CBSE Class 12th English Board Exam 2025: As we know, the Class 12 English exam is scheduled for tomorrow, March 11, 2025 (Tuesday) so make sure to prepare well and revise all important topics. Practice sample papers to improve time management and boost your confidence. A good revision today can help you score higher in the exam. Stay focused and give your best!
English as an important subject, it plays a major role in boosting overall board exam scores. To help students prepare effectively, we provide the CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper with Solutions. Designed by experts, this resource is ideal for last-minute revision and practising important questions. The solutions offer clarity on correct answers. Download the CBSE Class 12 English Paper PDF from the links below to strengthen your preparation and score well in the exam.
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CBSE Class 12 English Exam Tomorrow: Check Last-Minute Answer Writing Tips
CBSE Class 12th English Core Sample Paper and Marking Scheme 2025
Prominent Features of CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper 2025
- Prepared by Experienced Faculty – Designed by subject experts to ensure quality and accuracy.
- Based on the Latest Syllabus and Exam Pattern – Aligned with the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus for 2025.
- Includes Important Questions – A valuable resource for practicing key topics and question types.
- Offers Additional Questions – Provides a variety of questions beyond those in the CBSE-issued sample paper.
- Comes with Solutions – Facilitates quick and effective revision by providing well-structured answers.
- Available in PDF Format – Easily downloadable for convenient access and offline practice.
CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper 2025 with Solutions
Check and download the Class 12 English Sample Paper with Solutions to Boost your preparation for the upcoming CBSE Class 12 English Exam 2025:
SECTION A: READING SKILLS
1. Read the following
1 Apollo, the Greek god of music and healing, always maintained that he was the greatest musician in the world, until Marsyas, who was part animal and part human, played the flute. Apollo's jealousy and insecurity drove him to eventually slay Marsyas so that his status as the greatest musician remained unchallenged. One’s usual imagination of a god is a being who is all-knowing and pure in every intention. What makes the Greek gods interesting is that they are shown as flawed beings who do not always act like ‘Gods’.
2. In appearance, the gods resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpass in beauty, grandeur, and strength; they are also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attractive feature in men or women. They resemble human beings in their feelings and habits, marrying and having childrenwith They require daily nourishment to maintain their strength, and sleep to restore their energy. Their blood, a bright magical fluid called Ichor, never causes disease, and, when shed, produces new life.
3. The Greeks believed that the mental qualifications of their gods were much higher than those of men, but, nevertheless, displayed human passions like revenge, deceit, and jealousy. In mythological tales, the gods always punish the evil-doer and administer dire punishments to any mortalwho dares to neglect their They often visit mankind and partake of their hospitality, and in many tales, both gods and goddesses become attached to mortals. Although there were so many points of resemblance between gods and men, there remained the one great characteristic distinction: immortality. Still, the gods were not invulnerable, and were often wounded and suffered so much that they’d pray for death. The gods could transport themselves to incredible distances with the speed of thought.
4. They could be invisible at will, and could take the forms of men or animals as it suited their convenience. They could also transform human beings into trees, stones, or animals. Their robes were like those wornby mortals, but were perfect in form and much finer in Their weapons also resembled those used by mankind. They often used spears, shields, helmets, bows and arrows. Most of these divinities lived on the summit of Mount Olympus, each having his or her own palace. Magnificent temples were erected to their honour, rich gifts were presented to them, and living creatures were sacrificed on their altars.
5. In Greek mythology, the gods take every opportunity to reveal and establish their divinity but also fallprey to human Perhaps the Greeks did so to help generations of readers reflect on important life lessons to avoid tragic downfalls. - E. M. Berens
Q. Answer the following questions based on the passage above:
1.‘…they are shown as flawed beings who do not always act like Gods’ (Para 1)
Which of these are examples of the above statement?
i.God getting attached and falling in love
ii.Gods punishing mortals for their wrongdoing
iii.Gods showing kindness and compassion to all
iv.Gods deceiving everyone for their personal gain
v.Gods killing a mortal out of jealousy and insecurity
Select the correct option.
a.Only I and III
b.Only II and V
c.Only I, IV, and V
d.Only I
e.I, IV, and V
2.Which of these would Apollo most likely say about Marsyas’ musical ability?
a)‘Why does everyone think he plays music well? It is obvious that he doesn’t have talent.’
b)‘Why is he challenging me like that? I wonder what is troubling him so that I can heal.’
c)‘How can an animal play the flute? Such creatures must know their place.’
d)‘How dare he play better than me? I am supposed to be the best in the world.’
