Classified Advertisement Class 11: Worked Examples

A classified advertisement has a practical job: help the right reader recognise an offer or need and respond. In Class 11 English, an impressive slogan cannot make up for a missing location or contact. Start with the question's facts, then make them brief.

The CBSE English Core 2026-27 syllabus sets a short writing task on classified advertisements, up to 50 words. Students answer one of two questions. The task carries 3 marks: format 1, content 1 and expression 1. Use the directions on your actual paper.

Choose the heading before writing the body

A person offering accommodation needs TO LET; someone seeking it needs ACCOMMODATION WANTED. SITUATION VACANT offers a job, while SITUATION WANTED describes a person seeking work. Swapping those headings changes the message even if the rest sounds polished.

A clear category heading, concise body and contact line are a useful working structure. Educational practice guides such as SuccessCDS's classified-advertisement guide also teach a boxed layout. Treat that as a familiar classroom convention; the short official syllabus entry gives the marks and word limit, not a detailed rule for every box or capital letter.

Leave enough space for the finished answer. On paper, a simple border can separate it from other work without becoming a drawing exercise. A classified advertisement is not a letter: there is no need for a salutation, a complimentary close or a paragraph thanking the reader.

Turn the question into a short checklist

For an item being sold, check what it is, its condition, the stated price and how to contact the seller. A rental needs the accommodation type, location, facilities and terms supplied in the question. A lost-item notice needs identifying details, where and when it went missing, and a way to respond.

Do not replace given details with something that sounds more attractive. A first-floor room cannot become a ground-floor flat. If a cue supplies a deadline or contact method, preserve it. Where the question asks for suitable details, keep additions plausible and consistent, rather than adding a long invented backstory.

Worked example: sell a bicycle

Fictional practice cue: Anika wants to sell a blue adult bicycle in working condition, used for two years. It has new tyres. The asking price is Rs 3,200, negotiable. Interested readers can email anika@example.com. Write a classified advertisement within 50 words.

FOR SALE
Blue adult bicycle, two years old, good working condition, new tyres. Asking price Rs 3,200, negotiable. Interested buyers may contact Anika at anika@example.com for details.

The model keeps the item, condition, price and response route. It does not claim a brand, warranty or servicing history that the cue never supplied. The amount belongs only to this fictional exercise; it is not a used-bicycle market estimate.

Worked example: offer a room on rent

Fictional practice cue: Rohan has a furnished single room to let in Model Town, Jaipur. It has an attached bathroom and study table. Rent is Rs 6,000 monthly, excluding electricity. Enquiries should go to rohan@example.com. Draft a classified advertisement within 50 words.

TO LET
Furnished single room in Model Town, Jaipur, with attached bathroom and study table. Rent Rs 6,000 monthly; electricity extra. For enquiries, contact Rohan at rohan@example.com.

Notice the direction of the offer: a room is available, so TO LET fits. Keeping "electricity extra" avoids changing the supplied terms. This rent is a made-up practice detail, not guidance on Jaipur housing costs. No real listing or contact is being advertised.

Worked example: report a lost bag

Fictional practice cue: Meera lost a navy canvas bag near the public library on 12 November. It has a yellow zip and contains an English notebook. Ask the finder to email meera@example.com. Keep the advertisement within 50 words.

LOST
Navy canvas bag with yellow zip, containing an English notebook, lost near the public library on 12 November. Finder requested to contact Meera at meera@example.com.

The colour, material and zip help distinguish this bag from others. A reward is not needed to complete the cue. All three examples use reserved example-domain addresses for practice, not real people's inboxes.

Edit for missing facts before cutting words

First compare the draft with the cue. Then remove repetition such as "available for sale" after FOR SALE or "please kindly contact." Short phrases are useful, but unexplained abbreviations can make the answer harder to understand. Keep the contact line readable.

Count the heading as well as the body when checking your practice answer; these models stay below 50 words even with their headings. Do not cut an identifying detail merely to keep an empty adjective. If you keep reversing headings, record that error in an exam mistake log and try a new cue without looking at the models.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Class 11 classified-advertisement word limit?

The CBSE English Core 2026-27 task says up to 50 words. Follow your paper's directions.

How do Situation Vacant and Situation Wanted differ?

Situation Vacant offers a job. Situation Wanted is used by someone seeking employment.

Should I add a reward to every lost-item advertisement?

No. Preserve a reward when the cue gives one; do not treat it as compulsory.

Are these advertisements real offers?

No. The people, prices and situations are fictional practice material. The example.com email addresses are placeholders.