Tamil Nadu 12th English Model Question Paper 2

Students can Download Tamil Nadu 12th English Model Question Paper 2 Pdf, Tamil Nadu 12th English Model Question Papers helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

TN State Board 12th English Model Question Paper 2

Time: 2 1/2 Hours
Maximum Marks: 90

General Instructions:

• The question paper comprises of four parts.
• You are to attempt all the sections in each part. An internal choice of questions is provided wherever applicable.
• All questions of Part I, II, III, and IV are to be attempted separately.
• Question numbers 1 to 20 in Part I are Multiple Choice Questions of one mark each. These are to be answered by writing the correct answer along with the corresponding option code.
• Part II has got two sections. The questions are of two marks each. Question numbers 21 to 26 in Section I and Question numbers 27 to 30 in Section II are to be answered in about one or two sentences each.
• Question numbers 31 to 40 in Part III are of three marks each and have been divided in three sections. These are to be answered as directed.
• Question numbers 41 and 47 in Part IV are of five marks each. These are to be answered as directed.

Part -1

I. Answer all the questions. [20 x 1= 20]

Choose the correct synonyms for the underlined words from the options given:

Question 1.
She caused great peril to herself.
(a) frill (b) danger (c) shrill (d) safety
Answer:
(b) danger

Question 2.
I could not bear to intrude upon their privacy.
(a) protect (b) help (c) predate (d) encroach
Answer:
(d) encroach

Question 3.
He had a malignant tumour of the bone.
(a) harmful (b) harmless (c) helpful (d) friendly
Answer:
(a) harmful

Choose the correct antonyms for the underlined words from the options given:

Question 4.
I must not interfere with their liberty to sleep in quiet.
(a) solemnity (b) tranquillity (c) noise (d) quietude
Answer:
(c) noise

Question 5.
It was a great thrill to look down this enormous rock.
(a) large (b) tiny (c) colossal (d) huge
Answer:
(b) tiny

Question 6.
They go through mutilating surgery.
(a) crippling (b) maiming (c) paralysing (d) healing
Answer:
(d) healing

Question 7.
Choose the correct combination for the compound word “house arrest”.
(a) Noun + Verb (b) Verb + Noun (c) Gerund + Noun (d) Preposition + Noun
Answer:
(a) Noun + Verb (b) Verb + Noun

Question 8.
Choose the correct expansion of M. Phil.
(a) Master of Philosophy (b) Master of Philology (c) Mistress of Philosophy (d) Mistress of Philology
Answer:
(a) Master of Philosophy

Question 9.
Choose the meaning of the foreign word in the sentence:
Our daughter is going to turn 5 next year, so we’ve been trying to find a good kindergarten for her.
(a) kindled (b) school (c) creche (d) Children’s garden
Answer:
(d) Children’s garden

Question 10.
Choose the correct combination for the blended word “travelogue”.
(a) tra + velogue (b) travel + dialogue (c) travel + monologue (d) travel + catalogue
Answer:
(d) travel + catalogue

Question 11.
Choose the clipped form for “helicopter”.
(a) helio (b) coter (c) copter (d) hecopter
Answer:
(c) copter

Question 12.
I have the fear of high buildings. I suffer from
(a) batophobia (b) linguistics (c) phonology (d) photophobia
Answer:
(a) batophobia

Question 13.
Form a derivative by adding the right prefix to the word ‘agree’.
(a) en (b) in (c) dis (d) re
Answer:
(c) dis

Question 14.
Fill in the blanks with a suitable relative pronoun.
This is the town I spent my childhood
(a) which (b) where (c) when (d) that
Answer:
(b) where

Question 15.
Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition.
Since our school was next to our house, I used to come home lunch time.
(a) for (b) from (c) of (d) at
Answer:
(d) at

Question 16.
Choose the correct question tag for the following statement. Danny was relaxed?
(a) wasn’t he (b) isn’t he (c) doesn’t he (d) weren’t he
Answer:
(a) wasn’t he

Question 17.
Choose the suitable meaning or idiom found in the following sentence.
It’s important to be on good terms with your teammates in an office.
(a) get in (b) get along (c) to be safe (d) to be alert
Answer:
(b) get along

Question 18.
Substitute the underlined word with the appropriate polite alternative. Raghav is drunk.
(a) merry (b) sensitive (c) relieved (d) tender
Answer:
(a) merry

