Read the passage given below:
1. As the level of violence in video games has increased, so has concern for the effects on those who play - especially those who play a lot. Many are quick to point out that most school shootings in recent years have been carried out by avid gamers, and their games of choice were always dark and violent.
2. But it begs the question: Which comes first? Can aggressive and violent behavior be attributed to violence in video games? Or do those who play already have violent tendencies which draw them to violent games? It's a type of "chicken or the egg" debate that has strong advocates on both sides.
3. Though video games made their appearance in the 1970s, it wasn't until systems like the Sony PlayStation were released in the 1980s that violence became an issue. Along with these more sophisticated systems came the ability to make graphics more lifelike. The more lifelike they've become, the more interest there has been in the correlation between violent games and violent behavior.
4. One of the primary concerns with violence in video games is that gaming is not passive. In order to play and win, the player has to be the aggressor. Rather than watching violence, as he might do on television, he's committing the violent acts. Most researchers acknowledge that this kind of active participation affects a person's thought patterns, at least in the short term.
5. Another factor that concerns both researchers and parents is that violence in video games is often rewarded rather than punished. In army and sniper games, players "level up" based in part on how many people they kill. If played frequently enough, games like this can skew a young person's perception of violence and its consequences.
6. In 2002, researchers Anderson and Bushman developed the General Aggression Model (GAM). Often considered one of the greatest contributions to the study of violence and video games, the GAM helps explain the complex relationship between violent video games and aggressive gamers. The GAM takes some (though not all) of the heat off video games by acknowledging that a gamer's personality plays into how he is affected by violence. Anderson and Bushman refer to three internal facets - thoughts, feelings, and physiological responses - that determine how a person interprets aggressive behavior. Some people's responses are naturally more hostile, making them predisposed to respond more aggressively to violent video games.
7. Short-term effects were easily identified in the GAM; the most prominent being that violent games change the way gamers interpret and respond to aggressive acts. Even those who aren't predisposed to aggression respond with increased hostility after playing a violent video game. The game becomes what's called a "situational variable" which changes the perception of and reaction to aggressive behavior.
8. Long-term effects of violent video games are still uncertain and are fiercely debated. No long-term studies have been conducted to date, so there are only hypotheses. Anderson and Bushman theorized that excessive exposure to violent video games causes the formation of aggressive beliefs and attitudes, while also desensitizing gamers to violent behaviors.
9. Though long-term effects haven't been clinically documented, one need only look at the way video game violence has progressively increased over the past two decades to get a sense of potential long-term effects. Parents would be wise to monitor the amount of time their kids spend gaming and watch closely for any negative effects.
(Courtesy: http://www.video-game-addiction.org/violence.html)
1.1. Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option:
[1 X 4=4]
(i) Why are the school shootings being connected to video games?
(a) Children play a lot of video games these days.
(b) Children are inspired by video games.
(c) Video games contain a lot of violence.
(d) Most of the school shootings were carried out by avid gamers, their games of choice being dark and violent.
(ii) When did violence in video games become an issue?
(a) When they made their appearance in 1970s.
(b) Many parents do not regard them as issues.
(c) With the release of Sony PlayStation.
(d) With the release of GAM.
(iii) What is the primary concern of the researchers and parents with the violence in video games?
(a) Video games are lifelike.
(b) Gamer has to be aggressive while playing.
(c) Gamer is “rewarded” for killing.
(d) These violent games might skew a young person’s perception of violence.
(iv) Short-term effects identified in the GAM were:
(a) changed perception towards aggressive behavior.
(b) those who weren't predisposed to aggression responded with increased hostility after playing a violent video game.
(c) Both (i) and (ii).
(d) None of the above.
(v) Research on the habit of children’s excessive exposure to violent video games causes
(a) aggressive beliefs.
(b) boredom to violent game.
(c) damage to the brain cells.
(d) All of the above.
1.2. Answer the following questions briefly:
[1X6=6]
(i)Which incident was believed to be the result of violent video games?
(ii) What parameters are set by Anderson and Bushman to determine how a person interprets aggressive behavior?
