HBSE Class 12 English Half-Yearly 2026 — Complete Solution
Section A – Reading Skills
Q1. Read the passage and answer the questions. (5 Marks)
(i) What does man need like other animals?
Answer:
(a) Food and basic livelihood
(ii) What does man do to get his food?
Answer:
(d) All of the above
He gets food from nature and also earns, begs, works hard or steals to fulfil his needs.
(iii) What should man do to show his respect for nature and God?
Answer:
(d) Both (a) and (b)
He should respect nature and God and face the challenges of life courageously.
(iv) What does man do until he has satisfied his basic needs?
Answer:
Man continues to seek the fulfilment of his basic needs until they are satisfied.
(v) What is the exclusive quality of man’s mind?
Answer:
The exclusive quality of man’s mind is his ability to think, explore new possibilities, express creativity and develop intellectually and spiritually.
Q2. Note Making (5 Marks)
Title:
Save Trees, Save Paper, Save Earth
Notes
1. Need for paper
- Paper is required in daily activities.
- Used for notes, receipts, printouts, assignments, etc.
2. Wastage of paper
- Excessive use of paper causes loss of trees.
- One-sided printing leads to unnecessary wastage.
- Many sheets are used only for rough work.
3. Ways to save paper
- Use both sides of paper.
- Reuse one-sided printed sheets.
- Use old paper for rough work and corrections.
- Avoid unnecessary printing.
4. Importance of saving paper
- Saves trees.
- Protects the environment.
- Reduces wastage.
- Helps conserve natural resources.
Abbreviations:
- doc. – document
- info. – information
- envt. – environment
The passage itself emphasizes that using both sides of paper can significantly reduce paper consumption.
Section B – Writing Skills
Q3. Application for the Post of Accountant (5 Marks)
OR
Notice Writing
I’ll provide both options so students can revise either one.
OPTION A — Job Application
24, Patel Nagar
Udhampur
20 September 2026
The Manager
Fine Prints Pvt. Ltd.
Sector 18, Jammu
Subject: Application for the post of Accountant
Sir/Madam,
With reference to your advertisement in the newspaper inviting applications for the post of Accountant, I wish to apply for the same.
I am a graduate in Commerce and have good knowledge of accounting, MS Office and basic computer applications. I am hardworking, sincere and capable of maintaining accounts accurately. I believe that my qualifications and skills make me suitable for the post.
I am enclosing my biodata for your kind consideration. I shall be grateful if I am given an opportunity to appear for an interview.
Yours faithfully,
Arun
Encl.: Biodata
OPTION B — Notice
ABC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
NOTICE
20 September 2026
INTER-HOUSE DEBATE COMPETITION
All students are informed that an Inter-House Debate Competition will be organised on 30 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the school auditorium. Students interested in participating should give their names to their respective House Captains by 25 September 2026.
Mrs. Sunita Mehta
Debate Coordinator
Section C – Grammar
Q4. Attempt any six. (6 Marks)
(A) Articles
(i) ___ moon looks beautiful tonight.
Answer: The
Complete sentence:
The moon looks beautiful tonight.
(ii) I read ___ interesting book yesterday.
Answer: an
Complete sentence:
I read an interesting book yesterday.
(B) Modals
(iii) He works hard so that he ___ pass.
Answer: may
Complete sentence:
He works hard so that he may pass.
(iv) ___ you lend me your pen for a moment?
Answer: Could
Complete sentence:
Could you lend me your pen for a moment?
(C) Narration
(v) The teacher said to the students, “Complete your homework before coming to class.”
Answer:
The teacher advised the students to complete their homework before coming to class.
(D) Voice
(vi) People speak English all over the world.
Answer:
English is spoken all over the world.
(E) Tenses
(vii) She ______ dinner when I came home. (cook)
Answer:
was cooking
Complete sentence:
She was cooking dinner when I came home.
(viii) He ______ to the office every day by car. (go)
Answer: (a) goes
Complete sentence:
He goes to the office every day by car.
Section D – Literature
Q5. Extract-Based Questions (5 Marks)
Extract 1 — A Roadside Stand
“The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead…”
(i) What did the polished traffic pass by?
Answer: (d) A roadside stand
(ii) How did the passing motorists feel when they looked aside for a moment?
