| Updated On - Jun 26, 2024
Preparing for the English section of CLAT is essential for anyone wanting to pass this exam. This is one of the most extended law entrance tests, focusing a lot on your reading and language skills. In the CLAT 2025 English section, the questions are formed in a way to check how well you can read, understand, and think about passages.
The questions are at a 12th-grade level, so it's helpful to read good English books and know the exam pattern. Preparing for the English section helps not only here but also in other parts of the exam, as there's a lot of reading involved. Understanding the exam pattern and practising with the suitable materials will help you perform well.
How Many Questions Are There in the English Language?
Before taking the exam, you must know about the English language exam pattern. After the consortium's revised syllabus last year, the English section now comprises 22 to 26 questions. With the examination consisting of 120 questions in total, the English language section constitutes approximately 20% of the overall paper. Understanding this can help you allocate your study time effectively to excel in this critical exam component.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Passages | 4-6 |
| Number of Questions | 22-26 mcqs |
| Marks | 22-26 |
| Negative Marks | 0.25 for every wrong answer |
What is the English Language Syllabus?
The section A of each set consists of the English Language questions. The questions will only consist of passages, but for the questions that will be given from the passages, you need to practice grammar and vocabulary. Below, we have provided a table of the units that you need to cover and study for the English section of the exam.
| Syllabus for English Language | |
|---|---|
| 1. Correcting Incorrect Grammar Sentences | 7. Idioms and phrases |
| 2. Reading comprehension | 8. Vocabulary and word meanings |
| 3. Sentence completion and correction | 9. Synonyms & Antonyms |
| 4. Spelling and Grammatical errors | 10. Tenses |
| 5. Proverbs and adverbs | 11. Fill in the Blanks |
| 6. Synonyms and antonyms | 12. Spotting Active & Passive Voice |
Can you provide some of the most essential Topics?
Sure, some topics in the above syllabus are very crucial, and you should consider spending more time on them as well. Below, we have listed the most important topics in the English syllabus.
| English Language Important Topic | |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Vocabulary |
| Sentence Structure | Answering Direct Questions |
| Syntax and Errors | |
How Should I Start Preparing for the English Section from Zero?
When preparing for the English section, it's essential to spend enough time on each unit to get an excellent score.
First, figure out your strengths and weaknesses in the English section. If you struggle with vocabulary, reading comprehension, or grammar, focus on improving those areas by practicing.
Before you begin studying, make sure you understand the detailed English syllabus. This will help you identify which topics are easy and which are difficult so you can plan your study time.
Regularly solve previous years' question papers and mock tests. This will help you get better at managing your time and answering questions. Practising daily will also teach you different ways to solve questions, making it easier to handle different types of questions in the exam.
It's just as important to review your mock tests as it is to take them. This review will help you understand the types of questions asked, the difficulty level of the exam, and the marking scheme. Most importantly, it will help you see where you need to improve and strengthen your weak areas.
What kinds of English skills are tested on the exam?
For taking the exam, you need to master some of the crucial skills during your preparation stage. We have listed some of the necessary skills.
- Reading and understanding the passage's primary idea as well as any arguments and points of view presented therein
- Making deductions and conclusions from the passage
- Summarising the text in the passage
- Comparing and contrasting opinions expressed in the passage
- Recognising the meaning of the different terms and expressions used in the passage.
Suggest Some of the Important Books for the English Section
Some books to practise for this section are as follows-
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis;
- Pearson Guide to CLAT 2020 by Pearson;
- A comprehensive study for CLAT & LLB Entrance Examinations- SET, AILET, LSAT by Padma Parupudi and Sirisha Naresh;
- High School English Grammar and Composition Key by Wren & Martin;
- Objective General English 2020 by RS Aggarwal;
- Objective General English 2020 by AP Bharadwaj
CLAT English Previous Year Questions
You'll come across passages that are around 450 words long. They cover both recent and historically important pieces of fiction and non-fiction literature. You should aim to read each passage in about 5-7 minutes. After reading, you'll answer questions that test how well you understood the passage and your language skills.
Below is a passage from the Set B paper of the CLAT 2024 question paper.
English literature is a vast and diverse field that has left an indelible mark on the world of letters. From the eloquent plays of William Shakespeare to the complex novels of Jane Austen and the profound poetry of William Wordsworth, English literature offers a window into the human experience. One of the luminaries of English literature is William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest playwright in the history of the English language. His works, including Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, are celebrated for exploring human nature, love, ambition, and tragedy. His characters, such as the tormented Hamlet and the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, continue to captivate readers and audiences worldwide.
