CBSE Class 12 English Answer Key 2025 and Question Papers, Download PDF All SETs

The CBSE Class 12 English Paper 2025 exam was conducted today, March 11, 2025. The exam lasted for 3 hours, conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, with an additional 15 minutes given for reading the question paper.

Here we are providing a detailed analysis of student responses, expert opinions and the difficulty level of the paper including expected good scores, time-consuming section and longest question.

As the exam has concluded, a comprehensive analysis will be provided by our subject experts, including section-wise (Section A: Reading Skills, Section B: Creative Writing Skills, and Section C: Literature) breakdowns. 

We have shared the CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2025 PDF and answer key to help students check their answers and evaluate their performance. Direct link to download CBSE 12th English Question Paper 2025 to be available on this page.

👉 CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2025 with Answer Key (Set-1)

👉 CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2025 with Answer Key (Set-2)

👉 CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2025 with Answer Key (Set-3)

CBSE Class 12 English Core Exam Analysis 2025: Student Reviews

• The questions were quite direct from all the Sections. However, Section B required more time to answer than to comprehend.
• The Reading section was the easiest of all.
• The Literature section questions were also decent, covering conceptual questions.
• The paper was well-balanced. Many questions came from NCERT.
• Those who practised NCERT can easily manage to get 50 marks in the exam.
• Few critical thinking based questions were also present.

CBSE Class 12 English Elective Exam Analysis 2025: Student Reviews

• Out of syllabus questions were not there.
• The overall difficulty level was moderate to tough.
• The paper was a bit time-consuming.
• Literature and Fiction segment were a bit difficult.

CBSE Class 12 English Core Exam Analysis 2025

Find the complete CBSE 12th English Core exam analysis 2025 in the following table.

Parameter	CBSE 12th English Exam Analysis 2025
Overall difficulty level of the paper	Moderate
Difficulty Level of Section A: Reading Skills	Easy
Difficulty Level of Section B: Creative Writing Skills	Moderate to Tough
Difficulty Level of Section C: Literature	Moderate
Overall expected good score	55+
Was the overall paper time-consuming?	Section B
Which section was the lengthiest?	Yes, Section B was a little time-taking.

CBSE Class 12 English Core Answer Key 2025

CBSE Class 12 English Answer Key 2025 SET-1

SECTION – A (READING SKILLS)

1. Passage-based Questions & Answers:

(i) How does the author prove in paragraph 1 that sense of humour is a double-edged sword?

Answer:
The author proves that a sense of humour is a double-edged sword by stating that while it can entertain others and make them laugh, it can also be used as a sharp wit to criticize people with snide comments. This shows that humour can have both positive and negative effects.

(ii) Cite evidence from the passage to prove that a sense of humour is a valuable tool to make someone’s life better.

Answer:
Evidence from the passage:

1. "The value of such a skill in defusing tense, aggressive situations and in managing alliances and friendships should not be underestimated either." (Paragraph 4)

2. "Schmoozing with a bunch of new people at a cocktail party is an opportunity to engage in light-hearted banter, and other people are grateful when someone is skillful enough to turn a stiff and awkward situation into fun." (Paragraph 5)

(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to paragraph 3:

One significant advantage of humour is that it helps one ________.
Answer:
"One significant advantage of humour is that it helps one cope with stress and social interactions by making situations more enjoyable and light-hearted."

(iv) Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to paragraph 5, how a good sense of humour can be a great ice breaker.

Answer:
"Schmoozing with a bunch of new people at a cocktail party is an opportunity to engage in light-hearted banter, and other people are grateful when someone is skillful enough to turn a stiff and awkward situation into fun."

(v) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank:

According to evolutionary psychologists, people with a sense of humour can lighten (trigger/lighten) tense situations. 

(vi) Choose the correct option:

By the phrase ‘same wavelength,’ the author refers to:

(A) people of age group
(B) people who belong to the same line of profession
(C) people having similar interests and attitudes (ans)
(D) people who are working in the same organisation

(vii) Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 6:

advantage : benefit :: _______ : anger

(A) situation
(B) stare
(C) indignation (ans)
(D) arsenal

(viii) In the line "Perhaps it is indeed a single instrument, but it contains an arsenal of tools..." What does the phrase ‘arsenal of tools’ refer to?

Answer:
The phrase ‘arsenal of tools’ refers to the various ways in which humour can be used as a social skill to help navigate and manage different social situations effectively.

