Teachers recommend solving Kerala Syllabus Plus Two English Previous Year Question Papers and Answers Pdf March 2021 to improve time management during exams.
Kerala Plus Two English Previous Year Question Paper March 2021
Time : 2 1/2 Hours
Maximum : 80 scores
Answer the following questions from 1 to 38 up to a maximum score of 80.
Read the lines from ‘Any Woman’ and answer the questions that follow:
I am the fire upon the hearth,
I am the light of the good sun,
I am the heat that warms the earth,
Which else were colder than a stone.
Question 1.
Who is the speaker of these lines?
Answer:
The narrator of the poem/Any woman
Question 2.
Identify the figure of speech used in the first line of the stanza.
Answer:
Metaphor
Question 3.
Find the image/phrase that conveys the idea of lifelessness and inactivity.
Answer:
Colder than a stone
Question 4.
Elaborate on the main ideas conveyed in these lines.
Answer:
The woman says she is the fire upon the hearth, the light of the sun and the heat that warms the earth. It means she is the one bringing life and laughter into the home. She keeps it lively and joyful.
Question 5.
Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks choosing appropriate phrasal verbs from those given in the brackets and complete the passage.
I rfan Alam won the ‘Business Bazigar’ show in 2006, but he ……… (turn on/turn down/turn off) their offer of Rupees 150 lakhs. Instead, he …..(set off/set aside/set up) the busienss himself.
Answer:
Turned down, set up
Question 6.
The following passage has a few errors. Identify them and edit appropriately.
My inspiration com from my childhood experiences and observations of nature on rural Kenya. As I was growing up, I witnessed forests been cleared and replaced by commercial plantations who destroyed local bio-diversity and the capacity of the forests to conserve water.
Answer:
My inspiration came from my childhood experiences and observations of nature ih rCiral Kenya. As I was growing up, I witnessed fofest’s tiad been cleared and replaced by commerefat plantations which destroyed local bio-diversity‘arid the capacity of the forests to conserve eater.
Question 7.
An extract from the conversation between Sudha Murty and Ratna in ‘Horegallu’ is given below. Report the conversation. (2)
Sudha Murty: Ratna, Don’t you everted others the secrets you hear?
Ratna: I consider that to be the worst kind of cheating.
Answer:
Sudha Murty asked Ratna if she ever told others the secrets she heard. Ratna replied saying that she considered that to be the worst kind of cheating.
Question 8.
Ajit did not give Nomita an easy time, he belittled and insultd her, using harsh words. You are a Ajit’s friend. Write four pieces of advice you would give Ajit. (4)
You may use expressions like :
Ajit, I think you should …. Why don’t you ….. If I were you…. Why can’t you….
Answer:
a) Ajit, I think you should speak more politely to Nomita.
b) Why don’t you think that she is your wife and she should be respected?
c) If I were you I would not speak so harshly to her.
d) Why can’t you change your was of taking to your wife?
Question 9.
In the first stanza of the poem “Any Woman”, the woman is considered as the fire, the light and the heat. In the absence of the woman, a house will be as cold as a stone. Do you agree with this statement? Write your opinion in a paragraph. (4)
Answer:
I certainly agree with the statement that in the absence of the woman, a house will be as cold as a stone. There is a saying that since God could not be everywhere at the same time, he created mothers. Here the ‘narrator’, any woman, represents a mother. Mother is the synonym for love. Mothers’ love is unconditional. They expect nothing in return forthe love they give to the family members. Without a woman, a family is simply unimaginable. Women take care of the children, cook, wash and do all other household chores. She is the pillars, walls and doors of the house. It is the woman who makes home a sweet place. She is indeed the fire of the hearth, the light of the sun and heat that warms the earth.
Question 10.
Your class is conducting a debate on the topic ‘Environmental conservation is more important than Economic growth’. Write four arguments in favour of or against the topic. (4)
Answer:
a) If environment is not conserved, life itself will become impoesble.
b) Environment is the greatest supporter of our life; what is the point of economic growth if life itself is in jeopardy?
c) The environment is for all creatures; exploiting it . only for the benefit of man is injustice.
d) If environment is not conserved, we all will become unhealthy and sick.
Question 11.
