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Solving ICSE Class 10 English Language Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2016 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2016 Solved

Question 1.
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.) [25]

Write a composition (350 – 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words:
“The day started off well enough, whoever thought it would …………….”
(b) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you expected to do very well, but for some reason were unable to do so. Explain what happened and why it happened. What lesson did you learn from it ?
(c) “The use of Mobile Phones must be allowed in schools. ” Express your views either for or against the statement.
(d) You walk home from school one afternoon to find the door unlocked and on entering you are shocked to see the house in total disarray. You call out but get no answer. Describe in detail what you saw, the reason behind your house being in total disarray and how you found yourfamily. Mention also how the experience ended and what impact it had on your life.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a stoyy or a description

or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however there must be clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answer:
(a) Hints

• ………… it would be the worst day for the whole family
• Father fell off his scooter
• younger brother Mohit did not come home
• all ran away in different directions to find him
• news of uncle’s heart attack came
• Mother went to temple to pray

(b) Hints

• Physics paper yesterday
• had prepared well, expected to do well
• shocked to find numericals unusual and difficult
• had spent a lot of time on theory
• learnt to have extensive practice in numericals in future

(c) Hints
For :

• the mobile phones very useful
• must be allowed in schools
• contacts could be made in emergencies
• ban on mobiles a backward step

(d) Hints

• found the door unlocked, everything in disorder
• called out Mother, no reply
• in panic called father on phone
• Mother found gagged in a bathroom
• the robbers had struck, taken away a lot of cash, jewellery
• a police report
• could not take tuition, got less marks

(e) Hints

• incessant, heavy rains
• traffic jams
• still people seen enjoying
• umbrellas just flew away in strong winds
• troubles for the people living in low-lying areas

Question 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) Select any one of the following: [10]
(a) Your class wants to visit a well-known historical monument in a nearby town. Write a letter to your Principal seeking permission and say why you would benefit from the visit.
(b) Your school recently held a jubilee celebration. Write a letter to your friend who was unable to attend, giving details of the function and your role in it.
Answer:
(a) The Principal
SM Public School
Ludhiana

Sir

I am a student of X-A, Roll No. 50.1 want to request you to let our class visit a nearby town named Nur Mahal. It is about thirty kilometres away from Ludhiana. Most of my classmates are anxious to go there to see the well-known Nur Mahal Sarai (Inn) and a fort which were built by Queen Nur Jahan, Jahangir’s wife.

The visit is sure to benefit us. It will provide us an opportunity to see the old art of architecture.

I hope you will be kind enough to grant the permission. Sh. N.K. Sharma, our history teacher, is ready to guide us to the destination. We can go on a Sunday in the school bus.

Thank you very much.
Yours obediently
Mohit
X-A, Roll No. 50
May 4, 20 …..

(b) 540, Model House
Noida
June 10, 20 ….

Dear Seema

I missed you a lot on the Silver Jubilee Celebrations held in our school on Tuesday. I know you are away in Mumbai with your parents. Had you been here you would have enjoyed the function greatly. Sh. N.K. Vohra, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function. A variety show was presented by the students. The audience appreciated the efforts. Folk songs and dances regaled one and all.

A skit entitled ‘Saviour in Old Age’ was enacted. I took an active part in it. The skit was on the theme of ‘Save the female child’ as it is she who proves to be a saviour in her parent’s old age. The audience was moved by the intense drama. You’d have appreciated the whole skit. The whole team had to work hard to make the presentation almost perfect.

The Chief Guest made a special reference of the skit in his brief, thanks-giving speech. He called upon the old people to realize the fact that there is no difference between a son and a daughter. He hoped they would do their best to stop female foeticide.

Towards the end, some meritorious students and some distinguished persons of the city were honoured. The Principal assured the gathering that the school would continue to do well in scholastic and co-scholastic activities. He thanked everyone to grace the occasion.

I’ll tell you more when we meet.

With love
Yours
Nidhi

Question 3.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

For some time Mother had greatly envied us our swimming, both in the daytime and at night, but as she pointed out when we suggested she join us, she was far too old for that sort of thing. Eventually, however, under constant pressure from us, Mother paid a visit into town and returned to the villa coyly bearing a mysterious parcel. Opening this she astonished us all by holding up an extraordinary shapeless garment of black cloth, covered from top to bottom with hundreds of frills and pleats and tucks.

‘Well, what do you think of it ?’ Mother asked.
We stared at the odd garment and wondered what it was for. ‘What is it ?’ asked Larry at length.
‘It’s a bathing-costume, of course,’ said Mother. ‘What on earth did you think it was ?’
‘It looks to me like a badly-skinned whale,’ said Larry, peering at it closely.
‘You can’t possibly wear that, Mother,’ said Margo, horrified, ‘why, it looks as though it was made in nineteen-twenty.’ ‘What are all those frills and things for?’ asked Larry with interest.
‘Decoration, of course,’ said Mother indignantly.
‘What a jolly idea! Don’t forget to shake the fish out of them when you come out of the water.’
‘Well, I like it, anyway,’ Mother said firmly, wrapping the monstrosity up again, ‘and I’m going to wear it.’
‘You’ll have to be careful you don’t get waterlogged, with all that cloth around you,’ said Leslie seriously.
‘Mother, it’s awful; you can’t wear it,’ said Margo. ‘Why on earth didn’t you get something more up to date?’,
‘When you get to my age, dear, you can’t go around in a two- piece bathing suit… you don’t have the figure for it.’
‘I’d love to know what sort of figure that was designed for,’ remarked Larry.
‘You really are hopeless, Mother,’ said Margo despairingly. ‘But I like it… and I’m not asking you to wear it,’ Mother pointed out angrily.
‘That’s right, you do what you want to do,’ agreed Larry; ‘don’t be put off. It’ll probably suit you very well if you can grow another three or four legs to go with it.’

Mother snorted indignantly and swept upstairs to try on her costume. Presently she called to us to come and see the effect, and we all trooped up to the bedroom. Roger the dog, was the first to enter, and on being greeted by this strange apparition clad in its voluminous black costume rippling with frills, he retreated hurriedly through the door, backwards, barking ferociously.

It was some time before we could persuade him that it really was Mother, and even then he kept giving her vaguely uncertain looks from the comer of his eye. However, in spite of all opposition, Mother stuck to her tent-like bathing- suit, and in the end we gave up.

In order to celebrate her first entry into the sea we decided to have a moonlight picnic down at the bay, and sent an invitation to Theodore, who was the only stranger that Mother would tolerate on such a great occasion. The day for the great immersion arrived, food and wine were prepared, the boat was cleaned out and filled with cushions and everything was ready when Theodore turned up.

(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: [3]
One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

1. peering (line 19)
2. ferociously (line 57)
3. immersion (line 67)

Answer:

1. looking closely and carefully
2. violently/savagely
3. swim/the act of putting into water

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.

(i) Why did mother not join the swimming in the beginning? [2]
(ii) Briefly describeher swimming costume. [2]
(iii) What did Larry think ¡t was? [21
(iv) Which sentence tells you that Margo thought it was old fashioned? [2]
(v) What was Leslie concern? [2]
(vi) Why did mother think it was suitable? [2]
Answer:
(i) Mother did not join the swimming in the beginning. She thought she was too old to swim.
(ii) Mother’s swimming costume was made of a black, shapeless cloth. It had a lot of frills, pleats and tucks.
(iii) Larry thought that it looked like a badly-skinned whale.
(iv) The. sentence is: “Why, it looks as though it was made in nineteen-twenty.”
(v) Leslie’s concern was that Mother could get waterlogged with that swimming-suit.
(vi) Mother thought the swimming suit was suitable for her sort of figure in old age.

(c) (i) In not more than 60 words describe what happened after mother went upstairs to tri’ on her costume. [8]
(ii) Give a title to your summary in 3(c) (i,). Give a reason to justify your choice. [2]
Answer:
(c) (i) Summary
Mother called us to come and see her in her swimming- suit. Roger the dog first entered the room, and unable to recognise the mother, came back hurriedly and began to bark savagely. He had to be persuaded that it really was Mother. Mother was determined to stick to her bathing-suit. A moonlight picnic at the bay was arranged for her first swim. Theodre was the only stranger to be invited.

(ii) Title : Mother in her Odd Bathing-suit
The title is appropriate as it shows how Mother looked strange in her old-type bathing-suit.

Question 4.
(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.

Example:
(0) He had been (0) _________ (sit) on the bank of a small irrigation canal.
Answer: sitting .
He was (1) _________ (gaze) at a couple of heron (2) _________ (fish) in the muddy water, when he (3) _________ (feel) something bump his elbow. (4) _________ (look) around, he (5) _________ (find) at his side a little goat, jet black and soft as velvet with lovely grey eyes. Neither her owner nor her mother (6) _________ (be) around. She continued to (7) _________ (nudge) Mukesh, so he (8) _________ (look) in his pocket for nourishment. [4]
Answer:
(1) gazing
(2) fishing
(3) felt
(4) Looking
(5) found
(6) were
(7) nudge
(8) looked

(b) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word: [4]

1. There was a steep rise _________ onion prices.
2. Air pollution is responsible for the spread _________ bronchitis.
3. He was _________ pressure to complete the work.
4. Joan jumped _________ the river to rescue the child.
5. His teacher is very pleased _________ him.
6. Ali took _________ his cap and wiped his face.
7. The old woman could not get _________ the shock.
8. He should not get _________ with such rudeness.

Answer:

1. in
2. of
3. under
4. into
5. with
6. up
7. over
8. away

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so : [4]
(i) My grandfather is very old. He is very active.
Answer:
(i) In spite of being very old, my grandfather is very active.

(ii) Mala is not in the classroom. Mala is not in the library.
Answer:
Mala is neither in the classroom nor in the library.

(iii) She was so excited about her performance. She could not sleep at night.
Answer:
Excited about her performance, she could not sleep at night.

(iv) Mumbai is densely populated. It is one of the major cities in the country.
Answer:
Mumbai, which is one of the major cities in the country, is densely populated.

(d) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence.   [8]
(i) The book was so interesting that I could not put it down.
(Begin : The book was too …………. )
Answer:
(i) The book was too interesting to be put down.

(ii) The Principal said, “All the prizes will be distributed tomorrow. ”
(Begin : The Principal said that ……………..)
Answer:
The Principal said that all the prizes would be distributed the next day.

(iii) Last night’s dinner was cooked for us by father.
(Begin : Father ………………)
Answer:
Father cooked last night’s dinner for us.

(iv) If Mary catches the first bus, she will be on time for school.
(Begin : Unless ………………. )
Answer:
Unless Mary catches the first bus, she will not be on time for school.

(v) In spite of having high fever the girl came to school.
(Begin : Despite ………………. )
Answer:
Despite having high fever, the girl came to school.

(vi) I prefer going out with friends to staying alone at home.
(Begin : I would rather ………………)
Answer:
I would rather go out with friends than stay alone at home.

(vii) Hardly had the teacher left the room, when all the children started making a noise.
(Begin : No sooner ………………)
Answer:
No sooner had the teacher left the room than all the children started making a noise.

(viii) This is the funniest movie I have ever seen.
(Begin : Never ………………)
Answer:
Never have I ever seen such a funny movie.

Solving ICSE Class 10 English Literature Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 English Literature Question Paper 2018 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 English Literature Question Paper 2018 Solved

Section-A (Drama)

Answer one or both questions from only one play, either The Merchant of Venice or Loyalties
The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Portia : Go draw aside the curtains, and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince – Now make your choice.
Morocco : The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire ”,

(i) Who is Morocco? How did he introduce himself to Portia when they first met in an earlier scene? [3]
(ii) How would Morocco know that he had made the right choice? What would his reward be? [3]
(iii) Which casket did Morocco finally choose? What reasons did he give for rejecting the casket made of lead? [3]
(iv) What two objects does Morocco find in the casket of his choice? What reason does he give to Portia for leaving in haste? [3]
(v) How does Portia respond to Morocco’s parting words? What does this reveal of her nature ? [4]
Answers:
(i) Morocco is a dark-complexioned, boastful prince who has come to try his luck at the lottery of caskets. He introduces himself to Portia as a person who lives near the equator. The constant exposure to sunrays in responsible for his dark skin. But his blood is as red as that of any fairest creature northward bom. He adds that the ‘best regarded virgins’ of his land find him most attractive.

(ii) Morocco would know that he has chosen the right casket, if on opening it he finds the portrait of Portia in it. If he chooses the right casket his reward would be the hand of Portia in marriage.

(iii) Morocco finally chose the golden casket. The inscription on the lead casket was, “who chooses me must give and hazard all he has. “This made the casket” threatening. He wondered why anyone should risk everything for lead. He felt that the portrait of Portia could not be placed in lead which is of lowly origin. Being a proud fellow he decided not to bow down to choose lead. So he rejected it.

(iv) Morocco finds in the casket ‘A Carrion Dealth’ i.e., an empty human skull and a scroll. Having failed in his choice of right casket he wants to leave in a haste. He tells Portia that he does not want to make his departure a painstaking process. Very sadly he leaves with these words “labour lost, farewell heat and Wellcome frost.”

(v) Portia is happy and relieved that Morocco has left without creating a scene. She says that it was a good riddance. All with similar appearance i.e., dark complexioned should choose her in the same way. It reveals that Portia was kind-hearted. She did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Moreover she was able to judge a person by his appearance and boastful nature. She disliked Morocco but she did not let anyone know it.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Bassanio : Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
Gratiano : Were you the clerk?
Antonio : Sweet lady, you have given me life and living; For here 1 read for certain that my ships Are safely come to road.
Portia: How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.

(i) Where does this scene take place? What had Portia directed Antonio to give to Bassanio just moments before the above words were spoken? [3]
(ii) Portia had just given Antonio, Bassanio and Gratiano a letter to read. Who had written this letter? What does Bassanio learn about Portia from this letter? [3]
(iii) What good news does Portia have for Antonio? How does he respond to it? [3]
(iv) To whom does Portia refer as ‘My clerk’? What ‘good comforts ’ does the ‘clerk ’ have for Lorenzo? [3]
(v) How was Bassanio persuaded to give away the ring that Portia had given him at the time of their marriage? What does this reveal of Bassanio’s relationship with Antonio? [4]
Answers:
(i) This scene takes place in Portia’s house in Belmont. Portia had given Antonio the ring, that earlier she had given to Bassanio at the time of their marriage. She had also taken a promise from him that he would not part with it on any account. But Bassanio had given this ring to the lawyer who saved his friend Antonio from the clutches of Skylock.

(ii) This letter was written by Bellario, a lawyer. From this letter Bassanio learns that it was his wife Portia who had pretended to be a lawyer and saved Antonio from the trap of Shylock.

(iii) Portia gives this good news to Antonio that three of his argosies laden with rich cargo had safely reached the harbour. Hearing this Antonio is too surprised to react. He only says, “You have given me my life and my livelihood.”

(iv) Portia refers to Nerissa as ‘My Clerk”. She says that Nerissa has a special gift for Lorenzo and Jessica. It is from Jessica’s father, the rich-jew. It is a deed which makes it clear that after his death all his possessions will be inherited by Jessica and Lorenzo.

