HSC Board July 2023 Exam Activity Sheet

DAY SEAT NUMBER 8 6

5 5

2023 |VII18 1100

J-501 (E)

ENGLISH (01)
Time : 3 Hrs. (16 Pages) Max. Marks : 80

Important instructions :
(1) Each activity has to be answered in complete sentencels. One word answers will
not be given complete credit. Just the correct activity number written in case of
options willnot be given credit.
(2) Web diagrams, flow charts, tables etc. are to be presented exactly as they are
with answers.
(3) In point 2above.just words withou the presentation of the activityformat/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
activily 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) |16]
Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button
of his vest upward. He was shaven, and his coat was trim
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 and his neat, black bow had been presented to him by a
lady missionary on Th¡nksgiving Day. Ifonly 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 journeyto 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 cormer, a policeman
in the lead. Soapy stood stillwith 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 i?" said Soapy, with a friendly voice, as one greets
good fortune.

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 Al. 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'seye 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
() Soapy tried to enter He stood up slowly
a cafe. beating the dust from
his clothes.

(2) Soapy broke a glass ,He wanted to get arrested

window. by the police.
(3) Two waiters pitchedThe cop ran after another
Soapy on the callous nan.
pavement.

(4) Soapy stood silent Strong and ready hands

with his hands in his ofthe head-waiter turned
pockets. him round.

A3. Complete the following sentences: (2)

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

() Here Island' means

(ü) The island is Coveted' because

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 A4. 'Students should stay away from crime'. (2)
Write your opinion on the above sentence.
5. Do as directed: (2)

() 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
(ü) 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.
A6. Find the synonyms of the following from the extract: (2)
(i) jail
(iü) old and worn out shoes
(üi) dishonourable
(V) nervous manner

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 B1. Language study (4)
Do as directed :

(1) There were no boats to take the people across. (1)

(Identify and rewrite the correct transformation of the
above sentence beginning with If ....)
(a) If there were no boats, they wouldn't have taken
people across.
(b) Tf there were no boats, they would have taken
people across.
(c) Ifthere 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. (1)
(ldentify and rewrite the correct transformation of the
above sentence beginning with 'His sack...)
(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." (1)
(Identify the correct indirect narration of the above
sentence from the given options and rewrite)
(a) She said that she had worked hard from
childhood.

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 (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 : (1)
India pays tribute to Gandhijifor his birth anniversary.

Q. 2. (A) Read the following extract and complete the activities (12) |18|
given below:
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
Imight not see this birthday, and if Ilived to see this day I
should have nothing more to worry about... Ihave 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. Iwish to treat it asa 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
asuccessful story-writer who made a lot of money by
dashing offplots for film people. He laughed aloud on hearing
of the problem created by the actor. He was not the angry

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 type to feel upset at contrary suggestions. He declared,
"Impossible to change the story. How can he refuse to die?
Iam 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.'
A1. Arrange the following statements in a proper sequence
as per their occurrence in the extract and rewrite : (2)
(i) The director was impressed.
(ü) Their faces were blurred beyond the shadows.
(i) Gopal explained timidly that it was his birthday.
(iv) His lips were red with the chewing ofbetel leaves.
A2. Give reasons : (2)
(i) Gopal's forty-ninth birthday was a peculiar one
because
(ü) He felt stuffy because

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

A4. 'Superstition poison our minds." Explain in your

Own words. (2)

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 A5. Do as directed:
() He laughed aloud on hearing of the problem. (1)
(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 on hearing ofthe problem.
(d) He would be laughed on hearing of the
problem.
(ü) They all stood around and looked at him. (1)
(Choose the correct alternative towrite 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
(ü) pleasant
(i11) accept
(iv) moving
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 (B) Summarising: (3)
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)
Develop a mind map on 'My Future Goals'. Frame / design
using your ideas /thoughts /concepts toillustrate.

SECTION - II : POETRY
(Poetry and Appreciation)
Q. 3. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (10) (14)
No stir in the air, no stir in the sea,
The ship was as stillas 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.

