Subject: English
Class IX
Time Allowed: 3 hours
Max. Marks: 80
General Instructions:
SECTION A-READING
1. Read the passage given below:
Think about love, care and affection and there are certain faces that start flashing right in front of Our eyes, may be of our parents, siblings or friends. But have you ever thought about love and your ‘furry friends’ together? If yes, then you are among those fortunate ones who understand the real love and have experienced it at some point of your life.
Pets, especially dogs, are amazing creatures that show unconditional love to us, in case we have one we experience it on daily basis. They are pure, simple and loving and set an example for us to have stronger personal relationships in life. They are as loyal as can be. They help you stand tall in the most difficult times of your life. They will support you when everybody else opposes you.
Generally, our buddy forever’ is adopted when he’s a puppy of around 5-6 weeks. Since the day, the new house becomes his own abode. Being close to each and every member of the family, the little one’ starts observing the behaviour of each family member. A subtle change in our demeanour can be noticed by our pets. They start showing their concern with a gentle nudge of a wet nose or a lick on the hand. The everyday greeting ritual, i.e., the springing dash to the door is a sign of the strength of the human-canine bond.
The bond between a human and its pet works as a stress-buster, and that is the reason the number of pet owners is on a rise especially in urban areas. Looking a dog into his eyes, feeding him, the long playful walks with him, bathing him are some of the activities that are really calming and keep one get going and look forward to reach back to those innocent eyes waiting anxiously for you after a long hectic day. Dogs are the only species that possess the human quality of running to its human when he feels unsafe, or is anxious or just happy.
Other than being pets, dogs are trained for larger issues. Dogs provide phenomenal help dealing with security issues. They don’t falter under difficult situations. They also have major role in rescuing people stuck getting hit by natural calamities. They are a big help to people with health issues.
What does a dog tell when waging its tail or looking intently into your eyes? Do you understand this language of unconditional love? If you nod in affirmation, you are ready to adopt one and bring joy into your and your loved ones’ life.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow:
(i) Love, care and affection are ______________
(a) human attributes
(b) attributes reflected in animal behaviour
(c) characteristics reflected through both human and animal behaviour
(d) All of the above
View Answer(i) The term ‘furry friends’ refers to __________
(a) pets in general
(b) humans
(c) birds
(d) dogs
View Answer(iii) People __________ are blessed.
(a) who know the meaning of unconditional love
(b) receiving love and affection from their offspring
(c) who have pets at home.
(d) who love animals
View Answer(iv) Choose the most appropriate option for dogs as pets:
Dogs are __________
(a) loving caring, demanding
(b) helpful, observant, supportive
(c) docile, obedient, temperamental
(d) attention-seekers, givers, robust
View Answer(v) The word that belongs to the category – attitude, behaviour, manner, is ____________
(a) nudge
(b) demeanour
(c) phenomena
(d) dash
View Answervi) The human-canine bond refers to _____________
(a) man-animal bond
(b) man-pet bond
(c) man-cat bond
(d) man-dog bond
View Answer(vii) Dogs express their love towards their human by________
(a) wagging their tails
(b) waiting for their masters
(c) nudging by wet nose
(d) All of the above
View Answer(viii) What does wet nose of a dog reflect?
(a) Their love towards their master
(b) Their well-being
(c)Their temperament
(d) Nothing in specific
View Answer(ix) The word ‘nudge’ means _____________
(a) a pull
(b) a hard push
(c) a gentle prod
(d) a sudden movement
View Answer(x) Why is the number of pet owners on a rise?
(a) Because it’s affordable for people in urban areas
(b) To counter the increasing stress levels
(c) For safety reasons
(d) Because it’s a status symbol to own a pet
View Answer(xi) What do you understand by the term ‘unconditional love’?
