English - II : Previous Year Questions (2014)

PART – A

Q1. In which year was 'Roses in December' published?

Ans. ‘Roses in December’ was published in the year 1973.

Q2. Who helped MC Chagla in writing his autobiography 'Roses in December'?

Ans. His son Iqbal helped him in writing his autobiography roses in December.

Q3. Who said, “life at a Bar is never a bed of roses"?

Ans. Lord Hewart once said, “Life at a bar is never a bed of roses.”

Q4. Where is the International Court of Justice situated?

Ans. The International Court is housed in the Peace Palace Hague, which was built as a result of a Peace Conference convened by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia in 1899.

Q5. M.C. Chagla was Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court from ___ to ___.

Ans. M.C. Chagla was Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court from 1947 – 1958.

Q6. Give the meaning of the word 'Synopsis'.

Ans. Synopsis refers to a summary giving a general view of the whole (a piece of writing, a play, etc.).

Q7. Give the meaning of the word 'Post-Script'.

Ans. Post-Script refers to any written or spoken addition to something already finished, or a short remark or message added to the bottom of a letter after we have signed our name.

Q8. What prefix will you add to the word 'holy' to give its antonyms.

Ans. Prefix ‘Un’ will be added to the word holy, giving its antonym, ‘Unholy’.

Q9. Add a suffix to the word 'pressure' to make its verb form.

Ans. To make verb form of the word ‘pressure’ we will add ‘-ise’ as suffix; verb form being ‘pressurise’.

Q10. Add a prefix and suffix both to the word 'Conscious'.

Ans. By adding ‘Un’ as prefix and ‘-ly’ as suffix, we get the word ‘Unconsciously’.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following idioms and frame them in sentence: (a) Beat around the bush (b) Let the cat out of the bag (c) Through thick and thin (d) Add insult to injury.

Ans.

1. Beat around the bush - To avoid speaking directly about a matter.

Sentence: Instead of answering the question, he kept beating around the bush.

2. Let the cat out of the bag - To reveal a secret unintentionally.

Sentence: Rahul let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.

3. Through thick and thin - In both good and bad times; under all circumstances.

Sentence: True friends stand by each other through thick and thin.

4. Add insult to injury - To make a bad situation even worse.

Sentence: After losing the match, his teammates laughed at him, adding insult to injury.

Q12. Correct the following verbs:

1. Sita sing a song.

Sita sings a song.

2. The box of chocolates are heavy.

The box of chocolates is heavy.

3. I will living here since five years.

I have been living here since five years.

4. The train left when I had reached the station.

The train had left when I reached the station.

Q13. Give one-word substitution for the following:

1. Remedy for all ills - Panacea
2. A life history of person written by himself - Autobiography
3. Killing of a human being - Homicide
4. A government where representations are elected by the people – Democracy

Q14. Give the meaning of the following foreign words and frame them in sentences:

1. Judicature Administration of justice as by judges or courts.

Sentence: The Indian judicature plays an important role in protecting rights.

2. Addendum - Something that has been added to a book, speech or a document as an addition

Sentence: The lawyer attached an addendum to the contract before it was signed.

3. ad initium - Against a person’s will.

Sentence: The agreement was clear ad initium and left no confusion.

4. en route - On the way to or from somewhere.

Sentence: We stopped for tea en route to Shimla.

PART – C

Q15. M.C. Chagla in his autobiography 'Roses in December' refers emergency as 'Darkest Hour'. Explain.

Ans. M. C. Chagla describes the period of Internal Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 26 June 1975 as the “darkest hour” in Indian history. In his book ‘Roses in December’, he strongly criticizes the Emergency and considers it one of the gravest attacks on democracy and individual freedom in independent India. The Emergency lasted for about twenty months and, according to Chagla, brought fear, oppression, and injustice throughout the country.

Chagla believed that two important events led to the declaration of Emergency. The first was the victory of the Janata Party in the Gujarat elections, which weakened the political position of Mrs. Gandhi. The second was the judgment of the Allahabad High Court, which found Indira Gandhi guilty of corrupt electoral practices. According to Chagla, instead of resigning and respecting democratic traditions, she imposed the Emergency in order to retain power.

As soon as the Emergency was declared, opposition leaders were arrested during the night and thousands of political workers were imprisoned. Press censorship was imposed on an unprecedented scale, and citizens lost their fundamental freedoms. Chagla points out that Presidential Orders suspended important Fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution. Even the right to approach courts through writs such as habeas corpus was taken away.

