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ICSE Notes 2017 : English Paper 2 (English Literature) Most Probable Long Answer Questions

16 pages, 30 questions, 12 questions with responses, 23 total responses,

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LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM PROSE SECTION Question 1 Narrate the incredible journey undertaken by Sher Singh from Laldwani to Kalaghat in Norah Burke s Journey by Night . [16] Sher Singh was a twelve year old boy, small and cheerful, a child of the jungle. His little brother, Kunwar, had a pain in his stomach that was getting worse despite the efforts of his mother to help him. After a while the mother said that Kunwar must be taken to the hospital at Kalaghat. Sher Singh realised the seriousness of the situation. His father, Sher Singh Bahadur, was away in the jungle with an expedition. Therefore the responsibility of taking Kunwar to the hospital was his. The mother took one of her two saris and making a sling for Sher Singh, lifted up Kunwar, and put him into it. She Singh set off into the jungle in the evening with the orange glow of the sunset. Kalaghat was at least fifty miles away, but Sher Singh hoped that if he could get through the jungle and cross the two rivers in between, he might get a lift in a bullock cart or perhaps even a brokendown truck for the last part of his journey. He was now alone on the track that wound into the forest, into night. Instinct made him hesitate before taking another step, as a cobra that had been sunning itself on the path in the fading daylight contracted and rose with a hiss. Sher Singh froze. He then slowly backed away. The cobra swayed, watching him, its tongue playing in and out. After some moments it slid away into the grass. Sher Singh drew a breath and walked on. Kunwar was getting heavier and Sher Singh longed to rest. Around him was the forest. Night fell. The sky blazed with stars. Having good eyes, Sher Singh could see at night. Presently, the moon rose. The sight of bear tracks in the dust made him glance round uneasily. Presently, on a cliff above a river-bed, he set Kunwar down gently. Suddenly all his muscles, shrinking back to their natural positions, thrilled with piercing pain. He lay against a tree with his eyes shut, recovering. It was then they heard the jostle and squeal of elephants. Below him on each side of the shallow river-bed, the elephants travelled. He could see the cows and babies, and one great old tusker. They came quite close and he could smell elephant. The tuskerwas swaying his trunk to and fro to learn whatever the breeze could tell him; and suddenly he hesitated. The trunk came round towards the boys. Sher Singh chilled with fright. With Kunwar to carry, he could neither climb nor run. Prayer after prayer fled up like birds from his frightened spirit. The tusker snorted, trumpeted and shook his head. Suddenly he hurried on angrily up the river-bed with the herd with him. They disappeared. Sher Singh breathed another prayer, of thanks this time, and made ready to move with Kunwar on his back once again. He scrambled down into the river-bed. Though the water was only waistdeep, he had to go slowly because of the slime on the stones. He had to 1 feel for a foot-hold and be sure not to fall. He was grateful there was a bridge at the second river. That bridge was an impermanent thing made of bamboo poles driven into the stony river-bed, tied round and filled with stones to make the piers of the bridge. Towards midnight he heard the second river from far away, a steady roar of flood. When he came out on the shore, he saw it. A big head of snow must have melted the previous day, because from bank to bank, the river foamed. He looked for the bridge. It was not there. Branches rose and caught against the bridge. Underneath, boulders moved. He could hear the river grinding its teeth. Then a tree, churning over and over, crashed against the drowned bridge, which heeled and broke, throwing up its bamboo ribs like a fan. Sher Singh wondered how to cross the river. He set Kunwar down and brought him water from the river in his hands. Sher Singh gathered grass and, plaiting it into a rope, tied it round his brother and himself so they would keep together. Then he entered the water just above the bridge. The river seized them and flattened them against the wreck. Unable to move at first, he edged forward, feeling forward to find things to hold and finding the sharp split ends of bamboo. It was so cold he could hardly see in the spray, and he did not know if his brother lived or died. Water poured past him and over him in one long icy cascade. But he kept the child s head above water, and moved slowly inch by inch. Gradually, the river seemed to lose power. They were through. After that, Sher Singh did not know what happened. He was wet and icecold but he stumbled on. He kept walking till his knees bent and trembled and gave way. He was crawling. After that, the next he knew they were in a bullock-cart, then a truck. Somebody asked him where he had come