PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape

in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.

July 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
History and Civics ICSE – Class X

Table of Contents

Type of Questions Pg. No

I. Multiple-Choice Questions 2

II. Very Short Answer Questions: Source-based 11

III. Very Short Answer Questions 16

IV. Short Answer Questions 17

V. Long Answer Questions 20

Answer Key 24

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 1

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

History and Civics

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No Questions
1. [The Union Legislature]
Rajya Sabha: 238+12 members. Lok Sabha: ______________ members.
(a) 525+25
(b) 550 +2
(c) 520+30
(d) 530+20 [Analysis]

2. [The Union Legislature]

The house has 550 members. On a particular day, 45 members are present. The
Government wants to present a Bill. What do you think will happen?
(a) The Government has a majority, so the Bill will be passed.
(b) The Government cannot pass the Bill because the opposition is against it.
(c) The Government is unable to introduce the Bill because the Speaker adjourns the
House.
(d) The Government can introduce the Bill but cannot pass it. [Application]

3. [The Union Legislature]

31st July 2023, ANI reported:
Government to introduce Delhi Services Ordinance Bill in Lok Sabha tomorrow
Why should the Government introduce an ordinance in the Lok Sabha?
(a) The Government needs the approval of only the Lok Sabha.
(b) The Government needs the approval of the Opposition.
(c) The Rajya Sabha has no power over an ordinance.
(d) Every ordinance needs to be approved by both houses of the Parliament to become
law. [Recall]

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S.No Questions
4. [The Union Legislature]
Identify the exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha.
P: Introduces the Money Bill
Q: Passes an ordinary bill
R: Can vote a government out of power
S: Can impeach the President.

(a) P and Q
(b) R and S
(c) P and R
(d) Q and S [Understanding]

5. [The Union Legislature]

Which of the following can make the amendment as shown in the picture?

(a) The Parliament

(b) The High Court
(c) The Supreme Court
(d) The President [Application]

6. [The Judiciary]
12 February 2023, The Economic Times reported:
More than 97.64 lakh cases settled in the first National Lok Adalat of 2023: NALSA.
Which advantage of the Lok Adalat is MOST highlighted in the above headline?
(a) Saves money.
(b) Speedy justice.
(c) Works on compromise.
(d) Reduces burden on Higher courts. [Understanding]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
7. [The Judiciary]
The High Court feels there has been blatant injustice in a case solved by the lower court
and transfers the case to itself to check the judgement. Which jurisdiction is it exercising?
(a) Revisory
(b) Advisory
(c) Original
(d) Appellate [Analysis]

8. [The Indian National Movement]

In 1853, the British East India Company did not acknowledge the succession of Anand
Rao, the son of Rani of Jhansi, as a lawful heir to the throne. How did the British justify
this decision?
(a) He was named the ruler without the consent of the British East India Company.
(b) He had inherited the private property of the deceased.
(c) He was not a natural male heir to the throne.
(d) He was too young to succeed to the throne. [Understanding]

9. [ Mass Phase of the National Movement]

Replace the underlined phrase with the correct option:
The objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to demobilise public opinion all
over the country.
(a) to make the movement rare and unique.
(b) to provide an international base for Congress.
(c) to generate a wedge between Hindu-Muslim unity.
(d) to attain self-governance.
[Recall]

10. [The Indian National Movement]

The central government of a country has decided to enforce a law that involves issuing
licenses to keep arms.
Who among the following British Governor Generals had passed a similar law in India in
1878?
(a) Lord Curon.
(b) Lord Lytton.
(c) Lord Ripon.
(d) Lord Dalhousie. [Understanding]

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S.No Questions
11. [The Indian National Movement]
Read the two statements given below about the split in Congress and select the option that
shows the correct relationship between (A) and (B).
(A) Leaders with moderate political opinions wanted to insert a Clause in the Congress
Constitution that said that Swaraj was to be achieved through constitutional means.
(B) Swadeshi and Boycott were the basic components of methods of struggle of the
assertive nationalists that led to the split in the Congress in 1907.
(a) (B) contradicts (A).
(b) (B) is the reason for (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (B) is false.
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other. [Understanding & Application]

12. [The Indian National Movement]

Read the two statements given below about the Partition of Bengal and select the option
that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (B).
(A) The partition of Bengal “was a mere readjustment of administrative boundaries.”
(B) The nationalists believed that the Government did not intend to strike at the roots of
Indian nationalism.
(a) (B) contradicts (A).
(b) (B) is the reason for (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (B) is false.
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other. [Analysis]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
13. [The Indian National Movement]
Analysing the picture given below, identify the statement that does NOT align with its
content.

(a) The press spread modern liberal ideals such as liberty, freedom, and equality among
the populace.
(b) The press provided a platform for various social groups from different regions of the
country to exchange their views.
(c) The press played an important role in organising political movements.
(d) The press regularly praised the policies of the British Government in India.
[Recall & Understanding]

14. [The Indian National Movement]

Choose the options that DO NOT apply to the immediate objectives of the Indian National
Congress.
P- To prevent national workers from all parts of India from becoming personally known
to each other.
Q- To end all racial, religious, and provincial prejudices to promote national unity.
R- To formulate popular demands on vital Indian problems and their presentation before
the government.
S- To manipulate the public opinion.
(a) P and Q
(b) Q and R
(c) P and S
(d) R and S [Understanding & Application]

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S.No Questions
15. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]
Assertion (A): Gandhiji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922.
Reason (R): An unruly crowd burnt down a police station at Chauri-Chaura in 1922.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. [Application]

16. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

The issue on which the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 was launched was _____.
(a) equal employment opportunities for Indians
(b) the proposed execution of Bhagat Singh.
(c) salt monopoly exercised by the British Government.
(d) complete freedom. [Understanding]

17. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

The statement, “We shall either free India or die in the attempt”, is associated with which
of the following?
(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Individual Satyagraha
(d) Quit India Movement [Recall]

18. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

At Wardha, the Congress Working Committee adopted a resolution that was passed in
Bombay. Name the resolution.
(a) Poorna Swaraj Resolution
(b) Quit India Resolution
(c) Non-Cooperation Resolution
(d) Swaraj Resolution [Recall]

19. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

Arrange the following events of Netaji's life in chronological order.
i. Supreme Commander of INA
ii. Provisional Government of Free India
iii. Formation of Forward Bloc
iv. Congress Presidentship

(a) i,iii,iv,ii
(b) iv.iii.ii,i
(c) i,ii,iii,iv
(d) iv,iii,i,ii [Recall]

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S.No Questions
20. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]
Which of these statements regarding the status of Princely States are INCORRECT with
reference to the Mountbatten Plan?
(a) Princely states would receive the choice to be independent or join the Indian Union.
(b) All existing treaties with the princely states would end.
(c) A plebiscite will be held for all states.
(d) Freedom to associate with any dominion. [Understanding]

21. [The Union Executive]

Which of the following is an Executive function of the President in a parliamentary
system?
(a) Issuing ordinances
(b) Appointing the Prime Minister
(c) Granting assent to bills passed by Parliament
(d) Addressing the nation on Independence Day [Recall]

22. [The Union Executive]

Assertion [A]: The President uses his discretionary judgment to appoint the Prime Minister
when no party has a clear majority in the Parliament.
Reason [R]: The President cannot appoint a new Prime Minister on the advice of the
outgoing Prime Minister, who may have lost the election or the support of the House.
(a) A is true, but R is false.
(b) A is false, but R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Analysis]

23. [The Union Executive]

Mr. Patil was not found eligible for the election as the Vice-President of India even though
he had the qualifications of being a citizen of India and not being a member of the
Parliament and State Legislature. On what ground was he disqualified?
(a) For being above the age of thirty- five.
(b) For being qualified as a member of the Council of States.
(c) For holding any office of profit under the Centre or the State government.
(d) All of the above. [Recall]

24. [The Union Legislature]

Your uncle is a renowned scientist. He has neither contested nor won any election to the
Rajya Sabha. But he has recently become a member of the Rajya Sabha and has been
appointed as a minister. How is this possible?
(a) He was appointed by the Chief Justice of India.
(b) He was nominated by the President.
(c) He was appointed by the Prime Minister.
(d) He was nominated by the Governor. [Understanding]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
25. [The Judiciary]
In August 2002, President Dr. Abdul Kalam sought the help of the Supreme Court in
connection with the controversy between the Election Commission and the Government
on elections in Gujarat.
The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court applicable in the above-mentioned situation is____
(a) Revisory
(b) Appellate
(c) Advisory
(d) Original [Application]

26. [The Union Legislature]

The house is discussing an issue regarding the nation in the month of November. Which
session is in motion?
(a) Summer Session
(b) Budget Session
(c) Winter Session
(d) Monsoon Session. [Understanding]

27. [The Contemporary World]

Which of the following is INCORRECT with reference to World War I?
(a) Triple Entente – France, Russia, Japan
(b) Allied Powers – Britain, France, Russia
(c) Triple Alliance – Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
(d) Central Powers – Germany, Austria, Italy [Recall]

28. [The Contemporary World]

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about the President & Vice President
of the International Court of Justice?
(a) Term in office is 3 years.
(b) They are both nominated by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security
Council.
(c) The Vice-President takes charge in the absence of the President.
(d) The President and Vice-President may be re-elected. [Understanding]

29. [The Contemporary World]

Which of the following objectives of the UNO has been recently added?
(a) Maintain international peace.
(b) Develop friendly relations among nations.
(c) Centre for harmonising the actions of nations.
(d) Disarm, decolonise and develop. [Understanding]

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S.No Questions
30. [The Contemporary World]
Why did Britain and France follow the policy of appeasement towards Japan in the period
before the outbreak of WWII?
(a) Japan could be used to weaken China.
(b) Japan was supporting Britain and France.
(c) Japan wanted to occupy the colonies of Britain.
(d) Japan was a weak country. [Recall]

31. [The Contemporary World]

Which of the following statements about the Cold War is incorrect?
(a) It was a competition between the US & the Soviet Union and their respective allies.
(b) It was an ideological war between the superpowers.
(c) It triggered an arms race.
(d) The US and USSR were engaged in direct wars. [Understanding]

32. [The Contemporary World]

Which movement is depicted in the above cartoon?

(a) Formation of UN
(b) Non-Aligned movement
(c) Beginning Cold War
(d) None of the above [Application]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

II: Very Short Answer Questions: Source-Based (2 Marks Each)

S.No Questions
33. [The Union Legislature]
29th March 2023, The Hindu reported:
Opposition MPs, in this case, largely the Congress legislature party, are mooting an idea
of a resolution against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for being “unfair” to the opposition.
What is the consequence when the Lok Sabha moves a resolution against the Speaker? In
the above case, do you think the resolution would have led to such a consequence? Why?
[Application]

34. [The Union Legislature]

14th December 2023, The Hindustan Times reported:
Parliament session highlights: Total 13 opposition MPs suspended, SR Parthiban’s
suspension revoked.
Who can suspend the members from the Lok Sabha? Mention any one probable
circumstance under which he/she can suspend the members.
[Recall & Understanding]

35. [The Judiciary]

2nd February 2024, the ANI reported:
Centre notifies appointment of Chief Justices of seven different High Courts.
Can the Centre remove the judges? Give a reason for your answer. [Understanding]

36. [The Indian National Movement]

With reference to the picture given below, state any two significant outcomes of the pact
signed in 1916 between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League.

[Understanding]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
37. [The Indian National Movement]
Read the excerpt given below and answer the question that follows:
News outlets played a big role in instigating the dispute around the bill, sparking outrage
in Britain and India, as the political press "to influence government legislation for India"
for the first time. The Gazette, the Times, and other newspapers continued to release
statements condemning the bill and criticising the desire to "please the native community
at any cost". The widespread news reports invoked more opposition from those in Britain
regarding the need to bring in judicial equality.
Source: Wikipedia
Which Bill is being referred to in the above passage? What was its implication on the
Indian judicial system? [Understanding & Application]

38. [The Indian National Movement]

He led a movement in India that called for the creation of a new social order in which no
one would be subordinated to the upper-caste Brahmans. He also fought for women's
rights, believing that education was essential to bringing about social change.
Identify the social reformer from the given passage. Name the organisation he established
in 1873 with the aim of securing social justice for the weaker sections of society.
[Understanding & Application]

39. [ Mass Phase of the National Movement]

(a) Identify the event associated with the above-mentioned slogan.

(b) Why did the Indian leaders decide to boycott the event? [Understanding]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
40. [ Mass Phase of the National Movement]

With reference to the above newspaper article, state any two reasons for the acceptance of
the Mountbatten Plan. [Recall & Understanding]

41. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

“It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The Freedom that we shall win
through our sacrifice and Exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.’’
With reference to the above quote, put forth the slogans given by the great Indian freedom
fighter Subhash Chandra Bose. [Application]

42. [The Contemporary World]

Mention ANY TWO functions of the UN agency associated with the above picture.
[Understanding]

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S.No Questions
43. [The Contemporary World]

Identify the big three. Name the organisation formed by them after World War II.
[Understanding]

44. [ The Contemporary World]

Mention the similarities in the ideologies of the dictators depicted in the above picture.
[Application]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
45. [The Union Executive]
Read the conversation given below and answer the following questions:
Priscila: The Prime Minister is like a king, he decides everything in our country.
Kiran: Lord Morely described the Prime Minister as ‘primus inter pares’ (first among
equals) and ‘keystone of the cabinet arch’. He is the chief executive of the nation and
works as head of the Union Government. Balvinder: The Prime Minister has to consider
the expectations of the party members and other support of the government. But after all,
the Prime Minister has a greater say in policy-making and in choosing the ministers.
Source(Edited): https://dspmuranchi.ac.in/pdf/Blog/pm.pdf
In light of the above conversation, answer the following.
Do you agree with Priscila’s or Kiran’s statement? Justify your answer with reference to
the position of the Prime minister in our country. [Analysis]

46. [The Judiciary]

In the situation given above, what does the ‘Habeas Corpus’ mean? Which bodies in our
Country are authorised to issue such orders?
[Analysis]

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S.No Questions
47. [The Judiciary]

Picture Source: Cartoon by R.K. Laxman.

With reference to the picture given above, explain a common problem of the judicial
system and how it can be solved through a subordinate court. [Application & Analysis]

III: Very Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each)

S.No Questions
48. [The Judiciary]
Mr Aniruddh Choudhary is a retired judge of the Supreme Court who has been offered the
position of legal head of a multinational company. Can he take up the offer? Why or Why
not? [Application]

49 [The Union Legislature]

If the Parliament has prorogued its session by the end of February, within which month it
must have its next session? Why? [Application]

50. [The Indian National Movement]

Read the excerpt given below and answer the question that follow:
“On 7th February 1856, Lord Dalhousie ordered to depose Wajid Ali Shah on account of
alleged internal misrule. The Kingdom of Awadh was annexed in February 1856.”
Awadh was annexed on the ground of misrule. With respect to it, state two of its impacts.
[Understanding]

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
51. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]
‘The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in 1929 was a significant milestone
in the Indian independence movement.’
Concerning the above statement, explain what made the Lahore session a momentous
event in India's struggle for independence. [Understanding]

52. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

Mention any two ways in which the British Government in India reacted to the Quit
India Resolution [Recall]

53. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

The Indian National Army, built by Subhash Chandra Bose, was far ahead of its time and
was a unique army. Mention any two traits that made it unique. [Analysis]

54. [The Contemporary World]

Name any one single nation-state and one imperial state before 1914. [Recall]

55. [The Contemporary World]

The League of Nations failed in preventing the Second World War II. Give two reasons
for the same. [Recall]

56. [The Union Executive]

As the leader of the cabinet, what are the powers of the Prime Minister of India?
[Understanding]

IV: Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
57. [The Union Legislature]
The Lok Sabha has been the pulse of the vitality of Indian democracy. Mention any three
exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha to justify this statement. [Analysis]

58. [The Union Legislature]

It is the function of Parliament to exercise control over the Executive and to ensure
parliamentary surveillance of administration. Mention any three ways in which the
Parliament adheres to the above function. [Analysis]

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59. [The Judiciary]

The Lok Adalat is a Statutory Organisation under the Legal Services Authorities Act of
1987 and was created as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Analyse the role of
the Lok Adalat by giving three advantages. [Analysis]

60. [The Indian National Movement]

Highlight three ways in which India's wealth was being diverted to England.
[Understanding]

61. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

Read the excerpt given below and answer the question that follows:
A commission, without any Indian members, was sent to India to discuss constitutional
reforms. The step agitated the people, and the Indian political parties boycotted the
commission. When the Commission visited Lahore on October 30, 1928, Rai led the
nonviolent march to protest the commission. (Source: Modern History, NCERT)
Name the movement that ensued with the commission coming to India. State any two
significant impacts of the movement. [Understanding]

62. [The Indian National Movement]

To benefit British industry, British rule pursued a policy of free trade in India. The
nationalists were generally concerned about the lack of public investment in agriculture
and argued that the British were trying to turn India into a valuable source of raw materials
and a consumer of British-manufactured goods to make India an extension of the British
economy.
(Source: History of Modern India by Bipin Chandra.)
Discuss how the British empire deindustrialised India. [Analysis]

63. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

The Cabinet Mission proposed a two-tier federal plan which was expected to maintain
national unity while conceding the largest measure of regional autonomy.
With reference to the above, state the composition of the Constituent Assembly.
[Understanding]

64. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

When and where was the Second Round Table conference held? State the demand raised
during this conference. [Recall]

65. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

‘The Quit India Movement made Independence of India as the only agenda of the
National Movement. It proved that there could be no retreat and future negotiations could
only be on the manner of the transfer of power.’
With reference to the above statement, enlist the impact of the Quit India Movement.
[Understanding]

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66. [The Contemporary World]

Mention any three ways in which Germany was affected by this treaty. [Recall]

67. [The Contemporary World]

Enumerate any three objectives of the movement started by newly independent countries
in Asia and Africa. [Understanding]

68. [The Contemporary World]

Discuss a special power enjoyed by the permanent members of the UN Security Council
that impacts the decision-making by the Council.
[Analysis]

69. [The Judiciary]

Compare the two higher courts of our country with reference to the following:
(a) qualification
(b) age of retirement
(c) one example of each of their Original Jurisdiction. [Analysis]

70. [The Union Executive]

Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
As railway and transport minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri sent his resignation twice to Nehru
after train accidents. Only once he was persuaded to take it back.....When it appeared that
Nehru seemed inclined to accept the (second) resignation, thirty MPs appealed to Nehru
not to let Shastri go. They were of the view that while Shastri should be lauded for having
offered to resign, his resignation should not be accepted, as he was not personally
responsible for the accident.
(Source:https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/lal-bahadur-shastri-sent-nehru-his-
resignation-set-gold-standard-for-politicians/304341/)
(a) Does Shastri’s resignation reflect Individual Responsibility or Collective
Responsibility? Justify.
(b) Highlight two important differences between both types.
[Analysis & Recall]
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71. [The Union Executive]

When either of the two Houses of the Parliament of India is not in session, and if the
government feels the need for an immediate procedure, the President can promulgate
____________________ that has the same force and effect as an act passed by parliament
under its legislative powers.
What can the President promulgate? Who prepares it? Which body must approve it?
[Understanding]

V: Long Answer Questions (4 marks Each)

S.No. Questions

72. [The Union Legislature]

The Supreme Court, on March 4, 2024, said the elections to the Rajya Sabha and Council
of States required “utmost protection” and the right to vote should be carried out freely
without fear of persecution.
With reference to the above statement, answer the following:
(a) Analyse why the Supreme Court emphasised “utmost protection” for elections to
the Rajya Sabha.
(b) Mention one exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha, which makes it different from the
powers of Lok Sabha. [Analysis]

73 [The Judiciary]
The independence of the judiciary shall be guaranteed by the State and enshrined in the
Constitution or the law of the country. It is the duty of all governmental and other
institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary.
With reference to the above statement, mention any four ways in which the Constitution
has ensured the independence of the judiciary. [Understanding and Recall]

74. [The Indian National Movement]

Read the given excerpt and answer the question that follows:
An English politician who served as Viceroy of India. He is commonly regarded as a
ruthless viceroy due to his approach to the Great Indian Famine of 1876-1878.
(a) Identify the Viceroy in the given statement.
(b) Mention any three of his policies which impacted colonial India from 1876 to 1880.
[Understanding and Application]

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75. [Mass Phase of the National Movement]

Name the incident related to the above newspaper article and examine the cause and
effect of the incident. [Analysis]

76. [The Contemporary World]

The newspaper goes on to state that:
“Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his morganatic
wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated today while driving through the
streets of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. A youthful Servian student fired the shots, which
added another to the long list of tragedies that have darkened the reign of Emperor Francis
Joseph.”
Which disaster was aggravated due to the above incident? What were the consequences
of the disaster? [Recall]

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Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. (c) 520+30

2. (c) The Government is unable to introduce the Bill because the Speaker adjourns the
House.

3. (d) Every ordinance needs to be approved by both houses of the Parliament to become a
law

4. (c) P and R

5. (a) The Parliament

6. (b) Speedy justice

7. (a) Revisory

8. (a) He was named the ruler without the consent of the British East India Company.

9. (d) To attain self-governance.

10. (b) Lord Lytton.

11. (b) (B) is the reason for (A).

12. (c) (A) is true, but (B) is false

13. (d) The press regularly praised the fair policies of the British Government in India.

14. (c) P and S

15. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

16. (c) salt monopoly exercised by the British Government

17. (d) Quit India Movement

18. (b) Quit India Resolution

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

20. (c) A plebiscite will be held for all states.

21. (b) Appointing the Prime Minister

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 22

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

22. (c) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.

23. (c) For holding any office of profit under the Centre or the State government.

24. (b) He was nominated by the President.

25. (c) Advisory

26. (c) Winter Session

27. (d) Central Powers – Germany, Austria, Italy

28. (b) Term in office is 3 years.

29. (d) Disarm, decolonise and develop.

30. (a) Japan could be used to weaken China.

31. (d) The US and USSR were engaged in direct wars.

32. (b) Non-Aligned movement

33. The Speaker is removed from the position. In the above case, the resolution will not pass
due to a lack of a majority.

34. The Speaker.

Lack of discipline (Any other relevant point)

35. The President.

The judges can only be removed by the Parliament through the process of impeachment.

36. Significant outcomes of the Lucknow Pact of 1916.

• The Lucknow Pact was an important step towards Hindu-Muslim unity. The unity
between the Congress and the Muslim League and between early nationalists and
assertive nationalists demoralised the British Government of India. Our leaders were
convinced that the Government would grant India a significant measure of self-
government only if there was a united political front.
• The Pact led to the gradual development of Self-Governing Institutions.

37. Ilbert had tried to do away with the absurdity that no European could be tried for a
criminal offence except by a European judge or magistrate. He had put forward a proposal
to allow Indian judges and magistrates to try British offenders in criminal cases.

38. Jyotiba Phule

Satya Sodhak Samaj.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 23

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

39. (a) Simon Commission
(b) In this situation, the British government announced the appointment of a commission
with Sir John Simon as the President with seven other members of the British
Parliament to investigate the need for further constitutional reforms. There was no
Indian member of the commission. This was seen as a violation of the principle of
self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians. Thus, this
‘White’ Commission was boycotted by almost all the political parties of India. In its
Madras Session in 1927, Congress decided to boycott the Simon Commission. The
Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha also supported the decision of the
Congress.

40. (Any two)

• The large-scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced all that
the only solution to the communal problem lay in the Partition of India.
• The League had joined the interim Government to obstruct and not to cooperate. The
experience of working with the League convinced Congress that it could not have a
joint administration with the League.
• The only alternative to Partition was a Federation with a weak centre. A smaller India
with a strong central authority was better than a bigger state with a weak centre.
• Partition was the price for immediate Independence.
• Delays in the transfer of power could find India in the midst of a Civil War.
• The leaders felt that Partition would rid the Constitution of separate electorates and
other undemocratic procedures.

41. Chalo Delhi.

Jai Hind
“Give me blood, I shall give you freedom.’’

42. (Any two)

• To protect children in respect of their survival, health and well-being.
• To provide funds for training the personnel, including health and sanitation workers,
teachers and nutritionists.
• To provide technical supplies, equipment, and other aids, ranging from paper for
textbooks to equipment and medicines to health clinics and pipes and pumps to bring
clean water to villages.
• To prevent diseases like TB, Malaria, Eye disease, skin disease, etc.

43. Stalin
Churchill
Roosevelt
U.N.O

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

44. (a) To have faith in the totalitarian rule.
(b) To despise democratic political systems.
(c) To hold that the state is supreme, and it could suppress the fundamental rights and
freedoms of individuals.
(d) To uphold one party and one leader.
(e) To believe in aggressive nationalism and imperialism.
(f) To regard war as an instrument for furthering national interest.
(g) To uphold intensely nationalistic, anti-communist, anti-democratic rule.

45. Student’s response justification with one valid reason.

46. ‘Habaes Corpus’ means Have the body.

Supreme Court & High Courts are authorised to issue such orders.

47. Problem- Delay in judgment. Lok Adalat can provide quick/speedy justice.

48. He cannot take up the offer as the retired judges of the Supreme Court are prohibited from
practising after retirement.

49. By the end of August. This is because the gap between two sessions must not be more
than six months.

50. • It led to the dissolution of the court and the sacking of the army of Awadh.
• It caused resentment among soldiers of the British Indian army who came from
Awadh and lost their jobs.

51. In the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in 1929, the demand for Purna
Swaraj or complete independence was made the objective of the Congress. The Lahore
Session of the Indian National Congress in 1929 was a momentous event in India's
struggle for independence because it marked a decisive shift towards the goal of complete
sovereignty, laid the groundwork for the Civil Disobedience Movement, and symbolised
the growing strength and unity of the Indian nationalist movement.

52. The press was completely muzzled.

The demonstrating crowds were machine-gunned and even bombed from the air.
Prisoners were tortured.
The police and secret police reigned supreme.
Nearly ten thousand people were killed, and 60,000 people were arrested.
The military took over many towns and cities.
Rebellious villages had to pay huge sums such as punitive fines, and the villagers had to
undergo mass floggings.
Gandhiji was detained at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, the other leaders were sent to jail
in Ahmednagar Fort.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 25

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

53. It is true that the India National Army built by Subhas Chandra Bose was far ahead of its
time. It was an army organised on foreign soil, hundreds of kilometres away from its
motherland. It depended upon the patriotic fervour of its nationals scattered over East
Asia, from Myanmar to Japan, for men, money, clothing, food and other civilian supplies.
However, its greatest asset was the spirit of self-sacrifice of the men who enthusiastically
volunteered to lay down their lives.

54. France, Holland, Germany

Austria, Hungary, Russian Empire

55. No collective security among the countries that joined the league.
Economic sanction was of no use.
The coercive machinery was not adequate.

56. (Any two)

As the leader of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister can:
• allocate portfolios & reshuffle the Council of Ministers
• select & dismiss ministers
• direct & coordinate policy

57. (Any three)

• motions of no-confidence against the government can only be introduced and passed
in the Lok Sabha.
• the Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha only.
• enjoy power only until they enjoy the trust of the house.
• money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cannot
reject or amend it.
• budget is passed
• controls the national purse.
• has complete control over finance.
• in case of a deadlock between the two houses, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails due
to its higher numerical strength.
• can pass an adjournment motion.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 26

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

58. (Any three)
• through interpellation during question hour.
• through questions, discussions and debates
• through a vote of no-confidence
• adjournment motion
• through other motions of censure
• rejection of a Government Bill
• passing of a Private Member Bill against the wishes of the government
• cut motion
• examining the reports of the Auditor-General
• zero hour
• monetary control
• debates

59. • Saves time.

• Saves money.
• Works in the spirit of compromise.
• Reduces the burden of the high court.
(Any other relevant point)

60. Salaries payable to the members of the India Council.

Sending off their savings to England by British personnel posted in India. Pensions to
British officials.
Payments to the War Office for the maintenance of British troops in India
Profits of the British trading agencies.

61. Civil Disobedience Movement.

The people became silent for the time being but were not subdued: It created a patriotic
fervour in the country. This did not leave the government in peace.
The government was convinced that bold constitutional reforms were required: The
Government of India Act 1935 introduced the principle of a federation, which would
present a responsible government in the provinces or provincial autonomy.
The struggle had a healthy impact on the lives of the exploited, poor, and oppressed: The
depressed classes were given entry into schools and temples and allowed the use of wells,
which was denied to them till now.
It brought women out of their homes to participate in politics.
Violence as a political weapon ceased to impact the youth of India, who were now
attracted to Gandhi’s preaching of non-violence.
The movement also popularised new methods of propaganda- Prabahat Pheri- in which
hundreds of men and women went around singing patriotic songs in the morning.
Handwritten Patrikas or news sheets were issued in large numbers.

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

62. Economic Exploitation by the British
The number of Englishmen in India, both private individuals and members of services,
increased. The civil servants and military officers earned a high salary.
The salary of the Secretary of State and members of the Indian Council was a drain on
India’s resources.
India was turned into a colonial economy, exporting raw materials and importing finished
goods.
A rapid rise in the indebtedness of the peasants under British rule. The Indigo peasants of
Bihar revolted on a large scale in 1866-1868.
Under the Zamindari System, the peasants were left absolutely at the mercy of the
landlords -50 per cent, with no waivers.
The Ryotwari System –individual peasant proprietorship was no less harsh than the
Zamindari system.
The Indian peasants had to sell their produce at cheap prices to satisfy the greed of the
moneylenders, the Zamindars and the government officials.
The British invested their surplus capital in India in railways, plantations, coal mines, jute
mills, and shipping. The Indians had to pay heavy interest and dividends on the capital
invested in India and had to sell their produce at cheap prices to satisfy the greed of the
moneylenders.
Stagnation of handicrafts as heavy duties were imposed on goods imported into England
from India.
British agencies were geared to produce cash crops like indigo, opium, jute, and tea
instead of food crops.
The educated young men in India were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the
Government because the better-paid jobs were kept out of their reach.

63. The composition of the 389-member Constituent Assembly would be as under

(a) 296 members to be elected from the British Provinces.
(b) 93 members to be elected from the Princely States.
The members of the Constituent Assembly would be elected by the Provincial Legislative
Assemblies.
Adult Suffrage for this was ruled out to avoid delay in the making of the Constitution.

64. The Second Round Table Conference was held in London in 1931 with the participation
of Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
The conference was soon deadlocked on the minorities’ issues, with separate electorates
being demanded now not only by the Muslims but also the Depressed Classes, Indian
Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
The question of Independence or setting up of a responsible Government receded into the
background. The British Government refused to concede the immediate grant of
dominion status.

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

65. It demonstrated the depth of the nationalist feeling in India and the capacity of Indians
for struggle and sacrifice.
It made clear that the British would no longer find it possible to rule India against the
wishes of its people.
People of all sections of the society participated in this movement.
The Quit India Movement strengthened the Congress Socialist Party.

66. (a) Germany was required to pay for the loss and damages suffered by the Allies during
the war. The reparations were fixed at 33 billion dollars. Germany had to cede its
merchant ships to the Allies as compensation and supply huge quantities of coal to
France, Italy, and Belgium for ten years.
(b) The area of the Rhine Valley was to be demilitarised, and the German territory west
of the Rhine was to be occupied by the Allied Troops for 15 years.
(c) Germany lost Alsace Lorraine to France, Eupen-et-Malmedy to Belgium, and
Schleswig to Denmark. Danzig became a Free Port in the Polish territory.
(d) Germany ceded parts of her pre-war territory to Denmark, Belgium, Poland,
Czechoslovakia and France.
(e) The coal mines in the German area called Saar were ceded to France for 15 years, and
the area was to be governed by the League of Nations.
(f) Germany lost all her colonies to the victorious Allies-Britain, Belgium, South Africa
and Portugal.
(g) German colonies in the Pacific and the areas under her control in China were given
to Japan.
(h) The German Army was restricted to a force of 1,00,000 soldiers, and the Navy was
limited to 15,000 men and 24 ships. The Air Force and submarines were banned.

67. (a) To eliminate all those causes that could lead to war.
(b) To protect the nascent freedom of the new-born independent countries of Asia and
Africa from colonial domination.
(c) To oppose colonialism, imperialism, and racial discrimination.
(d) To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
(e) To encourage friendly relations among countries.
(f) To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.
(g) To oppose the use of force and the use of nuclear weapons.
(h) To strengthen the United Nations as an organ of world peace.
(i) To protect human rights and to protect the environment.
(j) To build a New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on equity, equality and
justice.

68. Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are
made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of all five
permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The
Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power.
However, abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 29

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

69.

Supreme Court High Court

Qualification Indian Citizen/High Indian Citizen/Judicial

Court judge for 5 office for10
years/Advocate of High years/Advocate of High
Court for 10 Years Court for10 years

Age of retirement 65 years 62 years

Original Jurisdiction Centre-State or Inter State revenue & its

States dispute collection/cases of wills,
/Protection of divorce, marriage,
Fundamental company law, contempt
Rights/Transfer of cases of court/Interpretation of
from lower Courts/ constitution/Enforcement
Interpretation of of Fundamental
Constitution Rights/Election petition.
(Any one example) (Any one example)

70. The Cabinet Feature highlighted here is Individual Responsibility as Minister Shastri took
accountability for the train accidents as the Minister of Railways.
Individual Responsibility is when the minister is solely accountable for the actions, lapse
in duties, and departure from official policy by members of their department. They are
answerable for their department.
Collective Responsibility is when all jointly share responsibility for the government
policies & performances. Decisions taken in meetings are applicable to all.

71. President can promulgate an Ordinance.

Prepared by Cabinet.
Approved by the Parliament.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 30

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

72. The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in representing the interests of various Indian states.
Unlike Lok Sabha members, who are directly elected by the people, the members of the
State Legislative Assemblies elect the Rajya Sabha members. The indirect system of
elections can make them more prone to fear if pressure from political parties. Thus, the
"utmost protection" is emphasised to ensure that MLAs can vote freely and without fear.
Exclusive powers:
(Any one of the following or any other relevant point)
• It is a permanent house and never dissolves as a whole.
• It takes over the functions of the Lok Sabha during an emergency or when the Lok
Sabha dissolves before time.

73. (Any four of the following or any other relevant point)

• The judiciary and executive are involved in the appointment of the judges.
• Judges can be removed only through impeachment.
• They have the security of tenure and can remain in office until they are 65 years of
age.
• Their salaries are from the Consolidated Fund of India and are not subject to a vote of
the Parliament.
• They have the freedom to announce decrees and decisions.
• They can punish anyone for contempt of court.
• The state has to ensure their safety.
• The court has full control over its work and establishment.
• No discussion can take place in the legislature on the conduct of any judge.

74. LORD LYTTON:

In 1877, Lord Lytton reduced the maximum age limit for the Civil Service Examination
from 21 to 19 years. This was a calculated move to ruin the prospects of Indian candidates
for the Indian Civil Service. He held the Imperial Durbar in Delhi in 1877 to proclaim
Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. It was an act of injustice, for it was held at a time
when millions in South India were affected by a terrible famine. Vernacular papers reacted
sharply against this act of irresponsibility. The government tried to silence opposition by
enacting the Vernacular Press Act and the Indian Arms Act in 1878.
The Vernacular Press Act crushed the freedom of the Vernacular papers. The Act forbade
vernacular papers from publishing any material that might excite feelings of
dissatisfaction against the British Government. The Act asked the editors to publish
nothing that would excite the disaffection against the Government.
Editors who opposed this Act were sentenced to jail. This Act did not apply to English
newspapers. This Act was repealed in 1882 by Lord Ripon.
The Indian Arms Act of 1878 made it a criminal offence for Indians to keep or bear arms
without a license. The import duties on British textiles were removed and proved harmful
to the Indian industry.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 31

History and Civics ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

75. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
The British government became determined to suppress the movement by any means.
The agitating people were lathi-charged and fired upon at many places. · The Punjab
region, particularly Amritsar, witnessed the worst of it. Along with Gandhiji, two local
leaders, Dr Kichlew and Dr Satyapal, were arrested on 10 April 1919. To protest this, the
people defiantly assembled at Jallianwala Bagh on 13 April 1919. General Dyer ordered
his troops to start firing without any warning on the unarmed crowd in a park which had
no way out. According to an official statement, 379 persons were killed, and several
thousand were wounded, but unofficial accounts gave much higher figures almost three
times. The martial law was immediately enforced in Punjab on 13 April. This was
followed by a series of humiliating orders. Curfew was imposed, and people were flogged
in public. From the writing of Sivaswamy Aiyer, a knighthood recipient from the
government, we came to know that the people were made to crawl where two British
women were assaulted.Students had to walk sixteen miles a day for roll call. Arrested
persons were confined in open cages and were also kept on the open trucks for 15 hours.
When this news came out, a wave of hatred spread throughout the country.

76. First World War.

Consequences:
• Treaty of Versailles
• Territorial Rearrangements
• Formation of League of Nations

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History and Civics ICSE – Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 33

 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.
July 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel
Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
 Table of Contents

Type of Questions Pg. No

I. Multiple-Choice Questions 2

II. Fill in the Blank 7

III. Short Answer Questions 9

IV. Long Answer Questions 11

Answer Key 14

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 1

 COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Biology

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
1. [Pollution]
Rita suffers from constant headaches and high blood pressure. Her residence is close to
an airport. What could be the most likely cause of her condition?
(a) Noise pollution
(b) Air pollution
(c) Nuclear pollution
(d) Water pollution [Analysis]

2. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

An exo-endocrine gland in the human body is:
(a) Pituitary gland
(b) Pancreas
(c) Salivary gland
(d) Adrenal gland [Application & Analysis]

3. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Assertion: If both kidneys fail, urea from the blood is removed by dialysis.
Reason: Accumulation of urea in the human body is toxic.
(a) A is True, and R is false.
(b) A is False, and R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Application & Analysis]

4. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Rajesh was told to buy a blue cloth by his craft teacher. He couldn't differentiate blue
colour from green and hence brought a green cloth to class. Which medical reason could
have resulted in this?
(a) Myopia
(b) Cataract
(c) Colour blindness
(d) Hyperopia [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 2

S.No. Questions
5. [Plant Physiology]
Mary sprinkled 5 kg of common salt on the grass growing on her lawn. After a couple of
days, she observed that the grass had wilted and died. This was due to which of the
following conditions?
(a) Endosmosis
(b) Turgidity
(c) Deplasmolysis
(d) Plasmolysis [Understanding & Analysis]

6 [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

In cholera, patients suffer from vomiting and watery bowels. They may die due to the:
(a) poisoning by the accumulation of high quantities of urea in the body.
(b) ability of the intestines to absorb water into the blood.
(c) excretion of almost all the water by the kidneys.
(d) the failure of the kidneys. [Understanding]

7. [Basic Biology]
A. B.