(a) Loving someone hoping to receive happiness in return
(b) Love based on pre-conditions
(c) Materialistic love
(d) A bond with balanced and measured love
View Answer(xii) The word ‘falter means____________
(a) weaken
(6) strengthen
(c) support
(d) force
View Answer2. Read the passage given below:
Not long ago, builders sold this city in Rajasthan’s Alwar district as a tranquil, unpolluted residential destination, but today it wears a different crown. In March, Swiss firm 1QAir labelled it the most polluted city in the world based on the concentration of ultrafine particles (PM 2.5) in its air. Bhiwadi’s average PM 2.5 level through 2021 was 106.2 ug/m3 when Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, averaged 96.4 fig/m3.
In Bhiwadi – also called the gateway to Rajasthan – coarse dust is everywhere, from trees to street signage, house windows and parked cars, but the high concentration of PM 2.5 is down to local emissions. The city has 1,766 industrial units and 400 large furnaces the largest concentration of manufacturing units in the National Capital Region. An IIT Kanpur study published in 2020 says the 400 furnaces are big polluters “due to the use of coal, wood, and other solid fuels.”
The study unsurprisingly found dust (48%) to be the biggest air pollutant in Bhiwadi, but industrial sources (27%o) and industrial waste (6%) together made the problem severe. Vehicles accounted for 12% of the emissions, and garbage burning also raised overall levels.
Bhiwadi’s proximity to Gurugram, Faridabad and Delhi, and location on the Delhi-Jaipur highway attracted industries. The city now has three major designated industrial areas- Bhiwadi Industrial Area (BIA), Chopanki and Khuskhera. BIA, which has many metal fabrication, chemical, plastic, food processing and rubber goods factories, contributes 65% of the industrial pollution load, found the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Sandeep Yadav, the Congress MLA from Tijara constituency in Alwar district, said, “On industrial pollution, I raised the question twice in the Assembly but never got a satisfactory answer. I will raise the issue once again in the House.”
The IIT study found only a 2 sq km area in Bhiwadi could be called ‘green’, based on land use. The city needs a plan to improve its green cover which can act as a buffer for the dust.
Bhiwadi’s industrial prosperity has also meant round-the-year construction, especially along Alwar bypass road and the UTI residential area. Walking for even five minutes in these areas may make you cough.
The smokey air around the industrial areas turns acrid whenever the waste dumped outside factories is burnt.
Alwar’s chief medical officer Dr OP Meena said cases of cough, respiratory distress, eye and skin problems, bronchitis, etc. increase in winter. “High density of industries and emissions make Bhiwadi residents prone to such diseases.’
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow:
(i) In which state is the city Bhiwadi situated ?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Haryana
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Punjab
View Answer(ii) Bhiwadi is ranked as _________
(a) world’s topmost industrial hub
(b) world’s most backward city
(c) world’s most progressive city
(d) world’s most polluted city
View Answer(ii) What are PM 2.5 pollutants?
(a) Tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy.
(b) Dust particles which always hang in the air.
(c) Pollutants caused by smoke from factories.
(d) Pollutants that appear at high altitudes.
View Answeriv) The top source of pollution in Bhiwadi is ________
(a) industrial area sources
(b) dust
(c) vehicles
(d) industrial waste
View Answer(v) In India, ___________ is the most unsuitable place to live.
(a) Delhi
(b) National Capital Region
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Gurugram
View Answer(vi) What makes Bhiwadi suitable to be an industrial town ?
(a) Availability of land
(b) Its climate
(c) Close proximity to NCR
(d) Promotion by government
View Answer(vi) The total number of factories in the city is___________
(a) 27
(b) 1766
(c) 400
(d) None of the above
View Answer(viii) The factor/factors responsible for worsening the condition of pollution on the city:
(a) Meagre proportion of green cover
(b) Concentration of polluting factories in the area
(c) High rate of construction activities
(d) All of the above
View Answer(ix) Ailment/ailments that would be affecting residents of Bhiwadi:
(x) What precaution would be beneficial for the residents?
(a) Using mask
(b) Staying indoors
(c) Keeping surroundings green and clean
(d) All of the above
View Answer(xi) Which of the following contributes the least to the pollution in Bhiwadi?
