If you are a student or teacher of ICSE Class 9, you know the importance of choosing the right workbook for English literature. The workbook should provide comprehensive coverage of the poem and story, with clear explanations of themes, meanings, and literary devices. It should also have plenty of practice questions, including MCQs and extract-based questions.

In this article, we will compare four popular workbooks for ICSE Class 9 English literature:

1. Evergreen Treasure Chest (A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories) Workbook VOL-1 & VOL-2 by Evergreen Publication.
2. Workbook on Treasure Chest (A Collection of ICSE Short Stories & Poems) Part 1 for ICSE Class 9 by Beeta Publication.
3. Arun Deep’s Self-Help to ICSE Treasure Chest (A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories) Class 9 Both Volumes: 2023-24 Edition.
4. Almond Books ICSE Class 9 Treasure Chest (WORKBOOK with ANSWERS) Poems & Short Stories by Almond Books Publication.

We will highlight the features of each book and recommend the best workbook for you.

A quick comparison is presented below, followed by a detailed analysis. (Please scroll the table toward your right if you are viewing this on your phone. If the table is not visible, please skip to the detail analysis part below the comparison table)

Feature	Evergreen Publication	Beeta Publication	Arundeep Study Guide	Almond Books Publication (Recommended)
Poem & Story Combined	Separate Books	Combined	Combined	Combined
Portion	9th & 10th	9th	9th	9th
Explanations (Poem)	About the poet Poem in detail Stanza-wise explanation Theme Glossary Critical appreciation Style	Signposts Poem in detail Glossary Themes Style Setting Title Critical remarks	Introduction About the Poet Summary Theme Title Setting Style Critical appreciation Word-meanings Paraphrase	Illustration About the Poet Summary Themes Line-by-line explanation Word Meanings Literary Devices
Explanations (Short Stories)	About the Writer Summary Glossary Plot Theme Characters Title Setting Style Critical appreciation	Introduction Plot Title Characterisation Themes Setting Style Glossary	Introduction About the Writer Summary Theme Characterisation Style Title Setting Glossary	About the Writer Summary Themes Plot Setting Characters Title Word Meanings Appreciation Simplified language
MCQs per Poem/Story	8-10 MCQs	10-15 MCQs	15-20 MCQs	35-40 MCQs (Poem), 50-70 MCQs (Story)
Extract-based Questions	5-8 Questions	5-8 Questions	3-5 Questions	10 Questions
Sub-questions per Extract	Only 5	Only 5	5-10	5-12
Interactive Exercises	None	None	None	Crossword Exercises
Answers Given	No	No	Yes (Below each question)	Yes (Answers at the back)
Space for Answers	3 lines	4 lines	None	3-12 lines based on marking scheme
Sample Papers	1 solved, 2 unsolved	2 unsolved	None	2 Fully solved (80 marks)
Print Quality & Font Size	Low	Low	Low	Better Print Quality, Thick page, Large Fonts
Cons	Literary devices not provided Answers not provided No enough space to write answers Spelling errors Very few questions Print quality very low	Literary devices not provided Line-by-line explanations only in a few places. Mostly stanza-based given. Answers not provided No enough space to write answers Very few questions Print quality very low	Literary devices not provided Study Guide format with Q&A together. No space to write answers. Answers provided are not thorough and incomplete in many places.	Slightly more expensive
Page Count	158 (Poems) Pages, 184 (Story) Pages	200 Pages	158 (Poems) Pages, 160 (Story) Pages	305 Pages
MRP	Rs. 250 (Poem) Rs. 290 (Story)	Rs. 295	Rs. 215 (Poem) Rs. 195 (Story) Total: Rs. 410	Rs. 500

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Treasure Chest Workbooks published by Evergreen, Beeta, Arundeep, and Almond Books.

Evergreen Publication

Evergreen Publication has been a popular choice for ICSE Class 9 English literature for many years. However, the book has some drawbacks, such as spelling errors, limited space for answers, and lack of answers for practice questions. Here are the main features of the book:

• Separate books for Poems & Short Stories (9th & 10th portion combined)
• Short Stories: About the author, about the story, summary, glossary, plot, theme, characters, title, setting, style, critical appreciation
• Poems: About the poet, About the poem, Poem in detail, Line-wise explanation, theme, glossary, critical appreciation, style.
• Only 8-10 MCQs per poem/story
• Only 5-8 Extract-based Questions per poem/story. 5 sub-questions per extract.
• Only 3 lines for answers
• 1 solved sample paper, 2 unsolved papers.
• Page Count: 158 pages (poems), 184 pages (story)
• MRP: Poem (Rs. 250), Story (Rs. 290)

Beeta Publication

Beeta Publication offers a combined workbook for Poems and Short Stories for Class 9, with a focus on themes and styles. Here are the main features of the book:

• Poem & Story combined (9th portion only)
• Poems: Signposts, Poem in detail (stanza reference not provided), glossary, themes, style, setting, title, critical remarks
• Short Stories: Introduction, Plot, Title, Characterisation, Themes, Setting, Style, Glossary
• Only 10-15 MCQs per poem/story
• Only 5-8 Extract-based Questions per poem/story.
• Only 4 lines for answers
• 2 unsolved Sample papers
• Page Count: 200 pages
• MRP: Rs. 295

Arundeep Study Guide

The Arundeep Study Guide is not precisely a workbook; however, it contains some explanations and solved practice questions, with the answers provided below each question. Below are the main features of the book:

• Poem & Story combined (9th portion only)
• Study Guide format.
• Poems: Introduction, About the Poem & Poet, Summary, Very Lengthy Theme, Title, Setting, Style, Critical appreciation, Word-meanings, Paraphrase
• Short Stories: Introduction, About the Story & Writer, Summary, Theme, Characterisation, Style, Title, Setting, Glossary
• Answers provided below questions
• 15-20 MCQs per poem/story.
• 3-5 Extract-based questions per poem/story. Many important questions are missed.
• A few long-answer questions (not asked in ICSE exam).
• No space to write answers or practice.
• No Sample Papers.
• Page Count: 158 pages (poems), 160 pages (story)
• MRP: Poem (Rs. 215), Story (Rs. 195)

Almond Books Publication

Almond Books Publication is a new entrant in the market, but its comprehensive workbook for Treasure Chest (and even Julius Caesar) sets it apart. The book contains a multitude of practice questions, ranging from MCQs to extract-based and crossword exercises. Unique features tailored for modern learning make it a favourite among English teachers.

• Poem & Story combined (9th portion only)
• Strictly as per ICSE syllabus and new exam pattern
• Short Stories: About the writer, Summary, Themes, Plot, Setting, Characters, Title, Word Meanings, Appreciation
• Poems: Illustration, About the Poet, Summary, Themes, Poem in detail (line-by-line explanation), Word Meanings, Literary Devices
• MANY questions. At least 35-40 MCQs per poem & 50-70 MCQs per story are included.
• 10 Extract-based Questions per poem/story. 5-12 sub-questions per extract.
• Crossword Exercise for every poem & story.
• Enough space to write answers. 3-12 lines provided for every answer based on marking scheme.
• 2 Fully Solved 80-marks Sample Papers
• ANSWERS (Entire book is solved)

Buy Almond Books Treasure Chest Workbook: https://almondbooks.com/products/icse-class9-treasure-chest-workbook