2017
ENGLISH
FULL MARKS: 100
PASS MARKS: 30
Time: Three hours
The figures in the
margin indicate full marks for the questions.
(FOR THE
CANDIDATES OF OLD & NEW SYLLABUSES)
SECTION A
(Reading Skills: 10 Marks)
1. Read the following passage carefully:
Today’s woman is a highly self-directed
person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions
in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work.
Women are rational in a approach, careful in handing situation and want to do
things as best as possible. The Fourth
world Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995 had
emphasized that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social,
economic and political problems could be found without the participation and
empowerment of the women. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development had also
emphasized the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the
social fabric.
The Constitution of India had conferred
on women equal rights and opportunities – political, social, educational and of
employment – with men. Because of oppressive traditions, superstitions,
exploitation and corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the
rights and opportunities, bestowed on them. One of the major reasons for this
state of affairs is the lack of literacy and awareness among women. Education
is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing
inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change in the
status of women.
The role of women in a society is very
important. Women’s education is the key to a better life in the future. A
recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good
economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate
the girls. The report says that the economic and social returns in investment
in education of the girls considerably affect the human development index of
the nations. Society would progress only if the status of women is respected
and the presence of an educated woman in the family would insure education of
the family itself. Education and empowerment of women are closely related.
On the basis of your reading of passage
answer the following questions:
(a)Mention some of the qualities of
today’s women. 2
Answer: Some of the qualities of today’s
women are:
(i)Today’s women are highly self-directed
and self-dependant.
(ii) They have the high dignity, the
private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work now.
(iii)Women are rational in approach,
careful in handling situations and want to do things as best as possible.
(b)Where was the Fourth World conference
of women held and what did it emphasise? 1
+ 1 = 2
Answer:
The Fourth World conference of women was held in September 1995. It
emphasized that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social,
economic and political problems could be found without the participation and
empowerment of the women.
(c)What factors prevent a majority of
women from enjoying their rights and opportunities? 2
Answer:
Oppressive of traditions, superstitions, exploitations and corruptions
are the major factors which prevent a majority of women from enjoying their
rights and opportunities. The other major factors are the lack of literacy and
awareness among the women.
(d) What can education do for the cause
of women? 2
Answer: Education is the main instrument
through which the women can narrow down the prevailing inequality. They can be
accelerating the process of economic and political change in the status of
women through education.
(e)What is the observation of World Bank
on girl education? 2
Answer: According to the observation of
World Bank, educating girls is not a charity. It is good economics and if
developing nations are to eradicate poverty then it must educate the girls. As
the report of World Bank, the economic and social returns on investment in
education of the girls considerably affect the human development index of the
nation.
SECTION B
(Advanced Writing Skills: 25 Marks)
2. Design
a poster for the ‘World-Environement Day creating awareness among the people
about the threats of environment degradation. (Maximum 50 words)
Answer:
“Environmental degradation”
SAVE ENVIRONMENT, SAVE THE EARTH
Ø It is going the deterioration of
the environment
Ø It depletions of resources such as air, water and soil
Ø The destruction of ecosystems is
flourishing.
Ø Habitat destruction happens day by day
Ø The extinction of wildlife and pollution are increasing
broadly
Ø It changes or disturbance to the environment
Ø Increasing human population day by day & affect the
environment
Ø Resources are depleting and polluting the air by
science & technology
Ø Reduction of the
capacity of the environment day by day
Ø Natural habitats are destroyed or natural
resources are depleted
So, Keep the earth green, Keep sustainable development
OR:
2017:You are Binod/Seema, the Cultral
Secretary of
or:
2018: You are Anil/Amrita, the Cultural
Secretary of
Answer: NOTICE
St. Anthony’s college, Guwahati.
DATE :
It
is hereby inform to all the students that we are going to organize “Inter-college song and
Dance Competition on dated 18-02-2017. So/therefore, entire students are requested to
present and participate on the “Inter-college song and Dance Competition” or “cultural
programme”. All the students are suggested
to be present at
By
Binod/Seema,
Cultural Secretary,
3. You recently visited some flood-affected
areas of Dhemaji District. As a press reporter of an English Daily write a
report on the flood situation in 100-125 words. You are Amar/Nitu
Answer: Flood
causes Havoc in Dhemaji District
Amar/Nitu
(a press/staff reporter)
Dhemaji,
16 February, 2017: For
incessant/unceasing/continual rain falling for a week, the whole/entire Dhemaji
district had been caused a terrible flood. Today the flood situation turned
critical and the river breached the embankment. The national highway and the
other roads were totally snapped crashed. There were no place to live/stay and
many people have taken their shelter on the railway lines. Many houses/huts
have been washed away and a widespread caused by the flood in the whole area.