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050 1|
 A1. Describe the scene in the beginning of the poem. (2)

A2. Give reasons: (2)

() 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
2from the extract. (2)

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

(B) Appreciation: (4)

Read the extract and write the appreciation of the poem :
When I had money, money, O!
Iknew no joy till Iwent poor;
For many a false man as a friend
Came knocking all day at my door.
Then feltI like a child that holds
A trumpet that he must not blow
Because a man is dead:Idared
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 tillnight.

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 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]
(A) Attempt 'Any One' of the following
activities : (4)
Drafting avirtual message :
() Imagine, you have been late to attend your 'Piano
Class'. Draft a message in about 50 words to convey
the samne to your Piano teacher. Give your own
reasons
to support your message.
OR

Statement of Purpose :
(i) 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 ofpurpose in about 150 words

which willhelp you toget admission in your dream
university.
OR

Group Discussion :
(1) Imagine, you have a great concern for environmental
issues. Water' is one of the necessities of life. 'No
water, No life.'

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050 1
 You have recently witnessed a group discussion
on 'Save Water' participated by three members of water
conservationists on TV. Write the same group
discussion in the form of dialogues for three
participants. Add an evaluator also.
(B) Attempt 'Any One' ofthe following activities : (4)
E-mail :
(i) Draft an E-mail to the owner of 'Sports Store'. As a
sportsman, inquire about your requirements and allthe
possible supporting information that you wish to
acquire from the store owner through E-mail. (in about
150 words).
OR

Report Writing:
(iü) Imagine, your Jr. College has recently organised
'Annual Prize Distribution Function.'You are the editor
of the 'College Magazine'. Writea report on the function
in about 150 words.

OR

Interview:
(iii) Imagine, you have to conduct an interview of a wel|
known writer. With the help of the format given below,
draft questions on the given fields. (Do not change the
sequence of the questions.)

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 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
(S) First success / achievement
(6) Success plan
(7) Dreams unfulfilled
(8) Message
(C) Attenmpt 'Any One' ofthe following activities: (4)
Speech:
(1) 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

Compering:
(ü) Imagine, you are given an opportunity to compere a
programme 'World Environment Day' in your college.
As a compere, draft the whole programme script
deciding the flow of the overall programme. You may
take help ofthegiven points.
[prayer, welcome, introduction, felicitation, speakers
participation, presidential address, vot of thanks.]
OR
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 Expansion of ldea :
(üi) 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)

Review:

(i) You have recently seen a 'Short Film'. Write a Review'

on the same with the help ofthe following points :
Title of the film

Subject / story / plot

Presentation /photography / music
Message
OR

Blog:
(ü) 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 ofcommunication skill
Aspects of personality development
Dressing sense
OR

050 Page 14
 Appeal :
(i) Prepare an 'Appeal' on the topic
'Prevent the spread
of corona virus' with the help of the
folowing points
(100/ 150 words):
Wear mask
Hands sanitization
Social distancing
Healthy food

SECTION - IV
(LITERARY GENRE - NOVEL)
Q. 5. (A) Complete the activities given below as per the
instructions: (4) |16]
() 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) Pearl Henry James
(ü) Choose the correct altérnatives and rewrite the
sentences : (2)
(a) The central idea in the novel is
[ plot /theme / story]
(b) The main character in the novel is referred to as

antagonist / clown /protagonist ]

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

050 1 Page 15 P.T.O

 (d) Language and techniques used in the novel is
known as
[manner / style/ texture ]
(B) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below : (4)
) Explain how the setting of the extract "To Sir,
with Love'" contributes to the theme of the novel. (2)
(ü) Describe in brief the plot of the extract from "To Sir,
with Love". (2)

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

() Describe the character-sketch of Phileas Fogg from
the extract of the novel Around the World in Eighty
Days." (2)
(ü) Compare the characters Passepartout and detective Fix
from the extract of the novel Around the World in
Eighty Days." (2)
(D) () Arrange the sentences in correct sequence as per their (4)
occurrence in the extract "The Sign of Four'. (2)
Jumbled sentences/incidents :

(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.
(ü) Discuss the importance of the following statements in
the light of the extract "The Sign of Four." (2)

The trio-Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mary decide to visit

Lyceum Theatre.

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