BEGLA 137 June 2024 Question Paper with Answers

June, 2024

BEGLA–137 : LANGUAGE THROUGH LITERATURE

Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100

Note : Attempt all questions.

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

In the first week of June 1982, I began a secular pilgrimage deep into the Alakananda valley. My destination was Gopeshwar, a town that clings to a hill somewhat short of Badrinath, and the living deity I wished to pay tribute to was Chandi Prasad Bhatt, founder of the Chipko Movement.

Chandi Prasad Bhatt was born in a family of priest who tended the temple of Rudranath. It is part of the ‘Panch Kedar’, the five Himalayan temples dedicated to Shiva, the most venerated of which is Kedarnath. As a boy, Chandi Prasad went up often to the family shrine, the journey also alerting him to local traditions of folk ecology. When he walked through the alpine pasture he had to take off his shoes so as not to harm flowers. In one four kilometre stretch above the Amrit Ganga, there was a ban on spitting, coughing and pissing : on anything all the that might cause pollution in the river below. There were taboos on plucking plants before the festival on Nandasthmi, in September.

Once, on the walk to Rudranath, Chandi Prasad met a shepherd burning the flowers of the sacred and beautiful Brahmakamal. He asked why, it being the week of Nandasthmi, and the shepherd answered that he wouldn’t have, normally, except his stomach ached horribly and the extract of the flower would cure him. But, the offender quickly added, he had broken off the plant with his mouth, like a sheep, so that the deity would think it nature’s natural order rather than the hand of man at work. He acquired such informal education in ecology. He joined the Garhwal Motor Owners Union (GMOU) as a booking clerk. With the GMOU he was posted up and down the Alakananda villages. He says, his year selling bus tickets alerted him to the social diversity of India.

(Reference of the passage : Fluency in English by MacMillan, Page No. 78)

(a) Why narrator calls his journey a ‘secular pilgrimage’ ?

Ans:

The narrator calls his journey a “secular pilgrimage” because it is not a religious journey but rather a quest to honor and pay tribute to Chandi Prasad Bhatt, the founder of the Chipko Movement, which is rooted in environmental and social causes rather than religious devotion.

(b) Which activity was banned during the week of Nandasthmi festival ?

Ans:

During the week of Nandasthmi festival, activities such as plucking plants were banned as part of local traditions of folk ecology to prevent harm to the environment.

(c) The incidence of the shepherd in the passage points out what aspect of Indian national life ?

Ans:

The incident of the shepherd points out the aspect of Indian national life where traditional beliefs and practices are intertwined with nature and ecology. It highlights the respect for natural order and informal education in environmental conservation embedded in cultural practices.

(d) Find a word from the passage which is same as ‘reverence’ and make a sentence of the word.

Ans:

The word from the passage which is the same as ‘reverence’ is ‘venerated’. Sentence: The ancient temple is venerated by pilgrims from all over the country.

(e) Identify and name the liberty device used in the phrase ‘secular pilgrimage’.

Ans:

The literary device used in the phrase ‘secular pilgrimage’ is oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory terms are combined to create an expressive effect.

2. Write short notes in about 150 words each on any two of the following : 10 × 2 = 20

(a) Homophones

Ans:

Homophones are words that sound the same when pronounced but have different meanings and often different spellings. They can be tricky in writing since they can easily be confused. Here are a few examples:

Their, There, and They’re:
- Their refers to possession, like “Their house is big.”
- There indicates a place, like “The book is over there.”
  - They’re is a contraction of “they are,” like “They’re going to the market.”
  1. To, Too, and Two:
    - To is a preposition, like “I am going to the store.”
    - Too means also or excessively, like “I want to go too” or “That’s too much.”
    - Two is the number 2, like “I have two cats.”
  2. Right and Write:
    - Right can mean correct or a direction, like “You are right” or “Turn right.”
    - Write means to form letters and words, like “Please write your name.”
  3. Bear and Bare:
    - Bear can mean the animal or to carry, like “A bear is in the woods” or “I can’t bear the pain.”
    - Bare means uncovered, like “The room was bare.”
  Understanding homophones is important for clear communication and effective writing. They demonstrate the richness and complexity of the English language.
  
