Class 12 Optional English 11 Sets Past Paper(2078-2081) Solution

Class 12 Optional English 11 Sets Past Paper Solution

CDC Model Question 2078

Optional English

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group-A

Choose and copy the best answer. (11×1=11)

1. What is a dead language?

i. A language no longer used in everyday life.

ii. A language that no one speaks any more.

iii. A language that is learnt solely for ceremonial purposes.

iv. A language that has been lost to history.

2. The Indo-European family includes ………..languages.

i.English, German, Swedish

ii.Latin, French and Modern Languages

iii. Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit

iv. Welsh, Irish, Latin

(All options are correct.)

3. Mother tongue influence can be effectively minimized in the classroom by ………

i.using the mother tongue less often

ii. giving examples from the mother tongue

iii. giving a lot of exposure in the target language

iv. giving inputs from the target language in a simple, graded manner

4. How did Sherlock Holmes solve the case in the story “The Three Students”?

i.It was a lucky guess. ii. He saw the culprit copying the test.

iii. He knew the culprit was tall and an athlete.

iv. He did not solve the case at all.

5. Why does the mother disagree with Aloo in the story “Leaving”?

i.She does not like him. ii. She hates America.

iii. She is afraid he will not return home.

iv. She is stubborn.

6. In the final sentence of “Once More to the Lake”, the narrator feels …….

i.like dancing ii. the chill of death

iii. a storm approaching iv. the clean hair of the waitress

7. The Fool calls King Lear a for doing what ……..

i. searching for the cool ii. giving away his lands

iii. hitting Oswald iv. leaving his palace

8. During spring, the narrator describes himself as …

i.magical ii. mischievous

iii. obstinate iv. a man with rough finger

9. What does Larry say he would do to Joe if they were in the same room in the drama “All My Sons”?

i.forgive him ii. hug him iii. kill him iv. punch him

10. What sarcastic expression does Sue use to refer to the Kellers in the drama “All My Sons”?

i.The holy family ii. The United Nations

iii. The band of thieves iv.The three little pigs

11. Who are the subalterns?

i.Any person with hegemonic power ii.Any person from elite class

iii.People relegated to inferior rank or status iv. Historians

Group-B

Write short answers to these questions. (8×5=40)

12. Are British English and American English two different languages? How are they different? Explain with examples. (Reference Book Page No. 9 Q.No. 24)

Ans: British English and American English are not two different languages. They are the regional varieties of English language. They are the two dialects of English language. They differ from each other in spelling, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar as below:

a. Difference in spelling:

British English	Colour, programme, centre, organization
American English	Color, program, center, organisation,

b. Difference in vocabulary:

British English	American English
Holiday	Vacation
Lorry	Truck
mobile phone	cell phone

c. Difference in pronunciation:

Words	British English	American English
Arm	/a:m/	/arm/
Dance	/da:ns/	/dᴂns/
Dog	/dog/	/do:g/

d. Difference in grammar:

British English	American English
I’ve got an idea.	I have an idea.
I learnt English.	I learned English.
Let’s have a break.	Let’s take a break.

13. Compare between different types of translation. (Reference Book Page No. 22 Q.No. 14)

Ans: Translation is the process of changing thoughts and ideas of one language into another. It is a bilingual activity in which source language (SL) text is transferred into target language (TL) text. The source language refers to the language in which original text is written and the target language is the language in which the text is translated. For, example if we change a poem written in Nepali into English language, it is called translation.

On the basis of the types of texts, translation is classified into three types. They are: technical translation, academic translation and literary translation.

i. Technical Translation: Translation of the texts related to scientific and technical discipline is called technical translation. It is the translation of different texts such as brochures, manuals, leaflets, instructions, etc.

ii. Academic Translation: Translation of texts from one language to another for the purpose of academic need, it is called academic translation. It is also called pedagogic translation.

iii. Literary Translation: Translation of the literary texts such as poem, story, drama, novel, etc. is called literary translation. It is completely cultural and pragmatic translation. It requires knowledge of both culture and literary sensitivity in the translator.

14. What does the story say about ecology and human life? (Devil Deer) (Reference Book Page No. 88 Long Q.No. 1)

Ans: The story vividly shows that human beings depend upon the ecology/environment for their survival. They fulfil their needs by consuming it. Hence, they use nature as an object. Due to man's various activities, ecology has been seriously at hazard/risk.

Ecological balance has been adversely affected due to man's activities. In this story too, a deer has been deformed due to the harmful radiation, lasers and vibration of the atoms produced from the laboratory established by human beings on the lap of natural world. Similarly, nature has been exploited. Deer population has been growing scarcer. Human activities have brought a lot of disorders in ecological chain. The loss of deer has been deformed due to the harmful radiation, lasers and vibration of the atoms produced from the laboratory established by human beings on the lap of natural world. Similarly, nature has been exploited. Deer population has been growing scarcer. Human activities have brought a lot of disorders in ecological chain. The loss of deer species may cause the extinction of the other species too.

15. What contrast does White make between the sea and a lake, and why does he make this contrast at the very beginning of the essay? (Once More to the Lake) ) (Reference Book Page No. 138 Q.No. 9)

Ans: "Once More to the Lake" is a narrative essay written by an American writer E.B. White. White makes the contrast between the sea and a lake in the essay. According to him, there is restlessness caused by the tides of the sea in summer. There blows fearful cold wind in the sea. Similarly, there is incessant/strong wind during the afternoon in the sea. On the other hand, a lake is a place for peacefulness. The lake calms down the restlessness caused by the sea. The lake is a sacred place for him. Hence, the sea is like a problem or disease whereas the lake is like solution or treatment for the essayist.

16. What arguments do the writers make in favour of lean production? Give their examples. (How Lean Production Can Change the World) (Reference Book Page No. 158 Q.No. 2)

Ans: In the essay, ‘How Lean Production Can Change The World’, writers make arguments in favour of lean production. According to them, lean production is the best way for better and different world. ‘Lean production’ is the technique of using less human resource, less investment, less space, less number of tools/machines for production of goods. Lean production is the best technique to minimize waste (waste of time, money resource, raw-materials, manpower, etc.). It responds to customer’s needs immediately. There is immediate delivery of goods according to the demand of the customers. It produces goods in less quantity. So, it does not occupy large space for the dealers. As a result, the rent of the dealers can be reduced. It believes in principle of zero-error or quality product. So, it is not necessary to invest much on repair and maintenance of cars/goods. It believes in ‘no stock’ principle. So, goods won’t be wasted if not sold.

In this way, the writers conclude that lean production is the best principle of production. It will change the world economically.

17. Explain these lines from the poem “No Second Troy” with reference to context.

Why, what could she have done being what she is?

Was there another Troy for her to burn? (Reference Book Page No. 206 Q.No. 7)

Ans: The given extract is taken form the poem ‘No Second Troy’ written by WB Yeats. This poem deals with love, peace, violence and revolution. Troy is the symbol of destruction caused by war. Troy was the ancient city (now in Turkey) which was destroyed due to 10 year-long war for the sake of a beautiful woman named Helen. The speaker is addressing to Maud Gonne in this poem. She was a beautiful Irish actress and revolutionary leader.

The poet blames Maud Gonne for teaching the innocent and poor Irish people to use violent methods of revolution to get independence from Britain. He expresses his anger towards her. Although she looked peaceful, noble and beautiful, she was very dangerous and destructive lady. She was not like the modern women. She was like Helen of Ancient time. In the above lines, the poet the poet asks what she (Maud Gonne) wanted to do by being so dangerous and destructive. He asks what her intention was. He wonders if there was the second/next Troy to burn/destroy. The poet tells not to make another Troy in his country Ireland. He calls for peace and non-violence.

18. How is gender perspective different from class perspective in the study of literature? Explain. (Reference Book Page No. 276 Q.No. 6)

Ans: Difference between gender perspective and class perspective is given below:

Gender Perspective	Class Perspective
It is also called feminist perspective.	It is also called Marxist criticism.
It sees ‘patriarchy’ as the main problem.	It sees ‘capitalism’ as the main problem.
It aims to establish gender equality between male and female.	It aims to bring equality between the rich and the poor.
It analyses the gender roles given to male and female characters in literary texts.	It analyses the gap between the rich and poor characters in literary texts.
It is the by-product of feminist movement.	It is the by-product of Marxist movement.
Simone de Beauvoir, Adrienne Rich, Sylvia Plath are the advocates of this perspective.	Karl Marx, George Lukas, etc. are the advocates of this perspective.

19. Write short note on any one of the following:

a. The character perspective(Reference Book Page No. 297 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Character perspective is the study of the psychology of the characters used in the literary texts. It studies the character’s psyche or inner world. The psyche refers to both conscious and unconscious elements of the human mind. A character’s psyche includes his/her deepest thoughts, feelings or beliefs, fears, trauma, unfulfilled desires that shape his/her behaviour and character/personality. It is the way of analyzing characters' behaviour and their hidden desires. When we read a literary work from character perspective, we analyse character’s psyche. This type of reading is also called psychological or psychoanalytic criticism.

b. Cultural Perspective(Reference Book Page No. 299 Q.No. 2)

Ans: The cultural perspective in literature views that literature is closely connected with culture of the writer. A literary work is a cultural artifact. This perspective opposes so called high culture and promotes culture of working class people, or oppressed people. According to this perspective, there is no low culture or high culture. Cultures of poor, black, AIDS victim, homosexuals, native and indigenous people all are equally important. Literature should not only focus high culture. It should celebrate popular music, folk culture of marginalized (सिमान्तकृत) people. All cultures deserve equal rights and respect. Hierarchy (division) of "high" and "low" cultures is broken. It supports the culturally oppressed group. Literature is a mirror of the society and culture. It is highly influenced by the culture of the writer. While analysing literary text, we have to see setting, characters, languages spoken by them and culture of the writer. For example: LM Silko’s story ‘Lullaby’ shows Native American culture and their suppression.

Group-C

Write long answers to these questions. (3×8=24)

20. What details of Paul’s appearance and behaviour; as his teachers see him, indicate that he is abnormal? Justify with examples. (Paul’s Case) (Reference Book Page No. 59 Q.No. 3)

Ans: "Paul’s Case" is a short story written by an American writer Willa Cather. It is about a teenager schoolboy named Paul who is disappointed with his monotonous life, loves his job at a theatre, wants to be part of it, steals money, enjoys in New York for a week, and ends his life by jumping in front of a moving train.

When Paul is called before the faculty members (teachers) and the principal at his school, he is dressed in shabby and fashionable clothes. He has kept a red carnation in his buttonhole. His dress up doesn't look like that of a student. Paul is tall and narrow-shouldered, with the eyes like that of a drug addict. Paul’s teachers react strongly to his attitude of defiance and physical revulsion (disgust, hatred) towards teachers.

The faculty members cannot tell what problem Paul actually has. His teachers are not happy with his activities. According to his teachers, Paul's case(problem) was not a normal case. Teachers believe that Paul hates them. Throughout the entire criticism, Paul doesn't have seriousness. Instead, he keeps smiling.

Once, Paul was told to write something on the board by his English teacher. While he was writing, his teacher tried to guide him but Paul thrust(throw forcefully)his hands violently behind him. His teacher felt insulted. According to his drawing master, one day, when Paul was asleep in his class, his face looked like that of an aged man. The teachers agree that Paul seems troubled by something deep but he is unwilling to share and talk to people. His mother is dead. He doesn't have good relationship with his father.

All of these details related to his appearance, behaviour and the way teachers see him indicate that Paul is abnormal.

21. How did Milton use the development of ongoing events to present problems with a mystical resolution in “Sonnet 8”? Explain. (Reference Book Page No. 222 Q.No. 2)

Ans: "Sonnet 8" by John Milton is a plea for safety during the difficult times of the British civil war. Milton, knowing that his support for parliament could make him a target for the king's army, wrote this poem and pasted it to his door as a desperate appeal for protection. In it, he requests the soldiers to safeguard both himself and his belongings, offering the allure of fame and glory through his poetic verses in return. Comparing poets to the sacred abode of the Muses, he urges the soldiers not to resort to violence against him, drawing upon historical examples where poets were spared during conflicts. Through his plea, Milton underscores the significance of literature and art, suggesting that their power transcends that of brute force, and that the written word possesses the capacity to safeguard individuals even amidst the chaos of war.

This sonnet not only serves as a testament to Milton's own vulnerability during a time of political upheaval but also highlights the enduring power of poetry to inspire, protect, and immortalize. It reflects Milton's belief in the transformative potential of language, asserting that even in the midst of strife, the creative expression of ideas can serve as a shield against harm. In essence, "Sonnet 8" embodies the timeless adage that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, showcasing the ability of literature to transcend the brutality of conflict and offer solace and protection to those in need.

22. How does Miller present Joe Keller as both a tragic hero and a villain in “All My Sons”. (Reference Book Page No. 256 Q.No. 1)

Ans: “All My Sons” is a three-act play written by an American playwright Arthur Miller. It deals with the tragic conflict between family loyalties and social responsibility.

Joe Keller is the protagonist of this drama/play. He represents American dream of collecting wealth at any cost ignoring all the ethics and morality. American dream is the concept that everyone can have progress, happiness and upward social mobility according to their capacity. Everyone can uplift their economic or social status by hard work. Everyone can enjoy their version of success and happiness. Joe Keller believes that American dream can be achieved only through money. So, he is ready to do anything for the sake of money.

Joe Keller is a successful businessman but not much educated. He is a family man who thinks only about increasing his family happiness by earning much money. He wants to earn money by hook or crook. He runs a manufacturing plant with his partner Steve Deever. He is a money-minded person and a war profiteer. He supplies cracked airplane cylinders to the US Army during the Second World War due to which 21 fighter planes crashed and 21 pilots died. His own son committed suicide due to the shameful condition caused because of father’s crime.

Keller forgets his business ethics and morality. As a businessman he should have supplied the quality product, but he did not do so. Similarly, he deceived his own business partner Steve Deever by forcing him to supply those cracked cylinders and sending him to prison. Keller tells a lie that he did not tell Deveer to supply those cylinders. He is a betrayer who betrayed his own nation and friend. He does not have time to think about his society and nation because he is running after money.

Hence, we can say that Joe Keller represents American dream. He ignores all the ethics and moralities for the sake of wealth (money). The dramatist has criticized the American dream because it corrupts man.

NEB Model Question 2079(2023)

Optional English

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group A

Tick (√) the correct answer from the alternatives given in each question below. (11×1=11)

1. To which one of the following language families does official Nepali language belong?

a. Afro-Asiatic b. Sino-Tibetan

c. Niger-Congo d. Indo-European

2. Language change as a result of globalization occurs due to which of the following reasons?

a. fashion b. foreign influence

c. broadening d. narrowing

3. Kituba is a widely used lingua franca in Central Africa. It is based on Kikongo, a Bantu language. It is also a national language in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Which one of the following types of language is it?

a. pidgin b. creole c. vernacular d. slang

4. Who is the author of the story ‘Paul’s Case’?

a. Willa Cather b. Sir Arthur Canon Doyle

c. M C Vassanji d. Rudolf Anaya

5. What kind of story is ‘The Three Students’?

a. a horror story b. a humorous story

c. a detective story d. a satirical story

6. ‘I can resist anything but temptation.’ What is this sentence an example of?

a. paradox b. oxymoron c. analogy d. euphemism

7. Which one of the following poems is a ballad?

a. Mending Wall b. No Second Troy

c. A Woman d. The Three Knights

8. What does the poet imply through the line ‘I grew whiter and whiter’ in the poem ‘Kidnapped’?

a. he became a more learned person.

b. he got influenced by western education system.

c. he was happy to become a European.

d. he got assimilated in the western culture.

9. What year was the play ‘All My Sons’ written?

a. 1947 b. 1949

c. 1953 d. 1955

10. Which one of the following literary elements is richly endowed in the play ‘All My Sons’?

a. irony b. symbol c. image d. metaphor

11. Which of the following does linguistic sign comprise?

a. sign and signifier b. signifier and signified

c. arbitrariness and conventionality d. signified and binary

Group ‘B’

Give short answers to the following questions in about 75 words each. (8×5=40)

12. What is language death? Give suitable examples of language death. (Reference Book Page No. 4 Q.No. 7)

Ans: A language dies when nobody speaks it anymore. Language death is the condition in which it loses all the native speakers of it. When the last speaker of a language dies, that language also dies. A dead language is a language that no one speaks any more. When the people who speak a particular language die or leave to speak and the next generation does not know to speak, it is called language death. There can be natural, social or political causes of language death. Language death is not good because it causes the loss of particular culture and identity of people. Their literature dies along with language death. For example: Sanskrit is a dead language.

