Reduced Syllabus for the Examination Year 2022
ENGLISH (01)
English Language
CLASS X
There will be two papers:
Paper 1: English Language;
Each of these papers will be of two hours duration.
Paper 1: English Language
(80 Marks)
Internal Assessment
(20 Marks)
PAPER 1 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Five questions will be set, all of which will be compulsory.
Question 1: Candidates will be required to write a
composition of about 300– 350 words from a choice of
subjects which will test their ability to: organise, describe,
narrate, report, explain, persuade or argue, present ideas
coherently with accuracy and precision, compare and
contrast ideas and arrive at conclusions, present relevant
arguments and use correct style and format.
The subjects will be varied and may be suggested by
language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The
subjects will be so chosen so as to allow the candidates
to draw on first-hand experience or to stimulate their
imagination.
With one subject, a number of suggestions about the
content of the composition will be given, but the use of
the suggestions will be optional and a candidate will be
free to treat the subject in any way that he/she chooses.
The organisation of subject matter, syntax, punctuation,
correctness of grammatical constructions and spelling will
be expected to be appropriate to the mode of treatment
required by the subject.
Question 2: Candidates will have to write a letter from
a choice of two subjects requiring either a formal or
an informal mode of treatment. Suggestions regarding
the content of the letter may be given. The layout of
the letter with address, introduction, conclusion, etc.,
will form part of the assessment. Special attention must
be paid to the format of the letter with emphasis on
vocabulary appropriate to the context.
Question 3: Candidates will be given a specific situation
and will be required to:
(a) Write the text for a notice based on given directions.
(b) Write an e-mail on the same content as the notice.
Question 4: An unseen prose passage of about 450
words will be given. Uncommon items of vocabulary,
or structure will be avoided. One question will be set
to test vocabulary. Candidates will be required to show
an understanding of the words/phrases in the context in
which they have been used.
A number of questions requiring short answers will also
be asked on the passage. These questions will test the
candidates’ ability to comprehend the explicit content
and organisation of the passage and to infer information,
intention and attitude from it.
The last question will consist of a summary that will test
the candidates’ ability to distinguish main ideas from
supporting details and to extract salient points to rewrite them in the form of a summary. Candidates will
be given clear indications of what they are to summarise
and of the length of the summary.
Question 5: There will be a number of short answer
questions to test the candidates’ knowledge of functional
grammar, structure and use of the language.
All the items in this question will be compulsory. They
will consist of correct use of prepositions, verbs and
transformation of sentences.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Paper 1 - English Language
1.Schools will prepare, conduct and record assessments
of the Listening and Speaking Skills of candidates
as follows:
Class X: Two assessments in the course of the year.
2. Pattern of Assessment
a) Listening Skills
A passage of about 300 words is read aloud by
the examiner twice, the first time at normal reading
speed (about 110 words a minute) and the next
time at a slower speed. Candidates may make
brief notes during the readings. They then answer
an objective type test based on the passage, on the
paper provided.
The recommended number of candidates at a
sitting is 30.
b) Speaking Skills
Each candidate is required to make an oral
presentation for about two minutes, which will
be followed by a discussion on the subject with
the examiners, for about three minutes.
Subjects for presentation may include narrating
an experience, providing a description, giving
directions how to make or operate something,
expressing an opinion, giving a report, relating
an anecdote or commenting on a current event.
A candidate may refer to brief notes in the course
of the presentation but reading or excessive
dependence on notes will be penalized.
It is recommended that candidates be given an hour for
preparation of their subject for presentation and that they
be given a choice of subject, on a common paper.
EVALUATION
The assessment will be conducted jointly by the subject
teacher and the external examiner who will each assess
the candidate. (The External Examiner may be a teacher
nominated by the Head of the School who could be from
the faculty but not teaching the subject in the section/
class. For example, a teacher of English of Class VIII
may be deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X).
Award of Marks
The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to the
Council by the Head of the School.
The Head of the School will be responsible for the online
entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS portal by the
due date. Schools are required to maintain a record of
all assessments conducted in Listening and Speaking
Skills for candidates of Class X. These include copies of
the assessment tests, topics for presentation and marks
awarded. The record will be maintained for a period
of 2 months after the ICSE (10) examinations of the
candidates concerned.
(20 Marks)
Listening Skills:
10 marks
Speaking Skills:
10 marks
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
3
ICSE SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION
SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: One hour (inclusive of reading time)
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY.
The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].
Select the correct option for each of the following questions.
Question 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
I was never able to get over the feeling that plants and trees loved Grandfather with as much tenderness
as he loved them. I was sitting beside him on the veranda steps one morning, when I noticed the tendril
of a creeping vine that was trailing near my feet. As we sat there, in the soft sunshine of a north Indian
winter, I saw that the tendril was moving very slowly away from me and towards Grandfather. Twenty
minutes later it had crossed the veranda step and was touching Grandfather’s feet.
There is probably a scientific explanation for the plant’s behaviour something to do with light and
warmth—but I like to think that it moved that way simply because it was fond of Grandfather. One
felt like drawing close to him. Sometimes when I sat alone beneath a tree I would feel a little lonely
or lost; but as soon as Grandfather joined me, the garden would become a happy place, the tree itself
more friendly.
Grandfather had served many years in the Indian Forest Service, and so it was natural that he should
know and understand and like trees. On his retirement from the Service, he had built a bungalow on
the outskirts of Dehra, planting trees all round it: limes, mangoes, oranges and guavas; also eucalyptus,
jacaranda and the Persian lilac. In the fertile Doon valley, plants and trees grew tall and strong.
There were other trees in the compound before the house was built, including an old peepul which had
forced its way through the walls of an abandoned outhouse, knocking the bricks down with its vigorous
growth. Peepul trees are great show-offs. Even when there is no breeze, their broad-chested, slim-waisted
leaves will spin like tops, determined to attract your attention and invite you into the shade.
Grandmother had wanted the peepul tree cut down, but Grandfather had said, ‘Let it be. We can always
build another outhouse.’
Our gardener, Govind, who was a Hindu, was pleased that we had allowed the tree to live. Peepul trees
are sacred to Hindus, and some people believe that ghosts live in the branches of these trees.
‘If we cut the tree down, wouldn’t the ghosts go away?’ I asked.
‘I don’t know,’ said Grandfather. ‘Perhaps they’d come into the house.’
Govind wouldn’t walk under the tree at night. He said that once, when he was a youth, he had wandered
beneath a peepul tree late at night, and that something heavy had fallen with a thud on his shoulders.
Since then he had always walked with a slight stoop, he explained.
‘Nonsense,’ said Grandmother, who didn’t believe in ghosts. ‘He got his stoop from squatting on his
haunches year after year, weeding with that tiny spade of his!’
4
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
I never saw any ghosts in our peepul tree. There are peepul trees all over India, and people sometimes
leave offerings of milk and flowers beneath them to keep the spirits happy. But since no one left any
offerings under our tree, I expect the ghosts left in disgust, to look for peepul trees where there was
both board and lodging.
Grandfather was about sixty, a lean active man who still rode his bicycle at great speed. He had stopped
climbing trees a year previously, when he had got to the top of the jackfruit tree and had been unable
to come down again. We had to fetch a ladder for him.
Grandfather bathed quite often but got back into his gardening clothes immediately after the bath.
