Unseen Passage for Class 12 CBSE With Answers

Unseen passages are one of the most critical components of class 12 English exams. They may sound tough initially, but they are a great way to score high marks if you know how to approach them. These passages test how quickly and accurately you can understand and answer questions based on a new text. Whether it is a story, a factual passage, or a discussion on an important topic, the aim is to see how well you can analyse and interpret on the spot.

In your board exams, unseen passages help test your reading skills and build your ability to think critically. In this blog, we will discuss what an unseen passage for class 12 is, how to tackle it, and even look at some sample passages to prepare you for the exam.

What is an Unseen Passage?

An unseen passage is exactly what it sounds like – a piece of text you have never read. In your class 12 English board exam, you will be given a passage (either fiction, non-fiction, or poetry) and asked questions based on it. The aim is to test your ability to comprehend the passage, understand its message, and answer questions accurately.

A large part of doing well in this section is to practise with different types of passages regularly. This helps you understand what kind of pattern you should follow and improves your ability to spot key points quickly. One smarter way to begin is by practising unseen passages for class 12 that come with answers.

Using Oswal Publishers class 12 sample papers and previous year’s question papers is a great way to prepare. These resources give you ample English unseen passages to practise with. The answers provided often come with clear explanations, helping you understand why a particular answer is correct. By learning from your mistakes and improving step by step, you will build strong comprehension skills and feel more confident on exam day!

Types of Unseen Passages

There are different types of unseen passages for class 12 that you might encounter:

• Factual passage: These passages provide information based on real events, studies, or reports. They are often informative and focus on conveying knowledge.
  Example: A passage about global warming explaining its causes and effects.

• Literary passage: These are based on works of fiction or poetry. They require an understanding of themes, emotions, and storytelling.
  Example: A short story about friendship or an excerpt from a famous novel.

• Discursive passage: These passages are meant to provoke thought and often discuss arguments or opinions on a particular topic.
  Example: A passage discussing whether mobile phones are helpful or harmful in schools.

Importance of Unseen Passages in Class 12 Exam

Unseen passages test more than just reading comprehension—they assess how well you understand, interpret, and respond to new information. Here are some other reasons why they are important:

• Quick marks opportunity: With practice, unseen passages can become an easy way to score well.

• Test reading skills: It checks how fast and accurately you understand new texts.

• Improves vocabulary: You often come across new words, which help expand your vocabulary.

• Develop critical thinking: Some passages make you analyse opinions and arguments, sharpening your thinking.

• Prepares you for real-life reading: It builds skills for understanding newspapers, articles, and other texts beyond school.

Tips for Solving Unseen Passages in English for Class 12

It might feel a bit daunting to tackle an unseen passage in an exam setting, but with a few tips, you can boost your confidence:

1. Read the passage first: Start by reading the passage fully. Do not rush through it. Try to understand the main idea and get a sense of the tone.

2. Read the questions carefully: After reading the passage, check the questions. This will give you a better idea of what to look for in the text.

3. Highlight important points: While reading the passage again, highlight key points, facts, and any important arguments. This will make it easier to refer back when answering questions.

4. Time management: Keep an eye on the clock. Allocate enough time for both reading the passage and answering the questions without getting stuck on one question for too long.

5. Don’t overthink: Do not try to look for hidden meanings in every word. Stick to the information provided and keep your answers relevant to the passage.

Sample Unseen Passages for Class 12

Here are a couple of sample unseen passages for class 12 to help you practice. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:

Passage 1: The Clever Merchant

Once, in a small town, there lived a clever merchant known for his sharp mind. One day, a thief decided to steal from him. The merchant had a habit of checking his accounts every night, so the thief had to be careful. As the thief sneaked into the merchant’s house, he heard the merchant mutter, “If I find even a single coin missing, I’ll alert the guards.”

The thief froze but noticed a clever solution. He took only half of a gold coin, thinking the merchant would not realise it. The next morning, the merchant checked his accounts and noticed the missing half-coin. He immediately called the guards, saying, “I am missing half a gold coin, and that tells me someone will come back for the other half!” The guards waited, and by evening, the thief was caught returning for the rest of the coin.

