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HSC English Board Exam Paper 2020 Solutions SET B (Maharashtra Board)

Maharashtra HSC Board Class 12 English Exam Paper 2020 Solution
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Solution: HSC English Board Exam Paper 2020 (Set J-301/B)

SECTION - I
(Reading Skill, Grammar, Vocabulary, Note-making and Summary)
Q. 1. (A)
Read the first activity, read the extract and then do all the activities:
Extract Summary: The passage describes people gathering at the gate of a garden. They fill their sacks with apples and mangoes but empty them when they see better fruits (gold/silver) further inside. Greed takes over. Finally, they reach a raging stream they cannot cross with heavy sacks. A young man abandons his sack to swim across, and others follow, leaving their riches behind.
A1. True / False —
Read the following sentences and write down true sentences:
  1. Everyone gathered late at the gate of the garden.
  2. Everyone emptied their sacks of the fruits they had collected earlier.
  3. People walked up to their king happily.
  4. The stream was narrow, but the current was strong.
Answer:

(ii) Everyone emptied their sacks of the fruits they had collected earlier.

(iv) The stream was narrow, but the current was strong.

A2. Find out the reasons —
Find out the reasons for the following statements:
(i) Everyone emptied their sacks of fruits they had collected earlier _______.
(ii) The people stood by the stream for a long time scratching their heads _______.
Answer:

(i) Everyone emptied their sacks of fruits they had collected earlier because they wanted to fill them up with the precious fruits made of gold and silver and flowers studded with gems and jewels that they saw further in the garden.

(ii) The people stood by the stream for a long time scratching their heads because a raging stream blocked their path. There were no boats, and although they needed to swim across, they didn't know how to do so while carrying such heavy sacks filled with gold and silver fruits.

A3. Point out —
Point out two instances from the passage showing greedy nature of people.
Answer:

(i) The people emptied their sacks of good edible fruits to fill them madly with gold and silver fruits, even though they had enough for their needs.

(ii) Greed took over their minds so completely that all they could think about was adding more and more valuables to their sacks, forgetting their original needs.

A4. Pick out —
Pick out the qualifying words (adjectives) from the extract for the following nouns:
(i) mangoes
(ii) apples
(iii) pomegranates
(iv) flowers
Answer:

(i) mangoes: plump (or silver)

(ii) apples: juicy (or gold)

(iii) pomegranates: ripe

(iv) flowers: colourful (or studded)

A5. Personal response:
"Greed for money is the common tendency of people." Explain in brief.
Answer:

Yes, greed for money is indeed a common tendency. In today's materialistic world, people often equate happiness with wealth. They constantly strive to acquire more than they need to secure their future or show off status, often ignoring ethical values or their own peace of mind. This insatiable desire leads to corruption and unhappiness, as demonstrated in the story where people abandoned actual food for gold they couldn't carry.

A6. Grammar —
Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) They spotted juicy apples and plump mangoes hanging from the trees. (Rewrite using "not only ... but also".)
(ii) Everyone gathered at the gate of the garden. (Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined part as an answer.)
Answer:

(i) They spotted not only juicy apples but also plump mangoes hanging from the trees.

(ii) Where did everyone gather?

Q. 1. (B) Grammar
Do as directed:
(1) She was serving as ______ clerk in ______ State Bank of India. (Rewrite it using appropriate articles.)
Answer:

She was serving as a clerk in the State Bank of India.

(2) Nashik city recorded 52.7 mm rain ______ 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Friday. (Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)
Answer:

Nashik city recorded 52.7 mm rain between 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Friday.

(3) Grandpa said to Meenu, "I am going for a walk. Are you willing to come with me?" (Change it into indirect narration.)
Answer:

Grandpa told Meenu that he was going for a walk and asked her if she was willing to come with him.

