Class:12(Opt.English)
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Major English
Model Question with Solution
Group A: Choose and reproduce the optimal response.
(11x1=11)
1. What is a dead language?
i. One that is no longer used in ordinary life.
ii. One that no one uses anymore.
iii. One that is studied only for ritualistic purposes.
iv. One that is lost to the past.
Answer: i. A language no longer used in everyday life.
(Explanation: A dead language, like Latin, is a language which is no longer used in everyday life but may still be studied or used in some environments, like the academy or religion.)
2. The Indo-European family includes. languages.
i. English, German, Swedish
ii. Latin, French and Modern languages
iii. Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit
iv. Welsh, Irish, Latin
Answer: iii. Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit
(Explanation: The Indo-European language family includes languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Sanskrit (Indo-Aryan branch), as well as English, German, and Latin. However, option iii is the most specific and accurate here.)
3. Mother tongue influence may best be minimized in class by .
i. employing the mother tongue less frequently
ii. providing examples in the mother tongue
iii. providing plenty of exposure in the target language
iv. providing inputs from the target language in a simple graded form
Answer: iii.
providing lots of exposure in the target language
(Explanation: Immersing students in the target language reduces the usage of the mother tongue, allowing them to think and express themselves in the target language.)
4. What was the manner in which Sherlock Holmes solved the case in the story 'The Three Students'?
i. It was a wild guess.
ii. He observed the culprit make a copy of the test.
iii. He knew that the culprit was tall and athletic.
iv. He didn't crack the case at all.
Answer: iii. He knew the culprit was tall and athletic.
(Explanation: In "The Three Students," Holmes deduces the criminal by observing physical cues, such as the height necessary to see the exam sheets and pencil shavings as a mark of an athlete's hold.)
5. Why does the mother disagree with Aloo in the story 'Leaving'?
i. She does not like him.
ii. She hates America.
iii. She is afraid he will not return home.
iv. She is stubborn.
Answer: iii. She is afraid he will not return home.
(Explanation: In "Leaving" by M.G. Vassanji, the mother is worried that if Aloo moves to America for schooling, he will end up settling there and never return to his family in Tanzania.)
6. In the last line of 'Once More to the Lake', the narrator senses.
i. like dancing.
ii. the chill of death.
iii. a storm coming on
iv. the clean hair of the waitress.
Answer: ii. the chill of death.
(Explanation: The narrator of E.B. White's, contemplating the passage of time and the maturation of his son, is suddenly confronted with his own mortality, "the chill of death.")
7. The Fool calls King Lear a fool for what?
i. seeking the fool
ii. parting with his lands.
iii. hitting Oswald.
iv. Leaving his palace.
Answer: ii. giving away his lands.
(Explanation: In Shakespeare's King Lear, the Fool reproaches Lear for distributing his kingdom to his daughters and refers to him as a fool for giving up his power and protection.)
8. In Spring, the narrator portrays himself as. .
i. magical
ii. mischievous
iii. obstinate
iv. a man with rough fingers
Answer: ii. mischievous
(Explanation: In a piece of literature (most probably a poem or essay), the self-description by the narrator as "mischievous" in Spring aligns with the playful and energetic characteristics of the season.)
9. What would Larry say to Joe he would do to him if they were both in the same room in the play 'All My Sons'?
i. Forgive him
ii. Hug him
iii. Kill him
iv. Punch him
Answer: iii. Kill him
(Explanation: In Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Larry's letter discloses his extreme anger towards his father, Joe Keller, for his involvement in the defective airplane parts scandal, that he would kill him if they encounter each other.)
10. What sarcastic term does Sue use to describe the Kellers in the play 'All My Sons'?
i. The holy family.
ii. The United Nations.
iii. The band of thieves.
iv. The three little pigs.
Answer: i. The holy family.
(Explanation: Sue Baylissironically refers to the Kellers as "the holy family" to ridicule their perceived moral rectitude, even though Joe is guilty in the scandal.)
11. Who are the subaltern?
i. Any person possessing hegemonic power.
ii. Any person who belongs to elite class.
iii. People who are placed in lower rank or status.
iv. Historians.
Answer: iii. People who are placed in lower rank or status.