Chagla writes that the country was suddenly covered with an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The names and whereabouts of detainees were often not disclosed, and people had no legal remedy against unlawful detention. According to him, “darkness swept over the country,” and the people were left without hope or freedom. He believed that there was actually no serious internal disturbance in the country that justified such drastic action.

Chagla was deeply disturbed by the misuse of constitutional powers during this period. He held Mrs. Gandhi mainly responsible for the suffering, injustice, and suppression faced by the people under the Emergency. He considered the entire period shameful for Indian democracy and felt that democratic institutions were weakened severely.

Even after the Emergency ended, Chagla observed that Indira Gandhi never openly admitted her mistake or expressed regret for the hardships caused to the people. Instead, she attempted to justify the Emergency and defend her actions. Chagla strongly disagreed with this attitude and believed that the people of India had suffered greatly because of authoritarian rule.

Thus, M. C. Chagla called the Emergency the “darkest hour” because it destroyed civil liberties, weakened democracy, suppressed freedom of expression, and created an atmosphere of fear and oppression in the country. In his view, it was one of the most painful and unfortunate periods in the history of independent India.

Q16. Write a letter to the Editor drawing his attention to poor amenities situation in your neighbourhood.

Ans.

XYZ

GokulDham Colony, Mahesh Marg

Bapu Nagar, Jaipur

26 April, 2026

To

The Editor

The Hindu

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Subject: - Poor civic amenities in our neighbourhood

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the poor condition of civic amenities in our neighbourhood.

The area is facing serious problems such as irregular water supply, improper garbage disposal, and broken roads. Piles of garbage are often seen lying on the streets, which creates a foul smell and poses a health hazard. During rains, waterlogging becomes a major issue due to blocked drains. The street lights are also not functioning properly, making the area unsafe during night hours.

Despite repeated complaints to the local authorities, no effective action has been taken so far. The residents are suffering greatly due to negligence in maintaining basic civic facilities.

I request the concerned municipal authorities, through your newspaper, to take immediate steps to improve the sanitation, repair the roads, and ensure proper maintenance of public utilities in our area.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

ABC

Q17. What all qualities did M.C. Chagla appreciate in Jinnah?

Ans. In Roses in December, M.C. Chagla gives a detailed and balanced appreciation of Muhammad Ali Jinnah based on his personal experience of watching him in court. He highlights both Jinnah’s extraordinary professional abilities as a lawyer and his distinct personal traits, which made him a unique figure in the legal and political world.

Chagla first observes that Jinnah, though not considered a great technical lawyer in the conventional sense, was an exceptionally brilliant advocate. This means that while he may not have been deeply involved in legal theory or lengthy legal arguments, he excelled in presenting cases in court. At the peak of his career, he was among the most sought-after advocates, enjoying a very high reputation in the legal profession. He generally avoided long and complicated cases, preferring shorter matters such as summonses, motions, and procedural issues. However, even in such “miscellaneous” work, he displayed complete mastery, handling them with remarkable ease, confidence, and precision.

One of the most striking qualities of Jinnah, according to Chagla, was his extraordinary presence in the courtroom. He had a commanding and striking personality that immediately captured attention. The manner in which he presented arguments was described almost as an art form. His presentation was logical, elegant, and highly persuasive, making even simple arguments appear powerful and convincing. Along with this, he was an outstanding cross-examiner, capable of breaking down opposition arguments with sharp questioning and complete control over the witness box.

Chagla also deeply admired Jinnah’s clarity of thought and expression. In court, Jinnah’s arguments were always lucid, direct, and free from confusion or ambiguity. He never used vague or unclear language. Whether his case was strong or weak, he always presented it with such confidence and clarity that it left a lasting impression on judges and observers. This intellectual sharpness made him highly effective in influencing the outcome of cases.

Another important quality highlighted is Jinnah’s total dedication and fighting spirit. He gave his full energy and attention to every case he took up. Even in situations where success seemed unlikely, he fought with determination and intensity, almost like a “tiger in battle.” His confidence was so strong that it often convinced others, including juniors like Chagla, that even a weak case could be won. This ability to inspire belief in his arguments added to his effectiveness as an advocate.

However, Chagla also notes certain personal limitations in Jinnah’s character. He describes him as cold, formal, and unemotional. Jinnah did not have many interests outside law and politics, which made him appear distant and reserved in personal interactions. Yet, despite this emotional restraint, Chagla acknowledges his strong sense of nationalism and patriotism, which left a deep impression on those who worked with him.

