Welcome to “ICSE Total English Class 10 Solution : Chapter 4,” where we provide comprehensive solutions to Chapter 4 from the Total English textbook by Morning Star. This essential resource for ICSE English Language students offers precise answers to all assignments and test papers included in the chapter. Each solution is crafted with 100% accuracy, ensuring students gain a clear understanding and excel in their studies. Whether you are navigating the ICSE syllabus or seeking thorough explanations, this post promises to be your reliable companion. Join us as we delve into Chapter 4 , illuminating every aspect with detailed and accurate solutions
Table of Contents
a. Tenses and their uses
Complete the following sentences with the correct tense of the verbs given in brackets:
1.My aunt………to India next month. (come)
Answer: will come
2.Не………………..loudly when I got up this morning. (shout)
Answer: was shouting
3. I …………………. to his house several times. (be)
Answer: have been
4. She realised that she………………….the wrong decision. (take)
Answer: had taken
5.What ……………… you ………………when the door bell rang? (do)
Answer: were; doing
6.By the tenth of this month, I …………………….in this house for one year. (be)
Answer: would have been
7.He submitted the assignment which he…………………..(write)
Answer: had written
8. Since when……………….Mr. Ghosh……………….the Head of this department? (be)
Answer: has; been
9.My father said that he……………..the house before the letter came. (leave)
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10.Where …………………… you ……………….on vacation next month? (go)
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11.When you come tomorrow morning, we……………………….our dance practice. (have)
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12. We………………………Shimla on 15th September. (reach)
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13. I expect that the teacher………………………his mind by tomorrow. (change)
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14. By the end of this month, I………………………music here for five years. (teach)
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15. I……………………..the work before you come tomorrow. (finish)
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B. Beginning and Ending
Write an opening and a closing sentence for each of the following essay titles and justify the effectiveness of each of your suggestions :
1. A day in the life of a student.
Answer:
Opening sentence – Student life is the best period of one’s life.
Closing sentence – The day ended with new anxieties, hopes and aspirations for the next day.
2. Mobile phones— a blessing or a curse?
Answer:
Opening sentence – In the modern world, every person possesses a mobile phone.
Closing sentence – A mobile phone is a necessary evil.
3.There is no place like home.
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4.Life usually gives another chance to those who try hard.
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C. Comprehension Skills
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided: [2]
1. imperative (line 15)
(a) optional
(b) essential
(c) dispensable
(d) insignificant
Answer :- (b) essential
2. ventured (line 21)
(a) protected
(b) saved
(c) undertook
(d) calmed
Answer :- (c) undertook
(II) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word unambitious? [1]
(a) unwelcome
(b) assistance
(c) experience
(d) enterprising
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(III) Answer the following questions briefly, in your own words.
(a) What was the reason for Adela’s rude intrusion? [2]
Answer :– An ox had entered Adela’s garden. Adela was all alone in the house and she needed help to drive the ox away so she barged into Eshley’s studio.
(b) Why did Adela seek help, especially from Eshley? [2]
Answer :- Adela sought help especially from Eshley because he was a cattle painter. She thought that as he was familiar with cattle, he could help chase the ox from her garden.
(c) What was Eshley’s reaction to Adela’s request? [1]
Answer :- Eshley said that he painted dairy cows and it did not mean that he had experience in rounding up stray oxen.
(d) What attempts did Eshley make to drive the ox away? [2]
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(e) What did Eshley finally do? [2]
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(IV) In not more than 50 words, describe Eshley’s encounter with the ox. [8]
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D. Test Paper - 4
Question No. 1
Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following: [20]
(i)Write an original short story having the following theme: ‘Life is like an echo: we get back what we give!
Answer:- Mrs. Natrajan’s tiny apartment in the old Chennai neighborhood was always open to those in need. Though her pension was modest, she never turned away a hungry child or a struggling neighbor. Her husband had passed years ago, and her only daughter lived in Delhi, but her home brimmed with the warmth of countless acts of kindness.
One monsoon evening, Mrs. Natrajan sheltered a drenched street vendor, giving him dry clothes and hot chai. When the neighborhood children needed help with schoolwork, her living room became a classroom. She regularly checked on elderly Mr. Kapoor next door, bringing him homemade rasam when he was unwell. Some relatives scolded her: “Why exhaust yourself for others?” But she simply smiled and continued her quiet ministrations.
