COMPULSORY SUBJECT
ENGLISH (801)
Aims (English Language) • use the English language for the purpose of study
To develop the ability to: and social and cultural interaction.
• derive, infer and critically assess information • speak and write clearly and to the purpose, using
through listening. appropriate grammar, vocabulary and idiom.
Aims (Prescribed Texts)
• express oneself by speaking individually, or in a
discussion. • To enjoy and appreciate literature through a
critical study of selected literary works.
• read with comprehension, drawing information
directly or by inference from the text, through an • Through the study of literature:
understanding of grammar and structure, − approach an understanding of humanity.
vocabulary and idiom.
− develop an interest in the thought and culture
• employ a variety of skills in writing within a of the peoples of the world.
framework using argument or imagination or − develop the power of expression and a sense
summarizing. of aesthetic values.
CLASSES XI & XII
The subject English has two components, English Language and Literature in English. Each of these
components will consist of a Theory Paper of 80 Marks and Project Work of 20 Marks.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
There will be two papers in English Language:
Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks
Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks
PAPER I: THEORY - 80 Marks
Question One: Question Three:
A composition on one of a number of subjects. Short-answer questions to test grammar, structure and
… 20 Marks usage. ...15 Marks
Question Two: Question Four:
(a) Directed writing (article writing, book review, Comprehension. …20 Marks
film review, review of cultural programme,
NOTE: It is recommended that in Paper 1, about
speech writing, report writing, personal profile,
45 minutes should be spent on Question one,
and statement of purpose) based on suggested
55 minutes on Question two, 30 minutes on
points. …15 Marks
Question three and 50 minutes on Question four.
(b) Proposal Writing based on a given situation. The
Question One
proposal should include (i) An Introduction
(ii) Objectives (iii) List of measures to be taken. Candidates will be required to select one composition
A concluding statement is desirable. topic from a choice of six. The choice will normally
…10 Marks
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include narrative, descriptive, reflective, Question Three
argumentative, discursive topics and short story.
All the items in this question are compulsory and
The required length of the composition is 400 – 450 their number and type / pattern may vary from year to
words. year. They will consist of short-answer, open
completion items or any other type, which will test
The main criteria by which the compositions will be
the candidates’ knowledge of the essentials of
marked are as follows:
functional English grammar and structure. Only two
(a) The quality of the language employed, the range or three types will be included in any one
and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence examination.
structure, syntax, the correctness of grammatical
constructions, punctuation and spelling. Question Four
(b) The degree to which candidates have been A passage of about 500 words will be provided.
successful in organising the content of the
Questions based on the passage will be as follows:
composition as a whole and in individual
paragraphs. • Questions that test the candidates’ knowledge of
vocabulary and ability to understand the content
Question Two
and infer information and meanings from the
There are two parts in this question and both parts are text.
compulsory.
• A question that elicits the main ideas of all or
(a) The piece of directed writing will be based on the part of the passage.
information and ideas provided. The required
length will be about 300 words. The range of In this part of the question, the candidate will be
subjects may include article writing, book required to frame a summary (keeping to a word
review, film review, review of cultural limit), in a coherent manner. Marks will be
programme, speech writing, report writing, awarded for expression and the candidate’s
personal profile and statement of purpose. ability to summarise clearly in complete
sentences. Marks will be deducted for linguistic
Skills such as selecting, amplifying, describing, errors.
presenting reasoned arguments, re-arranging and
re-stating may be involved. The candidates’ It is recommended that this part be done in the
ability in the above skills, including format, will grid form.
be taken into account as well as their ability to
handle language appropriately in the context of Use of abbreviations will not be accepted.
the given situation.
All questions are compulsory.
(b) Candidates will be required to write a proposal
based on a given situation. The proposal should
include an introduction, objectives and a list of
measures to be taken. A concluding statement is
desirable. The candidates will also be marked on
linguistic ability.
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PAPER II: PROJECT WORK - 20 Marks
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI and XII, candidates are also required to be assessed
in Project Work.
