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Reg. No. :

Question Paper Code : X 10597

B.E./B.Tech. DEgREE ExamiNaTioNs, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 AND
apRil/may 2021
second semester
Civil Engineering
hs8251 – TEChNiCal ENglish
(Common to all Except marine Engineering)
(Regulations 2017)
Time : Three Hours Maximum : 100 Marks
Answer all questions
Part – A (10×2=20 Marks)

1. Write purpose statements for any two of the following terms: (2×1=2)
a) Litmus paper b) Thermometer
c) Bunsen Burner d) Electrolysis

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of verbs. (4×½=2)

a) The bicycle and the bus _________ (a. was, b. were) my only means of
transport as a student.
b) The manager, along with the executives, _________ (a. is, b. are) expected today.
c) Seven hundred rupees _________ (a. is, b. are) a high price for a movie ticket.
d) Either Physics or Chemistry a. _________ (a. require/b. requires) a good lab
facility.

3. Change the following sentences into their passive forms. (2×1=2)

a) The researcher added 5mg of the chemical to the liquid.
b) They called off the match due to rain.

4. Complete the following conditional sentences: (2×1=2)

a) If only they had spent more time on checking the valve, _________
b) __________ you will score the highest in your college.

5. Rewrite the following as numerical adjectives: (4×½=2)

a) A camp for four days.
b) A camera with twelve mega pixel lens.
c) A road which is two hundred feet broad.
d) A race of five hundred meter distance.
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6. Match the words in column A with their synonyms in column B. (4×½=2)

Column A      Column B

a) forge protective coating of zinc
b) galvanize cover with a metal layer
c) anneal make or shape by heating
d) electroplate heat and cool slowly
soften a metal
7. Fill in the blanks with the suitable words given below: (4×½=2)
however, such as, although, on the contrary, therefore, because, moreover
There are many concerns relating to the manufacture of organic garments _________
the issue of ample water waste and the toxic chemicals used in the dyeing process.
_________ modern techniques require less water. Many still use the conventional
dyeing process _________ it is dangerous. _________ the toxic chemicals used in
the dyes have a harmful effect on not just the environment but also to the farmers
as well as the people living within the surrounding area.

8. Change the following dialogue into reported speech: (2×1=2)

Danny: Do you know that building a car takes a long time – from research, through
design and final development ?
Mala: Of course, I learnt that during my industrial visit to Ford last month.

9. Choose the appropriate word from the given options and make a compound word
for the following. (4×½=2)

vault care diesel customer safety chamber tank gas

a) A chamber filled with gas.
b) A tank where diesel is stored.
c) A vault where articles remain safe.
d) Care or support provided to customers.

10. Choose the correctly spelt words and complete the following sentences: (4×½=2)
a) The winners _________ the trophy. (recieved / received)
b) They _________ the lost jewel from the robber. (retreive / retrieve)
c) The situation was _________ by the flood. (aggravated/ agravated)
d) _________ containers were used to store the chemicals. (separate/seperate)
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Part – B (5×16=80 Marks)

Question No. 11 is compulsory:

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: (16×1=16)

The true purpose of education is to help students become independent individuals

who are able to contribute towards the betterment of the society. Thus, it is
imperative that students today develop 21st century skills such as critical thinking,
collaboration, creativity and communication. Self-learning helps instill 21st century
skills in students and prepares them for the challenges of the future.
Self-learning programmes emphasise the process of learning as the focus is on
‘how to learn’ and not ‘what to learn’. This helps students become lifelong learners,
invested in seeking knowledge and solutions to problem in all aspects of life, be
it professional or personal. Also, as students take the path of discovering new
information, indulge in critical thinking and design their own learning path, they
take full ownership of their learning.
No two individuals learn the same way. However, the education system in India
has not been able to move away from the one-size-fits all approach. Personalised
learning gives students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and space.
The important tenets of personalised learning include pursuing aspirations,
investigating problems and designing solutions to solve those, thereby producing
measurable learning outcomes. Self-learning programmes are personalised in
their approach and help students work within this framework. More often than
not, human beings forget the information they consume if they do not revisit
it at regular intervals. This is why learners are required to practise every
topic after they learn it to ensure that they retain the information completely.
Practice forms an integral part of any self-learning programme. In fact, many of
the self-learning portals have gamified the learning experience where practice
tests and assessments are presented to students in the form of quizzes or games
to keep them engaged and motivated.
Besides developing critical-thinking skills, self-learning can also help learners
gain knowledge about themselves, become aware of their interests, learn to
judge the credibility of content available on the Internet, be more open to
new perspectives, and learn to divulge information, feelings and experiences
together. Self-learning, be it independent of or dependent on the teacher, aims
to bring forth a vast change in the attitudes of students towards their learning
and life. Besides being motivated to reach their goals, they are also independent
in their actions. The role of a teacher is changed to that of a facilitator who
helps students whenever the latter needs guidance.
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A) Choose the right answer for the given questions:

