Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 2: ICSE Class 10 English Language/Grammar (Total English/Morning Star) solved which comprises Direct and Indirect Speech, Gatheringthe Subject Matter, Format of a Personal Letter, and Test Paper-2. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Direct and Indirect Speech
Assignment
I. In each of the following items, sentence A is complete but sentence B is incomplete. Complete sentence B each time making as similar as possible in meaning so that it could replace A. Make B one sentence, not two. No changes of any kind may be made toxic the printed parts of the B sentences.
1. A. Sumit said to Anil, “I am busy, I cannot accompany you to the market.”
B. Sumit told Anil …
Answer: Sumit told Anil that he was busy and could not accompany him to the market.
Explanation: Imagine you are telling a friend what Sumit said to Anil yesterday. You wouldn’t say, “Sumit said I am busy,” because you are not busy, Sumit was. So, you have to change the words to fit the story.
- said to becomes told.
- I becomes he (talking about Sumit).
- am becomes was (because he said it in the past).
- cannot becomes could not (also because it’s in the past).
- you becomes him (because Sumit was talking to Anil).
2. A. The Principal said to the peon, “Why did you not give the file to the librarian yesterday?”
B. The Principal asked …
Answer: The Principal asked the peon why he had not given the file to the librarian the previous day.
Explanation: The Principal asked a question, so we use the word asked. When we report a question, we don’t ask it again with a question mark. We turn it into a statement.
- The question word Why stays.
- The question part did you not give changes to a statement he had not given. We use had not given because the asking happened in the past about something that happened even before that.
- you becomes he (talking about the peon).
- yesterday becomes the previous day, because the “yesterday” was yesterday for the Principal, not for us today.
3. A. Shiva said, “Alas! how stupid I have been!”
B. Shiva …
Answer: Shiva exclaimed with sorrow that he had been very stupid.
Explanation: The word “Alas!” shows that Shiva is very sad. So, instead of just said, we use a stronger phrase like exclaimed with sorrow. We take out the exclamation mark and turn his excited words into a normal sentence.
- Alas! is replaced by exclaimed with sorrow.
- how stupid I have been! becomes the statement that he had been very stupid.
- I becomes he (talking about Shiva).
- have been becomes had been (because it’s in the past).
4. A. She said, “O that I were rich again!”
B. She wished …
Answer: She wished that she were rich again.
Explanation: She is making a big wish. The sentence already helps us by starting with She wished. We just need to report her wish.
- We remove the excited word O and the word that.
- We connect her wish using the word that.
- I becomes she (because we are talking about her).
- The sentence becomes She wished that she were rich again.
5. A. The lady said to the servant, “Go to the post office and bring some revenue stamps.”
B. The lady ordered …
Answer: The lady ordered the servant to go to the post office and bring some revenue stamps.
Explanation: The lady is giving a command, like a boss. So we use the word ordered. When we report a command, we change the action word (like Go or bring) by putting to in front of it.
- Go becomes to go.
- bring becomes and bring.
- We connect it all to make one smooth sentence describing the order.
6. A. The mother said, “May God bless you with success!”
B. The mother prayed …
Answer: The mother prayed that God might bless him with success.
Explanation: The mother is saying a prayer or giving a blessing. So, we use the word prayed.
- We report her prayer by starting with that.
- May changes to might because the prayer was said in the past.
- you changes to him (or her or me, depending on who she was talking to. We’ll assume it was a boy).
7. A. My uncle said to my brother, “I have bought a cellphone for you.”
B. My uncle told …
Answer: My uncle told my brother that he had bought a cellphone for him.
Explanation: This is just like the first question. We are reporting a simple statement.
- said to becomes told.
- I becomes he (the uncle).
- have bought becomes had bought (changing from present to past).
- you becomes him (the brother).
8. A. Mala said to Mini, “When will your brother come from Canada?”
B. Mala asked …
Answer: Mala asked Mini when her brother would come from Canada.
Explanation: Mala is asking a question, so we use asked. We keep the question word When. Then, we change the rest of the sentence from a question into a statement.
- your becomes her (because she is asking about Mini’s brother).
- The question will your brother come becomes the statement her brother would come.
- will changes to would because the asking happened in the past.
9. A. He said to me, “Will you lend me some money?”
B. He asked …
Answer: He asked me if I would lend him some money.
Explanation: He is asking a “yes” or “no” question. For these kinds of questions, we use the magic word if (or whether).
- said to me becomes asked me.
- We add if.
- you becomes I (because he was asking me).
- me becomes him (he was talking about himself).
- Will becomes would.
