English - II : Previous Year Questions (2025)

PART – A

Q1. When did M.C. Chagla start his legal career?

Ans. M.C. Chagla started his legal career in 1922, when he enrolled as an advocate at the Bombay High Court after returning from his studies at Oxford.

Q2. Who was Chagla’s mentor at the bar?

Ans. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was Chagla’s mentor at the bar.

Q3. What reforms did Chagla bring as Chief Justice?

Ans. As Chief Justice, M.C. Chagla enforced merit-based judicial appointments to ensure independence from executive interference and enhanced efficiency by streamlining procedures to reduce case backlogs. According to Roses in December, these reforms solidified a reputation for integrity and speed within the Bombay High Court.

Q4. How did Chagla view the role of a Judge?

Ans. M.C. Chagla viewed the role of a judge as that of a fair and impartial dispenser of justice who must interpret law with integrity and assist in delivering justice without fear or favour.

Q5. What was his stance on judicial independence?

Ans. M.C. Chagla strongly upheld judicial independence. He believed that judges must remain completely free from political pressure, executive influence, or personal bias, so that justice can be delivered fairly and without fear or favour.

Q6. When did Chagla become the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court?

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.

Q7. What role did Chagla serve at the International Court of Justice?

Ans. M.C. Chagla served as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, representing India in a specific case where India did not have a permanent judge on the bench. Chagla was specifically appointed as an ad hoc judge by India for the case ‘Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India).

Q8. What was Chagla’s impression of International Law?

Ans. M.C. Chagla had a realistic and somewhat critical impression of International Law. He felt that although international law is important for maintaining relations between nations and promoting peace, it is weaker than municipal (domestic) law because it has no strong enforcing authority. Its effectiveness depends mainly on the goodwill and cooperation of sovereign states.

Q9. Why did Chagla title his memories “Roses in December”?

Ans. The title Roses in December is taken from a beautiful quote by J.M. Barrie: "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." For M.C. Chagla, "December" refers to the late stage of his life, and the "roses" are the precious memories he can look back on. He feels that even though he is in the winter of his life, these memories of his hard work, his time on the bench, and his service to the country stay fresh and fragrant like roses. It’s a way of saying that a life spent with purpose provides comfort and happiness even when one grows old and is no longer in power.

Q10. What was Chagla’s final message to the younger generation?

Ans. In Roses in December, M. C. Chagla gives a clear message to the younger generation that they should live with honesty, integrity, and a strong sense of duty towards society and the nation. He advises them to work hard, remain fearless, and uphold truth and justice in all walks of life, without being influenced by corruption, prejudice, or selfish interests.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

1. 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.

1. Petite - Having a small, trim figure, usually used for women.

Sentence: She was a petite girl with a graceful personality.

3. Virtuoso - A person who is extremely skilled at something, especially at playing instrument or performing.

Sentence: The pianist was a virtuoso whose performance amazed the entire audience.

4. 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.

Q12. Write one word for the following sentences:

1. A person who writes poems – Poet
2. A place where books are kept – Library
3. One who travels in space –­ Astronaut
4. A person who believes in all religions – Omnist

Q13. Write two words using the following affixes:

1. Prefixes:

Un: unhappy, unfair

Re: redo, rewrite

Pre: preview, prepone

Dis: disagree, dislike

2. Suffixes:

-ful: beautiful, helpful

-ness: kindness, happiness

-less: helpless, careless

-ment: enjoyment, development

Q14. Explain the following idioms:

1. Break the ice - to break the silence / make start

Sentence: The teacher told a joke to break the ice on the first day of class.

2. Cold Feet - to feel nervous or scared before doing something

Sentence: She got cold feet before her stage performance.

3. In hot water - to be in trouble

Sentence: He was in hot water for not completing his project on time.

4. Couch potato - a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV

Sentence: He became a couch potato during the holidays.

PART – C

Q15. Describe M.C. Chagla’s early legal career and his 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.

