Maharashtra SSC English (Second/Third Language) Board Paper March 2025

Q.1 (A) Do as directed (Attempt any four) : (8 marks)

(1) Complete the following words by using correct letters : (2) (i) br_ve (ii) t_ach (iii) box_r (iv) fa_th

(2) Put the following words in alphabetical order : (2) (i) optimistic, bonfire, rumour, attractive (ii) potter, patter, pocket, people

(3) Punctuate the following sentences : (2) (i) the bird replied i am going to extinguish the fire. (ii) hows that said nathu

(4) Make four words (minimum of three letters each) using the letters in the word : (2) ‘Rainwater’

(5) Write the related words as shown in the example : (2) [Web diagram: centre box “Garden”; the related word “Beautiful” is printed in a box above it; four blank boxes are joined to the centre — one each on the left, on the right, below and at the bottom right.]

(6) Complete the word-chain of ‘Nouns’. Add four words, each beginning with the last letter of the previous word : (2) tiger → ................ → ................ → ................ → .................

Q.1 (B) Do as directed : (2 marks)

(1) Attempt any one : (1) (a) Make a meaningful sentence by using the phrase : ‘instead of’ OR (b) Add a clause to the following sentence to expand it meaningfully : My uncle found a baby.

(2) Attempt any one : (1) (a) Add a prefix or suffix to make new words : (i) possible (ii) appoint. OR (b) Make a meaningful sentence using any one of the following words : (i) possible (ii) appoint.

Q.2 (A) Read the following passage and do the activities : (10 marks)

A1. Write whether the following sentences are ‘True’ or ‘False’ : (2) (i) Ramlal had four sons and three daughters. (ii) The meaning of Bholi is simpleton. (iii) Bholi had an attack of smallpox. (iv) Bholi had fallen off the cot on her head.

Her name was Sulekha but since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi the simpleton.

She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.

At birth the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved. But the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.

Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong.

A2. Arrange the following sentences in the correct order of occurrence : (2) (i) Bholi had an attack of smallpox. (ii) Some part of Bholi’s brain was damaged. (iii) Bholi’s entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. (iv) Bholi had fallen off the cot on her head.

A3. Write any four describing words from the passage. (2)

A4. Do as directed : (2) (i) At birth the child was fair and pretty. (Rewrite the sentence using “not only ............. but also”). (ii) Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five. (Rewrite the sentence using “unable to”)

A5. Personal Response : (2) Smallpox is a disease. Write any other names of four diseases. Write two symptoms of any one of it.

Q.2 (B) Read the following passage and do the activities : (10 marks)

B1. Complete the sentences : (2) (i) The book, ‘Swami and Friends’ is a good read for ..................... (ii) The use of simple and short sentences adds .............................. (iii) It is also a known fact that mischievous kids are ................... (iv) R.K. Narayan is a literary ..........................

Swami and Friends is written in such simple English it is hard to imagine that it is a work of such a literary genius like R. K. Narayan. The English used in the book is both plain and simple, without any troubling words for the kids. Also the use of simple and short sentences adds to the simplicity of the book.

It is mentioned in the description that the book is about a mischievous ten year old Indian boy, and some parents may be concerned about the influence this will have on their already mischievous children. But the book is as such, that it encompasses the mischief of the kids in a view of the kid which is harmless and pure in his perspective. Also amidst all the mischief and naughtiness, we actually find that Swami is a loving and a tender kid who’s actually very sensitive. It is also a known fact that mischievous kids are the most sensitive and loving people of all. And R.K. Narayan does a great job conveying that to all of us.

So in conclusion it can be said that this book is a good read for children of all ages, who may just enjoy a good read or who may want to improve their English skills.

B2. Complete the following web : (2) [Web diagram: centre box “Qualities of Swami”; four blank boxes are joined to it — one each at the top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right.]

B3. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’ : (2)

B4. Do as directed : (2) (i) It is hard to imagine. (Make it negative without changing the meaning) (ii) R.K. Narayan does a great job conveying that to all of us. (Choose the correct question tag) (The options are given in the next question.)

B5. Personal Response : (2) Do you like reading books ? Why ?

