HSC English March 2015 Board Paper Maharashtra
Section A
(Reading Skills, Grammar, Vocabulary, Note – making and Summary)
Q1. A. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
The special school did Chaitanya a lot of good. He was now a much more confident person, adored by his teachers, his friends and his school staff. His speech improved and expression became clearer. His social manners became laudable.
Academically, he was still lagging behind the expected standard of learning but it was okey. He started developing an all- around interest in craft, art, music, dancing and sports.
Early in 1997-98, when he returned from state level inter- school sports, he had two prizes to his credit and a silver medal. He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
When I saw the prizes and read the citation Chaitanya had received, I was stupefied, in total disbelief, then- hugged him, kissed him and cried unabashedly to my heart’s content. That day, I cried for the first time out of joy and a sense of being vindicated. Without practice he had competed with approximately 1,800 children drawn from various schools all over the state. He was subsequently selected for the marathon race, but he could not participate due to a healthy problem.” May be next year, he would”, I assured myself. And I, as his proud mother, would proudly chronicle his future achievements and success to inspire other mothers of the world.
Looking back at my own life, I feel that it is the spirit with which we can accept our life gracefully is what matters ultimately; and it is love which nourishes us.
Questions.:
1. What does the extract focus on? (1)
Ans. The extract focuses on the achievements of the special child, Chaitanya.
2. How Chaitanya’s mother react when she saw the prizes? (2)
Ans. When Chaitanya’s mother saw the prizes, she was stupefied, in total disbelief. She hugged her son, kissed him and cried unabashedly to her heart’s content. She cried for the first timeout of joy and a sense of being vindicated.
3. What were Chaitanya’s achievements in sports? (2)
Ans. Chaitanya won two prizes and a silver medal at the state level inter - school sports. He also received a citation. Without any practice he had competed with about 1800 children drawn from various schools all over the state and was selected for the marathon race.
4. How can you help a special child like Chaitanya? (2)
Ans. The biggest mistake that one make when they meet someone like Chaitanya is failing to interact with him. Usually they try asking him a question but he hates questions, he won’t answer, then the person gives up. Actually we should encourage him to interact with us. We should be very supportive to them.
5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) When I saw the prizes, I was stupefied. (1)
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘No sooner…… than’)
Ans. No sooner did I see the prizes than I was stupefied.
(ii) He was still lagging behind the expected standard of learning, but it was okay. (1)
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘Although’)
Ans. Although he was still lagging behind the expected standard of learning it was okay.
(iii) He started developing an all – round interest in craft and sports. (1)
(Rewrite the sentence using infinitive form of the word underlined)
Ans. He started to develop an all round interest in craft and sports.
6. Find out the words / phrases from the extract which mean: (1)
(i) to take part in = Participate
(ii) surprised = Stupefied.
B. Grammar: Do as directed: (4)
1. One of ________ most common causes of malnutrition is ________________ unhealthy lifestyle. [Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles] (1)
Ans. One of the most common causes of malnutrition is an unhealthy lifestyle.
2. The police ___________ Monday arrested five men ____________ cheating city businessmen. [Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions] (1)
Ans. The police on Monday arrested five men for cheating city businessmen.
3. “How did you enjoy your college picnic?” said Mohini to Meena.
“It was wonderful. I can never forget it.” [Change it into indirect speech] (2)
Ans. Mohini asked Meena how she had enjoyed her college picnic. Meena replied that it was wonderful and she could never forget it.
Q2. A. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below. (11)
Once upon a time the animals decided they must do something heroic to meet the problems of a “new world” so they organized a school. They had adopted an activity curriculum consisting of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.
The duck was excellent in swimming. In fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to stay after school and also drop swimming in order to practice running. This was kept up until his webbed feet were badly worn and he was only average in swimming.
But average was acceptable in school so nobody worried about that, except the duck.
The rabbit started at the top of the class in running but had a nervous breakdown because of so much makeup work in swimming. The squirrel was excellent in climbing until he developed frustration in the flying class where his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down. He also developed a “charlie horse” from overexertion and then got a C in climbing and D in running.
The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. In the climbing class, he beat all the others to the top of the tree but insisted on using his own way to get there.
