STD- X

SNAKE

Q1. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:- [1x 4=4]

And truly I was afraid, I was most afraid

But even so, honoured still more

That he should seek my hospitality

From out the dark door of the secret earth.

a. What was the poet afraid of?

b. Why does the poet use the phrase ‗secret earth‘?

c. Why did the poet feel honoured?

d. What does these liners tells about the poet?

Q2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words [2 x 1= 2]

a. Why does the poet say ‗and must wait, must stand and wait‘?

b. Was the snake afraid of the poet?

THE FROG AND THE NIGHTINGALE

[2 x 1 = 2]

1.Why did the other creatures loath the frog‘s voice?

2.―Casting forth her melody.‖ Who cast forth her melody and how did

her melody impact the other creatures of the Bingle Bog?

3.Why did the other creatures of the Bog encore the nightingale ?

4.How was the nightingale getting ready to sing?

5.How did the frog introduce himself?

6.What are the comments did the frog make on nightingale‘s song ?

7.What did the frog promise to do for the nightingale ?

8.How was the nightingale‘s song a huge sensation ?

9.Why did the nightingale‘s throat revive in the night though she was sleep-deprived ?

10.Why did the frog scold the nightingale ?

11.Why did the nightingale grow sorrowful and pale ?

12.Explain ―And the foghorn of the frog blared unrivalled through the bog ?

[8 x 1 = 8]

13.‗ Nightingale is responsible for her own destruction‘. According to you what are the

qualities essential for a successful, long lasting career.

14.‗Stranger bring danger‘. Justify this with illustration from the poem.

.Read the extracts and answer the following questions;-

Q1. [1x4=4]

―Once upon a time a frog

Croaked away in Bingle Bog

Every night from dusk to dawn

He croaked awn and awn and awn.‖

i) Who is the poet of this poem?

ii) What is a Bog?

iii) ―Awn and awn and awn,‖ Write the usage and meaning of this expression.

iv) How long did the frog croak?

Q2.

Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog.

And the whole admiring bog

Stared towards the sumac , rapt,

And when she had ended, clapped

i)How did the frog sit?

ii) What is the whole bog admiring?

iii) In line 4 , what does the word ‗she‘ refer to?

iv) What did the admiring bog do?

Q3.

Now the frog puffed up with rage.

―Brainless bird you‘re on the stage-

Use your wits and follow fashion.

Puff your lungs out with your passion‖

i)For what reasons did the frog puff up with rage?

ii) What does the frog want the nightingale to use?

iii)Why does the frog call the nightingale ‗brainless‘?

iv) Identify the rhyme scheme of the above stanza.

Q4.

―Ladies with tiaras glittering

In the interval sat twittering-

And the frog observed them glitter

With a joy both sweet and bitter.‖

I )What do you mean by‖ Ladies with tiaras‖ in the above stanza?

ii) What interval is being referred to here?

iii) Why is the joy of the frog both sweet and bitter?

iv) Name the poem and the poet of the above stanza.

Q.5.

―Trembling, terrified to fail,

Blind with tears, the Nightingale

Heard him out in silence, tired,

Puffed up, burst a vein and died.‖

a. Why was the Nightingale terrified?

B.How did the Nightingale die?

c.Why did the Nightingale hear him out in silence?

d.Why was the Nightingale tired?

Q.6.

―Well, poor bird-she should have known

That your song must be your own.

That‘s why I sing with panache

Koo-oh-ah! Ko-ash! Ko-ash!

And the foghorn of the frog

Blared unrivalled through the bog.‖

a. Why is the nightingale referred to as a poor bird?

b.What is the irony in the line ‗Well, poor bird-she should have known‘?

c.What do these lines tell us about the frog?

d. Why did the foghorn of the frog blare unrivalled?

Q.7.

―Other creatures loathed his voice.

But, alas, they had no choice.

And the crass cacophony

Blared out from the sumac tree.‖

a. Whose voice was loathed?

b.Why did they have no choice?

c. What does ‗crass cacophony‘ mean?

d. What all had the creatures of the ‗Bingle Bog‘ done to stop the frog‘s singing?

Short answer type questions:- [2 x 1= 2]

1) How did the frog convince the nightingale that she needed a trainer?

2) How did the nightingale react to the applause of the bog dwellers?

3) Why did the nightingale regard her first encounter with the frog to be a fairy tale?

4) How did the frog‘s foghorn blare unrivalled through the bog?

Long answer type questions [8 x 1= 8]

1. Write a character sketch of the frog on the basis of your reading of the poem.

2. The poem ‗the frog and the nightingale‘ is a proof on the present society where success is

determined by influence and not by talent. Comment.

THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER [2 x 1 = 2]

1. Describe the ancient mariner.

2. What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey? How has

it been expressed in the poem? 3. Why does the mariner say, ‗no sweet bird did follow‘? 4. How did the other mariners behave towards the Ancient Mariner at first? How many

times did they change their mind about the Ancient Mariner? What does this tell us about their character?

5. How does the mariner describe the fact that they were completely motionless in the middle of the sea?

6. What is the irony in the ninth stanza? Explain it in your own words. 7. What is the narrator trying to convey through the description of the situation in the

tenth and eleventh stanza? 8. Describe the condition of the mariners as expressed in the thirteenth stanza. 9. Was the wedding guest happy to be stopped? Give reasons for your answer. 10. What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey? How has

it been expressed in the poem? 11. How did the sailors reach the land of mist and snow? 12. How does the mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by

icebergs?

13. How do we know that the albatross was not afraid of the humans? Why did the sailors hail it in God's name?

14. What was the terrible deed done by the Mariner? Why do you think he did it? 15. In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say? 16. Why does the mariner say that 'no sweet bird did follow'? 17. How did the other mariners behave towards the Ancient Mariner at first? How many

times did they change their mind about the Ancient Mariner? What does this tell us about their character?

18. How did the sailing conditions change after the ship had moved out of the land of mist and snow? What or who did the mariners blame for this change?

19. What is indicated by the line, 'The bloody sun, at noon, /Right up above the mast did stand, /No bigger than the moon'?

20. How does the mariner describe the fact that they were completely motionless in the middle of the sea?

21. What is the irony in the ninth stanza? Explain it in your own words. 22. What or who did the mariners feel was responsible for their suffering? 23. Describe the condition of the mariners as expressed in the thirteenth stanza. 24. Why did the mariners hand the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner? 25. What is happening at the wedding place? 26. What do you understand by merry minstrelsy? Why did they nod their head? 27. Why has the poet repeated the line: ‗he cannot choose but hear? 28. Point out the figure of speech in ‗o‘ertaking wings‘. 29. How are the two, ‗ship‘ and the ‗storm‘ described here? Describe the land of mist and

snow. 30. Explain: ‗dismal sheen‘. 31. What sort of a noise did the ice make? 32. What figure of speech is used here? 33. Why were the mariners relieved to see the albatross? 34. Why had the albatross not eaten the food it was now given before? 35. What did the albatross do with the sailors? 36. What was the attitude of the sailors towards the bird? 37. Explain: ‗Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, / Glimmered the white Moon-

shine.‘ 38. ‗It perched for vespers nine‘ —Explain. 39. What became a routine? Where did the bird sit? 40. Why does the Wedding Guest interrupt the Mariner?

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. [1 x 4 = 4]

1. ‗The Sun now rose upon the right: Out of the sea came he, Still hid in mist, and on the left Went down into the sea.‘ (a) In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say? (b) How is the sun different from what it was when the sailors were sailing southwards? (c) Describe the weather in the above lines. (d) Which figure of speech is used? 2. ‗And the good south wind still blew behind, But no sweet bird did follow, Nor any day for food or play Came to the mariners‘ hollo!‘ (a) Why had the mariners called the bird? (b) What did the mariners think of the bird? (c) What would be the result of killing the bird? (d) Was the wind favourable for the ship? (e) Whom did the sailors miss? (f) Did the sailors try anything to call her? 3. ‗And I had done a hellish thing, And it would work ‘em woe: For all averred, I had killed the bird That made the breeze to blow. Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay,

That made the breeze to blow!‘ (a) What hellish thing had the speaker done? Why was it hellish? (b) What was the reaction of the other sailors to the Mariner‘s deed? (c) Explain: ‗And it would work ‘em woe‘ (d) What do the first two lines convey about the speaker? (e) How did they blame the mariner? (f) What do you mean by ‗averred‘?

4. ‗And some in dreams assured were Of the Spirit that plagued us so; Nine fathom deep he had followed us From the land of mist and snow.‘ (a) Who was being followed? What spirit was following them? (b) Why does the narrator feel they are being plagued? Give two reasons. (c) Why was the spirit following them? (d) What were the sailors confirmed about? (e) Who followed them? (f) What do you mean by ‗plague‘ here?

5. ‗About, about, in reel and rout The death-fires danced at night: The water, like a witch‘s oils, Burnt green, and blue and white.‘ (a) Explain the term ‗reel and rout‘. OR What is meant by ‗reel and rout‘? (b)Where did the death fires dance? (c) Why did the water of the ocean appear to be burning green, blue and white? (d) How did the death fires dance at night? (e) What picture did the water present?

