Solution: NEB-GRADE XII 2079 (2023) Model Question Compulsory English || Sub Code 0041

 Solution: NEB-GRADE XII 2079 (2023)  Model Question  Compulsory English || Sub Code 0041

Sub.Code. 0041

NEB-GRADE XII
2079 (2023)

Model Question

Compulsory English

 

Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margin indicate full marks.

 

Time: 3 hrs.                                                                                                  Full Marks: 75

 

1. Read the following text about a fitness activity and complete the tasks that follw.                                                                                                                                        15

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: You want to be healthy. You know you need to exercise more. But if you are not ready to grunt through an hour of kickboxing, don’t despair. There is a growing agreement among exercise. researchers that the intense physical activities offered by most health clubs are not the only or even the preferable-path to better health. Indeed, the best thing for most of us may be to just walk.

 

Yes, walk. At a reasonable vigorous clip (five to six kmph) for half an hour or so, maybe five or six times a week. You may not feel the benefits all at once, but the evidence suggests that over the long term, a regular walking routine can do a world of preventive good.

 

Walking, in fact, may be the perfect exercise. For starters, it’s one of the safest things you can do with your body. It’s much easier on the knees than running and doesn’t trigger untoward side effects. Dr (Miss) Johna Manson, chief of preventive medicine at a leading Harvard woman’s hospital says, “If everyone were to walk briskly 30 minutes a day, we could cut the incidence of many chronic diseases by 30 to 40 per cent.” She further says, “Regular physical activity is probably as close to a magic bullet as we will come in modern medicine.”

 

And for those of us who don’t have half-hour chunks of time, the news gets even better. Several recent studies suggest that walking briskly three or four times a day for 10 minutes at a time may provide many of the same benefits as walking continuously for 30 minutes.

 

Here’s how to make the most of your walking routine. First, get into gear. Walker’s shoes need to have enough room at the front for the feet to spread. Then, ease on down that road. Avoid muscle aches by starting slowly and incorporating gentle stretches into both your warm-up and cool down. You must plot your course. Some people walk at a specific time each day. Others shoe horn walking into their routines by parking the car a few minutes from the store or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Record your efforts, including how long and how far you walked. Jotting down improvements keeps you motivated and challenges you to do better.

 

Since walking affects you in so many ways at once, it’s difficult to determine precisely why it’s good for you. But much of the evidence gathered so far is compelling.

 

Brisk walking is good for the heart – which makes a lot of sense. The heart is a muscle after all, and anything that makes the blood flow faster through a muscle helps keep it in shape. But regular walking also lowers blood pressure, which decreases the stress on the arteries. It can boost the amount of HDL cholesterol (the good one) in our blood. It even seems to make the blood less “sticky”, and therefore less likely to produce unwanted clots. This all adds up to as much as a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of suffering a heart attack.

 

A. Complete the following sentences using the words highlighted in the text. Two of those words are not necessary.                                                            5x1=5

 

a. He looks like a body builder as he has a strong muscle.

b. You can still get a good house for a very reasonable price.

c. It was really freezing. Se, we gathered some wood to build a fire.

d. Although he lost his job, he didn't  despair.

e. Jogging regularly is the best preventive measure for a heart disease.

 

B. Read the text again and write

TRUE              if the statement agrees with the information given in the text.

FALSE             if the statement contradicts the information given in the text.

NOT GIVEN  if there is no information in the text.                                     5x1=5

 

a. According to the author, only strong physical exercise keeps people healthy.

Ans: FALSE (According to the author, intense physical activities offered by most health clubs are not the only or even the preferable path to better health, and regular walking routine can do a world of preventive good. )

 

b. The author thinks that walking is better thatn running in the initial stage.

Ans: TRUE (The author states that walking is much easier on the knees than running and is one of the safest things you can do with you body, making it better exercise option for many people)

 

c. Regular exercise frequently releasess our brain cells.

Ans: NOT GIVEN (There is no information in the text about exercise releasing brain cells.)

 

d. Physical exercise ensures the overall growth of a person.

Ans: NOT GIVEN -(There is no information in the text about exercise ensuring the overall growth of a person.)

 

e. The author advises people to make notes of the duration and distance of the dialy walk.

Ans: TRUE - The author advises to record your efforts, including how long and how far you walked, as jotting down improvements keeps you motivated and challenges you to do better.

