ISC Class 12 English Syllabus & Exam Pattern (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
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ISC Class XII English (Subject Code: 801) is a compulsory subject assessed in the ISC Board Examination. It comprises 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 / project work), 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 | 80 Marks | 80 Marks |
| Project Work | 20 Marks | 20 Marks |
| Total per Paper | 100 Marks | 100 Marks |
| Duration for Theory | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
ISC XII: Paper 1 — English Language
Paper 1 assesses a student's ability to write with clarity, accuracy and maturity across a range of tasks — from extended composition to directed writing and functional grammar — as well as to read and respond to unseen texts critically. All questions are compulsory with internal choice in Q1 (composition writing).
Theory Exam (80 Marks) Question-wise Breakdown
| Q. No. | Topic | Marks | Suggested Time | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Composition Writing | 20 | 45 minutes | One extended composition (400–450 words) from a choice of topics: Narrative, Descriptive, Reflective, Argumentative, Expository, or Short Story |
| Q2 | Directed Writing & Proposal Writing | 25 | 55 minutes |
(i) A 300-word piece — feature article, book review, blog, newspaper report, or statement of purpose — based on given points; format, content and language appropriateness are assessed. No choice given. (15 marks) (ii) A 150-word structured proposal based on a given situation; tests formal writing, planning and conciseness (10 marks) |
| Q3 | Grammar & Usage | 15 | 30 minutes | Transformation of sentences (voice, speech, degree, sentence types etc.); replacing incorrect phrasal verbs (error correction); filling blanks with correct verb forms (5+5+5) |
| Q4 | Unseen Comprehension + Summary | 20 | 50 minutes | A prose passage (~700 words); vocabulary test + short-answer comprehension questions + 100-word summary (6+6+8) |
| TOTAL | 80 | 3 Hours |
Paper 1 – Project Work (20 Marks)
| Evaluator | Assessment Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Examiner (Subject Teacher) |
Listening Skills (Aural) — School-conducted assessments based on an unseen passage to be read aloud twice; includes short-answer responses | 5 |
| Speaking Skills (Oral) — Individual oral presentations (3 mins) + discussion with subject teacher (2–3 mins); Narration, description, instruction, reporting or expressing opinion; Assessed on Content, Fluency, Vocabulary, Sentence structure, Confidence (1+1+1+1+1) | 5 | |
| Internal Sub-total | 10 | |
| Visiting Examiner (External) |
A written work of about 500 words — brochure, product description, process description, description of sporting event, autobiographical experience, review of TV serial. Assessed on presentation, originality, appropriateness of language, structure, style (2+2+2+2+2) | 10 |
| Visiting Examiner Sub-total | 10 | |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Skills Tested in Paper 1 (English Language)
-
Composition (Q1)
- Organising ideas into a clear introduction, body and conclusion with proper paragraph divisions.
- Writing in a chosen format (narrative, descriptive, argumentative etc.) with maturity and control.
- Using varied sentence structures, range and appropriateness of vocabulary.
- Maintaining grammatical accuracy, correct spelling and punctuation throughout.
-
Directed Writing (Q2 - i)
- Amplifying, describing and re-stating using the given prompts.
- Using correct format and conventions for the chosen form.
- Sequencing ideas logically and addressing the intended audience.
- Writing with clarity, purpose and appropriate tone & vocabulary.
-
Proposal Writing (Q2 - ii)
- Following a structured format with prescribed headings.
- Presenting objectives, plan and justification concisely within the word limit.
- Using formal, precise and persuasive language.
-
Grammar & Usage (Q3)
- Transforming sentences accurately without changing meaning (voice, speech, degree, sentence types etc.)
- Using correct verb forms and tenses in context.
- Replacing incorrect phrasal verbs with correct ones.
-
Unseen Comprehension & Summary (Q4)
- Understanding both explicit and implied ideas in a passage.
- Interpreting vocabulary and tone from context.
- Answering short questions with precision and in own words.
- Identifying central ideas and condensing them into a coherent 100-word summary.
Paper 2 — Literature in English
Paper 2 tests candidates on three genres from the ISC-prescribed texts: Drama, Prose (Short Stories) from Prism, and Poetry from Rhapsody. Class XII covers the second half of the two-year ISC English Literature syllabus.
Prescribed Drama
| Play | Author | Portion Covered | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macbeth | William Shakespeare | Act III, Act IV, Act V | Tyranny, hallucination and guilt, downfall of ambition, justice and retribution, order restored |
* Class XI covers Acts I and II; Class XII covers Acts III, IV and V — together completing the full play across the ISC two-year cycle.