The army has been pressed to service the suffering people and various relief
camps opened in some school and places. There has been a scarcity of drinking
water. The District Administrator is making all out efforts to lessen/become
less the suffering of the flood affected people. The Assam & India
government were made relief to each flood affected persons.
OR:
You are Gopal/Anita of Govt. Higher Secondary
School, Karimganj. Your school has organized a Blood Donation Camp on the
occasion of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Write a report in 100-125 words as
an editor for your school magazine, on this widely acclaimed activity.
Answer:
BLOOD DONATION CAMP
“GIVE
BLOOD, GIVE LIFE”
by Gopal/Anita
(General Secretary of the School)
Place: Govt. Higher
Secondary School, Karimganj,
Date: 15-02-2017
A
blood donation camp was organized by Govt. Higher Secondary School, Karimganj
on 14th February, 2017. A team of 12 doctors and nurses of
GMCH came for collection of blood to the school. The event was started with
Ganesh Vandana, Poem recitation and a small skit by the students of Govt.
Higher Secondary School. The principal, Dr. B.K. Verma enlightened
the students with his speech. The other teachers and faculty members were also
present at the occasion and help the mission. The volunteers and the nurses
helped a lot on the mater. A total of 104
units were collected in the camp from the students and teachers. Some donors
those could not donate at that time, they mentioned or promised to give the
next donation occasion. The donor students and the teachers were given fruits
and foods of vitamins and proteins after had donated their blood. The donation
card, a Certificate of appreciation, and refreshment were given to each donor
as a token of gratitude and for their great work. The programme was ended with
national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana Adhi’.
4. Write a letter to the editor of an English
daily drawing the attention of the concern authorities to the menace of
reckless driving in your town. You are Mukul/Ayesha.
2015: Write a letter to the editor of a
newspaper on reckless driving. You are Roshan/Divya in Duliajan.
Answer:
To
The Editor,
Sentinel
/ Assam Tribune
Guwahati-781032 / 782003
Sub: Reckless driving and safety measures
Respected
Sir,
I would like to draw the attention of
Government officials and concerned authorities to highlight about the ‘Reckless
driving and safety measures’ in our town/village/area.
There are several accidents that are happened for the
reckless driving. We, the entire students are facing for the reckless driving
on going to school. The minor or low age boys and girls are usually driving
bikes and motors. They have no proper license. Also, they often ride the
vehicles too speed. So, we have to face the risk of accidents and stuck. Also,
the traffic lights are not properly working at this moment. We are not freely
or without risk on going to the road or school. We requested and informed to
the RTO/DTO department and Government authority. But, they have not taken any
steps to control over the speeding cars and bikes.
So, I hereby request to you that kindly give a little
space in your newspaper for draw the attention to the concerned authorities or
Government for ‘Reckless Driving in our area’.
Yours
faithfully/truly
Mukul/Ayesha.
in Amolapatty,
Sivasagar
To
the ‘SENTINEL
OFFICE’/Assam Tribune
Guwahati-781032
/ 782003
OR:
You are Rita/Gourav.
You have seen advertisement for the post of a Sales Executive in a reputed
company. Write an application to the Regional Director of the Company in
response to the advertisement applying for the post. 10
2014 & 2015: You are Arunabh/Mandira,
station Road, Nalbari. You have seen an advertisement for the post of Receptionist /Sales Executive in a Multi-National
Company in Bangalore. Write a formal application for the post in response to
the advertisement.
or: 2019: You are Asha/Amrit. You have seen
an advertisement for the post of a Sales Executive in a reputed company. Write
an application, along with your detailed resume, to the Regional Director of
the company in response to the advertisement applying for the post.
(Note: This job application is a sample of
any Job related application. In the other questions, you should only change the
title, but others details will remain same)
Answer: Rita/Gourav
Station
Road,Nalbari
February 19,
2018
To
Director or the Regional
Director,
of the Multi-National Company, Bangalore
Subject:
Request for appointment as receptionist/Sales Executive /Any job or business
related post
Respected
Sir,
(if you get any advertisement write first like---This is response
to your advertisement published in Assam Tribune or other papers of January
17,2017 inviting application for the post of a receptionist/Sales Executive or mention other post, I wish to apply for
the same. I wish to state that I am a graduate/Master Degree in Commerce
Stream. Presently, I am unemployed and wish to serve as receptionist/Sales
Executive/other post and possess the requisite experience and qualifications to
suit your requirement. I would require about a week’s time to join if selected
by you.
