Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 8: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved which comprises Transformation of Sentences – 1, Stories, Summary Writing, Practice Paper – 8. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Transformation of Sentences
Assignment
Rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each. Change only enough to do what you are asked and make a correct sentence. Do not alter the meaning. You have to make sentences to say the same thing in a different way.
1. It was not my intention to offend you.
End: ………………………………………….. intentionally.
Answer: I did not offend you intentionally.
Explanation: Here, we change the noun “intention” to its adverb form “intentionally.” The original sentence uses a negative form (“was not my intention”), so we use “did not” with the verb “offend” to keep the meaning the same.
2. One more effort, and you shall succeed.
Begin: If you …………………………………………..
Answer: If you make one more effort, you will succeed.
Explanation: This sentence is changed into a conditional sentence using “If.” “One more effort” becomes the condition “If you make one more effort,” and “you shall succeed” becomes the result.
3. He is discontented notwithstanding that he gets more salary than he deserves.
Begin: Although …………………………………………..
Answer: Although he gets more salary than he deserves, he is discontented.
Explanation: We are replacing “notwithstanding that” with “Although.” Both words show a contrast. The part of the sentence that shows the contrast comes first, followed by the main statement.
4. The new regulation made the people happy.
End: ………………………………………….. to the people.
Answer: The new regulation gave happiness to the people.
Explanation: The adjective “happy” is changed to its noun form “happiness.” To make the sentence correct, we use the verb “gave” to show that the regulation was the source of this feeling for the people.
5. My belief is that he is sincere.
Begin: I …………………………………………..
Answer: I believe that he is sincere.
Explanation: The noun “belief” is changed to its verb form “believe.” The sentence structure changes from “My belief is…” to a more direct “I believe…”.
6. Supposing it were true, we should act wisely.
Begin: We should act wisely provided …………………………………………..
Answer: We should act wisely provided it is true.
Explanation: “Supposing” is replaced with “provided.” Both words introduce a condition. The sentence is rearranged to state the main action first (“We should act wisely”) followed by the condition.
7. It is admitted that he is the greatest leader.
Begin: All …………………………………………..
Answer: All admit that he is the greatest leader.
Explanation: The sentence is changed from passive voice (“It is admitted”) to active voice (“All admit”). “All” is used as a general subject to represent everyone who admits the fact.
8. Persevere and you will succeed.
Begin: You will succeed only …………………………………………..
Answer: You will succeed only if you persevere.
Explanation: This sentence is changed to show that success depends on perseverance. The word “only” is used with the conditional “if” to show that perseverance is the necessary condition for success.
9. Poor as he is, he does not beg.
Begin: Although …………………………………………..
Answer: Although he is poor, he does not beg.
Explanation: The phrase “Poor as he is” is a way of showing contrast. It is replaced by the more common conjunction “Although,” which also shows contrast, without changing the meaning.
10. My father was very generous to all.
Begin: My father treated …………………………………………..
Answer: My father treated all generously.
Explanation: The adjective “generous” is changed to its adverb form “generously.” The verb “treated” is used to describe how the father acted towards everyone.
11. Had I known what to do, I would have saved much time.
Begin: I would have saved much time, provided …………………………………………..
Answer: I would have saved much time, provided I had known what to do.
Explanation: The sentence is changed to use “provided” to state the condition. The original sentence “Had I known…” is another way of saying “If I had known…”. “Provided” works similarly to “if.”
12. This rumour is incredible.
Begin: This rumour cannot …………………………………………..
Answer: This rumour cannot be believed.
Explanation: The adjective “incredible” means something that cannot be believed. The sentence is changed to express this meaning using the verb “believe” in its passive form (“be believed”).
13. If he does not behave properly, he will be dismissed.
Begin: He will not be dismissed …………………………………………..
Answer: He will not be dismissed unless he behaves properly.
Explanation: The sentence is changed using “unless.” “Unless” means the same as “if…not.” So, “if he does not behave properly” is replaced by “unless he behaves properly,” and the main part of the sentence is made negative.
