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II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ABOUT THREE

OR FOUR SENTENCES EACH :
a. Why doesn’t Bryson seem to be able to do easily what
others seem to? Give a few reasons.
Bryson becomes nervous and confused easily when he travels.
Because of his frequently confused state, he has forgetfulness.
This leads him psychologically hard to remember even his room
number. Further, his nervousness, may be also his inferiority
complex, makes him scatter things, spill soft drinks onto others,
etc.On the other hand, being over-conscious also makes us do
mistakes publicly. Here we find the author over-conscious of his
manners because of his wife.s constant instructions. He almost
becomes a clown.
2. What was the reaction of Bryson’s wife to his antics?
She takes preventive measures when the food is delivered
on planes. In other words, she instructs her children to be
precautious as he would spill the food when he takes the lids off.
Further, she asks her children to help their father in this matter
to avoid confusions, irritations or ‘accidents’.

QUESTION NO.: 41 (PROSE PARAGRAPH)

PROSE – 1

Topic : The Portrait of a lady

Author : Khuswant Singh
Genre : Autobiography
Theme : 
Bond between grandma and
grandson
Literature : Indian writing in English
¾¾ T
 he author spent his childhood days with his grandmother in
the village.
¾¾ He was taught alphabets and prayers.
¾¾ In the city, he learned Western Science, English and music.
¾¾ Slowly the friendship between them snapped.
¾¾ When he came from abroad his grandmother sang a song.
¾¾ The next day she was taken ill and died.
¾¾ Even the sparrows grieved over her death.
XI  ENGLISH  Easy Pass Minimum Material  61

PROSE – 2

Topic : The Queen of boxing

Author : Mary Kom
Genre : Autobiography
Theme : Hardships of a sportswoman

¾¾ Mary Kom is an Indian woman boxer.

¾¾ She got a silver medal in 2001.
¾¾ She was not happy over silver.
¾¾ After she had won the gold, she got a government job.
¾¾ She won the world champion ships in 2004,2005 and 2006.
¾¾ She succeeded due to her hardwork.
¾¾ She was called “The Queen of Boxing” and ‘Magneficient
Mary”.

PROSE – 3

Topic : Forgetting
Author : Robert Lynd
Genre : Article
Theme : Forgetfulness is a natural thing

¾¾ T he author talks about the power of memory especially for

the human beings.
¾¾ An ordinary man remembers almost everything.
¾¾ Forgetting takes place when there is a strong dislike.
¾¾ People forget to take medicines, to post letters and such
menial things.
¾¾ They forget books, walking sticks, umbrellas, balls and bats
in a train journey.
¾¾ Great writers and music composers had excellent memories.
¾¾ Sports persons normally forget while they return.
¾¾ Anglers are no exception to this. But statesmen remember
everything always.
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PROSE – 4

Topic : Tight Corners

Author : E.V.Lucas
Genre : Narration
Theme : O vercoming a mental tight corner
by sheer luck

¾¾ T he narrator narrated of his mental tight corner and rescuing

from it by a sudden stroke of luck.
¾¾ The author was persuaded by his friend to go to Christie’s,
the auction house.
¾¾ They were selling Barbizon pictures on auction.
¾¾ The author started bidding for fun.
¾¾ He had no trouble initially since there was some higher bidder.
¾¾ After some time, a picture was put up.
¾¾ A famous dealer started with a higher amount of 4000 guineas.
¾¾ The narrator added 50 more guineas on a sudden impulse.
¾¾ The picture was declared sold to him because there were no
other bidders.
¾¾ The narrator was caught.
¾¾ Suddenly an agent of the rich bidder offered 50 guineas.
¾¾ The narrator asked for more 50 guineas.
¾¾ Thus he was saved from humiliation.

PROSE – 5

Topic : Convocation Address

Author : Dr. C.N. Annadurai
Genre : Oration
Theme : R ole of Universities and
responsibilities of graduates

¾¾ T
he orator reiterated some cardinal principles offered by
educationists.
¾¾ Scholars were in secluded spheres in the past.
¾¾ 
Today the role of the University has been enlarged in its
domain.
XI  ENGLISH  Easy Pass Minimum Material  63

¾¾ He cites Dr. Radhakrishnan’s view point.

¾¾ Graduates are indebted to the society.
¾¾ It is the form of service to the people.
¾¾ In the process they may face hurdles.
¾¾ But he is confident of the potentiality of the present generation.

