HSC English February 2016 Board Paper with solution.
ENGLISH- (01) (12 Pages) Max. Marks : 80
SECTION-A
(Reading Skill, Grammar, Vocabulary, Note-making and Summary)
Q. 1. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given 15 below: (11)
I was 33 at the time, a doctor in the West End of London. I had been lucky in advancing through several arduous Welsh mining assistantships to my own practice - acquired on the installment plan from a dear old family physician who, at our first interview, gazed at my cracked boots and frayed cuffs and trusted me.
I think I wasn't a bad doctor. My patients seemed to like me - not only the nice old ladies with nothing wrong with them, who lived near the park and paid handsomely for my cheerful bedside manner, but the cabbies, porters and deadbeats in the mews and backstreets of Bayswater, who paid nothing and often had a great deal wrong with them.
Yet there was something-though I treated everything that came my way, read all the medical journals, attended scientific meetings, and even found time to take complex postgraduate diplomas-I wasn't quite sure of myself. I didn't stick at anything for long. I had successive ideas of specializing in dermatology, in aural surgery, in paediatrics, but discarded them all. While I worked all day and half of most nights, I really lacked perseverance, stability.
One day I developed indigestion. After resisting my wife's entreaties for several weeks, I went casually to consult a friendly colleague. I expected a bottle of bismuth and an invitation to bridge. I received instead the shock of my life: a sentence to six months’ complete rest in the country on a milk diet. I had a gastric ulcer.
Questions :
(1) What makes the writer think that he was a good doctor? (1)
Ans. The WRITER thought he was a good doctor because of the following reasons.
(i) His patients like him,
(ii) The old ladies paid him well.
(iii) Everybody liked his cheerful manners.
(2) What sort of patients did the doctor have? (2)
Ans. There are different types of patients like old rich ladies who paid him well and the poor cabbies, porters and deadbeats etc. who had a lot of problem but not in a condition to pay.
(3) What were the reasons for the doctor's indigestion? (2)
Ans. The indigestion, diagnosed as gastric ulcer was caused to doctor because he was overworked and stressed out. He took little or no rest at all from his heavy workload.
(4) “A doctor should have a pleasing personality and good manners.” Do you agree? Explain. (2)
Ans. Yes, I do agree with the statement “A doctor should have a pleasing personality and good manners”, because pleasing personality and good manners of doctor will bring confidence to the needy and sick people. It will improve and increase their moral power and indirectly it will cure the diseases.
(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) A dear old family physician gazed at my cracked boots and frayed cuffs. (Rewrite the sentence using not only...... but also.) (1)
Ans. A dear old family physician gazed not only at my cracked boots but also at my frayed cuffs.
(ii) I didn't stick at anything for long. (Rewrite the sentence as a rhetorical question.) (1)
Ans. Did I stick at anything for long?
(iii) I had successive ideas of specializing in dermatology, in aural Surgery, in paediatrics, but discarded them all. (Rewrite the sentence using Though.) (1)
Ans. Though I had successive ideas of specializing in aural surgery, in paediatrics, but discarded them all.
(6) Find out from the extract the words which mean the following:
(i) serious requests (ii) unsewn
Ans. (i) entreaties (ii) frayed
(B) Grammar: Do as directed: (4)
(i)Rewrite the following sentence by inserting the appropriate articles wherever necessary :
I read interesting story from Mahabharata. (1)
Ans. I read an interesting story from the Mahabharata.
(ii) Rewrite the following sentence using the appropriate prepositions :
One of the things that distinguishes man....... other animals is the power........... speech. (1)
Ans. One of the things that distinguishes man from other animals is the power of speech.
(iii) Change the following into indirect speech:
Mother said, “Sunita, what did you buy from the market?” She said, “I bought a dictionary.”
Ans. Mother asked Sunita what she had bought from the market. Sunita replied that she had bought a dictionary.
Q. 2. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: [11 marks]
(1) What conclusions did the researchers arrive at?
Ans. Researchers concluded that the earth could actually withstand up to 2,00,000 times the current population. It means the earth is capable of comfortably sustaining a population several times the current 6.5 billion.
(2) How does the writer explain that the fertility is one of the decline?
Ans. The writer points out that though population has grown, the rate of growth has fallen sharply. Twenty years ago, the UN projected that population would reach 11.16 billion in 2050, today they say it will reach only 9.37 billion.
(3) What does the extract predict about the fear of scarcity of food?
Ans. The extract predict about the fear of scarcity of food is, it is baseless as global food production will be sufficient to keep up with population growth. Even then people starve in many countries it is not because food is becoming scarce; it is because those people cannot afford it.