Answer: (a) Irritated
(iii) How did the “artless paint” affect the landscape?
Answer: (b) It spoiled its beauty.
(iv) What was offered for sale there?
Answer: (d) Wild berries
(v) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The poem is “A Roadside Stand”, written by Robert Frost.
OR — Extract from Lost Spring
(i) From which chapter have these lines been taken?
Answer: (c) Lost Spring
(ii) Who is the author of these lines?
Answer: (b) Anees Jung
(iii) Which place is situated on the periphery of Delhi?
Answer: (d) Seemapuri
(iv) Where did the squatters come from?
Answer: (c) Bangladesh
(v) How many ragpickers live in Seemapuri?
Answer: (b) 10,000
These details correspond to the extract shown on page 4 of the paper.
Q6. Long Answer — About 100 Words (5 Marks)
Q6(A). Who was the poor peddler? Why did he think that the whole world was a rat trap?
Answer:
The poor peddler was a poor man who sold rattraps to earn his livelihood. He led a miserable life and often begged and stole to survive. He had developed a bitter view of the world. He compared the world to a rat trap because he believed that the world offered people temptations such as money, food, shelter and comfort, just as a rat trap offers bait to a rat. Once a person was attracted by these temptations, he became trapped. The peddler himself later became trapped by the money he stole from the crofter.
OR
Q6(B). “The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.” How is the study of the region useful to us?
Answer:
Antarctica preserves important evidence about the Earth’s geological and environmental history. Its ice and rocks contain clues about the climate and geographical conditions of the past. Scientists can study these records to understand how the Earth has changed over millions of years. Antarctica also helps us understand global warming, climate change and the effects of human activities on the environment. Since the continent has a fragile ecosystem, changes there can affect the rest of the world. Therefore, studying Antarctica helps us understand our planet’s past and predict possible environmental changes in the future.
Q7. Answer any THREE — About 30 Words Each (2 × 3 = 6 Marks)
(a) What did M. Hamel say about the French language?
Answer:
M. Hamel said that French was the most beautiful, clearest and most logical language in the world. He advised the people to preserve and never forget it.
(b) Why did Rajkumar Shukla want to take Gandhiji to Champaran?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla wanted Gandhiji to visit Champaran because the indigo farmers were suffering under the exploitative system of British landlords. He wanted Gandhiji to help them get justice.
(c) How was the Maharaja in danger of losing his kingdom?
Answer:
The Maharaja was in danger because he had angered the British officer by refusing to allow him to hunt a tiger. To please the officer, he would have had to arrange a tiger hunt.
(d) How did the old General offer to help Sadao get rid of the white man?
Answer:
The General promised to send two private assassins to Sadao’s house to kill the wounded American soldier secretly and remove his body without anyone knowing.
Q8. Answer about 30 Words (3 Marks)
(A) Does the poet advocate total inactivity and death in Keeping Quiet?
Answer:
No. The poet does not advocate death or permanent inactivity. He asks people to pause, introspect and stop destructive activities so that they can understand themselves and live peacefully.
OR
(B) Name the things of beauty that give joy and happiness to man.
Answer:
Things such as the sun, moon, trees, daffodils, clear streams, musk-rose flowers and beautiful natural surroundings give everlasting joy and happiness to human beings.
🎯 Final Answer Key — Quick Revision
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1(i) | Food and basic livelihood |
| Q1(ii) | All of the above |
| Q1(iii) | Both (a) and (b) |
| Q1(iv) | Continues seeking fulfilment of basic needs |
| Q1(v) | Ability to think, explore and create |
| Q3 | Application / Notice |
| Q4(i) | The |
| Q4(ii) | an |
| Q4(iii) | may |
| Q4(iv) | Could |
| Q4(v) | Teacher advised students to complete homework |
| Q4(vi) | English is spoken all over the world |
| Q4(vii) | was cooking |
| Q4(viii) | goes |
| Q5 — Roadside Stand | d, a, b, d, Robert Frost |
| Q5 — Lost Spring | c, b, d, c, b |
| Q6 | The Rattrap / Journey to the End of the Earth |
| Q7 | The Last Lesson, Indigo, The Tiger King, The Enemy |
| Q8 | Keeping Quiet / A Thing of Beauty |
