Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 5: ICSE Class 10 English Language/Grammar (Total English/Morning Star) workbook solved which comprises Sequence of Tenses, Paragraph Writing, Formal Letters, Test Paper-5. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Sequence of Tenses
Assignment
1. I will not help him until he ……………………… for it. (ask)
Answer: asks
Explanation: This sentence talks about two things that will happen in the future. But there’s a special rule for time words like “until,” “when,” or “after.” Even though both actions are in the future, the part of the sentence with the time word uses the simple present tense. Think of it like a condition: First, he has to ask. Only after that will I help. So, we say “until he asks,” not “until he will ask.”
2. She boasted as if she ……………………… everything. (know)
Answer: knew
Explanation: The phrase “as if” is used for pretend situations. The girl is acting like she knows everything, but she really doesn’t. When we talk about something that isn’t true right now using “as if,” we use a past tense verb. It’s a special grammar trick to show we are in imagination-land. So, she boasted “as if she knew everything.”
3. My uncle told me that he ……………………… a good profit. (make)
Answer: had made
Explanation: This is a story about two things that happened in the past. First, your uncle made a profit. Second, he told you about it. When one past action happens before another past action, we use a special “super past” tense with the word “had.” So, he had made a profit, and then he told you.
4. He called me as many times as he ……………………… . (want)
Answer: wanted
Explanation: Both parts of this sentence happened in the past. He called you in the past, and he wanted to call you in the past. Since both actions happened at the same general time in the past, we use the simple past tense for both verbs.
5. She wrote as fast as she ……………………… . (can)
Answer: could
Explanation: This is another story about the past. The action is “she wrote.” Since “wrote” is a past tense word, we also need to use the past tense for “can.” The past tense of “can” is “could.” She wrote as fast as she was able to at that moment in the past.
6. I knew the doctor who ……………………… here. (come)
Answer: came
Explanation: You are telling a story about the past. You knew the doctor in the past. The doctor’s action of coming here also happened in the past. The simple past tense of “come” is “came.” So, “I knew the doctor who came here.”
7. He pretends as if he ……………………… blind. (be)
Answer: were
Explanation: This is another pretend situation, just like in question 2. He is not really blind, he is just acting. When we use “as if” to talk about something that isn’t real, we use the special word “were” instead of “was,” no matter if we are talking about he, she, or I. It’s a clear signal that it’s a make-believe situation.
8. You will be glad to know that I ……………………… the competition. (win)
Answer: have won
Explanation: Imagine you just won something and you are telling a friend. The winning happened in the past, but it’s exciting news right now. When a past action is connected to the present like this, we use the present perfect tense, which uses “have” or “has.” So, you say “I have won,” because the result of that past win is the good news you are sharing now.
9. He assured me that he ……………………… my watch. (repair)
Answer: would repair
Explanation: This is about a promise made in the past. The main action, “he assured me,” is in the past. He made a promise about what he was going to do in the future (from that point in the past). When we report a “will” promise from the past, the word “will” changes to “would.” So, he promised that he would repair the watch.
10. He works hard so that he ……………………… get the scholarship. (may)
Answer: may
Explanation: This sentence explains the purpose or reason for an action. Why does he work hard? He does it for the purpose of getting a scholarship. When we use “so that” to show a purpose in the present, we use the word “may.” He works hard (present) so that he may get the scholarship (a present possibility or goal).
Assignment
Write a paragraph of about 80 words on any one of the following topics:
1. How I spent my last summer vacation.
Answer: My last summer vacation was a memorable mix of relaxation and learning. I spent the first two weeks at my grandparents’ village, enjoying the serene countryside and listening to their fascinating stories. The simple, peaceful life was a refreshing change. Upon returning home, I enrolled in a short-term coding course and learned the basics of Python. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding. In the evenings, I would play cricket with my neighbourhood friends. This vacation was a perfect blend of family bonding, skill development, and fun.
