There are many effective classroom activities that can help students develop their English speaking skills. Here are some examples:

1. Role-plays: Assign students a specific role and situation to act out in pairs or small groups. For example, you could have students practice ordering food in a restaurant, giving directions, or making a phone call.

Role-plays can be a great way to practice giving and receiving directions in English. Here are some examples of role-plays for giving directions:

At the bus stop: One student pretends to be a tourist who is lost and needs directions to a specific location (such as a museum or restaurant), while the other student plays the role of a local who is giving directions.

In a shopping center: One student is a customer who needs directions to a specific store or product, while the other student plays the role of a salesperson who is providing directions.

In a hotel: One student plays the role of a guest who needs directions to a local attraction, while the other student plays the role of a hotel receptionist who is giving directions.

In a park: One student plays the role of a jogger who is lost and needs directions to a specific landmark, while the other student plays the role of a passerby who is giving directions.

In each role-play, it is important to practice using common phrases and vocabulary for giving directions, such as “turn left,” “go straight ahead,” and “it’s on your right-hand side.” These role-plays can help students to develop their listening, speaking, and comprehension skills, as well as their confidence in communicating in English

2. Discussions: Initiate class discussions on various topics to encourage students to express their opinions and ideas. This will help them to develop their communication skills and increase their confidence in speaking English.

3. Presentations: Assign students to prepare and give presentations on a particular topic. This activity will help them improve their public speaking skills, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

4. Debates: Divide the class into two teams and assign them to argue opposing viewpoints on a particular topic. This will help students practice using persuasive language and structuring their arguments logically.

5. Language games: Incorporate fun language games into your lessons, such as Pictionary or charades, to encourage students to think on their feet and practice their vocabulary and pronunciation. Pictionary and charades are classic language games that can be used to practice English vocabulary and communication skills.

In Pictionary, one person draws a picture of a word or phrase, and the other players have to guess what the word or phrase is. This game is great for practicing vocabulary and developing visual communication skills.

In charades, one person acts out a word or phrase without speaking, and the other players have to guess what the word or phrase is. This game is great for practicing nonverbal communication and building vocabulary.

Both games can be adapted to suit different levels and topics of English learning. For example, you could use Pictionary to practice food vocabulary or charades to practice action verbs. These games can be played in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, and they can be a fun and engaging way to practice English language skills

6. Storytelling: Encourage students to tell stories, either personal experiences or fictional stories, to the class. This activity will help them to practice their narrative skills and build their confidence in speaking English.

7. Pronunciation drills: Set aside time to practice pronunciation drills, such as tongue twisters or minimal pairs, to help students improve their pronunciation and reduce their accent.

A. Tongue Twister

• How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
• She sells seashells by the seashore.
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
• Unique New York.
• Red lorry, yellow lorry.
• Irish wristwatch, Swiss wristwatch.
• Toy boat, toy boat, toy boat.
• I saw Susie sitting in a shoeshine shop.
• Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks.
• Black bug’s blood.

B. Minimal Pairs

Mat – Matt
Hat – Hap
Bit – Bet
Top – Cop
Rain – Rein
Cook – Book
Peel – Pill
Sale – Sail
Sheer – Cheer
Might – Mite

8. Mock interviews: Assign students to prepare for and participate in mock job interviews. This activity will help them to practice their communication skills and prepare for real-life interviews.

By incorporating these activities into your lessons, you can help students to improve their English speaking skills and build their confidence in communicating in English

Listen English to Learn English

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Types of Nouns</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Types of Nouns</h1>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Type of Noun</th>
<th>Definition</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Common Noun</td>
<td>Refers to a general, non-specific thing or person</td>
<td>cat, city, book</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Proper Noun</td>
<td>Refers to a specific person, place, or thing and is capitalized</td>
<td>New York City, Jane Smith, The Great Gatsby</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Concrete Noun</td>
<td>Refers to a physical object that can be seen, touched, or perceived through the senses</td>
<td>tree, chair, apple</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Abstract Noun</td>
<td>Refers to a concept, idea, or feeling that cannot be perceived through the senses</td>
<td>love, freedom, courage</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Collective Noun</td>
<td>Refers to a group of people, animals, or things</td>
<td>herd, team, family</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Countable Noun</td>
<td>Refers to something that can be counted and has a singular and plural form</td>
<td>car, book, pencil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Uncountable Noun</td>
<td>Refers to something that cannot be counted and does not have a plural form</td>
<td>water, air, love</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>

