Paper : ICSE Class X Important Questions : English (2002)

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]

(a) 'Society is influenced more by show than by substance'. Relate an incident from your experience which brings out the truth of this statement.

(b) "Men and women should have equal rights." Give your views for or against the statement.

(c) It was the long awaited climax to your period of training for the Parachute Regiment − the day of the first jump! Describe how you prepared yourself for your first parachute drop, the drop itself, and your feelings after the event.

(d) You have just interviewed a famous person at his/her residence. Write an account of the whole experience. You may include the following points;- Preparation for the interview - description of the person's home - a brief discussion of his/her achievements - What happened during the interview - his/her behaviour - general impressions.

(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 may take suggestions from it; but there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) [10]

(a) You were held up in the countryside one night due to a railway accident. Write a letter to your friend narrating the incident.

(b) Read the following advertisement:-

WANTED

Suitable young sales assistants−on a part-time basis−to market garments for a leading fashion designer. Apply to the Manager New Creations, 147, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi - 110 024.

Write an application in response to this advertisement.

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

The saving of certain wild animals from extinction has for many years been a problem for zoologists and other specialists, but more recently the problem has become so acute, and has received so much publicity, that most people are now concerned about it. This may at first seem strange because one of the most gratifying developments of the last few years has been the passing of strict laws to protect wild animals and the consequent decline in the hunting of big-game for sport. Why is it, then that some rare wild animals are still threatened with extinction and even some of the less rare ones are rapidly declining in number? One reason is the 'march of civilization'. When an area is wholly cleared, of vegetation to make room for new towns, factory sites or hydro-electric plants, the natural home of several species is destroyed. The displaced animals must either migrate to another area or perish. Even the clearing of land for a road or an airfield may involve 'pushing back' the jungle, and the smaller the area in which wild animals compete for a living the smaller the number, that can hope to survive. Civilization brings, too, swift and easy transport and so assists those who are determined to break the various protective laws. Thieves can elude the game wardens, shoot an elephant for its tusks, a rhinoceros for its horn, or a deer for its meat and be miles away from the site of the crime before the dead or dying victim is even discovered. It is sad to reflect that civilization which can bring so many benefits to people who have previously known only hunger and misery, brings also facilities for the heartless criminals who, for material gain, will slaughter some harmless animals and threaten the disappearance of its kind from the earth forever.

(a) Five words are given below Give the meaning of each word as used in the passage, one-word answers or short phrases will be accepted.

1. gratifying

2. consequent

3. declining

4. site

5. reflect [5]

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

1. "This may at first seem strange". To what does the word 'this' refer? [2]

2. Why does the author think that 'this' may seem strange? [2]

3. How does modern transport threaten the survival of wild animals? [2]

4. Using a single sentence for each, give the meaning of:
   (1) 'pushing back' the jungle;
   (2) compete for a living. [2]

5. What is the sad reflection that the author makes in the last paragraph of the passage? [2]

(c) In not more than 60 words of your own, mention ways in which the 'march of civilization' threatens to make certain rare wild animals extinct. [10]

Question 4
(a) Rewrite the following sentences correctly according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence. [5]

1. John has probably forgotten the date of the examination.
   (Begin: In ..............................)

2. Very few countries are as large as India.
   (Use: 'larger')

3. The sergeant asked: 'Did you have any training before'?
   (Rewrite using: 'whether' or 'if")

4. If you don't come, I will not go out.
   (Begin: Only ..........)

5. He sold his house to a wealthy diamond magnate.
   (Rewrite using 'bought' instead of 'sold'.)

(b) Complete each of the blanks (1-5) using the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets: [5]

The falcons were obviously in a heat of fury when the ravens (l) _______ (come) scouting along the cliff. The falcons (2) _______ (attempt) to drive away the ravens. The ravens, however, (3) _______ (fly) unconcerned to and fro. Only at the last split second of each falcon's drive, (4) _______ (do) the ravens turn over sideways to present that remarkable beak which (5) _______ (can) transfix the falcon were it to continue its wild drive.

(c) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: [5]

1. He was let off _______ a fine.

2. The Principal called _______ a written explanation.

3. Where did you come _______ this word?

4. How did this topic come _______?

5. The Chairman assured the Committee that he would look _______ the matter.

(d) The following words have different meanings though spelt in the same way. Use each of them in two separate sentences to illustrate this. [5]

1. Present

2. Swallow

3. Bank

4. Match

5. Scale.