Prasanna

This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.

Letter Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Samples, Topics

This question requires the student to write letters of the following kinds based on the given input.
(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, opinions on an issue of public interest)
(c) application for,a job with a biodata or resume.
(d) letter to the school or college authorities regarding admissions, school issues, requirements/ suitability of courses, etc.
The student is required to write official letters and letters to the editor. The essential requirements of a good letter are:
(a) suitable format
(b) well-organised content, and
(c) appropriate language

Formal Letters
Formal letters have a variety of purposes. Formal letters are written:

• to ask for/give information
• to apply for a job
• to make inquiries
• to register complaints about inadequate goods or services
• to place orders/send appropriate replies
• to apologise for behaviour
• ‘to solicit new customers for your business
• to redress grievances
• to persuade others
• to make an appeal for help
• to send a recommendation

However, all of these letters have a common goal – to get a response from someone you may or may not know personally.

(c) Application for a job (with biodata)

Job Applications may be written with or without a biodata. This is a formal official letter and has a formal format, language and style. The main body of the letter should contain the following information.

• personal information, e.g., age
• educational/professional qualifications
• experience letter/suitability for the job.

The letter with a biodata will have biodata as an enclosure. Information should be given under-the heading Biodata.
Format same as for the official letter from the sender’s address

Yours faithfully
Signature
(Name in capital letters)
Encl: Biodata

Biodata

Full name: (Given in the question)
Father’s Name: (imaginary)
Date of Birth: According to job needs, imaginary
Address: (Given/imaginary)
Qualifications: According to job requirements, imaginary
Education: Academic
Professional Experience: According to the job, degree, institution, year

1. Post, organisation, year
2. From junior to a senior position or vice versa

Testimonials (2 or 3 Testimonials)

1. Name
Designation ………………………..
Official Address ……………………
………………………………………..
References (2 References)
Name
Designation ……………………..
Official Address ………………..
Signature …………………………

Content: It is important to organise the content of the letter for clarity and effective communication. The letter should ideally be written in three paragraphs.

The first paragraph is usually a restatement of the subject. It states the purpose of writing the letter and should be of one or two sentences only, e.g.,

1. I would like to draw your attention to the lack of civic amenities in our area.
2. Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned too.
3. This is in response to your advertisement in The Times of India (date) for the post of ………………
The second paragraph makes up the main body of the letter. The problem/subject is stated in detail.
The third paragraph is in the nature of a concluding paragraph. Suggestions, the writer’s expectations from, or request to the addressee may be given.
The letter concludes with best wishes/thanks/request for an early response/regards, etc.

Language: The language in business and official letters is simple and direct. The subject is dealt with in a straightforward manner.

There is greater flexibility in the language and style of a letter to the editor. It is governed by the subject and content of the letter.

The tense of a verb indicates the time reference of the action stated in the sentence-present, past or future. The principal tense forms are-simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous. Thus, there are twelve tense forms in total. The tense of the verb brings about some changes in the verb form. The functions of these tense forms may be distinct or overlapping, i.e. in some cases more than one tense form may be used.

This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.

Tenses Exercises for Class 11 CBSE With Answers

Tenses Exercises for Class 11 CBSE

♦ Present Indefinite (Simple Present)

Form: This tense keeps the dictionary form of the verb in the first and second person singular and plural and third person plural. In the third person singular, the form is v + s/es, e.g.

I read. We read. You read. They read.
He reads. She reads. Raju reads. Reema reads.

Uses: The present indefinite tense has a large range of uses. On occasions it can express even past or future time reference. This tense

• expresses a routine or habitual action, e.g. He studies four hours every day.
• expresses universal unchanging truths, e.g. The sun rises in the east.
• is used in adverb clauses of condition when the main clause is in the future tense, e.g. If it rains, we will stay indoors.
• is used in running commentaries, e.g. The bawler bowls a fast ball.
• is used in vivid, dramatic narratives, e.g. James Bond jumps from the running train and lands on his feets.
• is used with verbs which express ‘going’ in near future, e.g. He goes/ leaves/ sails/ flies tomorrow morning.

♦ Present Indefinite and Present Continuous

The present indefinite and the present continuous may be studied together. Sometimes they may replace each other as in immediate future time reference with verbs indicating going, but usually they have their distinct uses.

The present indefinite usually indicates activities which are permanent or universally true, or confirmed habits or practices.

e.g. Water boils at 100° Celsius.
The Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal.
He normally goes to work by car.

The present continuous indicates activities which are taking place at the moment of stating, or are temporary or last for a shorter duration.

e.g. The water is boiling, (at this moment)
The Ganga is flowing fast today, (temporary)
He is going to work by bus today, (short duration)
Note: Sometimes passive form of the verb is also used,
e.g. The food is being cooked on an electric stove.

