English Language Semester-1 ISC Specimen Paper Solved Class-12

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Question-1

(a)

(i) Given below are five words from the passage along with four options for each. Choose the option which has a similar meaning in the passage:
1. Impulse

(a) vibration

(b) a sudden strong wish

(c) whimsical

(d) motive

Solution

Options (b) a sudden strong wish is correct

2. Awareness

(a) knowledge

(b) not knowing

(c) goods on sale

(d) conscience

Solution

Options (a) knowledge is correct

3. Terror

(a) fight

(b) foreboding

(c) uncanny

(d) extreme fear

Solution

Options (d) extreme fear is correct

4. Strain

(a) trouble

(b) tiresome

(c) anxiety

(d) tight

Solution

Options (a) trouble is correct

5. Oblige

(a) be of any help

(b) bow down

(c) beholden

(d) indebted

Solution

Options (a) be of any help is correct

(ii) With each of the five words given below, choose the correct sentence that uses the word in a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage.

1. Meet

(a) The Inter-House Athletic meet of XYZ School had to be postponed due to heavy rains.

(b) The two friends had promised to meet at the same spot twenty years later.

(c) Some children find it difficult to meet up to the expectations of their parents.

(d) After his rude behaviour, it is meet for him to apologise to his father.

Solution

Options (d) After his rude behaviour, it is meet for him to apologise to his father. is correct

2. Gear

(a) The contestants had to gear up for their performances by 6 o’clock in the evening.

(b) The trekker carried his camping gear along with other necessary items.

(c) The car went out of control and crashed because its gear systems collapsed.

(d) The gearbox broke down and the van came to a standstill.

Solution

Options (a) The contestants had to gear up for their performances by 6 o’clock in the evening. is correct

3. Blind

(a) The little girl helped the blind beggar to cross the busy road.

(b) Mother pulled the blind to keep out the sunlight from the room.

(c) Instead of curtains, the Venetian blind looks more appropriate in the office.

(d) She has a blind spot where classical music is concerned.

Solution

Options (a) The little girl helped the blind beggar to cross the busy road. is correct

4. State

(a) The State Electricity Board is responsible for supplying electric current in the whole state.

(b) The teacher told the student to state everything in detail in front of the examiner.

(c) I was not in the right state of mind to go to the party.
(d) In its frozen state water becomes ice.

Solution

Options (a) The State Electricity Board is responsible for supplying electric current in the whole state. is correct

5. Bank

(a) I had to go to the State Bank of India last week to deposit the money.

(b) Standing on the riverbank I watched the star-studded sky.

(c) Shirley is a friend who I can bank on.

(d) There is a question bank where one can store various types of questions.

Solution

Options (c) Shirley is a friend who I can bank on. is correct

(b) Choose the correct option for the questions given below: 

1. What made the narrator think that someone had come?

(a) The narrator saw someone entering.

(b) The narrator heard the footsteps of an intruder.

(c) The narrator heard the main door open directly above their heads.

(d) The narrator heard the main door shut directly above their heads

Solution

Options (c) The narrator heard the main door open directly above their heads. is correct

2. Harry had ………… gone to meet someone in the boathouse.

(a) unwisely

(b) trustingly

(c) foolishly

(d) mistakenly

Solution

Options (b) trustingly is correct

3. Why did the narrator assume that the intruder was an enemy?

(a) He had tricked Harry into the boathouse and tried to drown him.

(b) He had tried to kill Harry.

(c) He heard the car driving away.

(d) All of the above.

Solution

Options (c) He heard the car driving away. is correct

4. Why was there no easy way out of the boathouse?

(a) The door was too high and it was locked.

(b) The door was solid as a rock and there was no electricity.

(c) There was no electricity so nothing was working.

(d) It was difficult to reach the door.

Solution

Options (b) The door was solid as a rock and there was no electricity. is correct

5. Why do you think it was not possible to raise the curtain?

(a) The metal mesh was far too rusted for it to move.

(b) The narrator could not operate the gear.

(c) The gear designed to wind the metal mesh wouldn’t work without electricity.

(d) The curtain was too heavy for the narrator to handle.

Solution

Options (c) The gear designed to wind the metal mesh wouldn’t work without electricity. is correct

6. What did the narrator feel while he was underwater?  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) The narrator prayed and tried to remain calm so that he did not make any mistakes.

(b) The narrator lost his nerves and almost gave up trying.

(c) The narrator felt at a loss, he did not see any hope of saving his friend, Harry.

