ASSEB Class 12 Alternative English Solved Question Paper 2026 [HS 2nd Year Alte. English Solved Question Paper 2026]

This post provides the complete solutions for the ASSEB Class 12 Alternative English Question Paper 2026. It is designed to help students as a reliable study guide and reference.

ASSEB (Erstwhile AHSEC) Class 12 Alternative English Solved Question Paper 2026 - HS 2nd Year Solution 

GROUP-A (Prose) Marks: 40

1. Give brief answers to any five of the following questions in full sentence: (1×5=5)

(a) What is the full name of the verger?
Answer: The verger’s full name is Albert Edward Foreman.

(b) At exactly what time did Rama use to arrive with his load of stuff?
Answer: Rama used to arrive at his spot at exactly 8:15 in the evening.

(c) In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith?
Answer: Rosemary was in Curzon Street when she encountered Miss Smith.

(d) Where does the younger son go to pursue medical studies?
Answer: The younger son goes to London to pursue his medical studies.

(e) How many chapatis could one get at Rama by paying an anna?
Answer: One could get four chapatis at Rama’s stall by paying an anna.

(f) At what age did the verger go into service?
Answer: The verger went into service at the age of twelve.

(g) What is the name of the magazine mentioned by Philip?
Answer: The name of the magazine mentioned by Philip is ‘The Gazette’.

(h) Who had inaugurated the Kanhikuchi Airport of Guwahati?
Answer: The Kanhikuchi Airport of Guwahati was inaugurated by Gopinath Bordoloi.

(i) Name two locations of Guwahati mentioned in “The Voyage”.
Answer: Two locations of Guwahati mentioned in “The Voyage” are Uzan Bazar and Latasil.

(j) Which letter of the alphabet resembled the shape of Bina Kutir?
Answer: The shape of Bina Kutir resembled the letter ‘L’ of the alphabet.

2. Answer any five of the following questions: (2×5=10)

(a) Name at least three journals/newspapers offered by the air hostess.
Answer: The air hostess offered journals and newspapers such as ‘The Times’, ‘The Daily Telegraph’, and ‘The Manchester Guardian’.

(b) How did the verger keep his gowns?
Answer: The verger looked after his gowns with great care, neatly folding them in brown paper and placing them in a drawer so they stayed well preserved.

(c) What did the verger feel about the old vicar?
Answer: The verger held the old vicar in high regard and was fond of him, considering him a gentleman who valued tradition and did not object to his lack of education.

(d) Describe, in brief, the food items sold by Rama.
Answer: Rama offered simple and popular dishes such as fresh chapatis, different types of curries like potato and brinjal, along with spicy chutneys, which were affordable and filling.

(e) How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?
Answer: Philip reacts with skepticism and slight annoyance. He views Rosemary’s act of bringing a stranger home as an eccentric whim and finds Miss Smith’s presence in their house inappropriate and “absurd.”

(f) Briefly describe Bina Kutir as the narrator looked at it for the first time.
Answer: When the narrator first saw Bina Kutir, it appeared as a dilapidated, old-fashioned house that stood in stark contrast to the modern buildings around it. It had a certain charm despite its neglected state, with its unique ‘L’ shape and overgrown garden.

(g) Give a brief description of the young man at the counter.
Answer: The young man at the counter was a student, likely in his early twenties, who was preparing for his examinations. He appeared studious and somewhat detached from the commercial nature of the shop, often seen with a book in his hand.

(h) What did Rama feel about the ‘young scraggy fellow’ the one who did business before Rama arrived?
Answer: Rama felt a sense of pity mixed with professional superiority toward the ‘young scraggy fellow’. He saw him as someone who lacked the business acumen and the quality of service that Rama himself provided to his customers.

(i) Write a short description of the little enamel box.
Answer: The little enamel box was an exquisite piece of craftsmanship that Rosemary saw in an antique shop. It was decorated with a delicate pattern of flowers and had a charming, old-world appeal that immediately captivated her.

(j) Give, after Bhupen Hazarika, a brief description of Djibouti.
Answer: Bhupen Hazarika describes Djibouti as a place with a harsh, arid landscape and a scorching sun. He notes the strategic importance of its port and the diverse mix of cultures and people he encountered there during his voyage.

