English Core Class XI Syllabus

Exam Structure

Section A: Reading Comprehension

Very short answer / Short answer and MCQ type questions:

Two unseen passages (including poems) with a variety of questions including 4 marks for vocabulary such as word formation and inferring meaning. The total range of the 2 passages including a poem or a stanza, will be around 900-1000 words.

1. 550-600 words in length (for note-making and summarising)
2. 350-400 words in length (to test comprehension, interpretation and inference)

An unseen poem of about 28-35 lines

The passages could be of any one of the following types:

• Factual passages, e.g., illustrations, description, reports
• Discursive passages involving opinion, e.g., argumentative, persuasive
• Literary passages e.g. extracts from fiction, biography, autobiography, travelogue, etc. In the case of a poem, the text may be shorter than the prescribed word limit.

SECTION B: Writing Skills and Grammar

Writing

• Short Answer Questions: Based on notice/ poster/ advertisement
• Long Answer Questions: Letters based on verbal/visual input. It would cover all types of letters.

Letter types may include:

1. business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and sending replies)
2. letters to the editor (giving suggestions on an issue)
3. application for a job with a bio-data or resume
4. letter to the school or college authorities, regarding admissions, school issues, requirements /suitability of courses, etc.

• Very Long Answer Question: Composition in the form of article, speech, report writing or a narrative

Grammar

Different grammatical structures in meaningful contexts will be tested. Item types will include gap filling, sentence re-ordering, dialogue completion and sentence transformation. The grammar syllabus will include determiners, tenses, clauses, modals and Change of Voice. These grammar areas will be tested using the following short answer type and MCQ type questions:

• Error Correction, editing tasks
• Re-ordering of Sentences
• Transformation of sentences

Section C: Literature and Long Reading Texts

Questions to test comprehension at different levels: literal, inferential and evaluative

1. Hornbill: Textbook published by NCERT
2. Snapshots: Supplementary Reader published by NCERT

The following lessons have been deleted:

1. Landscape of the Soul
2. The Adventure
3. Silk Road
4. The Laburnum Top (Poetry)
5. The Ghat of the only World (Snapshots)

• Very Short Answer Questions – Based on an extract from poetry to test reference to context comprehension and appreciation.
• Short Answer Questions – Based on prose, poetry and plays from both the texts.
• Long Answer Question – Based on prescribed texts to test global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the texts to bring out the key messages and values.
• Long Answer Questions – Based on theme, plot, incidents or event from the prescribed novels.
• Long Answer Question – Based on understanding appreciation, analysis and interpretation of the characters.

Note: Values-based questions may be given as long answers in the writing or literature sections.

Extended Reading Texts: (either one)

With a view to inculcate the habit of reading among the students, CBSE has introduced compulsory reading of a Long Reading Text – Novel in the English Core Course and will be evaluated in the Term-end Assessments. Schools can opt for either one of the texts.

1. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde (unabridged 1906 Edition)
2. Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington (unabridged 2000 Edition)