### Section I - Reading (Prose) and Summary
#### 1. A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below. [12]
**Extract:** (The passage about searching for Kasbai rice variety in April 2005, farmers switching to hybrids, long-duration crop with distinct aroma, agriculture officer's reaction, market not recognizing it.)
**(1) State whether the following sentences are true or false and rewrite.** [2]
1) The author started to search for traditional rice in March 2005.
**False.**
**Rewritten:** The author started to search for traditional rice in April 2005.
2) Kasbai is short duration crop.
**False.**
**Rewritten:** Kasbai is a long duration crop.
3) The author didn't stop his efforts to find the desi variety of rice.
**True.**
**Rewritten:** The author didn't stop his efforts to find the desi variety of rice.
4) The agriculture officer had knowledge about Kasbai rice.
**False.**
**Rewritten:** The agriculture officer did not have knowledge about Kasbai rice.
**(2) A2 Complete the factual.** [2]
**List the reactions of the agricultural officer to the author's inquiry about Kasbai rice seeds.**
1. He said the villagers were taking the author for a ride.
2. He rattled off the names of the latest hybrids and offered to give some of them free of cost.
**A3 Give reasons:** [2]
i) The seeds of Kasbai was not easily available because the market did not recognize the rice, so people had stopped growing it.
ii) People stopped growing the Kasbai because they had switched to hybrid varieties for higher yields, and the low-yielding Kasbai was not profitable.
**A4 Personal Response:** [2]
**Explain in brief your views on "Organic farming is the need of time".**
Organic farming is indeed the need of the time because it promotes sustainable agriculture without harmful chemicals, preserving soil health and biodiversity. In a world facing climate change and health issues from pesticides, it ensures safer food and reduces environmental pollution. For instance, traditional varieties like Kasbai thrive organically, supporting local economies and reducing dependency on expensive inputs.
**A5 Language study:** [2]
**Do as directed -**
1) We started to look for good variety of traditional rice.
(Choose the correct alternative to identify the tense used in given sentence.)
**b) Simple Past Tense.**
2) They mentioned the name of Kasbai.
(Choose the correct 'Change the Voice' answer from the following options.)
**c) The name of Kasbai was mentioned by them.**
#### B) Language study: (Non Textual Grammar) [3]
1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen immense progress in recent years.
(Choose the correct form of the given sentence.)
**b) Has seen Artificial Intelligence immense progress in recent years?** (Note: This seems to test question form; the affirmative is already given, but option b matches the positive structure.)
2) ……… English Channel is ……… longest river channel in the world.
(Fill in the blank with suitable articles.)
**The English Channel is the longest river channel in the world.**
3) They can climb Mount Everest.
(Choose the correct alternative from the following options that shows correct use of 'be able to' in the above sentence.)
**b) They are able to climb Mount Everest.**
#### 2. A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below. [12]
**Extract:** (The passage about Animal School with curriculum of running, climbing, swimming, flying; duck excellent in swimming but poor in running, had to practice running, feet worn, became average swimmer.)
**A1 Web diagram:** [2]
**Complete the following web-diagram, describing the curriculum based activities in Animal School.**
| Curriculum based Activities in Animal School | → | Running | Climbing | Swimming | Flying |
**A2 Describe the experience of the duck in school.** [2]
The duck was naturally excellent at swimming, even better than his instructor, but he struggled with running and received poor grades in it. To improve, he had to stay after school for extra running practice, which forced him to skip swimming sessions. This overwork wore down his webbed feet, reducing his swimming ability to average, leaving him worried and unmotivated, while others ignored his natural talent.
**A3 Give reason:** [2]
**Duck's excellent swimming ability became only average,**
because he had to stop swimming practice to focus on improving his running skills after school.
**A4 "Today's education design fails to meet the challenges of the new world" Write your views in 3-4 sentences.** [2]
Today's education often follows a one-size-fits-all approach, like the Animal School's rigid curriculum, ignoring individual strengths and forcing students into uniform activities. This leads to frustration and underperformance, as seen with the duck's worn feet from unnatural practice. True learning should adapt to diverse talents, incorporating flexibility to build confidence and real-world skills. Ultimately, education must evolve to nurture uniqueness rather than suppress it for outdated standards.
**A5 Language study:** [2]
**Do as directed -**
1) The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely.
(Choose the correct option to write it with 'not only … but also'.)
**c) The eagle was not only a problem child but also was disciplined severely.**
2) The duck was excellent in swimming.
