only i is correct b. Only ii is correct c. Both i and ii are correct. d. Neither i nor ii is correct
7. Complete the analogy with reference to ‘Japan And Brazil Through a Traveller's Eye’.
Driver : Hunter :: Pedestrian : _____________
a. Pray b. Prey c. Play d. Predator
8. In 'The Voter', Roof was a very popular man in his village because___________.
a. he supported both PAP and POP. b. he was an expert in whispering campaign.
c. he never abandoned his village to seek work in towns. d. he offered two shillings during
election campaign.
9. According to Sainath, more than economic aspect, _______________, that the cycling brings is vital for
rural women of Pudukkottai.
a. self-respect b. mobility c. social sanction d. leisure time
10. Which is the odd pair among the following?
a. Jesus and the Samaria woman b. Panchamas and Untouchables
c. Village and the Wada d. Suvarthamma and Bisleri

11. Fill in the blanks with the passive form of the verb given in brackets. 3×1=3
The ministers felt it difficult to carry out the death sentence. Therefore, it was decided (decide) to alter
it to one of imprisonment for life. This was informed (inform) to the prince and he agreed to this. The criminal
was kept (keep) in the prison and they placed a guard over him.

12. Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate expressions given in brackets. 2×1=2
(in a fix, given up, face lit up)
Roof's face lit up when he was offered money to vote for Maduka. But on the day of election, he
was _in a fix and decided to vote both Marcus and Maduka.

13. Read the following paragraph and match the pronouns in Side A with the nouns/noun phrases in
Side B they refer to. 5×1=5

Mother Teresa was born on 26th August 1910 in Skopje, which (a) is in Macedonia now. Her (b) father was
Nikola Bojaxhiu, who (c) was a simple businessman. She (d) was a beautiful and hard working girl who was
fond of singing. She went to Ireland where (e) she began learning English before travelling to Kolkata.

A (Pronouns) B (Nouns/Noun phrases) Answers

 a. which (i) Mother Teresa
b. Her (ii) Nikola Bojaxhiu a) which → (iv) Skopje
c. who (iii) Ireland b) Her → (vi) Mother Teresa’s
d. She (iv) Skopje c) who → (ii) Nikola Bojaxhiu
e. where (v) Kolkata d) She → (i) Mother Teresa
(vi) Mother Teresa's e) where → (iii) Ireland

PART-B

II. Answer any THREE of the following questions in one or two sentences / word / phrases each. 3×2=6

14. What are the two things that Romeo intends to do after the measure?
Romeo intends to watch the place where Juliet had been standing and to touch her hands to
make his rude hands blessed.

15. According to the prophet in ‘On Children’, what parents may house and what they may not?
Parents may house the bodies of their children, but not their souls.

16. What is Chipko movement? Women from which region participated in it, according to Vandana
Shiva?
The Chipko Movement is a non-violent response to large-scale deforestation, and women from
the Himalayan region participated in it.

17. Which is the ‘mighty movement’ mentioned in the poem ‘Water’? Where did it happen?
The ‘mighty movement’ mentioned in the poem ‘Water’ is the Mahad Struggle. It took place at
the Chadar Tank in Mumbai.

III. Answer any FOUR of the following questions in about 60 words each. 4×3=12
18. How was Himalayan region affected by logging, according to Vandana Shiva?
According to Vandana Shiva, logging caused serious damage to the Himalayan region. Many
forests were cut down, which led to soil erosion and floods. The rivers became muddy and dangerous. The
people suffered because landslide destroyed their farms and homes. The loss of tree also reduced clean
water, firewood and feed for animals.

19. How does Don Gonzalo recall the beauty of ‘The Silver Maiden’?
Don Gonzalo remembers the Silver Maiden as a beautiful young woman with gentle manners. He says
that many men admired her beauty. He recalls that she had long hair and lovely eyes. He also remembers
that she wrote poems and letters. Though many years passed, he still carries her memory with deep feeing.

20. How does the poet portray that his love is different from that of others in the poem 'When You
Are Old'?
The poet says his love is different beacuase he loved her soul, not just her beauty. Others admired
her physical appearences, but he loved her true self, with all her weaknesses. He loved her deeply and
sincerely, even when she changed with time. His love remained constant, unlike the temporary love of
others.

