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

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

After working for all these software companies for so many years, I wanted to return to my first love i.e. to read and write on various subjects concerning human life and existence. Therefore, I gave up two offers of around 3 crore rupees per annum to become a writer. This is how my second innings as a writer in Marathi began.

After this, I have written about 34 books in Marathi. Most of them have become bestsellers with tens of thousands of copies sold for each. However, it is not the sales or the money that is important to me as much as the fact that these books have brought about very good changes in the lives of thousands of readers. After reading my autobiography ‘Musafir’ and a book on Psychology ‘Manat,’ hundreds have come out of depression and more than a dozen have given up thoughts of committing suicide and decided to start all afresh. There are hundreds who tell me that they understood the theory of relativity or Big Bang after reading my book on science ‘Kimayagar.’ My book ‘Boardroom’ on Management has created at least 20 successful entrepreneurs. Then there are hundreds who tell me that they now can understand Economic Times or NDTV Profit after reading my book on economics ‘Arthat.’ Many have turned to Mathematics after reading my book on Mathematics ‘Ganiti.’ The same is true about my books on Indian Music (Nadvedh), English Literature (Zapoorza), Painting (Canvas), Western Films (Limelight) and Western Music (Symphony) or books such as ‘Genius’ series, ‘Rakta’ or ‘Vitamins’ or ‘Anartha.’ It is these reactions of thousands of readers and the feeling that I am touching the hearts of thousands, if not lakhs, of my readers, that keeps me going.

Why am I telling you my story? When I look back, there are a number of lessons and values that I cherish and keep learning about even today. Some of these are : Thirst for knowledge, Curiosity, Humility, Humanity, Rationality, Equality, Team work, Quest for excellence, Never say die, Thinking big...

A1. Read and rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are True or False : (2)
(a) The narrator chose a career in writing over his career in software companies.
(b) The narrator’s success is determined by the sale of his books.
(c) His autobiography has proved itself as a good remedy on depression.
(d) The passage ends on a positive note.

A2. Give reasons : (2)
(i) The writer could be commercially successful because ................
(ii) The writer is telling his story to the readers because ................

A3. Interpret the following statement from the extract : (2)
“It is these reactions of thousands of readers and the feeling that I am touching the hearts of thousands of my readers, that keeps me going...”

A4. Write a few sentences about your ‘dream career.’ (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(i) I wanted to return to my first love. [‘my first love’ is underlined.] (Frame a ‘wh’ question to get the underlined part as the answer.)
(a) Where did I wanted to return?
(b) Where do I want to return?
(c) Where did I want to return?
(d) Why did I want to return?

(ii) My book ‘Boardroom’ on management has created at least 20 successful entrepreneurs. (Choose the correct passive voice form of the sentence from the options given below.)
(a) At least 20 successful entrepreneurs will be created by my book ‘Boardroom’ on management.
(b) At least 20 successful entrepreneurs have been created by my book ‘Boardroom’ on management.
(c) At least 20 successful entrepreneurs has been created by my book ‘Boardroom’ on management.
(d) At least 20 successful entrepreneurs are created by my book ‘Boardroom’ on management.

A6. Rewrite the given sentences with the appropriate word given in the bracket : (2)
(existence, management, entrepreneurs, rationally, symphony, autobiography)
(i) There is no human _____ on Mars.
(ii) _____ of emotions make a relation musical.
(iii) ‘My experiments With Truth’ is a famous _____.
(iv) Time _____ is very significant during examination.

Q.1 (B) Language Study (4 marks)

B1. Do as directed : (3)

(1) I can teach four languages including French. (Choose the correct option replacing the modal auxiliary showing ‘compulsion.’) (1)
(i) I should teach four languages including French.
(ii) I may teach four languages including French.
(iii) I must teach four languages including French.
(iv) I will teach four languages including French.

(2) Netra is always interested in school excursions. (Choose the correct Rhetorical question form of the sentence from the given options.) (1)
(i) Hasn’t Netra always been interested in school excursions?
(ii) Is Netra always interested in school excursions?
(iii) Was Netra always interested in school excursions?
(iv) Isn’t Netra always interested in school excursions?

