B) How does Imtiaz Dharker show women's life in her poem "Purdah"?

Answer: Imtiaz Dharker shows women's life in her poem "Purdah" as one of confinement,
subjugation, and a struggle for identity and self-expression within conservative cultural
and religious frameworks.

The poem uses the physical garment of the purdah (veil) as a powerful
metaphor for the broader restrictions imposed on women's freedom and
psychological development. [1, 2]

 Physical and Psychological Seclusion: Dharker portrays purdah not merely as

clothing but as a "state of mind" that enforces seclusion and suppression, limiting
women's interaction with the outside world. This leads to a sense of being "passive
stakeholders" in society. [1, 2]
 Loss of Identity: The act of veiling and adhering to rigid social codes forces women to
conceal their true selves, leading to a conflict between their inner desires and the
external demands of modesty and tradition. The poem explores the journey from being a
"possession" to a "person". [3, 4]
 Injustice and Control: The poem highlights the "atrocities and injustice meted out to the
women" under the guise of protection or modesty. The practice is depicted as an
instrument of masculine control that violates women's basic rights and dignity. [1, 2, 5]
 Internal Conflict: Dharker explores the internal struggles and "sense of sin" that women
are made to feel regarding their own bodies and natural instincts, as they are socialized
to internalize these restrictive norms.

11. Write a short summary of the poem "Debt" by Sukirtharani

Answer: The poem "Debt" by Sukirtharani explores the themes of generational debt and
the societal expectations placed upon individuals, particularly women, within a
patriarchal system.

The poem delves into the idea that certain obligations and burdens are inherited from
previous generations. Sukirtharani uses the metaphor of "debt" to describe the
unspoken rules, traditions, and sacrifices that bind people to their families and
communities. The poem highlights the struggle to live an autonomous life while
constantly being reminded of these inherited duties and the feeling of being indebted to
those who came before. It is a commentary on the complex interplay between individual
desire and collective responsibility, urging a reflection on which debts are truly worth
honoring and which should be challenged for personal freedom.

12. A) Message in "The Doll's House"

Answer: The story "The Doll's House" by Katherine Mansfield delivers a powerful
message about social class discrimination and the cruelty of exclusion.

The main message is that children often replicate the rigid social hierarchies and prejudices of
the adult world. The Burnell children, for instance, are allowed to play with the doll's house and
interact with certain classmates, but are forbidden by their parents from speaking to the
Kelveys, who are from a poor family. This demonstrates how class prejudice is taught and
ingrained from a young age.

The story also highlights the importance of empathy and kindness, as exemplified by the
youngest Burnell sister, Kezia, who defies her parents to show the Kelveys the doll's house
lamp. This small act of inclusion provides a moment of hope and suggests that compassion can
challenge societal barriers.

B) Explain the main ideas of Haruki Murakami's story "Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey"

Answer: The main ideas of Haruki Murakami's story "Confessions of a Shinagawa

Monkey" explore themes of memory loss, the nature of identity, and the burden of guilt.

The story centers on a talking monkey who confesses to stealing the

names of women he falls in love with, causing them to forget their own
identities.

 Memory and Identity: The narrative suggests that a name is crucial to one's identity
and memory. Without their names, the women lose their sense of self.
  Guilt and Confession: The monkey is driven by loneliness and a deep sense of guilt,
which he can only alleviate by confessing his actions to a stranger.
 Surrealism and the Unconscious: Like much of Murakami's work, the story uses
surreal elements (a talking, name-stealing monkey) to delve into deeper psychological
themes and the complexities of the human (and simian) unconscious.

Write a story on a village scene

I could call myself a city boy. My father being in a transferable job, I changed eight schools
across as many major cities. I hadn’t visited a village in India till last summer, I must admit.
School kids today don’t get to spend their summers as my parents’ generation used to. My
parents tell me stories of their summers being spent pampered by grandparents with glasses of
milk and fresh ripe mangoes from nearby bagichas (orchards). On the contrary, I remember my
summers being spent finishing tonnes of school projects between PlayStation breaks and
Pokemon episodes. I don’t have any fun Tom-Sawyer-summer-stories to bore my children with.
Well, anyway they’ll be busy with their school work and I with my office work, I believe.

