ISC English Literature 2026 Improvement Paper with Answers
All 32 questions of the ISC English Literature 2026 Improvement Paper, in printed order. Open a question to read it in full and see its answer.
- Q1(i) In Act V Scene i of the play, Macbeth, the Gentlewoman says, “It is an accustomed action with her,...” What “accustomed action”… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(ii) In Act IV Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, which ‘vice’ according to Macduff “grows with more pernicious root”? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(iii) “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him.” What does this… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(iv) In Act V Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, Macbeth tells the Doctor to “cast / The water of my land, find her disease”. What… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(v) What strikes terror in Aniruddha’s heart as he gets caught in the storm in the short story, Indigo? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(vi) Which one of the following BEST describes Charushashi’s demand to learn English with Tarapada, in the short story, Atithi? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(vii) Read the following two statements from the short story, The Cookie Lady, and choose the correct option from the ones given below… 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(viii) What is ‘dreadful’ about silence in the poem, Small Towns and the River? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(ix) In the poem, Beethoven, the poet says that Beethoven had to ‘earn’ his father’s mercy. How did he do so? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q1(x) In the poem, Telephone Conversation, the speaker describes his skin as ‘West African sepia’. What does this suggest about him? 1 mark · MCQ
- Q2(i) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In Act III Scene vi of the… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(ii) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In Act III Scene iii of the… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(iii) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In Act IV Scene i of the… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(iv) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In Act V Scene iii of the… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(v) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In the short story, The… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(vi) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In the short story, The… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(vii) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. The rooms are dusted and… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(viii) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In the poem, Death Be Not… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(ix) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. The poem, Tithonus, opens… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q2(x) Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. In the poem, Small Towns and… 1 mark · Short answer
- Q3(i) How do Scenes i and ii of Act III reflect a change in Macbeth’s character? Incorporate the following details and write your… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q3(ii) Referring closely to Act V Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, bring out Macbeth’s growing insecurity. Incorporate the following… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q3(iii)(a) Macduff is a man of action and integrity and not of emotions. Discuss the statement by making adequate references to the Acts… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q3(iii)(b) The play ends with Malcolm ascending the throne of Scotland. What changes does he announce? What does this reveal about his… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q4(i) Discuss the difference in the attitudes of Martin and his sister, Cheryl towards their Grandpa in the short story, The Medicine… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q4(ii) What role does the fire play in the short story, There Will Come Soft Rains? Incorporate the following details and write your… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q4(iii)(a) In the short story, Indigo, the writer gradually builds an atmosphere of thrill and suspense. Justify the statement with… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q4(iii)(b) Compare and contrast the character of Charushashi with that of Sonamani. Show how Sonamani and Charushashi present two aspects of… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q5(i) Discuss how the poet challenges the absolute power of Death in the poem, Death Be Not Proud. Write your answer in a short… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q5(ii) Describe the portrayal of ‘small towns’ in the poem, Small Towns and the River. Answer in 100 - 150 words incorporating the… 5 marks · Long answer
- Q5(iii)(a) Trace the journey of Beethoven from “Not good enough” to “The man MUST be a genius”, by making relevant references to the poem… 10 marks · Long answer
- Q5(iii)(b) Comment on the relevance of the theme of the poem, Tithonus, in modern times. Write your answer in 200 - 250 words. 10 marks · Long answer