II PUC SOLVED ENGLISH
ANNUAL QUESTION PAPER
Examination - 01
2025-2026
Subject: ENGLISH Time: 3 Hours Max.
Marks: 80
Instructions:
1. Answer the
questions in all the sections.
2. Follow the
prescribed limit while answering the questions.
3. Write the
correct question number as it appears on the question paper.
4. For
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), choose the correct answer and rewrite it.
5. For Part-A
questions, only the first written answers will be considered for evaluation.
6. Answers to
the question numbers 30 (A) (a-i) or 30 (B) (a-i), should be in one sequence
and at one place.
7. For
question numbers 30, 31, 32 and 36, internal choices are there. Hence, answer
either (A) or (B).
PART-A
1. Answer the following questions by
choosing the right option: (10 x 1 = 10)
1) In Romeo and Juliet, ………. is
described as 'gentle, loving and black-browed
a) an Ethiope b) night c)
a crow d) a raven
Ans:
b) night
2) In Too Dear, ………. was the initial
punishment given to the criminal.
a) life imprisonment b) temporary stay in a
lock up
c) death sentence d) exiled from Monaco
Ans:
c) death sentence
3) According to the speaker in On
Children', 'life does not tarry with ……….
a) today b)
tomorrow
c) day after tomorrow d) yesterday
Ans:
d) yesterday
4) Match the items in Column A with
Column B with reference to the play 'A Sunny Morning' and choose the correct
option.
A B
A) wild boar's head i) Dona
Laura's boudoir
B) tiger's skin ii) as a shoe brush
C) handkerchief iii) Don Gonzalo's study
a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i b) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
c) A-ii, B-iii, C-i d) A-i, B-iii, C-ii
Ans:
b) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
5) In the Gardener", ………. beddecked
himself with gold, built a mansion and invited scholars to his house.
a) Tammanna b)
The owner of the plantation
c) Basavaiah d) Lokya
Ans:
c) Basavaiah
6) In the interview, Borges does not
make this statement about books
a) A book goes beyond it's author's
intention
b) If books disappear, surely history
would disappear and man would disappear
c) Modern developments would replace
books with more dynamic things
d) A book always retains something
sacred, mortal and magical
Ans:
c) Modern developments would replace books with more dynamic things
7) The life of ………. is becoming more
hazardous everyday in Brazil, according to George Mikes.
a) Pedestrians b) car drivers c)
hunters d) prey
Ans:
a) Pedestrians
8) In the story "The Voter', ………. was
the leader of the 'Progressive Organization Party'.
a) Marcus Ibe b) Maduka c)
Ezenwa d) Roof
Ans:
b) Maduka
9) The secondary school teacher
mentioned in the essay, "Where There Is A Wheel' is ……….
a) N. Kannammal b) Jameela Bibi c)
Manormani d) Fatima
Ans:
d) Fatima
10) According to the poem 'water",
………. of social injustice. is a witness
to the centuries
a) Blood b) Jesus the Jew
c) Water d) The panchama
Ans:
c) Water
11) Fill in the blanks with the passive
form of the verbs given in the brackets:
(3 x 1 = 3)
Chipko movement took place in the
Garhwal Himalaya. It ………. (support) by
the peasant women. A large scale deforestation ………. (oppose) by them. Many songs………. (compose) to
spread the message of the movement.
Ans: Chipko
movement took place in the Garhwal Himalaya. It was supported by the peasant women. A large scale was opposed by them. Many songs were composed to spread the
message of the movement deforestation
12) Fill in the blanks by choosing the
appropriate expressions given in the brackets: (2 x 1 = 2)
(brain child, swept across, go out)
Cycling
has ………. Pudukkottai. It was the ………. of Sheela Rani Chunkath, who was the
former District Collector.
Ans:
Cycling has swept across Pudukkottai.
It was the brain child of Sheela
Rani Chunkath, who was the former District Collector.
13)
Read the following paragraph and match the pronouns in column A with the
nouns/noun phrases in column B they refer to: (5 x 1 = 5)
Oliver
Goldsmith was sometimes called Dr. Goldsmith because he (a) had studied
medicine. One day, a poor woman came to his (b) house and she (c)
asked him if he would come to see her husband who (d) was sick and would
not eat any food. Dr. Goldsmith gave her a small box which (e) had money in it.
