HSC Board Exam 2026 English Question Paper With Answer Pdf

HSC Board Exam 2026 English Question Paper With Answer Pdf

HSC Board Exam 2026 English Question Paper With Answer Pdf

Class 12th Board Exam 2026 English Question Paper With Answer Pdf

DAY 01 SEAT NUMBER

2026 II 10 1100 J-101 (E)

    ENGLISH (01)

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

Important instructions:

(1) Each activity has to be answered in a full 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.
(2) Web diagrams, flow charts, tables, etc. are to be presented exactly as they are with answers.
(3) In point 2 above, just words without the presentation of the activity format, 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 activity sheet.

0101 Page 1 P.T.O

    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]

A1. Complete the given diagram expressing Soapy’s journey: (2)

Soapy’s Journey
Listens to
Transformation
Sabbath Anthem
after listening

Que 1 A1
Answer –

Soapy’s Journey

• Listens to → Sabbath Anthem
• Transformation → His heart is
  filled with a desire to reform and
  live a respectable life
• After listening → He resolves to
  find work and become a good
  man
• End result → He is arrested by a
  policeman

A2. Soapy’s earlier life was much different from his present life. Highlight the difference in the given table (2)

Present life
(1)
(2)
(3) ambitious

Answer –

Ques 1 A2

Earlier life

(1) decent / respectable days

(2) full of hopes and ambitions(

3) ambitious

Earlier life
(1) degraded days
(2)
(3)

Answer –

Present life

(1) degraded
days

(2) dead hope

(3) base motives
/ unworthy
desires

A3. Complete the given web highlighting the change in Soapy after listening to the sweet and solemn organ notes: (2)
Effect of Organ
Notes on Soapy

Answer –

Ques 1 A3

Effect of Organ Notes on
Soapy

• Change of heart /
  inner transformation
• Feels horror at his
  degraded life
• Desire to reform and
  become respectable
• Revival of old
  ambitions and hopes

A4. Write about any of your decisions which made you repent later. (2)
Answer –

Question 1 A4

One decision that made me repent later was not taking my
studies seriously at the right time. I wasted time thinking I could improve later, but when the exams came close, I
realised the importance of discipline and regular study. This
decision taught me a valuable lesson that time once lost
cannot be regained. Now I try to plan my work carefully and
make better decisions for my future.

A5 (1)

Correct answer: (c)
A fur importer was offering him a place asdriver.

A5(2)
Correct answer: (a)
He must be somebody in the world.

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.)
Answer –

Question 1 A5

(1)Correct answer:

(c) A fur importer was offering him a place as
driver.

(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.

(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 –

A6. Vocabulary: (2)
Find the antonym of the following words from the extract:
(i) defeat
(ii) moving

Answer –
(i) defeat → conquer
(ii) moving → standstill

Question 1 A6

(i) defeat → conquer
(ii) moving → standstill

(B) Language Study (Non-Textual Grammar) (4)
B1. Do as directed: (3)

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 C B

(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 –

(3) Swarali said to her mother, “Did you like my sketch?” (1)
(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 –

B2. Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence: (1)
We did not attended the party last night.

Answer – We did not attend the party last night.
Explanation:
In sentences with did / did not, the verb must be in its base form.

Q.2. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (12) [18]

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.

Answer –

False.
Correct statement: In the nuclear family, parents and children have very intimate and close interaction among themselves.

(b) There are more conflicts and misunderstandings among family members in joint family.

Answer –

True.
(As mentioned in the extract, sometimes conflicts and misunderstandings occur among family members in joint families.)

(c) Flexibility of the parents has worst effect in children to make adjustments in nuclear family.

Answer –

False.
Correct statement: In the nuclear family, children lack in making adjustments because they get too much attention from their parents.

(d) The child’s physical, emotional and social development begins in school.

Answer –

False.
Correct statement: The child’s physical,emotional and social development begins in the family, especially through parenting styles.

A2. Pick out the sentences from the extract which indicate the strict behaviour of parents affecting the children. (2)

A3. Give reasons for the following and rewrite: (2)
(a) In nuclear family children become demanding and selfish because …………………………..

