The Heritage SchoolEnglish LanguageClasses IX and X

2019-‘20

Please note: 1. Begin each question on a fresh page.2. It is advised that you answer the questions in the order in which they appear in the

question paper.3. While answering one question, answer all its sub-parts together, and in the correct

order.

Question 1 The Essay [20 marks] [Word Limit-300-350] [Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.]

Kinds of Essays:

1. Story2. Argumentative3. Descriptive4. Narrative5. Picture Composition

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This booklet consists of 17 printed pages.

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While planning a composition keep in mind the following:

- Keep within the word limit (300-350).- Choose wisely- Choose a topic about which you have first-hand experience or about

which you have read.- Choose a topic YOU find interesting!- Prepare a quick idea/word-web.- Use simple language.- Give your essay a title.- Avoid using non-English words. However, if you must use one, put it in single-

inverted commas and give its English equivalent within brackets. For example, ‘Paneer’ (cottage cheese)

- Do not use short forms (Example: don’t)- Write ‘mother’ and ‘father’- not mom and dad (No americanisation of words- use

proper English)- Do not use casual, spoken English. Be formal in your writing.

Please note:

- You will be penalized if you write less than the required word limit.- Digression from the topic will be penalized.

Guidelines for the different kinds of essays:

The Short Story

A story must have the following five ingredients:

1. Characters 2. Plot3. Setting4. Dialogues5. Ending

The Characters: Characters clearly are central to the story. Give your characters a name and describe them. The description would include a physical description as well as a description of their characteristics, traits and anything else unique to them.

The Plot: (The plot is the sequence of events of which a story is composed. These events are inter-related as one thing happens because of another.

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The Setting: This includes the following:

Time: (day, night, time of year) Location: (the village, the city or a small town) The background atmosphere (Is it quiet, noisy?) The mood (Is it cheerful, gloomy?)

A good story has a realistic setting. It could include the weather: rainy, sunny or stormy. It could include the Geography of the place: mountains, a river, the sea). This makes it interesting for the reader.

Dialogues: Your story must contain a few dialogues.

Ending: A story usually has a complication which reaches a climax and is finally resolved in the end. Therefore, how you end the story is important.

You will be marked on all the five elements. Your story must have a title.

A story must not be written as a dream from which you suddenly wake up. Therefore, Dear Pupil, do not try to write a short story without first learning how to write one! It is not easy.

However, practice could help you master all the skills mentioned above.

Topics for the Short Story- Some examples

1. Write an original short story that begins with the words: “ It is not my fault”, he shouted… [2014]

2. Write an original short story entitled ‘The Gift.’ [2018]

The Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is meant to persuade people to think the same way the writer does i.e. convincing the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view.

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The Start: At the beginning of the story introduce the characters and the setting. A good start is essential.

The Climax: It marks the highest point of interest and turning point of the story. It makes the readers want to read more and discover

what happens next…

The End: The way you end your story is important. It must be a surprise for the reader- something unexpected! That would make your story interesting!

While making an argument, what we are doing is aiming at expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with logical evidence. The goal of an argumentative essay is to ensure that the argument is specific, reasoned, detailed and supported by evidence.

Please note:Begin the essay by quoting the topic , followed by your stand on it.For example:‘Working women make better mothers than women who stay at home’I strongly disagree with the statement. In my opinion, a mother , whether working or not is a mother and cares for her children…..

Structure of an Argumentative Essay

1. The Introduction

The introductory paragraph sets the stage for the position you are arguing for in your essay. It’s made up of a hook, background information, and a thesis statement.

a) The Hook : A hook is a sentence that is meant to capture the reader’s attention. b) Background information: The next part of your introduction is dedicated to offering

some detailed background information about your topic. It gives the reader the necessary information he/she needs to understand your position- for example, what the issue is, whom it concerns and why it is important.

c) Your Statement: When making your statement, state your position on the topic very clearly and give a reason for taking that position.

2. Developing an argument

You now have to back up your argument with credible evidence. This is the heart of your essay. You could give two or three examples to support your point of view.

3. The conclusion

This is the section of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Emphasize why the issue is so important. Close the argumentative essay with a clear picture of the world as you would like to see it.

A good argumentative essay is persuasive and succeeds in winning the reader over to your side!

You need to argue for or against the topic. Below are a few suggested topics for you to make your Idea/Word Web and practise!!

Topics for the Argumentative Essay

1. ‘Working women make better mothers than women who stay at home’. Express your views either for or against this statement. [2011]

2. ‘The real merit of the student cannot be judged by the marks he/she scores in an examination’. Argue for or against the statement. [2016]

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The Descriptive Essay: The descriptive essay asks you to describe something—an object, a person, a place, an experience, an emotion or a situation.

