II Semester B. Com / B.B.A Degree
Examination, September – 2021
Additional English
(Repeaters)
Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 80
Text: The Story of My Life By Helen
Keller
I. Answer the following questions in a word, a phrase, or a
sentence each. (10x1=10)
1. When was Helen Keller born?
Ans: Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880.
2. Who was Native Switzerland?
Ans: Helvetic Celts or The Helvetians
3. Who was Martha Washington?
Ans: Martha Washington was the daughter of Helen Keller’s family
cook.
4. Who was Ella?
Ans: Ella was Helen’s childhood nurse
5. Name the Helen’s teacher.
Ans: Miss Anne Mansfield Sullivan.
6. When did miss Sullivan take Helen to?
Ans: Anne Sullivan became governess to six-year-old Helen Keller
in March 1887.
7. Which material was used for reading?
Ans: A regular typewriter or a braille typewriter.
8. Who was Nancy?
Ans: Helen’s favorite doll that accompanied her everywhere she
went.
9. Who was Mrs. Lamson?
Ans: Mrs. Lamson was the person who had been one of Laura
Bridgman’s teachers in the Perkin’s Institute of blind.
10. What was name of Helen’s pet?
Ans: Mame, Stubby, Kaiser, Sieglinde, Kamikaze
II. Explain any Two of the following with reference to the
context (2x5=10)
1. Birds and flowers and I were happy peers.
Ans: This line
comes from Helen Keller's autobiography, "The Story of My Life".
Early Development: Helen was deafblind, and
the world was a confusing place for her before she met her teacher, Anne
Sullivan.
Nature as a Refuge: Nature provided a sense of
wonder and connection for young Helen. She could experience the world through
touch, smell, and taste.
Bond with Nature: The line "Birds and
flowers and I were happy peers" shows how Helen felt equal to the natural
world around her. They were all simply existing and experiencing life together.
Anne Sullivan's Influence: This quote also suggests
the influence of Anne Sullivan. Anne likely encouraged Helen to explore nature
and appreciate its beauty, fostering a deep connection.
This line paints a picture of a young Helen finding
solace and joy in the natural world before language fully entered her life.
3. “Some day I shall: go to college but I shall go to Harvard!”
Ans: The quote
"Someday I shall go to college, but I shall go to Harvard!" is
attributed to Helen Keller, a deafblind author and activist. The context of the
quote comes from her autobiography, The Story of My Life.
In the book, Keller describes a childhood visit to
Wellesley College, a prestigious women's college. She surprised those around
her by declaring her desire for higher education, but with a specific and
ambitious goal - attending Harvard, a historically all-male institution at the
time.
This quote highlights a few key points:
Determination: Even as a child, Keller
possessed a strong will and a clear vision for her future.
High aspirations: Harvard was one of the
most respected universities in the world, and her desire to attend showed her
intellectual ambition.
Challenges of the time: Since Harvard was
all-male, her statement also foreshadowed the obstacles she would inevitably
face in pursuing her academic dreams.
While Keller was not able to attend Harvard itself
due to gender restrictions, she did attend Radcliffe College, the women's
college affiliated with Harvard, graduating in 1904. Her story exemplifies
perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge despite limitations.
III. Answer the following questions. (10)
a. Describe the early days of Helen Keller. (10)
Ans: Helen
Keller's early life was a world of darkness and silence. Born healthy in 1880,
a childhood illness (likely scarlet fever) struck her at 19 months, robbing her
of sight and hearing. Frustrated and isolated, Helen developed her own way of
communicating with her family, a series of gestures and signs.
Imagine a world without sound or sight. Helen
experienced everything through touch. She explored her environment by feeling
objects and people, but this left her deeply frustrated. The world was a
confusing jumble of sensations without meaning. Her parents, desperate to help,
sought guidance. In 1887, a breakthrough arrived with Anne Sullivan, a young
teacher from the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Sullivan's revolutionary
approach involved spelling words into Helen's hand, letter by letter. This
became the key that unlocked Helen's world. The now famous story of her first
word, "water," spelled into her palm beside a pump, marked the
beginning of Helen's remarkable journey out of isolation.
These early days were a constant struggle. Helen, a
fiercely intelligent child, grappled with the limitations of her senses and the
challenges of language. Yet, with Sullivan's unwavering support and her own
unyielding determination, Helen began to bridge the gap between her dark world
and the world of communication.
(OR)
b. Describe Helen’s love for history and literature.
Ans: Helen
Keller's blindness and deafness did not dampen her love for history and
literature; it ignited it. Books became her window to the world, a passport to
vast landscapes and bygone eras. Her hunger for knowledge was insatiable. She
devoured everything from the Bible and the works of Walt Whitman, her favorite
poet, to historical accounts. She described books as "my compensation for
the harms of fate," a sentiment expressed in her autobiography,
"Midstream."
History, with its tales of
grand figures and pivotal moments, captivated her. Imagine Helen, her fingers
tracing Braille characters, transported to ancient Rome or revolutionary
France. These stories were not just words; they were doorways to new worlds,
filled with triumphs and tragedies that resonated deeply within her.
Literature offered a different kind of escape.
Poetry, with its evocative language, painted vivid pictures in Helen's mind.
The rhythm and flow of words became a source of immense joy. She found solace
and inspiration in the works of great authors, their words transcending the
limitations of her physical world. Helen was not just a passive consumer; she
actively engaged with the written word. She wrote extensively herself, penning
14 books and countless speeches on various topics. Her own story, "The
Story of My Life," became a testament to the power of education and the
human spirit.
Helen Keller's love for history and literature was
not just a personal passion; it fuelled her activism. The injustices she read
about inspired her to fight for social change, becoming a champion for the
disabled, women's suffrage, and world peace. Through her writing and advocacy,
she used the power of the written word to illuminate the path towards a
brighter future.
IV. a. What made Helen to long for speaking like normal persons?
(10)
Ans: Helen
Keller's desire to speak like "normal persons" stemmed from a
combination of factors:
Isolation: Imagine a world where communication is
limited to touch. While Helen developed her own system of signs with her
family, it could not express the full range of human thought and emotion.
Speech, with its nuances and complexities, offered a way to connect with others
on a deeper level, to break free from the isolating silence of her world.
Yearning for Independence: Learning language,
particularly spoken language, promised Helen a degree of independence she
craved. Think about how frustrating it must have been to rely on others to
interpret her needs and desires. Speech offered the potential for
self-expression and the ability to navigate the world with greater autonomy.
Social Connection: Humans are social
creatures, and Helen was no exception. While touch and signs provided a basic
form of communication, spoken language allows for richer social interactions –
sharing jokes, engaging in debates, and forming deeper bonds. Helen likely longed
to participate fully in conversations and experience the joy of spontaneous
social interaction.
Knowledge and Education: Spoken language was the
key to unlocking a vast storehouse of knowledge. Think about how much
information we absorb through spoken lectures, conversations, and even casual
interactions. Helen, with her insatiable curiosity, likely yearned to access
this wealth of knowledge readily available to those who could speak.
However, it is important to understand that Helen's
desire for speech wasn't necessarily about sounding exactly like a hearing
person. She developed her own unique way of speaking, a combination of tactile
signing and spoken words, which effectively communicated her thoughts and
ideas. Ultimately, Helen's longing stemmed from a deep human desire for
connection, independence, and access to the world of knowledge and experience.
(OR)
b. Write a brief note on Helen’s first story.
Ans: Helen Keller, though widely
known for her autobiography "The Story of My Life," did not actually
write a traditional story in the initial sense. Her world, before encountering
Anne Sullivan her teacher, lacked the foundation for conventional storytelling.
However, a pivotal moment in Helen's journey can be considered a
proto-story. This event, often recounted, involved her experience with water.
