18th NTRCA Weitten Exam Solution for Lecturer Post

Question 1 (Answer any two):

(a) Who were the University wits? Discuss the contribution of the University wits to English Drama.

The University Wits were a group of late 16th-century English playwrights who were educated at the universities of Oxford or Cambridge. They include Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nashe, Robert Greene, George Peele, Thomas Lodge, and John Lyly. Their contributions to English drama include the following:

• Christopher Marlowe: Introduced the use of blank verse, contributed to the development of English tragedy with plays like “Doctor Faustus.”
• Robert Greene: Known for his romantic comedies and pastoral plays such as “Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay.”
• Thomas Kyd: Credited with the development of the revenge tragedy genre, best exemplified by “The Spanish Tragedy.”
• John Lyly: Popularized prose comedy with plays like “Euphues” and “Endymion.”
• George Peele: Wrote historical and mythological plays, such as “The Arraignment of Paris.”
• Thomas Nashe: Known for his satirical works and contributions to the prose romance genre.

(b) What is “Romanticism”? Evaluate the major English romantic poets and their contributions to English romantic poetry.

Romanticism was a literary and artistic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature. Major English romantic poets include:

• William Wordsworth: Known for his nature poetry and exploration of human emotions. Key works include “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” and “The Prelude.”
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Famous for his imaginative and supernatural themes. Notable works include “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Kubla Khan.”
• Lord Byron: Known for his adventurous spirit and critique of social norms. Major works include “Don Juan” and “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”
• Percy Bysshe Shelley: Recognized for his radical ideas and lyrical poetry. Important works include “Ode to the West Wind” and “Prometheus Unbound.”
• John Keats: Celebrated for his sensual imagery and exploration of beauty. Key poems include “Ode to a Nightingale” and “To Autumn.”

(c) Discuss E.M. Forster’s symbolism with reference to the novel “A Passage to India.”

In “A Passage to India,” E.M. Forster uses symbolism to explore themes of cultural conflict and the struggle for understanding between the British colonizers and the Indian population. Key symbols include:

• The Marabar Caves: Represent the inscrutability and mystery of India, as well as the cultural and existential void that separates the characters.
• The Echo: Symbolizes the misunderstandings and miscommunications that plague the characters, reflecting the broader cultural clash.
• The Green Bird: Represents the fleeting and elusive nature of happiness and harmony.
• The Mosque, the Cave, and the Temple: These three sections of the novel symbolize different aspects of Indian society and the possibility of unity or division.

(d) Who are the major writers of the Puritan Age? Discuss “The Paradise Lost” by Milton as an epic.

Major writers of the Puritan Age include John Milton, John Bunyan, and Andrew Marvell. “Paradise Lost” by John Milton is considered one of the greatest epic poems in English literature. It follows the structure and themes of classical epics with its grand scale, invocation of the muse, and exploration of profound themes such as the fall of man, free will, and redemption. The poem is written in blank verse and includes elaborate descriptions, extended similes, and a vast array of characters, including God, Satan, Adam, and Eve.

Question 2 (Answer any two):

(a) What is a romantic comedy? Discuss “As You Like It” as a romantic comedy.

A romantic comedy is a genre of play that combines elements of romance and humor. “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare is a classic example, featuring:

• Love and Romance: The central plot revolves around the romantic entanglements of characters such as Rosalind and Orlando.
• Humor and Wit: The play is filled with witty dialogue, humorous situations, and clever wordplay.
• Happy Ending: The play concludes with multiple marriages and the resolution of conflicts.
• Pastoral Setting: The Forest of Arden provides a picturesque and idyllic backdrop, allowing characters to explore love and identity away from societal constraints.

(b) How does Shelley build up the image of the west wind as a destroyer and preserver in “Ode to the West Wind”?

In “Ode to the West Wind,” Percy Bysshe Shelley depicts the west wind as both a destroyer and a preserver through vivid imagery and dynamic language:

• Destroyer: The wind is described as driving the dead leaves and bringing storms, representing the destruction of the old and decayed.
• Preserver: The wind also carries seeds to new lands, where they will germinate in the spring, symbolizing renewal and rebirth.
• Duality: Shelley uses the wind as a metaphor for the poet’s own desire to spread his ideas and inspire change, balancing destruction with the promise of new beginnings.

(c) How does Swift portray the negative side of human life in “Gulliver’s Travels”?

In “Gulliver’s Travels,” Jonathan Swift portrays the negative aspects of human life through satire and allegory:

• Lilliputians: Represent the pettiness and triviality of human conflicts, highlighting the absurdity of political disputes.
• Brobdingnagians: Contrast with humans to expose their flaws and vices, showing the corruption and moral decay of society.
• Laputans: Critique the impracticality and detachment of intellectuals and scientists, satirizing the folly of overreliance on abstract knowledge.
• Houyhnhnms and Yahoos: Illustrate the potential for both rationality and savagery within humans, questioning the nature of humanity and the potential for degeneration.

(d) Comment on Shaw’s views on love and war in “Arms and the Man.”

