CBSE Class 12 English Core 2026 Question Paper

According to Jonathan, what was the secret of living a long life? (para-1)

How did Jonathan's unconventional passion for flying lead to his exclusion from the flock? (para-2)

Read and complete the following sentence suitably: 'Break the chains of your thought and you break the chains of your body', suggests: (para-3). Choose the correct response from the two options to complete the sentence:

Complete the following suitably with ONE advantage with reference to paragraph 3. It was ironical that Jonathan Seagull's exile did not mean isolation but _________.

What do the two radiant gulls who approached Jonathan, most likely represent? (para-4)

Provide one textual evidence with reference to paragraph 4 to prove the following: You are ready to come with us.

In Chiang's statement, "the only true law is that which leads to freedom - there is no other", what does the phrase 'the only true law' refer to? (para-5)

Select the option that best explains Jonathan's transformation after meeting Chiang.

Complete the analogy with ONE word from paragraph 6: free : bound :: dropped : _________

In what way did Jonathan's journey challenge traditional beliefs? Give an example.

What strategy does the author use in paragraph (1) to highlight the seriousness of road accidents?

What evidence from the passage suggests that stricter school-zone measures were effective?

What would the following be classified as? 'Students launched a campaign called "Ride Right" promoting helmet use among two wheeler riders.' Select the appropriate response:

Give two points to support the success of the No Helmet - No Selfie Challenge.

Which word from paragraph 4 best conveys the idea of 'ensuring compliance through authoritative measures' especially in the context of traffic systems?

Analyze why the author emphasises that both technology and personal responsibility are important in promoting road safety.

Complete the following with a suitable reason: Road safety is about personal responsibility because _________.

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the data in the table?

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) Your school is organising a career counselling session for students of classes XI and XII to help them make informed decisions about their future career choices. As the Head Girl / Head Boy of M.L.C. School, draft a notice informing them about the session. Include all necessary details. You are Riya/Rohan. Put the notice in a box. OR (B) You are Kavya/Karan Chief Editor of 'Parakh' the school magazine. Draft a notice inviting contributions in the form of articles, stories, poems, artwork etc. for the special annual edition. All contributions are to be submitted to the Chief Editor. Include necessary details. Put your notice in a box.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two (A) or (B) in about 50 words: (A) Draft an invitation to invite the M.L.A. of your Constituency, to be the Chief Guest at a felicitation function to honour eminent residents who have contributed to the upliftment of the colony. Mention one compelling highlight of the programme. You are Satupa/Satish, President of the Surya Vikas, RWA. OR (B) You are Dr. Vora, a certified art therapist from Manipur. You have been invited by Green Valley Public School, Jammu to conduct a seminar on 'Art Therapy, the Way Forward' for the students. Draft a reply accepting the invitation.

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) You are Kaneshta/Shirish, an avid yoga follower. Write a letter to the editor expressing your views and urging people especially students and young adults to incorporate yoga into their daily lives. You may use some of the given cues along with your own ideas. [Cues: need to follow a disciplined exercise routine; reduces stress, improves physical and mental health; increases focus; schools and educational establishments must encourage practice of yoga] OR (B) You are Roshni/Rohan, a final year student pursuing a degree in Computer Science. You have read the following advertisement in 'The National Times'. You find yourself suitable for the job and wish to apply for the post. Write this job application along with your bio-data. [Advertisement: Tech Innovate Solutions - AI Engineers Wanted. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Information Technology. Programming Skills: Proficiency with AI frameworks, understanding of data science, familiarity with PyTorch and Python. Experience: 1-2 years work experience, projects, certifications. Write to the Public Relations Officer, Tech Innovate Solutions, Markhande Lane, Pune.]

Attempt ANY ONE of the two, (A) or (B) in 120-150 words: (A) You are Aanya/Ankit. You are deeply disturbed by how moments of silence and relaxed living are vanishing from today's fast-paced lives. You decide to write an article for the newspaper on 'The Vanishing Art of Slowing Down'. You may use the following cues along with your own ideas: [impact of hustle culture and technology on mental well-being; losing connection with nature, people and self; importance of mindful celebrations and slow/relaxed living; role of schools, communities, and media; need for digital boundaries, reflection, and simple joys]. OR (B) Your school organised a 'Tastes of India' Week to educate students on the diversity of Indian cuisine. Write a comprehensive report detailing the activities conducted during the week. Describe the events, participation details, chief guest, and the overall impact of the programme on the school. You are Arti/Aryan a student of Std. XII and the Secretary of the School Magazine Editorial Board. You may organise your report on the basis of What - When - Where - Who - Why - How.

