ICSE 2020 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 2020 examination, paper code T20 011. It gives two hours of writing time after 15 minutes of reading time and has five compulsory questions; the bracketed marks total 80. Question 1 is a 300–350 word composition from five topics, including a story titled 'The Secret', a debate on whether a family without pets is incomplete and a picture. Question 2 is a choice of two letters, Question 3 asks for a notice and an e-mail about a school fete held to raise funds for flood victims, Question 4 is a comprehension passage adapted from Totto-chan about lessons in a railway-carriage classroom, and Question 5 tests grammar. This copy has the questions only.

Exam

ICSE Class 10

Subject

English Language

Year

2020

Paper code

T20 011

Maximum marks

80

Time allowed

2 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

5

Pages

7

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Question 1

  20 marks

  Composition of 300–350 words on one of five topics: a story, a debate, a description, a personal account or a picture

• Question 2

  10 marks

  One letter out of two: to a friend about your new school, or to the Municipal Commissioner about taps left open in your locality

• Question 3

  10 marks

  A notice for a school fete/carnival (5 marks) and an e-mail inviting a neighbouring school to attend it (5 marks)

• Question 4

  20 marks

  Comprehension passage from Totto-chan: three word meanings, five short answers and a 50-word summary (8 marks)

• Question 5

  20 marks

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

Topics covered

• Composition writing
• Picture composition
• Informal letter writing
• Formal letter writing
• Notice writing
• E-mail writing
• Reading comprehension
• Summary writing
• Verb forms and tenses
• Prepositions
• Joining sentences
• Active and passive voice

Questions from this paper

1. Write an original short story entitled 'The Secret'.
2. "A family without pets is an incomplete family." Express your views either for or against this statement.
3. Some taps in your locality are left open all day, resulting in a tremendous waste of water. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your town or city complaining about the problem, and suggest ways in which this waste can be prevented.
4. How did the method of teaching help the teacher?
5. In not more than 50 words, describe how the children were taught.
6. Rewrite 'She is so busy that she finds no time to entertain her friends.' using 'too'.