(a) Dust
(b) Vehicles
(c) Industrial waste
(d) Other factors
View Answer(xii) As per the given figures, the second most polluted city in the world is in ___________
(a) Pakistan
(b) China
(c) USA
(d) Europe
View AnswerSECTION B- WRITING SKILL AND GRAMMAR
Do as directed. Each blank carries one mark
3. Complete the following dialogues converting the direct speech into the indirect one:
Mother said to Rita (i) ________________ . To which Rita replied (ii) ___________ . She further complained saying (iii) ___________.
(i) (a) that she had to finish her food
(b) to finish her food
(c) that Rita has to finish her food
(d) that she has to finish your food
View Answer(ii) (a) that she doesn’t want to have this
(b) that she wouldn’t have that
(c) that she didn’t want to have that
(d) that I didn’t want to have that
View Answer(iii) (a) that she has never given her a pizza or a burger
(b) that she never gave her a pizza or a burger
(c) that her mom has never given her a pizza or a burger
(d) that she never gives her a pizza or a burger
View Answer4. Find the error in each line of the following passage that has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction against each line of the passage. The first one has been done.
Incorrect Correction
Red beans and rice are my favourite meal. Five dollars eg are is
is needed to buy this meal. I always prefers (a) ______ _________
to have it hot and fresh. May you (b) ______ _________
want to try? We should go together (c) ______ _________
if you wish. (d) ______ _________
View AnswerAns. Incorrect Correction
(a) prefers prefer
(b) May Would
(c) should may
5. Attempt any four parts of the six given below:
(i) Choose the most suitable option to transform the form of the given sentence keeping the meaning intact.
As soon as he got a placement abroad, he left the country.
(a) No sooner did he get a placement abroad than he left the country.
(b) He got a placement abroad than he left the country.
(c) He waited for the placement to go to abroad.
(d) He got the placement and he left the country.
View Answer(ii) Change the interrogative to an assertive sentence.
What is the matter?
(a) I would know about the matter.
(b) I would like to know about the matter
(c) I would like to know the matter.
(d) Tell me about the matter.
View Answer(iii) ____________ of the cakes had been baked last night.
(a) Most
(b) Every
(c) Many
(d) Much
View Answer(iv) There is much milk in the fridge. You ________ buy any
(a) should not
(b) must not
(c) need not
(d) would not
View Answer(v) We ________ follow traffic rules to avoid chaos on roads.
(a) could
(b) would
(c) may
(d) must
View Answer(vi) Navjot Singh, the poet and the composer, (b) has passed away.
(a) have
(b) has
(c) are
(d) had
View Answer6. Attempt any one of the two given below:
Being the ‘Student of the Year is a special achievement. I have been an all-rounder student but I never competed against anyone to be at the top. Contented with my own efforts, I have always tried to be the better version of myself. When I won the award, it was the most surprising moment of my life, though a ‘pleasant’ one.
Describe the situation that earned you the ‘Student of the Year’ award in 10-120 words.
View AnswerAns. The session was going to end and the school had organised the Achiever’s Awards Ceremony to give recognition to the bright intellects of the year. I wanted to attend the ceremony as it has always been the event that remained closest to my heart. The programme started with ‘Saraswati Vandana’ to honour the goddess of ‘education’. The programme started though the chief guest arrival was still awaited. After a gap of 15 minutes, the chief guest arrived and I was assigned with the duty of presenting the welcome-bouquet to him. After his address, the programme started with everyone seated at their respective places. The audience enjoyed students’ performances which were made possible after months of practice and hard work. And it was the time for the most awaited part of the event to start, The Achiever’s Awards. Everyone was excited to know about the achievements, in sports, in academics and over-all excellence awards. There was happiness on the faces of the achievers and people who accompanied them. And then all of a sudden, I got to hear my name. I was surprised as it was for the ‘Student of the Year’ award. I knew that my over-all performance throughout the year remained good but I had never expected it to happen. My name was announced again and my friend sitting beside me nudged me. I rushed towards the stage to receive the award. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I thanked the God almighty, my parents and my teachers for always showing me the right path.