(iii) What does the writer mean by "situational variable"?
(iv) What is the irony of these violent video games?
(v) What are the long term consequences of these games?
(vi) What advice does the writer give to the parents?
1.3. Answer any three of the following questions in 25-30 words:
[2x3=6]
(i) Why is GAM considered one of the greatest contributions to the study of violence and video games?
(ii) What according to the GAM are the long term effects of violent video games?
(iii) What conclusions were drawn by Anderson and Bushman?
1.4. Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: [1X3=3]
(i) Eager (para 1)
(ii) Stylish (para 3)
(iii) Inclined (para 7)
1.1(i) (d) Most school shootings were carried out by avid gamers, their games of choice being dark and violent.
(ii) (c) With the release of Sony PlayStation.
(iii) (b) Gamer has to be aggressive while playing.
(iv) (a) changed perception towards aggressive behavior.
(v)(a) aggressive beliefs.
1.2 (i) Initially, school shooting cases became very frequent which was believed to be due to violent video games.
(ii) Anderson and Bushman refer to three internal facets - thoughts, feelings, and physiological responses - that determine how a person interprets aggressive behavior.
(iii) The writer explains that a game becomes a “Situational variable" which changes the perception of and reaction to aggressive behavior.
(iv) The irony is that the player gets rewarded and goes one level up in the games. This changes the perception of the child towards violence.
(v) Long term consequences due to violent video games are still to be researched thoroughly. Researchers are uncertain about the results it shows in an individual playing such video games.
(vi) The writer urges parents to monitor the amount of time their kids spend gaming and to watch closely for any negative effects.
1.3
(i)The GAM helps explain the complex relationship between violent video games and aggressive gamers. The GAM takes some of the heat off video games by acknowledging that a gamer's personality plays into how he is affected by violence.
(ii)Long-term effects of violent video games are still uncertain and are fiercely debated. No long-term studies have been conducted to date, so there are only hypotheses.
(iii) Anderson and Bushman concluded that excessive exposure to violent video games causes the formation of aggressive beliefs and attitudes, while also desensitizing gamers to violent behaviors.
1.4 (i) avid (ii) sophisticated (iii) predisposed
Read the passage given below:
So great is our passion for doing things ourselves that we are becoming increasingly less dependent on specialized labour. No one can plead ignorance of a subject any longer, for there are countless of do-it-yourself publications. Armed with the right tools and materials, newly-weds gaily embark on the task of decorating their own homes. Men of all ages spend hours of their leisure time installing their own fireplaces, laying-out their own gardens, building garages and making furniture. Some really keen enthusiasts go so far as to make their own record players and radio transmitters. Shops cater for the do-it-yourself craze not only by running special advisor services for novices, but by offering consumers bits and pieces which they can assemble at home. Such things provide an excellent outlet for pent up creative energy, but unfortunately not all of us are born handymen.
Wives tend to believe that their husbands are infinitely resourceful and versatile. Even husbands who can hardly drive a nail in straight are supposed to be born electricians, carpenters, plumbers and mechanics. When lights fuse ,furniture gets rickety, pipes get clogged, or vacuum cleaners fail to operate, wives automatically assume that their husbands will somehow put things right. The worst thing about the do-it-yourself game is that sometimes husbands live under the delusion that they can do anything even when they have been repeatedly proved wrong. It is a question of pride as much as anything else.
Last spring my wife suggested that I call in a man to look at our lawn mower. It had broken down the previous summer, and though I promised to repair it, I had never got round to it. I wouldn't hear of the suggestion and said that I would fix it myself. One Saturday afternoon I hauled the machine into the garden and had a close look at it. As far as I could see, it only needed a minor adjustment; a turn of a screw here, a little lightening up there, a drop of oil and it would be as good as new. Inevitably the repair job was not quite so simple. The mower firmly refused to mow, so I decided to dismantle it. The garden was soon littered with chunks of metal, which had once made up a lawn-mover. But I was extremely pleased with myself. I had traced the cause of the trouble. One of the links in the chain that drives the wheels had snapped.
