Q1.Make a precise of the following passage in about one third of its length and
suggest a suitable heading. (20)
It was not from want of perceiving the beauty of external nature but from the different
way of perceiving it, that the early Greeks did not turn their genius to portray, either in
colour or in poetry, the outlines, the hues, and contrasts of all fair valley, and hold cliffs,
and golden moons, and rosy lawns which their beautiful country affords in lavish
abundance.
Primitive people never so far as I know, enjoy when is called the picturesque in nature,
wild forests, beetling cliffs, reaches of Alpine snow are with them great hindrances to
human intercourse, and difficulties in the way of agriculture. They are furthermore the
homes of the enemies of mankind, of the eagle, the wolf, or the tiger, and are most
dangerous in times of earthquake or tempest. Hence the grand and striking features of
nature are at first looked upon with fear and dislike.
I do not suppose that Greeks different in the respect from other people, except that the
frequent occurrence of mountains and forests made agriculture peculiarly difficult and
intercourse scanty, thus increasing their dislike for the apparently reckless waste in
nature. We have even in Homer a similar feeling as regards the sea, — the sea that
proved the source of all their wealth and the condition of most of their greatness. Before
they had learned all this, they called it “the unvintagable sea” and looked upon its shore
as merely so much waste land. We can, therefore, easily understand, how in the first
beginning of Greek art, the representation of wild landscape would find no place,
whereas, fruitful fields did not suggest themselves as more than the ordinary
background. Art in those days was struggling with material nature to which it felt a
certain antagonism.
There was nothing in the social circumstances of the Greeks to produce any revolution
in this attitude during their greatest days. The Greek republics were small towns where
the pressure of the city life was not felt. But as soon as the days of the Greeks republics
were over, the men began to congregate for imperial purposes into Antioch, or
Alexandria, or lastly into Rome, than we seek the effect of noise and dust and smoke
and turmoil breaking out into the natural longing for rural rest and retirement so that from
Alexander’s day …… We find all kinds of authors — epic poets, lyricist, novelists
and preachers — agreeing in the precise of nature, its rich colours, and its varied
sounds. Mohaffy: Rambles in Greece
Solution:
Title: Greek Attitude Toward Nature
The early Greeks did not portray natural scenery in their art or poetry, not because they failed to see its beauty, but because they perceived nature in a different way. Like all primitive people, they did not enjoy the picturesque aspects of nature; wild forests, cliffs, and snowy mountains appeared to them as obstacles to travel, barriers to agriculture, and homes of dangerous animals. Such striking features of nature created fear and dislike.
The Greeks were no different from others, but their mountainous land made cultivation and communication especially difficult, increasing their dislike for what seemed to be nature’s waste. Even the sea, which later became the source of their greatness, was once called “the unvintagable sea” and regarded as useless. Therefore, early Greek art did not include wild landscapes, and fruitful fields were seen only as ordinary backgrounds. Art struggled against material nature with a sense of hostility.
This attitude did not change during the great days of the Greek republics because city life did not create pressure. But when people later gathered in large imperial cities like Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome, the noise and confusion of urban life produced a longing for rural peace. From Alexander’s time onward, writers of all kinds praised nature for its rich colours and varied sounds.