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or (B): (A) [Keeping Quiet] 'It would be an exotic moment / without rush, without engines. / we would all be together / in sudden strangeness / Fishermen in the cold sea / would not harm whales / and the man gathering salt / would look at his hurt hands.' (i) What does the phrase 'an exotic moment' in the extract signify? (A) surreal pause from mechanized human activity enabling reflection and unity. (B) ceremonial halt wherein humans acknowledge traditional and ecological wisdom. (C) spontaneous event where all human labour becomes obsolete. (D) rare disruption of routine that highlights cultural diversity and isolation. (ii) Complete the following sentence suitably: The words 'we' and 'together' signify _________. (iii) Select the option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank: The excerpt tells us that the poet _________ (condemns/glorifies) the moment 'without rush, without engines'. (iv) Choose the correct option that BEST reflects the tone of the poet in the given extract: (A) despairing and cynical (B) aggressive and accusatory (C) meditative and hopeful (D) humorous and sarcastic. (v) Complete the sentence: The phrase 'hurt hands' is a symbol of _________. (vi) What message is the poet conveying through the given extract? OR (B) [A Roadside Stand] 'You have the money, but if you want to be mean / Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along / The hurt to the scenery, wouldn't be my complaint / So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid: / Here far from the city we make our roadside stand / And ask for some city money to feel in hand / To try if it will not make our being expand, / And give us the life of the moving - pictures' promise / That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.' (i) What emotion does the speaker reveal when he says, 'if you want to be mean, why keep your money (this crossly) and go along'? (A) curiosity (B) bitterness (C) indifference (D) detachment. (ii) What does the speaker imply in the statement 'The hurt to the scenery wouldn't be my complaint'? (iii) Complete the following suitably: The word 'expand' in the line 'to see if it will not make our being expand' implies an aspiration to _________. (iv) Read the two statements and choose the correct option: Assertion (A): The speaker critiques the governing party for withholding opportunities from the rural poor. Reason (R): The extract praises the government for their promises of a life of the moving pictures'. (A) Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A). (B) Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (C) Assertion (A) is true, but the Reason (R) is false. (D) Assertion (A) is false, but the Reason (R) is true. (v) Which of the following concerns is NOT explored in the extract? (A) political manipulation of rural dreams (B) discrimination faced due to different religious policies. (C) transactional disconnection between the city and the village. (D) impact of unfulfilled expectations. (vi) State in one sentence: What advice your address to the politicians from this extract is most likely to include?

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or (B): (A) [Memories of Childhood] 'I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother, I had suffered extreme indignities. People had stared at me. I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long hair was shingled like a coward's! In my anguish, I moaned for my mother, but no one came to comfort me. Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to do; for now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.' (i) Complete the following suitably: 'Then I lost my spirit', indicates that the speaker _________. (ii) What does Zit Kala-Sa imply about the prejudice prevailing in society when she talks of having 'suffered extreme indignities'? (iii) Why did Zit Kala-Sa yearn to be with her mother in her moment of anguish? (iv) The tone of the narrator in the extract can be best described as (A) bitter and strong willed (B) detached and impersonal (C) pained and despairing (D) grateful and reflective. OR (B) [On the Face of It] Derry: But I'm not.... I'm not afraid [pause] people are afraid of me. Mr. Lamb: Why should that be? Derry: Everyone is. It doesn't matter who they are, or what they say, or how they look. How they pretend. I know. I can see. Mr. Lamb: See what? Derry: What they think? Mr. Lamb: What do they think, then? Derry: You think.... 'Here's a boy'. You look at me... and then you see my face and you think. That's bad. That's a terrible thing. 'That's the ugliest thing I ever saw.' You think, 'poor boy'. But I'm not. Not poor. Underneath, you are afraid. Anybody would be - I am. When I look in the mirror, and see it, I'm afraid of me. Mr. Lamb: No, not the whole of you. Not of you. Derry: Yes! (i) Which emotion dominates Derry's dialogue in this extract? (A) superiority (B) shrewdness (C) vulnerability (D) indifference. (ii) Complete the following suitably: According to Derry, the people put up a pretence when they see him because _________. (iii) Complete the following suitably: When Mr. Lamb says, 'No, not the whole of you. Not of you.' He means _________. (A) Your face will get healed and your ideas about your appearance will change. (B) You are not just your face or your injury. That is not the sum total of who you are. (C) I am afraid of your face and your appearance. (D) You shouldn't look into the mirror so that you don't get the feeling of dejection. (iv) State in one sentence: What advice will you give to the people who pretend to look away when they see Derry's face?