21. How does the child’s foot get defeated as described in the poem ‘To The Foot From Its Child’?
In the poem, the child’s foot dreams of exploring the world freely. But as the child grows, the foot is
forced into shoes and loses its freedom. It becomes shaped and trained by life’s difficulties. Slowly, the foot
forgets its dreams and accepts pain, work, and responsibility. This struggle shows how innocence is lost.
 22. What aspects of nature make this earth heaven according to Kuvempu?
According to Kuvempu, nature’s beauty makes the earth heaven. This shining sun, fresh air, green
fields, mountains, and rivers all make life joyful. The flowers, birds, and peaceful surroundings give comfort
and happiness to human beings. When people live in harmony with nature, the earth becomes a place of
peace, love, and freedom.

23. Why bowing is difficult for a visitor to learn, according to George Mikes?
According to George Mikes, bowing is difficult to learn because it requires practice, timing and
understanding of social rules. The visitor must know how to bow, when to bow, and how many times to
bow. If the person bows too much or too little, it looks strange. So, bowing becomes confusing for
foreigners.

IV. Answer any THREE of the following questions in about 100 words each. 3×4=12

24. What were the arguments put forth by the prisoner for not going out of the prison in 'Too Dear!'?
The prisoner argued that he did not want to leave the prison because life outside would be more
difficult. In prison, he received free food and free shelter, and he did not have to work. He felt safe and
comfortable there. He also believed that even if he went out, people would look at him with suspicion. He
thought he would not get a job and would suffer. So, he preferred to stay in prison rather than face the
challenges of freedom.

25. "Laura and Gonzalo recognize each other but conceal their identity". How does the play 'A Sunny
Morning' present this?
In the play, Laura and Gonzalo, meet in a park as old strangers. When they begin talking, they
slowly understand that they were lovers in their youth. However, both are too proud to admit it first. Instead,
they pretend and create imaginary stories to hide their feelings. They talk about their past using third-person
references. They act as if they do not care, but their emotional reactions show their true feelings. Their
behavior shows a playful mixture of pride, nostalgia, and affection while hiding their identities.

26. Describe the competition between Tammanna and Basavaiah, after Tammanna began to compose
and sing ballads.
After Tammanna began composing ballads, the competition between him and Basavaiah became
more intense. Tammanna’s songs describe his achievements and made him famous. People admired him and
repeated his songs. Basavaiah felt jealous and tried to compete by showing his wealth and power. He
collected more land, decorated his house and held grand celebrations. However, Tammanna’s fame through
literature proved stronger than Basaviah’s wealth. When Basavaiah could nor defeat Tammanna’s
reputation, he became frustrated. This competition slowly moved from material rivalry to emotional and
intellectual rivalry.

27. “The function of books is irreplaceable”. Explain this statement with reference to 'I Believe That
Books Will Never Disappear'.
In the interview, Borges says that books cannot be replaced by technology because they give a
unique experience. A book allows the reader to imagine, think and connect deeply with ideas. Unlike
machines, a book does not distract or limit the reader. Borges believes reading is a creative process where
meaning is made by both the writer and the reader. Books also preserve culture, history and human
emotions. They can travel across time and generations. Because of this emotional and intellectual
connection, Borges says books will always remain important.

28. Why did the people of Umuofia feel that they had underrated the power of ballot paper before in
'The Voter'?
The people of Umofia realised the power of the ballot paper when they saw how one vote
could change everything. Earlier, they thought elections were only about money, gifts and promises. But
 when Roof put a mark for both candidates and invalidated his vote, they understood that the ballot paper
could decide a leader’s future. They recognized that voting was not just a formality but a powerful tool that
could decide the result. This made them feel that they had not respected the importance of democracy
earlier.

29. Write a note on the contribution of Arivoli Iyakkam in motivating women to learn cycling.
Arivoli Iyakkam played an important role in encouraging women to learn cycling. The movement
believed that education should also include practical skills. Learning to cycle helped women become
independent and confident. Volunteers organized training camps, provided cycles, and motivated women
who were afraid or shy. Cycling allowed women to travel freely for work, education, and daily needs. It also
broke social barriers and changed the traditional view that women should not move freely. For many
women, cycling became a symbol of empowerment and dignity.

PART-C

30. A. Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it. 9×1=9

Today's woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of
her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work. Women are rational
in approach, careful in handling situation and want to do things as best as possible. The fourth World
Conference of Women held in Beijing is September 1995 had emphasised that no solution to the most
threatening social, economic and political problems could be found without the participation of the women. The
1995 World Summit for Social Development had also emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating
poverty and mending the social fabric.

