Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Language proficiency is a crucial skill for aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination. Questions testing vocabulary and grammatical understanding are frequently included to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in written English. These questions, while appearing straightforward, often require a nuanced understanding of context and subtle differences in word meanings. A strong command of the English language is essential not only for the English paper but also for expressing ideas clearly and concisely in other papers, ensuring effective communication of complex concepts.
Sample Question & Answer
Let's assume the question is: "The government's policies aimed to ______ economic growth and reduce poverty." Choose the appropriate word to fill in the blank.
Analyzing the Options (Hypothetical)
Let's assume the options are: (a) hinder, (b) stimulate, (c) neglect, (d) suppress.
Word Choice Rationale
To determine the correct answer, we must consider the context. The sentence discusses government policies intended to achieve positive outcomes – economic growth and poverty reduction. Therefore, the missing word should convey a positive action or effect.
- 'Hinder' (a) means to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or prevention. This contradicts the positive intent of the policies.
- 'Stimulate' (b) means to encourage an action or feeling. In economics, it means to boost economic activity. This aligns perfectly with the goal of economic growth.
- 'Neglect' (c) means to fail to care for properly. This is the opposite of what government policies would aim to do.
- 'Suppress' (d) means to forcibly put an end to. This is also a negative action and doesn't fit the context.
Therefore, the most appropriate word is 'stimulate'. The complete sentence would be: "The government's policies aimed to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty."
Grammatical Considerations
The word 'stimulate' also fits grammatically. It is a verb that can be followed by a noun phrase (economic growth) and connected to another verb phrase (reduce poverty) with 'and'.
Importance of Context
The importance of context cannot be overstated. Without understanding the overall meaning of the sentence, it is impossible to choose the correct word. A strong vocabulary is helpful, but it must be coupled with the ability to analyze the context and select the word that best conveys the intended meaning.
UPSC Relevance
The UPSC syllabus emphasizes precision and clarity in written communication. Questions like these assess a candidate’s ability to use language accurately and effectively, which is crucial for drafting reports, writing essays, and answering questions in the examination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the original question lacked a sentence, this example demonstrates the analytical approach required to answer such questions effectively. Understanding the context, considering grammatical correctness, and choosing the word that best conveys the intended meaning are essential skills for UPSC aspirants. Developing a strong vocabulary and practicing sentence completion exercises will significantly improve a candidate’s performance in the English language paper and overall written communication skills.
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.