ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 (Available): Set-wise Unofficial Key PDF, Exam Analysis

ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026: The ICSE Class 10 English Language exam was held on February 17, 2026 from 11 AM to 1 PM. The English paper 1 consisted of questions based on writing skills, reading comprehension, and grammar knowledge. There were a total of 5 questions in the English Language of ICSE Board Exam 2026. The first 3 questions were based on writing skills. The fourth question was based on an unseen passage, and the last question was on Grammar. The marking scheme differs for each question, with Question 5 carrying the highest weight of 40 marks.

The candidates can check below the set-wise ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 along with the question paper and exam analysis.

Also Check:

ICSE Class 10 English Literature Answer Key 2026 (TBA)

Class 10 ICSE Answer Key 2026: Subject-wise PDF Download

ICSE Class 10 English Language Exam 2026 Difficulty Level: Student Reaction

We have updated here the students' reaction to the ICSE Class 10 English Language exam:

• The overall difficulty level of the exam was easy to moderate.
• The writing-based questions were not very complex, but some students found them time-consuming.
• As per the students, some of the questions in the unseen passage were tricky and confusing.
• The grammar section was easy. The questions were direct and as per syllabus.
• Some students found the sentence construction-related questions difficult.
• Some students were not able to complete their essays as conjunction section was time taking.
• Most of the students were able to attempt all the questions within the time limit.

ICSE Class 10 English Language Exam Analysis 2026

The below table overviews the complete ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 exam analysis:

Particulars	Analysis
Overall Difficulty Level	Easy to moderate
Difficulty Level of Question 1	Moderate
Difficulty Level of Question 2	Easy
Difficulty Level of Question 3	Easy to moderate
Difficulty Level of Question 4	Moderate
Difficulty Level of Question 5	Moderate
Topics with Highest Weightage in Exam	Composition Writing, Unseen Passage, Grammar
Expected Number of Good Attempts	65+

ICSE Class 10 English Language Answer Key 2026 PDF

We will update the unofficial answer key for ICSE Class 10 English Language exam below anytime soon! The candidates can download the ICSE Class 10 English Language answer key in PDF form:

ICSE Class 10 English Language Unofficial Answer Keys 2026 PDF

Questions asked in the exam:

Q.1 Write a composition (300–350 words) on any ONE of the following topics: [20 marks]

(a) Short Story Writing

Write an original short story beginning with the words: “It was a cold night and …”

(b) School Timetable

If you could change one period in your school timetable, which period would you choose? Explain why you think it should be changed and mention which subject or activity you would replace it with.

(c) Descriptive Writing – Eating Out

You and your family enjoy eating out. Describe your favourite restaurant or food stall. Include details about the sights, smells, and atmosphere that attract you to this place. Explain why you enjoy eating there.

(d) Argumentative Writing

“Failure is necessary.” Express your views either for or against this statement, giving suitable reasons.

(e) Picture Composition

Study the picture given below. Write a short composition describing or explaining what is happening in the picture. Your composition may be based directly on the scene or inspired by it, but there must be a clear connection between the picture and your writing.

Answer (example): (a) It was a cold night, and the streets were completely silent. Riya was returning home when she noticed a faint light coming from an abandoned house. Curious yet frightened, she stepped closer. Suddenly, the door creaked open. Inside, she found an old man sitting near a fire, smiling warmly. He told her he had been waiting for someone brave enough to enter. He shared stories of kindness and courage before disappearing mysteriously. The next morning, the house was empty. Riya realised that sometimes fear leads us to unexpected lessons about bravery.

Q.2 (Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.) Select any one of the following:

(i) Letter Writing

Your examinations are drawing near, and you would like to form a study group. Write a letter to a classmate inviting them to join the group. Include details of how you plan to revise and explain why it would be helpful.

(ii) Complaint Letter

The drainage system in your locality needs repair. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner explaining the problems caused by this issue and suggest possible solutions to improve the situation.

Answer (example): (ii) Complaint Letter — Drainage Problem (Formal)

To The Municipal Commissioner Subject: Complaint regarding damaged drainage system Respected Sir/Madam, I wish to bring to your attention the poor condition of the drainage system in our locality. Blocked drains cause waterlogging, foul smell, and health risks to residents. Immediate repair and regular maintenance are required. Kindly take necessary action at the earliest. Yours faithfully, ABC Resident

Q.3 (i) Notice Writing

Your school is organising an Inter-House “No-Flame Cooking Competition.” Write a notice informing students about the event.

Answer (Example):

ABC School NOTICE Inter-House No-Flame Cooking Competition Students are informed that an Inter-House No-Flame Cooking Competition will be held on 15 July in the school auditorium at 10:00 a.m. Interested participants should register with their house teachers by 10 July. (Signature) Event Coordinator

(ii) Email Writing

Write an email to a famous chef inviting him/her to judge the event.