(3) There are many people who have a desire to speak ‘correct’ English. (Choose the correct simple sentence form of the sentence from the options given below.) (1)
(i) There are many people who had a desire to speak ‘Correct’ English.
(ii) Many people have a desire to speak ‘Correct’ English.
(iii) Very few people had a desire to speak ‘Correct’ English.
(iv) Some people will have a desire to speak ‘Correct’ English.

B2. Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence : (1)
English movies has entertained the world.

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

My inspiration comes from my childhood experiences and observations of nature in rural Kenya. As I was growing up, I witnessed forests being cleared and replaced by commercial plantations, which destroyed local bio-diversity and the capacity of the forests to conserve water. In 1977, when we started the Green Belt movement, I was partly responding to the needs identified by rural women, namely lack of firewood, clean drinking water, balanced diets, shelter and income. Throughout Africa, women are the primary caretakers, holding significant responsibility for tilling the land and feeding their families. As a result, they are often the first to become aware of environmental damage as resources become scarce and they are incapable of sustaining their families.

The women we worked with recounted that, unlike in the past, they were unable to meet their basic needs. This was due to the degradation of their immediate environment as well as the introduction of commercial farming, which replaced the growing of household food crops. But international trade controlled the price of the exports from these small-scale farmers, and a reasonable and just income could not be guaranteed. I came to understand that when the environment is destroyed, plundered or mismanaged, we undermine the quality of our life and that of future generations.

Tree planting became a natural choice to address some of the initial basic needs identified by women. Also, tree planting is simple, attainable and guarantees quick, successful results within a reasonable amount of time. This sustains interest and commitment. Together, we have planted over 30 million trees that provide fuel, food, shelter, and income to support our children’s education and household needs. The activity also creates employment and improves soil and watersheds.

Initially, the work was difficult because they were unaware that a degraded environment leads to a scramble for scarce resources and may culminate in poverty and even conflict. They were also unaware of the injustices of international economic arrangements. Later, they became aware of the widespread destruction of the ecosystems, especially through deforestation, climatic instability and contamination of the soil and waters - all contributed to excruciating poverty and subsequent riots.

A1. Complete the web diagram on ‘the impacts of environmental degradation’ : (2)
[Web diagram : the centre box reads “Impacts of Environmental degradation”, with arrows to four blank boxes (top, bottom, left and right).]

A2. Provide the supporting details from the extract that highlight the positive effects of tree plantation : (2)
[Table : “Positive effects of tree plantation” on the left, with four blanks (1) to (4) on the right.]

A3. Environmental degradation and mismanagement affect the life in rural Kenya. Explain. (2)

A4. Suggest some ways to protect your local environment. (2)

A5. Language Study : Do as directed : (2)

(i) Tree planting became a natural choice. (Find out the correct option in which ‘Present Perfect Tense’ is used.)
(a) Tree planting had become a natural choice.
(b) Tree planting has become a natural choice.
(c) Tree planting will become a natural choice.
(d) Tree planting has been become a natural choice.

(ii) They were unable to meet their basic needs. (Choose the correct ‘Negative sentence’ of the given statement from the options given below and write it.)
(a) They are not able to meet their basic needs.
(b) They have not able to meet their basic needs.
(c) They were not able to meet their basic needs.
(d) They will not be able to meet their basic needs.

A6. Vocabulary : Find out the words from the extract which mean – (2)
(a) extremely painful
(b) all forms of life on earth
(c) act of stealing / removing
(d) the action of making impure by polluting

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

Write a ‘summary’ of the above extract by using the following points.
Impact of commercial farming — role of the women of Africa — environmental disruption and mismanagement and its effects on life — benefits of plantation.

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

Prepare a mind map on the topic “Disadvantages of smartphone” using your ideas, design and structure.

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

When I had money, money, O!
I knew no joy till I went poor;
For many a false man as a friend
Came knocking all day at my door.

Then felt I like a child that holds
A trumpet that he must not blow
Because a man is dead; I dared
Not speak to let this false world know.

Much have I thought of life, and seen
How poor men’s hearts are ever light;
And how their wives do hum like bees
About their work from morn till night.

So, when I hear these poor ones laugh,
And see the rich ones coldly frown
Poor men, think I, need not go up
So much as rich men should come down.