Q2. Read the following passage and answer the questions given at the end in
your own words. (20)
Poetry is the language of imagination and the passions. It relates to whatever gives
immediate pleasure or pain to human min. it comes home to the bosoms and business
of men: for nothing but what comes home to them in the most general and intelligible
shape can be a subject of poetry. Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds
with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry cannot have much respect for
himself or for anything else. Whatever there is a sense of beauty, or power, or harmony,
as in the motion of the waves of the sea, in the growth of a flower, there is a poetry in its
birth. If history is a grave study, poetry may be said to be graver, its materials lie
deeper, and are spread wider. History treats, for the most part, cumbersome and
unwieldy masses of things, the empty cases in which the affairs of the world are
packed, under the heads of intrigue or war, in different states, and from century to
century but there is no thought or feeling that can have entered into the mind of man
which he would be eager to communicate to others, or they would listen to with delight,
that is not a fit subject for poetry. It is not a branch of authorship: it is “the stuff of which
our life is made”. The rest is mere oblivision, a dead letter, for all that is worth
remembering gin life is the poetry of it. Fear is Poetry, hope is poetry, love is poetry;
hatred is poetry. Poetry is that fine particle within us that expands, refines, raises our
whole being; without “man’s life is poor as beasts”. In fact, man is a poetical animal. The
child Is a poet when he first plays hide and seek, or repeats the story of Jack the Giant
Killer, the shepherd – boy is a poet when he first crowns his mistress with a garland of
flowers; the countryman when he stops he stops to look at the rainbow; the miser when
he hugs his gold; the courtier when he builds his hope upon a smile; the vain, the
ambitious the proud, the choleric man, the hero and the coward, the beggar and the
king, all live in a world of their own making; and the poet does no more than describe
what all others think and act. Hazlitt
(a) In what sense is poetry the language of the imagination and the passion?
(b) How is poetry the Universal Language of the heart?
(c) What is the difference between history and poetry?
(d) Explain the phrase: “Man is a poetical animal”.
(e) What are some of the actions which Hazlitt calls poetry and its doers poet?
(f) Explain the followings underlined expression in the passage.
(i) It relates to whatever gives immediate pleasure or pain to human heart
(ii) A sense of beauty, or power, or harmony.
(iii) Cumbersome and unwieldy masses of things.
(iv) It is the stuff of which our life is made.
(v) The poet does no more than describe what all others think and act
Solution:
(a) In what sense is poetry the language of the imagination and the passion?
Poetry is the language of imagination and passion because it expresses the feelings, emotions, pleasures, and pains that touch the human heart. It gives shape to whatever the mind imagines and whatever the heart strongly feels.
(b) How is poetry the Universal Language of the heart?
Poetry is the universal language of the heart because it connects human feelings with nature. It expresses emotions that every person understands—beauty, joy, sorrow, hope, fear—and therefore speaks to all human beings.
(c) What is the difference between history and poetry?
History deals with large events, wars, intrigues, and the external affairs of nations, which are heavy and complicated. Poetry deals with deeper thoughts and emotions, which are spread wider and lie closer to human life. History concerns facts; poetry concerns feelings.
(d) Explain the phrase: “Man is a poetical animal.”
The phrase means that every human being naturally imagines, feels, hopes, fears, and dreams. These emotions make a person poetic by nature, because people live in their own imagined world of feelings.
(e) What are some of the actions which Hazlitt calls poetry and its doers poet?
Hazlitt calls poetic many simple actions of ordinary people—for example, a child playing hide-and-seek, a shepherd-boy placing a garland on his beloved, a man admiring a rainbow, a miser loving his gold, and a courtier hoping for favour. Likewise, the proud, the ambitious, the coward, the hero, the beggar, and the king all live imaginatively, and their actions are poetic.
(f) Explanation of the expressions:
(i) “It relates to whatever gives immediate pleasure or pain to human heart.”
This means poetry expresses the things that directly affect and move human emotions.
(ii) “A sense of beauty, or power, or harmony.”
This refers to any natural or human experience that gives us feelings of beauty, strength, or balance.
(iii) “Cumbersome and unwieldy masses of things.”
This means the heavy, complicated facts and events with which history deals.
(iv) “It is the stuff of which our life is made.”
This means poetry contains the real essence of human life—our emotions, thoughts, memories, and experiences.
(v) “The poet does no more than describe what all others think and act.”
This means poets simply express feelings and thoughts that ordinary people already have but cannot express themselves.
Q3. Write a comprehensive note (250 – 300) on ONE of the following subjects. (20)
(a) Modern history registers so primary and rapid changes that it cannot repeat itself.
(b) “The golden rule is that there is no golden rule”. G. B. Shaw
(c) Crisis tests the true mettle of man
(d) It is excellent to have a giant’s strength; but it is tyrannical to use it like a giant.