Last summer, while my friends were interning in one institute or the other, I decided to spend my
vacation as my parents had done long ago. In a small village in Uttar Pradesh called Bharaul.
Being a student of Development Economics, I felt compelled to actually experience the life I
otherwise study sitting in air-conditioned classrooms.

I can’t paint a rosy picture of village life because a developmental economist sees much scope
for development in such a village. But I do have some pleasant memories. The mornings there
were beautiful. During a morning stroll, peacocks could be seen strutting on the fields. After the
stroll, if you sit down for some tea in a rundown stall, you could overhear disgruntled men
discussing Mulayam and Mayawati. On my first day there, I also met the village ASHA
(Accredited Social Health Activist), who had nothing but praise for the government’s health
services. A team of doctors regularly came to the village she told me, with a smile on her face.

Later in the day start the power-cuts at regular intervals. My relatives there seemed accustomed
to it. A surprising fact that I found out was that they are charged Rs. 180 a month for electricity
regardless of how much they use. What would Ronald Coase say on that, I wondered. For
economic efficiency, property rights should be better defined, the Nobel Prize-winning British
economist had said.

There were two government schools in the small village, I found out. However, there was no
police station or hospital. Both were available in a neighbouring village, though. But the nearest
private hospital was some 10 km away. As Professor Amartya Sen would put it, the villagers
face a much smaller set of “capabilities” than people like me in our Delhi experience.

Before leaving for Delhi, I had a bath next to a tube well with my cousins in a mango orchard
while eating green mangoes laced with salt. These are some of the things I will never forget. I’ve
forgotten my school projects and write-ups, the endless theorems and dates, but not those
times I’ve spent with my cousins and friends.

Memories are what those lazy vacations at your grandma’s leave you with. And that is
irreplaceable. I have very few of these to cherish, and my children will probably have even
fewer.

B) Write about your experience or ideas on how to speak confidently in class or on stage.

Answer: Confidence in speaking comes from preparation, practice, and a

positive mindset. [1]

 Preparation: Thoroughly understand the topic and organize thoughts into a clear
structure. Knowing the material reduces anxiety.
 Practice: Rehearse the presentation multiple times, preferably in front of a mirror or a
small audience. This builds familiarity and smooths delivery.
 Breathing and Posture: Take deep breaths before speaking to calm nerves. Stand tall
with good posture to project confidence and improve voice projection.
 Engagement: Make eye contact with different people in the audience to create a
connection. Focus on the message being delivered rather than personal anxiety.
 Embrace Mistakes: Accept that minor mistakes are normal and not the end of the
world. Focus on continuing the presentation smoothly.
AI responses may include mistakes.

14. Write a short note on "Notes on Grief" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. What feelings does
she share?

Answer: "Notes on Grief" is a moving and candid exploration of the author's profound
loss after her father's unexpected death in 2020. [1, 2, 3]

Adichie shares a complex tangle of raw emotions, including:

 Shock and disbelief: The initial impact of the sudden news. [1, 2]
 Loneliness and anger: Feelings that are an unavoidable part of the grieving process.
[1, 4]
 Physical manifestations of grief: Such as a shaking body, uncontrollable tapping, and
sudden bursts of tears. [5]
 Disillusionment: The struggle to go through the rites of mourning amidst a global
pandemic and the inability to be physically together as a family. [1, 6]

The book is both a tribute to her father's life (a remarkable survivor of the Biafran war and a
statistics professor) and a meditation on the universality and personal nature of grief. [3, 4]

B) Describe the problems faced by transgender people and the need for kindness, as shown in
Lee Mokobe’s poem.

Answer: The problems faced by transgender people include societal rejection, misgendering,
and the struggle for self-acceptance, while the poem emphasizes the need for kindness and
understanding as a fundamental human right.

