Important Questions For All Chapters – English Class 11
Short Questions with Answers
1. Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes who invaded England in the 5th century.
2. Which languages are older than English?
Answer : Sanskrit, Persian, Greek, and Latin are older than English.
3. What does ‘Indo-European’ refer to?
Answer : It refers to a family of languages that includes English, Sanskrit, and Latin.
4. What is the origin of the word ‘English’?
Answer : It comes from the tribe called Angles.
5. Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from?
Answer : They came from regions in modern Denmark, Germany, and Holland.
6. When was the term ‘Englaland’ introduced?
Answer : Around AD 1000.
7. What did the Saxons call the natives of England?
Answer : They called them “Wealas” or foreigners.
8. What family does English belong to?
Answer : It belongs to the Indo-European family.
9. What is Anglecynn?
Answer : It means the race of the Angles.
10. What was the original name of England?
Answer : It was called Anglecynn.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. Why is English called a younger language?
Answer : English is called younger because it evolved later than ancient languages like Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. It developed from the Germanic tribes’ speech after they invaded England in the 5th century. These tribes included the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.
2. How are Germanic and Indo-European connected?
Answer : Germanic languages, including English, are part of the Indo-European family of languages. This family also includes ancient languages like Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. English evolved through the Germanic branch of this family.
3. What led to the naming of England?
Answer : England got its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes. The term “Anglecynn” meant the race of the Angles, which later became “Englaland” (land of the Angles) around AD 1000.
4. Who were the Germanic invaders?
Answer : The Germanic invaders included the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. These tribes invaded England and shaped its language and culture. The natives called them Saxons, while the invaders called the natives “Wealas.”
5. What does the diagram in the chapter explain?
Answer : The diagram shows the linguistic roots of English. It traces English back to the Indo-European family of languages, connecting it to Germanic, Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.
6. What changes occurred around AD 1000?
Answer : Around AD 1000, the term “Englaland” replaced “Anglecynn.” This change signified the development of a unified identity for the land and language of the Angles.
7. How did the Saxons influence English?
Answer : The Saxons, part of the Anglo-Saxon group, brought their Germanic language to England. Over time, their speech evolved into Old English, forming the basis of modern English.
8. What does the term ‘Englisc’ refer to?
Answer : The term “Englisc” was used by the Saxons to describe their language. It originates from the name of the Angles, showing their influence on the language’s identity.
Long Questions with Answers
1. Explain the connection between English and the Indo-European family.
Answer : English belongs to the Indo-European family of languages, which includes old languages like Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. It developed from the Germanic branch of this family. The Anglo-Saxons brought their Germanic language to England in the 5th century. This shows that English shares roots with many ancient languages.
2. Describe the role of the Anglo-Saxons in the formation of English.
Answer : The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who came to England in the 5th century. They brought their language, which became Old English and later modern English. They also gave England its name, “Anglecynn,” meaning the land of the Angles. Their language and culture shaped early England.
3. How did the name England originate and evolve?
Answer : England got its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes. It was first called “Anglecynn,” which meant the race of the Angles. Later, around AD 1000, it was called “Englaland,” meaning the land of the Angles. Over time, “Englaland” became “England,” which is the name we use today.
4. What does the chapter explain about the age of English?
Answer : English is younger than old languages like Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. It began in the 5th century when the Anglo-Saxons brought their Germanic language to England. At that time, other languages were already well-developed. English grew slowly and became part of the Indo-European family of languages.
5. What is the significance of the Germanic roots of English?
Answer : English started from the Germanic languages brought by the Anglo-Saxons. These languages were part of the Indo-European family, connecting English to ancient languages like Sanskrit and Latin. The Germanic influence is seen in English words, grammar, and structure. This shows how English developed over time from its roots.
6. Why were the Anglo-Saxons significant in English history?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxons were very important in the history of England. They brought their language, which became Old English and later modern English. They also gave England its name, “Anglecynn.” Their culture, language, and settlements shaped the early history and identity of England.
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