Solution:
Crisis Tests the True Mettle of Man
It is in moments of crisis that the real strength of human character is revealed. In ordinary and comfortable circumstances, people appear calm, confident, and virtuous because their abilities are not tested. However, when life presents unexpected difficulties—such as danger, loss, hardship, or failure—one’s true inner qualities come to the surface. A crisis strips away pretence and shows whether a person possesses courage, patience, wisdom, and determination.
Throughout history, great individuals have risen to prominence by showing exceptional qualities during critical moments. Leaders who stand firm in war, scientists who continue their struggle after repeated failures, or common people who face personal tragedies with dignity—all demonstrate that character is not measured by words but by behavior under pressure. When everything seems easy, bravery and perseverance appear simple; but when challenges arise, only the genuinely strong remain steadfast.
A crisis also brings out hidden potential. Many people discover their real abilities only when they are forced to act. Difficulties sharpen the mind, strengthen the will, and awaken the spirit of resilience. Hardships teach valuable lessons and help individuals grow stronger, wiser, and more mature. In this way, crisis becomes an opportunity for self-discovery and improvement.
On the other hand, a weak-willed person breaks down under stress, revealing fear, selfishness, or indecision. Thus, adversity becomes a mirror that reflects the reality of one’s character.
In conclusion, crisis is the ultimate test of human mettle. It distinguishes the strong from the weak, the sincere from the pretentious, and the courageous from the fearful. Those who emerge with honour from hardship prove that true greatness is shaped not in comfort but in struggle.
Q4. Correct the following sentences. (10)
(a) His wisdom consisted of his handling the dangerous situation successfully
(b) Many a girls were appearing in the examination.
(c) The vehicles run fastly on the Motorway.
(d) Smoking is injurious for health.
(e) He availed of this situation very intelligently.
(f) The black vermin is an odious creature.
(g) What to speak of meat, even, vegetables were not available now.
(h) No sooner we left our home when it started raining.
(i) Little money I had I spent on the way.
(j) The criminal was sent on the goal.
Solution:
Q4. Correct the following sentences:
(a) His wisdom consisted in his handling the dangerous situation successfully.
(b) Many a girl was appearing in the examination.
(c) The vehicles run fast on the Motorway.
(d) Smoking is injurious to health.
(e) He availed himself of this situation very intelligently.
(f) The black vermin is an odious creature. ✅ (Correct as given)
(g) What to speak of meat, even vegetables were not available now.
(h) No sooner did we leave our home than it started raining.
(i) The little money I had I spent on the way.
(j) The criminal was sent to the jail.
Q5. Use FIVE of the following in sentences to make their meaning clear. (10)
(i) The teeming meanings
(ii) To kick the bucket
(iii) To push to the walls
(iv) To read between the lines
(v) To be at daggers drawn
(vi) To throw down the gauntlet
(vii) To be a Greek
(viii) To stand on ceremony
(ix) From the horse’s mouth
(x) To carry the cross
Solution:
Q5. Use FIVE of the following in sentences to make their meaning clear:
(i) The teeming meanings – The novel is rich with teeming meanings that reveal new insights on every reading.
(ii) To kick the bucket – The old man finally kicked the bucket after a long illness.
(iii) To push to the walls – The strict coach pushed the players to the walls to prepare them for the championship.
(iv) To read between the lines – By reading between the lines of his speech, I understood he was unhappy with the policy.
(v) To be at daggers drawn – The two neighbours have been at daggers drawn over the boundary dispute.
(vi) To throw down the gauntlet – The champion threw down the gauntlet by challenging anyone to beat his record.
(vii) To be a Greek – He was a Greek to me; I could not understand anything he was explaining.
(viii) To stand on ceremony – Please do not stand on ceremony; come in and make yourself comfortable.
(ix) From the horse’s mouth – I heard about the new transfer directly from the horse’s mouth, so I know it is true.
(x) To carry the cross – She had to carry the cross of her father’s debts for many years.
Q6. Use FIVE of the following pairs of words in sentences. (10)
- Brooch, broad
- Collusion, collision
- Fain, feign
- Hoard, horde
- Illusion, delusion
- Persecute, prosecute
- Prescribe, proscribe
- Respectfully, respectively
- Complacent, complaisant
Solution:
Use the following pairs of words in sentences (10 marks):
1. Brooch, broad
- She wore a beautiful brooch on her dress.