The given figures A and B show ______ and ______ stages of cell division.
(a) prophase, metaphase
(b) telophase, anaphase
(c) metaphase, anaphase
(d) anaphase, telophase [Analysis]

8. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

A person is suffering from kidney failure. He is put on a dialysis machine by the doctors.
The osmotic pressure of dialysis fluid should be:
(a) equal to that of blood.
(b) more than that of blood.
(c) less than that of blood.
(d) equal to zero. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 3

S.No. Questions
9. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
A squirrel is in a scary situation. The secreted adrenaline prepares the body to meet the
situation. Which of the following is NOT TRUE for this situation?
(a) Adrenaline prepares the body to fight danger.
(b) Extra energy and strength are provided to the body.
(c) At the time of the stress, fewer hormones are released into the blood.
(d) Adrenaline prepares the body to run away from danger. [Understanding]

10. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Assertion (A): The main pulmonary artery pumps oxygenated blood from the right
vertical into the lungs.
Reason (R): Inside the lungs, the artery divides and divides several times to form
capillaries around the air sacs.
(a) A is True, and R is false.
(b) A is False, and R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Understanding]

11. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Given below are some common reflexes in humans.
i. Quick closing of the eyelids when a strong beam of light is flashed across.
ii. Apply brakes to your vehicle if anything suddenly comes in front.
iii. Playing a musical instrument
iv. Coughing reflex, when the food is swallowed, enters the windpipe.
The conditioned reflexes are:
(a) i and ii
(b) ii and iii
(c) iii and iv
(d) i and iv [Analysis]

12. [Plant Physiology]

Electrons released on splitting of water molecules in photosynthesis are used in
producing:
(a) NADP
(b) NADPH
(c) ATP
(d) O2 [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 4

S.No. Questions
13. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
The four major steps in seeing an object are:
i. interpretation by the brain.
ii. focussing of image.
iii. entry of light rays.
iv. transmission of nerve impulses from the retina & brain.
The correct sequence will be:
(a) i, ii, iii, iv
(b) ii, iii, iv, i
(c) iii, ii, iv, i
(d) iv, i, ii, iii [Understanding]

14. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Based on the given figure, identify the structural as well as the functional unit of kidney:
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D [Analysis]

15. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Assertion: Seminiferous tubules produce sperms.
Reason: Seminiferous tubules secrete Oxytocin, which aids in the production of sperm.
(a) A is True, and R is false.
(b) A is False, and R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 5

S.No. Questions
16. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Assertion: The nerve impulse travels from the axon of a neuron to the axon of another
neuron.
Reason: The end portion of the axon has swollen ends, which store neurotransmitters.
(a) A is True, and R is false.
(b) A is False, and R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Understanding]

17. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Thomas played cricket on a hot summer afternoon. His urine output was much less,
though he drank plenty of water. What could be the possible cause?

P - Kidneys reabsorb a lot of water

Q - Sweat glands are active
R - Kidneys absorb less water
S - Sweat glands are inactive
(a) R and Q
(b) P and Q
(c) P and S
(d) R and S [Analysis & Application]

18. [Pollution]
Acid rain is caused due to polluted gases like Co2, So2, and oxides of nitrogen. The
pollution which does not take place immediately after acid rain is:
(a) Air pollution
(b) Water pollution
(c) Soil Pollution
(d) Noise Pollution [Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 6

S.No. Questions
19. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Surya’s father was diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus. The doctor advised him to avoid
certain foods. Which are the foods he should avoid eating?
P - Sweets
Q - Leafy vegetables
R - Bananas
S - Pulses
(a) P and R
(b) Q and S
(c) R and S
(d) P and Q [Application]

20. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

During light adaptation:
(a) Rods and cones become active.
(b) Rods and cones become inactive.
(c) Rods become active and cones inactive.
(d) Cones become active and rods inactive. [Understanding & Analysis]

21. [Plant Physiology]

A cell of a leaf of an aquatic plant is kept in a 5% salt solution for some time. The
phenomenon which will take place is/are:
(a) turgidity
(b) plasmolysis
(c) turgidity and flaccidity
(d) plasmolysis and flaccidity [Application]

II: Fill In the Blank Type (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
22. [Plant Physiology]
Osmosis is controlled by the concentration of _______ molecules. [Analysis]

23. [Plant Physiology]

An animal cell is kept in a lower solute concentration fluid. The cell will _________.
(Enlarge / Shrink) [Application]

24. [Plant Physiology]

Plants absorb water from the roots because the cell sap is _______ (more, less)
concentrated than the surrounding fluids. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 7

S.No. Questions
25. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Human red blood cells, when kept in a hypertonic solution, ______ occurs. (Osmosis,
endosmosis, exosmosis) [Application]

26. [Plant Physiology]

Given below is an experimental setup. Read the information given below the diagram
and answer the questions from 26-30.

Concentrated sugar solution is taken in the thistle funnel. The mouth of the thistle funnel
is covered with cellophane paper. The thistle funnel is inverted in a beaker containing
water.
The above experiment demonstrates __________. [Recall]

27. [Plant Physiology]

After a few hours, the level of the sugar solution __________ in the thistle funnel.
[Understanding]

28. [Plant Physiology]

It allows only ________ molecules to pass through it freely. [Application]

29. [Plant Physiology]

It prevents the passage of ________ molecules. [Application]

30. [Plant Physiology]

A control experiment can be set up by taking plain _______ in the thistle funnel and
placing it in another beaker containing water. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 8

 III: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
31. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Haemorrhage frequently happens in viral dengue fever. Compare this condition with
haemophilia. [Evaluate]

32. [Plant Physiology]

Differentiate in the rate of photosynthesis for the increase in temperature.
(a) 20° to 30°C
(b) 40°C to 50°C [Analysis]

33. [Basic Biology]

Name the nitrogenous base with which Guanine pairs up in the helical structure of DNA
and through how many hydrogen bonds? [Understanding]

34. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

When an irritant enters the nose, a sneezing reflex happens. Identify the stimulus and the
response. [Application]

35. [Basic Biology]

An atomic explosion in 1945 in Japan led to a large number of persisting deformities in
the bodies of plants and animals. What might have happened? [Analysis]

36. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Why is a bicuspid valve in the human heart named so? [Understanding]

37 [Plant Physiology]
Under which condition does a leaf take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
[Analysis]
38. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
A pregnant lady is suffering from viral fever. Will the foetus be infected? [Analysis]

39. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Why the blood flows through the glomerulus under great pressure? [Understanding]

40. [Basic Biology]

Differentiate between genotype and phenotype. [Analysis]

41. [Pollution]
The number of asthma patients increases during winters in metropolitan cities like Delhi.
Why is it so? How can it be reduced? [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 9

 S.No. Questions
42. [Population]
In our country, the infant mortality rate is high, but the population is still increasing in
India. Explain. [Analysis]

43. [Human Evolution]

Justify the statement – “Vermiform appendix is a vestigial organ in humans.” [Evaluate]

44. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

What is Adrenal Virilism? [Understanding]

45. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Explain the function of corpus luteum when:
(a) ovum is fertilised.
(b) ovum is not fertilised. [Evaluate]

46. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Shruti’s mother gave birth to two male babies. Both the babies had a strong resemblance
to each other. The doctor said that they have been formed from a single ovum.

(a) What kind of twins are they?

(b) Why are they of the same gender? [Analysis & Application]

47. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

State the effect of Adrenaline on:
(a) Pupils of eyes
(b) Heartbeat [Application]

48. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

When is albumin passed out in urine? Name this condition. [Understanding]

49. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Mention the significance of the Testes being located inside the scrotum.
[Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 10

 S.No. Questions
50. [Population]
Give two examples of natural resources which cannot keep pace with the rising
population. [Analysis & Recall]

51. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Keshav enters a dark room from a brightly lit area. He experiences difficulty in viewing
objects, but gradually his vision improves.

Explain the role of the photoreceptors in this case. [Analysis & Application]

52. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

On a winter night, a group of workers slept in a closed room, having a burning furnace to
keep themselves warm. Most of them died in their sleep. What is the reason for their
fatality? [Understanding & Analysis]

IV: Long Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
53. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Rohit’s father has increased thirst and hunger with frequent urination. He also gets
fatigued very often. His doctor advised him to get a blood sugar profile test done.

(a) Name the disease based on the symptoms given above.

(b) Which is the hormone whose deficiency causes this disorder?
(c) What is the technical term for high blood sugar level? [Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 11

 S.No. Questions
54. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]
Farhan’s classroom is very close to the compound wall of his school. He was observing
two pigeons sitting on the wall. He could see one bird clearly, but the image of the
second bird was blurred as the pigeon was a little away from the first.

(a) Name the defect of the eye Farhan is suffering from.

(b) Where is the image of the second pigeon formed in his eyeballs?
(c) What lens can be used to correct the defect? [Analysis & Application]

55. [Human Anatomy and Physiology]

Manoj was writing a composition on “The importance of Education in life”.

(a) Name the part of the brain that Manoj uses for writing the composition.
(b) Is it a voluntary or involuntary action?
(c) Trace the nervous pathway using the following terms:
Muscles of the hand, Sensory nerves, Fingertips, Motor nerves, and Brain.
[Recall & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 12

 S.No. Questions
56. [Plant Physiology]
Study the diagram given below and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Identify the apparatus.

(b) What is it used to measure?
(c) Mention any one limitation of using the apparatus. [Analysis]

57. [Plant Physiology]

The statements given below are false. Correct and rewrite the complete statements:
(a) Fruit ripening is induced by Abscisic acid.
(b) Roots show negative Hydrotropism.
(c) Thigmotropism can be demonstrated by using a Clinostat. [Analysis]

58. [Basic Biology]

Two heterozygous pea plants having round seeds (Rr) are crossed with each other.
(a) Write the Phenotypic ratio of the offspring.
(b) What will the genotypic ratio of the offspring be?
(c) Which of the above two traits is recessive? [Analysis & Application]

59. [Plant Physiology]

How is the rate of transpiration affected under the following environmental conditions:
(a) High temperature
(b) Low humidity
(c) Low intensity of sunlight [Analysis & Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 13

 Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. (a) Noise pollution

2. (b) Pancreas

3. (c) Both A and R are true

4. (c) Colour blindness

5. (d) Plasmolysis

6. (a) poisoning by the accumulation of high quantities of urea in the body.

7. (c) metaphase, anaphase

8. (a) equal to that of blood

9. (c) At the time of the stress, fewer hormones are released into the blood.

10. (b) A is False, and R is true

11. (b) ii and iii

12. (c) ATP

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

14. (c) C

15. (a) A is True, and R is false

16. (b) A is False, and R is true

17. (b) P and Q

18. (a) Air pollution

19. (a) P and R

20. (d) Cones become active and rods inactive.

21. (d) plasmolysis and flaccidity

22. water

23. enlarge

24. more

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 14

 S.No. Expected Answers
25. exosmosis

26. osmosis

27. rises/increases

28. water

29. Sugar

30. water

31. In viral dengue fever, the number of platelets falls to a very low count, and coagulation
occurs, leading to haemorrhage. While haemophilia is a genetic disorder in which blood
does not clot properly.

32. (a) The rate of photosynthesis gets doubled.

(b) Photosynthesis stops.

33. Cytosine, 3 H-bonds

34. Stimulus – Irritant

Response – Sneezing

35. The mutation alters the hereditary material of an organism’s cells.

36. It has two flaps.

37. When the concentration of Co2 is higher outside the leaf than inside.

38. No, the placenta does not allow the passage of germs from the mother to the foetus.

39. The efferent (outgoing) arteriole is narrower than the afferent (incoming) arteriole. So,
pressure increases.

40. Genotype is the combination of genes, and phenotype is the expressed character.

41. Smog (smoke + fog) leads to asthma. Air pollution causes respiratory problems.
Installation of tall chimneys in factories with filters, electrostatic precipitators.

42. People from the economically weaker sections think if safer to produce more children
so that at least some may survive.

43. The vermiform appendix projects from the blind end of the caecum and is a
functionless (vestigial) organ in humans.

44. Overgrowth of the adrenal cortex in a mature woman results in the development of a
beard, moustache and deep voice.

45. (a) Corpus luteum releases progesterone and keeps the uterus in a state suitable for
implantation.
ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 15
 S.No. Expected Answers
(b) The Corpus luteum stops producing progesterone.

46. (a) Identical twins

(b) Since they develop from a single ovum, the gender of the twins is determined at the
time of fertilisation.

47. (a) Pupils dilate

(b) Heartbeat increases

48 Due to high blood pressure, or due to increased permeability of the bowman’s capsule
membrane on account of bacterial infection, albumin may be passed out via urine.
Albuminuria

49. To maintain a temperature of 2-3°C less than body temperature for sperms to mature.
Protect testes from injuries

50. Food, Water

51. Rhodopsin gets bleached in bright light. It takes a few seconds for it to regenerate in dim
light. Then, the vision improves. Iodopsin does not function in dim light.

52. Burning furnace emits CO. This combines with oxygen to form a stable compound,
Carboxyhaemoglobin, which cuts off the supply of oxygen to tissues.

53. (a) Diabetes mellitus

(b) Insulin
(c) Hyperglycemia

54. (a) Myopia

(b) Behind the retina
(c) Concave

55. (a) Cerebrum

(b) Voluntary
(c) Fingertips, Sensory nerves, Brain, Motor nerves, Muscles of hand

56. (a) Ganong’s Potometer

(b) To measure the water uptake by the cut shoot
(c) Difficult to introduce an air bubble

57. (a) Fruit ripening is induced by Ethylene/ Senescence and falling of leaves is induced
by Abscisic acid.
(b) Shoots show negative Hydrotropism, / Roots show negative Phototropism.
(c) Geotropism can be demonstrated by using a Clinostat.

58. (a) 3 : 1
(b) 1 : 2 : 1
(c) Wrinkled seeds

59. (a) More Transpiration

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 16

 S.No. Expected Answers
(b) More Transpiration
(c) Less Transpiration

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 17

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2024 18
 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape in India
has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to incorporate critical
thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote memorisation and focuses
on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level progressive
examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education in CISCE schools
through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-based assessments and the
incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC levels from the examination year
2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to support
teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking questions in future
board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice Questions for selected subjects at
the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item Bank consists of a rich variety of questions,
both objective and subjective in categories, aimed at enhancing the subject-specific critical and
analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s that it
intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include understanding, analysis,
application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of the higher-order recall domain. The
Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a given question, but it is neither limiting nor
exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments and as
samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from offering a good
practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would allow students to gauge
their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning to develop individual learning
pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team of
experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external reviewers
as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have contributed to
the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-learning
processes.
July 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel
Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.

July 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Chemistry ICSE – Class X

Table of Contents

Type of Questions Pg. No

I. Multiple-Choice Questions 2

II. Fill in the Blanks 16

III. Match the Following 18

IV. One Word Answer 22

V. Structural Diagram 23

VI. IUPAC Names 25

VII. Very Short Answer Questions 27

VIII. Short Answer Questions 28

IX. Long Answer Questions 32

Answer Key 37

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Chemistry

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
1. [Analytical Chemistry]
Ravi was asked to identify the cation present in the salt solution. He added one of the
reagents given below and got a reddish-brown precipitate. The reagent that he used is:
(a) Silver nitrate solution
(b) Barium chloride solution
(c) Ammonium hydroxide
(d) Calcium chloride solution [Understanding]

2. [Study of Compounds]
Which metal does not react with HCl to form a colourless, odourless gas which burns
with a pop sound?
(a) Ca
(b) Mg
(c) Cu
(d) Zn [Recall & Understanding]

3. [Study of Compounds]
Prateek added warm water to magnesium nitride, and a colourless gas evolved, which,
when tested with phenolphthalein, turned it pink. The gas evolved is:
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Ammonia
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Hydrogen chloride [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
4. [Organic Chemistry]
Which of the following statements about ethane is false?
(a) It is a saturated hydrocarbon.
(b) It undergoes a substitution reaction.
(c) It is a gas at ordinary temperatures.
(d) It has a triple bond between the carbon atoms. [Recall & Understanding]

5. [Metallurgy]
Thermite mixture is used to weld the broken ends of the iron girders. This mixture
consists of ferric oxide and aluminium powder, which, when heated, produces molten
iron. In this reaction, the aluminium powder acts as a/an _________ agent.
(a) oxidising
(b) reducing
(c) dehydrating
(d) corroding [Application]

6. [Electrolysis]

The above diagram represents the electrolysis of acidulated water. The reaction
occurring at the anode is:
(a) H2SO4 → 2H+ + SO42-
(b) H2O → H+ + OH-
(c) H+ + e- → H, 2[H] +2[H] → H2
(d) OH- - e- → OH, [4OH] → 2H2O + O2 [Recall & Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
7. [Period Properties and Variations of Properties]

Group Numbers IA IIA IIIA IVA VA VIA VIIA VIIIA

1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18
Li D O J Ne
A Mg E Si H K
B C F G L

With reference to the portion of the periodic table given above, identify the element
having the largest atomic size:
(a) Li
(b) B
(c) K
(d) L [Understanding]

8. [Electrolysis]
The picture given below shows an apparatus that a teacher used for demonstrating the
properties of ionic substances. The teacher heats a sample of lead bromide in a crucible
which contains two electrodes which are part of the circuit shown. The bulb does not
light up. What is the best explanation for this?

(a) The circuit is complete.

(b) Molten lead bromide does not conduct electricity.
(c) The sample of lead bromide was not heated up to the melting point by the teacher.
(d) The DC power supply was set up correctly. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 4

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
9. [Period Properties and Variations of Properties]
Element Y is in Group IIA of the Periodic Table. Y reacts with element Q to form an
ionic compound. Which equation shows the process that takes place when Y forms
ions?
(a) Y + 2e- → Y2+
(b) Y – 2e -→ Y2-
(c) Y + 2e- → Y2–
(d) Y – 2e- → Y2+ [Understanding & Application]

10 [Electrolysis]
The diagram below shows a circuit used to electrolyse aqueous sodium argento cyanide.
Which arrow indicates the movement of the silver ions in the electrolyte and of the
electrons in the external circuit?

Silver ions Electrons

(a) 3 1
(b) 3 2
(c) 2 4
(d) 4 1

[Understanding & Application]

11. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

The relative atomic mass of nitrogen is 14, and that of hydrogen is 1. This means that
(i)_______ of nitrogen has the same mass as (ii)________ of hydrogen.
(i) (ii)
(a) An atom 28 molecules
(b) An atom 7 molecules
(c) A molecule 14 atoms
(d) A molecule 7 atoms
Which words correctly complete the gaps? [Analysis]
ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 5
Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
12. [Study of Compounds]
A student reacts copper turnings with cold dilute nitric acid in a test tube. He tests the
gas given off with moist red and blue litmus paper.
What is the name of the gas that evolved and what is the final colour of the litmus paper?

Gas Final colour of the litmus paper

(a) NO No change in blue and red litmus paper

(b) NO2 Blue litmus turns red and no change in red litmus

(c) N2 No change in blue and red litmus paper

(d) N2O No change in blue and red litmus paper

[Understanding]

13. [Chemical Bonding]

Which element forms a stable ion with the same electronic configuration as argon?
(a) Magnesium
(b) Fluorine
(c) Chlorine
(d) Sodium
[Recall & Understanding]

14. [Organic Chemistry]

The diagram below represents the molecule of an organic compound.

What is the name of this compound?
(a) Pentanol
(b) Butanol
(c) Butanoic acid
(d) Pentanoic acid [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
15. [Electrolysis]
When a compound was electrolysed using inert electrodes, the gas released at the anode
made a glowing splinter rekindle. The electrolyte that will not produce such gas
observation at the anode is:
(a) diluted solution of NaCl.
(b) concentrated solution of NaCl.
(c) diluted solution of copper sulphate.
(d) acidified water. [Application]

16. [Organic Chemistry]

Which of the following chains of hydrocarbons undergoes two steps of reactions to
become saturated?
| |
(a) – C – C –
| |

| |
(b) – C = C –

| |
(c) C≡C

\/
C
(d) / \
–C–C–
/ \
[Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 7

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
17. [Study of Compounds]
Given below are four different illustrations of preparing hydrochloric acid drawn by
students. Which of these is the correct?

[Evaluate]

18. [Organic Chemistry]

When two organic compounds A and B react together in the presence of conc.H2SO4, a
fruity smell evolved from one of the products. If A has the functional group [-O-H],
which of the following stands for the functional group of B?
H
|
(a) – C = O
|
(b) – C = O
||
(c) – C – OH

(d) – O –

[Application & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
19. [Chemical Bonding]
Given below are four covalent compounds.
(A) H2O (B) CCl4 (C) Cl2 (D) NH3
Which of the following represents the correct order when they are arranged in their
increasing number of covalent bonds?
(a) B < D <A < C
(b) A<C<D<B
(c) C < D <A< B
(d) C <A< D < B [Recall & Application]

20. [Electrolysis]
The electrolytic cell used for the electrolysis of molten lead bromide is made of Silica.
Which of the following properties of silica that is the reason for it not having much
significance in the process of electrolysis?
(a) Hard and strong
(b) Non-conductor of electricity
(c) Non- reactive
(d) Withstands high temperature [Understanding]

21. [Organic Chemistry]

A distinctive reaction that takes place when ethanol is treated with acetic acid in the
presence of concentrated sulphuric acid to give a fruity smell.
P: The reaction is called esterification.
Q: The reaction is called hydration.
(a) Only P
(b) Only Q
(c) Both P and Q
(d) Both P and Q are wrong [Understanding]

22. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]

The pH of the soil is tested, and for the better growth of crops, slightly alkaline soil is
required. Which ion in the fertiliser will increase the alkalinity of the soil?
(a) Hydronium ion
(b) Hydroxyl ion
(c) Hydrogen ion
(d) Both hydroxyl and hydrogen [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
23. [Chemical Bonding]
Ramu makes a detailed study on the values of electronegativity and the formation of
compounds. Accordingly, he draws the following conclusion:
The larger the electronegativity (EN) difference between the combining atoms, the more
ionic bonds will form.
If the EN difference is negligible, covalent bonds will form. So, which of the following
values refers to covalent bonds?
P: 3.0 and 3.0
Q: 0.9 and 3.0
(a) Only P
(b) Only Q
(c) Both P and Q
(d) Neither P nor Q [Application & Analysis]

24. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

10g of magnesium carbonate reacts completely with excess dilute hydrochloric acid.
What volume of carbon dioxide is formed at room temperature and pressure? [Mg=24,
C=12, O=16]
The equation for the reaction is:
MgCO3 + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2O + CO2
(a) 2.8 dm3
(b) 2.6 dm3
(c) 2.2 dm3
(d) 2.4 dm3 [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 10

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
25. [Electrolysis]
The diagram shown is a wrong attempt to electroplate a pan with copper:

Which of the following could have been done to copper plate a pan?
(a) To change DC to AC.
(b) To change the electrolyte from copper sulphate to cobalt sulphate.
(c) Connect the pan to the negative electrode.
(d) To induce a higher current. [Application]

26. [Metallurgy]
During the extraction of aluminium by Hall Heroult’s process, the carbon rods are
replaced continuously. This is because:
(a) It minimises heat loss by radiation.
(b) It enhances the mobility of ions.
(c) The carbon anode is consumed.
(d) It lowers the fusion point. [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 11

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
27. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]
Which of the following observations correctly shows the action of indicator on sodium
hydroxide solution?

Indicator methyl orange phenolphthalein

(a) P orange to remains

yellow colourless

(b) Q orange to pink remains

colourless

(c) R orange to colourless to pink

yellow

(d) S remains orange remains pink

[Application]

28. [Electrolysis]
When electrolysis of molten lead bromide is carried out, the products formed at the
respective electrodes are:

At the positive At the negative

electrode electrode

(a) Bromine Lead

(b) Bromine Hydrogen

(c) Lead Bromine

(d) Lead Oxygen

[Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 12

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
29. [Organic Chemistry]
The following are the structural diagrams of certain hydrocarbons:

Which two structures are related to each other?

(a) A and B
(b) B and C
(c) C and D
(d) A and C [Recall & Application]

30. [Chemical Bonding]

The electronic configuration of X is 2,8,6. It gains 'Y’ electrons into its valence shell to
attain the nearest noble gas electronic configuration and gets converted to an ion Z.
X, Y, and Z, respectively, are:
(a) Sodium, one, electropositive
(b) Beryllium, two, electronegative
(c) Oxygen, six, electronegative
(d) Sulphur, two, electronegative [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 13

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
31. [Periodic Properties and Variations of properties]
Which of the following arrangements is INCORRECT as per the property stated against
it?
(a) Li > Be > N > O (Metallic character)
(b) CI > F > Br >I (Electron gain enthalpy)
(c) O2- > F -> Mg 2+ >Na+ (Ionic radii)
(d) I > Br > CI > F (Number of shells) [Analysis & Application]

32. [Organic Chemistry]

Baking soda (NaHCO3), when added to vinegar, evolves a gas. Which of these
statements is true about the evolution of gas?
I. It turns limewater milky.
II. It extinguishes the burning splinter.
III. It acts as a non-metallic oxide
IV. It has a pungent odour.
(a) I and IV
(b) I and II
(c) I, II and III
(d) III and IV [Recall & Understanding]

33. [Electrolysis]
The statements below show the results when three metal strips, P, Q, and R, are placed
in blue copper sulphate solution.
P- Solution turns green.
Q- Solution becomes colourless.
R- Solution remains blue.
Which of the following metals could be P, Q, and R?
(a) P-Al, Q-Zn, R- Fe
(b) P-Zn, Q-Fe, R- Ag
(c) P-Fe, Q-Zn, R-Ag
(d) P- Zn, Q-AI, R– Fe [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 14

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
34. [Study of Compounds]

Study the above diagram and choose the correct option related to the content given
below:
Compound X reacts with ammonia in the combustion tube, which leaves a residue Y.
Identify X and Y, as well as the property Z of ammonia demonstrated in this particular
reaction.
(a) X= CuO, Y=black, Z = reducing property.
(b) X=PbO, Y = yellow, Z=oxidising property.
(c) X=CuO, Y =yellow, Z =oxidising property.
(d) X=PbO, Y=black, Z=reducing property. [Analysis]

35. [Study of Compounds]

Assertion (A): Few drops of dilute acid is added to a solution of zinc sulphide, a
colourless gas is formed with a rotten egg odour.
Reason (R): Gas formed does not turn moist lead acetate paper silvery black.
(a) Both A and R are true.
(b) A and R are true, but R is the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Recall & Understanding]

36. [Metallurgy]
Assertion (A): Hall Heroult’s process is used to get pure aluminium from its oxide.
Reason (R): Aluminium generally is not found in aluminium oxide form.
(a) Both A and R are correct.
(b) A is correct, but R is not a true explanation of A.
(c) A is correct, and R is a true explanation of B.
(d) Both A and R are incorrect. [Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
37. [Organic Chemistry]
Assertion (A): Alkenes, alkynes and alkanes are examples of homologous series.
Reason (R): Organic compounds of the homologous series have similar structures but
different chemical properties.
(a) Both A and R are true.
(b) Both A and R are false.
(c) A is true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) A is false but R is true. [Recall & Understanding]

38. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

Assertion (A): The atomic mass of oxygen is 16 a.m.u; therefore, its gram atomic
mass is 16g.
Reason (R): The atomic mass of an element expressed in grams is called gram atomic
mass.
(a) A is true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a true explanation of A.
(c) Both A and R are false.
(d) R is false, but A is a true explanation. [Analysis & Application]

II: Fill in the Blanks (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
39. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]
Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options given in the brackets:
An aqueous solution of gas X turns red litmus blue, so it must contain (i)________
(hydrogen/ hydroxyl) ions. When this solution is added in excess to copper sulphate
solution, it turns to (ii) ______ (deep blue/ pale blue) solution. Gas X is also a good
(iii)_____(oxidising/reducing) agent, which in excess reacts with a greenish-yellow gas
to form dense white fumes of (iv) _______ (hydrogen chloride/ammonium chloride).
[Understanding & Application]

40. [Study of Compounds]

Ammonia can convert heated copper oxide to copper. This shows that ammonia is a
____________ (reducing agent/oxidising agent).
[Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
41. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]
The number of hydrogen atoms present in 1 mole of sulphuric acid and 1 mole of
sulphurous acid are (X) and (Y), respectively. Relationship between X and Y is
____________ (X=Y / cannot compare X and Y). [Application]

42. [Organic Chemistry]

Hydrocarbon X decolourises bromine in carbon tetrachloride, and hydrocarbon Y does
not decolourise bromine water. Both of the compounds burn with a sooty flame. The
molecular formula of X and Y is ____________ (C5H12 and C4H8 / C5H8 and C4H10).
[Understanding]

43. [Organic Chemistry]

The number of chain isomers possible for an alkane with 5 carbon atoms are _______
(3 / 4). [Application]

44. [Chemical Bonding]

Cations are ___________ (oxidised/ reduced) ions due to the _________(gain/loss) of
electrons by the neutral atom. [Understanding]

45. [Organic Chemistry]

If a hydrocarbon has the formula of C50H98, then it is likely to undergo ________a/an
(addition/ substitution) reaction, and the hydrocarbon is a/an _____________
(saturated/ unsaturated hydrocarbon). [Application]

46. [Periodic Properties and Variations of properties]

The atomic size of Boron is 0.88 A⁰, and that of nitrogen is 0.70 A⁰. Nitrogen lies to the
______ (left/ right) of Boron. [Application]

47. [Electrolysis]
The ______ (higher/ lower) is the position of the cation in the electrochemical series,
the greater the difficulty of it being discharged at the cathode. [Understanding]

48. [Study of Compounds]

The correct order of increasing volatility of the acids is _______.
(a) HCl < CH3COOH < HNO3
(b) CH3COOH < HCl < HNO3
(c) HNO3 < HCl < CH3COOH
(d) HCl < HNO3< CH3COOH [Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
49. [Metallurgy]
Nikita wanted to gift her friend a decorative piece that is quite hard and strong, doesn’t
get corroded and can be polished. She selected a statue that matched her criteria as it
was made of an alloy whose main constituent was _______.
(a) Cu
(b) Al
(c) Fe
(d) Zn [Recall & Application]

III: Match the following (5 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
50. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Column A Column B

(a) Alkali metals (i) Be, C, O, F

(b) Alkaline earth metals (ii) F, Cl, Br, I

(c) Atomic radius decreases (iii) P, Al, Na, S

(d) Non-metallic character decreases (iv) K, Na, Li, Rb

(e) Period 3 elements (iv) Ba, Ca, Sr, Ra

[Recall]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
51. [Analytical Chemistry]
Match the reactants in column A to their methods of preparation in column B.

Column A Column B

(a) Zinc Oxide + Sulphuric acid (i) Synthesis

(b) Iron + Chlorine (ii) Precipitation

(c) Barium chloride + Sodium (iii) Neutralization

sulphate

(d) Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid (iv) Neutralization by

titration

(d) Potassium hydroxide + Nitric (v) Displacement

acid

[Understanding & Application]

52. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]

Column A Column B
(a) Acidic oxide (i) Metallic oxides that react
with both acids and bases
(b) Basic oxide (ii) Non-metallic oxides
(c) Amphoteric oxide (iii) Non-metallic oxides that do
not react with both acids and
bases
(d) Neutral oxide (iv) Amphoteric oxide
(e) Aluminium oxide (v) Metallic oxide
[Analysis]

53. [Metallurgy]

Column A Column B
(a) Element with atomic no. 19 (i) Acid salt
(b) Element with atomic no. 9 (ii) Non-metal
(c) Sodium aluminate (iii) Metal
(d) Sodium bisulphite (iv) Hall Heroult’s process
(e) Calcium fluoride (v) Baeyer’s process
[Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
54. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry, Study of Compounds, Organic Chemistry]
Column A Column B
(a) 64g of Oxygen gas (i) Platinum
(b) 1 mole of Oxygen gas (ii) Molybdenum
(c) Ostwald’s process (iii) Alcohol
(d) Haber’s process (iv) 44.8 Litres
(e) Esterification (v) 6.023x1023 Molecules
[Recall, Understanding & Application]

55. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Match the descriptions in Column A with a corresponding left-to-right order of
arrangement of elements in Column B.
Column A Column B
(a) Increasing number of shells (i) F > Cl > Br
(b) Increasing reactivity (ii) Cl > F > Br
(c) Decreasing electron affinity (iii) Ca >Mg > Be
(d) Decreasing electronegativity (iv) F < Cl < Br
(e) Decreasing metallic character (v) Br < Cl < F
[Analysis]

56. [Study of Compounds]

Match the given processes in column A with the corresponding product formation steps
in column B.
Column A Column B
(a) Haber’s process (i) Dissolution of the gas in
water
(b) Ostwald process (ii) Condensation of the gas
(c) Hall- Heroult’s process (iii) Coating of metal on cathode
(d) Contact process (iv) Molten metal collected from
cathode
(e) Electroplating (v) Is the solution of the gas in a
non-aqueous solution
[Recall & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
57. [Analytical Chemistry, Study of Compounds]
Match the column A with column B: (Note: answers should not be repeated)

Column A Column B
(a) Calamine (i) Ammonium nitrate
(b) Funnel arrangement (ii) Nitrite radical
(c) An explosive (iii) Sulphuric acid
(d) Brown Ring test (iv) Hydrochloric acid
(e) Non-volatile acid (v) Zinc carbonate
(vi) Nitrate radical
[Recall & Understanding]

58. [Study of Compounds, Organic Chemistry]

Match the column A with column B:
Column A Column B
(a) Neon (i) Ammonium ion
(b) Methane (ii) Hydronium ion
(c) Ammonia gas in water (iii) Magnesium hydroxide
(d) An ion with a lone pair of electrons (iv) Non-polar covalent compound
(e) A weak electrolyte (v) Zero electron affinity
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

IV: One Word Answer (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

59. [Analytical Chemistry]

Name a positive non-metallic radical which is basic in nature.
[Understanding]

60. [Organic Chemistry]

How many electrons are present in one molecule of CH4?
[Understanding]

61. [Organic Chemistry]

Identify the longest carbon chain and mention the number of carbons present in it.

[Analysis & Application]

62. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

Gas M occupies a volume of 1000 c.c and contains X molecules. How many molecules
will be present in gas N occupying a volume of 250 c.c? [Understanding]

63. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Element X belongs to period 2 and group 1 of the periodic table. State the formula of
the chloride of the element X. [Understanding & Application]

64. [Study of Compounds]

Anurag added dilute H2SO4 to a given sample X and heated the mixture. He observed
that a gas was liberated which had a foul smell of rotten eggs and it turned moist lead
acetate paper silvery black. Name the gas evolved in the above case.
[Understanding]

65. [Organic Chemistry]

Name the alkyl component of acetic acid. [Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

66. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

28g of nitrogen and 44g of carbon dioxide at the same conditions of temperature and
pressure occupy the same amount of space. What term describes such space occupied
by any gas? [Understanding]

67. [Study of Compounds]

When copper reacts with a hot dilute solution, reddish-brown fumes are observed.
Another compound, P, having the same anion that is present in the hot solution on
heating, melts into a colourless liquid, releasing only oxygen gas without any coloured
fumes. Identify P. [Recall & Application]

68. [Metallurgy]
Calcite (CaCO3), a sedimentary rock, is found most abundantly in many geological
environments. It has a perfect cleavage in 3 directions, which makes it the most difficult
rock to cut, and moreover, the labour of cutting calcite is also very high. What term
related to metallurgy will suitably describe Calcite in the context of extracting calcium
from calcite? [Application]

V: Structural diagram (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

69. [Organic Chemistry]

Draw the structural diagram of the product obtained when ethene reacts with chlorine.
[Application]

70. [Organic Chemistry]

An organic acid on cooling below 16.5°C crystallises out in the pure form, forming a
crystalline mass resembling ice. Draw the structural diagram of this carboxylic acid.
[Understanding]

71. [Chemical Bonding]

Magnesium ribbon is added to dilute HCl. A gas is liberated along with the formation of
a compound. Draw an electron dot diagram to show the structure of the compound that
is formed. [Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

72. [Organic Chemistry]

Draw the chain Isomer for the following organic compound.
H H H H H
| | | | |
H—C==C—C—C—C—H
| | |
H H H
[Application]

73. [Chemical Bonding]

Calcium hydroxide dissolves in water and forms a positive ion and a negative ion. Draw
the structure of the negative ion. [Recall & Application]

74. [Organic Chemistry]

Draw the structure of the following organic compounds:
2 – methyl butane [Create]

75. [Chemical Bonding]

The equation given above represents the molecule formation of element X. Fill in the
box with the electron dot structure of the molecule.
[Understanding]

76. [Chemical Bonding]

Draw an isomer of the given structure:
H H H
| | |
H–C–C–C–H
| |
H H
H–C–H
|
H
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

VI: IUPAC Names (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

77. [Organic Chemistry]

Give the IUPAC name of the following organic compounds:

[Understanding & Application]

78. [Organic Chemistry]

[Understanding & Application]

79. [Organic Chemistry]

[Understanding & Application]

80. [Organic Chemistry]

H CH3 H
| | |
H -C - C - C - OH
| | |
H H H [Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

81. [Organic Chemistry]

[Understanding]

82. [Organic Chemistry]

[Understanding]

83. [Organic Chemistry]

Give the IUPAC name of the compound represented below:

Where, C stands for Carbon, O for oxygen, X for hydrogen, for ethyl group
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

VII: Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

84. [Analytical Chemistry]

Calcium hydroxide solution is used to detect the presence of carbon dioxide gas, while
sodium hydroxide is NOT. Justify. [Understanding]

85. [Study of Compounds]

Hydrogen chloride fumes in the air. Justify. [Application]

86. [Metallurgy]
During the extraction of aluminium bauxite, its principal ore is reduced by the
electrolytic method. Why? [Understanding]

87. [Organic Chemistry]

Why is pure acetic acid also called glacial acetic acid?
[Understanding]

88. [Metallurgy]
A fuse wire is an alloy made of tin and lead. It is a safety device that prevents the damage
of electronic gadgets due to excessive flow of current. Can copper replace tin when
making alloys? Justify your answer. [Application]

89. [Organic Chemistry]

Ethyl alcohol is a colourless liquid. It is used as a major constituent in alcoholic
beverages and also in the manufacture of many chemicals. When a Chemical
Manufacturing Unit ordered ethyl alcohol, they were supplied with a purple-coloured
alcohol instead of a colourless one.
State the reason and the purpose of this colour change. [Understanding]

90. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Ionisation energies of 4 elements A, B, C and D are 496, 403, 520 and 419 KJ/mol,
respectively. If these elements belong to the same group in the Periodic Table, which
element will occupy the top position in the group? Justify your answer.
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

VIII: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions

91. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]

Some general rules for the solubility of salts in water are listed.
• Carbonates are insoluble (except ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate and
sodium carbonate).
• Chlorides are soluble (except lead (II) chloride and silver chloride).
• Nitrates are soluble.
• Sulphates are soluble (except barium sulphate, calcium sulphate and lead (II)
sulphate).
Which substances produce an insoluble salt when aqueous solutions of them are mixed?
Justify your answer.
(a) Copper nitrate and magnesium chloride
(b) Zinc chloride and ammonium nitrate
(c) Silver nitrate and zinc chloride
(d) Potassium carbonate and sodium sulphate [Analysis]

92. [Study of Compounds]

Ammonia gas is passed into water as shown below:

(a) When a red litmus paper was dropped into the resulting solution, it turned blue.
Which ions in the solution would have resulted for the colour change in the litmus
paper?
(b) Why is the funnel kept in an inverted position? [Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

93. [Study of Compounds]

In the Haber’s process, the optimum yield of ammonia is obtained when a temperature
of 450o C -500o C, a pressure of 200 atmospheres, an iron catalyst and promoter
molybdenum are used.

