SECTION A: READING SKILLS
CHAPTER-1
UNSEEN PASSAGES
Introduction
• Comprehension means to understand the text fully, using one’s intellect. A comprehension passage is used to
test the reader’s ability to understand the meaning and theme of the given text.
• In most cases, questions are given chronologically. So, the answer to the first question can be found in the first
paragraph of the passage and so on. But inference-based questions are based on multiple paragraphs. So, the
entire passage has to be read to solve them.
Tips to Know
How To Read a Passage For Comprehension
Follow these tips while attempting an unseen passage :
1. Read silently. Do not read aloud.
2. Read the entire sentence together to make out the sense or meaning.
3. Read the passage thoroughly to determine the main idea before you look at the questions.
4. Don’t panic about the words you do not understand.
5. Try to make out the meaning of the word you don’t understand in context to the passage.
6. Go through the questions carefully and read that part of the passage which contains the answer again.
7. Answer must be relevant and to the point.
8. Maintain the order in which the questions appear in the test paper. Don’t answer questions randomly.
Marking Scheme
Passage will be of 10 marks
l Multiple Choice Questions/ Objective Type Questions 10 marks
CHAPTER-2
NOTE-MAKING AND SUMMARISING
Introduction
• Today, extensive reading is the buzz-word in every field of study or research. While reading, we are often
bombarded with information of a vast ambit. It often becomes difficult to recall all the key points of a passage/
article we might have read.
• Note-making is a means to capture the key ideas of a given passage in an easily readable and logically
structured format. The style is fairly casual, though within the prescribed CBSE framework and we are even
allowed to use abbreviations.
• The key to abbreviations at the end of the task ensures that any other reader may also be able to interpret the
gist of the passage. Thus, note-making can be a wonderful tool to take notes in class, share notes with each
other and even revise for an exam.
,2 Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI
Purpose of Note-Making
• To revise lessons before examinations
• To write a report or any composition
• To plan a speech or any lecture
• To convey any message only by giving important details
• To make presentation
• To summarise the text that you have read
How to Make Notes
Step 1 : Start by underlining the important information.
Step 2 : Read the passage again, asking yourself questions and answering them as you read.
Step 3 : With the help of those answers, note down the main points. Write the points without full forms of the verbs.
Notice : Two or three related ideas can be combined into one point.
Use of colons
Use of the long dash
Step 4 : Now go over the facts and number them.
Step 5 : Finally go over the facts and number them again.
Characteristics of Note-Making
1. Notes need not be written in grammatically correct sentences.
2. Notes are much shorter than original text.
3. The main points and the supporting details are distinguished.
4. Many unimportant words, helping words etc. are usually dropped out.
5. Information is condensed by using symbols, abbreviations, shorter words etc.
6. Try not to exceed 5 words in every heading and supporting points.
7. Try to complete the notes within 4 to 5 headings.
8. Notes should be presented in a systematic manner that brings out the structure of the original text.
9. Headings and supporting details are numbered.
10. Finally the summary is prepared on the basis of the notes. It should not exceed the limit of 50 words.
Note-making is an important study skill. It also helps us at work. We need to draw the main points of the material we
read as it is difficult to remember large chunks of information.—NCERT
Summarising
Summarising follows note-making. Summarising is the selection and paraphrasing information of the original
source. This is done by analysing the paragraphs/passage in order to formulate a plan of writing.
How to Make Summary
The process of summarising involves the steps followed in note-making :
1. Underlining important ideas
2. Writing them down, abridging the verbs
3. Avoiding examples, explanations, repetition.
However, instead of nominalising the points (changing verbs into nouns), we expand the points into full sentences
and link them using suitable connectors. We need to be precise in our expression. The summary will contain all the
main ideas of the original passage. Practice in ‘using one word for many’will help.
For Example :
• Children who show intelligence far beyond their age often turn out to be mediocre in adult life.
Or
Precocious children often turn out to be mediocre in adult life.
• Her genius was marked by excellence in the various arts, languages and science.
Or
She was a versatile genius.
