2025-26 II PUC PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
SUBJECT: ENGLISH (02) Duration: 3.00 Hours
MAXIMUM MARKS: 80 NUMBER OF QUESTIONS : 36
Instructions:
- Answer the questions in all the sections.
- Follow the prescribed limit while answering the questions.
- Write the correct question number as it appears on the question paper.
- For multiple choice questions (MCQs), choose the correct answer and rewrite it.
- For Part - A questions, only the first written answers will be considered for evaluation.
- Answers to the question number 30A (a–d) or 30 B (a–d) should be in one sequence and at one place.
- For question numbers 30, 31, 32 and 36 internal choices are there. Hence, answer either (A) or (B).
PART – A
I.
Answer the following questions by choosing the right option.10 × 1 = 10
1.
In ‘Romeo and Juliet’,
______ is described as, ‘gentle’, loving, black-browed’.
a) an Ethiope b) the night c) a crow d) a raven
Ans:
b) the night
2. Match the particulars in column A with the
amount in column B with reference to Too Dear!’ and choose the correct option.
|
A |
B |
|
A. The French Government |
i. 12000 francs |
|
B. The Italian king |
ii. 600 francs |
|
C. The pension fixed |
iii. 16000 francs |
a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii
c) A-ii, B-iii, C-i
d) A-iii, B-ii, C-i
Ans:
a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
3. Choose the statement which is incorrect with reference to the poem
‘On Children’.
a) Parents may strive to be like children
b) Parents may house the souls of children
c) Parents’ bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness
d) Children do not belong to the parents
Ans:
b) Parents may house the souls of children
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4. The peace between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo
is made by ______.
a) books b) a poem c) spectacles d) a pinch of snuff
Ans:
d) a pinch of snuff
5. Tammanna initially had ______.
a) ten b) two hundred c) eight hundred d) one thousand
Ans:
a) ten
6. Which of the following statements is incorrect with reference to Borges
about his mother?
a) She was an intelligent woman b) She
was an extraordinary woman
c) She had more enemies d)
She was a gracious woman
Ans:
c) She had more enemies
7. George Mikes met a deer at ______ who
bowed to him deeply.
a) Tokyo b) Tokaido c) Osaka d) Nara
Ans:
d) Nara
8. Consider the following statements from the
lesson ‘The Voter’ and answer the question that follows :
i. Statement : Marcus Ibe had joined politics
ii. Reason : The villagers of Umuofia forced him to join politics
a) only the statement is correct
b) only the reason is correct
c) both the statement and reason are correct
d) both the statement and reason are incorrect
Ans:
a) only the statement is correct
9. Riding a bicycle is like ______ for women
according to Kannamal.
a) driving a car b) flying an aeroplane
c) riding a bike d)
driving a truck
Ans:
b) flying an aeroplane
10. According to the poem ‘Water’, ______ is
a witness to centuries of social injustice.
a) god b)
panchama c) water d) blood
Ans:
c) water
11. Fill in the blanks with the passive form
of the verb given in brackets. 3 × 1 =
3
Monaco
was called a toy kingdom. Once a murder ______ (commit) in that kingdom. The
criminal ______ (sentence) to death by the judges. But the kingdom had no
resources to execute the criminal. So, the criminal ______ (ask) to run away.
Ans:
Monaco was called a toy kingdom. Once a murder was committed in that kingdom. The criminal was sentenced to death by the
judges. But the kingdom had no resources to execute the criminal. So, the
criminal was asked to run
away.
12. Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate
expressions given in brackets. 2 × 1 =
2 (cut down on, put up
with, go in for)
A
lot of women of Pudukkottai were unable to wait for ‘ladies cycles’. Therefore,
they had to ______ men’s cycles. They knew that bicycles ______ time wasted for
waiting for buses.
Ans:
A lot of women of Pudukkottai were unable to wait for ‘ladies cycles’.
Therefore, they had to go in for
men’s cycles. They knew that bicycles cut
down on time wasted for waiting for buses.