13. Is content knowledge more important than acquisition of skills? Why, why not? Give reasons to support your answer. (Reference Book Page No. 17 Q.No. 4)

Ans: ‘Content knowledge’ means having knowledge of the subject-matter or lesson. It includes the subject-matter of different fields. On the other hand, ‘acquisition of skills’ means acquiring/learning four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Only content knowledge is not enough for learning language without acquisition of skills. The primary aim of learning language is to develop communicative competence. Hence, acquisition of language skills is more important than content knowledge. It is language skills which develop communicative competence. Only having content knowledge without acquiring skills, communicative competence cannot be achieved.

14. How does Julian show the important theme of hypocrisy in the story ‘Everything That Rises Must Converge’? (Reference Book Page No. 70 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Julian is a hypocrite. He loves black people just to show his mother and irritate her. In reality, he is unable to even communicate with the Negros. He just wants to show that he is against racism. He daydreams of bringing a black lawyer or professor to his home and having dinner together. He dreams of his mother being sick and calling a black doctor for the treatment. In practicality, he is incapable of establishing friendship with black people too.

15. In what way does the story ‘A Deal on Wheat’ reflect influence of naturalism? Explain briefly. (Reference Book Page No. 88 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Naturalism is a literary style that portrays everyday life and social issues in a realistic manner. It shows the harsh realities of society and struggle of the common people. Naturalist writers depict characters who are the victims of forces beyond their control, such as poverty, social conditions

“A Deal in Wheat" is a naturalistic story written by an American writer Frank Norris. It has the ordinary central character Lewis who is a farmer by profession. He becomes the victim of his heredity (being born as a working class, poor, farmer) and his surrounding environment (economic environment of Chicago in wheat trade). He becomes the victim because of business monopoly and corrupted and unhealthy business practices of the greedy traders/ businessman. Sam Lewiston is compelled to give his property to the creditors and leave his wife at her sister's house and he wanders in the street of Chicago like a beggar. In this way, ‘A Deal in Wheat’ reflects influence of naturalism.

16. How does lean production combine the best features of both craft and mass production? Explain. (Reference Book Page No. 158 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Lean production combines the best features of both craft and mass production. It combines standardized processes and flexible operations. It takes the efficiency and consistency of mass production and the attention to detail and customization of craft production. It merges both of them and produces high-quality products at low cost per unit. Lean production reduces waste and enables workers/employees to improve the production process. It has rapid response to changing customer demands improving quality and productivity. Moreover, quick delivery is another feature of lean production.

‘The reality is that we do not know what to think about death: not that of a fly, or of a dog or a pig, or of ourselves.’ Do you agree or disagree with this key idea given by Stephen Cave? Give reasons based on the essay 'Not Nothing'? (Reference Book Page No. 149 Q.No. 1)

Ans: "Not Nothing" is an ethical essay written by Stephen Cave. It deals with the themes of non-violence, animal caring and inevitability of death.

I agree with the above statement, 'we do not know what to think about death: not that of a fly, or of a dog or a pig, or of ourselves.’ Death of any creature is insignificant as well as a disaster. Death is not important and at the same time it is a disaster. If we think deeply, we take death as a natural happening, it is insignificant. Many creatures die in large number every day. It is the rule of nature. Life and death depend on each other. Nobody lives forever. On the other hand, death is a catastrophe because it takes a million years’ time to evolve/develop any creature and to come to the present situation. For example, if a fly is killed, its generation may end in future. It carries worlds(many bacteria, their genes, goals etc). Similarly, in case of human too, death is very painful. Losing our loved ones is really a catastrophe.

17. Summarize the poem ‘If I Should Die.’ (Reference Book Page No. 212 Summary)

Ans: “If I Should Die” is a free verse poem written by an American poet Emily Dickinson. This poem shows how the natural and human worlds will continue even after one’s death. Those left behind will keep experiencing life. The speaker is not afraid of death. Her tone is calm and confident. According to the speaker, the world does not stop even after someone’s death. The sun will rise, bees will buzz, birds will make nests and people will continue their business. If the survivors continue their trades/works, the departed/dead ones will be happy. Time keeps on moving. It is not affected by anyone’s death. According to the poet, death is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of a new journey. Death should no longer be something one fears.

18. Differentiate textual perspective from contextual perspective. (Reference Book Page No. 284 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Difference between textual perspective and contextual perspective is given below:

Textual Perspective	Contextual Perspective
It refers to the interpretation of a text based completely on its words and structure. It focuses on analysing the language, themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the text to derive meaning and understanding. It does not care about the cultural, historical, and social context in which the text was written and received.	It refers to the interpretation of a text in relation to broader cultural, historical, and social context in which the text was written and received. It aims to uncover the social and historical forces that shape the text and influence its meaning. It takes author's background, the political and cultural climate of the time etc. into account.
It tends to focus on the literary qualities of the text itself,	It provides a deeper understanding of the text by situating it within its broader historical and cultural context.
Formalist, structuralist and new criticism come under textual perspective.	Feminist, Marxist, marginal, ecological, character and cultural perspectives come under contextual perspectives.

19. According to Sigmund Freud, literary creation emerges from unconscious state of mind. Do you agree or disagree? Justify your opinion. (Reference Book Page No. 297 Q.No. 3)

Ans: According to Sigmund Freud, there are three layers in human mind: Id, Ego and Superego. Id is also called unconscious mind. It is full of desires. Superego is conscious mind which is aware of social rules and norms. It represses socially unacceptable desires. Ego is subconscious mind. All the repressed desires are stored in it. According to Freud, human behaviours are guided by unconscious desires. Unconscious mind of the person shapes his behaviour and character/personality. Human beings have many desires for power, love, sex and so on. But all the desires cannot be fulfilled easily. The repressed desires make a storehouse in our mind. Those desires affect our unconscious mind. Our unconscious directs our conscious activities. The desires try to come out but we control it and tell a joke, or write an erotic poem or see an attractive person in dream. Unfulfilled desires are expressed through dreams, tongue-slip and literature. Hence, I agree that literary creation emerges from unconscious state of mind.

Evaluate how postmodern perspective addresses the issue of plurality. (Reference Book Page No. 290 Q.No. 3)

Ans: Postmodernism is a broad cultural, literary and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 20^th century as a reaction to modernism. It rejects the idea of absolute truth and objective reality. It emphasizes the idea of subjectivity, individualism and diversity. It addresses the issue of plurality in literature by focusing the multiplicity of perspectives. It rejects the single, dominant narrative. According to this perspective, there is no single and final meaning of the text. There can be multiple meanings. It addresses the issue of plurality by respecting multiple styles, voices, narrators, cultural references, diversity of experiences, etc. It challenges traditional literary conventions and techniques. This perspective is more democratic and inclusive approach to literature since it celebrates diversity.

Group ‘C’

Write long answer to the following questions in about 150 words each. (3×8=24)

20. Summarize the essay ‘A Black Grandmother’. (Reference Book Page No. 167 Long Q.No. 1)

Ans: "A Black Grandmother" is an autobiographical essay written by an Australian writer Sally Morgan. It is about a young Aboriginal girl(writer herself) of Australia who grows up to false heritage (family history) and not knowing where she is from.

The narrator remembers how her grandmother and mother were shocked when the Australian government changed its currency in 1996. She talks about her aim of being an artist but she was discouraged by her mother because there was no money in that field. She continued studying due to her mother. One day, she found her grandmother crying, she grew too curious to discover about her family's indigenous roots. Her mother told her a lie about their origin. She told the narrator that they were Indians by origin. In fact, she had lied to avoid the social stigma of being an Aboriginal person. Finally, the narrator came to know that her grandmother was a black (Aboriginal) woman of Australia, not an Indian by birth.

The narrator describes her experiences of growing as an aboriginal girl in Australia. She develops a sense of pride in her cultural heritages after learning about her grandmother's origin. She talks about the racism and discrimination faced by her community. She hates the society which refuses to acknowledge the worth and dignity of Aboriginal people.

21. Interpret the following lines of the poem ‘Lord! Make me a Sheep’ in your own words relating the speaker’s feelings to the contemporary materialistic society.

Let me have divine animality, O Providence,

Be kind to me and seize me quickly!

Come! Please!

Make me a sheep right now. (Reference Book Page No. 235 Long Q.No. 1)

Ans: The above given lines are taken from the poem “Lord! Make Me a Sheep” written by a great Nepali poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota. It is a satirical poem which attacks on the behaviour and conducts of human society. The speaker of this poem appeals God to make him a sheep because he is tired of being a human. He wants to get rid of the burden of responsibilities.

In the above lines, the speaker expresses his dissatisfaction over the human activities. He doesn’t want worldly pleasures, and transitory fame. He is fed up with human life, burden of responsibilities and artificiality of human life. He doesn’t want anything that a common man aspires/desires for.He says that he doesn’t want to be pompous (showy) in the eyes of people. He doesn’t want to show what he doesn’t possess. People are becoming showy these days to impress others. They want to be richer and higher than others. They want to show others magnificent house, expensive cars, jewellery, clothes, and so on. They are in the rush of materialism. But, the speaker wants none of these things. Similarly, He wants to clear the account of sins. It is only possible by being a sheep. The sheep is a symbol of innocence. Thus, he wants to clear his account and go to heaven after death. According to Hinduism, it is believed that God keeps the account of the sins and virtues of a person. If one is virtuous, he is sent to heaven and a sinner is sent to hell.

Do you believe that abstract reasoning is predominantly the male field of thought? Give reasons in support of your answer. (Reference Book Page No. 132 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Yes, I agree that abstract reasoning is predominantly the male field of thought. When the Greek philosophers invented geometry to divide the land of Egypt equally, they mixed abstract reasoning to convince the doubters. Under the name of philosophy, soon, it dominated all aspects such as mathematics, physics, metaphysics, religion, poetry, etc. Philosophy became new sports for leisurely people of Greece.

According to the essayist(Robert Graves), Greek women opposed the philosophers' abstract reasoning. They took it as a threat to themselves. Metaphysicians(philosophers) regarded Socrates as their hero and master. But, his wife Xanthippe scolded and nagged her husband publicly for failing to fulfill his familial responsibility because he was all the time philosophizing (talking philosophically) with others.

Socrates' love of proving everyone wrong made his wife Xanthippe angry and nagging. The essayist supports Xanthippe and says her intuitions were right. She foresaw that her husband's theories would bring family into public disgrace/hatred at the time when women were just regarded as child-bearing machine and sexual conveniences.

Hence, we can say that abstract reasoning is predominantly the male field of thought. Females prefer to use intuition instead of abstract reasoning which makes them allies of the poets.

22. Do you think the play ‘All My Sons’ is the play of responsibility, tragedy and guilt? Justify your answer with examples. (Reference Book Page No. 259 Q.No. 5)

Ans: ‘All My Sons’ is a three-act play written by an American playwright, Arthur Miller. This is the play of responsibility, tragedy and guilt.

Joe Keller is a successful businessman devoted to his family and has no time for anything except working for the family welfare. He is a perfect family man. He is a responsible husband and father. He forgets his social responsibility while being too loyal to his family.

Similarly, this play is a tragedy too because most of the characters pass through various hardships and tragic events. The protagonist, Joe Keller committed horrendous/serious crime by supplying defective airplane parts. It caused the death of 21 pilots and their families suffered. His own son, Larry committed suicide due to his father’s crime. Father-son relationship between Joe and Chris deteriorated when Chris knew about his father’s crime. Kate Keller is in grief due to Larry’s missing in the WW II. Ann’s life is full of tragedy and devastation. She lost her boyfriend Larry and her father got imprisoned. George lost his girlfriend Lydia due to war. Steve Deever is the most tragic character who has been betrayed by Joe Keller.

Joe Keller blames his business partner Steve Deever for their joint crime and puts him in jail. Later, he blames business practices and US Army except himself. At last, he accepts the blame and shoots himself. Larry has taken guilt and blame on himself and commits suicide. Chris feels guilty for surviving the war. He even blames his father for his own inability to send his father to prison. Thus, we can say ‘All My Sons’ is the play of responsibility, tragedy and guilt.

NEB Exam 2079 (2022)

Optional English

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group-A

Write the correct answers choosing from the options given below: [11×1=11]

1. A language family is ……

i. a group of related languages derived from a single language

ii. derived from all languages

iii. that can be divided into groups of languages.

iv. part of the Indo-European family.

2. The Tibeto-Burman group of languages fall under ……

i. under Indo-European language family

ii. under Austro-Asiatic languages

iii. under Kumali languages

iv. under Sino-Tibetan family

3. Language shift is also ……….

i. the cause of language death.

ii. the cause of language growth.

iii. the cause of monolithic language.

iv. the cause of language survive.

4. The king of Banyan Deer goes himself moves with pity and ……….. .

i. Compassion to the pregnant deer ii. Compassion to the king

iii. Compassion to all living beings iv. Kindness to the world

5. Odin is known for his …….

i. Personal benefit

ii. His eight legged steed

iii. Sacrifice for the donation of his right eye for gaining wisdom

iv. Golden armour

6. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for ........ .

i. 27 years ii. 30 years. iii. 90 years. iv. 17 years.

7. Elegy is notable in that it ………..

i. mourns the loss of a way of life

ii. mourns the loss of an individual

iii. mourns the death of an author

iv. mourns the wealth if an author

8. Why does the king give his kingdom to two evil daughters but not to the youngest one? It is because ….

i. the two really love him.

ii. the two flattered him.

iii. he could not understand the true love of his youngest daughter.

iv. the youngest does not love him.

9. A tragedy is a serious play in which the chief figures pass through a series of …..

i. Killing eventsii. Separations of incidents

iii. Misfortunes leading to a final devastating catastrophe.

iv. Pain and loss

10. The characters in the play are concerned with…….

i. the business of an individual

ii. the successful operation of the business

iii. the establishment of business

iv. the establishment and maintenance of family life

11. New criticism aims at providing good sense of …….

i. a text which is totally new in nature.

ii. a text without going back to the history of the text and its author.

iii. a text that completes all genres.

iv. a text with full criticism

Group-B

Write short answers to these questions. [8×5=40]

12. Write in brief about the shift in language. (Reference Book Page No. 4 Q.No. 9)

Ans: Language shift is the replacement of one language by another. It is a process whereby a speech community shifts to a different language, usually over time. It is also known as language transfer, language replacement or language assimilation. Language shift takes place when a speech community comes in contact of a new language and gradually stop speaking their mother tongue and start speaking the new language. It takes place when a community gives up its mother tongue in favour of another language. At, present many people are speaking Nepali language leaving their indigenous language. Their next generation will be unable to speak their indigenous language. As a result, many indigenous languages will die. Hence, language shift must be stopped to stop language death. Linguistic awareness should be created. Special programmes should be launched to save endangered languages.

13. What are the similarities between Pidgin and Creole? Give some examples. (Reference Book Page No. 8 Q.No. 21)

Ans: When the people of different linguistic backgrounds need the common means of communication, they borrow words from different languages. As a result, a new language originates called pidgin. It has no native speakers. When the children of pidgin speakers speak pidgin as their mother tongue, it gains native speakers and it becomes creole language. It becomes the mother tongue of those children. Creole is the developed stage of pidgin.

Similarities between pidgin and creole are as follows:

i. Both pidgin and creole are the result of the mixture of two or more languages.

ii. Both are the result of multilingual situation.

iii. Both of them borrow words/vocabulary from other languages.

iv. Pidgin is the base for creole development.

Some examples of pidgin/creole languages: African American Vernacular English, Hawaiian Creole English, Lousiana Creole, Chavacano Creole, etc.

14. What was the new king fond of? (Buddhist Story) (Reference Book Page No. 35Q.No. 1)

Ans: Brahmadatta was the new king of Benaras/Kashi. He was fond of hunting and having deer meat. He used to go hunting for pleasure. He used to go to the forest with his courtiers and helpers. He made the villagers accompany him and his hunting parties. He forced the villagers to help him in his royal hunt. Due to king’s hunt, farmers’ crops were destroyed. Businessmen could not conduct their word because they were forced to chase animals for the king to hunt. So, they were unhappy with the new king.At last, Brahmadatta gave up hunting after learning the lesson of compassion of pity from the Banyan Deer King.

15. How is Sir Roger an esteemed person, according to Richard Steele? (Sir Roger at the Assizes) (Reference Book Page No. 118 Q.No. 3)

Ans: According to Richard Steele, Sir Roger is a esteemed person. He is a kind, gentle, humble and mild man with peace of mind. He is loved and esteemed/respected in his neighbourhood. He is a good old Knight. He is a benevolent person. He avoids being criticized for the sake of mental peace. As a result, he doesn't even tell the truth and give fair opinion or verdict when people require it. He doesn't displease anyone. He wants to impress others and maintain his fame in the society. In fact, he is the person who doesn't hurt anyone.

