HSC Board Feb 2026 Exam
English Activity Sheet HSC Board Feb 2026 Exam
Important instructions-
1) Each activity has to be answered in complete sentence/s. One- word answers will not be given complete credit. Just the correct activity number written in case of options will not be given credit. |
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)
At length Soapy reached one of the
avenues to the east where the glitter and turmoil was but faint. He dragged
himself toward Madison Square, for the homing instinct survives even when the
home is a park bench. But, on an unusually quiet corner,
Soapy came to a standstill. Here was an old church, quaint and rambling and
gabled. Through one violet-stained window a soft light glowed, where, no doubt,
the organist loitered over the keys, making sure of his mastery of the coming
Sabbath anthem. For there drifted out to Soapy’s ears sweet music that caught
and held him transfixed against the convolutions of the iron fence. The
moon was above, full and radiant; vehicles and pedestrians were few; sparrows
twittered sleepily in the eaves or a little while the scene might have been a
country churchyard. And the anthem that the organist played cemented Soapy to
the iron fence, for he had known it well in the days when his life contained
such things as mothers and roses and ambitions and friends and immaculate
thoughts and collars. The conjunction of Soapy’s receptive
state of mind and the influences about the old church brought a sudden and
wonderful change in his soul. He viewed with rising horror the pit into which
he had tumbled, the degraded days, unworthy desires, dead hopes, wrecked
faculties and base motives that made up his existence. And also, in a moment his heart
responded thrillingly to this strange mood. A strong impulse moved him to
battle with his desperate fact. He would pull himself out of the mire and would
make a man of himself again; he would conquer the evil that had enslaved him.
There was time; he was young yet; he would resurrect his old eager ambitions
and pursue them without faltering. Those solemn but sweet organ notes had set
up a revolution in him. Tomorrow he would go into the roaring downtown district
and find work. A fur importer had once offered him a place as driver. He would
be somebody in the world. He would----- Soapy felt a hand laid - on arm.
He looked quickly around into the impassive face of a policeman. “What are you doing here?” asked
the officer. “Nothing’, “said Soapy. “Then come along,” said the
policeman. “Three months on the island,” said the Magistrate in the Police Court the next morning. |
A1. Complete
the given diagram expressing Soapy's journey: (2)
Answer-
A2. Soapy's
earlier life was much different from his present life. Highlight the difference
in the given table:
|
Earlier life |
Present life |
|
(1) --------------- |
(1) degraded days |
|
(2) --------------- |
(2) --------------- |
|
(3) ambitious |
(3) --------------- |
|
Earlier life |
Present life |
|
(1) Mother, immaculate thoughts / perfect thoughts |
(1) degraded days / useless / baseless days or time |
|
(2) Friends, roses, collars / love, warmth, care |
(2) unworthy desires / wrong desires / baseless
desires |
|
(3) ambitious / valuable / good |
(3) dead hopes, wrecked faculties / baseless motives |
A3. Complete
the given web highlighting the change in Soapy after listening to the sweet and
solemn organ notes: (2)
|
Change in mood / Change in thinking |
|
Pull himself out of situation / Remember childhood
days / Past life |
|
|
Effect of Organ Notes on
Soapy |
|
|
Make a man of himself / Become somebody / Find job /
Change life |
|
Conquer the evil that enslaved him / To make life
better / Give new chance to himself |
A4. Write about
any of your decisions which made you repent later. (2)
Answer-
When I was in the tenth grade, I invited my friend Anil to have dinner at a
hotel. As it was the first of April, I planned to play a practical joke on him.
Anil trusted me completely, so he came to the hotel and waited for nearly an
hour. When I did not arrive, he was forced to leave without having his meal. He
felt hurt and angry and decided not to speak to me the following day. Later, I
deeply regretted my decision, as I realized that I had broken my friend’s
trust, which is far more valuable than a moment of fun.
A5. Do as
directed:(2)
(1) A fur importer
had offered him a place as driver.
(Choose the
correct alternative to get past continuous tense as the answer of the given
sentence.)
(a) A fur importer had been
offering him a place as driver.
(b) A fur importer will be
offering him a place as driver.
(c) A fur importer was
offering him a place as driver.
(d) A fur importer has been
offering him a place as driver.
Answer-
(c) A fur importer was offering him a place as driver.
2) He would be
somebody in the world.
(Choose the
correct alternative from the given sentences showing 'certainty')
(a) He must be somebody in the
world.
(b) He will be somebody in the
world.
(c) He should be somebody in
the world.
(d) He might be somebody in
the world.
Answer-
(b) He will be somebody in the world.
