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Read the following extracts… (Class 12 English 2026, Q7A)

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EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/1/1 · 6 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 7(A)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/1/1, section C, question 7(A), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(A) · 6 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedKeeping Quiet

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or (B):

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. (Keeping Quiet)

  1. (i)

    What does the phrase 'an exotic moment' in the extract signify ?

    1. (A)surreal pause from mechanized human activity enabling reflection and unity.
    2. (B)ceremonial halt wherein humans acknowledge traditional and ecological wisdom.
    3. (C)spontaneous event where all human labour becomes obsolete.
    4. (D)rare disruption of routine that highlights cultural diversity and isolation.
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Complete the following sentence suitably:
    The words 'we' and 'together' signify _________.

    1 mark
  3. (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'.

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    Choose the correct option that BEST reflects the tone of the poet in the given extract:

    1. (A)despairing and cynical
    2. (B)aggressive and accusatory
    3. (C)meditative and hopeful
    4. (D)humorous and sarcastic
    1 mark
  5. (v)

    Complete the sentence:
    The phrase 'hurt hands' is a symbol of _________.

    1 mark
  6. (vi)

    What message is the poet conveying through the given extract ?

    1 mark

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

Think of what 'exotic' means: strange and unfamiliar.

Hint 2

Ask what the poet wants humans to stop doing, and why.

Hint 3

The hands belong to a man gathering salt, a labourer.

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) Option A: a strange, unusual pause from machine-driven activity that lets people reflect and feel united.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) 'We' and 'together' signify the unity and shared humanity of all people, beyond divisions of nation, race or religion.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) The poet glorifies the moment 'without rush, without engines', seeing the stillness as peaceful and valuable.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) Option C: meditative and hopeful.

    1 mark

  5. (v) The phrase 'hurt hands' is a symbol of the exploitation, hard labour and suffering of the poor working class.

    1 mark

  6. (vi) The poet urges us to pause our relentless activity and destruction, introspect and live in peace and brotherhood with each other and nature.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) A; (ii) unity of mankind; (iii) glorifies; (iv) C; (v) the suffering and exploitation of labourers; (vi) pause, introspect and live in harmony

Where the marks are

  • (i) Correct option A (1 mark)
  • (ii) Unity and togetherness of humanity (1 mark)
  • (iii) glorifies (1 mark)
  • (iv) Option C (1 mark)
  • (v) Suffering of labourers (1 mark)
  • (vi) Message of stillness, introspection and harmony (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

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

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