ISC Class 12 English Literature Guess Paper 2027
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A full practice paper on the official English Literature pattern, built from the most-likely questions by repetition analysis. Not an official or leaked paper.
ISC Class 12 English Literature — Guess Paper 2027
Time: 3 hours · Maximum marks: 80 · Practice paper
Section A - Q1 (i)-(iv) Macbeth MCQsSection A, Question 1 (i)-(iv): four 1-mark multiple-choice questions on Macbeth (Acts III-V). Write only one option.
Q1.1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth attempt to divert the attention of the guests from Macbeth's strange behaviour at the banquet?
(a) She uses her social grace and charm to distract the guests.
(b) She engages the guests in conversation and entertainment.
(c) She pretends that Macbeth has an illness that is momentary.
(d) She speaks of Macbeth's courage in troubled times.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Macbeth banquet scene: how Lady Macbeth covers up Macbeth's behaviour (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q2.1 mark
What is Macbeth's reaction when he sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet?
(a) He pretends to remain calm and collected.
(b) He is terrified and loses control over himself.
(c) He blames Ross and Lennox for playing tricks on him.
(d) He is proud and boastful.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Macbeth's reaction to Banquo's ghost (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q3.1 mark
What does Banquo's soliloquy in Act III Scene i of the play Macbeth, reveal about him?
(a) He is afraid of Macbeth.
(b) He is puzzled and confused.
(c) He is jealous of Macbeth and wishes to seize the throne.
(d) He is suspicious of Macbeth's actions.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → What Banquo's Act III Sc i soliloquy reveals about him (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q4.1 mark
In Act V of the play Macbeth, which one of the following do you think reflects the tragic arc of the play?
(P) Macbeth's soliloquy; "Out, out brief candle, Life's but a walking shadow."
(Q) Lady Macbeth's breakdown: "What's done cannot be undone."
(R) Macduff's greeting: "Hail, King of Scotland."
(S) Malcolm's final words: "So, thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone."
(a) (P) and (R)
(b) (P) and (Q)
(c) (R) and (S)
(d) (P) and (S)
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Lines from Act V that show the tragic arc of Macbeth (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section A - Q1 (v)-(vii) Prism MCQsSection A, Question 1 (v)-(vii): three 1-mark multiple-choice questions on the Prism short stories.
Q5.1 mark
Read the two statements from the short story, There Will Come Soft Rains, and choose the correct option from the ones given below.
Statement I: '...the solvent spread on the linoleum, licking, eating, under the kitchen door, while the voices took it up in chorus: "Fire! fire! fire!"'
Statement II: 'While scurrying water rats squeaked from the walls, pistolled their water, and ran for more. And the wall sprays let down showers of mechanical rain.'
(a) Statements I and II are similar.
(b) Statements I and II are not related to each other.
(c) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.
(d) Statement II is the reason for Statement I.
Why this question: There Will Come Soft Rains → There Will Come Soft Rains: MCQ on the fire that destroys the house at the end — appeared 2× Board 2026Sample 2025
Q6.1 mark
Read the two statements from the short story, The Cookie Lady and choose the correct option from the ones given below.
Statement I: "Why don't you read to me from your books? You know I don't see too well anymore and it's comfort to me to be read to."
Statement II: "You don't mind if I touch your arm, do you?"
(a) Statement I and II are similar.
(b) Statement I and II are not related to each other.
(c) Statement II is the reason for Statement I.
(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.
Why this question: The Cookie Lady → The Cookie Lady: relate two statements of Mrs. Drew (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q7.1 mark
Which of the following BEST captures the central idea of the short story, The Medicine Bag?
(a) Embracing one's cultural roots.
(b) Disrespect for the older generation.
(c) The fruits of modernisation.
(d) Peer pressure in adolescents.
Why this question: The Medicine Bag → Central idea of The Medicine Bag (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section A - Q1 (viii)-(x) Rhapsody MCQsSection A, Question 1 (viii)-(x): three 1-mark multiple-choice questions on the Rhapsody poems.
Q8.1 mark
In the poem Telephone Conversation, the potent metaphor "stench of rancid breath" is used to:
(a) evoke a strong sense of repulsion and disgust.
(b) describe bad odour in the telephone booth.
(c) create a toxic atmosphere.
(d) create a mental image of the lady with bad breath.
Why this question: Telephone Conversation → Effect of the metaphor 'stench of rancid breath' (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q9.1 mark
Why does Shane Koyczan begin the poem, Beethoven, with the word "Listen"?
(a) To highlight the fact that Beethoven was abused.
(b) To make the poem appealing and lend rhythm.
(c) To add novelty to the beginning.
(d) To align it with the theme of music.
Why this question: Beethoven → Why Beethoven opens with the word 'Listen' (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q10.1 mark
How is Death personified in the opening lines of the poem, Death be Not Proud?
(a) As a desperate man
(b) As a gentle agent of Fate
(c) As a mighty conqueror
(d) As a reaper of souls
Why this question: Death be not Proud → How Death is personified in the opening lines (MCQ) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section A - Q2 (i)-(iv) MacbethSection A, Question 2 (i)-(iv): complete the sentence by giving a reason in brief (1 mark each) - Macbeth.
Q11.1 mark
In Act IV Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, Malcolm tells Macduff that he has none of the "king becoming graces" because ______.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Macbeth Act IV Sc iii: why Malcolm suspects/tests Macduff (complete the reason) — appeared 2× Board 2025Board 2026
Q12.1 mark
Macbeth returns to the witches in Act IV Scene i because ______.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Why Macbeth returns to the witches in Act IV Sc i (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q13.1 mark
In Act V Scene viii of the play Macbeth, Macbeth initially refuses to fight Macduff because ______.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Why Macbeth at first refuses to fight Macduff (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q14.1 mark
In Act III Scene iv of the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth dismissed the guests at the banquet without standing on any ceremony because ______.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Why Lady Macbeth dismisses the banquet guests abruptly (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section A - Q2 (v)-(vii) PrismSection A, Question 2 (v)-(vii): complete the sentence by giving a reason in brief (1 mark each) - short stories.
