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

By ‘old delicious burdens’ the poet means-

The poet is a person who is free from all inhibitions. Discuss how the concept of ‘freedom’ is expressed in the poem.

'An Astrologer's Day' has ironic elements where the astrologer pretends to have 'supernatural knowledge' that coincidently turns out to be the truth. Irony means a situation or statement characterized by a significant difference between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is understood and what is meant. Find out the examples of irony from the story and write them down. One has been done for you.

1. He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute.
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4. ______________________________________

In the story, many Indian words are used.

'Cowrie shells'. This is an example of code-mixing.

Find out other such words from the story and write them down.

Bill Naughton has written a collection of wonderful stories which you can read in his book ‘The Goal Keepers Revenge and Other Stories’. Read all the stories and discuss their theme/s with your partner.

Read R.K. Narayan’s humorous collections of short stories and novels. Here are some titles you can read.

(a) ‘Under The Banyan Tree’

(b) ‘The Doctor’s Word’

(c) ‘Lawley Road’

(d) ‘A Horse and Two Goats’

(e) ‘Gateman’s Gift’

Surf the internet and find out the career opportunities in Astronomy.

List the words of courtesy that we use in our daily life. Discuss them with your partner and explain the purpose of using each.

Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive traits, while others are not. Tick ✓ the ones you feel are desirable.

Etiquette and manners are very important for a person to live in society.

Read the following and put them in proper columns

1. To receive phone calls while you are in a lecture or class.
2. To knock before you enter your Principal’s office.
3. To thank the person who offers you tea or coffee.
4. To be polite and courteous to others.
5. To leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
6. To occupy the seats reserved for ladies or physically challenged or elderly people on a bus or a train.

Have a Group Discussion on the topic ‘The need of soft skills at workplace’. Use the following points.

(a) Written and verbal communication

(b) Ways of interacting with others

(c) Creative abilities

(d) Emotional intelligence

Read the text and state whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the False statement.

Bitter problems in day-to-day life can be solved by sweet words.

Read the text and state whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the False statement.

Great wars could have been avoided by a little courtesy.

Read the text and state whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the False statement.

Observance of etiquette in a normal situation is important but more important is their observance when the situation is adverse.

Read the text and state whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the False statement.

Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ help us in making our passage through life uneasy.

Read the text and state whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the False statement.

The law permits anybody to use violence if another person is discourteous.

Select the most appropriate sentences which suggest the theme of the essay.

Find the reasons for the lift-man’s uncivilized behaviour.

Discuss and write the impact of good temper and kindliness on the society in the light of the good-mannered conductor.

Good manners are required in our daily life for making our social contacts more cooperative and friendly. Illustrate the behaviour of the polite conductor with different people in various situations.