Question 19.
Choose the correct sentence pattern for the following sentence. Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends.
(a) AS VC A (b) AASVO (c) SVOC (d) SVO
Answer:
(b) AASVO

Question 20.
Fill in the blank with a suitable phrasal verb. The Opposition party the minister’s resignation after the scandal broke.
(a) called in (b) ask for (c) called (d) called for
Answer:
(d) called for

Part II
Section – 1

Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any four from it. [4 x 2 = 8]

Question 21.
“Oh then our maze of tunneled stone
Grew thin and treacherous as air.
The castle was lost without a groan,
The famous citadel overthrown,”
(a) Bring out the contrast in the first two lines.
(b) What happened to the castle?
Answer:
(a) The maze of tunnelled stone walls instead of intriguing the enemies, gave passage to them. So, the poet says the secret tunnelled path became thin and treacherous as air.
(b) The castle was captured by the enemies.

Question 22.
“Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton,
And Time the shadow”, and though weak the verse
That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse,
May Love defend tree from oblivion’s curse.”
(a) What does the poet mean by the expression ‘May love defend thee from oblivion’s curse?’
(b) What does the poet convey through the expression ‘Fear, trembling hope’?
Answer:
(a) Any living thing will have to meet death. But the poet deeply believes that her love for the tree would ensure its immortality. She will live for ever in her verses.
(b) Fear and trembling hope mean the fear of lurking death and trembling hope is. that death may not attack in the near future.

Question 23.
“Then a soldier,
full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth.”
(a) What is the soldier ready to do?
(b) Explain ‘bubble reputation’.
Answer:
(a) The soldier is ready to lay down his life.
(b) Reputation is a transitory thing. It doesn’t even last a minute like the life of a bubble.

Question 24.
“Little remains: but every hour is saved From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were”
(a) How is every hour important to Ulysses?
(b) What does the term ‘Little remains’ convey?
Answer:
(a) One lives in this world for a limited time. Every hour can provide new knowledge. So, every hour is very important.
(b) Ulysses realizes that he has become old. He has not much time left. He doesn’t want to die resting in his kingdom. He states that his remaining lifetime is very limited.

Question 25.
“Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.”
(a) Can being in solitude help a strong human being? How?
(b) Identify the figure of speech in the above line.
Answer:
(a) Yes, solitude helps the strong person to be creative. Solitude helps even a strong human being to introspect and analyse his own mistakes.
(b) Personification

Question 26.
“ Just as perhaps he mused, ‘My plans That soar, to earth may fall,”
(a) Who does ‘he’ refer to?
(b) What may hamper the soaring plans of Napoleon?
Answer:
(a) ‘He’ refers to Napoleon Bonaparte.
(b) The negative outcome of battle at Ratisbon may hamper his soaring plans.

Section – 2

Answer any three of the following questions. [3 x 2 = 6]

Question 27.
Report the disclosure.
Mrs. Joseph : Rachel, where did you buy this practical file from? Can you buy one for me?
Rachel : Sure ma’am. Do you want exactly the same file?
Answer:
Mrs. Joseph asked Rachel where she had bought that practical file from and if she could buy one for her. Rachel agreed and asked if she wanted exactly the same file.

Question 28.
I drop this glass. It will break, (combine using ‘if’)
Answer:
If I drop this glass, it will break.

Question 29.
Rewrite the sentence making an inversion in the conditional clause.
If I had known about Mr Leslie’s behaviour sooner, I would have dismissed him immediately.
Answer:
Had I known about Mr. Leslie’s behaviour sooner, I would have dismissed him immediately.

Question 30.
Russia has a variety of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, timber, iron ore, copper, and lead. (Rewrite into a compound sentence)
Answer:
Russia has a variety of natural resources and it includes oil, natural gas, timber, iron ore, copper, and lead.

Part-III
Section -1

Explain any two of the following with reference to the context [2 x 3 = 6]

Question 31.
The famous citadel overthrown,
And all its secret galleries bare.
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from Edwin Muir’s poem, “The Castle”.

Context: The poet says these words while describing the evil impact of cunning invasion of the castle.

Explanation: The enemies ransacked the rare treasures of art and culture guarded in secret galleries in the castle. The soldier was initially proud of their fortified castle. But he was not aware of the enemy within the human soul: the greed. The castle became exposed to the enemies due to the greed of one single person – the wicket keeper.

