Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 12: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) solved which comprises Conditional Sentences, Argumentative Composition, Summary Writing-Objectives and Practice Paper – 12. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Video tutorial
Conditional Sentences
I. Make sentences using if by joining each pair of ideas given below:
1. she not come, we disappointed.
Answer: If she does not come, we will be disappointed.
2. it a holiday tomorrow, what we do?
Answer: If it is a holiday tomorrow, what will we do?
3. you not careful, fall and hurt yourself.
Answer: If you are not careful, you will fall and hurt yourself.
4. you not agree, I not sell the house.
Answer: If you do not agree, I will not sell the house.
5. he travel by plane, get there tomorrow night.
Answer: If he travels by plane, he will get there tomorrow night.
6. she does not have a passport, not able go there.
Answer: If she does not have a passport, she will not be able to go there.
7. I know his address, I write to him now.
Answer: If I knew his address, I would write to him now.
8. he enough money, buy the car right away.
Answer: If he had enough money, he would buy the car right away.
9. I speak to that minister right now, he be angry.
Answer: If I spoke to that minister right now, he would be angry.
10. you see him now, not recognise him.
Answer: If you saw him now, you would not recognize him.
15. I not sure of succeeding, not attempt that problem, yesterday.
Answer: If I had not been sure of succeeding, I would not have attempted that problem yesterday.
II. Join each pair of sentences into a single sentence, using if:
1. You refuse to pay the money. Then you will be imprisoned.
Answer: If you refuse to pay the money, then you will be imprisoned.
2. Perhaps he will agree. I shall be delighted then.
Answer: If he agrees, I shall be delighted.
3. I would write to Michael now. But I do not know his address.
Answer: If I knew his address, I would write to Michael now.
4. They will pay you more next month. But you must work harder.
Answer: If you work harder, they will pay you more next month.
5. You must be careful. Otherwise, you will have an accident.
Answer: If you are not careful, you will have an accident.
6. The leader of the gang may find the house empty. In that case, he will whistle to the rest of the gang to join him.
Answer: If the leader of the gang finds the house empty, he will whistle to the rest of the gang to join him.
7. You could have fixed everything properly yesterday. I would not have had any worries.
Answer: If you had fixed everything properly yesterday, I would not have had any worries.
8. He looked around. Otherwise, he would have been hit by the bus.
Answer: If he had not looked around, he would have been hit by the bus.
9. You can see the island from here. But the day must be very clear and bright.
Answer: If the day is very clear and bright, you can see the island from here.
10. The pilot didn’t know about the storm over the mountains. He certainly wouldn’t have taken off in that direction.
Answer: If the pilot had known about the storm over the mountains, he certainly wouldn’t have taken off in that direction.
15. Pay heed to your doctor’s advice. You will certainly get well soon.
Answer: If you pay heed to your doctor’s advice, you will certainly get well soon.
III. Rewrite these sentences, beginning with unless:
1. If the car is not repaired, it will stop working.
Answer: Unless the car is repaired, it will stop working.
2. You must ask him if you want his help.
Answer: Unless you ask him, you will not get his help.
3. He would never come to see us if we did not invite him.
Answer: Unless we invited him, he would never come to see us.
4. If you do not sign the cheque, the bank will not cash it for you.
Answer: Unless you sign the cheque, the bank will not cash it for you.
5. If you do not work fast, you will not finish the job.
Answer: Unless you work fast, you will not finish the job.
6. If you do not agree, I shall not sign the document.
Answer: Unless you agree, I shall not sign the document.
7. If nobody wants this, I’ll throw it away.
Answer: Unless somebody wants this, I’ll throw it away.
8. If he does not find some place to hide, the police will arrest him.
Answer: Unless he finds some place to hide, the police will arrest him.
9. We will arrive at 8 o’clock, if nothing goes wrong.
Answer: Unless something goes wrong, we will arrive at 8 o’clock.
15. If you do not follow me, you will lose your way.
Answer: Unless you follow me, you will lose your way.
