SUGGESTION 2019 CLASS XII (WBCHSE)
ENGLISH (Group-B) (New Syllabus)
Part-A (Marks: 60)
PROSE
1. Answer any two of the following questions, each in about 100 words: 6x2=12
THE EYES HAVE IT
(a) “The man who had entered the compartment broke into my reverie.”
What was the reverie ? How was the reverie broken and who broke ?
Ans:-The short story “The Eyes Have It” written by Ruskin bond is a beautiful story. The narrator was travelling in a train. A girl boarded the train from Rohana Station. Both these two passengers were blind. The girl’s voice moved the narrator deeply. He could not notice her face. He apprehended that the girl was beautiful. Her voice was the sparkle of a mountain stream. After the departure at Saharanpur Station, the narrator returned to his own seat. The train started again. The song of the moving wheels began. The narrator sat beside the window. He looked outside and thought the bright daylight. But it was complete darkness for him. He was guessing about what was going outside the window. It was his reverie.
A new fellow traveller entered into his compartment. He apologised to the narrator for not being an attractive as the girl. This voice broke the narrator’s reverie.
(b) “Then I made a mistake” – What was the mistake? Who made the mistake and why?
Ans:-The short story “The Eyes Have It”, written by Ruskin Bond is a beautiful story. The narrator asked the girl “what did she see outside the window ?” It was the mistake of the narrator.
The narrator and the girl were discussing the beauty of Mussoorie in October. The girl remained silence for a moment. Just of that time, he threw that the girl perhaps was thinking him a romantic fool. So he asked the wrong question to change the topic. He was always cautious about not revealing his blindness to her. He doubted that his wrong question might reveal the fact to the girl.
(c) “She had a beautiful eyes but they were of no use to her” – Whose eyes are referred to here? Why were the eyes ‘of no use’ to her? Explain the irony of situation.
Ans:-The eyes of the narrator’s co-passenger is referred to here. The eyes were not useful to her because she was completely blind.
From the start of the journey the narrator pretended to the girl that he was not blind. But when he asked the second co-passenger if the girl had kept her hair short or long, the man replied that he did not notice the girl’s hair. He only noticed the beautiful eyes of the girl which were of no use to her as she was completely blind. The irony of the situation is that the narrator was trying to hide his blindness from the girl who was also blind.
(d) “She was an interesting girl,” I said, “Can you tell me – did she kept her hair long or short ?” Who asked the question and to whom ? Why did he ask this question ?
Ans:-The narrator of the story “The Eyes Have It” asked this question to the new passenger.
The girl, co-traveller of the narrator got down from the train at Saharanpur Station. He realised that he was charmed by the girl very much. He wondered if she had kept her hair in bun or it was plaited or it was kept loose. It should be short. The narrator was lost in dream. The girl was standing close to him. The perfume from her hair was tantalising. He wanted to raise his hand and touch her hair. She moved away. Only the perfume lingered where she stood. The narrator stood lost in dream.
(e) “Yes, October is the best time” – Describe Mussoorie in the month of October as described by the narrator.
Ans:-In course of his conversation with the girl, the narrator revealed that he was going to Dehra and then to Mussoorie. At this the girl exclaimed that the narrator was very lucky. She told him that she loved hills especially in October. The narrator agreed with her and asserted that October was the best time for visiting Mussoorie. During October the hills are covered with wild dahlias, the sun is delicious and the night is cool. At night one could sit before longfire and drink a little brandy. As most of the tourists had gone,the roads are quite and almost deserted
THRER QUESTIONS
(a) How did the enemy of the king become friend with the king in Leo Tolstoy’ “The Three Questions”?
(b) What answers did the hermit give to the king’s questions?
(c) Do you agree with the hermit’s answers to the Tsar’s three questions? Give reason for your answer.
ROOTS STRONGS
(a) Describe the locality where A.P.J. Abdul Kalam lived in his childhood?(
(b) What picture of communal harmony do you find in the extract from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s autobiography?
(c) What did Kalam’s father tell him about the relevance of prayers?
(d) How did his father’s attitude to adversity /spirituality influence the young Kalam?
(e) Give a brief account of Kalam’s childhood as presented in ‘Strong Roots’.
Or, Why does Abdul Kalam feel that he had a secure childhood?
Ans: APJ Abdul Kalam was born and brought up in a middle-class Tamil family. His father was neither much educated nor much rich. But he had a great wisdom by birth and true generosity of spirits. Kalam’s mother Ashiamma was a true helpmate to his father. His parents were regarded as an ideal couple. He was a short boy with an undistinguished look but his parents were tall and handsome. Kalam was given everything he needed. All necessities in terms of food, medicine, and clothing were provided for Kalam in his childhood. He was brought up in happiness. He had no material or emotional want. So Kalam claims that he had a secure childhood.
THANK YOU MA'AM
(a) “I am very sorry lady, I’m sorry” – Who was the speaker? When did the speaker say so? Was the speaker was really sorry? Will the speaker be really sorry in future?
(b) “I were a young once and wanted things, I could not get.” –Who said this and to whom? What do know about the speaker’s past life?
