ICSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus 2025-26: Download PDF Below

Paper

Marks

Time

Paper 1

80

2 Hours

Paper 2

80

2 Hours

Paper 1 - English Language

All questions will be compulsory.

Question 1:Candidates will be required to write a composition of about 300– 350 words from a choice of subjects which will test their ability to: organise, describe, narrate, report, explain, persuade or argue, present ideas coherently with accuracy and precision, compare and contrast ideas and arrive at conclusions, present relevant arguments and use correct style and format.

The topics will be varied and may be suggested by language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The

topics will be chosen so as to allow the candidates to draw on first-hand experience or to stimulate their imagination.

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 a friendly mode of treatment. Suggestions regarding the content of the letter may be given. The format 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 tone and vocabulary appropriate to the context.

Question 3:Candidates will be given a specific situation and will be required to:

(a) Write the text for a notice based on given directions.

(b) Write an e-mail on the same content as the notice.

Question 4:An unseen prose passage of about 500 words will be given. Uncommon items of vocabulary, or structure will be avoided. A question will be set to test vocabulary. Candidates will be required to show an understanding of the words/phrases in the context in which they have been used. A number of questions requiring short answers will also be asked on the passage. These questions will test the candidates’ ability to comprehend the explicit content and organisation of the passage and to infer information, intention and attitude from it. The last question will consist of a summary that will test the candidates’ ability to distinguish main ideas from supporting details and to extract salient points to re-write them in the form of a summary. Candidates will be given a clear indication of what they are to summarise and of the length of the summary.

Question 5: There will be a number of short answer questions to test the candidates' knowledge of functional grammar, structure and usage. All the items in this question will be compulsory. They will consist of correct use of prepositions, conjunctions, verbs and structure of sentences.

Paper 2 - Literature in English

Candidates will be required to answer questions based on the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry.

Drama and Prose (Short Stories)

Questions set will be central to the text. Candidates 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.

Poetry

A poem, or lines from poems, will be given and questions will be set to test the candidates’ response. The questions will focus on the content, understanding and the personal response of candidates to the entire poem as a whole.

I. DRAMA: Julius Caesar: William Shakespeare (Acts III, IV & V)

II. TREASURE CHEST: A Collection of ICSE

Short Stories & Poems

(Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd. New Delhi)

PROSE (Short Stories):

1. With the Photographer – Stephen Leacock

2. The Elevator – William Sleator

3. The Girl Who Can – Ama Ata Aidoo

4. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury

5. The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet

POETRY:

1. Haunted Houses – H.W. Longfellow

2. The Glove and the Lions – Leigh Hunt

3. When Great Trees fall – Maya Angelou

4. A Considerable Speck – Robert Frost

5. The Power of Music – Sukumar Ray