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FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory) Syllabus

The English (Compulsory) syllabus for FBISE Examinations in full: 7 chapters and 21 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 English (Compulsory) flashcards with answers.

7Chapters
21Topics
51Flashcards

English (Compulsory) syllabus: all 7 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Comprehension and Reading Skills

     3 topics
    • Unseen Passage Comprehension
    • Summarizing Paragraphs
    • Reference to the Context

  2. Grammar and Usage

     5 topics
    • Parts of Speech
    • Tenses
    • Active and Passive Voice
    • Direct and Indirect Speech
    • Punctuation

  3. Vocabulary

     3 topics
    • Synonyms and Antonyms
    • Idioms and Phrases
    • Pairs of Words

  4. Composition and Writing

     4 topics
    • Essay Writing
    • Letters and Applications
    • Story Writing
    • Dialogue Writing

  5. Prose and Textbook Lessons

     2 topics
    • Short Questions from Lessons
    • Central Idea and Themes

  6. Poetry

     2 topics
    • Paraphrasing of Poems
    • Explanation of Stanzas

  7. Translation

     2 topics
    • Urdu to English Translation
    • Sentence Construction

FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory) flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. In an Unseen Passage Comprehension question, what is the recommended first step before attempting the questions?

    Read the entire passage quickly once for general meaning (skimming), then read it a second time carefully (scanning) to locate specific answers.

  2. When answering comprehension questions, what rule governs the language you should use in your answers?

    Answer in your own words wherever possible, in complete sentences, and avoid copying long sentences directly from the passage unless a quotation is required.

  3. What is the difference between 'skimming' and 'scanning' a passage?

    Skimming is reading quickly to get the overall gist/main idea; scanning is searching the text for specific details, keywords, or facts.

  4. How should you find the meaning of a difficult word in an unseen passage if asked?

    Use the context (surrounding words and sentences) to guess the meaning, since the answer must fit the sense of the passage.

  5. What is a summary (precis) of a paragraph?

    A shortened version that expresses the central idea and main points of the original in your own words, omitting examples, repetitions, and unnecessary details.

  6. What is the standard length of a precis/summary relative to the original passage?

    Roughly one-third (about 1/3) the length of the original passage.

  7. In which tense and person should a precis normally be written?

    In the third person and usually in the past tense (reported form), not in the first person of the original.

  8. List three things that must be omitted when summarizing a paragraph.

    Examples and illustrations, repetitions, and unnecessary details such as quotations, figures of speech, and direct speech (converted to indirect).

  9. What should a good summary always have, and what should it never include?

    It should always have a suitable title and the main idea; it should never include your own opinions, new information, or direct quotations from the text.

  10. In a 'Reference to the Context' question, what three parts must your answer typically include?

    (1) The name of the poem/lesson and its poet/author, (2) the context (what is happening before and around the lines), and (3) the explanation/meaning of the given lines.

  11. What is the purpose of a 'Reference to the Context' question in the exam?

    To test whether the student knows the source of the lines and can explain their meaning within the situation of the text.

  12. How many parts of speech are traditionally recognized in English, and name them.

    Eight: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection (article is sometimes added as a ninth).

  13. What is a noun? Give its four main kinds.

    A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. Its kinds are: proper, common, collective, and abstract (sometimes also material).

  14. What is a pronoun, and name the main types.

    A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Types: personal, possessive, reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, relative, and indefinite.

  15. What is the difference between an adjective and an adverb?

    An adjective modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun; an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

  16. What is a conjunction? Give an example of a coordinating and a subordinating conjunction.

    A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating example: 'and'/'but'/'or'; subordinating example: 'because'/'although'/'if'.

  17. What is a preposition? Give three examples.

    A preposition shows the relation of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. Examples: in, on, at, under, between.

  18. What is an interjection? Give an example.

    An interjection is a word that expresses sudden emotion or feeling. Example: Alas!, Hurrah!, Oh!, Wow!

  19. How many tenses are there in English, and what are the three main divisions?

    Twelve tenses, grouped into three main divisions: Present, Past, and Future, each having four forms (Indefinite/Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous).

  20. What is the structure (formula) of the Present Indefinite (Simple Present) tense?

    Subject + base verb (verb + s/es with third person singular). Example: He writes a letter.

Show the other 31 English (Compulsory) flashcards

  1. What is the structure of the Present Continuous tense?

    Subject + is/am/are + verb-ing. Example: She is writing a letter.

  2. What is the structure of the Present Perfect tense?

    Subject + has/have + past participle (3rd form). Example: They have written a letter.

  3. What is the structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

    Subject + has/have + been + verb-ing + (since/for + time). Example: He has been writing for two hours.

  4. What is the structure of the Past Indefinite (Simple Past) tense?

    Subject + past form (2nd form of verb). Example: He wrote a letter.

