Syllabus: English for Class 8 PDF Download

Introduction

The English Class 8 course (NCERT Poorvi) — takes you on a journey through stories of wit, courage, and imagination, along with poems that capture nature and human experiences. Alongside literature, it sharpens your grammar, writing, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, keeping you aligned with the CBSE Class 8 English syllabus.

With 13 literature chapters and 15 grammar/writing topics, the course is packed with NCERT texts, solutions, notes, worksheets, tests, flashcards, mindmaps, infographics, and videos, all neatly interlinked on EduRev. Whether it’s preparing for exams, improving communication, or exploring new ideas, this course makes learning English both structured and exciting. Regular worksheets, quizzes, and tests ensure that you not only learn but also apply your skills with confidence.

The Exam is categorized into four main categories

Section B: Writing

Section C: Grammar

Section D: Literature - Honeydew and It So Happened. 

Section A: Reading

The first section of the CBSE Class 8 English curriculum is the ‘Reading Section’, which consists of Reading Comprehension or Unseen Passages. Reading comprehension is the ability to understand what is being read fully.

Students should read the passage carefully, answer questions concisely, and avoid adding personal views. The Reading Comprehension Worksheets available at EduRev help students explore the author's intent and understand the text's deeper meanings.In exams, Reading comprehension questions are mainly in the form of passages or poetry.

Tips & Tricks for Section A: Reading

To score well in the CBSE Class 8 English exam, it's best to follow expert advice. Here are some key tips from experienced teachers and top students:

• Attempt First: Since the reading section takes the most time, start with it.
• Read Questions First: To save time, read the questions before the unseen passage.
• Understand Content: Focus on understanding the passage thoroughly before answering questions.
• Stay Concise: Keep answers concise and directly related to the passage to avoid losing marks.
• Regular Practice: Practice one reading comprehension every week during the last month before exams.

Section B: Writing

The second part of the CBSE English Syllabus is the 'Writing Section,' which checks students' writing skills. It covers areas like sentence and paragraph formation, helping students build strong basic writing skills. A good composition includes a heading, introduction, body, and conclusion, essential for scoring well. 

Let us look at a few topics that are given in the exam under this section:

• Notice Writing
• Letter Writing
• Diary Entry
• Email Writing
• Story Writing
• Article Writing
• Message Writing
• Bio - Sketch
• Process Writing

Tips & Tricks for Section B: Writing

• Choose Your Topic: Think carefully about your topic.
• Create an Outline: Draw a clear and logical outline.
• Write an Engaging Introduction: Begin with a strong and captivating introduction.
• Develop the Main Body: Build the main content of your composition.
• Write a Conclusion: End with a precise and appropriate summary.

Following these steps will help students write any type of composition well and effectively.

Section C: Grammar

Grammar is key to expressing ourselves in both spoken and written words. Mastery of grammar aids sentence formation and effective communication. Class 8 students should practice each segment to score well in exams. 
Here's a list of important grammar topics for Class 8th students:-

• The Sentence
• Order of Words
• The Noun
• The Pronoun
• The Verb
• Modal Verbs
• The Adjective
• The Adverb
• The Tense
• The Preposition
• Conjunctions
• Interjections
• Active & Passive Voice
• Vocabulary
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Phrase and idiom

Tips & Tricks for Section C: Grammar

To score better in this section, the following pointers can prove to be game-changing:

• Practice Regularly: Since the grammar section requires a lot of practice, students should solve numerous worksheets and sample papers for the best results.
• Revise Thoroughly: Students should thoroughly revise the concepts before appearing for the exams to ensure a strong understanding.
• Focus on Accuracy: Extra effort should be made to be accurate, as this is the most scoring section in the English examination.

Section D: Literature

The fourth section of the CBSE Class 8 English curriculum is the ‘Literature Section’, which tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, and communication skills. Literature helps students learn to read and write effectively, find solutions to problems, and perform well in exams. 

This section of English Literature is divided into two books – a textbook of English and a Supplementary Reader in English.
The following chapters and poems are there in the syllabus:- 

(a) Honeydew

• Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World
• Chapter 2 The Tsunami
• Chapter 3 Glimpses of the Past
• Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory
• Chapter 5 The Summit Within
• Chapter 6 This is Jody’s Fawn
• Chapter 7 A Visit to Cambridge
• Chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Diary
• Poem 1 The Ant and The Cricket
• Poem 2 Geography Lesson
• Poem 3 The Last Bargain
• Poem 4  The School Boy
• Poem 5 On the Grasshopper and Cricket

(b) It So Happened – Supplementary Reader

• Chapter 1 - How the Camel got his Hump
• Chapter 2 - Children at Work
• Chapter 3 - The Selfish Giant
• Chapter 4 - The Treasure Within
• Chapter 5 - Princess September
• Chapter 6 The Fight
• Chapter 7 Jalebis
• Chapter 8 Ancient Education System Of India

Tips & Tricks for Section D: Literature

Here are a few tips for success in Section D

• As the literature section is the most familiar, students should attempt it at the end.
• Students should read all chapters at least once before appearing for the exams.
• Long answer questions should be answered first to avoid unnecessary pressure at the end.

At EduRev, we offer a variety of resources to help students excel in the literature section. Our chapter summaries, practice questions, and detailed explanations ensure students understand the material thoroughly. Additionally, our interactive discussions and expert guidance help students improve their comprehension and communication skills, making them well-prepared for their exams.