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VIBGYOR HIGH First Preliminary Examination 2020-2021 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH ENGLISH PAPER 2 Grade: X Max. Marks : 80 Date : 23/11/2020 Time Allowed: 2 hour Answers 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 at least one question from each of the Sections A, B and C. You may attempt the remaining two questions from any section(s) of your choice. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ] ___________________________________________________________________ SECTION A DRAMA The Merchant of Venice- William Shakespeare Question 1 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: BASSANIO: In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The self-same way with more advised watch, To find the other forth; and by adventuring both, I oft found both: I urge this childhood proof, Because what follows is pure innocence, I owe you much, and, like a wilful youth That which I owe is lost; but if you please 1 [16] To shoot another arrow that self way Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt, As I will watch the aim, or to find both Or bring your latter hazard back again, And thankfully rest debtor for the first. (i) Whom is Bassanio speaking to? Why is he explaining the above to [3] him? Where are they at the moment? (ii) How would Bassanio recover a lost arrow during his school [3] days?What plan does he discuss in the above extract? (iii) Why does the person whom Bassanio is speaking to, say you do [3] me more wrong after the above extract? Why can't the person help Bassanio with his plan? Why does Bassanio need money? (iv) How did Bassanio lose what he owes to the person whom he is [3] speaking to? Explain the line "what follows is pure innocence". (v) What does Bassanio's request lead to? Do you approve of [4] Antonio's response to Bassanio's request? Explain. Question 2 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: BALTHAZAR: Madam, I go with all convenient speed PORTIA: Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand That you yet know not of. We ll see our husbands Before they think of us. NERISSA: Shall they see us? PORTIA: They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit, That they shall think we are accomplished With that we lack. I ll hold thee any wager, When we are both accoutred like young men, I ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak between the change of man and boy 2 [16] With a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps Into a manly stride, and speak of frays Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies How honorable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they fell sick and died; I could not do withal; Then I ll repent, And wish for all that, that I had not kill d them: And twenty of these puny lies I ll tell; That men shall swear I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth. I have within my mind A thousand raw tricks of these bragging jacks Which I will practice. (i) Where does the scene take place? Who is Balthazar? Where is he [3] asked to go? (ii) What is Nerissa not aware of? How has Portia planned to see their [3] husbands before they think is possible? (iii) Where is Portia planning to go? Why has she planned to go there? [3] (iv) Who will be looking after Portia's house in her absence? What [3] reason has Portia given for staying away from her house? What else has Portia told them? (v) What disguise is Portia and Nerissa going to take? How is Portia [4] going to behave to act like a boy? Question 3 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: LAUNCELOT: Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is, indeed, deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. 3 [16] (i) What does Ergo mean? What does he mean by "according to [3] Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven ? Why does he use such words? (ii) Why does Launcelot tell old Gobbo that his son is dead? How [3] does Gobbo respond? Why has old Gobbo believed him? (iii) How does Launcelot prove that he is Gobbo's son? Whom was [3] Launcelot working for and whom does he want to work for? Why? (iv) Why does Launcelot use high-sounding words in his conversation [3] with Gobbo? What does Shakespeare want to convey to the audience in this context about the habit of some people in his time? (v) Bring out the humour, as portrayed in the scene. Give the [4] character sketch of Launcelot Gobbo. SECTION B POETRY A collection of Poems Question 4 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that [16] follow: Some are purple and gold flecked grey For she who has journeyed through life midway Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest, And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast And serves her household in fruitful pride, And worships the gods at her husband s side. The Bangle Sellers- Sarojini Naidu (i) What does purple and gold flecked grey colour symbolize? Which [3] stage of the woman s life is mentioned just before this stage? Mention the colour of bangles associated with the same. (ii) Which stage of a woman s life is portrayed in the extract? Mention [3] any two responsibilities that the woman at this stage, has to perform. (iii) Elaborate the colour imagery mentioned in the above extract. 4 [3] (iv) A woman goes through many changes in her life. Comment on the [3] change that she undergoes in the above extract-starting from a maiden to this particular stage. (v) What is the cultural relevance of bangles for women in India? [4] Explain the theme of the poem. Question 5 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that [16] follow: HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE! HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES! 'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say, 'But if we take the set away, What shall we do to entertain Our darling children? Please explain!' We'll answer this by asking you, 'What used the darling ones to do? 