12th English Board Papers

Q. 2. (A)
Read the first activity, read the extract and then do all the activities:
Extract Summary: A fable about an animal school with a standardized curriculum (running, climbing, swimming, flying) for all. The duck is good at swimming but hurt his feet running; the squirrel failed flying; the eagle was a "problem child" for climbing to the top his own way. An eel with average skills becomes valedictorian. Prairie dogs stay out because digging isn't included.
A1. Choose —
Choose two sentences that appropriately mention the theme of the passage:
  1. The same scale should not be used for all to measure their performance.
  2. Private schools are good to develop individual's interest.
  3. The same curriculum should be given to all for better results.
  4. Trying for all the subjects irrespective of the individual's interest may lead to frustration.
Answer:

(i) The same scale should not be used for all to measure their performance.

(iv) Trying for all the subjects irrespective of the individual's interest may lead to frustration.

A2. Complete —
Complete the following statements by giving suitable reasons:
(i) The duck was average in swimming, because ....
(ii) The squirrel could score only C in climbing, because ....
Answer:

(i) The duck was average in swimming, because he had to drop swimming practice and stay after school to practice running, which caused his webbed feet to be badly worn.

(ii) The squirrel could score only C in climbing, because he developed a "Charlie horse" from overexertion in the flying class where the teacher made him start from the ground up.

A3. Guess:
Guess the result of the prairie dogs if they had been given admission in the animal school and support your guessing with the facts from the extract.
Answer:

If the prairie dogs had been given admission, they would likely have failed or been very frustrated. This is because the school's curriculum consisted only of running, climbing, swimming, and flying, but did not include "digging and burrowing," which is the prairie dogs' natural strength and interest.

A4. Vocabulary —
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words given in the box and rewrite:
[valedictorian, curriculum, frustration, administer]
(i) Varun who topped the college was declared .....
(ii) The ..... of the school should involve more activity subjects.
(iii) Poor performance in the exams develop ..... among the students.
(iv) It's necessary to ..... the programme, so that it will be successful.
Answer:

(i) Varun who topped the college was declared valedictorian.

(ii) The curriculum of the school should involve more activity subjects.

(iii) Poor performance in the exams develop frustration among the students.

(iv) It's necessary to administer the programme, so that it will be successful.

A5. Personal response:
Suggest in about 50 words at least two ways to make the learning enjoyable.
Answer:

To make learning enjoyable, schools should allow students to choose subjects based on their natural aptitudes and interests rather than forcing a rigid curriculum on everyone. Additionally, incorporating practical, activity-based learning and games instead of rote memorization keeps students engaged and motivated.

A6. Grammar —
(i) The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. (Make it a complex sentence.)
(ii) An abnormal eel could swim exceedingly well. (Rewrite the sentence using 'able to'.)
Answer:

(i) As/Since/Because the eagle was a problem child, he was disciplined severely.
OR
The eagle, who was a problem child, was disciplined severely.

(ii) An abnormal eel was able to swim exceedingly well.

Q. 2. (B) Note-making
Read the following extract and complete the notes given below:
Topic: Sudha Murthy - Biography, Education, Career, and Social Work.
Sudha Murthy

B1. Early life and education —
  • (i) Birthplace: Shiggaon in Karnataka
  • (ii) Education:
    • B.E. from B.V. B. College of Engineering, with gold medal.
    • M.E. in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Science, with gold medal from the Indian Institute of Engineers.
B2. Career
  • : First female engineer hired at TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company).
  • ♦ Senior System Analyst in Walchand Group of Industries, Pune.
  • Started Infosys Foundation in 1996 and has been a Visiting Professor at the P.G. centre of Bangalore University.
B3. Social activities
  • : ♦ Set 50,000 libraries
  • ♦ Several hundred toilets in Bangalore and 10,000 public toilets in rural areas.
  • ♦ Built 2,300 houses in the flood-affected areas.
Q. 3. (A)
Read the first activity, read the extract and then do all the activities:
Extract Summary: The passage discusses soil pollution and its health hazards. Contaminants infiltrate groundwater, causing diseases. Chemicals like benzene, mercury, cyclodines, etc., cause cancer, kidney damage, and other issues.
A1. True or False —
State whether the following statements are true or false:
(i) Animal manure does not have any evil effect on groundwater.
(ii) Pollution related health consequences depend on the immunity of the exposed population.
(iii) Only mercury is to be blamed for kidney damage.
(iv) Soil contamination is a potential health hazard.
Answer:

(i) False (The text mentions nitrate and ammonia from livestock manure are health hazards.)

