CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus

Candidates in Class 11th standard of CBSE must be aware of the latest syllabus in English. Setting sail on an uncharted sea is similar to embarking on an educational journey, and for the young minds entering Class 11 under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), this journey starts with a profound investigation of language, literature, and communication.

Also Check: CBSE Syllabus for Class 1 to 12

In this article, we discuss the CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus in a detailed manner. The discussion talks about the objective, syllabus, and paper pattern of CBSE Class 11.

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus Objectives

The general objectives at this stage are to:

• listen and comprehend live as well as recorded oral presentations on a variety of topics
• develop greater confidence and proficiency in the use of language skills necessary for social and academic purposes to participate in group discussions and interviews by making short oral presentations on given topics
• perceive the overall meaning and organization of the text (i.e., correlation of the vital portions of the text)
• identify the central/main point and supporting details, etc., to build communicative competence in various lexicons of English
• promote advanced language skills with an aim to develop the skills of reasoning, drawing inferences, etc. through meaningful activities
• translate texts from mother tongue(s) into English and vice versa
• make use of contextual clues to infer meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary
• produce unified paragraphs with adequate details and support
• filling up forms, preparing CVs, and e-mail messages., making notes from reference materials, recording talks, etc.

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus

Section A: Reading Skills

Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage:

1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation inference, and vocabulary. The passage may be factual, descriptive, or literary.

1. One unseen case-based passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts, etc.

Note: The combined word limit for both passages will be 600-750.

Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions will be asked.

1. Note Making and Summarization based on a passage of approximately 200-250 words.

1. Note Making:

• Title
• Numbering and indenting
• Key/glossary
• Notes

1. Summary (up to 50 words):

• Content
• Expression

Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

1. Grammar:

1. Questions on Gap filling (Tenses, Clauses)
2. Questions on re-ordering/transformation of sentences

III. Creative Writing Skills:

1. Short Writing Assignments

Classified advertisements of up to 50 words are permitted. One of the two given questions must be answered (3 marks: 1) Format: 1; Content: 1; Expression: 1

1. Short Writing Assignment

Poster with a maximum of 50 words. One of the two questions posed must be answered. Format: 1 / Content: 1 / Expression: 1

1. Long Writing Assignment:

Speech in 120-150 words based on verbal and visual cues about a current or age-appropriate topic. One of the two questions given must be answered. (5 Marks: 1) Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Expression: 2) \

1. Long-Term Writing Assignment:

Debate based on visual/verbal inputs of 120-150 words that are thematically related to current, topical issues. One of the two questions given must be answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Expression: 2)

Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Textbook

This section will include multiple choice questions, objective type questions, short answer type questions, and long answer type questions to assess comprehension, analysis, interpretation, and extrapolation beyond the text.

1. One poem from the book Hornbill was chosen to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and appreciation.
2. To assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and appreciation, one prose extract from the book Hornbill was chosen out of two.
3. To assess comprehension, interpretation, and analysis, use one of two prose extracts from the book Snapshots.
4. Out of four questions, two short answer type questions (one from prose and one from poetry from the book Hornbill) must be answered in 40-50 words. Through critical thinking, questions should elicit inferential responses.
5. One short answer question from the book Snapshots must be answered in 40- 50 words. Through critical thinking, questions should elicit inferential responses. Any one of two questions must be completed.
6. One long answer question from Prose/Poetry Hornbill that must be answered in 120-150 words. To assess extrapolation beyond and across the text, questions can be based on an incident/theme/passage/extract/event. The question will elicit an analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one of the two questions must be completed.
7. One long answer question based on the chapters of the book Snapshots must be answered in 120-150 words to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text. Questions requiring evaluative and analytical responses based on incidents, events, and themes.

CBSE Class 11 English Paper Pattern

The CBSE provides the Class 11 English Exam Pattern, which is listed below:

Section	Competencies	Total Marks
Reading Skills	Conceptual understanding, decoding, analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating literary conventions and vocabulary, summarizing, and using appropriate format/s	26
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills	Conceptual understanding, application of rules, analysis, reasoning, appropriacy of style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluation, and creativity	23
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text	Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, creativity with fluency, and critical thinking	31
TOTAL		80
Internal Assessment	Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills
Listening	10
Speaking	5+5
Project Work	10
GRAND TOTAL		100

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus Prerequisites

Students are expected to have a reasonable level of English language proficiency by the time they enter class XI, and the course aims primarily to promote higher-order language skills.

For many students, the higher secondary stage will be a preparation for university, where a fairly high level of English proficiency may be required.

Furthermore, for a large group of people, the higher secondary stage may serve as preparation for entry into the professional domain. The Core Course caters to both groups by promoting academic language skills as well as workplace language skills.

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus Project and Viva

Out of ten marks, 5 marks will be allotted for the project report/script /essay, etc., and 5 marks for the viva.

I. Schedule:

• Schools may refer to the suggestive timeline given in these guidelines for the planning, preparation, and viva voice of ALS-based projects.

• The final assessment of the skills may be done based on parameters suggested by the Board. Language teachers, however, have the option to adopt/ modify these parameters according to their school requirements.

II. Suggestions for Project Work

• The Project can be interdisciplinary in theme. The ideas/issues highlighted in the chapters/poems/drama given in the prescribed books can also be developed in the form of a project.
• Such topics may be taken up to provide students with opportunities for listening and speaking

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus Prescribed Books

1. Hornbill: English Reader, published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi

• The Portrait of a Lady (Prose)
• A Photograph (Poem)
• “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if we can be together
• Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues •The Laburnum Top (Poem)
• The Voice of the Rain (Poem) •Childhood (Poem)
• The Adventure
• Silk Road (Prose)
• Father to Son

2. Snapshots: Supplementary Reader, published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi

• The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse (Prose)
• The Address (Prose)
• Mother’s Day (Play)
• Birth ( Prose)
• The Tale of Melon City

CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus FAQs

What is the Class 11 English syllabus?

Students are expected to have a decent level of language ability in English by the time they enter Class XI, and the course seeks primarily to promote higher-order language abilities. Keeping that in mind, CBSE has divided the Class 11 English syllabus into two parts, while both Part A and Part B consist of reading and literature.

How do I score well in the English exam at CBSE?

Students can do well in their English exams if they understand the CBSE board's prescribed syllabus for English Core and English Electives. Students should prepare for their English exams according to the syllabus because the final question paper is prepared by referring to the prescribed syllabus.

What is Chapter 8 in the English Snapshots book for Class 11?

Chapter 8 in the English Snapshots book for Class 11 is a poem named ‘The Tale of Melon City’. It is based on a folktale. The name of that place came to be known as ‘Melon City’ because its ruler was a melon. It is about a king who used to rule over this city. He later loses his crown and blames it on the builders of an arch.