During meals, ladybirds or caterpillars would sometimes walk off his shirtsleeves and wander about on
the tablecloth, and this always annoyed Grandmother.
She grumbled at Grandfather a lot, but he didn’t mind, because he knew she loved him.
[From ‘The Tree Lover’, Rusty the Boy from the Hills by Ruskin Bond]
(a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided:[3]
(i) tenderness:
1. affection
2. soreness
3. youthfulness
(ii) explanation:
1. an excuse or pretext
2. a statement or account that makes something clear
3. a long-winded speech
(iii) vigorous:
1. strong, healthy, and full of energy
2. manipulating and meandering
3. timorous
(b) Why did the author feel that plants loved Grandfather with as much tenderness as he loved them?
[2]
1.
He saw the tendril of a creeping vine move very slowly towards Grandfather and cross the
veranda step to touch Grandfather’s feet.
2.Because the creeper moved as they sat there, in the soft sunshine of a north Indian winter; it
was something to do with light and warmth.
3.He saw the tendril of a creeping vine moving very slowly towards him, crossing the veranda
step to touch the author’s feet.
(c) Where had Grandfather worked for many years?
[2]
1. the Indian Revenue Service
2. the Botanical Gardens
3. the Indian Forest Service
(d) Which trees did Grandfather plant around his bungalow?
[2]
1. limes, mangoes, oranges, guavas, eucalyptus, jacaranda, the Persian lilac and a peepul tree
2. limes, mangoes, oranges, guavas, eucalyptus, jacaranda and the Persian lilac
3.creeper vines, limes, mangoes, oranges, guavas, eucalyptus, jacaranda, the Persian lilac, ladybirds
and caterpillars
(e) Why does the author say peepul trees are great show-offs?
[2]
1.because there are peepul trees all over India, and people sometimes leave offerings of milk and
flowers beneath them to keep the spirits happy.
2.
because even when there is no breeze, their broad-chested, slim-waisted leaves will spin like
tops, determined to attract your attention and invite you into the shade.
3. because ghosts lived in peepul trees where there was both board and lodging.
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
5
(f) How do we know Grandfather was fit?
[2]
1.because even at about sixty he was a lean active man who still rode his bicycle at great speed.
2. because he climbed up but couldn’t get down from the jackfruit tree.
3. because he planted so many trees around his bungalow all by himself.
(g) Why did ladybirds or caterpillars sometimes wander about on the tablecloth?
[2]
1. because Grandfather came straight to the dining table after his work in the garden.
2. because Grandfather loved both plants and animals and liked to keep them near.
3.
because Grandfather wore his gardening clothes at mealtimes and they would wander off his
shirtsleeves and onto the tablecloth.
(h) What has the author said about the old peepul tree? Which of the following combination of sentences
best summarizes the answer?
[5]
1.
The old peepul knocked down the brick walls of an abandoned outhouse with its vigorous
growth. There are peepul trees all over India, and people sometimes leave offerings of milk and
flowers beneath them to keep the spirits happy. Govind said that once, when he was a youth,
he had wandered beneath a peepul tree late at night, and that something heavy had fallen with
a thud on his shoulders. Since then he had always walked with a slight stoop.
2.
The old peepul knocked down the brick walls of an abandoned outhouse with its vigorous
growth. Grandmother wanted it cut down but Grandfather said they could always build another
one. Govind was pleased but frightened of resident ghosts. As no one left any offerings under
the tree, the author decided the ghosts must have left in disgust, to look for trees offering board
and lodging.
3.
The old peepul knocked down the brick walls of an abandoned outhouse with its vigorous
growth. There are peepul trees all over India, and people sometimes leave offerings of milk and
flowers beneath them to keep the spirits happy. Grandmother said Govind got his stoop from
squatting on his haunches year after year, weeding with that tiny spade of his rather than from
any resident ghosts alighting on his shoulders.
Question 2
(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words provided after the passage:
[4]
When he saw the cottage, over amongst some bushes with a rank growth of nettles at one end, he (i)
(think) it was a miserable place. But when he came close to the peeling lime wash, the torndown ivy, sagging roof, the (ii)
(break) stone doorstep, thick with trampled mud, he saw that
it was a wretched house. The door (iii)
(stand) half-open, stuck. He knocked at it and (iv)
(listen) to the acute silence. He knocked again firmly and thought he (v)
(hear)
thin whisperings. He did not like the (vi)
(hush) fear in the sounds, and was just about (vii)
(knock) peremptorily when there was a shuffling and, as quietly as an apparition, a woman
(viii)
(is) there.
(i) 1. Thinks
2. thought
3. thinked
(ii) 1. Breaks
2. broken
3. breaking
(iii) 1. stood
2. is standing
3. had been standing
(iv) 1. was listening
2. had been listening
3. listened
(v) 1. could hear
2. had been hearing
3. was hearing
(vi) 1. Hushing
2. hushed
3. hush
(vii) 1. Knocked
2. knocking
3. to knock
(viii) 1. Be
2. is
3. was
(b) Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks:
[4]
(i) Surprised _________ the noise, the judge called for silence.
1. on
2. at
3. with
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ICSE Semester 1 English Language
(ii) Ravi’s parents are not happy ________ his behaviour.
1. for
2. by
3. with
(iii) The Colonel congratulated the soldiers _______ their victory.
1. beside
2. alongside
3. on
(iv) The planet was seen ________ the telescope.
1. outside
2. before
3. through
(v) He is not afraid _______ the consequences.
1. over
2. of
3. for
(vi) He rushed ______ the class as he was late.
1. into
2. onto
3. in
(vii) The school is famous _______its sports achievements.
1. of
2. for
3. besides
(viii) ___________ being clever, he is brave.
1. Despite
2. Besides
3. For
(c) Choose the correct option to join the following sentences without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’:
[4]
(i) She sells sea shells. She sells them on the sea shore.
1. She sells sea shells on the sea shore.
2. The sea shells which she sells are found on the sea shore.
3. She sells sea shells which are on the sea shore.
(ii) Why are you upset? Did someone scold you?
1. You are upset having been scolded by someone.
2. She asked him why he was upset and if he had been scolded.
3. Are you upset because someone scolded you?
(iii) She has not seen the message perhaps. She may have chosen to ignore it.
1. Perhaps she chose to ignore the message which she had seen.
2. She may either have not seen the message or chosen to ignore it.
3. Neither did she see the message nor ignore it.
(iv) I often wake up late in the mornings. I am never late for school.
1. Although I often wake up late in the mornings, I am never late for school.
2. I am sometimes late for school because I often wake up late in the mornings.
3. I am never late for school because I usually wake up on time.
(d) Read each sentence with its instructions. Choose the correct answer from the options provided
beneath each:
[8]
(i) I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering as it was very cold.
(Use ‘so’)
1. It was so cold that I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering.
2. It was so difficult to stop my teeth from chattering it being cold.
3. I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering so it was very cold.
(ii) As soon as the vacation begins, my neighbour rushes to the seaside.
(Begin: No sooner…)
1. No sooner does my vacation begin than the neighbour rushes to the seaside.
2. No sooner does the vacation begin than my neighbour rushes to the seaside.
3. No sooner did the vacation begin when my neighbour rushed to the seaside.
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
7
(iii) “Will you lend me the book tomorrow?” Priya asked her classmate.