How and why would the yield of ammonia be affected if the temperature was raised to
600oC? [Application]

94. [Organic Chemistry]

Give the structural formula and the name of the organic product formed when equal
volumes of methane and chlorine react together. [Understanding]

95. [Organic Chemistry]

Complete combustion of one mole of a hydrocarbon produced four moles of carbon
dioxide and four moles of water only.
(a) Write the equation for the combustion reaction.
(b) Draw the structure of the hydrocarbon. [Understanding & Application]

96. [Study of Compounds]

To the acid prepared by the contact process, Barium chloride solution is added. State
one observation and write an equation for the reaction that occurs.
[Recall & Understanding]

97. [Study of Compounds]

Platinum catalyst is used in the catalytic oxidation of ammonia.
(a) Write an equation for the reaction that occurs in the above case.
(b) Why does the platinum continue to glow even after the heating is discontinued?
[Recall & Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

98. [Study of Compounds]

With reference to the reaction occurring in the given figure: -

(a) Write an equation for the reaction.

(b) State the property of sulphuric acid exhibited in the above case.
[Application]

99. [Study of Compounds]

Brown ring test is used for the identification of nitrate ions.
(a) Why is freshly prepared Ferrous sulphate solution used in the above test?
(b) What is the chemical name of the brown ring? [Understanding]

100. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

Ravi heated 367.5 g of KClO3 in a test tube. The decomposition of potassium chlorate
took place according to the equation.
2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2
Find:
(a) the volume of the colourless and odourless gas liberated during the experiment.
(b) the weight of the residue left behind in the test tube. [Application]

101. [Metallurgy]
For construction work the alloy of Aluminium i.e. Duralumin is used rather than pure
Aluminium. Give two valid reasons. [Application]

102. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

Ram took 5 moles of carbon atoms in a container, and Krish took 5 moles of sodium
atoms in another container of the same volume.
(a) Whose container is heavier?
(b) Which container has a larger number of atoms?
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

103. [Analytical Chemistry]

A, B and C are three elements which undergo chemical reactions according to the
following equations:
A2O3 +2B → B2O3 + 2A
3CSO4 + 2B→ B2(SO4)3 +3C
3CO + 2A → A2O+3C
Answer the following questions:
(a) Which element is the most reactive?
(b) Which element is the least reactive? [Analysis & Application]

104. [Electrolysis]
PQ2 is a hard crystalline solid having high melting and boiling points. It is a good
conductor of electricity in both molten and aqueous forms.
(a) The conductivity of PQ2 is due to the presence of free ________ (ions, molecules,
electrons)
(b) During electrolysis of aqueous PQ2, if thickening of the cathode and thinning of the
anode is observed, the anode material will be _______. (graphite, metal P)
[Understanding & Application]

105. [Metallurgy]
A student was asked to draw the flowchart for the extraction of zinc from zinc blende
based on the principles of Metallurgy. What he drew is given below.
2 steps out of the 5 were incorrect. Identify and correct them.

[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

106. [Organic Chemistry]

200°
C2H4 X
a

Given above is the representation of the conversion of ethene to a saturated hydrocarbon

X, where ‘a’ stands for the catalyst.
(a) Identify ‘a’.
(b) Give the complete chemical equation for the conversion of C2H4 to X.
[Understanding]

107. [Organic Chemistry]

The description of an organic compound is as follows:
(a) Molecular formula is C3H8O.
(b) Functional group is attached to the first carbon atom.
(c) Reacts with sodium at room temperature with brisk effervescence, releasing
hydrogen gas.
Identify the compound and draw its structure. [Understanding]

IX: Long Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions

108. [Metallurgy]
With respect to the Hall Heroult process related to the extraction of aluminium, justify
the following:
(a) Powdered Coke is sprinkled over the electrolytic mixture undergoing electrolytic
reduction.
(b) Graphite anodes are continuously replaced during the electrolysis.
(c) Cryolite and fluorspar must be added to the electrolytic mixture.
[Recall & Understanding]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

109. [Study of Compounds]

Write complete and balanced equations for the reactions occurring in the following cases:
(a) Passing dry ammonia gas over heated lead oxide placed in a combustion tube to
produce a silvery grey metal.
(b) When concentrated nitric acid is reacted with zinc to produce a reddish-brown gas.
(c) When concentrated sulphuric acid oxidises sulphur to produce a gas which turns
acidified potassium dichromate paper green.
[Understanding]

110. [Analytical Chemistry]

Give balanced equations for the conversions A, B and C.
A B C
Zn → ZnCl2 → Zn(OH)2 → ZnSO4
[Understanding & Application]

111. [Electrolysis]
Rohan wants to electroplate a spoon with nickel.
(a) To which electrode should he connect the article to be electroplated?
(b) Write the equation for the reaction that will occur at the cathode.
(c) What should the anode be made up of? [Understanding & Application]

112. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

Amit found that 30g of a gas occupied 1000 c.c at STP.
(a) What will the gram molecular weight and the vapour density of this gas be?
(b) How many molecules of this gas will be present in 44.8 l of it?
[Understanding]

113. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]

An element X combines with oxygen to form an oxide X2O3. This oxide is a good
conductor of electricity and can be reduced to its metal only by electrolysis.
(a) Write the equation for the reaction formed when the oxide (X2O3) combines with
hydrochloric acid.
(b) How many valence electrons are present in the outermost shell of X?
(c) Will element X undergo oxidation or reduction?
[Understanding & Application]

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Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

114. [Analytical Chemistry]

Observe the reactions given below and answer the following questions:

(a) Identify compound P.

(b) Give the chemical formula of Z.
(c) Write the reaction taking place between the identified compound P and sulphuric
acid.
(d) Name compound Y.
[Understanding & Application]

115. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Study the information given in the table below and answer the questions that follow.
(Note- the letters do not represent the actual symbols of the elements)

(a) Explain why element X has highest ionisation energy.

(b) To which period does Z belong?
(c) Draw the electron dot structure of the compound formed between Z and oxygen.
[Analysis & Application]

116. [Study of Acids, Bases and Salts]

A student prepared a Potassium sulphite solution in the lab and added few drops of barium
nitrate solution to it. He observed a white precipitate being formed in the test tube. On
addition of dilute hydrochloric acid to the white precipitate and mixing it, he observed
that the precipitate disappeared.
(a) Name the white precipitate.
(b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid
and the white precipitate.
(c) Name the gas evolved in the above reaction. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 34

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

117. [Mole Concept and Stoichiometry]

The empirical formula of a hydrocarbon is C2H3.The hydrocarbon has a relative molecular
mass of 54. (At wt: H = 1, C = 12)
(a) What is the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon?
(b) Draw the structural formula of the hydrocarbon.
(c) Give the general formula of the hydrocarbon. [Application]

118. [Electrolysis]

Study the given figure and answer the given questions:

(a) Identify the application of electrolysis demonstrated above.
(b) Which metal is protected in the above process?
(c) Why should the metal be protected? [Application]

119. [Organic Chemistry]

Nita's father bought a basket of ripe mangoes. While opening it she found a small sachet
containing a white crystalline powder along with the mangoes. She was told that it is a
chemical that releases a gas when it comes in contact with moisture, that induces ripening
of fruits.
(a) Name the chemical powder in the sachet.
(b) Name the gas.
(c) Give a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that results in the evolution of
this gas. [Understanding & Application]

120. [Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties]

Atomic number of element M is 12 and it forms an ionic compound with element L.
(a) Which of the following atomic numbers will match L?
i. 14
ii. 10
iii. 8
(b) What is the name given to the members of the group to which element M belongs?
(c) Draw the electron dot structure of the compound formed between M and L.
[Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 35

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions

121. [Study of Compounds]

When two dry gases, oxygen and X, are passed over heated platinum, reddish-brown
fumes are seen in the receiving flask, as shown in the figure.
(a) Name the gas X.
(b) Give equation(s) for the reaction(s) that resulted in the formation of brown fumes.
[Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 36

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. (c) Ammonium hydroxide

2. (c) Cu

3. (b) Ammonia

4. (d) It has a triple bond between the carbon atoms.

5. (b) Reducing

6. (d) OH- - e- → OH,

[4OH] → 2H2O + O2

7. (b) B

8. (c) The sample of lead bromide was not heated up to the melting point by the teacher.

9. (d) Y – 2e- → Y2+

10. (d) 4, 1

11. (b) An atom / 7 molecules.

12. (a) NO. No change in blue and red litmus paper.

13. (c) Chlorine

14. (b) Butanol

15. (b) concentrated solution of NaCl.

| |
16.
(c) C≡C

17. (a)

18. ||
(c) – C – OH

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 37

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

19. (d) C < A < D < B

20. (a) Hard and strong

21. (a) Only P

22. (b) Hydroxyl ion

23. (a) Only P

24. (b) 2.6 dm3

25. (c) Connect the pan to negative electrode.

26. (c) The carbon anode is consumed.

27. (c) R

28. (a)

29. (d) A and C

30. (d) Sulphur, two, electronegative

31. (c) O2- > F - >Mg2+ > Na+ (Ionic radii)

32. (c) I, II and III

33. (c) P-Fe, Q-Zn, R-Ag

34. (a) X= CuO, Y=black, Z = reducing property

35. A is true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

36. (a) Both A and R are correct.

37. (c) A is correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.

38. (a) A is true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

39. (i) hydroxyl

(ii) deep blue
(iii) reducing agent
(iv) ammonium chloride

40. Reducing agent

41. X=Y

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 38

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

42. C5H8 and C4H10

43. 3

44. Oxidised, loss

45. Addition, unsaturated hydrocarbon

46. Right

47. Higher

48. (d) HCl < HNO3< CH3COOH

49. (a) Cu

50. (a) iv (b) v (c) i) (d) ii (e) iii

51. (a) iii (b) i (c) ii (d) v (e) iv

52. (a) ii (b) v (c) i (d) iii (e) iv

53. (a) iii (b) ii (c) v (d) i (e) iv

54. (a) iv (b) v (c) i (d) ii (e) iii

55. (a) iv (b) v (c) ii (d) i (e) iii

56. (a) ii (b) i (c) iv (d) v (e) iii

57. (a) v (b) iv (c) i (d) vi (e) iii

58. (a) v (b) iv (c) i (d) ii (e) iii

59. Ammonium / NH4 +

60. 10

61. 6

62. X/4

63. XCl

64. Hydrogen sulphide gas

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 39

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

65. -CH3 (methyl)

66. Molar volume

67. Sodium nitrate / Potassium nitrate

68. Mineral

69. H H
| |
H-C-C-H
| |
Cl Cl

70. H O
| ||
H- C- C - OH
|
H

71.

72. H
|
H – C = CH – CH – CH3
|
CH3

73.

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 40

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

74.

75.

76.

Or

77. 2-methyl -1-butene

78. 3-bromobutanoic acid

79. 2-methyl propan-2-ol

80. 2-methyl propanol

81. Butanoic acid

82. 3-methyl hexane

83. Propanal

84. Carbon dioxide gas forms a white ppt with calcium hydroxide, while with sodium
hydroxide, it does not.

85. Hydrogen chloride is highly soluble even in the minute traces of moisture present in the
air.

86. The bond between aluminum and oxygen is very strong / aluminum oxide is very stable.
It cannot be reduced by common reducing agents like carbon, carbon monoxide or
hydrogen.

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 41

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

87. Pure acetic acid, on cooling below 16.5°C, crystallises out to form a crystalline mass re-
sembling ice.

88. No, because the melting point of copper is very high.

89. A coloured dye is added to ethyl alcohol to denature it so as to prevent the misuse
(consumption) of alcohol.

90. Element C will top the group because ionisation energy decreases down the group.

91. (c) silver nitrate and zinc chloride

Silver chloride is formed, which is an insoluble precipitate, while for all others, no
precipitate is formed

92. (a) OH ions/ hydroxyl ions

(b) To prevent back suction of water or to increase area of absorption

93. As the forward reaction is exothermic (1) increasing the temperature will make the
reaction to reverse and thereby decrease (1) the yield of ammonia.

94.

Chloromethane / methyl chloride

95. (a) C4H8 + 6O2→ 4CO2 + 4H2O

(b)

96. A white ppt. is formed

H2SO4 +BaCl2 → BaSO4 + 2HCl

97. (a) 4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO+ 6H2O

(b) The platinum continues to glow even after heating is discontinued because the
reaction is exothermic.

98. (a) C12H22O11+conc. H2SO4 12C+11H2O

(b) Conc. H2SO4 is a dehydrating agent

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 42

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

99. (a) If Ferrous sulphate is left exposed to air for some time, then it will be oxidised to
ferric sulphate and it will not respond to the test.
(b) Nitroso ferrous sulphate.

100. (a) KClO3 = 122.5

KCl = 74.5
245g of KClO3 liberates 67.2 l of O2
367.5g of KClO3 gives
67.2 x 367.5/245= 100.8 l of O2
(b) 2x122.5g of KClO3 forms 74.5g of KCl
367.5g of KClO3 forms
74.5 x 367.5/245=111.75g of KCl

101. Duralumin is light and strong, while aluminium is light and weak. It is also unaffected
by moist air.
It is corrosion-resistant and has high tensile strength.

102. (a) Krish’s container is heavier

(b) Both the containers have the same number of atoms.

103. (a) B
(b) C

104. (a) Ions

(b) Metal P

105. (a) Step 2: Froth floatation instead of leaching

(b) Step 3: Roasting instead of calcination

106. (a) Nickel

107. Propanol
Structure

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 43

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

108. (a) Prevents burning of carbon anodes in air or prevents heat loss by radiation.
(b) Carbon anodes are oxidized and hence consumed
(c) Lowers the fusion point of the mixture or enhances the conductivity of the mixture
or enhances the mobility of the mixture.

109. (a) NH3 + 3PbO → 3Pb + 2H2O + 2NO2

(b) Zn + 4HNO3 → Zn (NO3)2 + 2H2O + 2NO2
(c) 2H2SO4 + S → 3SO2 + 2H2O

110. (a) Zn +2HCl → ZnCl2 + 2HCl

(b) ZnCl2 + 2NaOH → Zn (OH)2 + 2NaOH
(c) Zn (OH)2 + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + 2H2O

111. (a) Cathode

(b) Ni+2 + 2e → Ni
(c) Block of nickel

112. (a) 1000c.c of the gas weighs 30g

So 22400c.c of the gas weighs
30 x22400/1000 = 672g
Molecular weight of the gas = 672g (1)
V.D of the gas = 672/2 = 336 (1)
(b) 22.4litres of the gas contains 6.023x10²³ molecules
So, 44.8 litres of the gas contain 6.023x10²³x2 molecules
= 12.046 x 10²³ molecules (1)

113. (a) X2O3 + 6HCl → 2XCl3 + 3H2O

(b) 3
(c) Oxidation

114. (a) NaOH

(b) C2H5OH
(c) NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
(d) Sodium plumbite

115. (a) As the number of shells are less the attraction by the nucleus on the electrons is
more so more energy is required to remove the electron from the outermost shell
(b) Fourth period

116. (a) Barium sulphite

(b) BaSO3 + 2HCl → BaCl2 + H2O + SO2
(c) Sulphur dioxide

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 44

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

117. (a) C4H6

or
(c) CnH2n-2

118. (a) Electroplating

(b) Iron
(c) To prevent from rusting.

119. (a) Calcium Carbide

(b) (ethyne/acetylene)
(c) CaC2 + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2+ C2H2

120. (a) c) 8
(b) Alkaline earth metals

121. (a) NH3

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 45

Chemistry ICSE – Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 46

 PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape in India
has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to incorporate critical
thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote memorisation and focuses
on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level progressive
examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education in CISCE schools
through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-based assessments and the
incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC levels from the examination year
2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to support
teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking questions in future
board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice Questions for selected subjects at
the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item Bank consists of a rich variety of questions,
both objective and subjective in categories, aimed at enhancing the subject-specific critical and
analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s that it
intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include understanding, analysis,
application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of the higher-order recall domain. The
Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a given question, but it is neither limiting nor
exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments and as
samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from offering a good
practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would allow students to gauge
their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning to develop individual learning
pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team of
experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external reviewers
as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have contributed to
the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-learning
processes.

September 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

Table of Contents

S.No Type of Questions Page No.

I. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 2-14

II. Very Short Answer Questions 14-19

III. Long Answer Questions 20-23

Answer Key 24-37

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Computer Applications

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark)

S.No Questions
1. [User Defined Methods]
What is the type of error, if any, when two methods have the same method signature?
(a) Runtime error
(b) Logical error
(c) Syntax error
(d) No error [Understanding]

2. [User Defined Methods]

The advantage/s of user-defined methods are/is:
(i) Reusability
(ii) Complexity
(iii) Modularity

(a) Only (i)

(b) (ii) and (iiii)
(c) Only (iiii)
(d) (i) and (iii) [Understanding]

3. [User Defined Methods]

Parameters which receive the values from the called method are termed as _______
parameters.
(a) actual
(b) formal
(c) reference
(d) class [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
4. [User Defined Methods]
Which of the following is a valid method prototype?
(a) public int perform (int a;int b)
(b) public perform (int a, int b)
(c) public int perform (int a, int b)
(d) public perform int (int a, int b) [Analysis]

5. [User Defined Methods]

Which of the following is the CORRECT statement to invoke the method with the
prototype int display(int a, char ch)?
(a) int m = display(‘A’, 45);
(b) int m = display( );
(c) int m = display(A,45);
(d) int m = display(45,‘A’); [Analysis]

6. [String handling]
Which of the following is the CORRECT java statement to convert the word
RESPECT to lowercase?
(a) “RESPECT”. tolowercase( );
(b) ”RESPECT”.toLowerCase( );
(c) toLowerCase(“RESPECT”);
(d) String. toLowerCase(“RESPECT”); [Analysis]

7. [Library Classes]
Which of the following are Wrapper classes?
(i) Boolean
(ii) boolean
(iii) character
(iv) Character

(a) (i) and ((iv)

(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (ii) and (iii) [Understanding]

8. [Library Classes]
Conversion of a wrapper class to its corresponding primitive type is known as :
(a) unboxing
(b) autoboxing
(c) type casting
(d) parsing [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
9. [String Handling]
The String method, which results only in a positive integer, is :
(a) indexOf
(b) lastIndexOf
(c) compareTo
(d) length [Understanding]

10. [Library Classes]

The method to convert a String to double is:
(a) String. toDouble()
(b) Double. Parsedouble()
(c) Double. parseDouble(String)
(d) Double. parseDouble( ) [Understanding]

11. [Arrays]
The java statement System. out. println(x[x. length]) results in:
(a) logical error
(b) syntax error
(c) run time error
(d) no error [Analysis]

12. [Arrays]
Which of the following is a valid array declaration statement to store the Gender of 80
employees [ ‘M’-male, ‘F’-female, ‘T’-transgender ]?
(a) char gender = new char[80];
(b) char gender[] = new char[80];
(c) char gender[80];
(d) char gender[80] = new char[ ]; [Analysis]

13. [Arrays]
Arrange the following java statements in the correct order of execution to accept values
into the array a[]:
(i) a[i]=sc. nextInt( );
(ii) int a[]=new int[10];
(iii) Scanner sc=new Scanner(System. in);
(iv) for(i=0;i<10;i++)

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

(b) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(c) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
(d) (iii), (i), (iv), (ii) [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 4

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
14. [Arrays]
In the bubble sort technique, during each iteration of the inner loop, two adjacent
elements are __________and __________.
(i) compared
(ii) swapped
(iii) selected
(iv) deleted

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iv) [Understanding]

15. [Arrays]
What is the highest index of any array with 100 elements?
(a) 100
(b) 101
(c) 99
(d) 98 [Recall]

16. [User Defined Methods]

Mr. Sanjay is an event manager, he plans and allots duties to each of his subordinates
to handle different events. In a program, a task is divided into simple methods. Name
the feature used in these contexts.
(a) Complexity
(b) Modularity
(c) Reusability
(d) Monolithic [Understanding & Analysis]

17. [Input in Java]

Raj was asked to accept the phone number which has 10 digits, using the appropriate
method of Scanner class. Which of the following statement he must choose?
(a) Ob. nextInt()
(b) Ob. nextDouble()
(c) Ob. nextLong()
(d) Ob. next().chatAt(0) [Analysis]

18. [String Handling]

Raj wanted to count the number of digits in a given number without using a loop.
Which of the following statements is correct to perform the above?
(a) String.valueOf(n).length()
(b) Integer.parseInt(n).length()
(c) n.length()
(d) All the above [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 5

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
19. [String Handling]
Sham was asked to encode a string S, by replacing the letter E with #. Select the
appropriate statement:
(a) S.replace(‘#’,’E’)
(b) S. replace(‘E’)
(c) S. replace(‘E’, ‘#’)
(d) S. replace(‘#’) [Analysis]

20. [String Handling]

When the String m is compared to n , the result obtained is greater than zero. Which
of the following is true?
(a) m comes before n in the dictionary.
(b) n comes before m in the dictionary.
(c) m and n are equal.
(d) m and n have the same length.
[Analysis]

21 [String Handling]
Which of the following String methods has integer argument?
(i) length
(ii) substring
(iii) indexOf
(iv) charAt

(a) Only (ii)

(b) (i) and (iv)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (iii) and (iii) [Analysis]

22. [Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming Concepts]

Assertion: Property by virtue of which one class acquires the properties of another
class is termed as Inheritance.
Reason: Inheritance promotes reusability.
(a) Assertion is true, Reason is false.
(b) Assertion is true, Reason is true.
(c) Assertion is false, Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true. [Understanding]

23. [User Defined Methods]

Which of the following is NOT true for polymorphism?
(a) All methods have the same name.
(b) Methods are invoked based on the arguments.
(c) Methods should have the same number and the same type of arguments.
(d) It is a principle of OOPs. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
24. [Values and Datatypes]
Which of the following is a valid initialisation statement?
(a) int x = “GOOD”;
(b) int y = 45.0/2;
(c) int z=(int) ‘x’;
(d) int m = false ; [Analysis]

25. [Values and Datatypes]

Which of the following is a valid statement to print the following sentence:
Raj said “Good morning”
(a) System. out. println(“Raj said “Good morning”);
(b) System. out. println(“Raj said \\Good morning\\);
(c) System. out. println(“Raj said \"Good morning\" ”);
(d) System. out. println(“Raj said Good morning”); [Analysis]

26. [Arrays]

Which data structure is represented in the above picture?

(i) A two-dimensional array with 2 rows and seven columns.
(ii) A one-dimensional array with 14 elements.

(a) Both (i) and (ii)

(b) Only (i)
(c) Only (ii)
(d) None of the (i) and (ii) [Application & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 7

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
27. [Iterative Constructs in Java]

What is the type of looping statement depicted in the above picture?

(a) Entry controlled loop
(b) Exit controlled loop
(c) Multiple branching statement
(d) All the above. [Understanding & Application]

28. [Arrays]

What is the process done in the above picture?

(a) Sorting the list in descending order
(b) Searching the character in the list
(c) Sorting the list in ascending order.
(d) None of the above. [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
29. [Arrays]

Name the method of search depicted in the above picture.

(a) Binary Search
(b) Selection Sort
(c) Bubble Sort
(d) Linear Search [Understanding & Application]

30. [User Defined Methods]

Name the feature of Java depicted in the above picture.

(a) Encapsulation
(b) Inheritance
(c) Polymorphism
(d) Data abstraction [Recall & Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
31. [Values and Datatypes]

Name the data types in order from top, given in the above picture.
(a) int, char, double, String
(b) String, int, char, double
(c) char, double, int, String
(d) int, double, char, String [Understanding]

32. [Arrays]

How many bytes are occupied by the above two-dimensional array?

(a) 96 bytes
(b) 128 bytes
(c) 12 bytes
(d) 24 bytes [Understanding]

33. [Java Expressions]

A girl wanted to calculate the sum of two numbers stored as a and b multiplied by 7.
Select the appropriate Java expression.
(a) a+b*7
(b) 7*a+b
(c) (a+b)*7
(d) a+7*b [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 10

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
34. [Arrays]
The sum of a[1] and a[3] in the array int a[]={20,40,60,80,100} is:
(a) 80
(b) 100
(c) 120
(d) 60 [Evaluate]

35. [Encapsulation]

State which access specifier is less restrictive.

(a) private
(b) protected
(c) default
(d) public [Recall]

36. [Mathematical Library Methods]

The AMB hotel gives the amount to be paid by the customer as an integer, which of
the following Math method rounds off the bill in decimals to an integer?
(a) Math.round()
(b) Math.pow()
(c) Math.ceil()
(d) Math.abs() [Recall & Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 11

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
37. [Iterative Constructs in Java]
Identify which of the following leads to an infinite loop.
(a) for(i=10;i!=0;i- -)
(b) for(i=3;i<=30;i+=3)
(c) for(i=1;i>=1;i++)
(d) for(i=1;i>=0;i- -) [Analysis]

38. [Constructors]
Assertion: A class can have multiple constructors
Reason: Multiple constructors are defined with same set of arguments.
(a) Assertion is true, Reason is false.
(b) Both assertion and Reason are false.
(c) Both assertion and Reason are true.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true. [Understanding & Analysis]

39. [Arrays]
Assertion: An array can store elements of different data types
Reason: An array is a user-defined data type with multiple values of the same data
type but a different memory index.
(a) Assertion is true, Reason is false.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason are true.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true. [Analysis]

40. [Values and Datatypes]

Which of the following statement is an example for explicit typecasting?
(a) int amount = 45;
(b) int amount = 24*24;;
(c) int amount = Integer.parseInt (“45”);
(d) int amount = int (45.75); [Analysis]

41. [Mathematical Library Methods]

The output of the statement Math.ceil. (89.9)+Math.floor(90.5) is:
(a) 0.0
(b) 180
(c) 180.0
(d) 180.4 [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 12

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
42. [String Handling]
The output of the statement of “TIGER”. indexOf(‘G’) is:
(a) 3
(b) 2
(c) -1
(d) 0 [Understanding]

43. [Conditional Constructs in Java]

Choose the statement which is equivalent to the given:
if(a>b)
System.out. println(“Honest”);
else
System.out.println(“Sincere”);
(a) a>b? System.out. println(“Honest”):System.out.println(“Sincere”);
(b) System.out.println(a>b? “Honest”: “Sincere”);
(c) a>b? “Honest”: “Sincere”;
(d) a>b: “Honest”? “Sincere”; [Understanding]

44. [String Handling]

The two Java statement are used to check for the equality of the strings “COP” and
“cop” are as follows:
“COP”. equals(“cop”)
“COP”. equalsIgnoreCase(“cop”)
The output of the above statements is:
(a) false, true
(b) true, false
(c) false, false
(d) true, true [Understanding]

45. [String Handling]

The output of the java statement “SOLDIER”. compareTo(“SOLUTE”); is
(a) -4
(b) -17
(c) 17
(d) 0 [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 13

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
46 [Arrays]
Arrange the following in the descending order of number of bytes occupied.
(i) char x[20]
(ii) int a[4][2]
(iii) double b[6]

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

(b) (iii), (i), (ii)
(c) (ii), (iii), (i)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) [Analysis]

47. [Arrays]
Sam performs bubble sort on the following array to organise the elements in ascending
order:
{5,1,2,3}
After the first comparison the array is:
{1,5,2,3}
What would be the array after the next comparison?
(a) {1,2,5,3}
(b) {1,5,3,2}
(c) {1,3,5,2}
(d) {1,3,2,5} [Understanding & Analysis]

Very Short Answer Questions (2 marks)

S.No Questions
48 [Mathematical Library Methods]
Write the java statement for:
Sum of a raised to b and cuberoot of c [Understanding]

49. [User Defined Methods]

Name the following:
(a) Method with the same name as of the class and is invoked every time an object is
created.
(b) Keyword to access the classes of a package. [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 14

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
50. [Library Classes]
Name the following:
(a) A Character method that checks whether a character is an alphabet or a number.
(b) A Math method that does not have an argument. [Understanding]

51. [String Handling]

Cyber police wanted to investigate a case; they wanted to check a list of phone numbers
that had 945 anywhere in the phone number. Example: 7394567938, 7685483945.., a
method was created to convert the phone number in long data type to a string and check
for the existence of the number 945. Fill in the blanks (a) and (b) in the given method
with appropriate Java statements:
void check(long pno)
{ String s = _______(a)_________;
if(______(b)_______)
System. out.println(pno);
} [Analysis]

52. [String Handling]

A manager wants to check the number of employees with names ending with KUMAR,
and fill in the blanks in the given program segment with appropriate Java statements:
void count(String s[])
{
int i, l=_________, c=0;
for(i=0;i<l;i++)
{
if(________________)
c++;
}
System.out.println(c);
} [Application]

53. [String Handling]

The output of a program which extracts a part of the string “COMPASSION” is as
follows:
(a) “PASS”
(b) “PASSION”
Write appropriate Java statements to get the above outputs. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 15

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
54. [Iterative Constructs in Java]
Give the output of the following program segment:
for(k=a;k<=a*b;k+=a)
{ if (k%b==0)
break;
}
System. out. println(k);
Give the output when a=6, b= 4. [Application]

55. [Library Classes]

Kamal wants to display only the alphabets stored in a character array. While compiling
the code, an error was displayed. Check for the statement with the error and write the
correct statement.
char arr[]={‘4’, ‘&’, ‘a’, ‘w’, ‘d’};
int i;
for(i=0;i<arr.length;i++)
{
if(Character. isLetter(arr))
System.out. println(arr);
} [Application]

56. [Values and Datatypes]

Name the type of type casting in the given statements:
(a) double m = ‘b’;
(b) char ch = (char) 68; [Understanding]

57. [Mathematical Library Methods; String Handling]

Write Java statements for the following:
(a) To assign the cube root of -343 to a variable with the appropriate datatype.
(b) To assign the position of the last occurrence of @ in the String s with the
appropriate datatype. [Understanding]

58. [Operators]
Mention the output of this code snippet:
int lives = 5;
System.out.println(lives--);
System.out.println(lives); [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 16

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
59. [Iterative Constructs in Java]
Convert the following for loop segment to an exit-controlled loop.
for(k=10;k>= -1;k- -)
System. out. println(k*2);
System. out. println(k*4); [Analysis]

60. [Arrays]
Give the output of the following program segment:
int x[]={2,45,7,67,12,3};
int i, t=0;
for(i=0, t=5;i<3;i++,t- -)
{
System. out. println(x[i]+x[t];
} [Analysis]

61. [Arrays]
Write Java statements for the following:
(a) Initialise the array with the three favourite subjects.
(b) Declare an array to store the marks in 3 subjects of 40 students. [Understanding]

62. [Mathematical Library Methods]

A Student executes the given program segment and it results in 1.0, irrespective of the
value of n. State the type of the error, write the correct statement:
void solve(int n)
{ double power=Math. pow(n, ⅔);
System. out. println(power);
} [Understanding]

63. [Encapsulation]
Consider the following program segment and answer the questions given:
for(int k=1;k<=5;k++)
System. out. println(k);
System. out. println(k);
(a) Will the program segment get executed successfully?
(b) If not, state the type of error?
(c) How do you correct the program if it has any error? [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 17

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
64. [Arrays]
Consider the array:
int a[]={12,35,40,22,56,9,70};
(a) In the above given array, using linear search, how many iterations are required to
check for the existence of the value 56?
(b) If the array is arranged in descending order, how many iterations are required to
check for the existence of 56 using linear search? [Analysis]

65. [Evaluation of Expressions]

Evaluate the expression:
3*6%5*4/2*7%5 [Evaluate]

66. [Arrays]
Consider the following program which calculates the Norm of a matrix. Norm is square
root of sum of squares of all elements.
Fill in the blanks (a) and (b) with appropriate java statements:
double norm()
{ intx[][]={{1,5,6},{4,2,9},{6,1,3}};
int r, c, sum=0;
for(r=0;r<3;r++)
{ for( c=0;c<3;c++)
sum=sum+_____(a)_____;
}
____(b)________;
} [Analysis]

67. [Nested for Loops]

Give the output of the following program segment:
for(r=1;r<=3;r++)
{ for(c=1;c<r;c++)
{ System.out. println(r);
}
} [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 18

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
68. [String Handling]
Give the output of the following program segment:
void encode()
{
String s= “DICe”;
char ch;
for(i=0;i<4;i++)
{ ch=s. charAt(i);
if(“AEIOUaeiou”. indexOf(ch)>=0)
System.out. println(“@”);
else
System.out. println(ch);
} [Analysis]

69. [Arrays]
Name the following:
(a) What is the main condition to perform binary search on an array?
(b) A sort method in which consecutive elements are NOT compared.
[Understanding]
70. [Input in Java]
Answer the following:
(a) Scanner class method to accept a character.
(b) Jump statement which stops the execution of a construct. [Understanding]

71. [Iterative Constructs in Java]

How many times the given loop is executed? Give the output of the same.
for(k=10;k<=20;k+=4)
{
System.out. println(k);
if(k%3==0) continue;
} [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 19

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

Long Answer Questions (15 marks)

S.No Questions
72. [User Defined Methods]
The BHDB company offer EMI (Equated Monthly Instalments) based loans for the
purchase of electronic devices based on the purchase amount the rate of interest is
offered as follows:
Purchase amount less than Rs.20000, rate of interest is 12% otherwise the rate of
interest is 15%.
Amount with interest for the specified number of years is calculated using the formula
Amount = p(1+r/100)^n
Where p is the purchase amount, r is the rate of interest, n is the number of years.
After the amount is calculated it is converted into EMI by dividing the amount by the
number of months of the tenure, which has to be a whole number rounded off to the
nearest integer.
Print the details as follows:
Purchase amount:
Rate of interest:
Amount with interest:
EMI:
Define a class to accept the purchase amount and the number of years of the tenure,
calculate and print the details as per the above specifications. [Application]

73. [Iterative Constructs in Java]

Define a class to accept a four-digit number and check if it is a USHWA number or
not. The number is said to be USHWA
Accept a four digit number . If:
Sum of all digits= 2× ( sum of first and last)
Example: n =1234
Sum of first and last
= 1+4=5
Sum of all digits =1+2+3+4=10
Example 2
If the input value is 354, then a error message should be given as the number has only
3 digits. [Create]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 20

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
74. [Iterative Constructs in Java; Nested for Loops]
(a) Define a class to print the Floyds triangle of given rows using nested loops only.
Example:
A Floyd triangle of 6 rows is
1
23
456
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21
(b) Define a class to print the sum of the following series:
1+(1+2)+(1+2+3)+..........(1+2+3……20) [Analysis]

75. [String Handling]

A student appearing for the ICSE/ISC examination will be given an index number,
which is of the following format:
Number of 7 digits/number of 3 digits.
The first digit represents ICSE(1) or ISC(2), the next two digits represent the year, the
next four digits represent the centre number, the last 3 digits represent the index
number.
Example:
1244311/204
Class: 10
Year: 24
Centre number: 4311
Index number: 204
Example :
2259856/107
Class: 12
Year: 25
Centre number: 9856
Index number:107
Define a class to accept the student index number as a String and print his/her details
as above. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 21

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
76. [Arrays]
Define a class to accept values into a 3x3 array and check if it is a Losho grid or not.
A grid is a Losho grid if the sum of each row and column equals 15.
Print appropriate messages.
Example: 4 9 2
357
816 [Application]

77. [User Defined Methods; Arrays; String Handling]

Define a class to overload the method that performs as follows :
void perform(int x[]) - to display the largest element of the array.
Example:
{4, 5, 16, 6, 12, 9}
Largest: 16
void perform (String s, char ch)
If ch is ‘F’ print the first 5 characters, if ch is ‘L’ print the last 5characters
Example: s= “CARPENTER”
ch = F
Output: CARPE
ch = L
Output: ENTER
void perform(int n) : to print the Product of the first and last digits of the number
Example: if n = 45326
Output: 4x6=24 [Application]

78. [User Defined Methods]

Rahul was asked to create a class with methods to calculate the area of a triangle (½ b
h ), the area of a square ( s x s), the area of a trapezium (½ h(a+b)), the area of a
rectangle (l x b). He created a class by giving the same name to all the methods as area.
Name the element of Java used in the program. Define a class with the four methods
with the same name. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 22

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions
79. [Arrays]
A teacher prepares the statistics of 100 students in ICSE 2024 on the subject Computer
Applications as follows:
Range No. Of students
Above 90
80 - 90
60 - 80
Below 60
Define a class to accept the marks of 100 students in an array and print the statistics as
mentioned above. [Application]

80. [String handling]

Sam designs a program to check the strength of a password. A strong password should
satisfy the following conditions:
→length of the password should be atleast 12 characters
→should atleast have 4 upper case letters, 4 lower case letters, 2 digits, 2 special
characters
Define a class accept the password and check whether the password is strong or not.
[Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 23

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. (c) Syntax error

2. (d) (i) and (iii)

3. (b) formal

4. (c) public int perform(int a, int b)

5. (d) int m = display(45,‘A’);

6. (b) “RESPECT”. toLowerCase( );

7. (a) (i) and (iv)

8. (a) unboxing

9. (d) length

10. (c) Double. parseDouble(String)

11. (c) run time error

12. (b) char gender[]=new char[80];

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

14. (a) (i) and (ii)

15. (c) 99

16. (b) Modularity

17. (c) Ob. nextLong()

18. (a) String.valueOf(n).length()

19. (c) S. replace(‘E’, ‘#’)

20. (b) b comes before a in the dictionary

21. (c) (ii) and (iv)

22. (b) Assertion is true, Reason is true.

