HSC Exam 2025
Most Likely Questions
Chapter 1.1: An Astrologer’s Day
EXTRACT 1
(Textbook pages 2 and 3)
“Punctually at midday he opened his bag and spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic charts on it, a notebook, and a bundle of palmyra writing. His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position placed as they were between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers which streamed down his cheeks: even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting. To crown the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways. A surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way: medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians, and above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it ‘Bombay Ice Cream’ one day and on the next ‘Delhi Almond’, and on the third ‘Raja’s Delicacy’, and so on and so forth, and people flocked to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too. “
A1. Global Understanding:
(2)
“The Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways” for an astrologer to build his business. Choose from the list and write the exceptional qualities of the place:
Answer:
The exceptional qualities of the place:
- auctioneers of cheap cloth
- a large crowd
- magicians
- sellers of medicine
A2. Complex Factual:
Write the tricks used by the following sellers to attract customers:
- An auctioneer of cheap cloth.
- A vendor of fried groundnut.
Answer:
The tricks used by the sellers to attract customers:
- An auctioneer of cheap cloth – by creating enough din
- A vendor of fried groundnut – by giving fancy names each day to his wares.
A3. Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:
(2)
Give reasons: “The groundnut vendor was beneficial to the astrologer.”
Answer:
The vendor of fried groundnuts gave his wares fancy names like ‘Bombay Ice Cream’, ‘Delhi Almond’, ‘Raja’s Delicacy’ and so on. People were amused and attracted by this and flocked to him to buy groundnuts. As the astrologer was seated right next to him, the groundnut vendor’s customers dallied near the astrologer and were probably tempted to consult him.
A4. Personal Response:
(2)
Express your opinion on the importance of one’s appearance in any profession.
Answer:
One’s appearance creates an immediate impression that can boost one’s self-confidence. It impacts positively on one’s performance and interactions. It helps to win the customer’s trust and impacts overall interaction.
A5. Language Study (Do as directed):
- This colour scheme never failed. (Choose the correct affirmative sentence from the given alternatives.)
- a. This colour scheme was never successful. b. This colour scheme always failed. c. This colour scheme was always successful. d. This colour scheme had no failure.
- He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked a path. (Rewrite using the ‘ing’ form of the underlined word.)
Answer:
- (c) This colour scheme was always successful.
- He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree flanking a path.
A6. Vocabulary:
Match the adjectives in Column ‘A’ with the suitable nouns in Column ‘B’:
Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
---|---|
(i) ash | (a) stolen |
(ii) light | (b) professional |
(iii) equipment | (c) sacred |
(iv) hardware | (d) prophetic |
Answer:
Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
---|---|
(i) ash | (c) sacred |
(ii) light | (d) prophetic |
(iii) equipment | (b) professional |
(iv) hardware | (a) stolen |
EXTRACT 2
(Textbook pages 5 and 6)
“Stop,” said the other… gratified to hear it.
This extract is a conversation between the astrologer and Guru Nayak, where Guru Nayak seeks the astrologer’s help to find the man who tried to kill him.
A1. Rewrite the following sentences and choose the correct one:
- The astrologer says that if Nayak does not leave his village again, he would –
- a. return the money. b. not face danger. c. go back home and stop looking for the man who tried to kill him. d. not find the killer.
- Guru Nayak consults the astrologer because he wants to –
- a. understand the past. b. find out who the astrologer is. c. make some money through a bet. d. get the answer to a specific question.
- Guru Nayak is looking for the man who tried to kill him –
- a. to take revenge. b. to get an apology. c. to demand an explanation. d. to prove that the man was unsuccessful.
- The astrologer’s remarks make Guru Nayak feel all of the following except –
- a. relieved. b. suspicious. c. impressed. d. disappointed.
Answer:
- (b) not face danger.
- (d) get the answer to a specific question.
- (a) to take revenge.
- (b) suspicious.
A2. Complete the table:
The following characters reveal their qualities through their actions and words. Pick out the words from the brackets and write them in the appropriate columns. [clever, aggressive, impetuous, cunning, shrewd, demanding, arrogant, smart]
Qualities of Astrologer | Qualities of Guru Nayak |
---|---|
Answer:
Qualities of Astrologer | Qualities of Guru Nayak |
---|---|
(i) clever | (i) aggressive |
(ii) cunning | (ii) impetuous |
(iii) shrewd | (iii) demanding |
(iv) smart | (iv) arrogant |
A3.
- The man was left for dead because…
- The man looked gratified because his enemy had met…
Answer:
- The man was left for dead because he had been stabbed through the chest with a knife and then pushed into a well in a field. Nobody normally looked into the well, and he would have died had there not been a passer-by who chanced to peep into the well.