After buying a new chain I was faced with the insurmountable task of putting the confusing jigsaw puzzle together again. I was not surprised to find that the machine still refused to work after I had reassembled it, for the simple reason that I was left with several curiously shaped bits of metal which did not seem to fit anywhere. I gave up in despair. The weeks passed and the grass grew. When my wife nagged me to do something about it, I told her that either I would have to buy a new mower or let the grass grow. Needless to say that our house is now surrounded by a jungle, buried somewhere in deep grass there is a rusting lawn mower which I had promised to repair one day.
Questions:
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes in points only, using abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title. [5]
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 100 words. [5]
Title: New Culture of Do-It-Yourself
(a) New Culture of Do-it-Yourself
1. It's age of doing things oneself
1.1 More passion for it, less depen'ce on special'n
1.2 Skill pervasive because of
1.2.1 Do-it-yourself publications
1.2.2 Tools, materials avail'e
1.2.3 Shops offer advisory service, assemb'g material
1.3 Outlet for creative energy
2. Inspiration for versat'y
2.1 Wives
2.2 Husbands' delusion about their versat'y
2.3 Pride
3. Author's experience with a mower
3.1 Relied on tighten'g-loosen'g screws & oiling
3.2 Dismantled and littered its chunks when failed
3.3 Replaced snapped chain-link and re-assembled
3.4 Wife nagged, mover dumped when failed
Key to Abbreviations
depen'ce = dependence
special'n = specialization
avail'e = availability
assemb'g = assembling
versat'y = versatility
tighten'g = tightening
loosen'g = loosening
(b) Title: New Culture of Do-It-Yourself
It's a do-it -yourself age. People are less dependent on others' specialization. It is because of do-it-yourself publications and availability of required tools and materials. Even shops offer advisory service and assembling materials. It is taken as an outlet for pent up creative energy. Wives, husbands' delusion and their pride inspire them to do what they really cannot do. For instance, after repeated reminders, the author dismantled his grass mower hoping to make it functional but failed. His efforts to make the mower new were not fruitful. Consequently, the wife nagged him and the mover was dumped.
You are Kavya/Keshav of 542, Rohtak, Haryana. You are an MBA working as a Marketing Manager at a reputed MNC in Haryana. You want to settle in Delhi due to family commitments. Draft an advertisement for The Times of India for a similar job opening in Delhi.
Or
You are Kavya/Keshav, Head Boy/Head Girl of Modern School, Delhi. Draft a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board, asking the students to give their names for taking part in inter-house poster competition.
SITUATION WANTED
First class MBA (Marketing) from IIM Lucknow with an experience of 5 years as a Marketing manager in a reputed MNC in Pune. Looking for a similar job profile in or around Delhi. Relocating due to family commitment. Expected salary 80,000 p.m. and accommodation. Please contact: Kavya/Keshav, 542, Rohtak, Haryana.
Or
Modern School, Delhi
NOTICE
27 July 2016
Inter-house Painting Competition
This is to inform all the students that the school is
organizing an Inter-house painting competition on the
occasion of Independence Day. The competition will be
held in the school auditorium at 11 a.m., on Tuesday.
Students interested can give their names to their
respective house captains.
Kavya/Keshav
Head Girl/Head Boy
You are Kavya/Keshav, a class XII student of Fr Agnel School, Delhi. You are the secretary of your school’s literary club. Write a letter to Gulmohar Brothers, 33, Sohna Road, Haryana placing an order for new books, giving the necessary details in not more than 150 words.
Or
You are Kavya/Keshav a resident of 71, Mahavir Nagar, Delhi. You are worried about the spread of Dengue in your city. You decided to write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India about the insanitary conditions in your locality.
Fr Agnel School
Delhi
1 August 2016
Gulmohar Brothers
33 Sohna Road
Haryana
Sir
Subject: Placing an order for books
This is to place an order of books for our school literary club. The particulars of the items and their numbers are given below.
