English - II : Previous Year Questions (2018)

PART – A

Q1. Who wrote 'Roses in December'?

Ans. M.C. Chagla wrote the book, ‘Roses in December’. (Mohammadali Currim Chagla)

Q2. Why M.C. Chagla didn't like the Byculla Club?

Ans. M.C. didn’t like the Byculla Club due to the prevalent racial discrimination there. 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. When was Chagla appointed as an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice?

Ans. M.C. Chagla was appointed as an ad hoc judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague in 1957.

Q4. Who was Earl Warren?

Ans. Earl Warren was the Chief Justice of the United States.

Q5. What two meetings Chagla attended at Shivaji Park, after elections?

Ans. After the elections, M.C. Chagla attended two meetings at Shivaji Park. The first was held to congratulate and garland the successful candidates. The second meeting, over which he presided, was organized to welcome RSS leader Balasaheb Deoras.

Q6. Why did Justice Marten scold Strangman?

Ans. Justice Marten scolded Strangman because he behaved in an indisciplined and disrespectful manner in court, keeping his hands in his pockets and jingling coins while making an application.

Q7. Who received the title of 'Knighthood'?

Ans. Sir Jamshedji Kanga received the title of Knighthood. It is a title that is given to a man by a British king or queen for his achievements or his service to his country.

Q8. Where is The International Court of Justice' located?

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.

Q9. What defects Chagla observed in District courts?

Ans. The defects observed by Mr Chagla in district court were the terrible surroundings in which the junior civil judges had to function. He found nothing that was conducive to the proper working of a court. There was no library, sometimes not even elementary textbooks, an indifferent bar and a ramshackle building.

Q10. Name the two languages spoken at the International Court of Justice.

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

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

1. sans – Without

Sentence: He arrived at the party sans invitation.

2. Jus soli – Law/Principle that a person’s birth is determined by the territory in which he was born.

Sentence: In countries following jus soli, a child born on their soil automatically gets citizenship.

3. haute couture - The business of making expensive clothes of original design and high quality.

Sentence: The designer’s haute couture collection was showcased at Paris Fashion Week.

4. ad fin - To the End / At the end.

Sentence: The note was written ad fin, marking the conclusion of the document.

Q12. Explain the following idioms:

1. At daggers drawn - To be in bitter quarrel or hostility.

Sentence: The two brothers were at daggers drawn over the last slice of the pizza.

2. Gallows bird - A person likely to become a criminal or deserve hanging.

Sentence: The villagers considered the thief a gallows bird.

3. Man of words - A person who keeps promises and is trustworthy.

Sentence: Our principal is a man of his word and always fulfils his promises.

4. Slip of tongue - An unintentional mistake made while speaking.

Sentence: Calling him by the wrong name was just a slip of the tongue.

Q13. Give one word for:

1. A person who loves or collects books - Bibliophile
2. Art of conducting negotiations between nations - Diplomacy
3. A medicine supposed to cure all diseases - Panacea
4. A long description of an eventful experience – Saga

Q14. Make two words from each of the following prefixes:

1. Anti - antibody, antidote
2. Up - upgrade, update
3. Re - reunion, refund
4. In - incapacity, inanimate

PART – C

Q15. Write a letter to the Municipal commissioner, appealing for funds to relieve the sufferers from a flood.

Ans.

54, Mahesh Marg

Andheri West

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Date: 8 May 2026

To

The Municipal Commissioner

BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Date: 8 May 2026

Subject: Appeal for Funds to Help Flood Victims

Respected Sir/Madam,

I wish to draw your kind attention to the terrible condition of the people affected by the recent floods in our area. Continuous heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding, damaging houses, roads, crops, and public property. Many families have lost their homes and belongings and are now living without food, clean water, medicines, and shelter.

The flood sufferers are facing great hardship and urgently need assistance. Therefore, I humbly request you to provide adequate funds for relief and rehabilitation work. Temporary shelters, medical camps, food supplies, clean drinking water, and essential items should be arranged immediately for the affected people. Financial support will greatly help in restoring normal life in the flood-hit areas.

I hope the Municipal Corporation will take quick and effective steps to help the victims and reduce their suffering. Your timely action will bring relief to many helpless families.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

ABC

Q16. You are Rishi Raj, a newspaper reporter. Write a report on educational policies of the Government.

Ans.

Government’s New Educational Policies Aim at Better Learning

By: Rishi Raj

Government of India has recently introduced several educational policies to improve the quality of education across the country. These policies focus on providing equal opportunities, modern learning methods, and skill-based education for students.

Under the new policy, emphasis has been laid on digital education, vocational training, and practical learning. Schools are being equipped with smart classrooms, computer labs, and online learning facilities. The government has also planned to train teachers regularly so that they can adopt modern teaching techniques.

Another important feature of the policy is the promotion of regional languages in primary education. Students are encouraged to learn in their mother tongue during the early years of schooling. At the same time, greater importance is being given to science, technology, and research.

Scholarships and financial assistance are also being provided to students from economically weaker sections. Special attention is being paid to girls’ education and rural schools to reduce the gap between urban and rural education systems.

Education experts have welcomed these reforms and believe that they will help students develop creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills. However, proper implementation and sufficient funding will be necessary to achieve the desired results.

The new educational policies are expected to bring positive changes and prepare students for future challenges in a rapidly developing world.

Q17. Describe M.C. Chagla's experiences at 'the Bar'.

Ans. M.C. Chagla’s journey at the Bombay Bar, is a classic story of struggle, learning, and final success. When he returned to India in 1922 after studying at Oxford, he didn't have any clients or family connections in the legal world. He went through a long "briefless" period where he had no work. Instead of giving up, he treated the High Court like a classroom, sitting in the galleries to watch great lawyers like Sir Jamshedji Kanga and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. He believed that even if you don't have cases, you must remain "attached" to the court to learn the art of advocacy.

A major turning point in his early career was the sensational Trunk Murder Case. While many thought of Chagla as mainly a civil lawyer, this famous criminal case proved his skills to everyone. A man had been murdered, and his body was found packed in a trunk that was left in a taxi and later dumped in a well. Chagla represented the second accused person in the trial. Despite the "overwhelming evidence" and the gruesome nature of the crime, he managed to secure an acquittal for his client. This victory was a huge boost to his reputation and showed that he was a methodical lawyer who could handle high-pressure situations. In fact, the title of his book, Roses in December, comes from a moment after a murder trial when a grateful client brought him roses in the winter; a symbol of unexpected success.

Another key part of his experience was his time in Jinnah’s chambers. Chagla spent six years as Jinnah's junior, which he called a "truly transformative experience." He was fascinated by Jinnah's clear logic and "artistic" way of presenting a case. From Jinnah, he learned that a lawyer’s first duty is to his client, but he must never lose his dignity or suck up to the judges. This period taught him that the independence of the Bar is the most important thing in a democracy. He also worked on other big cases like the Meerut Conspiracy case, where he stood alongside legendary figures like Motilal Nehru.

Ultimately, Chagla’s time at the Bar wasn't just about winning cases; it was about building a character of integrity and hard work. He was known for being incredibly thorough and for his "quick grasp" of legal points. These years of hard practice at the Bombay High Court prepared him to eventually become a judge in 1941 and, later, the first Indian Chief Justice of that same court. His story shows that for a student of law, the Bar is a place where you develop the courage and discipline needed to serve the cause of justice for a lifetime.

Q18. Describe M.C. Chagla's views on Emergency, as expressed in his autobiography.

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.