Questions:

1. What did the thief take from the merchant?
   a) A silver coin
   b) Half a gold coin
   c) A bag of coins
   d) A necklace

Answer: b) Half a gold coin

2. Why did the thief take only half a coin?
   a) He thought the merchant would not notice.
   b) He did not find anything else valuable.
   c) He wanted to play a trick on the guards.
   d) He wanted to test the merchant’s honesty.

Answer: a) He thought the merchant would not notice.

3. What does the word “mutter” mean in the context of the story?
   a) Shout loudly
   b) Whisper softly
   c) Speak unclearly
   d) Sing quietly

Answer: c) Speak unclearly

4. What quality of the merchant helped him catch the thief?
   a) His generosity
   b) His sharp mind
   c) His kindness
   d) His bravery

Answer: b) His sharp mind

5. Find a word in the passage that means ‘sneak’.
   Answer: Creep

Passage 2: The Determined Athlete

Priya was a young athlete preparing for an important race. She trained hard every day, waking up at 5 a.m. to run and work on her fitness. But two weeks before the event, she injured her ankle during practice. The doctor advised her to rest, saying she might not recover in time. However, Priya was determined not to give up. She focused on physiotherapy exercises and kept visualising her win.

On the day of the race, though her ankle was not fully healed, Priya gave it her all. She did not win first place but finished third, earning respect from everyone for her dedication and spirit.

Questions

1. Why was Priya advised to rest?
   a) She was feeling tired.
   b) She injured her ankle.
   c) She lost motivation.
   d) She had completed her training.

Answer: b) She injured her ankle.

2. What did Priya do to stay positive?
   a) She quit practising.
   b) She focused on physiotherapy and visualised winning.
   c) She cancelled her participation in the race.
   d) She took a long break from training.
   

Answer: b) She focused on physiotherapy and visualised winning.

3. What does the word “visualise” mean in the context of the passage?
   a) To imagine something in the mind
   b) To ignore a situation
   c) To record something
   d) To make a list

Answer: a) To imagine something in the mind

4. How did Priya perform in the race?
   a) She did not participate.
   b) She came in first.
   c) She finished third.
   d) She could not finish the race.

Answer: c) She finished third.

5. Find a word in the passage that means ‘persistence’.
   Answer: Determination

Unseen Passages Answering Techniques for Class 12

Now, let us talk about how to approach different types of unseen passages for class 12 CBSE:

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

For MCQs, your goal is to choose the most accurate option. Do not overthink it. Base your answers on the passage. Revisit the relevant part of the passage if needed.

Short Answer Questions

For short answers, you need to give direct and concise responses. Always refer to the passage but rephrase it and provide evidence from it in your answer.

Long/ Detailed Answers

For detailed answers, structure your response properly. Start with an introduction, explain your point, and support it with quotes or examples from the passage. Make sure to stay focused and relevant to the question.

Whenever possible, back up your answers with quotes, references and evidences from the passage. This not only strengthens your answer but also shows that you have read and understood the passage well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Solving Unseen Passages

It is easy to make mistakes when you are nervous about an exam. Here are some things to watch out for while answering class 12 unseen passage:

• Skipping the passage: Some students jump straight to the questions without reading the passage properly. This is a huge mistake. Always read the passage carefully first.

• Not answering in context: Your answers should be based on the passage, not your own opinions or general knowledge.

• Ignoring keywords: Keywords in the questions can guide you towards the right section of the passage. Ignoring them might cause you to miss important details.

• Over-analysing: Keep your answers straightforward. Over-analysing can lead to irrelevant points and wasted time.

• Not managing time well: Spend too much time on one question, and you might run out of time for the others.

Conclusion

Unseen passage for class 12 English exams may seem intimidating at first, but they are not tough to crack. With the right approach, you can ace this section of the exam. Always remember to read the passage carefully, understand the questions, and refer back to the passage when answering. Practice makes perfect, so go through as many unseen passages as you can to sharpen your skills.

FAQs