A B
(Pronouns) (Nouns/Noun
Phrases)
a) He i)
poor woman's husband
b) His ii)
poor woman
c) She iii)
Dr. Goldsmith
d) Who iv)
a small box
e) Which v)
House
vi) Dr. Goldsmith's
Ans:
a)
He – iii) Dr. Goldsmith
b)
His - vi) Dr. Goldsmith’s
c)
She - ii) Poor woman
d)
Who – i) poor woman’s husband
e)
Which – iv) a small box
PART-B
II.
Answer any three of the following questions in one or two sentences/ words/ phrases
each. (3
x 2 = 6)
14)
Name any two images that Romeo uses to describe Juliet's beauty in 'Romeo and
Juliet'
Ans:
a rich jewel in Ethiopia’s ear, a snowy dove trooping with crows
15) According to the prophet in 'On
Children', who bends the bow and why?
Ans:
archer, his arrows may go swift & far
16) According to Vandana Shiva, what had
logging led to in the Himalayan region?
Ans:
Severe environmental destruction, including landslides, floods and the drying
up of water sources
17) Which is the mighty movement
mentioned in the poem 'water? Where did it happen?
Ans:
Mahad struggles, Chadar tank
III.
Answer any four of the following questions in about 60 words each :
(4 x 3 = 12)
18) Write a brief note on Vandana
Shiva's Navdanya Farm.
Ans: In 1994,
Vandana Shiva established Navdanya Farm in the Doon Valley. The farm is
dedicated to preserving biodiversity and cultivating a wide range of crop
varieties. At present, it maintains around 630 types of rice and 150 types of
wheat. The farm encourages organic farming practices that avoid the use of
harmful chemicals. It also educates farmers on natural methods of growing food.
In addition, Navdanya Farm operates seed banks to protect and store diverse
seeds. Through its work, the farm highlights the vital role of biodiversity in
ensuring proper food and nutrition.
19)
What circumstances, according to Don Gonzalo, made his cousin run away from
Valencia in 'A Sunny Morning'?
Ans: As per Don
Gonzalo’s account, his cousin once fought a duel on the beach with a merchant
who was in love with Laura. During the fight, the merchant was seriously
injured. Afterward, his cousin had to remain in hiding for a few days to avoid
being arrested by the police. He then escaped from Valencia to Seville and
finally reached Madrid. Later, he enlisted in the army and was sent to Africa,
where he met a brave and honorable death while serving his nation.
20) How does the poet portray that his
love is different from that of others in 'When You Are Old'?
Ans: In the
poem, the poet explains that many admired the woman for her charm and elegance.
Some loved her sincerely, while others loved her only for appearance. However,
the poet’s love was unique. He cherished her “pilgrim soul,” meaning her inner
spirit and her quest for truth. He also valued the sadness reflected in her
face as she aged. Unlike others who were attracted to her physical beauty, the
poet loved her inner qualities with deep and genuine affection.
21) Write a note on the life of the foot
in the shoe as described in To The Foot From Its Child".
Ans: At first,
the foot is like that of a child, full of dreams, wishing to become something
light and beautiful like a butterfly or an apple. Gradually, it understands
that it cannot fly or escape reality. It feels defeated and is confined inside
a shoe, almost like a captive. In the darkness of the shoe, it begins to
experience the world in its own silent way. As time passes, it becomes tough
and rough with calluses. The foot travels constantly—across fields, through
mines, in busy markets, and crowded offices. It keeps moving tirelessly until
the man’s life ends, and finally, the foot too is laid to rest beneath the
earth.
22)
"Heaven lies all over! Illustrate this with reference to the poem 'Heaven,
If You Are Not On Earth".
Ans: In this
poem, the poet Kuvempu explains that heaven is not a distant place somewhere
far away. It exists here on earth itself. The natural beauty around us is truly
heavenly. The sound of flowing streams, the rolling sea waves, the warmth of
sunlight, and the greenery of gardens make the earth feel like paradise. The
joy of harvest season and the charm of moonlight further prove that heaven can
be found all around us. The poet also suggests that human beings can become
god-like and create heaven on earth through their joy, creativity, and poetry.
