Series : MNL2K SET~1
Q.P. Code 2/2/1
Candidates must write the Q.P. Code
Roll No. on the title page of the answer-book.
*212F4*
ENGLISH
(Language and Literature)
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 80
NOTE :
(I) Please check that this question paper contains 19 printed pages.
(II) Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title
page of the answer-book by the candidate.
(III) Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.
(IV) Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the answer-book at the
given place before attempting it.
(V) 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the candidates will read the
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period.
General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
(i) This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper contains three sections :
Section A – Reading Skills
Section B – Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C – Literature
(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
2/2/1 [ ] 1 P.T.O.
, SECTION A
Reading Skills 20 marks
1. Read the following passage carefully : 10
(1) In the fast-evolving landscape of the present age, digital saturation
and algorithmically curated lives, the phenomenon of FOMO — the
Fear of Missing Out — has progressed from a fleeting psychological
discomfort into a pervasive cultural condition. Initially, the term was
coined to describe the anxiety provoked by the perception that others
are participating in rewarding experiences from which one is absent.
FOMO now pervades virtually in every dimension of contemporary
existence, fuelled largely by the continuous updates of edited content
on social media platforms. Significantly, it is the anxiety that others
are experiencing something more fulfilling, exciting, or meaningful.
(2) The roots of FOMO lie in the interplay between the evolutionary
instincts of an individual and modern technology. It may be traced
as a fundamental human trait — the innate desire to belong. Man —
being a social creature naturally, always tries to seek inclusion and
belonging as a means of survival. Albeit, nowadays social media has
escalated this instinct by bothering individuals with real-time
updates of others’ lives — carefully edited vacations, career
milestones or even temporal joys framed as extraordinary. Each
notification becomes a reminder of what we are not doing, a mirror
reflecting our perceived inadequacies.
(3) FOMO is not solely a personal affliction; it is a cultural artifact also,
shaped by the values of a society that equates busyness with worth
and novelty with happiness. Moreover, consumerism fuels this fire
with brands exploiting FOMO through limited time offers, exclusive
events, and influencer-driven trends that promise belonging or
status. The rise of the ‘experience economy’, where memories and
moments are commodified, intensifies the pressure to participate in
everything from music festivals to viral food craze.
2/2/1 2 []
, (4) Furthermore, FOMO has created profound shifts in behaviour also.
Due to this, the decision-making process has become increasingly
worrisome, with people hesitating to commit to plans for fear of a
better alternative emerging later. It often leads to impulsive choices,
such as overspending on unnecessary products, overcommitting to
events or making hasty life decisions to avoid feeling excluded.
People, due to FOMO, struggle to focus on their priorities because
they are distracted by what others are doing. Even highlighted reels
of professional journeys shared online by others breed discontent and
cause anxiety and dissatisfaction, where no experience feels complete.
(5) The gloomy side of FOMO manifests in lowered self-esteem, impaired
concentration and in severe cases, depression. Ironically, the more
one tries to engage with multiple activities to ‘keep up’, the greater it
leads to emotional exhaustion. The illusion of missing out on
something ‘better’ elsewhere robs individuals of their ability to
engage themselves fully in their present experiences.
(6) To overcome the Fear of Missing Out we require intentional
strategies. To avoid constant comparison, specific timings for
checking the apps and social media should be set. One can also
engage oneself in mindful breathing or meditation to stay grounded
to the present. By prioritizing self-awareness and authentic
experiences, one can take the edge off FOMO’s grip and cultivate a
richer, more satisfying life without chasing external validation.
Finally, we need to recognize that carefully selected online portrayals,
which are essentially selective, generate emotional resilience.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :
(i) What is the primary psychological trigger behind FOMO in the
context of social media usage ? 1
Paragraph (1)
(A) physical fatigue
(B) fear of rejection from loved ones
(C) need of privacy to keep oneself safe
(D) fear of being left out of rewarding experiences
2/2/1 [ ] 3 P.T.O.
