Master the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus 2026-27 with this complete guide covering First Flight, Footprints Without Feet, and English Language & Literature. This comprehensive syllabus includes detailed reading, writing, grammar, and literature sections with exam pattern, marking scheme, scoring strategies, and expert tips to score 95+ marks in your board examination.

Course Structure & Marking Scheme

Total Marks Distribution:

Section-wise Marks Distribution (Theory - 80 Marks)

Complete Syllabus - All Sections & Chapters

Section A: Reading Skills (20 Marks)

•        Two Unseen Passages (10 marks each) - Total 20 marks

•        Passage 1 (10 marks): Factual passage (400-450 words) with 10 MCQs based on comprehension, inference, analysis

•        Passage 2 (10 marks): Discursive/Case-based factual passage (350-400 words) with 10 MCQs testing understanding, evaluation, interpretation

•        Skills Tested: Main idea identification, supporting details, inference, vocabulary, tone and purpose, textual analysis

Section B: Writing Skills & Grammar (20 Marks)

Part 1: Writing Skills (10 Marks)

•        Letter Writing (5 marks): Formal letter (complaint, application, inquiry) or Informal letter (personal)

•        Analytical Paragraph (5 marks): Writing based on given chart, graph, table, or cue (100-120 words)

•        Format: Proper format, structure, content, expression, and accuracy

Part 2: Grammar (10 Marks)

•        Gap Filling (3 marks): 3 questions testing tenses, modals, determiners, prepositions

•        Sentence Reordering (2 marks): Rearrange jumbled sentences to form meaningful paragraph

•        Editing/Error Correction (3 marks): Identify and correct errors in a given passage

•        Sentence Transformation (2 marks): Change voice, narration, or sentence type

Section C: Literature Textbooks (40 Marks)

Book 1: First Flight (Main Reader) - 30 Marks

Prose Chapters:

•        Chapter 1: A Letter to God by G.L. Fuentes - Faith, innocence, irony

•        Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - Apartheid, courage, freedom, human dignity

•        Chapter 3: Two Stories about Flying - (His First Flight & Black Aeroplane) Courage, fear, overcoming obstacles

•        Chapter 4: From the Diary of Anne Frank - War, hope, adolescence, optimism

•        Chapter 5: The Hundred Dresses - I by El Bsor Ester - Bullying, poverty, discrimination

•        Chapter 6: The Hundred Dresses - II - Regret, guilt, empathy

•        Chapter 7: Glimpses of India - (A Baker from Goa, Coorg, Tea from Assam) Indian culture, heritage

•        Chapter 8: Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell - Human-animal bond, adventure

•        Chapter 9: Madam Rides the Bus by Vallikkannan - Curiosity, childhood innocence, rural life

•        Chapter 10: The Sermon at Benares - Life, death, suffering, enlightenment

•        Chapter 11: The Proposal by Anton Chekhov - Comedy, quarrel, marriage, humor

Poetry:

•        Poem 1: Dust of Snow by Robert Frost - Nature, healing, positive change

•        Poem 2: Fire and Ice by Robert Frost - Destruction, desire vs hatred

•        Poem 3: A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris - Captivity, freedom, contrast

•        Poem 4: How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells - Humor, satire

•        Poem 5: The Ball Poem by John Berryman - Loss, responsibility, growing up

•        Poem 6: Amanda! by Robin Klein - Freedom, nagging, childhood

•        Poem 7: Animals by Walt Whitman - Simplicity, virtues, human vs animals

•        Poem 8: The Trees by Adrienne Rich - Oppression, freedom, nature

•        Poem 9: Fog by Carl Sandburg - Nature, metaphor, observation

•        Poem 10: The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash - Bravery, humor, courage

•        Poem 11: For Anne Gregory by William Butler Yeats - Inner beauty, appearance vs reality

Book 2: Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader) - 10 Marks

•        Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery by James Herriot - Over-indulgence, pet care, health

