2024-25

QUESTION PAPER &

Question 1:
(i) D
(ii) B
(iii) D
(iv) A
(v) D
(vi) D
(vii) C
(viii) B
(ix) A/B
(x) C
(xi) B
(xii) C
(xiii) A
(xiv) D
(xv) C
(xvi) A

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 Question 2:
1. Mark Antony is not merely addressing Caesar but apostrophising him: a rhetorical term for addressing
someone or some noble idea who/which is absent, or, in this case, dead. Caesar cannot respond to or
hear Mark Antony’s grief, but his reference to the butchers who are the conspirators had killed Caesar
and Antony is apologising and expressing sadly for being meek and gentle with them and reconciling
with the conspirators.

2. Antony refers to Caesar's wounds as mouths to personify them, suggesting they beg for justice. By
calling the wounds "dumb," he highlights Caesar's inability to speak for himself after death, extending
this idea to the stab wounds inflicted by the conspirators.

3. Antony prophesies that a curse shall fall upon the limbs of men. / Domestic fury and fierce civil war
shall rage and burden all the parts of Italy. / Bloodshed and destruction shall be common. / Dreadful
sights would be so familiar that mothers shall merely smile when they see their infants cut to pieces
with the weapons of war. / All their pity shall be smothered by familiarity with cruel deeds. / Caesar’s
spirit roaming about for revenge, / with Ate, the Greek Goddess of mischief and revenge, by its side,
will rush from hell. / The Goddess will give a signal in these regions for the merciless destruction with
a monarch’s voice, “Havoc”. / This ghost of Caesar will unleash the dogs of war, / so that the stench of
this foul murder shall rise from the corpses begging to be buried.

4. The context of Marc Antony’s famous line comes when Julius Caesar lies dead, having been
assassinated by a group of conspiratorial senators.
While the conspirators are outside, addressing the people, Marc Antony is left alone with Caesar’s
body. He swears that he is going to get his revenge against the conspirators. He prophesises that there
is going to be a war the likes of which no-one has ever seen. This expression foretells the civil strife
that was to occur in Rome and which would cause complete destruction.

5. Antony had politely greeted the conspirators, praising Brutus, shaking hands with all the conspirators
and pretending to make peace with them, speaking exactly what Brutus wants to hear and winning him
over, concealing his true grief and rage. This shows Antony’s cunning nature.
 Question 3:

1. Brutus is talking about Cassius and Titinius, as exemplars of Roman virtue and valour, mourning their
deaths as a significant loss to Rome and symbolizing an end of an era of noble Romans. Brutus pays
tribute to Cassius by calling him ‘The last of all the Romans’, acknowledging his valour and the tragic
end of a noble Roman. He expresses deep sorrow and vows to find time to mourn Cassius properly,
indicating respect and loss.
Brutus reflects on the presence of Julius Caesar even after his death, suggesting that Caesar’s spirit is
still powerful and impactful, leading to internal conflict and self – destruction among those who
conspired against him.

2. Brutus instructs his companions to prepare for another battle with the enemy. He orders Labeo and
Flavius to set their battles on , indicating his determination to continue fighting despite the setback and
the loss of Cassius. He expresses deep sorrow and vows to find time to mourn Cassius properly,
indicating respect and loss.
Brutus sends Cassius and Titinius’ bodies to Thasos for burial. He proposes to avoid holding their
burial in the camp, likely to prevent demoralizing their troops and to maintain morale in the face of
upcoming battles. It reflects his concern for the welfare and spirit of his soldiers, as well as respect for
Cassius and Titinius.

3. Messala refers to the pessimism of Cassius and says that it was his uncertainty of any positive outcome
to the battle that drove him to end his life. Cassius made the ‘Error’ of not thinking positively
regarding the result of the battle and not waiting for Messala and Titinius to return and tell him the
outcome. Cassius was depressed and his pessimism convinced him that the outcome of the battle
would be defeat and nothing else.
The words ‘Error’ and ‘Melancholy’ start with capital letters start to put emphasis on the fact that
Cassius had accepted defeat and it was unexpected of him.

