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2022
Time: 3 Hours
Max Marks: 50
PART – A
Answer the following questions in one sentence each. (10 x 1 = 10)
Q1. How much money did the astrologer usually charge per question?
Ans. The astrologer usually charge three pies per question.
Q2. How did Gangu earn his living after he got married?
Ans. Gangu earned his living as a hawker after he got married.
Q3. Which were two precious possessions of Jim and Della?
Ans. The two precious possessions of Jim and Della were Jim’s gold watch and Della’s long, beautiful hair.
Q4. Who can best define victory according to Emily Dickinson?
Ans. The poem suggests that victory can best be defined by a defeated soldier who is on the brink of death. They understand its value through their loss.
Q5. Who composed the poem 'The World is Too Much with Us'?
Ans. William Wordsworth composed the poem ‘The World is Too Much with Us’.
Q6. Write two major themes of ‘Sonnet 29’.
Ans. Two major themes of “Sonnet 29” are:
- Despair and isolation
- The uplifting power of love
Q7. Explain the phrase 'narrow domestic walls' in the poem 'Where the Mind is without Fear'.
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.
Q8. Which colours of Bangles are suitable to a maiden according to Sarojini Naidu?
Ans. According to Sarojini Naidu, silver and blue bangles are suitable for a maiden.
Q9. What does the service of India mean?
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.
Q10. What was the American teachers' attitude towards questioning as explained by Gopal?
Ans. The American teachers, as observed by Gopal, loved questioning and actively encouraged students to ask questions and engage in analysis, unlike teachers in the Indian system he experienced, who would often belittle students for asking questions.
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. They shouted at the naughty boy.
Ans. The naughty boy was shouted at by them.
2. Does he still love me?
Ans. Am I still loved by him?
3. Rajni respects the teacher.
Ans. The teacher is respected by Rajni.
4. Your uncle teaches us English.
Ans. We are taught English by your uncle.
Q12. Explain the following legal terms:
1. Alimony - It is the amount of money a court orders a person to pay to his wife after divorce.
2. Libel - Libel is the act of publishing a defamatory statement in a permanent or semi-permanent form, such as a written or printed statement, picture, or online post, that is false and harms another person's reputation or livelihood.
3. Divorce - Divorce is the formal legal process that terminates a marriage and the associated legal responsibilities of the spouses, making them legally single again.
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.
Q13. Fill in the blanks with suitable tense forms of the verbs given in the brackets:
1. I _ to my father last week. (write)
Ans. wrote
2. My friend _ to swim in the river. (like)
Ans. likes
3. The accident _ at 6 o'clock this evening. (occur)
Ans. occurred
4. Please give me your pen. I _ mine at home. (forget)
Ans. have forgotten
Q14. Punctuate the following sentences with punctuation marks:
1. he lives at chandani chowk in delhi
Ans. He lives at Chandani Chowk in Delhi.
2. i need some butter garlic and milk
Ans. I need some butter, garlic, and milk.
3. would you please think about this
Ans. Would you please think about this?
4. why wasn’t she happy to get the job
Ans. Why wasn’t she happy to get the job?
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 "The World is Too Much with Us".
Ans. William Wordsworth’s sonnet “The World Is Too Much with Us” is a heartfelt critique of the growing materialism of the early Industrial Age, yet its concerns feel just as urgent today. Written in the Romantic era, the poem mourns how human beings have drifted away from nature, losing the deep emotional and spiritual connection that once grounded them. In about fourteen tightly crafted lines, the poet blends personal frustration with a universal warning about what happens when society forgets its roots in the natural world.
The poem opens with a powerful accusation: people are “out of tune” with the rhythms of nature because they are consumed by the pursuit of wealth and possessions. The poet suggests that the more we focus on “getting and spending,” the more we squander our ability to experience genuine wonder. Here, nature is not simply scenery; it represents a source of emotional nourishment that modern life threatens to drain away. The poet’s tone is not cold or judgmental, but sorrowful, as though he is witnessing humanity willingly give up something precious.
Nature’s imagery, such as the “booming sea” or the gentle movement of the winds, contrasts sharply with the spiritual emptiness the poet sees in human behaviour. By portraying natural elements as dynamic and alive, he shows what we miss when we disconnect from them. These moments of vivid imagery also remind us of the Romantic belief that nature is a pathway to insight, healing, and a deeper sense of self.