The test of her philosophy came unexpectedly. A severe bout of pneumonia left her bedridden, too weak to even make tea. Alone in her apartment, she stared at the ceiling fan, wondering how she’d manage. Then came a knock—young Riya from downstairs stood holding a tiffin carrier. “Amma sent idlis,” the girl said.
Like echoes returning, her kindness came back multiplied. The street vendor’s wife began delivering meals daily. Mr. Kapoor’s grandson arranged a doctor’s visit. The children she tutored took turns reading to her. When hospitalization became necessary, her neighbors pooled funds and organized a care schedule.
Recovering on her balcony weeks later, Mrs. Natrajan watched the neighborhood children play below. Riya’s mother brought her afternoon coffee, just as she’d done for so many others. The circle of care she’d created without expectation had become her safety net.
As the evening call to prayer floated from the nearby temple, she realized life’s profound simplicity—what we send out into the world eventually finds its way back. The love she’d given unconditionally had returned when she needed it most, proving that goodness, like sound waves, travels infinitely until it reaches a listening heart.
(II) You recently got a chance to attend a ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’. Narrate how it was different from a regular Indian wedding and what were your feelings at the end of the extravaganza.
Answer:- The moment I entered the wedding venue, I knew this was no ordinary celebration. Towering floral arches led to a pathway lined with twinkling chandeliers, while uniformed staff welcomed guests with rose petals and sandalwood paste. The scale of the festivities made even our typical Indian weddings seem modest in comparison.
For three days, the wedding unfolded like a royal procession. On the mehndi night, international artists performed as waiters circulated with silver trays of gourmet delicacies. The sangeet ceremony resembled a Bollywood award show, complete with drone cameras capturing every moment and fireworks illuminating the sky. I watched in awe as the bride changed into seven different designer lehengas, each more exquisite than the last.
The baraat procession redefined grandeur. The groom arrived on a decorated elephant, followed by fifty dancers and a live brass band. Fireworks exploded overhead as the procession made its way through specially constructed arches. The bridal palanquin, carried by twelve men, glittered with real gold embroidery and precious stones.
Inside the mandap, crystal chandeliers cast rainbows across the hall where orchids formed a canopy over the couple. During the ceremony, famous playback singers performed live while chefs prepared dishes from five different cuisines at the food stations. The gifts displayed included luxury cars, diamond sets, and stacks of gold coins that made guests gasp.
As the bride’s emotional vidaai concluded with a shower of rose petals from a helicopter, I realized this wedding wasn’t just about two people – it was a spectacular showcase of wealth and status. While part of me marveled at the opulence, another part missed the simple warmth of our community weddings. The experience left me dazzled but thoughtful about how Indian weddings are transforming into extravagant productions where the celebration often overshadows the sacred union itself.
(III) ‘Co-education schools are better than single gender schools.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer:- For the View: Co-educational schools provide the ideal environment for students to develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for the real world. By bringing boys and girls together in the classroom, these institutions create a natural setting that mirrors society, helping students develop essential social skills from an early age.
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Rather than sheltering students from normal social interactions, co-ed schools provide the perfect training ground for life. The social skills, confidence, and respect gained in these environments create balanced individuals ready to contribute positively to society.
Against the View: While co-education has become the norm in modern schooling, single-gender institutions offer distinct advantages that create superior learning environments. These specialized schools cater to the unique developmental needs of students, free from the social pressures that often accompany mixed-gender classrooms.
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In an era where educational outcomes matter more than ever, single-gender schools provide focused environments that help students excel academically while developing confidence in their authentic selves. The specialized approach of these institutions offers benefits that co-educational settings simply cannot match.
(IV) For the first time in your life, you went to a circus along with your friends. Describe your visit and your experience.
Answer:- The bright red-and-yellow striped tent of the Russian Circus loomed before us, its fluttering flags against the twilight sky sending thrills down my spine. My friends Rohan, Priya and I had been counting down the days to this moment, our first-ever circus visit. The air smelled of popcorn and excitement as we joined the buzzing crowd at the entrance.
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As we spilled out into the warm night, our faces hurt from smiling. The circus had been everything we’d dreamed – a magical world where the impossible became reality under the big top. That night, as I drifted to sleep, my mind replayed the dazzling performances, already longing to return to that wonder-filled tent where ordinary rules didn’t apply.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it ; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answer:- The golden afternoon sun beat down on the village as Ramesh carefully adjusted the last bundle of thatch on the roof of the Sharma family’s home. Below him, four neighbors stood holding the heavy roofing material aloft, their faces glistening with sweat but smiling with shared purpose. This wasn’t just repair work – it was a ritual of community that had sustained their village for generations.
