Sem I

F Y B COM (2019 Pattern)
Compulsory English I (111)
Study Material
Text: SUCCESS AVENUE
Compiled & Edited by
Dr Satyajit T Patil
Department of English
Pemraj Sarda College, Ahmednagar
1. The Beggar
Anton Chekhov
Warm-up Work:
• Collect information about the political and economic background of Russia.
• Get knowledge about the profession of a lawyer and a notary.
Summary & Analysis
‘The Beggar’ is a thought-provoking short story written by the famous Russian author
Anton Chekhov. This story is about an aimless and spoiled person who is transformed
due to the genuine goodwill of a cook rather than the advice or assistance offered by a
lawyer. In this story, Chekhov deals with the theme of poverty and hardship in a clever
manner. The moral of the story is: ‘Deeds are more important than words.’
There are three main characters in this story: Skvortsov, a supportive lawyer;
Lushkov, a vagabond and Olga, Skvortsov’s cook. In the beginning, we find that Lushkov
comes to meet the lawyer and seeks monetary help from him. He tells lies about his
personal as well as professional life. In fact, he no longer wishes to work because of his
addiction to alcoholism. So he has resorted to begging in order to survive. He believes
that his fake stories will help him get money from strangers out of pity on him. However,
Skvortsov is shrewd enough to see through his deceit and exposes him soon. Still, being
generous to the core, he decides to help Lushkov. Though he feels little compassion for
the man, he is confident that hard work will cure him of his homelessness and will bring
him on the right track. That is why, he gives Lushkov petty domestic jobs (like chopping
the wood in the backyard, sweeping the snow, beating the rugs and mattresses, etc.)
and pays him for the same. At the same time, he counsels Lushkov and encourages him
to perform better. He observes steady improvement in Lushkov’s behaviour. In order to
provide him better way of living, Skvortsov recommends Lushkov to his colleague for
the job of copy writing.
Lushkov stops visiting the lawyer’s house. It is after two years when both of them
meet each other by chance. Lushkov informs Skvortsov that he has been working in a
notary’s office and is living happily. Skvortsov is quite pleased with this. “…you are my
godson. It was I who shoved you into the right way”, he exclaims. He thinks that he has
been successful in refining a vagabond through guidance and motivation. However,
Lushkov surprises him by giving the full credit of his reformation to Olga. He calls her
“kind, noble-hearted woman” and adds that she showed extraordinary love and
generosity for him. He discloses a secret that he did not do any work in Skvortsov’s
house. Olga felt pity for him and “did it all!” Her behaviour made him introspect and
brought about a change in his “soul”. In this way, Olga proves to be his real benefactor.
Questions & Answers:
Q.1) What made Lushkov become a beggar?
Ans: ‘The Beggar’ is an interesting short story written by the famous Russian author
Anton Chekov. This story is about an aimless and spoiled person who is transformed
due to the kindness and help of a noble cook rather than the advice or assistance
offered by a lawyer. In this story, Chekhov deals with the importance of ethics and
values in everyone’s life.
Lushkov was compelled to beg because he had been expelled from a Russian
musical band. He was quite lazy and had developed the habit of drinking. He was
“young, strong and healthy” but he was not interested in acquiring any skill. He did not
want to do any hard work. So, he took to begging and lying to win bread and butter. He
used to tell fake stories to others and gain their sympathy. He described himself as a
“poor, hungry man” and added that he had “not tasted food for three days”. He thought
that it was the best way to survive.
Q.2) Attempt the character sketch of Skvortsov, the lawyer.
Ans: ‘The Beggar’ is a thought-provoking short story written by the famous Russian
author Anton Chekov. This story is about a feigned beggar who is drastically changed
due to the nobility and kindness of a cook rather than the advice and support by a
lawyer. In this story, Chekhov deals with the theme of poverty and hardship in a clever
manner. The moral of the story is: ‘Deeds are more important than words.’
Skvortsov is an important character of this story. He is a lawyer in Petersburg. He

is rich and renowned. That is why he lives in a huge house and can afford many servants.
Though the writer has not provided any information about his family, he seems to live
alone in the house. Skvortsov is a friendly person. He is quite sensitive by nature. The
most notable quality in him is “kindliness, a feeling heart, sympathy for the unhappy.”
He likes to help others and thereby bring about a change in their life. It is his “charity”
and genuine desire to “give to the poor without no misgivings in his heart” that make
him an admirable figure.
When Lushkov (the beggar) approaches Skvortsov, he spares time to talk to him.
At the same time, he observes the beggar keenly. Being a clever judge of human nature,
he suspects the authenticity of Lushkov’s story. Very soon, he is successful in finding out
the truth. Initially he is quite angry and gives the beggar a merciless scolding. But when
his anger passes away, he feels sympathy for the beggar. Therefore, he offers Lushkov
the job of cutting wood. It shows that Skvortsov strongly believes in ethics and values.
He is himself a hard worker and regards work as worship. Though he hates liars, he puts
faith in Lushkov as he really wants to help him. It is because he sincerely holds that there
is innate goodness in every human being and every person should get a chance to
rectify his/her mistakes.
Witnessing the change in Lushkov’s nature and behaviour, Skvortsov is proud

that he had put a beggar on the path of honesty. He is happy that his words had a great
impact on the beggar. He takes all the credit of reforming the beggar. Ultimately, he
realises that his concern was more in his words than in his attitude. His intentions were
noble, but he could not empathize with the beggar. The lesson he learns probably takes
him to another level.
To conclude, Skvortsov is undoubtedly an advocate of honesty and humanity.
Q. 3) Comment on the role played by Olga in the story ‘The Beggar’.

Or
What message do you get from the story ‘The Beggar’?
Ans: ‘The Beggar’ is a famous short story written by the well-known Russian author
Anton Chekov. This story is about a feigned beggar who is drastically changed due to
the nobility and kindness of a cook rather than the advice and support by a lawyer. It
gives us a valuable message that attitude is more important than the words to bring
about a change.
Lushkov, who worked in a musical band, loses the job because of his alcoholism.
He starts begging and telling lies to win sympathy for him. Skvortsov, a generous lawyer
wants to bring him on the path of honesty. He gives the beggar a merciless scolding for
his laziness. At the same time, he also offers him the petty jobs to help him survive. Later
on, the beggar gives up drinking and starts working hard. Skvortsov recommends him to
one of his colleagues in order to enhance his economic condition. After two years, both
of them meet by chance outside a theatre. Skvortsov is delighted to find that Lushkov
has settled in his life well. He takes all the credit of reforming the beggar himself. At that
time, Lushkov discloses that it was Olga, Skvortsov’s cook who brought about a change
in his “soul”. This shows that Olga plays the role of a redeemer in Lushkov’s life.
Technically speaking, Olga is a minor character in the story. She is the cook
working in Skvortsov’s house. There is no information provided about her appearance or
personality. She does not utter a single word in the story. Her actions and reactions are
reported to us really through other characters. Apparently, she seems to be a
straightforward lady who does not like to interfere with other’s affairs. She is dutiful and
hard working. Skvortsov describes her as “a cross creature” indicating that she is
somewhat whimsical by nature.
When Skvortsov asks Olga to supervise Lushkov, she is much disturbed. She finds
it difficult to manage her “pseudo-student”. She pours her anger on Lushkov and abuses
him bitterly. She blames him all the time and addresses him as a “God-forsaken man!”
However, it is revealed in the end of the story that Olga is quite kind-hearted. Lushkov
calls her a “noble-hearted woman.” It becomes clear that she truly pitied him and cared
for his future. She sympathised with him and shed tears over his fate. She displayed her
nobility by doing all the work allotted to Lushkov. Her selfless attitude towards an
unknown person is quite praiseworthy. Lushkov realises the honesty of her intension
and he repents a lot. He is ashamed of his laziness and is motivated to work with
sincerity.
In this way, it is Olga, an illiterate servant, who brings about a lasting change in
the mind-set of a vagabond due to her extraordinary goodness and generosity.
Sources Referred:
Chaskar, Ashok, et al., editors. Success Avenue. Orient Black Swan, 2019.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anton-Chekhov
https://smartenglishnotes.com/2020/03/20/the-beggar-by-anton-chekov-summary-
and-questions/
https://www.learncram.com/english-summary/the-beggar-summary/
http://sittingbee.com/the-beggar-anton-chekhov/
2. Black Money and the Black Economy
C Rammanohar Reddy
Warm-up Work:
• Collect the details about demonetization in India.
• Understand the concept of White Paper.
Summary & Analysis:
‘Black Money and the Black Economy’ is an extract taken from Demonetisation and Black
Money, a topical book by a senior economist C Rammanohar Reddy written on the
backdrop of the Central Government’s striking decision to demonetise the currency
notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. In the present passage, the author discusses the concepts
of ‘black money’ and black economy’. He also explains how the black money has deeply
integrated into the Indian economy.
Black money is associated with different terms such as parallel economy, black
income, unaccounted economy, illegal economy and irregular economy. It can be
defined as the money that is hidden from tax authorities. As Reddy remarks, black
money can be generated from two broad ways: one is “illegal activities such as
extortion, trafficking, drugs and corruption”. The other way is legal but the income
gained is not reported to the government. In other words, “taxes and other dues are not
paid to the government authorities...”
The first category is the more obvious of the two. Money that is earned through
illegal activity is not reported to the tax authorities. So, it is unaccounted or ‘black’. The
second category comprises of the income received from legal activity but is not
reported to the tax authorities. This is called “tax evasion”. Most of the dealings in real
estate follow this method. Generally, 60% payment is made by cheque or electronic
transfer and the remaining 40% in cash. This cash component is not reported to the
Income Tax Department.
The author further defines ‘black economy’ as “the set of activities which
generate black money or the activities into which the legal-turned-illegal money flows”.
The black money earned from one illegal activity is invested in another illegal activity or
used to bribe public officers. In this way, black money is interlinked with the black
economy. In fact, it is the offshoot of the black economy. Therefore, according to Reddy,
“… if black money is to be removed from the economy, it is the black economy which
must be destroyed.”
As the author further remarks, “there is a constant flow of money between white
and black streams”. To prove this point, he gives the example of a real estate developer
who invests a share of his black money in land or gold and thus creates unaccounted
assets. At the same time, s/he makes payments to the workers using the cash received in
black. These workers purchase the goods from their wages and the black money
becomes white. Thus, there is a constant movement of money in both forms (black and
white). Therefore, Reddy states, there is “an intermingling of the legal and illegal
activities.”
On many occasions, black money crosses the national borders. The black money
of one country is invested into the other. It is used to purchase immovable assets or
kept in a bank (like the Swiss Bank). After some time, this money is brought back to the
original country via legal route in sophisticated manner such as NRI investment or
foreign donation. In this way, black money always travels in a circular direction. This is
called the ‘round-tripping’ of money.
In 2012, the Ministry of Finance of the Central Government published a White

