How many marks are Reading and Writing in Class 10 English?

Reading carries 20 marks and Writing & Grammar 20 marks — together the 40-mark Language half of the 80-mark English paper.

What comes in the writing section?

Typically a formal letter and an analytical paragraph, plus grammar items (gap-filling, editing, reported speech). See the guides above for formats.

What is the total Class 10 English paper structure?

Reading (20) + Writing & Grammar (20) + Literature (40) = 80 theory marks (3 hours), with 20 marks of internal assessment for 100 in total.

CBSE Class 10 English Language · 2026-27

Syllabus & Marking Scheme

The Language half of the Class 10 English paper — Reading (20) and Writing & Grammar (20) — is the most format-driven and predictable 40 marks in the whole exam. Nail the formats and the rules and these marks are yours.

Here is exactly how this half of the paper is structured, and how to score in it.

At a glance

80Theory marks

20Internal assessment

100Total

3 hrsDuration

English Language is the 40-mark Language half of the English paper — Reading (20) plus Writing & Grammar (20).

English (Language & Literature) paper — marks distribution

Section / Unit	Marks
Reading (two unseen passages)	20
Writing & Grammar	20
Literature — First Flight & Footprints Without Feet	40
Theory total	80

CBSE sets weightage by section/unit, not per chapter. Always confirm the latest official syllabus on cbseacademic.nic.in.

English Language — 4 skill areas

Question paper design

Reading — two unseen passages (discursive + case-based) with objective & short answers (20)
Writing — a formal letter and an analytical paragraph
Grammar — gap-filling, editing and reported speech / transformation items
Writing & Grammar together carry 20 marks

How to prepare

Memorise the formal-letter format perfectly — the format itself carries fixed marks.
Practise analytical paragraphs as one tight, objective paragraph (never points).
Drill the high-frequency grammar rules: tenses, modals, determiners, concord, reported speech.
For reading, answer strictly from the passage — never from outside knowledge.

Frequently asked — English Language syllabus

How many marks are Reading and Writing in Class 10 English?: Reading carries 20 marks and Writing & Grammar 20 marks — together the 40-mark Language half of the 80-mark English paper.
What comes in the writing section?: Typically a formal letter and an analytical paragraph, plus grammar items (gap-filling, editing, reported speech). See the guides above for formats.
What is the total Class 10 English paper structure?: Reading (20) + Writing & Grammar (20) + Literature (40) = 80 theory marks (3 hours), with 20 marks of internal assessment for 100 in total.