HSC Punjabi Continuers cheat sheet

The listening section is answered in English; marks are awarded for accurate content points, not for Punjabi transcription.

Task types include multiple-choice, short answer, and table or note completion; each question stem signals the number of details required.

Gist questions (topic, speaker relationship, setting) are answered from the opening lines; detail questions require the middle or closing lines.

Numbers, dates, prices, and times are frequent distractors; the correct figure is usually confirmed or corrected later in the item.

Register markers: ਤੂੰ/ਤੁਸੀਂ (tuun/tusīṅ) signals intimacy versus formality or plural addressee, which identifies relationships between speakers.

Tone cues: rising intonation with ਕੀ (kī) marks yes/no questions; falling tone after statements signals confirmation or finality.

Common item traps: a speaker states an intention then changes it (ਪਰ, ਲੇਕਿਨ 'but'); the answer follows the contrast marker.

Gist-first strategy: read all questions in the pause, predict vocabulary field, then listen for synonyms rather than exact wording.

Answers must be in English and paraphrased; lifting a Punjabi phrase untranslated earns no marks.

Reading texts are authentic-style Punjabi items (notices, advertisements, letters, articles, blogs) followed by English-language questions.

Question types: main idea, specific detail, inference, purpose, audience, and meaning of words or phrases in context.

Gurmukhi script direction is left to right; each akhar (letter) has an inherent 'a' vowel unless a vowel sign (lagā mātrā) modifies it.

Vowel signs to track: ਕੰਨਾ (ā), ਸਿਹਾਰੀ (i), ਬਿਹਾਰੀ (ī), ਔਂਕੜ (u), ਦੁਲੈਂਕੜ (ū), ਲਾਂਵ (e), ਦੁਲਾਵਾਂ (ai), ਹੋੜਾ (o), ਕਨੌੜਾ (au).

Nasalisation is marked by ਟਿੱਪੀ (bindi, ṭippī) or ਬਿੰਦੀ (bindī); a missing or added nasal mark can change a word's meaning.

Addressee markers: ਤੁਸੀਂ in a notice or letter signals formal or plural audience; informal notes use ਤੂੰ.

Inference questions (attitude, implied purpose) require evidence from the text; answers must be justified by a quoted or paraphrased detail.

Vocabulary in context: choose the English meaning that fits the sentence, not the most common dictionary sense of the Punjabi word.

The writing section has two parts: a shorter transactional text (note, message, email, or notice) and a longer text (article, letter, or narrative).

Assessment criteria: relevance to task, range and accuracy of vocabulary and grammar, structure and cohesion, and register.

Register rule: use ਤੁਸੀਂ forms for letters, notices, and articles addressed to adults; use ਤੂੰ only for peers or children.

Formal letter frame: ਸਤਿਕਾਰ ਸਹਿਤ (respectfully) to open, then body, then ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (thanks) and signature; informal letters open with ਪਿਆਰੇ/ਪਿਆਰੀ.

Tense control: present habitual uses ਹੁੰਦਾ/ਹੁੰਦੀ; past uses ਸੀ/ਸਨ; future uses -ਗਾ/-ਗੀ/-ਗੇ suffixes.

Sentence variety: combine simple sentences with connectors such as ਅਤੇ (and), ਪਰ (but), ਕਿਉਂਕਿ (because), ਇਸ ਲਈ (therefore).

Word count and format requirements are specified in the task; a notice needs a heading, date, and issuing body, while an article needs a title and paragraphs.

Gurmukhi spelling accuracy matters: half-forms (addak ੱ) and conjuncts (pairīṅ) change meaning, so verify each word's spelling before submission.