Part – A
Direction: Read the following poem and answer the questions (61 – 67) that follow:
Poem: Futility
Move him into the sun —
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it awoke him, even in France.
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.
Think how it wakes the seeds —
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs so dear-achieved, are sides
Full-nerved, — still warm, — too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
— Or what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth’s sleep at all?
61. The meaning of the line “Woke, once, the clays of a cold star” is
(A) broke the cold star into pieces
(B) brought life into the cold planet now called Earth
(C) made the clays of the planet
(D) made a cold star warm
Answer: (B) brought life into the cold planet now called Earth
Explanation: This metaphor means the sun once gave life to the Earth, which was once a cold, lifeless body.
62. If anything is capable of awakening “him” it is
(A) the warmth of the sun
(B) the sun alone knows
(C) the daylight
(D) the morning snow
Answer: (B) the sun alone knows
Explanation: The poem suggests only the sun might have the power to rouse him now.
63. The poet “urges to move him into the sun” because
(A) it is warm
(B) it woke him once earlier
(C) it is day-time
(D) it will ease his pain
Answer: (B) it woke him once earlier
Explanation: The sun once awoke him, so the poet hopes it might again.
64. The sun “always” woke him in
(A) England
(B) India
(C) Italy
(D) France
Answer: (D) France
Explanation: The poem mentions “even in France,” indicating where the sun awoke him regularly.
65. “Was it for this the clay grew tall” — is an example of
(A) metaphor
(B) metonymy
(C) chiasmus
(D) alliteration
Answer: (A) metaphor
Explanation: The “clay” symbolizes humans; the poet questions the purpose of life’s growth.
66. “… what made fatuous sunbeams toil …” is an example of
(A) synecdoche
(B) periphrasis
(C) personification
(D) simile
Answer: (C) personification
Explanation: Sunbeams are given human qualities like toiling.
67. The general tone of the poem can be described as
(A) sad and tragic
(B) full of mirth
(C) satirical
(D) humorous
Answer: (A) sad and tragic
Explanation: The poem deals with loss, death, and futility, giving it a sorrowful tone.
Passage & Questions (68 – 75)
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions (38/68 – 45/75) that follow:
First introduced in 1927, The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories are a series of books about the adventures of brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, teenaged detectives who solve one baffling mystery after another. The Hardy Boys were so popular among young boys that in 1930 a similar series was created for girls featuring a sixteen year old detective Nancy Drew. The cover of volume of The Hardy Boys states that the author of the series is Franklin W. Dixon; the Nancy Drew mystery stories are supposedly written by Carolene Keene. Over the years, though, many fans of both the series have been surprised to find out that Franklin W. Dixon and Carolene Keene are not real people. Who then wrote these books ?
The books were written through a process called ghost writing. A ghost writer writes a book according to a specific formula. While they are paid for writing, their authorship is not acknowledged and their names do not appear on the published books.
The initial idea for both The Hardy Boys and the Nancy Drew series was developed by Edward Stratemeyer, who owned a publishing company that specialized in children’s books. Stratemeyer noticed increasing popularity of mysteries among adults and surmised that children would enjoy reading mysteries about younger detectives with whom they could identify themselves. He first developed each book with an outline describing plot and setting. Once that is completed he hired a ghost writer to convert it into a book slightly over 200 pages. Once Stratemeyer approved the book, it went to the print.
Both the series ran for so many years and that is why, both of them had a number of different ghost writers. However the first writer for each series proved to be the most influential. He was a Canadian journalist by the name of Leslie McFarlane. A few years later Mildred A. Wirt, a young writer from Iowa, began writing the Nancy Drew books. Although they were using prepared outlines both developed character themselves. Wirt had been a star college athlete and gave Nancy a similar ability. McFarlane used elements of his small Canadian town to create Bayport, the Hardy Boys’ fictional hometown. Although both the books were popular with children, not everyone approved of them. Critics thought the plots were unrealistic. Many teachers and librarians objected to the ghost-writing process, claiming it was designed to produce books quickly rather than create quality literature. Some libraries — including the New York Public Library — even refused to include the books in their children’s collection. Ironically this decision actually triggered the sales of the books.
Regardless of the controversies about their literary merit, each series of books has exerted an undeniable influence on American and even global culture.
Questions on the Passage
68. A ghost writer is someone who
(A) writes about ghosts and strange events
(B) does not receive credit as an author
(C) invokes spirits and supernatural elements to write
(D) takes a lot of money for writing
Answer: (B) does not receive credit as an author
Explanation: Ghostwriters write books but their names are not on the published work.
69. What does the word ‘surmised’ mean?
(A) Guessed
(B) Questioned
(C) Knew
(D) Surprised
Answer: (A) Guessed
Explanation: Surmised means to infer or guess based on evidence.
70. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series were created on the idea that
(A) mystery books for adults are popular
(B) children enjoy reading about characters they can relate to
(C) girls and boys are not interested in the same thing
(D) the writer needed money
Answer: (B) children enjoy reading about characters they can relate to
Explanation: The series were designed with young detectives to help children identify with the characters.
71. According to the passage, the Nancy Drew mystery series was introduced in
(A) 1927
(B) 1925
(C) 1929
(D) 1930
Answer: (D) 1930
Explanation: The passage mentions Nancy Drew started in 1930.