The poem, “A Love Letter to the Universe,” highlights the internal conflict and external
challenges faced by transgender individuals. It describes the pain of being assigned a gender at
birth that does not align with one’s true identity, leading to feelings of being trapped in the wrong
body. The need for kindness is portrayed as crucial because transgender people often face
harsh judgment, discrimination, and a lack of acceptance from family, friends, and society at
large. The poem advocates for a world where people can live authentically without fear of
judgment, and where kindness is the default response to human difference.

AI responses may include mistakes.

B) Describe how studying English has improved your communication skills

Answer: Studying English has improved communication skills by enhancing vocabulary,

grammar, and confidence in expressing ideas.

Explanation:

 Vocabulary expansion has enabled the use of more precise and descriptive words,
such as using "articulate" instead of just "speak clearly".
 Grammar mastery has allowed for constructing clearer and more complex sentences,
ensuring messages are easily understood without ambiguity.
 Classroom activities like public speaking exercises and group discussions have
increased confidence in speaking English in various social and academic settings.
 Writing practice has improved the ability to structure arguments logically and present
information effectively in written form.
 Active listening during class has enhanced comprehension skills, making it easier to
follow and participate in conversations.

AI responses may include mistakes.

1. Poem Purdah

Answer: Imtiaz Dharker is the poet of the poem Purdah. The title symbolizes the physical,
emotional, and psychological veils or barriers that restrict women's freedom and identity.

2. Sukirtharani's poem Debt

Answer: The main idea behind Sukirtharani's poem Debt is the acknowledgment of the
historical and ongoing contributions and sacrifices made by Dalit women to their
communities and society, often without recognition.

3. Message in Endangered Species: Case No. 47410

Answer: The message Crystal Wilkinson conveys in Endangered Species: Case No. 47410
relates to the vulnerability and endangerment of Black culture, history, and lives in a
society that often overlooks or devalues them.
4. Fill in the blank

Answer: The correct verb form is has.

Step 1: Subject-verb agreement

The subject of the sentence is "Each," which is an indefinite pronoun and is singular. Therefore,
it requires a singular verb. The correct sentence is: "Each of the students has done their
homework."

Answer:

has

5. Significance of Notes on Grief

Answer: The significance of the title Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is that it
reflects the personal, fragmented, and raw nature of her experience of losing her father
during the pandemic, capturing grief not as a linear process but as a collection of moments and
reflections.

6. Essential elements in story

Answer: The essential elements in a story are plot, characters, setting, conflict, and theme.

7. Purposes of review writing

Answer: Two purposes of review writing are to provide a critical evaluation or assessment of
a work (such as a book, film, or product) and to help potential consumers or readers make
informed decisions about whether to engage with that work.
8. Gender equality according to We should all be feminists

Answer: According to "We should all be feminists," gender equality means equal social,
political, and economic rights and opportunities for all genders, moving beyond traditional
gender roles and expectations.

9. Group discussion benefits

Answer: Participating in a group discussion helps improve communication skills by enhancing

verbal expression, active listening, and the ability to articulate ideas clearly. It improves
teamwork skills by fostering collaboration, negotiation, and the ability to work effectively
with others toward a common goal.

10. Main theme of Lee Mokobe's poem

Answer: The main theme of Lee Mokobe's poem "A Powerful Poem on What It Means to Be
Transgender" is the personal journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and the challenges
faced by transgender individuals in expressing their true identity in a world that often
misunderstands or rejects them.

AI responses may include mistakes.

1. Poet and theme of "Debt"

Answer: Poet is not explicitly stated in common anthologies, but the poem "Debt" often
explores the theme of moral or financial obligations and their consequences.

2. Social issue in "Phallus I Cut"

Answer: Kalki Subramaniam highlights the social issue of transgender identity, rights,
and the challenges faced by the transgender community.
3. Author of "The Doll's House"

Answer: The author of the play "A Doll's House" is Henrik Ibsen.

