Summary
Chapter 7 of the Class 11 English NCERT textbook (Hornbill), "Note-making and Summarising", is a writing-skills unit that teaches students how to draw out main points from a passage using headings, sub-headings, numbered sections, and abbreviations, and how to convert those notes into a concise summary.
- Why note-making matters — The unit frames note-making as an essential study and work skill: because large blocks of information are hard to retain, readers must extract and record only the main points from what they read.
- A step-by-step note-making method — It teaches a clear process — underline key information, frame and answer questions, write points in phrase form, then group, number and review them for sense — so notes are built systematically rather than at random.
- The features of good notes — Effective notes stay brief and in phrase form, split ideas into logically numbered sections and sub-sections, use abbreviations and symbols freely, and drop articles, prepositions and conjunctions to save space.
- From notes to summary — The skill culminates in turning organised notes into a concise summary, with a practice passage on fossil fuels letting students apply every step independently and check that their notes still make sense on rereading.
Key points & formulas
- 01Note-making is a study and work skill used to draw out main points from material that is too large to remember in full.
- 02Step-by-step process: underline key words → frame and answer questions → write points in phrase form → group and number → review for sense.
- 03Good notes are in phrase form only — never full sentences — and identify only the main points.
- 04Information is logically divided into main sections (1, 2, 3), sub-sections (i, ii, iii) and sub-sub-sections (a, b, c), or alternatively using the decimal system (1, 1.1, 1.1.1).
- 05Abbreviations, symbols, colons and long dashes are freely used; articles, prepositions and conjunctions are omitted.
- 06Two or three related ideas should be combined into a single point; related points should be grouped together.
- 07Notes must make sense when read again — if they are unintelligible later, they serve no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
01What is note-making according to Chapter 7 of Class 11 Hornbill?
According to the chapter, note-making is an important study skill that also helps at work. It involves drawing out the main points of material we read because it is difficult to remember large chunks of information.
02What are the five steps of note-making described in the chapter?
Step 1: Underline the important information in the passage. Step 2: Read again, framing questions and answering them (What is it about? Where found? Origin? etc.). Step 3: Write down the main points in phrase form without full verb forms. Step 4: Go over the facts and number them. Step 5: Review the numbered facts again and check against the characteristics of good notes.
03What are the characteristics of good notes as listed in the chapter?
Good notes are short and identify the main point; they list information in note form (phrases, not sentences); information is logically divided and subdivided using figures and letters; abbreviations and symbols are freely used; articles, prepositions and conjunctions are omitted; and the notes must make sense when read again.
04What numbering systems does the chapter describe for organising notes?
The chapter describes two systems. The first uses main sections numbered 1, 2, 3; sub-sections as (i), (ii), (iii); and sub-sub-sections as (a), (b), (c). The second is the decimal system: main sections 1, 2, 3; sub-sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; and sub-sub-sections 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.2.1, etc.
05Why are abbreviations and symbols used in notes?
The chapter states that abbreviations and symbols are freely used in notes. This is part of the 'note form' approach — writing in phrases, not sentences, and omitting articles, prepositions and conjunctions — so that notes remain brief and quick to write and read.
06What punctuation devices does the chapter say can be used in notes?
The chapter specifically mentions the use of colons and the long dash as devices to present information compactly in notes. These help link a label or category to its details without writing a full sentence.
07Can two or more ideas be combined into a single note point?
Yes. The chapter explicitly states that two or three related ideas can be combined into one point. Students are also instructed to group related points together when organising their notes.
08What passages are used as practice examples in this chapter?
The chapter uses two passages as examples. The first is about pheasants — their characteristics, classification (order Galliformes, family Phasinidae), species count (51), origin in the Himalayas, and the peacock as India's national bird. The second passage is about fossil fuels (coal and petroleum), describing how they were formed over 200–600 million years from organic matter compressed under sediment.
09What writing skills does Chapter 7 of Hornbill cover besides note-making?
The chapter is part of a writing-skills section that also lists sub-titling, essay-writing, letter-writing and creative writing as related topics. Within the chapter itself, the focus is on note-making and summarising, with note-making forming the foundation for writing a good summary.
10Is the NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill PDF free to download?
Yes. The NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill PDF is available free on CBSE PrepMaster. You can read or download it directly — no sign-up or payment required.
More chapters in Hornbill
Read Chapter 7 of Hornbill, the Class 11 English NCERT textbook (2026-27 edition), online for free: the complete chapter as published by NCERT with every diagram, solved example and exercise, with a chapter summary, question answers and revision notes. Open the NCERT PDF above, or browse all NCERT Class 11 textbooks.
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