FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION 2023-24

Grade : X Subject : CHEMISTRY Marks : 80

Date : 04/09/2023 Time : 2 hours
 You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

 This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

 The time given at the head of this paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

 This paper consists of 8 printed pages.

 Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.

 The intended marks for questions or part of questions are given in brackets [ ].

SECTION A (40 marks)

Attempt all questions from this section
Question 1
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.
(Do not copy the question, write the correct answers only.) [15]
(i) When dilute sodium chloride is electrolysed using graphite electrodes, the cation
discharged at the cathode most readily:
(a) Na⁺ (b) OH⁻ (c) H⁺ (d) Cl⁻
(ii) A salt which gives pale blue precipitate with NaOH solution and a white
precipitate with barium chloride solution is:
(a) FeSO4 (b) FeCl2 (c) CuCl2 (d) CuSO4
(iii) Which of the following organic compound is correctly named?
(a) (b)

ethanoic acid ethene

(c) (d)

ethanol propane

Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 1 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24

(iv) Element P, Q, R and T have atomic number 12, 9, 20 and 18 respectively, which
will show similar chemical properties.
(a) P and Q (b) P and R (c) P and T (d) Q and R
(v) The diagram shows pH values of the soil in X and Y, two parts of the garden of a
house. The house owner preferred to use slaked lime to neutralise the soil in one
part of the garden. To which part should the slaked lime be added and why?

Part of garden Because slaked lime is

(a) X Acidic
(b) X Basic
(c) Y Acidic
(d) Y Basic

(vi) Dilute sulphuric acid is added to a mixture of metals - Copper, Magnesium and
Zinc in a beaker. The beaker is left for about 10 minutes and its contents are
then filtered. The filtrate contains:
(a) Copper (II) sulphate, magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate.
(b) Copper (II) sulphate and zinc sulphate only.
(c) Magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate only.
(d) Magnesium sulphate only.
(vii) The diagram given below shows the structure of an organic compound:
Which of the following are present in this molecule?

Prefix Primary suffix Secondary suffix

(a) no no no
(b) yes yes yes
(c) yes no no
(d) no yes yes

Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 2 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24

(viii) Choose the most appropriate colour change when Magnesium hydroxide is tested
with an indicator:
(a) Phenolphthalein remains colourless
(b) Methyl orange remains orange
(c) Phenolphthalein turns colourless to pink
(d) Blue litmus solution turns red
(ix) Assertion (A): Alcohol is a non-electrolyte.
Reason (R): Its aqueous solution contains ions and molecules.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
(x) Mg, Al, S and Cl belong to third period of the periodic table. The correct order of
decreasing electronegativity is:
(a) Cl, Al, S, and Mg (b) Cl, S, Al and Mg
(c) Al, Cl, Mg and S (d) S, Cl, Mg and Al
(xi) In the molecules CH4, HCl and H2O, which of the pair will use all of their
valence electrons in bonding?
(a) C and Cl (b) C and H
(c) Cl and H (d) H and O
(xii) When ammonia (in excess) and chlorine are reacted, the chlorine is:
(a) oxidised to HCl (b) oxidised to N2
(c) reduced to HCl (d) reduced to NH4Cl
(xiii) The gaseous reactants used during Ostwald’s process are:
(a) Nitrogen and Oxygen (b) Oxygen and Carbon dioxide
(c) Chlorine and Nitrogen (d) Ammonia and Oxygen
(xiv) The following statement does not match with elements in Group 17:
(a) They have seven valence electrons.
(b) They are diatomic.
(c) They are strong reducing agent.
(d) They are strong oxidising agent.
(xv) When electroplating copper with nickel, which one of the following equations
represents what happens at the cathode?
(a) Cu → Cu2+ + 2e- (b) Ni → Ni2+ + 2e-
(c) Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu (d) Ni2+ → Ni - 2e-
Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 3 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24
Question 2
(i) Match the chemical reactions in Column A with the properties of sulphuric acid
in Column B and rewrite the matched pair: [5]