A6. Vocabulary:(2)
Find the antonym
of the following words from the extract:
(i) defeat
(ii) moving
Answer-
(i) conquer
(ii) standstill
(B) Language Study
(Non-Textual Grammar)
B1. Do as
directed:
(1) Gitesh is one
of the best football players in the college.(1)
(Choose the
correct alternative from the given options showing the correct transformation
in Positive Degree and rewrite)
(a) No other football player
in the college is as good as Gitesh.
(b) Very few football players
in the college are as better as Gitesh.
(c) No other football player
in the college is as best as Gitesh.
(d) Very few football players
in the college are as good as Gitesh.
Answer-
(d) Very few football players
in the college are as good as Gitesh.
(2) No sooner does
Rohit Sharma enter the ground than he gets a warm welcome. (1)
(Choose the
correct alternative from the given options showing the correct use of 'as soon
as' and rewrite)
(a) As soon as Rohit Sharma
had entered the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(b) As soon as Rohit Sharma
have entered the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(c) As soon as Rohit Sharma
enters the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
(d) As soon as Rohit Sharma
will enter the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
Answer-
(c) As soon as Rohit Sharma
enters the ground, he gets a warm welcome.
3) Swarali said to
her mother, "Did you like my sketch?"
(Choose the
correct alternative from the given options showing the 'indirect speech form of
the given sentence.)
(a) Swarali told her mother
that she liked her sketch.
(b) Swarali told her mother if
she liked her sketch.
(c) Swarali asked her mother
that she has liked her sketch.
(d) Swarali asked her mother
if she had liked her sketch.
Answer-
(d) Swarali asked her mother
if she had liked her sketch.
B2. Spot the error
and rewrite the correct sentence:
We did not attended the party
last night.
Answer-
Error - attended
Correct sentence-
We did not attend the party last night.
Q.2 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below.(12)
|
Family can be classified into two types: joint
family and nuclear family.
In the joint family along with parents and children
other members like grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. are included.
In such family, socialization of children is quicker. Tasks are shared.
Responsibilities are shared. Establishment of emotional bonds are common leading
to mental security. Members learn adjustment. But sometimes there are
conflicts and misunderstandings among family members. Children do not get
complete attention from their parents.
On the contrary nuclear family consists of parents
and their children. So we see flexibility in parental roles. Parents share
their responsibilities. Parent child relationships are very intimate. Full
attention is paid on children's personality development. But children lack in
making adjustments. Children get too much attention from their parents and so
they become demanding and selfish.
Parenting styles do influence children's behaviour.
The best-known research on parenting style is Diana Baumrind's early studies
of pre-school children and their parents. She proposed three parenting
styles: permissive, authoritarian and authoritative.
Permissive parents are inconsistent in their
behaviour. So children of such parents become dependent, immature.
Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in
nature. Children of such parents become unfriendly, unsocial and uninvolved.
Parents provide food and shelter to their children but they neglect them and
become emotionally detached. That leads to indifferent, rejecting behaviour
on the part of the children.
Authoritative parents encourage independency, they
set limits and goals, they are firm in their behaviour. This kind of
parenting style makes children self-reliable, independent and develop social
skills. |
A1. State
whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false
statements and rewrite: (2)
(a) In the nuclear
family, the members do not have close interaction among themselves.
(b) There are more
conflicts and misunderstandings among family members in joint family.
(c) Flexibility of
the parents has worst effect in children to make adjustments in nuclear family.
(d) The child's
physical, emotional and social development begins in school.
Answer-
(a) In the nuclear
family, the members do not have close interaction among themselves. – False
In the nuclear
family, the members have close interaction among themselves.
(b) There are more
conflicts and misunderstandings among family members in joint family. - True
(c) Flexibility of
the parents has worst effect in children to make adjustments in nuclear family.
- True
(d) The child's
physical, emotional and social development begins in school. - False
The child's
physical, emotional and social development begins in family.
A2. Pick out
the sentences from the extract which indicate the strict behaviour of parents
affecting the children. (2)
Answer-
(i) The children of such parents become unfriendly, unsocial, uninvolved.
(ii) That leads to
indifferent rejecting behaviour on the part of the children.
A3. Give
reasons for the following and rewrite: (2)
(a) In nuclear
family children become demanding and selfish because -------------
(b) Children of
permissive parents become dependent and immature because -------------
Answer-
(a) In nuclear
family children become demanding and selfish because children get much
attention and lack in making adjustments.
(b) Children of
permissive parents become dependent and immature because the parents are
inconsistent in behaviour.
