ICSE Class 10 Syllabus 2027 English

ICSE YEAR 2027

INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION

ENGLISH
(01)

February 2025
____________________________________________________________________________________________

© Copyright, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
All rights reserved. The copyright to this publication and any part thereof solely vests in the Council for the Indian
School Certificate Examinations. This publication and no part thereof may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or
stored in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written approval of the Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations.

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

ENGLISH (01)

Aims:
1. To develop and integrate the use of the four 3. To develop the capacity to read efficiently and
language skills i.e. listening, speaking, reading access information effectively.
and writing for the purpose of effective
4. To develop an appreciation of good literature.
communication.
5. To experience, through literature, the thoughts and
2. To develop a functional understanding of the
feelings of the peoples of the world.
grammar, structure and idiom of the language.

CLASSES IX & X
There will be two papers: Paper 1: English Language (80 Marks)
Paper 1: English Language Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Paper 2: Literature in English Paper 2: Literature in English (80 Marks)
Each of these papers will be of two hours duration. Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
PAPER 1 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE
(Two hours) - 80 Marks
All questions will be compulsory. (a) Write the text for a notice based on given
directions.
Question 1: Candidates will be required to write a
composition of about 300– 350 words from a choice (b) Write an e-mail on the same content as the notice.
of subjects which will test their ability to: organise, Question 4: An unseen prose passage of about
describe, narrate, report, explain, persuade or argue, 500 words will be given. Uncommon items of
present ideas coherently with accuracy and precision, vocabulary, or structure will be avoided. A question
compare and contrast ideas and arrive at conclusions, will be set to test vocabulary. Candidates will be
present relevant arguments and use correct style and required to show an understanding of the
format. words/phrases in the context in which they have been
The topics will be varied and may be suggested by used.
language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The A number of questions requiring short answers will
topics will be so chosen so as to allow the candidates also be asked on the passage. These questions will test
to draw on first-hand experience or to stimulate their the candidates’ ability to comprehend the explicit
imagination. content and organisation of the passage and to infer
The organisation of subject matter, syntax, information, intention and attitude from it.
punctuation, correctness of grammatical constructions The last question will consist of a summary that will
and spelling will be expected to be appropriate to the test the candidates’ ability to distinguish main ideas
mode of treatment required by the subject. from supporting details and to extract salient points to
Question 2: Candidates will have to write a letter from re-write them in the form of a summary. Candidates
a choice of two subjects requiring either a formal or a will be given a clear indication of what they are to
friendly mode of treatment. Suggestions regarding the summarise and of the length of the summary.
content of the letter may be given. The format of the Question 5: There will be a number of short answer
letter with address, introduction, conclusion, etc., will questions to test the candidates' knowledge of
form part of the assessment. Special attention must be functional grammar, structure and usage.
paid to the format of the letter with emphasis on tone
All the items in this question will be compulsory. They
and vocabulary appropriate to the context.
will consist of correct use of prepositions,
Question 3: Candidates will be given a specific conjunctions, verbs and structure of sentences.
situation and will be required to:

1

PAPER 2 - LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
(Two hours) - 80 Marks
Candidates will be required to answer questions based Poetry
on the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, A poem, or lines from poems, will be given and
Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry. questions will be set to test the candidates’ response.
Drama and Prose (Short Stories) The questions will focus on the content, understanding
and the personal response of candidates to the entire
Questions set will be central to the text. Candidates
poem as a whole.
will be required to show that they have understood the
passage and are able to clearly respond in their own
words.
Excerpts may be given from the drama and prose texts
leading to questions.

SYLLABUS TO BE COVERED

Class IX Class X
I. DRAMA: Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare I. DRAMA: Julius Caesar: William Shakespeare
(Acts I & II) (Acts III, IV & V)
II. TREASURE CHEST: A Collection of ICSE II. TREASURE CHEST: A Collection of ICSE
Short Stories & Poems (Evergreen Publications Short Stories & Poems (Evergreen Publications
(India) Ltd. New Delhi) (India) Ltd. New Delhi)
PROSE (Short Stories): PROSE (Short Stories):
1. Bonku Babu's Friend – Satyajit Ray 1. With the Photographer – Stephen Leacock
2. Oliver Asks for More – Charles Dickens 2. The Elevator – William Sleator
3. The Model Millionaire – Oscar Wilde 3. The Girl Who Can – Ama Ata Aidoo
4. Home-coming – Rabindranath Tagore 4. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury
5. The Boy who Broke the Bank – Ruskin Bond 5. The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet
POETRY: POETRY:
1. The Night Mail – W.H. Auden 1. Haunted Houses – H.W. Longfellow
2. Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat – T.S. Eliot 2. The Glove and the Lions – Leigh Hunt
3. I Remember, I Remember – Thomas Hood 3. When Great Trees fall – Maya Angelou
4. A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 4. A Considerable Speck – Robert Frost
– Vikram Seth
5. The Power of Music – Sukumar Ray
5. A Work of Artifice – Marge Piercy
NOTE: The ICSE (Class X) Examination paper will
NOTE: The Class IX Examination is to be conducted be set ONLY on the portion of the syllabus that is
on the portion of the syllabus that is prescribed for prescribed for Class X.
Class IX.

