Pre Board Exam January 2026

General English Class-XII

Time: 3 hours Total Marks: 80

SECTION: A (READING COMPREHENSION) (16 Marks)

1. (A) Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (1 × 10 = 10)
Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest challenges faced by humanity today. It refers to long-term
changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and weather conditions on Earth. These changes are largely the
result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial emissions. The increase in
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
Rising global temperatures have resulted in melting glaciers, rising sea levels and extreme weather events
such as floods, droughts and heatwaves. These changes pose serious threats to agriculture, water resources
and human health. Many species of plants and animals are also at risk of extinction due to changing habitats.
To combat climate change, collective efforts are required at local, national and global levels. Using
renewable energy, conserving forests, reducing waste and adopting eco-friendly lifestyles can significantly
reduce environmental damage. Awareness and education play a crucial role in encouraging responsible
behaviour among individuals.
Protecting the environment is not only the responsibility of governments but also of every citizen. By making
small changes in our daily lives, we can contribute to a sustainable and healthier planet for future
generations.
Questions:
i. What is climate change?
ii. Name any two human activities responsible for climate change.
iii. How do greenhouse gases affect the Earth’s temperature?
iv. Mention two effects of rising global temperatures.
v. Why are plants and animals at risk?
vi. Suggest a suitable title for the passage.
vii. Mention two ways to combat climate change.
viii. Why is awareness important in environmental protection?
ix. Which word in the passage means ‘long-lasting’?
a) extreme b) renewable c) long-term d) responsible
x. Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?
a) Climate change affects only weather
b) Climate change is a natural process
c) Climate change is a serious global issue caused by humans
d) Climate change cannot be controlled
1. (B) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. (1 × 6 = 6)
India has made remarkable progress in the field of science and technology in recent decades. From space
research to digital communication, the country has shown its capability to innovate and grow. Government
initiatives like Digital India and Make in India have further strengthened technological development.
However, challenges such as unequal access, lack of infrastructure and digital illiteracy still exist. To fully
benefit from technological advancements, inclusive growth and education are essential.
Questions:
i. Which field has India progressed in remarkably?
ii. Name one government initiative mentioned.
iii. What challenges still exist?
iv. Why is education important for technological growth?
v. Fill in the blank with a word from the passage:
India has shown its capability to ________ and grow.
vi. Match the words under column ‘A’ with their meaning under ‘B’.
A B
Innovate basic facilities
Infrastructure create
Technology

SECTION B
(Writing skills, Grammar and Translation) (27 marks)
2. Write a precis of the following paragraph. (4)

Near the Takhat Shri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, is a museum of Sikhism, designed by Moshe Safdie. It was
inaugurated in November 2011. Since its opening, it has become the biggest tourist attraction, not only for the local residents
but for the foreigners also. It beautifully unravels the Sikh heritage of more than five hundred years in 27 glorious galleries.
The use of technology, in the form of audio-visual aids, light and sound shows, and audio guides makes it all the more
awe-inspiring. The echo of Solemn Mantra creates a divine ambience. As one steps into the first gallery, standing on a
walkway with a 360 degree view of the surrounding murals, one is taken through a nostalgic journey of an old village of
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Punjab from early dawn to dusk. Punjabi festivals and rituals are shown by play of light on the murals accompanied by Punjabi
folk songs. Inner galleries, housed in the petals take us from the culture of Punjab to a glimpse of the teachings of all the
Sikh gurus and the creation of 'The Khalsa Panth' by the Tenth Guru, Gobind Singh. There is a live account of the history of
the Sikh religion from the first guru to the tenth guru. The beautiful audio-video descriptions, simply take one's breath away.
3. Attempt any one of the following : (6)
Your are Rimpy. You live at House No. 65, Model Gram, Ludhiana. Write a letter to the S.H.O. of your town
reporting the loss of your motorcycle.
OR
Suppose you are Babita, living at #178, Street No.02, New Gandhi Apartments, Moga. Write a letter to the
Deputy Commissioner of your district, about the flood situation in your area.

4. Attempt any one of the following: - (3)

Explain the following Newspaper Headline in 15-20 words:
FM HINTS AT CLUBBING DIFFERENT GST RATES
OR
Write an e-mail to your friend expressing your condolences on his father’s death.

