Grammar – Question Paper for HSC Maharashtra Board
English Grammar Skill – Model Question Paper with Solutions
Do as directed :
( I) One of _____ most common causes of malnutrition is ____ unhealthy lifestyle. (Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles )
Answer: One of the most common causes of malnutrition is an unhealthy lifestyle.
(ii )The police ______ Monday arrested five men _____cheating city businessmen. (Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)
Answer: The police on Monday arrested five men for cheating city businessmen.
(iii )”How did you enjoy your college picnic ?said Mohini to Meena. “It was wonderful. I can never forget it.” (Change it into indirect speech.)
Answer: Mohini asked Meena how she had enjoyed her college picnic. Meena exclaimed that it was wonderful and added that she could never forget it.
Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
1. Parking will be difficult and expensive. ( Use “not only …. but also)
Ans: Parking will be not only difficult but also expensive.
2. People will use public transport rather than cars. (Make it less certain)
Ans: People might use public transport rather than cars.
3. There are some glimmers of hope. (Add a question tag)
Ans: There are some glimmers of hope, aren't there?
4. They have excuses ready when they reach office late. (Identify the clause)
Ans: “when they reach office late” is an Adverb Clause of Time.
5. She felt terrible about this tendency. (Rewrite as Exclamatory)
Ans: How terrible she felt about this tendency!
6. Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap. (Rewrite the sentence using adjective form of the underlined word.)
Ans: Reuben touched his worn cap in a respectful manner.
7. Can you please hold it for me? (What does underlined Modal Auxiliary indicate?)
Ans: It indicates a Request.
8. India’s present epoch maker has come over here to bless the state of Maharashtra. (Use gerund form of underlined word)
Ans: India’s present epoch maker has come over here for blessing the state of Maharashtra.
9. Both India and Maharashtra can progress only when there is oneness of interest. ( Use ‘If ..not’)
Ans: Both India and Maharashtra cannot progress if there is no oneness of interest.
10. As we were nearing the steps leading to a foot over bridge, people started pushing from behind. ( Use ‘no sooner … than’ )
Ans: No sooner were we nearing the steps leading to a foot over bridge than people started pushing from behind.
11. I had no anxiety and no high ambitions. ( Use ‘neither……nor )
Ans: I had neither anxiety nor high ambitions.
12. It is a book about the transformation of India. ( Begin with – ‘The book….’)
Ans: The book is about the transformation of India.
13. The school had no regular calendar. (Rewrite as Affirmative)
Ans: The school was without a regular calendar.
14. “Did you like the story, Meenu?”Raghu asked. (Rewrite into Indirect speech)
Ans: Raghu asked Meenu if she had liked the story.
15. It is achievable. (Rewrite as negative)
Ans: It is not unachievable.
16. People will use public transport rather than cars. (Make it less certain)
Ans: People may use public transport rather than cars.
17. They have excuses ready when they reach office late. (Identify the clause)
Ans: “when they reach office late” is an Adverb Clause of Time.
18. The gobar gas obtained by by processing dung is used as fuel. (Rewrite the sentence beginning with ‘People…..’)
Ans: People use the gobar gas obtained by processing dung as fuel.
19. The consumption of milk in both urban and rural areas has risen sharply. (Rewrite the sentence using the past perfect tense)
Ans: The consumption of milk in both urban and rural areas had risen sharply.
20. The milk processing industry is small one. (Make it a complex sentence.)
Ans: The milk processing industry is one which is small.
21. He sent a personalized letter offering each a free two-week subscription. (Rewrite the sentence using the infinitive form of the word underlined.)
Ans: He sent a personalized letter to offer each a free two-week subscription.
22. Seeing the hungry market,Dell placed local advertisement. (Make it a compound sentence .)
Ans: Dell saw the hungry market and placed local advertisement.
23. She felt terrible about this tendency. (Rewrite as Exclamatory)
Ans: How terrible she felt about this tendency!
24. Dora had never received such a gift. (Rewrite in Present Perfect tense)
Ans: Dora has never received such a gift.
25. The improved models found eager buyers. (Change the sentence into present perfect tense.)
Ans: The improved models have found eager buyers.
26. My little girl can get tasty fruits from some other garden too. (Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary expressing ‘certainty’.)
Ans: My little girl will get tasty fruits from some other garden too.
27. Hundreds of these little birds would land on the paddy. (Rewrite the sentence using ‘used to’)
Ans: Hundreds of these little birds used to land on the paddy.
28. When I saw the prizes,I was stupefied. (Rewrite the sentence using ‘No sooner …… than)
Ans: No sooner did I see the prizes than I was stupefied.
