IGNOU BEGC-131 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU BEGC-131 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU BEGC-131 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : The peaks and valleys of the Himalaya mountain ranges are some of the most inaccessible, remote regions in the world today—but even the most isolated valleys have been touched by climate change. The changes have already complicated life for the people who live in the region. Across the high mountain region, temperatures have risen by nearly two degree Fahrenheit since the start of the 20th century. In response, glaciers are retreating, permafrost is melting and weather patterns are becoming more erratic, disrupting the lives of millions and investigating more natural disasters. For farmers growing apples or grains on steep mountain slopes, that means they have to shift their farms to higher levels, to ensure the cool seasons necessary for their crops. For other, changing patterns of snow and rain have dried up streams and springs or increased the threat of disastrous floods. At the same time, many glaciers across the region have retreated by somewhere between 20 to 47 percent since the year 2000. Glacier and snow melt feeds into rivers, sustaining their flow. As glaciers get smaller, that water supply to rivers like the Indus will likely dwindle, leaving the communities and ecological systems that rely on that water vulnerable. Changes to the glaciers also has another effect : more melt means more water pools in lakes on top of the glaciers. But those lakes are often growing so fast and hold so much water that they can—and have—burst through the rock-piles holding them back, resulting in devastating outburst floods. Questions : (a) (i) How has climate change altered the temperature in the Himalayan region ? 2 (ii) Changes in temperature have affected the Himalayan region in many ways. Mention any two. 2 (iii) Farmers in the region have been forced to adopt new practices in response to climate change. Explain any one such practice. 2 (iv) How are changes in the glaciers responsible for flooding in the region ? 2 (v) Communities and ecological systems in the Himalayan region are likely to face problems due to retreating glaciers. Explain some of these problems briefly. 3 (vi) What are the effects of changing patterns of snow and rain ? 2 (vii) Give a suitable title to the passage. 2 (b) Use the following words in sentences of your own: 5×1=5 (i) Inaccessible (ii) Dwindling (iii) Disastrous (iv) Sustain (v) Devastate

Ans. (a) (i) Climate change has altered the temperature in the Himalayan region significantly. According to the passage, temperatures across the high mountain region have risen by nearly two degrees Fahrenheit since the start of the 20th century. (ii) Two ways in which changes in temperature have affected the Himalayan region are:

• Retreating glaciers: The rise in temperature is causing the glaciers to melt and shrink in size.
• Erratic weather patterns: The weather has become more unpredictable and irregular, which disrupts life and leads to more natural disasters.

(iii) In response to climate change, farmers have been forced to adopt new practices. One such practice is that they have to

shift their farms to higher levels

on the mountain slopes. They do this to find the cool seasons that are necessary for their crops, like apples and grains, which can no longer grow properly at lower, warmer altitudes.

(iv) Changes in glaciers are responsible for flooding because the increased melting of glaciers leads to the formation of large water pools or lakes on top of them. The passage states that these lakes often grow very fast and can burst through the natural dams of rock and debris (moraines) holding them back. This sudden release of a massive volume of water results in

devastating outburst floods

downstream.

(v) Retreating glaciers pose serious problems for communities and ecological systems. Glaciers act as natural water towers, feeding rivers like the Indus. As glaciers get smaller, the water supply to these rivers will likely

dwindle, or decrease

. This will lead to

water scarcity

for millions of people in communities who depend on this water for drinking, agriculture, and daily life. Ecological systems that rely on the river’s flow will also become vulnerable and may not survive.

(vi) The effects of changing patterns of snow and rain are twofold. Firstly, they have

dried up streams and springs

, creating water shortages for local populations. Secondly, they have

increased the threat of disastrous floods

, as rainfall becomes more intense and unpredictable.

(vii) A suitable title for the passage would be:

The Impact of Climate Change on the Himalayas

.

(b)

(i)

Inaccessible:

The ancient monastery was located in an

inaccessible

part of the mountains, reachable only by a long and difficult trek.

(ii)

Dwindling:

Due to the severe drought, the community’s hope of a good harvest was rapidly

dwindling

.

(iii)

Disastrous:

The company’s decision to launch the product without proper testing had

disastrous

consequences.

(iv)

Sustain:

It is difficult to

sustain

economic growth without investing in education and infrastructure.

(v)

Devastate:

The news of the factory’s closure threatened to

devastate

the small town’s economy.