Q.2 (B) B4. (ii) R.K. Narayan does a great job conveying that to all of us. (Choose the correct question tag)

Q.3 (A) Read the following stanzas and do the activities : (5 marks)

A1. Choose the correct alternatives : (2) (i) The poet’s father goes back early in the ........................... (morning/evening) (ii) The poet asks for seeds of .................................. (sunlight/moonlight) (iii) The whole village goes ........................... to work. (daily/weekly) (iv) The poet wants to sow seeds on the sides of the ............ (road/path)

O moon,
give me moonlight,
basketful or two baskets full,
with seeds of moonlight.
From the city to my village,
on the sides of the path
I want to sow many,
small, small moons of light.
The whole village goes to the city
daily to work.
It becomes dark on its way back
as my village is quite far.
The route is tough and full of
snakes and scorpions.
Neither bus nor cart plies.
When my father returns home
I am asleep.
And he goes back early in the morning
while I am sleeping.

A2. Describe the route in the poem from the city to village. (2)

A3. Write your own rhyming words for the following : (1) (i) light — ............................................ (ii) plies — ............................................

Q.3 (B) Appreciation of the poem : (5 marks)

Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the points given below :

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
— Robert Frost

Points : Title (½) • Name of the poet (½) • Rhyme scheme (1) • Figure of speech (any one) (1) • Theme/Central idea (in 2 to 3 lines) (2).

Q.4 (A) Read the following passage and do the activities : (10 marks)

A1. Fill in the blanks : (2) (i) Power and force are typical of the ................................. (ii) Bharata Natyam was danced as a ............................ performance by devadasis. (iii) Tandava is associated with .............................................. (iv) ........................ is the oldest and most popular dance-form of India.

What is a classical dance ? A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra is called a classical dance. The two broad aspects of classical dancing are the tandava and the lasya. Power and force are typical of the tandava; grace and delicacy, of the lasya. Tandava is associated with Shiva, and lasya with Parvati. Dance which is pure in movement is called nritta, and dance which is interpretative in nature is called nritya.

A dancer in the classical tradition has to have years of training before he or she can begin to perform on the stage.

What are the main schools of classical dancing ?

Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak.

Bharata Natyam is the oldest and most popular dance-form of India. Earlier, it was known by various names. Some called it Bharatam, some Natyam some Desi Attam and some Sadir.

The districts of Tanjore and Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu were the focal points in the development of Bharata Natyam. It was danced as a solo performance by devadasis (temple dancers) on all auspicious occasions. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it and it started shedding its purely sacred character.

A2. Complete the web diagram : (2) [Web diagram: centre box “Main schools of classical dance-forms are :”; four blank boxes are joined to it — one each at the top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right.]

A3. Find antonyms of the following words from the passage : (2) (i) Unknown × ..................... (ii) Group × ..................... (iii) Poor × ..................... (iv) Narrow × .....................

A4. Do as directed : (2) (i) Bharata Natyam is the most popular dance-form of India. (Change into positive degree) (ii) Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it. (Rewrite using “as well as”)

A5. Personal Response : (2) Write any four benefits of dancing.

Q.4 (B) Summary Writing : (5 marks)

Read the passage given in ‘Q. No. 4(A)’ and write a summary of it. Suggest a suitable title to your summary.

Q.5 (A) A1. Informal Letter : (5 marks) (alternative to A2)

Imagine you are Deepak/Deepika Pawar; residing at Gandhi Nagar, Beed. Read the following advertisement kept at the notice board of your school. Now attempt any one letter from the following :

[Advertisement : “Youth Club, Pune presents ............ • Summer Camp for Teenagers •”; Activities : Swimming and horse riding • Yoga and Zumba dance • Trekking • Fun games • Water sports; Duration : 15th April to 15th May; Special concession for groups; Fees : ₹ 1000/- per person; Contact : The manager, Youth Club, 110, M.G. Road, Pune. Cell : 7057453602; a picture of a girl rowing a boat.]

Write a letter to your friend informing him/her about this summer camp. Ask him/her to join this summer camp. Tell him/her the usefulness and advantages of this camp. • You may add your own points.

