English Model Set 1 Shaalaa.com 2021-2022 HSC Commerce (English Medium) 12th Standard Board Exam Question Paper Solution

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

Punctually at midday, he opened his bag and spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic charts on it, a notebook, and a bundle of Palmyra writing. His forehead was resplendent (glorious) with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam (shine) which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position placed as they were between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers (mustaches) which streamed down his cheeks: even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting. To crown the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways. A surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way: medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians, and above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it “Bombay Ice Cream” one day and on the next “Delhi Almond,” and on the third “Raja’s Delicacy,” and so on and so forth, and people flocked to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too. The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare which crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up by old cycle lamps, and one or two, like the astrologer, managed without lights of their own. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life; and he knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute. He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said things which pleased and astonished everyone: that was more a matter of study, practice, and shrewd guesswork. All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labour as any other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at the end of a day.

A1. State if the given statements are True or False. (2)

i. The astrologer used to have the preparation of his business in quite professional way.

ii. The physical appearance of the astrologer hardly created an impact on the customers.

iii. The place was busy with a variety of occupations.

iv. The astrologer’s style of handling the business lies in his skills.

A2. Complete the given web. (2)

A3. The astrologer was a shrewd judge of a character. Explain with some details from the extract. (2)

A4. We need to understand even the smallest details of the business in order to succeed. Write your views. (2)

A5. Do as directed. (2)

1) It was a remarkable place in many ways.
(Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the given sentence as an exclamatory sentence)

1. It was a remarkable place in many ways!
2. How a remarkable place in many ways it was!
3. What a remarkable place in many ways it was!
4. What remarkable in many ways the place it was!

2) He spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.
(Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the given sentence as a compound sentence)

1. He spread out his professional equipment but it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.
2. He spread out his professional equipment and it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.
3. He spread out his professional equipment that it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.
4. He spread out his professional equipment and it had consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

A6. Find the synonyms for the following words from the passage. (2)

1. Confusing
2. hanging around
3. difficult to understand
4. magical effect

Choose the correct alternative to transform the sentence into a simple sentence.

I know that he has stolen the necklace.

I know he stole the necklace.

I know him to have stolen the necklace.

I know him to be a thief of the necklace.

I know him as he stole the necklace.

Choose the correct alternative to transform the sentence into a compound sentence.

The witness said that Mohan was guilty./He declared his innocence.

The witness told that Mohan was guilty.

Mohan was guilty told the witness.

The witness confirmed Mohan’s guilt but, he declared his innocence.

None of the above.

Choose the correct alternative to make the given sentence negative.

Sunita is the most loyal employee of our firm.

Sunita is not the most disloyal employee of our firm.

Sunita is the most not disloyal employee of our firm.

No other employee of our firm is as loyal as Sunita.

No other employee of our firm is the most loyal as Sunita.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

No sooner did I challenged the man than he accepted it.

Read the extract and complete the activities given below :

    Luxurious houses on the edge of a big city which one promoter sold with the tagline ‘‘Where Nature peeps through every window.’’ All the advantages of a modern lifestyle but with the added bonus of fresh air. But nature isn’t greenery alone; it also includes wild animals.
   While the view from the picture windows was easy on the eye, occasionally, it made them gulp with nervousness. At dusk, wild cats leaped out of the adjoining forest on to the top of the peripheral walls and strolled nonchalantly. Sometimes, they lounged on ledges with their long tails swinging freely, oblivious of the many worried human eyes pinned on them. Their cold yellow aggressive eyes turned black as their pupils dilated with failing light.
   Some Mumbaikars paid a lot of money to see leopards on safari in Africa. But to watch them from one’s own home was disconcerting. These predators were out of line, stepping off nature into the city. Why did the leopards not stay within the 100-square kilometre Sanjay Gandhi National Park? Perhaps, the leopards thought that if people could venture into nature to jog, walk and picnic, why couldn’t they hang around apartment blocks? If people could enjoy nature, couldn’t nature savour humanity’s offerings?
   Capturing leopards is extraordinarily simple. These curious cats seem incapable of resisting a free meal, walking into baited traps without hesitation. The reason the felines are attracted to their residential community is prey : stray dogs that live on rubbish heaps. Taking care of the food source is the best course of action, the volunteers said.

A1. Rewrite the following sentences as per their occurrence in the extract :

1. Instead of capturing leopards we can take care of their food.
2. Leopards leave their habitat and enter the human habitat.
3. Modern lifestyle and nature both attract the dwellers.
4. Leopards can enjoy human surroundings by leaving nature.

A2. Complete the following sentences :

1. Nature is a combination of ______ and ______
2. The best of both the worlds include ______ and ______
3. The wild animals are out of line as ______
4. The wild cats are attracted towards residential areas because ______

A3. Find out the words for leopards used in the extract :

1. ____________
2. ____________
3. ____________
4. ____________

A4. ‘‘If people could venture into nature to jog, walk, and picnic, why couldn’t the wild animals hang around apartment blocks?’’ Express your opinion.

A5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :

1. Taking care of the food source is the best course of action.
   (Use infinitive form of the underlined word and rewrite.)

2. Nature isn’t greenery alone; it also includes wild animals.
   (Rewrite it by using ‘not only ... but also’.)

A6. Find a word for each of the following expressions from the extract :

1. Enjoy the taste of something
2. Embarrassing and confusing to watch
3. Not conscious or aware of something or someone
4. Relaxed and in an unworried manner

Prepare a summary of the extract given in Q. 2 (A). Give it a suitable title. You may use the following points :

Luxurious houses in nature – fear of wild animals – leopards enjoy human habitation – provide food

India is a vast country with different weather patterns. Prepare a mind map on ‘The Seasons’ we have in our region by giving examples of different activities that we do in different seasons.