♦ Present Perfect

Form: have + participle form of verb

Uses: This tense links the immediate past time reference to the present. It indicates an event or act just completed, but which has a bearing on the present, e.g. I have fractured my arm. It is extremely painful.

This tense also indicates an action begun in the past which is continuing in the present, e.g.
She has lived in Delhi a long time (she still lives in Delhi).
Thus the action has been completed in the past, but has relevance in the present too.
We may use the present perfect and the simple past tense in the same sentence. When we wish to indicate a definite time in the past, we use simple past tense, e.g.
The conference in Europe has ended; the prime minister returned this evening.
The present perfect tense should not be used with adverbs showing past time reference. It is incorrect to say –

✗ I have seen him yesterday.
✓ I saw him yesterday.

Simple Present and Present Perfect

Look at these two sentences:
I live in this house.
I have lived in this house for twelve years.
We cannot mention the duration of the activity if we use the simple present tense. For this, we have to use the present perfect tense.

♦ Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Form: have + been + continuous form of verb
Uses: This tense expresses an action which began in the past and is still continuing or has just completed,
e.g.
How long have you been standing in the sun?
I have been travelling a lot and now I shall write a book.

♦  Simple Present, Present Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect

Look at this dialogue. Pay particular attention to the parts in bold.

A: Mr Ramchandran writes novels.
B: How long has he been writing novels?
A: He has been writing novels for thirteen years:
B: How many novels has he written so far?
A: He has written twenty novels so far.

The present simple – writes – is used to talk about a general truth or long-lasting activities.
The present perfect progressive – has been writing – is used to say how long something has been happening.
The present perfect – has written – is used to say how frequently somebody has done something.

♦ Past Indefinite (Simple Past)

Form: past form of the verb
Uses: When we wish to indicate an action completed in the past at a definite time, we use the past indefinite tense. Usually adverbials of time are used with this tense, e.g.
I reached Mumbai yesterday.

This tense is used when we wish to state a fact or habits or condition or a state in the past, e.g. Long time ago, people were honest.
India gave the decimal system to the world.

‘Did’ is used for making negatives and questions, e.g. did not + basic form of the verb.
You did not finish your work.
Did you finish your work?
An error that students very often make is to use the simple past tense in the verb when it has already been used in ‘did’. It is wrong to say ‘you did not finished your work’. . ”

♦ Present Perfect and Simple/Indefinite Past

The present perfect tense is used to show an act or event just finished, the effect of which continues in the present.
e.g. I have hurt my knee; therefore, I cannot walk properly.

The simple/past indefinite is used to indicate an act or event finished in the past at sometime which does npt affect the present, e.g. I hurt my knee last week.

♦ Past Perfect Tense

Form: had + participle form of verb

Uses: This tense indicates the event that took place earlier in the past where two events occurring in the past are stated. The later event is indicated by the simple past tense, e.g.
I had finished my homework when my friend came.
The fire had consumed the huts before the fire brigade arrived.

Past perfect is used in converting direct speech into indirect speech when the introductory verb is in the past tense.
He said, “I went to Delhi.”
He said that he had gone to Delhi.
-This tense is also used to express an unfulfilled wish, e.g.
I wish I had accepted the proposal.

♦ Simple Past, Past Continuous, Past Perfect

Look at these two sentences.

• We had lunch at 2 o’clock.
• We had lunch when she arrived.

Both at 2 o’clock and when she arrived function as adverbials of time. They indicate a point of time. Now, look at these two sentences again.

We had lunch at 2 o’clock.
We had lunch when she arrived.

When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having simple past tense, the activity mentioned in the clause begins at or after that point of time.

Look at these two sentences.

• I was working when she arrived.
• I had finished my work when she arrived.

Notice that the adverbial of time takes the simple past tense. The past continuous tense is used to indicate that an activity was going on when another activity took place. The past perfect tense is used for that activity which began and concluded before another took place.

Look at this dialogue.

A: There is no bread for tomorrow’s breakfast.
B: Don’t bother. I will go and get some.

Here, will is used to talk about a future activity which the speaker decides to do at the time of speaking. Now, look at these dialogues.

A: The telephone is dead again.
B: I know. I am going to lodge a complaint when I reach office.
A: Look at those black clouds.
B: Yes, it is going to rain. We can’t go for a walk now.

Going to – as in am going to lodge and is going to rain – is used to talk about a future activity which the speaker has already decided to do or when he feels that it will happen in the near future because there are already signs which indicate its happening.

Now, look at these sentences.
I have got the reservations done. We are going to Goa next week.
The progressive present – as in are going – is used to talk about a future activity which has already been decided upon and arrangements for which have been made.
Now, look at these sentences.

• The Prime Minister leaves on a seven-day tour of West Asia next Sunday.
• According to the timetable, the plane arrives at 11.55.

