English Paper-2 (Literature)

Question Bank Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH PAPER-2 (LITERATURE), Class-X OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS A Multiple Choice Questions Q. 1. Who gives the first speech to the crowd in Act III, Scene 27 (a) Antony (c) Cassius Ans. Option (b) is correct. (b) Brutus (d) Caesar Explanation: Brutus gives the first speech to the crowd, explaining why he participated in Caesar's assassination. Q. 2. Who enters the scene with Caesar's body? (a) Brutus (b) Cassius (c) Antony (d) Octavius Ans. Option (c) is correct. Explanation: Antony enters the scene, carrying Caesar's body after Brutus's speech. Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears"? Q. 3. Who uses the phrase, "Friends, (a) Brutus (b) Cassius (c) Antony (d) Caesar Ans. Option (c) is correct. Explanation: Antony uses this phrase at the beginning of his speech to the crowd. Q. 4. Who does the crowd initially support, before Antony's speech? (a) Antony (c) Cassius Ans. Option (b) is correct. (b) Brutus (d) Caesar Explanation: The crowd initially supports Brutus after his speech, but Antony's speech later sways them. Q. 5. Who leaves the scene after their speech? (a) Antony (b) Brutus (c) Cassius (d) Caesar Ans. Option (b) is correct. (c) Simile Ans. Option (a) is correct. (1 mark each) (d) Hyperbole Explanation: Antony uses irony in his speech, repeatedly referring to Brutus as an "honourable man", while questioning his actions. Q. 9. Who does Brutus claim to love more than Caesar? (a) Antony (c) Rome Ans. Option (c) is correct. (b) Cassius (d) Himself Explanation: Brutus claims that he loved Rome more than Caesar, which is why he participated in the assassination. Q. 10. What does Antony use to sway the crowd against the conspirators? (a) Caesar's will (c) Caesar's robe Ans. Option (a) is correct. (b) Caesar's crown (d) Caesar's sword Explanation: Antony reads out Caesar's will, which leaves his wealth to the Roman citizens, to sway the crowd against the conspirators. Q. 11. What does Brutus offer to the crowd at the end of his speech? (a) His life (c) His home Ans. Option (a) is correct. (b) His wealth (d) His loyalty Explanation: Brutus offers his life to the crowd, stating that he would willingly meet the same fate as Caesar for the good of Rome. Q. 12. What does Antony show the crowd to stir them up? (a) Caesar's will (b) Caesar's crown (c) Caesar's robe (d) Caesar's body Ans. Option (d) is correct. Explanation: Antony shows Caesar's body to the crowd, pointing out the wounds made by the conspirators, to stir them up. Explanation: Brutus leaves the scene after his speech, leaving Antony to address the crowd. Q. 13. What does Antony claim was Caesar's reason for leaving his wealth to the citizens? Q. 6. Who does the crowd support at the end of the scene? (a) Antony (c) Cassius Ans. Option (a) is correct. (b) Brutus (d) Caesar Explanation: Antony's speech sways the crowd against Brutus and the conspirators. Q. 7. What is the main theme of Brutus' speech? (a) Ambition (b) Loyalty (c) Power (d) Rhetoric Ans. Option (a) is correct. Explanation: Brutus' speech focuses on the theme of ambition, accusing Caesar of being ambitious. Q. 8. What rhetorical device does Antony use in his speech? (4) Iros (b) Metaphor (a) Guilt (b) Fear (c) Love (d) Ambition Ans. Option (c) is correct. Explanation: Antony claims that Caesar's love for the Roman citizens was the reason he left his wealth to them in his will. Q. 14. What does Brutus say would have happened if Caesar lived? (a) Rome would have prospered. (b) Rome would have been destroyed. (c) Caesar would have become a tyrant. (d) Caesar would have become a god. Ans. Option (c) is correct. Explanation: Brutus argues that Caesar's ambition would have led him to become a tyrant if he had lived. Drama Q. 15. What does Antony's repeated phrase "Brutus is an honourable man" imply? (a) Respect for Brutus (b) Disdain for Brutus (c) Indifference towards Brutus (d) Fear of Brutus Ans. Option (b) is correct. Explanation: Antony uses the phrase, "Brutus is an honourable man", ironically, to imply his disdain for Brutus and to question his honour. 