Thursday, 25 September 2025

LITERATURE ,1st TERMINAL EXAMINATION 2025,RUCHIKA HIGH SCHOOL

 


RUCHIKA HIGH SCHOOL

1st TERMINAL EXAMINATION 2025-26 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

(ENGLISH PAPER-2)

CLASS-IX

………………………………………………………………………

Maximum Marks 80

Time allowed Two hours.

Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

This time is to be spent in reading the question paper

The time given at the head of this paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

……………………………………………………………………….

The paper has four Sections.

Section A is compulsory - All questions in Section A must be answered.

You must attempt one question from each of the Sections B, C and D and one other question from any Section of your choice. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets []

…………………………………………………………………………

SECTION A

(Attempt all questions from this section.)

Question. 1.                                                                               [16]

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options

(Do not copy the questions, write ONLY the correct answers)

i) Julius Caesar was a

(a) King

(b) Emperor

(c) Military Leader/General

(d) Politician

ii) What does Marullus suggest the Citizens do to show their loyalty to the Republic?

(a) Celebrate the triumph of Caesar.

(b) Pray to the Gods

(c) Weep their tears into the river Tiber

(d) Disrobe the images.

iii) What is the significance of the Citizen's celebration of Caesar's triumph?

(a) It demonstrates their loyalty to the Republic.

(b) It highlights their forgetfulness of the Republic's history

(c) It shows their respect for Caesar.

(d) It underlines their ingratitude towards Pompey

iv) The Second Citizens reply, "a mender of bad soles" is an example of………………….

(a) Metaphor (b) Similie (c) Pun (d) Personification.

v) Flavius "Let no images be hung with Caesar's trophies."

Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.

1. Flavius commands to remove Caesar's decorations.

2. Flavius and Marullus discuss. Caesar's growing power.

3. The Citizens exit after being reprimanded.

4 Flavius proposes action against Caesar's symbols.

(a) 3.2.4, 1 (b) 2.1, 3, 4 (c) 4 3. 1,2  (d) 1. 4. 2. 3

vi) Second Citizen Statement 1: "Truly sir, all that I live by is with the awl."

Statement 2: "I am indeed sir, a surgeon to old shoes."

Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements (1) and (2)

(a) 1 is the cause for 2    (b) 1 is an example of 2

(c) 1 is independent of 2  (d) 1 contradicts 2

vii) In the poem ‘Shimbleshanks’ what is the significance of the cat’s green eyes?

(a) They indicate that the cat is fierce.

(b) They indicate the cat's level of alertness.

(c) They indicate the cat's ability to oversees the journey.

(d) They indicate the cat's expressiveness.

viii) According to the poem, what is the ultimate goal of a Skimble's presence on the train?

(a) To entertain the passengers

(b) To keep the train and the passengers safe

(c) To ensure that the train arrives on time

(d) All of the above

ix) What does Skimble's ‘saunter to the rear’ suggest about his nature?

(a) He is lazy and uninvolved.

(b) He is confident and in control.

(c) He is secretive and mysterious.

(d) He is clumsy and not coordinated.

x) What literary device is used in the phrases "the fever on my brow" in the third stanza of the poem ‘I Remember, I Remember’?

(a) Personification

(b) Similie

(c)Metaphor

(d) Alliteration

xi) What does the ‘fir trees dark and high’ symbolize in the final stanza of the poem, ‘I Remember, I Remember’?

(a) The speaker's childhood

(b) The speaker's lost connection with nature

(c) The speaker's lost spiritual connection

(d) All of the above

xii) How does the poet feel about his current physical state compared to when he was a child?

(a) He is stronger and healthier now.

(b) he is weaker and less healthy now.

(c) He feels the same.

(d) He cannot remember.

xiii) What is one of the reasons why Bonku Babu does not lose his temper?

(a) He is afraid of the school authorities.

(b) He is afraid of the students.

(c) He does not ward to lose his job or find another one.

(d) He thinks there is no solution.

xiv) Who all were present at the meeting when Bonku Babu made his speech?

(a) Bairav Chakravarty, Nidhi Babu and Ramkanal

(b) Sripati Babu, Poncha Ghosh and Ramkanal

(c) Chandi Babu, Bhairav Chakravarty and Poncha Ghosh

(d) Everyone mentioned in the story.

xv) How did Oliver feel in the dark room?

