Maharashtra HSC English (Yuvakbharati) Board Paper March 2024 with Answers

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

This is what Camus meant when he said that “what gives value to travel is fear” — disruption, in other words, (or emancipation) from circumstance, and all the habits behind which we hide. And that is why many of us travel not in search of answers, but of better questions. I, like many people, tend to ask questions of the places I visit, and relish most the ones that ask the most searching questions back of me: “The ideal travel book,” Christopher Isherwood once said, “should be perhaps a little like a crime story in which you’re in search of something.” And it’s the best kind of something, I would add, if it’s one that you can never quite find.

I remember, in fact, after my first trips to Southeast Asia, more than a decade ago, how I would come back to my apartment in New York, and lie in my bed, kept up by something more than jet lag, playing back, in my memory, over and over, all that I had experienced, and paging wistfully through my photographs and reading and re-reading my diaries, as if to extract some mystery from them. Anyone witnessing this strange scene would have drawn the right conclusion : I was in love.

When we go abroad is that we are objects of scrutiny as much as the people we scrutinize, and we are being consumed by the cultures we consume, as much on the road as when we are at home. At the very least, we are objects of speculation (and even desire) who can seem as exotic to the people around us as they do to us.

All, in that sense, believed in “being moved” as one of the points of taking trips, and “being transported” by private as well as public means; all saw that “ecstasy” (“ex-stasis”) tells us that our highest moments come when we’re not stationary, and that epiphany can follow movement as much as it precipitates it.

A1. Read and rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are True or False : (2)
(a) A traveller may sink in love with his travel-memoirs.
(b) One gets inspected as he inspects the world around him.
(c) Quest for something may end in more mystery.
(d) Staying in comfort at home gives one more happiness than travelling.

A2. Match the persons given in column ‘A’ with opinions/characteristics given in column ‘B’ : (2)

A3. Give reasons : (2)
“We are objects of scrutiny,” because ................
(i) _____________________
(ii) _____________________

A4. “Travelling is an interesting teacher.” Write your views in 3-4 sentences. (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(i) I like to ask questions of the places I visit. (Choose the correct tense form of the above sentence from the following options and rewrite.)
(a) Simple past tense
(b) Simple present tense
(c) Past perfect tense
(d) Present perfect tense

(ii) I would come back to my apartment in New York. (Choose the correct option using ‘used to’ for the given sentence and rewrite.)
(a) I use to come back to my apartment in New York.
(b) I have used to come back to my apartment in New York.
(c) I used to come back to my apartment in New York.
(d) I had used to come back to my apartment in New York.

A6. Find out the words from passage which mean : (2) (i) reminiscence (ii) exhilaration

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

B1. Do as directed : (3)

(1) Avneesh said, “Sanchit, what are you doing in the garden at this time?” (Identify and rewrite the correct ‘indirect narration’ from the following options.) (1)
(i) Avneesh asked Sanchit what he was doing in the garden at that time.
(ii) Avneesh wanted to know from Sanchit his cause of being there in the garden.
(iii) Avneesh asked Sanchit whether he was present in the garden at that time.
(iv) Avneesh asked Sanchit whether he was doing in the garden at that time.

(2) Neeraj Chopra may not participate in the world championship due to ankle injury. (Choose the correct option from the following sentences which uses a more definite modal auxiliary.) (1)
(i) Neeraj Chopra cannot participate in the world championship due to ankle injury.
(ii) Neeraj Chopra will not participate in the world championship due to ankle injury.
(iii) Neeraj Chopra should not participate in the world championship due to ankle injury.
(iv) Neeraj Chopra might not participate in the world championship due to ankle injury.

(3) Unless you are confident, you will not succeed. (Choose the correct option from the following options to change the sentence beginning with ‘If.....’) (1)
(i) If you are confidence you will get success.
(ii) If you have confidence you will get success.
(iii) If you are confident you will not get success.
(iv) If you are not confident you will get success.

B2. Spot the error and rewrite correct sentence : (1)
He prescribe medicine alongwith a few exercises to his patients.

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

Love is a great force in private life; it is indeed the greatest of all things; but love in public affairs does not work. It has been tried again and again; by the people of the Middle Ages, and also by the French Revolution, a secular movement which reasserted the Brotherhood of Man. And it has always failed. The idea that nations should love one another, or that business concerns or marketing boards should love one another or that a man in Portugal should love a man in Peru of whom he has never heard — it is absurd, unreal, dangerous. ‘Love is what is needed,’ we chant, and then sit back and the world goes on as before. The fact is we can only love what we know personally. And we cannot know much. In public affairs, in the rebuilding of civilization, something much less dramatic and emotional is needed, namely tolerance. Tolerance is a very dull virtue. It is boring. It is negative. It merely means putting up with people, being able to stand things. No one has ever written an ode to tolerance, or raised a statute to her. Yet this is the quality which will be most needed after the war. This is the sound state of mind which we are looking for. This is the only force which will enable different races and classes and interests to settle down together to the work of reconstruction.

The world is very full of people — appallingly full; it has never been so full before, and they are all tumbling over each other. Most of these people one doesn’t know and some of them one doesn’t like. Well, what is one to do? If you don’t like people, put up with them as well as you can. Don’t try to love them; you can’t. But try to tolerate them. On the basis of that tolerance a civilized future may be built. Certainly I can see no other foundation for the post-war world.

A1. Choose two correct alternatives which define the theme of the extract : (2)
(i) Love is a greater force in private as well as in public affairs.
(ii) To rebuild civilization we need tolerance more than love.
(iii) Patience is the solution in any sort of confrontation.
(iv) When you do not like people, nations or civilizations, you need to love them to change them.

A2. Complete the following table with the help of the extract : (2)
Give one merit and one demerit of ‘Love’ and ‘Patience.’

