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ICSE Class IX English (Subject Code: 01) is a compulsory Group I subject comprising two separate papers — Paper 1: English Language and Paper 2: Literature in English. Both papers follow the same 80:20 assessment model (80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment), making the grand total 200 marks across both papers.

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

Paper 1 evaluates a student's ability to write accurately and expressively, comprehend unseen passages, and apply functional grammar. All five questions are compulsory.

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 Three 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 I and II only Ambition, political conspiracy, manipulation, loyalty

Prescribed Prose — Treasure Chest Short Stories

Story Title Author Key Themes
Bonku Babu's Friend Satyajit Ray Bullying, self-confidence, self-realisation​
Oliver Asks for More Charles Dickens Poverty, childhood deprivation, institutional cruelty​
The Model Millionaire Oscar Wilde Generosity, appearance vs. reality, wealth and kindness​
Home-coming Rabindranath Tagore Belonging, childhood innocence, identity, loss
The Boy who Broke the Bank Ruskin Bond Consequences of rumour, panic, power of words

Prescribed Poetry — Treasure Chest Poems

Poem Title Poet Key Themes
The Night Mail W. H. Auden Technology & progress, national connectivity
Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat T. S. Eliot Responsibility, order, pride, identity
I Remember, I Remember Thomas Hood Nostalgia, loss of childhood innocence
A Doctor's Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 Vikram Seth The Hiroshima bombing, futility of War, suffering
A Work of Artifice Marge Piercy Oppression, patriarchy, controlled identity

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 and basic themes.
  • Drama / Prose / Poetry (Q2–Q7)
    • Identifying speaker, context and situation in an extract.
    • Explaining meanings of important lines and incidents.
    • Describing character traits and relationships.
    • Linking details to central themes and ideas.
    • Offering brief personal comments supported by the text.

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