English Paper: HSC BOARD EXAM JULY 2023

HSC BOARD EXAM JULY 2023

English Paper

Time: 3 Hours                                                                                                  Max. Marks: 80

====================================

Important instructions:

(1) Each activity has to be answered in complete sentence/s. One word answers will not be given complete credit. Just the correct activity number written in case of options will not be given credit.

(2) Web diagrams, flow charts, tables etc. are to be presented exactly as they are with answers.

(3) In point 2 above, just words without the presentation of the activity format/design, will not be given credit. Use of colour pencils/pens etc. is not allowed. (Only blue/black pens are allowed.)

(4) Multiple answers to the same activity will be treated as wrong and will not be given any credit.

(5) Maintain the sequence of the Sections/Question Nos./Activities throughout the activity sheet.

====================================

SECTION I: PROSE

[Reading for Comprehension, Language Study, Summary and Mind-Mapping]

Q. 1. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below:     (12 Marks) [16]

         Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button of his vest upward. He was shaven, and his coat was trim and his neat, black bow had been presented to him by a lady missionary on Thanksgiving Day. If only he could reach a table in the restaurant unsuspected, success would be his. The portion of him that would show above the table would raise no doubt in the waiter's mind. A roasted mallard duck, thought Soapy, would be about the thing with a bottle of wine and then some cheese, a cup of coffee and a cigar. One dollar for the cigar would be enough. The total would not be so high as to call forth any extreme of revenge from the cafe management; and yet the meat would leave him filled and happy for the journey to his winter island.

        But as Soapy set foot inside the restaurant door, the head- waiter's eye fell upon his tattered trousers and decadent shoes. Strong and ready hands turned him about and conveyed him in silence and haste to the side-walk and averted the ignoble fate of the menaced mallard.

    Soapy turned off Broadway. It seemed that his route to the coveted island was not to be an easy one. Some other way of entering the limbo must be devised.

        At a corner of this Sixth Avenue, electric lights and cunningly displayed wares behind plateglass made a shop window attractive. Soapy took a stone and dashed it through the glass. People came running round the corner, a policeman in the lead. Soapy stood still with his hands in his pockets, and smiled at the sight of brass buttons.

        "Where's the man that done that?" inquired the officer agitatedly.

        "Don't you think that I might have had something to do with it?" said Soapy, with a friendly voice, as one greets good fortune.

A1. Read and rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are True or False: (2)

(a) A lady missionary has presented Soapy a black bow on Thanksgiving Day.

(b) The head - waiter's eye did not fall upon his tattered trousers and decadent shoes.

(c) A policeman was in the lead when people came running round the corner.

(d) The officer did not inquire about the man who broke the glass.

A2. Match the incidents given in column 'A' with the consequences given in column 'B' : (2)

Column 'A'	Column 'B'
(1) Soapy tried to enter a cafe.	He stood up slowly beating the dust from his clothes.
(2) Soapy broke a glass window.	He wanted to get arrested by the police.
(3) Two waiters pitched Soapy on the callous pavement	The cop ran after another man.
(4) Soapy stood silent with his hands in his pockets.	Strong and ready hands. of the head-waiter turned him round.

A3. Complete the following sentences :        (2)

'His route to the coveted island was not to be an easy one.'

(i) Here 'Island' means ........................

(ii) The island is 'Coveted' because ..........................

A4. 'Students should stay away from crime'. Write your opinion on the above sentence.     (2)

A5. Do as directed:            (2)

(1) Soapy turned off Broadway.

(Identify the correct tense form from the following options and rewrite.)

(a) The simple present tense

(b) The simple past tense

(c) The present perfect tense

(d) The past perfect tense

(ii) Soapy took a stone and dashed it through the glass.

(Choose the correct alternative to make it a simple sentence.)

(a) Taking a stone, Soapy dashed it through the glass.

(b) Soapy took a stone to dashed it through the glass.

(c) Soapy has taken a stone to dash it through the glass.

(d) Soapy takes a stone to dash it through the glass.