When working with unseen extracts, one should read the extract carefully. Students should explore different levels of comprehension. They should confirm what the extract is about.

Different activities require different tactics of finding answer. Factual questions focus on retrieving explicit information, while inference challenges readers to deduce meaning based on context. Global understanding requires grasping the overall theme or message, and complex factual tasks delve into more intricate details. Personal response activities invite learners to connect the text with their own experiences or opinions. Vocabulary and grammar exercises need careful reading, thinking and responding.

Here you will find two unseen extracts which are the part of Std 12 English format of question paper.

Unseen Extract Practice

Read the extract and answer the following questions given below.

Activity Sheet

Having finished his work, Ray stood up and was on his way to the back room when a cold rush of air from the front door hit the back of his neck.

He turned to meet a last-minute shopper, but his old, wise eyes told him that this was not a shopper. He saw two men, one in his twenties, the other closer to fifty. The younger man remained at the door. The older man approached the counter with no sign of friendliness in his eyes. Ray was able to hide his growing fear as he slowly pushed a notepad and a pencil across the counter.

He smiled at the unfriendly face, then pointed to his ears and shook his head from side to side. A quick look of surprise changed the man’s face as he studied the notepad, then turned and said something to his friend.

Ray used the chance to look closely at the man, paying attention to the shape of a gun and a restless hand in the man’s right coat-pocket. Anger boiled within him, but it was kept down by an inner voice that said, “Be still.” He wrote on the notepad, “May I help you?” For the first time the older man looked directly at Ray and smiled. A cruel, mocking smile. They both understood why he was there, why his friend remained at the door. They looked like men who were down on their luck, and were now ready to try something they would later be sorry about.

The clocks ticked on. Ray calmly wrote another message. “Have you come to pick up a clock or watch?” Then he pointed to the ‘loan’ board filled with hanging clocks and pocket watches. He was not a pawnbroker, but at the same time couldn’t say ‘No’ to the needy people who placed their old watches or clocks before him for anything they could get. He loaned more than he should. They would be there when the owners wanted them back at the same price he had paid, with no interest.

Then the older man seemed to feel a little easier, took out his hand from his pocket and quickly looked at the watch on his wrist. “How much will you give me for this?” the man wrote.

Ray noticed a little shame in the grey eyes looking at him.

The watch was nothing special and yet had great powers. It was something to exchange, a way out of a bad situation. Knowing that great need had brought the man to his shop in the first place, Ray asked, “How much do you need for it?” The reply came back on the notepad: “Whatever it’s worth.”

Ray reached into his cash-box, pulled out a fifty-dollar note and passed it into the man’s hand.

Activity 1: True/False (4 Statements, 2 Marks)

State whether the following statements are True or False:

1. Ray was a kind-hearted person who often helped people in need.

2. The two men who entered Ray’s shop were close friends.

3. Ray used a notepad to communicate because he was unable to speak.

4. The older man handed Ray a gold watch in exchange for money.

Activity 2: Arrange the Jumbled Statements (2 Marks)

Arrange the following sentences in the correct order as they occur in the story:

a) The older man smiled cruelly at Ray, but Ray stayed calm.
b) Ray offered the older man money for his watch without asking too many questions.
c) Ray noticed the younger man standing near the door, ready to act.
d) The two men entered Ray’s shop on Christmas Eve, looking restless.

—

Activity 3: Give Reasons (2 Marks)

Ray didn’t feel afraid despite the men’s suspicious behavior. Give reason.