(Begin: Priya asked her classmate if…………………………)
1. Priya asked her classmate if he would lend her the book the next day.
2. Priya asked her classmate if he would lent her the book tomorrow.
3. Priya asked her classmate if he will lend her the book the day after.
(iv) But for Laila’s support, the woman would have lost her job.
(Begin: Had…)
1. Had Laila supported her, the woman would not have lost her job.
2. Had Laila supported her, the woman would have lost her job.
3. Had it not been for Laila’s support, the woman would have lost her job.
(v) Herbert consulted his parents before accepting the job offer.
(Begin: Herbert did not ………..)
1. Herbert did not forgot to consult his parents before accepting the job offer.
2. Herbert did not forget to consult his parents before accepting the job offer.
3. Herbert did not consult his parents before accepting the job offer.
(vi) The tornado had been raging for several hours before people were moved to safety.
(Begin: The people…)
1.The people were moved to safety before the tornado had been raging for several hours.
2.The people were moved to safety only while the tornado had been raging for several hours.
3.The people were moved to safety only after the tornado had been raging for several hours.
(vii) Put your tools away, the children may fall over them.
(Use: lest………………)
1. Put your tools away lest the children may fall over them.
2. Put your tools away lest the children fall over them.
3. Put your tools away, children, lets fall over them.
(viii) Unless you begin now, you will never finish.
(Use ‘If’ )
1. If you never finish, you must begin now.
2. If you do not begin now, you will never finish.
3. If you begin now, you will never finish.
ANSWERS
Question 1
(a) (i) (1)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (1)
(b) (1)
(c) (3)
(d) (2)
(e) (2)
(f) (1)
(g) (3)
(h) (2)
(a) (i) (2)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (1)
(iv) (3)
(v) (1)
(vi) (2)
(vii) (3)
(viii) (3)
(b) (i) (2)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (3)
(v) (2)
(vi) (1)
(vii) (2)
(viii) (2)
(c) (i) (1)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (2)
(iv) (1)
(d) (i) (1)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (1)
(iv) (3)
(v) (2)
(vi) (3)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (2)
Question 2
8
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
ICSE SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION
MOCK QUESTION PAPER 1
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: One hour (inclusive of reading time)
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY.
The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].
Select the correct option for each of the following questions.
Question 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
People came to him when the patient was on his last legs. Dr Raman often burst out, ‘Why couldn’t
you have come a day earlier?’ The reason was obvious—visiting fee twenty-five rupees, and more than
that, people liked to shirk the fact that the time had come to call in Dr Raman; for them there was
something ominous in the very association. As a result, when the big man came on the scene it was
always a quick decision one way or another. There was no scope or time for any kind of wavering or
whitewashing. Long years of practice of this kind had bred in the doctor a certain curt truthfulness; for
that very reason his opinion was valued; he was not a mere doctor expressing an opinion but a judge
pronouncing a verdict. The patient’s life hung on his words. This never unduly worried Dr Raman. He
never believed that agreeable words ever saved lives. He did not think it was any of his business to
provide comforting lies when as a matter of course nature would tell them the truth in a few hours.
However, when he glimpsed the faintest sign of hope, he rolled up his sleeve and stepped into the
arena: it might be hours or days, but he never withdrew till he wrested the prize from Yama’s hands.
Today, standing over a bed, the doctor felt that he himself needed someone to tell him soothing lies.
He mopped his brow with his kerchief and sat down in the chair beside the bed. On the bed lay his
dearest friend in the world: Gopal. They had known each other for forty years now, starting with their
kindergarten days. They could not, of course, meet as much as they wanted, each being wrapped in his
own family and profession. Occasionally, on a Sunday, Gopal would walk into the consulting room and
wait patiently in a corner till the doctor was free. And then they would dine together, see a picture and
talk of each other’s life and activities. It was a classic friendship, which endured untouched by changing
times, circumstances and activities.
In his busy round of work, Dr Raman had not noticed that Gopal had not called in for over three months
now. He only remembered it when he saw Gopal’s son sitting on a bench in the consulting hall one
crowded morning. Dr Raman could not talk to him for over an hour. When he got up and was about
to pass on to the operating room, he called up the young man and asked, ‘What brings you here, sir?’
The youth was nervous and shy. ‘Mother sent me here.’
‘What can I do for you?’
‘Father is ill ...’
It was an operation day and he was not free till three in the afternoon. He rushed off straight from the
clinic to his friend’s house, in Lawley Extension.
Gopal lay in bed as if in sleep. The doctor stood over him and asked Gopal’s wife, ‘How long has he
been in bed?’
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
9
‘A month and a half, Doctor.’
‘Who is attending him?’ ‘A doctor in the next street. He comes down once in three days and gives him
medicine.’
‘What is his name?’ He had never heard of him. ‘Someone I don’t know, but I wish he had had the
goodness to tell me about it. Why, why couldn’t you have sent me word earlier?’
‘We thought you would be busy and did not wish to trouble you unnecessarily.’ They were apologetic
and miserable. There was hardly any time to be lost. He took off his coat and opened his bag. He took
out an injection tube, the needle sizzled over the stove. The sick man’s wife whimpered in a corner
and essayed to ask questions.
‘Please don’t ask questions,’ snapped the doctor. He looked at the children, who were watching the
sterilizer, and said, ‘Send them all away somewhere, except the eldest.’
[From ‘The Doctor’s World’, Malgudi Days by R.K Narayan]
(a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided:[3]
(i) Ominous:
1. auspicious
2. portentous
3. evil
(ii) Whitewashing:
1. deliberate concealment of unpleasant facts
2. painting a room
3. changing a situation
(iii) Whimpered:
1. whispered
2. whined
(b) The main objective of the passage is to
3. lamented
[2]
1. demonstrate how Dr Raman’s friendship with Gopal had grown over the years.
2. describe the nature of a doctor’s work.
3. introduce Dr Raman as a doctor and the importance he gave to his work.
(c) People came to him when the patient was on his last legs. The underlined phrase means-
[2]
1. thriving
2. prepared to use the most desperate means to recover.
3. near the end of life
(d) Which of the following is not true about Dr Raman?
[2]
1. He believed pleasant words could save lives.
2. He could not provide comforting lies to a patient.
3.Even with the faintest glimmer of hope, Dr Raman attempted his best to wrest the prize from
Yama’s hands.
(e) How long had Dr Raman known Gopal?
[2]
1. Since they were at college.
2. Since their kindergarten days.
3. Since the time he started practicing as a doctor.
(f) In what way was Gopal and Dr Raman’s friendship a classic one?
1. They both understood each other better than anyone else understood them.
2. Even if they did not meet, they stayed in each other’s hearts.
3. It was unaffected by changing times, circumstances and activities.
10
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
[2]
(g) Gopal’s son had come to Dr Raman’s clinic to-
[2]
1. Inform Dr Raman about his father’s ailment.
2. Seek Dr Raman’s help for his ailing father.
3. Inform Dr Raman that his mother was upset about his ailing father.
(h) What does one come to know about Dr Raman from the passage? Which combination of sentences
best summarizes the answer?
[5]
1.Dr Raman had practiced for long and was highly venerated for his experience. People visited
him frequently because his visiting fee was a mere twenty-five rupees and they believed that
his words were like a verdict. The patient’s life hung on his words. He was always pleasant to
them never saying anything that could make them lose hope.
