English Language & Literature Periodic Test Syllabus
Bifurcation of Syllabus of Class X English Language and Literature for the session 2026-2027 decided at STS School AMU, Aligarh.
The bifurcation of the Class X English Language and Literature syllabus for the academic session 2026-2027 was finalized in a meeting at STS School AMU, Aligarh. The syllabus carefully structures Reading Skills, Writing, Grammar, and Literature across three Periodic Tests (20 marks each) and a comprehensive Pre-Board/Board Examination (80 marks). The curriculum relies on NCERT’s First Flight, Footprints Without Feet, and Words and Expressions – 2.
English Periodic Tests & Annual Exam
Click a card to jump directly to the relevant examination syllabus.
First Periodic Test
Class X — English (Assignment Based)
| Book | Section | No. & Name of the Chapter | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flight | Prose |
1. A Letter to God 2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | 10 |
| Poetry |
• Dust of Snow • Fire and Ice | ||
| Footprints without Feet | Prose |
1. A Triumph of Surgery 2. The Thief’s Story | |
| Grammar & Writing | Grammar | • Modals | 02 |
| Writing |
• Email • Notice Writing | 03 | |
| Words and Expression 2 Unit 1 and 2 | Reading Skills |
• Unseen Passages a. Prose b. Poetry | 05 |
| Total Marks | 20 | ||
Marking Pattern Note: The First Periodic Test is uniquely evaluated as an Assignment based test. However, it follows a Pen Paper Test marking pattern: Reading Skills (5×1=05), Modals MCQs/Fill in the blanks (4x½=02), Email/Notice (1×3=03), Stanza extracts (3×1=03), Textbook VSA (5×1=05), and Supp. Reader (2×1=02).
Second Periodic Test
Class X — English
| Book | Section | No. & Name of the Chapter | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flight | Prose |
3. Two Stories About Flying a. His First Flight b. Black Aeroplane 4. From the Diary of Anne Frank | 10 |
| Poetry |
• A Tiger in the Zoo • How to Tell Wild Animals • The Ball Poem | ||
| Footprints without Feet | Prose |
3. The Midnight Visitor 4. A Question of Trust | |
| Grammar & Writing | Grammar | • Tenses | 02 |
| Writing | • Report Writing | 03 | |
| Words and Expression 2 Unit 3 and 4 | Reading Skills |
• Unseen Passages a. Prose b. Poetry | 05 |
| Total Marks | 20 | ||
✍️ Writing Shift
In PT2, the writing section focuses exclusively on Report Writing (3 marks).
🧩 Grammar Focus
Grammar questions (MCQs/Fill in the blanks) will test ‘Tenses’ for 2 marks (4 questions of ½ mark each).
Third Periodic Test
Class X — English
| Book | Section | No. & Name of the Chapter | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flight | Prose |
5. Glimpses of India a. A Baker from Goa b. Coorg c. Tea from Assam 6. Mijbil the Otter 7. Madam Rides the Bus | 10 |
| Poetry |
• Amanda • The Trees | ||
| Footprints without Feet | Prose |
5. Footprints without Feet 6. The Making of a Scientist 7. The Necklace | |
| Grammar & Writing | Grammar |
• Subject-Verb Agreement • Determiners | 02 |
| Writing | • Analytical Paragraph (Map/Chart/Graph/Cues) | 03 | |
| Words and Expression 2 Units 7, 8 and 9 | Reading Skills |
• Unseen Passages a. Prose b. Poetry | 05 |
| Total Marks | 20 | ||
Annual / Pre-Board Examination
Class X — English Language & Literature
Additional Chapters Evaluated in Annual Exam:
- First Flight (Prose): 8. The Sermon at Benares, 9. The Proposal
- First Flight (Poetry): The Tale of Custard the Dragon, For Anne Gregory, Fog
- Footprints without Feet: 8. Bholi, 9. The Book that Saved the Earth
- Grammar: Reported Speech (Commands and Requests, Statements, Questions)
| Section | Types of Questions and their Weightage | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A (Reading Skills) |
I. Discursive Passage (400-450 words) II. Case-based Passage with visual input, data, chart, etc. of 200-250 words |
10 10 (Total: 20) |
| B (Grammar & Writing) |
