About the Book

ICSE English Language Skills for Class IX is a newly designed series developed in strict accordance with the latest syllabus prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi. This book reflects the latest questioning patterns followed by the Council and aims to serve as a comprehensive English Language course that helps students gain full command over the subject and approach the examination with confidence.

The book is thoughtfully structured into seven distinct sections, each dedicated to a core component of the English Language Paper I:

1. Composition

2. Letters

3. Notice & E-mail

4. Comprehension

5. Grammar

6. Sample Papers

7. Listening and Speaking Skills

Each section is detailed below with its pedagogical focus:

Section One: Composition

• Equips students with the skills needed to write clear and effective compositions.

• Divided into seven units, covering: Descriptive, Narrative, Argumentative, Reflective, Factual, Imaginative, and Picture Compositions.

• Includes Solved and Unsolved Assignments to guide and practice writing techniques.

Section Two: Letters

• Covers both Informal and Formal Letters in depth.

• Includes 5 solved and 10 unsolved informal letters.

• Formal letters are categorized into:

  • A. Business Letters

  • B. Letters to People in Authority

  • C. Applications

  • D. Letters to Newspapers

  • E. Invitations and Informal Invitations

• Each type is supported with comprehensive solved and unsolved assignments.

Section Three: Notice & E-mail

• Offers step-by-step guidance on drafting Notices and E-mails.

• Includes 9 solved and 9 unsolved Notices.

• Focuses exclusively on Formal E-mails, with 9 assignments aligned with the Notice topics.

Section Four: Comprehension

• Provides clear guidance on how to approach all parts of comprehension questions.

• Focuses on inference, locating information, paraphrasing, and summary writing.

• Teaches students how to write concise summaries and create suitable titles.

• Contains 8 unsolved comprehension passages from various formats like articles, speeches, and reports.

Section Five: Grammar

• Thoroughly covers all grammar topics included in the syllabus.

• Includes rules, examples, and exercises on:

  • Tenses

  • Active/Passive Voice

  • Direct/Indirect Speech

  • Articles

  • Degrees of Comparison

  • Prepositions

  • Sentence Transformation

• Features ICSE Board Questions from previous years for thorough practice.

Section Six: Sample Papers

• Provides 2 Sample Papers strictly based on the latest ICSE examination format for practice.

Section Seven: Listening and Speaking Skills

• Aligned with the Council’s emphasis on these practical skills.

• Includes solved sample papers as prescribed by the Council.

• Contains 5 unsolved assignments each for Listening and Speaking Skills to aid classroom or at-home practice.

We hope this book serves not only as a valuable tool for examination preparation but also as a foundation for lifelong mastery of the English language. It is our sincere aim that students gain clarity, fluency, and confidence through the practical and comprehensive approach adopted in this book.

Suggestions for improvement are warmly welcomed and will be gratefully acknowledged.

– Author