4. Narrator in "Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey"

Answer: The central narrator in "Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey" is a character who

is a talking monkey.

5. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb

Answer: is Explanation: When using "either...or", the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun
closest to it. In this case, "Rohit" is singular, so the singular verb "is" is used.

6. Two basic elements of a story

Answer: Plot and characterization are two basic elements of a story.

7. Full form of LGBTQ

Answer: The full form of LGBTQ is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (or
Questioning).

8. Meaning of "We should all be feminists"

Answer: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie means that everyone should believe in the social,
political, and economic equality of the sexes.

9. What do we learn from group discussions?

Answer: Group discussions help develop critical thinking, communication skills,
teamwork, and the ability to consider diverse perspectives.

10. What is review writing?

Answer: Review writing is the process of evaluating a subject, such as a book, film, or
product, and expressing an opinion on its quality and value.

AI responses may include mistakes.

11. A) Explain the struggles of lower caste women

Answer: The poem highlights the multifaceted struggles of lower-caste women, focusing
on their experiences of social exclusion, economic exploitation, and the burden of silent
sacrifice within a patriarchal and caste-ridden society.

The poem "Debt" by Sukirtharani portrays the struggles of lower-caste

women by illustrating several key themes: [1]

 Social Exclusion: The women face marginalization not only due to their gender but also
their caste, creating a unique intersection of oppression.
 Economic Exploitation: The poem often touches upon the physical labor and lack of
fair compensation these women endure, emphasizing their perpetual state of
indebtedness and poverty.
 Silent Sacrifices: The narrative highlights the unspoken and often unacknowledged
sacrifices these women make for their families and communities, their voices often
silenced by societal norms.
 Resilience: Despite the immense hardships, the poem also subtly suggests the
women's enduring strength and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination.

AI responses may include mistakes.

1. Who is the poet of the poem Debt and what is the main theme of the poem?

Answer: Sukirtharani is the poet of “Debt”.

The main theme of the poem is the plight and struggles of lower-caste (Dalit) women,
particularly manual scavengers, and the silent sacrifices they make within an oppressive caste
system. It highlights the indignity associated with manual scavenging and critiques the societal
structure that perpetuates this injustice.

2. What social issue does Kalki Subramaniam highlight in her poem “Phallus I Cut”?

Answer: Kalki Subramaniam highlights the social issue of discrimination and lack of acceptance
faced by transgender individuals.

The poem describes her experience transitioning and society’s rejection of her womanhood
because she was not assigned female at birth. She challenges the idea that gender is solely
determined by physical organs and critiques the “phallus of chauvinism” that perpetuates
prejudice and invalidates transgender experiences.

3. Who is the author of The Doll’s House?

Answer: The author of the short story “The Doll’s House” is Katherine Mansfield.

Note: Henrik Ibsen wrote a famous play titled “A Doll’s House,” but the context of the exam
paper (mentioning class distinction and Kezia) points to Katherine Mansfield’s short story.

4. Who is the central narrator in “Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey”?

Insufficient information available to answer this question from the search results.

5. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. Either Tina or Rohit telling lies. (is/are)

Answer: (a) is

The correct sentence is: “Either Tina or Rohit is telling lies.” When using “either/or,” the verb
typically agrees with the subject closest to it (“Rohit” is singular).

6. Name any two basic elements of a story.

Answer: Two basic elements of a story are characters and setting.

Other core elements include plot, conflict, and theme.

7. What is the full form of LGBTQ?

Answer: The full form of LGBTQ is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (or
Questioning). The acronym often includes a “+” to encompass other identities.

8. What does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie mean when she says “We should all be
feminists”?

Answer: Adichie argues that “we should all be feminists” because feminism simply means
believing in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
She means that everyone, men and women, should work together to challenge and fix existing
gender problems and stereotypes, allowing all individuals to be their true selves without the
limitations of traditional gender roles.