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI
Project Work in Class XI consists of assessment of Some of the themes which may be addressed are:
candidates in Listening and Speaking Skills which
1. Narrating an experience
are to be assessed internally, by the School, during
English course work and shown in the student’s 2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make
report and school record. or operate something
Candidates are to be assessed in two projects, one on 3. Providing a description
Listening Skills and one on Speaking Skills. 4. Giving a report
Details of assignments for Project Work on Listening 5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based
and Speaking Skills are given below: conversation
Listening Skills Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks):
An unseen passage of about 500 words is to be read
Assessment Description Marks
aloud, twice, the first time at normal reading speed
Criteria
(about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a
slower speed. The passage may be taken from any Listening Response to questions 10
novel, newspaper, magazine article, journal and so on Skills (Aural) based on listening
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. Students comprehension
may make brief notes during the readings followed
Speaking - Content 2
by answering objective type questions based on the
Skills (Oral)
passage, on the paper provided. - Fluency 2
Speaking Skills - Vocabulary 2
Students are to be assessed through an - Sentence structure 2
individual presentation of about three minutes
- Confidence 2
followed by a discussion with the
subject teacher, for another two or three minutes. TOTAL 20
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XII
Project Work in Class XII consists of assessment of Listening Skills (to be internally assessed by the
candidates in three projects, one each on Listening, subject teacher)
Speaking and Writing skills.
An unseen passage of about 500 words may be read
Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed aloud, twice, the first time at normal reading speed
internally, by the School, during English course (about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a
work in Class XII. slower speed. The passage may be taken from any
novel, newspaper, magazine article, journal and so on
Writing Skills are to be assessed externally by the
but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. Students
Visiting Examiner, appointed locally and approved
may make brief notes during the readings followed
by the Council.
by answering objective type questions based on the
Details of assignments for Project Work are given passage, on the paper provided.
below:
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Speaking Skills (to be internally assessed by the * Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (10 Marks):
subject teacher)
Assessment Description Marks
Students are to be assessed through an individual
Criteria
presentation of about three minutes followed by a
discussion with the subject teacher, for another two Listening Response to questions 5
or three minutes. Skills (Aural) based on listening
Some of the themes which may be addressed are: comprehension
1. Narrating an experience Speaking - Content 1
2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make Skills (Oral)
- Fluency 1
or operate something
3. Providing a description - Vocabulary 1
4. Giving a report - Sentence structure 1
5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based - Confidence 1
conversation
TOTAL 10
Writing Skills (to be externally assessed by the
Visiting Examiner)
A piece of written work of about 500 words must be **Criteria for Evaluation by the Visiting
produced. Examiner (10 Marks):
List of suggested assignments for Project Work: Assessment Description Marks
1. The text of a brochure Criteria
2. A product description 1. Presentation Overall formatting 2
3. A process description (e.g. instruction to operate (headings, sub-headings,
a device, a recipe, a scientific experiment) paragraphing) within a
word limit of 500 words
4. Description of a sporting event and a separate title page.
5. An autobiographical experience
2. Originality No plagiarism 2
6. Review of a television serial
3. Use of Use of suitable 2
EVALUATION appropriate terminology, vocabulary
language and illustrations for the
Marks (out of a total of 20) should be distributed specific task chosen.
as given below:
4. Structure Must read as a unified 2
1. Internal Evaluation by Teacher* whole.
• Listening Skills (Aural) 5 Marks 5. Style Lucid style, which 2
5 Marks communicates the
• Speaking Skills (Oral)
message effectively
2. Evaluation by Visiting Examiner of 10 Marks
TOTAL 10
Writing Skills**
TOTAL 20 Marks
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LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (PRESCRIBED TEXTS)
There will be two papers in Literature in English:
Paper I: Theory (3 hours): 80 Marks
Paper II: Project Work: 20 Marks
PAPER I: THEORY – 80 Marks
Candidates will be required to answer five questions 5. A Gorilla in the Guest Room - Gerald
as follows: Durrell
One textual question (compulsory) on the III. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems (Evergreen
Shakespeare play together with four other questions Publications (India) Ltd, New Delhi)
on the three texts.