The Constitution of India has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities with men. Because of
oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption, majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the
rights and opportunities bestowed to them. One of the major reasons for this state of affairs is the lack of
literacy and awareness among women. Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down
the inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change in the status of women.

The role of women in a society is very important. Women's education is the key to a better life in the
future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity. If the developing nations are to
eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. Various committees and commissions have been constituted
before and after independence to evaluate the progress in women's education and to suggest ways and means to
enhance the status of women. The female literacy rate has gone up in the 20th century from 0.6 percent in 1901
to 39.29 percent in 1991, but India still possesses the largest number of illiterate women in the world. The
female literacy index for the year 1991 shows that there are eight states which fall below the national average.
The most populous states of the country, UP, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan fall in the category of most backward
states as far as female literacy is concerned.

Women's political empowerment got a big boost with the Panchayat Raj Act of 1993 which gave them 30%
reservation of village panchayats, Block Samitis and Zilla Parishads throughout the country. The National
Commission for women was also setup in 1992 to act as a lobby for women's issues.

i. What was the female literacy rate in India in 1991? The female literacy rate in India in 1991 was 39.29 percent.
ii. Which is the main instrument that can be used to narrow down the inequality of women? Education is the
main instrument that can be used to narrow down the inequality of women.
iii. When was the National Commission for Women set up? The National Commission for Women was set up in 1992.
iv. What did the 1995 World Summit for Social Development emphasise? The 1995 World Summit for Social
Development emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.
 v. Mention any one of the States that falls below the national average in female literacy rate.? Uttar Pradesh /
Madhya Pradesh / Bihar / Rajasthan
vi. The antonym for the word 'rational' is _________. irrational.
vii. Where was the Fourth World Conference of women held? It wss held in Beijing.
viii. What should the developing nations do if they want to eradicate poverty? Developing nations should educate
the girls to eradicate poverty.
ix. Add a suffix to the word 'empower' to make its noun form. The noun form of empower is empowerment.

OR

B. Read the following poem and answer the questions set on it. 9×1=9

Prayer of a Black Boy Barefoot, I want to tread the red-hot paths

That boil in midday sun,And then die down to sleep
Lord, I am so tired, beneath a mango tree.
Tired I entered this world. And I want to wake up early
Far have I wandered since the cock crew, When down there the white man's siren starts to howl,
And the road to school is steep. And the factory
A ship on the sugar fields,
Lord, I do not want to go into their school, Lands and spits its crew,
Please help me that I need not go again. of black workers into the landscape...

I want to follow father into the cool gorges Lord, I do not want to go into their school,
When the night is hovering over magic forests Please help me that I need not go again.
Where the spirits play before the dawn

a. Where does the ship land? The ship lands on the sugar fields.
b. How does the speaker want to tread red-hot paths? The speaker wants to tread the red-hot paths barefoot.
c. How did the speaker enter this world? The speaker entered this world tired.
d. Add a prefix to the word "follow" to form its antonym. The antonym of follow with a prefix is unfollow.
e. What does the speaker not want to do? The speaker does not want to go into their school.
f. Which word in the poem means ‘hanging in the air’? The word in the poem that means ‘hanging in the air’ is
hovering.
g. Where do the spirits play before the dawn? The spirits play in the magic forests before the dawn.
h. Whom does the speaker want to follow into the cool gorges? The speaker wants to follow his father into the cool
gorges.
i. Where does the speaker want to sleep? The speaker wants to sleep beneath a mango tree.

PART-D

VI. 31. A. Rewrite as directed. 4×1=4

(i) Copernicus said that _the__ earth revolves around the Sun. (Use proper article)
(ii) to maintain/should be/peace/enforced/Law and order/in society. (Rearrange the segments into a meaningful
sentence) Law and order should be enforced to maintain peace in society.
(iii) Each man and each woman was (was/were) given an opportunity to speak.
(Choose the right Verb that agrees with the Subject)
(iv) One of my close relatives__lives___(live) in Sydney now.
(Use appropriate form of verb given in the brackets)

OR
B. Fill in the blanks with right linkers. 1×4=4

(as, at last, and, but)

One fine day, a wealthy man drove out of his city. He saw a farmer’s horse on his way ___and___ he was
attracted to it. He wanted to buy it _as___ it was looking great. ___But___ the farmer was not willing to sell his
horse. However, the rich man pleaded with him and was ready to pay more. __At last___ the farmer was
convinced, and he agreed to sell his horse.