(c) Why did Roger in “Thank you Ma’am” not run away though he found the door open?
(d) “I wanted a pair of blue suede shoes” – Who is the speaker? What reply did the speaker get? How did he react after getting the reply? OR Why did Roger try to snatch the purse of the lady?
(e) Sketch the character of Mrs. Jones in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
Or, What type of woman was Mrs. Jones? How did Mrs. Jones behave with Roger when they arrived home?
Or, What are the ways by which Mrs. Jones reformed Roger?
Ans: Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is the main character of the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’. She was a large woman who worked at a hotel beauty shop. She has been presented by Langston Hughes as an affectionate woman. She caught the boy Roger when he was trying to snatch her purse. She felt sympathy for the urchin. Instead of taking him to the police station, she took him to her home. She made him washed his dirty face and gave him a towel. She fed him cake and cocoa also. She understood that it was not a crime what he did. She believed in reformation. So she gave him ten dollars to buy the shoes that he wanted. She also taught him not to snatch purse of anybody else and advised him to behave well in future. She showed motherly love for the boy and her unconditional love moved him.
POETRY
2. Answer any two of the following questions, each in about 100words: 6x2=12
(a) The poem “On killing a Tree” describes man’s cruelty and violence to nature. Discuss/ Describe how a tree kills?
Answer: A tree grows slowly consuming the earth and absorbing sunlight, air and water for years.It is hard to kill a tree only by a simple jab of a knife. After hacked and chopped (by the man),the curled green twigs surely come out from the close to the ground into its former size if unchecked by healing itself naturally.When a tree is roped,tied and pulled out its white-wet roots entirely from the earth's cave,the strength and sensitivity of the tree be exposed.In the scorching heat of the sun and the blowing air,the root is browned and hardened.After then it is twisted and withered. Thus the tree is killed completely for man's happiness but his existence.
(b) “And then it is done”……What does it refer to? What does the word “done” mean? Explain the process it is done.
(c) How does the tree heal itself?
(d) Describe the growth of the tree.
(e) Central idea of the poem “Asleep in the Valley”./Justify the title of the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’../How does the picture of the soldier describe the tragedy of war? Explain.
Or, Describe the poet’s attitude towards war.
Ans:-Asleep in the Valley means sleeping in the valley. A very young soldier is lying on the ground of a valley open mouthed. He is lying with a gentle innocent smile. The poet thinks that the soldier is sleeping peacefully in the sunlight. The poet requests the insects not to disturb his sleep. He requests the nature to keep the solder worm, otherwise he may catch cold. Suddenly two red spots of the blood are noticed by the side of his body. This depicts that the soldier is already dead. His sleep is eternal and he will never wake again. Through this the poet Rimbaud evokes the futility of war. War only destroys young lives. So the title suggests the tragedy of the young soldier and the futility of war
OR
Ans:-Asleep in the Valley is a war poem. The poet Arthur Rimbaud experienced the horror of war. In this poem a soldier is described as very young. He is lying asleep in a peaceful small valley. He is bathed in sunlight. The smiling face of the soldier indicates that he is innocent and pure. The sun is raining on him. Yet neither of these can awake him. At the end, we see the bullet marks on the side of his body. Symbolically Rimbaud tries to describe the tragedy of war. The soldier lies open mouthed. Death is countered by the growth and existence of bushes, flowers and plants. Thus the poem proclaims the futility of war. War only destroys young lives. So the poet’s anger about war is clear in the poem
(f) How does Shakespeare immortalize his friend’s beauty?
/Central Idea/Subject matter/Substance of the poem"Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer Day ?"
Answer : The poet, William Shakespeare praises the beauty of his beloved friend(Mr William Harbert). He admits that Summer is lovely and attractive. But his friend is lovelier and more temperate than summer. Violent winds shake the blooming flowers. So it is not permanent (transitory).Sometimes the sun goes too hot and clouds often dim the golden colour of the bright sun. As no fair things last long on earth, earthly beauty is subjected to change. But the beauty of his beloved friend is indestructible. So it will suffer no change or death.The poet knows well that his friend's youth(beauty) will live eternally through his poetry.
(g) Show, after Keats, that the poetry of earth never comes to an end Identify the voices of the poetry in the poem . / How does Keats establish continuity through the voice ?
Ans:-John Keats, the poet believes that that the poetry of earth will never end. It will live through the music of earth. In the summer, the music of nature is heard in the song of the grasshopper. It is carried by the shrill of the cricket in winter.
The birds faint in the hot summer days. They take rest in the cool shadow of trees. But music of summer cannot be stopped. The grasshopper takes the lead. The song of grasshopper runs from hedge to hedge. Being tired the grasshopper take rest beneath some pleasant weed. The cricket carries the music in winter. The song of the cricket introduces warmth in the forest. Thus Keats establishes that the music of nature can never be ceased.
PLAY
3. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 words: 6x1=6
(a) Makea brief sketch of social life as you see in the play. OR What aspect of the human condition and society does the play make fun of?