- The question Will you lend me becomes the statement if I would lend him.
10. A. My mother said, “Do not order junk food.”
B. My mother …
Answer: My mother advised me not to order junk food.
Explanation: Mother is telling someone not to do something. This is a piece of advice or a negative command.
- We can use a word like advised or told.
- The command Do not order changes to not to order. We put not before the to form of the verb.
- We assume she was talking to me, so we say My mother advised me….
II. Rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence. Change only what you are asked and make a correct sentence. Do not alter the meaning. You have to make your sentence say the same thing in a different way.
1. “It is raining heavily, take your umbrella,” said the mother to her son.
Begin: The mother told
Answer: The mother told her son to take his umbrella as it was raining heavily.
Explanation: Think of this like reporting a story. The mother said two things: a fact (“It is raining heavily”) and a command (“take your umbrella”). When we report it, we don’t use her exact words.
- “said to her son” becomes “told her son”.
- The command “take your umbrella” changes to “to take his umbrella”. We add “to” before the action word.
- The fact “It is raining heavily” becomes the reason for the command. We can say “because it was raining heavily” or “as it was raining heavily”. Notice how “is” changes to “was” because we are talking about something that happened in the past.
2. The Principal told the students that they should salute the flag smartly.
End: “…………………………………………………..” the Principal said to the students.
Answer: “You should salute the flag smartly,” the Principal said to the students.
Explanation: This is like rewinding a tape to hear the exact words someone said.
- We are going from reported speech back to direct speech.
- The reporting part “The Principal told the students” becomes “the Principal said to the students”.
- We remove the word “that”.
- The pronoun “they” was used to talk about the students. When the Principal speaks directly to them, he will say “You”.
- The rest of the sentence, “should salute the flag smartly,” stays the same.
- Finally, we put the Principal’s exact words inside quotation marks (” “).
3. He said, “Alas! Our foes are too strong.”
Begin: He exclaimed
Answer: He exclaimed with sorrow that their foes were too strong.
Explanation: The word “Alas!” shows sadness. When we report this, we need to show that feeling.
- Instead of just “said”, we use “exclaimed with sorrow” to capture the feeling of “Alas!”.
- We add the word “that” to connect the parts of the sentence.
- “Our foes” (the speaker’s enemies) becomes “their foes” because we are talking about him and his group.
- The verb “are” changes to “were” because the speaking happened in the past. It’s like a little time travel for verbs!
4. “Bring me a glass of water,” said the Swami to the villagers.
Begin: The Swami asked
Answer: The Swami asked the villagers to bring him a glass of water.
Explanation: This is a command or a request. When we report it, we change the action word.
- “said to the villagers” becomes “asked the villagers”.
- The command “Bring” changes into “to bring”. We put “to” in front of it.
- “me” referred to the Swami. When we report it, we say “him”.
So, we are just telling someone what the Swami asked for, not using his exact words.
5. He said to his friend, “I have passed the examination.”
Begin: He informed
Answer: He informed his friend that he had passed the examination.
Explanation: This is like passing on a piece of news.
- “said to his friend” becomes “informed his friend” because he is giving information.
- We add “that” to link the sentences.
- “I” was the speaker. Now that we are reporting it, we say “he”.
- The tense changes. “have passed” (something that just happened) becomes “had passed” (something that happened before he told his friend). It’s like stepping one step further into the past.
6. The teacher advised the students not to come late.
Begin: The teacher said to the students, “…”
Answer: The teacher said to the students, “Do not come late.”
Explanation: We are going back to the teacher’s exact words.
- The reported advice “advised… not to come late” becomes a direct command.
- The negative command is usually given using “Do not” or “Don’t”.
- So, “not to come late” becomes “Do not come late.”
- We put these exact words inside quotation marks (” “).
7. The father said to his son, “Do not submit the project without showing it to me.”
End: ………………………………………………….. showing it to him.
Answer: The father told his son not to submit the project without showing it to him.
Explanation: The father gave a negative command. When we report this, we can use “told… not to…”.
- “said to his son” becomes “told his son”.
- “Do not submit” becomes “not to submit”.
- The pronoun “me” (the father) changes to “him” because we are now talking about the father.
- The sentence simply reports the father’s instruction in a straightforward way.
8. The old woman said to the man, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest temple?”
Begin: The old woman asked
Answer: The old woman asked the man if he could tell her the way to the nearest temple.
Explanation: This is about reporting a question.
- “said to the man” becomes “asked the man”.
- Since it’s a “yes” or “no” question (“Can you…?”), we use “if” or “whether”.
