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ICSE-X ENGLISH-II 2011
SECTION A—DRAMA
As You Like It—Shakespeare
Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Duke Frederick :
You will take little delight in it, I can tell
you, there is such odds in the man: in pity of
the challenger's youth I would fain dissuade
him, but he will not be entreated. Speak to
him, ladies; see if you can move him.
Celia :
Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau.
Duke Fredrick :
Do so: I'll not be by. [Duke goes apart]
(i)
Where are Duke Frederick and Celia now ? To whom does Duke Frederick
say "You will lake little delight in it," ? Who is Monsieur Le Beau?
[3]
(ii)
Who is the challenger in the extract? What does Celia say to the
challenger?
[3]
(iii) What reply does the challenger give Celia and the other person present
there?
[3]
(iv) What is the result of the challenge? What does Duke Fredrick say to the
challenger when he comes to know about his identity?
[3]
(v)
What advice does Monsieur Le Beau give to the challenger at the end of the
scene? What further information does Monsieur Le Beau give to the
challenger when asked which of the two girls was the daughter of the
Duke?
[4]
Answer 1.
(i)
Duke and Celia are in a lawn outside the Duke's palace. The Duke is
addressing Rosalind and Celia. Monsieur Le Beau is a courtier or a
nobleman in the court of Duke Frederick.
(ii)
The challenger is Orlando, the hero of the play. Celia says that his fighting
spirit makes him overlook his youth. He has also seen the cruel proof of the
other man's strength. And take a lesson from it. She advises him to give up
the effort of challenging the court wrestler, and look for an equal. There-in
lies his safety.
(iii) Orlando tells Celia and Rosalind not to judge him too harshly by bearing
such an unfair opinion about his strength. Instead he requests the fair ladies
to wish him luck. He will not regret even if he is defeated as what shame
can befall a person who has never been gracious. His death will not make
any difference to the world. He has no one to lament for him. As it is, he is
just occupying a place which will be filled with a worthier person after his
death.
(iv) Charles, the professional wrestler is overthrown by Orlando. Duke is not
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(v)
happy to know the identity of the challenger. He wishes the winner were
the son of someone else other than his enemy, Rouland De Boys. He would
have then appreciated the deed done by Orlando.
Le Beau advises the challenger to leave the place as soon as possible as the
Duke is in a mood to misinterpret whatever he does or says. He also tells
Orlando that the smaller of the two girls is the daughter of the Duke,
although the girl has not inherited her father's nature. The taller one is the
daughter of the banished duke who has been detained in the palace to give
company to Frederick's daughter.
Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Orlando :
They shall be married to-morrow, and I will
bid the Duke to the nuptial. But, O how
bitter a thing it is to look into happiness
through another man's eyes. By so much !he
more shall I to-morrow be at the height of
heart-heaviness, by how much 1 shall think
my brother happy in having what he wishes
for.
Rosalind : Why then, to-morrow I cannot serve your
turn for Rosalind?
(i)
Where are Orlando and Rosalind now? Who are "they" mentioned in the
first line of the extract? Explain in your own words, "O him bitter a thing it
is to look into happiness through another man's eyes."
[3]
(ii)
Where did Rosalind and Orlando meet for the first time? What does
Rosalind mean by "Why then, to-morrow I cannot serve your turn for
Rosalind ?" What was Orlando's reply ?
[3]
(iii) What does Rosalind go on to says to Orlando to pacify him?
[3]
(iv) What does Orlando say to Adam about his condition in the beginning of the
play?
[3]
(v)
Give a character sketch of Rosalind. What is your opinion of Rosalind in
the play ?
[4]
Answer 2.
(i)
Orlando and Rosalind are in the Forest of Arden. They refer to Celia and
Oliver. Orlando regrets that he is not in a position to get the happiness of
being married to his beloved Rosalind but has to enjoy the pleasure by
seeing his brother happily married.