A. 6. Find the synonyms of the following from the extract:     (2)

(1) jail

(ii) old and worn out shoes

(iii) dishonourable

(iv) nervous manner

(B) Language Study:                         (4 Marks)

B.1. Do as Directed:

(1) There were no boats to take the people across. (Identify and rewrite the correct transformation of the above sentence beginning with 'If ....)                    (1)

(a) If there were no boats, they wouldn't have taken people across.

(b) If there were no boats, they would have taken people across.

(c) If there were boats, they would have taken people across.

(d) If there were boats, they wouldn't have taken people across.

(2) He simply abandoned his sack by the stream.     (Identify and rewrite the correct transformation of the above sentence beginning with 'His sack ...) (1)

(a) His sack is abandoned by the stream by him.

(b) His sack has been abandoned by him by the stream.

(c) His sack was abandoned by him by the stream.

(d) His sack had been abandoned by the stream by him.

(3) She said, "I have worked hard from childhood."    (Identify the correct indirect narration of the above sentence from the given options and rewrite it.) (1)

(a) She said that she had worked hard from childhood.

(b) She said that she has worked hard from childhood.

(c) She said that she worked hard from childhood.

(d) She said that she has been working hard from childhood.

B2. Spot the error and write the corrected sentence:         (1)

India pays tribute to Gandhiji for his birth anniversary.

Q. 2. (A) Read the following extract and complete the activities given below : (12 Marks) [18]

        This is my birthday, sir, explained Gopal timidly. 'Wish you many happy returns,' said the director promptly and added, "What if it is your birthday?"

        'Rather a peculiar birthday,' explained Gopal. "This is my forty-ninth birthday. Astrologers have often told me that I might not see this birthday, and if I lived to see this day I should have nothing more to worry about... I have lived in secret terror of this day all my life. Whenever I saw my wife and children I used to be racked with the thought that I should probably be leaving them orphans. I came late today because we held some propitiatory rites at home for the planets, and we celebrated my survival this day with a feast. My astrologer has suggested that I do nothing unpleasant today, sir. I wish to treat it as a very auspicious day, sir.'

        The director was impressed. He turned to his assistant, who always shadowed him, carrying a portfolio under his arm and commanded, 'fetch the story-writer'. Presently he arrived, his lips red with the chewing of betel leaves. He was a successful story- writer who made a lot of money by dashing off plots for film people. He laughed aloud on hearing of the problem created by the actor. He was not the angry type to feel upset at contrary suggestions. He declared, 'Impossible to change the story. How can he refuse to die? I am busy.'

        He turned on his heel and started out. At the door he stopped to add, 'Anyway, send for our boss and tell him about it.' The boss came running into the scene. He asked anxiously, 'What is all this trouble about? What is it all about?'

        Gopal sat in his chair unmoving: he was not allowed to shift his position even slightly; continuity would be spoilt otherwise. He felt stuffy. The big lamp scorched his face. They all stood around and looked at him as if he were a freak. Their faces were blurred beyond the shadows. 'All of them are my Yamas, Gopal thought. "They are bent upon seeing me dead.'

A.l. Arrange the following statements in a proper sequence as per their occurrence in the extract and rewrite:            (2)

(i) The director was impressed.

(ii) Their faces were blurred beyond the shadows. 

(iii) Gopal explained timidly that it was his birthday.

(iv) His lips were red with the chewing of betel leaves.

A2. Give reasons:                    (2)

(i) Gopal's forty-ninth birthday was a peculiar one because ......................

(ii) He felt stuffy because ....................

A3. 'All of them are my Yamas'. Explain the statement.        (2)

A4. 'Superstitions poison our minds'. Explain in your own words.    (2)

A5. Do as directed:            (2)

(i) He laughed aloud on hearing of the problem.

(Choose the correct change in the given options, if 'would' is used in the above sentence).

(a) He would laughed on hearing of the problem.

(b) He would have laughed on hearing of the problem.

(c) He would laugh aloud on hearing of the problem.