In the anecdote ‘Horegallu’cSiiadb.a Murty asks Ratna how she could solve the troubles of so many people by just listening to them. Doypu think mere listening can solve problems? Write, your opinion in a paragraph.(4)
Answer:
Mere listening may not solve problems. But by sympathetically listening to the problems of others we can certainly help them to look for solutions. A mind with a lot of problems is like a pressure cooker on a hot stove. The steam is building up in the cooker and unless some of it is released at regular intervals, the cooker will explode. When people tell their problems to a sympathetic listener, they feel relieved of the built-up pressure in their minds. It will also give them time to think about probable solutions to the problems. Listening to the people with problems wjth a sympathetic ear Ml certainly help them.
Question 12.
A discussion was held in your class on the topic ‘Domestic Violence’. One of your friends remarked, ‘If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women, we must start from the home, fpr if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhete.
Write four points supporting this opinion. (4)
Answer:
a) If a woman cannot feel safe at home, she will lose her will to,fight for her rights.
b) At home women give their love and consideration to the other members of the family, and if those for whom she lives can’t make her feel safe, how she can feel safe in other places?
c) Home is the safest haven for women; it is there they are the most safe; if the home can’t give them the feeling of safety and protection they will certainly feel that they are not safe anywhere else.
d) Home is the training gropnd of all virtuous things. If a woman feels threatened in her own home,
elsewhere
Question 13.
In the story ‘Matchbox’, Nomita’s mother keeps on writing letters to her, complaining about her hardships and misfortunes. What is your view of the character of Nomita’s mother?
Answer:
I strongly feel that Nomita’s mother is not doing the right thing by constantly complaining about her hardships and misfortunes, She is telling about her hardships and misfortunes just to get money from Nomita. Ajit, Nomita’s husband, says that when the letter comes from Nomita’s mother, even without opening it, he knows it is for asking money.
Nomita’s mother used to send postcards which would be read by all the members in the family of Ajit. This was a disgrace to Nomita. So she told her mother not to write on postcards. But she writes ietters all the same. Nomita is angry at her mother. She decides to write a letter to her mother telling her she won’t help her any more.
Question 14.
‘I used to lift a hot pot of water off the stove – and that did it.” Here, Nomita in ‘Matchbox’ tries to hide her problems from the other members of the family. Do you justify her action? Why/why not? (4)
Answer:
I justify her action. That is what a normal wife would do in the circumstances Nomita was in. She lives in a joint family which, has 26 members. She comes from a poor family. Her mother frequently writes to her telling her of her difficulties and problems and asking her to send money. Ajit, the husband of Nomita, is unhappy because he has to often send money to his mother-in-law. He asks Nomita how could her mother go on begging for money and still think they are high class people. He insults Nomita by calling her a dung-picker’s daughter.
When she asks him to shut up he says he will speak the way he wants. In an angry mood she picks up a matchbox and lights a match and touches it to her sari. The sari flares up. Asking if she has gone mad, Ajit puts out the fire by using his hands. Nomita can’t say all these things to the other members of the family. So she hides her problems and tells them that her sari got burnt as she was trying to lift a hot pot of water off the stove, using the sari.
Question 15.
According to the father in the poem ‘Rice’, ‘only fools turn to rice-farming for gain’. However, the poet comes home eager to eat a full meal of athikkira rice. Compare the attitude of the poet and his father, in a . short paragraph.
Answer:
The father in the poem “Rice” says that only fools turn to rice-farming for gain. But his son has an altogether different viewpoint. The son had gone to North India to do research on making toys with husk. As his father and many of the neighbours cultivated paddy there was a lot of husk available in his place. He comes back home with a doctoral degree after completing his research. When returning home, he was hoping to eat a full meal of athikkira rice.
He was tired of eating chapattis when he was in North India. But then what does he find? He finds that all the paddy fields are planted with rubber. His dreams of making toys with husk are shattered. In fact the Chief Minister is flying to Delhi to get rice for the people in his State as all the paddy fields are converted into rubber plantations.
Question 16.
Nomita, in the story ‘Matchbox’ faces many insults . from her husband Ajit. At last, one day, she tells her sister-in-law the whole story. Prepare the likely conversation between the two women, in at least four exchanges. (4)
Answer:
Sister-in-law : Nomita, you look sad. What is the matter with you?
Nomita : I am sad because Ajit does not give me any respect.
Sister-in-law : Ajit does not give you any respect? Why?
