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: Composition Writing
Chapter 2: Formal and Informal Letter Writing
Chapter 3: Notice and E-mail Writing
Chapter 4: Unseen Prose Comprehension and Summary Writing
Chapter 5: Functional Grammar, Structure and Usage
Chapter 6: Julius Caesar: Act I
Chapter 7: Julius Caesar: Act II
Chapter 8: Bonku Babu's Friend
Chapter 9: Oliver Asks for More
Chapter 10: The Model Millionaire
Chapter 11: Home-coming
Chapter 12: The Boy who Broke the Bank
Chapter 13: The Night Mail
Chapter 14: Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat
Chapter 15: I Remember, I Remember
Chapter 16: A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945
Chapter 17: A Work of Artifice
Chapter 18: Listening Skills Assessment
Chapter 19: Speaking Skills Assessment
Chapter 20: Literature Written Assignments

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in English?

The English syllabus has 20 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.