Paper describing the various forms of generation of black money. This Paper mentions
that the methods of generation of black money have become quite smart and tricky in
these days. Previously, this money was generated in a ‘crude’ way but nowadays it is
generated in many sectors. The most vulnerable areas for the formation of black money
include real estate (land and buildings), mining, bullion (costly metals such as platinum,
gold and silver) as well as jewelry transactions, commodity markets, the film industry,
and the non-profit sectors such as educational institutes and hospitals.
In this way, ‘Black Money and the Black Economy’ underlines the bitter reality that
black money and black economy are deeply rooted in India. They have posed a serious
challenge for every government to face.
Q.1) What is ‘black money’ and how is it produced?
Ans: ‘Black Money and the Black Economy’ is an extract taken from Demonetisation and
Black Money, a topical book by a senior economist C Rammanohar Reddy written on the
backdrop of the Central Government’s striking decision to demonetise the currency
notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. In the present passage,the author discusses the concepts
of ‘black money’ and black economy’. He also explains how the black money has deeply
Black money is associated with different terms such as parallel economy, black
income, unaccounted economy, illegal economy and irregular economy. It can be
defined as the money that is hidden from tax authorities. As Reddy remarks, black
money can be generated from two broad ways: one is “illegal activities such as
extortion, trafficking, drugs and corruption”. The other way is legal but the income
gained is not reported to the government. In other words, “taxes and other dues are not
paid to the government authorities...”
The first category is the more obvious of the two. Money that is earned through
illegal activity is not reported to the tax authorities. So, it is unaccounted or ‘black’. The
second category comprises of the income received from legal activity but is not
reported to the tax authorities. This is called “tax evasion”. Most of the dealings in real
estate follow this method. Generally, 60% payment is made by cheque or electronic
transfer and the remaining 40% in cash. This cash component is not reported to the
Income Tax Department.
Q. 2) Describe the concept of ‘black economy’. How does it affect the nation?
Ans: ‘Black Money and the Black Economy’ is an excerpt taken from Demonetisation and
Black Money, an informative book written by a well-known economist C Rammanohar
Reddy. It is based on the Central Government’s daring decision to demonetise the
currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. Thispassage discusses the concepts of ‘black
money’ and black economy’. The author explains how the black money has deeply
Reddy defines ‘black economy’ as “the set of activities which generate black
money or the activities into which the legal-turned-illegal money flows”. The black
money earned from one illegal activity is invested in another illegal activity or used to
bribe public officers. In this way, black money is interlinked with the black economy. In
fact, it is the offshoot of the black economy. Therefore, according to Reddy, “… if black
money is to be removed from the economy, it is the black economy which must be
destroyed.”
As the author further remarks, “there is a constant flow of money between white
and black streams”. To prove this point, he gives the example of a real estate developer
who invests a share of his black money in land or gold and thus creates unaccounted
assets. At the same time, s/he makes payments to the workers using the cash received in
black. These workers purchase the goods from their wages and the black money
becomes white. Thus, there is a constant movement of money in both forms (black and
white). Therefore, Reddy states, there is “an intermingling of the legal and illegal
activities.”
Black economy is harmful for the economy of any nation because it encourages
criminal and illegal activities. The law and order of the nation is in danger due to this
economy. At the same time, the country has to suffer great loss as it does not receive
any tax on the income generated.
Sources Referred:
https://blog.ipleaders.in/impact-of-black-money-on-indian-economy/
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/what-is-black-money-and-why-is-it-to-
so-difficult-to-quantify-it/article28228853.ece
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/black-money-stashed-
outside-india-is-estimated-at-216-490-bn-say-studies-119062401479_1.html
3. The Nightingale and the Rose
Oscar Wilde
Warm-up Work:
• Collect primary information about the bird named nightingale.
• Understand the concept of ‘Personification’.
Summary & Analysis:
‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ is a tragic short story written by the well-known English
author Oscar Wilde. It was originally published in a collection of children’s stories.
Despite this, it deals with philosophical and emotional issues present in the world of
adults. Through this story, the author tries to throw light on the true meaning of
compassion, love and sacrifice.
The story begins with a young student who is lamenting in his garden because
the love of his life will dance with him in the ball only if he brings her a red rose but
there is no red rose in his garden. The Nightingale, living in the oak-tree of his garden,
hears the young man crying over his helplessness and lamenting the fact that all his
learning is useless since it cannot win him a girl’s love. The nightingale comes to know
that the young man is weeping for a red rose. She feels the pain of that boy and wants
to help him.
The bird flies and goes to the various bushes but cannot find a red rose. Finally,
she comes to know about a way of getting a red rose by a tree. She performs a suicidal
act while singing with her heart on the thorn, giving her heart’s blood to a white rose
which turns it in to a beautiful red rose. In this process the Nightingale dies.
When the student wakes up, he sees the red rose under his window. He plucks it
joyously and brings it to his love. However, the girl rejects the rose by saying that it will
not match her blue dress and someone else has brought her jewels that are worth more
than a rose. The boy throws the rose in the gutter and a cart runs over it.
At the end he decides that logic is better than love and love is unrealistic. He
goes back to his home and starts reading a book.
Q.1) Comment on the themes of the story, ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’.
Ans: ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ is a tragic short story written by the well-known
English author Oscar Wilde. Through this story, the author tries to throw light on the
true meaning of compassion, love and sacrifice. At the same time, he also comments on
the materialistic mentality of modern man.
The story is having multiple themes woven together in a clever manner. The
theme of sacrifice is explored through the Nightingale’s self-sacrifice in the name of true
love and for the sake of helping others. When the Nightingale sees the young student
crying for his sweetheart, she feels pity for him. She finds a combination of “passion”
and “sorrow” on his face. So, she decides to help him and goes out of her nest in search
of a red rose. After searching for it everywhere, she comes to know about a way of
getting the rose. She has to drop her heart’s blood on a white flower and make it red.
She believes that it is worth giving her life to make the student happy. In fact, there is no
relationship between the boy and the bird. Still, the nightingale sacrifices her life for
him. Though nobody appreciates her greatness and her sacrifice is wasted, her noble act
makes her memorable.
The story is about the different shades of love. In the beginning of the story, the
student claims to be in love with his professor’s daughter and is crying for a red rose. It
is because she will dance with him in the Prince’s party if he gives her the flower. The
Nightingale sacrifices her life for the sake of love. She remarks, “Love is better than Life”.
Wilde is trying to convey that true love does exist but people make it shallow and
selfish. The student who thinks that he is in love does not truly know the meaning of
love. When the girl rejects his red rose, he calls her ungrateful and says that love is “a
silly thing”. Same is the case with the girl who prefers a rich young man (Chamberlain’s
nephew) as her dancing partner only because he is extremely rich.
The theme of materialism is explored by the human characters. The young

student, Professor’s daughter and Chamberlain’s nephew are materialistic in some
sense. The student who claims to be in love is selfish. For him a red rose is worth more
than Nightingale’s life. When the Nightingale sings a song, he says that her voice lacks
emotion. It shows that he is a materialistic person who is unable to feel deep emotions.
On the other hand, his love, the professor’s daughter also shows materialism by
rejecting the red rose. She thinks that precious jewels are more worthy than a red rose.
In the end of the story the sacrifice of Nightingale goes wasted when the girl rejects the
rose and the boy destroys it. Furthermore, Chamberlain’s nephew is also materialistic
because he brings precious jewels for the girl to impress the girl. He feels that he can
buy anything in the world including love. Thus, all of them fail to understand the true
worth of love.
Q. 2) Attempt the character sketch of the nightingale.