- The question “Can you tell” is turned into a statement: “if he could tell”. The word order changes, and “Can” becomes “could”.
- The pronouns change: “you” (the man) becomes “he”, and “me” (the woman) becomes “her”.
9. “Help me to carry this heavy suitcase,” said Mrs Madan to me.
End: ………………………………………………….. heavy suitcase.
Answer: Mrs Madan requested me to help her carry that heavy suitcase.
Explanation: This is a request.
- “said Mrs Madan to me” can be changed to “Mrs Madan requested me”. “Requested” is a good word for “Help me”.
- The action word “Help” becomes “to help”.
- “me” (Mrs Madan) becomes “her”.
- “this suitcase” (the one near her then) becomes “that suitcase” because we are talking about it from a distance in time.
10. He said, “Children be quiet and listen to me.”
End: ………………………………………………….. listen to him.
Answer: He told the children to be quiet and listen to him.
Explanation: He is giving a command to the children.
- He was talking to the “Children”, so we make them the object: “He told the children…”.
- The commands “be quiet” and “listen” are changed to “to be quiet” and “to listen”.
- “me” (the speaker) becomes “him”.
So, we are just reporting the two commands he gave.
11. The shopkeeper said to me, “Sir, can I help you now?”
Begin: The shopkeeper asked me
Answer: The shopkeeper asked me respectfully if he could help me then.
Explanation: This is a polite question.
- The word “Sir” shows respect, so we can add “respectfully” or “politely” to our reported sentence.
- It’s a “yes/no” question, so we use “if”.
- Pronouns change: “I” (the shopkeeper) becomes “he”, and “you” (me) stays as “me”.
- The verb “can” becomes “could”.
- The time word “now” changes to “then”.
12. The teacher said to the boy, “This is not the first time you have received your friend.”
End: ………………………………………………….. received his friend.
Answer: The teacher told the boy that that was not the first time he had received his friend.
Explanation: This is reporting a statement.
- “said to the boy” becomes “told the boy”.
- We add “that” to connect the sentence.
- “This” changes to “that”. “is” changes to “was”.
- “you” (the boy) becomes “he”. “your” becomes “his”.
- The tense “have received” changes to “had received”, moving it one step further into the past.
13. Mother said to me, “Wait here till I come back.”
Begin: Mother requested me…
Answer: Mother requested me to wait there till she came back.
Explanation: This is a request with place and time details.
- “said to me” becomes “requested me”.
- The command “Wait” becomes “to wait”.
- The place word “here” changes to “there”.
- In the second part, “I” (Mother) becomes “she”, and the verb “come” changes to its past form, “came”.
14. The teacher said to the children, “Let us go out for a picnic.”
Begin: The teacher suggested
Answer: The teacher suggested to the children that they should go out for a picnic.
Explanation: The phrase “Let us” is used to make a suggestion.
- “said to” becomes “suggested to”.
- When we report a “Let us” sentence, we use the pattern “that they should…”. “Us” refers to the teacher and the children, so we use “they”.
- The rest of the sentence “go out for a picnic” follows after “should”.
15. The policeman said to me, “You have crossed the red light and I will book you for this.”
Begin: The policeman told me
Answer: The policeman told me that I had crossed the red light and that he would book me for that.
Explanation: This sentence has two parts joined by “and”. We have to change both parts.
- “said to me” becomes “told me”. We add “that”.
- In the first part: “You” (me) becomes “I”, and “have crossed” becomes “had crossed”.
- In the second part: “I” (the policeman) becomes “he”, “will book” becomes “would book”, “you” (me) becomes “me”, and “this” becomes “that”.
We are just reporting everything the policeman said, changing all the pronouns and tenses correctly.
Personal Letter
1. Your sister has recently joined a boarding school in Shimla. She writes to inform you that she feels confused in the new place. Write a letter, advising her how to make the best use of her time in the hostel.
15, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003
18th July, 2023
My dear Anjali,
I received your letter yesterday. I was happy to hear from you, but I felt sad to know that you are feeling confused in your new school. It is natural to feel this way in a new place, away from home. Please do not worry, as things will get better soon.
I suggest you create a simple routine for yourself. A good timetable will help you balance your studies and other activities. Spend time in the school library and make notes. If you have any doubts in your lessons, you should ask your teachers for help without any fear.
To feel less lonely, you should try to make new friends. You can start by talking to your roommates. Joining a school club or a sports team is also a great idea. You could join the school’s basketball team or the nature club. This will help you meet students who have similar interests.
Give yourself some time to adjust. Soon, the hostel will feel like a second home. Mom and Dad send you their love and are very proud of you. Write back to me whenever you get time.
