CBSE Class XI English Core
Complete Chapter-wise Syllabus 2025-26 | Subject Code: 301
Course Overview
Theory Paper
80
Marks
Internal Assessment
20
Marks
Duration
3
Hours
Total Sections
3
Sections
Learning Objectives
- Developing comprehensive reading and comprehension skills through diverse passages
- Mastering English grammar concepts including tenses, clauses, and sentence structures
- Building creative writing abilities through advertisements, posters, speeches, and debates
- Understanding and appreciating literature through poetry and prose analysis
- Developing critical thinking and interpretation skills through textual analysis
- Enhancing listening and speaking abilities through interactive activities
- Conducting research and presenting findings through project work
- Building vocabulary and language proficiency for effective communication
Section-wise Marks Distribution
| Section | Content Area | Marks | Percentage | Question Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Reading Skills | 26 | 32.5% | MCQ, Note Making, Summary |
| B | Grammar & Creative Writing | 23 | 28.75% | Gap Filling, Short & Long Writing |
| C | Literature Textbooks | 31 | 38.75% | Extracts, Short & Long Answers |
| Internal | Listening, Speaking, Project | 20 | 20% | Continuous Assessment |
| Total | 100 | 100% | All Types | |
Section A: Reading Skills (26 Marks)
HIGHEST WEIGHTAGE - 32.5% of Total Theory Marks
Unseen Passages Comprehension 18 Marks
Passage 1: General Comprehension (10 Marks)
- Factual, descriptive, or literary passage
- Assessment areas:
- • Reading comprehension
- • Interpretation and analysis
- • Drawing inferences
- • Vocabulary understanding
- Multiple Choice Questions format
Passage 2: Case-Based Analysis (8 Marks)
- Factual passage with visual inputs
- Includes statistical data and charts
- Assessment focus:
- • Data interpretation
- • Analysis and evaluation
- • Critical thinking
- • Information synthesis
- Combined word limit: 600-750 words
Note Making and Summarization 8 Marks
Note Making (5 Marks)
- Passage length: 200-250 words
- Title creation (1 mark)
- Proper numbering and indentation (1 mark)
- Key/glossary preparation (1 mark)
- Comprehensive notes (2 marks)
- Structured format with main points
- Logical organization of information
Summary Writing (3 Marks)
- Word limit: Up to 50 words
- Content accuracy (2 marks)
- Language expression (1 mark)
- Concise and clear presentation
- Essential points coverage
- Grammatical accuracy
- Coherent flow of ideas
Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills (23 Marks)
BALANCED FOCUS - 28.75% of Total Theory Marks
Grammar 7 Marks
Gap Filling Exercises
- Tenses (Past, Present, Future)
- Perfect tenses and continuous forms
- Modal auxiliaries usage
- Active and passive voice
- Subject-verb agreement
- Conditional sentences
Sentence Operations
- Clauses (Main and subordinate)
- Relative clauses and connectors
- Sentence re-ordering
- Sentence transformation
- Complex and compound sentences
- 7 questions to be attempted out of 8
Creative Writing Skills 16 Marks
Short Writing Tasks (6 Marks Total)
- Classified Advertisements (3 marks)
- • Word limit: Up to 50 words
- • Format, Content, Expression (1 mark each)
- • One out of two questions
- Poster Making (3 marks)
- • Word limit: Up to 50 words
- • Visual appeal and clarity
- • One out of two questions
Long Writing Tasks (10 Marks Total)
- Speech Writing (5 marks)
- • Word limit: 120-150 words
- • Based on verbal/visual cues
- • Contemporary and age-appropriate topics
- • Format (1), Content (2), Expression (2)
- Debate Preparation (5 marks)
- • Word limit: 120-150 words
- • Current and topical issues
- • Argumentative structure required
Section C: Literature Textbooks (31 Marks)
MAXIMUM WEIGHTAGE - 38.75% of Total Theory Marks
NCERT Prescribed Textbooks
Hornbill (English Reader) and Snapshots (Supplementary Reader) published by NCERT, New Delhi
Assessment Pattern
Extract Questions
10 Marks
Poetry and Prose extracts from both books
Short Answers
9 Marks
40-50 words responses (Hornbill + Snapshots)
Long Answers
12 Marks
120-150 words detailed responses
NCERT Textbook: Hornbill (English Reader)
Prose Chapters
Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady
- Author: Khushwant Singh
- Autobiographical narrative
- Relationship between grandmother and grandson
- Themes: Love, aging, tradition vs modernity
- Character analysis and emotional connect
Chapter 3: We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together
- Author: Gordon Cook and Alan East
- Adventure and survival story
- Family's oceanic journey and challenges
- Themes: Courage, determination, family bonds
- Human spirit and perseverance
Chapter 4: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues
- Author: A.R. Williams
- Archaeological discovery narrative
- King Tutankhamun's mummy research