The present simple – as in leaves and arrives -is used to talk about a future activity which is seen as certain to happen because of programmes or timetables.

We talk about future activities which are about to take place in the near future in four different ways expressing four different kinds of meanings.

♦ Will

‘Will’ is an auxiliary verb and a modal. Its most common use is to express future time reference. With first person it expresses willingness and determination, with second and third persons ‘will’ simply states a future time reference. Some uses of ‘will’ are

• for making predictions.
• for making polite requests in the form of a question.
• for asking about a future programme.

♦ Look at these sentences.

• The next total solar eclipse will be after five years.
• In the rest of the country, the weather will remain mainly dry.

Will – as in will be and will remain – is used to talk about predictions, that is, for events on which the speaker has no control.

Now, look at this question.

• Will you buy some bread while returning from office?
Will in such a question is used to make a request.

Remember: Such a question with will is ambiguous. It could be taken as a request or as a query asking for a future programme.

Now, look at these questions.

1. Will you come tomorrow?
2. Will you be coming tomorrow?

While 1 is ambiguous, 2 is not. Sentence 2 is clearly a query asking for a future programme.

♦ Will be doing

The future continuous tense is used to talk about future actions. It is formed by ‘will be’ + ‘ing’ form of the verb. There are two different uses.

The future continuous tense is used to indicate an action over a period of time. It shows that we will be engaged in an action at some time in the future.

♦Read the following sentences.

(a) A: Please come to our house this evening to meet special guests.
B: I wish I could. I will be working late tonight.

(b) When my uncle arrives tomorrow, I will be writing my examination.
(c) This time next week, we will be travelling to Goa.
(d) Take a break. You will not be working on a national holiday.

A comparison of the use of continuous tense will help us to understand clearly the time reference.
(i) This time last week we were travelling to Goa. (Past Continuous)
(ii) At this moment we are travelling to Goa. (Present Continuous)
(iii) This time next week we will be travelling to Goa. (Future Continuous)

Look at the two uses of the future continuous tense in the sentences given below:

The second use of the future continuous tense is to indicate an event or action which will occur in the course of time because it is the part of a plan or a schedule.
(a) The flight from Mumbai will be arriving at 8 p.m.
(b) The winter session of the Parliament will be beginning on December 7.

We can express the same using ‘will’ or present continuous too.

The Prime Minister will be reaching / will reach / reaches / is reaching London tomorrow.

We can use the future continuous to ask someone’s plan or programme.

(a) Will you be going out tomorrow?
(b) Will you be working late tonight?
(c) Will you be visiting the library today?

Question 1.
Read the following sentences and decide whether the activity referred to is long lasting or has a relatively shorter duration. Write permanent or temporary against them by writing P or T. Indicate Present Indefinite or Present Continuous as the tense form used against each sentence. The first one has been done for you.

(i) People in this area speak English well. P (Present Indefinite)
(ii) The gardener is watering the plants ……………………….
(iii) Engineers build roads and dams ………………………
(iv) These farmers grow rice. ……………………..
(v) Nurses look after patients in hospitals ………………..
(vi) All the trains are running late. ……………………

Answer:
(ii) T– Present Continuous
(iii) P — Present Indefinite
(iv) P — Present Indefinite
(v) P — Present Indefinite
(vi) T — Present Continuous

Question 2.
Rewrite the following sentences, filling in the proper forms of verbs.

(i) Their house is being renovated. So they (live) in a rented house.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) There have been heavy rains so the Narmada (flow) pretty fast.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) City buses (not ply) today. The drivers are on strike.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iv) They (work) hard because they are paid well.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(v) They aren’t very rich. They (live) in a rented house.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(vi) After the derailment, the trains (again run) ori time.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) Their house is being renovated. So they are living in a rented house.
(ii) There have been heavy rains, so the Narmada is flowing pretty fast.
(iii) City buses are not plying today. The drivers are on strike.
(iv) They work hard because they are paid well.
(v) They aren’t very rich. They live in a rented house.
(vi) After the derailment, the trains are again running on time.

♦ Present Continuous: This tense is also used to indicate a stubborn irritating habit when it is used with adverbs like ‘always’, ‘forever’, ‘constantly’ and ‘continually.’ Such use indicates annoyance of the speaker.

e.g. You are always asking silly questions.

Look at the dialogue given below:

A: Has the car broken down?
B: Yes, this car is constantly breaking down.

Write similar dialogues using the given phrases and the verb in brackets.

(i) Rita (get) into debt.
A: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
B: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) She (lose) her keys.
A: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
B: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) He (annoy) people.
A: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
B: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) A. Has Rita got into debt?
B. Yes, Rita is constantly getting into debt.

(ii) A. Has she lost her keys?
B. Yes, She is always losing her keys.

