ICSE Class 10 Sample Paper 2027 English Language

FOR ICSE CLASS 10 EXAM PREPARATION

ICSE Class 10 2027
Sample Paper · English
Language
EXAM YEAR TYPE SUBJECT

ICSE Class 10 2027 Sample Paper English Language

Notes · Sample Papers · Previous Year Papers · Mock Tests

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m ICSE 2027 EXAMINATION .co
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g l a SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER a
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE
(ENGLISH PAPER – 1)

Maximum Marks: 80

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Time allowed: Two hours
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Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

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

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

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

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Attempt all five questions.
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1 and 20 minutes in
answering Question 2.

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

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

The Specimen Question Paper in the subject provides a realistic
format of the Board Examination Question Paper and should be used
as a practice tool. The questions for the Board Examination can be set
from any part of the syllabus. However, the format of the Board
Examination Question Paper will remain the same as that of the
Specimen Question Paper.

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Question 1 a
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.) [20]
Write a composition (300 - 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write an original short story that begins with the words: ‘He was the
funniest boy I had ever met…’ [Creativity]

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(ii) You were punished for something you had not done. Give an account of
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the incident and how you proved your innocence. [Creativity]
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(iii)
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‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’. Express your views either for or
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a statement.
against lthis
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[Evaluation]
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(iv) You recently took part in an interesting class project. Describe how your
group planned and carried out the task. Explain how this will help you in
the future. [Evaluation]

(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story, a description, or an account
of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of

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the picture, or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be

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a clear connection between the picture and your

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[Creativity]

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Question 2

(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) [10]

Select any one of the following:

(i) Write a letter to your grandfather who has always encouraged you to play
outdoor games. Tell him about a game you enjoyed playing with your
friends. Share how the experience made you feel and what you learned [Recall &
from it. Analysis]

(ii) You recently visited the Museum in your city and noticed the poor
condition of some of the exhibits on display. Write a letter to the Director
of the Museum, bringing the matter to his attention. Request him to take
necessary action to ensure that these valuable objects are properly [Recall &
preserved. Analysis]

Question 3
(i) Your school is hosting a poster designing competition. Write a notice [5]
informing students about the event. [Recall &
Application]

(ii) Write an email to a well-known artist, inviting her/him to judge the event. [5]

[Recall &
Application]

Question 4

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

He came into the room and I saw he looked ill. He was shivering, white-
faced, and he walked slowly as though it ached to move.

“What’s the matter, Schatz?”

“I’ve got a headache. But I’m all right.”

But when I came downstairs later he was sitting by the fire, looking very
sick. When I put my hand on his forehead I knew he had a fever.

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 4 of 12

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a and two.
The doctor came; took the boy’s temperature. It was a hundred
He left three different capsules with instructions for giving them. There
was nothing to worry about if the fever stayed below one hundred and four.
This was a light epidemic of flu. There was no danger if you avoided 10
pneumonia.

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Back in the room I wrote the boy’s temperature down and made a note of
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the time to give the various capsules.
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“Do you want me to read to you?”
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g a to,” he said. His face was very white and there were dark
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“If you
areas under his eyes.

I read aloud from Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates; but I could see he was
not following me. After a while he said, “You don’t have to stay in here
with me, Papa, if it bothers you.” I thought perhaps he was a little
lightheaded and went out for a while. Later, they said the boy had refused 20
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to let anyone come into the room because they ‘mustn’t get what I have.’

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I went up to him and found him in exactly the position I had left him, white-
a still at the foot of the bed.
faced, the tops of his cheeks flushed, lstaring
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I took his temperature.

“What is it?”

“Something like a hundred,” I said. It was one hundred and two point four.

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

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“I don’t worry,” he said, “but I can’t keep from thinking.”

c. o “Don’t think,” I said. “Just take it easy.” s e m
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s He was evidently holding tight onto himself about something. gl
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a I opened the Pirate book and commenced to read, but I could see he was
not following, so I stopped.

