RBSE Class 11 English Literature 2026 – Important Links
राजस्थान बोर्ड कक्षा 11 अंग्रेजी साहित्य की तैयारी कर रहे विद्यार्थियों के लिए नीचे मॉडल पेपर तथा आंसर की / solved paper के महत्वपूर्ण लिंक दिए गए हैं। परीक्षा पैटर्न, प्रश्नों के स्तर और उत्तरों की जाँच के लिए दोनों लेख अवश्य देखें।
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Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, Ajmer
Answer Key — English Literature (Optional)
Model Paper Answer Key 2025–26
Model Paper Answer Key 2025–26
Subject Code : 20
Class : 11
Full Marks : 100
All 14 Questions Solved
| Section | Q. No. | Area | Marks | This Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Q.1–2 | Reading | 20 | ✅ Full answers |
| 2 | Q.3–5 | Writing | 20 | ✅ Model essays + letter |
| 3 | Q.6–10 | Woven Words | 30 | ✅ Prose + Poetry |
| 4 | Q.11 | Julius Caesar | 10 | ✅ Both options |
| 5 | Q.12 | The Guide | 10 | ✅ All sub-parts |
| 6–7 | Q.13–14 | Literary Terms + FoS | 10 | ✅ All definitions |
Section 1 — Reading (Unseen Passage + Poem)
Q.1(a)Comprehension questions on the passage — Trees (1×6=6)6 Marks
(i) What is the role of trees in maintaining the earth's atmosphere?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, which is essential for all living beings. A single mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and release enough oxygen to support two human beings.
(ii) What percentage of the earth's land is covered by forests?
Forests cover approximately 31 percent of the total land area of the earth.
(iii) Explain the process of transpiration as described in the passage.
Tree roots absorb water from the soil and release it as water vapour through a process called transpiration. This moisture rises into the atmosphere and eventually falls as rain, thereby sustaining the water cycle.
(iv) What are 'dev vans'? What purpose have they traditionally served?
'Dev vans' are sacred groves traditionally protected by village communities in India. They have served the purpose of preserving biodiversity, long before modern conservation movements came into existence.
(v) According to the passage, what is deforestation leading to?
Deforestation is threatening wildlife habitats, accelerating climate change, and disrupting the water cycle — leading to droughts, soil erosion, and desertification in many regions.
(vi) What does the writer suggest as a solution?
The writer calls for a collective responsibility: governments must enforce stronger anti-deforestation laws, industries must adopt sustainable practices, and every individual must recognise that protecting trees is an act of compassion toward future generations.
1 mark each — any relevant, accurate answer
Q.1(b)Vocabulary — words from the passage (1×3=3)3 Marks
(i) alarming — causing great alarm/fear (Para 2)
(ii) desertification — land becoming dry and desert-like (Para 3)
(iii) terrestrial — related to the land or ground (Para 2)
1 mark each
Q.1(c)Antonyms (1×3=3)3 Marks
(i) essential → unnecessary / dispensable
(ii) relentless → merciful / yielding / intermittent
(iii) collective → individual / separate
1 mark each — any correct antonym accepted
Q.2(a)Poem 'Fog' by Carl Sandburg (2×2=4)4 Marks
(i) Literary device in "The fog comes on little cat feet" — explain its effect.
Figure of Speech: Metaphor / Extended Metaphor (or Personification — both acceptable)
The fog is compared to a cat, which moves silently and stealthily. The phrase "little cat feet" creates the image of the fog creeping in quietly and gently, without warning. This metaphor makes the inanimate fog seem alive and gives it a soft, mysterious quality. It suggests the fog's silent, unhurried, and temporary nature — like a cat that arrives unannounced and leaves at will.
The fog is compared to a cat, which moves silently and stealthily. The phrase "little cat feet" creates the image of the fog creeping in quietly and gently, without warning. This metaphor makes the inanimate fog seem alive and gives it a soft, mysterious quality. It suggests the fog's silent, unhurried, and temporary nature — like a cat that arrives unannounced and leaves at will.
