IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR BOARD EXAMINATION
I - PROSE
TWENTY MINUTES WITH MRS. OAKENTUBB
Q: What is the importance of the label on the suitcase of Mrs. Oakentubb?
Q: What is the opinion of Mrs. Oakentubb and the Man about chance meetings?
Q: Write a brief character-sketch of the man OR Porter.
Q: Why was Mrs. Oakentubb sentenced for 18 months imprisonment?
REFLECTIONS ON THE REAWAKENING EAST
Q: Why is it insular for European historians to term the centuries after the fall of Roman Empire, “The Dark Ages”?
Q: Why does Bertrand Russell consider it useless to resist industrialization?
Q: What advice does Bertrand Russell give to the Eastern Nations?
Q: How is traditional culture threatened in an age dominated by science and machinery?
THE DAY THE DAM BROKE
Q: How did the panic start in the cinema on High Street and how was order restored?
Q: How did Thurber’s mother cope with the situation in the Day the Dam Broke?
Q: Why did Dr. Mallory think that flood waters were about to engulf him in the lesson “The Day the Dam Broke”?
Q: What do we learn about human behaviour from the Day the Dam Broke?
PAKISTAN AND THE MODERN WORLD
Q: Briefly state the main reason given by Liaquat Ali Khan for the Muslim’s desire not to continue living in a united India?
Q: According to Liaquat Ali Khan, What were the difference between the Hindus and the Muslims of India?
Q: ‘Our administrative machinery had to be built up from scratch.’ What does this sentence mean?
Q: On what grounds does Liaquat Ali Khan assert that the first duty of the Pakistanis as a free people is to themselves?
Q: According to Liaquat Ali Khan, what is the true meaning of freedom?
ACT III OF THE SILVER BOX
Q: Was justice done to the family of Mr. James Jones? OR Why does the trial of Jones seem to be unfair in “Act III of the Silver Box”?
Q: What crimes had Mr. Jones committed in the ‘ACT III of Silver Box’?
Q: What led the constable to arrest and charge James Jones as well as Jane Jones?
Q: What system has been criticized by James Galsworthy in his lesson “Act III of the Silver Box”?
THE WORLD AS I SEE IT
Q: What is Einstein’s attitude towards leadership or democracy?
Q: What is Einstein’s attitude towards war?
Q: On what grounds does Einstein put the individual before the State?
Q: What is Einstein’s attitude towards “property, luxury and outward success”?
THE DEVOTED FRIEND
Q: Briefly explain why the story of Hans and the Miller was applicable to the Water-rat.
Q: What justification did the Miller give for not visiting Hans in winter?
Q: Why was Hans unable to look after his garden? What promise was the Miller constantly holding out before him?
Q: Which act of selfishness of the miller caused Hans to lose his life?
AN ASTRONOMER’S VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE
Q: How does Jeans justify his assertion that “the Universe appears to be actively hostile to life like our own”?
Q: Why is the origin of life still a riddle to the scientist?
II - POETRY
SEVEN AGES OF MAN:
Q: What is the importance of the fifth and sixth age of man?
Q: “Jacques takes a humorous view of the human life in Seven Ages of Man.” Discuss.
Q: Why does Shakespeare call world a stage and men and women mere players?
Q: Why was Duke and group of noblemen living a life of exile in the forest of Arden?
THE MAN OF LIFE UPRIGHT
Q: What are few qualities of Campion’s Man of Life Upright?
Q: “He can behold with unaffrighted eyes, The horrors of the deep and terrors of the skies”. What does Campion mean by that?
Q: How does Campion’s man spend his silent days?
LINES FROM SAMSON AGONISTIS
Q: How did Samson take revenge upon his enemies?
Q: How did Samson Agonists die in the poem Samson Agonists?
Q: Who were the enemies of Samson’s race?
Q: How did Philistines take Samson captive?
LINES FROM AN ESSAY ON MAN
Q: “Blindness to future is a blessing in disguise.” Discuss with reference to the poem Lines From An Essay On Man.
Q: What are the two blessings of God described by Alexander Pope in his poem Lines from An Essay on Man?
Q: Why does Pope consider death as the best teacher?
Q: What according to Alexander Pope is death of Noble Natures?
