Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 8: ICSE Class 10 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved, which comprises Articles, Characters, Comprehension: Sense and Interpretation, and Test Paper – 8. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Articles
Assignment
I. Insert ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ as necessary in the given blanks:
1. He is not …………………….. honourable man.
Answer: an
Explanation: Imagine saying the word “honourable”. It sounds like “on-er-able”. Even though it starts with the letter ‘h’, the sound it makes is an ‘o’ sound, which is a vowel sound. For words that start with a vowel sound (like apple, egg, ice cream, orange, umbrella), we use “an”.
2. Could you pass me …………………….. salt, please?
Answer: the
Explanation: When you are sitting at a table and ask for the salt, you are talking about the specific salt shaker that is right there on the table. You can almost point to it! When we talk about one specific thing that everyone knows about, we use “the”.
3. I have …………………….. hour and …………………….. half for lunch.
Answer: an, a
Explanation: For the first blank, the word “hour” sounds like “ow-er”. The ‘h’ is quiet, and it starts with a vowel sound, so we use “an”. For the second blank, the word “half” starts with a “huh” sound, which is a consonant sound. So, we use “a”. It’s “an hour and a half”.
4. Kalidasa is …………………….. Shakespeare of India.
Answer: the
Explanation: We are not talking about the real person William Shakespeare. We are using his name like a title for “the greatest writer”. We are saying Kalidasa is the specific great writer of India. When we describe someone as “the [famous person] of [a place]”, we use “the” to make it specific.
5. She had …………………….. amazing experience last night.
Answer: an
Explanation: The word “amazing” starts with an “a” sound, which is a vowel sound. It’s just like saying “an apple” or “an elephant”. When a word starts with a vowel sound, and we are talking about just one of them, we use “an”.
6. Do you go to …………………….. hospital to visit him?
Answer: the
Explanation: Think of it this way: people go “to hospital” when they are sick. That’s the main reason for the building. But if you are going there for a different reason, like just visiting a friend, you are going to that specific building, so you say you are going to “the hospital”.
7. Oil is vital to …………………….. economy of many countries.
Answer: the
Explanation: We aren’t talking about just any economy in the world. We are talking about the specific system of money and jobs that belongs to “many countries”. The words “of many countries” point to a specific idea, so we must use “the”.
8. …………………….. honest man is …………………….. noblest work of God.
Answer: The, the
Explanation: For the first blank, when we say “The honest man”, we are using one person to talk about all honest people in general. It’s a special way to talk about a whole group. For the second blank, “noblest” is a superlative word (like biggest, fastest, best). We always use “the” before these special “-est” words.
9. …………………….. rich are getting richer and …………………….. poor are getting poorer.
Answer: the, the
Explanation: When we use a describing word like “rich” or “poor” to talk about the whole group of people, we have to put “the” in front. “The rich” means “all rich people,” and “the poor” means “all poor people.”
10. …………………….. dead no longer need help.
Answer: The
Explanation: This is just like the last question. “Dead” is a describing word, but here we are using it to mean “all dead people”. To turn it into a name for the whole group, we must put “the” in front of it: “The dead“.
11. Who is at …………………….. door? It is …………………….. postman.
Answer: the, the
Explanation: When you are in a house and ask who is at the door, you mean the specific front door of that house, so you say “the door”. And usually, there is one specific postman who delivers mail to your house, so you say it is “the postman”.
12. I do not know how much …………………….. MP (Member of Parliament) earns.
Answer: an
Explanation: When we say the letters “MP”, it sounds like we are saying “Em-Pee”. The sound “em” starts with a vowel sound. Because it starts with a vowel sound, we have to use “an”.
13. The Everest is …………………….. highest mountain in …………………….. world.
Answer: the, the
Explanation: For the first blank, the word “highest” is a superlative word (it ends in -est). We always use “the” before these words, like “the biggest” or “the tallest”. For the second blank, there is only one world, so we call it “the world”. We do the same for other unique things like “the sun” and “the moon”.