- The man looked gratified because his enemy had met his death by being crushed under a lorry. Guru Nayak felt that the man deserved such a terrible fate for what he had done.
A4. Suggest some steps to eradicate superstitions and other ill-practices from our society.
Answer:
Eradicating superstitions involves a combination of education, cultural sensitivity and community engagement. Developing a scientific attitude amongst students will certainly help to have logical and rational thinking, which will help even the masses to change their approach. Organising campaigns, engaging local leaders and celebrities to speak against superstitions without dismissing cultural practices will also help. Even social media can prove to be an important platform to spread awareness for the eradication of superstitions.
A5.
- Never travel southward again. (Choose the correct alternative to get the affirmative form without changing the meaning.)
- a. You are forbidden to travel southward again. b. You cannot travel southward again. c. You can travel southward again. d. You are allowed to travel southward again.
- He shook his head regretfully. (Choose the correct alternative with the question tag added.)
- a. He shook his head regretfully, did he? b. He shook his head regretfully, does he? c. He shook his head regretfully, didn’t he? d. He shook his head regretfully, was he?
Answer:
- (a) You are forbidden to travel southward again.
- (c) He shook his head regretfully, didn’t he?
A6. Guess the meaning of the words:
- passer-by
- peep
- overwhelmed
- groaned
Answer:
- passer-by: a person who happens to be going past something or someone, especially on foot.
- peep: to look into something cautiously.
- overwhelmed: overcome by some strong emotion.
- groaned: made a low sound of distress. Chapter 1.2: On Saying “Please”
EXTRACT 1
(Textbook page 15)
“This does not mean… our moods and manners.”
This extract discusses the importance of good manners and how they can positively impact our interactions with others.
A1. Rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are ‘True’ or ‘False’:
- According to the writer, bad manners are probably more poisonous than all the crimes.
- The lift-man was kicked on the shins.
- The page boy was the last to be bullied in the series initiated by Captain Absolute.
- The lift-man was denied the relief of throwing the author of his wound out of the lift.
Answer:
- True
- False
- True
- True
A2. Find the reasons for the liftman’s uncivilised behaviour.
Answer:
Reasons for the liftman’s uncivilized behaviour:
- The passenger was rude and ill-mannered towards him.
- The passenger’s discourtesy was a wound to his self-respect.
- He felt insulted by the passenger’s refusal to say ‘Please’.
- He was acutely hurt by the slur cast by the passenger’s behaviour on his social status.
A3. Explain: The law cannot become the guardian of our private manners.
Answer:
The area of moral offences is quite vast, and no laws or commandments can cover this area. Social civilities, speech, and manners are so varied and complex that they do not follow any clear-cut legal definitions. Hence, it is not possible for the law to become the guardian of our private manners.
A4. Express your views on ‘We infect the world with our ill-humours’.
Answer:
Bad manners are certainly infectious. We notice that a person who is otherwise quiet or tolerant gets provoked when treated impolitely. The humiliated person unconsciously pours out that anger upon someone. Thus, the series/chain of passing impolite treatment gets established, which proves that bad manners are infectious.
A5. Language Study:
- The pain of a wound to our self-respect may poison a whole day. (Choose the correct pair of modal auxiliary and its function in the sentence.)
- a. may – compulsion b. may – possibility c. may – permission d. may – advice
- Fag went down and kicked the page boy. (Choose the correct alternative of the simple sentence.)
- a. As soon as Fag went downstairs he kicked the page boy. b. The page boy was kicked when Fag went downstairs. c. Fag went downstairs to kick the page boy. d. Fag went downstairs but he kicked the page boy.
Answer:
- (b) may – possibility
- (c) Fag went down to kick the page boy.
A6. Vocabulary:
Find out the phrases from the passage which mean:
- an area of skin around the eye that has gone dark because it has been hit.
- thinking anxiously or sadly about something or someone.
Answer:
- a black eye
- brooding over
EXTRACT 2
(Textbook pages 18 and 19)
“I have missed him… the fellow into the mud.”
This extract explores the idea of revenge and how politeness can be a more effective tool than aggression.
A1. Complete the following:
- The suggestion given by the narrator to the liftman for taking more subtle and effective revenge is to…
- The law can only protect us against…
- The narrator says he does not want to apologise for…
- A man who is polite may lose material advantage but…
Answer:
- The suggestion given by the narrator to the liftman for taking more subtle and effective revenge is to treat the gentleman with elaborate politeness.
- The law can only protect us against material attack.
- The narrator says he does not want to apologise for praising an unknown bus conductor.
- A man who is polite may lose material advantage but he always has the spiritual victory.
