Language – Part II – English
Instructions :
(1) Check the question paper for fairness of printing. If there is any lack of fairness, inform the Hall Supervisor immediately.
(2) Use Blue or Black ink pen to write and underline and pencil to draw diagrams.
Note :
(i) Answer all the questions.
(ii) Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and write both, the option code and the corresponding answer for each question.
Choose the most appropriate synonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
1. China tea has virtues which are not to be despised.
2. They shuffled past scrambling on the rocks.
3. … the end of it would be universal chaos.
Choose the most appropriate antonyms of the words underlined in the following sentences.
4. They persuaded us to take her in.
5. … but they are sufficient to show how subtilized the whole business has become.
6. He greeted me with his usual smile and banter.
7. Form a new word by adding a suitable suffix to the root word ‘noble’.
8. Replace the underlined words with a suitable Phrasal Verb.
The family members started a journey to Theni.
9. Choose the suitable preposition to fill the blank in the following sentence.
My brother lived in the mountains ______ the lake.
10. Fill in the blank with the suitable linker.
The vendor saw the train moving slowly from the platform, ______ he got in.
11. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in the given sentence.
The Chairman has the whip hand in an institution.
12. Choose the correct determiner and complete the sentence.
______ of my students have become doctors.
13. Choose the polite alternative for the underlined word in the following sentence. Dheeba is unemployed.
14. Choose the right combination for the blended word ‘moped’.
15. Choose the correct compound word in the combination of Noun + Adjective.
16. Choose the suitable American English word equivalent to the British English word in the following sentence. Students should follow the timetable properly.
17. Choose the right Expansion of the abbreviation CIA.
18. Choose the appropriate noun form of ‘wise’.
19. Fill in the blank with suitable determiner.
How ______ pages did you read ?
20. Fill in the blank with suitable article.
My mother is ______ honest woman.
Choose any four of the following sets of poetic lines and answer the questions that follow.
21. The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung
In crimson clusters all the bough among !
22. A foothold there, no clever trick
Could take us dead or quick,
Only a bird could have got in.
23. With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
24. Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.
25. Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool ever so often.
26. A rider, bound on bound
Full- galloping.
Do as directed. Answer any three questions.
27. Nikitha said to Kanishka, “Please don’t make too much noise”. [Change into Reported Speech]
28. One should keep one’s promise. [Change into Passive Voice]
29. The policeman would not have arrested the man unless he had violated the rules. [Rewrite using ‘If’ without changing the meaning]
30. Parithi is a good actor. He is not popular. [Combine into Complex sentence]
Explain any two of the following with reference to the context.
31. “Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
32. A little wicked wicket gate. The wizened warder let them through.
33. Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect.
Answer any two of the following questions in not more than 30 words.
34. How do tea made out of an urn and a cauldron taste?
35. Why does Dr. Barnard describe the blind boy as a ‘walking horror’?
36. What is the foundation of social conduct?
Answer any three of the following.
37. Describe the process of sending a parcel by courier service.
38. Build a dialogue between a father and a son regarding higher studies with a minimum of three exchanges.
39. Write a slogan on each of the following topics.
40. Re-arrange the scrambled words and frame meaningful sentences.
41. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
42. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 150 words.
43. Develop the following hints into a paragraph of about 150 words.
44. (a) Write a summary or make notes of the following passage.
General Packet Radio Services known as GPRS has been around for quite some time. It was established in the early 2000s and is widely used across the world today. It is an extension of the global system for mobile communication.
GPRS works by allowing data to be stored into ‘packets’. This data is then transmitted in an efficient manner across the mobile network. GPRS, however, is much faster than the cellular network system. This type of networking system can be used worldwide without difficulty.
GPRS devices are extremely versatile. Any device that has GPRS capability will allow the user to have not only mobile communication but also access the internet for things such as e-mail and internet browsing. You can even adjust various settings and the device in order to keep track of things like changes in temperature, sound and motion.
By utilising real-time vehicle tracking you can get accurate information about the travel. Although this system enables you to avoid traffic and find the quickest road to travel, you will still find an excuse to be late.
45. (a) Write a letter to your friend who is admitted in hospital for treatment of jaundice. Advise him/her not to worry about the illness and be positive. Assure him/her financial help during the crisis.
46. (a) Identify the error in each of the following sentences and correct them appropriately.
47. (a) Construct a readable story using following outlines.
In recent times the house sparrow has become one of the endangered birds. The reasons for its decline in number are many such as lack of nesting places, lack of food etc. We observe World Sparrow Day on March 20th every year to remind us of our close connection with these enchanting tiny birds. One of the unique characters of house sparrows is dust bathing. The sparrows will first scratch a hole in the ground with their feet, then lie in it and fling dirt or sand over their bodies with flicks of their wings. They will also bathe in water. Creating awareness about these birds seems to be the key to their survival. World Sparrow Day is a step in the right direction.