14. Arun thinks that this is quite …………………….. cheap hotel.
Answer: a
Explanation: We are talking about one hotel. The word that describes it is “cheap”, which starts with a “ch” sound (a consonant sound). So, we need to use “a”. It’s “a cheap hotel”, just like “a big dog” or “a fun game”.
15. Not many people read poetry, but quite …………………….. few read novels.
Answer: a
Explanation: This is a little tricky. “Few” by itself means “almost none,” which sounds a bit sad. But “a few” means “a small number,” which sounds more positive. The sentence says that even though not many people read poems, a small group of them do read novels. To show this small but positive number, we use “a few”.
Characters
Assignment
Write a composition on any one of the following topics. (The first one has been done for you).
1. The person who has influenced your life.
Answer: Inspired by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
The person who has had a huge impact on my life is the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. From Rameshwaram to Rashtrapati Bhawan, his life is literally a story of success attained through sheer hard work and determination. Born to an obscure middle-class family, in the remote island town of Rameshwaram in southern India, he rose to occupy the highest position in the country, i.e., the President of India. Kalam’s father owned boats, which he used to rent out to local fishermen. In order to support his studies, Kalam used to sell newspapers. But the hardships did not deter him. He progressed in sure and steady steps through childhood and through scholarships into his first foray into professional life.
He graduated from St. Joseph’s, Tiruchi and specialised in aero-engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology. He worked in the Department of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958 and joined ISRO in 1963. At DRDO, he took charge of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and made significant contribution to India’s missile programme. This earned him the title, ‘Missile Man of India.’
He became the 11th President of India in July 2002. During his tenure as President, he strongly advocated an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and into a developed nation by 2020. People loved and respected him so much during his tenure as President that he was popularly called the ‘People’s President’. After relinquishing his office as President, Dr Kalam took up the mission to ignite the young minds for national development. He kept on working till the very last day of his life. In fact, he took his last breath while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong on July 27, 2015.
Whenever I have to undertake a difficult task, Dr Kalam’s exhortation, “We should give wings to the divine fire we are all born with and have within us” fills me with new vigour and vitality. His life and deeds motivate me to pursue my goals undeterred by hardships and with full conviction.
2. The people next door.
Answer: The Family Next Door
The arrival of the Gupta family next door, about a year ago, transformed our quiet street into a more connected and friendly community. Mr. and Mrs. Gupta, along with their two children, Aarav and Meera, brought with them a warmth that was immediately felt by everyone. They are the kind of people who make a house a home, not just for themselves, but for the entire neighborhood.
From the very first day, they made an effort to get to know everyone. Mrs. Gupta appeared at our doorstep with a plate of homemade sweets, her smile as sweet as her offering. Mr. Gupta, an avid gardener, is always ready to share tips and even saplings from his flourishing garden. Their children are respectful and full of life, and their laughter often fills the air in the evenings as they play in the park.
I recall a time when my mother fell ill suddenly. Before we could even think of what to do, Mrs. Gupta was there, helping us get to the hospital and assuring us she would look after our home. They are the first to offer help, whether it is collecting mail when we are away or sharing a cup of sugar. They celebrate festivals with great enthusiasm, inviting all the neighbors to share in their joy, making every occasion a community event.
Living next to the Guptas has taught me the value of community and the simple kindnesses that bind people together. They are more than just neighbors; they have become an extension of our family, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have them living next door.
3. My favourite visitors.
Answer: When Grandparents Visit
Of all the people who visit our home, my favourites are undoubtedly my maternal grandparents. Their arrival marks the beginning of a period filled with joy, stories, and the most delicious food. The moment I hear that they are coming, a sense of excitement builds up that lasts until they are standing at our door, their faces beaming with love.
Their visits are a special time. My grandfather, with his treasure trove of stories from his youth and his travels, can keep me captivated for hours. He has a unique way of making the past come alive, and his experiences have taught me more than any history book could. My grandmother, on the other hand, transforms our kitchen into a magical place. The aroma of her cooking fills the entire house, and she patiently teaches me the secrets behind her famous recipes, passing down family traditions with every stir of the spoon.