23)
Why does George Mikes consider the Japanese as 'Well-mannered people'?
Ans: George
Mikes describes the Japanese as extremely courteous because they value one
another’s privacy, even in busy and crowded areas. In Japan, there is little
room for private telephone booths, so public phones are placed in open spaces.
Even so, people do not interfere or listen to others’ conversations. The
Japanese also greet each other by bowing, which reflects their respect and
cultural values. They follow clear rules and levels in bowing according to age
and status, and children are taught this practice by their mothers from a young
age. The author is deeply impressed by their discipline, politeness, and
refined manners.
IV.
Answer any three of the following in about 100 words each: (3 x 4 =12)
24)
What were the arguments putforth by the criminal for not going out of the
prison in 'Too Dear!?
Ans: The
prisoner did not try to escape even after the guard was withdrawn. When the
Minister questioned him about his decision to stay, he explained his reasons
clearly. He said he had nowhere else to go, as his punishment had destroyed his
reputation and society would not welcome him back. He also admitted that he had
become used to prison life and had lost the habit of working for a living. He
felt that he had been treated unfairly. At first, he was sentenced to death but
the execution never took place. Later, he was kept in prison under guard and
provided with food. When the guard was finally removed, the authorities
expected him to leave. However, he refused, saying he had neither a home nor
any way to survive outside.
25) How does Dona Laura decorate her own
funeral in the play 'A Sunny Morning? Explain.
Ans: Dona Laura
invents an emotional and romantic tale about her own death. She tells Don
Gonzalo that her friend Laura, known as the Silver Maiden, passed away due to
heartbreak. She explains that Laura waited for months to receive a letter from
her lover, but none ever arrived. One evening at sunset, she went to the
seashore where her beloved had once fought a duel. There, she wrote his name on
the sand and sat upon a rock, gazing at the sea. Gradually, the rising waves
reached her and carried her away into the ocean. Later, the fishermen remarked
that the name written on the sand remained visible for a long time before the
waves finally erased it. Through this imaginative story, Dona Laura gives
herself a tragic and poetic end.
26) How did Tammanna avenge himself with
reference to 'The Gardener'?
Ans: Tammanna chose a very unusual method
to take revenge. When Basavaiah forcefully seized his land, Tammanna did not
resort to violence or seek justice in court. Instead, he began composing
ballads and songs that exposed Basavaiah’s greed and cruelty. These songs
gained wide popularity, and even scholars started to appreciate and study them.
This brought shame and embarrassment to Basavaiah.
After some time,
Tammanna understood that Basavaiah would keep competing with him as long as he
remained there. So, he made a bold decision to leave the place and disappear
entirely. Once Tammanna was gone, Basavaiah had no rival to fight against and
lost his purpose in life. Soon after, he died. In this way, Tammanna took
revenge not through violence, but by removing himself from the conflict.
27) The function of books is irreplaceable'.
Substantiate this statement with reference to 'Books Will Never Disappear'.
Ans: Borges firmly states that books can
never be replaced. In his view, most inventions are simply extensions of different
parts of the human body. For example, the telephone carries our voice farther,
the telescope sharpens our vision, and the plough strengthens the work of our
arms. However, a book is not just a physical extension. It expands our
imagination and preserves our memory.
Books store the ideas,
emotions, and wisdom of countless generations. They serve as the collective
memory of humanity. If books were to vanish, our history would vanish with
them, and without history, human identity itself would fade. Literature, he
suggests, is like a powerful dream that influences both our present self and
our future growth. For this reason, no modern technology can ever truly take
the place of books or reduce their value in human life.
28) Why did the people of Umuofia feel
that they had underrated the power of ballot paper before, in 'The Voter'?
Ans: During the first election in
Umuofia, the villagers supported Marcus Ibe willingly and did not expect any
payment for their votes. However, within five years, Marcus grew extremely
wealthy and influential. He constructed a large house, purchased cars, and
received several titles and honours.
Seeing his sudden rise
in wealth, the villagers began to realize that politics could make a man very
rich. They understood that their votes were valuable. Therefore, in the
following election, they decided not to offer their support without benefit.
