English Practice Test (2)

Sit with your English Textbook of std XII , Notebook and Pen( Maharashtra State Board )

Go get it if you haven't !!

Subject : English 

Std : XII Arts , Science and Commerce ( Maharashtra State Board)

Duration : 70 minutes only ( 5 minutes extra to read questions )

Marks : 35

Sections covered in this test paper : Prose ( 16 marks ) , Writing Skills ( 08 marks) , Grammar ( 05 marks ) , History of Novel ( 06 marks )

Note :

Dear students ,

1. This series is only for those who wish to practise. Not a compulsory test.

2. It is aimed at helping you manage your time well in order to complete your paper on time during Board's.

3. It is absolutely okay to not be able to complete test paper in given time limit. Slowly you'll pick up the speed. Focus on completing the paper.

4. Kindly find below the test paper.

Extract/paragraph is from 1.6. Into the Wild..

First line....Saya , Scarface...Page 60

Last line....and share with the world..Page 61

Q.1. Read the extract and answer the questions given below : ( 12 marks)

A : 

A.1. Global Understanding

Fill in the blanks...

1........is the world's first black panther.

2......defeated Pardus.

3. Pardus is......leopard.

4.......used to hate animals.

A2. Complex/Factual

1.Shaaz created the Buffer Conflict Resolution Trust of India ( BCRTI ) because......

2. The aim of providing locals with vocational training is....

A3. Inference/Interpretation

Madegowda says that he has now learnt how important these animals are and the value of protecting them. Explain in detail what he has learnt.

A4. Personal Response

 "Conservation of our wildlife is crucial in maintaining the environmental balance." Elaborate.

A5. Language Study

1. It is an agency that educates villagers. ( Identify the tense )

2. I have known these jungles for 35 years. ( Change the voice)

A6. Vocabulary

Write the noun forms of the given words

1. Realise

2. Create

3. Learnt

4. Help

B. Not textual Grammar (04 marks)

B1. 

1......apple....day keeps one healthy.

( Insert appropriate articles and rewrite the sentence )

2. Ramya tried jumping....the running train but she fell badly....the platform.

( insert appropriate prepositions and rewrite the sentence )

3. Ramya had topped the school examination. ( Frame a WH question to get the highlighted part as its answer)

B2. Spot the errors and rewrite the correct sentence :

Last year , the teacher has teach us really well.

Q.2. Writing Skills ( 08 marks)

A. Drafting Virtual Message 

(04 marks)

You ( Aarav Sinha ) received a call from the sports ministry of India that you've been selected to represent India at the International Chess Championship to be held in London on 11th March , 2025. You are also informed to visit the ministry office on 3rd February, 2025 to complete all formalities related to the same.

You are overjoyed to get this news and want to share it with your Mom but she isn't home and you've to leave immediately for your chess practice. Write/leave a message ( in about 50 words) for your mom informing her about the happy news !

B. Group Discussion( 04 marks)

You along with two of your college friends are taking part in a group discussion organized by the English Literary Association of Model College.

The topic for the group discussion is " Artificial Intelligence - A virtual dictator controlling human lives"

Have a group discussion keeping in mind the format.

Q3. Grammar ( 05 marks )

1. Namrata wanted a burger. ( Add a question tag and rewrite the sentence)

2. She fell down and is bedridden now. ( Make it a simple sentence)

3. Aarambh is the tallest boy in his class. ( Change it into comparative degree )

4. Let the waste be segregated. ( Rewrite the sentence beginning with " Segregate...")

5. She doesn't take care of her health. ( Make it affirmative without changing the meaning of the sentence.)

Q4. Novel ( 06 marks )

Answer in 50 words :

1. Write a brief character sketch of Miss Phillips.

2. Comment on the theme of morality in the novel "Around the world in 80 days."

3. Justify that London is the main setting of the novel " The Sign of Four."

All the Best !❤️

English Practice Test (1)

Sit with your English Textbook of std XII , Notebook and Pen( Maharashtra State Board )

Go get it if you haven't !!

Subject : English 

Std : XII Arts , Science and Commerce ( Maharashtra State Board)

Duration : 55 minutes only ( 5 minutes extra to read questions )

Marks : 30

Sections covered in this test paper : Prose ( 16 marks ) , Writing Skills ( 04 marks) , Grammar ( 05 marks ) , History of Novel ( 05 marks )

Note :

Dear students ,

1. This series is only for those who wish to practise. Not a compulsory test.

2. It is aimed at helping you manage your time well in order to complete your paper on time during Board's.

3. It is absolutely okay to not be able to complete test paper in given time limit. Slowly you'll pick up the speed. Focus on completing the paper.

