Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 8: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) solved which comprises Interchange of Sentences, Types of Essays, Letters of Apology and Explanation, Practice Paper – 8. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Video tutorial
Interchange of Sentences
Assignment
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each without changing their meaning.
1. It is admitted that he is the greatest cricketer of the country.
Begin: He is..
Answer: He is admitted to be the greatest cricketer of the country.
2. I was not sure that you will attend the party.
Begin: I was..
Answer: I was not sure whether you would attend the party.
3. It is a horrible night.
End: ..a horrible night!
Answer: It is a night full of horror.
4. Everybody will admit that he struggled hard throughout his life.
Use: Nobody.
Answer: Nobody will deny that he struggled hard throughout his life.
5. Her heart is so full that she cannot express her feelings.
Use: too.
Answer: Her heart is too full for her to express her feelings.
12. The weather is bad and it might be worse.
Begin: Bad as..
Answer: Bad as the weather is, it might be worse.
13. Finish your assignment and then you may go home.
End: ..your assignment.
Answer: You may go home after finishing your assignment.
14. Hear her out patiently and you will understand her viewpoint.
Begin: If you..
Answer: If you hear her out patiently, you will understand her viewpoint.
15. I wish I had the wings of a dove.
End: ..the wings of a dove!
Answer: Oh, to have the wings of a dove!
16. As soon as he saw the lion, he climbed up a tree.
Begin: No sooner..
Answer: No sooner did he see the lion than he climbed up a tree.
Types of Essays
Assignment
Study the topics given below. See which category of essays seems to appeal to you most. Note down your response in your notebook. Time and practice may prove lies in a particular direction
I. The advantages and disadvantages of living in a city
II. Your first day at your present school
III. The destructive forces of nature (such as earthquakes and floods)
IV. The world as it appears to a dog
V. Choose any two films, one that you liked and the other that you disliked. Explain why you liked the first and disliked the second.
VI. Your reflections on going through your family album
VII. Instructions on keeping a bicycle in a good running order
VIII. Effects of fame on child artists
Answer: After studying the topics, I think I’m drawn to different types of essays based on my interests and skills. Here’s my analysis:
The advantages and disadvantages of living in a city
This appeals to me because I enjoy debating and presenting balanced arguments. I can discuss both the positives like accessibility and opportunities, and the negatives like pollution and noise.
Type: Argumentative
Your first day at your present school
I like this topic because I remember my first day vividly, and it would be fun to narrate my experiences—feeling nervous, meeting new friends, and exploring the campus.
Type: Narrative
The destructive forces of nature (such as earthquakes and floods)
I find this topic intriguing because I could describe natural disasters in detail and even narrate incidents I’ve heard about. I’d probably mix storytelling with vivid descriptions.
Type: Narrative/Descriptive
The world as it appears to a dog
This topic excites me the most because it’s so creative. I can imagine how the world looks from a dog’s perspective—sniffing out scents, seeing colours differently, and feeling joy in small things like chasing a ball.
Type: Imaginative/Reflective
Choose any two films, one that you liked and the other that you disliked. Explain why you liked the first and disliked the second
I enjoy watching films, so this topic appeals to me too. I’d love to critically compare two movies, discussing their plots, characters, and what made one better than the other.
Type: Critical
Your reflections on going through your family album
This is a topic I’d like because it’s very personal and nostalgic. Looking at old photos brings back memories, and I could write about how it connects me to my family’s past.
Type: Reflective
Instructions on keeping a bicycle in good running order
Honestly, this topic doesn’t excite me much. While I can follow instructions well, writing them feels too technical and lacks creativity for me.
Type: Factual
Effects of fame on child artists
I’d enjoy this because it’s a mix of argument and reflection. I could discuss how fame brings both opportunities and pressures, using examples like child actors who succeeded or struggled.
Type: Argumentative/ReflectiveI think imaginative essays appeal to me the most because I love being creative and inventing stories. However, I also enjoy reflective and argumentative essays because they let me explore my thoughts and opinions.
Letters of Apology and Explanation
Assignment
1. Owing to illness, you are unable to keep an appointment to meet your friend the following Sunday. Write a letter of apology and explanation.
Answer:
Dear Amit,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my sincere apologies for not being able to keep our appointment scheduled for Sunday, 8th December 2024. Unfortunately, I have been unwell over the past few days and my doctor has advised complete rest.