I passed M.B.A. Degree in 2015. I am a dynamic young
man/girl of pleasant manners and good personality. I possess wonderful
communication skills. I have reasonable command over above mention the subject.
I have a diploma in computer also. I want to apply for the post of
receptionist/Sales Executive. In
addition to working, I take keen interest in extracurricular activities also.
I enclose here a brief bio-data
of myself to enable you to assess my suitability for the post. I have no doubt
that my qualification and experience will make me a suitable candidate for the
job. I can assure you that I shall leave no stone unturned to prove my worth if
you selected or given a chance to serve. I am sure that I shall prove to be an
asset for your prestigious institution. I hope for a favourable response.
Yours faithfully
Rita/Gourav
Bora
Enclose: Bio-data
BIO-DATA
Name- Rita/Gourav Bora
Father Name- Hiranya Bora
Date of birth- 20th July, 1979
Gender- male/female
Marital Status- Unmarried
Permanent Address-
Vill-
Station
Road P.o- Y
P. S.- z Dist- Nalbari,
Pin-123456 State- Assam
Contact No: 0123456789
Email Id-podmeswarbora@gmail.com
Present Address- Same as Permanent Address
Education qualification-
M.Com. in Management and Financial Accounting or Marketing Management from ‘Guwahati
University’
Extra Qualification-
MCA from IGNOU and MBA
from “Aimfill International”, Guwahati
Experience- 5 Years Experience as
receptionist/Sales Executive in ABC Company, Guwahati
Language Known- Assamese, English and Hindi
Hobbies- Reading and writing.
Declaration
I hereby declare that above mention are true
and right. If you find any mistake in mention above, then my candidature is cancelled
by you without any proper information to me.
SECTION C
(Grammar: 20 Marks)
5. Change the form of
narration in the following sentences: 2
x 2 = 4
(a)The boy said to the teacher, “Sir, I am weak in English and seek your advice.” “Read the text thoroughly and try to express your ideas in simple correct English,” said the teacher.
Answer: The boy politely said to the teacher that he was weak in English and sought his advice. The teacher advised him to read the text thoroughly and try to express his ideas in simple correct English.
Or: Addressing Sir, the boy told the teacher that he was weak in English and sought his advice. The teacher advised him to read the text thoroughly and try to express his ideas in simple correct English.
(b)My friend told me that he was very thirsty and requested me to give him a glass of water.
Answer: My friend said to me, “I am very thirsty. Please give me a glass of water.”
6. Change the voice
of any three of the following sentences:
3 x 1 = 3
(a) Football is played everywhere.
Answer. People play football everywhere.
(b) Do the work immediately.
Answer: Let the work be done immediately.
(c) Who opened the door?
Answer: By whom was the door opened?
(d) I have lost my book.
Answer: My book has been lost by me.
(e) The coach is training the players.
Answer: The players are being trained by the coach.
(f) Who has broken the window pane?
Answer: By whom has the window pane been broken?
7.Rewrite any five of
the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct
tense forms: 5 x 1 = 5
(a) Recently the price of petrol ____(go) up.
Answer: Recently the price of petrol has gone up.
(b)I____ (do) a lot of work today.
Answer: I have to do a lot of work today.
(c) The train ____(leave) before we reached the station.
Answer: The train had left before we reached the station.
(d)I wish my brother ____(be) here.
Answer: I wish my brother was here.
(e) As he ____ (cross) the road a bus knocked him down.
Answer: As he was crossing the road a bus knocked him down.
(f)I ____(think) of going abroad for quiet sometime.
Answer: I have been thinking of going abroad for quiet sometime.
(g) This paper ____(appear) twice a week.
Answer: This paper appears twice a week.
8. Rewrite any four of the following sentences filling in the blanks
with appropriate prepositions: 4 x
1 = 4
(a) I met him………….the road.
Answer: I met him on the road.
(b) I congratulate you……..your success.
Answer: I congratulate you on your success.
(c) John was annoyed………..his mother.
Answer: John was annoyed with his mother.
(d) The work should be finished…………next Friday.
Answer: The work should be finished by next Friday.
(e) We are not interested…………your story.
Answer: We are not interested in your story.
(f) He was frightened………the noise.
Answer: He was frightened by the noise.
9. Rewrite any four
of the sentences as directed: 4 x 1 = 4
(Not in the syllabus
of 2021)
SECTION D
(Text books: 45 Marks)
10.Read one of the
following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
(a) “The little old
house……..faint” (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
OR:
(b) “Those
who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
And walk about with their brothers
in the shade, dong nothing.
