ISC Paper 2019

English

Maximum Marks: 100

Time allowed: Three hours

(Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper. They must
NOT start writing during this time.)
Attempt all four questions.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
(You are advised to spend not more than 50. minutes on Question 1, 40 minutes on
Question 2, 30 minutes on Question 3 and 1 hour on Question 4.)
(You should begin each answer on a fresh page.)

Question 1.
Write a composition (in approximately 450-500 words) on any one of the following
subjects : (25)
(You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of
material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and
grammar.)
(a) You have gone on a trekking expedition with a group of friends. As night closed in,
you realised that you were separated from the group. Describe your initial feelings and
the place where you got lost. How did you spend the night alone before you were
reunited with your group?
(b) It is easy to advice others not to worry, but difficult for oneself to follow the same.
Narrate an experience which made you realise the truth of this statement.
(c) ‘The best things in life come free’. Write for or against the statement.
(d) Photographs
(e) In order to be successful, one should rely on oneself and not expect others to help.
Express your views on the given statement.
(f) Write an original short story beginning with the following words :
She was delighted to find the sealed envelope lying on her table. As she reached for it
……………………

Answers :
(a) A Trekking Expedition
A trekking expedition is always interesting and thrilling. We a group of friends decided
to go on trekking in Manali during the winter season. I was highly excited. I thought we
would have tun all the way. So I took keen interest in making preparations. Some of my
friends had already had trekking experiences. They sounded less enthused than others
in the group, including myself. When they cautioned us about the difficulties on the way
I just pooh-poohed what they said.

We decided to walk all the day to reach Manhar, a small sleepy village where the uncle
of one of our friends lived. He said that we would stay at his place for the night, and
then resume our journey back to Manali the next day. Throughout the day long journey
we all enjoyed a lot. Though after some hours of trekking in the valley on zig-zag, rough
paths we felt tired. We saw in thedistance a black bear, but it disappeared in no time.

In my enthusiasm I opted to take a short-route. No one accompanied me. I went on and

on, all alone. After an hour, the sun suddenly disappeared, and black clouds came
threateningly over me. There was no one visible. Only a mixture of animal sounds struck
my ears. I realized that I had got lost I tried to look for some hut to take shelter. In no
time the rain started. I was full of fear. It was becoming difficult to find the way. I
slipped once or twice. A sudden roar of some animal—maybe a tiger—gave me shivers
of fright. Thankfully, no animal came on my way.

Suddenly my eyes fell on a deserted hut on a mound. I rushed, almost running, to the
place. I was surprised that there was no one in the hut. But to my goodluck, a cot and a
blanket were there. There were a few packets of eatables I ate some and lay down on
the cot after having secured the door.

When I woke up I found myself surrounded by my friends who had come all the way in
search of me when the day had dawned. I was happy to be reunited with them.

I would never forget this trekking expedition. It taught me not to be over zealous at any
time in life.

(b) Easy to Advise Others

I often get panicky near all kinds of tests and interviews. Though I prepare myself well
for any such ordeal, I cann’t help worrying. My mind is full of all sorts of apprehensions.
I ask myself what would happen if I fail. But once I face the test or interview I am full of
energy and enthusiasm. My elder sister used to advise me to give up worrying. She
repeatedly made fun of me for worrying uselessly. She posed herself as a calm and
focused person who could never have any worry in life. My parents praised her for this
quality of hers. I would envy her. But now I know the truth. She is not a worry-less
person.

About a year ago she was finding a job after doing her B. Tech. She was quite confident
in the beginning. But somehow she failed to find a decent job of her liking. She kept her
poise for sometime. Dark circles began to appear under her eyes. Whenever Father or
Mother would enquire if she had any problem, her answer would be, “What do you say ?
What problem? I have no worry at all.” No one was convinced with her reply, but no one
dared to challenge her. I decided to keep a watch on her.

I could not find anything abnormal with her for quite some time. One day my sister
attended an interview with no positive result. When she came back home she was as
usual smiling. She said she was still hopeful, adding she disliked those who worry
unnecessarily, as she looked at me with a glint of mischief in her eyes. I was peeved,
and became all the more determined to find out the reality about her.

