ICSE Class 10 English Literature Sample Paper 2022 with Solutions

SECTION A

Question 1

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. (Do not copy the question, Write the correct answer only.) [10]

(i) What was announced on the loudspeakers before the start of the race in the poem, 'Nine Gold Medals'? [1 Mark]
(a) The nationalities of the runners.
(b) The age of the runners.
(c) The names of the runners.
(d) The gender of the runners.

Answer: (c) The names of the runners

Teacher's Note:
a) The poem states that the last event was announced, and the names of the runners were called out over the loudspeakers.
b) Students must read the text carefully to distinguish between general event announcements and specific participant details.

(ii) Which of the following words would best describe Abou Ben Adhem? [1 Mark]
(a) Bold and brash
(b) Devout and compassionate
(c) Prayerful and anxious
(d) Dreamy and peaceful

Answer: (b) Devout and compassionate

Teacher's Note:
a) Abou Ben Adhem's deep love for God shows his devotion, and his request to be counted among those who love their fellowmen shows his compassion.
b) Ensure students look at both aspects of his character rather than just picking a peaceful or dreamy trait.

(iii) What event were the children in Ray Bradbury's story, 'All Summer in a Day' eagerly awaiting? [1 Mark]
(a) Their return to the Earth.
(b) The arrival of the Rocket people.
(c) Their teacher's return.
(d) The appearance of the sun.

Answer: (d) The appearance of the sun

Teacher's Note:
a) The children live on Venus where it rains continuously, and they eagerly await the predicted brief appearance of the sun after seven years.
b) Pay close attention to the central plot driver of science fiction stories when answering comprehension questions.

(iv) How old was Margot when she first arrived on this distant planet? [1 Mark]
(a) Five
(b) Seven
(c) Four
(d) Nine

Answer: (c) Four

Teacher's Note:
a) Margot moved from Ohio to Venus when she was four years old and remembers the sun vividly from her time on Earth.
b) Do not confuse her age at the time of the story (nine years old) with her age when she arrived on Venus.

(v) What made Jesse Owens one of the best remembered athletes of all time? [1 Mark]
(a) His remarkable achievement of winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.
(b) The amazing bond of friendship that he developed with arch rival Luz Long.
(c) His struggle to qualify for the finals of the broad jump at the 1936 Olympic Games.
(d) His anger at the rising nationalistic feelings that characterized the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Answer: (a) His remarkable achievement of winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.

Teacher's Note:
a) Jesse Owens achieved legendary status globally due to his historic gold medal wins at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
b) While his friendship with Luz Long is a notable highlight of the essay, his overall athletic feat is the primary reason for his historical renown.

(vi) "You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed." Who said these words and to whom? [1 Mark]
(a) Jesse Owens' coach to Jesse Owens.
(b) Luz Long to Jesse Owens
(c) Jesse Owens to Luz Long
(d) Hitler to Luz Long

Answer: (b) Luz Long to Jesse Owens

Teacher's Note:
a) Luz Long encourages a frustrated Jesse Owens by telling him he is talented enough to qualify easily.
b) Students often mistakenly attribute this advice to Owens' coach.

(vii) Antonio says that trying to reason with Shylock was like ____________ . [1 Mark]
(a) standing on the beach and ordering the waves to wash away the sands.
(b) reasoning with a ewe which was crying out in distress at the loss of her lamb
(c) trying to soften a rock
(d) commanding the pine trees on the mountain side to remain quiet and motionless when battered by strong winds.

Answer: Both options (b) and (d) are correct

Teacher's Note:
a) Antonio uses multiple similes in the play to express the futility of softening Shylock's hard heart.
b) Both options reflect valid imagery from Antonio's speech in Act 4, Scene 1.

(viii) Which of the following characters can be described as quick-witted, daring and loyal? [1 Mark]
(a) Nerissa
(b) Jessica
(c) Portia
(d) Leah

Answer: (c) Portia

Teacher's Note:
a) Portia demonstrates quick wit as Balthazar in court, dares to defy convention and laws to save Antonio, and remains deeply loyal to Bassanio.
b) Always evaluate character traits across the entirety of the play rather than isolated instances.

