No.

of Printed Pages : 8 BEGC-131

om
B. A. (GENERAL) (BAG)
Term-End Examination

u.c
December, 2020
BEGC-131 : INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY

ur
Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100

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Note : Answer all questions in this question paper.
en
1. Read the following passage and answer the
questions given below :
m

The peaks and valleys of the Himalaya

mountain ranges are some of the most
ign

inaccessible, remote regions in the world today–

but even the most isolated valleys have been
ss

touched by climate change. The changes have

already complicated life for the people who live
UA

in the region. Across the high mountain region,

temperatures have risen by nearly two degrees.
NO

Fahrenheit since the start of the 20th century.

In response, glaciers are retreating, permafrost
IG

is melting, and weather patterns are becoming

Lot-I P. T. O.
 [2] BEGC-131

more erratic, disrupting the lives of millions

om
and instigating more natural disasters. For
farmers growing apples or grains on steep
mountain slopes, that means they have to shift

u.c
their farms to higher levels, to ensure the cool
seasons necessary for their crops. For other,

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changing patterns of snow and rain have dried
up streams and springs or increased the threat

tG
of disastrous floods. At the same time, many
en
glaciers across the region have retreated by
somewhere between 20 to 47 percent since the
m

year 2000. Glacier and snow melt feeds into

rivers, sustaining their flow. As glaciers get
ign

smaller, that water supply to rivers like the

Indus will likely dwindle, leaving the
ss

communities and ecological systems that rely

on that water vulnerable. Changes to the
UA

glaciers also has another effect : more melt

means more water pools in lakes on top of the
NO

glaciers. But those lakes are often growing so

fast and hold so much water that they can–and
IG
 [3] BEGC-131

have–burst through the rock-piles holding them

om
back, resulting in devastating outburst floods.

(A) (i) How has climate change altered the

temperature in the Himalayan

u.c
region ? 2
(ii) Changes in temperature have affected

ur
the Himalayan region in many ways.
Mention any two of them. 2

tG
(iii) Farmers in the region have been faced
to adopt new practices in response to
en
climate change. Explain any one such
practice. 2
m

(iv) Communities and ecological systems

ign

in the Himalayan region are likely to

face problems due to retreating
glaciers. Explain some of these
ss

problems briefly. 3
(v) What are the effects of changing
UA

patterns of snow and rain ? 2

(vi) How are changes in the glaciers
NO

responsible for flooding in the region ?

2
IG

(vii) Give a suitable title of this passage. 2

P. T. O.
 [4] BEGC-131

(B) Use the following words in sentences of

your own : 1×5=5

om
(i) Inaccessible
(ii) Dwindling

u.c
(iii) Disastrous
(iv) Sustain
(v) Devastate

ur
2. Match the words in Column A with their

tG
meanings in Column B : 1 × 10 = 10

Column A Column B
en
(i) Lustrous (a) clothes
m

(ii) Conservative (b) that which

cannot be
ign

overcome

(iii) Eulogise (c) loud and flashy

ss

(iv) Proliferate (d) easily damaged

or broken
UA

(v) Legendary (e) praise someone

or something
NO

(vi) Insurmountable (f) at risk of being

destroyed
IG

completely
 [5] BEGC-131

(vii) Fragile (g) famous and

om
renowned

(viii) Flamboyant (h) not liking

sudden change

u.c
(ix) Apparel (i) increase rapidly

ur
in number

(x) Endangered (j) very shiny

tG
3. (A) Fill in the blanks choosing the correct word
en
from those given below : 1 × 10 = 10

(does, have, is, are, need, particular, am, do

m

lose, loose)
ign

(i) If you are not careful, you may ............

your money.
ss

(ii) I ............ going to the cinema today.

UA

(iii) ............ your father work in the office

near your house ?
NO

(iv) I ............ not think I can come to your

house today.
IG

(v) .......... they got a school in the village ?

P. T. O.
 [6] BEGC-131

(vi) There ............ many people in this

om
class who cannot speak English
correctly.

(vii) I think this ............ the most

u.c
interesting film I have ever seen.