(d) He would be laughed on hearing of the problem.

(ii) They all stood around and looked at him.

(Choose the correct alternative to write it with 'not only... but also.')

(a) They all not only stood around but also looked at him.

(b) They all stood not only around but also looked at him.

(c) Not only they all stood around but also looked at him.

(d) They all stood not around only but also looked at him.

A6. Find out the antonyms for the following from the extract:        (2)

(i) bravely

(ii) pleasant

(iii) accept

(iv) moving

(B) Summarizing:            (3 marks)

Write a 'summary' of the above extract by using the following points:

(Gopal's birthday - Astrologers' prediction - The director's impression - The boss - Gopal's thought.)

(C) Mind-Mapping:         (3 Marks)

Develop a mind map on 'My Future Goals, Frame/Design It using your ideas/ thoughts/concepts to illustrate.

SECTION II: POETRY

[Poetry and Appreciation]

Q. 3. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below:                (10 Marks) [14]

        No stir in the air, no stir in the sea, 

        The ship was as still as she could be, 

        Her sails from heaven received no motion, 

        Her keel was steady in the ocean.

        Without either sign or sound of their shock 

        The waves flow'd over Inchcape Rock; 

        So little they rose, so little they fell, 

        They did not move the Inchcape Bell.

        The Abbot of Aberbrothok 

        Had placed that bell on the Inchcape Rock; 

        On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung. 

        And over the waves its warning rung.

        When the Rock was hid by the surge's swell, 

        The mariners heard the warning bell; 

        And then they knew the perilous Rock, 

        And blest the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

A1. Describe the scene in the beginning of the poem.            (2)

A2. Give reasons:            (2)

(1) The ship was still at sea because ...........

(ii) The Abbot of Aberbrothok had placed the bell on the Inchcape Rock so ............

A3. Write two incidents/occasions on which you helped other people.         (2)

A4. Give the rhyming pairs and rhyme scheme from stanza 2 from the extract.        (2)

A5. Compose four lines of your own on 'The Sea'.        (2)

(B) Appreciation of poem :             (4 Marks)

Read the extract and write the appreciation of the poem:

When I had money, money, O! 

I knew no joy till I went poor; 

For many a false man as a friend 

Came knocking all day at my door.

Then felt I like a child that holds 

A trumpet that he must not blow 

Because a man is dead; I dared 

Not speak to let this false world know.

Much have I thought of life, and seen 

How poor men's hearts are ever light; 

And how their wives do hum like bees 

About their work from morn till night.

So, when I hear these poor ones laugh, 

And see the rich ones coldly frown Poor men, 

think I, need not go up 

So much as rich men should come down.

SECTION III: WRITING SKILLS

Q. 4. Complete the activities as per the instructions given below:            [16 Marks]

(A) Attempt 'Any ONE' of the following activities :                (4)

(1) Drafting a Virtual Message:

Imagine: You have been late to attend your 'Piano Class'. Draft a message in about 50 words to convey the same to your Piano teacher. Give your own reasons to support your message.

OR

(ii) Statement of Purpose:

Imagine: After passing the HSC exam, you wish to take admission for a degree course in B.B.A. in a reputed university in India or abroad, which would boost your career.

Prepare a statement of purpose in about 150 words which will help you to get admission in your dream university.

OR

(iii) Group Discussion:

Imagine: You have a great concern for environmental issues. 'Water' is one of the necessities of life. 'No water, No life.'

        You have recently witnessed a group discussion on TV titled 'Save Water', In which three members of water conservation group participated. Write the same group discussion in the form of dialogues for three participants. Add an evaluator also.

(B) Attempt 'Any ONE' of the following activities :            (4)

(i) E-Mail:

Draft an E-mail to the owner of 'Sports Store'. As a sportsman, inquire about your requirements and all the possible supporting information that you wish to acquire from the store owner through E-mail. (in about 150 words).