4. Kindly find below the test paper.

Extract/paragraph is from 1.8. Voyaging towards Excellence..

First line....I had a very simple...Page 78

Last line....it is the arts , music and literature.. page 79...

Q.1. Read the extract and answer the questions given below.

A.1. Global Understanding

(02 marks)

State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The writer belonged to the upper middle class family.

2. The writer does not understand the grammar of music.

3. The writer believes that all arts are unequal.

4. The writer believes that arts , music and literature enriches our lives.

A2. Complex/Factual

(02 marks)

Complete the following :

1. Famous Poets who visited the writer's house -

A.

B.

C.

2. Famous Musicians who visited the writer's house -

A.

B.

C.

A3. Inference/Interpretation 

( 02 marks)

" Nevertheless culturally I had a rich childhood." Explain this statement in the light of the extract.

A4. Personal Response 

(02 marks)

Write 3 to 4 sentences on your fondest childhood memory.

A5. Language Study 

( 02 marks)

1. They would talk about Keshavsut , Mardhekar , Shakespeare , Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.

( Rewrite the sentence using "used to" )

2. I had a very simple upbringing.

(Identify the tense )

A6. Vocabulary

(02 marks)

Find out the words from the extract which mean :

1. Facilities

2. The raising/training of the child

3. To a very great extent

4. Setting or social environment

B. Not textual Grammar ( 04 marks)

B1.

1. Malaria is caused by mosquitoes. ( Change the voice )

2. Such rapid changes will occur in all sectors. ( make it a rhetorical question )

3. The king entered the court and cleared his throat. ( Make it a simple sentence)

B2.

Spot the errors and rewrite.

He is good at keeps promises and always reaches at time.

Q.2. Writing Skills(04 marks)

Drafting Virtual Message 

Ramesh calls Raja to remind him that he needs to bring his chemistry practical book for correction without fail as Board practical exams will begin soon and If his practical book is not corrected , he might lose a few crucial marks ! Raja isn't home so his sister Rekha takes the call and assures Ramesh that she will convey his message to Raja. Rekha had to leave for her singing classes so she left a note for Raja informing him about Ramesh's call. Write Rekha's note/message in about 50 words using proper format. ( 04 marks )

Q.3. Grammar ( 05 marks)

Do as Directed

1. Lavanya and Shreya are going to attend a concert together. ( Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary denoting "certainty")

2. Anant and Ananya have completed their homework. ( Change it into present continuous tense)

3. " Where is your cat ?", Dev asked Aparna. ( Change it into indirect speech)

4. The hall of the house is the biggest room. ( Change it into positive degree )

5. I was not able to attend the seminar. ( Rewrite the sentence removing " be able to")

Q.4. Novel ( 04 marks)

A..Fill in the blanks ( 02 marks )

1. Oroonoku is written by...........

2. ..........is the background in which story takes place.

3........is a novella written by Hermann Melville.

4. Realistic novel is also called as novel of.......

B. Pick out the odd element from the group. ( 03 marks )

1. Gothic , Bildungroman, Plot , Picareque.

2. Mulkraj Anand , R.K.Narayan , Arvind Adiga , Thomas Hardy.

3. Hercule Poirot , Harper Lee , Margaret Atwood , Emily Bronte.

Modal Auxiliaries

Modal Auxiliaries - A few examples

1. May denotes permission/possibility 

1. May I come in Sir ? ( Permission)

2. I may not attend lectures.(Possibility)

2. Might denotes less possibility 

1. I might not come to college tomorrow.

3. Can denotes ability/request.

1. He can study for 12 hours at a stretch.

2. Can I attend your lecture ?

4. Could denotes ability in the past.

1. I could wake up at 4 am when I was 10 years old.

5. will denotes certainty.

1. We will do it for sure. ( Certainty)

6.must / have to denote compulsion

1.He must repay the loan on time.

2. In order to succeed, you have to strive hard.

7. Ought to denotes moral obligation 

1. You ought to respect you parents.

8. Should denotes advice/suggestion

1. You should study regularly.

2. People should not throw waste on the road.

9. Used to/would denotes habitual action in past.

1. I used to visit my Nani's house in summer.

2. We would enjoy playing badminton during winters.

10. Need denotes necessity.

1. You need to go to market.

11. Mustn't denotes prohibition

1. You must not run on the road.

Examples

1. They must attend lectures. ( Compulsion)

2. They can achieve their goals. ( Ability)

3. We should listen to our elders.(Advice)

4. Ram will appear for his exam.(Certainty)

5. We need to study.(Necessity)

Exercise 

1.Radha will go to market. ( Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary denoting compulsion )

2. Amisha and Anam ought to attend the program organised for the underprivileged children. ( Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary denoting suggestion )

3. College will remain open throughout the year. ( Rewrite the sentence using modal auxiliary denoting possibility )

4. I used to go to school by bus. ( Rewrite using modal auxiliary denoting necessity.)

5. I will do better next time. ( Rewrite using modal auxiliary denoting less possibility.)

Paper Pattern ( English Std. XII ) Maharashtra State Board

Here is the paper pattern of Maharashtra State Board HSC English Paper  ( Total Marks - 80 ) 

Note : The paper is of 100 marks

80 marks for theory paper and 20 marks for Oral Examination.