Argumentative Composition
Express your views either for or against each of the following statements:
1. School uniforms should be compulsory.
Answer: Should School Uniforms Be Compulsory?
Making school uniforms compulsory has both supporters and critics. On the positive side, uniforms create a sense of equality among students. When everyone wears the same attire, differences in economic background become less noticeable. This can reduce peer pressure and bullying related to clothing. Uniforms also give schools a unique identity and instill discipline among students. For example, Vidya Niketan School in Bengaluru has a uniform policy, and students there often feel proud to represent their school during inter-school events.
On the other hand, some argue that uniforms limit self-expression. Students might feel that their freedom to choose their clothes is being taken away. Buying uniforms can also be expensive for some families, especially if schools frequently change designs or insist on specific vendors. For instance, Anjali Singh from Jaipur shared that her family struggled to afford her school’s new winter uniform last year.
While uniforms can have their advantages, schools should consider the financial burden and give thought to students’ individuality. Balancing these aspects would make such policies fairer and more acceptable.
(ii) Living in the countryside is far more advantageous than living in the city.
Answer: Countryside Living: Better Than City Life?
Living in the countryside has many advantages compared to city life. The countryside offers a peaceful environment, cleaner air, and less noise. People in villages like Rampur or Kaveripuram often enjoy a closer connection to nature, with green fields and rivers surrounding them. Children play outdoors freely, and life feels less rushed compared to cities like Mumbai or Delhi. The cost of living is also lower, making it easier for families to manage their expenses.
However, cities provide better access to schools, hospitals, and job opportunities. For instance, Ravi from Patna moved to Delhi for better education and medical facilities for his family. Cities also offer a more vibrant social and cultural life, with cinemas, malls, and restaurants available for entertainment.
While the countryside is ideal for those seeking a calm and healthy lifestyle, cities are better for those needing more convenience and opportunities. The choice depends on personal priorities and needs.
Summary Writing-Objectives
Read the following passage and summarise the disadvantages of living in a city.
City dwellers pay dearly for the doubtful privilege of living in a city. They pay exorbitantly for accommodation which is frequently inferior to that to be found cheaply in rural areas. They spend huge sums on food which they could have grown for themselves in a village or rural ‘town’ and they waste what little is left on expensive entertainments, which they would have no need for in a rural area. In addition to the financial cost, they also pay dearly in terms of physical and mental health as their bodies and minds are threatened daily by pollution, accidents, robbery, violence and the diseases caused by overcrowding.
Answer: Living in a city is costly, with expensive housing, food, and entertainment. It also harms health due to pollution, overcrowding, and risks like accidents and violence.
Practice Paper – 12
Question 1
Write a composition (300-350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a short story of your own invention which begins with ‘I am tired of waiting, I am going to take things in my own hands from now.’
Answer: Taking Control
“I am tired of waiting, I am going to take things into my own hands from now,” I muttered to myself as I stood on the crowded platform of Secunderabad Railway Station. For three years, I had waited for a promotion at Lakshmi and Sons Textiles, where I worked as an accountant. Promises had been made and broken too many times. This was not the life I had envisioned.
The train pulled into the station. I boarded it, holding my bag tightly, not looking back. I had made up my mind to start a small business in my hometown, Vijayawada. My family owned a small piece of land where my late father had dreamed of setting up a saree weaving unit. It was time to fulfil that dream.
Reaching home, I found my younger brother, Ravi, watering the plants. His face lit up when he saw me. “What brings you back so suddenly?” he asked. I told him my plan. He hesitated but eventually nodded, agreeing to help. Over the next week, we sold some unused furniture to gather funds. Ravi reached out to local artisans who were willing to work with us.
By April 22, we had purchased the first set of weaving equipment. We named our unit “Amma Sarees” in honour of our mother, who had always believed in us. The first few weeks were tough. Orders were slow to come, and the finances were tight. But I felt alive for the first time in years.
