HBSE Class 12 English Core Half-Yearly Assessment 2025. Class 12 English Full Solution by Principal Sir.
Solved Paper – Full Solution in English (40 Marks)
Time: 90 Minutes | Max. Marks: 40
SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION (20 Marks)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions by choosing the correct option (5 × 1 = 5)
Passage 1: Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Killer
If there is one enemy that the world still hasn’t managed to eradicate, it is mosquitoes… Research into human civilization shows that throughout history mosquito-borne diseases have killed more people than man-made weapons… Historian Timothy Winegard in his book, “The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator,” gives us this startling fact: over the course of 200,000 years, 108 billion people have lived on the Earth. Of these, 52 billion have been killed by mosquitoes… So, it is safe to say that the tiny insect has had a disastrous effect on our civilization.
a. Mosquitoes have existed on Earth since?
(ii) 200,000 years
b. Mosquitoes seem to prefer which of the following blood types?
(iv) O
c. Mosquitoes like to bite legs and feet more than any other part of our body, most probably because they?
(iii) have a large area to bite on
d. Are mosquitoes attracted by light-coloured clothes?
(iv) Yes
e. Over the course of 200,000 years, how many people have been killed by mosquitoes?
52 billion
2. Read the passage carefully and make notes on it. Also supply a suitable title. (5 Marks)
Passage 2: Kicha – The Child Chef
The videos are uploaded as and when Kicha feels like shooting. The recipes for the channel are provided by his mother, who would keep them simple and child-friendly… Kicha’s channel has almost 40k subscribers and more than 100 recipes… His father received a mail from a U.S.-based casting company asking for rights to Kicha’s Mickey Mouse Mango Ice-cream. This was a USD 2,000 deal… Kicha and his channel gained instant recognition. In September 2016, he received an invite to feature in The Ellen DeGeneres Show… In January 2020, Kicha won the Global Child Prodigy Award and was among the top 100 prodigies of the year.
Title: Kicha: The Child Chef Who Conquered YouTube
Notes (in points):
- Kicha’s YouTube Journey
- Videos uploaded spontaneously when Kicha wants to cook.
- Recipes: simple, child-friendly (oatmeal cookies, coconut payasam, rainbow idli, ice-cream).
- Mother’s Role
- Provides recipes.
- Ensures no fire or chopping involved; adults handle dangerous tasks.
- Channel Growth
- 40k subscribers.
- 100+ delicious recipes.
- Major Milestones
- USD 2,000 deal with U.S. casting company for Mickey Mouse Mango Ice-cream.
- Featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Sept 2016).
- Won Global Child Prodigy Award (Jan 2020) – Top 100 prodigies.
SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS (5 Marks)
3. Attempt any one of the following: (5 × 1 = 5)
OPTION 1: NOTICE WRITING
ABC SCHOOL, NEW DELHI
NOTICE
CLASS PICNIC – 2025
15th September 2025
All students of Class 12 are invited to join the annual class picnic to **Lodhi Gardens** on **20th September 2025** from **9:00 AM to 3:00 PM**. Activities include games, music, and lunch. Interested students must register with **Saloni/Sohan** by **18th September**.
Bring water bottles and wear comfortable shoes.
Saloni / Sohan
(Class Monitors)
OPTION 2: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Roshan / Roshni
45, Green Park
New Delhi – 110016
28th September 2025
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Subject: Rising Chain Snatching Incidents in the City
Sir/Madam,
Through your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw public attention to the alarming rise in **chain snatching incidents** in our city. Recently, my neighbor lost her gold chain in broad daylight. Women feel unsafe even during the day.
I urge the authorities to:
– Increase police patrolling in crowded areas.
– Install CCTV cameras at major junctions.
– Launch awareness campaigns on personal safety.
Citizens must also stay vigilant. Collective action can make our city safer.
