Complete Breakdown of Class 11 English Syllabus 2021-22 with Topics & Books

The Class 11 English Syllabus 2021-22 is designed to help students strengthen their reading, writing, and comprehension skills while introducing them to a wide variety of literary genres and themes. Developed by CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), the syllabus aims to enhance critical thinking, encourage creative expression, and build a solid foundation for higher-level English learning in Class 12 and beyond.

Let’s dive into what this year’s syllabus has to offer.

Section-Wise Breakdown of the CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus 2021-22

The syllabus is broadly divided into three main sections:

 1. Reading Comprehension

What’s Included:

• Unseen passage (factual, descriptive, or literary)

• Case-based or data-based passages (charts, tables, etc.)

What You’ll Learn: Students will learn how to quickly understand and analyze unseen texts. This section helps improve reading speed, vocabulary, and the ability to interpret information.

2. Writing Skills and Grammar

Writing Tasks:

• Note Making & Summary (based on a passage)

• Short Writing Tasks: Notice Writing, Poster Making, Advertisements

• Long Writing Tasks: Business Letters (enquiry, placing orders), Speech Writing, Article Writing

Grammar Topics:

• Determiners

• Tenses

• Re-ordering of Sentences

• Clauses

• Modals

What You’ll Learn: Students develop formal writing skills and refine their grammar usage—both essential for academic success and everyday communication.

 3. Literature

This section includes two main textbooks: Hornbill (Main Reader) and Snapshots (Supplementary Reader).

Hornbill – Textbook

Prose:

1. The Portrait of a Lady – Khushwant Singh

2. We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together – Gordon Cook & Alan East

3. Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues – A.R. Williams

4. The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role – Nani Palkhivala

5. The Browning Version – Terence Rattigan

6. The Adventure – Jayant Narlikar

7. Silk Road – Nick Middleton

Poems:

1. A Photograph – Shirley Toulson

2. The Laburnum Top – Ted Hughes

3. The Voice of the Rain – Walt Whitman

4. Childhood – Markus Natten

5. Father to Son – Elizabeth Jennings

Skills Developed: Through prose and poetry, students explore diverse human experiences, environmental awareness, relationships, emotions, and imagination.

 Snapshots – Supplementary Reader

1. The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse – William Saroyan

2. The Address – Marga Minco

3. Ranga’s Marriage – Masti Venkatesha Iyengar

4. Albert Einstein at School – Patrick Pringle

5. Mother’s Day – J.B. Priestley

6. The Ghat of the Only World – Amitav Ghosh

7. Birth – A.J. Cronin

8. The Tale of Melon City – Vikram Seth

Skills Developed: This book emphasizes narrative techniques, moral lessons, and cultural insights. It boosts comprehension and introduces students to world literature.

 Examination Pattern & Marks Distribution (2021-22)

Question Types:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Very Short Answer (1-mark)

• Short Answer (2-4 marks)

• Long Answer (6 marks)

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 Recommended Books & Resources

• Hornbill – NCERT Main English Reader

• Snapshots – NCERT Supplementary Reader

• Wren & Martin – For grammar practice

• BBC Compacta or Together With – For additional practice papers

• CBSE Official Website – For sample papers and marking schemes

 Study Tips & Exam Strategies

1. Stick to the NCERT books – All questions in the board exam are based on them.

2. Make a weekly reading & writing schedule – Focus on a mix of literature, grammar, and writing tasks.

3. Revise grammar regularly – Daily 10-minute grammar drills go a long way.

4. Practice past year papers – This helps understand question trends and time management.

5. Use flashcards for vocabulary – Especially for poetry and prose interpretations.

FAQ for Class 11 English Syllabus 2021-22

Q1. Is the Class 11 English syllabus 2021-22 the same for all CBSE schools?
Yes, CBSE schools follow the same NCERT-based syllabus across India.

Q2. Are poems and stories from both Hornbill and Snapshots important for exams?
Absolutely! Questions come from both books, so it’s important to study all chapters.

Q3. What’s the best way to prepare for the unseen passage section?
Read newspapers and magazines daily. Practice comprehension from sample papers regularly.

Q4. How many marks is the internal assessment worth?
The internal assessment is worth 20 marks, including ASL (Speaking & Listening), project work, and class participation.

Q5. Are the grammar questions objective or descriptive?
Mostly objective or short-answer based. Practice MCQs and sentence correction exercise.