Your loving brother,
Amit
2. A penfriend from Russia is coming to India for the first time. Write a short letter giving directions to enable him (or her) to reach your house.
15-B, Tagore Park
Model Town
New Delhi – 110009
18th October, 2023
Dear Alexei,
I was so happy to receive your letter and know that you are finally coming to India. I am very excited to meet you.
Here are the directions to my house from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. When you come out of the airport, please go to the pre-paid taxi counter. It is the safest and easiest way to travel. Give the driver my address, which is 15-B, Tagore Park, Model Town.
Our colony is quite well-known. A big landmark near my house is the Model Town Metro Station. My house is just a five-minute walk from there. It is a two-story building, painted light blue.
I will be waiting for you at the gate. I look forward to your arrival.
Your friend,
Rohan
Test Paper-2
Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’. Write an original story to bring out the truth of this statement.
Answer: A Silver Lining for Rohan
Rohan stared at the termination letter, the words blurring through a haze of disbelief. For ten years, he had poured his life into the marketing firm, only to be made redundant during a corporate restructuring. The initial shock gave way to a wave of despair. The cloud that had descended upon his life felt dark and suffocating. His savings were modest, and the prospect of finding a new job in a competitive market was daunting.
Days turned into weeks of fruitless job hunting. Rejection emails became a painful morning ritual. One afternoon, while clearing out his old desk at home, he stumbled upon a dusty box filled with his grandmother’s recipe books. He remembered how she used to sell her homemade pickles and jams at the local fair, her stall always surrounded by eager customers. A flicker of an idea sparked within him.
With nothing to lose, Rohan decided to try his hand at his grandmother’s recipes. He spent his days in the kitchen, experimenting with spices and fresh produce from the local market. The process was therapeutic, and the aroma of cooking filled his home, chasing away the gloom. He started small, selling his creations to neighbours and friends. Word of “Rohan’s Homemade Delights” spread quickly. His pickles were tangy, his jams were sweet, and each jar was made with a passion he hadn’t felt in years.
He created a small online store, and soon, orders were pouring in from across the city. Within a year, he had to rent a small commercial kitchen and hire two assistants to keep up with the demand. Looking back, Rohan realized that losing his job was the best thing that could have happened to him. The dark cloud of unemployment had a brilliant silver lining; it had pushed him to discover his true passion and build something of his own. He was no longer just an employee; he was an entrepreneur, happier and more fulfilled than ever before.
(ii) Suppose you were granted a wish, what would you wish for and why?
Answer:
If I were granted a single wish, I would not ask for immense wealth or personal glory. Instead, I would wish for the ability to instantly heal any physical ailment or injury in others with a simple touch. This power, to me, represents the most meaningful way to effect positive change in the world.
The reason for this choice is rooted in the observation of suffering. Every day, countless people endure chronic pain, debilitating diseases, and life-altering injuries. Children are born with conditions that limit their potential, and adults are struck down in their prime. This physical suffering creates emotional and financial burdens not just for the individuals, but for their families and communities as well. The ability to heal would allow me to alleviate this immense burden directly.
Imagine walking into a children’s hospital and being able to mend a broken bone, cure a life-threatening infection, or restore sight to a blind child. The joy and relief that would bring to the children and their parents would be immeasurable. I could travel to impoverished regions where access to medical care is scarce, helping those who have no other hope. This wish is not about becoming a celebrated figure, but about the quiet, profound impact of giving someone back their health and, with it, their future.
Furthermore, this ability would be a gift that keeps on giving. A healed person can return to their family, their work, and their community, contributing positively to society. It would be a chain reaction of wellness and hope. While a wish for world peace or an end to poverty is noble, they are complex issues with deep-seated roots. The ability to heal, however, is a direct, tangible, and immediate way to reduce the world’s suffering, one person at a time. It is a wish for the restoration of life’s most fundamental gift: good health.
(iii) ‘People should not give any money to beggars; instead they should make a donation to a social organisation that focusses on their rehabilitation.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: I strongly agree with the statement that people should donate to social organizations focused on rehabilitation rather than giving money directly to beggars. While the act of giving alms may seem compassionate and provide immediate, temporary relief, it often perpetuates a cycle of dependency and fails to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness.
Firstly, giving money directly to individuals on the street offers no guarantee that the funds will be used for essential needs like food or shelter. Unfortunately, the money can sometimes be used to fuel addictions to substances, which only worsens the person’s situation. There is no accountability in such transactions. We give the money and walk away, feeling we have done a good deed, but we may have inadvertently contributed to the person’s continued suffering.
