Classified Advertisements Class 11: Format, Categories and Model Answers

What Classified Advertisements is about

Weightage: Section B (Grammar and Creative Writing, 23 of the 80 theory marks): Q6, a classified advertisement of up to 50 words, one of two, 3 marks (format 1, content 1, expression 1).Source: CBSE English Core (301) syllabus 2026-27, Class XI question paper design

Key concepts

Format of a classified advertisement

NCERT section CBSE syllabus Q6 (format)

In the exam, draw a box and write inside it:
1. the category heading in capitals at the top: FOR SALE, TO-LET, SITUATION VACANT, LOST, TUITION, etc.
2. the body: the essential details in short phrases
3. the contact details at the end: name (if needed), phone number, email or address, and the time to call
No date, no 'Dear Sir', no signature line. If the question asks you to 'draft an advertisement to be published in the classified columns of a newspaper', the box with the heading and contact is the format mark.

Worked example

List, in order, what goes into the box for an advertisement selling a used bicycle.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Heading: FOR SALE.
2. Body: item, brand, condition, age, price, reason (optional).
3. Contact: phone number and time to call or address.

Answer: FOR SALE → item details and price → contact, all inside one box.

Content checklist by category

NCERT section CBSE syllabus Q6 (content)

The content mark goes to complete, relevant information:

• For Sale / Purchase: item, make or brand, model or age, condition, special features, price (negotiable or fixed), contact.
• To-Let / Accommodation: type (2BHK flat, room, shop), location, floor, area or rooms, facilities (parking, lift, 24-hour water), suitable for whom, rent and deposit, contact.
• Situation Vacant: post, organisation, qualifications, experience, age limit, salary, how to apply, last date.
• Situation Wanted: post wanted, your qualifications and experience, special skills, contact.
• Lost / Found: item, description, place and date, reward (for lost), contact.
• Tuition / Educational / Travel: what is offered, for whom, place, timings, fees, special features, contact.

Worked example

Which three details are missing from this To-Let advertisement? 'TO-LET: 2BHK flat, Sector 14, Gurugram. Contact 98XXXXXX10.'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. A tenant needs to know the rent, the facilities and who it suits (family, working women).
2. Floor or furnishing details would also help.

Answer: Rent (and deposit), facilities (parking, water, lift) and suitability (family/bachelors); floor or furnishing are also useful.

Compact style and abbreviations

NCERT section CBSE syllabus Q6 (expression)

Each word costs money, so the expression mark rewards compact, clear language:

• write phrases, not sentences: 'Well-maintained 2018 Maruti Alto, single owner, 38,000 km driven'
• leave out articles and helping verbs where meaning is clear
• use common abbreviations that any reader understands: BHK, sq ft, km, yrs, approx., Rs or ₹, ph., e-mail, no. (number), AC
• avoid adjectives that add nothing ('very nice', 'wonderful')
• keep the order: what → where/when → special features → price → contact

Stay within 50 words; heading and contact details are usually counted, so plan before writing.

Worked example

Shorten: 'We are very happy to inform everyone that we want to sell our dining table which has six chairs and is made of teak wood. It is three years old.'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Remove the greeting phrase and helping verbs.
2. Keep item, material, extras and age.

Answer: FOR SALE: Teak-wood dining table with six chairs, 3 yrs old, excellent condition.

Marking scheme and word limit

NCERT section CBSE English Core syllabus 2026-27, Q6

3 marks: Format 1 (heading and box with contact), Content 1 (all relevant details for the category), Expression 1 (compact, accurate, fluent language within the limit). The word limit is up to 50 words; staying around 35-50 words is safe. Spelling errors in numbers or names and missing contact details are the commonest reasons for losing the content mark.

Worked example

A student writes a 90-word advertisement in full sentences with all details and a heading but no contact number. Which marks are at risk?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. No contact: format and content are both incomplete.
2. 90 words in full sentences: expression is poor and the limit is crossed.

Answer: All three marks are at risk; at best 1 for content.

Writing the question's role and details correctly

NCERT section CBSE syllabus Q6

The question gives you a role (you are Aman/Amna, residing at ...) and cues. Use the given name, address or phone format exactly, and include every cue given in the question. Do not invent a different city or change the item. If the question gives no phone number, write a plausible one or use the address given; never leave the contact out.

Worked example

The question says: 'You are Kunal/Kavya of 12, Civil Lines, Jaipur. You have lost your Class 11 Biology practical file in a city bus on 3 October.' What must appear in the advertisement?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Heading: LOST.
2. Item: Class 11 Biology practical file (colour or name on it).
3. Where and when: city bus, 3 October.
4. Reward (optional) and contact: Kunal/Kavya, 12 Civil Lines, Jaipur, phone.

Answer: LOST heading; file with identifying details; bus and date; reward; name and address from the question with a phone number.

Classified Advertisements in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Topics in this chapter

• For Sale and To-Let Classified Advertisements: Format and Model Answers

Classified Advertisements: key facts

Marks

Format 1 + Content 1 + Expression 1 = 3

Up to 50 words; one of two questions.

Layout

1. 1.Box
2. 2.CATEGORY HEADING
3. 3.details (phrases)
4. 4.contact

No date, greeting or signature.

Order of details

1. 1.What
2. 2.where/when
3. 3.features
4. 4.price/terms
5. 5.contact

Same order for most categories.

Common abbreviations

BHK, sq ft, yrs, km, approx., ₹/Rs, ph., no., AC

Only those a general reader knows.

How the school exam asks Classified Advertisements

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember Classified Advertisements

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

• H-B-C in a box

  Heading, Body, Contact, all boxed.

