Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The provided sentences present a straightforward scenario: an action (decorating a room) and its intention (to create beauty). Effective communication often involves condensing related ideas into single, flowing sentences. This exercise assesses the ability to synthesize information and express it with clarity and precision. The task requires understanding the implicit connection between the action and the purpose, and then using appropriate language to articulate that connection.
The two sentences can be effectively combined into a single, more concise statement. The core relationship is that the decoration was *done in order to* achieve a specific aesthetic outcome. Several options exist, demonstrating varying degrees of stylistic nuance.
Possible Combined Sentences
- Option 1 (Using 'to'): She decorated the room to make it look beautiful.
- Option 2 (Using 'so that'): She decorated the room so that it would look beautiful.
- Option 3 (Using 'with the purpose of'): She decorated the room with the purpose of making it look beautiful.
- Option 4 (Using 'in order to'): She decorated the room in order to make it look beautiful.
Analysis of Options
Option 1 is the most concise and natural-sounding. It utilizes the infinitive of purpose ('to make') which is a common and efficient grammatical structure. Option 2, while grammatically correct, is slightly more verbose. Option 3 is formal and less commonly used in everyday language. Option 4 is similar to Option 1 but slightly more formal.
Grammatical Considerations
- The original sentences use a simple past tense ("decorated") and a present tense ("look"). Combining them requires maintaining consistency. All options above maintain the past tense for the action of decorating and use the infinitive form to express the future intended result.
- The use of conjunctions like 'to', 'so that', 'with the purpose of', and 'in order to' clearly establish the causal relationship between the decoration and the desired aesthetic.
Importance of Conciseness
In effective writing, conciseness is valued. Removing unnecessary words and phrases improves clarity and readability. The original two sentences convey the same information as the combined sentence, but the combined sentence is more efficient and elegant. This principle applies to all forms of communication, including report writing, essay composition, and even everyday conversation.
Example in a broader context
Consider a scenario in a UPSC answer. Instead of writing: "The government implemented the scheme. The purpose was to improve agricultural productivity." A better approach would be: "The government implemented the scheme to improve agricultural productivity." This demonstrates a command of language and the ability to present information concisely, which is crucial for scoring well in the examination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the exercise highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between sentences and the ability to combine them effectively. The most suitable combined sentence is "She decorated the room to make it look beautiful" due to its conciseness and natural flow. This seemingly simple task underscores a fundamental principle of good writing: clarity and efficiency in communication. Mastering such skills is essential for aspirants aiming to articulate complex ideas in a clear and persuasive manner in the UPSC Mains examination.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.