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Questions:
1. What were the special features of animal school? (1)
Ans. The special features of animal school are it organized an activity based curriculum and all the subjects were compulsory.
2. Why was the duck, an excellent swimmer, average in swimming? (2)
Ans. The duck was excellent in swimming but it was slow in running, thus he had to stay after school also drop swimming in order to practise running. Because of these reasons his webbed feet were badly worn out. Hence he has become average in swimming.
3. Why was the experience of the squirrel miserable? (2)
Ans. The experience of the squirrel was miserable because he is best in climbing until he developed frustration in the flying class where his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down. He also developed a ‘charlie horse’ from overexertion and then got a ‘C’ grade in climbing and ‘D’ grade in running.
4. What efforts will you take to score good marks in your examination? (2)
Ans. I shall understand each and every concept of my studies and then I shall begin to study. Nowadays many educational websites are available to get knowledge about the source and theme of the lessons. I shall attend all my school lectures properly and would maintain good and hygienic health, to score good marks in my examination.
5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed.
(i) The duck was excellent in swimming. (1)
(Frame a Wh – type question to get the underlined part as an answer)
Ans. What was the duck excellent in?
(ii) The duck was better than his instructor. (1)
(Change the sentence into positive degree)
Ans. The duck’s instructor was not as good as him.
(iii) The squirrel was excellent in climbing. (1)
(Mention the function of the underlined gerund.)
Ans. It is the object of the preposition ‘in’
6. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’ (1)
A
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B
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(i) valedictorian
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(a) feeling of annoyance
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(ii) frustration
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(b) dunce
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(c) school topper
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(d) validity
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(B) Note – Making. (4)
Read the following extract and complete the tree – diagram given below:
The brief, bright streaks of light in the night sky are known as meteors. Those fall all the way to the ground are called meteorites. Meteorites can be divided into three broad categories: iron, stony – iron and stony.
Iron meteorites are mostly made of metals nickel and iron. They are not very common. Nearly 50,000 years ago, an iron meteorite, Canyon Diablo, which created a crater a nearly a mile wide and 6 feet deep, known as Meteor Crater, was found in Arizona.
Stony – iron meteorites rarely land on our planet. They are made of iron – nickel alloy mixed with non – metallic matter similar to the outer layers of the earth. Such a meteorite weighing more than one and a half tons was found in Huckitta, Australia in 1924.
There are three sub – types of stony meteorites. The first is the chondrites which make up 86 percent of meteorites. Carbonaceous chondrites are another rare type of stony meteorites. The most famous of these fell in Murchison, Australia in 1969. It contains evidence that life on earth did not begin here. The last type, the anchondrites are also rare. Scientists say that such matter was once part of Mars and our own moon.
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Ans.
Q3. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (11)
Dairy farming is a major livelihood followed by many households in rural areas. This includes rearing milk cattle - cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep. There is a shortage of milk in the country as consumption in both urban and rural areas has risen sharply.
Dairying is an important source of subsidiary income to marginal farmers and agricultural labours. They play a very important role in milk production of the country. In 1986 - 87, about 73 percent of rural households owned livestock. According to the National Sample Survey of 1993 - 94, livestock sector produces regular employment to about 9.8 million persons in principal status and 8.6 million in subsidiary status, which constitute about 5 percent of the total work force.
The Manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The gas obtained by processing dung is used as a fuel for domestic purposes and also for running engines to draw water from wells. The surplus fodder and agricultural by - products are gainfully utilized for feeding the animals. Since agriculture is mostly seasonal, there is a possibility of finding employment throughout the year for many persons through dairy farming.
The milk processing industry is a small one. Only 10 percent of all the milk produced is delivered to some 400 dairy plants. A specific Indian phenomenon is the unorganized sector of milkmen and vendors, which handles around 65 - 70 percent of the national milk production. They collect milk from local producers and sell it in both urban and non - urban areas.
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Questions:
1. What is the main theme of the extract? (1)
Ans. The extract points out that how dairy farming can become a best source of income and generate employment opportunities to people.
2. How is dairy farming beneficial for farmers besides getting milk? (2)
Ans. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The gobar gas obtained by processing dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes and lastly the fuel helps to run engines and to draw water from wells. The surplus fodder and agricultural by products are used to feed animals. In this way dairy farming beneficial for farmers besides getting milk.
