CBSE ENGLISH CORE:2015 [All India] Set 2
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Q1
Read the passage given below carefully:
(12 Marks)
1. For four days, I walked through the narrow lanes of the old city, enjoying the romance of being in a city where history still lives - in its cobblestone streets and in its people riding asses, carrying vine leaves and palm as they once did during the time of Christ.
2. This is Jerusalem, home to the sacred sites of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This is the place that houses the church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place where Jesus was finally laid to rest. This is also the site of Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
3. Built by the Roman Emperor Constantine at the site of an earlier temple to Aphrodite, it is the most venerated Christian shrine in the world. And justifiably so. Here, within the church, are the last five stations of the cross, the 10th station where Jesus was stripped of his clothes, the 11th where he was nailed to the cross, the 12th where he died on the cross, the 13th where the body was removed from the cross, and the 14th, his tomb.
4. For all this weighty tradition the approach and entrance to the church is non-descript. You have to ask for directions. Even to the devout Christian pilgrims walking along the Via Dolorosa - the Way of Sorrows - first nine stations look clueless. Then a courtyard appears, hemmed in by other buildings and a doorway to one side. This leads to a vast area of huge stone architecture.
5. Immediately inside the entrance is your first stop. It's the stone of anointing: this is the place, according to Greek tradition, where Christ was removed from the cross. The Roman Catholics, however, believe it to be the spot where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph.
6. What happened next? Jesus was buried. He was taken to a place outside the city of Jerusalem where other graves existed and there, he was buried in a cave. However, all that is long gone, destroyed by continued attacks and rebuilding; what remains is the massive - and impressive - Rotunda (a round building with a dome) that Emperor Constantine built. Under this, and right in the centre of the Rotunda is the structure that contains the Holy Sepulcher.
7. "How do you know that this is Jesus' tomb?" I asked one of the pilgrims standing next to me. He was clueless, more interested, like the rest of them, in the novelty of it all and in photographing it, than in its history or tradition.
8. At the start of the first century, the place was a disused quarry outside the city walls. According to the gospels, Jesus' crucifixion occurred 'at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby.....'. Archaeologists have discovered tombs from that era, so the site is compatible with the biblical period.
9. The structure at the site is a marble tomb built over the original burial chamber. It has two rooms, and you enter four at a time into the first of these, the Chapel of the Angel. Here the angel is supposed to have sat on a stone to recount Christ's resurrection. A low door made of white marble, party worn away be pilgrims' hands, leads to a smaller chamber inside. This is the 'room of the tomb', the place where Jesus was buried.
10. We entered in single file. On my right was a large marble slab that covered the original rock bench on which the body of Jesus was laid. A woman knelt and prayed. Her eyes were wet with tears. She pressed her face against the slab to hide them, but it only made it worse.
On the basis of your understanding of this passage answer the following questions with the help of given options:(1x4=4)
(a) How does Jerusalem still retain the charm of ancient era?
(i) There are narrow lanes.
(ii) Roads are paved with cobblestones.
(iii) People can be seen riding asses
(iv) All of the above
(b) Holy Sepulcher is sacred to _________.
(i) Christianity
(ii) Islam
(iii) Judaism
(iv) Both (i) and (iii)
(c) Why does one have to constantly ask for directions to the church?
(i) Its lanes are narrow.
(ii) Entrance to the church is non-descript.
(iii) People are not tourist-friendly.
(iv) Everyone is lost in enjoying the romance of the place.
(d) Where was Jesus buried?
(i) In a cave
(ii) At a place outside the city
(iii) In the Holy Sepulcher
(iv) Both (i) and (ii)
Answer the following questions briefly:(1x6=6)
(e) What is the Greek belief about the 'stone of anointing'?
(f) Why did Emperor Constantine build the Rotunda?
(g) What is the general attitude of the pilgrims?
(h) How is the site compatible with the biblical period?
(i) Why did the pilgrims enter the room of the tomb in a single file?
