ICSE Class 10 English Language Board Exam Question Paper 2020 with Solutions

ICSE Class 10 English Language Board Exam Question Paper with Solutions

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 Marks]
(a) Write an original short story entitled 'The Secret'

Answer:
The Secret
The old grandfather clock in the hallway chimed midnight, echoing through the silent, dusty mansion. For as long as I could remember, the heavy oak door beneath the grand staircase had remained locked. My grandfather always warned us that some truths are better left buried in the past. But curiosity, a potent and restless companion, had finally gotten the better of me.
Holding a flickering candle, I inserted the brass key, which I had found hidden behind a loose floorboard in the attic, into the rusted keyhole. With a soft click that sounded thunderous in the quiet house, the door swung open. The air inside smelled of old parchment, lavender, and forgotten time. Dust motes danced in the pale candlelight as I stepped into the forbidden room.
It was not a chamber of horrors as I had half-feared, but a sanctuary of memories. The walls were lined with framed photographs and oil paintings of a smiling young woman who bore a striking resemblance to my grandmother, yet dressed in the fashion of the 1940s. On a central mahogany desk sat a leather-bound diary and a silver music box. With trembling fingers, I opened the diary. The faded handwriting revealed the untold story of my family - a tale of resilience, lost love, and a priceless heirloom hidden not in a bank vault, but within the very foundations of the estate during the turbulent days of Partition. The secret was not a dark skeleton in the closet, but a legacy of courage waiting to be reclaimed. As I turned the final page, the weight of the past felt less like a burden and more like an anchor, grounding me in a rich and enduring heritage.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure the narrative follows a clear beginning, a rising action leading to the discovery, and a satisfying conclusion within the word limit.
b) Pay close attention to descriptive details and sensory language to create an engaging atmosphere.

(b) A family without pets is an incomplete family'
Express your views either for or against this statement. [20 Marks]

Answer:
The assertion that "a family without pets is an incomplete family" is a deeply emotional proposition that touches the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. While it is undeniably true that pets bring immense joy, companionship, and warmth into a household, labelling any family without them as incomplete is perhaps an overstatement.
Proponents of pets argue that animals teach children invaluable lessons about empathy, responsibility, and unconditional love. A dog waiting eagerly by the door or a cat purring softly on one's lap provides a unique form of emotional solace that human interaction alone cannot always replicate. Pets bridge generational divides, reduce stress, and foster a sense of shared responsibility among family members. In bustling modern lives, coming home to an affectionate animal acts as a powerful antidote to loneliness.
However, defining a family as incomplete simply because it lacks a furry member overlooks the diverse dynamics of human relationships. Families are built on mutual respect, love, support, and shared values. Furthermore, keeping pets demands considerable time, financial resources, and emotional investment, which some households may not be in a position to provide due to allergies, hectic work schedules, or living arrangements. A home filled with laughter, intellectual discourse, and deep emotional bonds between humans is complete in its own right.
In conclusion, while pets undeniably enrich our lives and elevate a household's happiness, completeness is a state of the heart and mind, not a reflection of whether or not a pet resides under the roof.

Teacher's Note:
a) Maintain a balanced argumentative structure with clear paragraphs supporting the chosen stance while acknowledging the counter-argument.
b) Avoid emotional outbursts; instead, rely on logical reasoning and structured articulation to defend the viewpoint.

(c) Which do you prefer - morning, afternoon, evening or night?
Describe your favourite time of the day. What are the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that you associate with your favourite time of the day? Why do you like this part of the day better than the others. [20 Marks]

Answer:
Of all the changing hues and rhythms of the twenty-four-hour cycle, the early morning is undoubtedly my most cherished time of the day. Long before the world awakens to the frantic rush of daily life, dawn offers a serene and sacred sanctuary of peace.
The sights of the morning are breathtaking. As the first rays of amber sunlight pierce through the mist, dew-drops on the grass sparkle like scattered diamonds. The sky transitions gracefully from deep indigo to soft pastel shades of pink and gold. The sounds are equally enchanting - not the blaring horns of traffic, but the gentle, melodious chirping of sparrows and bulbuls greeting the new day, accompanied by the soft rustle of leaves stirred by a cool morning breeze.
The smells of the morning are distinct and invigorating. There is the earthy fragrance of wet soil after a morning dew, mingling with the crisp, clean scent of fresh air and the comforting aroma of brewing tea drifting from neighborhood kitchens. Emotionally, the morning brings a profound sense of renewal and limitless possibility. The quietude allows for introspection and calm planning before the chaos begins.
I prefer the morning over any other time because it represents a clean slate. It is a moment when the mind is uncluttered and the spirit is untainted by the stresses of the day. In this quiet hour, I find the strength, clarity, and inspiration to face whatever lies ahead.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure all prompts in the question (sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and reasons) are explicitly addressed within the descriptive essay.
b) Use vivid imagery and sensory adjectives to make the description engaging and immersive.