Q.5 (A) A2. Formal Letter : (5 marks) (alternative to A1)

Imagine you are Deepak/Deepika Pawar; residing at Gandhi Nagar, Beed. Read the following advertisement kept at the notice board of your school. Now attempt any one letter from the following :

[Advertisement : “Youth Club, Pune presents ............ • Summer Camp for Teenagers •”; Activities : Swimming and horse riding • Yoga and Zumba dance • Trekking • Fun games • Water sports; Duration : 15th April to 15th May; Special concession for groups; Fees : ₹ 1000/- per person; Contact : The manager, Youth Club, 110, M.G. Road, Pune. Cell : 7057453602; a picture of a girl rowing a boat.]

Write a letter to the Manager, Youth Club, Pune, requesting him/her to send the details of fees, concession, food and other facilities. • Make enquiry in detail about it. • Add your own points.

Q.5 (B) B1. Dialogue writing : (5 marks) (alternative to B2)

(a) Prepare a dialogue from the jumbled sentences : (1) (i) How do you plan your study ? (ii) Yes; of course. (iii) I wake up at 5 a.m. in the morning and study. (iv) Do you study everyday ?

(b) Complete the dialogue : (1) Aniket : Do you like pet animals ? Mahesh : .............................................................................. Aniket : Why do you like pet animals ? Mahesh : ..............................................................................

(c) Write a dialogue between Ram and Shyam on the given theme. (Minimum three meaningful exchanges). (3) “The importance of tree plantation.”

Q.5 (B) B2. Speech writing : (5 marks) (alternative to B1)

Write a speech on ‘The role of vegetables for better living’. * Use points : — Vegetables; a complete food. — Sources of Vitamins/Life supporting elements. — Available everywhere easily. — Low cost; high benefits. — Full of nutrients and energy. — Eat vegetables and live a healthy life. — Add your own points.

Q.6 (A) A1. Information Transfer — Non-verbal to verbal : (5 marks) (alternative to A2)

Read the information given in the following tree-diagram and write three short paragraphs on it. Give a suitable title to your write up.

[Tree diagram : “Means of Transportation” branches into Land, Water and Air. Land → Road : – Easily available – To remote areas – For travelling and transportation of goods → • Buses • Cars • Trucks • Carts. Land → Rail : – Cheap – Transportation of goods – Long distance journey → • Trains. Water : – Cheap – Slow – For long distance – For heavy transportation → • Ships • Boats. Air : – Costly – Fast – Transportation of expensive articles → • Aeroplanes.]

Q.6 (A) A2. Verbal to Non-verbal : (5 marks) (alternative to A1)

Read the following paragraph and complete the given table. Give a suitable title to it :

Ramesh and Radha are siblings. Both are school going children. Ramesh is 16 years old and studies in class 10. He is a good student. He likes Maths very much and spends at least three hours daily on it. He watches movies and reads books in his leisure time. He likes to eat fast food though he is aware of disadvantages of fast food. He wants to be an engineer and he is working hard to be one.

Radha is a sincere girl. She is 13 and studies in class 7. Her favourite subject is Science. She is fond of gardening and swimming too much. Most of the time, she helps her mother in cooking as she likes home-made food. She wants to become a doctor in order to help poor and needy people.

Title ..................................................................

Q.6 (B) B1. News Report : (5 marks) (alternative to B2)

Read the following headline and prepare a news report with the help of the given points : • Headline • Date-line • Introduction • Short continuing paragraph

[Headline in a box : “Five died in road accident”]

Q.6 (B) B2. Develop a story : (5 marks) (alternative to B1)

Develop a story with the help of the following beginning. Give a suitable title to your story : Once a school boy was returning from his school walking along the railway-line and he noticed .......................................................................

Q.7 Translation : (5 marks)

(a) Translate the following words into your medium of instruction (any four) : (2) (1) General (2) Arrival (3) Beggar (4) Honour (5) Paradise (6) Movement.

(b) Translate the following sentences into your medium of instruction (any two) : (2) (1) Plant more trees in the garden. (2) Everyone should take care of trees. (3) Don’t pluck the flowers. (4) Save trees, save life.

(c) Translate the following idioms/proverbs into your medium of instruction (any one) : (1) (1) Action speaks louder than words. (2) Might is right.