Basic Guidelines

1. Make use of many adjectives to describe whatever you are describing.2. Involve all your senses (Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or

looked. Embellish the moment with senses.)3. Make use of comparisons (The flower was as big as the moon.) and contrasts (The sun

was shining brightly but the boy was still feeling very sad.)

Description of people: Use your powers of observation with regard to the following:

1. Physical features- height, the face, the smile, the teeth …2. Clothing- How the person was dressed…3. Family- What kind of a family did the person have…4. Any other interesting fact about the person

Description of an Object: Use your powers of observation with regard to the following:

1. Name of the object and the purpose it serves2. Describe its outward appearance- shape, color, size, material used in its construction.3. Problems associated with its use.

Description of a Scene: Use your powers of observation with regard to the following:

1. Describe what you see2. Give a general impression of what is before you and then add more details.3. Others may or may not see what you see.5. Be sure to express your feelings about what you see.

Topics for the Descriptive Essay

1. 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. [2016]

2. 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. [2018]

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The Narrative Essay: This kind of an essay talks about an incident, an event or a happening.

Basic Guidelines

1. Narratives are generally written in the First Person that is, using “I”. However, Third Person (He, She, or It) can also be used.

2. Be concrete3. Be chronological.4. State what you are going to narrate in the first sentence. For example: “Today I am

going to narrate an incident that happened during the winter holidays…”5. Your words need to be vivid and colorful to help the reader feel the same feelings and

think the same thoughts as you.6. You may use flashbacks and flash forwards to help the narrative build to a climax.7. Remember, a well-written narrative essay makes a point.

Topics for the Narrative Essay

1. 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. [2014]

2. Narrate an experience from your own experience when you helped to prepare a meal. Explain what you did and what you gained from the experience. [2018]

Picture Composition

Pictures stimulate our thoughts and motivate us to express our views and ideas on what we see. You do not have to describe the picture. What you need to write about are the thoughts that come to your mind when you see the picture. Does the picture remind you of an incident or a person? Does it bring back happy/sad memories?

Basic Guidelines:

1. Your essay could be a story, a descriptive or a narrative essay.2. It could be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it .3. There must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

[School questions]

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Question 2: The Letter [10 marks] [Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.]

The Informal Letter format:

Flat 11 Diamond Tower ,

Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata 700104.

1st October 2019.

Dear Mrittika/Father/Mother/Grandfather/Grandmother/Uncle/Aunt,

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Yours lovingly/affectionately,

Rukmini.

Spacing your letter is important. Leave a line after writing the Sender’s Address and then write the date. Leave a line again and then write the Salutation. Begin your first paragraph from the next line. Indent the first line as shown above. Do not leave a line after each paragraph but indent the first line of a new paragraph. Leave a line and then write the Complimentary close.Do not begin by asking a question such as: “How are you?” Begin right away with the first point given in the Question.

Please note:Format: 2.5 marksContent: 2.5 marksExpression: 5 marks

Topics:

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1. You will have to make a decision in the near future about the subjects that you wish to study in Classes XI and XII. Write a letter to your grandfather telling him about the subjects that you plan to take up. Be sure to explain the reason for your choice and how you think these subjects would help you in the future. [2013]

2. Your uncle has promised to give you a gift of Rupees 1,000/-. Write a letter thanking him for the offer; tell him how you plan to spend the money, and why you wish to spend it in this way. [2014]

Topics: [School Questions]

(a) Write a letter to your friend giving an account of the English Literature Day that was organized in your school recently.

(b) Write a letter to a friend apologizing for the loss of a book he/she had lent you and asking for details of the book so that it can be replaced.

(c) A year ago, you lent your favourite book to a friend who you thought would enjoy it. Unfortunately, your friend has forgotten to return it. The book has sentimental value to you. Write a letter to your friend reminding him about it explaining why you needed it back.

The Formal letter format:

Flat 11 Diamond Tower , Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata 700104.

1st October, 2019..

The Editor/Superintendent of Police, (Designation)The Telegraph/Bowbazar Police Station, (Name of Organization)6, Prafulla Sarkar Street,Kolkata 700001.

Dear Sir/Madam, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

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Yours faithfully,Amit Ganguly.

How to begin letter to the Editor:

Dear Sir, Through your esteemed daily, I would like to bring to your notice…………………

How to begin letter to the Superintendent of Police:

Dear Sir, This is to inform you that I live in…and the area is very unsafe…….