14. Supposing you are ill, you can go home.
Begin: In case …………………………………………..
Answer: In case you are ill, you can go home.
Explanation: “Supposing” is replaced by the phrase “In case.” Both are used to talk about a possible situation or condition. The meaning of the sentence does not change.
15. If I were a rich man, I would have helped him.
Begin: Were …………………………………………..
Answer: Were I a rich man, I would have helped him.
Explanation: This is another way to write a conditional sentence about an imaginary situation. Instead of starting with “If,” we can start with “Were” and change the order of the subject and verb (“Were I” instead of “If I were”).
16. He was successful in winning the race.
Begin: He succeeded …………………………………………..
Answer: He succeeded in winning the race.
Explanation: The adjective “successful” is changed to its verb form “succeeded.” The rest of the sentence remains the same to keep the original meaning.
17. He is rich indeed, but he does not help others.
Begin: Although …………………………………………..
Answer: Although he is rich, he does not help others.
Explanation: The phrase “indeed, but” is used to show a contrast. It is replaced by the conjunction “Although,” which serves the same purpose of connecting two contrasting ideas.
18. He helped ungrudgingly.
Begin: He did not …………………………………………..
Answer: He did not grudge helping.
Explanation: The adverb “ungrudgingly” means without any reluctance or ill will. This is changed to a negative form using “did not grudge,” where “grudge” is a verb. This keeps the meaning that he helped willingly.
Stories
Assignment
Write short stories of your own on some of the topics given below:
The title of the story
Write a story (real or imaginary) based on one of the following titles:
(i) A Triumphant Return
Answer: A Triumphant Return
Rohan left his small village with a heavy heart. Everyone believed he was a failure because he could not pass his exams. He moved to the city, determined to prove them wrong. For years, he worked hard at a small garage, learning everything about cars. He saved every penny he earned.
One day, he heard about a national car design competition. He spent nights designing a new type of engine that used less fuel. Many people laughed at his simple drawings, but he did not give up. He built a small model of his engine and entered the competition.
Months later, the results were announced. Rohan’s design had won the first prize. A big company offered him a job and helped him build his engine. Soon, cars with his engine became very popular.
When Rohan returned to his village, he was not the boy who had failed his exams. He was a successful inventor. The same people who had called him a failure now gathered to welcome him. They cheered his name. He had built a new school for the village children with his money. It was a triumphant return, not just because of his success, but because he had brought hope back to his home.
(ii) The Trap
Answer: The Trap
Sunil, a young forest officer, was worried. A tiger had been entering the nearby village and taking away cattle. The villagers were scared. Sunil knew he had to catch the tiger without hurting it. He and his team set up a large cage with a goat inside as bait. It was a simple trap, but he hoped it would work.
For two nights, nothing happened. On the third night, Sunil heard a loud roar. He rushed to the spot and saw that the cage door had shut. But inside the cage was not the tiger. It was a man. The man was a known poacher who had been trying to hunt the tiger for its skin. He had seen the cage and thought he could steal the goat and also wait for the tiger.
Sunil arrested the poacher. The next morning, they found the tiger’s pugmarks near the cage. It seemed the tiger had seen the man and stayed away. The villagers were relieved. The poacher was the real danger, and he had walked right into their trap. Sunil realised that sometimes, the traps we set for one problem can end up solving a completely different one.
(iii) More Haste, Less Speed
Answer: More Haste, Less Speed
It was the day of the annual school science fair. Anjali and her friend Meera had worked for weeks on their project, a model volcano. They were sure they would win. On the morning of the fair, Anjali woke up late. In a panic, she rushed to get ready. “We have to hurry!” she told Meera, grabbing the volcano model.
As they ran down the stairs, Anjali tripped. The volcano fell from her hands and a large crack appeared on its side. Meera tried to fix it with glue, but it looked messy. They reached the school just in time. During their presentation, they mixed the chemicals too quickly. Instead of a slow, bubbling eruption, the volcano exploded, splashing red liquid everywhere.