I. GRAMMAR • Gap filling, Editing, Transformation (10 out of 12 questions to be attempted) II. WRITING • Formal Letter (100-120 words) (1 out 2 questions) • Analytical Paragraph (100-120 words) (For Visually Challenged Students Only: Paragraph Writing) |
10 05 05 (Total: 20) |
| C (Literature) |
1. Reference to the Context 1.1. One extract out of two from drama/prose 1.2. One extract out of two from poetry 2. Short and Very Long Answer Type 2.1. 4 out of 5 short answer type questions (40-50 words) (First Flight) 4×3 2.2. 2 out of 3 short answer type questions (40-50 words) (Footprints without Feet) 2×3 2.3. 01 out of 02 long answer type questions (First Flight) (100-120 words) 2.4. 01 out of 02 long answer type questions (Footprints without Feet) (100-120 words) |
05 05 12 06 06 06 (Total: 40) |
| Annual Exam Total Marks | 80 | |
Crucial Pre-Board / Board Syllabus Note:
- For the Grammar and Literature Section: The entire syllabus (PT-1, 2, 3 & Annual) will be included in the Final/Annual/Pre-Board/Board Examination.
- For Writing Section: Only Formal Letter and Analytical Paragraph will be included. Emails, Notices, and Reports from earlier tests will not appear in the final exam.
A Word from the Teacher
English Language and Literature requires a strong balance between reading comprehension speed, grammatical accuracy, and literary analysis.
For your Periodic Tests (20 marks each), the pattern is highly structured. You have exactly 5 marks for Reading, 5 marks for Writing & Grammar, and 10 marks for Literature. Pay attention to the specific writing tasks: PT1 focuses on Email/Notice, PT2 on Report Writing, and PT3 on Analytical Paragraphs. Also, remember that PT1 is Assignment-based, giving you an excellent opportunity to score perfectly on presentation.
The Pre-Board and Board Examination (80 marks) dramatically shifts the weightage. Literature dominates with 40 marks, split between Extract-based questions (10 marks) and Short/Long answers (30 marks). Do not study Notice or Report writing for the final exam; only Formal Letters and Analytical Paragraphs are tested.
How to Excel in English
A strategic approach to grammar rules, writing formats, and literature analysis.
Conquer Unseen Passages
Section A (20 marks in Annual) requires speed. Practice solving one 400-word Discursive passage and one 200-word Case-based passage weekly.
Grammar Consolidation
For the finals, the entire grammar syllabus (Modals, Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Reported Speech) merges into a 10-mark section. Practice integrated gap-filling exercises.
Writing Format
Memorize the strict format for Formal Letters and learn how to interpret maps, charts, and graphs for the 5-mark Analytical Paragraph.
Master the Extracts
Section C begins with two 5-mark extract questions (one prose/drama, one poetry). Know the author/poet names and underlying themes for every chapter.
First Flight Priority
Questions from First Flight carry 18 marks (12 for short, 6 for long) in the subjective section, compared to 12 marks for Footprints Without Feet.
Word Limits Matter
Strictly adhere to the 40-50 words limit for short answers and 100-120 words for long answers in Literature and Writing.
Class X English — Quick View
| Test / Exam | Writing & Grammar Focus | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Periodic Test | Email/Notice Writing, Modals (Assignment based) | 20 |
| 2nd Periodic Test | Report Writing, Tenses | 20 |
| 3rd Periodic Test | Analytical Paragraph, Subject-Verb Agreement, Determiners | 20 |
| Annual Exam | Formal Letter & Analytical Paragraph. Entire Grammar Syllabus (10M) | 80 |
Check the Original Syllabus
For the complete official syllabus bifurcation decided by STS School AMU, refer to the original document.
📄 View Original PDF
Malik Mohd. Arshad is a Senior English Teacher at STS High School, Aligarh Muslim University, with 21+ years of experience in English Language Teaching (ELT). An M.A. in English and Linguistics, he combines traditional academic values with modern digital learning methods. He is also a certified alumnus of the Texas Intensive English Program (USA).