A summary is usually one-third of the length of the original passage. —NCERT
, Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI 3
Sub-Titling
The purpose of sub-titling is to convey the main idea or theme of each section of a long piece of writing. It helps
the reader know at a glance the sub-topics that are being addressed. Giving suitable sub-titles helps break the
monotony of reading long passages.
FORMAT
Title 3. Heading 3
1. Heading 1 3.1
1.1 3.2
1.2 3.3Supporting points
1.3Supporting points 3.4
1.4 4. Heading 4
2. Heading 2 4.1
2.1 4.2
2.2 4.3Supporting points
2.3Supporting points 4.4
2.4
Key to Abbreviations
1. eg. – example
2. etc. – etcetera
3. & – and
Marking Scheme
Note making and summary will be of 8 marks
I. Note Making : 5 marks
l Title : 1 mark
l Numbering and indenting : 1 mark
l Key/glossary : 1 mark
l Notes : 2 marks
Suggested notes
Note : Notes and summary should be in the third person
Or
l Notes and summary should be written in the first person provided the format is correct and content is
covered properly.
II. Summary : The summary should include all the important points given in the notes. 3 marks
l Content : 2 marks
l Expression : 1 mark
SECTION B: GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
CHAPTER-3
TENSES
Introduction
The tenses simply show the time of an action or state of being as shown by a verb.
The verb ending is changed (conjugated) to show what time it is referring to.
Time can be split into three periods the Present (what you are doing), the Past (what you did) and the Future (what
you are going to do, or hope / plan to do).
The tenses are further split into Simple, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous tense, based on the state of
action referred to.
, 4 Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI
Simple Tenses
The simple tenses are used to show regular habits of people, general truths and to express the words as they have
been said by someone.
Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense is used to discuss permanent situations and the frequency of events.
Positive Statements Negative Statements Interrogative Positive Short Negative Short
Sentences Statements Statements
I work. I don’t work. Do I work ? Yes, I do. No, I don’t.
He works. He doesn’t work. Does he work ? Yes, he does. No, he doesn’t.
She works. She doesn’t work. Does she work ? Yes, she does. No, she doesn’t.
It works. It doesn’t work. Does it work ? Yes, it does. No, it doesn’t.
You work. You don’t work. Do you work ? Yes, you do. No, you don’t.
We work. We don’t work. Do we work ? Yes, we do. No, we don’t.
They work. They don’t work. Do they work ? Yes, they do. No, they don’t.
Regular or permanent situations
When something happens regularly or is a permanent situation, we usually use the simple present tense. When
using the simple present tense, the verb (with the exception of the auxiliary verbs) remains in the dictionary form
(verb+s/es with third person singular such as he/she/it /any name).
For example :
Q. Where do you live? Ans. I live in Germany.
Q. Where does he live? Ans. He lives in Germany.
Q. What do you do? Ans. I’m a teacher.
Q. What does he do? Ans. He’s a teacher.
Frequency
The simple present tense is also used to show how often something happens with adverbs of frequency - always,
usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never, etc.... and while discussing daily, weekly, monthly etc.
routines.
For example :
I always get up at 6.00.
I never drink coffee before 12.00 noon.
I work on my website every day.
I go to the gym every Monday and Thursday.
We also use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series of actions.
For example :
Q. Please tell me how do I/you make pancakes
Ans. First take 4 eggs and crack them into a bowl. Then weigh out 4 oz. of flour and sieve it into the eggs., etc.
The simple present tense can also be used for future events which are part of fixed timetable or programme..
For example : The Minister visits the city this week.
SIMPLE PAST TENSE
• The simple past tense is used to talk about finished actions that happened at a specific time in the past. You state
when it happened using a time adverb.
• In simple past, the verb takes its second form. The singular form of verb ‘be’ is ‘was’ and plural form is ‘were’.
• Similarly, past form of do/does is did, which goes with both singular as well as plural noun and pronoun forms.
• Also note that, with ‘did’, we use only first form of verb.
