Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Rewriting sentences is a fundamental skill tested in the English language paper of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It assesses a candidate’s command over grammar, vocabulary, and their ability to express the same idea in different ways. The core principle behind such exercises is to demonstrate an understanding of sentence structure and the nuances of the English language. Maintaining the original meaning is paramount, and any alteration in the core message would be considered an error. This skill is vital for effective communication, a crucial requirement for civil servants.
Since the question does not provide the sentences to be rewritten, I will demonstrate the process with example sentences and their transformations. I will cover common sentence rewriting directives.
Common Sentence Rewriting Directives & Examples
1. Active to Passive Voice
Original Sentence: The government implemented the scheme in 2023.
Rewritten (Passive Voice): The scheme was implemented by the government in 2023.
Explanation: The subject ('government') becomes the object of the preposition 'by', and the verb changes to a passive form ('was implemented').
2. Passive to Active Voice
Original Sentence: Mistakes were made during the investigation.
Rewritten (Active Voice): The investigators made mistakes during the investigation.
Explanation: We identify the implied subject (investigators) and make it the subject of the active sentence.
3. Direct to Indirect Speech
Original Sentence (Direct Speech): He said, "I will complete the project by tomorrow."
Rewritten (Indirect Speech): He said that he would complete the project by the following day.
Explanation: The reporting verb ('said') introduces a 'that' clause. Pronouns and tenses are adjusted to reflect the change in perspective.
4. Indirect to Direct Speech
Original Sentence (Indirect Speech): The teacher told the students that they should study hard.
Rewritten (Direct Speech): The teacher told the students, "You should study hard."
Explanation: Remove the 'that' clause and enclose the original statement within quotation marks.
5. Using Different Sentence Structures (Simple, Compound, Complex)
Original Sentence (Simple): The rain fell heavily.
Rewritten (Complex): Because the rain fell heavily, the match was cancelled.
Explanation: Adding a subordinate clause ('Because the rain fell heavily') transforms the simple sentence into a complex one.
6. Beginning a Sentence with a Different Word/Phrase
Original Sentence: India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage.
Rewritten: With a rich cultural heritage, India is a diverse country.
Explanation: Rearranging the sentence structure while maintaining the original meaning.
Table Summarizing Common Transformations
| Directive | Example (Original) | Example (Rewritten) |
|---|---|---|
| Active to Passive | The committee reviewed the report. | The report was reviewed by the committee. |
| Direct to Indirect | She said, "I am going to Delhi." | She said that she was going to Delhi. |
| Simple to Complex | He was tired and went to bed. | Because he was tired, he went to bed. |
It is crucial to pay attention to subtle changes in meaning. For instance, using 'will' versus 'would' can significantly alter the tense and therefore the meaning of a sentence. Similarly, incorrect pronoun usage can lead to ambiguity.
Conclusion
Successfully rewriting sentences requires a strong grasp of English grammar and a meticulous approach. Candidates must carefully analyze the original sentence, understand the directive, and apply the appropriate grammatical rules to produce an accurate and meaningful transformation. Practice with various sentence structures and directives is key to mastering this skill, which is essential for clear and effective communication in the UPSC examination and beyond.
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.