English Language: Grammar, Comprehension and Translation
English Language in the UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer examination assesses grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, translation and formal writing. The standard is functional rather than literary: correct sentences, precise words and a clear structure earn marks.
Core rules
- Grammar: subject–verb agreement, tense sequence, articles, prepositions and active/passive voice. In 'one of the + plural noun', the verb is singular: 'One of the witnesses was present.'
- Comprehension: read the passage for the main idea first; answer only from the passage, not from outside knowledge.
- Translation: translate meaning, not word order. Hindi 'मैंने पत्र लिखा' becomes 'I wrote a letter', not 'I by letter wrote'.
- Precis: retain the central argument, cut examples and repetition, and use your own words; keep it to about one-third of the original.
Worked example
Choose the correct sentence: (a) 'Neither of the accused were present.' (b) 'Neither of the accused was present.' Reasoning: 'neither' is singular, and the prepositional phrase 'of the accused' does not change the subject. The verb must be 'was', so (b) is correct. The trap is proximity agreement - the plural noun next to the verb misleads candidates.
Traps that cost marks
- Literal translation of idioms and legal terms.
- Spelling errors in formal words (judgment, prosecution, evidence).
- Changing the author's tone in a precis or adding personal opinion.
- Misreading 'not' and 'except' in comprehension questions.