ICSE Grammar Practice Set 5
1. The teacher said to the boys, "Do not make a noise while I am
correcting your scripts."
(Change into Indirect Speech.)
Ans: The teacher forbade the boys to make a noise while she/he was
correcting their scripts. (Or: The teacher told the boys not to make a noise
while he/she was correcting their scripts.)
2. "Where did you drop your wallet yesterday?" asked the
inspector.
(Change into Indirect Speech.)
Ans: The inspector asked him where he had dropped his wallet the
previous day (or the day before).
3. The management has postponed the annual athletic meet until further
notice.
(Change into Passive Voice.)
Ans: The annual athletic meet has been postponed by the management until
further notice.
4. Let the lights be switched off immediately before you leave the
laboratory.
(Change into Active Voice.)
Ans: Switch off the lights immediately before you leave the laboratory.
5. He opened the vault. He was surprised to find all the jewels missing.
(Join without using and, but, or so.)
Ans: On opening the vault, he was surprised to find all the jewels
missing. (Or: Having opened the vault, he was surprised to find all the
jewels missing.)
6. The storm was exceptionally severe. The old bridge across the river
was swept away.
(Join without using and, but, or so.)
Ans: The storm was so exceptionally severe that the old bridge across
the river was swept away. (Or: The storm being exceptionally severe, the old
bridge across the river was swept away.)
7. The baggage is too heavy for the young porter to carry up the steep
flight of stairs.
(Rewrite using so... that.)
Ans: The baggage is so heavy that the young porter cannot carry it up
the steep flight of stairs.
8. The water was so cold that the swimmers could not dive into the pool.
(Rewrite using too... to.)
Ans: The water was too cold for the swimmers to dive into the pool.
9. You will lose your security deposit if you do not vacate the
apartment by Saturday morning.
(Rewrite beginning with Unless.)
Ans: Unless you vacate the apartment by Saturday morning, you will lose
your security deposit.
10. Unless you submit the medical certificate today, your leave will not
be sanctioned.
(Rewrite using If.)
Ans: If you do not submit the medical certificate today, your leave will
not be sanctioned.
11. If the lifeguard had not acted swiftly, the child would have drowned
in the current.
(Rewrite beginning with Had.)
Ans: Had the lifeguard not acted swiftly, the child would have drowned
in the current.
12. If I were the Prime Minister, I would prioritize free healthcare for
all citizens.
(Rewrite beginning with Were.)
Ans: Were I the Prime Minister, I would prioritize free healthcare for
all citizens.
13. If it had not been for your timely financial help, our business
would have gone bankrupt.
(Rewrite beginning with But for.)
Ans: But for your timely financial help, our business would have gone
bankrupt.
14. As soon as the actor stepped out of his limousine, the fans rushed
forward to catch a glimpse.
(Rewrite beginning with No sooner.)
Ans: No sooner did the actor step out of his limousine than the fans
rushed forward to catch a glimpse.
15. The security guards closed the gates immediately after the VIP
entourage entered.
(Rewrite using Scarcely... when.)
Ans: Scarcely had the VIP entourage entered when the security guards
closed the gates.
16. He finished his dinner and then went out for a brisk walk in the
park.
(Rewrite using Before.)
Ans: He finished his dinner before he went out for a brisk walk in the
park.
17. The bell rang. The students immediately rushed out of their
classrooms.
(Rewrite using As soon as.)
Ans: As soon as the bell rang, the students rushed out of their
classrooms.
18. Diamond is harder than any other naturally occurring substance on
earth.
(Change into Positive Degree.)
Ans: No other naturally occurring substance on earth is as hard as
diamond.
19. Very few Indian states are as highly industrialized as Maharashtra.
(Change into Superlative Degree.)
Ans: Maharashtra is one of the most highly industrialized states in
India.
20. Iron is more useful than gold for manufacturing heavy machinery.
(Change into Positive Degree [Comparing two].)
Ans: Gold is not so useful as iron for manufacturing heavy machinery.
21. Kolkata is one of the most populous cities in India.
(Rewrite using Very few.)
Ans: Very few cities in India are as populous as Kolkata.
22. No other peak in the world is as high as Mount Everest.
(Change into Comparative Degree.)
Ans: Mount Everest is higher than any other peak in the world.