💡 Key Point: The poem is only 6 lines — one of the shortest in English literature. Yet it uses a single sustained metaphor to capture fog's entire character. Sandburg is associated with Imagism — vivid, concrete imagery in few words.
(ii) What image does the poet create of the fog?
The poet creates an image of the fog as a silent, cat-like creature that sits "on silent haunches" — i.e., it squats and surveys the harbour and city. Then it simply "moves on," suggesting the fog is transient and unhurried. The image is one of quiet power: the fog dominates the scene without noise or violence, observes everything, and then disappears as quietly as it came.
2 marks each — literary device + explanation + effect
Q.2(b)'In the Bazaars of Hyderabad' — Sarojini Naidu (2×2=4)4 Marks
(i) What does the poem describe? Name at least three items.
The poem describes the vibrant, colourful marketplace (bazaar) of Hyderabad, teeming with merchants, vendors, goldsmiths, flower-girls, and pedlars. It celebrates the richness and diversity of Indian culture and craftsmanship.
Three items mentioned: (i) Turbans of crimson and silver (ii) Daggers with handles of jade (iii) Wristlets, anklets, and rings (by goldsmiths) (iv) Saffron, lentil, and rice (v) Chessmen and ivory dice
(ii) Figure of speech used repeatedly — explain its effect.
Three items mentioned: (i) Turbans of crimson and silver (ii) Daggers with handles of jade (iii) Wristlets, anklets, and rings (by goldsmiths) (iv) Saffron, lentil, and rice (v) Chessmen and ivory dice
Anaphora (and Rhetorical Question) — The repeated pattern of "What do you sell/make/weigh/grind, O ye...?" creates a rhythmic, incantatory effect that mimics the bustling energy of the bazaar.
The rhetorical questions addressed to different groups — merchants, goldsmiths, vendors, maidens, pedlars — give the poem a dramatic, dialogue-like structure. The repetition creates a sense of abundance and celebration. Naidu uses this device to paint a panoramic picture of Indian culture and its sensory richness.
The rhetorical questions addressed to different groups — merchants, goldsmiths, vendors, maidens, pedlars — give the poem a dramatic, dialogue-like structure. The repetition creates a sense of abundance and celebration. Naidu uses this device to paint a panoramic picture of Indian culture and its sensory richness.
2 marks each — content + figure of speech with explanation
Section 2 — Writing (Essay + Composition + Letter)
Q.3Essay — Model Answer: "The Importance of Reading Books in the Digital Age" (~150 words)7 Marks
The Importance of Reading Books in the Digital Age
In an era dominated by smartphones, social media, and streaming platforms, the habit of reading books may seem outdated. Yet, the importance of books has never been greater.
Books offer something screens cannot — depth. A novel, a biography, or a work of philosophy invites us to slow down, reflect, and engage with ideas over sustained periods. This cultivates concentration, empathy, and critical thinking — qualities that are increasingly rare in the age of short-form content.
Moreover, reading enriches vocabulary and sharpens expression. Studies consistently show that regular readers perform better academically and professionally. Books also preserve cultural heritage and wisdom across generations.
While digital tools have democratised access to information, they cannot replace the immersive experience of a good book. Reading does not compete with technology — it complements it, by building the very faculties that make us thoughtful users of the digital world.
In conclusion, in the digital age, reading books is not a relic — it is a revolution.
💡 Marking Guide: Introduction (1) + Arguments with examples (3) + Counter-argument/Balance (1) + Conclusion (1) + Language/expression (1) = 7 marks
1 — Introduction
3 — Arguments
1 — Counter/Balance
1 — Conclusion
1 — Language
Q.4Speech — Model Answer: "Save Nature, Save Future" (~100 words)7 Marks
Speech: Save Nature, Save Future
Today, on Environment Day, I stand before you to speak on a matter of urgent importance — the need to save our natural world.
