Section A : reading Skills
CHAPTER-1
UNSEEN PASSAGES
Revision Notes
Reading section comprises unseen passages to be comprehended by the students. The word ‘comprehension’
actually means the ability to understand something. To test the students’ reading skills, two types of passages
have been included in the syllabus :
Type 1 : Discursive Passage (400-450 words) : A passage which involves the opinion of a person through
reasoning is called a discursive passage. This passage includes opinions which are generally argumentative,
persuasive or interpretative.
Type 2 : Case-based factual Passage (200-250 words) : A passage which focuses completely on details or facts
is called a factual passage. This passage, generally includes instructions, reports or descriptions.
What to do?
• The Case-based Passage has ten questions which require thorough understanding of the passage and carry
one mark each. They include MCQs, Fill in the Blanks and True/False.
• In the Discursive Passage, ten multiple choice questions are asked to test inference, evaluation and analysis
skill of the student. These questions test vocabulary and language skills. The answer has to be selected from
the four given options with utmost care and using reasoning.
How to score maximum marks in Comprehension Passages?
• The skill of obtaining maximum marks in comprehension passage can only be mastered by consistent
practice. Before answering the questions the students need to go through the 3S’s of the reading process i.e.,
Skimming, Scanning and Summarizing. They should also remember the 5 Rs (read, respond, record, recite
and review) which enables them to actively study and comprehend the texts.
Latest Board Marking Scheme
Objective : To comprehend the passage.
To identify the main points of the text.
Marking : 1 × 10 = 10 marks
Objective : To test inference, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and vocabulary.
Only 1 answer for each question will be accepted. Two answers chosen will result in zero credit of marks.
Some Useful Tips
1. Read the passage carefully and thoroughly. Reading should be done with speed and quickness.
2. Focus on the relevant details and underline them.
3. Read the questions carefully and go back to the passage to find the answers.
4. The answers are generally in a logical sequence.
5. To find answers to the vocabulary-based questions like synonyms, etc., replace the word with the meaning.
If you find that it is the same in meaning, the answer is correct.
6. To find the correct option in Multiple Choice Questions, go through all the options. Re-read the passage and
then tick the correct option.
7. The incorrect options are called distractors. These distractors appear to be so convincing that in their hurry
or carelessness students often mark them as correct answers.
,2 Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X
Section B : Writing Skills With Grammar
CHAPTER-2
Grammar
Tenses
Topic-1 Concepts Covered Indefinite Continuous, Perfect and Perfect continuous forms of
Present Past & Future Tense and their Usage
Revision Notes
Present tense :
1. Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Henceforth
MV- Main verb
HV- Helping verb
Usage :
(i) Habitual actions : He gets up early in the morning.
(ii) Scientific facts : Water boils at 100 centigrade.
(iii) Universal facts/General truth : The sun rises in the east.
Keywords : daily, never, always etc.
Verb :
MV- I form (Plural Subject), I form+ e/es(Singular Subject)- Affirmative sentences.
HV- Do (Plural Subject)/Does (Singular Subject)-Negative & Interrogative.
Sentences
NB- No ‘s/es’ with ‘do/does’
2. Continuous (Progressive, Imperfect) Tense
Usage :
(i) Action taking place at the time of speaking.
l I am teaching ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by S.T. Coleridge at present.
(ii) Action continued over a period of time in the present.
l I am working on a science project nowadays.
Keywords : nowadays, at present, these days etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- is, am, are
3. Present Perfect Tense
Usage :
Just completed action.
l I have completed my homework just now.
Keywords : Recently, Just now
Verb :
MV- III form
HV- Has (Singular Subject)/ Have (Plural Subject)
4. Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
Action started somewhere in the past but being done now.
Example
l I have been living in Baroda for the last two years.
l She has been studying in this school for two years.
Keywords : Since, for
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- Has been (Singular Subject)/ have been (Plural Subject)
Since- Point of time
For- Period of time
Past Tense :
1. Past Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Usage :
Action done in remote past.
Example
, Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X 3
l I went to Mathura yesterday.
l I did not go to Mathura yesterday.
Keywords : - yesterday, last, etc.
Verb :
MV- II form (Affirmative sentences)
HV- Did
NB- 1-HV ‘did‘ is used in negative & interrogative sentences.
2. With HV ‘did‘, I form of MV.
2. Past Continuous Tense
Usage :
An action done progressively in the past.
Example
l He was working on a project, when I last visited him.
Keywords : those days, etc.
Verb :
MV-I form + ing
HV- was, were
3. Past Perfect Tense
Usage :
An action completed in the past before a said time or another action.
l The patient had died before the doctor came.
Keywords : before, when, as soon as etc.
Verb :
MV- III form (earlier past) & II form (Past)
HV- had (earlier past)
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
An action being done continuously for the said period in the past.
She had been reading for two hours when I reached her house.
Keywords : since, for
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- had been
Future Tense :
1. Future Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Usage :
Refers to simple action which is yet to take place.
I will go to Surat tomorrow.
Keywords : tomorrow, next, coming etc.
