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ICSE Class X English (Subject Code: 01) is the Board Examination year. Both papers — Paper 1: English Language and Paper 2: Literature in English — carry 100 marks each, totalling 200 marks.

At a Glance: Marking Scheme

Component Paper 1: English Language Paper 2: Literature in English
Theory Exam (External) 80 Marks 80 Marks
Internal Assessment 20 Marks 20 Marks
Total per Paper 100 Marks 100 Marks
Duration for Theory 2 Hours 2 Hours

Paper 1 — English Language

All five questions are compulsory. Paper 1 for Class X carries the same structure as Class IX, making it essential to begin preparation in Class IX itself.

Written Exam (80 Marks) Question-wise Breakdown

Q. No. Topic Marks Key Details
Q1 Composition Writing 20 An original essay (~300–350 words) out of 5 alternatives: Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative, short story and Picture-composition
Q2 Letter Writing 10 Formal letter (to Principal, Editor, Official, etc.) or Informal letter (to friends, relatives); choice of 2
Q3 Notice + Email Writing 10 Write a Notice (5 marks) based on a given situation; write an Email on the same topic (5 marks)
Q4 Unseen Comprehension 20 An unseen prose passage (~500 words); vocabulary test + short-answer questions + summary writing [Generally 3 + 9 + 8 ]
Q5 Functional Grammar 20 Filling blanks - verb tenses (4 marks) & Prepositions (4 marks)
MCQs - Joining of sentences* (4 marks) & Transformation of Sentences# (8 marks)
TOTAL   80  

* Joining of Sentences without using 'and', 'but' or 'so'. May be simple, complex or compound.
#Transformation includes change in voice, narration, degree of adjective, parts of speech, negation and affirmation, simple-complex-compound, assetive-interrogative-exclamatory, and beginning/ending with/using specific words

Paper 1 – Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Component Marks Mode of Assessment
Listening Skills 10 Two school-conducted assessments: listening comprehension tests
Speaking Skills 10 Individual talks, group discussions, debates, oral presentations

 

Skills Tested in Paper 1

  • Composition (Q1)

    • Organising ideas logically with clear beginning, middle and end.
    • Narrating, describing or arguing with relevant details.
    • Using appropriate tone, vocabulary and paragraphing.
    • Maintaining grammatical accuracy and correct spelling/punctuation.

  • Letter Writing (Q2)

    • Using correct format for formal and informal letters.
    • Stating purpose clearly and organising points logically.
    • Adopting suitable tone (polite, formal, personal).
    • Writing accurately and concisely.

  • Notice & Email (Q3)

    • Presenting essential information briefly and clearly.
    • Using proper layout and level of formality.
    • Converting key points into connected, coherent sentences.

  • Unseen Comprehension & Summary (Q4)

    • Understanding explicit information and making simple inferences.
    • Interpreting meaning of words from context.
    • Identifying main points and condensing them into a short summary in own words.

  • Functional Grammar (Q5)

    • Using correct tenses (verb forms), prepositions and conjunctions.
    • Transforming and combining sentences without changing meaning.

Paper 2 — Literature in English

Paper 2 tests candidates on three genres from the prescribed texts: Drama, Prose (Short Stories), and Poetry from the Treasure Chest (Evergreen Publications).

Prescribed Drama

Play Author Portion Covered Key Themes
Julius Caesar William Shakespeare Acts III, IV and V Betrayal, revenge, civil strife, manipulation of public opinion, honour in death

Prescribed Prose — Treasure Chest Short Stories

Story Title Author Key Themes
With the Photographer Stephen Leacock Vanity, authenticity vs. artificiality​, humour, satire
The Elevator William Sleator Fear, phobia, psychological suspense, inescapable anxiety​
The Girl Who Can Ama Ata Aidoo Gender expectations, challenging social norms, physical ability
The Pedestrian Ray Bradbury Technology vs. human freedom, conformity, dystopian dehumanisation​
The Last Lesson Alphonse Daudet Patriotism, language as identity, loss, national pride

Prescribed Poetry — Treasure Chest Poems

Poem Title Poet Key Themes
Haunted Houses H. W. Longfellow Memory, mortality, spiritual presence, the lingering past, coexistence of living and dead​
The Glove and the Lions Leigh Hunt True love vs. vanity, courage, dignity, moral judgment​
When Great Trees Fall Maya Angelou Loss of great souls, resilience, collective mourning, tribute​
A Considerable Speck Robert Frost Mindfulness, respect for life, consciousness, observation
The Power of Music Sukumar Ray Creative imagination, absurdism, humour

Written Exam (80 Marks) Section-wise Breakdown

Section Content Question Pattern Questions to Attempt Total Marks
Section A (Q1) All Texts (Drama, Prose & Poetry)  16 MCQs (1x16 = 16) All 16 (compulsory) 16
Section B (Q2, Q3) Drama - Julius Caesar (Acts I & II) Contextual (3+3+3+3+4 = 16) 1 or 2 16 or 32
Section C (Q4, Q5) Short Story (Treasure Chest Prose) Contextual (3+3+3+3+4 = 16) 1 or 2 16 or 32
Section D (Q6, Q7) Poetry (Treasure Chest Poems) Contextual (3+3+3+3+4 = 16) 1 or 2 16 or 32
      Total 5 * 80

*  Section A (Q1) mandatory. At least 1 question each (16 marks) from Section B, C and D. One extra question from Section B, C or D.

Paper 2 – Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Component Marks Mode of Assessment
Internal Examiner 10 2–3 written assignments (total not exceeding 1500 words); marked by the subject teacher
External Examiner 10 Same assignments independently marked by an externally nominated examiner; both marks averaged

 

Skills Tested in Paper 2

  • MCQs (Q1)
    • Recalling plot, characters, events and settings.
    • Recognising key lines, important thematic and stylistic details.
  • Drama / Prose / Poetry (Q2–Q7)
    • Identifying speaker, context and situation in an extract.
    • Explaining meanings of important lines and incidents.
    • Explaining imagery, figures of speech and tone.
    • Analysing character motives and changes.
    • Linking details to central themes and ideas.
    • Giving short critical responses with textual support.

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