Every day, forests are felled, rivers are polluted, and the air we breathe grows heavier with toxins. We are not inheriting the earth from our ancestors — we are borrowing it from our children. The question is: what will we return to them?
The solution begins with us — each one of us. Plant a tree. Reduce plastic. Conserve water. Choose public transport. These are small acts, but collectively they can create a monumental change.
Remember: Nature does not need us. We need nature. Let us protect it before it is too late.
Thank you.
💡 Speech Format: Salutation → Opening hook → Body (2–3 points) → Call to action → Thank you. Marks: Format (1) + Content (4) + Language (2) = 7
Q.5Formal Letter — To the Editor on Plastic Pollution (Model Answer)6 Marks
B-14, Shastri Nagar
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
5 March 2026
The Editor
The Rajasthan Times
Jaipur
Subject: Urgent Need to Control Plastic Pollution in Our Cities
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities and the general public to the growing menace of plastic pollution in our cities.
Plastic bags, bottles, and packaging choke our drains, litter our streets, and find their way into rivers and oceans, endangering wildlife and contaminating our water supply. Despite a ban on single-use plastic, enforcement remains weak and public awareness is low.
I humbly suggest the following measures: (i) Strict enforcement of the plastic ban with heavy penalties; (ii) Municipal drives to collect and recycle plastic waste; (iii) Schools and colleges to run awareness campaigns; (iv) Subsidising biodegradable alternatives for market vendors.
I hope the authorities take prompt action before the situation worsens beyond repair.
Yours faithfully,
Rahul Sharma
Format: Address + Date (1) + Salutation (½) + Subject (½) + Body — Problem + Suggestions (3) + Closing (1) = 6 marks
1 — Format/Address
1 — Introduction of problem
2 — Suggestions (min. 3)
1 — Conclusion
1 — Language
Section 3 — Woven Words (Prose + Poetry)
Q.6Comprehension — "The Lament" by Anton Chekhov (1×6=6)6 Marks
(i) Who is Iona Potapov? What is his occupation?
Iona Potapov is a sledge-driver — a horse-drawn cab driver in a Russian city. He is an old man who has recently lost his son.
(ii) How is the appearance of Iona described?
Iona is described as being "all white like a ghost" — covered in snow. He sits on his box without stirring, bent double, motionless and deeply withdrawn into himself, overwhelmed by grief.
(iii) Describe the condition of Iona's mare.
The mare is also white and motionless. Her stillness, angular lines, and stick-like straight legs make her look like a "halfpenny gingerbread horse" — a cheap toy horse — suggesting both her frozen posture and her insignificance.
(iv) What does the simile "halfpenny gingerbread horse" suggest?
It suggests the mare's rigid, lifeless appearance — like a stiff, flat toy. The simile conveys that the horse, like Iona himself, is reduced to near-nothingness by the cold and by the crushing weight of sorrow and neglect.
(v) What does "slough, full of monstrous lights" refer to?
It refers to the city — a confusing, overwhelming, and alien environment for a man like Iona who has been "torn from the plough and familiar grey landscapes." The city is depicted as a noisy, garish, inhuman place.
(vi) What is the emotional state of Iona as suggested by his stillness?
Iona is in a state of deep, paralysing grief. He has just lost his son and desperately wants to share his sorrow with someone, but no one listens. His stillness reflects the numbness of grief and the loneliness of an uncaring world.
1 mark each
Q.7Long Answers — any two (~80 words each, 2×4=8)8 Marks
(a) Central theme of "The Lament" + Why Iona tells his horse
The central theme of "The Lament" is loneliness, grief, and human indifference. Iona Potapov, a sledge-driver, has lost his son and is desperate to share his sorrow. But every passenger he picks up ignores him, cuts him short, or dismisses his grief as trivial.
