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Read the following extract… (Class 12 English 2026, Q9b)

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

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 9(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/5/1, section C, question 9(b), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9(b) · 6 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedThe Interview

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

Mukund : The English novelist and academic David Lodge once remarked, "I can't understand how one man can do all the things he [Eco] does."
Umberto Eco : Maybe I give the impression of doing many things. But in the end, I am convinced I am always doing the same thing.
Mukund : Which is ?
Umberto Eco : Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace… you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests.
And then I have a secret. Did you know what would happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms ? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces. While waiting for your elevator to come up from the first to the third floor, I have already written an article! (Laughs)
(The Interview)

  1. (i)

    What does Umberto Eco mean when he says, "Maybe I give the impression of doing many things"?

    1. (A)work appears diverse but has the same core interests
    2. (B)multitasks constantly to prove his worth
    3. (C)hides his real work behind his many hobbies
    4. (D)doesn't enjoy working on too many things
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Complete the following suitably:
    When Eco says that he is always doing the same thing he means __________.

    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
    Eco's secret to being productive, as implied in the passage is __________ (delegating tasks/managing time).

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    What does the following line in the extract showcase about Eco's nature?
    'Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace.'

    1. (A)bored
    2. (B)insolent
    3. (C)ethical
    4. (D)playful
    1 mark
  5. (v)

    Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
    Assertion : While waiting for the elevator, Eco has already written an article.
    Reason : He pursues his philosophical interests through his work.
    Choose the correct option :

    1. (A)Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
    2. (B)Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
    3. (C)The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
    4. (D)The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
    1 mark
  6. (vi)

    Complete the following sentence suitably.
    Eco's tone in the statement: 'I have already written an article!' is ________.

    1. (A)sympathetic
    2. (B)cynical
    3. (C)humorous
    4. (D)pensive
    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

Eco says he is always doing the same thing; what is that thing?

Hint 2

He works in 'interstices'; which skill is that?

Hint 3

In (v), does the reason explain the assertion?

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) (A) His work looks varied but rests on the same core interests.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) all his work, academic, novels and children's books, expresses the same ethical and philosophical interests.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) managing time. He uses the empty spaces (interstices) in his day to work.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) (C) ethical. Even his children's books carry the message of non-violence and peace.

    1 mark

  5. (v) (B) Both are true, but his philosophical interests do not explain why he finished the article during the elevator wait; his use of interstices does.

    1 mark

  6. (vi) (C) humorous. He says it playfully and laughs.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) A; (ii) same ethical and philosophical interests; (iii) managing time; (iv) C; (v) B; (vi) C

Where the marks are

  • (i) A (1 mark)
  • (ii) same core interests (1 mark)
  • (iii) managing time (1 mark)
  • (iv) C (1 mark)
  • (v) B (1 mark)
  • (vi) C (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

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

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