16. Why does Mimir ask for the right eye from Odin All Father? (Norse Mythology) (Reference Book Page No. 41 Q.No. 1)

Ans: According to Norse mythology, Mimir was the guardian and caretaker of the ‘well of wisom’. It was also called Mimir’s well. This well was located under the root of Ygdrasil tree. If one drank a draught of water from this well, s/he could become wise. S/he could know all the future. So, everybody who wanted to drink water from his well had to pay the terrible price. When Odin All Father goes to drink water from Mimir’s well, Mimir asks the price to be paid for the water(wisdom). Mimir asks Odin’s right eye as the price of wisdom. Odin also happily donates his right eye for the sake of valuable wisdom.

17. How is Elizabethan sonnet different from Petrarchan sonnet? What are their rhyme scheme? (Reference Book Page No. 178 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Sonnet is a14-line poem written in iambic pentameter. There are two types of sonnet:

a. Italian/Petrarchan Sonnet: it originated in Italy. It was popularized by an Italian poet Petrarch.

b. English/Shakespearian/Elizabethan Sonnet: It originated in England. Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard and Earl of Surrey introduced sonnet in English but William Shakespeare popularized it.

Difference between Elizabethan sonnet and Petrarchan sonnet is given below:

Italian /Petrarchan Sonnet	English/Shakespearian/Elizabethan Sonnet
1. It originated in Italy.	1. It originated in England.
2. It is also called Petrarchan sonnet.	2. It is also called Shakespearian sonnet or Elizabethan sonnet.
3. It has two stanzas: Octave and Sestet.	3. It has four stanzas: 3 Quatrains and a Couplet.
4. Its rhyme scheme is ABBAABBA in octave and CDECDE in sestet.	4. 4. Its rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
5. Octave poses/asks problem or question and sestet gives solution	5. Three quatrains present the theme and a couplet provides a conclusion/solution.

18. Write in short on formalistic perspective. (Reference Book Page No. 279 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Formalist perspective is one of the lenses to look at the literary text. It analyses, interprets or evaluates the inherent features of a text.It focuses on the ‘form’ of the literary text. It ignores its meaning.It studies literary devices such as rhyme, rhythm, meter, figures of speech, syntax, narrative technique, setting, characters, plot, tone, theme, mood, style, etc. It ignores the historical context of the text and background of the author and readers. It focuses on ‘form’ not on the ‘content’. It studies the aesthetic qualities of the text. For example, it does not focus on what the poem is about. It focuses on how it is written, what are the literary devices used, etc. It believes that the language of literature should be different from everyday language. Literary language should have literariness.

De-familiarization, de-automatizing, foregrounding and back-grounding are the major devices of formalists. Formalist believe that if the language of literature is ordinary, no one will pay attention to it. So, there should be literariness. Weakness of this perspective is that it is applicable only in poetry not in other genres. Victor Shklovosky, Roman Jacobson, Jan Mukarovsky, etc. are the formalist critics.

19. Define ‘Subaltern Literature’ in brief. (Reference Book Page No. 286 Q.No. 3)

Ans: The word ‘subaltern’ means lower or inferior in rank. A subaltern/marginalized person is someone with a low ranking in a social, economic, political or other hierarchy. It also means someone who has been oppressed or marginalized. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, backward people, AIDS victims, Black people, colonized, poor class people, etc. are the subalterns. In the context of Nepal, Madhesi, Muslims, women, Dalits,indigenous people such as Raute, Chepang, Kusunda, LGBTIs, people of Karnali region, etc. were regarded as subalterns in the past. But the constitutional provision and other government programmes have slowly uplifted their status now. Definition of subalterns changes according to time and space because subalterns always don’t remain subalterns.

Subaltern literature refers literary writings which present the pain, hardships, struggle, exploitation and suppression of subalterns. It raises the voice of subalterns and marginalized people. It supports for their rights. It aims to break the hegemony of the elite people. It aims to eliminate all kinds of discrimination and exploitation. For example, the story “Deal in the Wheat” can be regarded as subaltern writing because it shows the hardships faced by a farmer. In Nepal too, many writers and poets have written against caste discrimination, gender discrimination, struggle of the poor class and so on. All of them come under subaltern literature.

Group-C

Write long answers to these questions. [3×8=24]

20. What are the reasons for Paul for committing suicide? Why does he take such hard decision? (Paul’s Case) (Reference Book Page No. 58 Q.No. 2)

According to his teachers, Paul was an abnormal boy. He did not have good relationship with his father. His mother had died briefly after giving him birth. He was suspended from his school due to his abnormal and unsound behaviour towards his teachers. He told his friends about his fake connection with actors and actresses of the theatre. As a result, he was expelled from his school and dismissed from the job of an usher at the theatre. He did not like the street where he lived. He was fed up with his school as well as home environment.

Paul wanted to live a fancy and luxurious life. He daydreamed of living a luxurious life like celebrities. Once, his office told him to deposit $1000 at the bank. He stole that money and ran to New York. He enjoyed sight-seeing, night walking, lavish meal and expensive clothes there. When the newspaper published about his theft, he was frightened. His father had already compensated the stolen amount but he was in search of his son. After spending a week in New York, he decided to return to his home. He took the train to Newark, rode a taxi, and got off. He heard the sound of approaching/coming train and jumped in front of it and ended his life than to return to his old boring life.

Paul took hard decision of committing suicide because he was fed up with monotonous life. When this desire of his couldn't be fulfilled, he committed suicide. His high ambition for the glamorous life was the cause of his suicide.

21. Summarize the poem ‘No Second Troy’. (Reference Book Page No. 203 Summary)

Ans: “No Second Troy” is a lyric poem composed by an Irish poet WB Yeats. This poem is the combination of personal and political concerns. It is one of the great love stories of the 20^thcentury. The speaker of this poem is poet himself and the addressee(listener) is Maud Gonne. Maud Gonne was a beautiful Irish revolutionary leader. Yeats had proposed her (Maud Gonne) for marriage several times but she married another man rejecting his proposal. Yeats wrote this poem after her final rejection. The speaker blames her for filling his life with misery and teaching innocent Irish people the violent ways of revolution. He says that Maud Gonne’s beauty has destructive quality. Title of this poem is symbolic. ‘Troy’ was the ancient city(now in Turkey) which was destroyed due to 10 year-long war for the sake of a beautiful woman named Helen. Troy is the symbol of destruction. He says there is no another Troy to burn. This poem is a call for peace. It deals with the themes of love, peace, violence and revolution.

22. “Joe Keller represents American dream of collecting wealth at all cost, ignoring all the ethics and morality.” Explain. (All My Sons) (Reference Book Page No. 257 Q.No. 2)

Ans: “All My Sons” is a three-act play written by an American playwright Arthur Miller. It deals with the tragic conflict between family loyalties and social responsibility.

Joe Keller is a successful businessman but not much educated. He is a family man who thinks only about increasing his family happiness by earning much money. He wants to earn money by hook or crook. He runs a manufacturing plant with his partner Steve Deever. Heis a money-minded person and a war profiteer. He supplies cracked airplane cylinders to the US Army during the Second World War due to which 21 fighter planes crashed and 21 pilots died. His own son committed suicide due to the shameful condition caused because of father’s crime.

Hence, we can say that Joe Keller represents American dream. He ignores all the ethics and moralities for the sake of wealth(money). The dramatist has criticized the American dream because it corrupts man.

Grade Increment Exam 2079 (2022)

Optional English (Set-A)

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group ‘A’

Write the correct answers choosing from the options given below: [11×1=11]

1. According to the constitution of Nepal the national language includes..... .

i. all the languages spoken in Nepal

ii. all the native languages spoken in Nepal

iii. all the official languages spoken in Nepal

iv. only the Nepali language

2. Which of the following factors is NOT the cause of language change?

i. Fashion

ii. Foreign influence

iii. Broadening and narrowing

iv. Death of languages

3. What is language death?

i. extinction of a language is written form

ii. extinction of a language in both written and spoken form

iii. existence of a language is only spoken form

iv. existence of a language in both written and spoken form

4. The father in the story ‘The Lost Child’ was ……

i. A tyrant

ii. A dictator

iii. A rude person

iv. A frustrated person

5. Why does E.B. White feel ‘Chill of Death’ in his visit to the Maine Lake?

i. He realizes the cold weather in the lake.

ii. He realizes that his son is going to jump into the lake.

iii. He realizes his son’s death.

iv. He realizes his own death.

6. Why were pueblo people happy when the deer season came?

i. They could hunt the deer and make money.

ii. They could hunt the deer and provide meal to their children.

iii. They could keep deer and make money.

iv. Their children could play.

7. Who was Maud Gonne as mentioned by Yeats in ‘No Second Troy’?

i. A beautiful Irish deity

ii. A beautiful Irish woman

iii. A beautiful Scottish girl

iv. A beautiful English girl

8. What is the theme of the poem ‘King Lear and His Three Daughters’?

i. love, madness and power

ii. love, hatred and betrayal

iii. hatred, madness and betrayal

iv. power, hatred and madness

9. In which month is the play ‘All My Sons’ set?

i. October

ii. April

iii. December

iv. August

10. What is the only part of the newspaper that Joe Keller reads in the play ‘All My Sons’?

i. The sports section

ii. The world news

iii. The obituaries

iv. The want ads

11. How does new criticism deal a text with?

i. with the external factors of the text

ii. directly with the text

iii. with comparison to another text

iv. with history and meaning with the text

Group-B

Write short answers to these questions. [8×5=40]

12. Compare the British and American English in terms of their spellings, pronunciation and grammar. (Reference Book Page No. 9 Q.No. 24)

a. Difference in spelling:

British English	Colour, programme, centre, organization
American English	Color, program, center, organisation,

b. Difference in vocabulary:

British English	American English
Holiday	Vacation
Lorry	Truck
mobile phone	cell phone

c. Difference in pronunciation:

Words	British English	American English
Arm	/a:m/	/arm/
Dance	/da:ns/	/dᴂns/
Dog	/dog/	/do:g/

13. Write any five features of Pidgin. [Reference Book page no. 7 Q.No. 18]

Ans: Pidgin is a language that has developed from a mixture of two or more languages. It is the product of multi-lingual situation. Its features are as follows:

a. Pidgin is the mixture of two or more languages in multilingual situation.

b. It has no native speakers.

c. It has limited vocabulary.

d. It has simple structure.

e. It has simple structure.

f. It has no clear system or rules of grammar.

g. It has no script.

h. It is unstable.

14. What was Paul’s frustration? Depict his personality. [Paul’s Case] (Reference Book page no. 56 Q. No. 5)

Ans: Paul was highly ambitious teenager. He wanted to live the luxurious life of the artists of the opera. He was allured by the glamorous (attractive) life of the singers and artists. He wanted to live like them. He enjoyed a lavish life with the stolen money for a week too. When his expectation couldn't be fulfilled, he was frustrated. He loved his job and music. He was an excellent usher at the opera. He loved the fancy life of the artists.

15. Write about the attachment of the author with the temples of Angkor. [An Eastern Journey] (Reference Book page no. 123 Q. No.2)

Ans: He finds the Angkor temple the most impressive thing in the world. The writer feels strange kind of attachment with the temples of Angkor Wat. On his last day at Angkor Wat, he finds everything more beautiful than before. He wants to linger/walk more on the courtyard of the temple. He finds the carvings of the Bayon temple more appealing because they represent the Cambodian lifestyle. Most of all, he loves the life style of the people which has not changed even after thousand years.

16. Why is philosophy antipoetic? Why do poets mistrust philosophy? [The Case for Xanthippe] [Reference Book page no. 130 Q. No. 3]

Ans: According to the essayist, 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.

17. Explain the following extract with reference to the context.

She lived unknown and few could know

When Lucy ceased to be;

But she is in her grave and, oh,

the difference to me! [She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways] [Reference Book page no. 210 Q. No. 7]

Ans: The given extract is taken from an elegy “She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways” composed by a famous romantic poet William Wordsworth. This poem deals with birth, growth, perfection and death of a lady. The setting of this poem is a rural village in England by the side of the Dove River. The speaker is mourning the death of his beloved named Lucy.

The above lines state that the speaker’s beloved Lucy was unknown to many people. Only few people knew her because she lived in the lap of nature in rural place. The news of her death was also known to few people. She died young. She is in her grave but her absence has created a huge loss in the life of the speaker. The speaker is lonely and sad without her. He takes a long breath with sigh due to grief. Her death has not brought any change in the cycle of the universe, yet, to the speaker, her death has a big difference as he loves her.

18. What is formalism? What elements do the formalists seek in the text? Explain. [Reference Book page no.279 Q.No. 1]

Ans: Formalist perspective originated in Russia. It is one of the lenses to look at the literary text. It analyses, interprets or evaluates the inherent features of a text. It focuses on the ‘form’ of the literary text. It ignores its meaning. It studies literary devices such as rhyme, rhythm, meter, figures of speech, syntax, narrative technique, setting, characters, plot, tone, theme, mood, style, etc. It ignores the historical context of the text and background of the author and readers. It focuses on ‘form’ not on the ‘content’. It studies the aesthetic qualities of the text. For example, it does not focus on what the poem is about. It focuses on how it is written, what are the literary devices used, etc. It believes that the language of literature should be different from everyday language. Literary language should have literariness.

Defamiliarization, deautomatizing, foregrounding and back-grounding are the major devices of formalists. Formalists believe that if the language of literature is ordinary, no one will pay attention to it. So, there should be literariness. Weakness of this perspective is that it is applicable only in poetry not in other genres. Victor Shklovosky, Roman Jacobson, Jan Mukarovsky, etc. are the formalist critics.

19. Define postmodernism and write the features of postmodernist criticism. [Reference Book page no. 279 Q.No. 1]

Ans: Postmodernism is a perspective on life, language, art, literature and culture that came after modernism. Postmodern perspective originated after the Word War II. It came as a reaction to modernism. It rejects the notion of centrality. It demolishes the traditional boundary between center and margin. It breaks the boundaries between literary genres. The features of postmodernist criticism are as follows:

a. Deconstruction

b. Plurality of meanings

c. Intertextuality

d. Metafiction

e. Fragmentation

f. Faction (fact+fiction)

g. Unreliable narration

h. No binary opposition

i. Demolition of boundaries and hierarchy of literary genres

j. Stream of consciousness technique

k. Heterogeneous literature

l. Surrealism

m. Minimalism and maximalism

n. Multiple narrators

o. Sense of alienation, search for identity

Group-C

Write long answers to these questions. [3×8=24]

20. How does E.B. White experience dual existence during his second visit to the Maine Lake? Explain. [Once More to the Lake] [Reference Book, page no. 139 Long Q.No. 1]

Ans: "Once More to the Lake" by an American writer E.B. White is a narrative essay or memoir which describes the essayist's experiences of his revisit to the lake in Maine in East America. He had visited the lake several times during his childhood with his family. He is visiting again with his son in his old age.

While spending time at the lake, White feels dual existence of himself. Memories of the past haunt him. He finds himself in his son and himself as his father. He is at the same time his father in imagination and his son's father in reality. He sees himself in his son because when he came to the lake with his father, he(White) was also young like his son.

The tone of White’s essay is nostalgic. It means that the essayist is sad remembering his beautiful bygone/past days. He remembers those days which he spent with his father at the lake house. The utopian world that he experienced as a child is still the same but he has to die. Thus, he is nostalgic.

21. Critically examine the effect of war in an individual, family, nation, and peace. Write your answer with reference to John Milton’s poem ‘Sonnet 8’. [Reference Book, page no. 221 Q.No. 1]

Ans: War is the violent conflict between two parties. It is often caused for the sake of certain benefits and in order to harm the enemy. Though it may benefit certain people in power, it causes death, damage, destruction, bloodshed and terror to the common people. In fact, war is never good. It is not the ultimate solution to problem. It is only reconciliation, negotiation and dialogue which can bring peace.

War victimizes innocent women and children. It causes the destruction property and human lives. If an individual dies in the war, his family also suffers. Children become orphan and women become widow. Many people become homeless. Nation loses its productive manpower in the war and faces destruction of lives and property. Where there is war, there cannot be peace. There can never be peace, progress, creativity and sustainable development in that nation.

In the poem ‘Sonnet 8’ John Milton requests the King Charles’ army to protect him and his property from harm during Britain’s Civil war (1642). He gives various examples from history where poets were given special protection during the war. He claims that the poet can immortalize the army through his poetry for their gentle/honourable act. Milton has written this poem in order to minimize the effect of war on the ordinary people. There is a popular saying- “A pen is mightier than the sword”. It has been proved from the references given in this poem. Literature or art is so powerful. It can even melt the hearts of cruel warriors.

22. Analyze the play ‘All My Sons’ by Arthur Miller with the fivefold structure exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and denouncement.

Ans: ‘All My Sons’ is a three-act play written by an American dramatist Arthur Miller. It is a modern tragedy which deals with the conflict between social responsibility and family loyalty.