In “Arms and the Man,” George Bernard Shaw critiques romanticized notions of love and war:

• Love: Shaw challenges idealized views of love through the characters’ evolving relationships, particularly the practical and realistic approach of Bluntschli compared to the romantic fantasies of Raina.
• War: The play satirizes the glorification of war, presenting it as a brutal and senseless endeavor. Bluntschli’s pragmatic view of soldiering contrasts sharply with Sergius’ naive heroism, exposing the absurdity of romanticized war ideals.

Question 3 (Write short notes on any four):

(a) Allegory: A narrative in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. Example: John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”

(b) Satire: A genre that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human vices or folly. Example: Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels.”

(c) Fable: A short story that teaches a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters. Example: Aesop’s fables.

(d) Ballad: A type of narrative poem that tells a story in simple language and often has a repeated refrain. Example: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

(e) Three Unities: The classical unities of time, place, and action that Aristotle described for drama. They dictate that a play should occur within one day (unity of time), in one location (unity of place), and follow one main plot (unity of action).

(f) Mock-epic: A satirical work that parodies the classical epic form, often to ridicule its subject. Example: Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock.”

(g) Elegy: A poem of serious reflection, typically lamenting the dead. Example: “Lycidas” by John Milton.

(h) Parable: A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Example: The parables of Jesus in the Bible.

Question 4 (Identify the figures of speech):

(a) “She was trembling like a leaf.”

• Figure of Speech: Simile
• Function: Compares trembling to a leaf, emphasizing nervousness or fear.

(b) “I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed!”

• Figure of Speech: Metaphor
• Function: Life’s challenges are depicted as thorns that cause pain, highlighting suffering.

(c) “O Judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts.”

• Figure of Speech: Apostrophe
• Function: Addressing judgment as if it were a person, lamenting the loss of rationality.

(d) “Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships.”

• Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
• Function: Exaggerates Helen of Troy’s beauty to emphasize its impact.

(e) “And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?”

• Figure of Speech: Alliteration
• Function: Repetition of the ‘t’ sound creates a musical quality.

(f) “She is an open book.”

• Figure of Speech: Metaphor
• Function: Compares a person to a book, suggesting they are easy to understand.

Question 5 (Summary):

The coconut tree is very useful. People in the tropics depend on it. They make roofs for their houses from leaves, fibers into rope, and fishing nets. The nut is the most valuable part. Farmers dry and export the nuts. It goes into various products like soap, toothpaste, and ice-cream. The shell is used for charcoal. There is milk in the coconut, which is good for drinking and feeding during wartime.

Question 6 (Write a letter):

Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper emphasizing the importance of tree plantation in this epoch of climate change.

Date : 12.06.24

The Editor

The Daily Star
64–65, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, 

Dhaka-1215

Subject: The Importance of Tree Plantation in Combating Climate Change

Dear Sir,

I am writing to highlight the crucial role of tree plantation in addressing climate change. As global temperatures rise and deforestation continues, the need for sustainable environmental practices becomes more urgent. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, and stabilize ecosystems. They also prevent soil erosion and support biodiversity.

By planting more trees, we can mitigate the effects of climate change, enhance air quality, and create healthier living conditions for future generations. I urge the community and authorities to prioritize tree plantation and conservation efforts to secure a sustainable future.

Sincerely  yours

Biplob Prodhan

OR
Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your concern about the outbreak of Dengue fever in the city.

Date : 12.06.24

The Editor

The Daily Star
64–65, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, 

Dhaka-1215]

Subject: Concern About the Outbreak of Dengue Fever

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my concern about the recent outbreak of Dengue fever in our city. The rising number of cases is alarming, and it is crucial to take immediate preventive measures. Public awareness campaigns should be intensified to educate people about the importance of maintaining cleanliness, using mosquito repellents, and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Health authorities must also ensure adequate medical facilities and resources to manage and treat Dengue patients effectively. Collective efforts from the community and authorities can help control the spread of this disease and safeguard public health.

Sincerely  yours

Biplob Prodhan

Question 7 (Change the words and make sentences):

(a) Bath (verb) – “She bathes her dog every Sunday.”

(b) Bright (adverb) – “The stars shone brightly in the night sky.”

(c) Heart (adjective) – “He is a heartfelt speaker, always touching the audience.”

(d) Enjoyment (verb) – “They enjoy the summer vacations at the beach.”

(e) Choose (noun) – “Choice is important when selecting a career.”

(f) Courage (adjective) – “Her courageous actions saved many lives.”

(g) Success (verb) – “To succeed in life, one must work hard.”

(h) Dramatic (adverb) – “He dramatically reenacted the scene for us.”

Question 8 (Complete the sentences):

(a) Scarcely had he reached the station when the train departed.

(b) A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

(c) They wash their hands and face every morning.

(d) It was five years since we last met.

(e) Had I been you, I would have taken the job.

(f) It was high time for us to start preparing.

(g) The old man walks carefully lest he should slip.

(h) The car is too costly for me to afford.