PAPER II : ENGLISH (150 MARKS)

1. Translate the following into English : 20+20 = 40

(a) My maternal uncle was a senior officer in a government office. He used to write poetry earlier, but he was ridiculed in the office, and the boss once teased him by saying, “Horace, give me your award!” He gave up writing poetry and has now become a fan of detective stories. One day, I saw an English book with him. The title of the book was “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” That means anyone can commit murder. One can also become a harmless little mouse. It is not necessary to become a different kind of person to commit murder. The same is true of poetry. One does not need to become a different kind of person to write poetry. Everyone can write poetry if they wish, and one can arrange the words in a playful manner, keeping the rhythm intact and making the lines rhyme.

(b) My final point is that the country whose culture I love so deeply is neither the Bengal of the present nor the Bengal of the past, but the Bengal of the future—the Bengal that is taking shape in our hands and minds. Therefore, our Bengali patriotism is not opposed to Indian patriotism. Moreover, nationalism is based on the idea of enmity towards other nations; it does not merely lead to the downfall of others but also brings about its own destruction. The recent European war is proof of this, and history has clearly demonstrated it before our very eyes.

2. Give a Précis of the following passage and add a suitable title:

These are two considerations which deserve at least a word in any discussion of the future of the Indian theatre. The first is the rapid development of the cinema as a competitive force, prophesied favour. At first, in the early flush of cinematic triumph people—some of whom might have been expected, to know better—prophesied the extinction of the theatre. It is now clear that though here and there, temporarily, the theatre may be affected, the cinema cannot hope to replace the stage and elbow it out of existence. Experience in the West has shown that the stage will always be required as a federal studio. For the technique is different and great stage actors have always, to their disgust, discovered that film acting is at least only second best to them; it cannot mean to them what the stage means. Something is lacking in the human touch. In the theatre heart responds to heart and mind acts on mind in a way unknown to the cinema. Thus, there is no danger of extinction to the theatre. On the other hand, the rivalry of the screen ought to and will put theatre to a new test and give it a new stimulus that may well lead to still higher planes of artistic achievement. Finally, a word about a national language spoken, written and thought might do for the theatre in India. With the new awakening in social life the need of a common tongue is being increasingly felt. Much work is being done to bring out a common linguistic medium. The day when, it is accepted will be a great day for the Indian theatre, as it will be for all art in the country. But the theatre, because its life blood is spoken word, will gain most. With a common tongue, with a live national consciousness, the theatre will become to its own as definite instrument of national unity reflecting the national mind, interpreting the national heart and dreaming national dreams for the future.

3. Write a report in not more than 200 words on ‘Travel is necessary for the development of the human mind’. Use the following points:

Reasons: The mind needs to see varieties to grow. Travel is the best way of obtaining variety.

Ways: A person can travel alone or with companions. Travel can be through different modes of transport. Each mode and each destination will acquaint the traveller with many corners of life.

Consequences: Staying in one place gives rise to complacence and misconceptions. Seeing the others often opens a person’s eyes and shows many possibilities. Learning on site is best. [Write XYZ in lieu of your name and address etc. if necessary]

4. Fill in the blanks in each sentence with the correct alternative from options within brackets:

(a) Perfection is not __________, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. (acceptable/attainable/amiable)

(b) Too many of us are not living our __________ because we are living our fears. (fulfillment/dream/rights)

(c) The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is __________. (tenacity/practice/tenement)

(d) You can’t use up creativity. The more you __________, the more you have. (save/use/break)

(e) Everything has beauty, but not all can __________. (touch/aggravate/see)

5. Correct any five of the following sentences:

(a) There are good many reasons why Maqbool became a cult success.

(b) A person has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

(c) Strive to be a success, but to be of value.

(d) Always let your conscience be guide.

(e) Being ignorant is not so much a shame as unwilling to learn.

(f) Believe those who are seeking the truth, doubt those who finding it.

(g) The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you still a rat.

(h) An inventor is simply a fellow who do not take his education too seriously.

6. Make complete and meaningful sentences with any five of the following phrases/idiomatic expressions:

(a) Call it a day (b) No pain no gain (c) Last straw (d) Kick the bucket (e) Under the weather (f) Bite the bullet (g) Make hay (h) Hang in there