Verb :
MV- I form
HV- will, shall (Modals)
NB- 1- 1st Person (I, We) - shall
2nd & 3rd Person (You, He/ She, It, They)-will
2. Future Continuous Tense
Usage :
A progressive future action.
At this time tomorrow, she will be doing her homework.
Keywords : tomorrow at this time etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- will, shall (Modals) + be
3. Future Perfect Tense
Usage :
Refers to an action which will be completed at the said time in future.
e.g., I will have prepared supporting material by Saturday.
Keywords : after, by, etc.
Verb :
MV- III form
HV- will, shall (Modals) + have
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
, 4 Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X
An action which will begin before a definite time in the future and will just end up at that time or may continue
even after that.
When I reach my school at 08:30 a.m. tomorrow, the teacher will have been giving remedial classes.
Keywords : - Since, for, after three years, etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- will, shall (modals) + have been
Future Time Reference
1. By using – will/shall
l I‘ll go to Agra tomorrow.
2. By using – Simple present tense
l What time does the match begin?
3. By using – Present Continuous tense
l The PM is leaving for America next week.
4. By using – Going to :
l I am going to take bath.
5. By using – about to :
l The train is about to come.
Modals
Topic-2 Concepts Covered odal Auxiliaries - can, could, May, might, will, shall, should, ought
M
to, must have to used to.
Revision Notes
Modals are the auxiliaries that are used to convey special idea.
Modal Verbs Function/Idea conveyed
(a) Can …………… Ability, Permission (informal)
(b) Could Past of …………… Can
(c) May ………… Possibility, Permission (Formal)
(d) Might Past of …………… May’
(e) Will & Shall …………… To express future time, to express determination, promise and threatening, to make
requests
(f) Should, Ought to ……… Moral obligation, to express advice
(g) Must, have to …………… Social obligation (compulsion), duty, necessity
(h) Used to …………… To express past habit.
Subject-verb Agreement
Topic-3 Concepts Covered The relationship between the subject and verb; The subject and verb
must agree in two ways; Tense and Number.
Revision Notes
A verb must agree with its subject in number and person, i.e., the verb should be of the same number and person
as the subject.
Mohan likes sweets.
Children like sweets.
1. Two or more singular subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb;
He and his brother were absent.
Note:
When two subjects are regarded as representing one idea, then the verb is singular;
Slow and steady wins the race.
If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular;
The poet and philosopher is dead. [Here ‘poet’ and ‘philosopher’ refer to the same person.]
2. If two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ are preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every’, the verb is singular;
Every man and every woman in the village was terrified.
CHAPTER-1
UNSEEN PASSAGES
Revision Notes
Reading section comprises unseen passages to be comprehended by the students. The word ‘comprehension’
actually means the ability to understand something. To test the students’ reading skills, two types of passages
have been included in the syllabus :
Type 1 : Discursive Passage (400-450 words) : A passage which involves the opinion of a person through
reasoning is called a discursive passage. This passage includes opinions which are generally argumentative,
persuasive or interpretative.
Type 2 : Case-based factual Passage (200-250 words) : A passage which focuses completely on details or facts
is called a factual passage. This passage, generally includes instructions, reports or descriptions.
What to do?
• The Case-based Passage has ten questions which require thorough understanding of the passage and carry
one mark each. They include MCQs, Fill in the Blanks and True/False.
• In the Discursive Passage, ten multiple choice questions are asked to test inference, evaluation and analysis
skill of the student. These questions test vocabulary and language skills. The answer has to be selected from
the four given options with utmost care and using reasoning.
How to score maximum marks in Comprehension Passages?
• The skill of obtaining maximum marks in comprehension passage can only be mastered by consistent
practice. Before answering the questions the students need to go through the 3S’s of the reading process i.e.,
Skimming, Scanning and Summarizing. They should also remember the 5 Rs (read, respond, record, recite
and review) which enables them to actively study and comprehend the texts.
Latest Board Marking Scheme
Objective : To comprehend the passage.
To identify the main points of the text.
Marking : 1 × 10 = 10 marks
Objective : To test inference, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and vocabulary.
Only 1 answer for each question will be accepted. Two answers chosen will result in zero credit of marks.
Some Useful Tips
1. Read the passage carefully and thoroughly. Reading should be done with speed and quickness.
2. Focus on the relevant details and underline them.
3. Read the questions carefully and go back to the passage to find the answers.
4. The answers are generally in a logical sequence.
5. To find answers to the vocabulary-based questions like synonyms, etc., replace the word with the meaning.
If you find that it is the same in meaning, the answer is correct.
6. To find the correct option in Multiple Choice Questions, go through all the options. Re-read the passage and
then tick the correct option.
7. The incorrect options are called distractors. These distractors appear to be so convincing that in their hurry
or carelessness students often mark them as correct answers.
,2 Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X
Section B : Writing Skills With Grammar
CHAPTER-2
Grammar
Tenses
Topic-1 Concepts Covered Indefinite Continuous, Perfect and Perfect continuous forms of
Present Past & Future Tense and their Usage
Revision Notes
Present tense :
1. Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Henceforth
MV- Main verb
HV- Helping verb
Usage :
(i) Habitual actions : He gets up early in the morning.
