English - II : Previous Year Questions (2015)

PART – A

Q1. Name the autobiography of M.C. Chagla and when it was published?

Ans. The autobiography of M.C. Chagla is titled ‘Roses in December’. It was published on 30^th September, 1973.

Q2. Describe the racial discrimination that prevailed at Byculla club.

Ans. Byculla Club was one the prestigious clubs of that era. It was meant exclusively for the Europeans. As an elite, restrictive space, it embodied the "whites only" policy common in social clubs of that era. Indians were not allowed to enter through the front gate, instead, they had to take back door entry. Such was the racial discrimination that prevailed at Byculla Club.

Q3. Where did M.C. Chagla get a part time professorship?

Ans. M.C. Chagla got a part-time professorship at the Government Law College. He used to go in the evening and lecture for an hour at the Elphinstone College, where the Law College was then housed.

Q4. In which year did M.C. Chagla join the Bench?

Ans. M.C. Chagla joined the bench in the year 1941.

Q5. When and from whom M.C. Chagla took the charge of the office of Chief Justice of Bombay.

Ans. On August 15, 1947 M.C. Chagla took the charge of the office of Chief Justice of Bombay high court from Sir Leonard Stone.

Q6. Name the First Attorney General of India?

Ans. Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad was the first Attorney General of India.

Q7. For how many years M.C. Chagla remained as the Chief Justice?

Ans. M.C. Chagla served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court for 11 years, from 15 August 1947 to 26 October 1958.

Q8. What title M.C. Chagla gave to M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Ans. In April 1955, Chagla presided over a very large meeting in Bombay to felicitate M. S. Subbulakshmi when she was awarded the title of “Padma Bhushan”. Chagla called her the Mira Bai of South India.

Q9. Name the two languages spoken in the International Court?

Ans. English and French were the two languages, spoken in the international court.

Q10. When was emergency declared?

Ans. On 26 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared emergency.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

1. Joie de Vivre -  Keen or buoyant enjoyment of life; feeling of happiness.

Sentence: Her laughter and energy reflected her great joie-de-vivre.

2. En route - On the way to or from somewhere.

Sentence: Sentence: We stopped for tea en route to Shimla.

3. Sans – Without

Sentence: He attended the meeting sans his assistant.

4. Post script - Any written or spoken addition to something already finished / a short remark or message added to the bottom of a letter after we have signed our name.

Sentence: In the post script, he invited me to visit his home.

Q12. Explain the following idioms:

1. A feather in one's cap - a significant achievement, accomplishment, or honour that a person can be proud of.

Sentence: The Ph.D. degree is a feather in his cap.

2. In black and white - in writing

Sentence: Put down your demands in black and white.

3. Milk and honey - A situation in which you are very contented and have plenty of money.

Sentence: The days of milk and honey are back.

4. Pros and cons - The favourable and the unfavourable factors or reasons; advantages and disadvantages.

Sentence: They sat for hours debating the pros and cons of setting up their own firm.

Q13. Give one word for:

1. of unknown name or authorship – anonymous
2. period of ten years – decade
3. something against law – illegal
4. desire to harm others – malice

Q14.  Fill in the correct form of the verb:

1. I ___ (are/am going) to a party.
2. They ___ (was/were) in trouble.
3. She ___ (fought/fight) bravely.
4. Everybody ___ (finished/finishing) the work in time.

Ans.

1. I am going to a party.
2. They were in trouble.
3. She fought bravely.
4. Everybody finished the work in time.

PART – C

Q15. Describe MC Chagla's series on history of India?

Ans. In Roses in December, M.C. Chagla discusses his views on the history of India while referring to his speech as the Chairman of the Reception Committee at the Tenth Session of the Indian History Congress. In this speech, Chagla explained what he believed to be the true pattern running through Indian history. According to him, the history of India is essentially a history moving towards unity despite immense diversity and repeated political changes.

Chagla believed that India presents a unique example in the world where different religions, cultures, races, and ideas have coexisted and blended together. He emphasized that beneath the many diversities of language, customs, faiths, and traditions, there exists a “golden thread” of unity which binds the entire country together. This unity, according to him, is the real spirit and identity of India.

He further pointed out that throughout history many foreign invaders and rulers belonging to different origins entered India. Instead of completely destroying Indian civilization, they themselves were gradually absorbed and assimilated into the Indian social and cultural system. New civilizations and cultures may at times have appeared dominant, but eventually they became part of the larger Indian tradition. This process of assimilation showed the strength and continuity of Indian civilization.

Chagla also observed that some of India’s greatest thinkers, leaders, and statesmen had always dreamt of Indian unity. Therefore, if one studies the rhythm and movement of Indian history carefully, one can clearly see that its central tendency has always been towards national integration and unity.

Another important idea expressed by Chagla was the importance of studying history in a newly independent nation like India. He warned that freedom and political power could easily become corrupting influences if not guided by wisdom and moral responsibility. According to him, the study of history acts as a safeguard against the misuse of power because history teaches lessons from the successes and failures of the past.

To strengthen his argument, Chagla quoted the English historian Sir John Seeley, who said, “Politics are vulgar when they are not liberalised by history.” By this, Chagla meant that politics without historical understanding becomes narrow, selfish, and dangerous. He also quoted Lord Acton, who described political science as a science enriched by the lessons of history, like grains of gold deposited by a river.

Finally, Chagla concluded by referring to Lord Acton’s advice to historians that they should never allow any person or cause to escape the judgment of history for wrongdoing. Through this, Chagla emphasized that historians have a moral duty to preserve truth and hold individuals and governments accountable.