1. The Dolphins – Carol Ann Duffy
Question 1 compulsory.... 20 Marks, four other
2. The Gift of India – Sarojini Naidu
questions, each carrying 15 Marks.
3. John Brown – Bob Dylan
(Note: Candidates are reminded that infringement of
the rubric will certainly invite penalty during the 4. Desiderata - Max Ehrmann
marking of answer scripts.) 5. The Spider and the Fly – Mary Botham
The textual question, which will be set on the Howitt
Shakespeare play, will contain three short passages
and candidates will be required to answer questions Syllabus to be covered in Class XII for the
set on two of the passages. These Questions may ISC Examination - Literature in English
require candidates to explain words and phrases, to (English Paper – 2)*
rewrite passages in modern English, or to relate an I. Drama: The Tempest: William Shakespeare
extract to the work as a whole. (Complete drama)
The rest of the questions on the Shakespeare play and II. Echoes: A Collection of ISC Short Stories
on the other prescribed texts will be set on the (Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd, New Delhi).
episodes, the plot or plots, themes or ideas,
characters, relationship and other prominent literary 1. Salvatore – W. Somerset Maugham
qualities of the texts prescribed. 2. Fritz – Satyajit Ray
NOTE: 3. Quality – John Galsworthy
The Class XI Examination is to be conducted on the 4. To Build a Fire – Jack London
portion of this syllabus that is to be covered during 5. The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin
the academic year.
6. The Chinese Statue – Jeffrey Archer
The Class XII - ISC Examination paper will be set on
the entire syllabus prescribed for the subject. 7. A Gorilla in the Guest Room – Gerald
Durrell
Syllabus to be covered in Class XI 8. The Singing Lesson – Katherine Mansfield
I. Drama: The Tempest: William Shakespeare 9. The Sound Machine – Roald Dahl
(Class XI: Act 1, Act 2, Act 3) 10. B. Wordsworth – V.S. Naipaul
II. Echoes: A Collection of ISC Short Stories III. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems (Evergreen
(Evergreen Publications (India) Ltd, New Delhi). Publications (India) Ltd, New Delhi)
1. Salvatore – W. Somerset Maugham 1. The Darkling Thrush – Thomas Hardy
2. Fritz – Satyajit Ray 2. Birches – Robert Frost
3. Quality – John Galsworthy 3. The Dolphins – Carol Ann Duffy
4. The Chinese Statue – Jeffrey Archer 4. The Gift of India – Sarojini Naidu
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5. Crossing the Bar – Alfred, Lord Tennyson 10. We are the Music Makers – Arthur William
6. John Brown – Bob Dylan Edgar O’Shaughnessy
7. Desiderata - Max Ehrmann *For the ISC Examination, the complete syllabus
covered in Classes XI and XII will be examined
8. Dover Beach – Matthew Arnold for Literature in English (English Paper – 2).
9. The Spider and the Fly – Mary Botham
Howitt
For list of Prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix I.
PAPER II: PROJECT WORK - 20 Marks
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI and XII, candidates are also required to be assessed
in Project Work. Project Work consists of assessment of Writing Skills in Classes XI and XII. The objective is
to produce original, creative and insightful perspectives on the drama/short stories/poems.
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI
Project Work in Class XI consists of assessment of Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (20 Marks):
Writing Skills (only from the syllabus to be covered
Assessment Criteria Candidates should Marks
in Class XI) which are to be assessed internally by
be able to:
the School.
1. Process - Identify the topic. 6
Candidates will be required to undertake one written
assignment of 1000-1500 words, which should be - Plan a detailed
structured as given below: written assignment.
A. The written assignment must be given a title in - Produce a written
the form of a question which should allow the outline.
candidate to explore the drama or the chosen 2. Understanding, Use a range of 8
short stories/poems in depth. Application of literary aspects such
B. The written assignment must follow the structure Knowledge and as plot, setting,
Analysis characters, action,
given below:
style and ideas in
• Introduction: order to present an
organized and well-
- Explanation of the question that has structured complete
been framed assignment.