(j) Why did 'a woman' try to hide her tears?
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as:
(1x2=2)
(i) A large grave (para 3)
(ii) Having no interesting features/dull (para 4)Marks:12View AnswerAnswer:
- (iv) All of the above
b) (i) Christianity
c) (ii) Entrance to the church is non-descript.
d) (iv) Both (i) and (ii)
e) According to the Greek belief, the stone of anointing is a place where Christ was removed from the cross.
f) Emperor Constantine built Rotunda to safeguard the Holy Sepulcher and the remaining structure around it.
g) Pilgrims have a very casual attitude and are completely unaware about the history and tradition. They are more into capturing pictures and appreciating the novelty of the church.
h) According to the gospels, Jesus' Crucifixion occurred 'at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby...' and as the archaeologists have discovered tombs from the biblical era, the site is compatible.
i) 'Room of the tomb' is a very small place, hence the pilgrims entered in a single file.
j) The woman knelt down to pray looking at the large marble slab and wanted to hide her tears as she became very sentimental.
k) i) A tomb
ii) Non-descript
- (iv) All of the above
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Q2
Read the passage carefully.
(10 Marks)
1. We often make all things around us the way we want them. Even during our pilgrimages we have begun to look whatever makes our heart happy, gives comfort to our body and peace to the mind. It is as if external solutions will fulfill our needs, and we do not want to make any special efforts even in our spiritual search. Our mind is resourceful − it works to find shortcuts in simple and easy ways.
2. Even pilgrimages have been converted into tourism opportunities. Instead, we must awaken our conscience and souls and understand the truth. Let us not tamper with either our own nature or that of the Supreme.
3. All our cleverness is rendered ineffective when nature does a dance of destruction. Its fury can and will wash away all imperfections. Indian culture, based on Vedic treatises, assists in human evolution, but we are now using our entire energy in distorting these traditions according to our convenience instead of making efforts to make ourselves worthy of them.
4. The irony is that humans are not even aware of the complacent attitude they have allowed themselves to sink to. Nature is everyone's Amma and her fierce blows will sooner or later corner us and force us to understand this truth. Earlier, pilgrimages to places of spiritual significance were rituals that were undertaken when people became free from their worldly duties. Even now some seekers take up this pious religious journey as a path to peace and knowledge. Anyone travelling with this attitude feels and travels with only a few essential items that his body can carry. Pilgrims traditionally travelled light, on foot, eating light, dried chickpeas and fruits, or whatever was available. Pilgrims of olden days did not feel the need to stay in special AC bedrooms, or travel by luxury cars or indulge themselves with delicious food and savouries.
5. Pilgrims traditionally moved ahead, creating a feeling of belonging towards all, conveying a message of brotherhood among all they came across whether in small caves, ashrams or local settlements. They received the blessings and congregations of yogis and mahatmas in return while conducting the dharma of their pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is like penance or sadhana to stay near nature and to experience a feeling of oneness with it, to keep the body healthy and fulfilled with the amount of food, while seeking freedom from attachments and yet remaining happy while staying away from relatives and associates.
6. This is how a pilgrimage should be rather than making it like a picnic by taking a large group along and living in comfort, packing in entertainment, and tampering with environment. What is worse is giving a boost to the ego of having had a special darshan. Now alms are distributed, charity done while they brag about their spiritual experiences!
7. We must embark on our spiritual journey by first understanding the grace and significance of a pilgrimage and following it up with the prescribed rules and rituals − this is what translates into the ultimate and beautiful medium of spiritual evolution. There is no justification for tampering with nature.
8. A pilgrimage is symbolic of contemplation and meditation and acceptance, and is a metaphor for the constant growth or movement and love for nature that we should hold in our hearts.
9. This is the truth!
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer the questions that follow with the help of the given options :(1x2=2)
(a) How can a pilgrim keep his body healthy?
(i) By travelling light
(ii) By eating small amount of food
(iii) By keeping free from attachments
(iv) Both (i) and (ii)
(b) How do we satisfy our ego?
