HSC ENGLISH MARCH 2018 SET B BOARD QUESTION PAPER

HSC English Question Paper Solution (2018) - Set J-201/B

SECTION - A (Reading Skill, Grammar, Vocabulary, Note-making and Summary)

Q. 1. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:

Extract Context: The extract describes the writer's memories of The Jahangir Art Gallery, State Bank of India building, Strand bookstore, and his connection with the sea in Mumbai.

(1) What does this extract focus on?

This extract focuses on the writer's deep affection and nostalgic memories of Mumbai (Bombay). It highlights specific landmarks like the Jahangir Art Gallery and Strand Bookstore, the vibrant street life, and the writer's emotional connection with the sea.

(2) Which mood of the sea did the writer like the most?

The writer liked the sea especially in the monsoon when it was violent and enraged, splattering Worli seaface with walls of sea spray.

(3) How would the writer spend her free time?

The writer would spend her free time reading the 'Bombay Times', browsing books at the Strand bookstore for hours, trawling the booklined pavements at Fountain, and watching the world go by.

(4) According to you, how can you make your locality clean and beautiful.

To make my locality clean and beautiful, I would ensure proper waste segregation and disposal. I would participate in or organize weekly cleanliness drives, plant more trees to increase greenery, and educate neighbors about the importance of not littering in public spaces.

(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:

(i) She splattered Worli seaface with walls of sea spray. (Rewrite it using the Simple Present tense.)

She splatters Worli seaface with walls of sea spray.

(ii) I never found out their names though we took the train together. (Make it a Compound Sentence.)

We took the train together but I never found out their names.

(iii) I promise myself, someday I will return. (Rewrite it using the modal auxiliary 'must'.)

I promise myself, someday I must return.

(6) Find out the words from the extract which mean –

(i) courageously: firmly (Note: In context, "firmly put down" implies a determined action, closest to the intent).
(ii) attracted: seduced

(B) Grammar: Do as directed

(i) He wanted to become ____ artist and live in ____ Himalayas. (Fill in the blanks with the appropriate articles.)

He wanted to become an artist and live in the Himalayas.

(ii) She was able to talk ____ the group ____ her experience. (Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)

She was able to talk to the group about her experience.

(iii) “Why are you crying?” said the woman to a little boy. “I want a balloon,” he said. (Change it into Indirect Speech.)

The woman asked a little boy why he was crying. He replied that he wanted a balloon.

12th English Board Papers

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Q. 2. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:

Extract Context: The passage discusses the concept of a poverty-free world, the role of market mechanisms in handling temporary poverty caused by disasters, and the persistent inequality (train analogy) in society.

(1) What is the extract about?

The extract is about the vision of a poverty-free world where basic needs are met, and how market mechanisms and social enterprises can handle temporary setbacks caused by disasters, while also acknowledging the persistence of lifestyle differences.

(2) How will the poverty-free world take care of natural disasters?

In a poverty-free world, problems caused by natural disasters could be taken care of by the market mechanism through insurance and other self-paying programmes, assisted by social-consciousness-driven enterprises.

(3) According to the writer, what would, ‘the world without poverty’ be like?

According to the writer, a world without poverty would be one without "third-class" or "fourth-class" citizens. It would be a world without a hungry, illiterate, barefoot under-class, where everyone earns enough to take care of themselves and their family.

(4) What can we do to help the poor in our society?

We can help the poor by donating clothes, food, and essentials. More importantly, we can help provide education or vocational training to help them become self-sufficient, and support NGOs working for their welfare.

(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:

(i) Temporary problems could be taken care of by market mechanism. (Rewrite the sentence beginning with ‘Market mechanism......’)

Market mechanism could take care of temporary problems.

(ii) In the nineteenth century, there were third-class carriages. (Form a Wh-question to get the underlined part as an answer.)

When were there third-class carriages?

(iii) There would still be situations of temporary poverty. (Rewrite it using ‘can’.)

