HBSE Half Yearly Assessment – September 2025 Class 12 English Core Sample Paper

📘 Class 12 English Core Half Yearly Paper 2025 (HBSE)
including all sections (A–D) with detailed answers.

Each question will be followed by:
✅ The correct answer (for objective and MCQs)
✅ Model written answers for descriptive and grammar sections
✅ Neat layout for teacher or student reference

Half Yearly Assessment – September 2024 English Core Sample Paper for Class 12 (HBSE pattern)

Table of Contents

Half Yearly Assessment – September 2025

Class 12 – English (Core)

HBSE Sample Paper (2025)

Time: 3 Hours | Marks: 40

Section A: Reading Skills

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. (Do any one) [5 Marks]

The first rays of sunlight have a magical effect on both nature and human beings. As the golden light touches the leaves, dew drops sparkle like diamonds, and birds begin their cheerful songs. Science says that exposure to early morning sunlight helps our body produce Vitamin D, strengthens immunity, and uplifts our mood.
However, in today’s fast-paced world, people often wake up late and miss this natural blessing. Instead, they spend long hours on mobile screens, causing fatigue and lack of focus. Morning walks, deep breathing, and connecting with nature not only refresh the mind but also prepare one to face the challenges of the day.

Questions:
(i) The early morning sunlight helps in the production of _______.
(a) Vitamin A (b) Vitamin D (c) Calcium (d) Iron
(ii) What do people miss due to waking up late?
(a) Morning walk (b) Natural blessing of sunlight (c) Fatigue (d) Focus
(iii) The phrase “sparkle like diamonds” refers to _______.
(a) the sunrise (b) glowing flowers (c) shining dew drops (d) birds
(iv) Exposure to morning sun makes a person _______.
(a) lazy (b) tired (c) healthy and fresh (d) sleepy
(v) The word in the passage that means “tiredness” is _______.
(a) fatigue (b) blessing (c) exposure (d) focus

Q1.
(i) (b) Vitamin D
(ii) (b) Natural blessing of sunlight
(iii) (c) shining dew drops
(iv) (c) healthy and fresh
(v) (a) fatigue

2. Read the following passage carefully and make notes. Also give a suitable title. [4 + 1 = 5 Marks]

Education is the most powerful tool for human development. It helps people think critically, act responsibly, and contribute positively to society. In the 21st century, digital learning has revolutionized education. Online platforms, smart classrooms, and AI-based tools have made learning accessible to all.
However, technology cannot replace teachers. They are the guiding force who shape young minds with empathy and moral values. Blended learning, which combines classroom teaching and digital methods, ensures a balance between technology and human touch. Therefore, education in the digital age should focus not only on knowledge but also on building character and compassion.

Q2.
Title: Education in the Digital Age
Notes:

Education – tool for dev.
Builds critical thinking & values.
Digital learning – online, AI tools.
Teachers – guide with empathy.
Blended learning – tech + human touch.
Focus – knowledge + character.

Section B: Writing Skills

3. Attempt any one of the following: [5 Marks]

a. Notice Writing:
You are Nisha / Nikhil, the Cultural Secretary of Sunrise Public School, Rohtak. Your school is going to organize an Inter-School Cultural Fest in November. Write a notice inviting students to submit their names for various events.

b. Job Application:
You are Ritika / Rohan, a postgraduate in English. You came across this advertisement in The Tribune:

“Wanted – English Content Writer
Graduate / Postgraduate in English, Good communication skills, Computer proficiency, Minimum 1 year experience.
Apply within 7 days to: Editor, Creative Minds Media, Gurugram.”

Write a suitable job application with your resume.

SUNRISE PUBLIC SCHOOL, ROHTAK
NOTICE
Date: 15 Sept 2025

INTER-SCHOOL CULTURAL FEST

All students are informed that our school will organize an Inter-School Cultural Fest in November. Interested students may give their names to the undersigned by 25 Sept 2025.
Events: Dance, Debate, Music, Painting.

Cultural Secretary
Nisha / Nikhil

To
The Editor,
Creative Minds Media, Gurugram.

Subject: Application for the post of English Content Writer

Sir/Madam,
In response to your advertisement in *The Tribune*, I wish to apply for the above post.
I am a Postgraduate in English with one year of writing experience and good computer skills. I assure you of my sincerity and creativity.

Enclosed: Resume

Yours faithfully,
Ritika / Rohan
Contact: 9876543210

4.Section C: Grammar [6 Marks]

Answer any six questions, choosing two from each part.

