CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Syllabus 2025
The syllabus consists of four sections: (i) Reading Skills (ii) Writing Skills (iii) Grammar (iv) Literature Textbook.
Exam Structure
| Section | Topic | Marks |
| A | Reading Skills | 22 |
| B | Writing Skills | 22 |
| C | Grammar | 10 |
| D | Literature Textbook | 26 |
| Total | 80 |
The Board examination is of 80 marks, with a duration of three hours.
Section A: Reading Skills
The section will have two unseen passages with the maximum word limit of 750 words. The passages can have continuous and non-continuous text inspired from the themes in prescribed books. Please refer to the Main Course Book (MCB) for types of non-continuous texts. (For example - Unit 1 has lists, tables, cues, message, telephone conversation etc.).
Objective Type Questions (including Multiple Choice Questions), Very Short Answer Type Questions (one word/ one phrase / one sentence) and Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words each) will be asked to test interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation and vocabulary in context.
Section B: Writing Skills
This section will have a variety of short and long writing tasks.
Email to school authorities (Application for leave / change of subject / change of section / bus-timings or similar topics) in maximum 50 words [3 Marks]
Factual Description of a person / object in maximum 100 words [4 Marks]
One out of two formal letters, in maximum 120 words, thematically aligned to topics in MCB. [7 Marks]
One out of two articles based on verbal cues, in maximum 150 words, thematically aligned to MCB topics. [8 Marks]
Section C: Grammar
Grammar items will be taught and assessed over a period of time.
- Tenses
- Modals
- Subject - verb concord
- Reported Speech
- Commands and requests
- Statements
- Questions
- Clauses
- Noun clauses
- Adverb clauses
- Relative clauses
- Determiners
The above items may be tested through test types as given below:
- Gap filling - 3 marks
- Editing or Omission - 4 marks
- Sentences Reordering or Sentence Transformation in context - 3 marks
Section D: Literature Textbook
Two out of three extracts from prose/poetry for reference to the context. Very Short Answer Questions will be asked to assess global comprehension, interpretation, inference and evaluation. [8 Marks (4+4)]
Five Short Answer type Questions out of six from the Literature Reader to test local and global comprehension of theme and ideas, analysis, evaluation and appreciation (30-40 words each) [5 x 2 = 10 Marks]
One out of two Long Answer type Questions to assess how the values inherent in the text have been brought out. Creativity, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text and across the texts will be assessed. This can also be a passage-based question taken from a situation/plot from the texts. (150 words). [8 Marks]
Prescribed Books
Interact in English Series by CBSE
- Main Course Book
- Literature Reader
- Workbook