 

C. Give short asnwer to the following questions in ONE SENTENCE each.                                                                                                                                                 5x1=5

a. Whe does the author mention 'exercise researchers' in the first paragraph?

Ans:- The author mentions 'exercise researchers' to introduce the topic of alternative methods of exercise.

 

b. Where does Johnna Manson work?

Ans:- Johnna Manson works as the chief of preventive medicine at a leading Harvard women's hospital.

 

c. Why does the author use the phrase 'a magic bullet' in the third paragraph?

Ans:- The author uses the phrase 'a magic bullet' to describe regular physical activity as a solution that has a wide range of health benefits.

 

d. Do you agree or disagree with the author's point of view? Why, why not?

Ans:- I agree with the author's point of view because the way the author presents evidence and expert opinions to support the benefits of regular walking as a form of exercise, is convincing to me.

 

e. How is the author in this text trying to convince the readers?

Ans:- The author is trying to convince readers by presenting evidence and expert opinions to support the benefits of regular walking, as well as providing tips for making the most out of a walking routine.

 

2. Write short answers to the following questions in about 75 words each.                                                                                                                                      5x2=10

a. Why was the success of Raskes a matter of discussion in the neighbourhood? (A Devoted Son)

      Ans: A Devoted Son is a short story written by Anita Desai who is an Indian writer. This story is about a devoted son who has strong sense of respect and devotion to his parents. In the story the success of Rakesh, is the matter of discussion in the neighborhood because being a son of an uneducated parents, he becomes the first person to receive education, and his hard efforts and dedication to his study make him the topper of Medical Examination in the Country. Not only this, he is very much devoted to his parents and culture.

 

b. Describe the irritating things that the people do with the strange old man.

      ( A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings)

      Ans:- A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is a short story written by the famous Sapnish born American writer Gabriel Garcia Marquesz. This magical realist story centers around the mysterious character the strange old man having two enromous wings. He shelters at the house of Pelayo. To their surprise, people do  irritating things to that man. They pull out his feathers, throw stones at him, and some people poke him with a branding iron etc.

 

OR

      Describe marriage as a social institution. (Marriage as a Social Institution)

      Ans:-  Marriage as a Social Institution is an essay written by famous writer Dr. Stephen L. Nock. Dr. Stephen looks closely at marriage as a key social intitution because the relationship bewteen the spouses is approved by the existing law for satisfying their social, economic, physical and family needs. As as institution, marriage is integrated into other social institutions like educaiton, politics, religion. The legal association between two people from different seses allow them to fullfill their needs and desires being bound by social norms and values.

 

c.   'Human beings are connected with hope.' Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons. (The Awakening Age)

      Ans:- The Awakening Age is a poem written by a Nigerian poet Ben Okri who portrays the hardship of African people in the awakening age. Unity, peace and solidarity among African people is must for prosperity and harmony of the newly united Nigeria. Different things separated people apart. Only one thing that can bind people together is hope which is fundamental human emotion that drives people to believe in the possibility of positive outcomes even in the face of adversity. It gives a sense of purpose, motivation and resilience and allows people to envision a better future. That's why I agree with the statement, ' Human beings are connected with hope.'

 

d. Do you agree with the author's view that history has been a major debatable issues in the present world? Give your opinion. (Humility)

      Ans:- The essay 'Humility' is written by Israeli citizen Yuval Noah Harari who presents his view that history has been a major debatable issues in the present world. Accoding to him, in the present time almost all people regard their history is the most ancient and the most important of all. This perception among people is the main cause of dispute, prejudice and disagreement. Most of people don't like to see their religion and civilization inferior to another. That's why even in the present time, it is the major contested issue.

OR

      How can wisdom be taught? Give examples. (Knowledge and Wisdom)

      Ans:-  The essay 'Knowledge and Wisdom' is written by a famous British polymath Bertrand Russel. In this essay Russel distinguishes between Knowledge and Knowledge and advocates that both of them must go ahead simultaneouly. Wisdom is as important as knowledge so it must be one of the goals of education. Practical examples are essential tools to teach wisdom. Along with the knowledge, the disasterous results of such knowledged must be given. For example, while teachig the composition of an atom, the disastrous results of it must be taught to eliminate its misuse such as making of atom bomb.   

