English Language And Literature Blueprint Class 9 English
| Section |
Topics |
Marks |
A
Reading Skills |
Discursive Passage |
20 |
| Case-based Passage |
B
Creative Writing Skills |
Descriptive Paragraph |
10 |
| Diary Entry/ Story |
B
Grammar |
Tenses, Modals, Subject – Verb Concord, Reported Speech, Commands and Requests, Statements, Questions, Determiners |
10 |
C
Literature
(Beehive & Moments) |
Reference to the Context |
40 |
| Short & Long Answers |
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT*
Pen Paper Test (05) + Multiple Assessment (05) + Portfolio (05) + Subject Enrichment (05) |
20 |
| TOTAL |
100 |
*NOTE: Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills will be for 5 marks. It is recommended that listening and speaking skills should be regularly practised.
English Language & Literature Syllabus Class 9: Course Structure
The Class 9 English Language & Literature syllabus for the 2025-26 academic year is structured to enhance students' reading, writing, grammar, and literary appreciation. This syllabus follows a skill-based approach, helping students improve their communication and analytical thinking through a well-balanced mix of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction texts.
Let’s break down the syllabus into its Important components:
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Reading comprehension is an essential skill tested in exams. The syllabus includes unseen passages that assess students’ ability to:
- Extract information and draw inferences
- Identify the central theme and purpose of the text
- Understand vocabulary in context
Types of Reading Passages:
Factual Passages: These contain data, statistics, and facts, requiring students to interpret information accurately.
Descriptive/Literary Passages: These include excerpts from stories, biographies, or travelogues, testing students' ability to analyse characters, themes, and literary devices.
Poetic Extracts: Short extracts from poems may be included, requiring students to identify rhyme schemes, metaphors, and poetic themes.
Tip: To ace this section, practise skimming and scanning techniques and work on time management while answering comprehension questions.
Writing & Grammar (20 Marks)
This section develops creative and structured writing skills while reinforcing grammatical accuracy.
Writing Section:
Students will be required to write well-organised pieces based on given topics. The formats included are:
Descriptive & Narrative Writing
- Writing descriptions of events, places, or experiences
- Narrating real or imaginary stories in a structured manner
Diary Entry
- (stories, diary entries, articles)
Tip: Use clear sentence structures, avoid repetition, and support your ideas with relevant examples to score well.
Grammar Section
The syllabus includes:
- Tenses (Past, Present, Future) – Application of verb forms
- Modals (can, could, may, might, should, etc.) – Expressing possibility, obligation, and permission
- Subject-verb agreement – Ensuring consistency in singular/plural usage
- Clauses (Noun, Adjective, Adverbial) – Understanding sentence structures
- Reported Speech – Converting direct to indirect speech (statements, commands, and questions)
Tip: Regularly practise grammar exercises and focus on contextual usage rather than memorisation.
Literature (Prose & Poetry) – 40 Marks
The literature section is designed to develop critical thinking, empathy, and literary appreciation. It is divided into two parts:
Prose (Short Stories & Fiction)
Students will study carefully selected stories that highlight themes of society, relationships, values, and human emotions. Questions will assess:
- Theme & moral lessons
- Character sketches & motivations
- Narrative style & literary techniques
1. Beehive (Prose) – Chapter-Wise Breakdown
Chapter 1: The Fun They Had
- Summary: Set in the future, this story by Isaac Asimov reflects on the contrast between traditional and virtual education. Two children discover a book about schools from the past, and they realize how different learning used to be.
- Themes: Technological advancements, education, and nostalgia for the past.
- Important Skills: Understanding futuristic fiction, comparing traditional and modern learning methods.
Chapter 2: The Sound of Music
- Summary: This chapter tells the inspiring stories of two musicians—Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist, and Bismillah Khan, a maestro of the shehnai.
- Themes: Determination, overcoming physical disabilities, and passion for music.
- Important Skills: Biographical reading, motivational themes, understanding music as a universal language.
Chapter 3: The Little Girl
- Summary: This story by Katherine Mansfield highlights the strained relationship between a young girl, Kezia, and her strict father. It reveals how misunderstandings can create distance between parents and children.
- Themes: Family relationships, childhood fears, emotional connection.
- Important Skills: Analyzing parent-child relationships, understanding character development.
Chapter 4: A Truly Beautiful Mind
- Summary: A biographical account of Albert Einstein’s journey from a rebellious child to a world-renowned scientist, emphasizing both his scientific contributions and his humanitarian values.
- Themes: Intelligence, curiosity, peace advocacy.
- Important Skills: Reading biographical narratives, understanding scientific achievements and moral values.