from. When he mentioned the village of Laldwani, he was asked in wonder if he had carried the boy alone, across the river in flood. They finally were at the hospital. Kunwar was treated at the hospital and the doctor told Sher Singh that his brother would live. Thus the herculean task of carrying his brother, against all odds, ended on a positive note for Sher Singh. He had indeed accomplished the impossible, braving all setbacks and dangers. Question 2 What are the problems that the villagers in the hilly regions face? How does this become nearly fatal for Sher Singh s family in the story Journey by Night ? (16) The villagers lead a difficult life in the Laldwani village like people in any other such hilly regions which dot the many parts of India. Being miles away from towns and cities they are at times cut off from the rest of the country. Besides, the hilly terrain makes their villages difficult of access, which further increases their difficulties. They have to depend on the local resources for water, fuel and food. Besides, falling prey to wild animals is a regular hazard. But the problem which hits them hardest is the lack of medical facilities. This and the other 2 problems are well brought out in the story Journey by Night by Norah Burke. The story not only deals with the bravery and courage displayed by the little jungle boy but also reveals to us the problems of these simple jungle folks with primitive forms of transport and communication. The people lead simple lives. In the absence of medical facilities, the villagers feel helpless in the case of illnesses. Such is the case when little Kunwar falls terribly ill. Sher Singh s mother has already lost many of her offspring to cholera, influenza and other diseases and to jungle accidents. As there are no men present in the village, twelve year old Sher Singh decides to take his ailing brother to Kalaghat hospital in a last ditch effort to save him. His mother makes a sling from one of her two saris and puts it around his forehead and down his back. She then lifts Kunwar and places him into it. Kalaghat is about fifty miles away. Undeterred by distance and hardships, little Sher Singh carries his precious load through thorny jungle paths, crosses surging rivers, encounters a huge cobra, comes close to a wild herd of elephants and finally reaches a road where he gets a lift from a bullock card and then a truck which at last drops him with his load at the hospital. Kunwar gets better with proper medical treatment and the doctor applauds little Sher Singh s courage. The story brings out in great detail the many problems that the family faces and the ones Sher Singh overcomes with grit and determination. Question 3 Justify the title of the story Journey by Night . [16] The title chose, Journey by Night is appropriate. The title arouses curiosity as to who undertook the journey and why, whereas night evokes images of fear and darkness. The story highlights the grit and determination as well as the sense of duty and responsibility besides the strength of purpose that Sher Singh, a twelve-year-old, brown and cheerful boy of the hills, reveals as he carries his ailing brother, Kunwar on his back facing the dangers of the thick dark forest, the home of dangerous wild animals, and finally saves him by reaching him to the hospital in Kalaghat about 50 miles away from his own village, Laldwani. Moving through the scrub, rough grass dotted with thorn trees, facing a cobra and a herd of elephants, crossing two rivers with their icy cold waist-deep water, he plodded on. His muscles ached; he craved for rest but overcame all obstacles and hurdles, determined in his desire to save his dying brother. Night also has deeper connotations besides the literal ones. It refers to the darkness of the night as well as the forest in addition to the dark thoughts of death and confusion that the boy struggles against and finally wins over as he manages to save his brother. Thus, it is an incredible tale of a tender twelve-year-old boy with the strength of a giant who faces the trials and tribulations of the journey undertaken at night. 3 NOTE: You can develop your answer using these points in simple sentences. Question 4 Though set in Iran, the story Hunger has a universal appeal. Elucidate. [16 Marks] OR Set against the background of Iranian Revolution of 1979, the story Hunger brings out the socio-economic inequality between haves and the have-nots. Discuss. [16] Set against the background of the 1978-79 Iranian Revolution which replaced the ancient monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza by a Republic. An indirect satire on the Iranian political propaganda. The major theme of the story is hunger and starvation as well as vast economic differences between the haves and the have-nots all over the world. The Haves: A crowded market place with shops full of items waiting to be sold. Due to inflation things are expensive. However, the demand hasn t gone down. Customers purchase and enjoy themselves eating and drinking. The Have-nots: We are presented with the plight