Maharashtra HSC English (Yuvakbharati) Board Paper March 2026 with Answers

Q.1 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (12 marks)

At length Soapy reached one of the avenues to the east where the glitter and turmoil was but faint. He dragged himself toward Madison Square, for the homing instinct survives even when the home is a park bench.

But, on an unusually quiet corner, Soapy came to a standstill. Here was an old church, quaint and rambling and gabled. Through one violet-stained window a soft light glowed, where, no doubt, the organist loitered over the keys, making sure of his mastery of the coming Sabbath Anthem. For there drifted out to Soapy’s ears sweet music that caught and held him transfixed against the convolutions of the iron fence.

The moon was above, full and radiant; vehicles and pedestrians were few; sparrows twittered sleepily in the eaves or a little while the scene might have been a country churchyard. And the anthem that the organist played cemented Soapy to the iron fence, for he had known it well in the days when his life contained such things as mothers and roses and ambitions and friends and immaculate thoughts and collars.

The conjunction of Soapy’s receptive state of mind and the influences about the old church brought a sudden and wonderful change in his soul. He viewed with rising horror the pit into which he had tumbled, the degraded days, unworthy desires, dead hopes, wrecked faculties and base motives that made up his existence.

And also in a moment his heart responded thrillingly to this strange mood. A strong impulse moved him to battle with his desperate fact. He would pull himself out of the mire and would make a man of himself again; he would conquer the evil that had enslaved him. There was time; he was young yet; he would resurrect his old eager ambitions and pursue them without faltering. Those solemn but sweet organ notes had set up a revolution in him. Tomorrow he would go into the roaring downtown district and find work. A fur importer had once offered him a place as driver. He would be somebody in the world. He would .....

Soapy felt a hand laid–on arm. He looked quickly around into the impassive face of a policeman.

“What are you doin’ here?” asked the officer.

“Nothin’,” said Soapy.

“Then come along,” said the policeman.

“Three months on the island,” said the Magistrate in the Police Court the next morning.

A1. Complete the given diagram expressing Soapy’s journey : (2)

A2. Soapy’s earlier life was much different from his present life. Highlight the difference in the given table : (2) [Table with two columns — Earlier life : (1) .......... (2) .......... (3) ambitious. Present life : (1) degraded days (2) .......... (3) ..........]

A3. Complete the given web highlighting the change in Soapy after listening to the sweet and solemn organ notes : (2) [Web : the centre reads “Effect of Organ Notes on Soapy”; four blank boxes.]

A4. Write about any of your decisions which made you repent later. (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(1) A fur importer had offered him a place as driver. (Choose the correct alternative to get past continuous tense as the answer of the given sentence.)
(a) A fur importer had been offering him a place as driver.
(b) A fur importer will be offering him a place as driver.
(c) A fur importer was offering him a place as driver.
(d) A fur importer has been offering him a place as driver.

(2) He would be somebody in the world. (Choose the correct alternative from the given sentences showing ‘certainty’)
(a) He must be somebody in the world.
(b) He will be somebody in the world.
(c) He should be somebody in the world.
(d) He might be somebody in the world.

A6. Vocabulary : Find the antonym of the following words from the extract : (2) (i) defeat (ii) moving

Q.1 (B) Language Study (Non-Textual Grammar) (4 marks)

B1. Do as directed : (3)

(1) Gitesh is one of the best football players in the college. (Choose the correct alternative from the given options showing the correct transformation in Positive Degree and rewrite) (1)
(a) No other football player in the college is as good as Gitesh.
(b) Very few football players in the college are as better as Gitesh.
(c) No other football player in the college is as best as Gitesh.
(d) Very few football players in the college are as good as Gitesh.

(2) No sooner does Rohit Sharma enter the ground than he gets a warm welcome. (Choose the correct alternative from the given options showing the correct use of ‘as soon as’ and rewrite) (1)
(a) As soon as Rohit Sharma had entered the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(b) As soon as Rohit Sharma have entered the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(c) As soon as Rohit Sharma enters the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(d) As soon as Rohit Sharma will enter the ground, he gets a warm welcome.

(3) Swarali said to her mother, “Did you like my sketch?” (Choose the correct alternative from the given options showing the ‘indirect speech’ form of the given sentence.) (1)
(a) Swarali told her mother that she liked her sketch.
(b) Swarali told her mother if she liked her sketch.
(c) Swarali asked her mother that she has liked her sketch.
(d) Swarali asked her mother if she had liked her sketch.

B2. Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence : (1) We did not attended the party last night.

Q.2 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (12 marks)

Family can be classified into two types: joint family and nuclear family.

In the joint family along with parents and children other members like grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. are included. In such family, socialization of children is quicker. Tasks are shared. Responsibilities are shared. Establishment of emotional bonds are common leading to mental security. Members learn adjustment. But sometimes there are conflicts and misunderstandings among family members. Children do not get complete attention from their parents.

On the contrary nuclear family consists of parents and their children. So we see flexibility in parental roles. Parents share their responsibilities. Parent child relationships are very intimate. Full attention is paid on children’s personality development. But children lack in making adjustments. Children get too much attention from their parents and so they become demanding and selfish.

