CBSE Class 12 Board Exam English Core Syllabus

How does an Article differ from a Report in tone and tense?

An Article expresses opinions/analysis, often in present tense; a Report objectively narrates a past event in third person, mostly past tense, factually.

In Flamingo, what is the central theme of the chapter 'The Last Lesson' by Alphonse Daudet?

The theme of linguistic chauvinism and the importance of one's mother tongue and national identity, set against the German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine.

In 'Lost Spring' by Anees Jung, what two groups of children does the author focus on?

The rag-pickers of Seemapuri and the child labourers in the bangle-making industry of Firozabad.

In 'Deep Water' by William Douglas, what is the central message?

Overcoming fear through willpower and determination; Douglas conquers his fear of water that began with a near-drowning experience.

What does the 'rattrap' symbolise in 'The Rattrap' by Selma Lagerlof?

The world itself is a giant rattrap that baits people with riches and joys, just as a rattrap baits rats with cheese.

In 'Indigo' by Louis Fischer, what victory does Gandhi achieve for the peasants of Champaran?

He frees the sharecroppers from the oppressive indigo-planting (tinkathia) system and refund of illegal dues, demonstrating civil disobedience.

What is the central theme of the poem 'My Mother at Sixty-six' by Kamala Das?

The pain of ageing, the fear of loss/separation from one's mother, and the inevitability of death.

What poetic device dominates 'My Mother at Sixty-six' in the line 'her face ashen like that of a corpse'?

A simile, comparing the mother's pale face to a corpse to highlight her old age and approaching death.

What is the central idea of 'Keeping Quiet' by Pablo Neruda?

The value of silence, introspection and stillness to promote peace, brotherhood and self-reflection, ending wars and harmful activity.

In 'A Thing of Beauty' by John Keats, what is the opening line and its meaning?

'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' — beautiful things give lasting joy and never fade into nothingness.

What is the central message of 'A Roadside Stand' by Robert Frost?

The plight, poverty and unfulfilled hopes of rural country folk who are ignored and exploited by the indifferent urban/wealthy world.

In 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' by Adrienne Rich, what do the tigers symbolise?

Freedom, fearlessness and confidence — qualities Aunt Jennifer lacks in her oppressive, male-dominated married life.

What contrast is drawn in 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' between the tigers and Aunt Jennifer?

The tigers are bold and free even after her death, while Aunt Jennifer remains burdened and 'mastered' by the ordeals of her marriage.

Define a metaphor and give an example from CBSE poetry.

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Life is a giant rattrap' (implied in The Rattrap).

Define alliteration and identify it in 'silver birch trees'.

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words. 'Silver' is not alliterative there, but a true example is 'sprinkling of grey' or 'sparkling shade' — repetition of the initial 's' sound.

What is personification? Give an example from 'My Mother at Sixty-six'.

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. Example: 'the merry children spilling out of their homes' — and 'young trees sprinting' (giving trees the human action of running).

In the Vistas chapter 'The Third Level', what does the third level at Grand Central Station represent?

An escape into the past (the year 1894), symbolising the human desire to flee the stress and insecurity of modern life — a psychological refuge.

In 'The Tiger King' by Kalki, what is the central irony?

The Tiger King, who kills 99 tigers to defy a prophecy that a tiger would cause his death, is finally killed by a cheap wooden toy tiger.

What theme does 'The Tiger King' satirise?

The arrogance, vanity and autocratic foolishness of those in power, and the futility of trying to defy destiny.

In 'Journey to the End of the Earth' by Tishani Doshi, what is the significance of Antarctica?

It holds Earth's geological and climatic history, warns of global warming, and shows how small human actions affect the planet's future.

What is Gondwana, as mentioned in 'Journey to the End of the Earth'?

The ancient supercontinent that existed about 650 million years ago, of which Antarctica was a part before the landmasses drifted apart.

In 'The Enemy' by Pearl S. Buck, what moral dilemma does Dr Sadao Hoki face?

Whether to save the life of an enemy American prisoner of war (his duty as a doctor and humanity) or hand him over to authorities (his duty to his country, Japan).

What theme does 'The Enemy' explore most strongly?

The conflict between professional/humanitarian duty and patriotism/prejudice — humanity transcends enmity and national boundaries.

In 'On the Face of It' by Susan Hill, what brings Derry and Mr Lamb together?

Both suffer physical disabilities and social isolation — Derry has a burnt face, Mr Lamb a tin leg — and they bond over loneliness and a positive outlook on life.

What is the central message of 'Memories of Childhood' (the two autobiographical accounts)?

It exposes oppression — racial discrimination against Native Americans (Zitkala-Sa) and caste-based untouchability in India (Bama) — seen through children's eyes.

In 'We Too Are Human Beings' (Bama's account), what realisation transforms the narrator?

Her brother tells her that people are humiliated for being born into a low caste; she resolves to study hard and earn dignity and respect through education.

What is the difference between the theme and the plot of a literary text?

The plot is the sequence of events (what happens); the theme is the underlying central idea, message or insight the text conveys.

What is dramatic irony, and where might it appear in CBSE prose/drama?

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience/reader knows something a character does not — e.g. in 'The Tiger King', readers sense doom while the king feels safe.

What is characterisation in literary analysis?

Characterisation is the way an author reveals a character's personality through actions, dialogue, thoughts, appearance and others' reactions.

What is the difference between a 'direct' and 'indirect' (implied) question in a reading comprehension test?

A direct/factual question has its answer stated explicitly in the text; an indirect/inferential question requires interpreting implied meaning beyond the literal words.

When interpreting a poem, what is meant by 'imagery'?

Imagery is the use of vivid, descriptive language appealing to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to create mental pictures, e.g. 'sunlight on a quiet lake' in 'Keeping Quiet'.