HBSE Class 11 Sample Paper 2026 Answers English Elective

SAMPLE PAPER

Marking Scheme

ENGLISH ELECTIVE

1. You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and correct assessment of the
candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to serious problems which may affect the future of the
candidates, education system and teaching profession. To avoid mistakes, it is requested that before starting
evaluation, you must read and understand the spot evaluation guidelines carefully.

2. "Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the confidentiality of the examinations
conducted, evaluation done and several other aspects. Its' leakage to public in any manner could lead to
derailment of the examination system and affect the life and future of millions of candidates. Sharing this
policy/document to anyone, publishing in any magazine and printing in News Paper/Website etc may invite
action under IPC."

3. Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It should not be done
according to one's own interpretation or any other consideration. Marking Scheme should be strictly adhered
to.

4. The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by each evaluator on the first
day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as per the instructions given in the Marking Scheme. The
remaining answer books meant for evaluation shall be given only after ensuring that there is no significant
variation in the marking of individual evaluators.

5. Evaluators will mark (√) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer 'X” be marked. Evaluators should
not put (√) kind of mark while evaluating a wrong answer which gives an impression that answer is correct
and no marks are awarded.

6. If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part. Marks awarded for different
parts of the question should then be totalled up and written in the left-hand margin and encircled. This may
be followed strictly.

7. If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand margin and encircled. This
may also be followed strictly.

8. If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving more marks should be
retained and the other answer scored out.

9. No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized only once.

10. A full scale of marks (0-40 marks) as given in Question Paper has to be used. Please do not hesitate to
award full marks if the answer deserves it.

11. Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e. 8 hours every day and
evaluate 30 answer books per day in main subjects and 35 answer books per day in other subjects (Details

are given in Spot Guidelines). This is in view of the reduced syllabus and number of questions in question
paper.

12. Ensure that you do not make the following common types of errors committed by the Examiner in the
past:-

 Leaving answer or part thereof unassessed in an answer book.
 Giving more marks for an answer than assigned to it.
 Wrong totalling of marks awarded on a reply.
 Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title page.
 Wrong question wise totalling on the title page.
 Wrong totalling of marks of the two columns on the title page.
 Wrong grand total.
 Marks in words and figures not tallying.
 Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to online award list.
 Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick mark (√) is correctly
and clearly indicated. It should not merely be a line. Same is with the (X) for incorrect answer.) Half
or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks awarded.

13. While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it should be marked as
cross (X) and awarded zero (0) Marks. 'Zero' should be mentioned both in figures and words.

14. The Board permits candidates to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request in an RTI application
and also separately as a part of the re-evaluation process on payment of the processing charge

15. Any unassessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page, or totalling error detected by the
candidate shall damage the prestige of all the personnel engaged in the evaluation work as also of the Board.
Hence, in order to uphold the prestige of all concerned, it is again reiterated that the instructions be followed
meticulously and judiciously.

16. The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the Guidelines for Spot
Evaluation before starting the actual evaluation.

17. Every Examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks carried over to the title page,
correctly totalled and written in figures and words.

SECTION – A: READING SKILLS (10 Marks)

OBJECTIVE- testing comprehension of unseen passage comprehension passage

Q1. Comprehension Passage (5 Marks)

1.1: c) Human actions are harming the environment and must change. → 1 mark

1.2: c) Adopt sustainable practices and protect natural habitats → 1 mark

Q3: Deforestation, excessive use of fossil fuels → 1 mark (½ mark each)

Q4: Youth should spread awareness and bring change through innovation → 1 mark

Q5: Irreversible consequences like ecological imbalance → 1 mark

Q2. Poem Comprehension (5 Marks)

MCQ 1: b) Morning symbolizes new beginnings → 1 mark

MCQ 2: b) Personification → 1 mark

Q3: A dewdrop → 1 mark

Q4: It hums a waking song; stirs sleeping dreams → 1 mark

Q5: Hopeful / Peaceful / Calm (Any relevant one-word tone) → 1 mark

SECTION – B: WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR (20 Marks)

Q3. Debate Writing (5 Marks)

Marking Criteria:

 Content & Argumentation – 2 marks

 Organisation & Coherence – 1 mark

 Expression (language, tone) – 1 mark

 Accuracy (grammar, punctuation) – 1 mark

Accept relevant content, logical structure, and suitable language/tone for either topic.

Q4. Paragraph Writing (5 Marks)

Marking Criteria:

 Relevance & Content – 2 marks

 Organisation & Coherence – 1 mark

 Expression & Fluency – 1 mark

 Accuracy – 1 mark

Paragraph should be within word limit, have logical flow and support the topic.

Q5. Integrated Grammar (10 Marks)

Each correct MCQ = 1 mark

Answers:

1. b) should

2. c) must

3. b) goes

4. c) had started

5. c) was delivered

6. d) will be built

7. c) He said he was reading a book.

8. b) The teacher advised me to do my homework regularly.

9. b) a

10. b) an

SECTION – C: LITERATURE (20 Marks)

Q6. Extract from Short Story (5 Marks)

Answers:

1. b) Melancholic

2. b) He is lost in thought or grief

3. Iona Potapov is a sledge-driver waiting in the snow.

4. Snow symbolizes coldness, silence, and loneliness in the scene.

5. The little horse mirrors Iona’s stillness and sorrow.

Q7. Extract from Poem (5 Marks)

Answers:

1. b) Surprise

2. a) Simile

3. It opened its tail

4. She laughed

5. It suggests elegance and mystery

Q8. Extract from Essay (5 Marks)

Answers:

1. b) A form of discipline and clarity

2. c) Focused on observation and reflection

3. It is rare and helps find meaning in ordinary life.

4. Observation, reflection

5. Reflective / Philosophical / Thoughtful (any valid tone)

Q9. Long Answer (Short Story-Based) – 5 Marks

Attempt any one

 Azam Khan (A Pair of Mustachios)

o Content: 3 marks – his pride, class consciousness, comic element

o Expression: 1 mark

o Language accuracy: 1 mark

 The Luncheon

o Content: 3 marks – narrator’s surprise at woman’s false modesty, irony of her weight gain

o Expression: 1 mark

o Accuracy: 1 mark