- Themes: History, science, mystery
- Ancient Egyptian civilization
Chapter 7: The Adventure
- Author: Jayant Narlikar
- Science fiction and parallel universe
- Professor Gaitonde's experience
- Themes: Reality, history, quantum theory
- Alternative historical possibilities
Chapter 8: Silk Road
- Author: Nick Middleton
- Travel narrative and cultural exploration
- Journey through Tibet and cultural encounters
- Themes: Adventure, cultural diversity
- Human geography and experiences
Poetry Chapters
Chapter 2: A Photograph
- Poet: Shirley Toulson
- Memory and nostalgia theme
- Mother-daughter relationship
- Time's passage and loss
- Emotional depth and imagery
Chapter 5: The Laburnum Top
- Poet: Ted Hughes
- Nature poetry with symbolism
- Goldfinch and laburnum tree
- Life, movement, and renewal themes
- Vivid imagery and sound effects
Chapter 6: The Voice of the Rain
- Poet: Walt Whitman
- Rain personification and dialogue
- Nature's eternal cycle
- Life-giving and nurturing aspects
- Philosophical depth and metaphor
Chapter 9: Childhood
- Poet: Markus Natten
- Growing up and loss of innocence
- Questioning and realization process
- Adult world awareness
- Psychological development theme
Chapter 10: Father to Son
- Poet: Elizabeth Jennings
- Generation gap and communication
- Father-son relationship challenges
- Understanding and acceptance
- Family dynamics and emotions
NCERT Textbook: Snapshots (Supplementary Reader)
Supplementary Stories
Chapter 1: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
- Author: William Saroyan
- Childhood innocence and moral dilemma
- Armenian family values and traditions
- Themes: Honesty, family honor, childhood
- Cultural identity and ethical choices
Chapter 2: The Address
- Author: Marga Minco
- Post-war trauma and loss
- Material possessions and memories
- Themes: War aftermath, human displacement
- Emotional healing and moving forward
Chapter 3: Mother's Day
- Author: J.B. Priestley
- Domestic comedy and social issues
- Women's role and family dynamics
- Themes: Gender roles, family relationships
- Humor and social commentary
Chapter 4: Birth
- Author: A.J. Cronin
- Medical drama and human determination
- Life-death situations and hope
- Themes: Perseverance, medical ethics
- Professional dedication and humanity
Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City
- Author: Vikram Seth
- Political satire and absurdity
- Justice system and governance
- Themes: Power, justice, irony
- Humor and social criticism
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Continuous Evaluation Components
Listening Skills (5 marks) + Speaking Skills (5 marks) + Project Work (10 marks)
Listening Skills Assessment (5 Marks)
- Audio-based comprehension activities
- Understanding spoken English in various contexts
- Following instructions and directions
- Extracting specific information from audio
- Note-taking from audio presentations
- Assessment spread throughout the academic year
Speaking Skills Assessment (5 Marks)
- Interactive Competence: Communication effectiveness
- Fluency: Natural flow and pace of speech
- Pronunciation: Clear articulation and accent
- Language: Grammar and vocabulary usage
- Presentations, discussions, role-plays
- Individual and group speaking activities
Project Work (10 Marks)
- Project Report/Script: 5 marks
- Viva Voce: 5 marks
- Research-based investigation
- Creative writing portfolios
- Literary analysis projects
- Language survey and documentation
Suggested Project Topics
Interview-Based Research
- Community language usage patterns
- Local literary traditions and folklore
- Oral history documentation
- Career-related interviews
- Social issues investigation
- Report length: 800-1000 words
Audio-Visual Projects
- Podcast analysis and review
- Documentary review and critique
- Creating audio stories or interviews
- Video presentations with scripts
- Digital storytelling projects
- Media literacy assessments
Creative Productions
- One-act play writing and direction
- Poetry compilation and recitation
- Short story adaptation
- Drama performance (team project)
- Literary magazine creation
- Creative writing anthology
Project Assessment Criteria
- Quality of Content: Depth of research and original thinking
- Accuracy: Factual correctness and reliable sources
- Timeliness: Meeting deadlines and scheduled submissions
- Language: Grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills
- Clarity: Organization and presentation of ideas
- Creativity: Innovation and originality in approach
- Group Collaboration: Teamwork and cooperative skills
- Knowledge Gained: Learning outcomes and experience
Examination Pattern Details
Question Paper Structure
Total Marks: 80 | Duration: 3 Hours
Subject Code: 301 (English Core)
| Question Type | Cognitive Level | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remember and Understand | Knowledge & Comprehension | 32 | 40% |