They wanted something in exchange for their votes. When Roof offered them two
shillings, they felt insulted and asked for a higher amount. They argued that
since Marcus had become a wealthy man, he should reward them properly for their
support.
29) Describe the role of Arivoli lyakkam
in liberating and empowering rural women of Pudukkottai, as narrated by P.
Sainath.
Ans: Arivoli Iyakkam, known as the Light
of Knowledge Movement, played a key role in empowering rural women in
Pudukkottai. The movement connected literacy with cycling and encouraged women
to learn both. It gave social acceptance to the idea of women riding bicycles.
In
the beginning, many women faced criticism, insulting comments, and attacks on
their character when they tried to cycle. However, Arivoli stood firmly by
their side and arranged special cycling training camps. Through these efforts,
women learned to ride bicycles and gradually built self-confidence. They became
more independent and did not have to depend on men for transportation. They
could fetch water, sell their products, and travel for work on their own.
The movement also
created motivational songs to promote cycling among women. As a result of these
efforts, more than one lakh women learned to cycle and gained greater freedom
and independence.
PART-C
V.
30) A) Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:
(9x1=9)
Widely
regarded in his life time as the most accomplished novelist from the English
speaking Caribbean, V.S. Naipul was born to a family of Indian descent in
Trinidad. He was educated at Queen's Royal College, port of Spain and at
University College, Oxford. After settling in England, he became the editor of
'The Caribbean Voices' programme at BBC and he worked there for 2 years from
1954. He then worked as the fiction reviewer for the 'New Statesman from 1957
to 1961. He won the Booker Prize in 1971 for his work 'In a Free State'. He
received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001.
The
Mystic Masseur', 'The suffrage of Elvira' and 'Miguel street' are the comedies
of manner of Naipul. His first major novel 'A House for Mr. Biswas was
published in 1961. It is partly based on his father's experience. Following a
declining fortunes of it's gentle hero from cradle to grave, this tragiocomic
novel, traces the disintegration of a traditional way of life. His subsequent
novels continued to explore the desperate and destructive conditions of people
who struggle with cultures in complicated streets of transition and
development. Because of his bitter, even withering critiques of so called third
world states and societies, Naipul was controversial among readers of post
colonial fiction.
Naipul
also produced essays on a variety of themes including a travel narrative about
the Southern America another about African beliefs and traditions. Usually, his
writings carry the readers to Africa, England, the Indian sub-continent, the
middle East, South and North America. As the years passed, his vision of human
conditions grew darker and more pessimistic. He laid bare the insensitives and
disconnections that bedevil relations among individuals races and nations.
Tremendous
disjunctions and dire consequences of immigration to America are revealed in
his prize winning novel 'In a Free State'. It engages the readers emotionally
yet ironically and allows them to understand what it means to be free. The
story follows the fortunes of Santhosh, an Indian immigrant to the United
States of America. His sense of self changes dramatically in relation to
various liberating and imprisoning spaces and cultures. In contrast to
narratives of immigration as empowerment, the story represents the promise of
more freedom, more status and more economic opportunities in America as coming
at the price of an intensified isolation and alienation.
Questions:
a) Where was V.S. Naipul born?
Ans:
Trinidad
b) When did V.S. Naipul receive the
Nobel Prize for literature?
Ans:
2001
c) How long did Naipul work for the BBC?
Ans:
Two years
d) Why was V.S. Naipul controversial
among the readers of post colonial fiction?
Ans:
Because of his bitter critiques of so-called third world states and societies
e) Which of Naipul's novels follows the
fortunes of Santhosh in the United States?
Ans:
In a Free State
f) According to V.S. Naipul, the
immigration to America for empowerment comes at the price of ………. (Fill in the
blank)
Ans:
intensified isolation and alienation
g) Which novel of V.S. Naipul, traces
the disintegration of a traditional way of life?
Ans:
A House for Mr. Biswas
h) The noun form of the word,
'accomplished' is ……….
(Fill in the blank)
Ans:
Accomplishment
(i) Add a prefix to the word 'educated'
to make its antonym.
