The Queen's Language

 LITERATURE (40 marks) 7. Read the following extracts and solve ANY ONE of the given two, (A) or (B). 1x6=6 A … I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse and realised with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away, and looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes… (My Mother at Sixty-six) I. What does the imagery of the ‘ashen face’ of the mother suggest about her physical condition? 1 II. Complete the following with the correct option. The speaker’s use of the word 'realised' suggests that her awareness was _______ (delayed / expected / sudden).

 When I compare What I have lost with what I have gained, What I have missed with what attained Little room do I find for pride. I am aware How many days have been idly spent; How like an arrow the good intent Has fallen short or been turned aside. But who shall dare To measure loss and gain in this wise? Defeat may be victory in disguise; The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide. Based on your reading of the poem answer any FOUR of the five questions given below. I The tone of the poem can be best described as: a) Optimistic and celebratory b) Reflective and contemplative c) Angry and resentful d) Sarcastic and dismissive 1 II What is the significance of the phrase “The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide”? a) It suggests that bad times lead to the inevitable downfall of a person. b) It conveys the idea that after the worst point, improvement is possible. c) It means that the tide will always rise, no matter what, without fail. d) It refers to the idea that challenges in life are con...

 SECTION A- READING 1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 12x1 =12 Arjun was an architect, renowned for designing modern skyscrapers in bustling cities. His life was a whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, and blueprints, leaving little time for reflection. One Friday evening, while clearing his desk, he stumbled upon an old, faded photograph of his childhood home. The simple cottage nestled in the hills, surrounded by tall oak trees, brought a rush of memories—the sound of chirping birds, the scent of fresh rain, and his grandmother’s stories by the fireplace. Her laughter, warm and contagious, echoed in his mind. That night, he could no sleep. Tossing and turning, he realized it had been over 20 years since he last visited his ancestral home. On an impulse, he decided to take a break and revisit the place where he had spent his happiest days. This was not just a trip to a physical location but a journey to rediscover parts of himself lost in the chaos ...