     

e. How does Famous Actress try to convince Earnes Young Woman? (A Matter of Husbands)

      Ans:- A Matter of Husbands is an oct play written by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar. In the drams, Earnest Young Woman suspects the Famous Actress that she is distracting her husband away from her involving extramarital relationship with her husband. But Famous Actress uses her acting skill to convince Earnest Young Woman that she has any affair with her husband. She turns the reality into drama saying that the affair between them is not real. The affair is false one only to help her husband Alfred to regain affection from his wife making her jealous. She justifies every evidences to be false which Earnest Young Woman assumes to be real one.

 

3. Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each.                                                                                                                          5x2=10

      a. Explain the following lines with the reference to the context. (I was My Own Route)

      And I was all in me as was life in me…

     

      I wanted to be like men wanted to be:

      an attempt at life;

      a game of hide and seek with my being.

      But I was made of nows;

      when the herals announced me

      at the regal parade of the old guard,

      the desire to follow men warped in me,

      and the homage was left waiting for me.

 

      Ans:- In the poem "I was My Own Route" by Julia de Burgos, the speaker expresses her desire to live life on her own terms and be free from societal expectations and gender roles. The line "And I was all in me as was life in me..." emphasizes the speaker's independence and autonomy.

 

      The following lines, "I wanted to be like men wanted to be: an attempt at life; a game of hide and seek with my being," suggest that the speaker felt pressure to conform to masculine ideals in order to be seen as successful or legitimate. However, the speaker recognizes that she is unique and cannot simply follow in the footsteps of men.

 

      The phrase "But I was made of nows" indicates that the speaker is living in the present and not bound by the past or future. When the speaker hears the heralds announcing her, she feels the desire to follow the men who are also being recognized. The phrase "the desire to follow men warped in me" implies that this feeling is not natural or authentic to her, but rather a result of societal expectations or pressure to conform to gender norms.

 

      However, despite this initial impulse, the speaker ultimately chooses not to follow the men and instead goes her own way. The phrase "and the homage was left waiting for me" suggests that the speaker has found her own path and deserves recognition and respect for it. The word "homage" implies a gesture of admiration or respect, and by saying that it is "waiting for me," the speaker suggests that she has earned it through her own actions and choices.

     

      OR

     

      Sketch the character of Monsieur Durand. (Facing Death) by August Strindberg

      Ans: Monsieur Durand is the protagonist (main character) of the play "Facing Death. He is a widower, the lodge owner and former railway worker. He is a financially ruined person who has three daughters. He is a loving, caring and responsible father. He is now a widower who lives with his three daughters. But his daughters don't love him and regard him as not a good father or head of the family as he was unsuccessful in taking care of his family properly. The relationship between Durand and his daughters isn't good.  However, in this play, we find him so loving, caring as well as protective father. For his bankruptcy, he is spending his miserable life. His daughters hate him and blame him most of the time. But he keeps on thinking about the well being of his daughters. He sacrifices his life for the welfare of his daughters who hate him. He is full of patience who endures injustice from his late wife and remained silent for the rest of his life, blaming her for the financial ruin. He is a tragic hero who faces financial difficulties and eventually ends his life tragically committing suicide for the well being of his three daughters. And, he sacrifices himself and his life for saving and fostering the bright future of his three daughters at the end.

     

      b. How does the play make a satire on feudal system of Nepali society of late 18th century? (The Bull)

      Ans: The Bull is an one act play written by a leading Nepali poet, novelist and playwright Bhim Nidhi Tiwari. The drama was written based in the era of late 18th century when Nepal was under the kingship of Rana Bahadur Shah. The play was written based on an incident of the untimely demise of King Rana Bahadur's dear Bull. The drama is a biting satire on the then feudal system which dehumanized humans beings whose existence depended on their respectful treatements towards four footed animals. Humans were treated inferior to dearest animals of the ruler.

 

      "The Bull" presents the picture of feudal system of the past realistically. Humanity had no values and common people lived on the mercy of the ruler. The ruler was dictator and used to exercise absolute power. They even burnt mouth if somebody speaked in a loud voice in from of them. Common people always feared of their lord if they commited any mistake. Common people always had to show a great respect and had to work hard to please their lord. The dearest animals of the lords were superior to the common people. The miserable condition of common people was not a matter of concern in comparison to the animals the lord keept. Animals were treated as humans and humans were treated as animals.

