English Core — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for English Core — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: The Last Lesson
Chapter 2: Lost Spring
Chapter 3: Deep Water
Chapter 4: The Rattrap
Chapter 5: Indigo
Chapter 6: My Mother at Sixty-Six
Chapter 7: Keeping Quiet
Chapter 8: A Thing of Beauty
Chapter 9: The Third Level
Chapter 10: The Tiger King
Chapter 11: Journey to the End of the Earth
Chapter 12: The Enemy
Chapter 13: Unseen Passage Types
Chapter 14: Notice Writing
Chapter 15: Letter Writing: Based on Visual/Verbal Input
Chapter 16: Article Writing
Chapter 17: Report Writing
Chapter 18: Internal Assessment (Listening, Speaking & Project Work)

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in English Core?

The English Core syllabus has 18 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which English Core chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the English Core syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official CBSE portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for English Core faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for English Core — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused English Core study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.