23. (c) Methods should have the same number and the same type of arguments.

24. (c) int z = (int) ‘x’;

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 24

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

25. (c) System. out. println(“Raj said \"Good morning\" ”);

26. (b) only (i)

27. (a) Entry controlled loop

28. (c) Sorting the list in ascending order.

29. (d) Linear Search

30. (c) Polymorphism

31. (b) String, int, char, double

32. (b) 128 bytes

33. (c) (a+b)*7

34. (c) 120

35. (d) public

36. (a) Math. round()

37. (c) for(i=1i>=1;i++)

38. (a) Assertion is true, Reason is false.

39. (d) Assertion is false, Reason is true.

40. (a) int amount = (int) valueINR

41. (c) 180.0

42. (b) 2

43. (b) System.out.println(a>b? “Honest”: “Sincere”);

44. (a) false,true

45. (a) -17

46. (b) (iii), (i), (ii)

47. (a) {1,2,5,3}

48. Math.pow(a, b)+Math.cbrt(c)

49. (a) Constructor

(b) Import

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 25

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

50. (a) Character.isLetterOrDigit(char)
(b) Math. random()

51. (a) s=String. toValue(pno)

(b) s. indexOf("945")>=0)

52. s.length
s[i]. endswith(“KUMAR”)

53. (a) “COMPASSION”. substring(3,7)

(b) “COMPASSION”. substring(3)

54. a b k
6 4 6 (6%4 is not zero)
6 4 12 (12%4 is zero)
Output : 12

55. Statements with error:

if(Character. isLetter(arr))
System.out. println(arr)
Corrected statements:
if(Character. isLetter(arr[i]))
System.out. println(arr[i])

56. (a) Implicit type casting

(b) Explicit type casting

57. (a) double c = Math.cbrt(-343);

(b) int p = s.lastIndexOf(‘@’);

58. 5
4

59. k=10;
do
{ System. out. println(k*2);
k- -;
}while(k>=-1);
System. out. println(k*4);

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 26

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

60. i t x[i] x[t] output
0 5 2 3 5
1 4 45 12 57
2 3 7 67 74

61. (a) String subject[]={“Computer applications”, “Physics”, “Mathematics”};

(b) int m[][]=new int[40][3]; /
int m[][]=new int[3][40];

62. Logical error

Correct statement:
power=Math.pow(n, 2.0/3);

63. No
Syntax error
k has to be declared outside the loop
int k;
for(k=1;k<=5;k++)

64. (a) 5
(b) 2

65. 18%5*4/2*7%5
3*4/2*7%5
12/2*7%5
6*7%5
42%5
2

66. (a) x[r][c]*x[r][c]

(b) return Math.sqrt(sum)

67. r c output
1 1
2 1 2
2
3 1 3
2 3
3

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 27

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

68. D
@
C
@

69. (a) Array should be sorted.

(b) Selection sort.

70. (a) <Scanner object>. next(). charAt(0)

(b) break

71. k output count

10 10 1
14 14 2
18 3
22
Loop is executed 3 times

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 28

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

72. Import java.util.*;

class emi
{
double pa, r, amount; int n;
Scanner ob=new Scanner(System.in);
void accept()
{
System.out.println(“enter purchase amount”);
pa=ob.nextDouble();
System.out.println(“enter no. Of years”);

n=ob.nextDouble();
}
void calculate()
{
if(pa<=20000)
r=12;
else
r=15;
amount=p*Math.pow(1+r/100,n);
emi=amount/(n*12);
}
void print()
{
System.out.println(“purchase amount=”+pa);
System. out.println(“rate of interest=”+r);
System. out.println(“amount=”+amount);
System. out.println(“emi=”+Math.round(emi);
}
static void main()
{
emi e=new emi();
e.accept();
e.calculate();
e.print();
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 29

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

73. Class ushwa
{
int n;
ushwa(int x)
{ n=x;
}
void ushwa()
{
if(String.valueOf(n).length()!=4)
{ System.out. println(“Invalid”);
System.exit(0);
}
int f, d,s=0;
f=n%10;
while(n>0)
{ d=n%10;
s=s+d;
n=n/10;
}
if(s==2*(f+d))
System. out. println(“Ushwa number”);
else
System. out.println(“not an ushwa number”);
}
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 30

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

74. a)
class floyd
{
void print(int n)
{ int r, c, k=1;
for(r=1;r<=n;r++)
{ for(c=1;c<=r;c++)
{ System. out. print(k);
k++;
}
System. out. println();
}
}
b)
class sumseries
{
void calculate()
{ int i, s=0,sum=0;
for(i=1;i<=20;i++)
{
s=s+i;
sum=sum+s;
}
System. out. println(“Sum=”+sum);
}
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 31

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

75. class index
{
String s;
index(String x)
{
s=x;
}
void print()
{
int p=s.indexOf(‘/’);
char c = s.charAt(0);
int y=Integer. parseInt(s.substring(1,3));
String centre=s.substring(3, p);
String n = s.substring(p+1);
if(c==’1’)
System.out.println(“Class :”+10);
if(c==’2’)
System.out. println(“Class :”+12);
System.out.println(“Year :”+y);
System.out.println(“Centre number :”+centre);
System.out. println(“Index number :”+n);
}
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 32

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

76. import java. util.*;
class losho_grid
{
int x[][]=new int[3][3];
Scanner ob=new Scanner(System. in);
void accept()
{ int r, c;
for(r=0;r<3;r++)
{ for(c=0;c<3;c++)
{ System. out. println(“Enter the value”);
x[r][c]=ob. nextInt();
}
}
}
void check()
{ int r, c, rtot=0,ctot=0; →(1)
for(r=0;r<3;r++) → (1)
{ for(c=0;c<3;c++) →(1)
{ rtot+=x[r][c]; →(1)
ctot+=x[r][c]; →(1)
}
if(rtot!=15||ctot!=15) →(2)
{ System. out. println(“Not a loshogrid”); →(1)
System. exit(0);
}
rtot=0;ctot=0; →(2)
}
System. out. println(“losho grid); →(1)
}
}
*declaration and accepting the array →2 marks
List of variables →2 marks

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 33

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

77. class overload
{
void perform(int x[]) →(1)
{
int i, l=x. length, large=x[0];→(1)
for (i=0;i<l;i++)→(1)
{ if (x[i]> large)→(1)
x[i]=large;→(1)
}
System. out. println(large);→(1)
}
void perform(String s, char ch)→(1)
{
int l=s.length();→(1)
if (ch==’F’)→(1)
System. out.println(s. substring(0,5);→(1)
if (ch==’L’)
System. out. println(s.substring(l-5);→(1)
}
void perform(int n)
{
int d, p=1;→(1)
while(n>0)→(1)
{ d=n%10; p= p*d;
n=n/10;→(1) }
System.out.println((p));→(1)
}
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 34

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

78. class polygon
{
void area(double b, double h)
{
System.out.println(“Area of triangle=”+1.0/2*b*h);
}
void area(double s)
{ System.out. println(“Area of square=”+s*s);
}
void area(double h, double a, double b)
{
System.out. println(“Area of trapezium=”+1.0/2*h*(a+b));
}
void area(int l, int b)
{
System. out.println(“Area of rectangle=”+l*b);
}
}
Feature - polymorphism(overloading)

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 35

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

79. import java.util.*

class statistics
{
int x[]=new int[100];
Scanner ob = new Scanner (System.in);
void accept()
{
int i;
for(i=0;i<100;i++)
{
System.out.println(“Enter marks”);
x[i]=ob.nextInt();
}
void statistics()
{
int i, a=0,b=0,c=0,d=0;
for(i=0;i<100;i++)
{
if(x[i]>90)
a++;
else
if(x[i]>80&&x[i]<=90)
b++;
else
if(x[i]>60&&x[i]<=80)
c++;
else
d++;
}
System.out.println(“Range\tNumber of students”);
System.out. println(“Above 90”+”\t”+a);
System.out. println(“80 - 90”+”\t”+b);
System. out.println(“60 - 80”+”\t”+c);
System.out. println(“<=60”+”\t”+d);
}
}

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 36

Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

80. class strength
{
String s;
strength(String z)
{ s=z;
}
boolean strength()
{ int i, l=s. length();
char ch, uc=0,lc=0,d=0,sp=0;
if (l<12)
return false;
for(i=0;i<l;i++)
{ ch=s. charAt(i);
if(Character.isUpperCase(ch))
uc++;
if(Character.isLowerCase(ch))
lc++;
if(Character.isDigit(ch))
d++;
if(!Character.isLetterOrDigit(ch))
sp++;
}
if (uc<4) return false;
if(lc<4) return false;
if(d<2) return false;
if(sp<2) return false;
return true;
}
}

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Computer Applications ICSE – Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 38

 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.

August 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
English Language ICSE – Class X

Table of Contents

S.No. Type of Questions Page Nos.

I. Long Answer Questions 2

II. Short Answer Questions 2-3

III. Comprehension Questions 3-6

IV. Multiple Choice Questions 6-11

V. Fill in the Blank 11-13

VI. Very Short Answer Questions 13-14

Answer Key 15-20

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

English Language ICSE – Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

English Language

I: Long Answer Questions

S.No. Questions
1. Write an original short story that begins with the words: ‘He was the strangest boy
I had ever met…’ (20)
[Analysis]

2. ‘Every school must have a playing ground.’ Argue either for or against the above
statement. (20)
[Application & Analysis]

3. You recently visited the local library and noticed the poor condition of some of the
books on display. Write a letter to the librarian bringing to his attention the
neglected condition of these books. Request him to take the necessary steps for the
replacement of the books. (10)
[Application & Analysis]

4. Your school had taken you on an outing to an amusement park which your friend
could not join due to ill-health. Write a letter to him/her describing the various
activities you did throughout the day. Also, tell him/her how much you missed
him/her. (10)
[Application & Analysis]

II: Short Answer Questions (5 Marks)

S.No. Questions
5. Your school is organising a student conference on the theme ‘Youth for Digital
India’. Write a notice for your school notice board inviting students from classes IX
to XII to submit essays for this conference. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
6. Write an e-mail to an entrepreneur involved in the field of Information Technology
to deliver the keynote address at the Student Conference to be organised by your
school.

7. Your school is organising a drive to clean the city of plastic waste. Write a notice
for your school notice board inviting students from classes IX to XII to participate
in the drive.

8. Write a notice for the school notice board informing the students about an Inter-
School Painting Competition to be held on the occasion of Independence Day.

9. Write an email to a famous artist in your city requesting him to judge and select the
best painting in the competition.

III: Comprehension Questions

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

Passage 1:

If he didn't hurry it would soon be dark. And his father would be waiting for the bait. First of
all he had said to his mother that he wouldn't go to the ebb. The mood had come on him to be
very stubborn. It was a shame that he should have to go to the ebb, with the other boys playing
football. The injustice of it had hit him strongly. His father had said nothing. But if he didn't go
then his father would have had to. And by two or three in the morning his father would have to
be aboard.

It must be terribly cold in the dark out on that sea; out on that sea in the small hours of a sleepy
morning, or on a morning of hard frost, with mist coming off the water like ghosts' breath. The
loneliness of the bouldered beach suddenly caught him in an odd way. A small shiver went over
his back. The dark undulating water rose from him to a horizon so far away that it was vague
and lost. What a size it was! It could heave up and drown the whole world. Its waters would go
rushing and drowning. He glimpsed the rushing water as a turbulent whiteness released out of
thunderous sluices.

"But you can't," he half-smiled, a little fearfully, glancing about him. A short distance away,
right on the sea's edge, he saw one of the boulders move. His heart came into his throat. Yet
half his mind knew that it could only be some other lonely human being in the ebb. And
presently he saw the back bob up for a moment again. Yes, it was a man. Seeking among the
boulders there like some queer animal!

He looked about him carefully. There was no one else. There were just the two of them in the
ebb. Here they were on this dark beach, with nobody else. A strange air of remoteness touched

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

English Language ICSE – Class X

him. It was as though they shared this gloomy shore, beyond the world's rim, between them.
There was a secret importance in it. He stooped and began filling his bag with mussels, picking
big ones in a manly way. The water was now merely cool to his burning hands. [Adapted from
‘Morning Tide’ by Neil M. Gunn]

S.No. Questions
10. For each word given below, choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage)
from the options provided: (1)
Stubborn
(a) Heavy
(b) Obstinate
(c) Determined
(d) Defiant [Understanding]

11. For each word given below, choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage)
from the options provided: (1)
Queer
(a) Funny
(b) Quaint
(c) Water
(d) Strange [Understanding]

12. Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘calm’? (1)

(a) Heave
(b) Fearfully
(c) Turbulent
(d) Cool [Understanding]

13. What would happen if he didn’t hurry? (2)

[Recall]

14. According to the passage, what would be injustice? Why would it be unjust do you
think? (2)
[Understanding & Analysis]

15. Why did he feel he had to go to the ebb? (2)

[Recall & Understanding]

16. What was the ebb do you think? What would it be like out at sea? (2)
[Recall & Analysis]

17. What made a shiver go down his back? Who were the words ‘But you can’t’
addressed to? (2) [Recall & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 4

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
18. Describe in about 50 words what happened after he saw one of the boulders move.
(2) [Understanding & Recall]

Passage 2:

The Belgian consul’s house was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly alleyways that made up
the Jewish quarter of the town. It was a fascinating area, the cobbled streets crammed with
stalls that were piled high with gaily-coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining sweetmeats,
ornaments of beaten silver, fruit, and vegetables. The streets were so narrow that you had to
stand back against the wall to allow the donkeys to stagger past with their loads of merchandise.
It was a rich and colourful part of the town, full of noise and bustle, the screech of bargaining
women, the cluck of hens, the barking of dogs, and the wailing cry of the men carrying great
trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads. Right in the very centre, in the top flat of a tall, rickety
building that leant tiredly over a tiny square, lived the Belgian consul.

He was a sweet little man whose most striking attribute was a magnificent three-pointed beard
and carefully waxed moustache. He took his job rather seriously and was always dressed as
though he were on the verge of rushing off to some important official function, in a black cut-
away coat, striped trousers, fawn spats over brightly polished shoes, an immense cravat like a
silk waterfall, held in place by a plain gold pin, and a tall and gleaming top hat that completed
the ensemble. One could see him at any hour of the day, clad like this, picking his way down
the dirty, narrow alleys, stepping daintily among the puddles, drawing himself back against the
wall with a magnificently courteous gesture to allow a donkey to pass, and tapping it coyly on
the rump with his Malacca cane. The people of the town did not find his garb at all unusual.
They thought that he was an Englishman, and as all Englishmen were lords it was not only
right but necessary that they should wear the correct uniform.

S.No. Questions
19. Where was the Belgian Consul’s house situated? (2) [Recall]

20. What made the area fascinating? (2) [Understanding]

21. Why did he have to stand back against the wall to allow the donkeys to stagger
past? (2) [Understanding]

22. What made the streets noisy and busy? (2)

[Understanding]

23. Where did the Belgian consul live? (2)

[Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 5

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
24. What was his most striking attribute? (2)
[Understanding]

25. How was he always dressed? (2)

[Recall]

26. What could one see him doing at any hour of the day? (2)
[Recall]

27. Why did the people of the town not find his garb at all unusual? (2)
[Understanding]

28. What would a suitable title for this passage be? Why? (2)
[Analysis]

IV: Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark)

S.No. Questions
For questions 29-36, join the sentences UNDERLINED to make one complete
sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.

29. The fans were on. It felt hot and humid.

(a) In spite of the fans being on, it was feeling hot and humid.
(b) It felt hot and humid, but the fans were on.
(c) It felt hot and humid despite the fans being on.
(d) Due to it feeling hot and humid, the fans were being put on.
[Application]

30. You may get lost. Follow the guide.

(a) Follow the guide if you don’t want to get lost forever.
(b) You may get lost unless you follow the guide.
(c) You may follow the guide and get lost.
(d) You should not get lost; do follow the guide. [Application]

31. It is very hot. I can't go out now.

(a) It is very hot, so I can't go out now.
(b) It is too hot, and I can't go out now.
(c) It was very hot to go out now.
(d) It is so hot I can't go out now. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
32. I bought these mangoes yesterday. They are very sweet.
(a) I bought these mangoes yesterday which are very sweet.
(b) These mangoes which I bought yesterday are very sweet.
(c) I bought these mangoes yesterday because they are very sweet.
(d) Since I bought these mangoes yesterday, they are very sweet.
[Application]

33. Jack took a holiday. He wanted to visit his grandmother.

(a) Jack took a holiday when he wanted to visit his grandmother.
(b) Jack took a holiday as because he wanted to visit his grandmother.
(c) Jack took a holiday to visit his grandmother.
(d) Jack wanted to visit his grandmother, so he took a holiday. [Application]

34. The baby ate his breakfast. He went to sleep.

(a) Having eaten his breakfast, the baby went to sleep.
(b) By eating his breakfast, the baby went to sleep.
(c) Having eaten his breakfast, he went to sleep.
(d) Eating his breakfast, the boy went off to sleep. [Application]

35. Tanya plays the guitar. Soham plays the guitar.

(a) Both Tanya and Soham play the guitar.
(b) Both Tanya and Soham play the guitar.
(c) Tanya, as well as Soham, play the guitar.
(d) Tanya, as well as Soham, plays the guitar. [Application]

36. Ravi did not lock the house. Ravi did not lock the gates.
(a) Neither Ravi locked the house nor the gates.
(b) Ravi locked neither the house nor the gates.
(c) Neither did Ravi lock the house or the gates.
(d) Neither the house nor the gates did Ravi lock. [Application]

37 Janice had a cat. It had red fur.

(a) Janice had a red fur cat.
(b) Janice had a cat with red fur.
(c) Janice’s cat was red with fur.
(d) Janice had a cat who had red fur. [Application]

38. I warned him several times. Yet, he broke the school rules.
(a) Although I warned him several times, he broke the school rules.
(b) Although I warned him several times, yet he broke the school rules.
(c) Although I had warned him several times, still he broke the school rules.
(d) Although I warned him several times, but he broke the traffic rules.
[Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 7

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
39. The thief saw the unlocked door. He got in.
(a) The thief had got in because he saw the unlocked door.
(b) The thief got away when he saw the unlocked door.
(c) Seeing the unlocked door, the thief got in.
(d) While seeing the unlocked door, the thief got on. [Application]

40. I bought a new violin. Immediately I took music lessons.

(a) I bought a new violin and immediately took music lessons.
(b) No sooner did I buy a new violin when I took music lessons.
(c) Hardly did I buy a new violin than I took music lessons.
(d) As soon as I bought a new violin, I took music lessons. [Application]

For questions 41-60, choose the correct option to rewrite the UNDERLINED
sentences according to the instructions given after each sentence.

41. As soon as Matthew reached the school, the bell rang.

(Begin with: No sooner…)
(a) No sooner did Matthew reached the school when the bell rang.
(b) No sooner does Matthew reach the school that the bell rang.
(c) No sooner did Matthew reach the school than the bell rang.
(d) No sooner did Matthew reach the school then the bell rang. [Application]

42. "Will you help me carry the books?" the teacher asked me.
(Begin with: The teacher asked me ...)
(a) The teacher told me to help her carry the books.
(b) The teacher told me to carry the books.
(c) The teacher asked me for carrying the books.
(d) The teacher asked me if I would help her carry the books. [Application]

43. You love school.

(End with a question tag)
(a) You love school, do you?
(b) You love school, don’t you?
(c) Do you love school?
(d) You love school, isn’t it? [Application]

44. He succeeded in his efforts to win the competition.

(Begin with: ‘His efforts to win the competition’)
(a) His efforts to win the competition were successful.
(b) His efforts to win the competition were met with succeeded.
(c) His efforts to win the competition were a grand success.
(d) His efforts to win the competition are succeeding. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
45. He is not a singer. He is not a dancer.
(Use: neither…)
(a) He is neither a singer nor a dancer.
(b) He is neither a singer nor is he a dancer.
(c) He is neither a singer or a dancer.
(d) He is neither a singer nor dancer. [Application]

46. The shelf is so high that I cannot reach it.

(Use ‘too’ in place of ‘so’)
(a) This shelf is too high that I cannot reach it.
(b) This shelf is too high for me to reach.
(c) This shelf is too high to reach me.
(d) This shelf is too much high to reach. [Application]

47. The donkey is more industrious than all other creatures.

(Use: most industrious)
(a) The donkey is most industrious than any other creature.
(b) No other creature is most industrious than the donkey.
(c) The donkey is the most industrious than any other creature on earth.
(d) The donkey is the most industrious creature. [Application]

48. These books need dusting again.

(Begin: These books will… )
(a) These books will require dusting.
(b) These books will be dusted.
(c) These books will have to be dusted again.
(d) These books will be needing dusting again. [Application]

49. No sooner did the plane take off than the child started wailing.
(Begin: As soon as…..)
(a) As soon as the plane took off than the child started wailing.
(b) As soon as the plane took off, the child started wailing.
(c) As soon as the child started wailing, the plane took off.
(d) As soon as the child wailed, the plane took off. [Application]

50. Adopting a dog was the best thing I have ever done in my life.
(Begin: No other…..)
(a) No other dog I have ever adopted was the best thing I have done in my life.
(b) No other best thing I have ever done in my life was adopting a dog.
(c) No other thing I have ever done in my life was as good as adopting a dog.
(d) No other thing I have ever done was as good as adopting a dog in my life.
[Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
51. He was away from home, yet he remembered his parents’ birthdays.
(Use: Although…)
(a) He remembered his parent’s birthday although he was away from home.
(b) He was away from home although he remembered his parents’ birthdays.
(c) Although he was away from home, he remembers his parents’ birthdays.
(d) Although he was away from home, he remembered his parents’ birthdays.
[Application]

52. The manager said to the clerk, “I hope you remembered to lock up the office.”
(Begin: The manager said ……)
(a) The manager said to the clerk that he hoped that he had remembered to lock
up the office.
(b) The manager said the clerk that he hoped that he had remembered to lock up
the office.
(c) The manager said to the clerk that he hoped that he remembered to lock up the
office.
(d) The manager said to the clerk that he had hoped that he remembered to lock
up the office.
[Application]

53. As soon as the rain stopped, the children went out to play.
(Begin: Hardly……)
(a) Hardly did the rain stop than the children went out to play.
(b) Hardly did the rain stopped when the children went out to play.
(c) Hardly had the rain stopped when the children went out to play.
(d) Hardly had the rain stopped than the children went out to play. [Application]

54. Ishaan’s team had scored the winning goal in the final match.
(Begin: The winning goal…..)
(a) The winning goal has been scored by Ishaan’s team in the final match.
(b) The winning goal have been scored by Ishaan’s team in the final match.
(c) The winning goal in the final match has been scored by Ishaan’s team.
(d) The winning goal in the final match had been scored by Ishaan’s team.
[Application]

55. Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt.

(Add a question tag)
(a) Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt, isn’t it?
(b) Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt, didn’t she?
(c) Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt, hadn’t she?
(d) Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt, hasn’t she? [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 10

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Questions
56. I made the bed and changed the linen.
(Use: Not only…)
(a) Not only did I make the bed but also changed the linen.
(b) Not only did I made the bed but also changed the linen.
(c) Not only I made the bed and also changed the linen.
(d) Not only had I made the bed but also changed the linen. [Application]

57. The baby played all day and was exhausted.

(Begin: Having……)
(a) Having played all day, the baby was exhausted.
(b) Having played on the day, the baby was exhausted.
(c) Having played during the day, the baby was exhausted.
(d) Having played in the day, the baby was exhausted. [Application]

58. Mother said to Rohan, “Pack your books before going to bed.”
(Begin: Mother instructed Rohan……)
(a) Mother instructed Rohan to pack the books before going to bed.
(b) Mother instructed Rohan to pack your books before going to bed.
(c) Mother instructed Rohan to pack his books before going to bed.
(d) Mother instructed Rohan to pack a book before going to bed. [Application]

59. If I had a chance, I would have saved the goal.

(Begin: Had…..)
(a) Had I a chance, I would have saved the goal.
(b) Had I saved the goal with a chance.
(c) Had I the chance, I would have saved the goal.
(d) Had a chance, I would have saved the goal. [Application]

60. He decided to sleep instead of watching a movie.

(Begin: Rather than….)
(a) Rather to sleep, he did not watch a movie.
(b) Rather than decide to sleep, he watched a movie.
(c) Rather than watching a movie, he decided to sleep.
(d) Rather than sleeping, he decided to watch a movie. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 11

English Language ICSE – Class X

V: Fill in the Blanks (1 Mark)

S. No. Questions
61. The jumble sale will be held __________ the weekend. [Application]

62. We can rummage __________ these old clothes and we are sure to find something
useful to sell. [Application]

63. The senior students have been hard at work __________ yesterday. [Application]

64. Stalls will also be put __________ selling craftwork students have made.
[Application]

65. The proceeds will go __________ charity. [Application]

66. Volunteer students will be placed __________ duty at important junctions.

[Application]

67. I will need to wait __________ my parents agree before I sign up as a volunteer.
[Application]

68. Everyone is excited __________ the thought of being able to participate.

[Application]

69. The young man jumped _____ the running bus. [Application]

70. The soldier succumbed _____ his injuries. [Application]

71. The boy takes ______ his father. [Application]

72. Suman was leaning ______ the wall when the earthquake struck. [Application]

73. The dog hid _____ the bed when the storm began. [Application]

74. We must abide _____ the laws of the country. [Application]

75. The Supreme Court set _____ the decree of the High Court. [Application]

76. I will go ______ the notes once more before the examination. [Application]

For questions 77-95, fill in the blanks with the right form of the verb forms for the
words given in the brackets.

77. She______ (go) to school by bus when the naughty boy hit her. [Application]

78. My brother ______ (drink) coffee every morning while I like tea. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 12

English Language ICSE – Class X

79. The boy got up late and ______ (miss) the bus. [Application]

80. The library _______ (close) for the winter break. [Application]

81. The patient _____ (recover) before you arrive to see her. [Application]

82. Have you _____ (read) Pride and Prejudice? [Application]

83. Mrs Bose ______ (teach) for ten years next month. [Application]

84. The train has just ______ (leave) the station. [Application]

85. The baby _____ (eat) all the cookies. [Application]

86. The boat _____ (sail) yesterday. [Application]

87. My sister ________ (graduate) from college last year. [Application]

88. I ______ (move) to Delhi soon. [Application]

89. Shruti _____ (complete) her homework when her parents came back.
[Application]

90. The disappointed student ______ (sob) for hours over her inability to score good
marks. [Application]

91. We ______ (watch) a wonderful movie yesterday. [Application]

92. When I reached, Gullu ______ (play) video games. [Application]

93. I ________ (finish) my assignment when the call came. [Application]

94. We ______ (go) to school yesterday. [Application]

95. They _______ (know) each other for a long time. [Application]

VI: Very Short Answer Type (2 Marks)

S.No. Questions
96. Write a suitable creative title for a poster-making competition. Add the event
name. [Create & Application]

97. Write a suitable creative title for an interschool quiz competition. Add the event
name. [Create & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 13

English Language ICSE – Class X

98. Write a suitable creative title for an inter-house singing competition. Add the event
name. [Create & Application]

99. Write a suitable creative title for an inter-school debate competition. Add the event
name. [Create & Application]

100. Write a suitable creative title for an inter-house elocution competition. Add the
event name. [Create & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 14

English Language ICSE – Class X

Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. Creative
Composition – short story
The story must be original and must have at least two characters – the boy, and the
narrator. The ‘strangeness’ of the boy must be qualified, the encounter described
and the action that arises out of the encounter.

2. Creative
Composition – argumentative
Views either for or against are to be accepted. The candidate should take a clear
stand and give valid reasons for whatever stand he/she takes.
There should be a cohesive, well-constructed logical argument and ideas based on
logical reasoning and personal experience.

3. Letter writing

4. Letter writing

5. Creative title
Event
Date
Time
Venue
participation

6. Email ID
Subject
Salutation
Invitation
content
subscription

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 15

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

7. Creative title
Event
Date
Time
Venue
participation

8. Creative title
Event
Date
Time
Venue
participation

9. Email ID
Subject
Salutation
Invitation
Content
subscription

10. (b) Obstinate

11. (d) Strange

12. (c) Turbulent

13. It would soon be dark. And his father would be waiting for the bait.

14. He would have to go to the ebb with the other boys playing football.
He would have to work while the others played.

15. If he hadn't gone, then his father would have had to. And by two or three in the
morning, his father would have to be aboard – he felt he needed to save his father
from having to do the work.

16. Low tide. It would be terribly cold in the dark out on that sea in the small hours of
a sleepy morning or on a morning of hard frost, with mist coming off the water
like ghosts' breath.

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 16

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

17. The loneliness of the bouldered beach made him shiver.
The words were addressed to himself.

18. (Construct a relevant answer based on the following hints)

His heart came into the throat-half his mind knew that it could only be some other
lonely human being - he saw the back bob up for a moment, it was a man - looked
about him carefully. There was no one else. - just the two of them in the ebb - an
air of remoteness - shared gloomy shore - stooped and began filling his bag with
mussels, picking big ones in a manly way.

19. The Belgian Consul’s house was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly alleyways
that made up the Jewish quarter of the town.

20. The cobbled streets were crammed with stalls that were piled high with gaily
coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining sweetmeats, ornaments of beaten
silver, fruit, and vegetables.

21. The Belgian Consul would go to work through the old dirty, narrow alleys of the
town. Therefore, he would have to draw himself back against the walls of the
alleys when donkeys passed by.

22. The screech of bargaining women, the cluck of hens, the barking of dogs, and the
wailing cry of the men carrying great trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads made
the town noisy and busy.

23. The Belgian Consul lived in the top flat of a tall, rickety building that leant tiredly
over a tiny square, right in the very centre of a Jewish quarter of the town.

24. His most striking attribute was a magnificent three-pointed beard and carefully
waxed moustache.

25. The Belgian Consul would be dressed as though he were on the verge of rushing
off to some important official function, in a black cut-away coat, striped trousers,
fawn spats over brightly polished shoes, an immense cravat like a silk waterfall
held in place by a plain gold pin, and a tall and gleaming top hat that completed
the ensemble.

26. He would be seen picking his way down the dirty, narrow alleys, stepping daintily
among the puddles, drawing himself back against the wall with a magnificently
courteous gesture to allow a donkey to pass, and tapping it coyly on the rump with
his Malacca cane.

27. They thought that he was an Englishman, and as all Englishmen were lords it was
not only right but necessary that they should wear the correct uniform.

28. The Belgian Consul or any other suitable title. (Justification for the tile relevant
to the chosen title must be in added in another line.)

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 17

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

29. (c) It felt hot and humid despite the fans being on.

30. (b) You may get lost unless you follow the guide.

31. (d) It is so hot I can't go out now.

32. (b) These mangoes which I bought yesterday are very sweet.

33. (c) Jack took a holiday to visit his grandmother.

34. (a) Having eaten his breakfast, the baby went to sleep.

35. (d) Tanya as well as Soham plays the guitar.

36. (b) Ravi locked neither the house nor the gates.

37. (b) Janice had a cat with red fur.

38. (a) Although I warned him several times, he broke the school rules.

39. (c) Seeing the unlocked door, the thief got in.

40. (d) As soon as I bought a new violin, I took music lessons.

41. (c) No sooner did Matthew reach the school than the bell rang.

42. (d) The teacher asked me if I would help her carry the books.

43. (b) You love school, don’t you?

44. (a) His efforts to win the competition were successful.

45. (a) He is neither a singer nor a dancer.

46. (b) This shelf is too high for me to reach.

47. (d) The donkey is the most industrious creature.

48. (c) These books will have to be dusted again.

49. (b) As soon as the plane took off, the child started wailing.

50. (c) No other thing I have ever done in my life was as good as adopting a dog.

51. (d) Although he was away from home, he remembered his parents’ birthdays.

52. (a) The manager said to the clerk that he hoped that he had remembered to lock up
the office.

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 18

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

53. (c) Hardly had the rain stopped when the children went out to play.

54. (d) The winning goal in the final match had been scored by Ishaan’s team.

55. (d) Suhani has gone to Sweden to visit her aunt, hasn’t she?

56. (a) Not only did I make the bed but also changed the linen.

57. (a) Having played all day, the baby was exhausted.

58. (c) Mother instructed Rohan to pack his books before going to bed.

59. (a) Had I a chance, I would have saved the goal.

60. (c) Rather than watching a movie, he decided to sleep.

61. during

62. through

63. since

64. up

65. to

66. on

67. till

68. at

69. off

70. to

71. after

72. against

73. under

74. by

75. aside

76. through

77. was going

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 19

English Language ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

78. drinks

79. missed

80. will be closed

81. will have recovered

82. read

83. will have been teaching

84. left

85. has eaten

86. sailed

87. graduated

88. will move

89. had completed

90. sobbed

91. watched

92. was playing

93. had finished

94. went

95. have known

96. Splash of Colours +

Inter School Poster-making Competition

97. Did you know? + event

98. Melody Mania + event

99. I Rest My Case + event

100. Poetic Moments + event

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 20

English Language ICSE – Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 21

 PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape in India
has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to incorporate critical
thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote memorisation and focuses
on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level progressive
examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education in CISCE schools
through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-based assessments and the
incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC levels from the examination year
2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to support
teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking questions in future
board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice Questions for selected subjects at
the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item Bank consists of a rich variety of questions,
both objective and subjective in categories, aimed at enhancing the subject-specific critical and
analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s that it
intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include understanding, analysis,
application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of the higher-order recall domain. The
Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a given question, but it is neither limiting nor
exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments and as
samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from offering a good
practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would allow students to gauge
their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning to develop individual learning
pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team of
experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external reviewers
as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have contributed to
the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-learning
processes.

October 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Geography Class X

Table of Contents

S.No Type of Questions Page No.

I. Mark or label on the Map 2-3

II. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 3-8

III. Fill in the Blanks 9

IV. Short Answer Questions 10-14

V. Long Answer Questions 15-19

Answer Key 20-24

Mapwork Answers 25

Reference: Map Sheet no. G43S7 26

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 1

Geography Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Geography

I: Mark or label on the Map (1 Mark)

S.No Questions
1. Mark and name a left-bank tributary of the Ganga River that is famous for floods.

2. Mark and name the hill range located between the rivers Narmada and Tapi.

3. Mark and name a river flowing through a rift valley

4.
Mark and name the city through which our standard meridian passes.

5. Mark and name a hill called Blue Mountain.

6. Mark and name a coast getting rain in retreating monsoon time.

7. Mark and name the peak shared by Nepal and India.

8. Mark and name a river called the Sorrow of Bengal.

9. Mark and name the latitude marking the northern limit of the sun’s apparent movement.

10. Mark and name the commercial capital of India.

11. Mark and name the Gulf between India and Sri Lanka.

12. Mark and name the wind bringing rain in winter in northern India.

13. Mark and name a river port.

14. Mark and label an area with laterite soil.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 2

Geography Class X

15. Mark and label the direction of S-W Monsoon wind.

16. Mark and label an area with a dense population.

II: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

S.No Questions
17. [Water Resources]
Namami Gange Yojna focuses on
(a) abatement of pollution in river Ganga
(b) abatement of pollution in river Ganga and its conservation
(c) abatement of pollution in river Ganga, its conservation and rejuvenation
(d) afforestation and reafforestation, water conservation and soil conservation
[Understanding]

18. [Agriculture]
Its fibre is 100% bio-degradable and environmentally friendly. It has low pesticide and
fertiliser need. It is widely used in agricultural commodity bulk packaging. It is mostly
cultivated in the delta region of West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Identify the fibre.
(a) jute
(b) cotton
(c) bamboo
(d) coconut [Recall]

19. [Manufacturing Industries]

Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant [VISL] was started as the Mysore Iron Works on 18
January 1923 by Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar and his Diwan Sir M Visvesvaraya. It is
now an integrated steel plant under the jurisdiction of the Steel Authority of India
Limited.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visvesvaraya_Iron_and_Steel_Plant
With reference to the above explanation, under which category does VISL belong to?
(a) Private Sector Industry
(b) Public Sector Industry
(c) Joint Sector Industry
(d) Co-operative Sector Industry [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 3

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
20. [Manufacturing Industries]
Read the two statements given below and select the correct option.
S1: The state of Maharashtra is emerging as the largest sugar-producing state in India.
S2: The black soil of Maharashtra is more fertile and well-drained.
(a) S1 is true but S2 is false.
(b) S2 is true but S1 is false.
(c) S2 is a contributing factor to S1.
(d) S1 and S2 are independent of each other. [Understanding]

21. [Soil Resources]

Every year, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra bring millions of tons of silt into the plains
of Bangladesh. They carve new courses every year. As a result, islands are created which
last until they are washed away by fresh floods. These islands are locally known as chars.

Which of the following is the primary benefit provided by the chars for the local
community?
(a) rocky plains for smooth mobility.
(b) fertile soil for subsistence farming.
(c) the protection from man-eating tigers of nearby Sundarbans.
(d) deposition of mineral resources from the Himalayas, such as precious stones.
[Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 4

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
22. [Health Education]
River Rafting is journeying on a torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat. Rivers
originating at high altitudes have torrential flow near their source.
Which of the following places would be suitable for river rafting?
(a) Gomti in Lucknow
(b) Hughli in Kolkata
(c) Ganga in Rishikesh
(d) Sabarmati in Ahmedabad [Analysis]

23. [Water Resources]

In certain parts of India, glaciers are the main source of water. The people in these areas
use an innovative water harvesting technique by diverting glacier streams into small
tanks. It is usually done in the evening when the glaciers are relatively melted.
Which of these regions could be practising this?
(a) Khasi and Jantia hills
(b) Ladakh region
(c) Siwaliks hills
(d) Tarai region [Analysis]

24. [Water Resources]

See the picture alongside which depicts an environmental disaster. Identify it.