A2. Complete the table by stating who taught what lessons to the narrator and Wordsworth:
Who taught | Lessons taught |
---|---|
(1) The narrator | |
(2) Wordsworth |
Answer:
Who taught | Lessons taught |
---|---|
(1) The narrator | bus conductor, good-conduct/temper |
(2) Wordsworth | leech-gatherer, wisdom |
A3. Explain: How civilities get affected during tough times like war and why it is important to get them back.
Answer:
According to the writer, war has a chilling effect upon those little everyday civilities of behaviour that sweeten the general air. It is very important to get these civilities back if life has to be made kindly and tolerable.
A4. ‘A modest calling can be made dignified by good temper and kindly feeling’. Explain the statement with examples of your own.
Answer:
This means that whatever career or job one has, however simple or modest, it can be made more dignified by behaving in a good-tempered and cheerful manner and with kindliness towards the people one comes in contact with. For example, even a simple job like that of a security guard at a mall can be made pleasant and dignified if the guard smiles and says ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good morning’ every time he/she checks a person. A sweeper’s job can also be made more dignified if he/she just nods and smiles at passers-by or helps them if they are in need.
A5. Language Study (Do as directed):
- I never give the wall to a scoundrel. (Choose the correct affirmative sentence)
- a. I allow to give the wall to a scoundrel. b. I refrain from giving the wall to a scoundrel. c. I will give the wall to a scoundrel. d. I permit to give the wall to a scoundrel.
- The polite man may lose the material advantage, but he always has the spiritual victory. (Choose the correct alternative using ‘though’.)
- a. Though he always has the spiritual victory, the polite man may not lose the material advantage. b. The polite man may though lose the material advantage he always has the spiritual victory. c. Though the polite man may lose the material advantage, he always has the spiritual victory. d. The polite man though may lose the material advantage, he always has the spiritual victory.
Answer:
- (b) I refrain from giving the wall to a scoundrel.
- (c) Though the polite man may lose the material advantage, he always has the spiritual victory.
A6. Write the meaning of the phrase ‘lower than the angels’ and use it in your own sentence.
Answer:
lower than the angels: Meaning – less than perfect
Sentence: However much we try to be perfect, our life is destined to be lower than the angels. Chapter 1.3: The Cop and the Anthem
EXTRACT
(Textbook pages 31 and 32)
“Soapy walked eastward… in the Police Court next morning.”
This extract follows Soapy’s attempts to get arrested to escape the harsh winter on the streets.
A1. Rearrange the given sentences according to their occurrence in the extract:
- Soapy decided to go into the downtown district and find work.
- A policeman caught Soapy’s arm.
- Soapy saw a quaint old church.
- Soapy’s ears caught sweet music.
Answer:
- Soapy saw a quaint old church.
- Soapy’s ears caught sweet music.
- Soapy decided to go into the downtown district and find work.
- A policeman caught Soapy’s arm.
A2. Soapy’s earlier life was much different from his present life. Complete the table to show this contrast:
Earlier life | Present life |
---|---|
(a) contained friends and roses | (a) unworthy desires |
(b)… | (b)… |
(c)… | (c)… |
Answer:
Earlier life | Present life |
---|---|
(a) contained friends and roses | (a) unworthy desires |
(b) eager ambitions | (b) dead hopes, degraded days |
(c) clean thoughts and clothes | (c) wrecked faculties and base motives |
A3. Describe the end of the story in your own words.
Answer:
Initially, Soapy felt he would like to pass the winter months in prison, and he made several efforts to get himself arrested. The notes of the anthem transformed him from within and he decided to give up his evil ways and become a man again. He resolved to work hard. At that very moment, ironically, a policeman arrested him for loitering and sent him to prison for three months. Soapy faced the irony of fate as the moment he realized that real freedom lay in a virtuous life, he was taken into confinement.
A4. Write an incident in which you did something wrong and repented for it later. Give reasons.
Answer:
(This is a personal response question, so there are no citations from the text.)
A5. Language Study (Do as directed):
- On an unusually quiet corner, Soapy came to a standstill. (Choose the correct alternative using ‘that’.)
- a. On an unusually quiet corner that Soapy came to a standstill. b. Soapy came to a standstill on a corner that was unusually quiet. c. Soapy came to a standstill on a corner that was usually quiet. d. Soapy came to a standstill on that corner that was unusually quiet.
- He hurled the umbrella angrily into an excavation. (Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the sentence in passive voice.)
- a. The umbrella angrily into an excavation was hurled by him. b. The umbrella had been hurled angrily into an excavation. c. Into an excavation the umbrella was hurled angrily by him. d. The umbrella was hurled angrily into an excavation by him.
Answer:
- (b) Soapy came to a standstill on a corner that was unusually quiet.
- (d) The umbrella was hurled angrily into an excavation by him.