(ii)
Rosalind and Orlando met for the first time near the wrestling ground of
Frederick's palace. Rosalind, impersonating as Ganymede offers to act as
herself to please Orlando. So she asks him whether she can do the role of
Rosalind and be his bride. Orlando who is unaware of the true identity of
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(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Rosalind, says how long can he Jive in a dream world and pretend the
young man is his Rosalind.
Rosalind pacifies Orlando by saying that she has some knowledge of magic
as she had been associated with a great magician right from her childhood.
If Orlando loves Rosalind as strongly as his conduct reveals, she can use
her magic to bring her at the venue of the wedding between Celia and
Oliver. So he should come in his wedding attire to marry her.
Orlando complains to Adam about his life with Oliver, his elder brother.
Oliver ignores the terms of their father's will to educate Orlando. He keeps
Orlando like a rustic, uneducated ; whereas Jaques, his other brother studies
in college. His state is not better off than an ox. Even Oliver's horses are
treated better, Orlando attains only physical growth. All his qualities of
birth are undermined by the way he is treated like a labourer. The fighting
spirit inherited from his father is revolting against such treatment but he has
no idea how to remedy the situation.
Rosalind is a fascinating personality. She is attractive, cheerful and
intelligent and generous by nature. She is strong in nature and undergoes
difficulties with a positive attitude. She takes charge of her destiny as well
as Celia's. She is not a coy lover but takes initiative in expressing her love
for Orlando. At the same time she is essentially feminine in her nature. She
has no control over her heart as she falls in love at first sight. She faints at
the sight of Orlando's blood.
I feel that Rosalind is one of the most delightful female characters of
Shakespeare. She is not a weak, helpless woman but an energetic vivacious
character who wins our admiration with her wit, intelligence and generous
and loving nature. The play becomes memorable due to this pivotal
character.
Loyalties: John Galsworthy
Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
[Lady Adela goes out into her room and closes the door.]
Winsor :
Look here, De Levis! This isn't a hotel. It's the sort of thing
that doesn't happen in a decent house. Are you sure you're not
mistaken, and didn't have them stolen on the course?
De Levis : Absolutely. I counted them just before putting them under my
pillow; then T locked the door and had the key here. There's
only one door, you know.
Winsor :
How was your window?
De Levis:
Open.
Winsor :
[Drawing back the curtains of his own window]: You've got a
balcony like this. Any sign of a ladder or anything?
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(i)
Where are Winsor and De Levis at this time? Who is De Levis?
What has happened to De Levis?
[3]
(ii)
Who is Lady Adela? What instructions have been given to Lady Adela? [3]
(iii) Who enters the scene a short while later ? What questions have been put by
Winsor to the person who enters a short while later?
[3]
(iv) What suggestions are given to Winsor by the person who enters a short
while later? How does Winsor react to the suggestions?
[3]
(v)
On whom does De Levis express suspicion for what has happened to him?
What version does he give of how he thinks 'the deed was committed? [4]
Answer 3.
(i)
Winsor and De Levis are in the dressing room of Charles Winsor, the
owner of Meldon court. De Levis is young, rich, Jew, at present enjoying
the hospitality of the Winsors. De Levis lost a thousand pounds from his
room.
(ii)
Lady Adela is the wife of Charles Winsor. She has been instructed to call
Margaret and the Dancys, who are living at the manor as guests.
(iii) Treisure, the butler of the manor enters a short while later. Winsor asks him
who valets De Levis, when was he up last, when did he go to bed and
whether he was trustworthy.
(iv) Treisure suggests that the place should be cordoned off; no one should be
allowed to move out of the house. A complete search should be conducted.
Winsor refuses to suspect any one. He doesn't want his guests feel insulted
by the search.
(iv) De Levis suspects Ronny Dancy, an ex-army man and a guest at the manor.
Dancy at present has no money. He is an acrobat and has just proved that he
can take a standing jump on to a narrow bookcase four feet high and
balance there. The rail of his balcony, and the rail of the other balcony is
young Dancy's and the latter can easily make the seven feet jump.
