ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Mass Media & Communication

ICSE | Class 10

Mass Media &
Communication
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION

Maximum Marks: 100

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.

6. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets[ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This paper consists of 11 printed pages and 1 blank page.
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SECTION A (40 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this Section.)

Question 1 [20]
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.
(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)
(i) Which of the following is true for the ‘punctuated’ nature of communication?

(a) Punctuation changes meaning and emphasis

(b) Punctuation is a form of response

(c) Punctuation makes communication irreversible

(d) Punctuation is a barrier to communication

(ii) __________ ensures that communication is short and crisp, making it easier to
understand.

(a) Completeness

(b) Conciseness

(c) Courtesy

(d) Coherence

(iii) Assertion (A): Once Communication is given out, it cannot be taken back.

Reason (R): The Communication process is incomplete unless feedback is
given.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

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(iv) Which of the following is an example of ‘Cultural’ barriers to communication?

(a) Long distances and loud sounds

(b) Impatience when talking to children

(c) Strict bosses who scold employees regularly

(d) Discussing meat products with vegetarians

(v) Which of the following describes ‘fonts’ in typography?

(a) The colour of writing

(b) The style of writing

(c) The history of writing

(d) The placement of writing

(vi) __________ is a headline placed at the top of a newspaper, spread across all
columns.

(a) Caption

(b) Teaser

(c) Lead

(d) Masthead

(vii) Images that show the correct order of events are examples of which of the
following?

(a) Repetition

(b) Contrast

(c) Balance

(d) Sequence

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(viii) Page weighing allows for __________ of elements on a page.

(a) balancing

(b) separation

(c) removal

(d) overlapping

(ix) Photographs inform and educate audiences by __________.

(a) providing a source of entertainment and excitement

(b) removing unwanted components of a scene

(c) showcasing all elements of a scene

(d) allowing for the editing of the scene

(x) Which of the following is an example of a lossy image format?

(a) JPEG

(b) TIFF

(c) BMP

(d) PNG

(xi) __________ refers to the sense of depth, dimension, and spatial relationship
between objects in an image.

(a) Perspective

(b) Composition

(c) Orientation

(d) Adjustment

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(xii) Assertion (A): Photographs in newspapers help readers understand a news
story.

Reason (R): Photographs provide an insight to events that have not
happened yet.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(xiii)

The above images are examples of a ___________.

(a) digital television

(b) scanning disk

(c) music record

(d) cathode ray tube

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(xiv) NTSC delivers ___________ scan lines per image.

(a) 525

(b) 625

(c) 125

(d) 725

(xv) LED stands for ____________.

(a) Light Emerging Diode

(b) Low Emerging Diode

(c) Light Emitting Diode

(d) Lost Emitting Diode

(xvi) Which of the following is a characteristic of television?

(a) Audio only

(b) Inexpensive

(c) Live medium

(d) One-to-one medium

(xvii) ‘PR’ in the context of marketing communication stands for ___________.

(a) Public Records

(b) Public Relations

(c) Private Records

(d) Periodic Repetition

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(xviii)

The above image is an example of a __________.

(a) Dealer Trophy

(b) Stock Return

(c) Sample

(d) Discount

(xix) In Public Relations, __________ refers to the positive reputation, trust, and
favourable perception that an organisation builds with its audience,
stakeholders, and the public over time.

(a) crisis management

(b) goodwill

(c) media

(d) marketing

(xx) __________ is a paid form of communication used by businesses,
organisations, or individuals to promote products, services, ideas, or brands to
a target audience.

(a) Public Relations

(b) Sales Promotion

(c) Advertising

(d) Online Sales

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Question 2
(i) State whether the following are true or false: [5]

(a) Communication between individuals can only have a single purpose.

(b) Captions are short descriptive lines below an image.

(c) Contrast is the difference between brighter and darker components in an
image.

(d) Television is a domestic medium requiring international viewership.

(e) Merchandise includes specialised and expensive products.

(ii) Match the following: [5]

1. Concreteness A. Note about the author

2. Heading B. Public Relations

3. Byline C. 3 by 3 grid

4. Rule of thirds D. Above a story

5. Media Monitoring E. Undeniable Information

Question 3

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

A Tech company with offices in India and the UK, was facing delays in a joint project
due to poor communication. Indian team members found British accents hard to
understand, while UK staff struggled with time zone differences and slow email
responses.

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To solve this, the company introduced clear written guidelines, simplified language, and
began using messaging apps for faster replies. Weekly video meetings were rescheduled
to suit both time zones. Cultural awareness training also helped teams understand and
respect each other’s communication styles.

As a result, project progress improved, misunderstandings reduced, and teams
collaborated more smoothly. This case highlights how small changes and sensitivity to
barriers can lead to effective global communication.

(i) How are barriers to communication harmful to organisations? [2]

(ii) State two communication channels which would be effective in the above case. [2]

(iii) How is cultural awareness a part of understanding a target audience? [3]

(iv) How important is feedback in the above situation? [3]

SECTION B (60 Marks)
(Answer any four questions from this Section.)

Question 4
(i) With the help of an example, explain how physical barriers to communication [5]
may prevent effective communication in a busy city.

(ii) Briefly discuss how ‘fear’ and ‘unhappiness’ may cause psychological barriers [5]
to communication.

(iii) Briefly explain the following with reference to effective communication: [5]

(a) Correctness

(b) Clarity

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Question 5
(i) Page layout and white space play an important role in the design of print media. [5]
Explain.

(ii) With the help of a relevant example, explain how typography plays a major role [5]
in page making.

(iii) What is the role of a ‘teaser’ in a newspaper? How does it differ from an [5]
advertisement?

Question 6
(i) How does ‘colour correction’ improve the quality of an image? Why is it [5]
necessary to edit photographs?

(ii) How is a photograph useful in a crime scene news story? Explain with an [5]
example.

(iii) Elaborate on how ‘Composition’ is important during photo editing. [5]

Question 7
(i) Briefly explain one contribution of each of the following: [5]

(a) John Baird

(b) Peter Goldmark

(ii) Provide an understanding of television as a ‘Transitory Medium’ and an ‘Audio- [5]
Visual Medium’.

(iii) Explain the following: [5]

(a) Satellite television

(b) HD

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Question 8
(i) What is IMC? Write any three advantages of IMC. [5]

(ii) Internet Marketing is cost effective and provides a competitive advantage. [5]
How are these traits useful?

(iii) With regard to direct marketing, how would the promotion of a bicycle differ in [5]
a city and in a village?

Question 9

Choc D’lite is a mid-sized confectionery company known for its affordable chocolate
products in India. In 2025, they decided to enter the premium chocolate segment with a
new product called "Choc D’lite Gold", aimed at young professionals and gift buyers.

The company adopted a premium pricing strategy to reflect quality and exclusivity. While
regular Choc D’lite bars were priced at ₹ 30, Choc D’lite Gold was launched at ₹ 150 per
bar. It was made available in high-end supermarkets, gourmet stores, and online
platforms.

Choc D’lite ran a social media influencer campaign and tied up with lifestyle bloggers
and food critics. They offered limited-edition gift boxes during Valentine's Day and Diwali.
In-store tasting booths and attractive launch discounts encouraged first-time buyers.

Within the first 3 months, Choc D’lite Gold exceeded sales targets by 20%. Customer
feedback praised the taste and packaging.

(i) How did Choc D’lite use ‘Price’ as a form of marketing? Why was it effective? [5]

(ii) How could the company have used Internet Marketing to promote its product? [5]

(iii) Elaborate on any two trade-oriented sales promotion tools that would help [5]
promote the sale of premium chocolates.

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