ICSE Total English Class 10 Solution : Chapter 1

Question – 1

(i) ‘Today is the hottest day on record!’ screamed het radio announcer reiterating the many notifications that lit up my cell phone screen…. Complete this story.

Answer: ‘Today is the hottest day on record!’ screamed the radio announcer…

“Today is the hottest day on record!” screamed the radio announcer, reiterating the many notifications that lit up my cell phone screen. The temperature had crossed forty-six degrees Celsius and the authorities had advised people to remain indoors. Outside, the streets looked deserted. The trees stood still as though even the wind had surrendered to the blazing sun.

I sat near the window with a bottle of water beside me, lazily scrolling through social media posts filled with complaints about the unbearable heat. Suddenly, the electricity went off. The ceiling fan stopped spinning and within minutes sweat rolled down my forehead. My younger brother began to cry while my mother searched for candles and hand fans.

The heat grew suffocating. It felt as though the walls themselves were radiating fire. From the balcony I noticed an old rickshaw puller sitting under a dying tree, wiping his face repeatedly with a faded towel. A stray dog lay nearby, panting heavily. The sight disturbed me. Inside my refrigerator were bottles of cold water while outside people and animals struggled to survive.

My mother and I filled buckets and bottles with water and carried them downstairs. Soon a few neighbours joined us. Someone placed bowls of water for birds and stray animals while others distributed lemon juice and biscuits to labourers working nearby. The old rickshaw puller blessed us with folded hands after drinking two glasses of water.
By evening the sky turned dark grey. Suddenly, thunder cracked across the horizon and heavy rain began to pour. Children rushed outside cheering while adults stood silently enjoying the cool breeze. The earth released a sweet fragrance as raindrops washed away the dust and heat.

That night, as electricity returned and life slowly returned to normal, I realised something important. The hottest day on record had also revealed the coolest side of humanity. In the midst of discomfort and suffering, people had forgotten their differences and chosen kindness instead.

(ii) Senior citizens are most vulnerable to digital scams. Narrate an incident from your experience which brings out the truth of this statement.

Answer: Senior citizens are most vulnerable to digital scams.

Technology has undoubtedly made life easier, but it has also created new dangers, especially for senior citizens. I witnessed this reality through an incident involving my grandfather, which taught me how vulnerable elderly people are to digital scams.

One afternoon, while I was at school, my grandfather received a phone call from a man claiming to be a bank official. The caller spoke politely and informed him that his bank account would be blocked unless he updated his KYC details immediately. Since my grandfather was unfamiliar with online banking procedures, he became anxious.

🔒 Get Full Book Answers – View

This incident opened my eyes to the harsh truth that senior citizens are easy targets because many of them are unfamiliar with modern technology. Scammers exploit their innocence, fear and lack of technical knowledge.

Since then, our family has become more careful. We regularly teach our grandparents about online safety and remind them never to share OTPs, passwords or banking details with anyone. Awareness is the strongest weapon against digital fraud. Society must ensure that senior citizens are educated and protected in this rapidly changing digital world.

(iii) ’Globalisation has increased inequalities.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.

Answer: Globalisation refers to the increasing connection between countries through trade, technology, communication and culture. While it has brought economic growth and modernisation, I strongly believe that globalisation has also increased inequalities in society.

One major reason is that the benefits of globalisation are not distributed equally. Large multinational companies earn enormous profits while small local businesses struggle to survive. Rich countries and wealthy individuals gain more opportunities, whereas poor people often remain trapped in low-paying jobs. As a result, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.

🔒 Get Full Book Answers – View

Therefore, globalisation itself is not entirely harmful, but its advantages are unevenly shared. Governments must create fair policies, improve education, support local industries and protect workers’ rights to reduce inequalities.

In conclusion, globalisation has undoubtedly connected the world, but it has also deepened economic, social and cultural inequalities. Development can only be meaningful when its benefits reach every section of society equally.

(iv) One day as you returned from school and as you raised your hand to ring the doorbell of your house, you caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance. It evoked the picture of your grandmother. Tiredness of the hectic day vanished as you got excited that your grandmother had come to visit you. Describe the changes that her visit brings to your home.

Answer: The fragrance that reminded me of Grandmother

One afternoon, I returned home from school feeling completely exhausted. The day had been hectic, with endless classes, homework and tests. As I lifted my hand to ring the doorbell, a familiar fragrance drifted through the air. It was the warm aroma of coconut oil, incense sticks and freshly prepared sweets. Instantly, I recognised it. Grandmother had come to visit us.

🔒 Get Full Book Answers – View

Most importantly, her visit reduced our dependence on gadgets. Instead of spending hours on our phones, we sat together, laughed and shared experiences.

By the time she left after a week, the house once again felt empty and silent. Her visit reminded us that happiness does not come from luxury or technology but from love, togetherness and family bonds. Grandmother’s presence had turned our ordinary house into a warm and joyful home.

(v) Study the picture given on the next page. 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: 🔒 Get Full Book Answers – View