I was really looking forward to our meeting at Lalbagh Gardens, especially since it has been quite a while since we last caught up. However, my health condition has left me with no choice but to prioritize recovery. I hope you can understand the situation and forgive me for this sudden change in plans.
As soon as I feel better, I will reach out to reschedule our meeting. I truly value our friendship and hope to make up for this inconvenience at the earliest.
Thank you for your understanding and support. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday ahead!Warm regards,
Rajesh Kumar
Practice Paper – 8
Question 1
Write a composition (300-350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a story ending with ‘…her heart filled with gratitude.’
Answer: A Second Chance at Life
The clock struck 10:30 PM on 15th December 2023, and the bustling streets of Mumbai were starting to calm down. Meera, an assistant teacher at Sharda Vidya Mandir, was heading home after a long day of exam preparations. The deserted lanes of Dadar made her uneasy, but she walked briskly towards her home on Gokhale Road.
Suddenly, a car screeched to a halt behind her, and two masked men jumped out. Before Meera could react, they snatched her bag and sped away, leaving her shaken. The bag contained her savings of ₹50,000 meant for her mother’s surgery at Sanjeevani Hospital.
Tears streamed down her face as she reached the nearby police station to file a report. Inspector Raghav of Dadar Police Station assured her, “Don’t worry, madam. We’ll do everything possible to recover your belongings.” His calm demeanor gave her a sliver of hope.
The next morning, she received a call from the police. Inspector Raghav informed her that the culprits had been apprehended. “Come to the station immediately,” he urged.
When Meera arrived, she was astonished. The police not only recovered her bag but also found the full amount intact. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Inspector Raghav explained how CCTV footage from nearby shops had led them to the thieves within hours.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Meera thanked the police profusely. But the surprises weren’t over yet. To her astonishment, Raghav revealed that the department had arranged for a financial donation to cover the remaining hospital expenses.
On 20th December, Meera’s mother underwent a successful surgery. As she held her mother’s hand in the hospital room, Meera felt a surge of gratitude—not just for her mother’s recovery, but for the kindness of strangers who restored her faith in humanity.
Her heart filled with gratitude, she resolved to one day pay forward the blessings she had received.
(ii) Narrate an incident when you were in a dilemma to do or not to do something, stating what you finally did and its consequences.
Answer: The Courage to Speak Up
It was 18th February 2023, a day I would never forget. I had just started my internship at Akshara IT Solutions in Bengaluru, a dream opportunity. My team was preparing for a critical client presentation, and as the junior-most member, I was tasked with compiling data.
Late one evening, while cross-checking the figures, I noticed a significant error in the financial projections. The numbers presented overstated potential profits by nearly ₹5 lakhs. My heart raced. Should I inform my team leader, Mr. Joshi, about the error? He was known for his temper, and I feared being blamed for disrupting the presentation. But staying silent meant risking the company’s reputation.
I spent the night in turmoil, weighing the consequences. By morning, I resolved to speak up, knowing honesty was the right path, even if it cost me my internship. I approached Mr. Joshi hesitantly, explaining the discrepancy. His expression darkened, but he listened intently.
“Are you certain?” he asked sharply. I showed him the corrected calculations and waited for the storm. To my surprise, he nodded and said, “Good catch. We can’t let this go through.”
The entire team worked tirelessly that day to revise the presentation. Though the atmosphere was tense, I felt a sense of relief knowing I had done my part.
During the presentation to the clients, Mr. Joshi highlighted our transparency and accuracy, which impressed them immensely. The deal was secured, and our company received accolades for its ethical practices.
Later, Mr. Joshi called me into his office. “It took courage to speak up,” he said with a rare smile. “We need people like you.”
The experience taught me that doing the right thing often comes with risks, but the rewards—both internal and external—are worth it. My decision not only saved the day but also earned me the respect of my team. From that day on, I vowed never to let fear silence my voice.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you.Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the
picture and your composition.
[Total English – Image description: A derailed Indian train. One coach is upon another. There is another train on a separate track that remains stationary. There are many people who are involved in rescue operations]
Answer: Chaos on the Tracks
It was a chilly December morning when the peace of a small railway town in Uttar Pradesh was shattered by a deafening crash. The Jaipur Express had derailed near the main junction, its coaches mangled, one perched precariously atop another. The station, usually filled with the bustle of passengers boarding their trains, was now a scene of chaos and despair.
