Plus Two English Previous Year Question Paper March 2018

Kerala Plus Two English Previous Year Question Paper March 2018 with Answers

Time: 2^1/2 Hours
Cool off time: 15 Minutes
Maximum: 80 Score

General Instructions to candidates:

• There is a ‘cool off time’ of 15 minutes in addition to the writing time of 2^1/2 hours.
• You are not allowed to write your answers or to discuss anything with others during the cool off time’.
• Read questions carefully before answering.
• All questions are compulsory and the only internal choice is allowed.
• When you select a question, all the sub-questions must be answered from the same question itself.
• Electronic devices except non-programmable calculators are not allowed in the Examina­tion Hall.

(Questions 1 to 6): Answer all the questions as directed.

Read the lines from the poem ‘Stammer1 and answer the questions that follow:

‘Stammer is the silence that falls
between the word and its meaning
just as lameness is the
Silence that falls between
the word and deed

Question 1.
What is common to ‘stammer’ and ‘lameness’? (1)
Answer:
Silence

Question 2.
Identify the figure of speech employed in the lines. (1)
Answer:
Metaphor Simile

Question 3.
What does the poet think of ‘stammer”? (1)
Answer:
Stammer is the silence that falls between the word and its meaning.

Question 4.
Your class is conducting a debate on the topic ‘Nature conservation is more important than development.’ Write four arguments either in favour of or opposing the topic. (4)
Answer:
Nature Conservation is more important than development because:

1. Without Nature Conservation our flora and fauna would be ruined.
2. There will be climatic change, ozone layer depletion and global warming if Nature is not conserved.
3. We have to preserve our Nature for posterity.
4. We have only one habitat and if we don’t conserve it, we will be doomed.

Question 5.
Shaheen Mistri felt dejected when all the 20 schools in Mumbai refused permission to conduct classes for slum children in their classrooms for 3 hours in the evenings. If you were a friend of Shaheen Mistri, how would you offer sympathy and encouragement to her?
Write 3 sentences expressing your sympathy and support for her. You may use expressions like: I am sorry to ………. It is unfortunate that ……….. etc. (3)
Answer:
a) I am sorry to hear that 20 schools in Mumbai refused permission to conduct classes for slum children in their classrooms for 3 hours.
b) It is unfortunate that people are so callous that they don’t see the need for slum children to educate themselves.
c) It is very strange that even the so-called charitable and religious institutions are ready to work only for the rich who can afford to pay huge fees for their children.

Question 6.
The passage given below contains a few errors in concord and in the use of tenses, prepositions and articles. Edit the passage for these errors.
There was termites in the wooden box. They grew upwards from the bottom left corner in the shape of serpent. It was quite sometime since he had opened the box. What could he do about the trail of mud created by the termites? If he did not destroyed it immediately, it would spread over the whole box and eat up everything that was at it. (4)
Answer:
were termites; a serpent; did not destroy; in it.

(Questions 7 to 12): Each question carries 4 scores. Answer any 5 questions. (5 × 4 = 20)

Question 7.
A grand function is organized by the authorities of St. Xaviers College to felicitate the former student, Shaheen Mistri. The Principal himself introduces her to the audience. How would he introduce Shaheen Mistri? Draft the speech for him.
Answer:
My dear colleagues, students, parents, ladies and gentlemen,
We have organized this function to felicitate our former student Shaheen Mistri, who has made our school proud. In fact I remember when she came here for admission. She almost forced me to admit her. She entered my room through the side door. I was quite surprised. Before I could open my mouth, she told me, “Father, my life is in your hands. I want to do something for the children of India. I don’t know how, only that I must.” I asked her a few questions and I admitted her. I had never seen a student so committed to her ideals. If I hadn’t admitted her that day, it would have been a big loss not only for this school but the whole of India.

She founded Akanksha. The basic principle of Akanksha is providing underprivileged children with opportunities for learning. Akanksha wants the classroom to be a safe place for the children where they can forget, at least for some time, their troubles at home, and study and also enjoy. Akanksha came into existence in 1991. It started with 15 children. Now it has 3500 children with 58 centres and 6 schools. The children are taught, apart from English and Maths, values, self-esteem and confidence.

Shaheen Mistri, I would say, is a little angel. She did to the underprivileged children of Bombay what Mother Theresa did to the destitute in the streets of Calcutta. Akanksha definitely gives hope and optimism to thousands underprivileged children who have been roaming the streets, poor and hungry and prone to commit crimes. Shaheen Mistri is a reformer and she will be remembered by the people for a long time to come.