(ix) Provide ONE textual evidence from the text which states that lack of a sense of humour may prove to be a handicap in one’s life.

Answer:
"A person with an undeveloped sense of humour lacks a social skill that puts him or her at a severe disadvantage in the hurly-burly of everyday social life." (Paragraph 2)

(x) Choose the correct option (A) or (B) which reaffirms the idea conveyed in the above extract:

(A) Sense of humour elevates the status of a person in the social circle.
(B) People with a sense of humour are not taken seriously in society.

2. Answer the questions based on the given passage:

(i): As per the survey, Indian youth is broadly focused on:

Answer: (C) higher education and career opportunities.

(ii) What is the latest trend among Indian youth in preparing themselves for the job market?

Answer:
The latest trend among Indian youth is a strong preference for attaining higher education degrees while also showing an increasing awareness of changing skill requirements. 76% of youth are interested in pursuing skill development programs.

(iii) With reference to the table, state one reason for entrepreneurship being the last preference among Indian youth.
Answer:
One reason for entrepreneurship being the least preferred option (17%) is the higher preference for job security and career advancement, which are more commonly associated with public (49%) and private sector jobs (23%).

(iv) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that gender bias is still a hindrance in the progress of women in society.
Answer:

1. Female respondents face discriminatory biases in hiring and have less paid work experience compared to their male counterparts.

2. 15% of female respondents report personal biases such as marital status, gender, age, or family background as barriers to employment, compared to only 9% of male respondents.

(v) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The driving force for the Indian youth to join a skill development programme is
Answer:
The driving force for the Indian youth to join a skill development programme is the increasing awareness of changing skill requirements and the need for better employment opportunities.

(vi)Classify the sentences as competency or adoption based on paragraph 5.

1. Ria embraced new technology to gain a global market for her paintings. → Adoption

2. Ria displays her artistic skill through her paintings. → Competency

(vii) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that Indian youth is adapting itself to the needs of the job market.
Answer:

1. 76% of youth report being very interested in pursuing a skill development programme.

2. 86% of youth feel very or moderately up to date with changes in skill requirements.

(viii) Choose the correct option: The main roadblocks to employment opportunities for females are:
Answer: (C) (ii), (iii), and (v) → Marriage, Lack of Opportunities, and Family Background.

SECTION – C (LITERATURE)

7."A Roadside Stand"

It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store.
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.

(i) The expression "It is in the news" suggests:

Answer:(B) An important decision has been taken by the government.

(ii) Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with reference to the given extract.

Assertion: The poet complains that rural people are exploited by the people in power.
Reason: The rural people repose blind faith in the false promises of the people in power.

Answer: (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation.

(iii) Complete the following suitably:

The phrase "soothe them out of their wit" refers to the false promises and benefits given to the poor by those in power to make them forget their struggles and accept their situation blindly.

(iv) Bring out the irony in the expression "they won’t have to think for themselves."

Answer:
The irony lies in the fact that the so-called "help" from the government and wealthy benefactors does not empower the poor but rather makes them dependent, stripping them of their independence and critical thinking.

(v) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.

The poet uses the expression "greedy good-doers" to (criticize/appreciate) the intention of the powerful people.
Answer: Criticize.

(vi) Complete the following suitably.

The tone of the poet in the above extract is sarcastic and critical as he condemns the exploitation and false promises made to the poor.

OR

"Keeping Quiet"

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves with death.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go.

(i) Complete the following suitably.

The poet uses the expression "single-minded" to refer to the people’s relentless focus on materialistic progress and constant activity, without pausing for self-reflection or inner peace.

(ii) Why does the poet refer to silence as a welcoming interruption?

Answer: The poet sees silence as a necessary pause in the chaos of life. He believes that taking a moment of stillness allows people to reflect, understand themselves, and connect with nature, 

(iii) Read the Assertion and Reason below, with reference to the given extract.

Assertion: The poet personifies Earth as a teacher.
Reason: We learn from the Earth that pausing doesn’t mean the end.

Answer:  (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(iv) Complete the following suitably.

By the expression "keeping our lives moving," the poet refers to the continuous rush of human activity, where people remain busy with their work and ambitions without taking time to pause and reflect.

(v) Choose the correct option:

The intention of the poet in the above extract is
(D) To highlight the importance of sustaining peace and silence.

(vi) What is the significance of the last line of the extract: "You keep quiet and I will go"?

