CBSE English Core Class 11 Syllabus

Course Structure for Class XI English Core (2017-18)

Section	Area of Learning	Marks
A	Reading Skills	20
B	Writing Skills and Grammar	30
C	Literature & Long Reading Text	30
D	Assessment of Speaking & Listening Skills	20

Section A: Reading Comprehension

Very short answer +/ Short answer and MCQ type questions:

Two unseen passages (including poems) with a variety of questions incLuding 04 marks for vocabulary
such as word formation and inferring meaning. The total range of the 2 passages including a poem or a
stanza, should be around 900-1000 words.

550-600 words in Length (for note-making and summarising)
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:
(a) business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and sending replies)
(b) letters to the editor (giving suggestions/opinions on an issue)
(c) application for a job with a bio-data or resumé
(d) 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/Novels

Questions to test comprehension at different levels: literal, inferential and evaluative
1. Hornbill: Textbook published by NCERT, New Delhi
2. Snapshots: Supplementary Reader published by NCERT, New Delhi
The following have been deleted:
Hornbill
Name of the lessons deleted

Landscape of the Soul
The Adventure
Silk Road
The Laburnum Top (Poetry)

Snapshots

5. The Ghat of the only World

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 events 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 which will be evaluated in the Term-end Assessments. Schools can opt for either one of the texts.

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

Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills
It is recommended that Listening and speaking skills should be regularly practiced in the class.

NCERT Solutions