How to begin letter to the Principal:

Dear Madam, I, Mrittika Jain of Class IX , would like to request you to grant me leave for three days……

How to begin letter to the Municipal Corporation(Mayor):

Dear Sir, I , Mrittika Jain, live in Salt Lake and would like to bring to your notice a problem.For a week now the street lights in my locality are on even during the day….

Note: The tone should be polite and formal.

Format: 3Content:2Expression: 5

Spacing your letter is important. Leave a line after writing the Sender’s Address and then write the date. Leave a line again and then write the Receiver’s Address. Leave a line and write the Salutation. Begin your first paragraph from the next line. Indent the first line as shown above. Do not leave a line after each paragraph but indent the first line of a new paragraph. Leave a line and then write the Complimentary close. Begin right away with the first point given in the Question.

Topics:1. Write a letter to the Director of a television channel complaining about the quality of

the programmes telecast. Suggest ways to improve the programmes. [2010]

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2. The children in your neighbourhood are forced to play on the street for want of a proper play area. Write a letter to the Editor of a popular newspaper, pointing out the need for a playground in your neighbourhood. [2013]

Topics: [School Questions]

1. Write a letter to the Manager of a Leather Shoe Factory on behalf of your school, requesting permission for your class to visit the factory on a working day.

2. Write a letter to the District Magistrate of your area complaining about the congestion caused by street vendors, suggesting suitable solutions to the problem so as to satisfy the vendors on the one hand and to avoid congestion on the other.

3. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your locality informing him about the misuse and lack of maintenance of the public park in your area. Also give him some suggestions as to how he can solve the problem.

Question 3: Notice and E-Mail [5 + 5 marks]

ICSE Specimen Paper 2019

(a) Your school is hosting an interschool debate competition. Write a notice for your school informing them of the event.

War of Words

Inter-school Debate Competition

on 8th December 2017

from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon

at Centenary Hall, St. Hilda’s School

All pupils from Classes IX & X who wish to participate are to give their names to

Mrs. T. Baker on or before 1st December 2017

Format of the notice:

(a)Notice writing -5 marks- Title given by the students – 1 mark- Inter School Quiz Competition- 1 mark- on- ½- from- ½- at ½ + ½

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- for whom- 1 mark

Basic guidelines:

- Notice writing begins with a creative and a catchy title, properly punctuated- The title must have a direct connect to the event- The date of the event must be after 12 to 15 days of writing the notice.- The date needs to be carefully set, so that the event does not take place on a weekend

or national holiday. Ensure that it is a working weekday.- Deciding the venue is very important, for example

in the Auditorium at The Heritage School in the Sports Field at The Heritage School

- The venue must match with the event debates/musical competitions/elocution/quiz in an auditorium/hall cricket/football matches on the school grounds/nearby stadium basketball/lawn tennis/ badminton on the basketball/lawn tennis/

badminton court

E-mail

(b) Write an e-mail to the principal of a neighbouring school informing her of the event and requesting her to send a team to participate. Specimen Answer:

Sample:

principalbluebellschool@gmail.com Inter-school Debate Competition Dear Madam,

Our school is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations we are hosting a series of competitions and we are beginning with ‘War of Words’, an inter-school debate competition. It will be held on 8th December 2017 from 9.00 a.m. till 12 noon in the Centenary Hall of St. Hilda’s School. Please do send your senior debate team to participate in the event.

The topic will be given to the participants an hour before the start of the competition. They may bring their laptops for use during the preparation time. We look forward to your school’s participation in the competition.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully, Ashish Roy Debating Secretary

you must make your own e-mail id, for example:Kavita.kapoor@gmail.com

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the e- mail address of the person you are writing to, must also sound authentic. For example: principal@dpsmegacity.org

Format of the e-mail

- Begin the email with the email address ½ mark- followed by the name of the event ½ mark- then the salutation – Dear Sir/Madam, ½ mark- Body 2 marks

Opening sentence carries [½ mark] Closing sentence carries [½ mark]

- Complementary close: Thanking you,

Yours faithfully, ½ mark Rahul Singh.

Points to remember

- use clear and simple language- the tone of your letter must be polite- mind your language- be formal and proper- Example of an opening sentence:

Dear Madam,Our school is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. We are having a series of competitions to commemorate this event.

- Example of a closing sentence:

We look forward to your participation in this event/these events and would appreciate an early response to enable us to make the suitable arrangements. Looking forward to your presence with us.