A1. Compare the lifestyle of the rich and poor people : (2)

A2. Explain the reasons for which many false friends came knocking at the poet’s door. (2)

A3. Define, ‘Friendship’ in your own words. (2)

A4. Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line : (2)
‘Much have I thought of life, and seen’

A5. Compose four poetic lines of your own on ‘happiness.’ (2)

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

Read the extract and write the appreciation of the poem given below :

My father travels on the late evening train
Standing among silent commuters in the yellow light
Suburbs slide past his unseeing eyes
His shirt and pants are soggy and his black raincoat
Stained with mud and his bag stuffed with books
Is falling apart. His eyes dimmed by age
Fade homeward through the humid monsoon night.
Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
He hurries across the length of the grey platform,
Crosses the railway line, enters the lane,
His chappals are sticky with mud, but he hurries onward.

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 : Imagine, Sunny has been selected to appear in the final round of the singing competition. Sunny’s father has moved out of the city for some official work. Sunny tried to call his father several times. But, due to the connectivity issues, he is unable to contact his father. Draft a virtual message in about 50 words to convey this information / news to his 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 you wish to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in ‘Communication Skills,’ at a reputed university in India or abroad to enhance your career in corporate correspondence. Prepare a statement of purpose 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 the XII class students attended a presentation on “writing skill” conducted by a distinguished personality. Write a group discussion in the form of dialogues associated with this presentation among 3/4 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 : Imagine your housing colony wishes to organise a programme in view of ‘World Ozone Day.’ As the secretary of the colony, draft an email to a distinguished personality to invite him as a chief guest for the same. (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 college recently organised a programme on ‘Personality Development.’ As a student incharge, write a report of the same in about 150 words for your college magazine. (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 wish to conduct an interview of a ‘social worker.’ With the help of the format given below, draft questions on the given fields. (Do not change the sequence of the questions.) (alternative to I and II)
Name of the interviewee :
Field / Reputation
Date / Venue / Time
Duration of Interview
Questions
Questions based on :
(1) Early interests
(2) Challenges faced
(3) Role model/s
(4) Achievements /Awards
(5) Feedback
(6) Family support
(7) Government support
(8) Future plans

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 wish to participate in an intercollegiate elocution competition. You have selected ‘Should we keep pets?’ as your topic for your speech. Draft a speech in about 150 words on this 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 your college is organising a programme to celebrate ‘Teacher’s Day.’ You are given the responsibility to compere at the programme. Prepare the programme script deciding the flow of the whole programme. You may take help of the given points. [prayer, welcome, introduction, felicitation, speeches, 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) :
‘The wise man has long ears and a short tongue.’
— One should be a good listener
— Listening adds to your knowledge
— Speaking to the point catches attention (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 ‘Book’ / ‘Magazine.’ Write a ‘Review’ on the same with the help of the following points :
— Title / Contents
— Objectives / Features / Characteristics
— Presentation / Creativity / Novelty
— Personal views / Opinion / Evaluation (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 ‘Leisure and Entertainment’ with the help of the following points (100 to 150 words):
• Contextual meaning
• Why the need?
• What changes can be noticed?
• Do’s and don’ts (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 “Avoid Unauthorised Hoardings and Banners” with the help of the following points (100 to 150 words) :
• Reduces the beauty of the area
• Distractions on the road
• Causes accidents (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) Stream of consciousness is a phrase coined by _____. [ Virginia Woolf / William James / Mary Shelley ]
(b) _____ is considered as the first novel based on science and technology. [ Pearl / Frankenstein / Clarissa ]
(c) The word ‘Novella,’ is originated from the _____ word. [ Spanish / Italian / Latin ]
(d) The _____ novel narrates the adventures of the protagonist. [ Realistic / Picaresque / Gothic ]

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

Q.5 (B) (i) The extract presents E.R. Braithwaite as a silent observer in ‘To Sir, with Love.’ Explain.

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

Q.5 (B) (ii) Justify how the half-yearly report of Students’ Council was an important event for the teachers and students.

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

Q.5 (C) (i) Compare the characters Passepartout and Detective Fix from the novel ‘Around the World in Eighty Days.’

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

Q.5 (C) (ii) Aouda’s acceptance of Fogg’s marriage proposal is a pleasant part in the plot of ‘Around the World in Eighty Days.’ Comment.

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

Q.5 (D) (i) Sherlock Holmes is the leading character in the extract ‘The Sign of Four.’ Elaborate.

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

Q.5 (D) (ii) Narrate the case of Miss Morstan in your words.