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Read the following extract… (Class 12 English 2026, Q7b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/5/1 · 6 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 7(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/5/1, 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 Thing of Beauty

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
(A Thing of Beauty)

  1. (i)

    Select the option that does not agree with the ideas as conveyed in the above given extract:

    1. (A)Beauty in nature offers comfort during times of despair.
    2. (B)Even in a world of sorrow, beautiful things continue to heal us.
    3. (C)The poet suggests that man-made inventions promote the Earth's natural beauty.
    4. (D)Natural elements like the sun, moon and trees are our sources of hope.
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Complete the following suitable:
    In the line, 'of the inhuman dearth of noble natures', the phrase 'dearth of' refers to _________.

    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    Select the phrase that suggests the following:
    despite our feelings of sadness and depression ….

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    Choose the correct option and fill in the blank.
    The tone of the poet in the above extract is ____________. (ironic and cynical/reflective and reassuring)

    1 mark
  5. (v)

    In the context of the poem, the word 'pall' most closely means:

    1. (A)a dense fog that obscures light.
    2. (B)a metaphorical shroud symbolizing grief.
    3. (C)an ornamental veil signifying delight.
    4. (D)a supernatural entity haunting humans.
    1 mark
  6. (vi)

    Based on the given extract, state in one sentence, your views on the simple joys of beauty.

    1 mark

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

For (i), look for the idea that the extract does not mention.

Hint 2

A pall is a cloth spread over a coffin; think of what it suggests figuratively.

Hint 3

In (vi), say in one sentence what beauty does for our dark spirits.

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) (C) The extract never speaks of man-made inventions; it speaks of natural beauty such as the sun, moon and trees.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) 'Dearth of' means lack/scarcity/shortage of.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) 'Spite of despondence'.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) reflective and reassuring.

    1 mark

  5. (v) (B) 'Pall' is a shroud, a metaphor for the gloom and grief covering our spirits.

    1 mark

  6. (vi) The simple joys of beauty have a healing power: they lift sadness and help us cope with life's troubles.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) C; (ii) lack of; (iii) Spite of despondence; (iv) reflective and reassuring; (v) B; (vi) beauty heals and removes gloom

Where the marks are

  • (i) option C (1 mark)
  • (ii) lack/scarcity (1 mark)
  • (iii) Spite of despondence (1 mark)
  • (iv) reflective and reassuring (1 mark)
  • (v) option B (1 mark)
  • (vi) beauty removes gloom/heals (1 mark)

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