Iona finally turns to his horse because no human being will listen. The horse, though an animal, offers the only available audience. In a deeply ironic and touching ending, Chekhov suggests that animals may show more compassion — or at least, more patience — than human beings. Iona's need is not for solutions but for someone to simply hear him. The story is a powerful indictment of urban indifference and the loneliness of the poor.
Iona finally turns to his horse because no human being will listen. The horse, though an animal, offers the only available audience. In a deeply ironic and touching ending, Chekhov suggests that animals may show more compassion — or at least, more patience — than human beings. Iona's need is not for solutions but for someone to simply hear him. The story is a powerful indictment of urban indifference and the loneliness of the poor.
— OR —
(c) "The Third and Final Continent" — cultural adaptation and relationships
Jhumpa Lahiri's story conveys that human connection transcends cultural barriers. The narrator, an Indian immigrant in America, navigates the immense challenges of cultural dislocation — unfamiliar customs, loneliness, and the pressure to adapt.
His relationship with Mrs. Croft, the ancient, stern American landlady, is central. Despite the gulf between them — age, nationality, culture — they forge a quiet bond of mutual respect. When he later reflects that he has "conquered" continents and found love, Lahiri suggests that home is ultimately not a place but a relationship. The story celebrates the resilience of human beings in the face of displacement and the universal need for belonging.
His relationship with Mrs. Croft, the ancient, stern American landlady, is central. Despite the gulf between them — age, nationality, culture — they forge a quiet bond of mutual respect. When he later reflects that he has "conquered" continents and found love, Lahiri suggests that home is ultimately not a place but a relationship. The story celebrates the resilience of human beings in the face of displacement and the universal need for belonging.
1 — Theme/Introduction
2 — Main argument with textual reference
1 — Analysis/Conclusion
Q.8Short Answers — any two (~60 words, 2×3=6)6 Marks
(a) Significance of the title "The Lament"
"The Lament" literally means a passionate expression of grief. The title is significant because the entire story is Iona's lament for his dead son — a grief so profound he cannot contain it. Ironically, no one listens, making his lament even more poignant. The title points to the story's core theme: the silencing of the poor man's grief by a cold, indifferent society.
(c) The "pair of mustachios" — symbolism in Mulk Raj Anand's story
In Anand's story, the "pair of mustachios" symbolises class pride and social pretension. The barber must keep his mustachios small as per his low caste status, while the upper-caste men wear large mustachios as a mark of dignity and power. The mustachios thus become a physical emblem of caste hierarchy — a silent but constant reminder of social inequality embedded even in appearance.
3 marks each — Content (2) + Language (1)
Q.9Poetry Extract — "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" (4 Marks)4 Marks
(i) Who are the people addressed? What are they making?
Goldsmiths are addressed. They are making jewellery and ornaments — wristlets, anklets, rings, and bells for the feet of blue pigeons. The poet celebrates their craftsmanship as an expression of love and beauty.
(ii) Three items crafted by the goldsmiths:
(i) Wristlets (ii) Anklets and rings (iii) Bells for the feet of blue pigeons (tassels and chains also acceptable)
(iii) Tone and mood — how does the question-answer pattern contribute?
The tone is celebratory, vibrant, and lyrical. The mood is one of joy, abundance, and cultural pride.
The repeated question-answer pattern ("What do you make/sell, O ye...?") creates a dramatic, chant-like rhythm that mirrors the bustle and energy of the bazaar. It gives the poem a sense of movement, as if the poet is walking through the market and pausing at each stall. The pattern also democratises the poem — every craftsperson, regardless of their trade, is given an equal voice and dignity.
The repeated question-answer pattern ("What do you make/sell, O ye...?") creates a dramatic, chant-like rhythm that mirrors the bustle and energy of the bazaar. It gives the poem a sense of movement, as if the poet is walking through the market and pausing at each stall. The pattern also democratises the poem — every craftsperson, regardless of their trade, is given an equal voice and dignity.
