Answers To ICSE Grammar Practice Set 5 & 6

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