CHAPTER-1
UNSEEN PASSAGES
Introduction
• Comprehension means to understand the text fully, using one’s intellect. A comprehension passage is used to
test the reader’s ability to understand the meaning and theme of the given text.
• In most cases, questions are given chronologically. So, the answer to the first question can be found in the first
paragraph of the passage and so on. But inference-based questions are based on multiple paragraphs. So, the
entire passage has to be read to solve them.
Tips to Know
How To Read a Passage For Comprehension
Follow these tips while attempting an unseen passage :
1. Read silently. Do not read aloud.
2. Read the entire sentence together to make out the sense or meaning.
3. Read the passage thoroughly to determine the main idea before you look at the questions.
4. Don’t panic about the words you do not understand.
5. Try to make out the meaning of the word you don’t understand in context to the passage.
6. Go through the questions carefully and read that part of the passage which contains the answer again.
7. Answer must be relevant and to the point.
8. Maintain the order in which the questions appear in the test paper. Don’t answer questions randomly.
Marking Scheme
Passage will be of 10 marks
l Multiple Choice Questions/ Objective Type Questions 10 marks
CHAPTER-2
NOTE-MAKING AND SUMMARISING
Introduction
• Today, extensive reading is the buzz-word in every field of study or research. While reading, we are often
bombarded with information of a vast ambit. It often becomes difficult to recall all the key points of a passage/
article we might have read.
• Note-making is a means to capture the key ideas of a given passage in an easily readable and logically
structured format. The style is fairly casual, though within the prescribed CBSE framework and we are even
allowed to use abbreviations.
• The key to abbreviations at the end of the task ensures that any other reader may also be able to interpret the
gist of the passage. Thus, note-making can be a wonderful tool to take notes in class, share notes with each
other and even revise for an exam.
,2 Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI
Purpose of Note-Making
• To revise lessons before examinations
• To write a report or any composition
• To plan a speech or any lecture
• To convey any message only by giving important details
• To make presentation
• To summarise the text that you have read
How to Make Notes
Step 1 : Start by underlining the important information.
Step 2 : Read the passage again, asking yourself questions and answering them as you read.
Step 3 : With the help of those answers, note down the main points. Write the points without full forms of the verbs.
Notice : Two or three related ideas can be combined into one point.
Use of colons
Use of the long dash
Step 4 : Now go over the facts and number them.
Step 5 : Finally go over the facts and number them again.
Characteristics of Note-Making
1. Notes need not be written in grammatically correct sentences.
2. Notes are much shorter than original text.
3. The main points and the supporting details are distinguished.
4. Many unimportant words, helping words etc. are usually dropped out.
5. Information is condensed by using symbols, abbreviations, shorter words etc.
6. Try not to exceed 5 words in every heading and supporting points.
7. Try to complete the notes within 4 to 5 headings.
8. Notes should be presented in a systematic manner that brings out the structure of the original text.
9. Headings and supporting details are numbered.
10. Finally the summary is prepared on the basis of the notes. It should not exceed the limit of 50 words.
Note-making is an important study skill. It also helps us at work. We need to draw the main points of the material we
read as it is difficult to remember large chunks of information.—NCERT
Summarising
Summarising follows note-making. Summarising is the selection and paraphrasing information of the original
source. This is done by analysing the paragraphs/passage in order to formulate a plan of writing.
How to Make Summary
The process of summarising involves the steps followed in note-making :
1. Underlining important ideas
2. Writing them down, abridging the verbs
3. Avoiding examples, explanations, repetition.
However, instead of nominalising the points (changing verbs into nouns), we expand the points into full sentences
and link them using suitable connectors. We need to be precise in our expression. The summary will contain all the
main ideas of the original passage. Practice in ‘using one word for many’will help.
For Example :
• Children who show intelligence far beyond their age often turn out to be mediocre in adult life.
Or
Precocious children often turn out to be mediocre in adult life.
• Her genius was marked by excellence in the various arts, languages and science.
Or
She was a versatile genius.
