GENERAL ABILITY AND INTELLIGENCE
The objective question with multiple
choice in this paper will broadly cover the following areas.
1. General Mental Ability: The question will be designed to test
the logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, numerical and data
interpretation.
The above mention syllabus seems to
be short in the first view, but in practice this show complexity. The question
related to General Metal Ability may be a verbal reasoning type. There is less
probability of question being non-verbal type. In addition to it the questions
Mathematics may be of secondary level. They may comprises Profit and Loss,
Surds, Interests, Time and Work, Time and Distance and Interpretation and soon.
2. General Science: The questions will be set to test
general awareness, scientific temper, comprehension and appreciation
of scientific phenomena of everyday observation including
new areas of importance like Information Technology, Biotechnology,
Environmental Science.
On
viewing minutely the above mentioned syllabus it appears that the questions
will relate to new branches of public utility and importance, but traditionally
question based on Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology etc. may also asked.
3. Current Events of National and International
Importance: The
questions will test the candidates’ awareness of current events of national and
international importance in the broad areas of culture, music, arts,
literature, sports, governance, societal and developmental issues, industry,
business, globalisation, and interplay among nations.
4. Indian
Polity and Economy: The questions shall aim to test candidates’ knowledge of the Country’s
political system and the Constitution of India, social systemsand
public administration, economic development in India, including its indicators.
5. History
of India: The
questions will broadly cover the subject in its social, economic and
political aspects. This shall also include the areas of growth
of nationalism and freedom movement.
6. Indian
and World Geography: The questions shall cover the physical, social and economic aspects of
geography pertaining to India and the World.
Subject-Wise Distribution of
Questions of Paper-I UPSC CPF Exams
|
Subject
|
Section
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
D
|
C
|
|
Indian History and culture
|
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
After-Independence
Culture and Arts
|
1
2
1
0
3
|
2
4
6
0
1
|
1
1
4
0
1
|
1
2
10
0
1
|
2
1
3
1
0
|
0
3
5
1
2
|
2
3
10
0
0
|
1
1
7
0
0
|
0
1
13
0
0
|
0
0
1
0
1
|
0
2
4
0
1
|
1
4
5
0
1
|
1
2
5
0
1
|
0
1
1
0
4
|
1
0
4
0
0
|
2
1
9
2
2
|
3
1
1
0
0
|
3
0
4
0
2
|
|
Geography
|
Physical Geography
Human & Economic
World Geography
Indian Geography
|
1
3
1
2
|
3
1
1
3
|
3
1
2
2
|
4
1
3
3
|
2
1
1
1
|
2
3
2
3
|
5
2
6
4
|
4
1
3
2
|
3
0
5
4
|
2
2
1
0
|
2
3
1
1
|
2
3
1
3
|
4
0
3
7
|
2
0
2
4
|
0
0
0
1
|
4
1
7
10
|
2
0
0
2
|
7
0
3
10
|
|
Science
|
Physics
Chemistry
Zoology
Botany
Agriculture and Animal
Husbandry
Environment Computer & Defence
Research
Health & Nutrition
|
5
2
1
0
1
1
2
0
|
4
2
3
0
1
3
2
0
|
5
4
1
1
0
0
1
2
|
7
4
1
1
0
0
1
2
|
0
1
2
2
1
0
0
2
|
5
5
2
2
1
1
1
3
|
2
5
3
1
1
0
0
2
|
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
2
|
2
5
2
0
1
0
2
5
|
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
2
|
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
2
|
6
6
1
1
1
0
4
1
|
1
7
0
1
0
0
0
6
|
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
2
|
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
|
4
3
1
0
0
0
5
4
|
1
3
2
0
3
0
0
0
|
2
4
0
0
0
2
7
4
|
|
Indian constitution and Polity
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
9
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
5
|
8
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
14
|
4
|
7
|
|
|
Indian Economy
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
4
|
8
|
3
|
4
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
Current Affairs
|
National
International
|
2
2
|
3
3
|
1
1
|
1
2
|
2
2
|
4
3
|
2
1
|
2
1
|
6
12
|
0
0
|
1
1
|
1
1
|
3
4
|
3
3
|
1
1
|
4
4
|
3
2
|
3
5
|
|
Mental Ability
|
Mathematics
General Intelligence
|
7
3
|
5
9
|
6
8
|
3
3
|
3
1
|
10
9
|
2
6
|
1
3
|
3
1
|
9
1
|
1
4
|
3
14
|
3
12
|
5
7
|
3
5
|
10
11
|
5
6
|
7
5
|
|
SPORTS
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
5
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
3
|
7
|
3
|
8
|
0
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
12
|
3
|
2
|
09
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
Total
Number of Questions : 125
|
54
|
71
|
53
|
72
|
40
|
85
|
77
|
48
|
93
|
32
|
40
|
85
|
76
|
49
|
20
|
105
|
41
|
84
|
|
The above table give subjects-wise distribution of questions asked in
UPSC CPF Assistant Commandant Exams Paper – I General Ability and Intelligence
held in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003. The table also shows
distribution of questions under the heading Direct and Indirect types of
questions.
The questions in General Ability and Intelligence would be Objective Type
Multiple Choice nature. Each questions would contain four Alternative Answer
Choices. Sometimes the Alternative
Answer Choices remain very closely related while sometimes some absurd
Answer choice are also included. Therefore, candidates are required to arrive
at some logical and reasoned conclusion while answering the question in paper. The
candidates should be able to select the most appropriate Alternative Choice on
the basic of correct information. The candidate must have the ability to
discard unsuitable Alternative Choice and the ability to distinguish between
very closely related answer Choices because there remains only one Answer choice
which is correct in all respect. Thus candidate must have knowledge about other
Alternative Choice also apart from the correct Answer Choice.
On the basic of inherent difference and similarities the question of
general ability and Intelligence paper can be classified into following two
broad categories:
1. Direct or Simple Type of
Questions
2. Indirect or Complex Type
of Questions
1. Direct
or Simple Type of Questions
1. “Foot and Mouth Disease”
is found in
a) Cats and Dog b) Cattle c) Poultry d)
Humans
2. Where are the
Headquarters of INTERPOL located?
a) Berne b) London c) Lyon d) Rome
3. What is the chemical name
of saltpetre, which is used in the preparation of gunpowder also?
a) Potassium chloride b)
Potassium nitrate
c) Potassium sulphate d)
Potassium carbonate
4. Who was the Prime
Minister of India when the 73rd and 47th Amendments to
the constitution of India dealing with Panchayats and Municiplities were
enacted?
a) Indira Gandhi b) Rajiv Gandhi c)
P V Narasimha Rao d) V P Singh
5. Which one of the
following European countries borders Atlantic Ocean?
a) Portugal b) Austria c) Finland d) Romania
6. Which of the following
States is the first to have enacted to comprehensive legislation to protect the
girl child?
a) Karnataka b) Goa c) Maharashtra d) Madhya Pradesh
7. Which of the following
countries is not included in G-8 (Group of 8 industrialized countries)?
a) Italy b) Russia c) Holland d) Canada
8. Which one amongst the
following is the oldest Dynasty?
a) Pallava Dynasty b) Chola Dynasty c) Maurya Dynasty d)
Gupta Dynasty
Answers:
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5.
(a) 6. (d)
7. (c) 8. (c)
All the questions give above are direct and very simple. Each question
contains four direct Alternative Choices. Each questions requires sing
information and very limited knowledge is necessary to solve each of these
questions. For instance, the very first question. For instance, the very first
question requires who was the Viceroy of India when Indian National Congress held
its first session in 1885. Similarly, Questions Number ‘3’ is related with the
chemical name of saltpeter. Al these question do not require much deliberation
to select the correct answer.