(ii) True (Text says "vulnerability of the exposed population".)

(iii) False (Text mentions "Mercury and cyclodines" and "chlorinated solvents".)

(iv) True

A2. Explain:
Explain from the given extract how soil pollution affects drinking water.
Answer:

Soil pollution affects drinking water when soil contaminants infiltrate into groundwater aquifers. This contamination of the groundwater leads to the development of pollution-related diseases for those who consume this water.

A3. Find out:
Find out the reasons from the passage why we should avoid chemicals to kill insects.
Answer:

We should avoid chemicals (pesticides/herbicides) because constant exposure to them can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing), can cause congenital disorders, chronic health conditions, and may infiltrate groundwater causing further health issues.

A4. Vocabulary —
Match the pairs of the words in column 'A' with their meanings in column 'B':
Answer:

(i) infiltration — (c) passing of liquid through

(ii) inhalation — (d) breathing air in

(iii) consumption — (a) process of eating, drinking or using

(iv) concentration — (b) action of increasing strength of solution

A5. Personal response:
Suggest two steps to keep away from the use of chemicals in home.
Answer:

1. We can use natural cleaning agents like vinegar, lemon, and baking soda instead of harsh chemical cleaners.
2. We should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with salt water or ozonizers to remove surface chemical residues before consumption.

A6. Grammar —
(i) Potentially greater threats are posed by the infiltration of soil contamination. (Begin with - 'The infiltration of soil contamination ........' and rewrite.)
(ii) There is an entire spectrum of further health effects. (Rewrite, using Present Perfect Tense)
Answer:

(i) The infiltration of soil contamination poses potentially greater threats.

(ii) There has been an entire spectrum of further health effects.

Q. 3. (B) Summary
Summarise the above extract with the help of the points given and suggest a suitable title.

Soil Contamination: A Silent Killer

Soil pollution negatively impacts human health through direct contact, inhalation, or the infiltration of contaminants into groundwater aquifers. The severity of health hazards depends on the pollutant type and human vulnerability. Exposure to chemicals like lead, pesticides, and benzene can cause cancer, congenital disorders, and leukemia, while mercury and others damage kidneys and the liver. Even natural substances like nitrates from manure pose risks. Ultimately, soil contaminants entering the body via water or direct contact can lead to chronic diseases or even death.

SECTION - II
(Poetry)
Q. 4.
Read the given extract and then do all activities that follow:
"I celebrate the virtues and vices / of suburban middle-class people / Who overwhelm the refrigerator / ... / We heroes and poor devils..."
A1. Web —
Complete the web diagram by giving the features of suburban middle class people and their mentality from the extract.
Answer:
  • Buying dream on credit
  • Overwhelm the refrigerator
  • Heroes and poor devils / feeble / braggarts
  • Capable of everything impossible (as long as it's not seen)
A2. Poetic device —
Figure of speech: "We heroes and poor devils..."
Name the figure of speech in the above lines and find out another example of the same from the extract and write it down.
Answer:

Figure of Speech: Oxymoron (or Antithesis).

Explanation: Contradictory terms "heroes" and "poor devils" are placed together.

Another Example: "I celebrate the virtues and vices"

A3. Personal response:
"Middle-class people are ambitious and active in our country." Explain your views in brief.
Answer:

I agree. The middle class forms the backbone of the economy. They are constantly striving to improve their standard of living, often balancing dreams with reality. They are ambitious, valuing education and career growth to secure a better future for their children, which makes them very active and driven in society.

