ICSE 2016 English Language Question Paper for Class 10

About this paper

This is the ICSE Class 10 English Language (English Paper 1) question paper from the 2016 examination, paper code T16 011. It gives two hours of writing time after 15 minutes of reading time and has four compulsory questions. Question 1 offers five composition topics of 350–400 words, including a story beginning "The day started off well enough...", a debate on allowing mobile phones in schools and a picture. Question 2 is a choice of two letters, Question 3 is a comprehension passage about Mother's frilly, old-fashioned bathing costume with a 60-word summary, and Question 4 tests grammar. The bracketed marks total 80. This copy has the questions only, without answers.

Exam

ICSE Class 10

Subject

English Language

Year

2016

Paper code

T16 011

Maximum marks

80

Time allowed

2 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

4

Pages

7

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Question 1

  25 marks

  Composition of 350–400 words on one of five topics: a story, a personal narrative, a debate, a description or a picture

• Question 2

  10 marks

  One letter out of two: to the Principal seeking permission for a class visit to a historical monument, or to a friend about the school's jubilee celebration

• Question 3

  25 marks

  Comprehension passage: three word meanings, six short answers (2 marks each), a 60-word summary and a title with reason

• Question 4

  20 marks

  Grammar: verb forms in a passage, prepositions, joining sentences and eight sentence transformations

Topics covered

• Composition writing
• Picture composition
• Formal letter writing
• Informal letter writing
• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary in context
• Summary writing
• Verb forms and tenses
• Prepositions
• Joining sentences
• Sentence transformation

Questions from this paper

1. Narrate an incident from your own experience when you expected to do very well but for some reason were unable to do so. Explain what happened and why it happened. What lesson did you learn from it?
2. "The use of mobile phones must be allowed in schools." Express your views either for or against the statement.
3. Your class wants to visit a well-known historical monument in a nearby town. Write a letter to your Principal seeking permission and say why you would benefit from the visit.
4. Why did Mother not join the swimming in the beginning?
5. In not more than 60 words, describe what happened after Mother went upstairs to try on her costume.
6. Rewrite 'If Mary catches the first bus, she will be on time for school.' beginning with 'Unless'.