According to Mr De Levis, Dancy came up, watched him go into the
bathroom, tried his door, slipped back into his dressing-room, saw his
window was open, took that jump, sneaked the notes, filled the case up,
wrenched the creeper outside for a blind, jumped back, and slipped
downstairs again. It wouldn't have take him four minutes altogether,
Question 4.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Mabel [utterly surprised] : Ronny ! Do they want me in Court ?
Dancy : No.
Mabel : What is it, then? Why are you back?
Dancy : Spun.
Mabel (Blank) : Spun? What do you mean? What's spun?
Dancy : The case. They've found out through those notes.
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Mabel : Oh! [Staring at his face] Who?
(i)
Where are Mabel and Dancy at this time? What was Mabel doing just
before this conversation?
[3]
(ii)
Why did Mabel say, "Do they want me in Court?" Explain the meaning of
the word "spun" in the extract.
[3]
(iii) What "notes" is Dancy talking about now? How does Mabel react
immediately after the extract?
[3]
(iv) Dancy leaves a note for his best friend towards the end of the play. What is
the name of his best friend? What is written in the note?
[3]
(v)
What does Dancy do at the end? Why does he do that? What is your
opinion of Dancy and Mabel?
[4]
Answer 4.
(i)
Mabel and Dancy are in the drawing room of their house. Mabel was sitting
on a sofa and going through a few news papers and sniffing at the salts in
an agitated manner.
(ii)
Mabel had been reading the reports about her husband's case of theft in the
court and thought perhaps she would be called to give evidence in his
favour. Dancy says that the case is spun which means the case is over or
resolved. They have found out the culprit through the missing notes.
(iii) The notes that Dancy had stolen from De Levis and given to a young lady
friend of his as a settlement after he got married. Ii was a debt of honour.
Mabel is horrified at the deception of her husband. At first she doesn't
believe what she has heard and buries her face in the pillow and cries.
(iv) The name of Dancy's best friend is Colford. Dancy had written mat his
suicide was the only decent thing I could do. The whole situation was too
unfair to his wife. It's only another jump. A pistol keeps faith. He tells his
friend to look after her. He also conveys his love to Colford and Mabel, his
beloved wife.
(v)
Dancy shoots himself. He did that as he had been sentenced to be in jail. He
felt that only death would save him and his wife from a life of dishonour.
He owed it to his wife who had been loyal to him towards the end. In spite
of Dancy being a scoundrel, we feel pity for him because of his true love
for his wife. Of course his hero like image .suffer-due to his crime and he
emerges as a weak character. Mabel is sweet young woman who loves her
husband unconditionally. In spite of knowing his crime and his affair with a
girl before marriage, she is willing to forgive him and wait till he is
released from jail. We admire the woman and her calm courage where as
we feel that Dancy doesn’t deserve a wife as sweet as her.
SECTION B—POETRY
The Golden Lyre
Question 5.
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Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
The old priest Peter Gilligan
Was weary night and day;
For half his flock were in their beds,
Or under green sods lay.
Once, while he nodded on a chair,
At the moth-hour of eve,
Another poor man sent for him,
And he began to grieve.
(The Ballad of Father Gilligan : W. B. Yeats)
(i)
Explain in your own words the meaning of "For half his flock were in their beds.
Or under green sods lay."
What is the meaning of "At the moth-hour of eve" ?
[3]
(ii)
What does Peter Gilligan say immediately after 'he began to grieve'?
[3]
(iii) Give a description of the nature as given by the poet immediately after
Peter Gilligan goes off to sleep.
[3]
(iv) What does Peter Gilligan cry out when he wakes up from his sleep?
What does he do immediately after he wakes up ?
[3]
(v)
What happens when he reaches his destination? Explain in your own words
the prayer Peter Gilligan utters al the end of [he poem.
[4]
Answer 5.
(i)
Half of the people under the priest's care were suffering from infectious
disease and they were bedridden; half of them were already dead and
hurried in their grave under the green grass. It shows the extreme poverty of
the people who could not afford grave stones.
