Hindi Language: Comprehension, Grammar, Essay and Letter Writing
Paper structure
The Hindi paper tests comprehension (गद्यांश and पद्यांश), grammar (व्याकरण), and writing (निबंध and पत्र). Each part rewards accuracy in standard Hindi rather than ornate prose.
Comprehension
Read the passage twice: once for the general sense, once to locate answers. Answers should be written in your own words, in complete sentences, and within the word limit. For poetry, identify the भाव (theme) before answering.
Grammar essentials
Focus on संधि and संधि-विच्छेद, समास and its types, उपसर्ग and प्रत्यय, कारक and विभक्ति, वाच्य, काल, and मुहावरे and लोकोक्तियाँ. Also revise तत्सम-तद्भव, पर्यायवाची, विलोम, and अनेकार्थी शब्द. Errors usually come from misidentifying समास type or कारक marking.
Writing tasks
For निबंध, use a clear भूमिका, three or four विषय-विकास paragraphs, and a निष्कर्ष. For पत्र, follow the prescribed format: प्रेषक, दिनांक, संबोधन, विषय, मुख्य भाग, and हस्ताक्षर.
Traps and rule of thumb
Traps include confusing द्वंद्व and द्विगु समास, and using colloquial forms in formal letters. Use the व्याकरण-पहले rule: identify the grammatical category before choosing an option.
Worked example
'राजपुत्र' = राजा का पुत्र, a तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी) समास, not द्वंद्व, because the components are not joined by 'और'.