(iii) A. Has he annoyed people?
B. Yes, he is constantly annoying people.

Question 3.
Rewrite the following sentences using the proper form of the verb in brackets.

(i) I (lose) my wallet. I have no money on me now.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) The car (break down) yesterday but the mechanic (repair) it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) The temperature (soar) to 45°C but it (again come) down.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) We (do) our homework. Now we can go out arid play.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(v) He (apply) for a visa and is still waiting for it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(vi) I (apply) for a visa too but could not get it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) I have lost my wallet. I have no money on me now.
(ii) The car broke down yesterday but the mechanic has repaired it.
(iii) The temperature had soared to 45°C but it has come down again.
(iv) We have done our homework. Now we can go out and play.
(v) He has applied for a visa and is still waiting for it.
(vi) I had applied for a visa too but could not get it.

Look at this sentence paying special attention to words set in bold print.
He lived in Jabalpur for several years.
The use of simple past tells us that he lived in Jabalpur in the past and does not live there at present. Adverbials of duration make a difference in meaning when used with present perfect tense and simple past.

♦ Study the sentences given below:

1. Sachin has played cricket for India for several years.
2. Gavaskar has also played cricket for India.
3. C.K. Naidu played cricket for India for several years.
   1. In the first sentence, the use of adverbial ‘for several years’ indicates that he still plays.
   2. In the second sentence, no adverbial is used which means he does not play any more.
   3. The third sentence, also means that C.K. Naidu’s playing is a thing of the past because of the adverbial of duration for several years. The use of simple past tells us he is probably dead.

Question 4.
Now write appropriate sentences for the following players.

(i) Kapil Dev , cricket
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Dravid cricket
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Paes tennis
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) Baljeet Singh Dhillon hockey
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(v) Prakash Padukone badminton
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(vi) Ganguly cricket
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(vii) Dhanraj Pillay hockey
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(viii) Dhyan Chand hockey
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ix) Srikant cricket
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(x) P. Gopichand badminton
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(xi) Ramesh Krishnan tennis
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(xii) Vijay Merchant cricket
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) Kapil Dev has played cricket for India.
(ii) Dravid has also played cricket for India.
(iii) Paes has played tennis for several years.
(iv) Baljeet Singh Dhillon has played hockey for several years.
(v) Prakash Padukone has played badminton for India.
(vi) Ganguly has played cricket for India.
(vii) Dhanraj Pillay has played hockey for India.
(viii) Dhyan Chand played hockey for India.
(ix) Srikant has played cricket for India.
(x) P. Gopichand has played badminton for India.
(xi) Ramesh Krishnan has played tennis for India.
(xii) Vijay Merchant played cricket for India.

Question 5.
Now write sentences about Sachin Tendulkar using the correct tenses.

Sachin Tendulkar (a) ……………. cricket for India for several years. He (b) …………… many tests matches and one,-dayers. He (c) …………… thousands of runs in test cricket and in one-dayers. He (d) ……………….. a hundred centuries in test cricket and one-dayers.

Answer:
(a) has been playing
(b) has played
(c) has scored
(d) has scored

Question 6.
Now write sentences using the given words or phrases. The first one has been done for you.
(i) Shashi – write letters – since breakfast
Shashi has been writing letters since breakfast.

(ii) Abha – write letters – six
………………………………………………………………………………..

(iii) Abhinav – read a novel – for two hours
………………………………………………………………………………..

(iv) Rajshekhar – read – two hundred pages
………………………………………………………………………………..

(v) These boys – play football – an hour and a half
………………………………………………………………………………..

(vi) Salman – take – many photographs of the place
………………………………………………………………………………..

Answer:
(ii) Abha has written six letters.
(iii) Abhinav has been reading a novel for two hours.
(iv) Rajshekhar has read two hundred pages.
(v) These boys have been playing football for an hour and a half.
(vi) Salman has taken many photographs of the place.

Question 7.
Now read the sentences above (Q6.) and write similar sentences as dialogues using the words and phrases given. Use phrases to answer how long and how much, according to the situation and your choice. A and B are the two speakers.

(i) One of my classmates – collect – stamps
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..

Answer:
A. One of my classmates collects stamps.
B. How long has he been collecting stamps?
A. He has been collecting stamps for over five years now.
B. Has he collected about five thousand stamps?
A. Yes, he has collected more than five thousand stamps,

(ii) These engineers – build – bridges
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
A. These engineers build bridges.
B. How long have they been building bridges?
A. They have been building bridges for at least ten years.
B. How many bridges have they built?
A. They have built about twenty bridges.

(iii) Dr Trehan – do – coronary artery bypass grafting
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
A. Dr. Trehan does coronary artery bypass grafting.
B. How many coronary artery bypass graftings has Dr. Trehan done?
A. He has done about a hundred coronary artery bypass graftings.
B. How long has Dr. Trehan been doing coronary artery bypass grafting?
A. He has been performing coronary artery grafting for about twenty years.

