IGNOU BEGLA-135 December 2025 Previous Year Question Paper

Q1.Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : It was a high speech of Seneca, that the good things, which belong to prosperity are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to adversity are to be admired. Certainly, if [ 2 ] BEGLA–135 miracles be the command over nature, they appear most in adversity. It is yet a higher speech of his, than the other . It is true greatness, to have i n one t he frailty of a man, and the security of a God. Th is would have done better in poesy; where transcendences are more allowed. And the poets indeed have been busy with it; for it is in effect the thing, which figure d in that strange fiction of the ancient po ets which seemed not to be wit hout mystery; nay, and to have sa me approach to the state of a Christian; that Hercules, when he we nt to unbind Prometheus, sailed the length of the great ocean, i n an earthen pot or pitcher; lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail bark of the flesh, through the waves of the wo rld. The virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity, is fortitude; which i n morals is the more heroical virtue. Prosperity is the [ 3 ] BEGLA–135 blessing of the Old Test ament, adver sity is the blessing of the New; which carrieth the greater benediction. Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David’s harp, you shall hear as many hearse-like airs as carols and the pencil of the Holy Ghost hath laboured more in describing the afflictions of job, than the felicities of Solomon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comfort and hopes. We see i n needle-works, it is more pleasing to have a lively work upon a sad and solemn ground than to have a dark and melancholy work upon a lights ome ground; judge therefore of the pleasure of the heart, by the pleasure of the eye. Answer the following questions : 5×4=20

(i) According to Seneca, what are the ‘good things’ of adver sity and ho w sho uld they be regarded ? [ 4 ] BEGLA–135

(ii) What comparison does the author make between the blessings of Old Testament and the New ?

(iii) How does the author describe the relationship between prosperity and adversity with regard to virtue ?

(iv) What does the auth or mean when he says ‘prosperity doth best discover v ice, but adversity best discover virtue ?

(v) What analogy does the author use involving needle -work to describe the effect of adversity and prosperity on the heart ?

Q2.Think of a time you helped someon e. How did it affect you and what did you learn from the experience ? Write in 250 words. 20 [ 5 ] BEGLA–135 Write about a plac e you have visited that left a lasting impression on you. What made it memorable ?

Q3.Write a spee ch to deliver on Teachers’ Day, expressing gratitude to the teacher s and reflecting on their roles in shaping students ’ future.

Q4.(a) Create a dialogue between a student and a teacher, where the student is seeking advice or how to improve their performance in class. Frame 10 turns each. 10

(b) Pick out five words with silent letters : 5 Thumb, Tiger, Knoc k, Paper , Doubt, Laptop, Salmon, Listen [ 6 ] BEGLA–135

(c) Your class has been given the opportunity to meet a professional athlete. Write five questions you could ask them about their training routine and challenges in their career.

Q5.(a) Fill in the blanks using prepositions : 10

(i) She is found reading books.

(ii) The cat jumped the table to catch the mouse.

(iii) I am looking forward .. our vacation next month.

(iv) He is not interested playing games.

(v) The children r an the park after school.

(vi) We arrived the airport just in time. [ 7 ] BEGLA–135

(vii) She is good solving problem.

(viii) The book is the sheet above the desk. (ix) They are planning to meet noon at the cafe. (x) The apologised being late.

(b) Complete the following using adverbs/adverb phrases : 5

(i) The sun was shining in the sky.

(ii) She spoke so that I could barely hear.

(iii) The train moved through the countryside.

(iv) He agreed to help he r with the assignment.

(v) The children laughed the clown’s tricks. [ 8 ] BEGLA–135

(c) Find out the correct words for the jumbled words given below : 5

(i) ARTHE

(ii) RTONIAGIM

(iii) CTUPOREM

(iv) OTNAICDEU

(v) LAPITSOH