How to pass the paper of English Language of BA Exam of Punjab University

The paper of English Language (Compulsory) is one of the hurdles for majority students in
qualifying the exam of BA/BSc in Punjab University. In 2012 BA/BSc exam about 40% of the
student qualified the exam. Majority of the remaining 60 % who failed the exam were those
students who couldnt pass the paper of English Language (Compulsory). Students may pass the
other papers of exam but unfortunately they fail the paper of English Language.
Remember there is no shortcut to success, hard work is the only key to success. I will here try to
explain basic things considering syllabus (course) of English Language Paper of BA, which
needs to be focused on by every student to qualify the paper of English Language.

Syllabus of English Language

There are two papers of English Language

Paper- A PROSE AND POETRY
A selection of Modern Essays : By prof. Sajjad Sheik
A New Anthology of English Poetry : By Prof. Shoaib Bin Hassan
A selection of Short Stories and One-Act Plays: By Dr. Nasim Riaz
The Old Man and the Sea: Ernest Hermingway
Paper Format of PaperA
Ques No 1. Explanation with reference to context from poetry and One act Plays (3 out of 5)
Ques No 2. Questions on Essays from A selection of Modern English Essays (3 out of 5)
Quest No 3. Questions on Poems from A New Anthology of English poetry (3 out of 5)
Ques No. 4 Questions on Short Stories from A selection of short Stories and One Act plays
(3 out of 5)
Ques No 5. Questions on Novel The Old Man and the Sea (3 out of 5)

Paper B GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION

Paper B Format. There are 6 Questions
Ques No 1. Essay with outlines of 300-350 words
Ques No 2. Comprehension and prcis
Ques No 3. Letter or Application

Ques No 4. Idioms and phrase Verbs

Ques No 5. Correction of sentence
Ques No 6. Translation from Urdu to English/Dialogue

Learn the very minimum basics of English Language Foremost requirement

You should atleast know the very basics of English Language or the commonly used Grammar of
English Language. These are English paper and to be attempted in English so your sentences
should be free from grammatical mistakes. Its better you should have good command on
elements of grammar, Tenses, Active and passive Voice, Direct and Indirect Narration, but if you
have not learn all of them, then you should atleast learn tenses, so that you can know the correct
structure of common sentences and proper usage of forms of verbs in sentences. Without tense
you cannot even think of passing English Language Paper. Tenses help you in both papers in
writing answers in correct English but it may also directly help you in the question i.e. translation
from Urdu to English in Paper-B and correction of sentences in paper-B.

Preparation for Paper A

For paper-A specific books of prose and poetry are included in syllabus. All these books should
be read many times as much as possible considering the available time for preparation. Questions
are asked on the essays (lessons) and short stories in these books so you need to know the basic
ideas in these short stories and essays so that you can answer correctly whatever is asked in
them. There is novel on the name of The old man and the Sea, few questions are also asked in
this novel, you should know this whole story properly. Besides them there is one book of poetry
comprising of some poems. Explanation on the verses with reference to context is asked in paper,
so along with translation you should know the explanation as well. It is also better that you know
the name of the poet of the verses (poetry) asked in paper so that you can mention it in reference
to context.
For Paper A you should proper knowledge of the short stories, essays, novel and poetry. Paper
A checks both your written English as well as how much knowledge have you retained from
the reading of these books.

Preparation for Paper B

Paper B tests your general ability of written English. Your sentence should be grammatically
correct. You have to write an essay of about 300-350 words on one topic which test both your
written English as well as your creativity. For this you should be a creative person who can
originate ideas about a topic but if you are not good in essay writing, then its better you select a
topic which is most easy for you in given topics and just written few ideas (sub-headings) about
the topic on a rough sheet and try to elaborate it as much as you can.

A paragraph is also given for comprehension and prcis where you have to re-write the
paragraph in short form including all the ideas. You can improve writing prcis with a little
practice. Questions are also being asked on paragraph which can be answered by the same
paragraph carefully.
For Letter and application question you should learn the correct format of letter and application.
Each part of the format of letter and application has its specific marks. So writing letter or
application do write it according to the format.
Idioms and verb phrases should be learnt. The last two questions correction of sentences and
translation of urdu into English as earlier mentioned needs good command on atleast tenses.
Sentences may have errors of usage of proper verb, singular and plural nouns, use of adjectives
or any other parts of speech which student needs to correct.