(d) The narrator was so tense that he could not speak.

Solution

Options (a) The narrator prayed and tried to remain calm so that he did not make any is correct

7. What was his reaction when he came out of the water?

(a) He was very tired and exhausted and couldn’t breathe.

(b) He was relieved to hear his friend’s voice.

(c) He was feeling bitterly cold.

(d) He was shivering violently from several causes.

Solution

Options (d) He was shivering violently from several causes. is correct

8. How did Harry feel about being rescued?

(a) He was relieved and happy.

(b) He was too frightened to express himself.

(c) He was very quiet and scared.

(d) He did not speak a word and that frightened John.

Solution

Options (a) He was relieved and happy. is correct

9. How had Harry been trapped in the boathouse?

(a) He had walked into the boathouse and tried to pick up an envelope when the floor gave way and he fell through.

(b) He was hit in the head and locked inside.

(c) He had been pushed from the back into the water.

(d) He slipped and fell into the water.

Solution

Options (a) He had walked into the boathouse and tried to pick up an envelope when the floor is correct

10. Arrange the sequence of events as they occur in the passage.

(i) The narrator dived into the water to reach the end of the curtain.

(ii) He swam a couple of strokes.

(iii) He swung down at the bottom

(iv) He tried standing up hanging on to the wire.

(a) (iii), (i), (iv), (ii)

(b) (ii), (iv), (i), (iii)

(c) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

(d) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

Solution

Options (c) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) is correct

Question 2  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

A long time ago, it had caused a terrible scandal in noble Lorraine. A young girl, beautiful and rich, Suzanne de Sirmont, had been carried off by a sergeant in the regiment that her father commanded. He was a handsome boy, the son of peasants, but looking good in his dress uniform, this soldier who had seduced the daughter of his colonel. No doubt she had seen him, noticed him, fell in love with him while watching the troops march by. But how had he spoken to her, how had they been able to see each other, to talk? How had she dared to make him understand that she loved him? No one ever knew.

No one suspected anything. One night, as the soldier had just finished his enlistment, he disappeared with her. They sought for them, but never found them. They never heard from her again, and they considered her dead.

And I had found her in that sinister valley.

Then I said, in my turn, “Yes, I remember well. You are Suzanne.”
She shook her head yes. Tears fell from her eyes. Then, with a glance at the old man sitting immobile on the doorstep of the shack, she told me, “It’s him.”

And I understood that she still loved him, that she still saw him with seduced eyes.

I asked, “Have you been happy, at least?”

She answered, with a voice that came from the heart, “Oh! Yes, very happy. He has made me very happy. I have never regretted anything”

I contemplated her, sad, surprised, amazed by the power of love! This rich girl had followed this man, this peasant. She had herself become a peasant. She had lived her life without charms, without luxuries, without delicacies of any sort; she had bent herself to his simple habits. And she loved him still. She had become rustic, in a bonnet and canvas skirt. She ate on an earthenware plate on a crude wooden table, sitting on a cane seat, a gruel of cabbage and potatoes with lard. She lay on a straw mattress by his side.

She had never thought of anything, but him! She had missed neither necklaces, nor fineries, nor elegances, nor soft seats, nor the perfumed warmth of rooms enveloped in curtains, nor the sweetness of downy cushions on which to rest one’s body. She had never needed anything but him; as long as he was there, she desired nothing.

She had abandoned life while young, both the world and those who had raised her and loved her. She had come, along with him, to this wild ravine. And he had been everything for her, everything one desires, everything one dreams of, everything one constantly waits for, everything one endlessly hopes. He had filled her existence with happiness, from one end to the other. She couldn’t have been happier.

And all night, listening to the rough breathing of the old soldier stretched out on his pallet, beside her who had followed him so far, I thought of that strange and simple adventure, of this happiness so complete, made of so little.

And I left with the rising sun, after having shaken hands with the two old people, man and wife.”
(519 words)

(a)

(i) Given below are five words from the passage along with four options for each word. Choose the option which has a similar meaning in the passage:

1. sinister

(a) sinful

(b) ominous

(c) sincere

(d) scenic

Solution

Options (b) ominous is correct

2. shack

(a) palace

(b) bar

(c) hut

(d) club

Solution

Options (c) hut is correct

3. rustic

(a) simple

(b) sophisticated

(c) beautiful

(d) Happy

Solution

Options (a) simple is correct

4. ravine

(a) house

(b) yacht

(c) boat

(d) valley

Solution

Options (d) valley is correct

5. downy

(a) lower

(b) depressed

(c) soft

(d) huge

Solution

Options (c) soft is correct

(ii) With each of the five words given below, choose the correct sentence that uses the word in a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage. 