2.Dr Raman had practiced for long; yet people feared to visit him for they thought that the doctor
would rebuke them for being too late. They valued his opinion but went to visit him only when
the patient was on his last legs. He would never tell them comforting lies; instead he preferred
to tell them the truth to give them some hope to cling to.
3.Dr Raman had practiced for long and had acquired a certain curt truthfulness. So his opinion
was highly valued. His words were generally true and were considered a verdict rather than an
opinion. He would not give false hopes to patients but when he glimpsed a sign of hope, he
prepared to fight his way to save his patient.
Question 2
(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words provided after the passage:
[4]
Beekeepers often (i)
(find) that some honey bee colonies produce more honey than
others. Such differences are due to variations in the strain of bee and the quality of the queen in
individual colonies. The queen bee may (ii)
(replace) with a new queen of the desired
strain.
Queen bees (iii)
(raise) in specifically built queen cells. A newly (iv)
(hatch)
female larva is neither queen or a worker. The variation in diet (v)
(start) from the time
of larvae hatching. On the third day after hatching a major difference in diet (vi)
(occur)
when pollen is (vii)
(include) in the diet of female larvae destined (viii)
(become) a worker.
(i) 1. find
2. found
3. may find
(ii) 1. replace
2. be replaced
3. replaced
(iii) 1. rise
2. is raised
3. are raised
(iv) 1. hatched
2. hatching
3. hatching out
(v) 1. started
2. starts
3. will start
(vi) 1. may occur
2. occurred
3. occurs
(vii) 1. is included
2. included
3. are included
(viii) 1. to become
2. for becoming
3. will become
(b) Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks:
(i) They walked
1. about
(ii) We disposed
1. of
(iii) The thieves made
1. over
[4]
the edge of the forest.
2. along
3. aside
all the old newspapers.
2. off
3. away
with a gold chain and some cash.
2. away
3. off
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
11
(iv) Kirti is a student
Delhi university.
1. at
2. in
(v) The manager called
an explanation from the salesman.
1. out
(vi) I am looking
3. of
2. up
3. for
2. for
3. at
my keys.
1. up
(vii) The police car chased the robbers
1. through
the street.
2. among
(viii) The child on a bicycle accidentally knocked
1. out
3. on
an old lady.
2. off
3. down
(c) Choose the correct option to join the following sentences without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’:
[4]
(i) It may rain. We will get wet.
1. It may rain, then we will get wet.
2. In case it rains, we will get wet.
3. Unless it rains, we will not get wet.
(ii) The weather was pleasant. We went out for a walk.
1. The weather was so pleasant that we went for a walk.
2. The weather being pleasant, we went out for a walk.
3. As the weather had been pleasant, we went out for a walk.
(iii) His feet slipped. He fell down.
1. No sooner did his feet slip than he fell down,
2. As soon as his feet slipped, he fell down.
3. His feet slipping, he fell down.
(iv) He saw the sunshine. He threw open the window.
1. On seeing the sunshine, he threw open the window.
2. Seeing the sunshine, he threw open the window.
3. No sooner did he see the sunshine than he threw open the window.
(d) Read each sentence with its instructions. Choose the correct answer from the options provided
beneath each:
[8]
(i) What a memorable journey it was!
(Begin: It was…)
1. It was a memorable journey.
2. It was truly a memorable journey.
3. It was a journey that will always be memorable.
(ii) As soon as the birds began singing in their nests, I woke up.
(Begin: No sooner…)
1. No sooner did the birds begin to sing in their nests than I woke up.
2. No sooner did the birds begin singing in their nests when I woke up.
3. No sooner did the birds begin singing in their nests than I woke up.
12
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
(iii)He could not appear for the interview because the interview letter reached him late.
(Begin: If…)
1.If the interview letter had not reached him late, he could have appeared for the interview.
2.If the interview letter had reached him on time, he could have appeared for the interview.
3.If the interview letter had not reached him late, he could appear for the interview.
(iv) I prefer that you take a bus to the workplace.
(Begin: I’d rather…)
1. I’d rather you take a bus to your workplace.
2. I’d rather that you take a bus to your workplace.
3. I’d rather you took a bus to your workplace.
(v) Macbeth said, “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?”
(Begin: Macbeth asked…)
1. Macbeth asked why they dressed him in borrowed robes.
2. Macbeth asked why he was being dressed in borrowed robes.
3. Macbeth asked why they were dressing him in borrowed robes.
(vi) All the passengers in the bus were given food packets.
(Begin: Each…)
1. Each of the passengers in the bus were given food packets.
2. Each of the passengers in the bus was given food packets.
3. Each of the passengers in the bus was given a food packet.
(vii) They arrested the man merely on grounds of suspicion.
(Begin: The man…)
1. The man was arrested merely on grounds of suspicion.
2. The man was arrested, merely on grounds of suspicion by them.
3. The man has been arrested merely on ground of suspicion.
(viii) Someone will surely answer the doorbell.
(Add a question tag)
1. Someone will surely answer the doorbell, won’t he?
2. Someone will surely answer the doorbell, will they?
3. Someone will surely answer the doorbell, won’t they?
ANSWERS
Question 1
(a) (i) (2)
(ii) (1)
(iii) (2)
(b) (3)
(c) (3)
(d) (1)
(e) (2)
(f) (3)
(g) (2)
(h) (3)
(a) (i) (1)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (1)
(v) (2)
(vi) (3)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (1)
(b) (i) (2)
(ii) (1)
(iii) (2)
(iv) (1)
(v) (3)
(vi) (2)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (3)
(c) (i) (2)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (1)
(d) (i) (2)
(ii) (1)
(iii) (1)
(iv) (3)
(v) (1)
(vi) (3)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (3)
Question 2
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
13
ICSE SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION
MOCK QUESTION PAPER 2
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: One hour (inclusive of reading time)
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY.
The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].
Select the correct option for each of the following questions.
Question 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
In that last year at Prep school in Shimla, there were four of us who were close friends—Bimal, whose
home was in Bombay; Riaz, who came from Lahore; Bran, who hailed from Vellore; and your narrator,
who lived wherever his father (then in the Air Force) was posted.
We called ourselves the ‘Four Feathers’, the feathers signifying that we were companions in adventure,
comrades-in-arms, and knights of the round table. Bimal adopted a peacock’s feather as his emblem—he
was always a bit showy. Riaz chose a falcon’s feather—although we couldn’t find one. Bran and I were
at first offered crow’s or murghi feathers, but we protested vigorously and threatened a walkout. Finally,
I settled for a parrot’s feather (taken from Mrs Fisher’s pet parrot), and Bran found a woodpecker’s,
which suited him, as he was always knocking things about.
Bimal was all thin legs and arms, so light and frisky that at times he seemed to be walking on air. We
called him ‘Bambi’, after the delicate little deer in the Disney film. Riaz, on the other hand, was a sturdy
boy, good at games though not very studious; but always good-natured, always smiling.
Bran was a dark, good-looking boy from the South; he was just a little spoilt— hated being given out
in a cricket match and would refuse to leave the crease!—but he was affectionate and a loyal friend.
I was the ‘scribe’—good at inventing stories in order to get out of scrapes—but hopeless at sums, my
highest marks being twenty-two out of one hundred.
