ISC 2026 English Language Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is ISC Class 12 English Paper 1 (Language), code 801A, from the 2026 CISCE board examination. It carries 80 marks and runs for three hours, with fifteen minutes extra for reading only. All four questions are compulsory. Question 1 is a composition of about 400 to 450 words, with a jungle safari, an argument on tourism and local culture, and a story that begins with a given line among the choices. Question 2 asks for a Statement of Purpose of about 250 to 300 words for college admission and a short proposal for an exhibition on the history of India. Question 3 tests sentence rewriting, phrasal verbs and verb forms. Question 4 is an unseen passage adapted from Ruthless by William Churchill DeMille. This copy has the questions only.

Exam

ISC Class 12

Subject

English Language

Year

2026

Paper code

801A

Maximum marks

80

Time allowed

3 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

4

Pages

7

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Question 1

  20 marks

  Composition of about 400–450 words on any one of six subjects

• Question 2

  25 marks

  A Statement of Purpose of about 250–300 words (15 marks) and a proposal of not more than 150 words (10 marks)

• Question 3

  15 marks

  Sentence rewriting, replacement of incorrect phrasal verbs, and verb forms, five marks each

• Question 4

  20 marks

  Unseen passage adapted from Ruthless: vocabulary, three short answers and a summary of about 100 words

Topics covered

• Descriptive and narrative composition
• Argumentative writing
• Reflective writing
• Short story writing
• Statement of Purpose
• Proposal writing
• Sentence transformation
• Phrasal verbs
• Verb forms
• Unseen comprehension

Questions from this paper

1. Tourism results in loss of local culture and tradition. Argue either for or against the topic.
2. Happiness is a state of mind. Present your reflections on this statement.
3. Write an original short story that begins: It was a familiar voice, and this could only mean that...
4. As president of the Student Council, write a proposal in not more than 150 words for an exhibition on The History of India.
5. Rewrite, beginning No sooner: As soon as he wakes up, he reads the newspaper.
6. Why did Maria think it was useless to argue with Judson Webb, and how did he fall into his own trap?