ICSE ENGLISH PAPER I
COMPOSITION WRITING (350-400 WORDS)
1. ICSE YEAR 2000
(a) You have been on a plane journey recently. While going
through a cloud, the plane developed engine trouble. Describe
what took place in the plane and how you were saved.
(b) One of your parents has influenced you considerably. Give
details of the influence.
(c) Which, in your opinion, is more important - a healthy body
or a healthy mind? Give relevant arguments to support your
opinion.
2. ICSE YEAR 2001
a) Describe a weekly market scene in your area. State why you
like or do not like the scene.
(b) Democracy is the best form of government. Give your views
either for or against this statement.
(c) Imagine that your sister is going to get married. You have to
shoulder the responsibilities for the wedding reception. How
would you handle the situation?
(d) There are three kinds of people in this world- the Wills, the
Wont's and the Cant's. The first accomplish everything, the
second oppose everything, and the third fail in everything. By
giving reasons or referring to some incidents, state in which
category you fall.
3. ICSE YEAR 2002
(a) Society is influenced more by show than by substance.
Relate an incident from your experience which brings out the
truth of this statement.
(b) "Men and women should have equal rights." Give your
views for or against the statement.
(c) It was the long awaited climax to your period of training for
the Parachute Regiment - the day of the first jump! Describe
how you prepared yourself for your first parachute drop, the
drop itself, and your feelings after the event.
(d) You have just interviewed a famous person at his/her
residence. Write an account of the whole experience. You may
include the following points;-
Preparation for the interview - description of the person's
home - a brief discussion of his/her achievements - What
happened during the interview - his/her behaviour - general
impressions.
4. ICSE YEAR 2003
(a) While on a picnic you and your friends decide to go sailing.
Unfortunately, your boat capsizes in a violent storm. However,
all of you manage to swim to safety. Give a vivid account of the
incident.
(b) Looking back at the last ten years of your life, describe the
events that have been significant in shaping your personality.
(c) Animals should not be used for drug development or
medical research. Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(d) Write a short story to illustrate the proverb 'Knowledge is
Power'.
5. ICSE YEAR 2004
(a) You have lived in your ancestral house since birth. The
house is to be sold so that flats may be built. Narrate the
circumstances that led to this decision and describe your
feelings about moving out of this house.
(b) Write about two deeds you have done, one of which gave
you immense joy and satisfaction, while the other was a cause
of deep regret.
(c) "Teenagers today are more worldly-wise than their parents.
Express your views for or against the statement.
(d) Write a short story which illustrates the truth of the
statement, 'Self-help is the best help.
6. ICSE YEAR 2005
a) Imagine a situation in which a character from your favourite
book comes alive. Write an imaginary account of a day spent
with this character.
(b) "The commercialization of festivals has eroded their real
significance. Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(c) You have returned to your city after spending five years in a
foreign country. The city has changed during your absence.
Describe the changes that have affected the life of people in
the city. Give your personal views regarding the changes.
(d) Write an original short story that concludes with the
sentence, 'After it was all over, I realised that every cloud has a
silver lining.
7. ICSE YEAR 2006
(a) You are a spectator at a cricket match. Trouble erupts
suddenly in the stadium and you witness a riot among the
crowd. Give a vivid description of the scene.
(b) India has always believed in the value of the family. Discuss
the changes, both good and bad, that have resulted from the
break-up of the traditional Indian joint family.
(c) The Computer will soon replace the Book. Express your
views either for or against this statement.
(d) Write a short story which illustrates the truth of the
statement, Rumour is a great traveller.
8. ICSE YEAR 2007
(a) Recall a remarkable event of social importance in your city
or locality. Give a little of its background, the event as it
occurred, and its impact on the lives of people.
(b) Cinema, both entertains and educates the masses. Express
your views either for or against this statement.
(c) Siblings often grow up side by side in families; yet have very
different life experiences. If you have one or more siblings and
feel that your lives have differed significantly, write an essay
explaining the reasons and the effects of such differences.
(d) Relate an incident or write a short story which has as its
central idea ‘advice not taken'.
9. ICSE YEAR 2008
(a) Write a short story in which a little girl, her twin brother and
the school bully are the main characters.
(b) “No other subject taught in school is as important as Moral
Science”. Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(c) Elements of Western Culture have had a very influential role
on cultures of the world. How are these elements different
from those of Indian culture? What according to you, should we
as Indians adopt from the West to make life more meaningful.
(d) A village fair is very different from a city one. It is usually
held annually and is connected with a religious festival or
harvest. The purpose of such fairs is usually trade and to exhibit
and Sell village handicrafts. Describe one such fair.
10. ICSE YEAR 2009
(a) Recall a time in your life when you were certain about
something but were later proved terribly wrong.
(b) Write a short story entitled ‘Escaped’.
(c) “The use of mobile phones has lowered active social life and
has become an addiction.” Express your views either for or
against this statement.
(d) The waiting room at a railway station presents a wonderful
opportunity to observe human behaviour. Describe an
experience when you were early for a train and had to spend
some time in the waiting room with different kinds of people.
11. ICSE YEAR 2010
(a) Think of a time when you achieved a personal goal. Say why
the goal was important to you and how you achieved it.
Describe how you felt on achieving it.
(b) “More lessons are learnt on the sports field than in the
classroom”. Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(c) A school carnival or fete is a great occasion for fun with
friends. Describe one such event in your school.
