Paper : ICSE Class X Important Questions : English (2006)

General Instructions

1. Attempt all four question.
2. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets.
3. You are advised to spend not more than 35 minutes in answering Question 1and 20 minutes in answering Question 2.

Question 1
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (350 − 400 words) on any one of the following:-(25 )

1. You are a spectator at a cricket match. Trouble erupts suddenly in the stadium and you witness a riot among the crowd. Give a vivid description of the scene.
2. India has always believed in the value of the family. Discuss the changes, both good and bad, that have resulted from the break-up of the traditional Indian joint family.
3. The Computer will soon replace the Book. Express your views either for or against this statement.
4. Write a short story which illustrates the truth of the statement, Rumour is a great traveller.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select one of the following:-

1. Recently you went to a restaurant for dinner and there you saw your favourite sports star. You had an opportunity of spending some moments with him or her. In a letter to your friend, give a brief account of  your memorable meeting with the sports star.
2. Your cousin is missing from home. Write a letter to the Superintendent of Police of your locality, requesting him to trace your cousin. Give all relevant details that may help the police department.

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

There came to our town some years ago a showman who owned an institution called the Gaiety Land. Overnight, our Gymkhana grounds became resplendent with banners and streamers and coloured lamps. From all over the district, crowds poured into the show. Within a week of opening, in gate money, they collected five hundred rupees a day. Gaiety Land provided us with all sorts of fun 5 and gambling and side-shows. For a couple of annas, in each booth, we could watch anything from performing parrots to crack motor cyclists. In addition to this, there were lotteries and shooting galleries, where, for an anna, you always stood a chance of` winning a hundred rupees.

There was a particular corner of the show which was in great favour. Here, for a 10 ticket costing eight annas, you could be lucky enough to acquire a variety of articles − pin cushions, sewing machines or even a road engine. One evening, they drew a ticket, number 1005, and I happened to own the other half of the ticket. Glancing down the list of articles, they declared that I had become the owner of a road engine! (15)

I looked stunned. People gathered around and gazed at me as if I were some sort of a curious animal. Some people muttered and giggled, "Fancy anyone becoming the owner of a road engine!"

It was not the sort of prize one could carry home at short notice. I asked the showman if he could help me to transport it. He merely pointed at a notice which 20 decreed that all the winners should remove their prizes immediately after the draw and by their own effort. However, they had to make an exception in my case.

They agreed to keep the engine at the Gymkhana Grounds till the end of the season, and then, I would have to make my own arrangements to take it out.

When I asked the showman if he could find me a driver, he just smiled and 25 said, "The fellow who brought it here had to be paid a hundred rupees for the job and five rupees a day. I sent him away and made up my mind that if no one was going to draw it, I would just leave it to its fate."

"Can't I sell it to some municipality?" I asked innocently. He burst into a laugh.

"As a showman I have enough trouble with municipal people. I would rather  30 keep out of the way."

My friends and relatives poured in, to congratulate me on my latest acquisition. No one knew precisely how much a road engine would fetch; all the same they felt that there was a lot of money in it. "Even if you sell it as scrap iron, you can make a few thousands," some of my friends declared. Everyday I made a trip to 35 the Gymkhana Grounds to have a look at my engine. I grew very fond of it.

I loved its shining brass parts. I stood near it and patted it affectionately, hovered about it, and returned home everyday only at the close of the show. I thought all my troubles were coming to an end. How ignorant I was! How little did I guess that my troubles had just begun! 40 (a) Three words from the passage are given below. Give the meaning of each word as used in the passage.

One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

1. resplendent (line 2)
2. stunned (line I6)
3. acquisition (line 32)

(b) (i) Which two sentences in the first paragraph show that Gaiety Land was popular? (2)

(ii) Give three reasons for the popularity of Gaiety Land.

(iii) What is meant by it was not the sort of prize one could carry home at short notice?

(iv) What was the showman's response to the narrator asking for help to transport the road engine?

(v) Why was the showman ready to leave the road engine to its fate?

(c) In not more than 60 words, describe the reactions of the public, friends and relatives towards the narrator on his winning the road engine. How did he treat his proud possession

(d) Give a title to your summary in 3(c). State a reason to justify your choice.

Question 4

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

Example:
(0) giving.
Mid-afternoon while (0) _______ (give) my report to Mrs. Biggs, I (1) _______ (hear) a loud thumping (2) _______ (come) from the direction of her storeroom."What (3) _______ (be) all that noise downstairs?" I asked."Probably a rat. I don't hear anything," she replied. I ran downstairs and (4) _______ (open) the store room door. There was Mr. Biggs (5) _______ (look) very dusty and very disgruntled; he wanted to know why Mrs. Biggs (6) _______ (shut) him up for hours. He had gone into the store room in search of a walking stick and Mrs. Biggs (7) _______ (see) the door open, had promptly (8) _______ (bolt) it.

(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:- (4)

1. He refused to put _______ with their interference in his affairs.
2. She has been going _______ the script for days.
3. It is our duty to protest _______ injustice.
4. He soon became accustomed _______ the harsh weather.
5. Dilip went out _______ his way to help the poor.
6. He was able to  put _______ his ideas so cleverly that he impressed everyone.
7. He persists _______ teasing the other children in the class.
8. I have been waiting for you _______ four o'clock.

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and but or so. (4)

1. Sahil composed a wonderful song. It became a hit.
2. Rani reached the spot. We were to meet there.
3. Dick met me. I gave him the document.
4. Shenaz was very upset. I wanted to help her out.

(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 Marks)

1. As soon as the Chief Guest arrived, the band started playing.
   (Begin: No sooner.........................................)
2. (ii) He went to the library and to the bank.
   (Begin: Not only.............................................)
3. (iii) Though he is very poor, he helps others in need.
   (Begin: Inspite....................................)
4. (iv) He does not intend to leave the Company.
   (Use: intention)
5. (v) "Do you want some more ice-cream or a slice of cake?" asked my aunt.
   (Begin: My aunt asked..............................)
6. (vi) They are painting a mural on the front wall.
   (Begin: A mural..........................................)
7. (vii) Tansen was the best singer in Akbar's court.
   (Use: better ...............................)
8. (viii) You remembered to buy a loaf of bread, didn't you?
   (Begin: You didn't....................................)