(Explanation: The term "subaltern," popularized by theorists like Gayatri Spivak, is employed to refer to oppressed groups with no voice and power in society, the lower or oppressed classes, for instance.)
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Group B: Answer the following questions briefly. (8x5=40)
12. Are British English and American English two different languages? How are they different? Give examples.
Answer: British English and American English are not two different languages but two varieties of the same language, English, which have different vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and grammar.
They are mutually intelligible, i.e., speakers of one can normally understand the other. For example, in vocabulary, British English uses "lorry" while American English uses "truck," and "flat" (British) and "apartment" (American). Spelling differences include "colour" (British) versus "color" (American) and "organise" (British) versus "organize" (American). Pronunciation varies, such as the British "schedule" (/ˈʃɛdjuːl/) versus the American (/ˈskɛdʒuːl/). Grammar differences include the British use of the present perfect tense ("I’ve just eaten") versus the American simple past ("I just ate"). Despite these differences, they share the same core grammar and vocabulary, making them dialects, not separate languages.
13.
Compare different types of translation.
Answer: There are several kinds of translation, each to be used for a particular reason. Literal translation is word-for-word precise, and attempts to preserve the syntax of the original language, but sounds unnatural (for instance, translating "Il pleut des cordes" from French to "It rains ropes" instead of "It's pouring"). Free translation prioritizes meaning and naturalness over structure, shaping the text to the target language's culture (translating the same French sentence as "It's raining cats and dogs"). Semantic translation balances fidelity to the original text and readability, maintaining the original sense while adhering to style (translating a formal letter while maintaining its tone). Communicative translation focuses on the reader's understanding, typically paraphrasing for clarity (e.g., explaining technical terminology to a wide readership). Lastly, machine translation (e.g., Google Translate) is mechanical but usually blunt, requiring human adjustment for accuracy.
Answer: There are several kinds of translation, each to be used for a particular reason. Literal translation is word-for-word precise, and attempts to preserve the syntax of the original language, but sounds unnatural (for instance, translating "Il pleut des cordes" from French to "It rains ropes" instead of "It's pouring"). Free translation prioritizes meaning and naturalness over structure, shaping the text to the target language's culture (translating the same French sentence as "It's raining cats and dogs"). Semantic translation balances fidelity to the original text and readability, maintaining the original sense while adhering to style (translating a formal letter while maintaining its tone). Communicative translation focuses on the reader's understanding, typically paraphrasing for clarity (e.g., explaining technical terminology to a wide readership). Lastly, machine translation (e.g., Google Translate) is mechanical but usually blunt, requiring human adjustment for accuracy.
14. What does the tale tell us about
ecology and human existence? (Devil Deer)
Answer: In Roberto
Cotroneo's "Devil Deer," the story follows the thin line between nature and
human life with the metaphor of a deer invading a
small village.
The "devil" deer symbolizes the power and capriciousness of nature invading human lands and causing fear and destruction.
The story suggests that human attempts to dominate or control nature (e.g., by hunting or civilization) are bound to have unforeseen consequences, destroying ecological balance. It highlights the interdependence of humans and nature, illustrating how ecological disturbances—like the deer's presence—reflect deeper imbalances in human behavior, such as greed or callousness towards the environment. The tale warns that overstepping ecological boundaries can lead to conflict and loss, urging humans to live in respect with nature and not to abuse it, emphasizing the need for sustainable living to maintain ecological balance.
The "devil" deer symbolizes the power and capriciousness of nature invading human lands and causing fear and destruction.
The story suggests that human attempts to dominate or control nature (e.g., by hunting or civilization) are bound to have unforeseen consequences, destroying ecological balance. It highlights the interdependence of humans and nature, illustrating how ecological disturbances—like the deer's presence—reflect deeper imbalances in human behavior, such as greed or callousness towards the environment. The tale warns that overstepping ecological boundaries can lead to conflict and loss, urging humans to live in respect with nature and not to abuse it, emphasizing the need for sustainable living to maintain ecological balance.