- E-mails to two neighbouring school: Example:

To: principalbluebellschool@gmail.com, principaldpsrubypark@gmail.com

- E-mail to parents:

Example:To: sameerghosh@gmail.com

Topic:

(a) Your school is hosting an Inter-School Quiz Competition. Draft a notice to be displayed in your school giving all details for the event. [5]

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(b) Write an e-mail to the Principal of a neighbouring school requesting him/her to send a team of three members to participate in the Quiz Competition. [2019] [5]

Topics: [School Questions]1.(a) Your school is hosting an inter-school One-Act Play Competition. Draft a notice for

the School Notice Board giving all relevant details of the event.(b) Write an E-Mail to the Principal of a neighboring school requesting him/her to send a

team to participate in the competition. Send all the relevant details required.2.(a) You are the student Editor of your school magazine. Write a notice for your school

Notice Board, inviting articles for the forthcoming edition of the magazine, to be published on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of your school.

(b) Write an E-Mail to all the teachers of your school telling them of the Silver Jubilee edition and share with them how you plan to make it different. Invite them to write an article for you.

3.(a) As the Secretary of the Writer’s Club of your school draft a notice informing the

pupils about a book launch that will be hosted in your institution. The book has been written by a pupil of Class IX of your school, who is also a member of your club. The notice must contain the following information: the venue, the time, details of the book to be launched, the name of the Chief Guest, and who would be able to witness the event.

(b) Write an E-Mail to the Principal of a neighbouring school requesting him/her to send the Class IX pupils of his/her school to take part in the event. Send all the relevant details required.

Question 4: The Comprehension [20 marks]

Guidelines:

- Use the ‘Reading time’ to read the passage.- Read it carefully once to understand its subject.- During the first reading do not think of the questions to be answered.- During the second reading try to understand the meaning of the unknown

words/phrases.- Now read the questions and try to find the answers from the passage.- Remember to answer the questions using key words from the passage.- Read the summary question and find out the points from the passage.- Write the rough as well as the fair draft in the form of a grid(5 columns and 10 rows).

The rough draft must be written in pen. - Cancel the rough draft neatly with a pencil cutting a line across from left to right.

However, cancel it only after you have completed the fair draft.- In the Vocabulary section, the answers must be in the same form, number, gender and tense. - No part of the answer must contain the root word.

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For example:Placidity = something that is placid XLioness = female lion X

- Words such as father-in-law

Rough draft

  1 2 3 4 51          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10          

Fair draft

  1 2 3 4 51          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10          

(50 words)

Question 5: Grammar [20 marks]

This Section consists of 4 parts- (a), (b), (c) and (d)

(a) Tenses [4 marks](b) Prepositions [4 marks](c) Joining sentences without using and, but or so. [4 marks](d) Transformation of sentences [8 marks]

Practice exercises

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(a) Tense [4 marks] [8 blanks]Complete the passage given below with a suitable form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the entire paragraph. Write only your answers with the correct number in brackets:-

1.Newton’s head was usually so full of ideas and problems that he was quite often (1)________________ (lose) in thought. Many stories are told of his absent mindedness. Once when he (2)_______________ (entertain) some guests at dinner, he (3)__________ (go) out of the room (4) _______________ (fetch) some more wine. For a long time his friends (5)_________________ (awaited) his return, but neither host nor wine (6)______ (appear). At last they went to look for him and (7)______________ (find) him hard at The wine, the dinner, and his guests all (8)______________ (forget).

2.

The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden famously_____(know) as Botanical Garden _____(locate) on the west bank of the River Ganges, in Shibpur._____ (establish) in the year 1787, this garden_____(span) 273 acres_____(be) earlier called Company Garden. The garden_____(contain) around 12,000 living perennial plants and thousands of dried plants collected from across the globe. The star attraction of the Botanical Garden _____(be) the colossal and wide spread banyan tree, famously_____(call) ‘Great Banyan Tree’, that_____(form) the second largest canopy in the world. The garden also_____(nurture)a myriad of amazing orchids and multicolored flowers. There is also a boating facility in one of its lakes and a library in the garden, which treasures a number of valuable books on botany.

(b)Prepositions [4 marks] [8 blanks]Fill in each blank with one appropriate word.

(i) We were sitting ____the classroom.(ii) We went ______the class room.(iii) Mr. Mehta deals ______computer software.(iv) In the course of his business he deals _____many people(v) The brothers differ ______each other in appearance.(vi) They differed _____each other on almost every question that was discussed.(vii) He works very hard, and is always _____the top of his class(viii) Do not cry _____spilt milk.(ix) Sweet are the uses ____adversity.(x) The children shared the cake _____themselves.(xi) The boy persists_______ telling lies.(xii) He made very careful plans, but all of them fell ______.(xiii) The army put ______the rebellion.(xiv) Let us partake _____the birthday cake.

