ICSE Test Papers 31

Test Paper 31

In the following passage, 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.

It was John Stuart Mill who knocked at the door of Thomas Carlyle’s house that morning. Carlyle …1… (give) the manuscript of his monumental History of the French Revolution, to Mill for his suggestions. Mill’s housemaid had used it ignorantly …2… (start) a fire.

When he heard the news Carlyle’s head …3… (begin) to spin. His life’s work which he …4… (do) living in poverty, …5… (toil) at it for years was ow in ashes. And with the happiness of completed work, he had destroyed all his notes. The shock drained away all of Carlyle’s enthusiasm. He wouldn’t write any more.

A few days later, he was …6… (look) out of his of window when he noticed a group of brick-layers …7… (erect) the walls of a new building. Brick upon brick, row upon row, they made the building rise.

That was the encouragement Carlyle …8… (need). He took up his pen and recalled and rewrote word for word, sentence for sentence, page by page, the work that won him an eminent place in literary history.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

The culprit is still ………………………. large.
I dispensed ………………………. the services of my cook.
They discussed the issue ………………………. a cup of tea.
Courage will carry him ………………………. difficulties.
These goods are not exempted ………………………. duty.
He went ………………………. a ride in his new car.
They are now free ………………………. infection.
First the roof gave ………………………. and then the walls.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

She was very selfish. She never helped her brothers.
Your brother will come soon. Do not go out till then.
My friend went abroad. Six months have passed.
Take these tablets. You will be cured.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

His parents did not let him play with other children. (Use: forbid)
A bus collided with a car. (Use: collision)
“May I have a cup of milk?” he said. (Begin: He asked if …..)
I do not mind big cities but I prefer small towns. (Begin: I prefer …)
Although I have known him for long, I have not developed a great respect for him. (Use: In spite of)
Kalidasa was one of the greatest playwrights. (Use: as great as)
He was accused of telling lies. (Begin: People ……)
She regretted her inability to attend the meeting. (Begin: She told us ……)

Test Paper 32

Till 1879, Procter and Gamble were dealing in candles. But the company was in trouble. Thomas Edison …1… (invent) the light bulb, and it looked as if candles had become obsolete. Their fears …2… (become) reality when the market for candles plummeted since they were then sold only for special occasions.

However, at this time, it seemed that destiny …3… (play) a dramatic role in …4… (pull) the struggling company out from the clutches of bankruptcy. A forgetful employee at a small factory forgot to turn off his machine when he went for lunch. He almost …5… (go) back, there was a frothing mass of lather filled with air bubbles. He almost …6… (throw) the stuff away but then he decided to make it into soap. The soap …7… (float) on water. Thus, Ivory Floating Soap …8… (born) and became the mainstay of the Procter and Gamble Company.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

We can’t go ………………………. all the details now.
I am looking ………………………. my sister. Have you seen her?
His dog has been run ……………………….by a car.
The administration has been taken ………………………. by the mayor.
The plane touched ………………………. at Chicago at 11.00 pm.
She has no excuse ………………………. not coming to the function.
I was cautioned ………………………. believing in superstitions.
She quarreled with her friend ………………………. a trifle.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

The river is very deep. He can’t wade through it.
Ravi did not win the race. He had worked hard.
My brother reached very late. The train had left by then.
You helped him. He will be grateful to you.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

How do you tolerate his nonsense? (Begin: How do you put ……)
Cleopatra is the most famous Egyptian queen. (Use: more famous)
“Don’t play on the road,” he said to his son. (Begin: He forbade ……)
The pupils are opening their books. (Begin: The books ……)
Ambition seemed to have motivated him. (End: ….. motivated by ambition.)
“How many prizes did you win in the competition?” asked Mr. Paul. (Begin: Mr. Paul asked ……)
Many people have died in the village due to floods. (Begin: The floods claimed ……)
She is a better dancer than a singer. (Use: good)

Test Paper 33

Lil and Else …1… (be) the daughters of a washerwoman and a jailbird. Why Mrs.Kelvey, their mother, made them so conspicuous was hard …2… (understand). The truth was they …3… (dress) in ‘bits’ given to her by the people for whom she worked. Lil was a stout, plain child, with big freckles. And her little sister, Else was a tiny wishbone of a child, with …4… (crop) hair and enormous solemn eyes – a little white owl. Nobody …5… (see) her smile; she scarcely ever spoke. She went through life …6… (hold) on Lil, with a piece of Lil’s skirt screwed up in her hand. Where Lil went, Else …7… (follow). In the playground, on the road going to and from school, there was Lil …8… (march) in front and Else holding on behind.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

