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CBSE Class 11 English [Core] Course Overview

The CBSE Class 11 English curriculum is designed to cultivate advanced language skills and critical thinking among students. The course is divided into two main textbooks: "Hornbill" and "Snapshots". Each book serves a distinct purpose in developing the learners' proficiency in English, while also exposing them to a variety of literary genres and themes.

Hornbill (Core Course)

"Hornbill" is the primary textbook for Class 11 students, emphasizing the development of reading and writing skills. The text selections range from biographies, travelogues, and science fiction to contemporary prose, poetry, and drama, offering students a rich variety of content to enhance their understanding and use of the English language. Each unit in the book is designed to encourage students to think critically, engage in discussions, and develop their own interpretations of the texts.

Key Features:

  • Reading Skills: The book includes prose and poetry by authors from different parts of the world, aiming to expose students to global perspectives and themes.

  • Writing Skills: It provides structured guidance on note-making, summarizing, essay writing, and letter writing, which are essential for academic and real-life applications.

  • Activities: Each chapter includes comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises, and writing tasks that help students apply what they have learned in a practical context.

Snapshots (Supplementary Reader)

"Snapshots" is a supplementary reader that complements the core curriculum, focusing on short stories and narratives that explore a wide range of human experiences. The stories included in this book are carefully chosen to reflect the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals, thereby encouraging students to think deeply about societal issues.

Key Features:

  • Literary Exploration: The book features stories that discuss themes like moral choices, personal loss, professional commitment, and social roles, making it a vital tool for character development and ethical reasoning.

  • Language Development: The language used in these stories is accessible, allowing students to engage with the text independently, while also offering opportunities for classroom discussions on narrative techniques and stylistic features.

  • Independent Learning: "Snapshots" is designed to foster a love for reading and to develop the ability to analyze and appreciate literature, encouraging students to explore beyond the classroom.

Why This Course is Important: This English curriculum is tailored to help students transition from basic language use to a more sophisticated level of communication. It prepares them for higher academic pursuits and equips them with the language skills necessary for real-world scenarios. By engaging with diverse texts and participating in thought-provoking activities, students will not only improve their English proficiency but also develop a broader understanding of the world around them.

This comprehensive course is crucial for CBSE Class 11 students as it lays a strong foundation for their academic future while nurturing their creativity, critical thinking, and linguistic abilities.

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Here are the chapters from the Hornbill and Snapshots books for CBSE Class 11:

Hornbill (Core Course)

  1. The Portrait of a Lady - Khushwant Singh

  2. A Photograph (Poem) - Shirley Toulson

  3. We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together - Gordon Cook and Alan East

  4. Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues - A.R. Williams

  5. The Laburnum Top (Poem) - Ted Hughes

  6. Landscape of the Soul - Nathalie Trouveroy

  7. The Voice of the Rain (Poem) - Walt Whitman

  8. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role - Nani Palkhivala

  9. The Browning Version - Terence Rattigan

  10. Childhood (Poem) - Markus Natten

  11. The Adventure - Jayant Narlikar

  12. Silk Road - Nick Middleton

  13. Father to Son (Poem) - Elizabeth Jennings

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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

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