(i) By having a special darshan
(ii) By distributing alms
(iii) By treating it like a picnic
(iv) Both (i) and (ii)
Answer the following as briefly as possible :(1x6=6)
(c) What change has taken place in our attitude towards pilgrimages?
(d) What happens when pilgrimages are turned into picnics?
(e) Why are we complacent in our spiritual efforts?
(f) How does nature respond when we try to be clever with it?
(g) In olden days with what attitude did people go on a pilgrimage?
(h) What message does the passage convey to the pilgrims?Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following :
(1x2=2)(i) made/turned (para 3)
(ii) very satisfied (para 4)Marks:10View AnswerAnswer:
a) (ii) By eating small amount of food
b) (iv) Both (i) and (ii)c) Earlier pilgrimages were a penance to stay near nature and did not require luxury rooms and big cars to travel, now they have become more of a tourism opportunity where people go for a picnic.
d) When pilgrimages turn into picnics, the entire significance of pilgrimage as a sadhana is lost. It becomes more of a social gathering, a life of comfort and a boost to ego, where pilgrims brag about charity and their special darshan.
e) Pilgrimages are no more of travelling on foot and living in the ashrams with basic necessities, it has become a picnic with all the comfort, ac rooms, travelling by car with a large group to have all the fun and entertainment. Hence, we are complacent in our spiritual efforts.
f) We are ruining our bodies because of the extra comfort that we are adapting. We are not making any efforts to adjust in adverse conditions rather making our bodies all the more tender. Nature is just like everyone's Amma and would act destructive by affecting our health etc. sooner or later and force us to understand this truth.
g) In olden days pilgrimages were more of a sadhna to love people, stay close to the nature, understand it, stay healthy and eat healthy. It was also for seeking freedom from attachment. It was not to adhere to materialistic pleasure and live a luxurious life.
h) It conveys that pilgrimages have a religious connotation and are undertaken for ritualistic purposes. People go on pilgrimages to understand the realities of life and stay close to nature. However, it should not be considered as an opportunity to gather in groups and enjoy the luxuries of life. According to the passage, people should learn to sustain the hardships and live happily.
I)
i) Rendered
ii) Complacent -
Q3
Read the passage given below:
(8 Marks)
It is surprising that sometimes we don't listen to what people say to us. We hear them, but we don't listen to them. I was curious to know how hearing is different from listening. I had thought both were synonyms, but gradually, I realised there is a big difference between the two words.
Hearing is a physical phenomenon. Whenever somebody speaks, the sound waves generated reach you, and you definitely hear whatever is said to you. However, even if you hear something, it doesn't always mean that you actually understand whatever is being said. Paying attention to whatever you hear means you are really listening. Consciously using your mind to understand whatever is being said is listening.
Diving deeper, I found that listening is not only hearing with attention, but is much more than that. Listening is hearing with full attention, and applying our mind. Most of the time, we listen to someone, but our minds are full of needless chatter and there doesn't seem to be enough space to accommodate what is being spoken.
We come with a lot of prejudices and preconceived notions about the speaker or the subject on which he is talking. We pretend to listen to the speaker, but deep inside, we sit in judgment and are dying to pronounce right or wrong, true or false, yes or no. Sometimes, we even come prepared with a negative mindset of proving the speaker wrong. Even if the speaker says nothing harmful, we are ready to pounce on him with our own version of things.
What we should ideally do is listen first with full awareness. Once we have done that, we can decide whether we want to make a judgement or not. Once we do that, communication will be perfect and our interpersonal relationship will become so much better. Listening well doesn't mean one has to say the right thing at the right moment. In fact, sometimes if words are left unspoken, there is a feeling of tension and negativity. Therefore, it is better to speak out your mind, but do so with awareness after listening to the speaker with full concentration.