29. There was nothing she could do about it. (Rewrite as Rhetorical Question)
Ans: Was there anything she could do about it?
30. It should keep for a while. (Replace the Modal Auxiliary with another indicating obligation)
Ans: It must keep for a while.
Maharashtra Board HSC English Writing Skills
Maharashtra Board HSC English Writing Skills is an important section for both Class 11 and 12th standard as this part can help you score good marks in your English exam. English is a compulsory subject for Maharashtra Board HSC students for both the standards. Also, the syllabus of Maharashtra Board HSC English Writing Skills remains the same for Class 11 and 12th standard.
While writing the English paper of HSC for Maharashtra Board its best to focus on the grammar part as it’s where we make the most mistakes. Practice writing in English to improve your skills as it gives an idea of where you’re going wrong and provides you with an opportunity to improve.
Maharashtra Board HSC English Writing Skill section includes Letter writing, Tourist leaflet/Appeal, Information transfer or Developing a counterview, Framing questions for an interview, Preparing a speech.
Maharashtra Board HSC English Writing Skill syllabus for 11 and 12 standard includes the following topics:
Unit No Unit Name
1. Unseen Passages
2. Note Making
3. Letter Writing
4. Tourist Leaflet
5. Appeal
6. Report Writing
7. News Writing
8. Information Transfer
9. View Counterview
10. Interview
11. Speech Writing
HSC English
12th English Board Papers
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English - February 2025
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English - July 2025
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English - February 2024
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English - July 2024
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English - February 2023
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English - July 2023
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English - February 2022
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English - February 2022
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English - July 2022
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English - September 2021
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English - March 2020 Set A
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English - March 2020 Set B
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English - March 2020 Set C
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English - March 2020 Set D
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English - March 2014
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English - October 2014
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English - March 2015
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English - July 2015
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English - March 2016 Set A
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English - March 2016 Set B
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English - March 2016 Set C
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English - March 2016 Set D
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English - July 2016 Set A
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English - July 2016 Set B
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English - July 2016 Set C
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English - July 2016 Set D
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English - March 2017 Set A
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English - March 2017 Set B
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English - March 2017 Set C
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English - March 2017 Set D
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English - July 2017 Set A
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English - March 2018 Set A
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English - March 2018 Set B
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English - March 2018 Set C
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English - March 2018 Set D
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English - March 2019 Set A
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English - March 2019 Set B
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English - March 2019 Set C
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English - March 2019 Set D
View
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Consider this list your interview question and answer study guide.
Tell Me About Yourself.
How Did You Hear About This Position?
Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?
Why Do You Want This Job?
Why Should We Hire You?
What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?
What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?
Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You’ve Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With It.
Tell Me About a Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills.
What’s a Time You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?
Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.
Tell Me About a Time You Failed.
Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?
Why Were You Fired?
Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment?
Can You Explain Why You Changed Career Paths?
What’s Your Current Salary?
What Do You Like Least About Your Job?
What Are You Looking for in a New Position?
What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?
What’s Your Management Style?
How Would Your Boss and Coworkers Describe You?
How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?
What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?
Are You Planning on Having Children?
How Do You Prioritize Your Work?
What Are You Passionate About?
What Motivates You?
What Are Your Pet Peeves?
How Do You Like to Be Managed?
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
What’s Your Dream Job?
What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?
What Makes You Unique?
What Should I Know That’s Not on Your Resume?
What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?
What Are Your Salary Requirements?
What Do You Think We Could Do Better or Differently?
When Can You Start?
Are You Willing to Relocate?
How Many Tennis Balls Can You Fit Into a Limousine?
If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
Sell Me This Pen.
Is There Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?
Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
Bonus Questions
New Activity Based Study of Prosecco, poetry and RR Std 12th and 11th
Scenario: Ms Mable, your teacher, has recently retired after thirty three years of service to the school/college. You have been asked to interview her for the school/college magazine.
Task: Prepare a list of questions for the interview. 4 Marks
Scheme of Marking
Questions relevant to the situation 2
Proper sequence of questions 1
Language, style, grammar 1
Sample Questions for Ms. Mable:
1. Welcome Ms. Mable Madam. I am Rohini. Best wishes for the retired life ahead. How do you feel retiring after such a long service ?
2. Tell us how did you begin your career?
3. How did you differentiate teaching profession from other profession?
4. What pleasant memories do you have of the school/ college?
5. What changes have come in the school and students in the last 33 years?
6. What do you think about use of technology in education, digital school?
7. Any advice for the young teachers and students?
8. Finally what plans do you have after retirement?
Task: Frame 8 interview questions you would put to the topper of the HSC Board at the recently held examinations.