- Reason for choosing the text 3. Presentation Prepare the document 6
- Brief explanation of how the candidate (overall format:
intends to interpret the chosen text and headings, sub-
literary materials used in the process headings,
paragraphing) writing
• Main Body – organised and well-structured within a word limit of
treatment of the question using appropriate 1000-1500 words and
sub-headings. provide a separate
title page.
• Conclusion – comprehensive summary of the
points made in the main body. TOTAL 20
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List of suggested assignments for Project Work: 6. Identifying with a character in the chosen text
and presenting his/her personal perspective.
1. Analysis of a theme from any short story/ poem
in the prescribed texts. 7. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or
extension of the chosen text and its impact on the
2. Analysis of a character from the drama or any
plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.
short story/poem in the prescribed texts.
8. Comparing and contrasting two
3. Background – historical, cultural, literary context
characters/themes from different short
and relevance of the writer/poet chosen.
stories/poems of the prescribed texts.
4. Summary / paraphrase of the chosen text.
5. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen
text.
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XII
Project Work in Class XII consists of assessment of EVALUATION
Writing Skills which are to be assessed internally
Marks (out of a total of 20) should be distributed
by the subject teacher and externally by the
as given below:
Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved
by the Council. 1. Internal Evaluation by Teacher* 10 marks
Candidates will be required to undertake one written 2. Evaluation by Visiting Examiner** 10 marks
assignment of 1000-1500 words, which should be TOTAL 20 marks
structured as given below:
* Internal Evaluation by the Teacher (10 Marks):
A. The written assignment must be given a title in
the form of a question which should allow the Assessment Criteria Candidates should Marks
candidate to explore the drama or the chosen be able to:
short stories/poems in depth. 1. Process Identify the topic. 3
Plan a detailed
B. The written assignment must follow the structure written assignment.
given below: Produce a written
• Introduction: outline.
2. Understanding, Use a range of 4
- Explanation of the question that has been Application of literary aspects such
framed Knowledge and as plot, setting,
- Reason for choosing the text Analysis characters, action,
style and ideas in
- Brief explanation of how the candidate order to present an
intends to interpret the chosen text and organized and well-
literary materials used in the process structured complete
• Main Body – organised and well-structured assignment.
treatment of the question using appropriate 3. Presentation Prepare the document 3
sub-headings. (overall format:
headings, sub-
• Conclusion – comprehensive summary of the headings,
points made in the main body. paragraphing) writing
within a word limit of
1000-1500 words and
Note: The text/texts analysed in the Class XI provide a separate
Project Work must not be repeated in Class XII. title page.
TOTAL 10
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**Criteria for Evaluation by the Visiting List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
Examiner (10 Marks) 1. Analysis of a theme from any short story/poem in
Assessment Criteria Candidates should Marks the prescribed texts.
be able to: 2. Analysis of a character from the drama or any
1. Presentation Prepare the document 4 short story/poem in the prescribed texts.
(overall format: 3. Background – historical, cultural, literary context
headings, sub- and relevance of the writer/poet chosen.
headings,
paragraphing) writing 4. Summary / paraphrase of the chosen text.
within a word limit of 5. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen
1000-1500 words and text.
provide a separate
title page. 6. Identifying with a character in the chosen text
and presenting his/her personal perspective.
2. Understanding, Use a range of 6
Application of literary aspects such 7. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or
Knowledge and as plot, setting, extension of the chosen text and its impact on the
Analysis characters, action, plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.
style and ideas in
order to present an
8. A script for dramatization, based on the short
organized and well- story/poem chosen.
structured complete 9. Writing a short story based on a poem.
assignment.
10. Comparing and contrasting two
TOTAL 10 characters/themes from different short
stories/poems of the prescribed texts.
Note: No Question Paper for Project Work will be set by the Council.
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