OR
Comment on the ending of the story, ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’.
Ans: ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ is a tragic short story written by the well-known
English author Oscar Wilde. Basically written for children, this story carries an important
message for the adults. Through this story, the author tries to throw light on the true
meaning of compassion, love and sacrifice. At the same time, he also comments on the
money-mindedness of human beings.
The Nightingale is the protagonist of the story. She is romantic by nature and is
inspired by student’s love. She sings about love all the time and eagerly wishes to see a
true lover. For her, “Love is a wonderful thing… It may not be purchased of the
merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance of gold”. When she sees the
student crying for a red rose, she decides to sacrifice her life to help him out. She gives
her heart’s blood to a white flower to colour its petals and in this process she dies. The
whole story revolves around her sacrifice and selfless nature which is not appreciated.
The ending of the story shows that the student sees the rose under his window
and offers it to the girl he loves. However, she rejects it and values the expensive jewels
over it. Out of frustration, the boy throws the rose into a gutter. Thus, the selfless
sacrifice of the bird is ignored and wasted by everyone. It shows that sacrifice should be
made for those who are able to appreciate its worth.
Sources Referred:
https://americanliterature.com/author/oscar-wilde/short-story/the-nightingale-and-the-
rose
https://litpriest.com/short-stories/the-nightingale-and-the-rose-summary/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc6ey1lj_Ak
4. Muhammad Yunus: An Economics for Peace
Farida Khan
Warm-up Work:
• Collect information about the social, political and economic condition of Bangladesh.
• Collect the details about the process of loan approval followed by the banks.
Summary & Analysis:
‘Muhammad Yunus: An Economics for Peace’ is an informative article that describes the
inspiring success story of the world-famous Bangladeshi economist and founder of the
Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus. In particular, the article focuses on the formation
and functioning of the Grameen Bank, founded by Yunus to help its clients establish
creditworthiness and financial self-sufficiency.
A Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, Yunus began studying the

economic aspects of poverty in 1974 as famine swept through Bangladesh. He realised
that agricultural training alone would not benefit the large population of landless poor
who had no assets. What the poor needed, he believed, was access to money that would
help them build small businesses. In 1976, Yunus started an initiative to offer “micro
loans”, named the Grameen Bank Project. It was a credit system designed to meet the
needs of the poor in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government made the Grameen Bank
Project an independent bank in 1983. Today the Grameen Bank has become a model for
the world.
Muhammad Yunus received the Nobel Prize in 2006.He is the first economist to
win this prestigious honour for Peace. It is quite surprising because in general people do
not find any connection between economics and peace. The Nobel Peace Prize is given
to "the person who shall have done the most … for the abolition or reduction of
standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." The prize was
given to Muhammad Yunus for his untiring efforts to create economic and social
development of the poorest of the poor. Indeed, Yunus has extended noteworthy
contribution "to advance democracy and human rights."
Q.1) Write a note on the contribution made by Muhammad Yunus to economics.

OR
Why is Muhammad Yunus known as the ‘Economist for Peace’?
OR
Trace the origin and development of Grameen Bank.
Ans: ‘Muhammad Yunus: An Economics for Peace’ is an informative article that

describes the inspiring success story of the Nobel Prize Winner Bangladeshi economist
and founder of the Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus. In particular, the article focuses
on the formation and functioning of the Grameen Bank, founded by Yunus to help its
clients establish creditworthiness and financial self-sufficiency.
According to the author, while studying in the US, Yunus received the guidance
of Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, a unique thinker who created "evolutionary economics".
His philosophy influenced Yunus develop the ideas behind Grameen. Through him,
Yunus understood that without the human side, "economics is just as hard and dry as
stone."
Yunus returned to his motherland in 1972 and began teaching in a university.

During the famine of 1974, he realised that there is no linkage between academic
economics and the reality of people dying from hunger. He was quite disturbed as he
found it difficult to teach economic models which were of no use if not implemented to
defeat poverty. At this time, he met Sufia Khatun, a village woman, who was weaving
and selling cane stools. She had to borrow from the local moneylender to purchase raw
materials and made a profit of a penny on each stool. Yunus decided to break the
monopoly of private lenders and increase her income. He lent money to Sufia and forty-
one others for their business projects. It was a turning point in the life of the poor
woman who had “never seen so much money in her life” and had “never imagined it in
her hands.”
This led to the establishment of an innovative group-lending system where

collateral interest-free loans were given to the group members. They were collectively
responsible for the repayment. This initiative was converted into the Grameen Bank in
1976 which is owned by its borrowers. As the author reports, “Grameen's initial
repayment rates were at 97% ... What was distinctly unusual was its clientele - 95% were
women who owned less than half an acre of land”. The Grameen Bank has helped build
a relationship of trust among the rural women and the bankers.
Grameen has moved on to other areas by providing housing loans, introducing

pension schemes, and reviving the production as well as marketing of handloom. The
Grameen Telecom is the largest provider of mobile phones in Bangladesh.
The success of Grameen has inspired many nations across the world including
America. The concept of “microcredit” has been used everywhere. The author informs
that every developing country in the world has tried it as a measure to fight poverty.
Even the World Bank has started funding many schemes incorporating microcredit
around the globe.
In this way, Professor Yunus has made an outstanding contribution in the field of
economics as well as peace. He has successfully taught the notion that credit is a human
right.
Sources Referred:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Yunus
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/yunus_4030jsp/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Elders
Poetry
1. Up-hill
Christina Rosetti
Warm-up Work:
• Understand the concept of allegory.

• Relate your experience of trekking to a hill station or climbing a fort.
Summary & Analysis:
Christina Rossetti is known as one of the most important female poets of the 19 th
century. ‘Up-hill’ is a famous allegorical poem written by Rossetti. It compares life to a
painful journey.The poem is in the form of a conversation between two friends who are
travelling upwards. At a deeper level, it can be viewed as one’s own dialogue with
oneself which represents the dilemma everyone faces at a certain stage in life.
‘Up-hill’ consists of four stanzas of four lines each. It is written from the
perspective of two distinct narrators: one asks questions and the other provides
answers. The lines alternate between asking questions and giving answers.
In the first stanza, the first speaker asks about “the road” and whether or not it is
uphill throughout. S/he also wants to know whether s/he will have to walk the “whole
long day”. It indicates that s/he is tired of travelling and is anxious to reach the
destination. The second speaker is an absolute contrast to the first. S/he is clam and
quiet. S/he replies that the journey is tough and they will have to move on from “morn
to night”.
The questions and answers continue in the second stanza. It is now clear that the
first speaker is confused and lacks confidence. The second one is exactly opposite to
him/her. While the former is not certain that there is an inn for shelter, the latter is sure
that they will find it before it is too dark.
In the third stanza, the first passenger wonders if they will find fellow travelers in
the inn and suspects if they will be allowed to come in. The anxiety of the first speaker is
understood by the second who assures him/her that they will be welcomed by the other
“wayfarers”.
In the final stanza, the first speaker enquires if s/he will “find comfort” as s/he is
“travel-sore and weak”. Upon this, the second speaker replies that s/he will “find the
sum” of all labours when they will reach the end point.
Q. 1) Summarize the main idea of the poem ‘Up-hill’.

OR
Explain the philosophical implications of the journey described in ‘Up-hill’.
OR
Discuss ‘Up-hill’ as an allegorical poem.
Ans: ‘Up-hill’ is a famous allegorical poem written by the prominent English poet
Christina Rossetti. The poem is in the form of a conversation between two friends who
are travelling upwards. At a deeper level, it can be viewed as one’s own dialogue with
oneself which represents the dilemma everyone faces at a certain stage in life.
‘Up-hill’ consists of four stanzas of four lines each. It is written from the
perspective of two distinct narrators: one asks questions and the other provides
answers. The first speaker repeatedly asks about “the road” and whether or not it is
uphill throughout. S/he also wants to know whether s/he will have to walk the “whole
long day”. It indicates that s/he is tired of travelling and is anxious to reach the
destination. The second speaker is an absolute contrast to the first. S/he is clam and
quiet. S/he replies that the journey is tough and they will have to move on from “morn
to night”. While the first speaker is confused and lacks confidence, the second one is
sure that their journey will end up as a success. That is why, in the last stanza s/he
remarks that they will “find the sum” of their labours when they will reach their
destination.
An allegory is a literary work which carries two meanings. The first one is literal
while the second one is symbolic. The first meaning can be easily understood by the
readers, but it requires deep thinking to understand the second meaning which is
implied and important. At its core, ‘Up-hill’ is about two voices: one struggling and
seeking rest while the other is confident and optimistic. The poem is allegorical because
the journey described in it is nothing but life in a metaphorical context. The traveler
represents every human being who has to face several problems and cross numerous
hurdles to reach the place of comfort. The final destination is salvation, the ultimate goal
of each soul, according to most religions.
In this way, ‘Up-hill’ is an allegorical and philosophical poem that gives us a
positive message. It teaches us the true meaning of life. While reading the poem, we are
reminded of the famous saying: No defeat is final until we stop trying! At the same time,
it motivates us not to stop till we are successful in our mission because it is a time-
tested truth that slow and steady wins the race!
Sources Referred:
https://www.gradesaver.com/christina-rossetti-poems/study-guide/summary-up-hill-
1861
https://poemanalysis.com/christina-rossetti/up-hill/
2. Stay Calm
Grenville Kleiser
Warm-up Work:
• Describe your ways of handling personal problems and difficulties.

