Assignment Code: BEGLA-135 / TMA / 2021 -22

Course Code: BEGLA-135

Assignment Name: English in Daily Life

Year: 2021 - 2022

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Answer all the questions         

Max. Marks: 100

Q1 Read the following passage and answer the questions.

The New Year is a time for resolutions. Mentally, at least most of us could compile formidable lists of ‘do's’ and ‘don'ts’ for the year. The same old favorites recur year in year out with monotonous regularity. We resolve to get up earlier each morning, eat less, find more time to play with the children, do a thousand and one jobs about the house, be nice to people we don’t like, drive carefully, and take the dog for a walk every day. Past experience has taught us that certain accomplishments are beyond attainment. If we remain deep-rooted liars, it is only because we have so often experienced the frustration that results from failure.

Most of us fail in our efforts at self-improvement because our schemes are too ambitious and we never have time to carry them out. We also make the fundamental error of announcing our resolutions to everybody so that we look even more foolish when we slip back into our bad old ways. Aware of these pitfalls, this year I attempted to keep my resolutions to myself. I limited myself to two modest ambitions; to do physical exercise every morning and to read more every evening. An all-night party on New Year's Eve provided me with a good excuse for not carrying out either of these new resolutions on the first day of the year, but on the second, I applied myself assiduously to the task.

The daily exercise lasted only eleven minutes and I proposed to do them early in the morning before anyone had got up. The self-discipline required to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes earlier than usual was considerable. Nevertheless, I managed to creep down into the living-room for two days before anyone found me out. After jumping about on the carpet and twisting the human frame into uncomfortable positions, I sat down at the breakfast table in an exhausted condition. It was this that betrayed me. The next morning the whole family trooped in to watch the performance. That was really unsettling but I fended off the taunts and jibes of the family good humouredly and soon everybody got used to the idea. However, my enthusiasm waned, the time I spent at exercises gradually diminished. Little by little the eleven minutes fell to zero. By January 10th I was back to where I had started from. I argued that if I spent less time exhausting myself at exercises in the morning I would keep my mind fresh for reading when I got home from work. Resisting the hypnotizing effect of television, I sat in my room for a few evenings with my eyes glued to a book. One night however, feeling cold and lonely, I went downstairs and sat in front of the television pretending to read. That proved to be my undoing, for I soon got back to the old bad habit of dozing off in front of the screen. I still haven't given up my resolution to do more reading, In fact, I have just bought a book entitled ‘How to Read a Thousand Words a Minute.’ Perhaps it will solve my problem, but I just haven’t had time to read it.

1a) According to the writer, what have past experiences of New Year resolutions taught us?

Ans) Past experience has taught us that certain accomplishments are beyond our reach, according to the author. It is only because we have so often experienced the frustration that comes with failure that we continue to be deep-rooted liars.

1b) Why, according to the writer, do most of us fail in our efforts for self-improvement?

Ans) The majority of us fail in our attempts at self-improvement because our plans are too grandiose and we never have the time to put them into action. We often make the fundamental mistake of publicising our resolutions, making us look even more dumb when we revert to our old habits.

1c) Why did the writer not carry out his resolutions on New Year’s day?

Ans) Because I was aware of these traps, I made an effort this year to keep my resolutions to myself. I set two simple goals for myself: to get some exercise every morning and to read more every evening. An all-night party on New Year's Eve gave me a decent excuse for failing to keep either of these new resolutions on the first day of the year, but on the second, I worked diligently.

1d) The writer eventually failed to implement his New Year’s Resolutions because:

a)his family disturbed him.

b)his resolutions were too ambitious

c)he was looking for some convincing excuse to forget them.

Ans) b) His resolutions were too ambitious.

1e) Give a suitable little to the passage.

Ans) New Year’s Resolution – a step in improvement.

1f) In a few lines write your own experience of New Year Resolutions.

Ans) There are numerous reasons why most of us should make a pledge to eat less calories in the new year. The most obvious explanation is weight loss. After all, being overweight puts us at risk for a variety of major health issues, including as heart disease, diabetes, and some malignancies.

In 2021, I plan to read a lot of books, and I encourage you to do the same. If I didn't fulfil my goals this year, it was most likely due to procrastination. I will make the year 2021 the year I stop procrastinating and start accomplishing my goals. This will ensure that I do not find myself wondering why I never got around to working on my goals at the end of the year.