15. What is
the contrast White makes between the sea and a lake, and
why does he make this contrast at the very beginning of the essay? (Once More
to the Lake) Answer: In E.B. White's "Once More to the Lake,"
White contrasts the sea with the lake to emphasize their different emotional
and sensory impacts. White calls the sea enormous, troubled,
and stormy, evoking a sense of awe and unpredictability, whereas the
lake is serene, close, and still, evoking a sense of
peace and nostalgia.
For example, he compares the "saltiness" and "unrest" of the sea to the "holy quiet" of the lake. White does this at first to set the tone for his reflective journey, and the lake thereby becomes a sacred, timelessness location where he can recapture his boyhood memories. This contrast also presages the essay's progression of time—while the sea represents the inevitable passage of life, the lake represents a stuck moment of remembrance, leading the reader up to White's examination of death and memory.
For example, he compares the "saltiness" and "unrest" of the sea to the "holy quiet" of the lake. White does this at first to set the tone for his reflective journey, and the lake thereby becomes a sacred, timelessness location where he can recapture his boyhood memories. This contrast also presages the essay's progression of time—while the sea represents the inevitable passage of life, the lake represents a stuck moment of remembrance, leading the reader up to White's examination of death and memory.
16.
What are arguments presented by the author in
favor of lean production? Provide their examples as well. (How
Lean Production Can Change the World)
Answer: In James P.
Womack's "How Lean Production Can Change the World," the author argues
that lean production promotes efficiency, does away with
wastage, and improves quality for the company's and society's
advantage. To begin with, lean production curtails wastage by simplifying processes, for instance, that of Toyota whereby only
necessary components are produced in order to
minimize excess inventory. Second, it improves quality by allowing employees to pick up and correct errors in
the process of production, as compared to traditional mass manufacturing wherein errors
accumulate (e.g., Toyota's "stop the line" policy).
Third, it improves flexibility, allowing companies to quickly adapt to customer requirements, as with Dell's build-to-order model for computers.
Finally, lean production encourages sustainability through reducing the consumption of resources, as with Toyota's lower energy use than traditional manufacturers. Womack asserts that these values have the potential to change industries, economies, and even systems of society for the good, by promoting efficiency and sustainability globally.
Third, it improves flexibility, allowing companies to quickly adapt to customer requirements, as with Dell's build-to-order model for computers.
Finally, lean production encourages sustainability through reducing the consumption of resources, as with Toyota's lower energy use than traditional manufacturers. Womack asserts that these values have the potential to change industries, economies, and even systems of society for the good, by promoting efficiency and sustainability globally.
17.
Why, what could she do being what she is? Was there another Troy for
her to burn? Analyze these lines of the poem 'No
Second Troy' in context.
Answer: In W.B. Yeats' "No
Second Troy," the following lines are employed to speak of
Maud Gonne, the poet's beloved, with whom he equates Helen of Troy: "Why,
what could she have done being what she is? / Was there another Troy for her to
burn?" The speaker (Yeats) reflects on Maud's revolutionary, flame-like personality,
which he respects but regards as destructive.
"Being what sheis" refers to her generous but stubborn disposition, inspired by politics, and to Yeats it represents initiating turmoil, similar to the
cause of Helen's looks inciting the Trojan War ("Troy
for her to burn"). The question has an underlying
sense of inevitability as it implies Maud was simply behaving the way she could not have
acted differently.
The reference to Troy implies there is no contemporary parallel on whom she can exercise havoc, though her influence remains to cause unrest in Yeats' soul as well as within Irish politics and unites individual and historical tragedy.
The reference to Troy implies there is no contemporary parallel on whom she can exercise havoc, though her influence remains to cause unrest in Yeats' soul as well as within Irish politics and unites individual and historical tragedy.
18. How is the gender perspective different from the class perspective in considering literature? Why?.
Answer: In
literary theory, the gender approach examines how gender
roles, identities, and power dynamics affect narrative, characters,
and themes, while the class approach examines social hierarchy,
economic status, and class struggle. The gender approach examines how
literature reflects or subverts patriarchal conventions, i.e., how women are depicted as
submissive in Victorian fiction (e.g., Jane Eyre's struggle for
autonomy in Charlotte Brontë's novel). It also looks at
queer and non-binary identities, such as in Virginia Woolf's
Orlando. Another is the class point of view,
focusing on economic disparities and class conflict, such as
the working class's exploitation in Charles Dickens' Hard
Times, where factory workers are worst affected by industrial
capitalism. While gender perspective can lament a woman character's
oppression regardless of class, the class perspective can be interested in her
economic status, showing how the two perspectives overlap but highlight different
aspects of identity and power in literature.