That very night, through the open window of her study, I found her before her table, lying
her head down, sobbing and then screaming. I did not disturb her. The next day, when
she was out, I crept in her room. I found a paper on her table, with some lines scribbled
over and over again—’I am a failure. I am a failure….’ Undoubtedly, she was worrying too
much. Then I realised the truth that it is easy to advise others not to worry, but difficult
for oneself to follow the same.

(c) The Best things in Life Come Free

It is strange but true that the best things in life come free. What are those ‘best’ things ?
Not cars, bungalows, money, gadgets or comforts. One has to pay dearly for all these
things, but these are not the best things as they are not perennial. They do not provide
happiness. Nor do they provide us contentment. Rather these things make us more and
more unhappy, greedy and dishonest.

The best things in life are health, happiness and contentment, and all the elements of
nature— air, water, rain or sunshine. These things cannot be sold or bought. They are
acquired, inborn or enjoyed freely. Let us take health, first of all. It is strange that most
of the rich people are unhealthy. They spend a lot of money. They go to gyms, consult
doctors and health- instructors, but in vain. It is simple because they are devoid of those
things which matter in life the most-internal happiness and contentment. Most of them
remain stressed, and stress becomes the cause of several ailments. It is, however,
equally true that many poor persons also remain unhealthy because of their greed and
dissatisfaction in life.

Happiness and contentment are inter-dependent. Those who are contented are almost
always happy. Both these things can be had free of cost.

No money is needed for them If you have faith in yourself if you are well-adjusted in life
if you are free from common vices, you are sure to be happy and contented. And if you
are truly happy and contented, you are physically and mentally healthy.

If one enjoys air and sunshine which come free and freely to us, one is bound to be
healthy. A regular walk in the morning and in the evening is enough to keep one health}.
God has given us many things free of cost. Fresh air in the morning is health-giving, and
so is sunshine. Those who confine themselves in narrow, AC chambers and do not
enjoy the bounties of nature can never remain healthy for long.

Therefore, it is truly said that the best things in life are free.

(d) Photographs
Photographs are significant as they revive old memories and remind us of persons long
forgotten. They are also used for identification purpose on official documents. In fact,
they serve many purposes. A family album of photographs is a useful heirloom. With the
use of digital cameras photographs are saved and stored. The new generation likes
these kinds of photographs which are easy to take and save. The men belonging to the
old generations still prefer old kind of photo albums to on-line albums.

The process of taking photographs with a camera is known as photography. A person

who takes up photography as a hobby is called amateur photographer whereas one w
ho practises it as a profession is called a professional photographer. Professional
photographers fall into different categories — news photographers, fashion
photographers, portrait photographers,’ landscape photographers and event
photographers.

Photography as a hobby is quite exciting and useful. Those who are fond of travelling
can become good photographers. Photographs of various objects and scenes of nature
are always captivating. Photographs of birds and animals in their natural habitats are
interesting as well as instructive. From these photographs we learn a lot about the
behaviour and life styles of various animals and birds. Shooting animals with a camera
has become quite an interesting and profitable activity for some animal lovers. With the
help of zoom lenses cameras can capture animals and birds from a great distance.

Family photographs are always thrilling. Adults looking at their childhood photographs
get a rare pleasure. They go back in memory lanes and remember what they have
forgotten. Dead ancestors come alive through family photographs.

Scientific and technological advancements have come as a boon in photography. Now

we have digital cameras, video cameras, movie cameras, etc. Our mobile phones are
fitted with quality cameras. Within minutes, a picture can be taken and transmitted
across the globe. Photographs of various kinds, as such, continue to excite us. They
provide unexpected surprises at times. They can also become a good source of income.

(e) Self-help
It is truly said that even God helps those who help themselves. It is only self-help that
guarantees success. If you continue to sit idle and wait for someone to come and help
you, you are greatly mistaken. No one likes to help those who do not rely on their own
resources. Success comes to those who are confident of themselves. They may be
poor or weak, but they know that only their own efforts can enable them to overcome all
difficulties and obstacles on the way to glory and success. Therefore, they do not sit
idle. Rather they work hard and achieve success. Someone has rightly said that if you
go to a person for help, he may strike a bargain with you to his own advantage.

