UP Board Class 12 English Question Paper 2026 (Set 316 BY) with Solutions

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

a) What kind of officer did the well-to-do man appoint?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

b) How did the officer treat the prisoners?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

c) What did he do when one of the prisoners had stolen something?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

d) How did his goodness influence the prisoners?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

e) i) Which word in the passage means 'rich'?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

e) ii) Which word in the passage is opposite to 'worse'?

A few years ago, a well-to-do man appointed an officer to look after the prisoners who worked in his fields. The officer was a man of good sense and sympathetic nature. He tried his best to manage the men by better means than fear. He gave them better food and paid them more for extra work. When a prisoner stole something, the officer called all the prisoners together and said, “There is a thief amongst you. Find him out yourselves and punish him as you like. I do not wish to punish him myself.” The prisoners realized that the officer was so good to them, he wanted that they should reform themselves. So they found out the thief and punished him. In this way, the prisoners gave up their evil habits and they became good citizens.

e) iii) Rewrite the underlined segment after replacing the word 'reform' with another similar meaning word. (Underlined: 'they should reform themselves')

Write an article on the following topic in about 100–150 words: 'Measures to eradicate dowry system.'

Write an article on the following topic in about 100–150 words: “Free woman's education in all Government and non-Government institutions.”

Write an article on the following topic in about 100–150 words: 'Strict measures to ensure free and fair elections.'

Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, complaining against raging contagious diseases in your locality.

Write an application to your Principal requesting him to grant you full fee concession, on the basis of poverty.

Which of the following underlined words is a synonym of 'obscene'?

• (A) Rahim is a decent man.
• (B) He is a man of high moral.
• (C) Many people avoid doing immoral deeds.
• (D) Shyam abstains himself from doing illegal activities.

Which of the following is a pair of antonyms?

• (A) Security — Safety
• (B) Summit — Top
• (C) Ability — Inability
• (D) Enough — Sufficient

The phrase 'come across' means:

• (A) to meet by chance
• (B) to meet daily
• (C) to meet frequently
• (D) to meet weekly

'What cannot be heard' is:

• (A) unspeakable
• (B) irritable
• (C) inaudible
• (D) unsuitable

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• (A) The board have decided to elect two new members.
• (B) The poor is unhappy.
• (C) More than one men were rewarded.
• (D) You are junior to me.

Change into indirect narration: ‘Shall I ever see my brother-in-law again?’ Ramu wondered.

Change into indirect narration: My father said to me, ‘Do not wash your hands here.’

Combine into a Simple sentence: Sheela is very weak in Physics. She cannot pass the examination.

Combine into a Complex sentence: Govind is too terrified to speak.

Transform into Passive Voice: Do not do this work.

Transform into an Interrogative sentence: Her glamour can never fade.

Correct the sentence: Ramesh is senior than me in service.

Correct the sentence: Dinu died from cholera.

Use the pair of words 'Berth — Birth' in your own sentences to make the difference in their meanings clear.

Use the pair of words 'Cheque — Check' in your own sentences to make the difference in their meanings clear.

Translate the following passage into English:
रात अंधेरी थी। घड़ी में बारह बज रहे थे। कुत्ते भी भौंक रहे थे। रामराज गहरी नींद में सो रहा था। मैं शोर-गुल सुनकर अकस्मात जाग उठा। रामराज को भी आवाज लगाई। हम दोनों ने देखा कि कुछ लोग एक ही दिशा में भाग रहे थे। कुछ देर में ज्ञात हुआ कि पड़ोस के मकान में आग लग गयी थी।

What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent and why? (from 'Indigo')

What had been put up on the bulletin board? (from 'The Third Level')

What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to Edla? (from 'The Rattrap')

What was the childhood incident that made Douglas afraid of water? (from 'Deep Water')

Answer in about 80 words: What are the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry? (from 'Lost Spring')

Answer in about 80 words: Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No.-2 in Gemini Studios? (from 'Poets and Pancakes')

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions:
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness, but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.

a) What does the poet feel about a thing of beauty?

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness, but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.

b) Why will a thing of beauty never pass into nothingness?

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness, but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.

c) Name the poet and the poem from which the above extract has been taken.

Write the central idea of the poem: 'Keeping Quiet' (Pablo Neruda)

Write the central idea of the poem: 'My Mother at Sixty-six' (Kamala Das)

Write the central idea of the poem: 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' (Adrienne Rich)

Why did the Chief General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier? (from 'The Enemy')

What did the Maharaja do to realise his ambition of killing hundred tigers? (from 'The Tiger King')

What qualities of Mr. Lamb attracted Derry to him? (from 'On the Face of It')

Why is Antarctica a place to visit to understand the earth's present, past and future? (from 'Journey to the End of the Earth')

Answer in about 80 words: How did Bama experience caste-based discrimination in her childhood? What did her elder brother Annan advise her to do to get rid of such discrimination? (from 'Memories of Childhood')

How does Charley react when he realises he cannot find the third level? (from 'The Third Level')