In contrast, social organizations are equipped to provide comprehensive and sustainable support. These institutions do not just offer a meal; they provide a structured pathway out of poverty. They offer services such as temporary housing, medical care, addiction counseling, and, most importantly, vocational training and job placement assistance. Their goal is rehabilitation—empowering individuals with the skills and confidence they need to become self-sufficient and reintegrate into society. A donation to such an organization is an investment in a long-term solution, not just a short-term fix.
Moreover, these organizations have the expertise and resources to handle the complex issues that lead to begging, such as mental health problems, lack of education, and social alienation. An individual giver cannot possibly address these multifaceted problems. By channeling our resources through established and reputable charities, we ensure that our contribution is used effectively and efficiently to create lasting change. It transforms a simple act of charity into a powerful tool for social upliftment, helping people rebuild their lives with dignity.
(iv) You were one among the crowd at a concert by a popular rock star from abroad. Describe the concert and the famous people who attended and performed at the concert and your own reaction to it.
Answer:
The air in the stadium crackled with an electric anticipation that was almost tangible. Thousands of us were packed together, a sea of faces illuminated by the glow of phone screens, all waiting for the legendary rock star, Axel Storm, to take the stage. The low thrum of the bass from the speakers vibrated through the ground, a heartbeat for the massive crowd.
Suddenly, the stadium plunged into darkness. A collective gasp was followed by a deafening roar as a single spotlight cut through the black, revealing Axel Storm at the center of the stage, his guitar slung over his shoulder. He struck a single, powerful chord, and the concert exploded into life. Lasers of green and blue light sliced through the manufactured smoke, and giant screens on either side of the stage showed his face, etched with raw passion.
The energy was infectious. We sang along to every word, our voices merging into one powerful chorus. The setlist was a perfect mix of his classic anthems and new hits. During a soulful ballad, the entire stadium became a galaxy of twinkling lights as everyone held up their phones. It was a moment of pure unity and connection.
The concert was also a star-studded event. I spotted the famous Bollywood actor, Kabir Khan, in the VIP section, nodding his head to the beat. Later, for a surprise duet, Axel brought out the celebrated Indian singer, Shreya Ghoshal. Their collaboration on a fusion track was mesmerizing, blending the raw power of rock with the intricate melodies of Indian classical music.
For me, the experience was overwhelming in the best possible way. It was more than just music; it was a shared celebration of artistry and emotion. The powerful guitar riffs, the thunderous drums, and Axel’s soaring vocals washed over me, leaving me feeling exhilarated and alive. As the final notes of the encore faded and confetti rained down, I knew this was a night I would never forget. The sheer power of music to unite thousands of strangers was a truly incredible thing to witness.
(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.
Answer: A Night with Axel Storm
Old Man Hemant shielded his eyes against the morning sun, his gaze fixed on the small, four-propeller machine hovering over his sprawling wheat field. His neighbours had scoffed when his grandson, Aarav, had brought the drone back from the city. “Farming is done with hands and sweat, not with flying toys,” they had grumbled. But Hemant, despite his weathered hands and traditional ways, saw a spark of the future in Aarav’s eyes and had decided to trust him.
The fields, once a uniform sea of green, now showed patches of worrying yellow. A pest infestation was spreading silently, threatening to decimate the crop that represented their entire year’s income. In the past, Hemant would have had to walk for days, inspecting every corner of the vast acreage, by which time the damage would often be irreversible.
Today was different. Aarav stood beside him, his fingers expertly maneuvering the controls of a remote. On a small screen, a live feed from the drone’s camera displayed a bird’s-eye view of their land. The drone, which they had named ‘Garuda’ after the mythical eagle, glided silently, its high-resolution camera mapping every inch of the field.
“There, Grandpa,” Aarav said, pointing to a red-highlighted area on the screen. “The infestation is concentrated in the north-west corner. The rest of the crop is still healthy.” The drone’s software had analyzed the imagery and pinpointed the exact location of the problem.
The next day, instead of blanketing the entire farm with expensive pesticides, they used Garuda again. This time, it was fitted with a small, targeted sprayer. Aarav programmed a precise flight path, and the drone delivered the pesticide only to the affected areas, saving them money and protecting the healthy crops from unnecessary chemicals.
Weeks later, as they stood before a field of golden, healthy wheat ready for harvest, Hemant placed a proud hand on his grandson’s shoulder. The drone wasn’t a toy; it was a tool of precision and hope. It was the bridge between generations, blending age-old wisdom with modern technology to secure their future. The hum of the drone was the new sound of a bountiful harvest.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting him/her to arrange special classes during the summer vacation for the students who wish to appear in the Mathematics Olympiad.