Q16. What were M.C. Chagla’s contributions as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court?

Ans. Chagla’s tenure as the first Indian Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court (1947–1958) is portrayed as a "Golden Age" for the judiciary. Chagla emphasises that his role was not just to adjudicate, but to build an institution that stood as a barrier against executive overreach.

Chagla was fierce about the separation of the judiciary from the executive. In Roses in December, he recounts his insistence that judges should not socialize frequently with ministers to avoid the appearance of bias. He famously maintained a "correct distance" from the government, ensuring that the High Court remained an independent critic of state actions.

Following the independence of India and the adoption of the Constitution, Chagla was instrumental in interpreting the newly minted Fundamental Rights. He viewed the court as the protector of the individual against the "tyranny of the majority." He took a liberal and expansive view of the Constitution, often ruling against the government in cases involving personal liberty and freedom of speech.

When Chagla took office, the court was burdened by a significant backlog. He implemented several administrative reforms. He was known for his extreme discipline, arriving at the stroke of 11:00 AM and leaving exactly at 5:00 PM. He discouraged long, rambling oral arguments, urging advocates to get straight to the point. Under his leadership, the Bombay High Court became known as the fastest court in the country for disposing of cases.

Chagla mentions his commitment to appointing judges based on merit and character rather than political leanings or seniority alone. He sought to maintain a "secular" bench, ensuring that the judiciary reflected the diverse yet unified fabric of India, always prioritizing legal acumen above all else. He resisted any attempt by the government to influence judicial appointments based on caste, religion, or political loyalty.

He believed that a strong bench required a strong bar. He encouraged young lawyers and maintained a relationship of mutual respect with the legal profession. However, he was also firm; he had no patience for incompetence or lack of preparation, which pushed the Bombay Bar to maintain world-class standards. He mastered the art of the "Socratic Dialogue" from the bench. By asking pointed questions, he forced advocates to abandon long-winded speeches and focus on the "crux" of the law, which significantly reduced the duration of trials.

While acting as Chief Justice, Chagla was appointed as a one-man commission to investigate the LIC-Mundhra Scandal. Although this was a commission and not a High Court trial, the book highlights how he brought the "judicial spirit" to the inquiry. By insisting the hearing be public, he set a precedent for transparency and ministerial accountability in independent India.

Q17. How did M.C. Chagla’s experience at the International Court of Justice shape his world view?

Ans. M. C. Chagla was appointed as an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in September 1957. He served in a case involving Portugal, which claimed the right of passage through Indian territory to maintain communication between its mainland territory of Daman and its enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Chagla describes the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. He observed that international law was still in the process of development, and although certain principles had been established by the United Nations and its International Law Commission, they were still evolving. These principles, according to him, formed a body of rules that nations were expected to follow in international relations.

He found the system of appointing judges to the International Court to be somewhat political in nature. In particular, he was critical of the system of electing judges and felt that it did not fully ensure judicial independence. He suggested that one important reform would be to appoint judges for a fixed term without allowing them to seek re-election, which would help maintain impartiality.

Chagla also described the Peace Palace at The Hague, where the International Court is housed. He admired its international character and dignity, which reflected the idea of global justice.

However, he was not fully satisfied with the working procedure of the Court. According to him, the procedure was extremely slow, complicated, and highly formal. The hearings began in open court, where advocates from different countries presented their arguments in English or French. Every statement had to be translated into the other language, making the process time-consuming. He felt that during translations, judges often had little productive work to do.

He further observed that the process of preparing judgments was even slower, involving lengthy private sessions and formal discussions. He described the entire procedure as overly ritualistic and cumbersome, which affected the efficiency of justice delivery.

During his tenure, he came into contact with several distinguished judges, including the President of the Court Hackworth, Vice-President Badawi, Guerrero of El Salvador, Basdevant of France, and Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan. He also developed friendly relations with some judges such as Zoričić of Yugoslavia and Armand Ugo of Uruguay. They often met informally after court sessions and shared moments of friendship.

