NCERT Books for Class 12 English

CBSE Class 12 NCERT Books for English PDF Free Download

The National Council of Education Research and Training is in charge of publishing books that students in primary and secondary education can read. These books offer comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics from English to Business Studies. They primarily adhere to the CBSE syllabus, which is why students who are enrolled in schools that use CBSE find these books to be the most helpful, regardless of the field they are studying textbooks from NCERT for Class 12. Because it is a required course, knowing English is absolutely necessary. As a result of this, the class 12 English NCERT book PDF is currently one of the most downloaded books available on the internet.

In addition, there are a lot of questions that are typical on the CBSE and NCERT boards, which further demonstrate the significance of the English 12 NCERT books. The fact that NCERT books are sufficient for students in either stream makes them a popular choice among teachers. This is one of the primary reasons why.

NCERT Class 12 English Book PDF Importance

The Flamingo textbook and the Vistas textbook are the primary books of the English curriculum for Class 12 of the CBSE. Nevertheless, there is a separate book known as Kaleidoscope that is designed for students who choose to take English as an elective. English is a topic that is not only simple to understand but also beneficial to one’s academic performance. As a consequence of this, the NCERT books for Class 12 English are an absolute necessity for students who will be taking board examinations during the subsequent academic year.

Not only does the 12th NCERT English book assist students in achieving high scores, but it also helps students develop respectable reading and writing abilities in English. Because of this, students have a better chance of succeeding in the endeavours they pursue in the future.

In the fast-paced world of today, it is essential to have a shared language that everyone knows in order to communicate effectively and navigate the abundance of data and information that is currently available. Because of this, English has developed into a storehouse for a wide variety of knowledge, ranging from social to political.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of each of the topics, beginning with the introduction and ending with the summary. The chapters from the NCERT Class 12 English Book have been compiled into a book called Flamingo and Vistas. Students enrolled in Class 12 of the CBSE Board should make extensive use of this reading material. In addition, the entire curriculum for CBSE Class 12 English Literature can be found on Extramarks, along with the relevant notes. This comprehensive study pack for English prose and poetry for Class 12 includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, definitions of difficult words and examples of literary devices.

Class 12 NCERT English Book – Chapter-wise Summary

Flamingo (Prose)

Chapter 1: The Lost Lesson

This excellent prose by the French novelist and short-story writer Alphonse Daudet can be found in the first chapter of the NCERT PDF of Flamingo. The plot centres on how the Franco-Prussian war impacted the daily lives of thousands upon thousands of children while they were attending school.

Because The Lost Lesson is authored in a very eloquent manner, it is not difficult at all for students to understand the entirety of the story. In spite of this, the conclusion of the story carries with it a profound warning against fighting in wars.

The chapter concludes with a set of problems for the students to work through in order to demonstrate how well they comprehend the information presented.

Chapter 2: Lost Spring

The prose in the next chapter comes from Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood. This story, which was written by Anees Jung, addresses the grim and serious problem of poverty, specifically how it can lead to the exploitation of children. The tale also contributes to a depiction of the general hypocrisy that exists in society.

This section of the NCERT books for Class 12 English PDF also includes an exercise section. By doing the exercises, students can get an idea of the types of questions that might be on the board exam.

Chapter 3: Deep Water

This chapter of the English Flamingo PDF for class 12 contains William Douglas’s Deep Water, which is a story that recounts an experience from the writer’s young age. The narrator of this tale basically describes how, on one occasion, he came dangerously close to passing out while swimming in a pool. The remainder of the narrative focuses on his struggle to overcome his phobia of water and how he conquered that.

This chapter was taken from the author’s acclaimed book, “Of Men and Mountains.” Due to the fact that the story is autobiographical, a great number of readers will be able to connect with it on a more personal level.

Chapter 4: The Rattrap 

The short story The Rattrap was written by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlof. This story is included in Flamingo NCERT, and it gives the reader the opportunity to contemplate the notion that compassion and affection can reshape a person into a more admirable version of themselves. It also suggests that every single person possesses some degree of goodness within them, but that sometimes they just need a channel through which to express it.

The events of The Rattrap take place in Sweden, and the book recounts the glorious history of Sweden. Because it deals with a topic that is relevant to people all over the world, this tale has been rendered in a number of different tongues. The narrative takes on the feel of a fairy tale, which makes it easy for students to become engrossed in it.

Chapter 5: Indigo

A story that was taken from Louis Fetcher’s The Life of Mahatma Gandhi is discussed in the fifth chapter of the Flamingo Book for Class 12. It was considered by the Times Educational Supplement to be one of the best books ever written about Gandhi. Due to the fact that it discusses the “Father of the Nation,” students find this piece to be extremely exciting and inspirational.