Q2. Match the words/phrases in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’: 10×1=10 Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’ (i) Demographic (a) Journey to a holy place for religious reasons (ii) Chronic (b) Happening again (iii) Pilgrimage (c) A trip on a ship or a boat taken for pleasure (iv) Cynosure of all eyes (d) Spreading from one person to another (v) Apparel (e) Very ancient (vi) Primeval (f) Conservative (vii) Cruise (g) Clothes (viii) Orthodox (h) Pertaining to the study of population (ix) Recurrence (i) Lasting a long time (x) Contagious (j) Something that strongly attracts attention

Ans.

• (i) Demographic – (h) Pertaining to the study of population
• (ii) Chronic – (i) Lasting a long time
• (iii) Pilgrimage – (a) Journey to a holy place for religious reasons
• (iv) Cynosure of all eyes – (j) Something that strongly attracts attention
• (v) Apparel – (g) Clothes
• (vi) Primeval – (e) Very ancient
• (vii) Cruise – (c) A trip on a ship or a boat taken for pleasure
• (viii) Orthodox – (f) Conservative
• (ix) Recurrence – (b) Happening again
• (x) Contagious – (d) Spreading from one person to another

Q3. Fill in the blanks/rewrite as directed : 15×1=15 (i) Why do you……….. me like this ? (Use either ‘treat’ or ‘treats’) (ii) He……….. a teacher since 1994. (Use the correct form of ‘be’) (iii) I……….. a new car last month. (Use the correct form of ‘buy’) (iv) You will ……….. your money if you do not keep it in your purse. (Use ‘lose’ or ‘loose’) (v) Everyone ……….. to be involved in finding ways to protect India’s natural resources. (Use either ‘has’ or ‘have’) (vi) ……….. you know how to make a pasta in white sauce ? (Use either ‘Do’ or ‘Does’) (vii) The chief guest will not ……….. this gift. (Use ‘accept’ or ‘except’) (viii) The new office building is under ……….. (Use the correct noun form of ‘construct’) (ix) You ……….. try this soup if you like. (Use either ‘may’ or ‘ought to’) (x) He met ……….. old friend when he went to Shimla last week. (Use the correct article) (xi) When I was a child, my grandmother would tell me ……….. story every night at bed time. (Use the correct article) (xii) Agra is famous ……….. its historical buildings. (Use the correct preposition) (xiii) The teacher will understand. You must explain the situation to him. (Rewrite as a conditional sentence) (xiv) I know her. (Rewrite changing into passive voice) (xv) The order had been delivered by him. (Rewrite changing into active voice)

Ans. (i) Why do you treat me like this? (ii) He has been a teacher since 1994. (iii) I bought a new car last month. (iv) You will lose your money if you do not keep it in your purse. (v) Everyone has to be involved in finding ways to protect India’s natural resources. (vi) Do you know how to make a pasta in white sauce? (vii) The chief guest will not accept this gift. (viii) The new office building is under construction . (ix) You may try this soup if you like. (x) He met an old friend when he went to Shimla last week. (xi) When I was a child, my grandmother would tell me a story every night at bed time. (xii) Agra is famous for its historical buildings. (xiii) If you explain the situation to the teacher, he will understand. (xiv) She is known to me. (xv) He had delivered the order.

Q4. You and your friend are planning to visit a Book Fair. Write a dialogue in about 250 words discussing it. 15

Ans. Planning a Visit to the Book Fair (A Dialogue) Amit: Hey, Riya! How are you? Have you heard that the World Book Fair is on at Pragati Maidan? Riya: Hi Amit! I’m great, thanks. And yes, I have! I am so excited to go this year. Are you planning to visit? Amit: Absolutely! I was just about to ask you the same. We should plan it together. When do you think we should go? A weekday or the weekend? Riya: I think we should go on Saturday. It might be a little more crowded than on a weekday, but the atmosphere is more vibrant. Plus, there might be some special book launches and author sessions scheduled for the weekend. Amit: Sounds like a good plan. Let’s finalize Saturday, then. Are you looking for any particular authors or genres? I’m hoping to pick up some new science fiction and historical novels. Riya: I’m on the lookout for some classic literature and poetry collections. And I’m hoping to find some good deals on books by my favourite author, Ruskin Bond. We should probably plan our budget too, or we’ll end up spending a fortune! Amit: Haha, that’s true. I’m setting aside about ₹2000. How about we travel by Metro? It’s the most convenient option. We could meet at Mandi House station and go from there. Riya: Perfect! The Metro is definitely the best choice. Let’s meet at Mandi House Metro station at 11 a.m. I’m really looking forward to it! Besides the books, we can also check out the food court there. Amit: Yes, it’s going to be a great day out. So, 11 a.m. on Saturday. Don’t be late! Riya: I won’t! See you then. Bye!

