HSC Arts (English Medium) 12th Standard Board Exam - Maharashtra State Board Question Bank Solutions

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

Appreciation:

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 day that's slipping fast,
That you helped 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?

Read the given extract and write the appreciation of the given poem based on the following aspects.

• Form of the poem, theme and its significance
• Poetic style, language features, poetic devices
• Inspirational message, values, morals reflected
• Your opinion and critical evaluation of the poem.

Imagine, you have to leave early from home for an interview. Draft a message in about 100/150 words, to convey the same to your friend. Give your own reasons to support your message.

Imagine, you are not well and will not be able to attend lectures at college. Draft a message in about 100/150 words to convey the same to your teacher. Give your own reasons to support your message.

Imagine, you have planned different methods to study for your board exam. Draft a message in about 100/150 words, to give these details to your friend. Give your own reasons to support your message.

Imagine that you have to leave your hostel room to attend to a relative coming at the city hospital from your native place. Draft a message in about 100/150 words giving reason of your absence at the birthday party of your roommate at the hostel. Give your own reasons to support your message.

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 are highly passionate towards becoming a successful entrepreneur and therefore want to peruse your higher education in “Business Management”. Your background and skills have motivated you towards business and now you seek admission to accomplish a degree in “Business Management” at a reputed university. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words, which will help you to get admission to this University.

You have great thirst for knowledge in a foreign language of your own choice. You are also prepared to peruse your education abroad for the same. You are therefore seeking a university for a degree in a foreign language of your choice. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words, which will help you to get admission to this University.

You have developed good skills in English Language. You think of directing your skills for more specific goals. Now you aspire for a degree in “Mass Communication” at a specific university which provides this programme. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words, which will help you to get admission to this University.

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.

There are limited vacancies for getting admission to a well-known music and dance academy in Mumbai. Dancing is your passion and you always wanted to pursue career in music and dance. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words, which will help you to join the academy.

Imagine that you have recently discussed with your friends on ‘the benefits of travelling’, 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.

Imagine that you have recently discussed with your friends on ‘Mobile Addiction’, 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.

Imagine that you have recently discussed with your friends on ‘Good Handwriting’, 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.

Imagine that you have passed the entrance examination to get entry into the armed forces. As a test, you participated in a group discussion session with four other candidates on the topic ‘Flood Situation and Mitigating the Natural Disasters’. 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.

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.

Prepare an ‘Appeal’ on the topic ‘Say No to Drugs’ with the help of the following points. (100-150 words)

• Overall harmful
• Psychological/Physical disorders
• Infections
• Human actions - though the facts are know
• Appeal to teenagers

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

Prepare an ‘Appeal’ on the topic ‘Avoid Fast Food’ with the help of the following points. (100-150 words)

• Attraction of Fast-Food items.
• Effects on body and mind.
• Ways of avoiding fast food.
• Options for fast food.
• Appeal to society.