(ii) Scientific facts : Water boils at 100 centigrade.
(iii) Universal facts/General truth : The sun rises in the east.
Keywords : daily, never, always etc.
Verb :
MV- I form (Plural Subject), I form+ e/es(Singular Subject)- Affirmative sentences.
HV- Do (Plural Subject)/Does (Singular Subject)-Negative & Interrogative.
Sentences
NB- No ‘s/es’ with ‘do/does’
2. Continuous (Progressive, Imperfect) Tense
Usage :
(i) Action taking place at the time of speaking.
l I am teaching ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by S.T. Coleridge at present.
(ii) Action continued over a period of time in the present.
l I am working on a science project nowadays.
Keywords : nowadays, at present, these days etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- is, am, are
3. Present Perfect Tense
Usage :
Just completed action.
l I have completed my homework just now.
Keywords : Recently, Just now
Verb :
MV- III form
HV- Has (Singular Subject)/ Have (Plural Subject)
4. Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
Action started somewhere in the past but being done now.
Example
l I have been living in Baroda for the last two years.
l She has been studying in this school for two years.
Keywords : Since, for
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- Has been (Singular Subject)/ have been (Plural Subject)
Since- Point of time
For- Period of time
Past Tense :
1. Past Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Usage :
Action done in remote past.
Example
, Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X 3
l I went to Mathura yesterday.
l I did not go to Mathura yesterday.
Keywords : - yesterday, last, etc.
Verb :
MV- II form (Affirmative sentences)
HV- Did
NB- 1-HV ‘did‘ is used in negative & interrogative sentences.
2. With HV ‘did‘, I form of MV.
2. Past Continuous Tense
Usage :
An action done progressively in the past.
Example
l He was working on a project, when I last visited him.
Keywords : those days, etc.
Verb :
MV-I form + ing
HV- was, were
3. Past Perfect Tense
Usage :
An action completed in the past before a said time or another action.
l The patient had died before the doctor came.
Keywords : before, when, as soon as etc.
Verb :
MV- III form (earlier past) & II form (Past)
HV- had (earlier past)
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
An action being done continuously for the said period in the past.
She had been reading for two hours when I reached her house.
Keywords : since, for
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- had been
Future Tense :
1. Future Indefinite (Simple) Tense
Usage :
Refers to simple action which is yet to take place.
I will go to Surat tomorrow.
Keywords : tomorrow, next, coming etc.
Verb :
MV- I form
HV- will, shall (Modals)
NB- 1- 1st Person (I, We) - shall
2nd & 3rd Person (You, He/ She, It, They)-will
2. Future Continuous Tense
Usage :
A progressive future action.
At this time tomorrow, she will be doing her homework.
Keywords : tomorrow at this time etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- will, shall (Modals) + be
3. Future Perfect Tense
Usage :
Refers to an action which will be completed at the said time in future.
e.g., I will have prepared supporting material by Saturday.
Keywords : after, by, etc.
Verb :
MV- III form
HV- will, shall (Modals) + have
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Usage :
, 4 Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Revision Notes, English Lang. & Lit., Class-X
An action which will begin before a definite time in the future and will just end up at that time or may continue
even after that.
When I reach my school at 08:30 a.m. tomorrow, the teacher will have been giving remedial classes.
Keywords : - Since, for, after three years, etc.
Verb :
MV- I form + ing
HV- will, shall (modals) + have been
Future Time Reference
1. By using – will/shall
l I‘ll go to Agra tomorrow.
2. By using – Simple present tense
l What time does the match begin?
3. By using – Present Continuous tense
l The PM is leaving for America next week.
4. By using – Going to :
l I am going to take bath.
5. By using – about to :
l The train is about to come.
Modals
Topic-2 Concepts Covered odal Auxiliaries - can, could, May, might, will, shall, should, ought
M
to, must have to used to.
Revision Notes
Modals are the auxiliaries that are used to convey special idea.
Modal Verbs Function/Idea conveyed
(a) Can …………… Ability, Permission (informal)
(b) Could Past of …………… Can
(c) May ………… Possibility, Permission (Formal)
(d) Might Past of …………… May’
(e) Will & Shall …………… To express future time, to express determination, promise and threatening, to make
requests
(f) Should, Ought to ……… Moral obligation, to express advice
(g) Must, have to …………… Social obligation (compulsion), duty, necessity
(h) Used to …………… To express past habit.
Subject-verb Agreement
Topic-3 Concepts Covered The relationship between the subject and verb; The subject and verb
must agree in two ways; Tense and Number.
Revision Notes
A verb must agree with its subject in number and person, i.e., the verb should be of the same number and person
as the subject.
Mohan likes sweets.
Children like sweets.
1. Two or more singular subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb;
He and his brother were absent.
Note:
When two subjects are regarded as representing one idea, then the verb is singular;
Slow and steady wins the race.
If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular;
The poet and philosopher is dead. [Here ‘poet’ and ‘philosopher’ refer to the same person.]
2. If two singular nouns joined by ‘and’ are preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every’, the verb is singular;
Every man and every woman in the village was terrified.
