Maharashtra SSC English (First Language) Board Paper March 2026

Q.1 (A) A1. Do as directed (any four) : (4 marks)

(1) Pick out the infinitive from the given sentence : Every child is free to grow.

(2) Write two compound words of your own.

(3) Fill in the blank with the proper form of the verb as per the subject : The hermit ............................. to the king.

(4) Rearrange the letters to make a meaningful word : abogll

(5) Identify the type of the sentence : How frightened their eyes look !

Q.1 (A) A2. Do as directed (any two) : (4 marks)

(1) Make two sentences of your own to show the difference of homograph : ‘Mark’ (Use it as a verb and as a noun).

(2) Rewrite sentence in future perfect tense : I shall be telling you three stories.

(3) Anil was watching a wrestling match. (Begin with ‘A wrestling .............................’)

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

(1) Complete the table : [Table with three columns — Positive degree, Comparative degree, Superlative degree. The Positive column reads “Very few animals in the world are as huge as an elephant.”; the other two cells are blank.]

(2) As soon as the concert came to an end, the audience gave the artists a standing ovation : (Use ‘No sooner ........................... than’ and rewrite the sentence).

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

A1. Complete the following web : (2) [Web diagram: the centre circle reads “Qualities of Joan”; four blank boxes are joined to it, one at each corner.]

Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of strong servants to carry out my orders. Are they afraid of her ?
Steward : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she puts courage in us. She really doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps you could frighten her, sir.
Robert : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward : Down in the courtyard, sir.
(Robert goes to the window and asks the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. The squire’s glare neither frightens her nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain squire. You are to give me a horse and armour and some soldiers, and send me to the Dauphin.
Robert : This girl is mad. Why didn’t you tell me so, you blockhead ?
Steward : Sir, do not anger her. Give her what she wants.
Robert : I shall send you back to your father with orders to put you under lock and key.
Joan : You think you will, squire. But it won’t happen that way. You said you would not see me. But here I am.
Robert : So, you are assuming that I’ll give you what you want.
Joan : Yes, squire. (Continues busily) A horse will cost sixteen francs. It is a big amount of money. But I can save it on the armour. I don’t need beautiful armour made to my measure. I can find a soldier’s armour that will fit me well enough. I shall not want many soldiers. The Dauphin will give me, all I need, to free Orleans.

A2. Complete the following : (2) Joan wanted to meet captain squire .........................

A3. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’ : (2) Column ‘A’ (Words) — (i) Grimly (ii) Armour (iii) Blockhead (iv) Assuming. Column ‘B’ (Meanings) — (a) Taken for granted (b) Stupid person (c) Seriously (d) Protective clothing of metal worn in battle.

A4. Do as directed : (2) (i) Change into indirect speech : Robert : Where is she now ? (ii) I shall not want many soldiers. (Rewrite as an Affirmative sentence)

A5. Personal response : (2) Write a few lines of your own on any lady warrior from the history of India who was as brave as Joan of Arc.

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

B1. Who said to whom : (2) [Table with three columns — Sentence, Who said, To whom. (i) “Are you still hungry ?” (ii) “But I’ve just had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach”.]

The asparagus appeared. I watched her thrust them down her throat in large mouthfuls. At last, she finished.

“Coffee ?” I said.

“Yes, just an ice cream and coffee,” she answered. I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself and an ice cream and coffee for her.

“You know, there’s one thing I thoroughly believe in,” she said, as she ate the ice cream. “One should always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a little more.”

“Are you still hungry ?” I asked faintly.

“Oh, no, I’m not hungry. You see, I don’t eat luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for luncheon. I was speaking for you.”

“Oh, I see.” Then a terrible thing happened. While we were waiting for the coffee, the head waiter came up to us bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. But surely peaches were not in season then ? Lord knew what they cost ! I knew a little later, for my guest going on with her conversation, absentmindedly took one.

“You see, you’ve filled your stomach with a lot of meat,” my one miserable little chop “and you can’t eat any more. But I’ve just had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach.”

B2. After reading the passage, arrange the following sentences according to their occurrence in the passage : (2) • I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner. • We were waiting for the coffee. • I ordered coffee for myself and an ice cream and coffee for her. • Just an ice cream and coffee.