OR
Describe your dance teacher in 100-120 words relating the description with the image given below.
Ans. The images of awards and trophies always remind me of my dance teacher as her room in the school of these things which speak of her mettle as a dancer. I have come across many dance teachers during my journey as a student but no one could match the calibre of Ms. Shalini Bindra, my dance teacher in my present school. She is of Indian origin but the finesse she has achieved in different dance forms is amazing. Be it Indian classical dance or delicate Salsa moves, the elegance in her way of dancing is appreciable. She is 35 years old but can beat a teenager with her energy and enthusiasm for dancing. She’s a great mentor too. I feel so fortunate to learn the art of dancing under her supervision. She has been praised by the top dancers of the country for her dancing skills. When she dances, her movements sway the air. Besides being our dance teacher, she also performs at national level as well as international level. She has won accolades for the school and has represented the country globally. She’s an ideal to me and I wish her all the success in the years ahead. May she keep on encouraging us to learn the art of dancing.
7. Attempt any one of the following:
Something caught your attention while going for your regular morning walk. Share your feelings with your diary about the same.
View AnswerAns. Tuesday, December 20, 20..
10 p.m.
Dear Diary
It’s time to chit-chat with my best friend and that’s you. Today it was a busy day for me and more than that it was troubling. I was out in the morning for my regular walk. I was walking on the walking path when a dirty corner of the road caught my attention. The sight became even more troubling as the heap of garbage was lying right below a billboard boasting about the success of ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’, It really made me disappointed and I started thinking about where we lack. There were many questions that immediately struck my mind, aren’t we responsible for our own actions; is there any duty of the citizens towards their country or we just become vocal about our rights; what are government departments doing? With so many questions pricking my mind, I could not continue walking and came back home. The first thing I did afterwards to write a mail to the local authorities for our sector bringing the issue to their notice. I’m sure they will take a proper action to ensure cleanliness all around. I have also suggested them to impose penalties against the people indulging in littering around. Let’s see what will be the outcome. Hoping for the best to happen. Good night. See you tomorrow with the hope of finding cleaner and calmer surroundings.
Anuj
OR
Develop a story in about 100-120 words based on the hints given below:
An autistic child – very intelligent- feels lonely – gets the attention of the teacher – spends time with him- notices a change in the boy- became pally with everyone- gets shifted to some other place still remembers all of us.
View AnswerAns. This incident goes a couple of years back. There was an autistic boy in my class. He was very intelligent but used to feel shy interacting with people. He had the answers to all the questions but sharing them with the rest of the class was a problem. He preferred to sit alone as closeness to anyone made him uncomfortable. Our English teacher noticed his behaviour. She observed him for about a week and then decided to get to the root of the problem. She started trying to interact with the child. After successive trials, my teacher managed to have a word with him. She initiated with casual talks leading to specific meaningful discussions. The boy also found a confidante in her. Meeting alone with the boy boosting his confidence, the teacher gradually started roping in more children and I became a part of the core group. Within months, everyone noticed a drastic change in the boy. He became pally interacting with everyone and with rippling confidence became everyone’s favourite. His innocence was infectious and everyone started knowing him because of his wit. He left the school after 2 years as his father got posted to some other place. He still remembers us and is still in touch with most of us.
SECTION C-LITERATURE
8. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one, by answering the questions that follow:
“Kezia,” Mother would call to her, “if you’re a good girl you can come down and take off father’s boots.” Slowly the girl would slip down the stairs, more slowly still across the hall, and push open the drawing-room door.
By that time, he had his spectacles on and looked at her over them in a way that was terrifying to the little girl.
(i) How would the father speak once he’s back from office?
