COMPULSORY SUBJECT
ENGLISH (801)
Aims (English Language) use the English language for the purpose of study
and social and cultural interaction.
To develop the ability to:
speak and write clearly and to the purpose, using
derive, infer and critically assess information appropriate grammar, vocabulary and idiom.
through listening.
Aims (Prescribed Texts)
express oneself by speaking individually, or in a
1. To enjoy and appreciate literature through a
discussion.
critical study of selected literary works.
read with comprehension drawing information 2. Through the study of literature:
directly or by inference from the text, through an
understanding of grammar and structure, approach an understanding of humanity.
vocabulary and idiom. develop an interest in the thought and culture
employ a variety of skills in writing : within a of the peoples of the world.
framework, using argument or imagination or note develop the power of expression and a sense
making and summarizing. of aesthetic values.
CLASSES XI & XII
There will be two papers as follows: Question One
Paper 1: English Language (3 hours) – 100 marks Candidates will be required to select one composition
topic from a choice of six. The choice will normally
Paper 2: Literature in English (3 hours) – 100 marks
include narrative, descriptive, reflective,
Paper 1: English Language (3 hours) argumentative, discussion topics and short story.
Question One: A composition on one of a number of The required length of the composition is 450 – 500
subjects. ...30 Marks words.
Question Two: Directed writing (article writing, The main criteria by which the compositions will be
book review, film review, review of theatre/ concert / marked are as follows:
cultural programme/ television show, speech writing,
(a) The quality of the language employed, the range
report writing, personal profile, statement of purpose
and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence
and testimonial) based on suggested points...20 Marks
structure, syntax, the correctness of grammatical
Question Three: Short-answer questions to test constructions, punctuation and spelling.
grammar, structure and usage. ...20 Marks
(b) The degree to which candidates have been
Question Four: Comprehension. ...30 Marks successful in organising the content of the
It is recommended that in Paper 1 about 50 minutes composition as a whole and in individual
should be spent on Question one, 40 minutes on paragraphs.
Question two, 30 minutes on Question three and
one hour on Question four.
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Question Two complete sentences. Marks will be deducted
The piece of directed writing will be based on the for linguistic errors.
information and ideas provided. The required length It is recommended that part (ii) of this
will be about 300 words. The range of subjects may question be done in the grid form.
include article writing, book review, film review, Use of abbreviations will not be accepted.
review of theatre/ concert / cultural programme/
television show, speech writing, report writing, All questions are compulsory.
personal profile, statement of purpose and testimonial.
Paper 2: Literature in English (Prescribed Texts)
Skills such as selecting, amplifying, describing, (3 hours)
presenting reasoned arguments, re-arranging and
re-stating may be involved. The candidates’ ability in Candidates will be required to answer five questions
the above skills, including format will be taken into as follows:
account as well as their ability to handle language One textual question (compulsory) on the
appropriately in the context of the given situation. Shakespeare play/alternative prescribed play together
It is emphasized that only one question will be set in with four other questions on at least three texts,
the examination paper and that this will be which may include the Shakespeare play/alternative
compulsory. play.
Question Three Question 1 compulsory.... 20 Marks, four other
questions, each carrying 20 Marks
All the items in this question are compulsory, and
their number and type / pattern may vary from year to (Note: Candidates are reminded that infringement of
year. They will consist of short-answer, open the rubric will certainly invite penalty during the
completion items or any other type, which will test the marking of answer scripts.)
candidates’ knowledge of the essentials of functional The textual question, which will be set on the
English grammar and structure. Only two or three Shakespeare play/alternative play, will contain three
types will be included in any one examination. short passages and candidates will be required to
answer questions set on two of the passages. These
Question Four
Questions may require candidates to explain words
A passage of about 500 words will be provided. and phrases, to rewrite passages in modern English, or
Questions based on the passage will be as follows: to relate an extract to the work as a whole.
Questions that test the candidates’ knowledge of The rest of the questions on the Shakespeare
vocabulary and ability to understand the content play/alternative play and on the other prescribed texts
of and infer information and meanings from the will require essay-type answers and will be set on the
text. episodes, the plot or plots, themes or ideas, characters,
relationship and other prominent literary qualities of
A question that elicits the main ideas of all or part
the texts prescribed.
of the passage. This question will consist of two
parts:
NOTE: The Class XII - ISC examination paper
(i) In the first part, the candidate will be required will be set on the entire syllabus prescribed for
to list the main points as directed, in point the subject.
form. Sentences/phrases/clauses will be
accepted, as long as the meaning is conveyed. The Class XI examination is to be conducted on
In this part, marks will be awarded for the portion of this syllabus that is covered during
content. the academic year.
(ii) In the second part of the question, the The Council has not prescribed bifurcation of the
candidate will be required to frame these
syllabus prescribed for this subject.
points in a summary (keeping to a word limit),
in a coherent manner. In this part, marks will
be awarded for expression and the candidate’s For list of Prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix I.
ability to summarise the points clearly in
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NOTE :
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI & XII, candidates at Class XI ONLY are also
required to be internally assessed in listening and speaking skills as given below:
Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed Some of the themes to be addressed in the assessment
internally, by the School, during English course work are - narrating an experience, giving directions or
in Class XI and shown in the students’ report and instructions on how to make or operate something,
school record. providing a description, giving a report, expressing an
opinion or a theme based conversation.
Types of Assessment
Candidates are to be graded as follows, jointly for
a) Listening Skills Listening and Speaking Skills:
A passage of about 350 words is read aloud, Grade Remark
twice, the first time at normal reading speed
A Very Good
(about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a
slower speed. Students may make brief notes B Good
during the readings. They then answer objective
C Satisfactory
type questions based on the passage on the paper
provided. D Needs Improvement
b) Speaking Skills E Poor
Students are to be assessed through an individual
presentation of about three minutes followed by a
discussion with the subject teacher, for another
two or three minutes.
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