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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20185 Marks
Q29.

Her path was with flowers. (strew)

How to Approach

This question tests the candidate's understanding of active and passive voice, and their ability to rewrite a sentence using a specified verb ('strew'). The approach should involve understanding the original sentence's meaning, identifying the action and the agent, and then restructuring the sentence using 'strew' to convey the same meaning. Focus on grammatical correctness and maintaining the original sentence's poetic tone. The answer should be concise and directly address the prompt.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The given sentence, "Her path was with flowers," is a descriptive statement employing a somewhat archaic or poetic style. The directive 'strew' asks us to rephrase the sentence, incorporating this verb to convey the same imagery. 'Strew' means to scatter or spread things over a surface. The task requires a transformation from a passive construction to an active one, or a more direct expression of the action of scattering flowers along a path. The goal is to maintain the original sentence’s evocative quality while utilizing the specified verb.

The sentence can be rewritten as: "She strewed her path with flowers."

Explanation of the Transformation

The original sentence uses a passive construction, implying that flowers were placed on her path by an unspecified agent. The revised sentence employs the active verb 'strewed,' directly attributing the action of scattering flowers to 'she'. This makes the sentence more dynamic and direct.

Grammatical Considerations

  • Verb Tense: The past tense is maintained in the rewritten sentence to align with the original.
  • Word Order: The word order is adjusted to fit the active voice structure: Subject (She) - Verb (strewed) - Object (her path) - Prepositional Phrase (with flowers).
  • Prepositional Phrase: The prepositional phrase "with flowers" remains consistent, preserving the original imagery.

Alternative Phrasings (for demonstrating understanding)

While "She strewed her path with flowers" is the most direct and natural translation, other options, though less elegant, are possible:

  • "Flowers were strewn along her path by her." (Less concise, emphasizes the flowers)
  • "She had flowers strewn on her path." (Slightly awkward phrasing)

Importance of Context

Although the question is isolated, understanding the potential context can inform the best rewriting. If the sentence is part of a larger narrative, the chosen phrasing should fit the overall tone and style. In this case, maintaining a slightly poetic quality is desirable.

Comparison Table: Original vs. Rewritten

Original Sentence Rewritten Sentence
Her path was with flowers. She strewed her path with flowers.
Voice Passive (implied) Active
Directness Indirect Direct

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most effective rewriting of the sentence "Her path was with flowers" using the verb 'strew' is "She strewed her path with flowers." This version maintains the original imagery while employing a more active and direct grammatical structure. The exercise demonstrates an understanding of verb usage, voice, and sentence construction, crucial skills for effective written communication.

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

Active Voice
A grammatical voice where the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. Example: "The dog chased the ball."
Passive Voice
A grammatical voice where the subject receives the action expressed by the verb. Example: "The ball was chased by the dog."

Key Statistics

According to a 2023 study by Grammarly, approximately 20% of writing contains passive voice constructions.

Source: Grammarly Blog (2023)

Research suggests that active voice is generally preferred in academic and professional writing for clarity and conciseness.

Source: Purdue OWL (as of knowledge cutoff 2023)

Examples

Shakespearean Usage

Shakespeare frequently employed both active and passive voice, often for stylistic effect. His use of language demonstrates the flexibility of English grammar.

News Reporting

News articles often favor active voice to present information directly and concisely. For example, "The Prime Minister addressed the nation" is more impactful than "The nation was addressed by the Prime Minister."

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Is passive voice always incorrect?

No, passive voice is not always incorrect. It can be useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action rather than the actor.

▶How can I identify passive voice in a sentence?

Look for a form of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, been, being) followed by a past participle (e.g., chased, written, eaten). The subject is typically receiving the action.

Topics Covered

Language SkillsEnglishGrammarVocabulary
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