(a) In a low voice as he’s tired
(b) In a loud voice to show authority
(c) Politely to show concern
(d) Lovingly to express love
View Answer(ii) Mother would call Kezia down to ______________
(a) take off father’s boots
(b) give him newspaper
(c) give him a cup of tea
(d) All of the above
View Answer(iii) How would the little girl reach her father and why?
(a) Hurriedly as she is afraid of him
(b) Quickly as commanded by the mother
(c) Slowly as she doesn’t want to go to her father
(d) None of the above
View Answer(iv) Why would Kezia feel scared of his father?
(a) The father might scold her for reaching late.
(b) The father always finds excuses to scold Kezia.
(c) Father would wear spectacles and give a terrifying look to Kezia.
(d) All of the above
View Answer(v) The way Kezia reaches the drawing-room shows her __________ to see her father.
(a) disinterest
(b) indifference
(c) disrespect
(d) disillusionment
View AnswerOR
I was one of many children – a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. We lived in our ancestral house, which was built in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was a fairly large pucca house, made of limestone and brick, on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram. My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries. However, all necessities were provided for, in terms of food, medicine or clothes. In fact, I would say mine was a very secure childhood, both materially and emotionally.
(i) Who is “I” in the given extract?
(a) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
(b) Kalam’s father
(c) The author
(d) None of the above
View Answer(i) The speaker had ________
(a) extra ordinary looks
(b) noticeable appearance
(c) ordinary looks
(d) unkempt looks
View Answer(iii) Choose the correct statement
(a) My father provided all the luxuries of life to the family.
(b) The boy lived in a small house.
(c) The daily requirements were ensured to the family.
(d) Kalam had a deprived childhood.
View Answer(iv) Kalam’s parents had _________
(a) impressive personality
(b) average personality
(c) simple though distinguished personality
(d) unpleasant personality
View Answer(v) An antonym for ‘austere’ ____________
(a) demanding
(b) gentle
(c) indecisive
(d) hard
View Answer9. Read the extracts given below and attempt any one, by answering the questions that follow:
Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,
crumbling uwood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,
crumbling hearts
the wind god winnows and crushes them all.
(i) Which of the following images is most relevant for the essence of the extract?
(ii) Which poetic device is used in first three lines?
(a) Alliteration
(b) Assonance
(c) Anaphora
(d) None of the above
View Answer(iii) What is “winnowing”?
(a) To sort things
(b) To get rid of impurities
(c) To destroy the harmful stuff
(d) To store the desirable things
View Answer(iv) The wind is symbolic of_________ of life.
(a) strength and energ8y
(b) challenges and destruction
(c) calamity and calmness
(d) tortures and tremor
View Answer(v) The wind is compared to the god because:
(a) The wind is as powerful as the god is.
(b) It acts in the same manner as the god does of destroying the weak element and protecting the strong.
(c) The wind has the supreme power.
(d) The justice by the wind is unbiased and perfect.
View AnswerOR
Away, away in the Northland,
Where the hours of the day are few,
And the nights are so long in winter That they cannot sleep them through;
Where they harness the swift reindeer
To the sledges, when it snows;
And the children look like bear’s cubs
In their funny, furry clothes:
(i) Where is Northland located?
(a) New Zealand
(b) Holland
(c) Scotland
(d) Iceland
View Answer(ii) Which of the following options prove that nights are very long in Northland?
(a) The nights are extremely cold.
(b) The people can’t sleep the nights through.
(c) The nights are quite uncomfortable.
(d) None of the above
View Answer(iii) How can it be proved that Northland is a very cold area?
(a) Reindeers are found here.
(b) It snows a lot here.
(c) Children wear thick furry clothes.
(d) All of the above
View Answer(iv) Children look like
(a) funny bears
(b) bears
(c) the young ones of bears
(d) animals with thick fur?
View Answer(v) Why are nights longer in Northland?
(a) Because days are small
(b) Because of its location
(c) Because it always snows
(d) Because of the weather
View Answer10. Attempt any three out of the given four questions in about 40-50 words:
(a) What is the significance of the signboard outside the Pashupatinath temple?