3.Why does the author begin the passage with a description of Apollo?
a) to show that the Greek Gods have immense power and influence over the mortals b )toemphasise the point that the Greek Gods are based on interesting stories
c)to highlight the point that the Greek Gods are more human-like in nature
d)to state that the Greek Gods are also allowed to make mistakes
4.What is ironic about Apollo being the one who slays Marsyas? Answer in about 40 words.
5.Based on your reading of paragraph 3, explain what is ‘invulnerable’
6.State any two ways that the Greek gods are superior to human beings.
7.Complete the given sentence with ONE word.
From the fact that the Greek gods punish any mortal who neglects their worship, we can infer that they are_____________ .
8.Imagine that someone was born from Ichor. In which of these situations would the Ichor be most useful?
a)a natural disaster that causes the earth to split apart
b)a pandemic that has been caused by a contagious virus
c)a war that requires transforming into another form quickly
d)a competitive entrance exam that is very tough to qualify for
9.What does the author mean by ‘tragic downfalls’ in paragraph 5? Give an example of a tragic downfall in current times in about 40 words.
2. Read the following text.
1.Over 80% of fatalities in road accidents in India happened due to speeding and dangerous or driving a comparative analysis of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data since 2014 shows. While this careless corroborates the popular perception of how people drive on the road in a country where getting a driving licence is often said to be too easy. Experts said most of the fatal accidents are recorded by police under speeding and dangerous driving categories in the FIR as there are no other provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for such offences.
2.According to the latest NCRB report on accidental deaths, 83.2% of road fatalities were on account of these two types of violations and the rest 16.8% of fatalities were due to reasons including drunk driving, bad weather conditions and mechanical defect. In 2014, when such causes of fatal crashes were first compiled, 89.4% of the deaths were due to speeding and dangerous or careless driving as per the police records and this was the highest ever.
3.“We face a host of challenges ranging from poor system of issuing driving licences to almost zero scientific investigation of fatal crashes, which are provided in the law. Most of our national highways and state highways, which pass through villages, have no pedestrian crossings. On the top of this, in all fatal cases, police automatically registers them under section 279 (negligent driving resulting death) of the IPC,” said mad safety expert Rohit Baluja, who has been a regular guest faculty at Indian Police Academy, Hyderabad.
4.Confirming this, traffic adviser in Punjab, government, Navdeep Asija said in case of all fatal accidents, the provisions of IPC are slapped. “In IPC, any crime or offence has to be lodged against a human being and hence there cannot be any charge against a road, vehicle or any other object. That’s why police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes. But it is also a fact that violation of traffic rules is rampant on roads and only electronic surveillance can put a check on them,” he added.
5.Baluja said there is a need to define what is dangerous driving and the norms for fixing speed limits. “In Delhi, the speed limit is same across major roads, residential areas and markets during day lean time and at night as well. No authorities are held responsible for deficiencies on their part,” he pointed out. Though the amended Motor Vehicle Act has included a provision to hold road owning agencies, contractors and consultants in case of fatal accidents due to faulty road construction or design, the government is yet to notify the process for this.
After reading the comprehension passage, proceed to the questions that test your understanding.
(i)Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists accurate speed limit rules authorised in Delhi.
1.Different speed limits for major roads and residential areas.
2.Same speed limit for major roads and residential areas.
3.Same speed limit during day time and at night as well.
(a)Only 1
(b)Both 1 and 2
(c)Both 2 and 3
(d)Only 2
(ii)Choose the option that lists statement that is NOT TURE.
(a)Police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes.
(b)Fatal accidents may occur due to faulty road construction.