Nomita : He does not even give me the letters addressed to me by my mother. The other day I found a crumbled letter in ‘ his pocket. It was from my mother and it was addressed to me. She wanted some money as she had some problems.
Sister-in-law : It was certainly bad on his part. He was never like that. How can he keep a letter addressed to you without letting you know about it?
Nomita : He even called me a dung-picker’s daughter.
Sister-in-law : Did he? That was rude on his part. How can he insult you like that?
Nomita : When I asked him to speak softly, he said he would talk the way he wants and he would do things the way he likes. He asked me what I ‘ could do to stop him from doing what he likes. This made me very angry. Sister-in-law : And then?
Nomita : I lit a matchstick and put it to the sari I was wearing. As the sari flared, he came rushing and put the fire out. I had told you the sari got burnt when . I was trying to remove a hot pot from the burning stove. But that was a lie. I did not want everybody in the family to kfiow that I had tried to burn myself.
Sister-in-law : I am sorry Nomita that Ajit is ill- treating you. I will talk to him about it.
Nomita : No need to talk to him. We will manage. Anyway, thanks for your concern.
Question 17.
‘She grabs Ajit’s matchbox on the table, lights a matchstick and touches it to her sari.’ This is how Nomita in ‘Matchbox’ responds to the humiliation of her husband. What is your opinion of Nomita’s impulsive reaction? Write your answer in a paragraph. (4)
Answer:
I think Nomita was foolish to do what she did. If the sari had caught fire faster than it had, she would have ended up with severe burns or even death. It is quite true that Ajit should not have called her a dung- picker’s daughter. She is his wife.
He married her knowing full well that she was not from a wealthy family. If Nomita’s mother wanted some financial, help, he could have helped her or refused to help her. But he should not have called Nomita, his wife, a dung- picker’s daughter. At the same time Nomita’s impulsive reaction was bad. In life problems will come. But one can’t escape from them by committing suicide. It shows she is a coward and she does not know how to cope with difficult situations.
Question 18.
‘I know that if I take this money [from john Gresham], I do a dishonourable thing.’ These words clearly show that Robert Baldwin will never be influenced by any financial offers. Prepare a brief character sketch of Baldwin. (5)
Answer:
Robert Baldwin is the protagonist of this play. He lives in a trim little cottage with his wife Martha and his son John and daughter Evie. He is working as the governor of a bank owned by John Gresham. His salary is very low, 60 dollars a week. His son John earns only 30 dollars a week. With this limited income they live reasonably happily.
Suddenly there is a problem in their lives. John Gresham has misappropriated bank money and he
is in jail. The bank is closed and Baldwin will have no job. Only Baldwin is the witness for the misappropriation. If he gives his true testimony, John Gresham will definitely go to jail for a long period. Baldwin is honest and he has taught his family the importance of honesty.
When Baldwin returns home after the arrest of John Gresham, his wife and children rush to him to know the latest news. Initially his wife and the children tell him that he should say the truth during the trial even if it means jail term for Gresham. But when they come to know that Gresham has offered him a bribe of 100,000 dollars just to say ‘I don’t remember1 when some incriminating questions are asked in the court, they change their stance. They try to find out all kinds of loophbles to make Baldwin accept the bribe. Martha, John and Evie do their best to make Baldwin change his mind. But he asserts that he wants to go to his grave clean.
He does love Gresham. He even named his son after him. Even now he’remembershow he worked with him for so long. They were boys together. They worked side by side. All this is true, but he is not willing to tell a lie to save his friend and employer even when he is offered a colossal sum of 100,000 dollars.
Baldwin’s honesty is repaid abundantly. Even Gresham is proud of him and he recommends him to Mr Marshall, the President of the Third International. At the end of the play we see Marshall coming to the house of Baldwin and offering him a job at the Third International. We see Baldwin Crying in the end. He must have been crying for two reasons – his friend Gresham has confessed his guilt and he will surely be punished. Secondly he is shedding tears of joy in gratitude to God who has amply repaid his honesty. Honesty, Baldwin proves,*beyond an iota of doubt, is the best policy.
Question 19.
In the story ‘Amigo Brothers’ the announcer turned to the winner and found himself alone in the boxing ring. Arun in arm, the champions had already left the ring. Imagine that you are the announcer. What would you announcement. (5)
Answer:
Ladies and Gentlemen, You have witnessed an extraordinary fight. In the third round both Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas wanted to win. They punched each other very hard. Nobody fell to the canvas. The final bell rang, but the fight continued. The bell rang again and again. But there was no stopping to the fighting. You were getting worried. It looked as if Antonio Cruz and Felix ‘ Vargas were involved in a do or die situation and not in a contest.