The phrase 'moth hour of eve' means the time is of evening and it was
growing dark. It is called moth-hour because at this time lamps are lit in the
houses and these attract moths to the flame.
(ii)
Peter Gilligan grieves that he is dead tired: he has no lime for rest, no joy,
and no peace. Then he realizes his mistake and apologizes to God for
shirking his duty.
(iii) Immediately after Gilligan goes to sleep, stars appear and slowly grow to a
million. Leaves shake in the wind and God makes the night absolutely dark
and whispers to mankind through nature's lips.
(iv) Gilligan cries out 'Maverone, Maverone!': the man has died when he slept
on the chair. He immediately woke up his horse and rode fast to the dead
man's house.
(v)
When Gilligan reaches his destination, the widow seems surprised to see
him again. She informs him (hat, her husband died an hour ago as merry as
a bird as soon as the priest left. In other words, he had already visited the
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dead man before his death after which, the man died peacefully.
Giiligan says that God who has created night for the tired to sleep, sent one
of his angels to help Gilligan in his hour of need. God, who is the supreme
power and who has to look after the planets and the whole universe had pity
on a humble human being like him and allowed him to take rest.
Question 6.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
O, What can ail thee, knight-at-arms,
Alone and palely loitering?
The sedge has withered from the lake,
And no birds sing.
O, what can ail thee, knight-at-arms,
So haggard, and so woe-begone?
The Squirrel's granary is full,
And the harvest's done.
(La Belle Dame Sans Merci: John Keats)
(i)
What does the poet want to know from the knight-at-arms when he says
"O, what can ail thee. knight-at-arms,
Alone and palely loitering ?"
[3]
(ii)
What does the poet go on to say about the brow and cheeks of the knight-al
arms?
[3]
(iii) What reply does the knight-at-arms give to the poet? How does the knightat-arms describe the person he talks about?
[3]
(iv) What does the knight-at-arms do for the person he talks about?
[3]
(v)
What does the person talked about do for the knight-at-arms? On what note
does the poem end? How has the poem appealed to you?
[4]
Answer 6.
(i)
The poet Keats wants to know what is troubling the knight as he looks so
pale and is all alone wandering aimlessly on the hillsides in the cold winter
night.
(ii)
The poet goes on to say that the colour of the knight's brow is as white as
lily as though he is suffering from fever. The healthy rosy colour of his
checks has vanished.
(iii) The knight replies that he had met a mysterious lady in the meadows; she
might have been a' fairy's child'. She had long hair, walked with a light step
and had wild eyes.
(iv) The knight at arms made a garland for the lady's head, bracelets and a belt
too with wild flowers. He took her for a ride on his horse.
(v)
The lady sings songs for him. She gives him tasty roots, wild sweet honey
and manna dew to eat. She also takes him to a magic cave.
The poem ends on a sad and mysterious note. The lady vanishes leaving the knight
love-lorn and sad. Even though the winter has begun he still hopes that he
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will meet her one day. The poem has appealed to me because of the
mystery and suspense. It arouses our curiosity to know more about the
mysterious lady and also what will happen to the lover. We wonder
whether he will be able to meet her again. The poem is also appealing
because of its musical quality and imagery.
SECTION C—PROSE
A Treasure Trove of Short Stories
Question 7.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously.
"I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact," he said
slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want."
"If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy,
wouldn't you?" said Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder.
"Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that'll just do it.
(i)
What is 'the paw' Mr. White is talking about? Where are Mr. White
and Herbert at this time? What were they doing at the beginning of the
story ?
[3]
(ii)
How did Mr. White get hold of the paw? What is said about the paw?
[3]
(iii) When Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds what happens?
[3]
(iv) What does Herbert say about the fulfillment of the wish as he wishes his
parents good night ?
[3]
(v)
In what tragic way is the wish fulfilled'.' Bring out the suspense created by
the author at the end of the story.
[4]
Answer 7.
(i)
Mr. White is talking about a driedup monkey's paw which his friend
/sergeant Major Morris brought from India. The characters are sitting in
their Laburnum Villa. They were playing chess.
