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.
ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10 1
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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

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

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

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

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.

ICSE 2018 English Language Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(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.