ICSE Class 10 Syllabus 2023 English (Revised)

ENGLISH (01)
CLASS 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 form part of the assessment. Special attention must be
(Two hours) - 80 Marks paid to the format of the letter with emphasis on
vocabulary appropriate to the context.
All questions will be compulsory.
Question 3: Candidates will be given a specific
Question 1: Candidates will be required to write a
situation and will be required to:
composition of about 300– 350 words from a choice
of subjects which will test their ability to: organise, (a) Write the text for a notice based on given
describe, narrate, report, explain, persuade or argue, directions.
present ideas coherently with accuracy and precision, (b) Write an e-mail on the same content as the notice.
compare and contrast ideas and arrive at conclusions, Question 4: An unseen prose passage of about
present relevant arguments and use correct style and 450 words will be given. Uncommon items of
format. vocabulary, or structure will be avoided. One question
The subjects will be varied and may be suggested by will be set to test vocabulary. Candidates will be
language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The required to show an understanding of the
subjects will be so chosen so as to allow the candidates words/phrases in the context in which they have been
to draw on first-hand experience or to stimulate their used.
imagination. A number of questions requiring short answers will
With one subject, a number of suggestions about the also be asked on the passage. These questions will test
content of the composition will be given, but the use the candidates’ ability to comprehend the explicit
of the suggestions will be optional and a candidate will content and organisation of the passage and to infer
be free to treat the subject in any way that he/she information, intention and attitude from it.
chooses. There will be a summary question that will test the
The organisation of subject matter, syntax, candidates’ ability to distinguish main ideas from
punctuation, correctness of grammatical constructions supporting details and to extract salient points to re-
and spelling will be expected to be appropriate to the write them in the form of a summary. Candidates will
mode of treatment required by the subject. be given clear indications of what they are to
summarise and of the length of the summary.
Question 2: Candidates will have to write a letter from
a choice of two subjects requiring either a formal or an Question 5: There will be a number of short answer
informal mode of treatment. Suggestions regarding the questions to test the candidates' knowledge of
content of the letter may be given. The layout of the functional grammar, structure and use of the
letter with address, introduction, conclusion, etc., will language.
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All the items in this question will be compulsory. They 3. PROSE (short stories):
will consist of correct use of prepositions, verbs and (i) An Angel in Disguise– T.S. Arthur
transformation of sentences.
(ii) The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian
PAPER 2 - LITERATURE IN ENGLISH Andersen

(Two hours) - 80 Marks (iii) The Blue Bead – Norah Burke

Candidates will be required to answer questions from (iv) My Greatest Olympic Prize – Jesse Owens
the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, Prose (v) All Summer in a Day – Ray Douglas Bradbury
(Short Stories) and Poetry.
NOTE: The ICSE (Class X) Examination
Drama and Prose (Short Stories)
paper will be set ONLY on the portion of the
Questions set will be central to the text. Candidates syllabus that is prescribed for Class X.
will be required to show that they have understood the
passage and are able to clearly give their interpretation
of the questions set, which should be in their own INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
words and relevant to the text. Paper 1 - English Language
Excerpts may be given from the drama and prose texts 1. Schools will prepare, conduct and record
leading to questions on the specific book. assessments of the Listening and Speaking Skills
of candidates as follows:
Poetry
Class X: Two assessments in the course of the
A poem, or passages from poems, will be given and
year.
questions will be set to test the candidates’ response to
the poem. The questions will focus on the content, 2. Pattern of Assessment
understanding and the personal response of candidates a) Listening Skills
to the poem as a whole. A passage of about 300 words is read aloud by
Syllabus prescribed for the examiner twice, the first time at normal
ICSE (Class X) Examination for reading speed (about 110 words a minute) and
Literature in English (English Paper – 2) the next time at a slower speed. Candidates
may make brief notes during the readings.
1. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE They then answer an objective type test based
(Shakespeare’s unabridged play by on the passage, on the paper provided.
A.W. Verity -Acts 3,4 & 5 only)
The recommended number of candidates at a
TREASURE TROVE - A Collection of ICSE Poems sitting is 30.
and Short Stories (Evergreen Publications) b) Speaking Skills
2. POETRY: Each candidate is required to make an oral
(i) Daffodils – William Wordsworth presentation for about two minutes, which will
(ii) I know why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya be followed by a discussion on the subject
Angelou with the examiners, for about three minutes.
Subjects for presentation may include
(iii) The Patriot – Robert Browning
narrating an experience, providing a
(iv) Abu Ben Adhem – Leigh Hunt description, giving directions how to make or
(v) Nine Gold Medals – David Roth operate something, expressing an opinion,
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giving a report, relating an anecdote or SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS
commenting on a current event.
Assignments should be based on the prescribed
A candidate may refer to brief notes in the textbooks on the following lines:
course of the presentation but reading or
(i) Character/thematic analysis;
excessive dependence on notes will be
(ii) Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance /
penalized.
background;
It is recommended that candidates be given an hour for
(iii) Summary / paraphrase.
preparation of their subject for presentation and that
they be given a choice of subject, on a common paper. (iv) Appreciation of literary qualities.
(v) Identifying with a character. Putting oneself in the
EVALUATION
place of a character in given circumstances and
The assessment will be conducted jointly by the explaining one’s actions.
subject teacher and the external examiner who will
(vi) Imagine alternative outcomes or endings in a
each assess the candidate. (The External Examiner
literary piece and the effect on all concerned.
may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the School
who could be from the faculty but not teaching the EVALUATION
subject in the section/class. For example, a teacher The assignments/projects are to be evaluated by the
of English of Class VIII may be deputed to be an subject teacher and by an external examiner.
External Examiner for Class X). (The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated
Award of Marks (20 Marks) by the Head of the school, who could be from the
faculty, but not teaching the subject in the
Listening Skills: 10 marks
section/class. For example, a teacher of English of
Speaking Skills: 10 marks Class VIII may be deputed to be an External Examiner
The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to the for Class X, English projects.)
Council by the Head of the School. The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will
The Head of the School will be responsible for the assess the assignments independently.
online entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS Award of Marks (20 Marks)
portal by the due date. Schools are required to maintain
Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) 10 marks
a record of all assessments conducted in Listening
External Examiner 10 marks
and Speaking Skills for candidates of Class X. These
include copies of the assessment tests, topics for The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to the
presentation and marks awarded. The record will be Council by the Head of the school.
maintained for a period of 2 months after the ICSE The Head of the school will be responsible for the
(10) examinations of the candidates concerned. online entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS
Paper 2 - Literature in English portal by the due date.
Schools will set, assess and record written assignments
by the candidates as given below:
Class X: Two or three assignments of reasonable
length (not exceeding 1500 words in total).

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INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE-GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES - AURAL ASSIGNMENT
(CLASS 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.

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INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE - GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES - ORAL ASSIGNMENT
(CLASS 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.

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INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN LITERATURE IN ENGLISH -GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES (CLASS 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.

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