(viii) What we ............ is a sound approach

ur
to education ?

tG
(ix) My grandfather is very ............ about
going for his morning walk.
en
(x) That shirt is very ............ for me.

(B) (1) Complete the following sentences with

m

the correct form of the word in

ign

brackets : 1×5=5

(i) Our country .............. (be) rich in

ss

trees and wildlife.

(ii) I .............. (buy) a new car last

UA

month.

(iii) .............. (Do) you see today’s

NO

newspaper ?

(iv) I thoroughly .............. (enjoy) my

IG

visit to Kolkata last week.

 [7] BEGC-131

(v) After the test held yesterday, all

the students .............. (hand) in

om
their answer scripts.
(2) Fill in the blanks with appropriate

u.c
articles/prepositions as indicated :
1×5=5

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(i) When I was a child, my
grandmother would tell me

tG
............. story every night at bed
time. (article)
en
(ii) She narrated ............. story of the
Ramayana. (article)
m

(iii) He met ............. old friend when

ign

he went to Shimla last week.

(article)
(iv) He was born ............. a small
ss

village in Punjab. (preposition)

UA

(v) The train departs ............. 3 p.m.

(preposition)
NO

4. Write a dialogue (around 200 words) between

you and a neighbour regarding plans to
improve the green cover of your neighbourhood.
IG

10
P. T. O.
 [8] BEGC-131

5. You and your family are planning a visit to a

om
hill station during the holidays. Write a letter
to the manager of a hotel in that town
requesting accommodation for your family.

u.c
Your letter should clearly state your
requirements. 10

ur
6. You have been invited to deliver speech to a

tG
youth group in your locality. Write a speech of
about 250 words on the importance of
en
preserving the historical monuments in the
area. 15
m

7. Write an essay in about 250 words on any one

ign

of the following topics : 15

(a) “Caring for the elderly in India”

ss

(b) “Pollution in Indian cities : a serious health

hazard”
UA
NO
IG

BEGC–131
 [2] BEGC-131

scientists identify areas that are home to a

No. of Printed Pages : 12 BEGC-131
large number of species, especially those that

are under threat of extinction or are currently

B. A. GENERAL (BAG)

o m
being destroyed at a fast pace. These areas
Term-End Examination

u .c
r
which are particularly important for

u
December, 2021

G
biodiversity conservation are called biodiversity
BEGC-131 : INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY

nthotspots. There are 36 biodiversity hotspots on

Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100
e
m
our planet, and these areas are dazzling,
Note :Answer all questions in this question

i gn unique, and full of life. Plants, animals, and

s
paper.

A s other living organisms that populate these

U
1. Read the following passage and answer the

O
places are rare and many of them are only

questions given below :

G N found in these specific geographic areas. These

I
A region with a large number of species is

considered to be biodiverse. In order to

biodiversity hotspots are currently at risk of

being destroyed. Extinction is a constant force

prioritize the areas that should be protected, shaping the earth’s biodiversity. However,

P. T. O.
 [3] BEGC-131 [4] BEGC-131

today we are facing a rate of species extinction move to a more suitable habitat will likely

that is faster than has ever been seen before. become extinct. When we think about the

Plant and animal species in biodiversity future of biodiversity on earth, we need to

hotspots are currently suffering devastating

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consider the role we play in climate change. In

u .c
r
losses. Biodiversity hotspots now cover only order to protect our planet, we can start by

1.4% of the land on earth, when they originally

G u
making small changes in our daily lives. Taking

covered 12% of the land. Factors, such as

ntaction by recycling, picking up trash, being

e
m
pollution, exploitation of land, invasive species, conservative with our water consumption, and

deforestation, and climate change are the

i gn limiting pollution by walking, biking, or taking

s
leading causes of habitat loss and destruction.
s public transportation are ways that we can help

U
The fact that these factors are widespreadA the environment.