A6. Match the following words in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’:
Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
---|---|
(1) turmoil | (a) attractively unusual or old-fashioned |
(2) immaculate | (b) restore to life |
(3) quaint | (c) perfectly clean and tidy |
(4) resurrect | (d) a state of great disturbance |
Answer:
- turmoil – (d) a state of great disturbance
- immaculate – (c) perfectly clean and tidy
- quaint – (a) attractively unusual or old fashioned
- resurrect – (b) restore to life Chapter 1.4: Big Data – Big Insights
EXTRACT 1
(Textbook page 37)
“3. Health Care Industry… the problems they are encountering.”
This extract focuses on the application of Big Data in healthcare, highlighting its potential to revolutionize patient care and disease management.
A1. Complete the following:
Health apps help us to:
- detect…
- monitor…
- keep…
- measure…
Answer:
Health apps help us to:
- detect our heart rate.
- monitor our sleep pattern.
- keep a record of our exercise.
- measure the distance we have walked.
A2. Make pointwise notes from the lesson regarding any four uses of Big Data in the Health Care Industry. Do not write complete sentences.
Answer:
Uses of Big Data in the Health Care Industry:
- Various apps, smart watches, and gadgets collect data about our body functions.
- Data analysis and feedback.
- Helps doctors with better diagnoses and understanding drug effects.
- Maintains past patient data to provide suggestions and solutions.
- Monitors disease outbreaks.
A3. ‘Big Data has improved the quality of life’. Explain the statement with reference to the extract.
Answer:
Big Data has improved the quality of life by enabling us to monitor our health through apps, track our exercise, and stay healthy. Our heart rate and sleep patterns can be monitored, and changes can be reported to doctors for timely treatment. Age-related diseases like diabetes can be treated early. Big Data predicts and monitors epidemics, minimizing their impact.
A4. Describe in brief an app that monitors your health.
Answer:
(This is a personal response question, so there are no citations from the text.)
A5. Language Study (Do as directed):
- No other diagnosis is as good as the diagnosis done with the help of Big Data. (Choose the correct use of ‘best’ and rewrite the sentence.)
- a. The best diagnosis is done with the help of Big Data. b. No other diagnosis is as best as the diagnosis done with the help of Big Data. c. No other diagnosis is best as the diagnosis done with the help of Big Data. d. The best diagnosis is being done with the help of Big Data.
- We have gadgets to monitor blood sugar… (Choose the correct question tag and rewrite the sentence.)
- a. haven’t we? b. have we? c. don’t we? d. doesn’t we?
Answer:
- (a) The best diagnosis is done with the help of Big Data.
- (c) We have gadgets to monitor blood sugar, don’t we?
A6. Complete the following, giving the meanings:
- health conscious people: people who…
- smart watches: watches that…
- necessary precautions: precautions that…
- unnecessary guesswork: guesswork that…
Answer:
- health conscious people: people who are conscious of their health.
- smart watches: watches that are smart.
- necessary precautions: precautions that are necessary.
- unnecessary guesswork: guesswork that is unnecessary.
EXTRACT 2
(Textbook page 41)
“Today, when some health issues crop up… to help them.”
This extract further elaborates on the benefits of Big Data in healthcare, including its role in providing comprehensive health information, facilitating patient-doctor communication, and supporting research.
A1. State whether the following statements are True or False:
- Big Data helps us to get complete information about our health.
- Big Data helps to monitor the outbreak of epidemics.
- Big Data is not useful for research in health.
- Big Data helps in the interaction between patients and doctors.
Answer:
- True
- True
- False
- True
A2. Complete the web:
[Image of a web diagram with the center circle labeled “Benefits of Big Data in Healthcare” and four surrounding circles labeled “1.”, “2.”, “3.”, and “4.”]
Answer:
[Image of a web diagram with the center circle labeled “Benefits of Big Data in Healthcare” and four surrounding circles labeled:
- Helps detect fraud and abuse.
- Helps monitor the outbreak of epidemics.
- Helps patients get complete information.
- Helps in interaction between patients and doctors.]
A3. Give reasons: Big Data is a boon to the medical field.
Answer:
Big Data is a boon to the medical field because it helps patients get complete information about their health and interact with doctors. It also helps monitor the outbreak of epidemics and is useful for research in health.
A4. What is the role of Big Data in the retail industry?
Answer:
(This information is not included in the provided text.)
A5. Language Study (Do as directed):
- Big Data has the potential to transform the health care industry. (Rewrite the sentence using the modal auxiliary showing ‘compulsion’.)
- Big Data is being used to detect fraud and abuse. (Rewrite the sentence beginning with ‘Doctors’)
Answer:
- Big Data must be used to transform the health care industry.
- Doctors are using Big Data to detect fraud and abuse.
A6. Find the words from the extract which mean:
- to appear suddenly or unexpectedly
- to give support or approval to
Answer:
- crop up
- endorse