I Semester B.B.A. (SEP) Solved Degree Examination Question Paper,
December/ January – 2025-26
Basic English
Navigating Horizons
(Regular/ Repeater)
Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 80
Section I
Answer
the following questions in a word or a phrase or a sentence. (10 × 1 = 10)
1.
Which mobile app is found
by Vijay Shankar Sharma?
Ans: Paytm
2.
Expand RBI.
Ans: Reserve Bank of India
3.
Who wrote the story
"My Financial Career"?
Ans: Stephen Leacock
4.
What is the name of a
doctor in the story "The Haunted House"?
Ans: Dr. Surendra Babu
5.
Who founded the
"Icertis" company?
Ans: Samir Bodas (along
with Monish Darda)
6.
Which is not an ordinary
bag?
Ans: The Skin Bag
7.
What is the theme of the
poem "Tonight I can write the Saddest Lines"?
Ans: Loss, nostalgia, and
the lingering pain of a past romance.
8.
Who does not let the poet
sleep again?
Ans: The memory of the
beloved
9.
Whose terror the poet
suggests to loose in the poem "The Will to Win"?
Ans: The terror of defeat
or failure
10.
Who is the poet of the poem
"The Will to Win"?
Ans: S.W. McGillan
Section II
Answer
any One question in detail. (1 × 10 = 10)
1. Explain the experiences of a narrator in the story
"My Financial Career".
Ans: In Stephen Leacock's "My Financial
Career," the narrator’s experience is a humorous study of social anxiety and the intimidation felt
by ordinary people towards financial institutions.
·
The Threshold of Fear: The narrator admits that the mere
sight of a bank, the clerks, and the "rattles" of the money makes him
nervous. However, because his salary had been raised to fifty dollars a month,
he felt the bank was the only "safe" place for it.
·
The Mistaken Identity: His extreme secrecy and nervous
behavior lead the bank manager to believe he is either a private detective from
the Pinkertons or a person with a massive secret fortune. When the narrator
reveals he only wants to deposit fifty-six dollars, the manager’s attitude
shifts from "reverence" to cold dismissal.
·
The Climactic Blunder: Overwhelmed by the cold environment,
the narrator accidentally writes a check for the full fifty-six dollars he just
deposited. Too embarrassed to admit his mistake, he pretends he has been
insulted by the bank and is withdrawing all his money in a fit of rage.
·
Conclusion: He leaves the bank amidst the "roars of
laughter" from the clerks. He concludes that it is better to keep his
money in his trousers pocket and his savings in silver dollars in a sock.
(OR)
2.
Elaborate Vijay Shankar
Sharma’s journey.
Ans: Vijay
Shankar Sharma’s journey is a quintessential "rags-to-riches"
story in the Indian startup ecosystem.
·
Early Struggles: Hailing from Aligarh, Sharma faced
significant language barriers, as he studied in a Hindi-medium school and
struggled with English in engineering college. He taught himself English by
reading two books simultaneously (one in Hindi, one in English).
·
The Vision for Paytm: He founded One97 Communications,
which initially provided mobile content. Seeing the potential of the smartphone
revolution, he pivoted to mobile payments and founded Paytm in 2010.
·
Persistence through Hardship: At one point in his
career, he was so broke that he lived on two cups of tea a day and walked long
distances because he couldn't afford a bus ticket.
·
The Turning Point: His biggest breakthrough came during the
2016 demonetization in India, where Paytm became a household name for digital
transactions. His journey highlights the importance of resilience,
adaptability, and the courage to dream big despite humble beginnings.
Section III
Answer
any One question in detail. (1 × 10 = 10)
1.
Explore the inspirational
aspects of the poem "The Will to Win".
Ans: The poem "The Will to Win" (attributed to
Berton Braley or S.W. McGillan) is a powerful motivational manifesto
about the single-minded pursuit of a goal.
·
Total Dedication: The poet argues that success requires a
desire so strong that you are willing to spend all your time, thought, and
energy on it. You must "gladly sweat for it" and "plan for
it."
·
Sacrifice of Comfort: A key inspirational theme is the
willingness to give up "peace and time and sleep" for your dream. It
suggests that if your goal is the most important thing in your life, physical
hardships will not bother you.
·
Persistence Against All Odds: The poem encourages
the reader to be "dogged and grim," ignoring sickness, pain, and
opposition.