Q2. Find words from the passage which convey a meaning similar to the following

words/phrases 10

i) firm decisions (para 1)

Ans) Resolutions.

ii)    put together (para 1)

Ans) Compile.

iii) overwhelming (para 1)

Ans) monotonous regularity.

iv) unchanging (para 1)

Ans) same old favourites recur.

v) stumbling-block (para 2)

Ans) frustration that results from failure.

vi) restricted (para 2)

Ans) I attempted to keep my resolutions to myself.

vii)  with great zeal (para 2)

Ans) I applied myself assiduously to the task.

viii) very tired (para 3)

Ans) exhausted.

ix)   give me away (para 3)

Ans) It was this that betrayed me.

x) ward off (para 3)

Ans) fended off.

Q2. A Fill in the blanks with one of the past tenses: simple past, past continuous, present perfect (continuous), or past perfect (continuous). In some cases, more than one answer is possible. The first one is done for you. 10

A: What happened (happen) to your car?

B: I _____________(have) an accident yesterday.

Ans) I had an accident yesterday.

A: How_____________(it/happen)?

Ans) How it happened.

C: I _____________(drive) to work when a dog__________(come) in front of my

car. I________(stop) my car suddenly, and the car behind me__________(hit) my

car because the driver_________(follow) me too closely.

Ans) I drove to work when a dog came in front of my car. I stopped my car suddenly, and the car behind me hit my car because the driver followed me too closely.

A: _______________(you get) a ticket?

Ans) You were given a ticket?

B: No, but the driver who hit me did.

Ans) No, but the driver who had hit me, did.

A: Who will pay to have your car fixed?

Ans) Who paid to have your car fixed.

B: The other driver. When he__________(hit) me, he ___________(get) out of his car and gave me his insurance card.

Ans) The other driver. When he hit me, he got out of his car and gave me his insurance card.

Q2. B Fill in the blanks with the appropriate clause. One is done for you as an example.

If I pass this course, I might take a computer course next semester.

(i) If I work hard, ________________________________________

Ans) If I work hard, I will surely score good marks in my final exams.

(ii) If I save a lot of money, _________________________________

Ans) If I save a lot of money, I would be able to purchase a laptop in six months.

(iii) If I drink a lot of coffee tonight, ___________________________

Ans) If I drink a lot of coffee tonight, I do not think I will sleep early.

(iv) If I eat a lot of sugar, ________________________________________

Ans) If I eat a lot of sugar, the possibility of getting diabetes is very high.

(v) If I don’t get enough sleep, ____________________________________

Ans) If I don’t get enough sleep, the next day will be very tiring.

(vi) __________, I would be fit.

Ans) If I do regular exercise, I would be fit.

(vii) __________, I would be better at my job.

Ans) If I pass my training, I would be better at my job.

(viii) __________, I would buy a big house for myself and my family.

Ans) If I win the lottery, I would buy a big house for myself and my family.

(ix) __________, I shall be punished.

Ans) If I broke the traffic law, I shall be punished.

(x) __________, I will be scolded by my father.

Ans) If I did not finish my homework, I will be scolded by my father.

Q3 Write a dialogue between a Career Counsellor and a prospective candidate for the post of a Programme Officer in a company. You can indicate the problems of the young aspirant at

this critical juncture of his career. Write in about 300 words. 20

Ans) Below is a dialogue between a Career Counsellor and a candidate who  is seeking the post of a Programme Officer.

Counsellor: Hi there!

Vivek: Hello, I am Vivek.

Counsellor: Welcome to Career Solutions. I am Tanya. Tell me, how can I help you?

Vivek: I needed some assistance regarding my career as a Programme Officer in a Company. I am in a quandary and not able to decide which Company would be the best option for me.

Counsellor: Sure thing, I will help you in the best way possible so that you can take the best decision for your future.

Vivek: Yes, please. I am thoroughly confused.

Counsellor: Sure, let’s start. Have you finished your graduation?

Vivek: Yes, I got my results for it last week only.

Counsellor: That’s great. So, this means you are a fresher and looking for anew job as Program Officer.

Vivek: I am extremely confused! I would rather prefer to expend my energies in assisting the uneducated and in development. Others, however, have suggested me to go for C.A.

Counsellor: I see. We have an interesting dilemma here. But from what you have told me, you love to assist the uneducated and see their development. That is a noble thought. Would you interested in seeking the profession you have in mind in a village which means living away from your family.

Vivek: Yes indeed.

Counsellor: Great. It is the duty of the educated lot especially the qualified professionals assist the villagers in their process of development so that the whole nation could achieve progress and prosperity.

