Certainly! Here’s a complete, detailed solution for all seven questions from your ASME-21-ENG Compulsory English Paper (based on the attached PDF), with each question and subpart answered fully as per standard exam expectations. You can copy, edit, or paste this directly into your document or PDF.
ASME-21-ENG — Complete Detailed Answer Sheet
Question 1
(a) Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections, if any. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentences.
(i) A few remarks that he made were very suggestive.
Correct: The sentence is already correct; no changes needed.
(ii) The long and short of it are that I distrust you.
Corrected: The long and short of it is that I distrust you.
Reasoning: “The long and short of it” is a singular phrase, so use “is”, not “are”.
(iii) Despite his lack of experience, nevertheless he was offered the job.
Corrected: Despite his lack of experience, he was offered the job.
Reasoning: “Despite” and “nevertheless” both express contrast; only one is needed.
(iv) The banyan is a kind of a fig tree.
Corrected: The banyan is a kind of fig tree.
Reasoning: Do not use double articles (“kind of a”); “kind of fig tree” is correct.
(v) Some were killed and others were injured badly.
Correct: The sentence is correct as written.
Reasoning: The structure is correct.
(b) Use the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets:
(i) Birds ……………. their eggs in their nests. (lay)
Answer: Birds lay their eggs in their nests.
(ii) He would come if you ……………. it. (wish)
Answer: He would come if you wished it.
(iii) I ……………. something burning. (smell)
Answer: I smell something burning.
(iv) He will wait for you until you ……………. . (reach)
Answer: He will wait for you until you reach.
(v) He thanked me for what I ……………. for him. (do)
Answer: He thanked me for what I had done for him.
(c) Change the Voice:
(i) He kept me waiting.
Passive: I was kept waiting by him.
(ii) Fear God.
Passive: God should be feared.
(iii) Don’t look down upon the poor.
Passive: The poor should not be looked down upon.
(iv) Alcohol cannot be sold without a licence.
Active: One cannot sell alcohol without a licence.
(v) What pleased him so much?
Passive: What was he so much pleased by?
(d) Change the following sentences into indirect speech:
(i) He said to his sister, “What do you want me to tell you?”
Indirect: He asked his sister what she wanted him to tell her.
(ii) His mother said, “What an idiot you are! Look what you’ve done!”
Indirect: His mother exclaimed that he was an idiot and told him to look at what he had done.
(iii) She said to her son, “Do not go to the river today. It is in flood and you may drown.”
Indirect: She advised her son not to go to the river that day because it was in flood and he might drown.
(iv) He said, “Are you in a position to help me now?”
Indirect: He asked if I was in a position to help him then.
(v) The officer said, “I must go at once.”
Indirect: The officer said that he must go at once.
Question 2
(a) Use each word in the given pairs in a different sentence to bring out their difference in meaning:
(i) sheer, shear
- She climbed the sheer cliff without any fear. (‘sheer’ = steep)
- The farmer will shear the sheep tomorrow. (‘shear’ = cut wool)
(ii) dissent, descent
- There was strong dissent among the team members regarding the decision. (‘dissent’ = disagreement)
- The helicopter made a slow descent onto the field. (‘descent’ = downward movement)
(iii) defy, deify
- Children often defy their parents’ instructions. (‘defy’ = openly resist)
- Many cultures deify their ancestors. (‘deify’ = treat as a god)
(iv) adapt, adept
- Animals adapt to their environment to survive. (‘adapt’ = adjust)
- She is adept at solving complex puzzles. (‘adept’ = skilled)
(v) choir, quire
- The church choir sang beautifully last Sunday. (‘choir’ = group of singers)
- The printer prepared several quires of paper for the ceremony. (‘quire’ = collection of sheets of paper)
(b) Use idioms/phrasal verbs in sentences to bring out their meaning clearly:
- Deal in: My uncle deals in electronic goods.
- To bury the hatchet: After years of rivalry, the two businessmen decided to bury the hatchet.
- Be in for: You are in for a big surprise at the party.
- Run through: She quickly ran through her notes before the exam.
- At large: The thief is still at large despite many efforts by the police.
- Harp on: He always harps on his achievements.
- A guinea pig: I was the guinea pig for their new cooking experiment.
- Dispose of: Please dispose of the waste responsibly.
- A pep-talk: Before the match, the coach gave the team a pep-talk.
- Make do: We’ll have to make do with what little food we have left.
Question 3
Option 1: Complaint Letter (Eve-Teasing in Bus)
To
The Deputy Commissioner,
District Office, [Enter District name]
Date: [Enter Date]
Subject: Complaint Regarding Eve-Teasing Incident in a Private Bus
Respected Sir,
I wish to bring to your attention a distressing incident of eve-teasing that occurred with me on [date] while I was travelling by a private bus from [origin] to [destination]. During the journey, a group of young men began making inappropriate remarks, passed lewd comments, and even attempted physical contact despite my protests.
Such incidents not only infringe on the safety and dignity of women but also create a climate of fear and anxiety. The psychological impact is profound, leading to trauma, lowered self-esteem, and reluctance to use public transport. Socially, it weakens the sense of justice and respect in society and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
In light of these problems, I request strict action against the perpetrators and increased vigilance in public transport. Some practical solutions may include:
- Installing CCTV cameras in public and private buses.
- Assigning police or female marshals on major routes.
- Organising regular gender-sensitisation training for drivers and staff.
- Launching awareness programmes for youth about the consequences of such acts.