Answer:The poet emphasizes the importance of silence and self-reflection. By saying, "You keep quiet and I will go," he suggests that after guiding people to the realization of peace and introspection, he will step aside, allowing them to continue their journey of self-discovery on their own.

8. ("Memories of Childhood")

When I heard this, I didn’t want to laugh anymore, and I felt terribly sad. How could they believe that it was disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands, even though the Vadai had been wrapped first in a banana leaf and then parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and angry that I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself straight away. Why should we have to fetch and carry for these people? I wondered. Such an important elder of ours goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands over reverently, bowing and shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought of it infuriated me.

(i) "I felt terribly sad." The reason for the speaker’s sadness is because it was an act of discrimination and untouchability.

The speaker realizes the injustice of the caste-based discrimination, where lower-caste individuals are treated as inferior and are not even allowed to touch food meant for upper-caste people. This deeply saddens and angers the speaker.

(ii) Choose the correct option:

"The thought of it infuriated me"—what do you think is the impact of the incident on the speaker?

Correct Option:
(B) The speaker was angry and condemning.

(iii) Complete the sentence suitably:

"I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself"
The above expression indicates the speaker’s defiance and anger against discrimination.

(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank:

The incident made the speaker realize that the discrimination was dehumanizing.

OR

("On the Face of It")

(i) Complete the following suitably:

"Years. I take it steady."
The above line speaks of the speaker’s patience and resilience.

(ii) "Derry, how will you climb on a ladder?" What does Derry hint at in the above query?

Derry is hinting at Mr. Lamb’s physical disability (his missing leg) and questioning how he manages daily activities despite it.

(iii) "When I go down the streets, the kids shout 'Lamey Lamb'."

The attitude of the speaker expressed in the above line is:

Correct Option:
(C) His acceptance of reality and positive attitude.

(iv) Fill in the blank suitably:

Mr. Lamb’s handicap has not affected his attitude towards life.

9. ("Poets and Pancakes")

(i) What does the writer mean by the phrase 'indoor shooting' in the first line of the extract?

The phrase "indoor shooting" refers to film shooting that takes place inside a studio, using artificial lighting and sets, rather than outdoor locations.

(ii) Pick one sentence from the extract that reflects the sarcastic tone of the writer.

"I suppose the sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie."

(iii) The hierarchy in the make-up department puts the 'office boy' in the ______ rung of the ladder.

Correct Answer: lowest

(iv) Complete the following suitably:

"On the days when there was 'crowd-shooting'. By the phrase 'crowd-shooting', the author refers to"*
The shooting of scenes involving a large number of junior artists or extras.

(v) Choose the correct option:

"....mix his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd players."
The choice of words like ‘paint’ and ‘slapping’ by the author reflects:

Correct Option:
(C) Author’s sarcastic and humorous writing style.

(vi) Choose the correct option:

"A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department."
What does this line showcase?

Correct Option:
(B) A system of ranks according to the importance of work was followed.

OR

9. ("The Last Lesson")

(i) Choose the correct option:

What is the tone of the speaker in the expression "I hardly knew how to write … how sorry I was for not learning my lessons"?
Ans: (B) Regretful

(ii) Choose the correct option:

The speaker refers to ‘seeking birds’ eggs’ and ‘sliding on the Saar’ as:

Ans: (C) Source of distraction from learning

(iii) What is reflected through the shift in the speaker’s perception of his books through his expression of calling them his ‘old friends’ rather than considering them as ‘nuisance’?

Ans: The shift in perception reflects the speaker’s realization of the value of education and his regret for not appreciating his lessons earlier.

(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank:

Ans: "It was because they were sorry too…"
They were sorry for (not learning their language).

(v) What is inferred from the expression ‘the country that was theirs no more’?

Ans:It refers to the loss of Alsace and Lorraine to the Prussians, symbolizing the end of French rule in the region and the imposition of German control.

(vi) What does M. Hamel’s ruler reflect about his image?

Ans: Hamel’s ruler reflects his strict and disciplined nature as a teacher, but also his dedication and deep love for his language and students.

CBSE Class 12 English Answer Key 2025 SET-2

SECTION – A (READING SKILLS)

1.Answer the questions based on the given passage:

(i) How does the author prove in paragraph 1 that a sense of humour is a double-edged sword?

Answer: The author explains that while a sense of humour can entertain others and bring joy, it can also be used for making snide comments or criticizing people, making it a double-edged sword.

