West Bengal Civil Service
Examination-2005
(Optional Papers)
English Paper -I
Time Allowed : 3 Hours Full Marks : 100
If the question attempted are in excess of the prescribed number, only the questions attempted first up to the prescribed number shall be valued and the remaining ones ignored.
All questions carry equal marks.
Answer any five questions taking at least one from each group.
Group - A
Answer any three questions.
1. In what sence is Chaucer a harbinger of the Renaissance in English literature ? Answer with reference to at least one of his works.
2. Trace the development of English comedies prior to the making of Shakespearean comedies.
3. What are the features which attracted the attention of the 20th century poets to the metaphysical school of poetry in English literature ? Answer with special reference to at least two meta physical poets.
4. Do you observe any romantic feature in the novels of Jane Austen ? Refer to at least two of her novels to support your argument.
5. Indicate the importance of any one of the following in the history of English literature : T. S. Eliot. Thomas. J. M. Synge. Graham Greene.
6. Write short notes on any two of the following :
(a) An Apologie for Poetrie.
(b) Samson Agonistes.
(c) The Gothic Novels.
(d) The Lyrical Ballads.
(e) Socioeconomic problems as portrayed in the Victorian novels.
(f) To the Lighthouse.
Group-B
7. Why were Old Norse words so easily assimilated with Old English ? Give an account of how Old Norse words affected Old English vocabulary during the Dane Law.
8. In what why has English vocabulary developed from within Analyse the different native methods of forming new words.
9. Write philological notes on any eight of the following:
fratenity, beef, inch, dream, quartz, boomerang, devil, debt, pet, felin, royal, saloon, island, ego, vine.
Group-C
10. Coment on Shakespeare's use of parallelism and contrast in the portraiture of characters in his mature comedies, with special reference to Twelfth Night and As You Like It.
11. What is the relevance of the character of Banquo in Macbeth ? Do you find any ambiguity deliberately left in this character by Shekespeare ? If so, why ?
12. Analyse the role of Lady Macbeth on the career of Macbeth.
13. Attempt a critical assessement of any one of following :
(a) The Boy Actors.
(b) Stage Direction in the Dramas of Shakespeare's Time.
(c) Use of Blank Verse in Shakespeare's Plays.
(d) The Blackfriars Theatre.
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