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REVIEW PAPER

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH Class:8

This paper consists of 3 printed pages.

Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

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Attempt five questions in all from only three text books.

You must attempt at least one question from each of the Sections A, B and C and not more

than two other questions from the same books you have already compulsorily chosen.

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The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

SECTION A – DRAMA

Julius Caesar

Question 1.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

CICERO

Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time.

But men may construe things after their fashion,

Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.

[16]

1. Where does this scene take place? Whom did the Cicero say these words to? (3)

2. What sights did the person speak to Cicero about? (3)

3. In the same scene, what strange things does Cassius describe to have taken place?

How has he reacted to them?

(3)

4. According to Cassius, how do the Romans contribute in making Caesar a tyrant? (3)

5. In the end of the scene, what plea does Cinna make to Cassius? What errand is he

then sent on to fulfill this goal? Do you think their intentions are justified? Give a

reason for your answer.

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Question 2.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

BRUTUS

It must be by his death: and, for my part

I know no personal cause to spurn at him

But for the general. He would be crowned.

How that might change his nature, there’s the question.

[16]

1. What type of speech is this? What does it reveal about the person? (3)

2. What does ‘it’ refer to? Whose death is suggested here? (3)

3. What is found in Brutus’ closet? What are the contents of it? (3)

4. Identify and explain the figure of speech used by Brutus in his soliloquy that

refers to Caesar.

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5. Who re-enters the scene after Brutus’ speech? A little later, why is this person

unable to identify the men with Cassius?

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SECTION B – POETRY

Panorama

Question 3.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

King Canute was weary hearted; he had reigned for years a score,

Battling, struggling, pushing, fighting, killing much and robbing more;

[16]

1. Where was the King when he was thinking about his actions? Who was the King

walking sedately between? Who has penned this poem?

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2. Why is the King disappointed with his sons? (3)

3. What does the Bishop suggest that the King can do? What does the King then feel

encouraged to do?

(3)

4. What decisions did King Canute take from that day on? (3)

5. Write in your own words what it was that “vexed” the person spoken about.

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Question 4.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Larks are singing in the west, brother, above the green wheat,

So will ye not come home, brother, and rest your tired feet?

[16]

1. What does the poet feel is calling him back home? How does the poet react in the

first stanza when he is called back home?

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2. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the lines given below: (Answer in a

full sentence.)

a. The air’s like wine -

b. It’s song to a man’s soul. –

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3. What, according to the poet, is an ideal road to tread? Why? (3)

4. Where does the West Wind come from? (3)

5. How does the Wind lure the poet to come back to the West lands?

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SECTION C – PROSE

Wise and Otherwise

Question 5.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

‘It was through her gloom and cynicism had a way of spreading to others.’

[16]

1. Who was Meena? (3)

2. Where did the author meet Meena many years later? (3)

3. Why does the author say looked more attractive than ever before? (3)

4. Who did the author envy? What had this person done to make her envious? (3)

5. How did Meena pay her Gurudakshina? What message did you get from this

lesson?

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Question 6.

Answer the following questions with reference to Sudha Murty’s short story,

‘In Sahyadri Hills, a Lesson in Humility’,

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1. Describe the author’s experience while travelling to the Sahyadri hills. (4)

2. How did the watchman explain the affairs of the school? What request did the (4)

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children make to the author?

3. What incident makes the author say that ‘this is culture at its best’?

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