Vivek: I do not mind if the career I choose is interesting and to my liking.

Counsellor: It is excellent. All those who are deeply concerned about the nation’s overall development, a career as Development Program Officer offers an exciting career prospects.

Vivek: That’s good to hear. I think I will start working on my goal from now onwards. Is there anything else I need to do to get into track and pursue my career as a Program Officer.

Counsellor: I would suggest you start studying earnestly for the forthcoming Examination. The scheme of examination consists of two parts. The first part comprises of a written examination and the second part consists of an interview cum personality test for candidates who qualify the written examination.

Vivek: Thank you so much. I will begin preparing for it soon. Is there any other important thing I should keep in mind?

Counsellor: Yes indeed. The candidate must be prepared to stay in rural and tribal areas for longer periods of time. He must possess good persuasion skills. As a Development Officer he supervises, coordinates and guides the work of the all community projects as in charge at the block level.

Vivek: Great. This was really enlightening. I am now clear what my next step should be. Thanks again!

Counsellor: Happy to help you Vivek and all the best.

Q4. Draft the biographical sketch of a young politician of your choice. Focus on the important

contributions she/he has made towards social development. Write in about 300 words. 20

Ans) Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40. Flying, on the other hand, was his greatest passion. He had met Sonia Maino, an Italian student studying English, while at Cambridge. In 1968, they married in New Delhi. With their two children, Rahul and Priyanka, they remained at Smt. Indira Gandhi's residence in New Delhi. Despite the surrounding hustle and bustle of political activities, they lived a relatively secluded life.

Shri Gandhi won the largest mandate in the country's history as the herald of a generational revolution. As soon as his mother's funeral was done, he ordered elections to the Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament's directly elected house. The Congress received a substantially larger percentage of the public vote in that election than in the previous seven elections, capturing a record 401 seats out of 508.

For no one could have come to power more tragically and tormentingly than Shri Gandhi in the aftermath of his mother's horrific killing on October 31, 1984. However, he handled the enormous weight of personal pain and national responsibility with grace, humility, and restraint.

During the month-long election campaign, Shri Gandhi travelled across the country, travelling a distance of one and a half times the earth's diameter, speaking at 250 events in as many locations and addressing millions of people face to face.

In any case, such a strong start as the leader of 700 million Indians would have been exceptional. Even though he belonged to a strongly political family that had served India for four generations – both during the liberation struggle and subsequently – Shri Gandhi was a late and reluctant entrant into politics.

Shri Gandhi felt at ease in the world of high technology because he was a modern-minded, resolute, but undemonstrative guy. And, aside from preserving India's unity, he consistently stated that one of his key goals was to move the country into the twenty-first century.

Q5. Write a report for a newspaper on the NEP and its implementation in our educational institutions. Emphasize on the language policy of the NEP document. Write in about 300 words. 20

Ans) The National Education Policy of 2020 (NEP-2020), which will follow the 1986 National Policy on Education, is a comprehensive framework that includes all stages of education in the country, from elementary to higher education.

The Three-Language Formula

The three-language formula, first introduced in the 1968 National Education Policy, is maintained in the National Education Policy 2020, and the Centre has assuaged concerns by stating that the language policy, which emphasises regional or mother tongue medium of instruction, is a broad guideline whose exact implementation is left to the states and institutions.

The government further stated that NEP reaffirms the RTE Act's 29 (2) (f) requirement that mother tongue be considered a medium of instruction whenever practicable. While the NEP places a strong emphasis on the promotion of Indian languages, no language is required. The National Curriculum Framework, which is expected to be completed by June 2021, will outline the plan for promoting Indian languages.

NEP Language Policy

The home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language will be used as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably until Grade 8 and beyond. Following that, wherever practicable, the home/local language will be taught as a language.

The debate over language arose in response to the reference “medium of instruction until at least Class V, but preferably until Class VIll and beyond (in regional/mother tongue),” prompting concerns about whether schools will now be required to switch from English to a native Indian language. “Teachers will be encouraged to employ a bilingual approach... with those children whose home language is different from the medium of instruction,” according to the NEP.

According to Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal, the NEP's main principles are to give the highest priority to achieving foundational literacy and numeracy by all students by Grade III, which the government aims to achieve by 2025.

Because it focuses on making education more accessible, egalitarian, and inclusive, the National Education Policy (NEP) would change the country's education sector, but only if it is implemented at all levels.