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: Prescribed Textbooks (3 hours) – 100 marks
include narrative, descriptive, reflective and
Paper 1: English Language (3 hours) discussion topics.
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 (an article, a The main criteria by which the compositions will be
book/film review, speech and report writing or marked are as follows:
personal profile) based on suggested points...20 Marks
(a) The quality of the language employed, the range
Question Three: Short-answer questions to test and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence
grammar, structure and usage. ...20 Marks structure, syntax, the correctness of grammatical
Question Four: Comprehension. ...30 Marks constructions, punctuation and spelling.

It is recommended that in Paper 1 about 50 minutes (b) The degree to which candidates have been
should be spent on Question one, 40 minutes on successful in organising the content of the
composition as a whole and in individual
Question two, 30 minutes on Question three and
one hour on Question four. paragraphs.

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Question Two expression and the candidate’s ability to
express the points clearly in complete
The piece of directed writing will be based on the sentences. Marks will be deducted for
information and ideas provided. The required length linguistic errors.
will be about 300 words. The range of subjects will
include article writing, book and film review, speech Use of abbreviations will not be accepted.
and report writing and personal profile. Skills such as All questions are compulsory.
selecting, amplifying, describing, presenting reasoned
arguments, re-arranging and re-stating may be
involved. The candidates’ ability in the above skills Paper 2: Prescribed Texts (3 hours)
will be taken into account as well as their ability to Candidates will be required to answer five questions
handle language appropriately in the context of the as follows:
given situation.
One textual question (compulsory) on the
It is emphasized that only one question will be set in
the examination paper and that this will be Shakespeare play/alternative prescribed play together
compulsory. with four other questions on at least three texts,
which may include the Shakespeare play/alternative
Question Three play.
All the items in this question are compulsory, and
Question 1 compulsory.... 20 Marks, four other
their number may vary from year to year. They will
consist of short-answer, open completion items or any questions, each carrying 20 Marks
other type, which will test the candidates’ knowledge (Note: Candidates are reminded that infringement of
of the essentials of functional English grammar and the rubric will certainly invite penalty during the
structure. Only two or three types will be included in
marking of answer scripts.)
any one examination.
The textual question, which will be set on the
Question Four
Shakespeare play/alternative play, will contain three
A passage of about 500 words will be provided. short passages and candidates will be required to
Questions based on the passage will be as follows: answer questions set on two of the passages. These
 Questions that test the candidates’ knowledge of Questions may require candidates to explain words
vocabulary and ability to understand the content and phrases, to rewrite passages in modern English, or
of and infer information and meanings from the to relate an extract to the work as a whole.
text.
 A question that elicits the main ideas of all or part The rest of the questions on the Shakespeare
of the passage. This question will consist of two play/alternative play and on the other prescribed texts
parts: will require essay-type answers and will be set on the
(i) In the first part, the candidate will be required episodes, the plot or plots, themes or ideas, characters,
to list the main points as directed, in point relationship and other prominent literary qualities of
form. In this part, marks will be awarded for
the texts prescribed.
content.
(ii) In the second part of the question, the
candidate will be required to frame these
points in a summary, in a coherent manner. In For list of Prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix I.
this part, marks will be awarded for

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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 or expressing
an opinion.
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 B Good
slower speed. Students may make brief notes
C Satisfactory
during the readings. They then answer objective
type questions based on the passage on the paper D Needs Improvement
provided. E Poor
b) Speaking Skills
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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