BEGS-183 Solved Assignment

Question 1- Section A – Short Note 1

How English creates new words using affixation and compounding (with examples)

English expands its vocabulary mainly by affixation and compounding.

• Affixation: adding an affix (usually a prefix or a suffix) to a base word to form a new word, often changing meaning and sometimes the word class.
  • Prefixes (added before the base): un + happy → unhappy, re + write → rewrite, mis + understand → misunderstand.
  • Suffixes (added after the base): kind + ness → kindness, manage + ment → management, teach + er → teacher, beauty + ful → beautiful.
• Compounding: joining two (or more) complete words to make one new word; the new meaning is usually related to the parts.
  • text + book → textbook, rain + coat → raincoat, news + paper → newspaper, bus + stop → bus stop.

Section A – Short Note 2

Process approach to writing (brief description)

The process approach treats writing as a sequence of connected steps, where you improve your work gradually rather than trying to produce a perfect piece in one attempt. A student typically:

• Plans: decides purpose, audience, and main points; gathers ideas and makes an outline.
• Drafts: writes a first draft quickly to get ideas on paper.
• Gets feedback: discusses the draft with a friend/teacher (conferencing) to see what is unclear or missing.
• Revises: reorganizes ideas, adds examples, removes repetition, and improves coherence.
• Edits and proofreads: corrects grammar, word choice, punctuation, and spelling; finalizes the clean copy.

This approach is flexible: you may return to earlier steps whenever you discover a better way to present your ideas.

Section A – Short Note 3

Three main types of study skills and how they make us better learners

Study skills can be grouped into three broad types:

• Gathering skills: skills for collecting information efficiently (using reference sources, and reading strategies like skimming for the main idea and scanning for specific details).
• Storage skills: skills for recording and organizing information so it is usable later (note-taking/note-making, using headings and sub-points, and using shortening devices like abbreviations and symbols).
• Retrieval skills: skills for bringing back and using what you learned (reviewing, summarising, and preparing condensed notes for assignments, tests, and exams).

Together, these skills help learners save time, focus on what matters, and revise more effectively because the material is already organized in a clear, study-friendly form.

Section A – Short Note 4

Key points to remember while writing an introductory paragraph

An effective introduction guides the reader into your topic and prepares them for the body of the composition. While writing it, keep these aspects in mind:

• Clarity of topic: narrow the subject and make sure the reader understands what you are discussing.
• Interest and relevance: begin in a way that engages attention (a brief situation, a fact, a question, or a simple context) without becoming too vague or unrelated.
• Main idea or thesis: state the central point you will develop, so the reader knows your direction.
• Logical bridge: connect the opening to the body by hinting at the main sub-points you will cover.
• Appropriate tone: match language and formality to the academic purpose of the composition.

In short, the introduction should be focused, inviting, and clearly oriented toward the structure of the essay.

Section A – Short Note 5

How paraphrase, precis, and summary are different

• Paraphrase: restates the original meaning in your own words, usually keeping roughly the same level of detail. Students use it when they want to clarify a difficult sentence or explain an idea more simply without shortening it too much.
• Summary: shortens the text by selecting only the key ideas and main points. It gives the “gist” and removes supporting examples, extra details, and repetition.
• Precis: a more formal, disciplined condensation than an ordinary summary. It keeps the main claim and essential supporting points in a compact form, usually in clear, neutral language, and avoids personal comments.

So, paraphrase mainly changes wording, while summary and precis reduce length; a precis is typically more structured and formal than a general summary.

Question 2- Section B – Answer 1

Why good writing requires both analysing and synthesizing

Effective writing depends on two connected thinking skills: analysis and synthesis. When you analyse, you break the topic into parts: you identify the central claim, separate major points from minor details, and check how each supporting reason or example connects to the main idea. This prevents a common student problem—writing everything you know without a clear structure. Synthesis comes after analysis: it means combining relevant ideas into a new, coherent whole. For assignments, this often includes linking points from different paragraphs, examples, or sources, and showing relationships such as cause–effect, comparison, or classification. For example, if your topic is “online learning,” analysis helps you list issues (access, motivation, assessment), while synthesis helps you build an argument (how these issues interact, which matter most, and what solutions follow). In short, analysis makes writing clear; synthesis makes it meaningful and well-connected.

Section B – Answer 2

Expository writing: meaning and techniques (with examples)

Expository writing is writing that explains and informs. The writer assumes the reader needs the topic made clear, so the focus is on facts, ideas, and logical organization rather than storytelling. Common techniques used in expository texts include:

• Definition: explaining what something means (e.g., defining “digital literacy”).
• Process explanation: describing steps (e.g., how to submit an online assignment correctly).
• Examples and illustration: giving instances to clarify an idea (e.g., examples of renewable energy sources).
• Reasons/support: giving logical support for a statement (e.g., reasons why regular revision improves recall).
• Comparison and contrast: showing similarities/differences (e.g., online classes versus classroom learning).
• Classification: grouping items into categories (e.g., types of government revenue).
• Cause and effect: explaining why something happens and what results (e.g., effects of deforestation on rainfall).
• Restatement/analogy: rephrasing or using a parallel example to simplify a complex point.