23. The boy who won the gold medal in the sprint is my cousin.
(Identify the relative pronoun.)
Ans: who
24. This is the historic mansion where the peace treaty was signed fifty
years ago.
(Identify the relative adverb.)
Ans: where
25. The jury has not yet delivered its final verdict on this complex
case, _____?
(Supply an appropriate Question Tag.)
Ans: has it?
26. Let us head out for a cup of hot coffee since it is freezing
outside, _____?
(Supply an appropriate Question Tag.)
Ans: shall we?
27. Only a billionaire can afford to maintain such a luxurious fleet of
vintage cars.
(Change into a Negative sentence without altering meaning.)
Ans: None but a billionaire can afford to maintain such a luxurious
fleet of vintage cars.
28. As soon as the whistle blew, the runners darted across the track.
(Change into a Negative sentence using No sooner.)
Ans: No sooner did the whistle blow than the runners darted across the
track.
29. It is a highly spectacular sight to witness the sunrise over the
Himalayas.
(Change into an Exclamatory sentence.)
Ans: What a highly spectacular sight it is to witness the sunrise over
the Himalayas!
30. No one can tolerate such gross injustice and open corruption in
public office.
(Change into an Interrogative sentence.)
Ans: Who can tolerate such gross injustice and open corruption in public
office? (Or: Can anyone tolerate such gross injustice and open corruption in
public office?)
31. Is there any place on earth where a criminal can hide from his own
conscience?
(Change into an Assertive sentence.)
Ans: There is no place on earth where a criminal can hide from his own
conscience.
32. Why waste precious hours scrolling aimlessly through social media
feeds?
(Change into an Assertive sentence [Rhetorical transform].)
Ans: It is completely useless to waste precious hours scrolling
aimlessly through social media feeds.
33. The captain, along with all the members of his cricket team,
(has/have) arrived.
(Choose the correct verb form.)
Ans: has
34. Neither the principal nor the teachers (was/were) present at the
emergency briefing.
(Choose the correct verb form.)
Ans: were
35. The novel was so full of suspense that it kept me hooked till the
very end.
(Rewrite using the noun form of suspenseful [suspense used here].)
Ans: The suspense of the novel kept me hooked till the very end.
36. He accepted the prestigious award with great humility before the
cheering crowd.
(Rewrite using the adverb form of humility.)
Ans: He humbly accepted the prestigious award before the cheering crowd.
37. He is a brilliant orator. He is also a highly accomplished classical
musician.
(Join using Not only... but also.)
Ans: He is not only a brilliant orator but also a highly accomplished
classical musician.
38. The manager attended the conference. His personal secretary also
attended it.
(Join using As well as.)
Ans: The manager, as well as his personal secretary, attended the
conference.
39. If you climb higher up the mountain, the atmospheric air becomes
colder.
(Rewrite using Double Comparatives [The higher...].)
Ans: The higher you climb up the mountain, the colder the atmospheric
air becomes.
40. Samuel did not complete his assignment. He did not even bother to
study for the test.
(Join using Neither... nor.)
Ans: Samuel neither completed his assignment nor bothered to study for
the test.
41. The veteran athlete was injured severely. He managed to finish the
marathon race.
(Join using Although.)
Ans: Although the veteran athlete was injured severely, he managed to
finish the marathon race.
42. The legal system has flaws. It still remains our best hope for
achieving true justice.
(Join using But.)
Ans: The legal system has flaws, but it still remains our best hope for
achieving true justice.
43. The flight was delayed for three hours because there was a dense
blanket of fog.
(Rewrite using Since.)
Ans: Since there was a dense blanket of fog, the flight was delayed for
three hours.
44. The heavy downpour caused severe waterlogging; therefore, the
schools were shut.
(Rewrite using So.)
Ans: The heavy downpour caused severe waterlogging, so the schools were
shut.
45. The secret agents communicated via highly encrypted channels to
avoid interception.
(Rewrite using lest.)
Ans: The secret agents communicated via highly encrypted channels lest
they should be intercepted.
46. In spite of working three separate jobs, the single mother could
barely pay rent.
(Rewrite using Despite.)
Ans: Despite working three separate jobs, the single mother could barely
pay rent.
47. The structural design was faulty. As a result, the multi-story
complex collapsed.
(Join using a Conjunction of Consequence.)