of a poor man, Kasim. He sells rags to earn his living. He represents the have-nots. His family lives in village. They have no land to cultivate. He is the only earning member. Problems of hunger and starvation suffered through several generations. He belongs to a class of manual labourers. He finds it difficult to make a decent living. His great grandfather did physical labour in some household and died of high fever. His grandfather died of hunger and cold. His father was a physical labourer who starved and moved from place to place. Kasim manages life with 500 rupees a month. If he doesn t work, he will have to sleep hungry at night. Rizwan also belongs to the class of have-nots. Educated yet in the clutches of poverty. Not suitably employed and in need of one. He has to shoulder family responsibilities and appears quite well to do. Later, it is discovered that his family is also facing acute financial problems. His father died two years ago. His mother is ill. His brother s education was discontinued due to lack of finances. Rizwan tries to earn selling cold drinks at a shop. He has no money to buy food. He goes hungry throughout the day. The uneducated poor as well as educated unemployed, both Kasim and Rizwan suffer the pangs of hunger. They are victims of starvation. Have-nots die of hunger and starvation as upper class indulges in extravagance, wide economic gap between rich and poor, rich country. It is a vast storehouse of petrol. Yet, the benefits of economic abundance do not percolate to poor. They do not benefit from national affluence. 4 Though it is a story based on Iran, it is universally true of all developing nations of the world that have a wide disparity between the haves and the have-nots. We, in India, can also easily identify with the characters and their problems. NOTE: You can develop your answer using these points in simple sentences. Question 5 In the story India s Heroes , Kabeer spoke about people who had stirred his heart. How did they prove to be heroic? [16] What would you like to be when you grow up? This is a question that has been asked of everyone at some point or another in life. The same question was put forth in a simple assignment by a resourceful teacher and turned out to be an opportunity for students to talk about people who inspired them: people who were their role models. India s Heroes is a story that effectively highlights the impact of people who, by their acts of valour, inspire young minds to strive for excellence and aspire for lofty ideals. Kabeer, a student, spoke about people from different walks of life, people who responded with great bravery and presence of mind during the terror attacks in the city of Mumbai. Kabeer first spoke about Major SandeepUnnikrishnan. Kabeer said that SandeepUnnikrishnan wanted to join the army since the age of eight. Pursuing his ambition, he served two tenures with his battalion in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations, before becoming part of the NSG in January 2007. He was deployed on the 27th of November, 2008 to clear Hotel Taj in Mumbai of terrorists. In the hotel, Major Unnikrishnanengaged himself in a relentless battle against the terrorists. It was a prolonged gunfight that was fraught with danger. One of his commandos was hit in the fierce exchange of fire. Major Sandeep arranged for his evacuation and continued to chase the terrorists. He took the initiative to follow the terrorists who had fled to another floor of the hotel. He told the rest of the team not to come up and that he would handle them. In the battle that followed, Major SandeepUnnikrishnan was hit by the enemy bullets. Even then he tried to save his soldier Gajendra Singh, but eventually succumbed to his injuries. Major Sandeep was heroic because he sacrificed his life while serving the country, all the while taking care of his team, showing concern for their safety. Kabeer went on to talk about Vishnu DattaramZende who was an announcer with the Mumbai Railways for ten years. While he was on duty on the fateful evening of 26th November, he heard a loud explosion at one end of the CST platform and saw some people with bloodstains on their clothes. Sensing that something was wrong, he used the public announcement system to tell people to use another exit. Instead of hiding or running away, he continued to make announcements, keeping the safety of other people in mind, fully aware that he could also be attacked by the terrorists. In fact, a bullet was fired into his cabin, but missed him. 5 Vishnu DattaramZende was heroic because he continued to do his duty, not just a job, but a duty to humanity, trying to help people leave the area safely, all the while placing himself under high risk. Kabeer expressed the desire to be like the noble and loyal Karambir Singh Kang, the General Manager of the Taj Hotel. He put the safety of his family and himself aside and focused on helping his guests and staff out of the hotel. His wife and children, trapped in a fire that engulfed them, were suffocated to death. Despite hearing of the tragic