The referee and the trainers separate the contestants. Now they embrace. They have forgotten they were fighting like bulls up to a moment ago. I want to announce the winner. But where are the fighters? They have left the ring like good friends, arm in arm, declaring their strong bond of friendship. They have proved themselves to be real amigo brothers. Who is the winner in the contest? Both are winners!
Question 20.
“God has given me two ears to listen to others. I hear them out with sympathy and without judgement. These are the words of Ratna in ‘Horegailu’. What do you think are the qualities of a good listener? (5)
Answer:
Ratna in “Horegallu” says: “God has given me two ears to listen to others. I hear them out with sympathy and without judgement.” The primary quality of a good listener is listening to the problems of people with sympathy. A horegallu is a stone bench on which tired people can rest and regain their energy. Such stones are usually under shady trees. Tired travellers unburden themselves, sit and talk to some sympathetic listener. Life is a journey and we all are travellers.
Each one of us carries burdens of various sorts. If there is some patient and sympathetic listener, we can unburden ourselves and feel relieved. The listeners may not solve our problems but if we hav^ a sympathetic listener, it gives us some temporary relief. Patience, sympathy and understanding are the essential qualities of a good listener] A good listener does not pass judgments.
Question 21.
Those who whine day and night and hold out their palms to theirj son-in-law, they’re the high class people! A dung-picker’s daughter becomes a queen,’ This is how Ajit responds to Nomita, when she called him ‘a vulgar man’. What do you think of the character of Ajit? Write a brief sketch of his character. You may use the hints given below. (ego and prejudice- insults his wife-but fears the inner fire of Nomita-keeps the image of a gentleman) (5)
Answer:
Ajit is a bad husband and a very bad son-in-law. He has no respect for women. He is a male chauvinist. Nomita was right in suspecting that he does not give her all the letters addressed to her. Her suspicion is proved right when she finds a crumpled letter in the pocket of Ajit. When she says that reading the letters addressed to others is an ugly habit, Ajit says he is checking to see if the letter is from a boyfriend of hers. That mdans he is suspicious of his wife’s fidelity. He then gets angry and calls her a dung piokeds daughter.
In anger she puts fire to her sari.sJFertunately, he is able to put out the fire quickly. He has only contempt for his mother-in-law. He says whenever letters come from her, there is no need to read them, butjust go to the post office and fill in the money order form. This shows he has no love for the mother-in-law. At least he should remember that her daughter is his wife. In the final analysis we see that Ajit is a very bad husband who has no love and sympathy for his wife and her mother. However, he fears the inner fire of Nomita. He wants to maintain an image of a gentleman although he is egoistic, prejudiced and chauvinistic in his behaviour.
Question 22.
According to recent studies, in our country, every four minutes, one woman faces domestic violence. In ‘Matchbox’, we get a glimpse of this reality. After reading the Story “Matchbox”, you decide to write about hardships of Nomita, in your personal blog (an online diary). Prepare the blogpost. You may use the following hints. (Struggles, challenges, lack of identify, humiliation) (6)
Answer:
Nomita is the wife of Ajit. They live in a joint family. Altogether there are 26 members in that family. Nomita comes from a very poor family. But she is very beautiful and that is how she gets married into a rich family. Her mother, who is a widow, was the one who managed to find a rich boy for her daughter. Nomita has no brothers or sisters. She is referred to as ‘queen’ by her mother. Nomita had to struggle in her husband’s home.
Her mother frequently Writes to Nomita requesting her for money. She writes on postcards which could be read by anyone. Nomita is ashamed that her mother is always begging for money. To prevent others from reading, Nomita asks her mother to write letters in an envelope. The requests are so frequent that Ajit says that there is no need for reading the letter, but send some money to her. Nomita also secretly helps her mother.It seems her mother is very demanding and shameless as she goes on begging.
One day while collecting the soiled clothes for giving them to the washer-man, Nomita sees a letter in the pocket of Ajit. It is torn and crumpled. It is addressed to her and from the postmark it is obvious that Ajit got it some 3 days earlier. But he had not told her anything about it. Nomita is unhappy because Ajit reads the letters addressed to her. She had told him many times not to do it. He says he is checking to see if any love letter is sent to her by somebody.
