30T ENGL Total
Number of Pages-16
2020
ENGLISH
Time: Three hours
The
figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.
SECTION – A
(Reading Skill : 10 Marks)
1. Read the
following passage carefully:
The next
time you take printout unnecessarily or you throw a paper into the bin, think
for a minute as to how many trees have been felled to manufacture something you
use so often every day.
Can you take out some time from your
everyday routine and devote it to starting a simple recycling programme at your
school or your neighbourhood? Not only would you save our planet from the
torture of felling greenery, but you would also reduce generation and dumping of
waste into the environment.
Using recycled papers conserves
natural resources. As our worldwide population grows, the strain on these
resources becomes even greater. You can drastically reduce the number of trees
cut down for manufacturing paper. In addition to saving landfill space, you cut
down on your expenses of trash-disposal. There is a reduction in air pollution
caused due to incineration. Making papers from discards instead of trees not
only saves forests, but it also reduces energy use by up to three quarters and
requires less than half as much water. Items that are made of paper and may be
recycled are called the loose paper; a few examples are paper bags, magazines,
newspapers and cardboard egg-trays.
A paper-recycling programme gives a
positive image to large corporations or business organizations. Parents can
teach their children the importance of recycled paper by bringing about simple
changes in their lifestyles. Schools can also train students to make paper
products like folders, penholders, material for the display board, lampshades,
teaching/ learning aids, etc. Students can creatively make their own cards,
files, folders, invitation cards and certificates for the school. Working on a
paper recycling plant demonstrates the concept of recycling waste into
‘wealth’. The real success of such programme is visible in the seemingly simple
acts like students exchanging books in a new academic session, indirectly
saving paper and thereby, trees. This is amazing that only a single sheet is
saved by each child, 40,000 trees could be saved per year by students only.
Learning the facts about recycling
paper will help you as you fulfill your part to keep the environment green. If
we keep our minds focused on the desire to be friendly to our earth and her
resources, recycling will become important. After a while, we will be in the
habit of recycling the paper that we use in the course of a given day.
On the basis of your reading of the
passage, answer the following questions:
(a) Why do
you need to think before you take printouts unnecessarily? 2
Answer: We
need to think before we take printouts unnecessarily because many trees have
been felled to manufacture something we use so often every day for the
unnecessarily printouts. If we think about it then we would save our planet
from the torture of felling greenery, reduce generation and dumping of waste
into the environment.
(b) Name
some of the products that can be obtained from recycled paper. 2
Answer: Some
of the products that can be obtained from recycled paper are paper bags, magazines,
newspapers, cardboard egg-trays, folders, penholders, the material for the
display board, lampshades, teaching/ learning aids, cards, files, invitation
cards etc
(c) How can
parents and schools help in creating awareness about paper recycling? 2
Answer: Parents
can teach their children the importance of recycled paper by bringing about
simple changes in their lifestyles.
Schools can
also train students to make paper products like folders, penholders, material
for the display board, lampshades, teaching/ learning aids, etc. Students can
creatively make their own cards, files, folders, invitation cards and
certificates for the school.
(d) How can
students help in saving trees indirectly? 2
Answer:
Working on a paper recycling plant demonstrates the concept of recycling waste
into ‘wealth’. The real success of such programme is visible in the seemingly
simple acts like students exchanging books in a new academic session,
indirectly saving paper and thereby, trees. This is amazing that only a single
sheet is saved by each child, 40,000 trees could be saved per year by students
only.
(e) Give a
synonym of ‘conserve’. 1
Answer: A
synonym of ‘conserve’ is save.
(f) Find a
word in the passage which means “the destruction of something, especially waste
material by burning”. 1
Answer: Incineration.
SECTION-B
(Advanced Writing Skills: 25 Marks)
2. You are
Gautam/Geeta, General Secretary of Radhakrishnan College, Guwahati. Your
college is organizing an educational trip to Delhi during the summer/winter
vacation. Write a notice for the college notice board giving all the details of
the trip. (Word Limit: 50 Words) 5
Answer:
“Radhakrishnan College, Guwahati”
Notice
Date: 12-02-2020
This is
information to the entire (all) students of our college that our college is
organizing an educational trip to Delhi during the summer/winter vacation for
seven days from 01-03-2020 to 07-03-2020. The students will able to see most of
the historical & essential places like Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub
Minar, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Akshardham, Agrasen ki Baoli and others as
convenience. Those students, who are interested in this trip, are requested to
submit their names with the acknowledgement signature from your parents and submit
the money of 3000 Rupees to the cashier before 25-02-2020.
by
Gautam/Geeta,
General Secretary of
Radhakrishnan College, Guwahati.