• Watch inspirational videos on the YouTube and discuss them in groups.
Summary & Analysis:
‘Stay Calm’ is a stimulating poem by the notable 19th century North American poet
Granville Kleiser. In this poem, Kleiser advises readers to remain calm in the face of
insults and ill-treatment by others. Retaining “mental balance” is the most powerful
weapon, he thinks, to defeat the enemies.
The present poem has a regular structure. It includes three stanzas consisting of
eight lines each. The poet is in the role of a counsellor who shares his gems of wisdom
with the readers. He appeals them to think well before taking any action because regret,
resentment and repentance are the products of rash behaviour.
Q. 1) Paraphrase the message of the poem ‘Stay Calm’.
Ans: ‘Stay Calm’is an enriching poem by the notable 19th century poet Granville
Kleiser. Through this poem, the poet gives us a lesson in Anger Management.In this
poem,Kleiser advises readers to remain calm and face insults and ill-treatment by others.
“Mental balance” is the most powerful weapon, he thinks, to defeat the enemies.
According to the poet, many a time in life you may get upset and feel the urge to
respond with unpleasant or mean words. It may be in response to bitter insult that is
hard to forget. However, it is during those situations that you need to take control of
your emotions and try to calm down. It is important to keep your cool because only
then will all negative thoughts stop coming to you. Many factors can trigger one’s
anger. A person is hurt “when defrauded or defied”. One is also irritated and
disappointed when things are not going according to one’s wishes. However, as the
poet advises, we “must learn to keep strict silence” though we know that we are right.
In the final stanza of the poem, the poet asks us to keep calm in the most difficult
situations like while standing face to face with an enemy or facing a challenging
situation or are likely to be attacked by someone. He is aware that it is a tough task. But
the person who succeeds in remaining “poised and tranquil” when the surrounding
conditions are beyond control has “mastered the most vital thing in life”. In other words,
self-control is the hardest quality to achieve, according to the poet.
Thus, ‘Stay Calm’ explains the significance of being able to remain composed
during times that involve conflict, argument, or dispute.
Q. 2) What is the most vital thing in life according to Grenville Kleiser?
Ans: ‘Stay Calm’is a stimulating poem by the notable 19th century poet Granville
Kleiser. Through this poem, the poet gives us a lesson in Anger Management. In this
poem, Kleiser advises readers to remain calm and face insults and ill-treatment by
others. “Mental balance” is the most powerful weapon, he thinks, to defeat the enemies.
The present poem has a regular structure. It includes three stanzas consisting of
eight lines each. The poet is in the role of a counsellor who shares his gems of wisdom
with the readers. He appeals them to think well before taking any action because regret,
resentment and repentance are the products of rash behaviour.
According to the poet, the most vital thing in life is to remain poised and tranquil
during life's trouble. We must master this quality because it enables us to stay focused
even in the worst circumstances. The greatest personalities in the history of the world
had to pass through tough trials and trying situations. All of them successfully overcame
the problems and difficulties in their lives because they knew how to keep their “mental
balance”. On the other hand, common people are easily frustrated when they face a
tough situation in life. Sometimes, out of depression, they even commit suicide and
make the mater worse. It is therefore important that we remain poised and tranquil so
that we can confront our problems efficiently.
Sources Referred:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenville_Kleiser
https://miladynotes.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/stay-calm-by-grenville-kleiser/
https://brainly.in/question/13282534
https://www.bluleadz.com/blog/top-inspirational-speeches
Communication and Life Skills
1. Meeting & Greeting People & Dialogues
In our day-today life, we meet many people. We interact with them on different
occasions. The moment we meet, we exchange greetings and make certain enquiries.
On formal occasions like interviews or group discussions, one needs to introduce
himself/herself. Sometimes we have to play the role of a mediator between two of our
friends who are unknown to each other.
In English, there are certain expressions to greet people depending on the

speaker’s relationship with the listener. If the people participating in a conversation are
close to each other or share same social status, they use informal expressions. On the
other hand, people who are unknown to each other or their social statuses differ, they
use formal expressions.
Following are some of the etiquettes we need to follow while meeting people:
1. Stand Up
When you are greeting new people, it is better to stand up. It shows politeness and
respect. It also indicates that you consider the person important enough to change your
physical position for him/her.
2. Establish Good Eye Contact
Making eye contact indicates engagement and focus. It shows that you are interested in
what the other person is saying. Staring at other places (your watch or your phone)
shows the opposite and suggests disengagement.
3. Smile while You Speak
Even if you are carrying the woes of the world on your shoulders, try to look happy to
see your new acquaintance. A rude expression immediately puts the other person on the
defensive, while a smile is welcoming and inclusive.
4. Take the Initiative (with a Handshake or Namaskar)
Approach the person you are greeting and extend your hand, bow down or say,
‘Namaste’. Do not wait for the other person to take a lead.
5. Familiarize Yourself Well
Mention your name, profession and reason of meeting. This introduction serves many
purposes and answers to almost all the questions in the mind of the person ahead.
6. Observe the Hierarchy
If you are introducing two people to each other, always follow social hierarchy. It means
that you should introduce the less senior person to the more senior one. Start with the
name of the senior person, highlight his/her qualities or specialties and then introduce
the junior person to him/her.
7. Remember the Name Right
Make sure that you remember the name of anyone you have been introduced to and
use the name properly. It is better to ask the person to repeat the name than to keep
using an incorrect name. Uttering a wrong name or pronouncing it wrongly always hurts
the person concerned.
8. Use Suitable Mode
While talking to a person, it is quite important to be aware of the location, position and
situation. Conversation mainly depends upon them. So, it is essential to choose a
suitable mode of speech and switch from one mode to the other to suit the occasion.
9. Learn the Art of Turn Taking
A fruitful conversation requires active participation from everyone involved in it.

Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of each person to give opportunity to the
other to share his/her views. For this, it is essential to listen while the other person
speaks and ask him/her questions, whenever required, to keep the continuity of the
conversation. This is called turn taking. It retains the flow of the dialogue.
10. Be Energetic and Natural
Dialogue is basically an oral form of communication. Therefore, it should be lively and

life-like. While writing a dialogue, contracted forms of certain expressions are used to
give it a feel of face-to-face conversation. e.g., I’m…, I’ve…, How’re…, We’ll
Following are some of the common expressions used to greet and introduce one on
formal and informal situations:
Formal:
• Good morning, Sir / Madam / Everyone! Let me introduce myself. I’m…………………..

• Good afternoon, Sir / Madam / Everyone! May I introduce myself? My name
is……………….I’m from………………..
• Good evening, Sir/ Madam / One and all! It’s indeed a pleasure to see you here.
• Welcome, Sir/ Madam! I’m glad to meet you.
Informal:
• Hi! How’re you? Hello! What’s up?

• Hey! Great to see you. Wow! What a lovely surprise!
• Welcome, guys! How’s everything? Hi! I’m….. /My name is…./ This is……
Exercises:
• Nita is on her way to her violin class. She meets Dr Prakash, her father’s boss,
outside the music school. The two persons greet each other and exchange a
few words before taking leave. Develop a conversation using this occasion.
Nita: Good morning, uncle! How’re you?