'How used they keep themselves contented Before this monster was invented?' Have you forgotten? Don't you know? Television- Roald Dahl (i) What is the poet referring to? Describe how the children used to [3] get entertained? (ii) Which words does the poet use to describe Television? Why does [3] the poet use capital letters in certain sections of the passage.Does it have any significance in the poem? (iii) What comparison does the poet make between brain and cheese? [3] What does the comparison refer to? What does the poet mean by'he only sees'? (iv) What does the poet mean by a fantasy, a fairyland? What [3] importance does it have in a child's development? State the rhyme scheme of the poem. (v) What harm does the 'monster' do? Do you agree with the message that the poet conveys? Give reason 5 [4] Question 6 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that [16] follow: Continuous as the stars that shine, And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line, Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company Daffodils- William Wordsworth (i) Where has the poet seen the daffodils? How many did he see at a [3] glance and which figure of speech does the poet use for the same? (ii) How does the poet compare the daffodils? Why does he make [3] such a comparison? (iii) Why does it appear that waves and the daffodils are competing? [3] Explain the line " They stretched in never ending line". (iv) What were the daffodils doing? Whom did they out do and how? [3] (v) Which jocund company is the poet referring to? When does the [4] poet remember the daffodils? How does he feel after remembering them? How can you say that Daffodils is a lyrical poetry? SECTION C - PROSE A collection of Short Stories Question 7 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Is it good? asked Mrs. Thompson seeing with what a keen relish the food was taken. 6 [16] The child paused with the cup in her hand, and answered with a look of gratitude that awoke to new life old human feelings which had been slumbering in her heart for half a score of years. " We'll keep her a day or two longer; she is so weak and helpless," said Mrs. Joe Thompson, in answer to her husband's remark, at breakfast-time on the next morning, that he must step down and see the Guardians of the poor about Maggie. "She'll be so much in your way," said Joe. "I shan't mind that for a day or two. Poor thing!" (i) Who is Maggie? How did she reach Mrs. Thompson s house? Did [3] she have any sibling? If yes, mention their name/ names. (ii) What was the reaction of Mrs. Thompson when the sick child was [3] brought in? How did her attitude change later? What do you think brought about the change? (iii) Give the character sketch of Joe Thompson. How was the [3] relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Thompson? Discuss the conflict in the story. (iv) Where was Mr. Joe Thompson supposed to send Maggie? What [3] did Mrs. Thompson tell Joe about Maggie? What message does the story convey to the readers? (v) Explain the transformation of Jane Thompson from a selfish [4] woman to selfless and affectionate motherly figure. Question 8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Your dead cease to love you and the land of their nativity as soon as they pass the portals of the tomb and wander away beyond the stars. They still love its verdant valleys, it's murmuring rivers, it's magnificent mountains, sequestered vales and verdant lined lakes and bays, and ever yearn in tender fond affection over the lonely 7 [16] hearted living, and often return from the happy hunting ground to visit, guide, console, and comfort them. Day and night cannot dwell together. (i) Who is the speaker? Who is the Great White Chief? What is the [3] speech, of the speaker, about? (ii) What are the salient aspects of the speaker's character which is [3] evident through his speech? (iii) What does the speaker say about their dead ancestors? What is [3] the attitude of the white people towards their dead ancestors? What does the speaker think about the words of the Great White Chief? (iv) What do the dead tribal people not forget? What do they still love? [3] How does the speaker react to the proposition sent by the white man? (v) Does the speaker accept the proposition sent by The White man? [4] Why? Differentiate between the Tribal Belief system and the Western Belief System. Question 9 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: What are you doing out here, boy?' asked Mr. Oliver sharply, moving closer so that he could recognize the miscreant. But even as he approached the boy, Mr. Oliver sensed that something was wrong. The boy appeared to be crying. His head hung down, he held his face in his hands, and his body shook convulsively. It was a strange soundless weeping, and Mr. Oliver felt distinctly uneasy. 'Well, what's the matter?' he asked, his anger giving way to concern. 'What are you crying for?' The boy would not answer or look up. His body continued to be racked with silent sobbing. Come on, boy, you shouldn't be out here at this hour. Tell me the trouble. Look up!" 8 [16] (i) Who is Mr. Oliver? From where is Mr. Oliver returning? Where [4] does he find the boy? Why does he approach the boy? (ii) What was called the Eton of the East? Why? Comment on the [4] setting and atmosphere of the story. (iii) Give the character sketch of Mr. Oliver. Do you agree that the story ends with a thrilling climax? Justify. ***** 9 [8]
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