These techniques help the reader follow the explanation and understand the topic in an organized way.

Section B – Answer 3

Using flowcharts and tree diagrams to present information clearly (with examples)

Flowcharts and tree diagrams are visual tools that make information easier to understand, especially when the text includes steps, options, or categories.

• Flowchart: best for showing a sequence or process. It uses boxes (steps) and arrows (direction). For example, a student can present “How to register for an exam” as: Check notification → Fill form → Upload documents → Pay fee → Download confirmation. This reduces confusion because the order is visible at a glance.
• Tree diagram: best for showing classification or branching ideas. For example, “Sources of Water” can be organized into Surface water (rivers, lakes) and Groundwater (wells, aquifers). Each branch can further split into sub-branches, helping you keep headings and sub-points in a neat hierarchy.

Both tools improve clarity because they organize main points and subordinate points visually, making revision and presentation much easier.

Section B – Answer 4

How a formal letter differs from an informal letter (with sample structures)

Formal and informal letters differ in both layout and language. Formal letters are written for official or business purposes and usually include more fixed parts (addresses, subject line, designation), and they use polite, neutral, accurate language. Informal letters are personal, use a friendlier tone, and have a simpler structure.

Sample structure: Formal letter

• Sender’s address
• Date
• Receiver’s name/designation and address
• Subject line (optional but common in formal letters)
• Salutation (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam)
• Body (clear paragraphs: purpose → details → request/action)
• Complimentary close (e.g., Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely)
• Signature, name, and designation

Sample structure: Informal letter

• Sender’s address (often optional)
• Date
• Greeting (e.g., Dear Rahul / Hi Neha)
• Body (personal news, message, feelings, updates)
• Friendly close (e.g., With love / Yours affectionately)
• Signature (name)

So, the formal letter prioritizes official clarity and structure, while the informal letter prioritizes personal connection and conversational language.

Question 3- Section C – Paragraph Writing

Water Conservation: A Challenge for India in the Twenty First Century

Water conservation has become one of India’s most urgent challenges in the twenty first century. Although the country receives seasonal rainfall, water is not available equally across regions and months, and growing demand is putting pressure on rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Cities expand, industries grow, and agriculture still depends heavily on irrigation, so overuse and pollution are increasing together. Many families experience this directly when taps run dry in summer, when tankers become expensive, or when borewells stop yielding water. Conservation therefore must begin at multiple levels: households can fix leaks, reuse water for cleaning, and adopt rainwater harvesting; schools and offices can promote simple habits like turning off taps and maintaining water systems; and governments can support watershed development and efficient irrigation methods such as drip systems. If India treats water as a shared resource that must be protected, conservation can reduce conflict, improve health, and secure livelihoods for future generations.

Question 4- Section D – Composition

Social Media Usage: Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction

Social media has changed how people communicate, learn, and build relationships. Platforms such as messaging apps, video channels, and networking sites allow users to share information instantly, connect across distances, and participate in public discussions. For students, social media can feel almost inseparable from daily life—announcements, study groups, news, and entertainment often arrive through the same screen. However, this convenience also creates new problems related to attention, privacy, and wellbeing. A balanced view is necessary to understand both the benefits and the risks of social media usage.

Body

One major advantage of social media is connectivity. It helps people maintain relationships with friends and relatives even when they live far away. Students also use group chats to coordinate assignments, share notes, and clarify doubts quickly. In many cases, a short explanation sent by a classmate can save time and reduce anxiety before a test. Social media also supports learning opportunities. Educational channels, online libraries, and skill-based communities offer explanations, practice material, and guidance for careers. A student preparing for an interview, for example, can find resume tips, mock questions, and professional advice that might not be easily available offline.

Another advantage is awareness and participation. News, government updates, and community information spread rapidly through social media. During emergencies, people can share alerts and request help. Social media can also give a voice to individuals who may not have access to traditional platforms, encouraging discussion on social issues, education, environment, and public health.

At the same time, social media has serious disadvantages. The most common is distraction and reduced focus. Many students intend to check one message and end up spending long periods scrolling through short videos or posts. This habit reduces deep reading and sustained concentration, which are essential for academic success. Social media can also encourage unhealthy comparison. Users often see only the “best moments” of others, which can lead to stress, low self-esteem, or a false belief that everyone else is more successful or happier.

Misinformation is another major concern. Because posts spread quickly, false news, exaggerated claims, or manipulated content can influence opinions and decisions. Without careful verification, people may forward incorrect information that harms others or creates panic. Privacy and safety issues also matter: personal data can be misused, accounts can be hacked, and careless posting can damage reputations. For young users, risks include cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content, which can affect mental health and social confidence.

Conclusion

Social media is neither entirely good nor entirely bad; its impact depends on how thoughtfully it is used. It offers powerful advantages in communication, learning, and awareness, especially for students who can benefit from educational content and peer support. Yet it also brings real dangers such as distraction, misinformation, privacy risks, and emotional stress. The most practical solution is responsible usage: setting time limits, verifying information before sharing, protecting personal data, and choosing content that supports learning and wellbeing. With balanced habits, social media can remain a useful tool instead of becoming a daily problem.