5. (A) Translate any two of the following sentences into Punjabi/Hindi. (2 × 1 = 2)

i. We are not in a hurry.
ii. Has he completed his schooling?
iii. Do not waste water.
(B) Translate any two of the following sentences into English: (2 × 1 = 2)
i. ਜਲਦੀ ਕਰੋ। / ज ल्दी क रो ।
ii. ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਵਧੀਆ ਕਲਾਕਾਰ ਹੈ। / व ह एक अच्छा कलाकार है।
iii. ਉਹ ਜਰੂਰ ਤੁ ਹਾਨੂੂੰ ਧੋਖਾ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ / व ह ज रू र तु मे ह धो खा दे गी ।

6. Do as directed: (10)
(A) Fill in the blanks with suitable Determiners. (3× 1 = 3)
(i) He is ______ great Comedian.
(ii) Have you read Bible?
(iii) shops are newly built.
(B) Fill in the blanks as directed: (Use the words given in the brackets.) (2× 1 = 2)
(i) (Use) computers saves a lot of time. (Fill in the blank with a Gerund)
(ii) He is quick________(respond). (Fill in the blank with an Infinitive)
(C) Rewrite the given sentences as directed. (Any two) (2 × 1 = 2)
(i) Rewrite the given sentence after removing ‘too’.
He is too composed to lose temper.
(ii) Change the degree of comparison.
Very few kings were as great as Ashoka.
(iii) Rewrite the given sentence using ‘No sooner............ than’.
As soon as the the sun rose, the clouds disappeared.
(D) Change the given sentences into Passive Voice. (Any two) (2 × 1 = 2)
(i) He told a lie.
(ii) What was he doing?
(iii) She sent me a gift.
(E) Change the given sentence into Indirect Speech. (Any one) (1 × 1 = 1)
(i) He said to me, “I am studying here”
(ii) Samay said, “Do you know French?.”

SECTION C (Literature Textbook) (37 Marks)

7. Objective type questions: (1 × 10 = 10)
(i) Why were Hassan’s parents called to school ? (Hassan’s Attendance Problem)
(ii) Fill in the blank.
Nicola was years old. (Two Gentlemen of Verona)
(iii) As a child, Philip wanted to become a . (The March King)
a) Doctor b) baker c) musician d) dancer
(iv) Name the writer of the chapter, ‘The story of my life’.
(v) The poor farmer had a beautiful . (Thinking Out of the Box: Lateral Thinking)
(vi) Who is the writer of the chapter ‘The Barber’s Trade Union’?
(vii) State whether the following statement is True or False. (A Chameleon)
The dog belongs to the General’s brother.
(viii) What was the name of the head girl of the school? (The School for Sympathy)
a) Millie b) Samuel c) Beryl d) Peter
(ix) Who was the owner of ‘The Modern Frame Works’? (The Gold Frame)
(x) How many siblings did Bholi have? (Bholi)

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8. (A) Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow: (Any four) (1 × 4 = 4)
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with
thanksgiving. And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your
own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
(i) Name the poem.
(ii) Name the poet.
(iii) What is the most important thing that one can give to a friend?
(iv) When we shower our friends with love, what do we earn in return from them?
(v) Which figure of speech has been used in the first line of the given stanza?
OR
His eyes dimmed by age
fades homeward through the humid monsoon night. Now I
can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
He hurries across the length of the grey platform,
Crosses the railway line, enters the lane
(i) Name the poem.
(ii) Name the poet.
(iii) Write two reasons for father’s eyes being dimmed.
(iv) Where does father go after getting off the train?
(v) Which figure of speech is used in this line-‘… like a word dropped from a long sentence’?
B) Give the central idea of any one of the poems: (3)
i) On Friendship ii) The Road Not Taken

9. Answer any three of the following questions in about 20 to 30 words each: (2 × 3 = 6)

(i) How did Hussan study when he was in his college? (Hassan’s Attendance Problem)
(ii) What were the physical conditions of the cellular jail? (Ghadari Babas in Kalapani Jail)
(iii) How did the girl intelligently win? (Thinking Out of The Box: Lateral Thinking)
(iv) Why couldn’t Barnard brother survive? (In Celebration of Being Alive)
(v) How was Philip a success as the leader of the Marine Band?(The March King)

10. Answer any two of the following questions in 20 to 30 words (2 × 2 = 4)

(i) What was the the real aim of Miss Beams’s school? (The School for Sympathy)
(ii) What were the walls of Datta’s shop covered with?(The Gold Frame)
(iii) What was the effect of Karam Singh’s death on Mann Singh? (The Bull Beneath the Earth)

11. Answer any one of the following questions in 100 to 120 words: (5)
Write a note on the theme of the lesson ‘The Story of My Life’.
OR
Draw a brief character sketch of two boys in the story. (‘The two Gentlemen of Verona’)

12. Answer any one of the following questions in 100 to 120 words. (5)
Give a brief character sketch of Chandu. (The Barber’s Trade Union)
OR
Justify the title of the story, ‘The bull beneath the Earth’.

Prepared by:
Hardevinder Singh (Lecturer English)
School of Eminence for Girls, Sri Chamkaur Sahib, District: Roopnagar.