(iv) The servant – clean – the rooms
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
A. The servant cleans the rooms.
B. For how long has he been cleaning the rooms?
A. He has been cleaning the rooms for two hours.
B. For how many years has he been cleaning the rooms?
A. He has been cleaning the rooms for two years.

Question 8.
Now write two similar sentences one mentioning the duration of the activity and the other without it – using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) These people – (work) – in a factory
(ii) His sister – (write) – novels
(iii) Ganguly – (play cricket) – country
(iv) Mr Desai – (teach) – English

Answer:
(i) These people work in a factory.
These people have been working in a factory for six months.

(ii) His sister writes novels.
His sister has been writing novels for two years.

(iii) Ganguly plays cricket for our country.
Ganguly has been playing cricket for our country for over five years.

(iv) Mr. Desai teaches English.
Mr. Desai has been teaching English for twelve years.

Now, look at these two sentences.

• They are living in a rented flat.
• They have been living in a rented flat for several years.

Remember: We cannot mention the duration of the activity if we use the present progressive tense. For this, we have to use the present perfect progressive tense.

Question 9.
Now write two similar sentences – one mentioning the duration of the activity and the other without it – using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) My father – (write) – letters
(ii) The boys – (play) – football
(iii) They – (repair) – the roads
(iv) We – (wait) – doctor
Remember: Continuous tenses are used when the duration of the activity is relatively short and the activity is supposed to be temporary.

Answer:
(i) My father is writing letters.
My father has been writing letters for two hours.

(ii) The boys are playing football.
The boys have been playing football for an hour.

(iii) They are repairing the roads.
They have been repairing the roads for five days.

(iv) We are waiting for the doctor.
We have been waiting for the doctor for two hours.

Question 10.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) Match (begin) president (arrive)
………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Driver (stop) train see (red) signal
………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Principal (arinounce) results teachers (complete) evaluation
………………………………………………………………………

(iv) Passengers (get) off train (stop)
………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) The match began when the president arrived.
(ii) The driver stopped the train when he saw the red signal.
(iii) The principal announced results when the teachers completed the evaluation.
(iv) Passengers got off when the train stopped.

Now, look at these two sentences.
We were having lunch at 2 o’clock.
We were having lunch when she arrived.
Remember: When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having past progressive tense, the activity mentioned in the clause begins.before that time, continues up to it, and perhaps even after it.

Question 11.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) People (celebrate) Republic Day – earthquake (hit)
………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Driver (negotiate) – sharp turn bus – (fall) into khud
………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Not (rain) lightning (strike)
………………………………………………………………………

(iv) Men (clean) rooms I (reach) there
………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) The earthquake hit when the people were celebrating Republic Day.
(ii) The bus fell into a khud when the driver was negotiating a sharp turn.
(iii) It was not raining when lightning struck.
(iv) Men were cleaning the rooms when I reached there.
Now, look at these two sentences.
We had had lunch at 2 o’clock.
We had had lunch when she arrived.
Remember: When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having past perfect tense, the activity mentioned in the clause ends before that time.

Question 12.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) We (discuss) problem he (arrive)
………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Farmers (prepare) – their fields monsoon (arrive)
………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Women (cook) food – I (reach) there
………………………………………………………………………

(iv) Meeting (come) to end – rain (start)
………………………………………………………………………

Answer:
(i) We had discussed the problem when he arrived.
(ii) Farmers had prepared their fields when monsoon arrived.
(iii) Men had cleaned the rooms when I reached there.
(iv) The meeting had come to an end when the rain started.

Question 13.
First look at these dialogues or sentences carefully and decide what kind of meaning is being expressed. Then rewrite them using the appropriate form of the verb.

(i) The next train for Amritsar (leave) at 8.35.
………………………………………………………………………

(ii) A: Sonu is still not well.
B: I know, I (take) her to the doctor this evening.
………………………………………………………………………

(iii) A: This carton is very heavy. I can’t carry it upstairs.
B: Don’t worry. I (help) you carry it.
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

(iv) A: Oh, I have left the fan on.
B: I (go) and switch it off.
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