This excerpt focuses primarily on the author’s recounting of his experiences during his first trip to see Gandhi. As a result, his writing contains a sense of melancholy. Students have the opportunity to significantly enhance their writing abilities by working through the exercises that are provided at the conclusion of each chapter. 

Chapter 6: Poets and Pancakes

This chapter of the NCERT English textbook for Class 12 is quite unique and intriguing. This is due to the fact that this story is from Ashokamitran’s My Years with Boss. In fact, the author was a member of The Gemini Studio, a famed Chennai-based film production company.

He was responsible for collecting interesting news articles on various subjects and filing them for future reference. As a well-informed person, his analysis of the movie industry was perceptive. Wittily, he also demonstrates the effect of cinema on Indians through this story.

Chapter 7: The Interview

A one-of-a-kind passage from Christopher Silvester’s introduction to The Penguin Book of Interviews: An Anthropology from 1859 to the Present Day can be found in the seventh chapter of the Flamingo Book Class 12 edition. This story is divided into two parts: the first of which is where the author shares some of the lessons he’s learned about journalism from his own experiences, and the second part is where he discusses some of the most acclaimed works written by famous authors.

On the other hand, the second part of the book contains some excerpts from interviews that were conducted in the past. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism in the future will find that this particular section is extremely helpful.

Chapter 8: Going Places

This chapter serves as the conclusion to the prose section that is covered in the NCERT English book for Class 12 Flamingo. This tale was penned by a contemporary author by the name of A.R. Barton. The reminiscences of youth serve as the primary focus of the brief narrative. Since the people who read this story are also in this phase of life, it is easy for them to empathise with the feelings that the story’s protagonist experiences.

The authors provide a description of the mental shifts that take place during this time period. The authors covered a wide range of topics, beginning with fanatical thinking and ending with hero worship. This chapter, like the others, offers a comprehensive exercise that covers a variety of topics, including writing skills, the overarching themes and subthemes of the story and a number of other aspects.

Poetry

Chapter 1: My Mother at Sixty-Six

The poem “My Mother at Sixty-Six” written by Kamala Das, can be found in the very first chapter of the Flamingo poetry textbook. In the realm of Indian poetry written in English, Kamala Das was a groundbreaking figure. She had a strong command of Malayalam as well as the English language. She had a number of poems and stories published in each of these languages. Her poetry is renowned for being original and adaptable to a variety of styles.

This poem does not deviate from the norm. This poetry examines the complex nature of interpersonal relationships between people. In addition to this, it describes the agony and expectations that come with having elderly parents. This poem, like the others that she has written, is autobiographical in nature. She raises questions about our motivations throughout this poem by pointing out that we have a propensity to ignore our aged parents.

Chapter 2: An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

This poem was written by Stephen Spender, who is an essayist and also dropped out of Oxford. As time went on, he established himself as a well-known poet. In addition to this, he announced that he was a socialist and a pacifist. Because it provides an account of the social disparities and unfairness inflicted on children living in poverty, this poem is one of his best works.

This poem gives us a glimpse of what a primary school in a poor neighbourhood might look like, as the name of the poem suggests it should. Because of this work, we are able to learn that the children who attend that school have very few facilities and that the entire community is to blame for their plight. This chapter of NCERT English Class 12 also includes an exercise, similar to those found in the prose chapters.

Chapter 3: Keeping Quiet

Pablo Neruda, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, created stunning imagery in his poem “Keeping Quiet.” He was a poet from Chile who wrote about a variety of subjects. Nevertheless, the English NCERT book for class 12 contains only this poem as mandatory reading.

The concept of amnesty is honoured throughout this poetry collection. He places a strong emphasis on the value of solitary reflection and how it can facilitate better communication and understanding among individuals. He believes that we can only make the world a more beautiful place by treating other people with respect and assisting them in realising their goals and ambitions.

Chapter 4: A Thing of Beauty

John Keats, a famous Romantic poet, is the author of this poem. This passage from Endymion: A Poetic Romance was included in the Flamingo NCERT syllabus for the CBSE Class 12 level. The protagonist of this poem is a charming young shepherd and poet named Endymion, and the moon goddess Cynthia is also mentioned. Love and yearning are the subjects that Keats investigates in this lengthy narrative poem of his. This poem, which is derived from an ancient Greek myth, is beautiful to look at and conjures up an ethereal setting in which the goddess Cynthia falls in love with the earthly man Endymion.

