UPSC, MPSC or any other competitive examination is basically a game of questions and answers. The sole aim of study and preparation for Competitive examinations has to be being able to write/select the best answer possible. Your study material, method of study, coaching, time and resources invested- all these issues will not matter if you don’t master yourself in the Question- Answer game. This becomes even more important for descriptive type examinations- especially UPSC CSE Mains.
To write a quality answer in CSE Mains, it is very important to understand the focus of the question. Focus means what exactly the question demands in the answer. However if we miss the focus, the answer becomes very generic and will obviously fetch very few marks. The most common mistake is to write too generally around the topic of the question, without paying attention to the specific instructions and parameters of the question. Hence it becomes pertinent to identify what exactly UPSC wants you to answer. For that, you need to crack the ‘instruction’ word which should lead the way you approach the question.
Instruction word is the verb/noun/phrase which will give the direction expected for answer. You must stick very closely to the instructions you are given; other aspects of the topic may well be very interesting, but if part, or all, of what you write is irrelevant to the question, you will definitely lose marks. Keep referring to the question and asking yourself if what you are writing is relevant. Once you understand the question, it becomes easy to write a quality answer. This article throws light on these Instruction words which appear frequently in CSE Mains with explanation and examples.
A. Descriptive.
Account of: Focus on description
Q. Give an account of Hindu-Muslim unity in the revolt of 1857.
Describe: What is it? How does it work? Within the word or time limit available give a detailed account of the subject. Give an overview and make it as clear as possible.
Q. Describe how the revolt of 1857 was suppressed.
Highlight: Focus on important features/points.
Q. Highlight the major storm centres of 1857 revolt.
Role of: Focus on the contribution and conclude with your analytical view point.
Q. Write in short about the role of Mutinous Sepoys in 1857 revolt.
Trace: An outline of what has been asked in the given question with focus on its evolution. “How did it come about?” Give a short description of the order in which events happened. Comment on the causes and effects.
Q. Trace the spread of 1857 revolt in various part of India after Mangal Pandey incident.
Write a note on: Describe in short covering all the aspects
Q. Write a note on the socio-religious causes of 1857 revolt.
Define: Give a very short answer to the question “What is it?” Give a precise statement to provide a short, unambiguous explanation of the meaning of a term, a concept or a word. A definition should only contain essential information.
Q. Define ‘Guerilla warfare’ in context of 1857 revolt.
Outline: Draw “the big picture”. Give an overview of the main factors or the most important ideas.
Q. Outline the contribution of Tatya Tope in 1857 revolt.
State: Put it “in a nutshell”. Present in a short, clear sentence or two. This could be followed by justification if the question requires support of your statement.
Q. State the impact of British policy of annexation on Princely states in context of 1857 revolt.
Summarize: Give a short account of the main conclusions or ideas. Don’t introduce any new ideas.
Q. Summarize the major events in Gwaliar and Jhansi in the revolt of 1857.
B. Explanation based.
Elucidate: Clarify/explain probably what is obscure or different. Generally a complex phenomenon or event will be mentioned in such questions. Try to explain it in simple language
Q. Elucidate how the revolt of 1857 caused a fundamental change in structure of Government.
Explain: Answer the question “How?”. What is the principle? You may also need to answer the question “why?” and/or “where?” and “when?” as part of your description of “how?”.
Q. Explain: The revolt of 1857 was much more than a mutiny of army-men.
Illustrate: Focus on examples including the data. Show what something is like. Give some clear examples.
Q. With reference to 1857 revolt, illustrate how discontent in populace can shake up an authoritarian rule.
Prove: Use facts and evidence to support something or some statement. Support with facts, figures, evidence, or examples. Give references.
Q. ‘The revolt of 1857 ended as a war of independence.’ (S.N. Sen) Prove this argument with suitable examples.
C. Opinion based.
Assess: Establish the strengths and weaknesses of the features mentioned
Q. Assess the role of Mughal court in the context of the revolt of 1857.
Comment: Write your view point or description based on your observations. Don’t just describe it. Offer your own opinion on the issue. Remember to make it clear what you are offering your opinion on. You could offer other opinions and compare them.