2. Indirect or Complex Type of Questions
In this type of questions
the candidates are required to have some idea about all the four Alternative
Choices. Generally the Alternative Choices of such questions remain overlapping
and quite confusing. The additional information provided in the question itself
may be complicated and confusing. Complex type of questions may be asked in
different formats, such as
A. Matching Pair
B. Assertive or Negative
Questions
C. Selecting the Correct
Statement.
D. Assertion and Reason
Type Questions Matching Pair
1. Match List-I with List-II
and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List – I : (Scientists) List – II (Well
known as)
A. Birbal Sahni 1. Mathematics
B. Ramanujan Srinivasa 2. Paleobotanist
C. Sir C.V. Raman 3.
Physicist-Botanist
D. Sir J.C. Bose 4. Physicist
Codes
A B C D
a) 3 1 4 2
b) 2 1 4 3
c) 3 4 1 2
d) 2 4 1 3
2. Which of the following
pairs is not correctly matched?
(1) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
: Tabla
(2) Ustad Bismillah Khan
: Shehnai
(3) Pt. Hari Prasad
Chaurasia : Flute
(4) Pt. Shiv Kumar
Sharma : Santoor
3. Match List-I (Authors),
List – II (Books) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the
Lists
List
– I (Authors) List
– II (Books)
A. Jai Prakash Narain 1. Bunch of old
letters
B. Jawaharlal Nehru 2. Golden
Threshold
C. K P S Menon 3. Prison
Diary
D. Sarojni Naidu 4. Yesterday
and Today
Codes
A B C D
a) 2 3 4 1
b) 4 1 3 2
c) 3 1 4 2
d) 4 2 3 1
4. Match List – I
(Plant/Factors) with List – II (State) and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the Lists
List – I (Plant/Factory) List – II (State)
A. Bokaro Steel Plant 1. Tamil Nadu
B. Bhilai Steel Plant 2. Madhya Pradesh
C. Intergral Coach
Factory 3. Chhattisgah
D. Integral Coach
Factory 4. Jharkhand
5.
Uttar Pradesh
Code :
A B C D
a) 4 1 5 3
b) 2 3 1 5
c) 4 3 1 5
d) 2 1 5 3
5. Match List – I (Place)
with List – II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the Lists
List – I : (Place) List – II: (State)
A. Srihorikota 1.
Karnataka
B. Thumba 2.
Andhra Pradesh
C. Hassan 3.
Orissa
D. Chandipur 4.
Kerala
5.
Tamil Nadu
6. Match List – I (Place)
with List – II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the Lists
List – I : (Substances) List – II: (Constituent)
A. White paints 1.
Titanium dioxide
B. Glass 2.
Phosophorus
C. Artificial
fertilizers 3.
Sodium silicate
D. Match stick 4.
Potassium sulphate
5.
Potassium chloride
7. Match List – I (Place)
with List – II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the Lists
List – I : (Place) List – II: (State)
A. Filaria 1.
Hereditary
B. Epilepsy 2.
Waterborne
C. Enteric fever 3.
Contagious
D. Mumps 4.
Insect transmitted
Codes
A B C D
a) 2 3 4 1
b) 4 1 2 3
c) 2 1 4 3
d) 4 3 2 1
8. Match List – I with List
– II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List – I List
– II
A. Linux 1.
Internet
B. Pentium 2.
Programming language
C. C++ 3. Microprocessor
D. MODEM 4.
Operating System
5.
Laser Printer
Code
A B C D
a) 2 1 5 3
b) 4 3 2 1
c) 2 3 5 1
d) 4 1 2 3
Answers:
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5.
(b) 6. (d) 7. (b)
8. (b)
Assertive or Negative Question
In this type of
questions all the four Alternative
Choices bear a lot of similarity. In order to solve these questions one must be
aware of all the four Alternative Choices. In the words, one must have
sufficient knowledge about the content of such questions. Now consider the
following examples to understand the nature of such type of question:
1, Three bodies having mass
3m, 2m and m mare dropped simultaneously from top of a high tower. Which one of
the following is the correct statements?
a) The time taken by the
bodies having mass 3m, 2m and m respectively, to touch the ground will be in
the ratio 3 : 2 : 1.
b) The times taken by
the bodies having mass 3m, 2m and m respectively, to toch the ground will be in
the ratio 1 : 2 : 3.
c) They will all touch
the ground at the same instant.
d) The kinetic energies
of the bodies having mass 3m, 2m and m, respectively, will be in the ratio 1 :
2 : 3 on touching the ground.
2. A long chain having 100
identical steel links is to be pulled from its tons. The cahin is elongated by
adding another 50 links to it.
Which of the following
is correct statement?
a) The force induced in
each link will be equal to 20 newtons.
b) The force induced in
each link will be equal to 30 newtons
c) The force induced in
each link will be equal to 3000 newtons
d) The force induced in
each link cannot be determined unless its dimension are given.
3. Which of the following is
the correct Statement?
a) The Himalaya Pass
Nathula is in Himacahal Pradesh
b) The Dhaola Dhar Range
of mountain is in Arunachal Pradesh
c) The Nanda Devi Peaks
is in Sikkim
d) The Pir Panjal Range
of mountain in Kashmir.
4. Which of the following is
not the correct Statement?
a) Kanda is a Tidal
Port.
b) Cochin port is
located at the entrance of a lagoon.
c) Chennai is a neutral
harbor
d) Vishakahpatnam is the
deepest landloard port in India.
Answers:
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4.
(b)
In this type of question
generally two or three statement furnishing some pieces of information are
provided. The candidate are required to select the correct Statement. Now
consider the following question.
1. Consider the following
Statements:
1. The Vishakhapatnam
Steel Plant is operated by the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.
2. The Kudremukh Iron
Ore Company Ltd. which has been conferred with Golden Peacock Eco Innovation
Award, 2004 instituted by the World Environment Foundation is located in
Karnatka.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. On which of the following
achievement does the UNDP Human Development Report base its rating of Human
Development Index (HDI) in respect of different countries?\
1. Life expactency
2. Education attainment
3. Adjusted real income
Select the correct
answer using the codes given below:
Code
a) 1 and 2 b) 2 and 3 c) 1 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Consider the following
Statements:
1. India won the One-day
Cricket World Cup in 1983 in Australia.
2. Sunil Gavasket made
his test cricket debut against England.
3. Anil Kumble took 10
wickets in one inning of a cricket test match against Pakistan.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 b) 3 only c) 2 only d) 1 and 3
4. Consider the following
statements:
1. The Constitution (74th
Amendment) Act gives constitutional status to the Gram Sabha.
2. Gram Sabha means a
body consisting of the persons elected by the villagers above the age 18 years
residing in the area of the Gram Panchayat.
3. The Constitution
envisages that Gram Sabha select beneficiaries under the various scheme of the
central Government under taken for rural development.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 b) 2 only c) 3 only d) 2 and 3
5. Consoider the following
statement:\
1. Greenland is an
overseas territory of France.
2. Bermuda an overseas
territory of UK is situated in Western Atlantic.
3. State to Behrain is
situated in the Persian Gulf.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1, 2 and 3 b) 2 only c) 2 and 3 d) 1 and 3
6. Consider the following
statements related to Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
1. He advocated widow
remarriage.
2. He strong advocated
for the abolition of Sati system.
3. He advocated for the
promotion of English education.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 c) 2 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
7. Consider the following
Statements:
1. Lord Mounbatten was
sent to India in place of Lord Wavell as the Governor General of India in March
1947.
2. In July 1947, British
Government passed Act containing the main provisions of the Mpountbatten Plan.
This is known as the Indian Independence Act.