What makes their visits truly special is the unconditional love and warmth they bring into our home. The house feels more complete and lively when they are here. Evenings are spent playing board games, with my grandfather’s cheerful laughter echoing through the rooms. They take an interest in every little detail of my life, offering gentle advice and constant encouragement.
When it is time for them to leave, the house feels quiet and empty. However, the memories of their stay, the stories, the laughter, and the love they leave behind stay with us. Their visits are a beautiful reminder of family bonds, and I always find myself counting the days until I can see them again.
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) Write a story which brings out the truth of the saying—’Leopards cannot change their spots.’
Answer: The Sly Fox of Ferndale Forest
In the heart of Ferndale Forest lived a fox named Reynard, whose cunning was legendary among the woodland creatures. He had tricked every animal, from the lumbering bear to the timid rabbit, always for his own gain. One day, after a particularly harsh winter, the animals held a council. They decided to banish Reynard unless he mended his ways.
Facing exile, Reynard put on a grand show of repentance. He approached the council with his head bowed low and his tail between his legs. “My friends,” he whimpered, “I have seen the error of my ways. The loneliness of my deceit has become a heavy burden. I vow to change, to be an honest and helpful member of our community.” His words were so convincing that the animals, led by the kind-hearted Barnaby the Badger, agreed to give him one last chance.
For a while, Reynard was a model citizen. He helped Mrs. Rabbit find lost carrots, warned the squirrels of an approaching storm, and even shared his berries with the field mice. The forest began to trust him. Barnaby, pleased with the fox’s transformation, entrusted him with the most important task of the year: guarding the community’s winter store of nuts, berries, and honey while everyone else attended the annual Sun-Festival.
Reynard promised to guard it with his life. However, as soon as the last animal disappeared over the hill, his old instincts took over. The sight of the unguarded feast was too much to resist. His eyes gleamed with the familiar spark of mischief. “Just a small taste,” he told himself. But one taste led to another, and by the time the sun set, Reynard had devoured nearly half of the winter provisions.
When the animals returned, they were met with the devastating sight. Reynard was nowhere to be found, having fled with a full belly. Barnaby the Badger sighed, looking at the dismayed faces around him. “We gave him a chance,” he said sadly, “but it seems a leopard truly cannot change its spots.” The forest had learned a hard lesson: a creature’s fundamental nature is not so easily altered.
(ii) There are times when you want to take a break from the humdrum of your routine urban living and undertake a solitary journey. Narrate one such journey.
Answer: A Journey into Silence
The city had become a relentless cacophony of ringing phones, blaring horns, and the constant pressure of deadlines. My world had shrunk to the four walls of my office and the predictable route home. A deep-seated need for silence and solitude began to grow within me, a desire to escape the humdrum of my urban existence. On an impulse, I packed a small rucksack, booked a bus ticket to a remote mountain village, and set off on a solitary journey.
The moment I stepped off the bus, the air changed. It was crisp, clean, and filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. The city’s grey concrete was replaced by an endless expanse of green valleys and towering, snow-dusted peaks. There was no schedule to follow, no one to answer to. My only companions were my thoughts and the rhythm of my own footsteps on the winding trail.
For three days, I walked. I followed paths that led me through dense forests where sunlight filtered through the canopy in shifting patterns. I sat by gurgling streams, watching the clear water rush over smooth stones. The only sounds were the chirping of unseen birds, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the steady beat of my own heart. In this profound quiet, the noise inside my head began to subside. The worries and anxieties that had seemed so monumental in the city now felt distant and insignificant.
One evening, I reached a high meadow just as the sun was setting. The sky was a breathtaking canvas of orange, pink, and purple, and the mountains stood like ancient sentinels against the fading light. Sitting there alone, I felt a sense of connection to the world that I had never experienced amidst the crowds. I was just a small part of something vast and beautiful. That solitary journey did more than just provide a break; it recalibrated my soul, reminding me of the peace that exists beyond the noise and the importance of occasionally walking a path alone.