6. ‗Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean.‘ (a) Who was stuck and where? (b) What is the effect of the repetition in the first line? OR What is the significance of Pay after day, day after day‘? (c) How does the narrator communicate the idea of being becalmed? (d) Why were the sailors stuck on the ship? (e) Explain: ‗Painted ship upon a painted ocean‘.

7. ‗Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped down, ‗Twas sad as sad could be; And we did speak only to break The silence of the sea!‘ (a) Why did the sails drop down? (b) What was the only sound that the sailors could hear? (c) What according to the sailors was the reason for this situation?

MRS. PACKLETIDE‟S TIGER

Answer the following questions briefly. [2 x 1 =2]

1. What did Mrs Packletide plan to outdo her rival Loona Bimberton ?

2. What was Loona Bimberton‘ s adventure ?

3. Why did Mrs Packletide decide to give a party in Loona Bimberton‘s honour?

4. How did the villagers help Mrs Packletide kill a tiger?

5. How did the circumstances prove favourable for Mrs Packletide to shoot a tiger ?

6. What preparations were made before the tiger shooting ?

7. Who is Louisa Mebbin ? Did she really help Mrs Packletide in killing a tiger ?

8. ‖ Louisa Mebbin had a protective elder sister attitude towards money‖, How ?

9. How did the villagers react after the tiger was killed ?

10. What was Mrs Packletide‘s plan after killing the tiger ?

11. Why did Loona Bimberton refuse to look at an illustrated paper for weeks?

12. What are Mrs Packletide‘s feelings about Loona Bimerton ?

13. What discovery did Miss Mebbin make after Mrs Packletide fired the shot ?

14. How did the villagers react to the tiger‘s death ?

15. How did Mrs Packletide react to the discovery ?

16. Why did Miss Mebbin reveal the fact that it was the goat which was shot not the

tiger?

17. How did Miss Mebbin manage to get the week –end cottage ?

18. Why did Mrs packletide give up big game shooting?

19. What are the incidental expenses that Mrs Packletide is talking about?

20. What did Louisa Mebbin plant in her garden? Why?

Long answer type questions. [8 x 1=8]

1. How does the writer make fun of the main characters- Mrs Packletide, Miss Mebbin

and Loona Bimberton ? Give instances from the story to justify your answer.

2. ‗‘Mrs Packletide‘s Tiger ‗‘ is a satire on the people who are vain and full of self

importance. Justify.

3. Give certain instances of humour in the story.

4. ‗‘Having a weakness for publicity sometimes leads to humorous

consequences‘‘,Explain with reference to the story.

5. How does the story highlights the fact that human exploitation of killing animals is a

brutal act of violence?

6. ―Miss Mebbin is equally selfish and exploitive woman ―, Justify.

7. How would you rate Loona Bimberton ? Is she any different from the other two

characters- Mrs Packletide and Miss Mebbin? Substantiate your answer by giving

examples.

8. What values do you learn from Mrs Packletides‘s materialistic morals and vain

gloriousness?

9. ―Mrs Packletide had to pay a heavy price to satisfy her desire.‖ Explain with reference

to the story

10. ―Human follies like jealousy and intolerance led to Mrs Packletides‘s downfall.‖ justify

the statement.

NOT MARBLE, NOR THE GLIDED MONUMENTS

1. Read the extracts and answer the questions that given below. [1X3 =3]

Not Marble , nor the glided monuments

Of Princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;

But you shall shine more bright in these contents

Than unwept stone , besmeared with sluttish time (line 1-4)

(a) Why the rich and powerful get rnate monuments made?

(b) When the poet addresses his sonnet to?

(c) What is the rhyme-scheme of this stanza?

2. When wasteful war shall statues overturn,

And broils root out the work of masonry,

Nor Mars his sword nor war‘s quick fire shall burn

The living record of your memory. (lne-5-8)

(a) Why is the war described as wasteful?

(b) Whom the work of masonry here represent?

(c) What does ‗ living record‘ refer to in the line ‗ The living record of your memory‘ ?

3. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each. (2X8=16)

(a) What comparison does Shakespeare draw between poetry and monuments?

(b) How have the effects of war between described in this sonnet?

(c) How does Shakespeare hope his dear friend to enjoy immortality?

What according to Shakespeare is more enduring- his poetry or the gilded

monuments? How?

(d) Why do you think the rich and powerful people get monuments and statues erected

in their memory ?

(e) Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time?