A summary is usually one-third of the length of the original passage. —NCERT
, Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI 3
Sub-Titling
The purpose of sub-titling is to convey the main idea or theme of each section of a long piece of writing. It helps
the reader know at a glance the sub-topics that are being addressed. Giving suitable sub-titles helps break the
monotony of reading long passages.
FORMAT
Title 3. Heading 3
1. Heading 1 3.1
1.1 3.2
1.2 3.3Supporting points
1.3Supporting points 3.4
1.4 4. Heading 4
2. Heading 2 4.1
2.1 4.2
2.2 4.3Supporting points
2.3Supporting points 4.4
2.4
Key to Abbreviations
1. eg. – example
2. etc. – etcetera
3. & – and
Marking Scheme
Note making and summary will be of 8 marks
I. Note Making : 5 marks
l Title : 1 mark
l Numbering and indenting : 1 mark
l Key/glossary : 1 mark
l Notes : 2 marks
Suggested notes
Note : Notes and summary should be in the third person
Or
l Notes and summary should be written in the first person provided the format is correct and content is
covered properly.
II. Summary : The summary should include all the important points given in the notes. 3 marks
l Content : 2 marks
l Expression : 1 mark
SECTION B: GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
CHAPTER-3
TENSES
Introduction
The tenses simply show the time of an action or state of being as shown by a verb.
The verb ending is changed (conjugated) to show what time it is referring to.
Time can be split into three periods the Present (what you are doing), the Past (what you did) and the Future (what
you are going to do, or hope / plan to do).
The tenses are further split into Simple, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous tense, based on the state of
action referred to.
, 4 Oswaal CBSE Revision Notes Chapterwise & Topicwise, ENGLISH CORE, Class-XI
Simple Tenses
The simple tenses are used to show regular habits of people, general truths and to express the words as they have
been said by someone.
Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense is used to discuss permanent situations and the frequency of events.
Positive Statements Negative Statements Interrogative Positive Short Negative Short
Sentences Statements Statements
I work. I don’t work. Do I work ? Yes, I do. No, I don’t.
He works. He doesn’t work. Does he work ? Yes, he does. No, he doesn’t.
She works. She doesn’t work. Does she work ? Yes, she does. No, she doesn’t.
It works. It doesn’t work. Does it work ? Yes, it does. No, it doesn’t.
You work. You don’t work. Do you work ? Yes, you do. No, you don’t.
We work. We don’t work. Do we work ? Yes, we do. No, we don’t.
They work. They don’t work. Do they work ? Yes, they do. No, they don’t.
Regular or permanent situations
When something happens regularly or is a permanent situation, we usually use the simple present tense. When
using the simple present tense, the verb (with the exception of the auxiliary verbs) remains in the dictionary form
(verb+s/es with third person singular such as he/she/it /any name).
For example :
Q. Where do you live? Ans. I live in Germany.
Q. Where does he live? Ans. He lives in Germany.
Q. What do you do? Ans. I’m a teacher.
Q. What does he do? Ans. He’s a teacher.
Frequency
The simple present tense is also used to show how often something happens with adverbs of frequency - always,
usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never, etc.... and while discussing daily, weekly, monthly etc.
routines.
For example :
I always get up at 6.00.
I never drink coffee before 12.00 noon.
I work on my website every day.
I go to the gym every Monday and Thursday.
We also use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series of actions.
For example :
Q. Please tell me how do I/you make pancakes
Ans. First take 4 eggs and crack them into a bowl. Then weigh out 4 oz. of flour and sieve it into the eggs., etc.
The simple present tense can also be used for future events which are part of fixed timetable or programme..
For example : The Minister visits the city this week.
SIMPLE PAST TENSE
• The simple past tense is used to talk about finished actions that happened at a specific time in the past. You state
when it happened using a time adverb.
• In simple past, the verb takes its second form. The singular form of verb ‘be’ is ‘was’ and plural form is ‘were’.
• Similarly, past form of do/does is did, which goes with both singular as well as plural noun and pronoun forms.
• Also note that, with ‘did’, we use only first form of verb.
