RBSE Class 12th 2018 -SS-20-2018 Previous Year Papers

SENIOR SECONDARY SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION, 2018

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Time : 3¼ Hours

Maximum Marks : 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXAMINEES :

1. Candidates must write first his/her Roll No. on the question paper compulsorily.
2. All the questions are compulsory.
3. Write answers of all questions in your answer-book only.
4. For questions having more than one part the answers to those parts are to be written together in continuity.
5. Write down the correct serial number of each question before attempting it.

SI.No. : 5

No. of Questions — 27

No. of Printed Pages - 07

SS-20-Eng. Lit. (Supp.)

TEAR HERE TO OPEN THE QUESTION PAPER

SS-20-Eng. Lit. 264 [ Turn Over

SECTION - A

(READING)

I-5 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

SS-20-Eng. Lit. [264]

Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:

"Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

1. Why is modern man not so fit as his ancestors?

   Modern man is not as fit as his ancestors because he leads a sedentary lifestyle, relies heavily on machines and technology, and consumes processed foods. His ancestors were physically active, ate natural foods, and lived closer to nature, which kept them healthier.

2. What are the two diseases modern man is prone to?

   Modern man is prone to lifestyle diseases such as obesity and heart disease (or hypertension/diabetes). These are often caused by lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits.

3. How can a man enjoy good health?

   A man can enjoy good health by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, avoiding stress, and maintaining a positive mental attitude. Following a natural lifestyle similar to ancestors also helps.

4. What is the lifestyle of a city-dweller?

   A city-dweller typically leads a busy, stressful life with little physical activity. They rely on fast food, use machines for most tasks, and spend long hours sitting at desks or in vehicles, which negatively impacts their health.

5. Find words from the passage which mean the same as:

   1. Made by man – Artificial (or man-made)
   2. Amusement / way of spending free time – Recreation (or leisure)

   Explanation: The passage does not explicitly contain these words, but based on the context of modern lifestyle, "artificial" refers to things made by humans, and "recreation" refers to activities done for enjoyment during free time.

SECTION - A (Prose & Poetry)

6. Write poet's feelings for the woods. [2]

   The poet finds the woods lovely, dark, and deep. He is captivated by their beauty and peacefulness, but he cannot stay because he has promises to keep and miles to go before he sleeps.

7. What was going on in the mind of the little horse? [2]

   The little horse was puzzled and thought it was strange for the poet to stop in the middle of the woods near a frozen lake, as there was no farmhouse nearby. He shook his harness bells to remind the poet that they should move on.

8. What did poet intend to do before going to sleep? [2]

   The poet intended to keep his promises and travel a long distance before he could go to sleep (which symbolises rest or death).

9. What sounds did the horse hear? [2]

   The horse heard the sound of his own harness bells shaking, and the only other sound was the gentle sweep of the wind and falling snowflakes.

10. Find words from the poem which mean almost the same as: [4]

    1. Strange – queer
    2. Smaller than a forest – woods

SECTION - B (WRITING)

1. Write an essay in about 50-200 words on any one of the following topics: [8]

   • India of My Dreams
   • Qualities of a Good Friend

2. Write an article in about 50-200 words on 'Reasons for Increase in the Road Mishaps': [7]

   OR

   Prepare a speech in about 50-200 words on 'A friend in need is a friend in deed'.

SS-20-Eng. Lit. [264

SECTION - C

(GRAMMAR)

3-7 Each of the following sentences has an error. Identify the error and underline it. Write the correct word / expression in the given brackets:

3. Just then a taxi came slow down the road. ( slowly )

   Explanation: The adverb "slowly" is needed to modify the verb "came". "Slow" is an adjective.

4. Both Kavya or Reyansh accompanied their mother. ( and )

   Explanation: The correlative conjunction "both...and" is used, not "both...or".

5. There was an acute band in the tunnel. ( bend )

   Explanation: The correct word is "bend" meaning a curve or turn. "Band" is a strip or group.

6. She helped the beggar who nobody helped. ( whom )

   Explanation: The relative pronoun is the object of the verb "helped", so the objective case "whom" is required.

7. Heena is sure now that she will be late at train. ( for )

   Explanation: The correct preposition is "for" with "late" when referring to a scheduled event like a train.

8-22 Read the sentences given below and change them into indirect speech:

8. "Will you return early today?" Shanu asked Anil.

   Answer: Shanu asked Anil if he would return early that day.

9. Anil said, "It won't be that late today".

   Answer: Anil said that it wouldn't be that late that day.

10. Shanu said, "Please try to be early, I have some plans today".

    Answer: Shanu requested Anil to try to be early and added that she had some plans that day.

11. "Sure", said Anil instantly.

    Answer: Anil instantly agreed.

12. Anil said, "Oh, my ! my ! It's your birthday today !".

    Answer: Anil exclaimed with surprise that it was her birthday that day.

SECTION - D

(LITERARY TERMS)

23) Write notes on any two of the following literary terms in about 50 words each. [2×3=6]

1. Metaphysical poetry

   Metaphysical poetry, popular in the 17th century, is characterized by intellectual wit, complex imagery, and philosophical themes. Poets like John Donne used conceits (extended metaphors) and explored love, death, and religion with a blend of emotion and intellect.