9. What do we learn from group discussions?

Answer: Group discussions help us learn various skills, including how to structure arguments,
listen to others’ perspectives, improve communication skills, think critically, and collaborate
effectively to reach a consensus or understand a topic more deeply. They also help in learning
how to articulate and present one’s own Ideas clearly.

10. What is review writing?

Answer: Review writing is the process of providing a critical evaluation, summary, or

assessment of a published work, event, product, or service (such as a book, movie, or stand-up
show).

The purpose is to inform an audience about the content while offering a clear opinion or
recommendation, typically without revealing major spoilers.

Part B – Answer all the questions (5x16=80)

11. A) In Sukirtharani’s poem Debt, the poet highlights the struggles of lower caste women
and their silent sacrifices. Please explain.

This is a conceptual problem.

Sukirtharani’s poem “Debt” (or “Kaimaaru” in Tamil) is a powerful articulation of the struggles
faced by Dalit women. The poem focuses on a specific, dehumanizing task: a Dalit woman
working as a manual scavenger, collecting ashes (implied human excreta or related waste) to
sell for a meager living.

The poem highlights:

Caste and Gender Oppression: The work emphasizes the dual marginalization of being both
female and Dalit within Indian society.

Indignity and Sacrifice: The physical act of carrying the heavy basket and wiping sweat
symbolizes the sheer physical and emotional burden they carry.

Societal Indifference: The poem critiques a society that ignores the existence of manual
scavenging, a system that continues regardless of political changes, showcasing a deep,
ongoing societal problem.

Silence and Endurance: The sacrifices are often “silent” as these women are largely voiceless
and their struggles are overlooked by the mainstream, making the poem a profound statement
on their existence and resilience.

12. B) Explain the themes of gender, religion, and identity in Imtiaz Dharker’s poem Purdah
1 & Purdah 2.
This is a conceptual problem.

Imtiaz Dharker’s poems “Purdah I” and “Purdah II” use the metaphor of the veil to explore
complex themes of gender, religion, and identity within conservative communities.

Gender: The poems critique patriarchal conventions that impose strict rules on women’s bodies
and behavior. Purdah (veiling and seclusion) is presented as a tool of physical and emotional
confinement, reducing women to a “dehumanized form” and a spectacle for external judgment.

Religion/Culture: The practice is tied to cultural and religious expectations of “shame” and
modesty imposed on girls once they reach puberty (“public age”). Dharker questions the rigid
norms and rituals that demand women conform to these restrictions.

Identity: The veil affects the woman’s sense of self. It is described as a kind of “safety” that
paradoxically buries not just the body but also the spirit and individual agency, making the
wearer feel “emotionless like a dead man inside a coffin”. The poem is a protest against the loss
of individual identity caused by societal repression.

13. A) Discuss the theme of class distinction and injustice in Katherine Mansfield’s The
Doll’s House.

This is a conceptual problem.

Katherine Mansfield’s short story “The Doll’s House” critiques the cruelty of class distinction and
social injustice prevalent in early 20 th-century New Zealand society.

The Doll’s House as a Symbol: The house itself is a symbol of upper-class superficiality and
material pride. The wealthy Burnell children are allowed to show it off, highlighting their status.

Exclusion of the Kelveys: The central injustice is the absolute social exclusion of the
impoverished Kelvey sisters (Lil and Else). They are children of a washerwoman and a jailed
man, explicitly forbidden by the parents of the other children from visiting or seeing the house
due to their lower status.

Learned Prejudice vs. Inherent Kindness: The children mimic their parents’ snobbery, but the
character Kezia Burnell is the only one who questions this inherent prejudice. She invites the
Kelveys to see the house anyway, a simple act of kindness that breaks the strict societal
boundaries.

The Shared Experiencee: When the Kelveys do get to see it, their shared sense of wonder
suggests that class differences are ultimately petty and meaningless in the face of shared
humanity.

12. B) Explain how Crystal Wilkinson’s Endangered Species: Case No. 47410 shows issues of
race and gender.

Insufficient information available to answer this specific question from the search results.