Activity 4. Personal Response (2 marks)

If you were in Ray’s position, would you have helped the men in the same way? Justify your answer.

Activity 5: Do as Directed (Grammar-based) (2 Marks)

1. Having finished his work, Ray stood up. (Rewrite as compound sentence.)

2. Rewrite the sentence in passive voice:
“Ray handed the man a fifty-dollar note .”

6. Vocabulary (2 marks)
Find antonyms for the following words from the text:
a) kind b) new c) outer d) lazily

B. Give a summary of the given extract with a suitable title.

Answer Key

Activity 1: True/False

1.  Ray was a kind-hearted person who often helped people in need. True

2.  The two men who entered Ray’s shop were not close friends; they were accomplices. False

3.  Ray used a notepad to communicate because he was unable to speak. True

4.  The older man handed Ray a simple watch, not a gold one, in exchange for money. False


Activity 2: Arrange the Jumbled Statements

Correct Order:
d) The two men entered Ray’s shop on Christmas Eve, looking restless.
c) Ray noticed the younger man standing near the door, ready to act.
a) The older man smiled cruelly at Ray, but Ray stayed calm.
b) Ray offered the older man money for his watch without asking too many questions.

3: Give Reasons

Ray had a calm and wise personality. He chose to handle the situation with kindness and composure, using his notepad to defuse any tension.

4. Answer:
If I were in Ray’s position, I would have helped the men in the same way. Ray’s calm and empathetic approach turned a potentially dangerous situation into an act of kindness. By choosing to trust and assist the men, he not only avoided conflict but also gave them a sense of dignity and hope during a difficult time. Helping others in need, especially during a festive occasion like Christmas, reflects the spirit of goodwill and humanity.

5: Do as Directed

1. Ray finished his work and stood up.

2. A fifty-dollar note was handed to the man by Ray.

6. a) kind b) old c) outer d) quickly

Summary

The Old Clock Shop

Ray, a kind and deaf clock repairman, is about to close for the day when two suspicious-looking men enter. One is younger, and the other is older and appears to be troubled. Ray senses their intentions might be harmful but stays calm. Using a notepad and pencil to communicate, he writes a message, asking if they need help.

The older man offers a watch in exchange for money, revealing their desperation rather than malice. Ray, understanding their need, gives them a fair amount without asking questions. His act of kindness eases the tension, and the men leave peacefully

–

Que.2 A) Read the unseen extract and complete the activities given below: (12)

We often hear this statement that many of our young spend more time before their T.V. sets, than they do in, their classrooms or with their textbooks,” A bit exaggerated though it may sound, it is nearly true and our teenagers are being considerably influenced by electronic media, particularly the T.V. The television has become the single most powerful influence in the lives of many of our youngsters today. Too often this happens to us much before we realise it ourselves. I am in no way trying to deny the many advantages of T.V. or minimise its manifold contributions to our world. On the other hand, I consider T.V. as one of the greatest scientific achievements of our times, bringing people closer than never before. Television’s use of the modern satellite technology brings today even the remotest regions of the world to us in seconds, making the world a small (global) village. As we know, television also provide us with a fuller and more impressive coverage of current events than any other media. The T.V. does serve, in addition, as a medium of education as well as entertainment. Besides helping us to learn subjects taught in schools, college in upper depth, it enables us (National Geography, Discovery channels etc.) to see and appreciate from close quarters (without having to go there, which is very expensive or even impossible for most of us) the wonders of God’s creations in any part of the world.

A1 Global Understanding
State whether the statements are true or false correct the wrong statement: 2
1) Our many young spend more time in front of T.V. sets.
2) Today even the remotest region of the word can be brought to us in hours.
3) T.V. brings more impressive coverage of current events than any other media.
4) T.V. serves as an additional medium of education.

