Skip to content

While greedy good-doers… (Class 12 English SQP 2024-25, Q7B)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-12-english-2024-25-sqp-q7b-greedy-good-doers-beneficent-beasts

EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Sample paper, session 2024-25 · 6 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 12 English sample paper 2024-25: question 7(B)

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2024-25, section C, question 7(B), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(B) · 6 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedA Roadside Stand

While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way. (poem-The Roadside Stand)

  1. I.

    Select the phrase that suggests the following:
    The so-called aids are not offered out of genuine care or consent but are imposed in a controlling and perhaps unwelcome manner.

    1 mark
  2. II.

    What does the imagery of 'swarm' NOT represent in the given extract?

    1. (A)Coordinated help
    2. (B)Overwhelming force
    3. (C)Discomfort and chaos
    4. (D)Neglect of individual needs
    1 mark
  3. III.

    Complete the following suitably.
    In the line, 'destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way,' the phrase 'the ancient way' refers to________.

    1 mark
  4. IV.

    Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
    The poet has used phrases like 'greedy good-doers' and 'beneficent beasts of prey' to illustrate the ________ (irony/satire) in the situation where those claiming to help the rural poor actually impose self-serving and detrimental actions on them.

    1 mark
  5. V.

    Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
    Assertion: The poet criticizes the way the rural poor are treated by benefactors, suggesting it instills ambition.
    Reason: The interventions are overwhelmingly calming and lead to a loss of critical thinking among the rural poor.
    Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:

    1. (A)Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
    2. (B)Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
    3. (C)The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
    4. (D)The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
    1 mark

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2024-25.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

For I, find the phrase that shows force.

Hint 2

For II, ask which meaning of 'swarm' is not negative.

Hint 3

For V, decide whether the poet thinks the help instils ambition or dulls minds.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

Verified: two independent solves agree and the official marking scheme matchesChecked 2026-11-01

  1. (I) 'enforcing benefits': benefits are forced on the poor, not offered with their consent.

    1 mark

  2. (II) Option A. A swarm suggests overwhelming force, chaos and discomfort, and neglect of individual needs. It does not suggest coordinated help.

    1 mark

  3. (III) 'The ancient way' refers to the traditional, long-standing sleep patterns and night-time rituals of the rural community, which are deeply rooted in their culture.

    1 mark

  4. (IV) irony. Helpers called 'good-doers' act like 'beasts of prey', so the situation is the opposite of what is expected.

    1 mark

  5. (V) Option D. The assertion is false, because the poet says the treatment dulls the poor ('soothe them out of their wits') and does not instil ambition. The reason is true.

    1 mark

  6. (VI, if asked) Be wary of outsiders whose apparent kindness may undermine your autonomy and critical thinking.

    1 mark

Answer: (I) enforcing benefits; (II) A; (III) traditional sleeping patterns and night rituals; (IV) irony; (V) D

Where the marks are

  • Phrase 'enforcing benefits' (1 mark)
  • Option A (1 mark)
  • Traditional sleep practices (1 mark)
  • Irony (1 mark)
  • Option D (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: A Roadside Stand (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)

Want more questions like this?

Practise CBSE Class 12 English questions free, marked against the answer key, with hints when you are stuck.

Practise freeSend this to a friendAsk my parent to unlock
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from A Roadside Stand, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2024-25: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error?Report it in one tapand a person will check it.