 

 

4. Summarize the following text in approximately 150 words. Write only the idea of the original text but do not include you own opinions, interpretations, deductions or comments.

 

Madhav Prasad Ghimire is a renowned Nepalese poet who has given a great contribution to Nepalese literature. He is one of the last of the oldest generation of poets in Nepal. He was motivated by the works of Rabindranath Tagore. He is a poet of the romantic tradition.

 

He has written many incredible books such as Gauri, Malati Mangale, Himal Pari Himal Wari, Aswathama, Rajheswari, and Shakuntala and he is well known for his inspiring works. He was honored as Rashtra Kavi (poet of the nation) of Nepal. He is undoubtedly one of the rare poets in Nepal to gain fame and fortune, and not the unfortunate forgetfulness they normally receive.

 

But the greatest asset of his life is its simplicity. He is a very simple person with a simple taste, but his verses are varied and complex. However, for some, he is a Himalayan poet and for some the poet of love and harmony. However, this truth cannot be denied: he is a lyric poet and one of the true servants of Nepali literature.

 

It is also a national treasure associated with the golden age of Nepali literature. He is one of the last of the oldest generation of poets whose contemporaries, Bal Krishna Sama and Laxmi Prasad Devkota, have become historical figures in the annals of Nepalese literature.

 

It is known that in his masterpieces such as Gauri and Malati Mangale he portrayed terrible truths of society. This literature was most praised by the Nepalese. Some of his other important literary works include Himal Pari Himal Wari, Rajeshwori, Aswathama, and Shakuntala which are most appreciated.

 

He is a simple man with a complex and different perception. Rastra Kabi Ghimire was cited as a source of inspiration in the Nepalese literary brotherhood. Not only writing but also his will to live has inspired many Nepalese. According to him, there are three mantras to live longer; Easy exercise or yoga, positive thinking, and creativity.

 

For him, education in his own life is very important, since it takes a person from darkness to light and it is very important that Nepali youth should learn these things from him. He is respected by the people of Nepal.

 

“I think poets should be able to go beyond the social hierarchy and bring visions to humanity, and by using their poetic abilities, they should be able to expand the mind and pursue the truth.”, this is a great sentence by Madhav Prasad Ghimire.

 

Ans: Summary of the Text

Madhav Prasad Ghimire is a renowned Nepalese poet, honored as Rashtra Kavi (poet of the nation) of Nepal. He is a poet of the romantic tradition and was inspired by the works of Rabindranath Tagore. Ghimire has written many acclaimed books such as Gauri, Malati Mangale, Himal Pari Himal Wari, Aswathama, Rajheswari, and Shakuntala, reflecting the terrible truths of society. He is a simple man with a complex and different perception, and he believes that education is the key to enlightenment. Ghimire is cited as a source of inspiration in the Nepalese literary brotherhood, and he believes that poets should expand the mind and pursue the truth.

 

5. Write a letter to your cousin recommending him/her a novel Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand that you thought worth reading in about 180 words. Describe the factors that you like most. 8

 

Dear Shanti,

 

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to recommend a book that I recently read and enjoyed very much, and I think you might like it too. The book is called "Coolie," and it is written by Mulk Raj Anand.

 

What I loved most about this book was its vivid portrayal of the struggles and injustices faced by the laborers in India during the British colonial rule. The story follows the life of Munoo, a young boy who becomes a "coolie" or a laborer and his journey through life, facing discrimination, exploitation, and hardships at every step.

 

The book's narrative is incredibly moving, and it brings to light the issues of social inequality, poverty, and the exploitation of the working class. The characters in the book are well-developed and relatable, and their stories are told with great empathy and sensitivity by the author.

 

Overall, I think this book is worth reading, and I hope you give it a chance. It is an eye-opening and thought-provoking story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

 

Take care, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book.

 

Best regards,

 

Anup

 

6. 'Privitization in education creates two class citizens.' To what extend do you agree with this opinion? Write an essay in about 300 words on why you think so shading light on pros and cons of privatizing education, issues and Government reponsibilites.                                                                                              10

 

'Privitization in education creates two class citizens.

Education is a fundamental right of every individual. However, with the rise of privatization in education, it has become a privilege reserved for only those who can afford it. The privatization of education has resulted in the creation of two classes of citizens – those who can afford private education and those who cannot. In my opinion, I completely agree with this statement.