3. Give answers to any two of the following questions: (3×2=6)

(a) How did the young man reply when the narrator asked him about a refrigerator?
Answer: When the narrator asked about a refrigerator, the young man replied with a touch of irony and pride. He explained that they didn’t need a refrigerator because they preferred fresh food and that the traditional methods of storage they used were more than adequate for their needs.

(b) Give a gist of the conversation between the verger and the vicar.
Answer: The conversation between the new vicar and the verger was a turning point. The vicar informed the verger that it had come to his attention that the verger was illiterate. He stated that for a prestigious church like St. Peter’s, it was necessary for the verger to be able to read and write, and gave him an ultimatum to learn or resign.

(c) Describe Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith.
Answer: Rosemary met Miss Smith on a cold, rainy evening in Curzon Street. Miss Smith, a poor and shivering girl, asked Rosemary for the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary, inspired by a sudden whim to be “adventurous” and “charitable,” decided to take the girl home to show her that “rich people had hearts.”

4. Answer any two of the following questions: (5×2=10)

(b) Do you agree that “The Martyr’s Corner” represents many aspects of Indian life? Write a reasoned answer.
Answer: Yes, The Martyr’s Corner by R.K. Narayan clearly reflects different aspects of Indian life. It shows the struggles of common people through Rama, a street vendor dependent on a small space for his earnings. The story also presents the uncertain nature of life, where events like riots can suddenly destroy livelihoods. It highlights the resilience and adaptability of people, as Rama manages to continue despite setbacks. Additionally, it portrays social structure and authority, seen in how officials deal with the situation and rename the place, affecting the living for symbolic reasons.

(c) Write an extended note on the portrayal of Rosemary Fell’s character.
Answer: Rosemary Fell is shown as a rich, stylish, and somewhat superficial woman. Though not very beautiful, she possesses a distinct charm and elegance. Her personality reflects vanity and a desire for attention, as seen when she brings Miss Smith home to appear kind and modern. However, her kindness is not genuine, but driven by curiosity and self-image. This becomes clear when she sends Miss Smith away after her husband, Philip, comments on the girl’s beauty. Her insecurity and jealousy overpower her compassion, revealing her actions to be self-centered. Katherine Mansfield uses her character to criticize the hypocrisy of the upper class and their distance from real hardships.

5. Explain, with reference to the context, any one of the following extracts: (5)

(a) “Well, sir that’s just it. I can’t. I know it sounds funny-like, but there it is, I can’t read or write, only me name, an’ I only learnt to do that when I went into business.”
Answer:
Context: These lines are from the short story The Verger by W. Somerset Maugham. They are spoken by Albert Edward Foreman, the church verger, to the new vicar of St. Peter’s Church.

Explanation: The vicar is surprised to learn that Albert cannot read or write and considers it unsuitable for his position. Albert replies calmly and respectfully, admitting his illiteracy without embarrassment. He points out that he has carried out his duties efficiently for many years despite this limitation. The passage reflects the contrast between formal education and practical ability. Albert’s later success in business shows that a person’s worth is not determined only by literacy, but also by skill, experience, and determination.

6. Vocabulary and Directed Grammar:

(a) Write the meaning of the words given below: (1/2×4=2)
(i) Dilapidated: In a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.
(ii) Mesmerising: Capturing one’s attention as if by magic; fascinating.
(iii) Fascinating: Extremely interesting or charming.
(iv) Assortment: A miscellaneous collection of things or people.

(b) Write the antonyms of the words given below: (1/2×2=1)
(i) Predecessor: Successor
(ii) Antique: Modern

(c) Write the synonyms of the words given below: (1/2×2=1)
(i) Infirm: Weak / Frail
(ii) Retched: Vomited / Heaved

GROUP-B (Poetry) Marks: 30

7. Answer any five of the following questions as directed in full sentences: (1×5=5)

(a) For how many hours did it rain?
Answer: It rained for ten hours in the poem “Night of the Scorpion.”

(b) How did the face of the statue lay in Ozymandias of Egypt?
Answer: The face of the statue lay half-sunk in the sand, shattered and with a “frown and wrinkled lip.”

(c) “We passed the school, where __ strove at recess-in the Ring-.”
Answer: “We passed the school, where children strove at recess-in the Ring-.”

(d) Who came like “swarm of flies”?
Answer: The peasants came like a “swarm of flies” to the mother’s house in “Night of the Scorpion.”

