Syllabus: English for Class 12 | English Class 12 PDF Download

 Page 1


10  
ENGLISH CORE 
CLASS – XII (2025-26) 
 
Section A 
Reading Skills-22 Marks 
 
I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 12+10 = 22 Marks 
 
1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. 
Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, 
descriptive or literary. 
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts 
etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 
 
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words. 
 
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to 
be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked. 
 
 
Section B 
Creative Writing Skills-18 Marks 
3. Notice,  up  to  50  words.  One  out  of  the  two  given  questions  to  be  answered. 
(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 
 
4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to 
be answered.   (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 
5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter 
types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving 
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be 
answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and 
Grammar :1). 
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be 
answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 
(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1). 
Page 2


10  
ENGLISH CORE 
CLASS – XII (2025-26) 
 
Section A 
Reading Skills-22 Marks 
 
I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 12+10 = 22 Marks 
 
1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. 
Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, 
descriptive or literary. 
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts 
etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 
 
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words. 
 
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to 
be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked. 
 
 
Section B 
Creative Writing Skills-18 Marks 
3. Notice,  up  to  50  words.  One  out  of  the  two  given  questions  to  be  answered. 
(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 
 
4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to 
be answered.   (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 
5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter 
types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving 
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be 
answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and 
Grammar :1). 
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be 
answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 
(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1). 
11  
Section C 
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text- 40 Marks 
 
 
This section will have variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, 
Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to 
assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text. 
7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 
 
8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 
 
9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 
 
10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be 
answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical 
thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 
 
11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. 
Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three 
questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 
 
12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120- 
150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as 
reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit 
analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be 
done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
 
13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be 
answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the 
text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, 
themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
Page 3


10  
ENGLISH CORE 
CLASS – XII (2025-26) 
 
Section A 
Reading Skills-22 Marks 
 
I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 12+10 = 22 Marks 
 
1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. 
Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, 
descriptive or literary. 
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts 
etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 
 
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words. 
 
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to 
be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked. 
 
 
Section B 
Creative Writing Skills-18 Marks 
3. Notice,  up  to  50  words.  One  out  of  the  two  given  questions  to  be  answered. 
(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 
 
4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to 
be answered.   (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 
5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter 
types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving 
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be 
answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and 
Grammar :1). 
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be 
answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 
(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1). 
11  
Section C 
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text- 40 Marks 
 
 
This section will have variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, 
Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to 
assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text. 
7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 
 
8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 
 
9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 
 
10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be 
answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical 
thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 
 
11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. 
Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three 
questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 
 
12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120- 
150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as 
reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit 
analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be 
done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
 
13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be 
answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the 
text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, 
themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
12  
Prescribed Books 
 
1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
Prose 
? The Last Lesson 
?  Lost Spring  
? Deep Water 
? The Rattrap 
? Indigo 
? Poets and Pancakes 
? The Interview 
? Going Places 
Poetry 
? My Mother at Sixty-Six 
? Keeping Quiet 
? A Thing of Beauty 
? A Roadside Stand 
? Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers 
 
2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
? The Third Level 
? The Tiger King 
? Journey to the End of the Earth 
? The Enemy 
? On the Face of It  
? Memories of Childhood 
- The Cutting of My Long Hair 
- We Too are Human Beings 
 
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 
Assessment of Listening Skills 
Assessment of Speaking Skills 
Project Work 
05 marks. 
05 Marks 
10 Marks 
Page 4


10  
ENGLISH CORE 
CLASS – XII (2025-26) 
 
Section A 
Reading Skills-22 Marks 
 
I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 12+10 = 22 Marks 
 
1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. 
Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, 
descriptive or literary. 
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts 
etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 
 
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words. 
 
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to 
be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked. 
 
 
Section B 
Creative Writing Skills-18 Marks 
3. Notice,  up  to  50  words.  One  out  of  the  two  given  questions  to  be  answered. 
(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 
 
4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to 
be answered.   (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 
5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter 
types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving 
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be 
answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and 
Grammar :1). 
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be 
answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 
(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1). 
11  
Section C 
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text- 40 Marks 
 
 
This section will have variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, 
Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to 
assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text. 
7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 
 
8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 
 
9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 
 
10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be 
answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical 
thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 
 
11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. 
Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three 
questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 
 
12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120- 
150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as 
reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit 
analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be 
done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
 
13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be 
answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the 
text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, 
themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
12  
Prescribed Books 
 
1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
Prose 
? The Last Lesson 
?  Lost Spring  
? Deep Water 
? The Rattrap 
? Indigo 
? Poets and Pancakes 
? The Interview 
? Going Places 
Poetry 
? My Mother at Sixty-Six 
? Keeping Quiet 
? A Thing of Beauty 
? A Roadside Stand 
? Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers 
 
2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
? The Third Level 
? The Tiger King 
? Journey to the End of the Earth 
? The Enemy 
? On the Face of It  
? Memories of Childhood 
- The Cutting of My Long Hair 
- We Too are Human Beings 
 
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 
Assessment of Listening Skills 
Assessment of Speaking Skills 
Project Work 
05 marks. 
05 Marks 
10 Marks 
13  
ENGLISH CORE 
QUESTION PAPER DESIGN 
CLASS- XII (2025-26) 
 
Section Competencies Total marks 
Reading Conceptual understanding, decoding,  
Skills Analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating, 22 
 
literary, conventions and vocabulary, 
 
 summarizing and using appropriate format/s.  
Creative Conceptual Understanding, application of rules,  
Writing Sills Analysis, Reasoning, appropriate style and 18 
 
tone, using appropriate format and fluency, 
 
 
inference, analysis, evaluation and creativity. 
 
