LETTER WRITING: OFFICIAL AND PERSONAL SPECIMENS

                                               

Official                                                                      (Marks: 10 each)

1. Write a letter  (within 120 words) to the Editor of an English daily expressing grave concern about the rampant misuse of mobiles especially by the teenagers.

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Telegraph

6 Prafulla Sarkar Street

Kolkata – 700001

         Sub: Rampant misuse of mobile phones especially by the teenagers

Sir,

     Through the Readers’ column of your esteemed journal daily, I would like to express my grievance against the rampant misuse of mobile phones especially by the teenagers.

      Day by day, the misuse of mobile phones is increasing highly especially with the teenagers. They are often seen around us posturing with cell phones. In public places, in buses, trains, trams and even in hospitals and auditoriums, they often blare out or enjoy songs loudly. They are indifferent to their loud voices or songs which cause trouble to other fellow passengers. The teenagers fashionably use mobiles even while driving a bike or a car and cause accidents. They become so much mobile-addicted that they use it while crossing a railway track or a road. Naturally, they become victims of accidents. Sometimes, they take objectionable snapshot of someone and circulate it through MMS. They often get access to the unwanted sites through mobile internet and commits crime out of fun.

    This is a matter of grave concern. The guardians should immediately be conscious about their wards. The teenagers should be given proper counselling at school and home. The Govt. should also strictly enforce vigilant laws. (192 words)
                                                                                                                  Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                       (own name)

(Own address & date)

2.Write a letter (within 120 words) to the Editor of an English daily expressing grave concern about the bad condition of road causing accidents in your area:

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Telegraph

6 Prafulla Sarkar Street

Kolkata – 700001

Sub: Bad condition of road

Sir,

       Through the Readers’ column of your esteemed journal daily, I would like to express my grievance against the bad condition of road causing accidents in our area.

       The condition of the NH 34 near Raiganj is so dreadful with so many pits and pot-holes on it that it is always a danger to the traffic. No repair was done after the rains of the last year. The stones are teething out in patches rendering the road open to accidents. Moreover, there are road materials and shops on both sides of the road leaving very little space in the middle. But the drivers of the buses, lorries, taxies and mini-buses very often try to overtake other buses and lorries and collide with one another. Hardly a day passes without a serious accident. The death toll is increasing day-by-day.

      I feel that the authorities should take necessary steps to repair the road and stop reckless driving at the same time. A public opinion should also be created through your editorial column. ( 169 words)
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                     Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                         (own name)

(own address & date)

3.Write a letter (within 120 words) to the Editor of an English daily expressing grave concern about giving punishment in educational institutions.

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Telegraph

6 Prafulla Sarkar Street

Kolkata – 700001

Sub: Giving punishment in educational institutions.

Sir,

     Through the Readers’ column of your esteemed journal daily, I would like to express my grievance against the continuous rise in giving corporal punishment in educational institutions.

     The practice to exercise corporal or mental punishment in educational institutions needs attention to be paid. We come across several cases of this inhuman practice through media. Educational institution is a place where green minds go to get education. When they are treated like a prisoner for any cause by the teachers in the classroom, they got a great shock and humiliation. They become terrified and their mental growth is retarded. Sometimes, the teachers cross the limit in such a way that the victims have to be hospitalised. These incidents are unexpected from the learned class of the society.

     Punishment is not the way of solution to any problem faced by the teachers. Proper education and counselling should be incorporated in the classrooms to manage the students. The concerned guardian should also be called in if necessary. Corporal punishment should be strictly banneed in the institutions. The Govt. should enforce the existing law in this regard. (182  words)
                                                                                                                    Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                        (own name)
(own address & date)

4. Write a letter  (within 120 words) to the Editor of an English daily expressing your views against the present unrest among students in different educational institutions.

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Telegraph

6 Prafulla Sarkar Street

Kolkata – 700001

     Sub: Present unrest among students in different educational institutions

Sir,

     Through the Readers’ column of your esteemed journal daily, I would like to express my grievance against the present unrest among students in different educational institutions.

