Maharashtra HSC Bengali (MSBSHSE) key terms

A written form that flows in full sentences and paragraphs rather than measured lines, used for stories, essays and explanatory pieces in the prescribed textbook. It is contrasted with কবিতা when you identify the genre of a passage.

A literary form built from lines and stanzas, often using rhythm, rhyme and imagery to convey feeling. In this paper you must name the poet, the central idea and the figures of speech used in each prescribed poem.

A group of sentences developing one main idea, usually beginning with a topic sentence and closing with a link to the next point. Questions ask you to locate the main idea or to write a paragraph on a given topic.

The main point or message a passage or poem conveys as a whole, distinct from its details. Answers should state it in one or two clear sentences and then support it with evidence from the text.

A shortened restatement of a text that keeps only its essential points and leaves out examples and repetition. It must be in your own words, shorter than the original, and free of personal opinion.

A person depicted in a story or play, described through actions, speech and the reactions of others. Character questions expect you to name traits and justify each trait with an incident from the text.

A literary work written to be performed, consisting mainly of dialogue and stage directions rather than narration. When analysing it, note the speakers, the conflict and how the action is divided into acts or scenes.

Speech exchanged between characters in a story or play, usually marked by quotation marks or a dash. Dialogue reveals personality and moves the plot, so questions often ask what a particular exchange shows about a character.

A deliberate device that makes language more expressive, such as simile, metaphor or personification. You are usually asked to quote a line, name the device and explain the comparison it creates.

A comparison between two unlike things introduced by words such as মতো, ন্যায় or সদৃশ, as in comparing a face to the moon. The comparison is stated openly rather than implied.

An implied comparison in which one thing is spoken of as if it were another, without any word meaning 'like'. The identification is direct, so the reader must infer the resemblance.

The measured arrangement of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables that gives a poem its rhythm. Identifying the metre helps explain why a line sounds musical or abrupt.

The sense a particular word carries in a given context, which may differ from its everyday use. Vocabulary questions ask you to supply a synonym or explain the word as it appears in the passage.

A word having nearly the same meaning as another, such as জল and পানি for water. Examiners often ask for one or more synonyms of a word taken from the prescribed text.

A word expressing the opposite of another, such as আলো and অন্ধকার. Questions require the correct opposite form, so check that the word class matches the original.

The joining of two or more words into a single expression, with one member governing the sense of the whole. You are asked to split a compound into its component words and name its type.

The phonetic combination of two sounds at the boundary of words or morphemes, producing a single joined form. Exercises give a joined word and ask you to separate it, or give two words and ask for the joined form.

The grammatical relationship between a noun or pronoun and the verb of the sentence, such as doer, object or instrument. Bengali recognises several such relations, each signalled by particular suffixes or postpositions.

A suffix attached to a noun, pronoun or verb to show its grammatical role, number or tense. Identifying the correct suffix is central to case and tense questions.

The word that expresses an action or state and agrees with the subject in person and number. Tense, aspect and honorific level are all marked on the verb form.

A complete unit of expression containing a subject and a predicate and conveying a finished thought. Grammar items ask you to classify sentences, join them, or correct faulty ones.

The classification of sentences by purpose, for example statements, questions, commands and exclamations, or by structure as simple, complex and compound. Recognising the type guides punctuation and transformation tasks.

Marks such as দাঁড়ি, কমা and প্রশ্নচিহ্ন that show pauses and clarify meaning in written Bengali. Punctuation questions test whether you can insert or correct marks in a given passage.

The conventional written form of a word according to standard Bengali orthography. Spelling errors are commonly tested by asking you to correct a misspelt word or choose the right form.

A structured piece of writing on a given topic, usually with an introduction, several developed paragraphs and a conclusion. Marks depend on relevance, organisation, vocabulary and correctness of language.

A composition task in which you take a given proverb or line and develop its meaning into a short passage. You should explain the idea, illustrate it with an example or comparison, and end with its application.

Composing a formal or informal letter with the correct layout, salutation, body and closing. Informal letters go to relatives or friends, while formal ones address officials, editors or institutions.

A formal written request to an authority, typically stating the subject, the reason for the request and a polite closing. The layout includes the addressee, date, subject line and signature.

The form of address opening a letter or speech, chosen to match the relationship and level of formality. Bengali distinguishes respectful, affectionate and neutral forms, and using the wrong one costs marks.

Rendering a passage from one language into another while preserving its meaning, tone and register. A good translation reads naturally in the target language rather than following the source word by word.

Restating a text in different words within the same language, keeping the meaning intact. It differs from translation because no change of language occurs, and from summary because detail may be retained.

The section testing comprehension of an unseen or supplementary passage read quickly for overall sense. Questions ask for the main idea, specific details and the meaning of unfamiliar words from context.

The reverse of sandhi: separating a joined word into its original components. A typical exercise gives a combined form and asks you to show the two parts and the rule applied.

The basic meaningful element from which verbs and many nouns are formed by adding suffixes. Recognising the root helps you conjugate verbs correctly and identify related word forms.

A suffix added to a root or word to build a new word or a different grammatical form, such as forming a noun from a verb. Exercises ask you to derive a word or to strip a word back to its root.

A meaningful element placed before a root or word that modifies its sense, as in forming words of movement or negation. Questions ask for the meaning a particular prefix adds or for words built with it.

The grammatical classification of nouns as masculine, feminine or neuter, which affects agreement and some word endings. Bengali marks gender less consistently than Sanskrit, so usage must be learned word by word.

The grammatical distinction between singular and plural, shown in Bengali by suffixes and by accompanying verbs. Correct number agreement between subject and verb is a frequent marking point.