Question No. 2
(i) Write a letter to the Editor of a leading newspaper expressing your concern about the adverse health effects of excessive screen time on young children.
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(II) You are studying in a residential school. Write a letter to your father, describing the changes that you have noticed in yourself during the last six months of your stay away from home.
Answer:-
[Your Address]
[City, Pincode]
2nd May, 2025
Dear Papa,
I hope you are doing well. I’m writing to share some of the changes I’ve noticed in myself over the past six months here at my residential school.
At first, it was difficult to adjust to life away from home, but gradually, I’ve grown more independent and responsible. I’ve learned how to manage my time better. Balancing studies, sports, and other activities has become a part of my daily routine.
Living in the hostel has also taught me the value of discipline. I now wake up early, keep my room tidy, and follow a proper schedule. I’ve become more confident while speaking in front of others, thanks to the group discussions and presentations we often have in class.
Physically, I feel fitter and more energetic because of regular sports and exercise. Mentally, I feel stronger and more focused. I’ve also made some wonderful friends and learned to live harmoniously with others from different backgrounds.
Though I miss home, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown in such a short time. I hope you’ll notice the change in me when I come home during the holidays.
With love,
[Your Name]
Question No. 3
(i) You are Harsha/Harish of Gangotri Apartments, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi. While returning from school, you found a wallet, on the staircase in Block 1. Draft a notice to be displayed on the Society’s Notice Board , informing the residents about the wallet you had found and asking the owner to collect it from you, giving the necessary proof of ownership. [5]
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(II) Write an email to the Secretary of the RWA of your colony, informing him/her about the wallet you had found and requesting him/her to help you in tracing the owner of the wallet. [5]
Answer :- To: secretaryrwa.gangotri@gmail.com
Subject: Found Wallet in Block 1 – Request for Assistance
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Harsha/Harish, a resident of Flat No. 203, Block 1, Gangotri Apartments, Sector-8, Dwarka. Today, while returning from school, I found a wallet on the staircase of Block 1.
I have safely kept the wallet with me and would like to return it to its rightful owner. I kindly request you to help in tracing the owner by informing the residents through the RWA network or notice board.
Please let me know if any further steps need to be taken.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Harsha/Harish
Flat No. 203
Gangotri Apartments
Question No. 4
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided: [2]
1. bitterness (line 12)
(a) excitement
(b) sourness
(c) annoyance
(d) sharpness
Answer:- (c) annoyance
2. folly (line 12)
(a) seriousness
(b) foolishness
(c) wisdom
(d) judgement
Answer:- (b) foolishness
(II) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘unhappily’? [1]
(a) complacently
(b) content
(c) empty
(d) beautiful
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(III) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What did the real estate man tell the narrator about the empty lot with a wooden fence? How did the narrator react to it? [2]
Answer:- The real estate man showed the narrator an empty lot and told him that he had sold it only last week for Àfty million dollars whereas twenty-Àve years ago he would have got it for just Àfty thousand dollars. The narrator was grieved to hear that he could have bought the land at such low-cost
(b) Why did the narrator turn his head away in bitterness? [2]
Answer:- The narrator was annoyed with himself for not availing the opportunity of buying the land at a very low cost and that too when he was a young college student.
(c) How did the real estate man react to the narrator’s annoyance on missing the opportunity to buy the land? [1]
Answer:- The real estate man just smiled and remained indifferent at the narrator’s annoyance and grief.
(d) What were the narrator’s thoughts when the real estate man told him that he could have bought the land for ‘a song’? [2]
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(e) What were the things that the narrator considered as ‘wasted opportunities of life’? [2]
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(IV) According to the passage, what was the narrator’s regret in life? Describe what the narrator would have done if he had got a chance to live his life all over again. Answer in not more than fifty words. [8]
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Question No. 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. [4]
Example: (0) wondered
Scholars have long….0…. (wonder) how ancient Egyptians…1…. (move) multi-tonne heavy stone blocks across the Sahara Desert to build their pyramids. While contemporaneous literary sources ….2…. (suggest) the use of bargers on the Nile, most pyramids today lie several kilometres away from the river.
A study ….3….. (publish) journal, Communications Earth and Environment, recently …4…(identify) segments of a major extinct branch of the Nile, which runs right adjacent to the pyramids and could have been used to move heavy material around.
While the research…5…(explain) the high pyramid density between Giza and Lisht in the inhospitable Sahara desert, it does not make the …6…. (construct) of pyramids any les ….7….. (impress).