N O
creates challenges for the species that manage

I G
to survive; and with an ever-changing climate
(A) (i) What do you understand by the term

‘biodiverse region’ ? 2
and unpredictable circumstances, species that

(ii) What are biodiversity hotspots ? 2

cannot resist the changing environment or

P. T. O.
 [5] BEGC-131 [6] BEGC-131

(iii) According to the passage, the (vii) What changes can we make in

biodiversity hotspots on earth are at

our daily lives to save the
risk of being destroyed. What is the
environment ? 2
reasons for this ? 2

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(viii)

u .c
Give a suitable title to this

(iv) The passage mentions several causes

u r passage. 1
of habitat loss and destruction. What

are they ? 2
nt G
(B) Use the following words in sentences of

e
m
your own : 5×1=5

(v) How many biodiversity hotspots are

i gn (i) Priority
there on earth ? What percentage

s s
of the earth’s surface

U A
do they (ii) Conservation

O
cover ? 1+1

N
(iii) Unique

(vi) What

cannot
I G
happens

resist
to

the
species

changes
that

in
(iv) Unpredictable

(v) Devastating
environment ? 2

P. T. O.
 [7] BEGC-131 [8] BEGC-131

2. Match the words in Column A with their 3. (A) Fill in the blanks using the correct word
meanings in Column B : 10×1=10
from those given below : 10×1=10
Column A Column B
(lose, should, loose, needs, vocation,

m
(i) Biodegradable (a) Not pure

o
vacation, spot)
(ii) Dynamic (b) Long-lasting

(iii) Contaminated (c) Person with (i)

u
Every
.c Indian ................. to be

responsibility for

u r involved in protecting our natural

protecting
something

nt G resources.

(iv) Surpassed (d) Ancient

e (ii) You will ................. your money if you

(v) Custodian (e) Existing naturally

n m are not careful.

in a place

s i g (iii) He spent his ............ travelling

s
(vi) Apparel (f) Characterised by
abroad.

U A
activity or progress
(iv) This dress does not fit you perfectly;

O
(vii) Primeval (g) Moving from one

N
area to another it is very ................. around the
(viii) Durable

(ix) Migration I G (h) Exceeded

(i) Able to decay

(v)
waist.

She has decided to make medicine

naturally
her ................. .
(x) Indigenous (j) Clothes

P. T. O.
 [9] BEGC-131 [ 10 ] BEGC-131

(vi) Kovalam is a famous tourist (3) Children below five will not be

................. in Kerala. given .................. to enter the

(vii) One ................. not lead a sedentary hall by themselves. (permit)

life. (4)

o m
There is no ................. in the

(viii) Can you ................. the error in this

u .c
condition of the patient.

diagram ?

u r (improve)

(ix) A teacher ................. always support

nt G (5) Your mistakes can be easily

the weakest students in the class.

e .................. if you make an effort.

(x) I think he will ................. this game.

n m (remedy)

(B) (i) Fill in the blanks with the correct form

s i g (ii) Complete the following with the

of the word in brackets :

A s 5×1=5 appropriate articles/prepositions as

(1)
U
Our country should increase the

O
indicated : 5×1=5

N
.................. of foodgrains.

G
(1) Sri Lanka is .................. island.

(2)
I (produce)

This island is .................. with (2)

(article)

Let us discuss .................. matter

scenic beauty. (bless) seriously. (article)

P. T. O.
 [ 11 ] BEGC-131 [ 12 ] BEGC-131

(3) Which is .................. longest 6. You have been invited to make a speech to a

river in India ? (article) youth group in your locality. Write out a speech

in about 250 words on the topic “The

(4) He was born .................. a small

village in Punjab. (preposition)

o m
Importance of Regular Physical Exercise.” 15

.c
7. Write an essay (in about 250 words) on any one

u
r
(5) The bus departs .............. 3 P. M.

u
of the following topics : 15
(preposition)

nt G(i) Creative hobbies for self-development

4. You have just met a friend and you start a

e (ii) Inculcating proper eating habits in your

discussion with him/her on your favourite

n m children

sporting activities. Write out a dialogue

s i g
between the two of you on this topic about

A s
200 words.

O U 10

N
5. Write a letter to a friend in the USA inviting

G
I
him/her to spend his/her vacation in your state.

