CBSE Class 11 English Core Sample Paper PDF Download

 Page 1


89 English Core&XI
English Core 
Code No. 301 
Class XI 
Sample Question Paper 
Time : 3 hrs. M. Marks 80 
General Instructions : 
This question paper is divided into five sections : 
Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks 
Section B Writing 20 Marks 
Section C Grammar 10 Marks 
Section D Text Books 20 Marks 
Section E Long Reading Text - Novel 15 Marks 
Section A 
1. Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow :- (1x8
= 8 Marks) 
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working 
of our life. He allots teacher, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. 
We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning 
we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only 
difference in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though 
from time to time one may doze off and not pay heed to the message that is being 
given to us. 
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. 
Life has been kind, sometimes harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, 
some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that i'm 22 years old, 
i can review every step taken by me. 
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a 
billion good thoughts, the universe will throw back a billion good actions. 
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all 
just start listening to our inner soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while
Page 2


89 English Core&XI
English Core 
Code No. 301 
Class XI 
Sample Question Paper 
Time : 3 hrs. M. Marks 80 
General Instructions : 
This question paper is divided into five sections : 
Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks 
Section B Writing 20 Marks 
Section C Grammar 10 Marks 
Section D Text Books 20 Marks 
Section E Long Reading Text - Novel 15 Marks 
Section A 
1. Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow :- (1x8
= 8 Marks) 
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working 
of our life. He allots teacher, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. 
We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning 
we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only 
difference in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though 
from time to time one may doze off and not pay heed to the message that is being 
given to us. 
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. 
Life has been kind, sometimes harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, 
some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that i'm 22 years old, 
i can review every step taken by me. 
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a 
billion good thoughts, the universe will throw back a billion good actions. 
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all 
just start listening to our inner soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while
90 English Core&XI
taking the final exam. I am not at all close to being perfect but i know i want to 
get near it....... not by matering the business world, not by buying perfect self 
according to me.... is kind, compassionate, and empathetic one who sees the good 
in people and shares the good within themselves. 
The true test is for us to examine, and to be honest to overselves before we give 
a tick mark to our answer sheets. I had a lot of questiosns ready, my doubt all 
written, point by point ......... since i could not get the answer from my teachers 
i made an appointment with God. Doubts about life love death, fear, sorrow. i was 
angry. Why cant' He guide us? 
God was there by my side, every minute, every step. Even though i haven't gotten 
all the answers i know i will get there.... He will take me there, in my own time, 
the same way He has gotten me here, where i am now. 
Some say one should never pity nor envy anyone else..... and i am happy to be 
me. The first important teaching to learn, count your blessings. We all stand to be 
a little more aware about what life is really trying to teach us... . and for some be 
aware that life is trying to teach us something. 
Money is like our grades in school... it helps us move to the next steps but after 
that, who remembers what we scored in maths in the third standard? People forget 
that when we die........ money does not come along with us. It becomes like our 
grades, we don't remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families 
fight, friendships are ruined; parent child bonds are broken. Isn't that a waste......... 
why would anyover choose paper over love? 
Here's plea for whoever is reading this ........... let us all try and be the best pupils 
in this school called life. Be true .... love not only others but also yourself Love 
God wholeheartedly because that's all He wants, and you know what they say. 
"Be in his good books and you will go to the head of the class." 
A) Choose the correct option :-
a) All our questions can be answered by
(i) Parent 
(ii) Friends 
(iii) Good 
(iv) Ourselves
Page 3


89 English Core&XI
English Core 
Code No. 301 
Class XI 
Sample Question Paper 
Time : 3 hrs. M. Marks 80 
General Instructions : 
This question paper is divided into five sections : 
Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks 
Section B Writing 20 Marks 
Section C Grammar 10 Marks 
Section D Text Books 20 Marks 
Section E Long Reading Text - Novel 15 Marks 
Section A 
1. Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow :- (1x8
= 8 Marks) 
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working 
of our life. He allots teacher, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. 
We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning 
we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only 
difference in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though 
from time to time one may doze off and not pay heed to the message that is being 
given to us. 
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. 
Life has been kind, sometimes harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, 
some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that i'm 22 years old, 
i can review every step taken by me. 
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a 
billion good thoughts, the universe will throw back a billion good actions. 
