IGNOU BEGLA-138 June 2025 Previous Year Question Paper

Q1.Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : The Handmaid’s Tale Cars go by, black most of them, s ome grey and brown. There are other women with baskets, some in red, s ome in the dull green of the Marthas, s ome in the striped dresse s, red and blue and green and cheap and skimmy that mark the women of the poorer men. Econowives, they are called. The se women are not divided into f unctions. They have to do everything; if they can. Sometimes there is a women all in black , a widow. There used to be more of them, but they seem to be diminishing. You don’t see the commander’s wives on the sidewalks. Only in cars. The sidewalks here are cement. Like a child, I avoid stepping on the crack s. I’ m remembering my feet on the se sidewalks, in the time before, and what I used to wear on them. Sometimes it was shoes for running, with the cushioned soles and breathing holes, and stars of fluorescent fabric that reflected light in the darkness. Though I never ran at night; and in the daytime , only besides well-frequented roads. Women were not protected then. I remember the rules, rules that were never spelled out but that every woman kn ew. Don’t open you r door to a stra nger, eve n if he says he is the police. Make him slide his ID under the door. Don’t stop on the road to help a motorist pretending to be in trouble.

(i) Who are the Econowives ? 4

(ii) What are the rules which the writer is discussing for every woman in the passage ? 4

(iii) Explain the meaning of the word ‘striped’ from the passage. 3

(iv) What is the condition of sidewalks and to walk on them what writer is doing ? 3

(v) Synonym of the word ‘pretend’ is . 3

(vi) Give an appropriate term/title for the condition des cribed in the passage.

Q2.Mark the stressed syllables in the following sentences : 10

(a) Can I see you today ?

(b) Please bring me a chair.

(c) The kids are at the park.

(d) I am Brazilian.

(e) She is going to study tonight. [ 5 ]

Q3.Why is reading word by word problematic ?

Q4.Discuss the three main stages of reading.

Q5.How is intensive reading different from extensive reading ?

Q6.Discuss three major pre -reading guidelines to be followed by the reader for intermediate reading.

Q7.What is the difference between skinning and scanning ?

Q8.Explain interpretative or inferential comprehension. [ 6 ]

Q9.Seema and Kusum are close friends. Kusum is planning for movie and wants Seema to join her. Write a telephonic con versation between them.

Q10.Write a dialogue of con versation between Saumya Mishra and first applicant to be interviewed by Rahil Zafar Chief Officer of GCS (Global Consultancy Services).