At this point, Nomita gets angry and tells him that he is a common, vulgar man. This enrages Ajit and he says that she is a dung-picker’s daughter. He will do what he wants to do and she can do nothing about it. This infuriates her and she burns a matchstick and puts is to her sari. The sari catches fire and soon it flares. Ajit puts out the fire. Thus we see she is humiliated by her husband. In her case there is a lack of identity. She is a nobody in the eyes of her husband.
Question 23.
Write a short profile of Sachy, the famous Malayalam film director using the hints given below. (6)
Name: K.R. Sachidanadan
Popularly known as : Sachy
Born: 25 December 1972, Kodungallur, Thrissur
Profession : Screenwriter, Director, Producer,
Advocate
First movie directed: Anarkali, 2015
Hit movie: Ayyappanum Koshiyum, 2020
Died: 18 June 2020.
Answer:
K.R. Sachidanandan is a famous Malayalam film* director. He is popularly known as Sachy. He was born on the 25 December 1972 in Koduggallur, Thrissur. He is a multifaceted individual, having worked as a screenwriter, a director, a producer and an advocate. Anarkali, released in 2015, was the first movie he directed. His most famous movie is Ayyappanum Koshiyum which was released in 2020. He passed away on 18 June 2020 at the young age of 48, due to cardiac arrest, following complications arising out of a hip replacement surgery.
Question 24.
Imagine you are studying in a residential school. The woman in the poem ‘Any’Woman’ evokes in your memories of your mother with whom you have quarreled for silly things. This bothers you a lot. Write an email to your mother telling tier how much you miss her.
Answer:
Lily@hotmail.com
Dearest Mama,
How are you doing? I hope Papa and John are fine. Everything is alright here. Recently I read the poem “Any Woman” by Katharine Tynan. The poem brought to my mind all the wonderful things you have done for me.
I miss your freshly baked cookies and your delicious lemon pie. I miss painting with you and all the squabbles we had over the right shades for the sky. I really miss you, Mama.
The other day I made a silly quarrel with you about the chicken biriyani you made. I did not eat it saying that it was too hot for me as you had put too much pepper in it. You felt so sad as you had specially made it for me. l am sorry, Mama! I should not have behaved so rudely.
The poem also made me reflect upon the fact that I have never thanked you for all the wonderful things you have done for me. So this email is a way for me to do just that. So thank you, Mama, for your infinite patience and unconditional love. I hope to see you soon. Give my love to Papa and John.
Yours lovingly
Anna
Question 25.
“We lost all our money and our dreams’, a poor farmer responded to the news of the collapse of the bank in The Hour of Truth’. You are from ‘Daily News’, and you wish to highlight the plight of such depositors. Write your report in around eighty words. (6)
Answer:
The collapse of the “Everyman’s Bank” has shocked many depositors who do not know how it happened. They had their dreams when they deposited the money in the bank. But all their dreams are shattered. A poor farmer deposited all his money in the bank in the hope that he will get some interest which will help him to run his family in a better way. He has lost all his money and all his dreams. One of the employees in the bank got married very recently because of his job in the bank. Now suddenly he does not know what to do even to find food for his bride.
The proprietor of the “Everyman’s Bank”, John Gresham, is in jail for having swindled depositors’ hard-earned money. One man had deposited all his money in the bank in the hope of taking it back with the interest just before the marriage of his daughter. All things are arranged for the marriage. The invitations have been sent out to guests and hotel rooms and the banquet hall is booked for the reception. He does not know what to do now. He is raving like a mad man, not knowing what to do. Gresham is sure to be punished. But that is no consolation for the poor depositors who have lost their money and their dreams.
Question 26.
Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. Prepare a profile using the hints given below. (6)
Born : I April; 1940, Kenya .
Founder: Green Belt Movement
Environmental activist, Kenyan politician, writer
Awards: Right Livelihood Award (1984)
Nobel Peace Prize (2004).
Contributed to sustainable development, democracy and peace.
Answer:
Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Prize in 2004. She was born in Kenya on 1 April 1940- She was a hard working woman, who tried her best for women empowerment. She was not willing to stay home all the time. She found much pleasure and satisfaction in working for the community. She founded the Green Belt Movement. She is an environmental activist, a politian and also a writer. Thus she is a versatile genius. She received many awards including “Right Livelihood Award” in 1984. The Nobel Prize was another feather to her already bedecked cap. Her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace is acclaimed ail over the world.
