ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS

Section A

Question 1(Attempt all questions from this Section)

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate response from the choices given below. (Please do not copy the question—simply write out in correct serial order the appropriate word or phrase.)                                      (16 x 1 = 16)

1. Which literary device is used in Act II Scene I to reveal Brutus's confused state of mind?

   • Soliloquy

2. What does the scene (Act II Scene 2) suggest about Caesar's flaw that led to his doom?

   • Overconfidence

3. Which method was used by Decius to dupe Caesar and persuade him to go to the Senate?

   • All of the above

4. Portia pleads with Brutus to share his secret with her, claiming which of the following?

   • Equal rights of wifehood

5. According to Artemidorus, Caesar may survive if:

   • Caesar is persuaded not to go to the Senate

6. How do the conspirators make a request to Caesar regarding Publius Cimber?

   • Feigned servility

7. The general tone of the story The Boy Who Broke the Bank is:

   • Humorous

8. Who astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and running in the direction of the bank?

   • Old Ganpat, the beggar

9. How did Oliver likely feel throughout this ordeal?

   • Scared, hungry, and lonely

10. In the story Oliver Asks for More, the bowls never needed washing because the boys cleaned them with their spoons till they shone. Which literary device is used here?

    • Hyperbole

11. The poem A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 depicts:

    • Aftermath of war

12. Select the correct option that displays the characteristics of the personified train correctly:

    • Methodical

13. What does the line 'shuffled in a blank parade' mean?

    • Walk involuntarily as if in a trance

14. The journey of The Night Mail symbolizes which of the following?

    • Journey of life

15. What seems to be at odds in the midst of all pain, loss, and destruction to the narrator?

    • Silence of the victims

16. On the arrival of the Night Mail, the birds:

Turn their heads and stare at her

Section B

(Answer one or more questions from this section.)

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Question 2

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"Caesar - Cowards die many times before their deaths;The valiant never taste of death but once."

1. What are Caesar's views about death? How do cowards die many times before their death?

   • Caesar believes that death is inevitable and should not be feared. He states that cowards die many times before their actual death, meaning that those who constantly fear death live in fear and anxiety throughout their lives. On the other hand, the brave only face death once, when it truly happens, as they do not waste their lives worrying about it.

2. What was the outcome of the sacrifice made by the priest? How does Caesar interpret this?

   • The priest performed a sacrificial ritual and found that the animal had no heart, which was considered a terrible omen. The priests interpreted this as a warning that Caesar should not leave his house that day. However, Caesar dismisses the warning, interpreting it differently. He claims that if he stays home out of fear, it would mean he himself is heartless and cowardly, reinforcing his arrogance and confidence.

3. What does Caesar say about danger and himself being feared on the same day?

   • Caesar personifies danger, saying that he and danger were born on the same day but that he is stronger than danger itself. He claims that fear should not control him, emphasizing his belief in his own superiority and invincibility. This arrogance blinds him to the real threat posed by the conspirators, leading him to walk into his own assassination.

4. Why does Calpurnia take responsibility for Caesar not going to the Capitol? How does she portray her submissiveness?

   • Calpurnia, disturbed by omens and nightmares, begs Caesar to stay home. She takes responsibility by saying that if he stays home, it should be because of her fear, not his own. This is her way of protecting his pride while trying to save his life. She portrays her submissiveness by kneeling before him and appealing to his ego, showing her concern in a way that aligns with traditional gender roles of Roman society.

5. Who enters soon after? How does the person use flattery to change Caesar's mind? What is his interpretation of Calpurnia’s dream?

   • Decius Brutus enters soon after, using flattery and manipulation to change Caesar’s mind. He tells Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream was misinterpreted. While Calpurnia saw it as a bad omen, Decius claims that it actually signifies Caesar’s greatness. He argues that the dream of Caesar’s blood flowing in the streets means that Rome will draw strength from him, and people will honor him. Decius further plays on Caesar’s ambition, saying that the Senate may offer him a crown that day, and if he does not go, he will seem weak and afraid. This convinces Caesar to ignore Calpurnia’s warning and go to the Senate, where he is ultimately assassinated.

