CBSE(NCERT) GRADE 12 ENGLISH 2026 SET1

Science fiction, often abbreviated as sci-fi, is a genre of literature and film that explores imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced technology, space exploration, time travel, and extra-terrestrial life. While sci-fi has long captivated audiences in western countries, its growth in India has been comparatively slower. However, the genre is gradually gaining popularity among Indian readers and writers. One of the major advantages of science fiction is its ability to stimulate imagination and curiosity. It encourages readers to think beyond the present and explore possibilities that lie in the future. For students and young readers, sci-fi can act as a bridge between literature and science, making learning more engaging. Books like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation or Indian writer Samit Basu’s Turbulence have introduced scientific ideas in exciting narratives. Science fiction also reflects social and ethical concerns. In a rapidly changing world, sci-fi allows authors to speculate on how technology might shape society, for better or worse. In India, where issues like climate change, overpopulation, and digital surveillance are becoming more relevant, science fiction provides a creative lens through which these problems can be examined. Despite its potential, science fiction remains a niche genre in India. One of the key disadvantages is the lack of access to quality sci-fi literature in Indian languages. Most of the well-known works are written in English, which limits their reach. Moreover, there is a lack of mainstream platforms that promote Indian sci-fi writers. Many readers are unaware of homegrown authors contributing meaningfully to the genre. To enhance the science fiction reading experience in India, several steps can be taken. Schools and colleges can include sci-fi stories in their curriculum to expose students to the genre early on. Indian authors should be encouraged to write in regional languages to broaden the audience base. Libraries and online platforms can host reading clubs and discussions to make science fiction more interactive and engaging. In conclusion, science fiction has immense potential to grow in India. With the right support and exposure, it can become a powerful tool to inspire imagination, promote scientific thinking, and spark conversations about the future.

nal languages to broaden the audience base. Libraries and online platforms can host reading clubs and discussions to make science fiction more interactive and engaging. (6) In conclusion, science fiction has immense potential to grow in India. With the right support and exposure, it can become a powerful tool to inspire imagination, promote scientific thinking, and spark conversations about the future.

(1) Introduction : Nutrition plays a critical role in human development, especially during periods of growth, aging, and recovery. This case study explores the changing nutritional requirements across age groups — from children to the elderly ⎯ highlighting how dietary habits must adapt to support health and wellbeing. (2) Methodology : A team of dietitians conducted a three-month observational study across five schools, two universities, three workplaces, and two retirement communities. Nutritional intake was recorded using food diaries, and health parameters were monitored through BMI, energy levels, and blood reports. (3) Survey Examination : Participants were grouped into four age categories : children (6 – 12 years), adolescents (13 – 19 years), adults (20 – 59 years), and elderly (60+ years). Surveys assessed daily intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), alongside hydration habits and meal frequency. (4) Results : Children had higher energy and protein needs per kilogram of body weight, essential for growth and cognitive development. Adolescents showed increased calorie and calcium requirements due to rapid bone growth and hormonal changes. Adults required balanced intake to maintain weight and prevent chronic diseases, while the elderly needed more fibre, calcium and vitamin D to support bone health and digestion . Interestingly, adolescents consumed the most processed foods, while elderly participants had the most balanced diets due to regular meal routines. Adults often skipped meals due to work stress. Dehydration was common in both children and the elderly. (5) Implications and Interventions : The findings highlight the need for age-specific dietary education. In schools, awareness programmes on healthy snacks and hydration were introduced. For working adults, meal planning workshops and healthy vending machines were recommended. Retirement homes integrated vitamin D supplements and fibre-rich meals into weekly menus. Across all groups, hydration reminders were implemented using digital tools and scheduled water breaks. (6) Conclusion : Nutritional needs vary significantly with age, influenced by physical, cognitive, and lifestyle factors. Regular assessments and tailored interventions are essential for promoting long-term health across populations.

Nutritional needs vary across different stages of life. Infants require nutrient-dense breast milk or formula to support rapid growth and brain development. Children need a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals to support development and prevent deficiencies. Adolescents, due to growth spurts, require increased calcium, iron, and protein to support bone development and prevent anemia. Adults need a balanced diet to maintain energy levels and prevent lifestyle diseases. The elderly, on the other hand, require fewer calories but more fibre, calcium, and vitamin D to maintain digestion, bone health, and prevent deficiencies. (2) Methodology : The study involved case studies of individuals from different age groups. Nutritional intake was recorded using food diaries. Physical activity, health conditions, and dietary preferences were also noted to understand the relationship between age and nutritional needs. (3) Findings in Children and Adolescents : Children had higher energy and protein needs per kilogram of body weight, essential for growth. Adolescents needed increased calcium so that their bone growth was not impacted. Iron-rich foods helped prevent fatigue and support hormonal changes during adolescence. (4) Findings in Adults and the Elderly : Adults were advised to focus on maintaining a healthy balance of macronutrients to prevent obesity and diabetes. The elderly were encouraged to consume foods that improved digestion and bone strength. Dietary fibre from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains was particularly important for them. (5) Recommendations : The study suggested school meal programmes should include more fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods. For adolescents, iron and calcium-rich snacks were introduced. For working adults, meal planning workshops and healthy vending machines were recommended. Retirement homes integrated vitamin D supplements and fibre-rich meals into weekly menus. Across all groups, hydration reminders were implemented using digital tools and scheduled water breaks. (6) Conclusion : Nutritional needs vary significantly with age, influenced by physical, cognitive, and lifestyle factors. Regular assessments and tailored interventions are essential for promoting long-term health across populations.

Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for one second, and not move our arms so much. (Keeping Quiet)

The little old house was out with a little new shed In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped, A roadside stand that too pathetically pled, It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread, But for some money, the cash, whose flow supports The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint. (A Roadside Stand)

‘‘You are to come to the palace,’’ the man said. ‘‘The old General is in pain again.’’ ‘‘Oh,’’ Hana breathed, ‘‘is that all ?’’ ‘‘All ?’’ the messenger exclaimed. ‘‘Is it not enough ?’’ “Indeed it is,” she replied. ‘‘I am very sorry.’’ When Sadao came to say goodbye, she was in the kitchen, but doing nothing. The children were asleep and she sat merely resting for a moment, more exhausted from her fright than from work. ‘‘I thought they had come to arrest you,’’ she said.

And he added, ‘‘Because we are born into this community, we are never given any honour or dignity or respect; we are stripped of all that. But if we study and make progress, we can throw away these indignities. So study with care, learn all you can. ...’’ (Memories of Childhood)

And in dark hutments, next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps, sit boys and girls with their fathers and mothers, welding pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. That is why they often end up losing their eyesight before they become adults.

But Champaran did not begin as an act of defiance. It grew out of an attempt to alleviate the distress of large numbers of poor peasants. This was the typical Gandhi pattern — his politics were intertwined with the practical, day-to-day problems of the millions. His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings. In everything Gandhi did, moreover, he tried to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus make India free.