AN ELEGY WRITTEN IN THE COUNTRY CHURCHYARD
Q: What is an elegy? Describe with reference to the poem An Elegy Written “An Elegy Written In The Country Churchyard”.
Q: Which three famous historical figures are mentioned in the poem “An Elegy Written In The Country Churchyard”?
Q: What scene has been depicted in the poem “An Elegy Written In The Country Churchyard”?
THE SOLITARY REAPER
Q: Why does William Wordsworth ask if someone could tell him what the Solitary Reaper sings?
Q: With which two birds the poet has compared the song of Solitary Reaper?
Q: What is the theme of the song of Solitary Reaper?
Q: What are Hebrides? What was the Solitary Reaper doing as she sings the song that inspired William Wordsworth to compose The Solitary Reaper?
MUSIC WHEN SOFT VOICES DIE
Q: What is the theme of the poem “Music When Soft Voices Die”?
Q: What happens to the Rose Leaves when the Rose is dead?
Q: What examples are given by P.B Shelly in his poem Music When Soft Voices Die?
Q: “And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone, love itself shall slumber on”. Explain.
LINES FROM ENDYMION
Q: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Elaborate with reference to the poem Lines From Endymion.
Q: What Objects of beauty are discussed by Keats in his poem Lines From Endymion?
Q: What is the idea of John Keats about beauty?
Q: What connection man has with earth according to John Keats?
SAY NAUGHT THE STRUGGLE NOT AVAILETH
Q: What three examples are given by the poet in his poem Say Naught The Struggle Not Availeth?
Q: Why does the comrades chase fliers?
Q: What does the poet mean by “If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars”?
Q: What does the waves do at back when they seem to die on main land?
LINES FROM ULYSSES
Q: “Ulysses symbolizes human strength and bravery at its best.” Elaborate with reference to the poem Lines From Ulysses.
Q: How does Ulysses inspire his mariners for a last adventure?
Q: “Made weak by time and fate but strong in will, To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.” Explain these lines from the poem Lines From Ulysses?
Q: What does Ulysses say about old age?
THE LOST STAR
Q: What, according to the poet, G Allana, is the purpose of our creation?
Q: What does he (G Allana) mean by infinitude of God in his poem The Lost Star?
Q: What does the poet do and what he believes he has turned into?
III - NOVEL (THE PoZ)
CHARACTER SKETCHES:
1. Rudolf Rassendyll 2. Princess Flavia
3. Colonel Sapt 4. Madam De Mauban
5. Black Michael 6. Rupert of Hentzau
QUESTIONS: (both short and Long)
Q: State three qualities of Rudolf Rassendyll.
Q: What were the main differences between both Rudolf Rassendyll and Rudolf Elphberg?
Q: Do you consider Rudolf Elphberg the best king of Ruritania? Justify your answer with reason.
Q: What was the importance of the first meeting of the hero with the King Rudolf?
Q: Why was Duke Michael not eligible for the crown of Ruritania? OR Who is the villain in the novel “Prisoner of Zenda” and why?
Q: How much was the throne endangered by the careless attitude of the real king- Rudolf Elphberg?
Q: How does Colonel Sapt convince Rudolf Rassendyll to play the role of the king for the coronation ceremony?
Q: What were the circumstances that led Rassendyll to impersonate the king?
Q: Describe the efforts taken by Col Sapt to save Ruritanian Throne.
Q: Briefly describe the processions of Coronation Ceremony of Rassendyll as the King of Ruritania.
Q: Who are “The Six”? What part do they play in the novel?
Q: Rupert is a dashing daredevil. Comment.
Q: Madam de Mauban played a magnificent role in the novel “The Prisoner of Zenda”. Comment. OR
Q: Why and how did Madam Mauban betray Black Michael?
Q: Who invited Rudolf Rassendyll to the Summer House and How?
Q: Compare and contrast the characters of Princess Flavia and Madam De Mauban.
Q: Describe the importance of Ball.
Q: How does the tea-table incident turn the table of Michael’s plans?
Q: What was Michael’s security plan / arrangement regarding his conspiracy?
Q: What invention was given the name “Jacob’s Ladder” by Rupert? What was its use?
Q: How and by whom was Duke Michael murdered? OR
Q: How did Madam de Mauban become the cause for Black Michael's murder?