Students can refer to the following Sample Paper ICSE Class 10 English Language Set E with Answers provided below based on the latest syllabus and examination guidelines issued for ICSE English Language. All specimen papers have been prepared covering all chapters given in ICSE English Language book for Class 10. You should also refer to ICSE Class 10 English Language Solutions.
Sample Paper ICSE Class 10 English Language Set E with Answers
Subject : ENGLISH – I
Grade: X
• 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.
• This paper consists of 9 printed pages.
• Attempt all 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) Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following: [20]
(a) The sound of laughter and loud voices attracted your attention to a room in your house. The door is closed. Describe what you hear as well as what you see as you gently open the door.
(b) Narrate an incident which made you realize that forgiveness is nobler than revenge.
(c) “Corruption is the greatest obstacle to the development of our country.” Express your views either for or against this statement.
(d) Write an original story ending with the sentence: It was well after midnight when it all ended.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a short story or description or an account of what the picture suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question) Select one of the following: [10]
(a) Write a letter to the Principal of your school thanking her/him for organizing a career counselling session for the students of Grade X. Mention how you were benefitted from the same.
(b) You were selected for trekking near the Himalayan range with a professional group of mountaineers. You have successfully completed the two week camping adventure. Write a letter to your friend about your experience and what made you successful there.
Question 3 [5+5]
(a) You are the Secretary of your school Literature Club. Write a notice for the School Notice Board inviting students from G VIII to X for a visit to an Old Age Home on the occasion of Grand Parents Day.
(b) Write an email to the Manager of the Old Age Home informing him/her about the planned visit from your school. Also seek advice on suitable dates.
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Stories could be memories or mediations between reality and aspirations that reflect what a society wishes to express about itself. A story is perhaps the oldest form of communication known to humankind. Storytelling brings people together, whether it is a street corner or a darkened cinema hall. While the essence of story remains the same, the way of telling stories has been influenced by the kind of tools and technology of the times. From telling stories with the help of voice and gesture alone to using painted scrolls and boxes, text, dance, music, performance or a combination of all, storytelling in India is a rich heritage.
‘Kaavad Banchana’, an oral tradition of storytelling is still alive in Rajasthan. Here stories from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are told along with stories from the Puranas, caste genealogies and storied from the folk tradition. The experience is audio-visual as the telling is accompanied by taking the listener on a visual journey made possible by the ‘Kaavad’ shrine.
Against the backdrop of storytelling it invokes the notion of a sacred space and provides an identity to all concerned with its making, telling and listening.
The Kaavad is a portable wooden shrine that has visual narratives on its multiple panels that are hinged together. These panels open and close like doors simulating the several thresholds of a temple. The visuals are those of Gods, Goddesses, saints, local heroes and the patrons. It unfolds to reveal pictures of episodes in a particular character. It has four main sections. It is made by the Suthar (carpenter), community in Mewar for the itinerant Kaavadiya Bhat ( storyteller) from Marvar who brings it to his patron’s houses in Rajasthan.
The storyteller or Kaavadiya Bhat would start by opening the small outer doors revealing the decorations on the outer panels to arouse the crowds curiosity by talking through the highlights of the stories depicted in the kavad. The storyteller would then open a ‘donations’ flap located under the decorated panels and ask for money to continue with the tale.
When enough coins had been passed over, the storyteller would open the panels, one by one, telling the tales depicted. The grand finale of the tales would come when the storyteller opens the final panels to reveal a ‘shrine’ – housing 3D images of the hero and his wife/wives or companions. It is believed that listening to these stories purifies the soul and reserves a place of entry for the devotee in heaven.
(a) Give the meaning of each of the following words as used in the passage. One word answers or short phrases will be accepted. [3]
(i) aspirations
(ii) shrine
(iii) curiosity
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(i) What does the art of storytelling do? What has influenced the way of telling stories?
(ii) Which oral story telling tradition is the author talking about? Which stories are narrated in this oral tradition? [2]
(iii) Whose visuals are painted on the kaavad shrines? Why is it said to provide an audio- visual experience to the listener? [2]
(iv) What is a kaavad shrine? How does it operate? [2]
(v) What is the belief of the listeners of these stories? [1]
(c) In not more than 50 words, describe how the storyteller or Kaavadiya Bhat narrated the stories with the help of kaavad shrines.
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) opened
When I (0) _________________ open the door I (1) ______________ (see) a man on his knees. He (2) ______________ (listen) to our conversation and I wondered how much he (3) _____________ (hear). When I asked him what he (4) _________________ (do) he said he had dropped a fifty paisa coin outside the door and (5) __________________ (look) for it. Actually he
was making notes of our conversation! By the time I discovered this he (6) _____________ (disappear). Curiously enough when I moved my foot I found I (7) _________________ (stand) on a fifty paisa coin. Perhaps he (8) _______________ (tell) the truth after all.
(b) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word: [4]
(i) Courage is needed ____________ the face of hardships.
(ii) He parted _____________ his friend in high spirits.
(iii) Aruna was idly turning ______________ the pages of a magazine.
(iv) Jim stood before the mirror frowning _______________ the reflection.
(v) Mr. Khanna’s creditors became impatient _______________ payment.
(vi) The captain entered _________ a pact to nominate the best player in the game.
(vii) Can we enter ________________ a valid passport?
(viii) The success of the play rested largely ___________ a very simple idea.
(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. [4]
(i) I was annoyed. I kept quiet.
(ii) He was a great general. He introduced many reforms in the army.
(iii) I will tell you a secret. You must not divulge it.
(iv) Anita is a clever girl. The other girls are not so clever.
(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) Jaya owes her success to her mother (Use: successful)
(ii) I convinced him of his mistake. (Use: mistaken)
(iii) A bridge would have been built if the funds had not run out. (Begin: Had the . . . . .)
(iv) There were many problems, however it has been successful event. (Begin: Notwithstanding. . . . . . .)
(v) The job was completed, so he asked to he remunerated. (Begin: After. . . .. . )
(vi) You must put in your very best otherwise you will be shown the door. (Begin: If . . . . .).
(vii) Arjun said to me, “Do you know how to hit a boundary?” (Remove the quotation marks).
viii) Sachin is one of the best players in India. (Use: better)