13. Read the following
paragraph and match the pronouns in side A with the nouns / noun phrases in
side B they refer to. 5×1
= 5
Chaithra
is an international Kho-kho player. She
(a) took to it (b) when
she was six years old. It was her (c)
dream to play for India. Manjunath is her coach. He (d) always insists on the players to dedicate themselves (e) to the game
wholeheartedly.
|
A (Pronoun) |
B (Noun / Noun Phrase) |
|
a. She |
i. Manjunath |
|
b. it |
ii. Players |
|
c. her |
iii. Country |
|
d. He |
iv. Chaithra |
|
e. themselves |
v. kho - kho |
|
vi. Chaithra’s |
Ans:
a. She – iv.Chaithra
b.
It
– v. Kho-kho
c.
Her
– vi. Chaithra’s
d.
He –
i. Manjunath
e. Themselves – ii. players
PART – B
II.
Answer any THREE of the following questions in one or two sentences / word /
phrases each: 3×2
= 6
14. Who are compared to ‘a snowy dove’ and
‘crows’ respectively in ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
Ans:
Juliet is compared to ‘a snowy dove’ and other women on dance floor are
compared to ‘crows’.
15. According to the prophet in ‘On
Children’, who bends the bow and why?
Ans:
Archer (God) bends the bow so that arrows (children) should go swift and far.
16. Name the two popular courses in Earth
University as mentioned by Vandana Shiva.
Ans:
The A-Z of Organic Farming and Agro-ecology and Gandhi and Globalization
17. Which is the mighty movement mentioned in
the poem ‘Water’? Where did it happen ?
Ans:
Mahad is the mighty movement mentioned in the poem ‘Water’ It had happened at
Chadar Tank
III.
Answer any FOUR of the following questions in about 60 words each :
4×3
= 12
18.
Write a short note on Cormac Cullinan’s thoughts on separateness as quoted by
Vandana Shiva.
Ans: Cormac Cullinan says
that humans believe they are separate from nature. This idea of separateness
makes people think that nature exists only to serve humans. Vandana Shiva
quotes him to show that this false belief has caused environmental destruction.
She stresses that humans are part of nature and must live in harmony with it.
19
.What led to the duel between the gallant lover and the merchant in ‘A Sunny
morning’ ?
Ans: The duel in "A
Sunny Morning" was sparked by a quarrel between Don Gonzalo (the
gallant lover) and Laura's suitor, a wealthy merchant, over Laura, whom Gonzalo
loved; the merchant insulted Gonzalo, leading to the duel where Gonzalo wounded
him, forcing him to flee and live in hiding, tragically separating the young
lovers.
20.
When and how does love flee according to W. B. Yeats as expressed in ‘When You
Are Old’ ?
Ans: According to W. B.
Yeats, love flees when a person grows old and loses youth and beauty. When the
beloved becomes old, love quietly goes away and hides among the mountains and
stars. The poet shows that true love values the soul, not physical beauty,
which fades with time.
21.
Write a note on the life of the foot in the shoe as described in the poem ‘To
The Foot From Its Child’.
Ans: The poet describes the
foot as living a confined and painful life inside the shoe. It is squeezed,
suffers heat, sweat, and darkness, and has no freedom. The shoe protects the
foot but also causes discomfort. The poem shows how protection can sometimes
turn into restriction and suffering.
22.
What aspects of nature make this earth heaven according to Kuvempu ?
Ans: According to Kuvempu,
nature makes the earth heaven through its beautiful rivers, mountains, forests,
flowers, birds, and fresh air. The harmony among all living beings adds to this
beauty. He believes that love, unity, and peaceful coexistence with nature make
the earth a divine and joyful place to live.
23.
Why is eating soup dangerous in Japan, as narrated by George Mikes ?
Ans: George Mikes says that
eating soup in Japan is dangerous because of the strict table manners. Soup
must be slurped loudly, which is polite there but difficult for foreigners. If
eaten silently, it is considered rude. The author humorously describes how
cultural differences can make simple actions confusing and risky.
IV.
Answer any THREE of the following questions in about 100 words each :
3×4
= 12
24.
Why was the criminal reluctant to go out of the prison in ‘Too Dear’ ?
Ans: In “Too Dear”, the criminal is reluctant
to go out of the prison because life outside has become too expensive for him.
He feels that food, rent, clothes, and basic needs cost a lot of money. Inside
the prison, he gets food, shelter, and safety without paying anything. He also
does not have to worry about earning money or surviving in society. The rising
cost of living makes him fear freedom. Therefore, the prison seems more comfortable
and secure than the outside world, which is why he does not want to leave.
25.