S.No Particulars No of items
1. The death of a salesman by Arthur Miller 5
2. One Hundred Years of Solitude 5
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. The Stranger by Albert Camus 5
4. Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte 5
5. To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee 5
Kindly let us know the mode of dispatch and the mode of payment. Since our school has been a loyal customer, we expect a good discount on our order.
Hoping to hear from you at the earliest. Yours truly Kavya/Keshav (Secretary, Literary Club) Or71, Mahavir Nagar
Delhi
August 3 2016
The Times of India
Delhi
Sir
Sub: Insanitary conditions in Mahavir Nagar
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the insanitary conditions prevalent in Mahavir Nagar. Heaps of rubbish has been accumulated in dustbins which emits foul smell that is unbearable. This place has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. The drains are also blocked and the dirty water overflows on the roads. The sweepers are irregular in their duties. There is a possibility of the spread of dengue in the locality.
I hope that the authorities would address the grievances of the people and take action at the earliest.
Yours truly
Kavya/Keshav
You are chosen to represent your school at the Inter-School debate competition. Prepare a debate in not more than 200 words on the topic: ‘Do convicted criminals deserve human rights?’ You are Kavya/Keshav.
Or
For ages the society has looked at itself as either male or female. Individuals have, since time immemorial, tried to live up to the archetypes of their genders. But this has led to delusion and annihilation of individuality in many cases. Write a speech to be delivered in school assembly in about 150-200 words discussing the evils of gender stereotyping. You are Kavya/Keshav.
Do Convicted Criminals Deserve Human Rights?
Human rights are understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which human beings are entitled to just because they are human beings regardless of their nation, race, religion etc. They are egalitarian in the sense that they are same for everyone. They are rights not privileges that someone “deserves”. Good morning everyone, today I, Kavya/Keshav am going to speak for the motion “Do criminals deserve human rights”.
Subjecting criminals to tortures makes us no better than them. We cannot end crime by committing another. When people try to justify criminal punishment they do so by the notion of retribution, that is, a punishment proportionate to the crime. But if we want to choose this notion of retribution as a justification of criminal punishment, then we need to define what it is that a criminal deserves, which is impossible. This naturally leads to Lex talionis (an eye for an eye) which cannot be good for any society.
Hence, when the justice system punishes a criminal, it is does so to bring justice to the victim, and not to avenge him/her. Vengeance justifies abrogating criminal’s human rights, justice does not.
Thus criminals need rehabilitation and they need to serve their time for the offence they have committed instead of being stripped away of their basic rights and being reduced to the state of animals; this would only lead to a disillusioned society with a false sense justice.
Or
The Evil called Gender Generalization
By Kavya/Keshav
Good morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. Today, I Kavya/Keshav, would like to take the opportunity to shed some light on a social evil that perturbs the whole of the world- ‘Gender based generalization’.
Behavior of both the sexes is determined by the society through a binding covenant. Regardless of popular opinion, men too, do not have the benefits of equality.
While taking into account the plights of women all over the world, it would be too naïve to assume that women alone are the victim of this inequality. “Gender paradox of suicidal behavior” indicates that suicide is a gender issue that can no longer be ignored. Statistics show that men are three times more likely to take their lives than women. Their insistence on not asking for help for the fear of appearing less of a man causes great mental anxiety and illness to many.
Needless to say, it is not a lost battle. The US government’s decision to put a woman’s face on the currency is a testimony to the rising awareness about creating an egalitarian society. Such a historically symbolic makeover of their currency suggests an unprecedented drive to mark the presence of women through time and history. Moreover men too need to shed these artificial images that stop them from expressing their true selves.
I firmly believe that all of you will make a conscious effort to step out of the gender stereotypical images and cherish who you really are.
Thank you
Pollution today is taking a toll on everyone’s health and the cases of lung diseases and other breathing related diseases are on the rise. Write an article highlighting the issue in about 150-200 words. You are Kavya/Keshav.
Or
In the fast commercializing world economy with both parents working, teenagers have a tough time in balancing modern realities with traditional cultural values. Discuss their problems in an article in about 150-200 words. You are Kavya/Keshav.
