CBSE Class 12 English Examination Specifications Notes

SECTION-A

Reading unseen Passages and Note-making 20 Marks

Two unseen passages, with a variety of questions including 03 marks for vocabulary such as word formation and inferring meaning and 05 marks for note-making.

The total length of the two passages will be between 950-1200 words. The passages will include two of the  ollowing:

(a) Factual Passages e.g. instructions, descriptions, reports.

(b) Discursive passage involving opinion e.g. argumentative, persuasive or interpretative text.

(c) Literary passage e.g. extract from fiction, drama, poetry, essay or biography. 

1. A passage of about 600-700 words carrying 12 marks and another passage of about 350-500 words carrying 08 marks.

2. A passage to test reading comprehension. The passage can be literary, factual or discursive. The length of the passage should be between 600-700 words. 12 marks 

3. A shorter passage of 350-500 words for note-making and abstraction. 08 marks

SECTION B

Advanced Writing Skills 35 Marks.

3. One out of two short compositions of not more than 50 words, 5 marks each e.g. advertisement and notices, designing or drafting posters, writing formal and informal invitations and replies.

4. A report or a factual description based on verbal input provided. 10 marks (one out of two) (100-125 words)

5. Writing one out of two letters based on verbal input. 10 marks Letter types include:

(a) Business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and sending replies):

(b) Letters to the editor (giving suggestions on an issue)

(c) Application for a job

6. One out of two compositions based on visual and/or verbal input. 10 marks (150-200 words). Output may be descriptive or argumentative in nature such as an article, or a speech.

SECTION C

Text Books 45 Marks

Prescribed Books: Flamingo 30

7. One out of two extracts based on poetry from the text to test comprehension and appreciation. 4 marks

8. Three out of four short questions from the poetry section to test local and global comprehension of text. 6 marks

9. Five short answer questions based on the lessons from 10 prescribed text. (2x5)=10 marks

10. One out of two long answer type questions based on the text to test global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the set text. 10 marks (Expected word limit about 125-150 words each) Vistas 15

11. One out of two long answer type question based on Supplementary Reader to test comprehension and extrapolation of theme, character and incidents. 7 marks (Expected word limit about 125-150 words)

12. Four short answer questions from the Supplementary Reader (2x4) 8 marks 

Prescribed Books:

1. Flamingo : English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi.

2. Vistas : Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi.

TIPS TO SCORE WELL IN ENGLISH

As a student of Class XII, you must be wondering how to score better in English in the fast approaching Board Examinations. How to Prepare for Exam is a big question that you always ask yourself. Here are some tips that may help you. Many of you may be working hard and getting good marks and some of you may not be working hard but still manage to get high marks in exams. Others may be wondering how it happens? Also there will be a few of you who study well but still are not able to score well in exams. Don’t worry; there are some very simple tips to follow which will help you achieve success. These tips will tell you 'How to prepare for Exams”.

STEPS

1. READ-Spend about 30 minutes reading at home every day. You will be amazed by the number of new words you can learn and use these words to improve writing skills.

2. ASK QUESTIONS! - Nothing pleases an English teacher more than a question about the topic at hand. If you don’t know, then ask! Do not hesitate.

3. STAY FOR EXTRA HELP AFTER SCHOOL – If you want to improve in English (ex. Prose, poetry, writing skill), then ask the teacher for extra help. He/she will like to help you after class.

4. Make sure to practice the reading and comprehension skills at a regular basis. Every week solve one unseen passage and one passage for note making. After solving request your teacher to evaluate. The passage can be picked up from the News papers. Speaking Tree from “Times of India”, Editors column from other News Papers. 

Please click the link below to download pdf file for CBSE Class 6 English Practice Passages.