(iii) ‘Every year highly skilled people migrate to different countries in search of better job prospects, which is a national loss.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: The Unchecked Drain of a Nation’s Talent
The migration of highly skilled professionals to foreign lands in pursuit of better opportunities is a phenomenon often referred to as ‘brain drain’. I firmly believe that this trend represents a significant and detrimental national loss. When a country invests heavily in the education and training of its citizens—doctors, engineers, scientists, and technologists—it does so with the expectation that their skills will contribute to national growth and development. The departure of this trained workforce is akin to watching a nation’s most valuable assets walk away.
The primary loss is economic. These skilled individuals are the very people who drive innovation, establish new industries, and create jobs. When they leave, they take their potential contributions with them, enriching their host countries instead of their homeland. The home country not only loses a skilled worker but also the potential tax revenue, consumer spending, and entrepreneurial activity that person would have generated. This creates a vicious cycle: the lack of opportunities causes migration, and this migration further weakens the economy, reducing the creation of new opportunities.
Furthermore, the social fabric of the nation is weakened. The absence of top-tier professionals in fields like healthcare and education leads to a decline in the quality of essential services available to the remaining population. Rural areas are often the hardest hit, as skilled doctors and teachers are more likely to migrate, leaving communities underserved. This exodus also results in a loss of mentors and role models for the younger generation, who may see leaving the country as the only path to success.
While individuals have the right to seek better lives for themselves, the collective impact of their departure cannot be ignored. It is a clear signal of systemic failures within the nation—a lack of competitive salaries, inadequate research facilities, political instability, or stifling bureaucracy. Therefore, instead of simply lamenting this loss, it should be seen as an urgent call to action for governments and industries to create an environment where talent is nurtured, valued, and given compelling reasons to stay and build a better future at home.
(iv) Describe a day which you consider the happiest day of your life that will remain etched in your memory forever.
Answer: The Day the Stars Aligned
The happiest day of my life was not one of grand celebrations or momentous occasions, but a simple, sun-drenched Saturday that unfolded with unexpected perfection. It was the day my family and I drove to the old lighthouse by the sea, a place we had not visited since my early childhood. The memory of that day remains etched in my mind, a perfect snapshot of pure, unadulterated joy.
The day began with the smell of my mother’s pancakes and the warm morning light streaming through the kitchen window. There was no rush, no agenda, just a spontaneous decision to revisit a place of fond memories. The car ride itself was filled with laughter, as we sang along to old songs on the radio and my father recounted humorous stories from his youth. The usual tensions of daily life seemed to have dissolved, leaving only a light and easy camaraderie.
When we arrived, the sea was a brilliant shade of turquoise, and a gentle breeze carried the salty air. We climbed the winding stairs of the old lighthouse, and from the top, the world seemed to stretch out into an infinite expanse of blue. Looking down, I saw my parents walking hand-in-hand on the beach below, their silhouettes small against the vastness of the ocean. In that moment, a profound sense of peace and gratitude washed over me.
Later, we had a simple picnic on the sand. We ate sandwiches, shared a flask of tea, and watched the waves crash against the shore. We didn’t talk about anything important; we just existed together, completely present in the moment. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, I felt a deep contentment. It was a day where everything felt right. The love of my family, the beauty of nature, and the absence of any worry created a perfect harmony. That day taught me that happiness isn’t always found in achieving great things, but often lies in the simple, shared moments of connection and peace.
(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: The Keeper of Memories
Her name is Kamala, though the lines etched around her eyes and mouth tell a story far older than any name. She sits on the sun-warmed stone steps of her small, whitewashed house, a permanent fixture in the landscape of her village. Her world is one of quiet routines, measured by the slow arc of the sun across the Himalayan sky. Her companion, a small, sprightly black goat named Rani, nibbles at some unseen foliage nearby, its bell tinkling softly with every movement.
