FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION 2021-22

MARK: 100
CLASS- X ENGLISH II TIME: 2HRS

Attempt five questions in all from only three text books.

You must attempt at least one question from each of the Section A, B and C.
Not more than two questions from each Section.
Each question will carry 20 marks.
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SECTION A- DRAMA
Answer one or more questions
The Merchant of Venice
Question.1
Shylock
…why thou loss upon loss! the thief gone with so much , and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no
revenge : nor no ill luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders; no sighs but of my breathing; no tears but of my
shedding.
Tubal
Yes, other men have I'll luck too: Antonio, as I heard in Genoa,-
i. Who is the thief referred to in the extract? What had the thief stolen? What loss has Shylock suffered due to
this theft?
ii. Who is Tubal? Why did he go to Genoa?
iii. What news did Tubal bring from Genoa about the thief?
iv. The extract refers to satisfaction and revange. In what context are these expressions used by Shylock?
v. State what I'll luck befell Antonio. Why was Shylock happy over the news?

Question.2
Portia
There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper,
That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek;
Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world
Could turn so much the constitution
Of any constant man. What, worse and worse!-
With leave, Bassanio; I am half yourself,
And I must freely have the half of anything
That this same paper brings you.
i. Where does the scene take place? Who brings the letter from Antonio to Bassanio?
ii. How does Portia conclude that there is some bad news in the letter? What could be the bad news according
to Portia?
iii. What right does Portia now have to know from Bassanio the contents of the letter?
iv. Briefly state what Bassanio told Portia about the bond and the destruction of Antonio's cargo ships.
v. What did Salerio say about Shylock's insistence on the forfeiture of Antonio's bond? What happens to the
bond at the end of the play?

Question. 3
Antonio
Let him alone:
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
He seeks my life; his reason well I know:
I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me;
Therefore he hates me.
Salarino
I am sure the Duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.
 i. What has enraged Antonio to speak in this manner? According to Antonio, why does Shylock seek his life?
ii. What does Salarino say about the Duke?
iii. Who are the strangers referred to in the extract? What commodity do they have in Venice?
iv. Can the Duke deny the course of law to the strangers? Why?
v. What final wish does Antonio express before he would die? What does it reveal about his character?

SECTION B - POETRY
Answer one or more questions
Treasure Trove
Question. 1
Thus I entered, and thus I go!
In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.
Paid by the world, what dost thou owe
Me? - God might question; now instead,
Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.
i. Where do you think that the speaker enters? Where does he go after that?
ii. Explain "In triumphs, people have dropped down dead." Which figure of speech is used here?
iii. The speaker says: " I am safer so". When does he feel safe? Why?
iv. How does the above extract reflect Browning's optimistic philosophy of life?
v. By giving two examples show how the poem depicts the sudden rise and fall of glory of man?

Question.2
The caged bird sings with fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
i. Under what circumstances does the caged bird sing? What does it tell us about his condition?
ii. Why does the caged bird sing of things unknown?
iii. What is meant by fearful trill? Why is it said to be fearful?
iv. What song is he singing? Why?
v. Why is his singing heard on a distant hill? What does this signify with reference to the poet's life?

SECTION C- SHORT STORIES

Answer one or more questions
Treasure Trove
Question. 1
She struck another- it burnt clearly and, where the light fell upon the wall, the bricks became transparent,
like gauze. She could see right into the room….."
i. Who was she referred to in the extract? Where was she? What happened when she lit the match stick?
ii. What did the girl see in the room when she lit the second match?
iii. Explain how the girl's visions are symbolic of her undying hope.
iv. Explain why the girl lit the whole bundle of matches at the end of the story?
v. How does this reflect on her mental state?

Question.2
Answer the following questions, with reference to Hans Anderson's, short story, ' The Little Match Girl'.
i. Despite facing cold, hunger and apathy of the people around her, the girl doesn't lose faith and hope. Justify
the statement in the context of the story.[6]
ii. How does the story reflect on the theme of class differentiation in the Victorian Era?[6]
iii. Describe the little match girl's hallucinations and there significance.[8]