PROSE – 6

Topic : The Accidental Tourist

Author : Bill Bryson
Genre : Autobiography
Theme : Frustrations of a globetrotter

¾¾ The narrator describes the experiences on a tour.

¾¾ Once he was flying to England with his family.
¾¾ He struggled to open the jammed zip of his bag.
¾¾ As a result the contents of his bag were flown to different
places.
¾¾ On another occasion he leaned over to tie a shoe lace, just
when someone ahead sent his seat back into recline.
¾¾ At another time he had found that the pen had leaked and
his mouth, gums and teeth were filled with scrub resistant
blue ink.
¾¾ When he travelled alone he would not drink, eat or lean and
never put anything in his mouth.

QUESTION NO.: 42 (POETRY PARAGRAPH)

POEM – 1

Poem : Once upon a time

Poet : Gabriel Okara
Theme : Real Vs Fake

¾¾ A father wants to learn from his son.

¾¾ The social pressure has injected falsity.
¾¾ Lifestyle is filled with fake feelings , malice etc.
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¾¾ Facial expressions are not genuine.
¾¾ People hide reality.
¾¾ He is ready to give up his false qualities.
¾¾ He wants to relearn the genuine things.

POEM – 2

Poem : Confessions of a born spectator

Poet : Ogden Nash
Theme : Happiness of a spectator

¾¾ The poem is about the spirit of a spectator.

¾¾ He wants to enjoy the game from his seat.
¾¾ The players hurt each other.
¾¾ He likes to share a drink and food with them.
¾¾ He admires the spirit and strength.
¾¾ But he is never ready to exchange places with them.

POEM – 3

Poem : Lines written in Early Spring

Poet : William Wordsworth
Theme : We should enjoy nature

¾¾ The poet was reclining in a grove.

¾¾ He had both pleasant and bitter memories,
¾¾ He could associate himself with nature.
¾¾ To him flowers appeared as if they were enjoying the air they
breathe.
¾¾ The birds hopped around and enjoyed themselves.
¾¾ The whole atmosphere was pleasant.
¾¾ Irresponsible act of men exploits nature.
¾¾ God created nature for all only to enjoy.
¾¾ Be peaceful and pleasant.
XI  ENGLISH  Easy Pass Minimum Material  65

POEM – 4

Poem : Macavity, the Mystery Cat

Poet : T.S. Eliot
Genre : Political Satire
Theme : Mysterious qualities of a vile cat

¾¾ Macavity is a master criminal.

¾¾ He leaves no evidence after committing any crime.
¾¾ Even the Scotland Yard is unable to arrest him.
¾¾ He breaks the human law as well as the law of gravity.
¾¾ He is a devil in the guise of a cat.
¾¾ He cleverly makes an alibi every time.
¾¾ All the notorious cats are none but the agents of Macavity.

POEM – 5

Poem : Everest is not the only peak

Poet : Kulothungan
Theme : Destination is not important but
journey

¾¾ The poet deals with the virtues of a human being.

¾¾ 
Whatever the position be held, it should be treated with
respect.
¾¾ Human beings may have a few small virtues.
¾¾ They should feel proud.
¾¾ They should perform the duty with deep devotion.
¾¾ Every position is held by humans is honourable.
¾¾ Competence and merit are always respected.

POEM – 6

Poem : The Hollow Crown

Poet : William Shakespeare
Theme : Power of Death
Source : Richard II
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¾¾ The poem is an extract from the play “Richard II”.
¾¾ The king was deposed by his cousin.
¾¾ He was sent to prison and died in captivity.
¾¾ He wanted to talk of graves, epitaphs and death.
¾¾ Death is portrayed as a court Jester.
¾¾ Death is very powerful.
¾¾ He did not want to be called as “King” since he was only a
human.

QUESTION NO.: 43 (SUPPLEMENTARY PARAGRAPH)

SUPPLEMENTARY – 1

Title : After Twenty years

Author : O.Henry
Genre : Short story
Literature : American litrerature
Theme : Friendship

¾¾ Bob and Jimmy Wells were friends .

¾¾ Bob had gone to the west.
¾¾ After twenty years he came back to New York to meet his
friend.
¾¾ He was the criminal wanted by Chicago.
¾¾ Wells identified him.
¾¾ He was not able to arrest him.
¾¾ So, he sent another policeman in pain clothes to do the job.