Dr Prakash: Good morning, Nita! I’m fine. Thank you. How about you?
Nita: I’m fine too. Thank you.
Dr Prakash: Where are you going, Nita?
Nita: I’m going to attend my violin class, uncle.
Dr Prakash: That’s nice. Do you want to make career in music?
Nita: No, uncle. Music is my passion. But I don’t look at it as a profession.
I want to become a C. A.
Dr Prakash: It’s a wise decision. Have you started your preparation for that?
Nita: Yes. I’m studying hard. I’ve also joined a C. A. Foundation class.
Dr Prakash: Wish you all the best for your future!
Nita: Thanks so much, uncle!
Dr Prakash: Well, I’m getting late to my office. See you again, Nita. Always wear
your mask and keep hand sanitizer with you.
Nita: I’ll follow your advice, uncle. You too should take care!
Dr Prakash: You’re right. Bye!
Nita: Bye, uncle. Have a great day!
• Abhay runs into Abdul, a close friend, at a supermarket. They greet each other
and exchange a few words. Write a dialogue based on this situation.
Abhay: Sorry!
Abdul: It’s okay.
Abhay: Oh, it’s you, Abdul! Great to see you here!
Abdul: Wow! What a lovely surprise!
Abhay: What’re you doing here, Abdul?
Abdul: My mother needed some grocery items and exotic vegetables.
I was here to purchase them. Now I’m going back. What about you?
Abhay: I wanted to purchase a gift for my cousin. Tomorrow is her birthday.
Will you help me out?
Abdul: Sorry, dude! I would have loved to come with you. You know, shopping is
my weak point. But right now, I’m in a hurry. I’ve to accompany my
grandma to the doctor’s.
Abhay: Oh, I see. Is she alright?
Abdul: Yes, she is fine. It’s a routine check-up. Due to Corona, she couldn’t see her
doctor for a long time. She requires his prescription.
Abhay: Ok! See you in the college tomorrow. Bye!
Abdul: Sure! Bye.
• Rohit Kumar from Alpha Electronics, Kanpur enters the Delhi Office of his
company’s Chartered Accountant with whom he has an appointment. He
introduces himself to the C.A.’s Secretary explaining who he is, where he is
from and why he is there. Develop a conversation using appropriate
expressions.
Rohit Kumar: Good afternoon, Madam!

Secretary: Good afternoon, Sir! How may I help you?
Rohit Kumar: I’m Rohit Kumar from Kanpur. I work in Alpha Electronics as
an Accountant. I want to see the C. A. in connection with the
financial matters of the company.
Secretary: Welcome, Mr. Rohit! Have you taken the appointment?
Rohit Kumar: Yes. I’ve talked with the Receptionist the last week. She
told me to come today at 11.30.
Secretary: Wait a moment, Sir. Let me check the details. Will you
please have a seat? Right now, another client is sitting in the cabin.
I’ll let you know when it’s your turn.
Rohit Kumar: No problem, Madam. I’ll sit and wait. By the way, will you tell
me whether I can get photocopies of a few documents?
Secretary: You need not worry about that, Sir. We’ll provide you a set of all the
documents Xeroxed and filed.
Rohit Kumar: So nice of you!
Secretary: My pleasure, Sir!
• Dharam goes to his friend Praveen’s house. His cousin, Smita, is with him.
Dharam introduces the two to each other. Develop a meaningful conversation
using this situation.
Dharam: Hello, Praveen! How’re you?

Praveen: Hey, Dharam! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Come inside.
Dharam: Thanks! This is my cousin, Smita. She lives in Pune. I’m going
to drop her at the bus station.
Smita, he is my best friend, Praveen. We study in the same class.
Praveen: Nice to meet you, Smita.
Smita: Nice to meet you too, Praveen.
Dharam: Smita is doing her MBA.
Praveen: Wow! I also want to do MBA after my graduation. Which is your college?
Smita: I’m studying in Symbiosis College. This is my final year.
Praveen: Is there any entrance test to get admission to MBA?
Smita: Of course, there is Common Entrance Test which is held every year.
In addition to this, reputed institutions conduct their own tests.
Praveen: How should one prepare for the test? I’ve no idea about it.
Smita: There are many coaching classes that guide us to crack this test.
Material for self-study is also available in the market. I’ll send all the details
to Dharam. You need not worry about that.
Praveen: That’s so nice of you. Thanks!
Smita: My pleasure!
Dharam: Well, we are getting late. See you soon, Praveen!
Praveen: See you. Happy journey, Smita!
Smita: Thanks, Praveen. Bye!
• Write a ten-line dialogue between a patient and a cardiologist.
Mr. Sharma: May I come in, Doctor?

Cardiologist: Yes, come in. Please have a seat.
Mr. Sharma: Thank you, Doctor.
Cardiologist: What’s your problem?
Mr. Sharma: I’m Ranjit Sharma. I’m a Sales Executive by profession.
Since yesterday, I’m suffering from chest pain and uneasiness.
Cardiologist: Oh, that’s it! Do you have the problem of acidity?
Mr. Sharma: Yes, Doctor. Due to the nature of my profession, I can’t follow
my diet schedules. So, I often suffer from acidity and constipation.
Cardiologist: Could you sleep well, last night?
Mr. Sharma: No, I couldn’t, Doctor. I sweated a lot and was restless all the
time.
Cardiologist: Have you had your breakfast in the morning?
Mr. Sharma: No, Doctor. I don’t feel like eating anything. I just had tea in the
morning. It seems I’ve lost my appetite.
Cardiologist: Okay. Please lie down on the bed. I’ll check your pulse and blood
pressure… Get up, now.
Mr. Sharma: Is anything serious?
Cardiologist: Can’t say right now. Your blood pressure is slightly high. I’ll give
you medicine for two days. You’ll feel better. But we’ll have to get
a few tests and a cardiogram. See me day after tomorrow.
Mr. Sharma: Yes, Doctor.
Cardiologist: If you face any problem any time, call me immediately.
Mr. Sharma: Sure! Thanks so much, Doctor.
Cardiologist: Meanwhile you should take rest, consume light food and drink
plenty of water.
Mr. Sharma: I’ll follow your advice, Doctor. Good day!
Exercises for Self-Practice:
• You want to purchase a new cell phone. So, you visit a mobile phone shop with your
friend. Write a dialogue between you and the salesperson.
• Rajani meets her schoolmate Deepa at a wedding ceremony. They talk about the
college they are studying in and about their future plans. Write a dialogue using this
situation.
Sources Referred:
https://www.mindtools.com/blog/7-rules-meeting-
greeting/#:~:text=%207%20Golden%20Rules%20for%20Meeting%20and%20Greeting,a
nd%20extend%20your%20hand.%20You%E2%80%99ll%20come...%20More%20
https://www.bedguide.in/2019/09/Dialogue-Writing-
Tips.html#:~:text=%20Dialogue%20Writing%20Tips%20for%20Students%20%201,repea
tedly%2011%20Avoid%20repetitive%20dialogue%20tag%20More%20
2. Group Discussion & Interview & Interviewing Skills
Both Group Discussion (GD) and Interview are related to oral communication. They
involve a formal interaction between many people. To be precise, GD is the type of
horizontal communication whereas Interview is a kind of upward communication.
A) Group Discussion:
Group Discussion is a common method used by many organizations these days to test
certain personality traits of the candidate such as interpersonal communication skills,
confidence in public speaking, team spirit, leadership abilities, social behaviour and
problem-solving technique. GD is, therefore, an important part of the short-listing
process for recruitment in a company or institution.
Generally, there are 4-12 participants in a group. They are given a topic in
advance in order to think on it. After this, the group is asked to discuss the topic among
them for a specific duration ranging between 10-40 minutes. While the group discusses
the issue, the Panelists silently observe each candidate on various pre-determined
parameters. They assign scores to every candidate based on his/her individual
performance.
Importance of Group Discussion in the Process of Selection:
Group Discussion is primarily based on teamwork. It is supposed to integrate views of

different team members and arrive at a concrete conclusion. In other words, a group
discussion refers to a communicative situation that allows its participants to share their
views and opinions with other participants. It is a systematic exchange of information,
views and opinions about a topic, problem, issue or situation among the members of a
group who share some common objectives. In recent times, Group Discussion has
become a popular method of assessing a candidate’s soft skills. Organizations conduct
GDs to find out whether the candidate possesses the critical qualities/skills to contribute
effectively to the goal accomplishment process.
Following are the benefits highlighting the importance of Group Discussion:
• GD helps evaluate whether a candidate is fit for the organisation.
• It enables to assess the candidate’s performance under different situations.
• It judges how one conceptualizes and expresses one’s ideas in public.

