HSC Board Exam (Maharashtra State), June-July 2025, Sub: ENGLISH: Que.No.5A/5B/5C/5D: History of Novel: Activities

Que.No.5 (A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions: (4 marks)

i. Match the columns:

Answer:

ii. Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences:

a. ______________ was one of the major trio writers in Indian English. (Vikram Seth/R.K.Narayan/Amitav Ghosh)
b. ______________ is an immigrant author. (Salman Rushdie/Manohar Malgaonkar/Anita Desai)
c. The phrase ‘Stream of Consciousness’ was coined by ______________. (Harper Lee/Walter Scott/William James)
d. E.M. Forster is well known for his ______________. (Novels/Essays/Stories)

Answer:
a. R.K.Narayan   b. Salman Rushdie  c. William James  d. Novels

Que.No.5 (B) Answer in about 50word to the questions given below: (4 marks)

i. Write about Miss Phillips from the point of view of her students in ‘To Sir, with Love’.

Answer: Miss Phillips is a kind and helpful teacher, and we, her students, really like her. She always speaks to us with respect and tries to understand our problems. Even when some of us behave badly, she stays calm and patient. She supports Mr. Braithwaite and helps him when he is new at the school. We can see that she cares about us and wants us to do well. Her gentle nature makes the classroom feel safe, and we feel we can talk to her. Miss Phillips is one of the few teachers who treats like real people, not just troublemakers.

ii. Explain the way the purpose of half-yearly report programme is fulfilled in ‘To Sir, with Love’.

Answer: In the novel To Sir, with Love, the purpose of the half-yearly report programme is to show the progress and development of the students. It gives the teachers and school authorities a chance to see how much the students have improved in their studies and behaviour. Mr. Braithwaite prepares his class well for the event, helping them to present themselves confidently and respectfully. During the programme, the students show their growth through performances and speeches, which impress the audience. This event proves that Mr. Braithwaite’s efforts to treat the students like adults and teach them life values have been successful.

Que.No.5 (C) Answer in about 50word to the questions given below: (4 marks)

i. ‘Time’ is treated as a character in ‘Around the World in Sixty Days’. Explain.

Answer: In the novel ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’, time is treated almost like a character because it plays a very important role in the story. Phileas Fogg is racing against time to travel around the world in just eighty days. Every moment counts, and time seems to follow him everywhere, either helping or challenging him. It creates tension and excitement, making the journey feel like a race. Fogg carefully plans everything to save time, and even small delays become big problems. In the end, it is a surprise twist with time that helps him win the bet. So, time is not just a background idea-it acts like a real force that affects the story.

ii. Give the reasons for apologies made by Detective Fix in ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’.

Answer: Detective Fix apologized in the novel Around the World in Eighty Days because he realized he had made a big mistake by following and troubling Phileas Fogg. Fix believed Fogg was a bank robber and kept trying to arrest him during the journey. Because of this, he caused many problems and delays for Fogg. But later, when Fix found out that Fogg was innocent, he felt ashamed and sorry for all the trouble he had caused. He understood that Fogg was an honest and brave man, so he apologized for his actions and the wrong judgment he had made.

Que.No.5 (D) Answer in about 50word to the questions given below: (4 marks)

i. Describe the horse-driven journey upto Major Shalto’s residence in your own words in ‘The Sign of Four’.

Answer: In the novel ‘The Sign of Four’, the horse-driven journey to Major Sholto’s residence is described as exciting and mysterious. Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Miss Morstan travel in a fast-moving carriage through the busy streets of London. The city is full of noise, lights, and people, but as they move further, the roads become quieter and darker. The ride feels long and suspenseful because they don’t know what to expect at the end. Miss Morstan is nervous, and Watson feels protective of her. Holmes stays calm and focused. The journey builds tension and prepares them for the secrets they are about to uncover.

ii. Write in short about the introductory meeting of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Morstan in ‘The Sign of Four’.

Answer: In ‘The Sign of Four’, the first meeting between Sherlock Holmes and Mary Morstan happens when she visits him for help. She is a young, polite, and worried woman who tells Holmes and Dr. Watson about the mysterious disappearance of her father and the strange gifts she has been receiving. Holmes listens to her story carefully and asks her questions to understand the case. Dr. Watson is touched by her gentle nature and beauty. This meeting starts the main mystery of the story and shows Holmes’s sharp mind and Watson’s growing feelings for Miss Morstan.

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