English Regular (SEP) I - SEM BCA 2024 -25 Solved Question Paper
I. Answer the following questions in a word, a phrase, or a sentence each. (10x1=10)
1. Which are the two virtues frequently misapplied to describe the wealth?
Simple & Modest/Quiet
2. What is the name of Rip's wife?
Dame Van Winkle
3. What were the strange Looking people playing?
Ninepins
4. What is the name of the church in verger?
St. Peter’s Church
5. Where did the new vicar belong to?
St. Peter’s Church (He is newly appointed there; some versions specify he is an educated man from London)
6. What was the author's initial impression of the elderly English woman?
She was gentle and kind (from “No Longer the Stiff Upper Lip” by Basavaraj Donur)
7. Who gave birth to the Kingfisher?
The River/Rainbow
8. What is the theme of the poem 'Robinhood'?
Friendship & admiration for bravery and freedom
9. Whom does the phrase "The face that launched a thousand ships" refer to?
Helen of Troy
10. What is the theme of the poem "Ceiling is leaking"?
Social inequality and poverty
II. Answer any two of the following: (1x10=10)
a) Critically analyse the essay "The worship of the wealthy"
In The Worship of the Wealthy, G.K. Chesterton sharply criticizes the way journalists and writers flatter rich people. He argues that modern journalism exaggerates ordinary qualities of the wealthy and presents them as extraordinary. Earlier, flattery was obvious-people compared kings to the sun or to great conquerors-but modern flattery is subtler and more harmful.
Chesterton mocks the press for calling rich men “simple,” “quiet,” and “modest” when they actually live extravagant lives. He finds it dishonest when journalists describe even grand funerals as “simple and quiet.” For him, this misuse of language creates a false image of humility around the rich.
He also dislikes how journalists portray the wealthy as exceptional beings, separating them from ordinary people. Such exaggerated praise widens the gap between classes and hides the truth.
Chesterton concludes that if journalists must lie, they should at least exaggerate boldly rather than misrepresenting ordinary habits as greatness. His essay is both a satire on false journalism and a call for honest, intelligent writing that respects truth over wealth.
b) Explain Rip's experience in Kaatskill mountain.
In Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, Rip is a kind but lazy man living in a small Dutch village. Tired of his wife Dame Van Winkle’s constant scolding, he wanders into the Kaatskill Mountains with his dog, Wolf.
There, he meets a strange man dressed in old Dutch clothes carrying a keg. Rip helps him carry it to a hollow where several mysterious, silent men-believed to be the spirits of Henry Hudson’s crew-are playing ninepins, a bowling-like game. The thunder Rip hears is actually the sound of their balls rolling.
The men offer Rip a drink from the keg. After drinking several cups, he falls into a deep sleep.
When Rip wakes up, he finds that his gun is rusty, his beard has grown long, and his dog is gone. Confused, he returns to the village only to discover that 20 years have passed. The village has changed, his wife has died, and his country has gone through the American Revolution.
Rip’s experience in the mountains symbolizes the passage of time and transformation—both personal and social. His long sleep marks the change from the old colonial world to a new, independent America.
III. Answer any two of the following: (1x10=10)
а) Explain the beauty and simplicity of the Kingfisher.
In the poem “The Kingfisher” by W. H. Davies, the poet expresses deep admiration for the bird’s natural beauty and simplicity. The kingfisher, with its bright and shining colours, symbolizes purity, freedom, and grace. It lives freely by the river, untouched by greed or vanity, representing the harmony that exists in nature.
Davies uses simple language to show that true beauty lies in simplicity and natural living, not in wealth or luxury. The kingfisher does not seek praise-it simply lives beautifully by being itself. Through this poem, the poet reminds readers to appreciate the small wonders of nature and to live a life of contentment, peace, and simplicity.
b) Discuss the theme of obsession in "The face that launched a Thousand ships".
“The Face that Launched a Thousand Ships” is a famous line from Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus, describing Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology. The poem explores obsession with beauty—how Helen’s face caused kings and nations to go to war, leading to the destruction of Troy.