Read the given extract and complete the activities given below:

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.

When I had money, money, O!
My many friends proved all untrue;
But now I have no money, O!
My friends are real, though very few.

A1. Complete the web. (2)

A2. Complete the sentences. (2)

1) The poet wanted to become poor because _______________________

2) The poet doesn’t want to speak to this fake world _____________________

A3. ‘Can we live without money’ write your view’s about this statement. (2)

A4. Complete the following table. (2)

A5. Compose four lines on ‘friendship’. (2)

On the deck the Rover takes his stand,
So dark it is they see no land.
Quoth Sir Ralph, “It will be lighter soon,
For there is the dawn of the rising Moon.”

“Canst hear,” said one, “the breakers roar?
For methinks we should be near the shore.”
“Now, where we are I cannot tell,
But I wish we could hear the Inchcape Bell.”

They hear no sound, the swell is strong,
Though the wind hath fallen they drift along;
Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock,
“Oh Christ! It is the Inchcape Rock!”

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair,
He curst himself in his despair;
The waves rush in on every side,
The ship is sinking beneath the tide.

Read the given extract and write a poetic appreciation of the poem with the help of the following points.

• About the poet and the title
• The theme
• Language/poetic devices used in the poem
• Special features
• Your opinion about the poem

Imagine that you have won two entry tickets to a popular drama at a theater near you this weekend. Draft a message in about 100/150 words to convey the incredible news to your best friend.

You have been shortlisted for a scholarship to attend an online course in developing English speaking skills from the American Embassy in India. You always wanted to learn English from expert teachers in India and from native American trainers. The final selection will be made as per the statements of purpose given by the shortlisted candidates. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words, which will help you to get entry to the course.

Imagine that you have participated in the inter-college group discussion contest on the occasion of National Youth Day. There were three other contenders with you in the final round of the contest and the topic of the discussion was ‘Paper Books are better than the E-Books’. Write the same discussion in the form of dialogues that you have experienced. Write suitable dialogues for each participant giving his/her opinion on the given topic.

Write a letter to the Editor of a Newspaper, making the public aware of rising air and noise pollution in your area. Mention the bad air quality index that appears in the newspaper daily and write about the bad effects of air and noise pollution and suggest some measures to curb it.

You have visited your uncle who is a primary teacher in a “Zilla Parishad School”. Being the regular contributor to your College Magazine, write a report in about 100-150 words, adding all information and the overall experience of your visit.

Imagine, you have to conduct an interview of a distinguished personality in the field of sports. With the help of the given table and points draft questions on the given fields associated with the personality. (Do not change the sequence of the questions)

Your college NCC unit has undertaken a cleanliness drive in your town. Prepare a speech that you would give as an NCC captain.

You can use the following points.

1. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
2. Need/Importance of cleanliness.
3. Effects of unhygienic conditions- diseases, pollutions, etc.
4. Suggestions and concluding the speech.

Imagine, you are given an opportunity to compere a programme organised at your college with reference to ‘Yoga Day.’ As a compere, draft the whole programme script deciding the flow of the overall programme. You may take help of the given hints:

• Prayer/welcome song, introduction
• Felicitation, yoga demonstration
• Presidential address
• Vote of thanks
• Any other important points

Expand the following idea with the help of the points given below: (100-150 words) ‘Nature is the best teacher’

• Hidden treasures in nature.
• Purpose/Reasons to get close to nature.
• Teaching/Learning about nature (why best teacher).
• Gifts/Benefits from nature.

Write a review of the film that you remember you’ve watched and can’t forget easily. Give details about the movie using the following supporting points.

• Title of the film.
• The star cast and production house (if you remember).
• The gist of the plot.
• The reason you like the film.
• Your favourite scene from the movie.
• Your opinion and recommendation.

Write a ‘Blog’ in a proper format on ‘recipe of my favourite dish’, with the help of the following points. (100-150 words)

• Type of dish
• Why you like it
• Steps

Prepare an ‘Appeal’ on the topic ‘Stop Child Labour’ with the help of the following points. (100-150 words)

• Basic Education
• Lack of knowledge, behaviours and social thinking
• Effect of education
• Social behaviour and requirements
• Appeal to society

Match the following.

Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the sentence:

Novel soon became dominant literary genre as it _____________

Helped people to live a more purposeful life.

Caught the intellectual, sentimental and realistic spirit.

grew gradually and gained popularity.

All of these.

The Tale of Genji by Muraski Shikabu was published in the year __________

1010

1605

1050

1600

Write in chronological order

1. Industrial Revolution
2. Drama and Poetry started fading away
3. Novel gained popularity
4. The rise of middle class

Given below are some novels, events and writers of Indian English. Arrange them in chronological order.

1. Rise of famous Indian Trio
2. Nayantara Sahgal, Arun Joshi, Manohar Malgaonkar
3. Arundhati Roy, Kiran Desai, Kiran Nagarkar
4. Rajmohan’s Wife by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya

In the questioning session Denham was expressing few students’ feelings. Illustrate.

The extract presents the narrator as a silent observer of the events. Explain.

Explain how the time gained of a full day is revealed to Mr. Fogg.

Explain the stress on the mind of Fogg after returning from world tour at Saville Row.

‘You are a wronged woman, and shall have justice’. Interpret the statement to highlight the conflict in Miss Morstan’s mind.

M Morstan found Holmes as right person to handle her case. Give reason.