14. A) Write a creative short story using the elements of storytelling (character, setting,
conflict, climax, resolution).
This requires creative writing and falls outside the scope of providing a factual answer.

13. B) Provide a description of the image shown below. How will you create an Instagram post
for a cultural fest in your college?

This requires describing an image not provided in the prompt (the “image shown below” within
the exam paper) and providing instructions for social media, which cannot be done with the
current tools.

15. A) How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie express her feelings of love, pain, and
memory in Notes on Grief?

This is a conceptual problem.

In Notes on Grief, Adichie uses a raw, honest, and lyrical approach to explore her feelings of
love, pain, and memory following the sudden death of her father.

Pain and Grief’s Physicality: She expresses the visceral nature of grief, describing it not just as
emotional sadness but as a physical affliction—a heavy weight on her chest, a bitter taste, sore
muscles from crying, and a “drowning nihilism”. She refuses easy platitudes and acknowledges
that there is “no way through” grief, only learning to carry it.

Love and Memory: Memories are a key component, but they bring “eloquent stabs of pain”
because they serve as reminders of what is lost forever. She remembers specific, intimate
details—her father's sudoku books, his punctuality, the sound of his laugh—which underscore
the depth of her love and make the loss more acute.

Disbelief and Denial: She expresses an initial disbelief and resistance to the finality of death,
describing the struggle to even use the word “burial” or “demise”. This denial is a refuge,
highlighting the shock of unexpected loss.

14. B) Describe the challenges of being transgender and the need for understanding in Lee
Mokobe’s poem A Powerful Poem on What it Means to be Transgender.

This is a conceptual problem.

Lee Mokobe’s poem lyrically describes the significant challenges of being transgender and
emphasizes the profound need for societal understanding and acceptance.

Identity Crisis and Shame: Mokobe describes growing up with an internal conflict, initially
praying for God to “heal” them, facing mockery, and feeling forced to hide their true self.

Societal Rejection: The poem highlights how society often invalidates transgender identities,
viewing non-conforming expressions as a spectacle or a “trick,” leading to ridicule and a lack of
support from peers and sometimes even family.

Need for Self-Acceptance and Understanding: Mokobe finds strength in accepting their body as
a “house” that they love enough to make comfortable. The poem ultimately serves as a call for
increased understanding and a critique of a culture that contributes to high rates of distress and
suicide among transgender individuals due to its failure to accept them as they are.
 16. A) Write a short review of any movie or stand-up comedy show you like. Say what it is
about and why you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) it.

This requires creative writing and falls outside the scope of providing a factual answer.

15. B) Write an essay on your learning experience from the English course, how it has improved
your communication/writing skills.

This is a personal reflection/essay question and falls outside the scope of providing a factual
answer based on search results.

2. What is the main idea behind Sukirtharani’s poem Debt? Who is the poet of the poem
Purdah and what does the title symbolize?

The main idea behind Sukirtharani’s poem “Debt” is the plight and oppression faced by
Dalit women forced into the degrading work of manual scavenging. The poem highlights
the indignity associated with this task and serves as a critique of the caste system, a
sensitive portrayal that evokes guilt at a personal level.

The poet of the poem “Purdah” is Imtiaz Dharker. The title, which literally means
“curtain” in Persian, is symbolic of the constraints and expectations faced by women in
traditional societies. The purdah or veil is a metaphor for the social and cultural
constructs used to control and subordinate women, restricting their freedom,
individuality, and self-expression within patriarchal norms.

3. What message does Crystal Wilkinson convey in Endangered Species: Case 3 No.
47410?

The search results did not provide specific information about Crystal Wilkinson’s work or
the message conveyed in “Endangered Species: Case 3 No. 47410”.

4. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb:

Each of the students done their homework (has/ have)

Answer: has

The correct sentence is: Each of the students has done their homework.

5. What is the significance of the title Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie?

The search results did not provide specific information about the significance of the title
“Notes on Grief” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

6. Write down the essential elements in story.

The essential elements of a story typically include character, setting, conflict, climax,
and resolution.

