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MAIN WRITTEN EXAMINATION HARYANA CIVIL SERVICE (J.B.) – 2010

ENGLISH
Time Three Hours                                                                                                                                                  Maximum Marks:  200

Notes:-
(i)    Candidates are required to attempt all questions in the same seriatum as they appear
(ii)    All questions carry equal marks.  details are indicated against each question.
(iii)    Do not use highlighters or colour pens.  Answers may be submitted either in blue or black ink. 
(iv)    No extra Answer Sheet will be provided.
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Q.-1:    Write an essay on any one of the following subjects in not more than 1000-1100 words.
(100)   
(a)    Reservation for Women in the Lok Sabha
(b)    Terrorism and its impact on the socio-economic condition of the country
(c)    Role of religion in politics
(d)    Empowered Panchayats and their role in nation building

Q.-2:    Make sentences using each of the following words:-                                                                                                                  (20)
(i)  vague                 (ii)  immune
(iii) affable                 (iv)  obnoxious
(v)  audacious                 (vi)  audacity
(vii) pastoral                 (viii) pastures
(ix)  nominal                 (x)  hygienic

Q.-3:    Give the meaning of the following idioms and also write a sentence using the said idiom:-                                                         (20)
(a)    Two heads are better than one
(b)    Tooth for tooth and an eye for eye
(c)    Bury the hatchet
(d)    Feather one's nest
(e)    The die is cast
(f)    A house of cards
(g)    Fight with one's back to the wall
(h)    A fish out of water
(i)    Raining cats and dogs
(j)    Putting the cart before the horse.

Q.-4:    Correct the following sentences:-                                                                                                                                             (20)   
(a)    A passenger alighted down the train.
(b)    My sister was charmed to the silk.
(c)    He was too occupied in important matters to bother about home.
(d)    The Chairman had casted his vote.
(e)    A man was lying on the roadside.
(f)    He wanted to educate about his son.
(g)    The steamer was delayed with a storm.
(h)    He was ill on the last term and failed.
(i)    He had pursued a certain course by vigour.
(j)    Mr. Pandit was elected to President.

Q.-5:    Make a Precis of the following passage:-                                                                                                                                      (20)
It is very easy to acquire bad habits, such as eating too many sweets or too much food, or drinking too much fluid of any kind, or smoking.  The more we do a thing, the more we tend to like doing it; and, if we do not continue to do it, we feel unhappy.  This is called the force of habit, and the force of habit should be fought  against.
Things which may be very good when only done from time to time, tend to become very harmful when done too often and too much.  This applies even to such good things as work or rest.  Some people form a bad habit of working too much, and others of idling too much.  The wise man always remembers that this is true about himself, and checks any bad habit.  He says to himself, "I am now becoming idle," or "I like too many sweets," or "I smoke too much," and then adds, "I will get myself out of this bad habit at once."
One of the most widely, spread, of bad habits is , the use of tobacoo.  Tobacco is now smoked or chewed by men, ofen by women, and even by children, almost all over the world.  It was brought into Europe from America by Sir Walter Raleigh, four centuries ago, and has thence spread everywhere.  I very much doubt whether there is any good in the habit, even when tobacco is not used to excess; and it is extremely difficult to get rid of the habit when once it has been formed.

Q.-6:    Read the following passge carefully and answer the questions given below:-
(20)       
The man who is perpetually hesitating which fo the two things he will do first, will do neither.  The man who resolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by the first counter suggestion of friend,- who fluctuates from opinion to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weather-cock to evey point of the compass, with every breath of caprie that blows – can never accomplish any thing great or useful.  Instead of being progressive in any thing, he will be at best stationary, and more probably retrograde in all.  It is only the man who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose with inflexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit – that can advance to eminence in any line.  Take your course wisely, but firmly; and having taken it, hold upon it with heroic resolution, and the Alps and Pyrenees will sink before you.
(i)    Why does the author say that a man who fluctuates can never accomplish any thing?
(ii)    Why is such a person referred to as a weather-cock?
(iii)    What kind of person, according to the author, is likely to be successful?
(iv)    What does the author mean when he says "Alps and Pyrenees will sink before you"?
(v)    What is the advice of the author to the people?