December, 2023
BEGLA-137 : LANGUAGE THROUGH LITERATURE
Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100 marks
Note : Answer all the questions.
1. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below that :
Climate change is a rapidly growing problem that affects the entire planet. It is caused by the release of green house gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to an increase in global temperatures, known as global warming. The effects of climate change are wide-ranging and include rising sea levels, more intense storms and change in precipitation patterns. One of the main causes of climate change in human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels of energy. The burning of coal, oil and natural gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the green house effect. Deforestation, agriculture and transportation are also significant contributors to the problem. To address the issue of climate change, there are several strategies that can be implemented. Reducing carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is one way to decrease the amount of green house gases in the atmosphere. Also, implementing policies to promote sustainable agriculture and reforestation can also help to combat climate change.
Questions :
(a) What is the main cause of climate change ? 2 marks
Ans:
The main cause of climate change is human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy.
(b) How does the release of green house gases contribute to climate change ? 2 marks
Ans:
The release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, traps heat from the sun in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures, known as global warming.
(c) What are some of the effects of climate change ? 2 marks
Ans:
The effects of climate change include rising sea levels, more intense storms, and changes in precipitation patterns.
(d) How can the problem of climate change be addressed ? 2 marks
Ans:
The problem of climate change can be addressed by reducing carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and implementing policies to promote sustainable agriculture and reforestation.
(e) What are some human activities that lead to climate change ? 2 marks
Ans:
Human activities that lead to climate change include the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, agriculture, and transportation.
2. Add prefixes to the following words to make opposite : 2*5=10 marks
Eligible – Ineligible
Satisfied – Dissatisfied
Relevant – Irrelevant
Healthy – Unhealthy
Lucky – Unlucky
3. Complete the following sentences using appropriate conjunction : 5 marks
(a) I cannot help you now, ……………. you don’t listen to my advice.
Ans:
I cannot help you now, because you don’t listen to my advice.
(b) They will miss the train ……………. they hurry.
Ans:
They will miss the train unless they hurry.
(c) Both of them did not go ……………., they were not invited.
Ans:
Both of them did not go because they were not invited.
(d) Earth is bigger ……………. Mars.
Ans:
Earth is bigger than Mars.
(e) He jumped ……………. he won the match convincingly.
Ans:
He jumped because he won the match convincingly.
4. Write short notes on any two of the following : 2×5=10 marks
(a) Alliteration
Ans:
**Alliteration** is a literary device where consecutive words in a phrase or sentence begin with the same consonant sound. It is often used in poetry, tongue twisters, and prose to create rhythm, mood, or emphasis. Here’s a brief overview:
– **Definition**: The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words.
– **Purpose**: Alliteration enhances the musical quality of a piece of writing, making it more engaging and memorable. It can also draw attention to specific words and themes, adding emphasis.
– **Examples**:
– “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
– “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
– “A big bully beats a baby boy.”
Alliteration is a powerful tool in the hands of writers and poets, helping to create a sense of flow and harmony in their works.
( b) Exaggeration
Ans:
**Exaggeration** is a rhetorical device and a figure of speech in which statements are made that are far beyond the bounds of reality. It’s used to emphasize a point, create humor, or dramatize a situation. Here’s a concise overview:
– **Definition**: The act of making something seem more significant or extreme than it is in reality.
– **Purpose**: Exaggeration draws attention to specific qualities or situations by overstating them. It can be employed for comedic effect, to underline a point, or to create a vivid image in the reader’s or listener’s mind.
– **Examples**:
– “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
– “I’ve told you a million times.”
– “He ran faster than the speed of light.”
Exaggeration is a powerful tool in both everyday language and literature, adding intensity and color to communication.
(c) Oxymoron
Ans:
**Oxymoron** is a figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory terms are placed together to create a paradoxical effect. This literary device is used to highlight complexity, create a dramatic effect, or provoke thought by combining opposites. Here’s a concise overview:
– **Definition**: The juxtaposition of two opposing or contradictory words to reveal a deeper or more nuanced meaning.
– **Purpose**: Oxymorons are used to illustrate conflicting ideas or to underscore the complexity of a situation. They can add depth, humor, or irony to writing.
– **Examples**:
– “Bittersweet” (combining the contradictory feelings of bitterness and sweetness).
– “Deafening silence” (emphasizing a profound silence that feels overwhelming).
– “Living dead” (highlighting the paradox of something being both alive and dead).
Oxymorons are a powerful literary tool that can make language more vibrant and thought-provoking.
(d) Rhetoric
Ans:
**Rhetoric** is the art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing, often characterized by the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. It is an essential skill in public speaking, literature, and everyday communication. Here’s a brief overview:
– **Definition**: The art of using language to inform, persuade, or motivate an audience.
– **Purpose**: Rhetoric aims to influence the attitudes, beliefs, or actions of the audience through the strategic use of language. It involves crafting messages that resonate with the audience’s emotions, logic, and ethics.
– **Components**:
– *Ethos*: Establishing the speaker’s credibility and trustworthiness.