(v) Portia had asked for the ring that Bassanio was wearing. This was the same ring which Portia had given to him as
a token of her love. Bassanio at first refused to part with it. Saying that his wife would be upset if he gave away the ring. Then Antonio persuaded him, in the name of theri friendship, to give it to Portia for the lawyer’s services. It shows that Bassanio valued Antonio’s friendship highly. So he could not refuse him. He decided to risk Portia’s anger and gave the ring to the lawyer (Portia).

Section-B (Poetry)
Answer one or both questions from this Section.
A Collection of Poems

Question 5.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“I’m grateful, Sir ”, he whispered, as I handed my canteen
And smiled a smile that was, I think, the brightest that I’ve seen.
“Seems silly a man my size so full of vim and zest
Could find himself defeated by a small pain in his chest. ”
(Small Pain in My Chest – Michael Mack)

(i) Where is ‘he’ when the narrator encounters him? Describe the scene around him. [3]
(ii) What does ‘he’ ask the narrator for? What reasons does he give for his request? [3]
(iii) What does the narrator see when he looks at him? How do we know that ‘he’ is very young and completely unaware of the seriousness of his injury? [3]
(iv) How does ‘he’ describe the battle that had been fought the night before and his role in it? [3]
(v) What feelings do you think the narrator must have experienced when he ‘put his arms around him’? What is the central theme of this poem? [4]
Answers :
(i) When the narrator encounters him, ‘he’ is quietly sitting under a tree. The battle had lasted all through the night and a large number of dead bodies were lying here and there in the morning light.

(ii) ‘He’ smiles at the narrator and asked him to give him a sip of water. He says that he needs a sip of water because he has fought all night without taking a rest. He adds that he has a small pain in his chest. So he needs water.

(iii) When the narrator looks at him, he finds a large stain of blood on his chest. The stain, mixed with the Asian dirt, looks reddish-brown. Seeing the narrator looking at his wound, he dismisses it saying that it matters little to him. He considers himself luckier than others who had died. He has only a little pain in his chest. This shows that he is unaware of the seriousness of the injury.

(iv) ‘He’, the young soldier, tells the narrator how they made the assault on the enemy. They climbed the hill and cleared its top of the enemy soldiers. Then the bombs exploded. He adds that he kept on firing but he could not do much. He did his best to fight when he could do little he sat down with his small pain in chest.
(v) When the narrator put his arms around the wounded soldier and hugged him, he felt that the boy’s wound and his own wound were pressed. The soldier had wound in his chest, where as the narrator had his wound in his heart. It was greater than the boy’s wound. The mental pain which he felt at that time was greater than the pain felt by the soldier boy. The theme of the poem is futility and inhumanity of war.

Question 6.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
I am going out rarely, now and then
Only, this is price of old age
But my health’ is O.K.
(The Professor – Nissim Ezekiel)

(i) Who is the speaker? What relationship did he share with the listener? [3]
(ii) How many sons does the speaker have? What does he say about them? [3]
(iii) What are the names of the speaker’s daughters? Why does the speaker believe that his daughters are ‘well settled in life’? [3]
(iv) How old is the speaker? Why does he say that his health is ‘OK’? What reason does he give to explain his state of health? [3]
(v) What characteristics typical of Indian speech and thought does the poet make fun of through this poem? [4]
Answers :
(i) The speaker is a retired professor of geography. The listener is a former student of the professor.

(ii) The speaker has three sons. One of his sons is a sales manager. The other son is bank manager. His third son has not come up to his expectations. The speaker calls him ‘a black sheep’. He is not happy with his third son.

(iii) The names of the speaker’s daughters are Sarala and Tarala. He believes that his daughters are ‘Well-settled’ because their husband’s are nice guys.

(iv) The professor is sixty nine years old. He says that his health is O.K. though he has some aches and pains which are normal at his age. His health is okay because he has neither diabetes, not blood pressure nor any heart problem. The reason which he gives for his good health is that he pursued good habits in youth. That is why he is still in good health.

(v) The poet makes fun of many Indian speakers of English who commit grammatical and cultural mistakes in their speech. They make these mistakes unknowingly. The speaker’s use of such sentences as given below is funny. ‘We are keeping up,’ Our progress is progressing,’ ‘I am going out rarely’, ‘If you are coming again this side…’
The poet also satirises the typical Indian’s habit of self importance and garrulity.

Section – C
A Collection of Short Stories

Question 7.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Sher Singh could feel immediately the heat of the boy s body burning through the cotton cloth.
He felt the weight too, and he wondered how he was going to manage.
He is too big for you ’said the mother. She spoke in the whisper of despair. ‘You will never get there. ’
Sher Singh said nothing.
He set off.
(i) Who was the ‘boy ’? Why was Sher Singh sure that the little boy would die? [3]
(ii) What did Sher Singh s father do for a living? Mention any two acts of courage he had performed that had earned him the title ‘Bahadur ’. [3]
(iii) How does his mother use her skill as a hill woman to prepare Sher Singh for his long and dangerous journey? [3]
(iv) Mention any three challenges that Sher Singh encountered on his way to the hospital. [3]
(v) How does the doctor at the hospital address Sher Singh at the end of the story? Why do you think he refers to him in this way? [4]
Answers:
(i) The ‘boy’ was Sher Singh’s brother Kunwar who had a severe pain in his stomach. Sher Singh was sure that his brother would die because his mother had just said, “He must be carried into hospital.” Sher Singh knew that hospital was but ‘the resort of the doomed.’

(ii) Sher Singh’s father was a hunter. He lived his life grazing his animals and cultivating his small land. He had earned the title ‘Bahaduf.’ Sher Singh’s father had once pulled a comrade away from a tiger though he had suffered an injury on his neck by the clows of the tiger. He also had two fingers missing and his face was marked.

(iii) Sher Singh’s mother was a hill woman. She knew how to prepare a sling to carry children. She also made a sling for Sher Singh and put Kunwar in the sling. The purpose was to enable Sher Singh to bear the weight of Kunwar easily for the journey.

(iv) As Sher Singh came out of the village and entered the jungle he encountered a cobra. He drew back slowly and the cobra disappeared when they reached the cliff above a river bed Sher Singh heard the jostle and squeak of the herd of elephants but they ran away. Thirdly, Sher Singh
was not visible. Moreover he had his brother tied to his back.

(v) The doctor, at the hospital, addressed him, as “Sher Bahadur Singh.’ The doctor addressed him in this way because he felt that Sher Singh had acted very bravely in bringing the sick knwar to the hospital.

Question 8.
With close reference to the text, show how Stephen Leacock makes effective use of humour and exaggeration to describe his attempts to get back his ‘Lost Dollar’. [16]
Answers :
‘My Lost Dollar’ is basically a humorous story meant to entertain the reader. The writer presents a commonplace situation in which a dollar is lent to a friend in a natural way. He expects it back but he does not demand it directly because it is discourteous. Stephen Leacock makes very effective use of humour and exaggeration when he describes his attempts to get back his Tost dollar’.

One day the narrator goes to see off his good friend Todd going to Bermuda. Todd needs a dollar in change to pay the taxi. He demands it from the narrator. Who gives him one dollar happily. It is something natural. The narrator thinks that when Todd took the dollar he meant to pay it back.

When Todd comes back, he goes to receive him at the station. The way he proposes to Todd that they should take a taxi to remind him of his dollar is quite humorous. Todd fails to pick up the hint. The narrator spends the evening with his friend. He thinks about the dollar but does not refer to it. Then he approaches the subject in a devious, amusing manner. He asks Todd what currency is used in Bermuda and whether the American dollar goes at par. He puts slight emphasis on American dollar.

We cannot help laughing when the narrator asks him one day what his trip cost him and Todd says he keeps no accounts, adding later that he has practically forgotten about the trip. Then the way the narrator tries to forget men to whom he owes a dollar is quite amusing. The way he pretends not to know about them is humorous :
I don’t count here men who may have lent me an odd dollar over a bridge table; and I am not thinking (indeed I am taking care not to think) of the man who lent me thirty cents to pay for a bottle of plain soda…”

Then the narrator’s plan to start a ‘Back to Honesty’ movement is well-meaning. But the real intention, to remind Todd that he should be honest and give him back his dollar, has a touch of humour in it.

Solving ICSE Class 10 English Language Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2018 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2018 Solved

Question 1.
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.) [25]

Write a composition (350-400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Write an original short story entitled ‘The Gift’.
(b) “Money is important for happiness.” Express your views either for or against this statement.
(c) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you helped to prepare a meal. Explain what you did and what you gained from the experience.
(d) You had been waiting outside the examination hall. Describe what you saw and the sounds you heard when you arrived at the place. What were your feelings ? Describe how the scene changed once you entered the hall and the examination started.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Answers :
(a) The Gift
I belonged to a very rich family … so rich that I was literally fed up with it and all that it means, but I could not simply say it ‘goodbye’. After all, I had enjoyed all the comforts it could provide for years. But in the inner recesses of my mind I was not at peace with myself. I used_ to throw a lavish party for my friends and relatives on my birthday on May 10 every year.

People would come and hand over their gifts-costly bouquets, watches, wallets, perfumes, dresses, jackets, musical instruments, and what not. I would look at each of my gift later and throw each into a box, from where I rarely took any for use. I was in the habit of wearing simple dresses and no accessory. Only one of my close friends Ramesh knew what 1 thought of these gifts.

So he had never given me any gift. But he would attend each of my birthday parties, wish me well and leave without taking anything. And I also not insisted on his staying among ‘strangers,’ though, on other occasions. 1 would insist on his staying with me, and he would never refuse. On my recent birthday party Ramesh came. I smiled and chuckled, “So you have come to go as usual.”

His reply startled me. “No, Pardeep. This time I have come to stay all through the party … and here is a very special gift for you.” And he presented me a small packet. I was more puzzled than pleased. I began to think that I have perhaps lost my only friend.

The party ended only after 12 at night. I was exhausted. My servant had collected all the gifts and carried them to my study. I went to bed and had a bad sleep. At about 4 early in the morning. I got up and rushed to my study. I was eager to see what was my friend’s gift.

Out from the packet came an old album. When I opened it, I could not but weep bitterly. The album had all the memorable photographs of mine with my Mom and Dad whom I had lost in an air accident few years back. I had no idea of this album.

What a nice ‘gift’ my friend had given to me, at long lost ! I would keep it carefully, for it was more precious to me than anything in the world.

(b) ‘Money is Important for happiness’
Against the Motion
There is a common perception in the minds of many persons that money is the only and the chief source of happiness. They believe that money can provide them peace and happiness and all comforts in life. So they whole heartedly devote themselves to worship Mammon, the god of wealth.

Some of them begin to look down upon the poor and the needy. The more money they have the more arrogant and heartless they become. The poor think that they are unhappy because of the lack of money. They may be right to some extent.

The reality is that money can provide us temporary happiness. It cannot provide us joy which is overlasting. Had it been untrue no rich person would have ever complained of worries, anxieties, tensions, and many other mental problems, and no one among them would have ever fallen ill. But it is simply untrue. Most of the rich are unhappy, though this seems to be paradox.

First of all, we must be clear in our mind that happiness is state of mind. It is not remotedly connected with the abundance of money or the lack of it. You can be happy if you are contented. Contentment leads to happiness. When you learn to be happy in whichever state you are, you are contented. Happiness and contentment are thus inter-related.

Happiness also arises from positive attitude towards life. If small problems and obstacles make you lose faith in yourself you can never be happy. It also arises from the sense of satisfaction when you do a noble, selfless deed.

Thus money is only one small factor in providing happiness. It is not as important as most people think. In many cases it is the source of many evils which can only make us miserable. It is ironic that even those who knew this fact clamours for more and more money.

Let us not exaggerate the importance of money as a source of happiness. We should make sincere efforts to earn money, but money should not become the be-all and end-all of life.

(c) An Unusual Experience
Last week Mother had to go to Bilga to look after her mother who had fallen and got her hip fractured. We all insisted on her going, though she was reluctant as she was worried about our food. Finally, she agreed and instructed my elder sister what to do and what not to do while preparing meals in the kitchen.

On Sunday I was free and my sister Ritu was preparing our nine-time food in the kitchen I knew she was to prepare her practical notebook, so I decided to help her in the kitchen. I asked her to let me help her. She agreed and asked me to peel the potatoes. Peeling potatoes was not a difficult task. I did it quickly and efficiently. Then I was asked to chop some vegetables.

My sister warned me to use the sharp knife carefully. Though I took care. I had a slight cut on one of my fingers, and had a mild scolding from the sister. I watched her putting the vegetables in a pan and then turn on the gas stove.

She placed the pan on the burner. She asked me to keep an eye on the contents, she clearly stated me that after 5 minutes I must turn the knob of the burner to the sim, and then continue to stir the contents in the pan. She said she would be back in ten minutes-she was going to washroom. I thought it was a small matter.

I began to read something and forgot… Sister came and howled, “What have you done, Sudhir ? Vegetables have burnt,” Oh, I had forgotten to stir the contents in the pan ! Ritu wanted me to go out, but I asked for forgiveness and let me do some other work under her supervision. She had a faint smile and asked me to prepare a plate of salad. I had to ask for everything… where is lemon, where are onions where are tomatoes, where Ritu got angry and asked me to leave just then.

Sensing her mood I came out, somewhat downcast. Preparing a meal is not an east task. Though I had had a bad experience, I was determined to be a good cook once.

(d) In and out of the Examination Hall
It was the first day of our examination. Father took me to the local AN Senior Secondary School which was our examination centre. As we had reached half an hour before the commencement of examination, Father went away. I decided to wait outside the examination hall.

I was fully prepared and had to do nothing but watch my surroundings. There were many boys and girls like me. I could hear many tense voices. “Ritu, are you okay. Don’t feel nervous”, “Mohit, why are you tense ? You’ll do well. Have confidence in you,” so on and so forth. Some boys and girls were reading from their notebooks. They were those who could never be sure with their preparation.

Suddenly my eyes fell on my friend Sudha. I went to her at once. We talked about our preparations. Sudha was more relaxed than me. Then a bell rang. There was some commotion. Boys and girls began to enter the hall. Sudha and I too moved hurriedly. At the entrance a teacher checked our roll no slips.

I sat on my seat in the middle of the first row. I found that the hall was quite big. Soon the answer sheets were distributed. We were asked to put our names, roll numbers and the name of the subject on the top of the sheet. The question papers were then distributed.

All became silent and busy. Only some stray voices of the invigilators could be heard. I found the paper quite easy and started writing. There was a boy sitting before me. He seemed to be quite blank.

He looked nervous and frantic. Instead of concentrating on his answer sheet he was looking here and there. He turned back to look at me once or twice as if I would help him.

At last the time was up. I handed over my sheet to the supervisor and came out. Sudha was already there. We exchanged notes for some time. Father came and we came back home. I told him that I had done well. He was more than satisfied.

(e) A Star Cricketer
Ramandeep was bom in a small village. She belonged to an educated, middle-class family. Both her parents were school teachers with liberal views. She had only one younger sister and no brother. She and her sister were lucky as their parents treated them as if they were their proud sons. They ignored the barbs of backward, illiterate villagers and gave their daughters good education.

