CBSE Class 12 English Expected Question Paper 2025

The Last Lesson

• What words did M Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing the last class? What did they mean? (Compartment 2014)
• In 20–30 words, state how language can act as a means to unite a population through an example from the story 'The Last Lesson'.
• What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school? (Delhi 2012)

Lost Spring

• What does the description of Mukesh’s family in Lost Spring reveal about gender roles? (SQP 2022-23)
• Why does Anees Jung say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web? (CBSE SQP 2019-20)

Deep Water

• When Douglas realized that he was sinking, how did he plan to save himself?
• What sort of terror seized Douglas as he went down the water with a yellow glow? How could he feel that he was still alive?

The Rattrap

• Explain the metaphor of the rattrap in context of the story by Selma Lagerlöf. (CBSE Sample Paper 2020)
• Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster? (Delhi 2012)

Indigo

• Why did Gandhiji object to CF Andrews’ stay in Champaran?
• Explain the possible reasons for Gandhi’s quick popularity among the peasants of Champaran. (CBSE QB,2021)

Poets and Pancakes

• Discuss the significance of the make-up room in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’. (CBSE QB, 2021)
• Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios?

The Interview

• What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?  (CBSE 2004)
• Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed? (CBSE 2003, 2005, 2010)

Going Places

• What thoughts come to Sophie’s mind as she sit by the canal? (CBSE 2011)
• Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the sports star Danny Casey? (CBSE 2011)

My Mother at Sixty Six

• What does the narrator mean by ‘all I did was smile and smile and smile…’?
• Kamala Das speaks of ‘an old familiar ache…’ What do you think is the reason for this feeling? (CBSE Sample Paper 2020)

Keeping Quiet

• Give two reasons why, according to Pablo Neruda, is ‘keeping quiet’ is essential to attaining a better, more peaceful world. (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)
• What are the different kinds of war mentioned in the poem that the poet is against? (All India 2013)

A Thing of Beauty

• Rationalize why Keats uses the metaphor ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ in his poem, A Thing of Beauty. (CBSE Sample Paper 2021)
• What are the things that cause miseries, sorrows and sufferings to man?

A Roadside Stand

• Explain: “soothe them out of them wits” with reference to the poem ‘The Roadside Stand’. (2005 Delhi)
• State any two characteristics that can be inferred about the people from the countryside in The Roadside Stand. (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

• How can we say that marriage was a compromise for Aunt Jennifer? Support your response with two justifications. (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)
• How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her? (All India 2014, CBSE Sample Ppaer 2019)

Writing Skills

• As Principal of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lucknow, draft notice in not more than 50 words informing students of the change in school timings with effect from the 1st of October. State valid reasons for the change.
• You want to sell your newly built flat. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to be inserted in the classified columns of ‘The Hindu’ giving all necessary details. You are Niranjan, 247, J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru
• Read the advertisement given below and write a letter applying for the job. Also give your detailed resume to be sent along with the letter. You are Praveen Kumar of 95 HAL Colony, Bengaluru.
• Recently your school held a Seminar on Conservation of Water as a part of World Water Day celebrations. As the School Pupil Leader of Maryland School, Gurgaon, write a report in 100-125 words for a local daily. Sign as Pritham/Preeti.