First Mid Term Answer Key July 2026

 

Answer Key – First Mid term Exam July 2026

Questions 1-4 (score 1 each)

1. At the National Democratic Institute in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 2014.

2. The selfless love and power of a mother, or the importance of the woman in the family.

She acts as the foundation of the family. She protects her children. She provides warmth and light to her home. Without her, the home would collapse.

3. Meaning of the expression ‘pinch with sharp words’ is To speak rudely to someone. Or to use harsh words to criticize someone or verbal teasing.

4. Nomita is bold, intelligent and self-respecting woman. She hides her fiery anger behind a calm smile. Outwardly, she appears meek and harmless. But inwardly, she holds the fierce, explosive power to burn.

Questions 5-7 (score 2 each)

5. This is a famous quote from the poem "Any Woman" by Katharine Tynan. In the poem, the mother says, "I am the house from floor to roof". This means she holds the family together. She is the foundation on the bottom. She is also the roof at the top protecting them. It shows her hard work and deep love.

Another expression – “from head to toe.”, “from the beginning to end”, “From start to finish” , “From cradle to grave”, “from alpha to omega.” “From A to Z”.

6. a) Nomita, I understand why you are hurt. I admit my mistakes. Words cannot express how sorry I am for my behaviour. Please forgive...

b) Dear Nomita, “I understand that an apology sounds kind of hollow, so I want you to know that my heart has changed and I’m a better person because I’ve made this mistake and I promise you that I will never read your personal letters hereafter…”

c) Nomita, my sweetheart, "I take full responsibility for my actions. I am extremely sorry for everything I did and promise to treat you with the respect you deserve.”

7. Two ideas put forward by Christine Legarde to promote more opportunities for women in the workplace are –

i. Hiring women, providing equal pay, and offering flexible work environments to boost global economic growth.

ii. Eliminating gender gaps, Removing legal barriers in economic participation.

Questions 8 – 12 ( Any two – score 4 each)

8. “ Women deserve equality and not reservation’.

Offering everyone the same starting point is the goal of equality. Therefore, addressing the social barriers that prevent women from being equally represented in society is crucial. Here are some arguments for and against women's equality.

For – 1. Equality develops the culture of inclusion in all walks of life.

2. Equality will ensure equal wage and equal status.

3. Equality will stop discrimination.

4. Will provide more job opportunities.

 

Against – Reservation for women is a crucial tool to achieve long-term gender equality. Rather than being opposed to each other, reservations are the active steps taken to fix old unfair rules.

1. Reservation and participation of women is considered as one of the most pivotal steps towards achieving the women empowerment.

2. Reservation aims to promote social justice and social security.

3. Reservation increases female representation.

4. Reservation in education will enable quality education and increase their participation in higher education. Example – Schemes like ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ of 2015, ‘Kanya Shiksha Parvesh Utsav’ of 2022.

9. Ashapurna Debi in her short story “Matchbox" compares women to matchboxes because both appear quiet and harmless, but hold immense, hidden power. It is the same with women in their outlook. They also appear to be meek an harmless, but they can set everything to fire within no time. Like matchboxes they are not self burning, they set other things ablaze.

10. These lines appear in the poem ‘Any Women’ by Kathrine Tynan. This is a thought provoking poem in which the poet presents all embracing power of woman to hold a family together.

The above lines describe mother as the protector, a wall that shields the family from all dangers. She is compared to the door that keeps out all threats. The poem ends with the mothers prayer, She prays to Jesus to keep her alive till her children grow. The poem is in form of a dramatic monologue. The poet uses metaphors to show that the mother is the protector of the family. It highlights the role and importance of a mother in a family.

11. Majority of women in the world feel comfortable within the four walls of their home. They are not ready to take up challenging jobs to prove their ability. They are only selecting safe jobs like nursing and teaching professions. Really they are blessed with unlimited abilities. But they lack confidence to step forward. Stepping outside their comfort zone helps close this gap and this will enable them build more self-confidence. This above statement Women should step outside their comfort zones is a great call towards women for a new world. We have great women personalities like Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Kalpana Chawla and many more. Therefore, if women step outside their comfort zones, they will gain confidence, new experiences and opportunities. Their mindset will change and they will realise that fear and discomfort are just temporary. And if they dare the difference, the difference will deliver them.