Do you agree ………………………. this proposal?
Go and look it ………………………. in the dictionary.
The battery of our car is run ………………………. .
Please call me ………………………. as soon as you reach home.
The judge called ………………………. a written explanation.
The teacher refused to comply ………………………. my request.
The cargo ship is bound ………………………. Singapore.
He complied ………………………. the wishes of his father.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

He speaks fast. Otherwise he is a good leader.
Aditi was very terrified. She couldn’t speak.
Raman will come back in April. If not, he will come back in May.
He is poor. He is not a cheat.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

Put your tools away, people may fall over them. (Use: lest)
She said “if you cannot face the music, I will have to.” (Begin: She told him …..)
Although she was too young, they appointed her. (Begin: In spite ……)
Nobody will deny that she is honest. (Begin: Everyone ……)
“Do not use the mobile phone while driving,” said the father to his son.(Use: forbade)
Since children have problems, schools have counselors. (Begin: Schools ……)
If you go for an interview, you may be selected for the post. (Use: Unless)
She found the climate of Shimla favourable and decided to live there. (Begin: Having found ……)

Test Paper 34

Ibrahim ibn Adham was a prince of a small kingdom in Persia. He was very pious and …1… (spend) many hours every day in prayer in a beautiful …2… (bejewel) mosque in his palace. One day, as he …3… (pray), he …4… (hear) a loud thumping sound on his roof. It sounded like the clattering of horses’ hooves! …5… (rush) out, he looked up at the roof, and sure enough, there …6… (be) his palace guards – twenty men on horseback.

“What on earth are you doing up there?” Ibrahim shouted. “Your Majesty,” the captain of the guard yelled back, “we are searching for our camels that …7… (wander) away.” “But why are you looking for camels on the roof?” asked the prince. “We are only following Your Majesty’s example; you strive …8… (seek) God while living in the luxuries of a royal palace,” came the reply.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

Why don’t you confide ………………………. him?
They resisted the attack for a while, but finally gave ………………………. .
I shouldn’t confide any secrets ………………………. him.
Fill ………………………. the tank, please.
He walked out of the office ………………………. informing anyone.
They were ………………………. pressure to release him.
The clerk has to account ………………………. the loss.
You pay either by cheque or ………………………. cash.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

You confess your fault. Then I will forgive you.
You did not complete your project. Kindly tell me the reason.
Send me some money. I need it urgently.
He is intelligent. I am less intelligent.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

He didn’t know where his sister was and I didn’t either. (Use: neither)
Because of his busy schedule, he could not attend the meeting. (Begin: His busy schedule …..)
“Do not forget to take your bag, Uma,” said Srishti. (Begin: Shristireminded ……)
It is a pity that I did not come yesterday. (Begin: I wish ……)
My slow progress was due to my illness. (Begin: As a result ……)
The result surprised everybody in the country. (Begin: The result took ……)
If she feels worse during the night, give her these tablets. (Use: should)
She returned one week ago. (Begin: It has been …….)

Test Paper 35

In the olden days, when merchant ships usually …1… (employ) teenage boys as part of the crew, a lad applied for one of these jobs. The owner of the …2… (ship) company asked him what he …3… (can) do.

“I can do my best,” the boy answered, “to do what you are kind enough …4… (let) me try.”

“What have you done?” asked the owner.

“I …5… (saw) and split wood for my mother for nearly two years,” replied the boy.

After some …6… (think) the boy said, “I have not gossiped in school for over a year.”

“That is enough,” said the merchant, “I …7… (take) you aboard my vessel and I hope some day …8… (see) you as its captain. A boy who can master a wood-pile and control his tongue must have good stuff in him”

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

A cow feeds ………………………. grass.
I am indebted ………………………. my teacher for helping me.
The sister was deprived ………………………. her share of property.
The army rounded ………………………. the insurgents last night.
The old man hankered ………………………. money.
The aeroplane flew ………………………. the clouds.
Who will take ………………………. when the Mayor retires?
I do not have any complaint ………………………. her.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

He finished his work. He went to play.
The mangoes were very sour. He couldn’t eat them.
He is a good tennis player. There is no doubt about it.
Come back soon. We will wait for you till then.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

“Would that I could swim like a fish!” said Harry. (Begin: Harry wished ……)
He inquired of us whether we were going home. (Begin: He said to us,” …..)
“Do you have any hotel in the city?” the tourist asked me. (Use: enquire)
You remembered to take your Admit Card. (Use: forget)
If you wear thin clothes you will feel cold. (Use: unless)
He received my message and immediately came to see me. (Begin: As soon as …..)
He is the cleverest man I have ever met. (Use: clever)
It is most probable that it will rain today. (Use: probability)