Ramandeep would watch cricket on her TV with such a passion that she would forget everything. She was in 9th class. One day she had a crazy idea. She asked her father to her courtyard. Two of her friends also began to take interest in the game. Soon a few other girls turned up. They forward a team. They would play cricket in any open ground, even amidst fields, where no villager could embarass them with strange stares.

Ramandeep soon became the captain of her school cricket team. She excelled in batting. She was encouraged to take part in inter-school tournaments. Soon she earned name and fame as cricketer. She became a state champion. Her parents encouraged her at every stage. A day came when she was selected in the national women’s cricket team. Her finest day came when she scored a century in a One-Day Cricket match against Sri Lankan team. Her parents now knew that no one could stop her from becoming a star crrcketer.

Question 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) Select any one of the following: [10]
(a) Yours uncle has offered to get you a petfor your birthday. Write a letter to him telling him what you would like, give reasons for your choice and tell him how you would take care of your pet.
(b) The traffic outside your school is very heavy and chaotic. Write a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) pointing out the danger of such heavy and chaotic traffic in a school zone. Suggest possible solutions for the problem.
Answers:
(a) 40, Sector 48
Panchkula
July 8,20….

My Dear Uncle

You will be pleased to know that I have a bagged 1 st prize in a declamation contest held in the Rotary Club. A judge referred to my performance and congratulated me. The credit for my achievements as a speaker largely goes to you. You have always guided and encouraged me.

I thank you for your offer of giving a ‘pet dog’ as gift on my forthcoming birthday. You know how I love small dogs. You will be fulfilling my long cherished desire if you gift me any small dog of good pedigree. I like Pekinese dogs in particular. I promise you to take good care of it. I will . follow all the instructions of the vet. Luckily, there is a veterinary doctor in our street. He is a family friend and would give us proper instructions.

We look forward to your visit. Convey my regards to Aunti and love to Swapan.

Affectionately yours
Sudesh

(b) Apeejay School
Cool Road
Noida
March 20, 20 …..

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic)
Police Headquarters
Noida

Dear Sir

Subject: Chaotic Traffic Conditions

I want to bring to your notice that there are chaotic traffic conditions at the three-way intersection on the main road in front of our school.

First of all, vehicular traffic on this road is heavy all the time, especially at the opening and closing of the schools. Most of the parents come to drop and pick-up their wards at, and from, the school, causing heavy traffic jams. The condition worsens when the traffic lights are out of order (most of the time they do not function). There is no traffic constable to regulate the traffic.

Kindly take immediate steps to regulate the traffic. Traffic lights should function properly. They should be replaced with new ones, if they are faulty. At least one constable should be deployed at the intersection to regulate the traffic because people have been seen jumping the red light when the lights work. A section of the traffic may be diverted to some other route.

I hope you will take immediate steps to solve the problem and save a large number of students and others from daily inconvenience.

Yours truly
Ramesh

Question 3.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Granny knew I’d been in the train for two nights, and she had a huge breakfast ready for me.
Later she told me there’d been a letter from Uncle Ken.
‘He says he’s the manager in Firpo’s hotel in Simla,’ she said. ‘The salary is very good. It’s a steady job and I hope he keeps it.’
Three days later Uncle Ken was on the veranda steps with his bedding roll and battered suitcase. [10]
‘Have you given up the hotel job?’ asked Granny.

‘No,’ said Uncle Ken. ‘They have closed down.’
‘I hope it wasn’t because of you.’
‘No, Aunt Ellen. The bigger hotels in the hill stations are closing down.’ [20]
‘Well, never mind. Come along and have your lunch.’
Over lunch, Uncle Ken talked very seriously about ways and means of earning a living.
‘There is only one taxi in the whole of Dehra,’ he mused. ‘Surely there is business for another?’
‘I’m sure there is,’ said Granny. ‘But where does it get you? In the first place, you don’t have a taxi. And in the second place, you can’t drive.’
‘I can soon learn. There’s a driving school in town. And I can use Uncle’s old car. ’ [30]
‘I don’t think it will run now,’ said Granny.
‘Of course, it will. It just needs some oiling and greasing and a spot of paint.’ ‘All right, learn to drive.’
So, Uncle Ken joined the driving school.
After a month Uncle Ken announced that he could drive and that he was taking the car out for a trial run.
‘You haven’t got your license yet,’ said Granny. [40]
‘Oh, I won’t take it far,’ said Uncle Ken. ‘Just down the road and back again.’
He spent all morning cleaning up the car. Granny gave him money for a can of petrol.
After tea, Uncle Ken said, ‘Come along, Ruskin, hop in and I will give you a ride. Bring Mohan along too.’ Mohan and I needed no urging. We got into the car beside Uncle Ken.
‘Now don’t go too fast, Ken,’ said Granny anxiously. 50 ‘You are not used to the car as yet. ’
Uncle Ken nodded and smiled and gave two sharp toots on the horn. He was feeling pleased with himself. –
Driving through the gate, he nearly ran over a cat.
Miss Kellner, coming out for her evening rickshaw ride, 60 saw Uncle Ken at the wheel of the car and ran indoors again.
Uncle Ken drove straight and fast, tootling the horn without a break.
At the end of the road there was a roundabout.
‘We’ll turn here,’ said Uncle Ken, ‘and then drive back again.’

He turned the steering wheel, we began going round the roundabout, but the steering wheel wouldn’t turn all the way, not as much as Uncle Ken would have liked it to… So, instead he went on – and straight through the Maharaja of Jetpur’s garden wall. [70]

It was a single-brick wall, and the car knocked it down and emerged on the other side without any damage to the car or any of its occupants. Uncle Ken brought it to a halt in the middle of the Maharaja’s lawn.

Running across the grass came the Maharaja himself. When he saw that it was Uncle Ken at the wheel, the Maharaja beamed with pleasure. [80]

‘Delighted to see you, old chap!’ he exclaimed. ‘Jolly decent of you to drop in again. How about a game of tennis?’
(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: [3]
One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

1. battered (line 11)
2. mused (line 24)
3. emerged (line 73)

Answer:

1. battered – old, badly overused
2. mused – thought aloud
3. emerged – got out

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.

(i) Why did Granny hope Uncle Ken would keep his job at Firpo s hotel? [2]
(ii) When Uncle Ken arrived with his luggage, Granny remarked that she hoped the hotel had not closed down because of him. What does this remark tell you about Uncle Ken? [2]
(iii) Why did Uncle Ken think that driving a taxi in Dehra would be profitable? [2]
(iv) Which sentence tells you that the narrator and his friend were waiting to be invited for a drive in a car? [2]
(v) Why did Miss Kellner run indoors when she saw Uncle Ken at the wheel of the car? [2]
(vi) What was Uncle Ken s intention at the roundabout? [2]
Answer:
(i) Uncle Ken, Granny hoped, would keep his job at Firpo’s hotel as the salary was good and Uncle Ken had changed a few jobs quickly in the past.
(ii) The remark presents Uncle Ken as an irresponsible man whose actions could be disastrous.
(iii) Uncle Ken thought so as there was just one taxi in Dehra and almost no competition. So driving a taxi in the town was a good option.
(iv) ‘Mohan and I needed no urging.
(v) Miss Kellner ran indoors fearing that anything could happen while Uncle Ken was at the wheel.
(vi) Uncle Ken wanted to turn the car around and move back home.

(c) (i) In not more than 60 words, describe what happened after the car went through the wall. [8]
(ii) Give a title to your summary in 3(c)(i). Give a reason to justify your choice of the title. [2]
Answer:
(i) When the car hit the wall, it came out of it and stopped- in the middle of the Maharaja’s lawn. The Maharaja came running across the grass. Looking at Uncle Ken at the wheel, he smiled pleasantly. He expressed his joy to see Uncle Ken there again. He invited Uncle Ken to come and have a game of tennis.

(ii) ‘A Pleasant End to an Accident.’ Uncle Ken’s car had knocked down a wall of The Maharaja’s garden. The Maharaja who saw the disaster just ignored the accident and happily invited Uncle Ken for a game of tennis. The accident neither harmed any of the car’s occupants nor provided the Maharaja.

Question 4.
(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correctform of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. [4]
Example:
(0) beginning
Alice was (0) __________ (begin) to get very tired of (1) __________ (sit) by her sister on the bank
and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had (2) __________ (peep) into the book her sister was reading, but it (3) __________ (have) no pictures or conversations in it, “and what is the use of a book,” (4) __________ (think) Alice, “without pictures or conversations? ” Alice wondered whether the pleasure of (5) __________ (make) a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes (6) __________ (run) close by her. Alice did not think this was very remarkable, until the Rabbit actually (7) __________ (take) a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and (8) __________ (look) at it, and then hurried on.
Answer:
(1) sitting
(2) peeped
(3) had
(4) thought
(5) making
(6) ran
(7) took
(8) looked.

(b) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word: [4]

1. The poet’s mother was stung __________ a scorpion.
2. “Please write __________ what I tell you otherwise you will forget, ” the teacher said.
3. The dog was hiding __________ the bed, barking at the stranger.
4. Sheila’s grandmother found it difficult to climb __________ the steep staircase.
5. The soldier fought bravely __________ his country.
6. There is no use crying __________ spilt milk.
7. I don’t know what they were arguing __________ but I could hear angry voices.
8. The school playground is out __________ bounds for the pupils of the primary school.

Answer:

1. by
2. down
3. under
4. up
5. for
6. over
7. about
8. of

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so : [4]
(i) They have to go to bed early every night. They ‘are allowed to stay up late on Saturdays.
Answer:
(i) Although they had to go to bed early every night, they were allowed to stay up late on Saturdays.

(ii) The children were delighted. The exams had been cancelled.
Answer:
The children were delighted since the exams had been cancelled.

(iii) We are not allowed to play in the sun. We are not allowed to play in the rain.
Answer:

(iv) This is the place. The dog was rescued from its cruel owner.
Answer:
We were hot allowed to play either in the sun or in the rain.
This is the place where the dog was rescued from its cruel owner.

(d) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence. [8]

(i) She laid the table after she had finished the cooking.
(Begin: When …………..)
Answer:
When she had finished the cooking, she laid the table.

(ii) He is old but still he works hard, .
(Begin: Despite…………..)
Answer:
Despite being old, he works hard.

(iii) The delivery boy was requested to bring the parcel the next day.
(Rewrite using direct speech)
Answer:
“Please bring the parcel tomorrow,” he said to the delivery boy.

(iv) I prefer playing a game to watching television.
(Begin: I would rather …………..)
Answer:
I would rather play a game than watch television.

(v) Every family has a black sheep.
(Begin: There is no …………..)
Answer:
There is no family that does not have a black sheep.

(vi) I have never worn a more ill-fitting suit.
(End: ……………….. ever worn.)
Answer:
This is the most ill-fitting suit that I have ever worn.

(vii) Anil is too fast a runner not to come first in the race.
(Begin: Anil is so : …………..)
Answer:
Anil is so fast a runner that he cannot but come first in the race.

(viii) As soon as the sports meet ended, the children ran on the field. (Begin: ardly………………)
Answer:
Hardly had the sports meet ended, when the children ran on the field.

Solving ICSE Class 10 English Literature Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 English Literature Question Paper 2015 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 English Literature Question Paper 2015 Solved

**Answer is not provided due to change in the present syllabus.

Section — A (Drama)
The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Portia : But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word “choose”! I may neither choose whom I would, nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none ?
(i) What test had Portia’s father devised for her suitors ? What oath did the suitors have to take before making their choice ? (3)
(ii) Who is Nerissa ? What does she say to cheer up Portia? (3)
(iii) Why does Portia disapprove of the County Palatine ? Whom would she rather marry? (3)
(iv) How, according to Portia, can the Duke of Saxony s nephew be made to choose the wrong casket ? What do these suitors ultimately decide ? Why ? (3)
(v) Whom does Portia ultimately marry ? Who were the two other suitors who took the test? Why, in your opinion, is the person whom she marries worthy of her ? (4)
Answers:
(i) Portia’s father had devised a lottery of three caskets in one of which was the portrait of Portia. Only that suitor would choose the right casket who loved her truly. The suitors had to take an oath of secrecy and celibacy before making their choice, in case they failed in the right choice.
(ii) Nerissa is Portia’s companion. She cheers up Portia by saying that she should not worry as her father must have got right inspiration at the time of his death, and that the casket lottery designed by him would prove to be a sound one.
(iii) Portia disapproves the County Palatine because he does nothing but frown, just as if to say, “I care little whether you want me or not.” He hears good stories without a smile. Portia says that she should rather marry a skeleton with a bone in his mouth.
(iv) The Duke of Saxony’s nephew is a big drunkard. So in order to induce him to choose the wrong casket, Portia asks Nerissa to place a large glass of wine. He will choose that casket even if the devil be in the casket. So long as the temptation of wine is there, he will choose it. These suitors ultimately decide to leave without trying their luck with the lottery because they do not want to take any risk as they are not true lovers.
(v) Portia marries young Bassanio ultimately. The other two suitors who took the test were the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon. Bassanio, a brave and generous fellow, was really worthy of Portia because he knew what love demanded. He was the one who could make the greatest sacrifice at the altar of love. True love knows to give but does not demand.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Duke : What, is Antonio here ?
Antonio : Ready, so please your grace.
Duke : I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch Uncapable of pity, void and empty, From any dram of mercy.
(i) What are the terms of the bond that Antonio has signed? (3)
(ii) Why does the Duke call Shylock ‘inhuman ’ ? What does the Duke expect Shy lock to do? (3)
(iii) What reason does Shylock give for choosing rotten flesh over money ? What are the things hated by some people? (3)
(iv) State three examples Antonio gives to illustrate Shylock s stubborn attitude. (3)
(v) How is Shylock’s property distributed at the end by Antonio ? Do you think Shylock deserves the punishment given to him ?
Give a reason to justify your answer. (4)
Answers :
(i) The terms of the bond that Antonio has signed are very harsh, according to which Shylock will be entitled to have a pound of flesh from nearest Antonio’s heart if the latter fails to return the sum of three thousand ducats borrowed by Antonio.
(ii) The Duke calls Shylock ‘inhuman’ because he (Shylock) has a heart of stone, an inhuman wretch who does not know what pity is, quite lacking in the slighest quality of mercy. The Duke expects Shylock to be merciful, and not vindictive.
(iii) Shylock prefers to have a quantity of dead flesh rather than three thousand ducats. For this he gives no other reason than his whim. People like or hate things out of their personal inclinations. There are certain men who have an aversion to a gaping pig, there are others who fly into a rage at the sight of a cat. Still there are others who fail to keep their balance on hearing the sound of a bagpipe.
(iv) Antonio tells Bassanio that it is useless to ask Shylock to be merciful. He argues that as it is useless to ask the tide not to rise so high, similarly it is futile to ask Shylock to soften his stand. One might as well ask the wolf why he made the mother sheep mourn for the lamb he devoured. One might as well forbid the pine trees on the mountains to wave their high tops and to make a noise when disturbed by the winds of heaven.
(v) Though the Duke orders half of Shylock’s property to go to Antonio while the other half will go to Antonio, Antonio remarks that he does not want to claim half of Shylock’s property. He adds that he would like it to be given to Jessica and Lorenzo after Shylock’s death. I think Shylock has been harshly treated. He seems to have been more sinned against than sinning. The Christian charity should have been shown to him also.

