English - I : Previous Year Questions (2019)

2019

Time: 3 Hours

Max Marks: 50

PART – A

Answer the following questions in one sentence each. (10 x 1 = 10)

Q1. Name the person to whom Gangu was married.

Ans. Gangu was married to Gomti.

Q2. What was Jim's precious possession?

Ans. Jim’s most precious possession was his gold pocket watch, which had belonged to his father and grandfather.

Q3. Why did the Bank manager feel that the narrator was a detective?

Ans. The bank manager thought the narrator was a detective because of his suspicious and awkward behaviour, which made him seem secretive and mysterious.

Q4. What title Jawahar Lal Nehru gave to Mahatma Gandhi?

Ans. Jawaharlal Nehru referred to Mahatma Gandhi as the “Father of the Nation.”

Q5. How did Gangu earn his living after he got married?

Ans. Gangu earned his living as a hawker after he got married. 

Q6. What did Jim buy for Della?

Ans. Jim bought a set of beautiful combs made of pure tortoiseshell, bejewelled at the edges, for Della.

Q7. Who wrote the poem "Bangle Seller"?

Ans. The poem, “Bangle Seller”, is written by Sarojini Naidu.

Q8. What is the theme of the poem "The World is Too Much with Us"?

Ans. The theme of the poem “The World is Too Much with Us” by William Wordsworth is the loss of humanity’s connection with nature due to materialism and the pursuit of worldly possessions.

Q9. What is the meaning of ‘narrow domestic walls’ by Tagore?

Ans. The phrase "narrow domestic walls" by Tagore refers to the barriers of prejudice, discrimination, parochialism, and superstition that divide people within a country or society, hindering unity and true freedom.

Q10. What does 'Service of India' mean by J.L. Nehru?

Ans. 'Service of India,' as stated by J.L. Nehru in his "Tryst with Destiny" speech, primarily means the dedicated, incessant striving to uplift the millions who suffer by working to end poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity in the nation.

PART – B

Answer the following questions in 4-5 lines each. Each question carries 4 marks. (4 x 4 = 16)

Q11. Transform the following sentences from active to passive.

1. Switch off the light.

Ans. Let the light be switched off.

2. Always speak the truth. 

Ans. Let the truth always be spoken.

3. Did he help you?

Ans. Were you helped by him?

4. May he cross the river?

Ans. May the river be crossed by him?

Q12. Fill in the blanks with suitable tense of the verb given in brackets:

1. We _ to Delhi this evening. (go)

Ans. are going

2. Laduram had done all that _ necessary. (be)

Ans. was

3. I forgive you since you _. (repent)

Ans. have repented

4. The patient _ before the doctor _. (die, come)

Ans. had died, came

Q13. Explain the following legal terms:

1. Mortgage - A legal agreement where a lender provides a loan to a borrower, and the borrower pledges their real property as collateral for that loan. The property serves as security, giving the lender the right to take possession of and sell it through foreclosure to recoup the debt if the borrower fails to make the agreed-upon payments.

2. Litigation - Litigation is the formal process of resolving disputes by initiating a lawsuit and taking legal action through the court system.

3. Crime - A crime is an act, or an omission of an act, that violates a law and is punishable by the government, usually through fines or imprisonment.

4. Fraud - Fraud is the intentional use of deceit or a dishonest act to deprive another person of a legal right or to gain an unlawful advantage, often involving false statements or the concealment of facts with the intent to deceive for personal or financial gain.

Q14. Punctuate the following passage with punctuation marks:

to be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say but how to say it be civil and modest don't bite your lips click your tongue roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak don't be like the frenchman who said how can i talk if you hold my hands.

Ans. To be a good conversationalist, you must know not only what to say, but how to say it. Be civil and modest. Don’t bite your lips, click your tongue, roll your eyes, or use your hands excessively as you speak. Don’t be like the Frenchman who said, “How can I talk if you hold my hands?”

PART – C

Answer the following questions in 400 words each. Attempt any three. Each question carries 8 marks. (3 x 8 = 24)

Q15. Write a critical appreciation of the poem Bangle Seller.