Your letter should give a description of the

major tourist attractions of your state. 10

BEGC–131

P. T. O.
 No. of Printed Pages : 7 BEGC-131

om
B.A. GENERAL (BAG)

Term-End Examination

.c
June, 2022

u ru
BEGC-131 : INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY

tG
Time : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 100

Note : Answer all questions in this questions paper.

en
1. (a) Read the following passage and answer the
m

questions given below it :

ign

The river Ganga has a unique position in

the cultural ethos of India. From time
immemorial, the Ganga has been
ss

worshipped as a sacred river and even

today it is regarded as the holiest of rivers
UA

by many Indians. Apart from its cultural

significance, the river has great
importance for the Indian economy. The
NO

densely populated Ganga basin is

inhabited by 37% of India’s population.
About 47% of the total irrigated area of the
IG

country is located in the Ganga basin.

BEGC-131 1 P.T.O.
 Most of the original natural vegetation has

om
disappeared from the Ganga basin which
was once densely forested, and the land is
now intensively cultivated to meet the

.c
needs of an ever-growing population. Wild

ru
animals are few, and the Ganga river
dolphin once found throughout the Ganga-

u
Brahmaputra basin, is considered

tG
endangered because of encroaching human
activity. Concern has grown over the
en
environmental impact of hydroelectric
dams on the river, including habitat
m
destruction for wildlife, forced relocation of
people living in the paths of dams and
ign

reservoirs and loss of agricultural land.

Of greater concern, however, has been the
ss

degradation in the quality of the river

water itself. The Ganga basin is one of the
UA

densely inhabited regions on Earth, with

the result that the river, over much of its
course, is highly polluted. The principal
NO

sources of pollution of the Ganga are

domestic and industrial wastes. Scores of
IG

cities and towns dump untreated sewage

BEGC-131 2
 into the Ganga, and dozens of

om
manufacturing facilities dump industrial
waste. High levels of disease-causing
bacteria, as well as toxic substances such

.c
as chromium, cadmium, and arsenic, have

ru
been found in the Ganga. The first step in
improving the water quality would be to

u
control the dumping of domestic and

tG
industrial waste from the numerous towns
along the river’s course.
en
Questions :

(i) Why is the river Ganga said to occupy

m
a unique position in the cultural
ethos of India ? 2
ign

(ii) According to this passage, the river

Ganga is extremely important for the
Indian economy. Why ? 2
ss

(iii) What are the main sources of

pollution of the Ganga ? 2
UA

(iv) There are numerous hydroelectric

dams on the river. What is the
NO

environmental impact of this ? 2

(v) In what way has intensive cultivation

and urbanisation affected the natural
IG

life of the Ganga basin ? 2

BEGC-131 3 P.T.O.
 (vi) What is the first step to be taken to
clean up the river Ganga ? 2

om
(vii) What are the major chemical
pollutants found in the river ? 2
(viii) Give a suitable title to this passage. 1

.c
(b) Use the following words in sentences of
your own : 51=5

ru
(i) endangered

u
(ii) habitat

tG
(iii) degradation
(iv) unique
en
(v) reverence

2. Match the words in Section A with their

m
meaning in Section B : 101=10
A B
ign

(a) Demographic (i) Introduce new ideas

(b) Chronic (ii) Bright and impressive
(c) Resplendent (iii) Referring to sound
ss

(d) Acoustic (iv) Most important

(e) Frail (v) A pleasure trip on a ship
UA

(f) Proliferate (vi) Lasting a long time

(g) Recurrence (vii) Increase rapidly in
number
NO

(h) Leading (viii) Pertaining to the study

of population
(i) Cruise (ix) Happening again
IG

(j) Innovate (x) Weak and delicate

BEGC-131 4
 3. (a) Fill in the blanks using a word from those
given below : 101=10

om
[have, do, shows, does, has, vacation, lose,
vocation, loose, might]

.c
(i) __________ your mother work in this
school ?

ru
(ii) __________ you have a pen that I can

u
borrow ?

tG
(iii) I prefer to _________ my dinner early.

(iv) My watch __________ both the date

en
and the time.

(v) __________ the chief guest arrived

m
already ?

(vi) I went to the cinema hall and

ign

watched both the morning and

afternoon __________.
ss

(vii) If you are not careful, you may ______

the documents.
UA

(viii) I have decided to make music my

__________.
NO

(ix) I hope you will enjoy your __________

in Singapore.