Yours sincerely,
Roshan / Roshni
Concerned Citizen
SECTION C: GRAMMAR (10 Marks)
4. Attempt any five of the following: (1 × 5 = 5)
a. The girls _______ (rehearse) a play for the school day. (i) are rehearsing
b. This boy knows me. (Change into passive voice) (i) I am known to this boy.
c. My son will be old enough to go to _______ school next May. (iii) the
d. Does he like you? (Change the voice) (iv) Are you liked by him?
e. He said to me, “You have done well.” (Change the narration) (i) He told me that I had done well.
f. India _______ (export) onions to the middle east. exports
g. It _______ (rain) today. is raining
5. Read the passage and answer the questions: (1 × 5 = 5)
The recipes for (a) delicious items such as oatmeal cookies, coconut payasam, rainbow idli, ice-cream are (b) by his mother… She ensures the recipes do (c) involve fire… if chopping or working with fire is called for, Kicha (d) informed that it is done by an adult… Today, Kicha’s channel has almost 40k subscribers and more than (e) recipes…
a. the b. prepared c. not d. is e. 100
SECTION D: LITERATURE (15 Marks)
6. Answer the following in about 100 words: (Attempt any one) (5 × 1 = 5)
OPTION 1: Deep Water
Q. How did the author emerge as a perfect swimmer by hiring an instructor?
Answer: The author, William Douglas, had a childhood fear of water due to a near-drowning incident. To overcome it, he hired a swimming instructor who used a systematic approach. A rope was tied around Douglas’s waist, connected to a pulley. The instructor held the other end and made him swim back and forth across the pool. Gradually, Douglas practiced breathing techniques—exhaling underwater and inhaling above. After three months of rigorous training, he could swim the length of the pool confidently. The instructor then taught him different strokes. Finally, Douglas swam alone in lakes and rivers, proving he had conquered his fear and become a perfect swimmer.
OPTION 2: A Thing of Beauty
Q. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Answer: According to John Keats, a “thing of beauty” is a constant source of joy. Despite life’s troubles—despondency, despair, and lack of noble qualities—beauty uplifts the human spirit. Nature’s gifts like the sun, moon, trees, flowers, and flowing streams provide endless delight. The “mighty dead” and their grand deeds inspire us. Beauty binds us to earth through a “flowery band,” giving hope and strength. It acts like an “endless fountain” of immortal joy, helping us endure pain and find meaning in life.
7. Answer the following in about 30 words: (2 × 1 = 2)
Q. Did Franz recite the participles? How? (The Last Lesson)
Answer: No, Franz could not recite the participles. When M. Hamel asked him to recite, he stood up but got mixed up and stood confused. He felt ashamed and regretted not studying earlier.
8. Answer in about 50 words: (Attempt any one) (3 × 1 = 3)
OPTION 1: Keeping Quiet
Q. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer: The ‘sadness’ refers to the regret humans feel for wasting time in meaningless activities—wars, conflicts, and environmental destruction. The poet urges a moment of silence to reflect on our actions and understand the harm we cause to ourselves and nature.
OPTION 2: My Mother at Sixty-Six
Q. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?
Answer: The parting words “see you soon, Amma” and the poet’s smile are a mask to hide her fear of losing her aging mother. They reflect her emotional struggle—love, anxiety, and acceptance of inevitable separation.
9. Answer in about 100 words: (Attempt any one) (5 × 1 = 5)
OPTION 1: Third Level
Q. Why does the narrator resort to wishful day-dreaming and want to travel back in time?
Answer: The narrator, Charley, escapes the stress of modern life through wishful day-dreaming. The fast-paced, insecure world of New York makes him long for the peaceful 1890s in Galesburg. He discovers the “Third Level” at Grand Central Station—a fictional corridor to the past. This fantasy reflects his desire for simplicity, warmth, and stability. His psychiatrist calls it a “waking-dream wish fulfillment,” but Charley believes it’s real, especially after finding Sam’s letter from 1894. His longing shows how people seek refuge in imagination when reality feels overwhelming.
OPTION 2: The Tiger King
Q. Why did the Maharaja have to pay a bill of three lakh rupees to the British jewelers?
Answer: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram vowed to kill 100 tigers. After killing 99, no tigers remained in his kingdom. On his son’s birthday, he wanted a gift but found nothing suitable. A British officer’s wife sent 50 diamond rings as a gift. The Maharaja kept all but sent them back to avoid offense. However, the British jewelers charged him three lakh rupees for the rings. Though furious, he paid to maintain diplomatic relations. This ironic event shows his obsession and the absurdity of royal pride.
10. Answer in about 30 words: (2 × 1 = 2)
Q. What is the significance of the ending in “The Enemy”?
Answer: The ending shows Dr. Sadao’s moral victory. Despite being Japanese, he saves the American prisoner and helps him escape. The General forgets to arrest the prisoner, proving humanity and ethics triumph over war and nationality.