Answer –

In nuclear family children become demanding and selfish because they get too much attention from their parents.

(b) Children of permissive parents become dependent and immature because ……………………….

Answer – Children of permissive parents become dependent and immature because permissive parents are inconsistent in their behaviour.

Answer – “Authoritarian parents are rigid and punitive in nature.”
“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.”

A4. Family plays an important role in developing your social behaviour. Write your thoughts on the given statement. (2)

Family plays an important role in developing our social behaviour. It is the first social institution where a child learns values, manners, cooperation and adjustment. Through interaction with parents and other family members, children learn how to behave, share responsibilities, respect elders and build emotional bonds.

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 – Correct option: (d)
Rewrite:
Complete attention from their parents are 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 – Correct option: (d)
Rewrite:
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 – A6
(i) impress → influence
(ii) close → 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 – Families are mainly of two types: joint family and nuclear family. In a joint family, many members live together and share responsibilities, which helps in faster socialization of children, though conflicts may occur. A nuclear family consists of parents and their children, where parents give full attention to the child and maintain close relationships, but children may become demanding and lack adjustment. Parents play an important role in shaping a child’s personality. Different parenting styles influence children’s behaviour in different ways. Thus, family is the primary agency that develops a child’s personality and social behaviour through interaction,care and guidance.

(C) Mind Mapping: (3)
Prepare a mind map on ‘Competitive Exams’ using your ideas/thoughts/concepts to illustrate.

Answer –

Competitive Exams

| | | |
Purpose Types Preparation Skills Outcome

Career & Entrance Time table & Speed & Confidence
| | | | |
Education Exams Planning Accuracy Building
| | | | |
Merit-based Selection Govt. Exams Syllabus Practice & Time Mgmt. Personality Development
|
Scholarship Exams

        SECTION II: POETRY
       (Poetry and Appreciation)

Q.3. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (10) [14]

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.

Answer –

(b) The routine of the father is explained in detail.
(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
Answer – (a) Food : He drinks weak tea and eats a stale chapati.
(b) Response of the children : His children often refuse to share jokes and secrets with him.

(b) Response of the children:
Answer –

A3. Write about the way you respond to your father when he comes home from his work. (2)
Answer – When my father comes home from his work, I respond to him with love and respect. I greet him warmly and ask about his day. I listen to his experiences and try to make him feel relaxed after a tiring day. I help him with small things and spend some time talking with him. This makes him feel cared for and valued in the family.

A4. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the following line: (2)
‘Man’s estrangement from a man-made world’

Answer – Explanation:
The repetition of the initial consonant sound ‘m’ in the words “man’s”, “man-made”, and “world” creates a rhythmic effect. This repetition emphasizes the idea of human beings becoming alienated in the artificial world created by themselves.

A5. Compose a poem of your own in about 2 to 4 lines on the topic ‘Family.’ (2)
Answer –

Poem on “Family”: Family is a circle of love that never ends, Standing by us as our strongest friends. In joy or sorrow, they stay together, A bond of hearts that lasts forever.

(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.
OR
(III) Group Discussion:
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)
(I) 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).
(II) Report Writing:

    OR

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:
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)
(I) 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)
(1) 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
Answer –

OR

(II) 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
  Answer – 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

Answer –

    SECTION - IV
(LITERARY GENRE - NOVEL)

Q. 5. (A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions: (4) [16]

(1) Match the columns: (2)
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

Answer –

(II) Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences: (2)
(a) 18th century people had romances and tragedies. ——————- interest in
(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)

Answer –

(B ) (1) Write the character sketch of Mr. Florian. (2) (4)
Answer –

(II) Miss Joseph focuses on the importance of international and interracial cooperation.’ Justify. (2)
Answer –

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

(4) D’Passepartout blamed himself for his master’s misfortune. Explain. (2)
Answer –

(II) Describe, ‘Winning heart over money,’ as the central idea of the novel, ‘Around the World in Eighty Days.’ (2)
Answer –

(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)
Answer –

(II) Prove: Although Holmes appeared reserve, he worked on the case during their journey. (2)
Answer –

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