• GD helps in analysing the candidate’s attitude towards fellow members through
his/her communication and interpersonal skills, listening ability, humility and
tolerance to other’s ideas.
• It helps in shedding light on candidate’s leadership and managerial skills, problem-

solving aptitude, creative thinking and knowledge on diverse topics.
Since team work is an essential element of business management and corporate work-
sphere, a person’s ability to perform well in a GD is very critical for a successful career.
GD helps to achieve group goals as well as individual goals. The examiner can evaluate
both the personality traits and group skills of candidates participating in a G.D. It is
basically a situation test wherein a sample of a candidate’s group worthiness and
potential as a worker comes out quite explicitly.
Tips for a Successful Group Discussion
We must keep in mind the following tips of group discussion to perform well in it:
• Learn the art of participation: One should be patient, polite and perfectly poised. It is
essential to follow social etiquettes while participating in a GD. No one is expected
to raise his/her voice in order to dominate others. Shouting or disturbing others
results in creating wrong impression about the candidate.
• Try to take the initiative: The candidate should not wait for the others to start the
discussion. On the other hand, we should volunteer ourselves and start the
discussions in an extremely confident manner. It is the duty of the first speaker to
introduce himself/herself to the team members as well as to introduce each team
member to the others. One thing to remember here is that we should initiate the
Group Discussion only when we are well versed with the topic. It is better to avoid
the risk if we are not very clear about our thoughts.
• Display Leadership Qualities: A person with leadership abilities gives the group
discussion a direction and guides other team members. Like a true leader, an
individual must try to refrain from personal likes and dislikes. S/he should give equal
opportunity to everyone and encourage others while proving his/her superiority. As
the leader of the group, s/he must ensure that the discussion does not end up in
fighting and reaches a unanimous conclusion.
• Be Formal and Focused: GD is a type of formal communication. Therefore, the

participant must not use slang expressions or crack jokes in between the discussions
as it is considered highly unprofessional. As a custom, the first speaker will introduce
the topic to others while the last one will sum up the discussion.
• Never be Rash or Rigid: We should always keep in mind that the other person is as
learned as are and might know better than us. That is why, it is essential to listen to
what s/he is saying. We should avoid jumping at conclusions. On the other hand, we
should keep debating logically and sensibly and try to convince others.
• Stay Well-informed and Updated: Keeping our eyes and ears open all the time helps
us stay updated. Reading newspapers is useful to know what is happening around us
at local and global level. Searching internet to collect the data is also necessary to
support our arguments with appropriate evidences.
• Be Alert and Attentive: A participant usually gets around 15 minutes to think about
the topic. We need to think fast and plan our talk in advance. Casual attitude or
over-confidence is always dangerous.
• Dress Properly: We should not wear gaudy clothes while attending a Group
Discussion. It is because GD is as important as an interview. Female candidates
should avoid heavy cosmetics. The clothes that fit us well keep us comfortable.
Wearing new dress makes one conscious. It may affect our performance.
Sample Examples:
Write an imaginary Group Discussion on the following topics:
• Lockdown: Is it enough to fight the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Atharv: Hello, everyone! I’m Atharv. The topic for today’s discussion is ‘Lockdown:
Is it enough to fight the Coronavirus Pandemic? Since the opening of
2020, the entire world is facing the problem of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While a substantial number of people have recovered, the fatality is 3-6%.
Till the date, there is not vaccine against this dangerous virus. So, I think
that lockdown is the best way to stop its spread. What’s your opinion,
Divya?
Divya: I’m sorry, I don’t think so. Lockdown will never offer a permanent solution.
On the other hand, it will create many more problems like poverty and
unemployment. Lockdown can only ensure a slowdown and prevention.
What do you think, Aman?
Aman: I support Atharv. I strongly feel that lockdown is the only solution available
to prevent the spread of the virus. Countries like India, Singapore, Korea
which have used lockdown as a tool, have been able to control community
spread. On the other hand, some countries like USA, Spain and Italy
delayed the lockdown and hence suffered more. Tell us your views, Rajani.
Rajani: Well as I think, lockdown was necessary but its impact on the economy is
even worse. While the privileged can afford a lockdown, the
underprivileged have to struggle for survival. In India alone, a total to 400
million people have become unemployed because of the lockdown.
Lockdown helps in slowing down the viral spread, but we cannot afford it
for long.
Atharv: Yes, there are economic impacts; but unless people survive there is not
point of having a good economy. Economy and business can always be
revived but not all infected people can be cured. After all, Jaanhai to
jahaanhai!
Divya: Nobody is denying the importance of lockdown against COVID -19. But
the problem is that because of the coronavirus lockdown, people are
struggling for food, basic essentials, medicines, water etc. Moreover, there
is a panic in the minds of the people which will give birth to psychological
problems like depression and phobia.
Aman: At the moment, the most important thing is to curb the spread of the
coronavirus. This will ensure smooth administration and enable hospitals
to take care of the people who are already infected with the virus. If there
is no lockdown, more and more people will get infected and increase the
burden on the government authorities.
Rajani: Let me conclude the discussion. I think lockdown is an essential method

used by countries to slowdown the spread of the coronavirus. However, it
has certain drawbacks as people are becoming unemployed and
struggling for basic essentials. If possible, the government should think of
partial lockdown so that the economy will be brought back to normalcy.
Thanks everyone for sharing your views.
• Plastic Ban - Environment versus Economy
Akshay: Good morning, friends! I’m Akshay. The topic for today’s discussion is
‘Plastic Ban- Environment versus Economy’. We are aware that plastic is
badly affecting our environment. To my mind, banning plastic is an
important step that countries all around the world should take. What’s
your opinion, David?
David: I partially agree with you, Akshay. We all know that plastic is harmful and
takes 500-1000 years to decompose. It causes a serious threat to the
environment. But is it that easy to simply ban plastic? We should accept
the utility of plastic. There are several ways in which it can be used. At
present we don’t have any alternative to plastic. In such situation, banning
of plastic will create many more problems. What do you think, Chetana?
Chetana: Sorry, I think the other way. How long will we keep polluting our lakes and
rivers? Plastic has damaged the entire ecosystem. According to reports
more than one million birds and marine animals die because of plastic. At
this rapid rate, we would end up losing all our marine life causing a huge
ecological imbalance. Do you agree with me, Isha?
Isha: I entirely agree with you, Chetana. A lot of animals that have died untimely
are found to have kilos of plastic in their stomach. And this is just tip of the
iceberg. Every major city has several acres of landfill dump with plastic and
toxins. These are polluting the air, water and causing several diseases as
well. Hence plastic should be immediately banned.
Akshay: Action must be taken immediately to stop further degradation of the

environment and oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the
North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California and is the largest ocean
garbage site in the world. It is bigger than many cities in the world!
David: It is very easy to say that we should ban plastic. But do we realise that we
are surrounded by plastic? Mobile phone bodies, car dashboard, packaged
food and surgical equipment are all made of plastic because of their low
cost, long durability and large-scale manufacturing. We use plastic every
single day. Global market of plastics is expected to reach 650+ billion
dollars by 2020 with the majority of the consumption in countries like
China, India and Brazil. Replacing plastic with anything else would be
extremely challenging.
Chetana: But if properly planned we can use alternatives. We can use steel utensils
and lunch boxes, we can use paper and cloth bags, we can use wooden
goods and gradually replace the plastic. More than 500 billion plastic bags
which are used annually worldwide should be replaced by cloth bags. All
these small things would eventually make a difference.
Isha: One report claimed that more than 90% of the people had traces of plastic
present in their blood as well which causes illness. It is indeed a harmful
component even for human life. All said and done, plastic in the long run
is destructive. The only way out to this problem is the mantra: Reduce,
Replace and Reuse. Thanks everyone for your active participation in the
discussion.
• Should Aadhar Card linking with Banks, Mobile & other Services be
Mandatory?
Arjun: Hi everyone! We are here to discuss the topic ‘Should Aadhar Card linking
with Banks, Mobile & other services be Mandatory’? As we all know,
Aadhar card is a unique identity number having biometric record of every
Indian resident. It is an important legal document. I think the government
has made a right decision to link it with other services to stop corruption
and misuse of subsidies. What’s your view, Devika?
Devika: I differ with you, Arjun. Aadhar contains personal information about a
person. Unfortunately, it is not secure. Hackers can crack any website and
steal the data. Moreover, many companies are forcing customers to link
their Aadhar card with every service. Afterwards, they sell this data for
money. So, I feel that it is wrong to compel every individual to link it.
What’s your opinion, Bhavna?
Bhavna: Aadhar card is an official document recognized by the Government of

India. Many people do not possess documents like passport, voter-id, PAN
card, driving license. Hence, Aadhar card has been made available to
everyone free of cost. If linked across services, it can help collate data of all
citizens. Over to you, Chintan!
Chintan: I agree with Devika. Mandatory linking should not be there. It causes fear
and confusion among the people. They have to run around linking their
Aadhar card with mobile, banking services. This becomes difficult as
people have to leave their daily jobs and do this activity.
Arjun: I agree that this is a tedious process. But the government has given a lot of
time for the linking. Aadhar card would become a unifying factor across
every Indian, breaking social-economic barriers.
Devika: But at what cost? Aadhar is becoming a source of issue for the poor
people like daily wage workers, rag-pickers and landless farmers who don’t
have any supporting document to obtain Aadhar. The other side of the
coin is that private agencies are doing the job of screening the documents.
They can be bribed.
Bhavna: But the benefit is that this is the official document which cuts across all
departments, agencies and industries as it is recognized by the
government, and possessed by almost every Indian.
Chintan: But is it justified to block banking services of people? Or can you cut
mobile services just because you have not linked your Aadhar? This
compulsion is the issue. Let me sum up. Aadhar card is a government
backed unique identification number which is undoubtedly an important
document. However, linking Aadhar card with other services can be
debated. The government needs to ensure the people about the
protection of their privacy and take them into confidence. It should also
ease the deadlines to avoid inconvenience. Thanks everyone for active
participation and fruitful interaction. Good day!
• Nepotism and its Impact on Professionalism
Preeti: Good afternoon, friends! My name is Preeti. We are here to discuss the
topic ‘Nepotism and its Impact on Professionalism’. Nepotism means a
person in power or authority does favour to a friend or family member
helping them get a job or boost in professional career. To me, this is a
wrong practice. It is an injustice to those who are more deserving. Sushant
Singh Rajput is the best example. Over to you, Arman.
Arman: I’m not with you, Preeti. Nepotism is not a favour according to me. It is
only a gesture to help a friend or family member in getting an opportunity.
It is a basic human tendency to support the near and dear ones. It does
not guarantee success for that person. Hence to label nepotism as an evil
element is wrong. In Sushant’s case, I’ll say that he was the victim of
depression and competition which everyone has to face in life. What’s your
approach, Kailas?
Kailas: Opening doors of opportunity is good. But competition should be same
for all. In many cases, students get the same marks but someone who has
better connections with the college authorities gets the admission.
Candidates with a similar work experience apply for the same job but
someone who has contacts in the company has a better chance of getting
the job through a reference. Thus, in many cases more suitable and hard-
working candidates lag behind forever.
Ashok: As per my understanding, there is no harm is helping close friends and