(ii)
Mr. White got the paw from his friend Sergeant Major Morris. When Mr.
White expressed his curiosity about the paw his friend had mentioned
earlier, the Major showed it to him and talked about the magical quality of
it to grant wishes. Suddenly, he threw it into the fire but Mr. White stooped
down and snatched it off. When he wanted to know how the wishes were
made, the sergeant advised him to make sensible wishes. An old Fakir had
cast a spell on it to show that fate ruled people's lives and those who
interfered with it had sorrowful consequences. The paw could grant three
wishes to each of the three persons at different times. The first man had his
three wishes granted and his third wish was for death.
(iii) When Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds, he feels the paw twisting
in his hands like a snake. A fine crash from the piano greets his words. A
strong wind blows outside and the door outside makes a banging sound. He
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(iv)
(v)
shakes with shock. He is bewildered when his son says that he can find the
money in a huge bag in the middle of his bed.
Herbert talks about the monkey's paw in a frivolous way.
The Whites get two hundred pounds as a compensation for their son's
accidental death. The suspense at the end of the story is griping. When Mrs.
White wants her husband to wish their son come back, he does it reluctantly
and soon the paw falls down 1'rom his hand; the darkness is oppressing; the
burning candle casts its dark shadow; a knocking is heard at the door. As it
is repeated, Mrs. White runs screaming to the door. She is not able to reach
the bolt. Mr. White makes the third wish and the knocking stops. The road
looks deserted in the flickering street lamp.
Question 8.
Describe what happens in "Art Astrologer's Day" from the time Guru
Nayak arrives till he leaves.
[16]
Answer 8.
The story 'An Astrologer's Day' written by R.K. Narayan describes
humorously the encounter between him and his past enemy, Guru Nayak. The
story takes place in the little town of Malgudi. As the story unfolds, we come to
know that both had a fight years back. The astrologer pushed him into a well.
Thinking lhat the man was dead, he took up the profession of an astrologer. He
could escape the police under me make-up and dress of an astrologer. His saffron
coloured turban and the forehead with sacred ash and vermilion gave authenticity
to his looks.
One day the astrologer was about to leave for home, when a man came to
him. Sensing a possible client, the astrologer told him that he looked careworn and
it would do him good if he talked to him. He began to talk about the stranger's
nature but his client was not interested. Then he told him he charged only three
paise per question. The other man threw him an anna and said if he could not
answer his questions, he should return the money with interest. Later a bargain
was struck that if he answered right he would be given eight annas or he would
have to give double if the wrong answer was given. When he saw the other man's
face he felt uneasy and decided to leave. He fell as though the whole world came
to a stand still. But the other man did not allow him to go. 'A challenge is a
challenge', he insisted. He wanted to know whether he would succeed in his
present search. Finally the astrologer agreed to answer for One rupee for the right
answer. After a good deal of haggling the other agreed. The astrologer said, "You
were left for dead. Am I right?" He also predicted that a knife had passed through
him once. The other man was impressed and he bared his chest to show the scar.
The astrologer continued, “And then you were pushed into a well nearby in the
field. You were left for dead." He replied that he would have been dead if some
passerby had not chanced to peep into the well. Overwhelmed by enthusiasm he
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asked "When shall I get at him?"
The astrologer replied, "In the next world," "He died four months ago in a
far-off town. You will never see any more of him." The other groaned on hearing
it. The astrologer called his name and Guru Nayak was shocked. He asked him to
take the next train lo his village. "I see once again great danger to your life if you
go from home." He took out a pinch of sacred ash and held it to him. "Rub it on
your forehead and go home. Never travel southward again, and you will live to be
a hundred."
The other person did not want to leave .He wanted to choke the life out of
the person who pushed him to the well. He wished his enemy also must have met
with a horrible death. "Yes." said the astrologer. "He was crushed under a lorry,"
The other looked gratified to hear it. The stranger had gone off into the night, after
giving the astrologer a handful of coins.