Q. “The revolt of 1857 started as a fight for religion, but ended as a war of independence”. Comment.
Discuss: Present a thorough analysis of the question by examining all sides of the arguments. Debate advantages and disadvantages. List pros and cons. Argue the merits of different points of view about something. Don’t just explain or describe.
Q. Discuss the consequences of 1857 revolt on Indian society.
Examine /Critically examine: State clearly the pros and cons of the issue raised. Your final decision must be supported by evidence and the reasons why you have rejected alternatives explained.
Q. Better coordination among the leaders of the 1857 revolt would have resulted in a decisive blow to the EIC. Examine.
Interpret: Present an explanation of the facts. Facts are mere inputs & can be comprehended differently. And marks depend on how differently you comprehend. What does it mean? Explain what something means and give your opinion. Make sense of it.
Q. Interpret the Marxian view about 1857 revolt : “The revolt was the struggle of soldier peasant democratic combine against foreign and feudal bondage.”
To what extent: Weigh up the arguments and state the relative importance of the feature mentioned. How far? Up to what point?
Q.To what extent did the 1857 revolt led to rise of nationalism in India?
Analyse /Critically analyse: Consider something carefully and in detail in order to understand or explain it. Explain and make a judgment. Try to prove or disprove the argument supporting or opposing the statement. Referring to the opinions of experts is useful when supporting your judgment. When offering criticism, always try to include constructive suggestions as to how any problems could be overcome.
Q. “It (Revolt of 1857) was far more than a mutiny, …. yet much less than a first war of Independence.” (Wolpert) Critically analyse.
Argue: Persuade by showing evidence that something is true, or the course of action which should be taken. Give reasons why something should or should not be done.
Q. “1857 revolt was a struggle of the soldier – peasant democratic combine.” Argue for and against this Marxian view.
Substantiate: Strengthen the opinion by giving more evidence or facts.
Q. “…. The so called First National War of Independence is neither first, nor National, nor war of Independence.” Substantiate using relevant facts.
D. Cause -Effect type.
Account for: Give reasons. Answer the question “Why?” (You may need to answer where? when? and what? along the way.) Show how the situation came about. Summarise how things are and give evidence to explain why they are so.
Q. Account for the factors leading to failure of the revolt of 1857.
Give reasons: Explain the cause for something
Q. Give reasons for the rise of discontent in peasants which lead to 1857 revolt.
Impact of: Describe the effect or impression of something
Q. Write about the impact of 1857 revolt on annexation policy of British.
E. Comparative.
Compare (and contrast): Present the similarities and differences between the features mentioned.
Q. Compare the system of Government in British India before 1857 and after 1857.
Distinguish between : Draw clear distinctions between the features mentioned.
Q. Distinguish between views of Dr. K. Datta and V. D. Sawarkar about 1857 revolt.
Relate: Show how things are connected, how they affect each other.
Q. Relate the events of Kanpur, Lucknow and Bareilly in 1857 revolt.
F. Evaluation type.
Evaluate / Critically evaluate: Present a judgment as to the relative value of the features mentioned. How valid is it? How good is it? How well does something work? Come to a conclusion after analysing the evidence. Give your opinion, quote supporting evidence. Give arguments against your opinion and your view of their validity.
Q. Evaluate the role of Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857 revolt.
Review: Make a survey of, examining the subject in a critical way
Q. Review the views of Sir John Seeley about 1857 revolt.
Significance/ Importance: Focus on the importance, contribution & consequences with greater focus on positive aspects.
Q. Write in short about significance of 1857 revolt in Indian freedom struggle.
Justify: Give solid evidence for. Go on to a conclusion and support it with facts and figures. Maybe also give evidence against opposite interpretations.
Q. “…. Had a single leader of ability arisen among them (the rebels), we must have been lost beyond redemption.” (John Lawrence). Justify this analysis by British officials.
[This article was originally prepared for JPCEC with inputs from Ajinkya Kale]
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