(ix) Name the young lovers whose lives ended tragically because of a misunderstanding caused by the appearance of a lion. [1 Mark]
(a) Troilus and Cressida
(b) Pyramus and Thisbe
(c) Dido and Aeneas
(d) Medea and Aeson

Answer: (b) Pyramus and Thisbe

Teacher's Note:
a) This mythological tale of tragic young lovers is famously alluded to by Jessica and Lorenzo in Act 5 of the play.
b) Learn the classical allusions made by Shakespeare's characters as they frequently appear in board exams.

(x) What special 'deed of gift' does Jessica give to Lorenzo at the end of the play? [1 Mark]
(a) The news that Shylock had forgiven Jessica and Lorenzo for eloping.
(b) The bond signed by Shylock making Lorenzo heir to all his wealth
(c) The three thousand ducats that Antonio owed to Shylock
(d) The news that Shylock had agreed to become a Christian.

Answer: (b) The bond signed by Shylock making Lorenzo heir to all his wealth

Teacher's Note:
a) Portia hands Lorenzo a special deed from Shylock bequeathing his wealth to them upon his death.
b) Note that the official key marked this specific question as incorrect, but option (b) is the factually correct answer from the play.

SECTION B

DRAMA

(The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare - Acts 4 and 5)

Question 2

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Portia : The quality of mercy is not strained ;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath : it is twice blessed :
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes .
Tis mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown :

(i) Where does this scene take place? Why Is Portia here? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The scene takes place in the court of justice in Venice.
2. Portia is present in the courtroom disguised as the young doctor of laws, Balthazar, to defend Antonio against Shylock's claim for a pound of flesh.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention both the exact physical location and the dramatic purpose of the character's disguise.
b) Students must remember that Portia attends court under a false identity to rescue her husband's friend.

(ii) To what is mercy compared in these lines? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Mercy is compared to the gentle rain falling from heaven upon the earth beneath.
2. It is portrayed as a natural, spontaneous, and life-giving force that enriches both the giver and the receiver.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify the direct simile used in the opening lines of Portia's speech.
b) Emphasize how the metaphor illustrates that mercy cannot be forced or constrained.

(iii) Why does portia call mercy 'twice blessed'?
Explain the lines: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes the throned monarch better than his crown: [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Portia calls mercy 'twice blessed' because it benefits both the person who shows it and the person who receives it.
2. It brings grace and happiness to the merciful dispenser while relieving the plight of the offender.
3. The lines mean that mercy is most powerful when possessed by those who hold great earthly power, and it enhances a ruler's majesty far better than their physical crown.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain the dual benefits of mercy and its superiority over physical royal symbols.
b) Ensure all parts of the multi-part question are answered clearly within the word count.

(iv) Later in her speech Portia mentions a sceptre. What is a sceptre?
How, according to Portia, is mercy above the 'sceptred sway'? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. A sceptre is an ornamental rod carried by a monarch as a symbol of royal power, authority, and earthly dominion.
2. According to Portia, a sceptre represents temporal power and the awe or fear that inspires human laws.
3. Mercy is above the sceptred sway because it is an attribute of God Himself, and earthly power shows its truest likeness to divine power when mercy seasons justice.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define the historical and symbolic meaning of a sceptre before explaining Portia's philosophical point.
b) Highlight the contrast Portia draws between man-made fear and divine grace.

Question 2

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
GRATIANO: O learned judge! - Mark, Jew: a learned judge!
SHYLOCK: I take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice, And let the Christian go.

(i) Why does Shylock suddenly decide to accept this offer? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Shylock decides to accept the offer of thrice the sum because he realizes he is completely trapped by Portia's clever legal twist regarding the shedding of blood.
2. Seeing that his plan for revenge has failed entirely, he wants to salvage whatever monetary compensation he can.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus on Shylock's sudden realization of defeat in the courtroom.
b) Note the shift from seeking blood revenge to settling for monetary payment when cornered.

(ii) Who has made this offer? Who stops Shylock from accepting this offer? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Bassanio had previously made this offer to pay the bond multiple times over.
2. Portia stops Shylock from accepting the offer by invoking Venetian law regarding aliens conspiring against the life of a citizen.

Teacher's Note:
a) Accurately name Bassanio as the one who offered the money earlier.
b) State clearly that Portia blocks Shylock's backtracking using strict legal technicalities.

