Marking Scheme Pre Board 2 Class XII

CODE No.					Total Pages: 07
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA CRPF AMERIGOG, GUWAHATI – 23 2nd  PRE BOARD-2017 – 2018 MARKING SCHEME
SUBJECT:			ENGLISH			CLASS:	XII
TIME:			3 HRS	SET 1		MAXIMUM MARKS:	100
General Instructions:
1. Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the marking scheme. 2. The marking scheme provides suggested value points and not the complete answers. 3. If a question has parts, marks must be awarded on the right hand side for each part. Marks awarded to different parts of a question should then be totalled up, written and encircled in the left hand margin of the answer concerned. 4. If a question does not have any parts, marks for that question must be awarded in the left – hand margin of the answer. 5. Where marks are allotted separately for content and expression as per the marking scheme, they have to be reflected separately and then totalled up. This is MANDATORY. 6. A slash (/) in the marking scheme indicates alternative answer(s) to a question. If a student writes an answer which is not given in the marking scheme but which seems to be equally acceptable, marks must be awarded only in consultation with the Subject Committee Convener/Principal/Head-Examiner. 7. If a child has attempted an extra question, the answer deserving more marks should be retained and the other answer be scored out. 8. Q1 & Q2 under Section A (Reading) and Q8 under Section C ( Literature) have been designed to test students’ ability to comprehend the given passage. As such the examinees need not be unnecessarily penalised for their language errors. 9. Where questions have been designed to test the writing skills of the students, the expression (grammatical accuracy, appropriate use of words, style, spelling, organization and presentation of relevant matter in a coherent and logical way) assumes as much importance as the content. 10. Identify major mistakes and shortcomings before awarding marks. 11. Wherever the word limit is given no marks will be deducted for exceeding it. However, due credit should be given for precise answers. 12. If a student in response to a short answer type question writes a single word/ phrase answer which constitutes the core of the answer it must be accepted and awarded marks. 13. If a student literally lifts a portion of the given passage / extract from the question paper as an answer to the question no mark(s) to be deducted on this count as long as it is relevant and indicative of the desired understanding on the part of the student (reference questions under Q1, Q2 and Q8. 14. A full scale of marks 0 to 100 is to be used while awarding marks. In case of an answer book deserving 90 marks and above marks be awarded only in consultation with the Subject Committee Convener/Principal/Head-Examiner.
		SECTION A: READING							30
1.		Comprehension Passage NOTE: No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and grammar, spelling or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student has been able to identify the core ideas. If a student literally lifelifts a portion of the given passage as an answer to the question no mark(s) to be deducted for this as long as it is relevant.						12
	(a)	On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option.							1×4 = 4
	1.	Economics and Physics						1
	2.	a. Because teachers find it easy to evaluate						1
	3.	c.    The urge to conform and play safe						1
	4.	mundane and avoidable activity						1
	(b)	Answer the following questions as briefly as possible.							1×6 = 6
	1.	The article emphasizes the need for the educational system to shift its focus from remembering to understanding.						1
	2.	The author was required to carry out an exercise of joining the dots that were drawn in rows of three without lifting the pen and without crossing the trodden path more than once.						1
	3.	Imaginary boxes are the imaginary limits we have developed as a result of conditioning to conformity.						1
	4.	The harm that may occur if a person is always taught to think by rote is that you may be depriving him/her from rising to the heights he/she is capable of rising to, even without the person being aware of the same.						1
	5.	The educational system is more information oriented than knowledge oriented. Too much syllabus, too many students per teacher, lack of enough hands-on exercises, teaching as a routine with the aim of completing the syllabus in time rather than with the goal of imparting knowledge , the curriculum more often than not designed keeping in view the most intelligent student rather than the average student are important factors in this regard.						1
	6.	The author suggests that lessons in History should make the child feel proud of his heritage instead of asking him to mug up the years of the events. Physics and Chemistry lessons should be taught more in the laboratories than in the classrooms						1
	(c)	Pick out words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:							2
	1.	a. stereotyped						1
	2.	b. mundane						1
2.		Comprehension Passage NOTE: No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and grammar, spelling or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student has been able to identify the core ideas. If a student literally lifelifts a portion of the given passage as an answer to the question no mark(s) to be deducted for this as long as it is relevant.						10
	(a)	On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option.							1×4 = 4
	1.	c Lamb’s tales						1
	2.	b. All is well that ends well						1
	(b)	Answer the following questions as briefly as possible.							1×4 = 4
	1.	He claimed that Shakespeare was an Italian.						1
	2.	The author’s first tryst with Shakespeare was an enforced one as the play The Merchant of Venice was a prescribed text in Class IX at school.						1
	3.	The rich language, the well drawn characters, and the impassioned speeches of Shylock and Portia.						1
	4.	Shakespeare has shaped the writing and storytelling in the English language like no other writer has. He liberally borrowed, bent and brought new words into the English language from addiction, bump, and critic to worthless and zany. The phrases that he coined roll off our tongues as overused adages- All that glitters is not gold( Merchant of Venice), Jealousy is a green eyes monster ( Othello) and the perennial ' All is well that ends well.'						1
	5.	Interesting and newer forms of Shakespeare’s texts may make GenNext readers read Shakespeare.						1
	6.	The author speculates that we might have a different form of Shakespeare that may appeal to the GenNext, a form that will induce them to approach an original play with a sense of anticipation, of beginning a quest to understand and appreciate a good story, well told.
