Literature
105 previous year questions.
High-Yield Trend
Chapter Questions 105 MCQs
The Interview and you interviewed M. Hamel, after he finished delivering the last lesson. Write a paragraph on Hamel’s views on individual responsibility and nationalism.
{(A Thing of Beauty)}
“If I am able, are you?” Sadao asked. “No,” Hana said, “But if you can do it alone...” Sadao hesitated again. “The strange thing is,” he said, “that if the man were whole I could turn him over to the police without difficulty. I care nothing for him. He is my enemy. All Americans are my enemy. And he is only a common fellow. You see how foolish his face is. But since he is wounded...” \hfill (The Enemy)
Write an article using material from the text, on the pros and cons of western influence on Indian society.
You may begin like this: \textit{Indian’s exposure to English language and western influence…}
As Derry, write a diary entry regretting how you wasted your time indulging in self-pity and frustration, and how your encounter with Mr. Lamb transformed your personality.
You may begin like this: \textit{I do really thank my stars for bringing Mr. Lamb into my life…}
As a motivational speaker, give a speech advising students how to overcome fear and lead a successful life. Use material from the two texts to support your views.
You may begin like this: \textit{Dear Students, The emotion of fear will always interfere and interrupt your path to success…}
Sophie (\textit{Going Places}) lives in a world of fantasy. Douglas (\textit{Deep Water}) faces reality and realizes the importance of learning how to swim. Analyze based on the two texts the importance of doing things rather than mere dreaming. Write an article on how the youth of today must inculcate an attitude of doing rather than dreaming.
You may begin: \textit{The youth today must ……}
How can a hobby give one an escape from reality?
\textit{(Going Places)}
\textit{(A Thing of Beauty)}
\textit{(Keeping Quiet)}
\textit{(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)}
\textit{(Deep Water)}
“Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?â€
\textit{(The Last Lesson)}
Write an article highlighting how Dr. Sadao’s actions demonstrated the importance of humanity and living in harmony.
Imagine you are Derry speaking at the funeral of Mr. Lamb highlighting Mr. Lamb’s optimism and the change he brought about in your attitude towards life.
{(The Rattrap, Lost Spring)}
{(Memories of Childhood)}
{(The Enemy)}
{(The Third Level)}
{(Going Places)}
{(Keeping Quiet)}
{(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)}
{(Deep Water)}
“Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?”
{(The Last Lesson)}
In the present times, we see people following their profession and running after money and neglect their children. As a professional counsellor, you address working parents, stressing the need to spend quality time with children. Take material from the story to reinforce your points of view.
You may begin like this:
Spending time with children will boost their confidence….
On the Face of it
Mr. Lamb, despite his handicap, learned to be independent and has proved where there is a will, there is a way. As a motivational speaker, write a speech to be delivered to school students, highlighting how one should develop resilience and determination to achieve one’s goal, citing references from this story.
You may begin like this:
To remain resilient during difficult times, will help one move forward in life.}
(Keeping Quiet)
Pablo Neruda in the above lines highlights the futility of war. Gandhi also brought about the change in the plight of the Champaran sharecroppers through civil disobedience and not violence. Write an article on the importance of peace and the right way to resolve issues.
Why did the hunters try to hide the truth from the king?
‘Don’t thank me too early’, Sadao said coldly. (The Enemy)
What inference is drawn about Sadao’s state of mind from the above line?
“I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits.” Says Douglas. Which qualities of the speaker are highlighted in the above statement? ({Deep Water})
What evidence from the text reveals that Rudyard Kipling did not walk the talk? ({The Interview})
When I sense a flash of it in Mukesh, I am cheered. How is Mukesh’s attitude of life different from that of his family and friends? ({Lost Spring})
“Your Majesty, I have two wives already. If I marry you...” (The Tiger King)
No doubt it adds humour to the story. Humour always captures the mind of readers.
Taking ideas from the story {Tiger King}, write an article on the ‘Importance of Humour in Life’.
You may begin like this:
Sense of humour helps us deal with problems of life and improves one’s mental and physical health...
(a) Imagine you are Pablo Neruda of ‘Keeping Quiet’. He advises Robert Frost in the context of his conflict and pain at the plight of the roadside stand owners. Pen down your advice in a letter to Robert Frost.
‘Soaf, you really should be sensible!’ What does Jansie’s advice to her friend Sophie reveal about their friendship? ({Going Places})
(b) “That if the man were whole I could turn him over to the Police... But since he is wounded” (The Enemy)
The above statement clearly displays Dr. Sadao’s commitment to his profession and compassion. Write an article in appreciation of Dr. Sadao’s professional ethics and his ability to rise above prejudices.
(b) While M. Hamel talks of language being the key to nationalism, Gandhi tells the court it is a ‘conflict of duties’. On the one hand, not to set a bad example as a law breaker, on the other hand, to render the humanitarian and national service. You get inspired and decide to write an article for a youth magazine urging the youth to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation.
What inference about the life of Zitkala-Sa can be drawn from the above statement?
“Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?”
{(The Last Lesson)}
The above statement speaks about Mr. Lamb’s open-mindedness and large-heartedness despite his disability. Inspired by his thought, you as a student leader, give a motivational speech to your class on how positive attitude and broad-mindedness will help one succeed in life. vspace{0.5cm}
{(Keeping Quiet)}
{(A Thing of Beauty)}
{(Going Places)}
How did Dr. Sadao act like a perfect husband?
{(Deep Water)}
{(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)}
Derry: “Oh no, because if I don’t go back there, I’ll never go anywhere in this world again.” (On the Face of it)
Derry later realizes that the decision taken at that moment helped him to come out of his shell. As Derry, write a diary entry expressing your happiness and thanking your stars for the right decision taken.
You may begin like this:
I was so fortunate to be able to be decisive at the right moment...
Lost Spring and {Indigo} highlight the apathy of society and exploitation by those in power. Elaborate.
Franz from {The Last Lesson and the peddler from {The Rattrap} demonstrate the importance of learning from one’s mistakes and rising up to evolve as a better person.
Write an article based on the two texts on how a man evolves after learning from his mistakes.}
Jack Finney portrays Louisa as a perfect wife. Give evidence from Charlie’s life in support of the above statement. (The Third Level)
‘With students of ice, he offers future generation of policy makers a life-changing experience…’ (The Journey to the End of the Earth)
What expectation of the narrator is reflected in the above line?
‘And such too is the grandeur of the dooms; we have imagined for the mighty dead.’ Explain the inference you can draw from the phrase ‘mighty dead’. ({A Thing of Beauty})
‘See you soon Amma.’ How are these words contrary to the speaker’s emotions? ({My Mother at Sixty-six})
“One of these days you’re going to talk yourself into a load of trouble,” her father said aggressively. What do you learn about Sophie’s father from these lines? (Going Places)
How did Tishani Doshi’s visit to Antarctica as part of the Students on Ice Programme make her realise the importance of preserving the Earth? (Journey to the End of the Earth)