B3. Find out the words from the passage which have the following meanings : (2) (i) horrible (ii) dialogue (iii) big (iv) unhappy

B4. Do as directed : (2) (i) One could eat a little more. (Identify the modal auxiliary and state its function).

B5. Personal response : (2) How should a guest behave with the host ?

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

A1. God bestowed many good qualities on man. Refer to the poem and list any four of them : (2)

When God at first made Man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by;
Let us (said He) “pour on him all we can:”
Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flow’d, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all His treasures
Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said He)
Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature.
So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at last,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.

A2. What would the human being do if God gifted him with ‘Rest’ ? (2)

A3. The rhyme scheme of the poem ......................... (1) (i) a a b b c (ii) a b c b c (iii) a b c c b (iv) a b a b a

Q.3 (B) Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph format : (5 marks)

The Will to Win

If you want a thing bad enough
to go out and fight for it,
work day and night for it,
give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If all that you dream
and scheme is about it and life
seems useless and worthless without it
If you gladly sweat for, fret for and plan for it and lose
all your terror of the opposition for it.
If you simply go after that thing that you want with all
of your capacity, strength and sagacity, faith, hope and
confidence and stern pertinacity
If neither cold or poverty, famished or gaunt
or sickness or pain
of body and brain
can keep you away from the thing that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
with the help of GOD you’ll get it!
— Berton Braley

You can use the following points while appreciating the given poem : The title (½) • The poet of the poem (½) • Rhyme scheme (1) • Figures of speech (1) • Central idea/theme. (2)

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

A1. State whether the following statements are true or false : (2) [Four statements, each followed by a blank box for the answer.] (i) Global warming is creating a lot of problems ............................. (ii) Many species have not become extinct ............................ (iii) Air and sound pollution are the main causes of animal extinction ................................. (iv) Animals live in forests and oceans ............................

Global warming is creating a wide range of serious issues that are not only affecting the planet but also the biota (Flora, fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred to a biota). The imbalance in the environment is leading to extinction of many rare species of plants, animals and birds. Our country is well-known for its bio-diversity. In spite of this, many species are facing the threat of extinction.

Environment Science clearly says that extinction of a single species triggers a series of conditions that can endanger many other species because of the ripple effect. Humanity is dependent on existence of these species and their extinction can lead to unprecedented trouble because of the interconnectedness of the ecological web of life. This is not the first time that we are sensing a warning about species being endangered. During the course of time, many species have become extinct. We might have heard about some, but in reality the number is many times more. Air and water pollution are the main causes.

Animals thrive in forests and oceans. The life of these creatures is directly dependent on the quality of these places. While forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, water bodies are getting polluted and the sources of water are drying up by the day. This has put at risk the life of many species of animals and birds. There are some animals that have clearly become extinct because of being hunted.

A2. Write any four problems faced by the animals that thrive in forests and oceans : (2) [Diagram: a rectangle on the left reads “Problems faced by Animals”; four arrows point to four blank boxes on the right.]

A3. Pick out the words from the passage to make antonyms : (2) (i) balance × .............................. (ii) non-existence × ................................ (iii) common × ................................ (iv) last × .................................

A4. Do as directed : (2) (i) Our country is well known for its bio-diversity. (Frame a ‘Wh’ question to get the underlined part as an answer) (ii) There are some animals that have clearly become extinct. (Identify the subordinate clause).

A5. There are some animals that have clearly become extinct. Furthermore animals should not become extinct – suggest any four measures to save them. (2)

Q.4 (B) Summary Writing : (5 marks) Read the passage in question 4(A) and write a summary of the same in a paragraph. Also, suggest a suitable title.

Global warming is creating a wide range of serious issues that are not only affecting the planet but also the biota (Flora, fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred to a biota). The imbalance in the environment is leading to extinction of many rare species of plants, animals and birds. Our country is well-known for its bio-diversity. In spite of this, many species are facing the threat of extinction.

Environment Science clearly says that extinction of a single species triggers a series of conditions that can endanger many other species because of the ripple effect. Humanity is dependent on existence of these species and their extinction can lead to unprecedented trouble because of the interconnectedness of the ecological web of life. This is not the first time that we are sensing a warning about species being endangered. During the course of time, many species have become extinct. We might have heard about some, but in reality the number is many times more. Air and water pollution are the main causes.