Kamala’s gaze is distant, fixed on a point beyond the terraced fields and the dusty path that winds down the valley. She is not looking at the view, but through it, into the vast repository of her memories. She remembers this very spot when it was just mud and determination, built by her husband with his own hands. She remembers the laughter of her children echoing in the small courtyard, their small feet kicking up dust as they played. Now, the courtyard is silent. Her husband is long gone, and her children have sought their fortunes in the distant, clamorous cities, leaving her with only faded photographs and the occasional, crackling phone call.
She does not feel lonely, not in the way the city people might understand it. Her life is interwoven with the lives of her neighbours, the rhythm of the seasons, and the steady, comforting presence of the mountains that have watched over her since birth. The bucket beside her is a reminder of the morning’s chores—fetching water from the community tap, a time for exchanging news and pleasantries. The goat, Rani, is a reminder of life’s simple, persistent pulse.
As the afternoon sun begins to dip, casting long shadows across the village, a small smile touches Kamala’s lips. She is thinking of her granddaughter, who promised to visit during the summer holidays. The thought is a small, warm ember in her heart. She is a keeper of stories, a guardian of a way of life that is slowly fading. In her quiet dignity and weathered resilience, she embodies the enduring spirit of the hills, as timeless and steadfast as the stone she sits upon.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) You are studying in a Boarding School in Shimla. Write a letter to your mother, explaining what you propose to do during the forthcoming winter vacation.
Answer:
St. Edward’s School
Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh
15th October 2023
Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you and father in the best of health and spirits. The final term examinations are just around the corner, and the chill in the Shimla air is a constant reminder that the winter vacation is not far away. I have been thinking a lot about how I want to spend my holidays this year, and I wanted to share my plans with you.
As much as I am looking forward to coming home and enjoying your delicious cooking, I was hoping to do something a little different for the first part of the vacation. A few of my friends and I are planning to volunteer for a week at a local NGO here in Shimla that works with underprivileged children. We would help them with their studies, organize some fun activities, and assist in a donation drive for warm clothes. I feel it would be a very meaningful way to spend some of my time and give back to the community. Our housemaster has already approved the idea and will be supervising us.
After the volunteer week, I plan to take the bus home. I am eagerly looking forward to spending the rest of the vacation with you, father, and grandparents. I have missed our evening chats over tea and our long walks. Perhaps we could even take a short trip to our ancestral village? I would love to hear stories from grandpa about his childhood.
I am very excited about these plans and hope you will like them too. I will, of course, focus completely on my studies until the exams are over.
Please give my love to everyone at home. I am counting the days until I see you all.
With love,
Rohan
(ii) Write a letter to the Editor of a daily newspaper showing your concern for the absence of a sports stadium in your area.
Answer:
12-B, Model Town
Green Park
New Delhi – 110016
20th October 2023
The Editor
The Times of India
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi – 110002
Subject: Urgent Need for a Sports Stadium in Green Park
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the conspicuous absence of a public sports stadium in the Green Park area. Our locality is home to a large number of young people, but unfortunately, they lack the proper facilities to channel their energy into constructive sporting activities.
The lack of a dedicated sports ground or stadium forces our youth to play in unsafe environments like streets and crowded parks, which not only poses a risk to their safety but also causes inconvenience to residents. A well-equipped stadium would provide a safe and encouraging environment for them to pursue sports like cricket, football, and athletics. This would not only promote a culture of fitness and well-being but also play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing local sporting talent.
Furthermore, engaging in sports is a proven way to keep young people away from negative influences and anti-social activities. It instills discipline, teamwork, and a spirit of healthy competition. By not providing such facilities, we are failing to invest in the future of our youth and, by extension, our community.
I earnestly request the municipal corporation and the local sports authorities to look into this matter with urgency and take the necessary steps to plan and construct a sports stadium in our area. This would be a valuable asset for the entire community and a significant step towards building a healthier and more vibrant society.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Yours truly,
Amit Sharma
(A concerned resident)
Question 3
(i) You are the Head Boy/Head Girl of your school. Draft a notice to be displayed on the school notice board, informing the students of Classes IX and X about an excursion being organised by your school to Nalanda University (Rajgir, Bihar). Provide necessary details about the dates, transport and stay.