2. Life is a journey, not a destination.
Answer: The saying, ‘Life is a journey, not a destination,’ teaches us to value the process over the outcome. We often fixate on future goals—a good job, a new house, or a promotion—believing that achieving them will bring ultimate happiness. In this pursuit, we miss the small joys, the lessons learned from failures, and the personal growth that happens along the way. Since life is a continuous series of experiences and challenges, true contentment lies in appreciating each moment of the journey rather than just anticipating the destination.
Test Paper-5
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) A short story which begins with ‘I do not believe in ghosts…….’
Answer: The Whisper in the Old House
I do not believe in ghosts. My friends often tell me scary stories, but I laugh at them. One evening, I walked past an old house at the end of the street. The house was dark and broken. Windows hung loose and the door was half open. People said no one lived there.
I felt a sudden chill but kept walking. Then I heard a soft sound, like someone whispering my name. I stopped. The street was empty. I told myself it was only the wind. I took another step, and the sound came again. This time it was louder.
I turned to the house. A curtain moved inside though no one was there. My heart beat fast. I wanted to run, but my legs felt heavy. I told myself, “There are no ghosts.” I tried to be brave. I walked to the gate and peered inside.
A cat jumped out from behind the curtain. It meowed and ran away. I laughed so hard my eyes watered. The whisper I had heard was only the sound of the curtain and the wind together. It had fooled me.
I went home and told my friends. They laughed and said the house was haunted. But I knew the truth. Ghosts are only fears in our minds. Like shadows at night, they seem real until you look closely.
That evening taught me that fear can make simple things look strange. A curtain, the wind, and a cat had turned into a ghost in my thoughts. It was not magic. It was just my mind playing tricks.
Now, when I hear a sound in the dark, I wait and watch. I remind myself that not every mystery hides a ghost. Sometimes it is only the wind or a small animal. But I still smile when I think of the old house.
(ii) An extraordinary and memorable achievement.
Answer: An Extraordinary and Memorable Achievement
I was in my school’s football team. We had practiced for months for the inter-school tournament. Every afternoon we stayed on the field after classes. We ran, we passed the ball, and we tried to play like a single unit. It was tiring, but we did not give up.
On the day of the final, my stomach felt heavy. The other team looked strong. When the match began, both sides tried their best. The game went on without any goals. My friends shouted from the sidelines, and my coach kept telling us to stay calm.
With only a few minutes left, I got the ball. I could hear my heart beating fast. I ran as quickly as I could, moving past two defenders. Then I kicked the ball hard towards the net. For a moment, it was silent. Then the ball rolled in. The crowd shouted. My teammates hugged me, and I almost cried with joy.
We won the match, and our school lifted the trophy. It was the first time our school had won that tournament. The memory of that goal stayed with me. It was not just about scoring. It was about the hard work of the whole team. Everyone had played a part in reaching that moment.
That day taught me that practice and trust in each other bring results. The feeling of standing with the team, holding the trophy, was something I will never forget. It was an extraordinary and memorable achievement in my life.
(iii) Views on ‘Present day teenagers are quite smart. They should be allowed more freedom.’
Answer: Present Day Teenagers Are Quite Smart. They Should Be Allowed More Freedom
Teenagers today grow up in a world full of technology. They learn new things very fast. They can handle phones, computers, and the internet with ease. They often know more about these things than their parents. This shows that they are quick learners and can adapt to change.
They also understand what is happening around them. They can follow news and events and give their opinions. Many can explain their views in a clear way. This shows that they can think for themselves. When young people can think and act wisely, they should be trusted with some freedom.
Freedom does not mean doing anything one likes. It means having the chance to make choices. Teenagers should be able to decide some things for themselves, like what hobbies to take up, what books to read, or how to spend their free time. This makes them more confident and independent.
If parents keep too many rules, teenagers may feel trapped. They might hide things or even lie. But if parents give some freedom, children are more open. They can talk about their problems and ask for advice. This builds trust between them. Freedom, in this way, becomes like a bridge that connects parents and children. A bridge is something that helps people cross from one side to another. Here it means freedom helps both sides understand each other better.
