“This is only the first step on the ladder, my dear better-half! Yes……the first step that would…..God willing … mark the rise to fame and fortune of your beloved husband!”

(a) What was “the first step on the ladder”?

(b) What characteristic does the speaker display here?

(c) What does the word, ‘fortune’ mean?

Some of us have often been ridiculed for poor time management and lack of punctuality. You feel that it affects the image of our country. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily in 100-120 words, mentioning the reasons for our weakness and how we can change ourselves. You are Arun/Aruna, 24 Mall Road, Agra.

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

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!

(a) By whom have the above lines been spoken?

(b) Why is the speaker meek with the butchers?

(c) Write the antonym of the word, ‘gentle’.

Answer any four of the following in 30-40 words each:

(a) Give two examples of the use of supernatural in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

(b) Why did the poet throw the log at the snake?,

(c) What idea did Patol Babu have while rehearsing? What was the director’s reaction?

(d) Why did the spirit in the Ouija Boards call Hallock a traitor?

(e) Why did Calpurnia not want Caesar to go to the Senate?

Answer the following in 80-100 words:

You are one of the crew. After the mariner kills the albatross, you have to suffer and there is no hope of survival. Write a diary entry of your feelings of regret and remorse.