The systematic arrangement of the events and actions of the drama/play into exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and denouncement is called fivefold structure of drama. We can find this structure in the play ‘All My Sons’ too.

a. Exposition: It is the initial part of the drama. It is introduces characters, setting(time and place) and background of the drama. It helps to understand the drama. In ‘All My Sons’, the description of Keller home is given. Joe, Chris and Kate are living peacefully. The problem is only their son Larry is missing. It is the exposition in the drama. Ann wants to marry Chris. Her father is in prison. It is the exposition of the play.

b. Rising action: It is the second part of the plot which introduces some kind of problem that disturbs equilibrium or peace of the beginning stage. In ‘All My Sons’, George comes to the Keller home to tell the truth about his father’s imprisonment. He blames Joe for the crime. He wants to stop his sister Ann’s marriage with Chris. It is rising action.

c. Climax: It is the highest point of tension in drama. It is the most important part in drama. It is a turning point of the play. Either the fortune turns for protagonist making the drama comedy or turns against him making it tragedy. In ‘All My Sons’, when Anne opens Larry’s letter, Chris and Kate also know about Joe’s crime. Joe feels guilty and realizes his mistake.

d. Falling action: It is short and quick action happening at the end of the plot. The climax gets removed slowly and plot moves towards resolution. In ‘All My Sons’, after knowing husband’s crime, Kate tells him to go to prison voluntarily. Christ tells that he is leaving the house without taking Ann with him. It is a falling action.

e. Denouncement (resolution/conclusion): It is the ending part of the drama. It makes the characters fail and realize their mistakes or gain victory over evils. In this play, all begin to realize that Joe is responsible for Larry’s death. When Joe Keller realizes his mistake, he shoots himself. Kate tells Chris and Anne to go far away and start a new life.

In this way, ‘All My Sons’ follows the traditional fivefold structure of drama.

Grade Increment Exam 2079 (2022)

Optional English (Set-B)

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group ‘A’

Write the correct answers choosing from the options given below: [11×1=11]

1. The Indo-European languages are spoken …

i. in more than 435 countries of the world

ii. in India and Europe.

iii. in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal

iv. in all countries of the world

2. The languages of Nepal are found to have grouped into …..

i. 123 language families

ii. four language families

iii. 57 language families

iv. the Sino-Tibetan language families

3. A dead language is one which ……

i. is not known by anyone

ii. is extinct, and no longer in use in everyday life

iii. is not learned by younger generation

iv. is not spoken by anyone

4. In Buddhism, the deer symbolizes ……

i. harmony, happiness, longevity and peace

ii. an allusion

iii. pity and compassion

iv. life of innocent

5. When Odin gave his right eye to Mimir, he put it ……

i. in deep water of the well of wisdom

ii. on the ground

iii. into a bucket

iv. into a large basin

6. Nelson was imprisoned for ……

i. seventeen years

ii. nineteen years

iii. fourteen years

iv. twenty seven years

7. Sonnets written by Shakespeare are called ……..

i. Petrarchan sonnet

ii. Elizabethan sonnet

iii. British sonnet

iv. High sonnet

8. Lear’s weakness is his …….

i. frankness

ii. openness to flattery

iii. unable to find truth

iv. honesty and politeness

9. A comedy is play in which the main characters manage to ….

i. avert an impending disaster and have a happy ending

ii. make laughter at the end

iii. kill each other

iv. have a disappointing ending

10. The play ‘All My Sons’ deals with the …..

i. comic elements of the play

ii. tragic comedy

iii. thoroughly tragedy of a traveler

iv. tragic conflict between family loyalties and social responsibility

11. New criticism emphasizes close reading, particularly poetry to discover……

i. how a work of literature functions as a self contained

ii. how literature works

iii. what the meaning of literature is

iv. what are the plans of literature

Group 'B'

Write short answers to these questions. [8×5=40]

12. What are the four language families found in Nepali language? Write very briefly. (Reference Book, Page No. 1 Q.No. 2)

Ans: According to the census of 2078 BS(2021AD), there are 124 languages spoken in Nepal. Languages of Nepal are mainly divided into four language families. They are as follows:

a. Indo-European Language Family: It is the largest language family of Nepal in terms of speakers. According to the census of 2078 BS, 83.03% of the total population speaks languages of this family. There are about 47 languages of this family in Nepal. The languages of this family include Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Majhi, Urdu, Tharu, Awadhi, etc.

b. Sino-Tibetan Language Family: It is the second largest language family of Nepal in terms of speakers. According to the census of 2078 BS, 16.55% of the total population speaks languages of this family. There are about 69 languages of this family in Nepal. The languages of this family include Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, Newari, Thakali, Magar, etc.

c. Austro-Asiatic Language Family: The languages of this family include Santhali, Munda and Kharia. Languages of this family are in endangered condition. It is spoken by less than 1% of the total population.

d. Dravidian Language Family: It is a minor languages family of Nepal. Only two languages of this family are spoken in Nepal. The languages of this family include: Kisan and Jhagar (Dhangar). It is spoken by less than 1% of the total population.

13. Write in brief about the cause of language change. (Reference Book, Page No. 3 Q.No. 5)

Ans: Language change is a change in language which takes place over time. All living languages have changed and continue to change. Languages are dynamic. Languages change over a period of time because of various reasons. Languages change in sound, sentence structure, words, and meaning.

The causes of language change are described below:

a. Fashion: Fashion is a socio-cultural factor of language change. Language changes whenever there is change in society, culture, and other uses. It changes like dress-up of people. Due to globalization, localization, glocalization, migration and new invention, English language has been changing. For e.g. new words like Facebook, chat, status, etc. are popular now-a-days.

b. Foreign influence: Languages change due to influence of foreign language and culture. Many words are borrowed from foreign language due to foreign influence. For example: campus, mobile, coat, etc. are borrowed from English into Nepali. Pizza is an Italian word borrowed into English. Chowmin is a Chinese word borrowed into Nepali.

c. Broadening: It is the process in which the meaning of a word becomes more general or more inclusive than its earlier/older form. For e.g. the meaning of ‘aunt’ was ‘father’s sister’ in the past. But, now it refers to ‘father or mother’s sister’. Its meaning is widened.

d. Narrowing: It is the process in which the meaning of a word becomes less general or less inclusive than its earlier/older form. For e.g. the meaning of a word ‘voyage’ was ‘journey’ in the past. But, now it means ‘journey by sea or water’. Its meaning has narrowed.

14. Why does the king not kill the Banyan Deer? (Buddhist Story) (Reference Book, Page No. 35 Q.No. 2)

Ans: The king(Brahmadatta) does not kill the Banyan Deer because it was the same radiant deer which he had seen in his dream the previous night. The Banyan Deer was standing fearlessly in front of Brahmadatta to save the pregnant doe. When the king heard the story of the doe from the Banyan Deer, he was moved/impressed. Moreover, he was impressed by the dutifulness, sacrifice, compassion, and dedication of the Banyan Deer towards his own subjects and the pregnant doe.

15. What is Odin All Father famous for? (Norse Mythology) (Reference Book, Page No. 41 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Odin was the eldest of the Gods. He was the king of all the Æsir(tribe of Gods). He lived in Asgard(Realm of Gods). He rode and eight-legged steed named Sleipner. He wore an eagle-shaped helmet and golden armour. He is also called Odin All-Father. He sacrificed his right in order to get wisdom from the Mimir's well and protect all Gods and men from the evils. Hence, Odin is a hero.

16. How can an individual get satisfaction according to Richard Steele? (Sir Roger at the Assizes) (Reference Book, Page No. 118 Q.No. 2)

Ans: We get satisfaction when we are free from our personal and public criticisms. We have the peaceful mind when the society appreciates us. It can be achieved by avoiding others' criticism. According to him, we have to escape or neglect other people’s criticisms to get satisfaction. Moreover, if we get applause/praise of the public, it is greater satisfaction to an honest mind.

17. Write short notes on: (Reference Book, Page No. 178 Q.No. 3)

a. Ballad b. Epic

a. Ballad: A ballad is a type of poem or song that tells a story in a simple and dramatic way. It's like a short and catchy story that is often passed down orally. Ballads can be about love, heroes, sad events, or old tales. They have a certain pattern of rhyming and rhythm in each verse. They grab our attention right from the start and take us through the important events until they reach an exciting or sad ending. ‘King Lear and His Three Daughters” and “The Three Knights” are the examples of the ballad.

b. Epic: An epic is a long narrative poem that tells the heroic story of a legendary figure or a significant event. It is characterized by its grand scale, elevated language, and the portrayal of larger-than-life characters and extraordinary adventures. Epics often reflect the values and cultural beliefs of a society, embodying themes of courage, honour, and the struggle between good and evil. They are typically composed in a formal structure and use poetic devices like epic similes and epithets. Famous examples include the ancient Greek epics, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, English epics, such as The Paradise Lost, The Paradise Regained and Sanskrit epics, such as The Mahabharat, The Ramayan, etc.

18. Write in short about linguistic perspective. (Reference Book, Page No. 281 Q.No. 2)

Ans: Linguistic perspective focuses on the linguistic structure of a literary text. Linguistic structure refers to sounds, words, phrases, clauses sentences and interrelationship among them. It studies how language works (e.g. syntax, phonology, and lexicons) in a literary text. It focuses on phonological (sound), syntactic (sentence), lexical(word) and semantic (meaning) features of a literary text. It analyses how different units of language are arranged linearly (syntagmatically) and vertically (paradigmatically) and how they form the literary text. It focuses on how the writer arranges phonological, lexical and grammatical resources to create special effect. Cohesion is another focus of the linguistic critics. Phonological cohesion is created by using rhyme, alliteration, and assonance. Lexical cohesion is created by using synonyms, antonyms, hyponyms, etc. Grammatical cohesion is created by using pronoun, parallel structure, substitution etc.

19. Define language minority in brief. (Reference Book, Page No. 287 Q.No. 7)

Ans: Language minority refers to the group of people whose number is very less and they speak their own language. Because of their less population, the number of the speakers is also less. Speakers of minority languages belong to a marginalized group because they are small in number. Their language is at the verge of extinction due to dominance of the powerful language spoken by the majority of people. In the context of Nepal, Raute, Kusunda, Chepang, Chhantyal, etc. are language minorities. Speakers of minority languages belong to a marginalized group because they are dominated by speakers of majority languages.

Group 'C' [3×8=24]

20. Interpret 'This is a Story' as an anti-colonial story. (This is a Story) (Reference Book, Page No. 51 Q.No. 1)

Ans: "This is a Story" by Jeannette C. Armstrong is an anti-colonialist story. The central character of the story, Kyoti is the leader of the anti-colonial resistance. He is an awakener who creates awareness against colonialism and unites the native Okanagan people against the Swallow people. He breaks the dam constructed by the colonizers. He suggests the Okanagan people to avoid Swallow people's food and lifestyle. He hopes for the arrival of millions of salmon in future to feed the Okanagan people. Similarly, an Old woman, a young boy and Tommy are also with Kyoti to support him and raise voice against the Swallow people. They lament on the loss of their native culture and tradition. They hope to revive it by chasing the Swallow people.

The story reflects how the arrival of the Swallow people has ruined and killed the culture of the Okanagan people. Kyoti was mistreated by the Swallow people. The dam constructed by the colonizers has been barrier for the migration of salmon that Kyoti used to feed his people. The dam is the symbol of supremacy of the Swallow people over the native Okanagan people. Hegemony plays a large role in in the story. The Okanagan people have accepted the domination of the Swallow people for the sake of food and jobs. The Swallow people have used food and job as the tools to control the native people.

. At the end of the story, Kyoti says, "All my children will eat salmon". It means that the days of the Swallow people are no more. The Okanagan people will revolt against the colonizers and revive their past life which was in perfect harmony with nature. All in all, this is an anti-colonial story.

21. Summarize the poem 'She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways'. (Reference Book, Page No. 205 Summary)

Ans: “She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways” is an elegy written by an English romantic poet William Wordsworth. The setting of this poem is a rural place in England. The speaker is a lover (poet himself) who is in grief due to the death of his beloved named Lucy. According to him, Lucy lived among the untrodden ways (rural place) on the lap of nature. She lived beside the Dove River in central England. She was a very beautiful and virtuous lady but she was known to a very few people. There was nobody to love her and praise her beauty. Unfortunately, she died at young age. She is in her grave but her absence has created a huge loss in the life of the speaker. The speaker is lonely and sad without her. This poem deals with the birth, growth and death of a lady in a rural countryside, and its impact in the speaker’s life.

22. Why does Joe Keller give high importance for wealth? Should we not consider that morality and ethics are greater than the accumulation of wealth? (All My Sons) (Reference Book, Page No. 258 Q.No. 4)

Ans: Joe Keller is a materialistic person who values wealth over morality and ethics. For him, financial wellbeing is everything. He associates wealth with security and success. Accumulating wealth may provide him with a comfortable lifestyle, financial stability, and the ability to fulfil his desires and aspirations. In a materialistic society, success of the person is measured by the wealth one accumulates.

However, wealth cannot be above morality and ethics. While wealth can provide certain advantages, it is ultimately the choices and actions of individuals that define their character and impact society. Morality and ethics include principles such as honesty, compassion, fairness, and responsibility, which guide individuals in making decisions that consider the well-being of others and uphold social values.

One can live a comfortable life with wealth; it does not guarantee happiness, fulfillment, or a meaningful life. In fact, only rush for wealth at the cost of moral values can lead to negative consequences, such as the erosion of trust, exploitation of others, and the neglect of social responsibilities. Thus, we should consider that morality and ethics are greater than the accumulation of wealth. Striking a balance between wealth and morality is crucial for creating a harmonious and just society that values the well-being of all its members.

NEB Exam 2080 (2023)

Optional English

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Group 'A'

Write the correct answer, choosing from the options given below. (11x1=11)

1. Which of the following varieties of language is created from two existing language?

i) register ii) dialect

iii) pidgin iv) creole

2.In which of the following language teaching methods is vocabulary taught in context?

i) Grammar Translation Method. ii) The Direct Method

iii) Audio Lingual Method iv) Total Physical Response

3.The same sports shoes can have different names like sneakers, Gym shoes, clod hoppers, and Tennis shoes depending on where you go in the United States of America. Which varieties of language does it belong to?

i) Dialect ii) Register

iii) Jargon iv) Creole

4.What is Paul's job at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh in the story 'Paul's case'?

i) Soloist ii) Cashier

iii) Cleaner iv) Usher

5.How does Graves define poetry in 'The case for Xanthippe ?

i) irrational fancy

ii) practical, humourous and reasonable

iii) pseudo-science of audience-reaction

iv) political rationalization

6.Nelson Mandela in his 'Speech on Release from Jail' reiterates to call for which of the following?

i) i. immediate formation of Youth League.

ii) ii. working together with the Communist Party.

iii) iii. struggling against anti-apartheid movement.

iv) iv. immediate ending of the State of Emergency.

7.What did the third Knight ask the lady in the poem 'The Three Knights' ?

i) if she would be his friend.

ii) if she would be his queen.

iii) if she would be his delight.

iv) if she would marry him.

8.Which of the following poems narrates the story?

i) No Second Troy

ii) King Lear and his Three Daughters.

iii) She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways.

iv) Lord ! Make Me a Sheep.

9.Who is the author of the play 'All My Sons'?

i) Arthur Miller ii) Shakespeare

iii) John Webster iv) Thornton Wilder

10. Which of the following literary techniques is NOT found in the play 'All My Sons'?

i) irony ii) foreshadowing

iii) symbol iv) euphemism

11. What, according to the cultural critics, is a popular culture?

i) the culture that everyone likes. ii. the culture that everyone accepts.

iii) the culture that powerful groups exercise.

iv) the culture that subordinate groups exercise.

Group 'B'

Write short answers to the following questions. (8×5=40)

12. What is an endangered language? Define it with examples. (Reference Book, Page no 5, Q.NO. 11)

Ans: An endangered language is the one which is at the risk of disappearing. It means that its speakers are dying or shifting to other languages. Endangered language is likely to be extinct in near future. It happens when speakers start speaking dominant language or learn outsider’s language. When the last speaker of endangered language dies, language becomes extinct or dies. In Nepal also, Thulung, Khaling, Tilung, Bahing, etc. are endangered languages. Hence, we should take necessary steps to protect such languages.

13. Differentiate between multilingualism and multiculturalism. (Reference Book, Page no 21, Q.NO. 21)

Ans: Multilingualism and multiculturalism are related concepts, but they refer to different aspects of diversity. They can be differentiated as below:

Multilingualism	Multiculturalism
It refers to the ability of individuals or a community to speak more than one language fluently.	It refers to the coexistence of multiple cultures within a society.
It focuses on the linguistic diversity within a group or society.	It focuses on the cultural diversity within a group or society.
It focuses on language acquisition, language policies, and language diversity.	It focuses on promoting respect, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences within a society.
It focuses on language proficiency.	It focuses the celebration of diverse cultural identities within a society.