1. Uniform  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Two well-armed guards stood outside the gate, in a blue medical uniform

(b) Ashes and dirt sullied his uniform and made him sneeze.

(c) His uniform was trimmed with gold and braid.

(d) The rows of houses were uniform in appearance.

Solution

Options (d) The rows of houses were uniform in appearance. is correct

2. Turn

(a) It was her turn to do some studying.

(b) He could not turn around as he had a stiff neck.

(c) When it was his turn to speak, he became nervous.

(d) She was waiting for her turn to offer the bouquet to the chief guest

Solution

Options (b) He could not turn around as he had a stiff neck. is correct

3. Still

(a) He looked back and saw the innkeeper still standing by the door.

(b) It is still not too late to change our plans.

(c) Still waters run deep.

(d) Words of praise came more easily to his lips, but he still had trouble accepting praise.

Solution

Options (c) Still waters run deep. is correct

4. Body

(a) His body shook, and he flung his head back to the sky with a hoarse shout.

(b) A legislative body should be composed of two houses.

(c) Finding nothing, she spread the blanket and lay down, pulling part of it over her body.

(d) His cheekbones were high, his chiselled face matching the chiselled body.

Solution

Options (b) A legislative body should be composed of two houses. is correct

5. Rest

(a) Why don’t you sit down and rest and I’ll bring you a piece of pie?

(b) About noon they stopped to allow Jim to rest in the shade of a pretty orchard.

(c) We had already heard the rest of the story.

(d) Being very tired, he decided to go upstairs and rest.

Solution

Options (c) We had already heard the rest of the story. is correct

(b) Choose the correct option for the questions given below:   (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

1. What makes the narrator say that no one suspected anything?

(a) No one was in touch with both of them

(b) Circumstances did not permit them to meet and interact

(c) The girl was too shy to express her feelings

(d) People were not wise enough to make out what was going on.

Solution

Options (a) No one was in touch with both of them is correct

2. What makes the narrator understand that the lady was still in love with her husband?

(a) I had found her in this sinister valley.

(b) Have you been happy, at least?

(c) She shook her head. Tears fell from her eyes.

(d) You are Suzanne.

Solution

Options (c) She shook her head. Tears fell from her eyes. is correct

3. What made the narrator amazed by the power of love?

(a) The girl had sacrificed all luxuries

(b) The man appeared to be good for nothing.

(c) No one had been able to find the couple.

(d) The girl hadn’t changed her name after marriage.

Solution

Options (a) The girl had sacrificed all luxuries. is correct

4. Which of the following statements is correct?

(a) The narrator was also in love with Suzanne.

(b) The man does not love his wife anymore.

(c) Suzanne was troubled on seeing the narrator.

(d) The narrator wanted to leave as early as possible.

Solution

Options (d) The narrator wanted to leave as early as possible. is correct

5. What surprised the narrator about the girl the most?

(a) Suzanne could love a man like the soldier.

(b) Suzanne had chosen this desolate island to live.

(c) The soldier had never wanted to return.

(d) Suzanne had given up a luxurious life.

Solution

Options (d) Suzanne had given up a luxurious life. is correct

6. As long as the soldier was with her, she desired………….

(a) Love

(b) Nothing

(c) Very little

(d) Food

Solution

Options (b) Nothing is correct

7. What had the soldier filled Suzanne’s life with?

(a) Love

(b) Jewels

(c) Peace

(d) Happiness

Solution

Options (d) Happiness  is correct

8. What had lasted between the couple since the beginning of their relationship?  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) They still cried together over their past life.

(b) Suzanne still saw him with seduced eyes.

(c) Suzanne still wanted her husband to make peace with her parents.

(d) The husband still wanted Suzanne to make peace with her parents.

Solution

Options (b) Suzanne still saw him with seduced eyes. is correct

9. The narrator remembered Suzanne from the past.

(a) Yes

(b) No

(c) May be

(d) Cannot be inferred from the passage

Solution

Options (a) Yes is correct

10. Which of the following is true about Suzanne?

(a) She could have been happier with a little more luxury in life.

(b) She had a desire to leave the island when had newly reached there.

(c) She had abandoned life for happiness.

(d) She sometimes regretted her decision of choosing this man.