A4. Family
plays an important role in developing your social behaviour. Write your
thoughts on the given statement.(2)
Answer-
Family plays an important role in developing our social behaviour. It is the first place where a child learns how to speak, behave, and interact with others. Parents and elders teach values like respect, honesty, cooperation, and empathy through their actions and guidance. The way family members communicate with each other influences a child’s manners and attitude towards society. Family also teaches us how to handle relationships, solve problems peacefully, and understand emotions. Thus, family acts as the foundation that shapes our social behaviour and character.
A5. Do as
directed: (2)
(1) Children
do not get complete attention from their parents.
(Identify the
correct passive voice of the above sentence from the given options and
rewrite.)
(a) Complete
attention do not get from their parents by the children
(b) Complete
attention from their parents does not get by the children.
(c) Complete
attention from their parents is not got by the children.
(d) Complete
attention from their parents are not got by the children.
Answer-
(c) Complete attention from their parents is not got by the children.
(2) Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in nature.
(Identify the
correct Wh-question to get an underlined answer from the given options and
rewrite.)
(a) What are
authoritarian parents in nature?
(b) What
authoritarian parents are in nature?
(c) How the
authoritarian parents in nature are?
(d) How are the
authoritarian parents in nature?
Answer-
(d) How are the authoritarian parents in nature?
A6. Find the
synonyms of the words given below from the extract: (2)
(i) impress
(ii) close
Answer-
(i) influence
(ii) intimate
B) Summarising:(3)
Write a 'Summary'
of the above extract by using the following points -
[Types of families - role of
the parents - development of personality - socialization of behaviour]
Answer-
Effect of Family
and Parenting
Family structures and parenting styles are the primary architects of a child's development. While joint families develop socialization and emotional security through shared responsibilities, they can lead to internal conflict and diluted parental attention. On the other hand, nuclear families offer intimate environments for personality development but may produce demanding children who struggle with adjustment. Research identifies authoritative parenting which are characterized by firmness and encouragement as the most effective style for raising independent, socially skilled children, contrasting with the negative developmental outcomes associated with inconsistency or authoritarian approaches.
(C) Mind Mapping:(3)
Prepare a mind map
on 'Competitive Exams' using your ideas/thoughts / concepts to illustrate.
Answer-
SECTION - II:
POETRY
(Poetry and Appreciation)
Q.3 Marks (14)
(A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below.(10)
Home again, I see him drinking weak tea, Eating a stale chapati, reading a book. He goes into the toilet to contemplate Man's estrangement from a man-made world. Coming out he trembles at the sink, The cold water running over his brown hands, A few droplets cling to the greying hair on his wrists. His sullen children have often refused to share Jokes and secrets with him. He will now go to sleep Listening to the static on the radio, dreaming Of his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking Of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass. |
A1. Select and
write the two statements from the given list which justify the theme of the
poem: (2)
(a) The father has problems in
performing daily activities.
(b) The routine of the father
is explained in detail.
(c) Isolation from the society
makes the father introvert.
(d) The father is lost in his
own thoughts.
A2. Complete the
given points about the problems and difficulties faced by the father. (2)
(a) Food:
-----------------------------------------
(b) Response of the children: -----------------------------------------
A3. Write about
the way you respond to your father when he comes home from his work. (2)
A4. Identify and
explain the figure of speech in the following line:(2)
'Man's
estrangement from a man-made world'
A5. Compose a poem
of your own in about 2 to 4 lines on the topic 'Family.(2)
(B) Appreciation:
(4)
Read the extract
and write the appreciation of the poem:
|
Weavers, weaving at break of day, Why do you weave a garment so gay? Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild, We weave the robes of a new-born child. Weavers, weaving at fall of night, Why do you weave a garment so bright? Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green. We weave the marriage veils of a queen. Weavers, weaving solemn and still, What do you weave in the moonlight chill White as a feather and white as a cloud, We weave a dead man's funeral shroud. |
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)
(1) Drafting a
virtual message:
|
Mr. Avinash has been invited to attend a birthday programme. His son
Rohit is at college and will reach home late by evening. Mr. Avinash has to
convey the same as he has to leave early and would not be able to meet his
son Rohit. Draft a 'virtual message' in about 50 words that he would write to his
son Rohit. |
OR
(II) Statement of
purpose:
|
Imagine, after your HSC Exam, you wish to pursue a 'Bachelor's degree
in Performing Arts,' with Classical Vocal Music in a reputed university in
India or abroad. Prepare a 'Statement of Purpose' (SOP), in about 150 words which will
help you to secure an admission in your dream university. |
(III) Group
Discussion:
OR
|
Imagine, your class has attended a guest lecture on 'positive
thinking. Write a group discussion in the form of dialogues associated with
this guest lecture, held among 3/4 student participants (150 words). |
(B) Attempt 'Any
One' from the given activities. (4)
(1) E-mail:
|
Draft an 'E-mail' to a director of a company, requesting him/her to
help, support and facilitate educational resources, teaching materials and
A/V aids by some funds and sponsorship. Specify the benefits and results
about your requirements (150 words). |
OR
(II) Report
Writing:
|
Imagine, your class attended a lecture on 'Self defense and Safety,
delivered by an expert speaker. Write a report on the details of this event
organised at your college in about 150 words. |
OR
(III) Interview:
Imagine, you have to conduct
an interview of an 'Ideal Teacher. With the help of the format, draft questions
on the given fields.