Answer:
SUNRISE PUBLIC SCHOOL, PATNA
NOTICE
20th October 2025
EXCURSION TO NALANDA AND RAJGIR
This is to inform all students of Classes IX and X that the school is organising an educational excursion to the historical sites of Nalanda University and Rajgir. This trip aims to provide students with an insight into our rich cultural heritage.
The details of the excursion are as follows:
- Dates: 15th November to 17th November 2025
- Destination: Nalanda University Ruins, Rajgir
- Cost: ₹3500 per student (inclusive of travel, accommodation, and meals)
- Transport: A/C Coach
- Stay: Hotel Rajgir Residency
Interested students must submit a signed consent form from their parents and the full amount to their respective class teachers by 5th November 2023. Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. For further details, please contact the undersigned.
(Signature)
Anjali Singh
Head Girl
(ii) Write an email to the Manager of a hotel in Rajgir, giving the details of your group and requesting him/her to provide the details of the price packages of the hotel.
Answer:
To: manager@hotelrajgirresidency.com
From: headgirl.sps@email.com
Subject: Inquiry regarding group booking for a school excursion
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Anjali Singh, the Head Girl of Sunrise Public School, Patna. Our school is planning an educational excursion for students of Classes IX and X to Rajgir and Nalanda from 15th November to 17th November 2023.
Our group will consist of approximately 80 students (45 boys and 35 girls) and 8 teachers (4 male and 4 female). We would require accommodation for two nights, from the evening of 15th November to the morning of 17th November.
We would be grateful if you could provide us with the details of your best price packages for a group of this size. Please include the following information:
- Availability of rooms for the specified dates.
- Tariffs for triple-sharing or quad-sharing rooms for students and twin-sharing rooms for teachers.
- Details of meal plans (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and their costs.
- Any available discounts for school groups.
We look forward to your prompt response.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Anjali Singh
Head Girl
Sunrise Public School, Patna
Contact: 9XXXX43210
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
“You speak Spanish?” said Thacker thoughtfully. “You look like a Spaniard, too,” he continued.
“And you are from Texas. And you can not be more than twenty or twenty-one.”
“Have you got a deal of some kind to put through?” Llano Kid asked Thacker.
“Are you open to a proposition?” said Thacker.
“What is the use to deny it?” said the Kid. Thacker got up and closed the door. Through the window he pointed to a two-storey white house with wide galleries.
“In that house,” said Thacker, “live old Santos Urique and his wife. Twelve years ago they lost their child. No, he did not die. Some Americans filled his head with big stories about the States; and about a month after they left, the boy disappeared, too. He was eight then. The boy was seen once afterwards in Texas, it was thought, but they never heard anything more of him. Old Urique has spent thousands of dollars having him looked for. The mother was broken up worst of all. She still believes he will come back to her some day. On the back of the boy’s left hand was tattooed a flying eagle carrying a spear in his claws. That is old Urique’s coat of arms.”
“Here’s the scheme. In a week I will have the eagle bird tattooed on your hand. Then I will notify old Urique. In the meantime I will furnish you with all of the family history I can find out. The rest of it is simple. If they take you in only for a while it is long enough. Old Urique keeps anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in his house all the time in a little safe that you could open with a screwdriver. You get it and we will be gone.”
After two weeks Thacker dispatched a note to the intended victim informing him about his long lost son. The man and the lady arrived at the consulate. Senora Urique bent upon the young man and gave a long look of the most agonised questioning. Then her great black eyes turned, and her gaze rested upon his left hand. And then with a sob she caught Llano Kid to her heart.
A month afterwards Kid came to the consulate in response to a message sent by Thacker.