A4. Poetic creativity —
The word order in line no. 1 and 3 has been changed (Inversion). Compose two lines of your own using inversion in the blank lines.
The virtues and vices, I celebrate
....................................................
The refrigerator, we overwhelm
....................................................
Answer:

The virtues and vices, I celebrate
A happy song, I sing.

The refrigerator, we overwhelm
To the market, we go.

SECTION - III
(Rapid Reading and Composition)
Q. 5. (A)
Read the extract and do the activities that follow:
Extract Context: A narrative about a "Pink Lady" (Mrs. Green) visiting the narrator and her mother. She was thought to be dead/a skeleton found earlier, but she returns alive, revealing she ran away from her philandering husband to Sierra Leone.
A1. True / False —
Answer:

(i) The lady standing in the doorway was Mrs Green. — True (Though narrator first thought Miss Marple, she introduces herself as Mrs Green).

(ii) The lady wanted to stay on that day in Green's hotel. — True (She says "I may want a room for a day or two").

(iii) Miss Kellner convinced all that Mr Green was not a philanderer. — False (The text says "everyone knew Mr Green was a philanderer").

(iv) There were no good relations between Mrs Green and her father. — True ("My father and I were never very close").

A2. Convert into a dialogue:
Convert the above extract into a dialogue form.
Answer:

Narrator: (Exclaiming) Miss Marple!

Pink Lady: May I come in?

Mother: Please come in. Do sit down. Do you require a room?

Pink Lady: Not today, thank you. I'm staying with Padre Dutt. He insisted on putting me up. But I may want a room for a day or two - just for old times' sake.

Mother: You have stayed here before.

Pink Lady: A long time ago. I'm Mrs Green, you know. The missing Mrs Green.

Mother: (Stammering) Then - then, you aren't the skeleton?

Mrs Green: Do I look like a skeleton?

Narrator & Mother: No!

Narrator: But we heard you disappeared, and when we found that skeleton -

Mrs Green: You put two and two together.

Q. 5. (B)
Read the extract and do the activities that follow:
Extract Context: A play scene where boys (Tom, Ginger, George, Alfie) are at a Dentist's house. They were scared by a skull and "grinning things" (teeth models). The Dentist clarifies they are his models.
B1. Complete —
Answer:

(i) The white grinning things were actually models used for fitting artificial teeth.

(ii) The name of the little prize exhibit was Percy.

(iii) The awful screams came from some of the dentist's patients in the surgery.

(iv) There was only a single boy who did not get scared. He was George.

B2. Convert the dialogue into a story:
Convert the above extract into a story form in about 50 words.
Answer:

Tom, Ginger, and Alfie were terrified after seeing a skull and grinning teeth at the dentist's house, fearing a murder. The dentist laughed and explained that the teeth were his workmanship models and the skull, named Percy, was an ornament. He added that the screams were just patients. Only George hadn't been scared, though he got nervous when the dentist recognized him as a patient with bad teeth.

SECTION - IV
(Written Communication)
Q. 6. (A) Letter Writing
Write any ONE of the following letters:
Option 1: Leave Application
Imagine yourself to be Mohan / Mohini Pande. Write a letter to the Principal requesting leave for 5 days for a sister's wedding.
Model Answer:
Mohan Pande, Roll No. 74, Class XII (Arts), SPW Arts and Commerce College, Akola - 444001. 21st February 2020 To, The Principal, SPW Arts and Commerce College, Akola. Subject: Application for leave of absence for 5 days. Respected Sir, I am Mohan Pande, a student of Class XII (Arts), Roll No. 74. I am writing to request your permission for a leave of absence from college for five days, from 25th February 2020 to 29th February 2020. My elder sister’s wedding ceremony is scheduled to take place at our hometown during this period. As a family member, my presence is required for the preparations and the ceremony. I assure you that I will complete all missed notes and assignments immediately upon my return. I kindly request you to grant me leave for these days. Thanking you. Yours obediently, (Signature) Mohan Pande Roll No. 74, Std. XII (Arts)
Q. 6. (B) Appeal / News
Write on any ONE of the following items:
Option 1: Appeal (Flood Relief)
Model Answer:

HELP KERALA RISE AGAIN!