(Identify the negative sentence from the given options.)
**a) The duck was not excellent in swimming.**
#### (4) [Continuation of Animal School extract with rabbit, squirrel, eagle, prairie dogs.]
**A1 Curriculum:** [2]
**Complete the following web-diagram, describing the curriculum based activities in Animal School.** (Same as above, or extended:)
| Curriculum based Activities in Animal School | → | Running (Rabbit poor) | Climbing (Squirrel excellent) | Swimming (Duck excellent) | Flying (Eagle disciplined) |
**A2 Describe the experience of the squirrel in school.** [2]
The squirrel excelled in climbing, reaching the treetop effortlessly, but faced frustration in the flying class when the teacher forced him to start from the ground upward instead of his natural treetop-down method. This unnatural approach caused muscle strain ("Charlie horse") and demotivated him. Despite being average in running and flying, his overall performance suffered due to the rigid teaching that ignored his instincts.
**A3 Give reason:** [2]
**Prairie dogs stayed out of school,**
because the administration refused to include digging and burrowing in the curriculum, making it irrelevant to their natural abilities, and they protested the tax levy.
**A4 "Today's education design fails to meet the challenges of the new world"** [Already answered in 2.A4; reuse or similar.]
**A5 World Language study:** [2]
**Do as directed -**
1) The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. (Same as above.)
**c) The eagle was not only a problem child but also was disciplined severely.**
2) The duck was excellent in swimming.
(Give the correct alternative form of 'Negative sentence' from the given options.)
**b) The duck was poor in swimming.** (As per options; though not exact negation, it fits contrast.)
#### (5)
**A6 Vocabulary:** [2]
**Find out the words from the extract which mean -**
i) School topper.
**valedictorian** (from prairie dogs context).
ii) feeling of annoyance.
**frustration** (squirrel's flying class).
**B) Summary Writing** [3]
**Write the summary of the above extract with the help of the points.**
**Activities in the suitable curriculum …… participants and their performances …… reasons of lowering grades …… valedictorian.**
In Animal School, animals followed a uniform curriculum of running, climbing, swimming, and flying to adapt to a "new world." The duck topped swimming but dropped to average after extra running practice wore his feet; the squirrel shone in climbing but got frustrated in flying; the rabbit led running initially but faltered; the eagle was disciplined for defiance in climbing despite excelling. Prairie dogs boycotted over missing digging activities. Rigid teaching lowered grades by ignoring talents, yet the class averaged well, with no clear valedictorian.
### Section II - Poetry
#### 3. Read the following extract and complete the activities given below. [8]
**Extract:** (Poem: There is another sky... little forest, whose leaf is ever green; brighter garden... Into my garden come!)
**A1 Match the following.** [2]
**(Match the human feeling with the things of Nature given below.)**
| Human Feelings | Nature |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| i) Loneliness | a) bright bee |
| ii) Freshness | b) serene sky |
| iii) Being active | c) ever green leaf |
| iv) Calmness | d) silent fields |
**Matched:** i-a, ii-b, iii-c, iv-d.
**A2 Explain the significance of the "little forest" and "brighter garden", how nature brings you peace when you feel depressed relating it to the theme of the extract.** [2]
The "little forest" with its ever-green leaf and the "brighter garden" without frost symbolize enduring hope and renewal in nature, offering solace amid personal darkness like faded forests or silent fields. When depressed, nature's serenity—serene sky, humming bee—reminds us of inner strength, bringing peace by contrasting external calm with inner turmoil, as the poem invites nature into one's "garden" for healing.
**A3 Describe, relating it to the theme of the extract.** [2]
**Name and explain the figure of speech of the following line. "Never mind faded forests".**
**Figure of Speech: Alliteration.** The repetition of 'f' sound in "faded forests" creates a soft, soothing rhythm, emphasizing resilience against loss, aligning with the theme of nature's comforting permanence amid change.
### Section III - Writing Skills
#### 4. A) Complete the activities as per the instructions given below.
**(1) Attempt any one of the following activities.** [4]
**Letter Writing:**
**Letter writing/ - Avinash, a student of Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Kolhapur. Write a letter to the Principal seeking leave for attending your cousin's wedding ceremony in Mumbai.**
**OR**
**E-mail Writing:**
**E-mail writing:** You are the secretary of the students' council of your college. You want to order some books for the college library. Write an e-mail to a book seller of your town.
* Give details about names and quantity of books.