Questions :
Answer Key – Language Part II – English
PART – I (20 × 1 = 20)
Synonyms
| Q.No | Answer | Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (d) hated | d | “Despised” means to be looked down upon with contempt or hated. It expresses a strong feeling of dislike. |
| 2 | (a) climbing hurriedly | a | “Shuffled past scrambling” suggests hurried, clumsy movement over rocks. “Scrambling” means climbing hurriedly. |
| 3 | (b) confusion | b | “Chaos” means complete disorder or confusion. |
Antonyms
| Q.No | Answer | Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | (c) dissuaded | c | “Persuaded” means to convince someone to do something; its antonym is “dissuaded” (to discourage). |
| 5 | (a) inadequate | a | “Sufficient” means enough; its antonym is “inadequate” (not enough). |
| 6 | (b) flattery | b | “Banter” means playful, teasing talk; “flattery” (insincere praise) is the opposite in tone. |
Grammar & Vocabulary
| Q.No | Answer | Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | (c) -ity | c | noble + -ity = nobility (noun form). |
| 8 | (b) set off | b | “Set off” means to start a journey. |
| 9 | (b) above | b | “Above” is used when something is at a higher level than something else (mountains above the lake). |
| 10 | (d) therefore | d | “Therefore” shows cause and effect (saw the train → got in). |
| 11 | (b) To be the most powerful | b | “Whip hand” means to have control or advantage. |
| 12 | (c) Many | c | “Many” is used with countable plural nouns (students). |
| 13 | (b) between jobs | b | Polite alternative for “unemployed”. |
| 14 | (d) motor + pedal | d | “Moped” = motor + pedal. |
| 15 | (b) world famous | b | Noun + Adjective = world (noun) + famous (adjective). |
| 16 | (a) schedule | a | American English for “timetable” is “schedule”. |
| 17 | (a) Central Intelligence Agency | a | CIA = Central Intelligence Agency. |
| 18 | (d) wisdom | d | Noun form of “wise” is “wisdom”. |
| 19 | (a) many | a | “Many” is used with countable plural nouns (pages). |
| 20 | (b) an | b | “Honest” begins with a vowel sound, so “an” is used. |
PART – II
SECTION – 1 (Poetic Lines)
21. (a)
The figure of speech used in the first line is Personification (the giant is described as wearing a scarf) / Metaphor (the giant represents the tree, the scarf represents the snow/flowers).
21. (b)
The scarf is colourful because it is made of crimson clusters of flowers that hang on the bough (branches) of the tree.
22. (a)
The challenge was that only a bird could reach the foothold — no clever trick or human effort could take them there dead or quick.
22. (b)
The above line conveys the inaccessible and impregnable strength of the castle — it was so well fortified that only a bird could enter.
23. (a)
‘Pouch’ means a small bag or container (worn at the side).
23. (b)
The stage of life referred to here is old age (the stage of the “justice” or the elderly man with spectacles).
24. (a)
Experience is compared to an arch (a curved structure through which one looks at the world).
24. (b)
The lines convey that experience is endless because the margin of the untravelled world fades for ever and for ever as the poet moves forward — there is always more to explore.
25. (a)
The poet suggests that time can be wasted because he wants to advise his son to enjoy life and not be too serious — occasional foolishness is part of living.
25. (b)
The alliteration in the above lines is “Tell him time” (repetition of the ‘t’ sound) and “fool ever so often” (repetition of the ‘f’ sound).
26. (a)
‘Full-galloping’ suggests riding at full speed — the horse is galloping as fast as it can.
26. (b)
The rider was in a hurry because he was carrying an urgent message (or was on an important mission).
SECTION – 2 (Do as directed)
27.
Nikitha requested Kanishka not to make too much noise.
28.
A promise should be kept (by one). / Promises should be kept.
29.
If the man had not violated the rules, the policeman would not have arrested him.
30.
Though Parithi is a good actor, he is not popular. (Complex sentence using subordinating conjunction)
PART – III
SECTION – 1 (Explain with reference to context) — 2 × 3 = 6
31. “Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
Explanation: The poet describes the last stage of human life — old age. In this stage, man becomes like a child again (second childishness) and loses all his faculties. He is without teeth (sans teeth), without eyesight (sans eyes), without taste (sans taste), and without everything. It is a stage of complete forgetfulness and helplessness. The repetition of “sans” emphasises the total deprivation of old age.
32. “A little wicked wicket gate. The wizened warder let them through.”
Explanation: The poet describes the gate of the castle as “wicked” because it was treacherous and deceptive. The “wizened warder” (a shrivelled, old gatekeeper) let them through. The lines convey a sense of foreboding and danger — the castle, which seemed impregnable, was actually vulnerable from within. The “wicket gate” symbolises the betrayal and greed that led to the castle’s fall.
33. “Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect.”
Explanation: The lines describe the young soldier who, in a moment of joy and pride, flung himself off the castle wall and held himself erect. It shows the pride and confidence of the defenders. However, this pride was short-lived as the castle eventually fell due to human greed and betrayal. The lines highlight the irony of human pride in the face of inevitable downfall.