(d) Write an original story, beginning with the following line:
The water was cold. I took a deep breath and jumped…………
12. ICSE YEAR 2011
(a) "Private tuitions are a necessary evil.” Give your views either
for or against this statement.
(b) Write an original story entitled : Lost and Found.
(c) Relate a special incident or experience in your life which you
still recall with happiness.
(d) Children’s Day is celebrated in your school every year. Write
what you particularly liked about this year’s celebration. What
did you learn from the efforts of those who planned and
organized the function? How did you express your gratitude to
them?
13. ICSE YEAR 2012
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words : It
wasn’t going to be easy she knew…. but somehow she had to
confront him. She took a deep breath, and walked into the
room.
(b) “Money causes more harm than good.” Express your view
either for or against this statement.
(c) People play a very important role in our lives. Describe in
vivid detail, any one person and show how he I she has been a
very special influence in your life.
(d) Modes of Communication are continually changing. What
are some of these changes? Say which one change you like best
and why?
14. ICSE YEAR 2013
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words: “In
the background I could hear an awful commotion, men’s voices
raised and women screaming.”
(b) Boarding schools are far better than day schools for the all-
round education of a child. Express your view either for or
against this statement.
(c) You were on a school trip and were on your way back to the
hotel late one night when your school bus, full of children,
broke down in a lonely area. Describe what you saw and
experienced as you looked around. How was the problem
solved?
(d) Teaching someone else how to do something can be a
rewarding experience. Think of a skill that you have helped
someone to develop. Perhaps you taught someone how to
swim or to bake a cake, or helped someone learn how to study
more effectively. Narrate the events that made up the process
of teaching the skill, and say what made the experience
important and memorable for you.
15. ICSE YEAR 2014
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words : “Its
not my fault”, he shouted………”
(b) ‘Working women make better mothers than women who
stay at home’. Express your views either for or against this
statement.
(c) Describe an early morning walk through your city or town in
winter. Give details of the smells, sights, sounds and feelings
you experienced.
(d) Think of a time when you found yourself in an embarrassing
situation. Narrate how you got into that situation, how you
dealt with it and the lesson you learnt from it.
16. ICSE YEAR 2015
(a) Write an original story that begins with the words : “He was
the funniest boy I had ever met. He would make everyone
laugh………”
(b) You had booked a ticket on an early morning train.
However, you woke up late and missed it. You then decided to
run to catch a bus to the next station where you hoped to catch
up with the train. Narrate the entire event, how you felt, the
effort you made and how you finally caught the train. What did
you learn from this stressful experience?
(c) All Girls or all Boys Schools provide a better learning
environment than co-educational schools. Express your views
either for or against the statement.
(d) Describe in detail the view from your bedroom window.
Does your room overlook a park? A busy street? What are the
sights, sounds and smells that you would typically see, hear and
experience at different times of the day? What do you most
enjoy the view? Early in the morning, in the evening or late at
night?
17. ICSE YEAR 2016
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words :
“The day started off well enough, whoever thought it would
……….”
(b) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you
expected to do very well, but for some reason were unable to
do so. Explain what happened and why it happened. What
lesson did you learn from it?
(c) “The use of Mobile Phones must be allowed in schools.”
Express your views either for or against the statement.
(d) You walk home from school one afternoon to find the door
unlocked and on entering you are shocked to see the house in
total disarray. You call out but get no answer. Describe in detail
what you saw, the reason behind your house being in total
disarray and how you found your family. Mention also how the
experience ended and what impact it had on your life.
18. ICSE YEAR 2017
(a) Write an original short story that begins with the words: It
was raining hard that night. In my hurry to get into the house, I
did not notice the black car parked across the road. I realized
something was wrong when..........
(b) School days are the happiest days of our lives. Express your
views either for or against this statement.
(c) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you
helped a friend who was in trouble. Explain what happened.
What did you do to make the situation better?
(d) There has been heavy rain in your city/town. You went to
school but found that it was closed because of the rain.
Describe the sights and sounds near the school and narrate
how you finally reached home and spent the rest of the day.
19. ICSE YEAR 2018
(a) Write an original short story entitled "The Gift".
(b) Money is important for happiness. Express your views either
for or against this statement.
(c) Narrate an incident from your own experience when you
helped to prepare a meal. Explain what you did and what you
gained from the experience.
(d) You had been waiting outside the examination hall. Describe
what you saw and the sounds you heard when you arrived at
the place. What were your feelings? Describe how the scene
changed once you entered the hall and the examination
started.
20. ICSE YEAR 2019
(a) Write an original short story in which two children and their
Grandfather are the main characters.
(b) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) must be installed in every
classroom. Give your views either for or against this statement.
(c) Your class had to conduct a Morning Assembly. Write an
account of how you prepared for it, what your role was and
what you gained from the experience.
(d) Summers are becoming hotter with each passing year. Write
a description of one such very hot day. What did you see and
hear as you walked outside? How were birds and animals
affected ?
21. ICSE YEAR 2020
(a) Write an original short story entitled ‘The Secret’.
(b) ‘A family without pets is an incomplete family’. Express your
views either for or against this statement.
(c) Which do you prefer – morning, afternoon, evening or
night? Describe your favourite time of the day. What are the
sights, sounds, smells and feelings that you associate with your
favourite time of the day? Why do you like this part of the day
better than the others.
(d) Have you ever said or done something that changed the life
of another person? Give an account of your words or actions
that led to this change and describe how the
experience made you feel.
