Compulsory English - Question Set 1- BA First Year 2081

Compulsory English BA  First Year      2081

 Baneshwor Multiple Campus

Shantinagar, Kathmandu

Pre- Board Exam 2081

Year: First                                                                                                       Full Marks: 70   

Subject: Compulsory English                                                                         Pass Marks: 28

Level; BA                                                                                                       Time: 3 hours

           

 

Candidates are required to answer the questions in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margin indicate full marks.

Section “A”: (Long Answer Questions)                                                                  2x15=30

Answer any TWO questions, but Question 2 is compulsory.

1. Write an essay discussing the impact of technology on modern education. Focus on both the positive and negative aspects, and analyze how technological advancements have transformed teaching methods, student learning experiences, and educational outcomes. Use examples from scholarly articles or case studies to support your argument.

 

2. Apply the four levels of reading to Franz Kafka’s story "Before the Law" provided below.

Before the Law sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man from the country who asks to gain entry to the Law. But the gatekeeper says that he cannot grant him entry at the moment. The man thinks about it and then asks if he will be allowed to enter later on. "It is possible," says the gatekeeper, "but not now." Since the gate to the Law stands open as usual and the gatekeeper steps to one side, the man bends down to peer through the gate into the inside. When the gatekeeper sees that, he laughs and says, "If it tempts you so much, try it in spite of my prohibition. But take note: I am powerful. And I am only the least of the gatekeepers. From hall to hall, keepers stand at every door, one more powerful than the other. I cannot endure even one glimpse of the third."

The man from the country has not expected such difficulties: the Law, he thinks, should be accessible to everyone and at all times. But as he now looks more closely at the gatekeeper in his fur coat, with his big, sharp nose and long, thin, black Tartar beard, he decides that he had better wait until he gets permission to enter. The gatekeeper gives him a stool and allows him to sit down at the side of the door. There he sits for days and years. He makes many attempts to be let in and wearies the gatekeeper with his requests. The gatekeeper often interrogates him briefly, questioning him about his home and many other things, but they are indifferent questions, such as great lords put, and in the end he always tells him once more that he cannot let him in yet.

The man, who has equipped himself with many things for his journey, spends all he has, however valuable, to bribe the gatekeeper. The latter takes it all but, as he does so, says, "I am taking this only so that you do not think you have omitted anything." During the many years, the man observes the gatekeeper almost continuously. He forgets the other gatekeepers, and this one seems to him the only obstacle for entry to the Law. He curses his bad luck, in his early years boldly and loudly; later, as he grows old, he only grumbles to himself. He becomes childish, and since in his prolonged study of the gatekeeper he has also come to know the fleas in his fur collar, he begs the very fleas to help him and to change the gatekeeper's mind.

Finally, his eyesight grows weak, and he does not know whether it is really getting darker around him or whether his eyes are only deceiving him. But he recognizes now in the darkness an illumination which breaks inextinguishably out of the gateway to the Law. Now he has not very long to live. Before he dies, all his experiences of the whole time gather themselves in his head to one point, a question which he has not yet asked the gatekeeper. He beckons to him, since he can no longer lift up his stiffening body. The gatekeeper has to bend down to him, for the great difference in size between them has altered very much to the man's disadvantage. "What do you still want to know, then?" asks the gatekeeper; "you are insatiable." "Everyone strives after the Law," says the man, "so how is it that in these many years no one except me has requested entry?" The gatekeeper sees that the man is nearing his end, and, to let his failing senses catch the words, he roars in his ear: "No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you. I am now going to shut it."

3. With suitable examples, discuss how a student-writer can improve the following aspects of their writing:

a. Clarity of expression
b. Logical organization of ideas
c. Consistent tone
d. Grammar and syntax

Section B: Short Questions (04 x 10 = 40 Marks)

Answer any FOUR questions, but Question 5 is compulsory.

4. Make notes of the following passage by using headings and sub-headings.

The integration of technology in education has seen a remarkable evolution over the years. Initially, technology in education was limited to basic tools such as chalkboards and overhead projectors. The introduction of personal computers in the 1980s marked a significant shift, providing students and teachers with new ways to access information and complete assignments. With the advent of the internet in the 1990s, educational resources became more widely available, leading to the development of online courses and digital libraries.

In the 2000s, interactive whiteboards and educational software transformed classrooms into dynamic learning environments. Students could engage with multimedia content, enhancing their understanding of complex concepts. The rise of mobile devices and tablets further revolutionized education, allowing for personalized learning experiences and greater flexibility.

Today, technology in education encompasses virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. These advancements offer immersive learning experiences and adaptive learning platforms that cater to individual student needs. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for educators to stay informed and integrate these tools effectively to enhance the learning process.

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions given under it.

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized the way information was disseminated and consumed. Before the printing press, books were copied by hand, a laborious and time-consuming process that limited the number of books available and made them expensive. Gutenberg’s invention allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible and affordable to a wider audience.

The printing press played a crucial role in the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance. It enabled the rapid distribution of new ideas and scientific discoveries, contributing to the advancement of various fields. The Reformation, a significant religious movement, also benefited from the printing press, as Martin Luther’s writings could be widely distributed, challenging the Catholic Church's authority and promoting religious reform.

The impact of the printing press extended beyond Europe. It facilitated the spread of literacy and education, transforming societies and cultures worldwide. Today, the legacy of the printing press is evident in the modern printing and publishing industries, which continue to evolve with digital technology.

a. Summarize the main idea of the passage.

b. What were the limitations of book production before the printing press?

c. How did the printing press contribute to the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance?

d. Explain the role of the printing press in the Reformation.

e. What is the legacy of the printing press in today's world?

6. Answer the following questions briefly and to the point.

a.     What, according to Tabarrok in "The Meat Market", is “the great paradox of deceased donation”? Why is this paradox significant?

b.    Do you think Brady really wants the kind of wife she describes? Explain your response. [I Want A Wife]

c.     Is Halperin’s essay [No Pay? Many Interns say 'No Problem'] structured inductively or deductively? Explain.

7.      Describe a place that has played an important role in your life. Include a narrative passage that conveys the place’s significance to you.

8. Give the meanings of any FIVE of the following words and then use each of them in sentences of your own (in the same sense of meaning you have given).

Radical,      Laden,     Trigeminal,    Bloated,      Circumvent,     Construe,    Surcharge

 

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