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 effective sentence rewriting is preserving the original meaning while adhering to the specified grammatical or structural changes. This skill is vital for clear and concise communication, essential for effective administration and policy formulation. The ability to rephrase complex ideas is also crucial for report writing and drafting official communications.
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 various common directives encountered in the UPSC exam.
Common Sentence Rewriting Directives & Examples
1. Change the Voice (Active to Passive & Vice Versa)
Original Sentence (Active): The government implemented the scheme in 2023.
Rewritten Sentence (Passive): The scheme was implemented by the government in 2023.
Original Sentence (Passive): Mistakes were made during the investigation.
Rewritten Sentence (Active): The investigators made mistakes during the investigation.
2. Change the Narration (Direct to Indirect & Vice Versa)
Original Sentence (Direct): He said, "I will complete the project by tomorrow."
Rewritten Sentence (Indirect): He said that he would complete the project by the following day.
Original Sentence (Indirect): The teacher stated that honesty is the best policy.
Rewritten Sentence (Direct): The teacher stated, "Honesty is the best policy."
3. Change the Degree of Comparison (Positive to Comparative/Superlative & Vice Versa)
Original Sentence (Positive): Gold is a precious metal.
Rewritten Sentence (Comparative): Gold is more precious than iron.
Original Sentence (Superlative): Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
Rewritten Sentence (Positive): Few peaks are as high as Mount Everest.
4. Combine Sentences (Using conjunctions, relative pronouns, etc.)
Original Sentences: The rainfall was heavy. The crops were damaged.
Rewritten Sentence: The crops were damaged because the rainfall was heavy.
5. Rewrite using 'Not Only...But Also' / 'Neither...Nor'
Original Sentence: He is intelligent. He is also hardworking.
Rewritten Sentence: He is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
6. Begin with 'Having...' / 'After...' / 'On...' etc.
Original Sentence: He finished his work, he went home.
Rewritten Sentence: Having finished his work, he went home.
Important Considerations
- Tense Consistency: Ensure the tense remains consistent throughout the rewritten sentence.
- Word Order: Pay attention to the correct word order for the new grammatical structure.
- Prepositions: Use appropriate prepositions to maintain clarity and accuracy.
- Articles: Ensure correct usage of articles (a, an, the).
- Punctuation: Maintain correct punctuation (commas, periods, quotation marks).
The key to success in this section is practice. Candidates should practice rewriting various types of sentences with different directives to build confidence and accuracy. Understanding the underlying grammatical principles is also crucial.
Conclusion
Rewriting sentences effectively is a crucial skill for UPSC aspirants, demonstrating a strong grasp of English grammar and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and precisely. By understanding the common directives and practicing regularly, candidates can confidently tackle this section of the exam. Focusing on maintaining the original meaning while adhering to the specified changes is paramount. A systematic approach and attention to detail will ensure accuracy and a higher score.
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.