NEB Grade Increment Exam 2081(Set-B) with Complete Solution

 

NEB Grade Increment Exam 2081(Set-B) Optional English Grade: XII                                Time: 3 Hours                          Full Marks: 75

Group ‘A’

Write the correct answer, choosing from the options given below. [11×1=11]

1.    When was English education formally introduced in Nepal?

i. 1918                 ii. 1954                iii. 1990              iv. 1885

2.    Which one of the followings is the main objective of teaching and learning English?

i. to develop linguistic competence        

ii. to develop communicative competence

iii. to develop cultural competence

iv. to develop intercultural competence

3.    ‘The news of his death saddened me’ p;sf] d[To'sf] va/n] dnfO{ :tAw agfof] . Which one of the following translation types is it?

i. Free translation                   ii. Literal translation

iii. Dynamic translation         iv. Semantic translation

4.    Why did Brahmadatta not shoot at the Deer kings?

i. They ran very fast.                        ii. They were the magnificient animals.

iii. He couldn’t see them.                iv.They were very clear.

5.    Which one of the following themes can you infer from the story ‘Everything that Rises Must Converge’?

i. sacrifice for wisdom                    ii. racial integration

iii. arrogance and pride          iv. racial discrimination

6.    What did the writer learn from the British Museum and the zoo?

i. to collect artifacts and soveigners         ii. to carve wooden artifacts

iii. to respect the authors                 iv. to present his ideas magnificiently

7.    Which of the following is an example of lyric?

i. The Three Knights                        ii. Mending Wall

iii. Sonnet 8                                     iv. Five Modern Haikus

8.    ‘The Breeze Kissed My Cheek’. Which of the following is the example of the sentence?

i. Metaphor          ii. Paradox           iii. Personification       iv. Onomatopoeia

9.    Why did Joe Keller kill himself?

i. because Joe felt ashamed and guilty

ii. because Joe was threatened to be shot

iii. because Joe was assaulted by Deever family

iv. because Joe was proved as a criminal by court

10.     What does the play ‘All My Sons’ deal with?

i. family faithfulness and social accountability

ii. family corruption and social responsibility

iii. individual loyalties and social justice

iv. social loyalties and social prestige

11.     Which one of the following is the characteristic of New criticism?

i. Literary text is a special use of language.

ii. Literary text is self sufficient.

iii. Literary text sghoud have defamiliarization of the context.

iv. Literary text should be focus on content and context.

Group ‘B’

Write short answers to the following questions in about 75 words each. [8×5=40]

12.  Define language family and describe its types briefly.  (Reference Book Page No. 1 Q.No. 1)

Ans: A language family is a group of languages having common origin. It is a group of languages that derive/originate from the common ancestor/parent language. According to Ethnologue(2024), there are 7,164 languages belonging to 142 language families. Major language families of the word are as follows:

a.     Indo-European Language Family: It is the largest language family of the world. Languages of this family are spoken in Europe and several parts of South Asia.

b.     Sino-Tibetan Language Family: It is the second largest language family of the world.  It is also called Indo-Chinese language family.

c.     Niger-Congo Language Family: It is the largest language family of Africa. It has more than 1500 languages.

d.     Austro-Asiatic language Family: Austro-Asiatic languages are spoken in South Asian and South East Asian countries including Nepal, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and India.

e.     Dravidian language Family: Dravidian languages are spoken in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

13.  How can content and language integrated learning(CLIL) be applied in English language classroom? (Reference Book Page No. 18 Q.No. F)

Ans: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) can be used in the English classroom by teaching subjects like science or history in English. This way, students learn both the subject and the language at the same time. Teachers can create activities that help students practice speaking and writing in English while learning new content. CLIL makes lessons more interesting and useful. It also helps students think critically, solve problems, and work with others. By using CLIL, students can improve their English skills and learn about different cultures too.

 

14.  Critically reflect on ‘Cheater never wins’ (The Three Students)

Ans: In the story “Three Students,” the idea that “cheaters never win” is clearly shown. Gilchrist tries to cheat by stealing the exam papers, hoping to get an advantage. However, his dishonesty is discovered by Holmes. Despite his initial success, Gilchrist’s cheating leads to his exposure and downfall. His guilt and confession reveal that cheating, while it may seem to offer a quick win, actually results in failure and trouble. The story proves that cheating ultimately brings more harm than benefit, and being honest is the better path to true success.