OR:
Design a
poster in not more than 50 words to create awareness about the safety measures
to be taken during an earthquake. 5
Answer:
“EARTH QUAKE SAFETY”
Be Safe! Secure Your Valuable Life
IF
INDOORS:
* Stay under
a table or even under a bed
*Stay away
from glass, windows, cracking walls, anything that can fall
IF
OUTDOORS:
*Move from
the buildings, trees, streetlights & utility wires
*Go to open
space and stay until the shaking stops
IF IN
A VEHICLE:
*Set your
parking brake
*Turn your
vehicle off
*Park your
vehicle in a safe place where things cannot fall
INSIDE
A CROWDED PLACE:
*Move away
from display shelves containing objects that may fall
*Take cover
and grab something to shield your head
AFTER
THE QUAKE:
*Do not
enter a damaged house, building or room
*Check
electricity lines, Walls and others of your house or office or other else.
3. A team of
twenty students from Japan visited your school as part of a cultural programme,
A Special welcome assembly was organised for them. Write a report about the
same in 100-125 words for your school magazine. 10
Answer:
“A cultural
exchange programme”
“Visitors
from JAPAN”
(By Cultural
Secretary)
XYZ
School, February 12, 2020
Today is a memorable day of our school. A team of twenty
students from Japan visited our school as part of a cultural exchange
programme. A Special welcome assembly was organised for them in our school
auditorium. The principal/Headmaster of our school presided over the meeting
and gave a sweet welcome speech. Some other teachers as well as some students
also provided their welcome speeches. The Japanese students were felicitated with
‘Fulam Gamusa’ & ‘Japi’.
After that, a cultural programme was conducted. The Chief
Guest, the officer-in-charge of the Japanese Embassy started this
programme with his inspiring speech of ‘One World-One Nation’ and a Japanese
Song, “Nagasaki Kara Fune Ni Notte”.
Some students of our school performed some recitations, dances, songs, quotes,
etc of Japan putting on Japense dresses. The Japanese students also joined with
them. Together, they performed some bihu dances, assamese songs, quotes of our
freedom fighters and some others related with Indian and Assamese Culture.
The programme came to end with singing the national anthem of
India, “Jana Gana Mana Adhi”. The programme was the happiest one. Some
lyrics-words were not understood clearly but understood by everybody with our
hearts.
OR:
The students
of the local college have organized a campaign on 'Say no to Plastic' in your
town. Prepare a report in 100-125 words to be published in an English daily. 10
Answer: “SAY NO TO PLASTICS OR POLYTHENE
BAGS”
ABC College, Tinisukia,
Date: 12 February, 2020
The students of ABC College have organized a campaign on 'Say
no to Plastic' in Tinisukia town. They made some banners, slogans and flats
about the hazardous effects of Plastic. They hanged the posters in most of the
places in the town and distributed the flats among the people. They also
requested to the people to give up the use of plastic and told the bad effects
about plastic. Some students made announcement with loud speakers for
awareness. The shop keepers were requested not to use plastic and take
additional options for it. The students told the people that the plastic bags
pollute the environment, plastic is not biogradable, it spoils the fertility of
the soil and some others related with bad effects. Many plastic bags,
polythenes and other plastic materials were collected in the dustbins by the
students and some dustbins were installed for throw the non usable-plastic
materials on it instead of throwing in the land or earth. Most of the people
showed positive senses regarding this matter and promised not to use the
plastic things. The campaign is a great success and more like this campaign is
expected in the future.