  (b) Onomatopoeia
  
  Ans:
  
  Onomatopoeia is a literary device where words are used to imitate natural sounds associated with objects, actions, or phenomena they refer to. These words create a vivid auditory effect in the reader’s mind, enhancing the sensory experience of a text.
  
  Examples:
  1. Animal Sounds:
    - Buzz: The sound made by bees. Example: “The bees buzzed around the garden.”
    - Moo: The sound made by cows. Example: “The cows mooed loudly in the field.”
  2. Nature Sounds:
    - Splash: The sound made by something hitting water. Example: “He jumped into the pool with a big splash.”
    - Rustle: The sound of leaves or paper moving. Example: “The leaves rustled in the wind.”
  3. Human-made Sounds:
    - Bang: The sound of a loud explosion or impact. Example: “The door slammed shut with a bang.”
    - Tick-tock: The sound of a clock. Example: “The clock tick-tocked quietly in the room.”
  Onomatopoeia helps to make descriptions more dynamic and engaging by appealing directly to the sense of hearing, thereby making the reader feel as if they are experiencing the sounds in real-time.
  
  (c) Rhythm
  
  Ans:
  
  Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences in speech, music, poetry, and prose. It is created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables, the alternation of short and long sounds, and the repetition of elements. In literature and speech, rhythm helps to convey mood, enhance the flow of the text, and engage the audience’s emotions.
  
  Examples:
  1. Poetry:
    - In poetry, rhythm is often created through meter, which is the structured pattern of syllables. For example, the iambic pentameter is a common meter in English poetry, consisting of five pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables:
      - “Shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer’s DAY?”
  2. Music:
    - In music, rhythm is the beat and tempo that drive the movement of a piece. It is the timing of the musical sounds and silences, which can be regular or irregular, and is essential for the overall feel of the music.
  3. Prose:
    - In prose, rhythm can be more subtle but still influential. It can be achieved through sentence length variation, punctuation, and the arrangement of clauses. For example:
      - “The sun set slowly, casting long shadows across the field. Birds sang their evening songs, and the air grew cool.”
  Rhythm is a fundamental aspect of language and art that enhances the expressive quality of a work, making it more dynamic and memorable.
  
  (d) Cohesion
  Ans:
  
  Cohesion refers to the quality of being logically and seamlessly connected in writing, speech, or any form of communication. It ensures that the various parts of a text or conversation fit together well, creating a unified and comprehensible whole. Cohesion is achieved through the use of cohesive devices such as conjunctions, pronouns, transition words, and other linking elements that tie sentences and paragraphs together.
  
  Examples:
  1. Conjunctions: Words like “and,” “but,” “so,” and “because” connect ideas within and between sentences.
    - Example: “She wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining.”
    1. Pronouns: Words like “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” and “this” refer back to previously mentioned concepts, maintaining continuity.
      - Example: “John lost his keys. He searched for them everywhere.”
    2. Transition Words: Phrases like “however,” “therefore,” “in addition,” and “for example” guide the reader through the text by showing relationships between ideas.
      - Example: “The weather was terrible. However, we decided to go hiking.”
    3. Repetition of Key Terms: Repeating important words or phrases to reinforce the main idea and keep the text focused.
      - Example: “The proposal was rejected. The rejection came as a surprise to everyone.”
    Cohesion is crucial for clear and effective communication, as it helps readers and listeners follow the flow of ideas and understand the connections between different parts of a text or conversation.
    1. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the following sentences : 10
      
      (a) The plants in her house silently begged to be watered.
      Ans:
      
      The figure of speech used in the sentence “The plants in her house silently begged to be watered” is personification.
    Personification is a literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts. In this sentence, the plants are given the human ability to “silently beg,” which emphasizes their need for water in a vivid and imaginative way.
    
    (b) Barry bought a book to bring to the backyard barbecue.
    Ans:
    
    The figure of speech used in the sentence “Barry bought a book to bring to the backyard barbecue” is alliteration.
    
    Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words. In this sentence, the repeated “b” sound in “Barry,” “bought,” “book,” “bring,” “backyard,” and “barbecue” creates a rhythmic and catchy effect.
    