(Do not change the
sequence of the questions.)
|
Name of the interviewee: |
|
|
Field/Reputation: |
|
|
Date/Venue/Time: |
|
|
Duration of Interview: |
|
|
Name of the interviewee: |
|
|
Questions: |
|
|
Questions based on: |
|
|
(1) Dream |
|
|
(2) Mission/Vision |
|
|
(3) Objective |
|
|
(4) Early Preparation |
|
|
(5) Support |
|
|
(6) Recognition |
|
|
(7) Awards/Felicitations |
|
|
(8) Aim/Destination |
|
(C) Attempt 'Any
One' of the following activities. (4)
(1) Speech:
|
Imagine, you have to deliver a speech on 'Making Vacation Meaningful'
at a competition in your college. Draft a speech in about 150 words on the given topic. |
OR
(II) Compering:
|
Imagine, you are given the responsibility to 'compere' a programme by
your college authorities. You need to prepare your script on the programme
titled, 'Read Literature, Enjoy Literature.' Draft the script to decide the flow of the programme. You may take
help of the given points (150 words): Prayer/Welcome song Introduction of the event Introduction of the guests Felicitations Activities on Literature fest Conclusion |
OR
(III) Expansion of
Idea:
|
Expand the following idea with the help of the points given below (150
words): 'Self-discipline is self-caring Essential qualities: (1) Persistence/determination (2) Perseverance/hard work (3) Devotion/commitment (4) Focus/target/goal (5) Self learning |
(D) Attempt 'Any
One' of the following activities. (4)
(I) Review:
|
You have recently watched a documentary on Wildlife in India. Write a
review on the same with the help of the following points: Factual information, story, characters Emotional impact Place, event, people involved Interview, footage, visual elements |
OR
(11) Blog:
|
Write a 'Blog' on 'Proper Study Habits' with the help of the following
points (100-150 words): -Importance -Self discipline -Titles/Quotes -Planning and organisation -Benefits and results |
OR
(III) Appeal:
|
Prepare an 'Appeal' on the topic 'From Smart Phones to Smart Habits,
with the help of the following points. (100-150 words): -Engagement in smart phone and its effect -Cultivating some good habits and interests -Effect on mind and body -Healthy lifestyle |
SECTION - IV
(LITERARY GENRE - NOVEL)
(Writing Skills)
Q. 5. Marks (16)
(A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions:(4)
(1) Match the columns:
|
Column 'A' |
Column 'B' |
|
(1) Dominant literary genre |
(a) 2000 years |
|
(2) History of Novel |
(b) World's first novelist |
|
(3) Lady Murasaki Shikibu |
(c) 20th century |
|
(4) Modern Topics |
(d) Novel |
(II) Choose the
correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences: (2)
(a) 18th century
people had ------------ interest in romances and tragedies.
(extreme/little/average)
(b)
--------------- fiction is for general entertainment in pulp magazines.
(Fantastic/Realistic/Creative)
(c) --------------
novel narrates the adventures of the protagonist.
(Gothic/Psychological/Picaresque)
(d) --------------
is the background in which the story takes place.
(Plot/Setting/Conflict)
(B) Answer in
about 50 words to the questions given below. (4)
(I) Write the character sketch
of Mr. Florian.(2)
(II) Miss Joseph focuses on
'the importance of international and interracial cooperation.' Justify.
(C) Answer in
about 50 words to the questions given below. (4)
(1) Passepartout blamed
himself for his master's misfortune.
Explain. (2)
(II) Describe, 'Winning heart
over money,' as the central idea of the novel, 'Around the World in Eighty
Days.'(2)
(D) Answer in
about 50 words to the questions given below:(4)
(1) According to Miss Morstan,
her case was not 'A singular case. Explain. (2)
No comments:
Post a Comment