NEB Class 12 Compulsory English Question Paper 2081 (Set A) Nepal

a. Gold was found in California in 1848. b. They would use the Pony Express to send/get news (and newspapers) to and from their family. c. 'They' refers to the Pony Express riders. d. The author refers to Native Americans to show that attacks by them were common, making the ride rough and dangerous for the riders. e. We can conclude that although the Pony Express did not last long (it closed once the telegraph line was finished), the lore/legacy of its brave riders still lives on today.

a) How did the visitors irritate the old man? (A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings)

The curious crowds that gathered to see the old man treated him without any respect or pity. They threw stones to make him stand up, plucked his feathers to keep as relics, and even branded him with a hot iron used for marking steers. When he reacted in pain, they thought he was waking up. This cruel, careless treatment by the visitors deeply irritated and exhausted the helpless old man.

b) What were the children doing during the sunset? (A Day)

In Emily Dickinson's poem, the speaker describes the sunset as a child too. As the sun set, the children were no longer playing freely; the imagery suggests they were being gently led away and put to rest, like 'a Dominie in Gray' guiding 'the little Yellow boys and girls' home. The children, like the fading light, were quietly withdrawing from the scene as evening fell.

OR

Why did the old guards grow desperate? (I was My Own Route)

The old guards represent the conservative, patriarchal forces of society who wanted to keep women bound to traditional roles. They grew desperate because the speaker refused to follow the route others had drawn for her. By forging her own path, asserting her independence, and rejecting the expectations imposed on her, she defied their authority. Their desperation reflects their failure to control her free spirit.

c) State the relationship between the father and the children. (Facing Death)

The relationship between Durant (the father) and his children is strained and bitter. Although they are bound by blood, there is little warmth or understanding between them. Durant, a failure who blames society and his family for his ruin, feels neglected and unloved, while the children see him as irresponsible and selfish. The bond is marked by conflict, resentment and emotional distance rather than affection.

d) Why does the essayist call readers to puncture the hot-air balloons inflated by their own tribes? (Humility)

The essayist urges this because each group or 'tribe' tends to inflate its own importance with pride, prejudice and a false sense of superiority. These 'hot-air balloons' represent arrogance and blind loyalty that divide people. By puncturing the pride of one's own group rather than others', a person practises genuine humility, recognises shared human weakness, and helps build tolerance and mutual respect across communities.

OR

Why is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights important to you? (Human Rights and the Age of Inequality)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is important because it guarantees every person, regardless of caste, class, gender or nationality, certain basic and inalienable rights such as equality, freedom, dignity and justice. In an age of growing inequality, it serves as a moral and legal standard protecting the weak from exploitation. For me, it ensures my dignity and reminds me to respect the rights of others.

e) What should the treasure hunters have done to succeed? (Treasure in the Forest)

In my opinion, the treasure hunters, Evans and Hooker, should have shown honesty, patience and mutual trust instead of greed and treachery. Had they not murdered the Chinaman and tried to cheat each other, they might have read the map's warning carefully and avoided the poisoned thorns. Cooperation, caution and fairness, rather than selfish greed, would have helped them succeed safely in their venture.

a) Does the expression indicate a possible conflict in Gouvernail's mind? (A Respectable Woman)

Yes, the line strongly suggests an inner conflict. Gouvernail, sitting beside Mrs. Baroda in the dark, was sensitive enough to perceive the unspoken attraction between them. His 'apostrophe to the night'—his soft, half-poetic murmuring—reveals a romantic, restless mood. By the time Mrs. Baroda almost yields to her impulse and then withdraws, Gouvernail has already 'lighted a fresh cigar and ended his apostrophe,' as if consciously controlling and ending his own emotional indulgence. This shift signals that he too struggled between desire and propriety, choosing restraint and discretion. Like Mrs. Baroda, he recognised the danger of crossing the line between friendship and passion in a respectable household. The expression therefore mirrors the central tension of the story—the conflict between socially-approved respectability and natural human feeling—showing that both characters were quietly fighting an inward battle that they ultimately chose to suppress out of decorum.

OR

Explain the social satire in 'The Bull' with reference to the King's pet getting extra care while people are neglected.

Tara Nath Sharma's play The Bull is a sharp social satire on the absurdity and injustice of autocratic rule. When the king's favourite bull falls ill, the entire courtier class panics and devotes all its attention, resources and anxiety to the animal, fearing the king's anger. Officials rush to nurse the bull, hold discussions, and treat its sickness as a national crisis. Meanwhile, the suffering of ordinary people goes completely ignored. This contrast exposes a corrupt feudal society in which the rulers' whims and pets matter more than the lives and welfare of citizens. The flatterers and bureaucrats serve power blindly, valuing the king's pleasure over public good. Through humour and irony, Sharma criticises sycophancy, misplaced priorities and the dehumanising hierarchy of an oppressive system, where a privileged animal receives royal care while common people are neglected, voiceless and powerless.

b) Evaluate the lesson Lu Xun learnt from his latest visit to his old home. (My Old Home)