(f) Why does the poet refer of Time as being sluttish?

(g) The poet says neither forces of nature or wars can destroy his poetry. In fact, even

godly powers of Mars will not have a devastating on his rhyme.

What quality of the poet is revealed through these lines?

4. Answer the following question in about 80-100 words. [8 x 1 = 8]

(a) What does the poet think of ―Time‖ ? What efforts have been made to thwart the

ravages of time and what has been the result?

(b) How , according to Shakespeare, can poetry with stand the devastating effect of hostile

forces of nature or deadly engines of war?

(c) The ravages of time and wars can affect the monuments, memorials and statues but not

the great poem that immortalizes the poet‘s friend and patron. Justify the statement by giving

examples from the text.

(d) Poetry and art defy mortality. ―The powerful rhyme‘ is immortal but ‗Not Marble, nor the

Glided Monuments. Justify the statement and also the title of the poem

5. Read the following extract and answer the question that follow. [1 x 3 = 3]

Not marble, nor the gilded monuments of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme; But you

shall shine more bright in these contents Than un swept stone, besmeared with sluttish time.

(a) What does the word 'marble' refer to?

(b) What does the phrase 'In these contents' refer to?

(c) What does the phrase "Than un swept stone" mean.

6. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

(a) When wasteful war shall statues overturn,

(b) And broils root out the work of masonry,

(c) Nor mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory.

(a) What is meant by 'wasteful war'?

(b) What does the word 'mars' in the third line refer to?

(c) What does the phrase, The living record of your memory's mean?

7. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

'Gainst death and all oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room,

Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom.

(a) What is meant by the word 'Gainst'?

(b) Explain "your praise shall still find room".

(c) What does the word 'Doom' refer to?

8. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

So, till the judgement that yourself arise, You live in this and dwell in lover's eyes.

(a) 'you live in this'. What does 'this' refer to?

(b) When does the poet expect that his beloved shall arise?

(c) What is meant by the word 'dwell'?

9. After reading the poem "Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments" what image of the poet

is formed in your mind? What quality of the poet is revealed through the poem?

10. "When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry." War

is destructive in nature. It does not see anything or anybody when it comes to leave villages,

towns, cities and kingdoms empty and without people. Now, write an article on the topic 'War

is wasteful.'

11. "But you shall shine more bright in these contents?" Comment.

12. Write a note on the theme of the sonnet, "Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments."

13. Explain "Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme".

14. What purpose do the statues and monuments serve?

15. Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time

16. Explain "Gainst death and all oblivious enmity".

17. Why does the poet refer to time as being sluttish?

18. Why do you think the rich and powerful people get monuments and statues erected in

their memory?

19. How would wars prove ineffective in tarnishing the living record of 'your' memory?

20. How does the poet glorify the power of poetry?

VIRTUALLY TRUE

Long answer type questions [8 x 1 = 8]

1. Sebastian writes his diary on his miraculous recovery from going into a prolonged

coma, write this for him.

2. Write a character sketch of Michael, giving his outstanding character that led him to

save Sebastian.

3. Sebastian sends a thanksgiving e- mail to Michael on his recovery thanking him for

all his efforts in bringing him out from oblivion. Write for him.

4. How was Sebastian‘s mind stored in a disk and was found in Michael‘s ? How had

Sebastian entered into the game?

5. What are psycho-drive games? Describe the four games played by Michael. Which

one do you find most interesting and why?

6. Describe the whole episode as Michael to your friend in a letter. Also, tell how he

must have entered the psycho-drive games.

7. `Everything that I‘ve described is true virtually! says the narrator._ Even the title of

the story is ‗Virtually True‘. Justify the statement of the narrator and also the title of

the Story.

8. Michael writes a letter to Sebastian, expressing his happiness at his recovery and

wondering at the adventures they seemed to have experienced during their journey

through virtual reality.

9. Sebastian replies to a letter Michael wrote where he had congratulated him on his

recovery. Sebastian writes back, thanking him for his role in helping him escape from

the weird situation he found himself in. Write the letter.

10. Michael‘s father learns of his son‘s escape and decides to send the games back to

the shop. Write the letter giving details why you feel the games are dangerous to

young children.

Short answer type questions; [ 2 x 1 = 2]

1. Who was Sebastian Shultz? How did he meet with an accident?

2. What did Michael and his father buy at the computer fair?

3. When did the first video game come to an end and with what?

4. How did Michael enter Sebastian‘s memory?

5. Why does Michael find it difficult to believe newspaper report about Sebastian Shultz?

6. How did Michael hit the jackpot and finally crack the game?

7. Why did Michael feel bad at the close of ‗Jailbreak‘ and how did he reconcile himself?

8. ―We both knew that by relieving the accident, something wonderful has happened.‖ Why

does narrator feel so?

