Thursday, 18 September 2025

SDM'S KEY TO HALF YEARLY LITERATURE EXAMINATION 2025, ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL

 


HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION 2025.

CLASS. 9. ST. JOSEPH’S HIGH SCHOOL

ENGLISH LITERATURE-PAPER 2.

MARKS: 80. TIME: 2 HOURS.

(READ ALL QUESTIONS CAREFULLY AND THEN ANSWER THEM NEATLY AND IN GOOD HANDWRITING.)

CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION. (Marks: 20)

1-Where had Laura's father worked?

A-In America.

B-In India.

C-In Britain.

2-Whose picture was Trevor drawing?

A-A Beggar.

B-A Millionaire.

C-An actor.

3-Why did Laura scold Hughie?

A-For being late.

B-For his extravagance.

C-For his smoking.

4-The central theme of The Model Millionaire is --

A-Generosity.

B-Morality.

C-Cruelty.

5-Nathu expected to be paid by the bank-

A-Extra 2 rupees a month.

B-Extra 20 rupees a month.

C-Extra 10 rupees a month.

6-Who promised Nathu to find a new job?

A- Sitaram

B- Deep Chand

C- Kamal Kishore.

7- Which figure of speech has been used in “but you go from one shop to another like a bee in a flower garden!”

A-Metaphor

B-Hyperbole

C-Simile

8- Who cried: "Hooligans, sons of donkey."

A-Sitaram

8-Ganpat.

C-Nathu.

9-What does the word artifice' mean?

A- trickery

B- art

C- artefacts

10-The term 'dwarf ' in A work of artifice means-

A-to curb the needs

B- to curb someone's growth

C-very small

11-The gardener represents the ……….. of society.

A-workers

B-matriarchs

C-patriarchs

12-The Bonsai Tree symbolizes

A-all small trees

B-men

C-women

13-What startled the speaker in A Doctor's Journal while he was gazing outside?

A- loud noise

B-thunder

C-magnesium flares

14-What observation did the speaker make about the people he encountered in A Doctor's Journal?

A-they were silent

B-they were scarecrows

C-they were running

15-How did the speaker feel when his wife left?

A-fearful and lonely

B-relieved

C-indifferent

16-in 'A doctor's journal Yecko-San is………

A-the speaker

B-the speaker's wife

C-A doctor

17-According to Cicero, what is to blame for all of the recent strange happenings in Rome?

A-cursed nation

B- a civil dispute in heaven

C-an omen of good things to come

18-Where is the first meeting of the conspirators held?

A-The capitol

B-Street of Rome

C-Pompey's porch

19-Who does Cassius ask to deliver the false letters to Brutus?

A-Casca

B-Cinna

C-Cicero

19-Who does Cassius ask to deliver the false letters to Brutus?

A-Casca

B-Cinna

C-Cicero

20-Why does Casca feel that Brutus needs to be a part of their conspiracy?

A-Brutus is Caesar's best friend

B-Brutus is a wise man

C-Brutus is popular among Romans

ANNOTATION: 1 (Marks:12)

"My dear boy, said Trevor, smiling, "that old beggar, as you call him, is one of the richest men in Europe…………….

Q1-What happened to Hughie after knowing the reality about the old beggar? Why? (3)

Q2- Why did Hughie sleep after coming back home? Who came to meet him? Who had sent him? (3)

Q3-What did the messenger give Hughie? What was written on it? What was inside it? (3)

Q4-How was Baron Hausberg both a millionaire model and a model millionaire? (3)

ANNOTATION: 2 (Marks:12)

Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation……………….

Q1-What indicates that life in Pipalnagar had mostly been easy and smooth? (3)

Q2-What had occurred at the Pipainagar bank? (3)

Q3- What impression do you form of the people of Pipalnagar? (3)

Q4- Who all were happy at the collapse of the bank? (2)

Q5- Why did Seth Govind Ram not pick up calls? (1)

ANNOTATION: 3 (Marks:12)

"How lucky little tree, to have a pot to grow in…………

Q1-Which tree is referred to? What is its symbolic meaning? (3)

Q2-What does the phrase ‘attractive' in the poem 'A work of artifice' signify? (3)

Q3-What does the 'pot" mean in the metaphorical context of the poem? (3)

Q4-Identify the gardening vocabulary used in the poem. What does ‘croons' imply? (3)

ANNOTATION 4 (Marks:12)

Where was my wife? Alarmed. I gave a shout.