fate that befell them, Karambir Singh Kang rose above his personal tragedy heroically and continued to ensure his guests safety. He continued to work at the Taj, despite his irreparable loss, helping to restore its original splendor and magnificence. An emotional Kabeer continued with his speech. He said that he wanted to be fearless like the Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief HemantKarkare, who pursued the terrorists in a jeep. He was gunned down by the terrorists near Cama Hospital, along with his brave comrades DIG Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar. HemantKarkare had served in Austria for seven years in the Research and Analysis Wing of India, as an Intelligence Officer. He led a life battling terror and lay down his life heroically combating terror. Kabeer spoke about ordinary people like ChottuChaiwala and Sandra Samuel who showed extraordinary courage. Mohammed Taufeeq Sheikh, popularly known as ChottuChaiwala, was a young boy who ran a tea stall outside CST station. He was prompt in helping transport the injured to St George Hospital. Sandra Samuel was the Indian Nanny who selflessly saved the life of two-year-old Moshe Hotzberg when Nariman House was attacked. Both parents were killed in the attack. Moshe escaped death because his Nanny saved him. Kabeer lauded the spirit of the caretakers of the kabristans , the cemeteries in Mumbai who refused to allow the dead terrorists to be buried there. They proved that terrorism has no religion, and the only true religion in the world is love and respect for all human beings. All through Kabeer s speech, the people he spoke about had one thing in common: they were all united in their fight against terror and each one extended himself beyond the mere call of duty. They, by dint of their courage and selfless action, were transformed into heroes and saviours who shall continue to instil courage in people. They apparently had the same effect on Kabeer s class as the students, moved and inspired by his speech, gave him a standing ovation. Question 6 Highlight the character of Kabeer as brought out through the story, India s Heroes . [16] Kabeer, the protagonist of the story is a simple boy who values simple people and their great acts of bravado. An introvert by nature, Kabeer is rather a little shy and not used to speaking aloud in front of the class. 6 He does not have a natural flair for speech but is able to reveal his ability as a good writer and a good orator by which he captivates other people s attentions. He is hard-working, persevering, duty-conscious and disciplined boy. He carefully collects facts and details pertaining to his assignments. He is a sensitive boy who feels deeply about the happenings around him. He values qualities such as courage, fearlessness, selflessness, service about self-sacrifice for others, patriotism, care and concern for others. Note: You can develop your answers using these points in simple sentences. Question 7 The major part of the inspiring story India s Heroes is Kabeer s speech. With close reference to his speech relate the different characters that inspired Kabeer. [16] The students of class VIII A had prepared speeches for their assignment What would I like to be when I grow up .Kabeer, like the other pupils in the class, was well prepared with his speech. But being a shy and reticent boy, he was nervous. His speech was not focused on a single character but on a combination of traits of people from different walks of life. He stood up and began saying that when he grew up he wanted to be brave like Major SandeepUnnikrishnan, who had laid down his life fighting the terrorists in Mumbai. He, along with his team, had engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight in Hotel Taj. He fought bravely till the end, more concerned about the safety of his mates than his own. Kabeer continued as all his class mates listened with rapt attention. He said that he also wanted to be like Vishnu Zende, the announcer at CST in Mumbai who warned the passengers of the terror strike guided them to safety through the public address system. Then he said he would like to be like General Manager Karambir Singh Kang of the Taj Hotel who helped his guests and staff, till the police took over, ignoring his and his family s safety. By this time Kabeer himself was so emotionally involved with the speech that suppressing a sob he continued that he would like to be like the AntiTerrorism Squad Chief HemantKarkare and his brave comrades DIG Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar. They pursued the terrorists in a jeep but were gunned down. The teacher, Rita Baruah s eyes filled with tears but Kabeer had not finished yet. There were others too who had inspired him. ChhotuChaiwala, who ran a tea stall outside CST station had untiringly helped to transport the injured to the hospital thus saving many lives. He left a lasting impression on Kabeer. Then he wanted to be selfless like Sandra Samuel who saved the life of two year old Moshe when his parents died in the attack on Nariman House. 