Their project was a disaster. They saw another team that had made a simple water filter. Their presentation was calm and clear. They explained every step carefully. At the end of the day, the water filter project won the first prize. Anjali and Meera learned a valuable lesson that day. By rushing, they had ruined their hard work. It was true what their teacher always said: more haste, less speed.
The plot of the story
Write a story including all of the following in any order:
(a) a surprise marriage
(b) a violent quarrel
(c) police intervention
(d) a journey by scooter
(e) a family reunion
Answer: A Journey Home
The phone call came like a storm. My sister, Priya, was getting married. It was a surprise marriage, arranged in just a week. I was in a different city and had to get there fast. I packed my bags and started a long journey by scooter, hoping to reach in time for the wedding.
When I arrived, our house was quiet and tense. I found my father and uncle in the middle of a violent quarrel. They were shouting about an old property dispute. My uncle did not want the marriage to happen until the matter was settled. The argument grew so loud that a neighbour called the police. The police intervention calmed things down, but the happiness of the wedding was gone.
The next day, my grandmother called everyone together. She spoke about how our family was more important than any land or money. Her words touched everyone. My father and uncle looked at each other and finally apologised. The argument was over.
Priya’s wedding was simple but beautiful. Seeing her happy brought tears to my eyes. That day, it was not just a wedding; it was a family reunion. We had come close to breaking apart, but in the end, love had brought us all back together. The journey on my scooter had led me to a destination more important than a wedding; it had led me back to my family.
The theme of the story
Write an original story having as its main theme the worries of a family waiting for news of a missing relative.
Answer: The Longest Night
The clock on the wall seemed to mock them with its steady ticking. Each second felt like an hour. It had been twenty-four hours since ten-year-old Aarav had gone to the park and not returned. His mother, Sunita, sat on the sofa, holding his favourite toy car. Her eyes were fixed on the door, hoping it would open and Aarav would run in, smiling.
Aarav’s father, Mohan, paced the room, his face pale with worry. He had called the police, spoken to every neighbour, and searched every street. But there was no news. The house, usually filled with Aarav’s laughter, was now heavy with a fearful silence. Sunita remembered all the times she had told him not to talk to strangers. Had he listened? Was he safe? Was he cold? These questions circled in her mind, each one a sharp pain in her heart.
Every time the phone rang, they both jumped. But it was always a relative calling to ask if there was any news. The family was trapped in a terrible state of waiting, caught between hope and despair. They could not eat or sleep. Their world had stopped, and all they could do was wait, praying for the safe return of their beloved son. The night stretched on, the longest and darkest night of their lives.
The beginning of the story
Write a short story of your own invention by continuing one of the following:
(i) Half an hour after the car had been driven away, the garage owner made a startling discovery. He rushed to the telephone.
Answer: The Wrong Bag
Half an hour after the car had been driven away, the garage owner made a startling discovery. He rushed to the telephone. While cleaning the workshop, he had found a small, black leather bag under a workbench. He remembered the man who had just left in the blue car had been carrying a similar bag. He must have put it down and forgotten it.
He dialled the number from the receipt. “Sir,” he said, “you left your bag at my garage.” There was a pause on the other end. “My bag? But I have it right here,” the man replied, sounding confused. The garage owner, Mr. Sharma, described the bag. The man on the phone gasped. “That’s not my bag! Mine is identical, but it contains only documents. I must have picked up the wrong one at the airport cafe this morning!”
Mr. Sharma opened the bag he had found. It was filled with bundles of cash. He realised the situation was serious. The man on the phone told him he was a government official and the bags must have been swapped with someone dangerous. He asked Mr. Sharma to wait for the police. As Mr. Sharma put the phone down, he saw a dark car pull up outside his garage. Two men got out and started walking towards him. His heart pounded in his chest. He had stumbled into something far more dangerous than a simple lost-and-found case.
(ii) As I turned on the radio, the announcer said, “Cyclone, now affecting all districts, will continue throughout the day……….” I switched it off in despair.
