ICSE Total English Class 10 Solution : Chapter 7

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

(i) Write an original story which illustrates the truth of the statement,”More haste less speed.’

Answer:- Shruti’s alarm screamed at 3 AM, jolting her awake with a stomach-churning realization – the inter-school science exhibition began in five hours, and her “Automatic Plant Watering System” existed only as scattered notes and half-bought components.

Her fingers trembled as she fumbled with the Arduino board, the same board that had sat untouched on her desk for three weeks. “Plenty of time,” she’d told herself daily, choosing instead to binge-watch shows and scroll through social media. Now, the rising sun painted her bedroom with accusing light as she raced against time.

Components disappeared when needed most. The soil moisture sensor she’d ordered online hadn’t arrived, forcing a frantic substitution with a makeshift alternative. Code that should have taken days to perfect was slapped together between sips of cold coffee. At 7:30 AM, with her mother honking the car horn downstairs, Shruti hot-glued the final wire and sprinted out, her project wobbling precariously in her arms.

The exhibition hall buzzed with polished presentations. Rohan from the neighboring school demonstrated his drone-assisted pollution monitor with military precision, while Priya’s AI-powered waste segregator worked flawlessly. Then came Shruti’s turn.

Her hands shook as she activated the system. The pump sputtered, then sprayed water violently across the judges’ table. The display screen flickered error messages. As she desperately unplugged the malfunctioning device, the head judge sighed, “Interesting concept, but clearly needs more development.”

Watching the winners receive their trophies, Shruti tasted bitter regret. The solution had been simple – two weeks of steady work could have made her project shine. Instead, her habitual procrastination had transformed what should have been a triumph into a humiliating lesson. That night, she taped a note above her study desk: “More haste, less speed – start today.” The charred remains of her botched project sat beside it, a permanent reminder that time borrowed from tomorrow always comes due with interest.

(II) Recently you traveled by train during the monsoon and it was a memorable journey. Narrate your journey and the feelings you had during this journey.

Answer:- Last month, I embarked on a train journey from Mumbai to Goa during peak monsoon. What began as just another trip turned into an unforgettable experience, filled with nature’s beauty and unexpected adventures.

As the train chugged out of the station, the rhythmic sound of raindrops against the windows created a soothing melody. The grey skies and cool breeze were a welcome relief from the usual summer heat. Outside, the Western Ghats came alive—lush green hills, mist-covered valleys, and countless waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs. It felt like traveling through a painting.

The best part was the camaraderie among passengers. A group of college students started singing Bollywood rain songs, and soon, others joined in. An elderly couple shared steaming cups of chai and homemade snacks with me, while a little girl giggled as she pressed her face against the glass, watching the rain blur the world outside.

But the journey wasn’t without surprises. Near Ratnagiri, the train halted unexpectedly due to waterlogged tracks. Instead of frustration, there was laughter and patience. Vendors selling bhajias and corn appeared, turning the delay into an impromptu picnic. The kids on the train ran up and down the aisle, while adults exchanged monsoon travel stories.

When the train finally moved, the sight of flooded fields and villagers waving at the train added to the charm. The smell of wet earth mixed with the scent of freshly fried vadas from the pantry car made everything feel even more magical.

As we reached Goa, the rain had reduced to a drizzle. Stepping onto the platform, I felt a strange sense of gratitude—not just for reaching my destination, but for the unexpected joys of the journey itself.

That monsoon train ride taught me that sometimes, delays and detours make the best memories. The rain, the people, and the landscapes turned an ordinary trip into something extraordinary—proof that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

(III) ‘It should be compulsory for all the students in a school to participate in games’. Express your views either for or against this statement.

Answer:- For the View: Games and sports are not just about physical activity—they play a vital role in shaping a student’s overall development. Making participation in games compulsory for all school students is a progressive step that fosters discipline, teamwork, and resilience, alongside academic excellence.

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In conclusion, compulsory participation in games is not a distraction from education but an extension of it. A sound mind resides in a sound body, and schools must prioritize both. By making sports mandatory, we prepare students not just for exams, but for life’s bigger challenges—with strength, agility, and an unbeatable spirit.

Against the View: While physical activity undoubtedly benefits students, enforcing compulsory participation in school games is an impractical approach that fails to account for individual differences and practical constraints. Education systems should prioritize choice rather than enforce blanket mandates that often prove counterproductive.

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Education should empower students to make informed choices about their holistic development, not enforce rigid participation that often defeats its own purpose. Voluntary engagement, not compulsion, cultivates lasting appreciation for physical activity.

(IV) You accompanied your elder brother to an election rally before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.The rally was addressed by a popular film star turned politician and was attended by a huge crowd. Describe the crowd and the reaction to the speech of the politician.

Answer:- The air crackled with anticipation as we pushed through the ocean of people converging at the Ramlila Maidan. My brother held my wrist tightly so we wouldn’t get separated in the surging crowd that stretched farther than my eyes could see – farmers in turbans, college students with painted faces, grandmothers in bright saris, all united under the afternoon sun.

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As the rally concluded with a shower of confetti and the national anthem, I realized this was more than a political event – it was a grand theatrical performance where every citizen became both audience and participant. Walking back through the dispersing crowd, I noticed how strangers now debated the speech animatedly, their voices hopeful. Whether one agreed with his politics or not, none could deny the sheer power of that connection between a leader and his people, fleeting yet electric.

(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 pic and your composition.

Answer:- The image shows a young man and woman in matching checkered shirts, both holding their heads with wide-open mouths and eyes. Their expressions are a mix of shock, disbelief, and excitement. This picture instantly brings to mind a story filled with surprise, confusion, and ultimately, laughter.

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The picture reflects how life can surprise us in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, the best memories come not from winning or achieving something big, but from the spontaneous, silly moments that stay with us long after they’re over.