Q1-Who is the narrator of the poems? How was the morning, moments before the disaster? (3)

Q2-What was the extent of injuries of the doctor? (3)

Q3- In what state did the doctor's wife emerge? (3)

Q4- What event is described in the poem? Give two examples to support your answer? (3)

ANNOTATION: 5 (Marks:12)

Cassius: No, it is Casca, one incorporate

To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna?

Q1-How did Cassius recognize Cinna? What does he say about Cinna to Casca? (2)

Q2-What instructions does Cassius give Cinna about the false letters? (3)

Q3-Explain-It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

And that craves wary walking............... (3)

Q4- Mention the four unnatural sights seen by Casca that evening. (4)

Answer Key

 Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where had Laura's father worked?

B-In India

2. Whose picture was Trevor drawing?

A-A Beggar

3. Why did Laura scold Hughie?

B-For his extravagance

4. The central theme of The Model Millionaire is

A-Generosity

5. Nathu expected to be paid by the bank

C-Extra 10 rupees a month

6. Who promised Nathu to find a new job?

B-Mrs. Srivastava

7. Which figure of speech has been used in "but you go from one shop to another like a bee in a flower garden!"

C-Simile

8. Who cried: "Hooligans, sons of donkey."

A-Sitaram

9. What does the word 'artifice' mean?

A-trickery

10. The term 'dwarf' in A work of artifice means

B-to curb someone's growth

11. The gardener represents the

C-patriarchs

12. The Bonsai Tree symbolizes

C-women of society

13. What startled the speaker in A Doctor's Journal while he was gazing outside?

C-magnesium flares

14. What observation did the speaker make about the people he encountered in A Doctor's Journal?

B-they were scarecrows

15. How did the speaker feel when his wife left?

A-fearful and lonely

16. In 'A doctor's journal' Yecko-San is

B-the speaker's wife

17. According to Cicero, what is to blame for all of the recent strange happenings in Rome?

B-a civil dispute in heaven

18. Where is the first meeting of the conspirators held?

C-Pompey's porch

19. Who does Cassius ask to deliver the false letters to Brutus?

B-Cinna

20. Why does Casca feel that Brutus needs to be a part of their conspiracy?

C-Brutus is popular among Romans

Annotation: 1

Q1-What happened to Hughie after knowing the reality about the old beggar? Why? (3)

Answer: After learning from Trevor that the old beggar was actually Baron Hausberg, one of the richest men in Europe, Hughie was greatly embarrassed and felt like a fool for having pitied and given a sovereign to such a wealthy man. He felt foolish for showing generosity to someone who was significantly richer than himself and whom he had initially perceived as truly a miserable person.

Q2- Why did Hughie sleep after coming back home? Who came to meet him? Who had sent him? (3)

Answer: Hughie likely didn't sleep but was agitated and feared facing the consequences of his perceived foolishness regarding the beggar. The next morning, Monsieur Gustave Naudin, a representative of Baron Hausberg, came to meet him, having been sent by the Baron himself.

Q3-What did the messenger give Hughie? What was written on it? What was inside it? (3)

Answer: The messenger gave Hughie a sealed envelope. On the outside, it was written, "A wedding present to Hughie Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar". Inside the envelope was a cheque for £10,000.

Q4-How was Baron Hausberg both a millionaire model and a model millionaire? (3)

Answer: Baron Hausberg was a "millionaire model" because he was a wealthy man who posed as a beggar for Alan Trevor's painting. He was a "model millionaire" because he demonstrated rare generosity and kindness by gifting Hughie the money needed for his marriage, showing a moral character beyond just his wealth.

Annotation: 2

Q1-What Indicates that life in Pipalnagar had mostly been easy and smooth? (3)

Answer: The text implies that life in Pipalnagar had been mostly easy and smooth as it "seldom had a crisis" and mentions the rarity of natural disasters like floods or droughts.

Q2-What had occurred at the Pipalnagar bank? (3)

Answer: A rumour had spread that Seth Govind Ram, the owner of the Pipalnagar Bank, had fled, causing a panic among the account holders who rushed to withdraw their money, leading to a run on the bank and its eventual collapse.

Q3- What impression do you form of the people of Pipalnagar? (3)

Answer: The people of Pipalnagar appear to be easily swayed by rumors and prone to panic, lacking critical thinking and responsible behavior in times of crisis. They readily believe and spread unverified information, leading to chaotic consequences.