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all 
just start listening to our inner soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while
90 English Core&XI
taking the final exam. I am not at all close to being perfect but i know i want to 
get near it....... not by matering the business world, not by buying perfect self 
according to me.... is kind, compassionate, and empathetic one who sees the good 
in people and shares the good within themselves. 
The true test is for us to examine, and to be honest to overselves before we give 
a tick mark to our answer sheets. I had a lot of questiosns ready, my doubt all 
written, point by point ......... since i could not get the answer from my teachers 
i made an appointment with God. Doubts about life love death, fear, sorrow. i was 
angry. Why cant' He guide us? 
God was there by my side, every minute, every step. Even though i haven't gotten 
all the answers i know i will get there.... He will take me there, in my own time, 
the same way He has gotten me here, where i am now. 
Some say one should never pity nor envy anyone else..... and i am happy to be 
me. The first important teaching to learn, count your blessings. We all stand to be 
a little more aware about what life is really trying to teach us... . and for some be 
aware that life is trying to teach us something. 
Money is like our grades in school... it helps us move to the next steps but after 
that, who remembers what we scored in maths in the third standard? People forget 
that when we die........ money does not come along with us. It becomes like our 
grades, we don't remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families 
fight, friendships are ruined; parent child bonds are broken. Isn't that a waste......... 
why would anyover choose paper over love? 
Here's plea for whoever is reading this ........... let us all try and be the best pupils 
in this school called life. Be true .... love not only others but also yourself Love 
God wholeheartedly because that's all He wants, and you know what they say. 
"Be in his good books and you will go to the head of the class." 
A) Choose the correct option :-
a) All our questions can be answered by
(i) Parent 
(ii) Friends 
(iii) Good 
(iv) Ourselves
91 English Core&XI
b) We can be good pupils by :-
(i) Loving ourselves 
(ii) Loving others 
(iii) Both a and b 
(iv) Only a 
Answer the following questions :- 
(c) How is God equal to a principal? 
(d) What is the difference between life at school and school of life? 
(e) Why are good thoughts compared to good actions? 
(f) 'Money is like our grades in school.' 'Explain'? 
(g) Pick out a word similar in meaning to :-' Correct/right.' 
(h) Pick out a word opposite in meaning to :- 'uncover' 
2. Read the following passage and answer the question that follow :- (7 marks)
1. How often do we exclaim : "That was a mistake!" That bewildered expression
of regret and panic gets relayed through life. Some mistakes we forget, others we 
don't The mistakes can be mundane as forgetting to turn the geyser off or to pick 
up your passport from the airport counter. 
2. Absent mindeness, preoccupation, distraction carelessness, nervousness there
are umpteen excuses to justify mistakes. However major decisions like relocations 
of home of an unwarranted resignation letter can cause much trouble and upheaval 
and lead to regrets that leave you sad and depressed. Some mistkaes are irreversible- 
then is there room for hope? 
3. In fact, there are no mistakes, only experiences. There are no problems only
challenges. Every experience teaches us something in life Every mistake inspires 
retrospection and introspection. The experience is humbling and it makes us wiser. 
That is, if every mistake is regarded as an experience and not as a source of self- 
condemnation. Many times people are unable to reconcile with the change grooved 
in the blame culture and rooted in the past, ther had to realise the life time benefits 
they receive from changes. 
4. Nature abounds in examples of flexibility and relocation in case of birds and
Page 4


89 English Core&XI
English Core 
Code No. 301 
Class XI 
Sample Question Paper 
Time : 3 hrs. M. Marks 80 
General Instructions : 
This question paper is divided into five sections : 
Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks 
Section B Writing 20 Marks 
Section C Grammar 10 Marks 
Section D Text Books 20 Marks 
Section E Long Reading Text - Novel 15 Marks 
Section A 
1. Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow :- (1x8
= 8 Marks) 
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working 
of our life. He allots teacher, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. 
We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning 
we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only 
difference in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though 
from time to time one may doze off and not pay heed to the message that is being 
given to us. 
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. 
Life has been kind, sometimes harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, 
some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that i'm 22 years old, 
i can review every step taken by me. 
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a 
billion good thoughts, the universe will throw back a billion good actions. 
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all 
just start listening to our inner soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while
90 English Core&XI
taking the final exam. I am not at all close to being perfect but i know i want to 
get near it....... not by matering the business world, not by buying perfect self 
according to me.... is kind, compassionate, and empathetic one who sees the good 
in people and shares the good within themselves. 