19. Write a short note on any one of: a. The character perspective, b. Cultural perspective
Answer (Choosing b. Cultural perspective):
The cultural perspective literary analysis considers how a work of literature reflects, satirizes, or is shaped by the cultural situation in which it was composed or happens. It considers traditions, beliefs, values, and social mores of a particular culture and examines how these affect characters, themes, and narratives. For example, in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, a cultural approach highlights the traditional values of the Igbo, such as communalism and respect for elderly people, and how these are transgressed by British imperialism. An approach like this also analyzes how literature sustains or subverts cultural identities, as is the case with the novel's reliance on oral discourse. By focusing on cultural elements, this approach reveals greater meaning in terms of identity, belonging, and the impact of cultural tensions, and therefore it is a fundamental tool for literary analysis in the broader social context. ----
Group C: Answer long questions. (3x8=24)
20. What are the characteristics of Paul's appearance and conduct, as observed by his teachers, which indicate that he is abnormal? Give examples. (Paul's Case)
19. Write a short note on any one of: a. The character perspective, b. Cultural perspective
Answer (Choosing b. Cultural perspective):
The cultural perspective literary analysis considers how a work of literature reflects, satirizes, or is shaped by the cultural situation in which it was composed or happens. It considers traditions, beliefs, values, and social mores of a particular culture and examines how these affect characters, themes, and narratives. For example, in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, a cultural approach highlights the traditional values of the Igbo, such as communalism and respect for elderly people, and how these are transgressed by British imperialism. An approach like this also analyzes how literature sustains or subverts cultural identities, as is the case with the novel's reliance on oral discourse. By focusing on cultural elements, this approach reveals greater meaning in terms of identity, belonging, and the impact of cultural tensions, and therefore it is a fundamental tool for literary analysis in the broader social context. ----
Group C: Answer long questions. (3x8=24)
20. What are the characteristics of Paul's appearance and conduct, as observed by his teachers, which indicate that he is abnormal? Give examples. (Paul's Case)
Answer: In Willa Cather's
"Paul's Case," Paul's appearance and bearing, as observed by his
teachers, mark him as abnormal, evidence of his estrangement from the actual
world and absorption in a romantic, man-made one.
Physically, Paul's appearance is theatrical but disquieting—his
teachers remark upon his "dandified" appearance,
such as the red carnation that he wears in his buttonhole,
which they find inappropriate for a schoolboy. His "hysterical
brilliancy" in his eyes and over mannered conduct, including his overdone politeness, cause him to come
on as theatrical rather than genuine. On a behavioral level,
Paul is rebellious; he smirks and is contemptuous of his
teachers, as seen when he responds to their questions in a
"smart" tone, demonstrating his disdain for their
authority. His teachers also observe his nervous mannerisms, such as constantly playing with his
collar, evidencing anxiety and unease in his world.
For example, during a hearing for disciplinary action, Paul's "smiling" and "fidgeting" conflict with expected remorse, making him aloof and unremorseful.
Together, these traits signify Paul's abnormality—his inability to conform to society and obsession with an idealized, escapist world of art and luxury, which ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.
21. How did Milton use the progression of events to introduce issues with a mystical solution in Sonnet 8? Explain.
Answer: In John Milton's Sonnet 8 ("When the Assault Was Intended to the City"), Milton uses the backdrop of the English Civil War (1642) to reflect on the question of cultural preservation amidst political turmoil, and offers a mystical resolution through the power of poetry and the protection of God. The sonnet was written at a point where London was under threat of the probable attack by Royalists, and hence a sense of danger pervades the atmosphere. Milton takes his poetry to serve as a protector, invoking the classical muses and the mythological Pallas (Athena), goddess of wisdom and war, as a bulwark to the city. He suspects that his lines, written on his door, will keep the enemy away, as if poetry has a hypnotic, magical quality. He writes, for example, "Captain or Colonel, or Knight in Arms, / Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seize," as if to suggest that soldiers can be swayed by the beauty of his poetry. The mystical solution is in Milton's belief that poetry's cultural heritage—being linked with divine inspiration—is powerful enough to transcend the material strife and provide spiritual protection. It reflects Milton's faith in the perdurable powers of art for resolving human dilemma on a superior, nigh magical, plane by reconciling reality of war's threat with poetry's perception of protective magic.
