Classification: Internal
Grade 12
Summer Holiday Homework
General Instructions:
1. The question paper contains three sections - READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A: Reading Skills (22 Marks)
1. Read the passage given below:
(1) Gossip. All humans partake in some form, despite the age-old adage, “If you have nothing nice to
say, don’t say anything at all.” Whether it’s workplace chatter, the sharing of family news or group
texts between friends, it’s inevitable that anyone who participates in the above, talks about other
people.
(2) People tend to think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs, or the
breathless propagation of a tabloid scoop. But researchers often define it more broadly as “talking
about people who aren’t present.” Says an assistant professor of psychology. “It’s something that
comes very naturally to us”. – an integral part of conversation, information sharing, and even
community building.
(3) “It’s not necessarily negative,” adds a professor of psychology. “It can be positive or neutral.”
Some researchers argue that gossip helped our ancestors survive. Evolutionary psychologists first
pioneered this idea, comparing gossip to the grooming that primates engage in as a means of
bonding.
(4) People are usually resistant to thinking about gossip as anything but bad. It is true that there are
some types of gossip that should be avoided, such as gossip that is purely harmful and serves no
purpose like mean comments on someone’s way of dressing. In such a scenario no one benefits.
Gossip can also be both active and passive. Active gossiping refers to directly sharing negative
information about someone else. An active gossiper initiates the conversation and actively spreads it.
Passive gossiping on the other hand involves more subtle behaviour like hinting, dropping suggestive
comments or participating in gossip by listening without actively contributing but still allowing the
gossip to spread through their presence.
(5) It’s interesting to note that gossiping also says something about relationships people have with
one another. The act of gossiping often implies a level of trust and closeness with someone, which
are key aspects of a good friendship.
(6) Research has found that gossip can stave off loneliness, while other studies have found it can
facilitate bonding and closeness and serve as a form of entertainment. So, keep on talking. And when
Holiday Homework - 2026 Page 1 of 12
, Classification: Internal
your conversation turns to gossip, as it inevitably will, remember that some good can come of it -
with the right intentions, of course. (369 words)
1. Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. [12 marks]
(i) According to paragraph 1, how is gossip commonly practised? Mention any two ways. (1 mark)
(ii) What does the phrase ‘it’s inevitable’ suggest about gossip? (Paragraph 1) (1 mark)
(iii) The phrase ‘talking about people who aren’t present’ highlights the broader definition of gossip.
(Paragraph 2) (1 mark)
Choose the correct option:
This suggests that gossip mainly refers to ________.
(a) spreading rumours intentionally
(b) discussing people in their absence
(iv) How does the writer present gossip in paragraph 2? (1 mark)
(a) by criticising it as harmful behaviour
(b) by describing it as a natural and social activity
(c) by limiting it only to rumours
(d) by denying its role in communication
(v) Complete the following suitably with one reason, with reference to paragraph 3: (1 mark)
Gossip may have helped our ancestors survive because __________.
(vi) Why is passive gossiping considered significant even if a person does not actively speak? (1)
(Paragraph 4)
(vii) Cite evidence from paragraph 4 to show that not all gossip is positive. (2 marks)
(viii) How does gossip reflect relationships between people? (Paragraph 5) (2 marks)
(ix) Assertion–Reason Question (1 mark)
Assertion (A): Gossip should not always be viewed negatively.
Reason (R): Gossip can promote bonding and reduce loneliness.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
(x) Which of the following best explains why gossip can have positive effects in social relationships?
(Paragraph 6) (1 mark)
(a) It spreads harmful rumours quickly
(b) It helps people avoid all social interactions
(c) It can reduce loneliness and strengthen bonds between people
(d) It encourages people to criticise others constantly
Holiday Homework - 2026 Page 2 of 12
Grade 12
Summer Holiday Homework
General Instructions:
1. The question paper contains three sections - READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A: Reading Skills (22 Marks)
1. Read the passage given below:
(1) Gossip. All humans partake in some form, despite the age-old adage, “If you have nothing nice to
say, don’t say anything at all.” Whether it’s workplace chatter, the sharing of family news or group
texts between friends, it’s inevitable that anyone who participates in the above, talks about other
people.
(2) People tend to think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs, or the
breathless propagation of a tabloid scoop. But researchers often define it more broadly as “talking
about people who aren’t present.” Says an assistant professor of psychology. “It’s something that
comes very naturally to us”. – an integral part of conversation, information sharing, and even
community building.
(3) “It’s not necessarily negative,” adds a professor of psychology. “It can be positive or neutral.”
Some researchers argue that gossip helped our ancestors survive. Evolutionary psychologists first
pioneered this idea, comparing gossip to the grooming that primates engage in as a means of
bonding.
(4) People are usually resistant to thinking about gossip as anything but bad. It is true that there are
some types of gossip that should be avoided, such as gossip that is purely harmful and serves no
purpose like mean comments on someone’s way of dressing. In such a scenario no one benefits.
Gossip can also be both active and passive. Active gossiping refers to directly sharing negative
information about someone else. An active gossiper initiates the conversation and actively spreads it.
Passive gossiping on the other hand involves more subtle behaviour like hinting, dropping suggestive
comments or participating in gossip by listening without actively contributing but still allowing the
gossip to spread through their presence.
(5) It’s interesting to note that gossiping also says something about relationships people have with
one another. The act of gossiping often implies a level of trust and closeness with someone, which
are key aspects of a good friendship.
(6) Research has found that gossip can stave off loneliness, while other studies have found it can
facilitate bonding and closeness and serve as a form of entertainment. So, keep on talking. And when
Holiday Homework - 2026 Page 1 of 12
, Classification: Internal
your conversation turns to gossip, as it inevitably will, remember that some good can come of it -
with the right intentions, of course. (369 words)
1. Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. [12 marks]
(i) According to paragraph 1, how is gossip commonly practised? Mention any two ways. (1 mark)
(ii) What does the phrase ‘it’s inevitable’ suggest about gossip? (Paragraph 1) (1 mark)
(iii) The phrase ‘talking about people who aren’t present’ highlights the broader definition of gossip.
(Paragraph 2) (1 mark)
Choose the correct option:
This suggests that gossip mainly refers to ________.
(a) spreading rumours intentionally
(b) discussing people in their absence
(iv) How does the writer present gossip in paragraph 2? (1 mark)
(a) by criticising it as harmful behaviour
(b) by describing it as a natural and social activity
(c) by limiting it only to rumours
(d) by denying its role in communication
(v) Complete the following suitably with one reason, with reference to paragraph 3: (1 mark)
Gossip may have helped our ancestors survive because __________.
(vi) Why is passive gossiping considered significant even if a person does not actively speak? (1)
(Paragraph 4)
(vii) Cite evidence from paragraph 4 to show that not all gossip is positive. (2 marks)
(viii) How does gossip reflect relationships between people? (Paragraph 5) (2 marks)
(ix) Assertion–Reason Question (1 mark)
Assertion (A): Gossip should not always be viewed negatively.
Reason (R): Gossip can promote bonding and reduce loneliness.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
(x) Which of the following best explains why gossip can have positive effects in social relationships?
(Paragraph 6) (1 mark)
(a) It spreads harmful rumours quickly
(b) It helps people avoid all social interactions
(c) It can reduce loneliness and strengthen bonds between people
(d) It encourages people to criticise others constantly
Holiday Homework - 2026 Page 2 of 12