Wh Type of Question ( Grammar )

Remember the Rule  :

1. While framing WH type of questions , we need to put helping verb immediately after the Wh word 

For example :

i. We are going to Mumbai.

Ans. Where are we going ?

( If you write : Where we are going ? Your answer will be wrong )

ii. They love to sing.

Ans. What do they love ?

( If you write : What they love ?

Your answer will be wrong )

2. Putting a question mark (?) at the end of each question is compulsory.

Example :

Do not write : 

i. What is your name.

Instead write 

i. What is your name ?

Examples to understand the concept :

Frame a WH type of question to get the underlined part as it's answer :

1. Radha is a good girl.

Ans. Who is a good girl ?

2. We had travelled by train.

Ans. How had we travelled ?

3. Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister.

Ans. Who is the Chief Minister?

4. They are late because they missed the bus.

Ans. Why are they late?

 5. Dr. Khan had a golden touch.

Ans. Who had a golden touch?

6. We will go to Karjat.

Ans. Where will we go ?

Note : 

Sometimes we do not have the helping verbs given in the sentences.

In that case we need to identify the tense and figure out the helping verb.

A. If the tense of the sentence is simple present then we take do/does as a helping verb to put next to the WH word :

Let's understand with examples :

1. He needs breads. ( Simple present tense )

Ans. What does he need ?

( Does is used because the word/pronoun "He" is singular)

2. The teacher gives warning to Amit.

Ans Whom does the teacher give warning to ?

( Does is used because the word "The teacher" is singular)

3. Elephants walk heavily.

Ans. How do Elephants walk ? 

( do is used because the word "elephants" is plural )

4. They like red colour.

Ans. What/Which colour do they like?

( do is used because the word/pronoun "They" is plural )

5. He likes to play basketball. 

Ans. What does he like to play?

B. If the tense of the sentence is simple past then we take did as a helping verb to put next to the WH word :

Examples :

1. India got freedom in 1947. 

Ans. When did India get freedom?

2. Students went to the Red Fort. 

Ans. Where did the students go?

3. He dedicated the book “Ignited Mind” to Snehal Thakhar.

Ans. Whom did he dedicate the book "Ignited Mind" to ?

4. She bought a new car.

Ans. What did she buy ?

5. They went to the beach.

Ans. Where did they go ?

6. They visited Paris last summer.

Ans. When did they visit Paris?

7. She baked a cake for her friend's birthday.

Ans. Why did she bake a cake?

I hope it's all clear now to understand when to use do/does/did when helping verb is missing from the sentence while we frame WH type of questions :

Let's practise now !!! ( Answers are given at the end of this exercise but do not copy. First solve all the questions and then see how many of them you get right !!🙂)

1. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

2. She will buy groceries.

3. The concert was fantastic.

4. They had visited the museum last year.

5. She reads novels in her free time.

6. A beautiful picture she painted.

7. They were watching a movie at home.

8. He called his mother yesterday.

9. I saw a girl.

10. She practises Yoga every morning.

11. The book is kept on the table.

12. The cat is sleeping in the Sun.

Answers :

1. When does the movie start ?

2. What will she buy ?

3. How was the concert?

4. When had they visited the museum?

5. What does she read in her free time ?

6. What did she paint ?

7. Where were they watching a movie ?

8. Who did he call yesterday?

9. Who did I see ?

10. When does she practise Yoga ?

11. Where is the book kept ?

12. Where is the cat sleeping?

Well done🎉

Can/Be able to ( Grammar )

Can/Could are interchangeable🔁 with Be able to

Be in "be able to" means am/is/are/was/were

Note : In a sentence it can either be can/could or be able to. They mean the same hence can't be together in the same sentence.

Also ,

Can  =  Present Tense 

 

Could = Past Tense 

Examples :

 

1. I can play. (Use be able to )

Ans. I am able to play. 

 

2. I could play (Use be able to) 

Ans. I was able to play. 

 

3.I can not write an essay. 