“What are you doing?” asked Thacker. “You are not being fair to me. You have been acting as the lost son of the couple for four weeks now. What is the trouble? What are you waiting for?” asked Thacker, angrily. “Don’t you forget that I can upset your apple cart any day I want to?”
“I might just as well tell you now, that things are going to stay just as they are. They are about right now,” said Kid. “The scheme’s off.”
“What do you mean?” asked Thacker. “You are going to throw me down, then, are you?”
“Sure,” said Kid cheerfully. “Throw you down. That is it. And now I will tell you why. I have had no mother to speak of. But here is a lady, this artificial mother of mine, who dotes on me. I have got to keep her fooled. Once the lady stood it; twice she would not.”
“There’s one more reason,” he said slowly, “why things have got to stand as they are. The fellow
I killed in Laredo had the same picture on his left hand.”
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. notify (line 16)
(a) publish
(b) advertise
(c) declared
(d) inform
Answer: (d) inform
2. furnish (line 16)
(a) distribute
(b) donate
(c) supply
(d) store
Answer: (c) supply
(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘cheerful’?
(a) agonised
(b) simple
(c) intended
(d) fair
Answer: (a) agonised
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) In what way could Kid look like Urique’s lost son? (Consider his age, origin and his tattoo)
Answer: Kid could look like Urique’s lost son because he was from Texas, where the son was last seen, and he was about twenty or twenty-one, which matched the age of the lost son. To complete the resemblance, Thacker planned to have the Urique family’s coat of arms—a flying eagle with a spear—tattooed on Kid’s left hand.
(b) What did Urique do after his son was lost? What was the reaction of Lady Urique then?
Answer: After his son was lost, old Urique spent thousands of dollars trying to find him. Lady Urique was even more devastated; the passage states she was “broken up worst of all” and continued to believe that her son would return to her one day.
(c) What was Thacker’s intention in sending Kid to Urique’s house?
Answer: Thacker’s intention was to use Kid to impersonate the Uriques’ long-lost son to gain their trust and access to their house. The ultimate goal was to steal the $50,000 to $100,000 that old Urique kept in a safe.
(d) How did Urique and his wife react at the consulate after meeting Kid?
Answer: At the consulate, Senora Urique looked at Kid with an “agonised questioning” expression. When her gaze fell upon the tattoo on his left hand, she sobbed and embraced him, accepting him as her son.
(e) Why did Kid not abide by the scheme proposed by Thacker?
Answer: Kid abandoned the scheme for two main reasons. Firstly, having never had a mother, he grew attached to the affection Senora Urique showed him and did not want to deceive her a second time. Secondly, he revealed that the man he had killed in Laredo had the same tattoo, implying that he had killed the real lost son.
(iv) Briefly state the plan made by Thacker and how it failed at the end. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer:
| Thacker’s Plan | How it Failed |
| Thacker planned for Llano Kid to impersonate the Uriques’ lost son by getting a specific tattoo. | The plan failed because Kid developed a genuine affection for his ‘mother’, Senora Urique. |
| The goal was to gain access to their house and steal money from a safe. | He also discovered that he had likely killed the real son, and therefore called off the scheme. |
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) surgical
Many ….0…. (surgery) infections may originate from the patient’s own skin microbiome rather than from ….1…. (environment) contamination, as per a new analysis of 204 recipients of ….2…. (spine) surgeries. A genomic comparison ….3…. (reveal) that 86 per cent of surgical infections, ….4…. (involve) a range of ….5…. (bacteria) species, ….6…. (originate) from bacterial strains that were already in the microbiome before surgery. Also, 59 per cent of the isolates ….7…. (study) resisted the preventative antibiotics given before surgery, ….8…. (hint) that such bacteria were already present.
Answer:
- environmental
- spinal
- revealed
- involved
- bacterial
- originated
- studied
- hinting
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) Students missed classes ……………….. the sports week.
(b) The river water flows ……………….. these two canals.
(c) The tutor went ……………….. the difficult sums.
(d) I came ……………….. a good article in a magazine.
(e) Do not let your enthusiasm carry you ……………….. .
