UPSC English Compulsory Paper Pattern and Approach
- The objective of the paper is to test a candidate’s ability to read and understand serious descriptive prose and to express this ideas clearly and correctly in English language. So, let’s understand the pattern of the English Compulsory paper.
Time Management:
- Precis Writing is that the biggest challenge as far as time management cares. If you have good writing speed, the rest of the sections should not pose a problem.
- Short Essay – 50 mins
- Precis Writing – 55 mins
- Reading Comprehension – 45 mins
- Usage and Vocabulary – 30 mins
EXAM PATTERN FOR 2015 – 2020
Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM
Marks: 300
Time Allowed : 3 Hours
Q1. Write an essay in about the 600 words on any one of the following topics :
100 × 1 = 100 Marks
Totally 4 Questions. Write any one Question.
A)
B)
C)
D)
Note :
- A candidate need not prepare exclusively for this essay as the preparation done for GS and Essay paper is sufficient.
- Regular reading of the newspaper will help improve your language and your writing skills.
Structure your essay into 3 parts:
1.Introduction
2.Body
3.Conclusion
This way your essay looks Organized. Ensure that you brainstorm on the structure of the essay before you begin writing.
Q2. Read the passage given below carefully and write your answers to the questions that follow in clear, correct and concise language.
15 × 5 = 75 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 15 marks.
Reading Comprehension:
- The key to scoring well during this section is to focus and skim the passage thoroughly to understand the gist of the passage, it’s the essence, the theme and author’s opinion.
- It is advised to highlight some of important points in the first and second reading itself.
- Then read the questions thoroughly and before answering read the passage again because the passage will contain direct cues to answer the questions.
- While writing the answer, express clearly and concisely.
Q3.Make a precis of the following passage in about one – third of its length. Do not give a title to it. The precis should be written in your own language:
75 × 1 = 75 Marks
Totally 1 Question for this section.
Precis Writing:
- This constitutes the toughest part of the paper because compressing an essay of 1000 words into just 1/3rd without losing the very essence is a challenge indeed. Given the task at hand, the time required also goes up. So, the challenge is to efficiently compress the given passage within the stipulated time-frame .
Read the given passage carefully and understand the core ideas involved.
Then, prepare a rough draft which can contain all the crucial points. Later this will be made to suit into the boxes given.
While filling up the boxes, be very judicious and check out to not waste too many boxes for articles (a, an, the) and prepositions (on, at, in, on).
Note:
Never deviate from the core idea within the given passage and be aware of the time constraint.
Usage and Vocabulary:
This section will contain various 1 markers.
- Questions range from,
- Correcting a sentence
- Supplying the missing words
- Using the correct form of verbs
- Writing Antonyms/Synonyms
- Rewriting the sentence as directed
- Making Sentences as directed
- Fill in the Blanks
- Making sentences using phrases
As you’ll see, these questions are very simple and therefore the standard is of Matriculation or equivalent level. Try finishing these questions as quickly as possible since they’re not time consuming in nature.
Q4.(a) Rewrite the subsequent sentences after making necessary corrections. Do not save changes within the original sentence :
1 × 10 = 10 Marks
Totally 10 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks.
(b) Supply the missing words :
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks.
Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions,,, etc.
(c) Use the right sorts of the verbs given in brackets :
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks.
Verb Form Usages.
(d) Write the antonyms of the following:
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks
Antonyms means opposite words.
Q5.(a) Rewrite the subsequent sentences as directed without changing the meaning :
1 × 10 = 10 Marks
Totally 10 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks.
Simple, Complex, Compound, Direct, Indirect Speech, Active Voice ,Passive Voice, Unless, In order that, too, Neither or nor, But as soon as, Question tags, that, It,,,etc usages.
(b) Use the subsequent words to form sentences that bring out their meaning clearly. Do not change the form of the words. (No marks are going to be given for vague and ambiguous sentences.)
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks
Vocabulary words to sentence Formations.
(c) Choose the acceptable word(s) to fill within the blanks :
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks
(d) Use the subsequent idioms/phrases in sentences of your own to bring out their meaning clearly. Do not change the form of the words:
1 × 5 = 5 Marks
Totally 5 Questions. Each Question carries 1 marks
