CBSE Class 11 English Elective Syllabus 2026–27 Updated Curriculum

ENGLISH ELECTIVE

Code No. 001

(2022-23)

Background

The course is intended to give students a high level of competence in English with an emphasis on the study of literary texts. The course will provide extensive exposure to a variety of rich texts of world literature as well as Indian writings in English, including classics; develop sensitivity to the creative and imaginative use of English Language and give them a taste for reading with delight and discernment. The course is primarily designed to equip the students to pursue higher studies in English literature and English language at the college level.

Competencies to be focused on:

The general objectives are to:

1. provide extensive exposure to a variety of writings in English, including some classicsto develop sensitivity to literary and creative uses of the
2. further expand the learners’ vocabulary resources through the use of dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia.

• develop a taste for reading with discernment and

1. critically examine a text and comment on different
2. develop proficiency in English Language both in receptive and productive
3. grasp the global meaning of the text, its gist and understand how its theme and sub- themes relate.

• relate to the details provided in the text, for example, how the details support a generalization or the conclusion either by classification or by contrast and
• comprehend details, locate and identify facts, arguments, logical relationships, generalization, conclusion, in the

1. draw inferences, supply missing details, predict outcomes, grasp the significance of particular details and interpret
2. assess and analyze the point of view of the
3. Infer the meanings of words and phrases from the context; differentiate between apparent

• appreciate stylistic nuances, the lexical structure; its literal and figurative uses and analyse a variety of texts.
• identify different styles of writing like humorous, satirical, contemplative, ironical and
• can produce text-based writing (writing in response to questions or tasks based on prescribed as well as ‘unseen’ texts)

1. develop the advanced skills of reasoning, inferring, analysing, evaluating and

• develop familiarity with the poetic uses of language including features of the language through which artistic effect is

Methods and Techniques

The techniques used for teaching should promote habits of self-learning and reduce dependence on the teacher. The multi-skill, learner-centric, activity-based approach alreadyrecommended for the previous stages of education, is still in place, though it will be used in such a way that silent reading of prescribed selected texts for comprehension will receive greater focus as one of the activities. Learners will be trained to read independently and intelligently, interacting actively with texts and other reference materials (dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, etc.) where necessary. Some pre-reading activity will generally berequired, as suggested in the course books. The reading of texts should be followed by postreading activities. It is important to remember that every text can generate different reading strategies. Students should be encouraged to interpret texts in different ways, understand the views of others and present their views on a literary text. Some projects may be assignedto students from time to time, for instance, students may be asked to put together a few literary pieces on a given theme, so as to create a meaningful singular hold.

ENGLISH ELECTIVE

(Code No. 001) CLASS – XI

Section A

Reading

Two unseen passages and a poem 20 Periods

1. 12 out of 15 questions from a literary or discursive passage of about 950-1000words.

(1×12=12 marks)

2. 8 questions to test interpretation and appreciation of a poem of about 10-12

(1×8=8 marks)

3. 5 out of 7 questions from a case-based passage (with visual input- statistical data, chart ) of 100-120 words to test interpretation. (1×5=5 marks)

Section B

Creative Writing Skills 20 Periods

4. An Essay on an argumentative/discursive/reflective/descriptive topic, leading tocreative rendering, forming and defending of opinions, to be answered in 120-150 (5 marks)
5. Article on one out of two topics to be answered in 120-150 Contemporary topical issues to be a part of Article writing. (5 marks)
6. Speech on one out of two topics to be answered in 120-150 Contemporary topical issues to be a part of Speech writing. (5 marks)

Section C

This section will have variety of assessment items including 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.

Book: Woven Words 60 Periods

7. Reference to the Context
   1. One Prose extract out of two to assess comprehension, Literary, appreciation and
   2. One Poetry extract out of two to assess comprehension, Literary, appreciation and

(5+5=10 Marks)

8. Two Short Answer Question out of three to be answered in 30-40 words to assess understanding, analysis and critical Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. (2×2=4 marks)
9. Two Short Answer Question out of three to be answered in 50-60 words to assess understanding, analysis and critical Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. (3×2=6marks)

Arms and the Man – [Drama] 20 Periods

10. Two Long Answer Questions out of three to be answered in 80-100 words toappreciate characters, events and Questions to provide analytical responses using incidents, events, themes as reference points. (5×2=10 marks)

Fiction 20 Periods

13. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 30-40 words to critically appreciate characters, events, episodes and interpersonal relationships and to form their opinions with reference to content, events and (2 marks)
14. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 50-60 words to assess understanding, analysis and critical Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. (3 marks)
15. One Long Answer Question out of two to be answered in 120-150 words to testliterary appreciation and to draw Questions should elicit creative responses and develop ability to form opinions. (5 marks)

Seminar (20 marks)

• Presentation – book review /a play /a short story/a novel/novella (tale, table, and parable) to be followed by a question-answer
• Poetry reading to be followed by interpretative tasks based on close reading and literary analysis of the
• Critical review of a film/ documentary or a
• Conducting a theatre workshop to be followed by a discussion

Note: Teachers may develop their own rubrics to assess the performance of studentsobjectively

The parameters for assessing Speaking skills as given in the curriculum for English Core may be referred to.