Q15.1 mark
In the short story, The Cookie Lady, Bubber felt exhausted on his way back home after his meetings with Mrs. Drew because ______.
Why this question: The Cookie Lady → The Cookie Lady: why Mrs. Drew needs Bubber's visits - she drains his youth (complete the reason) — appeared 3× Board 2025Board 2026Sample 2025
Q16.1 mark
In the short story, Atithi, Motilal Babu is initially reluctant to marry his daughter to Tarapada because ______.
Why this question: Atithi / Guest → Atithi: Motilal Babu's plan to marry Charushashi to Tarapada (complete the reason) — appeared 2× Board 2025Sample 2025
Q17.1 mark
In the short story, Indigo, Aniruddha asked Sukhanram if there were ghosts in the bungalow because ______.
Why this question: Indigo → Why Aniruddha asks Sukhanram about ghosts in the bungalow (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section A - Q2 (viii)-(x) RhapsodySection A, Question 2 (viii)-(x): complete the sentence by giving a reason in brief (1 mark each) - poems.
Q18.1 mark
In the poem, Small Towns and the River, the poet says that 'The dead are placed pointing west' because ______.
Why this question: Small Towns and the River → Small Towns and the River: why the dead are placed pointing west (complete the reason) — appeared 2× Board 2026Sample 2025
Q19.1 mark
In the poem, Telephone Conversation, the speaker resented the landlady asking him about the colour of his skin because ______.
Why this question: Telephone Conversation → Why the speaker resents being asked about his skin colour (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q20.1 mark
Beethoven amputated the legs of his piano because ______.
Why this question: Beethoven → Why Beethoven cut the legs off his piano (complete the reason) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section B - Q3 MacbethSection B, Question 3 (Macbeth): (i) and (ii) 5 marks each, 100-150 words using the two given prompts; (iii) 10 marks, 200-250 words, internal choice (a) OR (b).
Q21.5 marks
How does Malcolm's character grow and change over the course of the play? Incorporate the following details and write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
(a) Malcolm's testing of Macduff in Act IV
(b) His generalship and the restoration of order through Macduff
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Malcolm's growth: testing Macduff and restoring order (5 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q22.5 marks
In what ways does power corrupt in the play Macbeth? Discuss any one character who is corrupted by power in the play.
Incorporate the following details and answer in 100-150 words.
(a) The character's traits before coming to power
(b) The character's degeneration after coming into power
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → How power corrupts in Macbeth - one character before and after power (5 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q23.10 marks
Do you agree with the view that Macbeth is fighting a lost battle against forces beyond his control? Justify your point of view in about 200-250 words by referring to the Acts studied.
Why this question: Macbeth (Acts III-V) → Is Macbeth fighting a lost battle against forces beyond his control? (10 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section B - Q4 PrismSection B, Question 4 (Prism short stories): (i) and (ii) 5 marks each, 100-150 words; (iii) 10 marks, 200-250 words, internal choice (a) OR (b).
Q24.5 marks
The Medicine Bag traces the narrator's attitude to his Sioux Grandfather, from mild embarrassment to appreciation. Summarise the reasons for this embarrassment and the change.
Write your answer in 100-150 words incorporating the following details.
(a) Reasons for embarrassment
(b) Specific reasons for the change in attitude
Why this question: The Medicine Bag → Martin's attitude to his Sioux Grandpa: from embarrassment to pride (5 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q25.5 marks
Referring closely to the short story, The Cookie Lady, explore Mrs. Drew's fascination with Bubber.
Answer in 100-150 words incorporating the following details.
(a) Mrs. Drew's repeated interactions with Bubber
(b) Role of the cookies in the short story
Why this question: The Cookie Lady → Mrs. Drew's fascination with Bubber and the role of the cookies (5 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q26.10 marks
Tarapada, the central character in the short story, Atithi, is a free soul who cannot be restrained by the bonds of society. Examine this statement in 200-250 words.
Why this question: Atithi / Guest → Tarapada as a free soul who cannot be bound by society (10 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Section B - Q5 RhapsodySection B, Question 5 (Rhapsody poems): (i) and (ii) 5 marks each, 100-150 words; (iii) 10 marks, 200-250 words, internal choice (a) OR (b).
Q27.5 marks
How does a boon become a curse for Tithonus in the poem, Tithonus?
Answer in 100-150 words incorporating the following details.
• Boon of immortality
• Implications of the boon on his life
Why this question: Tithonus → Tithonus: how the boon of immortality becomes a curse (5 marks) — appeared 2× Board 2026Sample 2025
Q28.5 marks
In what ways does the speaker's cultural background clash with the landlady's expectations in the poem Telephone Conversation?
Write your answer in 100-150 words incorporating the following details.
(a) The speaker's conversation with the landlady
(b) The undertones of racial and colour bias in the conversation
Why this question: Telephone Conversation → Clash between the speaker's background and the landlady's expectations; racial bias (5 marks) — appeared 1× Sample 2025
Q29.10 marks
The poem, Beethoven, illustrates Beethoven's determination and his ability to adapt himself to circumstances to create divine music.
Justify the statement with close references to the poem, in about 200-250 words.
Why this question: Beethoven → Beethoven: suffering, determination and the creation of great music (10 marks) — appeared 2× Board 2026Sample 2025