Answer (Example):

Subject: Invitation to Judge Cooking Competition Dear Chef Sharma, Our school is organising an Inter-House No-Flame Cooking Competition, and we would be honoured if you could judge the event. Your expertise would greatly inspire our students. The event will be held on 15 July at our school auditorium. We hope you will accept our invitation. Regards, ABC School

Q.4: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“This is your teacher today. He’s going to show you all sorts of things.” It was said that the headmaster introduced a new teacher. Tom-the-cat took a good look at him but wasn’t dressed like a teacher at all. He wore a striped cotton shirt and had a towel hanging around his neck. His trousers were of dyed cloth and were full of patches. Instead of shoes, he wore thick socks while on the bed was a rather dilapidated straw hat. The children were all assembled by the road outside.

“Now I understand. It’s really fun — someone said it is exciting.
He suddenly recognised him.
‘Aren’t you the farmer who works in the field just across the school gate?’

‘That’s right. And the reason why I came here is because I pass by this place every time I go to the village.’

‘That’s my field. That one over there full of sunflowers.’

‘Well! So you’re going to get a teacher today,’ said the children excitedly.

‘No!’ said the man, waving his hand. ‘I’m not here to teach.’

‘I’m just a farmer. Your headmaster just asked me to do a little work.’

At this, everyone became silent. Suddenly, the children saw the headmaster walking beside him. ‘Every kindly greeting turned to surprise when he made an announcement.’

All of them quietly stood near the school building while the children waited eagerly. The headmaster began to speak about learning from real-life experiences and explained that education was not only about books but also about understanding life and nature.

The farmer then started showing the students how seeds grow, how soil is prepared, and how crops are cared for. The children listened carefully, asking questions and learning new things.

At the end of the session, the headmaster thanked the farmer and encouraged the students to respect practical knowledge as much as classroom learning.

(a) How was the new teacher dressed?

Answer: The new teacher was dressed simply like a farmer. He wore a striped cotton shirt, patched trousers, thick socks instead of shoes, and carried a towel around his neck.

(b) Which sentence in the passage tells us that Totto-chan had seen the teacher before?

Answer: The sentence where she recognises him as the farmer who worked in the field near the school shows she had seen him before.

(c) Why do you think the headmaster had corrected the farmer about his role?

Answer: The headmaster corrected him because the farmer was not a regular teacher but had been invited to teach students through practical experience.

(d) Why was the headmaster right in inviting the new teacher to take a class?

Answer: He was right because the farmer could teach real-life lessons about nature and farming, helping students learn beyond textbooks.

(e) What did the farmer say that proved that he knew a lot about nature?

Answer: The farmer explained about seeds, soil, crops, insects, birds, and weather, showing his deep knowledge of nature.

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

Answer (50 words): The farmer taught the children practical lessons about farming and nature. He explained how seeds grow, how soil is prepared, and how crops are cared for. The students learned about insects, weather, and natural processes, understanding that learning also comes from real-life experiences.

Q.5 A loud wake-up call hit his head and very soon he felt the hand of Ta-chan on the older boy’s back. The farmer began returning home. The teacher and his companions stayed back for some time. Because reading the children’s book played a vital role, the strange teacher told them interesting things about insects, birds, butterflies, shifting weather, and many other wonders of nature. (Adapted from “Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window” by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi)

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

1. dilapidated (line 5)
(a) faded and yellow
(b) new and shining
(c) tightly wrapped
(d) old and damaged

Answer: (d) old and damaged

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

Answer: (a) primary

(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of “boring”?

(a) experience
(b) patience
(c) nourishment
(d) interesting

Answer: (d) interesting

(iii) Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage.

Answers:

1. gliding (glide)

2. holding (hold)

3. stopped (stop)

4. to run (run)

5. tightened (tighten)

6. went (go)

7. kept (keep)

8. disappeared (disappear)

(iv) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words"

Answers:

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

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

1. He picked up the bundle. He walked away.

Answer: Option C, Picking up the bundle, he walked away.

2. Ravi is not a technician. Ravi is not a musician.

Answer: Option B, Ravi is neither a technician nor a musician

3. Tanya is extremely polite. We like Tanya.

Answer: Option D, We like Tanya because she is extremely polite. 

4. The construction started on time. It was delayed due to bad weather.

Answer: Option A, Although the construction started on time, it was delayed due to bad weather.

(vi) Choose the correct option to rewrite the sentence

1. Samudragupta was one of the greatest Indian kings.

Answer: Option C, Very few Indian kings were as great as Samudragupta.

2. One should keep one’s promises.

Answer: Option C, Promises should be kept.

3. He said, “I have passed the examination.”

Answer: Option A, He said that he had passed the examination.

4. He finished his exercise and put his books away. (Begin: Having…)

Answer: Option C Having finished his exercise, he put his books away.

5. Unless she practises every day, she will not be able to meet her goal.

Answer: Option A, If she practises every day, she will be able to meet her goal. (Option A)

Q. 6. Rashmi was too late to hear the first speech. (Use: so…that)

Answer: Option 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)

Answer: Option B, The two shades are slightly different.

Q. 8. Dr Shetty is a professor and a research scientist. (Begin with: Not only…)

Answer: Option D, Not only is Dr Shetty a professor but also a research scientist. 

ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2026 PDF

In the link provided below, we will update the ICSE Class 10 English Language question paper anytime soon! The candidates can download the question paper for ICSE Class 10 English Language in PDF form by clicking on the link below:

ICSE Class 10 English Language Question Paper 2026 PDF: To be updated soon