   
   

Question 3

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"Speak hands for me!"

1. Who is Casca? What duty has he been given? By whom?

   • Casca is one of the conspirators in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar. He has been assigned the duty of striking the first blow, meaning he is the one who starts the attack on Caesar. This responsibility is given to him by Cassius and the other conspirators, who plan to eliminate Caesar to prevent him from becoming a dictator.

2. What does Casca do to make his hands speak? Why do you think it is a cowardly act?

   • Casca stabs Caesar first, initiating the assassination. His phrase "Speak hands for me!" means that instead of using words, his actions (stabbing) will express his thoughts. This act is cowardly because Casca attacks Caesar from behind, striking him without warning. Additionally, he does not act alone—he is part of a group attack, making it an act of betrayal rather than courage.

3. Who strikes Caesar last? What does Caesar cry out? What is the significance of his last words?

   • Brutus is the last conspirator to stab Caesar. As he is being stabbed, Caesar cries out, "Et tu, Brute?", which means "You too, Brutus?" These words signify his deep sense of betrayal. Until this moment, Caesar may have fought back, but when he sees Brutus—his trusted friend—among the attackers, he gives up, accepting his fate. His words show his heartbreak and disbelief, making this moment one of the most tragic betrayals in literature.

4. How does Brutus feel about the act of washing their hands with Caesar’s blood? Was it a murder in his eyes? Why?

   • Brutus does not see this act as murder but as a sacrifice for the greater good of Rome. He believes that Caesar’s death was necessary to protect the Roman Republic from tyranny. By washing their hands in Caesar’s blood, Brutus and the conspirators see themselves as noble liberators rather than assassins. However, they fail to realize how this act will be perceived by the Roman public, ultimately leading to their downfall.

5. What does Cassius say that the conspirators will be called? What error of judgment does this group make as it brags about having killed Caesar?

   
   

   (Minimum 150 words)

   • Cassius declares that the conspirators will be remembered as liberators of Rome, not murderers. He believes that history will justify their actions and that they will be praised for saving the Republic from a dictator. However, their greatest error in judgment is underestimating public reaction and Mark Antony’s influence.

   • After Caesar’s death, Brutus allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral, believing that Antony will not turn the people against them. However, Antony’s powerful speech manipulates the crowd, stirring their emotions and painting the conspirators as murderers rather than heroes. Instead of gratitude, the people riot against Brutus and Cassius, leading to civil war.

   • The conspirators also fail to prepare for the political consequences of their actions. By eliminating Caesar without a clear plan for leadership, they create a power vacuum, allowing Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus to rise in power, ultimately leading to their own defeat and death. This miscalculation highlights their political naivety, proving that while they succeeded in killing Caesar, they failed in securing the future of Rome.

Section C

(Answer one or more questions from this section.)

Question 4

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"He stood up from the table and went to the master, with his bowl and spoon in his hands."

1. Who is he? Where is he and why did he go to the master?

   • He is Oliver Twist, a young orphan living in a workhouse under harsh conditions. He is in the workhouse dining hall, where the children receive their daily meal of gruel. He goes to the master because he is still hungry after finishing his portion and needs more food to satisfy his hunger.

     
     

2. What did he ask for? How is it related to the title of the story?

   • Oliver asks for more gruel, which was strictly forbidden in the workhouse. His request is directly related to the title of the story, "Oliver Asks for More." The title captures Oliver’s bold defiance against an unjust system, as his simple request symbolizes resistance against cruel treatment and the struggles of the poor.

     
     

3. What happens to him as he goes to the master?

   • As Oliver approaches the master, the other boys watch in shock and fear. The master is horrified by Oliver’s audacity and punishes him severely. Oliver is locked away, beaten, and later sold off as an apprentice, showing the merciless and oppressive nature of the workhouse authorities.

     
     

4. Discuss what aspect of his character is evident from this incident.

   • This moment highlights Oliver’s courage, innocence, and desperation. Despite knowing the possible consequences, he steps forward and asks for more food, revealing his strong will to survive. His request is not rebellious but rather instinctive, showing that hunger can drive a person to challenge authority, even at great personal risk.