By November 7, things had begun to change. Word spread about the quality of our sarees. Orders increased, and we hired more artisans. One day, while arranging finished sarees for delivery, Ravi said, “You were right to take control. Waiting wouldn’t have brought us this.”
Looking at the happy faces of our workers, I knew I had made the right choice. Sometimes, action is the only way forward.
(iv) Recently you visited a remote village. Describe the changes which have come in the village.
Answer: A Visit to a Changing Village
Last month, I visited my maternal grandparents in their village, Bhairavapuram, after nearly five years. Nestled in Andhra Pradesh, the village had always been a quiet place, known for its lush fields and simple way of life. But this time, I noticed several changes that marked its progress.
The most striking transformation was the new concrete road connecting the village to the nearby town. Earlier, the journey on the old dirt road was bumpy and long. Now, the smooth road had not only reduced travel time but also brought more vehicles to the village. The occasional bullock cart was now accompanied by bikes and even a few cars.
The government school, where my mother once studied, now had freshly painted walls and a digital classroom. The sight of children sitting in an air-conditioned room watching lessons on a projector amazed me. The school also had a new playground, and the children’s laughter filled the air.
Electricity, which was once unreliable, had improved significantly. Streetlights powered by solar panels lined the main road, glowing brightly at night. My grandmother proudly showed me their new television and refrigerator, something they had not imagined owning a few years ago. Even the small temple in the village had been renovated, and a priest now conducted regular prayers.
However, not all changes felt positive. The lush green fields I remembered were fewer, replaced by houses and small shops. Many young people had moved to cities for jobs, and their absence was noticeable. My grandfather mentioned that fewer hands were now available for farming, and some traditional practices were slowly fading.
Despite these shifts, the essence of Bhairavapuram remained intact. The villagers still greeted each other warmly, shared meals during festivals, and gathered under the big banyan tree for evening chats. It was heartening to see progress blending with tradition. The village was no longer as I remembered, but it had grown in ways that promised a better future for its people.
(v) 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.
[Total English – Image description: The image shows a boy with folded hands, appearing to pray to a garlanded mobile phone placed on a shelf, with incense burning beside it.]
Answer: The Mobile Deity
Ravi was a typical teenager in the small town of Vijay Nagar. Like most of his peers, his world revolved around his mobile phone. It wasn’t just a gadget; it was his lifeline. From morning alarm to bedtime stories on YouTube, the phone was with him every moment of the day.
One day, disaster struck. Ravi was scrolling through social media when his phone slipped from his hands and landed with a loud crack on the floor. His heart sank as he picked it up to find the screen shattered and the phone completely dead. He rushed to the local repair shop, only to be told that it was beyond saving.
For the first time in years, Ravi was without his phone. He felt lost. Conversations with friends were cut short, updates from his favourite cricket team went unseen, and his gaming streaks were broken. His family noticed his restlessness, and his younger sister teased him mercilessly. “Why don’t you pray to your phone like you pray to God? Maybe it will come back to life,” she joked.
Ravi took her words to heart in an unexpected way. That evening, he set up a small shelf in his room, placed his broken phone on it, garlanded it with flowers, and lit incense sticks. His parents, hearing the commotion, walked in to find him with folded hands, earnestly “praying” to his phone. Suppressing their laughter, they asked, “What are you doing?” Ravi replied, “This phone gave me so much happiness. If I can thank God for everything, why not thank this too?”
The incident became the talk of the neighbourhood. While most people laughed, some appreciated Ravi’s unique way of valuing something he loved. His parents, moved by his attachment, gifted him a new phone the following week. But Ravi never forgot the lesson — to respect and value what he had, even if it seemed ordinary.
From that day on, his little shelf remained, a reminder of gratitude and the fleeting nature of things we take for granted.
Question 2
(i) The house in which you stay has a leaking pipeline in a bathroom. As a result there is seepage as well as damage to the walls. Write a letter requesting your landlord to get the house repaired at the earliest.