2. Impressionism

   Impressionism in literature focuses on subjective impressions and sensory experiences rather than objective reality. It uses vivid imagery and fragmented narrative to capture fleeting moments and the inner consciousness of characters, similar to the Impressionist art movement.

3. Interior Monologue

   Interior monologue is a narrative technique that presents a character's inner thoughts, feelings, and reactions directly, often in a stream-of-consciousness style. It reveals the character's psychological state without the filter of a narrator, as seen in works by James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

4. Indo-Anglian Literature

   Indo-Anglian literature refers to works written in English by Indian authors. It blends Indian themes, culture, and sensibilities with the English language. Prominent writers include R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, and Arundhati Roy, who explore Indian society, history, and identity.

SECTION - E (TEXT)

24) Answer any two of the following questions in about 100 words each. [2×6=12]

1. Why did Eveline choose at last not to elope with Frank?

   Eveline ultimately chose not to elope with Frank because she was paralyzed by fear of the unknown and bound by a sense of duty to her family. She felt responsible for her younger siblings and was haunted by her promise to her dying mother to keep the home together. The security of her familiar, though oppressive, life in Dublin outweighed the uncertain promise of happiness with Frank in Buenos Aires. At the last moment, her inability to break free from her past and her fear of a new life made her cling to the familiar, even if it meant misery.

2. What is the central idea of the poem 'A Lecture upon the Shadow'?

   The central idea of John Donne's poem 'A Lecture upon the Shadow' is the transient nature of perfect love. The poem uses the metaphor of shadows to explain that in the beginning of love, there is clarity and no shadows (deception). However, as love grows and reaches its zenith, shadows (doubts, misunderstandings) begin to appear. The poet warns that once love declines, these shadows lengthen and obscure the truth. The poem emphasizes that true love requires constant effort and honesty to avoid the darkness of deceit and separation.

3. "Our first language is the fittest vehicle to express". Comment upon the statement in lieu of the drama 'Broken Images'.

   In the drama 'Broken Images' by Girish Karnad, the statement "Our first language is the fittest vehicle to express" is powerfully validated. The protagonist, Manjula, is a successful writer in English, but her true, unfiltered emotions and deepest conflicts emerge only when she speaks in her mother tongue, Kannada. The play uses a split-screen technique where Manjula's English-speaking self is polished and controlled, while her Kannada-speaking self is raw, emotional, and honest. This shows that one's first language connects directly to the subconscious and allows for genuine expression, while a second language often imposes a layer of artificiality and restraint.

25) Answer any four of the following questions in about 50 words each. [4×3=12]

1. Describe the march of Gauri to the barricades. (The Cow of Barricades)

   In 'The Cow of Barricades', Gauri, a sacred cow, marches fearlessly towards the barricades during a riot. She walks calmly through the chaos, ignoring the violence around her. Her march symbolizes peace, innocence, and divine presence amidst human conflict. The crowd is awestruck as she moves forward, ultimately bringing a momentary halt to the fighting, highlighting the power of non-violence and purity.

2. Who is the Carvil? Write lines about him. (Tomorrow)

   In the story 'Tomorrow' by Joseph Conrad, Carvil is a blind, old, and helpless man. He is the father of Bessie, the main female character. Carvil is dependent on his daughter for everything. He is bitter, demanding, and often cruel to Bessie, showing no gratitude for her sacrifices. His blindness is both physical and metaphorical, as he fails to see his daughter's suffering and her need for a life of her own.

3. What will be the best tribute to Shakespeare? (On Shakespeare 1650)

   According to Ben Jonson's poem 'On Shakespeare 1650', the best tribute to Shakespeare is not through monuments or elaborate tombs, but through the enduring power of his works. Jonson states that Shakespeare's genius is his true monument, and his plays and poems will keep him alive forever. The greatest honor is to read, appreciate, and be inspired by his writings, as he is "not of an age, but for all time."

4. Describe the characteristics of a novel. (Why the Novel Matters)

   In 'Why the Novel Matters', D.H. Lawrence describes the novel as the most vital and comprehensive form of art. Its key characteristics include: it deals with the whole of human life, not just the mind or spirit; it presents characters in their entirety, with all their flaws and contradictions; it is flexible and can explore complex relationships and emotions; and it has the power to teach us about living fully, as it shows the interplay of thought, feeling, and action.

5. What trick did Pramod use to impress Manjula? (Broken Images)

   In 'Broken Images', Pramod used a clever trick to impress Manjula. He pretended to be a great admirer of her writing and claimed to have read all her works. In reality, he had not read any of them. He used flattery and false praise to win her affection. This deception is later revealed when Manjula discovers that Pramod's interest was not genuine but a calculated move to manipulate her emotions.

SECTION - F (FICTION)

26) Answer any one of the following question in about 60 words: [4]

Why did Lakshmi leave the haveli?

OR

Why did Geeta lash out at Ajay Singh?

27) Answer the following question in about 100 words: [6]

‘Inside the Haveli’ is a modern classic. Discuss.