(f) We waited for the usher to conduct us ……………….. our seats.
(g) The houses in Japan are made ……………….. wood.
(h) I could not make ……………….. the figure in the darkness.
Answer:
(a) during
(b) between
(c) through
(d) across
(e) away
(f) to
(g) of
(h) out
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. Raj had left office. The letter of his dismissal arrived afterwards.
(a) The letter of Raj’s dismissal arrived after he had left office.
(b) The letter to dismiss Raj arrived before he had left office.
(c) The letter of dismissal arrived once Raj had left office.
(d) Raj left the office after the letter of his dismissal arrived.
Answer: (a) The letter of Raj’s dismissal arrived after he had left office.
2. It was cold. I refused to wear that heavy coat.
(a) In spite of the cold, I refused to wear that heavy coat.
(b) Due to cold, I refused to wear heavy coat.
(c) I refused to wear that heavy coat for it was cold.
(d) When it was cold, I refused to wear that heavy coat.
Answer: (a) In spite of the cold, I refused to wear that heavy coat.
3. These shoes are big. They are much bigger than my feet.
(a) These shoes are biggest than my feet.
(b) These shoes are more bigger than my foot.
(c) These shoes are much bigger than my feet.
(d) These shoes are much bigger than my foot.
Answer: (c) These shoes are much bigger than my feet.
4. A man is wearing a blue tie. He is the President.
(a) The man, the President, is wearing a blue tie.
(b) The man is wearing a blue tie who is the President.
(c) The man was wearing a blue tie is the President.
(d) The man, who is wearing a blue tie, is the President.
Answer: (d) The man, who is wearing a blue tie, is the President.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. We found a few boys in the class. (Use: Many boys…)
(a) Many boys were present in the class.
(b) Many boys were absent from the class.
(c) Many boys were absent at the class.
(d) Many boys were absent in the class.
Answer: (b) Many boys were absent from the class.
2. Does anyone like paying a fine? (Begin with: No one…)
(a) No one does like paying a fine.
(b) No one likes to paying a fine.
(c) No one likes to pay a fine.
(d) No one would be liking to pay a fine.
Answer: (c) No one likes to pay a fine.
3. “Now I cannot lend more than ₹3000,” the Manager said. (Begin with: The manager said that…)
(a) The Manager said that I cannot lend more than ₹3000 then.
(b) The Manager said that although he could lend but not more than ₹3000 now.
(c) The Manager said that now he should not lend more than ₹3000.
(d) The Manager said that he could not lend more than ₹3000 then.
Answer: (d) The Manager said that he could not lend more than ₹3000 then.
4. It was a very narrow escape. (Change into Exclamatory)
(a) What narrow escape!
(b) What narrow escaped!
(c) How narrow escape!
(d) What a narrow escape!
Answer: (d) What a narrow escape!
5. To get a top rank in the examination is laborious (Begin with: It …)
(a) It is laborious to get a top rank in the examination.
(b) It is almost laborious getting a top rank in the examination.
(c) It is laborious for getting a top rank in the examination.
(d) It is laborious unless you get a top rank in the examination.
Answer: (a) It is laborious to get a top rank in the examination.
6. They rejected our suggestions. (Use: accepted)
(a) They did not accepted our suggestions.
(b) Our suggestions were not accepted by them.
(c) Our suggestions were not accepted to them.
(d) They accepted our suggestions.
Answer: (b) Our suggestions were not accepted by them.
7. To buy a house in Delhi is very difficult. (Begin with: It…)
(a) It is difficult that a house be bought in Delhi.
(b) It is their difficulty to buy a house in Delhi.
(c) It is very difficult to buy a house in Delhi.
(d) It is very difficult buying a house at Delhi.
Answer: (c) It is very difficult to buy a house in Delhi.
8. English is spoken by people all over the world. (Use: speak)
(a) People of the world speak English.
(b) People all about the world speak English.
(c) People speak English over the world.
(d) People all over the world speak English.
Answer: (d) People all over the world speak English.
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