•        Chapter 2: The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond - Trust, reform, change, conscience

•        Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur - Thriller, suspense, wit

•        Chapter 4: A Question of Trust by Victor Canning - Deception, irony, crime

•        Chapter 5: Footprints without Feet by H.G. Wells - Science, consequences, invisible man

•        Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist by Robert W. Peterson - Curiosity, research, perseverance

•        Chapter 7: The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant - Vanity, honesty, irony of fate

•        Chapter 8: The Hack Driver by Sinclair Lewis - Deception, rural life, irony

•        Chapter 9: Bholi by K.A. Abbas - Confidence, transformation, women empowerment

•        Chapter 10: The Book That Saved the Earth by Claire Boiko - Science fiction, humor, satire

CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2026-27

Theory Examination (80 Marks, 3 Hours)

Important: Internal choice is provided in writing, grammar, and literature sections. Reading section has only MCQs with no internal choice.

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Important Dates & Academic Calendar 2026-27

Note: Visit CBSE official website (cbse.gov.in) for final date sheet, sample papers, and marking scheme updates.

Expert Study Tips for 95+ Score in English

1. Reading Section Strategy

•        Practice unseen passages daily - minimum 2 passages per day

•        Develop speed reading techniques - aim for 400 words in 3-4 minutes

•        Underline keywords while reading - main ideas, opinions, facts

•        Read the questions first before reading the passage

•        Practice inference questions - reading between the lines

•        Build vocabulary - learn 10 new words daily with meanings and usage

•        Time management: Allocate 25-30 minutes for entire reading section

•        Use elimination method for MCQs - remove obviously wrong options first

2. Writing Skills Mastery

•        Master letter formats - formal and informal (sender/receiver address, date, salutation, body, closing)

•        Practice analytical paragraphs on various charts, graphs, tables, and diagrams

•        Follow the word limit strictly - 100-120 words for analytical paragraph, 120-150 for letters

•        Use linking words - however, moreover, furthermore, therefore, in conclusion

•        Write in 3 paragraphs for letters: Introduction, Body (main content), Conclusion

•        For analytical paragraphs: Introduction → Key features → Analysis → Conclusion

•        Avoid grammatical errors - practice error-free writing

•        Practice 10-15 sample letters and 10-15 analytical paragraphs before exam

3. Grammar Excellence

•        Master tenses - present, past, future (simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous)

•        Learn modals - can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to

•        Practice determiners - a, an, the, this, that, these, those, some, any, much, many

•        Understand prepositions - in, on, at, by, with, from, to, for, of, about

•        Active and Passive Voice - conversion rules and practice

•        Direct and Indirect Speech - narration change rules

•        Error correction - practice identifying common grammatical mistakes

•        Solve 10 grammar worksheets covering all topics before board exam

4. Literature Preparation

•        Read NCERT textbooks thoroughly - First Flight and Footprints Without Feet

•        Understand themes, characters, and messages of each chapter/poem

•        Prepare character sketches of all important characters

•        Learn quotations and poetic devices used in poems

•        Practice extract-based questions - who said to whom, context, explanation

•        Write summaries of all prose chapters in your own words

•        Understand literary devices - metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, imagery

•        Make separate notes for each chapter with important points and questions

5. Revision Techniques

•        Create one-page summaries for each literature chapter

•        Make flashcards for vocabulary, grammar rules, and literary terms

•        Practice previous year question papers - last 10 years minimum

•        Take mock tests under timed conditions (3 hours)

•        Revise formats daily - letters, analytical paragraphs

•        First revision: Within 24 hours of studying

•        Second revision: After one week

•        Final revision: 15 days before board exam

Scoring Tips & Answer Writing Strategies

General Answer Writing Guidelines

•        Read the entire question paper in first 15 minutes - plan your approach

•        Attempt questions in order - Reading → Writing → Grammar → Literature

•        Underline keywords in questions to ensure you answer what's asked

•        Write in neat, legible handwriting - presentation matters significantly

•        Use blue or black pen only - no other colors allowed

•        Leave proper margins (1.5 cm on left)