(c)Violation of traffic rules is hardly observed on roads.
(d)IPC stands for Indian Penal Code.
(iii)According to the latest NCRB report, what is the percentage of total fatal road accidents and what are the reasons?
(iv)In the line “……… the norms for fixing speed”, the word “norm” DOES NOT refer to:
(a)a model
(b)a standard
(c)usual
(d)exception
(v)As per the amended Motor Vehicle Act, who among these are also held responsible for fatal road accidents?
(a)Road contractors
(b)Road consultants
(c)Both (a) and (b)
(d)Neither (a) nor (b)
(vi)According to NCRB, which of the factor(s) is/ are responsible for fatal road accidents?
(vii)In which year were the causes of fatal crashes first compiled?
The data displays that the largest number of road accidents took place in 2016. (True/False)
SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
3.Attempt ANY ONE of two in about 50 words.
A. Recently there has been an increase in the cases of kidnappings of children. It has been found that the domestic helps or familiar people from family were involved in most cases. You are the Secretary of the Resident’s Welfare Association. Write a notice to be put up on the notice board of for the colony informing the citizens about the following
OR
B. You are the Mohit/Meghna , Secretary, Water authority. Write a notice to the city's residents tostore sufficient water for the weekend as there will be disruption in the water supply for two hours across the city due to some urgent repairs and installation works.
4.Attempt ANY ONE of two , in about 50 words.
A .You are Gokul/Gopika ,Organizer of the Literary Club activities. Write an invitation to all literary club members about the play which will be telecasted next week .Give necessary details
OR
B. You are Akshay/ Aakriti . You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Artificial Intelligence’ organised by Cyber Club, Bangalore. Write a formal reply accepting the invitation.
5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A.You have come across the below advertisement in a local newspaper for the post of a receptionist.
Situation Vacant
Wanted a receptionist for a reputed school in Gurgaon. Applicant should be graduate, must have good communication skills and command over spoken English and must possess a pleasing personality. Interested candidates between the age group of 20-25 yrs. May send their resume with a latest passport size photograph to the Administrative officer, A.K International School, Sector- 24, Gurgaon, (NCR) within seven days of publication of this advertisement.
Write a letter to the organization expressing your interest in the advertised position and attach your biodata.
OR
B.You have noticed a considerable section of young intellectuals migrating from our country. As a citizen you are concerned about the ill effects of brain drain on the development of our country and realise the need for better job opportunities and facilities in our nation. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, sharing your concern. You are Snehal/Sohail.
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two , in about 120-150 words.
Vigilance is the pre requisite for prosperity in democracy. Observance of Vigilance awareness week every year encourages all stake holders to fight against corruption and to raise public awareness against corruption.Write an article for your school magazine. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose this article.
*objective of vigilance awareness week
*Need for being vigilant
*factors for prosperity in democracy
*role of citizens
OR
National Career Service has organised a job fair for the unemployed youth to eradicate unemployment in rural areas. Prepare a report on the job fair by giving necessary details about the objectives, interview and sessions organised by the authorities to select the best candidates. You are Nimisha/Nishant , Reporter of Young India.
SECTION C : LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT
7A. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead; All lovely tales that we have heard or read; An endless fountain of immortal drink, Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink
1.‘Grandeur of dooms’ mentioned in these lines refers to:
a)Blooming of all the things of beauty
b)Lovely tales of the dooms day
c)Magnificence of the mighty dead who are immortal due to their glorious deeds
d)Grandeur of the immortal drink from heaven
2.William Wordsworth says “one daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures”. Choose from the below options that shows the relationship between William Wordsworth‘s words and the lines from the poem ‘A thing of beauty’
a)Wordsworth endorses Keats’ belief in nature
b)Keats undermines the healing qualities of daffodils
c)Wordsworth surrenders the desire to enjoy the beauty of daffodils
d)Keats disapproves the statement made by Wordsworth
3.What is the effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?
a)Provides us eternal happiness
b)It pours from the brink of heaven
c)Beautiful things are formed with immortal drink
d)All the above
4.State True or False: A thing of beauty transcends time and heals.