72. Which would be the appropriate title of the passage?
(A) Ghost Writing: A Way of Life
(B) The Dubious Yet Profitable Practice of Ghost Writing
(C) The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew: A Ghost Writing Series
(D) A Critique of Ghost Writing
Answer: (C) The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew: A Ghost Writing Series
Explanation: The passage discusses these series and the ghostwriting behind them.
73. Who was the real writer of the series according to the passage?
(A) Carolene Keene
(B) Franklin W. Dixon
(C) Leslie McFarlane
(D) Hardy
Answer: (C) Leslie McFarlane
Explanation: Leslie McFarlane was the primary ghostwriter for Hardy Boys.
74. Some teachers and librarians objected to the ghost writing series because they
(A) disapproved of mystery stories
(B) thought that the books were too expensive
(C) believed that the books were not quality literature
(D) disliked the business practice behind the series
Answer: (C) believed that the books were not quality literature
Explanation: The objection was about literary merit, not price or business.
75. Which of the following describes the author’s attitude towards the series?
(A) Balanced and respectful
(B) Doubtful and critical
(C) Hostile but forgiving
(D) Overwhelmingly appreciative
Answer: (A) Balanced and respectful
Explanation: The author presents pros and cons objectively, acknowledging influence despite criticism.
Part – B (Pedagogy)
Directions: Answer the following questions by selecting the most appropriate option.
76. Gender stereotypes can be discouraged by
(A) helping the boys to accept failure
(B) encouraging girls to take up sports
(C) asking girls to arrange for the snacks in a class picnic
(D) encouraging girls to take up challenging jobs in life
Answer: (D) encouraging girls to take up challenging jobs in life
Explanation: Encouraging girls in challenging roles helps break stereotypes.
77. Abstract intelligence tests measure
(A) verbal skills
(B) manual dexterity
(C) numerical ability
(D) manipulation of symbols
Answer: (D) manipulation of symbols
Explanation: Abstract intelligence relates to symbolic and conceptual reasoning.
78. Today emphasis should be given to
(A) electronic gadgets used for teaching-learning process
(B) chalk-and-talk method of teaching-learning process
(C) learning through foreign collaboration
(D) value-based teaching-learning process
Answer: (D) value-based teaching-learning process
Explanation: Modern education prioritizes values along with academic skills.
79. Effective learning takes place when the students are
(A) quiet
(B) obedient
(C) interactive
(D) preparing for examinations
Answer: (C) interactive
Explanation: Interaction helps deeper understanding and retention.
80. A teacher can best develop communicative skills by
(A) encouraging students to speak continuously in that language
(B) giving dictation
(C) correcting grammar and spellings
(D) giving homework in that language
Answer: (A) encouraging students to speak continuously in that language
Explanation: Continuous speaking practice builds fluency and confidence.
81. While communicating ideas in written form grammar has
(A) a key role
(B) no role
(C) liberal role
(D) none of these
Answer: (A) a key role
Explanation: Grammar ensures clarity and correctness in writing.
82. Key principle of language teaching is
(A) to motivate students in the process of learning
(B) to facilitate learner-centered classroom activities
(C) to maintain discipline in class
(D) to show teacher’s mastery over language
Answer: (B) to facilitate learner-centered classroom activities
Explanation: Learner engagement is essential for language acquisition.
83. In a language-teaching class, the primary skills to be developed in children are
(A) Listening
(B) Speaking
(C) Listening and Speaking
(D) Writing
Answer: (C) Listening and Speaking
Explanation: Oral communication skills are foundational for language learning.
84. A multi-lingual classroom is
(A) students with different mother tongues
(B) students coming from different regions
(C) students with different cultures
(D) students with different social backgrounds
Answer: (A) students with different mother tongues
Explanation: Multilingual classrooms have learners speaking various native languages.
85. ‘Overlearning’ is the term used to describe
(A) practice that continues after a perfect recall has been achieved
(B) the practice of learning over and beyond the requirement of a particular class/age
(C) the practice of spending too much time on studies
(D) the practice of overburdening students with tasks
Answer: (A) practice that continues after a perfect recall has been achieved
Explanation: Overlearning helps retention and automaticity of knowledge.
86. Tasks to improve spelling should not include
(A) reading
(B) listening
(C) writing
(D) use of dictionary
Answer: (B) listening
Explanation: Listening does not directly help with spelling accuracy.
87. Giving dictation is not useful for
(A) learning the correct form of the language
(B) developing language skills
(C) developing short-term memory
(D) helping students to spell correctly
Answer: (C) developing short-term memory
Explanation: Dictation focuses on language skills, not memory development.
88. How can language comprehension and proficiency be evaluated?
(A) By evaluating all four skills in different periods throughout the course
(B) By evaluating all four skills at the end of the course
(C) By evaluating only reading and writing
(D) By evaluating only speaking and listening
Answer: (A) By evaluating all four skills in different periods throughout the course
Explanation: Continuous assessment ensures balanced skill development.
89. What is the main challenge of teaching language in a diverse classroom?
(A) Facing slow and weak learners
(B) Facing a mixed-ability group of learners
(C) Facing infrastructural problems
(D) Facing the good students in the class
Answer: (B) Facing a mixed-ability group of learners
Explanation: Varied abilities require differentiated teaching approaches.
90. While using problem-solving method, the teacher should
(A) participate actively in the process
(B) encourage divergent thinking
(C) ask the students to consult their parents
(D) look at the students’ activities from a distance
Answer: (B) encourage divergent thinking
Explanation: Problem-solving fosters creative and critical thinking among students.
