PREPARED
BY JOY PETER C, HSST ENG, ST JOSEPH’S HSS PAVARATTY
(Qns
1-4) Read the passage and answer the following questions.
My
dear friend, you have put the most difficult question among the many
questions that I have received from millions and millions of students
whom I have met. I value your question.
1.
Who is referred to here as ‘my dear friend’?
A)
A nervous and typical representative of the Indian youth- a teenager
from a far away village is referred to here as ‘my dear friend’.
He put forward a question of great concern.
2.
What was the most difficult question that was put before Dr. Kalam?
A)
The most difficult question that was put before Dr. Kalam was about
his fear to achieve his dreams. He was afraid to talk to his teachers
and his friends. He even wanted to be the captain of the ship. But he
complains that his education didn’t help him to gain any
confidence. He wanted to know if he could do all these things and
achieve this mission.
3.
Why did Dr. Kalam value that question?
A)
Dr. Kalam valued that question because the question and the fearful
condition of the boy represented the fear of many youths. He
congratulated the boy saying that it was the most difficult question
he had ever faced.
4.
What was the name of the poem that Dr. Kalam recited in response to
the question?
A)
The name of the poem was “ I will Fly”.
5.
“What kind of a country is India, Sir?” asked Mrs. Clifford, as
she resumed her cooking. ‘ A beautiful country.’ ‘Safe to live
in?’ . In the questions of Mrs. Clifford we see her concern about
India.
What
was the picture that Mrs. Clifford and Maggie had in their minds
about India?
A)
Mrs. Clifford and Maggie in the story “The Price of Flowers”
written by Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay were really anxious to know
more about India. They had a fearful picture in their minds about
India. Mrs. Clifford’s son Frank was working as a soldier in India.
They hadn’t heard from him for long and so they were curious to
meet an Indian to enquire about India. They believed that India was a
place full of tigers and snakes and fevers. Besides they had heard
people in India had occult powers.
6.
Imagine that you are a tourist guide at the Island of Kadavu. A group
of foreign tourists visit the place. Introduce the ritual of turtle
calling to them.
A)
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to this wonderful and amazing
Island of Kadavu. The Island you see now belongs to Namuana Village
famous for the ritual of turtle calling. The women of Namuana village
will be on their strange chants and you will be stunned to see that
the strange giant turtles rise up to the surface. If you want to see
it clearly, you can climb that rock. I think it is the apt time to
narrate that strange story. There were two beautiful women in the
village called Namuana-Tinaicoboga ,the wife of the village chief and
her daughter Raudalice. They were fishing in the sea. They were so
engrossed in fishing that they did not notice the stealthy approach
of a Great War canoe, filled with fishermen. The fishermen leapt from
their canoe and seized the women, bound their hands and feet with
twine. When the Sea Gods heard their cries, they were kind enough to
make a wild storm and waves to frighten the fishermen. At this time
the fishermen noticed that the Gods had turned the women into
turtles. Then they threw them into the sea. It is now believed that
the ancestors of those two turtles are coming to the surface of the
sea to see the people of Namuana. Oh ! my Goodness ! There you can
see a Nabukelevu village man appearing on the shore and turtles going
down to the sea. That man really ruined our beautiful view.
By
the by you have to be very alert to witness this strange ritual of
turtle calling and hunting of these turtles are strictly prohibited.
Anyhow hope you all enjoyed this ritual. Now it’s time to head
back. Thank you all.
7.
‘You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his
fellow beings.’- Paul McCartney.
You
are moved by the story of Hasan, the serang. You want to talk in the
School assembly about his love, kindness, concern for fellow beings
and selflessness and expose hypocrites like Miss Jope-Smith. Prepare
the script of the speech that you would deliver.
A)
Respected Principal, my dear Teachers and loving friends,
It’s
of course ,my privilege to stand before you on this day to share my
viewpoints after studying the character ‘Hasan, the Serang’ in
the story “Serang of Ranaganji” written by Dr.A J Cronin.