(d) Have you ever said or done something that changed the life of another person? Give an account of your words or actions that led to this change and describe how the experience made you feel. [20 Marks]

Answer:
Life often pivots on the smallest of moments, and words spoken without much premeditation can sometimes alter the course of someone's existence. I experienced this profound truth during my eighth-grade year with a classmate named Rohan.
Rohan was exceptionally quiet, keeping to himself in the corner of the classroom, plagued by a severe stutter that made him dread any form of public speaking. Consequently, he was frequently mocked and preferred to remain invisible. One afternoon, during a school-wide elocution audition, Rohan stood paralyzed on stage, unable to utter a single word while the audience grew restless. Teachers whispered, and humiliation was writ large across his face.
Moved by an impulsive surge of empathy, I stood up from my seat in the front row and began applauding loudly, shouting, "You can do it, Rohan! Take your time!" My small act of defiance broke the tense silence. Others joined in, clapping encouragingly. Encouraged by the supportive atmosphere, Rohan took a deep breath, found his rhythm, and delivered a powerful, moving speech about perseverance.
That single moment transformed Rohan. Over the next few years, his confidence soared; he participated in debates, led school plays, and became an articulate speaker. Witnessing his transformation filled me with a deep sense of humility and profound joy. It taught me that kindness is never wasted and that a simple word of encouragement has the power to shatter invisible walls.

Teacher's Note:
a) Narrative essays written in the first person must maintain a consistent emotional tone and reflect personal growth or insight.
b) Keep the plot realistic and focus heavily on the psychological impact of the incident on both characters.

(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. [20 Marks]
[Figure: A black and white photograph showing a group of five children playing outdoors on a rustic village path. In the foreground, a boy joyfully points one arm upward towards the sky while looking up with an expression of triumph and delight. Behind him, another boy and three girls smile happily, walking together in a line along a narrow mud track bordered by foliage and simple houses.]

Answer:
The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind an earthy petrichor that hung heavily in the humid afternoon air. The muddy lanes of our village, usually deserted during a downpour, instantly transformed into a playground of unbridled joy as children poured out of their homes.
At the forefront was Aarav, his oversized shirt damp and clinging to his frame, holding his hand aloft like a triumphant flag bearer. He pointed towards the eastern horizon where a brilliant, vibrant rainbow spanned across the grey clouds. For us, children of a remote hamlet where modern amusements were scarce, the sight of a rainbow was nothing short of magic.
Behind Aarav trotted his younger siblings and neighborhood friends - Meera, Kabir, and little Riya, their bare feet splashing enthusiastically through the puddles. Laughter echoed off the corrugated tin roofs of the surrounding houses. We had spent the entire morning cooped indoors while thunder shook our windows, but now the world belonged to us again. Kabir was busy recounting how he had rescued a paper boat from a rushing drain stream, while Riya clapped her hands in sheer delight.
Looking at Aarav's uplifted arm and radiant face, I realized that happiness does not require grand luxuries. It is found in the simple camaraderie of friends, the fresh smell of wet earth, and the shared wonder of nature's simple spectacles after a passing storm.

Teacher's Note:
a) The composition must establish an unmistakable link to the visual stimulus provided in the paper, either by describing the scene directly or building a narrative around it.
b) Ensure descriptive flair and creative interpretation while keeping the narrative coherent and within the prescribed word limit.

Question 2

(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following: [10 Marks]
(a) You have changed your school recently. Write a letter to your friend in your old school telling him / her what you like about your new school but also what you miss about your old school.

Answer:
Examination Hall
City ABC
15th March 2020

Dear Rohan,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. It has been over a month since my family relocated and I joined my new school, and I have been meaning to write to you ever since.

