2020, HS OR CLASS 12 ENGLISH PAPER, AHSEC, PREPARED BY PODMESWAR

 

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 .

             Thus, Uruka is celebrated enjoyfully in upper Assam and lower Assam.

 


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.

 

 ......................x ...................................


God blessing you all……………..