A great load was off his mind that day. He told his wife, "I thought I had
the blood of a man on my hands all these years. That was the reason why I ran
away from home, settled here, and married you. He is alive. “To her shocked
response he said that when he was a silly youngster both of them drank, gambled,
and quarreled badly one day and he pushed him into a well thinking he was dead.
Then he went off to sleep.
Animal Farm : George Orwell
Question 9.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
'Comrades,' he said, 'here is a point that must be settled.
The wild creatures, such as rats and rabbits - are they our
friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. I propose this
question to the meeting : Are rats comrades?'
(i)
Name the speaker. What makes the speaker say the above words?
[3]
(ii)
What is done immediately after the extract? What is found out?
[3]
(iii) What advice does the speaker go on to give the comrades?
[3]
(iv) The speaker talks about his dream later. What does he say about his
dream?
[3]
(v)
What is the effect of the song that is sung later? How do the comrades sing
the song? How is the song interrupted?
[4]
Answer 9.
(i)
The speaker is Major an award winning boar. He wants the animals to rebel
against the atrocities of Mr. Jones, the owner of the Manor Farm. Before he
dies, he wants to ensure the animals cooperate with each other and make
the rebellion a success. He wants them to be aware of their rights. Since
rats are not farm animals and dogs and cats don't take to them kindly, he
wants them to be aware that all are comrades in this rebellion and they
should stand together.
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(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
A vote is taken to know whether the animals consider rats as comrades and
it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades It was
found out that the dogs voted against and the cat had voted on both the
sides.
The Major advised the animals to remember it is always their duty to have
enmity towards Man and all his ways. Their motto should be 'Whatever
goes upon two legs is the enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has
wings, is a friend'. They should also bear in mind that in fighting against
Man, they must not come to resemble him. Even when they have conquered
him, they should not adopt his vices. No animal must ever live in a house,
or sleep in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or
touch money, or engage in trade. All the habits of Man are evil. And above
all, no animal must ever tyrannize over his own kind. Weak or strong,
clever or simple, they are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other
animal. All animals are equal."
He says that the dream is of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished.
It used to be sung by his mother and other sows when he was young. The
words of the song have been lost to memory for generations but in his
dreams he could recollect the words.
The singing of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement.
Even before Major had reached the end, they had begun singing it for
themselves. Even the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and
a few of the words. The clever ones, like the pigs and dogs, learned the
entire song by heart within a few minutes. After a few preliminary tries, the
whole farm burst out into 'Beasts of England' in tremendous unison. The
cows lowed it, the dogs whined it, the sheep bleated it, the horses whinnied
it, the ducks quacked it. They were so delighted with the song that they
sang it right through five times in succession, and might have continued
singing it all night if they had not been interrupted.
The song is interpreted as the song of freedom from tyranny and
exploitation. It is about a golden future when tyrant man will be overthrown
and beast will rule the land. Rings from their noses will vanish and there
will be no more cruel whips. This song has a universal appeal as it relates to
all the people living under dictatorship .This represents the communist
ideology of common people having power and work for themselves rather
than live for autocrats.
Question 10.
Describe in your own words 'The Battle of the Cowshed.'
[16]
Answer 10.
The Battle of Cowshed' happened early in October. A flight of pigeons
landed in the yard of Animal Farm in the wildest excitement. The reason was
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Jones and all his men, with other people from Foxwood and Pinchfield, had
entered the five-barred gate and were coming towards the farm. They were all
carrying sticks. Jones, the erstwhile owner was marching ahead with a gun in his
hands. Obviously they were going to recapture the farm.
This was expected long back, and all preparations had been made.
Snowball, who had studied an old book of Julius Caesar's campaigns was in
charge of the defensive operations. He gave his orders quickly, and in a couple of
minutes every animal was at his post.
As the human beings approached the farm buildings, Snowball launched his
first attack. All the pigeons, flew over the men's heads and attacked upon them
from mid-air; the geese, who had been hiding behind the hedge, rushed out and
pecked at the calves of their legs.