There can still be situations of temporary poverty.

(6) What do the following words in the extract mean –

(i) devastated: destroyed or ruined (often by a catastrophe)
(ii) hay: grass that has been mowed and dried (straw)

(B) Note-making: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Complete the notes with the help of the given clues:

Title	: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Birth	: 5th September, 1888
Qualifications	: B.A. and M.A.
Introduced thinking of	: Western idealist philosophers like Plato, Plotinus, Bergson into Indian thought.
Work	: Translated Indian Philosophy into standard academic jargon.
Ambassador	: to the Soviet Union
Honours	: National Bharat Ratna International Templeton Prize, Peace Prize of German Book Trade Order of Merit

Q. 3. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:

Extract Context: A passage regarding Kalpana Chawla, her pride in her birthplace, her concern for the environment, and her husband Harrison's tribute to her.

(1) What is the extract about?

The extract is about astronaut Kalpana Chawla's humble nature, her deep connection with her Indian roots and friends, her concern for the well-being of the Earth, and the fulfillment of her wish by her husband after her death.

(2) How was Kalpana connected with India and Indians?

Kalpana was extremely proud of her birth-place and tracked down former teachers and classmates to stay in touch. She had a cherished desire to visit India again, and her affectionate nature won the hearts of all Indians she contacted.

(3) How was Kalpana concerned about the well-being of the earth?

Kalpana urged young people to listen to the sounds of nature and take care of the fragile planet. During space trips, she took breathtaking photographs of the earth for terrestrial studies and felt a sense of connection with everyone on earth.

(4) What would you like to do for India?

I would like to contribute to India's development by promoting education in rural areas and participating in environmental conservation projects. I also want to work towards eliminating social inequalities and keeping the country clean.

(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:

(i) She took many breathtaking photographs of the earth. (Rewrite it using the Present Perfect Continuous tense.)

She has been taking many breathtaking photographs of the earth.

(ii) He scattered her ashes over the Himalayas. (Rewrite it beginning with ‘Her ashes.....’)

Her ashes were scattered over the Himalayas (by him).

(iii) Kalpana was extremely proud of her birth-place and made every effort to bring it into limelight. (Rewrite it using ‘not only ..... but also’.)

Kalpana was not only extremely proud of her birth-place but also made every effort to bring it into limelight.

(6) Give the antonyms from the extract for –

(i) collected: scattered
(ii) forgot: remembered

(B) Summary

Write a summary of the above extract with the help of the following points and suggest a suitable title.

Kalpana Chawla: A Humble Soul and Earth’s Daughter

Kalpana Chawla, despite her celebrity status as an astronaut, remained humble and deeply connected to her roots in India. She maintained close ties with her former teachers and friends and was proud of her birthplace. Beyond her career, she was passionately concerned about the Earth’s environment, urging youth to protect the fragile planet. Although her dream to visit India again was cut short by her tragic death, her husband, Harrison, fulfilled her wish by scattering her ashes over the Himalayas.

SECTION - B (Poetry)

Q. 4. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:

Extract Context: "If you accept counsel without getting sore..." (A poem about virtues, behavior, and character).

(1) What advice does the poet give us about the interaction with others?

The poet advises us to meet others without any frown or scoff, meaning we should be friendly and respectful. He also suggests we should not be obstinate and should be open to accepting counsel without getting angry.

(2) According to you, how should you behave with your parents?

We should behave with respect, love, and patience towards our parents. We should listen to their advice (counsel) without getting sore, understanding that they have our best interests at heart, and care for them in their old age.

(3) Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line: "If you have the will to live and courage to die"

Antithesis: The opposite ideas of "live" and "die" are placed in the same sentence to emphasize the balance of courage required for both life and death.

(4) Pick out the words from the extract which indicate negative traits.

The words indicating negative traits are: sore, obstinate, frown, scoff, jeers, lie.