(4) How will population become a gift in the global market scene?
Ans. When there is the growth in population, there will be more efficiency in global market. More and more people work hard to bring economic stability. Thus, the population become a gift in the global market scene.
(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the says instructed:
(i) The earth could withstand upto 2,00,000 times the current population. (Rewrite the sentence using the modal auxillary showing ‘certainty’)
Ans. The earth will withstand upto 2,00,00 times the current population.
(ii) The earth would be too hot to be habitable. (Remove ‘too’ and rewrite the sentences)
Ans. the earth would be so hot that it wouldn’t be habitable.
(iii) These resources are being used. (Rewrite the sentence beginning with, ‘We .......’)
Ans. We are using these resources.
(6) Write the antonyms of:
(i) habitable (ii) stabilize
Ans. (i) inhabitable (ii) destabilize
Q. 2. (B) Note - making.
Ans. Computer Assisted Language Learning Materials
Formats
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
CD / DVD ROMs
and Web-based
|
(a) Content tailored for classroom use
(b) can be used independently
(c) can work at your pace
(d) offers opportunity to participate in other computer assisted activities.
(e) can be updated
(f) offers instant feedback
(g) offer a variety through the use of hyperlinks.
|
(i) can be repetitive
(ii) limited feedback
(iii) frustrating feedback
(iv) perpetuates stereotypes.
|
Q. 3. A. Read the following extract and answer the question given below: (11 marks)
1. What is the above extract about?
Ans. The above extract is about the occurring of floods in India. Floods are the most occurring natural calamity in India which bring about destruction of life and property.
2. How do floods adversely affect India?
Ans. In India, Heavy rains and floods account for nearly 1, 700 lives lost annually and also wipe out nearly 96,000 livestock. On an average, 7.21 million hectares (roughly 72,000 sq. km.) go under floodwater. This water typically ravages 3.78 million hectare of agricultural land, damaging crops worth Rs. 1, 118 crore annually.
3. Why is it not possible to provide absolute protection to all flood - prone areas?
Ans. It is not possible to provide absolute protection instantly to all flood - prone areas because such an attempt will neither be practical not economically viable.
4. How would you help the flood affected people?
Ans. We can help the flood - affected people by organizing a fun collection drive. We can also collect food items and clothings to be sent to the flood affected areas.
5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) The floods of 1978 were the most destructive. (Change the sentence into the ‘positive degree’. )
Ans. No other floods were as destructive as the floods of 1978.
Ii. Floods are the most recurrent natural calamity hitting India almost every year. (Make it a complex sentence)
Ans. Floods are the most recurrent natural calamity which hit India almost every year.
OR
Floods which hit India almost every year, are the most recurrent natural calamity.
(iii) Floods have been far more destructive. (Rewrite the sentence using the simple present tense).
Ans. Floods are far more destructive.
6. Give the meaning of
(i) entire (ii) calamity
Ans. (i) entire = whole / complete
(ii) calamity = disaster / danger.
3. (B) Write a brief summary of the above extract with the help of the points given below and suggest a suitable title. (4 marks)
Ans. Floods: A deadly natural calamity.
The above extract is about the occurring of floods in India. Floods are the most occurring natural calamity in India which bring about destruction of life and property. In India, Heavy rains and floods account for nearly 1, 700 lives lost annually and also wipe out nearly 96,000 livestock. On an average, 7.21 million hectares (roughly 72,000 sq. km.) go under floodwater. This water typically ravages 3.78 million hectare of agricultural land, damaging crops worth Rs. 1, 118 crore annually. It is not possible to provide absolute protection instantly to all flood - prone areas because such an attempt will neither be practical not economically viable.
SECTION B POETRY.
Q. 4. A. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (4 marks)
1. What does the geographical imagery used in this extract suggest?
Ans. The geographical imagery used in this extract suggests that, the old woman have a wide variety of knowledge with experience and they are the storehouses of information gathered from their experiences over the years.
2. Who do you think should take care of your grandparents? Why?
Ans. Myself, and my parents should take care of my grandparents, because they have cared for us, they loved us and they had given us the proper guiding in life through their vast experience and knowledge.
3. Name and explain the figure of speech in the following lines:
Old women once
Were continents.
Ans. Metaphor: Here old women are implicitly compared to continents.
4. Find out the expressions that how old women are still capable of caring for others despite their old age?
Ans. who knows, they might help you find your way home.