Lu Xun's return to his old home, which he is leaving forever, becomes a painful lesson in the cruelty of time, poverty and social class. He had cherished bright childhood memories, especially of his friend Runtu, who was once lively, brave and full of wonder. But on meeting Runtu again, Lu Xun is shocked to find him aged, broken and humbled by years of hardship. Most painful of all, Runtu addresses him as 'Master', erecting a wall of class distance where there had once been innocent equality and friendship. From this, Lu Xun learns how feudal society, poverty and rigid hierarchy crush human warmth and turn free spirits into dull, submissive beings. Yet the visit also teaches him hope: as he watches his nephew Honger befriend Runtu's son Shuisheng, he longs for a new generation to live differently. He concludes that 'hope is like a road'—it exists only when people walk it together, working to build a better, more equal life.

Summary of the bar chart: percentage of women going into higher education (1980 vs 2015)

The bar chart compares the percentage of women entering higher education in five countries—the UK, the USA, Australia, South Korea and France—in the years 1980 and 2015.

Overall, the proportion of women in higher education rose markedly in every country over the 35-year period, reflecting a worldwide trend towards greater female participation in education.

In 1980, the figures were comparatively low. Australia had the highest share at roughly 55%, while South Korea recorded the lowest at about 22%. The UK, the USA and France stood in between, at approximately 35–40%.

By 2015, all five countries showed substantial increases. The most dramatic rise occurred in South Korea, which climbed from the lowest position to one of the highest, overtaking several Western nations. The UK, USA, Australia and France also experienced steady growth, with most countries approaching or exceeding 60%.

In conclusion, women's access to higher education expanded significantly across all five nations, with South Korea making the most striking progress.

Note: exact percentages are estimated from the scanned chart; figures should be read directly from the original where available.

Manjit Sharma

Literacy Club

Shanti Higher Secondary School

Butwal, Rupandehi

5 June, 2024

The Editor

The Himalayan Times

Kathmandu

Subject: Adult illiteracy in our slums and villages

Sir/Madam,

I am writing, on behalf of our school literacy club, to draw the attention of the authorities and the public to the alarming problem of adult illiteracy in slums and remote villages.

The causes of this problem are many. Widespread poverty forces adults to work from an early age, leaving no time or money for schooling. Lack of nearby schools, social discrimination against women, early marriage, and the absence of effective literacy programmes worsen the situation.

The consequences are equally serious. Illiterate adults cannot read essential information, are easily cheated, and remain trapped in poverty and unemployment. They struggle to support their children's education, allowing the cycle of ignorance to continue, which ultimately hinders national development.

Therefore, I urge the government and concerned organisations to launch free adult-literacy classes, awareness campaigns and night schools. Publishing this letter would help spread awareness about this urgent issue.

Yours faithfully,

Manjit Sharma

Coordinator, Literacy Club

Group Activities and Individual Activities: A Balanced Childhood

How children spend their free time is an important question for parents. Some believe children should be encouraged to take part in organised group activities, while others feel children should be free to enjoy the pursuits they like on their own. In my opinion, both kinds of activity are valuable, and a healthy balance between them is the ideal approach.

Organised group activities—such as team sports, clubs, music groups and scouting—offer significant benefits. They teach children essential social skills like cooperation, communication and leadership. By working towards a shared goal, children learn discipline, teamwork and respect for rules. Such activities also help them make friends, build confidence and develop a sense of belonging. For example, a child who plays football learns not only fitness but also how to support teammates and accept both victory and defeat gracefully.

On the other hand, individual activities are equally important. When children pursue hobbies they personally enjoy—reading, drawing, gardening or solo sports—they develop independence, creativity and self-motivation. They learn to manage their own time, discover their unique talents, and enjoy peaceful, reflective moments away from competition and group pressure. Such freedom nurtures imagination and a strong sense of identity.

Forcing children into only one type of activity can be harmful. Too many organised activities may leave a child stressed and exhausted, while complete isolation may weaken social skills.

In conclusion, I believe children benefit most from a combination of both. Parents should encourage group activities to build social competence while also respecting their children's individual interests. A balanced mix allows children to grow into well-rounded, confident and socially capable individuals.

The adjective is easy (it describes the assignment).

The incorrectly written verb form is practise. As a verb the British spelling 'practise' is actually correct; however, in this sentence the intended noun/American usage is practice. The most likely intended answer: change practise to practice.

Note: this item is ambiguous in the scan; review recommended.

She left the clothes out although it was raining. (Or: She left the clothes out even though it was raining.)

There is someone at the door who wants to speak to George.

She wondered whether/if I had seen that film.

(iii) price — 'eyes', 'rise' and 'dies' end in the /z/ sound, while 'price' ends in /s/.

(ii) foreign

(i) cease — 'cease' means to stop.

(ii) minimize — alphabetically, minimize falls between minimum and minister (mini-mi... before mini-s...).

(iii) scored high grades. — 'passed with flying colours' means to pass with very high marks.