Let there be more Shaheen Mistris in our midst so that we can have a great country!

Question 8.
“Antonio and Felix were well liked and respected. Each had his own loyal following”, says Piri Thomas in ‘Amigo Brothers’. How did these adolescent boys become the role models of the residents of Manhattan? Attempt your answer in a paragraph of 80 words.
Answer:
Antonio Crux and Felix Vargas were both 17. They were so together in friendship that they felt like brothers. They had known each other from childhood. They grew up in the same building on the lower East Side of Manhattan. They both had a dream – becoming the light weight champion of the world. Whenever they got a chance they exercised. They would run every day morning wearing sweat shirts and short towels around their necks. Soon a wall arose between them. They were told that they were to meet each other on the division finals. The winner would represent the Boy’s Club in the Golden Gloves Championship Tournament. That means only one of them would go to the Tournament. They were both popular as boxers.

In the division finals they fight 3 rounds. In the two 2 rounds they remain even. In the 3rd round they fight fiercely, so fiercely that the spectators thought they were witnessing a fight to death and not a boxing match. They did not even hear the whistle to end the match but went on pounding each other. Finally the referee and trainers had to separate them. They leave the stage embracing each other. Their friendship is still intact. Thus they became role models of the residents of Manhattan.

Question 9.
Elaborate the idea in the lines given below:
This is better than money what good times! The government gives rice to those who don’t have paddy fields.
Answer:
This should be taken as a joke because no government can give rice to those who don’t have paddy fields. The paddy cultivators are only a few and the vast majority of the people don’t have paddy fields. How is it then possible for the government to give rice to all? If the government gives rice to those without paddy fields, definitely it will be better than money. We can surely say then that good times have come to our land.

But this is simply the fond dream of some funny guys who want to say things without any basis. This is also a kind of ridicule at the rulers, who obviously, can’t fulfil the dreams of the people. Or this can be considered an election promise which will never be carried out. When standing for elections, various parties come out with empty promises. This can be just one of them to fool the ignorant masses who never really learn their lesson.

Question 10.
Poet critic K. Satchidanandan has won the Ezhuthachan Award for his contribution to literature. Your class has decided to send an e-mail congratulating him on this achievement. As the leader of the class, what would you write in the e-mail? Draft the e-mail.
Answer:
[email protected]
Dear Sir,
We have come to know that you have won the Ezhuthachan Award for your contribution to literature. Congratulations!

You are a noted and critic, writing in Malayalam and English. You are a pioneer of modem poetry in Malayalam. We can very well say you are a versatile genius as you are also a bilingual literary critic, playwright, editor, columnist and translator. You were also the former Editor of Indian Literature journal and the former Secretary of Sahitya Akademi. You are also a public intellectual of repute upholding secular anti-caste views, supporting causes like environment, human rights and free software and you are also a well-known speaker on issues concerning contemporary Indian literature. We are very proud of you. We pray God to give you a long life so that you can continue writing to benefit people like us.

Question 11.
Your class is conducting a group discussion on the topic ‘Discipline at home and in the school creates good citizens’. As the first presenter of the topic, write your script for the presentation.
Answer:
My dear friends,

The topic for our Group Discussion today is “Discipline in the home and in the school creates good citizens”. I don’t think there is any controversy in this topic. There is a Latin proverb which says, “Serva ordinem et ordo servabit te”. It means keep the law and the law will keep you. This is a very sound advice. Right from the childhood, starting from home, we should learn to be disciplined. A child who is disciplined at home tends to be disciplined in the school also. But there are people who think too much discipline takes away the curiosity and fun from the mind of children. Nobody says there should be too much discipline. Discipline is a positive thought.

Discipline does not necessarily mean a list of Don’t Dos. A disciplined child behaves well, respects his elders and teachers and is helpful to others. He is not greedy or selfish and such children soon become the darlings of everyone. Discipline demands hard work. Only with hard work one can succeed today. So I would say “Be Disciplined” and that would help you to go a long way in the journey of life.