family. If someone has a platform, it has to be shared with peers to ensure
that they too have a stable professional career. Who wouldn’t want their
families to lead a healthy future? And this is precisely why nepotism
cannot be blamed. Rather it is helping close ones in getting better
opportunities.
Preeti: I beg to differ on that part. A lot of people strive in attaining goals in life
and have a strong professional career. They take efforts to acquire good
qualification; spend money, time and energy to become capable of getting
a certain job. But those without a mentor have to struggle more as
compared to those who have a strong family backing. It’s not fair.
Opportunities should be equal for everyone.
Arman: I agree that nepotism exists to a certain extent. But eventually if a person
has to survive in any field, it would be based on their hard work, talent and
skills acquired. Survival of the fittest is the rule of the world. Getting into
an opportunity through a reference is routine practice in every field.
Ultimately, success in a career is purely based on the effort or
commitment.
Kailas: But the most difficult part for a candidate is to get a good job or a good
admission. And this becomes the backbone of a career. Politics, film
industry and business have taken nepotism to its extreme. The son of a
politician joins politics and directly becomes a ‘Neta’; the daughter of an
actor becomes an actress; the son of the Chairman becomes the next CEO.
If this goes on, talented people will never get a chance to move ahead.
Ashok: Let me end up this discussion now. Nepotism exists because people who
are in a position of power or influence want the best for their friends and
families. Because of this in certain cases deserving people lose
opportunities. However, in the end there is no substitute for hard work or
talent. There have been cases where people who got selected by nepotism
have failed and others have succeeded and vice versa. Thanks everyone for
your cooperation! Let’s call it a day.
B) Interview:
An interview is essentially a structured conversation between two or more than two

persons. It is in the form of series of questions and answers. The word "interview"
generally refers to a formal conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.
The interviewer asks questions to which the interviewee responds. It enables an
interviewer to test the skills and qualities of the candidate.
Tips for Success in Interview:
Appearing for a job interview for the very first time can be a worrying experience. Face-
to-face interaction with the employer may make the candidate uncomfortable and
unknowingly s/he is likely to commit mistakes.
Following are the time-tested tips for successful performance in the interview:
• Know the Company - Know the Job:
It is quite important to collect basic information about the company or organisation

where one has applied for job. It includes details regarding the establishment of the
company/ institution, its branches if any, its management body, aim, mission, vision,
values and functions. Using this information during the interaction creates the right
impression on the employer. For this, the best way is to visit the company’s website. At
the same time, information about the nature of the post, its duties and responsibilities
should also be collected.
• Introduce Yourself Carefully:
‘Tell me about yourself’ is every employer’s favourite question. We should answer it with
confidence and clarity. It is essential to provide accurate information about ourselves
and avoid digression. We should keep it well in mind that the information we provide
gives clues to the employer to ask further questions.
• Act Confident:
It is perhaps the most challenging task a candidate has to accomplish. It is necessary to

make the employer feel that we are perfectly fit for the job. Courage and confidence are
reflected through language as well as body language. Therefore, paying attention to
both takes us closer to success.
• Never Provide Wrong Information:
Providing wrong information in the CV/ Resume or during the interaction can be
hazardous because it indicates bad intention on the part of the interviewee. In many
cases, the lie is exposed and creates problems for the candidate. The interviewers are
experienced enough to see through the deception of the applicant. So it is necessary to
be honest and truthful. If we do not know the answer to any question, we should admit
it frankly. At the same time, we should show our eagerness to learn, which is often
considered useful from an employer’s point of view. Ignorance is not an offence, but
lack of willingness to learn is!
• Be Presentable
Preparing for an interview is one side of the coin; appearing for it is the other side. It
means that the candidate must be well-dressed at the time of the interview. Putting on
formal, neatly pressed clothes is an important requirement. The hair should be combed
properly and a trendy object like tattoo should not be visible. We should arrange our
documents in a proper sequence and keep them in a decent file. Along with pen, we
should have a pen drive containing scanned copies of all documents.
• Be Inquisitive
We should be observant and keenly notice what is going around us. Generally, when the
interviewer finishes questioning, the candidate is given a chance to ask anything s/he
wishes to. We should be clever enough to take this opportunity and enquire about the
service conditions, working hours, perks, boarding facilities, etc. Of course, care should
be taken not to sound offensive or rude.
• Be Punctual
The candidate must be disciplined and punctual. It is better to reach the place of the
interview well in advance. That makes one feel comfortable and relaxed. Talking to other
candidates also eases the pressure and makes us ready to face the panel.
In this way, success in an interview is the outcome of long-time planning and

smart preparation.
Sample Examples:
• Imagine that Heena has appeared for a job interview for the post of Digital
Business Analyst. Write five possible questions and her responses to them.
Heena: May I come in, Madam?
Interviewer: Come in. Have a seat. Tell me about yourself.
Heena: Good morning, Madam. My name is Heena Sayyed. I’m a post-graduate in

Commerce. I’ve also done an MBA from PUMBA. I possess two years’
experience of working in a private firm.
Interviewer: That’s nice. Tell us about your greatest strength and weakness?
Heena: As a student of marketing, my greatest strength is my intellectual curiosity.

I enjoy researching the latest trends in the market. I like to keep myself
updated. I share my knowledge with the social media. I run a YouTube
channel which has 1K subscribers. My greatest weakness used to be my
short temper. However, I’ve learnt to control my anger.
Interviewer: Why did you leave your previous job?
Heena: I was fortunate to work in the firm while studying in the college. They
taught me a lot. However, I’m ready for the next step now. I’m all set to
move into management. I want to work with a multinational group like this
one. It can provide me an opportunity to make a mark at the global level.
Interviewer: How do you handle stress and pressure?
Heena: I had to face many challenges to reach this position. I know how to handle
stress and pressure. I try to look at things from their perspective, and
initiate a collaborative problem-solving approach to keep the situation
under control.
Interviewer: What are your goals for the future?
Heena: Though I’m ambitious, I like stability. My goal is to find a job that will
provide me social status, safety and satisfaction. My long-term goal is to
become a Manager.
Interviewer: Very well. We’ll let you know about our decision soon.
Heena: Thanks so much! Good day.

• Imagine that Rakesh is facing an interview for the post of a Software
Developer. Write five possible questions he will be asked and their responses.
Rakesh: May I come in, Sir?
Interviewer: Yes, come in. Have a seat.
Rakesh: Thanks so much, Sir.
Interviewer: Introduce yourself, please.
Rakesh: Good afternoon, everyone! I’m Rakesh Kumar from Pune. I’m a Commerce
graduate with Savitribai Phule Pune University. I’ve done a Diploma in
Software Development from C DAC. I’m a fresher.
Interviewer: What do you know about our company, Rakesh?
Rakesh: I know your company is one of the leaders in providing security software
to educational institutions and banking sector. You have been in this field
for the last three decades and your clients are spread all over the world.
‘Quality Services at Affordable Cost’ is your policy.
Interviewer: Why did you apply for this position?
Rakesh: Since the beginning of my career, I desired to work with a company that
could provide me an opportunity to grow with grace. I think yours is the
best company anyone would like to work with. Besides, I’m very interested
in your service strategy. So I’d be excited to join you.
Interviewer: How much money are you looking to earn?
Rakesh: Sir, right now I’m focused on finding a job that’s the right fit for my career.
Money is not everything for me. And I’m sure, your company will offer me
a salary that suits its status.
Interviewer: Why should we hire you?
Rakesh: I honestly feel that I’m the right person you’re looking for. I never
compromise with my ethics. Though I have no experience, I’m committed
to learn new things. I like to take challenges. You can put trust in me.
Interviewer: Very well. You may go now, Rakesh. We will let you know soon.
Rakesh: Thanks so much, Sir! I’m looking forward to your response. Good day.
Sources Referred:
https://gdpi.hitbullseye.com/Group-Discussion.php
https://www.indiabix.com/group-discussion/topics-with-answers/
https://www.mbaskool.com/group-discussion/topics/17327-nepotism-and-its-impact-
on-professionalism.html
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/presentation-preparation.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview
http://info.shine.com/article/10-tips-to-face-an-interview-for-the-first-
time/8876.html#:~:text=10%20Tips%20To%20Face%20An%20Interview%20For%20The,L
earn.%209%20Deep%20Breathe.%2010%20Thank%20You%20Mail.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interview-questions-and-best-answers-
2061225
https://careersidekick.com/what-to-say-in-a-job-interview-questions-and-answers/
3. Presentation Skills
Presentation is an important skill related to oral communication. It is an effective

platform to pass on information, share ideas, discuss topics, take review or make
planning. Because of its advantages, it is used widely in professional life all over the
world.
There are different types of presentation. Some of them are traditional while the
others are technology-based. ‘Chalk and talk’ method is the most familiar kind of
presentation used in education. Though it is useful, it has several limitations. For
instance, it is tiresome and time-consuming to draw a diagram, table or chart on the
board. In the course of time, blackboard has been replaced by the white board. In earlier
times, Overhead Projector (OHP) was used to project pictures, diagrams and tables. It
required transparencies which did not last long.
At present, presentation is ideally made with the help of PowerPoint (PPT).

