CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2021(Updated), Topic-wise Weightage, Exam Pattern and marking Scheme
The syllabus of English has been reduced by 30% for the 2020-21 session. Topics have been removed from all the sections and the per-question weightage has increased. The marking scheme of the subject will remain the same for all the phases of exam i.e. internal assessment, pre board and board exam. Also, the maximum for the paper will not change. The syllabus may be revised again and 20% more parts of the syllabus may be reduced. However, no official notification has been released by CBSE regarding the second phase of syllabus reduction.
Distribution of Marks
| Section | Total Weightage- 80 | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Reading Skills | 20 |
| B | Writing Skills with Grammar | 30 |
| C | Literature Textbook with Supplementary Reading Text | 30 |
SECTION A: READING
This section shall have two reading passages. [20 marks]
- A factual passage 300-350 words with eight objective type questions (including multiple choice questions). [8 marks]
- A lengthy passage of 350-400 words with four short answer type questions to test inference, evaluation and analysis along with four objective type questions (including MCQs) to test vocabulary. [12 marks]
SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS AND CONTEXTUAL GRAMMAR
For the questions requiring writing, there shall be options to choose from.
- Writing an informal letter on a situation/descriptive paragraph (person/place/event/diary entry) in about 150-200 words approximately pertaining to visual/verbal cue/s [10 marks]
- Writing a story based on given outline or cue/s in words ranging from a limit of 150-200 words. [10 marks]
The Grammar Syllabus shall include the following topics-
- Tenses
- Modals
- Use of passive voice;
- Subject- verb concord
- Reported Speech-
- Commands and Requests
- Statements
- Questions
- Clauses-
- Noun Clauses
- Adverb Clauses of condition and time
- Relative Clauses
- Determiners
- Prepositions
The above mentioned are tested in the following way-
- Cloze filling/ Fill in the blanks/ Editing [4 marks]
- Dialogue Writing/ Reporting Dialogue on a given cue [6 marks]
Section C: Literature Textbook & Supplementary Reader Textbook [30 marks]-
There will be internal choices for every question.
- One out of two extracts will be from Prose/Poetry/Play with reference to context. Two short answer type questions of two marks each based on interpretation. [2*2=4]
- Five short answer type of questions out of seven short answer type of questions from BEEHIVE and MOMENTS; precisely 3 questions out of 4 from BEEHIVE and 2 questions out of 3 from MOMENTS to test the overall understanding of the text and the theme in 30 to 40 words. [2*5=10 marks]
- One out of two long answer type questions to be answered in 100-150 words, from the book BEEHIVE to assess creativity, imagination and the ability to judge beyond and across the text. This can be based on an excerpt taken from the texts. [8 marks]
- One out of two long answer type questions from the book MOMENTS on theme or plot involving understanding, judgement beyond the text and inference or character sketch in about 100-150 words. [8 marks]
CBSE Class 10 English Internal Assessment
Assessment for listening and speaking skills will be of 5 marks each. These can be practised and tested via dramatization, skit, role play etc. The listening and speaking skills will be assessed on the following parameters:
- Interactive competence (initiation to speak, taking turn, keeping relevant to the topic);
- Fluency (cohesion, coherence and fluency along with swift delivery);
- Pronunciation;
- Language (Accuracy and vocabulary)
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern
| Sections | Competencies | Total Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding of concepts, decoding, analysis skills, inferring, interpreting and vocabulary | 20 | 25% |
| Writing skill and Grammar | Creative expression of an opinion, reasoning, justifying, illustrating, appropriateness of style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency. Applying conventions, using integrated structures along with accuracy and fluency | 30 | 37.50% |
| Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text | Recalling, reasoning, appreciating, applying literary conventions illustrating and justifying etc. Extract relevant information, identifying the central theme and sub-theme, understanding the writers’ message and writing fluently | 30 | 37.50% |
| Total | - | 80 | - |
Section Wise Weightage
| Section- | Total Weightage- 80 | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Reading Skills | 20 |
| B | Writing Skills with Grammar | 30 |
| C | Literature Textbook with Supplementary Reading Text | 30 |
CBSE Class 10 English: Details of Section A
This section is to have two unseen passages of 700-750 words each and the arrangement is as follows:
- A factual passage of approximately 300-350 words with 8 objective questions which also includes Multiple Choice Questions. [ 8 marks]
- A lengthy passage of 350-400 words with four short answer type questions to test the inference, evaluation and analysis deducting abilities and four objective type of questions including multiple type questions to test vocabulary. [12 marks]
CBSE Class 10 English: Details of Section B
For questions involving writing there will be options to choose from-
- A Formal Letter based on a given situation in 150-200 words [10 marks]
- Writing an analytical paragraph on the basis of the given map/chart/report/line graph etc. in about 150-200 words.