7 Kabeer also wanted to be like the caretakers in the cemeteries of Mumbai who took up a stand against terrorism by refusing to allow the dead terrorists to be buried there. As Kabeer ended his speech, a thunderous applause broke out cheering him. In other words, what inspiredKabeer were the traits common to all these little known heroes courage, selflessness, sincerity and their dedication to duty. Question 8 My Lost Dollar is an amusing account of the author s efforts to retrieve a dollar lent to his friend. Elucidate. It is often true that a person who borrows money is more likely to forget the fact than a person who lends money. The plot of My Lost Dollar is about the efforts made by the lender to retrieve a dollar that he had lent his friend who had apparently forgotten that he had borrowed it. The author, Stephen Leacock, in a very humorous vein, writes about the efforts made by him to get his money back. A funny story, My Lost Dollar leaves a lasting impression because it is about real life situations with real people and their follies laced with humour. Todd had borrowed a dollar from the author a year ago. In face the author remembers the date, 8th April to be precise. Todd was leaving for Bermuda and needed a dollar to pay for his taxi fare. The author lent him a dollar but little did he know that Todd would simply forget about it. In face the author assumed that when Todd took the money from him, he intended to pay it back. And then the long anticipation for the dollar began. Todd sent the author a note from Bermuda. There was no dollar enclosed. However, the author was befuddled by the mention of the temperature being nearly up to hundred. Surely the figure was not right. He was, after all, expecting the mention of only one dollar. When Todd was leaving for Bermuda, the author went to see him off. One can presume that it was an act of friendship. However, when the author met Todd on his return, his insistence on saying that it was not because of the dollar, but because he held him in esteem and that it would be nice for Todd to see someone waiting for him after being away for three weeks, makes the reader feel that the author is primarily there for his dollar, friendship aside. Another hint made by the author confirms our suspicions. He suggested taking a taxi, obviously trying to jog Todd s memory a little. Todd, however, remained impervious to any hint, subtle or otherwise. He suggested they walk to the Club instead of taking a taxi. 8 At the Club the author continued his efforts to bring up the subject of the dollar. He spoke about the currency in Bermuda and whether the American dollar was on par. He emphasised the word dollar but Todd was oblivious to any hint. After some days the author asked Todd what his trip had cost him and Todd blithely replied that he kept no accounts. A little later the author asked Todd if he felt settled down after his trip and Todd said that he had practically forgotten about it. At that moment, the bitter truth sank in. The author would never get his dollar back. The author bore no grudge, but he could never forget his dollar. In fact he said that he had met Todd two nights ago at dinner and Todd had been talking about Poland. There had been no trace of self-consciousness when he said that Poland would never pay her debts. The author mused: You d think a thing like that would have reminded him, wouldn t you? But it didn t seem to. The author ends his story by cleverly urging his readers not to be careless enough to leave this copy round where it might be seen by Todd, with quite the opposite intention perhaps, as he clearly gave the full particulars of where Todd might be found, that is, at the University Club Montreal. The style of writing is witty and humorous but the story s impact is greater because of the universality of such incongruous situations. Who hasn t experienced something like this? A borrowed dollar, a borrowed pen and a borrowed book rarely come back to the original owner. The obsession with a single dollar may be over the top but it is a personal thing. It is funny when it happens to someone else, but it also brings in a little introspection. As the author realizes, there might be people to whom he owed a dollar. This though led to the author wanting to start a Back to Honesty movement. The story raises larger questions of the dynamics of human relationships and how money can lead to tension between people and even countries. The humour is intensified as Leacock underplays the issue with the money being just one dollar. Question 9 Give a brief description of what happens after Todd borrows a dollar from his friend in the story My Lost Dollar . Discuss what part humour plays in it. The narrator lends his friend Todd a dollar to pay his taxi fare when the latter is leaving for Bermuda, hoping that he will soon return it. Todd sends a letter from Hamilton, Bermuda. The narrator opens the envelope expecting the dollar but to his disappointment it is merely a letter. Todd returns from Bermuda and the narrator goes to receive him hoping again that he will get his dollar back. With that in mind he suggests that they take a taxi to the club hoping that the payment of the taxi fare might remind Todd of the dollar which he had borrowed for paying the taxi fare, when he had left for Bermuda. But Todd says that he prefers to walk. The two spend an evening together and the narrator gives several hints so that Todd may remember the borrowed dollar but cannot bring himself to directly ask his friend for the money. 