(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:

Extract Context: "What makes a nation's pillars high... It is not gold..." (Poem: A Nation's Strength).

(1) Why are the wealthy kingdoms unstable?

Wealthy kingdoms are unstable because their foundations ("shafts") are laid on "sinking sand" rather than on "abiding rock," and they often collapse ("go down") due to the shock of battles.

(2) Do you feel wars are the only solution to the problems between nations? Explain.

No, I do not feel wars are the only solution. Wars lead to destruction of life and property. Diplomatic dialogue, treaties, and mutual cooperation are better, sustainable ways to resolve conflicts between nations.

(3) Give the rhyming scheme used in the extract.

The rhyme scheme is a b a b (grand/sand, shock/rock).

(4) Pick out the words/expressions related to the mighty kingdom.

The words/expressions are: Gold, kingdoms grand, battle shock, shafts, glory.

SECTION - C (Rapid Reading and Composition)

Q. 5. (A) Read the following extract and rewrite it from the point of view of the friend of the narrator:

Original Text Summary: A prisoner (Herman) in a camp describes being given a number, working in the crematorium, and a moment of kindness involving a girl and an apple.

[You may begin with : My friend was scheduled to die on May 1945.]

My friend was scheduled to die on May 1945. "Don't call me Herman anymore," he said to his brother. "Call me 94983". He was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator. He, too, felt dead. Hardened, he had become a number. Soon his brothers and he were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald's sub-camps near Berlin. One morning he thought he heard his mother's voice. "Son," she said softly but clearly, "I am going to send you an angel." Then he woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream.

(B) Convert into a dialogue OR Extend the story

Option 1: Dialogue between Daisy and the Lark

Lark: I have no water, they have all gone out, and forgotten to give me anything to drink. My throat is dry and burning.

Daisy: Oh, poor bird! I can hear your pain. I wish I could bring you water.

Lark: I feel as if I had fire and ice within me. The air is so oppressive here in the cage.

Daisy: Please don't give up. Look at the sunshine outside.

Lark: Alas! I must die. I part with the warm sunshine and the fresh green meadows. You and the piece of grass are all I have now.

Daisy: You are fading, little flower. I am helpless. I cannot move my leaves, but I offer you my fragrance to comfort you.

Lark: You remind me of what I have lost, beautiful flower. But thank you for staying with me until the end.

OR - Option 2: Extend the story (Orlando and the Duke)

...She was always in his thoughts and every day he wrote poetry about her, pinning it on the trees in the forest. One day, Rosalind and her cousin Celia, who were hiding in the forest disguised as a shepherd boy named Ganymede and his sister, stumbled upon these verses. Rosalind was astonished to see her name on the trees. She soon met Orlando but kept her disguise. She playfully told Orlando that she could cure him of his love-sickness if he wooed 'Ganymede' as if he were Rosalind. Orlando agreed, visiting every day to profess his love, unaware that he was courting his true love all along.

SECTION - D (Written Communication)

Q. 6. (A) Letter Writing

(1) Write a letter of application in response to the advertisement.

B1-104, Rose Parade,
S. B. Road, Nagpur.

21st February 2018.

To,
The Managing Director,
Cosmos Ltd.,
72-E Industrial Area,
Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400093.

Subject: Application for the post of Purchase Officer.

Dear Sir/Madam,

With reference to your advertisement published in 'The Daily Times' dated 20th February 2018, I wish to apply for the post of Purchase Officer in your reputed organization.

I possess the requisite qualifications, holding a B.E. (Electrical) degree from Nagpur University with Distinction (78%). I also completed a Computer Diploma from NIIT in 2014, making me proficient in computer operations necessary for independent correspondence.

I have work experience as a Purchase Officer at Login Private Ltd., Nagpur, where I have gained valuable insights into the field. I am confident that my technical background and experience make me a suitable candidate for this position. I assure you of my dedication and hard work if given the opportunity.

I have enclosed my C.V. for your perusal.