We
all are living in a society where everyone is not treated equally and
many are discriminated on the basis of religion, creed, caste and
other social taboos. But I am sure such thoughts would have no place
in our mind after reading the story of Hasan, the Serang.
Hasan
in this story was a normal person like anyone else. But he is treated
as an ugly man and vulgar creature by the social promoters of the
ship like Miss Jope-Smith. She makes fun of him without trying to
understand his potentials and other good virtues. The story of Hasan
has proved us that we can never judge a man by his looks. Thus this
story really exposes hypocrites like Miss Jope-Smith.
When
many people in the ship were affected with small pox, Hasan showed no
reluctance in taking care of them. He served the people not for any
economic profit. He considered it as his duty as a human being to
save the people at the time of danger. He didn’t think that he
would get the same disease. It was he who took initiative to prepare
a shelter for the poor patients on the afterdeck. He was satisfied
with the way he was. He was completely detached from the usual hope
of reward. He had courage, self control and faith as his wealth. We
will be wondering when we see him sewing the shrouds for the dead
people. He himself read aloud a short passage from the Ramayana
before their bodies.
In
this present world, we all are satisfied with the profits and
economic benefits. It is at this juncture, Hasan stands different. We
all are getting blinded by the evils of the world. It’s high time
to open our eyes from selfishness. The social promoters like Miss
Jope-Smith failed to realize that it was Hasan who saved them from
getting affected by small pox. Yes, there are so many fashionable
people like this. They will never do anything for the good of the
society. They are really hypocrites who fail to realize any good in
their fellow-beings.
Let’s
be selfless in our attitude and treat everyone equally. Let’s work
together to make this world a better place to live in. Strive to be
virtuous…. Thank you
8.
‘ …………….down the corridors of all time,
The
Titanic’s story shall sound sublime.’ Why?
A)
The Titanic’s story will be remembered for ever because of the
heroic courage and noble attitude shown by the Captain Smith and
other crew who were in the ship. They showed so much courage and
saved millions of people from sinking into the bottom of the Atlantic
Ocean. But they never tried to rescue themselves. The Titanic’s
sinking was awfully a grand scene as the bands played “Nearer My
God to Thee” while it was drowning. The Captain advises the crew to
be British . Like Battle of Trafalgar, Waterloo, The Light Brigade,
their acts will be remembered for ever.
9.
Fill in the blanks with the correct options.
It was a very interesting
match. Neither of the teams (1) was
able to win a
decisive victory in the first half. In the second half, one of the
players (2) was
injured and Team B
suffered a set back. Team A had a clean victory. The coach, along
with the players (3) was
awarded.
Each of the player(4) was
given
a present.
10.
“Go to the woods and hills! No tears
Dim
the sweet look that Nature wears.”
Explain
in a paragraph the message conveyed by these lines.
A)
These lines are from the poem “Sunrise on the Hills” written by
an influential American Poet H.W Longfellow. In this poem he presents
his own experience as he watches the sun rise amidst the hills. He
considers nature as a counsellor, guide and redeemer. In these lines
he advises us to go to Nature at the time of sadness and agony. He
says that Nature is the perfect medicine that heals our wounds both
mentally and physically. Nature strengthens us and brings out a smile
which can last forever. Ultimately she provides solution for all our
problems we face in our daily life. It relaxes us and makes a
soothing effect. Being a perfect guide, it takes us through the right
path. All the more it makes us aware of the philosophy of life. Our
life is a mixture of both sorrow and happiness. Nature teaches us
that after every dark night there is a beautiful morning.
11.
The title of the lecture was a question: “ Is the End in sight for
Theoretical Physics?”. Hawking startled his listeners by announcing
that it was. He invited them to join him in a sensational escape
through time and space to find the Holy Grail of science: the theory
that explains the universe, and everything that happens in it.
As
a newspaper reporter you were present at the inaugural lecture by the
new Lucasian Professor Stephen Hawking. Later you prepared a report
for your newspaper. Write the report that you prepared.
