Skip to content

Answer ANY FIVE of the… (Class 12 English 2026, Q10)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-12-english-2026-301-1-1-q10-six

EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/1/1 · 10 marks · Very short answer

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 10

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/1/1, section C, question 10, for 10 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q10 · 10 marks · Very short answerReading (unseen passages)

Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in 40-50 words each:

  1. (i)

    The poem explores the relationship between a mother and daughter. Comment. (My Mother at Sixty Six)

    2 marks
  2. (ii)

    What does Umberto Eco mean when he says he is 'a professor who writes novels on Sundays' ? (The Interview)

    2 marks
  3. (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)

    2 marks
  4. (iv)

    How did Douglas' experience at the beach in California affect him ? (Deep Water)

    2 marks
  5. (v)

    The constraints of Aunt Jennifer's married life leave her terrorised and emotionally scarred. Elaborate. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

    2 marks
  6. (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 Aloace ? (Last Lesson)

    2 marks

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 301/1/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Recall the key image or event from each lesson.

Hint 2

Write about 40-50 words with one clear point and one supporting detail.

Hint 3

Choose the five you remember best.

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 agreeChecked 2026-11-01

  1. (i) The poem shows a daughter's deep love and anxiety for her ageing mother. Her mother's pale, ashen face makes her fear losing her, but she hides her fear with a smile and a cheerful parting 'see you soon'.

    2 marks

  2. (ii) Eco means that his main identity is that of an academic, a serious scholar. Novel writing is a leisure hobby done in spare time, on weekends, and not a full-time occupation.

    2 marks

  3. (iii) The 25% refund was a symbolic victory. It broke the landlords' hold and showed that the peasants' rights could be asserted by non-violent resistance. It also restored the farmers' dignity and confidence.

    2 marks

  4. (iv) The experience left Douglas with a terrifying fear of water that lasted for years. It haunted him and stopped him from enjoying water activities like canoeing, fishing and swimming, until he overcame it by training.

    2 marks

  5. (v) Aunt Jennifer is dominated by a oppressive husband, and the wedding band weighs heavily on her fingers. She is so terrified that even in death her hands bear the mark of her fear, and she can only express herself through the fearless tigers she embroiders.

    2 marks

  6. (vi) Franz's remark shows the absurdity and cruelty of imposing German. Even innocent pigeons might be forced to coo in German. It reflects the Alsatians' resentment, since language and culture were being taken from them.

    2 marks

Answer: Any five of the six answers (i)-(vi) as given.

Where the marks are

  • Each of any five answers: relevant content, 1 mark, plus clear expression, 1 mark (2 marks each)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)

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 Reading (unseen passages), one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 301/1/1: 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.