“About what time do you think I’m going to die?” he asked.

“You aren’t going to die. What’s this?”

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“Oh, yes, I am. I heard him say a hundred and two.”

“People don’t die with a fever of one hundred and two. That’s silly.”

“I know they do. At school in France the boys told me you can’t live with
forty-four degrees.”

He had been waiting to die all day, ever since nine o’clock in the morning.
“You poor Schatz,” I said. “It’s like miles and kilometers, like how many 40
kilometers we make when we do seventy miles in the car. You aren’t going
to die. That’s a different thermometer. On that thermometer thirty-seven is
normal. On this kind it’s ninety-eight.”

“Oh,” he said.

But his gaze at the foot of the bed and the hold over himself slowly relaxed.
The next day he cried very easily at little things of no importance.

-[Adapted from: ‘A Day’s Wait’ by Ernest Hemingwa

(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the [2]
passage) from the options provided:

1. avoided (line 10)

(a) steering clear away

(b) a huge hole or gap

(c) to not include

(d) stayed away from [Understanding]
2. following (line 18)

(a) running after

(b) paying attention

(c) distracted

(d) one after another [Understanding]

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 6 of 12

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(ii) a ‘concluded’?
Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word [1]

(a) evidently

(b) commenced

(c) waiting

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(d) relaxed [Understanding]
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(iii)
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Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
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g ladid the narrator ask Schatz what the matter was? a [2]
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(a) Why
[Understanding]

(b) How did the doctor reassure the family? [2]
[Understanding]

(c) What did the narrator read from? Why did he feel Schatz might be [2]

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feeling lightheaded? [Recall &

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[1]

what he had was infectious? ag
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(d) Which sentence in the passage tells us that Schatz probably thought
[Recall]
[2]
(e) Why do you think Schatz cried over little things of no importance the
[Analysis]
next day?

(iv)
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In not more than 50 words, explain how the narrator understood why
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c.[Understanding]
[8]

c. o Schatz was upset and how he got rid of his doubts. s e m
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Question 5
(i) Fill in each numbered blank with the correct form of the word given in [4]
brackets after it. Do not copy the passage. Write the numbers in the correct
serial order, and against each, the word/s appropriate to the blank it stands
for.

Example:
(0) was

The sun (0) __________(be) near rising, and at the early hour of the
morning all the jungle folk were on the move. Under a nearby tree I (1)
__________ (find) a dry spot to which the saturating dew had not
penetrated and with Robin (2) __________ (stretch) out at my feet, when
suddenly a deer started (3) __________ (call) some sixty
yards to our left front. Robin sat up and slowly turning his head looked at
me, and, on (4) __________ (catch) my eye, as slowly, turned back in the
direction of the calling deer. He (5) __________ (travel) far along the road
of experience since that day he had first (6) __________ (hear) the alarm
call of a langur and he (7) __________ (know) now, as did every bird and
animal within hearing, that the deer (8) __________ (warn) the jungle folk
of the presence of a leopard.
[Application]

(ii) Fill in each blank with an appropriate word. You are required to write only [4]
one word.

(a) Our brave soldiers prefer death __________ dishonour.

(b) I intend to dispose __________ all my old notebooks after the annual
examination.

(c) Mrs Ray impressed __________ us the value of discipline.

(d) He was sitting __________ his desk writing laboriously when I
entered the room.

(e) I am sorry I cannot comply __________ your request.

(f) The old man was quarrelling with the shopkeeper __________ the
price of vegetables.

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 8 of 12

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(g) One should not go __________ appearances. a
(h) The publishers recently brought __________ a new edition of the
[Application]
dictionary.

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(iii) Choose the correct option to make one complete sentence without using [4]
and, but or so.
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The Chief. Guest arrived. The school band started playing s e
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a (a) Hardly had the Chief Guest arrived than the school band
started playing.

(b) No sooner did the Chief Guest arrive when the school band
started playing.

(c) No sooner did the Chief Guest arrive than the school band
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started playing.

