Mark your calendars for 2nd July 2023 – the day of the UPSC EPFO EO 2023 exam! Whether you aspire to be an EO or an AO, you will have to score good marks in English to clear the exam. The General English Section in the exam is crucial as it accounts for 30 marks out of the grand total of 100 marks. It assesses the candidates’ competence to comprehend and craft English accurately and effectively. The syllabus for this section covers topics such as grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, précis writing, report writing, communication skills, etc.
So, don’t neglect the General English Section – it’s worth 30% of your score! Take a Free Mock Test to test your knowledge of English and improve like never before.
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UPSC EPFO EO 2023-How to Score Full Marks in the General English Section?
Here are some valuable tips on how to score full marks in the General English section of the UPSC EPFO EO 2023 exam:
1. Dive into the world of words
Newspapers and magazines are your best friends to polish your language skills and stay updated on current affairs. Explore different sources and genres, from editorials to poems, and enrich your vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and writing. Jot down new words and phrases and practice using them in your own sentences.
2. Master the art of letter and summary writing
The exam will challenge you to write formal and informal letters and summaries of passages. You should know the formats, styles, tones, and language of these types of writing. Write letters and summaries on various topics and situations, such as complaints, requests, invitations, suggestions, opinions, etc. Use clear and concise language and avoid spelling and grammatical errors.
3. Crack the code of previous years’ question papers and mock tests
Previous years’ question papers and mock tests will reveal the secrets of the exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level and marking scheme. You will also learn the types of questions asked and the topics covered in the exam. You can also evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and work on them accordingly. Solve the papers in a time-bound manner and check your answers with the solutions provided.
4. Brush up on the rules of grammar and punctuation
Grammar and punctuation are the backbones of writing correct and effective sentences. You should brush up on the rules of grammar and punctuation, such as parts of speech, tenses, voice, narration, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, etc. You should also practice spotting and fixing errors in sentences using these rules. You can refer to a good grammar book or online resources for this purpose.
5. Build your vocabulary
Vocabulary is a key ingredient of the General English section. You should build your vocabulary by learning new words and their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, proverbs, etc. You should also practice using these words in sentences and paragraphs. You can use flashcards, quizzes, games, or apps to learn new words and revise them regularly.
6. Sharpen your comprehension skills
Comprehension skills are needed for answering questions based on passages given in the exam. You should sharpen your comprehension skills by reading passages carefully and grasping their main idea or theme, tone or mood, message or purpose, etc. You should also practice answering different types of questions based on passages, such as factual, inferential, analytical, or evaluative questions. You should also pay attention to the keywords or clues given in the questions and passages.
7. Boost your writing skills
Writing skills are needed for writing letters and summaries in the exam. You should boost your writing skills by following some steps: plan your writing by brainstorming ideas and organizing them into a logical structure; write your first draft by using appropriate language, style, and tone; revise your draft by checking for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and coherence; edit your draft by improving your word choice, sentence structure, and paragraph development; proofread your final draft by ensuring that it meets the requirements of the task.
8. Read the questions carefully before answering
Reading the questions carefully before answering will help you avoid mistakes and save time in the exam. You should read the questions carefully and understand what they are asking for. You should also look for keywords or clues that indicate the type of answer required or the format to be followed. For example, if the question asks you to write a letter in a formal tone or to summarize a passage in 150 words or less.
9. Manage your time wisely
Time management is crucial for completing the exam within the allotted time limit. You should manage your time wisely by allocating sufficient time for each section according to its weightage and difficulty level. You should also keep track of your time while solving the paper and avoid spending too much time on any question or section that you find difficult or confusing. You should also leave some time for revision at the end of the paper.
10. Be confident and calm
Confidence and calmness are important for performing well in any exam. You should be confident about your preparation and knowledge and trust your abilities. You should also be calm and composed during the exam and avoid any stress or anxiety that may affect your concentration or performance. You should also follow some tips to relax before or during the exam: take deep breaths; drink water; stretch your muscles; think positive thoughts; etc.
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Top Books to Prepare for General English for UPSC EPFO EO Exam 2023
Now, we’ll shed light on the best that can help you cover all the topics that make up the General English syllabus for UPSC EPFO.
Given below are the names of the books that will not only help you improve your vocabulary arsenal and writing skills:
S. No | Book Name | Author/ Publisher |
2. | General English for all competitive exams | Tanya Sachdeva |
3. | General English for Competitive exam | Disha Experts |
4. | Objective General English | SP Sakshi |
5. | Lucent’s General English for all Competitive Exams | Lucent Publication |
Takeaway
To score full marks in the General English section of the UPSC EPFO EO 2023 exam, you need to practice various skills such as reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and time management. You can follow these 10 tips to improve your skills and prepare for the exam:
- Read newspapers and magazines regularly to enhance your language and current affairs knowledge.
- Practice writing different types of letters and summaries according to the formats and styles required.
- Solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Revise the rules of grammar and punctuation and practice identifying and correcting errors in sentences.
- Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, proverbs, etc.
- Improve your comprehension skills by reading passages carefully and answering different types of questions based on them.
- Enhance your writing skills by planning, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading your letters and summaries.
- Read the questions carefully before answering and look for keywords or clues that indicate the type of answer required or the format to be followed.
- Manage your time wisely by allocating sufficient time for each section according to its weightage and difficulty level and keeping track of your time while solving the paper.
- Be confident and calm during the exam and avoid any stress or anxiety that may affect your concentration or performance.
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