9. What kind of computer fascinated Michael and his dad? Why?

1. Why was the narrator attracted to the newspaper headline?

2. Why did the doctors feel that they needed a miracle?

3. Why did the narrator gasp in amazement and feel nervous and shivery?

4. Why does the narrator say his father is ‗nutty‘ about computers?

5. Why does the narrator enjoy playing computer games?.

6. What are psycho-drive games?

7. What was the Powerbase?

8. Describe the game called ‗Wildwest‘..

9. Why was the narrator surprised while playing the game Wildwest?

10. Describe the game ‗Dragonquest‘.

11. How was the game Dragonquest different now than from the first time the narrator had

played it?

12. Why was the game ‗Jailbreak‘ important to the narrator?

13. Why did the narrator feel bad on seeing the empty printer tray after playing Jailbreak?

14. How did Sebastian find his way into the helicopter?

15. What was the significance of the narrator scoring the number 40,000,000?

16. What were the questions that troubled the narrator after he finally saved Sebastian?

17. What explanation did the narrator find for the weird games he had played with

Sebastian?

18. Pick out the literary device in the last line of the lesson. Identify it and explain it.

19. According to the newspaper, what had happened to Sebastian Shultz?

20. The games can be put under what category?.

21. What was Michael‘s theory about how Sebastian had entered the games?

22. What kind of computers fascinated Michael and his dad? Why?

23. Why did the news of the miracle recovery shock Michael?

24. Where and how did Michael‘s meeting with Sebastian take place?

25. Describe the first place where Michael was virtually transported..

26. What help did Sebastian Shultz ask Michael for? How did he convey his message?

27. Why did Michael fail in rescuing Sebastian Shultz the first time?

28. The second attempt to rescue Sebastian, too, was disastrous. Give reasons.

DEAR DEPARTED

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.(Each question

carries 1 mark)

1) ―You can see they haven‟t. Can‟t you ? Now, Victoria, be off upstairs

and that quick. Put your white frock on with a black sash”.

(a) Who speaks these lines ?

(b) When does she say this ?

(c) What does it tell about her character ?

(d)What is the need of putting on white frock on with a black sash?

2) “It didn‟t take you long to start

dividing my things between you”.

(a) Who is the speaker ?

(b) Who were dividing the speaker‘s things between them ?

(c) Why were they doing that ?

(d) What do the listeners feel about the speaker?

3. “I will tell you what I have got to do. On Monday next I have got to do

three things‖.

a) Who is the speaker of the above lines ?

b) Write any two things the speaker is talking about.

c) What is the effect of these lines on the listeners ?

d) What makes the speaker take such decision?

4. ―And you, too. Are you such a poor creature that you must do every dirty thing

she tells you?‖

a) Who is the ‗‘poor creature‘‘?

b) Why is he/she being called a ‗‘poor creature‘‘?

c) What dirty thing had he done at her bidding ?

d) Name the author of the above lines.

5. “I don‟t call that delicate, stepping into a dead man‟s shoes in such haste”

(a) Who makes this comment?

(b) What prompts the speaker to say this?

(c) Bring out the significance of this statement.

d) Who is the speaker in the above lines?

6. Yes, it‟s a fatal mistake.

(a) Identify the speaker

(b) Which fatal mistake is being referred to?

(c) Who had committed ‗a fatal mistake‘?

d) Why is it called ―a fatal mistake‖?

7. Aye, you both say that because of what I‟ve told about leaving my

money. Well, since, you don‟t want me I‟ll go to someone that does.

(a) Identify the speaker

(b) Why is the speaker insisting on going somewhere?

(c) What does the decision of the speaker say about him?

d) How do the listeners react to the speaker‘s words?

8. Chut ! Be quiet ! It‟s our now. Come Henry , lift your end.

(a) Identify the speaker

(b) Why is the speaker insisting on being quiet ?

(c) What ―our now‖ is being talked about ?

d) What is reaction to the speaker‘s words?

9. “I don‟t call that delicate, stepping into a dead man‟s shoes in such

haste.”

(a) Who is the speaker?

(b) When does the speaker say these words?

(c) What does the speaker mean by ‗stepping into a dead man‘s

shoes‘?

10„She‟s never been here since grandfather bought it. If it was only down

here instead of in his room, she‟d never guess it wasn‟t our own.‟

(a) Who is the speaker?

