CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2020-21

ENGLISH CORE (CODE NO. 301)

CLASS – XI (2020-21)

PART A - 40 MARKS

Reading 18 Marks

I. Multiple Choice questions based on one unseen passage to assess comprehension,
interpretation and inference. Vocabulary and inference of meaning will also be
assessed. The passage may be factual, descriptive or literary. Ten out of eleven
questions to be done. (10x1=10 Marks)

II. Multiple Choice questions based on one unseen case-based factual passage with
verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts etc. Eight out of Nine questions to be
done. (8x1=8 Marks)

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

Grammar 8 Marks

III. Multiple choice questions on Gap filling (Determiners, Tenses)

IV. Multiple choice questions on re-ordering/transformation of sentences

(Total eight questions to be done out of the ten given).

Literature Section 14 Marks

V. Multiple Choice questions from an extract from Poetry from Hornbill to assess
comprehension and appreciation. Any 1 out of 2 extracts to be done.(3x1=3)

VI. Multiple Choice questions based on two Prose extracts, out of the three given, from
Prose (Hornbill as well as Snapshots to assess comprehension and appreciation.
( 6x1=6)

VII. Text based Multiple Choice Questions to assess comprehension, analysis and
interpretation, from Prose and Poetry. Five questions out of six to be done. (5x1=5)

PART B - 40 MARKS

Reading Section: 8 Marks

Q1. Note Making and Summarization based on a passage of approximately 200-250
words.

I. Note Making: 5 Marks
○ Title: 1
○ Numbering and indenting: 1
○ Key/glossary: 1
○ Notes: 2
II. Summary (up to 50 words): 3 Marks
○ Content: 1
○ Expression: 1

Writing Section: 16 Marks

Q2. Short writing task -Notice writing up to 50 words. One out of the two given
questions to be answered (3 Marks: Format : 1 / Content : 1 / Expression : 1)

Q3. Short writing task –Poster up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be
answered.(3marks:Format : 1 / Content : 1 / Expression : 1)

Q4. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in 120-150 words. Business or
official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving
information, placing orders and sending replies), letter to the school or college
authorities, regarding admissions, school issues, requirements / suitability of courses,
etc. One out of the two given questions to be answered (5 Marks: Format: 1 / Content:
2 / Expression: 2)

Q5 .Writing composition based on visual/verbal inputs in 120-150 words. May be
descriptive / argumentative in nature such as speech/debate. The theme should be
contemporary topical issues. One out of the two given questions to be answered.
(5 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Expression: 2)

Literature Section: 16 Marks

Q6. Two Short answer type question(one from Prose and one from Poetry from the
book Hornbill), out of four, to be answered in 30-40 words. Questions should elicit
inferential responses through critical thinking. (2x2=4)

Q7. One Short answer type question, from Prose (Snapshots), to be answered in 40-
50 words. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any 1
out of 2 questions to be done. (1x2=2)

Q 8. One Long answer type question, from Prose/poetry (Hornbill), to be answered in
120-150 words to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text.
Questions to provide evaluative and analytical responses using incidents, events,
themes as reference points. Any 1 out of 2 questions to be done.(1x5=5)

Q.9 One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Snapshots,
to be answered in 120-150 words to assess global comprehension and extrapolation
beyond the text. Questions to provide evaluative and analytical responses using
incidents, events, themes as reference points. Any 1 out of 2 questions to be
done.(1x5=5)

Deleted Topics

Writing

● Classified Advertisements,
● Letters to the editor (giving suggestions/opinions on an issue) Provide
realistic context in the form of newspaper report/article to which the
students may respond.
● Application for a job with a bio-data or résumé
● Article & Report Writing
● Narrative
Grammar
● Modals
● Clauses
● Change of Voice
● Error Correction, editing task/cloze passages
Literature
Hornbill
● Father To Son
● The Adventure

Snapshots
● The Ghat of the Only World
● The Tale of Melon City

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

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

Question Paper Design 2020-21

English CORE XI (Code No. 301)

Section Competencies Total %
marks

Reading Conceptual understanding, decoding,
Comprehension Analyzing, inferring, interpreting,
appreciating, literary, conventions and 26 32.5%
vocabulary, summarizing and using
appropriate format/s

Creative Writing Conceptual Understanding, application of
Skills and rules, Analysis, Reasoning, appropriacy
Grammar of style and tone, using appropriate 24 30%
format and fluency, inference, analysis,
evaluation and creativity

Literature Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary
convention, inference, analysis, creativity
Textbooks and with fluency 30 37.5%
Supplementary
Reading Text

80 100%
TOTAL

Assessment of
Listening and 20 -
Speaking Skills

GRAND TOTAL 100