ICSE Class 10 English Language Exam 2026: Download Question Paper and Answer Key PDF

ICSE Class 10 English Language Exam 2026 was successfully conducted on 17 February 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The exam assessed students’ skills in composition writing, directed writing, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

As one of the most important papers in the ICSE board examinations, English Language plays a key role in overall academic performance. Students who appeared for the exam can now check the detailed exam analysis, marking scheme, and paper structure.

According to initial feedback from teachers, the overall difficulty level of the paper was easy to moderate, and most students found it balanced and manageable.

The question paper PDF and answer key has been updated here to help students review their answers and estimate their expected scores accurately.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Marking Scheme 2025-26

The following table introduces students to the ICSE Class 10 English Blueprint of Literature. The table provides them with the knowledge of marks allotted to different types of questions in the question paper.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2026 Download PDF

Question 1

(i) Write an original short story beginning with the words:
It was midnight and the doorbell rang…

(ii) If you could change one period in your school timetable, which one would you choose? Why do you think it needs to be changed and with which subject or activity would you replace it?

(iii) You and your family enjoy eating out. Give a description of your favourite restaurant or food stall, and the sights and smells that attract you to the place. Explain why you like eating there.

(iv) ‘Homework is a necessary evil.’
Express your views either for or against this statement.

(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture, or you may take suggestions from it. However, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Question 2

(i) Your examinations are drawing near, and you would like to form a study group. Write a letter to one of your classmates inviting him or her to join it. Give details of how you plan to revise and explain why it would be helpful.

(ii) The drainage system in your locality needs repair. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner stating the problems caused due to this. Suggest solutions to improve the situation.

Question 3

(i) Your school is organising an Inter House Non-Flame Cooking Competition.
Write a notice informing the students about the event.

(ii) Write an email to a famous chef, inviting him/her to judge the event.

Question 4

Read the following............................................of other things.

(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided: [2]

1. dilapidated (line 6)
(a) faded and yellow
(b) new and shining
(c) tightly wrapped
(d) old and ragged

2. elementary (line 21)
(a) primary
(b) special
(c) secondary
(d) village

(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘boring’? 

(a) important
(b) nuisance
(c) nourishment
(d) interesting

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:

(a) How was the new teacher dressed? 
(b) Which sentence in the passage tells us that Toto-chan had seen the new teacher before? 
(c) Why do you think the headmaster had to correct the farmer about his role? 
(d) Why was the headmaster right in inviting the new teacher to take a class? 
(e) What did the farmer say that proved that he knew a lot about snakes? 

(iv) In not more than 50 words, give an account of what the farmer taught the children that day. 

Question 5

(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. 

Example:
The road northwards through Tanganyika was narrow and often deeply rutted. And once I (0) ______ (see) a very large brown cobra.
Answer: saw

It (1) ______ (glide) slowly over the ruts in the road ahead of me. It was seven or eight feet long and (2) ______ (hold) its flat spoon-shaped head six inches up in the air. I (3) ______ (stop) the car smartly so as not (4) ______ (run) over it. To be truthful, I was so (5) ______ (frighten), I (6) ______ (go) quickly into reverse and (7) ______ (keep) backing away. The fearsome thing (8) ______ (disappear) into the undergrowth.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. 

(a) He acted according ______ my instructions.
(b) They scaled up the wall ______ means of a rope.
(c) Gina has a passion ______ music.
(d) Father patted Jai ______ his back for his good results.
(e) I have not seen Sonia ______ last May.
(f) They worked ______ the night to complete the project on time.
(g) Ms. Sharma refused to buy a new car because the cost was ______ her means.
(h) Saif knew nothing about the event since it had happened ______ he was born.

(iii) Choose the correct option to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. 

1. He picked up the bundle. He walked away.
   (a) He picked up the bundle and walked away.
   (b) Packing up the bundle, he walked away.
   (c) Picking up the bundle, he walked away.
   (d) He walked away by picking up the bundle.

2. Ravi is not a technician. Ravi is not a musician.
   (a) Ravi is both a technician also a musician.
   (b) Ravi is neither a technician nor a musician.
   (c) Besides not being a technician, Ravi is a musician.
   (d) Ravi is not a musician but a technician.

3. Tanya is extremely polite. We like her.
   (a) Tanya is extremely polite but we like her.
   (b) We like Tanya despite her being extremely polite.
   (c) Tanya’s extremely polite ways make us like her.
   (d) We like Tanya because she is extremely polite.

4. The construction started on time. It was delayed due to the bad weather.
   (a) Although the construction started on time, it was delayed due to the bad weather.
   (b) Since the construction started on time, it was delayed due to the bad weather.
   (c) The construction started on time, so it was delayed due to the bad weather.
   (d) The construction started on time, as well as got delayed due to the bad weather.

(iv) Choose the correct option and rewrite the sentence according to the instruction given after each.

1. Samudragupta was one of the greatest of the Indian kings.
   (End with: …Samudragupta.)
   (a) No other king is as great as Samudragupta.
   (b) All other kings are greater than Samudragupta.
   (c) Very few Indian kings were as great as Samudragupta.
   (d) Some Indian kings are greatest as Samudragupta.

2. One should keep one’s promises.
   (Begin with: Promises …)
   (a) Promises should keep one.
   (b) One’s promises are not meant to be kept.
   (c) Promises should be kept.
   (d) Promises are one’s to keep.

3. He said, “I have passed the examination.”
   (Begin: He said that…)
   (a) He said that he had passed the examination.
   (b) He said that he passed the examination.
   (c) He said that he has passed the examination.
   (d) He said that he will pass the examination.

4. He finished his exercise and put his books away.
   (Begin: Having …)
   (a) Having his books put away, he exercised.
   (b) Having put his books away, he finished his exercise.
   (c) Having finished his exercise, he put his books away.
   (d) Having to finish his exercise, he put his books away.

5. Unless she practises every day, she will not be able to meet her goal.
   (Begin with: If…)
   (a) If she practises every day, she will be able to meet her goal.
   (b) If she practises every day, she will not be able to meet her goal.
   (c) If she does not practise every day, her goal will be met.
   (d) If she practises every day, her goal will not be met.

6. Rashmi was too late to hear the first speech.
   (Use: …so…that…)
   (a) Rashmi was so late for the first speech.
   (b) Rashmi was so late that she could hear the first speech.
   (c) Rashmi is so late that she cannot hear the first speech.
   (d) Rashmi was so late that she could not hear the first speech.

7. There is a slight difference between the two shades.
   (Use: ‘different’)
   (a) The slight difference is between two shades.
   (b) The two shades are slightly different.
   (c) The slightly different shades are between two.
   (d) The two different shades are slightly different.

8. Dr. Shetty is a professor and a research scientist.
   (Begin with: Not only……)
   (a) Not only was Dr. Shetty a professor but also a research scientist.
   (b) Not only is Dr. Shetty a professor as well as a research scientist.
   (c) Dr. Shetty is both a professor and research scientist.
   (d) Not only is Dr. Shetty a professor but also a research scientist.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 

ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 PDF will be available here soon:

Also Read: 

ICSE Syllabus 2025-26 for Class 10

ICSE Class 10 Subject-wise Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026