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(xv) He has run ______debt.(xvi) He proved false _____his friends.(xvii) Mohan is quick ____figures.(xviii) He disposed ______his old book.

(c)Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so.

(i) He was very hungry. He finished all the biscuits.(ii) The girl saw a beautiful dress. She wanted to buy it at once.(iii) She was unable to buy the dress. It was very expensive.(iv)She was very disappointed. She began to cry.(v) Mohan was elected the games-captain of our school. He is the

secretary of the Interact Club.(vi)Rover is my pet dog. I love him.(vii) I gave him the letter. I wanted him to post it.(viii) He was very tired. He could not finish the work.(ix)He was given a prize. He wrote the best essay.(x) Shivam practised regularly. He wanted to be selected for the football

team.(xi)He forgot to wear his formals. It was careless of him.(xii) It must be done. The cost does not count.(xiii) He kept trying. He was not deterred by failure.(xiv) He kept no accounts of his expenditure. It was foolish of him.(xv) He is very tired. He cannot walk any farther.(xvi) My teachers have helped me. I am grateful to them.(xvii) He is an excellent debater. He plays the violin.(xviii) The motorist hit a lamp post. It was an accident.(xix) It is so simple. Even a child can understand it.(xx) He is very old. He enjoys good health.

(d)Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence.

The common structures that come in the exam:

1. Not only…but also….(i) We attended the meeting and had dinner at the restaurant. (Begin: Not only….)

2. Using too………to(i) He is such a stupid man that no one will believe him.

(Re-write using: “too……to”)

3. No sooner…than….

(i) He disappeared as soon as he saw us. (Begin: No sooner………………….)

(ii) As soon as the bell rang, the children ran out. (Begin: ‘No sooner’….)

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(iii) The bell had rung. The children ran out to play. (Combine, using ‘No sooner’….)

4. In spite of ……(i) He was weak but he passed the examination.

(Re-write using: “In spite of”)

(ii) Using despite(i) He is old but still he works hard.

(Begin: Despite…………………)

(iii) Though……Though the Taj Mahal is made of white marble, it looks yellow.

(iv) yet…….(i) 2020 Mustang is a small car, yet it is surprisingly spacious.

(v) As soon as…(i) He saw the bear, and at once climbed a tree.

(Begin: As soon as……….)(ii) …(vi) Hardly……when…(i) The match started. It began to rain.

(Begin ‘Hardly’….)(ii) The match had just started. It began to rain.

(Begin ‘Hardly’….)

(vii) Using unless(i) Wear warm clothes that you may not catch a cold.

(Re-write using unless)

(viii) Using having(iii) He finished his exercise and put away his books.

(Begin: Having ……….)

(ix) Using besides(i) He not only helped me with advice but lent me some money.

(Begin: Besides………………….)

(x) Using if(i) But for your support, I would have lost the election.

(Begin: If………………….)

(xi) Using in spite of / despite

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(i) It began to rain heavily. We decided to go ahead with the picnic.(Use ‘in spite of’)

(ii) He was very ill. He completed the task. (Use ‘despite’)

(xii) Using Reported Speech(i) Deepak said to me, “Will you lend me some money now?”

(Rewrite in Indirect Speech.)

(xiii) Using a question tag(i) You have finished, …

(Complete with a question tag)(iii) He hasn’t arrived………….

(Complete with a question tag)

(xiv) Using either(i) If David does not come, Richard will.

(Begin: Either……)

(xv) Using Active and Passive Voice(i) The school captain was elected by the students of classes XI and XII.

(Begin: The students…………………….)

(xvi) Using the Degrees of Comparison(i) Greenland is the largest island in the world.

(Rewrite: Using ‘larger’.)

(xvii) Changing one kind of sentence into another, for example Exclamatory to Assertive.

(i) How cruel Shylock was to demand his pound of flesh!(Begin: It was cruel………………………...)

(xviii) Sentences beginning with when(i) She laid the table after she had finished the cooking.

(Begin: When………………………………...)

(xix) Sentences using rather(i) I prefer playing a game to watching television.

(Begin: I would rather……………………….)

(xx) Sentences using no(i) Every family has a black sheep.

(Begin: There is no…………………………)

(xxi) Interchange of ever and never(i) I have never worn a more ill-filling suit.

(End: ……………………………….ever worn.)

(xxii) Using so

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(i) Amit is too fast a runner not to come first in the race.(Begin: Amit is so……………………………….)

(xxiii) Interchange of few and many(i) Not many people read for pleasure these days.

(Begin: Few……………………………………)

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