1+1+2 marks
Q.10Poetry Appreciation — any two (~60–80 words, 2×3=6)6 Marks
(a) Central theme of "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" — Indian culture
The central theme is a celebration of Indian culture, craftsmanship, and national identity. Sarojini Naidu, writing during the nationalist movement, uses the bazaar as a metaphor for the richness and self-sufficiency of Indian civilisation. Every vendor — goldsmith, flower-girl, spice-grinder — represents a thread in the fabric of Indian life. The poem asserts that India's beauty and worth lie not in colonial imports but in its own vibrant, age-old traditions.
(c) "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka — racial prejudice
The title "Telephone Conversation" is deeply ironic. A phone call — meant to be impersonal and neutral — becomes the site of blatant racial prejudice. An African student calls a landlady about a room; when he reveals he is African, she begins asking absurd questions about the shade of his skin — "Are you light or very dark?"
Soyinka uses dark humour and irony to expose the grotesque nature of racism. The landlady's questions reveal how racism reduces a human being to a physical colour. The poem's brilliance lies in the speaker's witty, defiant responses, which mock the landlady's ignorance while maintaining his own dignity.
Soyinka uses dark humour and irony to expose the grotesque nature of racism. The landlady's questions reveal how racism reduces a human being to a physical colour. The poem's brilliance lies in the speaker's witty, defiant responses, which mock the landlady's ignorance while maintaining his own dignity.
3 marks each — Theme (1) + Analysis (1) + Language/Devices (1)
Section 4 — Drama : Julius Caesar
Q.11(a)Character Analysis: Mark Antony — Oratory & Political Cunning (~150 words)10 Marks
Introduction — Antony's Strategic Positioning:
Mark Antony initially appears as a loyal friend of Caesar and a man of pleasure. However, after Caesar's assassination, he reveals himself to be a brilliant political strategist. While Brutus naively allows Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral, Antony uses this opportunity masterfully to reverse the tide of public opinion.
Mark Antony initially appears as a loyal friend of Caesar and a man of pleasure. However, after Caesar's assassination, he reveals himself to be a brilliant political strategist. While Brutus naively allows Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral, Antony uses this opportunity masterfully to reverse the tide of public opinion.
The Funeral Speech — "Friends, Romans, Countrymen":
Antony's speech is a masterclass in rhetoric and irony. He repeatedly calls Brutus "an honourable man" — but with each repetition, the phrase drips with deeper sarcasm. He does not openly accuse the conspirators; instead, he uses insinuation. He shows Caesar's wounds and his will — bequeathing money to every Roman citizen — to inflame the crowd's emotions against the conspirators.
Antony's speech is a masterclass in rhetoric and irony. He repeatedly calls Brutus "an honourable man" — but with each repetition, the phrase drips with deeper sarcasm. He does not openly accuse the conspirators; instead, he uses insinuation. He shows Caesar's wounds and his will — bequeathing money to every Roman citizen — to inflame the crowd's emotions against the conspirators.
Techniques Used:
• Irony: "Brutus is an honourable man" — repeated until the crowd understands the opposite.
• Appeal to emotion (Pathos): Displaying Caesar's mantle, his wounds, his will.
• Rhetorical Questions: "Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?" — forcing the crowd to think.
• Pauses and drama: He pretends to be overcome by grief, making the crowd beg him to continue.
• Irony: "Brutus is an honourable man" — repeated until the crowd understands the opposite.
• Appeal to emotion (Pathos): Displaying Caesar's mantle, his wounds, his will.
• Rhetorical Questions: "Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?" — forcing the crowd to think.
• Pauses and drama: He pretends to be overcome by grief, making the crowd beg him to continue.
Turning the Mob and Conclusion:
By the end of the speech, the Roman mob, which had been applauding Brutus as a patriot, turns into a violent force that drives Brutus and Cassius from Rome. Antony reveals his cunning when he says, "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot."
