English is a global language as it connects people from varied regions of the world. When looked at from the perspective of an examination, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) sets its English paper in a way that prompts students to put their analytical, creative, and oratory skills to use. It is essential to have a good command of this language to pass your exams with flying colours.
Class 10 English Syllabus
Before attempting an examination, you need to be well acquainted with the syllabus of the subject. The CBSE sticks to a specific format for all its examinations. Similarly, the class 10 CBSE English paper follows a particular format which we will decode. Firstly, the question paper comprises Literature and Language sections.
Under Literature, the proposed syllabus consists of:
- First Flight – The main textbook with 11 chapters.
- Footprints Without Feet – The supplementary reader textbook with 10 chapters.
- Words And Expressions II – The workbook to aid students in their preparation.
Vedantu offers a plethora of question-answer-based chapter-wise solutions from all the Literature textbooks. This makes learning student-friendly and ensures that each child gets the opportunity to score good marks. The First Flight class 10 pdf download is available on their website along with a pandora box of study solutions.
Under Language, the proposed syllabus includes:
- Creative Writing
- Tenses
- Prepositions
- Active and Passive Voice
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Determiners
- Reported Speech
- Clauses
There are a ton of English assessments available on Vedantu’s platform to help sharpen your grammatical skills. You can access these papers and get an edge over your fellow schoolmates.
Exam Pattern And Marking Scheme
The question paper has a total of 80 marks and is divided into Part A and Part B. In addition to this, an internal assessment is conducted by various CBSE-affiliated schools. This assessment accounts for the remaining 20 marks, adding up to a total of 100 marks.
In the question paper, Part A consists of MCQs on:
- Reading (20 marks) – Read the passage provided and answer 10 out of 12 questions on it.
- Literature Textbooks (10 Marks) – You will have to answer questions from different chapters of both First Flight and Footprints Without Feet.
- Grammar (10 Marks) – Students have to answer 10 out of 12 questions based on different aspects of their comprehensive ability.
Part B consists of:
- Creative Writing (10 Marks) – Under this section, students have to write a formal letter for 5 marks. An analytical paragraph based on a report or chart given in the paper also accounts for 5 marks.
- Literature (30 Marks) – This is the most feared section of the paper. An assortment of short and long questions are asked from the chapters in the main reader and the supplementary textbook. 2 long answers and 8 short answers are asked, in total. Each answer is to be written within the given word limit to avoid deduction of marks.
Coming to the internal assessment, students will be evaluated by examiners based on their ability to be articulate. Listening and speaking skills should be regularly practised to ace this assessment. Fluency and diction are paid special attention to by examiners. Minute mistakes can cost marks if one does not remain careful.
Helpful Tips For Your English Exam
- Venture beyond the textbooks – Do not constrain yourself to only the textbooks provided. Read novels and watch movies in the English language. This will improve your vocabulary as well as your speaking skills, making you a better communicator. It will also help you score more marks.
- Divide a chapter into parts – If you are having difficulty with a particular chapter, break it down into segments and study one segment each day. Following this technique also enables one to retain information better.
- Use online resources to enhance your preparation – In case you ever need help preparing notes, you can always access Vedantu’s large repository of study materials available online.
- Give tests once a week – Evaluate yourself weekly. This will help you identify your weak points and the areas you need to work harder in. You can get a parent or an elder sibling to check your paper and grade you accordingly.
- Limit yourself to a time frame – Give yourself a stipulated time to attempt each question. For example, make up your mind to finish the Grammar section in Part A in 5 to 10 minutes.
- Ensure your paper is presentable – Underline important points and keep your paper neat. No examiner would want to check an untidy paper.
- Do not beat about the bush – Write answers to the point. Avoid using elaborate words just for the sake of it.
- Recheck your paper before submitting it – Always plan your schedule in a way that you have 15 minutes left in the end, to go over your entire paper again. This will help you cut down on any mistakes you might have made in a hurry, thereby increasing your chances for a better score.
- Do not skip out on hard work – Practice is key. Keep practising writing letters and long answers. The hard work you put in today will reap rewards for you tomorrow.
- Keep calm – Lastly, do not panic. If you have given adequate time to your studies throughout the year, you will not find the English exam to be particularly difficult. Just be calm and attempt each question carefully.
By following these tips, you can successfully attempt your class 10 English paper and nothing can stop you from topping in your examinations. The syllabus, marking scheme, and pattern of paper have all been explained to you meticulously. Alongside creative and grammatical prowess, time management also plays an important role in your English exam.