     The recurring incidents of violence and clashes in different educational institutions are just reflections of growing unrest among students. Such incidents bring forth the dismal condition of student community. They are often seen to create havoc movement even on unethical issues such as to promote the unsuccessful students in test exams, to allow unfair means during exams, etc. They lock up the teachers inside the school for hours to fulfil their immoral demands. They do not pay due respect either to the law and order or to the teachers of their institutions. The ugly infiltration of narrow politics into academic life of students is the main cause behind it. The students often fall prey to various political leaders who mislead them to satisfy their own interests. The students are emotionally exploited by the leaders. As a result their studies are hampered.

      The political leaders are hereby requested to exclude the student community from politics so that the students and the society remain in peace and solidarity. The students at the same time must be ethical and unbiased to their demands. (206 words)

                                                                                                                     Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                                         (own name)

(Own address & date)

5. Write a letter  (within 120 words) to the Editor of an English daily about the harm that is caused to the environment by the use of plastic bags and plastic cups. [HS-2005]

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Telegraph

6 Prafulla Sarkar Street

Kolkata – 700001

                Sub: Use of plastic bags and plastic cups

Sir,

     Through the Readers’ column of your esteemed journal daily, I would like to express my grievance about the harm that is caused to the environment by the use of plastic bags and plastic cups.

     Nowadays, plastic is used at a large scale in various forms. The most popular use of it is in the making of plastic bags and plastic cups. These are used widely to carry food materials, groceries, fish, meat, etc and to serve tea, coffee, cold-drinks, etc. Though they are light, convenient and cheap, they create serious threats to environmental balance and healthy life. They are not biodegradable. As these are made from harmful chemicals, they are not safe for health. Throwing them away carelessly here and there creates lots of problem. They stop the flow of water in the drainage system. As a result, roads remain waterlogged for days together, particularly during the rainy season. When they mixed with soil, they prevent entry of air and water into it affecting proper cultivation.

      I, therefore, appeal to the Govt. and the concerned authorities to strictly enforce the laws that have forbidden the manufacture and use of plastic bags and plastic cups. (194 words)

Yours faithfully,

(own name)

(Own address & date)

Personal                                                                   (Marks: 10 each)

1. Suppose your brother lives in a boarding school and reads nothing beyond his school books. Write a letter to him advising him to read an English newspaper daily.

Ans.
                                                                                                                               Islampur,
                                                                                                                        Uttar Dinajpur
                                                                                                                 14^th January, 2012
My dear (brother’s name),
                          I am glad to learn that you have scored high marks in the last exam. It is true that class books are necessary for good results, but you also need to read a newspaper regularly.

              Nowadays you can’t keep pace with the outer world if you don’t read a newspaper on a regular basis. It gives you an all-round knowledge on variety of topics. It gives information on current events, sports, career options, job opportunities, etc. A man who does not read newspaper remains ignorant of the outer world like a frog in a narrow well. He cannot take part in talks and discussions in a learned society. Most of all, an English newspaper will increase your vocabulary and the power of comprehension which are vital to follow your English syllabus. It will help you to acquire skill in English.

         So, develop the habit of reading an English newspaper daily. It will help you in the long run. (158 words)
With love and best wishes,

                                                                                                                                        Yours affectionately,

                                                                                                                (own name)

Name & address
of brother

NATURE by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Sample Questions and Answers

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

   1.  Answer the following questions(each in about 50 words): 5 marks each

       (i) Show how Longfellow compares Nature to a loving mother in the poem Nature. Or, how does Longfellow bring out the similarity between a mother and nature in the poem Nature ? Or, how does the poet compare human beings to children and Nature to a loving but firm mother ? Or, why is Nature compared to a ‘fond mother’? (HS-2008) Or, How does Nature lead us to the unknown world ? Or, How, according to Longfellow, does Nature gradually lead us towards death ? Or, How does Nature prepare us for the ultimate rest ?

Ans.   The poet, Longfellow compares Nature to a fond but firm mother and the child to human beings. When the day is over, the loving mother takes her tired child from the playthings and leads him to bed for rest and sleep. Likewise, Nature takes away our so-called valuable possessions in our old age and prepares us with her loving touch for the other world for final rest. (67 words)

(ii)               “So Nature deals with us.”- How does Nature deals with us ? (HS-09)

Ans.     Nature deals with us exactly in the same way as an affectionate mother deals with her child. When the day is over ..................for final rest. [from BQ No. i]

(iii)             Bring out the significance of the title of the poem “Nature”.