Initially, Chagla was hesitant to accept the offer of becoming an ad hoc judge. When asked by Jawaharlal Nehru, he expressed that he did not wish to “be buried alive at The Hague,” as he felt the work would be slow and restrictive.

Despite his criticism of the system, he also had meaningful experiences. He appeared before the International Court later as counsel for India in a case related to the action taken by the United Nations against South Africa. He considered it a great honour and privilege to represent India in a matter of international importance and moral significance.

Overall, Chagla’s experience at the International Court was both intellectually enriching and personally revealing. While he appreciated its dignity and global importance, he was critical of its slow procedures and political elements in judicial appointments.

Q18. What is the significance of the title “Roses in December” and how did Chagla reflect on his life in the epilogue?

Ans. The title Roses in December is taken from a beautiful quote by J.M. Barrie: "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." For M.C. Chagla, "December" refers to the late stage of his life, and the "roses" are the precious memories he can look back on. He feels that even though he is in the winter of his life, these memories of his hard work, his time on the bench, and his service to the country stay fresh and fragrant like roses. It’s a way of saying that a life spent with purpose provides comfort and happiness even when one grows old and is no longer in power.

In the epilogue, Chagla looks back on his long career not with pride or ego, but with a lot of honesty and a bit of sadness. He reflects on how he moved from being a lawyer to a Chief Justice, then an Ambassador, and finally a Union Minister. Even though he held these high positions, he insists that he never went chasing after power. He feels lucky to have been part of India’s journey right from the start of independence. He sees his life as a series of duties, and he is satisfied that he performed them without compromising his conscience or his integrity.

However, he also sounds a bit worried about the future. He reflects on how the high standards he tried to set for the judiciary and the government seem to be fading away. He is saddened by the political changes and the way institutions are being weakened. Despite this, he remains a firm believer in secularism and the unity of India. He writes that he is ready to face the end of his life with peace because he knows he always stood up for what was right, even when it meant resigning from high posts or going against the government.

Overall, Chagla’s reflection in the epilogue shows he was a man of great character. He didn't care about titles as much as he cared about his "inner voice." He concludes that while his "December" has arrived, the memories of his struggle for justice and his love for the law are the "roses" that make his life feel complete. He leaves us with the idea that as long as a person lives by their principles, they can look back at their life with a sense of calm and fulfillment.

Q19. What are the key components of a formal legal letter and why is clarity and precision important in legal correspondence?

Ans. Letter writing is an important form of communication. A good letter should be clear, polite, and properly structured so that the message is effectively conveyed to the reader. The following points are essential to keep in mind:

1. Clarity and Conciseness - A letter should be written in simple, clear, and direct language. Unnecessary details and long sentences should be avoided. The message should be expressed in a concise manner so that the reader can easily understand the purpose of the letter.
2. Proper Structure - A well-written letter should follow a proper format, including address, date, salutation, body, and closing. The body of the letter should be divided into paragraphs for better readability and logical flow of ideas.
3. Formal and Appropriate Language - The tone of the letter should be suitable to the purpose. Formal letters should use respectful and professional language, while informal letters may be more personal. However, harsh or offensive language should always be avoided.
4. Focus on the Main Idea - A letter should deal with a single topic or central idea. Mixing different issues can create confusion and reduce the effectiveness of the message. Staying focused helps in communicating the purpose clearly.
5. Courtesy and Politeness - A good letter should always be polite and respectful, even when complaining or making a request. Courtesy creates a positive impression and increases the chances of a favourable response.
6. Accuracy and Correct Information - The information given in the letter should be correct and complete. Facts, names, dates, and details must be accurate to maintain credibility.
7. Proper Closing - A letter should end with an appropriate closing such as “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely,” followed by the sender’s name and signature.

Thus, effective letter writing requires clarity, proper structure, politeness, accuracy, and focus. Following these essentials ensures that the message is communicated successfully and leaves a good impression on the reader.