CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2026-27 - Updated Curriculum

Section A: Reading Skills – 26 Marks

I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passages (18 Marks)

1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and vocabulary.
The passage may be factual, descriptive or literary.

2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts, etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation.

Note: The combined word limit for both passages will be 600-750 words. Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions will be asked.

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

i. Note Making – 5 Marks

ii. Summary (up to 50 words) – 3 Marks

Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills – 23 Marks

II. 

Grammar – 7 Marks

4. Questions on Gap Filling (Tenses, Clauses)

5. Questions on Re-ordering/Transformation of Sentences

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

III. Creative Writing Skills – 16 Marks

6. Short Writing Task – Classified Advertisements

• Up to 50 words.

• One out of the two given questions to be answered.

• Marks distribution:

• Format: 1

• Content: 1

• Expression: 1

7. Short Writing Task – Poster

• Up to 50 words.

• One out of the two given questions to be answered.

• Marks distribution:

• Format: 1

• Content: 1

• Expression: 1

8. Long Writing Task – Speech

• 120-150 words.

• Based on verbal/visual cues related to contemporary topics.

• One out of the two given questions to be answered.

• Marks distribution:

• Format: 1

• Content: 2

• Expression: 2

9. Long Writing Task – Debate

• Based on visual/verbal inputs.

• 120-150 words.

• Related to contemporary and topical issues.

• One out of the two given questions to be answered.

• Marks distribution:

• Format: 1

• Content: 2

• Expression: 2

Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text – 31 Marks

This section will have a variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text.

CBSE Class 11 English Core Prescribed Books 2026-27

1. Hornbill

English Reader published by National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi

Prose

• The Portrait of a Lady

• We’re Not Afraid to Die... If We Can Be Together

• Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues

• The Ailing Planet (Poem)

• The Adventure

• Silk Road (Prose)

• Father to Son

Poems

• A Photograph

• The Laburnum Top

• The Voice of the Rain

• Childhood

2. Snapshots

Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi

• The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse (Prose)

• The Address (Prose)

• Mother’s Day (Play)

• Birth (Prose)

• The Tale of Melon City

Internal Assessment for CBSE Class 11 English Core

CBSE Class 11 English Core Question Paper Design 2026-27

How to Use the CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2026-27 for Preparation?

Students can use the CBSE Class 11 English Core syllabus 2026-27 as a roadmap to plan their studies. Understanding the section-wise marks distribution helps students prioritise Reading Skills, Writing Practice, Grammar concepts, and Literature chapters.

Following the syllabus regularly helps students track completed topics, revise important chapters, and prepare according to the CBSE assessment pattern.

Important Study Material for Class 11 English