However, this was only a light form of attack, intended to create a little
disorder, and the men easily drove the geese off with their sticks.
Snowball now launched his second line of attack. Muriel. Benjamin, and all
the sheep, with Snowball at the head of them, rushed forward and prodded and
butted the men from every side, while Benjamin turned around and lashed at them
with his small hoofs. But once again the men, with their sticks and their hobnailed
boots, were too strong for them; and suddenly, a squeal was heard from Snowball.
Thinking it was the signal for retreat, all the animals turned and fled into the yard.
The men gave a shout of triumph, and rushed after them in disorder. This
was just what Snowball had intended. As soon as they were well inside the yard,
the three horses, the three cows, and the rest of the pigs, who had been lying in
ambush in the cowshed, suddenly emerged in their rear, cutting them off.
Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. He himself dashed straight for Jones.
Jones saw him coming, raised his gun and fired. The pellets scored bloody streaks
along Snowball's back, and a sheep dropped dead. Without halting for an instant,
Snowball flung his fifteen stone body against Jones's legs. Jones was hurled into a
pile of dung and his gun flew out of his hands. But the most terrifying spectacle of
all was Boxer, rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod
hoofs like a stallion. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the
skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. At the sight, several men dropped their
sticks and tried to run. Panic overtook them, and the next moment all the animals
together were chasing them round and round the yard. They were gored, kicked,
bitten and trampled on. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take
vengeance on them in his own fashion. Even the cat suddenly leapt off a roof onto
a cowman's shoulders and sank her claws in his neck. The men rushed out of the
yard. And so within five minutes of their invasion they made an ignominious
retreat with a flock of geese hissing after them and pecking at calves all the way.
At the men were gone except the dead one. Boxer felt guilty and sad."No
sentimental, comrade!” cried Snowball. "War is war. The only good human being
is a dead one." The animals reassembled in the wildest excitement, each talking at
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the top of his voice. A celebration of the victory was held immediately. The flag
was hoisted and 'Beasts of England' was sung a number of times, then the sheep
who had been killed was given a solemn funeral, a hawthorn bush being planted
on her grave. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech, stressing on the need
for all animals to be ready to die for Animal Farm if need be. The animals decided
unanimously to create a military decoration, "Animal Hero, First Class," which
was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer. There was also "Animal
Hero, Second Class," which was conferred posthumously on the dead sheep.
There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. In the
end, it was named the Battle of the Cowshed, since it was (heir the battle took
place. Mr. Jones's gun had been found lying in the mud. It was decided to set the
gun up at the foot of the Flagstaff, like a piece of artillery, and to fire it twice a
year-once on October the twelfth, the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed,
and once on Midsummer Day, the anniversary of the Rebellion.
To Sir, With Love : E.R. Braithwaite
Question 11.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Denham looked at me pityingly, slipped the gloves off his
large hands and casually dropped them at my feet. He had
made his point. Looking quickly at the others I could read
the disappointment and disgust in their faces. They thought
I was afraid, scared of the hulking, loutish fellow.
'Okay, let's go.'
(i)
Who is Denham? Where does this incident take place?
Who was supposed to be Denham's pair?
[3]
(ii)
What does the narrator realize about Denham when they begin to box?
How does the narrator defend himself?
[3]
(iii) Give a brief account of another incident during the P.T. session between
Mr.Bell and Buckley.
[3]
(iv) Who is the Headmaster of Greenslade Secondary School ? Give a physical
description of the man.
[3]
(v)
Give an account of the conversation the Headmaster had with the narrator
before he accepted The job about the way children were treated in the
school.
[4]
Answer 11.
(i)
Denham is a student of Greenslade Secondary School which Braithwaite
has just joined. Although he is an "uncouth lout" of the class, he is a good
boxer and has a considerable fan following. The incident takes place in the
school gym during PT period. Sapiano another student of the same grade
was supposed to be his partner.