Ans.    Longfellow has personified Nature in his poem. He has compared Nature to a ..............for final rest. Hence, Nature reflects the central theme of the poem. So the title “Nature” is appropriate. [from BQ No. i]

(iv)            How does the poet bring out the child’s unwillingness to go to bed ? Or, What, according to Longfellow, are the feelings of the child being led away to bed ? Or, Describe the child’s reaction as he is led by his mother to bed at the end of the day.

Ans.     The child is not at all willing to leave his scattered toys and go to bed when his loving mother takes him to bed for rest at the end of the day. He walks with his mother reluctantly but gazes at the toys fixedly. Though his mother promises him more splendid toys in their stead, he is not assured. He wishes to continue his play more with the old ones. (70 words)

(v)               Why does Nature take away our playthings ? (HS-2011)

Ans.    Our playthings are worldly possessions after which we run throughout the life. Nature gradually takes these away one by one when we grow old. In this process Nature weakens our senses which keep us attached to worldly attractions. Thus Nature prepares us and tenderly leads us along the right pathway to the ultimate rest that lies beyond death. (58 words)

      2.      Answer the following questions ( each in about 30 words ) :     3 marks each

(i)           How does the little child in Longfellow’s “Nature” behave, when his mother draws him away from play at the end of the day ? (HS-2007)

Ans.     The child is reluctant to leave his scattered toys and go to bed. He walks with his mother but gazes at the toys fixedly. Though his mother promises him more splendid toys in their stead, he is not assured. He wishes to continue his play. (45 words)

(ii)          Why does the child in the poem “Nature” go to bed ‘half willing’ and ‘half reluctant’ ?(HS-2008)

Ans.    The phrase ‘half willing, half reluctant’ denotes the child’s mental condition when the mother leads him to bed for rest. He is half willing as he feels tired and sleepy. He is half reluctant as he does not wish to leave his play. (43 words)

(iii)       “Which though more splendid, may not please him more.” – What is referred to as ‘which’ ? Why may it not ‘please him more’ ?

Ans.     The promised playthings to the child by his mother are referred to here as ‘which’.

            The promised playthings may not please the child more because he has a deep affection to his present toys. He cannot give up his attraction and affection for them. (44 words)

(iv)      “Nor wholly reassured and comforted” – Why is the child not wholly ‘reassured’ and ‘comforted’ ?

Ans.     When the mother promises her child to offer him more splendid toys in place of the broken ones, he is not wholly assured and comforted as he has a deep affection to his present toys. He cannot give up his attraction and affection for them. (45 words)

(v)               What does the poet mean by ‘our playthings’ in the poem “Nature” ?

Ans.      The poet means, by ‘our playthings’, the earthly possessions of man including vigour, youth and beauty, in which they remain deeply immersed in worldly life. Those are as trivial as toys, after the poet. (34 words)

THE MOON by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Sample Questions & Answers

1. Answer the following questions ( each in about 50 words ): 5 marks each

(i) Discuss The Moon as a nature myth. Or, Show how, in the poem The Moon, Shelley has created myth out of a natural phenomenon.

Ans. Myth is an imaginative mechanism to present a natural phenomenon as a living being. Shelley(1792-1822), renowned for his myth-making power, personifies the moon, a natural object in the poem The Moon.

In the first stanza, the moon appears to be a weak, pale lady. She is thin and white. She cannot think or move steadily. The second stanza depicts the moon as a maiden suffering from weariness. She is in desperate search of a worthy companion. (76 words)

(ii) How does Shelley personify the moon in the poem ? Or, describe how Shelley has personified natural phenomenon in the poem The Moon.

Ans. Shelley has personified the moon by imagining it to be a person in both the stanzas. In the first stanza, the moon .......................of a worthy companion. (from broad type question no.i) (61 words)

(iii) “The moon arose up in the murky east.” – How does Shelley describe the rising of the moon in his poem The Moon ? (H.S. ’07)

Ans. The moon rises in the gloomy eastern sky. Under the layer of thin clouds, it appears whitish and shapeless. It looks like a dying lady lean, pale and confused, with a soft transparent covering on the face. Like this lady tottering out of her bedroom led by the insane and bewildered thoughts of her weak brain, the dull moon rises in the sky. (63 words)

(iv) Describe how the moon is compared to a dying lady ?