2

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Paper 1 - English Language who could be from the faculty but not teaching the
subject in the section/class. For example, a teacher
1. Schools will prepare, conduct and record
of English of Class VIII may be deputed to be an
assessments of the Listening and Speaking Skills
External Examiner for Class X).
of candidates as follows:
Award of Marks (20 Marks)
Class IX: Three assessments in the course of the
year. Listening Skills: 10 marks
Class X: Two assessments in the course of the Speaking Skills: 10 marks
year.
The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to the
2. Pattern of Assessment CISCE by the Head of the School.
a) Listening Skills The Head of the School will be responsible for the
online entry of marks on the CISCE’s CAREERS
A passage of about 300 words is read aloud by
portal by the due date. Schools are required to maintain
the examiner twice, the first time at normal
a record of all assessments conducted in Listening
reading speed (about 110 words a minute) and
and Speaking Skills for candidates of Classes IX and
the next time at a slower speed. Candidates
X. These include copies of the assessment tests, topics
may make brief notes during the readings.
for presentation and marks awarded. The record will
They then answer an objective type test based
be maintained for a period of 2 months after the ICSE
on the passage, on the paper provided.
(10) examinations of the candidates concerned.
The recommended number of candidates at a
Paper 2 - Literature in English
sitting is 30.
Schools will set, assess and record written assignments
b) Speaking Skills
by the candidates as given below:
Each candidate is required to make an oral
Class IX: Two or three assignments of approximately
presentation for about two minutes, which will
300 to 400 words each.
be followed by a discussion on the subject
with the examiners, for about three minutes. NOTE: Students should be encouraged to work in
pairs/small groups to develop skills of collaboration
Subjects for presentation may include
and cooperation.
narrating an experience, providing a
description, giving directions how to make or Class X: Two or three assignments of reasonable
operate something, expressing an opinion, length (not exceeding 1500 words in total).
giving a report, relating an anecdote or
commenting on a current event. SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS
A candidate may refer to brief notes in the Assignments should be based on the prescribed
course of the presentation but reading or textbooks on the following lines:
excessive dependence on notes will be (i) Character/thematic analysis;
penalized.
(ii) Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance /
It is recommended that candidates be given an hour for background;
preparation of their subject for presentation and that
they be given a choice of subject, on a common paper. (iii) Summary / paraphrase.
(iv) Appreciation of literary qualities.
EVALUATION
(v) Identifying with a character. Putting oneself in the
The assessment will be conducted jointly by the place of a character in given circumstances and
subject teacher and the external examiner who will explaining one’s actions.
each assess the candidate. (The External Examiner
may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the School

3

(vi) Imagine alternative outcomes or endings in a The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will
literary piece and the effect on all concerned. assess the assignments independently.
(vii) Making a graphic representation of a scene/story/ Award of Marks (20 Marks)
poem.
Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) 10 marks
(viii) Assume the persona of one of the characters
External Examiner 10 marks
(from the play/ poem/story) and record a diary
entry of a particular incident/episode. The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to the
CISCE by the Head of the school.
EVALUATION
The Head of the school will be responsible for the
The assignments/projects are to be evaluated by the online entry of marks on the CISCE’s CAREERS
subject teacher and by an external examiner. portal by the due date.
(The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated
by the Head of the school, who could be from the
faculty, but not teaching the subject in the
section/class. For example, a teacher of English of
Class VIII may be deputed to be an External Examiner
for Class X, English projects.)

4

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE-GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES - AURAL
ASSIGNMENT (CLASSES IX & X)
Grade Understanding/ Comprehension Recall Vocabulary Context/ Correlation to Other Marks
Main Idea, Central Theme Areas

I The candidate accurately The candidate recalls all the The candidate uses appropriate and The candidate clearly understands 3
understands the central idea of the important points made (written/ correct vocabulary while recalling the context and can widely
passage as well as the relevant verbal). the points made. correlate the passage to the other
points in the selected passage/ talk. areas.

