UPMSP Intermediate Punjabi key terms

The prose section of the prescribed Punjabi course, covering essays, short stories, sketches and biographical pieces. Candidates answer comprehension and analytical questions on these texts.

The poetry section of the syllabus, comprising prescribed poems studied for theme, imagery, tone and poetic devices. Questions test interpretation and appreciation, not memorised commentary alone.

Grammar: the rules governing word formation, inflection, sentence structure and usage in Punjabi. Exam items ask candidates to identify, correct and apply these rules.

Composition: the writing-skills section requiring candidates to produce letters, essays, reports, notices or précis. Marks reward structure, relevance, coherence and correct language.

The script used to write Punjabi, read left to right, with thirty-five primary letters plus vowel signs and auxiliary marks. Candidates must read, write and transliterate accurately.

The vowel signs attached to consonants in Gurmukhi to indicate vowel sounds, such as ਕੰਨਾ, ਸਿਹਾਰੀ, ਬਿਹਾਰੀ and ਔਂਕੜ. Correct use of these signs determines spelling accuracy.

The diacritic mark (ੱ) placed over a consonant to double it, as in ਪੱਕਾ. It signals gemination and is a frequent source of spelling errors in dictation and composition.

The nasalisation mark written above a letter (ਂ), used chiefly with short vowels, as in ਸੰਗ. It must be distinguished from ਬਿੰਦੀ, which follows long vowels.

The dot placed above a letter to mark nasalisation after long vowels, as in ਮਾਂ. Candidates must choose correctly between ਟਿੱਪੀ and ਬਿੰਦੀ in written answers.

The mark (੍) placed below a consonant to show that its inherent vowel is suppressed, producing a consonant cluster. It appears in Sanskrit-derived vocabulary and in precise spelling.

The joining of two sounds or words where the final sound of the first and the initial sound of the second combine or change. Grammar items ask candidates to identify and form such joins.

Compound formation, in which two or more words merge into a single unit with a specific relationship between the parts. Candidates identify compound types and split them into components.

A prefix added before a root or word to modify its meaning, such as ਅਨ- or ਪ੍ਰ-. Questions test recognition of prefixes and the meaning shift they produce.

A suffix attached after a root or word to form a new word or grammatical form. Candidates identify suffixes and explain how they change meaning or part of speech.

Word classes in Punjabi, covering nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and indeclinables. Grammar questions ask candidates to classify underlined words by type.

Grammatical gender. Punjabi nouns and agreeing adjectives and verbs are masculine or feminine, and gender agreement must be maintained in sentences and composition.

Grammatical number, singular or plural. Verbs and adjectives must agree with the noun in number, and errors of agreement are commonly tested in correction exercises.

The case relation a noun or pronoun bears to the verb in a sentence, marked in Punjabi largely by postpositions such as ਨੇ, ਨੂੰ and ਤੋਂ. Items test correct case marking.

Sentence correction: identifying and repairing errors of agreement, case marking, word order or spelling. This is a standard grammar item type in the paper.

An idiom whose meaning cannot be derived from its individual words, such as ਅੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਤਾਰਾ. Candidates must supply meanings and use idioms correctly in sentences.

A proverb or traditional saying expressing folk wisdom in fixed wording, distinct from an idiom in that it states a general truth. Items ask for meaning and contextual use.

Synonyms: different words carrying a similar meaning, such as ਸੂਰਜ and ਰਵੀ. Vocabulary items ask candidates to supply or select an equivalent word.

Antonyms: words with opposite meanings, such as ਉੱਚਾ and ਨੀਵਾਂ. Candidates match or supply opposites, and accuracy of gender and form matters.

A word with more than one distinct meaning depending on context, such as ਕਰ. Items require candidates to give separate meanings and illustrate each in a sentence.

Questions based on a prescribed or unseen passage, testing literal comprehension, inference and vocabulary in context. Answers must be drawn from and justified by the text.

A passage not from the prescribed texts, followed by questions on main idea, detail, inference and word meaning. Candidates must answer in their own words without copying wholesale.

Formal and informal letter writing, requiring correct layout, salutation, body paragraphs and closing. Marks depend on format, tone and grammatical accuracy.

Summarising a passage in a fixed fraction of its length while retaining the central ideas and omitting repetition. It tests reading accuracy and concise expression.

A short formal announcement for a school or public setting, giving what, when, where and whom to contact. Brevity and clarity are the marking criteria.

The aesthetic emotion evoked by a literary work, such as ਕਰੁਣ ਰਸ or ਵੀਰ ਰਸ. Poetry questions ask candidates to identify the dominant rasa and justify it.

A poetic device or figure of speech that ornaments expression, such as ਉਪਮਾ and ਰੂਪਕ. Candidates identify devices and explain the effect they create.

Metre or verse form in Punjabi poetry, governing syllable count and rhythm. Recognition questions ask candidates to name the form used in a prescribed poem.

The central idea or theme of a prose piece or poem, stated briefly in the candidate's own words. Answers must be supported by details from the text.

Characterisation: how an author reveals a character through action, speech, description and the responses of others. Questions ask candidates to assess a character's traits with textual evidence.

Biographical background on a prescribed author, including period, region and major works. Such questions are factual and reward precise, dated knowledge rather than vague description.

Correct spelling and joining of letters and vowel signs in Gurmukhi. Dictation and correction items test whether candidates can write words with accurate matras and doubling marks.