My new school, St. Xavier's Academy, is quite impressive. I really like the state-of-the-art science laboratories and the expansive library, which is stacked with thousands of books. The teachers here are very supportive, and I have already made a couple of good friends in my class during our sports periods.

However, despite all these modern facilities, not a single day passes without me missing our old school and, above all, you. I miss our customary bench in the corner of the playground, sharing our lunch boxes during recess, and the familiar banter with our English teacher. The vibrant energy of our old classroom simply cannot be replaced by new buildings.

Convey my regards to your parents and best wishes to the rest of the gang. Do write back soon and let me know how things are going there.

Yours lovingly,
Kabir

Teacher's Note:
a) This is an informal letter format. Ensure the sender's address, date, and affectionate salutation are correctly placed.
b) The body must clearly cover both aspects requested: what is liked about the new school and what is missed about the old school.

OR

(b) Some taps in your locality are left open all day resulting in a tremendous waste of water. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your town / city, complaining about the problem. Suggest ways in which this waste of water can be prevented. [10 Marks]

Answer:
To,
The Municipal Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation, City ABC.

15th March 2020

Subject: Complaint regarding continuous wastage of water from public taps and suggested remedial measures.

Respected Sir / Madam,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the residents of Sector 14, Green Park, to draw your immediate attention to a grave civic issue concerning the massive wastage of water in our locality.

For the past two weeks, several public water taps installed along the main street have been left broken and running continuously day and night. Thousands of liters of precious potable water are draining away into the gutters, creating artificial waterlogging and unhygienic conditions around the area. Despite several verbal complaints to local maintenance staff, no action has been taken so far.

To prevent this colossal waste of water, I would like to suggest the following urgent measures:
1. Immediate dispatch of a plumbing repair team to fix or replace all faulty and broken public taps.
2. Installation of self-closing spring-loaded taps in public areas to prevent them from being left open accidentally or deliberately.
3. Appointment of a local caretaker or monitoring committee to inspect public utilities regularly.

Given the severe water scarcity issues faced by our city during summer months, prompt action in this regard would be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,
Aarav Sharma
Resident, Sector 14, Green Park

Teacher's Note:
a) This is a formal complaint letter. Ensure proper formal layout including designation, subject line, formal salutation, and structured paragraphs.
b) Practical and actionable suggestions for water conservation must be explicitly outlined in the body.

Question 3

(a) Your school is organizing a fete / carnival to raise funds for victims of the recent floods in your State. Write a notice to be put up on the school notice board giving details of the event. [5 Marks]

Answer:
ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, DELHI
NOTICE
CHARITY CARNIVAL FOR FLOOD RELIEF

15th March 2020

All students and staff are hereby informed that our school is organizing a grand Charity Carnival to raise funds for the victims of the recent devastating floods in our State. The details of the event are as follows:

Date: 25th March 2020
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: School Grounds
Attractions: Food stalls, game booths, art exhibitions, and a musical concert.

Entry passes priced at Rs. 50 can be purchased from respective class teachers. Let us come together to support this noble cause with generosity.

Aarav Mehta
Head Boy

Teacher's Note:
a) A notice must be enclosed in a box, featuring the institution name, the word NOTICE, a clear heading, date, body with event details, and issuing authority's name and designation.
b) Keep the language crisp, informative, and formal.

(b) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school, inviting him/ her to send their students to attend the fete / carnival. [5 Marks]

Answer:
Answer:
To: principal.modernschool@gmail.com
Subject: Invitation for Charity Carnival and Fete for Flood Victims

Respected Principal Madam,

Greetings from St. Mary's High School!

Our school is organizing a grand Charity Carnival on 25th March 2020 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on our school grounds. The objective of this event is to raise funds to support the rehabilitation of victims affected by the recent floods in our State.

We believe that instilling social responsibility in young minds is of paramount importance. Therefore, we cordially invite the students and faculty members of your esteemed institution to visit and participate in the carnival.

Your presence and support would greatly encourage our students in this humanitarian endeavor. Kindly confirm the approximate number of students attending by 20th March so that we can make necessary arrangements.

Yours sincerely,
Sunita Rao
Principal, St. Mary's High School

Teacher's Note:
a) An email format must include a clear 'To' field, a concise subject line, a formal salutation, a polite body stating the purpose, and a formal sign-off.
b) Ensure the tone remains respectful and collaborative while conveying all necessary event details.

Question 4

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

Attending classes inside a railway carriage seemed unusual enough, but the seating arrangements turned out to be unusual, too. At Totto-chan's previous school each pupil was assigned a specific desk. But here they could sit anywhere they liked at any time.
The most unusual thing of all about this school, however, was the lessons themselves.
Schools normally schedule one subject, for example history, during the first period, when everyone in the class just did history; then say, arithmetic in the second period, when you just did arithmetic. But here it was quite different. At the beginning of the first period, the teacher made a list of all the problems and questions in the subjects to be studied that day. Then she would say, "Now, start with any of these you like."
So, whether you started on history or arithmetic or something else didn't matter at all. Someone who liked composition might be writing something, while behind you someone who liked chemistry might be boiling something in a flask over an alcohol burner.
This method of teaching enabled the teachers to observe - as the children progressed to higher grades - what they were interested in as well as their way of thinking and their character. It was an Ideal way for teachers to really get to know their pupils.
As for the pupils, they loved being able to start with their favourite subject; the fact that they had all day to cope with the subjects, disliked meant they could usually manage them somehow. So, study was mostly independent, with pupils free to go and consult the teacher whenever necessary. Then pupils would be given further exercises to work at alone. It was study in the truest sense of the word, and it meant there were no pupils just sitting inattentively while the teacher talked and explained.
The first-grade pupils hadn't quite reached the stage of independent study, but even they were allowed to start with any subject they wanted.
Some copied letters of the alphabet, some drew pictures, some read books, and some even did physical exercises.
Just then the boy sitting behind her got up and walked toward the blackboard with his notebook, apparently to consult the teacher. Totto-chan stopped looking around the room and fixed her eyes on his back as he walked. The boy dragged his leg, and his whole body swayed from side to side. Totto-chan wondered at first if he was doing it on purpose, but she soon realized the boy couldn't help it.
The boy said brightly, "My name's Yasuaki. What's yours?"
She was so glad to hear him speak that she replied loudly, "I'm Totto-chan."
Adapted from Totto-chan

(a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage:
One-word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
(i) Assigned (line 3)
(ii) Ideal (line 19)
(iii) Independent (line 21) [3 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Assigned: Allotted / given / designated.
(ii) Ideal: Perfect / best possible / most suitable.
(iii) Independent: Self-reliant / free / working without direct supervision.

Teacher's Note:
a) Vocabulary meanings must be given strictly in the context of how the words are used in the passage.
b) Short phrases or exact single-word synonyms accepted by the board are ideal.

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
(i) What was unusual about the seating arrangement? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Unlike her previous school where each student was given a specific desk, students at this school were permitted to sit anywhere they liked at any time.

Teacher's Note:
a) Frame the answer clearly using your own words based on the opening paragraph of the text.
b) Ensure both conditions (previous school vs. current school) are highlighted for full marks.

(ii) How did the method of teaching help the teacher? [2 Marks]

Answer:
The teaching method allowed teachers to observe the children's interests, their ways of thinking, and their character as they progressed.

Teacher's Note:
a) Extract the answer directly from the paragraph discussing teacher observation.
b) Conciseness and accuracy are key to securing both marks.

(iii) Why did the pupils enjoy their lessons at this school? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Pupils enjoyed their lessons because they had the freedom to begin with their favorite subjects and could manage the subjects they disliked throughout the day.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention the freedom of choice regarding subjects to capture the essence of student enjoyment.
b) Avoid lifting sentences verbatim; rephrase cleanly.

(iv) What different things did the first-grade pupils do? [2 Marks]

Answer:
The first-grade pupils copied letters of the alphabet, drew pictures, read books, or even performed physical exercises.

Teacher's Note:
a) List the activities accurately as detailed in the paragraph concerning first-grade students.
b) Ensure all mentioned activities are covered briefly.

(v) Which sentence in the passage tells us that the boy had difficulty in walking like other children? [1 Mark]

Answer:
"The boy dragged his leg, and his whole body swayed from side to side."

