ICSE Class 10 English Language

Question Paper Solution 2017

ENGLISH LANGUAGE (PAPER-1)

Question 1
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (350 - 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words: “It was raining hard that night. In my
hurry to get into the house, I didn’t notice the black car parked across the road. I realized
something was wrong when……….”
(b) “School days are the happiest days of our lives.” Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(c) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you helped a friend who was in trouble.
Explain what happened. What did you do to make the situation better?

(d) There has been heavy rain in your city/town. You went to school but found that it was closed
because of the rain. Describe the sights and sounds near the school and narrate how you finally
reached home and spent the rest of the day.
(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.

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Comments of Examiners
(a) Many candidates failed to begin with the given lines.
Those who did use the lines did not use it in its entirety Suggestions for teachers
and as usual, stories were lifted out of English text books - Actively teach the children to use the
films and television serials. In many cases there was no given sentence in its entirety.
real connection between the opening lines and the story Adequate drill work is vital for this.
that resulted in a complete lack of logical sequence. - Stress the importance of cohesive
Stories did not have the element of fear or surprise that connected story telling techniques so
was so necessary in this particular essay. that the students learn to glean mood
(b) A large number of candidates chose this topic and and tone from the given prompt and
surprisingly almost every one of them wrote in favour of
sustain the mood in their writing.
the fact that ‘schooldays are the happiest days of our
- A good way to teach story telling is to
lives’ Repeatedly words like “enjoy”, “fun”, “study” and
begin in the middle school and to ask
“boring” were used. However, the most glaring mistake
was that the candidates did not present a logical each chid to add one line or one
argument to support their stand and as a result failed to sentence to the previous one. The
identify it as an argumentative essay. They used results are entertaining and enjoyable
sentiment and emotion to eulogise school and teachers, and yet there is adequate learning on
or in some cases, they gave details of bad behaviour to the story telling form.
schools and teachers as moments of fun. The destruction - Explain that plagiarism is a form of
of school property, description of vandalism and general theft. Many students are unaware of
misdemeanours all came under the garb of enjoyment. It this.
is pertinent that as educators we must take moral - Conduct class level debates regularly.
education and character building a little more seriously. - Students must be taught to build an
There is always a percentage of candidates who will argument by asking them to write
argue on both sides and fail to follow rubric where they down three reasons why…eg ‘reading
are instructed clearly to express their views either for or stories books is good for you’.
against the statement. A very small fraction of children Encourage them to use ‘because’ as it
chose to write against the topic and wrote feelingly about helps them think of reasons ‘why’ they
bullying, partiality, cramming and the overloaded school
are arguing for or against a motion.
bag and syllabus as detrimental to true learning.
(c) Candidates failed to recognise it as first person narrative
and they wrote of their experiences as adult professionals
who had assisted the community or society by some act
of philanthropy. There was a remarkable similarity in the content of many candidates. One can only
presume that these are topics to be found in workbook/guidebooks and that children seemed to have
memorised the content. Also, it may be noted that many of the essays faulted on the use of tenses
and the candidates made multiple errors by using contractions, non-English words and
colloquialisms. This was a descriptive composition, however, candidates converted it into a short
story or narrative or first person account and failed to address all parts of the question – description
of the trip to school, description of the return, how the rest of the day was spent. All these features
were largely ignored. Many candidates dealt with sights but not the sound.
(d) Candidates who attempted this question wrote about cruelty to animals, poverty, and child labour
with no mention of either the girl or the baby elephant. Many of the compositions were once again
learnt from guide books and the picture which was poignant and evocative failed to elicit a suitable
response. Candidates did not even study the picture correctly and referred to the elephant calf as a

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 pet dog! In a few compositions, the elements of the picture were merely itemised and there was no
attempt to either describe or interpret the picture.

MARKING SCHEME
Question 1
(a) The story must be original and must begin with the given sentence. The story may take any
form but should convey the sequence of events following the narrator finding something amiss
as he/ she approaches the front door of his/ her home.

