CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper 2014 Set B

SECTION ‘A’ 

READING

Q.1) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

1. I was 53 when my first book, 'The Naked face' was published in 1970. People frequently remarked, "Isn't it wonderful you've finally achieved your life-long ambition". In truth, writing a book hadn't occurred to me before I sat down and did it. 'The Naked face' was an accident.

2. But I found the prospect of writing a novel intimidating. I assumed I didn't have whatever extra dash of magic goes into composing a book.

3. Then, I hatched a plot about a psychoanalyst whom someone tries to murder. He has no enemies and no clue who wanted him dead. Using his skills as an analyst, he sets out to solve the mystery.

4. This story might just as well have been a film, or T.V movie except for one challenge: It demanded the audience get inside the protagonist's head and hear his thoughts. I couldn't figure out how to do that in a script. So I tried to let go of the notion, but it wouldn't let go of me.

5. Then I started dictating my attempt at a novel. I've always dictated everything, including screen plays, because my mind works faster than my hands. I rewrote the book about six times.

6. Once I finished the book, I had no idea of the next step. I was familiar with all the Hollywood agents, but not the literary agents. I called my friend the writer Irwin Wallace. He kindly sent my manuscript to his agent, who took over.

7. I was less optimistic because I didn't view myself as a real author. Three  months and seven rejections went by, and when my agent called with good news, I didn't believe it.

8. Reviews of the book were published in all leading newspapers and they were mostly negative. But the New York Times came out with a wonderful review, describing my novel as 'the best first mystery novel of the year'. A literary luncheon followed, where eminent novelists were promoting their novels. I was among five others. While people queued up in front of the others to get their copies signed, there was not a soul in front of me.

9. A couple of months later, my book sold 17000 copies but I made no money because what I got, covered up the cost of the book tour. But something fantastic happened during the experience, mortifying moments and all. I discovered a sense of freedom I had never known.

10. When you write a movie or a play, yours is but one voice in a cacophony of opinions. You deal with a producer who decrees a scene too expensive, a director who changes your female lead into a man, an actor who insists, 'My character would never say that'. But when you write a book, you alone are the producer, director and cast. You decide your story's setting, whether to make your characters healthy or ill, rich or poor, heroic or evil. You're totally responsible for your novel. It's all you. I loved that.

Please refer to attached file for CBSE Class 12 English Sample Paper 2014 Set B