(x) __________ he take the metro to go to

IG

work ?

BEGC-131 5 P.T.O.
 (b) (i) Fill in the blanks with the correct form
of the word in brackets : 51=5

om
I. The new international airport
is under _________. (construct)
II. __________ the river in a small

.c
boat can be dangerous during
the rainy season. (Cross)

ru
III. Doctors were finding it
difficult to cope with so many

u
__________ people. (injure)

tG
IV. Nearly 40% of the Indian
population is __________ in the
agricultural sector. (employ)
en
V. We __________ a taxi to visit
the museum yesterday. (hire)
m
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate
articles/prepositions : 51=5
ign

I. Kalidasa was _______ greatest

poet of his time. (Article)
II. __________ Rocky Mountains
ss

are in North America. (Article)

III. You will need __________
UA

umbrella in the rainy season.

(Article)
IV. The steam engine was
NO

invented __________ James

Watt. (Preposition)
V. He was born __________ a
small village in Punjab.
IG

(Preposition)

BEGC-131 6
 4. Your friend and you are planning to go on a

om
short trip to Kashmir during the vacation. Write
out a dialogue in about 200 words where
you discuss travel plans, arrangement of
accommodation and other details with him/her. 10

.c
ru
5. Write a letter to the secretary of your residential
association requesting him/her to improve sports

u
facilities in your locality. 10

tG
6. You have been invited to deliver a speech to a
local youth group on the occasion of Earth Day.
en
Write out a speech in about 250 words on the
topic : ‘‘The Importance of Water Conservation’’. 15
m

7. Write an essay in about 250 words on any one of

ign

the following topics : 15

(a) Coping with Air Pollution in Indian Cities
(b) Classical Dance Forms of India
ss
UA
NO
IG

BEGC-131 7 P.T.O.
 No. of Printed Pages : 11 BEGC-131

om
u.c
B. A. (GENERAL) (BAG)

Term-End Examination

ur
December, 2022

tG
BEGC-131 : INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
en
Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100
m

Note : All questions are compulsory.

ign

1. Read the following passage and answer the

ss

questions given below :

UA

Ashoka, was the last major emperor of the

Mauryan dynasty of India. Following his

NO

successful but bloody conquest of the Kalinga

IG

country on the east coast, Ashoka renounced

P. T. O.
 [2] BEGC-131

armed conquest and adopted a policy that he

om
called ‘conquest by dharma’ (i.e., by principles

of right conduct). In order to gain wide publicity

u.c
for his teachings and his work, Ashoka made

them known by means of oral announcements

ur
and by engravings on rocks and pillars at

tG
suitable sites. These inscriptions—the rock
en
edicts and pillar edicts (e.g., the lion capital of

the pillar found at Sarnath, which has become

m

India’s national emblem), contain statements

ign

regarding his thoughts and actions and provide

information on his life and acts.

ss

According to his own accounts, Ashoka

UA

conquered the Kalinga country in the eighth

NO

year of his reign. The sufferings that the war

inflicted on the defeated people moved him to

IG

such remorse that he renounced armed

 [3] BEGC-131

conquests. It was at this time that he came in

om
touch with Buddhism and adopted it. Under its

influence and prompted by his own

u.c
temperament, he resolved to live according to,

and preach, dharma and to serve his subjects

ur
and all humanity.

tG
Ashoka repeatedly declared that he understood
en
dharma to be the energetic practice of the socio-

moral virtues of honesty, truthfulness,

m

compassion, mercifulness, benevolence, non-

ign

violence, considerate behaviour toward all, non-

extravagance, non-acquisitiveness, and non-

ss

injury to animals. Toward all religious sects he

UA

adopted a policy of respect and guaranteed

NO

them full freedom to live according to their own

principles. Moreover, he exhorted them to

IG

respect the creeds of others, praise the good

P. T. O.
 [4] BEGC-131

points of others, and refrain from vehement

om
adverse criticism of the viewpoints of others.