Ans. I am unable to write an essay. 

Or

I am not able to write an essay.

4. She can swim effortlessly in the ocean.

Ans. She is able to swim effortlessly in the ocean.

5. They could solve complex mathematical problems in minutes.

Ans. They were able to solve complex mathematical problems in minutes.

6. He can play the guitar with incredible skill.

Ans. He is able to play the guitar with incredible skill.

7.The team could win the championship with their exceptional teamwork.

Ans. The team was able to win the championship with their exceptional teamwork.

8. Maria can speak five languages fluently.

Ans. Maria is able to speak five languages fluently.

9. Despite her fear of heights, she could climb the tallest mountains.

Ans. Despite her fear of heights , she was able to climb the tallest mountains.

10. The engineers could design a revolutionary new technology.

Ans. The engineers were able to design a revolutionary new technology.

11.The cat could not catch the mice.

Ans. The cat was unable to catch the mice.

12. They couldn't run a marathon without breaking a sweat.

Ans. They were not able to run a marathon without breaking a sweat.

13. He can fix almost anything around the house.

Ans. He is able to fix almost anything around the house.

14. Despite the weather, they could finish the construction on time.

Ans. Despite the weather, they were able to finish the construction on time.

15. The artists can create stunning masterpieces.

Ans. The artist are able to create stunning masterpieces.

 

Exercise :

Rewrite the following sentences using “be able to”. 

( Answers are given at the end of the exercise but please first try to solve and see how many of the questions you get right.🙂)

1. He could tell me.  

2. They could tell me.

3. She can work.

4. I can write a letter.

5. She could eat a mango. 

6. She could not eat sandwich. 

7. I cannot write an essay. 

8. Reuben could not ask his father for money.

9. Chaitanya can draw.

10. The children could memorize the entire poem in just one day.

11. She can bake delicious cakes and pastries.

12. With his determination, he could lift heavy weights effortlessly.

13. The software engineers could develop a cutting-edge app in record time.

14. Despite the obstacles, they can persevere through challenging situations.

15. The students could understand complex scientific concepts easily.

16. She can dance gracefully, captivating the audience.

17.Despite the limited resources, they could build a successful business from scratch.

Answers :

1.He was able to tell me.

2.They were able to tell me.  

3.She is able to work.  

4.I am able to write a letter.

5.She was able to eat a mango.

6.She was not able to eat sandwich.

7.I am not able to write an essay.

8.Reuben was not able to ask his father for money.

9. Chaitanya was able to draw.

10. The children were able to memorize the entire poem in just one day.

11. She is able to bake delicious cakes and pastries.

12. With his determination, he was able to lift heavy weights effortlessly.

13. The software engineers were able to develop a cutting-edge app in record time.

14. Despite the obstacles, they are able to persevere through challenging situations.

15. The students were able to understand complex scientific concepts easily.

16. She is able to dance gracefully, captivating the audience.

17. Despite the limited resources, they were able to build a successful business from scratch.

 

The Inchcape Rock(Appreciation and poetic creativity)

 

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

The Inchcape Rock -Appreciation

          The poem " The Inchcape Rock" is penned down by Robert Southey - a poet laureate of England from 1813-1843. The poem is a ballad which tells us the story of the 14th century attempt by the Abbot of Aberbrothok to install a warning bell on Inchcape - a notorious sandstone reef off the Scottish east coast.

           Southey wrote this poem as he was inspired by the legendary story of a pirate who removed the bell placed by the Abbot and how he himself fell into the well he dug for others so he could loot them. Hence , the theme of the poem is that those who do wrong will meet with due punishment.

           This ballad is composed a narrative style and all stanzas follow the rhyme scheme "aabb". The poet has beautifully embellished the poem with a number of figures of speech like alliteration , antithesis, repetition,  inversion , onomatopoeia , etc. Also , the poet has used a lot of old English words like "blest" , "cants" , etc . The language used is lucid and flawless.

         The injection of symbolic poet justice in the end of the poem is the special feature of this poem where Ralph the Rover falls in the same pit he dug for others.

          The very clear message this poem gives is that those who carry malice and wickedness for others , will cause their own doom as " As you sow , so shall you reap."

          In my opinion , this poem is very much relevant even in today's time and it timeless and it will keep reminding us all and generations to come that those who will do bad , bad will happen to them for sure.

The example given here is just a sample. It would be nice if you compose your own poem of 4 lines.

2.3 Compose four to six lines on " Sea "

Ans. Sea

The sea sees innumerable storms

Yet it remains so patient and calm

It's rising and falling waves ready fo remind

That will drown all those one day who are bad and unkind.