Answer:
The Principal,
St. Xavier’s School,
Green Park,
New Delhi – 110016.
10th May, 2024
Subject: Request for special classes for Mathematics Olympiad aspirants
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you on behalf of a group of students from Classes IX and X who are keenly interested in participating in the upcoming National Mathematics Olympiad. We are passionate about the subject and wish to represent our school at this prestigious competition.
To prepare effectively for the high level of competition, we feel that we would greatly benefit from some specialized guidance and extra coaching. The syllabus for the Olympiad includes advanced topics that are not covered in our regular curriculum. Therefore, we would be extremely grateful if you could consider arranging special coaching classes for us during the forthcoming summer vacation.
These classes would provide us with the focused preparation needed to tackle the challenging problems of the Olympiad. We are confident that with the right guidance from our experienced mathematics teachers, we can perform well and bring laurels to our school. We are willing to be flexible with the timings and schedule as per the convenience of the teachers.
Thank you for considering our request. We look forward to a positive response.
Yours obediently,
Aditya Sharma
Class X-B
(ii) Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to join you during the summer vacation for a summer camp, where you would stay just outside a reserve forest.
Answer:
21, Park Avenue,
Kolkata – 700019.
15th April, 2024
Dear Rohan,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was so excited when I heard that our summer vacations are starting next month, and I immediately thought of you. I have some amazing plans and I really want you to be a part of them!
My parents have enrolled me in a one-week adventure summer camp, and it’s at a place you would absolutely love. The campsite is located just on the outskirts of the Jim Corbett National Park! Can you imagine waking up to the sounds of the forest every morning? The camp is from the 15th to the 22nd of May.
The itinerary looks fantastic. It includes activities like trekking, bird watching, rock climbing, and even a guided safari into the reserve forest. There will also be bonfires and storytelling sessions in the evenings. I know how much you love nature and wildlife, so I couldn’t think of anyone better to share this experience with. It would be a great break from the city and our studies.
I have already spoken to my parents, and they are perfectly happy with you joining me. We can travel together. Please talk to your parents and let me know if you can make it. I really hope you can come. It just wouldn’t be the same without you!
Waiting eagerly for your reply.
Your friend,
Sameer
Question 3
(i) You are the Head Boy/Head Girl of your school. Your school is organising a Theatre Workshop by a leading theatre group. Write a notice for your school, asking the students interested in joining the workshop to submit their names to you.
Answer:
ST. MARK’S SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
NOTICE
10th July, 2024
THEATRE WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS
This is to inform all students from Classes VIII to XII that the school is organising a three-day Theatre Workshop, to be conducted by the renowned ‘Curtain Call’ theatre group from Mumbai. This is a wonderful opportunity for budding actors and theatre enthusiasts to hone their skills.
The details of the workshop are as follows:
- Dates: 25th July to 27th July, 2024
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: School Auditorium
The workshop will cover aspects of acting, voice modulation, stage presence, and script interpretation. As there are limited seats available, students will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested students are requested to submit their names to the undersigned in the school library during the lunch break, on or before 18th July, 2024.
Anjali Singh
(Head Girl)
(ii) Write an email to the Head of a leading theatre group requesting him/her to organise a Theatre Workshop for the students of your school.
Answer:
To: director@curtaincallproductions.com
From: headgirl.stmarks@email.com
Subject: Invitation to Conduct a Theatre Workshop at St. Mark’s School
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Anjali Singh, the Head Girl of St. Mark’s Senior Secondary School, New Delhi. I am writing to you on behalf of our school’s cultural committee.
Our school has a vibrant community of students who are deeply interested in the performing arts, particularly theatre. We hold your esteemed group, ‘Curtain Call Productions’, in high regard for its significant contributions to the world of theatre and its commitment to nurturing young talent.
To provide our students with professional exposure and guidance, we would be honoured if you could conduct a theatre workshop at our school. We believe that a workshop led by your experienced artists would be immensely beneficial for our students, helping them to understand the nuances of acting and stagecraft.
We would be grateful if you could consider our request. We are flexible and can schedule the workshop on any mutually convenient dates, preferably in the last week of July.
We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you and hope for a positive response.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Anjali Singh
Head Girl
St. Mark’s Senior Secondary School
New Delhi
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Let me admit at the outset that I write this article without adequate material. I have never known and have never seen any rich people. Very often I have thought that I had found them. But it turned out that it was not so. They were not rich at all. They were quite poor. They were pushed for money.