(ii)
The narrator realizes that Denham is really good at boxing and quick on his
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(iii)
(iv)
(v)
feet. The narrator defends himself by trying to avoid his blows by dodging.
He tries to parry and side step so that he will not injure the boy.
Mr. Bell, the relief teacher was a stickler for perfection. He was particularly
hard on Richard Buckley, a short fat, least athletic boy. Noticing the
absence during the PT session with vaulting horse, he roared and advanced
towards the boy menacingly and out of fear, the boy threw himself on the
buck and both came crashing down. Buckley lay unmoving and pale and
the rest of the boys rushed to help. Potter, normally a very congenial person
broke a metal bound leg of the buck and advanced toward Bell screaming
and swearing. Luckily Braithwaite walked into the room, distracted Potter
and took the club from him.
The Headmaster of Greenslade School is Mr. Florian. He is short and a
little hunch backed but well dressed. His head is large for his small body
frame and covered with curly white hair. His face is thin and tanned but
youthful with high cheekbones, a hooked nose and a full mouth. His large,
slightly bulging brown eyes seem to be filled with excitement and wonder.
Mr Florian tells the author that the children in the school are generally
termed "difficult" because of the defiant behaviour of some of the junior
school children According to him, no corporal punishment should be given
to them. Poverty and environment make them face a lot of stress and
pressure that affect their mental, physical emotional and spiritual being.
The teachers should understand and help and support them. Even if they are
rude, smoke and use foul language they should be shown affection, and
guided so that they acquire confidence. They should be encouraged to
speak for themselves; they should be having "disciplined freedom" to
express themselves without fear.
Question 12.
Give a detailed account of the first job interview Mr. Braithwaite had in the
Head Office of a firm in Mayfair which had a vacancy for a qualified
Communications Engineer.
[16]
Answer 12.
To Sir With Love" is a semi autobiographical narration of a Negro's
experiences in the class and colour conscious society of Britain during in the early
20th century. The protagonist's skills and qualification were not appreciated as he
was a black. It was by the sheer dint of determination and courage that he held on
and made an impact in his chosen career. The author gives a touching narration of
his interview he had in the Head Office of a firm in Mayfair for a qualified
Communications Engineer.
Braithwaite held a science degree and had a varied experience in
engineering technology. He had a very good chance of getting a good civilian job
as industries were looking for qualified technologists in the field of electronics. He
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received very encouraging replies from all the three calls for interview.
Braithwaite took great care of his appearance for the Mayfair interview. He
wore his best suit, a shirt to match, tie and pocket handkerchief. He wore shining
shoes, his teeth sparkled and wore a radiant smile. He was nervous as he stood in
from of the building as it had high international reputation.
The moment the secretary came (o know that he had come there for an
interview, her expression changed. Her smile disappeared and she seemed to be
rather cold towards him. She looked into the diary to verify whether he was the
applicant since his name seemed to be English but he turned out to be a black man.
She spoke on the phone furtively. She told him to follow her walked haughtily to
the office.
Mr. Braithwaite was shown into a spacious room where four men sat at a
large table. After the introductions and basic pleasantries, he was questioned on
telecommunications and the development of electronics. The intensive questions
were deliberate but they put him at ease. His nervousness began to vanish, as he
confidently answered all the questions on the theory, equipment, circuits and
operations of a subject he was familiar and up to date with. He began to enjoy the
interview as the many years of study and hard work, the extensive field work and
research came handy. He never knew the interview had a foregone conclusion as
he was discriminated for his colour.
Mr. Symonds very calmly told him that although his colleagues and he
were more than satisfied with his credentials and abilities, they would not be able
to employ him as it would place him in apposition superior to that of their other
English employees. That would put the firm’s relationship al risk. Braithwaite
realized that the whole interview was a farce in the first place. He was disgusted
and hurt. He stumbled out of the building. He felt nauseated as he realized the
truth and realty of being a Negro in Britain. He promptly informed the other two
firms that he was a Negro and as expected he was informed the post had already
been filled. It was a classic case of racial prejudice.
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