Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The given sentence, "He betrayed his country, and this was to his eternal disgrace," is a complex sentence containing a main clause and a subordinate clause connected by a conjunction. UPSC English (Compulsory) often tests fundamental grammatical skills, including sentence simplification. Transforming complex sentences into simple ones is a crucial skill for clear and effective communication, essential for a civil servant. The task requires identifying the core meaning and expressing it in its most basic form, removing any embellishments or connecting words.
Simplifying the Sentence
The original sentence conveys two interconnected ideas: the act of betrayal and the resulting shame. To convert it into a simple sentence, we need to combine these ideas into a single, independent clause. A simple sentence contains only one independent clause.
Step-by-Step Transformation
- Identify the core elements: The subject is "He," the verb is "betrayed," and the object is "his country." The consequence is "eternal disgrace."
- Eliminate the conjunction: The "and" connecting the two clauses needs to be removed.
- Rephrase the consequence: The phrase "this was to his eternal disgrace" can be integrated into the main clause to show the result of the betrayal.
The Simplified Sentence
He betrayed his country, bringing eternal disgrace upon himself.
Alternatively, a more concise version could be:
His betrayal brought eternal disgrace.
Both options effectively convey the original meaning in a simple sentence structure. The first option retains the subject "He" while the second focuses on the act of betrayal itself. The choice between the two depends on the desired emphasis.
Grammatical Considerations
- Simple Sentence Structure: A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. It contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
- Avoiding Compound and Complex Structures: The original sentence is complex due to the coordinating conjunction "and" and the subsequent clause. Simplification requires eliminating these elements.
- Use of Gerunds/Participles: Using a gerund or participle ("bringing") can effectively combine ideas within a single clause, as demonstrated in the first simplified sentence.
Why this is important for a Civil Servant
Clear and concise communication is paramount for civil servants. The ability to distill complex information into easily understandable language is crucial for drafting reports, communicating with the public, and making informed decisions. Mastering basic grammatical structures like sentence simplification is a foundational skill for effective governance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original complex sentence can be effectively transformed into a simple sentence by identifying its core components and restructuring it to eliminate unnecessary clauses and conjunctions. The simplified sentences, "He betrayed his country, bringing eternal disgrace upon himself" or "His betrayal brought eternal disgrace," accurately convey the original meaning in a clear and concise manner. This exercise highlights the importance of grammatical precision for effective communication, a vital skill for any aspiring civil servant.
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.