ICSE Total English Class 10 Solution : Chapter 12

Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following: [20]

(i) Write a story in which a ring, a key and a letter play an important part.

Answer:- On the eve of monsoon season, Sohan sat worrying in his crumbling cottage. The roof leaked in twelve places, and the walls had cracks wide enough to see sunlight through. All his repair savings had gone to save little Ravi, his neighbor’s son, from typhoid. As rain clouds gathered, he wondered how the fragile structure would survive the coming storms.

That evening, a mysterious letter arrived with no return address. The elegant handwriting read: “Look beneath the neem tree where you played as a boy.” Puzzled, Sohan dug at the spot until his spade struck metal—a rusted key tied to a parchment that said: “Find what your grandmother left in her wedding chest.”

In the attic, beneath yellowed saris that still carried the scent of sandalwood, his fingers closed around a simple silver ring engraved with lotus flowers. Another note fluttered out: “The mountain remembers kindness. Try the third cave.”

At dawn, Sohan climbed the rocky path to the caves where he’d once sheltered lost travelers. The key didn’t fit the ancient lock on the cave entrance. Then, remembering his grandmother’s stories about “the lotus that opens doors,” he slipped the ring onto his finger.

The moment the silver touched the lock, it clicked open. Inside, lanterns flickered to life, revealing chests overflowing with gold coins and jeweled artifacts—a forgotten temple treasury hidden during Mughal invasions. A final letter lay atop the nearest chest:

“To the worthy descendant:
These riches protected our people in dark times. They return to one who gives selflessly. Take only what you need, and guard the rest for future generations.”

Sohan filled a small sack with enough gold to repair his home and stock the village clinic. As he locked the cave, the ring grew warm on his finger. Back home, he reburied the key and ring beneath the neem tree—now understanding why his grandmother had always said true wealth grows from compassion.

When the monsoons came, Sohan’s rebuilt cottage stood firm, its new clinic wing already sheltering ailing neighbors. And in the attic, his grandmother’s wedding chest waited patiently for the next worthy soul.

(II) Narrate an incident which made you realise that forgiveness is nobler than revenge.

Answer:- The science exhibition posters still adorned our classroom walls when I returned after a week-long fever. My throat tightened as I saw Meera’s project display—the same solar-powered irrigation model I’d sketched in my notebook and shared with her during lunch breaks.

“You should’ve seen Mrs. Sharma’s face when Meera demonstrated it,” a classmate gushed. “She’s taking it to the district competition!” The words stung like antiseptic on a fresh cut. All those library visits, the failed prototypes in my garage, the detailed notes—now credited to someone else.

Confronting Meera at recess, I found her surrounded by admirers. Her smile faltered when our eyes met. That night, I drafted a scathing email to our teacher with screenshots of my research files as proof. My finger hovered over the send button as imagined Meera’s humiliation—the revoked prize, the whispers in the hallway.

Something made me pause. I remembered how Meera had stayed back to explain lessons when I’d missed school last winter. The way she’d shared her colored pencils during art class after mine broke. Was one mistake worth destroying a friendship?

Next morning, I deleted the email. When the district competition results came, I was the first to congratulate Meera on her second-place certificate. Her eyes widened when I clapped the loudest during her class presentation.

It was during the yearbook signing that Meera slipped a folded note into my locker: “I panicked when you got sick. Should’ve asked to collaborate. The trophy’s yours—I put it in your cubby.” Beneath it, a USB drive labeled “Our Project—Next Year?”

Holding that note, I understood forgiveness isn’t about excusing wrongs, but freeing yourself from their weight. The warmth of Meera’s relieved hug felt infinitely better than any fleeting satisfaction revenge might have brought. That summer, we built an improved version together—this time with both our names proudly displayed.

(III) ‘Boarding schools are better than day schools.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.

Answer:- For the View: The structured ecosystem of boarding schools offers unparalleled advantages in shaping resilient, independent individuals prepared for life’s challenges. Far beyond academic instruction, these institutions create microcosms of society where students learn essential life skills through immersive experiences.

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The boarding school experience isn’t merely education—it’s transformation. By combining academic rigor with character-building independence, these institutions mold capable individuals prepared to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Against the View: While boarding schools are often praised for their structured environment and discipline, they are not necessarily better than day schools. In fact, day schools offer numerous advantages that make them a more favorable option for many students. One of the biggest drawbacks of boarding schools is the emotional and psychological impact of separating children from their families at a young age. Many students struggle to adjust to the new environment, feeling homesick and isolated, which can negatively affect their academic performance and overall well-being.

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In conclusion, day schools foster emotional well-being, family bonds, and real-world adaptability, making them a better choice for holistic development compared to boarding schools.

(IV) Describe a day at home when an unexpected visitor arrived. Explain what happened and how the day ended.

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(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of with 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.

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