Sample essays for ICSE

Sample essays for ICSE:- (three sample topics with reference solutions)

1) Topic: Of all the subjects that you'r'e studying at present, which one do you think would be the most useful to you in future and why.

Chemistry is an incredibly fascinating field of study. Because it is so fundamental to our world, chemistry plays a role in everyone's lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. Chemistry is essential for meeting our basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, health, energy, and clean air, water, and soil. Chemical technologies enrich our quality of life in numerous ways by providing new solutions to problems in health, materials, and energy usage. Thus, studying chemistry is useful in preparing us for the real world.

Chemistry is often referred to as the central science because it joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and the earth and environmental sciences. Knowledge of the nature of chemicals and chemical processes therefore provides insights into a variety of physical and biological phenomena. Knowing something about chemistry is worthwhile because it provides an excellent basis for understanding the physical universe we live in. For better or for worse, everything is chemical!

It may be obvious to you that a chemistry background is important if you plan to teach chemistry or to work in the chemical industry developing chemical commodities such as polymeric materials, pharmaceuticals, flavorings, preservatives, dyestuffs, or fragrances. You may also be aware that chemists are frequently employed as environmental scientists, chemical oceanographers, chemical information specialists, chemical engineers, and chemical salespersons. However, it may be less obvious to you that a significant knowledge of chemistry is often required in a number of related professions including medicine, pharmacy, medical technology, nuclear medicine, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, toxicology, paper science, pharmaceutical science, hazardous waste management, art conservation, forensic science and patent law. Thus, a chemistry degree can be effectively combined with advanced work in other fields which may lead, for example, to work in higher management (sometimes with an M.B.A.), the medical field (with a medical degree), or in the patent field (possibly with a law degree).

It is often observed that today's graduate, unlike the graduate of a generation ago, should anticipate not a single position with one employer or in one industry, but rather many careers. You will be well prepared for this future if, in your college years, you take advantage of the opportunity to become broadly educated, to learn to be flexible and to be a creative problem solver. Knowledge and skills gained in your college courses may be directly applicable in your first job, but science and technology change at a rapid pace. You will keep up and stay ahead if you graduate with the skills and self-discipline to pursue a lifetime of learning. Since chemistry provides many of these skills and is a fundamental driver in the business and commerce sector of our society, chemists and biochemists are likely to remain in continual demand.

A bachelor's degree in chemistry is also an ideal pre-medicine degree. Medical schools do not require a particular college major, but a chemistry background will be helpful in the advanced study of biochemistry, endocrinology, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Chemistry is also an excellent major for students planning careers in other health professions such as pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine. All of these professional programs require chemistry for admission. Most require at least one year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry, both with laboratories. Many students have found that having a chemical background gives them a distinct advantage in these professional programs.

Whether your goal is to become a surgeon or a research scientist, a teacher or an information specialist, you should examine chemistry as a college major. It isn't for everyone; but those students who do choose chemistry usually find it as interesting as it is challenging, and they always take great pride in the degree they earn as undergraduates.

2) Topic: You have recently represented your school at a National Interschool Competition. Describe your excitement on being selected, the competition itself and the joy you felt at having brought honour  to your school.

I had for quite sometime been preparing myself, for the extempore debate competition to be held in our school. This was a prelude for selecting the team, which was to represent the school in the National Inter school competition, to be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 10 October.

Students from different schools across the country would be participating, in various extra curricular activities like music, singing, dancing, dramatics, debating and quiz competition. Besides awarding individual performances best performing teams would also be awarded shields. It was therefore a matter of pride, to represent the school at such an event.

It was with keen anticipation, I counted the days for the debate competition. On the D-day, I was initially nervous with stage fright, as my name was announced. Fortunately for me, I was asked to speak on ‘The present education system has outlived its use’. The subject being close to my heart, I spoke for the motion, offering good reasoning with conviction. I was over joyed as my name was announced in the team that was to represent the school at the national event.

The national meet was indeed a gala affair, with teams from reputed schools taking part. The huge auditorium, with its lights and the elaborate arrangement overwhelmed me. This made me initially uneasy and anxious. However, as the preliminary round got over, I gained confidence and was selected to participate in the final round, which was to be held on the concluding day of the competition.

On that day my heart skipped a beat, as I approach the stage to speak on a subject unknown time. There had been other speakers before me, on different subjects. The applause that they received intimidated me. Gaining my composure, I opened the slip offered to me by the announcer. The subject was “Should students take part in extracurricular activities.”

I got 3 minutes to plan my speech, after which I had to speak extempore for 10 minutes. My previous experience in such events in school stood me in good stead. I capitalised on this, using funny antidotes and examples which caught the imagination of the audience. The tremendous round of applause as I finished my presentation made my spirits soar high.

 

I waited with bated breath as the results were announced. My joy knew no bounds when my name was announced to receive the best speaker’s award. I felt a little nervous walking towards the dais, to receive the award from the Lt Governor of Delhi, The crowd gave me a standing ovation. Our school also got the first runner up shield for the best all round team.

The award, besides bringing good name to my school also boosted my confidence, which would make me a better person in future.

3) Topic: "They can, who think they can." Relate an incident of your experience which brings out the truth of this statement.

There is no denying the fact that endeavour and fortune make our dreams fulfilled. Yet we need confidence to accomplish our long-cherished dreams. Therefore, the very proverb ‘they can, who think they can’ proves its appropriateness and truth when one have success in this way. Such a truth came in my life just a year ago. And it left a stress on my mind deeply.

I was a student of class x then. I had to appear the final examination. Though I had prepared well for the examination I lacked confidence of mind to succeed in the examination. I lacked confidence of mind to succeed in the examination. I was very poor in English. Sometimes I feared that I might fail in that subject. Though I struggled hard I felt nervous.

But I began to read English thoroughly. I stressed on grammatical problem. And I also began to think what my problems were. Finally I found out that I had to increase my confidence. I remembered the words of Napoleon who uttered that impossible is a word of cowards’ dictionary and also of Shakespeare who’s comment is that the coward dies several times before his actual death but the valiant never tastes death but once. Such comments influenced me greatly. I started to point out my weakness and wrote down them in exercise book and tried to wipe out them with perseverance. 

One day I suddenly found that I had an idea in my mind that nothing could beat me. But to get such an idea I had to strive continuously. Besides, my parents and teachers also helped me. They encouraged me again and again.

At last I appeared in the examination. I did well in every subject. I attempted each and every question of all subjects. I could also do well in English. And I also estimated that I could earn at least sixty percent marks in English. Three months later the result was published. I saw that I passed the examination in first division. My number in English was seventy out of hundred marks. I felt so joy in my mind that it is simply unspeakable. 

Therefore I bore the idea in the deep recess of my heart that everybody should have confidence in them so that they can achieve something. Otherwise it is impossible to have it.