Loyalties: John Galsworthy

Question 3.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Lady Adela : Oh ! Charlie, he did look so exactly as if he’d sold me a carpet when I was paying him.
Winsor : [changing into slippers] His father did sell carpets, wholesale, in the city.
Lady Adela : Really ? And you say I haven’t intuition! [With . a finger on her lips] Morison’s in there.
Winsor : [Motioning towards the door, which she shuts] Ronny Dancy took a tenner off him, anyway, before dinner.
(i) How did Dancy take a ‘tenner’from De Levis?
How does De Levis later connect this trick with the theft? (3)
(ii) Why, according to Lady Adela, did Dancy leave the army? Why does she call him reckless ? (3)
(iii) Where had De Levis kept the money which was stolen ? Where had he gone after keeping the money ? How much did he lose? (3)
(iv) Why is Winsor outraged when De Levis says he had locked his door ? What was the height of the room from the ground ? How do they know that the thief did not use a ladder to climb up to De Levis’s room ? (3)
(v) How does General Canynge react when De Levis first accuses Dancy of committing the theft ? What is your opinion of De Levis ?
Give one reason to justify your answer. (4)

Question 4.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Mabel: Oh ! Why didn’t I face it ? But I couldn’t-1 had to believe.
Dancy: And now you can’t. It’s the end, Mabel.
Mabel: [Looking up at him] No.
[Dancy goes suddenly on his knees and seizes her hand.]
Dancy: Forgive me ! .
Mable : [Putting her hand on his head] Yes; oh, yes ! I think I’ve known a long time, really. Only – why? What made you ?
(i) How does Dancy respond to Mabel’s question? (3)
(ii) What makes Dancy say ‘that’s not inhuman nature’ a little later ? (3)
(iii) Why does Inspector Dede arrive at Dancy’s house ? How does Mabel try to stall him ? (3)
(iv) To whom was Dancy s suicide note addressed? What had he written in it ? (3)
(v) What does Margaret mean when she says that keeping faith is ‘not enough ’ and ‘we’ve all done that’ ?
What, in your opinion, should his friends have done ? (4)

Section – B Poetry
A Collection of Poems

Question 5.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The buoy of the Inchcape Bell was seen
A darker speck on the ocean green;
Sir Ralph the Rover walk’d his deck,
And fix’d his eye on the darker speck.
(The Inchcape Rock : Robert Southey)
(i) Contrast the weather when Sir Ralph the Rover passed the Inchcape Rock the first time with the weather when he returned to the place. (3)
(ii) Why had the Abbot of Aberbrothok hung a bell on the Inchcape Rock ? (3)
(iii) Why did Sir Ralph cut the bell from the Inchcape Rock ? Describe the manner in which it sank underwater. (3)
(iv) What did Sir Ralph say to reassure his men when it became very dark ? What opinion did one of the sailors have about their location ? What did they all wish for ? (3)
(v) How did the ship sink ? What sound did Sir Ralph imagine he could hear in his dying moments ? What is the message of the poem ? (4)

Question 6.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that – follow:
What do you call, O ye pedlars ?
Chessmen and ivory dice.
What do you make, O ye goldsmiths ?
Wristlet and anklet and ring,
(In the Bazaars of Hyderabad: Sarojini Naidu)
(i) What all were being sold by the merchants? (3)
(ii) What is being ground by the maidens ? Which items are the vendors weighing ? (3)
(iii) Describe the bells that the goldsmiths are crafting for blue pigeons?
What do the goldsmiths make for the dancers and the king? (3)
(iv) Which instruments are the musicians playing? What are the magicians doing? (3)
(v) Mention the happy as well as the sad occasions for which the flower girls are weaving flowers. Write one reason why
the poem has appealed to you. (4)

Section C – (Prose)
A Collection of Short Stories

Question 7.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Baldeo, the watchman, was awake. He stretched himself, slowly unwinding the heavy shawl that covered him like a shroud. It was close on midnight and the chill air made him shiver. The station, a small shack backed by heavy jungle, was a station in name only; for trains only stopped there, if at all, for a few seconds before entering the deep cutting that led to the tunnel. Most trains only slowed down before taking the sharp curve before the cutting.

(i) What were Baldeo s duties as a watchman ? What question did his son ask him before he left his nightly errand? (3)
(ii) Describe the axe that Baldeo carried with him. Who had made the axe ? (3)
(iii) Which sound made Baldeo realise that the tiger was close by ? (3)
Why was he worried that the tiger may be going in the opposite direction ? Why didn’t the tiger fear the man ?
(iv) Give an account of the encounter between Baldeo and the tiger. (3)
(v) How did the tiger die ? Point out a similarity in the characters of Baldeo and his son Tembu. Give an examplefor each to justify your answer. (4)

Question 8.**
With close reference to the story ‘The Bet’by Anton Chekhov, mention the clauses of the bet as laid down between the young lawyer and the old banker. Give an account of the events that follow the bet.

Solving ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2021 Semester 1 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2021 Solved Semester 1

Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: 1:00

General Instructions:

• You will not be allowed to write during the first 10 minutes.
• This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
• ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY
• The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

Select the correct option for each of the following questions.

Question 1.
The Lok Sabha session which is conducted in the months of November and December is the ……………………. .[1]
(a) Summer Session
(b) Monsoon Session
(c) Winter Session
(d) Budget Session
Answer.
(c) Winter Session

Question 2.
The motion allows the house to take up a definite matter of urgent importance. [ 1 ]
(a) No Confidence
(b) Adjournment
(c) Censure
(d) Prorogation
Answer.
(b) Adjournment

Question 3.
Which of these denotes the correct composition of the Rajya Sabha ? [1]
(a) 232 elected + 2 nominated
(b) 238 elected + 12 nominated
(c) 238 elected + 2 nominated
(d) 250 elected + 12 nominated
Answer.
(b) 238 elected + 12 nominated

Question 4.
What is the quorum of the Indian Parliament ? [ 1 ]
(a) 1/3
(b) 1/2
(c) 1/10
(d) 1/4
Answer.
(c) 1/10

Question 5.
Which of these statements regarding the Speaker is false ?[1]
(a) He/She is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha.
(b) Elected from among the members of the Lok Sabha.
(c) Elected when the newly elected house meets for the first time.
(d) The members of both the houses vote to choose the Speaker.
Answer.
(d) The members of both the houses vote to choose the Speaker.

Question 6.
The Rajya Sabha is called a Permanent house because 1/3 members retire every [ 1 ]
(a) two years
(b) one year
(c) three years
(d) six years
Answer.
(a) two years

Question 7.
Which of these is considered to be an exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha? [1]
(a) It can approve an Ordinary Bill.
(b) It can make amendments to the Constitution.
(c) It can empower the Parliament to make laws on the State list.
(d) It can make laws on subjects in the Union List.
Answer.
(c) It can empower the Parliament to make laws on the State list.

Question 8.
In case of a conflict between the Centre and the State with reference to a subject in the Concurrent list [ 1 ]
(a) Each follow their own law.
(b) The State law will prevail.
(c) The President is empowered to decide.
(d) The Union law will prevail.
Answer.
(d) The Union law will prevail.

Question 9.
The right of the members to is known as interpella-tion. [1]
(a) Ask questions.
(b) Introduce motions
(c) Adjourn the house.
(d) Interrupt the proceedings
Answer:
(a) Ask questions.

Question 10.
Which of the following statements about Ordinances is false? [1]
(a) Promulgated by the President.
(b) Issued when the Parliament is not in session.
(c) Has to be approved within six months from the re-assem-bly of the Parliament.
(d) Has to be approved by both the houses of the Parliament.
Answer:
(c) Has to be approved within six months from the re-as-sembly of the Parliament.

Question 11.
Which of these is NOT a qualification required to be a mem-ber of the Rajya Sabha ? [ 1 ]
(a) Should be a citizen of India.
(b) Should not be an insolvent.
(c) Should be at least 30 years of age.
(d) Should be a graduate from any university in India.
Answer:
(d) Should be a graduate from any university in India.

Question 12.
Complete the given analogy.
Election of Lok Sabha member: Citizens of India Election of Rajya Sabha member: [1]
(a) Members of the Legislative Assembly.
(b) Members of the Legislative Council.
(c) Members of the Lok Sabha.
(d) Members of the Cabinet.
Answer:
(a) Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Question 13.

Lok Sabha members from States	530
Lok Sabha members from Union territories	?

(a) 25
(b) 22
(c) 20
(d) 30
Answer.
(c) 20

Question 14.
Under what circumstances may the term of the Lok Sabha be extended by one year at a time ? [ 1 ]
(a) When the government resigns.
(b) Proclamation of a National Emergency.
(c) Economic instability.
(d) Rajya Sabha declares by ^majority.
Answer.
(b) Proclamation of a National Emergency.

Question 15.
Which of these does NOT refer to the control of the Parlia-ment over the Executive ? [1]
(a) No Confidence Motion
(b) Amendment of Constitution
(c) Monetary cuts
(d) Rejection of a Government Bill
Answer.
(b) Amendment of Constitution

Question 16.
Who was the founder of the Indian National Congress ? [1]
(a) A.O. Hume
(b) W.C. Banerjee
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer:
(a) A.O. Hume

Question 17.
Complete the analogy.
Non Cooperation Movement: 1920 : : Civil Disobedience Movement: ……………… .
(a) 1919
(b) 1932
(c) 1931
(d) 1930
Answer:
1930

Question 18.
Which of these statements is NOT associated with Jyotiba Phule ? [1]
(a) He established schools for girls
(b) He established the Brahmo Samaj
(c) He established the Satya Shodak Samaj
(d) He was against the caste system
Answer:
(b) He established the Brahmo Samaj

Question 19.
Which of the following statements about Early Nationalists is false? [1]
(a) Their leaders were Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(b) They believed in constitutional means of protest
(c) They wanted self-government under British rule
(d) They wanted to launch violent agitations against the British
Answer:
(d) They wanted to launch violent agitations against the British

Question 20.
When was Bengal partitioned ? [1]
(a) 1905
(b) 1907
(c) 1906
(d) 1911
Answer:
(a) 1905

Question 21.
Which of the following was a nationalist perspective of the Partition of Bengal ? [ 1 ]
(a) There were only Hindus in West Bengal.
(b) To divide the Hindus and Muslims.
(c) There were many riots in Bengal.
(d) It was an administrative necessity as Bengal was a large territory.
Answer:
(b) To divide the Hindus and Muslims.

Question 22.
From the given list, identify the objective of the Muslim League. [1]
(a) To train and organise public opinion in the country.
(b) To promote friendly relations between nationalists political workers.
(c) To promote among Muslims of India support for the British Government.
(d) To agitate through constitutional means.
Answer:
(c) To promote among Muslims of India support for the British Government.

Question 23.
Replace the underlined word and correct the statement. Surendranath Baneriee presided over the Second Session of the Indian National Congress [ 1 ]
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) W.C. Bonnerjee
(c) Rashbehari Ghosh
(d) Badruddin Tyabji
Answer:
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji

Question 24.
Which of these statements is NOT associated with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre ? [1]
(a) It happened in the year 1919.
(b) General Dyer was responsible for this massacre.
(c) It became a cause for the Non-Cooperation Movement.
(d) It became a cause for the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer:
(d) It became a cause for the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Question 25.
The Khilafat Movement was started under the leadership of [1]
(a) Ali Brothers
(b) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchulu
(c) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
(d) Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan
Answer:
(a) Ali Brothers

Question 26.
What was the cause for the sudden suspension of the Non-Co-operation Movement ? [1]
(a) Repressive measures of the British
(b) The Chauri-Chaura Incident
(c)The Gandhi-Irwin Pact
(d) The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Answer.
(b) The Chauri-Chaura Incident

Question 27.
How did the Lahore session of 1929 lead to the Civil Disobedience Movement ? [1]
(a) The Declaration of Poorna Swaraj was passed
(b) Subash Chandra Bose was made the President of the Congress
(c) Simon Commission recommendations were accepted
(d) Congress passed a resolution to begin the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer.
(a) The Declaration of Poorna Swaraj was passed

Question 28.
What were the causes of the Quit India Movement ? [ 1 ]
(a) Failure of Simon Commission and Rowlatt Act.
(b) Failure of the Cripps Mission and Declaration of Poorna Swaraj.
(c) Growing Unemployment and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
(d) Failure of Cripps Mission and Japanese threat.
Answer.
(d) Failure of Cripps Mission and Japanese threat.

Question 29.
Which of the following is NOT a clause of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 ? [1]
(a) All treaties made with the British would lapse.
(b) The army and assets would belong only to India.
(c) The Constituent Assemblies would serve as Central Legislatures.
(d) The Princely States were free to associate themselves with either dominion.
Answer.
(b) The army and assets would belong only to India.

Question 30.
Identify the famous slogan of Subash Chandra Bose. [ 1 ]
(a) Give me blood and I shall give you freedom
(b) Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it
(c) Doordie
(d) Vande Mataram
Answer:
(a) Give me blood and I shall give you freedom

Question 31.
Which of the following was a reason for the acceptance of the Mountbatten Plan ? [1]
(a) The British forced the Congress to accept the plan.
(b) The Muslim League would cooperate in the governance.
(c) The only alternative to partition was a Federation with a weak Centre.
(d) The Princely States wanted to accept the plan.
Answer:
(c) The only alternative to partition was a Federation with a weak Centre.

Question 32.
Which of the following was an objective of the Indian National Army ? [1]
(a) Theformulate and present the demands to the government.
(b) To make the world aware of the true nature of British rule in India.
(c) Total mobilization of Indian manpower and money for a total war.
(d) To establish Home Rule in India.
Answer:
(c) Total mobilization of Indian manpower and money for a total war.

Question 33.
Read the passage given and answer the questions that follow: India s first war of independence, better known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, began on, May 10 in the year 1857. The first martyr of the revolt was Mangal Pandey and the war was the result of accumulation of many factors over time. The rebellion of 1857 is considered the first blow that came to shatter the British rule in India. Some epicenters of the revolt were-Kan- pur, Lucknow, Aligarh, Agra, Delhi, and Jhansi. Due to all the epicenters being far from each other, there was a communication gap between the leaders of different parts of India. Due to the rebellion having no central leadership, it got limited to some parts of India only. Rebels did not have enough weapons and finance whereas British people had advanced weapons and enough finance. India Today
(i) Identify the immediate cause of the above revolt. [1]
(a) The General Service Enlistment Act.
(b) The inhuman treatment of indigo cultivators.
(c) The Subsidiary Alliance.
(d) The incident of greased cartridges.
Answer.
(d) The incident of greased cartridges.