Question 12.
Do you agree with Irfan Alam that “It is important to dream, but it is equally important to take calculated risks to achieve your dream”? Express your own opinion in a paragraph of 80 words.
Answer:
I quite agree with Irfan Alam that “It is quite important to dream, but it is equally important to take calculated risks to achieve your dream”. Irfan Alam was only 17, when the idea of selling water bottles in rickshaws occurred to him. He soon took a calculated risk. The very next day he talked to 5 rickshaw pullers and gave them 8 bottles of water each. The profit was to be split between them and Irfan. For each bottle the profit would be Rs. 2. The very first day Irfan got Rs. 8. Later in 2006, in a TV show, Irfan suggested that rickshaws should be redesigned so that the spaces on the vehicles could be sold for advertising and brand promotion. He also suggested additional income for the rickshaw pullers by selling water, juice, biscuits, mobile cards and newspapers to the passengers.

His proposal won the competition and he was did not take the money because the organizers of the TV show did not agree with his proposals. But later in 2007 with the support of rickshaw pullers SammaaN was founded. There are some 10 million rickshaws operating in India. SammaaN helped rickshaw pullers to increase their income by 30 to 40%. SammaaN has been successful in making the lives of the rickshaw pullers and their families happier. Irfan has done a wonderful job and he did it by taking calculated risks. Anybody can cream, but only the one ready to take risks will succeed.

(Questions 13 to 18): Answer any 5 questions. Each question carries 6 scores. (5 × 6 = 30)

Question 13.
In connection with Anti-narcotics Day, your school is holding an elocution competition on the topic ‘Drug abuse destroys the individual, the society and the nation’. You are one of the competitors. Prepare your speech.
Answer:
Respected Chairman and honourable guests on the dais, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Today we are observing Anti-Narcotics Day because many people abuse drugs for some temporary pleasure without realizing how dangerous drug abuse can be. Drug abuse has both mental and physical impacts. The drug addict experiences sensory deprivation. He has a general feeling of physical discomfort and there are personality changes in him. The addict feels depressed.

He fails to respond to his environment and to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia. The addict knows he has a problem but he does not know what the cause for it is. He looks at external objects with suspicion. Anything outside scares him and he draws further and further into himself. There are also drug related physical disorders. Dry needles and solutions used for injecting drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal diseases and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose.

Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases. Babies of women who are addicted to opiates are likely to be bom addicted and suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, malnutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

Question 14.
A reporter who happened to visit the post office at the time of the incidents in ‘Post Early for Christmas’ started writings news report in this manner:
Commotion in Post Office over a Hoax Bomb Alert East London: A hoax bomb alert caused much panic and confusion in a rural post office …………
Complete the report.
Answer:
Commotion in Post Office over a Hoax Bomb Alert Easton London: A hoax bomb alert caused much panic and confusion in a rural post office. The Village Post Office was crowded because people wanted to post their Christmas presents in time. The young Lady Assistant in the Post Office was very busy. Customers like Mrs. Smith, Mr. Jones, a deaf old gentleman, a farmer, a fussy old lady, Mrs. Higgins and Bertie, her son, were giving their parcels to the Assistant and were talking to one another about the offered seed money of Rs. 150 lakhs for his ideas to be implemented. He current happenings in the village. Then came a foreign tourist.

He was dark and evil looking. Her was dressed in black and spoke with an accent. He greeted the Assistant and told her to send the parcel he had brought. He removed his gloves and left them on the counter. The Assistant was happy the way the parcel was packed. It was very heavy. He said he could not post the parcel earlier because he came to this country only a few days ago. He wanted to know how long it would take for it to reach the Central Post Office to be sorted. He hoped the postal department would take good care of the parcel. He wanted to know if it would be opened. He was worried if it would be stolen. The Assistant reassured him that it would be safely delivered to his friend.

The Assistant was a bit worried as to what was in the parcel. Bertie had a look at it. Bertie could hear some sound from the parcel. The Assistant also heard some ticking noise. The Farmer said he also could hear it. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith also heard it. The Farmer thought it was a time bomb. Everybody was worried. Mrs. Higgins asked Bertie to go and bring a policeman. The Assistant wanted to take and place the parcel outside but the farmer asked her to leave it as it would explode if she took it.

The Farmer asked people to take cover as the ticking noise was increasing. The policeman came. As the policeman was noting down things, the Foreign Tourist came back to take his gloves which he had left on the counter. He said the parcel contained a clock which he had bought all the way from Switzerland! There was no bomb!