A Humble Appeal for Flood Victims

The devastating floods in Kerala have left thousands homeless and helpless. Lives have been lost, and property destroyed.

Join the Rally for Humanity!

Organised by: The Youth Social Welfare Club

  • Date: Sunday, 25th February 2020
  • Time: 9:00 AM onwards
  • Venue: Gandhi Maidan to Town Hall

Chief Guest: Shri. A.K. Sharma (Social Activist)

We request all citizens to donate generously:

✓ Dry Food Packets
✓ Clothes & Blankets
✓ Medicines
✓ Cash contributions

"Your small contribution can save a life."

Contact: Secretary, Youth Club (9876543210)

Q. 6. (C) Counter-view / Information Transfer
Option 1: Counter-view
Topic: 'Mobiles should be allowed in classrooms' (View Section provided). Develop a Counter-view.
Model Answer:
Mobiles in Classrooms: A Distraction, Not a Tool While many argue that mobile phones are a great source of information, allowing them in classrooms would do more harm than good. The primary purpose of a classroom is focused learning, and mobile phones are the ultimate weapon of mass distraction. Firstly, instead of using them for study, students are more likely to spend time on social media, gaming, or chatting, breaking the concentration of the entire class. Secondly, it creates disparity between students who own expensive high-end phones and those who don't, leading to inferiority complexes. Furthermore, easy access to information via Google discourages critical thinking and the habit of reading books. Teachers are present to explain concepts and videos; we do not need personal screens for that. Therefore, to maintain discipline and academic integrity, mobiles should be strictly banned in classrooms.
Q. 7. Interview / Speech
(A) Interview Questions:
Frame 8-10 questions to interview a Dietitian on 'World Health Day'.
Model Answer:
Interview with a Dietitian 1. Good morning, Sir/Madam. Welcome to our college. Could you start by telling us what inspired you to become a dietitian? 2. What is the significance of celebrating 'World Health Day' in today's fast-paced world? 3. What does a "balanced diet" actually look like for a growing teenager? 4. Many students skip breakfast due to early classes. How harmful is this practice? 5. Junk food is very popular among youth. What are the long-term effects of consuming it regularly? 6. Are supplements and protein shakes safe for students who are into sports, or should they rely on natural food? 7. How important is water intake, and how much should a student drink daily? 8. Can you suggest some brain-boosting foods that can help students during exam time? 9. What is your opinion on the "crash diets" that people follow to lose weight quickly? 10. Finally, what is your message to our students for leading a healthy lifestyle?
(B) Speech Drafting:
Topic: 'Disappearing Birds'.
Model Answer:
The Case of the Disappearing Birds Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends, Good morning. Today, I stand before you to speak on a topic of grave concern – "Disappearing Birds". Do you remember waking up to the chirping of sparrows? Sadly, for many of us, that sound is becoming a memory. Birds are vanishing from our skies at an alarming rate. The reasons are man-made: rapid urbanization, cutting down trees which are their homes, and the excessive use of pesticides in farms which poison their food. Furthermore, radiation from mobile towers is often cited as a cause for the decline in the sparrow population. Birds play a crucial role in our ecosystem as pollinators and pest controllers. To bring them back, we must plant more trees, place water bowls on our balconies during summer, and stop using chemical pesticides in our gardens. Let us pledge today to protect our winged friends before they disappear forever. Thank you.

Title: HSC English Board Exam Paper 2020 Solutions (Maharashtra Board)

Labels: HSC Board Papers, English Solutions, 12th Std Maharashtra Board, Exam Preparation, 2020 Question Paper

Permanent Link: /2024/02/maharashtra-hsc-english-board-paper-2020-solutions-j301b

Search Description:Complete solutions for the Maharashtra HSC Class 12 English Board Exam Paper 2020 (Set J-301/B). Includes Grammar, Comprehension, Writing Skills, and Poetry answers.

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