The 19th century ushered in a new era of literary giants. Jane Austen’s novels, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, provide incisive social commentary through the lens of wit and romance. Austen’s heroines, like Elizabeth Bennet and Elinor Dashwood, remain beloved literary figures known for their intelligence and resilience. The Romantic era brought forth poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who celebrated the beauty of nature and the emotional intensity of the individual. Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” and Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” are testament to the power of the written words to evoke profound emotions and imagery. Moving towards the 20th century, English literature continued to evolve. Virginia Woolf’s ground-breaking novel Mrs. Dalloway explored the inner thoughts and lives of its characters with a modernist narrative style. Dystopian visions, as seen in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four provided stark warnings about the dangers of totalitarianism and the erosion of individual freedom.
Today, English literature is a global phenomenon, transcending borders and languages. Indian authors like Arundhati Roy, with her novel The God of Small Things, have won prestigious international literary awards. The book not only explores intricate family dynamics but also delves into the broader socio-political landscape of India. In summary, English literature is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the written word. It encompasses an array of authors, themes, and styles that continue to captivate and inspire readers across the world.
1. Who is often regarded as the greatest playwright in the history of English language?
- (A) Jane Austen
- (B) William Wordsworth
- (C) William Shakespeare
- (D) George Orwell
2. Which of Jane Austen’s novels is known for its social commentary and witty portrayal of romance?
- (A) Nineteen Eighty-Four
- (B) Sense and Sensibility
- (C) “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
- (D) “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
3. Who are the Romantic poets mentioned in the passage known for celebrating nature and intense human emotions?
- (A) William Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf
- (B) George Orwell and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- (C) William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- (D) Jane Austen and Arundhati Roy
4. What is the title of Virginia Woolf’s novel known for its modernist narrative style?
- (A) Pride and Prejudice
- (B) Nineteen Eighty-Four
- (C) Mrs. Dalloway
- (D) The God of Small Things
5. Identify the 20th century novel mentioned in the passage that provides a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism?
- (A) Nineteen Eighty-Four
- (B) Romeo and Juliet
- (C) Sense and Sensibility
- (D) “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
6. What does the passage highlight as the enduring power of English literature?
- (A) Its ability to win literary awards
- (B) The diversity of its authors, themes, and styles
- (C) Its ability to captivate and inspire only British readers
- (D) The decline of storytelling
Preparation Tips for the Next 6 Months for the English Language
The English Language section examines your reading comprehension skills, grammar knowledge, and vocabulary. Now that there are only six months left, we will provide you with a brief synopsis of preparing for the English section. Key areas to focus on include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar and Sentence Correction
- Vocabulary (Synonyms and Antonyms)
- Fill in the Blanks
Build the Foundation
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the types of questions asked in the exam by reviewing previous years' papers or sample papers to identify common themes and structures. Engage in reading comprehension exercises by working through one passage per session, carefully reading and answering the questions, and summarizing each passage to understand the main idea, tone, and inferences. Review basic grammar rules such as tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, articles, and conjunctions using grammar textbooks or online resources. Practice with short exercises and correct any mistakes to reinforce learning.
Strengthening Vocabulary and Grammar
Build your vocabulary by learning and reviewing 10 new words daily using flashcards or apps like Anki, focusing on their synonyms and antonyms. Create sentences with these new words to understand their context and application. For grammar practice, continue with sentence correction and error-spotting exercises. Additionally, focus on fill-in-the-blank exercises, carefully examining context and grammar rules.
Weekly Revision and Mock Tests
Set aside one day each week for revision, reviewing vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and completed exercises to reinforce your learning. Solve a mix of comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar questions. Additionally, take a full-length mock test under timed conditions each week to simulate the exam environment and improve time management skills. Review your answers, identify weak areas, and plan targeted practice for the following week.
Self Assessments
At the end of each month, reflect on your progress and conduct a self-assessment. Identify areas that need more focus and adjust your preparation plan accordingly. As you gain confidence, increase the difficulty level of your practice materials to continue challenging yourself and improving.
FAQs
Ques: How important is vocabulary in the English section?
Ans: Vocabulary is crucial as it helps in understanding reading comprehension passages and answering related questions accurately. Focus on learning synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases. Regular reading and using vocabulary books like "Word Power Made Easy" can be highly beneficial.
Ques: Are there any online resources or forums where I can discuss preparation?
Ans: Yes, there are several online platforms where you can discuss CLAT preparation, including:
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/CLATExam and r/CLATPreparation have active communities where you can ask questions and share resources.
- Quora: Many users and experts answer questions related to CLAT preparation.
- Law-related Forums: Websites like Law Entrance and CLATapult offer discussion forums and resources specifically for CLAT aspirants
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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