Question 32.
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper’dpantaloon,
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem, ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William Shakespeare. ‘

Context: The poet says these words while describing the impact of ageing on the physical appearance.

Explanation: In the sixth stage, man becomes thin and weak. His fashionable dresses of youthful days have now become too lose to use for his shrunk shank (i.e.) legs that have become very lean with age.

Question 33.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem, ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.

Context: The poet says these words while discussing the mental agony of Ulysses who is unable to settle down with his ageing wife Penelope and son Telemachus.

Explanation: Ulysses finds doling out justice to a savage people as ‘boring’. He does not want to settle down and die in Ithaca. He compares himself to a sword which may rust if left unused. He wants to lead an active and adventurous life till his death.

Section – 2

Answer any two of the following questions in about 30 words. [2 x 3 = 6]

Question 34.
How did the boy who played the mechanic lose his eyesight?
Answer:
The mechanic was seven years old. One night, when his drunk father tortured his mom, she threw a lantern at him. The lantern broke over the child’s head and shoulders. He suffered third degree bums on the upper part of his body and lost both of his eyes.

Question 35.
Why was the original zest fading away?
Answer:
As Hillary tried to reach the peak, he had to negotiate giant cornices on the right and steep rock sloped on the left. They had no idea as they trudged forward where the peak was. As Hillary cut around the back of one hump, another higher one would swing into the view. So, their original zest was fading away.

Question 36.
What will happen if the police man does not interfere with traffic?
Answer:
If the traffic police does not interfere with the driving in any way, the result would be chaos. Piccadilly Circus would be a maelstrom which no one would be able to cross.

Section – 3

Answer any three of the following. [3 x 3 = 9]

Question 37.
Study the pie-chart given and answer the questions that follow:

(a) What gets the maximum attention in Narayanan’s home?
(b) Does the family spend a lot on education?
(c) What is your opinion about Narayanan’s spending habit?
Answer:
(a) Entertainment gets the maximum attention in Narayanan’s home.
(b) No, the family spends 25% of the income on education.
(c) Narayanan is wise. He is aware of the importance of education and nutritious food for the family. He spends 50% of his income on food and education.

Question 38.
Write a dialogue of minimum 3 exchanges between a Patient and a Clinic Receptionist.
Patient : Is Dr. Madhusudhan available this evening? I have some important things to be clarified from him regarding my surgery.
Receptionist: I am sorry madam, he is out of station and is expected to see patients from Thursday.
Patient : Can I fix an appointment for Friday, please?
Receptionist: Yes sir. You may please confirm the appointment for Friday at 6 p.m.
Patient : Thank you.
Receptionist: No mention. Please be here half an hour before time.

Question 39.
Describe the process of making the perfect brownies.
Answer:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar and cocoa powder.
In another small bowl, whisk together the butter and eggs.
Add the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and stir it well till it is mixed thoroughly.
Bake the brownies in an electric oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Question 40.
Complete the proverbs using the words given below:
(a) Even Homer ……………….. (slips, sleeps, nods)
(b) It’s no use crying over spilt ……………….. (coffee, milk, water)
(c) No man is an ……………….. (island, enigma, expert)
Answer:
(a) nods (b) milk (c) island

Part – IV

Answer the following questions: [7 x 5 = 35]
Answer in a paragraph in about 150 words.

Question 41.
Give an account of the medical problems for which the two boys were hospitalized.
Answer:
The seven years old mechanic suffered third degree bums on the upper part of his body. He had lost both his eyes. He was literally a walking horror. He was disfigured. A long flap of skin was hanging from the side of his neck to his body. As the wound healed around his neck, his lower jaw became gripped in a mass of fibrous tissue. The trolley driver had a malignant tumour of the bone. A few days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was little hope of his recovery. If two adults had similar ailments, they would have got dejected with life. But the boys were just happy celebrating the joy of being alive.

[OR]

“My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins.” Elucidate with reference to, ‘On the Rule of the Road’.
Answer:
Rights are not completely individual affairs. In order to enjoy one’s rights one has to respect the rights of others too. The lady in Petrograd had the right to walk on the pavement. The right to move stops when the other person’s right to drive starts. A person may have a walking stick and roll it too. But his right just stops where the other person’s nose begins. No one has the right to violate the rights of others. The right, one exercises, must not affect or erode the rights of others. One should not think of one’s own rights but also the rights of others.

