About the Book

We are pleased to present this resource based on the newly introduced English Literature course – MODERN ENGLISH (Subject Code: 891), designed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) for students of Classes XI and XII, commencing from the academic year 2025–26 in Class XI.

This course marks a significant shift from the previously mandatory ENGLISH (801) course. Students now have the opportunity to choose between ENGLISH (801) and MODERN ENGLISH (891), depending on their literary interests and academic goals. The MODERN ENGLISH course has been developed to be more accessible, with a focus on enhancing student engagement, comprehension, and performance through meaningful exposure to literature rooted in Indian ethos and global relevance.

The Literature component of this course is structured around three carefully selected texts:

1. Drama – Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

2. Prose – Perspectives: A Collection of ISC Short Stories

3. Poetry – Reflections: A Collection of ISC Poems

This book offers in-depth guidance and study support for the Drama component, Pygmalion (Acts I & II), and includes the following features to facilitate deeper literary understanding:

• Summary – A clear and concise overview of the plot, themes, and characters to build foundational knowledge.

• Central Idea – A focused discussion on the key message and thematic essence of the play.

• Critical Analysis – An examination of the play’s structure, themes, and literary context to develop analytical thinking.

• Literary Devices – Exploration of dramatic techniques like irony, symbolism, and characterization to enhance appreciation of literary craft.

• Character Analysis – Detailed insights into the personalities, motivations, and transformations of the main characters.

• Word Meanings and Phrases – A glossary of challenging words and idiomatic expressions from the text for better vocabulary and comprehension.

• Paraphrasing – Rewriting complex sections in simpler language while retaining the original meaning to aid clearer understanding.

• Exercises – A variety of comprehension and evaluation questions including MCQs, Fill in the blanks, Short Answer, and Long Answer questions to reinforce learning and prepare for assessments.

We sincerely hope this book will serve as a valuable companion for students embarking on their literary journey with MODERN ENGLISH (891). Our aim is to help learners not only perform well in their examinations but also develop a lasting appreciation of literature and its connection to life and society.

We welcome constructive feedback and suggestions from educators, students, and readers to help us further improve future editions.

– Publishers

About the Author

Goyal Brothers Prakashan has in-house team of experienced authors, editors and subject experts.