Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, Satara
Special Rehearsal Examination II
(2023-24)
Sub.- English S td - XII
Section I - PROSE (Reading for Comprehension, Language Study, Summary and Mind Mapping)
1. A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below.(16)
This is not to say that I did not like Science or Mathematics. In fact, I loved these subjects. However, I did not study them only for scoring maximum marks in the examinations. I used to study these subjects or any subject for that matter for its inherent beauty. I found Newton's law of motion beautiful and Pythagoream Theorem elegant. I loved solving problems of Physics and Mathematics of the 9th standard when I was in the 7th, not to show off, but just because I used to get involved in solving them. I used to love problem-solving and used to enjoy finding out the most elegant method of solving them. Obviously, these problems were not a part of the curriculum, but I enjoyed the whole process. This attitude of looking beyond marks or examinations and to seek joy in solving any challenging problem helped me to develop a 'problem-solving' attitude which came handy when I appeared for my IIT entrance (JEE) because this exam is completely based on your problem-solving ability and the ability to think not only logically but quickly and rapidly.
I scored 100% marks in Mathematics in almost all the examina- tions that I appeared for from my 1 standard until IIT, barring only a few times. I stood 16th in the SSC Board (at that time, this examination was for the whole of Maharashtra, including Nagpur) and I stood 1st in the University in all subjects put together. Those days, you could get an admission into IIT without the entrance test (JEE) if you had secured the 1st rank in the University. Therefore, I did not have to appear for the entrance test to get the admission into IIT, but nobody in Solapur told me about it, for I doubt if anybody in Solapur even knew about this rule. Therefore, I appeared for the entrance examination, and I secured a very good rank in the same.
A1) Complete the web giving information of writer's academic achievements.
Answer :-
Writer's Academic achievements
i) writer scored 100/ marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations.
ii) stood 16th in SSC Board Exam.
iii) Stood 1st rank in the University.
iv) secured good marks in JEE and got admission in IIT.
A2) Describe the writer's attitude about problem solving method.
Answer :- Writer's attitude about problem solving method
i) He did not study only for scoring maximum marks in the examinations.
ii) He used to study subjects for the matter for its inherent beauty.
iii) He used to love problem-solving and used to enjoy finding out the most elegant method of solving them.
iv) He used to get involved in solving them.
A3)Explain the writer's views regarding Science and Mathematies.
Answer :-
i) writer loved science and Mathematics.
ii) writer study these subjects for it's inherent beauty and not only scoring maximum marks.
iii) writer loved problem solving.
iv) scored 100 marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations.
A4) Express your opinion regarding qualities required for excellence.
Answer :-
I think following qualities are required for excellence
i) Vision
ii) curiosity
iii) humility
iv) rationality
A5) Language Study.
i) I loved solving problems (Choose the correct alternative to get the Wh type question from the following options)
a) What I loved ? c) What did I love ?
b) What had I loved? d) How do I love ?
Answer :-
c) What did I love ?
ii) These problems were not a part of the cirrculum, but I enjoyed the whole process. (Choose the correct alternative showing proper use of 'though')
a) These problems were not a part of the curriculum, though I enjoyed the whole process.
b) Though these problems were not a part of the curriculum, I enjoyed the whole process.
c) Though these problems were not a part of our curriculum, but I enjoyed the whole process.
d) Though these problems were not a part of the curriculum and I enjoyed the whole process.
Answer :-
b) Though these problems were not a part of the curriculum, I enjoyed the whole process.
A6)Vocabulary.
Write the verb form of the following words.
a) Maximum b) Examination
c) Challenging d) Completely
Answer :-
Maximum = maximize
Examination = Examine
Challenging = Challenge
Completely = Complete
B) Do as directed (Non Textual grammer)
B1)1) .......ATM is .......useful machine. (Fill in the blanks with suitable articles and rewrite the sentence)
Answer :-
1) An ATM is a useful machine.
ii) He is good............. English, but weak
Mathematics (Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions and rewrite)
Answer :-He is good at English, but weak in Mathematics
(iii)The mother looks after her child. (Choose the correct alternative to get the rederorical question of the given statement)
a) Didn't the mother look after her child?
b) Doesn't the mother look after her child?
e) Don't the mother look after her child?
d) Has the mother look after her child?
Answer :-b) Doesn't the mother look after her child?
B2) Spot the error in the given sentence and rewrite the correct sentence.
He has been worked in this office since 1990.
Answer :- He has been working in this office since 1990.
2. A) Read the following extract and complete the activities given below.12
William Shakespeare has rightly said, "Give many thy ears but few thy tongue". Listening is indeed an art which needs to be cultivated. Most of us merely hear and don't listen.