(ii) Which policy of expansion led to the annexation of Awadh ? [1]
(a) Subsidiary Alliance
(b) Doctrine of Lapse
(c) Pretext of alleged misrule
(d) Outright wars
Answer:
(c) Pretext of alleged misrule

(iii) Which of these is a socio-religious cause of the revolt ? [1]
(a) Taxing religious places.
(b) Decay of cottage industries.
(c) Drain of wealth.
(d) Exploitation of economic resources.
Answer.
(a) Taxing religious places.

(iv) The British showed total disregard towards the soldiers. In this context, which of the following statements is NOT true ? [1]
(a) They were deprived of allowances.
(h) They were forced to go overseas on duty.
(c) They were given the same salaries as that of the British soldiers.
(d) The chances of promotion were very bleak.
Answer.
(c) They were given the same salaries as that of the British soldiers.

Question 34.
Look at the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify the leaders in the picture. [1]
(a) Surendranath Banerjee, Dadahhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal
(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal
Answer:
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal

(ii) Which group of Congress did they’belong to? [1]
(a) Early Nationalists
(b) Assertive Nationalists
(c) Revolutionaries .
(d) Swarajists
Answer:
(b) Assertive Nationalists

(iii) What was their main objective ? [1]
(a) Attainment of Poorna Swaraj
(b) Self-Government under British Rule
(c) Abolition of India Council
(d) Demand for Provincial Government for Indians.
Answer:
(a) Attainment of Poorna Swaraj

(iv) What are the methods associated with them? [1]
(a) Prayers and Protests
(b) Swadeshi and Boycott
(c) Sending deputations of Indian leaders to Britain
(d) Sending petitions to the British government
Answer:
(b) Swadeshi and Boycott

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**Answer is not provided due to change in the present syllabus.

Section – A(Drama)
Loyalties: John Galsworthy

Question 3.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Lady Adela : Oh ! Why did I ever ask that wretch De Levis ? I used to think him pathetic. Meg—did you know—Ronald Dancy’s coat was wet ? The General happened to feel it.
Margaret : So that’s why he was so silent.
Lady Adela : Yes; and after the scene in the Club yesterday he went to see those bookmakers, and Goole—what a name !— is sure he told Dancy about the sale.
Margaret : [Suddenly] I don’t care. He’s my third cousin. Don’t you feel you couldn’t, Adela ?
Lady Adela : Couldn’t—what ?
Margaret : Stand for De levis against one of ourselves ? (0 Which ‘sale ’ is Lady Adela talking about ? Why does De Levis claim Dancy knew about the sale? [3]
(ii) How does Margaret assess Dancy’s character a little later during this conversation ? [3]
(iii) Why does Dancy want to go to Nairobi ? what is Mabel s response ? [3]
(iv) Why does De Levis come to Dancy sflat soon after ? What appeal does Mabel make to him? [3]
(v) What were De Levis ’ reasons for being so stubborn in pursuing the case ? What is his reaction after the charge against Dancy is established ? [4]

Question 4.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
[The young clerk is ushering in Dancy , whose face is perceptible harder than it was three months ago, like that of a man who has lived under great restraint]
Dancy : He wanted to see me before the court sat.
Young clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Twisden will see you in one minute. He had to go out of town last night.
Dancy : Were you in the war ?
(i) What reply does the clerk give ? How is Dancy s attitude towards civilian life different from the clerk’s ? [3]
(ii) What information does Twisden give Dancy and why does he advise Dancy to go to Morocco ? [3]
(iii) What is Colford’s reaction when reality comes to light ? How does margaret offer to help Dancy ? [3]
(iv) When Dancy reaches home soon after, why is Mabel surprised to see him ? What plea does she make to the Inspector on the arrival of the police ? [3]
(v) How does Dancy commit suicide ? Why does he call his death another jump ? What term does Colford use to describe Dancy s suicide? [4]

Section – C (Prose)
Animal Farm: George Orwell

Question 9.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
In the end they finished the harvest in two days less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. Moreover it was the biggest harvest that the farm had ever seen. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as mouthful.
All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be.
(i) What problems did the animals face in the beginning ? What work did the pigs do ? [3]
(ii) Give any three examples of how the animals worked together in harmony to take care of the farm. [3]
(iii) What was the color of the flag that was hoisted every Sunday ? What design did it have ? What was the significance of the design ? [3]
(iv) Name three Animal Committees that Snowball organized. [3]
(v) Point out the differences in the characters of Snowball and Napoleon. Cite instances to support your answer.
[4]

Question 10.**
How did Frederick trick the animals ? Give a detailed account of the Battle of the Windmill which was fought between the animals and Frederick and his men. [16]

To Sir, With Love: E.R. Braithwaite

Question 11.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The Half-Yearly report of the Student’s Council was on November 15, and was one of the important days in the calendar of Greens lade School. I had heard quite a deal about these occasions and became as excited as the children as the day approached. It was entirely their day, arranged, presented and controlled by them. I observed the activities of my class as they prepared for it, nothing with pride the business-like way in which task were allocated andfitted into a neat programme.
(i) What explanation of the Council’s purpose and activities did Miss Joseph present ? [3]
(ii) Why did Fernman display a skeleton during his presentation ? [3]
(iii) What aspects of the school s curriculum did Denham criticize his report ? [3]
(iv) How many teachers were called on stage to answer the questions of the student ? What does Braithwaite say in praise of the manner in which Miss Phillips answered the questions? [3]
(v) Why did Weston cut a very ridiculous figure ? Why did Denham consider P.T to be a waste of time ? [4]

Question 12.**
Describe Braithwaite’s experience on his first day as a teacher at Greenslade School. [ 16]

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Question 1.
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.) [20]

Write a composition of (300 – 350 words) on any one of the topics given below :

(a) Write an original short story in which two children and their Grandfather are the main characters.
(b) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) must be installed in every classroom.
Give your views either for or against this statement.
(c) Your class had to conduct a Morning Assembly. Write an account of how you prepared for it, what your role was and what you gained from the experience.
(d) Summers are becoming hotter with each passing year. Write a description of one such very hot day. What did you see and hear as you walked outside? How were birds and animals affected ?
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Answers :
(a) Ramesh and Sneha were the siblings aged twelve and nine. They had been taught to defend themselves in any eventuality. One evening on a Saturday, they were alone at home doing their home work. Their grandfather had gone for his daily evening walk. All of a sudden there was a sudden and threatening knock on the gate. But as they were fully occupied with their studies, they did not entertain any fear.

But when the door was rapped repeatedly, Ramesh felt that there was someone outside asking them to open the door. But before the grandfather left, he had forewarned his grandchildren against such occurrence. Ramesh being quite smart and alert, rang up his grandfather quietly telling of the gate being knocked. Sneha was a bit scared, but Ramesh cheered her up saying that Grandfather had been informed of this and that he would come surely and take all the steps necessary for their welfare and safety.

Grandfather who had not gone very far off was still in the park. As soon as he received the phone call from his grandson Ramesh, he talked for a second with his friend. He lost no time to reach his residence. But the knockers or miscreants no sooner did they see the two men walking towards them than they began to take to their heels. Grandfather who had taken all the preemptive steps proved the better of the miscreants, as he had also informed the nearby police station of the regular nuisance being created in the surroundings.

The two constables seemed to come from nowhere and they pounced upon the feeling trouble makers who were taken to the police station for interrogation and follow¬up action. Grandfather entered the house and found Sneha deeply disturbed. He consoled her and applauded Ramesh for his alertness and presence of mind in dealing with the tense situation. Ramesh’s parents who were away to attend some official function in another city on hearing this felt proud of their son who always showed fearlessness and courage in any trying situation.

(b) For the statement
Installing closed circuit television in every classroom is going to be a powerful instrument to keep proper decorum and discipline in a school or college classroom. It is argued in favour of this that when the students and the teachers are being closely watched through CCTV’s being monitored by the head of the institution the desired results will be positive and concrete.

No doubt there is going to be a huge clamour against this move. Some will surely protest against installing CCTV’s on the ground that their liberties of expression and movement are going to be thwarted, others will oppose the move thinking that they are being pried upon unnecessarily. But it is not difficult to set aside their arguments taking into consideration the overall good results that will ensue by installing this device of closely watching the activities and atmosphere in the classroom.

The device will prove a big boon to the authorities. The head of the institution will feel surely less burdened with cases of indiscipline if he is in a position to monitor each classroom through this device. There is rampant indiscipline in our institutions. Schools and colleges witness widespread rowdyism and hooliganism on account of the restlessness among students and dissatisfaction of the teachers.

Students bunk classes and stray into nearby refreshment houses, canteens or cinema halls. Restlessness is writ large on many a face. If we wish to create proper study atmosphere in our classrooms and want to see our students and teachers do their primary job sincerely, we can hope to attain a great deal by installing the closed circuit televisions.

Not only will it give a healthy look to the classroom by keeping everything spick and span, it will also help find out the wrong doer and no innocent person will be ever punished since the footage will make out the things clearer. Thus installing closed circuit television in each classroom will have so many advantages that many disadvantage will weigh too light and look insignificant.

(c) Conducting a morning assembly in a school is an enrichening experience in leadership and gaining administrative skills. It is an experience that must be gained to develop one’s all round personality. A morning assembly in an institution gives ample scope to a student to keep himself fully acquainted with the school activities and to have interaction with a number of fellow students and a galaxy of teachers.

Last Friday, the Dean of Students Council called me to his office and asked me to take the responsibility of holding the morning assembly of the school on the occasion of the Republic Day celebrations in the school.

I was also instructed to seek help of the deputy dean and the head boy of the school. Though at first I did not feel thrilled at the idea, yet on second thought I felt that it was an opportunity given to me to show my acumen in organizing big functions.

At once I got set to work to make it really eventful and memorable. Surinder, my trusted close friend, on learning this volunteered himself to render me every possible help in this, connection. Seeking help from another artist friend. Mr Sunil I got prepared some posters showing importance of the Day. The deputy dean was duly consulted and on taking his nod I prepared the programme to be executed on the day.

The students and the teachers gathered in the open on the appointed day. I had prepared my speech to be made on the occasion. In my speech I welcomed all the students and spoke that we all should be indebted to the freedom fighters whose long and painful struggle won us our freedom.

I also highlighted the importance of the Republic Day that we celebrate on 26th January every year. My speech was highly cheered with clappings. The deputy dean also spoke, laying stress on preservering out freedom and discharging our duties sincerely and doing nothing which may bring a slur on the fair name of the country. All the gathered listened to him with rapt attention. Then a vow was taken by the gathered assembly that we would keep our heads high and spirits cheerful for the upliftment of the country.

This experience of holding the morning assembly was challenging but rewarding. This has stilled confidence in me and enhanced my organizational capabilities. The experience has taught me the value of interacting with fellow students. With open mind and the spirit of cooperation anything can be achieved.

(d) Summers are getting hotter with each passing year. The effect of the climate change is being felt all around. Inspite of so many facilities with which to fight the scorching heat during summer, the heat of the season continues to torment the people, the poor being hit the worst. This year, the 6th of June was regarded as the hottest day of the year. The vertical rays of the sun began to be felt soon after the morning. It was close. At noon, it was almost impossible to go out of doors. Lemonade and other cold drinks failed to quench thirst.

We had hardly finished our lunch when the power broke down. I had planned to have a nap after lunch. Even this was snatched due to the failure of our inverter. I was feeling agitated and upset when my uncle dropped in unexpectedly. Though we welcomed him yet the unbearable heat of the sun was oppressing our nerves so acutely that somehow our inner irritability at the power breakdown betrayed itself.

My mother asked me to go to the market to bring some household items for the kitchen. Willy nilly I had to go out. I took an umbrella to protect myself from sunstroke. As I was moving about, I found some poor rickshaw pullers carrying their load, sweating hard. As I looked towards the fields, the cows and buffaloes were equally disquiet due to extreme heat from which there appeared no respite. The birds in the trees were also quiet.

It took me half an hour to complete my errand. I had to take water twice on the way as my lips were getting dry. When I reached home at about 4pm I felt a sigh of relief because the conditions outside were much worse than inside. I sat down to relax when all of a sudden the sky was overcast with the clouds of dust. Evidently the dust storm was making its appearance.

Soon it began to blow so hard that we had to close all doors and windows to keep the dust out. It was suffocating inside. The dust storm died down in about fifteen minutes, leaving the dust setling on everything and every being. But thank God, the power was restored and we could have the fans and coolers giving us much needed relief. Such hot days leave their indelible imprint on men, animals and birds.

(e) A school excursion to a nearby lake was arranged to acquaint the students with the flora and fauna of. the area. It being an educational trip it was accompanied by the geography teacher who could explain to them the importance of preserving ecology and wildlife.

The trip comprised ten boys and girls of 7th and 8th classes. Putting on their school uniforms, they reached their destination in about half an hour. Their first halt was at a shop dealing in snacks, toys and stationery. Aerated drinks and confectionery fascinated them the most. Mr. Sardana, the accompanying teacher, prevailed upon them to avoid any soft drinks or toffees as they are not good for health.

The sound advice of the teacher was taken earnestly by the students. Taking a few eatables, they all proceeded to move towards an enclosure where were some birds of different species.

Birds of different hues and sizes uttering varying cries cast a spell on them. The teacher explained to them that man’s greed and cruelty has resulted in the depletion of birds population. Some of the birds were really on the verge of extinction. He stressed upon the need to be kind to all birds and animals and the real worth of life is realized when man learns to live in harmony with nature.

All the students appreciated the views of the teacher and took a vow to follow his advice and treat all birds with love and kindness. Aakriti, the most sensitive of them all, resolved that she would feed the birds daily and persuade her parents to do the same too.

Abhinav, the youngest of the lot, was sobbing. When asked why he was sobbing, he told his teacher that he had left his eatables at the shop. The teacher Mr. Sardana consoled him that he should not worry and that all of them would share their things with him and they would pick up the eatables as they go back.

Kalpana, the student of 7th class, was found, eating a burger stealthily. She had brought it with her as she took . it daily at lunch. The teacher suggested her to avoid eating fast food too frequently. One might take it only occasionally. But one must avoid eating fast food.

The excursion was over in about four hours and they returned home in the evening fully refreshed and enlightened about so many things.

Question 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) Select one of the following : [10]
(a) You want to start a new club in your school.
Write a letter to your Principal requesting permission to start the club, explain your role in it and give reasons to prove that the club will be beneficial for the school.
(b) Your friend has not fared well in the recent examinations. Write a letter to him/her expressing your concern. Give him/her some advice on how to score better marks and offer to help him/her to improve his/her performance.
Answer:
(a) The Principal
St. Xaviers School
Kasauli

Subject: Request to start a new club in school

Sir

All the students of the school feel proud of the excellent functioning of the so many clubs in the school. These clubs are providing great opportunities to the students in their all round development of personality. At the same time it is commonly felt that there is no Health Club in our school. I approach you with an earnest request to start the Health Club in the school at the earliest for the benefit of all the students. The cost of opening this club will be much less in proportion to the overall benefits that will accrue to one and all.

The Health Club will cater to the physical and psychological needs of the students who love to lead tension free healthy life and pursue their studies more wholeheartedly and devotedly. The Health Club to be headed by a young science teacher will work under your patronage and guide the students what to do to keep themselves disease free.