Environmental Pollution: A Menace
By Kavya/Keshav
Earth is the only planet that sustains life through air and water, and without these elements it would be like any other planet. Pollution has been a reality of our life for many centuries but it was only after the industrial revolution that it emerged as a real problem.
Pollution can assume different forms and a lot of factors have given rise to such alarming levels of pollution in our environment. Man, the most intelligent being on earth has never been content with the boundaries of nature and has never stopped being inquisitive. With the advent of science and technology man has tried to tame nature and bend it to his will, however it has led to him to a trap from which it is hard to come back.
Most of the environmental pollution is largely manmade. The smoke from industries and waste on the land further emits harmful gases. All this adds to air and water pollution.
Besides this, noise pollution is another growing concern. The pesticides and herbicides used by farmer also pollute the land and contaminate our food
All of this leaves us wondering if all our achievements that industrial civilization has helped us accomplish has let us climb the peaks of prosperity or simply taken us down the blind alleys of catastrophe.
This is not to say that we only have a bleak future ahead. It is heartening to know that majority of people and nations are taking steps to alleviate the present condition of the environment. If we fail to ameliorate the situation now, it might be too late for all of us.
OR
The Travails of Teenagers
By Kavya/Keshav
The teenage years are a tumultuous period that marks one’s transition from childhood to adulthood. It is an age of rising rebellion, heightened self-consciousness and raging hormones as the teenagers undergo many physical and psychological changes during this phase of their life.
Apart from these internal struggles, they are susceptible to pressure from the outside world too. These numerous pressures stalk them at every step and make them undergo considerable emotional and physical stress.
Teenage years are no longer seen as the most joyful period of life. Peer pressure and parental pressure seem to be robbing them of simple pleasures of life. Expectations of teachers and parents make them slog so hard that they do not get sufficient time for rest and sleep. Their whole day becomes utterly monotonous with the same routine being followed day after day.
Whenever we take up a new path we tend to make mistakes and need constant guidance and comfort of reassurance, and that is what I feel is needed at this tender age. It is imperative for parents to listen carefully to what their teens have to say about their problems and respect their individuality. At the same time it is important that children fulfill their filial duties towards their parents as they are always concerned about the welfare of their children.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It would be an exotic moment
Without rush, without engines,
We would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
Would not harm whales
And the man gathering salt
Would look at his hurt hands.
(a) What does he mean by ‘exotic moment’? (1)
(b) How can man achieve this exotic moment?(1)
(c) What kind of a feeling would this exotic moment evoke? (1)
(d) What harm do the fishermen do and why do salt gatherer’s hands hurt? (1)
Or
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band.
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
(a) What does the phrase “fingers fluttering “mean? (1)
(b) Who is responsible for Aunt’s plight? (1)
(c) What does “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” symbolize? (1)
(d) What is the poetic device used in the phrase “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”. (1)
(a) By ‘exotic moment’ the poet means that this moment will be worth cherishing as it would be extraordinary.
(b) In this exotic moment, man would be able to stop all activity, remain silent and introspect on all his actions. He would probably feel enlightened and be in harmony with man and nature.
(c) It would be an extraordinary moment as man would be at peace with himself and his surroundings. This moment might reduce man’s sadness at having generated negative thoughts.
(d) The fishermen kill the whales and cause their extinction while salt gatherers’ hands hurt due to the coarse and rough feel of the salt causing pain to their hands.
Or
(a) The alliteration “fingers fluttering” suggest Aunt’s physical weakness, and her inability to express herself.
(b) Aunt Jennifer’s domineering husband and oppressive society are responsible for her plight
(c) The “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” symbolizes male chauvinism. She is oppressed by the tyrannical presence of her husband, which is perpetuated by the patriarchal society.
(d) The poetic device used in the phrase “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” is a hyperbole.
Answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words each:
(3 X 4 = 12 Marks)
(a) Explain: “Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.”
(b) In the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six”, what do the poetess’ parting words and her smile signify?
