Q. 2. Write a précis of the following passage and suggest a suitable title: (20) 

On the question of freedom in education there are at present three main schools of thought, deriving partly from differences as to ends and partly from differences in psychological theory. There are those who say that children should be completely free, however bad they may be; there are those who say they should be completely subject to authority, however good they may be; and there are those who say they should be free, but in spite of freedom they should be always good. This last party is larger than it has any logical right to be; children, like adults, will not all be virtuous if they are all free. The belief that liberty will ensure moral perfection is a relic of Rousseauism, and would not survive a study of animals and babies.

Those who hold this belief think that education should have no positive purpose, but should merely offer an environment suitable for spontaneous development. I cannot agree with this school, which seems to me too individualistic, and unduly indifferent to the importance of knowledge. We live in communities which require co-operation, and it would be utopian to expect all the necessary co-operation to result from spontaneous impulse. The existence of a large population on a limited area is only possible owing to science and technique; education must, therefore, hand on the necessary minimum of these.

The educators who allow most freedom are men whose success depends upon a degree of benevolence, self-control, and trained intelligence which can hardly be generated where every impulse is left unchecked; their merits, therefore, are not likely to be perpetuated if their methods are undiluted. Education, viewed from a social standpoint, must be something more positive than a mere opportunity for growth. It must, of course, provide this, but it must also provide a mental and moral equipment which children cannot acquire entirely for themselves.

Solution
Title: Freedom and Authority in Education
Précis:

There are three main views about freedom in education: some believe children should be completely free, others believe in strict authority, and a third group wants children to be free yet always good. This last idea is unrealistic because freedom alone does not make people virtuous. Supporters of absolute freedom think education should only provide an environment for natural growth, but this view ignores the importance of knowledge and social needs. Since modern societies depend on cooperation, science, and technical skills, education must actively teach these essentials. Teachers who offer too much freedom succeed only because of their own discipline and intelligence, qualities that cannot develop where impulses are unchecked. Therefore, education must not only allow growth but also give children the mental and moral training they cannot gain on their own.

Q. 3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end. (20)

The majority of people have always lived simply, and most of humanity still struggles on a daily basis to eke out a meager existence under dire circumstances. Only in affluent industrialized countries do people have the luxury of more goods and services than they need to survive. On the basis of material wealth, North Americans and Europeans should be the happiest people on earth, but according to the 2012 Happy Planet Index (HPI), they are not. Surprisingly, what had begun as an experimental lifestyle evolved into a quiet revolution that spread the word through books such as Duane Elgin’s best-selling Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (1981), as well as numerous magazines, alternative communities of the like-minded, and, later, Internet websites. Combined with a growing awareness of the environmental consequences of consumerism, the voluntary simplicity movement sought to reduce the consumption of goods and energy and to minimize one’s personal impact on the environment. “Voluntary” denotes a free and conscious choice to make appropriate changes that will enrich life in a deeper, spiritual sense. “Simplicity” refers to the lack of clutter, that is, eliminating all those things, patterns, habits, and ideas that take control of our lives and distract us from our inner selves. However, this is not to be confused with poverty, which is involuntary, degrading, and debilitating. Neither does it mean that people must live on a farm or reject progress or technology, or do without what is necessary for their comfort and welfare. To practice voluntary simplicity, one must differentiate between what one wants (psychological desires) and what one needs (basic requirements of life), and seek a healthy balance that is compatible with both. In a consumer society where advertising bombards us with the message that without this, that, and the other product, we are unsuccessful, undesirable, and unimportant, being clear on what you really need and resisting what you don’t can be an ongoing struggle. The beauty of voluntary simplicity is that it is a philosophy, and not a dogma. How one goes about it depends on individual character, cultural background, and climate. For this, three Rs (i.e., Reduce, Recycle & Reuse) represent the best way to get a handle on rampant consumerism. In economies driven by the quest for ever more, living with less is erroneously equated with poverty and social inferiority. By conserving energy, for instance, you are actually ensuring that more resources are available for future use. By making a frugal budget and sticking to it, you can eliminate unnecessary expenses. Recycling paper, metal, plastic, and glass and reusing building materials and old clothing keep materials in the loop and out of landfills. Pooling skills and resources through barter networks not only saves money, but sharing with others establishes bonds and fosters a sense of community. With the glut of cheap goods that are usually designed for obsolescence, quality products that last are becoming progressively harder to find. In the long run, a more expensive but durable and repairable item or even an older used item that is still in good condition is a better investment than a brand new piece of junk that will only break down and end up in the trash. Thus, at the heart of voluntary simplicity is the conscious realization that less is really more. Less consumption means more resources for future generations. Less activity that brings little satisfaction or reward is more time for yourself and your loved ones. Less stuff is more space to move around in. Less stress means more relaxation and better health. Less worry provides more enjoyment and more fulfillment in life

Questions: (4 marks each)

1. How important is happiness to most people, and what is the relationship between material wealth and happiness?
2. How does the author characterize the concept of ‘Voluntary Simplicity’ as a movement and as a philosophy?
3. What impact is feared by the growing consumerism of modern society?
4. What influences make it difficult for people to reduce their consumption patterns?
5. What are the challenges and rewards of voluntary simplicity?

Solution

Questions & Answers

1. How important is happiness to most people, and what is the relationship between material wealth and happiness?

Happiness is very important to most people. However, material wealth does not guarantee happiness. Even in rich countries, such as North America and Europe, people are not the happiest because inner satisfaction cannot be achieved through possessions alone.