In the sestet, the poet makes a dramatic emotional leap, wishing he could be a pagan just to regain a sense of awe in nature. This is not a literal desire but a poetic expression of desperation; he longs for a worldview that still recognised divinity in the natural world. References to mythological figures like Proteus and Triton evoke magic, wonder, and a sense of sacredness, qualities he feels the modern world has silenced.
Overall, the sonnet is both a lament and a plea. Wordsworth urges readers to recognise the spiritual cost of excessive materialism and to rediscover the power of nature to inspire, comfort, and transform. His message remains timeless: when we lose touch with the natural world, we risk losing an essential part of ourselves.
Q16. Attempt a critical evaluation of "Bangle-Sellers'.
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.
Q17. Justify the tittle of the short-story 'The Gift of Magi'.
Ans. The title “The Gift of the Magi” is deeply symbolic and perfectly captures the essence of O. Henry’s short story. At first glance, it may seem unusual because the story focuses on a young couple, Jim and Della, rather than the biblical Magi. However, by the end of the narrative, the title becomes a powerful metaphor for the kind of love and selflessness that the author celebrates.
The Magi, in the Bible, were the wise men who travelled long distances to present gifts to baby Jesus. Their gifts were precious not just because they were valuable, but because they represented devotion, sacrifice, and love. The author uses this reference to highlight that true wisdom in giving comes from the purity of one’s intentions rather than the material worth of the gift.
In the story, both Jim and Della give up their most prized possessions to buy a meaningful gift for the other. Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim’s treasured watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. On the surface, their actions seem futile, each gift becomes useless. Yet, it is this very irony that reveals the real meaning behind the title. The couple’s sacrifices show a rare form of love in which the happiness of the other person is valued above personal gain.
The title also suggests that Jim and Della, despite being young and financially poor, are as wise as the Magi because they understand the true spirit of giving. Their gifts are rich not in monetary terms but in emotional and moral value. The author subtly reminds us that wisdom does not always come with age or experience; sometimes, it lies in the sincerity of the heart.
Moreover, the title adds a universal dimension to the story. By comparing an ordinary couple to the legendary Magi, O. Henry elevates their humble acts into something timeless and meaningful. It encourages readers to rethink what giving truly means, whether it is defined by price or by love.
In conclusion, the title “The Gift of the Magi” is justified because it beautifully reflects the theme of selfless love that lies at the heart of the story. Jim and Della’s sacrifices transform their simple gifts into symbols of deep affection and wisdom, making their gesture as profound as that of the Magi themselves.
Q18. Write a paragraph on 'Independence of Judiciary'.
Ans. The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy because it ensures that justice is delivered fairly, fearlessly, and without any external pressure. An independent judiciary means that judges are free to make decisions based solely on the law and the facts placed before them, without being influenced by the government, powerful individuals, political parties, or public opinion. This independence is not a privilege for judges, but a protection for the citizens, who rely on the courts to uphold their rights and freedoms. When the judiciary functions independently, people can trust that their grievances will be heard impartially, whether they are ordinary citizens or influential leaders.
To maintain this independence, certain safeguards are built into the judicial system. Judges are appointed through defined procedures, they enjoy security of tenure, and they cannot be easily removed from their positions except through a rigorous process. Their salaries and service conditions are protected so that they are not vulnerable to pressure or manipulation. These safeguards ensure that judges can give verdicts that may be unpopular or inconvenient for those in power, without worrying about consequences. The judiciary also has the power of judicial review, which allows it to examine laws and actions of the government to ensure they do not violate the Constitution. This acts as a vital check on the misuse of authority and helps maintain the balance of power.
The independence of the judiciary, however, does not mean judges are above accountability. They are expected to act ethically, follow the law, and maintain the integrity of the court. A truly independent judiciary is one that is both free from outside interference and committed to transparency and fairness within its own functioning. When these two aspects come together, the public’s faith in justice becomes stronger.
In a diverse and democratic country, the judiciary often becomes the guardian of rights, especially for vulnerable groups who may not have the power to fight injustice alone. By remaining neutral and independent, courts ensure that the principles of equality, liberty, and rule of law are upheld. Therefore, the independence of the judiciary is not just a constitutional ideal, it is a living reassurance that justice will prevail, and that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.
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