Preparatory I, English II

English Literature

Preparatory I

Section  A – Drama

The Merchant of Venice: William Shakespeare

Question.I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (16)

As who should say, “I am Sir Oracle,

And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!”

O my Antonio, I do know of these

That therefore only are reputed wise

For saying nothing; when, I am very sure,

If they should speak, would almost damn those ears

Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools.

1.      Who is the speaker? Who else is present with Antonio?  (3)

2.     Who is an Oracle and where are they found? What is the meaning of:

  “ I am Sir Oracle,

And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!”

3.     You have too much respect upon the world:

They lose it that do buy it with much care. Who said these and what was Antonio’s response? According Antonio, what role is assigned to him in this world? (3)

4.     What was Lorenzo’s complaint against Gratiano as they bade farewell to Antonio? What was Gratiano’s reply to Lorenzo’s complaint? (3)

5.     What did Bassano say to Antonio about Gratiano’s advice once he left them? (4)

Question.II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (16)

Gratiano:

And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,

For lovers ever run before the clock.

1.     What is the meaning of ‘out-dwells’? What was Salarino’s response to this statement of Gratiano? (3)

2.     What reason did Lorenzo give for being late? What offer did he make to his friends? (3)

3.     What did Jessica throw down? Why was she ashamed? What was the role  in the masquerade assigned to Jessica by Lorenzo?

4.     Lorenzo says that Jessica will be placed in his heart with three special qualities for ever. Which are the three special qualities Lorenzo finds in Jessica? (3)

5.     Give the four examples  given by Gratiano to state that love doesn’t remain the same.

Section  B– Poetry

Question. III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (16)

When the Rock was hid by the surge’s swell,

The Mariners heard the warning bell;

And then the  knew the perilous Rock,

And blest the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

1.     Name the poet. The Inchcape Rock is in the form of a ballad. Why? What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? (3)

2.     Who had placed the Inchcape Bell on the Rock? Why did he do that? What can you conclude from this action about his character? (3)

3.     How did the Inchcape Bell work? What was the outcome of its operation?(3)

4.     What is meant by “The buoy of the Inchcape Bell”? Why did it look like a darker speck? What does the ocean green suggest to you? (3)

5.     The Inchcape Rock is a didactic poem. Explain. (4)

Question. IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (16)

The soldier boy was sitting calmly underneath that tree.

As I approached it, I could see him beckoning to me.

The battle had been long and hard and lasted through the night

And scores of figures on the ground lay still by morning’s light.

1.     Name the poet. What does “scores of figures” mean? What image comes to your mind when you come across the phrase “scores of figures”? (3)

2.     Who is asking for help and why? To whom is he asking for help? What help could the person provide? (3)

3.     What does “Asian dirt” suggest? Is it of any special significance in the poem? Can one use other phrases instead of “Asian dirt”? Why? (3)

4.     Why does he consider himself luckier? Is he really lucky? Who are the rest? (3)

5.     What are ‘deep craters”? How are they created? What is the importance of the craters is the context of the poem? (4)

Section  A – Short Stories

Question. V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (16)

The class listened in rapt attention as one by one the children spoke about actors, sports stars, politicians and so on.

1.    Who gave this assignment? Why do you think that the assignment was interesting? (3)

2.    Who spoke Sachin Tendulkar? Who wanted to be a social worker? Who elaborated on the thrill of flying airplane?

3.    Kabeer was not a confident to deliver his speech. Why? What are the reasons for his lack of confidence? (3)

4.    When did Sandeep join NSG? How old was Sandeep when he was killed in the terrorist attack? Name the soldier who was saved by Sandeep. (3)

5.    How did the class react to Kabeer’s speech? What did the teacher feel at the end of Kabeer’s speech? (4)

Question. VI. (16)

“The Panch rises above worldly relations when he sits as a judge”. Sow how this has been illustrated in the story “God Lives in the Panch”.