ISC 2023 ENGLISH
LANGUAGE
QUESTION PATTERN
AND
MARKING SCHEME
QUESTION 1: COMPOSITION [20MARKS]
❑ 300- 350 words. Approx 1.5 pages for small size
handwriting & 2.5 sides for normal size handwriting.
❑ Max Time Spent : 15 -20 minutes
❑ Marks division: a) Content – 12 marks [approx 4points
to 5points each point carrying 3marks] b) Expression – 8
marks.
❑ EXPRESSION – fluency, language, spelling, sentence
construction, style, grammar(articles, tenses and preposition)
❑ Credit (1mark) is given for good opening and
closing sentences.
❑ Use of proper paragraphs.
❑ What is written in the question paper must be
read carefully and interpreted carefully.
❑ Simple, direct, natural and grammatically correct
language. NO ORNAMENTAL LANGUAGE.
❑ Personal ideas may be expressed provided they
are reasonable.
TYPES OF COMPOSITION
1. (a) DESCRIPTIVE
➢ To describe something
➢ Must include stimuli to all five senses - sight, hearing,
smell, touch and taste in a balanced mixture.
➢ It must include a sixth sense - feeling of human emotion.
➢ The composition has to be written from the viewpoint of
an 18 year old only. You cannot write as an elderly person
or an alien or any other such character.
2. (d) NARRATIVE
➢ First - person narrative
➢ Own experience has to be narrated.
➢ The events that are narrated must fall within the
believable experience of 17 to 18years old.
➢ Aspect of realisation has to be brought out.
➢ The narrator must reveal the statement given in the
question.
3. (c )ARGUMENTATIVE
➢ Argument must be either for or against the topic. Both
sides are not to be presented.
➢ The stand must be made clear in the first paragraph and
marks are awarded.
➢ Body – origin, growth, development and future of the
issue can be explained in order.
➢ Examples to be given to strengthen the argument. Examples
may be taken from history, personal experience, current
affairs and so on.
➢ At least three incidents/examples must be given to justify
the stand.
➢ In the conclusion, student must go back to the beginning –
“And so I strongly affirm that .............”
➢ Marks for content will be divided for the examples
and the stand taken.
➢ Arguments not be numbered. Different paragraphs to be
used.
4. (b) DISCURSIVE/REFLECTIVE
➢ Could be based on phrase or proverb.
➢ Definite stand. One may agree, disagree or partially
agree with the idea. However, opinion has to be
mentioned properly.
➢ Three examples have to be cited to prove the opinion.
➢ No story allowed.
➢ A central idea to be decided and essay to be built
around it.
➢ It can be autobiographical/abstract/concrete
➢ Concrete illustrations to make your reflections vivid
and real.
5. (e) EXPOSITORY (one word topic)
➢ it may be written as descriptive, narrative,
discursive/reflective and even story.
➢ if it is written as story, it should have all the
traits of a story writing and then only
marks will be awarded for content.
➢ Should be woven around the six question
words: what/why/when/how/where/who
6. (f) STORY WRITING
➢ Has to be original. It cannot be lifted from texts or novels or
magazines or films.
➢ The marks alotted for content will be divided for the five
aspects of story writing – plot, character, climax, dialogue and
logical ending.
➢ The number of characters and description should be limited.
Names must be given.
➢ Clear connection between the given sentence and the
continuation of the story
➢ Can be written from the point of view of anybody.
➢ Setting must be added to the body.
➢ The story must be given title only if the question asks for.
➢ If the question asked for the story to either begin or end
with a particular set of words, they must be exactly the
same as given in the question.
QUESTION 2: DIRECTED WRITING [15
MARKS]
2. (A) DIRECTED WRITING - 300 words max
1. Report writing – Newspaper Report
2. Article writing / travel magazine
3. Reviews – Book, Film, Cultural Programme
4. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
5. Speech Writing
6. Personal Profile
(B) PROPOSAL WRITING – 150 words max
FORMAT OF A REPORT AND ARTICLE.
A report must have –
A headline
A dateline
A by-line
Approx 1.5 pages
All the points must be included.
6points each carrying 2marks = 12marks
3marks for expression.
NEWSPAPER AND ARTICLE FORMAT
TITLE (if given in the question)
By Staff Reporter
Kolkata, Sunday, 21st February 2021
BODY OF THE REPORT
FULL NAME
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FORMAT
It will have 3 parts – Introduction i.e., Goals , Body and
Conclusion.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: RESPECTIVE FULL NAME
I am ---------- of Kolkata. I am studying in class -------- at
present....
INTRODUCTION includes –
✓ Past studies and qualification
✓ Past internship/research done
✓ Why you are suited for that particular field
✓ Future plans
✓ What you can contribute to the programme
BODY includes –
A. BACKGROUND
✓ Where and what studied
✓ Past research
B. DESCRIPTION OF PROFESSIONAL GOALS
✓ Why that field of study is interesting/ influences to
choose that field
✓ Any related experience
C. WHAT AND WHY STUDY THAT PARTICULAR
COURSE
✓ Specific interest
SPEECH WRITING FORMAT
1. INTRODUCTION
✓ Opening greeting
✓ Defining thesis statement
✓ Establishing credibility
✓ An overview and benefit to the audience
2. BODY
✓ Link between introduction and body
✓ Main ideas with supporting ideas
✓ Examples and details
3. CONCLUSION
✓ Summary of main points
✓ Closure or call to action
NOTE:
Good morning/Good afternoon has to be there.
Thank you is a MUST.
The heading should be the topic of the speech.
PERSONAL PROFILE
PERSONAL PROFILE – FULL NAME
Name and date will come at the end.
Accurate picture of writer to be painted without
telling entire life story.
Specifics over generalities.
Honesty. No exaggeration
Well – rounded view.
Confidence.
PROPOSAL WRITING –
10MARKS
1. Introduction/Heading: 2marks – 2sentences
2. Statement of Objective: 2marks – at least 2 sentences
3. List of Measures: 4 marks – minimum 4sentences/points.
4. Language Ability: 2marks
WHERE, WHEN, WHO, WHAT, HOW MUCH?
The budget for this club/programme will be provided by the
School Accounts Department/Finance Department
If the question specifies any designation, you have to
mention at the end on the right side.
COMPREHENSION –
20MARKS
Answers to be written in ORDER – sequence of the
questions in the paper to be kept.
Answers must be written in COMPLETE SENTENCE –
specifics and to the point. No repitition and rambling.
Answers to be written in own words - No lifting from
the passage.
Answers should be grammatically correct sentences.
PRECIS
Content – 6marks
Expression – 2marks
8points (max) for 100 words
Rough Precis and Fair Precis should be
labelled and the Rough Precis should be
cancelled.
If Rough Precis is not cancelled, it will be
taken into consideration.
Word limit not to be exceeded.