IS
THEORETICAL
PHYSICS GOING TO
END ? THE BEST ANSWER AVAILABLE NOW
BY
Nicholas Mathew
Washington
DC, July 10th
2016: “Is the End in sight
for Theoretical Physics?”. This was one of the important questions
confronted by the scientists of the Modern Era. Now the solution or
the perfect answer was done by the 38 year old the youngest Lucasian
Professor Stephen Hawking. They call him as supernova of Physics.
His
lecture on 29th
April 1980 led everyone
gathered in the Cockcroft Lecture Room into a sensational escape
through time and space to find the Holy Grail of Science. It all
started with a question made by him, “Is the End in Sight for
Theoretical Physics?”. Everyone was startled by his question. And
he even admitted that he also thought that it was the end in sight
for Theoretical Physics. Everyone presented there admitted that it
was by far the best lecture presented there so far.
In
the end he was awarded for his outstanding performance. It seems like
the world of Physics and Science about to have a great change.
Being
the best example for ‘Good can come out of any adversity’,
Stephen Hawking still explores and explodes. He explains the
unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He proves out to be a real
inspiration for modern scientists.
(Qns
12-13) Read the following lines from the poem “To Sleep” and
answer the questions.
Without
Thee what is all the morning’s wealth?
Come
, blessed barrier between day and day.
Dear
mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health!
12.
Identify the poetic device in “blessed barrier between”?
A)
The poetic device used here is ‘alliteration’. The consonant
sound ‘b’ is repeated in these three words.
13.
Elaborate the ideas in the above lines.
A)
William Wordsworth the High Priest of Nature in his short sweet poem
“To Sleep” tells us the importance of having sound sleep.
Sleeping is indeed an essential thing as the air we breathe. One who
gets a sound sleep will be very active and energetic to do his things
well. These lines remind us the same truth. The wealth of the morning
cannot be enjoyed without sleep. The Poet was deprived of sleep for
the past three nights. So he makes a prayer. He wants sleep to come
and bless him to have fresh thoughts and joyous health. As a poet he
wants to have creative ideas for making good poems. Ultimately sleep
will help us to have good health. It keeps us mentally and physically
fit.
14.
Walking for walking’ s sake may be a highly laudable and exemplary
thing as it is held to be by those who practise it. But Max Beerbohm
has a different opinion.
Do
you agree with him? Why? Write in a paragraph.
A)
No, I don’t completely agree with his opinion. Walking offers us
good health and physical balance. It is of course a productive
exercise that keeps us alert and active. Walking helps us to get the
blood flow and concentration increased. But when we walk with someone
, the concept changes. According to Max Beerbohm, it stops the brain.
We have to blindly accept his opinions and remarks. It is at this
point I agree with the author. But even then walking has its own
advantages. It will surely increase our health. When we walk, it is
good for Nature. Walking reduces the using of vehicles and the air
will not be more polluted. When we walk with a definite purpose, it
will add to our health. As a whole in this essay, ‘Going out for a
Walk’, Max Beerbohm looks at walking from a different perspective.
He challenges the notion that walking is a productive mental
exercise. According to my viewpoint, a regular concentrated walking
is always accepted.
15.
Write a precis of the following passage, reducing it to one-third of
its length.
English
education and English language have done immense good to India, in
spite of their glaring drawbacks. The notions of democracy and
self-government are the boon of English education. Those who fought
and died for mother India’s freedom were nursed in the cradle of
English thought and culture. The West has made contribution to the
East. The history of Europe has fired the hearts of our leaders. Our
struggle for freedom has been inspired by the struggles for freedom
in England, America and France. If our leaders were ignorant of
English and if they had not studied this language, how could they
have been inspired by these heroic struggles for freedom in other
lands? English, therefore, did us great good in the past and if
properly studied will do immense good in future.
English
is spoken throughout the world. For international contact, commerce
and trade, for the scientific studies, English is indispensable.