To practise dharma actively, Ashoka went out

u.c
on periodic tours preaching dharma to the rural

people and relieving their sufferings. He

ur
ordered his high officials to do the same, in

tG
addition to attending to their normal duties; he
en
exhorted administrative officers to be

constantly aware of the joys and sorrows of the

m

common folk and to be prompt and impartial in

ign

dispensing justice. A special class of high

officers, designated ‘dharma ministers’, was

ss

appointed to foster dharma work by the public,

UA

relieve suffering wherever found, and look to

NO

the special needs of women, and of people

inhabiting outlying regions. Among his works of

IG

public utility were the founding of hospitals for

 [5] BEGC-131

people and animals, the planting of roadside

om
trees and groves, the digging of wells, and the

construction of watering sheds and rest houses.

u.c
Orders were also issued for preventing cruelty

to animals.

ur
(A) (i) What was the experience that

prompted
tG Ashoka to renounce
en
armed conquests ? 2
m

(ii) What policy did Ashoka adopt after

renouncing armed conquest ? 2

ign

(iii) How did Ashoka publicize his

ss

thoughts and his message ? 2

UA

(iv) What was Ashoka’s understanding

of ‘dharma’ ? 2
NO

(v) What was Ashoka’s attitude

IG

towards other religious sects ? 2

P. T. O.
 [6] BEGC-131

(vi) What was the duty assigned to

om
‘dharma ministers’ ? 2

(vii) What were the works of public

u.c
utility taken up by Ashoka ? 2

(viii)Give a suitable title to this

ur
passage. 1

tG
(B) Use the following words in sentences of

your own : 1×5=5

en
(i) resolved
m

(ii) benevolence
ign

(iii) adverse

(iv) periodic
ss

(v) refrain
UA

2. Match the words/phrases in Column A with

their meanings in Column B : 1 × 10 = 10
NO

Column A Column B

(i) Cynosure of (a) famous and

IG

all eyes renowned

 [7] BEGC-131

(ii) Conservative (b) huge

om
(iii) Troupe (c) impressive

(iv) Striking (d) orthodox

u.c
(v) Eulogise (e) something that

ur
strongly attracts

tG
attention

(vi) Primeval (f) a group of actors

en
working together
m

(vii) Satire (g) Praise highly

ign

(viii) Legendary (h) Ancient

ss

(ix) Durable (i) a literary work

which shows the

UA

foolishness of

some practice in
NO

an amusing way
IG

(x) Voluminous (j) Long lasting

P. T. O.
 [8] BEGC-131

3. (A) Fill in the blanks/rewrite as directed :

om
1 × 15 = 15

(i) There ............... hundred students in

the class.

u.c
(Use the correct form of ‘be’)

(ii) A dozen people ................. injured in

ur
yesterday’s accident.

tG
(Use the correct form of ‘be’)

(iii) ................. your father live in Delhi ?

en
(Complete using either ‘Do’ or ‘Does’)

(iv) ............... the chief guest arrived

m

already ?
ign

(Complete using ‘Have’ or ‘Has’)

(v) What we .............. is an intelligent

ss

approach to the issue.

(Complete using ‘need’ or ‘needs’)
UA

(vi) Even the poorest child has the right

to ......... . (Correct form of ‘educate’).
NO

(vii) You may ................ the game if you

do not make an effort to play well.
IG

(Use ‘lose’ or ‘loose’)

 [9] BEGC-131

(viii) History .................. us that this was

om
once the royal palace of a great king.

(Use the correct form of ‘tell’)

(ix) Yesterday, we ................. the ferry

u.c
from the mainland to the island.

(Complete using the correct

ur
form of ‘take’)

tG
(x) If I were the Health Minister, I
.............. spend more money on
en
building hospitals. (Use the correct
word to form a conditional sentence)
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(xi) The teacher encourages students

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............... are hardworking and

sincere.

(Complete using who, which or that)

ss

(xii) You must stop smoking. You will feel

UA

better.