The accident occurred when the express train, speeding past the station, hit a damaged section of the tracks. Witnesses later said the screech of the brakes was deafening, followed by an eerie silence before cries for help filled the air. The second train on the adjacent track, a passenger local, came to an emergency halt to avoid further disaster.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene within minutes. Local residents joined the effort, pulling out injured passengers from the crumpled metal. Smoke billowed from the engine, and shards of glass lay scattered everywhere. The air smelled of burnt rubber and fear. People shouted directions, forming human chains to carry the wounded to safety. Doctors from a nearby hospital set up a makeshift medical camp, treating those with minor injuries while ambulances rushed the critically injured to the district hospital.
Among the rescuers was Ramesh, a shopkeeper who had been at the station to deliver goods. He worked tirelessly, helping pull a young boy from the wreckage. The child, no more than seven, was crying for his mother. Moments later, she was found alive, though badly injured, and their tearful reunion brought a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
By evening, the tracks were littered with abandoned belongings: suitcases, shoes, and torn books. Officials arrived to investigate the cause of the derailment, promising swift action. For those who witnessed the scene, however, the memory of twisted metal and desperate cries would linger for years.
The accident was a stark reminder of the fragility of life. In that moment, the community came together, proving that even amidst tragedy, humanity shines its brightest.
Question 2
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper expressing your concern about the harmful effects of the junk food being sold by the hawkers in the streets and markets.
Answer:
To
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Bengaluru – 560001
December 7, 2024
Subject: Harmful Effects of Junk Food in Streets and Markets
Sir/Madam,
I wish to highlight the dangers of junk food sold by hawkers in Bengaluru’s streets and markets. These foods are often prepared in unhygienic conditions, leading to health risks like food poisoning and long-term issues such as obesity and diabetes.
Children are especially attracted to these items, which harms their health and encourages unhealthy habits. Many families unknowingly consume such food, unaware of its consequences.
I urge the authorities to regulate the sale of such food, enforce hygiene standards, and promote healthy alternatives. Public awareness campaigns are also needed to address this issue effectively.
Yours sincerely,
Arjun Sharma
24, MG Road
Bengaluru
(ii) Write a letter to your cousin, who wants to go abroad for further studies, dissuading him/her from doing so and telling him/her about the advantages of studying in India.
Question 3
(i) Your school is conducting an Inter-School Literary Quiz. Write a notice for your school informing the students about the event and inviting them to participate in the Quiz.
Answer:
ABC Public School, New Delhi
Notice
Inter-School Literary Quiz Competition
December 7, 2024
All students are invited to participate in the Inter-School Literary Quiz being organised by our school. This is a great opportunity to showcase your knowledge of literature and compete with students from other schools.
Details of the Event:
- Date: December 15, 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Venue: School Auditorium
Students of Classes 8 to 12 can participate. Interested students should give their names to their class teachers by December 10, 2024.
Don’t miss this chance to represent our school and win exciting prizes!
Rohan Verma
Literary Club Secretary
(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school requesting him/her to send two participants from his/her school for the Inter-School Literary Quiz.
Answer:
To: principalchs@email.com
Subject: Invitation to Participate in Inter-School Literary Quiz
Dear Principal,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing on behalf of ABC Public School to invite your esteemed school to participate in our Inter-School Literary Quiz Competition.
The event will be held on December 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM in our school auditorium. We request you to kindly send two participants from your school to take part in the quiz.
The quiz aims to celebrate and test students’ knowledge of literature while promoting healthy competition and learning among schools. Please confirm your participation by December 10, 2024, via email or by contacting our office.
We look forward to your school’s participation in this exciting event.
Warm regards,
Rohan Verma
Secretary, Literary Club
ABC Public School, New Delhi
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressively. The time was barely 10 o’clock at night. When about midway of a certain block, the policeman suddenly slowed his walk. In the doorway of a dark hardware store a man stood, with an unlighted Edgar in his mouth. As the policeman walked up to him the man said:
“It is all right, officer, I’m just waiting for a friend. It’s an appointment made twenty years ago.”
The man at the doorway struck a match and lit his cigar. The light showed a pale, square-jawed face with keen eyes, and a little white scar near his right eyebrow.
“Twenty years ago tonight,” said the man. “He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers, together. I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. The next morning I was to start for the West to make my fortune. But Jimmy decided to stay there. We agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might be.”