Solution

Options (c) She had abandoned life for happiness. is correct

Question 3

Answer sections (a), (b) and (c). In each of the following items, a sentence is given. Select the most appropriate transformation of the given sentence out of the given options: 

(a)

1. As soon as it starts to rain, the umbrellas go up.

(a) No sooner does it starts to rain than the umbrellas go up.

(b) No sooner does it start to rain than umbrellas go up.

(c) No sooner did it started to rain than the umbrellas go up.

(d) No sooner does it start to rain than the umbrellas go up.

Solution

Options (d) No sooner does it start to rain than the umbrellas go up. is correct

2. Save for the old man’s help, Johny would have drowned.

(a) If Johny had not helped, the old man would have drowned.

(b) Thank God! Johny helped the old man.

(c) Were it not for the old man’s help, Johny would have drowned.

(d) If the old man had helped, Johny would have drowned.

Solution

Options (c) Were it not for the old man’s help, Johny would have drowned. is correct

3. My aunt said to me, “Will you be able to deliver groceries at my place?”

(a) My aunt asked me that will I be able to deliver the groceries at her place.

(b) My aunt asked me whether I would be able to deliver the groceries at her place.

(c) My aunt asked me whether I would be able to deliver groceries at her place?

(d) My aunt asked me whether I would be able to deliver groceries at her place.

Solution

Options (d) My aunt asked me whether I would be able to deliver groceries at her place. is correct

4. No other metal is as expensive as gold.

(a) Only gold is an expensive metal.

(b) Gold is the most expensive of all metals.

(c) Gold is more expensive than many other metals.

(d) Gold is very expensive as a metal

Solution

Options (b) Gold is the most expensive of all metals. is correct

5. Let him see the picture.  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Let the picture be seen by him.

(b) He must see the picture.

(c) The picture is seen by him.

(d) He was allowed to see the picture.

Solution

Options (a) Let the picture be seen by him. is correct

6. With my father’s permission, I will go for an excursion.

(a) If my father permits, I will not go for an excursion.

(b) If my father permits, I will go for an excursion.

(c) Unless my father permits, I will go for an excursion.

(d) Unless my father does not permits, I will not go for an excursion

Solution

Options (b) If my father permits, I will go for an excursion. is correct

7. They had to spend a night at the platform because the train was delayed.

(a) If the train were delayed, they had to spend a night at the platform.

(b) If the train had not been delayed, they would not have had to spend a night at the platform.

(c) If the train is delayed, they will have to spend a night at the platform.

(d) If the train had been on time, they would not have to spend a night at the platform.

Solution

Options (d) If the train had been on time, they would not have to spend a night at the platform. is correct

8. Walking is the healthiest exercise for the elderly.

(a) Walking is healthier than many other exercises for the elderly.

(b) Walking should be made mandatory for the elderly as an exercise.

(c) No other exercise for the elderly is as healthy as walking.

(d) Few other exercises for the elderly are as healthy as walking.

Solution

Options (c) No other exercise for the elderly is as healthy as walking. is correct

9. You can see the lake from here only on a clear day.

(a) Only the lake can be seen from here on a clear day.

(b) Only on a clear day, you can see the lake from here.

(c) Only on a clear day can you see the lake from here.

(d) Only if the day is clear, you cannot see the lake from here.

Solution

Options (b) Only on a clear day, you can see the lake from here. is correct

10. He regrets not taking up that job.

(a) He wishes to take up the job now.

(b) He wishes he should take the job now.

(c) He wished to have taken up the job.

(d) He wishes he had taken up that job.

Solution

Options (d) He wishes he had taken up that job. is correct

(b) Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank in the given sentences:   (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