Answer: A Light in the Storm
As I turned on the radio, the announcer said, “Cyclone, now affecting all districts, will continue throughout the day……….” I switched it off in despair. My grandmother was alone in our old village house by the sea. I had to reach her. The wind was howling outside, and the rain was beating against the windows like angry fists.
I put on my raincoat and went out. The streets were flooded, and trees had fallen everywhere. No cars were on the road. I started walking, pushing against the strong wind. The journey that usually took an hour by bus felt like it would take a lifetime on foot. I thought about my grandmother, her frail body and kind smile. Fear gave me strength.
After what felt like hours, I saw the dim light of a lantern. It was a small tea shop, and a few people were huddled inside. The owner, an old man, gave me a cup of hot tea. He told me the bridge to my village had collapsed. My heart sank. Just then, a young man with a boat said he was going to check on his family across the river. He offered to take me with him.
The boat ride was terrifying, but we finally made it to the other side. I ran to my grandmother’s house. The roof had been damaged, but she was safe inside, praying. When she saw me, she hugged me tightly. In the middle of the storm, I had found kindness and courage in strangers. The cyclone was strong, but the human spirit was stronger.
Summary Writing
Assignment
Read the following passage and, in not more than 50 words of your own, summarise what events of the day were reviewed by Doctor Marcusson.
School Council Meeting
Doctor Marcusson sat at his desk and reviewed the events of the day. At the Council meeting, it had been decided to go ahead with the introduction of stricter examination requirements and there was also an agreement that the boys and their parents would have to be informed as soon as possible. He smiled ruefully, knowing fully well who would have done that unenviable task. One thing though, they’d decided that the pavilion which had been wrecked in the recent gales wouldn’t have to be rebuilt for a bit. At least money wouldn’t have to be found for that. And they seemed to be pleased enough with his report and the examination results. So they jolly well should be, he thought to himself, considering the all-out effort that had been made. The boys had even complained of being slave-driven. Well, he supposed that was life. He considered his chat with Sir Walter after the meeting had broken up. They’d made some useful decisions about what ought to be done in the advertising line and Sir Walter had really been most helpful in putting forward suggestions about influential parents who could be co-opted to serve on the various school committees. A good man, and an excellent chairman, Sir Walter.
“Well, that’s one thing to be thankful for,” he said aloud. “What is, dear?” asked a voice and Dr Marcusson realised with a shock of surprise that he wasn’t alone. He’d just been brought a cup of cocoa and the voice of gentle concern was his wife’s.
“Talking to myself. First sign of madness,” he said. “Oh, not the first sign dear,” she said gently.
Answer: Doctor Marcusson reviewed the council’s decisions to introduce stricter examination rules and postpone rebuilding the pavilion. The council was pleased with his report and the exam results. He also recalled his productive discussion with Sir Walter regarding advertising and appointing influential parents to school committees.
Practice Paper-8
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 an original story to illustrate the truth of the statement, ‘A bad workman quarrels with his tools’.
Answer: The Carpenter’s Blame
Ramesh was a carpenter in a small village, known more for his excuses than his woodwork. Whenever a customer complained about a wobbly chair or a crooked table, Ramesh had a ready answer: “It’s not my fault. My saw is blunt,” or “This wood is of poor quality.” He spent more time complaining about his tools than trying to improve his skills.
One day, a wealthy merchant from the city visited the village. He wanted a beautifully carved wooden chest to gift to his daughter. He offered a large sum of money, enough to solve all of Ramesh’s financial problems. This was a huge opportunity, and Ramesh eagerly accepted the work. He was given the finest teak wood and a new set of high-quality tools by the merchant.
Ramesh started the work with great excitement. However, his old habits did not leave him. He was impatient and did not measure the wood carefully. When the pieces did not fit together, he blamed the new saw. “This new saw is too sharp! It cuts too fast,” he grumbled. When he tried to carve a design, his hand slipped, and he chipped the wood. “This chisel is too heavy,” he complained to his apprentice.