(c) Why had Dr Sadao not been sent abroad with the troops?
(d) Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?
(e) Why were Mr. M. Hamel’s words like a thunderclap to Franz?
(f) Why was cutting of her hair the greatest blow to Gertrude?
(a) Seemapuri is a place at the outskirts of Delhi. The pathetic life of rag pickers at Seemapuri is a stark contrast to the lavish and luxurious life of people in Delhi.
(b) The poetess’ parting words and her smile signify her pain and fear of losing her mother. She tries to be optimistic and put on a brave front. She smiles in order to cover up her pain.
(c) Dr Sadao was a famous surgeon. He was kept back to tend to the old General, lest he needed an operation.
(d) Rajkumar Shukla was a man with a strong will power and determination. He had come all the way from Champaran district to Lucknow to speak to Gandhiji. For weeks he never left Gandhiji’s side till he asked him to meet him at Calcutta.
(e) Franz was shocked when Mr. Hamel announced that it would be the last French lesson that day. He realized that he hardly knew how to write and felt sorry that he would not get a chance to learn any more of French. The thought that Mr. Hamel would go away made him feel uneasy.
(f) In Gertrude’s culture, long hair represented freedom and prestige. Moreover they had known about unskilled warriors who were captured, had their hair cut by the enemy; short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards. She did not want to be shorn of her cultural values.
Answer any one of the following question in 120-150 words:
(i) The lure of pleasures and wealth is a trap if we want to achieve it by fraudulent means. The pleasure of fraud is momentary but it will lead into a vicious circle of problems. Comment on this statement in the light of the story The Rattrap.
(ii)How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?
(iii) Many people don’t dare to try to conquer fear after experiencing terrible adversities in life. They live their entire life as slaves of fear. It is with great perseverance and will power that we can conquer fear. Comment on this statement in reference to Deep Waters.
(i) In the story The Rattrap the author drives home a clear message. The enjoyment that illegitimate wealth and other sinful pleasures bring is a trap which will lead into a vicious circle of problems. This is symbolically portrayed in the story. The man with rattraps felt happy in the beginning after stealing the money from the old crofter who offered him night shelter. But he caught trapped in the forest which had twisted paths which brought him back to the same place and he thought he would die in the forest.
Even after escaping from the forest and reaching the iron mill he was frightened to accept the invitation offered by the iron master and his daughter to stay with them to celebrate Christmas. Before stealing from the crofter the man with rattraps had great inner freedom. But the pleasure itself had turned out to be a burden for him. This story clearly teaches how the world lures people to grab unlawful pleasures which will turn out to be rattraps.
(ii) It had been predicted by astrologers that the hundredth tiger would prove to be fatal for the Tiger King. He then set out to hunt all the tigers. He managed to kill ninety-nine but the Maharaja’s bullet missed the hundredth tiger who had fainted from the shock of the bullet. It is ironical that the brave king did not know that the hundredth tiger had fainted. The wooden toy tiger the king got as a birthday present for his son was the cause of his death. It is ironical that the king who killed many tigers with his brave hands died of a ‘sliver’ from the body of the toy tiger. The sliver caused infection and developed a suppurating sore. The Tiger King died while being operated upon. In this way destiny took its final revenge upon the Tiger King. Ironically, death came to him from a tiger.
(iii) Many people live their entire life as slaves of terror because they don’t have the will power or perseverance to win over their fear. But the experience which William Douglas narrates in his autobiography teaches us that with strong determination and perseverance people can win over their fears.
He was hydrophobic from childhood onwards but he tried to win over it by trying to learn swimming in the YMCA pool. There he had a horrible drowning experience in which he had almost died. This experience has created a gripping fear in him. He did not overcame that fear in a single day but by practicing several months with the help of his instructor. Finally he was able to cross even lakes by swimming. He was able to beat his fear completely and live a completely normal life.
Answer any one of the following question in 120-150 words:
(i)“Acid…ate my face up. It ate me up.” Comment on Derry’s mindset after the unfortunate incident he refers to.