Test Paper 36

Rudyard Kipling was born in Mumbai on December 30^th 1865, son of John Lockwood Kipling, and his wife Alice. Rudyard’s earliest years in Mumbai were blissfully happy. But at the tender age of five he …1… (send) back to England …2… (stay) with a foster family in South sea, where he was desperately unhappy. The experience …3… (colour) some of his later writings. Kipling was one of the most popular writers in England, in both prose and verse, in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Henry James said: “Kipling …4… (strike) me personally as the most complete man of genius that I …5… (know). In 1907, he …6… (award) the Nobel Prize in Literature, …7… (make) him the first English-language writer …8… (receive) the prize and, to date, he remains its youngest.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

He has embarked ………………………. the expansion programme.
At the sight of his former cook he flew ………………………. a rage.
The boy stood ………………………. the principal.
None but him qualified ………………………. the competition.
He was ………………………. the plane when the news of his selection came.
The Minister is standing ………………………. his bodyguards.
He drove ………………………. India visiting many temples.
The river water flows ………………………. these two canals.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

She was not at home. I left the message with her mother.
My father held my hand. I should fall in the ditch.
The thief ran away. The police would have caught him.
Raj had left office. The letter of his dismissal arrived afterwards.

For each of the following sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, using the instructions given in brackets.

This shop does not accept cheques. (Begin: Cheques …..)
“I’ll help you if I can,” he promised me. (Begin: He promised me that …..)
He said, ‘I wonder if I’ll meet these officers again.’ (Begin: He said that …..)
To squander away your money is very disappointing. (Begin: It …..)
This is the best book that I have read. (Begin: I have not read …..)
Do not be greedy and you will be happy. (Begin: If ……)
That is not the way a gentleman should behave. (Begin: Is that ……)
First deserve, then desire. (Begin: Don’t desire ……)

Test Paper 37

The district administration here …1… (hire) langurs to control the monkey menace at the Green Park Stadium, which …2… (stage) the first ODI between India and South Africa on October 11. The administration has employed two langurs …3… (scare) away the monkeys. To ensure their effectiveness, the langurs …4… (stay) at the venue from Sunday. They …5… (take) to the points from where the monkeys enter the stadium. One of the owners said that regular …6… (patrol) by the langurs would act as a deterrent.

The monkeys frequent the nearby Parmat temple where they …7… (get) food and often stray into the stadium. The district administration would be paying Rs.5000 each for the two langurs, which cost Rs.7000-10,000 a month …8… (depend) on the hours of work.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

The labourers are clamouring ………………………. revision in their wages.
During the President’s visit, the entire area was cordoned ………………………. .
Eva performed well ………………………. the audience.
But ………………………. my family’s support, I couldn’t have succeeded.
I stayed in Shimla ………………………. the summer.
The court proceeded ………………………. the criminals.
The Founders’ Day went ………………………. well this year.
The tutor went ………………………. the difficult sums.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

Perhaps he will accept my plan. I shall be delighted then.
The artist has made a few errors. His art is exceptionally good.
Please move your car. I don’t want to call a policeman.
He is half blind. Still he goes for a walk.

Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentence printed before it by using the words, given in brackets.

Hospital staff must admit all emergency cases. (Begin: All emergency cases …..)
“I’ve had fever for many days, doctor,” he said. (Begin: He said to the doctor that …..)
She said, ‘I think I may complete this project tomorrow.’ (Begin: She said that ….)
To destroy the wildlife is unwise. (Begin: It …..)
Health is far better than wealth. (Use: preferable)
He took every care yet he died. (Use: In spite of …..)
Does anyone like paying a fine? (Begin: No one …..)
Besides making a promise, he kept it. (Use: not only, but also ……)

Test Paper 38

Think of the Nobel Prize and you think of groundbreaking research …1… (better) mankind, but the awards have also honoured some unhumanitarian …2… (invent) such as chemical weapons and DDT. Numerous Nobel Prize controversies …3… (erupt) over the years; authors who …4… (overlook), scientists who claimed their discovery came first. But some of the prizes appear in hindsight to be …5… (embarrass) choices.