After a week of struggling and making excuses, he presented the chest to the merchant. It was a disaster. The lid did not close properly, the carvings were uneven, and the whole chest tilted to one side. The merchant was furious. “I gave you the best wood and the finest tools. What is this?” he demanded.
Ramesh, as usual, began to blame his tools. But the merchant interrupted him. “A good workman never blames his tools. The fault is not in the tools, but in the hands that use them.” The merchant took his money and left, leaving Ramesh standing in his workshop, surrounded by his fine tools and his failed project. That day, Ramesh finally understood that the problem was not with his tools, but with his own lack of skill and his unwillingness to take responsibility.
(ii) Narrate an incident which motivated you to move ahead in life at a time when you had given up all hope and you were leading a dull and dejected life.
Answer: A New Beginning
There was a time in my life when everything seemed to be going wrong. I had failed my final exams and lost a chance to get into a good college. My friends moved on to new cities and new lives, while I was left behind in my small town. I felt like a complete failure. I stopped meeting people and spent most of my days locked in my room, feeling hopeless and dejected. My life had become a dull routine of waking up, eating, and sleeping.
One afternoon, my mother asked me to go to the market to buy some groceries. I reluctantly agreed. As I was walking through the crowded market, I saw a man sitting on the pavement. He had no legs and was selling handmade toys. Despite his difficult situation, he had a bright smile on his face. He greeted every passerby with warmth and cheerfulness.
I stopped and watched him for a while. A little girl came with her mother to buy a toy. The man showed her a colourful wooden bird and made it chirp by pulling a string. The girl clapped her hands in delight. The man’s face lit up with joy. He was not just selling toys; he was spreading happiness.
I felt a sense of shame. Here was a man who had lost his legs, yet he had not lost his spirit. He had found a way to live with dignity and joy, while I, with a healthy body and a supportive family, had given up on life just because of one failure.
That simple incident was a turning point for me. I went home and told my parents I wanted to enrol in a vocational course to learn a new skill. I started studying again, this time with a new sense of purpose. The man in the market had taught me that life is not about what you have lost, but about what you do with what you have left. He motivated me to move ahead and find my own way to be happy and useful.
(iii) “Today’s generation is more self-centered than earlier generations.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: Today’s generation is more self-centered than earlier generations
It is often said that today’s generation is more self-centered than the generations that came before, and I believe there is a lot of truth in this statement. The world we live in today encourages a focus on the individual, often at the expense of community and collective well-being.
One of the biggest reasons for this shift is technology, especially social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are all about creating a personal brand. Young people spend hours curating their online profiles, posting pictures and videos to get likes and followers. This creates a culture where one’s own image and popularity become the main priority. The focus is on “me” – my life, my achievements, my looks – rather than on “us” as a community.
In the past, families and communities were much more connected. People relied on their neighbours for help and support. Children grew up listening to stories from their grandparents and learning the importance of family values and sacrifice. Today, with nuclear families and busy lifestyles, these connections have weakened. Many young people are more connected to their virtual friends on the internet than to the people living next door.
Furthermore, the modern world is highly competitive. From a young age, children are pushed to excel in academics, sports, and other activities to secure a successful future. This constant pressure to be the best can make them more focused on their own goals and ambitions, leaving little time or energy to think about others.
While it is true that many young people are involved in social causes, the general trend seems to be towards individualism. The values of sharing, caring for others, and putting the needs of the community first, which were central to earlier generations, seem to be fading. The rise of a self-focused culture is a clear sign that today’s generation is, in many ways, more self-centered.
(iv) Describe an incident when you were caught in a traffic jam for hours. What difficulties did you face? What were the consequences?
Answer: Stuck in a Sea of Cars
I had an important job interview, and I had left home an hour early to be on time. The sky was clear, and I was feeling confident. However, my confidence soon turned into anxiety as my bus came to a complete stop on the main highway. As far as I could see, there was a sea of cars, buses, and trucks, all motionless. We were caught in a massive traffic jam.