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(d) The Chief Guest arrived, the school band started playing
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soon. [Application]

2. Arjun does not know the rules of the gaming competition. Arif does
not know the rules of the gaming competition.

(a) Arjun and Arif, both does not know the rules of the gaming

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competition.

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(b) Arjun as well as Arif, does not know the rules of the gaming

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Neither Arjun nor Arif knows the rules of theggaming
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a competition.

(d) Neither Arjun nor Arif know the rules of the gaming
competition. [Application]

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3. The pupil was impolite. The teacher admonished her.

(a) Being impolite the teacher admonished the pupil.

(b) The teacher admonished the pupil because she was impolite.

(c) Though the pupil was impolite, the teacher admonished her.

(d) The pupil was impolite yet the teacher admonished her. [Application]

4. It was dark and windy. It was getting late.

(a) Besides getting late, it was also dark and very windy.

(b) Beside being dark and windy, it was getting late.

(c) Besides being dark and windy, it was getting late.

(d) Not only was it dark and windy but also it was getting late. [Application]

(iv) Choose the correct option and rewrite the sentence according to the [8]
instruction given after each.
1. Heena said, ‘Sohini, why did you not reach the office before 8 o’
clock?’
(Begin with: Heena asked Sohini…)
(a) Heena asked Sohini that why had she not reached the office
before 8 o’ clock.
(b) Heena asked Sohini why she had not reached the office before
8 o’ clock.
(c) Heena asked Sohini why had she not reached the office before
8 o’ clock.
(d) Heena asked Sohini why she did not reach the office before 8
o’ clock. [Application]

2. The students were discussing the examination results.
(Begin with: The examination results …)

(a) The examination results were discussed by the students.

(b) The examination results were being discussed by the students.

(c) The examination results had been discussed by the students.

(d) The examination results are discussed by the students. [Application]

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 10 of 12

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Very few pupils in the class can paint as well as Abhilash.
(Begin with: Abhilash…)

(a) Abhilash paints better than all other pupils in the class.

(b) Abhilash paints better than most other pupils in the class.

(c) Abhilash cannot paint as well as some of the pupils in the
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(d)
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Abhilash
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[Application]
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4. a The puppy made several attempts but it could not climb over the
fence.

(Begin with: In spite of…)

(a) In spite of making several attempts, the puppy could not
climb over the fence.
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In spite of not being able to climb over the fence, the puppy
made several attempts.
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In spite of her several g la the puppy cannot climb over
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(c) attempts,
the fence.

(d) In spite of several attempts the puppy makes, it cannot climb
over the fence. [Application]

5. Unless we leave early, we might get caught in traffic.
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(Begin with: ‘If’)
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las
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ag (b) If we leave early, lest we could get caught in traffic.

(c) If we do not get caught in traffic, let us leave early.

(d) If we leave early, we will not get caught in traffic. [Application]

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6. Hardly had Ranjan lifted the heavy box when he felt a pain in his
back.
(Begin with: No sooner…)
(a) No sooner was the heavy box been lifted by Rajan that he felt
a pain in his back.

(b) No sooner did Rajan lift the heavy box when he felt a pain in
his back.

(c) No sooner had Rajan lifted the heavy box than he felt a pain
in his back.

(d) No sooner had Rajan lifted the heavy box, he felt a pain in his
back. [Application]

7. He is too shy to participate in the play.
(Use: so…that)

(a) He is so shy that he could not participate in the play.

(b) He is too shy so that is why he cannot participate in the play.

(c) He is so shy that he cannot participate in the play.

(d) He is so shy that he does not participate in plays. [Application]

8. We often go out for dinner on weekends.
(Rewrite the sentence adding a question tag.)

(a) We often go out for dinner on weekends, can’t we?

(b) We often go out for dinner on weekends, don’t we?

(c) We often go out for dinner on weekends, won’t we?

