ASSEB HSLC Elective Assamese key terms

A prose passage, usually an extract from an Assamese essay, story, or biography printed in the textbook; candidates read it closely, then answer short questions on meaning, tone, and the writer's purpose.

The subject matter or content of a prose lesson - what the piece is actually about, including its main events, arguments, or descriptions. Answers about content must be drawn from the text, not invented.

The central idea or main theme that a lesson or poem conveys as a whole. Stating the মূলভাব means summing up the writer's message in a sentence or two, without retelling the entire text.

The purpose or intention behind a piece of writing - whether the author aims to inform, persuade, amuse, or move the reader. Identifying it helps candidates answer higher-mark interpretive questions.

A character in a story or biography, described through appearance, speech, actions, and relationships with others. Candidates are often asked to sketch a character's qualities with evidence from the text.

Character portrayal - the way a writer reveals a person's nature through deeds, dialogue, and comment. A good answer names two or three traits and supports each with a specific incident from the lesson.

Direct speech exchanged between characters in a story or drama extract. Quoting a short line of সংলাপ accurately strengthens answers about character motive and conflict.

A biography - an account of a real person's life written by another. Assamese textbooks include life sketches of writers and national figures; candidates should note dates, places, and achievements accurately.

An autobiography, written by the subject about their own life. It is told in the first person, so events are coloured by personal memory and feeling rather than an outside observer's judgement.

A poem or extract from a poem prescribed in the syllabus. Candidates must read it aloud with correct rhythm, then explain its lines, imagery, and underlying sentiment in their own words.

Explaining the meaning of a stanza or line in simple prose. The answer should paraphrase the sense faithfully, keep the poet's intent intact, and avoid adding ideas that the text does not support.

A poetic figure of speech that beautifies expression, such as উপমা (simile), ৰূপক (metaphor), or অনুপ্ৰাস (alliteration). Candidates should name the figure and point to the exact words that create it.

A simile - an explicit comparison of two unlike things using words such as 'দৰে' or 'পৰি'. Recognising উপমা helps candidates explain how a poet makes an abstract feeling vivid and concrete.

A metaphor - an implied comparison in which one thing is spoken of as if it were another, without a comparing word. It fuses image and subject, giving poetry compression and force.

Alliteration - the repetition of the same consonant sound, usually at the start of nearby words, to create musical effect. Candidates should identify the repeated sound and quote the words containing it.

Metre or rhythm - the patterned arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables that gives a poem its musical flow. Reading a poem aloud is the surest way to feel its ছন্দ before analysing it.

The dominant emotion or sentiment a poem evokes, such as devotion, patriotism, grief, or wonder. Naming the ভাৱ correctly is often the first step in writing a full appreciation of a poem.

The aesthetic flavour or relish that a reader experiences when a poem's emotion is fully realised - for example কৰুণ ৰস from grief or বীৰ ৰস from heroism. It is the emotional essence of the work.

The supplementary reader section of the syllabus, containing longer prose pieces read outside the main textbook. Questions test plot, character, and theme rather than line-by-line explanation.

The storyline or plot of a supplementary text - the sequence of events from beginning through conflict to resolution. A reliable summary keeps events in order and names the turning point.

A summary or précis of a passage or story, written in the candidate's own words and reduced to its essential points. It must be shorter than the original and free of personal opinion.

Sandhi - the phonetic combination of two adjacent sounds, as when a word-final vowel meets a word-initial vowel and the two merge or change form. Candidates must identify the type and split the joined word.

The reverse operation of সন্ধি: breaking a combined word back into its original component parts. Examiners often give a joined word and ask for the correct separation with the rule applied.

Vowel sandhi - the joining of two vowels, where the resulting sound may be a long vowel, a diphthong, or a glide according to set rules. It is the most frequently tested sandhi category.

Compound formation, in which two or more words combine into a single expression with a new, compact meaning. Candidates identify the compound type and expand it back into its constituent words.

Expanding a compound word into its component words and stating the relationship between them, such as দ্বন্দ্ব, তৎপুৰুষ, or কৰ্মধাৰয়. The answer must name the type and show the split clearly.

A suffix or affix added to a root or stem to form a new word or change its grammatical function. Candidates are asked to add the correct প্ৰত্যয় or strip it to recover the base form.

A prefix attached before a root that modifies the word's meaning, often changing direction or intensity. Recognising উপসৰ্গ helps candidates explain how a simple verb acquires a new shade of sense.

A verbal root - the basic element from which verbs and many nouns are built through prefixes and suffixes. Identifying the ধাতু is essential for correct verb conjugation and word derivation.

Sentence types classified by purpose: assertive, interrogative, imperative, optative, and exclamatory. Candidates convert one type into another and must adjust word order and verb form accordingly.

The subject of a sentence - the doer of the action or the entity about which something is stated. Locating the কৰ্তা correctly is the first step in parsing any Assamese sentence.

The object of a sentence - the person or thing directly affected by the verb's action. Distinguishing কৰ্ম from কৰ্তা prevents errors in voice change and case marking.

A formal essay written on a given topic, organised into an introduction, several developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Marks depend on relevance, structure, vocabulary, and correctness of language.

The opening paragraph of an essay, which introduces the topic, sets the tone, and states the line of argument. A crisp ভূমিকা draws the examiner in without repeating the whole body in advance.

The concluding paragraph of an essay, which draws the threads together and offers a final observation. It should not introduce fresh arguments or new examples at the very end.

An unseen prose passage supplied in the examination, not drawn from any prescribed text. Candidates read it independently and answer comprehension questions based solely on what the passage states.

A paragraph - a group of sentences developing one controlling idea, usually with a topic sentence first and supporting detail after. Recognising paragraph unity helps candidates locate answers quickly.

Letter writing - composing a formal or informal letter with correct layout: sender's address, date, salutation, body, closing, and signature. Register and tone must suit the recipient and purpose.

A formal application letter addressed to an authority, requesting action such as leave, admission, or redress of a problem. It follows a fixed format and uses polite, impersonal, and precise language throughout.

An informal personal letter to a friend or relative, written in a relaxed, warm register. It may describe recent events, share news, or invite a reply, and its layout is simpler than a formal letter's.