(v) The state (organise) a campaign next month for the eradication of leprosy.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(vi) A team of experts (visit) the area in the near future to study the problem.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(vii) A: I am very busy this evening.
B: Well, I (do) shopping.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(viii) India (play) against France in the Davis Cup next month.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(ix) Our school team (play) a friendly hockey match this Sunday
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(x) A: Do you know Ravi is coming by the morning flight?
B: Yes, I know. I (go) to meet him at the airport.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(xi) The Governor (inaugurate) the Conference on Monday.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(xii) The team (leave) for South Africa day after tomorrow.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(xiii) A: The room is very stuffy.
B: I (go) and open the window.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(xiv) A: We need one more article for the magazine.
B: Don’t worry. He (do) it.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Answer:
(i) The next train for Amritsar leaves at 8.35.
(ii) I am going to take her to the doctor this evening.
(iii) I will help you carry it.
(iv) I will go and switch it off.
(v) The state is going to organise a campaign for the eradication of leprosy.
(vi) A team of experts is going to visit the area in the near future to study the problem.
(vii) Well, I will do the shopping.
(viii) India plays/is going to play/will play France in the Davis Cup next month.
(ix) Our school team plays/is going to play/will play a friendly hockey match this Sunday.
(x) I am going to meet him at the airport.
(xi) The Governor inaugurates/is going to inaugurate/will inaugurate the conference on Monday.
(xii) The team leaves/will leave/is leaving for South Africa day after tomorrow.
(xiii) I will go and open the window.
(xiv) Don’t worry, he will do it.

Question 14.
Now write two similar questions using the given phrases. Be careful about the requirement given within in brackets. One has been done for you.

Meet him in the afternoon.
(query) Will you be meeting him in the afternoon?
(question) Will you meet him in the afternoon?

(i) Return the books by Monday.
(query) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(question) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(ii) Reach the station in time.
(query) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(question) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(iii) Join us there.
(query) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(question) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(iv) Apply for a day’s leave.
(query) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(question) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Answer:
(i) Will you be returning the books by Monday?
Will you return the books by Monday?

(ii) Will you be reaching the station in time?
Will you reach the station in time?

(iii) Will you be joining us there?
Will you join us there?

(iv) Will you be applying for a day’s leave?
Will you apply for a day’s leave?

Common Errors in the use of tenses
Incorrect:

He has not bought a car till yesterday.
I have come yesterday.
They are studying for five hours.
We did not read ‘Hamlet’ till we were
in class XI.
I am working here since 1999.
I am going to school on foot every day.
Why are you liking this place?
I am having a blue pen.
He is having a large family.
If it will rain, we shall not go out.

Correct:

He had not bought a car till yesterday.
I came yesterday.
They have been studying for five hours. We had not read ‘Hamlet’ till we were in class XI.
I have been working here since 1999.
I go to school on foot every day.
Why do you like this place?
I have a blue pen.
He has a large family.
If it rains, we shall not go out.

Question 15.
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after against the correct blank number. Underline the word that forms your answer.

I. Some insects pretend they non-living things to escape danger. The stick insect can become a twig that grown from a branch. Its body hangs like a twig growing towards the ground. Frogs and birds easily fooled. Some insects colour and sound to disguise themselves.

Answer:

II. ‘Namaste’ is made up of two Sanskrit words

which I bow to you. The
palms joined and the
head slightly bowed.
This, not just a polite greeting, it
is much more.

Answer:

Question 16.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

I (a) ………….. (expect) him here yesterday. He (b) ……………. (not come) till today. None (c) …………… (know) what (d) …………… (happen) to him. I (e) ……………. (worry) about him. I hope he (f) …………… (be) safe.

Answer:
(a) expected/was expecting
(b) has not come
(c) knows
(d) has happened
(e) am worried
(f) is

Question 17.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

There (a) …………….. (be) a great rush at the counter yesterday. I (b) ……………… (want) to get a ticket for the movie. lit (c) ………….. (be) the first day of the release. The manager suddenly (d) ……………. (appear) on the scene and (e) ……………….. (announce) that the show (f) ……………… (cancel) for reasons beyond control.

Answer:
(a) was
(b) wanted
(c) was
(d) appeared
(e) announced
(f) had been cancelled

Question 18.
Read the following paragraph and fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of verbs given in brackets.
Yesterday a blue line bus (a) ……………(run) over a schoolboy who (b) …………… (cross) the road. The boy (c) …………… (injure) seriously and (d) …………… (rush) to the hospital. The passengers (e) …………… (catch) hold of the driver and (f) ……………(hand) him over to the police.

Answer:
(a) ran
(b) was crossing
(c) was injured
(d) was rushed
(e) caught
(f) handed

Question 19.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

The shot wounded the elephant. It (a) …………… (rush) back into the forest. I (b) …………… (run) after it but (c) …………… (can) not catch it. I (d) ……………(lose) it in the dark and (e) …………… (return) empty-handed. I (f) (disappoint).

Answer:
(A rushed
(B) ran
(c) could
(d) lost
(e) returned
(f) was disappointed

Question 20.
Read the following paragraph and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

Once there was a king. He (a) …………… (know) for his benevolence. Every day he (b) …………… (feed) the hungry and (c) …………… (clothe) the poor before he (d) …………… (take) his food. He (e) …………… (do) so for many years. He (f) …………… (love) by his subjects.