32. A. Rewrite as directed. 2×1=2

(i) Raghu has gone to attend the workshop, ___ hasn’t he?_____ ? (Add a question tag)
(ii) Charles Darwin developed the Theory of Evolution.
(Frame 'wh' question to get the underlined words as answer) Who developed the Theory of Evolution?

OR

B. Rectify the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them. 2×1=2

(i) Many children is there in the playground. (i) Many children are there in the playground.
(ii) When you are leaving to France? (ii) When are you leaving for France?

33. Read the following passage and make notes by filling the boxes given below. 4×1/2=2

Farmers are the backbone of a country, as they provide food and other raw materials to the people. They make
significant contribution to a country's economic progress. However, farmers face many challenges including
unpredictable weather patterns, crop failure and debt.

1. Farmers 2. Food [Link]’s economic progress 4. Crop Failure.

34. Report the following conversation. 5

Alifano : What is blindness to you?

Borges : It is a way of life. I am not completely unhappy.
Alifano : Have you thought of writing a book on the history of the book?
Borges : It is an excellent idea.

Alifano asked Borges what blindness was to him. Borges replied that it was a way of life and added that he was
not completely unhappy. Alifano then asked him if he had thought of writing a book on the history of the book.
Borges replied that it was an excellent idea.

35. Complete the following conversation. 3

(At a hospital)

Abhijith : Can you book an appointment with the dentist?

Receptionist : Sure, I can do that. __(agreeing). At what time do you want the appointment?
Abhijith : __ I would like it at 3 p.m., please.____ (giving information)
Receptionist : OK, I will book it.
Abhijith : ___ Thank you very much for your help.____ (Expressing gratitude)
 PART-E

36. A. Write a letter of application in response to the following advertisement that appeared in
‘Hindustan Times' dated 5th March 2025.

Wanted
Software Engineer.
Qualification: B.E in Computer Science.
Good communication skills

Apply within a week to:

The HR Manager,
Accenture Pvt. Ltd,
RMZ Eco space,
Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru-560103

(Use XXXX for your name and YYYY for your address)

LETTER OF APPLICATION

XXXX
YYYY

6th March 2025

The HR Manager
Accenture Pvt. Ltd
RMZ Eco Space
Sarjapur Road
Bengaluru – 560103

Sir/Madam,

Sub: Application for the post of Software Engineer

Ref: Advertisement in Hindustan Times dated 5th March 2025

In response to your advertisement mentioned above, I wish to apply for the post of Software Engineer in your
esteemed organisation.

I have completed my B.E. in Computer Science from a recognised university with good academic record. I
possess sound knowledge of computer programming and software development. I also have good
communication skills, as required for the post.

I am hardworking, sincere and confident that I can discharge my duties to the satisfaction of my superiors. I
have enclosed my resume for your kind consideration.

I hope you will consider my application favourably and give me an opportunity to serve your organisation.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,

(Signature)
XXXX

CURRICULUM VITAE (RESUME)

Name : XXXX
Father’s Name : XXXXX
Date of Birth / Age : XX / XX / XXXX
Permanent Address : YYYY
Nationality : Indian
Knowledge of Languages : English, Kannada, Hindi

Educational Qualifications:

Name of the Board / University Year of Passing Marks / Percentage

Examination
B.E. (Computer Science) Bangalore University 2025 80%
PUC Karnataka PU Board 2021 95%
SSLC Karnataka State 2019 92%
Board

Experience : Fresher

Other Interests / Hobbies : Reading technical books, coding, playing cricket

Place : Bengaluru
Date : 6th March 2025

Sd/-
XXXX

OR
B. Imagine you are the president of your college union. You are asked to introduce the chief guest Girish
N. on the occasion of 'World Disability Day'. Based on the information given below, write a speech in
about 120 words. 5

Answer:
Respected Principal, honoured chief guest, teachers and my dear friends,

It is my proud privilege to introduce today’s chief guest, Mr Girish N., on the occasion of World Disability
Day. Mr Girish N. is a renowned Paralympic athlete who has brought great pride to our nation.

He was born in Hosanagar, Hassan district of Karnataka. Through hard work and determination, he
represented India in the Summer Paralympic Games held in London. Competing in the men’s high jump F-
42 category, he won a silver medal. He is the first Indian to win a medal in high jump and the eighth
Indian to win a medal in Paralympics.

In recognition of his achievements, he was honoured with the Padma Shri and the Ekalavya Award in 2013.
He is truly an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you.