(Source: www.istockphoto.com )

(a) Soil erosion through landslides.

(b) Soil erosion through an earthquake.
(c) Soil erosion through perennial droughts.
(d) Soil erosion through shifting cultivation. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 5

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
25. [Location, Extent and Physical Features]
Which of the following figures is akin to the landform of the Deccan Plateau?

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

[Application]

26. [Water Resources]

The state of Arunachal Pradesh wants to encourage cottage industries in the state.
Considering the natural resources and geographical factors of the region such as its high
rainfall and temperate climate, which of these crafts is the best option to pursue?
(a) Ceramic pots and terracotta art
(b) Decorative shell article
(c) Bamboo and cane craft
(d) Brass metal craft [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 6

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
Shown below is the census report on improvement in the housing areas, household
amenities and assets in Assam from 2001 to 2011. Based on the given data, answer
Questions 8 and 9.

27. [Mineral & Energy Resources]

In 2011, the rural households in Assam mostly used one of the following sources of
energy for cooking. Identify it.
(a) Biogas
(b) Kerosene
(c) Firewood
(d) Electricity [Analysis]

28. [Transport]
Which of the following modes of transport dominated rural and urban Assam in 2011?
(a) Cars
(b) Bicycles
(c) Motorcycles
(d) Both cars and bicycles [Analysis]
ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 7
Geography Class X

S.No Questions
29. [Manufacturing Industries]
Assertion: The government of India is promoting and planning to set up more mini-steel
plants in India.
Reason: Mini-steel plants are dependent on electric power, so they do not cause
pollution.
Based on the given Assertion and Reasoning, select the correct option:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of
the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect. [Analysis]

30. [Transport]
The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the newly constructed road between Bangalore
and Mysore on March 12, 2023. It is 119km long, 10 lanes, elevated, access-controlled
road. This road is meant to facilitate fast-moving traffic between Bangalore and Mysore.
Under which of the following categories does this road belong?
(a) State highway.
(b) Expressway
(c) District road
(d) None of the above [Application]

31. [Transport]
Assertion: Helicopters are extensively used for rescue operations during natural
calamities.
Reason: Helicopters can hover, land in tight spaces, and conduct vertical take-offs and
landings.
Based on the given Assertion and Reasoning, select the correct option:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of
the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 8

Geography Class X

III: Fill in the blank (1 Mark)

S.No Questions
32. [Manufacturing Industries]
The leading producer of copper in India is ____. [Recall]

33. [Manufacturing Industries]

The temperate forest in the Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Palani hills are known as _______.
[Recall]

34. [Agriculture]
A majority of Indian farmers are smallholders who cannot afford inputs like fertilisers
and pesticides. They therefore practice ____________ farming. [Understanding]

35. [Agriculture]
________ are called dry crops as they survive in less water. [Understanding]

36. [Natural Vegetation]

_______ vegetation belt consists of trees like shisham, sandalwood and teak.
[Understanding & Recall]

37. [Soil Resources]

Shelter belts are created to protect soil against ______ erosion. [Recall]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 9

Geography Class X

IV: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks)

S.No Questions
38. [Manufacturing Industries]
Study the images given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Which textile industry is associated with the given images?

(b) Name the state where this industry is thriving. [Analysis]

39. [Location, Extent and Physical features]

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
Why are covered tanks found in many places of the map extract? Give two reasons.
[Understanding]

40. [Location, Extent and Physical features]

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
Why does most of the area have cart tracks? [Analysis]

41. [Location, Extent and Physical features]

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
How much time shall be taken for a person if he is moving from Northings 85 to 94 in a
straight line at a speed of 1 km per hour? [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 10

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
42. [Location, Extent and Physical features]
Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
Name the most important occupation of the people living in this area, giving a reason
for the same. [Understanding]
43.
[Location, Extent and Physical features]
India has had a history of famines because of rainfed agriculture and rapid population
growth. After the era of the Green Revolution that began in the 1960s, India never
experienced a famine-like situation; it did, however, experience a drought of the century
in 1987. Northern states (Punjab, Haryana and western UP) with a high level of irrigation
are contributing almost all of wheat and two-thirds of rice to the central pool of India.
Source: Hira, G.S., Water Management in Northern States and the Food Security of
India, Journal of Crop Improvement.
(a) Mention any two methods of irrigation commonly practised in the Northern Plains of
India.
(b) For each method mentioned, state why it is popular here. [Understanding]

44. [Agriculture]

(a) Identify the method of irrigation depicted in the picture.

(b) Why is it so named? [Recall & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 11

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
45. [Agriculture]

(a) Name the method by which the paddy is being sown in the picture above.
(b) Give two reasons to explain why this method of rice cultivation is restricted only to
the prosperous farmers of the country. [Understanding & Application]

46. [Agriculture]
The global food system is facing immense challenges in the 21st century with climate
change, population growth and malnutrition. Recognising the potential of millets in
addressing current global challenges, the United Nations General Assembly declared
2023 as the International Year of Millets. This global campaign is designed to raise
awareness about the benefits of millet and encourage actions to increase their production,
consumption, and utilisation.
Source: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science- Volume 35, Issue 18, Page 1860-
1871, 2023.
State two ways in which the cultivation of millets can help promote sustainable
agriculture. [Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 12

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
47. [Agriculture]
“A small sugarcane farmer in western Uttar Pradesh, Shri Raghuvir Singh, is getting on
with age and is thinking of selling his land and moving out of farming. He has two sons,
both graduates and working in Gurgaon. He did not make his sons farmers because
farming is hard work and is non-profitable. This is the story of most farmers in India.
Wealth and security of the country comes from its land, and hence, what is needed is
sustainable and high productivity agriculture.”
Source: Chaudhuri, Sriroop, et al. "Land degradation–desertification in relation to
farming practices in India: An overview of current practices and agro-policy
perspectives." Sustainability 15.8 (2023)
(a) High productivity in agriculture will help boost our country's industrial sector.
Explain.
(b) Enumerate two major problems encountered by a majority of India’s farming
community. [Understanding & Analysis]

48. [Transport]
“Road transport is the primary means of transport in India”. Explain the statement by
mentioning two suitable advantages of road transport. [Analysis]

49. [Mineral and Energy Resources]

How do manganese and copper differ in nature, even though both are metallic minerals?
[Understanding]

50. [Mineral and Energy Resources]

Manganese is roughly similar to iron's physical and chemical properties but is harder and
more brittle.
Based on the properties of manganese mentioned in the above statement:
(a) In which industry is this mineral widely used?
(b) What is its role in that industry? [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 13

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
51. [Mineral and Energy Resources]

(a) What does “CNG” seen in the above picture mean?

(b) Give a reason why “CNG” is being used in auto rickshaws these days.
[Understanding & Analysis]

52. [Location, Extent and Physical features]

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
What does “dep” signify in grid square 3390? Name the agent responsible for it.
[Recall & Understanding]

53. [Location, Extent and Physical features]

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.
Mention two reasons that have led to the development of Dantiwada as the largest
settlement in the given map. [Understanding & Analysis]

54. [Climate]
“Heatwave days highest in April in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal.”
Source: IMD
Mention two probable reasons for the above statement. [Analysis]

55. [Climate]
Give reasons:
(a) Rituja frequently travels between Bengaluru and Chennai and notices that the number
of wet days is higher in Chennai than in Bengaluru.
(b) The number of tropical cyclones experienced in the Bay of Bengal is more than in
the Arabian Sea. [Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 14

Geography Class X

V: Long Answer Questions (3 Marks)

S.No Questions
56. [Climate]
Give a reason for each of the following.
(a) Electronic industries are crucial for India's economic development.
(b) Mini-steel plants do not have location preferences.
(c) Bengaluru has many IT industries. [Understanding & Analysis]

57. [Manufacturing Industries]

Rajesh is a class X student, working on a project for school. He has a section on by-
products and includes a write-up on shoe polish.
(a) Which industry is he writing about?
(b) Name any two by-products of the industry that he is writing about.
[Recall & Application]

58. [Transport]
India has a long coastline of 5,560 kms., having access to the sea on three sides with 11
major and 168 minor/intermediate ports. India lies in geographical proximity to
important shipping routes, which gives a natural advantage to the country's shipping.
Source- Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India.
(a) Name the means of transport developed due to the above-mentioned geographical
feature of India.
(b) State any two advantages of the means of transport you mentioned.
[Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 15

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
59. [Transport]
Study the given map and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Name the highway project shown on the given map.

(b) State any two economic benefits of this project. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 16

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
60. [Climate]
Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:

(a) State whether the above station experiences a maritime or a continental climate. Give
a reason for your answer.
(b) Name the winds which bring rainfall to the station.
(c) Name a probable station experiencing such climatic conditions.
[Understanding & Analysis]

61. [Waste Management]

Although landfills are the cheapest waste management strategy, they are often touted as
harmful to the environment.
Name any three ways by which landfills cause harm to our environment. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 17

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
62. [Waste Management]

Above are the two pictures of an efficient waste reduction and waste management
system.
(a) Note the pictures carefully to mention the difference between the two.
(b) What additional advantages does the waste management seen in the picture on the
left have over the waste management seen in the picture to the right? [Analysis]

63. [Natural Vegetation]

In many parts of the world, man has disturbed the ecological balance. The factors
responsible are deprivation of natural habitat and discriminate killing and hunting of
animals. Many birds and animals face the danger of extinction today. Many programs
like social forestry and Van Mahotasava should be popularised at regional and
community levels. This will increase awareness.
(a) State the human activities responsible for the loss of forest.
(b) How do Van Mahotsava and social forestry help restore ecological balance?
[Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 18

Geography Class X

S.No Questions
64. [Soil Resources]

(a) Name the agent responsible for the erosion seen in the picture.
(b) What may be done to restore the soil in such areas? [Understanding]

65. [Water Resources]

Answer the following:
(a) Name two major eutrophication-causing nutrients.
(b) Based on your answer, how do these nutrients cause eutrophication in water
bodies? [Understanding & Analysis]

66. [Water Resources]

When mixed in water, DDT accumulates in the cells of various aquatic organisms. Small
fish consume zooplanktons that have DDT in them. Larger fish that consume small fish
also consume DDT, and its concentration moves up the food chain.
(a) Based on the example given above, identify and name the process.
(b) How do they adversely affect human health? [Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 19

Geography Class X

Answer Key

S.No Answers
Mapwork for Questions 1-15 is provided at the end of the Answer Key

1. Kosi

2. Satpura

3. Narmada

4. Prayagraj

5. Nilgiri

6. Coromandel

7. Kanchenjunga

8. Damodar

9. Tropic of Cancer

10. Mumbai

11. Gulf of Mannar

12. Western disturbance

13. Kolkata

14. Summit of eastern ghats/western ghats

15. S W Monsoon

16. (South) Kerala; (North)Uttar Pradesh

17. (c) abatement of pollution in river Ganga, its conservation and rejuvenation

18. (a) jute

19. (b) Public Sector Industry

20. (c) 2 is a contributing factor to S1.

21. (b) fertile soil for subsistence farming.

22. (c) Ganga in Rishikesh

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 20

Geography Class X

S.No Answers
23. (b) Ladakh region

24. (a) Soil erosion through landslides.

25. (d)

26. (c) bamboo and cane craft

27. (c) Firewood

28. (b) Bicycles

29. (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.

30. (a) Expressway

31. (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.

32. Madhya Pradesh

33. Sholas

34. subsistence

35. Millets

36. Tropical monsoon

37. wind

38. (a) Silk Industries

(b) Karnataka

39. To preserve water from evaporation and contamination.

40. It is an undeveloped village area with agriculture as the main occupation.

There is no developed industry.
Lack of infrastructure development.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 21

Geography Class X

S.No Answers
41. 10 hours

42. Agriculture.
Most of the area is yellow, and yellow shows the cultivated area.

43. • Canals: Presence of perennial rivers

• Well: Presence of underground water in plenty

44. Drip irrigation

Water reaches the roots drop by drop, and so it is called drip irrigation

45. Transplantation
This method requires the application of fertilisers and irrigation facilities, thus making
it expensive.

46. • Income to farmers

• Export earner
• Adds to national income
(Elaborate in a line on any two)

47. (a) The agriculture sector provides raw materials to agro-based industries.
(b) Soil erosion, irrigation facility is not sufficient, poor-quality seeds, small land
holdings.

48. • Roads link every nook and corner of the country.

• The cost of road construction is lower than that of railways.
• Roads can be constructed in difficult terrain, too.
• Roads offer door-to-door service.
• Transport of goods is safer by road transport as pilferage is minimised.
• Road transport supplements other forms of transport

49. Manganese is a ferrous mineral and is heavy and bulky, whereas copper is a non-ferrous
mineral and is lighter than manganese.

50. (a) Iron and Steel industry.

(b) Manganese is a ferroalloy used to manufacture steel that is rust-proof, stronger and
more durable.

51. (a) “CNG ” is/ means compressed natural gas.

(b) CNG is a clean fuel/ is eco-friendly, and is cheaper than petrol.

52. The depression created by wind erosion

53. Presence of water, cultivable land, transport facility and security.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 22

Geography Class X

S.No Answers
54. (a) This is due to the El Nino effect leading to an earlier onset of summer compared to
previous years.
(b) Global warming leads to higher average temperatures, which in turn increases the
likelihood and severity of heat waves.

55. (a) Chennai is near the sea, and Bengaluru is in the interior
(b) The Bay of Bengal is surrounded by land, so heat remains in the area for a longer
time, creating cyclonic conditions.

56. (a) Electronic industries help in the development of education, communication,

transport, defence, etc.
(b) Mini-steel plants use scrap iron and electric furnaces.
(c) Bengaluru has pleasant and comfortable climatic conditions; readily available
infrastructure; availability of skilled workers. (any one)

57. Sugar industries

Molasses, bagasse, and press mud.

58. (a) Water/oceanic transport

(b) Cheapest mode of transport; ideal for bulky and heavy material; fuel efficient and
eco-friendly mode. (any two)

59. (a) Golden Quadrilateral

(b) Connects major cities and ports; provides an impetus to truck transport; enables the
industrial development of the cities and villages enroute; helps in easy movement of
traffic. (any two)

60. (a) Maritime as temperature variation is not much

(b) S W Monsoon
(c) Kochi

61. • Landfill gases such as methane are a major contributor to global warming.
• Most of the waste ending at a landfill site contains toxins. These toxins over a
while seep into the ground and contaminate groundwater in the form of leachate
and contaminate soil.
• Landfill sites produce bad odour.
• They are potential breeding grounds for bacteria, mosquitoes, rats and other
scavengers spreading diseases.
(Any three)

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 23

Geography Class X

S.No Answers
62. (a) The picture on the left shows traditional composting, and the Picture on the right
shows vermicomposting.
(b) Traditional composting uses agricultural, garden, and kitchen wastes as well as dung
for animals. Vermicomposting makes use of earthworms/worms in the compost.

63. (a) Deforestation

(b) Growing trees by celebrating Van Mahotsav yearly has increased green cover over
time. Social forestry has reduced man's dependence on natural forests thus preserving
the same.

64. (a) Agent is running water.

(b) Plugging of gullies or growing of trees may be done.

65. (a) Nitrogen and Phosphorous.

(b) Eutrophication occurs when too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous,
are introduced into water bodies. These nutrients cause excessive algae growth. This
can lead to low oxygen levels in the water and block sunlight needed for plants to
grow. When plants and algae die, they decay, thus causing water pollution. Hence,
the entire aquatic ecosystem gets adversely affected.

66. (a) Biomagnification.

(b) Biomagnification makes humans more prone to cancer, liver failure, respiratory
disorders, heart diseases, and birth defects.

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 24

Geography Class X

Map answers for Questions 1 -15

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 25

Geography Class X

Map sheet no. G43S7: Eastings 29 to 38 and Northings 85 to 94.

(Source: https://surveyofindia.gov.in/files/45d7education%20map.pdf )

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 26

Geography Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 27

 PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape in India
has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to incorporate critical
thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote memorisation and focuses
on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level progressive
examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education in CISCE schools
through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-based assessments and the
incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC levels from the examination year
2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to support
teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking questions in future
board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice Questions for selected subjects at
the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item Bank consists of a rich variety of questions,
both objective and subjective in categories, aimed at enhancing the subject-specific critical and
analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s that it
intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include understanding, analysis,
application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of the higher-order recall domain.
The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a given question, but it is neither limiting
nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments and
as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from offering a
good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would allow students to
gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning to develop individual
learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team of
experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external reviewers
as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have contributed to
the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-learning
processes.

August 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Literature in English ICSE – Class X

Table of Contents

S.No Type of Questions Page No.

I. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 2-16

II. Short/Long Answer Questions (RTCs) 17-25

Answer Key 26-43

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 3

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Literature in English

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

S.No Questions

POETRY

1. What does the phrase “dark abyss” in the poem Haunted House symbolise?
(a) Life experiences.
(b) Challenges in life.
(c) A deep pit.
(d) Despair and depression. [Analysis]

2. The atmosphere created in the poem Haunted Houses is:

(a) melancholic.
(b) eerie.
(c) peaceful
(d) unsettling [Analysis]

3. The ghosts/phantoms in H.W Longfellow’s Haunted Houses are described as:

(a) harmless
(b) mischievous
(c) malevolent
(d) vengeful [Analysis]

4. Which of the following options contains the same literary device as the given verse
from the poem?
“As silent as the pictures on the wall”
(a) Because I could not stop for death. He kindly stopped for me.
(b) Where the mind is without fear, and the head is held high.
(c) Soon, the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells, shattering and
avalanching on the snow crust
(d) Some are like fields of sunlit corn. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 4

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

5. Which of the following lines reflects Count de Lorge’s valour?

(a) Then threw the glove, but not with love.
(b) And ‘mongst them sat Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed.
(c) He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild.
(d) I’ll drop my glove, to prove his love. [Analysis]

6. “The lions roared with horrid laughing jaws.”

Which of the following uses the same literary device as given in the above line from
the poem ‘The Glove and the Lions’?
(a) The snowflakes glittered like diamonds.
(b) The caged bird sings with a fearful trill.
(c) My hands were icicles because of the cold weather.
(d) The smell of freshly brewed coffee woke me up. [Application]

7. Which of the following is NOT the theme of the poem The Glove and the Lions?
(a) Vanity
(b) Chivalry
(c) Pride
(d) Cruelty [Application]

8. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
(i) Retrieving the glove, the angry Count flung it in her face.
(ii) While the lions were engaged in a vicious battle, the count’s beloved threw her
glove into the arena.
(iii) The Count realised that it was her vanity which prompted her to do this.
(iv) The king was enjoying the fight of the royal beasts.

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

(b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(d) (iv), (iii), (i), (ii) [Application]

9. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a ‘great soul’?

(a) nurtures
(b) shrinks
(c) radiant
(d) informs [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 5

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

10. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between the two given
statements:
Statement I: The falling of a great tree shocks both big and small creatures.
Statement II: The death of a great person maddens their loved ones.
(a) Statement I is true, Statement II is false.
(b) Statement I is false, and Statement II is true.
(c) Statement I is an analogy for Statement II.
(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II. [Analysis]

11. The five stages of grief are described as shock, anger, bargaining, depression and
acceptance. Which of these stages is expressed in the following lines?
“And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,”
(a) shock
(b) anger
(c) depression
(d) acceptance [Analysis & Evaluate]

12. The central idea of Angelou’s poem When Great Trees Fall is that_________.
(a) when a gigantic tree falls, it affects all the trees in the jungle.
(b) the death of an ancient tree disturbs all the animals in the jungle.
(c) the impact of the death of a loved one on those struggling to cope with the loss.
(d) life will never be the same after the loss of a loved one. [Evaluate]

13. Which of the following options contains the same literary device that appears in the
following line:
“…..On any but a paper sheet so white…..”
(a) Silver and blue as the mountain mist.
(b) He names the sky his own.
(c) The fir trees dark and high.
(d) Song and mother-croon of bird. [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 6

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

14. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
(i) He changes his mind when he notices something unusual about it.
(ii) The poet realises that the speck is a living mite with preferences of its own.
(iii) He intends to use the tip of his pen, dipped in ink, to erase the speck.
(iv) The poet notices a speck on the white paper he is writing on.

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

(b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(d) (iv), (iii), (i), (ii) [Understanding]

15. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II.
Statement I: The poet concludes that the mite proves to be an intelligent creature.
Statement II: The mite seems to dislike the ink as it quickly whirls around to fly
away.
(a) Statement II is the cause for Statement I.
(b) Statement II is true, and Statement I is false.
(c) Statement I and Statement II are independent of each other.
(d) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false. [Analysis]

16. What is the central idea in Frost’s poem A Considerable Speck?

(a) The poet critiques society’s disregard for smaller aspects of life.
(b) The idea is that every living being, no matter how small, has its own perspective
and intelligence.
(c) The struggle between man-made creations and the natural world.
(d) The insignificance of individual thoughts in the grand scheme of the universe.
[Evaluate]

17. “The people, dazed, retire amazed, although they know it’s well meant.”
This line tells us that Bhisma Lochan’s singing was______
(a) melodious.
(b) discordant.
(c) soothing.
(d) unbelievable. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 7

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

18. And in the sky the feathered fly turn

turtle while they’re winging.
What does the phrase turn turtle mean?
(a) Act like a turtle.
(b) Jump like a turtle.
(c) Turn upside down.
(d) Become a turtle. [Analysis]

19. What does the phrase “panic rout” imply in the poem The Power of Music?
(a) Solemn parade
(b) Celebration
(c) Unhappy occasion
(d) Chaotic situation [Understanding]

20. Which are the geographical locations mentioned in the poem The Power of Music?
(i) Delhi.
(ii) Kolkata
(iii) Burma
(iv) Bangalore

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (iii) and (iv) [Recall]

PROSE

21. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order from the story
With the Photographer.
(i) The photographer hurriedly backs away from the machine and, with a serious
expression, comments that there is something wrong with the narrator’s face.
(ii) He crawls under the cloth draped over the machine and waits for some time.
(iii) The narrator thinks that the photographer is praying.
(iv) The photographer calls the narrator into the inner room and rolls a machine into
the middle of the room.

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

(b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(d) (iv), (iii), (i), (ii) [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 8

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

22. “I don't care for it. I like to get the hair clear back to the superficies and make out a
new brow line.”
These lines tell us that the photographer is____
(a) angry.
(b) weak.
(c) insensitive.
(d) anxious. [Analysis]

23. Which of the following options contains the same literary device that appears in the
following line:
“....the machine still staggering from the shock….”
(a) The house roofs seemed to heave and sway.
(b) In the vestibule below was a letter box.
(c) So heavy they were, tidal waves come over the islands.
(d) It became transparent like a thin veil. [Application]

24. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II from
the story With the Photographer.
Statement I: The author felt that his eyes in the photograph didn't look very much
like his.
Statement II: The photographer had retouched the eyes.
(a) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.
(b) Statement II is true, and Statement I is false.
(c) Statement II is the cause for Statement II.
(d) Statement I and Statement II are independent of each other. [Analysis]

25. Martin, in the story The Elevator, is afraid of being trapped in the elevator. What is
this fear called?
(a) Hydrophobia
(b) Arachnophobia
(c) Claustrophobia
(d) Aquaphobia [Application]

26. Which of these sentences from the story The Elevator is NOT true?
(a) Martin was a thin twelve-year-old boy.
(b) The lady was wearing an old green coat.
(c) Martin was skinny, weak and bad at sports.
(d) The lady had large fleshy cheeks, no chin and brown eyes. [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 9

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

27. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II from
The Elevator.
Statement I: Martin backed away from the elevator, ran down the stairs and broke
his leg.
Statement II: In the morning, when the elevator door opened, the fat lady awaited
him.
(a) Statement I is independent of Statement II.
(b) Statement II is the cause of Statement I.
(c) Statement I is an example of Statement II.
(d) Statement I is a contradiction of Statement II. [Analysis]

28. “You’re afraid,” said his father. “When are you going to grow up and act like a
man?”
What does this sentence tell us about Martin’s father’s character? He was:
(a) cowardly.
(b) greedy.
(c) insensitive.
(d) rude. [Analysis]

29. Which of the following statements is not true of Adjoa in The Girl Who Can?
(a) She has thin and long legs.
(b) She is declared the best all-around junior athlete.
(c) She is seven years old girl from Ghana.
(d) She is proud of her abilities. [Analysis]

30. Assess the impact of education on Adjoa’s life as depicted in the story The Girl Who
Can.
(a) It has no significant influence.
(b) It is detrimental to her growth.
(c) It empowers her and provides her with a sense of identity.
(d) It creates a rift between her and her family. [Analysis]

31. What does Adjoa mean by “the land of sweet soft silence”?
(a) Her girlish dreams.
(b) Her native village.
(c) Her mother's womb.
(d) Her entire world. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 10

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

32. Adjoa’s grandmother is a representative of:

(i) authority
(ii) determination
(iii) unconventional approach
(iv) patriarchal outlook

(a) (i) & (ii)

(b) (ii) & (iii)
(c) (ii) & (iv)
(d) (i) & (iv) [Analysis]

33. Which of the following statements is NOT true of Leonard Mead?

(a) He enjoyed walking the streets at night.
(b) He was married to a writer.
(c) He was arrested for being out of his home at night.
(d) He kept all the lights in his home turned on. [Understanding]

34. Select the option which shows the correct relationship between statements I and II.
Statement I: Mead compares walking through the empty, silent streets to walking
through a graveyard.
Statement II: Mead compares the empty street to the dry riverbeds of a windless
desert.
(a) Statements I and II are both true.
(b) Statements I and II are both false.
(c) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false, and Statement II is true. [Understanding]

35. “He [Mead] was within a block of his destination when the lone car turned a corner
quite suddenly …” means that Mead was ____________.
(a) blocked by a single car when he suddenly turned the corner.
(b) surprised to find a block preventing the single car from turning.
(c) destined to be blocked suddenly by a car on a lonely street.
(d) close to his home when the car appeared without warning. [Understanding]

36. Which of the following words BEST describes the world in which Mead lived?
(a) Idyllic
(b) Utopian
(c) Dystopian
(d) Cheerful [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 11

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

37. Which of the options contains the same literary device that appears in the following
line:
“Besides, the whole school seemed so strange and solemn.”
(a) The boom of the fireworks scared the baby.
(b) The daffodils were tossing their heads in a sprightly dance.
(c) While I nodded, nearly napping.
(d) Her smile is a ray of sunshine. [Application]

38. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
(i) Every time the young boy looked up from writing, during the last lesson, he
found M. Hamel sitting motionless in his chair.
(ii) He had put on his fine Sunday clothes as he was delivering his last lesson.
(iii) M. Hamel had also brought new copies written in a beautiful round hand to the
class that day.
(iv) The boy noticed that M Hamel, their teacher, was wearing his beautiful green
coat, frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap.
(a) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(b) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(c) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(d) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv) [Analysis]

39. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II.
Statement I: My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you.
Statement II: The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools
of Alsace and Lorraine.
(a) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.
(b) Statement II is true, and Statement I is false.
(c) Statement I and Statement II are independent of each other.
(d) Statement II is the cause for Statement I. [Analysis]

40. Franz was quite ________ to his learning of French language.

(a) serious
(b) attentive
(c) indifferent
(d) focussed [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 12

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

DRAMA

41. Mark Antony stirs the emotions of the crowd in his ____.
(a) farewell speech
(b) eulogy
(c) prologue
(d) epilogue [Analysis]

42. “O world, thou were the forest to this hart, and this indeed, O world, the heart of
thee.”
Which of the following uses the same literary device as given above?
(a) The bees buzzed around the flower-filled garden.
(b) Her eyes are buttons.
(c) She caught the scent of mothballs in the abandoned home.
(d) Broken pencils are pointless. [Analysis]

43. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II.
Statement I: They will kiss dead Caesar’s wounds with reverence.
Statement II: The people of Rome have just heard Antony read out Caesar’s will to
them.
(a) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.
(b) Statement II is the cause of Statement I.
(c) Statement I and Statement II are independent of each other.
(d) Statement II is true, and Statement I is false. [Analysis]

44. What is the attitude of the mob in this scene?

(a) clever
(b) intelligent
(c) sensitive
(d) irrational [Evaluate]

45. Which of the following is NOT an example of irony?

(a) Cassius calls Caesar a God while describing how weak he was.
(b) Antony refers to Brutus as an honourable man while disproving his claims.
(c) One of the plebeians suggested crowning Brutus king.
(d) Antony compares the conspirators’ killing of Caesar to apes and hounds.
[Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 13

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

46. Which of the following sentences does Mark Antony NOT use to describe Lepidus in
Act IV Scene I?
(a) He needs to be taught and trained.
(b) High-spirited fellow with ideas of his own.
(c) He follows trends and fashion.
(d) He is a piece of property. [Understanding]

47. What opinion does Octavius hold about Lepidus?

(a) He is industrious.
(b) He is responsible.
(c) He is a good statesman.
(d) He is a tried and valiant soldier. [Understanding]

48. Brutus and Cassius did not argue in front of their men because:
(a) they did not want an audience.
(b) they did not want to demoralise their troops.
(c) they wanted witnesses to collaborate in their discussion.
(d) they wanted to discuss in a calm environment. [Recall]

49. Brutus does not allow his pain and anguish to interrupt his professional life. This
portrays that he practices _________.
(a) stoicism
(b) cynicism
(c) buddhism
(d) epicureanism [Analysis]

50. “O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb.” [Act V]

Which of the following uses the same literary device as given above?
(a) The man fought as bravely as a lion.
(b) His voice is velvet.
(c) The sky was dotted with fluffy, white clouds.
(d) The juicy apple tasted sweet. [Application]

51. What feeling does Cassius’ words convey when he refers to Octavius as ‘a peevish
schoolboy’ and to Antony as ‘a masker and a reveller’?
(a) fear
(b) disdain
(c) worry
(d) regret [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 14

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

52. Which of the given options lists the sequence of events in the correct order?
(i) During the battle at Philippi, Brutus’s army inflicts an early defeat on Octavius’
troops.
(ii) Seeing some troops in the distance, Cassius sends Titinius on horseback to
check if they are ‘friend or foe’.
(iii) Meanwhile, in another part of the battleground, Cassius learns that his camp
has been surrounded by Antony's soldiers and is being attacked.
(iv) Pindarus, seeing Titinius surrounded by horsemen, assumes that he has fallen
into enemy hands and reports to Cassius that he (Titinius) has been taken
captive.
(v) Next, Cassius instructs his servant Pindarus to climb a hill nearby so that he can
give him a detailed account of all that happens to Titinius.

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

(b) (iv), (v), (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (i), (v), (ii), (iv), (iii)
(d) (i), (iii), (ii), (v), (iv) [Understanding]

53. Cassius’ reference to ravens, crows and kites taking the place of two mighty eagles
that accompanied their armies from Sardis tells us that he is ________
(a) filled with superstitious dread.
(b) an expert bird watcher.
(c) happier in the company of birds.
(d) not a believer in superstition. [Understanding]

54. In Act V, Scene IV, Lucilius pretends to be Brutus and is taken captive. His action
reveals his _________________.
(a) loyalty to Octavius.
(b) desire to escape.
(c) loyalty to Brutus.
(d) youthful folly. [Analysis]

55. To whom does Brutus refer when he says, “Are yet two romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans fare thee well!”?
(a) Antony and Octavius
(b) Cassius and Titinius
(c) Pindarus and Lucius
(d) Strato and Lucillius [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 15

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

56. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements I and II.
Statement 1: Brutus was a believer in the stoic philosophy.
Statement 2: Brutus chose to take his life rather than face the humiliation of being
taken captive.
(a) Statement II illustrates Statement I.
(b) Statement II contradicts Statement I.
(c) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false, and Statement II is true. [Analysis]

57. Cassius and Brutus make up their minds to die rather than be taken as prisoners.
What trait of character is revealed in their behaviour?
(a) Pride
(b) Sadism
(c) Resignation
(d) Pessimism [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 16

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

II: Short/Long Answer Questions (RTC) (16 Marks)

S.No Questions

POETRY

58. Read the following extract from the poem The Haunted Houses and answer the
following question:

The stranger at my fireside cannot see

The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear;
He but perceives what is; while unto me
All that has been visible and clear.

(a) How is the speaker's perception different from that of the stranger?
[Understanding]
(b) Who is ‘I’ in the above stanza, and who is referred to as ‘he’ in the third line of
the stanza? Who is the present occupant of the house? [Understanding]
(c) Why does the poet feel that all houses are haunted? [Understanding]
(d) Give any three characteristic features of the phantoms as mentioned in the
poem Haunted Houses. [Analysis]
(e) Where in the house do we meet these phantoms? [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 17

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

59. Read the extract given below from the poem The Glove and The Lions and answer
the questions that follow:

De Lorge’s love o’erheard the King, a beauteous lively dame

With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seemed the same;
She thought, the Count my lover is brave as brave can be;

(a) Which King is being referred to in the above lines? What did the lady do? What
was the immediate cause that triggered her thought?
[Recall & Understanding]
(b) How did the Count react to her action? What did he do later? Why?
[Recall, Understanding & Application]
(c) Describe the fight between the lions in the pit. [Recall]
(d) What message is the poet trying to convey through the poem?
[Understanding & Application]
(e) What does the glove symbolise for:
(i) the Count
(ii) the Lady
How would you describe the Count’s mood at the end of the poem?
[Analysis & Evaluate]

60. Read the extract given below from the poem When Great Trees Fall and answer the
questions that follow:
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded by fear.

(a) What effect does the falling of ‘great trees’ have on distant hills and animals in
the jungle? [Recall]
(b) Explain in your own words the line, ‘small things … eroded by fear’.
[Understanding]
(c) How is one’s memory affected by the death of a great soul? [Recall]
(d) What analogy does Angelou use to describe the death of a great soul? Give two
reasons to show that this analogy is appropriate. [Analysis & Evaluate]
(e) Trace the stages of grief and coming to terms with the loss of a loved one that
Maya Angelou describes in her poem When Great Trees Fall. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 18

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

61. Read the following extract from Robert Frost’s poem A Considerable Speck and
answer the questions that follow:
When something strange about made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

(a) What was strange about the speck that attracted the speaker’s attention? What
was it in reality? Describe the speaker's attitude towards the speck.
[Recall & Understanding]
(b) What made the speaker realise that the mite had a mind of its own as well as
intelligence? Give three reasons to justify your answer.
[Recall & Understanding]
(c) Analyse the speaker's decision to let the mite live. What does this reveal about his
character? [Analysis]
(d) How would you evaluate the significance of the poem’s ending? Why is the
discovery of a ‘display of mind' so important to the speaker? [Evaluate]
(e) What is the central theme of the poem? How does the speaker's action illustrate
the theme of the poem? If you have to give the poem a different title, what will it
be? Give a reason for your answer. [Evaluate & Create]

62. Read the extract from the poem The Power of Music and answer the questions that
follow.

He downs his horns and charges straight, with bellow answ’ring bellow.
The strains of song are tossed and whirled by blast of brutal violence,
And Bhisma Lochan grants the world the golden gift of silence.

(a) In which season would one hear Bhisma Lochan Sharma singing? Where would
one hear his voice? [Recall]
(b) Give one reason to conclude that Bhisma was passionate about singing. How did
people react when they heard his song? [Analysis]
(c) How did animals react when they heard Bhisma Lochan Sharma?
[Understanding]
(d) After reading the poem, give any three characteristic features that you can
associate with Bhisma Lochan Sharma. [Analysis]
(e) How did the world get the golden gift of silence? Mention two ways in which
music helps a person. [Understanding & Application]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

PROSE

63. Read the following extract from Stephen Leacock's short story With the
Photographer and answer the questions that follow:
“The ears are bad,” he said, “Droop them a little more. Thank you. Now the eyes.
Roll them in under the lids. Put the hands on the knees, please, and turn the face just
a little upward. Yes, that's better.”

(a) Describe the photographer’s appearance. Why did he look at the author without
enthusiasm? What impression did he get of the photographer?
[Recall & Analysis]
(b) Where did the photographer make the author sit? Describe the photographer’s
initial attempt to take a picture. [Recall &Understanding]
(c) What instructions did the photographer give the author before taking his
photograph? [Recall]
(d) Which feature in the author’s photograph had some resemblance to his face?
How did the photographer offer to set this right? [Recall]
(e) Comment on the photographer's retouching and altering of the author's
photograph. Mention one modern-day equivalent of what the photographer
attempted to do. Give one reason why the photographer’s action was insensitive.
[Analysis]

64. Read the extract from the lesson The Elevator and answer the questions that follow:
“Martin’s father worked at home. He wanted to know why Martin was out of breath.
“Why didn't you take the elevator?” he asked, frowning at Martin.”

(a) How old was Martin? On which floor did he live? What word would you use to
describe Martin? [Recall & Analysis]
(b) Why was Martin scared of using the elevator? [Recall]
(c) Martin disliked using the staircase. Why? [Recall]
(d) Martin met a strange person in the elevator one day. What did she do that scared
Martin? What happened to Martin when he ran away after seeing her?
[Recall]
(e) Comment on the ending of the story, The Elevator. Identify any two elements of
horror in the story. [Analysis]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

65. Read the following extract from Ama Ata Aidoo’s short story The Girl Who Can and
answer the questions that follow:
“Like all this business to do with my legs. I have always wanted to tell them not to
worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two
favourite people to fight over. But I didn't want either to be told not to repeat that or
it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried.”

(a) Where does the story take place? What is the main conflict faced by the
protagonist? [Recall]
(b) Describe the relationship between Adjoa and her grandmother. Why was she
made to feel inadequate? [Understanding]
(c) Identify three ways Adjoa is shown to be an affectionate child in the story.
[Understanding]
(d) How did Nana’s behaviour change from the time Adjoa was selected as a runner
to represent her school at the district sports meet? How would you justify Nana’s
actions? [Recall & Analysis]
(e) Adjoa won the cup for the best-all-round, athlete. What change did this bring
about in Nana’s perspective?
How did the grandmother feel at the end of the story? Give a reason to justify
your answer. [Analysis & Evaluate]

66. Read the following extract The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury, and answer the
questions that follow:
“… he [Mead] was alone in this world of A.D. 2053, or as good as alone, and with a
final decision made, a path selected, he would stride off sending patterns of frosty air
before him like the smoke of a cigar.”