A2 Write any two advantages & two disadvantages of televisions. 2
A3 Guess the intention of writing this extract. 2
A4 Write your opinion about spending lot of time in front of T.V. is beneficial for students or not. 2

A5 Vocabulary 2
write down the correct words by reading given meaning of them.
1) recognise the full worth of
2) a thing done successfully with effort.

A6 Grammar 2
1) The T.V does serve as a medium of education as well as an entertainment.
(Rewrite it using Not only—- but also)
2) I consider T.V as one of the greatest scientific achievements of our time.
(Rewrite the sentence using the noun form of underline word.)

B) Summary Writing: (3)

Key

A1
1) Our many young spend more time in front of T.V. sets.True
2) Today even the remotest region of the word can be brought to us in hours.False (it should be “seconds” instead of “hours”)
3) T.V. brings more impressive coverage of current events than any other media.True
4) T.V. serves as an additional medium of education.True

A2
Advantages:

Brings people closer and connects the world
Provides impressive coverage of current events
Disadvantages:

Can negatively influence young people
Can be addictive and lead to a sedentary lifestyle

A3
The intention of writing this extract is to present a balanced view of television, acknowledging its benefits while also highlighting its potential negative impact on young people.

A4
Spending a lot of time in front of T.V. is not beneficial for students as it can negatively impact their academic performance, physical health, and social development.

A5

Appreciate
Achievement

A6

Not only does the T.V serve as a medium of education, but also as entertainment.
Television is one of the greatest scientific achievements of our times.

B) Advantages and Disadvantages

Television is a powerful influence on young people’s lives. While it has many advantages, such as connecting people and providing impressive coverage of current events, it can also negatively impact young people’s academic performance, physical health, and social development

Unseen Extract Std 12

Q.2A) Read the following extract and complete the activities given below:
(12)
The printed book is back. Recent studies have shown that students retain more
information when they read a hard-copy book compared to reading on a digital
device. E-books may come with a ‘suite of navigational tools’, but it turns out that the
best navigational devices are your forefinger and thumb. You can use them to flip the pages forward and backward. To think, all this time, those devices have just been just sitting there, dangling at the ends of your arms. Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is easy to annotate. EvenTraditional-book users have a system called a ‘pencil’, favoured passages can be underlined and, if it’s a history book, pretentious comments can be written in the margin, such as “Not so, according to The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”.
Admittedly, e-books are lighter than paper volumes, but one must question whether this is really an advantage. In secondary school my physique was transformed by the daily need to carry science textbooks. For me and my fellow students, placing these weighty tomes in our backpacks would draw our
shoulders back and our chests forward in a way that turned the school into the equivalent of a military parade ground. A large, well-stocked bookshelf is more
meaningful. It’s a map of your life as a reader. There are books that introduced you to other books, like friends at a party, and books that nursed you through difficult times.
Also, the smell of old books in a second-hand bookshop is instantly evocative.
Yes, it’s a mix of mould and old paper, but to me it represents possibility. Spend an hour browsing, and you’ll be sure to stumble across an out-of-print book you thought you’d never find.
(THE TRIUMPH OF THE BOOK – Richard Glover, Readers Digest Nov 23)

A1. Global Understanding
A1. State whether the following statements are True/False and rewrite them 2
1. Printed books are replacing e-books.
2. Fingers can be effectively used to navigate through book pages.
3. E- books are lighter but heavily priced.
4. Books can be one’s friends and guides even.

A2. Complex Factual
Rewrite the following statements as per their occurrence in the given passage. 2
1. Traditionally pencil is used to annotate in printed books.
2. A large bookshelf can act as a map to the reader.
3. A visit to even a second-hand book shop can be very positive.
4. Carrying printed books in school bags served as an exercise for the author.
A3. Inference/Interpretative/Analysis
E- Books and Printed books have their own advantages and advantages. Complete
the given table by writing one advantage and one dis-advantage for each. 2
(a) E- books i) Advantage:
………………………………………………
ii) Dis-advantage:
……………………………………………….
(b)Printed Books i) Advantage:
………………………………………………
ii) Dis-advantage:
……………………………………………….
A4. Personal Response
What would you prefer for your studies? E-book or Printed Book? Justify. 2
A5. Language Study
Do as directed. 2
i) Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is easy to annotate. (Choose
and rewrite the correct alternative to change the sentence into negative)
1. Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is not easy to annotate.
2. Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is not hard to annotate.
3. Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is not but easy to annotate.
4. Fans of the e-book point out that digital text is but easy to annotate.
ii) You can use them to flip the pages forward and backward.
(Using Not only … but also will give us: Choose the correct alternative and
rewrite)
1. You can use them to flip the pages not only forward but backward
also.