Keats is well-known for his exceptional ability to perceive the world in a unique manner and then translate that perception into lyrical idioms.

Chapter 5: A Roadside Stand

The Roadside Stand, which was written by the illustrious American poet Robert Frost, is included in the NCERT English textbooks for Class 12. He is the author of a number of remarkable poems, such as “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “Mending Walls,” amongst others. The subjects of most of his poems are individuals, fictional characters and geographical settings.

This poem reflects the story of the hardships that people living in poverty face on a daily basis. The majority of his poems effectively represent multiple forms of human suffering and anxiety. The cruel fate that awaits these people is made abundantly clear in this poem, as it is in others like it.

Chapter 6: Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger

The poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger by Adrienne Rich is a potent piece of writing that is included in the NCERT English book for class 12 PDF. The poet is well-known for her participation in the feminist movement, both as a theorist and as a poet, and for her active participation in the movement. Her poems, for the most part, carry an unmistakable message of defiance against racial prejudice and militarism.

The restrictions that a woman faces once she is married is another topic that is covered in this poem. The poem is very figurative in the sense that the tiger is a metaphor for a suppressed woman’s zeal to live a life of her own. In other words, the tiger represents the suppressed woman’s desire to live her own life. The tiger is a symbol of strength and power. The poet uses this piece to convey a woman’s aspiration to be unafraid and unstoppable regardless of the circumstances she finds herself in.

Vistas

Chapter 1: The Third Level

The psychological short story The Third Level by Jack Finney is a part of the NCERT English book for class 12 vistas. The main character, Charlie, is a 31-year-old man, and his life serves as the narrative’s focal point. The action of the tale takes place within the bowels of Grand Central Station’s underground passageways. The subway, on the other hand, serves as a metaphor in this piece of writing because it links Charlie’s life in the real world with the world of his imagination. He is constantly looking for a way to get away from the brutality of the world that is all around him and find solace in fantasy land.

This piece of writing is an attack on modern life, which, the author argues has made people more robotic and mechanical. Additionally, the letter written by Sam provides a holistic picture of both time and space.

Chapter 2: The Tiger King

The Tiger King, which was written by Kalki, can be found in the NCERT books for class 12 English Vista in the second chapter. This writing is an affront to the haughtiness and self-centeredness of those in authoritative positions. This tale transports us to a time when British monarchs exercised their power through the institution of monarchies. The tale tells us that these kings were morally bankrupt and had no interest in the growth or well-being of their people. This information is conveyed to us through the narrative.

The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram serves as the main protagonist throughout the narrative. In the past, he had believed in the prediction that he would be killed by a tiger. In order to verify the story, he tracked down and killed 99 tigers. In the end, however, he was fatally wounded on his right hand by a silver tiger and succumbed to an infection that developed as a result of the injury.

Chapter 3: Journey to the End of the Earth

This particular story is Tishani Doshi’s travel journal from her trip to remote Antarctica. This story, which is part of the English 12 NCERT CBSE syllabus, focuses on a variety of important topics, such as global warming and its effects of it. The author makes it possible for the readers to experience the euphoria of arriving at the end of the world through the combination of the blissful beauty of the landscapes and the detailed explanation of the journey. This narrative is more than just a travelogue; rather, it gives insight into some significant problems associated with the melting of icebergs. In addition to that, it explains how our collaborative efforts can help save the environment.

Chapter 4: The Enemy

The short story The Enemy by S. Buck is an essential component of the English NCERT book for Class 12. The main character, Sadao, is a Japanese surgeon who served his country during World War II. The story follows his life. When we see that Sadao, even after being the enemy, offers his assistance to save the life of an American soldier, we are presented with an extremely valuable lesson about life. Sadao, being a physician, never hesitated to perform his professional duty and save a patient’s life.

The plot takes a number of unexpected turns and ultimately leads up to a moral that emphasises brotherhood and humanity.

Chapter 5: Should a Wizard Hit Mommy?

This section of the NCERT English book for class 12 in a PDF format includes some prose that poses some insightful questions concerning the raising of children. This piece of prose was written by John Updike, and it discusses topics that may seem unimportant at first glances, such as bedtime stories.

When children are trying to fall asleep, their parents will frequently retell tales from fables and fairy tales, and on occasion, they will make up some stories that are completely illogical and random. The author of the book contends that when kids hear those sorts of stories when they’re younger, they start to believe them as they get older. In the end, when they cross the threshold into adulthood, they start calling into question the veracity of those tales.