  Use it when: Format mark.

• Think like the reader

  What is it? Where? How much? Whom to call?

  Use it when: Content mark.

• Phrases pay

  Drop 'is', 'the', 'very' and greetings.

  Use it when: Expression and the 50-word limit.

• Same order every time

  What, where, features, price, phone.

  Use it when: Writing fast in the exam.

Classified Advertisements: exam-level solved questions

Ordered from exam level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is marked: the value points the examiner looks for and the marks each earns.

Where students lose marks in Classified Advertisements

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

• ✗Mistake: No category heading or box

  The heading and box are the format mark.

  Wrong working

  A paragraph starting 'I want to sell my car...'

  Right working

  A box headed FOR SALE with the details in phrases

  ✓Do this: Start every answer with a boxed CAPITAL heading.

  Usually costs: 1 mark (format)

• ✗Mistake: Writing it like a letter or notice

  Classified ads have no date, salutation or signature.

  Wrong working

  Date: 5 Oct... Dear readers... Yours truly

  Right working

  Heading → details → contact

  ✓Do this: Leave out letter elements.

  Usually costs: 1 mark (format)

• ✗Mistake: Missing price, rent or contact

  These are the details a reader acts on.

  Wrong working

  FOR SALE: Honda Activa 2021, good condition.

  Right working

  FOR SALE: Honda Activa 2021, single owner, 9,000 km, ₹48,000 (negotiable). Call Rohan 98XXXXXX21.

  ✓Do this: Check the category checklist before finishing.

  Usually costs: 1 mark (content)

• ✗Mistake: Wordy, emotional language

  Expression is judged on compactness and clarity.

  Wrong working

  This lovely, wonderful flat will make your family very, very happy!

  Right working

  Spacious, well-ventilated 2BHK, park-facing.

  ✓Do this: Use factual adjectives only.

  Usually costs: 1 mark (expression)

Practice questions on Classified Advertisements

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQExam level

   Which of these is NOT part of a classified advertisement? (a) category heading (b) contact number (c) salutation 'Dear Sir' (d) price

   Hint

   Is it a letter?

   Answer

   (c) salutation 'Dear Sir'

2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

   You are Kabir/Kirti of Hazratganj, Lucknow. You want to sell your scooter as you have bought a car. Draft a classified advertisement in not more than 50 words.

   Hint

   Brand, model year, km driven, condition, price.

   Answer

   FOR SALE
   Honda Activa 6G, 2022 model, white, single owner, 11,000 km driven, well maintained, all papers clear, new battery. ₹55,000 (negotiable). Owner bought car.
   Contact: Kabir, Hazratganj, Lucknow. Ph. 94XXXXXX33

3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

   You are a retired science teacher, Mr/Ms Iyer of Adyar, Chennai, who wants to offer evening coaching in Physics and Chemistry to Class 11-12 students. Draft an advertisement under 'Tuition' in not more than 50 words.

   Hint

   Subjects, classes, experience, batch size, timings, fees.

   Answer

   TUITION
   Physics and Chemistry coaching for Classes XI-XII (CBSE) by retired teacher, 30 yrs' experience. Small batches (8 students), regular tests, doubt sessions. Mon-Fri, 5-7 p.m., Adyar. Reasonable fees; free demo class.
   Contact: Ms Iyer, ph. 98XXXXXX56

4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   Rewrite this advertisement within 30 words: 'We are a reputed travel company and we are very happy to announce that we are offering a seven-day tour to Kerala, including Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey houseboat, for just ₹22,000 per person, all meals included. Interested people can call us at 80XXXXXX90.'

   Hint

   Keep places, days, price, meals, contact.

   Answer

   TRAVEL
   7-day Kerala tour: Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey houseboat. ₹22,000 per person, all meals included.
   Call: Sunrise Travels, 80XXXXXX90 (18 words)

5. Q5 · 1 mark · Very short answerHarder exam level

   Identify two content errors in: 'SITUATION WANTED: Experienced. Contact 97XXXXXX01.'

   Hint

   Experienced in what?

   Answer

   It does not say what job is wanted or what the qualifications/experience are (e.g. 'Accountant, B.Com., 5 yrs in GST filing').

6. Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   You found a wallet with cash and an ID card near the Gateway of India. Draft a 'Found' advertisement in not more than 50 words without giving away details that only the owner should know.

   Hint

   Ask the owner to identify it.

   Answer

   FOUND
   Brown leather wallet with cash and ID cards, near Gateway of India, Mumbai, on 8 October evening. Owner may claim it by describing contents and showing proof of identity.
   Contact: Neha Sharma, Colaba. Ph. 93XXXXXX45 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1. 1.How many marks does the classified advertisement carry?Show answer

   3 (format 1, content 1, expression 1).

2. 2.What is its word limit?Show answer

   Up to 50 words.

3. 3.Where is the category heading written?Show answer

   At the top of the box, in capitals.

4. 4.Does a classified ad have a date or signature?Show answer

   No.

5. 5.What does BHK stand for?Show answer

   Bedroom, hall, kitchen.

6. 6.Name four classified categories.Show answer

   For Sale, To-Let, Situations Vacant, Lost and Found (also Tuition, Matrimonial, Travel).

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐Q6: classified advertisement, up to 50 words, one of two, 3 marks.
• ☐Format: box, capital category heading, body, contact.
• ☐Content: all details a reader needs (item, place, features, price, contact).
• ☐Expression: compact phrases, common abbreviations, no greetings or emotions.
• ☐No date, salutation or signature.

Classified Advertisements: frequently asked questions