    (c) Can you spare your wallet ?
    
    Ans:
    
    The figure of speech used in the sentence “Can you spare your wallet?” is metonymy.
    
    Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it. In this case, “wallet” is used to represent money or financial help, as the wallet is an object closely associated with carrying money.
    
    (d) He is running faster than the wind.
    
    Ans:
    
    The figure of speech used in the sentence “He is running faster than the wind” is hyperbole.
    
    Hyperbole is a rhetorical device that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect. In this case, “running faster than the wind” is an exaggeration to emphasize how fast the person is running, even though it is not literally possible to outrun the wind.
    
    (e) Deep down you are really shallow.
    
    Ans:
    
    The figure of speech used in the sentence “Deep down you are really shallow” is paradox.
    
    Paradox is a statement that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense but may, in fact, reveal an underlying truth. In this case, the contradiction between “deep down” and “really shallow” creates a paradox that highlights an unexpected or ironic truth about the person’s character.
    1. Match the modal verbs/phrases with their meanings : 10
      
      (A) Must be (1) Nearly impossibleAns:
      
      (2) Almost certain (B) Could be (2) Almost certainAns:
      
      (5) Possible
    (C) Might be (3) Possible but unlikely
    
    Ans:
    
    (3) Possible but unlikely
    
    (D) Can’t be (4) Necessary
    
    Ans:
    
    (1) Nearly impossible
    
    (E) Need to (5) Possible
    
    Ans:
    
    (4) Necessary
    
    5. Complete the sentences by using the correct form of the words given : 10
    
    (a) The sculpture looks ………….. simple. In fact it was extremely complicated to make. (deceive)
    
    Ans:
    
    The sculpture looks deceptively simple. In fact, it was extremely complicated to make.
    
    (b) Advances in technology mean that the world of film is constantly …………… changes. (Go)
    
    Ans:
    
    Advances in technology mean that the world of film is constantly going through changes.
    
    (c) Raj ……………. Delhi last weekend. (visit)
    
    Ans:
    
    Raj visited Delhi last weekend.
    
    (d) My uncle ……………… a watch for me on my next birthday. (send)
    
    Ans:
    
    My uncle will send a watch for me on my next birthday.
    
    (e) It ……………… heavily yesterday. (rain)
    
    Ans:
    
    It rained heavily yesterday.
    
    (f) Why does she not ……….. to school. (go)
    
    Ans:
    
    Why does she not go to school?
    
    (g) I …………… sugar for ` 40 a kilo. (sell)
    
    Ans:
    
    I sell sugar for ₹40 a kilo.
    
    (h) When we travel, my sister usually ………. . (sleep)
    
    Ans:
    
    When we travel, my sister usually sleeps.
    
    (i) After listening the joke Sumit started ………… . (giggle)
    
    Ans:
    
    After listening to the joke, Sumit started giggling.
    
    (j) We …………….. in the bus tommorrow morning. (travel)
    
    Ans:
    
    We will travel in the bus tomorrow morning.
    
    6. Fill in the blanks in the passage below with the most appropriate idioms given in the box. Make necessary changes to the idioms to make them grammatically fit in with the sentence : 10
    
    keep/place in perspective; a flair for; established pattern; draw your attention to; like a duck into water; toy with an idea
    
    (a) I would like to ………….. the fact that this area has gone without water for a whole week.
    
    Ans:
    
    I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this area has gone without water for a whole week.
    
    (b) Reena took to acting……………… .
    
    Ans:
    
    Reena took to acting like a duck to water.
    
    (c) She had ……………. singing and dancing which made up for her inability to learn her script.
    
    Ans:
    
    She had a flair for singing and dancing which made up for her inability to learn her script.
    
    (d) My father wanted me to follow the ……….. and practice law like he did and his father before him.
    
    Ans:
    
    My father wanted me to follow the established pattern and practice law like he did and his father before him.
    
    (e) But since I very much wanted to be a singer I …………….. of running away from the home but could not muster the courage to do so.
    
    Ans:
    
    But since I very much wanted to be a singer, I toyed with the idea of running away from home but could not muster the courage to do so.
    