The students need guidance on essential food items to be included in their diet. A yoga instructor should be engaged to instruct the students on the benefits of yoga and meditation. Some tips from him on taking home made-potions will keep them in proper physical shape and strength.

Sir, I am hopeful that you will consider my proposal and take the earliest steps to start the Health Club to ensure healthy mind in healthy body.

With regards
Yours sincerely
Lokesh (Class XII A, Roll No 15)

(b) 45, Nirmal Colony
Tilak Road
Kamal
5 January, 20….

Dear Mukesh

I have just received your letter expressing your great dissatisfaction with your performance in the Second Terminal Examination held in December. Your disappointment though quite genuine, is misplaced as I am aware you had not been keeping good health for the last few months. You were also burdened with the responsibility of looking after your ailing mother. Naturally, you did not have sufficient time and energy to attend to your studies. Under the circumstance you need not underestimate your capabilities and intelligence.

Mukesh dear, you must recall how brilliant your career had been throughout. In your class-X examination you had a creditable score. Even now you need not feel worried about the final examination. I am confident of your stamina for work with which to make up for the loss in studies. With your improved health and your mother in a position to attend to herself you will be able to put your heart and soul in your studies and do much better in the final examination.

Dear Mukesh, all is not lost. Look forward to your bright future awaiting you. You may seek help of your close meritorious friends and seek guidance and certain important topics. Prepare your subjects intelligently without resorting to cramming. Go out for a morning walk daily to keep yourself physically fit and mentally sound. I am always ready to render any help you may need. I would like to visit you shortly and help you make plans for intensive preparations for the final examination. Till then stay tension free and in high spirits. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely
Raju

Question 3.
(a) Your school is hosting an Inter-School Quiz Competition. Write out a notice to be displayed in your school giving all details for the event. [5+5]
(b) Write an e-mail to the Prinipal of a neighbouring school requesting him/her to send a team of three members to participate in the Quiz Competition.
Answers:
St. Jude’s Convent School, Saharanpur
NOTICE

10 October, 20 ….

Inter-School Quiz Competition

Our school is hosting an Inter-school Quiz Competition on 15 October, 20… at 11 a.m in the school auditorium. As many as nine schools are sending their students to participate in the competition. The Deputy Commissioner has kindly acceeded to our request to preside over the function and give away the prizes to the winners. All are requested to attend the function and make it a success.

Sanjeev
(Cultural Secretary)

(b) From [email protected]
Date 10:10:18 11:08:25

To [email protected]

CC
Subject Inter-School Quiz Competition

Dear Sir/Madam

You will be glad to know that our school in holding an inter-school Quiz Competition on 15 October, 20… at 11 am in the school auditorium. It will be a great favour to me if you kindly send three students to participate in the Quiz Competition. I would apppreciate if some staff member of your school accompanies these participants. I may assure you that the participants will be looked after well.

Looking forward to your cooperation.
C.J. Avasthi
Principal
St. Jude’s Convent School, Saharanpur

Question 4.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Billy Weaver had travelled down from London and by the time he arrived it was nine o’clock in the night and the moon was coming up.

“Excuse me,” he asked a porter, “but is there a cheap hotel nearby ?”

“Try The Bell Hotel,” the porter answered, pointing down the road.

Billy thanked him, picked up his suitcase and set out to walk the distance to The Bell Hotel. He had never been 5 to Richmond before. But the man at the Office had told him it was a splendid city.

Billy was seventeen years old. He was wearing a new navy-blue overcoat, a new brown hat, and a new brown suit, and he was feeling fine. He walked briskly down the street. He was trying to do everything briskly 10 these days. The big shots up at the Head Office were fantastically brisk all the time. They were amazing.

The road was lonely and dark with a few scattered houses.

Suddenly, in a downstairs window Billy saw a printed notice propped up against the window glass. It said Bed and Breakfast.

He moved a bit closer and peered through the window into the room, and the first thing he saw was a bright fire, burning in the hearth. On the carpet in front of the fire, a little dog was curled up asleep with its nose tucked into its belly.

The room in half-darkness was filled with pleasant furniture. There was a piano and a big sofa and several plump armchairs; and in one comer he spotted a large parrot in a cage. Animals were usually a good sign in a 20 place like this, Billy told himself and it looked to him as though it would be a pretty decent house to stay in.

Then a queer thing happened to him. He was in the act of stepping back and going away from the window when he felt a strange urge to ring the bell!

He pressed the bell. He heard it ringing, and then at once the door swung open and a woman was standing there.

She gave him a warm welcoming smile.

“Please come in,” she said pleasantly. Billy found himself automatically moving forward into the house.
“I saw the notice in the window,” he said, holding himself back.
“Yes, I know.”
“I was wondering about a room”.
“It’s all ready for you, my dear,” she said. She had a round pink face and very gentle blue eyes.
“How much do your charge?”
“Five dollars a night, including breakfast.”
It was fantastically cheap. He could easily afford it.

(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: [3]
One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

1. splendid (line 6)
2. spotted (line 19)
3. automatically (line 27)

Answer:

1. great
2. noticed
3. instinctively

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(i) How did the porter assist Billy ? [2]
(ii) Why did Billy want to do everything briskly ? [2]
(iii) Why did Billy think animals were a good sign in a place like this ? [2]
(iv) Which sentence tells you that something strange happened to Billy ? [2]
(v) How much did the room cost ? [1]
Answer:
(i) The porter assisted Billy by pointing out the name of the hotel that he should try.
(ii) As the big shots at the Head office were also doing things briskly all the time, Billy too wanted to do everything briskly.
(iii) Billy thought animals were a good sign in such a place because they gave an atmosphere of homeliness and warmth.
(iv) He was in the act of stepping back and going away from the window when he felt a strange urge to ring the bell.
(v) The room cost five dollars a night, including breakfast.

(c) In not more than 50 words, give a brief account of what Billy saw as he looked through the window of the room. [8]
Answer:
As Billy looked through the window of the room, he saw a bright fire burning in the hearth. A little dog was curled up asleep oh the carpet in front of the fire. There was a piano and a big sofa and several plump chairs. He also noticed a parrot in a cage there. It appeared a pretty place to stay in.

Question 5.
(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correctform of the word given in brackets. [4]
Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
Example:
(a) roamed
Once upon a time, in the days when genies and giants (0 )___________ (roam) the land, there (1) _________ (live) a farmer (2) _________ (name) Baba Ayub. He lived with his family in a little village by the name of Maidan Sabz. Because he had a large family to feed, Baba Ayub (3) _________ (see) his days _________(4) (consume) by hard work. Every day, he (5) _________ (labour) from dawn to sundown (6) _________ (plow) his field and (7) _________ (turn) the soil and (8) _________ (tend) to his meagre pistachio trees.
Answer:
(1) lived
(2) named
(3) saw
(4) consumed
(5) laboured
(6) plowed
(7) turned
(8) tended

(b) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word: [4]

1. The puppy was hiding_________ the sofa.
2. Stop worrying _________ your future.
3. When I stepped _________ the lift, I found it had stopped working.
4. We had to use a bridge to go _________ the river.
5. I have lived in this town _________ ten years.
6. Please switch_________ all lights andfans when you leave the room.
7. Ronnie is married _________ my cousin.
8. The gift came _________a birthday card.

Answer:

1. under
2. about
3. into
4. across
5. for
6. off
7. to
8. with

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so : [4]

(i) He was very ill-He did not take any medicine.
Answer:
Though he was very ill, he did not take any medicine.

(ii) You come back from your holiday. We will discuss the problem.
Answer:
We will discuss the problem when you come back from your holidays.

(iii) He remained absent on Friday. It was foolish of him.
Answer:
It was foolish of him to remain absent on Friday.

(iv) Rahul ran all the way to the bus stop. He missed the bus.
Answer:
In spite of running all the way to the bus stop Rahul missed the bus

(d) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence. , [8]
(i) The old woman said to Arun, “Can you help me to cross the street ?”
(Begin: The old woman asked
Arun ………………..)
Answer:
The old woman asked Arun if he could help her to cross the street.

(ii) As soon as the sun rose over the hills, the fog disappeared.
(Begin : No sooner. ………………….)
Answer:
No sooner did the sun rise over the hills than the fog disappeared.

(iii) It rained so heavily that they could not go for the picnic.
(Rewrite : Using ‘too ………………… …………….. to’)
Answer:
It rained too heavily to go for the picnic.

(iv) If your friends get here before 7o ’clock we can take them out for dinner.
(Rewrite : Using ‘unless ’ ……………… ……………….)
Answer:
Unless your friends get here before 7 o’clock we cannot take them out for dinner.

(v) The school captain was elected by the students of classes XI and XII.
(Begin : The students …………….. ……………….)
Answer:
The students of classes XI and XII elected the school captain.

(vi) Greenland is the largest island in the world.
(Rewrite: Using ‘larger’. ………………. ……………)
Answer:
Greenland is larger than any other island in the world.

(vii) How cruel Shylock was to demand his pound of flesh!
(Begin : It was cruel. ………….. ………….)
Answer:
It was very cruel of Shylock to demand his pound of flesh.

(viii) Arun was asked by his mother to explain the missing buttons on his shirt.
(Re-write using: ‘explanation ’)
Answer:
Arun was asked by his mother to give explanation about the missing buttons on his shirt.

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** Answer is not provided due to change in the present syllabus

Section – A (Drama)
Loyalties: John Galsworthy

Question 3.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Inspector : Then we ’ve got it fixed between 11:15 and 11:30 [Jots] Now, sir, before we go further I’d like to see your butler and the footman that valets this gentleman.
Winsor : [With distaste] Very well, Inspector; only—my butler has been with us from a boy.
Inspector : Quite so. This is just clearing the ground, sir.
Winsor : General, d’you mind touching that bell ?
(i) Where has the Inspector come from ? What has he .got ‘fixed’ between 11:15 and 11:30 ? How could he have been so accurate about the timing ? [3]
(ii) What conclusions did the Inspector arrive at regarding how the theft was committed ? [3]
(iii) What information did the footman Robert supply regarding his movements when questioned by the Inspector ? [3]
(iv) What two things in particular had Robert noticed about Mr. De Levis ’ clothes ? [3]
(v) Why does De Levis strongly suspect Ronald Dancy of committing the theft ? [4]

Question 4.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Gilman : As I told you, sir, I’ve been followin’ this case.
It’s what you might call piquant. And I should be very glad if it came about that this helped Captain Dancy. I take an interest, because, to tell you the truth, [Confidentially] I don’t like – well, not to put too fine a point upon it Hebrews. They work harden they’re more sober; they’re honest and they ’re everywhere. I’ve nothing against them, but the fact is —they get on so.
Twisden : [cocking an eye] A thorn in the flesh Mr. Gilman.
Gilman : Well, I prefer my own countrymen and that’s the truth of it.
(i) Who is Mr. Gilman and why does he want to see Mr. Twisden ? [3]
(ii) Mr. Gilman had said earlier that he had come from a sense of duty ’. What account does he give in this regard? [3]
(iii) What account does Mr. Ricardos, who has come with Mr. Gilman, give of how he came to be in possession of the notes ? [3]
(iv) What does Mr. Twisden decide to do after Mr. Ricardos leaves ? What instructions does he leaves with his partner Graviter ? [3]
(v) Ronald Dancy’s wife Mabel believes completely in her husband s innocence. How does the truth, when revealed, affect her ? What are yourfeelings for her at the close of the play ? Give reasons for your answer. [4]

Section – C (Prose)
Animal Farm: George Orwell

Question 9.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘…… your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a come interest ……. we must not come to resemble him No animal must ever live in a house, or sleep in a bed, or wear clothes or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or engage in trade.
(i) Who is the speaker of the above lines ?
Where is the speaker at this moment and-why? [3]
(ii) Name the animals who attended the meeting. [3]
(iii) How does the rebellion finally happen ? [3]
(iv) According to the speaker, how are animals differentfrom man ? [3]
(v) What are the seven commandments of the Animal Farm? [4]

Question 10.**
In the aftermath of the rebellion against Mr. Jones, Snowball and napoleon emerge as the prominent characters, yet it is Napoleon who eventually consolidates and assumes power as an unquestioned leader. In the light of the above statement, discuss the character of Napoleon in the novel ‘Animal Farm’. [16]

To Sir, with Love : E.R. Braithwaite

Question 11.**
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
I was staggered by this unexpected encounter and remained where I was for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Then, deciding to take a closer look at what went on in that room I knocked on the door, opened it and walked in. There was a general hubbub and for a little while no one seemed aware of my entry, and then; very gradually, one by one the occupants turned to stare at me.
(i) Who had an encounter with whom and where? [3]
(ii) Why was the narrator unsure of what to do next? What decision did the narrator take ? Why ? [3]
(iii) What did he observe then ? [3]
(iv) Describe the man the narratorfound when he entered the staff room. [3]
(v) Earlier ‘he’ had met Alex Florian, the Headmaster. What did the Headmaster tell him? [4]

Question 12.**
Give a vivid account of the Christmas partyfor the junior and senior students that brings the school your to a close. [16]

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General Instructions : 

• Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately
• You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
• This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
• The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
• Attempt all five questions.
• The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
• You are advised to spend not more than 30 minutes in answering Question 1 and 20 minutes in answering Question 2.

Question 1.
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.) 350 words) on any one of the following : [20]
(a) Write an original short story entitled ‘The Secret’.
(b) ‘A family without pets is an incomplete family’’.
Express your views either for or against this statement.
(c) Which do you prefer – morning, afternoon, evening or night?
Describe your favourite time of the day. What are the sights, sounds, smells andfeelings that you associate with yourfavourite time of the day ? Why do you like this part of the day better than the others.
(d) Have you ever said or done something that changed the life of another person ? Give an account of your words or actions that led to this change and describe how the experience made you feel.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description on an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it, however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Answers:
(a) The Secret
My younger brother Rohit was in his teens. He was a very jovial types of person. Suddenly he became sullen and lonesome. He stopped talking much to family members. I was very close to him. I tried to talk to him and figure out the reason of his sullenness. He did not tell me anything. To every question his reply was ‘nothing’. I got irritated and decided to leave him to his fate.

One night I was woken up by sudden noise. I came out of my room. Rohit’s room was in front of mine. I saw Rohit going out of the main gate of the house in the pitch dark. I called him twice, and then ran after him. It was strange that I found him simply nowhere. In a few minutes he had just disappeared. I came back and went to my room. I could not sleep for a long time. I don’t know when sleep overpowered me. Next morning, when I asked Rohit where he had gone, his ambiguous answer was ‘nowhere’. He told me nothing. If you don’t tell me, I am going to write to Father’, I said.

‘Do, what you like’, he said with a shrug.
I was flabbergasted. The night came. I was ready at the gate to stalk him. He went towards fields. He entered a small hut in a field. I saw through the chink of the door. The secret was out. Rohit and two ruffians were having puffs of something very pungant – smelling thing – some kind of drug.

I came back in a very shocked state of mind. Should I reveal Rohit’s secret to father or not? What to do and what not to do – was my problem, not Rohit’s.