Animals thrive in forests and oceans. The life of these creatures is directly dependent on the quality of these places. While forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, water bodies are getting polluted and the sources of water are drying up by the day. This has put at risk the life of many species of animals and birds. There are some animals that have clearly become extinct because of being hunted.

Q.5 (A) Letter writing : (5 marks) A1 or A2. Do any one of the following : Look at the following situation : Uncontrolled use of mobile phones and video games is affecting school going children. As a result they are suffering from many diseases. Imagine you are Saurabh/Shrushti, residing at Malad, Mumbai. You read the above clipping in the newspaper.

A1. Formal Letter : Write a letter to your Principal requesting her to organise an awareness lecture on ‘misuse of mobiles’ for the students in your school. (alternative to A2)

Q.5 (A) Letter writing : (5 marks) A1 or A2. Do any one of the following : Look at the following situation : Uncontrolled use of mobile phones and video games is affecting school going children. As a result they are suffering from many diseases. Imagine you are Saurabh/Shrushti, residing at Malad, Mumbai. You read the above clipping in the newspaper.

A2. Informal Letter : Write a letter to your younger brother/sister advising him/her to avoid misuse of mobile phones. (alternative to A1)

Q.6 (A) Information Transfer. (5 marks)

A1. Verbal to Non-Verbal : Read the given passage and complete the table. Suggest a suitable title : (alternative to A2)

A stain is an unwanted mark of discolouration on a fabric caused due to contact with another substance which cannot be removed by the normal washing process.

Stains can be grouped on the basis of their origin, e.g. tea, coffee and fruits come from vegetable source. Stains from shoe polish, tar oil paints come under grease stains. Animal stains comprise of stains formed by milk, blood and eggs, whereas marks on your clothes after sitting on an iron bench are those of rust and come under mineral stains. Then there are stains that are formed due to dye, into perspiration which can be categorised under miscellaneous stains.

[Table with two columns — Category of stains and Stains. Row 1 is given : (1) Vegetable stains — Tea, coffee, fruits. Rows (2) to (5) are blank.]

Q.6 (A) Information Transfer. (5 marks)

A2. Non-Verbal to Verbal : Read the profile of Vishwanathan Anand, the chess wizard. Write a short bio-sketch of Vishwanathan Anand and suggest a suitable title. You could take the help of the clues given below : (alternative to A1)

Birth date — 11 December, 1969 • Place of birth — Chennai • First Teacher — His own mother • Early achievements — Became the National Champion at the age of 16. • Other achievements — (i) India’s first Grandmaster (ii) World Champion. • Awards — Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

Q.6 (B) Attempt any one of the following : (5 marks)

B1. Drafting a Speech : ‘Water Literacy Day’ is going to be celebrated in your school. Prepare a speech on the topic to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school. Points : Save water, save life • Water management • Rain water harvesting • Use of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial • Growing population • Water and ecosystem. (alternative to B2)

Q.6 (B) Attempt any one of the following : (5 marks)

B2. Views/Counter-views : ‘What men can do, women can do to better.’ Prepare a paragraph of views on the given topic. Use the following counter-views to write your views. Women are weak. • Women are prone to male domination. • Women are unable to cope up with the stress of both home and office. • Women are taken for granted, meant. • Only for household work. • You may add your own points. (alternative to B1)

Q.7 (A) Do any one of the following : (5 marks)

A1. Expand the theme : Expand the following idea into a paragraph of 100 words : ‘‘Science and spirituality can go hand in hand.’’ (alternative to A2)

Q.7 (A) Do any one of the following : (5 marks)

A2. News Report : Write a news report based on the given headlines : Navodaya Vidyalaya visits ‘Sahjeevan Old Age Home’. (alternative to A1)

Q.7 (B) Do any one of the following : (5 marks)

B1. Developing a story : Develop a story and suggest a suitable title. The conclusion/end is given below. .................................................................. on that day he had achieved his goals. (alternative to B2)

Q.7 (B) Do any one of the following : (5 marks)

B2. Narrate an experience to the given beginning. As I was returning from the school, it started raining heavily ................................................................................................... (alternative to B1)