(i)What are the different kind of war
mentioned by the poet in the passage? 1
ans: The different kinds of war are green
wars or wars for the environment, wars with gas and wars with fire that
mentioned by the poet in the passage.
(ii)What kind of victory do they achieve? 1
ans: They achieve the victory where no
survivors are available to celebrate the victory.
(iii) Who are the brothers mentioned in the
stanza? 1
ans: The brothers of the warmongers or those
who prepare green wars, wars with gas and wars with fire, are the brothers
mentioned in the stanza.
(iv) Find words in the passage that mean
“those left alive” and ‘win’ 1
ans:
Those left alive—survivors
win—victory
11.Answer any three
of the following questions in 30-40 words: 3
x 2 = 6
(i)How is a thing of
beauty a joy forever?
Answer: A thing of beauty is consist of joy. Its loveliness
increases and never passes into nothingness. It will keep a bower quiet for us.
It also provides a sleep full of sweet dreams, health and quiet breathing.
Thus/So/hence, a thing of beauty is a joy
forever.
(ii) Why does the poet Neruda ‘wish to count
to twelve’?
Answer: The poet, Neruda ‘wishes to count
twelve’ that everybody will keep still for a moment or just until count to
twelve. He expects an ‘exotic moment’ and a huge silence where everyone should
not use any language and keep stop the entire body parts as well as the other
works.
(iii) What do the young spiriting trees signify?
Or Why are young trees described as sprinting.
Answer:
The young spiriting trees signify the activeness and liveliness of the
environment. The poet describes the young trees as sprinting to contrast
between her mother and the other active things.
(iv)
What are being sold in the Road-side stand? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(v) What is the ‘Childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘in
vain’? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(vi) Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’?
Answer: The mother has been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ because
her mother’s face is wan and pale. It looks ashen like a corpse or dead body
and totally colorless like ‘a late winter’s moon’.
12. Answer any five of the following
questions: 5 x 1 = 5
(a)What was written in the new copies brought by Hamel for the students
in a beautiful round hand?
Answer: In the new copies brought by Hamel for the students, there was
written ‘Vive La France’ in beautiful round hand.
(b) What does the ‘garbage’ mean for the elders of Seemapuri?
Answer:
The ‘garbage’ means for the elders of Seemapuri is a means of survival. It is
their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it is a leaking roof.
(c) Where does Mukesh live?
Answer: Mukesh lives in Firozabad.
(d) Where did John Rowntree and his family
make their first home at Gauhati? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(e) Whom did Gandhi and Shukla want/propose
to meet at Patna?
Answer:
Gandhi and Shukla wanted/proposed to meet a lawyer at Patna named Rajendra Prasad
who later became the President of the Congress party and of India.
(f)
Who is Geoff? (Not in the syllabus of
2021)
(g)
Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person? (Not
in the syllabus of 2021)
13.Answer any five of the following questions
in 30-40 words: 5 x 2 = 10
(a) Why did Franz want to spend his day out of doors?
Answer: Franz’s teacher, M. Hamel said that he would
question
them on participles. But, he did not know the first word about participles. So, he thought of running away and spending the
day out of doors prevented from the great dread of scolding.
(b)
Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn?
Answer: M. Hamel did not blame
Franz alone for his inability to learn. Because, M. Hamel and Franz’s parents
were also responsible for his inability to learn. The fact was that M. Hamel
gave a holiday when he wanted to go fishing. Along with the parents who were
not anxious enough to have his learn. Instead, they preferred to put him to
work on a farm or at the mills for a little more money.
(c)
What is the significance of bangles in an Indian society?
Answer: The bangles mean the
sanctity in a society. It symbolises an Indian woman’s suhaag,
auspiciousness in marriage. It changes a girl to become a bride. It is
significance with a bride that draped with a red veil, hands dyed red with
henna, and red bangles rolled onto her wrists.
(d) What does Rowntree say about
the river banks in the Manas Sanctuary? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(e)
What was the incident that
prompted Gandhi to raise his voice of protest against the British?
Answer:
The incident of Champaran or the episode of Champaran that prompted Gandhi to
raise his voice of protest against the British. Gandhi protested against the
British sharecroppers for the poor farmers.
(f)
What are the other options that Sophie dreams of besides owning a
boutique? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(g)
What job is Geoff engaged in? Does he entertain wild and impractical dreams
like his sister does? (Not
in the syllabus of 2021)
14.Answer
any one of the following questions in 80-100 words. 1 x 5 = 5
(a) Describe the unusual things that Franz
noticed on the day of the last lesson.