5.Complete the Statement:Lovely tales are stories of
6.What is ‘endless fountain’ referred in the passage?
a)Beautiful waterfall
b)Eternal happiness given by things of beauty
c)Blessings from the mighty dead
d) Imagery of heroes
OR
7B. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
1.Why were Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering?
a)The ring was uncomfortable to wear as it was massive
b)frightened and subdued by dominance
c)The wedding band got stuck in the ivory needle
d)Both a and b
2.Which of the following is the theme of the extract?
a)Old age of Aunt Jennifer and her difficulties
b)Pain of isolation due to the society
c)Expectations of the matriarchal society
d)Victims of male chauvinism and exploitation of submissiveness
3.State True or False
Aunt Jennifer was terrified of the tigers she made on the panel
4.What emotions of the character are portrayed in the extract?
a)baffled by the unpredictable behavior of the society
b)highlighting the atrocities of the ‘uncle’ which made Aunt Jennifer weak.
c)travails in the life of the uncle due to Aunt Jennifer
d)All the above
5.Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hands suggests
6.What are the literary devices used in the extract?
a)symbols and alliteration
b)assonance and simile
c)Simile and metaphor
d) Irony and assonance
8A. After I had watched all this, at last I went home. My elder brother was there. I told him the story in all its comic detail. I fell about with laughter at the memory of a big man, and an elder at that, making such a game out of carrying the parcel. But Annan was not amused. Annan told me the man wasn’t being funny when he carried the package like that. He said everybody believed that they were upper caste and therefore must not touch us. If they did, they would be polluted. That’s why he had to carry the package by its string.
1.What does the ‘comic detail’ refer to?
a)a huge man carrying a small packet with strings
b)The incident of polluted food
c)laughing at the discrimination
d)They fear of the old man
2.What would have happened if the elderly man had touched the packet?
a)The landlord would have scolded him
b)The landlord would have shared the food with him
c)The landlord would have considered it polluted
d)The packet would be undone
3.Why was Annan not amused?
a)For he knew the reality of the incident
b)For he was not there when the incident took place
c)He was not interested
d)All the above
4.Whatmade Bama feel sad later after she reached home?
OR
8B. At midnight when the town slept in peace, the dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger into the car and shoved it into the seat. The dewan himself drove the car straight to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. When they reached the forest, the tiger launched its satyagraha and refused to get out of the car. The dewan was thoroughly exhausted in his efforts to haul the beast out of the car and push it down to the ground. On the following day, the same old tiger wandered into the Maharaja’s presence and stood as if in humble supplication, “Master, what do you command of me?” It was with boundless joy that the Maharaja took careful aim at the beast. The tiger fell in a crumpled heap.
1.Pick the option that best describes the dewan’s attitude.
1. desperate 2. submissive 3. servile 4. dishonourable 5. detestable 6. flattering
a)2, 3 and 6
b)1, 4 and 5
c)2, 4 and 6
d)1, 3 and 5
2. ‘At midnight when the town slept in peace’.How is this statement associated with the state of mind of the deewan?
a)Similar
b)Ironical
c)Hyperbole
d)Symbolic
3.’Satygraha’ refers to
a)Exhausted efforts of Deewan
b)Efforts of Deewan and his wife
c)Refusal of the tiger to get out
d)The desire of the tiger to surrender
4.What made the deewan and his wife bring the tiger to the forest?
9.Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes, and now I understood why the old men of the village were sitting there in the back of the room. It was because they were sorry, too, that they had not gone to school more. It was their way of thanking our master for his forty years of faithful service and of showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.
1.Why does the narrator refer to M. Hamel as ‘Poor man!’?
a)He empathizes with M. Hamel as he had to leave the village.
b)He believes that M. Hamel’s “fine Sunday clothes” clearly reflected that he was not rich.
c)He feels sorry for M. Hamel as it was his last French lesson.
d)He thinks that M. Hamel’s patriotism and sense of duty resulted in his poverty.
