ASSEB HSLC First Language Khasi (MIL) key terms

A traditional Khasi four-line verse form, usually rhymed and rhythmic, often sung or recited. Recognising its structure helps candidates answer questions on poetic form, metre and the oral roots of Khasi poetry.

A Khasi poetic or oratorical composition delivered in rhythmic, often improvised lines, associated with public speech and celebration. Candidates should identify its performative function and its difference from written lyric poetry.

A Khasi folk song or sung verse, often connected with work, courtship or community occasions. In poetry questions it is used to discuss oral tradition, refrain and repetition as poetic devices.

The Khasi word for 'word' or 'saying'; also used for a proverb or maxim. Useful when explaining diction, proverbial expression and the moral ending of a poem or story.

A Khasi proverb or traditional saying carrying folk wisdom. In comprehension and composition it is quoted to support an argument, so candidates must explain its meaning rather than merely cite it.

A Khasi riddle or enigmatic saying, traditionally used for wit and instruction. Knowing the term helps in questions about folk literature, wordplay and figurative language in the prose and poetry sections.

The masculine and feminine grammatical gender markers used before nouns and names in Khasi. Correct use of u, ka and ki is a frequent grammar item and affects agreement in sentences.

The Khasi plural article and pronoun meaning 'they' or 'the' with plural nouns. Candidates must distinguish it from u and ka and use it correctly in agreement and translation tasks.

Literally 'the state of being'; jing- is a productive Khasi prefix forming abstract nouns from verbs or adjectives. Recognising it aids vocabulary building and morphology questions in the grammar section.

A Khasi noun-forming prefix that turns verbs and adjectives into abstract nouns, as in jingieit from ieit. Grammar questions often ask candidates to derive or explain such nouns.

A Khasi prefix meaning 'one who does' or 'agent', as in nongthoh, a writer. Identifying it helps candidates parse agent nouns and answer word-formation questions.

Khasi verbs indicate time mainly through context and particles such as la (past) and yn (future) rather than by changing the verb form. This contrast with English is a common grammar and translation trap.

A Khasi particle marking completed or past action, roughly 'already' or 'has done'. Candidates must place it correctly and avoid translating it word-for-word as the English past tense.

A Khasi particle marking future or intended action, roughly 'will' or 'shall'. It is tested in sentence transformation and in translating English future forms into Khasi.

Rewriting a sentence while keeping its meaning, for example changing voice, tense or direct to indirect speech. This is a standard grammar exercise testing control of Khasi syntax.

Reporting someone's words exactly, or reporting them with adjustments to pronouns, time words and tense. Khasi uses reporting verbs and particles, so candidates must adapt rather than translate literally.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words. Khasi prose and poetry use idioms heavily, so candidates should explain them in context rather than literally.

The central idea or message a text conveys, such as love, loss, tradition or social change. Answers should state the theme and support it with evidence from the text.

The lesson a story or poem is meant to teach, often stated at the end of a folk tale. Candidates should distinguish the moral from the theme, which may be broader.

The way a writer builds a character through description, speech, action and others' reactions. Questions often ask candidates to judge whether a character is flat or rounded and to give textual proof.

The arranged sequence of events in a narrative, including exposition, rising action, climax and resolution. Identifying the climax helps candidates answer short-answer questions accurately and concisely.

The time and place in which a story unfolds, including social and cultural background. In Khasi prose, setting often carries the values of village or clan life and shapes the conflict.

A deliberate deviation from literal language, such as simile, metaphor, personification or hyperbole. Candidates must name the figure and explain its effect, not merely label it.

A comparison using words such as 'like' or 'as', for example 'as brave as a tiger'. In Khasi poetry, similes often draw on nature, animals and everyday village life.

A direct comparison that states one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as'. Explaining a metaphor means unpacking both the comparison and the feeling it creates.

Giving human qualities to non-human things, such as a river that 'sings' or a hill that 'weeps'. It is common in Khasi nature poetry and is often asked about in appreciation questions.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates pictures in the reader's mind. Strong imagery in Khasi poetry often comes from hills, rivers, rain and market scenes.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, usually labelled with letters such as abab or aabb. Noting the scheme helps candidates describe the form of a Khasi lyric accurately.

A line or phrase repeated at intervals in a poem or song, often at the end of stanzas. In Khasi folk-derived verse the refrain carries emotion and helps oral memorability.

Using an object, colour or place to stand for a larger idea, such as a river for the passage of life. Candidates should link the symbol to the poem's theme with evidence.

The speaker's attitude towards the subject, for example nostalgic, ironic, solemn or hopeful. Identifying tone requires attention to word choice and is frequently examined in poetry appreciation.

The supplementary reading text prescribed for wider reading, tested through short questions on plot, characters and values. Candidates should know key incidents and their significance, not just the storyline.

A passage not from the prescribed books, followed by comprehension and vocabulary questions. The skill tested is locating answers in the text and inferring meaning from context.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text rather than stated directly. Good answers quote or point to the relevant detail and then state what it implies.

A hint in the surrounding words that reveals the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Using clues such as contrast, example or definition is the safest way to answer vocabulary questions.

Words with similar or opposite meanings respectively. Vocabulary items often ask for a synonym or antonym in Khasi or English, so candidates should consider register and context.

Finding a target-language expression that carries the same meaning and effect as the source. Literal word-for-word rendering often fails between Khasi and English because of idiom and word order.

The organisation of a composition into introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, each with a clear focus. Marks depend on relevance, paragraphing, linking and accuracy as much as on ideas.

The sentence that states the main point of a paragraph, usually placed first. It keeps a Khasi composition coherent and makes the writer's argument easy for the examiner to follow.

The linking of sentences and paragraphs through connectors, pronouns and repeated key words. In composition marking, weak cohesion is a common reason for lost marks even when content is good.