(b) Why does ―it‖ have to be shifted?

(c) What character trait of the speaker is highlighted through

this extract?

d) What is expected from the speaker in this context?

11. "He's done it on purpose, just to annoy us ".

(a) Who is the speaker ?

(b) Who is 'He' ?

(c) What has he done to annoy the others ?

d) What impression do you form about ‗us‘?

12. No ? For myself it‟s such a relief to get into the black. And now

perhaps you‟ll tell us all about it. What did the doctor say ?

a) What is a great relief for the speaker ?

b) What does the speaker mean by telling ―us all about it‖ ?

c) Who is the speaker of these lines ?

d) What qualities are reflected in the speakers?

13. No, if I‟m not to have him you shan‟t either. We quarrelled because

Elizabeth said she wouldn‟t take you off our hands at any price. She

said she‟d had enough of you to last a life time, and we‟d got to keep

you.

a) Who is ―I‖?

b) Why is there a quarrel?

c) Who had got to keep the old man according to the speaker?

d) Who is ‗you‘ in the lines?

14. ―Are we pinching it before Elizabeth Comes?‖

(a) What does ―it‖ refer to here ?

(b) How does Victoria conclude that her parents are pinching ―it‟?

(c) Mention two reasons that Mrs. Slater gives for her action.

d) What will Victoria think about this?

15. “Mrs. Slater : I‟m not satisfied but it‟s the best we can do till our new

black‟s ready and Ben and Elizabeth will never have thought about

mourning yet, so we‟ll outshine them there. “

a) What is Mrs. Slater dissatisfied with ?

b) What is the reference to ― new black ―?

c) Why is ‗new black‘ required ?

d) What does her speech reveal about her character ?

16. I‟ll tell you what I have to do. On Monday next I‟ve got to do three

things. I‟ve got to do the lawyer‟s and alter my will.

(a) Who is the speaker ?

(b) Who is he speaking to ?

(c) What is the speaker going to do

d)Why is the speaker going to do so?

17. Amelia and Henry. They‟ve stolen your clock and bureau. (working herself

up) They sneaked into your room like a thief in the night and stole them

after you were dead.

(a) Who is Amelia?

(b) How did they steal the things?

(c) Whom did those things belong to?

d) Who is dead?

18. I may be wrong. But I don't think father will fancy living on with you after

what's happened today.

a) Who speaks the above lines ?

b) What is the argument about in the conversation ?

c) Why wouldn't father want to stay with the listener ?

d) What may be wrong?

19. “I‟‟ m not satisfied, but it‟s the best we can do till our new black‟s ready, and

Ben and Elizabeth will never have thought about mourning yet, so we‟ll

outshine them there.”

a) Who is the speaker of the above lines ?

b) Why are they getting the blacks ready ?

c) Why do they want to outshine Ben and Elizabeth ?

d) What exactly is the attitude of the speaker towards the mourning?

20.“Victoria, if that‟s your aunt and uncle you‟re not to open the door.”

(a) Whose instructions are these for Victoria ?

(b) Why should her aunt and uncle not be allowed ?

(c) What was being done in their absence ?

d) What will be the impact on Victoria by these instructions?

Answer the questions that follow.(Word limit 30-40)(Each question carries 2 marks)

1) Compare and contrast the characters of Victoria and her mother ?

2) What does Henry mean by ‗‘I suppose it‘s in the family‘‘ ?

3) What did the grandfather Abel Merryweather decide to do on

Monday?

4) Why does Mrs Slater ask Victoria to go upstairs? How does Vicky

react ?

5) What change in the grandfather‘s will led to another spat between

his two daughters? Why?

6) What decision did Abel Merryweather take regarding his will ? What

were his future plans for himself ?

7) What light does the play, ―The Dear Departed‖ throw on the

hollowness of relations ?

8) What is Mrs. Slater‘s plan to outshine the Jordans ?

9) What does Mrs. Slater want to possess from the grandfather‘s room?

What were her plans after his death ?

10) Mrs. Slater represents a great materialistic character in the play, „The Dear

Departed‟. Give two evidences in support of the statement:

11) Why does Elizabeth wish to draw up a list of Grandpa‘s things ?

12) Ben appreciates grandfather saying `it‘s a good thing he did‟. Later he

calls him a ―drunken old beggar‖. Why does he change his opinion

about grandfather ?

13) In what way is the play, ―The Dear Departed‖, a satirical comment on

human beings?

14) Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Slater were not sure whether their father had

paid the insurance premium or not. Why was it important to them?