(b)Why does Lomov be think Natalya will make an acceptable wife? Explain your answer
(c) Discuss the reason why the marriage is important to all the characters.
(d) Discuss the character of Natalya.
(e) "Chubukov says of Natalia, " as if she won't consent she's in love; egad, she is like a lovesick cat..." Would you agree? fined reason for your answer.
(f) Is Chubucov a sensible father? How do you know?
(g) Oh, what a burden, to be the father of a grown-up daughter!” – Who is the father? Who is the daughter? Why is the daughter a burden to the father?
GRAMMAR (10arks)
4. (a) Do as directed : 1 x6=6
(i) " Eat some more, son," She said. (Turned into indirect speech)
Ans. She said politely to eat some more.
(ii) The carriage wheels changed their sound and rhythm.(Change the Voice)
Ans.Their Sound and rhythm were changed by the carriage wheels.
(ii) She was silent ( Rewrite as a negative sentence)
Ans. She was not talking.
(iv) One of the most vivid memories of my early childhood is of the two men. (Change into positive degree).
Ans: Very few memories of my early childhood are as vivid as of the two men.
(v) Why don't you say this to the people who come to you for help and advice? [Split into two simple sentences]
Ans. (a) People come to you for help and advice (b) Why don't you say this to them?
(vi) A man, getting into the compartment, stammered an apology. [Turn into a compound sentences )
Ans. A man got into the compartment and stammered an apology.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles/or prepositionns: 1x6=6
Others declared that it was impossiblee- (i)- decide beforehand -(ii)-right time--(iii)--every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed--(iv)--- idle pastimes, one shouid always attend--(v)--all that was going---(vi)
Ans: to, the, for, in, to, on
(c) Correct the error in the following sentence by rep word with one from the options given below. 1x1=1
My father could convey complex spiritual conceives in very simple down- to-earth Tamil.
Options: conceptions, conceptual, concepts
Ans: concepts.
Examinees are requested to practice from TEST PAPERS carefully.
5. UNSEEN (10 Marks)
State whether the following statements are’ True’ or ‘False’. Write T for True and F for False 1x4=4
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
Answer each of the following in about 30 words : 2x3=6
(i) (ii) (iii)
Examinees are requested to practice fromTEST PAPERS carefully.
6. (a) REPORT WRITING: 10 Marks
1. Write a report within 150 words on an educational tour to Digha conducted by the Sub-committee of your school.
2. Write a report within 150 words about the Tree Plantation Programme organized by your school.
3. Write -- - -- --- --- --- --- -- on Blood Donation Camp organized by your school.
4. Write a -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- for the annual magazine of your school.
5. Recently your school organized a cleaning drive in the immediate vicinity of the school. The students and all staffs of the school participated in the programme. Write a report on the event in about 150 words
6. Write a report on a Book Fair in your district.
7. Write a report for the newspaper about a street accident.
8. Write a report on prize giving ceremony of your school.
9.9. Wri a report on Teachers’ Day-5th September.
10. Annual Sports report on school magazine, Magic Show organized by the school, , Farewell function of a respected teacher, Swach Bharat Aviyan, Safe Drive Save Life Campaign,
OR
(b) LETTER WRITING 10 Marks
1. You are Kamal Das of Gangarampur High school. On behalf of the school, you have purchased a cricket set from ABC Sports CO. Ltd. Some of the equipments are found defective. Write a letter within 150 words to the company asking for replacement or refund.
2. Write a letter to a publisher requesting him to send you a bulk of books for your school library in 150 words.
3. Write a letter to the Head Master of your school to by some reference books for your school library.
4. Write a letter to the officer-in charge of your local police station reporting that you have lost your bi-cycle. In your letter you will mention the date and time of the loss, the place where from it was lost, brand name and description of the bi-cycle.
5. Suppose you have lost your Madhyamik Admit Card. Now write an application to the deputy Secretary of W.B.B.S.E. for duplicate Certificate.
6. Write an application for the Branch Manager of a Bank for loan.
Suppose you have lost your Madhyamik Admit Card. Lodge an FIR with the local police station.
7. Write an application for the post of office-assistance in a business firm.
8. Write a letter to the store manager, requesting for repair of the TV Set / complain about the bad quality goods you purchased from their shop/inquiry of some goods price.
9. Delay of Postal Delivery, Missing of Mobile Phone, Missing of Library Card, Requesting Loan for a new business, bad conditions of roads.
10. Write a letter to Editor of a newspaper about-- the high price of every essential commodities / reckless driving/ eve-teasing.
OR
(C) PRECIS WRITING: 10 Marks
HOW TO WRITE A PRECIS
To write a PRECIS students are directed to follow the instructions given below.
*Read the passage attentively.
*Choose a title from the key sentence of the passage.
*Note the important points of the passage.
Make the PRECIS within one third of the given words.
*Do not add any personal comment which is not included in the passage.
*Do not use idiomatic or ornamental expression.
*Avoid any repetitions.
*Do not use direct speech and quotations.
*Do not write 1st person or 2ndperson.
*Do not write ditto words from the given passage.