4. You are
Rekha/Ramesh of Barpeta. You have seen an advertisement for the post of a
sports teacher in Lakhimpur High School. Write a letter to the President of the
Managing Committee of the school applying for the post. Give your detailed
bio-data as well. 10
Answer: From
the examination Hall,
Date: 12-02-2020
To,
The president,
of the Managing committee,
ABC H.S. School,
Subject:
Application for the post of a sports teacher
Respected
Sir,
This is
response to your advertisement published in Assam Tribune of January 31, 2020
inviting application for the post of a sports teacher; I wish to apply for the
same. Presently, I wish to serve as a sports teacher and possess the requisite
experience and qualifications to suit your requirement.
I have passed B.P.Ed (Bachelor’s in Physical Education) from Nalbari
College and M.P.Ed. from Dibrugarh University. I am a dynamic young man of
pleasant manners and good personality. I possess wonderful communication skills
and have experienced five years in this field. I have reasonable command over
above mention the subject. I have qualified NCC ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificate. Along
with, I got many awards and prizes in sports.
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
Rekha/Ramesh,
Barpeta,
Assam, 781301
Enclosed:
Bio-data
BIO-DATA/Resume
Name- Rekha/Ramesh
Deka,
Father Name-
Ratul Deka,
Mother Name-
Rashmi Deka
Date of
birth- 20th july, 1979
Gender- Male
/ Female
Marital
Status- Unmarried
Nationality-
Indian
Permanent
Address-
VILL. - X, PO.-
Y,
PS.- Z, Dist- Barpeta
Pin-781301, State- Assam
Present
Address- Same as Permanent Address
Education
qualification-
HSLC, from
Ramdia HS School, Percentage- 90%
HS, from
Ramdia HS School, Percentage- 94%
B.P.Ed
(Bachelor’s in Physical Education) from Nalbari College, Percentage 88%
M.P.Ed.(Master
in Physical Education) from Dibrugarh University, Percentage- 86%
Extra
Qualification- NCC ‘B’ and ‘C’ Certificate
Experience-
5 years
Language
Known- Assamese, English and Hindi
Hobbies-
Reading, writing and sports
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.
OR:
You are
Gaurav / Garima, a resident of Guwahati. Write a letter to the editor of a
local daily expressing your views against the insensitive use of loudspeaker
during festival. 10
Answer:
From the examination Hall,
12th
February, 2020
To
The Editor
Of The Sentinel Assam / Any Paper,
Guwahati, Assam, 781002
Subject: To
express against the insensitive use of loudspeakers during festivals.
Respected
Sir,
Through
the columns your esteemed daily newspaper, The Sentinel /‘Assam tribune’, I
would like to draw the attention of Government officials and concerned
authorities to highlight about the insensitive use of loudspeakers during in
our area.
Some people in Guwahati/ in our area are usually used DJ or
other heavy sound boxes and loudspeakers in the festivals. They play the music and other festivals’
occasions in the loud speakers. They even play it in the whole day and night.
It makes irritation for the old and the sick people. The sound pollution is
made during the festival hours. The entire students cannot read and concentrate
properly on studies in the festivals’ time.
Most of the people or residents have been suffering from this big issue.
But, the government and the concerned authorities do not make any rules and
regulations for the festivals and the loud speakers. They do not ban this and
not take any action regarding this problem.
So, I hereby request to you that kindly give a little space
in your newspaper for draw the attention to the concerned authorities about this
issue and to the people so that all are awareness on this matter as well as the
authority can take some actions as soon as possible.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
Garima / Gaurav,
a
resident of Guwahati.
To
The Sentinel Assam,
Saraswati Market, G.S. Road,
Six Mile, Guwahati, Assam. Pin -
781002.,
Contact No: 9874598745
SECTION-C
(Grammar : 20 Marks)
5. Change
the form of the narration in the following sentences: 2 x 2 = 4
(a)
Alexander said to Porus, “ How do you desire to be treated?” He answered, “Like
a king.”
Answer:
Alexander asked Porus how he desired to be treated. He answered that he desired
to be treated like a king.
(b) The boys
exclaimed in joy that they had all passed the test and that they would
celebrate their success the next day.
Answer: The
boys said, “Hurrah! We have all passed the test and so we shall celebrate our
success tomorrow.”
6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences: 1 x 3 = 3
(a) The
nurse is looking after this little girl.