(d) We often go out for dinner on weekends, shouldn’t we? [Application]

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 12 of 12

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se ICSE 2027 SPECIMENgl
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DRAFT MARKING SCHEME – ENGLISH LANGUAGE (ENGLISH PAPER 1)

Answer 1 [20]
(i) The story must be original and must begin with the suggested words. The
funny or strange behaviour of the child must be brought out. The plot/story
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outline should be clear and structured.
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e of a Class X candidate. Pupils must describe the incident clearly,
(ii) This is a first-person
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l out/highlighting the part where things went wrong. The steps taken
experience
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toaprove his/her innocence must be included.
bringing

(iii) Views either for or against are to be accepted. The candidate should take a
clear stand and give valid reasons for whatever stand he/she takes.
There should be a cohesive, well-constructed logical argument and ideas based
on logical reasoning and personal experience.

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Mention the project, number of pupils in the group, the sights and sounds must

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form the main body of this composition (while planning the project). Explain
how it would be beneficial.
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(v) A wide interpretation will be aaccepted. Any relevant ideas taken from the
picture should be accepted. However, a mere itemization / listing / description
of the picture is to be avoided.

Answer 2 [10]
(i) Friendly/Informal letter
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Format, Content, Expression are important.

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Thank your grandfather - you could use words like 'grateful', 'thoughtful' for

g la encouraging to play outdoor games. a
a Describe what game you played, how you enjoyed.
Your feelings at the end of the game, what you learned from the experience.

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ag For more Question Papers, Sample Papers, Notes & Syllabus visit Page 13 of 18

INFORMAL LETTER- Sample

32 Hadapsar Road,
Hadapsar,
Pune - 411028.

14th February 2026.

Dear Grandfather,
I hope you are doing well and in good health. I am excited to share with you a
wonderful day I recently spent playing outdoor games with my friends. I
especially wanted to thank you and tell you about it because you have always
encouraged me to go outside, be active, and enjoy sports instead of staying
indoors all the time.
Last Sunday, my friends and I decided to spend the entire day at the
playground in our neighbourhood. We started the morning with a game of
cricket. I remembered how you once told me that teamwork and patience are
very important in games. While playing, I tried to focus on coordinating with
my teammates and encouraging them, even when we lost a wicket. After
cricket, we ended the day with a few rounds of badminton. Running around in
the fresh air, feeling the sunshine, and hearing everyone laugh made the day
truly special.
At first, we were all very competitive, and there were small disagreements
about rules and scores. But we soon realised that enjoying the game mattered
more than winning. By the end of the day, we were cheering for each other
and celebrating every small success together. I felt energetic, happy, and proud
of myself for staying active the whole day.
This experience taught me many valuable lessons. I learned the importance of
teamwork, discipline, and fair play. I also understood how outdoor games keep
both body and mind healthy. Most importantly, I realised that the best
memories are created by spending time with friends in the open air.
Thank you, once again, for always motivating me.
Yours lovingly,
Rohan

(ii) Formal letter
Format, Content, Expression are important.
Content
Name of the museum
Description of the condition of the artefacts (specifics – crumbling stonework,
faded paint etc)

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 2 of 6

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Steps to be taken to restore – cleaning, stabilization, repair.

FORMAL LETTER-Sample

18 Cascade Enclave,
Diamond Harbour Road,
Kolkata - 700034.

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14th February 2026.
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The Director,

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Rajgir Museum,
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Rajgir
Rajgir - 803116.

Dear Madam,

I hope this letter finds you well. I recently visited the Rajgir Museum with my
parents and was taken aback to find many of the exhibits on display in a poor
state of repair/poorly preserved.
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Custodial neglect including overcrowding, deterioration from damp and

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fungus, fading from improper light exposure and chemical damage from what

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seem to be amateur attempts at restoration in the past, have led to widespread
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damage of these precious paintings, statues and other artefacts.
I would appreciate it if you could kindly arrange for steps to be taken to repair
and restore these precious proofs of our heritage. Documenting and
photographing, dry cleaning with dust removal, material-specific washing,
bonding and proper preservation/storage may be undertaken.
I look forward to your response and hope to see an improvement in our
beloved museum when we next visit.
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Yours faithfully,
m Shruti Dey
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a Answer 3 [10]