(a) What was the thing that Leonard Mead ‘most dearly loved to do’?
[Recall]
(b) Why did Mead switch to wearing sneakers when he went for a walk?
[Understanding]
(c) What are Mead’s neighbours and fellow citizens doing when Mead is out
walking? What can you conclude about Mead from this? [Recall & Analysis]
(d) What reasons does Mead give for being out alone on the street at night? Why is
this viewed with suspicion? [Recall & Analysis]
(e) Where is Mead taken at the end of the story? Why is he taken to this place? If
you had to describe this story in a single word, what word would you use? Give
a reason for your choice of word. [Recall, Analysis & Create]

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S.No Questions

67. Read the extract given below from The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet and answer
the questions that follow:
“I think, too, that I had never listened so carefully, and that he had never explained
everything with so much patience.”
(a) Who are ‘I’ and ‘he’ in the above extract? What kind of a teacher was ‘he’?
[Recall & Evaluate]
(b) Why was the lesson called ‘The Last Lesson’? [Recall]
(c) What did ‘I’ notice that was unusual about the school that day? [Recall]
(d) What is the mood in the classroom among the adults and the children in the
story The Last Lesson? Give an alternative title to the story.
[Analysis, Evaluate & Create]
(e) What does this statement reveal about ‘I’? What kind of a pupil was the young
boy earlier? What was the most important lesson he had learnt?
[Analysis & Evaluate]

DRAMA

68. Read the following extract from Julius Caesar [Act III Scene I] and answer the
questions that follow.
Antony:
Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc’d
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;
Hie hence and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse
Into the marketplace: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men;
According to which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.

(a) What instructions does Antony give the servant? [Recall]

(b) Why does Antony say ‘Rome is dangerous’? Whom is it not safe for? Why?
[Recall & Understanding]
(c) Mention any three predictions that Antony makes when is left alone with Julius
Caesar’s dead body. [Recall]
(d) What was Brutus’ and Cassius’ opinion of Antony? Whose assessment about
Antony was correct? Justify your answer. [Recall & Analysis]
(e) What aspects of Antony’s character are revealed during Act III and Act IV?
[Evaluate]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Questions

69. Read the following extract from Julius Caesar [Act III Scene II] and answer the
questions that follow:
Antony:
You all do know this mantle. I remember
The first time ever Caesar put it on;
‘Twas on a summer’s evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii.

(a) Who were the ‘Nervii’? Why does Antony mention the names of Cassius, Casca
and Brutus as he shows the mob the mantle? [Recall & Understanding]
(b) State three arguments put forward by Antony earlier to prove that Caesar was
not ambitious. [Understanding]
(c) Why does Antony refer to Brutus as well-beloved? Why was the stabbing of
Caesar by Brutus referred to as the ‘most unkindest cut of all’?
[Understanding & Application]
(d) Mention three ways Brutus’ speech differs from Antony’s.
[Evaluate & Analysis]
(e) What characteristic of the mob is highlighted in this scene? State any two
characteristic traits of Mark Antony revealed in this scene. Justify your answer
by giving a suitable reason. [Analysis, Application & Understanding]

70. Read the following extract from Julius Caesar [Act IV Scene III] and answer the
questions that follow:
Brutus:
You wrong’d yourself to write in such a case.
Cassius:
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offence should bear his comment.

(a) Where are Brutus and Cassius? Why does Brutus make the above statement?
[Recall]
(b) Immediately after this extract, what does Brutus accuse Cassius of? Why does
he do so? How does Cassius react to it?
[Recall & Understanding]
(c) Later, in what context does Brutus remind Cassius of the Ides of March? How
does Brutus express his distaste for accepting bribes? [Recall]
(d) What reason does Brutus give for not being afraid of Cassius’ threats later in the
scene? What does he accuse Cassius of, then? What was Cassius’ reply?
[Understanding, Application & Recall]
(e) Give one character trait to each of Cassius and Brutus, as revealed in this scene.
Justify with the help of instances from the scene. [Analysis & Evaluate]

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S.No Questions

71. Read the extract from Julius Caesar [Act IV Scene III] and answer the questions that
follow:
Brutus:
Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius[Drinks]
Cassius:
My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell the cup,
I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.

(a) Who is referred to as ‘her’ in the first line of the extract? What had she done?
Why did she take that step? [Recall & Understanding]
(b) How was Brutus related to the above lady? Why did he wish not to discuss the
matter related to her? What does this tell us about his nature?
[Recall, Understanding & Analysis]
(c) Who comes to meet Brutus and Cassius immediately after the quoted lines?
What news do they bring? [Recall]
(d) Explain the term ‘Triumvirate’ in this context. Name the members of the Second
Triumvirate. [Recall]
(e) Brutus and Cassius had different ideas about how best to defeat the enemy. What
were their strategies? Whose strategy was adopted?
[Understanding]

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S.No Questions

72. Read the following extract from Julius Caesar [Act V Scene III] and answer the
questions that follow:
Messala:
Is not that he?
Titinius:
No, this was he, Messala,
But Cassius is no more.—O setting Sun,
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,
So in his red blood Cassius’ day is set,
The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.

(a) Where does this scene take place? What is the nature of the relationship that
Titinius and Cassius shared? [Recall & Analysis]
(b) Give two words that would best describe Titinius’ mood in the given extract.
Justify your choice of words. [Evaluate]
(c) Earlier in Act V, Cassius shares some facts about himself with Messala – what
are these facts? [Recall]
(d) How did Cassius die? What were his dying words? [Recall]
(e) What does the phrase, ‘this deed’ in the last line of the extract refer to? Explain
in your own words what Titinius means by, ‘Mistrust of my success hath done
this deed’. [Understanding]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

Answer Key

S.No Expected Answers

1. (d) Despair and depression.

2. (c) peaceful

3 (a) harmless

4. (d) Some are fields of sunlit corn (simile)

5. (c) He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the wild lions.

6. (b) The caged bird sings with a fearful trill. (Auditory Imagery)

7. (d) Cruelty

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

9. (b) shrinks

10. (a) Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.

11. (d) acceptance

12. (c) the impact of the death of a loved one on those struggling to cope with the loss.

13. (c) The fir trees dark and high. (Visual Imagery)

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

15. (a) Statement II is the cause for Statement I.

16. (b) The idea that every living being, no matter how small, has its own perspective
and intelligence.

17. (b) discordant.

18. (c) turn upside down

19. (d) chaotic situation

20. (b) (i) and (iii)

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Expected Answers

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

22. (c) Insensitive

23. (a) The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway.

24. (c) Statement II is the cause for Statement I.

25. (c) Claustrophobia

26. (d) The lady had large fleshy cheeks, no chin and brown eyes.

27. (b) Statement II is the cause of Statement I.

28. (c) insensitive

29. (d) Adjoa is proud of her abilities.

30. (c) It empowers her and provides her a sense of identity.

31. (c) Her mother's womb.

32. (d) (i) & (iv)

33. (b) He was married to a writer.

34. (a) (1) and (2) are both true.

35. (d) close to his home when the car appeared without warning.

36. (c) Dystopian

37. (c) While I nodded, nearly napping. [Alliteration]

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

39. (d) Statement II is the cause for Statement I.

40. (c) indifferent

41. (b) eulogy

42. (d) Broken pencils are pointless. [Pun]

43. (b) Statement II is the cause for Statement I.

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No Expected Answers

44. (d) irrational

45. (d) Antony compares the conspirators’ killing of Caesar to apes and hounds.

46. (b) high-spirited fellow with ideas of his own.

47. (d) he is a tried and valiant soldier.

48. (b) they did not want to demoralise their troops.

49. (a) stoicism

50. (b) His voice is velvet. [Metaphor]

51. (b) disdain

52. (d) (i), (iii), (ii), (v), (iv)

53. (a) filled with superstitious dread.

54. (c) loyalty to Brutus

55. (b) Cassius and Titinius

56. (b) Statement II contradicts Statement I.

57. (a) Pride

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 28

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

The answers for Section II (RTC) are suggestive and should be appropriately elaborated
upon based on the marking scheme mentioned.

58. (a) The speaker can hear the sounds and can see their forms as he can see the past,
whereas the visitor/stranger can only perceive them as he can see the mortals.
[1+1+1]
(b) ‘I’ in the above stanza is the narrator. ‘He’ is the stranger by the fireside. The
present occupant of the house is the narrator by the fireside. [1+1+1]
(c)The poet feels that all houses are haunted: [1+1+1]
• as men have lived and died in them.
• there is a connection between the world of spirits and the human world.
• every soul that departs lingers on earth, revisiting favourite places.
(d) (Any three points) [1+1+1]
• They are harmless.
• They are quiet.
• They glide around as they go about their errands.
• They leave impalpable impressions in the air.
(e) We meet them: (Any four points) [1+1+1+1]
• at the doorway.
• on the stairs.
• along the passageway.
• in the illuminated hall.
• at the table, sitting with the guests.

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

59. (a) King Francis.

She dropped the glove in the pit where the lions were fighting.
King Francis remarked that it was safer for them to be seated far above the pit than
where the lions were fighting below. [1+1+1]
(b) The Count bowed and, in a moment, leapt among the lions. His leap was swift,
quick and returned even quicker.
He threw the glove at the lady’s face with anger.
This reaction was because he understood her motives, which were not love but
arrogance and vanity. [1+1+1]
(c) The ferocious lions ramped and roared with horrid laughing jaws. They bit, they
glared and tore into one another. Their blows were powerful, like beams, and the
wind seemed to move alongside their paws. They rolled over each other, and their
manes were covered with sand and blood. It was a savage fight, and bloody foam
whisked through the air. [3]
(d) Love needs no authentication and validation/ a true lover can never set the life of
a beloved in any peril / Vanity comes before a fall. [3]
(e) The Count: a challenge to prove his strength, valour, and chivalry.
The Lady: a tool to seek the attention of all present/ her vanity.
The mood of the Count was angry as he could see through the lady’s cunning
motive/ the lady’s spell over him was broken/ proud of his valour.
(any other plausible answer) [1+1+2]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

60. (a) On distant hills - rocks shudder

Animals: lions crouch down, and elephants lumber to safety. [1+1+1]
(b) small creatures withdraw into silence/ too terrified to make a sound.
their senses are eaten up by fear/ overwhelmed at the magnitude of the loss.
[1+1+1]
(c) According to the poem, when affected by the death of a great soul, our memory:
• grows suddenly sharp.
• revisits in vivid detail past encounters.
• recalls promises made but not fulfilled. [1+1+1]
(d) The death of a great soul has been compared to the fall of an old, great tree.
Reasons:
• far reaching effect -affects the entire neighbourhood/ landscape.
• Great soul nurtures lives like a great tree does.
(any other plausible answer) [1+2]
(e) Stages are: (Any four)
• shock
• fear/ denial
• regret/ remorse
• sense of loss
• acceptance [1+1+1+1]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

61. The speaker felt it was not a speck of dust blown over by his breath.
In reality, it was a living mite, having its own feelings and decision-making power.
His attitude was one of curiosity and wonder, leading to a broad reflection on life
and existence. [1+1+1]
(b) Three instances of the mite having its intelligence:
• The mite had stopped running as if frightened by the speaker’s pen.
• Again, they started running wildly and came up to the place on the paper where
the ink had not yet dried, and it stopped.
• Drank and smelt the ink but with a feeling of intense dislike and turned again to
move. [3]
(c)It reveals the speaker's appreciation for life in all forms and sizes. It also shows
empathy.
(Personal Response- Accept any plausible answer, such as–highlighting his ability
to find significance in what others might consider insignificant) [2+1]
(d) The speaker feels delighted in finding intelligence and thought in unexpected
places. He appreciates the display of mind in any written text highlighting life and
reality.
It affirms the presence of consciousness and life’s value beyond size and
appearance. [2+1]
(e) The importance of the human faculty of mind, its imagination and creativity.
He gives importance to the intelligence displayed by the mite and refrains from
killing it.
(Personal Response- Accept relevant/creative titles with a plausible justification for
the answer.) [1+1+2]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

62. (a) One would hear Bhisma Lochan Sharma singing during summer.
They would hear his voice:
• on the hill.
• on plains from Delhi to Burma. [1+1+1]
(b) He was not bothered about people’s reactions and sang as if his life depended on
it.
When people heard his songs they became: (any two)
• dazed.
• became pale and sickly.
• retired amazed.
• they begged him to stop. [1+1+1]
(c) Reaction of the animals:
• the bullock carts overturned.
• horses lined the roadside/they whine and stare with feet in the air.
• the fishes dive below the lake in search of silence. [1+1+1]
(d) Characteristic features associated with Bhisma Lochan Sharma:
• determined
• stubborn
• not bothered about others' opinions/ unconcerned. [1+1+1]
(e) According to the poem, the world got the golden gift of silence:
• the goat
• attacked Bhisma Lochan Sharma
Two ways in which music helps: (any two)
• soothes the mind.
• reduces pain and anxiety.
• improves one's cognitive power. [2+2]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

63. (a) The photographer was a drooping man in a gray suit, with the dim eye of a
natural scientist.
He didn’t like the face of the author.
The impression that he got was that the photographer was an unprofessional man/
rude/ unemotional. (any other relevant point) [1+1+1]
(b) He made the author sit in a beam of sunlight filtered through a sheet of factory
cotton hung against a frosted skylight.
The photographer crawled under the cloth draped over the machine, remained inside
for a second, but came out again, tearing at the cotton sheet. [1+2]
(c) (Any three instructions): to droop his ears a little more, roll his eyes under the
lids, request to put his hands on his knees, turn his face a little upward, expand the
lungs, contract the waist, hump the neck and twist the hip up toward the elbow
(d) The ears had some resemblance.
The photographer offered to set it right:
• with the process, the sulphide
• by removing the ears entirely [1+2]
(e) manipulative/ insensitive/ commercial/ body shaming (any other)
Promotes unrealistic beauty standards.
(Personal Response question/ any plausible reason) [2+1+1]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

64. (a) -Twelve year old boy

-He lived on the seventeenth floor
-scared/ coward/ claustrophobic/unhappy. [1+1+1]
(b) Any three points:
• It could carry only three people and he was scared of confined spaces.
• There was poor lighting.
• The elevator walls were dirty.
• The door never stayed open for a long time and slammed shut with a loud
clanging noise.
• He was scared that it would stop suddenly and he would be trapped.
• He was scared that it would fall. [1+1+1]
(c)There were no windows. The lights did not work. The footsteps echoed on the
cement as though someone was following him. [1+1+1]
(d) She continuously stared at him with her blue, piggy eyes.
She breathed loudly as she stared at him.
One day, seeing her in the elevator, Martin ran down the stairs, fell and fractured his
leg. [1+1+1]
(e) Personal response such as:
Suspenseful/ cliff-hanger/ open-ended
Elements of horror: (any two – accept other plausible responses)
1. The woman trapping Martin in the elevator
2. The woman stopping the elevator between floors
3. The sinister smile on the woman’s face at the end of the story [2+2]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

65. (a) Hasodzi, a village in Ghana. Her struggle with self-acceptance due to her thin
legs, which are considered undesirable by her grandmother and some others in the
community. [1+2]
(b) Complex relationship with her grandmother, who is critical of her thin legs. She
worries that Adjoa's very existence will be a failure if she cannot become a mother
when she grows up. However, Adjoa still likes her.
Cultural standards of beauty made her despise her legs and hips. [2+1]
(c) Always wanted to tell her mother and grandmother not to worry about her legs/
not to fight over the issue concerning her legs/liked her grandmother despite being
continuously criticised for her thin legs. [3]
(d) Nana began to wash and iron Adjoa's school uniform/started accompanying her
to the town to participate in the district-level sports meet/began to realise Adjoa's
potential and supported her. [2+1]
(e) Change in her perception about women’s role in life/ a woman’s success is not
restricted to giving birth to a child/ belief in new possibilities and potential in
Adjoa’s future/ started thinking beyond patriarchal societal norms.
Overwhelmed with happiness/proudly carried the trophy on her back. [2+2]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

66. (a)
• To step out into the silent city street.
• on a misty November/ winter night.
• and walk through the silent street. [1+1+1]
(b)
• when he wore hard heels, squads of dogs would run alongside.
• barking loudly.
• the noise would startle/ disturb fellow residents/ they would turn on the
lights and stare at him curiously. [1+1+1]
(c)
• watching TV in their homes - Channel 4/ Channel 9.
• TV shows such as Quiz/ revues/ comic programmes/ cowboys.
• Personal Response: Mead was different/ did not conform/ enjoyed being
alone with his thoughts etc. [1+1+1]
(d)
• he enjoyed walking/ just walking.
• walking for air/ to see.
• everyone was content to stay home and watch TV/ conform to expectations.
Mead was the lone figure out walking- aberrant behaviour arouses suspicion.
[1+1+1]
(e)
• The Psychiatric Centre for Research on Aberrant Behaviour
• His behaviour was considered abnormal/ aberrant. He chose to be different
from the others
• Personal Response: Dystopian/ Dark/ Depressing/ Disturbing
• Personal Response: The story describes a world where everyone is expected
to conform/ behave like everyone else. No freedom. [1+1+1+1]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

67. (a)’I’ is Franz, and ‘he’ is M. Hamel. The teacher was passionate about teaching/
cared about his students/preserved the French language and culture/and was
committed to students. [1+1+1]
(b) It was the last French lesson to be taught/ the town had been taken over by the
Germans/ They had forbidden the teaching of French in school/ The official order
was to teach only German in the school of Alsace and Lorraine and it was the last
chance for the students to learn their language-French. [3]
(c) Usually, there was a great bustle and noise which could be heard on the street,
but that day, it was silent/there was no opening or closing of desks/ his classmates
were already in their places/ elders were sitting in the back row/ the teacher’s great
ruler instead rapping on the table was under his arm. [3]
(d) Mood in the classroom: resentment/ nostalgic/ sorrowful/ anger/ restless/
uncomfortable/ disturbed (any other plausible answer)
Alternate title: (accept any plausible answer) [3]
(e) What the statement revealed about Franz: emotional/ realisation that this was his
last lesson/ patriotic feelings were aroused/ regret why he was not serious earlier.
As a young boy earlier, he did not keep up with his lessons/he preferred remaining
out in the woods.
Important lesson he had learnt: (Personal Response) -the value of true
education/value of mother tongue/ valuable knowledge support in times of crisis.
[2+1+1]

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Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

68. (a) Antony gave the following instructions to the servant:

• Ride back and tell Octavius what had happened.
• Warn him that it was dangerous to enter Rome.
• Tell him to wait a while before coming.
• Antony needed the servant’s help to carry Julius Caesar's body to the pulpit. He
was about to address the Roman public, and he hoped to change the public
opinion of Julius Caesar and that of the conspirators. [3]
(b) Antony uses the phrase. Rome is dangerous as Julius Caesar had been
assassinated, and there was chaos and panic.
It was not safe for Octavius Caesar as he was Julius Caesar’s nephew and heir.
[1+2]
(c) Three predictions:
• A curse will light upon the limbs of men.
• Domestic fury and civil war will break out in Italy.
• Violence and bloodshed will become commonplace. [1+1+1]
(d) Brutus considers Antony harmless, more interested in sports, and calls him just a
limb of Caesar, allowing him to speak after him. Cassius considered him dangerous
and was annoyed with Brutus for giving him permission to speak at the Forum.
Cassius' assessment of Antony was right. With his speech, he was able to sway the
public opinion to be sympathetic to Julius Caesar and rise in mutiny. [1+1+1]
(e) Antony portrays himself to the Roman public as a caring person who is upset
/sad that Julius Caesar, his friend, was assassinated for no fault of his.
Later we see a ruthless and arrogant side of him. He has no problem that his nephew
is to be killed and compares Lepidus to a horse and an ass. [2+2]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 39

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

69. (a) A Gallic tribe, Caesar had won against them.

Antony mentioned the names of Cassius, Casca and Brutus as he showed the mob
the mantle to stir the emotions of the crowd, win the mob to his side, made the
citizens realise using antithesis, incited them to take revenge. [1+2]
(b) Three arguments by Antony:
• Caesar had brought home captives after every war /ransoms/ filled the state
treasury.
• cried with the poor, seeing their miserable state.
• refused to accept the crown thrice on the feast of Lupercal. [3]
(c) It was a sarcastic remark as Brutus had betrayed Caesar.
The stabbing of Caesar by Brutus was referred to as the ‘most unkindest cut of all’
as it hurt Caesar the most as he was stabbed by his loyal and dear friend; ingratitude
killed Caesar more than the blow and broke his heart. [1+2]
(d) Brutus- speaks facts and gives reason, appeals to the minds of the people, has no
emotional connection, is blunt, forthright, honest, and tells facts as they are.
Antony- based on a few facts, replete with rhetorical devices, moves the hearts of
the people, emotional connect, skilfully manipulates. [3]
(e) Characteristic of the mob:
• fickle-minded
• loyal and committed friend to Caesar, shrewd politician, a powerful orator
• (Any other personal response) [1+2+1]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 40

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

70. (a) In Brutus’ tent, Sardis.

Earlier a letter of recommendation was sent by Cassius favouring Lucius Pella/ he
was accused of taking bribes from the people of Sardis. [1+2]
(b) Brutus accused Cassius of having an ‘itching palm’.
He had sold high official positions / to undeserving people for gold. Cassius gets
hysterical with rage, anger / threatens to kill / furious/shocked. [1+1+1]
(c) Brutus reminds Cassius that they had murdered Caesar for justice to the Romans
/ not one was a villain who killed Caesar for any other reason/ they killed him not to
support dishonest men or robbers / why should they now take bribes and disgrace
themselves.
He prefers to be a dog and howl at the moon than be a Roman who takes bribes.
[2+1]
(d) Brutus’ honesty is like a strong armour/ Cassius’ threats pass by as powerless
wind of which he does not take any notice.
Brutus had asked for some gold(money), which, according to him, Cassius had
denied.
Cassius replied that he had not denied and that it was a false accusation. [1+1+1]
(e) Brutus- dignified/ rude/ insulting/ rash, ill-tempered/ dominating/ illogical while
taking practical decisions/ kind and gentle master/ filled with pity and compassion
(Portia’s death)/ loving husband.
Cassius- clever/ practical/ emotional/ farsighted/ repents having provoked Brutus/
doesn’t want to lose Brutus’ friendship or genuine love for Brutus. [2+2]
[The justification should match the character trait]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 41

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

71. (a) Her: Portia

She committed suicide by swallowing burning coal.
Brutus’ absence and the growing power of Mark Antony and Octavius had led her to
this. [1+1+1]
(b) Portia is his wife.
He is overwhelmed with grief and felt he needed to concentrate on the war.
This shows his stoic in nature. [1+1+1]
(c) Messala and Titinius.
The news was that a hundred senators had been put to death. Cicero being one of
them. [1+2]
(d) A group of three people who ruled Rome.
• Mark Antony
• Octavius Caesar
• Lepidus. [1+1+1]
(e) Cassius- a good strategist: He felt they should wait for Mark Antony and
Octavius to march with their army to Sardis. Their soldiers will be rested and will be
able to fight better.
Brutus- not a good strategist: He felt that if Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar
marched towards Sardis from Philippe, their sympathisers may join the army, thus
increasing their strength and making it difficult to defeat them.
Brutus’ strategy was adopted. [3+1]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 42

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

72. An elevated spot overlooking the battlefield at Philippi.

Titinius and Cassius were best of friends and fellow soldiers. [1+1+1]
(b) (Personal response question: accept any plausible words such as, ‘defeated’,
‘despair’, ‘sorrowful’, ‘guilt/remorse’. Accept plausible explanation for the same.)
[2+1]
(c) It was his birthday. He was being forced to go against his better judgement in
this battle and compelled to risk their liberties in just one battle. He had always been
an Epicurean – dismissive of superstitions and omens beliefs, but now he was
inclined to believe in them. [1+1+1]
(d) Assisted suicide/ Pindarus stabs him on Cassius’ insistence.
“Caesar, thou art revenged
Even with the sword that killed thee.’ [1+2]
(e) Cassius’ death.
Cassius asks his friend Titinius to ride to the camp to see if the troops there friend or
enemy are. Pindarus watches the progress of Titinius and mistakenly believes that he
has been surrounded and taken captive. He reports this to Cassius. Cassius believing
that he had sent his friend to his death asks Pindarus to kill him. [1+3]

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 43

Literature in English ICSE – Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Questions 44

 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.

August 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Mathematics ICSE - Class X

Table of Contents

S.No Type of Questions Page No.

I. Multiple-Choice Questions 2-14

II. Short Answer Questions -1 15-21

III. Short Answer Questions -2 22-29

IV. Long Answer Questions -1 (Graph-based) 30-31

V. Long Answer Questions -2 32-36

Answer Key 37-46

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE – CLASS X

Mathematics
I: Multiple Choice Questions Type (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
1. [Commercial Mathematics]
A retailer buys an article at its listed price from a wholesaler and sells it to a
consumer in the same state after marking up the price by 20%. The list price of the
article is ₹ 2500, and the rate of GST is 12%. What is the tax liability of the retailer
to the central government?
(a) ₹0
(b) ₹15
(c) ₹30
(d) ₹60 [Analysis & Evaluate]

2. [Commercial Mathematics]
Dev bought an electrical fan which has a marked price of ₹800. If the GST on the
goods is 7%, then the SGST is:
(a) ₹ 24
(b) ₹ 28
(c) ₹ 56
(d) ₹ 80 [Evaluate]

3. [Commercial Mathematics]
₹ P is deposited for n number of months in a recurring deposit account which pays
interest at the rate of r % per annum. The nature and time of interest calculated is:
(a) compound interest for n number of months.
(b) simple interest for n number of months.
(c) compound interest for one month.
(d) simple interest for one month. [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
4. [Commercial Mathematics]
Anwesha intended to open a Recurring Deposit account of ₹1000 per month for 1
year in a Bank, paying a 5% per annum rate of simple interest. The bank reduced
the rate to 4% per annum. How much must Anwesha deposit monthly for 1 year so
that her interest remains the same?
(a) ₹12325
(b) ₹1250
(c) ₹1200
(d) ₹1000 [Analysis & Evaluate]

5. [Commercial Mathematics]
Mr. Das invests in ₹100, 12% shares of Company A available at ₹60 each. Mr. Singh
invests in ₹50, 16 % shares of Company B available at ₹40 each. Use this
information to state which of the following statements is true.
(a) The rate of return for Mr. Das is 12%
(b) The rate of return for Mr. Singh is 10%
(c) Both Mr. Das and Mr. Singh have the same rate of return of 10%
(d) Both Mr. Das and Mr. Singh have the same rate of return of 20%
[Application & Evaluate]

6. [Commercial Mathematics]
Amit invested a certain sum of money in ₹100 shares, paying a 7.5% dividend. The
rate of return on his investment is 10%. The money invested by Amit to purchase
10 shares is:
(a) ₹ 250
(b) ₹ 750
(c) ₹ 900
(d) ₹ 1100 [Application & Evaluate]

7. [Algebra]
If -3 ≤ -4x+5 and x ε W, then the solution set is:
(a) { ….-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3…}
(b) { 1, 2 }
(c) { 0,1,2}
(d) { 2, 3 4,5} [Understanding & Application]

8. [Algebra]
If -4x > 8y, then
(a) x > 2y
(b) x > -2y
(c) x < -2y
(d) x < 2y [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
9. [Algebra]
The value/s of ‘k’ for which the quadratic equation 2𝑥 2 − 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘 = 0 has equal
roots is(are):
(a) 0 only
(b) 4,0
(c) 8 only
(d) 0,8 [Understanding & Application]

10. [Algebra]
If x = -2 is one of the solutions of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 + 3𝑎-x = 0, then the
value of ‘a’ is:
(a) -8
(b) -2
(c) -1/3
(d) 1/3 [Understanding & Application]

11. [Algebra]
In solving a quadratic equation, one of the values of the variable x is 233.356. The
solution rounded to two significant figures is:
(a) 233.36
(b) 233.35 A
(c) 233.3
(d) 230 𝑥

B 𝑦 C
[Understanding & Application]

12. [Algebra]
In the adjoining diagram, AB = x cm, BC=y cm and x – y = 7 cm. Area of ∆ABC
= 30 𝑐𝑚2. The length of AC is:
(a) 10 cm
(b) 12 cm
(c) 13 cm
(d) 15 cm [Analysis & Evaluate]

13. [Algebra]
If p, q, and r are in continued proportion, then:
(a) p : q = p: r
(b) q : r = 𝑝2 : 𝑞 2
(c) p : 𝑞 2 = r : 𝑝2
(d) p : r = 𝑝2 : 𝑞 2 [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 4

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
14. [Mensuration]
The ratio of diameter to height of a Borosil cylindrical glass is 3:5. If the actual
diameter of the glass is 6cm, then the curved surface area of the glass is:
(a) 120π
(b) 60π
(c) 30π
(d) 18π [Analysis & Evaluate]

15. [Algebra]
If the polynomial 2 𝑥 3 + 3 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 is completely divisible by (2x + a), and the
quotient is equal to (𝑥 2 − 1), then one of the values of a is:
(a) -3
(b) -1
(c) 1
(d) 3 [Analysis]

16. [Algebra]
A polynomial in x is 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 – kx -24. Which of the following is a factor of the
given polynomial so that the value of k is 2?
(a) (x + 2)
(b) (x – 3)
(c) (x + 4)
(d) (x – 4) [Analysis & Evaluate]

17. [Algebra]
𝑐
If 𝐴 = [𝑎 𝑏] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = [𝑑 ], then:
(a) only matrix AB is possible.
(b) only matrix BA is possible.
(c) both matrices AB and BA are possible.
(d) both matrices AB and BA are possible, AB = BA.
[Understanding & Application]

18. [Algebra]
6 9 0 0
Matrix 𝐴 = [ ] such that 𝐴2 = [ ].Then k is:
−4 𝑘 0 0
(a) 6
(b) -6
(c) 36
(d) ±6 [Analysis & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 5

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
19. [Algebra]
If the sum of n terms of an arithmetic progression Sn = n2 – n, then the third term
of the series is:
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 6
(d) 9 [Understanding & Application]

20. [Algebra]
Which of the following is NOT a geometric progression?
(a) 1/3, 1, 3, 9
(b) 1/5, 1/5,1/5,1/5
(c) -2, 4, -8, 16
(d) 2,0,4,0,8,0 [Understanding]

21. [Algebra]
In the adjoining diagram, G is the centroid of ∆ABC. A (3,-3), B (2,-6), C (x, y) and
G (5,-5). The coordinates of point D are:
(a) (2,- 6 )
(b) (3,- 6 ) A (3, -3)
(c) (6,- 6 )
(d) (10,- 6 )

G (5, -5)

B (2, -6) D C (x, y)

[Analysis & Application]

22. [Algebra]
In the given diagram, O is the origin, and P is the midpoint of AB. The equation of
OP is:
(a) y=x
(b) 2y = x
(c) y = 2x
(d) y = -x

[Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
23. [Algebra]
In the given figure Line l1 is a parallel to Line l2. If line l3 is perpendicular to Line
l1, then the slopes of lines l2 and l3 respectively are:
(a) 1, 1 Y-
(b) -1, -1 axis Line l3 Line l1
(c) 1, -1
(d) -1, 1

45 X-
0 ° axis

Line l2

[Analysis & Application]

24. [Algebra]
Which of the following lines cut the positive x-axis and positive y-axis at equal
distances from the origin?
(a) 3x+3y=6
(b) 5x +10y = 10
(c) -x + y = 1
(d) 10x +5y = 5 [Understanding & Application]

25. [Geometry]
In the given diagram (not drawn to scale), railway stations A, B, C, P and Q are
connected by straight tracks. Track PQ is parallel to BC. The time taken by a train
travelling at 90km/hr to reach B from A by the shortest route is:
(a) 8 minutes A
(b) 12 minutes
(c) 16.8 minutes
(d) 20 minutes P 20 km Q

B C
50 km
[Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 7

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
26. [Geometry]

A D

B C E F

In the given diagram, Δ ABC and ΔDEF (not drawn to scale) are such that
𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶
∠𝐶 = ∠ F and 𝐷𝐸 = 𝐸𝐹 , then
(a) Δ ABC ~ Δ DEF
(b) Δ BCA ~ Δ DEF
(c) Δ CAB ~ Δ DEF
(d) the similarity of given triangles cannot be determined. [Analysis]

27. [Geometry]
In the adjoining diagram, ST is not parallel to PQ. T Q
R
The necessary and sufficient conditions
for ∆PQR ~∆TSR is:
(a) ∠PQR=∠STR S
(b) ∠QPR=∠TSR
(c) ∠PQR=∠TSR P
(d) ∠PRQ=∠RST [Understanding & Application]

28. [Geometry]
The scale factor of a picture and the actual height of Sonia is 20cm: 1.6m. If her
height in the picture is 18cm, then her actual height is:
(a) 14.4m
(b) 2.25m
(c) 1.78m
(d) 1.44m [Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
29. [Geometry]
In the adjoining figure, O is the centre of the circle, and a semicircle is drawn on
OA as the diameter. ∠APQ=20°.The degree measure of ∠OAQ is:
(a) 25°
(b) 40°
(c) 50°
(d) 65°

[Analysis & Application]

30. [Geometry]
In the given diagram, O is the centre of the circle, and DE is a tangent at B. If
∠ABC=50°, then values of x,y and z respectively are:
(a) 500 , 1000 , 400
(b) 500 , 500 , 650
(c) 400 , 800 , 500
(d) 500 , 250 , 780

[Analysis & Evaluation]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
31. [Geometry]
In the given figure, PT and QT are tangents to a circle such that ∠TPS = 450 and
∠TQS = 300. Then, the value of x is:

(a) 300
(b) 450
(c) 750
(d) 1050

[Analysis & Evaluation]

32. [Mensuration]
A cylindrical metallic wire is stretched to double its length. Which of the following
will NOT change for the wire after stretching?
(a) Its curved surface area.
(b) Its total surface area.
(c) Its volume.
(d) Its radius. [Understanding]

33. [Mensuration]
A right circular cone has the radius of the base equal to the height of the cone. If
the volume of the cone is 9702 cu. cm, then the diameter of the base of the cone is:

(a) 21cm
(b) 42cm
(c) 21√7 cm
(d) 2√7 cm.
[Use π = 22/7] [Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 10

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
34. [Mensuration]
A solid sphere with a radius of 4cm is cut into 4 identical pieces by two mutually
perpendicular planes passing through its centre. Find the total surface area of one-
quarter piece.
(a) 24π
(b) 32π
(c) 48π
(d) 64π

[Understanding & Application]

35. [Mensuration]
Two identical solid hemispheres are kept in contact to form a sphere. The ratio of
the total surface areas of the two hemispheres to the surface area of the sphere
formed is:
(a) 1:1
(b) 3:2 + =
(c) 2:3
(d) 2:1
[Analysis & Application]

36. [Trigonometry]
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 is equal to:
(a) 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃
(b) 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
(c) (𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃)2
(d) 1 [Application]

37. [Trigonometry]
Given 𝑎 = 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 and 𝑏 = 3 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 − 2. The value of (a – b) is:
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 5 [Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 11

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
38. [Trigonometry]
At a certain time of day, the ratio of the height of the pole to the length of its shadow
is 1 : √3, then the angle of elevation of the sun at that time of the day is:
(a) 30°
(b) 45°
(c) 60°
(d) 90° [Understanding & Application]

39. [Trigonometry]
A man standing on a ship approaching the port towards the lighthouse is observing
the top of the lighthouse. In 10 minutes, the angle of elevation of the top of the
lighthouse changes from α to β. Then:
(a) α>β
(b) α<β
(c) α=β
(d) α≤β [Analysis & Evaluation]

40. [Statistics]
Assertion (A): The difference in class marks of the modal class and the median
class of the following frequency distribution table is 0.
Class 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 -70
interval
Frequency 1 3 2 6 4
Reason (R): Modal class and median class are always the same for a given
frequency distribution.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation for A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, and R is not the correct explanation for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true. [Analysis]

41. [Statistics]
Assertion(A): For a collection of 11 arrayed data, the median is the middle number.
Reason (R): For the data 5, 9,7, 13,10,11,10, the median is 13.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation for A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, and R is not the correct explanation for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 12

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
42. [Commercial Mathematics]
Ankit had the option of investing in company A, where 7%, ₹ 100 shares are
available at ₹ 120 or in company B, where 8%, ₹ 1000 shares are available at ₹
1620.
Assertion (A): Investment in Company A is better than Company B.
Reason (R): The rate of income in Company A is better than in Company B.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
(c) A is false, but R is true.
(d) Both A & R are false. [Analysis]

43. [Algebra]
Assertion (A): 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2is a polynomial of degree 3.
Reason (R): x + 2 is a factor of the polynomial.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation for A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, and R is not the correct explanation for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true. [Analysis]

44. [Algebra]
Assertion(A): The point ( -2, 8) is invariant under reflection in line x = - 2.
Reason (R): If a point has its x-coordinate 0, it is invariant under reflection in both
axes.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation for A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, and R is not the correct explanation for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true. [Analysis]

45. [Algebra]

When a die is cast with numbering on its faces, as shown, the ratio of the probability
of getting a composite number to the probability of getting a prime number is
_______.
(a) 2:3
(b) 3:2
(c) 1:3
(d) 1:2 [Analysis]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
46. [Algebra]
1 −2 2
The product of A = [ ] and matrix M, AM = B where B = [ ], then the
−3 4 24
order of matrix M is ____________.
(a) 2x2
(b) 2x1
(c) 1x2
(d) 4x1 [Understanding & Application]

47. [Algebra]
Given, 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 ,…….and 𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 ,……. are real numbers such that
𝑎1 − 𝑏1 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = 𝑎3 − 𝑏3 =⋯………. are all equal.
𝑎1 − 𝑏1 , 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 , 𝑎3 − 𝑏3………. forms a ______________ progression.
(a) Geometric (r=1)
(b) Arithmetic (d=1)
(c) Geometric (r<1)
(d) Arithmetic (d=0) [Analysis & Application]

48. [Geometry]
Locus of a moving point is _______________ if it moves such that it keeps a
fixed distance from a fixed point.
(a) Circle
(b) Line
(c) Angle
(d) Line segment [Recall & Understanding]

49. [Geometry]
The point of concurrence of the angle bisectors of a triangle is called the _________
of the triangle.
(a) centroid
(b) incentre
(c) circumcentre
(d) orthocentre [Recall & Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 14

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

II. Short Answer Questions - 1 (3 Marks)

S.No. Questions
50. [Commercial Mathematics]
A shopkeeper marked a pressure cooker at ₹1800.The rate of GST on pressure
cooker is 12%. The customer has only ₹1792 with him and he requests the
shopkeeper to reduce the price so that he can buy the cooker in ₹1792. What percent
discount must the shopkeeper give? [Application & Evaluation]

51. [Commercial Mathematics]

A man opened a recurring deposit account in a branch of PNB. The man deposits
certain amount of money per month such that after 2 years , the interest accumulated
is equal to his monthly deposits. Find the rate of interest per annum that the bank
was paying for the recurring deposit account.
[Application & Evaluation]

52. [Commercial Mathematics]

Akshay buys 350 shares of ₹50 par value of a company. The dividend declared by
the company is 14%. If his return percent from the shares is 10%, find the market
value of each share. [Application & Evaluation]

53. [Algebra]
Solve the following inequation and answer the questions given below.
1 1 1
(2𝑥 − 1) ≤ 2x + ≤ 52 + 𝑥
2 2

(a) Write the maximum and minimum values of x for x ∈ R.