Of course, freedom must come with guidance. Teenagers are still learning. Parents should guide them when the choice is too big or dangerous. But in daily life, some freedom is fair. It helps teenagers learn to be responsible. When they make mistakes, they also learn how to improve. That is part of growing up.
So, teenagers are smart and ready for more freedom. If given wisely, it will help them become better adults.
(iv) A description of a scenic place visited with classmates.
Answer: A Visit to the Hills with Classmates
Last month, I went to a hill station with my classmates. It was part of a school trip. We were excited from the moment the bus left the school gate. The road to the hills was long and full of turns. We sang songs and played small games during the ride.
When we reached the place, the air felt cool and fresh. The hills looked green and wide. There were tall trees everywhere. The sight was so different from our busy town. Some of us ran around, while others stood quietly to take in the view. The wind made a soft sound as it passed through the trees.
We walked together on a narrow path that led to a viewpoint. From there, we could see the valley below. A river shone like a silver ribbon. It looked like someone had drawn a shiny line across the earth. This is a metaphor because the river was not a real ribbon, but it looked like one from far away. We also saw clouds floating so close that it felt like we could touch them.
We sat on the grass and shared lunch. The food tasted better because we were hungry and happy. Some of us clicked photos, while others rested on the ground. The place felt calm, and everyone enjoyed the quiet. It was as if time had slowed down for us.
Before leaving, we promised to visit again someday. On the bus back, we were tired but full of good memories. The trip taught us how beautiful nature can be when we see it with friends. It was a day we will not forget.
(v) A composition based on the given picture.
Answer: Talking by the Village Road
The picture shows two women sitting by a village road. One of them holds an earthen pot. They seem to be talking while resting on the roadside. Their clothes are plain and simple, showing the life of people in a village. The women look tired, but their closeness suggests comfort in each other’s company.
The road is dry and wide. It stretches far, with electric poles standing on both sides. There are a few trees scattered along the road. The place looks peaceful, with no vehicles or noise. The open sky above and the empty road give a feeling of quietness.
The earthen pot shows that the women might have been fetching water. Carrying such pots is heavy work, and they must have walked a long way. Sitting together, they talk and rest. Their words may give them strength, just like a friend’s hand makes a walk easier. This is a metaphor, because the words cannot carry the pot, but they make the burden feel lighter.
The scene tells us about village life. Water is not always close, so people walk to fetch it. Tasks are hard, but they are done with patience. The women show how people find relief in sharing moments. Even while doing tiring chores, they keep each other company. Their talk on the roadside becomes as important as the work itself.
The wide road, the silence, and the two women together make a simple yet strong picture. It reminds us that life in villages is built on effort and friendship. The pot they carry is not just for water, but also a symbol of daily struggle. Yet, their smiles and rest show that togetherness makes even the hardest work easier.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to your friend describing a plantation drive which you undertook along with hundreds of students from different schools in your area to sensitise people about environmental challenges like climate change and global warming.
Answer:
25 Bannerghatta Road
Bengaluru – 560 076
22nd March 20…
Dear Rohan,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to you today to share a wonderful experience I had last weekend. Our school, along with several other schools in our area, organised a large-scale plantation drive, and it was a truly memorable day.
It was an incredible sight to see hundreds of students, all dressed in our school uniforms, gathered together for a common cause. The event took place at a large, barren public ground near the city outskirts. We were all given saplings of native trees like Neem and Gulmohar. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a sense of purpose as we all got to work, digging pits, planting the young trees, and watering them carefully.
The main objective of this drive was not just to plant trees but also to sensitise the local community about pressing environmental challenges. We went door-to-door in the nearby locality in small groups, talking to people about the dangers of climate change and global warming. We explained how collective small efforts, like planting a tree, can contribute to a larger solution. The response from the residents was very positive.
It was a tiring day under the sun, but the feeling of accomplishment was immense. Knowing that we contributed, even in a small way, to making our planet greener was very satisfying. I wish you could have been a part of it.
How are things with you? Do write back when you have some time.
Yours lovingly,
Arjun
(ii) You are suffering from chickenpox. Write an application to your Principal requesting him/her to grant you leave for two weeks.
