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

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

(1) Complete the following words by using correct letters : (2) (i) sp_ak (ii) ro_nd (iii) se_vice (iv) d_sty

(2) Put the following words in alphabetical order : (2) (i) share, voice, world, credit. (ii) table, teeth, tiger, team

(3) Punctuate the following sentences : (2) (i) its a beautiful day I said (ii) then whats the secret of your energy i asked

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

(5) Write the related words as shown in the example : (2) [Web diagram: centre box “Sing”; one box on the right reads “Sweetly” (example); four blank boxes around it — two above and two below.]

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

Q.1 (B) (1) (a) Do as directed : (1 mark) (alternative to (1)(b))

Make a meaningful sentence by using the phrase : ‘to look after’

Q.1 (B) (1) (b) Do as directed : (1 mark) (alternative to (1)(a))

Add a clause to the following sentence to expand it meaningfully : I saw a poisonous snake.

Q.1 (B) (2) (a) Do as directed : (1 mark) (alternative to (2)(b))

Add a prefix or suffix to make new words : (i) enjoy (ii) agree.

Q.1 (B) (2) (b) Do as directed : (1 mark) (alternative to (2)(a))

Make a meaningful sentence using any one of the following words : (i) enjoy (ii) agree.

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

A1. Complete the following sentences : (2) (i) The speaker advices to feel ...................................... (ii) The speaker calls us together to globalise ......................... (iii) The speaker calls upon people in that room and all ............... (iv) The speaker appeals to listen to that ...........................

My dear sisters and brothers, as I said many interesting things are happening today. May I please request you to put your hand close to your heart — close your eyes and feel the child inside you ? I am sure you can — Now; listen to that child. Listen please.

Today, I see thousands of Mahatma Gandhis, Nelson Mandelas and Martin Luther Kings calling on us.

Let us democratise knowledge. Let us universalise justice. Together, let us globalise compassion!

I call upon you in this room, and all across the world. I call for a march from exploitation to education, I call for a march from poverty to shared prosperity, a march from slavery to liberty, and a march from violence to peace.

Let us march from ignorance to awakening. Let us march from darkness to light. Let us march from mortality to divinity.

Let us march!

A2. Complete the following web-chart : (2) [Web-chart: a rectangle in the centre reads “The speaker appeals”; four ovals joined to it each read “Let us march ................”.]

A3. Match the synonyms : (2) [A — (i) Captivating, (ii) Lack of knowledge, (iii) Sympathy, (iv) Wealth; B — (a) Prosperity, (b) Compassion, (c) Interesting, (d) Ignorance.]

A4. Do as directed : (2) (i) I call upon you in this room. (Change it into ‘Continuous Present Tense’) (ii) I said many interesting things. (Begin this sentence with – ‘Many interesting things ...........)

A5. How do you feel when you get any award ? Narrate your experiences into three to four sentences. (2)

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

B1. List the names of at least four characters from whom the rumour was spread : (2) (i) ............................ (ii) ............................ (iii) ............................ (iv) .............................

The news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of forest fire. From the general merchant’s it travelled to the shop, circulated amongst the customers, and then spread with them in various directions, to the betel-seller, the tailor, the free vendor, the jeweller, the beggar sitting on the pavement.

Old Ganpat the beggar, had a crooked leg. He had been squatting on the pavement for years, calling for alms. In the evening someone would come with a barrow and take him away. He had never been known to walk. But now, on learning that the bank was about to collapse, Ganpat astonished everyone, leaping to his feet and actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank. It soon became known that he had a thousand rupees in savings!

Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought; and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy.

B2. Rearrange the following events as per their sequence : (2) (i) It soon became known that the beggar had a thousand rupees in saving. (ii) Old Ganpat had been squatting on the pavement for years. (iii) Men stood in groups discussing the situation. (iv) The news spread through the bazaar with rapidity of forest fire.

B3. Write the describing words for the following from the passage : (2) (i) ....................... leg (ii) ........................ merchant (iii) ........................ directions (iv) ........................ speed

B5. Do you think rumours are harmful ? Support your answer. (2) (B4 is given as two separate questions below.)

Q.2 (B) B4. (i) Do as directed : (1 mark)

The news spread through the bazaar. (Frame a ‘Wh – type question to get underlined part as an answer.) [Underlined words: The news]

Q.2 (B) B4. (ii) Do as directed : (1 mark)

The news travelled to the shop and circulated amongst the customers. (Choose the option in which ‘not only – but also’ is used appropriately).