(a) He was shocked and depressed.

(b) He was cold and lonely.

(c) He was angry and rebellious.

(d) He did not have any feelings about it.

xvi) Why did Mr. Bumble think Mr. Sowerberry would be rich one day?

(a) Because he had a lot of money already.

(b) Because he was successful in his profession

(c) Because he wanted to make more money

(d) It is not clear why Mr. Bumble thought so.

SECTION B

(Answer one or more questions from this Section.)

DRAMA

(Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare)

Question 2

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

Flavius:

See whether their basest metal be not moved,

They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.

Go you down that way towards the Capital

This way will I disrobe the images,

If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies.

Marullus: May we do so?

You know it is the feast of Lupercal.

i) Who are Flavius and Marullus, and what are they discussing in this extract? What does Flavius mean by "See whether their basest metal be not moved"? [3]

ii)What is the significance of the “Feast of Lupercal” mentioned by Marullus? Why do you think Flavius and Marullus are concerned about the celebrations during the Feast of Lupercal? [3]

iii) What does Flavius plan to do to the statues (images), and why? How does the action Flavius plans to take reflect his feelings towards Caesar? [3]

iv) What does the term "basest metal suggest about Flavius and Marullus's view of the common people? How might this view affect their actions and attitudes towards the people? [3]

v) Do you think Flavius and Marullus are right in trying to stop the celebrations? Justify [4]

Question 3.

Read the extract given below and answer the following questions.

Flavius

It is no matter; let no images

Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about,

And drive away the vulgar from the streets:

So do you too, where you perceive them thick

These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing

Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,

Who else would soar above the view of men

And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

 

i) Who is Flavius speaking to in this extract? What does Flavius mean by "let no images be hung with Caesar's trophies"? [3]

ii) What action does Flavius plan to take in the streets? Why does he want to drive away the common people? [3]

iii) Explain what Flavius means by "These growing feathers pluck'd from Caeasr's wing will make him fly an ordinary pitch." [3]

iv) What does Flavius predict will happen if Caesar continues to rise in power? How does Flavius feel about the idea of everyone living in "servile fearfulness"? [3]

v) Do you think Flavius concerns about Caesar becoming too powerful were justified? Give reasons for your answer. [4]

SECTION:C

(Answer one or more questions from this Section.)

PROSE - SHORT STORIES

(Treasure Chest -A Collection of poems and Short Stories)

Question 4

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

Among other buildings in a town in England, there was a house for poor people who had no money and nowhere to live. This was called the workhouse Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse. His mother, a young woman, lay ill in bed. A doctor and an old woman stood by her side. She lifted her head from the pillow.

‘Let me see the child and die.’ she said.

i) What is the setting of the story?                                      [3]

ii Why is Oliver Twist's birthplace important?                   [3]

iii) What is the significance of Oliver's request for more food? [3]

iv) How were the poor people in the workhouse treated and what was their condition like?                                                                 [3]

v) What did Oliver Twist ask for? How was he treated?           [4]

Question 5.

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

Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another twenty yards, and then he suddenly saw the light. At first, he thought that a fire had broken out. Bang in the middle of the bamboo grove, in the cleaning near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing pink. A dull light shone on every branch and every leaf. Down below, the ground behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light. But it was not a fire, for it was still.

Bonku Babu kept moving.

i) Why was Boriku puzzled? [3]

ii) What did Bonku Babu initially think when he saw the glowing pink light in the bamboo grove?       [3]

iii)What did Bonku Babu see when he went past a cluster of bamboo stems? [3]

iv) What happened to Bonku Babu when he took a few steps to get a better look at the object? [3]

v)What did the voice that Bonku Babu heard say, and how did it make him feel? Whose voice was it? [4]

                              SECTION D

(Answer one or more questions from this Section.)

                               POETRY

(Treasure Chest-A Collection of Poems and Short Stories)

Question 6.

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

In the watches of the night, he is always fresh and bright,

Every now and then he has a cup of tea

With perhaps a drop of Scotch while he's keeping on the watch,

Only stopping here and there to catch a flea.

i) What do you infer from the above stanza?                                                    [3]

ii) How does the poet use literary devices in the stanza?                                  [3]

iii) How is the idea of being a night watchman or a guard explored? [3]

iv) How does the stanza create a sense of contrast between day and night-time? [3]

v) How is Skimble's character presented in the poem?                                     [4]

Question. 7

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

I remember, I remember,

the fir trees dark and high.