Parenting styles do influence children’s behaviour. The best known research on parenting style is Diana Baumrind’s early studies of pre-school children and their parents. She proposed three parenting styles : permissive, authoritarian and authoritative.

Permissive parents are inconsistent in their behaviour. So children of such parents become dependent, immature. Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in nature. Children of such parents become unfriendly, unsocial and uninvolved. Parents provide food and shelter to their children but they neglect them and become emotionally detached. That leads to indifferent, rejecting behaviour on the part of the children.

Authoritative parents encourage independency, they set limits and goals, they are firm in their behaviour. This kind of parenting style makes children self-reliable, independent and develop social skills.

A1. State whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false statements and rewrite : (2)
(a) In the nuclear family, the members do not have close interaction among themselves.
(b) There are more conflicts and misunderstandings among family members in joint family.
(c) Flexibility of the parents has worst effect in children to make adjustments in nuclear family.
(d) The child’s physical, emotional and social development begins in school.

A2. Pick out the sentences from the extract which indicate the strict behaviour of parents affecting the children. (2)

A3. Give reasons for the following and rewrite : (2)
(a) In nuclear family children become demanding and selfish because ............
(b) Children of permissive parents become dependent and immature because ............

A4. Family plays an important role in developing your social behaviour. Write your thoughts on the given statement. (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(1) Children do not get complete attention from their parents. (Identify the correct passive voice of the above sentence from the given options and rewrite.)
(a) Complete attention do not get from their parents by the children.
(b) Complete attention from their parents does not get by the children.
(c) Complete attention from their parents is not got by the children.
(d) Complete attention from their parents are not got by the children.

(2) Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in nature. (Identify the correct Wh-question to get an underlined answer from the given options and rewrite.)
(a) What are authoritarian parents in nature?
(b) What authoritarian parents are in nature?
(c) How the authoritarian parents in nature are?
(d) How are the authoritarian parents in nature?

A6. Find the synonyms of the words given below from the extract : (2) (i) impress (ii) close

Q.2 (B) Summarising : (3 marks)

Write a ‘Summary’ of the above extract by using the following points – [Types of families — role of the parents — development of personality — socialization of behaviour]

Family can be classified into two types: joint family and nuclear family.

In the joint family along with parents and children other members like grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. are included. In such family, socialization of children is quicker. Tasks are shared. Responsibilities are shared. Establishment of emotional bonds are common leading to mental security. Members learn adjustment. But sometimes there are conflicts and misunderstandings among family members. Children do not get complete attention from their parents.

On the contrary nuclear family consists of parents and their children. So we see flexibility in parental roles. Parents share their responsibilities. Parent child relationships are very intimate. Full attention is paid on children’s personality development. But children lack in making adjustments. Children get too much attention from their parents and so they become demanding and selfish.

Parenting styles do influence children’s behaviour. The best known research on parenting style is Diana Baumrind’s early studies of pre-school children and their parents. She proposed three parenting styles : permissive, authoritarian and authoritative.

Permissive parents are inconsistent in their behaviour. So children of such parents become dependent, immature. Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in nature. Children of such parents become unfriendly, unsocial and uninvolved. Parents provide food and shelter to their children but they neglect them and become emotionally detached. That leads to indifferent, rejecting behaviour on the part of the children.

Authoritative parents encourage independency, they set limits and goals, they are firm in their behaviour. This kind of parenting style makes children self-reliable, independent and develop social skills.

Q.2 (C) Mind Mapping : (3 marks)

Prepare a mind map on ‘Competitive Exams’ using your ideas / thoughts / concepts to illustrate.

Q.3 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (10 marks)

Home again, I see him drinking weak tea,
Eating a stale chapati, reading a book.
He goes into the toilet to contemplate
Man’s estrangement from a man-made world.
Coming out he trembles at the sink,
The cold water running over his brown hands,
A few droplets cling to the greying hair on his wrists.
His sullen children have often refused to share
Jokes and secrets with him.
He will now go to sleep
Listening to the static on the radio, dreaming
Of his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking
Of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.

A1. Select and write the two statements from the given list which justify the theme of the poem : (2)
(a) The father has problems in performing daily activities.
(b) The routine of the father is explained in detail.
(c) Isolation from the society makes the father introvert.
(d) The father is lost in his own thoughts.

A2. Complete the given points about the problems and difficulties faced by the father. (2)
(a) Food : ............ ............
(b) Response of the children : ............ ............

A3. Write about the way you respond to your father when he comes home from his work. (2)

A4. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the following line : (2) ‘Man’s estrangement from a man-made world’

A5. Compose a poem of your own in about 2 to 4 lines on the topic ‘Family.’ (2)

Q.3 (B) Appreciation : (4 marks)

Read the extract and write the appreciation of the poem :

Weavers, weaving at break of day,
Why do you weave a garment so gay ? ......
Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild,
We weave the robes of a new-born child.

Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Why do you weave a garment so bright ? ........
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green.
We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.

Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight chill ......
White as a feather and white as a cloud,
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (A) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(I) Drafting a virtual message : Mr. Avinash has been invited to attend a birthday programme. His son Rohit is at college and will reach home late by evening. Mr. Avinash has to convey the same as he has to leave early and would not be able to meet his son Rohit. Draft a ‘virtual message’ in about 50 words that he would write to his son Rohit. (alternative to II and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (A) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(II) Statement of purpose : Imagine, after your HSC Exam, you wish to pursue a ‘Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts,’ with Classical Vocal Music in a reputed university in India or abroad. Prepare a ‘Statement of Purpose’ (SOP), in about 150 words which will help you to secure an admission in your dream university. (alternative to I and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (A) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(III) Group Discussion : Imagine, your class has attended a guest lecture on ‘positive thinking.’ Write a group discussion in the form of dialogues associated with this guest lecture, held among 3/4 student participants (150 words). (alternative to I and II)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (B) Attempt ‘Any One’ from the given activities : (4 marks)

(I) E-mail : Draft an ‘E-mail’ to a director of a company, requesting him/her to help, support and facilitate educational resources, teaching materials and A/V aids by some funds and sponsorship. Specify the benefits and results about your requirements (150 words). (alternative to II and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (B) Attempt ‘Any One’ from the given activities : (4 marks)

(II) Report Writing : Imagine, your class attended a lecture on ‘Self defense and Safety,’ delivered by an expert speaker. Write a report on the details of this event organised at your college in about 150 words. (alternative to I and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (B) Attempt ‘Any One’ from the given activities : (4 marks)

(III) Interview : Imagine, you have to conduct an interview of an ‘Ideal Teacher.’ With the help of the format, draft questions on the given fields. (Do not change the sequence of the questions.)

Name of the interviewee :
Field / Reputation :
Date / Venue / Time :
Duration of Interview :
Questions : Questions based on : (1) Dream (2) Mission / Vision (3) Objective (4) Early Preparation (5) Support (6) Recognition (7) Awards / Felicitations (8) Aim / Destination (alternative to I and II)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (C) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(I) Speech : Imagine, you have to deliver a speech on ‘Making Vacation Meaningful’ at a competition in your college. Draft a speech in about 150 words on the given topic. (alternative to II and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (C) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(II) Compering : Imagine, you are given the responsibility to ‘compere’ a programme by your college authorities. You need to prepare your script on the programme titled, ‘Read Literature, Enjoy Literature.’ Draft the script to decide the flow of the programme. You may take help of the given points (150 words) : — Prayer / Welcome song — Introduction of the event — Introduction of the guests — Felicitations — Activities on Literature fest — Conclusion (alternative to I and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (C) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(III) Expansion of Idea : Expand the following idea with the help of the points given below (150 words) : ‘Self discipline is self-caring’ Essential qualities : (1) Persistence / determination (2) Perseverance / hard work (3) Devotion / commitment (4) Focus / target / goal (5) Self learning (alternative to I and II)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (D) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(I) Review : You have recently watched a documentary on ‘Wildlife in India.’ Write a review on the same with the help of the following points : — Factual information, story, characters — Emotional impact — Place, event, people involved — Interview, footage, visual elements (alternative to II and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (D) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(II) Blog : Write a ‘Blog’ on ‘Proper Study Habits’ with the help of the following points (100-150 words) : — Importance — Self discipline — Titles / Quotes — Planning and organisation — Benefits and results (alternative to I and III)

Q.4 Complete the activities as per the instructions given below : (16 marks)

Q.4 (D) Attempt ‘Any One’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(III) Appeal : Prepare an ‘Appeal’ on the topic ‘From Smart Phones to Smart Habits,’ with the help of the following points (100 - 150 words) : — Engagement in smart phone and its effect — Cultivating some good habits and interests — Effect on mind and body — Healthy lifestyle (alternative to I and II)

Q.5 (A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions : (4 marks)

(I) Match the columns : (2)

(II) Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences : (2)
(a) 18th century people had ________ interest in romances and tragedies. (extreme / little / average)
(b) ________ fiction is for general entertainment in pulp magazines. (Fantastic / Realistic / Creative)
(c) ________ novel narrates the adventures of the protagonist. (Gothic / Psychological / Picaresque)
(d) ________ is the background in which the story takes place. (Plot / Setting / Conflict)

Q.5 (B) (I) Write the character sketch of Mr. Florian. (2)

Q.5 (B) (II) Miss Joseph focuses on ‘the importance of international and interracial cooperation.’ - Justify. (2)

Q.5 (C) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below : (4 marks)

(I) ‘Passepartout blamed himself for his master’s misfortune.’ Explain. (2)

Q.5 (C) (II) Describe, ‘Winning heart over money,’ as the central idea of the novel, ‘Around the World in Eighty Days.’ (2)

Q.5 (D) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below : (4 marks)

(I) According to Miss Morstan, her case was not ‘A singular case.’ Explain. (2)

Q.5 (D) (II) Prove : Although Holmes appeared reserve, he worked on the case during their journey. (2)