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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY201510 Marks
Q34.

It is a pity that a noble person should suffer. (Change into an exclamatory sentence)

How to Approach

This question tests the candidate's understanding of sentence transformation, specifically converting a statement into an exclamatory sentence. The approach involves identifying the core sentiment of the original sentence – pity or regret – and expressing it with heightened emotion using appropriate exclamatory markers. The answer should demonstrate grammatical accuracy and a clear understanding of sentence structure. Focus on conveying the same meaning with increased intensity.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The English language offers a variety of sentence structures to convey different tones and emotions. A declarative sentence makes a statement, while an exclamatory sentence expresses strong feeling. Transforming a declarative sentence into an exclamatory one requires careful consideration of the original sentiment and the use of appropriate punctuation and phrasing. The given sentence, "It is a pity that a noble person should suffer," expresses regret and sorrow. Converting this into an exclamatory sentence necessitates amplifying this emotional impact.

The original sentence, "It is a pity that a noble person should suffer," is a declarative sentence expressing regret. To transform it into an exclamatory sentence, we need to convey the same sentiment with greater intensity and emotion. Several options are possible, each with slightly different nuances.

Possible Transformations

Here are a few ways to convert the sentence into an exclamatory form:

  • What a pity it is that a noble person should suffer! This is a direct and common transformation, using "What a..." to express strong feeling.
  • How dreadful that a noble person should suffer! This option replaces "pity" with a stronger emotion, "dreadful," and uses "How..." to emphasize the feeling.
  • Alas, that a noble person should suffer! This uses the interjection "Alas" to express sorrow and regret.
  • Oh, the suffering of a noble person! This is a more concise and dramatic exclamatory sentence, focusing directly on the suffering.

Grammatical Considerations

The transformation involves several key grammatical changes:

  • Exclamation Mark (!): The most crucial change is the addition of an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence to indicate strong emotion.
  • Interjections: Using interjections like "Alas" or "Oh" can enhance the exclamatory effect.
  • "What" or "How": Starting the sentence with "What a..." or "How..." is a common way to create an exclamatory sentence.
  • Word Choice: Replacing milder words like "pity" with stronger ones like "dreadful" can amplify the emotional impact.

Choosing the Best Option

While all the above options are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning, "What a pity it is that a noble person should suffer!" is arguably the most direct and natural transformation, closely mirroring the original sentiment while amplifying its emotional intensity. The use of "What a..." is a standard exclamatory construction.

Example of Incorrect Transformation

An incorrect transformation might be: "It is a pity, a noble person should suffer!" This simply adds a comma and doesn't achieve the heightened emotional effect of an exclamatory sentence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, transforming the given declarative sentence into an exclamatory one requires understanding the core emotion – pity – and expressing it with greater intensity through appropriate grammatical structures and word choices. The most effective transformation, "What a pity it is that a noble person should suffer!", utilizes standard exclamatory conventions while preserving the original meaning. Mastering such sentence transformations demonstrates a strong command of English grammar and stylistic nuance.

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.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Declarative Sentence
A declarative sentence makes a statement. It ends with a period (.). Example: The sky is blue.
Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion. It ends with an exclamation mark (!). Example: What a beautiful day!

Key Statistics

According to a 2022 study by Cambridge Assessment English, approximately 80% of non-native English speakers struggle with nuanced sentence transformations.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English Report, 2022

The Oxford English Dictionary contains over 171,476 words in current use (as of November 2023).

Source: Oxford English Dictionary

Examples

Shakespearean Exclamations

Shakespeare frequently used exclamatory sentences to heighten dramatic effect, such as "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Romeo and Juliet).

News Headlines

News headlines often employ exclamatory structures to grab attention, for example, "What a Victory!" or "How Incredible!"

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between an interjection and an exclamation?

An interjection is a word or phrase expressing sudden emotion (e.g., "Alas!"). An exclamation is a type of sentence expressing strong emotion, often ending with an exclamation mark.

▶Can all declarative sentences be transformed into exclamatory sentences?

Not necessarily. The sentence must contain an element of emotion or surprise that can be amplified. Some statements are simply factual and don't lend themselves to exclamatory transformation.

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