SECTION – 2 (Answer in not more than 30 words) — 2 × 3 = 6
34.
Tea made out of an urn tastes strong and bitter (like tea made in bulk), while tea made out of a cauldron tastes weak and watery — the difference lies in the method of preparation and the quantity of leaves used.
35.
Dr. Barnard describes the blind boy as a ‘walking horror’ because the boy had no eyes — his face was severely disfigured, and he moved about with a grotesque, shuffling gait, which made him appear frightening to others.
36.
The foundation of social conduct is humaneness, compassion, and the recognition of the dignity of every individual. It is based on the principle of “live and let live” — treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy.
SECTION – 3 (Answer any three) — 3 × 3 = 9
37. Process of sending a parcel by courier service:
First, pack the parcel securely in a box or envelope. Then, visit a courier office or book online. Fill in the sender’s and receiver’s details (name, address, phone number). Declare the contents and value of the parcel. Choose the delivery speed (standard or express). Pay the courier charges based on weight and distance. Collect the receipt and tracking number. The courier company picks up the parcel, sorts it, and delivers it to the destination. You can track the parcel online until it is delivered.
38. Dialogue between a father and a son regarding higher studies:
Father: Son, what do you plan to study after your 12th standard?
Son: Father, I am interested in pursuing Engineering, specifically Computer Science.
Father: That’s a good choice. Have you researched which colleges offer the best programme?
Son: Yes, Father. I have shortlisted a few colleges. I would like your advice on the fees and scholarship options.
Father: We will discuss it in detail and find the best option for you. I will support your decision.
39. Slogans:
(a) Road Safety: “Better Late Than Never — Drive Safe, Reach Safe.”
(b) Cleanliness: “Clean City, Green City — Let’s Make It a Reality.”
(c) Balanced Diet: “Eat Right, Stay Fit — A Balanced Diet is the Key to Health.”
40. Rearranged sentences:
(a) We seldom speak to our neighbours.
(b) This is not the way to answer.
(c) Nobody can resolve this issue.
PART – IV
41. (a) How did a casual incident in a hospital help Dr. Barnard perceive a new dimension of life?
Answer: Dr. Christiaan Barnard, a famous heart surgeon, once witnessed a casual incident in a hospital that changed his perspective on life. He saw a blind boy who was a “walking horror” — the boy had no eyes and moved about with a grotesque appearance. Despite his terrible condition, the boy was smiling and full of joy. Dr. Barnard was deeply moved. He realised that physical perfection is not the only measure of happiness. The blind boy taught him that inner joy and the will to live are more important than external appearance. This incident helped him perceive a new dimension of life — that compassion and empathy are as important as medical skill. It made him a better doctor and a better human being.
41. (b) Describe the feelings of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing as they reached the top of the Summit.
Answer: When Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mount Everest on 29th May 1953, they were filled with immense joy and pride. They had achieved what no human had ever done before. Hillary described the moment as “a mixture of relief and exhilaration.” Tenzing, a Sherpa, was overwhelmed with emotion and thanked God for the success. They spent about 15 minutes at the summit, taking photographs and leaving offerings. Hillary took a photo of Tenzing holding the flags of Britain, Nepal, and India. The feeling was indescribable — they had conquered the highest peak in the world. Their success was the result of teamwork, determination, and courage. They became heroes and their names were written in history.
42. (a) Human greed led to the mighty fall of the citadel. Explain.
Answer: In Edwin Muir’s poem “The Castle”, the mighty citadel was considered impregnable — it had strong walls, a deep moat, and a well-trained garrison. The soldiers were loyal and disciplined. However, the castle fell not due to external attack but due to internal betrayal. The greed of the soldiers — particularly the warder (gatekeeper) — led to the fall. The warder was bribed by the enemy and opened the wicket gate for them. The poem conveys the message that no fortress is strong enough if the people within are greedy and corrupt. Human greed is more dangerous than any external enemy. The mighty citadel fell because of the weakness within — the greed for gold and wealth. Thus, the poem highlights the destructive power of greed.
42. (b) How according to Sandburg is it possible for his son to bring changes into a world that resents change?
Answer: In Carl Sandburg’s poem “The Unknown Citizen” (or “The People, Yes”), the poet addresses his son and advises him about the possibility of bringing change in a world that resents change. According to Sandburg, change is possible through patience, persistence, and courage. He tells his son to “tell him time as a stuff can be wasted” — meaning that one should not be afraid to spend time on worthwhile causes. He advises him to “be a fool ever so often” — to take risks and not be too serious. The poet believes that youth has the power to bring change if they are willing to challenge the status quo. He encourages his son to dream and work for a better world. Thus, Sandburg conveys a message of hope and optimism — change is possible if one has the will and determination to pursue it.
43. (a) Develop the hints into a paragraph:
Answer: Vladimir Aksionov was a merchant