At first, I thought it would clear in a few minutes. But minutes turned into an hour, and we had barely moved a few feet. The difficulties I faced were numerous. The bus became hot and stuffy as the driver had switched off the engine to save fuel. People started getting restless and irritable. The constant honking of horns created a deafening noise that gave me a headache.
My biggest worry was my interview. I tried calling the company to inform them I would be late, but my phone battery was low, and the network was weak. I felt completely helpless, trapped in a metal box with no way to move forward or backward. I could see other people in a similar state of panic – a student who was probably late for an exam, an ambulance with its siren wailing, trying to find a way through the chaos.
After nearly three hours, the traffic finally started to move. I reached the interview location two and a half hours late. The interviewer was understanding, but the position had already been offered to another candidate who had arrived on time. The consequence of the traffic jam was that I lost a great job opportunity.
That day, I learned a hard lesson about how unpredictable life can be. The incident made me realise how much we depend on our transportation systems and how easily our well-laid plans can be disrupted by something as common as a traffic jam. It was a frustrating and disappointing experience that I will never forget.
(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 Shared Dream
In the small, dusty village of Rampur, where electricity was a luxury and books were rare, lived two friends, Raju and Mohan. They were inseparable. The picture captures a typical afternoon in their lives. Sitting on a simple charpoy, they are lost in a world of their own. The book they are reading is old and tattered, its pages yellowed with time. It is their only window to the world outside their village.
Raju and Mohan share not just the book, but also a dream. They dream of becoming teachers and opening a school in their village so that other children do not have to struggle to get an education. The book in the picture is a science textbook that a visiting city dweller had left behind. They take turns reading it aloud, trying to understand the mysteries of the world. Their faces show deep concentration, a thirst for knowledge that is inspiring.
Their surroundings are simple. The mud walls of a nearby hut and the dry ground show the poverty they live in. But in their minds, they are travelling to distant lands, exploring new ideas, and building a future for themselves and their community. The shared book is a symbol of their friendship and their common goal.
It shows that even with very little, one can have big dreams. The two boys, sitting together on that charpoy, represent hope and determination. They are not just reading a book; they are writing their own destiny, one page at a time. Their story is a quiet but strong statement about the power of education and the strength of a shared dream.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to your landlord requesting him to replace the main door of the house, in which you are residing, at the earliest as the present door might give way any time.
Answer:
45, B-Block
Shanti Vihar
New Delhi – 110041
15th July 2024
To
Mr. Ramesh Gupta
12, C-Block
Shanti Vihar
New Delhi – 110041
Subject: Request for replacement of the main door
Dear Mr. Gupta,
I am writing to bring to your attention a serious issue regarding the main door of the house I am renting from you at the above address. The wooden door has become very weak over time, and the hinges are loose. The wood has also started to rot at the bottom due to exposure to rain.
I am very concerned about the safety and security of my family. The door makes a loud creaking noise every time it is opened or closed, and it feels like it might fall off its hinges at any moment. It is no longer secure and could easily be broken into.
I would be very grateful if you could arrange to have the door replaced at the earliest. A new, sturdy door would provide much-needed security and peace of mind.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Arun Sharma
(ii) You are living in a hostel and have not been able to visit home due to extra classes. Write a letter to your mother, telling her which stream of study you intend to join in Class XI giving specific reasons for your choice.
Answer:
My dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you and Papa in good health. I am sorry I have not been able to visit home. We have been having extra classes to prepare for our final exams, so the schedule is very busy. I miss you all very much.
I am writing to you today to talk about something important. As you know, we have to choose our stream of study for Class XI soon. After thinking a lot about it, I have decided that I want to take the Science stream with Biology.
I know you might be surprised, as we had discussed Commerce earlier. However, I have developed a great interest in Biology over the past year. I find learning about the human body and the natural world very exciting. My Biology teacher, Mrs. Das, has been very encouraging and says I have a good aptitude for the subject.
My dream is to become a doctor and serve people in our village. I know that the path to becoming a doctor is long and difficult, but I am ready to work hard for it. I feel that this is where my true passion lies.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please give my love to Papa and little Riya. I am eagerly waiting for the holidays to come home.