A.G.Gardiner beautifully illustrates this idea by emphasising the metaphor of traffic rules. Rules of road are in fact rules of politeness and unselfishness. One may have absolute freedom in the choice of food, religion, fashionable dress, up keep of hair, funny hairstyle, etc. But one must be conscious of the rights of others. So, the statement “my right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins” fits well with the central theme of the essay ‘ On the Rule of the Road’.

Question 42.
The poet immortalizes the Casuarina tree. Elucidate.
Answer:
The poet, Torn Dutt was conscious of the fact that her most endeared Casuarina tree was growing old. The fate that befalls aged humans and trees would ultimately grab the Casuarina tree too. Time, though slow, is ready with its sickle to harvest the lives of all living things. Being a well-read poet, she recalls how William Wordsworth had immortalised his favourite lonely tall yew tree in his poem, “Yew-trees”. Taking inspiration from him, she decides toprevent her favourite tree from dying and passing into the irreversible world of oblivion by writing a poem about the tree. True to her faith the tree lives on in our memories. As long as tongues can speak and eyes can see, the Casuarina tree will live in the hearts of millions of people till the end of the world.

[OR]

How according to the poet is it possible for his son to bring changes into a world that resents change?
Answer:
The poet advises his son to introspect often and not feel ashamed of being called a fool especially when he pursues knowledge. He can examine himself and remove his follies. He must enjoy the advantages of solitude. Solitude would help him to be creative. He would invariably learn that final decisions are always taken in silent rooms. Being alone, he can identity his innate potential and talents. His free imagination will bring about changes even if the world resents them. The zest to bring about changes will elevate him to the level of Shakespeare, Pasteur, Wright Brothers, Pavlov and Michael Faraday. Thus he will be remembered as one of the greatest men who changed the world.

Question 43.
Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints into a paragraph:
Aksionov – blood-stained knife – wife’s suspicion-Tsar – Makar Semyonich – murder charges – twenty six long years – belated freedom – restoration of justice – cold-blooded murderer – blood-stained knife – changes his attitude – pardon arrives – before release.

Aksionov, a handsome man, full of life, enjoyed music. He loved his family and did honest business. He is innocent to the core. The very sight of blood-stained knife found in his bag sends chill down his spine. He is deeply sensitive. When he realizes that his wife too suspected him, he gives up petitioning to the Tsar for mercy. He recognized Makar Semyonich the person who had murdered the merchant and had him framed in murder charges and unjustly punished for twenty six long years. When an opportunity presents to wreak vengeance onhim, he keeps quiet.

He does not show any interest in his belated freedom and restoration of justice. He seeks refuge in God. Makar Semyonich is a cold-blooded murderer and’ scoundrel. Knowingly, he hides the blood-stained knife in Aksionov’s bag and tips off the police. He doesn’t confess his guilt on the day he meets Aksionov. It is only when he realizes that Aksionov is a noble soul and does not want to expose his plan to escape from the prison that he changes his attitude to Aksionov. He is haunted by guilt that he had wronged a noble soul. He confesses but it is in vain. The pardon arrives but Aksionov passes away in prison before release.

[OR]

Ausable, private detective – automatic gun – Berlin – nice story – balcony – displeasure – hotel management – Ausable’s room – times of danger – pre-ordered drinks – blatant lie – Max jumped – suicidal jump – outwitted the spy.

Ausable was a shrewd private detective. He did not become panicky on seeing Max with an automatic gun in his room. Even if he were, he did not show it off. Instead, he expressed surprise that he expected him to be in Berlin. He cooked up a nice story that it was the second time someone had broken into his room through the balcony of the neighbouring apartment which reaches down under his window. He expressed his displeasure. that he would raise hell with the hotel management for not blocking that balcony.

This gave a strong suggestion to Max, that he could have used the balcony instead of the pass key to enter Ausable’s room. Being a criminal or spy, a person always looks for various routes of escape in times of danger. Very rarely he starts direct encounter risking his life. When Henry, the waiter who arrived with the pre-ordered drinks, knocked, Mr. Ausable simply smiled. When Max asked who it was, he told a blatant lie that it was the police who had come for his extra protection and wouldn’t hesitate to fire as the door wasn’t locked but just closed. Max, assuming that there is a balcony extending below Ausable’s window, jumped. He never knew that it was a suicidal jump from the 6th floor. Thus, Ausable outwitted the spy, Max.