“Haven’t you heard from your friend since you left?” asked the policeman.
“Well, yes, for a time we corresponded,” said the other. “But after a year or two we lost track of each other. But I know Jimmy will meet me here if he is alive, for he always the truest chap in the world.”
The policeman took a step or two and said, “I’ll be on my way. Hope your friend comes around all right.”
About twenty minutes the man in the doorway waited, and then a tall man, hurried across from the opposite side of the street. He went directly to the waiting man.
“Is that you, Bob?” he asked, doubtfully.
“Is that you, Jimmy Wells?” cried the man at the door. “I was certain I will find you here if you were still in existence. Well, twenty years is a long time.”
“You have changed lots, Jimmy,” said Bob. “I never thought you were so tall by two or three inches.”
“Oh, I grew a bit after I was twenty. Come on, Bob; we will go around to a place I know of, and have a good long talk about old times.”
The two men started up the street, arm in arm. The man from the West, was beginning to outline the history of his career. At the corner stood a drug store, brilliant with electric lights. When they came into this glare each of them turned simultaneously to gaze upon the other’s face.
Bob stopped suddenly and released his arm. “You’re not Jimmy Wells,” he snapped. “Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change a man’s nose from a Roman to a pug.”
“It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one,” said the tall man. “You have been under arrest for ten minutes, ‘Silky’ Bob. Now, before we go on to the police station here is a note I was asked to hand over to you. It is from the policeman on duty.”
Bob unfolded the little piece of paper and his hand trembled a little by the time he had finished. The note was rather short:
“Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I could not do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job.”
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from options provided:
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage):
1. track (line 16)
(a) a mark
(b) progress
(c) information
(d) a song
Answer: (c) information
2. outline (line 30)
(a) boundary
(b) plan
(c) sketch
(d) describe
Answer: (d) describe
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word darkness?
(a) unlighted
(b) pale
(c) glare
(d) light
Answer: (c) glare
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
(a) Who was the man at the doorway? Why was he there?
Answer: The man at the doorway was Bob, also known as “Silky” Bob. He was there to meet his old friend Jimmy Wells, as they had made an appointment twenty years earlier to reunite at the same spot.
(b) Why did Bob think that Jimmy would meet him at the appointed place?
Answer: Bob believed Jimmy would meet him because he considered Jimmy to be a trustworthy and dependable person who valued their friendship deeply.
(c) Who was the tall man? Why had he come there?
Answer: The tall man was a plainclothes police officer sent by Jimmy Wells. He had come to arrest Bob, who was a wanted criminal.
(d) Give two reasons to show that Bob suspected that the tall man was not Jimmy.
Answer: Bob noticed that the tall man was two or three inches taller than Jimmy and that his nose had changed from Roman to pug, which was impossible.
(e) Why was Bob under arrest? Why did Jimmy himself not take action against Bob?
Answer: Bob was under arrest because he was a wanted criminal in Chicago. Jimmy did not arrest Bob himself because he felt conflicted due to their past friendship, so he arranged for another officer to do it.
(iv) In not more than 50 words, state how duty came above friendship.
Answer: Jimmy Wells prioritized his duty as a policeman over his friendship with Bob. Though he valued their past relationship, he could not ignore that Bob was a wanted criminal. Instead of arresting Bob himself, Jimmy arranged for another officer to carry out the arrest, fulfilling his responsibility without personal bias.
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) made
Our Prime Minister …0…. (make) a memorable statement. “We did not inherit our future from our ancestors, we …1…. (borrow) it from our children’. That thought ………. (capture) where we stand on issues of sustainable development. We actually ….3…. (run) on borrowed time. If we allow urban spaces to be …4… (leave) in its current form or for the situation to exacerbate, we….5…. (do) a great disservice to those from whom we have borrowed this; our children.”
The numbers bear it out. In 1947, 17% of our population (then 300 million) ….6…. (live) in urban spaces. Today, urban India is home to approximately 31% of our 1.25 billion strong population. That number of urban residents is set ……… (swell) to approximately 600 million by 2030, which ….8…. (call) for changes if we are to not just create a world that is present-perfect, but future-proof as well.
Answer:
- borrowed
- captures
- are running
- left
- will do
- lived
- to swell
- calls
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) She cannot do anything………………money.