(b) Views for or against the motion are to be accepted. Credit is to be given for a cohesive, well-
constructed, logical argument and ideas and reasoning based on personal experience. The child
should take a clear stand and give valid reasons for whatever stand he takes regarding the topic
either for or against the statement.
(c) The candidate must write from his/her own experience. There must be an account of the
problem and solution and stress on the role of the narrator in the resolution.
(d) A clear description of the rain, flooded streets, traffic etc. Also, the difficulty in getting to
school and returning with a brief account of the rest of the day.
(e) Accept a wide interpretation. Any relevant ideas taken from the picture should be accepted
and there must be a clear connection between the picture and the composition.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(a) A number of loose electric wires are hanging from a lamp post near the main gate of your
school. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner explaining the problem, the danger it
poses and suggest a quick solution.
(b) You were a part of an organizing committee for an inter-school event which was very
successful. You and the other committee members were congratulated and praised at the
school assembly by the Principal. Write a letter to your grandmother telling her about the event
and your feelings at being recognized and praised in front of the school.

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Comments of Examiners
(a) Format:
A number of candidates are unable to write the Suggestions for teachers
format correctly. Terms like ‘Respected Sir’ are still
− Adequate drill in format is
used. In a number of cases, for the Subscription also,
necessary.
candidates used ‘xyz’, first names only and index or − Candidates must be taught to
Centre numbers. underline what is being asked in the
Content: question paper itself and address
A number of candidates merely mentioned ‘the those questions in the body of the
danger’ without specifying electrocution, shock or letters.
− Students must taught to
even death. Candidates failed to have a realistic idea
differentiate between the
of the scale of the problem! ‘Principle’ and ‘Principal’.
Expression:
Candidates were unable to explain themselves in the
correct register – language appropriate to the
context. The tone was found to be too casual or
informal and far too many colloquialisms were used.
(b) Format:
Candidates are unclear about the format and how the date is to be written.
Content:
A number of candidates failed to name the inter school event and have described the grandmother’s
feeling of joy and pride instead of their own.
Expression:
Candidates made spelling errors and errors of tense and agreement of subject with verb.

MARKING SCHEME
Question 2
INFORMAL LETTER FORMAL LETTER
Address From address
Date Date
Salutation To address
X Salutation
Subscription Subscription
First name Name + surname/ initial
(a) Formal Letter (Format, Content, Expression)
Location: Name of school/ proper postal address of the school
Dangers: Wires hanging / electrocution / death / shock (Any two)
Solution: Send electrician / shut off power / cordon off area (Any two)
(b) Informal Letter (Format, Content, Expression)

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 Specific Name of event
Exact Role e.g. announcing/ decorating / participating
Two feelings - joy, pride, achievement, etc.

Question 3
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bipin Chowdhury would drop in at New Market
to buy books. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone,
was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time in idle chat. Those who
called in the evening got through their business quickly and left. Those who didn’t show signs
of leaving would be told around eight o’clock by Bipin Babu that he was under doctor’s orders
to have dinner at eight-thirty. After dinner he would rest for half an hour and then turn in with
a book. This was a routine which had persisted unbroken for years.
Today, Bipin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing him from close quarters. He
turned round and found himself looking at a round-faced, meek-looking man who now broke
into a smile.
‘I don’t suppose you recognize me.’
Bipin Babu felt ill at ease. It didn’t seem that he had ever encountered this man before. The
face seemed quite unfamiliar.
‘Have we met before?’ asked Bipin Babu.
The man looked greatly surprised. ‘We met every day for a whole week. I arranged for
a car to take you to the Hudroo falls. My name is Parimal Ghose.’
‘Ranchi?’
Now Bipin Babu realized this man was making a mistake. Bipin Babu had never been to
Ranchi. He smiled and said, ‘Do you know who I am?’
The man raised his eyebrows, and said, ‘Who doesn’t know Bipin Chowdhury?’
Bipin Babu turned towards the bookshelves and said, ‘You’re making a mistake. I’ve never
been to Ranchi.’
The man now laughed aloud.
What are you saying, Mr. Chowdhury? You had a fall in Hudroo and cut your right knee. I
brought you iodine. I had fixed up a car for you to go to Netarhat the next day, but you couldn’t
because of the pain in the knee. Can’t you recall anything? Someone else you know was also
in Ranchi at that time. Mr. Dinesh Mukherjee. You stayed in a bungalow. You said you didn’t
like hotel food. I’ll tell you more: you always carried a bag with your books in it on your
sightseeing trips. Am I right or not?’

