ICSE Literature Question Papers 2012
ICSE Literature Question Papers 2012
ICSE Literature Question Papers 2012
(Two hours)
1. General Instructions:
2. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
3. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
4. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
5. The time given at the head of this paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
6. Attempt five questions in all.
7. You must attempt one question from each of the Sections A, B and C and any two other
questions.
8. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
SECTION A - DRAMA
Shakespeare : As You Like It
Question 1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
(i) Who is the enemy of Orlando‟s graces? Briefly state how that person has
(ii) Why does Adam say that Orlando should not come „within these doors‟?
Mention another instance from an earlier part of the play where the „enemy‟
(iii) Who had given a similar warning to Orlando earlier? Briefly state what that
(v) What does Orlando finally decide to do along with Adam? Describe
Question 2
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
[giving a letter]
(i) Where are Silvius and Rosalind at this time? Who else is with Rosalind?
What had Rosalind been complaining about prior to Silvius‟ entrance? [3]
(ii) What does Rosalind reveal about the contents of the letter which Silvius
(iii) How does Oliver, who enters the scene a little later, recognize Rosalind
(iv) What was Oliver‟s feelings for Orlando in the earlier part of the play?
What is his feeling towards Orlando now? Briefly mention how this
change in Oliver was brought about. [3]
(v) What has Oliver brought for Rosalind from Orlando? What effect does
this have on Rosalind and what light does this throw on Rosalind‟s
Question 3
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
so agitated? [3]
(ii) What had Dancy done earlier that evening which makes De Levis say that
(iii) What is the name of the horse that De Levis sells and how much is he paid
(iv) Why did Dancy give De Levis the „weed‟? What race does it win later
(v) What does the phrase esprit de corps mean? In what way does De Levis
face social ostracism for his accusation of Dancy? [4]
Question 4
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Gilman: [Taking the client’s chair, to the left of the table] Mr.
Gilman: Well, I‟ve come to you from a sense of duty, Sir, and also a
feelin‟ of embarrassment……..
(i) Who is Mr. Twisden and what is the name of his firm? Where in London
(ii) Which two visitors have just left the office? What news had they given
Twisden about something odd that General Canynge had noticed about
(iii) Who had given Gilman the stolen fifty pound note? What was this
person‟s line of work and for how long had Gilman known him? [3]
(iv) How did this person account for being in possession of the note? [3]
(v) What decision about the case does Twisden take immediately following
this new turn of events? What are your feelings for Dancy in the light of
SECTION B – POETRY
Golden Lyre
Question 5
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
(i) Where is the slave at this moment? Describe his present condition. [3]
(ii) Explain the first two lines of the extract. Why are the caravans described
as „tinkling‟? [3]
(iii) What images and sounds of the wildlife of his native land pass through the
(iv) What causes a tear to fall from the sleeper‟s lids? [3]
(v) Contrast the slave‟s earlier life as a king with his present pathetic
condition. What are your feelings for him at the end of the poem? [4]11 ICSE Specimen
Question Paper
Question 6
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Where had the scorpion hidden itself and what did it do after stinging the
mother? [3]
(ii) What expression has the poet used to describe the coming of the peasants?
(iii) Why did the peasants pray for the scorpion to sit still? Mention any one
thing that the peasants said as they sat around the poet‟s mother. [3]
(iv) What did the poet‟s father do to relieve the pain of his wife? [3]
(v) For how long did the mother suffer? What did the mother say when she
recovered? What are your feelings for the mother and father after reading
SECTION C – PROSE
Question 7
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“Jim, darling,” she cried, “don‟t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off
and sold it because I couldn‟t have lived through Christmas without giving
you a present. It will grow out again – you won‟t mind, will you? I just
had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say „Merry Christmas!‟ Jim, and
let‟s be happy. You don‟t know what a nice – what a beautiful, nice gift I
(i) What was the expression on Jim‟s face as he stepped inside the flat? What
was the reason for this expression? [3]12 ICSE Specimen Question Paper
(ii) Describe the present that Della has bought for Jim. [3]
(iii) Give a brief description of the flat that Jim and Della live in so as to highlight
(iv) How much of money had Della saved at the start of the story? How had she
(v) How would you describe the sacrifice made by the two characters in the
story? Were they foolish or wise in doing what they did? Give your reasons
briefly. [4]
Question 8
The Tiger in the Tunnel is a story of the extraordinary courage of an ordinary
watchman while performing his duty. By referring to incidents in the story describe:
Question 9
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Mrs. Jones looked out of the bedroom window, saw what was
slipped out of the farm by another way. Moses sprang off his perch and
flapped after her, croaking loudly. Meanwhile the animals had chased
Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five – barred gate
behind them. And so, almost before they knew what was happening, the
(i) What did Mrs. Jones see on looking out of her bedroom window? [3]
(ii) What was the immediate cause for the Rebellion? [3]
(iii) How did the animals celebrate their first day of freedom from human tyranny? [3]
(iv) What did the animals see on their tour of the farmhouse and what unanimous
(v) What was the first of the seven commandments that embodied the principles
of Animalism?
Where were these commandments written and how was it done? [4]
Question 10
In Chapter VIII, the humans, led by Frederick, boldly attack Animal Farm. Narrate
how the attackers were beaten back in what came to be known as „The Battle of the
Windmill‟ and how the animals later celebrated their victory. [16]
Question 11
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
that office, navigate the passage, lift and corridor, and walk out of the
building into the busy sunlit street. I had just been brought face to face
(i) How had the receptionist behaved before and after she learned that
Braithwaite had been called for an interview with Mr. Symonds? [3]
(ii) What post had Braithwaite applied for? How had the Appointments Office
(iii) What had Mr. Symonds told Braithwaite to make him feel drained of
(v) Later, Braithwaite talks about a casual encounter which changed the course of
his life. Where and with whom did this encounter take place and how did it
Question 12
How had his class behaved on their trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum that
made Braithwaite feel proud of them? Who had earlier objected to the trip and