     
     

5. Explain how circumstances force people to revolt and struggle against their plight with reference to Oliver Asks for More.

   • Oliver’s desperate situation in the workhouse is what pushes him to revolt against authority. The orphans in the workhouse were severely underfed, receiving only a small bowl of gruel per meal, leaving them constantly hungry. The authorities treated them as burdens rather than children, enforcing strict rules and punishments.

   • When basic needs like food, shelter, and dignity are denied, people are forced to take action. Oliver’s request for more food is not just about hunger—it represents oppression and survival. His boldness is similar to many historical and literary figures who rise against injustice when circumstances become unbearable.

   • This incident teaches an important lesson: change only happens when people speak up for their rights. Oliver’s story serves as a symbol of resistance against cruelty, showing that even the weakest voices can challenge oppression when driven by necessity and courage.

     
     

Question 5

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"The customer yelped with pain and distress:... With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant's store where there was a telephone."

1. Whose customer is being referred to? Why did he yelp in pain?

   • The customer being referred to is a barber’s customer. He yelped in pain because the barber accidentally cut him with a razor. The barber was distracted by shocking news about the bank, causing him to lose focus while shaving the customer’s neck.

     
     

2. What awful news has he heard? From where has the news spread?

   • The awful news was that the local bank might collapse. This rumor started when Nathu, the sweeper, complained about his unpaid salary. His casual remark about not getting paid was misunderstood and exaggerated as people passed the information along without verifying its accuracy.

     
     

3. Who was being telephoned? Why?

   • The bank manager was being telephoned. The worried customer, upon hearing the rumor about the bank’s collapse, rushed to confirm whether the news was true. His concern and urgency further fueled panic among the townspeople, as they assumed something was seriously wrong with the bank.

     
     

4. What is the rumor that started due to this? Why?

   • The rumor that the bank was shutting down quickly spread throughout the town. The misunderstanding originated from Nathu’s complaint, but as people passed on the information, it became exaggerated. Fear and herd mentality led to a mass withdrawal of money, which ultimately caused the bank’s failure.

     
     

5. "It is not the boy Nathu who causes the fall of the bank. It is rather the people's behaviour that causes the fall of the bank." Discuss.

   
   

   (Minimum 150 words)

   • The fall of the bank was not caused by Nathu, but rather by the irrational behavior of the people who panicked without verifying the facts. Nathu’s frustrated remark about his delayed salary was a personal complaint, but when overheard, it was misinterpreted as a sign of financial trouble.

   • Instead of seeking clarification, people reacted impulsively. The barber’s distraction, the customer’s urgent telephone call, and the spread of false information all contributed to mass hysteria. Without confirmation, people rushed to withdraw their money, triggering an actual financial crisis.

   • This story highlights how rumors and misinformation can lead to disastrous consequences. It reflects real-life scenarios where economic collapses, bank runs, and social panic occur due to fear rather than facts.

   • If the people had exercised patience and reason, the bank would not have failed. Instead, their actions turned an innocent remark into a crisis, proving that human psychology and mass hysteria are more dangerous than the actual event itself. This serves as a lesson on the importance of critical thinking, fact-checking, and avoiding impulsive decisions in times of uncertainty.

Section D

(Answer one or more questions from this section.)

Question 6

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"Dawn freshens, the climb is done.

Down towards Glasgow she descends

Towards the steam tugs yelping down the glade of cranes,

Towards the fields of apparatus, the furnaces

Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen.

All Scotland waits for her:

In the dark glens, beside the pale-green sea lochs

Men long for news."

1. Where is the train heading? How has its initial journey been described?

   • The train is heading towards Glasgow. The poet describes its initial journey as a climb, signifying a gradual ascent through the countryside. This climb represents the hard work and perseverance required to reach its destination. As the train moves towards Glasgow, the landscape changes from rural to industrial, reflecting Scotland’s transition from natural beauty to urban development.