Antony is thus a complex character — loyal friend, brilliant orator, and ruthless politician. Shakespeare uses him to show that truth can be manipulated by skill and emotion. He is not simply good or evil — he is profoundly, disturbingly human.
By the end of the speech, the Roman mob, which had been applauding Brutus as a patriot, turns into a violent force that drives Brutus and Cassius from Rome. Antony reveals his cunning when he says, "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot."
Antony is thus a complex character — loyal friend, brilliant orator, and ruthless politician. Shakespeare uses him to show that truth can be manipulated by skill and emotion. He is not simply good or evil — he is profoundly, disturbingly human.
2 — Introduction/character overview
3 — Analysis of funeral speech with examples
2 — Rhetorical techniques identified
2 — Turning the mob / outcome
1 — Conclusion / judgement
Q.11(b)Events: The Conspiracy Against Julius Caesar — Motives & Justification10 Marks
The Main Conspirators:
The central conspirators were Cassius, Brutus, Casca, Cimber, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, and others. Cassius is the architect of the conspiracy; Brutus is its moral justification.
The central conspirators were Cassius, Brutus, Casca, Cimber, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, and others. Cassius is the architect of the conspiracy; Brutus is its moral justification.
Cassius's Motives — Personal Envy:
Cassius fears Caesar's ambition and is personally envious of his power. He tells Brutus: "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus." He believes Caesar will become a tyrant and destroy the Republic. However, his motives are tainted by personal jealousy and rivalry.
Cassius fears Caesar's ambition and is personally envious of his power. He tells Brutus: "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus." He believes Caesar will become a tyrant and destroy the Republic. However, his motives are tainted by personal jealousy and rivalry.
Brutus's Motives — Idealism and Honour:
Brutus is the "noblest Roman of them all." He joins the conspiracy not out of hatred for Caesar, but out of love for Rome. He believes Caesar, if crowned, will abuse power: "It is the bright day that brings forth the adder." His motive is entirely political and idealistic.
Brutus is the "noblest Roman of them all." He joins the conspiracy not out of hatred for Caesar, but out of love for Rome. He believes Caesar, if crowned, will abuse power: "It is the bright day that brings forth the adder." His motive is entirely political and idealistic.
The Assassination — "Et tu, Bruté?":
On the Ides of March, the conspirators stab Caesar in the Senate. Caesar's last words — "Et tu, Bruté?" ("And you, too, Brutus?") — are among the most famous in English literature. They suggest that Caesar's greatest wound is not physical but the betrayal by his closest friend.
On the Ides of March, the conspirators stab Caesar in the Senate. Caesar's last words — "Et tu, Bruté?" ("And you, too, Brutus?") — are among the most famous in English literature. They suggest that Caesar's greatest wound is not physical but the betrayal by his closest friend.
Was the Assassination Justified?
This is the play's central moral question. From Brutus's perspective, it was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good — the preservation of the Roman Republic. From Caesar's (and Antony's) perspective, Caesar was not yet a tyrant — the conspirators acted on fear of what might happen, not what had happened.
Shakespeare deliberately leaves this ambiguous. The play presents both sides: Brutus is honourable, Caesar is ambitious. The audience is left to judge whether pre-emptive tyrannicide is ever justified. This moral complexity is what makes Julius Caesar a timeless tragedy.
This is the play's central moral question. From Brutus's perspective, it was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good — the preservation of the Roman Republic. From Caesar's (and Antony's) perspective, Caesar was not yet a tyrant — the conspirators acted on fear of what might happen, not what had happened.
Shakespeare deliberately leaves this ambiguous. The play presents both sides: Brutus is honourable, Caesar is ambitious. The audience is left to judge whether pre-emptive tyrannicide is ever justified. This moral complexity is what makes Julius Caesar a timeless tragedy.