12. Email

14. Speech

“Hello, everyone”

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.”

–Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Activist

Respected dignitaries on the dais and all my kindred spirits. Thank you for giving me the privilege to speak on this occasion. Today I would like to draw your attention on Women Empowerment. The topic is “the Role of Women in empowering the family and the society.’

Recently I read a speech on ‘The 3 L’s of Empowerment by Christine Lagarde. Her speech highlights three key pillars needed to unlock women's potential and boost global economies. I also read a beautiful poem ‘Any Womam’ by Katharine Tynan. Using the central metaphor of a house, the poetess illustrates that a mother is the pillar, keystone, and fire on the hearth, keeping the family bound together and shielded from danger until her children grow up. I the light of my reading I would like to share my views on the role of Women in empowering the family and the society.

First of all, we must understand the role of women. Women fulfill several essential roles within a family. They serve as nurturers, organizers of the household, and emotional centerpieces that help maintain a stable and loving environment.

Traditionally, in the male dominated society women were expected to focus primarily on household tasks and raising children. Her voice could not be heard even about the matters related to her future. She became the victim of many atrocities.

In the 21^st Century, women actively redefined her roles in society, at the workplace, and the home. Now in this rapid changing world, woman balances a professional career long with domestic responsibilities. All this happened when the doors opportunity were opened to what we call as the 3 L’s of empowerment. That is Learning, Labour and Leadership. 

Learning helped women break the shackles of exclusion. Labour facilitated women to flourish and achieve their true potential, eliminated gender gaps, increased their participation in economic activities, ave equal wage for equal work. Leadership enabled women to rise and fulfil their innate abilities and talents. They make decisions and take risks to step outside their comfort zones. All these were gained through education. Education is a powerful tool. When women learn, communities thrive.

An educated woman brings great value to her home. Knowledge helps a woman make smart choices. She can manage her home better. She also helps her children grow. Her home is an of affection. There is warmth. She binds her family with the strings of love. Decorates walls, prepares food and protects her family. Children are safe in her arms. She takes the whole responsibility on her shoulders. She prays for her children. When girls are given equal access to education and opportunities, they often outperform the boys.

There is an African adage that goes. "If you educate a boy, you train a man. If you educate a girl, you train a village". This powerful statement highlights the significance of women's education in shaping not only their own lives but also the lives of their families and communities.

Certainly, Education for girls is key to their empowerment, prosperity, development, and welfare.

Finally I would say that the role of women empowerment extends far beyond individual liberation; it serves as a foundational pillar for comprehensive societal and economic development:

With this I conclude my words.

Thank you all. Have a great day.

 15. Appreciation 

'Any Woman' by Katharine Tynan celebrates the importance of a mother in a family. The speaker compares herself to the pillars, keystone, fire, and protective walls of a house, showing that a woman is the foundation that holds the family together. 

 

The central theme of the poem is the selfless devotion of motherhood. The speaker lovingly fulfills her responsibilities and finds happiness in caring for her children.The poem emphasizes the vital role of women, especially mothers, in maintaining the unity, happiness, and stability of a family. 

The poet presents the mother as the foundation of the home, comparing herself to the pillars, the roof, the walls that support and protect a house. These powerful images show that a mother's love, care, and sacrifice hold the family together. If she leaves, the home falls apart. She is like a hearth in winter, she brings warmth and light. Without her, life is cold and sad. She is like the sacred knot in a circle that holds all the strands of her family together. Her children never go wandering because her "knot of love"never go wandering because her "knot of love". She is everything, she is the foundation on the bottom. She is also the roof at the top protecting them. She decorate the walls, prepares food and soft bed for her children. It shows her hard work and deep love. Her sincere prayer to God to let her live until her children are grown reflects her deep affection and sense of responsibility.