On the other hand, parents frequently try to dissuade their children from addressing their concerns. Because of this tradition, moral questions arise, and we begin to take things for granted without questioning them.

Chapter 6: On The Face of It

The NCERT English book for Class 12 includes only this one play. It was written by Susan Hill. A younger boy named Derry and an older man named Mr. Lamb become friends throughout the course of the play. Because of a scar on his face, Derry avoided interaction with other people for a long time. But then someday he met Mr. Lamb, who taught him the most valuable lesson possible about life. He advised Derry to make the most of his life and accept things for the way they are. Derry was profoundly moved and motivated by his speech as well as the advice that he provided. As a result, he was able to muster the courage to emerge from his shell.

But as a result of this process, Mr. Lamb was unable to retain his one and only friend, Derry. He has become a completely different person since then, one who is self-assured and tolerant.

Chapter 7: Evan Tries an O-Level

The story of Evan, a specialist in escaping from jail and breaking out of prison is an interesting one to hear. People used to refer to him as “The Breaker” as a result of this trait. Students have a great deal of fun reading this piece of English writing from the NCERT books for class 12 because it is written in a humorous style.

As the plot develops, we get to see that Evan has been transferred to Oxford prison. The other part of the story illustrates how he uses his wits to attempt to break out of the prison. In order to achieve his objective, he even solicited assistance from the other inmates. The narrative comes to a conclusion when it describes how he used the opportunity to take an O-level test to further his escape plan.

Chapter 8: Memories of Childhood

The book Zitkala-Sa and Bama’s Memories of Childhood serves as the final chapter for the NCERT English Class 12 curriculum. This piece of writing narrates the tales of two different women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama, and how both of them are victims of social discrimination in their respective communities. While Zitkala-Sa had to contend with racial prejudice, Bama was forced to contend with caste prejudice. Due to the fact that both of these episodes are autobiographical, the characters’ emotions come across as being even more pronounced to the audience.

They became defiant adults as a direct result of the repression that they had to endure beginning in childhood.

Each chapter of the Vistas textbook, much like the Flamingo book, contains exercises that allow students to test and improve their level of comprehension of the material being covered.

Why Should You Study NCERT Books?

There are many books available for the CBSE school curriculum in India. NCERT books, on the other hand, are consistently in high demand.  The reasons, some of which are listed below, are as follows: 

  • Helps to have a better understanding – All of the NCERT books are student-friendly in the context that they are insightful and contain study reference material. All of the NCERT books help to have a better understanding. Students are able to develop an in-depth knowledge of any subject by reading it, which is an invaluable skill. In addition, teachers from all over the nation were involved in the writing process for these books. Therefore, the quality of the books has not been called into question.
  • In addition to the other ones, the NCERT books for class 12 English are written in an articulated style, and use clear language to explain any prose or poetry. Students need fewer time blocks to absorb and commit each chapter’s material to memory as a result. Because of this, students who are currently pursuing higher education often consult this book in order to clarify any questions they may have.
  • Structure that is geared toward examination — The NCERT book concludes each chapter with a comprehensive exercise. As a result, students are able to get a good sense of the kinds of questions that are typically asked on CBSE exams. During the CBSE board exams, there are a lot of questions that are repeated.
  • The NCERT books are readily available and can be found in traditional bookstores as well as online. On the website of Extramarks, the NCERT English book for class 12 is available in PDF format, and it can be downloaded at any time free of charge. Simply by reading this book, you will be able to perform exceptionally well on any test that you take. Download all three books, and then immediately begin reading and studying the chapters.
  • The students’ preference for reading NCERT books can be attributed to the aforementioned list of factors. In addition, the instructors strongly suggest that students who are getting ready for board exams or any other important examinations read these books.

CBSE Class 12 English Exam Paper Pattern

To prepare better for their exams, students need to be informed about the CBSE Class 12 English Core Marks Distribution. This will help students write their answers and effectively manage their time during the exam.

Students should prepare ahead of time and study effectively for the English Core because it is one of the CBSE classes with the highest average scores. Learning about the exam format, grading and key topics is one of the most important strategies for succeeding on the CBSE Class 12 English Core test.