1 — Conspirators named
2 — Cassius's motives
2 — Brutus's motives
2 — The assassination scene
3 — Justification debate + conclusion
Section 5 — Fiction : The Guide (R.K. Narayan)
Q.12(a)Raju and Rosie — Relationship, Evolution, Themes (~75 words)6 Marks
The relationship between Raju and Rosie (Nalini) begins as a professional one — Raju is a tourist guide, Rosie a visitor with her husband Marco. But Raju is drawn to Rosie's passion for classical dance and her unhappy marriage, and she to his vitality and encouragement.
Their relationship evolves into love, partnership, and eventually exploitation. Raju becomes Rosie's manager, helping her achieve fame as a dancer — but also forges her signature on a document, landing him in prison.
Their story reveals the complex interplay of art, ambition, freedom, and moral failure. Rosie seeks liberation — from Marco's indifference and society's condemnation of dance as a low-caste profession. Raju enables this liberation but also betrays her trust. The relationship ultimately shows that love, when mixed with ego and ambition, can both elevate and destroy.
Their relationship evolves into love, partnership, and eventually exploitation. Raju becomes Rosie's manager, helping her achieve fame as a dancer — but also forges her signature on a document, landing him in prison.
Their story reveals the complex interplay of art, ambition, freedom, and moral failure. Rosie seeks liberation — from Marco's indifference and society's condemnation of dance as a low-caste profession. Raju enables this liberation but also betrays her trust. The relationship ultimately shows that love, when mixed with ego and ambition, can both elevate and destroy.
2 — Beginning of relationship
2 — Evolution + betrayal
2 — Thematic insight (art/freedom/ambition)
Q.12(b)Short Answers — any two (~40 words each, 2×2=4)4 Marks
(i) Raju's transformation — voluntary or accidental?
Raju's transformation from tourist guide to holy man is largely accidental. After prison, he wanders to Malgudi where villagers mistake him for a swami. He plays along, initially out of convenience. However, when the village faces drought, villagers demand he fast to bring rain — and he unexpectedly commits to this fast, suggesting a moment of genuine spiritual awakening amid moral ruin.
(ii) Significance of the title "The Guide" — three levels
The title works on three levels: (i) Tourist Guide — Raju's original profession in Malgudi; (ii) Career Guide — he guides Rosie to fame as a dancer Nalini; (iii) Spiritual Guide — the village accepts him as a swami who guides them through drought and fasting. Narayan uses this triple meaning to trace Raju's complex, ironic journey toward accidental redemption.
2 marks each — Content (1½) + Expression (½)
Section 6 — Literary Terms (any 5 × 1 = 5)
Q.13Define any five with example5 Marks
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Elegy | A mournful poem lamenting the death of a person or something lost | Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard |
| Epic | A long narrative poem celebrating the deeds of a hero, often involving gods and battles | Homer's Iliad; Valmiki's Ramayana |
| Sonnet | A 14-line poem, usually in iambic pentameter, exploring a single theme. Types: Petrarchan (8+6) and Shakespearean (3 quatrains + couplet) | Shakespeare's Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? |
| Ode | A lyric poem of elevated tone addressed to a person, thing, or abstract idea, celebrating its qualities | Keats's Ode to a Nightingale |
| Lyric | A short poem expressing the personal emotions and feelings of the speaker; usually musical in quality | Wordsworth's Daffodils |
| Ballad | A narrative poem that tells a story, often of folk origin, with simple language, repetition, and a refrain | The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Coleridge) |
| Satire | A literary form that uses irony, wit, and ridicule to criticise and expose human vice or folly, aiming at reform | Swift's Gulliver's Travels |
| Fiction | Prose narrative based on imagined events and characters, though it may reflect real life; includes novels and short stories | R.K. Narayan's The Guide |
| Melodrama | A dramatic form with exaggerated characters and situations designed to appeal strongly to the emotions; good vs. evil | Victorian stage plays; many Bollywood films |
| Monologue | A long speech by one character in a play or poem, revealing their thoughts; if unspoken (to self), it is a soliloquy | Hamlet's "To be or not to be" (soliloquy/monologue) |
💡 Marking: ½ mark for definition + ½ mark for example = 1 mark per term × 5 = 5 marks
Section 7 — Figures of Speech (5 Marks)
Q.14(a)Identify the Figure of Speech (1×3=3)3 Marks
(i) "The world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players." — Shakespeare
Figure of Speech: Metaphor
The world is directly compared to a stage — without using "like" or "as." Men and women are compared to players (actors). The metaphor suggests that human life, like a play, follows a script, has entrances and exits, and is ultimately fleeting and performative. This is also known as an Extended Metaphor since it is developed over multiple clauses.