Chapter 5: The Snake and the Mirror (Deleted)
- Summary: This humorous story is about a young doctor who encounters a snake in his room. The situation makes him reflect on vanity and the unpredictability of life.
- Themes: Vanity, fear, the unpredictability of life.
- Important Skills: Comprehension of humor, analyzing human behavior under stress.
Chapter 6: My Childhood
- Summary: This chapter is an excerpt from the autobiography of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, showcasing his early years and the influence of his upbringing on his later life.
- Themes: Childhood, family values, education, and ambition.
- Important Skills: Understanding autobiographical elements, cultural diversity, and early influences on character.
Chapter 7: Packing
- Summary: This amusing narrative by Jerome K. Jerome depicts the chaos caused by overconfidence in one’s packing abilities. The story humorously reflects on the inefficiency and disorder that follows.
- Themes: Humor, overconfidence, human nature.
- Important Skills: Reading humorous texts, understanding human flaws.
Chapter 8: Reach for the Top
- Summary: This chapter tells the inspiring stories of Santosh Yadav, the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice, and Maria Sharapova, the tennis sensation.
- Themes: Perseverance, ambition, breaking barriers.
- Important Skills: Biographical reading, motivation and goal setting, overcoming challenges.
Chapter 9: The Bond of Love
- Summary: This is a heartwarming story of a bond between a woman and her pet sloth bear, emphasizing the compassion and affection humans share with animals.
- Themes: Love for animals, compassion, relationships.
- Important Skills: Understanding themes of compassion and bond between humans and animals.
Chapter 10: If I Were You
- Summary: This play by Douglas James revolves around a witty exchange between Gerrard, a playwright, and a criminal who plans to impersonate him. Gerrard’s cleverness turns the tables on the intruder.
- Themes: Intelligence, wit, crime.
- Important Skills: Analyzing plays, understanding dramatic irony.
Poetry (Analysis & Appreciation)
Poems included in the syllabus will help students understand:
- Poetic devices (metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, etc.)
- Imagery & Symbolism
- Mood & Tone of the poem
Tip: While studying literature, make summary notes of each chapter and poem, including Important themes and important quotes.
2. Beehive (Poetry) – Chapter-Wise Breakdown
Poem 1: The Road Not Taken (Robert Frost)
- Summary: A reflective poem about choices in life and the impact of decisions.
- Themes: Decision-making, individuality, and self-reflection.
- Important Skills: Interpreting symbolism, making connections between poetry and life.
Poem 2: Wind (Subramania Bharati)
- Summary: The poem explores the destructive power of wind and its symbolic relation to life’s hardships.
- Themes: Strength, resilience, natural forces.
- Important Skills: Understanding metaphors and symbolism in poetry.
Poem 3: Rain on the Roof (Coates Kinney)
- Summary: The poet expresses his love for the sound of raindrops on the roof and the memories they evoke.
- Themes: Nostalgia, comfort, nature’s soothing power.
- Important Skills: Sensory imagery, evoking emotions through nature.
Poem 4: A Legend of the Northland (Phoebe Cary)
- Summary: A folk ballad narrating the story of a selfish woman who is punished by Saint Peter for her greed.
- Themes: Greed, morality, consequences.
- Important Skills: Understanding ballads, moral lessons.
Poem 5: No Men are Foreign (James Kirkup)
- Summary: The poem advocates universal brotherhood and peace, emphasizing that people from different nations are not different from us.
- Themes: Equality, anti-war, unity.
- Important Skills: Global perspective, understanding anti-war messages in poetry.
Poem 6: The Duck and the Kangaroo (Edward Lear)
- Summary: A humorous poem about a duck who longs to travel and seeks help from a kangaroo.
- Themes: Adventure, friendship, and curiosity.
- Important Skills: Reading and analyzing light-hearted, humorous poems.
Poem 7: On Killing a Tree (Gieve Patel)
- Summary: This poem focuses on the process of uprooting a tree, symbolizing the destruction of nature by humans.
- Themes: Nature, destruction, survival.
- Important Skills: Environmental awareness, interpreting symbolic messages.
Poem 8: The Snake Trying (W.W.E. Ross)
- Summary: The poet describes a harmless snake trying to escape from humans who want to kill it, conveying sympathy for all creatures.
- Themes: Co-existence, compassion for animals.
- Important Skills: Creating empathy, understanding fear and survival in nature.
Poem 9: A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal (William Wordsworth)
- Summary: A short, reflective poem about the inevitability of death and its impact on the speaker’s emotions.
- Themes: Mortality, loss, nature’s cycle.
- Important Skills: Analyzing philosophical reflections through poetry.