3. Answer the following in about 150 words.(8Marks)

1-You are Victoria and you are really angry and disturbed at the way your parents,

uncle and aunt have behaved with your grandfather. Express your thoughts and

feelings in the form of a diary entry in about 150 words,

2-Compare and contrast Henry‘s character with that of his wife. Support your answer in

about 150 words with examples from the text.

3-You are Abel Merryweather. On the eve of your marriage with Mrs. Shorrocks you

decide to describe your feelings in your diary. Write the diary entry in about 150

words.

4-Imagine you are Mr. Abel Merryweather. Write a letter to your friend, James

explaining your decision to get married as well as the disgraceful behaviour of

your daughters and sons-in-law.

5-How do the two sisters reveal their greed and insincerity in the play ,

'The Dear Departed' ?

6-Mr. Abel Merryweather writes a letter to a friend describing to him what

happened when he ―woke up‖ and came downstairs. Write the letter in your

own words.

7-You are Mr. Able Merry weather from the play, ― The Dear Departed ―. You

are shocked to see the behaviour of your daughter. You decide to write a diary

entry expressing your feelings. Write the dairy entry.

8-You are Victoria from the play ,‖ The Dear Departed ―. You are shocked to see the

behaviour of your mother and aunt. You don‘t want your grandfather to ―depart‖

from the house. You decide to write a diary entry expressing your feelings. Write

the entry.

9-You are Victoria. You are very upset with the way your family has behaved

in connection with your grandfather‘s inheritance. Write a diary entry

expressing your anger and wishing that your grandfather lives much

longer.

10-You are Mrs. Slater .You are exposed after your father wakes up from his ‗death‘. Write a

diary entry expressing your shock and embarrassment.

11-Victoria felt very sad, when she realized the materialistic and callous attitude

of her parents towards the grandfather. As Victoria, write a letter to your

grandfather apologizing for your parents behaviour.

12-Bring out the irony in the title of the play, ‖The Dear Departed‖.

13-As grandfather, Abel Merryweather, write an informal letter to your friend

about what has happened with you in the house and your anguish at the

way your daughters have behaved.

14-Imagine you are Mrs. Slater. After everything is over, and as grandpa has

left you to get married and settle down elsewhere, you feel sorry and

repentant. Write a diary entry expressing your realisation of your ill

treatment of your father.

15-In the play, ―The Dear Departed‖ the two daughters do not seem to be concerned at

their father‘s death. Do you think it is proper? Give a reasoned answer.

16-Imagine you are Abel; write a letter in reply to your friend‘s query, as to

what you have decided?

17-As Mrs. Slater, write a diary entry after you find that your father is still alive, is

getting married again and will be changing his will.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

1. Why didn‘t Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?

2. Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?

3. What were the two boys doing sitting on the pavement in the deserted square?

4. Why did the boys hate the Germans?

5. What touched the author deeply in the end?

6. Why the author and his friend were strangely attracted towards the two boys?

7. What are the qualities of a real gentleman?

8. Which qualities of the two boys attracted you a lot?

9. They asked the boys about their plans but they didn‘t reveal. Why the boys didn‘t

disclose their problem?

10. What did the nurse reveal to the narrator about the two boys?

11. ‗We do many things, sir.‘ Explain this statement according to the context?

12. The narrator asks the boys, "Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired."

The boys reply, "We are not complaining, sir." What do you learn about the boys

from their reply?

13. Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they

exhibit?

14. How were the boys useful to the author?

15. Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine

boys?

16. Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their

years. Explain.

17. He coloured deeply under his sunburn, and then grew pale. Explain.

18. Why the narrator does not disclose to the boys that he knows their secret?

19. What were the jobs the boys did to earn money?

20. Where did the author meet the two boys for the first time? What were they doing?

21. Why did the author say that what struck one most was their willingness to work?

22. Were the boys quite happy to work? Which sentence tells you this?

23. What made the author think that they were earning much?

24. Why did Nicola say ―just plans‖ when the author asked them what their plans

were?

25. Who asked the author to drive them to Poleta? Did the other brother approve of

the request? Why?

26. Did the boys try to prevent the author from finding out the real purpose of their visit

to Poleta? Did they succeed?

27. How did the war affect the boys‘ family?

28. How did the boys take care of their sister?

29. Do you think the two boys enjoyed what they were doing? Why do you think so?

30. How does the story of the Two Gentlemen of Verona give promise of greater hope

for human society?

31. How can you say that the boys worked quite hard?

32. How was the life of the boys comfortable and cultured?

33. How did the boys react to the Lucia‘s suffering from the tuberculosis of the spine?

THE LETTER

1. Who was Ali? Where did he go daily?

2. How do you know Ali was a familiar figure at the post office?

3. Why did Ali give up hunting?

4. What impression do you form of the postmaster after reading the story 'The

Letter'?