2. How does the author characterize the concept of ‘Voluntary Simplicity’ as a movement and as a philosophy?

As a movement, voluntary simplicity began as an experimental lifestyle and spread through books, magazines, communities, and the Internet. It aims to reduce consumption and environmental impact.
As a philosophy, it is a free and conscious choice to live simply, remove clutter, and focus on inner peace and spiritual richness. It is flexible and personal, not a strict rule or dogma.

3. What impact is feared by the growing consumerism of modern society?

Growing consumerism can deplete natural resources, create excessive waste, damage the environment, and promote a culture of unnecessary spending. It also encourages people to focus on desires rather than real needs, causing stress and dissatisfaction.

4. What influences make it difficult for people to reduce their consumption patterns?

Advertising and media constantly pressure people to buy goods by suggesting that without them, they are unsuccessful, undesirable, or unimportant. This makes it difficult to distinguish between wants and needs and resist unnecessary consumption.

5. What are the challenges and rewards of voluntary simplicity?

Challenges: Distinguishing between wants and needs, resisting consumer pressures, and maintaining a frugal lifestyle.
Rewards: More time for oneself and loved ones, better health, reduced stress, more peace, stronger community bonds, conserved resources for future generations, and a fulfilling, meaningful life.

Q. 4. Correct only FIVE of the following: (10)
(i) His knowledge of languages and international relations aid him in his work.
(ii) The ambassador, with his family and staff, invite you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday
afternoon.
(iii) This year, he will sit in the CSS examination.
(iv) The Chief Executive will let us know whether or not he can attend the meeting.
(v) When he came back from vacation, Aslam and me plan to look for another apartment.
(vi) If some of you make a noise, they shall be punished.
(vii) He came to me to enquire what is the salary attached to the appointment.
(viii) I am too tired that I do not hunt words and idioms in my English book

Solution

Q.4. Correct only FIVE of the following:

1. (i) His knowledge of languages and international relations aids him in his work.
   Correction: “aid” → “aids” because the subject “knowledge” is singular.

2. (ii) The ambassador, with his family and staff, invites you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon.
   Correction: “invite” → “invites” because the main subject “The ambassador” is singular.

3. (v) When he came back from vacation, Aslam and I planned to look for another apartment.
   Correction: “me plan” → “I planned” to match tense and correct pronoun.

4. (vi) If some of you make a noise, you shall be punished.
   Correction: “they” → “you” to agree with the subject “some of you.”

5. (viii) I am too tired to hunt words and idioms in my English book.
   Correction: “that I do not” → “to” for correct infinitive construction.

Q. 5
(a)
Punctuate the following text, where necessary. (05)
while taking a nap on the porch one hot summer day Hodga dreamed that a stranger promised to give him ten pieces of gold. The stranger placed them in Hodga’s hand one by one until he reached the tenth piece, which he hesitated to give him.
“Come on! What are you waiting for?” said Hodga. “You promised me ten.”
Just then he woke up. He immediately looked at his hand and saw that it was empty. He quickly shut his eyes again, stretched out his hand, and said, “All right, I’ll settle for nine.”

Solution

(a) Punctuated Text

While taking a nap on the porch one hot summer day, Hodga dreamed that a stranger promised to give him ten pieces of gold. The stranger placed them in Hodga’s hand one by one until he reached the tenth piece, which he hesitated to give him.

“Come on! What are you waiting for?” said Hodga. “You promised me ten!”

Just then he woke up. He immediately looked at his hand and saw that it was empty. He quickly shut his eyes, again stretched out his hand, and said, “All right, I’ll settle for nine.”

(b).
Re-write the following sentences (ONLY FIVE) after filling in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions. (05)

(i) The neighbours came to my house to see what’s going on in the house.
(ii) She sat in the shade of the tree.
(iii) The moon does not shine by its own light.
(iv) The burglar jumped over the compound wall.
(v) She entered into an agreement with them.
(vi) I have been working hard at arithmetic.
(vii) He got on his bicycle.
(viii) It cannot be done without offence.

Solution
(b) Fill in the Blanks with Appropriate Prepositions

1. The neighbours came to my house to see what’s going on in the house.
2. She sat under the shade of the tree.
3. The moon does not shine by its own light.
4. The burglar jumped over the compound wall.
5. She entered into an agreement with them.
   
   

Q. 6. Use only FIVE pairs of words in sentences clearly illustrating their meanings. (10)
(i) Antic, Antique
(ii) Draught, Drought
(iii) Quaint, Queer
(iv) Momentary, Momentous
(v) Compliment, Complement
(vi) Eminent, Imminent
(vii) Faint, Feint
(viii) Immigrant, Emigrant

Solution:

1. Antic / Antique

• • The children performed a funny antic that made everyone laugh.
  • She displayed a beautiful antique vase in her living room.

2. Draught / Drought

• • I felt a cold draught coming through the window.
  • The crops failed because of a severe drought in the region.

3. Quaint / Queer

• • They stayed in a quaint little cottage by the lake.
  • He had a queer feeling that something bad was about to happen.

4. Momentary / Momentous

• • There was a momentary pause in the conversation.
  • The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous event in history.

5. Compliment / Complement

• • She paid me a nice compliment on my dress.
  • The red scarf is a perfect complement to her outfit.
    
    

Q. 7. Translate the following into English by keeping in view figurative/idiomatic expressions. (10)

Solution: Translation

An elder once said that beyond the jungle there is a mountain where a special flower grows, whose fragrance can fill the eyes with light. However, the mountain is very high, and countless thorns, sharp bushes, and large rocks block the way. Many people have tried to climb this mountain and returned, but no one has ever reached the flower. Perhaps this is why there is sorrow and suffering in the world, and why humans are always in search of light.