Answer:
25 Bannerghatta Road
Bengaluru – 560 076
22nd March 20…
The Principal
Convent Girls’ High School
Mazagaon
Mumbai – 400 010
Subject: Application for leave due to chickenpox
Respected Madam,
With due respect, I wish to state that I am a student of Class X, Section B, of your esteemed school. I have been diagnosed with chickenpox since yesterday evening.
The doctor has advised me to take complete rest for two weeks to recover fully and to prevent the infection from spreading to other students. Therefore, I will be unable to attend school from 23rd March 20… to 5th April 20…
I kindly request you to grant me leave for the aforementioned period. I assure you that I will cover all the lessons and assignments missed during my absence as soon as I rejoin the school. I have attached a copy of the medical certificate for your reference.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours obediently,
Ram
Class X – B
Roll No. 15
Question 3
(i) You are the Secretary of the Housing Society of your colony. Draft a notice to be displayed on the notice board outside the RWA office, informing the residents about the Holi Celebration being organised a day before the Holi for all the residents of the colony.
Answer:
SUNSHINE HOUSING SOCIETY RWA
NOTICE
Date: 15th March 2024
HOLI CELEBRATION
This is to inform all the residents that the Housing Society is organising a grand Holi Celebration a day before the festival. The details of the event are as follows:
Date: 24th March 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Venue: The Community Park
The event will feature music, refreshments, and eco-friendly colours. All residents are cordially invited to join the festivities with their families and friends to make the celebration a colourful and memorable one.
(Signature)
Rohan Sharma
Secretary, RWA
(ii) Write an email to the MLA of your area requesting him/her to be the Chief Guest at the Holi Celebration in your colony. [5]
Answer:
To: mla.constituency@gov.in
From: secretary.sunshine@email.com
Subject: Invitation to be the Chief Guest for Holi Celebration
Respected Sir/Madam,
On behalf of the Sunshine Housing Society, I would like to extend a cordial invitation to you to be the Chief Guest at our annual Holi Celebration. We are organising this event for all the residents of our colony to celebrate the festival of colours with joy and camaraderie.
The celebration is scheduled to be held on 24th March 2024, from 10:00 AM onwards at our Community Park.
Your presence at the event would be a great source of honour and encouragement for all of us. We would be grateful if you could grace the occasion and share a few words with the residents.
We eagerly look forward to your positive response.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Rohan Sharma
Secretary
Sunshine Housing Society RWA
Contact: 9XX6543210
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The son of a provincial bailiff, Jean Marin had come, as do so many others, to study law at the University of Paris. He became a lawyer and pleaded causes, which he lost. However, one morning he read in the papers that one of his classmates at the University had been appointed deputy. He became his faithful hound, the friend who does the drudgery and the unpleasant tasks.
The deputy soon became a Minister. Six months later Jean Marin was appointed a State Councillor. He was so elated with pride at first that he lost his head. He would walk through the streets just to show himself off, as though one could tell by his appearance what position he occupied. Then, in consequence of his position he felt an imperious need of patronising others. He offered his support to every one on all occasions. And he wrote ten, twenty, fifty letters of recommendation a day to all the officials of the government.
One morning as he was going to the Council he met a priest, named Ceinture, who was standing in a doorway to protect himself from rain. Marin took him to his chamber and asked him the purpose of his visit to Paris. He replied that he had some business to attend to.
“Might I venture to ask what it is? If I can be of any service to you.” said Marin.
The priest seemed embarrassed and murmured: “Oh, it is a little personal matter; a little difficulty with my bishop. It is a matter of internal regulation-an ecclesiastical affair.”
“But it is precisely the State Council that regulates all those things. In that case, make use of me,” said Marin.
“Yes, you are a thousand times too kind. I have to see M. Lerepere and M. Savon and also perhaps M. Petitpas.”
Marin, eager to help him, offered to write letters of recommendation for the priest to his colleagues at the State Council. When he had written the three letters, he handed them to the priest who took his departure with many protestations of gratitude.