2 Which of the following idioms might describe the villagers’ act of attending the last lesson most accurately?
a)‘Too good to miss’
b)‘Too little, too late’
c)‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’
d)‘Too cool for school’
3.Choose the option that might raise a question about M. Hamel’s “faithful service”.
a)When Franz came late, M. Hamel told him that he was about to begin class without him.
b)Franz mentioned how cranky M. Hamel was and his “great ruler rapping on the table”.
c)M. Hamel often sent students to water his flowers, and gave a holiday when he wanted to go fishing
d)M. Hamel permitted villagers put their children “to work on a farm or at the mills” for some extra money.
4.…The country was no more theirs refers to :
a)French invasion of Prussia
b)Prussian invasion of French
c)unification of Germany
d)French language banned in Germany.
5.The narrator’s feelings highlight
What nature of M. Hamel is revealed from the extract?
OR
B.Saul Bellow, who has consented to be interviewed on several occasions, nevertheless once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. “These days, more than at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews,” Denis Brian has written. “Almost everything of moment reaches us through one man asking questions of another. Because of this, the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and influence.”
1.How would you describe Denis Brian’s opinion on interviews? Choose the most appropriate option.
(1) appeasing (2) utilitarian (3) approving (4) praising
(a)(1) and (2)
(b)(3) and (4)
(c)(2) and (3)
(d)(1) and (4)
2.According to Saul Bellow, interviews are like thumbprints on his windpipe. What emotion might best describe such an image?
(a)Fear
(b)uncomfortable
(c)Pain
(d)both a and b
3.Denis Brian states that the interviewer occupies a position of power and influence as
..................
(a)everything reaches us through one man asking questions of another.
(b)the interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.
(c)our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews.
(d)interviews are like thumbprints on the interviewee’s windpipe.
4.The use of the word “serviceable”implies that interviews are ..................
(a)significant
(b)powerful.
(c)advanced.
(d)useful.
5.Unprecedented power refers to the
6.What are the major merits of interviews?
10.Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words.
1.What was M Hamel worried about when he said, ‘she puts off learning till tomorrow’? (The Last Lesson)
2. In all circumstances of anger and frustration, the office boy’s anger was directed towards a single person. Describe. (Poets and Pancakes)
3. What was the conflict of duties felt by Gandhiji when he disobeyed the law? (Indigo)
4. ‘The chap who threw me in was saying ‘but I was only fooling.’ What trait of the boy is revealed in this, and what is its impact on the author? (Deep Water)
5. What characteristics of Edla inspired the peddler to redeem himself and change his ways? (The Rattrap)
6.What is the reason for the huge success of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’? (Interview)
11.Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
1.Why did Charlie suspect that Sam has reached the third level and how did he confirm it?
2.‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves ‘ What is the relevance of this metaphor for existence in the context of Antarctica?(Journey to the End of earth).
3.‘Eating by formula was not the hardest trial in that first day’. Describe with reference to the chapter ‘Memories of Childhood’
12.Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. As the school counselor, you are asked to deliver a speech on the necessity of quiet introspection. Draft your speech highlighting the importance of keeping quiet with reference to the poem by Pablo Neruda.
OR
B. Sophie dreams of becoming an actress to lead a sophisticated life. She decides to visit Gemini studio and met Subbu who is a ‘tailor made for films’. Narrate the conversation between Sophie and Subbu in the format of an interview with reference to the chapters ‘Poets and Pancakes’ and ‘Going Places’
13.Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A.“On the twenty first day of February an escaped prisoner was washed up on the shore in front of my house”So far he typed and then he opened a secret drawer of his desk and the unfinished report in it: Imagine that you are Dr Sadao. Prepare a report based on the above lines from the chapter, ‘The enemy’, narrating the incidents after the arrival of the enemy.
OR
B.Imagine you are Derry from ‘On the face of it”. Even when Mr. Lamb was no more, you are carrying the life lesson you learnt from him. What advice you might offer to Zitkalasa , the author of ‘Memories of Childhood’ in context of the discrimination faced by her. You may begin this way:
Dear Bama,
I recently read your story about how you were brutally dragged and tied to a chair to cut your hair
…..……………………. Derek
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