English: Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary and Guided Writing
Domain focus
This section covers the English domain of the Odisha BSE Madhyama examination. It tests reading comprehension of prescribed prose and poetry, applied grammar, vocabulary in context, and short guided writing. Marks are earned by matching an answer to the passage or to a stated rule, not by writing a general opinion.
Core rules and concepts
- Comprehension: Read the question first, locate the key word in the passage, then read the whole sentence before and after it. Answer in a complete sentence; an inference must be supported by a phrase from the text.
- Grammar: In transformation items, keep the original meaning. For reported speech, shift tense only when the reporting verb is past, change pronouns to the speaker's viewpoint, and replace time words such as now with then.
- Vocabulary: Choose a synonym that fits the same part of speech and the sentence's tone. Do not substitute a word merely because it looks similar.
- Writing: For a letter or notice, use the required layout, a clear opening purpose, and short paragraphs. Link ideas with because, however, and therefore rather than listing points.
Worked example
Direct speech: He said, “I am reading the lesson now.” Reported speech: He said that he was reading the lesson then. Reasoning: the reporting verb said is past, so present continuous am reading becomes past continuous was reading; I becomes he; now becomes then. The conjunction that is optional but keeps the sentence clear.
Traps that cost marks
Copying a full passage sentence when the question asks for a reason; changing both the tense and the pronoun incorrectly in reported speech; omitting articles before singular countable nouns; writing a letter without the required salutation or closing; exceeding a word limit so the main point is buried.
Key points
- Answer comprehension questions with text evidence, not guesswork.
- Keep meaning constant in grammar transformations.
- Match synonyms by part of speech and context.
- Follow the prescribed layout in guided writing.
- Check tense, pronoun, and time-word shifts in reported speech.