 

15.  Analyze how philosophy is antipoetic. (Reference Book Page No. 130 Q.No. 3)

Ans: According to the essayist (Robert Graves), philosophy is antipoetic(against poetry) because it regards poetry as an irrational fancy. It doesn't care and value individual uniqueness (individual differences). On the other hand, poets don't do injustice to personal differences. Poets value individual uniqueness and identity. Poets mistrust philosophy. They know that philosophy only counts heads of people not their identity, they(people) are just numbers, citizens, voters, slave or serf(कमारो/दास) in the eyes of philosophy.

 

16.  Examine the conclusion of Speech in Release from Jail. (Reference Book Page No. 171 Q.No. 1)

Ans: In the conclusion of his speech, Nelson Mandela calls for unity and more effort to achieve freedom in South Africa. He says the fight against apartheid cannot be stopped and asks people to continue in a peaceful and organized way. He invites both Black and white citizens to join hands to build a new, democratic South Africa. Mandela also asks other countries to support their struggle. He dreams of a country where everyone is equal, and there is peace, racial harmony, and democracy, with equal rights for all.

Or,

Discuss the theme of the story ‘The Lost Child’. (Reference Book Page No. 109 Q.No. 1)

Ans: The theme of "The Lost Child" is about a child's innocence and strong love for his parents. At the fair, the child is excited by toys, sweets, and balloons, but when he gets lost, he no longer cares about those things. All he wants is to find his parents. The story shows that a child’s true happiness comes from being with their parents, not from having toys or sweets. It teaches us that love and family are more important than material things.

 

17.  What are the elements of poetry? Describe them briefly.

Ans: The elements of poetry are briefly discussed below:

a.    Stanza: Poetry is organised into stanzas, which group lines together in a structured format.

b.    Figures of Speech: Poetry employs figures of speech, such as metaphors and similes, to create vivid and imaginative effects.

c.     Figurative Language: Poetry uses figurative language to convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation of words.

d.    Rhythm: Poetry is crafted with rhythm, creating a pattern of beats that enhances its musical quality.

e.     Rhyme: Poetry often features rhyme, where similar sounds are repeated at the ends of lines to create a pleasing effect.

f.      Symbolism: Poetry includes symbolism, using symbols to represent deeper meanings and concepts beyond the literal text.

 

 

 

18.  What is ecocriticism? Discuss. (Reference Book Page No. 295 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Ecocriticism is the study of literature focusing on the relationship between humans and the natural world. It views nature as central, rather than humanity, and examines how human actions impact the environment. This perspective highlights the destruction caused by humans and challenges anthropocentrism (the belief in human dominance over nature). Instead, it advocates for biocentrism and ecocentrism, where nature and all living beings are given equal importance. Ecocriticism explores environmental problems in literature and promotes awareness about protecting the earth. Works like Rudolf Anaya's "Devil Deer" illustrate this by showing the effects of human exploitation on nature.

 

19.  What are the basic assumptions of cultural perspective? (Reference Book Page No. 300 Q.No. 2)

Ans: The cultural perspective in literature sees that a writer’s work is closely linked to their culture. It views a literary work as a cultural artefact and rejects the idea of "high" and "low" culture. Instead, it values the culture of ordinary, working-class, and oppressed groups like black people, native people, and others. This perspective argues that all cultures are important and deserve respect. Literature should reflect all kinds of culture, not just the elite. For example, LM Silko’s story "Lullaby" shows Native American culture and their struggles.

Or,

Differentiate between structuralism and post structuralism.

Ans:

Structuralism	Post-structuralism
Structuralism believes that literary texts and cultures have underlying patterns or structures that control their meaning.	Post-Structuralism thinks that structures are not fixed. Instead, they are always changing and can be different depending on the situation.
It thinks meaning is stable and can be found by looking at these underlying structures. It tries to uncover these fixed meanings.	It believes meaning is not fixed and can change. It says that meaning depends on how people interpret it and can vary from one person to another
It focuses on the text itself and the structures within it, rather than what the author intended.	It says that the author’s intentions are just one part of how meaning is created. Readers also play a big role in interpreting texts.
It breaks texts into parts and studies how these parts fit together to understand meaning.	It looks at texts as full of contradictions and multiple meanings. It explores how texts can be interpreted in different ways.
It sees language as a stable system where meanings are fixed by how words relate to each other.	It views language as unstable and shifting. It argues that because language changes, meanings are never fully set and can be endlessly questioned.