Q4- Who all were happy at the collapse of the bank? (2)

Answer: Those who were happy at the collapse of the bank were individuals who had either withdrawn their money beforehand or never deposited any money in the bank, feeling vindicated by their foresight or lack of involvement.

Q5- Why did Seth Govind Ram not pick up calls? (1)

Answer: Seth Govind Ram did not pick up calls because he was away on a holiday in Kashmir, unaware of the crisis unfolding at his bank in Pipalnagar.

Annotation: 3

Q1-Which tree is referred to? What is its symbolic meaning? (3)

Answer: The tree referred to is a bonsai tree. It symbolically represents women in a patriarchal society, whose potential and growth are deliberately constrained and shaped to conform to societal expectations and gender roles.

Q2-What does the phrase 'attractive pot' in the poem 'A work of artifice' signify? (3)

Answer: In the poem "A Work of Artifice," the 'attractive pot' signifies the societal constraints and expectations placed on women, which, though presented as desirable or providing security, ultimately limit their natural growth and potential.

Q3-What does the 'pot' mean in the metaphorical context of the poem? (3)

Answer: In the metaphorical context, the 'pot' represents the confining roles and limited opportunities offered to women within a patriarchal society, making them believe they are "lucky" to be within these boundaries, despite their potential for greater growth.

Q4-Identify the gardening vocabulary used in the poem. What does "croons' imply? (3)

Answer: Gardening vocabulary includes words like "pot," "grow," "pruned," "branches," and "whittles back." The word "croons" implies a manipulative gentleness, suggesting the gardener (representing patriarchal society) uses soothing words and seemingly caring actions to maintain control and stunt the tree's (woman's) natural development.

Annotation: 4

Q1 – Who is the narrator of the poems? How was the morning, moments before the disaster? (3)

The narrator is a Japanese doctor who survived the Hiroshima bombing. The morning was ordinary, quiet and peaceful, when suddenly the disaster struck without warning. He was at home with his wife when the blast occurred.

Q2 – What was the extent of injuries of the doctor? (3)

The doctor was badly injured and bleeding heavily. Blood gushed from his neck and he feared that his artery might have been cut, which could cause him to bleed to death. Despite this, he remained conscious and tried to help his wife.

Q3 – In what state did the doctor’s wife emerge? (3)

Yecko-san (his wife) came out pale, bloodstained, frightened and trembling. She was holding her elbow, which showed that she was also injured and deeply shaken by the sudden disaster.

Q4 – What event is described in the poem? Give two examples to support your answer. (3)

The poem describes the Hiroshima atomic bombing and its immediate aftermath.

Two examples:

1. The doctor’s bleeding neck wound shows the impact of the blast on people.

2. They stumbled over a man’s severed head crushed by a gate, showing the devastation and sudden deaths caused by the explosion.

Annotation: 5

Q1 – How did Cassius recognize Cinna? What does he say about Cinna to Casca? (2 marks)

Cassius recognizes Cinna by his voice in the darkness and calls him by name to confirm. He tells Casca that Cinna is one of the conspirators “incorporate to our attempts” – meaning Cinna is fully united with their plan against Caesar and can be trusted.

Q2 – What instructions does Cassius give Cinna about the false letters? (3 marks)

Cassius instructs Cinna to take several forged letters (written in different handwriting to look like from various citizens) and secretly place them in Brutus’s house, on his chair, and throw some into his window. This will make Brutus believe that the Roman people are urging him to act against Caesar.

Q3 – Explain “It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

And that craves wary walking.” (3 marks)

Brutus is comparing Caesar’s rise to power to a bright day that also brings out snakes (adders). Just as one must walk carefully when snakes are out, the Romans must be cautious when Caesar gains absolute power because it could become dangerous. It means that power often awakens hidden dangers.

Q4 – Mention the four unnatural sights seen by Casca that evening. (4 marks)

Casca reports four terrifying omens in Rome that night:

1. A slave’s hand on fire but unburnt.

2. A lion wandering near the Capitol without attacking anyone.

3. Men on fire walking up and down the streets.

4. An owl hooting at noon in the marketplace.

All these portents foreshadow Caesar’s assassination and the political turmoil to come.

 

Compiled by Dr. Shankar D Mishra

 

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