Answer: This
little girl is being looked after by the nurse.
(b) Morning
shows the day.
Answer: It
is said that morning shows the day.
(c) The glass has not been broken by anybody.
Answer:
Anybody has not broken the glass.
(d) What
causes an earthquake?
Answer: What
is an earthquake caused by?
(e) The ground has to be cleared by us.
Answer: We
have to clear the ground.
(f) The
Governor gave him a reward.
Answer: He
was given a reward by the Governor.
Or: A reward
was given to him by the Governor.
7. Rewrite
any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their
correct tense forms: 1 x 5 = 5
(a) My
brother (practise) law these days.
Answer: My
brother practises law these days.
(b) The
patient (die) before the doctor reached.
Answer: The
patient had died before the doctor reached.
(c) You
(sleep) when I entered the room.
Answer: You
were sleeping when I entered the room.
(d) She
(come) here the day after tomorrow.
Answer: She
will come here the day after tomorrow.
(e) They
(win) the match.
Answer: They
have won the match.
(f) We
(visit) the Taj Mahal last year.
Answer: We
visited the Taj Mahal last year.
8. Rewrite any
four of the following sentences filling in the blanks with appropriate
prepositions: 1x4=4
(a) The ship
is sailing ______ the shore.
Answer: The
ship is sailing towards the shore.
(b) Cut the
rope ……….. a knife.
Answer: Cut
the rope with a knife.
(c) I am
taller than you _____ two inches.
Answer: I am
taller than you by two inches.
(d) There
was a bridge ……… the river.
Answer:
There was a bridge over the river.
(e) We
depend………you.
Answer: We
depend on / upon you.
(f) He
begged _____ help from me.
Answer: He
begged for help from me.
(g) I do not
believe______ his honesty.
Answer: I do
not believe in his honesty.
9. Rewrite any
four of the following sentences as directed:
1 x 4 = 4
(a) Why
waste time in this fruitless occupation? (Make it assertive)
Answer: You
should not waste time in this fruitless occupation.
(b) It is
often difficult to speak the truth. (Make it negative without changing the
meaning)
Answer: It
is not often easy to speak the truth.
(c) Being
ill, he could not attend school. (Make it compound sentence)
Answer: He
could not attend school as he was ill.
(d) On
seeing the lion, he ran away. (Make it a complex sentence)
Answer: When
he saw the lion, he ran away.
(e) The
students who are good do their homework regularly. (Make it a simple sentence)
Answer: The
good students do their homework regularly.
(f) Atul is
the best boy in the class. (Change it into positive degree)
Answer: No
other boy is as good as Atul in the class.
SECTION –D
(Text books: 45 Marks)
10. Read the
following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
(a) “Now we
will count to twelve
And we will
all keep still.
For once on
the face of the Earth
Let’s not
speak in any language,
Let’s stop
for one second,
And not move
our arms so much.”
(i)How long
does the poet want to stay still?
Ans: The
poet wants to stay still until count to twelve.
(ii)Why does
he ask us to keep still and not use any language?
Ans: He asks
us to keep still and not use any language to achieve an exotic moment and a
huge silence without rush, without engines and the other works.
(iii)What
does the poet mean by ‘not move our arms so much”.
Ans: By this
statement, ‘not move our arms so much’, the poet means that everyone should not
involve any physical activity.
OR
(b)
“Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought
of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness
that lurks near the open window there,
That waits
all day in almost open prayer
For the
squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,”
Questions:
(i) What is
the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘in vain’?
Answer: The
‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to the waiting for the customer by the
poor owners of the roadside stand or the roadside shop. They always wait for
the squeal of brakes and the sound of a stopping car so that someone comes and
buys something from their shops.
It is in
vain because most of the cars never stop in the roadside stand. Even, some cars
stop, they only ask unnecessary questions.
(ii) Who
waits near the open window? 1
Answer: The
poor owners of the roadside stand or the roadside shop wait near the open
window.
(iii) What
does the person waiting near the open window pray for?
Answer: The
person waiting near the open window prays for the squeal of brakes and the
sound of a stopping car so that someone comes down from the car and buys
something from their shops.