On Sunday afternoons, when there were no classes or organized games, we were allowed to roam about
on the hillside below the school. The Four Feathers would laze about on the short summer grass, sharing
the occasional food parcel from home, reading comics (sometimes a book), and making plans for the
long winter holidays. My father, who collected everything from stamps to seashells to butterflies, had
given me a butterfly net and urged me to try and catch a rare species which, he said, was found only
near Chotta Shimla. He described it as a large purple butterfly with yellow and black borders on its
wings. A Purple Emperor, I think it was called. As I wasn’t very good at identifying butterflies, I would
chase anything that happened to flit across the school grounds, usually ending up with Common Red
Admirals, Clouded Yellows, or Cabbage Whites. But that Purple Emperor—that rare specimen being
sought by collectors the world over—proved elusive. I would have to seek my fortune in some other
line of endeavour.
One day, scrambling about among the rocks, and thorny bushes below the school, I almost fell over a
small bundle lying in the shade of a young spruce tree. On taking a closer look, I discovered that the
bundle was really a baby, wrapped up in a tattered old blanket.
[From ‘The Four Feathers’, an anthology—collection for young readers, by Ruskin Bond]
14
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
(a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided:[3]
(i) frisky:
1. lively
2. talkative
3. feathery
(ii) elusive:
1. occasional
2. difficult to find
3. flighty
(iii) scrambling:
1. running wildly
2. climbing quickly using hands
3. running hastily
(b) The name ‘Four Feathers’ suggested that
[2]
1. They were birds of the same feather.
2. They were King Arthur’s knights of the round table.
3. They were companions in adventure.
(c) Bambi was a name given to-
[2]
1. Bran
2. Bimal
3. Riaz
(d) Why did the narrator feel that Bran’s feather suited him well?
[2]
1. Bran chose a peacock’s feather and it suited him well because he was showy.
2. Bran chose a falcon’s feather and it suited him well because he loved to flaunt it.
3.Bran chose a woodpecker’s feather and it suited him well because he was always knocking
things about.
(e) The Four Feathers spent their Sunday afternoons-
[2]
1. Lazing on the grass, chasing birds and reading comics.
2. Lazing on the grass, reading comics and making plans for the long winter holidays.
3. Lazing on the grass, reading and sharing the food that came occasionally.
(f) Common Red Admirals, Clouded Yellows or Cabbage Whites are names of-
[2]
1. Butterflies
2. Birds
3. Flowers
(g) The expression ‘to get out of scrapes’ means-
[2]
1. To get out of disputes
2. To shake off a dull mood
3. To seek escape from troubles or awkward situations
(h) What is known about the ‘Four Feathers’?
[5]
1.The Four Feathers is a group of four close friends who, like the knights of the round table fought
secret wars, settled disputes and wore feathers.
2.
The Four Feathers is a group of four close friends who were companions in adventures, and
chose a feather each as his emblem.
3.The Four Feathers is a group of four close friends who, wore a feather each as a mark of loyalty
to each other.
Question 2
(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words provided after the passage:
[4]
Whenever we (i)
(talk) of the hill stations of Uttarakhand, Nainital is always at the top of
the list. Be it breathtaking landscapes or mesmerizing scenes, Nainital has it. (ii)
(locate)
2000 meters above sea level, the Naini lake is a fascinating thing to watch. I (iii)
(take)
a taxi to Nainital from New Delhi. As soon as the mountain journey (iv)
(commence), I
immediately (v)
(feel) the gush of cool and fresh air. It (vi)
(refresh) me and
took away the lethargy that (vii)
(engulf) me. I stopped on my way (viii)
(snap) a few pictures.
(i) 1. Talked
2. had talked
3. talk
(ii) 1. Located
2. locating
3. location
(iii) 1. took
2. had taken
3. will take
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
15
(iv) 1. to commence
2. commenced
3. will commence
(v) 1. feel
2. felt
3. feeling
(vi) 1. refreshed
2. refreshing
3. refreshment
(vii) 1. engulfed
2. had engulfed
3. will have engulfed
(viii) 1. to snap
2. snapped
3. snapping
(b) Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks:
[4]
(i)The minister was impeached because he failed to comply
the laws of the constitution.
1. to
2. by
3. with
(ii) Though it was just a lie, she fell
it.
1. into
2. for
3. at
(iii) In contrast
the living room, the master bedroom seems quite small.
1. with
2. to
3. of
(iv)
all her faults, she is a likeable woman.
1. With
2. Of
3. By
(v) After a long-drawn dispute, the two brothers were reconciled
each other.
1. to
2. between
3. with
(vi) Since there was no other way, he reconciled himself
his fate.
1. to
2. with
3. towards
(vii) He is liable
fall in debt for his extravagant expenditure.
1. to
2. for
3. of
(viii) He is liable
his father’s debts.
1. to
2. for
3. with
(c) Choose the correct option to join the following sentences without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’:
[4]
(i)Mrs Charania was elected President of the organization. She was an activist fighting for the dispossessed.
1.Mrs Charania who was an activist fighting for the dispossessed, was elected President of the
organization.
2.Mrs Charania was elected President of the organization since she was an activist fighting for the
dispossessed.
3.Mrs Charania, who was an activist fighting for the dispossessed, was elected President of the
organization.
(ii) He felt tired. He laid his work aside.
1. When he felt tired, he laid his work aside.
2. Feeling tired, he laid his work aside.
3. On feeling tired, he laid his work aside.
(iii) He was ill last term. He was unable to attend school.
1. He was ill last term, so he was unable to attend school.
2. He was so ill last term that he was unable to attend school.
3. Being ill last term, he was unable to attend school.
(iv) The sun rose. The fog dispersed.
1. While the sun rose, the fog dispersed.
2. Since the sun rose, the fog dispersed.
3. As the sun rose, the fog dispersed.
(d)
Read each sentence with its instructions. Choose the correct answer from the options provided
beneath each:
[8]
(i) Godhuli was most interested in music.
(Begin: Nothing…)
1. Nothing was of greater interest to Godhuli than music.
2. Nothing was of more interest to Godhuli than music.
3. Nothing interested Godhuli as much as music.
16
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
(ii) The steam engine was invented by Watt.
(Begin: Watt)
1. Watt invented the steam engine.
2. Watt had invented the steam engine.
3. Watt has invented the steam engine.
(iii) Gorillas are losing their natural habitat.
(Rewrite adding ‘increasingly’)
1. Gorillas are losing their natural habitat increasingly.
2. Gorillas are increasingly losing their natural habitat.
3. Increasingly gorillas are losing their natural habitat.
(iv) Father asked his son, “Why are you late from school today?”
(Write in reported speech)
1. Father asked his son why he had been late from school that day.
2. Father asked his son why he was late from school that day.
3. Father asked his son why was he late from school that day.
(v) She looks just as nice in a pantsuit as she does in a sari.
(Begin: Whether…)
1. Whether she wears a pantsuit or a sari, she looks nice.
2. Whether she wears a pantsuit or a sari, she looks just as nice.
3. Whether she is wearing a pantsuit or a sari, she looks just as nice.
(vi) He was too busy to see a doctor.
(Rewrite without using ‘too’)
1. He was extremely busy; so he could not see a doctor.
2. He is so busy that he cannot see a doctor.
3. He was so busy that he could not see a doctor.
(vii)I had to open all the windows as it was a very warm night.