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

A1. Choose the correct alternative and fill the blanks : (2) (i) The poet prays to the Lord to help him stand for what is ................................. (might/right) (ii) The poet wants to see that his teenage years have been the ......................... years of his life. (worst/best)

Please open up my eyes, dear Lord,
That I might clearly see
Help me stand for what is right,
Bring out the best in me.
Help, Lord, to just say “no”
When temptation comes my way,
That I might keep my body clean
And fit for life each day.
When my teenage years are over,
I know that I will see
That life is lived its very best
With you walking next to me.

A2. Complete the following web : (2) [Web diagram: a box on the left reads “The speaker prays God to”; four arrows lead to (1) “open up ........................”, (2) “say ........................”, (3) “keep ........................”, (4) “bring out ........................”.]

A3. Find and write the pairs of rhyming words from the stanza. (1) (i) ....................................... (ii) .......................................

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 :

O Captain ! My Captain !

O Captain ! My Captain ! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring :
But O heart ! heart ! heart !
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain ! My Captain ! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up – for you the flag is flung – for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths – for you the shores
a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain ! dear father !
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
— Walt Whitman

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. Read the following passage and write whether the following statements are ‘true’ or ‘false’ : (2) (i) The writer calls modern food as our enemy. (ii) We eat food for its entertainment value, not for its nutritional benefit. (iii) People are trying to lose weight by eating more food in the day. (iv) Health is just about the weight loss.

Modern food has become our enemy. We have become so besotted by taste and presentation that we eat food for its entertainment value, not for its nutritional benefit. Even as health awareness is increasing, the variety of junk and nutrition deprived food is also increasing. Each restaurant boasts of a new cuisine, which is a mixture of refined flour, oil and sugar. Pasta, noodles, white rice, white bread and maida-based products like pizzas, burgers, naan and rumali roti are the grain options in Italian, Chinese, Indian, or Mexican Cuisines. The vegetarian dishes are either overcooked or have a lot of corn starch and fat. The non-vegetarian dishes are either white-sauce based or made in rich gravies.

People are trying to lose weight by eating less in the day, so that they can accommodate such foods in the night. They skip breakfast and lunch so that they can satisfy their taste buds in the night with a family dinner.

Perfect health, however, cannot be achieved by a process of deprivation and elimination. The idea is to nourish the body. You might achieve some weight loss but you will also lose out on your health.

Therefore, whilst embarking upon any weight loss programme, remember that health is so much more than just weight loss, at the same time achieving ideal body weight in a healthy way does provide a basis for achieving perfect health.

A2. Write any four modern food from the passage : (2) (i) .............................. (ii) .............................. (iii) .............................. (iv) ..............................

A3. Find the opposite words for the following from the passage : (2) (i) Friend × .......................................... (ii) Ignorance × ................................... (iii) Imperfect × ..................................... (iv) Gain × ..............................................

A5. What kind of food do you like to eat ? Why ? (2) (A4 is given as two separate multiple-choice questions below.)

Q.4 (A) A4. (1) Do as directed : (1 mark)

They can accommodate such foods in the night. (Choose the correct question tag from the following)

Q.4 (A) A4. (2) Do as directed : (1 mark)

People are trying to lose weight. (Choose the correct tense from the following options, for the given sentence).

Q.4 (B) Summary Writing : (5 marks) Read the passage given in Q. No. 4(A) and write summary of it. Suggest a suitable title to the summary.

Modern food has become our enemy. We have become so besotted by taste and presentation that we eat food for its entertainment value, not for its nutritional benefit. Even as health awareness is increasing, the variety of junk and nutrition deprived food is also increasing. Each restaurant boasts of a new cuisine, which is a mixture of refined flour, oil and sugar. Pasta, noodles, white rice, white bread and maida-based products like pizzas, burgers, naan and rumali roti are the grain options in Italian, Chinese, Indian, or Mexican Cuisines. The vegetarian dishes are either overcooked or have a lot of corn starch and fat. The non-vegetarian dishes are either white-sauce based or made in rich gravies.

People are trying to lose weight by eating less in the day, so that they can accommodate such foods in the night. They skip breakfast and lunch so that they can satisfy their taste buds in the night with a family dinner.

Perfect health, however, cannot be achieved by a process of deprivation and elimination. The idea is to nourish the body. You might achieve some weight loss but you will also lose out on your health.

Therefore, whilst embarking upon any weight loss programme, remember that health is so much more than just weight loss, at the same time achieving ideal body weight in a healthy way does provide a basis for achieving perfect health.