Q5. Write a letter to your friend informing about a Health Checkup Camp in your residential area. 10

Ans. B-45, Sector-12 Dwarka, New Delhi-110078 10th December 2025 My dear Ankit, I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and high spirits. I am writing to inform you about a Health Checkup Camp that our Resident Welfare Association (RWA) is organizing in our residential area. I thought this information might be useful for you and your family. The camp is scheduled for this Sunday, 15th December 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at our community centre. Doctors from some of the city’s well-known hospitals will be providing free consultations. The camp will offer a range of services, including checks for blood pressure , blood sugar levels , BMI, and a general examination by a physician. In our busy lives, we often tend to neglect our health, so this is a wonderful opportunity to get a quick check-up and seek expert advice on any health concerns. Since it is completely free of cost, I would strongly encourage you to come with your parents and make the most of it. Please give my regards to your parents. I hope to see you at the camp. Yours lovingly, Rohan

Q6. You have been invited to deliver a speech on “Strong Mind, Strong World”. Write a speech on around 250 words informing students about the importance of mental health. 15

Ans. Strong Mind, Strong World Respected Principal, esteemed teachers, and my dear friends, A very good morning to you all. Today, I stand before you to speak on a topic of immense importance: “Strong Mind, Strong World.” We often hear about the need for physical strength, but how often do we talk about the strength of our minds? The foundation of a strong person, and ultimately a strong world, is a strong mind. A ‘strong mind’ doesn’t mean being devoid of emotions. It means being resilient —having the ability to face challenges, bounce back from failures, and manage our emotions in a healthy way. As students, we all deal with academic pressure, peer pressure, and the anxieties of the future. A calm and focused mind helps us navigate these challenges effectively. When our minds are strong, we make better decisions, build healthier relationships, and contribute positively to the world around us. A person with good mental health is more empathetic, creative, and productive. Imagine if every one of us was mentally strong—how much better would our classroom, our school, and our society be? So, how can we build this mental strength? Talk to your friends, family, or teachers. Practice mindfulness or deep breathing. Make time for your hobbies, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. And most importantly, remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Just as we see a doctor for a fever, we should not hesitate to seek help for our mental well-being. Let us all pledge to prioritize our mental health. Because only when our minds are strong can we build a stronger, better world. Thank you.

Q7. Write an essay (in about 250 words) on the following topic : 15 Cultural Heritage of Indian Tribal Communities.

Ans. Cultural Heritage of Indian Tribal Communities India’s identity is a mosaic of diverse cultures, and a vital part of this mosaic is the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of its tribal communities. Often referred to as ‘Adivasis’ or indigenous people, these communities possess a unique legacy of art, traditions, and a way of life that deeply enriches the nation’s cultural tapestry. One of the most defining features of tribal heritage is its profound connection to nature . Their art forms, music, and rituals are intricately woven with their natural surroundings. For instance, the Warli painting from Maharashtra uses simple geometric shapes to depict scenes of daily life, nature, and mythology. The Dhokra art, practiced in states like Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, uses the lost-wax casting technique to create exquisite metal figurines of animals, deities, and people. These art forms are not merely decorative; they are powerful mediums of storytelling and cultural expression. The performing arts of tribal communities are a celebration of life itself. The Bihu dance of Assam is linked to the farming cycle, while the Ghoomar dance of the Bhil tribe is a spectacular display of devotion and festivity. These performances, with their colourful attire and traditional musical instruments, create a mesmerizing experience. Furthermore, their unique languages, oral traditions, and vast ecological knowledge are invaluable components of their heritage. They have practiced sustainable ways of living for generations, offering crucial lessons for the modern world grappling with environmental crises. In conclusion, the cultural heritage of India’s tribal communities is a national treasure. In the face of threats like modernization and displacement, it is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote this invaluable legacy , ensuring it continues to inspire and educate future generations.