English — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for English — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Chapter 2: Vocabulary in Context
Chapter 3: Inference and Interpretation
Chapter 4: Parts of Speech
Chapter 5: Tenses and Verb Forms
Chapter 6: Articles, Determiners, and Pronouns
Chapter 7: Sentence Structure and Punctuation
Chapter 8: Paragraph Writing
Chapter 9: Formal and Functional Writing
Chapter 10: Descriptive Writing
Chapter 11: Narrative and Creative Writing
Chapter 12: Prose Comprehension and Appreciation
Chapter 13: Poetry Comprehension and Appreciation
Chapter 14: Character, Setting, and Theme
Chapter 15: Literary Devices and Tone
Chapter 16: Listening and Note-Making
Chapter 17: Speaking and Presentation
Chapter 18: Conversation and Role Play

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in English?

The English syllabus has 18 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which English chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the English syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official ICSE & ISC portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for English faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for English — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused English study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.