Which of the Statement
given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answers:
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4.
(c) 5. (c) 6. (c)
7. (c)
Assertion and Reason Type Question
N this type of questions
two statement are given, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other Reason (R)
and you are required to decide the correct relationship between these two
statements. Now consider the following example to understand the nature of such
questions:
Direction (1 – 4): Each of the next Four items consists of two statements : one labeled as
the Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). You are to examine these two
statements carefully and select the answer to these items the codes given
below:
Code:
1. Both A and R are
individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are
individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is
false.
4. A is false but R is
true.
1. Assertion (A): In the Mediterranean forest, the plant have spiny waxy or small leaves.
Reason (R): In the Mediterranean region, trees
adopted to live long dry season without shedding leaves.
2. Assertion (A): In the Northern Hemisphere, winds get deflected to the left of their
path.
Reason (R): The rotation of the earth causes a
change in the direction of the winds.
3. Assertion (A): Fats on oxidation yield half as much energy as that yielded by
carbohydrates.
Reason (R): Fat molecules contain less oxygen as compared to carbohydrates.
4. Assertion (A): Recently Australia and East Timor were involved in a bitter dispute.
Reason (R): The dispute was over illegal migration of a large number of persons from
East Timor to Australia.
Direction (5 – 8): Each of the next Four items consists of two statements : one labeled as
the Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). You are to examine these two
statements carefully and select the answer to these items the codes given below:
Code:
1. Both A and R are
individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are
individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is
false.
4. A is false but R is
true.
5. Assertion (A): If two bodies of equal weight – one cylindrical and another conical are
floating in water, then their depth of immersion shall be equal.
Reason (R): Weight of the liquid displaced by
the floating body is equal to weight of the body..
6. Assertion (A): If the domestic refrigerator with its door open is kept running in a
room, then it shall be cooling the room like an air-conditioner does..
Reason (R): Evergy can be converted from one from to another.
7. Assertion (A): If market rate of interest falls, then the prices shall rise.
Reason (R): Price rise is a result increase in the demand.
8. Assertion (A): Alkalis are frequently used for cleaning utensils and clothes in
houeholds.
Reason (R): Alkalis readly dissolve in water.
Answers:
1. c 2. b 3. d 4.
a 5. d 6. d
7. a 8. b
From the above
discussion it is clear that diverse type of questions are asked in General
Ability and Intelligence Test Paper of UPSC CPF Assistant Commandant Exams. In
order to solve this questions correctly, intelligence is required with proper
knowledge. First of all try to understands the question and point out what is
being asked. Sometimes answer lies in a single word of the question. Be
carefully while solving following types of question.
·
Which of the
Statement is/are correct?
·
Which of the
Statement is/are not correct?
Do you know that at
present more than ten million persons in our country have their name on the
live register of Employment Exchange? All of them are educated matriculates.
Graduates, technicians, diploma and degree holders. Perhaps you would also be
aware that there is an increase of three per cent registration in the
employment offices in our country every year. It is perhaps more shocking that
there are more educated unemployed youths not registered with the employment
exchange than those registered. Is your name registered? Perhaps not. There are
several million like you, whose name are not registered. Remember we are taking
of only educated unemployment here. The number of uneducated employed here. The
number of uneducated unemployed is far greater. The working population in our
country is constituted by those in the 18-60
age group. Or, in other words about 40% to the Indian population is the
potential employee, not all of whom actual earners. We may even say about 10%
of the educated youth are unemployed., out of which you might be one of them.
You may say how re we responsible for our unemployment? After all the
Government doesn’t provide us with job. Perhaps you are right, but partly so
because
·
The Government
provide employment opportunity to educated Indians.
·
Appriximately one
lakh youths are absorbed every year in various Government organization from
clerk to gazette officers.
It is quite a different
matter altogether that the figure of one lakh is like a drop in the ocean of
unemployed youths. But the figure of one lakh is in itself a gigantic figure.
Hardly any other nation of the world would perhaps be finding such a mega
employment opportunity for its citizen in the Government Sector.
After reading these
facts two candidates would react in two different ways. Some candidates may get
disappointed in the face of an army of 20-million unemployed. Like Arjun they
may surrender even before entering the battlefield. But another candidates will
focus not on two millions but on one lakh. Those one lakh who fought, labored,
aimed, shot the target, and became successful. Where are you looking? Towards
20 millions or towards one lakh? Are you able to see a glass half full of water
of half empty? Remember, your perception sows the seed of your success or
failure which your nurture daily with your optimistic or pessimistic thoughts.
Here we repeat once
again a man’s thought is responsible for his success of failure and if this is
so why not our reader should enter the battlefield inspired by the goal of
success. A second important fact is that while success may be our goal, our
eyes should be on present duty whether we are successful or not. That is, if
our duty is prepare for a competitive exams, we should be single mindedly
involved in it and not waste our time and energy in thinking whether we shall
be successful or not. Although one fact is clear : hard and honest labour leads
to success. Someone has rightly pointed out the failure lack of hardworking and
honesty some point some where. Do you know what was the dedication to wards the
duty in Amitabh Bachchan, the uncrowned king of Indian film Industry. Before
his first success, twelve of his film flopped one after the other. Take the
example of Thomas Alva. Edison who invented the electric bulb. He needed a
filament which could give sufficient light without melting under the impact of
heat. And he experimented with more than one thousand filament one after the
other to arrive at tungsten filament which is even to day lighting the whole
world. If they had got despondent after their initial failure and surrendered
\, they would have surely been in the list unsuccessful men lost in the
darkness of anonymity.
So far have discussed
about success strategy which every candidates must imbibe to be on the path of
success. But the question arises what should be candidate do who is optimistic,
hardworking industrious, competitive, devoted toward duty? Which path should he
choose? Such candidates will have to think and decide on some questions. These
are
1. Am I completely aware of
the exam, in which I am going to appear?
2. Do I have the knowledge
of the syllabus and the question papers?
3. Do I have the knowledge
of the standard of questions?
4. Am I aware of my
potential? That is, how many questions can I do correctly in how much time? How
much can I score?
5. Do I know the cut-off
marks for the selection?
6. Am I aware of my
limitation? That is, how much labour can I do? How much can I remember etc.?
7. Do I know after how much
labour and how much time can I get the maximum cut-off marks?
8. Di I have the knowledge
of the books to be studies for this exams?
9. Do I know the best book
or books amongst the books for this exam?
10. Do I know about the
publication or publications related to these books?
DETAILED SYLLABUS
TRADITION
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
·
Abbreviation
Abbreviation relating to (1) Science and Technology (2) Economics (3) Art
and Culture (4) Institution and Organization (5) Current Usage
·
Book and Authors
(1) Classical books-Indian and World (2) Historical books-Indian and
World (3) Geographical Books (4) Astrological Books (5) Medical Books (6)
Astronomical Books (7) Books on love and sex (8) Books on Art and Culture (9)
Books written by written by important personalities (10) Books in controversy
and news in the live years (11) Award winning books in the live years.
·
Sayings/Statement
(1) Statements by famous historical personalities World and India (2)
Statements by famous philosopher World and India (3) Statements of famous poets
and Philosophers-World and India (4) Statements of famous character of famous
plays-World and India (5) Statements by great authors, dramatists, artists,
doctors, critics-World and India.
·
India at Glance
(1) National flag, National nsignia, National anthem, National song,
National flower, National bird, National fruit, National festival, National
calendar (2) Indian Armed Forces Army, Navy and Air Force, Defence expenditure,
arms and weapons. Indian Army strength, Territorial Army, National Cadet Corps,
Para military organization (3) Major Institution-India’s major scientific and
Industrials centres and labs, Major training institutes, Industrial
Institutions (4) Indian Cabinet, Central ministry, State ministry (5) Human
resource and culture, Education policy, Art and culture dance, Musical
instruments, Artists, Painting, Festivals, Folks dance, Folk arts (6) Mass
communication, radio, television, film, major news paper and new agencies.