PowerPoint is a Microsoft presentation program that creates a slide show of important
information, charts and images to display during a presentation. It is perhaps the most
popular form of presentation because of the following reasons:
• It is user-friendly and efficient. PowerPoint slides may contain only text, or they can
include pictures, videos, or animated text and images. Text may be formatted in the
same ways as in Microsoft Word, with custom colour, size and font type.
• It is considered the "standard" form of presentation. A PowerPoint presentation is

easier for others to open and view.
• It includes many optional presentation features, including slide transitions,

animations, layouts and templates.
• A PPT can be saved forever, modified from time to time, and sent to others via
Gmail.
• It offers the option to export its slides to alternative file formats, including GIF and
JPEG images, MPEG-4 video, PDF, etc.
The number of slides to be used in the presentation mainly depends on the content and
duration of the presentation. Ideally the number of slides should range from ten to
fifteen. The slide design, the font style and the background should be selected wisely to
fit to the occasion.
Steps in Planning a Presentation:
Preparing a presentation is a challenge. In order to make the presentation effective and

impressive, the following points should be taken into consideration:
• The first and foremost task for a person making presentation is to consider the time
limit as well as the age and educational qualification of the target group.
• The presenter should be careful about the content of his/her presentation. Whenever
a topic is assigned, s/he must jot down all the points s/he wishes to cover in the
presentation and try to link them in a logical sequence.
• A presentation can either make or break our image. A presentation is actually a

mirror of an individual’s way of thinking. Consequently, it should not be one-sided.
The presenter has to cover every point related to the topic.
• Language – both written and oral - plays an important role in presentation.

Therefore, we should be careful in the choice of the words. We should use short
sentences and as far as possible, avoid technical vocabulary. To make the
presentation informative, it is necessary to support the content with charts, graphs,
tables, diagrams, images or video clips. Including examples from real life situations
helps for better understanding of the topic.
• A long presentation is not necessarily an effective presentation. Presentation must

not exceed the time limit as it would lead to boredom.
• It is expected that the presentation should begin with a slide including the title of
the topic, the name of the presenter and the name of the company/organization
s/he belongs to. The presentation should end with a “Thank You” slide. At the same
time, it is essential to greet the audience in the beginning and thank them in the
end.
In conclusion, we should take efforts to make our presentation simple, self-

explanatory and audience-friendly.
Tips for Effective Presentation:
Presentation is an audio-visual form of communication. In other words, the language

and body language of the presenter together decide the success of the presentation.
Therefore, the person making presentation has to take care of his/her language as well
as get-up. No one will really take the pains to pay attention to it if it is not appealing
and fascinating. Following are the tips for effective presentation:
• Make it a habit to read your presentation aloud once or twice as it will definitely give
you the needed confidence. You must be familiar with each and every slide.
• Never deliver your presentation in a noisy area as it would distract the audience and
they would never be able to concentrate on your presentation. Prefer a conference
room with sufficient silence around.
• Before you begin, either switch off your cell phone or put it on the silent mode and
make a polite request to the attendants to do the same.
• Be careful about your outfit. Your dress code must be formal with light colours.
Avoid wearing anything that would act as a disturbing element. Never be shabby or
adopt a casual approach. Look your best on the day of the presentation.
• Speak clearly and convincingly and do take care of your accent. Don’t forget to take
pauses in between slides. You can also include some light jokes in between to break
the monotony. Your words should have a lasting impression on the audience.
• Remember the 10-20-30 formula for catchy presentation. According to it, there
should be maximum 10 slides, the presentation should end within 20 minutes, and
the font size on the slide should not be less than 30.
• The best possible way to keep the last bench audience attentive is to make the
presentation interactive. Asking questions in between increases the involvement of
the attendants.
• The pie charts, graphs, tables might be very simple for you but can be complicated
for the others. Make it a point to explain the pictorial representations properly
preferably with the aid of a pointer.
• Your facial expressions must be in tune with the content. Look positive and
promising. Avoid unnecessary movements and sounds.
• Take care of your posture. Stand straight and never fiddle with a pen or play with
your tie. It reflects your nervousness and works against you. Always maintain an eye
contact with your audience.
• Always keep some time for the question-answer round in the end. Listen to the
questions carefully and try to answer them convincingly. DO NOT provide wrong
information. It may damage your reputation.
Sources Referred:
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/present/presentation-
tips.html#:~:text=How%20can%20you%20make%20a%20good%20presentation%20eve
n,your%20Audience.%205%205.%20Start%20Strongly.%20More%20items
https://business.tutsplus.com/articles/37-effective-powerpoint-presentation-tips--cms-
25421
https://biteable.com/blog/how-to-make-good-presentation/
https://www.participoll.com/powerpoint-presentation-tips/

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F Y B COM (2019 Pattern)

Compulsory English I (111)

Text: SUCCESS AVENUE

Compiled & Edited by

• Collect information about the political and economic background of Russia.

• Get knowledge about the profession of a lawyer and a notary.

Summary & Analysis

Questions & Answers:

Q.1) What made Lushkov become a beggar?

Q.2) Attempt the character sketch of Skvortsov, the lawyer.

Skvortsov is an important character of this story. He is a lawyer in Petersburg. He

Witnessing the change in Lushkov’s nature and behaviour, Skvortsov is proud

To conclude, Skvortsov is undoubtedly an advocate of honesty and humanity.

Q. 3) Comment on the role played by Olga in the story ‘The Beggar’.

• Collect the details about demonetization in India.

• Understand the concept of White Paper.

Summary & Analysis:

In 2012, the Ministry of Finance of the Central Government published a White

Q.1) What is ‘black money’ and how is it produced?

• Collect primary information about the bird named nightingale.

• Understand the concept of ‘Personification’.

Summary & Analysis:

The theme of materialism is explored by the human characters. The young

Q. 2) Attempt the character sketch of the nightingale.

Summary & Analysis:

A Professor of Economics at Chittagong University, Yunus began studying the

Q.1) Write a note on the contribution made by Muhammad Yunus to economics.

Ans: ‘Muhammad Yunus: An Economics for Peace’ is an informative article that

Yunus returned to his motherland in 1972 and began teaching in a university.

This led to the establishment of an innovative group-lending system where

Grameen has moved on to other areas by providing housing loans, introducing

• Understand the concept of allegory.

Summary & Analysis:

Questions & Answers:

Q. 1) Summarize the main idea of the poem ‘Up-hill’.

• Describe your ways of handling personal problems and difficulties.

Summary & Analysis:

Questions & Answers:

Q. 1) Paraphrase the message of the poem ‘Stay Calm’.

Q. 2) What is the most vital thing in life according to Grenville Kleiser?

1. Meeting & Greeting People & Dialogues

In English, there are certain expressions to greet people depending on the

2. Establish Good Eye Contact

3. Smile while You Speak

4. Take the Initiative (with a Handshake or Namaskar)

6. Observe the Hierarchy

7. Remember the Name Right

8. Use Suitable Mode

9. Learn the Art of Turn Taking

A fruitful conversation requires active participation from everyone involved in it.

10. Be Energetic and Natural

Dialogue is basically an oral form of communication. Therefore, it should be lively and

• Good morning, Sir / Madam / Everyone! Let me introduce myself. I’m…………………..

• Hi! How’re you? Hello! What’s up?

Nita: Good morning, uncle! How’re you?

Rohit Kumar: Good afternoon, Madam!

Dharam: Hello, Praveen! How’re you?

Mr. Sharma: May I come in, Doctor?

Exercises for Self-Practice:

Importance of Group Discussion in the Process of Selection:

Group Discussion is primarily based on teamwork. It is supposed to integrate views of

Following are the benefits highlighting the importance of Group Discussion: