I Semester B.B.A.
(SEP) Degree Examination, December/January 2024-25
BASIC ENGLISH
Navigating Horizons
(Regular)
Time: 3 hours Maximum
Marks: 80
I. Answer the
following in a word, a phrase or a sentence. (10×1=10)
1. What is Vijay
Shekhar Sharma's stake in paytm?
Ans: Approximately
9.1%
2. Who is the author
of the story 'My Financial Career¹?
Ans: Stephen Leacock
3. Name the
accountant in 'My Financial Career'.
Ans: The accountant’s
name is Mr. Montgomery.
4. What does Nirmai
provide in 'Four Entrepreneurs Prove. Its Never too late to start Up'?
Ans: Nirmai provides
early detection of breast cancer through a non-invasive, radiation- free
method.
5. Who is the poet of
'The Dream Seller'?
Ans: Gabriel Okara.
6. What promise does
the speaker make in the final lines of the poem. "Tonight I can write the Saddest Lines'?
Ans: The speaker
promises that he will no longer lover her, even though his heart still longs
for her.
7. What does the poet
say about the wind in 'Tonight I can write the Saddest Lines"?
Ans: The poet says
that the wind moves through the sky, singing.
8. Name the chief
physician of the city of Dhaka in 'The Haunted House'.
Ans: Hakim Habibur
Rahman.
9. What part of the
city Vipuncandra owns a house in "The Skin Bag'?
Ans: He owns a house
in Dhaka, in the old part of the city.
10. Who have taken
shape in the same Sling Bag in 'The Skin Bag'?
Ans: Vipuncandra and
his ancestors have taken shape in the same skin bag.
II. Answer any One in
detail. (1×10=10)
Elaborate on Vijay
Shekhar Sharma's Journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a pioneer in
the digital payment industry.
Ans: Vijay Shekhar
Sharma was born in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India. He came from a
middle-class family and had big dreams. He was a bright student and loved
technology. At just 15 years old, he joined college to study engineering.
However, he faced a challenge—most of his studies were in English, but he had
studied in Hindi. He worked hard, learned English on his own, and overcame this
difficulty.
In 2000, he started a
company called One97 Communications, which provided mobile content like news
and ringtones. Later, he saw the potential of digital payments in India. In
2010, he launched Paytm, a mobile wallet service. Initially, people were not used
to online payments, but Vijay believed in his idea. His big breakthrough came
in 2016 when the Indian government announced demonetization. People had to
switch to digital payments, and Paytm became very popular.
Today, Paytm is one
of India's largest digital payment companies, and Vijay Shekhar Sharma is a
billionaire entrepreneur. Despite many struggles, he never gave up on his
dreams. His journey from a small town to a successful businessman is an
inspiration to many young entrepreneurs.
(OR)
Write the character
Sketch of the narrator in 'My Financial Career'.
Ans: The narrator of
My Financial Career is a nervous and shy man who lacks confidence, especially
when dealing with banks. He feels anxious and uncomfortable in formal
situations. When he enters a bank to open an account, he becomes very nervous.
His fear makes him act in a strange way, and he cannot express himself
properly.
He is also very
self-conscious. He feels that everyone in the bank is watching him, even when
they are not. This makes him even more nervous, and he ends up making mistakes,
like asking to see the manager without knowing why. He gets confused while
handling money and embarrasses himself by depositing his own cash and then withdrawing
it immediately.
The narrator is also
humorous, though unintentionally. His nervous actions and mistakes make the
story funny. He does not plan to be funny, but his behavior makes readers
laugh.
Overall, the narrator
is an ordinary man who struggles with social anxiety, especially in formal
settings. He is honest and well-meaning but lacks confidence. His story shows
how fear and nervousness can sometimes lead to awkward and funny situations. His
character makes the story relatable and enjoyable.
III. Critically
appreciate the poem 'The Will To Win'. (1×10=10)
Ans: The Will to Win
is an inspiring poem that motivates readers to work hard and never give up. The
poem teaches that success comes only to those who have strong determination and
a burning desire to achieve their goals.
The poet explains
that if a person truly wants to succeed, they must give their best effort. They
should be ready to sacrifice comfort, work hard, and stay focused. The poem
also highlights the importance of persistence. It suggests that people should
not be afraid of difficulties or failures. Instead, they should keep trying
until they achieve their dreams.
The poem uses
powerful words to create a strong emotional impact. The repetition of ideas
emphasizes the importance of determination. The poet encourages readers to have
a positive mindset and to believe in themselves.
The central message
of the poem is that success is not easy; it requires effort, dedication, and a
never-give-up attitude. The poem is highly motivating and encourages readers to
push beyond their limits. It teaches that only those who are truly committed
and passionate about their goals will succeed. This makes The Will to Win a
powerful and uplifting poem that inspires readers to chase their dreams.
(OR)
Explain the feelings
of the poet in "Tonight I can write the Saddest Lines'.
Ans: In the poem
Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines, the poet, Pablo Neruda, expresses deep
sadness and heartbreak. He is mourning the loss of his beloved and feels
lonely. The poem is full of sorrow as he remembers the love he once shared with
her.
The poet recalls
happy moments they spent together. He loved her deeply, and she once loved him
too. However, she is gone now, and he feels empty. He tries to accept that
their love is over, but his heart is still in pain. He keeps thinking about
her, even though he knows she will never return.
The poet’s feelings
are a mix of love, regret, and sadness. He wants to move on, but his memories
hold him back. His words show his deep emotional struggle. He repeats how much
he suffers, making the poem even more powerful.
Despite his sorrow,
he understands that time will heal his wounds. The poem captures the pain of
lost love in a beautiful and emotional way. Readers can feel his sadness and
relate to his emotions. This makes Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines a
deeply touching and heartfelt poem.
IV. Write short notes
on any Two of the following. (One from prose and one from poetry). (2×5=10)
1. My Financial
Career.
Ans: "My Financial Career" is a humorous
short story by Stephen Leacock. It tells the story of a nervous man who feels
extremely anxious when dealing with banks. When he decides to open a bank
account, he becomes so nervous that he behaves awkwardly. He mistakenly asks
for the manager, deposits his money, and then immediately withdraws it in
confusion. His fear of banks makes him feel embarrassed, and he decides never
to return. The story humorously highlights how fear and anxiety can make simple
tasks difficult. The narrator’s clumsy behavior makes the story funny and
relatable.
2. The Will To Win.
Ans: "The Will to Win" is a motivational
poem that encourages determination and hard work. It teaches that success comes
only to those who have a strong desire to achieve their goals. The poet
emphasizes that a person must be willing to sacrifice, stay focused, and work
tirelessly. The poem inspires readers to push past their limits and never give
up. It highlights the importance of persistence, passion, and self-belief. The
central message is that success is not easy, but with strong willpower, anyone
can achieve their dreams. The poem is uplifting and encourages positive
thinking.
3. The Haunted House.
Ans: "The Haunted House" is a short
story by Charles Dickens. It is about a group of friends who decide to stay in
a house that is believed to be haunted. They expect to see ghosts and
experience supernatural events. However, instead of encountering real ghosts,
they discover that fear and imagination create the idea of ghosts. The story is
written in a mix of mystery, humor, and adventure. It explores human fears and
the power of imagination. Dickens cleverly plays with the idea of haunted
houses, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking.
4. Tonight I can
write the Saddest Lines.
Ans: "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest
Lines" is a poem by Pablo Neruda about love and heartbreak. The poet
expresses deep sorrow over losing his beloved. He remembers the love they
shared and feels lonely now that she is gone. His words reflect pain, longing,
and regret. He tries to convince himself that he will move on, but his memories
make it difficult. The poem beautifully captures the emotions of lost love. The
poet’s sadness is deeply touching, making the poem relatable to anyone who has
experienced heartbreak. It is a powerful expression of love and loss.
V. A) Attempt the
following questions as directed: (5×1=5)
1. Lucy looks very
mild. (Underline the naming word)
Ans: Lucy looks very mild.
2. He is a courageous
person. (Underline the describing word).
Ans: He is a courageous
person.
3. It was a difficult
question. (Underline the adjective phrase).
Ans: It was a difficult
question.
4. The rich sportsman
donated the shoes. (Underline the noun phrase).
Ans: The rich sportsman donated
the shoes.
5. She is a professor
in an engineering college. (Under the modifier in the sentence).
Ans: She is a
professor in an engineering college.
B) Fill in the blanks
with suitable articles and Prepositions. (5×1=5)
1. I saw ……………………. cockroach
in the kitchen.
2. My friend is …………………….MLA.
3. The bridge was
built …………………….river.
4. A small stone was
found …………………….his stomach.
5. There was tough
competition …………………….the two strong parties.
Ans:
1.
I saw a
cockroach in the kitchen.
2.
My friend is an
MLA.
3.
The bridge was built over
the river.
4.
A small stone was
found in his stomach.
5.
There was tough
competition between the two strong parties.
C) Attempt the
following questions as directed: (5×1=5)
1. The boy was punished
by the teacher. (Write the antonym of the underlined words).
Ans: The boy was rewarded
by the teacher.
2. It was a useful
class. (Write antonym of the underlined word).
Ans: It was a useful
class.
3. My friend is an intelligent
student in the class. (Give the synonym of the underlined word).
Ans: My friend is an intelligent
student in the class.
4. Write the opposite
of Wanted by adding a prefix.
Ans: Wanted X Unwanted
5. Change the class
of the word 'employ' by adding a suffix.
Ans: Employ – employment
or employee
D) Fill in the gaps
with words given in the bracket based on the concord: (5×1=5)
1. My father…………………….
(leaves/left) home every day at 10:00 am.
2. One of the boys …………………….
(have/has) broken the window glass.
3. The captain along
with his parents……………………. (was/were) present in the function.
4. The team of seven
players……………………. (is/are)getting ready for the match.
5. The desert served
for the guests……………………. (was/were) not tasty.
Ans:
1.
My father leaves
home every day at 10:00 am.
2.
One of the boys has
broken the window glass.
3.
The captain, along
with his parents, was present in the function.
4.
The team of seven
players is getting ready for the match.
5.
The dessert served
for the guests was not tasty.
VI. A) Draft a copy
of self - introduction to present yourself to the interviews.
(1×5=5)
Ans: Good afternoon,
Sir/Madam.
My name is Pushpa Raj,
and I am from Chennai. I have completed my MBA from Mysore University. I have a
keen interest in Marketing Department. I am a hardworking, dedicated, and quick
learner person. I have five years experience in Sales in Ujjain Company PVT.
that make me suitable for this role. In my previous experience company has
grown so much, I have worked on many projects to improve quality of products. I
am eager to contribute my skills to your organization and grow both
professionally and personally.
Thank you for the
opportunity. I look forward to this discussion.
B) Describe the book
Exhibition you have visited. (1×5=5)
Ans: A Visit to a
Book Exhibition
Last Sunday, I
visited a book exhibition in my city. It was a wonderful experience. The
exhibition was held in a large hall with many stalls displaying different types
of books. There were books on literature, science, history, fiction, and many
other topics. I was excited to see so many books in one place.
Many publishers had
set up stalls, and there were discounts on various books. I bought a few novels
and educational books. There were also special sections for children’s books
with colorful illustrations. The atmosphere was lively, with book lovers of all
ages exploring the stalls.
I also attended a
book signing event where an author talked about writing and reading. It was
inspiring to listen to him. The exhibition was a great place for book lovers,
and I enjoyed it a lot. I hope to visit such exhibitions again in the future.
C) Prepare an
imaginary dialogue between a Patient and Doctor. (1×5=5)
Patient: Good morning
doctor. May I come in?
Doctor:
Patient:
Doctor:
Patient:
Doctor:
Ans:
Patient: Good morning, doctor. May I come
in?
Doctor: Good morning! Yes, please come
in. What seems to be the problem?
Patient: I have been feeling weak and
tired for the past few days. I also have a headache and a slight fever.
Doctor: I see. Let me check your
temperature and blood pressure. (Checks the patient) You have a mild fever.
Have you been eating properly and getting enough rest?
Patient: Not really, doctor. I have been
very busy with work and skipping meals.
Doctor: That could be the reason. I will
prescribe some medicines. Take proper rest, drink plenty of water, and eat
healthy food. You should feel better soon.
Patient: Thank you, doctor. I will follow
your advice.
Doctor: You're welcome. Take care and
get well soon!
D) Describe Harman
Singh's views on road safety based on your listening of TED Talk. (1×5=5)
Ans: Harman Singh
Sidhu, a renowned road safety advocate, emphasizes the critical importance of
road safety in shaping individual character and contributing to
nation-building. In his TEDx talk at Rayat Bahra University, he shares his
personal experience of a life-altering car accident in 1996 that left him
paralyzed from the neck down. This incident motivated him to dedicate his life
to promoting safer roads in India.
Sidhu highlights that
road safety is not merely about adhering to traffic rules but reflects a
society's discipline and respect for human life. He points out that a
significant number of road accidents are preventable and often result from
negligence, such as drunk driving and poor road conditions. To address these
issues, he founded the NGO Arrive SAFE in 2005, aiming to raise awareness and
work towards implementing effective road safety measures.
Through his advocacy,
Sidhu underscores that fostering a culture of responsible driving and
accountability can significantly reduce road accidents, ultimately contributing
to the development and progress of the nation.