Let's look at this in another way. When you really listen, you imbibe not only what is being spoken, but you also understand what is not spoken as well. Most of the time we don't really listen even to people who really matter to us. That's how misunderstandings grow among families, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using heading and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary − minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.(5 Marks)
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.(3 Marks)
Marks:8View AnswerAnswer:
(a)
1. Listening vs. Hearing
1.1 Difference between the synonyms
1.2 Hearing but not listening1.3 Paying attention
1.4 Hearing as a physical phenomenon
1.5 consciously using your mind
1.6 Mind full of needless chatter
1.7 Accommodating what is said
2. Judgment about the speaker
2.1 Prejudiced & preconceived notions
2.2 Dying to pronounce right or wrong
2.3 Neg. mindset
2.4 proving our ver. of things right3. Ideal way of listening
3.1 Listen first
3.2 Listen with awareness
3.3 Think before you judge
3.4 Not to leave words unspoken
3.5 Speak your mind out4. Listening to understand people
4.1 Imbibe what is not spoken
4.2 Times when we don't listen to people who matter
4.3 Triggers misunderstanding
List of abbreviations used
1. Vs. - Versus
2. Neg. - Negative
3. Ver. - Version
4. Don't - Do not
Title – Listening Versus Hearing
(b) Sometimes, we hear people but do not listen to them attentively. The difference between the two is that one is a physical phenomenon while the other is a conscious use of mind.
We, as listeners, often have preconceived notions about the speaker. We come prepared with a negative mindset, tend to prove them wrong and pounce our own version of things. Ideally, we should listen to them, understand their perception and stop judging them in order to avoid misunderstandings.
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Q4
Your school, Akash Public School, Agra needs a canteen manager. On behalf of the Principal, write an advertisement in about 50 words to be published in the classified columns of a local daily. Mention the educational and professional qualifications, other qualities required in the manager, who to apply to and the last date for the receipt of applications.
(4 Marks)
OR
Your club is going to organise an interclass singing competition. Write a notice in about 50 words inviting names of the students who want to participate in it. Give all the necessary details. You are Navtej/Navita, Secretary, Music Club, Akash Public School, Agra.
Marks:4View AnswerAnswer:
SITUATION VACANT
Akash Public School, Agra, requires a canteen manager for the school. The person should be a graduate above 35 years of age, with at least 3 years of managerial experience in the required field. He should be willing to work extra hours on special occasions. Interested candidates may apply to the Principal of the school latest by 24 March 2015.The last drawn salary and the expected salary must clearly be mentioned.e-mail:admin.akashpubschool.com Mobile:09975693712
ORAKASH PUBLIC SCHOOL, AGRA
NOTICE
INTERCLASS SINGING COMPETITION
March 6, 2015
An interclass singing competition will be organized on 24 March 2015 for the students of Akash Public School. The students who are good at singing solo and duets are requested to submit their names to the class monitor before 10 March. One student from each class will be selected in a preliminary round for the final music contest. The winning class will win “The Best Singers” award.
Navita
Secretary
Music Club -
Q5
You are Navtej/Navita, Secretary, Environment Club, Akash Public School, Agra. You, along with a group of students, went on a 3-day tour through Corbett National Park. You found how the tourists abuse the available facilities and thus endanger the environment. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national daily highlighting the situation. Suggest ways through which the environment of the Park can be saved.
(6 Marks)
OR
On Teacher's Day, you read in a newspaper that privately owned and managed schools in small towns or even in the suburbs of metropolitan cities exploit their teachers by paying them just a fraction of their authorised salaries. This affects their performance in the classroom and thus the lives of their students. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national daily raising your voice against such exploitation. Suggest ways to solve this problem. You are Navtej/Navita, 112 Taj Road, Agra.
Marks:6View AnswerAnswer:
Akash Public School
Agra
7 March 2015
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: The harmful effects of tourism on Corbett National Park
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authority to the extensive abuse of available facilities in the Corbett National Park by tourists and the consequent threat to the environment.
