Class 10 English PYQs: Chapters, Syllabus & Paper Pattern

Class 10 English is often underestimated by students, but it plays a major role in overall percentage. The subject is not difficult, but scoring high marks requires the right approach.

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📑 Table of Contents

Available Chapters

The chapter list below for English in Class 10 helps students move directly to the topic they want instead of browsing unrelated material.

About Class 10 English

English is a 100-mark subject in CBSE boards and directly affects your overall result. Unlike subjects based on formulas or numerical solving, English tests comprehension, writing skills, and clarity of expression. Strong performance here can boost your percentage significantly, while careless mistakes can easily reduce marks.

Students score well in English when they focus on understanding the pattern of questions, practicing writing formats, and improving answer presentation. PYQs help identify commonly asked questions from literature and the type of writing tasks that appear in exams. Many students think English does not require preparation and leave it for the last moment. Some rely only on reading summaries without understanding the text. Others ignore writing practice, which leads to poor performance in sections like letters and long answers.

Key Highlights

  • 100-mark subject that can boost overall percentage
  • Focuses on writing skills, comprehension and clarity
  • PYQs help identify repeated literature questions
  • Writing format and presentation matter a lot
  • Easy to score with proper strategy
  • Common mistakes can easily reduce marks

CBSE Class 10 English: Complete Syllabus & Exam Blueprint (2025-26)

Mastering Class 10 English requires a balance of analytical reading, grammatical accuracy, and literary appreciation. Below is the comprehensive guide designed to help you streamline your preparation and maximize your score. The theory paper is conducted for 80 Marks.

SectionTitleWeightageCore Focus
Section AReading Skills20 MarksComprehension & Inference
Section BWriting Skills & Grammar30 MarksAccuracy & Formal Expression
Section CLiterature Textbook30 MarksAnalysis, Themes & Context
Total80 MarksTheory Examination

The remaining 20 marks are allocated for internal assessment. Section A focuses on Reading Skills (20 Marks) testing comprehension and inference through Discursive and Case-based Factual Passages. Section B covers Writing Skills & Grammar (30 Marks), emphasizing accuracy and formal expression like Formal Letters and Analytical Paragraphs. Section C is the Literature Textbook (30 Marks) which evaluates analysis, themes, and context. Strategic Preparation Roadmap for 2026: 1. Reading Strategy: Do not read the passage first. Read the questions first, then scan the passage for answers. This saves time and increases accuracy. 2. Grammar Mastery: These 10 marks are highly scoring. Maintain a notebook of common errors in Subject-Verb Concord and Reported Speech for daily revision. 3. Literature Approach: Examiners reward students who reference the text. Use specific keywords, character names, and themes in your long-answer responses. 4. Writing Efficiency: Always adhere to the word limit (100–120 words). Structure your paragraphs clearly: Introduction, Body (Analysis/Content), and Conclusion.

CBSE Class 10 English: Complete Literature Syllabus (2025-26)

To score well in the English Literature section, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the syllabus. Below is the comprehensive chapter-wise list from your prescribed textbooks (First Flight and Footprints Without Feet). Important Tips for Exam Success: Prose & Play: The Proposal is a significant play; focus on character dialogues and the underlying theme.

BookSectionChapter / Poem Name
First FlightProse1. A Letter to God
2. Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom
3. Two Stories about Flying
4. From the Diary of Anne Frank
5. Glimpses of India
6. Mijbil the Otter
7. Madam Rides the Bus
8. The Sermon at Benares
9. The Proposal (Play)
Poetry1. Dust of Snow
2. Fire and Ice
3. A Tiger in the Zoo
4. How to Tell Wild Animals
5. The Ball Poem
6. Amanda!
7. The Trees
8. Fog
9. The Tale of Custard the Dragon
10. For Anne Gregory
Footprints Without FeetSupplementary1. A Triumph of Surgery
2. The Thief's Story
3. The Midnight Visitor
4. A Question of Trust
5. Footprints Without Feet
6. The Making of a Scientist
7. The Necklace
8. Bholi
9. The Book that Saved the Earth

Poetry Section: Study the 'Poetic Devices' (e.g., Metaphor, Simile, Personification) for each poem, as objective questions are frequently asked from this area. Supplementary Reader: Footprints Without Feet questions are often 'value-based.' Practice explaining the moral of each story in your own words.

CBSE Class 10 English: Deleted Topics (2025-26)

To help students focus their preparation on the current curriculum, CBSE has excluded certain topics and chapters from the 2025–26 syllabus. Please note that these items will not be tested in the board examinations. Important Note for Students: Focus on Current Syllabus: Ensure your study materials and practice papers are aligned strictly with the current 2025–26 curriculum.

SectionCategoryDeleted Topics / Chapters
GrammarClauses & PrepositionsUse of Passive Voice, Noun Clauses, Adverb Clauses, Relative Clauses, and Prepositions
First FlightProseThe Hundred Dresses - I
The Hundred Dresses - II
PoetryAnimals
Footprints without FeetSupplementaryThe Hack Driver

Do Not Study These: You do not need to prepare these specific chapters or grammar topics for your board assessments. Check Regularly: Always cross-reference your preparation with the latest official CBSE circulars or your school-provided curriculum guide.

CBSE Class 10 English: Recommended Reference Books

While NCERT textbooks remain the primary authority for the board examination, reference books are essential for mastering grammar, improving writing skills, and practicing a wide variety of question formats. How to Use These Resources Effectively: For Grammar: Use Wren and Martin to build a solid foundation.

Book NameAuthor / PublisherPurpose
English CommunicativeOswaalQuestion bank & practice papers
Language and Literature: All in OneArihant ExpertsComprehensive theory & chapter summaries
Xam Idea: Complete English CourseVK GlobalIntensive practice & exam-oriented questions
High School English Grammar & CompositionWren and MartinThe gold standard for mastering grammar rules
English Language and LiteratureTogether WithPractice sets & detailed study material

It is the most reliable resource for understanding complex rules of syntax and composition. For Practice: Use Oswaal or Together With to solve previous year questions (PYQs) and sample papers. This helps you get familiar with the current board paper pattern and marking scheme. For Quick Revision: Use Arihant All in One or Xam Idea to get concise summaries, character sketches, and key themes when you are short on time before an exam.