ICSE Class 10

General instructions: Answer all questions. Marks are shown in brackets [ ].

Objective

1. 1.
   34. The shocking news was that this would be their very last _______.

   1. A. "holiday"
   2. B. "French lesson"
   3. C. "writing test"
   4. D. "grammar quiz"
   [1]
2. 2.
   (vi) Why did M. Hamel have to leave the school after forty years of service?

   1. A. He was not allowed to teach French any longer
   2. B. He had grown tired of his job as a schoolteacher
   3. C. He was thought to be too strict in his ways
   4. D. He wanted to retire and take up farming
   [1]
3. 3.
   20. Which event coincides with the end of the lesson, marking noon?

   1. A. M. Hamel collects all books
   2. B. The church-clock strikes and Prussian trumpets blare
   3. C. The new German teacher arrives early
   4. D. A violent storm breaks out
   [1]
4. 4.
   12. Which grammar topic was Franz called upon to recite but failed to master?

   1. A. The subjunctive mood
   2. B. The rule for the participle
   3. C. Irregular French verbs
   4. D. The difference between nouns and pronouns
   [1]
5. 5.
   How did the blacksmith, Wachter, react when he saw Franz running?

   1. A. He ignored him
   2. B. He teased him, saying there was plenty of time
   3. C. He scolded him for laziness
   4. D. He offered him a ride
   [1]
6. 6.
   30. Franz expected a noisy classroom but found it as quiet as _______.

   1. A. a "cloudy morning"
   2. B. "Sunday morning"
   3. C. "late evening"
   4. D. "silent movie"
   [1]
7. 7.
   48. Decide the best order for these points: 1. M. Hamel admits he sometimes let Franz skip lessons. 2. He blames himself for not being strict. 3. M. Hamel mentions that parents sent kids to farms instead of school. 4. Franz realizes everyone shares blame for their poor French.

   1. A. 3, 4, 1, 2
   2. B. 1, 2, 3, 4
   3. C. 3, 1, 4, 2
   4. D. 2, 4, 1, 3
   [1]
8. 8.
   54. Pinpoint the connection between Statement (1) and Statement (2) in "The Last Lesson": Statement (1): The classroom is unusually silent, "like Sunday morning." Statement (2): Franz hopes to sneak in unnoticed amid normal noise.

   1. A. (1) is true and (2) is false
   2. B. (2) is true and (1) is false
   3. C. (1) is the cause for (2)
   4. D. (1) and (2) contrast each other
   [1]
9. 9.
   46. Arrange the next sequence properly: 1. Old Hauser sits at the back with his primer. 2. Franz hears M. Hamel's final lesson is out of respect for his years of work. 3. M. Hamel wears his "fine Sunday clothes." 4. The villagers regret not having attended school diligently.

   1. A. 3, 2, 4, 1
   2. B. 2, 3, 1, 4
   3. C. 1, 3, 4, 2
   4. D. 4, 1, 3, 2
   [1]
10. 10.
    44. Identify the correct progression of events: 1. M. Hamel informs everyone this is their final French class. 2. Franz contemplates how he barely knows to write. 3. M. Hamel addresses them in a grave, gentle tone. 4. Franz wonders why the men from the village are there.

    1. A. 1, 3, 2, 4
    2. B. 4, 1, 3, 2
    3. C. 3, 1, 4, 2
    4. D. 3, 4, 1, 2
    [1]
11. 11.
    53. Decide how Statement (1) and Statement (2) link together in "The Last Lesson": Statement (1): The bulletin-board is known for bad news. Statement (2): Franz assumes it may bring a fresh problem.

    1. A. (1) is true and (2) is false
    2. B. (2) is true and (1) is false
    3. C. (1) is the cause for (2)
    4. D. (1) and (2) are independent of each other
    [1]
12. 12.
    Pick the correct order for these events: 1. Franz sees the usual clamor is missing at school. 2. M. Hamel tells him kindly to take his seat. 3. Franz had hoped the usual noise might hide his lateness. 4. Franz opens the door and enters in front of everyone.

    1. A. 3, 1, 4, 2
    2. B. 1, 3, 2, 4
    3. C. 3, 2, 1, 4
    4. D. 4, 1, 3, 2
    [1]
13. 13.
    36. M. Hamel's special Sunday clothes honored the final day, and the old men felt sad they hadn't gone to _______ more.

    1. A. "school"
    2. B. "the army"
    3. C. "market fairs"
    4. D. "M. Hamel's house"
    [1]
14. 14.
    45. Choose the option that lists these points in the correct order: 1. Franz realizes he should have valued his lessons more. 2. He calls his books "old friends" he cannot abandon. 3. The chalkboard announcement from Berlin states only German is now allowed. 4. Franz feels intense regret for neglecting his grammar and other studies.

    1. A. 3, 4, 1, 2
    2. B. 4, 1, 2, 3
    3. C. 3, 1, 2, 4
    4. D. 4, 3, 1, 2
    [1]
15. 15.
    Determine the interplay between Statement (1) and Statement (2) in "The Last Lesson": Statement (1): Village elders, including old Hauser, attend with primers in hand. Statement (2): They regret missing previous chances to learn French.

    1. A. (1) is true and (2) is false
    2. B. (2) is true and (1) is false
    3. C. (1) is the cause for (2)
    4. D. (1) and (2) reinforce each other
    [1]
16. 16.
    What shocking announcement did M. Hamel make that day?

    1. A. He was retiring for health reasons
    2. B. The school was shutting down permanently
    3. C. It was their last French lesson due to orders from Berlin
    4. D. Students had won a national competition
    [1]
17. 17.
    Analyze the relationship between Statement (1) and Statement (2) in "The Last Lesson": Statement (1): M. Hamel blames himself for letting Franz skip lessons to water flowers or go fishing. Statement (2): He believes Alsace's habit of procrastination helped cause its linguistic crisis.

    1. A. (1) is true and (2) is false
    2. B. (2) is true and (1) is false
    3. C. (1) triggers (2)
    4. D. (1) and (2) are unrelated
    [1]
18. 18.
    Evaluate how Statement (1) and Statement (2) relate in "The Last Lesson": Statement (1): M. Hamel wears his finest clothes. Statement (2): He announces a surprise holiday instead of class.

    1. A. (1) is true and (2) is false
    2. B. (2) is true and (1) is false
    3. C. (1) and (2) are independent
    4. D. (1) contrasts with (2)
    [1]
19. 19.
    11. Why were the old men of the village present that day?

    1. A. They were grading the students
    2. B. They wanted to protest the new system
    3. C. They, too, were sorry they hadn't gone to school more
    4. D. They wanted to reward the best students
    [1]
20. 20.
    How did Franz react to learning it was his last French class?

    1. A. He celebrated to avoid studies
    2. B. He felt indifferent
    3. C. He felt relieved to skip grammar
    4. D. He regretted not valuing his lessons more
    [1]