View AnswerAns. The signboard outside the Pashupatinath temple proclaims “Entrance for the Hindus only”. It officially announces that only Hindus are allowed to worship inside the temple, neither any Nepalese nor any westerners. The signboard reflects the sanctity and holiness of the temple as a place of worship. The policemen deputed outside the temple ensure that the rule is implemented strictly to prevent the temple from being treated like a tourist destination. Devotees should enter the temple just for the sake of worshipping without any distraction to hinder their way to be one with their God.
(b) Did Albert possess qualities of being a genius from the very beginning?
View AnswerAns. Albert’s appearance didn’t give any indication of greatness. He was destined to be a genius though his mother thought him to be a freak. As a child, Einstein had a large head and did not start to speak until the age of two-and-a-half years. Even when he started to utter words, he uttered everything twice. He did not interact well with other children, and always played alone. He was popular as ‘Brother Boring’ among his playmates.
(c) Mention the use of the instrument of shehnai originally. What is the role of Ustad Bismillah Khan in widening people’s perspective towards shehnai?
View AnswerAns. The sound of the shehnai began to be considered auspicious. And for this reason, it is still played in temples and is an indispensable component of any North Indian wedding, In the past, it was made a part of the naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts. Till recently, it was only played in the holy temples and on the happy occasions of weddings. Ustad Bismillah Khan brought this instrument to the classical stage and changed the way it was known to be played on just auspicious occasions.
(iv) “She neither hears nor sees”, Explain the statement as described in the poem ‘A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal’.
View AnswerAns. The poem is about the death of a loved one. The poet imagines the girl whom he has lost on the path of life, to be at peace after death. She is in a deep sleep, no longer affected by any sound or sights. She has no concern with worldly affairs or with passage of time. She is now part of nature. She is still and away from the ‘earth’s diurnal course’.
11. Attempt any three out of the given four questions in about 40-50 words:
(a) The child undergoes a dilemma in the lesson “The Lost Child’. Justify it by quoting evidences from the text.
View AnswerAns. The child experiences gaiety all around as he enters the fair. He is attracted by several of the things he sees on the way like toys, sweetmeats, dragonflies, flower garlands, the snake charmer etc. as he moves ahead with his parents. He is secure and safe as he has the company of his parents. But all of a sudden, he loses all interest in the things that he had wanted to own earlier because a sense of fearfulness and insecurity grips him at being separated from his parents. Nothing attracts him anymore and he just wants to be reunited with them. He understands that his parents are the biggest asset to him.
(b) Crandfather was a true animal-lover. Justify the statement with evidence from the lesson.
View AnswerAns. Grandfather was a true animal-lover as he had plenty of pets at home that grandmother always fussed when he brought home some new bird or animal. When Toto was brought home, it was kept a secret from the grandmother and he was put away in a little closet tying him securely to a Peg fastened into a wall. When it was decided to release him, the decorative walls were found as naked brick and plaster, the peg had been wrenched and the narrator’s blazer was turned into rags. Instead of getting upset, grandfather was pleased at Toto’s intelligence and how he had managed to get himself free from the peg he had been tied to.
(c) Describe your observations about the writer’s cat in the lesson ‘A House is not a Home’.
View AnswerAns. The cat was very attached to the writer as it was rescued by her when it was just a kitten. She gave her a good comfortable living and the cat, somehow, knew about it. The writer felt shattered on losing her cat at the time a fire broke out in her house and it got burnt. At the end of the lesson, on their reunion, both the cat and the writer became extremely happy. The cat purred happily, s curled up in her lap, helping the writer overcome the overwhelming feelings of loss and tragedy.
(d) Do you think the beggar went willingly with Sergei when he was offered work by him?
View AnswerAns. The beggar got trapped by his own words and was not left with any option but to follow Sergei to chop wood for him. It was evident by his gait that he consented to work only to save his pride and not to be ashamed. Sergei told Olga to take him to the wood-shed and he shrugged his shoulders in perplexity and went with her half-heartedly. Being a drunkard, he wasn’t left with any energy and strength to work hard and toil.