(Change into a simple sentence)
1. So warm a night it was that I had to open all the windows.
2. Opening all the windows was necessary since it was a very warm night.
3. It being a very warm night, I had to open all the windows.
(viii) All the children were wearing blue jackets when they boarded the bus.
(Begin: Every…)
1. Every one of the children were wearing blue jackets when they boarded the bus.
2. Every child was wearing a blue jacket when he boarded the bus.
3. Every one of the children was wearing a blue jacket when they boarded the bus.
Question 1
(a) (i) (1)
(b) (3)
Question 2
(a) (i) (3)
(b) (i) (3)
(c) (i) (3)
(d) (i) (3)
ANSWERS
(ii) (2)
(c) (2)
(iii) (2)
(d) (3)
(e) (2)
(f) (1)
(g) (3)
(h) (2)
(ii)
(ii)
(ii)
(ii)
(iii)
(iii)
(iii)
(iii)
(iv)
(iv)
(iv)
(iv)
(v) (2)
(v) (3)
(vi) (1)
(vi) (1)
(vii) (2)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (3)
(viii) (2)
(v) (1)
(vi) (3)
(vii) (3)
(viii) (2)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1)
(3)
(2)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(3)
(2)
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
17
ICSE SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION
MOCK QUESTION PAPER 3
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: One hour (inclusive of reading time)
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY.
The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].
Select the correct option for each of the following questions.
Question 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Sustainable fishing guarantees there will be populations of ocean and freshwater wildlife for the
future. Aquatic environments are home to countless species of fish and invertebrates, most of which
are consumed as food. (Others are harvested for economic reasons, such as oysters that produce pearls
used in jewellery.) Seafood is respected all over the world, in many diverse cultures, as an important
source of protein and healthy fats. For thousands of years, people have fished to feed families and local
communities.
Demand for seafood and advances in technology have led to fishing practices that are depleting fish
and shellfish populations around the world. Fishers remove more than 77 billion kilograms (170 billion
pounds) of wildlife from the sea each year. Scientists fear that continuing to fish at this rate may soon
result in a collapse of the world’s fisheries. In order to continue relying on the ocean as an important
food source, economists and conservationists say we will need to employ sustainable fishing practices.
There are ways to fish sustainably, allowing us to enjoy seafood while ensuring that populations remain
for the future. In many indigenous cultures, people have fished sustainably for thousands of years.
Today’s sustainable fishing practices reflect some lessons learned from these cultures.
In the Philippines, the Tagbanua people have traditionally employed fishing practices that simultaneously
harvest and maintain fish populations. They continue to follow these practices today. Tagbanuas fish for
specific species only during certain times of the year, determined by tides and the moon, allowing fish
stocks to replenish themselves. They set aside certain areas, such as coral reefs, as protected spots in which
fishing is prohibited. When they do fish, these traditional fishers primarily use hook-and-line methods,
catching only what they need to feed themselves and their communities. A 2007 study lauded traditional
Tagbanua practices as a way to prevent injury and death to local Irrawaddy dolphins, which become
entangled in more modern fishing gear like nets and traps.
Many individuals, communities, and nations continue to rely on fish and other aquatic life as a source of
food and raw materials. To maintain fish stocks, overfishing and bycatch must be reduced through fisheries
management.
The goal of fisheries management is to develop regulations based on scientific data.
Fishing for bluefin tuna, for instance, is highly regulated in the United States. Fishers may only catch
this species with a rod and reel or hand-thrown harpoon. This regulation ensures they may only catch
one fish at a time. To be taken from the ocean, a fish must measure at least 185 centimeters (73 inches).
The goal of this rule is to give fish a chance to spawn before being caught. In addition, only a certain
tonnage of fish may be caught each year. Once that quota is reached, the fishery is closed for the season.
18
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
Rules like these take into consideration a fish species’ biology and natural history in order to maintain
populations for the future.
[Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/sustainable-fishing]
(a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided:[3]
(i) harvested:
1. catch or kill animals for human consumption
2. removed or taken out
3. grown or gathered.
(ii) employ:
1. engage in
2. recruit
3. use
2. replace
3. restock
(iii) replenish:
1. freshen
(b) Why is there a need to employ sustainable fishing practices?
[2]
1. Aquatic environments are increasingly becoming more polluted.
2. Fishers remove more than 77 billion kilograms of wildlife from the sea each year.
3.There is speculation that fishing practices that lead to depletion of fish and shellfish population
can ruin the world’s fisheries.
(c) What solution does the author contemplate to combat over-exploitation of fisheries?
1.
[2]
To learn from some indigenous cultures about sustainable fishing practices.
2. To draw lessons from conservationists who employ sustainable fishing practices.
3. To follow the ways of the Tagbanua people.
(d) What is distinctively unique about the fishing practices of the Tagbanua?
[2]
1. They fish during certain times of the year only, not at all times.
2. They fish for specific species only.
3. They fish for certain species during certain times according to the tides and the moon.
(e) Which of the following practices do the Tagbanuas not follow?
[2]
1. They do not fish in all areas.
2. They use nets to catch fish.
3. They catch only what they need to feed themselves and their communities.
(f) Which of the following is not a goal of fisheries management?
[2]
1. To preserve fish stocks.
2. To reduce bycatch.
3. To harvest oysters for commercial purposes.
(g) Which of the following fishing methods is not advocated?
[2]
1. Use of nets and traps.
2. Use of hook and line method.
3. Use of the hand-thrown harpoon.
(h) Which of the following sets of sentences explain the goal of fisheries management?
[5]
1.The goal of fisheries management is to develop regulations based on scientific data. For example,
fishing for red-fin tuna is highly regulated in the US. Fishers are not allowed to use a net or
trawlers to catch this fish. They are also not permitted to catch any fish weighing more than
185 centimeters.
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
19
2.The goal of fisheries management is to develop regulations based on scientific data. For example,
the regulation for fishing blue-fin tuna includes that no fish measuring less than 185 centimeters
can be caught from the ocean.
3.The goal of fisheries management is to develop regulations based on scientific data. For example,
only 73 tonnes of blue fin tuna may be caught every year and the fishery is closed for the season
once the quota is reached. This ensures that the fish population is preserved.
Question 2
(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words provided after the passage:
[4]
My jaw (i)
(drop) when I read a July 19, 2004, article from the International Herald
Tribune (ii)
(headline): “Want Fries with Outsourcing?” Pull off Interstate Highway 55
near Cape Girradeau, Missouri, and into the drive-through lane of a McDonald’s next to the highway
and you’ll get fast, friendly service, even though the person (iii)
(take) your order is
not in the restaurant. The order-taker is in a call center, (iv)
(connect) to the customer
and to the workers (v)
(prepare) the food by high-speed data lines. The man who owns
the restaurant (vi)
(link) it and three other of his franchises to the Colorado call center;
Cheap, quick and reliable telecommunication lines let the order-takers take an electronics snapshot
of them, (vii)
(display) the order on a screen. The order is then (viii)
(forward) to the restaurant kitchen.