Question 15.
The dialogues of John, son of Robert Baldwin, at the beginning and in the middle of the play are given below:

Now, attempt a character sketch of John Robert Baldwin in about 100 words.
Answer:
John is the 27-year old son of Baldwin and Martha. He earns just 30 dollars a week. His father had taught him to remain honest and truthful in all circumstances. When he comes to know that Gresham had stolen bank’s money he was angry with Gresham. He said Gresham was a bad man who wanted his father to tell a lie just to save his skin. If he were in his father’s position he would tell Gresham to go to hell. According to him Gresham was a really cruel man who underpaid his employees and now he wanted to rob his depositors also.

John would not do anything to save Gresham. But John’s stand changed when he came to know that his father was offered 100,000 dollars by Gresham just to say “I don’t remember” when he was asked crucial questions in the court. Now John comes out with some queer logic. He tells his father that if Gresham is put in jail there would be a nasty mess, meaning his father should help him not to go to jail. Nobody loses a cent and nobody wants to see Gresham punished.

So why doesn’t his father take 100,000 dollars and say “I don’t remember”? A hundred dollars, after all, is a lot of money. Here we see how the young man Jphn is ready to sell his soul for a certain amount of money. He forgets all his morals and all his honesty. Money can really make saints sinners.

Question 16.
“God has given me two ears to listen to others. I hear them out with sympathy and without any judgement. When a person in trouble or under a lot of strain finds an outlet for his worries, it relieves half his burden”.
These words of Ratna inspired Sudha Murty. She wants to report Ratna’s words to her own children. Write down the report.
Answer:
Ratna said that God had given hertwo earsto listen to others. She added that she heard them out with sympathy and without any judgement. She further said that when a person in trouble or under a lot of strain found an outlet for his worries, it relieved half of his burden.

Question 17.
A ‘Female Films’ Festival was held in your school to focus on women empowerment in the arts. Read the notice and prepare a report of the film festival.

Answer:

ABC SCHOOL

Date 8.12.2017

A “Female Film Festival” was held in our school auditorium on 7 December 2017. It started at 9.30 am. The Festival began with a prayer by the school Choir. Welcome Speech followed. It was delivered by Dr. Sujata S., the Principal of the school. The Presidential Address was given by Smt. Devi N., the PTA President. The Inaugural Address was by Vidhu Vincent, the film Director. Felicitations were offered by Sri M. Raju, Panchayat Member. Vote of Thanks followed and it was done by Smt. Sreekala N., Staff Secretary. All the speakers highlighted the need for women empowerment in the arts.

This was followed by film shows. At 10.30, the film “Udaharanam Sujatha” was shown. After the film there was lunch break. All the participants were provided with lunch.

After lunch two more films were shown. At 1.00 p.m. the film “English Vinglish” was screened. Then at 4 the film “Chak De, India!” was shown. The programme came to a close at 6.45 p.m. with the National Anthem sung by the School Choir. It was a highly successful Festival and the participants were quite pleased.

Question 18.
The literary club of your school has decided to visit the poet satirist Chemmanam Chacko and interview him. What would you ask him?
Frame 6 relevant questions for the interview.
Answer:
Interview with Chemmanam Chacko

Leader: Sir, we are the members of the literary club of our school and we have come to ask you some questions about your work. We will not take much of your time. We shall be recording your replies.
Chemmanam Chacko: You are welcome. Please make yourself comfortable. Okay, I am ready to answer your questions.

1st Member: We studied your poem “Rice” as part of our school work. How do you get these ideas?
2nd Member: Sir, most of your poems are satires. Have you written any lyric poem?
Leader: Which Malayalam poet do you admire most?
1st Member: We have seen that in some of your poems you ridicule the politicians and leaders. Do they show any anger for exposing them?
2nd Member: We too want to write poems like yours. What advice would you give us?

(Questions 19 to 21): Answer any 2 questions. Each question carries 8 scores. (2 × 8 = 16)

Question 19.
Read the following advertisement put forward by the Research and Development wing of SammaaN to recruit Junior Assistant. Draft an application letter and resume.

Answer:
From:
Abdul Umar
11/XI Azad Road
Irinjalakuda
PIN: 680-125

To
The Officer In-Charge
Research and Development Wing
SammaaN Foundation
P.B. No. 395
Bihar
PIN: 180 123
3 August 2018

Dear Sir,
Sub: Application forthe post of a Junior Assistant.

This has reference to your advertisement appearing in “The Hindu”, dated 1 August 2018.

I am a graduate with additional skills in computer operations. I can handle 3 languages easily. I have excellent communication skills and I feel I can perform well if you give me an opportunity to work in your organization.

