Practical/Project Work and Viva
What is assessed
The practical examination usually combines a project file, a demonstration and a viva. The file must show that you did the work: objectives, method, data, analysis, photographs with captions, conclusion and bibliography.
Typical practical tasks
Marking West Bengal destinations on an outline map (Sundarbans, Digha, Darjeeling, Santiniketan, Bishnupur, Murshidabad); writing a two-day itinerary; laying a four-course cover; bed making; drafting a reservation reply; scripting a complaint-handling role play; preparing a menu card or poster.
Worked example: project on Bishnupur
Title: Tourism potential of Bishnupur. Objectives: list attractions, assess amenities, suggest improvements. Method: 20 visitor questionnaires plus secondary data from the district tourism office. Findings: most visitors are day-trippers from Kolkata and the top complaint is the lack of decent food. Recommendation: a licensed food kiosk near the temple complex. Reasoning: a specific, small recommendation supported by your own data scores higher than a generic statement that the government should develop tourism.
Viva behaviour
Introduce the topic in two sentences and then let the examiner lead. If you do not know, say so and offer what you do know. Point to your own charts and tables instead of reading from the file.
Traps that cost marks
Copying a project from the internet. Having no primary data. Being unable to explain your own table. Mis-marking locations on the outline map. Reading aloud instead of speaking.