If you are in Class 11, English Core includes the NCERT textbook Hornbill, which is one of the most important parts of your exam preparation. Knowing the Class 11 Hornbill syllabus helps you plan your studies effectively and focus on the right chapters.
The book is divided into prose and poetry, and every unit is designed to build comprehension, literary analysis, and critical thinking skills.
Below, we’ll walk you through all the Hornbill chapters for the 2025–26 session, along with exam weightage, study tips, and everything you need to prepare better.
Overview of Hornbill Textbook of Class 11
The Hornbill textbook is prescribed in the CBSE Class 11 English syllabus (core) and forms the backbone of the literature section. The book is divided into two main parts: Prose and Poetry, each designed to improve comprehension, analytical, and writing skills.
Prose section includes autobiographical accounts, travel writing, and reflective pieces that develop critical thinking and interpretation.
Poetry section covers modern and classical poems that enhance literary appreciation and awareness of poetic devices.
In the exam, Hornbill chapters are tested through extract-based questions, short answers, and long analytical answers, carrying significant marks in the literature component of Class 11 English.
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Hornbill Chapters: List
Below is the list of all Hornbill chapter names:
| Chapter | Chapter Name | Author |
| Hornbill Chapter-1 | The Portrait of a Lady | Khushwant Singh |
| Hornbill Chapter-2 | A Photograph | Shirley Toulson |
| Hornbill Chapter-3 | We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can Be Together | Gordon Cook & Alan East |
| Hornbill Chapter-4 | Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues | A.R. Williams |
| Hornbill Chapter-5 | The Laburnum Top | Ted Hughes |
| Hornbill Chapter-6 | The Voice of the Rain | Walt Whitman |
| Hornbill Chapter-7 | Childhood | Markus Natten |
| Hornbill Chapter-8 | The Adventure | Jayant Narlikar |
| Hornbill Chapter-9 | Silk Road | Nick Middleton |
| Hornbill Chapter-10 | Father to Son | Elizabeth Jennings |
| Deleted Chapter | The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role | Nani Palkhivala |
Also checkout CBSE Class 11th all details!
Hornbill Chapters: Prose
Let’s talk briefly about all the chapters in Hornbill textbook of Class 11th English:
1. The Portrait of a Lady
Written by Khushwant Singh, this chapter is a moving account of the author’s grandmother and their unique bond. It highlights her simplicity, spirituality, and quiet dignity in daily life. Through vivid descriptions, the story explores themes of faith, old age, and the inevitable changes brought by time.
The grandmother’s transformation from an active caretaker to a silent presence is beautifully portrayed, ending with her peaceful death. This chapter teaches students to value relationships and respect traditions, while also developing an appreciation for autobiographical writing and descriptive narration.
Read the Summary of The Portrait of a Lady.
2. We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together
This is a first-person narrative by Gordon Cook and Alan East that recounts the adventurous sea voyage of a family facing life-threatening storms. It shows the courage, resilience, and teamwork of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
The story highlights survival skills, calmness in adversity, and the strength of family unity. Despite their boat being badly damaged, the family’s spirit remains unbroken.
For students, chapter 2 of Hornbill emphasizes the importance of perseverance, optimism, and cooperation in difficult situations, making it not only an inspiring survival story but also a lesson in human endurance and willpower.
Read the Summary of We’re Not Afraid to Die.
3. Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues
Written by A.R. Williams, chapter 3 of Hornbill explores the fascinating archaeological findings about Tutankhamun, the Egyptian boy king. It focuses on the discovery of his tomb, the scientific research carried out on his mummy, and the mysteries surrounding his life and death.
The piece combines history with modern technology, showing how advancements in science can unravel secrets of the past. For students, it blends storytelling with factual analysis, encouraging curiosity about history, archaeology, and cultural heritage. It also highlights the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations and the quest for knowledge across time.
Read the Summary of Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues.
4. The Adventure
By Jayant Narlikar, this science-fiction piece takes readers into the world of alternate history and parallel universes. The story follows Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde, who suddenly finds himself in a different version of India where historical events unfolded differently.
Through his experiences, readers explore the idea of history being shaped by small changes. The narrative blends science, imagination, and history, introducing students to the concept of probability and alternate realities. It encourages critical thinking, logical reasoning, and an appreciation of speculative writing. This is chapter 4 of Hornbill, which stands out as a thought-provoking blend of science and literature.
Read the Summary of The Adventure.
5. Silk Road
Authored by Nick Middleton, chapter 5 of Silk Road describes the author’s travel through the Himalayan highlands to Mount Kailash, a place of spiritual importance. The narrative blends adventure with cultural insights, as he encounters unique landscapes, Tibetan customs, and the challenges of high-altitude travel.
Through detailed descriptions, the reader experiences both the beauty and harshness of the terrain. The chapter highlights themes of spirituality, exploration, and cultural diversity.
For students, it develops observational skills and inspires an appreciation for travel literature, while also showing how journeys can be both physically demanding and spiritually enriching.