English is very rich in literature, our own literature has been made
richer by this foreign language. It will really be a fatal day if we
altogether forget Shakespeare, Milton, Keats and Shaw.
A)
English the
International Language
English
language has made far reaching results and impact in the Indian’s
outlook and attitude. We should try to acknowledge its merits than
its drawbacks. We should be grateful to the English culture for the
type of democracy and self-government we follow. Our struggle for
freedom has been inspired by the English freedom struggles. Thus
English language brought us so much good both in the past and in the
present world. Let’s hope it will do the same in future too. Being
a universally accepted language, English is indispensable in our
life. We use it in our international contact, commerce and trade.
Besides , English has contributed much to our literature too. We
should never belittle the contributions of Shakespeare, Milton, Keats
and Shaw in this regard.
(Qns
16-19) Read the following lines from the poem “Death the Leveller”
and answer the questions.
The
glories of our blood and state
Are
shadows, not substantial things:
There
is no armour against Fate.
16.
The glories of our blood and state are shadows. Why?
A)
The glories of our blood and state are shadows because they will not
last for long. They are not substantial things. They will not last
long after our death. Here glories of blood and state refer to our
family status, position and wealth. When death lays its icy hands, it
levels everything and no one can stop it. Thus all our glories will
be faded after a certain time of our earthly life.
17.
Why does the poet say that there is no armour against fate?
A)
The poet says that there is no armour against fate because death
treats everyone equally. It considers all alike, the high and the
low, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. There is no
discrimination in front of death. We can never build armour against
fate. All that we have conquered in this world can never be taken
with us when we die. They all are shadows and not substantial things.
Only our good deeds will remain in the end.
18.
If the glories of our blood and state are shadows, what can survive
death?
A)
The actions of the just can survive death.
19.
The word ‘substantial’ means …..
A)
Concrete
20.
There were little white wires hanging down from their ears, or tucked
into pockets, purses of jackets. The eyes were little vacant. Each
was in his or her musical world, walking to their sound track, stars
in their own music video, almost oblivious to the world around them.
Here
the author describes the i-Pod people. Now, after ten years of this,
i-Pod has been replaced by modern smart phones. What is the situation
now?
Write
a short essay on “Smart phones: a boon or curse”.
A)
SMART PHONES: A BOON
OR CURSE
We
all know that our world is developing day by day faster than we
think. This development has made lots of things easier for us.
Smart
phones also come into being as a part of development. It brought
about tremendous changes in our life styles. First of all let me
point out the good aspects of smart phones. It makes lots of our jobs
easier and saves our valuable time. It helps us to have our
friendship circle wider. People can contact anyone in the world at
short time. Smart phones also help people to put a reminder for
anything they want to remember. They also proved life saver for human
beings in many areas related with human health. It also proved boon
for business to get crucial information. Above all smart phones make
people smarter and it helps people to get in touch with the rest of
the world.
Smart
phones have their disadvantages too. This is really hazard for human
life. People suffer health problems of cancer due to electromagnetic
waves. The excessive use of smart phones ruin the social life of the
people. They lose sight of the real friends. It upsets the reality of
life. Since anything is made available in smart phones, people can’t
lead a successful happy life by mingling with others. It also affects
their creativity faculty.
21.
Prepare an article on how technology has changed the lives of modern
people.
A)
MODERN TECHNOLOGY-
CHANGING THE LIFE STYLE.
Technology
has really changed the life style of the people. The advancements of
technology has made tremendous changes in the status of living too.
In this present world people can’t live without technology. It has
really become the part and parcel of life. Now let’s see how
technology controls the life style of the people
First
of all when we think about technology it is influencing human lives
by improving communication system. Today anybody can communicate with
a person who lives far away. Technology has made it possible to
bridge the gap among people living anywhere in the world.
It
has encouraged innovation and creativity in society. Internet
and Internet technologies are a strong force behind societal-changing
communication and technology. Technology expands our knowledge. It
helps us to get more information. It has also helped in predicting
environmental disasters.
