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Syllabus

A String of Beads — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 10 · English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)

What A String of Beads covers in ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

56 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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A flowchart illustrating the key events and ironic twists in W. Somerset Maugham's 'A String of Beads', showing the cause-and-effect relationships.
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4 Topics · ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories) · 2026-27

Topics in A String of Beads

1

Plot Overview

  • Miss Robinson, a governess in Miss Granger's household, buys a string of beads on Regent Street for fifteen shillings.
  • She thinks the beads are imitation pearls, but Count Borselli recognizes them as real pearls.
  • Count Borselli says they are worth at least fifty thousand pounds.
2

Characters

  • Miss Robinson is the central character, though not the narrator.
  • She is pretty, well-dressed, cheerful, and honest.
  • She returns the pearls calmly and without drama.
3

Themes and Message

  • Irony of fate is the central theme of the story.
  • Honesty is rewarded, but in a surprising and indirect way.
  • The story criticizes social snobbery and class prejudice.
4

Important Quotes and Their Meaning

  • "She ought to keep them. I don't see why she should return them." shows Miss Granger's clear advice to keep what is not hers.
  • "They are worth at least fifty thousand pounds." shows the shock value of the pearls and raises the moral stakes.
  • "She went to Cannes." is a short sentence that carries strong irony because an honest act leads to a holiday that causes her dismissal.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Irony, social comedy, and the reversal of fortune in a story of honesty and class snobbery

Miss RobinsonThe NarratorMiss GrangerCount BorselliThe JewelerThe PearlsHonestyClass and propriety

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in A String of Beads for ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)?
Key topics in A String of Beads include Plot Overview, Characters, Themes and Message, Important Quotes and Their Meaning. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 10 board exam.
How should I revise A String of Beads for the ICSE Class 10 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 56 practice questions on A String of Beads. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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