We, parents of CBSE Class X students, are confused over the style/basis of correction of the English paper. Could you tell us which is the right way for students to answer for Reading and Writing sections? Does the Board expect students to use more idiomatic phrases, proverbs, captions, high language and so on for Section B, especially for letter writing and speech writing? Because, most of the students get only 4 or 5 marks out of 10. Could you give us some tips for Class X students to score high in English?

(Thavamony Raman, principal, Raman Kalvi Nilayam)

Evaluation is based on detailed and well-defined marking schemes. The CBSE publishes these marking schemes for different subjects with the objective of making the system more transparent and to help students and teachers in their preparation for the examinations. Studying the pattern of marking schemes will greatly help students in writing the answers along the right lines.

First of all, as parents, you may impress upon your children to read the questions properly and understand them so that they will know what is expected as answers. It is not only language but also content and organisation that are taken into account for awarding marks. Use of direct and simple language and short sentences is desirable, though appropriate vocabulary enhances the effectiveness of the answer. However, verbose and ornamental 'high language', as you may call it, will not be desirable because in their attempt to use proverbs, idiomatic phrases and so on, students tend to make errors and this will make them lose marks. As for the Reading section, marks are not deducted for errors in spelling and grammar.

However, students should read and comprehend passages/poems and write accurate answers as per the instructions contained in the question paper. Extensive practice of such reading exercises will surely help students score full marks in the Reading section. Writing section has two 5-mark questions, which are based on short text types such as telegram, notice, message or short postcard. Answers to these two questions should be written in about 50 words each. Weightage is given to format and content. A maximum of one mark is deducted for language errors.

The other two questions in the Writing section require longer answers in response to visual and verbal stimuli. Weightage is given to content, fluency (organisation) and accuracy (language). Creativity, correct and appropriate value points, the use of proper lay out/format and lucid organisation, are the features the students should focus on. As language competence is skill-oriented; only by actually practising the language skills will students be able to score high marks. So, as parents, encourage your children to practise answering as many questions as they can, besides reading the lessons in the literature reader with comprehension and understanding.