(i) Creative Title - e.g. Express Yourself, Canvas of Creativity, Visual Voices,
etc.
Event: Inter School Poster Designing Competition
Date: Accept single date (for example ten days or fortnight away from the date
of writing the notice).
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Time: e.g. 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
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Venue: smaller place to larger e.g. Carnation Hall, St. Helen's School.
Participate: All pupils who wish to register should give their names to the
Vice Principal/teacher’s name, on or before…(date within 2 to
3 days of writing the notice)

Sample:
Canvas of Creativity
Annual Inter-School Poster Designing Competition
on 26th February 2026
from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
at Carnation Hall, St. Helen’s School
Pupils of classes IX and X, who wish to participate, should give their names
to the Vice Principal on or before 17th February 2026.

(ii) E-mail – id
Subject
Salutation
Opening sentence
Closing sentence
Subscription
Expression – All details of the notice are to be included in the e-mail.

Sample:

[email protected]

To judge the Annual Inter-School Poster Designing Competition

Dear Sir,

On behalf of ‘Karukrit’, the Art and Craft Club of St. Helen’s School, I
cordially invite you to be one of the judges of our Annual Poster-Making
Competition.
The event will be held on 26th February 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. at the
Carnation Hall of St. Helen’s School.
We would be obliged if you could grace the occasion with your presence. We
request you to send a line in confirmation.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
Shreya Chatterjee

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Answer 4
(i) 1. (d) stayed away from [2]
2. (b) paying attention

(ii) (b) commenced [1]

(iii) (a) Schatz looked very ill, he was shivering, looked pale, and walking slowly [2]
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as if it hurt him to move.
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(b) The doctor reassured the family by saying there was nothing to worry
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[2]

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about as long as the fever did not rise above one hundred and four degrees.
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He also said it was only a mild flu and not dangerous if pneumonia was
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a gavoided.
(c) The narrator read from Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates. He felt Schatz [2]
might be lightheaded because the boy was not paying attention to the story
and seemed distant and serious.
(d) The boy had refused to let anyone come into the room because they [1]
‘mustn’t get what I have.’
(e) Schatz cried over small things the next day because he had been under [2]
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great emotional strain, believing he was going to die. Once he understood

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the truth, his fear was released, making him emotionally sensitive./ He

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had held himself tightly when he was afraid of a far more serious thing.
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(iv) Points: ag [6]

1. Schatz asked the narrator what time he would die.
2. The narrator then understood Schatz’s confusion about temperature
scales
3. He explained the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit,
4. Compared it to miles and kilometres.
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5. This cleared Schatz’s misunderstanding
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(i) [0. was] [4]

(1) found
(2) stretched
(3) calling
(4) catching
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(5) had travelled
(6) heard
(7) knew
(8) was warning

(ii) (a) to [4]
(b) of
(c) upon
(d) at
(e) with
(f) over
(g) by
(h) out

(iii) 1. (c) No sooner did the Chief Guest arrive than the school band [4]
started playing.
2. (c) Neither Arjun nor Arif knows the rules of the gaming
competition.
3. (b) The teacher admonished the pupil because she was impolite.
4. (c) Besides being dark and windy, it was getting late.

(iv) 1. (b) Heena asked Sohini why she had not reached the office before 8 o’ [8]
clock.
2. (b) The examination results were being discussed by the students.
3. (b) Abhilash paints better than most other pupils in the class.
4. (a) In spite of making several attempts, the puppy could not climb
over the fence.
5. (a) If we do not leave early, we will get caught in traffic.
6. (c) No sooner had Rajan lifted the heavy box than he felt a pain in his
back.
7. (c) He is so shy that he cannot participate in the play.
8. (b) We often go out for dinner on weekends, don’t we?

T27 011 – SPECIMEN 6 of 6

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