(ii)What was the moral lesson Jack wanted to impart to his daughter Jo in the story Should the Wizard Hit Mommy? What is the importance of such perspective?
(iii) How were the preparations made to fulfill Evans’ wish?
(i) Derry had a face that was half burnt with acid. It had scarred his soul. He felt that people were repulsed by him and only pretended to sympathize. This deformity left an indelible mark on his character that made him skeptic and pessimistic towards the rest of the world. He did not even like his mother kissing him. He observed that she never kissed the burnt side of his face. His sense of isolation was heightened by the overprotective attitude of his mother. He believed that he was better off alone. Mr. Lamb, who himself had a deformity tried to make him understand that outer appearance is inconsequential. At the end, he succeeds in showing Derry his true self and not the deformed one.
(ii) In the story, Should Wizard Hit Mommy?, the author wants to bring home the message that what is considered as ugly and bad by some is beauty and goodness for others. There is a saying, Beauty lies in the eyes that behold. However ugly a child may be, it is the prettiest for its own mother. We should not criticize others simply because they are different from us. Real beauty and goodness lies in being our original self.
This kind of perspective is necessary to respect others when they differ from us in colour, wealth, abilities and many other things. The world has always segregated people on the basis of many things. Even today multinational companies are trying to project fair skin as the paradigm of beauty. That outlook is wrong. Beauty and goodness lies in being real.
(iii) Evans had made a wish to study German and take the O-level exam. However, since the Governor believed that even prisoners should get a chance to learn, he permitted Evans for it. He arranged for a teacher and called up the Secretary of the Examinations Board to arrange for an invigilator. They decided to call Reverend Stuart McLeery from St. Mary Mags. The examination was to take place in Evans’ cell in the D-wing. It was scheduled at 9:15 a.m. Two prison officers, Jackson and Stephens were appointed to ensure that the examination goes smoothly. They frisked the invigilator and then allowed him to enter Evans’ cell. The governor also got a listening device installed inside the cell to hear what was going on. Stephens kept peeping inside the cell at regular intervals to keep a hawk’s eye on Evans.
Answer any one of the following question in 120-150 words:
(i) Write a note on the character of M. Hamel as a teacher.
(ii)Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry based on the story ‘On the Face of It’.
(iii)While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during war time, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?
(i) M. Hamel, the French teacher, comes across as an example of discipline, punctuality and patriotism. He is introduced by the narrator as a ruler-wielding strict teacher who is domineering and particular. He is a hard taskmaster and students like Franz, who are not good learners, are in great dread of being scolded by him. M. Hamel, however, emerges as a dedicated, true facilitator and guide for his pupils when he teaches his last lesson. His domineering tone fades away and his love for his subject becomes more prominent. At the end, he emerges as a man of deep emotions and sentiments when he proudly writes on the blackboard ‘Viva La France’. M. Hamel is a truly devoted teacher, a competent guide and a patriot to the core.
(ii) Both Mr. Lamb and Derry suffer from physical impairment. Mr. Lamb has an artificial leg made of tin and Derry has a severely burnt face.Both the experiences have been terribly painful for the respective sufferers. Mr Lamb takes things in his stride and accepts his handicap with poise and equanimity.He does not bother when children make fun of him. He takes life as it comes without grumbling. He keeps the gates of his house and windows open. Mr. Lamb loves all the creatures of God and states, ‘There’s nothing God made that doesn’t interest me’. Weeds and flowers demonstrate life and growth. He strongly believes that if he isolates oneself, he might suffer like the man in the story who died when a picture fell off the wall and killed him.
Derry, on the other hand, is a young boy of fourteen who is conscious of his ugly face and is full of bitterness. Derry is withdrawn and suffers from deep seated inferiority complex. He hates meeting people. He suffers on account of the pain caused by his notions of how much people hate him and are repulsed by him. Derry is inspired by Mr. Lamb to see that actions are more important than looks and even weeds have their value. Mr. Lamb’s positive attitude changes Derry and motivates him to face the world.