Do you agree that the play ‘A Sunny Morning’ deals with the human weakness for
lying ? Elucidate with suitable examples.
Ans: Yes, I agree that “A Sunny Morning” deals with the
human weakness for lying. The play shows how people lie to protect their pride.
Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo both hide their true identities. Dona Laura pretends
to be a poor lady, while Don Gonzalo pretends to be an ordinary man. They both
lie because they do not want to reveal their past or social status. Their lies
help them avoid embarrassment and emotional pain. The play humorously shows
that lying often comes from human weakness and the fear of being judged by
others.
26.
How did the plantation owner’s lifestyle change after the arrival of the old
man in ‘The Gardener’ ?
Ans: After the arrival of the old man in “The Gardener”, the plantation
owner’s lifestyle changes completely. Earlier, he was careless and lived a lazy
life without responsibility. The old man teaches him the value of hard work,
discipline, and patience. He encourages the owner to take interest in farming
and nature. Gradually, the owner becomes more responsible and starts working
regularly. He develops respect for labour and simple living. The old man’s
wisdom and guidance help the plantation owner lead a meaningful and disciplined
life.
27.
Why does Borges believe that poetry cannot be fully explained or defined ?
Discuss.
Ans: Borges believes that
poetry cannot be fully explained or defined because it is an experience rather
than a set of rules. According to him, poetry is felt in the heart and mind,
not understood through logic. He compares poetry to love and happiness, which
cannot be clearly defined but are deeply experienced. Borges says that
explaining poetry too much destroys its beauty. Each reader feels poetry
differently based on emotions and imagination. Therefore, poetry remains
mysterious and personal, and it cannot be limited to a single definition or
explanation.
28
.‘Roof is an intelligent manipulator.’ Justify with reference to the story ‘The
Voter’.
Ans: Roof is an intelligent
manipulator in “The Voter”
because he cleverly controls the villagers for political gain. He pretends to
be concerned about the people but actually works for his own benefit. Roof uses
fear, threats, and false promises to influence voters. He even changes his
loyalty between political parties to stay powerful. By manipulating the
villagers’ ignorance and emotions, he ensures victory for his preferred
candidate. His clever tactics show his intelligence, but his actions are
dishonest. Thus, Roof is rightly called an intelligent manipulator.
29.
Cycling becomes a metaphor for freedom. Explain with reference to ‘Where There
Is A Wheel’.
Ans: In “Where There Is A Wheel”, cycling
becomes a metaphor for freedom because it gives independence to rural women.
Learning to ride a bicycle allows women to travel freely without depending on
men. It helps them go to school, work, and markets confidently. Cycling breaks
social restrictions and challenges gender discrimination. For the women, the
bicycle is not just a vehicle but a symbol of empowerment and self-respect. It
changes their lives and gives them control over their movement. Thus, cycling
represents freedom and social change.
PART – C
V.
30 A. Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it.
9×1
= 9
Sunita
Williams is an American astronaut for her record-breaking missions to the
International Space Station (ISS). She was born on September 19, 1965, in
Euclid, Ohio, U.S. She is the daughter of Deepak Pandya and Ursuline Bonnie
Pandya. Although her childhood dream was to become a veterinary doctor, her
life took a different path.
In
1983, Williams joined the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland. She became a naval
test pilot in 1993 and later instructed other pilots flying over 30 different
types of aircraft. While serving on the USS Saipan, she was selected for NASA’s
astronaut programme. In 1995, she completed her MS in Engineering Management
from the Florida Institute of Technology. Williams entered astronaut training
in 1998, which included working in Moscow with the Russian Federal Space Agency
(RFSA). There, she was trained in robotics and ISS operations. Her first space
flight was in December 2006 aboard the space shuttle Discovery for mission
STS-116. During this mission, she worked as a flight engineer and completed
four space walks, spending more than 195 days in space.
In
2015, NASA selected her to be part of first test flights in the Commercial Crew
Programme. Later, in June 2024, she launched aboard the first crewed Boeing
Starliner flight to the ISS, with Barry Wilmore as commander and Williams as
the pilot. After staying on the ISS for over nine months, they returned to
earth on March 18, 2025, in a Dragon spacecraft. In total, Sunita Williams has
spent 608 days in space making her one of the most experienced astronauts in
history. She was the second American astronaut of Indian heritage to go into
space, after Kalpana Chawla.
a. Williams joined the Naval Academy in
______ in the year 1983.
Ans:
Maryland
b. When was Sunita Williams born?