    7. Use correct articles in the following sentences : 5
    
    (a) We should eat …………… apple a day.
    
    Ans:
    
    We should eat an apple a day.
    
    (b) He is ……………. intelligent student.
    
    Ans:
    
    He is an intelligent student.
    
    (c) He is ………….. university student.
    
    Ans:
    
    He is a university student.
    
    (d) Give me …………….. book I gave you yesterday.
    
    Ans:
    
    Give me the book I gave you yesterday.
    
    (e) Always help …………….. poor and needy.
    
    Ans:
    
    Always help the poor and needy.
    
    8. (a) Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate linking words indicating a casual or temporal relation : 5 marks
    (i) There was hardly any space for me next to my son ……….. . I decided to lean back against the window and sit through the night.
    
    Ans:
    
    There was hardly any space for me next to my son, so I decided to lean back against the window and sit through the night.
    
    The word “so” indicates a causal relation, showing that the lack of space led to the decision to lean back.
    
    (ii) ………………. permanent dieting is hardly fun, many people prefer a crash diet. This can be not only harmful to health but also self-defeating. ………… just a day or two on a crash diet, the body decides that famine has struck and lower downs the basal metabolism.
    
    Ans:
    
    Although permanent dieting is hardly fun, many people prefer a crash diet. This can be not only harmful to health but also self-defeating. After just a day or two on a crash diet, the body decides that famine has struck and lowers the basal metabolism.
    
    (iii) Don’t skip breakfast ……….. you are more likely to overeat later in the day and you will have less energy.
    
    Ans:
    
    Don’t skip breakfast because you are more likely to overeat later in the day and you will have less energy.
    
    The word “because” indicates a causal relationship, explaining the reason why skipping breakfast can lead to overeating and reduced energy.
    
    (iv) We …………… live in Defence colony. …………….. we used to live in Paharganj.
    
    Ans:
    
    We currentlyornow live in Defence Colony. Previously, we used to live in Paharganj.
    
    Using “currently” and “previously” indicates the temporal relationship between where you live now and where you lived before.
    
    (v) I will lend you my car ………… you need it.
    
    Ans:
    
    I will lend you my car if you need it.
    
    The word “if” indicates a conditional relationship, showing that the car will be lent on the condition that it is needed.
    
    (b) Name the rhetorical device used in the following sentences : 10 marks
    
    (i) Oh, world of the free nations, on this day of our freedom, we greet you.
    
    Ans:
    
    The rhetorical device used in the sentence “Oh, world of the free nations, on this day of our freedom, we greet you” is apostrophe.
    
    Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which the speaker directly addresses someone absent, dead, or a personified abstraction, as if it were present and capable of responding.
    
    (ii) Ours has been an epic struggle, covering many years and costing many lives. It has been a struggle, a dramatic struggle. It has been a struggle of heroes.
    
    Ans:
    
    The rhetorical devices used in the sentence “Ours has been an epic struggle, covering many years and costing many lives. It has been a struggle, a dramatic struggle. It has been a struggle of heroes” are anaphora and epistrophe.
    1. Anaphora: The repetition of the phrase “It has been a struggle” at the beginning of successive clauses emphasizes the importance and intensity of the struggle.
    2. Epistrophe: The repetition of the word “struggle” at the end of successive phrases or sentences emphasizes the ongoing nature and significance of the struggle.
    These rhetorical devices work together to create a powerful and rhythmic effect, highlighting the challenges and heroism involved in the struggle.
    
    (iii) My country has taken knowledge from all over the world and has offered the knowledge and wisdom to the world. She will stand in forefront of the civilization, she will carry her lamp into the darkness of strife and struggle.
    
    Ans:
    
    My country has taken knowledge from all over the world and has offered the knowledge andwisdom to the world. She will stand in forefront of the civilization, she will carry her lamp into the darkness of strife and struggle.
    