Next morning when he saw the newspaper, he was shocked to read an article in which he was accused of giving the warmest letters of recommendation to all his colleagues for a priest, named Ceinture. This priest has been convicted of conspiracy against the present government and suspended by a bishop for causes, that were unmentionable and summoned to Paris to give an explanation of his conduct.
Shocked and embarrassed Marin rushed to his colleague, Petitpas, who said to him: “How now? You were crazy to recommend to me that old conspirator!”
Marin, bewildered, stammered out that he was deceived as the priest looked such an honest man. He then begged him to sentence the priest severely.
And seating himself abruptly at Petitpas’ desk, he wrote a letter to the archbishop: “Monseigneur, I have the honour to bring to your grace’s notice the fact that I have recently been made a victim of the intrigues and lies of a certain Abbe Ceinture, who imposed on my kind-heartedness.”
Then, having signed and sealed his letter, he turned to his colleague and exclaimed: “See here; my dear friend, let this be a warning to you never to recommend any one again.”
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. drudgery (line 4)
(a) revelry
(b) caliber
(c) rivalry
(d) labour
Answer: (d) labour
2. imperious (line 9)
(a) hostile
(b) submissive
(c) overbearing
(d) meek
Answer: (c) overbearing
(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘acquitted’?
(a) appointed
(b) convicted
(c) deceived
(d) suspended
Answer: (b) convicted
i) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) How did Jean Marin become a State Councillor?
Answer: Jean Marin became a State Councillor six months after his former classmate, for whom he worked, was promoted from a deputy to a Minister. His classmate appointed him to the position.
(b) What changes came in Marin’s behaviour after he became a State Councillor?
Answer: After becoming a State Councillor, Jean Marin became extremely proud and arrogant. He would walk the streets just to show off his position and felt an overbearing need to patronize others by writing numerous letters of recommendation daily.
(c) According to the priest, why had he come to Paris?
Answer: According to the priest, he had come to Paris to attend to some business, which he described as a personal matter involving a small difficulty with his bishop.
(d) What was Marin shocked to read in the newspaper?
Answer: Marin was shocked to read in the newspaper that he was being accused of recommending a priest who had been convicted of conspiracy against the government and suspended by a bishop for unmentionable reasons.
(e) What did Marin write in his letter to the archbishop?
Answer: In his letter to the archbishop, Marin wrote that he had been a victim of the intrigues and lies of the priest, Abbe Ceinture, who had taken advantage of his kind-heartedness.
(iv) Why did Marin give letters of recommendation to everyone who came to him for help? What lesson did he learn after giving a letter of recommendation to the priest? Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: Marin gave letters of recommendation to everyone because his new position as State Councillor filled him with an overbearing pride and a need to patronize others. From his experience with the priest, he learned the harsh lesson never to recommend anyone again without being certain of their character.
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) shopping
More people in India’s small cities and towns are now ….0…. (shop) online, a ….1… (potential) massive market that e-commerce firms ….2…. (woo) for about a decade. But it is not only online marketplaces and e-stores that ….3…. (reap) the benefits. Logistics companies like Ecom Express Pvt. Ltd and Xpressbees as well as ….4…. (deliver) startups ….5… (include) Delhivery and Shiprocket are now ….6…. (earn) a significant chunk of their revenue from tier-II cities due to rise in online shopping.
India’s e-commerce market ….7…. (project) to grow to $300 billion by 2030. Much of this ….8…. (grow) is expected to be driven by a rapid adoption of e-commerce in tier-II cities.
Answers:
- potential
- have been wooing
- reap
- delivery
- including
- earning
- is projected
- growth
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) Many students go to school …………………. bicycle.
Answer: on
(b) She was …………………. the plane when the news of her appointment came.
Answer: on
(c) His family usually stayed in Shimla …………………. the summer.
Answer: during
(d) Anju has been working in this office …………………. January 2020.
Answer: since
(e) He has been working in this office …………………. ten years.
Answer: for
(f) Mr. Gupta was relieved …………………. his duties as a Manager.
Answer: of
(g) My mother prevailed …………………. me to join the yoga club.
Answer: upon
(h) Social media has a great influence …………………. the young generation.