Answer:
Dear Mr. Mehta,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you about a problem in the house I am renting at 23, Sriram Colony. The bathroom pipeline is leaking, which has caused water seepage. The walls have become damp, and some parts are getting damaged.
This issue is causing inconvenience to my family, and I am worried that delaying the repair might worsen the condition. I kindly request you to arrange for the necessary repairs at the earliest. It will help in preventing further damage to the property.
Please let me know when the repair work can be carried out. I will ensure to coordinate and provide access to the house for the workers.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Yours sincerely,
Ramesh Gupta
(ii) You were down with typhoid and missed a week of school. Write a letter to your friend thanking him/her for sending you the notes for the classes you had missed.
Answer:
Dear Priya,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to thank you for sending me the notes for the classes I missed while I was unwell. As you know, I was down with typhoid last week and could not attend school. It was a difficult time, but your notes have been a big help.
The way you explained everything made it so much easier for me to catch up. I really appreciate the effort you took to share the notes and even clarify a few doubts when I called you. It means a lot to me to have a friend like you.
I am feeling much better now and will be back in school from tomorrow. Let’s catch up during the lunch break!
Thanks again for your help.
Yours lovingly,
Aditi
Question 3
(i) Your school is organising a Theatre Festival on the occasion of World Theatre Day. Write a notice for your school informing the students of the event.
Answer:
ABC High School, Mumbai
NOTICE
Theatre Festival
9th December 2024
On the occasion of World Theatre Day, our school is organizing an exciting Theatre Festival. All students are invited to participate and enjoy the celebration of drama and creativity.
Date: 27th March 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: School Auditorium
The event will feature performances by students, workshops on acting and stagecraft, and a special play by professional artists. Students interested in performing or volunteering for the event can give their names to their class teachers by 15th December 2024.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talent and experience the magic of theatre!
Manisha Sharma
Cultural Secretary
(ii) Write an email to a famous theatre artist requesting him/her to be the Guest of Honour at the inauguration of the Theatre Festival.
Answer:
Dear Mr. Arjun Malhotra,
Subject: Invitation to Be the Guest of Honour at Our Theatre Festival
I hope this email finds you well. I am Manisha Sharma, the Cultural Secretary of ABC High School, Mumbai. We are thrilled to celebrate World Theatre Day by organizing a Theatre Festival on 27th March 2025 in our school auditorium.
It would be a great honour for us if you could grace the event as the Guest of Honour. Your presence would inspire our students, many of whom look up to you for your outstanding contributions to theatre.
The festival will showcase performances by our students, along with workshops and other activities aimed at promoting theatre arts. We would be delighted if you could inaugurate the event and share your valuable experiences with the audience.
Please let us know if you would be available to join us. We look forward to your positive response.
Warm regards,
Manisha Sharma
Cultural Secretary
ABC High School, Mumbai
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Greek ships crossed the sea and touched the coast of Asia Minor, near the city of Troy. The Greeks disembarked here and pitched their tents. They remained in this camp as long as they besieged the city. Much beyond the beach was a vast plain and further up was a high hill on which Troy stood.
The city was strongly fortified against any attack from enemies; besides, the Trojans were sure of the landscape of the region. Quite often they sailed forth against the Greeks but made sure that most of the fighting took place in the plain between the city and the sea.
The Greeks on their part were prudent warriors. They made no attempt to take the city by storm, but were content with skirmishes and single combats. After nine years of fighting in an alien land, the Greeks had little prospect as ever of recovering Helen from the Trojans. The Greek soldiers had become so restless that they were anxious to return to their families.
Soon there fell a calamity which further aggravated the situation. It came about in this way. The Greeks frequently raided the smaller towns and villages of Troy. In one of the raids a fair maiden called Chryseis was captured together with her friend Briseis, and they were taken as slaves to the Greek camp. When the sharing out of slaves took place, Agamemnon chose Chryseis; and Briseis was given to Achilles.