I used to think their slender tops

Were close against the sky:

It was a childish ignorance,

But now 'tis little joy

To know I'm farther off from heaven

Than when I was a boy.

i) In what way does the speaker's perception of the fir trees change over time and why?                                                                                [3]

ii) How does the speaker's attitude towards the understanding of the world and their place in it change over the course of the poem? What causes this change?                                                                           [3]

iii) What literary devices are used in the poem?                                     [3]

iv) How does the poem convey the thought of nostalgia and longing for the past?                                                                                                     [3]

v) How is the theme of the fleeting nature of life explored in the poem?                                                                                                           [4]

………………………………………………………………………

Answer Key

Section A, Question 1

i) (c) Military Leader/General

ii) (d) Disrobe the images.

iii) (c) It shows their respect for Caesar.

iv) (c) Pun

v) (a) 3, 2, 4, 1

vi) (b) 1 is an example of 2

vii) (b) They indicate the cat's level of alertness

viii) (c) To keep the train and the passengers safe.

ix) (b) He is confident and in control.

x) (c) Metaphor

xi) (b) The speaker's lost connection with nature

xii) (b) He is weaker and less healthy now.

xiii) (c) He does not want to lose his job or find another one.

xiv) (d) Everyone mentioned in the story.

xv) (a) He was shocked and depressed.

xvi) (b) Because he was successful in his profession

Section B

Question 2.

i) Who are Flavius and Marullus, and what are they discussing in this extract? What does Flavius mean by “See whether their basest metal be not moved”?

Ans. Flavius and Marullus are Roman tribunes, elected officials whose duty is to protect the interests of the common people. In this extract they are discussing the crowds of citizens who have gathered to celebrate Caesar’s triumph. By saying “See whether their basest metal be not moved,” Flavius tells Marullus to test whether the ordinary citizens, whom he considers of “base metal” (low quality or common nature), can be stirred or influenced to feel shame for their ungratefulness to Pompey and their support of Caesar. This line shows that Flavius thinks the citizens’ loyalty is shallow and easily changed.

ii) What is the significance of the “Feast of Lupercal” mentioned by Marullus? Why do you think Flavius and Marullus are concerned about the celebrations during the Feast of Lupercal?

Ans. The Feast of Lupercal was an ancient Roman festival held on February 15 to promote fertility and purification. Its significance in the play is that it provides a public occasion for Caesar to be celebrated and gain more popular support. Flavius and Marullus are concerned that the public festivities during the feast will further increase Caesar’s power and prestige, making him appear almost king-like. They see the celebrations as a threat to the Republic and want to stop Caesar from being crowned.

iii) What does Flavius plan to do to the statues (images), and why? How does the action Flavius plans to take reflect his feelings towards Caesar?

Ans. Flavius plans to remove or strip the decorations from Caesar’s statues throughout the city. He wants to prevent Caesar from being excessively honoured in public places because such symbols encourage citizens to glorify him. This action shows that Flavius deeply disapproves of Caesar’s growing influence and fears he will become a dictator. By physically removing these decorations, Flavius symbolically attempts to cut down Caesar’s power.

iv) What does the term “basest metal” suggest about Flavius and Marullus’s view of the common people? How might this view affect their actions and attitudes towards the people?

Ans. The term “basest metal” suggests that Flavius and Marullus see the common citizens as low in status, morally weak, and easily swayed like soft or impure metal. It reflects their belief that the people lack loyalty and can be manipulated by whoever is in power. This view may lead the tribunes to treat the public with scorn or to try to control their opinions rather than trusting them to make their own decisions. It also reveals the class divide in Roman society.

v) Do you think Flavius and Marullus are right in trying to stop the celebrations? Justify.

Ans. Flavius and Marullus can be seen as right because they are trying to defend the Republic and prevent Caesar from gaining absolute power, which could lead to tyranny. Their actions show loyalty to the traditional Roman system of shared authority. However, their method of dispersing crowds and removing decorations can also be viewed as undemocratic because they are trying to silence public enthusiasm rather than persuade people through reason. Whether they are right depends on whether one values the preservation of the Republic or the freedom of the people to celebrate.