Q. 4. B. What revealed the age of the banyan tree?
1. What revealed the age of the banyan tree?
Ans. The rings in the trunk of the giant tree revealed its age.
2. How would you save the natural habitat of wildlife?
Ans. By avoiding, the cutting of trees I would save the natural habitat of wildlife. Because trees are not only home to birds and insects, but they also provide food and shelter to the wild animals.
3. Find from this extract an example of ‘Repetition’.
Ans. Fifty men with axes chopped and chopped.
4. Pick out any two lines from the extract showing pictorial quality of human action.
Ans. (i) sawing them off for seven days and the heap was huge.
(ii) Fifty men with axes chopped and chopped.
SECTION : C RAPID READING AND COMPOSITION.
Q. 5. A. Read the following extract and rewrite it from the point of view of O.W. Harrison:
[You may begin with: My appeal was dismissed by the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Scoope ..............]
The Chief Justice and Mr Justice Scoope have dismissed the appeal of O W Harrison, who was charged with the murder of Mr W P Elder in July and confirmed the sentence of death passed on him by the Sessions Judge of Manbhun.
"Nothing to do with our skeleton, of course, because Mr Elder was buried at Jamshedpur, while Harrison occupies an unknown grave. And in any case our skeleton is a woman's. But I remember the case. Harrison was having an affair with Mr Elder's wife. When confronted by the outraged husband, Harrison took out his revolver and shot the poor man. All very sordid. No mystery there for you. Concentrate on your studies. Second term exams must be near. I am sending you a parcel of socks. I know they don't last very long on you."
Two weeks later, I wrote: "Dear Mum, Thanks for the socks. But I wish you had sent me a food parcel instead. How about some guava cheese? And some mango pickle. They don't give us pickle in school. Headmaster's wife says it heats the blood.
"About that skeleton. If a dead body was hidden in that cupboard after 1930 - must have been, if the newspapers of that year were under the skeleton - it must have been someone who disappeared around that time or a little later. Must have been before Tirloki joined the hotel, or he'd remember. What about the hotel registers - would they give us a clue?"
Ans. My appeal was dismissed by the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Scoope. I was charged with the murder of Mr. W.P. Elder in July and death sentence passed by the Session Judge of Manbhun was confirmed.
My story was being discussed by a lady and her son. She told him that the Skeleton found in the unknown cupboard could not be that of Mr. Elder as he was buried in Jamshedpur, while I was occupying an unknown grave. Furthermore: she said that their Skeleton was that of a woman. However, she remembered my case and told her son that I was having an affair with Mr. Elder’s wife and when I was confronted by the outraged husband I took out my revolver and shot the poor man. What a memory she had!
Two weeks later the boy wrote to his mother thanking her for the socks as his didn’t last very long. She had sent him a food parcel instead. Young boys, I know are always hungry. He asked her to sent some guava cheese or mango pickle since they didn’t get pickle at the school. The headmaster’s wife thought it added heat to the body.
The boy was always fond of mystery and went back to the story of the skeleton and had his own theories. He told his mother that if a dead body was hidden in that cupboard after 1930 - for the newspapers under the skeleton were of that year, then it must have been of someone who had disappeared around that time. In fact, he added, it must have been before Triloki joined the hotel or he would have remembered. He inquired about the hotel registers and if they would provide a clue. To my mind, he seemed determined to solve the case of the nameless skeleton.
Q. 5. B. Read the following extract and convert it into a dialogue between ORlando and the Duke Senior in about 8 to 10 sentences: [4 marks]
[You may begin with: Orlando: Stop and eat no more! ]
The duke senior and his followers were sitting down to a meal one day when Orlando rushed out from among the trees, his sword in his hand. ‘stop, and eat no more !’ he cried
The duke and his friend asked him what he wanted. ‘food,’ said Orlando. ‘I am almost dying of hunger.’
They asked him to sit down and eat, but he would not do so. He told them that his old servant was in the wood, dying of hunger. ‘I will not eat a bite until he has been fed,’ Orlando said.
So the good duke and his followers helped him to bring Adrian to their hiding-place, and Orlando and the old man were fed and taken care of. When the duke learned that Orlando was a son of his old friend Sir Manuel de Roys, he welcomed him gladly to his forest court.
Orlando lived happily with the duke and his friends, but he had not forgotten the lovely Rosalind. She was always in his thoughts and everyday he wrote poetry about her, pinning it on the trees in the forest. ‘These trees shall be my books,’ he said, ‘so that everyone who looks in the forest will be able to read how sweet and good Rosalind is.’
Ans.
Orlando : Stop and eat no more.