At
the same time we should understand the ill-effects of technology. It
makes us much addicted and we lose sight of the real incidents
happening in our world. We always live in a virtual world. It makes
us selfish and lazy. It upsets the family relationship.
So
as human beings it is our responsibility to live mingling with other
fellow beings. We should work for the environmental protection. We
should have a control over technology to lead a successful life.
Let’s us all build a healthy country by using technology in a wise
manner.
22.
Use the correct form of the verbs given in brackets to fill in the
blanks.
Army:
Usually I work
(work)
as a Secretary at Esquire, but this summer I am
studying
(study)
Frenc at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
Kate:
I’m sorry. I can’t hear what you are
saying
(say)
because everybody is
talking (talk)
so loudly.
23.
Even after his marriage Nicholai Ivanich lived stingly. Kept his wife
half starved and put the money into the bank in his own name.
Do
you approve of the behaviour of Nicholai ? Why?
A)
No, I don’t approve of the behaviour of Nicholai. Nicholoai is one
of the main characters of the story “Gooseberries” written by
Anton Chekov. He is pictured in this story as a man who has only one
aim in his life, ‘to buy an estate in countryside with many
gooseberries’. He wanted to live in a country side, watching swans
and eating gooseberries. Nicholai was working in the Exchequer court
living in a town. He was very careful with money that he earned. He
wanted to buy an estate with gooseberry bushes. He married very late.
Thus he used to live meagerly and never had enough to eat and drink.
He was exactly like a beggar. He always saved and put his money into
the bank. He also kept his wife starving so that he can save the
money to achieve his dream. He was not ready to wait. In the story we
can see Nicholai living greedily half of his life. Thus he destroyed
half of his life to enjoy the other half. I think that is not the
right way of enjoying life. It is not at all pardonable to starve
one's wife for the sake of achieving one's dream. He should have
waited to accomplish his dream.
24.
Read the poem given below and write a note of appreciation.
To
take each day as it comes
To
take each day as it comes
To
gratefully praise the One
Joyfully
face the new dawn’s grace
That’s
now my everyday plan.
To
guard my thought as it roams.
On
anything or anyone
To
be careful with my words
To
use the value of my hands
To
do everything I can
And
bring a smile to not just one
To
celebrate other’s gain,
Not
consciously cause another’s pain;
Not
all the time comes the sun
For
sorrow comes to everyone
And
that I must understand
To
take each day as it comes
And
know that I’m but a man
I
will be glad, life’s not that bad
And
do my part in God’s plan
That’s
now my everyday plan.
A)
THE WAY TO SUCCESS
The
poem named “To take each day as it comes” is a didactic poem on
the importance of leading a successful life. The poem appeals to
everyone in the present world. The poem celebrates optimistic
thoughts and principles to the readers in a simple way. This poem
contains a set of moral instructions. The title of the poem itself
unveils the theme of the poem.
The
poem exhorts the reader to take each day as it comes and praise and
thank the God , our Creator. Then the poet reminds us to make
everyday plan to live gracefully on the Earth. The poet also shares
his simple thoughts to guard our thoughts and words. Besides he
instructs us to consider the value of our hands. He wants everybody
to bring a smile on others and to celebrate other’s success. He
advises us to take our sorrow in a true spirit and to do our part
well in God’s plan. The poet narrates all these principles not only
for himself but for the whole mankind.
The
poet has made use of several poetic devices and images to inspire us
in the right path. We can see the poet’s use of metaphor in the
line ‘the new dawn’s grace’ and personification in the line
‘guard my thoughts as it roams’. We can see rhyming words in gain
and pain. The poet has used simple language to communicate his stream
of thoughts and plans of life. The images used by the poet are really
apt to feel the theme of the poem. The mood of the poem is one of joy
and optimism. The message of the poet comes from the emotional tie to
the readers . The poem has a didactical tone.
The
Poet’s thoughts in this poem are really inspiring. It has some
similarity to the poem “If” written by Rudyard Kipling as it
teaches some virtues to attain manhood.
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