English

ENGLISH – 1998
Time : Three hours
Maximum marks: 150

All questions are compulsory.

1.    Write an essay on any ONE of the following topics.  (100)
Use the guidelines indicated AND supply an appropriate introduction AND conclusion for your essay:
i.    'Laissez-faire is less than fair.'  Argue EITHER for OR against this statement with reference to the opening-up of he Indian economy keeping the following points in mind:
ii.    'The voice of the people is the voice of God.  'IIIustrate the truth of this statement by analyzing any THREE events in Indian OR World history.  Organise your material so as to show
(a)    the cause
(b)    the consequence of the events/movements you have chosen.
iii.    'The judiciary is not a time-keeper but it will continue to be an alarm clock.'  (Chief Justice A. S. Anand).  Examine the value of public-interest litigation in the light of this statement keeping the following issues in mind:
(a)    an already over-worked judiciary
(b)    the public conscience.
iv.    Given below are TWO possible subjects for a short story.  Choose ONE and construct a story around it so as to illustrate the complex issues involved.  Your story MUST lead up to this conclusion:  'Who will guard the guards themselves?"
(a)    Cloning
(b)    Patenting
v.    'Pass no judgment, and you will not be judged.  For as you judge others, so you will yourselves by judged, and whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt back to you. ' Explore the complexities of this statement with reference to
(a)    you personal life
(b)    your professional life.

2.    the following passage.  Illustrates the idea that what is right according to human laws is wrong when judged by the principles of true morality.  There are TEN arguments used, which have been numbered for your convenience.  Rewrite the arguments in your OWN words in continuous prose, retaining the order.
(1)    The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath:
(2)    It is twice blessed-
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
(3)    'Tis mightiest in the mighties:  it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
(4)    His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
(5)    But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
(6)    It is an attribute to God himself;
(7)    And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice;
(8)    Therefore Though justice be the plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation;
(9)    We do pray for mercy;
(10)    And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.

3.    The following poem contains TEN statements which have been numbered for you convenience.  EACH statement contains a DISTORTION of the truth, Explain EACH distortion in your OWN words.
'The Latest Decalogue'
(1)    You shall have one God only; who
Would be at the expense of two?
(2)    No graven images may be
Worshipped, except the currency:
(3)    Swear not at all; as for our curse
Your enemy is none
(4)    At church on Sunday to attend
Will serve to keep the world your friend
(5)    Honour your parents; that is, all
From whom advancement may behall:
(6)    You shall not kill; but need not strive
Officiously to keep alive:
(7)    Do not adultery commit;
Advantage rarely comes of it:
(8)    You shall not steal; an empty feat,
When it's so lucrative to cheat:
(9)    Bear not false witness; let the lie
Have time on its own wings to fly; 
(10)    You shall not covet; but tradition
Approves all form of competition.