3. What information does the National Sample Survey of 1993 - 94 provide? (2)
Ans. The National Sample Survey of 1993 - 94 provides the information that, livestock sector produces regular employment to about 9.8 million persons in principal status and 8.6 million in subsidiary status. It constitute about 5 % of the total work force.
4. How, according to you, can dairy farming improve the financial condition of farmers? (2)
Ans. Besides getting milk from dairy farming, it also proved to be beneficial for farmers in number of other ways.
- The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields.
- The gobar gas obtained by processing dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes and lastly the fuel helps to run engines and to draw water from wells.
- The surplus fodder and agricultural by products are used to feed animals. In this way dairy farming beneficial for farmers besides getting milk.
Because of all these reasons the financial condition of farmers would improve.
5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) The gobar gas obtained by processing dung is used as fuel. (1)
(Rewrite the sentence beginning with 'People…………')
Ans. People use the gobar gas obtained from processing dung as fuel.
(ii) The consumption of milk in both urban and rural areas has risen sharply. (1)
(Rewrite the sentence using the past perfect tense)
Ans. The consumption of milk in both urban and rural areas have risen sharply.
(iii) The milk processing industry is a small one. (1)
(Make is a complex sentence)
Ans. The industry that processes milk is a small one.
6. Form the antonyms of the following words by adding prefixes. (1)
(i) fertility x infertility
(ii) possibility x impossibility
B. Summary:
Write a summary of the above extract with the help of the following points and suggest a suitable title: (4)
Dairy forming - major livelihood - income and employment source - uses of dung - uses of surplus fodder - role or unorganised sector.
Ans.
Dairy farming a best Source of Income.
Dairy farming can become a best source of income and generate employment opportunities to people. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The gobar gas obtained by processing dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes and lastly the fuel helps to run engines and to draw water from wells. The surplus fodder and agricultural by products are used to feed animals. In this way dairy farming beneficial for farmers besides getting milk. The National Sample Survey of 1993 - 94 provides the information that, livestock sector produces regular employment to about 9.8 million persons in principal status and 8.6 million in subsidiary status. It constitute about 5 % of the total work force.
Section B: Poetry
Q4. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (4)
If you do not get lowered in your own eyes.
While you raise yourself in those of others
If you do not give in to gossips and lies
Rather heed them not, saying, 'Who bothers?"
You may be the person I am looking for.
If you crave not for praise when you win
And look not for sympathy while you lose
If cheers let not your head toss or spin
And after a setback you offer no excuse.
You may be the person I am looking for.
Questions:
1. How does the poet expect us to react to winning and losing? (1)
Ans. When we would win we should not crave for praise and when we lose we should not look for sympathy is the expectation of the poet from us.
2. What efforts would you take to be a good citizens? (1)
Ans. I would take utmost care about our social problem and handle it with care to avoid major unwanted causes. I will try to handle the social media in proper way to be a good citizen.
3. Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line.
"If you do not get lowered in your own eyes while you raise yourself in those of others" (1)
Ans. Antithesis: Two opposite ideas of ‘get lowered’ and ‘raise’ are brought together for poetic effect.
4. Pick out the lines that express the expected reaction to rumours. (1)
Ans. If you do not give in to gossip and lies.
Rather heed them not, saying, ‘Who bothers?’
(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (4)
What makes a nation's pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in the battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away.
Questions:
(1) Why, according to the poet, are wealthy kingdoms unstable? (1)
Ans. According to poet wealthy kingdoms are unstable because wealthy kingdoms can be destroyed in battles.
(2) What aspects of life in India are you proud of? (1)
Ans. In a secular country like India we have freedom of speech. Unity in diversity is the main aspects of life in India in which I am proud of.
(3) Note down the pairs of rhyming words from the extract. (1)
Ans. high - defy, strong - throng, grand - sand, shock - rock.
(4) What purpose does the use of questions serve in the extract? (1)
Ans. In this poem the poet asks the readers many questions in the rhetorical manner. In this way the poet does not require answers from the readers but he can convey his message to us.