(e) What does the poet mean by ‘Chariot wheels’?
Answer: In the context of Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘Chariot wheels’ represent the passage of time and the inevitable journey toward death.

(f) Name the bird mentioned in “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”.
Answer: The bird mentioned in “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” is the linnet.

(g) ‘Alexander Selkirk enjoys being the monarch of the Island.’ Is it True or False?
Answer: False. While he is the “monarch of all I survey,” he is lonely and yearns for human society.

(h) What will the speaker plant at Innisfree?
Answer: The speaker will plant nine bean-rows at Innisfree.

8. Answer briefly any five of the following questions: (2×5=10)

(a) Who were the occupants of the ‘carriage’ in Because I could not stop for Death?
Answer: The occupants of the carriage were the speaker, Death (the driver), and Immortality.

(b) What, according to Alexander Selkirk, were ‘divinely bestow’d upon man’?
Answer: According to Alexander Selkirk, “society, friendship, and love” were divinely bestowed upon man.

(c) What did the peasants say about the mother’s previous and next births?
Answer: The peasants believed that the mother’s suffering from the scorpion’s sting would burn away the sins of her previous birth and diminish the misfortunes of her next birth.

(d) What does the poet mean by the expression ‘peace comes dropping slow’?
Answer: The expression ‘peace comes dropping slow’ suggests that peace is not something that happens suddenly; it is a gradual process that comes from the quiet and natural surroundings of Innisfree, like the morning mist or the sound of crickets.

(e) How did the speaker understand that the sculptor read well the passions of the king?
Answer: The speaker understood this because the sculptor had perfectly captured the king’s “frown,” “wrinkled lip,” and “sneer of cold command” on the lifeless stone, which survived even after the king himself had perished.

(f) How does the speaker understand that he is in hell?
Answer: In Wilfred Owen’s “Strange Meeting,” the speaker realizes he is in hell when he encounters a “strange friend” who smiles with a “dead smile” and recognizes the “sullen hall” and the “pity of war” that they both shared.

(g) How do the beasts react to the presence of Alexander Selkirk on the Island?
Answer: The beasts on the island are “unacquainted with man” and therefore do not fear Selkirk. Their “tameness” is shocking to him, as they treat him with indifference rather than the respect or fear he would expect as their “monarch.”

(h) Which figure of speech, based on sound, does Dickinson employ in her poem? Give one example.
Answer: Dickinson employs alliteration in her poem. An example is “Setting Sun” or “Gazing Grain,” where the repetition of the initial consonant sounds creates a rhythmic and musical effect.

9. Answer any two of the following questions: (3×2=6)

(a) In her poem, Dickinson has used capital letters to begin a number of words, which are otherwise written with small letters. Write an explanation for this use.
Answer: Emily Dickinson used capitalization to emphasize certain words and to give them a sense of personification or universal importance. By capitalizing words like “Death,” “Carriage,” “School,” and “Sun,” she elevates these common nouns to the status of proper nouns, highlighting their significance in the speaker’s journey and the themes of the poem.

(b) Discuss the significance of the Lake Isle of Innisfree in the speaker’s life.
Answer: Innisfree represents a sanctuary of peace and tranquility for the speaker, who is weary of the “pavements grey” of city life. It is a place where he can connect with nature and find spiritual solace. The memory of Innisfree is so deeply embedded in his “heart’s core” that it provides him with a sense of calm even when he is physically far away from it.

(c) Write, in short, about the emotional state of Selkirk.
Answer: Alexander Selkirk’s emotional state is one of profound loneliness and despair. Despite being the “monarch” of the island, he feels isolated from human society and the comforts of civilization. He yearns for the “sound of the church-going bell” and the company of other people, feeling that his solitude is a form of punishment rather than a blessing.

10. Answer any one of the following questions: (5)

(b) Strange Meeting is a classic war poem that captures the hollowness and futility of war. Justify this statement.
Answer: Wilfred Owen’s “Strange Meeting” is a powerful indictment of war. The poem describes an encounter between two dead soldiers from opposing sides in a hellish underworld. The “strange friend” whom the speaker meets is the very man he killed in battle. Their conversation reveals the futility of their sacrifice, as the “pity of war” has only led to destruction and the loss of “the undone years.” The poem highlights the hollowness of nationalistic glory, showing that in death, the soldiers are united by their shared suffering and the realization that their enmity was meaningless. The final line, “Let us sleep now,” emphasizes the tragic end of their lives and the ultimate waste of human potential caused by war.