9 The narrator meets his friend practically every day at the club. However, his friend seems to have altogether forgotten having borrowed a dollar from the narrator. The narrator expresses his helplessness in the case and states that he may perhaps never get his dollar back. However, he says that he bears Todd no grudge, and the matter does not affect their friendship. There are other people also who have borrowed money from him and have failed to pay back. He has simply added Todd to the list of his borrowers. Even references to the individuals or nations not paying their debts fail to remind Todd of the fact that he himself is indebted to his friend. The whole story is sprinkled lavishly with humour. The narrator talks about Bermuda s currency and wants to know if it is at par with the American dollar but the friend does not take the hint. The humour is created by the many ingenious ways the narrator invents to remind Todd about the dollar he owes him and the arguments he advances for not repaying his own debts. But nothing works. One cannot help but smile as one reads on. The narrator s observations are highly entertaining. Not only does one smile but tends to laugh as the story proceeds and we witness the narrator s desperate effort to get back his dollar from Todd. a hand on his shoulder, enquired, Your name? Kasim, caught unawares, the middle-aged man stopped. [1] Where was Rizwan? What thoughts were crossing his mind? [3] Ans: Rizwan was at the market. He looked at the shops full of things waiting to be sold. Though things were expensive, people were buying them anyway. Though there was unemployment, people were eating and drinking. These were the thoughts on his mind. [2] What did Rizwan continue to ask Kasim? What did Kasim answer? At what point did Kasim get angry? [3] Ans: Rizwan asked Kasim about his profession and income. Kasim answered that he sold old clothes and earned about five hundred rupees a month. He assured Rizwan that he could manage with that. When Rizwan asked him where he lived, he retorted sharply What s it to you? [3] What did Kasim reveal about his background? What plans did he have for his son? [3] Ans: Kasim said that his family was in the village. He did not have any land and he belonged to a family that had, for generations, done physical labour for a living. Kasim s father had told him that Kasim s grandfather had died of hunger and cold, whereas his great grandfather had died of high fever. He belonged to a family of hard-working people who struggled 10 hard to exist. He said that he would start his son in his profession from the next year when he turned five. [4] What issues about the government did Rizwan raise? What was Kasim s response? Ans: Rizwan asked if Kasim knew the government was helping poor farmers. Land could be arranged for him. He asked him if he knew the country had a store-house of petrol, also referred to as black gold . He checked if Kasim knew about the Shah and if the common man had been happy in the reign of the Shah. He told him that the new government was interested in helping them. He asked if Kasim wanted a loan to set up business. To all these queries, Kasim had only one answer. It was an emphatic No . He said he did not know anything except that he had been asked a lot of questions the previous time too and had to sleep hungry that night as, after the procession, nobody had remembered anything. [v] Explain Rizwan s interest in Kasim. [4] Ans: Only that day had Rizwan found a job for himself through an acquaintance as a journalist for the Kihaan newspaper. He had been given work on the condition that first he would contribute a few articles, and then he would be considered for the job. He had been told to submit interviews with five people along with their names and addresses. It was difficult enough to identify these people in the crowded market, and to make them talk was an ordeal. After the incomplete interview with Kasim, Rizwan thought of the neverending problems back home. He had not eaten anything since morning; his pocket was empty except for the bus pass. At the office he submitted his interview, completing it by writing his own address in the place of Kasim s address. At least he now had work for the next day. He was tired and hungry and wanted to reach home as soon as possible. Kasim had given him a chance to survive for a day and hope for the next day. Extract 4 As I looked at him, I could see the large stain on his shirt All reddish-brown from his warm blood mixed in with Asian dirt. Not much, said he. I count myself more lucky than the rest. They re all gone while I just have a small pain in my chest. [i] Where was the soldier boy sitting? What did he want from the narrator? Why? (3) Ans: The soldier was sitting under a tree. Though visibly dejected, tired and exhausted, he looked perfectly calm. He wanted a sip of water from the narrator. He had fought all day and night without any rest. He felt a sip of water would do him good as he had a small pain in his chest. 