CBSE Class 12 PCM English Board Paper 2026 — Set 5

What, what is the boy now

who has lost his ball.

What, what is he to do.

I saw it go

Merrily bouncing, down the street and then Merrily over – there it is in the water!

No use to say ’O there are other balls’.

(The Ball Poem by John Berryman)

All night the roots work

To disengage themselves from the cracks

in the veranda floor. The leaves strain towards the glass

small twigs stiff with exertion

long-cramped boughs shuffling

under the roof

like newly discharged patients

half dazed, moving to the clinic doors.

(Trees)

Read the following text :

(1) Forests are often called the lungs of the Earth, and in India, they are an integral part of the country’s ecological, economic, and cultural fabric. They regulate temperatures and help keep the air clean. Covering about 21.71% of India’s geographical area, forests play a pivotal role in sustaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. However, these verdant expanses face numerous challenges, raising important questions about conservation, sustainable development, and policy priorities.

(2) India’s forests are incredibly diverse, ranging from the lush tropical rain forests to the alpine vegetation of the Himalayas. This diversity is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic or endangered, such as the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, and Nilgiri Tahr. Forests also provide critical ecosystem services like water conservation, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration, which are essential in combating climate change.

(3) Economically, forests contribute significantly through timber, medicinal plants and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like honey and bamboo. They are also central to the lives of tribal communities who depend on them for sustenance and cultural practices. However, this dependence brings to light the complex relationship between human development and forest preservation.

(4) Is it possible to achieve economic growth without degrading forest resources ? The pressures on India’s forests are immense. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, mining, and agricultural encroachment have led to significant deforestation. According to recent reports, India lost around 66,000 hectares of forest cover between 2019 and 2021. This loss not only threatens biodiversity but also exacerbates climate-related challenges such as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.

(5) Policy measures like the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and initiatives such as Compensatory Afforestation and Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) reflect efforts to preserve and expand forest areas. However, critics argue that these measures often fail to address ground realities. For instance, afforestation projects may involve planting monoculture species that disrupt ecosystems rather than restore natural biodiversity. Similarly, conflicts arise when policies overlook the rights of indigenous communities, leading to displacement and social tensions. India’s forests are a microcosm of the global struggle to balance development with conservation.

(6) Solutions lie in adopting sustainable practices, such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, and community-based conservation models. Empowering local communities to act as custodians of forests ensures both their livelihoods and the health of forest ecosystems. Moreover, raising awareness about the importance of forests can inspire collective action at all levels.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :

Read the following passage carefully :

The Rise of Electric Vehicles in India :

(1) Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining significant traction globally. In India, the push for EVs is driven by concerns over air pollution, rising fuel costs and government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The Indian Government has set ambitious targets for EV adoption, aiming for 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial vehicles, and 80% of two wheelers and three-wheelers to be electric by 2030. (2) The benefits of EVs extend beyond environmental impact : Lower running cost due to cheaper electricity, reduces maintenance because of fewer moving parts, and lowers noise pollution in urban areas.

(3) Despite the promising outlook, the EV industry in India faces several challenges currently. While public charging stations are slowly increasing, their availability, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, remains a bottleneck. The initial high purchase cost of EVs and concerns about range or the fear of running out of charge are other causes of anxiety.

(4) To overcome these hurdles, the government is offering subsidies and tax benefits to make EVs more affordable. Private companies are investing in developing new EV models with improved battery technology for longer ranges and battery swapping technology is also being explored as a quick alternative to traditional charging.

(5) The Indian EV market is witnessing rapid growth, with sales figures steadily climbing. In 2023, India recorded sales of over 1.5 million EVs, a significant jump from previous years. Two-wheelers dominated the sales, followed by three-wheelers and then passenger cars. States like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka have emerged as leaders in EV adoption, largely due to supportive state policies and greater awareness among consumers.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :

A manager wrote a report to his seniors about his team. Fill in the blank with the correct option to complete the report:

By the end of this quarter, the assistant manager _______ on this campaign for eight months.