(i) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. (2)

(a) The train _______ before we reached the station.
(A) leaves (B) left (C) had left (D) is leaving
(b) Neither the teacher nor the students _______ happy.
(A) is (B) are (C) was (D) were
(c) He _______ to play football yesterday.
(A) goes (B) going (C) went (D) gone

(ii) Change into indirect speech. (2)

(a) Ritu said, “I have completed my project.”
(A) Ritu said that she completed her project.
(B) Ritu said that she had completed her project.
(C) Ritu said that I had completed my project.
(D) Ritu said she completes her project.

(b) The teacher said, “Work hard and you will succeed.”
(A) The teacher advised us to work hard and we would succeed.
(B) The teacher advised us to work hard to succeed.
(C) The teacher ordered us to work hard.
(D) The teacher said work hard to succeed.

(iii) Fill in the blanks with suitable articles. (2)

(a) _______ Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean.
(A) A (B) An (C) The (D) ×
(b) He bought _______ umbrella and _______ raincoat.
(A) a, a (B) an, a (C) a, an (D) an, an
(c) Honesty is _______ best policy.
(A) a (B) an (C) the (D) ×

Section C: Grammar

(i)
(a) had left
(b) were
(c) went

(ii)
(a) Ritu said that she had completed her project.
(b) The teacher advised us to work hard and we would succeed.

(iii)
(a) The
(b) an, a
(c) the

Section D: Literature (Flamingo & Vistas)

5. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow. Do any one. [5 Marks]

(i)
“Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.”

(a) Name the poem.
(A) Keeping Quiet (B) My Mother at Sixty-Six (C) A Thing of Beauty (D) Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
(b) Who is the poet?
(A) Stephen Spender (B) John Keats (C) Pablo Neruda (D) Kamala Das
(c) What is the poet appealing for?
(A) War (B) Violence (C) Peace and Introspection (D) Celebration
(d) “Hurt hands” symbolize _______.
(A) Joy (B) Suffering (C) Laziness (D) Pollution
(e) What is the tone of the poem?
(A) Angry (B) Calm and reflective (C) Humorous (D) Aggressive

(ii)
“It was at the YMCA pool I decided to learn swimming. I was about ten or eleven years old.”

(a) Who is the speaker?
(A) William Douglas (B) Roger Skunk (C) Franz (D) Charley
(b) What happened to the speaker in the pool?
(A) He drowned (B) He was pushed and nearly drowned (C) He swam well (D) He left happily
(c) Which story is this extract from?
(A) Deep Water (B) The Rattrap (C) Lost Spring (D) The Last Lesson
(d) What feeling did the incident leave in him?
(A) Confidence (B) Fear of water (C) Excitement (D) Happiness
(e) What lesson did he learn from this experience?
(A) To overcome fear through determination.

6. Answer any one of the following (100 words): [5 Marks]

(i) How did Gandhiji help the peasants of Champaran in their struggle? (Indigo)
(ii) How does “A Thing of Beauty” bring hope and comfort to humans?

7. Answer any three of the following (30–40 words each): [3 × 2 = 6 Marks]

(i) What made the peddler change his view about the world? (The Rattrap)
(ii) Why did Franz feel guilty at the end of “The Last Lesson”?
(iii) How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? (Deep Water)
(iv) Why did Aunt Jennifer create tigers in her embroidery?

8. Answer any two of the following (50 words each): [3 Marks]

(i) What message does Pablo Neruda give in “Keeping Quiet”?
(ii) What is the irony in the title “The Tiger King”?
(iii) How does “The Third Level” blend fantasy and reality?

Section D: Literature

Q4 (i)
(a) (A) Keeping Quiet
(b) (C) Pablo Neruda
(c) (C) Peace and Introspection
(d) (B) Suffering
(e) (B) Calm and reflective

OR (ii)
(a) (A) William Douglas
(b) (B) He was pushed and nearly drowned
(c) (A) Deep Water
(d) (B) Fear of water
(e) (A) To overcome fear through determination

Q5.
(i) Gandhiji visited Champaran to help peasants oppressed by British landlords. He collected facts, led peaceful protests, and secured justice for farmers, giving them courage and freedom from fear.
OR
(ii) A thing of beauty gives joy forever. Keats says that nature’s beauty removes sadness, providing comfort and hope even in difficult times.

Q6.
(i) The kindness of Edla transformed the peddler’s view. He realized the world has goodness and decided to live honestly.
(ii) Franz felt guilty because he never valued his French lessons and realized their importance too late.
(iii) Douglas practiced daily with an instructor until he overcame his fear of water.
(iv) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers symbolized the strength and freedom she longed for in her oppressed married life.

Q7.
(i) Neruda urges peace and self-reflection. Silence helps unite humanity and restore harmony with nature.
(ii) The Tiger King killed tigers to defy fate but died because of a toy tiger — ironic and symbolic of pride’s downfall.
(iii) The Third Level mixes reality and imagination, showing man’s wish to escape modern stress through fantasy.

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