Solution

(C) India’s age-long culture and civilization

Explanation: According to the passage, "She has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization".

(D) The snow peaks and the deep valleys of the Himalayas as well as the rich and vast plains below

Explanation: The passage mentions, "She reminds me of the snow-covered peaks and the deep valleys of the Himalayas, which I have loved so much and of the rich and vast plains below...".

(A) peaks

Explanation: 'Peaks' refers to the highest points or tops of mountains.

(C) had rung

Explanation: When two actions happen in the past, the action that happened first takes the Past Perfect Tense ('had rung').

(A) under

Explanation: 'Under' is the correct preposition used when someone rests or sleeps beneath the shade/branches of a tree.

(C) My brother loves to share his toys.

Explanation: Subject (My brother) + Verb (loves) + Infinitive phrase (to share his toys) forms a correct and meaningful English sentence.

(D) Expact

Explanation: The correct spelling is Expect.

(D) Verb

Explanation: 'Listen' expresses an action, so it is a verb.

(B) Six miles

Explanation: The passage states, "The town was six miles from her village."

(A) Thirty paise

Explanation: The passage states, "The fare was thirty paise one way".

(B) 1994

Explanation: The first democratic elections were held in South Africa in May 1994.

(C) hundred

Explanation: Lencho asked God for a hundred pesos to sow his field again and live until the next crop.

(D) profession

Explanation: As per the chapter 'A Baker from Goa', baking was a profitable profession in the old days.

(C) Robert Frost

Explanation: 'Fire and Ice' is a famous short poem written by Robert Frost.

(C) Desire

Explanation: In the poem, 'fire' symbolizes human emotions like desire and passion, while 'ice' symbolizes hatred.

(D) Greed

Explanation: Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food, as he could never refuse food at any hour of the day.

(B) Sulekha

Explanation: Bholi's real name was Sulekha.

(D) All of these

Explanation: Richard Ebright collected butterflies, rocks, fossils, and coins in his childhood.

(A) Work

Explanation: Hari Singh initially asked Anil for work so that he could get a chance to stay with him and steal later.

(B) rich lady

Explanation: Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady who overfed her dog Tricki with luxurious food items.

PART – B

PART-B Reading Passage

Read the passage given below:

"About five hundred years ago, a town called Hamelin, in North Germany was overrun with rats. The rats were so big that they used to fight the dogs and kill cats and bite the babies in the cradles. At last, all the people came to the town to see the Mayor who was the chairman of the town. They begged him to do something to rid them of the rats. The next day, the Mayor held a meeting. A man in queer long coat from heel to head entered the hall. He went up to the table and said, "I can rid your town of rats, if you pay me one thousand pieces of gold." We shall be glad to give you much more than that, to be rid of the rats, said Mayor."

a) Where is the town called Hamelin ?

हल / Solution:

The town called Hamelin is situated in North Germany.

b) What did the people of Hamelin do to get rid of the rats ?

हल / Solution:

The people of Hamelin went to see the Mayor, who was the chairman of the town, and begged him to do something to rid their town of the rats.

c) What was the tall man wearing when he entered the hall ? What did he ask the people to pay him ?

हल / Solution:

When entering the hall, the tall man was wearing a queer long coat that covered him from heel to head. He asked the people to pay him one thousand pieces of gold for freeing their town from the rats.

d) Which word means 'strange' in the passage ?

हल / Solution:

The word 'queer' in the passage means 'strange'.

( Writing )

(Main Option: Letter to Friend)

12/A, Civil Lines,

Prayagraj.

15th March, 2026

Dear Rahul,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am delighted to inform you that my elder sister's marriage has been fixed for 25th March, 2026. The wedding ceremony will take place at Hotel Kanha Shyam, Prayagraj.

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding along with your family. All our friends are coming, and your presence will double my joy. Please try to arrive two days prior to the wedding date so that we can enjoy and help with the preparations together.

I eagerly await your arrival. Give my warm regards to your parents.

Yours affectionately,

Anand

OR

(Alternative Option: Application to the Principal)

To,

The Principal,

Government Inter College,

Prayagraj.

Sir,

Most respectfully, I beg to submit that I have been suffering from high fever since last evening. The doctor has advised me to take complete bed rest for three days. Therefore, I am unable to attend college from 16th March to 18th March, 2026.

