Question 1

You have not received your Roll Number card for the Class XII examination. Write a letter to the Registrar, Examination Branch, CBSE asking for it.

Accepted Answer

To write a letter to the Registrar, Examination Branch, CBSE requesting the Roll Number card, follow the formal letter format:

- Your address on the top right
- Date
- Address of the Registrar on the left
- Subject line
- Salutation
- Body: Mention that you have not received your Roll Number card for Class XII examination and request it to be sent at the earliest.
- Closing with 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours sincerely'
- Signature and name

Example:

Your Address
Date

The Registrar
Examination Branch
CBSE
New Delhi

Subject: Request for Roll Number Card for Class XII Examination

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a student of Class XII appearing for the upcoming board examinations. I have not yet received my Roll Number card. Kindly send it to me at the earliest as the examinations are approaching.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

(Signature)
Your Name — The letter should be formal, polite, and clearly state the problem and request. The address and date are important. The subject line helps the recipient understand the purpose immediately. The closing should be appropriate for formal letters.

Question 2

Write a letter to the President, Residents' Welfare Association of your locality suggesting some measures that could be taken for solving the problem of water scarcity and conserving water.

Accepted Answer

To write a letter to the President of the Residents' Welfare Association:

- Your address and date
- Address of the President on the left
- Subject line
- Salutation
- Body: Explain the problem of water scarcity in your locality and suggest practical measures such as rainwater harvesting, fixing leaks, using water-saving devices, awareness campaigns, etc.
- Closing with 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'
- Signature and name

Example:

Your Address
Date

The President
Residents' Welfare Association
Your Locality

Subject: Suggestions for Solving Water Scarcity and Conserving Water

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention the growing problem of water scarcity in our locality. To address this issue, I suggest the following measures:

1. Implement rainwater harvesting systems in all buildings.
2. Repair leaking pipes promptly.
3. Promote the use of water-efficient appliances.
4. Conduct awareness programs for residents on water conservation.

I hope the Association will consider these suggestions to ensure sustainable water use.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)
Your Name — The letter should be formal and constructive, offering feasible solutions. It should be polite and clear, with a proper format including address, date, subject, salutation, body, and closing.

Question 3

Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your views on the deteriorating law and order situation in your city.

Accepted Answer

To write a letter to the editor:

- Your address and date
- Addressed to the Editor
- Salutation
- Body: Express your concern about the deteriorating law and order situation, provide examples or incidents if possible, and suggest measures to improve the situation.
- Closing with 'Yours sincerely'
- Signature and name

Example:

Your Address
Date

The Editor
(Name of Newspaper)

Subject: Concern over Deteriorating Law and Order Situation

Dear Sir,

I wish to draw attention to the worsening law and order situation in our city. Recent incidents of theft, violence, and vandalism have created fear among residents. I urge the authorities to increase police patrolling, improve street lighting, and engage community policing to restore safety.

Thank you for considering my views.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)
Your Name — The letter should be formal and to the point, highlighting the problem and suggesting solutions. It should follow the standard letter format.

Question 4

Write a letter to your friend narrating your experiences in a rescue operation.

Accepted Answer

To write an informal letter to a friend:

- Your address and date (optional)
- Salutation (Dear ...)
- Body: Narrate your experiences during the rescue operation, including what happened, your feelings, and any interesting or important details.
- Closing with informal expressions like 'Yours affectionately', 'Take care', etc.
- Signature

Example:

Hyderabad
12 November 2005

Dear Rahul,

I want to tell you about the rescue operation I took part in last week. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. We helped evacuate people trapped in the flood-affected areas. Despite the difficulties, the team worked tirelessly, and I felt proud to contribute.

Looking forward to telling you more when we meet.

Take care,

Yours affectionately,

(Signature)
Your Name — The letter should be informal, personal, and expressive. It should have a flexible format and convey your feelings and experiences vividly.

Question 5

Write a letter to the Editor of a magazine describing a dance performance you have seen or an art gallery you have visited.

Accepted Answer

To write a letter to the Editor of a magazine:

- Your address and date
- Addressed to the Editor
- Salutation
- Body: Describe the dance performance or art gallery, including details such as the event, performers, artworks, your impressions, and why it was memorable.
- Closing with 'Yours sincerely'
- Signature and name

Example:

Your Address
Date

The Editor
(Name of Magazine)

Subject: Description of a Dance Performance

Dear Sir/Madam,

I recently attended a classical dance performance by renowned artists at the city auditorium. The graceful movements, vibrant costumes, and expressive storytelling captivated the audience. It was an enriching cultural experience that I wish more people could enjoy.