Answer: without
(b) You must live……………….the rules.
Answer: by
(c) He was addicted……………….smoking.
Answer: to
(d) I have not met him………………..last Saturday.
Answer: since
(e) She stood…………….. Me.
Answer: by
(f) Nobody…………….you knows the truth.
Answer: but
(g) He is sure…………..success.
Answer: of
(h) He shouted……..the top of his voice.
Answer: at
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. I looked for my keys. They were nowhere to be found.
(a) My keys were nowhere to be found.
(b) I did find my keys nowhere.
(c) I did not found my keys nowhere.
(d) I did not find the keys I was looking for.
Answer: (d) I did not find the keys I was looking for.
2. When will the movie start? I want to know.
(a) I want to know when the movie will start.
(b) I want to know when will the movie start.
(c) I want to know when shall the movie starts.
(d) I want to know till when the movie will start.
Answer: (a) I want to know when the movie will start.
3. You must apply to the college at once. Otherwise, you will be late for the session.
(a) Unless you apply to the college at once, you will be late for the session.
(b) If you apply to the college at once, you will be late for the session.
(c) Nonetheless you apply to the college at once, you will be late for the session.
(d) Since you have not applied to the college at once, you will not be late for the session.
Answer: (a) Unless you apply to the college at once, you will be late for the session.
4. The students stopped making a noise. They saw the teacher.
(a) When they see the teacher, the students stop making the noise.
(b) As soon as the students see the teacher, they stopped making a noise.
(c) As soon as the students saw the teacher, they stopped making a noise.
(d) Since the students see the teacher, they stopped making a noise.
Answer: (c) As soon as the students saw the teacher, they stopped making a noise.
iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions after each sentence.
1. Joe was so foolish that he believed the old man. (Use: rather)
(a) Rather than the old man, Joe was foolish to believe him.
(b) Joe was so foolish that he rather believed the old man.
(c) Joe was rather foolish to believe the old man.
(d) Joe was foolish that he rather believe the old man.
Answer: (c) Joe was rather foolish to believe the old man.
2. He was accused of stealing. (Begin with: People …)
(a) People accused him that he was stealing.
(b) People accused him a thief.
(c) People accused since he stole.
(d) People accused him of stealing.
Answer: (d) People accused him of stealing.
3. “Can I have a new dress?” said Tara to her father. (Begin with: Tara asked)
(a) Tara asked her father if she could have a new dress.
(b) Tara asked her father can I have a new dress.
(c) Tara asked her father that can she have a new dress.
(d) Tara asked her father for having a new dress.
Answer: (a) Tara asked her father if she could have a new dress.
4. Because Savita’s leg was fractured, the doctor forbade her to go out. (Begin with: Having fractured …)
(a) Having fractured leg, the doctor forbade Savita to go out.
(b) Having fractured in her leg, Savita was forbidden by the doctor to go out.
(c) Having fractured her leg, Savita was forbidden by the doctor to go out.
(d) Having fractured leg, Savita was forbidden by the doctor to go out.
Answer: (c) Having fractured her leg, Savita was forbidden by the doctor to go out.
5. I could not but feel sorry for his wife. (Begin with: I could not help …)
(a) I could not help but feel sorry at his wife.
(b) I could not help to feel sorry for his wife.
(c) I could not help than feeling sorry for his wife.
(d) I could not help feeling sorry for his wife.
Answer: (d) I could not help feeling sorry for his wife.
6. You must not be late or you will be fined. (Begin with: In the event …)
(a) In the event you get late, you will be fined.
(b) In the event if you get late, you will be fined.
(c) In the event when you are getting late, you will be fined.
(d) In the event of your getting late, you will be fined.
Answer: (d) In the event of your getting late, you will be fined.
7. We will not buy the cupboard if we do not like it. (Begin with: Unless)
(a) Unless we like the cupboard, we will not buy it.
(b) Unless we like the cupboard, we do not buy it.
(c) Unless we like the cupboard, otherwise we will not buy it.
(d) Unless we like the cupboard, then we will not buy it.
Answer: (a) Unless we like the cupboard, we will not buy it.
8. Rita is sometimes careless. (Use: careful)
(a) Rita is never careful.
(b) Rita is sometimes not careful.
(c) Rita is at times careless.
(d) Rita is sometimes careful.
Answer: (b) Rita is sometimes not careful.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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