Question 3.

i) Who is Flavius speaking to in this extract? What does Flavius mean by “let no images be hung with Caesar’s trophies”?

Ans. Flavius is speaking to Marullus. By saying “let no images be hung with Caesar’s trophies,” Flavius means that all decorations, garlands, or images that honour Caesar’s victories must be removed. He believes these symbols increase Caesar’s prestige and could help him rise above the ordinary citizens. Removing them would reduce the celebrations and stop the public from glorifying Caesar too much.

ii) What action does Flavius plan to take in the streets? Why does he want to drive away the common people?

Ans. Flavius plans to walk through the streets of Rome with Marullus, dispersing the crowds of common people who have gathered to celebrate Caesar’s triumph. He wants to send the people back to their workplaces instead of letting them take part in festivities. By doing this, Flavius hopes to lessen Caesar’s popularity and prevent him from gaining more power and public support.

iii) Explain what Flavius means by “These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing will make him fly an ordinary pitch.”

Ans. Flavius compares Caesar to a bird whose power and popularity are like feathers on its wings. If these “feathers” (symbols of his victories and public admiration) are removed, Caesar will be forced to “fly an ordinary pitch” — meaning he will remain at an ordinary level instead of rising too high. This metaphor shows Flavius’s desire to limit Caesar’s growing influence.

iv) What does Flavius predict will happen if Caesar continues to rise in power? How does Flavius feel about the idea of everyone living in “servile fearfulness”?

Ans. Flavius predicts that if Caesar’s power continues to increase unchecked, the people of Rome will live in “servile fearfulness,” meaning they will become submissive and afraid, losing their freedom. Flavius strongly disapproves of such a future and feels that the Roman citizens should protect their liberty. His words reveal his fear of Caesar becoming a dictator.

v) Do you think Flavius’s concerns about Caesar becoming too powerful were justified? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Flavius’s concerns were justified because Caesar’s ambition and growing influence threatened the balance of power in the Roman Republic. History shows that Caesar’s rise led to major political changes, civil wars, and ultimately the end of the Republic. Flavius’s fears highlight the dangers of one person holding too much power over a state.

Section C

Question 4.

 

i) What is the setting of the story?

Ans. The story is set mainly in a workhouse and later in various parts of a town in England during the early 19th century. The workhouse is a grim and harsh place where poor people, including orphans, are forced to live under strict conditions. This setting reflects the social and economic hardships of Victorian England.

ii) Why is Oliver Twist’s birthplace important?

Ans. Oliver Twist is born in a workhouse, which is significant because it immediately marks him as a poor and disadvantaged child. His birthplace sets the tone for his early life of struggle, neglect, and hardship. It also symbolises the cruelty and injustice of the social system of that time.

iii) What is the significance of Oliver’s request for more food?

Ans. Oliver’s request for more food is a pivotal moment in the story because it exposes the harshness and inhumanity of the workhouse system. It highlights the extreme hunger and mistreatment faced by the children. The courage Oliver shows in asking for more food also begins his journey as a character who challenges injustice.

iv) How were the poor people in the workhouse treated and what was their condition like?

Ans. The poor people in the workhouse were treated very badly, with little food, thin clothing, and no proper medical care. They were forced to do hard labour under strict supervision. Their suffering reflects the harsh economic conditions and the lack of compassion in society toward the poor during that period.

v) What did Oliver Twist ask for? How was he treated?

Ans. Oliver Twist asked for more food, saying the famous line “Please sir, I want some more.” Instead of receiving sympathy, he was punished severely for his request. This shows the cruelty, hypocrisy, and unforgiving nature of the workhouse authorities and highlights the neglect of children in Victorian England.

Question 5.

i) Why was Bonku Babu puzzled?

Ans. Bonku Babu was puzzled because he noticed an unusual glowing pink light in the bamboo grove at night and could not understand what it was or how it appeared there.

ii) What did Bonku Babu initially think when he saw the glowing pink light in the bamboo grove?

