ICSE Class 10 Syllabus 2022 English

ENGLISH (01)
CLASS X

There will be two papers: Question 3: Candidates will be given a specific
Paper 1: English Language; situation and will be required to:
Paper 2: Literature in English. (a) Write the text for a notice based on given
directions.
Each of these papers will be of two hours duration.
(b) Write an e-mail on the same content as the
Paper 1: English Language (80 Marks)
notice.
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Paper 2: Literature in English (80 Marks) Question 4: An unseen prose passage of about
Internal Assessment (20 Marks) 450 words will be given. Uncommon items of
vocabulary, or structure will be avoided. One
question will be set to test vocabulary. Candidates
PAPER 1 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE will be required to show an understanding of the
(Two hours) - 80 Marks words/phrases in the context in which they have
been used.
Five questions will be set, all of which will be
compulsory. A number of questions requiring short answers will
Question 1: Candidates will be required to write a also be asked on the passage. These questions will
composition of about 300– 350 words from a choice test the candidates’ ability to comprehend the
of subjects which will test their ability to: organise, explicit content and organisation of the passage and
describe, narrate, report, explain, persuade or argue, to infer information, intention and attitude from it.
present ideas coherently with accuracy and The last question will consist of a summary that will
precision, compare and contrast ideas and arrive at test the candidates’ ability to distinguish main ideas
conclusions, present relevant arguments and use from supporting details and to extract salient points
correct style and format. to re-write them in the form of a summary.
The subjects will be varied and may be suggested Candidates will be given clear indications of what
by language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The they are to summarise and of the length of the
subjects will be so chosen so as to allow the summary.
candidates to draw on first-hand experience or to Question 5: There will be a number of short answer
stimulate their imagination. questions to test the candidates' knowledge of
With one subject, a number of suggestions about the functional grammar, structure and use of the
content of the composition will be given, but the use language.
of the suggestions will be optional and a candidate All the items in this question will be compulsory.
will be free to treat the subject in any way that he/she They will consist of correct use of prepositions,
chooses. verbs and transformation of sentences.
The organisation of subject matter, syntax,
punctuation, correctness of grammatical
constructions and spelling will be expected to be
appropriate to the mode of treatment required by the
subject.
Question 2: Candidates will have to write a letter
from a choice of two subjects requiring either a
formal or an informal mode of treatment.
Suggestions regarding the content of the letter may
be given. The layout of the letter with address,
introduction, conclusion, etc., will form part of the
assessment. Special attention must be paid to the
format of the letter with emphasis on vocabulary
appropriate to the context.
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PAPER 2 - LITERATURE IN ENGLISH INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
(Two hours) - 80 Marks Paper 1 - English Language
Candidates will be required to answer five questions 1. Schools will prepare, conduct and record
from the prescribed textbooks, which include assessments of the Listening and Speaking
Drama, Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry. Skills of candidates as follows:
Drama and Prose (Short Stories) Class X: Two assessments in the course of the
year.
Questions set will be central to the text. Candidates
will be required to show that they have understood 2. Pattern of Assessment
the passage and are able to clearly give their a) Listening Skills
interpretation of the questions set, which should be
in their own words and relevant to the text. A passage of about 300 words is read aloud
by the examiner twice, the first time at normal
Excerpts may be given from the drama and prose
texts leading to questions on the specific book. reading speed (about 110 words a minute)
and the next time at a slower speed.
Poetry
Candidates may make brief notes during the
A poem, or passages from poems, will be given and
readings. They then answer an objective type
questions will be set to test the candidates’ response
to the poem. The questions will focus on the content, test based on the passage, on the paper
understanding and the personal response of provided.
candidates to the poem as a whole.
The recommended number of candidates at a
sitting is 30.
b) Speaking Skills
NOTE: Each candidate is required to make an oral
Candidates will be tested ONLY on the portion of presentation for about two minutes, which
the syllabus that is prescribed for Class X. will be followed by a discussion on the
subject with the examiners, for about three
SYLLABUS FOR CLASS X minutes.
Subjects for presentation may include
Literature in English (English Paper – 2)
narrating an experience, providing a
1. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE description, giving directions how to make
(Shakespeare’s unabridged play by or operate something, expressing an
A.W. Verity) opinion, giving a report, relating an
anecdote or commenting on a current event.
(Act III, Act IV and Act V only)
A candidate may refer to brief notes in the
TREASURE TROVE - A collection of ICSE course of the presentation but reading or
Poems and Short Stories (Evergreen Publications)
excessive dependence on notes will be
2. POETRY: Poems to be studied. penalized.
(i) I know why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya
Angelou It is recommended that candidates be given an hour
for preparation of their subject for presentation and
(ii) The Patriot – Robert Browning
that they be given a choice of subject, on a common
(iii) Abu Ben Adhem – Leigh Hunt
paper.
(iv) Nine Gold Medals – David Roth
3. PROSE (short stories): Short stories to be EVALUATION
studied. The assessment will be conducted jointly by the
(i) The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian subject teacher and the external examiner who will
Andersen each assess the candidate. (The External Examiner
(ii) The Blue Bead – Norah Burke may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the
(iii) My Greatest Olympic Prize – Jesse Owens School who could be from the faculty but not
(iv) All Summer in a Day – Ray Douglas teaching the subject in the section/class. For
Bradbury example, a teacher of English of Class VIII may be
deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X).
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Award of Marks (20 Marks) EVALUATION
Listening Skills: 10 marks The assignments/projects are to be evaluated by the
Speaking Skills: 10 marks subject teacher and by an external examiner.
The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to (The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated
the Council by the Head of the School. by the Head of the school, who could be from the
faculty, but not teaching the subject in the
The Head of the School will be responsible for the
section/class. For example, a teacher of English of
online entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS
Class VIII may be deputed to be an External
portal by the due date. Schools are required to
Examiner for Class X, English projects.)
maintain a record of all assessments conducted in
The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner
Listening and Speaking Skills for candidates of
will assess the assignments independently.
Class X. These include copies of the assessment
tests, topics for presentation and marks awarded.
The record will be maintained for a period of 2 Award of Marks (20 Marks)
months after the ICSE (10) examinations of the Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) 10 marks
candidates concerned. External Examiner 10 marks
The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to
Paper 2 - Literature in English the Council by the Head of the school.
Schools will set, assess and record written
assignments by the candidates as given below: The Head of the school will be responsible for the
online entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS
Class X: Two or three assignments of reasonable portal by the due date.
length (not exceeding 1500 words in total).

