ISC Board Class 12 English Literature - Paper II Sample Paper 2024-25: Download PDF Here

Question 1

Choose the correct options for the following questions.

(i) How does Lady Macbeth attempt to divert the attention of the guests from

Macbeth’s strange behaviour at the banquet? 

(a) She uses her social grace and charm to distract the guests.

(b) She engages the guests in conversation and entertainment.

(c) She pretends that Macbeth has an illness that is momentary.

(d) She speaks of Macbeth’s courage in troubled times.

(ii) What is Macbeth's reaction when he sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet?

(a) He pretends to remain calm and collected.

(b) He is terrified and loses control over himself.

(c) He blames Ross and Lennox for playing tricks on him.

(d) He is proud and boastful

(iii) What does Banquo’s soliloquy in Act III Scene i of the play Macbeth, reveal

about him? 

(a) He is afraid of Macbeth.

(b) He is puzzled and confused.

(c) He is jealous of Macbeth and wishes to seize the throne.

(d) He is suspicious of Macbeth’s actions.

(iv) In Act V of the play Macbeth, which one of the following do you think reflects

the tragic arc of the play? 

(P) Macbeth’s soliloquy; “Out, out brief candle, Life’s but a walking shadow.”

(Q) Lady Macbeth’s breakdown: “What’s done cannot be undone.”

(R) Macduff’s greeting: “Hail, King of Scotland.”

(S) Malcolm’s final words: “So, thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.”

(a) (P) and (R)

(b) (P) and (Q)

(c) (R) and (S)

(d) (P) and (S)

(v) Read the two statements from the short story, The Cookie Lady and choose the

correct option from the ones given below. 

Statement I: “Why don’t you read to me from your books? You know I

don’t see too well anymore and it’s comfort to me to be read to.”

Statement II: “You don’t mind if I touch your arm, do you?”

(a) Statement I and II are similar.

(b) Statement I and II are not related to each other.

(c) Statement II is the reason for Statement I.

(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.

(vi) Which of the following BEST captures the central idea of the short story,

The Medicine Bag?

(a) Embracing one’s cultural roots.

(b) Disrespect for the older generation.

(c) The fruits of modernisation.

(d) Peer pressure in adolescents.

(vii) Which natural element plays a crucial role in the end of the story There Will

Come Soft Rains?

(a) Hail

(b) Wind

(c) Heat

(d) Rain

(viii) In the poem Telephone Conversation, the potent metaphor “stench of rancid

breath” is used to:

(a) evoke a strong sense of repulsion and disgust.

(b) describe bad odour in the telephone booth.

(c) create a toxic atmosphere.

(d) create a mental image of the lady with bad breath.

(ix) Why does Shane Koyczan begin the poem, Beethoven, with the word “Listen”?

(a) To highlight the fact that Beethoven was abused.

(b) To make the poem appealing and lend rhythm.

(c) To add novelty to the beginning.

(d) To align it with the theme of music.

(x) How is Death personified in the opening lines of the poem, Death be Not

Proud?

(a) As a desperate man

(b) As a gentle agent of Fate

(c) As a mighty conqueror

(d) As a reaper of souls

Question 2

Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. 

(i) Macbeth returns to the witches in Act IV Scene i because

__________________.

(ii) In Act V Scene viii of the play Macbeth, Macbeth initially refuses to fight

Macduff because__________________. 

(iii) In Act III Scene iv of the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth dismissed the guests at

the banquet without standing on any ceremony because__________________.

(iv) The escape of Fleance in Act III Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, is significant

because__________________. 

(v) In the short story, Atithi, Motilal Babu and Annapurna choose Tarapada as a

prospective groom for their daughter because __________________.

(vi) In the short story, The Cookie Lady, Mrs. Drew wanted Bubber to keep visiting

her because__________________. 

(vii) In the short story, Indigo, Aniruddha asked Sukhanram if there were ghosts in

the bungalow because__________________.

(viii) In the poem, Telephone Conversation, the speaker resented the landlady asking

him about the colour of his skin because__________________. 

(ix) In the poem, Small Towns and the River, the dead are placed pointing west

because__________________.

(x) Beethoven amputated the legs of his piano because__________________.