It is a known fact that S.S.C. Board of Andhra Pradesh had made some drastic modifications in English syllabus as well as in Question Paper pattern. However change is constant, it is not a big constraint for the students to secure 10 grade points in the Examination. Thorough preparation, meticulous planning, acquisition of sufficient knowledge in grammar certainly enriches their performance in the examination. Now if we analyse the pattern, S.S.C English is segregated as Paper – I and Paper – II covering the Parts A and B related to textual aspects and text independent areas
respectively.
Paper – I
Part – A: Reading Comprehension – 15 Marks
Creative Writing – 10 Marks
Part – B: Grammar – 15 Marks
Preparation of Paper – I
Paper-I is totally textual based. It is advised to read the text book thoroughly covering all A, B and C Reading units. Students should be well – versed with the speaker of the content and the context of all the units. The answers should be short and relevant to the topic.
Learn to understand figures of speech prescribed in the curriculum – Simile, Metaphor and Personification. Students should have a good knowledge in the textual grammar given at the end of every unit. Having proficiency in Voice, Direct and Indirect Speech, Relative and Adverbial Clauses, Phrases, etc. would be an added advantage.
Regarding Creative Writing, students should have a good command over the language and should know the correct sequence of details of the first three units. This would help them when they write a Conversation/ Description/ Diary Entry/ Script for Speech. Be aware of the themes mentioned in the Text Book.
Gain awareness of current affairs too so that you can write on the most recent incidents. Good presentation of the answer will always be rewarded with the best marks.
Paper – II
Part – A: Reading Comprehension – 15 Marks
Creative Writing – 10 Marks
Part – B: Vocabulary – 15 Marks
Preparation of Paper – II
Paper -II is completely text independent consisting of Unseen Passages and information transfer in the form of a Table/ Pie – chart/ Tree – diagram.
Reading, Observation and Analytical skills are tested where as in Letter Writing (Formal/ Informal) and in News Report, the Writing skills are analysed keeping in view of the format that is to be followed.
Students should be logical enough to guess the right and meaningful order of any given story. In Grammar, students should have a grip over Antonyms, Synonyms, Spellings, Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, One Word Substitutes, etc. to score full marks.
Referring to a dictionary is mandatory for every student so that they can be aware of every new vocabulary and its correct spelling. Thorough practise in the relevant Grammar topics will help the students to excel.
Tips for flair in English:
Converse in English.
Choose a topic and discuss it in English.
Make a habit of talking in English and write down difficult words in your Text Book lessons and understand their meanings.
Test your grammar with the aid of any grammar book.
Do not ignore to note the meaning of any word from the lessons. Always refer to a dictionary and make friends with it.
Read Part-A thoroughly and answer the questions.
Every detail covered in the Text Book should be understood and practised.
Practise Grammar part.
Budget the time and manage it wisely so that haste does not spoil Paper Presentation.
As the majority of the Question Paper is objective type, never miss the serial order of the answering.
Divide allotted time as per the sections.
Answers should be brief and up to the point.
Answers should be logical and should explain only what is asked.
Express the thoughts clearly and use rich vocabulary.
Use good and relevant quotes and phrases in Creative Writing Section.
Attempt the question paper in a sequence.
Don’t try to write lengthy answers.
Neat and legible hand-writing, leaving space between the answers and underlining value points has a positive impact on the evaluator.