(iii) ‘The Enemy’ by Pearl S. Buck raises a few important issues. Call of duty towards nation versus call of duty towards one’s profession, is the major issue in the story. Dr. Sadao rescued a wounded prisoner of war who was washed ashore. The prisoner, in a dying state, according to his call of duty, should have been handed over to the police, yet his profession and his humanitarianism prevented him from doing so. He resolved to treat him first and then hand him over. His domestic servants deserted him out of fear but he rose above narrow prejudices to save the wounded American soldier. Later he helped the soldier to escape to freedom. He proved, in the end that prejudices and hatred are man-made but love, compassion for human beings was instinctive. One’s duty towards fellow human beings is greater than all other responsibilities.
Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words:
(i) Explain the significance of gold in the novel “Silas Marner”.
(ii) Describe the village of Raveloe and the people who inhabited it?
(iii) What activities followed after the Invisible Man escaped from Dr. Kemp’s house?
(iv) Griffin was a great scientist, but he possessed the nature of a wayward recluse. Discuss.
(i) In Raveloe, gold becomes the focal point in Silas’ life after he starts earning money from his weaving. Since Silas does not belong to the village, he is looked down upon as an outsider. In such a climate of mistrust, Marner finds himself completely isolated. He does not attend the church and works diligently and finds solace in weaving and hoarding. With time he accumulates a lot of wealth and it seems that his wealth has become his sole companion. Later when the gold is stolen from him, he is left shattered. His life become meaningless until a toddler Eppie shows up at his house. He sees the golden hair of the girl near the fire place and believes that his gold has been returned. The gold is a symbol of solace for him. It comes back in the form of the little girl and brings happiness and vitality back to his life.
(ii)Raveloe was an important looking village in the rich central plains of England. It had a fine old church and a large churchyard in the heart of it and two or three large brick-and-stone homesteads with well-walled orchards and ornamental weathercocks. Most of the people did well for their families and celebrated Christmas, Whitsun and Easter grandly.
George Eliot reflects a thorough religious understanding in describing the village-folk and their habits. It is unusual for people of the village to reflect upon the form of religious feeling as it has been incorporated in their lives and comprehend any major mechanical or cultural difference from what is already understood by them. Thus, the community is almost closed to emigrants from town. Suspicion lurks within people’s minds toward something they do not understand and is more often than not, rendered into the realm of supernatural or other-worldly fears. Even though the people are amiable, they distance the wandering linen weavers and other immigrants due to their fear of God and reluctance to accept different ways of living.
(iii)On getting information from Dr. Kemp, Colonel Adye arrived with his constables to nab Griffin. Before he could do so, Griffin made himself invisible once again, scuffled with Kemp and throwing him on the landing, escaped.
Now, Kemp and Adye make sure that he is prevented from making mischief and escaping from Port Burdock. No one knew where he went or what he did. But all exits and means to escape beyond the boundary of Burdock were blocked by two o’clock in the afternoon. Dog squads were employed in the search operation.
Mounted policemen warned people to lock themselves inside their houses. Despite all measures, Mr. Wicksteed, a steward to Lord Burdock, was murdered on his way to have his lunch. In the morning Griffin was ready again for active, powerful, angry, and malignant action against the world.
(iv)Despite being a brilliant scientist, the Invisible Man was wayward and childish in having fun and recreation.
The first thing that possessed Griffin after becoming invisible, was a wild impulse to jest, to startle people and generally revel in his extraordinary advantage over other men. The Invisible Man was doomed to a life of a pauper and vagabond.
He sneaked into one protective shelter or the other and desperately looked for food and clothes.
He had to enter an emporium in order to protect himself from the biting cold of January in London. He availed a cozy shelter, clothed himself to attain an acceptable figure. He stole money and got food there; but he had to escape removing his clothes on being detected the next morning. In order to get a free passage, he had to attack the store keepers and the police. By eleven o’clock he was again an aimless. Thus despite being an impeccable and extraordinary scientist he ended up a wanderer; without shelter, clothes and food.
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