The tourists not only litter the place with non-biodegradable plastic packets and wrappers, but also use wood from the forests for cooking purposes. Excessive trampling of the soil has been reported to have a harmful effect on the natural ecosystem. The serenity of the habitat, which is so crucial to the resident fauna, is habitually disturbed by tourists playing loud music in their safari jeeps .
The Corbett National Park is the oldest in the country, established in 1936, to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It contains 488 different species of flora and diverse variety of fauna. The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance. The government should take necessary steps to protect the same. If required the public should be fined for the litter and damage caused to the park while their visit. It is my request that this issue be immediately taken up by your esteemed publication to generate further public awareness.
Yours sincerely
Navtej
Secretary
Environment ClubOR
112 Taj Road
Agra
7 March 2015
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Exploitation of teachers in privately-owned suburban and small town schools
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the public to the plight and exploitation of teachers in privately owned and managed schools in small towns and metropolitan suburbs . This issue was time and again brought to light in the previous years in various newspapers and magazines. Necessary actions should to be taken against the schools that give only fractions of the authorized salaries and exploit the teachers.
Such a malpractice is seen to affect the performance of the teachers in the classroom, as most teachers take up other jobs to make both ends meet and do not put in the requisite hours of teaching in the schools. The school trusts pay these teachers much less than the amount they were promised, leading to frequent resignations and constant changes in the faculty. This has affected students' performances and led to an atmosphere of uncertainty in the schools, which is detrimental to the cause of education.
As a nation that prides itself on revering its teachers, it must be noted that we cannot build a future for our students if we do not give due credit to our teachers. Therefore, I request your esteemed publication to take up this matter in order to investigate the issue further and sensitize the public to the plight of these teachers so that they shall press for a complete revamp in the education system of the country.
Yours sincerely
Navita -
Q6
The government has banned the use of animals in the laboratories for the purpose of dissection. Write a debate in 150 – 200 words either for or against this decision.
(10 Marks)
OR
Some people feel that electronic media (TV news) will bring about the end of print media (newspapers). What are your views on the issue? Write a debate in 150 – 200 words either for or against this view.
• use of visuals on TV
• authentic and fast
• not enough news for 24-hour telecast
• may fabricate news
• become repetitive and dull
• even scandals become news
• print media – time tested
• analysed, verified news
• editorial comments
• cater to all interestsMarks:10View AnswerAnswer:
Good morning everyone. I am here today to share with you my views against the motion for banning the use of animals for dissection.
Carrying out dissection on animals in the school laboratories gives the students a practical experience which is far superior to the theoretical knowledge gained from books. They are able to learn in practice what they are taught in theory. It should not be viewed as an unwelcome practice because this is aimed at developing the students’ knowledge of crucial facts about the basic functions of all living beings. This practical study of animals serves a scientific purpose; it affords them hands-on education for students so that what they have picked up in their text books acquires a dimension of reality. Their learning becomes tangible , so to say. This follows the dictum of learning by doing.The activity of cutting up of bodies is purely scientific and can have no bearing on the ethos or mentality of the students. Branding it as violence or as a procedure to incite violence is entirely baseless and dogmatic. It arouses the curiosity of the students and encourages them to investigate, analyze and glean more information. This cements their learning. They grow a scientific temperament.
Once they have witnessed for themselves the similarity of organs between human beings and animals, they shall grow more sensitive to the value of animals and begin to respect them. The guiding principle behind teaching students to dissect animals is that life, whether human or animal, is equally dignified and worthy. It also brings them face to face with the fact that all forms of life are inextricably linked to each other. We are tied to the same web of life,the same sap of life- force. Let us not forget that this is aimed at promoting research for the welfare of all living creatures.
Thank you.
OR
Good morning everyone. Today, I am here to talk about the issue of electronic media (TV news) endangering print media (newspapers). I would like to , very strongly, counter the fallacy that the 24 hour coverage of news promotes concoction and fabrication of news.Its being fast and extensive does not, in any way, encourage falsehood or the rat race of topping the TRP ratings.But at the same time we must not forget each one of us likes to receive news in the format or presentation of our like and choice. While some of us are busy and have no time for print media as we have a busy schedule, there are others who would like to read the news in detail. Housewives, retired people, business heads, researchers, police officers etc would like the read the news in detail and would like to crunch it at leisure which is just not possible for the electronic media.