Finally, Jinnah was known for his impeccable professional ethics and strict discipline in legal practice. He maintained the highest standards of etiquette in the profession. He believed that a senior advocate should not improperly influence work or recommend juniors to clients or solicitors, as this would compromise fairness in professional conduct. From working under Jinnah in his chamber, Chagla also learned the importance of maintaining dignity, discipline, and ethical standards in the legal profession.

In conclusion, Chagla presents Jinnah as a highly disciplined, intellectually sharp, and exceptionally effective advocate, whose courtroom brilliance, clarity, and professionalism made him one of the most formidable legal personalities of his time.

Q18. What are essentials of brief-writing. Write a brief about loss of vehicle.

Ans. Brief writing is the practice of distilling complex information, arguments, or legal proceedings into a concise, structured document. While the term is most frequently associated with the legal profession, where a lawyer submits a "legal brief" to a court, the underlying skills of brief writing are essential in any field that requires clear, persuasive communication.

The primary goal of a brief is to present a narrative or an argument in a way that is logical, accurate, and easy for the reader to navigate quickly.

Essentials of Brief Writing

Key elements/essentials of brief writing are as follows:

1. Conciseness and Clarity: The ability to strip away non-essential information while retaining the core facts or arguments. Every word must serve a specific purpose.
2. Purpose and Audience: It must clearly define the purpose of the brief. It may be for a legal case, a marketing campaign, or an academic assignment.
3. Logical Structure: Information is typically organized into distinct sections (such as Facts, Issues, Rules, Analysis, Arguments, and Conclusion) to guide the reader through the logic of the argument.

• Facts - A brief must provide facts and information essential for the topic.
• Analysis – If it is a brief for a legal case, then a legal analysis is important. Or else, go through all the facts and figures while writing; they must be accurate and verified.
• Conclusion – All the information and points must be summarised in a lucid and clear manner.

4. Persuasion and Precision: Unlike a simple summary, a brief is often used to advocate for a specific position. Precise language is used to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding the writer's intent.
5. Formatting and Structure: Brief must contain a main heading, i.e., the core issue/topic and followed by “By –” line. The body must be precise and relevant, followed by the conclusion. 

In an English or professional writing context, mastering brief writing enhances your ability to synthesize research, organize complex ideas, and communicate high-level analysis with efficiency and impact.

To Make a Brief about the Loss of Vehicle

Police Report:

• Name of Police Station: Gandhi Nagar Police Station
• Name of Investigating Office: S.I. Harikishan Singh
• F.I.R. No.: FIR/2026/123
• Date of F.I.R.: 20 April 2026
• Time of F.I.R.: About 10:00 A.M.

Incident Details:

• Date: 19 April 2026
• Time: About 10:30 P.M.
• Place of Occurrence: Parking Lot, Golden Heights Apartment, Jaipur

Vehicle Information:

• Name of Complainant: Ravish Kumar
• Vehicle Registration No.: RJ 14 CA 3088
• Engine No.: 5A2N789241
• Chassis No.: BA1L203475
• Car Model: Range Rover Vogue
• Name of Registered Owner: Ravish Kumar

Information with regard to the Accused:

1. Name and Parentage of Accused:

• Accused – Pyarelal
• Accused’s’ Fathers’ Name – Gopilal
• Accused’s Mothers’ Name - Shyama

2. Any evidence with regard to the presence of accused near the crime scene:

The man captured in the C.C.T.V, who stole the car, has a resemblance with Pyarelal

Name and Statement of Eyewitness:

• Name of Witness – Gopikishan
• Statement – “I saw Gopikishan going into the parking lot, wearing a monkey cap and shawl.

Witness has identified the accused and the vehicle correctly.

Details of Arrest of Accused:

Upon the evidence, i.e., C.C.T.V. footage and statement of eyewitness – Gopikishan, Pyarelal was arrested.

• Date: 22 April 2026
• Time: About 2 P.M.
• Place: Pyarelal’s garage at Imli Phatak

Recovery of Vehicle:

• Date: 22 April 2026
• Place: Imli Phatak Garage, Tonk Road
• Possession: Accused is the owner of the place of recovery.

List of Evidence:

1. C.C.T.V. Footage “4:05:67:8:91:A26”
2. Statement of Eyewitness.

Trial:

• Section Charged: 303 BNS

Conclusion

Stolen Range Rover Vogue is recovered. Accused is convicted. No appeal was made.