11.Answer
any three of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2x3=6
(i) What is
the message that Keats wants to convey (give) through “A thing of Beauty”?
Ans: Through
“A thing of beauty”, Keats wants to convey (give) the message that a thing of
beauty is joy forever and it always brings us happiness. It also provides us
the delightful and some satisfaction from the gloomy, unhealthy and darkened
ways of life.
(ii) What do
the young sprinting trees signify in the poem, “My Mother at Sixty-Six”?
Answer: In
the poem, “My Mother at Sixty-Six, the young spiriting trees signify the
activeness, young-energetic and liveliness of the environment. The poet
describes the young trees as sprinting to contrast between her mother and the
other active things (like tree).
(iii) Why
has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ in the poem, “My
Mother at Sixty-Six”?
Answer: The
mother has been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ in the poem, “My Mother at
Sixty-Six” because the mother’s face (the poetess’ mother) is wan and pale for
the old age. It looks ashen like a corpse or dead body and totally colorless
like ‘a late winter’s moon’.
(iv) What is
the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem “Keeping Quiet”?
Answer: The
‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem “Keeping Quiet” is that we do
never understand ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death that grips
us. The poet wants to mean that the people are moving with their monotonous
existence of everyday life and forget the values of humanity.
(v) What is
‘in the news’ as mentioned in the poem “A Roadside Stand”?
Answer: It
is in the news in the poem “The Roadside Stand” that all the pitiful kin or the
owners of the roadside stands or the poor village people won’t have to think
for themselves anymore. The parties in power or the greedy good-doers buy out
them and swarm over their lives for enforcing benefits and also soothe them out
of their wits.
12.Answer any
five of the following questions: 1x5=5
(a) What
according to M. Hamel, is the great trouble or fault with Alsace?
Answer: The
‘great trouble or fault with Alsace is that the people thought of plenty of
time they have. Also, they keep/put off
all the learning things for the next day.
(b) What
does Mukesh want to become?
Answer:
Mukesh wants to become a motor mechanic.
(c) Where
was the original home of Saheb’s family?
Answer: The
original home of Saheb was Dhaka, Bangladesh.
(d) Why was
Gandhi visiting Lucknow in 1916?
Answer: Gandhi
had gone/visited Lucknow in 1916 for the annual convention of the Indian National
Congress party.
(e) For whom
does Sophie ask Danny Casey an autograph?
Answer:
Sophie asks Danny Casey an autograph for her younger brother, Derek.
(f) What
work does Geoff do?
Answer: Geoff
is three years out of school and employs in an apprentice mechanic. He always
has to go travelling to his work each day to the far side of the city.
(g) What
position did John Rowntree hold before leaving Shillong a few days after
Independence?
Answer: John
Rowntree held the position of the last British Senior Conservator before
leaving Shilling a few days after independence.
13. Answer any
five in 30-40 words: 2x5=10
(a) Why did
Wachter, the blacksmith, tell Franz that he would reach school in ‘Plenty of
time’?
Answer: Wachter,
the blacksmith, told Franz that he would reach school in ‘Plenty of time’
because that day was the last lesson of French language and so it was not so
complicated/restriction to reach the class on time. The fact was that the order
had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
from the next day which was displayed on the bulletin board and was seen by
Wachter, the blacksmith.
(b) Give a
brief description of Seemapuri.
Answer: Seemapuri
is a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles from it, metaphorically. Those
who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. The people
of Seemapuri live in very bad condition/miserable condition. The survival in
Seemapuri is/means rag-picking. Food is more important for survival than an
identity in Seemapuri. Garbage to them is gold and it is their daily bread, a
roof over their heads even if it is a leaking roof.
(c) Was
Saheb happy with his job at the tea stall?
Answer: No, Saheb
was not happy with his job at the tea stall. His face had lost the carefree
look. Because, Saheb was no longer his own master. The steel canister seemed
heavier than the plastic bag for him and his situation.
(d) Why was
Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter to Gandhi ‘extraordinary’?
Answer: Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter
to Gandhi was ‘extraordinary’ because in smaller localities, the Indians were
afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule in those days. So, it was
extraordinary in those days for a government professor to harbour a man like
Gandhi.
(e) What
other dreams does Sophie have besides having a boutique?