(Rewrite as a conditional sentence)

NO

(xiii) Beautiful dances were performed by

the artists during the festival.
IG

(Rewrite, changing into active voice)

P. T. O.
 [ 10 ] BEGC-131

(xiv) The Director called off the meeting.

om
(Rewrite, changing into passive voice)

(xv) ............... Himalayas are the highest

mountains in Asia.

u.c
(Complete using the correct article)

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4. Your friends and you are discussing your
favourite hobbies. Write out a dialogue between

tG
the two of you in about 250 words where each of
you says what makes you interested in these
en
hobbies. 15
m

5. You have just returned from a vacation in your

favourite tourist destination. Write a letter to
ign

your friend, describing your vacation. 10

6. You have been invited to make a speech on the

ss

topic : 15
UA

College Students in the Community

Your speech should be written in around

NO

250 words and should encourage college

students to take up social service work in the
IG

community.
 [ 11 ] BEGC-131

7. Write an essay (in about 250 words) on the

om
following topics : 15

“Providing improved health care facilities

u.c
to all Indians. How can we meet this

challenge.”

ur
tG
en
m
ign
ss
UA
NO

BEGC–131
IG

P. T. O.
 No. of Printed Pages : 10 BEGC-131

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u.c
B. A. (GENERAL) (BAG)

Term-End Examination

ur
June, 2023

tG
BEGC-131 : INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY

Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100

en
Note : All questions are compulsory.
m
ign

1. Read the following passage and answer the

questions given below :
ss

The Himalayas are the source of three major

UA

Indian rivers namely the Indus, the Ganga and

the Brahmaputra. Flowing for about 2,525
kilometres (km), the Ganga is the longest river
NO

in India. The Ganga basin constitutes 26 per

cent of the country‟s land mass and supports 43
IG

per cent of India‟s population. The Ganga flows

P. T. O.
 [2] BEGC-131

from the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of

om
Bengal, through some of Asia‟s most densely-
populated regions. Its river basin is more than
1 million sq. km, and home to over 650 million

u.c
people. The Ganga has the most populated river
basin in the world.

ur
The Ganga river faces a lot of serious

tG
challenges, mainly because of the fast growth of
cities, agriculture and industries in recent
en
decades. Too much water is being removed for
farming and other uses, barrages and dams
m

disrupt the Ganga‟s natural flow, and pollution

ign

from homes and industries have badly

contaminated what‟s left of this once mighty,
free-flowing river. Hundreds of millions of
ss

people and a huge range of wildlife rely on the

UA

river Ganga. But pollution, dams and removal

of too much water (mostly for agriculture) have
affected the flow and health of this vital river.
NO

One of the river‟s most at-risk animals is the

Ganga river Dolphin. There used to be tens of
IG

thousands of them, but now only around

 [3] BEGC-131

1,200-1,800 are left in the river. Biggest threats

om
to them include fishing (they‟re targetted for
their oily blubber), as well as toxic pollution,
dams and barrages in the river.

u.c
Environmental activists are now working to
encourage more sustainable water use and

ur
helping build community awareness and action

tG
to protect the river Ganga. River wildlife—
including dolphins, gharials and turtles—
en
urgently need clean and free-flowing water as
well as safe protected areas away from threats
m

on the Ganga, and environmentalists are

researching the best options to help them
ign

thrive.

Environmentalists are working with the

ss

Government of India as much as possible for

UA

sustainable impacts, supporting policy

implementation and development, and to find
new ways of sustainable water management;
NO

species monitoring and protection, and climate

change adaptation. The government of India
IG

has set up an empowered body as part of the

P. T. O.
 [4] BEGC-131

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

om
under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The
NMCG has stated its vision in terms of four
restoration pillars, namely Aviral Dhara

u.c
(continuous flow), Nirmal Dhara (unpolluted
flow), Geologic Entity (protection of geological

ur
features) and Ecological Entity (protection of
aquatic biodiversity). It is clear that the Ganga

tG
cannot be restored by only pollution-abatement
en
measures. Many of the strtegies need to
seriously integrate long-term ecological and
m
sustainability goals, and cannot simply be a
short-term move.
ign