Ans. Shelley has compared the moon to a dying lady in the first stanza of the poem. The moon rises in the gloomy ................... in the sky. (from broad type question no.iii ) (79 words)

(v) “And ever changing, like a joyless eye / That finds no object worth its constancy.” – Bring out the significance/meaning of the lines. Or, who has ‘a joyless eye’ and why ? (H.S. ’12)

Ans. Here the moon has been compared to the eyes of a depressed maiden who does not find anybody worthy of her love. The moon slowly changes its shape from a complete round to a semi-circular as it proceeds towards the new moon phase. Just as the eyes of a sad maiden droop, so also the moon loses its round figure and looks pale and drooping. (65 words)

2. Answer the following questions ( each in about 30 words ) : 3 marks each

(i) What is the moon compared to in the first section of Shelley’s poem ? (HS sample question) Or, how is the moon compared to ‘a dying lady’ ?

Ans. In the first section of Shelley’s poem, the moon is compared to ‘a dying lady’. She is thin and pale. She totters out of her bedroom. Her face is covered with a thin layer of gauze. She seems to suffer from memory loss. (43 words)

(ii) What does Shelley mean when he says that the moon is ‘wrapped in a gauzy veil’ ?

Ans. The term ‘gauzy veil’ means a thin transparent piece of cloth that is used to cover a woman’s face from the sun, dust etc. Here a thin layer of cloud floating over the face of the moon appears to be a gauzy veil to the poet. ( 46 words)

(iii) “Art thou pale for weariness ?” – What, according to the poet, is the cause of the moon’s weariness ? Or, What reasons are given by Shelley for the moon’s ‘weariness’ ?

Ans. The poet P. B. Shelley imagines that the moon labours hard in moving about lonely in the sky and gazing eagerly for hours on the earth in search of a worthy companion. This makes her look weary and pale. (39 words)

(iv) “And feeble wanderings of her fading brain” – What is meant by ‘fading brain’ ?

Ans. ‘Fading brain’ is a brain that is losing its power, particularly the power to memorize. The poet says this while comparing the moon to a dying lady. Old age and illness have made her brain inactive. She fails to remember anything. (42 words)

(v) What scientific truth is referred to when Shelley says about the moon ‘wandering companionless’ ?

Ans. P. B. Shelley says that the moon wanders companionless. This is based on the scientific fact that the moon is the only satellite of the earth, i.e. it has its origin from the earth. There is no other celestial body having the same origin. That is why the moon is said to be companionless. (54 words)

Result of ICSE and ISC Exam, 2013: An Analysis

     The result of ICSE and ISC Exam, 2013 was declared on 17.05.2013 as expected. Here is some data on the overall result :

Rate of Success                India                   West Bengal

ISC                                                           95.15%                              95.22%

ICSE                                                         98.20%                              97.82%


   The marksheets of ICSE and ISC may be given on 21 May, 2013 and 23 May, 2013 respectively.

Result of High Madrasha, Alim and Fazil, 2013: An Analysis

   

     As expected, the result of High Madrasha, Alim and Fazil, 2013 was declared on 17/05/2013. The overall result is as follows :

Rate of Success

High Madrasha        -- 77.60%

Alim                        -- 76.97%

Fazil                        -- 77.71%

Genderwise Rate of Success      Boys            Girls

High Madrasha                                               -- 83.35%       74.69%

Alim                                                               -- 86.75%       66.93%

Fazil                                                               -- 81.37%       68.65%

Possible Toppers        Marks Obtained

High Madrasha :   1. Masud Reja -                                 733

                            2. Saiyad Ramij Ali -                          732

                            3. Rosonara Khatun  -                        728

Alim :                   1. Md. Mojammel Hossain -               776

                            2. Md. Sanowar Hossain -                  773

                            3. Soiful Islam -                                   766

Fazil :                   1. Abdul Kalam Sardar -                     550

                            2. Md. Najmul Arefin -                        533

                            3. Samsul Nahar -                                528

READING SKILL: HOW TO IMPROVE