Thank you for providing a platform to share such experiences.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)
Your Name — The letter should be formal and descriptive, giving the reader a vivid picture of the event or gallery. It should follow the formal letter format.

Question 6

In the poem 'The Portrait of a Lady' by Raghupati Sahay (Nirala), what is the primary metaphor used to explore the woman's inner world?

Accepted Answer

A portrait — The poem uses the metaphor of a portrait to delve into the inner world of the woman, contrasting her external appearance with her internal emotions and experiences.

Question 7

Explain how the poem 'The Portrait of a Lady' critiques societal norms regarding women.

Accepted Answer

'The Portrait of a Lady' critiques societal norms by highlighting the constraints imposed on women, suggesting a yearning for freedom and self-expression. It portrays how societal expectations confine women to certain roles, limiting their identity beyond external beauty. — The poem uses symbolism and metaphor to reveal the lady's inner emotions and the societal pressures she faces. It reflects on how these norms restrict women's freedom and individuality, encouraging readers to empathize and understand the complexity of womanhood.

Question 8

Identify two literary devices used in 'The Portrait of a Lady' and explain their effect.

Accepted Answer

The poem uses alliteration and personification. Alliteration creates a musical quality that enhances the lyrical nature of the poem, while personification gives life to the portrait, making the lady's emotions more vivid and relatable. — Alliteration involves the repetition of consonant sounds, which adds rhythm and mood. Personification attributes human qualities to the portrait, helping readers connect emotionally with the lady's inner world.

Question 9

Write a descriptive paragraph about a portrait or photograph of a person you know, focusing on both physical appearance and inferred emotions or personality traits.

Accepted Answer

A descriptive paragraph should include an introduction describing the physical features of the person in the portrait or photograph, such as facial expressions, posture, and clothing. It should then infer emotions or personality traits, like kindness, sadness, or confidence, based on these observations. For example, a gentle smile might suggest warmth and friendliness, while a distant gaze could indicate contemplation or sadness. The paragraph should conclude by reflecting on how the portrait captures the complexity of the person's character. — a) Introduction describing physical features.
b) Inference of emotions or personality traits with examples.
c) Reflection on the deeper meaning or impression created by the portrait.
This exercise helps students connect imagery with emotional understanding, as emphasized in 'The Portrait of a Lady'.

Question 10

What was the main cause of the perilous situation faced by Gordon Cook and Barbara in 'We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together'?

Accepted Answer

A violent storm damaging their yacht — The couple's yacht was caught in a violent storm that caused severe damage and loss of navigation equipment, leading to their stranded situation in the Pacific Ocean.

Question 11

Describe the qualities that helped Gordon Cook and Barbara survive their ordeal at sea.

Accepted Answer

Gordon Cook and Barbara survived due to their courage, resilience, mutual support, and optimism. They used their skills to manage limited supplies and faced the challenges together, which strengthened their determination to survive. — The narrative highlights their emotional bond and resourcefulness, showing how hope and companionship are vital in life-threatening situations.

Question 12

Write a diary entry from the perspective of Barbara during their ordeal, focusing on her feelings and thoughts.

Accepted Answer

The diary entry should begin with Barbara describing the initial excitement of the voyage, followed by the shock and fear during the storm. It should express her feelings of vulnerability but also her determination to stay hopeful. She might write about the strength she draws from Gordon and their shared courage. The entry should conclude with reflections on the importance of companionship and hope in facing adversity. — a) Introduction to the voyage and storm experience.
b) Description of emotions: fear, hope, determination.
c) Emphasis on mutual support and optimism.
d) Conclusion reflecting on human endurance and love.

Question 13

Who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, and in which year was it found?

Accepted Answer

Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in 1922 — The tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in 1922 in the Valley of the Kings, marking a significant archaeological achievement.

Question 14

Explain the significance of the treasures found inside Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Accepted Answer

The treasures, including the golden mask, provided invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization, art, and burial practices. They helped historians understand the culture, religious beliefs, and craftsmanship of that era. — These artifacts revealed the richness of Egyptian royal burials and contributed to the study of history and archaeology, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Question 15

What challenges did Howard Carter face during the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb?

Accepted Answer

Howard Carter faced financial and logistical challenges during the excavation. The work was meticulous and required patience, and he had to manage resources carefully to continue the search and preserve the findings. — Excavating an ancient tomb involved careful planning, overcoming funding issues, and dealing with the physical difficulties of working in the Valley of the Kings.

Letter-writing

Letter-writing — Study Notes

Letter-writing

Formal Letters

Format of Formal Letters

Practice Questions — Letter-writing

All 12 Chapters in Hornbill