 

On one hand, privatizing education can provide better facilities, modern infrastructure, and a more personalized approach to education. Private schools often provide extra-curricular activities, opportunities for internships and skill-building, and smaller class sizes that allow teachers to give more attention to each student. Additionally, private schools can offer scholarships to low-income students, thus creating opportunities for students who would not have access to high-quality education otherwise.

 

However, privatization can lead to a rise in fees, which puts a burden on middle and lower-income families, making education unaffordable for them. This results in a disparity in educational opportunities, leading to a lack of upward mobility for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Private schools often cater to a specific socio-economic class, creating a divide among students, which can lead to inequality and discrimination. Moreover, the quality of education provided by private schools may be questionable, as they may focus on profits instead of providing quality education.

 

Privatization can result in the government neglecting its responsibility toward providing quality education for all. The government must ensure that every citizen has access to quality education and should invest in public schools to improve infrastructure, facilities, and teaching standards. Public education should be given the same importance as private education, and the government should ensure that education is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

 

To sum up, while privatization in education has some advantages, it is my belief that it leads to a divide between citizens and creates inequality in opportunities. Therefore, it is the government's responsibility to provide quality education to all citizens to ensure that every child has access to equal opportunities to achieve their full potential. The education system should not cater to a specific class, but rather should be inclusive and accessible to all, creating equal opportunities and a level playing field.

10x1=10

7. Do as instructed in the brackets and re-write the sentence.

a. I have to go to the dentist because my tooth is aching terrible. (Find the mistake in this sentence and correct it.)

b. His house is …………… (in/at/by/on) the way from Itahari to Biratnagar. (Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence. )

c. Ram assured me that he would meet me at the bus station exactly at 8 a.m. It is now 10 a.m. I have waiting for him since early moring. (Identify which bolded verb froms is incorrect and rewrite. )

d. You ……… (will/must/has to/ had to) stop smoking. It is very harmful. (Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate auxiliary verb.)

e. He usually …………. (do/did/has doen/does) his homework in his room. (Identify which bolded forms completes the sentence.)

f. As a part of the project work, the students had to work physically. Therefore, 'they requested their teacher to stop study. (Identify which bold-faced word needs to be rewritten and correct ti.)

g. Ganesh is a doctor. His wife is a doctor. (Combine the sentences using the conjuction both………… and.)

h. The man is in the garden. The man is wearing a blue jumper. (Join the two sentences using appropriate relative pronoun.)

i. My uncle wrote a wonderful play. (Change the sentence into passive voice.)

j. Mohan said, "My brother arrived home late." (Change the sentence into reported speech.)

 

Answers:

a. I have to go to the dentist because my tooth is aching terribly. (mistake: 'terrible' should be changed to 'terribly')

b. His house is on the way from Itahari to Biratnagar. (correct preposition: 'on')

c. Ram assured me that he would meet me at the bus station exactly at 8 a.m. It is now 10 a.m. I have been waiting for him since early morning. (incorrect verb form: 'have waiting' should be changed to 'have been waiting')

d. You must stop smoking. It is very harmful. (appropriate auxiliary verb: 'must')

e. He usually does his homework in his room. (correct form: 'does')

f. As a part of the project work, the students had to work physically. Therefore, they requested their teacher to stop studying. (incorrect word: 'stop study' should be changed to 'stop studying')

g. Both Ganesh and his wife are doctors.

h. The man who is in the garden is wearing a blue jumper. (relative pronoun: 'who')

i. A wonderful play was written by my uncle. (passive voice: 'was written')

j. Mohan said that his brother had arrived home late. (reported speech: 'said that' and change of tense: 'arrived' to 'had arrived')

 

8. Choose and copy the correct alternative: 5x1=5

a) Which one of the following words has a different final sound?

i) brushed     ii) glanced     iii) looked      iv) filled.

 

b) You went for a long run this morning. The word 'run' in this sentence is:

i) a noun                   ii) a verb        iii) an adverb            iv) an adjective

 

c) Which one of the following words does not take the prefix 'im'?

i) pure            ii) fertile        iii) moral        iv) proper

 

d) Which one of the following words comes between 'example' and 'exchange' in the dictionary entry?

i) excavate    ii) examine   iii) excite        iv) exclude

 

e) The administration has officially asked trasportation employes to …………… their demonstration.

i) call on                    ii) call off                   iii) call at                   iv) call for