Column A Column B
(a) C + 2H2SO4  CO2 + 2H2O + 2SO2 (1) Dibasic Acid
(b) NaCl + H2SO4  NaHSO4 + HCl (2) Dehydrating Agent
(c) ZnSO3 + H2SO4  ZnSO4 + H2O + SO2 (3) Oxidising agent
(d) 2NaOH + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + 2H2O (4) Non – Volatile
(e) C6H12O6  6C + 6H2O (5) Dilute Acid

(ii) Identify the salts mentioned in statements (a) to (e) by choosing the correct
answer from the list given in the brackets: [5]
[Ammonium chloride, Copper (II) sulphate, Sodium nitrate, Calcium sulphate,
Magnesium chloride, Sodium sulphite].
(Each option to be used only once)
(a) A salt which reacts with an alkali on heating, releases a gas which burns in
air or oxygen with a greenish yellow flame.
(b) A salt which reacts with concentrated sulphuric acid at elevated
temperature liberates vapours of an acid, which on decomposition gives
reddish-brown gas.
(c) A salt which reacts with a dilute acid, liberates a gas which turns acidified
potassium dichromate solution orange to clear green.
(d) A soluble salt formed by action of a dilute acid on an active metal.
(e) An insoluble salt precipitated out on reaction between two salts solutions
one of which is calcium chloride.
(iii) State your observation for the following reactions: [5]
(a) Magnesium nitride reacts with warm water and the gas evolved is passed
through Nessler’s reagent for short time.
(b) Excess ammonium hydroxide is added to the solution formed on reaction
between lead carbonate and dilute nitric acid.
(c) Sodium chloride and concentrated sulphuric acid are heated and gas
evolved is bubbled into silver nitrate solution.
(d) The colour of the electrolyte when aqueous copper sulphate is electrolysed
using graphite as cathode and copper as anode.

Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 4 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24

 (e) Copper is added to Nitric acid and the gas evolved is bubbled into freshly
prepared Iron (II) sulphate solution and concentrated sulphuric acid is
poured along the walls of the test tube.
(iv) The following questions are related to electrolysis of acidified water using inert
electrode: [5]
(a) Electrolysis of acidified water is considered as an example of catalysis.
Justify
(b) List the ions present in the electrolyte.
(c) What will be the electrode made up of ?
(d) Write the electrode reaction that takes place at the oxidising electrode.
(e) Name the gas liberated at the reducing electrode.
(v) Give the IUPAC name for the following organic compound: [5]
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e)

SECTION B (40 marks)

Attempt any four questions from this section
Question 3
(i) Define the following terms: [2]
(a) Catenation
(b) Electron Affinity
(ii) Draw electron dot structure for the formation of the following compound: [2]
(a) Carbon tetra chloride
(b) Calcium oxide
(iii) Give scientific reason for the following: [3]
(a) Although copper is a good conductor of electricity it is not an electrolyte.
(b) Magnesium chloride is soluble in water but insoluble in acetone.
Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 5 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24
 (c) Direct absorption of HCl gas in water is not preferred for preparation of
Hydrochloric acid.
(iv) Write balanced chemical equation for the following conversion from A to C: [3]
A B C
Fe  FeCl2  FeCO3  Fe(NO3)2
Question 4
(i) Distinguish between the following pairs of compounds using the tests given
in the bracket: [2]
(a) Dilute Hydrochloric acid and Dilute Sulphuric acid (Lead nitrate solution)
(b) Zinc nitrate and Lead nitrate solution
(Excess ammonium hydroxide solution)
(ii) B is a nitrate salt which leaves no residue on undergoing thermal [2]
decomposition.
(a) Identify the salt.
(b) B is not used in the laboratory preparation of ammonia. Justify your answer.
(iii) Which of the following methods P, Q, R and S is generally used for preparing
the salts listed below from (a) to (c). Answer by writing down the salt and the
letter pertaining to the corresponding method. [3]
(Each letter is to be used only once)
(a) Potassium nitrate (P) Metal + Acid
(b) Lead nitrate (Q) Neutralization – Soluble base + acid
(c) Zinc carbonate (R) Neutralization – Insoluble base + acid
(S) Precipitation
(iv) Given below are diagrammatic / symbolic representation of some atoms of metals
and non -metals. Answer the following questions: [3]

(a) A, B, C and D are atoms of 4 metals. If they are be arranged in same group,
arrange them in their decreasing order of metallic character.
(b) Which amongst A, B, C and D will have highest ionization potential?
(c) Which one will be most electro-positive?

Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 6 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24

 Question 5
(i) Differentiate between Alkyne and Alkane based on the criteria given below: [2]
(a) General formula
(b) Bond present
(ii) An element L forms a molecule L2. [2]
(a) What type of bonding is present in the particles that make up L.
(b) When L is heated with iron metal, it forms a compound FeL. What
chemical term would you use to describe the change undergone by L.
(iii) Some properties of three pure substances P, Q and R are given below: [3]
P when treated with concentrated nitric acid results into formation of a non -
volatile acid, water and reddish-brown gas.
Q is amphoteric metal that reacts with hot and concentrated sodium hydroxide to
liberate hydrogen gas.
R is gas which turns moist red litmus blue. This gas when passed over heated
litharge, a pure metal is obtained.
(a) Identify P.
(b) Write balanced chemical equation when Q reacts with hot and concentrated
sodium hydroxide.
(c) State your observation when R is passed over litharge.
(iv) Answer the following questions based on the diagram given alongside: [3]
(a) In the electro-refining of copper
‘Electrode B’ is made of _____ and
‘Electrode C’ is made of ______.
(b) Write the electrode reaction which
takes place at ‘C’.
(c) If the above anode is replaced by
graphite, state the product formed at anode.
Question 6
(i) Arrange the following as per the instructions given in the brackets: [2]
(a) Silicon dioxide, Sodium oxide, Sulphur dioxide, Aluminium oxide,
Magnesium oxide (decreasing order of acidic character)
(b) Mg, Sr, Be, Ba, Ca (increasing order of metallic character)
(ii) Draw any two isomers of the third member of the alkene series. [2]

Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 7 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24

 (iii) A black oxidising agent X reacts with concentrated HCl to give a greenish yellow
gas Y. The gas reacts with metal Z to form yellowish brown deliquescent
substance Q. On adding sodium hydroxide to solution Q, a reddish-brown
precipitate appears which remains insoluble in excess. [3]
(a) Identify X and Q
(b) Write balanced chemical reaction between solution Q and sodium
hydroxide.
(iv) Give balanced chemical equations for the following reactions between two
gases: [3]
(a) Ammonia and oxygen in absence of catalyst.
(b) Sulphur dioxide and oxygen in presence of a catalyst at elevated
temperatures.
(c) Excess ammonia reacts with chlorine.
Question 7
(i) State whether the following statements given below are ‘true’ or ‘false’: [2]
(a) The common name of ethyne is ethylene.
(b) The phenomenon by which organic compounds have same molecular
formula but different structural formula is called as isomers.
(ii) Compound A, when warmed with concentrated sulphuric acid gives a gas
which fumes in moist air and gives dense white fumes with ammonia. [2]
(a) Name the anion present in the compound A.
(b) Write the equation for the laboratory preparation of the above
evolved gas.
(iii) Draw structural diagram for the following compounds: [3]
(a) Acetaldehyde
(b) 2- chloro- 3- methyl-but-2-ene
(c) Any one branched isomer of pentane
(iv) Select acid, base or salt from the list in bracket for each of the statements given
below: [3]
(a) The molecular formula of Oleum is _______. [H2S2O3 / H2S7O2 / H2S2O7]
(b) Liquified ammonia is ___________ in nature. [acidic / neutral / alkaline]
(c) A base obtained when lead nitrate undergoes thermal decomposition is
_________. [Trilead teroxide / lead (II) oxide / lead (IV) oxide]

***************************THE END***************************
Chemistry/Grade X/ICSE/First Semester Examination/ Page 8 of 8 CAM/UA/2023-24