·
World at a Glance
(1) Commonwealth of Nations (2) Non-Aligned Movement, member countries,
beginning of the movement, basic aims, present relevance etc. (3) UNO
constitution, membership, basic aims, (4) SAARC aims, member countries, SAPTA
etc. (5) other International Organization-WTO, European Community, NPT, OPEC,
NATO, Red Cross, Amnesty International, NAFTA, ASEAN, League of Arab States,
Interpol, Islamic Conference etc. (6) Cold war and the state of world politics
today (7) Environment and the present problem of the world such as housing
population, drugs, women health etc. (8) Current International problem and
terrorism (9) India’s foreign policy (10) Our neighbours (11) Growing economic
competition in the world.
NON-TRADITIONAL
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
HISTORY
·
WORD HISTORY
Ancient World History:
(1) Important civilization of the world, their contribution (2) Important
rulers of ancient world (3) Ancient world history Art, religion, literature and
culture (4) Ancient world script, inscription, excavation site, coins, metal in
use (5) World History-Famous personalities, famous towns and cities, famous
battles, chronology of important event, administrative and religious centres,
famous movements and historical places.
Medieval World History:
(1) Change in science and technology (2) Islam and Christianity,
Religious War and Feudal mode of production (3) Feudalism (4) The Great Roman
Empire (5) Important cities of the Medieval world (6) Medieval world:
historical movements, art and culture, literature, science and astronomy (7)
Medieval world : wars (8) History of England at a glance (9) History of France
at a glance (10) History of China at a glance (11) History of Russia at a
glance (12) Renaissance (13) Religious Reform Movement and rise of capitalism
(14) Scientific Revolution (15) Imperialism (16) Industrial Revolution (17)
Important rule famous empires and places of religious importance.
Modern World History:
(1) French Revolution and Napoleon (2) English Revolution and Civil War
(3) Russia (4) Militant Nationalism and Imperialism (5) China, Japan,
Indo-China, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq (6) Anti-Imperialist Revolution (7) First
and the second World Wars (8) Development of science, art, literature, and
religious (9) Famous personalities and famous wars and treaties
·
INDIAN HISTORY
Ancient Indian History
(1) Pre-Harappan cultures and Indus Valley Civilization : Origin,
importance of town planning, trade and commerce, down fall (2) Famous towns of
ancient India (3) Chronology of important events (4) Age of Mahajanapadas (5)
Ancient Indian Rulers and important kingdom, Magadh, Maurya, Shunga, Kanva,
Andhra Satavahana, Kushana, Guptas, Vardhna etc. (6) Rajputs (7) Religion and
Culture in ancient India (8) History of South India.
Medieval Indian History
(1) Slave dynasty, Khilji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, and Lodi dynasty (2)
Vijyanagar and Bahamani Kingdom (3) Bhagti and Sufi Movement (4) Art Science,
Religion, Society, Economy and Administration (5) Religion Kingdoms and their
features (6) Contemporary historians and their work (7) Famous battles and
their chronology.
Mughal Dynasty:
(1) Babur, Humanyun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jehan, Aurangzeb and the other
Mughal rulers (2) Zamindari Mansabdari and Zagirdari system (3) Religious
policy of the Mughals, eccan policy, Rajput policy etc. (4) Art, religious,
society, economy and administration (5) Famous historians and their works (6)
Sher Shah, Sikh and Maratha empire (7) Famous wars and their chronology.
Arrival of European Companies:
(1) Fall of Mughal dynasty (2) Arrival of various European companies (3)
War of supremacy amongst the European Companies (4) Rise and expansion of East
India Company.
Modern Indian History
(1) Bengal, Avadh, Punjab, Hyderabad and British imperialism (2) Famous
wars and treaties (3) Ranjit Singh, Tipu Sultan and Jai Singh (4) Major
agrarian revolts (5) Major tribal revolts (6) Major caste movement (7) Major
labour movement (8) Famous Governor General and Viceroy and their achievement
(9) The Revolt of 1857 (10) Socio-Religious reform movements (11) Economic history
of modern India (12) Constitutional history of modern India (13) Administrative
history of modern India.
Freedom Movement
(1) Important newspaper, periodicals novels minor and major literary
works. (2) Important personalities, organization, conference and Institution
(3) Famous thoughts, philosophies and statements (4) Rise of nationalism,
congress moderates and militants (5) Achievement of annual congress meeting (6)
Anti-partition movement in Bengal and Swadeshi (7) Rise of revolutionary
terrorism in India (8) Gandhi and the freedom struggle (9) Important Indian
Personalities their thoughts and
philosophies
GEOGRAPHY
Natural Geography
(1) Universal Star, planet, moon and other celestial bodies and their
relation (2) Atmosphere and environment and ecosystem, rainfall and heat
distribution (3) Land forms and Geographical features earthquake, volcano,
rocks, mountain, plateau, plain , river, lakes, seas, ocean, air current, ice
berg etc
Economic and Human Geography
(1) Natural resources Renewable and non-renewable (2) Agriculture (3)
Energy preservation and conservation (4) Industry (5) Transport and
Communications (6) International Trade (7) Pollution, Human settlement (8)
Major language and their distribution (9) Dams (10) Land, Air and Sea routes
(11) Important dates, decades, tribes and animal (12) Trade names (13) Famous
river, tourist spots, places building, mineral belt, agricultural belts,
technology, ports, air ports, sea ports etc. of India and world (14) Important
industrial belts, forests national parks, sanctuaries etc. of India & world
(15) Highest, tallest, biggest, deepest, hottest, coldest etc. in India and
World.
Geography of India
(1) Geographical features of India and its geographical extent (2)
Natural features (3) Physical construction (4) Crops Industries, minerals and
their distribution (5) population regional distribution, population explosion
(6) Living and non living resources (7) Trade transport and communication (8)
Land use and water resources (9) Human resources
INDIAN ECONOMY
(1) Nature of
Indian Economy (2) Indian development : Capital Technology, Institutional
factors and factors (3) Natural resources : Land, Forest and Minerals (4)
Unemployment and Employment Plans (5) Energy, energy crisis, transport,
irrigation, communication, nuclear development (6) National income, income
distribution and poverty (7) Planning and development in India (8) Five Years
Plans an introduction (9) Process and method of investment in planning (10)
Five Years Plans first to ninth nature and character (11) Tenth Five Year Plan
(12) Economic stability and infrastructural reforms (13) Indian Agriculture :
introduction, natural agricultural process, Agricultural policies, Animal
husbandry, land reforms, irrigation, fertilizers, seed, insecticide, green
revolution, modern technology, institutional reforms, Agricultural finance,
market, price, price policy, Agricultural co-operative (14) New Economic Policy and Public
Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Act, Twelfth Finance Commission and Fiscal
Federalism and Fiscal Consolidation. (15) New Economic Policy and Monetary
system. Role of RBI under the new regime. (16) Planning: From central Planning
to indicative planning, Relation between planning and markets for growth and
decentralized planning: 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments. (17) New
Economic Policy and Employment: Employment and poverty, Rural wages, Employment
Generation, Poverty alleviation schemes, New Rural, Employment Guarantee
Scheme.