14. What makes you think that "This is a story" is an anti-colonialist story ? Give reasons to support your answer. (Reference Book, Page no 48, Q.NO. 1)

Ans: "This is a Story" written by Jeannette C. Armstrong is an anti-colonialist story. It shows the devastating impact of colonization on indigenous people, their culture, and their land. The writer shows the destructive nature of colonialism. The central character of the story, Kyoti is the leader of the anti-colonial resistance group. He is an awakener who creates awareness against colonialism and unites the native Okanagan people against the Swallow people. He breaks the dam constructed by the colonizers. He suggests the Okanagan people that they should avoid Swallow people's food and lifestyle. Similarly, an Old woman, a young boy and Tommy are also with Kyoti to support him and raise voice against the Swallow people. Hence, we can say that "This is a Story" is an anti-colonial story.

15. How is 'Bayon temple' different from other temples? Explain. (An Eastern Journey) (Reference Book, Page no 123, Q.NO. 1)

Ans: According to the essayist, Bayon temple is different from other temples. It has multiple towers and each tower had a four-faced head of Lord Shiva, the destroyer. This temple is also in dilapidated condition. It is covered by weeds and shrubs. There are thousands of silent, heavy and impassive faces carved on the stones. The walls have the carvings which represent the scenes of common lifestyle such as cooking food, fishing, trapping birds, buying and selling at the village shop, etc.

16. Do you think Nelson Mandela's speech is historically important? Why, why not ? Give reasons to support your answer.(Speech on Release from Jail) (Reference Book, Page No. 171 Q. No. 1 )

Ans: Yes, Nelson Mandela's first speech is historically important. It symbolized hope, resilience, and the possibility of reconciliation during a critical time in South Africa's struggle against apartheid. His words carried a global impact, inspiring people fighting against oppression worldwide. The speech outlined his vision for a democratic and inclusive South Africa, influencing subsequent negotiations and policy decisions. Mandela's leadership and the enduring legacy of his speech continue to inspire those advocating for justice and equality.

What is Meta language? Explain what specific examples of Meta language Tran has used in her text. (What is Meta Language?) (Reference Book, Page No. 175 Q. No. 1)

Ans: Meta-language is a language that describes language. It is the language used to talk about a language. It refers to the words, phrases or sentences used to describe and talk about a particular language. For example, we can use English as a metalanguage to talk about English grammar in English. It makes our speech more unique and more effective. Meta-language refers to our awareness about the use of language. Our meta-language ability is related to our knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. For example: "The students is noisy and must saw the principle soon." A person having awareness of meta-language knows that something is wrong. He sees the three errors in the above sentence:

a. The students is - The students are (subject-verb agreement)

b. must saw - must see (modal verb)

c. principle - principal (vocabulary)

d. So, it should be "The students are noisy and must see the principal soon." Some examples of meta-language are: symbols, imagery, personification, motifs, tone, characterization, monologue(मनोबाद), soliloquy(आत्मसंवाद), etc. in literature.

17. Summarize the poem 'No Second Troy' in your own words. (Reference Book, Page No. 203 Summary Section)

18. Write a short note on cultural perspective. (Reference Book, Page No. 299 Q. No. 2)

19. Do you think class perspective reveals literature as social reality? Why, why not? Give reasons to support your answer. (Reference Book, Page No. 275 Q. No. 3)

Ans: Yes, the class perspective reveals what society is really like. Literature often reflects the way people are grouped into different social classes and how this affects their lives. By looking at the class perspective in literature, we can learn about the realities and experiences of different groups of people.

In stories and books, authors often write about characters from different social classes. They show us their struggles, dreams, and how they interact with others. This helps us understand the differences between rich and poor, privileged and disadvantaged. It also helps us see how social class influences relationships, opportunities, and who we are as individuals. Literature can also be a way for writers to criticize and comment on social issues like inequality.

What does a text mean in literature? Do you find any relevance between the text and literature? Give reasons to support your answer. (Reference Book, Page No. 278 Q. No. 1)

Ans: In literature, a text refers to any written or printed material that conveys meaning and is the object of interpretation. It encompasses a wide range of literary forms, including novels, poems, plays, essays, and even non-fiction works. The term "text" emphasizes the focus on the written word as the primary medium of literary expression.

Texts are the building blocks of literature, and they serve as the foundation for the creation, analysis, and appreciation of literary works Text and literature are inherently interconnected. Literature is composed of texts, which include written works such as novels, poems, plays, and essays. Texts serve as the means for authors to express their creativity, convey ideas, and evoke emotions. They are also subject to interpretation and analysis, reflecting cultural and historical contexts. The relationship between text and literature is vital, as texts form the foundation and essence of literary expression.

Group 'C'

Write long answers to these questions. (3×8=24)

20. Sketch the character of Ayah. (Lullaby) (Reference Book, Page No. 80 Q. No. 1)

Ans: In the story "Lullaby" by Leslie Marmon Silko, Ayah is the main character. She's an elderly Navajo woman living in New Mexico in a traditional Hogan house with her husband, Chato. They had several children, but only three survived. Ayah deeply loves her children and cares for her husband, who is sick. She only speaks Navajo and doesn't trust white people because she's seen how they take away her culture and children. Ayah has faced many hardships, like losing her children to the government and living in poverty, but she finds peace in the beauty of nature and memories of the past. Despite her struggles, Ayah is strong and connected to her Native American heritage. She finds comfort in the land and has a deep understanding of nature's cycles. Ayah represents the resilience and enduring spirit of her people, finding strength in her memories and traditions. Ayah has had a hard life due to the loss of all her children, constant poverty, an ill husband, and an unwanted reliance on the U.S. government—yet she looks back on her life with a sense of peace.

21. Critically analyse the poem 'Kidnapped'. (Reference Book, Page No. 228 Q. No. 1)

Ans: "Kidnapped" is a poem by Ruperake Petaia, a Samoan poet, talking about a Samoan boy's schooling experience in a Western-run school. The boy spent 15 years learning about foreign cultures but nothing about his own. He feels like his culture was taken from him during his schooling, comparing it to being kidnapped. The poem criticizes the Western education system for not respecting native cultures.

In the poem, the boy feels like he wasted 15 years in school, with his certificate having no value because it didn't teach him about his own culture. He calls his teachers "kidnappers" for taking away his culture, and his classmates "fellow victims" of the same system. The poet criticizes the focus on English-medium education, urging for a system that respects and preserves native cultures. This poem's message is relevant to Nepal, where English-medium education is often prioritized over cultural preservation. It warns against losing one's culture while chasing after foreign education.

According to the speaker of the poem 'Mending Wall", what two forces cause the stone wall fall apart? Clarify your ideas with the tones of the speaker used in the poem. (Mending Wall) (Reference Book, Page 199 Q. No. 1)

Ans: In the poem "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost, the speaker reflects on the act of repairing a stone wall that separates his property from his neighbour's. The two forces that cause the stone wall to fall apart, as perceived by the speaker, are nature(frozen ground water) and human(hunters). According to him, the boulders might have fallen when the ground water got swollen. Similarly, the hunters might have thrown them down to help their yelping dogs hunt rabbits.

The tone of the speaker towards nature is characterized by a sense of mystery, wonder, and questioning. The speaker remarks, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall". He means to say that nature also doesn’t love the wall. Regarding humans, the tone of the speaker is critical and sceptical. The speaker observes how the wall is continuously damaged by the actions of hunters.

The speaker in "Mending Wall" presents a contemplative and questioning tone towards both nature and human interaction as forces that cause the stone wall to fall apart.

22. Do you think the play 'All My Sons' involves a conflict between children and parents regarding lifestyle, ideals and other perspectives? Why, why not? Give reasons to support your answer. (Reference Book, Page No. 260 Q. No. 6 )

Ans: Yes, the play "All My Sons" by Arthur Miller involves a conflict between children and parents regarding lifestyle, ideals, and other perspectives. The play explores the generational divide and the clash of values between different characters.

One of the central conflicts arises between Joe Keller and his son Chris Keller. Chris represents the younger generation, influenced by his experiences in World War II and his idealistic view of the world. He believes in the importance of honesty, morality, and taking responsibility for one's actions. In contrast, Joe represents the older generation that prioritizes financial success and protecting one's own interests, even at the cost of others.

The clash between Chris and Joe highlights the tension between different perspectives on the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth. Chris wants to break away from his father's business and start a new life based on principles and integrity. He questions the ethics of his father's actions, which leads to conflict and reveals deep-seated secrets.

Additionally, other characters in the play, such as Ann Deever and her father, also represent a contrast between generations and their respective ideals. The play explores how the younger generation struggles to reconcile their own values with the choices and actions of their parents.

Hence, "All My Sons" portrays the conflict between children and parents regarding lifestyle, ideals, and perspectives, shedding light on the clash of values between generations and the moral dilemmas that arise as a result.

Grade Increment Exam 2080 (2023)

Optional English (Set-A)

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margins indicate full marks.

Group ‘A’

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

1. Which of the following language families has the smallest number of speakers according to the census 2011?

i)Indo-European ii) Sino-Tibetan

iii) Austro-Asiatic iv)Dravidian

2. Which one of the following is an example of sociolect?

i) White English ii)British English

iii) American English iv) Australian English

3. Unity is strength. “Pstf g} an xf].” Which one of the following types of translation is it?

i)Dynamic translation ii) Free translation

1. Semantics translation iv) Literal translation

4. Which one of the following holy books is the story "Brahmadatta and the Banyan Deer" taken from?

i)Jatak Katha ii) Tripitaka iii) Geeta iv) Upanishad

5. Which one of the following is an example of meta-story?

i)Lullaby ii) The Three Students

iii) The Lost Child iv) This is a Story

6. Which of the following is the main message of the essay “A Black Grandmother”?

i)Morgan‟s happiness of being black

ii) Morgan's ignorance of her origin

iii) Morgan's disclosing of her aboriginal identity

iv) Morgan's loss of identity

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

i) No Second Troy ii) Kidnapped

iii) The Three Knights iv) If I Should Die

8. "And I will come again, my love. Tho' it were ten thousand mile‟. Which one of the following is the example of this sentence?

i)Metaphor ii) Oxymoron iii) Hyperbole iv) Paradox

9. Why was Steve Deever imprisoned in jail?

i) for supplying faulty airplane cylinders.

ii) for supplying defective petrol for the plane.

iii) for murdering army officers.

iv) for misappropriation of money.

10. Why was everyone in both the families in the play “All My Sons” suffered?

ii) Because of the lack of the investment in the joint venture business

iii) Because of the misconduct of Joe Keller

iv) Because of the overconfidence and over ambition of both the families

v) Because of the depression in US economy

11. Which one of the following is the characteristic of Formalistic Perspective?

i) Literary text is self-sufficient.

ii) Literary text defamiliarizes language into a special form.

iii) Literary text regards cultural or historical influences.

iv) Literary text should be objective and contextual.

Group-B

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

12. What is translation? Describe its types briefly. (Reference Book, Page No. 22 Q. No. 14 )

Ans: Translation is the process of changing thoughts and ideas of one language into another. It is a bilingual activity in which source language (SL) text is transferred into target language (TL) text. For, example if we change a poem written in Nepali into English language, it is called translation. Some types of translation are described below:

ii. Academic Translation: Translation of texts from one language to another for the purpose of academic need, it is called academic translation. It is also called pedagogic translation.

13. Examine the introduction of mother tongue based on multilingual education in Nepal. (Reference Book, Page No. 22 Q. No. 12 )

Ans: Mother tongue is a language which a child speaks first. It is a language used by the child at home. Mother tongue education means schooling of children in their mother tongue. According to the constitution of Nepal, children have right to get education in mother tongue up to basic level. Considering this fact, Curriculum Development Centre has developed the textbooks in 27 languages to ensure language rights of children. If children are taught in their mother tongue, they can learn faster and better. Unfortunately, many children are deprived of getting education in their mother tongue in Nepal due to lack of textbooks and teachers to teach in mother tongue. Moreover, parents‟ are running behind English medium classes in the name of quality education. Nepali is the medium of instruction in most of the schools of Nepal.

14. Examine the effect of colonization on the indigenous people. (This is a Story) (Reference Book, Page No. 50 Q.No. 10 )

Ans: The anti-colonial story “This is a Story” written by Jeannette Christine Armstrong shows the terrible effect of colonization on Okanagan people, their culture and nature. The Swallow people were the outsiders and colonizers who came to Okanagan and imposed their lifestyle and culture upon the Okanagan people. They were the European/White intruders. They made dams across the river, changed the houses of the Okanagan people, imposed their language and culture by giving the money, jobs and food. They exploited and polluted the beautiful nature.

15. Analyze what meta-language is. (What is Meta-language) (Reference Book, Page No. 175 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Meta-language is a language that describes language. It is the language used to talk about a language. It refers to the words, phrases or sentences used to describe and talk about a particular language. For example, we can use English as a meta-language to talk about English grammar in English. It makes our speech more unique and more effective. Meta-language

refers to our awareness about the use of language. Our meta-language ability is related to our knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. For example: "The students is noisy and must saw the principle soon." A person having awareness of meta-language knows that something is wrong.

16. Discuss John Barth’s Autobiography as a self-reflective fiction. (Autobiography: A Self Recorded Fiction) (Reference Book, Page No. 105 Q.No. 9 )

Ans: John Barth‟s "Autobiography: A Self Recorded Fiction" is a self-reflexive fiction. Self-reflexive fiction refers to meta-fiction. Metafiction is a type of writing in which fiction is aware about its own writing process or origin. In Barth‟s "Autobiography: A Self Recorded Fiction", a fiction is the speaker. He is conscious about his origin. He is describing the process of writing applied by his father(writer). Thus, it is a self- reflexive fiction or meta-fiction.

OR,

Analyze the Character of Sir Roger as depicted in the essay. (Sir Roger at the Assizes) (Reference Book, Page No. 118 Q.No. 3)

Ans: Sir Roger is a kind, gentle, humble and mild man with peace of mind. He is loved and esteemed/respected in his neighbourhood. He is a benevolent person. He is the man with mental peace. He avoids being criticized for the sake of mental peace. As a result, he doesn't even tell the truth and give fair opinion or verdict when people require it. He doesn't displease anyone. He wants to impress others and maintain his fame in the society. In fact, he is the person who doesn't hurt anyone. He uses diplomatic language to satisfy both of them.

17. What are the types of poetry? Discuss them briefly. (Reference Book, Page No. 177 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Poetry is a piece of writing used to convey images, feelings and emotions using decorated/beautified language. It is the oldest genre of literature. Some of the types of poetry are briefly discussed below:

a. Epic- It is a long narrative poem about the adventurous deeds of the legendary hero. For e.g. Paradise Lost

by John Milton, The Ramayan by Balmiki

b. Ballad- It is a short narrative poem. It tells the short story about love, death, and supernatural happenings. It has setting, plot and characters. It uses simple language. It has rhymed quatrains. For e.g. King Leir and his Three Daughters by George Wharton Edwards, Three Knights by Davies Gilbert.

c. Elegy- It is a death poem which mourns the loss/death of an individual. It is notable in that it mourns the loss of a way of life rather than the loss of an individual. For. E.g. She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways by William Wordsworth

d. Sonnet- It is a14-line poem written in iambic pentameter. There are two types of sonnet poem: Italian (Petrarchan) and English(Shakespearian) sonnet. For e.g. Sonnet 8 by John Milton

e. Lyric- It is poem that expresses poet‟s personal emotions and feelings. It is primarily written to be sung accompanied by the lyre(a kind of musical instrument). For e.g. No Second Troy by WB Yeats

f. Ode- It is a poem addressing to a particular person, event and thing. It is serious in subject, elevated in style and elaborate in stanza form. For e.g. Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats

g. Free verse- It is a poem without regular rhyme, meter and unequal length of lines. It is also called open- form poetry. For e.g. Lord! Make Me a Sheep by Laxmi Prasad Devkota

h. Haiku- It is a three-line unrhymed poem that originated in Japan. The first, second and third lines have 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively. For. In a Station of Metro by TS Eliot

18. What is queer theory? (Reference Book, Page No. 286 Q. No. 5 )

Ans: Many writers have composed literary creations regarding the struggles, pains, suffering, hardships, misbehaviour, etc. of the LGBTIs. Their personal, social, political experiences are reflected in literature too. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender literature is called LGBTI literature of Queer theory/literature. Such literature raises the voice of LGBTI people. The pains and sufferings of the LGBTI people are the major themes. It also advocates the rights of AIDS victims. It also questions the difference between heterosexuals and LGBTI people.

