ICSE Class 10

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

Objective

1. 1.
   What momentary effect does losing a "great soul" have on our memory?

   1. A. It erases past regrets
   2. B. It becomes suddenly sharpened
   3. C. It fades quickly
   4. D. It swaps memories with others
   [1]
2. 2.
   When "great souls die," how does the air feel to those left behind?

   1. A. Light, rare, sterile
   2. B. Warm, dense, powerful
   3. C. Heavier than usual
   4. D. Thick with comforting scents
   [1]
3. 3.
   The poet describes tiny forest dwellers, their senses _______ from the overwhelming impact.

   1. A. rapidly expanding under fresh hopes
   2. B. refocusing to guard each other well
   3. C. eroded beyond any fearful response
   4. D. awakening to stronger, louder calls
   [1]
4. 4.
   When enormous trees collapse, even powerful animals, like lions, choose to ______ in tall grass.

   1. A. hide quietly
   2. B. hunker down
   3. C. flee together
   4. D. remain watchful
   [1]
5. 5.
   After a revered person dies, the air feels oddly thin, bringing a painful _______ to the survivors.

   1. A. retreat from all vivid memories
   2. B. shift into unending contentment now
   3. C. awareness of unspoken commitments lost
   4. D. urge to celebrate the new era
   [1]
6. 6.
   The poet emphasizes that our connected reality seems to _______ once major guiding figures vanish.

   1. A. resurface stronger with unwavering purpose
   2. B. collapse, leaving us adrift in sorrow
   3. C. glow brighter, fueled by new mentors
   4. D. scatter into countless fleeting illusions
   [1]
7. 7.
   (ix) Select the option that shows the correct relationship between Statements (1) and (2) from Maya Angelou's poem, 'When Great Trees Fall': Statement 1 : When great trees fall, the world is left permanently unstable. Statement 2 : In the poem, the natural world is depicted as reacting with fear and uncertainty when great trees fall.

   1. A. (1) is false, but (2) is true.
   2. B. Both (1) and (2) are false.
   3. C. (1) is true, but (2) is false.
   4. D. Both (1) and (2) are true.
   [1]
8. 8.
   Choose the option that arranges these details in the poem’s logical order: 1. Even mighty lions become fearful. 2. Towering trees crash, shaking distant rocks. 3. Elephants slowly retreat to safer ground. 4. The poem compares falling trees to a looming catastrophe.

   1. A. 4, 2, 1, 3
   2. B. 2, 1, 3, 4
   3. C. 2, 4, 1, 3
   4. D. 1, 3, 4, 2
   [1]
9. 9.
   Focus on regrets and memory after a great soul's departure, as described in the poem. Which option best explains the link between these statements? Statement (1): Grief makes our memory painfully sharp, revealing unspoken words and missed opportunities. Statement (2): The poem claims we instantly forget all sorrow, moving on without regrets.

   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) have no link
   [1]
10. 10.
    Which of the given options contains the figure of speech that appears in the following line from the poem: "Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away."

    1. A. “The moonlight bathed the earth in its soft glow.”
    2. B. “Their guidance was the beacon that shaped our thoughts.”
    3. C. “The sun’s rays painted the horizon with golden hues.”
    4. D. “The mountains stood as silent guardians over the valley.”
    [1]
11. 11.
    Consider how the poem portrays the lasting emotional impact when a powerful presence vanishes. Look at these statements and pick the correct relationship: Statement (1): Our familiar reality departs with the great soul, leaving us uncertain. Statement (2): Immediately, a bright sense of joy and comfort replaces the grief.

    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
    [1]
12. 12.
    Select the correct order of thematic points: 1. Peace emerges only after some time. 2. The poem closes by affirming "They existed," spurring us to improve. 3. Grief initially feels relentless. 4. Soothing energy gradually helps our senses recover.

    1. a. 3, 1, 4, 2
    2. b. 1, 3, 2, 4
    3. c. 2, 1, 3, 4
    4. d. 3, 4, 1, 2
    [1]
13. 13.
    Decide which arrangement fits these lines: 1. Reality "takes leave of us" when great souls vanish. 2. We're "not maddened but reduced" to ignorance. 3. Our nurtured souls shrink without their guidance. 4. We find ourselves stuck in dark, cold caves emotionally.

    1. A. 1, 3, 2, 4
    2. B. 3, 2, 4, 1
    3. C. 2, 4, 3, 1
    4. D. 4, 1, 2, 3
    [1]
14. 14.
    Think about the poem's middle portion, describing how minds and souls react to a beloved figure's absence. How do these statements relate? Statement (1): The mind was once "informed by their radiance" but now struggles. Statement (2): This inner collapse leads us to feel stuck in "dark, cold caves" of sorrow.

    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]
15. 15.
    During this recovery phase, a subtle, almost _______ vibration fills the emptiness, helping people cope.

    1. A. random
    2. B. electric
    3. C. fading
    4. D. glaring
    [1]
16. 16.
    Compare these statements about small creatures’ reactions to the fall of great trees and determine the correct option: Statement (1): Small creatures recoil into silence, overwhelmed by the event. Statement (2): They immediately unite to find safety, making noise to alert others.

    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
    [1]
17. 17.
    The final lines emphasize that because these “great souls” truly ________, we can strive to be better.

    1. A. thrived
    2. B. yearned
    3. C. taught
    4. D. existed
    [1]
18. 18.
    Which final effect does Angelou suggest eventually “blooms” following these great losses?

    1. A. Greater devastation
    2. B. A slow and irregular peace
    3. C. Absolute emptiness
    4. D. Anger that lingers permanently
    [1]
19. 19.
    In the final lines, the poet suggests that peace eventually _______.

    1. A. never arrives at all
    2. B. occurs instantly and perfectly
    3. C. blooms slowly and irregularly
    4. D. transforms into permanent chaos
    [1]
20. 20.
    Which of the given options contains the figure of speech that appears in the following line from the poem: "Peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly."

    1. A. “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”
    2. B. “The flowers blossomed, filling the air with sweetness.”
    3. C. “Kindness grows like a gentle stream carving its way through stone.”
    4. D. “The dawn spread its arms slowly over the hills.”
    [1]