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Dr Sadao’s decision… (Class 12 English SQP 2026-27, Q13B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Sample paper, session 2026-27 · 5 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 12 English sample paper 2026-27: question 13(B)

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2026-27, section C, question 13(B), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q13(B) · 5 marks · Long answerThe Enemy

Dr Sadao’s decision to shelter an enemy soldier places him in a moral dilemma. Assess whether this decision can be seen as an act of moral courage in the face of competing national loyalties in The Enemy.

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2026-27.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Start with what Sadao was expected to do as a Japanese citizen in wartime.

Hint 2

Weigh a doctor's duty against the risks he faced, and decide whether his act was betrayal or courage.

Hint 3

Support your view with what he actually did: the surgery, the shelter and the escape.

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. Introduction and the dilemma: Dr Sadao's decision to shelter and treat an enemy soldier puts professional ethics in conflict with national loyalty. This is the central dilemma of The Enemy.

    1 mark

  2. Expectations and risk: As a Japanese citizen in wartime, Sadao is expected to report the wounded American prisoner. He knows that harbouring him could bring severe punishment, even execution, and social disgrace.

    1 mark

  3. Moral courage: Even so, he acts from moral courage and not from betrayal. As a doctor, he places the universal value of human life above political allegiance. He feels that a doctor's duty is to save lives whatever the patient's nationality.

    1 mark

  4. His actions: Although torn, he shelters the soldier, performs the surgery and later helps him escape. These actions show that his commitment is sustained and not a passing impulse.

    1 mark

  5. Conclusion: Sadao's decision shows that true courage lies in upholding humanitarian principles even when they oppose dominant national expectations. Within the word limit, with good organisation and accurate language.

    1 mark

Answer: Yes. Sadao's decision is an act of moral courage, because he puts the humanitarian duty of a doctor above national loyalty despite the risk of punishment and disgrace.

Where the marks are

  • Explains the dilemma between professional ethics and national loyalty (1 mark)
  • Mentions the expectation to report him and the risks of punishment and disgrace (1 mark)
  • Argues that it is moral courage, with a doctor's duty to save lives (1 mark)
  • Cites his actions: sheltering, surgery and helping the soldier escape (1 mark)
  • Gives a conclusion with good organisation and accurate language (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Enemy (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)

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