16. Which of the following is NOT true about Antony's speech? (a) It sways the crowd against the conspirators. (b) It praises Caesar's achievements. (c) It condemns Brutus as an honourable man. (d) It reveals Caesar's will to the crowd. Ans. Option (c) is correct. Explanation: Antony's speech does not condemn Brutus; instead, it repeatedly refers to him as an "honourable man", while implying the opposite. Q. 17. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order: 1. Brutus gives his speech to the crowd. 2. Antony gives his speech to the crowd. 3. The crowd is swayed by Antony's speech. 4. The crowd riots. (a) 1,2,3,4 (b) 2,1,3,4 (c) 1,3,2,4 (d) 3,1,2,4 Ans. Option (a) is correct. Explanation: In this scene, Brutus first gives his speech to the crowd. Then, Antony gives his speech to the crowd. After that, the crowd is swayed by Antony's speech. Finally, the crowd riots. Q. 18. Statement 1: "Brutus justifies the assassination to the crowd". Statement 2: "Antony sways the crowd against the conspirators". Question: Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements 1 and 2. (a) 1 is the cause for 2. (b) 1 is an example of 2. (c) 1 is independent of 2. (d) 1 is a contradiction of 2. Ans. Option (a) is correct. Explanation: Brutus justifying the assassination to the crowd is a precursor to Antony swaying the crowd against the conspirators. Q. 19. Statement 1: "Antony reads Caesar's will to the crowd". Statement 2: "The crowd riots". Question: Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements 1 and 2. (a) 1 is the cause for 2. (b) 1 is an example of 2. (c) 1 is independent of 2. (d) 1 is a contradiction of 2. Ans. Option (a) is correct. Explanation: Antony reading Caesar's will to the crowd is a precursor to the crowd rioting. Q. 20. Statement 1: "Caesar is assassinated". Statement 2: "Antony is left alone with Caesar's body". Question: Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements 1 and 2. (a) 1 is the cause for 2. (b) 1 is an example of 2. (c) 1 is independent of 2. (d) 1 is a contradiction of 2. Ans. Option (a) is correct. Explanation: Caesar being assassinated is a precursor to Antony being left alone with Caesar's body. Commonly Made Errors Misunderstanding the language: Shakespearean language can be difficult to understand, and candidates often misinterpret the meaning of the text. Failing to consider the historical context: Julius Caesar is set in ancient Rome, and candidates may not be familiar with the customs and traditions of the time. Lack of analysis: Candidates may summarise the plot or provide a basic description of the characters, without analysing the themes or motifs present in the text. Answering Tips Candidates should take their time and read the text carefully, paying attention to the context and tone of the dialogue. Candidates should research the historical context of the play, including the political and social climate of ancient Rome. Candidates should research the historical context of the play, including the political and social climate of ancient Rome. Candidates should analyse the text in depth, considering the themes, motifs, and symbols present in the play. Candidates should pay close attention to the use of literary devices in the text, noting their effect on the overall meaning of the he play. 24 Question Bank Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH PAPER-2 (LITERATURE), Class-X contribute to the persuasive power of his speech? What do they reveal about the political ideals and tensions in Roman society? 3 Ans. Brutus invokes the values of freedom and patriotism in his speech to justify Caesar's assassination. These values contribute significantly to the persuasive power of his speech. By aligning his actions with the ideals of freedom and patriotism, Brutus presents himself as a detender of Roman liberty, thereby gaining the crowd's sympathy and approval. These values also reveal the political ideals and tensions in Roman society. Freedom and patriotism were highly valued in Roman society, and any perceived threat to these ideals, such as Caesar's alleged ambition, was seen as a cause for concern. Brutus speech taps into these tensions, turning public sentiment against Caesar and in favour of the conspirators. However, the subsequent chaos and conflict following Caesar's death reveal the complexities and contradictions of these ideals. While Brutus' actions were driven by his love for Rome, they ultimately led to civil war and the downfall of the Roman Republic. This underscores the tragic irony of