Take a look at history All great worriors and heroes fought their own battles. Lord
Krishna could have defeated the Kauravas single-handedly, but he let the Pandavas fight
their own battles.The Pandavas too sought his blessings and inspiration and put in their
sincere efforts and won the war. Good general lead their soldiers from the front and do
not expect their soldiers to win wars for them.

Self-help is the best in whatever field you are. When you start putting your efforts and do
your best, others do watch you and come to your help unexpectedly. But if you do
nothing, you are ignored even by your best well-wishers. They feel that you do not
deserve any help. Those who leave everything to God or Fate, they, too, are in for a
shock. They may continue to chant God’s name thousands of times, God remains aloof
and unhelpful.

Therefore, one must depend on oneself to achieve anything in life. Help from others
should not be expected or waited for.

(f) She was delighted to find the sealed envelope lying on her table. As she reached for
it, something unexpected happened all of a sudden. A small monkey entered her room
from the open window behind her study table, caught hold of the envelope and ran out
from the window in no time.

She screamed loudly and called her father who was still at home. Father came in and
enquired what had happened.

‘Amonkey…a monkey’, she murmured.

‘What monkey ?’ Father asked her confusedly.

‘Papa… a monky has taken my envelope having my certificates. Do something, please. I

can see him on a tree in our garden’.

Father ran out, followed by Seema. They saw the monkey, sitting on a branch, trying to
figure out what the envelope was and what it had. With a stick, Father tried to frighten
the monkey. The monkey a mischievous rascal, giggled as it jumped to another branch,
holding the envelope carefully as if it were a prize possession.
Ramu, our servant, came out with a more practical solution. He picked up some stones
and threw them up aiming at the monkey. The Monkey remained adament and seemed
to laugh down at us from his perch.

Then suddenly a crow flew over the monkey, and in fright the monkey’s hold on the
envelope loosened and it fell down with a thud.
Seema rushed forward and caught hold of the envelope. Father went to his room.
Seema opened the envelope, and was amused to find a few forms in it, sent to some
Rakesh to be filled in for some job.

Question 2.
(a) You are Nitin/Nita from XYZ School. You wish to start applying to various colleges
for admission after your ISC examination. In about 300 words, draft your personal
profile using the guidelines given below : (20)

Your name, years spent in the school you are passing out from — academic interests
and performance — cultural activities you participated in — sports — positions of
leadership held during your stay in the school — your future plans and goals — two
characteristics that you consider to be your strengths — two characteristics that set you
apart from the others.

(b) As a member of the Student Council of your school, you wish to start an old clothes
collection drive. These clothes are to be donated to an orphanage nearby. Write a
proposal in not more than 150 words, stating the steps you would take to make it a
success.

Answer:
(a) Personal Profile

1. Name : Nitin
2. Father’s Name : Sh. AN Sharma
3. Address : 13, New Park, Gurugram
4. Education : Studied in St. Joseph’s school, Gurogram Passed ISC exam seeming 95%
marks, 2018
5. Academic Interests : Reading journals on Computer Science Interest in Artificial
Intelligence
6. Cultural Activities : Participated in debates at the Inter School Level Won many First
Prizes
7. Sports : Interest iii pbying cricket
8. Position of Leadership : was Head Boy for 1 year at the school
9. Future Plans . want to do MS in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) desire to
work in an MNC in the USA
10. Personality : hard work and sincerity in whatever I do innovative mind, applying
theories to day-to-day life.

(b) Proposal Heading Objectives

• Proposal to start an old clothes collection drive

• the orphanage near our school needs clothing badly
• woollen clothes and blankets to be provided urgent
• a system to be developed to cater to all kinds of needs of the inmates of the
orphanage
• the old clothes collection drive to be focused on the students of our school

List of Measures : students of senior classes o be requested to donae clothes liberally

• a parents’ meeting to be arranged to apprise then of the drive and to make a

request for help.
• the morning assembly to be used for exhorting the students to donate and collect
as many clothes sweaters, jackets. blankets. etc — as possible
• the Principal and the staff to be involved in the drive actively.

Conclusion :

• The humanitarian task to be undertaken by the student Council. will have a

sobering influence and a novel experience for the students.