Prescribed Books:

1. Text book: Woven Words published by NCERT
2. Fiction: The Old Man and the Sea (Novel unabridged) by Ernest Hemingway
3. Drama: Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

Book-Woven Words– Short Stories

• The Lament
• A Pair of Mustachios
• The Rocking-horse Winner
• The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
• Pappachi’s Moth
• The Third and FinalContinent

Book-Woven Words-Poetry

• The Peacock
• Let me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
• Coming
• Telephone Conversation
• The World is tooMuch With Us
• Mother Tongue
• Hawk Roosting
• Ode to a Nightingale

Book-Woven Words-Essays

• My Watch
• My Three Passions
• Patterns of Creativity
• Tribal Verse
• What is a Good Book?
• The Story
• Bridges

CLASS-XII (2022-23)

Code No. 001 ENGLISH ELECTIVE

Section A

READING 20 MARKS

This section will have two unseen passages and a poem:

1. 12 Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions out of 15 from a literary or discursive passage of about 950-1000 (1 X 12 =12 Marks)

2. 4 out of 5 multiple choice questions / Objective Type Questions to test interpretation and appreciation of a poem ofabout 10-12 (1×4=4 Marks)
3. 4 out of 5 multiple choice questions / Objective Type Questions from a case-based factual passage (with visual input- statistical data, chart ) of 100-120 words to test interpretation. (1 X 4= 4 Marks)

Section B

GRAMMAR 8 Marks

4. 8 multiple choice questions / Objective Type Questions out of 10 involving transformation of (1×8 =8 Marks)

Writing 20 Marks

5. Three Long Writing Task out of Four to be answered in 120-150 words each: Adiscursive and interpretative (5×3=15 Marks)
6. One Long Writing Task out of two to be answered in 120-150 words: An essay on an argumentative/discursive topic such as an article/report/speech. Contemporary topics/issues to be a part of Article, Report and Speech (5×1=5 Marks)

Section D

LITERATURE 22 Marks

This section will have variety of assessment items including 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.

8. Reference to the Context
   1. One Prose extract out of two to assess literary appreciation and analysis (6×1= 6 Marks)
   2. One Poetry extract out of two to assess literary appreciation and analysis (6×1= 6 Marks)
9. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 30-40 words to assess

understanding analysis and critical appreciation. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. (2×1=2 Marks)

9. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 40-50 words to assess understanding analysis and critical Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking and drawing inferences in poetry and prose.

(3X1=3 Marks)

10. One Long Answer Question out of two to be answered in 120-150 words each to assess deeper understanding, interpretation, appreciation and drawing inferences. Questions to elicit creative responses and assess ability to form opinions. (5×1=5 Marks)

Fiction 10 Marks

11. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 30-40 words to test understanding and appreciation and seek comments, interpretation, evaluation and appreciation of characters, events, episodes and interpersonal

(2×1=2 Marks)

12. One Short Answer Question out of two to be answered in 40-50 words to test understanding and appreciation and seek comments, interpretation, evaluation and appreciation of characters, events, episodes and interpersonal

(3 x1=3 Marks)

13. One Long Answer Question out of two to be answered in 120-150 words to testdeeper (in depth) understanding, interpretation, appreciation and drawing global inferences of the given text with reference to characters /events/ incidents and episodes, leading to creative rendering, forming and defending (5×1=5 Marks)

Students can select one of the two prescribed texts.

Seminar (20 marks)

• Presentation – book review /a play /a short story/a novel/novella (tale, table, parable) to be followed by a question-answer
• Poetry reading to be followed by interpretative tasks based on close reading and literary analysis of the Critical review of a film or a play
• Conducting a theatre workshop to be followed by a discussion

Prescribed Books:

1. Kaleidoscope – Text book published by NCERT
2. Fiction: A Tiger for Malgudi or The Financial Expert by K. Narayan (Novel)

Book- Kaleidoscope-Short Stories

• I Sell my Dreams
• Eveline
• A Wedding in Brownsville

Book- Kaleidoscope-Poetry

• A Lecture Upon the Shadow
• Poems by Milton
• Poems by Blake
• Kubla Khan
• Trees
• The Wild Swans of Coole
• Time and Time Again

Book- Kaleidoscope- Non fiction

• Freedom
• The Mark on the Wall
• Film-making
• Why the Novel Matters
• The Argumentative Indian

Book- Kaleidoscope-Drama

1. Chandalika- RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Question Paper Design 2022-23 Code No. 001

English ELECTIVE XII

Marks – 80+20=100