Teacher's Note:
a) Quotation marks should be used when asked to identify a specific sentence from the text.
b) Exact copying of the sentence without alteration is required.

(c) In not more than 50 words, describe how the children were taught. [8 Marks]

Answer:
Teachers provided a daily list of problems and questions across subjects at the start of the first period. Students were free to choose any subject to study independently, moving at their own pace, consulting teachers when needed, and working on further exercises alone without passive lecturing.

Teacher's Note:
a) Summarize the teaching methodology concisely while adhering strictly to the 50-word limit.
b) Focus on self-directed study, daily lists, and student choice of subjects.

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.
Example:
(1) taught
By the time she was three, Matilda had (0) ________ (teach) herself to read by (1) ______ (study) newspapers and magazines that (2) _______ (lie) around the house. At the age of four, she could (3) _______ (read) fast and well and she naturally began (4) _______ (hanker) after books. The only book in the whole of this enlightened household was something called Easy Cooking (5) _______ (belong) to her mother, and when she had read this from cover to cover and had (6) ______ (learn) all the recipes by heart, she (7) _______ (decide) she (8) ______ (want) something more interesting. [4 Marks]

Answer:
(1) studying
(2) lay / were lying
(3) read
(4) to hanker / hankering
(5) belonging
(6) learnt / learned
(7) decided
(8) wanted

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure verb tenses match the narrative past tense structure of the passage.
b) Write only the serial numbers and the corresponding correct words in order.

(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. [4 Marks]
(i) It has been raining _______ two hours.
(ii) He just scraped _______ his examination.
(iii) Mrs. Kapoor was bent __________ attending the meeting.
(iv) She is proud and looks _________ on her colleagues.
(v) Rahul plays football ________ his grandfather.
(vi) The mother was sitting _______ the sick child all night.
(vii) Monica is leaning ______ the wall.
(viii) Rosie is very good _______ art and craft

Answer:
(i) for
(ii) through
(iii) on
(iv) down
(v) with
(vi) beside / by
(vii) against
(viii) at

Teacher's Note:
a) Prepositions and phrasal verbs must be tested strictly for idiomatic correctness.
b) Pay close attention to context, such as duration indicating 'for' and approval/disapproval phrasal verbs.

(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using, and, but or so. [4 Marks]
(i) Sarah and Tyra are twins. They look exactly alike.
(ii) Robin does not like to play cricket. He does not like to play hockey either.
(iii) Sania pushed as hard as she could. The door would not open.
(iv) The school bus drove through the gate. The clock was striking eight at that moment.

Answer:
(i) Being twins, Sarah and Tyra look exactly alike.
(ii) Robin likes to play neither cricket nor hockey.
(iii) Although Sania pushed as hard as she could, the door would not open.
(iv) The school bus drove through the gate just as the clock was striking eight.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure the joining conjunctions or transition words used do not include 'and', 'but', or 'so'.
b) Verify that the original meaning and grammatical correctness of the combined sentences are preserved.

(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]
(i) The librarian orders books for the school library every year.
(Begin: Books...)
(ii) No one will deny that the children have worked very hard this year.
(Begin: Everyone...)
(iii) As soon as the teacher enters, she is greeted by her students.
(Begin: No sooner...)
(iv) She is so busy that she finds no time to entertain her friends.
(Rewrite using 'too')
(v) In spite of the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy some bread.
(Begin: Despite...)
(vi) Sheela will be selected for the competition only if she auditions.
(Begin: Unless...)
(vii) I would rather eat fruit than a lot of unhealthy junk food.
(Begin: I prefer...)
(viii) The tree was cut down ruthlessly.
(Begin: They...)

Answer:
(i) Books are ordered for the school library by the librarian every year.
(ii) Everyone will agree that the children have worked very hard this year.
(iii) No sooner does the teacher enter than she is greeted by her students.
(iv) She is too busy to find time to entertain her friends.
(v) Despite the very hot weather, Kevin stepped out to buy some bread.
(vi) Unless Sheela auditions, she will not be selected for the competition.
(vii) I prefer eating fruit to eating a lot of unhealthy junk food.
(viii) They cut down the tree ruthlessly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Transformation of sentences requires precise structural changes without altering the core meaning.
b) Pay careful attention to correlative conjunction pairs (No sooner... than, Too... to, Unless) and active-passive conversions.