SCERT Maharashtra solutions for English [Marathi] 12 Standard HSC chapter 1 - Section 1 : Prose [Latest edition]

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

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

The young lift-man in a City office who threw a passenger out of his lift the other morning and was fined for the offence was undoubtedly in the wrong. It was a question of “Please.” The complainant entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded “Top-please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course, was carrying a comment on manner too far. Discourtesy is not a legal offence, and it does not excuse assault and battery. If a burglar breaks into my house and I knock him down, the law will acquit me, and if I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate with reasonable violence. It does this because the burglar and my assailant have broken quite definite commands of the law. But no legal system could attempt to legislate against bad manners or could sanction the use of violence against something which it does not itself recognize as a legally punishable offence. And our sympathy with the liftman, we must admit that the law is reasonable. It would never do if we were at liberty to box people’s ears because we did not like their behaviour, or the tone of their voices, or the scowl on their faces. Our fists would never be idle, and the gutters of the city would run with blood all day. I may be as uncivil as I may please and the law will protect me against violent retaliation. I may be haughty or boorish and there is no penalty to pay except the penalty of being written down an ill-mannered fellow. The law does not compel me to say “Please” or to attune my voice to other people’s sensibilities any more than it says that I shall not wax my moustache or dye my hair or wear ringlets down my back. It does not recognize the laceration of our feelings as a case for compensation. There is no allowance for moral and intellectual damages in these matters.

A1. Read the following statements and pick out the statement which expresses the intention of the writer. (2)

1. There is an importance of good manners and civility.
2. The wound on one’s self-respect is more painful than physical wound.
3. One needs to be courteous with a liftman.
4. Strict laws can civilize people.

A2. Pick out some examples of behaviour from the extract that are not punishable under law. (2)

A3. “The passenger damaged the liftman’s self-respect”. Support your answer with some facts from the extract. (2)

A4. What if - ‘Discourtesy is a legal offence?’ Write your response in about 30 words. (2)

A5. Do as directed. (2)

1) If I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.
(Choose the correct alternative to use ‘unless’)

1. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.
2. Unless I am physically assaulted, it would not permit me to retaliate.
3. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.
4. Unless I am not physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.

2) The law will protect me against violent retaliation.
(Choose the correct alternative to use a modal auxiliary showing ‘obligation’)

1. The law can protect me against violent retaliation.
2. The law could protect me against violent retaliation.
3. The law may protect me against violent retaliation.
4. The law must protect me against violent retaliation.

A6. Find out the words from the passage which mean the following: (2)

1. Lack of courtesy
2. Fight with the fists
3. Uncultured
4. An attacker

A1. Soapy’s attempts to get into Winter Island:

A2. Complete the given statement in 30 words.

Soapy couldn’t enter the restaurant because ______

A3. Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button of his vest upward. Here the lowest button of his vest upward means ______

A4. If a person tries to damage the public property, how you will react in such a situation.
(write your response in 3/4 lines)

A5. Do as directed.

1) The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue.
(Choose the correct alternative to transform as a negative statement)

1. The policeman didn’t accept Soapy even as a clue.
2. The policeman had never accepted Soapy even as a clue.
3. The policeman didn’t accepted Soapy even as a clue.
4. The policeman couldn’t accept Soapy even as a clue.

2) “Don’t you think that I might have had something to do with it?” said Soapy.
(Choose the correct alternative to change the sentence into indirect speech)

1. Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might have something to do with that.
2. Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might have had something to do with that.
3. Soapy asked if he didn’t thought that he might have had something to do with that.
4. Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might had had something to do with that.

A6. Match the words in column A with column B:

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

A1. Arrange the given sentences in the order to summarize the extract according to proper occurrences.

1. Big data improved the logistics services.
2. Every online activity is stored in big data.
3. Big data is comprehensible due to Big Data Analytics.
4. The industries gained advantages from the big data.