The true test is for us to examine, and to be honest to overselves before we give 
a tick mark to our answer sheets. I had a lot of questiosns ready, my doubt all 
written, point by point ......... since i could not get the answer from my teachers 
i made an appointment with God. Doubts about life love death, fear, sorrow. i was 
angry. Why cant' He guide us? 
God was there by my side, every minute, every step. Even though i haven't gotten 
all the answers i know i will get there.... He will take me there, in my own time, 
the same way He has gotten me here, where i am now. 
Some say one should never pity nor envy anyone else..... and i am happy to be 
me. The first important teaching to learn, count your blessings. We all stand to be 
a little more aware about what life is really trying to teach us... . and for some be 
aware that life is trying to teach us something. 
Money is like our grades in school... it helps us move to the next steps but after 
that, who remembers what we scored in maths in the third standard? People forget 
that when we die........ money does not come along with us. It becomes like our 
grades, we don't remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families 
fight, friendships are ruined; parent child bonds are broken. Isn't that a waste......... 
why would anyover choose paper over love? 
Here's plea for whoever is reading this ........... let us all try and be the best pupils 
in this school called life. Be true .... love not only others but also yourself Love 
God wholeheartedly because that's all He wants, and you know what they say. 
"Be in his good books and you will go to the head of the class." 
A) Choose the correct option :-
a) All our questions can be answered by
(i) Parent 
(ii) Friends 
(iii) Good 
(iv) Ourselves
91 English Core&XI
b) We can be good pupils by :-
(i) Loving ourselves 
(ii) Loving others 
(iii) Both a and b 
(iv) Only a 
Answer the following questions :- 
(c) How is God equal to a principal? 
(d) What is the difference between life at school and school of life? 
(e) Why are good thoughts compared to good actions? 
(f) 'Money is like our grades in school.' 'Explain'? 
(g) Pick out a word similar in meaning to :-' Correct/right.' 
(h) Pick out a word opposite in meaning to :- 'uncover' 
2. Read the following passage and answer the question that follow :- (7 marks)
1. How often do we exclaim : "That was a mistake!" That bewildered expression
of regret and panic gets relayed through life. Some mistakes we forget, others we 
don't The mistakes can be mundane as forgetting to turn the geyser off or to pick 
up your passport from the airport counter. 
2. Absent mindeness, preoccupation, distraction carelessness, nervousness there
are umpteen excuses to justify mistakes. However major decisions like relocations 
of home of an unwarranted resignation letter can cause much trouble and upheaval 
and lead to regrets that leave you sad and depressed. Some mistkaes are irreversible- 
then is there room for hope? 
3. In fact, there are no mistakes, only experiences. There are no problems only
challenges. Every experience teaches us something in life Every mistake inspires 
retrospection and introspection. The experience is humbling and it makes us wiser. 
That is, if every mistake is regarded as an experience and not as a source of self- 
condemnation. Many times people are unable to reconcile with the change grooved 
in the blame culture and rooted in the past, ther had to realise the life time benefits 
they receive from changes. 
4. Nature abounds in examples of flexibility and relocation in case of birds and
92 English Core&XI
beasts. Scientific research in the behaviour of birds has confirmed this Birds, 
animals and even nomads, travel miles and miles in search of better food, congenial 
climate and safety. These relocations may cause some amount of stress, no doubt, 
but they are the source of survival: helping to group bonding and cooperation; and 
to explore the beauty  of new space and better environment. 
5. To the weak problems are stumbling blocks, to the brave, they are stepping
stones." An untimely resignation and or termination letter is certainly traumatic 
and disturbing. But think of possbilities it can throw open for you. A young man 
felt disappointed when he failed an interview for a corporate job. At that point of 
time, he left dejected. Today, looking back he says, "It was a blessing in disguise. 
I would have never reached this far." Some mistkaes bring in a very important 
message. "Believe and achieve! And in order to do so, faith is essential. It is the 
triple faith that men need today. faith in ovne self, faith in onveslef faith in the 
world around us, and above all faith in God!" 