	7.	a. transcend b. induce
3.		Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:						8
		NOTE: If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit should be given. 1 mark allotted for the title be given, even if a student has written the title either in Q3(a) or Q3(b). Content must be divided into headings and sub-headings. The notes provided below are only guidelines. Any other title, main points and sub-points may be accepted if they are indicative of the candidate’s understanding of the given passage, and the notes include the main points with suitable and recognizable abbreviations. Complete sentences are not to be accepted as notes. Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a consistent pattern is followed.
	(a)	NOTE MAKING Distribution of Marks Abbreviations/ Symbols (with/ without key) – any four Title Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)						1 1 3	5
		Suggested Notes: NOTE: Accept the notes and summary in the 3rd person. Also accept them written in the 1st person provided the format is correct and content is covered properly
		Title: Spider Webs- Wonders of Nature
		1. Web Styles: 1.1 irgl. Mesh 1.2 orbs 1.3 funnel webs 1.4 sheet webs 2. Irgl. Mesh web 2.1 central maze 2.2 densely woven sheet-shelter 2.3 long lines ancg. 2.4  sticky knobs near base- to trap 3.Sheet web 3.1 Platform- horl. Plane 3.2 spider clings to underside 3.3 extra sheet below 3.4 victim is pulled in bwn. 4.Funnel Web 4.1 lives outside 4.2 sheet or hammock style 4.3 attv. Landing field for insects 4.4 attacked by spinner 4.5 appear like carpeting in winter Key to abbreviations: Irgl.- irregular Ancg. – anchoring Horl. – Horizontal Attv.- attractive
	(b)	Summary The summary should include all the important points given in the notes Content Expression Spiders are noted for web building. The webs are of four types- mesh, orbs, funnel and sheets. The irregular mesh has a central maze, a densely woven sheet for shelter. Long lines with sticky knobs at end anchor it to support which traps the insect. The sheet web is a horizontal platform; the spider clings to its underside with an extra sheet below and traps the victims in between. The funnel web may be sheet or hammock style. The insects landing in it are attacked by the spinner from the opening. During winter the ground appears carpeted.						2 1	3
		SECTION B: ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS							30
4.		. Advertisement-Marking scheme: Format suitable Heading/ Classification 1m Content relevance 2 m- type of accommodation, rent expected, whom and when to contact, contact address. Expression (Grammatical accuracy, spellings, suitable style and selection of words) 1m						1 2 1	4
		Wanted PRO -age -qualification -Experience -salary -contact address
		Formal Invitation Format Content Expression						2 2	4
		Suggested value points -card format - Occasion - where – -when-date and time RSVP - any other relevant detail.