With lots of love,
Your son,
Rahul
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
In the dining-hall of a hotel, a lady met a stranger, called Jerton and became friendly with him. On being asked about herself the lady said, “I was in the train coming down here; a monkey told me that I had come from Victoria and was bound for this place. I had no visiting cards or any other means of identification, as to who I am. I can only recollect that I have a title: I am Lady Somebody – beyond that my mind is a blank.”
“When the hotel porter asked me if I had any luggage I had to invent a dressing-bag and dress-basket, I gave him the name of Smith, and he emerged from a pile of luggage with a dressing-bag and dress-basket labelled Kestrel-Smith. I had to take them; I do not see what else I could have done.”
Jerton said, “If you feel sure that you have a title, why not get hold of a peerage and go right through it?”
“I am going on another track, I’m trying to find out by various little tests who I am NOT – that will narrow the range of uncertainty down a bit. You may have noticed, for instance, that I am lunching off the most expensive dish. It is an extravagance, but at any rate it proves that I am not Lady Starping; she never touches shell-fish, and poor Lady Braddleshrub has no digestion at all.”
“It will be rather a lengthy process bringing the list down to one,” said Jerton.
The lady requested him to meet her in the evening. At five o’clock Jerton made his way to the hotel. The lady was there. Jerton asked her, “Have you discovered anything?” The lady said, “No. But I do not want to be saddled with the luggage for the rest of my life, I will have it brought down to the hall and you can pretend to mount guard over it while I am writing a letter. Then I shall just slip away to the station, and you can wander off. They can do what they like with the luggage.” Jerton duly mounted guard over the luggage while its temporary owner slipped out of the hotel.
Two men were strolling past Jerton, and one of them said to the other: “Did you see that young woman who went out just now? She is the Lady-” Jerton summoned up all his courage and said, “Excuse me for asking if you could tell me who the lady is.”
“Certainly. She is a Mrs. Stroope. Yes, she is the Lady Champion at golf. An awful good sort, and goes about a good deal in society, but she has an awkward habit of losing her memory every now and then, and gets into all sorts of fixes.”
Before Jerton had the time to assimilate this information he saw an angry looking lady making loud and fretful inquiries of the hotel clerks. “Has any luggage been brought here from the station by mistake, a dress-basket and dressing-case, with the name Kestrel-Smith? It can not be traced anywhere. Why – there is my luggage! and the locks have been tampered with!” Jerton heard no more and went away.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. peerage (line 10)
(a) monarchy
(b) nobility
(c) oligarchy
(d) history
Answer: (b) nobility
2. extravagance (line 14)
(a) overindulgence
(b) thrift
(c) frugality
(d) moderation
Answer: (a) overindulgence
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word relieved?
(a) leave
(b) barren
(c) summoned
(d) saddled
Answer: (d) saddled
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What did the lady tell Jerton about herself?
Answer: The lady told Jerton that she had lost her memory and could not remember who she was. She only recollected that she had a title and was “Lady Somebody.” She also mentioned that she had invented a name and claimed luggage that was not hers at the hotel.
(b) What method did the lady adopt to find her identity?
Answer: The lady adopted a method of elimination to find her identity. She tried to find out who she was not by doing small tests. For example, by eating an expensive dish, she concluded she was not Lady Starping, who never ate shellfish.
(c) How did the lady prove that she was neither Lady Starping nor Lady Braddleshrub?
Answer: The lady proved she was not Lady Starping by eating shellfish, which Lady Starping never touched. She also knew she was not Lady Braddleshrub because she had no problem with her digestion, unlike poor Lady Braddleshrub.
(d) What did the two men tell Jerton about the identity of the lady?
Answer: The two men told Jerton that the lady was Mrs. Stroope, the Lady Champion at golf. They described her as a good person who had a habit of losing her memory from time to time, which often got her into difficult situations.
(e) Why was the lady, who entered the hotel after Mrs. Stroope left, angry with the hotel staff?
