PSEB Matric Urdu (in lieu of Hindi) key terms

The prose section of the prescribed Urdu textbook, containing narrative and expository lessons studied for comprehension, theme and textual questions. Candidates answer short and long questions drawn directly from these lessons.

A single prescribed lesson in the prose textbook. Each sabaq has its own author, central idea and vocabulary, and exam questions are usually tied to a named sabaq rather than to the book as a whole.

The central idea or main message of a lesson or poem, stated in one or two sentences. Questions often ask for the markazi khayal first, so it should be prepared for every prescribed text.

Difficult or unfamiliar words listed at the end of a lesson with their meanings. Examiners test these directly through word-meaning questions, so they must be memorised lesson by lesson.

Explanation of a given line or passage, covering its literal meaning, its underlying idea and its literary beauty. It is required for both prose extracts and poetry couplets and carries substantial marks.

A short extract quoted from a prescribed lesson or poem, printed in the question paper for explanation or context questions. The candidate must identify the source and explain the quoted lines.

A poem in the prescribed poetry section, written in rhymed or free verse on a single theme. Candidates study its subject, its message and the poetic devices used by the poet.

The subject or theme of a poem, such as patriotism, hope, nature or moral reform. Naming the mauzu correctly is the first step in any poetry explanation or appreciation answer.

Poetic devices or figures of speech used in Urdu verse, for example simile, metaphor and alliteration. Questions frequently ask candidates to identify a device in a given couplet and justify the choice.

Simile: an explicit comparison between two things using words such as 'jaise' or 'ki tarah'. In poetry questions the candidate must name both compared elements and the point of similarity.

Metaphor: a comparison in which one thing is stated as being another, without a comparison word. Recognising istiaara and explaining the implied resemblance is a common poetry appreciation task.

A device in which words of identical or near-identical sound but different meaning are placed close together, producing musical effect. It is identified by sound rather than by meaning, so recitation helps recognition.

The word or short phrase repeated after the qafia at the end of every line of a ghazal. Identifying the radeef is a standard first step in analysing a prescribed ghazal.

The rhyming element that comes immediately before the radeef and recurs in both lines of the opening couplet and in the second line of every later couplet. It fixes the rhyme scheme of the ghazal.

A lyric poem of usually five to nine independent couplets sharing a single rhyme and refrain. Each couplet, called a sher, carries its own thought, so unity comes from form rather than subject.

A single couplet of two lines that forms one complete unit of meaning within a ghazal. Explanation questions are normally set on an individual sher, so each must be prepared separately.

The opening couplet of a ghazal, in which both lines end with the qafia and radeef. It establishes the rhyme and is often quoted when a candidate is asked to identify the ghazal's form.

The closing couplet of a ghazal, often containing the poet's pen name. It traditionally rounds off the poem and may address the poet in the third person.

A noun: a word naming a person, place, thing or idea. In grammar questions candidates classify ism by type, for example proper, common, or abstract, and by number and gender.

A verb: a word expressing an action or state. Candidates identify the fail in a sentence and check whether it agrees with its subject in person, number and gender.

A particle: a word that carries grammatical meaning but does not function as a noun or verb, such as prepositions and conjunctions. Recognising harf helps in parsing sentences and correcting errors.

A pronoun: a word standing in place of a noun, such as 'woh', 'main' or 'tum'. Grammar items test correct pronoun choice and agreement with the noun it replaces.

An adjective: a word describing a noun, such as 'acha' or 'bara'. Candidates must match the sifat to its noun in gender and number and place it correctly in the sentence.

A sentence: a complete utterance built around a subject and predicate that expresses a full thought. Sentence-structure questions ask candidates to build, reorder or correct jumla.

Sentence parsing or structural analysis, in which each word is labelled by its grammatical role. It is tested by asking candidates to break down a given sentence word by word.

An idiom: a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words. Candidates must both explain a given muhawara and use it correctly in an original sentence.

A proverb: a short, traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice. It differs from a muhawara in being a complete sentence with a moral point.

An essay: a structured piece of writing on a given topic, with an introduction, developed body paragraphs and a conclusion. Marks are given for relevance, organisation and language accuracy.

A letter: formal or informal written communication following a fixed layout of address, salutation, body and closing. Formal letters use respectful formulae that must be reproduced accurately.

An application: a short formal request addressed to an official or head of institution. It follows a set pattern, states the request clearly and ends with a polite closing.

Order or arrangement, used for the logical sequence of ideas in an essay or letter. A well-ordered answer moves from introduction through argument to conclusion without repetition.

Translation: rendering a passage from Urdu into English or Punjabi while preserving meaning, tone and register. Accuracy of sense matters more than word-for-word correspondence.

A summary or précis: a condensed version of a passage that keeps its main points and omits detail and repetition. It is usually written in the candidate's own words at about one-third length.

A passage of running text, either unseen or prescribed, given for comprehension, summary or translation. Candidates read the ibarat closely and answer questions based only on it.

The title or heading of a passage or essay. It usually signals the main idea, so checking the unwaan before reading helps a candidate predict content and answer comprehension questions faster.

Metre: the fixed pattern of long and short syllables underlying a poem or ghazal. Scanning a line for wazn helps candidates recite correctly and detect errors in verse.

The specific metrical pattern of a ghazal or poem, named in classical prosody. Knowing the bahr of a prescribed ghazal is useful when explaining its rhythm and musical quality.