Ans. Bonku Babu initially thought that a fire had broken out in the bamboo grove because the glowing pink light looked like flames at first glance.

iii) What did Bonku Babu see when he went past a cluster of bamboo stems? [3]

Ans. When Bonku Babu went past a cluster of bamboo stems, he saw a strange, round, spaceship-like object with a soft pink glow, standing silently in the clearing.

iv) What happened to Bonku Babu when he took a few steps to get a better look at the object? [3]

Ans. When Bonku Babu took a few steps closer to get a better look, he felt as if an invisible force had lifted him off the ground, and he was drawn towards the strange object against his will.

v) What did the voice that Bonku Babu heard say, and how did it make him feel? Whose voice was it? [4]

Ans. The voice that Bonku Babu heard welcomed him politely, introduced itself as Ang, a visitor from the planet Cranius, and said it wished to talk to him. This unexpected and otherworldly voice both astonished and frightened Bonku Babu, leaving him nervous but curious at the same time.

Section D

Question 6.

1) What do you infer from the above stanza?

Answer:

The stanza gives us an impression of Skimble as a conscientious night watchman who takes his duty seriously. He stays alert, makes regular rounds and ensures that everything is in order. Yet, at the same time, he is human and occasionally pauses to have a cup of tea or a little Scotch to keep himself fresh and warm. This mix of vigilance and refreshment shows the practical side of his work at night.

ii) How does the poet use literary devices in the stanza?

Answer:

The poet uses a range of literary devices to bring Skimble’s night routine to life. Vivid imagery such as “fresh and bright,” “cup of tea,” and “drop of Scotch” makes us see and almost taste what Skimble is experiencing. Alliteration like “keeping on the watch” reinforces the repetitive, rhythmic nature of his patrol. These devices help us imagine both the physical environment and the mood of the night watchman’s duty.

iii) How is the idea of being a night watchman or a guard explored?

Answer:

The poem portrays the night watchman’s life as one of constant vigilance but also of small personal comforts. Skimble patrols regularly to make sure the place is secure, showing his dedication and sense of responsibility. Yet he occasionally takes short breaks for tea or Scotch, hinting at the long, cold hours he endures. This combination highlights the balance between duty and the small indulgences needed to sustain such a role.

iv) How does the stanza create a sense of contrast between day and night-time?

Answer:

Although the stanza mainly focuses on nighttime activity, it implicitly contrasts day and night. Skimble’s quiet patrols, the stillness of the surroundings, and his need for tea and Scotch evoke the chill and silence of night, which is opposite to the hustle and warmth of the daytime. The emphasis on vigilance and refreshment at odd hours underscores how different and demanding a night guard’s life is compared to regular daytime routines.

v) How is Skimble’s character presented in the poem?

Answer:

Skimble is presented as a hardworking and responsible individual who is genuinely committed to his duty as a night watchman. He appears disciplined, alert, and aware of the importance of his job. At the same time, his tea and Scotch breaks show he is practical and knows how to take care of himself. This balance of seriousness and self-care makes him seem realistic, relatable and human rather than just a stereotypical guard.

Question 7.

i) In what way does the speaker's perception of the fir trees change over time and why?

Ans. The speaker's perception of the fir trees changes from seeing them as close to the sky to realizing they are not. This change occurs due to the speaker's growing maturity and understanding of the world.

ii) How does the speaker's attitude towards the understanding of the world and their place in it change over the course of the poem? What causes this change?

Ans. The speaker's attitude changes from a childish, innocent perspective to a more mature, melancholic one. This change is caused by the speaker's growing awareness of their distance from heaven and the passing of time.

iii) What literary devices are used in the poem?

Ans. The poem uses literary devices such as metaphor (comparing the speaker's understanding to "childish ignorance"), symbolism (the fir trees), and reflection.

iv) How does the poem convey the thought of nostalgia and longing for the past?

Ans. The poem conveys nostalgia and longing through the speaker's reminiscence of their childhood and their realization of being farther from heaven than they were as a child.

v) How is the theme of the fleeting nature of life explored in the poem?

Ans. The theme of the fleeting nature of life is explored through the speaker's reflection on the passing of time and their growing distance from the innocence and wonder of childhood.

 

COURTESY: Meta AI, ChatGPT, Perplexity & Dr. Shankar D Mishra

Compiled and edited by Dr. Shankar D Mishra

 

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