According to the dictionary, the word 'listen' means 'to hear with thoughtful attention.' However, many a time a friend may be confiding his innermost secrest to us, but our thoughts wander away. We don't pay attention to his words. Though we may seem to be listening to him; we are in fact, miles away, lost in another world. Many of us may not be able to recall what someone said even 5 minutes back. One reason why people are so inattentive today might be that they are becoming increasingly self-centered. Egocentrism and selfishness make people interested only in themselves and their lives, as a result they are not even interested in listening to others.
In conversation, listening plays a crucial role. A good conversationalist is also a good listener. Unfortunately, more often than not, we are only interested in hearing the sounds of our own voices. The art of conversation consists as must in listening politely, as in talking agreeably. Being properly heard builds up your self-confidence and helps to boost your self-image.
This does not-of coures mean that you only listen silently, and do not take part in the conversation at all. This may make the other person feel that you are not interested in his talk or are bored at all. An occasional nod or a brief statement like 'I understand' and 'yes, go on' reassures the person that you are paying attention to what he is saying.
Today, listening seems to have become a forgotten art. Perhaps the problem begins at home. Everybody is too engrossed in the TV serials or mobile phones to bother to listen to the other family members. Dinner-time is spent in silence, eyes glued to the TV. Even if someone tries to talk, he is immediately silenced. As a result, no one really listens to views, aspirations, dreams or fears of the family members. This is a dangerous trend and we must avoid it.
A1)State whether the following sentences are true or false. correct the false sentences.
i) Today people are becoming increasingly self-centered. True
ii) Family members at dinner time do chat with each other.
False = at dinner time family members are silent and eyes glued to TV .
iii) Now a day's people are only interested in hearing the sounds of their own voices.True
iv) Listening is not an art.
False =Listening is an art.
A2) Make a list of our reactions when a friend confides his secrets to us.
Answer :-
i) Our thoughts wander away.
ii) we don't pay attention to his words.
iii) while listening we lost in another world.
iv) many of us may not be able to recall what someone said even 5 minutes back
A3) Listening plays a crucial role in conversation Explain.
Answer :- listening plays a crucial role in conversation.
i) a good conversationalist is also a good listener.
ii) The art of conversation consists as must in listening politely.
iii) Being properly heard builds up your self-confidence and helps to boost your self-image.
iv) Listening is an art.
A4)'Listening is an art' Justify your opinion.
Answer :- listening is an art .listen means to hear with thoughtful attention. Today's people are not interested in listening. The art of listening should be developed by practice. Listening affect our conversation and personality.
A5) Languange study.
1) This is a dangerous trend.
(Choose the correct alternative form of exclamatery sentence)
a) How dangerous trend it is!
b) What a dangerous trend this is !
c) How dangerous trend this is!
d) What a dangerous trend this is !
Answer :-d) What a dangerous trend this is !
ii) We must avoid it
(Choose the correct alternative to get modal auxiliary to showing 'suggestion')
a) We will avoid it.
b) We can avoid it.
c) We should avoid it.
d) We may avoid it.
Answer :-c) We should avoid it.
A6) Match the words in column 'A' with their 'Antonyms' in column 'B'
'A' 'B'
i) Polite a) unimportant
ii) interested b) safe
iii) dangerous c) ignorant
iv) Crucial d) discourteous
Answer :-'A' 'B'
i) Polite d) discourteous
ii) interested c) ignorant
iii) dangerous b) safe
iv) Crucial a) unimportant
B) Summary writing.
Write a brief summary of the above extract with the help of the points given below and suggest a suitable title.
Points: Listening - meaning - self centered - crucial role of listening - Conversation at home - trend.
C) Mind Mapping.
India is a vast country with different weather patterns. Prepare a mind map on 'Indian season's we have in our regions by giving examples of different activities that we do in different seasons.
Answer :-
Section II - Poetry (Poetry and Appreciation)
A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below.
She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent !
A1) Choose the two correct sentences depicting the central idea of the poem. 2
i) The beauty of the woman is described in the poem.
ii) The love of the poet for the woman is described in the poem.
ii) The poem shows the beautiful physical appearance as well as the inner beauty of the woman.
iv) The woman's behaviour is given in this poem.
Answer :-i) The beauty of the woman is described in the poem.
ii) The poem shows the beautiful physical appearance as well as the inner beauty of the woman.
A2) Give reason.
The lady in the poem has a winning smile and a glowing skin. According to the poet she is blessed with these things.................
Answer :- Because in the last stanza the poet says that lovely cheek,the calm brow,the delicate coloring,the glowing skin all are a result of her life spent without sin. She has a peaceful mind and innocent heart.
A3)"Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder" we all know this saying. Explain your views about it.
Answer :-
i) Outward appearance gives only an idea.
ii) The external look may be completely different if one looks deeper.
iii) we can judge the people according to our mood ,need and time.
A4) Write down the rhyme scheme and rhyming pairs of the second stanza of the given extract.
Answer :-
A5)Compose four lines on 'Beauty of Nature'.
Answer :-
It look at the majestic peaks
I peer in to the sapphire deep
I gaze at the endless shape of the green
My eyes drink the silver threads between.