(iii) Shylock decides to leave the court without even receiving the principal amount.
What other crime is he accused of? What further punishment does he face for this crime? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Shylock is accused of directly conspiring against the life of a Venetian citizen.
2. By the laws of Venice, half of his property is confiscated and given to Antonio, while the other half goes to the state treasury.
3. Furthermore, his life is placed at the mercy of the Duke, and he is forced to convert to Christianity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Detail both the financial penalties and the forced religious conversion.
b) Ensure students mention that he is treated as an alien attempting murder against a citizen.

(iv) Later in this scene, how does the Duke show that he is merciful?
What does Shylock say in response to the Duke's act of mercy? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Duke shows mercy by sparing Shylock's life before he even asks for it, reducing his punishment from execution to forfeiture of property and conversion.
2. In response, Shylock states that the Duke has done him no real favor by sparing his life, because taking away his wealth and livelihood is equivalent to taking away the pillars that support his house.
3. He concludes that he has no means left to survive.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain the Duke's commutation of the death sentence.
b) Capture Shylock's bitterness in his reply regarding the destruction of his livelihood.

SECTION C

PROSE - SHORT STORIES

(Treasure Trove - A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories)

Question 3

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He gave her a shove. But she did not move, rather she let herself be moved only by him and nothing else. They edged away from her; they would not look at her. She felt them go away.

(i) Who is 'she'? On which planet is this story set? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. 'She' refers to Margot, the protagonist of the story 'All Summer in a Day'.
2. The story is set on the planet Venus.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify Margot clearly along with her background as an Earth child transplanted to Venus.
b) State the setting accurately as Venus where it rains continuously.

(ii) Mention any two ways in which life on this planet differs from life on earth. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. On Venus, it rains continuously for seven years without stopping.
2. The sun shines for only one hour once every seven years, unlike the daily sunshine experienced on Earth.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast the perpetual rain of Venus with normal earthly weather conditions.
b) Keep points concise and directly responsive to the question.

(iii) Who are 'they'? Why did 'they' not come to her aid when William shoved her? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. 'They' refers to the other school children of Venus.
2. They did not come to her aid because they intensely disliked Margot.
3. They resented her because she remembered Earth, possessed memories of the warm sun, refused to play their games actively, and was an outsider who had arrived from Ohio only five years prior.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify the peer group dynamics and the root cause of their jealousy and bullying.
b) Mention Margot's aloofness and her distinct memories of the sun as key factors.

(iv) What do 'they' do to her at the end of the story? Why did they behave in this manner? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. At the end of the story, the children cruelly lock Margot up in a dark underground closet just before the sun emerges.
2. They behaved in this manner out of peer pressure, jealousy of her memories of the sun, and sheer thoughtless cruelty born of their excitement.
3. However, upon realizing their mistake after playing in the sunshine, they felt deep remorse and shame.

Teacher's Note:
a) Describe the climactic act of locking her in the closet.
b) Explain the psychological shift from malicious teasing to sudden guilt when they remember her.

Question 4

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
An angry athlete is an athlete who will make mistakes, as any coach will tell you. I was no exception. On the first of my three qualifying jumps, I leaped from several inches beyond the take-off board for a foul.

(i) When and where is this narrative set? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The narrative is set during the Berlin Olympic Games of 1936.
2. Specifically, it takes place at the Olympic stadium during the broad jump qualifying trials.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention both the historical year and event along with the specific sporting arena.
b) Ensure precise details like 'Berlin Olympics of 1936' are included.

(ii) What reason does the narrator Jesse Owens give for the heightened nationalistic feelings at this time? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Jesse Owens explains that Adolf Hitler childishly insisted his German performers were members of a master race.
2. This political stance heavily fueled nationalist tensions and the propagation of Aryan supremacy theories at the games.

Teacher's Note:
a) Connect the political climate of Nazi Germany in 1936 to the sporting atmosphere.
b) Highlight Hitler's belief in the Aryan master race.

(iii) In which event had Owens been confident of winning a gold medal? Why? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Owens had been extremely confident of winning a gold medal in the broad jump event.
2. He had trained, sweated, and disciplined himself rigorously for six years leading up to the Olympics.
3. Furthermore, he had already set a world-wide record in the long jump the previous year.