4. Antony says that Brutus was the noblest Roman of all the conspirators. He said that unlike the other
conspirators, Brutus had joined the conspiracy because he honestly believed that Caesar should be
killed for the general good of the people and Rome.
Antony also mentions that a man’s nature, is determined by the presence of four predominant elements
of earth, air, fire and water. The perfect human nature, as in the case of Brutus, had a balance of all
four elements.

5. The spirit of Julius Caesar is often symbolized as the legacy of his power, influence, and revenge
against those who conspired against him. After his assassination the spirit of Caesar ultimately
triumphed in several ways, fulfilling what some might see as its vengeance:
Political Revenge: Caesar’s adopted heir, Octavius, was one of the key figures who sought to avenge
his death with joining hands with Antony.
Civil War and the End of the Republican System: The civil war that followed Caesar’s death,
sparked by the power struggle between his supporters (like Mark Antony and Octavius) and his
assassins (like Brutus and Cassius), ultimately destroyed the Roman Republic. The spirit of Caesar
could be seen as avenging the Republic's aristocratic elites' plot against him, as the very system that
allowed for the assassination of Caesar crumbled. The senators who participated in his murder—

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especially Brutus and Cassius—were eventually defeated in battle, with Brutus committing suicide
after his defeat at the Battle of Philippi.
Political and Cultural Legacy: Caesar’s reforms, even in death, had lasting impacts on Roman
governance. The shift from a republic to a centralized autocracy that began under Octavius was
something Caesar had already started.

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 Question 4:
1. Since Adjoa's birth, the primary topic of discussion has been the appearance of her legs, specifically
their thinness and lack of muscle. Her grandmother, Nana, frequently criticized them and questioned
whether they are suitable for childbearing, which was a key societal expectation for women in the
community.
2. The narrator could feel her mother was weeping inside based on her mother’s voice which likely
conveyed a tone of sadness or distress.
This internal weeping reflected feelings that were suppressed or not outwardly expressed, which the
narrator probably perceived through her empathy or close connection to her mother.
3. Adjoa wanted to see the legs of women who have had children in order to understand the concept of
approved legs. No, she could not see them easily since older women in her village always wore long
wrap-arounds. Also, she was not allowed to bathe in the river in the evening when older women would
bathe, making it difficult for her to compare and understand
4. Kaya did not know how to read or write. She lacked the guiding light of knowledge, hence, she feels
trapped in ignorance. She wishes that Adjoa must go to school and learn how to read and write her
name and know some calculations too. She believed that Knowledge would bring her new
opportunities
5. Both Adjoa and Malala face societal restrictions but refuse to let them define their futures. Adjoa,
despite being told her thin legs are unsuitable for womanhood, proves her worth through her talent in
running. Malala, despite threats and even an assassination attempt, continues advocating for girls'
education. Their determination in the face of opposition highlights their inner strength.
Adjoa challenges the traditional beliefs about femininity and a woman’s purpose in her Ghanaian
society, proving that girls can achieve greatness beyond traditional roles. Malala fights against
oppressive systems that seek to deny girls their right to education. Both inspire change by questioning
outdated societal expectations.

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 Question 5:
1. Temptation refers to the strong desire to do something enjoyable but not necessarily right. One needs
strength to resist Temptation as it is more enjoyable and pleasurable.
When Franz bunked school, he would usually spend his time wandering outside, playing, or enjoying
nature instead of attending class.
Yes, I have faced such a temptation when I felt like skipping studies to play or watch TV. However, I
reminded myself of my responsibilities and chose to complete my work first before relaxing.
2. M. Hamel was dressed in a beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all
embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.
The back benches which would usually be empty were filled with quiet and dedicated villagers.
3. M. Hamel’s announcement that it was his last lesson came as a thunderclap to Franz.
The comparison to a thunderclap implies that the news was as sudden, shocking, and deeply impactful,
just like the loud and unexpected sound of thunder.
M. Hamel eulogized the French language by calling it the most beautiful, the clearest, and the most
logical language in the world. He emphasized its richness and importance in preserving national
identity and freedom.
4. M. Hamel blamed himself for not being strict enough with his students. He admitted that instead of
making them study, he sometimes gave them a holiday when he wanted to go fishing or sent them to
water his plants. He felt guilty for not taking his duty as a teacher seriously enough.
This reveals his emotional and regretful nature while also showcasing his patriotism towards French
language and dedication for his job.
5. It leads to increased stress, poor understanding, and lower exam performance due to last-minute
cramming and incomplete syllabus coverage. It hampers a student’s overall efficiency and
productivity.
Students can create a study plan, use the Pomodoro Technique, and eliminate distractions like social
media. Setting realistic goals, rewarding oneself, and having a study partner can help maintain focus
and consistency.