12. Answer any one out of the following in 100-120 words
What made Gerrard outwit the Intruder? How did it help him?
View AnswerGerrard did not show any signs of anxiety and nervousness on finding a stranger enter his house in order to kill him and take on his identity. Weighing the sensitivity of the situation, he decided not to act impulsively and dealt with the situation by coordinating well between his thought- process and action. He knew that his sense of humour and presence of mind would not only help him to manage the crisis but would also contribute towards unnerving the intruder. He engaged the intruder with his funny remarks, eventually balancing the whole situation into his favour.
Once he found out the Intruder was a criminal, he instantly cooked up a story about his own criminal background. His seamless plan of action convinced the intruder about his story, making him believe that he wasn’t a ‘Sunday-school teacher’ but a crook. Cleverly, he made him peep into the cupboard saying that it was an escape route. Gerrard pushed him into the cupboard knocking the revolver out of his hand. He slammed the cupboard door and locked it with the gun pointed towards the door itself. Thus, his intelligence, sense of humour, and presence of mi to outsmart the real criminal reversing conditions in his own favour.
OR
Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem “The Road Not Taken”. Does it relate to the real-life events?
View AnswerAns. The title of the poem is apt because it concerns a choice to be made between two paths one comes across while walking on the path of road. The poet is tempted to walk on both the roads but he knows it’s not possible. He has to make a choice considerately as the rest of the life will depend on the choice made. He chooses the road less travelled by too many people and many years later, he feels that all the difference in his life is because of the choice he had made years ago. The poem is about making choices, and the choice that shapes us and decides about our future. This kind of experience is very simple and ordinary and most of us face such challenges. One needs to be quite insightful while making such important decisions in life. These situations prove to be the testing-times of our lives and help us be decisive and responsible beings.
13. Answer any one out of the given two question in about 100-120 words
‘Oh, you unlucky man! There is no pleasure for you in this world…’. Do you feel meeting compassionate people in life can bring desired changes in someone’s life?
View AnswerAns. se are the words said by Olga to Lushkoff as she used to experience a whirlpool of emotions on seeing Lushkoff suffer in life due to his own deeds. Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook is responsible for the positive change in him in his conversation with Sergei. He recalls and shares with Sergei how much misery she suffered and how many tears she shed because of him. Sharing with Sergei what used to happen at his place during his visits for chopping wood made Sergei completely surprised as it was disclosed that Lushkoff didn’t even chop one single stick of wood for him. She would curse him by calling him a miserable creature, an unlucky man and a drunkard. Her concern, care and worry for him changed Lushkoff. He stopped drinking and worked hard to improve his life. The changed person Lushkoff was at the end was owing to Olga’s words and noble deeds. Had Lushkoff not met Olga, he would have remained the same old drunkard beggar. Each one of us have some amount of Lushkoff inside us, our fate depends on the fact if we come across any Olga to transform the evil in us into goodness. Meeting the right people in our lives can change our weaknesses into strengths.
OR
Justify the title of the story ‘The Happy Prince’.
View AnswerAns. When the Happy Prince was alive and had a human heart, he was happy and his courtiers used to call him the ‘Happy Prince’. He lived a happy life as no sorrow was allowed to enter his palace. However, the prince was not actually happy because he had never got the chance to witness the misery and plight of his people. He didn’t know what tears were. By keeping him away from sorrow, his human heart was never given a chance to feel agony, suffering and misery. When he died and his statue was placed at the highest point from where he could see the city laid before him, he saw pain, hunger, want, and suffering all around. He saw the ugliness of the world which was not experienced before at all. He had just seen the beautiful and fanciful sight of the life. Now as a statue, he was made to face sadness, challenges of life which made him and really disappointed though his heart is made of lead now, yet he could not choose but to weep. So, the title is justified for his past and brings up the element of irony for the dead prince who had no power to remove the suffering of his people and could not do anything for them but to shed tears.