A2. Big Data analytics play a vital role. Justify.

A3. Big data is a great challenge to the present computing technologies. Explain.

A4. We tend to refer to certain features of the product or services before orders. Give reasons for such conduct.

A5. Do as directed.

1) If you have ordered something online you can track the location of your goods in transit.
(Choose the correct alternative to use ‘After+ing’)

1. After you have ordering something online, you can track the location of your goods in transit.
2. After ordering something online, you can track the location of the goods in transit.
3. After you have ordered something, you are tracking the location of your goods in transit.
4. After ordering something online, you can tracking the location of your goods in transit.

2) Big data analytics is the complex process.
(Choose the correct alternative to change the sentence as negative sentence)

1. Big Data analytics is not the complex process.
2. Big Data analytics is not a compound process.
3. Big Data analytics is not an easy process.
4. Big Data analytics is not the simple process.

A6. Pick out the antonyms of the following words from the passage.

1. Understandable
2. hide
3. available
4. similar

Read the extract and solve the activities.

          The eight-and-a-half-hour-long day inside the hide was a fruitful as the Jambha tree standing tall on the edge of Umbarzara. Before wrapping up my day at this natural waterhole, I took entries of the avifauna in my field work. Since I was alone, I rushed to Pitezari village where I was stationed. I camouflaged the hide, took my essentials, and came out of the hide and stretched out to my heart's content. I lifted my camera bag and took the familiar trial to Pitezari. Negotiating the webbed leaves of Teakwood and Moha trees, trying to make minimal sound, I was treading cautiously among the wood. Walking alone in a jungle needs more alertness than walking with a companion. I was alone here like a fox. Following the trial silently, watching with wide-open eyes, my ears were grasping a variety of sound stunned me...
          'Khyak! Khyak! KhyakoSS Khyak!'
          It was a Langur alarm call. The leader of the gang of Langurs was sitting on the tall tree making alarm calls out of fear. Rest of the Langur brigade continued raising the alarm calls. The network of alarm calls was expanding its range as the petrified Langurs speeded to the trees near and far and secured their places on treetops. All this upheaval was created by only one animal's presence- a Leopard. Many animals make alarm calls when they see a predator - Tiger or a Leopard nearby. The Langur is more reliable when it comes to finding clues about the presence of the apex predators in the jungle. The mighty elusive Leopard of Umbarzara was out of his liar. He was on the prowl. The stealthily moving figure in spotted gold-black cloak was spied by these Langurs. Even the small ones from the legion of Langurs were giving alarm calls.
          'Chyak! Chyak!'
          I stayed put. Gauged the leader Langur's target sight and scanned the area visually. Took some steps. Stopped again. A fresh scat was lying before me on the trail. The bluish-purple flies were hovering over it. I was sure that the Leopard was somewhere near. The distant alarm call of four-horned antelope was adding to the chaos.

A1. Complete the given flowchart about the writer’s activities. (2)

A2. Enlist the clues which confirmed the presence of a leapard. (2)

A3. Complete. (2)

‘I was alone like a fox.’ The writer compares himself to the fox because ____________

A4. State what precautions you would take after finding yourself lost in a jungle. (2)

A5. Do as directed. (2)

i. The langur is the most reliable in finding clues in jungle about predators.
(Choose the correct alternative that gives the transformation of the given sentence in Positive Degree)

1. No other animal in jungle is as reliable as langur in finding clues about predators in jungle.
2. No other langur is as reliable as other animals in finding clues about predators in jungle.
3. Langur is as reliable as other animals in jungle in finding clues about predators.
4. Very few animals in jungle are as reliable as langur in finding clues about predators in jungle.

ii. I camouflaged the hide...
(Choose the correct alternative that has Simple Present Tense form.)