Question 27.
In the ‘Rice’, we see the poet return to his village after four years of research in North India, hoping at last to eat athikkira rice at home. However, this did not happen. His father had stopped rice farming and had become a rubber planter. Unhappy, the poet writes an email to his friend about his disappointment. Write the email. (6)
Answer:
Pravin@hotmail.com
Dear Pravin! How are you man? I am sure you are enjoying some rest at home after our hectic work for our doctoral degrees. I am sure you are enjoying home food and the other comforts of home after such a long time away from home, parents and siblings.
lam very much disappointed with the situation here at home. When I was with you in North India, eating the horrible chapattis every day, I used to tell you how nice our athikkira rice is which we harvest from our own fields. I had taken my doctorate degree in making toys with husk because there was so much of paddy around. I could use the husk for making toys and thus I could even offer employment to a few of my villagers. I really had great dreams.
But do you know what has happened? My village people, including my father, have stopped cultivating rice and they have planted rubber in the paddy fields. No more athikkira rice and no more husk here. My degree Is . a waste! I can’t even get the rice I like. There is a shortage of rice in Kerala, and the Chief Minister is now in Delhi trying to get some rioelbr his people. I feel so sad and disappointed attbetlirn of events here.
Anyway, there is nothing I can do about it. I have to simply accept the situation. Say Hi to your parents!
Bye for now!
Sincerely,
Job
Question 28.
Several households in our country are still miserable,lacking good food and other basic needs. It is high time that we did what we can to help them. As a responsible citizen, you write a letter to the editor of’ a prominent daily voicing your concern. Preparethe letter. (6)
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Nehha Bhatnagar is a Bharathanatyam dancer Whose Delphi based ‘Sarvam Foundation’ has brought the joy of dance to the lives of many underprivileged children. The initiative was founded in 2012 with the purpose of bringing the classical arts to all, from the girl child in the slum to the corporate executive in her glass tower. “I was socially conscious and sensitive to the disparity around us. This led me to start teaching underprivileged girls the rudiments of Bharathanatyam’. The future looks bright for the ‘Sarvam’ girls. As for hJehha, taking small but assured steps,’ she hopes to be able to support 100 marginalized girls through the foundation.
Answer:
The Editor
The Indian Express
Kochi
1 July 2021,
Dear Sir,
When our forefathers fought for our freedom Under for an India where there would be enough food, clothes and shelter for all the Indians. On 15 August 2021, we are going to celebrate the 74th Anniversary of our independence from Britain. But even now we find millions of people who are so poor that they don’t have proper food, clothing or shelter. We still have the biggest slum in the world. We should be ashamed of slums like Dharavi in Mumbai. In those slums people live their lives worse than animals.
Gandhi had made a great observation. He said, “The world has enough to satisfy the needs of all the people in the world. But it does not have enough to satisfy the greed of even one individual.” How right he was! We have people likeAmbani and Adani who have millions and millions but there are millions that have no money to buy food and medicines. Where is our sense of social justice?
The rich people should,come forward to help the needy. The rich people should not forget that they too came to this.world empty handed and they will go away from this world empty handed.
RosyJoe
Edappally
Question 29.
Find out the word in the passage which means
Answer:
Disparity
Question 30.
Who is the founder of ‘Sarvam’ ?
Answer:
Nehha Bhatnagar
Question 31.
What prompted the dancer to start such an initiative?(1)
Answer:
She wanted to bring the classical arts to all from the girl child in the slum to the corporate executive in her glass tower. She wanted to bring the joy of dance to the underprivileged who could not afford to pay high fees for their training.
Question 32.
Do we need more such initiatives in our country? (1)
Answer:
Yes we do Many underprivileged are excluded from many areas as they lack money.
Question 33.
When did the foundation begin its activities? (1)
Answer:
In 2012
Question 34.
A webinar is conducted by the English club of your school on the topic ‘21st century Indian women and the challenges they face in society’. As a member of the club, you are asked to make a speech on the topic. Prepare the script of your speech. (8)
Answer:
Ladies and Gentlemen, The topic for today’s webinar is “21st century Indian women and the challenges they face in society”’ We got our independence 74 years ago. But even today the condition of women in India is pathetic as there is no equality between man and woman in this country.