(ii) Cite evidence from the passage to prove that a sense of humour is a valuable tool to make someone’s life better.
Answer: The passage states that a sense of humour is a socially valued trait that helps people navigate everyday social life. It also mentions that humour can help in defusing tense situations and building alliances.

(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to paragraph 3:
One significant advantage of humour is that it helps one ________.
Answer: One significant advantage of humour is that it helps one release forbidden impulses and feel superior to others, as mentioned by Freud.

(iv) Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to paragraph 5, how a good sense of humour can be a great icebreaker.
Answer: The passage states that cracking jokes, making witty remarks, and engaging in lighthearted banter at social gatherings help people connect and create a comfortable atmosphere, making humour a great icebreaker.

(v) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank:
According to evolutionary psychologists, people with a sense of humour can _________ (trigger/lighten) tense situations.
Answer: lighten

(vi) Choose the correct option:
“...humour can be a device for connecting people who are operating on the same wavelength.”
By the phrase ‘same wavelength’ the author refers to:
Answer: (C) people having similar interests and attitudes.

(vii) Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 6:
advantage : benefit :: _______ : anger
Answer: indignation

(viii) In the line ‘perhaps it is indeed a single instrument, but it contains an arsenal of tools...’, what does the phrase ‘arsenal of tools’ refer to?
Answer: It refers to the various aspects of humour that serve different social purposes, such as breaking the ice, diffusing tension, and strengthening relationships.

(ix) Provide ONE textual evidence from the text which states that lack of a sense of humour may prove to be a handicap in one’s life.
Answer: The passage states that a person with an undeveloped sense of humour lacks a social skill, putting them at a severe disadvantage in everyday social life.

(x) An undeveloped sense of humour shows a lack of a social skill that puts him or her at a disadvantage.
Choose the correct option (A) or (B) which reaffirms the idea conveyed in the above extract:
Answer: (A) Sense of humour elevates the status of a person in the social circle.

2. Answer the questions based on the given passage:

(i) As per the survey, Indian youth is broadly focused on:
Answer: (C) Higher education and career opportunities.

(ii) With reference to paragraph 3, what is the latest trend among Indian youth in preparing themselves for the job market?
Answer: The latest trend among Indian youth is a strong preference for attaining higher education degrees and an increased interest in skill development programs. 76% of youth are very interested in skills development programs, and 70% see better employment opportunities as their main motivation for skill training.

(iii) With reference to the table, state one reason for entrepreneurship being the least preference among Indian youth.
Answer: Only 17% of Indian youth prefer entrepreneurship, possibly due to job security concerns, lack of financial support, or the risks involved in starting a business.

(iv) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that gender bias is still a hindrance in the progress of women in society.
Answer:

• Female respondents have less paid work experience than male respondents.
• 15% of female respondents report facing personal biases such as marital status, gender, age, or family background as a barrier to employment, compared to 9% of male respondents.

(v) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The driving force for the Indian youth to join a skill development programme is:
Answer: The desire for better employment opportunities and career advancement.

(vi) Paragraph 5 uses words ‘competencies’ and ‘adoption’. Classify the following sentences which talk about ‘competency’ and which talk about ‘adoption’.

Sentence 1: "Ria embraced new technology to gain a global market for her paintings."

Answer: This refers to adoption.

Sentence 2: "Ria displays her artistic skill through her paintings."

Answer: This refers to competency.

(vi) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that Indian youth is adapting itself to the needs of the job market.
Answer:

• 76% of youth are very interested in pursuing a skills development programme.
• 86% of youth feel very or moderately up to date with changes in skills requirements.

(viii) Choose the correct option: The main roadblocks to employment opportunities for females are:

(i) Lack of interest
(ii) Marriage
(iii) Lack of opportunities
(iv) Overqualification
(v) Family background

Options:

(A) (i) & (ii)

(B) (iii) & (iv)

(C) (ii), (iii) & (v)

(D) (iv) & (v)

Answer: (C) (ii), (iii), and (v)

SECTION - C (LITERATURE)

7. (A Roadside Stand)

(i) The expression ‘It is in the news’ suggests:

Answer: (B) An important decision has been taken by the government.

(ii) Assertion & Reason:

Assertion: The poet complains that the rural people are exploited by the people in power.

Reason: The rural people reposed blind faith in the false promises of the people in power.

Answer: (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation.

(iii) Complete the phrase:

Answer: ‘Soothe them out of their wit’ refers to manipulating them into blind acceptance.