Or: Give a detailed account of the scene
in the classroom or the day of the last lesson.
Or: What did Franz notice that was
unusual about the school that day?
Or: What changes did the order from
Berlin cause in school that day?
Or: Give a detailed account of the scene
in the classroom on the day if the last lesson.
Ans: The order from Berlin caused or affected
warmly in the school and on the village people that day. Franz noticed that
there were no any great bustle/noise, nothing the sound of opening and closing
desks, not lessons repeated in unison with very loud, and not the teacher’s
great ruler rapping on the table. That day, everything was as quiet as Sunday
morning. Also, Franz was not scolded/rebuked for his very late to school. On that day, M. Hamel wore his beautiful
green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap which were worn
only on inspection and prize days.
The whole school seemed so strange
and solemn. The back benches were filled
up by the village people like the old Hauser with his three-cornered hat, the
former mayor, the former postmaster and several others. They were looking sad
for the last lesson of French language.
All the lessons like reciting, grammars, writings, history were taught
on that day. Specially, M. Hamel taught very beautifully on the last lesson.
Surprisingly, little Franz heard very carefully and understood all the lessons.
OR:
Describe the miserable plight of the people
of Firozabad.
Answer: Every
other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. More than 20000
children also engage on it. None of them know that it is illegal. The children
work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air
and light. They slog their daylight hours an often losing the brightness of
their eyes.
They live in
stinking lanes choked with garbage where they remain hovels with crumbling
walls, wobbly doors and no windows. They live in crowded with families of
humans and animals coexisting in a primeval state. They are born in the cast of
bangle makers. They have seen nothing except bangles, in the house, in the
yard, in every other house, every other yard, every street in Firozabad.
Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to
the light outside. That is why; they often end up losing their eyesight before
they become adults. They have not enjoyed even one full meal in their entire
lifetime. They do not know anything except bangles. They cannot dare to change
it for the police and the middlemen.
OR:
Describe the exploitation of the indigo
sharecroppers by the English landlords. Did Gandhi help them to get an
honourable settlement?
or: What was the long-term contract
between the English landlords and the sharecroppers of Champaran? Why did the
sharecroppers protest against this agreement and how?
or: What was the sharecropping
arrangement drawn up between the landlords and the peasants after developing of
synthetic indigo?
Answer: Most of
the arable land in the Champaran district was divided into large estates owned
by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was
indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant three twentieths or 15 per
cent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as
rent. This was done by long-term contract.
When Germany had developed synthetic
indigo thereupon the landlords obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to
pay them compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement.
Gandhi reached at that moment in
Champaran. He visited the secretary of the British landlord’s association and
also met British official commissioner of the Tirhut division on regarding the
problems of sharecroppers. He had to appear in the court for the sharecroppers
for helping them and disobey the order of leaving Champaran. By the supports of
lawyers and spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants, Gandhi was
released and interviewed with Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant-Governor for the
case. After the settlement, an official commission appointed and made inquiry
on it. By the various evident, it was proved that the landlord took the money
illegally and deceitfully. So, the landlord had to refund 25 percent to the
sharecroppers.
Thus, Gandhi helped the
sharecroppers to get a honourable settlement.
15.Answer any one of the following questions
in 125-150 words: 1 x 7 = 7
Why is Antarctica the place to go, to understand
the earth’s present, past and future? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
Or:
Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the
caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict?
What are their responses to their respective situations? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
16.Answer any four of the following questions
in 30-40 words: 4 x 2 = 8
(a) What did the chief astroler predict about
the Tiger King? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(b) What is Gondwana? (Not in the syllabus of
2021)
(c) Why and how did Derry enter Mr. Lamb’s garden ?
Ans: Derry thought that Mr. Lamb’s garden was
an empty place and the house was an empty one. He didn’t know there was anybody
there. So, Derry entered the garden to achieve/get some peace and stay alone for
a little while/a moment.
Derry entered Mr. Lamb’s garden by climbing the
garden wall.
(d) Why did Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end ? (ডেরি শেষ পর্যন্ত মিঃ ল্যাম্বের কাছে ফিরে গেলেন কেন?)
Ans:
Derry said that his mother would want to know where he
was. The garden was three miles away from his home across the fields. He was
fourteen so they or his families still wanted to know where he was. So/for
these reasons, Derry went back to Mr. Lamb in the end.
(e)When did Bama
experience untouchability? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(f) What was Zitkala’s
idea regarding short, shingled hair?
(Not in the syllabus of 2021)
THE END