1) According to the passage, the true purpose of education is
a) to make the learners self-reliant.
b) to make the learners intelligent.
c) to empower the learners.
d) to help learners get a job
2) Which type of learning inculcates 2lst century skills in students and
prepares them for the challenges of the future ?
a) technical learning
b) foreign language learning
c) self- learning
d) school-learning
3) 21st century learners need to focus more on
a) how to learn not what to learn ?
b) what to learn not how to learn ?
c) why learn not how to learn ?
d) when to learn not how to learn ?
4) Self-learning helps learners to choose what they learn and how they
learn making them
a) take ownership of the learning
b) memorise new concepts
c) dependent on teachers
d) score more marks
5) According to the passage, why should learners practise every topic after
they learn it ?
a) Human memory needs constant revision
b) Practice helps in teaching the concept
c) Practice enhances curiosity
d) Learners cannot learn new concepts
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6) By gamifying tests, self learning uses quizzes and games helping

learners
a) to finish tests quickly
b) stay motivated and interested
c) to compete with each other
d) learn better
7) In the context of the passage, the phrase ‘one size fits all’ means
a) all learners are of same size
b) all learners learn quickly
c) all learners need practice
d) all learners learn in the same way
8) Self-learners are motivated to reach their goals and they are _________
in their actions.
a) dependent
b) independent
c) confused
d) consistent
9) In the context of self-learning, teachers should
a) help learners only whenever there is a need
b) monitor them constantly
c) teach all concepts elaborately
d) constantly test the learners
10) The word ‘imperative’ in the second sentence of the passage means
a) unnecessary
b) important
c) trivial
d) modern
State if the f ollowing statements are true or false in the context of the
passage :
11) 2lst century skills prepare students for facing the challenges of the
future.
12) Self-learning can be of more use in professional rather than in personal
aspects.
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13) In personalised learning students learn anywhere and anytime.
14) Self-learners cannot judge the credibility of content available on the
Internet.
15) Teachers facilitate learning as students take ownership in self
learning.
16) The passage recommends that learners take up self-learning in addition
to traditional learning.

12. a) Gitam Industries Mangalore is looking for freshers with any engineering
degree for their new plant at Luchow to fill their Junior Engineering Executive
positions. Fresh graduates from any stream can apply for internship with their
CVs to the HR, Gitam Industries Mangalore. (16)

(OR)

b) Write a job application along with your CV for the following advertisement. (16)
Mahindra Foundations
Post: Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineering Executives
Eligibility: Freshers in B.E., B.Tech. any branch of Engineering
Site Location: Chandigarh
Salary: Negotiable
Write to: [email protected]

13. Interpret any one of the following charts and describe it elaborately in
200 words. (16)
a) People using the Airport Metro Station, Chennai.

(OR)
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b) Look at the following bar chart which describes the sales figures of products A
and B for the period from January to April in respect of a firm. Write a
paragraph presenting the information contained in it using expressions of
comparison. (16)

14. a) Write a set of eight instructions to be followed in the examination hall. (16)
(OR)
b) Write a set of eight recommendations to save water in cities. (16)

15. a) Write an essay about the problems faced by youth today due to overuse of
internet in 250 words. (16)
(OR)
b) Write an essay about the importance of extra-curricular activities during one’s
school life with examples from your own experience in 250 words. (16)
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