WBCHSE HS Punjabi (First Language) key terms

Punjabi prose writing in the prescribed textbook, covering essays, short stories and biographical sketches studied for comprehension, theme and style questions in the examination.

A prose essay that develops a single idea or argument in organised paragraphs, often reflective or persuasive, and is analysed for its central theme and tone.

A short narrative with plot, characters and a turning point, studied for its message, characterisation and narrative technique within the prose section.

The central subject or theme a prose piece or poem deals with; answers must state it clearly before moving to explanation and supporting detail.

A character in a story or sketch, described by role, qualities and contribution to the plot; questions often ask for a brief character sketch.

Dialogue between characters, used to reveal personality, advance the plot and create dramatic interest; quoted briefly when explaining character relationships.

A prescribed Punjabi poem studied for theme, imagery, form and emotional effect; answers combine the poet's idea with textual evidence.

The aesthetic emotion or flavour a poem or passage evokes in the reader, such as love, heroism, pathos or wonder; named when discussing emotional impact.

The meaning or sentiment conveyed by a line or stanza, distinguished from its literal wording; explaining bhav is a standard poetry question.

A poetic figure that decorates or intensifies expression, such as simile, metaphor or alliteration; identifying and illustrating it earns marks in poetry answers.

Simile: an explicit comparison using words such as 'like' or 'as', where one thing is likened to another to sharpen the image.

Metaphor: an implied comparison in which one thing is spoken of as another without using comparison words, creating a fused poetic image.

Metre or verse form governing line length, syllable count and rhyme in a poem; recognising it helps explain rhythm and musical quality.

End rhyme, the matching sound at the close of verse lines; noting the rhyme scheme supports answers on form and sound pattern.

Noun: a word naming a person, place, thing or idea; grammar questions ask candidates to identify types such as proper, common and abstract nouns.

Pronoun: a word used in place of a noun, such as personal, reflexive, relative or interrogative pronouns; agreement with its noun is tested.

Verb: the word expressing action or state, including transitive and intransitive types; correct agreement with subject and object is a common grammar item.

Tense: the grammatical marking of time as past, present or future, including continuous and perfect forms; conversion exercises require accurate tense change.

Grammatical gender: masculine or feminine classification of nouns and the matching forms of adjectives and verbs that follow from it.

Grammatical number, singular or plural; Punjabi marks plurality through noun endings and verb forms, and errors here are frequently penalised.

Sentence: a complete unit of meaning with subject and predicate; grammar tasks include identifying sentence types and correcting faulty construction.

Correct spelling convention in Punjabi, including the placing of vowel signs and the joining or separation of words; spelling accuracy is assessed throughout the paper.

An idiom whose figurative meaning differs from the literal words; candidates must use it correctly in a sentence to demonstrate understanding.

A proverb or traditional saying expressing folk wisdom; explaining its sense and using it appropriately are typical language-usage tasks.

An essay written in the examination: a structured composition with introduction, developed body paragraphs and conclusion on a given topic.

A letter, either formal or informal, written with correct salutation, body, closing and signature according to the prescribed format.

A formal application, usually addressed to an authority, stating the request clearly with relevant details and a polite closing.

A factual account of an event written for a newspaper or institution, with headline, dateline, lead sentence and supporting details in reported style.

A paragraph: a group of sentences developing one controlling idea, used in comprehension answers and in structuring longer compositions.

Reading comprehension: the ability to read a passage and answer questions on its main idea, details, inference and vocabulary.

Word meaning; candidates supply meanings of given words, choosing the sense that fits the passage rather than a dictionary listing out of context.

A synonym, a word with a similar meaning to another; synonym exercises test vocabulary range and precision in the language section.

An antonym, a word of opposite meaning; pairing antonyms correctly shows command of vocabulary and is a frequent short-answer item.

The early period of Punjabi literature, covering the devotional compositions of the Gurus and Sufi poets that shaped the language's literary foundation.

Mystical Punjabi poetry expressing love of the divine through earthly imagery, associated with poets such as Baba Farid and later Sufi masters.

Devotional poetry centred on love and surrender to God, prominent in early Punjabi literature and studied for its themes and simple diction.

A heroic Punjabi poetic form recounting battle and bravery, usually in a vigorous metre; it belongs to the early literary tradition.

Modern Punjabi literature from the late nineteenth century onward, marked by new genres, social themes and the influence of reform movements.