Q1. Make a precis of the given passage and give a suitable heading:(20)
If then a practical end must be assigned to a University course, I say it is that of training
good members of a society. Its ah is the art of social life, and its end is fitness for the
world. It neither confines its views to particular professions on the one hand, not creates
heroes or inspires genius on the other. Works indeed of genius fall under no art; heroic
minds come under no rule; a University is not a birthplace of poets or of immortal
authors, of founders of schools, leaders of colonies, or conquerors of nations. It does
not promise a generation of Aristotle or Newtons or Napoleons or Washingtons or
Raphaels or Shakespearcs though such miracles of nature it has before now contained
within its precincts. Nor is it content on the other hand with forming the critic or the
experimentalist, the economist or the engineer, through such too it includes within its
scope. But a University training is the great ordinary means to a great ordinary end; it
aims at raising the intellectual tone of society, at cultivating the public mind, at purifying
the national taste, at supplying true principles to popular aspirations. It is the education
which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments, a truth in
developing them, an eloquence in expressing them, and a force in urging them. It
teaches him to sec things as they arc, to go right to the point, to disentangle a skein of
thought, to detect what is sophistical and to discard what is irrelevant. It prepares him
to fill any post with credit, and to master any subject with facility. (John H. Ncwman)
Solution:
Heading: The Purpose of University Education
Precis:
The primary aim of a university course is to train good and capable members of society rather than to produce geniuses, heroes, poets, or great leaders. While it does not specialize in creating specialists in any profession, it includes a broad range of knowledge to raise the intellectual and moral standards of society. University education cultivates the public mind, purifies national taste, and provides sound principles for social and popular aspirations. It teaches students to form clear opinions, express them eloquently, reason logically, and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant ideas. By developing critical thinking, intellectual discipline, and practical abilities, it prepares individuals to perform any post efficiently and master any subject with ease. Ultimately, the university equips men with the knowledge, judgment, and skills necessary for social and professional success.
Q2. Read the following passage and answer the questions given at the end, in YOUR OWN WORDS. 20
My father was back in work within days of his return home. He had a spell in the shipyard, where the last of the great Belfast liners, the CANBERRA, was under construction, and then moved to an electronics firm in the east of the city. (These were the days when computers were the size of small houses and were built by sheet metal workers). A short time after he started in this job, one of his colleagues was sacked for taking off time to get married. The workforce went on strike to get the colleague reinstated. The dispute, dubbed the Honeymoon Strike, made the Belfast papers. My mother told me not long ago that she and my father, with four young sons, were hit so hard by that strike, that for years afterwards they were financially speaking, running to stand still. I don’t know how the strike ended, but whether or not the colleague got his old job back, he was soon in another, better one. I remember visiting him and his wife when I was still quite young, in their new bungalow in Belfast northern suburbs. I believe they left Belfast soon after the Troubles began.
My father then was thirty-seven, the age I am today. My father and I are father and son, which is to say we are close without knowing very much about one another. We talk about events, rather than emotions. We keep from each other certain of our hopes and fears and doubts. I have never, for instance, asked my father whether he has dwelt on the direction his life might have taken if at certain moments he had made certain other choices. Whatever, he found himself, with a million and a half of his fellows, living in what was in all but name a civil war. As a grown-up, I try often to imagine what it must be like to be faced with such a situation. What, in the previous course of your life, prepares you for arriving, as my father did, at the scene of a bomb blast close to your brother’s place of work and seeing what you suppose, from the colour of the hair, to be your brother lying in the road, only to find that you are cradling the remains of a woman?
(Glenn Patterson)
Questions
(a) From your reading of the passage, what do you infer about the nature of the ‘Troubles’ the writer mentions?(b) What, according to the writer, were the working conditions in the Electronics firm where his father worked?
(c) Why was his father’s colleague sacked?
(d) How does the writer show that as father and son they do not know much about each other?
(e) Explain the underlined words/phrases in the passage:
Made the Belfast papers, had a spell, dubbed, was sacked, hit hard.