- The road was so broad that two buses could pass side by side.
2. Collusion, collision
- The two companies were accused of secret collusion to fix prices.
- There was a collision between two cars at the busy intersection.
3. Fain, feign
- I would fain help you if I had the time.
- He tried to feign illness to avoid going to school.
4. Hoard, horde
- People tend to hoard money during uncertain times.
- A horde of fans gathered outside the stadium to see the celebrity.
5. Illusion, delusion
- The magician created the illusion of a flying man.
- He lived under the delusion that he could become rich without working.
6. Persecute, prosecute
- Many people were persecuted for their religious beliefs in the past.
- The government decided to prosecute the criminals for fraud.
7. Prescribe, proscribe
- The doctor will prescribe medicine for your fever.
- The school proscribes the use of mobile phones during classes.
8. Respectfully, respectively
- She respectfully declined the offer.
- The three brothers are aged 10, 12, and 15 respectively.
9. Complacent, complaisant
- He became complacent after winning the award and stopped working hard.
- The waiter was very complaisant and fulfilled all the guests’ requests politely.
Q7. Read the following dialogue and place the following words in it at proper
places. (10)
- Sweating away as usual
- Health first, exam second
- Can you study while confined to bed.
- Has anyone be marketed anywhere?
- An unwanted commodity
- As long as there is life, there is hope.
- You will become a thin, gaunt, half-blind weakling with sunken cheeks and haggard looks.
- Once again grow into a rose-cheeked young man.
- There is no deviation form it.
- The paring of ways.
- Good morning Waseem ___________________ and looking pale. Come out in the open.
- I am sorry, Nadeem. I cannot do that. The examination is drawing near and I want to urilize every minute for its preparation.
- To hell with exam ___________________
- Well, health is good but failure is bad. Therefore, one should take books and study them for the University exam.
- Suppose you grow into a bookworm and as a result fall ill. ___________________ Again, many boys work hard and get degrees. Do you think they get jobs. Our society is flooded with graduates but ___________________? They are roaming about with degrees in their hands. They are ___________________.
- Well. Degree is an ornament in itself, job or no job. Besides, there is no need to be hopeless. I am sure when I get a degree with a good grade, I am sure to get a job in a Government office or in a private firm. You know that ___________________.
- Well, how should I explain to you the blessing of a good health. If you continue treading on this path, ___________________. Please come into the fresh air take exercise and play some game and ___________________. Don’t grow old prematurely.
- Please listen, I want to be a graduate this year, now or never. I have made up my mind for this and ___________________.
- Well, if this is your aim, then ___________________.
- Bye
- Bye
Solution:
Q7. Completed Dialogue
Nadeem: Good morning Waseem, sweating away as usual and looking pale. Come out in the open.
Waseem: I am sorry, Nadeem. I cannot do that. The examination is drawing near and I want to utilize every minute for its preparation.
Nadeem: To hell with exam! Health first, exam second.
Waseem: Well, health is good but failure is bad. Therefore, one should take books and study them for the University exam.
Nadeem: Suppose you grow into a bookworm and as a result fall ill. Can you study while confined to bed? Again, many boys work hard and get degrees. Do you think they get jobs? Our society is flooded with graduates but has anyone been marketed anywhere? They are roaming about with degrees in their hands. They are an unwanted commodity.
Waseem: Well. Degree is an ornament in itself, job or no job. Besides, there is no need to be hopeless. I am sure when I get a degree with a good grade, I am sure to get a job in a Government office or in a private firm. You know that as long as there is life, there is hope.
Nadeem: Well, how should I explain to you the blessing of a good health. If you continue treading on this path, you will become a thin, gaunt, half-blind weakling with sunken cheeks and haggard looks. Please come into the fresh air, take exercise and play some game and once again grow into a rose-cheeked young man. Don’t grow old prematurely.
Waseem: Please listen, I want to be a graduate this year, now or never. I have made up my mind for this and there is no deviation from it.
Nadeem: Well, if this is your aim, then the paring of ways.
Waseem: Bye.
Nadeem: Bye.