At a well pump, Sullivan spelled the word "water" into Helen's hand
while cool water flowed over the other. This connection between the physical
sensation and the word sparked a revolution in Helen's understanding.
This moment can be seen as a narrative arc. There is an initial state of
confusion and isolation (Helen not understanding the connection between the
water and her world). Then comes a turning point, the introduction of the word
"water" by Sullivan. Finally, there is a resolution – Helen grasps
the concept of language and the world around her begins to take shape.
This single event, though not a story in the traditional format, holds
immense significance. It marked the beginning of Helen's escape from her silent
world and her entry into the realm of language and stories. It paved the way
for her future as a writer and advocate, forever shaping the course of her
life.
V. Write a short note on any TWO of the following: (2x5=10)
1. Dr. Edward Hale.
Ans: Dr. Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) was a prolific American
figure known for his work as an author, historian, and Unitarian minister. He
is most remembered for his short story "The Man Without a Country," a
powerful piece of fiction advocating for patriotism during the Civil War.
Beyond that, he wrote extensively, producing novels, essays, and sermons, often
championing social causes like education and social justice.
2. Bishop Brooks.
Ans: Phillips
Brooks, the Episcopal clergyman, developed a close relationship with Helen
Keller, the deafblind author and activist. Though they never met in person,
they corresponded through letters. Brooks played a significant role in Helen's
spiritual development.
Helen's yearning for knowledge about God: Helen, despite her
challenges, expressed a deep desire to understand God. She wrote to Brooks with
questions about faith.
Brooks' challenge: Brooks faced the challenge
of explaining God to someone who could not see or hear.
Focus on love: Brooks emphasized the
concept of God's love to Helen.
Helen's pre-existing connection: Interestingly, Helen
described a sense of God's presence even before she had language.
Their correspondence exemplifies a beautiful human
connection that transcended physical limitations.
3. Dr. Oliver Wenell Holmes.
Ans: Dr. Oliver
Wendell Holmes, in this case, likely refers to Oliver Wendell Holmes, the
physician and writer, not Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the Supreme Court
Justice.
Helen Keller and Oliver Wendell Holmes had a brief
but heartwarming correspondence.
Helen's admiration: Helen, a huge fan of
Holmes' poetry, wrote to him expressing her appreciation for his work,
particularly pieces about spring, which she could experience through his words.
Holmes' support: Touched by Helen's
letters, Holmes became interested in helping other deafblind children. He even
donated money to support the education of "Baby Tom," another
deafblind child at the Perkins Institute where Helen received her education.
Letters exchanged: Helen wrote to Holmes a
few times, expressing gratitude for his support and describing her experiences.
Their connection, though brief, highlights the
power of literature and human kindness.
4. Mr. Jeferson.
Ans: The Mr. Jefferson in Helen Keller's life was most likely
Joseph Jefferson, a famous American actor of the 19th century.
Meeting:
Helen, while attending school in New York City, saw Joseph Jefferson perform in
the play "Rip Van Winkle." Impressed by his performance, she met him
backstage afterward. Friendship: A friendship blossomed between them. Helen
described his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle as charming.
Understanding
performance: Since Helen was deafblind, she could not fully experience the play
through sight and sound. However, by feeling Joseph Jefferson's movements
during a later performance, she gained a deeper understanding of the
character's emotions.
Their
connection highlights the importance of different ways of experiencing the
world. Even without sight and sound, Helen could appreciate the art of
performance through touch.
VI. A. Combine the following sentences with relative pronouns.
(5x1=5)
1. The students stood up. The teacher entered into the class.
Ans: The students stood up when the teacher entered into the
class.
2. This is my college. I completed my degree here.
Ans: This is my college where I completed my degree.
3. This is my friend. His father is an engineer.
Ans: This is my friend whose father is an engineer.
4. He practices singing. It is a good habit.
Ans: He practices singing which is good habit.