In the poem, Faustus becomes completely obsessed with Helen’s beauty, seeing her as the ultimate symbol of physical perfection. His desire for her blinds him to reason and morality, symbolizing how obsession and desire can lead to downfall. Marlowe uses Helen to represent the dangerous attraction of worldly pleasure.
Thus, the theme of the poem is that unchecked obsession with beauty or desire can destroy both the individual and society, just as Helen’s beauty caused war and Faustus’s desire led to his spiritual ruin.
IV. Write short notes on any two of the following taking one from the prose and one from the poetry. (2x5=10)
1. Verger.
The Verger is a short story about Albert Edward, an uneducated but sincere man who works as a verger in St. Peter’s Church. When a new vicar learns that Albert cannot read or write, he insists that he learn literacy or resign. Albert, proud and self-respecting, chooses to resign. Later, he opens a tobacconist shop and, through hard work and common sense, becomes a successful businessman. The story shows that success does not depend only on formal education but on perseverance, intelligence, and self-belief. Maugham highlights human dignity and the value of practical wisdom over book learning.
2. No longer the stiff upper lip.
In No Longer the Stiff Upper Lip, journalist Basavaraj Donur describes his experience with an elderly English woman who helps him while traveling. The essay shows how the traditional image of the British as emotionally cold-“stiff upper lip”-is changing. The woman’s kindness, warmth, and empathy surprise the author, proving that compassion transcends national stereotypes. The piece celebrates human connection, empathy, and cultural understanding. Donur suggests that people should look beyond old prejudices and see others through genuine human feeling.
3. 'Ceiling is leaking'.
The poem Ceiling is Leaking portrays the social inequality and hypocrisy that exist in society. Sharif uses the image of a leaking ceiling to symbolize the poor living conditions of the common man, while the rich ignore these problems. The poem exposes how the powerful neglect the suffering of the weak and how corruption and selfishness dominate human life. Through simple but powerful imagery, Sharif emphasizes the need for social justice, equality, and compassion for the poor.
4. 'Robin Hood' by John Keats.
In Robin Hood (To a Friend), John Keats celebrates the legendary English outlaw who stole from the rich and helped the poor. The poem expresses friendship, freedom, and admiration for heroism. Robin Hood represents rebellion against oppression and the spirit of liberty. Keats imagines him as a symbol of youthful energy and generosity, living joyfully in nature. The poem combines nostalgia for England’s past with a wish for a world guided by courage, fairness, and fellowship.
V. Section
A) Attempt the following questions as directed: (5×1=5)
My Tommy is very pretty. (Underline the naming word)
Ans: TommyIt was a funny story. (Underline the describing word)
Ans: funnyIt was an interesting match. (Underline the adjective phrase)
Ans: interestingThe first four winners received the prizes. (Underline the noun phrase)
Ans: first four winnersHe is a professor in an Art’s college. (Underline the modifier in the sentence)
Ans: Art’s
B) Fill in the blanks with suitable articles and Prepositions. (5×1=5)
- I saw _____ cat in the Kitchen.
Ans: a - The Candidates was asked to bring ______ NOC from his employer.
Ans: a - My college is ______ the Vidhana Soudha.
Ans: near - The mobile was kept _______ the refrigerator.
Ans: in - There was tough competition ________ the two strong teams.
Ans: between
C) Attempt the following questions as directed: (5×1=5)
The boy regular to the English classes. (Write the antonym of the underlined word)
Ans: irregularHe joined the meeting very early. (Write antonym of the underlined word)
Ans: lateMy friend is clever student in the class. (Give the synonym of the underlined word)
Ans: intelligent / smartWrite the opposite of employment by adding a prefix.
Ans: unemploymentChange the class of the word free by adding a suffix.
Ans: freedom
D) Fill in the gaps with words given in the bracket based on the concord: (5×1=5)
- The train _____ (leaves/left)every day at 8 pm.