Chryseis, who was chosen by Agamemnon, was the daughter of old Chryses, a priest of Apollo. The old man came to the Greek camp, knelt in tears before Agamemnon, offering a rich ransom for his daughter. The Greeks refused to grant his request and the priest departed with great sorrow.
As he walked along the shore, he lifted his hands in prayer to Apollo and implored him to avenge the indignities which he had suffered at the Greek camp. The great Apollo heeded to his prayer and sent a terrible pestilence amongst the Greeks. For nine days the cries of dying soldiers rent the air.
So the Greek princes held council together and called upon a seer to explain the reason for this plague. “You have offended Apollo,” said the seer, “because you have insulted his priest. The plague will last until you send back Chryseis to her father.”
“Then let us not waste time,” said Achilles. “Let us send her back without delay.”
Agamemnon became furious. “It is easy for you to say so,” he retorted. “You yourself run no risk of losing your maiden. But I agree to your proposal on the following terms: Chryseis shall be returned to her father but you shall surrender Briseis to me, to compensate me for my loss.”
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. besieged (line 3)
(a) bombarded
(b) surrounded
(c) cornered
(d) tortured
Answer: (b) surrounded
2. pestilence (line 23)
(a) sickness
(b) contamination
(c) epidemic
(d) illness
Answer: (c) epidemic
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word vulnerable?
(a) fortified
(b) attack
(c) fighting
(d) prudent
Answer: (a) fortified
(a) What advantages did the Trojans have over the Greeks in the war?
Answer: The Trojans had the following advantages:
- They were familiar with the local landscape.
- Their city was strongly fortified, making it difficult for the Greeks to storm Troy.
(b) What made the Greek soldiers restless and dissatisfied?
Answer: The Greek soldiers became restless and dissatisfied due to nine years of prolonged fighting in a foreign land without recovering Helen or achieving any decisive victory.
(c) State what happened to the captives taken in the raid.
Answer: The captives, Chryseis and Briseis, were enslaved and brought to the Greek camp. Chryseis was chosen by Agamemnon, while Briseis was given to Achilles.
(d) Who was the leader of the Greek forces: Achilles or Agamemnon? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer: Agamemnon was the leader of the Greek forces because he made authoritative decisions, such as choosing Chryseis and demanding Briseis from Achilles as compensation.
(e) Narrate what the priest of Apollo did when rebuffed by Agamemnon.
Answer: When rebuffed, the priest Chryses prayed to Apollo for vengeance. Apollo responded by sending a deadly pestilence to the Greek camp, punishing them for dishonoring his priest.
(iv) In not more than 50 words, narrate the calamity that had befallen the Greeks and how they managed to come out of it.
Answer: Apollo inflicted a pestilence on the Greeks after Agamemnon insulted his priest. The epidemic caused immense suffering and death. A seer revealed that returning Chryseis to her father would appease Apollo. The Greeks followed this advice, ending the plague and saving their army.
Question 5
(i) 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) asked
One day Akbar….0…. (ask) Birbal if he ….1…. (can) tell him the difference between truth and falsehood in three words or less.
“Four fingers” said Birbal. “Four fingers?” asked the emperor, ….2…. (perplex). “That is the difference between truth and falsehood, your Majesty,” said Birbal. “That which you ….3…. (see) with your own eyes is the truth. That which you have only ….4…. (hear) about ….5…. (may) not be true. More often than not, it is likely to be false.”
“That is right,” said Akbar. “But what….6…. (do) you mean by ….7…. (say) the difference is four fingers?”
“The distance between one’s eyes and one’s ears is the width of four fingers, Your Majesty,” said Birbal,…8…. (grin).
Answer:
- could
- perplexed
- see
- heard
- may
- do
- saying
- grinning
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) The scientific theory brought about a revolution in the use of computers.
(b) I shall keep back nothing from my mother.
(c) The winter season sets in November every year.
(d) The new scheme has been put into action.
(e) I took him for a thief.
(f) The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
(g) How did all of this come about?