5. The postmaster says to Ali, "What a pest you are, brother!" Do you agree with the

statement? Give reasons for your answer.

6. "Ali came out very slowly, turning after every few steps to gaze at the post office.

His eyes were filled with tears of helplessness, for his patience was exhausted,

even though he still had faith." Why were Ali's eyes filled with tears of

helplessness? What had exhausted his patience but not his faith?

7. "Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal sigri to

wait." Who is tortured by doubt and remorse? Why? What is he waiting for?

8. What did Ali do to ensure that he would get his letter even after his death?

9. How did the postmaster shed his haughty temper?

10. What change came over the postmaster after he saw Ali's letter?

11. Describe the post master's encounter with Ali after his death.

12. What was the postmaster's state of mind after Lakshmi Das told him about Ali's

death?

13. How is the postmaster's mind revealed in the end?

14. Describe the Postmaster's behaviour with Ali on the last day. How was the

Postmaster a changed man at the end of the story?

15. In the story, 'The letter' is the title appropriate. Substantiate your answer with

instances from the story.

16. How was Ali looked upon by the post office officials?

17. Why did Ali go to the postmaster one fine day? How was he received by the

postmaster?

18. What did Ali do in his youth? What made him leave his old ways?

19. Ali‘s journey to the post office was a lonely affair. How?

20. How can you say that Ali was a poor as well as an old man?

21. What helped Ali to bear so much the hostile weather?

22. Why is a reference to an opium eater given in the fiction?

23. Why is Ali called a clever shikari?

24. What dawned upon Ali as the evening of his life was drawing in?

25. Ali‘s patience was beyond measure. How?

26. What made clerks scoff at Ali?

27. Ali can‘t be called a pest. How?

28. What startled Laxmi Das so much?

29. How did the postmaster spend one night in misery?

30. How did the postmaster‘s imagination deceive him?

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

[10 x 1 = 10]

1‖Nature comes to the rescue of disabled.‖ Elucidate

2. Write a brief character sketch of Helen Keller‘s father.

3. What was Helen‗s first conscious perception of an abstract idea?

4. ‘Displacement of any creature from its natural habitat is nothing less than cruelty ―.

When and how did Helen realize it?

5. What inspired Helen to write the short story? How did Mr. Anagnos react on

receiving the story?

6 .What difficulty did Helen have to face take her final examination for Radcliffe

college?

7. How was Helen fascinated by ancient Greece?

8. Who were the people whom Helen recalled as her well wishers and friends who

Draw a pen portrait of Mr Merton S.Keith.

1. What kind of a child and student was Helen Keller?

2. Sketch the character of Bishop Brooks?

3. Helen‘s life is a source of inspiration for many. Discuss.

4. How did Miss Sullivan come in Helen‘s life? Without her Helen‘s life is incomplete.

Discuss.

5. Why did Helen say that she had learnt to find beauty in everything around her

before everything else?

6. Give a brief description of the house in which the Keller family lived. Why does

Helen call old fashioned garden as the paradise of her childhood?

7. According to Helen how was it easier for a normal child to learn language than that

of the deaf one? How does Helen‘s field of inquiry broaden with time? How did

Miss Sullivan teach Helen to take part in a conversation?

8. Sketch the character of Helen Keller.

9. How did Miss Sullivan help Helen in learning to read? What did Helen say about

Miss Sullivan, her teacher?

10. How did Helen experience the first Christmas after Miss Sullivan came to

Tuscumbia? What were the surprise gifts Helen got on the Christmas morning?

What did she get from the teacher and what happened to the gift?

11. What was the Frost King controversy? What happened when Mr. Anagnos

received ‗The Frost King‘?

12. Write a brief character sketch of Mr.Anagnos.

13. Sketch the character of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.

14. How did the snow in New England surprise Helen? Describe the snow storm that

Helen witnessed. Which little poem did Helen think of when she saw all that snow?

JULIUS CAESAR

Two marks each

1. How do the heavens blaze forth the death of Julius Caesar?

2. What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?

3. Who says ―Et tu Brute‖? When are these words spoken? Why?

4. How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony‘s speech?

5. What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?

6. What was Cassius‘ motive for murdering Julius Caesar?

7. Write a brief character sketch of Antony?

8. How do Brutus and Cassius meet their end?

9. Why does Antony call Brutus ―the noblest Roman of them all‖?

10. Was Caeser really ambitious? Explain?