Answer the following question in 150 – 200 words:

What does Anne’s diary reveal about the steadily worsening economic and social conditions during the war?

OR

What is your impression of Peter?

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Helen did not confine herself to acquiring knowledge, but also enjoyed herself by taking part in outdoor activities. Elaborate.

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Which traits of Helen’s character appeal to you most? Give a reasoned answer.

Anne's diary reveals a lot about the worsening economic and social conditions. The war forced Jews to suffer in unbelievable ways. Scarcity of food was one of it. People had to stand in queues for food and as a result, there was massive starvation. Burglary had become common, especially among little children. Lack of proper clothing forced people to wear torn and worn out clothes. Germans used Jewish men to fight in the war and were therefore being shipped off to Germany, away from their families. Prices of essential commodities were rising at alarming levels. Black marketing was also becoming common. The concentration camps established by the Germans forced many into mental and physical trauma.

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Through Anne’s narration in her diary, we can see that Peter is lazy and doesn’t really have a noticeable character. He also seems to be awkward and shy. But as time progresses, Peter can seem a bit careless and doesn’t show any interest in improving himself. He isn’t passionate and is rather satisfied with taking the easy path of life. However, he is quite observant and thoughtful. He finds it difficult to confide in anyone, even his parents. He however starts confides in Anne which shows that he is an introvert, sensitive and takes time to open up. Over time, it can be seen that Peter warms up to Anne and a romantic relationship develops between Anne and Peter. He is peace-loving and doesn’t wish to get into fights with Anne.

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Helen had a special love for nature. She used her sense of touch and smell to appreciate the true beauty of nature. Books weren’t her only pleasure. She loved taking part in outdoor activities. Right from a young age, she was very enthusiastic. She particularly had many opportunities to experience the ocean. learned to row and swim when she was a child. Sailing was her favourite outdoor activity. She enjoyed sitting on a rock at the edge of an ocean and feel the waves splash against it. During the moonlit nights, she enjoyed canoeing. She also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as playing with her dogs and taking a ride on her bicycle. When she lived in New York, she enjoyed taking a walk through Central Park. Irrespective of the season, Helen enjoyed the pleasures of nature.

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Helen faced many hurdles and challenges throughout her life. Loss of sense of hearing, speech and sight caused frustration in her. Her education too was a struggle. Hearing disability along with seeing disability made it very difficult to learn. Despite this, she remained determined. She was motivated by her innate passion for learning and she successfully overcome the challenges of learning. Speaking was yet another impossible task, especially due to her hearing disability. Tone and pronunciation didn’t come to her naturally. She had to practice several times. She never gave up despite getting discouraged at times. She showed true strength of character and courage. Her patience, determination and perseverance were an inspiration.