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments should be based on the prescribed
textbooks on the following lines:
(i) Character/thematic analysis;
(ii) Socio-economic, cultural, historical relevance /
background;
(iii) Summary / paraphrase.
(iv) Appreciation of literary qualities.
(v) Identifying with a character. Putting oneself in
the place of a character in given circumstances
and explaining one’s actions.
(vi) Imagine alternative outcomes or endings in a
literary piece and the effect on all concerned.

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

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

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

IV The candidate is neither able to The candidate is unable to recall the The candidate uses incorrect The candidate is unable to understand 0
understand the central/main idea of important points made vocabulary while recalling the points the context of the passage and is
the passage; nor able to understand (written/verbal) made. unable to correlate the passage to the
relevant points heard in 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 has Matter is relevant, Content is well Uses appropriate While speaking, the Uses natural and 3
full operational command rich in content and sequenced and well vocabulary and candidate emphasizes spontaneous
over the language. original. organized. pronounces words the important points. gestures that are not
correctly. out of place.

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

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

IV The candidate cannot The subject matter is The subject content The candidate is unable to While speaking, the Uses no natural 0
communicate even the most negligible. comprises of mere correctly pronounce most candidate is unable to gestures.
basic information. words with no words and has a limited emphasize important
structured sentences. 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 demonstrates The account is suitably The candidate understands The candidate appreciates The candidate is able to 4
expertise in giving an supported by relevant the text with due emphasis and evaluates significant effectively reflect personal
appropriate account of the examples from the text. on interpretation and ways (structure, character, response (critical
text, with well-chosen evaluation. imagery) in which writers appreciation) to the text.
reference to narrative and have achieved their effects.
situation.
II The candidate demonstrates The account is supported by The candidate understands The candidate appreciates The candidate is able to 3
a high level of competence examples from the text. text with some emphasis on and evaluates significant reflect a personal response
in giving an account of the interpretation and ways in which writers have to the text.
text, with appropriate evaluation. achieved their effects.
references to the narrative
and situation.

III The candidate demonstrates The candidate understands The candidate recognizes The candidate recognizes The candidate is able to 2
competence in giving an the text and shows a basic some aspects of the text some of the significant ways communicate a personal
account of the text with recognition of the theme used by authors to present in which the writers have response, which shows
some reference to the and can support it by a few ideas. used the language. appreciation.
narrative and situation. examples.

IV The candidate gives a broad The candidate understands The candidate relates the The candidate recognizes The candidate 1
account of the text with the basic meaning of the text to other texts studied. differences in the way communicates a
reference to the narrative text. authors write. straightforward personal
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 in give a personal view of the
understanding of the basic support it with any texts studied. the way authors write. text studied.
events in the text. examples.

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