CONSTITUTION & POLITY
Constitution of India
(1) Nature of constitution (2) Making of constitution (3) Characteristics
of Indian Constitution (4) Citizenship (5) Fundamental rights and Fundamental
duties (6) Indian Government and its Constitution (7) Legislature in India (8)
Executive in India (9) Judiciary in India (10) Public Service in India (11)
Legislative and Financial procedure at the central and state levels (12) Centre
State relation (13) Basis of Indian Democracy (14) Adult Franchise and the
representative system (15) Party System, welfare group, pressure group,
election system (16) Panchayat Raj (17) Goal of Indian Constitution (18)
Planning and development (19) Social and Economic Justice (20) Welfare of
schedule caste and schedule tribes (21) Secular State (22) Federalism (23)
Election Commission (24) State language and regional language (25) Emergency
provision (26) Constitutional amendments (27) Major political parties in India
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Science And Introduction
(1) Branches of Science (2) Scientific terminology (3) Important
invention (4) Important scientific instrument (5) Definition, Laws etc. (6)
Physics and Chemistry (7) Biology-Human body, organ and their function, diet
and balance diet, endocrine glands, blood, skin, disease and treatment,
Zoology: classification, characteristic of different classes, cells, tissues, disease, treatment, heredity, etc. Botany classification, characteristic of different class, cell and tissues, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, disease, treatment, development and hybrid seeds (8) Science and Technology Science policy (9) Scientist and technological institution
Zoology: classification, characteristic of different classes, cells, tissues, disease, treatment, heredity, etc. Botany classification, characteristic of different class, cell and tissues, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, disease, treatment, development and hybrid seeds (8) Science and Technology Science policy (9) Scientist and technological institution
Current Affairs and Sports
This section includes current events of
national and international importance including sports and persons and places
in news. All those events which have been in the news in the last three months
may be included under this section. The event can be from any field including
(1) Constitution and politics (2) Economy (3) Science and technology (4)
Environment (5) Computer (6) Culture (7) New fields such as oceanology (8)
Sports tournaments stadia (9) Events related to sports including controversy
(10) Present status of different sports (11) Olympic, international
tournaments, commonwealth games, Asian Games etc. 12. Miscellaneous.
The Union Public services commission
employees the term General Mental Ability Test to cover a range of question of
the Objective Type which can be answered by the candidate using his mental
traits and which are not connected with the knowledge of subject like history,
geography, Indian economy, Indian polity, general science etc. that are
otherwise integral parts of General Ability and Intelligence Paper. However it
is very difficult to justify the nomenclature since mental ability is required
to answer question in the other parts of General Ability and Intelligence Paper
also. In the ultimate analysis the essential mental faculties of knowledge,
memory, comprehending capacity, and above all intelligence do find enough
scope, in varying proportion, in the study of different subjects and the
General Mental Test can be easily and definitely differentiated from the
questions asked on the other subjects in a General Ability and Intelligence
Paper. Therefore our main objective of the discussion should be the
delimitation of the content of General Mental Ability Test, rather than
defining and analysis the nomenclature and to seek proper justification for the
term used. The question under the general Mental Ability Test fall into several
categories.
(i)
Elementary Mathematics (Arithematic and Geometric):
(ii)
Logic and Reasoning
(iii)
Intelligence Test and
(iv)
Statistical Analysis of Tables, Graphs and Diagram.
At
the outset of discussion on General Mental Ability Test it is prudent to have a
look on the previous year’s question of the Union Public Service Commission CPF
Assistant Commandant Exams held in 2003 and 2004.
1. Let
number of three digit have for its middle digit the sum of the other two
digits. Then it is a multiple of
a)
11 b) 10 c) 18 d) 50
2. A
cube is cut into 216 identical smaller cubes. In how many different ways can
the smaller cubes be arranged to form cuboids of different surface areas if no
two cubes are to be placed one above another?
a)
6 b) 8 c) 14 d) 16
3. Four
volunteers represent the school A, 5 volunteers represent the school B, 6
volunteers represent the school C and 3 voluinteers represent the school D.
Each of the volunteer from shake hand exactly once, what is the maximum
possible number of handshakes?
a)
27 b) 36 c) 45 d) 54
4. A
two digit number is reserved. The large of the two numbers is divided by the
smaller one. What is the largest possible remainder?
a)
27 b) 36 c) 45 d) 54
5. A,
B, C, D and E belong to five different cities P, Q, R, S and T (not necessary
in that order). Each one of them comes from a different city. Further it is
given
1.
B and C do not belong to Q.
2.
B and E do not belong to P and R.
3.
A and C do not belong to R, S and T.
4.
D and E do not belong to Q and T.
Which
one of the following statement is nor correct?
a)
C belongs to P b) D belongs to R c) A belongs to Q d) B belongs to S
6. Q
ids the son of P. S is the son of Q. U is the mother of R. T is the spouse of Q. P is the father of R but
R is not his son. V is the spouse of R.
Which
of the following statement is not correct?
a)
S is the grandson of P b)
S is the grandson of U
c)
V is the son-in-law of P d)
V is the son of U
7. Six
singers are talking part in a music competition. There are 4 judges for the
competition. How many comparisons does each Judge make between all the singers
to select the best among them?
a)
15 b) 20 c) 24 d)
25
8. A
question booklet contains 100 questions for a test. A candidate get 4 marks for
every correct answer, loses 1 mark for every wrong answer, and no mark for a
blank answer. Which of the following sets of marks can be secured by three
candidates?
a)
396, 395, 394 b) 393, 392, 390 c) 392, 391, 390 d) 389, 388, 387
9. There
are three possible paths to go from A to B and four, possible paths to go from
B to C. A person wishes to go from A to C. What is the probability that the
person will not follow a particular path while traveling from A to C?
a)
1/12 b) 1/7 c) 6/7 d) 11/12
10. In
how many different way can 6 boys be seated on 4 chairs if one chair can
accommodate only one boy?
a)
24 b) 120 c) 240 d) 360
11. How
many numbers are there between 99 and 1000 such that the digit 8 occupies the
unit’s place?
a)
64 b) 80 c) 90 d) 104
12. In
a question paper there are five question to be attempted and answer to each
question has two choices – True or False. It is given that no two candidates
have given the answer to the five question in an identical sequence. For this
to happen the maximum number of candidates is
a)
10 b) 18 c) 26 d) 32
13. Rs.
782 is divided into three parts proportionally to the fractions 
and 
. Then the first part is
and . Then the first part is
a) Rs. 182 b) Rs. 190 c)
Rs. 196 d) Rs. 204
14. If the duty of an article is reduced by
40% of its present rate, by how much percent must the consumption increase in
order that the revenue remains unaltered
a) 60% b) 
c)
d)
c)
d)
15. A train passes through a tunnel whose
length is 500 metres in 1 minute while running at a speed of 72 km/h. The
length of the train is
a) 700 m b) 750 m c) 800 m d)
825 m
16. Rakesh got married 8 years ago. His
present age is 
times his age
at the time of his marriage. Rakesh’s sister was 10 years younger to him at the
time his marriage. The age’s of Rakesh’s sister is
times his age
at the time of his marriage. Rakesh’s sister was 10 years younger to him at the
time his marriage. The age’s of Rakesh’s sister is
a) 40 years b) 38 years c)
36 years d) 32 years
Answers
1. a 2.
a 3. a 4. c 5. d 6. d 7.
a 8. c 9. d 10. d 11. c 12.
d
13. d 14. c 15. a 16. B
GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY
First of all look at syllabus prescribed the
Union Public Service Commission:
“The question will be designed to test the
Logical Reasoning. Quantitative Aptitude, Numerical Data Interpretation.
Thus,
this section of Paper – I General Ability Intelligence Contains two major
subjects: Reasoning (Intelligence) and Mathematics.
Mental Ability is a complex concept which
encompasses varied aspects that are inter-related. This inter relationship of
various aspects that are inter related. That explain by diagram given below.