(i) 1. drops
2. dropped
3. had dropped
(ii) 1. headlined
2. headlines
3. is headlined
(iii) 1. to take
2. taking
3. took
(iv) 1. connecting
2. has connected
3. connected
(v) 1. preparing
2. prepared
3. to prepare
(vi) 1. links
2. has linked
3. linked
(vii) 1. displayed
2. display
3. displaying
(viii) 1. forwarding
2. forwarded
3. forward
(b) Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks:
[4]
(i)The art form he practices has broken
1. off
from being labeled as ‘primitive’ and ‘conventional’.
2. away
(ii)Peace talks with the militant leaders broke
people.
1. down
last night disappointing the state and its
2. off
(iii) The man is distinguished
1. with
3. up
a mole on his left cheek.
2. for
(iv) The house is put
3. by
the market
1. of
2. off
3. on
(v) We came
many foreign nationals in the city.
1. by
2. upon
(vi) Please make sure that you are
1. on
(vii) He has an aptitude
1. of
20
3. out
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
3. across
time for the class.
2. in
3. at
writing good short stories.
2. to
3. for
(viii) Do not dwell
past mistakes.
1. over
2. on
3. onto
(c) Choose the correct option to join the following sentences without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’:
[4]
(i) His parents returned on his birthday. He was very pleased.
1. His parents returned on his birthday for it would please him very much.
2. When his parents arrived on his birthday he was very pleased.
3. His parents having returned on his birthday, he was very pleased.
(ii) The experiment was a failure. The lab manual was not studied carefully.
1. The lab manual not being studied carefully, the experiment was a failure.
2.Notwithstanding that the lab manual was not studied carefully, the experiment was a failure.
3. The experiment was a failure since the lab manual had not been studied carefully.
(iii) I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.
1. I speak the truth as I am not afraid of it.
2. As I speak the truth, I am not afraid of it.
3. I am not afraid to speak the truth.
(iv) My memory is very strong. It does not fail me.
1. My memory is strong enough to not fail me.
2. My memory is too strong to fail me.
3. My memory is not too weak to fail me.
(d) Read each sentence with its instructions. Choose the correct answer from the options provided
beneath each:
[8]
(i) It is time for us to discuss the matter.
(Begin: It is time we…)
1. It is time we discussed the matter.
2. It is time that we discussed the matter.
3. It is time enough that the matter was discussed.
(ii) Rohit said to his friends, “Did you watch the movie yesterday?”
1. Rohit asked his friends if they watched the movie the previous day.
2. Rohit asked his friends whether or not they watched the movie the day before.
3. Rohit asked his friends if they had watched the movie the day before.
(iii) Walk fast, else we will reach only after the shop closes.
(Begin: If…)
1. If you walk slowly, we will reach only after the shop closes.
2. If you do not walk fast, we will reach only after the shop closes.
3. If you walk fast, we will reach before the shop closes.
(iv) Some beans are as nutritious as meat.
(Use: more nutritious)
1. Meat is more nutritious than some beans.
2. Some beans are not more nutritious than meat.
3. Meat is not more nutritious than some beans.
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
21
(v) No one can sing as beautifully as Lata Mangeshkar.
(Rewrite as question)
1. Can there be anyone who can sing as beautifully as Lata Mangeshkar?
2. Is there anyone who can sing as beautifully as Lata Mangeshkar?
3. Who can sing as beautifully as Lata Mangeshkar?
(vi) What an idea it is to store water in canes of bamboo!
(Change into assertive)
1. It may be a good idea to store water in canes of bamboo.
2. It is a great idea to store water in canes of bamboo.
3. It seems a good idea to store water in canes of bamboo.
(vii) The lady waters her plants with a watering can every day.
(Begin: The lady’s plants…)
1. The lady’s plants are watered by the lady everyday with a watering can.
2. The lady’s plants are watered by her with a watering can every day.
3. The lady’s plants receive water from her watering can everyday.
(viii) It’s a pity that she missed the fun at the gathering.
(Begin: I wish…)
1. I wish she could have fun at the gathering.
2. I wish that she would not miss the fun at gathering.
3. I wish she had not missed the fun at the gathering.
ANSWERS
Question 1
(a) (i) (1)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (3)
(b) (3)
(c) (1)
(d) (3)
(e) (2)
(f) (3)
(g) (1)
(h) (2)
(a) (i) (2)
(ii) (1)
(iii) (2)
(iv) (1)
(v) (1)
(vi) (2)
(vii) (3)
(viii) (2)
(b) (i) (2)
(ii) (1)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (3)
(v) (3)
(vi) (1)
(vii) (3)
(viii) (2)
(c) (i) (3)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (2)
(d) (i) (1)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (2)
(iv) (3)
(v) (3)
(vi) (2)
(vii) (2)
(viii) (3)
Question 2
22
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
ICSE SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION
MOCK QUESTION PAPER 4
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: One hour (inclusive of reading time)
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY.
The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].
Select the correct option for each of the following questions.
Question 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It was the festival of spring. From the wintry shades of narrow lanes and alleys emerged a gaily clad
humanity. Some walked, some rode on horses, others sat, being carried in bamboo and bullock carts.
One little boy ran between his father’s legs, brimming over with life and laughter. “Come, child, come,”
called his parents, as he lagged behind, fascinated by the toys in the shops that lined the way.
He hurried towards his parents, his feet obedient to their call, his eyes still lingering on the receding toys.
As he came to where they had stopped to wait for him, he could not suppress the desire of his heart,
even though he well knew the old, cold stare of refusal in their eyes. “I want that toy,” he pleaded. His
father looked at him red-eyed, in his familiar tyrant’s way. His mother, melted by the free spirit of the
day was tender and, giving him her finger to hold, said, “Look, child, what is before you!”
It was a flowering mustard-field, pale like melting gold as it swept across miles and miles of even land.
A group of dragon-flies were bustling about on their gaudy purple wings, intercepting the flight of a
lone black bee or butterfly in search of sweetness from the flowers. The child followed them in the air
with his gaze, till one of them would still its wings and rest, and he would try to catch it. But it would
go fluttering, flapping, up into the air, when he had almost caught it in his hands. Then his mother
gave a cautionary call: “Come, child, come, come on to the footpath.”
He ran towards his parents gaily and walked abreast of them for a while, being, however, soon left
behind, attracted by the little insects and worms along the footpath that were teeming out from their
hiding places to enjoy the sunshine.
“Come, child, come!” his parents called from the shade of a grove where they had seated themselves on
the edge of a well. He ran towards them. A shower of young flowers fell upon the child as he entered
the grove, and, forgetting his parents, he began to gather the raining petals in his hands. But lo! he heard
the cooing of doves and ran towards his parents shouting, “The dove! The dove!” The raining petals
dropped from his forgotten hands. “Come, child, come!” they called to the child, who had now gone
running in wild capers round the banyan tree, and gathering him up they took the narrow, winding
footpath which led to the fair through the mustard fields. As they neared the village the child could see
many other footpaths full of throngs, converging to the whirlpool of the fair, and felt at once repelled
and fascinated by the confusion of the world he was entering.
[From ‘The Lost Child’ by Mulk Raj Anand]
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
23
(a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided:[3]
(i) Intercepting:
1. Preventing
2. Obstructing
3. Stopping
2. Nimble dancing steps
3. Frenzy
(ii) Teeming
1. Flying
2. Appearing in small groups
3. Appearing in huge numbers
(iii) Capers
1. Playful skipping movements
(b) Which of the following lines contain a kinesthetic image?