1. Congratulation.I would like to ask if you expected that you would be topper of the board
2. Whom do you give credit for your success?
3. What role did your school teachers and parents play in your preparation for the HSC examinations?
4. How much time did you spend a day on studies?
5. What method of study did you adopt?
6. Who helped you to overcome your difficulties?
7. What is your ambition in life?
8. What is your immediate goal?
9. Which career do you propose to choose?
10. Any advice to the present batch of students? Please state.
Task: Prepare a list of questions to interview a disable person who has achieved a unique success.
1. Hello, Sudhaji Good morning. Ma’m, we would like to know about your successful journey in life.Will you please tell us?
2. How did you lose your leg?
3. How did you overcome that?
4. Is the film ‘Nache Mayuri’ based on your real life story?
5. What special efforts did you take to perform in the movie or dance shows?
6. How did you feel when you succeeded in preforming well ?
7. Do you feel any difference in performance of the disable and the abled?
8. What do you like to tell the disable?
General Interview Questionnaire
1. How did you turn to this field?
2. What challenges did you face in the early stage?
3. What fascinated you most ?
4. What helped you to perform to such an extent?
5. Will you tell us any memorable event?
6. What strategies have you adopted to succeed?
7. How did you feel at the zenith of success?
8. What message would you like to share with us?
Task: Imagine you are interviewing a famous writer for a newspaper or a T.V. Channel.
Prompt: Prepare a list of questions you can ask. You can include questions about his work and the difficulties he faced, his inspiration for writing etc.
1. When did you first realize to be a writer?
2. How long does it take you to write a page or chapter?
3. What is your work schedule for writing?
4. What would you do to get ideas?
5. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
6. How was your experience when your first book was published?
7. What does your family think of your writing?
8. What was the most interesting thing you learned in creating your books?
9. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
10. Do you have any suggestions to help writers? If so, what are they?
A list of interview question for an actor/actress
1. How do you sustain interest in a movie?
2. What about this movie made you feel so strongly towards?
3. What are the challenges of playing different roles?
4. Do you have to learn new skills to portray the characters? Tell our readers.
5. How do you prepare for a character?
6. How do you devise the method of locating the character?
7. Do you have to become the character even at the expense of your regular life?
8. Do you believe in spending time at the location?
9. How different it is to play contrasting roles like a cop and a don?
10. How do you feel when your film becomes a blockbuster?
Professional Business Letter Format
Even though many communications are handled via email, printed letters are still used for formal business correspondence. A business letter should include the following components:
Writer's Contact Information
Date
Recipient's Contact Information
Salutation
Body of Letter
When writing a business letter, keep it simple and focused, so the purpose of your letter is clear. Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself. The second and third paragraphs will explain why you are writing and what you are requesting from the reader. End your letter by thanking the reader for considering your request.
Closing
Your signature
Your Typed Signature
Tips for Formatting a Business Letter
• Keep your letter short. Two or three paragraphs and a single page is sufficient, leaving room for your signature at the bottom of the letter.
• Choose a simple font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. A 12 point font size is easy to read.
• Single space your letter, leave a space between each paragraph and before and after the contact information and closing. Left justify your letter.
Review Examples and Get a Template: Review a sample formatted business letter, and download the free template to use as a starting point for your own correspondence.
Business Email Message Format
When you're sending emails to apply for jobs, for work, or for business purposes, it's important to format each section of your message correctly. It's easy, for example, for emails to get lost in an inbox if they don't have a subject line, or to not get a second glance if they have typos or other errors.
Here's how to format a business email:
Subject Line - This should explain why you are writing in a few words.
Salutation - Start the email with a professional greeting.
The body of the Message - Explain why you are writing as briefly as possible.
Closing - End your message with a professional closing just as you would a business letter.
Signature - Your signature provides information for the reader to get back in touch with you. Include your full name, email address, phone number, and your address if you are expecting a written reply.
Tips for Formatting an Email Message
• Write your email messages as you would any other business correspondence, with full sentences, paragraphs, and a space between each paragraph.
• The key to writing and formatting email message is to keep them short. Most people don't read beyond the first or second paragraph, so make your point at the beginning of your message.
Review Examples: Review examples of professional email messages to use to correctly format your own messages.
Cover Letter Format
To be effective, a cover letter written to apply for a job should follow the basic format of a typical business letter. Include the following sections in your letter:
Your Contact Information
Date
Employer's Contact Information
Salutation
Body of Letter
Include information on the job you are applying for, why you are a good fit for the position, and how you will follow up. Take the time to match your qualifications to the job. Use your closing paragraph to thank the employer for their consideration.