After all, moving stones to the site of the pyramid is just one part of the construction process. Thousands of workers then had to put them at precise locations, which, researchers believe, was done via large ramps …8…. (grease) with water or wet clay, sledges, sturdy ropes, and levers.
Answers:
1. moved
2. suggested
3. published
4. identified
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(II)Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. [4]
(a) Hemant likes to work …………………….. dedicated team members.
Answer :- with
(b) None but Rita qualified ………………….. the competition.
Answer :- for
(c) My father read ………………………. my thesis before I submitted it.
Answer :- through
(d) The manager had to face a lot of opposition ……………………. the office.
Answer :- in
(e) Going for an early morning run will lead to a physical burn ……………………………..
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(f) We can insure the car ……………….. Theft.
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(g) She has decided to go ……………….. for engineering.
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(h) Today’s generation need heroes to look …………………………….
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(III) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option. [4]
1. Our car is easy to drive. Old people could drive it
(a) Old people could drive our car with ease.
(b) Our car is being driven by old people easily.
(c) Old people easily get to drive our car.
(d) Our car is easy driving for old people.
Answer:- (a) Old people could drive our car with ease.
2. Modita is a clever girl. The other girls are not so clever.
(a) The other girls being clever, Modita is cleverer.
(b) Modita is cleverer than the other girls.
(c) Modita is cleverer as other girls are not so clever.
(d) Besides the other girls, Modita is a cleverer girl.
Answer:- (b) Modita is cleverer than the other girls.
3. They have punished the clerk. His error caused a lot of trouble.
(a) They punished the clerk so that his error caused a lot of trouble.
(b) They have punished the clerk before his error caused a lot of trouble.
(c) They have punished the clerk for being the error that caused a lot of trouble.
(d) They have punished the clerk because his error caused a lot of trouble.
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4. We met somebody. He had been to Australia.
(a) We meet somebody as he had been to Australia.
(b) We meet somebody who was in Australia.
(c) We met somebody who had been to Australia.
(d) We met somebody for he have been to Australia.
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(IV) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence. [8]
1. To know if tomorrow will be fine is impossible. (Begin with: It …)
(a) It is impossible to know if tomorrow is fine.
(b) It is impossible to know if tomorrow will be fine.
(c) It is impossible to know of tomorrow if it will be fine.
(d) It is impossible for knowing when tomorrow will be fine.
Answer:- (b) It is impossible to know if tomorrow will be fine.
2. She said, “I think I may complete this project tomorrow.” (Begin with: She said that…)
(a) She said that she thinks she may complete this project tomorrow.
(b) She said that she thought she might complete that project the next day.
(c) She said that she thought she might complete the project tomorrow.
(d) She says that she would be completing the project the next day.
Answer:- (b) She said that she thought she might complete that project the next day.
3. I fail to understand why he consented to the plan. (Use: consent)
(a) I fail to understand his consent to the plan.
(b) I fail to understand why he consent to the plan.
(c) I fail to understand why he gave his consent to the plan.
(d) I fail to understand why he gave his consent for the plan.
Answer:- (c) I fail to understand why he gave his consent to the plan.
4 The judge will sentence all the militants. (Begin with: All the militants….)
(a) All the militants the judge will sentence.
(b) All the militants would be sentenced before the judge.
(c) All the militants are to be sentenced by the judge.
(d) All the militants will be sentenced by the judge.
Answer:- (d) All the militants will be sentenced by the judge.
5. You must work hard, or you will not get promotion. (Begin with: Hard work is necessary ).
(a) Hardwork is necessary for you getting promotion.
(b) Hardwork is necessary for you to have got promotion.
(c) Hardwork is necessary for you to get promotion.
(d) Hardwork is necessary for you must get promotion.
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6.I gave him not only money but also good advice. (Begin with: Besides…)
(a) Besides giving him money, I gave him good advice.
(b) Besides also giving him money, I gave him good advice.
(c)Besides giving him money, I have to give him good advice.
(d) Besides giving him money, I took a good advice for him.
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7. For all his power he is still incompetent. (Begin with: Although…)
(a) Although he had power, still he is incompetent.
(b) Although he has had power, he was incompetent.
(c) Although he has power, he is incompetent.
(d) Although he takes power with him, he is incompetent.
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8.I was not sure about the outcome. (Begin with: I was …)
(a) I was doubtful of the sure outcome.
(b) I was surely doubtful of the outcome.
(c) I was doubtful about the outcome.
(d) I was doubtful of the outcome.
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