For example, during a hearing for disciplinary action, Paul's "smiling" and "fidgeting" conflict with expected remorse, making him aloof and unremorseful.
Together, these traits signify Paul's abnormality—his inability to conform to society and obsession with an idealized, escapist world of art and luxury, which ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.
21. How did Milton use the progression of events to introduce issues with a mystical solution in Sonnet 8? Explain.
Answer: In John Milton's Sonnet 8 ("When the Assault Was Intended to the City"), Milton uses the backdrop of the English Civil War (1642) to reflect on the question of cultural preservation amidst political turmoil, and offers a mystical resolution through the power of poetry and the protection of God. The sonnet was written at a point where London was under threat of the probable attack by Royalists, and hence a sense of danger pervades the atmosphere. Milton takes his poetry to serve as a protector, invoking the classical muses and the mythological Pallas (Athena), goddess of wisdom and war, as a bulwark to the city. He suspects that his lines, written on his door, will keep the enemy away, as if poetry has a hypnotic, magical quality. He writes, for example, "Captain or Colonel, or Knight in Arms, / Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seize," as if to suggest that soldiers can be swayed by the beauty of his poetry. The mystical solution is in Milton's belief that poetry's cultural heritage—being linked with divine inspiration—is powerful enough to transcend the material strife and provide spiritual protection. It reflects Milton's faith in the perdurable powers of art for resolving human dilemma on a superior, nigh magical, plane by reconciling reality of war's threat with poetry's perception of protective magic.
22. How is Joe Keller portrayed as
both tragic hero and villain in All My Sons?
Answer: In Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Joe Keller is portrayed as both tragic hero and villain, symbolizing the conflict between personal ambition and moral duty.
As tragic hero, Joe is an ordinary man with a failing whose downfall is due to his hamartia—his putting family ahead of ethics. He sells faulty airplane parts during World War II in order to save his company, believing he is protecting his family's future, as he says, "I did it for you, Chris." His hamartia is that he can't see the bigger picture in what he does, and he causes 21 pilots to be killed, indirectly causing his son Larry to commit suicide. Joe's ultimate acknowledgment of his own guilt—"They were all my sons"—and his suicide mark his tragic path, calling forth pity as he wrestles with his moral failure. Joe is also a villain due to his selfishness and immorality in his conduct, sacrificing societal norms for his own advantages. He lets his partner, Steve Deever, take the blame, showing cowardice, and his denial of responsibility—“I’m in business, a man is in business”—reveals his moral corruption. Miller uses Joe to critique the American Dream’s darker side, presenting him as a complex figure whose tragic heroism is overshadowed by his villainous choices, making him both sympathetic and reprehensible.
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Answer: In Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Joe Keller is portrayed as both tragic hero and villain, symbolizing the conflict between personal ambition and moral duty.
As tragic hero, Joe is an ordinary man with a failing whose downfall is due to his hamartia—his putting family ahead of ethics. He sells faulty airplane parts during World War II in order to save his company, believing he is protecting his family's future, as he says, "I did it for you, Chris." His hamartia is that he can't see the bigger picture in what he does, and he causes 21 pilots to be killed, indirectly causing his son Larry to commit suicide. Joe's ultimate acknowledgment of his own guilt—"They were all my sons"—and his suicide mark his tragic path, calling forth pity as he wrestles with his moral failure. Joe is also a villain due to his selfishness and immorality in his conduct, sacrificing societal norms for his own advantages. He lets his partner, Steve Deever, take the blame, showing cowardice, and his denial of responsibility—“I’m in business, a man is in business”—reveals his moral corruption. Miller uses Joe to critique the American Dream’s darker side, presenting him as a complex figure whose tragic heroism is overshadowed by his villainous choices, making him both sympathetic and reprehensible.
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