•        Never cross out excessively - strike through mistakes with a single line

•        Manage time wisely: Reading 30 min, Writing 25 min, Grammar 20 min, Literature 65 min, Revision 20 min

Section-wise Scoring Strategy

Reading Section (20 Marks)

•        Read questions first before reading passage - saves time

•        Skim read for general understanding, then read carefully

•        Look for answers while reading - underline relevant portions

•        For MCQs, eliminate obviously wrong options first

•        Don't spend too much time on one question - move forward

•        Vocabulary questions: Use context clues to guess meaning

•        Title questions: Choose option that covers the entire passage

•        Time: 12-15 minutes per passage maximum

Writing Section (10 Marks)

•        Letter Writing (5 marks):

•          - Follow proper format - address, date, salutation, subject (for formal), body, closing, signature

•          - Use formal language for formal letters, friendly tone for informal

•          - Divide body into 3 paragraphs - introduction, main content, conclusion

•          - Stick to 120-150 words - don't exceed significantly

•        Analytical Paragraph (5 marks):

•          - Start with introduction - what the chart/graph represents

•          - Mention key features - highest, lowest, trends, comparisons

•          - Provide interpretation - what data suggests or implies

•          - End with brief conclusion - overall observation

•          - Use present tense for data description

•          - Follow 100-120 words strictly

Grammar Section (10 Marks)

•        Gap Filling: Read entire sentence, identify tense/context, choose appropriate word

•        Sentence Reordering: Look for connectors (however, thus, because), logical flow

•        Error Correction: Read sentence aloud mentally, check verb agreement, tenses, prepositions

•        Sentence Transformation: Maintain meaning, follow grammatical rules (active-passive, direct-indirect)

•        Write answers clearly - no ambiguity, one word per blank

•        Check agreement - subject-verb, noun-pronoun

•        Time: 15-20 minutes for entire grammar section

Literature Section (40 Marks)

Extract-based MCQs:

- Read extract carefully, identify chapter/poem

- Understand context - what's happening before and after

- For poetry, identify poetic devices used

Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks):

- Write in 30-40 words (3-4 lines)

- Direct and relevant answer - no lengthy explanations

- Include one example from text if possible

Long Answer Questions (5-6 marks):

- Write in 100-120 words (10-12 lines)

