20204 – English

Q.No.(1-4) Read the following passage.

    The conductor asked the passengers to get down and they all put their strength together to push the bus. Having gained this initial momentum, the bus started. Passengers clambered up, jostling one another. The conductor rang the bell and the bus gradually took on speed. It entered the village reluctantly like a truant child being dragged to school. As it wound its way through the curves on the outskirts, it groaned and croaked like a hen about to lay eggs, and stopped with a bang in front of Bhujaba Patil’s residence. As it halted, it gave a big lurch, sending the passengers helter-skelter, churned like water in a pitcher when the carrier stumbles.  

All the passengers got down.

The coolie put his hand on a huge wooden box and shouted, “Whose box is this?”

Bayaji, who was brushing away the dust from his body, answered, “Oh, it’s mine, please lower it down.”

The coolie heaved and grunted as he lowered the box which Bayaji caught with ease.

 

Answer each of the following questions in three to four sentences.

  1. What did the conductor ask the passengers to do? Why?
  2. What happened to the passengers when the bus started? Is it common in a bus?
  3. The coolie heaved and grunted as he lowered the box which Bayaji caught with ease. What do we know about Bayaji from this?
  4. Have you ever had such an experience in a bus? How did you feel while travelling in such a bus?

Anawers:

  1. The conductor asked the passengers to get down and push the bus. He did this to get the bus moving as it had stopped.
  2. When the bus started, the passengers clambered up and jostled one another. This is not uncommon in a bus, especially when it starts suddenly after being stationary.
  3. This suggests that Bayaji is strong and agile. He was able to easily catch the heavy box that the coolie was struggling to lower.
  4. This is a personal question and will vary depending on individual experiences. If you have had a similar experience, you could describe the situation and how it made you feel (e.g., scared, amused, uncomfortable). If you haven’t, you could speculate on how you might feel in such a situation.

Q. (5-8) Read the following passage 

      Now the wife asked everyone she met – she asked the trees – the anthills – the pond – the school where she had studied – the college. After all the shouting and the wailing, she met a friend – and succeeded in recovering her name.

That friend was also like her – married, and a housewife like her, but she had not made swabbing the sole purpose of her life; scrubbing was only a part of her life; she remembered her name and the names of her friends. This particular friend recognized our housewife.   

“Sarada! My dear Sarada!” she shouted and embraced her. The housewife felt like a person – totally parched and dried up, about to die of thirst – getting a drink of cool water from the new earthen kooja poured into her mouth with a spoon and given thus a new life. The friend did indeed give her a new life.

“A new life – You are Sarada. You came first in our school in the tenth class. You came first in the music competition conducted by the college. You used to paint good pictures too. We were ten friends altogether – I meet all of them sometime or other. We write letters to each other. Only you have gone out of our reach! Tell me why are you living incognito?” her friend confronted her.

“Yes, Pramila – what you say is true. Of course, I’m Sarada – until you said it I could not remember it – all the shelves of my mind were taken up with only one thing – how well I can scrub the floors. I remembered nothing else. Had I not met you, I would have gone mad,” said the housewife named Sarada.

Questions (Answer each in three to four sentences):

  1. What was the problem the housewife had?
  2. How was Sarada’s friend different from her?
  3. According to Sarada’s friend, Sarada was multi-talented. How would you justify her opinion?

Answers:

5. The housewife, Sarada, had forgotten her own identity because she was fully occupied with household chores. She could not recall her past talents or achievements. This caused her to lose connection with her earlier self and live as though she was incognito.

6. Sarada’s friend, Pramila, was different because she remembered their past and stayed connected with their friends. She maintained her identity and cherished their shared memories. On the other hand, Sarada became entirely absorbed in household work and forgot who she was.

7. Sarada’s friend called her multi-talented because of her diverse achievements. Sarada came first in her tenth class, won a music competition, and painted good pictures. These abilities showed her talents in academics, art, and music, making her a versatile and accomplished individual.

8.Pick Three True statements according to the passage.

A. Pramila helped Sarada in solving her problem.
B. Sarada was good at sports.
C. Sarada went out of reach whereas the others were in touch with each other.
D. Pramila was a housewife like Sarada.
E. Sarada’s only one friend was Pramila.

Answers:

A. Pramila helped Sarada in solving her problem.

C. Sarada went out of reach whereas the others were in touch with each other.

D. Pramila was a housewife like Sarada.

9. What information does the table give us? How many entries are made in the list? What are the sports covered?

The table provides a list of books related to sports. There are 14 entries in the list. The sports covered are:

  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Kabaddi

10. What are the books published between 2000 and 2006?

The books published between 2000 and 2006 are:

  • Goldstein, Dan (2000). The Rough Guide to English Football (2000-2001). London: Rough Guides.
  • Guha, Ramachandra (2002). A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport. London: Picador.
  • Sharma, Anupam (2006). Complete Handbook of Hockey. Anmol Publications, India.

11. Write the names of the publishers who published more than a book.

The publishers who published more than a book are:

  • Omni Scriptum Publishing
  • Harper Publishers, India

12. In the given list, which book would you like to read? Why?

This is a subjective question and depends on personal interests. However, I would be interested in reading “A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport” by Ramachandra Guha. This book explores the cultural and historical significance of cricket in India, a topic that I find fascinating.

 

13.In the text “Environment,” we have come across Wangari Maathai. Who was she and what significant achievement is she known for? 

Answer:

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist, renowned for her pioneering work in environmental conservation and women’s rights. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, a testament to her extraordinary contributions.

Maathai’s most significant achievement is undoubtedly the founding of the Green Belt Movement. This grassroots initiative began in the 1970s with the simple act of planting trees in rural Kenya. However, it quickly evolved into a powerful movement that empowered women, restored degraded land, and promoted environmental sustainability across Africa.

Here are some key aspects of Maathai’s work and its impact:

  • Reforestation and Environmental Restoration: The Green Belt Movement focused on planting trees to combat deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification. This not only improved the environment but also provided economic benefits to local communities through sustainable forestry practices.
  • Women’s Empowerment: Maathai recognized the crucial role of women in environmental conservation and community development. She actively involved women in the Green Belt Movement, providing them with training, leadership opportunities, and economic empowerment. This empowered women to become agents of change in their communities.
  • Grassroots Approach: The Green Belt Movement emphasized a grassroots approach, empowering local communities to take ownership of their environmental and social challenges. This decentralized model ensured sustainability and long-term impact.
  • Advocacy and Political Action: Maathai was not only an environmental activist but also a vocal advocate for democracy, human rights, and social justice. She challenged oppressive regimes and fought for the rights of marginalized communities.

Wangari Maathai’s legacy extends far beyond environmental conservation. She inspired a generation of environmental activists and demonstrated the power of grassroots movements to bring about positive change. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic issues.