1. A mini-riot broke _________ as the chief guest arrived.

(a) Up

(b) Out

(c) Into

(d) Off

Solution

Options (b) Out is correct

2. Sam’s house was broken __________ last evening.

(a) Into

(b) Up

(c) Off

(d) Badly

Solution

Options (a) Into is correct

3. I used to have a good job but then I was __________

(a) Put aside

(b) Laid off

(c) Put off

(d) Removed off

Solution

Options (b) Laid off is correct

4. I need to _______ my phrasal verbs.

(a) Put on

(b) Work on

(c) Keep on

(d) Hold on

Solution

Options (b) Work on is correct

5. You are expected to __________ your homework if you want to escape punishment.

(a) Break in

(b) Turn in

(c) Check in

(d) Lock in

Solution

Options (c) Check in is correct

6. The police took him _______ for more questioning.  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Off

(b) In

(c) Over

(d) Up

Solution

Options (b) In is correct

7. She looks very mature so I took her _________ older than she is.

(a) For

(b) About

(c) Off

(d) In

Solution

Options (a) For is correct

8. The fantastic dinner more than made ________ for the poor room service.

(a) After

(b) Out

(c) Off

(d) Up

Solution

Options (d) Up is correct

9. They ran __________ petrol on the highway.  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Round up

(b) Out of

(c) Out for

(d) A little

Solution

Options (c) Out for is correct

10. If you cannot come, we will have to ________ you.

(a) Look after

(b) Do without

(c) Take on

(d) Go around

Solution

Options (b) Do without is correct

11. When he saw the bear, he __________ in fear.

(a) Backed up

(b) Backed away

(c) Backed down

(d) Backed back

Solution

Options (b) Backed away is correct

12. One of the wolves ________ from the pack.

(a) Broke down

(b) Broke in

(c) Broke away

(d) Broke into

Solution

Options (c) Broke away is correct

13. The game was __________ because of the bad weather.

(a) Called over

(b) Called off

(c) Called in

(d) Called up

Solution

Options (b) Called off is correct

14. Our plans to go to Tokyo ________ because we could not get a visa.

(a) Fell out

(b) Fell through

(c) Fell in

(d) Fell over

Solution

Options (a) Fell out is correct

15. Her uncle ________ yesterday after a short illness.  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Passed out

(b) Passed over

(c) Passed away

(d) Passed on

Solution

Options (c) Passed away is correct

(c) Choose the correct option to fill in the blank in each sentence: 

(1) If I ______ you were coming, I would have come to the airport.

(a) Knew

(b) Would have known

(c) Had known

(d) Could know

Solution

Options (a) Knew is correct

(2) Jason __________ in Moscow since he was born.

(a) Will be

(b) Has been

(c) Could be

(d) Should be

Solution

Options (b) Has been is correct

(3) By the time I graduate from school next year, I _______ here for five years.

(a) Will be

(b) Should be

(c) Will have been

(d) Have been

Solution

Options (d) Have been is correct

(4) My friend, Darren ________ in Amsterdam now, but he says he’ll move soon.

(a) Is living

(b) Will be living

(c) Has been living

(d) Should be living

Solution

Options (c) Has been living is correct

(5) By the eighteenth century, English shipping _________ as efficient as the Dutch.

(a) Will become

(b) Has become

(c) Had become

(d)Is going to become

Solution

Options (c) Had become is correct

(6) As usual, next year I __________ my vacation in my country house.  (English Language Semester-1 ICSE Specimen Paper)

(a) Will spend

(b) Will have spent

(c) Have spent

(d) Am spent

Solution

Options (a) Will spend is correct

(7) We _________ in Norway for nearly 25 years until we moved to Scotland two years ago.

(a) Were living

(b) Had been living

(c) Should have lived

(d) Lived

Solution

Options (b) Had been living is correct

(8) As soon as you _______ the alarm, press the button.

(a) Will hear

(b) Would hear

(c) Hear

(d) Heard

Solution

Options (c) Hear is correct

(9) This time next week I _______ to San Fransisco.

(a) Will be flying

(b) Have flown

(c) May be flow

(d) Could have flown

Solution

Options (a) Will be flying is correct

(10) I usually __________ after my brother when my parents go out.

(a) Looked after

(b) Have look after

(c) Look after

(d) Did looked after

Solution

Options (c) Look after is correct

(11) By the time the troops ________, the war will have ended.

(a) Will arrive

(b) Arrived

(c) Shall arrive

(d) Arrive

Solution

Options (d) Arrive is correct

(12) I was not surprised to hear that Monica _____ an accident as she is a very reckless driver

(a) Has

(b) Had

(c) Has had

(d) Had had

Solution

Options (c) Has had is correct

(13) Hardly had the minister finished his speech when the earthquake ________ the stadium.

(a) Shook

(b) Shaken

(c) Would have shaken

(d) Did shake

Solution

Options (a) Shook is correct

(14) Before my trip to Paris two years ago, I _________ to France.

(a) Have never been

(b) Would never have been

(c) Had never been

(d) None of the above

Solution

Options (b) Would never have been is correct

(15) By this time tomorrow, he __________ at his job for a week.

(a) Will be working

(b) Will work

(c) Will have been working

(d) Has been working

Solution

Options (c) Will have been working is correct