7. Write any two purposes of review writing.

Two purposes of review writing are:

To evaluate a product, service, or creative work (like a book or film) to help potential
consumers or readers make informed decisions.

To provide a critical analysis and interpretation of the subject matter, offering insights
into its quality, strengths, and weaknesses.
8. What is meant by gender equality according to “We should all be feminists”?

The search results did not provide specific information about the definition of gender
equality according to “We should all be feminists”.

9. How does participating in a group discussion help improve your communication and
teamwork skills?
Participating in a group discussion helps improve communication skills by providing
practice in articulating thoughts clearly, listening actively, and responding to different
perspectives. It improves teamwork skills by requiring collaboration, respectful
interaction, and collective problem-solving towards a common goal.

10. What is the main theme of Lee Mokobe’s poem “A Powerful Poem on What It Means
to Be Transgender”?

The main theme of Lee Mokobe’s poem is the complex experience of gender identity,
transition, and self-acceptance as a transgender person. The poem explores the
struggles with societal expectations and the journey towards defining one’s own identity,
often highlighting the need for kindness and understanding.
11. Write a short summary of the poem “Debt” by Sukirtharani.

(Or) B) How does Imtiaz Dharker show women’s life in her poem “Purdah”?
A) Write a short summary of the poem “Debt” by Sukirtharani.

The poem "Debt" by Sukirtharani is a powerful portrayal of a Dalit woman engaged in

the act of manual scavenging, cleaning a pit toilet and carrying human waste on her
head. The poem vividly describes the degrading and difficult nature of her work and the
societal oppression faced by the Dalit community. The poet suggests that the only way
to help is “not to defecate once”, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of caste
discrimination and the indignity it imposes.
 B) How does Imtiaz Dharker show women’s life in her poem “Purdah”?

In her poem “Purdah”, Imtiaz Dharker shows women’s lives as being constrained by the
traditional and patriarchal practice of veiling and social seclusion. The “purdah of the
mind” is depicted as an internal and external set of restrictions and expectations that
suppress a woman’s freedom and individuality. Dharker uses powerful imagery to
illustrate how women become accustomed to this confinement, leading to a sense of
being “bought and sold”, with their personalities suppressed and their true selves hidden
from the world. The poem suggests that women often lose their voice and sense of self
within these cultural and religious boundaries.

12. A) What message does Katherine Mansfield give us in “The Doll’s House”?
(Or) B) Explain the main ideas of Haruki Murakami’s story “Confessions of a Shinagawa
Monkey” in simple words.

The search results did not provide specific information about Katherine Mansfield’s “The
Doll’s House” or Haruki Murakami’s “Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey”.

13. A) Write a story set in your school, village, or city. Include character, setting, conflict,
climax, and resolution.

(Or) B) Write about your experience or ideas on how to speak confidently in class or on
stage.

The search results did not provide information that would allow the creation of an
original story or personal experience write-up.

14. Write a short note on “Notes on Grief” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. What feelings
does she share?

(Or) B) Describe the problems faced by transgender people and the need for kindness,
as shown in Lee Mokobe’s poem.

The search results did not provide specific information about “Notes on Grief”.

C) Describe the problems faced by transgender people and the need for
kindness, as shown in Lee Mokobe’s poem.

Lee Mokobe’s poem describes the struggles of a transgender person to be accepted by

society for their chosen gender identity. It highlights the deep pain of not being
recognized as one’s true self and the extreme measures, such as surgery, undertaken
to align their physical body with their identity. The poem also touches on societal
judgment and the feeling of being an outcast. It implicitly calls for a need for kindness
and understanding towards transgender individuals, urging people to move beyond
traditional definitions of gender and embrace diverse experiences of identity.
15. Write about a movie or stand-up performance that inspired or entertained you.
Explain why it was special to you.

(Or) B) Describe how studying English has improved your communication skills. Give
examples from your classroom activities.

The search results did not provide information that would allow a personal account of a
movie or how English studies improved personal communication skills.