11. Vocabulary:

(a) Write the meaning of the words given below: (1/2×4=2)
(i) Visage: The appearance or expression of a person’s face.
(ii) Scarcely: Barely or hardly; almost not.
(iii) Trek: A long and difficult journey, usually on foot.
(iv) Swarm: A large group of insects or people gathered or moving together.

(b) Write the antonyms of the following words: (1/2×2=1)
(i) Colossal: Tiny / Minute
(ii) Loud: Quiet / Soft

(c) Give synonyms of the following words: (1/2×2=1)
(i) Titanic: Gigantic / Huge
(ii) Recess: Break / Intermission

GROUP-C (Grammar) Marks: 10

12. Add question tag to any five of the following sentences: (1×5=5)

(a) Let’s have dinner, shall we?
(b) The dress isn’t too expensive, is it?
(c) Open the window, will you? / won’t you?
(d) The boys could swim, couldn’t they?
(e) He rarely visits his parents, does he?
(f) Few people went to the show, did they?
(g) Use your common sense, can’t you? / will you?
(h) Everyone praised the artwork, didn’t they?

13. Correct the errors in any five of the following sentences and rewrite them: (1×5=5)

(a) One of the men was killed in the stampede.
(b) I prefer badminton to tennis.
(c) My uncle is an MA in Sanskrit.
(d) King Ashoka was a courageous man.
(e) Mr. Das, as well as his wife, was invited.
(f) My brother is smarter than I.
(g) I have known him for three months.
(h) The Jury was supposed to pronounce the verdict today.

GROUP-D (Writing and Comprehension) Marks: 20

14. Choose any one of the topics listed below and write an essay on it: (10)

Topic: (c) India’s North-East as a tourism destination

Answer: India’s North-East is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the country. Comprising eight states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—it is often called the “Paradise of India” due to its scenic landscapes and unique traditions.

The region is known for its natural beauty, including lush green hills, dense forests, waterfalls, and mighty rivers like the Brahmaputra. Places such as Kaziranga National Park, famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, and the living root bridges of Meghalaya attract tourists from all over the world. Snow-capped mountains in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim further enhance its charm.

Another important aspect is its rich cultural diversity. Each state has its own language, customs, festivals, and traditional attire. Festivals like Bihu in Assam, Hornbill in Nagaland, and Wangala in Meghalaya showcase the vibrant lifestyle of the people and attract cultural tourism.

The North-East is also a hub for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. Activities such as trekking, river rafting, wildlife safaris, and camping are popular among tourists. The region’s unspoiled environment makes it ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Moreover, the people of the North-East are known for their hospitality and simplicity, which makes the travel experience more pleasant. Handicrafts, handloom products, and local cuisines also add to the uniqueness of the region.

However, despite its vast potential, tourism in the North-East faces challenges like poor connectivity, lack of infrastructure, and limited awareness. With proper development and promotion, the region can become one of India’s top tourist destinations.

In conclusion, India’s North-East offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure, making it a highly attractive and promising tourism destination.

15. Read the following conversation carefully and answer the questions:

(a) What does the son discuss with Baruah Sir?
Answer: The son discusses all the possibilities for his future plans and career options with his tutor, Baruah Sir.

(b) Which course does the son want to study?
Answer: The son wants to study Artificial Intelligence (AI).

(c) What does the father suggest to his son?
Answer: The father suggests that while he understands the son’s interest in B.Tech, there are other options available in various fields that the son should consider.

(d) Which branch(es) is/are loved by the son?
Answer: The son loved the core branches, especially Civil and Mechanical engineering.

(e) What is the mother’s immediate reaction to the mention of AI?
Answer: The mother’s immediate reaction is that she has heard about AI, but mostly negative things.

(f) What are the son’s views about AI? (3)
Answer: The son views AI as something “new and pretty exciting.” He believes it is the “future” and that it will “completely revolutionise our lives in unthinkable ways.” He also notes that the impacts are already visible and that many countries are taking it very seriously.

(g) Which words from the conversational passage mean the following: (1/2×2=1)
(i) Effect: Impacts
(ii) Choice: Possibilities / Options