Section - C
[Rapid Reading and Composition)
Q. 5. A. Read the following extract and rewrite it from the point of view of Oliver. [4 marks]
You may begin with: I had searched for Orlando everywhere .......
Oliver told them his story. He had searched for Orlando everywhere in the forest, he said, and at last, tired and hungry, he had fallen asleep under a tree. On his way from Rosalind’s cottage, Orlando had seen his brother lying asleep. A big snake had curled round Oliver’s neck and was just going to bite him when it saw Orlando and slipped away into a bush. And then Orlando saw that a hungry lion was waiting under the same bush, ready to kill Oliver as soon as he woke up.
Orland thought of all his brother’s unkindness to him in the past. Why should he risk his own life to save his brother who had always been cruel to him? Twice he turned away to leave Oliver, but he had a kind and noble heart and at last decided that he could not leave his brother to die. So he fought the lion. The fierce animal tore and bit his arm, but he managed to kill it. Oliver, wakened by the noise of the fight, saw that Orlando was risking his own life to save him. He was filled with shame at all his past unkindness to his young brother, and he begged Orlando to forgive him.
Orlando took his brother to the Duke, who gave him food and clothes. Orlando said nothing about the wound the lion had given him, but it had been bleeding all the time, and suddenly he fell to the ground and fainted from loss of blood.
Ans. I had searched for Orlando everywhere in the forest and at last I became tired and hungry that I fell asleep under a tree. On his way from Rosalind’s cottage, Orlando saw me lying asleep. He also saw a big snake curled round my neck and was just going to bite me. But when the snake saw my brother it slipped away into a bush. He also saw that a hungry lion was waiting under the same bush, ready to kill me as soon as I woke up.
Orlando twice decided to turn away and leave me, because of the unkindness I had done to him. But he had a kind and noble heart and at last decided that he could not leave me to die. So he fought the lion. Hearing the noise I woke up and saw, how he had risked his own life to save me. Suddenly, I was filled with shame, as I had treated him very badly.
Orlando took me to the Duke, who gave me food and clothes. Orlando said nothing about the wound the lion had given him, but it had been bleeding all the time, and suddenly he fell to the found and fainted from loss of blood.
(B) Read the following extract and convert it into a continuous write-up in about 120 words: (4)
You may begin with : George flashed a pocket torch and saw the boys looking about….
(George flashes a pocket torch. The boys look about them but not so far up stage as to notice the white models, nor do they see the skull, towards which their backs are turned.)
Tom : (crossing R. C.). This is a queer place. I wonder if there’s anybody in the house.
George : You’ve picked three empty houses already, and you let us sing the whole of While Shepherds Watched outside the last one before you found out your mistake.
Tom : Well, that’s better than what you did — you picked the house where they had that bulldog.
George : (contemptuously). I wasn’t afraid of the bulldog.
Tom : No, maybe you weren’t: but I’m not sure that the savage beast hasn’t torn off a bit of young Alfie’s suit, and if he has there won’t half be a row! (Alfie fidgets nervously at the mention of his damaged suit.)
Tom : (down R.C.). How much money have we collected?
Ginger : (crossing C. to George). Let’s have a look under the light. (After counting coppers, with the aid of George’s torch.) Eightpence halfpenny.
Tom : (in a tone of disgust). Only eightpence halfpenny — between four of us —after yelling our heads off all the evening! Crikey! Money’s a bit tight round these parts, isn’t it?
George : I told you it was too early for carol-singing. It’s too soon after Guy Fawkes’ day.
(Faint distant scream off R.)
Tom : (startled). What was that?
George: What was what?
Tom : That noise — it sounded like a scream.
George: Nonsense.
Alfie : (L). Let’s go home.
Ans. George flashed a pocket torch and saw the boys looking about them. Crossing R.C. Tom wondered if there’s anybody in the house. Suddenly George told him that he had already picked three empty houses and had made them sing ‘While shepherds watched’, before he had found out his mistake. Tom replied by saying that it was better than the house with the bulldog. Suddenly George replied that he was not afraid of bulldogs. Tom recalled him that he bull dog may have torn Alfie’s new suit and once Alfie notices it, he is sure to pick up a fight. Alfie examines his sult.