The very nature of the news broadcast on the TV is built on the premise of brevity and speed. Those who look for details have to turn to the print media.
Secondly, it is not possible to publish magazines and periodicals on the TV. Here again we turn to paper and pen.
The viewing space and time are both marred by the incessant interruption of advertisements on the TV The print media doesn’t spoil our reading experience by advertisements. So I strongly feel that the print media cannot be replaced by the electronic one.
TV can not claim to be the sole fourth pillar of democracy. There are others who should bask in this glory. Print media is the time tested keeper of democratic values and has fostered democracy since its inception. Editorials have always espoused the social causes and have maintained intellectual freedom in our country.
Hence I conclude that print media is very much relevant today and cannot be supplanted by the electronic one.
Thank you.
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Q7
Midday meal scheme in the schools introduced by the government
serves several purposes. Millions of children from the deprived sections of society get nutritious food leading to good health, are attracted to the schools, kept from going astray and developed into good citizens. The scheme may have some drawbacks too. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on all aspects of the scheme. You are Navtej/Navita.Marks:10View AnswerAnswer:
Midday Meal
By Navtej
India being a poor country that has class-rooms accommodating a large number of students, the midday meal scheme in schools was started with the twin
objectives of maintaining the health of children in schools and improving attendance in the classes.
After the Independence, the makers of our constitution tried to model the Indian government after the welfare states of the world. Mandatory education for all children from all the sections of the society was enshrined in the constitution. As time progressed our policy makers realized that the life-style of the parents and their poverty made it impossible for all students to bring wholesome food to the school campus. Without nutritious food during the day, when physical activities are at their peak, it was felt that the students would not be able to concentrate on their studies . If India had to grow, her children would have to grow healthily. Hence ‘mid-day meal’ became a reality.
Since then there has been a dramatic turnaround in the attendance level of the government schools. Urchins staying away from schools now throng school premises as they are lured by the healthy meal. Unknowingly they are building their future through studies that are carried out at the schools and the nation is bound to develop.
Not everything is rosy, though. Corruption and mismanagement are taking their toll on this noble scheme. Adulterated food material, careless packing or poor preservation methods have resulted in sad deaths. The government should step up vigilance and make the system error free if the dream of the Father of the Nation is to be realized fully well.
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Q8
Morning assembly in the schools gives a cool and calm start to the
otherwise hectic schedule of the day. It can be a means of passing
important information to the students. What are your views on this
significant event of the day? Write an article in 150 – 200 words on
'Importance of Morning Assembly'. You are Navtej/Navita.
Marks:10View AnswerAnswer:
Importance of Morning Assembly
By Navita
A school is a place of learning wherein the Principal, the teachers, the support staff and the students make up a close-knit community which needs to refresh its relationship through regular contact . In this community, other members collaborate to impart life skills and good values to the students. The morning assembly becomes a very important tool in this field. The Principal’s message sets the tone for the work atmosphere for the day. The morning news updates everyone with what is happening around the world. The stories retold give a moral lesson to the gathering. ‘The thought of the day’ gives the vision for the day and becomes the beacon for the activities of the day. The morning prayer lends a spiritual aura to all the activities of the day. Prayers songs sung by the school choir fill the assembly with devotion and bring every one closer to God and to one another. The prayer and the songs also calm and soothe the disturbed minds of the students and the teachers alike. They are then ready for the teaching-learning process in the correct sense.
The morning assembly plays another crucial role. It provides the students with a platform to exhibit their hidden talents and to take on leadership responsibilities which go a long way into shaping their personalities. It is an important part of the extra-curricular activities carried out by any school .