A3. Write how we can build up a civilized society; with the help of the extract. (2)

A4. ‘Love and tolerance are the true indicators of a civilized person.’ Justify. (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(i) It has been tried again and again. (Identify the correct Active Voice of the above sentence from the given options and rewrite.)
(a) They had tried it again and again.
(b) They has tried it again and again.
(c) They tried it again and again.
(d) They have tried it again and again.

(ii) It is the sound state of mind which we are looking for. (Identify the correct simple sentence from the given options and rewrite.)
(a) It is the sound state of mind and we are looking for it.
(b) We are looking for the sound state of mind.
(c) We are looking for it but it is the sound state of mind.
(d) The sound state of mind is looked for.

A6. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’. (2)

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

Write a ‘summary’ of the above extract by using the following points.
(Love as a force — its limitations — tolerance — need of tolerance)

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

Prepare a mind map on ‘Effects of Music on Human Life’ using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate.

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

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

A1. Select and write the two statements from the given list which justify the theme of the poem. (2)
(a) The poet is blunt and direct in his expression of love.
(b) Internal beauty is as important as the external beauty.
(c) The poet is in love with lady’s outward beauty.
(d) Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder.

A2. Complete the following web describing the various aspects of the lady’s beauty. One is done for you at the centre place. (2)
[Web : the centre box reads “Lady’s beauty – a cloudless starry night”. Four boxes are joined to it, each with a heading and two blank lines : ‘her hair’ (top left), ‘her eyes’ (top right), ‘her mind’ (bottom left) and ‘her smile’ (bottom right).]

A3. Write your idea of ‘a beautiful person’ in your own words. (2)

A4. Find out and explain an example of ‘Antithesis’ from the given extract. (2)

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

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

Read the extract and write the appreciation of the poem :

They hear no sound, the swell is strong;
Though the wind hath fallen they drift along,
Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock,-
‘O Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock!’

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair;
He curst himself in his despair;
The waves rush in every side,
The ship is sinking beneath the tide.

But even in his dying fear
One dreadful sound could the Rover hear,
A sound as if with the Inchcape Bell,
The Devil below was ringing his knell.

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 : Manisha, a graduate girl, misses her college bus. Her father has gone for his regular morning walk. She needs his bike to appear for her entrance test. Draft a virtual message in about 50 words that she would write to her father. (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, you wish to pursue a degree in ‘Bachelors in Communication Skills,’ in a reputed university in India or abroad. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ (SOP) in about 150 words which will help you to get 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 “Career Development.” Write the group discussion in the form of dialogues associated with this lecture among 3 to 4 student participants. (alternative to i and ii)

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

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

(i) E-mail : Draft an E-mail to the manager of a company to request him/her to give you an opportunity as an apprentice to serve you as an experience for your career development. (alternative to ii and iii)

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

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

(ii) Report Writing : Imagine your class attended a session on “How to win?” conducted by an expert speaker. Write a report on the session especially the relevant points 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’ of the following activities : (4 marks)

(iii) Interview : Imagine you have to conduct an interview of a ‘Famous Actor.’ With the help of the format given below, 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) Motivation (2) Initial Preparation (3) Support (4) Idols / Gurus / Teachers (5) First Break (6) Public response (7) Recognition (8) Goals / Dreams (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 are preparing for an elocution competition and you wish to speak on the topic ‘Green Revolution.’ 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 ‘Cultural Fest 2024.’ Draft the script to decide the flow of the programme. You may take help of the given points.
— Prayer
— Lighting of the lamp
— Introduction
— Felicitation
— Cultural Fest Programme
— Speech of the Chief Guest
— Presidential address
— Prize distribution
— Vote of thanks (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 (100 to 150 words) :
‘Manners Maketh Man’
Essential Virtues
— Politeness
— Speech, tone, gestures and action
— To be courteous and amiable (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 read a famous book/magazine. Write a ‘Review’ on the same with the help of the following points :
— title, front page, back page
— language, features, contents
— Pictures, quality, presentation
— Values, vision and variety (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’ in a proper format on ‘Body Language’ with the help of the following points (100 to 150 words) :
• Meaning and features.
• Characteristics and scope
• Benefits / Importance
• Uses / Ways to utilize (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 ‘Traffic Rules for Safety Measures’ with the help of the following points (100 to 150 words) :
• Ignorance and lack of knowledge and information
• Purpose / need of obeyance
• Avoid accidents / need of society
• Discipline (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) The novel that bears more than one level of meaning is called _____ novel. [ Realistic / Allegorical / Historical ]
(b) _____ novel is concerned with the protagonist’s overall growth from childhood to adulthood. [ Bildungsroman / Utopian / Gothic ]
(c) _____ novel is a novel based on the author’s life. [ Epistolary / Psychological / Autobiographical ]
(d) The novel based on an imaginary community possessing the ideal qualities is called _____ novel. [ Utopian / Epistolary / Picaresque ]

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

Q.5 (B) (i) Write a character-sketch of the narrator E.R. Braithwaite in ‘To Sir With Love’. (2)

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

Q.5 (B) (ii) Consider ‘student-teacher relationship’ as one of the themes of ‘To Sir With Love’. (2)

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

Q.5 (C) (i) Appreciate Phileas Fogg as the protagonist of ‘Around the World in Eighty Days.’ (2)

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

Q.5 (C) (ii) The most interesting part of the extract ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ is its climax. Discuss. (2)

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

Q.5 (D) (i) Mary Morstan encourages Dr. Watson to get involved in her case. Justify the statement with reference to ‘The Sign of Four.’ (2)

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

Q.5 (D) (ii) Write the importance of various places such as ‘Holmes’ residence, Lyceum Theatre and unknown destination with reference to ‘The Sign of Four.’ (2)