Duke Senior : What do you want young man?
Orlando : ‘Food’, sir. I am almost dying of hunger.
Duke Senior : Sit, and dine with us.
Orlando : No, sir, I cannot dine with you.
Duke Senior: : And, why, may I ask?
Orlando : My old servant is in the wood, dying of hunger. I will not eat a bite until he has been fed.
Duke Senior : We will come with you and bring you servant here so you can both eat. Now, can you tell me who you are young man?
Orlando : I am Orlando, son of Sir Rowland de Boys.
Duke Senior : Welcome my boy, your dad and I were the best of friends, come and be my guest in my humble dwelling place.
Orlando : Thank you, Sir! I will be happy to live with you and your family.
Duke Senior : Is it that you are carving on those trees?
Orlando : Yes of course sir, Trees are my books on which I write poems about my lady love.
Duke Senior : I am sure, that one day you will be awarded for your love and affection.
Q. 5. B. Read the following extract and extend it by adding an imaginary paragraph of your own about 120 words: [4 marks]
Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia.
"Don't return," I told the girl that day. "We're leaving."
I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say good-bye to the girl whose name I'd never learned ... the girl with the apples.
We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed. On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM.
Ans. In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over. I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.
At 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers.
Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too.
Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived; I'm not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival. In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none. My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.
Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America, where my brother Sam had already moved.
Q. 6. A. Letter Writing:
(1) Write an application in response to the following advertisement using information given in the CV provided:
Ans.
Suhas Randive,
105, Roshan Apartment,
L. T. Road,
Pune - 11.
27th February, 2017.
The Proprietor,
Ganesh Electronics,
M.G. Road,
Solapur.
Subject: Application for the post of Salesman.
Reference: Advertisement in Mumbai Times.
Dear Sir,
With reference to your advertisement in Mumbai Times dated 26th February, 2016 for the post of an English Speaking Salesman for an electronic showrooms, in the Solapur I wish to apply for the same.
I am young and energetic man, 25 years old, well qualified and looking for a job with better prospects. I am eager to join your showroom. I would like to add my knowledge with experience. I am a first class Arts graduate from Pune University and subsequently did a diploma in electronics. I have a good communication skill. My English is so fluent that sometime I myself wondered about me. With my knowledge of electronics, I feel confident that I will be able to sell your products successfully. I have three years experience as a salesman, having worked at a textile shop, which is an added qualification. Apart from sales, I have other interests. I enjoy travelling around the country, photography is my passion and I also enjoy reading.
I am eagerly awaiting for you interview call. If given the opportunity to work with you, I assure you that I will do my best to increase the Sales as well as overall activities and thus give you utmost satisfaction. I look forward to a favourable interview call. I have enclosed xerox copy of all my education certificate for your reference.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
Suhas Randive.
Encl: Xerox copy of Educational Certificates.
OR
(2) Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper highlighting in it the importance of cleanliness and the need of public participation in the cleanliness drive in your district.
7G, Rainbow colony,
M.G. Road,
Dharavi,
Mumbai - 400017.
7th March, 2017.
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Mumbai - 400001.
Subject : Importance of Cleanliness. Public participation in ‘Cleanliness Drive’.
Respected Sir,
Our area ‘Dharavi’ is mostly filled with dirty and untidy state of things. The roads were damp, the streets unswept. Garbage bins are often overflowing and many people seem to lack any civic sense. They continue to litter the place, despite being reminded of their civic responsibilities through banners and posters.
It is the duty of us, to take up the issue of cleanliness in a practical way. So a ‘Cleanliness Drive’ is being organized by the ‘Earth Society’ on 10th March, 2017 from 9.00 am onwards all participants will meet at ‘Indian Bank’, 90 Feet Road, Dharavi. Cleanliness is the need of the society, so we will make this appeal to the public. All are welcome to participate in this drive to make it a huge success.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
XYZ.
Q. 6. B. Write on any ONE of the following items as directed:
(1) Write a short tourist leaflet on a place of historical importance with the help of the following points: [Click here for Answer]
(i) How to reach there?
(ii) Where to Stay?
(iii) Historical importance of the place.
(iv) Shopping Attraction.
(v) Add your own points.
OR
(2) Read the following headlines of news items. Choose any ONE of them and write the dateline, intro and a short continuing paragraph:
(i) 4 killed, 20 injured in a road mishap.
(ii) Auto - rickshaw drivers on strike.
Ans. 4 killed, 20 injured in a road mishap.