[2]
1. He ran towards his parents gaily and walked abreast of them.
2. His mother melted by the free spirit of the day was tender.
3. But it would go fluttering, flapping, up into the air.
(c) What made the little boy lag behind?
[2]
1. He was fascinated by the toys in the shops that lined the way.
2.A gaily clad humanity some of whom walked or rode on horses or were being carried in bullock
carts captivated him.
3. He kept following butterflies and was left behind.
(d) Which of the following did the child not do upon entering the grove?
[2]
1. He chased dragonflies that hovered in the air.
2. He began to gather raining petals in his hands.
3. He ran in wild capers round the banyan tree.
(e) Which literary devices have been used in the line, “It was a flowering mustard-field, pale like melting
gold as it swept across miles and miles of even land.”?
[2]
1. Metaphor and tactile imagery
2. Simile and visual imagery
3. Repetition and personification
(f) What did the boy desire?
1. A toy
2. Sweets
[2]
3. A ride in a bullock cart.
(g) Which of the following is not a sign of the arrival of spring?
[2]
1. Little insects and worms come out of their hiding places to enjoy the sunshine.
2. Dragon flies, bees and butterflies fluttered in the air.
3. From the wintry shades of narrow lanes and alleys emerged a gaily clad humanity.
(h) Which of the following set of sentences best describe the boy’s feelings while he was about to enter
the village fair?
[5]
1.Walking along a narrow, winding path that led to the fair through the mustard fields, he saw
the flowering fields like melting gold, sweeping across miles of even land. Nearing the village,
he saw many other footpaths diverging from the whirlpool of the fair and felt amazed and
confounded by the great number of people and the confusion their presence created.
2.Walking along a narrow, winding footpath that led to the fair, he saw a gaily clad humanity
emerging from the wintry shades of narrow lanes and alleys. He brimmed with life and laughter
and grew fascinated by the toys in the shops in the village fair.
24
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
3.Walking along a narrow, winding footpath that led to the fair, he saw a great crowd converging
to the whirlpool of the fair and felt at once repelled and fascinated by the confusion of the world
he was entering.
Question 2
(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words provided after the passage:
[4]
It would be impossible for us to continue (i)
(live) in the world if each of us
(ii)
(know) exactly what fate had in store for him. So, God in his mercy (iii)
(conceal) the future from all His creatures. He (iv)
(hide) from men what angels
(v)
(know). For example, if a lamb had reason like a man, it (vi)
(not
live) happily knowing it was destined to (vii)
(kill). But by being ignorant of its fate,
it is happy to the last minute of its short life, (viii)
(graze) in the flowery meadow.
(i) 1. To live
2. life
3. living
(ii) 1. had known
2. would have known
3. knew
(iii) 1. conceals
2. concealed
3. has concealed
(iv) 1. has hidden
2. hides
3. had hidden
(v) 1. know
2. have known
3. has known
(vi) 1. could not have lived
2. could not live
3. has not lived
(vii) 1. be killed
2. have been killed
3. kill
(viii) 1. have been grazing
2. being grazed
3. grazing
(b) Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks:
(i)
[4]
all the accolades he has won, he is not content.
1. For
2. With
(ii) The men fell sick
exhaustion.
1. of
2. for
(iii) The city of Kolkata is built
1. on
(iv) Contrary
the Hooghly river.
2. to
3. by
scandal.
1. for
2. of
(vi) The pass will entitle you
1. into
3. against
a hassle-free entry into the theatre premises.
2. to
(vii) The creditor accommodated me
1. upon
3. around
my expectations, it was a gloomy day for a picnic.
(v) Innocence is not proof
(viii) He acted
3. from
2. over
1. of
1. into
3. Besides
3. for
a loan.
2. for
3. with
his mother’s suggestion.
2. out
3. under
(c) Choose the correct option to join the following sentences without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’:
[4]
(i) She made several efforts to win his heart. She failed.
1. Having made several efforts to win his heart, she failed.
2. Notwithstanding the several efforts to win his heart, she failed.
3. Notwithstanding the several attempts she made to win his heart, she failed.
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
25
(ii) The judge gave his decision. The court listened silently.
1. The judge gave his decision along with the court listening silently.
2. The court listened silently to the judge giving his decision.
3. The judge gave his decision when the court listened silently.
(iii) Sonia wanted to buy a new bag. She went to the Baggit store.
1. Sonia wanted to buy a new bag, so she went to the Baggit store.
2. Wanting to buy a new bag, Sonia went to the Baggit store.
3. Sonia went to the Baggit store to buy a new bag.
(iv) It must rain in Mumbai. The city gets its potable water from the rains.
1. If it does not rain in Mumbai, the city will not get its potable water.
2. Unless it rains in Mumbai, the city will not get its potable water.
3. It must rain in Mumbai for the city must get its potable water.
(d) Read each sentence with its instructions. Choose the correct answer from the options provided
beneath each:
[8]
(i) It is a pity that we should have to undergo this disgrace.
(Begin: Our…)
1. Our disgrace is a matter of pity.
2. Our state of disgrace is a matter of pity.
3. Our having to undergo this disgrace is a pity.
(ii) Except that he hurt his hand, he was lucky.
(Begin: Except for…)
1. Except for his hurting his hand, he was lucky.
2. Except for the hurt to his hand, he was lucky.
3. Except for his hand, he was luckily not hurt.
(iii) He must not be late, or he will be punished.
(Begin: In the event…)
1. In the event that he is late, he will be punished.
2. In the event of his being late, he will be punished.
3. In the event of him being late, he will be punished.
(iv) I called him but he gave no answer.
(Rewrite as a simple sentence)
1. Although I called him, he gave no answer.
2. I called him; all the same he gave no answer.
3. He gave no answer to my call.
(v) Only members are allowed to hire the premises.
(Begin: None…)
1. None but members are allowed to hire the premises.
2. Nine other than members will be allowed to hire the premises.
3. None except members are allowed to hire the premises.
26
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
(vi) What though they ignore our suggestions?
(Begin: It…)
1. It matters much though that they ignore our suggestions.
2. It is a pity that they ignore our suggestions.
3. It does not matter much though they ignore our suggestions.
(vii) The Court will have taken the decision by noon tomorrow.
(Begin: The decision…)
1. The decision will be taken by the Court by noon tomorrow.
2. The decision will have been taken by the Court by noon tomorrow.
3. The decision will have to be taken by the Court by noon tomorrow.
(viii) Let us meet at a café.
(Add a question tag)
1. Let us meet at a café, shall we?
2. Let us meet at a café, can we?
3. Let us meet at a café, can’t we?
ANSWERS
Question 1
(a) (i) (1)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (1)
(b) (3)
(c) (1)
(d) (1)
(e) (2)
(f) (1)
(g) (3)
(h) (3)
(a) (i) (3)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (1)
(iv) (2)
(v) (1)
(vi) (1)
(vii) (1)
(viii) (3)
(b) (i) (1)
(ii) (3)
(iii) (1)
(iv) (2)
(v) (3)
(vi) (2)
(vii) (3)
(viii) (1)
(c) (i) (3)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (3)
(iv) (3)
(d) (i) (3)
(ii) (2)
(iii) (2)
(iv) (3)
(v) (1)
(vi) (3)
(vii) (2)
(viii) (1)
Question 2
ICSE Semester 1 English Language
27