Class 10 English Language & LiteratureChapter Summaries
10 chapters · Quick revision in under 3 minutes per chapter · Updated 2025-26
A Letter to God (First Flight)
A short story about a farmer named Lencho whose crop is destroyed by hail. His unshakeable faith in God leads him to write a letter asking for 100 pesos. The story explores themes of faith, human kindness, and irony.
Topics covered
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
An excerpt from Mandela's autobiography describing his inauguration as South Africa's first black president. The text explores themes of freedom, democracy, and the struggle against apartheid.
Topics covered
Two Stories about Flying
Consists of two stories: 'His First Flight' (a young seagull overcomes his fear of flying) and 'Black Aeroplane' (a mysterious black aeroplane guides a pilot through storm clouds). Themes of courage and mystery.
Topics covered
From the Diary of Anne Frank
An excerpt from Anne Frank's diary where she describes her loneliness, her relationship with her parents, and why she began writing her diary. Themes of isolation, self-expression, and the value of friendship.
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The Hundred Dresses – I & II
A two-part story about Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl who is teased about wearing the same dress every day. She claims to have a hundred dresses at home. The story deals with bullying, guilt, and empathy.
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Glimpses of India
Three short pieces — 'A Baker from Goa', 'Coorg', and 'Tea from Assam'. Each describes a different aspect of Indian culture and regional identity. Descriptive writing style is key.
Topics covered
Mijbil the Otter
Gavin Maxwell brings home an otter named Mijbil from Mesopotamia. The story describes Mijbil's playful nature, his journey to England, and Maxwell's bond with him. A delightful narrative about pet-keeping.
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Madam Rides the Bus
Eight-year-old Valli saves money to ride the bus to town. Her first bus journey is an adventure, but she also witnesses death (a calf hit by a vehicle) that changes her perspective on life.
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The Sermon at Benares
Describes how the Buddha dealt with a grieving mother (Kisa Gotami) whose child had died. By asking her to bring mustard seeds from a house where no death had occurred, he taught her about universal suffering.
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The Proposal (Play)
A one-act comedy by Chekhov about a quarrelsome marriage proposal. Lomov comes to propose to Natalya but they keep arguing about trivial matters. Themes of social status, marriage, and human nature.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revise Class 10 English Language & Literature in one day using summaries?
Yes. Each chapter summary here takes under 3 minutes to read. With 10 chapters, you can cover all of Class 10 English Language & Literature in a focused 2–3 hour session. Use these summaries to identify gaps — then revisit only those chapters in detail.
Are chapter summaries enough for CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature board exam?
Summaries are for revision, not first learning. Use them after you've already studied the chapter — they quickly confirm what you remember and flag what you don't. For first-time study, read the NCERT textbook and work through important questions chapter-by-chapter.
What is covered in Class 10 English Language & Literature chapter summaries?
Each summary here covers the main concepts of the chapter, key topics that CBSE tests, and important points for the board exam. Deleted topics (removed from the 2025-26 CBSE syllabus) are clearly marked so you don't waste time on content that won't be tested.
What is the fastest way to revise Class 10 English Language & Literature for CBSE boards?
Read the chapter summary, then immediately close it and try to recall the key topics listed — without looking. Anything you miss, mark for one more read. This active recall method is proven to be 3× more effective than re-reading the textbook, and takes a fraction of the time.