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Answer any one of the… (Class 12 English 2026, Q12a)

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EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/5/1 · 5 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 12(a)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/5/1, section C, question 12(a), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q12(a) · 5 marks · Long answerDeep Water

Answer any one of the following two questions in 120 – 150 words:

'Deep Water' by William Douglas and 'Keeping Quiet' by Pablo Neruda represent a state of introspection that leads to growth, understanding and liberation. Discuss.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 301/5/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Name what each speaker discovers when they look within.

Hint 2

Douglas: what is the only thing to fear?

Hint 3

Neruda: what do we realise in silence, and what follows?

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: Both texts show that looking inward leads to growth, understanding and liberation.

    1 mark

  2. 'Deep Water': Douglas nearly drowned as a boy and was left with a lasting fear of water. By facing this fear through persistent training he realised that the only thing to fear is fear itself, conquered it and felt free and alive.

    1 mark

  3. 'Keeping Quiet': Neruda urges a moment of stillness, when we do not speak or move, so that we realise how we hurt ourselves and nature through war and constant activity. Such introspection could bring peace and harmony.

    1 mark

  4. Conclusion and expression: Self-examination transforms the fear of Douglas and the restlessness of humanity into liberation and a better life. Language is clear, coherent and within 120-150 words.

    2 marks

Answer: Introspection leads to conquering fear (Douglas) and to peace and harmony (Neruda).

Where the marks are

  • Three content points with at least one from each text (3 marks)
  • Expression: grammar, coherence (2 marks)

Revise the chapter

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

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