5. John is my classmate. He is very intelligent.
Ans: John is my classmate who is very intelligent.
B. Transform the following sentences as directed (5x1=5)
1. As soon as the match started, I switched on the T.V. (Use no sooner...
than).
Ans: No sooner did the match start than I switched on the T.V.
2. Unless you work hard, you will not pass (Use “if”)
Ans: If you do not work hard, you will not pass
3. Ravi is too dull to pass the examination. (Remove -too)
Ans: Ravi is so dull that he cannot pass the examination.
4. If you are honest, people will respect you. (use- unless)
Ans: Unless you are honest, people will not respect you.
5. No sooner did he see the police than he started running. (Use
as soon as)
Ans: As soon as he saw the police, he started running.
VII. Use the following words as different parts of speech (5x2=10)
1.
Record
Ans:
I am keeping record of all documents.
(Noun)
The
music band is recording their album in a studio. (Verb)
2.
Run.
Ans:
He runs very fast. (Verb)
We
are going for a morning run. (Noun)
3.
Market.
Ans:
He is going to market today’s evening. (Noun)
Their
products are very cleverly marketed. (Verb)
4.
Watch.
Ans:
They watch many movies every Sunday. (Verb)
My
watch has lost yesterday. (Noun)
5.
Paper.
Ans:
Kumar drew a beautiful design on a paper. (Noun)
We papered all rooms. (Verb)
VIII.
a. Write a letter of complaint against the municipal chief officer for
neglecting the drainage system in your area. (1x5=5)
Ans:
PQR
Manas
Colony
Hubli
19th
May, 2024
Municipal
Chief Officer
Municipal
Corporation
Hubli
Subject: Complaint
Regarding Neglected Drainage System in Manas Colony
Respected Sir,
I am writing to
express my deep concern about the poor condition of the drainage system in
[Your Area]. For quite some time now, the drains have been clogged, damaged, or
overflowing, leading to several problems for residents.
Specific Issues:
Frequent flooding
of streets and walkways after even moderate rain.
Stagnant water
breeding mosquitoes and other insects, posing a health hazard.
Unpleasant odors
emanating from the drains, creating an unsanitary environment.
Difficulty for
pedestrians and motorists navigating flooded streets.
Potential damage
to property due to water accumulation.
Impact on
Residents:
The neglected
drainage system is causing significant inconvenience and health risks for the
residents of Manas Colony.
Increased risk of
mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
Difficulty for
children and elderly residents to move around safely.
Damage to cars and
other property from flooding.
Overall decline in
the quality of life in the area.
Request for
Action:
We, the residents
of Manas Colony urge you to take immediate action to address this critical
issue. We request that the Municipal Corporation:
Thoroughly inspect
the drainage system in Manas Colony to identify and address the root causes of
the problem. Organize a cleaning and maintenance program to clear blockages and
repair any damaged drains. Consider long-term solutions, such as upgrading the
drainage system, if necessary, to prevent future problems.
We believe that a
properly functioning drainage system is essential for the health and well-being
of the community. We look forward to a prompt and effective resolution to this
matter.
Yours Sincerely,
PQR
b.
Write a job application through e-mail for the post of the manager in a bank.
(1x5=5)
Ans:
From: rajeshraj@gmail.com
Subject: Application for Bank Manager Position
Dear Sir,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Bank Manager position
advertised. With 3 years of experience in the banking industry, I possess a
proven track record of. I am confident that my skills and qualifications align
perfectly with the requirements outlined in the job description.
In my previous role as Manager. Additionally, I have a deep
understanding of risk management, financial analysis, customer service. I am a
highly motivated and results-oriented leader with excellent communication,
interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
I believe my experience and leadership abilities would be an asset to
your team, and I am confident that I can contribute significantly to the
continued success of company.
I have attached my resume for your review, which further details my
qualifications and experience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am
eager to learn more about this opportunity and discuss how my skills can
benefit your bank.
Sincerely,
Rajesh