2. Not only you can use them to flip the pages forward but also
backward.
3. You can use them to flip not only the pages but also forward and
backward.
4. You can use them not only to flip but also the pages forward and
backward.
A6. Vocabulary 2
Find out the words for the followings from the passage.
a. To add notes or comments to a text or a book
b. To find a way to get to a place or a word

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a comedic play written by William Shakespeare. Set in Athens, it follows the adventures and misadventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, who become entangled in the magical world of the forest ruled by the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania. Here’s a brief summary:

The play begins with Duke Theseus of Athens preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Meanwhile, Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to elope, so they flee to the forest. Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, follows them.

In the forest, Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, are having a dispute. Oberon orders his mischievous servant, Puck, to use a magical flower to make Titania fall in love with the first thing she sees upon waking. Oberon also instructs Puck to use the flower’s juice on Demetrius to make him fall in love with Helena.

However, Puck mistakenly puts the love potion on Lysander, causing chaos as both Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena, while Hermia is left heartbroken. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors, led by the bumbling Bottom, rehearses a play in the same forest.

In the end, Oberon fixes the love entanglements, and the lovers are reunited. Theseus and Hippolyta come across the group of actors performing their play and decide to watch it, providing a humorous end to the story. Oberon blesses the couples, and Puck delivers the epilogue, asking the audience to remember the events of the night as if it were just a dream.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is known for its whimsical and magical elements, as well as its exploration of love, imagination, and the transformative power of the supernatural.

a) Match the columns :
A. B

(1) Theseus (1) Robin Goodfellow
(2) Titania (2) Queen of the Amazons
(3) Puck (3) Duke of Athens
(4) Faeries (4) Hippolyta
(5) Cobweb, Moth (5) Queen of the Faeries

b) State whether the following statements are True or False:
(i) Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena as a result of the love potion.
(ii) Oberon transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass..
(iii) Titania falls in love with an ass.
(iv) Both Demetrius and Lysander fight for Hermia.
Courageous

Key

a) Matching the columns:

A. B
(1) Theseus (3) Duke of Athens
(2) Titania (5) Queen of the Faeries
(3) Puck (1) Robin Goodfellow
(4) Faeries (5) Queen of the Faeries
(5) Cobweb, Moth (4) Hippolyta

b) True or False:
(i) False. Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena as a result of Puck’s mistake, where he accidentally applies the love potion to the wrong person.
(ii) True. Oberon transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass as a prank.
(iii) True. Titania falls in love with Bottom, who has the head of an ass.
(iv) False. Initially, Demetrius is in love with Hermia, and Lysander is in love with Helena. However, after Puck’s mistake, both Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena, causing a fight between them.

1. Explain The climax scene in A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Write your comments on it.

The climax scene of a play usually refers to the turning point in the story where the conflict reaches its peak, and the audience sees the most significant action or resolution. In the case of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the climax scene occurs in Act 3, Scene 2, when the four lovers and the fairy characters are all in the forest.
The scene is chaotic and humorous, with the fairy Puck causing confusion with the love potion, which leads to the lovers’ arguments and fights. The climax occurs when Oberon orders Puck to fix the love potion’s mistake and the characters are all eventually paired with their correct partners. This resolution leads to a joyful ending, with the characters reconciling and finally getting to experience true love.

2. Explain the use of the following property in the development of the play. a) Hat b) Stick