Thus, Chagla’s reflections on Indian history present India as a land of unity in diversity, cultural assimilation, and moral continuity, while also highlighting the vital role of history in guiding politics and protecting democracy.

Q16. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper drawing his attention towards the environmental pollution caused by the garbage in the colony.

Ans.

54, Mahesh Marg

Bapu Nagar

Jaipur

Date: 8 May 2026

To

The Editor

The Times of India

Jaipur

Subject: Environmental Pollution Caused by Garbage in the Colony

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the serious problem of environmental pollution caused by uncollected garbage in our colony.

I am a resident of Shastri Nagar, Jaipur, and the condition of our locality has become extremely unhygienic. Garbage is dumped openly on roadsides and near residential areas. The municipal workers do not collect waste regularly, due to which heaps of garbage keep increasing day by day. The foul smell spreading from the waste makes it difficult for residents to live comfortably.

Moreover, the garbage attracts stray animals, flies, and mosquitoes, which can spread dangerous diseases such as dengue, malaria, and cholera. During the summer and rainy seasons, the situation becomes even worse. Plastic waste and clogged drains are also causing environmental pollution and affecting public health badly.

Despite repeated complaints to the municipal authorities, no proper action has been taken so far. Therefore, I request the concerned authorities through your newspaper to ensure regular garbage collection, proper waste disposal, installation of dustbins, and strict cleanliness measures in the colony. Public awareness campaigns should also be conducted to encourage citizens to maintain cleanliness and avoid littering.

I hope my concern will receive attention through your respected newspaper and prompt action will be taken soon.

Yours faithfully,

XYZ

Q17. What are the essentials of brief writing? Write in brief about an accidental sight.

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.

An Accidental Sight

An accidental sight is an unexpected scene or incident witnessed suddenly that leaves a deep impression on the mind. Such sights are often memorable because they reveal realities of life that people usually ignore in their daily routine.

One evening, while returning home from college, I witnessed a road accident at a busy crossing. A speeding motorcycle collided with a cyclist who was trying to cross the road. The cyclist fell badly on the roadside, and the motorcycle rider was also injured. For a few moments, people gathered around in shock, but nobody immediately came forward to help. Some were only watching the scene while others were recording videos on their mobile phones.

After some time, a few responsible citizens helped the injured persons and called an ambulance. The police also arrived and controlled the traffic. The sight of blood, damaged vehicles, and helpless victims created fear and sadness in my mind. It reminded me how careless driving and violation of traffic rules can destroy lives within seconds.

This accidental sight taught me an important lesson about road safety and humanity. People should drive carefully, follow traffic rules, and help accident victims instead of remaining silent spectators. The incident remained in my memory for a long time and made me more aware of my responsibilities as a citizen.

Q18. Give a character sketch of M.C. Chagla.

Ans. In Roses in December, MC Chagla emerges as a highly intellectual, principled, patriotic, and humane personality. His autobiography not only narrates the events of his life but also reveals the qualities of his character, values, and outlook towards society, law, politics, and the nation. Through his experiences and reflections, Chagla presents himself as a man deeply committed to justice, secularism, nationalism, and professional ethics.

One of the most striking qualities of M.C. Chagla was his nationalism and love for India. He strongly believed in the unity of the country despite its diversity of religions, cultures, and languages. In his speeches and writings, he repeatedly emphasized that India’s history showed a continuous movement towards unity. He rejected communal divisions and firmly supported the idea of a secular and integrated India. His patriotic outlook is also reflected in his disappointment over the partition of the country, which he viewed as a tragic event against the spirit of Indian unity.

Chagla was also a man of high intellectual ability and clarity of thought. As a lawyer and judge, he valued logic, lucidity, and precision. His admiration for clear reasoning can be seen in the way he described eminent personalities like Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Chagla himself possessed the same qualities of clear expression and rational thinking. His autobiography reflects deep scholarship and thoughtful analysis of historical, political, and social issues.

Another important aspect of his character was his commitment to professional ethics and discipline. During his early legal career under Jinnah, he learned the highest traditions of the legal profession. He respected honesty, dignity, and fairness in legal practice. Chagla believed that law was not merely a profession for earning money but a noble institution meant to uphold justice and morality. Throughout his career, he maintained integrity and independence in his judgments and conduct.

Chagla was also broad-minded and secular in outlook. He strongly believed that religion should never divide people or interfere with national unity. His writings reveal his faith in liberal and democratic values. He admired leaders and thinkers who promoted tolerance, justice, and harmony among communities. This broad humanistic vision made him respected across different sections of society.

At the same time, Chagla was humble and self-reflective. In Roses in December, he does not merely praise himself or others blindly. He critically examines events, political developments, and personalities with honesty and balance. Even while admiring Jinnah’s brilliance as an advocate, he openly discusses his coldness and later political role in partition. This balanced approach shows Chagla’s fairness and intellectual honesty.

Another admirable quality of Chagla was his deep respect for history and education. He believed that history teaches valuable lessons and acts as a safeguard against the misuse of political power. According to him, education and historical understanding were essential for building a responsible democracy and enlightened citizenship.

Chagla also appears as a cultured and sensitive human being. His language is elegant, thoughtful, and refined. Through his autobiography, readers can see his emotional attachment to friends, mentors, and national ideals. Even while discussing serious political and legal matters, he writes with warmth, wisdom, and sincerity.

In conclusion, M.C. Chagla emerges in Roses in December as a distinguished jurist, nationalist, secular thinker, and man of integrity. His devotion to justice, clarity of thought, professional ethics, and national unity made him one of the most respected public figures of his time. His autobiography reflects not only the story of his life but also the ideals and values he stood for throughout his career.