(b) A family without pets is an incomplete family
It is strange that many people think that a family is incomplete without pets. The reality is that no family is at peace with pets. When we talk of pets, we think of dogs. Dogs are an endless source of irritation. They cannot let you have moments of peace. Every member of the family tries to pamper its pet in one way or the other.

Most pets have wrong habits. They continue to bark unnecessarily. They defecate and urinate wherever they like. They are a source of many diseases as they sniff at you all the time. Those who continue to pat them, hug them, kiss them, are at grave risks of catching any infectious disease. Strangers who come to your house remain in fear of a bite from your pet dog.

Pet dogs are in the habit of drawing your attention all the time. They become a nuisance at times. They do not understand when you need to be left alone. They will continue to pester you. Families without pet dogs are in no way incomplete, if they are bound together by mutual love, caring and understanding.

Pets other than dogs are also nothing but a nuisance. Cats are mysterious and thieves. They do not value your care and affection. And they are not loyal at all. Parrots and other animals respond little to your affection.

So there is hardly any need to keep a pet. You should shower your affection on humans rather than on animals.

(c) Morning : My Favourite Time of the Day
Morning is considered to be the best part of the day. Indian saints and prophets call it a holy time to remember the creator. They want us to get up early in the morning. All successful persons in the world enjoin upon us to get up early in the morning, and utilize this time in promoting our physical, mental and moral health. Those who rise late in the day miss the indescribable charms of the morning time.

If you go out in the morning, you will be simply fascinated by a variety of beautiful sights, sounds and smells. The lush green fields welcome you. They sight of clear sky with streaks of crimson fill you with a source of awe and wonder. Beautiful wayside flowers greet you. A cool breeze that blows in the morning is invigorating.

There is a sweet smell in it. The chirping of birds in the trees charm your ears. If you are lucky and are on a beach in the morning, the light roar of the sea and its beautiful sights are simply enchanting. The view of distant snow-covered peaks in a hilly area is equally fascinating.

It is in the morning that you feel at ease with yourself. You feel calm and cool. Nothing seems to be disturbing. Thus morning is associated with feelings of joy, peace and contentment, even holiness. It is for this reason that I prefer morning to any other part of the day. Afternoon is almost always hectic and problematic. Evening is associated with a sense of dullness and tiredness. Night often fills us with negativity. So, morning is, and should be welcome. It is the harbinger of a new day, full of hopes and dreams.

(d) It is a well-known fact that sometimes an action or a few words can change your life altogether. I myself experienced this truth a few years back. My cousin Ramesh, who is five years junior to me, was an average student, rather below average. He would get just pass marks in every exam. His parents remained worried of his future. They wanted him to become a doctor. No words of theirs had any impact on him. He remained indifferent to their pieces of good advice.

One day I met him on the way. I talked to him just for five minutes. I remember what I said even now :
‘Ramesh, be sincere to yourself. If you are, nothing can stop you from achieving anything in life.’
‘How can I be ?’ he enquired.
‘Ask this question to yourself ? And learn to value time.’

I walked away. I forgot the meeting in a few days. I had to leave the city for a few months. When I came back, Ramesh’s father came to our house with a box of sweets. He was beaming with joy. To my astonishment, Ramesh had topped his class, and for the first time !

I met Ramesh and asked him, “What has caused the miracle ?” He said, “It is all because of you. Look at my time table.” He showed me a sheet of paper. I was wonder-struck to read that he had divided each day into hours – each hour devoted to studies, TV watching, playing a game, socialising etc. He had given maximum time to his studies.

“Do you follow it ?” I asked out of curiosity.
“100%” he replied enthusiastically.”
Then no one can beat you.”
And four years later, Ramesh was in AIIMS, one of the top-notch medical institute in India. No one could be happier and more satisfied than me.

(e) Selfieing : A New Passion
The picture shows a boy taking a selfie with a ‘chappal’, and there are four happy children in front of the ‘camera’! Clearly, the children belong to very deprived section of society, who cannot buy a smart-phone for posting selfportrait, but they share with ‘lucky’ children the desire to take and post a selfie.

Taking and posting selfies has now become an obsession with the younger generation. Taking selfie is easy and so it accounts for its growing popularity. Whether you are rich or poor, the urge to show yourself to others is insistent. One important factor of selfie-ing is the emphasis on looks. The younger generation has always given more importance to how they look than to other matters. It is not something abnormal. People of all ages do want to indulge in self-posturing and sharing it with others. Celebrities like to take selfies with their fans.

There is, of course, the dark side of selfie-ing. Too much preoccupation with selfies reveal a lack of confidence or a sense of self that is abnormal in some way. When you continue to think and plan about selfies it is something abnormal. Moreover, when the poor children too start wasting a lot of time in thinking or taking selfies, they are bound to suffer in one way or the other. There have been reports of thefts, robberies and deaths connected with the seemingly innocent act of taking selfies.

So, the act of taking selfies has both good and bad sides. The poor children should not give too much attention to selfies, as they cannot offered this expensive and some what ‘useless’ hobby. .The rich should take selfies to highlight what they are good at rather than what they look like.

Question 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) [ 10]
Select any one of the following:
(a) have changed your school recently. Write a letter to . your friend in your old school telling him / her what you like about your new school but also what you miss about your old school.
(b) Some taps in your locality are left open all day resulting in a tremendous waste of water. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your town / city, complaining about the problem. Suggest ways in which this waste of water can be prevented.
Answers:
(a) 15 Swaran Park
Ludhiana
15 April, 20

Dear Ramesh
I wish to inform you that I have recently changed my school. Though I liked my old school in Amritsar very much yet on account of my father’s transfer to this city, I had no option but to change my school. My new school is situated on the outskirts of the city on the Ferozepur Road. The biggest thing that has impressed me most is the atmosphere of the school. Conducive for free expression and pursuit of studies.

The teachers here are quite learned, experienced easily accessible. They treat their students nicely and are always helpful and inspiring. They motivate us to be the best students and citizens and above all to be good persons. They inculcate in us the noble qualities of hard work, sincerity and devotion to work. I feel that I have found the right place to grow.

But this does not mean that I do not miss my old school where I had made my good friends. You being one of them. I sometimes go into nostalia when I think of the fun and frolic we used to have with our friends. In the new school I am yet to have some such friends as I had in the previous one. All the same, change is inevitable in life. We miss something of the past and learn to adjust ourselves with new changing times. How are you doing . with your studies ?

Yours sincerely
Monty

(b) 40, Shivaji Park
Ansari Road
Ambala Cantt.
June 10, 20 ……….

The Municipal Commissioner
Ambala Cantt.

Sir,
Subject: Water taps left open

I wish to bring it to your kind notice that some taps in our locality are always left open all day resulting in a tremendous waste of water.

Water, as we all very much know, is too precious to be wasted. Its wastage is criminal. It pains to see how the taps keep on leaking or running during the hours of water supply. The negligence of the supervisory staff of the water supply department is obvious and condemnable.

People are also equally to blame for the wastage of water. It appears that the water taps fitted on some points are of inferior quality and they fail to resist the pressure of water and thus break down and start leaking.

Sir, the remedy lies with you. The staff should be deputed to check and change the leaking taps without any waste of time. The influential people of the locality should also be approached and their services sought to stop this unavoidable waste of time.

Sir, I hope you will take the necessary steps at the earliest in this directions to prevent.

Yours truly
Dhiman

Question 3.
(a) Your school is organising a fete / carnival to raise funds for victims of the recentfloods in your State. [5]
Write a notice to be put up on the school board giving details of the event.
(b) Write an e-mail to the Principal of a neighbouring school, inviting him / her to send their students to attend the fete / carnival. [5]
Answers:
(a) NEW HORIZON PUBLIC SCHOOL, MEERUT NOTICE
10 Feb., 20

ANNUAL FETE
The school is going to organise its annual fete in the school playground on the 20th Feb. 20 ………… from 10 am to 5 pm in order to raise funds for the victims of the recent floods in the state. The students are invited to participate in the bid for stalls on 15th February at 3 pm in room no 12. The three best stalls will be awarded prizes by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. R.K. Joshi, the Chief Guest.

Principal

(b) From: [email protected]
Date : 10:02:20 11:15:25

To : [email protected]

Subject: Request to send students for participation in fete

Sir,
Our school is organising its annual fete in the school playground on the 20th February, 20 ……… from 10 am to 5 pm in order to raise funds for the victims of the recent floods in the state. Would you be kind enough to spare some time to attend this fete along with your students to make the fete successful ? Your kind cooperation in this noble cause would surely help in raising more and more funds.

Please confirm your participation and oblige.

K.S. Paul
Principal,
New Horizon Public School, Meerut.

Question 4.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Attending classes inside a railway carriage seemed unusual enough, but the seating arrangements turned out to be unusual, too. At Totto-chan’s previous school each pupil was assigned a specific desk. But here they could sit anywhere they liked at any time.

The most unusual thing of all about this school, however, was the lessons themselves.

Schools normally schedule one subject, for example history, during the first period, when everyone in the class just did history; then say, arithmetic in the second period, when you just did arithmetic. But here it was quite different. At the beginning of the first period, the teacher made a list of all the problems and questions in the subjects to be studied that day. Then she would say, “Now, start with any of these you like.”

So, whether you started on history or arithmetic or something else didn’t matter at all. Someone who liked composition might be writing something, while behind you someone who liked chemistry might be boiling something in a flask over an alcohol burner.

This method of teaching enabled the teachers to observe – as the children progressed to higher grades – what they were interested in as well as their way of thinking and their character. It was an ideal way for teachers to really get to know their pupils.

As for the pupils, they loved being able to start with their favourite subject, the fact that they had all day to cope with the subjects they disliked meant they could usually manage them somehow. So, study was mostly independent, with pupils free to go and consult the teacher whenever necessary. Then pupils would be given further exercises to work at alone. It was study in the truest sense of the word, and it meant there were no pupils just sitting inattentively while the teacher talked and explained.

The first-grade pupils hadn’t quite reached the stage of independent study, but even they were allowed to start with any subject they wanted.

Some copied letters of the alphabet, some drew pictures, some read books and some even did physical exercises.

Just then the boy sitting behind her got up and walked toward the blackboard with his notebook, apparently to consult the teacher. Totto-chan stopped looking around the room and fixed her eyes on his back as he walked. The boy dragged his leg, and his whole body swayed from side to side. Totto-chan wondered at first if he was doing it on purpose, but she soon realized the boy couldn’t help it.

The boy said brightly, “My name’s Yasuki. What’s yours ?” She was so glad to hear him speak that she replied loudly, “I’m Totto-chan.”
Adaptedfrom Totto-chan

(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: [3]
One-word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
(i) assigned (line 4)
(ii) ideal (line 27)
(iii) independent (line 33)

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(i) What was unusual about the seating arrangement ? [2]
(ii) How did the method of teaching help the teacher ? [2]
(iii) Why did the pupils enjoy their lesson at this school? [2]
(iv) What different things did the first-grade pupils do ? [2]
(v) Which sentence in the passage tells us that the boy had difficulty in walking like other children ? [1]

(c) In not more than 50 words, describe how the children
were taught. [8]
Answers:
(a) (i) given
(ii) appropriate
(iii) self-governing

(b) (i) The unusual thing about seating arrangement was that no pupil was given a specific seat. They could sit anywhere they liked.

(ii) The method of teaching helped the teacher to observe the pupil progressing to higher grades. He could easily know what the students were interested in.

(iii) The pupils enjoyed their lessons because study was mostly independent. They were free to go and consult the teacher whenever they needed his help.

(iv) The first-grade pupils too, were allowed to start witth any subject, they liked. While some of them copied the alphabet others drew pictures or read books or even did physical exercises.

(v) The following sentence tells this : “The boy dragged his leg, and his whole body . swayed from side to side.”

(c) Children in this school were taught in a different way. The teacher used to make a list of all the questions the students wanted to ask. After this each student could start with the subject of his choice and consult the teacher whenever he felt like.

Question 5.
(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. [4]
Example:
(0) taught
By the time she was three, Matilda had (0) __________ (teach) herself to read by (1) __________ (study) newspapers and magazines that (2) __________ (lie) around the house. At the age of four, she could (3) __________ (read) fast and well and she naturally began (4) __________ (hanker) after books. The only book in the whole of this enlightened household was something
called Easy Cooking (5) __________ (belong) to her mother, and when she had read this from cover to cover and had (6) __________ (learn) all the recipes by heart, she (7) __________ (decide) she (8) __________ (want) something more interesting.
Answer:
(1) studying
(2) were lying
(3) read
(4) hankering
(5) belonging
(6) learnt
(7) decided
(8) wanted

(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. [4]

1. It has been raining __________ two hours.
2. He just scraped __________ his examination.
3. Mrs. Kapoor was bent __________ attending the meeting.
4. She is proud and looks __________ on her colleagues.
5. Rahul plays football __________ his grandfather.
6. The mother was sitting __________ the sick child all night.
7. Monica is learning __________ the wall.
8. Rosie is very good __________ art and craft.

Answer:

1. for
2. through
3. on
4. down
5. with
6. beside
7. against
8. at

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. [4]
(i) Sarah and Tyra are twins. They look exactly alike.
Answer:
Sarah and Tyra who are twins look exactly alike.

(ii) Rohan does not like to play cricket. He does not like to play hockey either.
Answer:
Rohan does not like to play either cricket or hockey.

(iii) Sania pushed as hard as she could. The door would not open.
Answer:
Though Sania pushed as hard as she could the door would not open.

(iv) The school bus drove through the gate. The clock was striking eight at that moment.
Answer:
When the school bus drove through the gate, the clock was striking eight.

(d) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence.   [8]

(i) The librarian orders books for the school library every year.
(Begin : Books….)
Answer:
Books for the school library are ordered every year by the librarian.

(ii) No one will deny that the children have worked very hard this year.
(Begin: Everyone….)
Answer:
Everyone will agree that the children have worked very hard this year.

(iii) As soon as the teacher enters, she is greeted by her students.
(Begin : No sooner….)
Answer:
No sooner does the teacher enter than the students greet her.

(iv) She is so busy that she finds no time to entertain her friends.
(Rewrite using ‘too’)
Answer:
She is too busy to find time to entertain her friends.

(v) In spite of the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy some bread.
(Begin: Despite….)
Answer:
Despite the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy some bread.

(vi) Sheela will be selected for the competition only if she goes for the auditions.
(Begin: Unless….)
Answer:
Sheela will not be selected for the competition unless she attends the auditions.

(vii) I would rather eat fruit than a lot of unhealthy junk food.
(Begin : I prefer….)
Answer:
I prefer eating fruit to a lot of unhealthy junk food.

(viii) The tree was cut down ruthlessly.
(Begin: They….)
Answer:
They cut down the tree ruthlessly.

Solving ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2022 Semester 2 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2022 Solved Semester 2

Maximum Marks: 40
Time allowed: 1½

General Instruction:

• Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
• You will not be allowed to write during the first 10 minutes.
• This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
• The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
• Attempt all questions from Part I (Compulsory).
• A total of three questions are to be attempted from Part II, (one out of two questions from Section A and two out of three questions from Section B.)
• The marks intended for questions are given in brackets [ ].