OR

(ii) Report Writing:

Imagine: Your Jr. College has recently organised the 'Annual Prize Distribution Function'. You are the editor of the 'College Magazine'. Write a report on the function in about 150 words.

                                                                                OR

(iii) Interview:

Imagine: You have to conduct an interview of a well-known writer. With the help of the format given below, draft questions based on the given fields. (Do not change the sequence of the questions.)

Name of the interviewee :

Field/reputation

Date/venue/time

Duration of interview Questions

Questions based on:

(1) Early life/ struggle

(2) Hurdles in education

(3) Role model/inspiration

(4) Family support

(5) First success / achievement

(6) Success plan

(7) Dreams unfulfilled

(8) Message

(C) Attempt 'Any ONE' of the following activities:            (4)

(i) Speech:

Imagine you have taken part in an 'Elocution Competition'. You have selected the topic 'Importance of Science and Technology'.

        Draft a speech in about 150 words that you wish to deliver before the audience.

OR

(ii) Compering:

Imagine, you are given an opportunity to compere a programme 'World Environment Day' in your college. As a compere, draft the script for the whole programme script deciding the flow of the overall programme. You may take help of the given points.

[prayer, welcome, introduction, felicitation, speakers' participation, presidential address, vote of thanks.]

OR

(iii) Expansion of Idea:

Expand the following idea with the help of the points given below (100/150 words):

'Actions speak louder than words'

• Focus on actions
• Words are useless where there is no action
•  Actions lead to success/result

(D) Attempt 'Any ONE' of the following activities:            (4)

(i) Review:

You have recently seen a 'Short Film'. Write a 'Review' of the same with the help of the following points:

• Title of the film

* Subject/Story/Plot

• Presentation/Photography/Music

* Message

OR

(ii) Blog:

Write a 'Blog' in a proper format on 'Personality Development with the help of the following points (100/150 words):

* Need of personality development

* Importance of communication skills

* Aspects of personality development

* Dressing sense

OR

(iii) Appeal :

Prepare an 'Appeal' on the topic 'Prevent the spread of corona virus' with the help of the following points (100/150 words):

* Wear mask

* Hands sanitization

* Social distancing

*Healthy food

SECTION IV: (LITERARY GENRENOVEL)

. 8. (A) Complete the activities given below as per the Q instructions:         (4 Marks) [16]

(1) Match the columns :            (2)

Column 'A'	Column 'B'
(1) The Heart of Darkness	John Steinbeck
(2) The Turn of the Screw	Thomas Mann
(3) Death in Venice	Joseph Conrad
(4) The Pearl	Henry James.

(ii) Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences:             (2) 

(a) The central idea in the novel is the ..................... (plot/theme/story)

(b) The main character in the novel is referred to as the ............ (antagonist/clown/protagonist)

(c) The struggle between the opposite forces in the story is called ............ (setting/character/conflict)

(d) Language and techniques used in the novel is known as ............. (manner/style/texture)

(B) Answer the questions given below in about 50 words:             (4 Marks)

(i) Explain how the setting of the extract "To Sir, with Love" contributes to the theme of the novel. (2)

(ii) Describe in brief the plot of the extract from "To Sir, with Love". (2)

(C) Answer the questions given below in about 50 words: (4 Marks)

(i) Describe the character-sketch of Phileas Fogg from the extract of the novel "Around the World in Eighty Days".                         (2)

(ii) Compare the characters Passepartout and detective Fix from the extract of the novel "Around the World in Eighty Days".                 (2)

(D) Answer the following questions. (Do as directed):                     (4 Marks)

(i) Arrange the sentences in correct sequence as per their occurrence in the extract 'The Sign of Four'. Jumbled sentences/ incidents:             (2)

(a) Holmes put a revolver in his pocket.

(b) Mary received a large and lustrous pearl through the post.

(c) Mary's father was an officer in an Indian regiment.

(d) Mary Morstan was a well-dressed young lady.

(ii) Discuss the importance of the following statements in the light of the extract "The Sign of Four".

The trio-Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mary decide to visit Lyceum Theatre.         (2)