(A) will be working

(B) will have been working

(C) will have working

(D) would have been working

Read the given sentence from a sales report: Identify the error and supply the correction:

Being checked all the figures twice, she was sure there were no errors.

Read the conversation between the store supervisor and the salesman :

Supervisor : “Did you switch off all the lights before leaving office yesterday ?”

Salesman – “Yes, I did and I also handed over the keys to the night supervisor.”

A store supervisor asked the salesman whether he had switched off all the lights before leaving the office the day before.

The salesman confirmed _________. Report the salesman’s response.

A school Principal addressed Board aspirants and said:

'_______ candidates must carry their identification proof.' Fill in the blank with the appropriate option:

(A) Each

(B) All

(C) Every

(D) One

Isha said to her parents, 'My mentor will always guide me, even after this programme ends.'

Report what Isha said to her parents.

Find the error in the sentence and supply the correction:

I was disappointed to see that in the library there was less books on the subject than expected.

Fill in the blank with the correct option:

My friends _______ the movie tickets before we even reached the ticket counter.

(A) has collected

(B) had collected

(C) collect

(D) will collect

Select the correct option to complete the sentence from a recipe book:

After stirring the cocoa into the melted butter, you _______ add the eggs one at a time before adding the flour.

(A) would

(B) might

(C) may

(D) must

Report the following sentence by a customer:

'Did you double-check the address before dispatching the washing machine?'

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct option:

If we had consulted the engineer, we _____ this mistake.

(A) would avoid

(B) will avoid

(C) would have avoided

(D) had avoided

Complete the following newspaper report by filling in the blank:

The number of road accidents _______ increased this year.

(A) have

(B) are

(C) has

(D) were

The speaker in conversation with a group of ministers said,

"I feel reassured after hearing your opinions."

What did the speaker say to the ministers?

How does the short structure of poem ‘Dust of Snow’ enhance its message about emotional renewal ? Support your answer briefly.

In ‘Mijbil the Otter’, how does the narrator’s patience contrast with the reactions of fellow passengers and local people ? What does this reveal about human understanding of the unfamiliar ?

In ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, how does the contrast between Valli’s boldness and her emotional response to the dead cow shape your view of her maturity ?

What was Chubukov’s reaction when he heard about Lomov’s proposal for his daughter’s hand ? (The Proposal)

Why does Griffin, despite his scientific genius, end up leading a destructive life ? (Footprints Without Feet)

Why does Horace Danby consider himself an honest man despite being a thief ? How does this self-perception affect his decision in the story ? (A Question of Trust)

In ‘A Triumph of Surgery’, how does Tricki’s condition reflect the consequences of pampering pets excessively ? What does this suggest about human attachment ?

The data given below shows how teenagers spend their daily screen time across different digital activities.

Analyse the data provided and write a paragraph analyzing how teenagers allocate their daily screen time. Focus on the activity that occupies the largest proportion of time and on other major and minor activities in descending order, and on the balance between entertainment and educational screen use. Conclude with an observation about the overall trend.

Read the given details of a community library designed for your neighbourhood:

● A well lit and ventilated reading lounge;

● A digital section with computers, tablets and e-books;

● A dedicated children’s corner with picture books and storytelling sessions;

● A quiet study area with desk lamps and soundproof partitions for students;

● outdoor reading space under trees for senior citizens;

● book-sharing stands where people can donate and borrow books freely.

Analyse the details and write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words about the suitability of this library. Focus on factors such as accessibility, reading environment, suitability for different age groups, and community engagement.

Analyse how Amanda in the poem ‘Amanda’ and the dragon in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ yearn for acceptance and a life free from criticism.

In ‘The Necklace’, Madam Loisel spends years repaying a debt for a necklace that was never valuable. How does this irony expose the illusion of wealth and the consequences of chasing appearances ?

In ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’, how does the play use humour and irony to comment on both futuristic technology and human assumptions ? What message do you think the author conveys through the Martians’ misinterpretation of a nursery rhyme ?