ICSE English Language Detailed Syllabus(9&10)

ICSE English Language Classes 9 & 10 Syllabus

There are two papers - English Language and Literature in English. Each of these papers is of two hours duration and 80 marks.

Paper 1 - English Language

Five questions are set, all of which are compulsory.

Question 1

You are required to write a composition of about 300 to 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 subjects are varied and may be suggested by language or by other stimuli such as pictures. The subjects are so chosen so as to allow the candidates to draw on first-hand experience or to stimulate their imagination. With one subject, a number of suggestions about the content of the composition are given, but the use of the suggestions is optional and you are free to treat the subject in any way.

The organisation of subject matter, syntax, punctuation, correctness of grammatical constructions and spelling are expected to be appropriate to the mode of treatment required by the subject.

Question 2

You 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., forms part of the assessment. Special attention must be paid to the format of the letter with emphasis on vocabulary appropriate to the context.

Question 3

You are given a specific situation and are required to:

Write the text for a notice based on given directions.

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

Question 4

An unseen prose passage of about 450 words is given. Uncommon items of vocabulary, or structure is avoided. One question is set to test vocabulary. You are required to show that you understand the words/phrases in the context in which they have been used.

A number of questions requiring short answers are also asked on the passage. These questions test your ability to understand the explicit content and organisation of the passage and to infer information, intentions and attitudes from it.

The last question consist of a summary that will test your ability to distinguish main ideas from supporting details and to extract salient points to re-express them in the form of a summary. You are given clear indications of what you are to summarize and of the length of the summary.

Question 5

There are a number of short answer questions to test your knowledge of functional grammar, structure and usage of the language. All the items in this question are compulsory. They consist of correct use of prepositions, verbs and transformation of sentences.