Solution:
(a) From your reading of the passage, what do you infer about the nature of the ‘Troubles’ the writer mentions?
The ‘Troubles’ refer to a period of civil unrest and violence in Northern Ireland. It was almost like a civil war, with bomb blasts and social tension affecting everyday life. People lived in constant fear, and normal life was disrupted by political and communal conflicts.
(b) What, according to the writer, were the working conditions in the Electronics firm where his father worked?
The electronics firm had demanding and strict working conditions. Computers were very large and complex, built by sheet metal workers. Time off was not easily allowed, as shown when a colleague was sacked for taking leave to get married.
(c) Why was his father’s colleague sacked?
The colleague was sacked because he took time off from work to get married.
(d) How does the writer show that as father and son they do not know much about each other?
The writer explains that he and his father are close in relation but do not share personal feelings, hopes, fears, or doubts. They talk about events rather than emotions, and the writer has never asked his father about how he might have reflected on life choices.
(e) Explain the underlined words/phrases in the passage:
- Made the Belfast papers – It was reported in the newspapers of Belfast.
- Had a spell – Worked for a short period or stint.
- Dubbed – Given a name or title; in this case, the strike was called the Honeymoon Strike.
- Was sacked – Was dismissed or fired from the job.
- Hit hard – Was severely affected, especially financially or emotionally.
Q3. Write a comprehensive note (250-300 words) on ONE of the following: (20)
Options:
(1) Lots of people confuse bad management with destiny.
(2) If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.
(3) We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their act.
(4) Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one.
Solution:
Option 1: Lots of people confuse bad management with destiny
Many people blame destiny for their failures, but the real cause is often poor planning and management. Success depends on careful decision-making, discipline, and proper organization. Understanding this helps one take responsibility and improve outcomes.
Option 2: If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade
Opportunities are rare and must be recognized and seized when they appear. Hesitation or fear can cause one to miss them. Success comes to those who act decisively and make the most of favorable chances.
Option 3: We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their act
We often judge ourselves by our intentions but judge others only by their actions. This double standard can be unfair. Being empathetic and understanding helps maintain fairness and better relationships.
Option 4: Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one
Goodwill is built gradually through honest and consistent actions but can be destroyed by a single misdeed. It is important to act responsibly to maintain trust and respect.
Q4. Change the voice of the verb in the following sentences: (10)
(1) The assassins shot the leader in broad daylight.
(2) The President inaugurated the Motorway recently.
(3) Will you negotiate the matter with the opposition?
(4) Why should I be suspected by you?
(5) The establishment is pleased with your performance.
(6) The Parliament members gave a hard time to the Prime Minister.
(7) The Prisoners in Cuba are being treated cruelly by the so-called Human Rights custodians.
(8) The present Government is serving the people honestly.
(9) Who did this?
(10) The Palestinians are avenging the death of their leaders.
Solution:
The assassins shot the leader in broad daylight.
→ The leader was shot by the assassins in broad daylight.The President inaugurated the Motorway recently.
→ The Motorway was inaugurated recently by the President.Will you negotiate the matter with the opposition?
→ Will the matter be negotiated with the opposition by you?Why should I be suspected by you?
→ Why should you suspect me?The establishment is pleased with your performance.
→ Your performance pleases the establishment.The Parliament members gave a hard time to the Prime Minister.
→ The Prime Minister was given a hard time by the Parliament members.The Prisoners in Cuba are being treated cruelly by the so-called Human Rights custodians.
→ The so-called Human Rights custodians are treating the prisoners in Cuba cruelly.The present Government is serving the people honestly.
→ The people are being served honestly by the present Government.Who did this?
→ By whom was this done?The Palestinians are avenging the death of their leaders.
→ The death of their leaders is being avenged by the Palestinians.
Q5. Change the following to reported speech: (10)
(1) “This is your house, isn’t it?” asked Jennie.
(2) “Where do you want to be dropped?” said the taxi driver.
(3) “Call the first witness,” said the judge.
