ENGLISH LANGUAGE

ENGLISH Paper 1 (Two hours) Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately. 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. Attempt all four questions. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ]. You are advised to spend not more than 35 minutes in answering Question 1 and 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: (a) (b) Me and my big mouth! Write about a time when you were late for an important function. What lesson on punctuality did you learn? (c) Every home should adopt a pet animal. Express your views either for or against this statement. (d) Write an original short story which illustrates the truth of the statement, One lie leads to another. [25]

ICSE Specimen Question Paper

(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.

Question 2 (Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) Select one of the following: (a) Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper telling him/her what you think about global warming, its effects and what people should do to prevent it from getting worse. [10]

(b)

A friend of yours has been out of station for a month and there was an important event/function held in the school while he/she was away. Write him/her a letter describing of the event/function, and your role in it, and why your friend was missed.

ICSE Specimen Question Paper

Question 3 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: My husband Pele and I were staying in a holiday house overlooking the beautiful, lush rainforests of Indonesia. The glass walls framed a fine view across the Bagon Valley to what had been the summer palace of President Suharto. The first morning we strolled hand in hand up a winding pathway, heading to the main building for breakfast. But once we arrived at the dinning room, I realized wed forgotten our money, so I volunteered to run back to the house. Making my way down the path, I turned the last corner only to find a giant bird, similar to an emu, standing outside our front door. Hey baby, what are you doing? I cooed, moving slowly so as not to frighten it. Having a deep, abiding fascination with all creatures great and small, I wanted a closer look. This was my first mistake. As I came within a few meters, he took a big breath and let out a nasty hiss, stopping me in my tracks. Thats not very friendly, I said, clueless. He hissed again and I promptly made the second mistake of turning and running, instead of backing away slowly. As I rounded the corner I heard his razor-sharp claws scrabbling on the cobblestones. Oh! His steps sounded like a drum as they hit the ground, quickly coming too close for comfort. I suddenly changed direction and headed into the trees. Dodged in and out of the foliage. I hoped my tactic would fool him. A crash behind me indicated no such luck. Jumping over a small bush, I found myself out in the open and not far from the dining room. Picking up speed, I bolted over the plants and rockeries surrounding the perimeter and dashed through the gate. When I turned to close it, the bird was nowhere to be seen. I didnt realize it and at the time, but I had just come face to face with a cassowary, a bird also found in Australias north Queensland rainforests. Cassowarys weigh 55 kilos or more, stand about 180 centimeters tall and have saber-like toenails that can open a human from chin to groin like a zipper and kill humans. 3
ICSE Specimen Question Paper

10

15

20

25

Whats wrong? Pele asked as I stumbled back into the dinning room. A big bird chased me all the way from the house, I replied. What? he asked incredulously. Youre scared of a bird? Its as big as me and very mean, I said in a rather sulky voice. Oh, all right, he laughed. Ill come with you. Much to Peles amusement, I stayed behind him on the path and held onto the back of his shirt as we approached the corner of the house. See! There it is. Look at the size of the thing! Pele chuckled at the hysteria in my voice. Its all right, he soothed. Calmly and confidently he walked toward the cassowary. Shoo! Go on, get out, he said. He made actions with his arms as if it were a pigeon on a window ledge. The response of the cassowary was the same as before: a big hiss and a step forward. Hmm, said Pele and stopped, not so sure of himself. He tried again. Go on. The cassowary then ran a few paces at us, hissing aggressively, so we quickly retreated around a corner of the house. Pele picked up a rock the size of his hand and threw it hard, hitting the bird squarely in the chest. It didnt budge. What are we going to do? I pleaded. This time, Pele picked up a cane chair. Stay behind and Ill keep him back. When we get to the door, open it. Again I held on to the back of his shirt and we started towards the door. This greatly displeased the already annoyed cassowary. Charging at us he ripped at the chair with those lethal claws. Pele stopped to steady the chair and possibly his resolve. Pele threw the chair at the bird and slammed the door shut. Ducking the flying cane, the bird ran straight at the glass wall, only to bounce off. But it didnt slow down at all. Pecking and scratching at the glass, it continued the assault with a sickening ferocity. It was another 15 minutes before the bird weakened and slowed its attack. Thirty minutes later, we quietly opened the door and crept back to the main building. (a) Give the meanings of the following words as used in the passage. One word answers or short phrases will be accepted. (i) strolled (line 4) 4

30

35

40

45

50

55

ICSE Specimen Question Paper

(ii) (iii) (b)

fascination (line 10) foliage (line 20) [3]

Answer the following questions briefly in your own words. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) What was Peles wifes first mistake when she saw the bird? How did the bird react to the ladys third mistake? What did she do after this reaction of the bird? Describe the Cassowary. Why did Pele find the situation amusing at first? Why did he change his attitude? (vi) Use the word framed (line 2) in a sentence of your own such that it has a meaning different from that used in the passage. [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]

(c)

With close reference to the last paragraph of the extract and in not more than 60 words describe how the couple got into their room when they were together. [8] [2]

(d)

Give a title to the passage and give 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 brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. Example: (0) discussed. The other day we (0) ______(discuss) the attitudes of people in our country. Why (1) _____ (be) most of them rude and aggressive? Pritam asked. Sanjana (2) ______(say) that it (3) _____(be) because there

(4) ________(be) too many people and one had to fight for everything. Nirode (5)______(insist) that it (6) ______(be) the climate. We

(7) _______(be) as efficient and polite as Europeans if only our weather (8) _______ (be) better. [4]

ICSE Specimen Question Paper

(b)

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) Her parents live ________ New Delhi. Joes parents are sick ________ his behaviour. Colonel Gurmeet congratulated the soldiers _______ their victory. The planet was seen ________ the telescope. The news of his promotion came ________the next day. He is not afraid _______ the consequences. He rushed ______ the class as he was late. [4]

(viii) The school is famous _______its sports achievements. (c) Joint the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (d) Sonia asked a riddle. I was unable to solve it. John helped Thomas. Thomas will always be grateful. Rajan is a great Cricketer. He is also popular. Adnan sang a wonderful song. It became a hit.

[4]

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. We had not even walked one kilometre when they stopped us. (Begin: Hardly ) (ii) The memory is so vivid that I will never forget it. (Use too in place of so) (iii) That need not happen. (Rewrite: using does.) (iv) Food and sleep were all we cared about. (Begin: All .) (v) We sat there face to face with our accuser. (Begin: There ...............................) (vi) Herbert consulted his parents before accepting the job offer. (Begin: Herbert did not ..) (vii) Put your tools away, the children may fall over them (Use: lest) (viii) It was the last time he saw his wife. (Begin: Never) 6
ICSE Specimen Question Paper

(i)

[8]