(A) (i) The river Ganga is worshipped as a

sacred river in India. It is also
ss

extremely important for the Indian

economy. Why ? 2
UA

(ii) What are the serious challenges faced

by the Ganga in recent decades ? 2
NO

(iii) What are the factors that have

affected the flow of this great river ?
IG

2
 [5] BEGC-131

(iv) Which animal is mentioned as being

om
one of Ganga rivers most at-risk

animals ? 2

u.c
(v) What are the greatest threats faced

by this animal ? 2

ur
(vi) What actions are being taken up by

environmental activists to protect the

tG
river Ganga ? 2
en
(vii) What are the four „restoration pillars‟

envisaged the National Mission for

m

Clean Ganga ? 2
ign

(viii) Give a suitable title to this passage. 1

(B) Use the following words/phrases in

ss

sentences of your own : 1×5=5

UA

(i) disrupt

(ii) contaminate
NO

(iii) implementation

(iv) restoration
IG

(v) integrate
P. T. O.
 [6] BEGC-131

2. Match the words/phrases in Column A with

om
their meanings in Column B : 1 × 10 = 10

Column A Column B

u.c
(i) A Lion‟s Referring to
share sound

ur
(ii) Hike Spreading from

tG
one person to
another
en
(iii) Acoustically Making amends
for a wrong action
m

(iv) Atonement Along walk,

ign

usually in the
countryside
ss

(v) Recuperative Pertaining to the

UA

study of
population
NO

(vi) Contagious Helping you to

regain health
IG

after illness
 [7] BEGC-131

(vii) Demographic A large portion of

om
something

(viii) Proliferate Bright, colourful

and impressive

u.c
(ix) Tedious Increase rapidly
in number

ur
(x) Resplendent Boring and Tiring

tG
3. (A) Fill in the blanks/Rewrite as directed :
en
1 × 15 = 15

(i) A new medical discovery has been

m

................... in this week‟s „Science‟

Journal.
ign

(Use the correct form of report)

(ii) It is important to preserve the

ss

valuable cultural traditions

UA

.................. down to us by our

ancestors.
(Correct form of „hand‟)
NO

(iii) ................ he come to the University

by the metro train ?
IG

(Use „do‟ or „does‟)

P. T. O.
 [8] BEGC-131

(iv) The teacher ................ advised me to

om
read that book. (Use „have‟ or „has‟)

(v) The date in my new watch .................

u.c
automatically if I cross the
International Data Line.

ur
(Use correct form of „change‟)

(vi) Everyone ............... to be involved in

tG
finding ways
en to protect India‟s
natural resources.

(Use „have‟ or „has‟)

m

(vii) You will ............... your money if you

ign

do not keep it in your purse.

(Use „lose‟ or „loose‟)

ss

(viii) Yesterday me ............... the bus from

UA

Chennai to Bangalore.

(Correct form of „take‟)

NO

(ix) If I ............... this job offer down, I

would have regretted it all my life.
IG

(Correct form of the verb „turn‟)

 [9] BEGC-131

(x) If we ............... early, we would have

om
reached by now.

(Correct form of the verb „leave‟)

(xi) The teacher will understand. You

u.c
must explain the situation to him.
(Rewrite as one conditional sentence)

ur
(xii) Hymns are sung every evening, by

tG
the monks in the monastery.
(Change into active voice)
en
(xiii) The greatest artist of the nineteenth
century had painted this portrait.
m

(Change into passive voice)

ign

(xiv) .................. Rhine is the longest river

in Germany. (Use the correct article)
(xv) You should take ............... umbrella
ss

with you, as it might start raining.

UA

(Use the correct article)

4. Two friends have decided to spend their

NO

vacation together. Write out a dialogue (in

about 250 words) where they discuss the places
they would like to visit and other plans for the
IG

holiday. 15

P. T. O.
 [ 10 ] BEGC-131

5. Write a letter to a friend in a neighbouring

om
state inviting him/her to visit a historical
monument near your town/village. Your letter
should highlight the historical significance of

u.c
the monument. 10

6. You have been invited to make a speech to a

ur
group of school students on the topic : „Career

tG
options available for students in India today.‟
Write out the speech in around 250 words. 15
en
7. Write an essay (in about 250 words) on the
following topics : 15
m

“India‟s role in the 21st Century World.”

ign
ss
UA
NO
IG

BEGC–131 26,870