Answer:
(a) was known
(b) fed
(c) clothed
(d) took
(e) did/had been doing
(f) was loved

Question 21.
Fill in the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.
(i) While Rome (a) …………….. (burn), Nero was (b) …………….. (fiddle).
(ii) Since India (c) …………….. (become) independent, many other countries (d) ………….. (get) their independence too.
(iii) I (e) ………… (have) my lunch when the postman (f) …………….. (knock).

Answer:
(i) (a) was burning
(b) was fiddling

(ii) (c) became
(d) have got

(iii) (e) was having
(f) knocked

Question 22.
Read the following letter and fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs.

Dear Heena

I have just heard that my mother isn’t very well and that she (a) …………….. (like) to see me. The trouble is I can’t take my dog, Tim, with me. (b) …………….. you think you (c) …………….. (be) able to look after him for a week? If you can have him, I can bring him along anytime that (d) …………… (suit) you. But if it (e) ……………. (be) not convenient, do not hesitate to say so.
Love, Sarika.

Answer:
(a) would like
(b) Do
(c) will be
(d) suits
(e) is

Question 23.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets. [NCT 2011]

I (a) …………….. (halt) on the road. As soon as I saw the elephant, I (b) …………….. (know) with perfect certainty that I ought not (c) …………….. (shoot) him. But at that moment I (d) …………….. (glance) round at the crowd that (e) …………….. (follow) me and was eager for fun and meat. The crowd (f) …………….. (block) the road for a long distance on either side. Now I (g) …………….. (be) in a tricky situation which (h) …………….. (try) limits of my patience.

Answer:
(a) halted
(b) knew
(c) to shoot
(d) glanced
(e) had followed
(f) had blocked
(g) was
(h) tried

Question 24.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets. [NCT 2010]

Asaf Khan who (a) …………….. (lead) the expedition against the city, (b) …………….. (expect) that the little country which (c) …………….. (rule) by a woman, would (d) ……………. (take) very easily without (e) …………….. (strike) even a blow. What was his surprise when he (f) …………….. (find) that the city (g) …………….. (prepare) to offer a strong resistance, (h) …………….. (bring) with him only a small force to fight them.

Answer:
(a) led
(b) expected
(c) was ruled
(d) be taken
(e) striking
(f) found
(g) was prepared
(h) had brought

Question 25.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets.

The wedding procession (a) …………….. (already start) when we (b) …………….. (reach) Mohan’s house. While we (c) …………….. (be) on way to the place, we (d) …………….. (decide) not to dance at all. But the scene (e) …………….. (prove) so attractive, that we (f) …………….. (draw) into it.

Answer:
(a) had already started
(b) reached
(c) were
(d) had decided
(e) proved
(f) were drawn

Question 26.
Fill in the blanks with the suitable form of the verbs given in brackets.

I (a) …………….. (park) my car at a place where there was a ‘No Parking’ sign and (b) …………….. (run) to buy some flowers. When I (c) …………….. (return) a few minutes later I (d) …………….. (find) that the car was not there anymore.

Answer:
(a) parked
(b) ran
(c) returned
(d) found

Question 27.
Fill in the blanks in the following conversation by using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets.

Iqbal said, “That was the last time I saw him alive. The next morning he (a) …………….. (find) dead on his desk with a bullet under his left ear.” A tray of tea (b) …………….. (bring) in and the old lady insisted that I had some. An old photograph of the dead man was produced.

“Look, Look … how handsome he looks,” she said but her hands (c) …………….. (shake) as she
held it.

Suddenly, the door (d) …………….. (fling) open to admit a young, distraught woman.

Answer:
(a) was found
(b) was brought
(c) were shaking/shook
(d) was flung

Question 28.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Underline the incorrect word and write the correction in the space provided.

Thomas Edison is an American Scientist.
He have made many inventions.
Once he was worked on making an electric bulb. He would sure that
his bulb is replaced gas lights.
He want to give the people a safe gift.

Answer:

Question 29.
Complete the following sentences by filling in the correct form of the verb.

In the last hundred years, travelling (a) …………….. (become) much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (b) …………….. (take) two or three months to cross North America by a covered wagon. The trip (c) …………….. (be) very rough and often dangerous. Things (d) …………….. (change) a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours.

Answer:
(a) has become
(b) used to take
(c) was
(d) have changed

Question 30.
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

I could not recognise Seema. She (a) …………….. (put on) a lot of weight. I advised her to stop (b) …………….. (eat) and start (c) …………….. (skip) and (d) …………….. (walk).

Answer:
(a) had put on
(b) eating
(c) skipping
(d) walking

Question 31.
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets.