Tom asked how much money they had collected. Ginger counted the pennies and announced that they had just Eight pence halfpenny. After knowing their financial position Tom was very upset, as it was a very less amount to collect after having sung all evening. Well, George told him, it was too early for carol - singing, quickly after Fawkes day was over. Suddenly to heard a loud scream, but George just passed it off as nonsense. Lastly Alfie suggested that all go home.
(B) Read the following extract and extend it by adding an imaginary paragraph of your own in about 120 words :
OR
“But your father came looking for you. Didn’t you get in touch with him?” said my mother.
“My father and I were never very close. Mother died when I was very young, and the only relative I had was a cousin in West Africa. So that’s where I went — Sierra Leone!” said Mrs Green.
“How romantic!” said my mother.
“It’s hot and steamy in Sierra Leone,” said Mrs Green. “But the climate does wonders for your libido. I lived with a wonderful black man for several years.”
“What happened to him?” I asked.
“He was killed in a tribal war,” said Mrs Green without any show of emotion. “It was a long time ago.”
“And that skeleton,” I asked. “What about the skeleton in the cupboard?”
Ans. They were much confusions about Skeletons. Suddenly Mrs. Green enquired about Skeleton. Her question and act about Skeleton is in such a way that as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not she didn’t know anything. Well, I tried to take her mind back to the time she was living here and I realised that she knew something, but wouldn't tell us. Suddenly, Mrs Green became very friendly and narrated an incident, which I am sure was untrue. She said that years ago while she lived at the hotel, she had heard a noise in the middle of the night. She quickly dressed and went to investigate, but before she could reach the landing she saw a man drag, somebody along the staircase and then she heard a door bang. She got frightened and rushed back to her room. Next morning, many guests left the hotel and a few more came. So she forgot the incident. “That”, she said, “must have been the skeleton of the ‘body’ shoved in the cupboard.”
Section – D : Written Communication
Q.6. (A) Letter – Writing :
Write any ONE of the following letters : (4)
Write any ONE of the following letters : (4)
(1) You come to know that the computer you purchased is of poor quality with blurred images. Its warranty period is not yet over. You want it to be replaced with another one. Write a letter in this regard to –
The Manager, Global Computers, Link Road, Andheri, Mumbai.
(2) You want a bonafide certificate in order to register your name in the Employment Exchange Office of your district. Write a letter of application to the Principal of your Junior College requesting him/her to issue you the same.
(B) Write on any ONE of the following items : (4)
(1) Prepare an Appeal for eye-donation with the help of the following points :
- Prepare an effective slogan.
- Use a logo / picture chart.
- Advantages of eye-donation.
- Make a persuasive appeal.
(2) The annual day gathering function was arranged in your Junior College. It was a grand function with a variety of activities like fun - fare, games and sports, cultural activities, etc. Write a report on it about 120 words.
(C) Write on any ONE of the following items : (4)
Study carefully the following pie-chart of global mango production and write a short paragraph comparing the production shares in about 120 words :
Global Mango Production
(Shares in %)
Ans. Global Mango Production.
India is the largest producer of Mangoes in the World. It contributes almost half of the total mango production in the world. It accounts for 40% of the Mangoes that are produced in the world. China is the second larger producer of mangoes. But contributes only 12 % the World’s mango production. While Mexico ranks the lowest with only 4% of mango production. Pakistan fares slightly better with 5% and Thailand competes with these countries by producing 7% of mangoes. The remaining 32% of mangoes are produced by all other countries in the world. Therefore, we can conclude that globally, India fares best in the mango production.
(2) Prepare a paragraph with an appropriate title to be used for the counter-view section on the following topic in about 120 words
‘Should SMS language be allowed in exams?’
You can take help of the following points included in the view section :
Q.7. Answer the following questions as per instructions :
(A) A college in your area is well-known for its innovative academic activities. Imagine you are a newspaper reporter and assigned to take the interview of the Principal. Frame a set of at least 8 questions regarding Teachers’ Motivation, Students’ Discipline, Academic Excellence, Extracurricular Activities, etc. (4)
(B) You intend to take part in the intercollegiate elocution contest. One of the topics therein is ‘Stop Cruelty to Animals and Birds’. Prepare a speech on it in about 100 words. (3)