2. How is Glasgow described in the quoted lines?

   • Glasgow is depicted as an industrial city, filled with steam tugs, cranes, and furnaces. The poet paints a picture of a busy, mechanical world, contrasting with the peaceful countryside. The "fields of apparatus" and "gigantic chessmen" (furnaces) suggest a structured and strategic layout, emphasizing Glasgow’s role as a hub of industry and commerce.

3. Which figure of speech is used in Line 5 and why?

   • The poet uses simile in "Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen." This compares the furnaces in the industrial landscape to chess pieces, highlighting their strategic arrangement and importance. It also suggests a sense of order and dominance, reinforcing the theme of industrial progress.

4. Briefly describe the things carried by the train.

   • The train carries letters, parcels, business documents, newspapers, and personal messages. These items symbolize communication and connection, bringing news, love, and commerce to different parts of the country. The train serves as a lifeline for people waiting for information, ensuring that they remain connected to the wider world.

5. What does the poet convey about the waiting people of Scotland later in the context?

   • The poet emphasizes that all of Scotland waits eagerly for the train’s arrival. People in remote villages, dark glens, and sea lochs look forward to receiving news from afar. The train represents hope, anticipation, and progress, as it delivers letters that may bring joy, sorrow, or crucial updates. This symbolizes the power of communication in binding a nation together, showing that the train is more than just a mode of transport—it is a symbol of human connection and continuity.

     
     

Question 7

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (3+3+3+3+4 = 16)

"A splinter jutted from my mangled thigh.

My right side bled, my cheek was torn, and I

Dislodged, detachedly, a piece of glass,

All the time wondering what had come to pass.

Where was my wife? Alarmed, I gave a shout,

Where are you, Yecko-san?" My blood gushed out.

The artery in my neck? Scared for my life,

I called out, panic-stricken, to my wife."

1. What had happened on that calm morning?

   • On that calm morning, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, bringing sudden devastation. The explosion destroyed buildings, injured thousands, and left the city in ruins. The doctor, who narrates this account, describes the moment as surreal—what was once a peaceful morning turned into unimaginable horror within seconds.

2. What did the doctor notice about his injuries?

   • The doctor observed multiple injuries on his body. A splinter was embedded in his thigh, his right side was bleeding, and his cheek was torn. He also removed a piece of glass from his skin, showing how shocked and numb he was. His detached reaction highlights the unreal, disoriented state of mind in the aftermath of the bombing.

3. Why did the doctor think he would die? Whom did he call in panic and why?

   • The doctor believed he would die because he saw his blood gushing out, leading him to suspect that his neck artery was severed. Fearing that he had little time left, he panicked and called out for his wife, Yecko-san, desperately wanting to know if she had survived. His reaction reflects his love for his wife and his instinct to ensure her safety before he succumbed to his injuries.

4. What did the doctor decide? What happened as he and his wife came out of their house?

   • The doctor decided to move despite his injuries to find safety and medical help. As he and his wife stepped outside, they witnessed horrific destruction—collapsed houses, severely burned people, and eerie silence. The sight of suffering and devastation was overwhelming, showing the immense scale of the tragedy and the helplessness of the survivors.

5. What should have been a cause of shame to the speaker? Why did he not feel any shame?

   
   

   (Minimum 150 words)

   • In normal circumstances, being naked in public would have been a source of embarrassment for the speaker. However, after the atomic explosion, the devastation was so vast that such concerns became meaningless. He saw thousands of people around him, many of them severely injured, naked, and suffering. At that moment, survival and pain overshadowed all notions of modesty or shame.

   • The sheer horror of the event left people in a state of shock, unable to process emotions like embarrassment. The speaker, though normally a dignified individual, realized that in such extreme situations, human survival instinct dominates social conventions. The destruction of an entire city, loss of life, and immense suffering were far greater concerns than his lack of clothing.

   • This highlights the impact of war on human dignity, stripping away all sense of normalcy. The speaker’s lack of shame is a powerful commentary on the scale of suffering, showing how the bombing reduced people to their most vulnerable states, where basic survival became the only priority.