Modern English — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Modern 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: Directed Writing
Chapter 3: Proposal Writing
Chapter 4: Grammar, Structure and Usage
Chapter 5: Comprehension and Summary Writing
Chapter 6: Listening Skills
Chapter 7: Speaking Skills
Chapter 8: Pygmalion: Act I
Chapter 9: Pygmalion: Act II
Chapter 10: Lawley Road
Chapter 11: The Landlady
Chapter 12: Most Beautiful
Chapter 13: Dream-Children: Reverie
Chapter 14: Ratan Tata: A Life-Settling in at Cornell
Chapter 15: Father Returning Home
Chapter 16: Life Doesn’t Frighten Me
Chapter 17: Sadness Comes
Chapter 18: A Prayer for My Daughter
Chapter 19: Bora Ring
Chapter 20: Literary Written Assignment

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Modern English?

The Modern 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 Modern 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 Modern 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 Modern 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 Modern English — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Modern English study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.