Tips to score good marks in English Language (Paper 1) in ICSE Boards Exam

English Paper I in ICSE Boards exam mainly include questions from Grammar and composition. Students have to do extremely well to score full marks in Grammar part. To score well in composition part they have to use good vocabulary, good language and have to write good sentences without any grammatic mistakes. So students have to show their entire skill and hold over the English language to fare well in this subject. In ICSE Paper I, the same mode of questions will come every year in this paper and so I gave some tips and suggestion to excel well for each model of the questions given in the question paper.

Here is ICSE Board's solved English Grammar questions from previous year question papers

Tips and suggestions for answering Question 1

• The story should be narrated with a literary background of setting, character building, plot, conflict, denouement.
  
• Students should write a story of their own creation but not a story of what they have lifted out from some other book or well known popular stories. Candidates will be heavily penalized in marks if they follow such a method in writing the story. Narration part of the story should be given much importance and student should bring out the idea or central theme given in the question by the end of the story.
  
• Sometimes student start the story with a male character and after sometime they go on mentioning 'she' instead of 'he' in their story narration. Students sometimes start their story in past tense and finally ends the story in present tense. Students should avoid such blind mistakes while writing the story and such a things will cost them much in getting good marks.

• Students to back the side of their argument should provide strong points with logic to strengthen their stand.
  
• Student should back only one side of the argument but not support or partially support both which weaken their stance.
  
• To strengthen the point of their argument they have to quote examples or experiences from the real life situations.

Question 2

Formal letter format:-

Informal letter format:-

Question 3

Question 4

1. Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets:-
   For this question candidates have to use proper form of the tense and especially have to learn proper use of present continuous tense . Students must be clear with the rules of tenses and sequence of tenses through their regular practices of exercise work. Candidates should not make spelling mistakes while writing the answers.


2. Fill in the blank with an appropriate word:- The correct use of prepositions is very important to score good marks in this question. Candidates must know well when to use these words:-
   "from" instead of "between" , "from" in place of "since" , "in" instead of 'of' , 'away' in place of 'down' , 'out' in place of 'off' . Candidates should not simply guess and write answers for these questions.


3. Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so:- For this type of questions candidates must use basic grammar rules in writing correct sentences. Candidates have to use gerund and infinitive correctly. Candidates must adhere to the meaning of the given sentences while attempting answers for this type of questions.


4. 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:-
   Candidates should not use such phrases as 'No sooner…when' or 'No sooner…then'. Candidates loose marks by changing 'he' to 'she' and vice versa or replaced names with pronouns of the given sentence. (eg: 'she' in place of 'Rita').

Some important tips to do well in English Language (Paper 1) in ICSE Boards Exam

1. Practice the format of the letter separately with regular consistency. Understand clearly what you are being asked to write about. Practice the format of letter, underline the part of the question that you are supposed to address.


2. Practice grammar exercises regularly and daily. Drill work is a very important part of grammar learning. Use entire passages rather than sentences for practice.


3. Worksheets designed to practice specific items of grammar are extremely useful for learning grammar. Adequate practice should be given in transforming sentences from one kind to another.


4. In this question paper while answering questions write accurately and concisely what you are asked and please remember to write in your own words.


5. Improve your listening and reading abilities to enhance your scoring capabilities in grammar part. Comprehending unseen passage become difficult because of your poor listening and reading habits. Actually Grammar part is a high scoring area works the other way around if the candidate neglects good habit of listening and reading.


6. Learn to write in your own words rather than mugging from guides and prepared notes and for this listen to well Spoken English when you can. The television is full of good useful, educative and enjoyable program mes.


7. Students should take initiative to read English newspapers daily so that the correct usage and style of language is maintained. Student must use the dictionary and thesaurus extensively in learning English language.


8. Speak in English, avoid the temptation of thinking in your mother tongue and then translating into
   English. Read for pleasure. Be a part of classroom debates and discussions.

By following above tips you can surely do the best and score maximum marks in your ICSE Board's English language Paper I.