When the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize went to the organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, it was perhaps a way of …6… (make) up for the Nobel ‘war prize’ it awarded to German chemist Fritz Haber in 1918. Haber …7… (honour) with the chemistry prize for his work on the synthesis of ammonia, which was crucial for developing fertilizers for food production. But Haber, known as the “father of chemical warfare,” also developed poisonous gases …8… (use) in trench warfare in World War I.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

The town was plunged ………………………. grief after the battle.
The boys were seen hanging ………………………. in the town.
The Chairman is sitting ………………………. the Principal.
The Principal had to face a lot of opposition ………………………. the office.
Rita has been living in Pune ………………………. her childhood.
The truck crashed ………………………. a tree.
I am hoping ………………………. a scholarship.
I came ………………………. a good article in a magazine.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

He economises as much as he can. Yet he cannot save much money.
Give them all the money. They will still be dissatisfied.
He eats very little. Yet he puts on weight.
It doesn’t matter how hot it is. She always wears an overcoat.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

This watch may be expensive, but I will buy it. (Begin: However ……)
It would be sensible to take him to hospital, before he collapse. (Begin: We had ……)
You’d help me greatly by your advice. (Begin: I would ……)
Rima is not the cleverest girl in the class. (End: …...than Rima.)
He is not only a good orator, but also an excellent actor. (Begin: Besides being ……)
They said, ‘We are sure Anil was here last month.’ (Begin: They said that ….)
To show disrespect to your teachers is not good. (Begin: It ……)
The result surprised everybody in the town. (Begin: The result took ……)

Test Paper 39

A fox, who …1… (lose) its front legs while …2… (escape) from a trap, lived in a forest. People …3… (wonder) how the fox could move about and get its food. One day a young man saw a tiger …4… (bring) a fresh game in its claws. After it had its meal it left the rest for the fox. The same thing happened regularly every day.

The young man thought to himself, “If God …5… (care) for the lame fox in this way. He …6… (provide) food for me.” So the man stopped working and rested on his bed. After some days, he …7… (leave) alone to starve. When he began to lose consciousness, he heard a voice from above, “Dear man, you are mistaken in your judgement; see the truth. Follow the example of the tiger, instead of …8… (imitate) the disabled fox.”

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

He was vexed ………………………. his son’s behaviour.
We cut ………………………. on sugar consumption due to health reasons.
R.K. Narayan drew ………………………. folklore for the themes of his stories.
Heavy penalties deter drivers ………………………. speeding.
He has been working in this office ………………………. ten years.
He will join the new office ………………………. Tuesday.
There are high-rise buildings ………………………. either side of the road.
Don’t let your enthusiasm carry you ………………………. .

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

She was a clever student. I had never taught a more clever student.
Raman is very ill. He cannot play football.
Modita is a clever girl. The other girls are not so clever. (Use: cleverer)
Is that bus big? Can it take all my friends?

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

Sand and potash largely make glass. (Begin: Glass is ……)
“Shut the gate at once,” the manager said to the gateman. (Begin: The manager ordered ……)
You remembered to post the letter, didn’t you? (Begin: You didn’t …..)
To sleep under a tree at night is not advisable. (Begin: It ……)
He is too old for the job. (Remove ‘too’)
He saw the police and ran away. (Begin: As soon ……)
It does not matter if we lose. (Begin: What ……)
He is sorrowful, but yet hopeful. (Begin: Notwithstanding …..)

Test Paper 40

The ruler was about to celebrate the silver jubilee of his reign and his subjects met …1… (discuss) what they could do to please him. “Let us,” said one, “set up a great wine cask and fill it with the best wine our country …2… (produce) for him to drink with his guests at the …3… (celebrate) of the feast.” This plan …4… (approve). The subjects agreed that each of them should bring a bottle of the best wine he had and pour it into the cask until it was full. So it was done. On the day of the feast, the servants were busy …5… (draw) wine from the great tub, and …6… (find) to their surprise, that it was colourless like water. They tasted it. It was water!

This had happened because each of the men …7… (think), “In the great cask, no one …8… (notice) if I put in only water instead of wine.”

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

She prefers to remain aloof ………………………. her friends.
We have the habit of exulting ………………………. the defeat of our rivals.
The man was charged ………………………. murder.
We can insure the car ………………………. theft.
He was relieved ………………………. his duties as a librarian.
The reality show on girl-child will be on ………………………. Monday.
Small birds live mainly ………………………. insects.
They conducted a search all ………………………. the premises.

Combine each set of the following sentences without using and, but or so:

He tells his sister strange things. She believes them all.
This is the window. I was looking through it when the fire started.
It was cold. I refused to wear that heavy coat.
The test was difficult. I did my best.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of the sentence:

Postmen do not deliver letters on holidays. (Begin: Letters ……)
Reena said, “Please lend me your pen, Dilip.” (Begin: Reena requested …..)
He said, ‘I believe they were found yesterday.’ (Begin: He said that ……)
To answer all the questions in the examination is prudent. (Begin: It …..)
Only my uncle came to see me. (Use: ‘but’)
Tom got ready and had breakfast. (Begin: Tom, having got ready ……)
No one can put up with such an insult. (Begin: Can anyone ……)
Pupils who work hard may win. (Use: Hardworking……)

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ICSE Test Papers 31 - 40