In all the cases that I have examined this same error has crept in. I had often imagined, from the fact of people keeping fifteen servants, that they were rich. I had supposed that because a woman rode downtown in a limousine to buy a fifty-dollar hat, she must be well to do. Not at all. All these people turn out, on examination, not to be rich. They are cramped. They say it themselves.
A friend of mine who has ten thousand dollars a year told me the other day with a sigh that he found it quite impossible to keep up with the rich. A family that I know who have twenty thousand a year have told me the same thing. They cannot keep up with the rich. There is no use in trying. A man, that I respect very much and who has an income of fifty thousand dollars a year from his law practice, has told me with the greatest frankness that he finds it absolutely impossible to keep up with the rich. He says it is better to face the brutal fact of being poor. He says he can only give me a plain meal-what he calls a home dinner-it takes three men and two women to serve it-and he begs me to put up with it.
As far as I remember, I have never met Mr. Carnegie. But I know that if I did he would tell me that he found it quite impossible to keep up with Mr. Rockefeller. No doubt Mr. Rockefeller feels the same.
When I speak, therefore of rich people and discuss whether they are happy, it is understood that I am merely drawing my conclusions from the people that I see and know.
My judgement is that the rich undergo cruel trials and bitter tragedies of which the poor know nothing. In the first place I find that the rich suffer perpetually from money troubles. The poor sit snugly at home while Sterling Exchange falls ten points in a day. Do they care? Not a bit. An adverse balance of trade washes over the nation like a flood. Who have to mop it up? The rich.
But the rich are troubled by money all the time. I know a man, for example-his name is Spugg. He is a self-made man and he has told me again and again that the wealth he has accumulated is a mere burden to him. Nevertheless, he believes that he cannot give away his wealth in charity. He says that he was much happier when he had only the plain simple things of life. I forget what it is that stands in his way.
However, one must not draw a picture of the rich in colours altogether gloomy. There are cases; among them of genuine light-hearted happiness.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. cramped (line 9)
(a) generous
(b) cheated
(c) restricted
(d) miserly
Answer: (c) restricted
2. brutal (line 16)
(a) harsh
(b) refined
(c) gentle
(d) boring
Answer: (a) harsh
(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘uncomfortably’?
(a) absolutely
(b) snugly
(c) perpetually
(d) gloomy
Answer: (b) snugly
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What happened whenever the narrator thought that he had found rich people?
Answer: Whenever the narrator thought he had found rich people, it turned out that he was mistaken. Upon examination, these people were not rich at all; they were quite poor and felt “pushed for money.”
(b) How did the narrator realise that those he considered rich were not actually rich?
Answer: The narrator realised that those he considered rich were not actually rich because they themselves would say so. People with high incomes, from ten thousand to fifty thousand dollars a year, would complain that they found it impossible to keep up with the truly rich and considered themselves poor.
(c) What does the narrator want to suggest by the examples of Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Rockefeller?
Answer: By using the examples of Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Rockefeller, who were among the richest people, the narrator suggests that the feeling of not being rich enough is universal. He implies that even the wealthiest individuals likely feel the same pressure to “keep up” and do not consider themselves truly rich.
(d) How do the poor and the rich react when the Sterling Exchange falls?
Answer: When the Sterling Exchange falls, the poor are unaffected and do not care at all; they “sit snugly at home.” In contrast, the rich are the ones who suffer from such financial troubles and have to deal with the consequences.
(e) What is the contradiction in Spugg’s view of wealth?
Answer: The contradiction in Spugg’s view is that he claims the wealth he has accumulated is a “mere burden” to him and that he was happier with a simple life, yet he believes he cannot give his wealth away to charity.
(iv) Describe how are the rich troubled by money all the time. Does this have an impact on their happiness? Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: The rich are perpetually troubled by money, constantly feeling “cramped” and unable to keep up with wealthier people. They worry about financial matters like falling exchange rates. This constant financial pressure and feeling of inadequacy negatively impacts their happiness, leading to cruel trials and bitter tragedies unknown to the poor.
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) discovery
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee have reported the ….0…. (discover) of fossils of one of the largest snakes that ever ….1…. (exist) and likely ….2…. (live) 47 million years ago during a period called the Middle Eocene. The fossils ….3…. (find) in Kutch, Gujarat, and the reptile, named Vasuki Indicus, could have been anywhere between 10 metres and 15 metres long, or as big as a modern-day school bus. The discovery could improve the ….4…. (understand) of how these species ….5…. (evolve) in different kinds of climate, as well as the factors that ….6…. (contribute) to their large body sizes. Vasuki Indicus existed at a time when the earth ….7…. (look) quite ….8…. (differ) from today, and Africa, India and South America were one conjoined landmass.