·
The Final Promise: The poem concludes with a spiritual
assurance: if you use every ounce of your "sagacity, confidence, and stern
pertinacity," you will eventually win with the "help of God."
(OR)
2.
Describe the lost love
theme in the poem "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines".
Ans: Pablo Neruda’s poem is a masterpiece of melancholy
and nostalgia, exploring the painful transition from love to its aftermath.
·
The Duality of Nature: Neruda uses the night sky—the
"blue stars" and the "shivering" night wind—to mirror his
internal loneliness. The vastness of the night emphasizes the emptiness left by
the beloved's absence.
·
The Paradox of Memory: The poet struggles with the
contradiction of memory. He famously writes, "Love is so short,
forgetting is so long." He remembers holding her and kissing her under
the endless sky, yet he must now accept that "she is not mine."
·
The Feeling of Loss: The theme of "lost love" is
expressed through the physical sensation of the soul not being satisfied with
having lost her. Even though the pain he feels might be the "last
pain" she causes him, the poem shows that the heart does not let go as
easily as the mind.
·
Conclusion: The poem captures the exact moment when a
lover realizes that while the world continues (the same night, the same trees),
the relationship has irrevocably changed.
Section IV
Short
notes (Any Two one from prose and one from poetry). (2 × 5 = 10)
1.
The Skin Bag.
Ans:
In the context of the story The Death of a Hero (or similar
folklore), the "skin bag" often symbolizes the physical body or a
vessel of deception. In some narratives, it refers to a literal bag made of
animal skin used by travelers or healers. Metaphorically, it represents the transience of life—suggesting that the
human body is merely a container for the soul or a collection of worldly
desires. It serves as a reminder of mortality and the insignificance of
material pride.
2.
Dr. Surendra Babu.
Ans:
Dr. Surendra Babu is a pivotal character in
the story The Death of a Hero
by Jai Nimbkar. He is a dedicated, principled teacher and community leader who
stands up against corruption and local goons. His character represents integrity and moral courage. Despite
facing threats and physical violence, he refuses to compromise his values. His
"death" as a hero highlights the tragic cost of being an honest man
in a compromised society, serving as a catalyst for others to reflect on their
own bravery.
3.
The Peddler - The dream
seller.
Ans:
The Peddler, often referred to as a
"dream seller" in literature (such as in works by Selma Lagerlöf or
Sarojini Naidu), is a symbolic figure who wanders from place to place. He
doesn't just sell physical goods like bangles or trinkets; he sells hope and imagination. To the
villagers, he represents the world beyond their horizon. His arrival brings a
touch of magic and longing, as his stories and wares allow people to escape
their mundane lives and "buy" into a momentary dream of beauty or
adventure.
4.
Nirmai.
Ans:
Nirmai is a character typically found in
regional Indian literature, often portrayed as a figure of innocence and resilience. In stories
like The Death of a Hero,
characters like Nirmai provide the emotional grounding for the protagonist. She
often embodies the domestic or traditional values that the hero is trying to
protect. Her presence emphasizes the human element of social struggles, showing
how political or moral conflicts directly impact the lives and peace of simple,
everyday individuals.
Section V
A.
Attempt the following questions as directed. (5 × 1 = 5)
1.
Hari is running fastly.
(Underline adverbial phrase)
Ans: running fastly
2.
Rose is a beautiful woman.
(Underline naming word)
Ans: Rose
3.
Avatar is a fantastic film.
(Underline describing word)
Ans: Fantastic
4.
It is an absolute thriller.
(Underline noun phrase)
Ans: an absolute thriller
5.
She is so beautiful.
(Underline modifier)
Ans: so
B.
Fill in the blanks with suitable articles or prepositions. (5 × 1 = 5)
1.
It was _______
extraordinary match.
Ans: It was an extraordinary match.
2.
We go _______ college by
bus.
Ans: We go to college by bus.
3.
_______ Ramayana is an
Indian epic.
Ans: The Ramayana is an Indian epic.
4.
I prefer coffee _______
tea.
Ans: I prefer coffee to tea.
5.
One should take care
_______ one’s health.
Ans: One should take care of one’s health.
C.
Attempt the following questions as directed. (5 × 1 = 5)
1.
Bhumika is praised by the teacher. (Write the
antonym of the underlined word)
Ans: criticized/ scolded
2.
He is a clever boy. (Write the synonym of
the underlined word)
Ans: Intelligent/ smart
3.
