Explanation:

- The original cube with side 12 cm is sliced into smaller cubes with side 2 cm.

- Number of smaller cubes along one edge = \( \frac{12}{2} = 6 \).

- Total number of smaller cubes = \( 6 \times 6 \times 6 = 216 \).

- Cubes with only one face painted are found in the center of each face of the large cube.

- Each face of the large cube is \( 6 \times 6 = 36 \) small cubes.

- Cubes in the center of a face excluding edges and corners = \( (6 - 2) \times (6 - 2) = 4 \times 4 = 16 \) per face.

- Since the large cube has 6 faces, total = \( 16 \times 6 = 96 \).

96 is the correct option.

.