The morning assembly also plays another role. It is an important tool for disseminating news and information. The Principal, the teachers or the support staff can directly address the students and inform them about events, decision of the school authorities, future plans for the school or some information from the government. It also affords the Principal some time wherein he/she can try to mould the young minds for the better. Thus the morning assembly plays a crucial role in preparing the future citizens of the country.
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Q9
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
(4 Marks)
and
looked out at young
trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, but after the airport's
security check, standing a few yards
away, I looked again at her, wan,
pale
as a late winter's moon and felt that
old
familiar ache, _ _ _
(a) How can the trees sprint?
(b) Why did the poet look at her mother again?
(c) What did she observe?
(d) Identify the figure of speech used in these lines.
OR
On their slag heap, them children
Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles of steel
With mended glass, like bottle bits on stones
(a) Who are these children?
(b) What is their slag heap?
(c) Why are their bones peeping though their skins?
(d) What does 'with mended glass' mean?
Marks:4View AnswerAnswer:
(a) If we look out of the window, sitting in a moving vehicle, we see that the objects outside moving in the opposite direction. The poetess felt as if the trees were running while she was travelling to the airport in a car with her mother. The young trees are personified in the poem. The movement of the trees is in stark contrast with the stillness associated with the mother. Life symbolized by the trees offers a contrast to the dying state of the mother.
(b) The poetess looked at her mother again because it was time for her to board the plane and therefore she wanted to reassure herself that her mother was there and imprint her face in her mind before departure.
(c) The poetess noticed that her mother’s face was pale and weak.
(d) Personification and simile are the poetic devices that are used in this extract.
OR
(a) The children mentioned here are the students sitting in an elementary school situated in a slum.
(b) The ‘slag heap' refers to the debris amid which these slum children spend their life.
(c) These slum children are very weak and malnourished. They look like skeletons as their bones peep through their thin skin.
(d) 'Mended glass' here means discarded spectacles thrown away by the rich, repaired and worn by these poor children as they do not have money to buy new glasses.
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Q10
Answer any fourof the following in 30 − 40 words each :
(a) What does Saheb look for in the garbage dumps?
(b) How was Gandhi treated at Rajendra Prasad's house?
(c) Why does one feel 'a sudden strangeness' on counting to twelve and keeping quiet?
(d) Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering. (A Thing of Beauty)
(e) When was the Tiger King in danger of losing his throne?
(f) What role did the American professor play in bringing Hana and Sadao together?Marks:12View AnswerAnswer:
(a) To Saheb, the garbage dump was an exotic package stock full of of wonders and magic. He dug up various kinds of treasures from there. He would often scrounge up a ten rupee note, a silver coin or other tit bits there.
(b) When Shukla took Gandhi to Rajendra Prasad’s house, he was out of town on some business. The servants knew that Shukla was a poor farmer who was pestering their master to help the indigo share croppers. They mistook Gandhi for a farmer who was accompanying Shukla and allowed him to stay there as his companion.
(c) Counting to twelve and keeping quiet ushers in a sudden strangeness because we are not accustomed to such serene, quiet and peaceful moments. Being busy with our daily routine and depending on machines we are not able understand ourselves and this is self annihilation .But this can be reverted by keeping quiet and listening our inner selves. This shall have a creative impact.
(d) The society is facing a severe crunch of noble people who are a model for the society.Secondly our society has created several problems for itself. These are wars, apartheid, class-struggle and corruption etc. We spend our time searching a solution to these problems. These are the causes of suffering and pain for humanity.
(e) The incident occurred when a high-ranking British officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was very fond of hunting tigers and being photographed with the ones he had shot. However, his desire to do so was declined by the Maharaja who himself was in need of tigers as he had vowed to kill a hundred of them. This enraged the official and the Tiger King stood a chance of losing his throne.
(f) Sadao had met Hana at the residenc of his American professor. The professor and his wife were a magnanimous couple who wanted to help the foreign students and so invited them to their house. Sadao and Hana waited to return to Japan and only then did they decide to marry with the permission of their parents.