11 [ii] What was the reason for the small pain in his chest? (3) Ans: The soldier was seriously injured in his chest when a bomb exploded the previous night. This is evident from the fact that the narrator could see a large blood-stain on the soldier s shirt. It was reddish-brown, formed as a result of the warm blood mixing in with Asian dirt . The injury apparently caused the soldier boy what he termed a small pain in his chest . [iii] Narrate the events that led to the condition the soldier was in. (3) Ans: The soldier said that he and two hundred fellow soldiers had climbed the hill. As they reached the top, there was an explosion and he felt a small pain in his chest. He tried to get help but all he could see were craters in the earth and bodies lying around. He added that he had tried to do his best and had fired continuously at the enemy. But finally he had to sit down because he had a small pain in his chest. [iv] What does he wonder about his wife and mother? (3) Ans: The soldier spoke about his wife and mother. He was worried what they would think of him if they were to see him sitting there defeated by a small pain in his chest.His wife would definitely not like to see her man so strong and grown sitting there too weak to stand alone. His mother would never have imagined when she had held him - as an infant - close to her breast, that one day he would bring shame to her. [v] How does the poet conclude the poem? (4) Ans: The soldier looked up at the sun, winced and said that it was getting dark early. He expressed his desire to rest a little before travelling on. He died quietly afterwards, with the small pain in his chest. The narrator was moved so much that he cannot now recall what he had exactly done at that point of time. He thinks he must have cried. But he definitely recalls that he had put his arms round the dead soldier and pulled him to his side. As he held him thus, he could feel their wounds pressing against each other - the narrator s wound, large in his heart, and the small one in the soldier s chest. The narrator s large wound symbolizes humanity s guilt in failing to prevent or give up wars. The small pain in the soldier s chest symbolizes the smallness of the minds of those who initiate and perpetuate wars. Extract 5 Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free [i] What is the historical context of the poem? What effect do the lines of the above extract have on the reader? (3) 12 Ans: This poem was written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore when India was under the British rule. The poet describes the various aspects of an ideal country to create awareness of all the possibilities that open up when the country achieves freedom. In a free country the mind would not hesitate to think independently instead of being subservient. People would not fear anything. The head would be held high because the country would be supreme and sovereign. The citizens would be at liberty to pursue knowledge without restriction. These lines were to inspire the people of India to fight for the freedom of their country and all the values of an ideal country highlighted in the poem would then be realized. [ii] Later on in the poem what does the poet say about the mind? (3) Ans: The poet says that the mind would be led forward by the Almighty into ever-widening thought and action. The emphasis is on divine guidance. Under divine guidance the mind would be liberated from its shackles. When thinking becomes broad and the mind opens up freely, action also reflects thought. Such emancipation in thinking would lead to better action: action that would encompass and benefit all humanity. [iii] How is this poem a prayer? (3) Ans: This poem is a prayer as it is addressed to the Almighty. The poet concludes the poem by saying that in a free and ideal country, the mind would be led forward by thee , meaning God, into ever-widening thought and action. Moreover, he concludes praying to my Father , meaning the Almighty, saying that the country should awake into that heaven of freedom . God would lead the nation towards progress and would grant freedom to the country and the world that is united without any prejudices separating people. There would be no racial discrimination and no fighting in the name of nation, religion, caste, creed and gender. [v] How do the qualities of truth, tireless striving and reason become important in the world today? (4) Ans: Truth is of paramount importance in a world that takes falsehood as an accepted way of life. When words come from the deep source of truth, they hold meaning and are a sign of true integrity. Reality is always preferable to the illusions that mislead. Where