Ans: The structural design was faulty; consequently, the multi-story
complex collapsed.
48. You may take a short break now on the condition that you complete
the report tonight.
(Rewrite using Provided that.)
Ans: You may take a short break now provided that you complete the
report tonight.
49. The moment he stepped inside the office, his phone began to ring off
the hook.
(Rewrite using a Conjunction of Time.)
Ans: As soon as he stepped inside the office, his phone began to ring
off the hook.
50. Find a word closest in meaning to the bolded term: The lawyer
offered lucrative terms.
(Choose: (a) profitable (b) honorable (c) risky.)
Ans: (a) profitable
51. Find a word closest in meaning to the bolded term: His erratic
behavior worried us.
(Choose: (a) calm (b) unpredictable (c) malicious.)
Ans: (b) unpredictable
52. Give the antonym of the bolded word: The witness gave a vague
account of the heist.
(Choose: (a) obscure (b) clear (c) detailed.)
Ans: (c) detailed (Note: 'clear' is also a valid opposite, but
'detailed' directly counters a vague account in a criminal context)
53. Give the antonym of the bolded word: She has always been extremely
frugal.
(Choose: (a) thrifty (b) extravagant (c) stingy.)
Ans: (b) extravagant
54. The sudden change in weather is bound to (affect / effect) his
fragile health.
(Choose the correct word.)
Ans: affect
55. The school board was asked to give its (council / counsel / assent)
to the new policy.
(Choose the correct word for agreement.)
Ans: assent
56. The legal proceedings were (prosecuted / persecuted) with the utmost
rigor.
(Choose the correct word for legal action.)
Ans: prosecuted
57. The continuous noise from the construction site served to (aggravate
/ irritate) him.
(Choose the word meaning to make a problem worse.)
Ans: aggravate
58. He is the (sole / soul) heir to a vast ancestral estate in the
countryside.
(Choose the correct word.)
Ans: sole
59. The structural layout of the grand building was (complimented /
complemented) by art.
(Choose the word meaning to add to or improve.)
Ans: complemented
60. The long-awaited rain brought a welcome (respite / receipt) from the
scorching heat.
(Choose the correct word.)
Ans: respite
ICSE Grammar Practice Set 6
1. "Let us throw a surprise anniversary party for our
grandparents," suggested Reena.
(Change into Indirect Speech.)
Ans: Reena suggested that they should throw a surprise anniversary party
for their grandparents. (Or: Reena proposed throwing a surprise anniversary
party for their grandparents.)
2. The tourist said, "Alas! I have lost my passport and all my
traveler's checks."
(Change into Indirect Speech.)
Ans: The tourist exclaimed sorrowfully that he/she had lost his/her
passport and all his/her traveler's checks.
3. Who designed this magnificent monument that stands in the heart of
the city?
(Change into Passive Voice.)
Ans: By whom was this magnificent monument designed that stands in the
heart of the city? (Or: By whom was this magnificent monument that stands in
the heart of the city designed?)
4. The local authorities are closely monitoring the rising water levels
of the dam.
(Change into Passive Voice.)
Ans: The rising water levels of the dam are being closely monitored by
the local authorities.
5. The bell rang. The students ran out of the school building
immediately.
(Join without using and, but, or so.)
Ans: As soon as the bell rang, the students ran out of the school
building. (Or: No sooner did the bell ring than the students ran out of the
school building.)
6. He lost his keys. He had to spend the night at a friend's house.
(Join without using and, but, or so.)
Ans: Having lost his keys, he had to spend the night at a friend's
house. (Or: Because he lost his keys, he had to spend the night at a
friend's house.)
7. The pitch was so damp that the cricket match could not be played that
afternoon.
(Rewrite using too... to.)
Ans: The pitch was too damp for the cricket match to be played that
afternoon.
8. The puzzle was too intricate for the novice student to solve within
ten minutes.
(Rewrite using so... that.)
Ans: The puzzle was so intricate that the novice student could not solve
it within ten minutes.
9. If you do not register your vehicle immediately, you will face a
heavy penalty.
(Rewrite beginning with Unless.)
Ans: Unless you register your vehicle immediately, you will face a heavy
penalty.
10. Unless the rain stops within an hour, the low-lying streets will
flood completely.
(Rewrite using If.)