Kindly grant me leave for three days. I shall be extremely grateful to you for this act of kindness.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently,

Rohan Sharma

Class - X 'A'

Roll No. - 12

Date: 15th March, 2026

(Main Option: Report on Importance of Forests)

Importance of Forests

By: Student Correspondent

Forests are the precious lungs of our planet Earth and are essential for all living beings. They play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance by producing oxygen and absorbing harmful carbon dioxide, thereby keeping the environment fresh and clean. Forests provide natural habitat, food, and shelter to thousands of species of wild animals and birds. Furthermore, the roots of trees bind the soil tightly and prevent soil erosion as well as floods. Trees also play a critical role in bringing rain and maintaining the water cycle. Nowadays, forests are being cut down rapidly for urbanization. We must protect forests and plant more trees to save our planet and future generations.

OR

(Alternative Option: Article on A Visit to a Zoo)

A Visit to a Zoo

Last Sunday, during the spring vacation, I visited the Kanpur Zoo along with my parents and younger sister. We reached the zoo around 10 a.m. and bought our entry tickets. As we entered, we saw a lush green landscape full of tall trees and water ponds. We observed a wide variety of birds like peacocks, parrots, migratory ducks, and flamingos chirping near the lake.

Moving further, we saw fierce animals in clean enclosures including lions, tigers, leopards, and bears. My sister was thrilled to watch monkeys swinging from tree branches and elephants bathing in water pools. We also saw deer, giraffes, and crocodiles. It was a very joyful and educational experience. We took many photos and returned home with unforgettable memories.

( Grammar )

The master asked the servant what he was doing in the kitchen.

b) Change the following sentence into passive voice :

You have not completed your home-work.

हल / Solution:

Your home-work has not been completed by you.

c) Punctuate the following :

ramesh said to me i will not help you

हल / Solution:

Ramesh said to me, "I will not help you."

d) Translate the following into English :

प्रयागराज एक प्राचीन ऐतिहासिक नगर है । इसका एक गौरवशाली इतिहास है । यहाँ गंगा और यमुना का संगम है । यहाँ उत्तर प्रदेश का उच्च न्यायालय है ।

हल / Solution:

Prayagraj is an ancient historical city. It has a glorious history. Here is the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna. The High Court of Uttar Pradesh is situated here.

( Literature )

the following questions in about 30 – 40 words each :

a) How was Lencho helped ?

OR

What is the greatest wealth of a nation in Mandela’s opinion ?

हल / Solution:

(a) Main Option:

Lencho was helped by the postmaster and his employees. Deeply moved by Lencho's unwavering faith in God, the postmaster collected seventy pesos from his own salary and contributions from his friends and post office staff, and sent it to Lencho in an envelope marked from 'God'.

OR

(a) Alternative Option:

In Nelson Mandela's opinion, the greatest wealth of a nation is not its minerals or precious gems hidden beneath its earth, but its people. He believes that the citizens are finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

b) What prompted Anne Frank to keep a diary ? What name did she give to it ?

OR

What made Valli sad on her return journey ?

हल / Solution:

(b) Main Option:

Anne Frank did not have any true friend with whom she could share her deepest feelings, thoughts, and secrets. Therefore, she felt prompted to express her mind by writing a diary. She affectionately named her diary 'Kitty'.

OR

(b) Alternative Option:

During her return journey, Valli saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, struck by a fast-moving vehicle. It was the same cow that was running joyously in front of the bus earlier. Seeing its life end so suddenly filled Valli's heart with deep sadness.

any one of the following in about 60 words :

a) Bring out Lencho’s immense faith in God.

b) Who was Nelson Mandela ? What ideals did he set out for the future of South Africa in his inauguration speech ?

हल / Solution:

(a) Lencho’s immense faith in God:

Lencho had firm and unshakeable faith in God. When a devastating hailstorm completely destroyed his corn crop, leaving his family on the brink of starvation, he did not lose hope. He firmly believed that God sees everything and no one dies of hunger. Driven by this belief, he wrote a letter directly to God, asking for 100 pesos to resow his fields and support his family until the next harvest. Even when he received only 70 pesos, he did not doubt God; instead, he believed the post office employees had stolen the rest, proving his blind trust in God's power and goodwill.

