Odisha BSE HSC Odia (First Language) key terms

A prose composition in which the writer develops one idea in ordered paragraphs, with an introduction, body and conclusion. In the Class X Odia textbook it includes reflective and biographical essays.

The central idea or message that holds a prose piece together. Questions often ask candidates to state it in one or two sentences after reading the passage.

A brief summary that keeps only the main points of a passage and drops examples and repetition. It is usually written in the candidate's own words in the third person.

The way a writer builds a person in a story through actions, speech, thoughts and others' opinions. Candidates are asked to describe a character using evidence from the text.

Any person who takes part in the action of a story or play. A major character drives the plot, while a minor character supports it or reveals something about the main figure.

An event or incident in a narrative that moves the story forward. Examiners often ask which incident is the turning point and why it matters.

A life story written by the person themselves, using first person. In the textbook, autobiographical extracts are read for personal voice and the values the writer highlights.

An account of a person's life written by someone else. It records birth, education, work and contribution, and is usually written in the third person and in time order.

Poetry as a textbook section, as opposed to prose. Odia poems are studied for theme, imagery, rhythm and the poet's attitude, and are often memorised for recitation.

The metrical pattern of a poem, fixed by the number and arrangement of syllables in each line. Recognising the chhanda helps in recitation and in answering rhythm questions.

The unit of syllabic length used in Odia prosody; a short vowel counts as one matra and a long vowel as two. Counting matras is the basis of identifying many Odia metres.

A figure of speech that decorates poetic language, such as simile, metaphor or alliteration. Candidates must name the alankara and quote the words that create it.

A simile: an explicit comparison of two unlike things using words such as ପରି, ପ୍ରାୟ or ସଦୃଶ. Both things remain separate in the comparison, unlike in a metaphor.

A metaphor in which one thing is identified with another without any word of comparison, as when a beloved is simply called a lotus. The two things are fused, not merely compared.

Alliteration: repetition of the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words. It gives musicality to verse and is a common alankara question in Odia poetry papers.

The inner or suggested meaning of a poem or line, as distinct from its literal wording. Answers on bhabartha explain the feeling and message rather than translating word for word.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word or line. In poetry answers it is given first, briefly, before moving on to the deeper sense.

A short note on a poet's life, period and main works, often asked at the start of a poetry answer. It should be factual and limited to a few well-chosen details.

The joining of two sounds or words where the final sound of the first combines with the initial sound of the second. Odia grammar treats vowel, consonant and visarga sandhi separately.

The compounding of two or more words into a single word, such as ରାଜପୁତ୍ର. Candidates identify the type of samasa and show how the compound can be split back into its parts.

A suffix or affix added to a root or word to form a new word or change its grammatical role. Odia grammar distinguishes krudanta, taddhita and vibhakti pratyaya.

A case ending that shows the grammatical relation of a noun to other words, such as subject, object or possession. Odia has eight cases, each with its own set of endings.

The role a noun or pronoun plays in relation to the verb of a sentence, for example doer, object or instrument. Case endings mark karaka in Odia.

The verb of a sentence, expressing an action or state. Odia grammar distinguishes finite and non-finite forms, and transitive from intransitive verbs.

Tense: the form of the verb that shows whether an action happens in the past, present or future. Odia marks several shades such as habitual, continuous and completed action.

Grammatical gender. Odia nouns are masculine, feminine or neuter, and the gender affects the form of agreeing words such as adjectives and verbs.

Grammatical number, singular or plural. Odia forms plurals by adding endings or by using plural markers, and the verb must agree with the subject in number.

Synonyms: different words that carry nearly the same meaning, such as ଜଳ and ପାଣି. Vocabulary questions ask for one or more equivalents of a given word.

Antonyms: words with opposite meanings, such as ଦିନ and ରାତି. Candidates are usually asked to supply the opposite of a word taken from the prescribed texts.

A single, well-knit paragraph on one topic, with a topic sentence, supporting details and a closing line. Paragraph writing is a standard composition task in the paper.

Essay writing: a longer composition with an introduction, several developed paragraphs and a conclusion. Marks are given for content, organisation, language and relevance to the topic.

Letter writing, either personal or formal. A formal letter follows a fixed layout of sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, body and closing.

A formal application addressed to an authority, requesting something such as leave, admission or a certificate. It uses polite, impersonal language and states the request clearly.

The subject line of a formal letter, placed above the salutation. It states the purpose in a short phrase so the reader knows the matter at once.

An unseen prose passage that the candidate has not studied, followed by questions on meaning, vocabulary and inference. Answers must be drawn from the passage itself.

An unseen poem or stanza printed with questions on theme, figure of speech and meaning. The candidate must interpret unfamiliar verse without prior study.

The context of a quoted line: who speaks it, to whom, and in what situation. Odia answer patterns usually begin with prasanga before explaining meaning.

The study of the rules of a language, covering sounds, word formation, sentence structure and meaning. In this paper it is tested through identification and applied exercises.