SUPPLEMENTARY – 2

Title : A shot in the dark

Author : H.H.Munro
Pen name : Saki
Theme : N ever pass judgment in
haste
XI  ENGLISH  Easy Pass Minimum Material  67

Characters :
Philip Sletherby, Mrs.Saltpen Jago, Bertie, Claude Prople .K.C.
¾¾ Philip Sletherby travels by train to meet Mrs.Saltpen Jago.
¾¾ Bertie , her son , travels with him.
¾¾ He asks Sletherby to lend him money.
¾¾ He had not brought his purse.
¾¾ Bertie uses a demilion crest.
¾¾ He says that his mother has dark brown hair.
¾¾ Sletherby doesn’t believe his words.
¾¾ So, he doesn’t give him money.
¾¾ Later, he comes to know the truth.
¾¾ He had done the mistake.
¾¾ Bertie said the truth.

SUPPLEMENTARY – 3

Title : The first patient

Author : C.V. Burgess
Genre : Humorous Play
Theme : W rong guess or
misconception

¾¾ E ight men and eight women with a couple of children waited

for a dentist.
¾¾ After the arrival of dentist, the first patient named Joe entered
the surgery room.
¾¾ The nurse came out often carrying hammer, pliers and some
other instruments.
¾¾ Sounds of hammering were heard from inside the surgery.
¾¾ Outside the patients were scared.
¾¾ They became panic.
¾¾ The children wanted to go to school by confessing that they
lied.
¾¾ One by one the patients left the clinic.
¾¾ Finally there were woman 1 and woman 4.
¾¾ At last Joe, the first patient came out and revealed out the
truth.
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¾¾ Actually the dentist lost the key of his tools cabinet.
¾¾ The sounds were none but the efforts to open the cabinet.

SUPPLEMENTARY – 4

Title : With the Photographer

Author : Stephen Butler Leacock
Genre : Narration of experience
Theme : A memorable experience

¾¾ Once the author wanted to take his photo.

¾¾ So he went to the studio.
¾¾ He was called by the photographer after an hour.
¾¾ The photographer criticized the physical features of the

narrator.
¾¾ He did not like the author’s face.
¾¾ The narrator refuses the charges leveled against his features.
¾¾ Suddenly the photograph was taken.
¾¾ The photographer caught the features of animation.
¾¾ On Saturday he went to see the proof.
¾¾ The proof was not as his real face.
¾¾ The photographer boasted of his technical skills.
¾¾ The narrator shouted at him and asked him to keep the photo
with him.
¾¾ He wanted a real one to be kept by his friends after his death.

SUPPLEMENTARY – 5

Title : The Singing Lesson

Author : Katherine Mansfield
Genre : Short Story
Theme : Changing moods

¾¾ Miss Meadows is a music teacher.

¾¾ She got a letter from her fiancée.
¾¾ The letter stated that their marriage would be a mistake.
¾¾ This changed the smiling and pleasant looking Miss Meadows
XI  ENGLISH  Easy Pass Minimum Material  69

into a depressed one.

¾¾ The teacher was not on her elements due to the letter.
¾¾ She remained gloomy.
¾¾ Suddenly her mood changed after she received a telegram.
¾¾ The telegram stated that he wrote the letter in madness.
¾¾ The teacher felt happy and she returned to the class with
vigor and good cheer.

SUPPLEMENTARY – 6

Title : The Never Never Nest

Author : Cedric Mount
Genre : Humorous One Act Play
Theme : Purchases on downpayments

¾¾ Aunt Jane visits the house of Jack and Jill.

¾¾ Though they have a moderate income of six pounds, they
lead a very comfortable life.
¾¾ They own a house, car, fridge, radiogram and other such
modern amenities.
¾¾ Aunt found out that everything they got on down payment
scheme.
¾¾ She did not like this and she gifted them a cheque of two
hundred pounds.
¾¾ That sum of money went to the doctor to own their baby.

SECTION – C

GRAMMATICAL COMPETENCIES
QUESTION NO.: 27 - 30 (REPORTING THE DIALOGUE
- DIRECT/INDIRECT SPEECH)
Read the given passages and rewrite them using the direct
speech.

1. The cyclist warned the driver not to move his car till the
police arrived. The driver pleaded that it was not his
fault; he was ready to pay a hundred rupees to repair