Teacher's Note:
a) State the specific event and Owens' preparation.
b) Mention his previous world record as proof of his legitimate confidence.

(iv) What had made Owens angry enough to make mistakes? Name Owens' rival who approached him at this point. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Owens was angered by the sight of a tall German athlete, Luz Long, hitting the pit at almost 26 feet during practice, and by the realization that Hitler had kept him under wraps to defeat him.
2. He felt furious that a victory by Long would validate Nazi racial supremacy theories.
3. Luz Long was the German rival who approached him at this crucial juncture.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain the emotional trigger behind Owens' fouls during the trials.
b) Name Luz Long correctly as the friendly German competitor who defused the tension.

SECTION D

POETRY

(Treasure Trove - A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories)

Question 5

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?"

(i) To whom did Ben Adhem address these words? Mention the context in which he said this. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Ben Adhem addressed these words to the angel who was writing in a golden book in his room.
2. Awakening from a deep and peaceful sleep in the moonlight, Ben Adhem felt an overwhelming sense of calm that made him bold enough to question the heavenly visitor.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify the listener as the angel.
b) Explain how the tranquil, moonlit ambiance created the boldness in Ben Adhem.

(ii) What was the 'presence' doing in Ben Adhem's room? What did the presence say in response to Ben Adhem's question? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The presence (angel) was writing the names of those who loved God in a golden book.
2. In response to Ben Adhem's question, the angel raised its head and answered sweetly that it was writing the names of those who love the Lord.

Teacher's Note:
a) State the primary task being performed by the angel.
b) Note the friendly and gentle demeanor of the angel when responding.

(iii) What did Abou ben Adhem say after this exchange? How did the presence respond to his words? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Upon learning that his own name was not on the list, Abou spoke more low but cheerily, requesting the angel to write his name as one who loved his fellowmen.
2. The angel wrote something down in the book and then vanished.
3. The next night, the angel reappeared with a great wakening light and showed him the list of those whom God had blessed, where Abou's name led all the rest.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize Abou's selfless request to be listed among lovers of mankind.
b) Summarize the angel's quiet disappearance and subsequent return.

(iv) Describe the events of the following night. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. On the following night, the angel returned with a rich and wakening light that filled Ben Adhem's room.
2. The angel showed him the book containing the names of those whom God had blessed.
3. To Abou's great surprise and joy, his own name was found at the very top of the list, proving that loving one's fellowmen is the truest way to love God.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the miraculous nature of the second nocturnal visitation.
b) Bring out the central moral theme of the poem regarding humanitarian love.

Question 6

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
All round the field spectators were gathered
Cheering on all the young women and men
Then the final event of the day was approaching
The last race about to begin.
- Nine Gold Medals, David Roth

(i) Where had the 'young women and men' come from? What had brought them together? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The young women and men had come from many different countries around the world.
2. They were brought together to participate in the athletic events of the Special Olympics.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize the international diversity of the athletes.
b) Specify that the gathering is for the Special Olympics.

(ii) What was the last event of the day? How many athletes were participating in this event? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The last event of the day was the hundred-metre race.
2. There were nine young athletes participating in this final event.

Teacher's Note:
a) State the exact athletic event and participant count.
b) Keep answers direct and factually aligned with the poem.

(iii) What happened to the youngest athlete half way through the race? How did he deal with the situation? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Half way through the race, the youngest athlete stumbled, lost his balance, and fell hard onto the asphalt track.
2. Distressed by the sudden ruin of all his months of rigorous training, he gave out a cry in frustration and anguish.

Teacher's Note:
a) Describe the physical mishap on the track.
b) Capture the emotional distress and dashed hopes of the young runner.

(iv) Describe the manner in which the race ends. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Instead of continuing to chase victory, all the other eight athletes stopped running, turned back, and helped the fallen boy to his feet.
2. They then linked arms and walked together, finishing the race side by side.
3. As a result, all nine athletes crossed the finish line together, winning nine gold medals, symbolizing ultimate compassion, empathy, and human solidarity over ruthless competition.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain the heartwarming climax where competition is replaced by cooperation.
b) Conclude with the core philosophical message of the poem regarding empathy and brotherhood.