(A) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using 
heading and subheadings. Also use recognisable abbreviations, whereever 
necessary (Minimum 4). Supply a suitable title. (5 Marks) 
(B) Write a summary of the above passage in your own words. (2 Marks) 
Section B 
Writing (20 Marks) 
3. You are Karan/Kanika, Secretary Cultural club of your school. Your school
is organising a Dramatics workshop during the Winter Break for senior students 
of the school. Draft a notice for the school notice board informing the school 
notice board informing the students giving all relevant details (5 Marks) 
OR 
You are Principal, Patel Public School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi. Draft an advetisement 
for the vacant post of Maths teacher in your school to be publised in the classified 
columns of a daily newspaper in not more than 50 words (5 Marks) 
4. You are Sanju/Sanjana, a member of Health club of your school. You are
disturbed at the increasing instances of students facing stress due to examinations. 
Write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school on "How 
to Beat Examination related stress". (150-200 words)
Page 5


89 English Core&XI
English Core 
Code No. 301 
Class XI 
Sample Question Paper 
Time : 3 hrs. M. Marks 80 
General Instructions : 
This question paper is divided into five sections : 
Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks 
Section B Writing 20 Marks 
Section C Grammar 10 Marks 
Section D Text Books 20 Marks 
Section E Long Reading Text - Novel 15 Marks 
Section A 
1. Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow :- (1x8
= 8 Marks) 
Life is an institution. We have a principal, God, who looks over the entire working 
of our life. He allots teacher, namely our parents, to guide us through this path. 
We learn lessons and it is up to us whether we want to pass or fail. Every morning 
we wake up and give a tick mark to the attendance file of our lives. The only 
difference in this school of life is you cannot play truant even for a day! Though 
from time to time one may doze off and not pay heed to the message that is being 
given to us. 
From the start my parents taught me and my sister to be good human beings first. 
Life has been kind, sometimes harsh but mostly fair. We make many mistakes, 
some of which we admit and others, we conceal. But now that i'm 22 years old, 
i can review every step taken by me. 
Think positive. Yes, it's that simple. Thoughts are actions. Imagine if there are a 
billion good thoughts, the universe will throw back a billion good actions. 
Something within tells me : 'Forget the world and listen to your heart'. If we all 
just start listening to our inner soul maybe we won't scratching our heads while
90 English Core&XI
taking the final exam. I am not at all close to being perfect but i know i want to 
get near it....... not by matering the business world, not by buying perfect self 
according to me.... is kind, compassionate, and empathetic one who sees the good 
in people and shares the good within themselves. 
The true test is for us to examine, and to be honest to overselves before we give 
a tick mark to our answer sheets. I had a lot of questiosns ready, my doubt all 
written, point by point ......... since i could not get the answer from my teachers 
i made an appointment with God. Doubts about life love death, fear, sorrow. i was 
angry. Why cant' He guide us? 
God was there by my side, every minute, every step. Even though i haven't gotten 
all the answers i know i will get there.... He will take me there, in my own time, 
the same way He has gotten me here, where i am now. 
Some say one should never pity nor envy anyone else..... and i am happy to be 
me. The first important teaching to learn, count your blessings. We all stand to be 
a little more aware about what life is really trying to teach us... . and for some be 
aware that life is trying to teach us something. 
Money is like our grades in school... it helps us move to the next steps but after 
that, who remembers what we scored in maths in the third standard? People forget 
that when we die........ money does not come along with us. It becomes like our 
grades, we don't remember how much we earned or how much we lost. Families 
fight, friendships are ruined; parent child bonds are broken. Isn't that a waste......... 
why would anyover choose paper over love? 
Here's plea for whoever is reading this ........... let us all try and be the best pupils 
in this school called life. Be true .... love not only others but also yourself Love 
God wholeheartedly because that's all He wants, and you know what they say. 
"Be in his good books and you will go to the head of the class." 
A) Choose the correct option :-
a) All our questions can be answered by
(i) Parent 
(ii) Friends 
(iii) Good 
(iv) Ourselves
91 English Core&XI
b) We can be good pupils by :-
(i) Loving ourselves 
(ii) Loving others 
(iii) Both a and b 
(iv) Only a 
Answer the following questions :- 
(c) How is God equal to a principal? 
(d) What is the difference between life at school and school of life? 
(e) Why are good thoughts compared to good actions? 
(f) 'Money is like our grades in school.' 'Explain'? 
(g) Pick out a word similar in meaning to :-' Correct/right.' 