(4) “Don’t blame him for the accident,” the boy’s mother said.
(5) He said, “I banged on Cliff’s door but he did not answer.”
(6) “Where is the boat? Hurry up, we are being chased,” she cried.
(7) “I have lost my way. Can you direct me to the Post Office please?” said the old lady.
(8) He said to me, “What a pity you missed such an important meeting.”
(9) “How wonderful! Why didn’t you suggest this plan earlier?”
(10) He said, “Let’s wait till the road gets cleared.”
Solution:
“This is your house, isn’t it?” asked Jennie.
→ Jennie asked if that was my house.“Where do you want to be dropped?” said the taxi driver.
→ The taxi driver asked where I wanted to be dropped.“Call the first witness,” said the judge.
→ The judge ordered to call the first witness.“Don’t blame him for the accident,” the boy’s mother said.
→ The boy’s mother advised not to blame him for the accident.He said, “I banged on Cliff’s door but he did not answer.”
→ He said that he had banged on Cliff’s door but he had not answered.“Where is the boat? Hurry up, we are being chased,” she cried.
→ She cried out where the boat was and urged to hurry because they were being chased.“I have lost my way. Can you direct me to the Post Office please?” said the old lady.
→ The old lady said that she had lost her way and asked if I could direct her to the Post Office.He said to me, “What a pity you missed such an important meeting.”
→ He told me that it was a pity I had missed such an important meeting.“How wonderful! Why didn’t you suggest this plan earlier?”
→ He exclaimed how wonderful it was and asked why I had not suggested this plan earlier.He said, “Let’s wait till the road gets cleared.”
→ He suggested waiting until the road got cleared.
Q6. Correct the following sentences: (10)
(1) The hostel provides boarding and lodging to students.
(2) My cousin will come to meet me.
(3) He lives at the back of my house.
(4) You have read it, haven’t you?
(5) We discussed this question.
(6) I am studying at a University for a year.
(7) Neither he nor I is at fault.
(8) The committee has issued a notice.
(9) One must boast of one’s great qualities.
(10) It is one of the best speeches that has ever been made in the General Assembly.
Solution:
- The hostel provides boarding and lodging to students.
→ The hostel provides board and lodging for students. - My cousin will come to meet me.
→ My cousin will come to see me. - He lives at the back of my house.
→ He lives behind my house. - You have read it, haven’t you?
→ Correct as it is. - We discussed this question.
→ Correct as it is. - I am studying at a University for a year.
→ I have been studying at a university for a year. - Neither he nor I is at fault.
→ Neither he nor I am at fault. - The committee has issued a notice.
→ Correct as it is. - One must boast of one’s great qualities.
→ One must not boast of one’s great qualities. - It is one of the best speeches that has ever been made in the General Assembly.
→ Correct as it is.
Q7. Use the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning: (10)
(1) Kick the bucket
(2) Bolt from the blue
(3) Put your foot down
(4) Worth your salt
(5) Down the drain
(6) All cars
(7) Swan song
(8) Cheek by Jowl
(9) in a nutshell
(10) Give me five
Solution:
Kick the bucket – to die.
→ Sadly, my old neighbor kicked the bucket last night.Bolt from the blue – a complete surprise.
→ The news of her resignation was a bolt from the blue.Put your foot down – to be firm or insist on something.
→ The teacher put her foot down and refused to give extra marks.Worth your salt – competent or deserving respect.
→ He is worth his salt as a manager; he always delivers excellent results.Down the drain – wasted or lost.
→ All our hard work went down the drain when the project was canceled.All ears – fully listening.
→ I’m all ears; tell me what happened at the meeting.Swan song – final performance or act before retirement or death.
→ The singer’s farewell concert was her swan song.Cheek by jowl – very close together.
→ In the crowded train, people were standing cheek by jowl.In a nutshell – briefly or in short.
→ In a nutshell, the project failed due to lack of planning.Give me five – a gesture of celebration or greeting (slap hands).
→ After winning the match, the players shouted, “Give me five!”