(iv) Irony in ‘they won’t have to think for themselves’

Answer: The irony is that instead of improving their lives, the powerful suppress the rural people’s ability to think independently.

(v) The poet uses ‘greedy good-doers’ to:

Answer: Criticize the intention of the powerful people.

(vi) Tone of the poet in the extract:

Answer: Sarcastic and critical.

OR

7. (Keeping Quiet)

(i) The poet uses the expression ‘single-minded’ to refer to:

Answer: Humans’ obsession with constant activity and progress.

(ii) Why does the poet refer to silence as a welcoming interruption?

Answer: Silence allows self-reflection and a break from mindless activity.

(iii) Assertion & Reason:

Assertion: The poet personifies Earth as a teacher.

Reason: We learn from the Earth that pausing doesn’t mean the end.

Answer: (A) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation.

(iv) Meaning of ‘keeping our lives moving’

Answer: Constant engagement in work and routine activities.

(v) The poet’s intention in the extract is:

Answer: (C) To highlight the reason for our sadness.

(vi) Significance of ‘You keep quiet and I will go’

Answer: The poet emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, and his role is complete once he conveys the message.

8. (Memories of Childhood)

(i) ‘I felt terribly sad’. The reason for the speaker’s sadness:

Answer: It was an act of discrimination.

(ii) Impact of ‘The thought of it infuriated me’ on the speaker:

Answer: (B) The speaker was angry and condemning.

(iii) Meaning of ‘I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself’:

Answer: It indicates the speaker’s resistance against discrimination.

(iv) The incident made the speaker realize that discrimination was:

Answer: Dehumanizing.

OR

"On the Face of It"

(i) Complete the sentence suitably:
‘Years. I take it steady’. The above line speaks of the speaker’s

Answer: Patience and perseverance.

(ii) What does Derry hint at in his query about climbing the ladder?
Answer: Derry is expressing doubt about Mr. Lamb’s ability to perform everyday activities due to his disability. He is questioning how Mr. Lamb, with his blown-off leg, can manage tasks like climbing a ladder.

(iii) What attitude of the speaker is reflected in "When I go down the streets, the kids shout ‘Lamey Lamb’"?
(A) His anger and resentment
(B) His sarcasm and bitterness
(C) His acceptance of reality and positive attitude
(D) His amusement at the situation

Answer: (C) His acceptance of reality and positive attitude.

(iv) Fill in the blank:
Mr. Lamb’s handicap has not

Answer: Affected his attitude towards life.

9."Poets and Pancakes"

(i) What does ‘indoor shooting’ refer to in the first line of the extract?
Answer: It refers to filming scenes inside a studio rather than shooting outdoors.

(ii) Identify the sentence from the extract that brings out the sarcastic tone of the writer.
Answer: "The chief make-up man made the chief actors and actresses ugly, his senior assistant ‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian and so forth."

(iii) The hierarchy in the make-up department puts the ‘office boy’ in the ______ rung of the ladder.
Answer: Lowest

(iv) Complete the sentence:
On the days when there was ‘crowd-shooting’, the author refers to

Answer: The practice of applying make-up to extras in large numbers.

(v) What does the phrase "mix his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd players" indicate?
(A) The office boy’s love for painting
(B) The office boy’s creative skills
(C) The author’s sarcastic and humorous writing style
(D) The efficiency of the make-up department

Answer: (C) The author’s sarcastic and humorous writing style.

(vi) What does the statement "A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department" imply?
(A) There was discrimination among the employees
(B) A system of ranks according to the importance of work was followed
(C) There were strict rules regarding the working hours
(D) Only senior artists were allowed to work

Answer: (B) A system of ranks according to the importance of work was followed.

OR

9."The Last Lesson"

(i) What is the tone of the speaker in "I hardly knew how to write... how sorry I was for not learning my lessons"?
(A) Defiant
(B) Regretful
(C) Hopeless
(D) Indifferent

Answer: (B) Regretful.

(ii) The speaker refers to ‘seeking birds’ eggs’ and ‘sliding on the Saar’ as ________.
(A) Essential childhood learning experiences
(B) A way of making friends
(C) A source of distraction from learning
(D) An act of rebellion against school

Answer: (C) A source of distraction from learning.

(iii) How does the perception of books shift from being a ‘nuisance’ to ‘old friends’?
Answer: It reflects the speaker’s realization of the importance of education only when it is too late.