Question 44.
Write a summary or Make notes of the following passage.
Answer:
The Cacti, a native in American deserts, adapts to the dry surroundings by having unique body structures. The plant has swollen stems to help store water that carries it through months. By having sharp pines instead of leaves, water loss through respiration is minimized.

Besides, these pointed pines also help the plant ward off grazing animals, thus enhancing its survival period. Besides plants, there are also animals with distinct surviving tactics in deserts too. For instance, Skinks (desert lizards ) metabolize stored fats in their bulbous tails, producing water to supplement their needs, just like what camels do with the stored food in their humps during long journeys through deserts. Antelopes like the addax, have very low water needs and hence are able to tolerate the conditions in deserts, extracting moisture from the food they eat.

Finally, there are the sandgrouses (desert birds) which do not have special features to overcome the drought-like nature in deserts. Hence, to survive in these hot, dry deserts, they need to spend a large part of their time flying in search of waterholes.

Summary

No. of words given in the original passage: 179
No. of words to be written in the summary: 179/3 = 59 ± 5

Rough Draft
Tbe-American Cacti has unique swollen stems with pointed spikes to store water and to prevent anrnTal5~fi=©m_£razing them. Besides plants, there are also animals with distinct surviving tactics in desertstooTSldiytsJitetabolize stored fats in their tails similar to humps of camels. Antelopes like the addax, have veryTotv-waterjieeds. Sahdgrouses (desert birds) which do not have special features to overcome the drought-IIkeTrafl»e-iii_deserts. Hence they fly in search of waterholes.

Fair Draft Drought Resistant Species
The American Cacti has unique swollen stems with pointed spikes to store water and to prevent animals from grazing them. Skinks metabolize stored fats in their tails similar to humps of camels. Antelopes extract moisture from the food they eat. Sandgrouse do not have special features hence they fly in search of waterholes.

No. of words in the summary: 53 Notes
Title: Drought Resistant Species
Drought resistant plants:
The Cacti: swollen stem with sharp pines;
pointed pines ensures safety from grazing animals.
Drought resistant animals:
Skinks: retains fat in tail
Antelopes: extract moisture from food.
Sandgrouses – No special features, spends long time in waterholes.

Question 45.
You are Rahul/Ranjini of Trichy. As the teacher-in-charge of an excursion party that your school is sending on an educational tour to Ajanta and Elora Caves during the Christmas vacation write a letter of enquiry to Best Tours & Travels, Trichy seeking information regarding transport, accommodation etc.
12 October, 2020
Ranjini R.
7th Main Road, Anbu Nagar
Trichy
M/s Happy Tours & Travels
11, Thendral Nagar
Trichy Sir,
Sub: Seeking information regarding transport, accommodation etc.

Adithya Vidhya Niketan – Matric Higher Secondary School, Trichy is planning an educational tour of students and teachers to the world famous caves of Ajanta and Elora. The tour party will consist of 40 senior students, two teachers and a peon. We would appreciate if you provide us the specific information regarding the following things at the earliest:

• Type of transport to be provided
• Rates for AC and Non-AC coaches
• Rates for budget-accommodation
• Rates for dormitory accommodation, if any.
• Separate two rooms for teachers and the peon

The itinerary is as follows:
Dec 20: Departure from Trichy
Dec 27: Back to Trichy

We expect complete transparency. No hidden charges, please. Any other details regarding the educational tour will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,
Ranjini R.

To
M/s Best Tours & Travels
8, Thendral Nagar
Trichy

[OR]

Write a paragraph of 150 words on “Decision making is a challenge”.
Decision making is a challenge

Decision making is a process that plays a vital role in our daily lives. Some decisions are not very important whereas other imperative decisions, when cautiously carried out, can change the path of our lives. When faced with a crisis, one of the major issues is deciding the right thing. Decision making can be quite complicated and challenging in some cases. It is hence essential to gather as much information from different sources and assess all possible alternatives to the problem or situation at hand before making a decision. Doing so will permit us to land at the best possible result for the problem.