CONTENT OF MENTAL ABILITY
I. Non-verbal or Figural section is a part of
Abstract Reasoning and the ‘figural relation’ means the capacity of understand,
comprehend and manipulate objects. This is also called ‘concrete intelligence
and performance IQ by psychologists.
II. It is basically a mental exercise to deal
with symbols. The capacity to think effectively with words as symbol as well as
numbers symbols is included in this section. Each symbol represent certain word
or number in this type of questions. Thus each symbol or sign is assigned two
values – one real value (meaning) another implied value.
III. Semantic Ability is the capacity to deal
with ‘meaning’ or read be twine lines. This includes originality flexibility, foresight
and shifting of meaning from the given pieces of information towards brevity
and conciseness (that is to say Inference or Conclusions). This could also be
called insight into written material with originality. Semantic Ability is also
at the abstract level but it is different from verbal ability. While verbal
ability deals with the relation between words and letters, Semantic ability
deals with ‘ideas’ – their proper analysis and the construction of new original
ideas.
IV. Behaviour Ability is also known as ‘social
intelligence’. It is the ability to deal or interact effectively with other
people, to evaluate, examine and judge the behavior of persons of groups of
persons. It includes the capacity to understand emotions, actions, interactions
and outcomes of reaction of persons to each other. Man, being a social animal,
this quite and essential ability, Effectiveness in the relationship between
parents and children, students and teachers, employers and employees,
management and workers, leaders and followers and interview – all these depend
a great deal on the ability to understand and judge human behavior.
APPLICATION OF MENTAL ABILITY
Every individual is endowed with certain degree of intellect and it
differs from one individual to other. Individual also differ in their style and
ways of application of intellect. Some use intellect in one way effective while
other excel in other ways. The various application of intellect are given
below.
I. Comprehension : It includes grasp and
understanding of the given pieces of information only without assuming beyond
the information given. The best here should be to scrupulously follow
instruction., identify the root of the problem and to work with a cool and
cautious mind. It is also called ‘cognitive style.’
II. Retention : After comprehension some
individuals are able to store the given pieces of information into ‘retention’
and are able to recall it quickly whenever these are required. Recalling the
right information at the right time, accurately and quickly is a key to
success. This also called ‘memory ability’.
III. Reasoning : The include the logical
application of comprehended and retained information. The ability to grasp
object relation, relation of idea ability of analysis and synthesis and
convergent and divergent thinking can be included in this area. Reasoning is a
style of higher order complex mental ability. The word REASONING itself have
various manifestation and each letter of the word is used in wider context.
This can be understood effectively with the help of following chart:
IV. Evaluation : This means arriving at an
outcome, a conclusion and implication, after reasoning, analysis and logical
thinking have been applied. The style of evaluation helps the individuals
problem solving ability and insight and foresight regarding problems. This most
helpful usually while dealing with other person and social situation like group
conflicts and communal tension.
Now we can evaluate the concept of Mental
Ability with the help of following simple facts.
·
Mental ability is the
coordinated result of various activity of mind.
·
Mental ability is a function of
the mind.
·
Mental age means mental
development.
·
Intelligence means general
ability.
·
Intelligence is fully developed
by the best combination of heredity and environment.
·
An illiterate person is not
necessarily an unintelligent person.
·
Average intelligence is a
pre-requisite for all normal activities.
·
Intelligence and creativity do
not always go together.
·
An intelligent person may not
necessarily be creative but a creative person is always an intelligent
individual.
For success oriented preparation of
Intelligence Test candidate should read the following topics of Reasoning:
1. Analogy
2. Classification
3. Word
Formation
4. Rank
and Arrangement
5. Blood
Relationship
6. Distance and Direction
6. Distance and Direction
7. Series
8. Mathematical
Problem
9. Arrangement
in word in a Logical order
10. Venn
Diagram
11. Symbol
and Notation
12. Trends
and Operations
13. Cubes
and Dices
14. Coding
and Decoding
15. Problem
Solving
16. Statement
and Conclusion
17. Syllogism
18. Schedule
Day/Date/Time
MATHEMATICS
The
question in this section will be designed to test the ability of appropriate
use of numbers and number sense of the candidates. The scope of the test will
be the computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions and relationship
between numbers. It will test sense of order among numbers, ability to
translate from one name to another, sense or order of magnitude estimation of
prediction of the out-come of computation, selection of an appropriate
operation for the solution to real life problem and knowledge of alternative
computation procedures to find answers.
The brief sketch of syllabus mentioned
elsewhere (prescribed by Union Public Service Commission) clearly indicates that
the main aim of this section is to test how quickly you can perform accurate
calculation.
Mathematics
is the subject related to calculation. A concerted and precise effort is
required to score cent percent marks in this section. Though this subject is
included in the circula of every school but candidate who comes from Arts
stream or a candidate who is appearing in the competitive exams for the firs
time, may feel difficulty in this section as here “time” is very limited. In a
short span of time you have to solve maximum number of questions. Beside this,
candidate have to decide “accuracy” between “right” and “wrong”. The required
accuracy can be attained only through calculated and persistent efforts.
Moreover, regular practice and memorization are the tools which will lead you
to success. Gradually you must learnt short-cut methods and other tricky
approach to solve the questions quickly and accurately.
The
brief syllabus may not give an accurate idea about the important topics from
which questions may be asked in the examination. Therefore, we are enlisting
important topics:
1. Simplification
2. Number
System
3. H.C.F.
and L.C.M
4. Ratio
and Proportion
5. Partnership
6. Percentage
7. Average
and Age Related Problems
8. Profit
and Loss
9. Simple
Interest
10. Compound
Interest
11. Allegation
and Mixture
12. Time
and Work
13. Time
and Distance
14. Mensuration
15. Number
Series
16. Data
Interpretation
17. Data
Sufficiency
18. Discount
19. Square
and Square Roots
20. Cube
and Cube Roots
21. Power,
Indices and Surds
22. Test
of Divisibility
23. Algebra
24. Probability
and Statistics
25. Logarithm
PAPER II : GENERAL STUDIES, ESSAY
AND COMPREHENSION
Ticking of clock brings forth continual
changes. These changes seem pertinent as are need of time. A concord with
changes is key to success. Let’s corborate our view with an example. The Union
Public Service Commission conduct CPF Exams. The written exam has two
components : Paper I : General Ability and Intelligence; Paper II : General
Studies, Essay and Comprehension.
When we drop a minute look at the question
with an analytical view in mind. We meet with some noticeable changes. No doubt
Paper I remains same. The nature of questions, their tenor, penetration and
domain everything establishes resemblance with the past. No marked changes are
evident.
But Paper II is certainly a little bit
different. Let’s unveil its hidden ingredient.
·
Duration of exam is extended
from 2 to 3 hours
·
General Studies, Essay and
Comprehension replace Essay, précis Writing and Comprehension.
·
Till 2010, one Essay in 600
hundreds words, two précis writing and one comprehension completed the question
paper.
·
Today is different from
yesterday.
A candidate is required to be prepared for
long and short answer type question. In UPSC, CPF Assistant Commandant Exams,
2011, a candidate was required to write:
·
An essay in about 800 words.
·
Two précis and two passages
(comprehension)
·
Question based on argument/counter-argument.
·
Report writing.
·
Questions based on common
errors, Idioms/Phrases, Fill up the blanks etc.
Clearly direct question based on Grammer get
space in the question paper.
Since this examination is to be conducted by
UPSC it is not possible to set standard regarding the nature of questions. But
it is certain that the Questions will be asked within this specified syllabus.
The candidate should emphasize on comprehensive study covering all the topics
mentioned in the syllabus. They should make preparation strategy perfect in all
respects and assess their performance through self evaluation Test at regularly
intervals.