Answer: The lady who entered the hotel was angry because her luggage, with the name Kestrel-Smith, had been brought there by mistake and she could not trace it. When she finally found it, she saw that the locks had been tampered with.
(f) Describe how the lady’s identity was finally revealed? Answer in not more than 80 words.
Answer: The lady’s identity was revealed to Jerton by two men who were walking past the hotel. They saw her leaving and one of them identified her as Mrs. Stroope, the Lady Champion at golf. He explained that she was a good person but had a habit of losing her memory, which often got her into trouble. This confirmed that the lady Jerton had met was indeed Mrs. Stroope, who had temporarily forgotten who she was.
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) earned
There was an old judge at Nabulus who …0… (earn) much fame for his sagacity and justice. One day a shopkeeper came to him and said he was …1… (continue) losing his goods and was unable to catch the thief.
The judge …2… (command) the door of the shop to be taken off its hinges, …3… (carry) to the market-place and be beaten. This was to be done in his own …4… (present) and in the presence of a huge crowd.
When the …5… (beat) was over, the judge …6… (stoop) down and asked the door who was the thief. After he put his ear to the door for an answer, he stood up and addressed
Answer:
- continually
- commanded
- carried
- presence
- beating
- stooped
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. Because Satish’s leg was fractured, the doctor forbade him to go out. (Begin with: Having fractured …)
(a) Having fractured his leg, the doctor forbade Satish to go out.
(b) Having fractured his leg, Satish was forbidden by the doctor to go out.
(c) Having fractured Satish’s leg, the doctor has forbidden him to go out.
(d) Having fractured his leg, the doctor forbid Satish to go out.
Answer: (a) Having fractured his leg, the doctor forbade Satish to go out.
2. You will not get the camera back unless you pay the money. (Begin with: Not until …)
(a) Not until you get the camera back, unless you pay the money.
(b) Not until and unless you pay the money, you will not get the camera back.
(c) Not until you pay the money, you will get the camera back.
(d) Not until you pay the money will you get the camera back.
Answer: (d) Not until you pay the money will you get the camera back.
3. There are eleven players in a cricket team. (Use: comprises)
(a) A cricket team comprises for eleven players.
(b) A cricket team comprises of eleven players.
(c) A cricket team comprises eleven players.
(d) A cricket team comprises in eleven players.
Answer: (c) A cricket team comprises eleven players.
4. We are preparing for his anniversary celebration. (Begin with: Preparations …)
(a) Preparations are being made for his anniversary celebration.
(b) Preparations are going out for his anniversary celebration.
(c) Preparations are made for his anniversary celebration.
(d) Preparations are being carried out for his anniversary celebration.
Answer: (a) Preparations are being made for his anniversary celebration.
5. He said to me, “Let us go out for dinner.” (Use: suggested)
(a) He suggested me to let us go out for dinner.
(b) He suggested to me that we should go out for dinner.
(c) He suggested to me let us go out for dinner.
(d) He suggested to me we shall have to go to out for dinner.
Answer: (b) He suggested to me that we should go out for dinner.
6. The roof of the airport collapsed due to heavy rainfall. (Begin with: Heavy rainfall…)
(a) Heavy rainfall caused the collapse of the roof of the airport.
(b) Heavy rainfall causes the collapse of the roof of the airport.
(c) Heavy rainfall collapsed the roof of the airport.
(d) Heavy rainfall collapses the roof of the airport.
Answer: (a) Heavy rainfall caused the collapse of the roof of the airport.
7. He is intelligent but he is lazy. (Begin with: Although)
(a) Although he is intelligent but lazy.
(b) Although he is intelligent, he is lazy.
(c) Although being intelligent, he is lazy.
(d) Although he was intelligent, but he is lazy.
Answer: (b) Although he is intelligent, he is lazy.
8. No other planet is as cool as Uranus. (Use: cooler)
(a) Uranus is the cooler planet than any other planet.
(b) No other planet is as cooler as Uranus.
(c) Uranus is cooler then any other planet.
(d) Uranus is cooler than any other planet.
Answer: (d) Uranus is cooler than any other planet.
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