Answer: The other options that Sophie dreams of
besides owning a boutique are a manager, a fashion designer like Mary Quant, an
actress and also will be a most amazing shop of her town.
(f) Why was
Sophie fascinated by Danny Casey? Was it a one-sided affair? 1+1=2
Answer: Danny
Casey was a great Irish footballer and Sophie’s father and brother were big fan
of Casey. He was young, tall, genius and handsome, so naturally Sophie was
fascinated by Danny Casey as her dream hero.
Yes, it was indeed
a one-sided affair because Sophie never met Casey, only once she saw him in the
playground.
(g) Write,
in brief, the scene observed by the author from the veranda of his bungalow on
the bank of the Brahmaputra.
Answer: From
the veranda of his bungalow, the author had a splendid view of the Brahmaputra
River and its shipping and, beyond, the Himalayas. In the foreground was
Peacock Island, with the dome of a Hindu temple just visible through the trees.
The author never discovered peacocks, but only monkeys on the island.
14. Answer any
one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 5x1=5
(a) How does
M. Hamel make the people realize how they, the students and he have been
responsible for not learning their language well?
Answer:
The order from Berlin caused or affected warmly in the school,
on the students and on the village people that day. Putting on his beautiful inspectional
and prize days’ dress, M. Hamel mounted his chair, and in grave - gentle tone he
informed that that was the last lesson.
When Franz (a student) was called to recite, he got mixed up
on the first words and stood there. Then M. Hamel said that he won’t scold him,
and he (Franz) must feel bad enough willingly. He mentioned that every day they
(the students, the people and M. Hamel) had said to themselves that they had
plenty of time and they would learn that the next day. He said that that’s the
great trouble with Alsace that they put off learning till the next day.
He again told them that the Prussians would have the right to
say to them how they pretended to be Frenchmen, and yet they could neither
speak nor write their own French language. He told Franz that he was not the worst;
they had all a great deal to reproach themselves with learning their language.
He mentioned that their parents were not anxious enough to
have the students learn. They preferred to put them to work on a farm or at the
mills, so as to have a little more money.
M. Hamel blamed
himself that he often sent them to water his flowers instead of learning their lessons
and when he wanted to go fishing, and then he just gave them a holiday.
Thus, M. Hamel made the people realize how they, the students
and he have been responsible for not learning their language well.
OR
(b) Write
briefly on the hazard of working in the glass bangles industry.
Answer:
Many families are engaged in making bangles. More than 20,000
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 as well as lack of proper ventilation. They slog their daylight hours
an often losing the brightness of their eyes. 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.
Glass blowing, welding and soldering
pieces of glass are all health hazards. Even the dust from polishing the
glass of bangles adversely affects the eyes and even adults go blind. The
surroundings, prevailing conditions and the type of job involved-all prove
risky to the health of the workers. The impoverished workers in the glass
bangles industry toil in potentially hazardous working conditions while
welding. Even burns and cuts are quite common. The workers are quite prone
to ailments such as lung cancer.
15. Answer
any one of the following questions in 125-150 words: 7 x 1 = 7
(a) Compare
and contrast the stories of Zitkala-Sa and Bama.
Answer:
There
are two accounts about two different women from two different countries. In this
unit, “Memories of Childhood”,
presents autobiographical episodes from the lives of two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama
from marginalised communities who look back on their childhood, and reflect on
their relationship with the mainstream culture. The first account is by an
American Indian woman born in the late nineteenth century and the second is by
a contemporary Tamil Dalit
writer.
There is common links between the
two accounts. Zitkala-Sa’ was a Native American woman who struggled and
triumphed in a time when severe prejudice prevailed towards Native American
culture and women. As same as this, Bama is a Tamil Dalit woman from a Roman
Catholic family who struggled against the untouchability. Both were faced problems
by the caste system. They had to face the untouchability and caste different in
their life. (141 words)
OR:
(b) Give an
elaborate account of the celebration associated with Uruka, the important part
of Magh Bihu.