I can come for any interview at any time and in any place of your choice. I am enclosing my Bio-data and also copies of my certificates.

I assure you of full satisfaction if I am given a chance to work under you.
Hoping to hear from you,

Yours faithfully,
(Abdul Umar)
Encl: 3

BIO-DATA OF ABDUL UMAR:
Career Objective: To work in a firm where I can use my talents and capabilities for the welfare of all and also learn new things.
1. Name : Abdul Umar
2. Contact Address : 11/XI Azad Road, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, 680-125
3. E-mail : [email protected]
4. Mobile No. : 8547028876
5. Educational Qualifications:

• B.A. English, (2016), from Christ College irinjalakuda, with 80% marks.
• +2 (2013) from Don Bosco HSS, Irinjalakuda, with 85% marks.
• SSLC from Don Bosco, Irinjalakuda, with 79% marks.

6. Computer Skills : Tally
7. Experience : Worked for Kerala Solvent Extractions (P) Ltd, Irinjalakuda, for one year as an office clerk.
8. Languages known : Malayalam, Hindi, English
9. Hobbies : Reading and Outdoor Games
10. Special Abilities :

• I was on the Editorial Board of the College Magazine.
• I was a member of the College Football team

Referees:

• Joe Cheriyan, Lecturer in English. Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Phone No. 85470 255882.
• Gafoor Mohammed, Ward Member, Irinjalakuda Panchayat, Phone No. 0480-2825506.

I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sd/-
(Abdul Umar)

Question 20.
Study the poster given below:

Now, write an essay on ‘Co-existence of man and nature for sustainable living’ in about 150 words.
Answer:
Co-existence of man and nature for sustainable living: The world is facing a crisis today. We hear about dangerous things like global warming, ozone layer depletion, atmospheric pollution and many flora and fauna going extinct. If global warming continues at the present rate the polar ice will melt flooding the oceans which will drown coastal towns and cities. Some island countries would be wiped out completely.

Why are all these dangerous things happening? They are happening because of man’s greed and avarice’. He wants to exploit nature excessively. The results are easy to see. Our water is contaminated, there is too much plastic waste, there is heavy industrial waste, there is deforestation because of development projects that destroy our forests and convert them into concrete jungles. There is also noise pollution which badly affects our mind and thought processes.

Fortunately everything is not lost. There are some solutions to the problems. We should do our best to preserve our mangroves. We should protect our marine life. There are the Rs.3 that are significant – Reduce our consumption, Reuse the things and Recycle our waste. We should conserve our wild life. We should respect the earth and obey the environment protection laws. If we don’t do these things we are going to be in trouble. The earth is patient, but if we play with her patience she can unleash her fury – tsunamis and Okhis are manifestations of the anger of Mother Earth.

Question 21.
Read the poem carefully. Compare the poem with ‘Any Woman’.

The Heart of a Woman

The heart of a woman goes forth with the dawn
As a lone bird, soft winging, so restlessly on
A far o’er life’s turrets and vales does it roam
In the wake of those echoes the heart calls home.
The heart of woman falls back with the night,
And enters some alien cage in its plight,
And tries to forget it has dreamed of the stars
While it breaks, breaks, breaks on the sheltering bars.

– Georgia Douglas Johnson

Answer:
“The Heart of a Woman” by Maya Angelou (Not by Georgia Douglas Johnson as mentioned in the question paper) is a beautiful little poem which contrasts the dreams and desires of a woman with the actual realities. The heart of a woman goes out in the dawn as a lone bird and it roams about the towers and valleys of life.

But soon her heart remembers her home. She comes back in the night and is in her home like a caged bird. She then forgets all her fantastic dreams which break up against the realities of life. The poem is in rhyme with the scheme aabb. There is personification and repetition in it. It is pessimistic in tone.

“Any Woman” by Katherine Tynan shows the importance of the mother. She is the pillar of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. If you take her away, the roof and the wall will fall down. She is the fire upon the hearth, She is the light of the sun. She is the heat that warms the sun. The children get their warmth from her. She is the light of their love. Without her the children would not thrive. She holds the children together. She is the wall that protects the children from all kinds of dangers.

She constantly prays to God to keep her alive until her children are grown up. In this poem except in the first stanza the rhyme scheme is abab. There is personification and hyperbole here. There is also repetition. Between the two poems, I prefer “Any Woman” by Katherine Tynan as it is positive in its outlook.

Plus Two English Previous Year Question Papers and Answers