Tips and Tricks to Score 100% Marks in English Literature Section C Class 10

English Literature section is an interesting section in board examinations. Most of students assume that they will perform well in this section. A large number of Indian English Language teacher organize ‘literature’ oriented classroom; they spend a lot of time on “reading” ‘explaining text’ and dictating exercise based questions. It is observed that English language teacher leaves extensive activities based on ‘writing skill, grammar, listening and speaking’ and asks student to do its own. English Language Teaching is an integrated task where we need to distribute our teaching time equally to “Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking skill”.

Naturally, students feel very comfortable in short answer types questions i.e. questions word length 30-40 words carrying 2 mark, however questions based on “read the extract and answer based on given text” demands intensive “reading skill” and adequate practice before the examination to score 4/4. Most of students score an average marks(may be 5/8, 6/8) in long answer types questions in about 100-120 words carrying 8 marks and also the question based on prescribed novel text for extended reading in about 200-250 words carrying 10 marks.

What are the objective of assessment and evaluation of Language and Literature Section?

Recalling, reasoning, textbook appreciating, applying literary conventions, extrapolating, illustrating and justifying, extracting relevant information, identifying the central theme and sub-themes, understanding the writer’s message and write fluently….(Secondary School Curriculum 2018-19)

Question Type 1- Read the Extract Given from prescribed textbook

Question paper consists two questions (a or b) based on “Read the Extract”. Students need to attempt only one question out of two extracts from prose/poetry/play. This question evaluates student’s skill “reference to context”. There are 4 questions (a, b, c, d); mainly questions evaluates students global comprehension and textual interpretation skill i.e. what does the speaker mean, whom is he addressing/why was —— /find out the synonyms/antonyms/which qualities/explain the statement/explain the term ‘the sleeping countryside’/ What does ‘ glance’ imply in the given lines?

Tips for Student for Scoring Full Marks  :-

  1. Identify the Name of Lesson
  2. Identify the Name of Author/Poet/Dramatist
  3. Read the given extract carefully
  4. Identify key words/key concept
  5. Identify the speaker/character
  6. Recall the theme of poem/prose lesson
  7. Recall the context of the lesson/poem/play

Question Type 2 – Short Answer Type Questions from FIRST FLIGHT and FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET /Literature Reader

Generally, this section consists of 4-5 questions to test local and global comprehension of theme and ideas (30-40 words each, 2×5 = 10 marks/ 2×4 = 8 Marks). Usually, most of the students score 8/8, 10/10 in this section. This section is easy in comparison to ‘read the extract’ section since English Language Teacher focuses so much on this section during academic session.

Question Type 3- Long Answer Type Questions FIRST FLIGHT and FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

In fact, long types question demands a lot of practice, creativity, imagination and extrapolation beyond the text and across the texts. General student scores 6/8 due to lack of poor content, logical development of paragraph, accuracy of sentences etc.  This question expects a student to be more factual, practical and vigilant before writing answer. Wise student scores 8/8 if his answer reflects meaningful points (based on factual comprehension and global comprehension of the text), proper development of ideas, sequential and chronological development of ideas, better illustration and explanations. This question presents tough and thoughtful challenges for brilliant student. This question also puts a challenge before evaluator to be more alert and do justice with student.

Question Type 4- Very Long Answer Type Questions from’ Extended Reading Text’

This question slightly differs from question type 3.Basically this question is based on theme or plot involving interpretation, inference and character i.e. “In the life of Helen Keller, Ms. Anne Sullivan acts as an inspiration behind her extraordinary life. Justify with suitable instances from the text”/ Give a pen portrait of Dr. Alexender Graham Bell/ What are Anne’s views about the Laws that restrict the Jews’ freedom / Why was Helen withdrawn from the Gilman School and how did she further pursue here education/ What happened as a result of the plagiarizing incident for Helen? What was the effect of this event on her life?(CBSE, 2017, 2018)

Tips for students for Scoring Full Marks in Long Answer Type Questions

Generally if a question carries 8 marks then the teacher gives marks on the basis of following criteria:-

Content- 4 Marks (precise, concise, specific, exact, accurate, details, summarizing, illustrious, relevant examples, creative thoughts, logical and judicious points related to the topic)

Fluency -2 Marks (Development of ideas in sequence, chronological order, flow of thoughts in right order)

Accuracy- 2 Marks (Grammatical Accuracy-Meaningful sentence, Spelling)

If a question carries 10 marks then the evaluator gives marks on the basis of following criteria:-

Content- 6 Marks (precise, concise, specific, exact, accurate, details, summarizing, illustrious, relevant examples, creative thoughts, logical and judicious points related to the topic)

Fluency -2 Marks (Development of ideas in sequence, chronological order, flow of thoughts in right order)

Accuracy- 2 Marks (Grammatical Accuracy-Meaningful sentence, Spelling)

Evaluator follows the marking scheme formula which is given by the board. Teacher evaluates Question Type 3, 4 answers on the basis of “Content, Fluency and Accuracy”. Broadly speaking, a general students attempt all the questions of ‘Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text’ Section C but it is very hard to score more than 23-24 out of 30 marks. The basic difference among different types of learners occur due to 1 mark in ‘extract reading text’ and 4-5 marks in Question Type 3, 4 because getting full marks demands a lot of writing practice, quality content, fluency of thoughts and accuracy in sentence pattern. Wise students works a lot and do writing practices for long answer questions. They develop good writing skill by taking real feedback from peers, friends and teachers. Writing 200-250 words in an exam is not an easy task but surely it is possible with adequate practices, well textual understanding, proper use of key words and key terms,  proper description  of different character and events, relevant illustrations and own perspective for a specific situation.   

Wise students learn the art of planting, cutting, watering and doing other activity from a gardener and sculpture artist who makes a beautiful statue by giving days and nights with full dedication. Developing writing skill demands skill of a painter/sculpture artist who works hard without any complain. When a student writes so many articles, essays, letters, story and other genres continuously, showing these genres to other friend, classmates and teacher and  takes regular feedback for her/his weak points. Extensive reading skill and intensive writing habit help students to incorporate key words and key term in their writing. Only one thing should be remember that our writing should be so specific, concise and creative for expressing the correct message to the reader.