The law may say that man and woman are equal. But in actual practice, women are not given their proper place in the society. How many women MPs do we have in the Parliament? How many women Ministers do we have in the Central Cabinet? How many women MLAs do we have in the State Assembly? How many women ministers do we have in the State Cabinet? Just 3 out of 21! That is a mere 14.3%.
Even in the labour market women are discriminated against. For the same job, a man gets Rs. 1000 as his daily wage. But a woman is given just half of it, although the woman may have done more work than the man. To get married, a woman has to give dowry. Most women are destined to be bound to their homes. Their work is limited to delivering children, rearing them and doing the household chores of cooking, washing and cleaning. This is injustice. Women are even afraid to go out in the nights because there is the danger bf getting raped by sex maniacs.
Many parents refuse to send their girls for higher education even if they are brighter than their boys. The argument is: The girl will go away to another home after her marriage and so there is no point in spending money for her higher education. I strongly feel the society has to change. We have to work for such a change where the woman gets her rightful place in the society. “Empowering women” should be our slogan.
Jai Hind!
Question 35.
Irfan Alam, the founder and chairman of SammaaN foundation came out with an innovative idea and transformed it into a business model. You come to know about a vacancy for the post of an accountant in ‘SammaaN’. Prepare an application for the post and attach a resume with the necessary details. (8)
Answer:
From
Simi Ibrahim
Manavatur House
Irinijalakuda North P.O.
District: Trichur
Kerala
To
The Director
SammaN
Opposite Mumbai University
C.S.T. Road
Kalina, Mumbai – 22
30 June 2021
Dear Sir,
Application for the post of an Accountant
This has reference to your advertisement appearing in the “Indian Express” dated 25 June 2021.
I possess the necessary qualifications and experience which you have specified in your advertisement, l am a young woman of 24 years, willing to work hard. I assure you of the best satisfaction if ! am given a chance to work in your prestigious organization. I am enclosing herewith my detailed resume and also photocopies of my certificates. I shall be glad to appear for any interview you might conduct in Mumbai or any other place and date of your choice.
Thanking you and hoping to hear from you,
Yours faithfully,
(Simi Ibrahim)
Enel: 3
RESUME OF SIMI IBRAHIM
Name, E-mail & Mob. No. :
Age & Date of Birth : 24 years, 17 July 1997 Nationality : Indian Marital Status : Single Educational :
Experience : Worked for 2 years as an Accountant in KSEB, Irinjalakuda. Activities : I am a Member of thé Rotary Club, Irinjalakuda. I have helped in organizing many functions while at College. Skills :
Languages : Malayalam, English, Hindi. Hobbies : Reading, Travel, Classical Music. References :
I certify that the information give above is correct. Simi Ibrahim |
Question 36.
Antonio and Felix, in the story ‘Amigo Brothers’, share a single dream – to become the light weight champion. However, at the end of the boxing championship, they left the ring before the announcement of the winner. Prepare a write -up on the spirit of friendship portrayed in the story. (8)
Answer:
Antonio and Felix in the story “Matchbox” by Piri Thomas share a single dream – to become the light weight champion. They both practised hard. They fought well, but they left the ring before the announcement of the winner.
Felix Vargas weighed 144 pounds and his rival Antonio 133 pounds. The winner was to represent the Boy’s Club in the tournament of champions, The Golden Gloves. There would be no draw in the fight. The referee gave instructions telling them that it should be a clean fight. In the first round, both the contestants did their best to outwit the other. Both were equally strong, in the second round also the same thing happened. Punches flew back and forth. But none was floored. Each punch was applauded thunderously by the crowd.
The third round came, each wanted to win. They punched each other very hard. Nobody fell to the canvas. The final bell rang but the fight continued. The bell rang again and agisftW. Buy there was no stop to the fighting. People got worried. It looked as if they were witnessing a do or die fight and not a contest. Then the referee and the trainers separated the contestants. Now the contestants embrace. They were fighting like bulls a moment ago. Now both were winners. Let their tribes increase!
Question 37.
