(a) Answer any two of the following in 80-100 words each :

(i) There is a difference in the way school was being played at the beginning and at the end. What is the change and why ? (I Can Play School)

(ii) How according to Pandit Nehru, can danger add zest to life ? How can it spice our life and what does it teach ?

(iii) In ‘The Judgement of Paris’, who do you think deserved to win Suzanne’s hand ? Why do you think so ? Justify your stand.

(b) Answer the following in 120-150words :

The insects usually considered irritable have been called noble by the author. Give reasons for it and how is man responsible for making them irritable ?

(i) Earlier, the class was almost mute. It was lifeless. There was no interaction. This was because Marian’s only company was dolls. But it grew interesting as time passed. This was because of Freda. She had a very sparkling appearance, as Anne wanted. She was enthusiastic and full of life. She liked to interact and socialize. She had no one to play with and thus, she enjoyed a lot with Marian. This added life to the school and made its atmosphere brighter.

(ii) Through this, Pandit Nehru wanted to emphasize the fact that ordinary life is dull and monotonous. So to make it adventurous, some elements of danger should be there. From a distance, danger looks harmful, but when the challenge is overcome, it gives a lot of satisfaction and happiness. One cannot live life to the fullest without facing and overpowering danger. Dangerous and difficult situations also teach us wisdom. It teaches us that rather than worrying about danger, we should try to overpower it and appreciate the satisfaction that we will get after its completion.

(iii) Quinquart deserved Suzanne’s hand because he was a better actor, and he had also proven it. There is no doubt that Robichon was an excellent actor and mesmerized everyone with his acting and his delivery of eloquent speeches. He was a perfect actor. But Quinquart got the better of him a even he could not recognize Quinquart when he was playing Marquis’ role. Robichon could only trick the audience but Quinquart tricked Robichon. Quinquart was better than the best, hence, he deserved Suzanne’s hand.

(b) Insects are peace-loving organisms of nature. They never harm people unless provoked. Many insects are even beautiful. Many insects have some or the other unique characteristics which give pleasure to anyone who notices them. Some insects are harmful but they do not cause harm to anyone unless they are provoked. This shows how noble they are and this is because the author calls them so. Some insects, such as bees, attack humans or other creatures only when they are feeling threatened and are harmed by others. They are a very important part of the ecosystem. They form an indispensable part of the food-chain, without which life would not be possible on earth. They are, thus, supporting life on earth and that too without any demands. This proves that they are such noble creatures.

OR

Rakesh was a well-established and a busy doctor and could have easily settled in America. But he knew that to do so, he would have to leave behind his parents, which he did not want. So he did not go to America and lived in the small house along with his parents. He loved and cared about his parents a lot. This has been proved by many instances in the text. He married the girl which his mother had chosen for him. He was very caring towards his father. He used to take care of his diet, read out news items from the newspaper to him in the morning and also used to take him for a walk. He also looked after his mother very sincerely in her last days. These facts prove that he used to devote adequate time to his parents despite his busy schedule.