3. Moments – Chapter-Wise Breakdown
Chapter 1: The Lost Child
- Summary: A child gets lost in a fair and is too overwhelmed by the loss of his parents to enjoy the things he previously desired.
- Themes: Parental love, innocence, priorities.
- Important Skills: Understanding emotional shifts in storytelling.
Chapter 2: The Adventures of Toto
- Summary: The humorous mischief of a pet monImportant, Toto, and the trouble he causes for his owner.
- Themes: Mischief, care for animals.
- Important Skills: Comprehending animal behavior and storytelling humor.
Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller
- Summary: A tale about a boy named Mahendra and his imaginative servant Iswaran, who narrates fascinating stories.
- Themes: Storytelling, imagination, trust.
- Important Skills: Exploring oral storytelling traditions.
Chapter 4: In the Kingdom of Fools
- Summary: A humorous story of a kingdom where both the king and the subjects act foolishly, resulting in comical and absurd situations.
- Themes: Foolishness, wisdom.
- Important Skills: Analyzing satire and irony.
Chapter 5: The Happy Prince
- Summary: The story of a golden statue who helps the poor through a swallow, showcasing compassion and sacrifice.
- Themes: Charity, compassion, selflessness.
- Important Skills: Understanding themes of sacrifice and social responsibility.
Chapter 6: Weathering the Storm in Ersama (Deleted)
- Summary: Based on a real-life incident, this story describes the resilience of a boy who survives a cyclone and helps rebuild his village.
- Themes: Courage, resilience, disaster recovery.
- Important Skills: Analyzing human strength and natural disasters.
Chapter 7: The Last Leaf
- Summary: A touching story of friendship and hope, where an old artist saves a girl’s life by painting the last leaf of a tree.
- Themes: Hope, friendship, and sacrifice.
- Important Skills: Understanding symbolism and thematic depth.
Chapter 8: A House is Not a Home
- Summary: The story deals with the emotional journey of a boy who learns to cope with the loss of his house and his beloved pet.
- Themes: Loss, rebuilding life, emotional strength.
- Important Skills: Analyzing personal loss and recovery.
Chapter 9: The Beggar
- Summary: A beggar transforms his life after being offered help and dignity by a kind woman.
- Themes: Kindness, transformation, dignity of labor.
- Important Skills: Understanding character growth and societal values.
Assessment & Exam Pattern
The evaluation will include:
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
- Listening & Speaking Skills – Activities to develop oral fluency, pronunciation, and listening comprehension
- Periodic Tests & Assignments – Small tests and project-based assessments
- Portfolio Submission – Handwritten assignments, creative writing pieces, and reflections
Final Exam (80 Marks)
- Reading Skills – 20 Marks
- Writing & Grammar – 20 Marks
- Literature – 40 Marks
Study Plan Using English Language & Literature Syllabus Class 9
Preparing for Class 9 English Language & Literature requires smart planning, regular practice, and the right strategies. With a well-structured study plan, you can master reading, writing, grammar, and literature effectively.
This guide provides a simple yet effective study plan that will help you stay organised, cover the syllabus on time, and boost your confidence for exams.
Weekly Study Plan for Class 9 English
This 4-week study plan ensures you cover all topics step by step. Adjust it based on your pace and school syllabus progress.
Week 1: Focus on Reading Skills & Writing Basics
Day 1-2: Practise unseen passages (factual & literary)
- Read a passage, underline important words, and answer questions.
- Work on skimming and scanning techniques for quick answers
Day 3-4: Revise descriptive and narrative writing
- Write about a personal experience or a place
- Focus on sentence structure, grammar, and creativity
Day 5-6: Work on diary entry
- Learn the diary entry format
- Practise writing a diary entry in 150-200 words
Day 7: Mock test day
- Solve one unseen passage and one writing task under timed conditions
Week 2: Strengthen Grammar & Analytical Writing
Day 1-2: Revise tenses, modals, and subject-verb agreement
- Practise tense conversion exercises
- Solve worksheets on modals (can, may, should, etc.)
