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ICSE Guess >ICSE Papers > Question Bank > Class X > 2004 > English Literature

General Instructions

1. Attempt five questions in all.
2. You must attempt one question from each of the Sections A, B and C and any two other questions.
3. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets.

SECTION A - DRAMA
Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

Question 1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:-

(i) Why does Caesar want the opinion of the priests? Later what reply does the servant bring from the augurers? [3]

(ii) Describe the dream that Calphurnia had because of which she does not want Caesar to stir out of the house. [3]

(iii) Mention any three horrid sights seen by the night watchman. [3]

(iv) Later, who compels Caesar to 'go forth'? Mention two reasons the person gives to make Caesar ignore Calphurnia's advice. [3]

(v) With close reference to the play, bring out two qualities of Caesar as a great leader. [4]

Question 2
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:-

(i) Who does Cassius refer to as 'them' in the last line of the extract? Earlier in the scene why is Cassius not in favour of going to Philippi? [3]

(ii) State Brutus' reasons for wanting to march to Philippi. [3]

(iii) Explain the comparison given by Brutus between a tide at sea and human affairs. [3]

(iv) Later in the scene Cassius says, 'This was an ill beginning of the night.' What is the 'ill beginning' that is referred to? Explain its cause. [3]

(v) 'Cassius is the originator of the conspiracy against Caesar.' Discuss his reasons for wanting to get rid of Caesar. [4]

The Winslow Boy : Terence Rattigan

Question 3
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Where does Ronnie return from? What is the reason behind Ronnie's returning home unexpectedly? How does he get into the house?[3]

(ii) Other than what Violet mentions in the extract, which three aspects of Ronnie's behaviour surprise her?[3]

(iii) Why is nobody else at home? When they return a short while later, whom are they talking about? What do Grace and Dickie say about the person?[3]

(iv) How and when does Catherine discover that Ronnie is back? Describe his appearance when she sees him.[3]

(v) Who is Violet? Comment on the importance of her role in the Winslow household. Later in the play, why does Arthur feel the need to dispense with Violet's services? How does Grace feel about this decision?[4

Question 4
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

(i) From where has Sir Robert just come? What is the 'account of the day's proceedings'?[3]

(ii) Why does Sir Robert tell Arthur, 'Your daughter has forestalled me'? State the two reasons given by Catherine to account for, Sir Robert's interest in the Winslow case.

(iii) Briefly state why after his first cross-examination of Ronnie, Sir Robert comes to the conclusion that Ronnie is innocent.[3]

(iv) While talking about the 'day's proceedings', Catherine describes Sir Robert's demonstration during the First Lord's speech as 'magnificent'. Why does she consider it so? [3]

(v) At this point, Arthur receives a letter from Colonel Watherstone. State the contents of the letter. How do Arthur and Catherine feel about the letter? Why?[4]

SECTION B - POETRY
Wings of Poesy

Question 5
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:-

Whose feet were those tinkling with anklets,
Touching his breast of a sudden?
He woke up startled, and the light from a
woman's lamp struck his forgiving eyes.

(i) 'He' in the extract refers to Upagupta. Who is Upagupta? Describe the place where he lay asleep. [3]

(ii) Describe the 'woman' mentioned above. What does she say to Upagupta when he wakes up? [3]

(iii) What does Upagupta say in reply to the woman's words? Why are his eyes referred to as 'forgiving'?[3]

(iv) Later in the poem, where does Upagupta meet the woman again? State her condition at this point of time. Why does Upagupta consider it as the appropriate time to meet her?

(v) (l) How has the poet contrasted the weather at the time of two meetings between Upagupta and the woman?

(2) Name the poet. What message is conveyed through the poem?

Question 6
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:-

The time when most I loved my task These two must make me love it more By coming with what they came to ask. You'd think I never had felt before The weight of an axe-head poised aloft. The grip on earth of outspread feet, The life of muscles rocking soft And smooth and moist in vernal heat.

(i) Who are 'I', and 'these two' referred to in the extract? From where have 'these two' come? What have they come to ask? [3]

(ii) In the poem, how does the poet express his efficiency at the task he is engaged in? How does he think he should use his energy instead? [3]

(iii) Describe the poet's feelings at the presence of 'these two'. In what way is his attitude different from theirs concerning the 'task'? [3]

(iv) Explain with the help of an example the poet's description of the unpredictability of weather. [3]

(v) The poet says, 'My object in living is to unite my avocation and my vocation.' What is meant by avocation and vocation? Why does the poet say that they must be united? How does the poet finally resolve his dilemma?[4]

SECTION C - PROSE
A Miscellany of Short Stories

Question 7
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

And l ran home bursting with indignation at having forced a quarrel upon Labhu, When really he only told me his stories for my amusement. Labhu went away for a while on a hunting tour with the Subedar. He didn't come back to the village when this tour finished, because Subedar Deep Singh's eldest son Kuldeep Singh, who was a Lieutenant in the Army, took him for a trip across Himalayas to Nepal.

(i) Who is Labhu? Describe his appearance. Which particular quality of his makes him adopt his profession?

(ii) What are the things the narrator learns from Labhu? Give an instance to show how Labhu teaches him by example.

(iv) Describe the changes the narrator notices in Labhu when he returns from the hunting trip to Nepal.

(v) Citing an incident from the story, describe Labhu as a story teller. How far do you agree with the author's choice of the title of the story? [4]

Question 8
With close reference to the story 'The Night the Bed Fell', write a vivid and detailed account of the chaos that follows when the narrator rolls off his bed. Bring out the humour in the story. [6]

The Old man and the Sea**
(Ernest Hemingway)

Question 9**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

'I may not be as strong as I think', the old man said. 'But I know many tricks and I have resolution.'
'You ought to go to bed now so that you will be fresh in the morning.
I will take the things back to the Terrace.'
'Good night then. I will wake you in the morning.'
"You're my alarm clock,' the boy said.

(i) What does the old man meant by 'But I know many tricks and I have resolution'? In what context are these lines spoken? [3]

(ii) What is the 'Terrace'? Name its owner. What things have to be taken back to the Terrace? [3]

(iii) Give an account of the conversation between the old man and the boy regarding baseball just before the above extract? [3]

(iv) Describe the dream the old man has when he falls asleep a short while later. What effect does this dream have on him? [3]

(v) Give a physical description of the old man as given by the author in the beginning of the story, why does the boy stop accompanying the old man on his fishing trips? With the help of two instances, describe how the boy shows his love for the old man? [4]

Question 10**
Briefly narrate the incidents that take place from the time the old man returns after his fishing trip till the end of the story. Which qualities of the old man have impressed you the most? Why? [16]

The Village by the Sea
(Anita Desai)

Question 11
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

As she was getting ready to go, there was a commotion outside − the unfamiliar sound of a motor roaring up the narrow lane and then the astonishing sight of a car bumping over the grass to the white bungalow, Mon Repos.

(i) Where has Lila been getting ready to go? Why does she have to go there herself?[3]

(ii) Who arrives in the car? What errands does Lila run for the occupants?[3]

(iii) Why does Lila change her plan on seeing the car? Is this a good decision that she takes ? Justify your answer. [3]

(iv) How does Lila's father react to the news she gives him the following night? [3]

(v) Give a brief description of Lila's character based on evidence from the story. [4]

Question 12
The day Hari decides to ask Biju for a job, he hears the argument between Biju and the man from the tin shack. Shortly afterwards, he hears the speech given by the young man, Adarkar, the organiser from Alibagh. With close reference to the above, show how these two incidents affect Hari? [16]