Such decisions can’t be an overnight one. It takes a couple of months to investigate and consult with friends, family and university professors to make a decision. Low cost tuition fee and the course time are also a big influence in taking decisions. An advantage of such decisions can only be an outcome of research and discussion and there is no conflict in that. This significantly decreases the probability of risk in any decision making. If a decision is made correct and one is quite pleased with the way it is turning out to be then one has crossed all barriers. It is imperative that one makes decisions in consultation with parents opinions and check on other surveys and researches to avoid challenges.

Question 46.
Spot the errors and rewrite the sentences correctly
(а) Ten years are a long time.
(б) For the last three weeks the shop is closed.
(c) How long it takes to send a letter to Australia.
(d) One of the thieves were arrested.
(e) Neither the passenger nor the driver were injured in the accident.
Answer:
(a) Ten years is a long time.
(b) For the past three weeks the shop is closed.
(c) How long does it take to send a letter to Australia?
(d) One of the thieves was arrested.
(e) Neither the passenger nor the driver was injured in the accident.

[OR]

Fill in the blanks correctly.
(a) Its such a beautiful ………………….. (sight/site) to wake up in the morning and watch the ………………….. (see/sea)
(b) The kids ………………….. like carrots, but I’m. not sure. (Use a modal in the given blank.)
(c) They ………………….. have returned home by now.(Use a semi-modal)
(d) I ………………….. (read) Nathaniel Hawthorne soon, (use the proper tense)
(a) sight/sea
(b) might
(c) ought to
(d) will be reading

Question 47.
Identify each of the following sentences with the fields given below:
(a) A baby less than a month old has received a pacemaker.
(b) Did an asteroid hit south India millions of years ago?
(c) In 1988, the first Shatabdi Express was introduced between New Delhi and Jhansi.
(d) Sometimes A-class facilities are extended to even those imprisoned.
(e) Taxis are mobile spaces that enable strangers to be physically proximate for a short time.
[Astronomy, Legal, Transportation, Medicine, Tourism]
Answer:
(a) Medicine (b) Astronomy (c) Tourism (d) Legal (e) Transportation

[OR]

Read the following passage and answer the questions in your own words.
Answer:
This sequel to Anne of Green Gables follows Anne Shirley, a young Canadian orphan. Anne was sent to live with the Cuthberts, a brother and sister who have a farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada. In Anne of Avonlea, written in 1909, Anne is 16 years old and is going to teach school for the first time in the town of Avonlea.

When Anne reached the school that morning … for the first time in her life she had traversed the Birch Path deaf and blind to its beauties … all was quiet and still. The preceding teacher had trained the children to be in their places at her arrival, and when Anne entered the schoolroom she was confronted by prim rows of “shining morning faces” and bright, inquisitive eyes. She hung up her hat and faced her pupils, hoping that she did not look as frightened and foolish as she felt and that they would not perceive how she was trembling.

She had sat up until nearly twelve the preceding night composing a speech she meant to make to her pupils upon opening the school. She had revised and improved it painstakingly, and then she had learned it off by heart. It was a very good speech and had some very fine ideas in it, especially about mutual help and earnest striving after knowledge. The only trouble was that she could not now remember a word of it. After what seemed to her a year… about ten seconds in reality … she said faintly, “Take your Testaments, please,” and sank breathlessly into her chair under cover of the rustle and clatter of desk lids that followed. While the children read their verses Anne marshalled her shaky wits into order and looked over the array of little pilgrims to the Grownup Land.

Questions:
a. List any one example from the passage that shows Anne nervous on her first day of teaching school.
b. Where and with whom did Anne Shirley live with?
c. How old was Anne when she started to teach in the town of Avonlea?
d. How was Anne treated when she entered her schoolroom?
e. What did Anne do the previous night to starting school teaching?
Answers:
(a) “The only trouble was that she could not now remember a word” of her speech.
(b) Anne Shirley lived with the Cuthberts, a brother and sister who have a farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
(c) Anne was 16 years old, when she was going to teach school for the first time in the town of Avonlea.
(d) When Anne entered the schoolroom she was confronted by prim rows of “shining morning faces” and bright, inquisitive eyes.
(e) Anne had sat up till twelve the preceding night composing a speech on mutual help and earnest striving after knowledge. She meant to make to her pupils upon opening the school. She had revised and improved it painstakingly, and then she had learned it by heart.