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 Bipin Babu spoke quietly, his eyes still on the books.
‘Which month in Nineteen fifty- eight are you talking about?’
The man said, ‘October.’
‘No, sir,’ said Bipin Babu. ‘I spent October Nineteen fifty- eight with a friend in Kanpur.
You’re making a mistake. Good day.’
But the man didn’t go, nor did he stop talking.
‘Very strange. One evening I had tea with you on the veranda of your bungalow. You spoke
about your family. You said you had no children, and that you had lost your wife a decade
ago.
When Bipin Babu had paid for the books and was leaving the shop, the man was still looking
at him in utter disbelief.
Bipin Babu’s car was safely parked in Bertram Street. He told the driver as he got into the car,
‘Just drive by the Ganga, will you, Sitaram.’ Driving up the Strand Road, Bipin Babu regretted
having paid so much attention to the intruder. He had never been to Ranchi. He had an
excellent memory.
Unless he was losing his mind!
(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage:

One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

(i) persisted (line 9)

(ii) decade (line 42)
(iii) intruder (line 48)
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(i) How did Bipin Chowdhury find time to read five books a week?
(ii) How did he get rid of visitors who stayed late?
(iii) Which sentence tells you that Bipin Babu was uncomfortable?
(iv) What strong argument did Bipin Babu give to prove that he was not in Ranchi at that time?
(v) What does Bipin Babu regret?
(vi) What are Bipin Babu’s feelings at the end of the passage?

(c) (i) What memories of the trip does Parimal Ghose evoke to prove that Bipin Babu was indeed
in Ranchi? Answer in not more than 60 words.
(ii) Give a title to your summary in 3(c)(i). Give a reason to justify your choice of the title.

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Comments of Examiners
(a) Despite the words being fairly simple very few
candidates got all correct. Even those who are able
Suggestions for teachers
to draw meaning the from context made errors of − Students must be given adequate drill
tense and form of the word. Some gave the meaning work with emphasis on working out
in a long sentence and not in a word or phrase. Even the vocabulary both orally and in
writing.
the word ‘decade’ was explained as ‘century’ or a
− Encourage students to write in their
‘hundred’ or ‘about ten years’ or ‘ten’ or so.
own words when required, and quote
Many candidates also wrote ‘one who intrudes’ to verbatim when asked to do so. They
explain ‘intruder’. must be taught to discern the
(b) The candidates largely lifted the answer or arrived difference between the two
at the conclusion by guessing. In question number questions.
(iii) the candidates were required to quote the − Worksheets and word games must be
relevant line from the passage and most candidates used to increase vocabulary.
were unable to do this. Question (vi) was an − Adequate practice required for Précis
inference question and many candidates were writing must be given.
unable to arrive at a deeper level of meaning at the − Circle time may be used for
conclusion. describing situations and giving
captions or titles.
(c) Précis writing has always been a difficulty for the
− Practice summary writing
average and less than average candidates. Many
(independent of comprehension).
candidates did not draw the grid and overshot the
word limit. Some candidates wrote the Précis using
first and second person.
In the second part, some candidates wrote very long
titles which were unrelated to the Précis but dealt with the entire excerpt.

MARKING SCHEME
Question 3
(a) (i) persisted - kept on, repeated, continued,
(ii) decade - a period of ten years
(iii) intruder - unexpected / unsolicited/ unwanted / uninvited guest / visitor/ encroacher /
trespasser / interloper
(b) (i) He lived alone + was not a good mixer + had few friends + didn’t like spending time in
idle chat.
(ii) Would be told + under doctors’ orders + to have dinner + 8.30 p.m.
(iii) “Bipin Babu felt ill at ease”.
(iv) Bipin Babu says he spent October 1958 + with a friend in Kanpur.
(v) Bipin Babu regrets having paid so much attention / to the intruder.
(vi) Confused / Mystified / Worried / Self-doubt / Lack of confidence in himself/ afraid he was
losing his mind
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(c) (i) Points to look for:
That Bipin Babu
1. Had had a fall / cut his knee
2. Was given iodine.
3. Parimal Ghosh had arranged a car but Bipin Babu couldn’t go.
4. Dinesh Mukherjee was also in Ranchi.
5. Bipin Babu had stayed in a bungalow.
6. Didn’t like hotel food
7. Always carried a bag with books
8. Talked about family (wife had died, no children) (Any six)
(ii) Expression - Any suitable title dealing only with the précis.
Reasonable justification.