Prescribed Prose — Prism: A Collection of ISC Short Stories
| Story Title | Author | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Atithi / Guest | Rabindranath Tagore | Childhood innocence, freedom, human connection, the tension between belonging and wandering |
| The Cookie Lady | Philip K. Dick | Exploitation, innocence, the dark side of dependency, aging and desire |
| There Will Come Soft Rains | Ray Bradbury | Technology vs. humanity, nuclear destruction, the indifference of nature, futility of war |
| Indigo | Satyajit Ray | colonialism & exploitation, guilt & remorse, the supernatural, isolation & loneliness |
| The Medicine Bag | Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve | Heritage, cultural identity, pride, intergenerational bonds |
Prescribed Poetry — Rhapsody: A Collection of ISC Poems
| Poem Title | Poet | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Conversation | Wole Soyinka | Racism, prejudice, dignity, irony and satire |
| Tithonus | Alfred, Lord Tennyson | Immortality, ageing, longing, the burden of eternal life |
| Beethoven | Shane Koyczan | Creative genius, perseverance, suffering, art and transcendence |
| Small Towns and the River | Mamang Dai | Nature, identity, memory, the passage of time |
| Death be not Proud | John Donne | Defiance of death, faith, immortality, the power of the soul |
Written Exam (80 Marks) Section-wise Breakdown
| Section | Content | Question Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Section A (Q1, Q2) | All Texts (Drama, Prose & Poetry) | 10 MCQs (1×10) + 10 Short Reasons (1×10) = 20 |
| Section B (Q3, Q4, Q5) |
Q3. Drama — Macbeth (Acts III–V) Q4. Prose — Prism Short Stories Q5. Poetry — Rhapsody |
2 × paragraph answers (5+5) + 1 long answer with internal choice (10) 3 Questions x (5+5+10) = 60 |
| Total | 80 |
* Section A (Q1 & Q2) is fully compulsory. In Sections B, the two paragraph sub-questions are compulsory; internal choice applies only to the 10-mark long answer within each main question.
** Paragraph answers: 100–150 words. Long answers: 200–250 words.
Paper 2 – Project Work (20 Marks)
Project Work in Class XII consists of assessment of Writing Skills (only from the Class XII syllabus) and must not repeat any text analysed in Class XI. Candidates must undertake one written assignment of 1000–1500 words structured with an Introduction, a Main Body (with sub-headings), and a Conclusion. The assignment must be given a title in the form of a question that allows in-depth exploration of the drama or chosen short stories/poems.
Suggested Topics for the Written Assignment
- Analysis of a theme from any short story or poem in the prescribed texts,
- Analysis of a character from the drama or any short story/poem in the prescribed texts,
- Historical, cultural or literary background and relevance of the chosen writer/poet,
- Summary/paraphrase of the chosen text with literary appreciation, etc.
| Evaluator | Assessment Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Examiner (Subject Teacher) |
Process — Identify topic; plan a detailed outline; produce a written draft | 3 |
| Understanding, Application & Analysis — Use of literary aspects (plot, setting, characters, style, ideas) to present an organised, well-structured assignment | 4 | |
| Presentation — Overall format (headings, sub-headings, paragraphing); word limit of 1000–1500 words; separate title page | 3 | |
| Internal Sub-total | 10 | |
| Visiting Examiner (External) |
Presentation — Overall format (headings, sub-headings, paragraphing); word limit of 1000–1500 words; separate title page | 4 |
| Understanding, Application & Analysis — Use of literary aspects to present an organised, well-structured assignment | 6 | |
| Visiting Examiner Sub-total | 10 | |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Skills Tested in Paper 2 (English Literature)
- MCQs & Short Reasons (Q1–Q2)
- Recalling plot, characters, settings and key lines across all three genres.
- Stating reasons clearly and concisely, linking cause and effect in one or two sentences.
- Drama / Prose / Poetry — Paragraph Answers (5 marks each)
- Writing focused, text-based responses (100–150 words) on a specific character, event or image.
- Supporting every point with relevant textual detail or quotation.
- Drama / Prose / Poetry — Long Answers (10 marks)
- Developing a sustained literary argument (200–250 words) on theme, character or technique.
- Analysing narrative/dramatic/poetic devices: imagery, irony, tone, symbolism, structure.
- Connecting textual evidence to central ideas and offering a brief evaluative comment.