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Bishop Johnson School and College Allahabad Time 2hrs Marks 80 Answer to this Paper must be written on the Paper provided separately. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes. This time is to be spent in reading the Question Paper. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers. Attempt five questions in all. You must attempt one question from each of Sections A, B and C. And any two other questions. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ]. Section A Drama The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare Question 1 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [16] Portia : By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world Nerissa : You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are; and yet, for aught I see, they are sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. It mean: super fluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. 1. Where are the speaker at this time? Why is Portia sad and bored? What is the occasion? [3] 2. Who is Nerissa? How does Nerissa try to cheer Portia? Who enters later in the scene? What news is conveyed to Portia? [3] 3. What does Nerissa say about Portia s father? Why according to her must Portia abide by her dead father s will? [3] 4. Later in the extract how does Nerissa remind Portia of Bassano? What does she say about him? What is Portia s reaction? [3] 5. What do you think is the real reason of Portia s sadness? How is her will curbed by her father s will? [4] Question 2 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Shylock: [16] Jessica, my girl, Look to my house I am right loath to go: There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to night. 1. Where does this scene takes place? Who else is there besides Shylock and Jessica? Where was Shylock going and why? [3] 2. Explain loath to go and ill a-brewing towards my rest . What reason for this feeling is given by him? [3] 3. What instructions does Shylock proceed to give Jessica regarding herself and his house? [3] 4. A little before this extract, who does Shylock call the Prodigal Christian and why? What previous association does this Prodigal Christian have with Shylock? [3] 5. Towards the end of this scene, what does Jessica talk to the audience about her father? What did she mean by it? Do you think Jessica proved a dutiful daughter? Give two reasons. [4] Section B Poetry A Collection of Short Poems Question 3 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [16] The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. [Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost] 1. Where is the poet at this hour? To whom does this place belong? Why do you think he stopped there? [3] 2. How can you can say that the poet is a lover of nature and the owner of the wood is not? What does promises to keep signify? [3] 3. Earlier in the poem, who makes the poet aware of his mistake? How? What does it signify? [3] 4. How does the woods act as an obstacle in keeping the poets promise? What tells us that there was silence all around? [3] 5. Mention the theme of the poem. Give the symbolic meaning of the last two lines, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. [4] Question 4 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [16] The morning stretched calm, beautiful and warm. Sprawling half clad, I gazed out that the form Of shimmering leaves and shadow. Suddenly A strong flash, then another, startled me. [A Doctor Journals Entry for August 6, 1945 by Vikram Sheth] 1. How is the morning described in this extract? Where was the doctor at the time of the catastrophe? What did he saw? (any two things he saw) [3] 2. What tragedy is referred to later in the poem, after this extract? What was his wife s name? What was her condition? [3] 3. Explain a strong flash, then another, startled me. What physical and mental suffering did the narrator go through in the tragedy? [3] 4. What was the impact of the tragedy on the place and the people? What happened to his house and his clothes? [3] 5. Later in the poem why does the narrator get the idea of going to the hospital? What was the physical condition of the narrator? Mention the central idea of the poem? [4] Section C Prose A Collection of Short Stories Question 5 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [16] Johnsy s eyes were wide open. She was looking out of the window and counting backward. Twelve , she said, and little later eleven ; and then nine ; and then eight and seven , almost together. Sue look solicitously out of the window. What was there to count? There was only a bear, dreary yard to be seen and the blank side of the brick house twenty feet away. An old, old ivy vine, gnarled and decayed at the roots, climbed half way up the brick wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken its leaves from the wine until its skeleton branches clung, almost bear, to the crumbling bricks. What is it, dear? Asked Sue [The Last Leaf by O. Henry] 1. Who are Johnsy and Sue? When and where did they meet? What was their profession? [3] 2. What made the two young artists jointly start a studio? Mention any two examples to show that Johnsy and Sue shared a friendly relationship with one another. [3] 3. What sickness was Johnsy suffering from? Why was sick Johnsy looking outside the window? What and why was she counting? [3] 4. What strange fancy has Johnsy taken? What was the doctor s opinion about Johnsy s illness? [3] 5. Who is Behrman ? What did he do to save Johnsy s life? What was his masterpiece? [4] Question 6 Referring to the short story Journey by Night , give a vivid account of the journey undertaken by Sher Singh and the obstacles he overcome. Mention how this was a show of human courage? [16]
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