1. I camouflage the hide
2. I am camouflaging the hide
3. I have camouflaged the hide
4. I can camouflage the hide

A6. Find a word from the extract which mean the following: (2)

1. To hide oneself by covering up with natural or artificial material to mislead the enemy.
2. Finishing the work
3. Making oneself safe from danger
4. To successfully walk over

Read the extract and solve the activities.

A1. Complete the given statements.

1. The writer got admission in IIT as he ______.
2. The poor English of the writer was responsible for ______.

A2. Describe the state of mind of the writer when he came from Solapur.

A3. The incident of the insult by a senior was a blessing in disguise for the writer. Explain. (2)

A4. We need a punch to push ourselves forward. Share your experience.

A5. Do as directed.

i. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but my pronunciation also was terrible.
(Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the sentence as a simple sentence)

1. I had a very weak vocabulary with terrible pronunciation.
2. I had a very weak vocabulary and my pronunciation was terrible.
3. I did have a very weak vocabulary along with terrible pronunciation.
4. I had a weak vocabulary as well as terrible pronunciation.

ii. I felt extremely humiliated.
(Choose correct alternative to rewrite the sentence using the noun form of the underlined word.)

1. I felt extremely humiliation.
2. I felt extremely humiliating.
3. I felt extreme humiliation.
4. I felt extreme humiliating.

A6. Prepare a word register for ‘language’.

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

I know that he has stolen the necklace.

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

The sword that is made of pure steel is brought from India.

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

They took shelter under a building because they were tired by walking.

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

Not only did his teachers give him enough practice, but his parents too.

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

He was a mere student but he offered to solve the problem.

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

He must not be absent or he will be declared fail.

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

Satish must work very hard to rescue his brother.

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

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

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

The citizens who have paid the taxes are always respected.

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

The interviewer was annoyed that the queries were not answered.

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

I was surprised when I heard him reveal the secret.

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

Search his room and you will find the clue.

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

The luggage was not misplaced but it was kept deliberately.

Choose the correct alternative to Frame a wh question to get the underlined answer.

Some thugs tried to snatch her gold chain.

Choose the correct alternative to Frame a wh question to get the underlined answer.

Arunima was retrained as a mountaineer.

Choose the correct alternative to Frame a wh question to get the underlined answer.

An exceptional battle had begun inside the train on the move?

Choose the correct alternative to Frame a wh question to get the underlined answer.

With the help of the technology, I started responding to the treatment.

Choose the correct alternative to Frame a wh question to get the underlined answer.

Ishita invites my family members on my birthday for celebration.

Choose the correct alternative to make the given sentence exclamatory.

You performed very energetically in front of the visitors.

Choose the correct alternative to make the given sentence exclamatory.

You have narrated a very romantic book.

Choose the correct alternative to make the given sentence negative.

Sunita is the most loyal employee of our firm.

Choose the correct alternative to make the given sentence negative.

As soon as he entered the room, he noticed the unusual presence.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

The number of people do not matter.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

I am liking to see movies at the theatre.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

I never forgets the given responsibility.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

He has often ask me to think before I speak.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

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

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

We are the more strongest community in the world.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

I entered the room for search the documents.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

We can plant the trees in order saving the earth.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

I usually asks my employees to be punctual in their tasks.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

The training came to an end before you left the city.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

If you challenge me, I had accept it.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

The manager was looking into the missing file.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

She is more taller than all her brothers in the family.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

He said he did not wanted to go to bazaar yesterday.

Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence.

Mango is the bestest among all the Indian fruits.

Develop a ‘Mind Mapping’ frame/design using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate/develop on the topic, ‘Effects of Music’.

Develop a ‘Mind Mapping’ frame/design using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate/develop on the topic, ‘Benefits of English Language’.

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.

Develop a ‘Mind Mapping’ frame/design using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate/develop on the topic, ‘Beauty of Colours’.

You live in an era where huge information is communicated to you in different forms continuously. Develop a ‘Mind Mapping’ frame/design using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate/develop on the topic, ‘Forms of Communication’.