ICSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
CLASS 9 ENGLISH
TIME: 2 Hours TOTAL MARKS: 80
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
3. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
4. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
Question 1
Write a composition (not more than 450 words) on any one of the following: [25]
(a) “Men and Women are rarely considered equal”.
(b) You have interviewed a well-known personality recently. Narrate and share
the entire experience.
(c) It is better to allow children to work than to encourage their begging on
streets.
(d) Elaborate the significance of the famous proverb ‘Where there is a will there
is a way.’
Question 2
Select any one of the following [Spend only 20 minutes on this Question] [10]
(a) Your brother had passed the Class XII examinations with 90% marks.
However he is unable to decide which course he should he opt for his
higher studies. He had written a letter to you regarding this. Reply to his
letter suggesting the course he should go for. Give reasons for your
suggestions.
OR
(b) Children are not allowed to play in the compound of your society as car
owners are afraid that they might damage the vehicles.
Write a letter to your society’s secretary requesting him to allot a separate
area for parking. Give reasons for your request and explain why it is
important for children to play nearer to their homes.
ICSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
CLASS 9 ENGLISH
Question 3
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Lord was the creator of good teachers. It was His sixth day of ‘overtime’ and He knew
that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers who would touch the lives of so many
impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, “You are taking a long
time to figure this one out.””Yes,” said the Lord,” but have you read the specs on this
order?”
TEACHER: Teacher must stand above all students to be at their level. He must be able to do
180 additional things which are not related to their taught subject. Teacher must have to run
on coffee. He must be able to communicate as per his vital knowledge to all students daily.
Teacher must have more time for others than for herself/himself.
“Six pair of hands,” said the angel, “that’s impossible!”
“Well,” said the Lord, “it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes
that are presenting the most difficulty!”
The angel looked incredulous, “Three pairs of eyes…on a standard model?”
The Lord nodded His head, “One pair is to see whether a student for what he is and not what
others have labeled him as. The Second pair is the pair of eyes which is at the back of the
teacher’s head to watch what should not be seen, but what must to be known. The eyes in
the front are only to look at the child as he/she ‘acts out’ in order to reflect.
“Lord,” said the angel, “this is a very large project and I think You should work on it
tomorrow.”
“I can’t,” said the Lord, “for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I
have one that comes to work when he/she is sick teaches a class of children that do not want
to learn has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own
understands the struggles of those who have difficulty never takes the students for granted”
The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating.
“It is too soft-hearted,” said the angel.
“Yes,” said the Lord, “but also tough, you cannot imagine what this teacher can endure or do,
if necessary”.
“Can this teacher think?” asked the angel.
“Not only think,” said the Lord, “but reason and compromise.”
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher’s
cheek.
“Well, Lord,” said the angel, Your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that You were
putting too much into this model. You cannot imagine the stress that will be placed upon the
teacher.”
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher’s cheek. It shone and
glistened in the light.
ICSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
CLASS 9 ENGLISH
“It is not a leak,” He said, “It is a tear.”
“A tear? What is that?” asked the angel, “What is a tear for?”
The Lord replied with great thought, “For the joy and pride watching a child accomplishes
even it’s the smallest task to do. It is done for the loneliness of children who have a hard time
to fit in it to compassionate feelings of their parents. This has been done when a teacher had
to leave the class and to say good bye to his students and get ready to welcome a new class.”
“My, “said the angel,” The tear thing is a great idea…You are a genius!!” The
Lord looked somber, “I didn’t put it there.”
(a) Give the meaning of each of the following words as used in the passage. One word
answers or short phrase will be accepted. [3]
(i) tremendous
(ii) vital
(iii) compromise
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
(i) When teachers were created by God and why is this creation a huge responsibility? [2]
(ii) State the specifications for a teacher? [2]
(iii) What is most difficult according to God? Why does a teacher [2]
want three eyes?
(iv) What is the reason for the teacher’s tear? [2]
(c)
(i) Write a summary of the given passage in your own words [8]
(ii) Give a fitting title for your summary and justify the choice of the title. [2]
Question 4
(a) Rewrite the sentences followed by the instructions, without changing its actual
meaning. [10]
1. Why did Renuka skip the test?
(Change the voice)
2. “Did you understand the poem clearly taught yesterday?” the teacher asks.
(Begin: The teacher asked….)
3. He snatched the ball from him and scored a goal.
(Begin: Not only…..)
4. The Kotla grounds were too damaged to conduct the match.
(Use: so….that)
ICSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
CLASS 9 ENGLISH
5. Though skilled in art, he was not taken to the competition.
(Begin: Despite…)
6. As soon as the match started, the crowd turned violent.
(Begin: No sooner….)
7. Ajay is very popular in the class.
(Use too’)
8. ‘The Hurt Locker’ is one of the best films released this year.
(Use: good)
9. He saw the car rushing towards him and leapt aside.
(Begin: Having……)
10. The police are looking into the matter.
(Provide a suitable question tag)
(b) Fill up the following blanks by using the correct form of verb in the braces do not
copy the paragraph write only your answer of the blank [5]
When you get the question paper try evaluating the entire paper. Do not speed into……0…….
(answer). Select those questions in which you are sure of the marks; the ones you want to
answer. ……1……. (answer) those questions that you find easy because that gives you
confidence and also time to think for rest of the questions in the exam. ……2……. (peace).
When you have a choice in the questions, make sure that you select those probl4ems that can
be. ……3……. (solve) in less time and you can be sure of it. But if you are not sure of problems
then select paragraph answers. . ……4……. (time) your paper and. ……5……. (sure) that you
complete at least 10 minutes before . After. ……6……. (answer) every question take a minute to
revise the answer. This would be useful in case you don’t find time to review your answer
sheet ……7……. (late). After. ……8……. (complete) the answers revise. Revising the paper is.
……9……. (extreme) critical because it can help you identify the mistakes and. ……10….
(correct) them.
(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and,
but or so. [5]
1. She has learnt calligraphy. She is yet to get her certificate as a
professional calligrapher.
2. Ratan stayed back in the cottage. Her master wasn’t feeling too well.
3. She worked extra hours. She wanted to buy a bicycle for her son on his
birthday.
4. Gunjan opened her backpack. She found the food packets missing.
5. Ashwin reached college late. He had to accompany his grandfather to
the clinic in the morning.
ICSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
CLASS 9 ENGLISH
(d) Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. [4]
1. Aurangzeb was one among the descendants ….Shajahan.
2. The rescuers ran short …… adequate assistance.
3. We should attribute our success …….. our teachers and parents.
4. The Minister resigned …………..the cabinet due to ill health.
5. The flood victims were resigned…… their fate.
6. We should avail …… every opportunity to succeed.
7. The curfew was imposed…….. all areas of the city
8. We should try our best to be faithful ….. our principles.
