Test Papers / Previous Question Papers of IGNOU DCE3 Short Story December 2005

DIPLOMA IN CREATIVE WRITING IN ENGLISH
Term-End Examination

December, 2005

DCE-3 : SHORT STORY

Time: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 100
(Weightage 70%)

SECTION A

1. What elements of fantasy should be kept in mind while writing short stories for children ? (20)

2. How does atmosphere contribute to the success of a short story ? Illustrate your answer by giving examples from a short story that you have read. (20)

3. Discuss the two forms of open-ended narrative. (20)

4. Describe the different ways in which suspense is built up in a detective story. (20)

5. Write short notes on any two of the following in about 150 - 200 words each : (10x2=20)

(a) Dialogue in a detective story

(b) Close - ended narrative

(c) Transmission of values in children's stories

(d) The basic elements of a short story

SECTION B

6. Write a short story that begins as follows : (20)

"Rajni sat in her rocking chair, facing the window. Shecould see the sun going down but she was so lost in her thoughts that she did not notice how dark it had become in the room. Her mind kept wandering to the evening, ten years back, when everything in her life had changed...."

7. Write a dialogue dramatising the exchange between any one of the following : (20)

(a) Father, who wants to get his daughter married after graduation and his daughter who wants to do B.Ed. and be economically independent.
OR
(b) A principal of a school scolding the Class X student for not being in proper school-uniform and the student defending himself.

8. Write a short story in a style of narrative of your choice about an old woman who is happy to live in an old-age home. (20)

9. Write a short story from the clues given below: (20)

(a) Five young doctors decide to open a hospital with the latest equipment in a small town.

(b) Opposition and mistrust from local quacks and the townspeople.

(c) Emergency. Patient is operated upon and saved.

(d) People happy to have medical facilities in town instead of rushing to nearby city.

10. Write a short story for children in the age group of 8 - 10 years. You may choose one of the following themes: (20)

(a) Life of a mythical hero.

(b) Brave deed of a boy who saved a child.

(c) A young child catches a thief.

(d) A dog rescues a boy from drowning.