6. A Photograph
Written by Shirley Toulson, this poem is a touching reflection on the poet’s mother and the passage of time. The poet describes an old photograph showing her mother as a child on the beach, enjoying carefree moments.
The contrast between the captured happiness of the past and the mother’s later absence evokes a deep sense of loss. Through simple yet powerful imagery, the poem highlights themes of memory, nostalgia, and the inevitable cycle of life and death.
It teaches students how poetry captures emotions and experiences that resonate across generations.
7. The Laburnum Top
Authored by Ted Hughes, this poem beautifully depicts a laburnum tree that comes alive when a goldfinch bird lands on it. The tree, initially silent and still, becomes vibrant and full of movement as the bird feeds its young ones. The imagery highlights the close relationship between nature and its creatures, showing how life and energy are interdependent.
The poem blends observation with symbolism, where the goldfinch represents vitality and continuity. Students learn to appreciate nature’s rhythms, imagery, and poetic devices, while also understanding the theme of renewal and the cycles of life.
8. The Voice of the Rain
Written by Walt Whitman, this poem presents a dialogue between the poet and the rain. The rain introduces itself as a vital force that originates from the earth, nourishes life, and returns to its source in a continuous cycle. The poem emphasizes the beauty of nature’s processes, renewal, and the selfless service of natural elements.
Through free verse and personification, Whitman conveys the rain’s eternal role in sustaining life. Students are introduced to symbolic and philosophical poetry, helping them appreciate the deeper connections between natural phenomena and human thought.
9. Childhood
Written by Markus Natten, this reflective poem explores the poet’s search for the moment when childhood ends. He questions the loss of innocence, belief in simple truths, and faith in adults. The poet contrasts the purity of childhood with the hypocrisy he observes in grown-ups.
The tone is contemplative, highlighting themes of innocence, self-awareness, and the transition from childhood to maturity. The poem resonates with students as they are at a stage of self-discovery themselves, making it relatable and thought-provoking. It encourages them to analyze life’s stages and the meaning of growing up.
10. Father to Son
Authored by Elizabeth Jennings, this poem portrays the strained relationship between a father and his son. The father expresses sadness and regret at the growing emotional distance, realizing that despite living together, they have become strangers to each other. The poem emphasizes themes of generation gap, miscommunication, and longing for reconciliation.
Written in simple but powerful language, it resonates with young readers who often experience similar conflicts at home. Students learn to analyze emotions, relationships, and poetic expressions that mirror real-life experiences, making it both personal and universally relevant.
Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:
Hornbill Syllabus: Exam Pattern & Weightage
| Type of Questions | Details | Marks |
| Extract Questions | One prose extract (Hornbill) + One poetry extract (Hornbill) | 3 + 3 = 6 |
| Short Answer Questions | Two questions (one prose + one poetry) of 40–50 words each | 3 × 2 = 6 |
| Long Answer Question | One question (prose/poetry) of 120–150 words | 6 |
| Total from Hornbill | Literature section contribution | 18 Marks |
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Tips to Study Hornbill Chapters for Class 11 Exam
- Read Every Chapter Thoroughly: Go line by line through all Hornbill prose and poetry to understand themes, characters, and details.
- Highlight Key Passages: Mark important quotations and lines that can be used in answers, especially in extract-based questions.
- Understand the Author’s Perspective: Note the background of each writer or poet—it helps in framing analytical answers.
- Summarize Each Chapter in Your Own Words: After reading, write short summaries of Hornbill chapters to strengthen memory and clarity.
- Focus on Themes & Messages: For prose and poetry, identify the central theme and supporting ideas that may form the basis of long-answer questions.
- Practice Extract-Based Questions: Solve sample extracts from prose and poems to get comfortable with exam-style comprehension.
- Prepare Character Sketches: For prose, write brief character sketches of main personalities to use in answers.
- Learn Poetic Devices: Identify similes, metaphors, personification, and imagery in Hornbill poems, as these are often tested.
- Solve Previous Year Papers & Sample Papers: Practice with past questions to know which Hornbill chapters are frequently asked.
- Revise Regularly: Keep a quick revision notebook for important points, summaries, and literary devices for last-minute preparation.
PDF of Hornbill Syllabus 2025–26
Having the syllabus in one place makes it easier to plan your studies. You can download the official Class 11 Hornbill syllabus 2025–26 PDF for quick access and revision.
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FAQs About Hornbill Chapters
The hornbill syllabus includes five prose chapters and five poems, all prescribed by NCERT for Class 11 English Core.
There are ten hornbill chapters in total-five prose lessons and five poems.
Hornbill chapter 3, Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues by A.R. Williams, explores archaeological findings on the Egyptian king Tutankhamun.
The class 11th hornbill syllabus contains five prose lessons including The Adventure and Silk Road.
The Hornbill price is ₹70 for the paperback version.
The Hornbill syllabus includes poems like A Photograph, The Laburnum Top, The Voice of the Rain, Childhood, and Father to Son.
Yes, the class 11th Hornbill syllabus includes Silk Road by Nick Middleton, a travelogue through Tibet.