By a Staff Reporter
Mumbai, March 7
Four members of a family, including two women, were killed on the spot and 20 other people were injured, when their tractor trolley was hit by an unidentified truck at Mumbai - Pune highway, police said.
The victims were returning to Mumbai after attending a family function at Pune when the incident occurred last night. The deceased were identified. 20 others were injured in the accident. All were rushed to a nearby hospital where the 4 were declared dead on arrival and the injured are being treated. 5 of them are in intensive case and very critical. The others had minor injuries.
Ans. Auto - Rickshaw drivers on Strike.
By a Staff Reporter
Mumbai, March 7
The auto - rickshaw drivers association has called for an All - Mumbai strike on 12th March, 2017 to protest against the recent hike in petrol, diesel and gas prices. They also protest against the take over by Multinational Companies in the transport sector.
The Union Leader, Mr. Amin claims that the hike in prices with no hike in auto - rickshaw fare is not right. Auto - rickshaw drivers will therefore take their vehicles off the road till the government takes note of their proposal.
Q6. C. Write any one of the following items. [4 Marks]
(1) Read the following tabular data and write a short paragraph regarding ‘The vacant seats in the Engineering and Pharmacy college’ :
Courses
|
Intake capacity
|
Vacant seats
|
Engineering:
| ||
Degree
|
1, 55, 102
|
42, 497
|
Diploma
|
1, 65, 413
|
55, 107
|
Post - graduation
|
13, 651
|
1, 810
|
Pharmacy:
| ||
Degree
|
9, 712
|
924
|
Diploma
|
12, 959
|
1, 771
|
Post - graduation
|
5, 296
|
3, 506
|
Ans. ‘The vacant seats in the Engineering and Pharmacy college’
Engineering colleges have degree, diploma and Post graduation courses. The table shows that out of total 1, 55, 102 seats in the Degree course, 42, 497 remain vacant. In the Diploma course, 55, 107 seats out of 1, 65, 413 remain vacant and in the post graduation course out of total 13, 651 seats only 1810 are vacant. Pharmacy colleges also have degree, diploma and post graduation course. The number of vacant seats here are much less 924 out of 9, 712 in the degree course are vacant. 1771 seats out of a total of 12959 on the diploma course are vacant. Finally in the post graduation course a large number of seats are vacant 3506 out of 5296.
OR.
(2) Write short paragraph in about 120 words to be used for the Counter - View section on the following topic:
“Science and Technology development have helped us in all walks of life”.
You may take help of the following points from the View section.
Ans.
Science and technology development are not at all useful for mankind. It has made life so discomfort that nobody has some time to think about themselves. Man was quite contented with life before the development of science and technology. Agricultural production increased with the decline in quality of goods. Life being lengthened along with various diseases. World is brought closer through various safer and faster communication and transport systems but nobody has some time to spend with their own family members. Modes of entertainment has increased tremendously but the physical activities have been decreased to a lot.
Q. 7. Answer the following questions as per instructions:
(A) Imagine you have to interview an old woman who lives in an ‘old - age home’. Write a set of 8 to 10 questions for the interview. You may take help of the following points: [4 marks]
Ans. Good morning, you look very happy in this home and am glad to see you in good health.
(1) Whee does your family live?
(2) Do they visit you often?
(3) How many children and grandchildren do you have?
(4) Why did they put you in an old - age home?
(5) What’s the environment like here?
(6) What would an average day here look like?
(7) Are you happy with the treatment here?
(8) What’s the most challenging part to you?
(9) What would you like us to do in order to make you your life more meaningful?
(10) What advice would you give to young people wanting to put their parents in an old age home?
Q. 7. (B) Imagine you have to give a speech on the topic ‘India’s Changing Villages’. Write a speech on it about 100 words. [3 marks]
Ans.
India’s Changing Villages.
India is a land of villages. It is said that real India lives in villages. About seventy per cent of its population lives in villages. India is undergoing revolutionary changes. Its villages are not untouched by those changes.
The changes are reflected in every walk of life. These changes have been brought by various agents. These include science, technology, and spread of education, advent of media in rural areas, industrialisation, urbanisation and migration. Hence the lifestyle, attitude and thinking have changed greatly in rural India. In fact these factors have combined to change the ritualistic rural society into a dynamic society.
Once upon a time Caste-based division has been prominently visible in rural India. But things are rapidly changing now. People do not care for any such distinction. There is an interdependence existence in society. There is a close interaction of people of different castes, creeds and religions, among them for various purposes. The outlook of the villagers has undergone sea change. They have begun to see things in broader context. This is a good sign.