    The rhetorical devices used in the sentence “My country has taken knowledge from all over the world and has offered the knowledge and wisdom to the world. She will stand in forefront of the civilization, she will carry her lamp into the darkness of strife and struggle” are parallelism and personification.
    1. Parallelism: This device involves using similar structures in successive phrases or sentences. In this sentence, parallelism is evident in the structure of “has taken knowledge” and “has offered the knowledge and wisdom,” as well as “She will stand” and “she will carry.”
    2. Personification: This device attributes human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In this sentence, the country is personified as “she” who stands in the forefront of civilization and carries a lamp into the darkness, giving human attributes to the nation.
    These devices enhance the impact and clarity of the statement, emphasizing the country’s role in contributing to global knowledge and progress.
    
    (iv) The battle for freedom is over. The struggle for peace begins.
    
    Ans:
    
    The rhetorical device used in the sentence “The battle for freedom is over. The struggle for peace begins” is antithesis.
    
    Antithesis is a rhetorical device that places contrasting or opposing ideas in parallel structures within a sentence to highlight their differences and create a striking contrast. In this case, “The battle for freedom” and “The struggle for peace” are opposing ideas presented in a balanced and parallel structure.
    
    (v) Men and women together, men and women of a common humanity.
    
    Ans:
    
    The rhetorical device used in the sentence “Men and women together, men and women of a common humanity” is epanalepsis.
    
    Epanalepsis is a rhetorical device where the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning and the end of a clause or sentence. In this case, “Men and women” is repeated at the beginning and the end of the sentence, creating a rhythmic emphasis on the unity of men and women within a shared humanity.
    1. Define the following giving suitable examples : 10 marks
      
      (a) Paradox
      
      Ans:
      
      A paradox is a statement or concept that contains seemingly contradictory elements or ideas, yet when examined more closely, it may reveal an underlying truth or insight. Paradoxes are often used to challenge conventional thinking and provoke deeper thought.
    Example: “This statement is false.”
    - If the statement is true, then it must be false, as it claims. However, if it is false, then it must be true, creating a paradox.
    Example: “Less is more.”
    - This paradoxical statement suggests that simplicity and minimalism can lead to greater impact or effectiveness, challenging the idea that more quantity or complexity is always better.
    (b) Antithesis
    
    Ans:
    
    Antithesis is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas or concepts are placed close together in a sentence to create a contrasting effect. It highlights the difference between the two ideas and often adds emphasis to the message being conveyed.
    
    Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
    - This famous opening line from Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” uses antithesis to juxtapose the extremes of the situation, creating a striking contrast.
    Example: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
    - This statement by Patrick Henry presents two opposing ideas (liberty and death) to emphasize the importance of freedom over life itself.
    (c) Allegory
    
    Ans:
    
    An allegory is a narrative or story that uses symbolic figures, actions, or events to convey deeper meanings, often relating to moral, spiritual, political, or social themes. In an allegory, characters and events represent abstract ideas or concepts, allowing the author to communicate messages indirectly.
    
    Example: “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
    - In this novella, the story of a group of farm animals who overthrow their human farmer and take over the farm serves as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union. The animals and their actions symbolize various political figures and ideologies.
    Example: “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato
    - In this philosophical work, prisoners in a cave who can only see shadows on the wall represent individuals who perceive reality only through their limited senses. The journey of a prisoner who escapes the cave and sees the real world symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.
    (d) Imagery
    
    Ans:
    
    Imagery is a literary device that uses descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures and appeal to the senses of the reader. By engaging the reader’s imagination through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, imagery enhances the emotional and sensory experience of the text.
    
    Example: “The golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the tranquil sea.”
    
    This sentence uses visual imagery to paint a picture of a beautiful sunset, allowing the reader to visualize the scene.
    
    Example: “The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, making her mouth water.”
    
    This sentence uses olfactory imagery to evoke the smell of bread, making the reader almost experience the aroma.
    
    (e) Satire
    
    Ans:
    
    Satire is a literary device used to expose and criticize foolishness, corruption, or shortcomings in individuals, institutions, or society through humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. Satire often
    
    aims to provoke thought and promote change by highlighting issues in a witty or humorous manner.
    
    Example: “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift
    - This novel uses satire to mock various aspects of British society, politics, and human nature through the fantastical voyages of Lemuel Gulliver.
    Example: “The Daily Show”
    - This television program uses satire to comment on and critique current events, politics, and media, often through exaggerated news reports and humorous commentary.