(h) Malaria broke out in the village.
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. Clear the written test. Only then you will be called for an interview.
(a) When you clear the written test, you will have to be called for an interview.
(b) After not clearing the written test, you will not be called for an interview.
(c) As soon as you clear your written test, you will not be called for an interview.
(d) Unless you clear the written test, you will not be called for an interview.
Answer: (d) Unless you clear the written test, you will not be called for an interview.
2. Here is the lady. Her sister is a chess champion.
(a) Here is the lady, whom sister is a chess champion.
(b) Here is the lady, who’s sister is a chess champion.
(c) Here is the lady, whose sister is a chess champion.
(d) Here the lady’s sister who is a chess champion.
Answer: (c) Here is the lady, whose sister is a chess champion.
3. He did not follow protocol. The report said this.
(a) The report says he does not follow protocol.
(b) The report said that he did not follow protocol.
(c) The report claims his not following protocol.
(d) The report said that he does not follow protocol.
Answer: (b) The report said that he did not follow protocol.
4. It was a steep hill. We had great difficulty in climbing.
(a) We had great difficulty in climbing a steep hill.
(b) Climbing off a steep hill was a great difficulty for us.
(c) It was greatly difficult to climb a steep hill.
(d) It was a great difficulty in climbing a steep hill.
Answer: (a) We had great difficulty in climbing a steep hill.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. You will not get the camera back unless you pay the money. (Begin with: Not until …)
(a) Not until the money is being paid, will you get the camera back.
(b) Not until you have paid the money, will you get the camera back.
(c) Not until the payment of money, you are to get the camera back.
(d) Not until you pay the money, you shall get the camera back.
Answer: (b) Not until you have paid the money, will you get the camera back.
2. “Why did I not get a computer before?” thought the manager. (Begin with: The manager wondered…)
(a) The manager wondered that why did he not got a computer before.
(b) The manager wondered he had not got a computer before.
(c) The manager wondered why he had not got a computer before.
(d) The manager wondered about the computer he did not get before.
Answer: (c) The manager wondered why he had not got a computer before.
3. He is poor, but he is honest. (Begin with: In spite …)
(a) In spite of poverty, he is honest.
(b) In spite of poor state, he is honest.
(c) In spite of he is poor, he is honest.
(d) In spite of being poor, he is honest.
Answer: (d) In spite of being poor, he is honest.
4. That roof is not worth repairing. (Begin with: It is pointless …)
(a) It is pointless for that roof to be repaired.
(b) It is pointless that roof be repaired.
(c) It is pointless if we cannot repair that roof.
(d) It is pointless to repair that roof.
Answer: (d) It is pointless to repair that roof.
5. Why did she leave so late? (Begin with: She ought …)
(a) She ought to leave so late.
(b) She ought not to leave early.
(c) She ought to have left earlier.
(d) She ought left early.
Answer: (c) She ought to have left earlier.
6. Sumit was driving very fast and could not stop at once. (Use: so that.)
(a) Sumit is driving so fast that he could not stop at once.
(b) Sumit was once driving fast so that he could not stop.
(c) Sumit drives so fast that he could not stop it once.
(d) Sumit was driving so fast that he could not stop at once.
Answer: (d) Sumit was driving so fast that he could not stop at once.
7. My dog is too old to learn new tricks. (Begin with: My dog is so old …)
(a) My dog is so old that it cannot learn new tricks.
(b) My dog is so old to learn new tricks.
(c) My dog is so old for it to learn new tricks.
(d) My dog is so old therefore to learn new tricks.
Answer: (a) My dog is so old that it cannot learn new tricks.
8. He was sorry that he had not said goodbye to her. (Begin with: He regretted …)
(a) He regretted not having said goodbye to her.
(b) He regretted for not saying her goodbye.
(c) He regretted he had not saying goodbye to her.
(d) He regretted for himself not having said goodbye to her.
Answer: (a) He regretted not having said goodbye to her.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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