19. Evaluate similarities and differences between formalistic and New criticism. (Reference Book, Page No. 283 Q. No. 2)

Ans: Both Formalist perspective and New Criticism are the literary perspectives. Both of them come under textual reading. Both of them focus on poetry. Both of them ignore the historical context of the text and background of the author and readers. Both of them study the form of the text.

Difference between them is given below:

Formalism	New Criticism
Formalism focuses only on the form(structure) of the literary text rather than content.	New Criticism focuses on both form(structure) and content(meaning) of the literary text.
It focuses on defamiliarization, literariness and foregrounding.	It focuses on the internal unity of the text.
It originated in Russia in 1915 AD.	It originated in America in 1941.
Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jacobson, Vladimir Propp, etc. are Formalist critics.	William Empson, Robert Penn, IA Richards, TS Eliot, etc. are New critics.

OR,

Differentiate between modernism and post-modernism. (Reference Book, Page No. 291 Q.No. 4 )

Ans: Modernism and post-modernism can be differentiated as below:

Modernism	Post-Modernism
It spans from the late 1800s to the 1940s.	It spans roughly from the 1940s onwards to present day.
It emphasized rationality, reason, and scientific progress. It sought to depict the human condition, often exploring themes such as alienation, individualism, and the impact of industrialization and urbanization on society.	It challenges traditional literary conventions and questions notions of absolute truth, grand narratives, and fixed identities. It often reflects skepticism towards established institutions and cultural norms.
It followed linear narrative structures and employed conventional storytelling techniques. It aimed for coherence, logical progression, and clear cause-and-effect relationships.	It experiments with non-linear narrative structures, fragmentation, intertextuality, and metafiction. It blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction, often embracing paradoxes and multiple perspectives.
Language in modern literature tended to be straightforward and transparent, aiming for clarity of expression.	Postmodern literature may employ irony, pastiche, parody, and unconventional language use. It may incorporate various forms of discourse, including pop culture references, intertextual references, and self-reflexivity.

Group-C

Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each. [3×8=24]

20. In what way does O'Connor use Julian and his mother to represent different points of views in the story? (Everything that Rises must Converge) (Reference Book, Page No. 71 Q No. 7 )

Ans: “Everything that Rises must Converge” is a story written by Flannery O’Connor. It is about racism. It shows the contrasting views of two generations about racism. Similarly, it shows the hypocrisy of so called anti-racist.

Julian is a recent college graduate. He has returned home recently. He is the ambitious boy who wants to be a writer and earn a lot of money and make his own house in future. He wants to show himself as the anti- racist. He dreams of bringing a Negro professor home and having dinner with him. On the other hand, his mother Mrs. Chestny is not happy with the fall of old ideals. She laments on the loss of old values. She still thinks the White are superior and they should patronize the Black. She remembers old days. Her grandfather had 200 slaves. She looks at the black people with suspicion. She is afraid of travelling alone with the black people in the same bus. So, she needs her son as her friend to go to the weight reducing class. Mother has racist attitude and son has liberal view towards racism in America.

21. Write a critical appreciation of the poem “The Three Knights”. (Reference Book, Page No. 194 Q. No. 2)

Ans: “The Three Knights” is a ballad poem written by an English poet Davies Gilbert. It is about the tragic story of a lady who was proposed by the three knights for marriage. This poem has 76 lines divided into 19 quatrains. The first line rhymes with the third line in each stanza. It has used plain language. The tone of this poem is playful. The setting of this poem is England in summer or spring season when the roses are blooming and the weather is pleasant.

The plot of this poem moves around love affair and marriage proposal. The three knights proposed the same lady for marriage. She asked them if they had taken the consent of her family members. They replied that her parents and sister had agreed and hadn’t asked her bother yet. At the same time, her brother appeared there. While kissing him(brother John), the lady got injured. Her brother’s knife made a hole in her chest. She became weak. She wished to go far away to rest and make her last will/wishes. She said that she wanted to give her personal belongings to her parents and sister. But, she wanted to gift a rope and gallows to her brother John to punish him because he had injured her. She wanted her sister-in-law to be widow by giving a death penalty to her brother.

It deals with the themes of love, marriage proposal and family rejection for marriage. It is the poem with open ending. It doesn’t say anything what happened at the end. Various figures of speech are used such as imagery, refrain etc. Images of ring, fan, rose, horse, wedding dress, rope, etc. are used. There is use of refrain in this poem. Refrain means the frequent repetition of some lines or phrases in poem. Here, “with the high and the lily oh! As the rose was so sweetly blown” is repeated in every stanza.

OR,

Discuss the poem “Lord! Make me a Sheep” as a piece of satire on human behaviour and activities. (Reference Book, Page No. 236 Q. No. 3)

Ans: “Lord! Make Me a Sheep” is a satirical poem composed by a famous Nepali literary figure and poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota. This poem is an appeal to God. The speaker of the poem requests God to make him a sheep due to the tiredness of being a human. The poem deals with the pain, responsibility, burden, and struggle of human life.

Devkota makes a satire on human behaviour and activities. He attacks at the follies of the human society such as pomposity, religious hypocrisy, corruptness, immoralities, unhealthy competition for material prosperity, artificiality, betrayal, division in the name of religion, and sinful activities. According to him, the sheep is a better creature than human beings. It is the symbol of innocence. It doesn’t betray others like humans do. The request of the poet to make him the sheep is satirical itself. It means that the sheep is a better creature than a man. It has better qualities than that of a mankind. The poet expresses his dissatisfaction towards human conducts and behaviour. They are running after power, prestige and property. They are ready to deceive even the nearest and dearest ones for their benefits. The poet doesn’t want to participate in the race of being higher, richer and faster than others. Similarly, he doesn’t like artificial things created for the momentary pleasures. He doesn’t like sweet fragrance, melodious music, tasty food and attractive clothes. All of these things are artificial and momentary for him.

According to the poet, the sheep is a true hermit. No man can be a true hermit these days because all are running after material progress. The poet attacks at the so called religious activities. For the poet, the sheep is more pious/holy than holy-men, sages and Brahmin. He calls Brahmin a greedy man who survives by washing away other‟s sins in the name of ritual practices. He is against religious hypocrisy of the contemporary society. People perform religious activities just to show others. He is against those people who divide the world in the name of religion and wage wars.

Hence, the poet wants to covey that the sheep holds a better position than a man. It lives a carefree and natural life without causing any harm to anyone unlike man. Thus, we can say that this poem is a piece of satire on human behaviour and activities.

22. The drama “All My Sons” represents the loss of morality and humanity. Discuss. (Reference Book, Page No. 255 No. J )

Ans: “All My Sons” is a three-act play written by an American playwright Arthur Miller. It deals with the tragic conflict between family loyalties and social responsibility.

In “All My Sons”, morality is declining. Fearing the failure of his business, Joe Keller supplies faulty airplane parts which causes the death of 21 pilots and puts blame on his partner Steve Deever. The story revolves around a man who sells faulty airplane parts during the war, leading to the deaths of many soldiers. This act, driven by greed, shows a loss of moral values as he puts profit over people's lives. The play also portrays how this decision affects the characters' humanity, causing guilt, conflict, and shattered relationships. The pursuit of success and money leads to moral compromises, showing how humanity can be lost when people prioritize selfish gains over doing what's right.

The play reminds us that if we abandon our moral principles and disregard our ethics for personal benefit, it brings the tragic outcomes. The play highlights the erosion of morality and humanity in the characters' lives.

Grade Increment Exam 2080 (2023)

Optional English (Set-B)

Grade: XII Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 75

Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margins indicate full marks.

Group-A

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

1. How many living languages are there according to Ethnologue(2020)?

i) 7116 ii) 7117 iii) 7118 iv) 7119

2. Which of the following groups of words indicates „Dissimilation‟ type of sound change in language change?

i) In mensus into Immense ii)In bibo into Imbibe

iii)In peregribus into Pilgrim iv) In brid into Bird

3. Which of the following is not the cause of language change?

i) Fashion ii) Foreign influence

iii) Broadening and Narrowing iv) Speaker's intention

4. When did the child realize that he list his way?

i) while running ii) while eating ice-cream

iii) while taking permission from his parents to take a ride on round about

iv) none

5. What job did Paul do at the Opera?

i) an actor ii) a security guard

iii) a ticket seller iv) an usher

6. What type of essay is „The Case for Xanthippe‟ ?

i) Argumentative ii) Narrative

iii) Descriptive iv) Expository

7. Which of the following expressions is close to the ballad form of poetry?

i) It is marked by emotion, melody and imagination.

ii) It is the expression of emotion of sorrow, owe or despair.

iii) It tells the love, death and supernatural elements.

iv) It praises art of music and natural scenes.

8. Who kidnapped the speaker in the poem “Kidnapped‟?

i) Terrorist ii) Western educators iii) Army iv) Kidnappers

9. How many times has Annie been married?

i) Two times ii) One time iii) Never iv) Three times

10. According to Chris in his monologue, what should have been born out of all death in the war?

i) A sense of religious faith ii) A new nationalism

iii) Social responsibility iv) Lingering hate

11. Which of these features of a text would formalist be most interested in?

i) Meaning of words ii) Context

iii) Structure iv) Author‟s biographical information

Group-B

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

12. Describe the Indo-European family of languages showing the relationship between English and Nepali.

Ans: The Indo-European language family is the largest language family of the world. Languages of this family are spoken in Europe and several parts of South Asia. It is divided into several sub-families such as Balto-Salvik, Germanic, Roman, Celtic, Albanian, Indo-Iranian, etc. English language falls under the Germnic sub-group whereas, Nepali language falls under the Indo-Iranian sub-group. This relationship can be shown in the following diagram:

13. What is pidgin? When does it become creole? Describe. (Reference Book, Page 7 Q. No. 19)

Ans: Pidgin is a language that has developed from a mixture of two or more languages. It is the product of multi-lingual situation. When the people of different linguistic backgrounds need the common means of communication, they borrow words from different languages. As a result, a new language originates which is called pidgin. When pidgin gains native speakers, it becomes creole. In other words, when pidgin becomes someone’s mother tongue/first language it is called Creole. Creole is the full-fledged form of pidgin. It has extended/large vocabulary, fully developed grammar, script and sound system.

14. What is the significance of Julian‟s response to the mother‟s behavior? (Everything that Rises must Converge) (Reference Book, Page Q. 72 No. 11)

Ans: Julian is an ambitious and idealist boy. He tries to show himself as the anti-racist. In fact he is a hypocrite. He dreams of racial equality but he himself was unable to have conversation with black friends at college. Julian responds at his mother's behaviour in a hateful manner. He hates her. He thinks she needs to learn lesson. He thinks she is a racist. He feels happy when Carver's mother beat him on the face with a bag. But, later when she has heart-attack, he feels restless and helpless. After her death, he feels sorrowful and guilty. From Julian's response to the mother's behaviour we can find generation gap between mother and son. Julian seems ambitious, day-dreamer, hypocrite, idealist, and so called liberal. His mother also seems racist who cannot cope with the changing time.

15. What message does the essayist want to convey talking about the death of a tiny fly in the essay? (Not Nothing) (Reference Book, Page 150 Q. No. 2)

Ans: The essay “Not Nothing” is about a philosophical topic. It talks about life, death and immortality. The essayist talks about how killing of a small fly can result killing of thousands of organisms attached in its body. The killing of creatures creates ecological imbalance. It causes the death of numerous other species. It took multi-million years history for the creatures to come to this stage. Talking about the death of a tiny fly in the essay, the essayist wants to convey that we should not kill insects including a tiny fly. Death of every creature is equally catastrophic.

16. What is meta-language? What specific examples of Meta-language has Tran used in her text? Explain. (What is Meta-language?) (Reference Book, Page 175 Q. No. 1)

Ans: Meta-language is a language that describes language. It is the language used to talk about a language. It refers to the words, phrases or sentences used to describe and talk about a particular language. For example, we can use English as a meta-language to talk about English grammar in English. It makes our speech more unique and more effective. Meta-language refers to our awareness about the use of language. Our meta-language ability is related to our knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. For example: "The students is noisy and must saw the principle soon." A person having awareness of meta-language knows that something is wrong. Tran(writer) has used the following specific examples of meta-language in the text:

a. Related to Novel: Tone, narrator, characterization, foreshadowing

b. Related to Film: camera angle, music, lighting, mise-en-scene-scene,

c. Related to Play: soliloquy, monologue, prop, motifs

d. Other examples are: symbolism, imagery and personification.

OR,

Justify the significance of the title of the essay “Not Nothing”. (Reference Book, Page 150 Q. No. 3)

Ans: The title of the essay "Not Nothing" is very suitable. The essayist begins his essay with the minor incidence of killing a fly which came to his desk. At the surface, killing the fly may look very normal. If we think deeply, the fly is not a thing(object). It has also a life. It has multi-million years history of evolution. It has its genes and different organs, carries countless bacteria which have their own genes and goals. Hence, the fly is not "Nothing". Rather is "Something". Its life and death are as significant as that of humans. Thus, the title "Not Nothing" is very suitable.

17. Explain these lines from the poem “A Woman” with references to the context.

In every tree she raises

the one they laid in the ground

and in the fire of her breast

She holds him, warms him, wraps him round. (Reference Book, Page 245 Q. No. 9)

Ans: The given extract is taken from the poem “A Woman‟ written by a Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral. The poem deals with the hardships of a single mother and her immense love towards her growing child. Similarly, it portrays the beautiful dreams of the mother about her child’s future. It shows her struggle in raising the child.

The above lines express mother’s boundless/unlimited love towards her child. Here, ‘tree’ refers to a child. She raises her every child with boundless love and care. Unfortunately, some of her children are already dead and they are in the graves. They(may be her relatives/other people) buried her dead children. She raises her child by keeping in the warmth of her breast/chest. She holds him in between her breasts so that he may not catch cold or suffer from diseases. She is extremely careful in raising the child. She holds him, wraps him with clothes and warms him with her body’s temperature or by lighting the fire. Hence, these lines prove how unconditionally and boundlessly mother loves and protects her child.

18. Write short notes on (any two):

a. Aesthetic reading and non-aesthetic reading (Reference Book, Page 284 Q. No. 1)

Ans: Aesthetic reading refers to a type of reading done for the sake of exploring and experiencing the artistic qualities of a literary work. We analyze the literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, style, etc. in the text. It emphasizes the beauty, emotional impact, and artistic elements of the work. On the other hand, non-aesthetic reading is a type of reading done for the sake of extracting particular information. It does not pay attention to the aesthetic qualities of the text rather it tries to grasp its meaning. The primary purpose of non-aesthetic reading is to gather information, learn, analyse, or critique the content of the literary text. It does not care what literary devices are employed by the author in the text.

b. Reader’s perspective (Reference Book, Page 293 Q. No. 1)

Ans: The perspective that focuses on reader’s response to literary text is called reader‟s perspective or reader response criticism. It emerged in the 1960s. It came as a reaction to formalism and new criticism because they treated literary text as an autonomous object. Reader‟s perspective focuses on the role of the reader. The interpretations of the literary texts differ from one reader to another. All interpretations are correct in their own place. Even the same reader may interpret the same text differently if he/she reads it in two different times. Meaning changes reader to reader and may change at different stages of life of an individual reader based on life experiences. Each reader perceives the same character, setting, theme or plot differently. This perspective believes that the meaning of the text is determined by the readers. Readers decide the meaning of the text. Without the reader, the literary text remains incomplete. So, the role of the reader cannot be omitted. There is no meaning in the absence of the reader. The reader brings meaning to the text.

19. What does a text mean in literature? Do you find any relevance between the text and literature? (Reference Book, Page 278 Q. No. 1)

Ans: In literature, a text refers to any written or printed material that conveys meaning and is the object of interpretation. It encompasses a wide range of literary forms, including novels, poems, plays, essays, and even non-fiction works. The term "text" emphasizes on the written word as the primary medium of literary expression.

Texts are the building blocks of literature, and they serve as the foundation for the creation, analysis, and appreciation of literary works Text and literature are inherently interconnected. Literature is composed of texts, which include written works such as novels, poems, plays, and essays. Texts serve as the means for authors to express their creativity, convey ideas, and evoke emotions. They are also subject to interpretation and analysis, reflecting cultural and historical contexts. The relationship between text and literature is vital, as texts form the foundation and essence of literary expression.

OR,

Do you think class perspective reveals literature as social reality? Why, why not? Give reasons to support your answers. (Reference Book, Page 275 Q. No. 3)

Group-C

Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each. [3×8=24]

20. What were the changes that could be seen in Okanagan people after they imitated swallows? Did their willingness to change give the swallows the chance to oppress them? Explain in detail. (This is a Story) (Reference Book, Page 49 Q.No 7 & Page 50 Q.No. 11,12)

Ans: “This is a Story” is an anti-colonial story written by a Canadian written Jeannette Christine Armstrong. This story shows the negative impacts of colonization in Okanagan, Canada after the arrival of the swallow people. The Swallow people were the outsiders and colonizers who came to Okanagan.