Ans:
Uneducated
OR
B) Read the following poem and answer
the questions set on it. (9 x 1 = 9)
OZYMANDIAS
- Percy Bysshe
Shelley
I met a
traveller from an antique land
Who said: two
vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the
desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a
shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip
and sneer of cold command
Tell that its
sculptor well those passions read
Which yet
survive, stamped on those lifeless things,
The hand that
mock'd them and the heart that fed:
And on the
pedestal these words appear:
"My name is
Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my
works, Ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round and decay
Of that colossal
wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and
level stands stretch far away.
Questions:-
a) What did the traveller see in the
desert?
Ans:
The traveller saw two huge, trunkless legs of stone standing in the desert and
a shattered statue’s face lying nearby.
b) Where does the shattered Visage lie?
Ans:
The shattered visage lies half-buried in the sand near the stone legs.
c) According to the poet, what has been
inscribed on the pedestal?
Ans:
The pedestal bears the words: “My name is Ozymandias , King of Kings: look on
my works, Ye Mighty, and despair!”
d) What do the phrases Wrinkled lip' and
'sneer of cold command suggest about the king?
Ans:
These phrases show that the king was proud, arrogant and cruel.
e) Who are 'Ye Mighty' in the context of
the poem?
Ans:
Other powerful rulers and leaders of the world.
f) What do the expression on the stone
say about the sculptor?
Ans:
They show that the sculptor understood the king’s character very well and
skillfully captured his pride and harshness.
g) According to the speaker, what is
there around pedestal?
Ans:
Around the pedestal, there is nothing except vast, empty desert stretching far
away.
h) Which word in the poem means, 'very
old'?
Ans:
Antique
i) Complete the analogy.
land:
sand:: stone: ……….
Ans:
alone
PART-D
VI. 31) A) Rewrite as directed: (4x1=4)
i) We walked along a long distance ………. foot.
(Use proper preposition)
Ans:
We walked along a long distance on
foot.
ii) of my home / and shut the door / my
daughter in /1 called.
(Rearrange the segments into a
meaningful sentence)
Ans:
I called my daughter in and shut the door of my home.
iii) The flock of birds ………. (is/are)
flying over head.
(Choose the right verb that agrees with
the subject)
Ans:
The flock of birds is flying
overhead.
iv) I ………. (see) him at the mall last week.
(Use proper form of the verb given in
the bracket)
Ans:
I saw him at the mall last
week.
OR
B) Fill in the blanks with right
linkers. (4x1=4)
[as, atlast, and, but]
One
fine day, a wealthy man drove out of his city. He saw a farmer's horse on his
way ………. he was attracted to it. He wanted
to buy it, ………. it was looking great. ……….
the farmer was not willing to sell his horse. However, the rich man was ready
to pay more. ………. the farmer was
convinced and he pleaded with him and. agreed to sell his horse.
Ans: One fine
day, a wealthy man drove out of his city. He saw a farmer's horse on his way and he was attracted to it. He wanted to buy it, as it was looking great. But the farmer was not willing to sell his horse. However,
the rich man was ready to pay more. Atlast
the farmer was convinced and he pleaded
with him and. agreed to sell his horse.
32) A) Rewrite as directed: (2x1=2)
i) I do not know what to do, ……….?
(Add a question tag)
Ans:
I do not know what to do, do I?
ii) A policeman was clearing the
traffic.
[Frame a 'wh' question to get the
underlined word as answer]
Ans:
What was a policeman clearing?
OR
B) Rectify the errors in the following
sentences and rewrite them. (2 x 1 =2)
i) Children likes sweets.
Ans:
Children like sweets.
ii) A sun rises in the east.
Ans:
The sun rises in the east.
33) Read the following paragraph and
make notes by filling the boxes given below: (4x
½ =2)
The
phantom is a fictional comic strip who was created by Lee Falk, an American. He
lives in the fictional African country of Bangalla, solving the problems of the
tribal people. He is also called Mr. Walker, the Ghost who walks. Lee Falk also
created the character Mandrake, the magician.
Ans:
i) Lee Falk
ii)
Mr. Walker
iii)
An American
iv)
Mandrake
34) Report the following conversation: (5x1=5)
Roof: I have given you three shillings.