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

Imagine you are Shreya/Shri Mugale. You have read the following advertisement regarding ‘Drawing Competition’. Now attempt any one of the following letters : A1. Informal Letter — Write a letter to your younger brother informing him to participate in the competition. Use points given in the advertisement. Add your own points.

Marathon Drawing Competition
Come and paint your imagination
For Whom ? • 6-12 years • 13-16 years • 17-25 years
When ? • 10 am-5 pm • 25th April
Where ? • Indoor Stadium, Osmanabad
Prizes ? • 1st prize-A scooty • 2nd prize-A bicycle • 3rd prize-Skating shoes
Note :- • Bring your own colours and paper. • Prior registration is mandatory. • No entry fees.
Contact - For more details : The Manager, Ekta Foundation, Osmanabad-413606, 9403864601

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

Imagine you are Shreya/Shri Mugale. You have read the following advertisement regarding ‘Drawing Competition’. Now attempt any one of the following letters : A2. Formal Letter — Write a letter to the organizer of the event to register your entry. Enquire about the certificate of participation, snacks during the day, seating arrangement for parents etc. Add your own points.

Marathon Drawing Competition
Come and paint your imagination
For Whom ? • 6-12 years • 13-16 years • 17-25 years
When ? • 10 am-5 pm • 25th April
Where ? • Indoor Stadium, Osmanabad
Prizes ? • 1st prize-A scooty • 2nd prize-A bicycle • 3rd prize-Skating shoes
Note :- • Bring your own colours and paper. • Prior registration is mandatory. • No entry fees.
Contact - For more details : The Manager, Ekta Foundation, Osmanabad-413606, 9403864601

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

(i) Prepare a dialogue from the jumbled sentences : (1) X : In my opinion, Rohit Sharma. Y : Can India win the upcoming T-20 World Cup ? X : I think, India can win. Y : Which player will be the star of attraction ?

(ii) Complete the following dialogue : (1) A : Do you like to play outdoor games ? B : .............................................................................. A : Which game do you like the most ? B : ..............................................................................

(iii) Write a dialogue on ‘Plantation of trees’ between you and your friend. (Minimum 3 meaningful exchanges). (3)

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

You have seen posters all over the locality about ‘Air Pollution’. For the General Assembly in your school, you are chosen to speak on the ‘‘Hazards of Air Pollution’’. Write a speech using the following points in your draft : Causes various diseases. • Reasons. • Effects of air pollution. • Hazardous. • Ban on plastic. • Possible solutions • Posters/banners • Use your own point.

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

Nowadays internet is used in each and every field. However, there are advantages and disadvantages of internet. Write a paragraph with the help of the following information. Give a suitable title to your paragraph.

[Table with two columns, “Advantages” and “Disadvantages”. Advantages — source of a lot of information; enables to send messages, files, information in a fraction of a second; provides information on any subject, word, event that we need; reduces the use of paper; be connect with the world with social media. Disadvantages — makes people idle by leading them to sedentary lifestyle; harmful to health particularly to eyes, backbone and brain; children get addicted; personal data at risk; people and children can misuse various sites; causes violence as well as cybercrime; misuse of social media.]

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

Read the information given below and represent it in the form of tree diagram. Give a suitable title to it :

Students are the most important part of our society. Every student wants to become successful in his life. There are several things that are necessary to make a student successful. Initially, there must be a good friend circle. Students must know how to keep good friends and how to respect their teachers and elders and how to maintain an advance balanced diet. One very important fact to bear in mind by the student is that he/she must be regular in school and must complete the daily homework that is given. The student must cultivate good hobbies. One such hobby is reading. Tracking his performance at school tests can be beneficial. Every student must understand and practice time management without which precious time will get wasted.

[Tree diagram: “Title : ............................” at the top; two branches — “School life” and “Personal life” — and under each branch four blank boxes.]

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 : SMR school bagged District chess Championship • Headline : • Date line : • Lead line : • Body of the report :

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

Develop a story with the following beginning. Suggest a suitable title. Once there lived a boy, whose name was Sushant. He badly needed a job .......................

Q.7 Translation : (5 marks)

(a) Translate the following words into your medium of instruction (any four) : (2) (1) Common (2) Empty (3) Astonished (4) Barefoot (5) Success (6) Summer.

(b) Translate the following sentences into your medium of instruction (any two) : (2) (1) I like comedy movies. (2) Reading is a good habit. (3) I am now seventy years old. (4) We can easily get success in life.

(c) Translate the following Idioms/Proverbs into your medium of instruction (any one) : (1) A stitch in time saves nine. (2) Barking dogs seldom bite.