12th English – Important Questions (Unit 1 & Unit 2) and 25-Mark Model Question Paper – First Midterm 2026

Class 12 English | Tamil Nadu State Board | Academic Year 2026–2027
Prepared for KALVI MINI Tuition (KALVIMINI.org)

Introduction

In this post, I have collected the important questions from Unit 1 and Unit 2 of 12th English, along with a 25-mark model question paper for the First Midterm Examination 2026. These questions are carefully chosen to help students revise prose, poetry and language components in a focused way.

This set is especially useful for KALVI MINI students who want a clear idea of the type of questions that can be asked in the exam and how to prepare for them. Teachers can also use this as a ready reference for classroom tests and revision.

Important Questions: Unit 1 & Unit 2

I. Two-Mark Questions (Short Q&A)

Prose: Two Gentlemen of Verona & A Nice Cup of Tea

Why did Luigi, the driver, disapprove of the two boys?
Luigi thought their appearance was “shabby” and that the narrator could get better fruit in Verona.
What were the various jobs undertaken by Nicola and Jacopo?
They shined shoes, sold wild strawberries, hawked newspapers, conducted tourists, and ran errands.
Why did the boys spend very little money on themselves?
They were saving money to pay for their sister Lucia’s treatment for tuberculosis of the spine.
Mention the countries in which George Orwell says tea is a “mainstay of civilization.”
Great Britain, Eire, Australia and New Zealand.
Why does Orwell insist that tea should be put straight into the pot without filters or bags?
He believes that if the tea is not loose in the pot, it never “infuses properly”.

Poetry: The Castle & Our Casuarina Tree

Who was the real enemy of the soldiers in “The Castle”?
The real enemy was “gold”, which was used to bribe the warder.
What was the “shameful tale” the narrator mentions in “The Castle”?
It is the story of how the formidable citadel was overthrown due to the betrayal of a greedy warder.
Why is the Casuarina tree dear to the poet’s soul?
It is not just for its looks, but because she played beneath it with her “sweet companions” who are now dead.
What is the “eerie speech” or “lament” the poet hears?
She perceives nature as communicating the tree’s own sadness or memories of the past.

II. Paragraph Questions (100–150 Words)

Unit 1 – Prose: Describe the character of Nicola and Jacopo as “Two Gentlemen of Verona”.
(You may focus on their maturity, devotion and selfless sacrifice for their sister.)
Unit 2 – Prose: Summarise George Orwell’s “golden rules” for making the perfect cup of tea.
(You can include points like using Indian tea, the choice of teapot material, and drinking it without sugar.)
Unit 2 – Poem: Elucidate how the Casuarina tree serves as a link between the poet’s past and present.

25-Mark Model Question Paper – First Midterm 2026

Class: 12th Standard | Subject: English | Time: 45 Mins | Marks: 25

Section A: MCQs & Grammar (10 Marks)

Choose the correct Synonyms for the underlined words (2 × 1 = 2)

Luigi shrugged his shoulders to convey his disapproval.
a) acceptance b) refusal to accept c) agreement d) praise
The soldiers were confident of their physical strength.
a) sure b) afraid c) worried d) doubtful

Choose the correct Antonyms for the underlined words (2 × 1 = 2)

They were childish and quite artless.
a) innocent b) simple c) cunning d) guileless
One does not feel more optimistic after drinking China tea.
a) positive b) pessimistic c) hopeful d) cheerful

Grammar – Transformation (6 × 1 = 6)

Change to Passive Voice: The Governor inaugurated the exhibition.
Answer: The exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor.
Change to Active Voice: By whom were you interviewed?
Answer: Who interviewed you?
Change to Reported Speech: Satya said, “I have completed my work.”
Answer: Satya said that she had completed her work.
Change to Reported Speech: The pilot said to the passengers, “The plane will land in Delhi at 9 p.m.”
Answer: The pilot informed the passengers that the plane would land in Delhi at 9 p.m.
Fill in with a Modal Auxiliary (moral obligation):
You _________ help the needy.
Answer: ought to / should.
Rewrite using “If”: Unless you go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight.
Answer: If you do not go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight.

Section B: Short Answer Questions (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)

Answer any THREE of the following:

What was the bad dream Aksionov’s wife had?
She dreamt that he returned with hair that had turned quite grey.
Why should tea be made in small quantities according to Orwell?
Tea made in large cauldrons tastes of grease and whitewash; small quantities in a teapot taste better.
How safe was the castle in Edwin Muir’s poem?
The gates were strong, the walls were thick, smooth and high, and it seemed no man could win a foothold.
Who is the “Midnight Visitor”? What was he carrying?
Max was the visitor, and he was carrying a small automatic pistol.

Section C: Paragraph Question (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)

Answer any ONE of the following:

(a) Justify the title of the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”
OR
(b) Describe the reminiscences of the poet when she sees the Casuarina tree.

Section D: Appreciation Questions / ERC (2 × 2 = 4 Marks)

“Our only enemy was gold,
And we had no arms to fight it with.”
a) Who is the real enemy mentioned here?
Gold / Bribery.
b) Why did they have no arms to fight it?
One cannot fight greed or betrayal with physical weapons.
“A gray baboon sits statue-like alone
Watching the sunrise...”
a) Where does the baboon sit?
On the crest of the Casuarina tree.
b) What is the figure of speech used?
Simile – “statue-like”.

KALVI MINI.

KALVI MINI

12th English Important Questions Unit 1 & Unit 2 with First Midterm Model Question Paper 2026 – KALVI MINI