ESSAY WRITING
Introduction : The word essay (French essai,
Low, Latin exagium), literally means an attempt or a trial. It sense and
modestly applied to those terse and brief notes of his “set down rather curiously
than significantly” which go by the name of Bacon’s Essay. But the father of
this species of French magistrate Sieur de Montaigne. It was in the month of
March 1571 in his castle, in a study to which the philosopher withdrew
surrounded by his books and sheltered from the excesses of the fatiguing world,
that the modern essay saw the light.
Such was the genesis of the essay. It went on
developing and became one of the most interesting and enjoyable forms of
literacy composition. The ideal essay is a kind of private rather than a public
talk. There must be in it an air of taking the reader into confidence. A sense
of intimacy must be established between the writer and the reader. A certain
thing suggest a train of thought, bring visions and recalls memories, from
which cloured and informed by the personality of the essayist springs the
essay. And the true essayist handle the subject with the loving and delicate
care of an artist and not with the ponderous and dissecting intellect of a
metaphysician. No subject is special to the essay, none alien from it.
But the essay which a student is called upon
to write is quite a different thing. It is not a loose sally of the mind but
systematic mental discipline, a regular training in the art of arranging and
expressing one’s thought on some
particular topic. It is a test of one capacity to thing on subject and
of expressing those thought in a clear and intelligible way. It should
therefore be a harmonious blending of thought and expression. The one with out
of the other make the essay defective. (If thoughts are wanting, the essay
becomes verbose; if the language is not keeping in with the thoughts, it
becomes heavy and understanding. Moreover, the essay as whole must have a unity
of design, proportion of part of consistency.
Relevancy: There must be judicious
handling and arrangement of thoughts. The significance of the title and the
scope of the essay must be clearly realised.We must know what is exactly wanted
and how far we can go. A failure to recognize these things make essay either
too narrow or too wide.
A student is often found wandering away from
the topic and beating about bush, because he has not carefully noted the
wording of the subject and its exact scope. If for example, in writing an essay
on Adversity is good on the evil of prosperity and the sums up by writing a few
line on the good adversity brings, his essay is not to the point. Again, if the
dilates on the evils of adversity and then sums up by writing a few lines on
the good adversity brings, his essay is not the point. Again, if he delates on
the evils of adversityand then adds few
lines on its good aspects, he is not also doing justice to his subject. He is
asked to write on the good which adversity bring and not so much on its evils
nor on the evils of prosperity. These points may briefly mentioned by way of
contrast, but they should not be made the principal theme. A student must
always see that he is relevant.
Proportion: An essay is a string of
thoughts artistically arranged. Now all these thoughts are not of equal
importance. Each thought should be given as much space and prominence as are
consistent with its importance. If equal emphasis is laid on all the parts, the
essay becomes monotonous. A sense of proportion is essentially necessary for all
kinds of artistic production. Where this proportion or valance is wanting, it
in invariably ends in disproportion which is but another name for ugliness. For
example in the essay mentioned above adversity is good for man, it is necessary
that a great space should be given to the good aspects of adversity and by way
of contrast a paragraph or two on the essay is wanting in proportion. Again
discussing the good effects of adversity of man’s character we must be
carefully to distinguish the moral and mental benefits from the physical
benefits it brings. As moral and mental qualities are superior to physical
ones, greater space and prominence should be given to these than to the
physical effects. This sense of proportion is essential for a good essay.
Arrangement: Again thoughts which go to make up an essay
must be arranged in their natural order of relation and importance, so that as
we pass from one thought to another there may be an essay transition. Logical
contiguity must be observed. This gives an air of artistic unity to the whole
treatment. Where this logical arrangement is lacking the essay is difficult to
follow. Of course there cannot be any hard and fast rule about the arrangement,
it depends upon the subject and the manner of treatment, but it is essentially that
some sort of arrangement should be adhered to. Besides this logical order,
another thing to remember is this that we should try to keep up the reader’s
interest upto the last by not placing the most important points in the
beginning.
Simple and Clear Language: Now as regards
the language of the essay, it is necessary to note that it should be as easy
and natural as possible. We must avoid conscious aiming at effect of any sort
of imitation. It is futile to try to imitate another’s style, for each man has
his own way of writing just as he has of walking or speaking. The style is the
man. Adopting another’s style is liking putting on another’s clothes. We should
write in our own way, only it must be simple, direct and concise. Sometimes
students are found committing to memory certain sentences, phrase and idioms to
be pitch forked into their writing. The effect is disastrous. These purple
patches appear as ludicrous as the dress of the crown. Unevenness creeps into
the language. We must try to avoid this practice write in our own way. It is
good to remember the words of Mathew Arnold, himself a great stylist, in this
connection; “People think I can think I can teach them style. What stuff it all
is! Have something to say and say it as clearly as you can. This is the only
secret of style.
PRACTICLE HINTS
This essay is first a test in composition and
then in the student’s capacity to think on a particular topic. Equal attention
must therefore be paid to these.
As regard composition one should always write
in his own natural way. Each has his own style of writing. Show one should
avoid imitation of any style. Style cannot be imitated. By a careful reading of
the best writers one forms one’s own style. Moreover, nobody expects from a
student the style of Macaulay, Ruskin or Arnold. All that is wanted is that he
should write correctly and in a clear and simple way. Much of the vagueness of
language is due to the haziness or confusion of thought. If your thoughts are
clearly conceived, language will also be clear. But there are certain thing
which should be always kept in mind if one is to write simple and correct
English. It is a foreign language and the most difficult thing to manage in a
language which is not your own, is the use of phrases and idioms. Of course
there are places where you cannot but use them, but as a rule you should try to
avoid them as far as possible. There was a time when many teachers in the
schoold thought that the surest way to writing good English was to use as many
idioms as possible. Nothing can be far from truth. The next thing is to avoid
trite phrases. A trite phrases is one that has been used so often that it has
become and common place through constant repetition. These cliches jar in the
ear and sin against that final rule of all composition namely euohony. Here are
a few specimens of these trite phrases – by dint of, the trony of fate, filthy
lucre, a head and heart, more in sorrow than in anger etc.
The next thing is mind is the right choice of
words. Coleridge defined poetry as “the best words in the best order”. The same
is partly true of prose also. You are often content to use first words that
come into your head and never care to think and choose.
Language is given to express your thoughts and
each thought has a particularly world or symbol for it. It should be your aim
to find it out. This means a knowledge of the exact meaning of the word and its
use. Avoid vague and trival words (like nice awfully nice, terribly) and also
slangs. A good command over vocabulary is an asset. The beauty and
expressiveness of your language will great depend upon the right choice and
right arrangement of words. These will give you precision and clarity. Make it
also a point to use simple word and not long., learned and difficult words.
There is no necessity of using learned words. Like cogitate, erudite, puerile
when there are plain and simple words like reflect, learned , childish. Never
use two words when one will do. Economy is a valuable thing.
Next you to remember certain fundamental rules
of grammer It is often found that students commits errors in (i) the use of the
sequence of Tenses. (ii) the direct and indirect narration (iii) the use of the
definite Article (iv) the sue of appropriate preposition. Most of these rules
are theoretically known our students but they have not been sufficiently
assimilation by constant practice in writing. What of practice and carelessness
account for these mistakes.
The last but not the least thing you are to
notice is the construction of your sentence. A sentence way contain several
thoughts bit it should have central
thoughts to which others are subordinate. This secures its unity. So, it should
be your aim not to put into a sentence anything that would take away your
attention from the main thought. This added to coherence which requires placing
connected ideas in close proximity, should be always kept in view in
constructing your sentence. See also, that your sentence is complete and the
construction is not loose.