  5. What is the structure of the Past Perfect tense, and when is it used?

    Subject + had + past participle (3rd form). Used for the earlier of two past actions. Example: He had written the letter before she arrived.

  6. What is the structure of the Future Indefinite (Simple Future) tense?

    Subject + will/shall + base verb. Example: He will write a letter.

  7. What is the structure of the Future Perfect tense?

    Subject + will/shall + have + past participle (3rd form). Example: He will have written the letter by Sunday.

  8. What is the basic rule for changing an active sentence into the passive voice?

    The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive; the verb changes to (form of 'be' + past participle); and the original subject is placed after 'by'.

  9. Change to passive voice: 'She writes a letter.'

    A letter is written by her.

  10. What form of the verb is always used in the passive voice?

    The past participle (third form) of the main verb, preceded by an appropriate form of the verb 'to be' (is/am/are/was/were/been/being).

  11. How is the passive of the Present Continuous tense formed? Give an example.

    Object + is/am/are + being + past participle + by + subject. Example: A letter is being written by her.

  12. Can intransitive verbs be changed into the passive voice? Why or why not?

    No. Intransitive verbs have no object, and since the passive needs an object to become the subject, they cannot be made passive.

  13. In Direct and Indirect Speech, what is the basic change made to the verb tense when the reporting verb is in the past?

    The tense of the reported speech moves one step back into the past (e.g., present simple becomes past simple, present continuous becomes past continuous).

  14. In reported speech, what does 'say to' usually change to, and what does it become with an object?

    'say to' changes to 'tell'; without an object 'say' remains 'say'/'said'. Example: He said to me → He told me.

  15. Convert to indirect speech: He said, 'I am busy.'

    He said that he was busy.

  16. In reported speech, how are 'now', 'today', and 'here' changed?

    now → then; today → that day; here → there.

  17. How is a reported question (interrogative) introduced in indirect speech?

    Wh-questions are introduced with the question word; yes/no questions are introduced with 'if' or 'whether'. The sentence becomes a statement (subject before verb) and the question mark is removed.

  18. Convert to indirect speech: He said, 'Where are you going?'

    He asked where I was going.

  19. In reported speech, how are imperative sentences (commands/requests) changed?

    Use a reporting verb like ordered/told/requested/advised + object + 'to' + base verb. Example: He said, 'Open the door' → He ordered me to open the door.

  20. When does the tense NOT change in indirect speech even with a past reporting verb?

    When the reported statement is a universal truth, habitual fact, or scientific fact. Example: The teacher said, 'The earth is round' → The teacher said that the earth is round.

  21. What is the function of a full stop (period), and where is it used?

    It marks the end of a complete declarative or imperative sentence and is also used after abbreviations. Example: He is my friend.

  22. When is a capital letter used in punctuation?

    At the beginning of a sentence, for proper nouns, for the pronoun 'I', for days/months, and for the first word of a direct quotation.

  23. What are the main uses of the apostrophe (')?

    To show possession (boy's book) and to show omission of letters in contractions (do not → don't).

  24. What is the difference between a comma and a semicolon?

    A comma marks a short pause within a sentence; a semicolon marks a longer pause and joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

  25. What punctuation marks are used in writing direct speech?

    Inverted commas/quotation marks (" ") enclose the spoken words, a comma separates them from the reporting verb, and the first spoken word begins with a capital letter.

  26. What is the difference between a synonym and an antonym?

    A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another (happy/glad); an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning (happy/sad).

  27. Give the synonyms and antonyms: provide one synonym and one antonym for 'brave'.

    Synonym: courageous/bold. Antonym: cowardly/timid.

  28. What is an idiom?

    An idiom is a fixed group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. Example: 'to break the ice' means to start a conversation.

  29. What is the meaning of the idiom 'a black sheep'?

    A person who is a disgrace or shame to a family or group; a worthless or odd member.

  30. What are 'Pairs of Words', and why are they tested? Give an example pair with meanings.

    Pairs of words are words that look or sound similar but differ in meaning/spelling, tested to check correct usage. Example: 'accept' (to receive/agree) vs 'except' (other than/excluding).

  31. What are the four essential parts of a well-structured essay?

    A title, an introduction (introducing the topic), the body (main paragraphs developing ideas with details), and a conclusion (summing up the main idea).

FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory) FAQ

What is in the FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory) syllabus?

FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory) is split into 7 chapters: Comprehension and Reading Skills, Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Composition and Writing, Prose and Textbook Lessons, Poetry and Translation. Together they contain 21 topics.

How many chapters are in FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory)?

7 chapters, containing 21 topics. The largest chapter is Grammar and Usage, with 5 topics.

Are there flashcards for FBISE Examinations English (Compulsory)?

Yes — a 51-card English (Compulsory) deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.