HSC Arts (English Medium) 12th Standard Board Exam - Maharashtra State Board Important Questions

(A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below :
Oil is one of the world's major sources of energy. We depend on it as fuel for heating, transport, and generation of power.
For centuries, animal and vegetable oils have been used for cooking and as a source of artificial light. But it is mineral oil which meets most of the world's needs today.
Crude mineral oil comes out of the earth as a thick brown or black liquid with a strong smell. It is a complex mixture of many different substances, each with its own individual qualities. Most of them are combinations of hydrogen and carbon in varying proportions. Such hydrocarbons are also found in other forms such as bitumen, asphalt and natural gas. Mineral oil originates from the carcasses of tiny animals and from plants that live in the sea. Over millions of years, these dead creatures form large deposits under the sea bed and ocean currents cover them with a blanket of sand and silt. As this material hardens, it becomes sedimentary rock and effectively shuts out the oxygen so preventing the complete decomposition of the marine deposits underneath. The layers of sedimentary rock become thicker and heavier. Their pressure produces heat, which transforms the tiny carcasses into crude oil in a process that is still going on today.
The earth's crust is split into a few hu·ge continental plates which move continuously rather like rafts on a sluggish tide. Geologists call this rnoven1ent as 'continental drift'.

(1) What does the extract ·tell us about?

(2) In which form does crude mineral oil come out of the earth and from what does it originate?

(3) How is 'continental drift' formed?

(4) According to you, how can we stop the excessive use of energy?

(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
(i) Oil is one of the world's major sources of energy.
(Rewrite it as a negative sentence without changing its meaning.)

(ii) As this material hardens, it becomes sedimentary rock.
(Make it a compound sentence.)

(iii) Geologists call this movement 'con·tinental drift'.
(Frame a 'Wh-question' to get the underlined part as an answer.)

(6) Give the antonyms from the extract for :
(i) artificial
(ii) lighter

(B) Write·a brief summary of the above extract with the help of the points given below and suggest a suitable title.
Oil as a source of energy - our dependence - types of oil -mineral oil origin of crude oil formation of crude oil-farming of sedimentary rocks - continental drift

Do as directed :

He wanted to become _____ artist and live in ____ Himalayas.
(Fill in the blanks with the appropriate articles.)

Do as directed :

 She was able to talk ____ the group______ her experience.
(Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)

Do as directed:

"Why are you crying?" said the woman to a little boy.
"I want a balloon," he said.
(Change it into Indirect Speech.)

Fill in the blank with appropriate article
J.R.D. Tata was an amazing personality. He always helped _______ poor in the country.

Do as directed :
They stood_______ silence as a mark honour to her._______
(Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)

Do as directed :
 ''Where are you going?'' he asked. ''Pune, Sir, my husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.''
(Change it into Indirect speech.)

Do as directed:
Rewrite the following sentence using the appropriate prepositions :
One of the things that distinguishes man....... other animals is the power........... speech.

Do as directed:
Change the following into indirect speech:
Mother said, “Sunita, what did you buy from the market?” She said, “I bought a dictionary.”

Do as directed :

 When earthquake strikes, world trembles.
(Insert appropriate articles wherever necessary and rewrite it.)

Do as directed : 

I spent my holiday _______ some friends ________ a wooden house.
(Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.)

Do as directed :

Radha said to the teacher, “I feel very happy to help my mother at home.”
(Change it into indirect speech.)

Read the following extract carefully and present the information in the form of notes with the help of the given clues :
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first Vice President and second President of India.
He was a teacher, a philosopher and 'an author. He had introduced the thinking of Western idealist philosophers like Plato, Plontinus, Bergson into Indian thought.
He was born on 5th of September, 1888 in a poor Brahmin family. As his father could not afford his education expenses, Radhakrishnan supported most of his education
through scholarships. He completed his B.A. and M.A. with majors in philosophy. He went on to become a professor of philosophy. He showed that Indian Philosophy, once translated into standard academic jargon, is worthy of being called philosophy by Western standards.
He thus, placed Indian Philosophy on world map.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had established a strong relationship with the Soviet Union when he w Is appointed as the ambassador to the Soviet Union.
He has been honoured with many awards for his achievements nationally and internationally. He was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. He is also acknowledged with the Templeton Prize, Peace Prize of German Book Trade, Order of Merit and many other honours.
Title : Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Birth : 5th September, 1888
Qualifications : B.A. ___________
Introduced thinking of : _________,_________and ____ into Indian thought.
Work : Translated_____________ into standard____________
Ambassador : __________________________________
Honours : National___________
                International Order of Merit

Letter Writing :
Write a letter of application in response to the following advertisement with the help of the given C. V. (Resume):                 

C. V. (Resume)

Name :Aruna Anil Shinde
Address : Bl-104, Rose Parade, S. B. Road, Nagpur.
Educational Qualifications :

Other qualifications : Successfully completed
Computer Diploma from NIIT, Nagpur 2014.
Work Experience : Worked as the Purchase Officer in
Login Private Ltd., Nagpur.
Interest/Hobbies : Reading, music, swimming, chess.
Languages Known: English, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati.

Write a letter to the Editor of a Newspaper drawing attention to the noise pollution in your locality. Suggest some solutions.

Write a short tourist's leaflet about any Hill Station that you know with the help of
the following points :
• How to reach there
• Accommodation facilities
• What to see
• Shopping attractions
• Anything special about the place.

Imagine that your college arranged a Cleanliness Drive in which your Principal, social activist, the local MLA, doctors, teachers and students participated on a large scale. The event was a grand success as it made people aware of cleanliness and social hygiene. Prepare a short report for your college magazine with the help of the following points :
Venue, chief guddest, inauguration, unique participation, and conclusion.

Read the following tree diagram about 'Morphemes' and write a short paragraph on it.

Prepare a paragraph with an appropriate title to be used for the Counter-View Section on the following topic in about 120 words :
"Facebook is a user-friendly device."
You may take help of the following points included in the View Section:

Answer the following question as per instructions:
Framing Questions :
            On the occasion of 'Annual Sports Prize Distribution' programme a well-known sports personality is invited in your college as a chief guest. As a sports secretary you have got an opportunity to interview him/her. Frame a set of 8-10 questions regarding his/her achievements, inspirations, best moment and prizes he/she has won.