I urge you to intervene and ensure safety and dignity for all women commuters in our district.
Yours sincerely,
Meet [Surname]
Option 2: Awareness Letter (Online Financial Fraud)
To
The Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Government of [State Name]
Date: [Enter Date]
Subject: Request for Awareness Measures to Prevent Online Financial Frauds
Respected Sir,
I am writing to bring to your notice an incident of financial fraud that I experienced online recently. My bank account was compromised due to a phishing email, resulting in a significant loss.
Such incidents are on the rise, with many citizens falling victim due to lack of awareness or digital literacy. Here are some steps I propose to curb the menace:
- Launching mass media campaigns warning against fraudulent links, calls, and suspicious emails.
- Introducing mandatory cyber-safety modules in school and college curricula.
- Organising workshops and training for vulnerable groups, especially senior citizens.
- Directing banks and service providers to periodically send alerts to customers about potential threats.
I hope you will take swift and effective measures so that honest citizens can engage in digital transactions safely.
Yours sincerely,
Shreya [Surname]
Question 4
Option 1: Committee Report – Market Encroachments
Chairman: Committee on Market Encroachments
Date: [Enter Date]
Report on Hurdles and Measures for Removal of Encroachments in Market Areas
Our committee studied the problem of encroachments in [district] market areas. It was found that most shop-owners and hawkers illegally occupied footpaths, parking spaces, and public utility areas, causing inconvenience to citizens and obstructing emergency services.
Major Hurdles:
- Lack of awareness or disregard for civic rules.
- Political or social resistance from local interest groups.
- Insufficient staff for regular inspection and enforcement.
- Absence of alternative vending zones.
- Threats or intimidation of municipal staff during removal drives.
Recommended Measures:
- Conduct public awareness campaigns on the negative impact of encroachments.
- Provide alternate vending zones for hawkers with basic amenities.
- Increase manpower and frequency of patrols/enforcement.
- Strict penalties for repeat offenders along with swift legal action.
- Use of technology (GIS mapping, e-notices) for monitoring.
Implementing these suggestions will improve accessibility, safety, and civic order in market areas.
Submitted by,
Chairman (Committee on Market Encroachments)
Option 2: Forest Fire Incidents Report
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Date: [Enter Date]
Subject: Report on Causes and Control Measures for Rising Forest Fires in Himachal Pradesh
Recent years have witnessed an alarming increase in forest fire incidents across Himachal Pradesh, threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.
Main Causes:
- Prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures due to climate change.
- Careless human activity (discarded cigarette butts, campfires).
- Deliberate burning for agriculture or illegal grazing.
- Accumulated dry leaves and pine needles acting as tinder.
Control Measures:
- Prevention: Awareness campaigns in villages and schools; installation of fire alert signages.
- Early Detection: Setup of forest watch-towers, rapid response teams, drone surveillance.
- Community Involvement: Volunteer fire brigades, incentivised reporting, training.
- Infrastructure: Water storage tanks and controlled fire lines (firebreaks) in prone areas.
- Timely Response: Equipping local forest offices with firefighting equipment and resources.
Long-term strategies involve afforestation with fire-resistant species and improving meteorological predictions for quicker mobilization.
With these measures, we can minimize the incidence and impact of forest fires.
Submitted by,
[Name]
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Question 5
Passage 1: Economic Progress and Moral Progress
Questions & Answers:
- According to the writer, what do people mean by material advancement?
Material advancement means economic progress, i.e., increasing wealth, comfort, and physical prosperity without limit. - According to the writer, what is real progress?
Real progress refers to moral progress, i.e., the improvement of the permanent (spiritual or ethical) elements in us. - How does the writer conclude that material progress must advance moral progress?
The writer argues that if material progress does not clash with moral progress, then both must advance together due to the law of perpetual change in the universe. - According to the writer, what is the relationship between real and economic progress?
The writer feels that both real (moral) and economic (material) progress are usually discussed together and should not be at odds; advancement in one should advance the other. - What does the writer mean by “Visible Universe”?
The “Visible Universe” refers to the physical world around us, which is always in a state of change and movement.
Passage 2: Democracy
Questions & Answers:
- What is the basic faith of those who believe in democracy?
It is the belief that the common man, given freedom and power, has enough goodwill and common sense to govern society well. - According to the writer, what qualities are essential for citizens of democracy?
Citizens must have tolerance, common sense, cooperation, and judgment. - Why can’t the uneducated people suddenly make a success of democracy?
Because successful democracy requires experience and responsibility; uneducated people lack the needed judgement and experience for self-government. - How can we attain the goal of a stable democracy?
Through gradual growth, long experience of self-government, and development of responsible citizenship qualities. - What is the ultimate goal of a democracy?
The ultimate goal is to create a new society giving the best possible opportunities for a good life to all.
Question 6
Not explicitly listed in the attachment, so skipped unless further details given.
Question 7
Précis (with Title)
Title: The Boundaries of Liberty
Liberty is both a personal and social contract. Each person is free to act and make personal choices so long as these do not affect others. In matters that concern only oneself, such as dress, habits, or preferences, one enjoys complete independence and asks no one’s permission. However, when actions begin to influence others’ rights or comfort, liberty is limited by the social contract. The freedom to enjoy one’s peculiar tastes must accommodate the collective liberty of others. For instance, practicing one’s hobby in private is permissible, but doing so publicly may infringe on others’ peace. Therefore, liberty demands consideration for others, making social harmony possible.
End