Exercise 4 Sample Question Paper 4

Class 9 & 10 - ICSE English Language

Portions covered in this paper:
  • Reading comprehension
  • Letter writing (formal and informal)
  • Story writing/ Argumentative Essay
  • Grammar (Tenses, Prepositions, Transformation of sentences)
  • Exam duration: 2 hours
  • Total marks: 80

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. Write a short story which brings out the truth of the saying, 'Don't judge a book by its cover’.
    2. or
  2. Should we publicize every act of kindness we perform? Write an argumentative essay either in support of or against this practice.

Question 2

Select any one of the following: [10]

  1. Write a letter to your friend living abroad telling her/him about the school drama in which you played the main lead.
    2. or
  2. You are the school captain of Greenwoods International School. Write a letter to a celebrity inviting them to come for your Arts Club inauguration. They will also have to unveil the logo for the club.

Question 3

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow

WHICHEVER WAY I turn I see signs of regeneration. The harbinger of spring is the semul or the silk- cotton tree, known in Latin by the bombastic sounding title Bombax malabaricum. The name is doubly deceptive: Bombax has nothing to do with Bombay, as you might be deluded into believing, but stands for silk-worm, though I have never found any on it. Furthermore, though Malabar claims to be its state of nativity, it grows extensively all over the country. There are hundreds of semuls to be seen in Delhi, both the scarlet and orange varieties. Visitors to the capital driving from the airport to Ashok Hotel can see them on either side of the avenue that runs between Nehru Park and the Diplomatic Enclave. They are in full flower in the first week of February.

The semul is tall and stately. However, since its flowers are without fragrance and its fruit inedible, it has been lampooned by poets. Guru Nanak used it as a simile for something large but useless. What he meant to emphasize in his hymn, Semul rakh saraiyra ati deeragh ati muchh, was that the stature of a person has no bearing on his qualities. It is unfortunate that he chose this tree to illustrate his theme because the semul has in fact quite a few things to offer. It yields an astringent gum which has medicinal properties; its wood is used to make matchsticks; its inner bark when converted into fibre makes cordage; and its pods when they burst in April release a gossamer floss which is used to stuff pillows and quilts.

The semul is one of the few trees which sheds its branches of its own sweet will to grow new ones. Since it can rise to over 130 feet, it has supports around its bole to hold it up. The bole is also armed with tiny spikes to deter men and monkeys from climbing up.

As red as the semul flowers but of a darker hue are the scarlet ixora bushes and solanem creepers which closely resemble each other. Both can be seen in profusion. Golden showers, which were in full glory in the last week of January, begin to fade out. So does mustard in the fields. No sooner does that happen than we know that Delhi’s short winter is almost over.

February has much to offer to the nature lover. The first pink blossom on a leafless peach tree is a sight to behold, ‘fair as a star when only one is shining in the sky.’ As the days begin to get warmer, birds become more active. Green barbets go on their wavy flight from one dark-foliaged tree to another, wind themselves up:kurr, kurr, kurr, and then let themselves go: kuttook, kutrook, kutrook.. Their Indian name is sensibly onomatopoeic: kutrook. The green bar-bet is a shy bird, barely visible among dense-leaved trees because of its olive green plumage. Its call betrays its presence. No sooner does it become aware of anyone gazing at it, than it falls silent and after a suspicious glance it is off on its undulating, heavy flight to another tree. I am impressed by bird- photographers who manage to get it entering its nest-hole in a tree or with its beak full of wild berries. Green barbets are my morning companions.

(The excerpt is taken from the short story Nature Watch by Kushwant Singh)

  1. Choose the right meaning of words from the options[4]

      Bole
    1. trunk of a tree
    2. skin of a plant
    3. rocks
    4. leaves in a tree
      Regeneration
    1. die
    2. slow destruction
    3. re-born
    4. birth
      Gazing
    1. follow
    2. look steadily
    3. travel
    4. eat on grass

  2. Answer the following questions: [2]

    1. What is the Latin name of the semul tree?
    2. According to the passage, what are two uses of the semul tree?
    3. Why has the semul tree been lampooned by poets?
    4. Which trees/plants are mentioned in the passage as having red flowers?
    5. What is the Indian name for the green barbet, and why is it considered sensible?

  3. Summarise the nature in the month of February in less than 60 words[6]

Question 4

  1. Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. [5]

    After much questioning, Mr. Mani admitted that he ____ (go) further than he ____(intend), and that he _____ (lost) his way coming back. He had been a bit upset because the new teacher, a slip of a girl, ____(give) charge of the Sixth, while he ____(still) with the Fifth, along with that troublesome boy Prakash, who ____(keep)on reminding him of the time! The headmaster _____(explain) that as Mr. Mani was due to retire at the end of the year, the school did not wish to burden him with a senior class. But Mr. Mani _____(look) upon the whole thing as a plot to get rid of him. He ____(glower) at Miss Ramola whenever he ______(pass) her.

  2. Fill in each blank with an appropriate word[5]

    1. She is passionate _________ playing football.
    2. Can you pass the message _________ to your classleader?
    3. The treasure was hidden _________ the old box.
    4. I am confident _________ my ability to win.
    5. Please place the coffee mug _________ the center of the table.
    6. Be cautious not to step _________ the wet floor.
    7. He arrived _________ the court just in time.
    8. Do you have any plans _________ next month?

  3. Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option[8]

    1. I was in Delhi recently. I visited all the tourist attractions there.
    2. She had many friends. She also had several enemies.
    3. The sun set. The girls had not finished the game.
    4. I have some duties. I must perform them.
    5. Your mother will hear of your success. She will be delighted.
    6. It was a very cold day. I could not do my work satisfactorily.
    7. The cow provides milk. Milk is a valuable food.
    8. She hurt his foot. She stopped.

  4. Rewrite 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]

    1. The accused is innocent. (Use: guilty)
    2. She is too clever to get caught. (Use: so….. that……)
    3. The dog is the most faithful animal. (Use: No other……)
    4. "I will attend the conference tomorrow," he said. (Begin with: He said...)
    5. The gun shot. The sprinters ran. (Use: hardly.. when…)
    6. The members will make him the President of this organization. (Begin: He will be made……)
    7. She will get a promotion if she works harder. (Use ‘unless')
    8. She finished her homework as soon as she got home. (Begin with: No sooner…)

Email us to get the answer key.

Practise your writing skills with more questions

Revise the class 9 and class 10 ICSE English Literature summaries with Aneetta Class.

Get Personalized Tuitions

We offer premium education on a personalized level. Online tuition for all grades, tailor-made!

Enroll now