(h) Pick out a word opposite in meaning to :- 'uncover' 
2. Read the following passage and answer the question that follow :- (7 marks)
1. How often do we exclaim : "That was a mistake!" That bewildered expression
of regret and panic gets relayed through life. Some mistakes we forget, others we 
don't The mistakes can be mundane as forgetting to turn the geyser off or to pick 
up your passport from the airport counter. 
2. Absent mindeness, preoccupation, distraction carelessness, nervousness there
are umpteen excuses to justify mistakes. However major decisions like relocations 
of home of an unwarranted resignation letter can cause much trouble and upheaval 
and lead to regrets that leave you sad and depressed. Some mistkaes are irreversible- 
then is there room for hope? 
3. In fact, there are no mistakes, only experiences. There are no problems only
challenges. Every experience teaches us something in life Every mistake inspires 
retrospection and introspection. The experience is humbling and it makes us wiser. 
That is, if every mistake is regarded as an experience and not as a source of self- 
condemnation. Many times people are unable to reconcile with the change grooved 
in the blame culture and rooted in the past, ther had to realise the life time benefits 
they receive from changes. 
4. Nature abounds in examples of flexibility and relocation in case of birds and
92 English Core&XI
beasts. Scientific research in the behaviour of birds has confirmed this Birds, 
animals and even nomads, travel miles and miles in search of better food, congenial 
climate and safety. These relocations may cause some amount of stress, no doubt, 
but they are the source of survival: helping to group bonding and cooperation; and 
to explore the beauty  of new space and better environment. 
5. To the weak problems are stumbling blocks, to the brave, they are stepping
stones." An untimely resignation and or termination letter is certainly traumatic 
and disturbing. But think of possbilities it can throw open for you. A young man 
felt disappointed when he failed an interview for a corporate job. At that point of 
time, he left dejected. Today, looking back he says, "It was a blessing in disguise. 
I would have never reached this far." Some mistkaes bring in a very important 
message. "Believe and achieve! And in order to do so, faith is essential. It is the 
triple faith that men need today. faith in ovne self, faith in onveslef faith in the 
world around us, and above all faith in God!" 
(A) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using 
heading and subheadings. Also use recognisable abbreviations, whereever 
necessary (Minimum 4). Supply a suitable title. (5 Marks) 
(B) Write a summary of the above passage in your own words. (2 Marks) 
Section B 
Writing (20 Marks) 
3. You are Karan/Kanika, Secretary Cultural club of your school. Your school
is organising a Dramatics workshop during the Winter Break for senior students 
of the school. Draft a notice for the school notice board informing the school 
notice board informing the students giving all relevant details (5 Marks) 
OR 
You are Principal, Patel Public School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi. Draft an advetisement 
for the vacant post of Maths teacher in your school to be publised in the classified 
columns of a daily newspaper in not more than 50 words (5 Marks) 
4. You are Sanju/Sanjana, a member of Health club of your school. You are
disturbed at the increasing instances of students facing stress due to examinations. 
Write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school on "How 
to Beat Examination related stress". (150-200 words)
93 English Core&XI
(08 Marks) 
OR 
You are Sachin/Shaivya. You attended a debate on "Welcome Youth in Politics" 
organised by your schoo. Write a report on the event in about 150-200 words 
(08 marks) 
Q5. You are Rohan/ Rohini of 48, New Bank Enclave Delhi. Write a letter to 
the editor complaining about the badly maintained parks of your colony. 
(07 marks) 
OR 
You are Shahid/ Shachi of B-3/230, Vivek Vihar, Delhi. Last month you bought 
a Samsung LED TV from Delhi Electronics, Patel Nagar. Now it is not working 
properly. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about it. (07 Marks) 
Section - C 
Grammar  (10 Marks) 
Q6 ; The following passage could not be edited. It has a missing word in each 
line locate it and write your answer along with the words which come before 
and after the word. 
The Delhi government is all to roll out (a)...................... 
its action plan rid the city (b) .................... 
of its slums 2015. Keeping in (c) .................... 
sync with plan 1300 families (d)..................... 
across 14 slums have been eligible (e)..................... 
for allotment flats in the first (f).................... 
Phase the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) (g) .................. 
The boards plans to the relocation (h) ................... 
process later this month 1/2x8 = 4 marks 
Q7. Underline the error in each line and write the correction in the space 
provided 1/2 x8= 4 Marks