— Rakesh
Member. Student Council
St. Joseph School. Gurugram

Question 3.
Answer sections (a), (A) and (c).
(a) In each of the following items, sentence A is complete, while sentence B is not.
Complete sentence B, making it as similar as possible to sentence A. Write sentence B
in each case. (10)
Example:
(O)
(A) : All nooks and corners were checked.
(B) : No ……………………………………
Answer:
(O) No nook or corner was left unchecked.

(1)
(A) : He is so old that he cannot remember events of the past.
(B) : He is too ……………………………………

(2)
(A) : As soon as the bell rings, the children run out (o pIa,
(B) : No sooner ……………………………………

(3)
(A) : No other planet is as big as Jupiter.
(B) : Jupiter ……………………………………

(4)
(A) : He is forgetful as well as careless with his work.
(B) : Besides ……………………………………

(5)
(A) : It is probable that (lie ‘hip will reach the shore.
(B) : In all ……………………………………

(6)
(A) : She said that she would return the book to the library the next da’.
(B) : She said, ……………………………………

(7)
(A) : Only trained graduates need to apply for the post.
(B) : None ……………………………………

(8)
(A) : His attitude towards his parents has always puzzled flic.
(B) : I have ……………………………………

(9)
(A) : He loved his little daughter, but he was in mortal fear of her fierce temper.
(B) : All though ……………………………………
(10)
(A) : When she heard the news of her daughter’s result, she ‘.‘.as very happy.
(B) : On ……………………………………

(b) Fill in each blank with a suitable word. (Do not write the sentence.) (5)
(1) She turned …………………………………… the offer to work at the factory.
(2) To everyone’s surprise, he turned …………………………………… at the party.
(3) He broke …………………………………… in the middle of his speech at the function.
(4) The burglars broke …………………………………… the house when the family was away.
(5) He agreed to carry …………………………………… the manager’s orders.
(6) Sita’s daughter carried …………………………………… the family business when Sita went
abroad.
(7) He ran …………………………………… from home at the age of ten.
(8) I ran …………………………………… my old friend in the market place.
(9) Her aunt looks …………………………………… her aging grandparents.
(10) The Principal looks/matters of complaint from teachers and students.

(c) Fill in the blanks in the passage given below with the appropriate form of the verb
given in brackets. Do not write the passage, but write the verbs in the correct order. (5)

One day I …………………………………… (1) (be) in the lunch line, and there I saw a pile of apples.
The teacher-in-charge …………………………………… (2) (stare) at me and said, ‘”Just
…………………………………… (3) (take) one. God …………………………………… (4) (watch)”. So, I
…………………………………… (5) (take) an apple, and the tine …………………………………… (6) (move)
along. At the next table there …………………………………… (7) (be) a pile of chocolate chip
cookies. I …………………………………… (8) (not know) what to do. “Psst,” the kid behind me
…………………………………… (9) (whisper). …………………………………… (10) (take) all you want. God’s
watching the apple.”

Answers :
(a) (1) He is too old to remember events of the past.
(2) No sooner does the bell ring than the children run out to play.
(3) Jupiter is the biggest planet.
(4) Besides being forgetíùl he is careless with his work.
(5) In all probability’ the ship will reach the shore.
(6) She said, “I will return the book to the library tomorrow.”
(7) None but the trained graduates need to apply for the pos
(8) 1 bave always been puzzled by his attitude towards his parents.
(9) Although he loved his little daughter, he was in mortal fear of her fierce temper.
(10) On heating the news of her daugher s result. she was very happy.

(b)
(1) down (2) up (3) down (4) into (5) out (6) on (7) away (8) across (9) aller (10) into
(c)
(1) was (2) stared (3) take (4) is watching (5) took (6) moved (7) was (8) did not know
(9) whispered (10) Take

Question 4.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions (a), (b) and (c) that follow :
(1) At the Literary Society’s meeting, Isola read out the letters written to her Granny
Pheen, when she was but a little girl. They were from a very kind man — a complete
stranger. Isola told us how these letters came to be written.

(2) When Granny Pheen was nine years old, her cat died. Heartbroken, sitting in the
middle of the road, she was sobbing her heart out.

(3) A carriage, driving far too fast, came within a whisker of running her down. A very big
man in a dark coat with a fur collar, jumped out. leaned over Pheen and asked if he
could help her. Granny Pheen said she was beyond help. Muffin, her cat, was dead.