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 Question 6:
1. Literary Device: The literary device used in the third line, "Impalpable impressions on the air," is
alliteration (repetition of the 'I' sound) and imagery (creating a ghostly, intangible effect).
The phrase suggests that the phantoms are intangible, unseen, and ghost-like, leaving behind only a
faint presence rather than a physical form. It emphasizes their mysterious and eerie nature.
2. The poem describes the spirits as ‘quiet and inoffensive’, moving silently among the living during
gatherings or dinners. The illuminated hall is thronged with the quiet, inoffensive ghosts. They are
called inoffensive as they are harmless, minding their own business, and are as silent as the pictures on
the wall.
3. ‘Hold in mortmain’ means to possess in inalienable or permanent possession, suggesting that the
departed spirits retain ownership of their previous estates. The departed spirits stretch their dusty hands
from their forgotten graves to hold in mortmain their old estates, indicating a sense of continued
ownership.
4. By ‘unseen star’ and ‘undiscovered planet’, the poet is trying to say that there are forces and power at
play that our beyond our comprehension. Our needs and wants stem from, and are shaped by these
unknown forces. This the poet refers to as the ‘spiritual world’
The ‘bridge of light’ is formed when the moon emerges from some dark gate of cloud and throws its
light over the sea, creating a floating bridge. This is how the moon connects the earthly world to the
heavenly mysterious world.
5. The poet stays that there are two types of instincts-base instincts, that seek materialistic and worldly
pleasures, and nobler instincts, that aspire higher and spiritual goals. It highlights the inner struggle
between contrasting wants or responsibilities
If faced with such a situation, I would analyse both options carefully, consider their long-term impact,
and seek advice from experienced individuals before making a balanced and thoughtful decision.

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1. The death of great souls has an effect on the air around us, making it “Light, Rare, sterile.” In the
context of the stanza, the word "sterile" suggests a sense of emptiness, devoid of vitality or life. This
suggests a profound change in the atmosphere, indicating a sense of loss, emptiness, and absence left
behind by the departed souls.
2. Our eyes see with “Hurtful clarity,” suggesting that in the wake of loss, our perception becomes sharper
and more acute. We become acutely aware of the absence of the departed soul. It suggests that this
newfound clarity brings a mix of sorrow, realisation, and perhaps even a deeper appreciation for what
was lost.
3. The fall of great trees impacts both big and small things by disrupting the natural balance and harmony
of the forest ecosystem. Large and steadfast entities like rocks, lions, and elephants react to the
physical disturbance caused by the falling trees, while smaller restless organisms and creatures retreat
into silence, experiencing numbing effect on their senses. Overall, the event creates a sense of
upheaval and vulnerability for all elements of the forest ecosystem
4. Our memory, in the wake of their absence, incessantly dwells on the unspoken words of kindness we
wish we had shared with them or taken the walks that we had promised. The impact of their loss prompts
us to reflect on missed opportunities to express our feelings and appreciation, leaving a lingering sense
of remorse and regret. The stanza also prompts us to reflect upon the importance of seizing the present
moment.
5. Mandela’s fight against apartheid and his advocacy for equality, reconciliation, and human rights
continue to inspire global movements for justice and racial harmony. Gandhi’s principles of non-
violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience laid the foundation for peaceful protests and human rights
movements worldwide. His emphasis on self-reliance and simplicity continues to influence masses.
Their achievements remind us of the power of peace, perseverance, and moral leadership in addressing
global challenges, inspiring leaders and activists even today