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:
Answer: (0) started
My mother (0) __________ (start) school when she (1) __________ (be) six and (2)
__________ (stop) the same term. She was unusual in the village as she had a father and
brother who (3) __________ (encourage) her to go to school. She was the only girl in a class
of boys and claims she was brighter than the boys. But every day she (4) __________ (will)
leave behind her girl cousins (5) __________ (play) at home and she (6) __________ (envy)
them. There (7) __________ (seem) to be no point in (8) __________ (go) to school just to
end up doing housework.
(b) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word:
(i) She shouted angrily __________ the disobedient boy.
(ii) I asked them to provide us ___________ a guide.
(iii) The tree grew at a dangerous slant and had to be cut __________.
(iv) My daughter believes __________ fairies.
(v) He drew a beautiful diagram __________ the board.
(vi) She battled her way __________ the crowd.
(vii) We were asked to gather __________ the teacher.
(viii) They had to climb __________ the steep pathway to reach the top.
(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so:
(i) This is the hospital. I was born here.
(ii) The children have been sick for a week. They were unable to go to school.
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 (iii) Mrs. Kumar has been a teacher for thirty years. She will now retire.
(iv) We have had no respect for nature. Now we are suffering from the effects of global
warming.
(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.
(i) Not many people read for pleasure these days.
(Begin: Few……………………………)
(ii) Since her childhood Meera has been good in Mathematics.
(End: ……………………………childhood.)
(iii) “We have had no rain since January”, Ramu said.
(Begin: Ramu said that they……………………………)
(iv) It is dangerous as well as illegal to drive a motorcycle without a helmet.
(Begin: It is not……………………………)
(v) He had plenty of wealth but he was not happy.
(Begin: In spite……………………………)
(vi) He was so tired that he could not stand.
(Use: too)
(vii) Every one of them was an experienced mountaineer.
(Begin: There was no……………………………)
(viii) I have never seen a film as bad as this.
(Begin: This is……………………………)

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Comments of Examiners
(a) This part was answered correctly by most candidates Suggestions for teachers
and this enabled them to score well. − Grammar is caught not taught and
(b) Though most candidates fared well not many got full therefore listening to correctly
marks. Those who answered incorrectly did so spoken English in the early years is
because they lacked the confidence. of paramount importance. There can
(c) Most candidates lost marks because of the weak be no substitute for this.
knowledge of the present perfect tense (c, iv). Many − Since grammar has a spiralling
candidates do not know the forms of ‘be’. syllabus it must move in all its
(d) Most candidates answered incorrectly as they failed aspects from simple to complex
to recognize GRM rules- correct grammar, adherence forms.
to rubric and unchanged meaning. Every sentence − Continual and continuous practice is
when rewritten must comply with all three. imperative to learning structure.
− Encourage the use of grammar
games and other creative ways of
teaching grammar.
− Every language lesson either overtly
or subliminally reinforces grammar
learning. Be aware of this and use it
to their advantage.

MARKING SCHEME
Question 4
(a) 1.was 2. stopped 3. encouraged 4. would 5. playing 6.envied
7. seemed 8. going
(b) Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word:
(i) at (ii) with (iii) down (iv) in (v) on (vi) through/ into (vii)
around (viii) up
(c) (i) This is the hospital where (in which) I was born/ I was born in this
hospital.
(ii) As the children, had been sick for a week they were unable to go to school. (Also accept
‘because’/ for/ since…)
(iii) Mrs. Kumar who has been a teacher (for more than) thirty years will now retire.
(iv) Having had no respect for nature we are now suffering from the effects of global warming.
(Accept variations with ‘as’/ because/ for / since….)

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(d) (i) Few people read for pleasure these days.
(ii) Meera has been good in (at) Mathematics since her childhood.
(iii) Ramu said that they had had no rain since January.
(iv) It is not only dangerous but also illegal to drive a motor cycle without a helmet/ It is
neither safe nor legal to drive a ….
(v) In spite of being wealthy/ having plenty of wealth he was not happy.
(vi) He was too tired to stand.
(vii) There was no one who was an inexperienced (not an experienced) mountaineer among
them.
(viii) This is the worst film I have (ever) seen.

Topics found The argumentative essay continues to be difficult for most candidates and
difficult/ only those with advanced writing skills seem to do it well.
confusing by
candidates

• Do not write overlong essays.

• Continually practice transformation of sentences.
Suggestions • Read question paper thoroughly.
for • Use English as often as you can. Do not translate into English from
candidates your home language because when you do this, you will make
errors in idiomatic expression and in the use of prepositions and
tenses.
• Build a class library /notice board.
• Participate in class level debates and discussions to develop
speaking skills. and the confidence among students to express
themselves.
• Play language games and word games to develop vocabulary.

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