CBSE English Elective Class XI Syllabus
The syllabus consists of four sections: (i) Reading Skills, (ii) Writing Skills and Grammar, (iii) Literary & Long Reading Texts, and (iv) Speaking and Listening Skills.
Exam Structure
| S.No. |
Topic |
Marks |
| 1 |
Reading Skills |
20 |
| 2 |
Writing Skills and Grammar |
30 |
| 3 |
Literary & Long Reading Texts |
30 |
| 4 |
Speaking and Listening Skills |
20 |
| |
Total |
100 |
Section A: Advanced Reading Skills
MCQs, very short answer and short answer questions: to test comprehension, analysis, inference, evaluation and literary appreciation
1. 450-500 words in length for note-making and summarising
2. 400-450 words in length (comprehension and vocabulary)
The passages or poems could be of any of the following types:
- Factual passages, e.g., instructions, descriptions, reports.
- Discursive passages involving opinion, e.g., argumentative, reflective persuasive, etc.
- Literary texts, e.g., poems, extracts from fiction, biography, autobiography, travelogue, etc.
Note: In the case of a poem, the text may be shorter than 200 words or 20-24 lines.
Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar
This section will include writing tasks as indicated below:
3. Short Answer Questions: Messages, notices, e-mails (formal) and description of people.
Note: Though e-mail is included as one of the writing tasks, it is suggested that it may be tested as a part of internal or formative assessment.
4. Long Answer Question: Based on a verbal or visual input:
- a) Official letter for making inquiries, suggesting changes, registering complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and replies.
- b) Letters to the editor on various social, national and international issues.
5. Very Long Answer Question: Sustained writing tasks such as writing a speech, an article for a magazine or report based on a verbal or a visual input.
Grammar
A variety of questions through MCQs and Very Short Answer type questions may be asked to test grammar items in context (not as isolated sentences). Though only modals, determiners, voice and tense forms are being dealt with in Class XI, other grammar items such as prepositions, verb forms, connectors which have been learnt earlier would also be included.
- Drafting questions/questionnaires based on verbal/visual input
- Composing a dialogue based on the given input
- Recognizing consonant and vowel values in pronunciation/ sentence and word stress
- Correction of errors in sentences
Section C: Literature Textbooks and Long Reading Texts
Questions are asked to test local and global comprehension involving interpretative, inferential, evaluative and extrapolatory skills.
- Very Short Answer Questions: Any two out of three extracts based on different poems to test theme, setting and literary devices.
- Short Answer Questions: Based on different prose prose / drama / poetry / peices to test Local and Global comprehension of ideas and language.
- Long Answer Question: Based on prose or play to test comprehension of characters, actions and plot appreciation of literary conventions and reasoning.
Note: Short answer questions or long answer questions based on values can be given in the writing section or in the literature section.
- Long Answer Questions: To test understanding, appreciation, analysis, inference in the plot of the long reading text and writing a character sketch.
Assessment of Speaking and Listening Skills (ASL)
It is recommended that speaking and listening skills should be regularly taught in the class.
Prescribed Books
- Language Skills Book
- Literature Reader
Extended Reading Texts: (either one)
- The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
- Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington
CBSE English Core Class XI Syllabus
The syllabus consists of four sections: (i)Reading Skills, (ii) Writing Skills and Grammar, (iii) Literature & Long Reading Text, and (iv) Assessment of Speaking & Listening Skills.
Exam Structure
| 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 |
| |
Total |
100 |
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.
- 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:
- business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and sending replies)
- letters to the editor (giving suggestions on an issue)
- application for a job with a bio-data or resume
- 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
- Hornbill: Textbook published by NCERT
- Snapshots: Supplementary Reader published by NCERT
The following lessons have been deleted:
- Landscape of the Soul
- The Adventure
- Silk Road
- The Laburnum Top (Poetry)
- 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.
- The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde (unabridged 1906 Edition)
- Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington (unabridged 2000 Edition)