Answer:
“Uruka feasting may be a family affair or communal .” Uruka is the bihu eve. It is the previous day of every bihu. It is also associated with the junction of two months. On this day, the women folk get ready for the next day with chira, pitha, laru, curd, etc. In the day, fuel has to be gathered, fish has to be got from ponds, streams and if possible some meat are too. In tribal setting, women prepare rice beer.
Another important part of the Uruka is the made of Bhelaghar. Sometimes cowherd pass the night in a Bhelaghar warming themselves by a fire and making use of the vegetable that they steal from the villagers gardens and the eatables that are given them .
16. Answer any
four of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2x4=8
(a) How did
the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the tiger king?
Answer: On
the third birthday of his son, the Tiger King brought a wooden tiger at three
hundred rupees for him. On that day, father and son played with that tiny
little wooden tiger. It had been carved by an unskilled carpenter. Its surface
was rough; tiny slivers of wood stood up like quills all over it. One of those
slivers pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. He pulled it out with his left hand
and continued to play with the prince. The next day, infection flared in the
Maharaja’s right hand. In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore which
spread all over the arm. Three famous surgeons were brought in from Madras.
After holding a consultation they decided to operate. The operation took place
but they did not safe the Maharaja. In this manner, the hundredth tiger took
its final revenge upon the Tiger King and the tiger king was finally dead.
(b) Why did
the messenger come to Dr. Sadao?
Answer: On
the seventh day in the afternoon, a messenger came to Dr. Sadao or Dr. Sadao’s
house in official uniform. Hana was afraid of arresting Dr. Sadao. But, the messenger
informed that Dr. Sadao had to come to the palace. The messenger also said that
the old general was in pain again. That means, the messenger came to Dr. Sadao
or Dr. Sadao’s house to inform about the serious old pain of the old general
and came to invite Dr. Sadao to the palace.
(c) How did
Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?
Answer: Mr.
Lamb mentioned Derry that when Mr. Lamb went down the street, the kids shout
‘Lamey-Lamb.’ But they still came into his the garden, into his house that it
was a game for him and them. He did not
react negatively or tell anything to them. He did not even afraid of them. So,
they were not afraid of him. That’s why, Derry should not be sad for his
burning face and the other people reactions on it.
Mr. Lamb also told Derry that everybody
has got two arms, two legs, two eyes and two ears, also has got a tongue and a
brain. So, he or she can get on the way which she or he wants like all the
rest. If he or she chooses and sets his or her mind to it, then he or she can
get on better than all the rest.
(d) Why did
it take Bama to reach home in 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes?
Answer: Walking home from school, Bama saw all
the fun-games, entertaining novelties and oddities of streets, the shops and
the bazaar. She enjoyed the performing monkey, the snake charmer’s performance
with the snake, the cyclist performances that running for three days and his
prizing notes of ruppes. She also entertained and enjoyed at the spinning
wheels; the Maariyaata temple, the huge bell hanging there; the pongal
offerings being cooked in front of the temple; the dried fish stall by the
statue of Gandhi; the sweet stall, the stall selling fried snacks, and all the
other shops next to each other. Besides,
she was happy at the street light which was demonstrating and changed from blue
to violet. The political parties and their lectures on mikes, the street play
and the puppet show, the ‘no majic, no miracle’ stunt performances, the coffee
clubs were also made her happy and enjoyable.
So, for these matters, Bama took to reach home in 30 minutes instead of 10
minutes.
(e) How did
Annan explain the elder man’s action to Bama?
Answer:
When Bama mentioned the funny story of the elder man’s action then Annan was not
amused. Annan explained
Bama that the man or the elder was not being funny. The man or the elder
belonged to a low caste like Annan and Bama. If he touched the packet, then it
would be polluted for his lower caste. After hearing this, she did not want to
laugh anymore and felt terribly sad and provoked for the upper caste people.
(f) What are
the different sports held on the occasion of Magh Bihu or Maghar Domahi?
Answer: One interesting feature on the occasion of Magh Bihu or
Maghar Domahi is
the holding of the
different sports, like wrestling, racing, jumping, buffalo fighting, egg fighting
and so on. In earlier times more martial games, like sword play and
javelin throwing were customary. From weeks ahead young people, used
to make camps on dry river banks and exercise themselves in the arts which
were found necessary to defend the land from aggressors.
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God blessing
you all……………..