 

Group ‘C’

Write long answer to these questions in about 300 words each. [3×8=24]

20.  The story ‘Devil Deer’ is about the ‘nature as a subject’ versus ‘nature as object’, explain. (Devil Deer)

Ans: In "Devil Deer," the story highlights the difference between ‘nature as a subject’ and ‘nature as an object’.

‘Nature as a subject’ sees nature as a living, valuable entity with its own rights and worth. In the story, the deer represents this view. The buck is deformed and suffering because of the environmental damage caused by the Los Alamos Laboratory. This suffering shows that nature is more than just a resource; it has its own life and deserves respect.

‘Nature as an object’ treats nature as something to be used or exploited. At the start of the story, Cruz views the deer as a prize for hunting. He plans to kill it for sport and meat, treating it as an object rather than a living being.

When Cruz discovers the deformed deer, he realises that the buck is not just an object but a victim of the laboratory’s pollution. The deer’s condition, with its twisted body and blindness, reflects the harm caused by humans. This shift in Cruz’s perspective shows the negative effects of treating nature merely as a resource. The story urges us to see nature as a subject, deserving of care and respect.

 

21.  Write a critical appreciation of the poem ‘Lord! Make me a Sheep’. (Reference Book Page No. 235 Q.No. 2)

Ans: "Lord! Make Me a Sheep" is a satirical poem by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, a pioneering Nepali romantic poet. Written in free verse, the poem has 71 lines divided into 7 stanzas, with no rhyme scheme and uneven line lengths. The poem expresses the speaker's frustration with the artificiality and burdens of human life, and his longing for innocence and simplicity, symbolised by the sheep. He wishes to be free from worldly pleasures, materialism, and the suffering that comes with knowledge and human responsibilities.

The speaker appeals to God to make him a sheep so he can live a natural, carefree life, away from the hypocrisy, greed, and immorality of human society. He criticises religious hypocrisy, war waged in the name of religion, and the unhealthy competition for material wealth. The sheep, a symbol of innocence, is portrayed as superior to sages and holy men, free from desire and sin, and closer to God.

Devkota uses various literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, simile, allusion, and irony. The poem contains allusions to Hindu mythology and the "Sword of Damocles". It is a powerful critique of human behaviour and materialism, with a universal appeal despite the personal tone of the speaker's wishes.

Or,

Differentiate between language of poetry and language of prose.

Ans: The language of poetry and prose is quite different in how it is used. Poetry often has a set structure, such as stanzas and lines, and usually includes a rhythm and rhyme scheme. Poets use artistic and figurative language, like metaphors and similes, to create strong images and emotions. Poetry is often short and focused on how the words sound and are arranged, which helps convey deep feelings and ideas in a few lines.

Prose is written in regular sentences and paragraphs without a specific rhythm or rhyme. It uses everyday language to communicate ideas clearly and directly. Prose tends to be longer and allows for detailed storytelling and character development. While prose also uses imagery, it is usually more straightforward and less focused on the musicality of the language compared to poetry. Prose is better for telling stories and exploring characters in depth, while poetry is great for capturing emotions and creating vivid impressions with fewer words.

 

22.  Critically examine the symbols and images used in the drama ‘All My Sons’. (Reference Book Page No. 255 Q.No. “Symbols”)

Ans: In All My Sons, Arthur Miller uses several symbols to express deeper ideas in the play.

The fallen apple tree represents Larry, the missing son. The family planted it in his memory, and when it is struck by lightning, it symbolises the end of Larry’s presence. Kate believes it means Larry is still alive, while Chris cuts the tree down, wanting his mother to move on and let him marry Ann.

Larry’s letter to Ann shows his decision to take his own life. It symbolises the end of past secrets and reveals Joe Keller’s crime, showing that the truth cannot stay hidden.

The basement jail game Joe plays with neighbourhood children hints at his inner guilt. Joe lives like he’s in a prison of his own making, and in the end, he chooses to punish himself with death rather than face real punishment.

Steve’s hat, worn by George, symbolises his father’s suffering because of Joe’s actions. George wants revenge for how Joe destroyed his father’s life.

The defective cylinder heads that killed 21 pilots represent the moral decay of Joe and Steve, as heads of their families.

Finally, dry socks symbolise the lost friendship and brotherhood from the war, which has been replaced by a focus on money and success in post-war society.

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