Day 3-4: Work on analytical paragraph writing
- Learn how to analyse a chart, graph, or data
- Write one analytical paragraph daily using important points
Day 5-6: Study clauses & reported speech
- Practise direct to indirect speech conversions
- Identify different types of clauses in sentences
Day 7: Grammar practice test
- Solve a grammar worksheet covering all topics revised this week
Week 3: Literature – Prose & Poetry
Day 1-2: Read and summarise two prose chapters
- Write main themes and character analysis
- Highlight important quotes for reference
Day 3-4: Study poetry – themes & literary devices
- Identify rhyme schemes, metaphors, similes, personification
- Write a short analysis of each poem
Day 5-6: Practise extract-based questions
- Answer context-based questions from stories and poems
- Work on long-answer literary questions
Day 7: Mock literature test
- Solve one extract-based question from prose and poetry
- Write a character sketch or theme-based answer
Week 4: Revision & Exam Practice
Day 1-2: Solve previous years' papers
- Work on a full-length paper under exam conditions
- Analyse mistakes and improve weak areas
Day 3-4: Speaking & listening practice
- Read a newspaper editorial aloud for fluency
- Listen to an audiobook or English speech and summarise it
Day 5-6: Quick revision of grammar & writing skills
- Go through important grammar rules
- Practise writing a formal letter or essay
Day 7: Final full-length mock test
- Attempt a complete English paper (reading, writing, grammar & literature)
Daily Study Tips for Class 9 English
- Read daily – Novels, newspapers, and magazines improve vocabulary
- Write regularly – Maintain a journal or write short essays
- Revise grammar – Spend 15 minutes daily on rules & exercises
- Discuss literature – Talk about stories & poems with classmates
- Solve sample papers – Time yourself to improve speed & accuracy
How to Prepare Using English Language & Literature Syllabus Class 9
English is not just a subject; it’s a skill that helps in effective communication, creative thinking, and academic success. If you’re a Class 9 student wondering how to prepare using the English Language & Literature syllabus, you’re in the right place!
The 2025-26 syllabus is structured to improve reading, writing, grammar, and literature. With the right approach, you can master each section and score well in exams. Here’s how to prepare effectively:
Understand the Syllabus First
Before you start studying, take a good look at the official syllabus. Knowing what’s included will help you focus on the right topics and avoid wasting time on unnecessary content.
The syllabus has four important sections:
- Reading Skills – Unseen passages for comprehension
- Writing & Grammar – Creative writing and language rules
- Literature – Stories, poems, and plays
- Assessment Pattern – Internal tests and final exam structure
Once you understand the course structure, you can plan your study routine efficiently.
Master the Reading Section
The reading section includes unseen passages that test your comprehension and analytical skills. To improve:
- Read newspapers, magazines, and books regularly
- Practise solving unseen passages from previous years' papers
- Focus on skimming and scanning techniques to find answers quickly
- Learn to identify main ideas, supporting details, and inferences
Tip: Time yourself while solving comprehension exercises to improve speed and accuracy.
Strengthen Your Writing & Grammar Skills
Writing is a crucial part of the exam. You’ll need to write letters, analytical paragraphs, and descriptive/narrative essays.
Practise different writing formats – Learn the correct structure of letters, essays, and reports
Work on clarity and coherence – Your writing should have a clear introduction, well-organised body, and a strong conclusion
Improve grammar – Focus on tenses, modals, subject-verb agreement, clauses, and reported speech
Expand your vocabulary – Learn synonyms, antonyms, and idioms to make your writing more engaging
Tip: Write at least one essay or letter per week and get feedback to improve.
Approach Literature the Right Way
The literature section includes prose, poetry, and drama. To study effectively:
- Read each chapter carefully and highlight important quotes and themes
- Summarise stories in your own words to understand them better
- Identify literary devices (metaphors, similes, imagery, etc.) in poetry
- Practise answering extract-based and theme-based questions
Tip: Discuss stories and poems with friends or teachers to develop a deeper understanding.
Revise Smartly with Notes & Flashcards
Revision is important to retaining information and performing well in exams.
- Make summary notes for each chapter and grammar rule
- Use flashcards for difficult vocabulary and literary devices
- Solve past papers to understand exam patterns and question trends
- Time yourself while solving mock tests to improve speed
Tip: Keep a separate notebook for important points from each chapter.
Prepare for Internal Assessments
Class 9 includes speaking and listening assessments as part of internal evaluation. To do well:
Listening Practice:
- Listen to English podcasts, news, and audiobooks
- Try summarising what you hear in a few sentences
Speaking Practice:
- Read aloud and focus on pronunciation
- Practise speaking about current topics, book summaries, or personal experiences
Tip: Record yourself speaking and identify areas for improvement.
Preparing for Class 9 English Language & Literature doesn’t have to be stressful. By following a structured plan, practising regularly, and using the right study techniques, you can develop strong language skills and score well in exams.
- Understand the syllabus before you start
- Practise reading, writing, and grammar daily
- Revise literature using summaries and important points
- Work on speaking and listening skills for internal assessments
With consistent practice and the right mindset, you’ll not only perform well in exams but also develop lifelong communication skills. Happy studying!
.svg)
.svg){kind=logo}