(b) What will be the change in maximum and minimum values of x if x ∈ W.
[Evaluate & Analysis]

54. [Algebra]
5 2√3
Solve for x, if + 4√3 = , x ≠0 [Application & Evaluate]
𝑥 𝑥2

55. [Algebra]
The marked price of a toy is same as the percentage of GST that is charged. The
price of the toy is ₹ 24 including GST. Taking the marked price as x, form an
equation and solve it to find x. [Application & Evaluate]

56. [Algebra]
The mean proportion between two numbers is 6 and their third proportion is 48.
Find the two numbers. [Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 15

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
57. [Algebra]
Pamela factorized the following polynomial:
2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 2
She found the result as (x+2)(x-1)(x-2). Using remainder and factor theorem, verify
whether her result is correct. If incorrect, give the correct result.
[Analysis & Application]

58. [Algebra]
−6 0 1 0
A=[ ] and B = [ ] .
4 2 1 3
1
Find matrix M, if M = A -2B + 5l, where l is the identity matrix.
2

[Application & Evaluate]

59. [Algebra]
(a) Write the nth term (Tn) of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) consisting of all
whole numbers which are divisible by 3 and 7.
(b) How many of these are two-digit numbers? Write them.
(c) Find the sum of first 10 terms of this A.P. [Application & Evaluate]

60. [Algebra]
𝒏
Write the first five terms of the sequence given by (√𝟑) , n ∈ N.
(a) Is the sequence an A.P. or G.P?
(b) If the sum of its first ten terms is p(3+√3),find the value of p.
[Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 16

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
61. [Algebra]
ABC is a triangle as shown in the figure below.

(a) Write down the coordinates of A, B, and C on reflecting through the origin.
(b) Write down the coordinates of the point/s which remain invariant on reflecting
the triangle ABC on the x-axis and y-axis respectively.
[Analysis & Evaluate]

62. [Algebra]
Determine the ratio in which the line y = 2 + 3x divides the line segment AB joining
the points A (-3, 9) and B (4 , 2 ). [Understanding & Application]

63. [Algebra]
Square ABCD lies in the third quadrant of a XY plane such that its vertex A is at
(-3,-1) and the diagonal DB produced is equally inclined to both the axes.The
diagonals AC and BD meets at P (-2,-2). Find the:
(a) slope of BD
(b) equation of AC [Analysis, Create & Evaluate]

64. [Geometry]
ABCD is a rectangle where side BC is twice side AB. If ∆ACQ~∆BAP, find area
of ∆BAP: area of ∆ACQ.

[Analysis & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 17

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
65. [Geometry]

Given a triangle ABC, and D is a point on BC such that BD = 4cm and DC = x cm.
If ∠BAD = ∠C, and AB = 8cm, then,
(a) prove that triangle ABD is similar to triangle CBA.
(b) find the value of ‘x’. [Understanding, Application & Evaluate]

66. [Geometry]
In the extract of Survey of India map G43S7, prepared on a scale of 2cm to 1 km,a
child finds the length of the cart track between two settlements is 7.6 cm. Find:
(a) the actual length of the cart track on the ground.
(b) actual area of a grid square,if each has an area of 4 𝑐𝑚2 .
[Understanding & Evaluate]

67. [Geometry]
Construct a triangle ABC such that AB = 7cm, BC = 6cm and CA = 5cm. (use ruler
and compass to do so).
(a) Draw the locus of the points such that
(i) it is equidistant from BC and BA.
(ii) it is equidistant from points A and B.
(b) Mark P where the loci (i) and (ii) meet , measure and write length of PA.
[Analysis & Create]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
68. [Geometry]
In the given figure O is the centre of the circle. ABCD is a quadrilateral where sides
AB, BC, CD and DA touch the circle at E, F, G and H respectively. If AB = 15 cm,
BC= 18 cm and AD=24 cm , find the length of CD.

[Application & Evaluate]

69. [Geometry] P
In the given diagram, ABCDEF is a
regular hexagon inscribed in a circle with E D
centre O. PQ is a tangent to the circle at
D. Find the value of:
F O C Q
(a) ∠FAG
(b) ∠BCD
(c) ∠PDE G
A B

[Application & Evaluate]

70. [Geometry]

AB and CD intersect at the centre O of the circle

given in the above diagram. If ∠EBA=33° and
∠EAC=82 °, find
(a) ∠BAE
(b) ∠BOC
(c) ∠ODB

[Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 19

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
71. [Mensuration]
A famous sweet shop “Madanlal Sweets” sells tinned rasgullas. The tin container is
cylindrical in shape with diameter 14cm, height 16cm, and it can hold 20 spherical
rasgullas of diameter 6cm and sweetened liquid such that the can is filled and then
sealed. Find out how much sweetened liquid the can contains. Take π=3.14.
[Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

72. [Mensuration]
The ratio of the radius and the height of a solid metallic right circular cylinder is
7 : 27. This is melted and made into a cone of diameter 14 cm and slant height
25cm. Find the height of the:
(a) cone
(b) cylinder [Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

73. [Trigonometry]
An inclined plane AC is prepared with its base AB which is √3 times its vertical
height BC.The length of the inclined plane is 15 m.Find:
(a) value of θ.
(b) length of its base AB,in nearest metre.

C
15m

𝜃
A B
[Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

74. [Trigonometry]
Prove that
𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
[Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 20

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
75. [Statistics]
The class mark and frequency of a data is given in the graph. From the graph, Find:
(a) the table showing the class interval and frequency.
(b) the mean.

[Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

76. [Statistics]
The mean of 5,7, 8 , 4 and m is n and the mean of 5, 7 , 8 , 4 , m and n is m. Find
the values of m and n. [Understanding & Application]

77. [Probability]
The probability of selecting a blue marble and a red marble from a bag containing
red,blue and green marbles is 1/3 and 1/5 respectively. If the bag contains 14
green marbles,then find:
(a) number of red marbles.
(b) total number of marbles in the bag. [Analysis & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 21

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

III. Short Answer Questions - 2 (4 Marks)

S.No. Questions
78. [Commercial Mathematics]
The following bill shows the GST rate and the marked price of items:
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
S. No. 𝐈𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐒𝐓
(₹)
1. Wheat Flour 35.00 5 𝑘𝑔 𝑥%
(unpacked)
2. Basmati Rice 180.00 5 𝑘𝑔 5%
(Branded &
Packed)
3. Surf Excel Quick 220.00 𝑦 𝑘𝑔 18 %
Wash Detergent

Find:
(a) the value of x if the total GST on wheat flour and basmati rice is ₹45.
(b) the value of y, if CGST paid for detergent powder is ₹39.60.
(c) total amount to be paid (including GST) for the above bill.
[Understanding, Analysis & Evaluate]

79. [Commercial Mathematics]

Amit deposited ₹ 600 per month in a recurring deposit account. The bank pays a
simple interest of 12% p.a. Calculate the:
(a) number of monthly instalments Amit deposits to get a maturity amount of
₹11826?
(b) total interest paid by the bank.
(c) total amount deposited by him. [Application & Evaluate]

80. [Commercial Mathematics]

Aman has 500, ₹100 shares of a company quoted at ₹ 120, paying a 10% dividend.
When the share price rises to ₹ 200 each, he sells all his shares. He invests half of
the sale proceeds in ₹10, 12% shares at ₹25, and the remaining sale proceeds in
₹400, 9% shares at ₹500.
Find his:
(a) sales proceeds.
(b) investment in ₹10, 12% shares at ₹25.
(c) original income.
(d) change in income. [Application & Evaluate]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
81. [Commercial Mathematics]
Solve the following inequation.

11 + 3𝑥 3
≥ 3 −𝑥 > − ,𝑥 ∈ R
5 2

(a) Write the solution set.

(b) Represent the solution on the number line. [Application & Create]

82. [Algebra]
Determine whether the following quadratic equation has real roots.
5𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 4 = 0
(a) Give reasons for your answer.
(b) If the equation has real roots, identify them. [Analysis & Application]

83. [Algebra]
The profit in rupees in a local restaurant and the number of customers who visited
the restaurant are tabulated below for each week for one month.
Week number Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Number of customers 1400 5600 x 3212
Profit in ₹ 28000 112000 32140 y
Find:
(a) if the number of customers and profit per week in continued proportion or
not? Justify your answer.
(b) the value of x and y. [Analysis & Evaluation]

84. [Algebra]
Given, 9𝑥 2 – 4 is a factor of 9𝑥 3 − 𝑚𝑥 2 − 𝑛𝑥 + 8:
(a) find the value of m and n using the remainder and factor theorem.
(b) factorise the given polynomial completely.
[Understanding & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 23

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
85. [Probability]
The marks scored by 100 students are given below:
Marks scored No. of students
0-10 4
10- 20 5
20-30 9
30-40 7
40-50 13
50-60 12
60-70 15
70-80 11
80-90 14
90-100 10
A student in the class is selected at random. Find the probability that the student has
scored:
(a) less than 20.
(b) below 60 but 30 or more.
(c) more than or equal to 70.
(d) above 89. [Analysis & Evaluation]

86. [Algebra]
𝑥 1 𝑥
Given, matrix A = [ ] and B = [ ] such that AB is a null matrix. Find:
𝑦 2 𝑥−2
(a) order of the null matrix.
(b) possible values of x and y. [Understanding & Application]

87. [Algebra]
The sum of a certain number of terms of the Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) 20, 17,
14, …. is 65. Find the:
(a) number of terms.
(b) last term. [Understanding & Application]

88. [Algebra]
(a) Point P (2, -3) on reflection becomes P’(2,3). Name the line of reflection (say
𝐿1 ).
(b) Point P’ is reflected to P’’ along the line (𝐿2 ), which is perpendicular to the
line 𝐿1 and passes through the point, which is invariant along both axes. Write
the coordinates of P’’.
(c) Name and write the coordinates of the point of intersection of the lines 𝐿1 and
𝐿2 .
(d) Point P is reflected to P’’’ on reflection through the point named in the answer
of part I of this question. Write the coordinates of P’’’. Comment on the
location of the points P’’ and P’’’. [Analysis & Create]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
89. [Algebra]
In the given figure, if the line segment AB is intercepted by the y-axis and x-axis at
C and D, respectively, such that AC: AD = 1: 4 and D is the midpoint of CB. Find
the coordinates of D, C and B.

[Understanding & Application]

90. [Algebra]
Find the equation of the straight line perpendicular to the line x+2y=4, which cuts
an intercept of 2 units from the positive y-axis. Hence, find the intersection point
of the two lines. [Analysis & Application]

91. [Geometry]
While preparing a PowerPoint presentation, ∆ABC is enlarged along the side BC
to ∆AB’C’, as shown in the diagram, such that BC∶ B’C’ is 3∶5. Find:
(a) AB∶BB’ C’
(b) length AB, if BB’ = 4 cm.
(c) Is ∆ABC ~∆AB’C’? Justify your answer.
(d) ar (∆ABC): ar (quad. BB’C’C). C

A B B’

[Understanding & Evaluate]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
92. [Geometry]

The approximate volume of a human eye is 6.5 cm3. The volume of a laboratory
model (excluding base and stand) of the human eye is 1404 cm3.
(a) State whether the scale factor k is less than, equals to or greater than 1.
(b) Calculate the:
(i) value of k
(ii) diameter of the human eye if the radius of the model is 7.2 cm.
(iii) the external surface area of the human eye if the surface area of the model
is 651.6 cm2. [Analysis & Evaluate]

93. [Geometry] P
In the adjoining diagram PQ, PR and ST are the
tangents to the circle with centre O and radius
7 cm. Given OP=25 cm. 𝜃
25 cm
Find:
S T
(a) length of ST
(b) value of ∠OPQ, i.e. θ R
(c) ∠QUR, in nearest degree Q 7 cm
(use mathematical tables) O

[Application & Evaluate]

94. [Geometry]
Use ruler and compass to answer this question Construct a triangle ABC where
AB=5.5 cm, BC= 4.5 cm and angle ABC=135o.
Construct the circumcircle to the triangle ABC. Measure and write down the length
of AC. [Create & Evaluate]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
95. [Mensuration]
The curved surface area of a right circular cone is half of another right circular cone.
If the ratio of their slant heights is 2:1 and that of their volumes is 3:1, find ratio of
their:
(a) radii
(b) heights [Understanding & Application]

96. [Trigonometry]
A cylindrical drum is unloaded from a truck by rolling it down along a wooden
plank. The length of the plank is 10 m and it is making an angle of 10o with the
horizontal ground. Find the height from which the cylindrical drum was rolled
down. Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

[Analysis & Evaluate]

97. [Statistics]
The data given below shows the marks of 12 students in a test, arranged in
ascending order:
2, 3, 3, 3,4, x, x+2, 8, p, q,8, 9
If the given value of the median and mode is 6 and 8 respectively, then find the
values of x, p, q. [Understanding & Evaluate]

98. [Algebra]
Solve the linear inequation, write down the solution set and represent it on the real
number line:
5(2 - 4x) > 18 - 16x > 22 - 20x , x ∈ R
[Application & Create]

99. [Algebra]
If a polynomial x3 + 2x2 – ax + b leaves a remainder -6 when divided by x +1 and
the same polynomial has x – 2 as a factor, then find the values of a and b.
[Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 27

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
100. [Algebra]
−1 3 1 −2 4
If A= [ ], B= [ ], C= [1 −4] and D = [ ].
2 0 0 3 1
(a) Is the product AC possible? Justify your answer.
(b) Find the matrix X, such that X = AB+𝐵 2 −DC
[Analysis & Evaluate]

101. [Geometry]

70°
2 G
F
E
40°
C
3 D

In the given figure(not drawn to scale), BC is parallel to EF, CD is parallel to FG,

AE : EB = 2:3, ∠BAD= 70°, ∠ACB = 105°, ∠ADC = 40° and AC is bisector of
∠BAD.
(a) Prove Δ AEF ~ ΔAGF
(b) Find:
i. AG: AD
ii. area of ΔACB: area Δ ACD
iii. area of quadrilateral ABCD: area of Δ ACB.
[Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 28

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
102. [Geometry]
In the given figure angle ABC = 700 and
angle ACB = 500. Given, O is the centre
of the circle and PT is the tangent to the
circle. Then calculate the following
angles
(a) ∠CBT
(b) ∠BAT
(c) ∠PBT
(d) ∠APT
[Application & Evaluate]

103. [Geometry]
(Use a ruler and a compass for this question.)
(a) Construct a triangle ABC such that BC = 8cm , AC = 10 cm and ∠ABC = 90°.
(b) Construct an incircle to this triangle. Mark the centre as I.
(c) Measure and write the length of the in-radius.
(d) Measure and write the length of the tangents from vertex C to the incircle.
(e) Mark points P, Q and R where the incircle touches the sides AB, BC, and AC
of the triangle respectively. Write the relationship between ∠RIQ and ∠QCR.
[Analysis & Create]

104. [Statistics]
The daily wages of workers in a constuction unit were recorded as follows:
Class Marks (Wages) 425 275 525 575 625 675
No. of workers 6 12 15 17 7 13

Form a frequency distribution table with class intervals and find modal wage by
plotting a histogram. [Analysis & Create]

105. [Probability]
A bag contains 13 red cards , 13 black cards and 13 green cards. Each set of cards
are numbered 1 to 13. From these cards, a card is drawn at random. What is the
probability that the card drawn is a:
(a) green card?
(b) a card with an even number?
(c) a red or black card with a number which is a multiple of three?
[Understanding & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 29

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

IV. Long Answer Questions - 1 (Graph-based) (5 Marks)

S.No. Questions
106. [Algebra]
(For this question, use a graph paper. Scale: 2cm = 1 unit along both x and y-axis.)
Plot the points A(2,2), and B (6, -2) in the graph and answer the following:
(a) Reflect points A in origin to point D and write the co-ordinates of point D.
(b) Reflect points A in line y = - 2 to point C and write the co-ordinates of points
C.
(c) Find a point P on CD which is invariant under reflection in x = 0, write its co-
ordinates.
(d) Write the geometrical name of the closed figure ABCD.
(e) Write the co-ordinates of the point of intersection of the diagonals of ABCD.
[Understanding & Create]

107. [Algebra]
(For this question, use a graph paper. Scale: 1cm = 1unit along both x and y-axis.)
Plot points A ( 0,3 ) , B ( 4,0 ) , C ( 6,2 ) and D ( 5,0 ). Reflect the points as given
below and write their coordinates:
(a) Reflect A on x-axis to A’.
(b) Reflect B on y- axis to B’.
(c) Reflect C on x-axis to C’.
(d) D remain invariant when reflected on the line whose equation is _______.
(e) Join the points A, B, C, D,C’,B,A’ , B’ and A to form a closed figure. Name
the closed figure BCDC’. [Understanding & Create]

108. [Statistics]
The following data represents the daily wages in rupees of a certain number of
employees of a company:
Daily 30 – 40 40 -50 50 – 60 60 -70 70-80 80-90 90-100 100-110
wages (in
₹)
No. of 8 14 12 17 20 26 13 10
Employees
Use a graph to answer the following questions:
(a) Represent the above distribution by an ogive.
(b) Find the following on the graph drawn:
(i) median wage.
(ii) percentage of employees who earn more than ₹ 84 per day.
(iii) number of employees who earn ₹56 and below.
[Create & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 30

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
109. [Statistics]
Study the graph and answer the questions that follow∶

(a) Make a frequency table for the information provided in the graph.
(b) The number of students whose height is less than 150 cm.
(c) The total number of students.
(d) The modal height.
(e) The difference in the modal height and the mean height, if the average height
of the students is 145.5 cm.
[Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 31

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

V. Long Answer Question - 2 (5 Marks)

S.No. Questions
110. [Commercial Mathematics]

On seeing the above display board outside Pearl Stationary Shop, Chetan enters the
shop to buy the following items:
Pen Pencil Rainbow Cover Notebook
Price ₹5 each ₹7 each ₹200 each
Discount 5% on a 10% on 20 --
dozen pens pencils
Premium - - ₹50 on each notebook
Items purchased 1 dozen 20 pencils 5
GST 18% 12% 12%

The shopkeeper handed over the bill to Chetan saying that he has given further
discount of 2% on total bill. Chetan became so happy hearing about the discount that
he did not check the bill until he reached home. He later found out that though
shopkeeper has given 2% discount as promised, he had also mcharged uniform 18%
GST on all the items.
(a) Calculate :
(i) total selling price of all the items as per the offers displayed on the board.
(ii) total amount to be paid by Chetan including GST with correct rates.
(iii) actual amount charged by the shopkeeper.
(b) Did the shopkeeper overcharge Chetan? Justify your answer.
[Application & Evaluate]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
111. [Algebra]
Using remainder and factor theorem, show that (2x+3) is a factor of the polynomial
2 𝑥 2 +11x+12. Hence,factorise it completely. What must be multiplied to the given
polynomial so that 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 is a factor of the resulting polynomial?Also,write
the resulting polynomial. [Understanding, Application & Evaluate]

112. [Algebra]
The sequence 2,9,16,……is given.
(a) Identify if the given sequence is an AP or a GP. Give reasons to support your
answer.
(b) Find the 20th term of the sequence.
(c) Find the difference between the sum of its first 22 and 25 terms.
(d) Is the term 102 belong to this sequence?
(e) If ‘k’ is added to each of the above terms, will the new sequence be in A.P. or
G.P.? [Analysis & Evaluate]

113. [Algebra]
Given the equations of two straight lines, L1 and L2 are x – y = 1 and x + y = 5
respectively . If L1 and L2 intersects at point Q ( 3, 2).Find :
(a) the equation of line L3 which is parallel to L1 and has y-intercept 3.
(b) the value of k, if the line L3 meets the line L2 at a point P (k,4).
(c) the coordinate of R and the ratio PQ: QR, if line L2 meets x-axis at point R.
[Analysis & Evaluate]

114. [Geometry]

D
E
C
F

A G B

In the figure given above (not drawn to scale), AD ∥ GE ∥ BC,DE = 18 cm, EC =

3cm, AD = 35 cm. Find :
(a) AF:FC
(b) length of EF
(c) area(trapezium ADEF ) : area(ΔEFC)
(d) BC∶ GF [Application & Evaluate]

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Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
115. [Geometry]
(Use a ruler and a compass for this question.)
(a) Construct the locus of a moving point which moves such that it keeps a fixed
distance of 4.5 cm from a fixed-point O.
(b) Draw line segment AB of 6 cm where A and B are two points on the locus (a).
(c) Construct the locus of all points equidistant from A and B. Name the points of
intersection of the loci (a) and (c) as P and Q respectively.
(d) Join PA. Find the locus of all points equidistant from AP and AB.
(e) Mark the point of intersection of the locus (a) and (d) as R. Measure and write
down the length of AR. [Create & Analysis]

116 [Constructions]
(Use a ruler and a compass for this question.)
Construct a regular hexagon ABCDEF of side 4.3 cm and construct its circumscribed
circle.
Also, construct tangents to the circumscribed circle at points B and C which meets
each other at point P. Measure and record ∠BPC.
[Create & Analysis]

117. [Mensuration]
A mathematics teacher uses certain amount of terracotta clay to form different
shaped solids. First, she turned it into a sphere of radius 7cm and then she made a
right circular cone with base radius 14 cm. Find the height of the cone so formed. If
the same clay is turned to make a right circular cylinder of height 7/3 cm, then find
the radius of the cylinder so formed. Also,compare the total surface areas of sphere
and cylinder so formed.
[Understanding, Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 34

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
118. [Trigonometry]

A tree (TS) of height 30 m stands in front of a tall building (AB). Two friends Rohit
and Neha are standing at R and N respectively, along the same straight line joining
the tree and the building (as shown in the diagram). Rohit, standing at a distance of
150 m from the foot of the building, observes the angle of elevation of the top of the
building as 30o. Neha from her position observes that the top of the building and the
tree has the same elevation of 60o.
Find the:
(a) height of the building
(b) distance between
(i) Neha and the foot of the building
(ii) Rohit and Neha
(iii) Neha and the tree
(iv) building and the tree. [Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 35

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
119. [Statistics]
A life insurance agent found the following data of age distribution of 100 policy
holders, where f is an unknown frequency.
Age in years No. of Policy Holders
15-20 7
20-25 12
25-30 15
30-35 22
35-40 𝑓
40-45 14
45-50 8
50-55 4
(a) If the mean age of the policy holders is 35.65 years, find the unknown frequency
f.
(b) Find the median class of the distribution. [Application & Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 36

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

Answer Key

S.No Expected Answer

1. (c) ₹30

2. (b) ₹ 28

3. (d) simple interest for one month.

4. (b) ₹1250

5. (d) Both Mr. Das and Mr. Singh have same rate of return of 20%.

6. (b) ₹ 750

7. (c) { 0,1,2}

8. (c) x < - 2y

9. (d) 0 , 8

10. (b) – 2

11. (d) 230

12. (c) 13 cm

13. (d) p : r = 𝑝2 : 𝑞 2

14. (b) 60π

15. (d) 3

16. (c) (x+4)

17. (d) both matrices AB and BA are possible, AB=BA.

18. (b) -6

19. (b) 4

20. (d) 2, 0, 4, 0, 8, 0

21. (c) (6, -6)

22. (b) 2y = x

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 37

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

23. (c) 1, -1

24. (a) 3x + 3y = 6

25. (d) 20 minutes

26. (d) the similarity of given triangles cannot be determined.

27. (c) ∠𝑃𝑄𝑅 = ∠𝑇𝑆𝑅

28. (d) 1.44m

29. (c) 50°

30. (a) 500 , 1000 , 400

31. (d) 105°

32. (c) Its volume

33. (b) 42cm

34. (b) 32π

35. (b) 3 : 2

36. (c) (𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃)2

37. (d) 5

38. (a) 30°

39. (b) α < β

40. (c) A is true, but R is false.

41. (c) A is true, but R is false.

42. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.

43. (d) Both A and R are true.

44. (c) A is true, but R is false.

45. (a) 2:3

46. (b) 2 x 1

47. (d) Arithmetic (d=0)

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 38

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

48. (a) Circle

49. (b) incentre

50. 11.11%

51. 4%

52. ₹70

53. -1 ≤ x ≤ 5
(a) 5, -1
(b) No change in maximum value, minimum value will change to 0.

54. 2 √3
𝑥=− ,𝑥 =
√3 4

55. x = 20 and GST rate = 20%

56. 3 and 12

57. (x+2) (x-1) (2x+1)

58. [
0 0
]
0 0
59. (a) Tn = 21+ (n-1)21 or 21n
(b) Four are two-digit numbers. 21, 42,63,84
(c) 1155

60. (a) G.P.

(b) p=121

61. (a) (- 4, -5), (0, -3), (-3, 0)

(b) For x-axis C (3,0); for y-axis B (0,3)

62. 4:3

63. (a) m=1

(b) x+y+4=0

64. 1:5

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 39

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

(a) In ∆ ABD and ∆CBA,
65.
∠B is common to both triangles,
∠BAD = ∠BCA (given)
∴ ∆ ABD ~ ∆CBA (by A.A.A. postulate)

(b) Since the triangles are similar, their corresponding sides are proportional.

𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶
∴ = =
𝐴𝐷 𝐷𝐵 𝐵𝐴
𝐴𝐶 8 4+𝑥
∴ = =
𝐴𝐷 4 8
∴ 2x8=4+x
∴ 16 = 4 + x
∴ x = 16 - 4
∴ x = 12cm
66. (a) 3.8 km
(b) 1 𝑘𝑚2

67.

68. 27 cm

69. (a) 60°

(b) 120°
(c) 30°

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 40

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

70. (a) 57 °
(b) 50 °
(c) 17 °

71. 200.96 cm3

72. (a) 24 cm
(b) 18 cm

73. (a) 30°

(b) 8 m
L.H.S. = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1
74.
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 − (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
= − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃(1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)
=
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
= x 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆

75. (a)
Class frequency
interval
12-14 8
14-16 2
16-18 3
18-20 4
20-22 5
22-24 6
(b) Mean = 18

76. m= 6; n= 6

77. (a) 6
(b) 30

78. (a) 0%
(b) y = 2 kg
(c) ₹1639.20

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 41

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

79. (a) 18 instalments
(b) ₹1026
(c) ₹10800

80. (a) ₹100000

(b) ₹ 50000
(c) ₹5000
(d) ₹4600 (gain)

81. 1 9
{x: ≤ x < , x ∈ R}
2 2

82. (a) Discriminant is positive and a perfect square. Hence, roots are real and rational.
(b) 1 and 4/5

83. (a) No.

1400 5600 1
= =
28000 112000 20
Hence the numbers are in proportion.
Number of customers and profit per week are not continued in proportion.
(b) x = 1607, y = 64240

84. (a) m = 18, n = 4

(b) (3x - 2) (3x + 2) (x - 2)

85. (a) 9/100

(b) 32/100 = 8/25
(c) 35/100 = 7/20
(d) 10/100 = 1/10

86. (a) Order of the null matrix is 2 x 1.

(b) x = 1, y = 2 and x = -2, y = -4

87. (a) 10
(b) -7

88. (a) x-axis.

(b) P'' (-2, 3)
(c) Origin (0,0); P'''(-2,3)
(d) P'' & P'' are coincident points.

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 42

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

89. D (6,0),
C (0,9/2)
B (12, - 9/2)

90. 2x – y + 2 = 0
(0, 2)

91. (a) 𝐴𝐵: 𝐵𝐵 ′ =3:2

(b) 𝐴𝐵 = 6 𝑐𝑚
(c) 𝑌𝑒𝑠, ∵ 𝐵𝐶 ∥ 𝐵 ′ 𝐶 ′
(d) 9: 16

92. (a) k>1

(b) (i) k=6
(ii) 2.4 cm
(iii) 18.1cm2

93. (a) 10.5 cm

(b) θ=16°16'
(c) 73°44' = 74°

94. AC = 9.1 cm
Radius = 6.5 cm

95. (a) 1:4

(b) 48:1

96. 1.74 m

97. x = 5 and p = 8, q = 8

98. {x : x<-2 or x >1, x ∈ R}

99. a = 3, b = -10

100. No, number of columns in A is not equal to number of rows in C.

−4 19
b) [ ]
1 9

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 43

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

101. (a)
In ΔAFE,
∠AFE = 105° (corresponding angle)
70°
∠EAF = 2 = 35° (∵ AC is the bisector)
∴ ∠AEF = 180° -(105°- 35°) = 40° (sum of angles of triangle)
∠AGF = ∠ADC = 40° (corresponding angles)
In ΔAEF, and ΔAGF,
∠EAF = ∠GAF = 35° (AC being the bisector)
∠AEF = ∠ACF = 40° (as shown above)
∴Δ AEF ~ Δ AGF (A.A.A.)

(b)
i. 2:5
ii. 1:1
iii. 2:1

102. (a) 900

(b) 300
(c) 200
(d) 100

103. (b) 2cm

(c) 5.8cm
(d) ∠RIQ +∠QCR=180°

104. Frequency table

Wages in ₹ f
400-450 6
450-500 12
500-550 15
550-600 17
600-650 7
650-700 3

Mode = ₹557.50

105. (a) 1/3,

(b) 6/13
(c) 8/39

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 44

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

106. (a) D (-2, -2)
(b) C (2, -6)
(c) P (0, -4)
(d) square
(e) (2, -2)

107. (a) (0, -3)

(b) (-4,0)
(c) (6, -2)
(d) Y = 0
(e) Concave quadrilateral

108. (b) i) ₹74

ii) 32.5%
iii) 30

109. (a)
Class f cf
120-130 6 6
130-140 29 35
140-150 34 69
150-160 22 91
160-170 12 103
(b) 69
(c) 103
(d) 143 cm
(e) 2.5 cm

110. (a) (i) ₹1433

(ii) ₹1608.38
(iii)₹1657.12
b) Yes, the shopkeeper overcharged an amount of ₹48.78

111. (x + 4) (2x + 3) to multiplied by (x - 1)

2x 3 + 9x 2 + x - 12

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 45

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

S.No Expected Answer

112. (a) AP as d = 7
(b) 135
(c) 489
(d) No
(e) A.P.

113. (a) x – y + 3 = 0
(b) k = 1
(c) R (5,0); 1:1

114. (a) 6:1

(b) 5 cm
(c) 48:1
(d) 7:6

115. (e) AR≈ 8.8cm or 4.8cm

116. ∠BPC=120°

117. hcone=7 cm
rcylinder =14 cm

TSA sphere 3
=
TSA cylinder 7

118. (a) 86.6 m

(b)
i. 50 m
ii. 100 m
iii. 17.32 m
iv. 32.68 m.

119. (a) 18
(b) 30-35

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 46

Mathematics ICSE - Class X

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 47

 PREFACE
With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their teaching-
learning processes.

July 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Physics ICSE - Class X

Table of Contents

Type of Questions Pg. No

I. Multiple-Choice Questions 2-15

II. Very Short Answer Questions 15-22

III. Short Answer Questions 23-30

IV. Long Answer Questions 31-37

Answer Key 38-49

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

Physics ICSE - Class X

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ICSE - CLASS X

Physics

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
1. [Light]
When light enters from air to glass, it bends toward the normal. If red, blue, and yellow
colours are allowed to enter the same glass block at the same angle of incidence, then for
which colour, the value of ∠𝑖 − ∠𝑟, be greater?
(a) green
(b) red
(c) blue
(d) yellow [Understanding & Application]

2. [Light]
Assertion (A): When light passes through a triangular prism, it is observed that for two
angles of incidence, the angle of deviation is the same.
Reason (R): According to the principle of reversibility, the light retraces the path in
reversing the direction.
(a) A and R are true, and R is the reason for A.
(b) A and R are true, and R is not the reason for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. [Understanding & Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 2

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
3. [Light]
Which of the following diagrams shows the correct path of light through the lens?
(a) (c)

(b) (d)

[Analysis]

4. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

The diagrams below show four pulley systems. State which of the statements following
the diagrams is true.

(a) There are three pulley systems with V.R. = 2 and one pulley system with V.R. = 1.
(b) There are two pulley systems with V.R. = 2, one pulley system with V.R. = 3 and one
pulley system with V.R. = 1.
(c) There are two pulley systems with V.R. = 2, one pulley system with V.R.= 3 and one
pulley system with V.R. = 4.
(d) There are two pulley systems with V.R. = 2 and two pulley system with V.R. = 3.
[Analysis & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 3

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
5. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
The diagrams below show a force F = 40 N acting on a rod AB pivoted at A in different
directions. Identify the correct statement.

(a) P and S have opposite moments.

(b) The magnitude of the moment of force is maximum in R.
(c) The magnitude of the moment of force is maximum in P and Q.
(d) The moment of force in R is negative. [Analysis and Application]

6. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

In the diagram below, four cones are depicted, each with a height of 12cm. The position
of the center of gravity is indicated by dots located at 9cm, 8cm, 4cm, and 3cm from the
apex of each cone. Which of these cones is completely solid?

(a) 9cm
(b) 8cm
(c) 4cm
(d) 3cm

[Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 4

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
7. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
The given figure depicts the graph of work done vs. displacement under a constant force
of 10N. Which of the following statements is true?

(a) Force is acting at an angle of 0o with the displacement.

(b) Force is acting at an angle of 45o with the displacement.
(c) Force is acting at an angle of 60o with the displacement.
(d) Force is acting at an angle of 90o with the displacement. [Analysis]

8. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

During his experiments with a single movable pulley, Jas determined the effort,
mechanical advantage and efficiency as X, Y & Z, respectively. Subsequently, after
lubricating the pulley thoroughly, he recalculated the effort, MA and efficiency. X', Y' &
Z' respectively. Which of the following relationships accurately represents the scenario?
(a) X’> X
(b) Y’< Y
(c) Z’> Z
(d) Z’ = Z [Understanding]

9. [Light]
Assertion: For a glass block, the i vs. r graph is a straight line.
Reason: When a ray of light undergoes refraction, it follows Snell's law.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the Reason is true. [Understanding]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 5

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
10. [Sound]
________ of UV > ________ of microwaves
The quantity suitable for filling in both the blanks is:
(a) speed in vacuum
(b) speed in a medium
(c) frequency
(d) wavelength. [Recall]

11. [Sound]
Sumit, a teenager, enjoys playing his music loudly. However, his grandmother
consistently lowers the volume of the music player. Analyse the wave to identify which
characteristic of the wave has been altered when the grandmother reduces the volume.

(a) The length PS becomes more.

(b) The length SR becomes less.
(c) The length QR becomes less.
(d) The length PR becomes less. [Analysis]

12. [Heat]
Data: mass =10g quantity of heat supplied =120J rise in temperature = 100 C
STATEMENT A: The heat capacity of the substance is 12 J/g.
STATEMENT B: The specific heat capacity of the substance is 1.2 J/gK.
(a) Only statement A is correct.
(b) Only statement B is correct.
(c) Both statements A and B are correct.
(d) Both statements A and B are incorrect. [Evaluate]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 6

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
13. [Electricity and Magnetism]
Given that the resistivity of Gold and Platinum is 2.1x10-8 and 10.5x10-8 ohm m,
respectively, which is the correct statement?
STATEMENT A: 5 metres of platinum wire will have the same resistance as one metre
of gold wire.
STATEMENT B: Gold wire of 1cm radius will have the same resistance as platinum
wire of 5cm radius.
(a) Only statement A is correct.
(b) Only statement B is correct.
(c) Both statements A and B are correct.
(d) Both statements A and B are incorrect. [Understanding & Application]

14. [Electricity and Magnetism]

Assertion: A switch will serve the purpose of making and breaking a circuit when it is
connected to the neutral wire.
Reason: Neutral wire is at zero potential.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion & Reason are false. [Recall]

15. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The given rods will attract each other when:

(a) A and C are connected to positive terminal of the battery.

(b) B and C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
(c) A and D are connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
(d) A and D are connected to the negative terminal of the battery. [Analysis]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 7

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
16. [Modern Physics]
Which of the following equations are correctly balanced?