5.		Letter Writing Note – No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given for the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the modified block (traditional) and the block format (new) is permitted. Format 1. Sender’s address, 2. Date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4. Subject/ Heading, 5. Salutation, 6. Complimentary Close Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style						1 1	1 3 2
		Suggested Value Points Letter to the Editor- The roadsides are encroached upon by the hawkers and vendors. Illegal structures have been built on every corner of the streets. The buildings too have boundaries very close to the road. The local residents park their vehicles on the road as they have no other option. Lajpat Nagar is very close to important shopping centres and the people with vehicles find it very difficult to park in the vicinity. The matter has been taken up to the higher authorities many times with no action being taken till date. We hope that the concerned authorities take the required measures to tackle this problem.      (any other relevant details) OR Lately it has become a common sight to see primary children carrying heavy bags with great difficulty. In spite of clear notifications from the government, schools still have not implemented the guidelines. It is not only a physical burden for the students but also has repercussions on their health. Administrators in the education system should look into the matter and take immediate steps to lighten the burden of the children. Schools should be strictly instructed to adhere to the government guidelines. (Other relevant details)
6.		Debate Format Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style						2 ½ 2 ½	1 4 5
		Suggested Value Points -For the Motion -High fees -Not affordable -Not related to school curriculum -waste of time -school teachers are always willing to help even giving extra time -students are exhausted cannot focus on studies at home (other relevant details) Against the motion -Not all students are bright -some need extra guidance -School periods not enough to clear problems -guidance needed for competitive exams (other relevant details) OR Speech Writing Format-Heading-By-line Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style Suggested Value Points Coaching centres are a menace Common introduction: The mushrooming of coaching centers all over the cities big or small, metros or districts highlight the growing trend of students opting for coaching classes apart from the regular curriculum. Once upon a time coaching was a rare phenomenon, generally unheard of and only taken by those who were weak in their studies. But now it is a way of life for students, aggressively promoted by the teachers and too some extent by the parents also. But does coaching really help in scoring good marks in school or in competitive examinations? Is it advisable for the school students to opt for coaching? When is the right time to join coaching? Does it take away time of self-study and make student dependent on coaching centre? Or does it give your career the right boost and direction? These are some of the questions which every student and their parents face. The craze for coaching has led to opening of coaching centre in every by-lane of Delhi selling dreams of guaranteed success. One can see the newspapers, magazines or roads filled with advertisements like you can 'learn English in 30 days' or 'score 90% in Boards with our guidance' or 'clear PMT/IIT with our two year package'. More and more students are flocking these centers as an alternative or supplement to school teaching. Many experts believe that education is a natural process of learning. For the regular and attentive students coaching is not really required till class twelve. There was a time when only those children needed tuition who were not good at studies. But nowadays a number of tuition and coaching centres have cropped up all over the city where thousands of students can be seen. Because of this system of education, schools and colleges have very low attendance. Instead of going to their schools and colleges in the morning, students prefer to go to these ‘coaching centres’ in the evening. It also deprives them of physical activity which is necessary for growing teenagers. When these students from coaching centres get admission in universities, they face many problems because of being addicted to ready-made ‘notes’ provided by the teachers. Students are unable to cope with the demands of higher education based on logical and creative thinking and sometimes take drastic steps. The authorities concerned should seriously ponder over this issue and ban all these tuition and coaching centres in order to promote academic activities in schools and for the better future of our new generation.
7.		Article Writing Format Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style						2 ½ 2 ½	1 4 5
		Suggested Value Points                                   Rising Prices- Common Man’s worry The rising prices of almost all the things including essential commodities have become a regular common feature now-a-days. Any major reason for rising prices is due to lack of any timely effective measures taken by the dealing government departments to check malpractices of unscrupulous traders who create artificial shortages and charge exorbitant prices to needy persons. It is a shame that even life- saving drugs are not spared. The worst affected lot is the middle-class especially salaried working- class having fixed income, which has to maintain a reasonable standard of living and at the same manage to pay increasing prices for the essential commodities. It. is high time that the government should have a regular effective system of maintaining control on rising prices of at least essential commodities and life saving drugs, to offer some relief to a common man from this increasing burden of rising prices. Sudden and acute rise in prices causes an all-round spiral effect on prices that makes the life of common people miserable. The poverty line engulfs the lower middle classes. The government has tackled this problem very efficiently. Even the prices of food grains have been rising continually. The government should do something in this direction. Only then the real welfare of the masses can be ensured. OR Suggested Value Points Article – Relevance of newspapers in today’s age Newspapers still continue to provide in-depth information about the happenings around the world. It informs people even about the small, local and regional day to day happenings of the society. Habits are hard to die. There are a lot of people, especially of the ripe age, who continue the habit of reading a newspaper early in the morning along with a cup of tea/coffee. Newspapers can be read selectively at one’s own leisure.  Heavy books might seem daunting to children. Reluctant heavy book readers may find newspapers easier to read and thus helpful in inculcating a reading habit. It might be difficult to carry an electronic device with an Internet connection while traveling or going to work. A newspaper is very easy to carry and keep. Editorials are views and opinions of a senior staff or a guest about a particular issue. They are mostly related with the current happenings. They are the most attractive part of the newspaper and attract readers. There are many people who do not have a proper knowledge of the Internet and computers. For them the only source of information is still newspaper. Unlike TV news channels which depend on TRP ratings and sensational news, the humble newspaper does not resort to cheap tactics to increase its readership. Today, newspapers are also becoming a part of the digital world. There are certain newspapers which have their online editions published. Newspapers are using the new technology to keep themselves alive in the tech-savvy world.
		SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS & LONG READING TEXT NOTE: The objective of the section on Literature is to test a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret the prescribed text through short and long answer type questions. Hence both content and expression in answers to the given questions deserve equal importance while awarding marks.						40
8.		This question has been designed to test the students’ understanding of the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions based on the given extract. In other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension.						4
	(a)	The poet wants us to keep quiet so that we could self introspect and develop a mutual understanding.						1
	(b)	He wants us not to speak in any language, stop for a second and not move our arms so much						1
	(c)	He means that we must not do any activity without thinking if it needs to be done or not.						1
	(d)	Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda						1
		OR
	(a)	The bright yellow skinned tigers are described as prancing across a screen fearlessly, unafraid of men standing beneath the trees.						1
	(b)	They are described as so because they fearlessly in the forest, unafraid, brave and confident.						1
	(c)	They are brave and confident as they live in the forest.						1
	(d)	Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich						1
9		Short Answer Type Questions Distribution of marks: Content Expression (deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/ spelling mistakes)						2 1
		Value points:
	a.	A person may go blind and develop respiratory disorders. Working in dimly lit rooms doing the monotonous job of making bangles can make one’s mind numb so that it takes away the ability to think of anything else.
	b.	Jo wanted Roger Skunks mother to be punished for forcing the wizard change his smell from the smell of roses to that of a skunk. Jo felt that if smelling like roses could help Roger Skunk feel better about him and make other animals not run away or tease him for his bad smell. She felt that his mother should have allowed him to be like he wanted to.
	c.	Zitkala Sa was a Native-American girl and in her community the hair of the cowards or those in mourning were shingled. Cutting her hair would be an insult for a young girl who did not have any idea about the ways of the white settlers as she had been separated from her mother.
	d.	Kamala Das says “See you soon, Amma”. which signifies her hope to see her mother again the next time she returns to Cochin. She was unsure of it as her mother was aging and death could separate her from her mother anytime.
	e.	Anna told Bama that instead of feeling bad and retaliating for the unjust behaviour of the so called upper caste people, she should educate herself and rise to a high social position and earn the respect of the same people who would have looked down upon her due to her caste.
	f.	Evan was known as ‘Evans the Break’ -he had escaped thrice from prison before fooling the prison authorities -He was clever -had shown no academic inclination before -hence they were suspicious
		Q10 and Q11 These questions have been set to test the students understanding of the text and their ability to interpret evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein. Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the students should be able to justify his/ her viewpoint.
10.		Distribution of marks: Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/ spelling mistakes)						1 ½ 1 ½	3 3
		Sophie and Jansie were best friends but their temperaments were quite opposite to each other. Sophie was a day dreamer who wanted to earn a lot of money. She wished to open a boutique, be a manager or become an actress all at the same time. Jansie knew that their economical status did not even permit them to continue their studies after school. She tries to make Sophie realize that they were earmarked for the biscuit factory. Sophie was impractical and had no idea how to achieve her dream. Jansie on the other hand was sensible. In spite of Jansie trying to make her realize the reality, Sophie ignores her and fantasizes about her future. Jansie’s realistic and down to earth attitude is a contrast to the impractical dreams and aspirations of Sophie.                                                      OR William Douglas tries to overcome his fear of water for the first time when he was fourteen. Just as he was getting comfortable with swimming at the YMCA pool she was thrown into the pool by a bully of a boy. He nearly drowned and the experience shook him so badly that he couldn’t even sleep for days. As he grew older he realized he was not able to enjoy fishing, canoeing like his friends did. So he hired an instructor who taught him to swim step by step. He was made to swim with a rope tied around his waist and attached to a pulley. He was also taught to inhale and exhale under water. Finally he was trained to kick his legs freely in water as they used to freeze due to fear. Once he had mastered the technique of swimming he went to Lake Wentworth and swam across. As he reached the middle of the lake vestiges of fear returned but he refused to be bogged down and swam further. He continued to swim in rivers and lakes till he overcame his fear.