What else do you expect from me?
Ezenwa: We wouldn't have asked more if
Marcus is a poor man.
Roof : I will give you one more
shilling. Don't expect more.
Ans: Roof told
Ezenwa that he had given them three shillings. Roof asked Ezenwa what else they
expected from him, Ezenwa replied Roof that they would not have asked for more
if Marcus was a poor man. Roof told Ezenwa that he would give them one more
shilling. Roof told Ezenwa that not to expect more.
35) Complete the following dialogue: (3 x
1 = 3)
[Conversation between two friends]
Mayura: Hi, Madhura, you ………. (complementing)
Madhura: ………. (expressing gratitude)
Mayura: Is today a special day for you?
Madhura: Yes, ………. (responding)
Mayura: Many more happy returns of the
day, Madhura.
Madhura: Thank you, Mayura.
Ans:
Mayura:
Hi, Madhura, you are looking very
beautiful today.
Madhura:
Thank you so much.
Mayura:
Is today a special day for you?
Madhura:
Yes, it is my birthday today.
Mayura:
Many more happy returns of the day, Madhura.
Madhura:
Thank you, Mayura.
PART-E
VII. 36) A) Write a letter of
application in response to the following advertisement that appeared in the
'Deccan Herald' dated 3rd March 2026. (5)
Wanted
Office
Assistants
Qualification :
PUC
Skills required:
Basic computer
knowledge
-Fluency in
English and Kannada
Apply to
The Manager,
5G Digital
Solutions, Hassan-573201.
Ans:
From,
XXX
YYY
3rd March, 2026
To,
The Manager,
5G Digital Solutions,
Hassan - 573201
Respected sir/ madam,
Subject: Application for the post of Office Assistant
Ref: Deccan Herald dated 3rd March, 2026
I am writing to express my interest in the post of office
Assitant that I saw advertised in the newspaper. I have been working as same
for the past one year, where I have gained a wealth of experience in a variety
of areas, including:
I am a highly skilled and experienced computer operator with
a strong understanding of the principles and practices of computer operations.
I am also proficient in a variety works. Even I know English, Kannada, and
Hindi typing.I am eager to learn new things and I am always looking for ways to
improve my skills. I am also a quick learner and I am confident that I can
quickly adapt to your company's systems and procedures.
I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours Sincerely,
Sd/-
(XXXX)
Enclosure: Resume
Resume
Name : XXXX
Address : YYYY
Nationality : Indian
Language
Known : English, Kannada, Hindi
Educational
Qualifications:
|
Degree |
Board/
University |
Year of
Passing |
Percentage |
|
MSC/ MA |
RCUB |
2022 |
95% |
|
BSC/ BA |
RCUB |
2020 |
97% |
|
PUC |
Karnataka State
Board |
2017 |
99% |
|
SSLC |
Karnataka State
Board |
2015 |
98% |
Work Experience : Two years experience
Hobbies : Reading, Surfing, Singing
I
hereby declare that the above information is true to my knowledge.
XXXX
Place: YYYY
Date: 3rd March, 2026
OR
B)
Imagine that you are the President of your college's cultural union. You are
celebrating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Jayanthi. You are required to deliver a speech
on the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Prepare a speech of about
120 words using the following clues. (5)
Born
on 14th April 1891 determined to fight back School of Economics Committee faced
humiliation due to untouchability -studied at Columbia University - London
Chairman of Indian Constitution Drafting the first Law Minister of India passed
away on 6th December 1956-awarded 'Bharath Ratna' posthumously.
Ans:
Respected Principal, teachers, and
dear friends,
Today,
as the President of our Cultural Union, I feel honoured to speak on the
occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Jayanthi. B. R. Ambedkar was born on 14th April
1891. From his childhood, he was determined to fight against social injustice.
Though he faced humiliation due to untouchability, he never gave up. He pursued
higher studies at Columbia University and later at the London School of
Economics.
Dr.
Ambedkar became the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian
Constitution and later served as the first Law Minister of India. He worked
tirelessly for equality and justice. He passed away on 6th December 1956 and
was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Let us follow his
ideals and strive for equality and unity. Thank you.
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