Brutus' character and the inherent tensions in the political ideals of Roman society. Q. 5. Brutus ends his speech by challenging anyone who does not love his country to speak against him. How does this challenge reflect Brutus' understanding of patriotism and its role in political legitimacy? How does it contribute to the dramatic tension in the scene and the unfolding conflict in the play? [4] Ans. Brutus concludes his speech by challenging that anyone who does not love his country can speak against him. This challenge is a powerful rhetorical strategy that reflects Brutus' understanding of patriotism and its role in political legitimacy. Brutus challenge is based on the premise that love for one's country is the ultimate test of political legitimacy. He equates opposition to his actions with a lack of patriotism, thereby positioning himself as a defender of Rome. This reflects his belief that patriotism justifies his actions, even when they involve the drastic measure of assassinating a friend and leader. It also reveals his understanding of the power of patriotism as a tool for political persuasion. By invoking the value of patriotism, Brutus seeks to legitimise his actions and gain the support of the crowd. This challenge also contributes significantly to the dramatic tension in the scene. It sets up a binary opposition between those who love Rome (and by extension, support Brutus) and those who do not. This heightens the stakes of the unfolding conflict and adds a moral dimension to the political struggle. It also sets the stage for Antony's counter-speech, which challenges Brutus' claims and turns the crowd against the conspirators. 111. ANTONY Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me I must pause till it come back to me. (weeps) Q. 1. Analyse the rhetorical strategies that Antony uses in his speech to counter Brutus' justification for Caesar's assassination. How do these strategies reflect Antony's understanding of the crowd's mind set and his ability to manipulate it? [3] Ans. In Antony's speech from Act III, Scene 2 of "Julius Caesar", he uses several rhetorical strategies to counter Brutus justification for Caesar's assassination. Antony begins his speech with the famous line, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears", immediately establishing a connection with the crowd and asking for their attention. Antony cleverly states that he has come to bury Caesar, not to praise him, subtly undermining Brutus claim that Caesar was overly ambitious, He then proceeds to provide examples of Caesar's actions that contradict the accusation of ambition, such as his refusal of the crown and his empathy towards the poor. This use of factual evidence serves to refute Brutus' claims and sway the crowd's opinion. Throughout his speech, Antony repeatedly refers to Brutus as an "honourable man", using irony to question Brutus' honour and credibility This repetition serves to cast doubt on Brutus justification for Caesar's assassination. Thesestrategies reflect Antony's deepunderstanding of the crowd's mind-set and his ability to manipulate it. He knows that the crowd is swayed by emotion. as much as reason, and he uses this knowlertge to turn public sentiment against Brutus and the conspirators. His speech is a masterful display rhetoric and persuasion, demonstrating his political savvy and his understanding of human nature. Q. 2. Discuss the significance of Antony's claim that he comes to bury Caesar, not to praise him. How does this claim contribute to the dramatic irony of Antony's speech and the overall tragedy of the play? [3] AU Ans. This claim serves as a rhetorical strategy to gain the trust of the crowd, who have just heard Brutus justify Caesar's assassination. By stating that he is not there to praise Caesar, Antony aligns himself with Brutus' stance, thus making the crowd more receptive to his speech. However, this claim contributes to the dramatic irony of Antony's speech. While he states that he is not there to praise Caesar, his speech does exactly the opposite of that. He subtly praises Caesar's deeds and questions the accusation of ambition levied against Caesar, thereby undermining Brutus' Justification for the assassination. This irony heightens the tragedy of the play. Antony's speech stirs the crowd against Brutus and the conspirators, leading to civil unrest and