Ans:
September 19,1965
c. What degree did Sunita Williams
complete in 1995?
Ans:
MS in Engineering Management
d. How many days did she spend on the ISS
during her first mission ?
Ans:
More than 195 days
e. Who accompanied Sunita Williams on
the 2024 Starliner mission to the ISS ?
Ans:
Barry Wilmore
f. ______ was the first American astronaut of
Indian heritage to go into space.
Ans:
Kalpana Chawla
g. The antonym for the word ‘complete’
is ______.
Ans:
Incomplete
h. What was Sunita Williams trained in
while working at Moscow with the RFSA ?
Ans:
Robotics and ISS operations
i. What was Sunita Williams’ childhood
dream ?
Ans:
A veterinary doctor.
OR
B.
Read the following poem and answer the questions set on it. 9×1 = 9
The
Bangle Sellers (Sarojini Naidu)
Bangle sellers are we who
bear
Our shining loads to the temple fair…
Who will buy these delicate, bright
Rainbow-tinted circles of light ?
Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
For happy daughters and happy wives.
Some are meet for a
maiden’s wrist,
Silver and blue as the mountain mist,
Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,
Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves
Some are like fields of
sunlit corn,
Meet for a bride on her bridal morn,
Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,
Or, rich with the hue of her heart’s desire,
Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,
Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.
Some are purple and gold
flecked grey,
For she who has journeyed through life midway,
Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest,
And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast,
And serves her household in fruitful pride,
And worships the gods at her husband’s side.
a. Who are the speakers of the poem ?
Ans:
Bangle sellers
b. Rainbow tinted circles of light refer
to ______ (Fill in the blank)
Ans:
Bangles
c. What is meant by shining loads ?
Ans:
Bright and glittering bangles
d. Where do they take their loads ?
Ans:
Temple fair
e. Whose wrist do the silver and blue bangles
meet ?
Ans:
A maiden
f. Which adjective in the poem describes
pride of wife ?
Ans:
fruitful
g. Complete the analogy – wrist : mist
:: dream : ______
Ans:
stream
h. The purple and gold flecked grey
bangles represent ______ life of a woman.
Ans:
Middle-aged
i. The bangles are the token of ______
(radiance / radiant) lives on daughters and wives.
Ans:
Radiant
PART – D
VI.
31. A. Rewrite as directed : 4×1 = 4
i. Nisha is used to come to college ______
bus.
(Use appropriate preposition)
Ans:
Nisha is used to come to college by
bus.
ii. the cats / first / domesticated / were /
by ancient Egyptians
(Rearrange the above segments into a meaningful sentence)
Ans: The cats were first domesticated by ancient
Egyptians
iii. One of my friends ______ (live / lives)
in Mysuru.
(Use an appropriate verb that agrees with the subject)
Ans: One of my friends lives in Mysuru
iv. He ______ (stand) in the queue to reserve
the tickets yesterday.
(Use the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets)
Ans: He
stood in the queue to
reserved the tickets yesterday.
OR
B.
Fill in the blanks with the right linkers : 4×1 = 4
(but, after, as though, as)
The
old man started narrating the story of Tammanna and Basaviah to the owner’s
wife. ______ narrating the introductory part, he started fumbling for words
______ he had made a mistake. The owner’s wife was not interested in the story.
She felt like going away, ______ she stayed back ______ she did not want to
hurt the old man.
Ans: The old man started
narrating the story of Tammanna and Basaviah to the owner’s wife. After narrating the introductory
part, he started fumbling for words as
though he had made a mistake. The owner’s wife was not interested in
the story. She felt like going away, as
she stayed back but she did
not want to hurt the old man.
32.
A. Rewrite as directed. 2×1 = 2
i. Janani won the tennis tournament, ______ ?
(Add a suitable question tag)
Ans: Janani won the tennis tournament, didn’t she?
ii. Shiva sang the song melodiously. (Frame
‘wh’ question to get the underlined word as answer
Ans: Did Shiva sing the song melodiously?
OR
B.
Rectify the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them. 2×1 = 2
i. Why you left early?
Ans:
Why left you early?
ii. Sangeeta is resembling her sister.
Ans:
Sangeeta resembles her sister.