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or (B): (A) [Poets and Pancakes] 'The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery of those subjected to make-up. The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for the studio and left. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of National Integration long before A.I.R. and Doordarshan began broadcasting programmes on national integration. This gang of nationally integrated make-up men could turn any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truckloads of pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions. Those were the days of mainly indoor shooting, and only five percent of the film was shot outdoors. I suppose the sets and studio lights needed girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie. A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department.' (i) Why did the make-up room have a look of a hair-cutting salon? (ii) What does 'fiery misery of those subjected to make-up' suggest? (A) emotional stress faced by the actors. (B) physical discomfort due to heat and lighting. (C) anger of the make-up artists due to irritation. (D) the discomfort caused by the cramped room. (iii) Complete the following suitably: The tone of the author in the phrase 'hideous crimson hued monster' is _________. (iv) Why was excessive make-up considered a cinematic necessity at Gemini Studios during that era? (A) minimised the cost of set design and costumes. (B) was a mandated practice by the studio's creative heads and lead actors. (C) aligned with the theatrical traditions the studio admired. (D) compensated for the lack of advanced lighting and camera technology. (v) What does 'became too big for a studio and left' imply about the Bengali make-up artist? (vi) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason: The author refers to the presence of people from different regions in the make-up department to _________. OR (B) [The Rattrap] 'Now I am going to tell you, Mr. Ironmaster, how things are', he said. 'The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to you are nothing but cheese rinds and bits of pork, set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff comes now and locks me up for this, then you, Mr. Ironmaster, must remember that a day will come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork, and then you will get caught in the trap. The ironmaster began to laugh. 'That was not so badly said, my good fellow. Perhaps we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve.' (i) What does the speaker mean when he says 'The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap'? (A) The world offers many chances for success and prosperity. (B) Temptations in life are traps that lead people into trouble. (C) Good deeds are always rewarded with cheese rinds. (D) Justice and fairness are not guaranteed for everyone. (ii) What does the following phrase from the extract showcase: 'Cheese rinds'. (A) temptation (B) affirmation (C) gluttony (D) deprivation. (iii) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank: By calling himself a 'poor fellow', the speaker emphasises his _________. (vulnerability/credibility). (iv) What does the speaker imply through his warning to the ironmaster? (v) What does the following line from the extract showcase about the ironmaster's nature? 'Perhaps, we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve.' (A) materialistic (B) understanding (C) conniving (D) enterprising. (vi) Complete the following with a suitable reason: In the extract, it is implied that the speaker would be locked up because _________.

Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in 40-50 words each (5 x 2 = 10): (i) The poem explores the relationship between a mother and daughter. Comment. (My Mother at Sixty Six) (ii) What does Umberto Eco mean when he says he is 'a professor who writes novels on Sundays'? (The Interview) (iii) The British landlords agreed to refund 25% of the money to the sharecroppers in the Champaran dispute. What is the significance of this event? (Indigo) (iv) How did Douglas finally make sure that his fear of water had been completely conquered? (Deep Water) (v) The constraints of Aunt Jennifer's married life leave her terrorised and emotionally scarred. Elaborate. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers) (vi) "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What does Franz's remark suggest about the imposition of German in school in Alsace? (Last Lesson)

Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in 40-50 words each ($2 \times 2 = 4$): (i) What does Bama's decision to excel in academics reveal about her character? (Memories of Childhood - We Too are Human Beings) (ii) How did the newspaper 'The World' contribute to Charley's belief in the existence of the third level? (The Third Level) (iii) Evaluate the role of the court astrologer in shaping the trajectory of the Tiger King's life. (The Tiger King)

Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 120-150 words ($1 \times 5 = 5$): (A) Sophie in 'Going Places' and Mukesh in 'Lost Spring' aspire for a better life yet external forces shape their realities and opportunities. Discuss. OR (B) How is the transient nature of beauty and life portrayed in the poems 'My Mother at Sixty Six' and 'A Thing of Beauty'?

Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in 120-150 words ($1 \times 5 = 5$): (A) Examine how the presence of school students on the expedition contribute to the message of environmental responsibility and hope. (Journey to the End of the Earth) OR (B) How does Pearl S. Buck explore the theme of humanitarianism versus patriotism in the lesson 'The Enemy'? Support your answer with evidence from the text.