The Swallow people built dams across the rivers halting the free flow of salmons. They exploited nature and polluted the environment. They colonized the Okanagan people by alluring them. They gave them money, food and jobs in order to impose their hegemony (leadership) upon those innocent Okanagan people. Due to the effect of Swallow people’s poisoned food, Okanagan people became sick. Many people were in bad shape. They misbehaved and insulted the native people too but the Okanagan people couldn't raise voice against them because they were afraid of losing jobs, money, food, etc.

Okanagan people’s willingness to change gave the colonizers chance to oppress them. Native people were easily allured by the swallows. They accepted their hegemony for the sake of food, money, job, etc.

21. According to the speaker of the poem “Mending Wall”, what two forces causes the stone wall fall apart? Clarify your ideas with the tones of the speaker used in the poem. (Mending Wall) (Reference Book, Page 199 Q. No. 1)

The speaker in "Mending Wall" presents a contemplative and questioning tone towards both nature and human interaction as forces that cause the stone wall to fall apart.

OR,

Critically analyse the poem “Kidnapped”. (Reference Book, Page 228 Q. No. 1)

Ans: “Kidnapped” is a satirical free verse poem narrative written by a Samoan poet Ruperake Petaia. It narrates/tells the educational experience of a Samoan school boy who spent 15 years in a school run by the Westerners/foreigners. This poem has no rhyme. It is divided into 7 stanzas. The language of this poem is plain/simple. This poem is about cultural imperialism and loss of native education system.

The setting of this poem is Samoa (a country in Oceania continent). The speaker of this poem is the boy who has recently completed school education from the school run by the Western educators. When the speaker was just 6, he was admitted in a school run by the foreigners in his country. His mother thought that it was a good school. The speaker learnt many things about foreign culture. He learnt the history of the world. But, the sorry thing was that he didn’t learn anything about his own country, culture and tradition. He spent 15 years in that school. His parents spent a lot of money on his education. After the completion of his schooling, he was graduated. He got a certificate in a formal programme. Now, the speaker thinks it was the wastes of time and money. His certificate is of no use. He can paste this on his wall. He thinks the education which robbed his native culture and tradition is valueless. His school period became like a kidnapped situation.

In this way, the speaker thinks he wasted 15 years like a kidnapped situation. The certificate which he got doesn’t have significance. He calls his teachers ‘kidnappers’ because they kidnapped his culture. He calls school fees as ‘ransom’, and his graduation ceremony as ‘release’. He calls his classmates ‘fellow victims’. His classmates also were the victim of such education system. He lost his culture; therefore, it is like he was kidnapped.

The poet criticizes the Anglicized education system. The education system should suit/fit the soil/context of that country. It should be according to needs, demands, interests, and choice of the people. Moreover, it should preserve one’s culture and tradition. The poem is relevant in the context of Nepal too. We are running after English medium education. Nepalese parents also think that only English medium education is quality education. While doing so, it has to be taken into consideration that the students shouldn’t be deprived of their native culture, tradition, history and so on. Education should preserve and promote one’s culture, not demote it. Otherwise, we may lose diamond(culture) while searching for gold(foreign/English education).

22. Would you consider Joe Keller, the protagonist in Arthur Miller‟s play “All My Sons” to be a tragic hero? Why or why not? If so what is his fatal flaw? Explain. (Reference Book, Page 256 Q.No. 1)

Ans: "All My Sons" is a three-act play written by an American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a story of a successful businessman who forgets his social responsibility while being loyal and dutiful to his family. He forgets his moral ethics while doing business.

Joe Keller is the central character of the play whose world is confined within the territory of his family. Family is everything for him. His main priority is to increase family happiness and economic progress of the family by hook or crook. He has no time for the society except earning money. He has no time to think about his society and nation. He runs a manufacturing plant in partnership with his neighbour, Steeve Deever. For the sake of money, he orders to supply defective airplane parts to the US Army which causes the 21 fighter planes to crash killing 21 pilots.

Keller is a tragic hero in the play. The tragic hero is someone who has some flaw or weakness or wrong decision which causes his downfall. Keller is a tragic hero whose weakness of selling defective cylinders causes his downfall. He dedicates his whole life for the welfare of his family. He sacrifices everything including his honour for the sake of family. He loves and values his family above all. He struggles for wealth and material goods to have American Dream. He commits an awful crime because he wants his family to be healthy. At last, he shoots himself with a gun when he realizes that there is something bigger and more important than family. His downfall came while trying to improve his economic condition. Being too loyal towards his family caused his destruction. Hence, the playwright presents the central character Joe Keller as a tragic hero.

NEB Exam 2081(2024)

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. What is a proto-language?

i. a language that has been extinct for over 100 years.

ii. a language that is spoken in small geographical area.

iii. a language that has no known relatives at all.

iv. a language root that shares common features in a language family.

2. Which of the following dialects of English is agreed by the majority of native speakers?

i. every English ii. official English

iii. poetic English iv. standard English

3. “A teacher gives a list of new words and their meanings in mother tongue to learn.” Which one of the following language teaching methods does the teacher use?

i. The Grammar Translation Method ii. The Direct Method

iii. The Communicative Approach iv. The Eclectic Method

4. In the story “Three Students”, which of the following characters refused to open the door when knocked by Holmes?

i. Gilchrist ii. Daulat Ras iii. Miles Mclaren iv. Bannister

5. Which one of the following essays is ‘argumentative’ in nature?

i. An Eastern Journey ii. Man and Battle of Life

iii. Once More to the Lake iv. Case for Xanthippe

6. Which one of the following expressions best summarizes the essay ‘A Black Grandmother’?

i. Quest for identity loss ii. Quest for family conflict

iii. Quest for racial discrimination iv. Quest for study opportunity

7. Which of the following do the neighbours use to make the stone balance in the poem ‘Mending Wall’?

i. magic from elves ii. cement

iii. their father’s tools iv. a spell

8. What is the tone of the poem ‘If I Should I Die’?

i. sad and melancholic ii. energetic and lively

iii. contemplative and reflective iv. joyful and celebratory

9. Which of the following caharcaters prepared a horoscope for Larry in the play ‘All My Sons’?

i. Joe Keller ii. Frank Lubey iii. Jim Bayliss iv. Chris Keller

10. Which of the following ethical dilemmas does Act I of the play ‘All My Sons’ revolve around?

i. Joe Keller’s wartime service

ii. Chris Keller’s romantic relationship

iii. Ann’s secret motives for vising the Kellers

iv. Joe Keller’s business decisions and their consequences

11. Which of the following groups controls the means of production?

i. Members of parliament ii. Baby Boomers

iii. Bourgeoise iv. Proletariat

Group ‘B’

Write short answers to these questions. [8×5=40]

12. Define Creole language with examples.

Ans: Creole is the developed form of pidgin. When pidgin language gains its native speakers, it is called Creole. When the children of pidgin speakers speak pidgin as their mother tongue, it gains native speakers and it becomes Creole language. It becomes the mother tongue of those children. The process of converting pidgin into Creole is called creolization. In other words, when pidgin becomes someone’s mother tongue/first language it is called Creole. Creole is the full-fledged form of pidgin. It has extended/large vocabulary, fully developed grammar, script and sound system. Examples of pidgin/Creole languages: African American Vernacular English, Hawaiian Creole English, Lousiana Creole, Chavacano Creole, etc.

13. “Early education in the mother tongue could serve as a crucial factor in learning new languages.” Explain.

Ans: Early education in the mother tongue is crucial as it builds a strong foundation for cognitive development and linguistic skills. When children learn in their native language, they can grasp ideas quickly and think more clearly. This makes it easier for them to learn new languages later on because they already understand how languages work. Their familiarity with their mother tongue enhances their ability to understand grammar, vocabulary, and syntax in new languages. It also boosts their confidence and makes learning more enjoyable. By starting with their mother tongue, children build strong skills that make learning other languages much easier and more effective.

14. Explain how Odin’s actions showcase of human nature. (Cost of Wisdom: The God King Odin’s Tale)

Ans: King Odin felt that his knowledge was incomplete. Asgard (the Gods' world) and Midgard (mankind’s world) were constantly threatened by demons misusing their knowledge. Therefore, Odin sought vast wisdom to protect these realms. After learning about Mimir’s Well, located in Jotunheim (the giants’ world), he traveled there to gain wisdom. Odin decided to sacrifice his right eye in exchange for a draught from the well. This act demonstrates his deep desire to become wiser, even at the cost of losing a valuable organ. It also reflects his selflessness and commitment to the greater good. In this way, Odin’s actions showcase the human nature of striving for knowledge and making significant sacrifices for the welfare of others.

OR,

What arguments does the narrator make in the essay ‘Sir Roger at the Assizes’?

Ans: In "Sir Roger at the Assizes," the narrator describes Sir Roger as a kind and respected man. He argues that people feel happy and at peace when they are free from criticism and appreciated by society. The essay highlights Sir Roger's fairness and wisdom through stories, like how he diplomatically handled a dispute between Will Wimble and Tom Touchy, and how he modestly dealt with a painting made in his honor at an inn. These examples show that true respect and good leadership come from being fair, humble and understanding different viewpoints.

15. What realities of death are poresented in the essay ‘Not Nothing’?

Ans: In the essay "Not Nothing," Stephen Cave explains that death is a natural and important part of life. He uses the example of killing a fly to show that even tiny creatures have complex lives, making their deaths meaningful. Cave highlights that every death, whether human or animal, is both insignificant and significant at the same time. He discusses how our ancestors' deaths allowed us to exist and emphasizes the importance of caring for animals and practicing nonviolence. Ultimately, he suggests that all deaths are equally important in the big picture of nature.

16. Do you sympathize or hate Cruz in the story ‘Davil Deer’? Explain.

Ans: In "Devil Deer," I feel sorry for Cruz rather than hating him. Cruz is just following his community's tradition of deer hunting and doesn't realize the damage humans have caused to the environment. When he finds the deformed deer, he is scared and confused, showing he didn't know about the harmful effects of the nearby laboratory. Cruz's actions are driven by his culture and his wish to bring food for his family, not by bad intentions. This makes him a tragic character who is unaware of the bigger problems, rather than someone to blame. OR,

Do you think ‘Once More to the Lake’ is a nostalgic essay? Explain.

Ans: Yes, "Once More to the Lake" is a nostalgic essay. E.B. White shares his childhood memories of visiting the lake with his family and compares them to his current visit with his son. He feels a deep longing for the past and the simplicity of those days. While some things at the lake have changed, many things remain the same, which makes him both happy and sad. These reflections make him realize how time has passed and how life changes. The essay captures his feelings of nostalgia and the bond between father and son.

17. Summarize the story depicted in the poem ‘The Three Knights’.

Ans: "The Three Knights" by Davies Gilbert is about three knights who want to marry the same lady. Each knight, dressed in white, green, and red, asks her to be his Delight, Queen, or wife. The lady checks if her family agrees. They have her parents' and sister's permission but not her brother's. On the road, they meet her brother John, who stabs her. As she is dying, she makes her final wishes: she wants to give gifts to her family and punish her brother for hurting her. The poem deals with love, marriage proposals, and family rejection.

18. Write a short note on class perspective.

Ans: Class perspective is a way of looking at literary texts through the lens of Marxist theory. Karl Marx propounded this perspective. According to this perspective, the society is divided into two classes: bourgeoisie(rich) and proletariat(poor). It believes that the bourgeoisie(rich) control each and every aspect of the society. This perspective focuses on how economic power and class struggles are depicted in literature. It examines how the rich oppress and exploit the poor for their own benefit.

19. Define feminity highlighting its dimensions.

Ans: Femininity refers to the qualities, behaviours, roles and expectations usually associated with women and girls. It is also called womanliness. It is shaped by both society and biology. The dimensions of femininity are as follows:

a. Biological dimension: Women have the unique biological ability to give birth and nurse children. They generally have wider hips, softer skin, and less muscle compared to men. Traditionally they are regarded to be weaker than men.

b. Psychological dimension: Women are seen as expressive(talkative), irrational and emotional. They often show their emotions more openly and use more words, tone, and body language when communicating.

c. Social dimension: Society expects certain roles and behaviours from women. Women are often seen as the main caregivers in families. They are supposed to nurture children and other family members. They are expected to be emotionally sensitive, submissive and cooperative. Traditionally, they are assigned the roles of homemaking, caregiving, nurturing and supporting others.

d. Cultural dimension: It includes the roles, behaviours, and traits that culture expects from women. Cultural expectations differ widely. In some cultures, women are expected to focus on family and be modest while in others, they're encouraged to have careers and be independent. Different factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation affect these expectations. Moreover, they are expected to be beautiful, polite, graceful, and dress in a certain way.

Group ‘B’

Write long answers to these questions. [3×8=24]

20. The story ‘Leaving’ moves around the theme of sacrifice and family bond. Explain.

Ans: The story "Leaving" by M.G. Vassanji focuses on sacrifice and family bond. The mother, a widow, raises her five children alone after her husband's early death. She works very hard, running a store and moving the family to a better place for their education. Her biggest sacrifice is letting her son Aloo go to America to study, even though it worries her and costs a lot of money. This shows her deep love and hope for her children's better future, highlighting the strong bond within the family.

Aloo's departure is a big moment that brings both excitement and sadness. While Aloo is eager to follow his dreams, his mother feels the pain of separation and worries if he will ever return. The narrator thinks about all the sacrifices his mother made and the struggles she faced raising them alone. The story shows how family love and sacrifice go hand in hand, making the family strong and united despite challenges. It emphasizes the importance of education, hard work, and the hope for a better future through the mother's actions

Describe the structures of the temple and power of nature as depicted in the essay ‘An Eastern Journey’.

Ans: In "An Eastern Journey" by William Somerset Maugham, the Angkor Wat temple is described as a grand but ruined structure. The temple's gateway is covered with moss and lichen, and the statues, like the head of Shiva, are damaged and discolored. The walls are partly hidden by the jungle, and a broad moat(pond) in front is filled with weeds and water plants. The courtyard is surrounded by broken corridors, with trees and weeds growing everywhere. Inside, the chambers are stinky because of bats, showing that the temple has been abandoned and neglected.

Maugham shows the power of nature by describing how it has taken over the temple over the years. Although the temple was built by many workers, nature has made it look small and ruined. The once-great temple, a sign of human achievement, is now covered with plants and falling apart. This demonstrates that nature's power is greater than the temple's grandeur and the gods it was made for. Maugham concludes that nature is the most powerful force, lasting longer than even the most impressive human creation.

21. Critically analyze the poem ‘She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways’.

Ans: "She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways" by William Wordsworth is a poem about a woman named Lucy who lived a quiet, unnoticed life in a rural area. The poet describes Lucy's life beside the Dove River in central England. He praises her beauty and goodness, which few people knew about. Wordsworth uses nature imagery to describe her, comparing her to a hidden violet flower and a solitary star, showing how her beauty and uniqueness were largely unseen by others.

Lucy’s early death brings deep sadness to the speaker, who feels a great personal loss. Although her life and death do not affect the larger world, they deeply impact the speaker, highlighting themes of love, death, and loneliness. The poem celebrates Lucy’s connection to nature and reflects on the temporary nature of life and beauty.

This poem is an elegy with the rhyme scheme ABAB. Its tone is melancholic and mournful. Wordsworth’s simple and emotional language shows how human feelings are closely tied to the natural world, emphasizing the inevitable passage of time and the lasting pain of losing a loved one.

22. Do you think revealation of Larry’s letter to the Kellers is a turning point in the play ‘All My Sons’? Give reasons to support your answer.

Ans: Yes, the revelation of Larry’s letter to the Kellers is a turning point in the play "All My Sons." This moment is crucial because it brings the hidden truths and unresolved conflicts to the surface. Until the letter is revealed, Joe Keller has hidden his crime of supplying the faulty airplane parts, and the family has been holding on to hope that Larry might still be alive.

When Ann shows Larry’s letter to Joe, Chris, and Kate, it becomes clear that Larry took his own life because he couldn’t bear the shame of what his father had done. This revelation forces everyone to face the truth about Joe’s moral mistake and how it has deeply hurt their lives. Joe can no longer pretend he is innocent, and he realizes the terrible consequences of his actions not just the deaths of 21 pilots, but also the loss of his own son. This moment changes everything, making the play reach its most intense point and leading to the final events of the story.