The following PRACTICLE HINTS on writing an
essay should be carefully remembered.
(i) First try to understand clearly the
wording of the subject and its scope. They will tell you what is wanted.
(ii) When the meaning and the scope are
understood, pause to think over the subject. As each thoughts come to the mind,
joy it down. Go on in this way till you have a number of thoughts sufficient
for your essay. The major portion of the time allotted to the writing of an
essay should be thus spent.
(iii) When the thoughts have been jotted down,
arrange them according to their natural connection and logical order so that
there may be an essay transition from one thought to another.
(iv) Make rough outline of the essay, putting
down introduction in the beginning, the thoughts (already jotted down and arranged)
in the middle and the conclusion at the end.
(v) Make tour introduction as interesting as
you can. An introduction may be begun in various ways (a) with a definition,
(b) with a quotation either in prose or verse (c) with a story or anecdote or
(d) in the middle of the subject – in a dramatic way. A student choose for
himself the way in which he can be most effective.
(vi) When the introduction is written, develop
each point jotted down into a paragraph, always taking care that the transition
from one paragraph to another should be an essay one.
(vii) Sum up the main ideas in a paragraph
which will be the conclusion. Like the introduction, the conclusion must be
interesting, so that a good impression may be left on the mind of the reader at
the end.
(viii) Your essay is now a well knit piece of
composition beginning with an introduction and ending in a conclusion. Revive
the essay to see that the whole thing has a unity of design. If anything seems
irrelevant, omit it.
PRECIS WRITING
Precis writing is both and arts and skill for
it calls for not only a through understading of the passage given including its
subtle nuances but is also demanding in that you must be able to express the
given passage in about one third of its length. This is not so much a technical
skill as the art of controlling and manouevering your pen. For Instance what
has been said above in about 50 words could be reduced in not more that 15
words as follows:
Some Important Hints
1. Read the passage carefully two or three times until you have
a clear idea of its general purport. The original passage may contain some
ironical elements which mean just the opposite of what is said. This should be
clearly understood before writing down the précis.
2. Note down the important points so that the précis can be
written down from these points within the stipulated word limit in your own
words by elaborating these points.
3. Illustration or stylistic effects, such as exaggeration,
repetition, expansion or bombast which are not necessary to the meaning and are
just added merely to illustrate the arguments should be left out.
4. No personal comments are to be made while writing the
précis.
5. The style and matter should not be reproduced. Your own
style should be used.
6. A précis should be written in Indirect Speech unless in very
rare cases when it is essential to incorporate some words in their original
form. It is advisable to use Past Tense if the incidents of the passage given
for précis refer to the past.
7. Last but not the least, précis should be made of whatever
matter is given whether it is obsolete or contains some portions which have no
relevance to the present times or which predicts something about the future
times which have already passed.
A summary or précis is
the shortened form of a passage. A good summary should be complete in itself.
It should be able to convey the ideas expressed in the original passage so that
a reader who does not have enough time to read the original one should have no
trouble getting the message.
A summary should be
brief, clear and precise. It should be brief, but it shouldn’t be a number of
disjointed simple sentences. A good summary should give ideas, facts or points
in the order in which it appears in the original. Note that it is best to write
summaries in the same tense as the original.
The original passage may
contain pieces of conversation. When you summarize it, all the sentences given
in the direct speech should be changed into indirect. The summary should be in
the writer’s own words. As far as possible, avoid using the vocabulary used in
the original. Also note that a summary shall not contain points not mentioned
in the original.
COMPREHENSION
In this section normally
one passage is given with four to five questions at the end of each passage.
Most of the students find this section tough as the passage tend to be complex
and it is very difficult to comprehend the passage as well as answer all the
question in the given time. There for you should develop the habit of speed
reading at a specified words per minute while preparing for this section. While
there is no doubt that it is important to read fast, but a close look at the
title of this section tell us that the problem probably lies on COMPREHENSION.
Therefore for speed of reading cannot be more than speed of comprehension.
Developing reading speed is not difficult, as we think, but the real issue is
to build speed of comprehension. An author while writing passage normally tends
to deal with one idea in every paragraph. He/she then gives a perspective
around this idea by either giving example or by stating argument that support
this idea. Such support is essential to convince the reader of the main
argument,. Therefore the mauin aim of this section is to test the candidates’
skill of being able to different between information and supporting arguments.
The technique to be followed for this section is therefore called “The Key Idea Technique”. A key idea is
the central thought of the paragraph and all the information is built around
it. Here let us distinguish between a passage and a paragraph. A passage can
contain several paragraphs. Each paragraph normally has only one key idea. A
key idea can be expressed in sixc to ten words. If we write down the key ideas
of each paragraph of a passage then key idea of all the paragraph will link
together to summarise the idea conveyed by the passage as a whole.
Quite a few
students believe that it is possible to understand the key idea of paragraph by
just reading the first and the last sentence but this need not be necessarily
tru.
“The level of comprehension” (understanding) of passage
is very wide term and this includes skill such as
(a) logical ability and the ability to infer
(b) ability to link paragraph for analytical ability
(c) ability to reason
(d) ability to understand the motive of the author.
(e) reading speed
(f) vocabulary power and
(g) retaining factual information to save time, otherwise
you will always have to refer back and find out the required information which will
necessarily consume valuable time.
Majority of the candidates believe in reading the
question first. The assumption is that one will be able to find the answer
faster in the text of the passage, if one knows the questions before reading
the passage. But there are three very good reason not to follow this technique:
(i) Firstly, it is not possible for anyone
to remember all the questions as they are given at once. Again when one reads
the passage, one’s stress will be on locating the answer to the questions and
not on comprehending the central idea of the passage.
(ii) The order of the question need not be
progressive with the text. Thus one may not be able to find the answers in the
same order.
(iii) Now it is observe that most of the
questions in reading comprehension are are indirect. Such question may be the
following formats.
(a) It can be inferred from the passage that
… (Implied Information) passage that … (implied information).
(b) According to the
author … (Main Idea)
(c) The passage is
primarily concerned with … (Main idea)
(d) The author’s
statement that … (Specific Information)
(e) Which of the
following describe the mood of the passage … (Tone or Mood)
(f) The author implies
that … (Implied information)
(g) The main purpose of
the passage … (Main Idea)
(h) The author tone is
best describe as …. (Tone or mood)
(i) One could easily see
the authors as … (implied information)
(j) What is the
difference / commonality between … (Linking paragraph)
This list may be still
longer. The answers to such questions cannot be directly lifted from the text
of the passage. One can answer these questions accurately only if one has a
good comprehension of the passage.
SOME IMPORTANTS TIPS
1. The most important way to really understand what you are
reading.
2. You should underline important parts of passage. The
underlining will help you to answer questions. Practically a question will ask
you to detect the main idea or the information that is specifically mentioned
in the passage or information that is implied (not directly) stated in the
passage or the tone/mood of the passage.
If you find out quickly what the question is aiming for,
you will arrive more easily at the correct answer by referring to your
underlining in the passage.
3. While reading the passage you should translate the
information contained in each para into your own language by analyzing the
elements of the passage, recognizing the relationship between these elements,
seeking cause-effect relationship implication.
4. Encircle transition and key words which reading the passage.
The transitional words are “bridge” words that will help you to discover
logical connection in the given passage In circling these transitional word
will help you to get a better understanding of the passage,.
5. Derive
the meaning of “tough or unfamiliar” words by using the context method. Suppose
you don’t know the meaning of a certain word in a passage , try to determine
the meaning of the word from the context, i.e., from the word that are close in
position to that word whose meaning you do not know. Often an authors uses an
unfamiliar word and then immediately defines it with in the sa