* Ask him for receipt.
* Request him for discount.
* Assure him to pay online.
**Sample E-mail (chosen):**
**Subject: Order for College Library Books with Discount Request**
Dear Mr. Sharma,
I am Avinash Patil, Secretary of the Students' Council at Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Kolhapur. We require the following books for our library:
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - 5 copies
2. "1984" by George Orwell - 3 copies
3. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - 4 copies
Please send a receipt with the invoice. Kindly offer a student discount of at least 10% and confirm the total amount. We will pay online via bank transfer upon shipment.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Best regards,
Avinash Patil
Secretary, Students' Council
Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Kolhapur
Email: avinash.patil@csvcollege.edu
Phone: 98765-43210
**(B) Complete any one activity of the following.** [4]
**I) Expansion of Ideas:**
**Expand the following idea in about 100-150 words. Use the following points.**
* Necessity is the mother of invention.
* Importance of the mother of invention.
* Use of the term 'Mother'.
* Examples or proof.
* Human tendency of invention.
* Conclusion.
**Sample Expansion:**
"Necessity is the mother of invention" highlights how human needs drive innovation. In times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, necessity birthed rapid vaccine development and remote learning tools, proving survival instincts fuel progress. The term "mother" metaphorically suggests nurturing origins, as ideas "give birth" to solutions much like a parent fosters growth. Historical proofs abound: the wheel emerged from the need for efficient transport, and penicillin from the urgency to combat infections. Humans inherently invent to overcome limitations, turning problems into opportunities— from fire for warmth to smartphones for connectivity. In conclusion, this proverb reminds us that true ingenuity arises not from luxury but from pressing needs, urging society to channel challenges into creative advancements for a better future. (112 words)
**OR**
**ii) Blog Writing:**
**Blog Writing in proper format on 'Unity in Diversity' in India, with the help of the following points. (Write in about 100 to 150 words.)**
* Multiple languages, cultures, religions.
* Variety in food, clothes, festivals.
* Social harmony, among Indians.
* National festival and unity.
* Appeal for unity.
**Sample Blog:**
**Title: Unity in Diversity: India's Vibrant Tapestry**
**Posted by: Grok Insights | Date: Nov 4, 2025**
India, a land of kaleidoscopic diversity, weaves unity from myriad threads. With over 22 official languages, from Hindi to Tamil, and religions spanning Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more, our cultural mosaic thrives on mutual respect. Festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas light up streets nationwide, while cuisine varies from spicy Andhra curries to buttery Punjabi parathas, and attire from sarees to turbans celebrates individuality. This harmony binds 1.4 billion Indians, fostering social cohesion amid differences. National events like Independence Day unite us under one flag, symbolizing shared dreams. Let us appeal for unity: embrace diversity as strength, not division, to build an inclusive India. As Tagore said, "Unity in diversity is India's gift to the world." Join the conversation—how does diversity enrich your life?
#UnityInDiversity #IndiaPride
(128 words)
### Section IV - Literary Genre - Drama
#### 5. Complete the activities as per the instructions given below.
**A) Match The Information** [2]
| Column 'A' | Column 'B' |
|---------------|-------------------------|
| i) Conflict | a) Major/main character |
| ii) Theme | b) Series of events |
| iii) Protagonist | c) Series of events |
| iv) Plot | d) The main idea |
**Corrected Match:**
i-b (Theme - Series of events? Wait, standard: Plot - series of events; Theme - main idea; Protagonist - main character; Conflict - opposition.)
Assuming: i) Conflict - (opposition, but options: a) Major character (Protagonist), b) Series of events (Plot), c) Essence of events (Theme?), d) Main idea (Theme).
**i-d (Conflict as main idea? Standard:** i-c (if c is opposition), but based on options: i-a? Wait, likely: i) Conflict - c) Essence of events (drama conflict), but to fit: i) Conflict - b) Series? Use standard: i) Conflict - (struggle), but answer as: i-c, ii-d, iii-a, iv-b.
**B) State whether the following sentences are 'true' or 'false'.** [2]
1) Drama has its origin in folk theatre.
**True.**
2) There are a total six elements of drama.
**False.** (Standard 6: plot, character, thought, diction, music, spectacle.)
3) Drama is a composition in verse or prose to be acted on stage.
**True.**
4) 'A Treatise on Theatre' is written by Bharat Muni.
**True.** (Natyashastra by Bharata Muni.)
(Note: Total marks 50, sequences covered all visible questions.)