Ans. Sarojini Naidu’s “Bangle-Sellers” is a lyrical and culturally rich poem that celebrates the beauty, emotions and life-stages of Indian womanhood through the symbolic world of bangles. At first glance, the poem appears to describe the colourful trade of the bangle-sellers, but a deeper reading reveals that the bangles are not mere ornaments. They represent the hopes, dreams, joys, and responsibilities that shape a woman’s life. The poem opens with the cheerful call of the bangle-sellers who wander from village to village, offering their delicate glass bangles to women of all ages. Their call is not just a marketing cry; it reflects the vibrant traditions and social rituals that give rhythm to Indian life. The poet’s choice of colours, silver, blue, pink, purple, sunlit gold, creates vivid imagery, making the poem almost visual in its beauty. These colours symbolise different emotional phases: the playful innocence of maidenhood, the warmth and hope of marriage, and the calm dignity of motherhood and maturity.

A striking feature of the poem is how Naidu uses bangles to portray a woman’s journey from youth to adulthood. For young girls, she describes bangles “like the mist of a mountain stream,” capturing the freshness and purity of childhood. For brides, she chooses red and orange tones, colours of passion, love, and new beginnings. These bridal bangles echo dreams of devotion and the promise of partnership. For older women, she presents rich, deep-hued bangles that mirror the wisdom and serenity that come with experience. In doing so, the poet dignifies every stage of a woman’s life, suggesting that beauty is not limited to youth but evolves with age and responsibility.

The poem’s tone is celebratory but also quietly reflective. Through the bangle-sellers, Naidu subtly highlights the social roles expected of women while honouring the strength with which they embrace these roles. The rhythmic language, alliteration, and musical quality of the poem reflect her skill as the “Nightingale of India.” But beyond its melody, the poem carries emotional depth. The poet gently acknowledges both the joy and the burden of womanhood without slipping into sentimentality.

In essence, “Bangle-Sellers” is a tribute to Indian womanhood, capturing its tenderness, resilience and inner richness. Through the simple metaphor of bangles, Naidu paints a complete portrait of a woman’s life, reminding readers that every phase, youthful, passionate, or serene, is equally valuable and worthy of celebration.

Q16. Critically evaluate the characters Gangu and Babuji.

Ans. In “The Child,” Munshi Premchand crafts Gangu and Babuji as two contrasting moral figures who reveal the deep hypocrisies and quiet possibilities of compassion within society. Gangu emerges as the heart of the story, an ordinary man with extraordinary humanity. Despite being poor and living a simple life, he possesses a rare emotional maturity that allows him to see people beyond their mistakes or past. When he chooses to marry Gomti, a woman repeatedly abandoned by her husbands and burdened with harsh societal judgements, Gangu displays a courage that few around him can even imagine. He is aware of the whispers, the doubts, and the gossip that accompany her name, yet he refuses to let public opinion dictate his actions. For Gangu, what truly matters is a person’s suffering and need for love, not the labels society stamps on them. His acceptance of Gomti and her child reflects not only kindness but a deep sense of social justice, he stands for those who have been silenced and shamed.

In contrast, Babuji represents the respectable face of society that hides insecurity and prejudice behind moral superiority. Outwardly, he seems educated, stable and authoritative, but his perspective is shaped more by rigid rules and fear of social opinion than by empathy. His behaviour toward Gomti reveals how shallow moral judgement can be when it is rooted in social conditioning rather than genuine understanding. Babuji looks at Gomti through the lens of society’s expectations: a woman who has been abandoned must automatically be at fault; her suffering is irrelevant compared to the need to maintain order and purity. Instead of offering help, he reinforces the very injustices that push people like Gomti to the margins. While he represents tradition, he lacks the compassion that could give tradition meaning. Through Babuji, Premchand criticizes the educated elite who claim to uphold values but fail to practise humanity when it is most needed.

The contrast between Gangu and Babuji forms the moral backbone of the story. Gangu’s warm, fearless acceptance of Gomti highlights the possibility of genuine human connection, while Babuji’s rigidity exposes how societal norms often serve to punish the vulnerable rather than support them. Premchand uses these characters not just to tell a story, but to question the foundations of social morality. Ultimately, Gangu rises as a symbol of quiet heroism, proving that true goodness lies not in status or respectability, but in the courage to stand with the oppressed.