Yours faithfully,

(Signature)
Aruna Anil Shinde

Encl: C.V. / Resume

(B) Tourist Leaflet OR Report

(1) Tourist Leaflet: Hill Station (e.g., Mahabaleshwar)

Visit Magical Mahabaleshwar!

The Queen of Hill Stations in Maharashtra

• How to reach there:
  By Air: Nearest airport is Pune (120 km).
  By Rail: Nearest station is Wathar, but Pune is more convenient.
  By Road: Well connected by buses from Mumbai and Pune.
• Accommodation facilities: A wide range of options from luxury MTDC resorts to budget hotels and homestays are available.
• What to see: Arthur’s Seat, Wilson Point (Sunrise), Venna Lake (Boating), Pratapgad Fort, and Lingmala Waterfall.
• Shopping attractions: Fresh strawberries, jams, jellies, honey, and leather footwear (Kolhapuri chappals).
• Speciality: The cool, pollution-free climate and the delicious Strawberries and Cream!

(C) Information Transfer

(1) Read the tree diagram about 'Morphemes' and write a short paragraph.

Morphemes in Linguistics
Morphemes are defined as the smallest linguistic units within a word that can carry a meaning. They are broadly classified into two main categories: Free Morphemes and Bound Morphemes. Bound Morphemes are further subdivided based on their position in a word: Prefix (initial position), Infix (middle position), and Suffix (final position). Suffixes are categorized into two types: Derivational and Inflexional. Derivational suffixes are distinct as they can function as either Class changing or Class maintaining bases.

Q. 7. (A) Framing Questions

Interview a well-known sports personality (Chief Guest).

Interview Questions for Sports Personality:

1. Welcome, Sir/Madam. Could you tell us at what age you discovered your passion for this sport?
2. Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model during your journey?
3. What do you consider your single greatest achievement or "best moment" in your career so far?
4. What was the most challenging obstacle you faced, and how did you overcome it?
5. How do you maintain your physical and mental fitness amidst such a busy schedule?
6. Which specific prize or medal holds the most special place in your heart?
7. What are your future plans for the development of sports in our country?
8. What message would you like to give to the aspiring young athletes of our college?

(B) Speech Writing

Topic: 'Save Trees, Trees Save'

Save Trees, Trees Save

Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends,

Today, I stand before you to speak on a vital topic: "Save Trees, Trees Save." We often forget that trees are the primary providers of our most basic human need—oxygen. Without them, life as we know it would cease to exist.

Trees are the guardians of our ecological balance. They bind the soil, preventing erosion, and play a crucial role in the water cycle by attracting rain showers. Yet, we are cutting them down at an alarming rate for urbanization. If we destroy trees, we destroy our future.

Let us pledge today to plant at least one sapling each and nurture it. Remember, if we save trees, trees will save us. Thank you.

(C) Counter-View

Topic: Facebook is a user-friendly device. (Write Counter-View)

Facebook: A Web of Distraction

While Facebook is praised as a networking tool, the counter-view reveals a darker side. Far from being purely "user-friendly," it often becomes an addiction that hampers productivity. Though it claims to connect people, it often disconnects them from the real world, leading to a loss of genuine social skills. The platform is rampant with fake news and misinformation that spreads faster than truth. Furthermore, privacy breaches are a constant concern, with personal data often being misused. Cyberbullying on Facebook has also caused immense mental stress to many teenagers. Therefore, it is not just a friendly device but a potential trap.

Title: HSC English Question Paper Solution 2018 | Set J-201/B Labels: HSC Board Exam, English Question Paper, Class 12 Solved Papers, Maharashtra Board, 2018 Question Paper, Exam Preparation Permanent Link: hsc-english-question-paper-solution-2018-set-j201b-maharashtra-board Search Description: Full solution for Maharashtra HSC Class 12 English Board Exam 2018 (Set J-201/B). Includes Grammar, Note-making, and Writing Skills answers.