Q9 of 22 Page 1

Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each. 8

(a) What do the terms ‘trunkless legs’ and ‘shattered visage’ signify?


(b) Why was the dead albatross hung around the neck of the ancient mariner?


(c) What is the poet’s instant reaction when he catches sight of a snake near his water trough?


(d) How did Patol Babu react to the news given to him by Nishikanto Ghosh?


(e) Why did the news of the miracle recovery shock Michael?

(a) The “shattered visage” which is a massive crumbling stone head lies half buried in the sand and gives us the first close image of a fallen king. It describes something in pieces. The legs which are “vast” but “trunkless” are two contrasting images. The legs are in a desert, giving the image of a vast barren land with just the remains of the statue.


(b) The sailors removed the holy cross and hung the dead albatross around the neck of the ancient mariner as a form of punishment for his wanton act of killing an innocent and harmless bird. This would be a constant reminder of the heinous act he had committed due to which he was not worthy of the holy cross around his neck.


(c) The poet’s instant reaction on seeing a snake near his water trough is one of fear. He then observes the snake more closely out of a sense of curiosity and is quite easily fascinated by its graceful and dignified movements which appeal to the poet.


(d) Patol Babu had never expected such news that too at the start of the day. It was beyond his wildest dreams that an opportunity to act in a film would come to a 52-year old non-entity like him. So he was extremely excited about receiving this news from Nishikanto Ghosh. He was so excited to hear this news that he even mixed up his wife’s shopping list while buying provisions.


(e) The news article mentioned that a fourteen-year-old boy called Sebastian Shultz, who had gone into a coma following an accident had miraculously recovered. Michael was shocked to read this because when he saw the picture of Sebastian, he realized that he was the same person whom he had met in the virtual world and was trying to rescue him. Michael couldn’t understand how the boy in the game and the one who just came out of coma could be the same.


More from this chapter

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3

Many species of animals are getting extinct. This is going to disturb the ecological balance. Write a letter in about 100-120 words to the editor of a newspaper on why this is happening and on the need for conservation. You may take help from the unit, ‘Environment’ and from the notes given below. You are Rohit / Rachna, 21 Esplanade Road, Nainital. 5

• Poaching


• Deforestation


• Upsets balance of the ecosystem


• Strict implementation of laws against poaching

 5

Complete the passage given below choosing the correct alternatives. 3

I was a 13-year old boy (a)………………… a neighbor from our apartment building asked me to carry (b) …………. some coal for her heating and cooking every day. She was a (c)…………….. lady, who lived on the fifth floor. Carrying coal to our second floor flat had been one of my (d) ………………. at the time. Grandma thought that I shouldn’t take (e)………………. money from my neighbor, but my mother thought there was nothing wrong with it. So I had a chance to learn (f)…………………


(a) (i) where (ii) whose (iii) when (iv) who


(b) (i) out (ii) in (iii) away (iv) up


(c) (i) respectfully (ii) respectable (iii) respectful (iv) respect


(d) (i) chore (ii) work (iii) chores (iv) works


(e) (i) some (ii) any (iii) little (iv) no


(f) (i) which (ii) what (iii) when (iv) where

 3

You happened to notice a lot of garbage strewn in your locality. The inefficiency of the authorities in clearing the garbage on time has resulted in an unbearable stink. The people feel that this indifference is sure to spread diseases. Write a letter in about 100 �120 words to the editor of a newspaper on this problem and what you think can be done to curb this menace. You can take help from the unit on ‘Environment’ and the hints given below. You are Raju/Renuka, 251, Gitanjali Apartments, Delhi. 5

• Proper garbage dumping facility


• The civic sense in people


• Resident association to take charge


• Authorities to be alert

 5

Complete the passage given below choosing the correct alternatives. 3

Bilaal first learnt the value of helping (a)……………… children when he was four. He saw pictures of the utter (b)………………….. the earthquake in Bhuj had caused. Even at that young age Bilaal (c)…………….. imagine the suffering of the children left without parents.


(a) (i) others (ii) another (iii) other (iv) another


(b) (i) destructed (ii) destruction (in) demolition (iv) destruct


(c) (i) could (ii) can (iii) should (iv) would