– *Pathos*: Appealing to the audience’s emotions.
– *Logos*: Using logical arguments and evidence.
– **Examples**:
– Politicians delivering speeches to gain support.
– Advertisements using emotional appeals to sell products.
– Writers employing rhetorical devices to enhance their arguments in essays.
Rhetoric is a powerful tool that shapes our communication, allowing us to connect with others and influence the world around us.
5. Define any two of the following literary devices with suitable example : 2×5=10 marks
a) Metaphor
Ans:
**Metaphor** is a literary device that directly compares one thing to another, suggesting that they are alike in a significant way. Unlike a simile, which uses “like” or “as” to make a comparison, a metaphor asserts that one thing is another, often to highlight a particular quality or aspect.
– **Definition**: A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true but helps explain an idea or make a comparison by stating one thing is another.
– **Purpose**: Metaphors create vivid imagery and make abstract ideas more tangible. They enrich writing by adding layers of meaning and can evoke emotions or convey complex concepts in a relatable way.
– **Example**: “Time is a thief.”
– In this metaphor, time is compared to a thief. It suggests that time steals moments and experiences from our lives just as a thief would steal physical possessions.
b) Symbol
Ans:
**Symbol** is a literary device where an object, character, figure, or color is used to represent abstract ideas or concepts beyond its literal meaning. Symbols are often used to convey deeper meanings, themes, and insights within a story, poem, or other literary work.
– **Definition**: A symbol is a person, object, place, or event that stands for something beyond its literal meaning, often representing broader concepts or ideas.
– **Purpose**: Symbols add depth and layers of meaning to a work, allowing writers to convey complex ideas and emotions in a more subtle and impactful way. They can evoke emotions, create connections, and provide insight into the themes and messages of the piece.
– **Example**:
– **The Mockingbird in “To Kill a Mockingbird”**: The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and goodness. The characters of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are likened to mockingbirds—innocent beings harmed by the evils of society.
Symbols enrich literature by adding a hidden layer of meaning, inviting readers to explore and interpret the underlying messages.
c) Irony
Ans:
**Irony** is a literary device that occurs when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant. It often creates a surprising or humorous effect and can underscore deeper meanings within a text.
– **Definition**: Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, or when the outcome of a situation is contrary to what was expected.
– **Purpose**: Irony can emphasize contradictions, highlight the absurdity of situations, or provide a deeper layer of meaning. It can be used to create humor, critique, or evoke a strong emotional response from the audience.
– **Types of Irony**:
– **Verbal Irony**: When someone says one thing but means another. Example: Saying “What a beautiful day” during a storm.
– **Situational Irony**: When there is a stark difference between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. Example: A fire station burns down.
– **Dramatic Irony**: When the audience knows something that the characters do not. Example: In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the audience knows Juliet is alive, but Romeo believes she is dead.
Irony adds complexity and depth to literature and can enhance the reader’s engagement and understanding.
d) Pun
Ans:
**Pun** is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or similar-sounding words, for a humorous or rhetorical effect. Puns are often used in literature, jokes, and everyday conversation to create amusement and showcase linguistic creativity.
– **Definition**: A pun is a joke that makes use of a word’s multiple meanings or words that sound similar but have different meanings.
– **Purpose**: Puns add humor and wit to a conversation or text. They can also demonstrate the cleverness of the speaker or writer and make the language more engaging.
– **Examples**:
– “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
– “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”
– “A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.”
Puns can be a fun and playful way to enhance language, making it more enjoyable and lively.
6. Correct the following sentences : 5×2=10 marks
(a) Her performance was best than others.
Ans:
Her performance was better than others.
(b) The temperature of Amritsar is hotter than Delhi.
Ans:
The temperature of Amritsar is higher than that of Delhi.
(c) Ram is one of his best friends and he has gone to meet him.
Ans:
Ram is one of his best friends, and he has gone to meet him
(d) The food was indelible.
Ans:
It seems like there’s a small mix-up here. “Indelible” means something that cannot be erased or forgotten, which doesn’t quite fit when describing food. A more suitable word might be “inedible,” meaning not fit for consumption.
So, the corrected sentence would be: The food was inedible.
(e) He did not wrote the test last week.
Ans:
He did not write the test last week.
7. Fill in the blanks with suitable preposition : 10×1=10 marks
(a) Ram returned ……………… his journey to London.
Ans:
Ram returned from his journey to London.
(b) The plane did not land ………………. the runway.
Ans:
The plane did not land on the runway.
(c) The boy climbed ……………… the tree without help.
Ans:
The boy climbed up the tree without help.
(d) Rohan moved the table ……………… dining room.
Ans:
Rohan moved the table into the dining room.
(e) She will have finished the home work ……………. Friday.
Ans:
She will have finished the homework by Friday.
(f) Rakesh has been waiting for her ……………. seven o’clock.
Ans:
Rakesh has been waiting for her since seven o’clock.
(g) It is not safe to walk alone in the street ……………. night.
Ans:
It is not safe to walk alone in the street at night.
(h) Rohit has been working in this office ………….. last ten years.