Part Section  Question type Choice Marks
A Reading comprehension A single unseen text is used as the basis for multiple-choice questions that assess understanding, interpretation and inference. Additionally, vocabulary and meaning inference will be assessed. The passage may be factual, illustrative or literary in style. Any 10 out of 11 can be attempted. 10
Multiple-choice questions that are based on a single, hypothetical case-based factual text that also includes verbal and visual inputs like statistics, graphs, newspaper articles and so forth. Any 10 out of 11 can be done. 10
Literature Questions with multiple options were based on two prose samples from the works, Flamingo and Vistas to assess understanding and appreciation. Using the lines as a guide, respond to questions based on the extract.. Any 2 out of 3 extracts may be completed. 8
Multiple Choices Using an excerpt from a poem from the book Flamingo as a basis, questions are asked to gauge understanding, analysis and inference. Referring to the lines will help you respond to questions based on the extract. Any 1 out of 2 extracts may be completed. 4
Questions to test comprehension, analysis, inference and interpretation based on the books Flamingo and Vistas Any 8 out of 10 extracts may be completed. 8
B Writing For this short writing assignment, you must create a notice or advertisement that is no longer than 50 words. Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered. 3
Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply (maximum of 50 words) is a short writing homework. Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered. 3
Responses to letters should be made in 120–150 words, based on verbal and visual cues. Examples of different letter types include job applications and letters to the editor (with comments or opinions on issues of public interest). Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered. 5
Writing a 120–150 word descriptive and analytical article or report based on vocal inputs. Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered 5
Literature Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking and be answered in 30–40 words, according to Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo. Any 5 out of 6 questions can be answered. 10
Inferential answers to questions should be generated from prose (Vistas) through critical thought, and responses should be between 30 and 40 words long. Any 2 out of 3 questions can be answered. 4
One long response question from prose or poetry (Flamingo) must be answered in 120 to 150 words in order to assess overall comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text. Ask questions to elicit evaluation and analytical responses, using instances, events and themes as points of reference. Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered. 5
One long response question based on chapters from the book Vistas must be answered in 120–150 words in order to evaluate overall comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text. Ask questions to elicit evaluative and analytical responses, using instances, events and themes as points of reference. Any 1 out of 2 questions can be answered. 5
Total 80

Tips to Excel in CBSE Class 12 English Core Examination:

It is imperative that you give your preparation for the English exam your full attention. As you start writing your answers, keep these suggestions in mind and try to remain composed. Keeping your cool will aid in the clarification of your thoughts and allow you to develop excellent responses:

  • Review your answer sheet once more and correct any errors you find before submitting it. Reserve two hours and 45 minutes for writing and the final 15 minutes for revision because it will take three hours to complete.
  • Many students are in such a hurry to begin their papers that they are unaware of the requirements of the question. Write down your answer after carefully reading each question to make sure you understand what it asks.
  • Many students choose to give general descriptions when the answer must be very specific. This will prevent students from receiving all possible credit and could escalate into a serious problem if students grow accustomed to it.

Why Should You Opt for Extramarks?

Extramarks is a well-known educational platform. You can procure all books online for the CBSE on our website, including the NCERT books for English class 12. The books can all be downloaded in PDF format. So, whenever you want, you can download and read them offline. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How can I get a 100 on the CBSE Class 12 English Exam?

You must first establish a solid foundation in English grammar if you hope to earn all A’s on the 12th CBSE exam. For that, you can download the free PDF version of the NCERT English grammar book for class 12. When it comes to literature, you must repeatedly read the NCERT textbooks to fully understand the concepts. Finally, do your best to learn as much new vocabulary as you can because doing so will improve the quality of your answers.

2. Which books are recommended for CBSE English Class 12?

NCERT books for Class 12 English is the best textbook for students taking the CBSE board exams. You can use other books as references after finishing this one. You can also read Megha Karnani’s Chapter-by-Chapter Solutions, K.P. Thakur’s A Practical Guide to English Grammar and other sources.

3. How can I get better at writing in English?

You can enhance your writing skills by following a few key steps. Begin by ensuring that the teachers who will be reading your paper understand exactly what you’re trying to say by using simple language. Moreover, you need constant practice. As a result, ask your English teacher to evaluate at least two answers each day. A convincing title draws attention by using powerful phrases or statistics. A compelling beginning to pique interest, a useful middle section outlining the steps necessary to achieve a goal and an energising conclusion to spur readers to action are all necessary components of an effective essay.

4. Which NCERT 12th English Syllabus Book Cover?

NCERT mainly adheres to the CBSE English curriculum. They then publish their books based on that. All of the topics from this board are explicitly covered in the NCERT English book for class 12. To improve their command of English, students from any board can study from NCERT books. The Flamingo and Vistas sections of the NCERT book for Class 12 English Core are the two main sections. Prose and poetry are covered in Flamingo, whereas supplemental reading to strengthen reading skills is covered in Vistas. Download all such books from Extramarks to learn more about the scope of this curriculum.