-0-

NEB Grade Increment Exam 2081(Set-A)

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. In which variety of English does British and American spoken English fall?

i. Dialectal variety of English

ii. ii. Register variety of English

iii. Idiolectal variety of English

iv. Speech variety of English

2. What is the language called when it has no native speakers?

i. Dialcet ii. Register

iii. Pidgin iv. Creole

3. The story ‘Paul’s Case’ is related to a school boy’s ……

i. Escaping monotonous life by committing suicide

ii. Escaping enjoyable life by committing suicide

iii. Acceptance to do struggle in the life to become rich

iv. Rejection of all material pleasure of the world

4. When was the essay ‘Once More to the Lake’ written?

i. 1940 ii. 1941 iii. 1942 iv. 1943

5. In Frank Norris’ short story ‘A Deal in Wheat’ what does wheat symbolize?

i. Man’s power over nature

ii. Nature’s power over man

iii. Wheat’s power over man

iv. Man’s power over wheat

6. Which of the following is not examined in the poem ‘Mending Wall’?

i. The role of boundaries in human life

ii. The distance and tension between men

iii. A respectful distance between neighbours

iv. The growth, perfection and death of neighbours

7. What is the theme of the poem ‘Lord Make me a Sheep’?

i. Pain, burden and struggle of human life

ii. Pleasure, relax and beauty of being human

iii. Sadness in being a sheep

iv. Dispraise of natural life of a sheep

8. To what animal does George Deever compare his father?

i. Dog ii. Mouse iii. Possum iv. Deer

9. Which of the followings is not the theme of the play ‘All My Sons’?

i. Family and familial obligation

ii. Loss and memory

iii. War, morality and consequences

iv. Love and separation of romancers

10. Which of the followings is a textual perspective?

i. Marxist criticism ii. Gender criticism

iii. New criticism iv. Cultural criticism

11. Which one is NOT true about ecological reading?

i. Ecological literary critics portray that the relationship between man and nature isn’t just interdependent.

ii. Ecological reading is concerned with how man’s relationship with the physical environment reflected in nature.

iii. Ecological reading concerns for ecology and the hazard that the incessant exploitation of our environment possesses humanity.

iv. Ecological reading portrays how human beings can be saved by dis-functioning the ecology.

Group ‘B’

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

12. What do you mean by language family? How are they classified? (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 7164 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. What is language shift? Why do you think that a speech community shifts to another language? (Reference Book Page No. 5 Q.No. 9)

Ans: Language shift is the replacement of one language by another. It is a process whereby a speech community shifts to a different language, usually over time. It is also known as language transfer, language replacement or language assimilation. Language shift takes place when a speech community comes in contact of a new language and gradually stops speaking their mother tongue and starts speaking the new language. It takes place when a community gives up its mother tongue in favour of another language. I think, a speech community shifts to another language duw to fashion, foreign influence and influence of the dominant language.

14. ‘Sacrifice and gains are two aspects of human life’. Do you agree? Explain with reference to the story ‘King Odin’s Wisdom’. (Reference Book Page No. 43 Q.No. 1)

Ans: Yes, I agree that sacrifice and gain are part of life, as shown in the story "Odin's Wisdom." In the story, Odin, the Norse god, sacrifices his eye to gain wisdom. This demonstrates that to achieve something valuable, we often need to give up something important. Odin's sacrifice highlights that growth and knowledge come with a price. While he gains wisdom, he loses his physical sight, showing that sacrifices can lead to both positive and negative outcomes. The story teaches us that sacrifices are necessary for progress but may also bring challenges.

15. Why does the writer conclude his travelogue by saying that the most impressinve, the most awe inspiring monument of antiquity is men but not temples, great wall and citadel? (An Eastern Journey) (Reference Book Page No. 125 Q.No. 2)

Ans: "An Eastern Journey" is a travelogue by English writer W.S. Maugham, where he shares his experiences visiting Cambodia's temples. He is amazed by the beauty of Angkor Wat and praises the art, architecture, and craftsmanship of the builders. However, what impresses him the most is not the temples, citadels, or the Great Wall, but the people of the East. He finds their lifestyle unique, unchanged for a thousand years, from fishing and cooking to buying and selling. He is also fascinated by the Cambodian dancers performing on the temple terrace. Maugham concludes that people, not monuments, are the most awe-inspiring.

Or,

Compare a child’s behaviour before and after he lost his parents at the fair. (The Lost Child) (Reference Book Page No. 110 Q.No. 10)

Ans: Before separation the child was very happy and excited at the fair. He was fascinated with all the things that were displayed at the stalls. He wanted to have all the things like his favourite toys, sweets, flowers, etc. He also wanted to go for a ride. But after separation the boy just wanted to be with his parents. He was not interested in any of those things which he kept longing to have from the stalls. In the absence of his parents these things did not give him any satisfaction.

16. Discrimination in different form is found in many countries. What are those forms? What form of discrimination do you find in Nepal? (A Black Grandmother) (Reference Book Page No. 167 Q.No. 2)

Ans: In Nepal, discrimination exists in various forms, including caste-based, gender-based, ethnic, and religious discrimination. Caste-based discrimination is widespread, especially against the so-called Dalits, who face social exclusion and limited access to resources. Gender discrimination is also a serious issue, with women facing unequal opportunities in education, employment, politics, and healthcare. Harmful practices like child marriage, dowry, and gender-based violence still occur. Ethnic and religious discrimination also affect many communities, creating divisions. To end discrimination, awareness, education, stronger laws, and promoting equality are necessary to foster a more inclusive society for everyone.

17. Discuss how the poem makes you think about connections with your own life, the world and your education? (Kidnapped) (Reference Book Page No. 228 Long Question Q.No. 1 Last paragraph)

Ans: The poem "Kidnapped" makes me reflect on how modern education can sometimes disconnect us from our own culture and heritage, much like in the poem. In Nepal, many people, including myself, pursue English medium education, thinking it is of higher quality. However, as the poem suggests, focusing too much on foreign education may cause us to lose touch with our own traditions, language, and history. It reminds me of the importance of a balanced education that not only opens us to the world but also preserves and promotes our native culture, ensuring we don’t lose our identity.

18. What is unreliable narration? Explain with examples. (Reference Book Page No. 291 Q.No. g)

Ans: In postmodern literature, the story or plot is often told in an unreliable way, making it difficult to trust. For instance, in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator insists they are sane while describing their irrational behaviour and paranoia. This unreliability makes it challenging for readers to determine what is real and what is not. The unreliable narration adds complexity and intrigue to the story, as readers must question the narrator's version of events and seek the truth for themselves.

19. ‘New criticism is a contemporary approach to the analysis of literary texts.’ Illustrate your answer. (Reference Book Page No. 284 Q.No. 1)

Ans: New Criticism, developed in America in the 1920s, is a literary approach focusing on a detailed, objective analysis of texts, particularly poetry. It emphasises examining the structure and meaning within the text itself, using tools like similes, metaphors, and symbols. According to New Critics, the meaning is inherent in the text and should be discovered through close reading, without relying on external factors such as the author’s background or historical context. This approach asserts that the form and content of a text are deeply connected, and true understanding comes from analysing the text’s internal elements alone. Major proponents include Cleanth Brooks and T.S. Eliot.

Or,

How is postmodern perspective different from structuralist reading of the texts? Explain with examples.

Ans: Postmodern and structuralist readings differ in how they approach texts. Structuralism focuses on finding universal structures or systems within a text, such as language patterns, symbols, or narrative structures. It believes meaning is fixed and can be discovered by analysing these structures. For example, structuralists would study recurring patterns in myths across cultures.

Postmodernism, however, rejects the idea of fixed meaning. It argues that meaning is uncertain and subjective, shaped by individual interpretation. For example, in postmodern works like "The Tell-Tale Heart," readers must navigate unreliable narration, questioning the truth and reality of the story.

Group ‘C’

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

20. After making such a big deal about Julian’s mother’s new ugly hat, why do you think she is not bothered when she sees Carver’s mother with the same hat? What does this say about her character? Does her reaction go against the idea that she is racist? Why or why not? (Everything that Rises Must Converge)

Ans: Julian’s mother isn’t bothered when she sees Carver’s mother wearing the same hat because she is more focused on Carver, the little boy. She finds him cute and enjoys his company, which makes her overlook the fact that his mother, a Black woman, has the same hat. This shows that her affection for children can temporarily outweigh her concerns about appearance or race.

However, this doesn’t mean she is not racist. Her fondness for Carver is not enough to change her underlying beliefs. When she offers him a penny, it’s a well-meaning but condescending gesture, which reflects her sense of superiority. She doesn’t see Carver and his mother as equals but rather as people who need her kindness and charity.

Her reaction to the hat doesn’t go against the idea that she is racist; instead, it shows that her racism is complicated. She can be kind and even affectionate toward individuals but still holds prejudiced views about people based on their race. This moment with the hat shows that while she may not be openly hostile, her racism manifests in subtle ways, such as condescension and a belief in her own superiority.

21. Critically analyze the poem ‘Sonnet 8’. (Reference Book Page No. 222 Q.No. 2)

Ans: “Sonnet 8” is a sonnet written by an English poet John Milton. A sonnet is a 14-line poem. It is an Italian sonnet due to its rhyme scheme ABBAABBA(Octave)+ CDCDCD(Sestet). Italian sonnets have two parts: octave and sestet but Milton has merged both of them together. Milton has miltonized it and created a new style. The tone of this poem is pleading/requesting. This poem is a plea/request for protection during the time of civil-war in Britain.

This poem was written during the civil-war of Britain in 1642 AD. There was disagreement between King Charles I and parliament in Britain in 1642 AD. The civil war between the king’s supporters and parliament supporters took place. John Milton was in favour of the parliament. So, he was under the possible attack from the king’s army. John Milton wrote this poem and pinned it to his door to protect his property and life. Milton requests the king’s army to guard and protect the defenceless man inside the door. He says that the poet can give something in return to the army if they do this noble work of protecting him. The poet has that charm/magic. He can reward the army with fame and glory through his powerful verse/poetry. The poet can immortalize, praise and make the army famous all over the world. He gives the example of Greece where the poets Pindarus and Uripidis (writer of Electra) were protected by a famous warrior Alexander the Great (who came from Emathian) during the war due to his respect to poets.

The poem shows the power of poetry or literature. It can even melt the hearts of cruel warriors. It stops the war. It can immortalize a mortal man too. It shows the power of a pen over the sword. There is a popular saying- “A pen is mightier than the sword”. It has been proved from the references given in this poem.

Or,

Evaluate the three daughters of the king on the basis of their behaviour in the poem. (King Lear and his His Three Daughters) (Reference Book Page No. 186 Q.No. 9)

Ans: In the poem “King Lear and His Three Daughters,” the king’s daughters—Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia—are portrayed with distinct personalities and behaviours that highlight their contrasting natures.

Regan and Goneril, the eldest two daughters, are deceptive and manipulative. When King Lear asks them how much they love him, they shower him with exaggerated expressions of loyalty. Regan claims she would gladly shed her blood for him, while Goneril says she would do anything for his comfort and pleasure. Their words, however, are empty, as they only seek to gain control of his kingdom and wealth. Once they inherit their share of the kingdom, their true nature is revealed. They begin treating their father with cruelty and neglect. Regan reduces the number of his servants, and both daughters show complete disregard for their father’s well-being, proving that their love was false and driven by selfish motives. Their betrayal leads King Lear to madness and despair, and ultimately, both daughters meet tragic ends, committing suicide.

In contrast, Cordelia, the youngest daughter, represents true love, honesty, and loyalty. Unlike her sisters, she refuses to flatter her father with insincere declarations. Instead, she speaks simply and truthfully, saying she will fulfil her duty as a daughter. However, this honesty displeases King Lear, and he banishes her from his kingdom. Despite being wronged, Cordelia remains loyal to her father. When her father is mistreated by her sisters, she returns with her army to save him, showing her deep care and dedication. Tragically, she dies in battle, but her actions prove her love for her father was genuine.

In summary, Regan and Goneril are selfish, deceitful, and disloyal, while Cordelia embodies sincerity, loyalty, and true familial love. Their behaviour reflects the poem’s themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the consequences of misjudgement.

22. Does Keller’s suicide reflect a new acceptance of his misdeeds? Does he kill himself out of choice or mainly as a result of external pressure? (All My Sons)

Ans: In Arthur Miller’s play "All My Sons," Keller’s suicide shows both his acceptance of guilt and the influence of outside pressures. Keller is deeply troubled because he sold faulty aircraft parts during World War II, which caused the deaths of 21 pilots, including his son Larry. He decides to end his life because he cannot handle the guilt and wants to make amends for his mistakes.

Keller’s suicide reflects his internal struggle and regret. He realises how serious his actions were and feels he cannot live with the consequences. By killing himself, he tries to take responsibility for what he has done and show how serious he is about his wrongs.

At the same time, Keller’s decision is affected by external factors. The disappointment and criticism from his family, especially his wife and son, also play a big role. The mix of his own guilt and the pressure from those around him leads Keller to believe that suicide is the only way to deal with his problems and seek some form of redemption. So, his death is both a personal choice and a reaction to the pressures he faces.

-0-

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 magnificently

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 should 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:

f. 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.

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

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

i. 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.

j. 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.

-0-

Best Wishes,

Royal Zenith(Ganesh B. Dhami)

Facebook: Royal Zenith

Youtube: Royal Zenith

Instagram: theroyal_zenith

Available in the Market

English Made Easy with Royal Zenith

Class 12 Optional English 11 Sets Past Paper(2078-2081) Solution

Group 'A'

Group 'B'

According to the speaker of the poem 'Mending Wall", what two forces cause the stone wall fall apart? Clarify your ideas with the tones of the speaker used in the poem. (Mending Wall) (Reference Book, Page 199 Q. No. 1)

Group ‘A’

i) Literary text is self-sufficient.

Group-B

13. Examine the introduction of mother tongue based on multilingual education in Nepal. (Reference Book, Page No. 22 Q. No. 12 )

14. Examine the effect of colonization on the indigenous people. (This is a Story) (Reference Book, Page No. 50 Q.No. 10 )

16. Discuss John Barth’s Autobiography as a self-reflective fiction. (Autobiography: A Self Recorded Fiction) (Reference Book, Page No. 105 Q.No. 9 )

17. What are the types of poetry? Discuss them briefly. (Reference Book, Page No. 177 Q.No. 1)

18. What is queer theory? (Reference Book, Page No. 286 Q. No. 5 )

19. Evaluate similarities and differences between formalistic and New criticism. (Reference Book, Page No. 283 Q. No. 2)

Group-C

20. In what way does O'Connor use Julian and his mother to represent different points of views in the story? (Everything that Rises must Converge) (Reference Book, Page No. 71 Q No. 7 )

21. Write a critical appreciation of the poem “The Three Knights”. (Reference Book, Page No. 194 Q. No. 2)

22. The drama “All My Sons” represents the loss of morality and humanity. Discuss. (Reference Book, Page No. 255 No. J )

Group-A

iii) while taking permission from his parents to take a ride on round about

iv) none

iii) It tells the love, death and supernatural elements.

Group-B

12. Describe the Indo-European family of languages showing the relationship between English and Nepali.

14. What is the significance of Julian‟s response to the mother‟s behavior? (Everything that Rises must Converge) (Reference Book, Page Q. 72 No. 11)

15. What message does the essayist want to convey talking about the death of a tiny fly in the essay? (Not Nothing) (Reference Book, Page 150 Q. No. 2)

16. What is meta-language? What specific examples of Meta-language has Tran used in her text? Explain. (What is Meta-language?) (Reference Book, Page 175 Q. No. 1)

17. Explain these lines from the poem “A Woman” with references to the context.

18. Write short notes on (any two):

b. Reader’s perspective (Reference Book, Page 293 Q. No. 1)

19. What does a text mean in literature? Do you find any relevance between the text and literature? (Reference Book, Page 278 Q. No. 1)

Group-C

Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each. [3×8=24]

20. What were the changes that could be seen in Okanagan people after they imitated swallows? Did their willingness to change give the swallows the chance to oppress them? Explain in detail. (This is a Story) (Reference Book, Page 49 Q.No 7 & Page 50 Q.No. 11,12)

Okanagan people’s willingness to change gave the colonizers chance to oppress them. Native people were easily allured by the swallows. They accepted their hegemony for the sake of food, money, job, etc.

21. According to the speaker of the poem “Mending Wall”, what two forces causes the stone wall fall apart? Clarify your ideas with the tones of the speaker used in the poem. (Mending Wall) (Reference Book, Page 199 Q. No. 1)

22. Would you consider Joe Keller, the protagonist in Arthur Miller‟s play “All My Sons” to be a tragic hero? Why or why not? If so what is his fatal flaw? Explain. (Reference Book, Page 256 Q.No. 1)

Ans: "All My Sons" is a three-act play written by an American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a story of a successful businessman who forgets his social responsibility while being loyal and dutiful to his family. He forgets his moral ethics while doing business.

Labels

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

Class 12 Optional English || 11 Set Past Papers (2078-2081)