Closing
Your signature (hard copy letter)
Your Typed Signature
Tips for Formatting a Cover Letter
• Be sure to include spaces between paragraphs and an appropriate greeting and closing.
• Left justify your letter and use a simple font like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman.
Review Examples and Get a Template: Review a sample formatted cover letter, and download a free template to use to write your own cover letters for jobs.
Job Acceptance Letter Format
When you accept a job offer, it's a good idea to write a formal job acceptance letter to confirm the details of employment and to formally accept the job offer. The letter should include the following elements:
Your Contact Information
Date
Salutation
Body of Letter
The first paragraph of the letter should include your thanks and appreciation for the opportunity. Next, mention that you are accepting the offer. State the terms of employment including the salary, benefits, and anything else you have negotiated with the employer. The last paragraph of the letter or email confirms your start date. You can also mention that you are looking forward to starting work.
Closing (printed letter)
Your signature
Your Typed Signature
If you are accepting a job via email, list your name and contact information after the closing.
Review an Example and Get a Template: Review sample job acceptance letters, and download a free template to create your own letter.
Letter of Interest Format
A letter of interest, also known as a prospecting letter or inquiry letter, is sent to companies that may be hiring but haven't listed a specific job opening to apply for.
Your letter of interest should contain information on why the company interests you and why your skills and experience would be an asset to the company. The letter should follow this format:
Your Contact Information
Date
Company Contact Information
Salutation
Body of Letter
Your first paragraph should mention what you have to offer the company. Explain why you would be an excellent new hire. The second and third paragraphs should provide examples of how you have used your strengths in prior roles. The last paragraph of the letter should include a request to meet with the company to discuss employment opportunities.
Closing
Signature
Be sure to include your contact information in your signature (email address, phone, mailing address) if you are sending an email message, so it's easy for the reader to get in touch with you. For a printed letter, include your full name and sign above it.
Include Your Resume
Send a copy of your resume with your letter of interest so the employer can review your complete work history, educational background, and qualifications.
Review Examples and Get a Template: Review examples of professionally written letters of interest, and download a free template to use to create your own correspondence.
Reference Letter Format
A reference letter should provide information on who you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why they are qualified, and the specific skills they have. A reference letter should be formatted as follows:
Salutation
Body of Letter
The first paragraph of the reference letter describes how you know the person you are recommending and why you are qualified to provide a recommendation. The second and third paragraphs of the letter provide information on why the person is qualified for a job or graduate school, what they can offer, and why you are endorsing them.
The next paragraph should state that you "highly recommend" or "strongly recommend" the individual.
The final paragraph contains an offer to provide more information. Include an email address and a phone number within the paragraph. Also, include your phone number and email address in the return address section of your letter or your signature if you are sending an email reference.
Closing (printed letter)
Your signature
Your Typed Signature
Review Examples and Get a Template: Review examples of professionally written reference letters, and download a free template to use to write your own recommendations.
Resignation Letter Format
The format of a resignation letter should be brief and factual. You don't need to include any more information other than the fact that you are resigning and the date your resignation will be effective.
Optional, but not required, information that you can include in a resignation letter is your appreciation for the opportunities you had, a reason for leaving, and an offer to help as you transition out of your job.
Here's how to format a resignation letter:
Your Contact Information
Date
Employer Contact Information
Salutation
Body of Letter
The first paragraph of your letter should say that you are resigning and include your last day of work. Optionally, you can another paragraph thanking the company for the opportunities they provided while you worked there. Also optional is an offer to help with the transition.
Closing (printed letter)
Your signature
Your Typed Signature
Review Examples and Get a Template: Review resignation letter samples, and download a free template to use to write your own letter of resignation.
Thank You Letter Format
When you write a thank you letter after a job interview, as well as saying thanks for the interview, it's a good idea to restate why you are interested in the job, what your qualifications are, how you might make significant contributions, and why you are qualified for the position.
Your letter should be formatted as follows for a mailed letter. If you're emailing your thank you, list your name and "thank you" in the subject line of the message.
Your Contact Information
Date
Employer Contact Information
Salutation
Body of Letter
Start your letter by thanking the interviewer for the time they spent interviewing you. In the next paragraph, mention the specific qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the job. If there was anything you wished you had said at the interview, but didn't, use the third paragraph to mention. Conclude your letter by reiterating your thanks and stating that you are looking forward to hearing from the hiring manager.
Closing (printed letter)
Your signature
Your Typed Signature