Ans: If the rain does not stop within an hour, the low-lying streets
will flood completely.
11. If the surgeon had not intervened instantly, the patient would have
succumbed.
(Rewrite beginning with Had.)
Ans: Had the surgeon not intervened instantly, the patient would have
succumbed.
12. If the principal were to discover this mischief, he would expel the
culprits.
(Rewrite beginning with Were.)
Ans: Were the principal to discover this mischief, he would expel the
culprits.
13. If we had not received your timely warning, we would have fallen
into the trap.
(Rewrite beginning with But for.)
Ans: But for your timely warning, we would have fallen into the trap.
14. The judge took his seat on the bench. The lawyers began their
cross-examination.
(Rewrite using No sooner... than.)
Ans: No sooner did the judge take his seat on the bench than the lawyers
began their cross-examination.
15. The train steamed into the platform. The passengers rushed forward
to board it.
(Rewrite using Scarcely... when.)
Ans: Scarcely had the train steamed into the platform when the
passengers rushed forward to board it.
16. The sun rose in the eastern sky. The thick layers of fog disappeared
completely.
(Rewrite using After.)
Ans: After the sun rose in the eastern sky, the thick layers of fog
disappeared completely.
17. The medical test results arrived. The doctor immediately started the
treatment.
(Rewrite using As soon as.)
Ans: As soon as the medical test results arrived, the doctor started the
treatment.
18. Tokyo is larger than any other metropolitan city in the world.
(Change into Positive Degree.)
Ans: No other metropolitan city in the world is as large as Tokyo.
19. Very few historical figures were as charismatic as Abraham Lincoln.
(Change into Superlative Degree.)
Ans: Abraham Lincoln was one of the most charismatic historical figures.
20. The cheetah runs faster than a leopard.
(Change into Positive Degree [Comparing two].)
Ans: A leopard does not run so fast as a cheetah.
21. Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists in the history of
English literature.
(Rewrite using No other.)
Ans: Very few dramatists in the history of English literature are as
great as Shakespeare. (Note: Using "No other" changes the context
of "one of the greatest" to "the absolute greatest", so the
standard construction uses "Very few" to remain exact, or "No
other... is greater than" if forced to absolute status).
22. No other metal is as heavy as lead.
(Change into Comparative Degree.)
Ans: Lead is heavier than any other metal.
23. The car _____ engine broke down in the middle of the highway
belonged to my uncle.
(Supply the correct relative pronoun.)
Ans: whose
24. Tell me the exact reason _____ you refused to sign the contract
papers yesterday.
(Supply the correct relative adverb.)
Ans: why
25. You rarely clean your study room or organize your bookshelves,
_____?
(Supply an appropriate Question Tag.)
Ans: do you? (Note: 'Rarely' is a negative adverb, so it takes a
positive tag)
26. Nobody volunteered to clean up the laboratory after the chemistry
experiment, _____?
(Supply an appropriate Question Tag.)
Ans: did they? (Note: Indefinite pronouns like 'Nobody' take 'they'
as the tag subject)
27. There is no rose without a thorn.
(Change into an Affirmative sentence without altering meaning.)
Ans: Every rose has a thorn.
28. Only the students who score above ninety percent will be granted
this scholarship.
(Change into a Negative sentence using None but.)
Ans: None but the students who score above ninety percent will be
granted this scholarship.
29. It is a terrible pity that so many young graduates are struggling to
find jobs.
(Change into an Exclamatory sentence.)
Ans: What a terrible pity it is that so many young graduates are
struggling to find jobs!
30. Can anyone change the past or erase the mistakes they have made?
(Change into an Assertive sentence.)
Ans: No one can change the past or erase the mistakes they have made.
31. It is useless to argue with a stubborn person who refuses to listen
to reason.
(Change into an Interrogative sentence.)
Ans: What is the use of arguing with a stubborn person who refuses to
listen to reason? (Or: Is it not useless to argue with a stubborn person who
refuses to listen to reason?)
32. Is blood not thicker than water?
(Change into an Assertive sentence.)
Ans: Blood is thicker than water.
33. A large sum of money, along with several important documents,
(was/were) stolen.
(Choose the correct verb form.)
Ans: was (Note: Subject joined with 'along with' agrees with the
first noun 'sum')
34. Bread and butter (is/are) his favorite breakfast dish before he goes
to work.