| Apply | Application | 24 | 30% |
| Analyze, Evaluate, Create | Higher Order Thinking | 24 | 30% |
| Total Theory + Internal | 100 | 100% | |
Assessment Features
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Objective Type Questions
- Extract-based questions from prescribed literature
- Short answer questions requiring 40-50 words
- Long answer questions requiring 120-150 words
- Creative writing tasks with specific word limits
- Grammar and language skills assessment
- Reading comprehension with various passage types
- Note-making and summarization skills evaluation
Study Tips and Success Strategies
Preparation Guidelines
- Read all prescribed texts thoroughly with focus on themes and characters
- Practice reading comprehension daily with diverse passage types
- Master grammar rules through regular exercises and applications
- Develop creative writing skills through consistent practice
- Maintain a vocabulary journal for new words and phrases
- Practice note-making techniques with different text types
- Analyze poetry for literary devices, themes, and meanings
- Work on time management for the 3-hour examination
- Participate actively in speaking and listening activities
- Complete project work systematically throughout the year
- Practice previous year question papers and sample papers
- Form study groups for literature discussions and analysis
Download NCERT Books
Hornbill (English Reader)
- Official NCERT publication for Class XI
- Contains prose and poetry selections
- Available in PDF format from NCERT official website
- Essential for Literature section preparation
- Includes comprehension questions and activities
- Download from: ncert.nic.in
Snapshots (Supplementary Reader)
- Supplementary reading material
- Contains additional prose selections
- Supports main textbook content
- Available for free download
- Important for comprehensive literature study
- Download from: ncert.nic.in
Academic Timeline
| Period | Activity | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| April - June | Foundation Building | Grammar basics, reading skills, project topic selection |
| July - September | Literature Study | Hornbill prose and poetry, creative writing practice |
| October - December | Comprehensive Study | Snapshots completion, project work execution |
| January - February | Revision and Practice | Sample papers, internal assessment completion |
| March | Final Examination | Board examination and project submission |
Career Connections
Literature & Writing
- English Literature (Honors/General)
- Creative Writing and Journalism
- Content Writing and Copywriting
- Publishing and Editorial Work
- Literary Criticism and Research
- Poetry and Fiction Writing
- Screenwriting and Script Development
Media & Communication
- Mass Communication and Journalism
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Digital Media and Social Media Management
- Public Relations and Corporate Communication
- Advertising and Marketing Communication
- Documentary and Film Making
- Podcast Production and Audio Content
Education & Training
- English Language Teaching (B.Ed, M.Ed)
- TESOL and TEFL Certification
- Educational Content Development
- Corporate Training and Development
- Language Coaching and Mentoring
- Curriculum Design and Development
- Educational Technology and E-learning
International Opportunities
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Foreign Language Teaching
- Cross-cultural Communication
- International Business Communication
- Cultural Exchange Programs
- Global Content Strategy
Professional Services
- Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
- Legal Services and Law
- Human Resources Management
- Customer Relations and Support
- Event Management and Coordination
- Tourism and Travel Industry
- Hospitality and Service Sector
Digital Age Careers
- Content Strategy and SEO Writing
- Digital Marketing and Analytics
- User Experience (UX) Writing
- Technical Writing and Documentation
- Online Education and Course Creation
- Blogging and Influencer Marketing
- Voice-over and Audio Production
Final Preparation Checklist
Pre-Examination Essentials
- Complete reading of all prescribed textbooks (Hornbill and Snapshots)
- Practice all types of writing formats required in the syllabus
- Master grammar concepts through extensive exercise practice
- Develop strong reading comprehension skills with timed practice
- Complete project work with proper documentation and portfolio
- Practice speaking and listening activities regularly
- Solve multiple sample papers and previous year questions
- Prepare summary notes for quick revision
- Focus on time management and examination strategies
- Stay updated with current affairs for creative writing topics
- Regular vocabulary building and language enhancement
- Maintain consistent study schedule throughout the academic year