ISC English Literature 2026 Question Paper with Answers
All 32 questions of the ISC English Literature 2026 Question Paper, in printed order. Open a question to read it in full and see its answer.
- Q1(i) What advice does Malcolm give to Macduff in Act IV Scene iii of the play, Macbeth when the latter learns about the murder of his… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(ii) According to Lennox, in Act III, Scene vi of the play, Macbeth, why does Macduff live in “disgrace”? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(iii) “He cannot buckle his distemper’d cause Within the belt of rule.” What does this statement by Caithness in Act V, Scene ii of the… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(iv) In Act V Scene i of the play, Macbeth, what does the Doctor tell the Gentlewoman to ensure about Lady Macbeth? (P) To prevent her… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(v) Read the two statements from the short story, There Will Come Soft Rains, and choose the correct option from the ones given… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(vi) In the short story Indigo, what is Aniruddha’s reaction to the untimely visit by Uncle Mohit? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(vii) Which one of the following BEST explains the reason for the efforts made by Grandpa to impress Martin’s friends in the short… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(viii) What is the tone of the poet in the phrase ‘raven black’ in the poem, Telephone Conversation? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(ix) Which of the following companions of Death are mentioned in the poem, Death Be Not Proud? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(x) Which one of the following characteristics of the ‘river’ differentiates it from ‘small towns’ in the poem, Small Towns and the… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q2(i) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In Act III Scene iv of the play, Macbeth, Macbeth says “The table’s full”… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(ii) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In Act IV Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, Malcolm tells Macduff that he has… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(iii) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In Act V Scene v of the play, Macbeth, Macbeth is upset at the advancement… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(iv) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In Act V Scene vii of the play, Macbeth, Macbeth does not want to fight… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(v) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the short story, Atithi, Annapurna assumed that Tarapada’s mother did… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(vi) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the short story, The Medicine Bag, Grandpa hid money in his boots because 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(vii) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the short story, The Cookie Lady, Bubber felt exhausted on his way back… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(viii) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the poem, Small Towns and the River, the poet says that ‘The dead are… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(ix) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the poem, Tithonus, Tithonus says one should not disobey the laws of… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(x) Complete the sentence by providing a reason in brief: In the poem, Telephone Conversation, the speaker describes the landlady as… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q3(i) How do the repeated appearances of Banquo’s Ghost impact the Banquet and Macbeth in Act III, Scene iv of the play? Incorporate… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q3(ii) Referring to Act V of the play, Macbeth, describe the final confrontation between Macbeth and Macduff. Incorporate the following… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q3(iii)(a) How do the actions and mental states of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reveal their inner guilt? Answer in about 200 - 250 words by… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q3(iii)(b) Discuss how Macbeth’s repeated visits to the three witches show his inability to take correct decisions and leads to his… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q4(i) Why does Tarapada repeatedly leave his home and go on various adventures in the short story, Atithi? Why does he choose to stay… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q4(ii) Discuss the contents of the notebook that Aniruddha finds in the Dak Bungalow in the short story, Indigo. What do the contents… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q4(iii)(a) How do Bubber’s meetings with Mrs. Drew eventually lead to his tragic end in the short story, The Cookie Lady? Do you think his… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q4(iii)(b) In the short story, The Medicine Bag, the author addresses the themes of cultural identity and generational differences. Discuss… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q5(i) How does the poet challenge Death in the poem, Death Be Not Proud? Write your answer in a short paragraph of 100 - 150 words… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q5(ii) How does a boon become a curse for Tithonus in the poem, Tithonus? Answer in 100 - 150 words incorporating the following details… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q5(iii)(a) The poem, Beethoven, illustrates Beethoven’s determination and his ability to adapt himself to circumstances to create divine… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q5(iii)(b) What do you infer about the speaker in the poem, Telephone Conversation? Do you feel that the landlady and the speaker could have… 10 marks · Long answer