OR

(b) Nelson Mandela and his ideals:

Nelson Mandela was a great anti-apartheid freedom fighter and the first Black President of South Africa. He fought heroically against racial segregation and discrimination for decades.

In his inauguration speech, Mandela pledged to liberate all South Africans from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, and gender and other discriminations. He set out the ideal of a democratic, harmonious, and peaceful society where everyone enjoys equal rights and human dignity, promising that "never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another."

(Main Option: Observation of Nature in "Dust of Snow")

In the poem "Dust of Snow", Robert Frost observes nature in a unique and unconventional way. Instead of using traditional joyful symbols like a nightingale or a rose, he chooses a crow and a hemlock tree—both usually associated with sorrow and gloom. Nature intervenes naturally when the crow shakes down a fine dust of snow on the poet, instantly lifting his depressed mood and saving his day.

OR

(Alternative Option: Four Lines of a Poem)

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree.

(Or any four lines from 'A Tiger in the Zoo'):

He stalks in his vivid stripes

The few steps of his cage,

On pads of velvet quiet,

In his quiet rage.

(a) Fire and Ice:

The central idea of Robert Frost's poem 'Fire and Ice' is that human emotions can cause the destruction of the world. 'Fire' stands for unbounded human desires, greed, and passion, while 'Ice' represents cold hatred, indifference, and intolerance. Both of these negative traits are equally powerful and capable of bringing the world to a complete end.

OR

(b) Dust of Snow:

The central idea of 'Dust of Snow' is that even small, simple events in nature can bring about a major change in a human's mood and outlook. The poem emphasizes that nature has healing powers, and even dark or gloomy situations can yield positivity and save us from wasting precious time.

OR

(c) How To Tell Wild Animals:

The central idea of Carolyn Wells' poem 'How To Tell Wild Animals' is to describe the features and behaviors of various wild beasts in a humorous and light-hearted manner. The poet suggests funny and risky methods to identify wild animals like the Asian Lion, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile, and Hyena through their distinctive habits.

any one of the following in about 30 – 40 words :

a) What does Hari Singh get from Anil in return, for his work ?

b) Why was the Twentieth century called the "Era of the books" ?

हल / Solution:

(a) Hari Singh and Anil:

In return for his work, Hari Singh did not receive a regular salary from Anil. Instead, Anil provided him with food and a place to sleep. Moreover, Anil taught Hari Singh how to write his name, cook meals, and promised to teach him to write full sentences and add numbers.

OR

(b) Twentieth Century as "Era of the books":

The twentieth century was called the 'Era of the Books' because books were used for every purpose in that period. There were books about everything, from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught people how to, when to, where to, and why to do things; they educated, punctuated, and even illustrated.

any one of the following in about 60 words :

a) Write a character sketch of Hari Singh.

b) How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life ?

हल / Solution:

(a) Character Sketch of Hari Singh:

Hari Singh is a fifteen-year-old skilled thief and the protagonist of 'The Thief's Story'. He is adept at winning people's trust before robbing them. He uses fake names to stay ahead of the police and former employers.

Despite being a thief, Hari Singh possesses a conscience. When he meets Anil, he is touched by Anil’s kindness, trusting nature, and patience. Although he succeeds in stealing Anil’s money, his inner conscience prevents him from running away. He realizes that education can give him genuine respect and success in life, far greater than a life of crime. Thus, he returns to Anil, proving that love and trust can reform even a hardened criminal.

OR

(b) Role of Bholi’s Teacher in Changing Her Life:

Bholi’s teacher played a transformative role in shaping her life. Initially, Bholi was a neglected, diffident child who stammered and felt terrified of school. Her teacher treated her with immense love, affection, and patience, encouraging her to speak without fear.

The teacher instilled confidence in Bholi and assured her that through education, she would become more respected than anyone else in the village. This guidance awakened self-respect and courage in Bholi. Ultimately, when Bishamber demanded dowry and insulted her father, Bholi fearlessly rejected the marriage, choosing instead to serve her parents and teach in the same school, proving how education transformed a 'dumb cow' into a confident woman.