Part – 1
(Attempt all questions from this Part.)

Question 1.
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. (Do not copy the question. Write the correct answer only.) . [10]
(i) The High Court judge can remain in office till he/she attains the age of ……………………..
(a) 60 years
(b) 65 years
(c) 62 years
(d) 55 years
Answer:
(c) 62 years

(ii) Which of the following statements does NOT apply to the Lok Adalat ?
(a) It reduces the burden on High Courts
(b) Works on the spirit of Compromise
(c) The cases take a long time to get resolved
(d) It involves very less expenses
Answer:
(c) The cases take a long time to get resolved

(iii) A person should have completed the age of. to be eligible for election as Vice-President.
(a) 21 years
(b) 30 years
(c) 35 years
(d) 25 years
Answer:
(c) 35 years

(iv) The President can declare a National/General Emergency when ………………
(a) There is a threat to the security of the country
(b) There is financial instability in the country
(c) The Governor gives a report recommending Emergency
(d) The Election Commission recommends its proclamation
Answer:
(a) There is a threat to the security of the country

(v) The Sessions Court deals with cases.
(a) Civil
(b) Criminal
(c) Constitutional
(d) Revenue
Answer:
(b) Criminal

(vi) Which of the following countries is NOT a permanent member of the Security Council ?
(a) France
(b) China
(c) Germany
(d) Britain
Answer:
(c) Germany

(vii) The signatory Countries of the Triple Alliance were …………………….. .
(a) Germany, France, Italy
(b) France, Britain, Russia
(c) Germany, Italy, Austria Hungary
(d) Britain, Russia, Italy
Answer:
(c) Germany, Italy, Austria Hungary

(viii) The Full form of UNESCO is ……………………..
(a) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(b) United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(c) United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation
(d) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Commercial Organisation
Answer:
(a) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

(ix) The Security Council consists of …………………….. non-permanent members.
(a) Fifteen
(b) Ten
(c) Five
(d) Six
Answer:
(b) Ten

(x) The term Non-Alignment means …………………….. .
(a) not to form any new alliance
(b) not to align with any of the power blocs
(c) not to participate in the world affairs
(d) to be part of military alliances
Answer:
(b) not to align with any of the power blocs

Part-II
Section – A
(Attempt any one question from this Section.)

Question 2.
The Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers formulate and implement the policies which govern the country. In this context, answer the following questions :
(i) Under what circumstances can the President use his discretion to appoint the Prime Minister ? On whose advice does he appoint the Council of Ministers ? [2]
Answer:
When no single party gets a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, then the President exercises his discretion in the appointment of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

(ii) What is meant by the term Collective Responsibility of ministers ? [2]
Answer:
The Council of Ministers is jointly or collectively responsible to the Parliament. Once they have reached a decision after full discussion in the meeting under Prime Minister’s Chairmanship, all the Ministers must defend it inside the Parliament and in the public.

(iii) Name the three categories of the Council of Ministers. [3]
Answer:

1. The Cabinet Ministers.
2. Ministers of State.
3. Deputy Ministers.

(iv) Mention any three powers of the Prime Minister with reference to the President. [3]
Answer:
1. The Prime Minister is the channel of communication between the Cabinet and the President. He conveys Cabinet’s decisions to the President, and keeps him informed of all matters of the government, national or foreign.

. The Prime Minister advises the President to summon and prorogue the sessions of the Parliament, and to dissolve the Lok Sabha.

3. The Prime Minister advises the President in appointing or removing the High officials.

Question 3.
The Supreme Court is at the apex of the entire system of judiciary. In this context, answer the following questions :
(i) What is the term of the Supreme Courtjudge? Name the procedure through which the judge can be removed. [2]
Answer:
A judge remains in the office until he attains the age of sixty-five years. A Judge may be removed from his office on ground of “proved misbehaviour or incapacity” by impeaching him/her.

(ii) What is meant by Judicial Review ? [2]
Answer:
Judicial Review is the power of the Supreme Court to examine laws passed by the independent and the executive orders of the Centre and State governments in order to find whether these are in accordance with the Constitution or not. This is called Judicial Review. If an order or a law is found to be contrary to the Constitution, the Supreme Court declares it null and void.

(iii) Explain the term Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Mention any two kinds of cases which come under this jurisdiction. [3]
Answer:
Original jurisdiction means the authority and power of the Supreme Court to hear a case in the first instance directly. The original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends to the following cases :

• In case of a dispute between the Union Government and one or more States.
• In case of dispute between two or more States interests, relating to some justiciable right.
• The Supreme Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to determine the Constitutional Validity of the Union laws. Such cases are debated by a majority of the full Constitutional Bench of seven Judges.

(iv) Name any three writs which can be issued by the Supreme Court. [3]
Answer:

• Writ of Habeas Corpus
• Writ of Mandamus
• Writ of Prohibition

Section – B
(Attempt any two questions from this Section.)

Question 4.
The First World War had a devastating effect on the world and caused unprecedented destruction. With reference to the First World War, answer the following questions:
(i) Name the signatory countries of the Triple Entente. [2]
Answer:
Britain, France and Russia.

(ii) What is meant by the term Imperialism ? [2]
Answer:
Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonialisation, use of military force etc. In the early nineteenth century, the policy of imperialism led to immense rivalry among the European powers over trade and military might. Europe got divided into two blocs i.e., Triple Entity and Triple Alliance.

(iii) Explain the immediate cause of the First World War. (3)
Answer:
The Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir-apparent to the throne of Austria and his wife were shot dead in Sarajevo on June 28,1914 by Gavrilo Princep, a nineteen years old Bosnian. The murder was planned by a secret society of patriotic terrorists called the “Black Hand”. Serbians were blamed for the crime by Austrians as the assassin and fellow conspirators had received their guns and bombs in the Serbian capital with the help of Serbian officials. As a result of this, Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia to apprehend the criminals and hand them over to the Austrian government. It also sought a ban on anti-Austrian publications, anti-Austrian meetings and institutions.

(iv) What was the amount of war reparation that Germany had to pay the allies ? Mention any two terms of the Treaty of Versailles which affected the German Military. [3]
Answer.
Germany was held guilty of aggression. The war indemnity imposed was that it had to pay 33 billion dollars as compensation of war to the victor nations.

Question 5.
Look at the picture given and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify the leader in the picture. What was the name given to the form of dictatorship practiced by him ? [2]
Answer:
Adolf Hitler.

(ii) State any two similar ideologies of the dictators. [2]
Answer:

• Dictators believe in war aggression and are always against democracy.
• Dictators aim at providing strong and efficient military and the government.

(iii) What was the immediate cause of the Second World War? Mention any two reasons for it. [3]
Answer:
The immediate cause of the outbreak of the Second World War was the German aggression on Poland on 1st September, 1939. When Hitler was asked by England to vacate Poland he refused to do. So on September 3,1939. Britain and France declared a war against Germany and thus began the Second World War.

(iv) Explain how the Japanese invasion of China became a cause for the Second World War. [3]
Answer:
Japanese invasion of China :

• Japan attacked China in 1931 and annexed Manchuria.
• China appealed to the League of Nations to declare sanctions against Japan, but the members of League of Nations followed policy of appeasement.
• In 1933, Japan left the League of Nations and started occupying the British and American properties in China.
• The Japanese were determined to dominate the Far East. America warned Japan of the dire consequences but Japan ignored.
• She joined ‘Rome-Berlin-Tokyo’ Axis. In response to this western nations decided to impose economic sanctions (most importantly oil) against Japan. This transformed the nature of the war.
• It was in response to these sanctions that Japan decided to attach America at Pearl Harbor, and so initiate World War II in the Far East.

Question 6.
With reference to the United Nations Organisation, answer the following questions:
(i) State any two objectives of the United Nations Organisation. [2]
Answer:
(a) To save the world from any other world war.
(b) To promote respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom.

(ii) How many judges is the International Court of Justice composed of ? What is their term ? [2]
Answer:
15 Judges. Nine years.

(iii) Mention any three functions of the General Assembly. [3]
Answer:
(a) Financial Functions: The General Assembly considers and approves the budget of the UNO and also determines the amount of funds to be contributed by the different members in accordance with their capacities.

(b) Electoral Functions: It elects the non permanent members of the Security Council and the members of Trusteeship, Economic and Social Council. It also elects the judges of International Court of Justice and to appoint on the recommendations of the Security Council, the Secretary General of the United Nations.

(c) Supervisory Functions: The General Assembly regulates the working of other organs and agencies of the UNO. It can bring changes in the working of any of its agencies, if required.

(iv) What is the full form of WHO ? Mention any two of its functions. [3]
Answer:
World Health Organisation:
(i) Research Work : The WHO promotes and coordinates research in the field of health by financing research projects in many countries. Its research activities include nutritious food, environmental safety, mental health, control of specific diseases like cancer, heart-attack etc.

(ii) Standardisation of Medicines: It sets international standards with respect to biological and pharmaceutical products. It also provides essential drugs to developing countries.

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ICSE Class 10 English Literature Question Paper 2012 Solved

** Answer is not provided due to change in the present syllabus

Section – A (Drama)
As you like It: Shakespeare 

Question 1. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Duke Senior :
Here feel we but the penalty ofAdam,
The season s difference, as the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind;
Which, when it bites and blows upon my body,
Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
‘This is no flattery: these are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am. ’
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like a toad, ugly and venomous, …….
(i) Where does this scene take place ? Why is Duke Senior here ? To whom is he talking ? [3]
(ii) How does he address his listeners at the beginning of his speech? Why is the present location morefreefrom danger than the court? [3]
(iii) What do you understand by the line – [3]
“Here feel we but the penalty of Adam / The Seasons ’ difference ……”?
What was the old belief about the toad ?
(iv) In what way does the Duke find good in evrything that he sees about him ? What does it reveal about his character? [3]
(v) Jacues moralises on the wounded deer by comparing it to the actions of human beings. What does he say in this regard ? [4]

Question 2. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Adam: Know you not, master, to some kind of men
Their graces serve them but as enemies?
No more do yours: your virtues, gentle master,
Are sanctified and holy traitors to you.
O, what a world is this, when what is comely
Envenoms him that bears it!
Orlando: Why, what’s the matter ?
Adam: O unhappy youth!
(i) Who is Adam ? Where are Adam and Orlando now ? Who is the enemy of Orlando’s graces? [3]
(ii) Explain in your own words the meaning of [3]
“O, what a world is this, when what is comely Envenoms him that bears it!”
What warning does Adam go on to give Orlando immediately after the extract?
(iii) What does Adam say and do to show his love and affection for Orlando ? [3]
(iv) What comment does Orlando make on Adam s sense of devotion to duty ? [3]
(v) How does Orlando act on the advice given by Adam ? What are yourfeelings for Adam? Give a reason to justify your feelings for Adam. [4]

Loyalties: John Galsworthy

Question 3. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Margaret: Here’s the wind!
Winsor : What’s the move now, General ?
Canynge : You and I had better see the Inspector in De Levis’s room, Winsor. [To the others] If you’ll all be handy, in case he wants to put questions for himself.
Margaret: I hope he ’ll want me; it just too thrilling.
Dancy : I hope he won’t want me; I am dog-tired. Come on
Mabel. [ He puts his arm in his wife .V.]
Canynge : Just a minute, Charles.
(i) Who is Winsor ? What does Margaret mean by ‘here s the wind! ’ ? Where is the scence taking place ? [3]
(ii) What does Canynge say to Winsor immediately after the extract ? What reply does Winsor give to Canynge ? [3]
(iii) Who enters soon after ? What two things had he been asked to do earlier ? [3]
(iv) Who is De Levis ? Whom does he suspect for the theft of his money ? Canynge also suspects this same person later on. What is the basis of his suspicions? [3]
(v) How did De Levis have such a large amount of money on him that day ? [4]

Question 4. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Graviter : No. I suppose not [A pause] By Jove. I don’t like losing this case. I don’t like the admission we backed such a wrong ’un.
Twisden : Impossible to go on.
(i) Who are Graviter and Twisden ? What ‘Case ’ are they discussing? Why does Graviter feel that he will lose the case ? [3]
(ii) What was the latest evidence putforward which convinced them of the thief’s identity? [3]
(iii) How can you say that Twisden is loyal to his profession ? What does Twisden ask Graviter to do immediately after this? [3]
(iv) What does Twisden advise Dancy to do ? Later, in the play, De Levis calls on Twiden. Briefly state what is the purpose of this visit. [3]
(v) How does Mabel show loyalty to her husband? Mention any one character trait of Ronald Dancy that appeals to you. What happens to him in the end ? [3]
Answer:

Section – B (Poetry)
The Golden Lyre

Question 5. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He did not feel the driver s whip,
Nor the burning heat of day;
For Dealth had illumined the Land of Sleep.
And his lifeless body lay A worn-out fetter, that the soul Had broken and thrown away!
(The Slave s Dream : H.W. Longfellow)

(i) Explain in your own words the meaning of— [3]
‘A worn-out fetter, that the soul
Had broken and thrown away!
(ii) Where does ‘he ’lie in the beginning of the poem? In what condition does he lie there? [3]
(iii) Who does ‘he ’see once more ? What do they do to him? [3]
(iv) What does‘he’hear at night? How does it pass? [3]
(v) In the poem it is said that ‘he started in his sleep and smiled’.
Why does he start and smile? How has the poem appealed to you?
Give a reason to justify your answer. [4]

Question 6. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison – flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room –
he risked the rain again.
(Night of the Scorpion : Nissim Ezekiel)
(i) Explain in your own words the meaning of, [3]
‘Parting with his poison-flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room –
he risked the rain again.
(ii) Who comes immediately after this extract ? What do they do and why ? [3]
(iii) What is said about the previous birth and the next birth by those who have come ? [3]
(iv) What is said about the father ? What does the father do ? [3]
(v) How long did it take for the poison to lose its sting ? What does the mother say at the end? What is your opinion about what the mother says ? [4]

Section – C (Prose)
A Treasure Trove of Short Stories

Question 7. **
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘You go up to bed, ’I said. ‘You ’re sick. ’
‘I’m all right, ’he said.
When the doctor came he took the boy’s temperature.
‘What is it ? I asked him.
‘One hundred and two ’.
Downstaris, the doctor left three different medicines in different coloured capsules with instructions for giving them.
(i) When the boy came into the room to shut the window what did his father notice about him? . [3]
(ii) After the doctor left the room, the father wished to read to the boy stories about pirates. Why did he choose such stores ? What showed that the boy was not interested in what he was reading? [3]
(iii) Why didn’t the boy want his father to stay with him in the room? When the father returned a little later, what -was the boy’s reaction? How did the father find him? [3]
(iv) Why did the boy fear that he was going to die? How was this fear removed? [3]
(v) How does the story end? In what way does the boy in the story represent children in general? [4]

Question 8. **
In the story ‘The Case for the Defence ’, the author says that it was the strangest murder trial he had ever attended. Give details from the story to bring out the truth of this statement. [16]