(ii) "The thunder roared its mighty disapproval across the sky."
The world is directly compared to a stage — without using "like" or "as." Men and women are compared to players (actors). The metaphor suggests that human life, like a play, follows a script, has entrances and exits, and is ultimately fleeting and performative. This is also known as an Extended Metaphor since it is developed over multiple clauses.
Figure of Speech: Personification
Thunder is given the human quality of "disapproval" — an emotion. It also "roars," which is an animal/human action attributed to a natural phenomenon. Personification makes nature seem alive and emotionally responsive, creating a more vivid and dramatic effect.
(iii) "He was as brave as a lion in the face of danger."
Thunder is given the human quality of "disapproval" — an emotion. It also "roars," which is an animal/human action attributed to a natural phenomenon. Personification makes nature seem alive and emotionally responsive, creating a more vivid and dramatic effect.
Figure of Speech: Simile
The man's bravery is directly compared to a lion's using the word "as." This is a simile — an explicit comparison using "as" or "like." It creates a vivid image of fearless courage. (A metaphor would be: "He was a lion in the face of danger.")
The man's bravery is directly compared to a lion's using the word "as." This is a simile — an explicit comparison using "as" or "like." It creates a vivid image of fearless courage. (A metaphor would be: "He was a lion in the face of danger.")
1 mark each — Name (½) + Explanation (½)
Q.14(b)Write original sentences using any two Figures of Speech (1×2=2)2 Marks
| Figure of Speech | Definition (Quick) | Model Original Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | Repetition of the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words | "Slowly, silently, the silver stars appeared in the sky." |
| Onomatopoeia | Word that imitates the sound it describes | "The bees buzzed lazily around the bright yellow flowers." |
| Paradox | A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth | "The more I learn, the less I feel I know." |
| Oxymoron | Two contradictory words placed side by side | "There was a deafening silence after the announcement." |
| Euphemism | A mild or indirect expression substituted for a harsh one | "We are sorry to inform you that your grandfather has passed away." |
| Antithesis | Contrasting ideas placed in parallel structure | "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." — Dickens |
💡 Note: For Q.14(b), students must write original sentences. The model examples above are for guidance. Award 1 mark for a correct, original sentence per figure of speech.
1 mark each — Correct use of device (½) + Grammatically correct sentence (½)
📊 Final Marks Summary
| Section | Questions | Marks | Key Focus for High Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Reading | Q.1–2 | 20 | Accuracy + use of passage language |
| 2. Writing | Q.3–5 | 20 | Format + word count + varied vocabulary |
| 3. Woven Words | Q.6–10 | 30 | Textual reference + literary analysis |
| 4. Julius Caesar | Q.11 | 10 | Character + events + quotations |
| 5. The Guide | Q.12 | 10 | Raju's arc + title significance |
| 6. Literary Terms | Q.13 | 5 | Definition + correct example |
| 7. Figures of Speech | Q.14 | 5 | Correct name + brief explanation |
| Grand Total | 100 | Examiner's discretion applies | |
⭐ Award marks for all alternative correct answers. Model answers are indicative, not exhaustive. Reward original expression and genuine engagement with the text.
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