II The candidate gives ideas fairly The candidate recalls some of the The candidate uses correct but The candidate can moderately 2
close to the central / main idea of important points made (written/ simple vocabulary while recalling understand the context of the
the passage as well as understands verbal). the points made. passage and can moderately
some of the relevant points heard correlate the passage to the other
in the selected passage/ talk. areas.

III The candidate cannot fully The candidate recalls very few of The candidate makes various The candidate can only faintly 1
comprehend the passage and gives the important points made errors in vocabulary while understand the context of the
only a few ideas related to the (written/verbal). recalling the points made. passage and relate it to the other
central theme of the passage. areas.

IV The candidate is neither able to The candidate is unable to recall The candidate uses incorrect The candidate is unable to 0
understand the central/main idea of the important points made vocabulary while recalling the understand the context of the
the passage; nor able to understand (written/verbal) points made. passage and is unable to correlate
relevant points heard in the the passage to the other areas.
passage/talk.

5

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE - GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES - ORAL
ASSIGNMENT (CLASSES IX & X)
Grade Fluency of Language Subject Matter Organization Vocabulary/ Delivery Understanding Gesture Marks

I Speaks with fluency and Matter is relevant, Content is well Uses appropriate While speaking, the Uses natural and 3
has full operational rich in content and sequenced and well vocabulary and candidate emphasizes spontaneous
command over the original. organized. pronounces words the important points. gestures that are
language. correctly. not out of place.

II The candidate speaks with The subject matter The content is The candidate While speaking, the Uses some natural 2
fairly good fluency and has is mostly relevant, satisfactorily pronounces most words candidate emphasizes gestures.
reasonable operational consisting of a few sequenced and well correctly and uses most important
command of the language. original ideas. organized. simple vocabulary. points.

III The candidate speaks with The subject matter The subject content is The candidate While speaking, the Uses very few 1
poor fluency and does not is irrelevant and very poor and lacks pronounces many words candidate emphasizes natural gestures.
communicate except for the lacks originality. organisational incorrectly and uses some important
most basic information. structure. inappropriate points.
vocabulary.

IV The candidate cannot The subject matter The subject content The candidate is unable While speaking, the Uses no natural 0
communicate even the most is negligible. comprises of mere to correctly pronounce candidate is unable to gestures.
basic information. words with no most words and has a emphasize important
structured sentences. limited vocabulary. points.

6

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN LITERATURE IN ENGLISH -GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES
(CLASSES IX & X)
Grade Understanding of Text Examples from Text Understanding of text- Appreciation of Critical Appreciation - Marks
(Narrative) Interpretation and Language, Personal Response
Evaluation Characterization

I The candidate The account is suitably The candidate The candidate appreciates The candidate is able to 4
demonstrates expertise in supported by relevant understands the text with and evaluates significant effectively reflect
giving an appropriate examples from the text. due emphasis on ways (structure, personal response
account of the text, with interpretation and character, imagery) in (critical appreciation) to
well-chosen reference to evaluation. which writers have the text.
narrative and situation. achieved their effects.
II The candidate The account is supported The candidate The candidate appreciates The candidate is able to 3
demonstrates a high level by examples from the understands text with and evaluates significant reflect a personal
of competence in giving text. some emphasis on ways in which writers response to the text.
an account of the text, interpretation and have achieved their
with appropriate evaluation. effects.
references to the narrative
and situation.
III The candidate The candidate The candidate recognizes The candidate recognizes The candidate is able to 2
demonstrates competence understands the text and some aspects of the text some of the significant communicate a personal
in giving an account of shows a basic recognition used by authors to present ways in which the writers response, which shows
the text with some of the theme and can ideas. have used the language. appreciation.
reference to the narrative support it by a few
and situation. examples.
IV The candidate gives a The candidate The candidate relates the The candidate recognizes The candidate 1
broad account of the text understands the basic text to other texts studied. differences in the way communicates a
with reference to the meaning of the text. authors write. straightforward personal
narrative and situation. response to the text.

V The candidate is unable to The candidate is unable to The candidate is unable to The candidate is unable to The candidate is unable to 0
demonstrate an understand the text or relate the text to the other recognize the differences give a personal view of
understanding of the basic support it with any texts studied. in the way authors write. the text studied.
events in the text. examples.

7