truth prevails, honesty and integrity become a part of life. The human spirit is not content with sitting idle. It endeavours to try to find new dimensions to explore and conquer. It tries to better itself with every passing day. In a free world, people are at liberty to pursue their efforts in seeking excellence that brings them closer to perfection. The world needs people who improve themselves, their surroundings and society constantly, bringing the world closer to perfection with each passing day. 13 The poet talks about a world where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way in the dreary desert sand of dead habit. Reason is the capacity of a person to judge for himself and differentiate right from wrong. Reason suggests an analytical bent of mind that does not rely on superstitious dogma and obsolete practices that stem from force of dead habit. Nothing can thrive in the desert sand. In the same way superstitious dogmatic thinking that hinders the progress of the world must be done away with. Extract 6 By God s grace, all my children Are well settled in life. [1] Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to? What is the association between the two? [3] Ans: The speaker is Professor Sheth, now retired. He is speaking to a former student of his whom he meets at a market place. Professor Sheth once taught him Geography. [2] What does the narrator say about his children? [3] Ans: Professor Sheth tells his former student that all his children are well settled in life . One is a Sales Manager and another, a Bank Manager. He proudly adds that both have cars. There is a tinge of regret when he talks about the other also doing well, though not so well. He declares that Every family must have its black sheep . His daughters Sarala and Tarala are married and with seeming satisfaction, he mentions that their husbands are very nice boys . [3] What does he say about the changing times? How is it ironical? [3] Ans: The professor talks about the number of grandchildren he has and goes on to ask about how many children his student has. When the student tells him he has three children, the professor approves, saying these are the days of family planning. He is not against family planning and concurs that they have to change with the times. The whole world is changing and in India they are keeping up. He says, Our progress is progressing, old values are going, new values are coming, everything is happening with leaps and bounds . The irony is that though times are changing, he has not changed with the times. He has old fashioned ideas that are not progressive. It is ironical that he advocates family planning even though he hasn t practised it. He himself has five children and a brood of eleven grandchildren. [4] What does he reveal about his health? [3] The professor claims that he has none of the major health hazards people often suffer from, but has normal old age difficulties. He says he has the usual aches and pains. He does not have diabetes or blood pressure and 14 has not suffered of a heart attack. He attributes his good health to the sound habits he formed and practised in his youth. [5] Comment on the use of Satire in the poem The Professor . [4] Ans: Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. The professor represents the hypocrisy of society. The professor converses in English with one of his former students. The poet ridicules the professor who uses Indianisms in English, changing English according to his native language structure. It highlights the mother-tongue interference in the usage of English by non-native speakers of the language. He uses words like issues for children and uses the present continuous tense instead of the simple present tense. For instance, We are keeping up, Our progress is progressing . The words he uses are a direct translation of the native language, with the same structure and tone. He rambles on in an ineffectual and ungrammatical manner. His tendency for idiomatic exaggeration is quite humorous. For example, Now you are man of weight and consequence , and Everything is happening with leaps and bounds . The concluding lines of the poem are hilarious. If you are coming again this side by chance, Visit please my humble residence also. I am living just on opposite house s backside . He is pretentious, taking pride in speaking in English, making mistakes all the while. A professor is one who imparts higher learning and ideally should have a good command over the language. It is ironical that he makes many errors in his speech, all unintentionally funny. Thus the poet uses humour to criticize the professor, showing his follies and foibles. 15 16

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Additional Info : ICSE Notes 2017 : English Paper 2 :The most probable long answer questions
Tags : ICSE Notes 2018, English Paper 2 (English Literature), Most Probable Long Answer Questions, God lives in the Panch by Munshi Premchand, The Kabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore,

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