Q17. Comment on the title of the story An Astrologer's Day.

Ans. The title “An Astrologer’s Day” appears simple at first, but it carries deep symbolic and thematic significance that reflects both the outer life and inner turmoil of the central character. On the surface, it suggests an ordinary day in the life of a street astrologer who sits under a tamarind tree, decorated with saffron clothes and mystical props, earning a living by telling fortunes. However, as the story unfolds, we realize that this particular “day” is anything but ordinary, this one day becomes the turning point of his entire life. The title’s apparent simplicity cleverly masks the tension, drama, and moral complexity that the astrologer experiences. The author deliberately chooses an understated title to highlight how extraordinary events can lie hidden beneath the everyday routines of ordinary people. The astrologer seems confident and wise, but this day reveals the truth that his profession is merely a disguise for a haunted past. His encounter with Guru Nayak transforms an ordinary working day into a moment of reckoning, reminding readers that life often presents unexpected confrontations without warning.

More importantly, the title draws attention to the irony of the astrologer’s life. While he pretends to read the fate of others with confidence, he himself is a man running from his own destiny. This day forces him to face the very man he once tried to kill, bringing his buried guilt and fear back to the surface. In that sense, the story becomes not just a snapshot of his daily occupation but a study of how one day can change a life’s direction. The calm, almost mundane title contrasts sharply with the tension of the encounter, creating a narrative surprise that deepens the reader’s engagement. It also emphasizes the unpredictability of life. No one, not even an astrologer, can truly foresee what lies ahead. Through this title, the author subtly mocks blind faith in astrology while portraying the astrologer as a clever survivor shaped by circumstances rather than supernatural insight.

Thus, the title “An Astrologer’s Day” serves multiple purposes: it sets a realistic tone, creates irony, hints at the twists to come, and captures the essence of a man whose ordinary routine collides with his troubled past. In presenting this single day as pivotal, the author suggests that destiny is not controlled by stars or predictions, but by human choices and unexpected encounters. The title, therefore, encapsulates the story’s central message, that behind every ordinary life lies a hidden narrative waiting to surface.

Q18. Write a paragraph on 'Organ Donation'.

Ans. Organ donation is one of the most powerful acts of compassion that a human being can offer, because it turns personal loss into a second chance at life for someone else. In a world where thousands of people wait desperately for organs such as kidneys, hearts, livers, and corneas, organ donation becomes not just a medical procedure but a deeply humane gesture that bridges the gap between life and death. What makes organ donation remarkable is that it reflects both scientific progress and emotional generosity: medical science provides the possibility, while human kindness provides the willingness. Donating an organ during one’s lifetime, like a kidney, or pledging organs after death shows a sense of responsibility towards society. At its core, organ donation is about using what we no longer need to save someone who still has dreams, hopes, and loved ones waiting for them. It is a silent reminder that even after our life ends, our body can continue to serve a purpose far greater than we can imagine. However, despite the noble nature of organ donation, many people hesitate due to myths, cultural beliefs, or lack of awareness. Some fear that their bodies will not be treated respectfully, while others misunderstand the medical process. Creating awareness, educating people, and openly discussing these fears can help society overcome these barriers. Governments, schools, hospitals, and community groups can work together to promote the idea that donating an organ is a life-affirming act that benefits everyone. When families agree to donate the organs of a loved one, they often discover comfort in the idea that a part of them continues to live on, giving hope to someone else. Organ donation also teaches us to look beyond ourselves and recognize our shared humanity: a donated organ does not see religion, caste, gender, or wealth; it simply gives life. In a time when people often feel divided, organ donation stands as a symbol of unity and selflessness. Ultimately, encouraging organ donation means nurturing a society where empathy overcomes fear, and where every individual has the chance to contribute to life, even after their own has ended. It is an act that honours both science and the human spirit, reminding us that the greatest gift we can give is the gift of life.