(iv) Fill in the blank:
"It was because they were sorry too…" They were sorry for

Answer: Not learning their language.

(v) What can be inferred from the phrase "the country that was theirs no more"?
Answer: It suggests the loss of their national identity as German occupation had taken away their freedom.

(vi) What does M. Hamel reflect about his own image as a teacher?
Answer: He regrets being too lenient with students and realizes that he should have been stricter in enforcing discipline and learning.

CBSE Class 12 English Answer Key 2025 SET-3

SECTION – A (READING SKILLS)

1. Passage-Based Questions

(i) How does the author prove in paragraph 1 that sense of humour is a double-edged sword?

Ans: The author explains that while humour can entertain people and bring joy, it can also be used to make snide comments and criticize others, making it a double-edged sword.

(ii) Cite evidence from the passage to prove that sense of humour is a valuable tool to make someone’s life better.

Ans: The passage states that humour can defuse tense and aggressive situations and help in managing alliances and friendships, showing that it improves social interactions and relationships.

(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to paragraph 3.

Ans: One significant advantage of humour is that it helps people release suppressed emotions and impulses, as Freud believed it to be an outlet for forbidden impulses.

(iv) Provide ONE textual evidence with reference to paragraph 5, how a good sense of humour can be a great icebreaker.

Ans: The passage mentions that at social gatherings, humour can be a device for connecting people who are operating on the same wavelength, making interactions smoother and more engaging.

(v) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank:

Ans: According to evolutionary psychologists, people with a sense of humour can lighten (trigger/lighten) tense situations.

(vi) Choose the correct option:

Ans:  By the phrase ‘same wavelength,’ the author refers to:
(C) people having similar interests and attitudes.

(vii) Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 6:

Ans: Advantage: Benefit :: Indignation : Anger
(C) Indignation

(viii) What does the phrase ‘arsenal of tools’ refer to?

Ans: It refers to the various ways humour can be used as a social skill, each serving a unique purpose.

(ix) Provide ONE textual evidence from the text which states that lack of sense of humour may prove to be a handicap in one’s life.

Ans: The passage states that “A person with an undeveloped sense of humour lacks a social skill that puts him or her at a severe disadvantage in the hurly-burly of everyday social life.”

(x) Choose the correct option which reaffirms the idea that humour is a social skill:

Ans: (A) Sense of humour elevates the status of a person in the social circle. 

2. Answer the questions based on the given passage:

(i) As per the survey, Indian youth is broadly focused on:

Answer:(D) Vocational diploma and public sector jobs.

(ii) With reference to paragraph 3, what is the latest trend among Indian youth in preparing themselves for the job market?

Answer:The latest trend among Indian youth is staying updated with technological adoption and digitization. About 86% of youth feel very or moderately up to date with changes in skill requirements. However, only 39% feel well-prepared for their ideal job, indicating a gap between awareness and actual readiness.

(iii) With reference to the table, state one reason for entrepreneurship being the last preference among Indian youth.

Answer: One reason for entrepreneurship being the least preferred (only 17%) is that youth prioritize job security and career advancement opportunities, which are more commonly found in public and private sector jobs rather than in entrepreneurial ventures, which involve high risks and uncertainties.

(iv) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that gender bias is still a hindrance in the progress of women in society.

Answer:

1. Women often face discrimination in workplaces, where they are not given equal pay or promotion opportunities as men.

2. Societal norms and cultural expectations place restrictions on women, limiting their access to education and career growth.

(v) Complete the following sentence suitably:

Answer: The driving force for the Indian youth to join a skill development programme is the need for employment and economic stability in a competitive job market.

(vi) Paragraph 5 uses words ‘competencies’ and ‘adoption’. Classify the sentences below accordingly.

1. Sentence - 1: Ria embraced new technology to gain a global market for her paintings. → Adoption

2. Sentence - 2: Ria displays her artistic skill through her paintings. → Competency

(vii) Cite two pieces of evidence from the text to show that Indian youth is adapting itself to the needs of the job market.

Answer:

1. Many young individuals are enrolling in vocational training programs to enhance their technical skills.

2. The youth is actively engaging in digital learning and entrepreneurship to create new job opportunities.

(viii) Choose the correct option:

The main roadblocks to employment opportunities for females are:

(i) lack of interest
(ii) marriage
(iii) lack of opportunities
(iv) overqualification
(v) family background

Correct answer: (C) (ii), (iii) & (v)