33.
Read the following passage and make notes by filling the boxes given below : 4×½
= 2
Tungabhadra
is one of the major rivers of Karnataka. It starts and flows through the state
of Karnataka, during most of its course, then through Andhra Pradesh, and
ultimately joins the Krishna River near Muruvakonda in Andhra Pradesh.
Ans:
34.
Report the following conversation. 1×5 = 5
Vegetable vendor : I have various vegetables
madam.
Seeta : Are they fresh enough ?
Vegetable vendor : Why do you ask such a question, madam ?
Seeta : Carrot and beans are not fresh.
Vegetable vendor : No, I bought them only this morning.
Ans: Vegetable vendor told
Seeta he had various vegetables madam. Seeta asked Vegetable vendor if they
were fresh enough. Vegetable Vendor asked Seeta why did she ask such a
question, madam. Seeta replied Vegetable Vendor that carrot and beans were not
fresh. Vegetbale vendor told Seeta negatively that he had bought them only that
morning.
35.
Complete the following conversation.
(Between a stranger and an auto driver)
Stranger : Excuse me, may I know how far is
Kuvempunagar from here ?
Auto driver : ______ (responding)
Stranger : Can you drop me there ?
Auto driver : ______ (agreeing)
Stranger : How long does it take to reach there ?
Auto driver : ______ (giving information)
Stranger : It’s ok, take me there soon.
Ans:
Stranger
: Excuse me, may I know how far is Kuvempunagar from here ?
Auto driver : It is four kilometers
from here.
Stranger : Can you drop me there ?
Auto driver : Yes, I can drop you
there.
Stranger : How long does it take to reach there ?
Auto driver : It will take twenty
minutes to reach there.
Stranger : It’s ok, take me there soon.
PART – E
VII.
36. A. Write a letter of application in response to the following advertisement
that appeared in ‘The Times of India’ dated 30th December 2025. 5
WANTED
Sales
Manager
Qualification
:
Any degree. Must know Kannada, English and Hindi.
Must have computer knowledge.
Apply
within 10 days to :
The Administrator,
Skanda Agro-Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Metagalli Industrial Area, Mysuru.
Write XXXX for name and YYYY for address.
Ans:
From,
XXXX
YYYY
5 January 2026
To,
The Administrator,
Skanda Agro-Tech Pvt. Ltd.,
Metagalli Industrial Area,
Mysuru.
Subject: Application for
the post of Sales Manager
Respected Sir/Madam,
I
am writing this letter in response to your advertisement published in The Times of India dated 30th December 2025, inviting
applications for the post of Sales Manager. I wish to apply for the same.
I
have completed my degree from a recognized university. I am fluent in Kannada,
English, and Hindi. I also have good computer knowledge and am comfortable
using MS Office and other basic software. I have good communication skills and
the ability to manage sales activities effectively.
I
am hardworking, sincere, and confident that I can contribute positively to the
growth of your organization. I assure you that I will discharge my duties
honestly and efficiently if given an opportunity.
I
request you to kindly consider my application and grant me an interview at your
convenience.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
XXXX
OR
B.
Imagine that you are the Secretary of your college union. You are asked to
introduce the Chief guest Dr. Nagaraja, on the occasion of Annual day
celebration in your college. Based on the information given below, write a
speech in about 120 words. 5
Chief
Guest :
Dr. Nagaraja
Education : MA (Kannada), PhD, from Mysore University
Profile : Worked as HOD, National College, Bengaluru
Activist in Kannada Movement – recipient of ‘Kendra Sahitya Academy Award’
in 2023–24
Ans:
Respected Principal,
dignitaries on the dais, teachers, and my dear friends, good morning to one and
all.
It is my proud privilege to
introduce today’s Chief Guest, Dr.
Nagaraja, a distinguished scholar and an inspiring personality. Dr.
Nagaraja has completed his MA in
Kannada and PhD from Mysore University. He has served as the Head of the Department of Kannada at National
College, Bengaluru, and has made valuable contributions to the field of
education.
He is a committed activist in the Kannada movement and
has worked tirelessly for the promotion of Kannada language and literature. In
recognition of his outstanding service, he was honored with the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Academy Award in 2023–24.
We are truly honoured to
have him with us today. I warmly welcome Dr. Nagaraja to this Annual Day
celebration.
Thank you.
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