Answer:
- existed
- lived
- were found
- understanding
- evolved
- contributed
- looked
- different
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) She has named her children ……………….. Indian cricketers.
Answer: after
(b) At the sight of his former tenant he flew ……………….. a rage.
Answer: into
(c) During the President’s visit, the entire area was cordoned ……………….. .
Answer: off
(d) The actors were seen hanging ……………….. in the town.
Answer: about
(e) He cut ……………….. on sugar consumption due to diabetes.
Answer: down
(f) Rajat has the habit of exulting ……………….. the defeat of his rivals.
Answer: over
(g) The court has yet to serve him ……………….. summons.
Answer: a
(h) Most of the Board members dissented ……………….. his suggestion.
Answer: from
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. The machine is very heavy. The small truck cannot carry it.
(a) The machine is very heavy for small truck.
(b) The machine is too heavy to be carried by a small truck.
(c) The machine being too heavy, to be carried by a small truck.
(d) The truck being heavy will not carry the small machine.
Answer: (b) The machine is too heavy to be carried by a small truck.
2. Rahul is an opportunist. His brother is also one.
(a) Rahul as well as his brother is an opportunist.
(b) Rahul with his brother can be opportunist.
(c) Rahul as well as his brother are opportunists.
(d) Rahul with his brother are opportunistic.
Answer: (a) Rahul as well as his brother is an opportunist.
3. He is rich. He can easily buy that mansion.
(a) He is rich that he can easily buy that mansion.
(b) He is rich enough to easily buy that mansion.
(c) He is rich for easily buying that mansion.
(d) He is rich because he can easily buy that mansion.
Answer: (b) He is rich enough to easily buy that mansion.
4. I have decided not to reply. It is the safest thing to do.
(a) The safest thing to do is not to reply.
(b) The safest thing to do has been not replied.
(c) What the safest thing to do is not replied.
(d) It is the safe thing to do unless you reply.
Answer: (a) The safest thing to do is not to reply.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. Nobody has behaved with us like this before. (Begin with: Never…)
(a) Never had we behaved with anybody like this before.
(b) Never had anybody behaved like this before with us.
(c) Never has anybody behaved with us like this before.
(d) Never did anybody behaved with us before like this.
Answer: (c) Never has anybody behaved with us like this before.
2. Hospital staff must admit all emergency cases. (Begin with: All emergency cases…)
(a) All emergency cases by the hospital staff must be admitted.
(b) All emergency cases should be admitted from the hospital staff.
(c) All emergency cases are admitted by the hospital staff.
(d) All emergency cases must be admitted by the hospital staff.
Answer: (d) All emergency cases must be admitted by the hospital staff.
3. The earthquake surprised everybody in the town. (Begin with: The earthquake took…)
(a) The earthquake took everybody in the town by surprise.
(b) The earthquake took everybody in the town with surprise.
(c) The earthquake took everybody in the town to surprise.
(d) The earthquake took for everybody in the town by surprise.
Answer: (a) The earthquake took everybody in the town by surprise.
4. “So, father, you will buy the phone for my birthday,” she said. (Begin with: She reminded…)
(a) She reminded her father to buy the phone for her birthday.
(b) She reminded her father that he would to buy that phone for her birthday.
(c) She reminded to her father to buy the phone for her birthday.
(d) She reminded her father that he would buy phone for her birthday.
Answer: (d) She reminded her father that he would buy phone for her birthday.
5. He is said to be a learned man. (Begin with: People say…)
(a) People say him to be a learned man.
(b) People say he was to be a learned man.
(c) People say that he is a learned man.
(d) People say that he was a learned man.
Answer: (c) People say that he is a learned man.
6. If there is no will, there will be no way. (Begin with: Where…)
(a) Where there is a will, therefore it is to be a way.
(b) Where there is a will, there is a way.
(c) Where their is a will, their is a way.
(d) Where there is a will, so is a way.
Answer: (b) Where there is a will, there is a way.
7. We hope for his better performance. (Begin with: We hope that…)
(a) We hope that his performance would be better.
(b) We hope that he would be having a better performance.
(c) We hope that he would give good performance.
(d) We hope that he has to give better performance.
Answer: (a) We hope that his performance would be better.
8. I will do this, if you allow me. (Use: Unless)
(a) Unless you should allow me I will not do this.
(b) Unless you allowed me I will not do this.
(c) Unless you allow me I will not do this.
(d) Unless if you allow me I will not do this.
Answer: (c) Unless you allow me I will not do this.
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