- Use point-wise format or paragraphs

- Include character traits, theme, message

- Support with 2-3 examples from text

- Write conclusion summarizing your answer

Character sketch: Appearance → Qualities → Actions → Your opinion

Theme-based: Introduction → Explanation → Examples → Message → Conclusion

Presentation Tips

•        Start each answer on a new line after leaving a line

•        Write question numbers clearly in the margin

•        Underline important words - themes, character names, conclusions

•        Use paragraphs for long answers - better readability

•        Leave one line space between answers

•        If you make a mistake, strike through with single line - don't scribble

•        Check spellings - especially literary terms and character names

•        Review entire paper in last 20 minutes before submission

Common Mistakes to Avoid in English Exam

Reading Section Mistakes

•        Not reading passage thoroughly - leads to wrong MCQ answers

•        Spending too much time on difficult questions - manage time properly

•        Guessing without reading passage - always read carefully

•        Ignoring context - vocabulary meanings depend on context

•        Not eliminating options systematically in MCQs

•        Rushing through passages - accuracy is more important than speed

Writing Section Mistakes

•        Wrong format for letters - memorize both formal and informal formats

•        Exceeding word limit significantly - stick to prescribed limits

•        Mixing formal and informal language in same letter

•        Not dividing into paragraphs - makes answer look cluttered

•        Grammatical errors in writing - proofread before moving on

•        Missing subject line in formal letters

•        Incorrect interpretation of charts/graphs in analytical paragraph

•        Using past tense for data description - use present tense

•        Not including introduction or conclusion in analytical paragraph

Grammar Section Mistakes

•        Tense errors - not maintaining tense consistency

•        Subject-verb agreement mistakes - singular subject with plural verb

•        Wrong prepositions - in time/on time/at time confusion

•        Incorrect modals - using 'will' instead of 'would' in conditional

•        Active-passive voice conversion errors - changing meaning

•        Direct-indirect speech tense change errors

•        Not checking answers after completing grammar section

Literature Section Mistakes

•        Not identifying extract correctly - read carefully

•        Writing irrelevant content - answer only what is asked

•        Not supporting with examples from text - always provide evidence

•        Exceeding or not meeting word limit for answers

•        Wrong character names or misspelled names - be careful

•        Mixing up chapters - Bholi and Amanda are different characters

•        Not explaining literary devices in poetry answers

•        Ignoring themes and messages - every chapter has underlying themes

•        Copying extract in answer - paraphrase and explain

•        Not attempting supplementary reader questions - easy scoring

General Exam Mistakes

•        Not reading instructions carefully - leads to format errors

•        Poor time management - spending too much time on one section

•        Illegible handwriting - affects marks significantly

•        Not attempting all questions - attempt everything, even if unsure

•        Not utilizing internal choice - read all options before choosing

•        Leaving questions blank - partial marks better than zero

•        Not revising answer sheet - always check for silly mistakes

•        Using pencil for writing answers - only use pen (blue/black)

•        Panic during exam - stay calm, manage time, attempt systematically

High-Scoring Chapters & Topics

Focus on these chapters for easy scoring:

First Flight - Easy Scoring

•        A Letter to God - Simple theme, easy questions on faith and irony

•        His First Flight - Straightforward narrative, courage theme

•        The Hundred Dresses - Clear characters, empathy theme, predictable questions

•        Mijbil the Otter - Factual, interesting, easy comprehension

•        Madam Rides the Bus - Simple story, childhood theme, easy character sketch

•        Poetry: Dust of Snow, Fire and Ice, Fog - Short poems, easy interpretation

Footprints Without Feet - High Scoring

•        The Thief's Story - Short, simple theme of trust and change

•        The Midnight Visitor - Interesting thriller, easy plot questions

•        The Making of a Scientist - Biographical, clear message, factual

•        Bholi - Transformation story, women empowerment, easy character analysis

•        The Book That Saved the Earth - Humorous, science fiction, entertaining

Important Literary Terms & Devices

•        Metaphor: Direct comparison without 'like' or 'as' (Life is a journey)

•        Simile: Comparison using 'like' or 'as' (Brave as a lion)

•        Personification: Giving human qualities to non-living things (Wind whispered)

•        Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds (Peter Piper picked)

•        Imagery: Descriptive language creating mental pictures

•        Irony: Opposite of what is expected (Thief teaching about honesty)

•        Symbolism: Object representing abstract idea (Dove = peace)

•        Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect (I'm so hungry I could eat a horse)

•        Onomatopoeia: Words imitating sounds (buzz, hiss, crash)

•        Rhyme Scheme: Pattern of rhyming words (ABAB, AABB)

•        Theme: Central idea or message of literary work

•        Tone: Author's attitude toward subject matter

Last 30 Days Preparation Strategy

•        Days 30-25: Complete final revision of all chapters - First Flight and Footprints

•        Days 24-20: Practice 10-15 letters and 10-15 analytical paragraphs

•        Days 19-15: Solve 5 complete sample papers under timed conditions (3 hours each)

•        Days 14-10: Practice grammar exercises - all topics thoroughly

•        Days 9-7: Revise character sketches, themes, summaries of all chapters

•        Days 6-4: Solve previous year question papers (5-7 papers)

•        Day 3: Light revision - go through notes, formats, important quotations

•        Day 2: Revise letter formats, grammar rules, poetic devices

•        Day 1: Complete rest - don't study new content, review key points only

•        Exam Day: Reach center 30 minutes early, stay calm, manage time properly