Have you ever (a) …………….. (hear) of the paperless office? You (b) …………….. certainly (say) “no”. Well, very soon the old favourite of pen-pushers (c) …………….. (make) an unceremonious exit. You (d) …………….. (see) it happening in the banks. Where are those bulky ledgers? A smart computer (e) …………….. (replace) them quietly.

Answer:
(a) heard
(b) will certainly say
(c) will make
(d) have seen
(e) has replaced

Generally, a narrative is a written or oral form of expression. It involves details of an event, experience or happening in a person’s life. Literary forms such as novels and short stories are explicit narratives told by the narrator. The narrative informs the reader about events and character and sustains the reader’s interest in the pieces.

This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.

Narrative Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Samples, Topics

Question 1.
During the summer vacation, you visited your grandfather who lives in his native village. It was a very pleasant yet unusual experience for you. Look at the picture given below and write about this and other such experiences. You may/may not use the suggestion, given with the picture. Your composition should be in 150-200 words. Write in the first person.

Answer:

Swimming Lessons

My last visit to a village was when I was about ten years old. I had gone to meet my grandfather. In the beginning, I found everything strange- the cows and buffaloes living so close to us. Later, I loved to ride my grandfather’s tractor. The adventure really began when I met Chandu. That day I had gone to the village pond hoping to do some fishing. Instead, I found it occupied by buffaloes. A boy, a little older than me, was sitting on the back of one of the buffaloes. He smiled, and asked me to join him for a swim. I refused to swim with buffaloes. He laughed and jumped off and took me to the river bank. I splashed about near the shore, while he went into deep water and came back shining with diamond droplets. In a few days, I was swimming quite well and was tanned brown. My parents liked the healthy look on my face.

XYZ

Question 2.
I was walking in Bradley Woods with my dog Bruno.
Suddenly, turning a corner, I ran into a woman who appeared to be searching for someone.
“Did you see my Nicky?” she asked. “He’s about three.”
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t see any children about.”
She grabbed my arm. “And the horsemen?”
“Horsemen? In this day and age?” I said, trying to pull away.
I saw Bruno looking at the woman with terror, his tail between his legs.
“Hey! Are you okay?” I looked up to see a man standing near me.
I mumbled, “There was this woman here…looking for her son…talking of horsemen…”
“You seem to have met the Ghost of Bradley Woods.”
And this is what he told me…
There was a soldier who lived in a cottage in Bradley Woods.
He had a beautiful wife and baby. One day, he left to fight in a war and never returned.
The enemy soldiers came from across the river, brutally assaulted her, took the baby and rode off! She died of a broken heart.
From that day on, her ghostly figure was seen wandering in the woods. I stood rooted to the spot in shock and fear.

Complete the following narrative on:

Traveling by a State-owned City Bus

Traveling by a state-owned city bus in India is an experience only the brave wish to repeat. The buses are (a) ……………………. and the frequency of bus service is erratic. The drivers and conductor are (b) ……………………. as they do not bother to stop the buses at the assigned bus – stop. Thus they cause unnecessary discomfort to the commuters. City buses, being the cheapest mode of travel are (c) ……………………. . Due to passengers constantly moving from the back gate to the front, (d) …………………… . The crowded buses are a haven for pickpockets and eve-teasers who (e) ……………………. . Thus traveling in a state-owned city bus is an ordeal one is not likely to forget in a hurry.
Answer:
(a) old, dirty and ill-maintained
(b) rude and discourteous and often cause unnecessary discomfort to the travelers
(c) often over-crowded with ladies and old people standing in the aisle
(d) the toes of those standing and traveling are often trampled upon
(e) carry on their activities without fear

Hints:

• carry on their activities without fear
• old, dirty and ill-maintained
• rude and discourteous and often cause unnecessary discomfort to the travelers
• often overcrowded with ladies and old people standing in the aisle
• the toes of those standing and traveling are often trampled upon

Question 3.
Look at the input given below:

As part of the NSS, you visited the flood relief camps. Using the above input, write a description in 150-200 words. You are Ajay/Anita Khurana.

Flood Relief Camp
by Ajay

The tragedy of the devastating floods in our region hit me hard when I visited the camps run by a local NGO. It provided help and relief to the flood victims. I visited the camp with the NSS team from our college.

Heavy rains led to a breach in a dam on Gandak river in eastern UP. As a result, several villages were inundated. Villagers lost their homes; standing crops were destroyed. Their cattle were washed away. Several people went missing. Those who survived were in a miserable shape. As soon as the weather permitted, the army brought the survivors to these relief camps.

I saw the misery and hopelessness in the eyes of the flood victims. Farmers, labourers, men who lived with dignity were now reduced to being beggars. Poverty started in their face and diseases were ready to pounce on the unfortunate. The plight of the children was the most tragic of all. They were confused and frightened, having lost the battle of life before it began.