Q.P. Code 2/2/1
Candidates must write the Q.P. Code
Roll No. on the title page of the answer-book.
*212F4*
ENGLISH
(Language and Literature)
Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 80
NOTE :
(I) Please check that this question paper contains 19 printed pages.
(II) Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title
page of the answer-book by the candidate.
(III) Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.
(IV) Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the answer-book at the
given place before attempting it.
(V) 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the candidates will read the
question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period.
General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
(i) This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper contains three sections :
Section A – Reading Skills
Section B – Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C – Literature
(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
2/2/1 [ ] 1 P.T.O.
, SECTION A
Reading Skills 20 marks
1. Read the following passage carefully : 10
(1) In the fast-evolving landscape of the present age, digital saturation
and algorithmically curated lives, the phenomenon of FOMO — the
Fear of Missing Out — has progressed from a fleeting psychological
discomfort into a pervasive cultural condition. Initially, the term was
coined to describe the anxiety provoked by the perception that others
are participating in rewarding experiences from which one is absent.
FOMO now pervades virtually in every dimension of contemporary
existence, fuelled largely by the continuous updates of edited content
on social media platforms. Significantly, it is the anxiety that others
are experiencing something more fulfilling, exciting, or meaningful.
(2) The roots of FOMO lie in the interplay between the evolutionary
instincts of an individual and modern technology. It may be traced
as a fundamental human trait — the innate desire to belong. Man —
being a social creature naturally, always tries to seek inclusion and
belonging as a means of survival. Albeit, nowadays social media has
escalated this instinct by bothering individuals with real-time
updates of others’ lives — carefully edited vacations, career
milestones or even temporal joys framed as extraordinary. Each
notification becomes a reminder of what we are not doing, a mirror
reflecting our perceived inadequacies.
(3) FOMO is not solely a personal affliction; it is a cultural artifact also,
shaped by the values of a society that equates busyness with worth
and novelty with happiness. Moreover, consumerism fuels this fire
with brands exploiting FOMO through limited time offers, exclusive
events, and influencer-driven trends that promise belonging or
status. The rise of the ‘experience economy’, where memories and
moments are commodified, intensifies the pressure to participate in
everything from music festivals to viral food craze.
2/2/1 2 []
, (4) Furthermore, FOMO has created profound shifts in behaviour also.
Due to this, the decision-making process has become increasingly
worrisome, with people hesitating to commit to plans for fear of a
better alternative emerging later. It often leads to impulsive choices,
such as overspending on unnecessary products, overcommitting to
events or making hasty life decisions to avoid feeling excluded.
People, due to FOMO, struggle to focus on their priorities because
they are distracted by what others are doing. Even highlighted reels
of professional journeys shared online by others breed discontent and
cause anxiety and dissatisfaction, where no experience feels complete.
(5) The gloomy side of FOMO manifests in lowered self-esteem, impaired
concentration and in severe cases, depression. Ironically, the more
one tries to engage with multiple activities to ‘keep up’, the greater it
leads to emotional exhaustion. The illusion of missing out on
something ‘better’ elsewhere robs individuals of their ability to
engage themselves fully in their present experiences.
(6) To overcome the Fear of Missing Out we require intentional
strategies. To avoid constant comparison, specific timings for
checking the apps and social media should be set. One can also
engage oneself in mindful breathing or meditation to stay grounded
to the present. By prioritizing self-awareness and authentic
experiences, one can take the edge off FOMO’s grip and cultivate a
richer, more satisfying life without chasing external validation.
Finally, we need to recognize that carefully selected online portrayals,
which are essentially selective, generate emotional resilience.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :
(i) What is the primary psychological trigger behind FOMO in the
context of social media usage ? 1
Paragraph (1)
(A) physical fatigue
(B) fear of rejection from loved ones
(C) need of privacy to keep oneself safe
(D) fear of being left out of rewarding experiences
2/2/1 [ ] 3 P.T.O.