11.		Distribution of marks: Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/ spelling mistakes)						1 ½ 1 ½	3 3
		Edla Wilmansson is a genuinely kind and compassionate young woman unlike her impulsive father, the iron master.  The iron master invited the peddler to his home mistaking him to be an old comrade passing through a bad phase but asks him to leave and threatens him when he realizes his mistake. He blames the peddler for hiding his identity. On the other hand Edla knew from the first that he had done something wrong. Yet she invites him to home to celebrate Christmas. She does not allow him to be sent away arguing that he should eat stomach full and  get at least a day of peaceful sleep. She is rebuked by her father while returning from church after the announcement of the theft. She hangs her head in shame but does not argue with her father. This character trait of hers influences the thankless peddler who didn’t mind betraying the trust of the old crofter who had shown generosity to him. Thus showing kindness and compassion to other irrespective of their behaviour is sure to bring changes in others. OR India is steeped in superstitious belief irrespective of status and wealth. When a child is born, the parents make an astrological chart. The greed to know the future and arrogantly believing that one can change one’s destiny can often lead to one’s own downfall. The astrologers had predicted that the Tiger King would be killed by the hundredth tiger.  The Tiger King develops a blind obsession to kill hundred tigers. His choice of bride is determined by the availability of tigers in the kingdom. He forgets his kingly and family obligations. If he had not started the killing spree of tiger’s maybe his death wouldn’t have been determined by the hundredth tiger which ridiculously was a wooden toy tiger. Right from the time a child is born till his death, superstitions influence every important aspect of life. Superstitions have a powerful influence on the minds of people, to the extent that an ordinary event like a cat crossing your path is considered to be a bad omen. For instance lizard falling on you is interpreted in many different ways depending on the part of the body it falls on. Thus superstition can neither make nor break our destiny.
		Q12 and Q13 – long Reading Text NOTE: Accept any answer that correlates with the novel and seems relevant
12.		Distribution of marks: Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/ spelling mistakes)						1 ½ 1 ½	3 3
		.        Kemp is a socially responsible scientist who wants to use his knowledge for the benefit of mankind. On the other hand we find Griffin, completely involved and consumed by the thought of establishing his “reign of terror “. He is not sorry for being responsible for the death of his father or burning down his landlord’s house.  Kemp devotes his time in experiments which would benefit the society. He gives Griffin food and shelter. Griffin suggests that they could work together and share the loot if Kemp saves him from his pursuers. He uses himself as a bait to trap him. He betrays him to save humanity. They are pictures in contrast, both brilliant but one evil and the other a balanced individual who wants to use science for the benefit of humanity.
13.		Distribution of marks: Content Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (deduct ½ a mark for two or more grammatical/ spelling mistakes)						1 ½ 1 ½	3 3
		Value points: Marvel is an old tramp with no home or job. He wanders from place to place, usually asking people for food or money. The invisible man recruits him to assist him in his evil pursuits. Marvel is shabbily dressed and wears different boots probably given to him as charity. He is bearded, plump and has short limbs. He appears to drink a lot. He is convinced by the invisible man to help him out in return for rewards. The invisible man boasts that his power of being invisible allows him to do wonders. He accepts the offer and does as he is told. Though at the end Marvel is not ready to sacrifice his freedom and tries to escape from the clutches of the invisible man. Fortune favours Marvel who ends up becoming the owner of Griffin’s books and money. Kemp tries to get hold of the books but Marvel retains them with a hope that he could decipher the invisibility code. He is the only character, previously a loser who benefits from his association with the Invisible Man.