Write the opposite of the
word “efficient” by adding a prefix.
Ans: Inefficient
4.
She is a super woman. (Write the synonym of
the underlined word)
Ans: Excellent/ Great
5.
Change the class of the
word “free” by adding suffix.
Ans: Freedom
D.
Fill in the blanks with the words given in the brackets based on the concord.
(5 × 1 = 5)
1.
The sun _______
(rises/rise) in the east.
Ans: The sun rises in the east.
2.
They _______ (hangs/hang)
the picture on the wall.
Ans: They hang the picture on the wall.
3.
He has _______ (left/leave)
the college.
Ans: He has left the college
4.
Dhoni and his men _______
(was/were) a great team.
Ans: Dhoni and his men were a great team.
5.
None of the players _______
(is/are) in strong form.
Ans: None of the players is in strong form.
Section VI
A. Draft a copy of self introduction in front of a panel
for the post of a manager. (1 × 5 = 5)
Ans: "Good
morning to the esteemed members of the panel. My name is Akash, and I am a
dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience in team leadership and
operations. I hold a degree in Business Administration, which provided me with
a strong foundation in strategic planning and organizational behavior. In my
previous role, I successfully managed a team of fifteen, where I focused on
streamlining workflows and improving productivity by 20%. I believe that
effective management is about more than just hitting targets; it’s about
fostering a culture of collaboration and mentoring team members to reach their
full potential. I am a proactive problem-solver with a keen eye for detail and
a commitment to achieving the company’s vision. I am excited about the
possibility of bringing my leadership skills and results-driven mindset to your
organization."
B. Describe a village fair you visited recently. (1 × 5 = 5)
Ans: "Last week, I
had the wonderful opportunity to visit a traditional village fair held near my
hometown. As I entered, the air was filled with the aroma of freshly fried
jalebis and spicy mirchi bajji. The fairground was a riot of colors, with
stalls selling everything from handmade clay pottery and wooden toys to vibrant
ethnic wear. The highlight was the giant wooden Ferris wheel that towered over
the crowd, accompanied by the joyful screams of children. Local folk musicians
played traditional instruments in one corner, drawing a large circle of
spectators who clapped along to the rhythm. There were also various games of
skill, like ring-toss and balloon shooting, which kept everyone entertained.
Despite the heat and the dust, the sense of community and the simple joy on
people’s faces made the visit truly memorable. It was a beautiful reminder of
our rich cultural heritage."
C. Prepare an imaginary dialogue
between a customer and a chemist at medical shop. (1 × 5 = 5)
Ans:
Customer:
Good evening. Could you please check if you have the medicines mentioned in
this prescription?
Chemist:
Certainly, sir. Let me have a look. (Reads prescription) Yes, we have the
paracetamol and the vitamin supplements. However, this specific brand of cough
syrup is currently out of stock.
Customer: Oh,
that’s a problem. Is there an alternative brand with the same composition?
Chemist: I can
provide you with a substitute from a reputed company, but I would recommend you
check with your doctor first. Or, I can have the original brand delivered to
our shop by tomorrow morning.
Customer: I
think I’ll wait for the original one. Please give me the tablets for now. Also,
do you have any N-95 masks?
Chemist: Yes,
we have them in packs of five. Here are your tablets and the masks. That will
be 450 rupees in total.
Customer: Here
is the cash. I will come by tomorrow noon for the syrup. Chemist: Thank
you, sir. See you tomorrow.
D. Comment on the views of Herman Singh on the role of
youth in road safety. (1 × 5 = 5)
Ans: "Herman Singh emphasizes that the youth are the most critical
stakeholders in the quest for road safety. He views young people not just as
victims of road accidents, but as powerful 'change agents' who can influence society's behavior. According to
Singh, the youth possess the energy and the digital literacy required to spread
awareness effectively. He argues that by strictly following traffic rules—such
as wearing helmets, avoiding drink-driving, and shunning high-speed
stunts—young people set a standard for others to follow. Furthermore, he
believes that youth-led advocacy groups can play a major role in educating the
public about the importance of 'The Golden Hour' (the first hour after an
accident). Essentially, Singh’s view is that when the youth take ownership of
road safety, it transitions from a government mandate to a community-driven
movement, ultimately saving thousands of lives."
 - Basic English - UNIT - 1 – Solved Degree Examination Question Paper, December/ January – 2025-26){kind=link}
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