Ans: leaves - One of the boys ______ (have/has)broken the window glass.
Ans: has - The captain along with his parents ________ (was/were) present in the function.
Ans: was - The team of eleven players_______ (is/are)getting ready for the match.
Ans: is - The food organized for the guests _______ (was/were) not enough.
Ans: was
VI. Section
A) Draft a copy of self-introduction in front of the panel members of an interview. (5x1=5)
Good morning/afternoon respected panel members. My name is Shruti, and I have recently completed my BCA from Rani Channamma University – (Belagavi) with a strong academic record. During my studies, I developed a deep interest in [Your Field/Area of Expertise], which motivated me to engage in various projects and practical assignments that strengthened my knowledge and skills.
I am particularly skilled in communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and I enjoy applying these skills to achieve meaningful results. Apart from my academic background, I have gained hands-on experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time roles, where I learned to handle real-world challenges and collaborate effectively with others.
I am highly motivated, adaptable, and eager to contribute positively to your organization, while also continuing to learn and grow professionally. I am confident that my dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to take on responsibilities will make me a valuable member of your team. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to introduce myself.
B) Prepare a draft copy of the Introduction of the Chief Guest of Annual day celebration of your college. (5x1=5)
It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you on this special occasion of our college inauguration function. Today, we are honored to have with us a distinguished personality whose presence adds immense value to this event.
Our chief guest, [Chief Guest’s Name], is a highly accomplished [profession/position, e.g. educator, entrepreneur], known for [mention a notable achievement or contribution]. With years of dedication and outstanding contributions in [their field/area of expertise], [he/she/they] has inspired countless individuals through [his/her/their] work and commitment.
We are truly fortunate to have [Chief Guest’s Name] among us today, and we eagerly look forward to hearing [his/her/their] thoughts, insights, and guidance, which will surely motivate and encourage all of us to strive for excellence.
Please join me in welcoming our esteemed chief guest, [Chief Guest’s Name], with a warm round of applause.
C) Prepare an imaginary dialogue between a Shopkeeper and a Customer. (5x1=5)
Shopkeeper: Good morning! What do you want?
Customer: Good morning, sir. I would like to buy some fruits and vegetables.
Shopkeeper: Sure. Which fruits and vegetables do you need?
Customer: I need 1 kg of apples, 1 kg of tomatoes, and 500 g of carrots, please.
Shopkeeper: Alright. Anything else you would like to buy today?
Customer: No, that’s all. How much do I owe you?
Shopkeeper: That will be ₹350, please.
Customer: Here you go, sir. Thank you!
Shopkeeper: Thank you! Have a nice day!
D) Comment on the views of Harman Singh on road safety based on your listening of ted talk. (5x1=5)
In his TEDx talk, Harman Singh Sidhu emphasizes the critical role of road safety in shaping individual character and building a strong nation. He challenges the common misconception that road crashes are mere “accidents” and highlights that they are preventable events caused by identifiable factors. Citing alarming statistics, he compares the daily loss of lives on Indian roads to multiple Boeing plane crashes every day, emphasizing the human and economic costs involved. Sidhu shares his personal experience of life-altering injury from a road crash to illustrate the profound psychological and physical impacts. He advocates for comprehensive road safety measures, focusing on five key factors: policy enforcement, safe infrastructure, vehicle safety, responsible user behavior, and effective post-crash care. He particularly stresses the importance of responsible driving behaviors, such as avoiding speeding, driving under the influence, not wearing helmets or seatbelts, using mobile phones while driving, and maintaining visibility. Sidhu also highlights systemic challenges, like the widespread availability of liquor shops along highways, which contribute to drunk driving and accidents. Despite legal victories to reduce such hazards, enforcement remains a challenge. Using the analogy of disciplined ants, Sidhu urges society to adopt responsible and coordinated behavior on roads as a reflection of character and national progress. Ultimately, he calls for collective action, asserting that safer roads will lead to better individuals and a stronger nation.