(a) Only D
(b) Only C
(c) Both A & B
(d) Both C & D [Evaluate]

17. [Sound]

The above picture shows three cylinders filled with water to a different extent. The tuning
forks L, M and N in vibration produce louder sound when held above the mouth of the
cylinders. Which combination is correct for hearing a louder sound of the tuning fork?
(a) L – R, M – Q, N – P
(b) L – P, M – Q, N – R
(c) L – R, M – P, N – Q
(d) L – Q, M – R, N – P [Analysis and Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 8

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
18. [Heat]
Three metals, A, B and C, are supplied with the same quantity of heat. Their masses are
in the ratio 2:3:4. If they show the same rise in the temperature, then the ratio of their
thermal capacities will be:
(a) 1:1:1
(b) 4:3:2
(c) 2:3:4
(d) 2:3:1 [Evaluate & Application]

19. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The above diagram shows different copper conductors of diameters d and 2d and lengths,
which are multiples of l. The increasing order of their resistances will be:
(a) A<B<C<D
(b) A<C<D<B
(c) A<D<C<B
(d) D <A< C <B [Analysis, Evaluate & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
20. [Sound]

The diagram shows the magnificent dome at Gol Ghumbaz at Bijapur. A boy standing at
A whispers, and it is clearly heard at B across the huge dome.
[Speed of sound is 330 ms-1]
Assertion (A): The distance travelled by sound waves (x+y) should be < 33 m.
Reason (R): Sound reflected within 0.1 s is not heard by humans.
(a) A and R are true, and R is the reason for A.
(b) A and R are true, and R is not the reason for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. [Analysis & Application]

21. [Electricity and Magnetism]

A magnetic compass is present on a small table, very close to the wall in a room. A man
enters the room and switches on the Air Conditioner fitted near the ceiling. He observes
that the needle in the compass shows immediate deflection. Identify the most probable
reason for the deflection.
(a) Air blowing in the room.
(b) Current starts flowing through AC wire concealed in the adjacent wall.
(c) Vibrations are produced when the Man starts talking to his wife in the kitchen.
(d) Vibrations were produced due to a file in his hand that fell on the ground.
[Analysis]

22. [Heat]
Two substances, A and B, have the same mass. Substance A has a higher specific heat
capacity than substance B. What consequences would you expect when these substances
are subjected to the same amount of heat energy?
(a) Substance A will experience a smaller temperature change than substance B.
(b) Substance A will experience a larger temperature change than substance B.
(c) Both substances will experience the same temperature change.
(d) Either of them can show a greater change in temperature as the temperature change
depends on factors other than specific heat capacity.
[Recall & Application]

ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 10

Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
23. [Light]
A student traces the path of a ray of light through a glass prism for different angles of
incidence. He analyses each diagram and draws the following conclusion:
I. On entering the prism, the light ray bends towards its base.
II. Light ray suffers refraction at the point of incidence and at the point of emergence
while passing through the prism.
III. An emergent ray bends at a certain angle to the direction of the incident ray.
IV. While emerging from the prism at the second surface, the angle of refraction is less
than the angle of incidence at that surface.
Which of the above inferences are correct?
(a) I, II and III
(b) I, III and IV
(c) II, III and IV
(d) All of these. [Analysis]

24. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

A metal ball is whirled inside a ring placed on a table, as shown in the diagram P. The
diagram Q shows the motion of the ball after the ring is lifted.

Which of the following diagrams shows the correct position of the metal ball in the ring
when the ring is lifted?
(a) (c)

(b) (d)

[Analysis]

25. [Light]
Assertion (A): Sometimes the sky appears reddish in the evening.
Reason (R): Red, being longer in wavelength, scatter more than the other colours.
(a) A and R are true, and R is the reason for A.
(b) A and R are true, and R is not the reason for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
26. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Assertion (A): When the displacement is zero, then the work is zero. So, if the work done
is zero, then it necessarily means the displacement is zero.
Reason (R): Work done is calculated by the relation 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
(a) A and R are true, and R is the reason for A.
(b) A and R are true, and R is not the reason for A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. [Understanding]

27. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

Which of the following statement is CORRECT?
The frequency of a stretched string is:
(a) directly proportional to its length but inversely proportional to the tension of the
wire.
(b) inversely proportional to its length but directly proportional to the tension of the
wire.
(c) directly proportional to the square root of its length but inversely proportional to the
tension of the wire.
(d) inversely proportional to its length but directly proportional to the square root of the
tension of the wire. [Recall & Analysis]

28. [Light]
A ray of light passes obliquely from an optical medium of refractive index 1.33 to another
medium of refractive index 1.5. While passing from the first medium to the second, the
light ray will:
(a) bend towards the normal.
(b) bend away from the normal.
(c) move along the normal.
(d) suffer total internal reflection. [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
29. [Light]
You want to register your name for an examination. For registration purposes, you need
a passport-size photograph of yourself. When you went to a studio, the photographer told
you to sit on a chair in front of a white screen in the room.
Assertion (A): This is purposefully done so that you as an object should stand beyond
the centre of curvature of the camera lens, but surely not at an infinite distance.
Reason (R): The characteristics of the image formed are that it can be taken on a screen
and is also diminished in size.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are false. [Analysis]

30. [Heat]
Rivers which originate from the glaciers at high altitudes have a supply of water
throughout the year. This is because ice in high mountains does not melt all at once. This
is due to:
(a) high specific heat of ice.
(b) low specific heat of ice.
(c) low specific latent heat of fusion of ice.
(d) high specific latent heat of fusion of ice. [Understanding]

31. [Electricity and Magnetism]

If three resistors 𝑅1 , 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 are connected in series and by R1 ˃ R2 ˃ R3, then what is
the relation between the currents 𝐼1 , 𝐼2 and 𝐼3 respectively flowing through them?
(a) I1 = 12 = I3
(b) I1 < I2 < I3
(c) I1 ˃ I2 ˃ I3
1 1 1
(d) 𝐼 < 𝐼 < 𝐼 [Analysis]
1 2 3

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
32. [Sound]

What is the ratio of wavelengths between P, Q and R?

(a) 3:2:1
(b) 1:2:3
(c) 6:3:2
(d) 2:3:6 [Analysis & Application]

33. [Heat]
During the change of state of a substance from solid to liquid, heat is absorbed by a body,
but its temperature does not rise. Which of the following statements explains the
phenomenon?
(a) Only K.E of the molecules increases, but P.E remains the same.
(b) Only P.E of the molecules increases, but K.E remains the same.
(c) Both K.E and P.E of the molecules increase.
(d) There is no increase in the P.E and K.E of the molecules.
[Analysis]

34. [Electricity and Magnetism]

Assertion (A): When current is passed through a wire, a magnetic field is generated
around the wire.
Reasoning (R): Whenever there is a change of magnetic flux linked up with the coil,
the induced current is generated in the coil.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct but R is wrong.
(d) Both A and R are wrong. [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
35. [Modern Physics]
Which of the following combinations correctly shows the charges on the particles.?
+ 1.6 X 10-19 C -1.6 X 10-19 C + 3.2 X 10-19 C
(a) proton neutron alpha particle
(b) alpha particle electron neutron
(c) proton electron alpha particle
(d) electron Proton alpha particle

[Understanding & Analysis]

II: Very Short Answer Questions: Source-Based (2 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
36. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Anu and Amy purchased ice creams in plastic balls and cones, respectively, during their
outing at the science fair. After consuming their ice creams, Anu stated that regardless of
whether they were filled with ice cream or empty, the centre of gravity of the objects
would remain unchanged. Do you agree with Anu? Why? [Analysis & Application]

37. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

The picture below shows a boy climbing a rope ladder hanging from the branch of a tree.
The boy in the picture finds it difficult to climb the ladder as it turns about the axis where
he is holding. The instructor tells the boy to stretch the body with the hands stretched up
and make the body parallel to the ladder and climb.

(a) Which force caused the ladder to turn?

(b) How does keeping the body parallel to the ladder make climbing easier?
[Analysis & Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
38. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Regenerative braking involves harnessing the energy that is typically lost when a car
decelerates and brakes and instead using it to recharge the car's batteries. Unlike
traditional braking systems that simply dissipate energy, regenerative braking allows
some of that energy to be recycled.
(a) What is the energy conversion process that results in the wastage of energy in a
normal car during braking?
(b) How does regenerative braking differ from normal braking in terms of energy
conversion? [Analysis]

39. [Sound]
John is trying to create musical notes using water-filled bottles, as shown in the picture.

Which of the bottles is likely to produce a musical note with the highest pitch? Give
reasons. [Analysis]

40. [Sound]
When Shyam, the band leader, struck both the bass drum and the kettle drum with equal
force, the bass drum emitted a sound measuring 120dB, whereas the kettle drum produced
a sound of 90dB. Explain this discrepancy in the loudness. [Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
41. [Electricity and Magnetism]

In the above diagram, calculate the ratio of the resistances A, B, C and D.

[Application & Evaluate]

42. [Electricity and Magnetism]

There are two copper wires of length ratio 1:2 that have their cross-sectional areas in the
ratio 1:4. What will be the ratio of their:
(a) resistances?
(b) specific resistances?
[Understanding]

43. [Light]
AB is an object and PQ is its real, inverted image. The lengths of AB and PQ are equal.
This is possible when a lens is present between the object and its image.

(a) What kind of lens is used here? Also, state the position of the lens and where it is to
be placed.
(b) Name a device where this lens action is used.
[Recall & Understanding]

44. [Heat]
The two metals A and B have their specific heat capacities in the ratio 2:3. If they are
supplied the same amount of heat, then
(a) which metal piece will show a greater rise in temperature if their masses are the
same?
(b) calculate the ratio in which their temperatures rise, if the mass ratio of metal A and
metal B is 3:5. [Understanding]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
45. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Soumya took two right circular cones of the same vertical height. One of the two cones
is a solid one, while the other is hollow from inside. By measuring the cross-sectional
areas of the cones and from the knowledge of symmetry, by using suitable formulas, he
found the positions of the centre of gravity of both cones. He found that the difference is
about 1.5 cm. What is the vertical height of the two cones?
[Understanding & Application]

46. [Sound]
Seismic waves have different frequencies. During earthquakes, why are short-length
buildings more prone to damage caused by high-frequency seismic waves?
[Understanding]

47. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

Will the centre of gravity of a hollow sphere filled half with mercury and half with oil be
identical to that of an empty hollow sphere? Give reasons for your answer.
[Application]

48. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.

(a) In the diagram, is the worker attempting to raise or lower the load?
(b) Justify your answer to (a) with the necessary calculation. [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
49. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
The graph shows load against effort for a lever with load and effort on the same side of
the fulcrum.

(a) Which feature of the load and effort graph must be calculated to determine
mechanical advantage?
(b) Which class does this lever belong to? [Understanding & Analysis]

50. [Heat]
(a) Convert to SI unit: 1J/g 0F
(b) Why does 1g of water at 00 C have 336J more heat energy than 1g of ice at 00 C?
[Evaluate & Understanding]

51. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

Match the columns by choosing the body part and corresponding mechanical lever of the
same class.

Human body part Mechanical lever

i. Nodding head (a) Bottle Opener

ii. Lifting body weight on your (b) Tongs

toes.

(c) See-Saw
[Analysis & Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
52. [Electricity and Magnetism]
Redraw the diagram by linking points A, B, and C to points X, Y, and Z on the socket.

[Analysis & Application]

53. [Sound]
Ashish, Sameer, Aditya and Mohit were sitting on the terrace of Ashish’s house listening
to the songs playing on Aditya’s mobile phone. Mohit, sitting in one corner, a little
distance away from the others, requests to increase the volume of the songs. But Aditya
says the volume is full. Sameer, being a smart guy, gets up, goes into the kitchen, brings
an empty steel glass, places the mobile phone inside it and solves the problem. What is
the reason for Sameer to keep the mobile phone in the glass? [Application]

54. [Electricity and Magnetism]

You are given three resistors of magnitude 3 Ω each. You can join them either in a series
or in a parallel combination. How will you arrange them so that the equivalent resistance
would become:
(a) maximum
(b) minimum
(Your answer must be accompanied by proper mathematical calculations)
[Application]

55. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

In a gold atom (atomic number 79), an electron revolves around the nucleus in a circular
orbit. There is a strong electrostatic force between the positively charged nucleus and the
negatively charged electron. Though the total positive charge possessed by the nucleus is
much higher than the negative charge of the electron, there is no displacement of the
electron in the direction of the force.
(a) Name the force responsible for the movement of the electron around the nucleus in
its own orbit.
(b) In the absence of such force, what would happen to the movement of the electron?
[Recall & Understanding]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
56. [Electricity and Magnetism]
A straight wire is passed vertically through cardboard sprinkled with iron filings.
(a) When current is passed through the wire in the upward direction, it is seen that the
iron fillings are arranging themselves in a definite pattern. Why?
(b) What would happen to this arrangement if more current were passed through the
wire?
[Analysis & Application]

57. [Heat]
On a hot summer day, we often put ice cubes to cool the water. Why? [Application]

58. [Electricity and Magnetism]

In the given circuit diagram, Minakshi replaced the ammeter by a voltmeter by mistake.
Will this circuit work?
[Application]

59. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

A metre rod is half made of copper and half made of iron. If the mass of the copper part
is 900 g and the mass of iron is 800g, then calculate the position at which the rod can
remain in equilibrium. [Application]

60. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The diagram below shows a copper conductor placed along the east-west direction.
Magnetic compass P is present above the conductor, and Q is below the conductor. If
current is passed through the wire from A to B, then which of the two compasses will
show prominent deflection and why?

[Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
61. [Heat]
The difference between the temperature of water at the bottom and the top of a waterfall
is 0.2 0C. Calculate the height of the waterfall. [g = 10 N kg-1, Specific heat capacity of
water = 4200 J kg-1 0C-1] [Application]

62. [Light]

Source: Getty Images

The diagram shows straw partially immersed in water in the glasses.
(a) Why does the straw in water appear thicker as compared to the straw outside
water?
(b) Why does the straw appear discontinuous in water?
[Recall & Understanding]

63. [Light]

The above diagram shows a triangular prism used for tracing the path of ray AB due to
the refraction through the prism. Observe the diagram and answer the following:
(a) State the correct eye position from the points P, Q, R and S to see the images of the
points A and B in the same line through the prism.
(b) If the ray, after entering the prism, suffers total internal reflection, then which would
be the appropriate position out of P, Q, R, and S to see the image due to TIR?
[Recall, Analysis & Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

III: Short Answer Questions (3 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
64. [Electricity and Magnetism]
Read the excerpt from a story and answer the questions that follow:
On stage, a soft iron box sits atop a hidden copper coiled platform, conductive to
electricity. I summoned a man who fancied himself a modern-day Hercules onto the stage
and challenged him to lift the iron box. With ease, he lifted it up. Then, with a wave of
my magic wand and a hidden switch activated, I said, "I'm going to take away your
strength." When I asked him to lift the box again, he struggled, unable to budge it.

(a) Explain the secret behind the magic.

(b) If you are asked to design the same magic in your science lab, give the necessary
circuit diagram.
(c) Give any one device that works on the same principle.
[Recall, Understanding & Application]

65. [Electricity and Magnetism]

Which one of the switches, S1, S2 or S3, should be opened so that:
(a) total resistance is equal to 4 ohms.
(b) the total resistance is equal 3 ohms.
(c) the current through 4 ohms is ⅗ th of the total current.

[Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
66. [Electricity and Magnetism]
In the given diagram, X represents a conductor carrying current into the plane of the paper
and kept in a magnetic field. N & S represent the poles of a magnet and concentric circles
of the magnetic field produced by the conductor.
(a) State the direction of the force experienced by the conductor.
(b) Explain the cause of the above-said force.
(c) Name the law used to determine the direction of the force in the conductor.

[Recall]

67. [Sound]
Study the diagram and answer the following:

(a) Arrange the following pendulums according to their natural frequencies (use < > =).
(b) If Pendulum Z is initiated into oscillation, which pendulum among the others will
exhibit the highest amplitude of vibration?
(c) Give reasons for your answer. [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
68. [Heat]
In the physics laboratory, various blocks of materials labelled A and B, each with masses
ranging from 10 grams to 50 grams, are utilised to determine their respective heat
capacities. Subsequently, a graph is plotted to depict the relationship between the heat
capacity and the mass of the materials, as shown.

(a) Plot a graph illustrating the relationship between the mass and specific heat
capacity of materials A and B.
(b) Which material is a relatively better conductor? [Analysis & Application]

69. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The above circuit diagram illustrates a copper bar placed on two copper wires stretched
over a wooden base placed between two poles of magnets. This entire setup is placed on
a compression balance, which shows a weight of 0.4 kgf.
(a) What will be the observation of the compression balance when we close the switch?
(b) How will this observation change, when we increase the current in the circuit?
(c) Name the rule used to come to the conclusion in (a). [Analysis & Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
70. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

Bandish and Parag, on a trek to Sandakpu, halted at a tea house in Tumbling. The picture
above shows the entrance door of the tea house. They saw the tumbrel filled with water
hanging from top rigid support passing through the door. On enquiring about the tumbrel,
the owner of the tea house, he said that it acts as a pullback (door closure) after opening
and releasing the door.
(a) Explain how the tumbrel helps to close the door on its own.
(b) Name the principle involved. [Analysis & Application]

71. [Light]
A convex lens of power +5 D has an object placed at a distance of 50 cm in front of the
lens.
(a) State the nature of the image formed.
(b) What is the definite distance, towards or away from the lens, the object should move
so that the image is not seen? [Recall & Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
72. [Electricity and Magnetism]
The diagram below shows a bulb connected by dual control switches. Observe the
diagrams and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Which of the above circuits will be able to switch ON or switch OFF the bulb
using both switches?
(b) At present, in which circuit is the bulb glowing?
(c) If we interchange the L and N wires in circuit B, will the circuit work?
[Analysis & Application]

73. [Electricity and Magnetism]

Observe the electric circuit above and answer the questions that follow.
(a) If we increase the current in the above circuit using a rheostat, will the reading of the
voltmeter decrease or increase?
(b) Give a reason for your answer in ‘a’.
(c) The present reading of the voltmeter is 2V, and the current in the circuit is 0.8A.
Calculate the potential drop when the current in the circuit becomes 1 A. Given E =
3V. [Analysis, Application & Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
74. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Pavel took an earthen pot which was filled with water up to its brim. The earthen pot was
conical in shape and kept with its apex in downward direction.

(a) If the vertical height of the earthen pot is 12 cm, where does its centre of gravity lie?
(b) Pavel poured out all the water from the pot. How will its centre of gravity shift –
towards the open end or towards its apex?
(c) Pavel wanted to grow a plant in the given pot. So, he filled it completely again with
some soil. What will be the new position of its centre of gravity?
[Understanding, Analysis & Application]

75. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

The mass of the block P is 5 kg. It is to be moved along an inclined plane AC of length 8
m, which makes an angle of 300 with the horizontal. A force of 50 N is applied on the
block to move it through the inclined plane AC, as shown in the diagram.

(a) What is the work done by the force along the inclined plane?
(b) Find the gain in potential energy of block P if it is directly lifted to C from the ground.
(g = 10 ms-2)
(c) We know that potential energy is gained due to the work done on the body against
gravity. Then, in this case, why is the work done on the block and the increase in the
potential energy of the block different? [Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
76. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
A ball of mass m is dropped freely from point A. It is given that AB = BC = CD = h. If
the acceleration due to gravity at the given place is g, then what will be its
(a) potential energy at point A?
(b) kinetic energy at point C?

[Analysis and & Evaluate]

77. [Light]
In a science exhibition, boys of a Secondary school made two types of periscopes. In one
of the periscopes, ordinary glass was used as the reflecting material, while in the other, a
prism was used. When Anushka put her eyes on the eyepiece of the periscope, she saw
that the image formed in one of the periscopes was quite bright, while in the other, it was
a dimmer.
(a) In which of the two periscopes, mirror or prism, Anushka saw the image brighter?
(b) Why is one of the images brighter than the other? [Understanding]

78. [Light]
ABC is a glass block whose two sides, AB and BC, are at right angles to each other. A
ray of light is incident on the surface AB, as shown in the diagram, and suffers total
internal reflection before falling on the surface BC. Finally, the light ray emerges out
along the surface BC.

(a) What is the angle of incidence at the surface AB?

(b) What is the critical angle for the glass block BC?
(c) What would happen to the critical angle if the temperature of the glass block is
increased? [Analysis & Application]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
79. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
A block of mass 30 kg is pulled up a slope (diagram below) with a constant speed by
applying a force of 200 N parallel to the slope. A and B are the initial and final positions
of the block. Calculate the force of friction offered by the surface AB.

[Analysis & Evaluate]

80. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

A roller with a diameter of 0.2 m is raised over a pavement AB by applying forces F1 and
F2, as shown in the diagram.

If the magnitude of both forces is 20 N, then compare the magnitudes of the torques
produced by the two forces. [Analysis & Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

IV: Long Answer Type (4 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
81. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The diagram above shows two parallel wires carrying current in the downward direction.
The magnitude of the current in wire A is greater than in wire B. It is also observed that
the wires exert force on each other.
(a) State the direction of the force experienced by wire A.
(b) Name the law/laws used to come to the conclusion in (a).
(c) When a compass is placed in between the two wires, it does not remain along the
direction of the magnetic field wire A or wire B at one of the points P, Q, or R. State
with a reason at which point you will observe this. [Analysis & Evaluate]

82. [Electricity and Magnetism]

Shan is utilising a dynamometer to measure the force, expressed in newtons, on a
bowstring. He records both the force and displacement of the bowstring and plots the data
on a graph that shows the relationship between force in newtons and displacement in
centimetres. Shan is interested in determining the highest point that the arrow reaches.
He knows he can calculate the work done by finding the area under the graph.

(a) What is the potential energy stored in the bow string, when the force is 25N?
(b) If the mass of the arrow is 31.25g, calculate the maximum velocity attained by the
arrow.
(c) Calculate the maximum height reached by the arrow. [Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
83. [Modern Physics]
The graph illustrates the correlation between the number of protons (x-axis) and the
number of neutrons (y-axis) for element C in the periodic table. The element is denoted
by letters rather than their conventional symbols. When element C, depicted in the graph,
undergoes radioactive decay, it releases radioactive rays.

(a) Write the chemical symbol along with the mass number and atomic number for the
element denoted as ‘C’.
(b) Plot on the graph,
i. The daughter element after the emission of beta radiation by the element ‘C’.
ii. The daughter element, as indicated in the previous answer, if it undergoes alpha
decay. [Evaluate & Application]

84. [Sound]

The adjacent diagram shows four solid plastic balls with wires fitted on a wooden base.
A person shakes the wooden base to and fro (forward and backward) periodically. It is
observed that even the balls start vibrating. It is also observed that all balls vibrate, but
only one ball vibrates vigorously.
(a) Explain why only one ball vibrates vigorously.
(b) If fA, fB, fC, and fD are the natural frequencies of vibration of the wires, then arrange
them in the increasing order of their frequencies and give reasons for the same.
[Analysis]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
85. [Light]

The above diagram shows a glass prism of a critical angle 420 .

(a) Redraw the diagram and complete the path of the light ray PQ till it emerges out of
the prism.
(b) Also, calculate the net angle of deviation of the ray PQ when it emerges from the
prism. [Application & Evaluate]

86. [Electricity and Magnetism]

The circuit depicted in the figure is employed to study Ohm's Law. Rather than employing
a conventional resistor, a glass tube of length ‘l’ and cross-sectional area ‘a’, which is
half-filled with mercury of resistivity ‘d’, is connected to the circuit via two electrodes,
E1 and E2. These electrodes are linked to a battery with an emf of ‘E’ and negligible
internal resistance. Provide the answer in terms of ‘a’, ‘l’, ‘d’, and ‘E’.
(a) Resistance of mercury in the tube.
(b) The ammeter reading.
(c) Voltmeter reading.
(d) Which of the measurements are altered when the tube is entirely filled with mercury?

[Understanding & Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
87. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]
Two students are conducting experiments with identical 100 g mass simple pendulums,
each raising the bob 5m above the mean position. The graph depicting the relationship
between distance from the mean position and velocities is presented in the diagram.

(a) Demonstrate, using mathematical calculations, that the path followed by student 1 is
devoid of friction.
(b) Does the situation involving student 2 exhibit a breach of the law of conservation of
energy? [Analysis & Evaluate]

88. [Sound]
Examine the graph depicting the transmitted (T) and reflected (R) waves from submarines
A and B, which are equipped with a device emitting ultrasonic sounds. Study the graph
and answer the following. (Speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s)
(a) Name the device used here.
(b) Why is ultrasonic sound used in this device?
(c) Which submarine is closer to the ship? Calculate the distance of the closest
submarine.
Displacement

[Recall & Evaluate]

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Questions
89. [Electricity and Magnetism]

In the above circuit diagram, calculate the power consumed in the circuit when:
(a) the switch 𝑆1 is closed, and the switch 𝑆2 is open.
(b) the switch 𝑆2 is closed, and the switch 𝑆1 is open. [Application & Evaluate]

90. [Force, Work, Power and Energy]

The diagram above shows a pulley used to lift an iron beam of length 3m and weight 100
kgf, lying on the ground.
(a) Calculate the minimum effort needed to just lift the beam off the ground. [Assume
no loss of energy]
(b) When the beam is being lifted from the ground, with the other end touching the
ground, state with a reason whether the effort needed keeps on increasing, decreasing
or remains constant. [Analysis & Application]

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S.No. Questions
91. [Light]
You are doing an experiment on the refraction of light in your Physics laboratory. ABCD
is a rectangular block. A ray of light is incident obliquely on the surface AB.
(a) Draw the path of the ray of light through the glass block and also show how it
emerges from the block. [ The diagram should show the lateral displacement suffered
by the ray.]
(b) Which two pairs of angles remain the same during the experiment?
(c) If the same experiment is performed first with red and then with blue light, which
colour will suffer greater lateral displacement? [Understanding & Analysis]

92. [Modern Physics]

An element ZPA emits one α-particle and then two β-particles consecutively to form an
element Q.
(a) Show all the transformations by means of equations only.
(b) What are P and Q called? [Understanding & Application]

93. [Heat]

In the graph, a given quantity of ice is converted to water.

(a) What does the portion AB represent?
(b) Why is the portion AB parallel to the time axis?
(c) Why is the slope OA steeper than the slope BC? [Understanding & Analysis]

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S.No. Questions
94. [Heat]
In the given diagram, two transparent optical media are shown. The rarer medium is air,
while the denser medium is water. Redraw the diagram by showing the paths of the rays
after striking the surface of separation AD for the incident rays OA, OB, OC and OD,
respectively. (Critical angle for the denser medium = 480)

[Understanding & Analysis]

95. [Light]
In a hydraulic power station, water is first stored in a dam at a higher altitude.

(a) What is the purpose of being stored at higher altitudes?

(b) When the water is allowed to fall on a turbine, what change of energy takes place
for the water?
(c) Why is this turbine connected to the armature of a generator?
(d) Which basic law of physics is followed by the whole mechanism?

[Analysis & Create]

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Answer Key

S.No. Expected Answers

1. (c) blue

2. (a) A and R are true and R is the reason of A.

3. (b)

4. (d) There are two pulley systems with V.R. = 2 and two pulley system with V.R. = 3

5. (c) The magnitude of the moment of force is maximum in P and Q.

6. (a) 9cm

7. (c) Force is acting at an angle of 60° with the displacement.

8. (c) Z’> Z

9. (d) Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.

10. (c) frequency

11. (c) The length QR becomes less.

12. (b) Only statement B is correct.

13. (d) Both statements A and B are correct.

14. (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.

15. (a) A and C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery.

16. (d) Both C & D

17. (d) L– Q, M – R, N – P

18. (a) 1:1:1

19. (b) A< C < D < B

20. (d) A is false, but R is true.

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S.No. Expected Answers

21. (b) Current starts flowing through AC wire concealed in the adjacent wall.

22. (a) Substance A will experience a smaller temperature change than substance B.

23. (a) I, II and III

24. (c)

25. (c) A is true, but R is false.

26. (d) A is false, but R is true.

27. (d) inversely proportional to its length but directly proportional to the square root of the
tension of the wire.

28. (a) Bend towards the normal.

29. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

30. (d) High specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

31. (a) I1 = 12 = I3

32. (d) 2:3:6

33. (b) Only the P.E of the molecules increases, but the K.E remains the same.

34. (b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A

35. (c)
proton electron alpha particle

36. No
The Centre of gravity of the sphere remains the same, while the CG of hollow cones and
solid cones are different.
37. (a) His own weight causes the torque on his body and turns about his hands holding the
ladder.
(b) By stretching and keeping the body parallel to the rope decreases the torque arm,
reducing the torque and makes it easier to climb.

38. (a) Kinetic energy to heat (due to friction).

(b) Kinetic to electrical energy.

39. B; Frequency is inversely proportional to the length of the air column.

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S.No. Expected Answers

40. Surface area of bass drums is bigger than that of kettle drums.
Larger the surface area louder is the sound produced.
𝑥
41. Let the resistance of D be 𝑥 . Therefore, the resistances of A, B and C will be 4 , 3𝑥 and
2𝑥
.
4

Therefore, the ratio of their resistances will be

𝑥 𝑥
: 3𝑥: 2 : 𝑥 ∴ 1: 12: 2: 4
4

42. የ×1 የ×2

(a) 𝑅1 : 𝑅2 = :
1 4
∴𝑅1 : 𝑅2 = 2: 1
(b) 1:1

43. (a) Convex lens, at the midpoint of the distance between the object and the image.
(b) Photocopier / xerox machine / intermediate lens in a terrestrial telescope.

44. (a) Metal A

(b) 5:2

45. ℎ ℎ
− 4 = 1.5
3
ℎ
∴ 12 = 1.5 ∴ ℎ = 1.5 × 12 = 18 𝑐𝑚

46. Natural frequency of a body is inversely proportional to the length of the body.
High frequency seismic waves can resonate with short length buildings, and due to the
large amplitude of vibration, it can cause more damage to the buildings.

47. No.
The Centre of gravity will shift towards the mercury side as the position of the centre of
gravity depends on the distribution of mass.
48. (a) Lower
(b) 4000x10x25 > 20000x10
10,00,000Nm>2,00,000Nm

49. (a) slope

(b) 2nd class
50. (a) 1x1.8x1000J/kg0C = 1800J/kg0C
(b) 336J of energy is used to increase the potential energy due to an increase in
intermolecular separation, so the latent heat of ice is 336 J.

51. i – (c)
ii – (a)

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

52.

(1 mark for correct connection of live wire.)

(1 mark for correct connection of neutral and earth wire.)

53. Loudness increases with the increase in the surface area of vibration.
By placing the mobile phone in the glass, the surface area of vibration increases,
transferring more energy in the medium and increasing the loudness.

54. (a) maximum when they are combined in series

R (max) = 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 Ω
(b) minimum when they are combined in parallel
I/R = ⅓ + ⅓ + ⅓ = 1
R (min) = 1 Ω

55. (a) Centripetal force which is electrostatic force.

(b) The electron would have moved in straight line along the tangent to the circular path.

56. (a) When the current is passed through the wire, a magnetic field is generated around
the wire.
(b) The concentration of magnetic field lines will increase/the number of concentric
circles will increase up to a greater distance.

57. We put ice cubes into the water because every 1 g of ice at 00 C extracts 336 J of heat
from hot water as its latent heat of fusion.
Hence, the temperature of the water falls sharply.

58. Voltmeter is a high-resistance device. Ideally, its resistance is infinite. So, if by mistake,
the ammeter is replaced by the voltmeter, the total resistance of the circuit will also
become infinite.
In that case, the current flowing through the circuit will almost become zero, and the
circuit will not work properly.

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S.No. Expected Answers

59.

The distance between their CG is 50 cm

900 × 𝑥 = 800(50 − 𝑥)
ஃ900𝑥 = 40000 − 800𝑥
ஃ1700𝑥 = 40000
40000 400
ஃ 𝑥 = 1700 = 17 = 23.53cm
It will be balanced at a distance 48.53 cm from the end of copper.

60. Compass P.
This is because the direction of magnetic field produced around the conductor for
compass Q is in the same direction but it is opposite to the compass P so in order to align
in the direction P will show deflection.

61. By pr. of conservation of energy

𝑚𝑔ℎ = 𝑚𝑐𝛥𝑡
10 × ℎ = 4200 × 0.2
840
ℎ = 10 = 84 𝑚

62. (a) The surface of the glass with water is curved so it acts like a convex lens. Thus, due
to the refraction through a convex lens it appears bigger (thicker). (1 mark)
(b) Due to refraction, when light passes through water, lateral displacement takes place
which shifts the position of the image and makes it appear discontinuous. (1 mark)

63. (a) Point Q (1 mark)

(b) S, R (1 mark)

64. (a) When switch is put on the coil turns into a magnet and attracts the iron box to it.
(1 mark)
(b) Given below is the circuit diagram (1 mark)
(c) Electric bell or any (1 mark)

65. (a) S3
(b) S1
(c) S2

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S.No. Expected Answers

66. (a) Downwards
(b) Above the conductor magnetic field due to conductor and the magnet are in same
direction while below the conductor is in the opposite direction
(c) Fleming’s left-hand rule.

67. (a) Y< W< Z=X

(b) X
(c) As Z and X share identical natural frequencies, Z will resonate and vibrate with
greater amplitude.

68. (a)

(b) B

69. (a) The reading on the compression balance will increase.

(b) The reading on the compression balance will increase.
(c) Fleming’s left-hand rule.

70. (a) Initially, the C.G. of the tumbrel is vertically below the fixed support, so the torque
on the door is zero as the torque arm is zero.
But when you push the door to open it, the tumbrel moves away and now there is
some torque arm which acts on the door to bring it back to its original position.
(b) Principle of moments.

71. 1 1
(a) 𝑓 = 𝑃 = 5 = 0.2𝑚
𝑓 = 20𝑐𝑚
Image is real and diminished.
(b) 30 cm towards the lens.
[At f the magnification is so large that practically the image is not seen.]

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S.No. Expected Answers

72. (a) Both circuits will be able to switch ON and switch OFF the bulb using both
switches.
(b) Circuit B
(c) Yes, the circuit will function.

73. (a) Decrease.

(b) This is because the voltmeter shows terminal voltage. An increase in current
increases potential drop, which decreases terminal voltage.
(c) (Potential drop is always across the internal resistance)
P. drop = 3 - 2 = 1 V
V = IR ∴ 1 = 0.8 × r
1
r = 0.8 = 1.25Ω
New P drop = 1 × 1.25
P drop = 1.25 V

74. (a) 3 cm from the open end or 9 cm from the apex.

(b) towards the apex.
(c) It will be shifted to the original position i.e. 3 cm from the open end or 9 cm from
the apex.

75. (a) W = F X S = 50 X 8 = 400 J

BC 1 BC
(b) sin300 = AC ∴2 = 8
∴BC = 4m—1
P.E gained = 5 x 10 x 4 = 200 J
(c) This is because while pushing the block along the inclined plane, some energy is
wasted to overcome the friction between the block and the inclined plane.

76. (a) P.E = m.g.3h =3mgh

(b) T.E throughout the journey = 3 mgh
P.E at C = mgh
K.E at C = 2 mgh

77. (a) Image is brighter in the prism periscope.

(b) This is due to the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light.
During TIR, there is no absorption of light energy by the prism.

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S.No. Expected Answers

78. (a) 180 − 132 = 480
By alternate angle property and being
∠i = ∠r
∠i = 480
(b) ∠ = 132 − 90 = 420
(c) It increases.

79. W=FxS
W = 200 x 3
W = 600 J
U=mgh
U = 30 x 10 1.5
U = 450 J
600 − 450 = F × 3
150
F = 3 = 50 N

80. Torque produced due to F1 = -20 x 0.2

=-4Nm
Torque due F2 = -20 x 0.1
= -2 N m
Ratio of torques = 2: 1

81. (a) Towards B.

(b) Right hand thumb rule and Fleming’s left-hand rule.
(c) At point R
Neutral point will always be formed near the weaker magnet.

82. (a) PE = work done =area under the graph = ½ bh = ½ × 25 x 0.05 = 0.625J
(b) By law of conservation of energy PE of the bow string = KE of the arrow
0.625 J = ½ x 0.03125x v2
0.625×2×1000
v =√ = √40 = 6.32 m/s
31.25

(c) 0.625 = mgh

0.625
h = 0.03125𝑥10 = 2m

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

83. (a) 92C238
(b)

84. (a) The frequency of vibration of the wooden base matches with the natural frequency
of only one wire.
Due to resonance the amplitude of vibration increases.
(b) fD < fA < fC < fB
Frequency of vibration is inversely proportional to the vibrating length.

85.

(a) At surface AC ray travelling undeviated

TIR at surface AB with ∠𝑖 marked
Refraction at surface BC with ∠𝑖 marked
(b) ∠d = 180 - 48 = 1320

86. 𝜌𝑙 𝑑𝑙 2𝑑𝑙
(a) 𝑅 = = 𝑎 =
𝐴 𝑎
2

(b) 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
𝑉 𝐸 𝐸𝑎
∴𝐼= = 2𝑑𝑙 =
𝑅 2𝑑𝑙
𝑎
(c) E
(d) Resistance & ammeter reading

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

87. (a) Student 1
100
𝑈 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ = × 10 × 5 ∴ 𝑈 = 5𝐽
1000
1 1 100
𝐾 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 = 2 × 1000 × 102
∴ 𝐾 = 5𝐽

U = K STUDENT 1
1
𝐾 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2
1 100
∴𝐾= × × 82
2 1000
∴𝐾 = 3.2𝐽
1.8 J of energy is converted as heat due to friction.
(b) No case will violate law of conservation of energy

88. (a) Sonar

(b) unidirectional/ high energy.

(c) submarine B is closer to the ship.

distance = vxt / 2 = 1500 x 20 / 2 = 15000 m

89. 20×60
(a) 𝑅 = 20+60 = 15𝛺
𝑉2 5×5 5
𝑃= = = 3 = 1.67 W
𝑅 15
𝑉2 5×5
(b) 𝑃 = =
𝑅 20
5
𝑃 = 4 = 1.25𝑊

90. Note: When the beam is lifted it is a lever in the beginning till its other end is touching
the ground vertically below the pulley.
(a) By pr of levers
100 × 1.5 = 𝑥 × 3
100
∴𝑥 = = 50 𝑘𝑔𝑓 is the effective load for pulley.
2
𝐿 50
𝑀. 𝐴. = ∴4=
𝐸 𝐸
∴ 𝐸 = 12𝑘𝑔𝑓
(b) Effort needed remains the same.
Ratio between the effort arm and load arm is the same when the beam is being lifted.

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

91.

(a)

(b) Angle of incidence = angle of emergence and angle of refraction at the first surface
= angle of incidence at the second surface. (2 marks)
(c) Blue (1 mark)

92. (a) ZPA Z-2R

A-4
+ 2He4/2α4
A-4 A-4
Z-2R Z-1S + -1e0/-1β0
A-4 A-4
Z-1S ZQ + -1e0/-1β0
(b) Isotopes

93. (a) Melting of ice.

(b) Unless and until all the ice gets converted to water, the temperature remains
constant/during melting though heat is supplied from outside temperature remains
constant.
(c) As S.H.Cof ice is less than S.H.C of water.
Hence, ice needs less quantity of heat than water for the same rise of temperature.

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Physics ICSE - Class X

S.No. Expected Answers

94. (a) The ray OA will go straight without any deviation.
(b) The ray OB, after striking the surface of separation, will move away from the normal.
(c) The ray OC, after striking the surface, will graze along the surface.
(d) The ray OD will return back to the same denser medium (it is necessary to show the
angle of reflection as 600).

95. (a) To store the potential energy.

(b) The potential energy of water gets converted to kinetic and heat energy.
(c) To produce the electrical energy.
(d) Law of conservation of energy.

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ICSE Competency-Focused Practice Questions 50