Answer: on
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. She was not at home. I left the message with her mother.
(a) Being her not at home, I left the message with her mother.
(b) Her mother was home, I left the message with her.
(c) Since she was not at home, I left the message with her mother.
(d) Although she was not at home, yet I left the message with her mother.
Answer: (c) Since she was not at home, I left the message with her mother.
2. Is that bus big? Can it take all my friends?
(a) Is the bus enough big to take all my friends?
(b) Is that bus big enough to take all my friends?
(c) Can that bus big enough to take all my friends?
(d) For all my friends, that bus is it big enough?
Answer: (b) Is that bus big enough to take all my friends?
3. The tickets are expensive. I will buy one tomorrow.
(a) The tickets are expensive for me to buy one tomorrow.
(b) The tickets being expensive, I will not buy one tomorrow.
(c) The tickets are expensive unless I will buy one tomorrow.
(d) The tickets are expensive nevertheless I will buy one tomorrow.
Answer: (d) The tickets are expensive nevertheless I will buy one tomorrow.
4. My glasses were smashed by somebody. He must pay for the damage.
(a) He, who has smashed my glasses, must pay for the damage.
(b) He, who has smashed my glasses, must have paid for the damage.
(c) Somebody smashed my glasses must pay for the damage.
(d) He, who has smashed my glasses, at least must pay for the damage.
Answer: (a) He, who has smashed my glasses, must pay for the damage.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. Very few cities are as big as Kolkata. (Use : biggest)
(a) Kolkata is like very few of biggest cities.
(b) Kolkata is biggest of the few cities.
(c) Kolkata is one of the biggest cities.
(d) The one biggest cities is Kolkata.
Answer: (c) Kolkata is one of the biggest cities.
2. To destroy wildlife is unwise. (Begin with: It…)
(a) It is unwise to destroy wildlife.
(b) It is unwise destroying wildlife.
(c) It is unwise for destroying wildlife.
(d) It is to be unwise to destroy wildlife.
Answer: (a) It is unwise to destroy wildlife.
3. You did not forget to post the letter. (Use a question tag)
(a) You did not forget to post the letter, had you?
(b) You did not forget to post the letter, did you?
(c) You did not forget to post the letter, didn’t you?
(d) You did not forget posting the letter, hadn’t you?
Answer: (b) You did not forget to post the letter, did you?
4. “You’d better not buy the car as you may regret it later,” my sister warned me. (Begin with: My sister warned me…)
(a) My sister warned me that I would be better not to buy the car as I might regret it later.
(b) My sister warned me that I should not buy the car as I might regret it later.
(c) My sister warned me to not buy the car that I might regret later.
(d) My sister warned me so as I do not buy the car that I might be regretting later.
Answer: (b) My sister warned me that I should not buy the car as I might regret it later.
5. Does the team include any new players? (Begin with: Are any….)
(a) Are any new players in the team?
(b) Are any new players to include the team?
(c) Are any new players included in the team?
(d) Are any of the new players in the team?
Answer: (c) Are any new players included in the team?
6. Although it was likely to rain, we went out for a walk. (Begin with: In spite of…)
(a) In spite of it was looking to rain, we went out for a walk.
(b) In spite of it beginning to rain, we went out for a walk.
(c) In spite of the likelihood of rain, we went out for a walk.
(d) In spite of it likely to rain, we went out for a walk.
Answer: (c) In spite of the likelihood of rain, we went out for a walk.
7. I have no money that I can spare. (End: …to spare.)
(a) I have not a single money to spare.
(b) I have no money to spare.
(c) I have had no money to spare.
(d) There is no money with me to spare.
Answer: (b) I have no money to spare.
8. Mansi asked her brother to explain his absence at her party. (Use: explanation)
(a) Mansi asked her brother for an explanation for his absence at her party.
(b) Mansi wanted an explanation from her brother absent at her party.
(c) Mansi asked her brother’s explanation for his absence in her party.
(d) Mansi asked her brother for explanation his absence at her party.
Answer: (a) Mansi asked her brother for an explanation for his absence at her party.
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