Ans:
Rohit has been working in this office for the last ten years.
(i) The thief hid himself ……………. the table.
Ans:
The thief hid himself under the table.
(j) Everyone was amazed …………….. her brilliant performance.
Ans:
Everyone was amazed by her brilliant performance.
8. Make sentences with the following phrasal verbs so that their meaning gets clear. 5*2=10 marks
a) Run out of
Ans:
We’ve run out of milk, so I’ll need to stop by the store to buy more.
By the time the project was due, they had almost run out of time to complete it.
She realized she had run out of ideas for the presentation and needed to brainstorm with her team.
The phrasal verb “run out of” means to use up a supply of something so that there is none left.
b) turn off
Ans:
Don’t forget to turn off the lights before you leave the room.
He felt that her rude behavior would turn off any potential friends she might have made.
Please turn off your phone during the movie to avoid disturbing others.
The phrasal verb “turn off” means to stop the operation or flow of something (like a light, machine, or faucet), or it can also mean to cause someone to lose interest or feel aversion.
c) break down
Ans:
The car broke down on the way to the airport, causing them to miss their flight.
After hearing the sad news, she broke down and started to cry.
The negotiations broke down due to a disagreement over the terms.
The phrasal verb “break down” can mean to stop functioning (often referring to machines or vehicles), to lose emotional control, or for a process or system to fail.
d) put out
Ans:
Please put out the fire before leaving the campsite to ensure it’s completely extinguished.
He didn’t want to put out his neighbors by asking for help with moving the furniture.
The company decided to put out a new product line to meet the increasing demand.
The phrasal verb “put out” can mean to extinguish (as in a fire), to inconvenience someone, or to release or produce something.
e) look after
Ans:
She needs someone to look after her pets while she’s away on vacation.
He was trusted to look after his younger siblings when their parents were at work.
It’s important to look after your health by eating well and exercising regularly.
The phrasal verb “look after” means to take care of someone or something.
9. Identify and explain the figures of speech in the following sentences : 5×2=10 marks
(a) He swims like a fish.
Ans:
The sentence “He swims like a fish” contains a simile.
Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a similarity between them.
In this sentence, the comparison is made between “he” (the person swimming) and a “fish” to emphasize that he swims very well, just like a fish, which is naturally adept at swimming.
(b) The wind whispered secrets in my ear.
Ans:
The sentence “The wind whispered secrets in my ear” contains personification.
Personification: This figure of speech attributes human qualities or actions to non-human entities or objects.
In this sentence, the wind is given the human ability to “whisper” secrets, which creates a vivid and imaginative description of the wind’s movement and sound.
(c) I am over the moon about it.
Ans:
The sentence “I am over the moon about it” contains an idiom.
Idiom: An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. Idioms are often culturally specific and are used to convey certain feelings or thoughts in a colorful way.
In this sentence, “over the moon” means extremely happy or delighted, rather than literally being over the moon.
(d) The weatherman said that it was going to be sunny but it rained all day.
Ans:
The sentence “The weatherman said that it was going to be sunny but it rained all day” contains irony.
Irony: Irony is a figure of speech in which the intended meaning of the words is different from (and often opposite to) their literal meaning or what is expected. There are several types of irony, and this sentence exemplifies situational irony, where an event turns out to be the opposite of what was expected.
In this case, the expectation set by the weatherman (sunny weather) contrasts sharply with the actual outcome (rain all day).
(e) He was a lion on the battlefield.
Ans:
The sentence “He was a lion on the battlefield” contains a metaphor.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things by stating that one thing is another, which helps to illustrate a particular quality or characteristic.
In this sentence, “he” is being compared to a “lion” to emphasize his bravery, strength, and ferocity in battle, qualities that are typically associated with lions.
10. (a) Add suffixes to make adjective forms : 5×1=5 marks
Delight
Ans:
Delightful
Care
Ans:
Careful
Child
Ans:
Childish
Method
Ans:
Methodical
Happy
Ans:
Happiness
(b) Use the following words in sentences as directed : 5×2=10 marks
Advice (verbs)
Ans:
Here are a few sentences using the word “advice” with different verbs:
- Follow her advice if you want to succeed in your career.
- He didn’t take my advice, and now he’s facing the consequences.
- Can you give me some advice on how to improve my presentation skills?
- She always offers valuable advice when it comes to personal finance.
Harm (adjective)
Ans:
Here’s a sentence using the word “harm” with an adjective form:
- The factory’s waste was found to be harmful to the local wildlife.
Produce (adjective)
Ans:
Here’s a sentence using the word “produce” with its adjective form “productive”:
- The team had a very productive meeting and managed to finalize their plans for the upcoming project.
Press (verb)
Ans:
Here are a few sentences using the word “press” as a verb:
- Press the button to start the machine.
- She had to press her clothes to get rid of the wrinkles.
- He decided to press the issue further during the meeting.
Protect (adjective)
Ans:
Here’s a sentence using the word “protect” with its adjective form “protective”:
- The mother bird was very protective of her nest, keeping a close watch over her eggs.