B) Appreciation.
Read the extract and write an appreciation of it you may use the following points.
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you? Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along? Or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the days that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent ?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent ?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say.
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?
Points:
i) About the poem / poet and the title
ii)The theme
iii) The language / poetic devices
iv) Moral / Message
v) Your opinion about the poem.
Section III - Writing Skills
4. A) Complete the activities as per the instructions given below.
Attempt any one of the following.
1) Drafting a virtual message.
You are Madhav. A parttime assistant at the library. You take a call for the Head Librarian. Mr. Pawar. You take down a message for him from his wife. Draft a message using the following infoormation for Mr. Pawar.
Mrs. Pawar - rang up - 4.30 p.m - Raghav, your son unwell - gone to hospital Address - Vinayak Hospital, Karve Road, Pune requested to meet there - urgently.
OR ---
2) Statement of purpose.
You love acting and want to become a T.V / Theatre / fill actor / actress. you have taken part in many drama compititions held in your college and have also acted in street plays. You are a good Bharat Natyam dancer too. you are fulent in English, Hindi, Marathi. Prepare a statement of purpose for admission to the film and Television Institute if India, Pune.
OR ---
3) Group discussion
Anil, Sunil, Rajani, Manisha are participating in a group discussion.
The topic is 'Clean India' Write their views in the form of dialogues. you may begin by the introduction of the topic by the evaluator.
B) Attempt Any one of the following activities.
1) E-mail writing.
You have lost your original S.S.C marksheet write an email to the Divisional Secretary, Kolhapur, requesting him/her to send you the duplicate marksheet. You may take the help of following points.
* Reason of missing a marksheet
Examination details
* Details of fees
2) Report writing.
Your junior college recently organized the N.S.S. camp at a vil- lage. You are the chief representative student of the camp write a report of the various activities conducted in the camp for the local newspaper in about 150 words.
3) Drafting interview questions.
Imagine that you are going to take an interview of a social worker of your locality. Prepare a set of 8 to 10 questions for his/her interview Take the help of the following points.
(Childhood - education - service - difficulties - future plans - achievements message)
C) Attempt Any one of the following activities.
1) Speech Writing.
Imagine that as a part of the Republic Day Celebrations, your colleage has organized an elocution competition. Prepare a speech in about 120/150 words on 'My Idea of India as a Developed Country'.
2) Compering.
Imagine you are given an opportunity to compere aprogramme at your college based on 'English Language Day'. As a compere, draft the whole programme script deciding the flow of the overall programme. You may take help of the given Lints.
* Prayer / Introduction
* Lighting the lamp / Inaugurantion
* Chief guest's address
* Vote of thanks
3) Expansion of Idea.
Expand the following idea by using the points -
"Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself"
* Key point
* Literal Meaning
* Explanation of the different aspects of the topic sentence
* Conclusion
D) Attempt Any one of the following activities.
1) Review.
Write a review of the film that you remember you have watched and can't forget easily. Give details about the movie using following supporting points.
* Title of the film
* Cast
* Your favourite scene from the movie
* Producer/Director
* The gist of the plot
* Your opinion
2) Blog Writing..
Write a 'Blog' in a proper format on 'Positinity in life', with the help of the following points. (150 words) *
Hurdles / problems in life
* Accepting facts and flaws
Numan instinct / fight back
* Will to Win
3 ) Appeal writing.
Prepare an appeal on the topic "Save Environment". Make use of the following points to write an appeal for rally on the world Environment Day.
Points
* Persuasive appeal
-* Attractive slogans
*Date and venue
Need to save trees
* Important personality leads the rally
* Other own ideas
Section IV -
(Literary Genre - Novel)
5. A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions.
Pick out the odd element from the group.
a) Plot, Conflict, Protagnist, Language
b) Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, Raja Rao, Thomas Hardy
c) Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthrone, H.G. wells, George eliot
d) The Heart of Darkness, The Turh of the screw, The pilgrims Progress, Death in venice
Answer :-
Protagnist
Thomas Hardy
George eliot
The pilgrims Progress
2) Write the language and meaning of the following words.
Words Language Meaning
a) Novella Italian new
b)Picaro Spanish rogue
c) Epistola Latin letter
d) Bildungsroman German growth
Answer
B) Answer in about 50 words the questions given
1) Write in your words the entire half yearly report programme of students council.
2) Explain in brief the theme of the extract.
C) Activities based on the extract of the novel 'Around the word in Eighty Days' (Answer in about 50 words)
1) Give a brief character sketch of Phileas Fogg
2) Elaborate the following quote in the light of the extract of the novel Around the word to problems'
D) Activities based on the extract of the novel 'The sign of Four' (Answer in about 50 words)
1) Describe the character of Mary Morstan from Dr. Watson's points of view.
2) Write the Central idea of the given extract of the novel, 'The sign of Four' 2