(4) The man said, ‘Of course, Muffin’s not dead. You do know cats have nine lives, don’t
you?’ When Pheen said yes, the man said, ‘Well, I happen to know your Muffin was only
on her third life, so she has six lives left.’ Pheen asked how he knew. He said he always
knew — cats would often appear in his mind and chat with him. Well, not in words, of
course, but in pictures.

(5) He sat down on the road beside her and told her to keep still — very still. He would
see if Muffin wanted to visit him. They sat in silence for several minutes, when suddenly
the man grabbed Pheen’s hand.

(6) ‘Ah—yes! There she is ! She’s being bom this minute! In a mansion — in France.
There’s a little boy petting her, he’s going to call her Solange. This Solange has great
spirit, great verve — I can tell already ! She is going to have a long, venturesome life’.

(7) Granny Pheen was so rapt by Muffin’s new fate that she stopped ciying. The man
said he would visit Solange every so often and find out how she was faring.

(8) He asked for Granny Pheen’s name and the name of the farm where she lived, got
back into the carriage, and left.

(9) Absurd as all this sounds. Granny Pheen did receive eight long letters, Isola then
read them out. They were all about Muffin’s life as the French cat — Solange. She was,
apparently, something of a feline musketeer. She was no idle cat, lolling about on
cushions, lapping up cream — she lived through one wild adventure after another — the
only cat ever to be awarded the red rosette of the Legion of Honour.

(10) What a story this man had made up for Pheen — lively, witty, full of drama and
suspense. We were enchanted, speechless at the reading. When it was over (and much
applauded), I asked Isola if I could see the letters, and she handed them to me.

The writer had signed his letters with a grand flourish .

Very Truly Yours,

O.F.O’F. W.W.

It was highly possible that Isola had inherited eight letters written by Oscar Wilde, for
who else could have had such a preposterous name as Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Willis
wilde.

Adapted from The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society —
By Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

(a) (i) Given below are four words and phrases. Find the words which have a similar
meaning in the passage : (4)
(1) adventurous
(2) cat-like
(3) appreciated
(4) received something on someone’s death

(ii) For each of the words given below, write a sentence of at least ten words using the
same word unchanged in form, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in
the passage : (4)
(1) kind (line 2)
(2) mind (line 13)
(3) still (line 15)
(4) sounds (line 26)

(b) Answer the following questions in your own words as briefly as possible :
(i) Where did Isola get the letters from to read at the Literary Society’s meeting? [2]
(ii) Who consoled Granny Pheen when she was heart-broken? What did he say about
Muffin’s lives? [2]
(iii) What did the man say when Granny Pheen asked him how he knew about cats’
lives? [2]
(iv) According to the man, what was Muffin’s new fate ? [3]
(c) In not more than 100 words, summarise why the eight letters were a treasure to
Granny Pheen. (Paragraphs 2 to 10). Failure to keep within the world limit will be
penalised. You will be required to write the summary in the form of a connected
passage in about 100 words. [8]

Answers:
(i)
(1) venturesome
(2) feline
(3) applauded
(4) inherited

(ii) (1) Kind : I am not that kind of girl who can be easily flattered.
(2) mind : Would you mind my smoking in your room for a while?
(3) still: I am sorry but there is still more bad new s for y ou.
(4) sounds : Try to be familiar with different sounds and smells of the forest.

(b) (i) Isola got the letters from her Granny written to her by a stranger (in reality; Oscer
Wilde) when she was but a small girl.
(ii) The stranger consoled Granny Pheen when she was heart-broken. He said that
Muffin was not really dead, as a cat had nine lives, he added, she was on her third life.
(iii) he told Granny Pheen that he knew about cat’s lives as cats would often appear in
his mind and chat with him.
(iv) According to the man, Muffin was being bom that minute in a mansion in France.

(c) Summary
When Granny Pheen was nine, her cat died. She was heart-broken. A man came and
consoled her saying that her cat was not really dead. As a cat had nine lives, her cat was
on her third life. She was actually being bom in amansion in France. The man said that
he knew aboutit as cats often appeared in his mind and chat with him. GrannyPheen
stopped crying. The man went away and wrote her long letters aboutthe new life of her
cat,, named Solange. Solange had been honored for her various adventures. These
letters were read by her niece Isola at the Literary Society’s meeting.