Literature Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, 
 
Text Book appreciating literary convention, inference, 40 
and analysis, creativity with fluency.  
Supplementa   
ry Reading   
Text   
 
 
TOTAL 
 
80 
Internal Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills 
 
? Listening 
? Speaking 
10 
Assessment  
 
5+5 
 
? Project Work 
10 
 GRAND TOTAL 100 
Page 5


10  
ENGLISH CORE 
CLASS – XII (2025-26) 
 
Section A 
Reading Skills-22 Marks 
 
I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 12+10 = 22 Marks 
 
1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. 
Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, 
descriptive or literary. 
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts 
etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 
 
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words. 
 
Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to 
be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked. 
 
 
Section B 
Creative Writing Skills-18 Marks 
3. Notice,  up  to  50  words.  One  out  of  the  two  given  questions  to  be  answered. 
(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 
 
4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to 
be answered.   (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 
5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter 
types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving 
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be 
answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and 
Grammar :1). 
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be 
answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 
(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1). 
11  
Section C 
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text- 40 Marks 
 
 
This section will have variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, 
Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to 
assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text. 
7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 
 
8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 
 
9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, 
interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 
 
10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be 
answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical 
thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 
 
11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. 
Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three 
questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 
 
12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120- 
150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as 
reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit 
analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be 
done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
 
13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be 
answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the 
text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, 
themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks) 
12  
Prescribed Books 
 
1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
Prose 
? The Last Lesson 
?  Lost Spring  
? Deep Water 
? The Rattrap 
? Indigo 
? Poets and Pancakes 
? The Interview 
? Going Places 
Poetry 
? My Mother at Sixty-Six 
? Keeping Quiet 
? A Thing of Beauty 
? A Roadside Stand 
? Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers 
 
2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and 
Training, New Delhi 
? The Third Level 
? The Tiger King 
? Journey to the End of the Earth 
? The Enemy 
? On the Face of It  
? Memories of Childhood 
- The Cutting of My Long Hair 
- We Too are Human Beings 
 
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 
Assessment of Listening Skills 
Assessment of Speaking Skills 
Project Work 
05 marks. 
05 Marks 
10 Marks 
13  
ENGLISH CORE 
QUESTION PAPER DESIGN 
CLASS- XII (2025-26) 
 
Section Competencies Total marks 
Reading Conceptual understanding, decoding,  
Skills Analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating, 22 
 
literary, conventions and vocabulary, 
 
 summarizing and using appropriate format/s.  
Creative Conceptual Understanding, application of rules,  
Writing Sills Analysis, Reasoning, appropriate style and 18 
 
tone, using appropriate format and fluency, 
 
 
inference, analysis, evaluation and creativity. 
 
Literature Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, 
 
Text Book appreciating literary convention, inference, 40 
and analysis, creativity with fluency.  
Supplementa   
ry Reading   
Text   
 
 
TOTAL 
 
80 
Internal Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills 
 
? Listening 
? Speaking 
10 
Assessment  
 
5+5 
 
? Project Work 
10 
 GRAND TOTAL 100 
14  
Annexure I 
GUIDELINES FOR INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 
Classes XI-XII Total Marks: 20 
ALS must be seen as an integrated component of all four language skills rather than a 
compartment of two. Suggested activities, therefore, take into consideration an integration of the 
four language skills but during assessment, emphasis will be given to speaking and listening, since 
reading and writing are already being assessed in the written exam. 
Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills: (5+5=10 Marks) 
i. Activities: 
? Subject teachers must refer to books prescribed in the syllabus. 
? In addition to the above, teachers may plan their own activities and create their own 
material for assessing the listening and speaking skills. 
ii. Parameters for Assessment: The listening and speaking skills are to be assessed on the 
following parameters: 
a. Interactive competence (Initiation & turn taking, relevance to the topic) 
b. Fluency (cohesion, coherence and speed of delivery) 
c. Pronunciation 
d. Language (grammar and vocabulary) 
 
SUGGESTIVE RUBRICS 
 
 
1 2 3 4 5 
Interaction 
? Contributions 
are mainly 
unrelated to 
those   of 
other 
speakers 
? Shows 
hardly any 
initiative  in 
the 
development 
of 
conversation 
? Very limited 
interaction 
? Contributions 
are often 
unrelated to 
those of the 
other 
speaker 
? Generally 
passive in 
the 
development 
of 
conversation 
? Develops 
interaction 
adequately, 
makes 
however 
minimal effort 
to initiate 
conversation 
? Needs 
constant 
prompting to 
take turns 
? Interaction is 
adequately 
initiated and 
developed 
? Takes  turn 
but needs 
some 
prompting 
? Initiates & 
logically 
develops 
simple 
conversation 
on familiar 
topics 
? Takes turns 
appropriately 
Fluency & 
Coherence 
? Noticeably/ 
long pauses; 
rate of 
speech is 
slow 
? Usually 
fluent; 
produces 
simple 
speech 
? Is willing to 
speak at 
length, 
however 
repetition  is 
? Speaks 
without 
noticeable 
effort, with a 
little repetition 
? Speaks 
fluently 
almost with 
no repetition 
&  minimal