Grammar syllabus will include the following topics Class X-
The Grammar Syllabus shall include the following topics-
- Tenses;
- Modals;
- Use of passive voice;
- Subject- verb concord
- Reported Speech
- Commands and Requests
- Statements
- Questions
- Clauses
- Noun Clauses
- Adverb Clauses
- Relative Clauses
- Determiners
- Prepositions
The above mentioned are tested in the following way-
- Cloze filling/ Fill in the blanks/ Editing [4 marks]
- Dialogue Writing/ Reporting Dialogue on a given cue [6 marks]
List Of Deleted CBSE Class 10 English Syllabus
The list of the deleted syllabus of class 10 English 2021 is as follows:
| Grammar |
|
| Literature First Flight |
|
| Footprints Without Feet |
|
CBSE Class 10 English: Details of Section C(30 Marks)
Internal Choice will be there-
- One of the two extracts from prose/poetry/drama for reference to context. Two short answer types of questions on interpretation. [2*2=4]
- Five short answer type of questions out of seven is to be answered in 30-40 words each from FIRST FLIGHT and FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET (three from FIRST FLIGHT and two from FOOTSTEPS WITHOUT FEET) [2*5=10]
- One out of two long answer type questions from the book FIRST FLIGHT to be answered in about 100-150 words each to assess creativity, imagination and comprehension beyond the text. Can be based on excerpts from the text.
- One out of two long answer type questions from the book, ‘FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET’ on the theme or plot including, interpretation and judgement beyond the text along with inference and character sketch in 100-150 words.
Internal Assessment
Assessment for listening and speaking skills will be of 5 marks each. These can be practised and tested via dramatization, skit, role play etc. The listening and speaking skills will be assessed on the following parameters:
- Interactive competence (initiation to speak, taking turn, keeping relevant to the topic);
- Fluency (cohesion, coherence and fluency along with swift delivery);
- Pronunciation;
- Language (Accuracy and vocabulary)
Important Books for Section C
- First Flight – Text For Class X
- Footprints Without Feet- Supplementary Reader For Class X
- Words And Expressions-ii (Workbook For Class X)
- BEEHIVE- Textbook for Class XI
- MOMENTS- Supplementary Reader for Class XI
- Words and Expressions I- Workbook
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Is English a compulsory subject for CBSE class 10 board exam?
Ans: English is one of the compulsory language papers among the four compulsory subjects in CBSE board class 10 exam.
Ques. What are the topics for internal assessment in English?
Ans. The topics for internal assessment will be assigned by the respective school. The topics are usually from popular plays, drama etc.
Ques. Is it necessary to pass in all the sections and internal assessment separately?
Ans. The written exam of English is conducted for 80 marks and the internal assessment is of 20 marks. Students are required to secure 33 marks including all sections and assessment. No sectional qualifying parameter is described for English language and literature.
Ques. When will the board conduct class 10 board exam 2021?
Ans: The class 10 board exam will be conducted in the month of March, 2021.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.