Nomita, in the story ‘Matchbox,’ is often insulted and humiliated by her husband, Ajit. Sometimes, he hurts her feelings very much. Imagine that Nomita meets Ratna (the character mentioned in ‘Horegallu’), and she narrates the incidents of her life with Ajit to Ratna. Prepare the likely narrative. (8)
Answer:
Nomita: My husband is Ajit. We live in a joint family of 26 members. I come from a very poor family. But somehow my mother got me married into this rich’ family. I have no siblings. My mother often calls me ‘queen’. I have to struggle hard in my new home.
My mother frequently writes to me requesting me for money. She writes on postcards^which could be read by anyone, l am really ashamed that my mother is always begging for money. To prevent olhers from reading her letters, I asked my mother to write letters in an envelope. The requests are so frequent that Ajit says that there is no need for reading the letter, but send some money to her.
I secretly help my mother. My mother is very demanding and I should say she is shameless in going on asking for help. One day while collecting the soiled clothes forgiving them to the washer-man, I saw a letter in the pocket of Ajit. It was torn and crumpled. It was addressed to me and from the postmark it was obvious that Ajit got it some 3 days earlier. But he had not told me anything about it. I am unhappy because Ajit reads the letters addressed to me. I had told him many times not to do it. He says he is checking to see if any love letter is sent to me by somebody.
At this point, I got angry and called him a common, vulgar man. This enraged Ajit and he said that I was a dung- picker’s daughter. I asked him to speak softly as others would hear whatever he was saying. He said he would do whatever he wanted to do and I could do nothing about it. This challenge infuriated me. I burned a matchstick and puts is to my sari. The sari caught fire and soon it flared. Ajit, however, put out the fire. I know I did something foolish. Ajit goes on humiliating me and that is why I did it.
The poem has simple language. The entire poem is an exquisite metaphor. The imagery is great. The poem is in rhyme. Except in the first stanza, the rhyme scheme is abab.
Between the two poems, I prefer “Any Woman” by . Katharine Tynan.
Question 38.
Read the poem given below. Compare the poem with ‘Any Woman’ written by Katharine Tynan.
Clear as sunshine,
Sweet as nectar;
One who gets mother’ love
Is the true victor.
‘Tis mystic yet unmisted
Pristine and pure;
None can deny this,
I resolutely assure.
Her tears flow
For my slightest pain;
Her smiles and joy
For my smallest triumph.
She starves for me
And feeds me well;
Gives me heaven
And accepts hell.
The showers of her love
Bring joy in my way.
This unselfishness
I can never repay,
I can never repay,
This I assure;
For her love is godly,
pristine and pure.
Debasish Mishra (nectar = honey, pristine=pure, resolutely = firmly).
Answer:
This poem by Debashish Mishra is in praise of his mother. He says that his mother’s love is clear like , sunshine and sweet like nectar. One who gets is really a true victor. Her love is inexplicable. It is pure. Nobody can deny it. Her tears flow when her son is in slightest pain. She cries so much when she sees me suffering that people may think she is a fool or is mad. She starves for me and feeds me well. She gives me all kinds of joy even as she is suffering much pain. Even if I sacrifice myself, I will not be able to repay theTove my mother has shown me. Her showers of love bring joy to me because she is so unselfish. Her love is divine and I can never repay her love.
The poem is in simple language. It has fine rhythm. The rhyming scheme is ABCB, although it is not kept in some stanzas. There are different figures of speech in the poem. There is simile (clear as sunshine, sweet as nectar). There are metaphors like showers of love. Repetition can be seen as “pristine and pure” is used more than once. There is alliteratiort jneflfistine and pure”.
The poem ‘Any Woman’ by Katharine Tynan speaks of the importance of the woman in the family. She is the pillars of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. She is the roof and walls. She is the fire upon the hearth. Without her, the home would be colder than a stone. The children come to her for love and affection. She is the light of their love. The children could hardly thrive without her support. She is the one who holds the family together.
No child wants to get away from the close-knit family group. She is all over the house, from the floor to the roof. Nothing happens without her knowledge. She decorates the house and makes the children’s bed cosy and warm. She also protects the children from all dangers. She is the door that guards against all kinds of troubles and tribulations that come to pester the inmates. At the end of the poem, the wonhan prays to Jesus to spare her life till her children aiseproperly grown up.
The poem has simple language. The entirë poem is an exquisite metaphor. The imagery is great. The poem is in rhyme. Except in the first stanza, the rhyme scheme is abab. Between the two poems, I prefer “Any Woman” by Katharine Tynan.