(Choose the correct verb form.)
Ans: is (Note: 'Bread and butter' is treated as a singular collective
item/dish here)
35. The police officer acted with great courage when he confronted the
armed robber.
(Rewrite using the adjective form of courage.)
Ans: The courageous police officer acted firmly when he confronted the
armed robber. (Or: The police officer was courageous when he confronted the
armed robber.)
36. We must show absolute obedience to the laws of the country we live
in.
(Rewrite using the verb form of obedience.)
Ans: We must absolutely obey the laws of the country we live in.
37. The young boy is extremely smart. He is also remarkably hardworking.
(Join using Not only... but also.)
Ans: The young boy is not only extremely smart but also remarkably
hardworking.
38. The teacher went on the field trip. All the students of class ten
went with her.
(Join using As well as.)
Ans: The teacher, as well as all the students of class ten, went on the
field trip.
39. As you practice a musical instrument more, you become more
proficient at it.
(Rewrite using Double Comparatives [The more...].)
Ans: The more you practice a musical instrument, the more proficient you
become at it.
40. She does not watch television. She does not read any fiction books
either.
(Join using Neither... nor.)
Ans: She neither watches television nor reads any fiction books.
41. The old man was incredibly weak. He managed to lift the heavy box by
himself.
(Join using Though.)
Ans: Though the old man was incredibly weak, he managed to lift the
heavy box by himself.
42. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, _____ he still missed
the morning train.
(Supply the coordinating conjunction of contrast [but / yet].)
Ans: yet (Or: but)
43. The match was called off _____ the outfield was completely
waterlogged.
(Supply a conjunction of cause [because / as].)
Ans: because (Or: as)
44. He did not study diligently throughout the year, _____ he failed the
exam.
(Supply a conjunction of result [therefore / so].)
Ans: so (Or: therefore)
45. We walked quietly up the stairs _____ we should wake up the sleeping
baby.
(Supply the conjunction of purpose [lest].)
Ans: lest
46. _____ her best efforts, she could not secure a podium finish in the
race.
(Supply the prepositional phrase [In spite of / Despite].)
Ans: Despite (Or: In spite of)
47. The factory dumped toxic waste into the river; consequently, the
fish died.
(Identify the conjunction of consequence.)
Ans: consequently
48. You will pass the physical endurance test _____ you train rigorously
every day.
(Supply a conjunction of condition [if / unless].)
Ans: if
49. The thief saw the policeman and sprinted away instantly.
(Rewrite using a Conjunction of Time.)
Ans: No sooner did the thief see the policeman than he sprinted away
instantly. (Or: As soon as the thief saw the policeman, he sprinted away.)
50. Find a word closest in meaning to the bolded term: She gave a candid
opinion.
(Choose: (a) biased (b) frank (c) polite.)
Ans: (b) frank
51. Find a word closest in meaning to the bolded term: The task was
arduous.
(Choose: (a) simple (b) strenuous (c) exciting.)
Ans: (b) strenuous
52. Give the antonym of the bolded word: The novel features a benevolent
king.
(Choose: (a) kind (b) malevolent (c) generous.)
Ans: (b) malevolent
53. Give the antonym of the bolded word: The local economy is currently
stagnant.
(Choose: (a) flourishing (b) sluggish (c) still.)
Ans: (a) flourishing
54. The graphic designer was asked to design a corporate (logo / logou).
(Choose the correctly spelled and used word.)
Ans: logo
55. It is against my (principles / principals) to compromise on my basic
integrity.
(Choose the correct word for moral rules.)
Ans: principles
56. The migratory birds have found a safe (refuge / refuse) in the
wildlife sanctuary.
(Choose the correct word for shelter.)
Ans: refuge
57. The static noise on the radio line was an (insufferable /
invaluable) annoyance.
(Choose the word meaning unbearable.)
Ans: insufferable
58. She walked down the church (aisle / isle) looking radiant in her
bridal gown.
(Choose the correct word.)
Ans: aisle
59. The grand jury decided to (indict / indite) the politician for
embezzlement.
(Choose the word meaning to formally accuse.)
Ans: indict
60. He is very (sensitive / sensible) to criticism and gets upset
easily.
(Choose the word meaning easily hurt/affected.)
Ans: sensitive
