HINDI Paper 3201/01 Composition General comments The overall performance of candidates this year was satisfactory. Most of the candidates were able to complete both sections of the paper within the given time. Generally, candidates who demonstrated a varied use of vocabulary and sentence structure scored good marks in this paper this year. Candidates responses could have been improved by more appropriate and precise vocabulary, using technical terms relevant to the topic, better use of adjectival/adverbial phrases and proper use of idioms and expressions. In Section B, many candidates did not adhere to the recommended length of compositions. It is to their advantage to keep to the required length and they should strictly follow the instructions given in the question paper. There were some impressive and imaginative essays showing originality of thought and competence in the use of language. At the lower end there were some responses with many spelling mistakes and in which appropriate use of vocabulary was often lacking. Comments on specific questions PAPER 1 Section A Letter, Dialogue, Report or Speech Questions: (a) Letter Writing This was the most commonly attempted question by the candidates. Overall good responses were seen from candidates. However, many candidates lost marks since informal language was used in lieu of formal writing, including formal salutations such as आदरण य म य अ य पक ज. In most cases, the content of the letter was relevant to the topic. Appropriate use of vocabulary and idioms and expressions was noted. Nevertheless, a few candidates used names other than mentioned in the question (Vimal/Varuna), which entails loss of marks. (b) Speech Writing Very few candidates opted for this question. However, the few candidates who attempted this question demonstrated a sound command of Hindi. Precise vocabulary like व द ट भ जन, प ड ल, सज वट and good sentence structure were observed. But, due to limited range of vocabulary, some candidates were unable to score good marks. Word like ध यव द were repeatedly used. (c) Dialogue Writing The dialogue between the mother and her child was the second most attempted question. Candidates demonstrated a good knowledge of relevant vocabulary and punctuation. Stronger candidates wrote clear, detailed, focused, grammatically accurate and coherent responses, whereas frequent errors in spelling and grammar were observed at the lower end of the ability range. This led to loss of marks. It should be noted that an introduction is not required for dialogue writing and brackets ( ) do not score marks.
Moreover, the use of the polite form of Hindi language was expected. For example, आप for म त ज and not त म, polite words like क पय and ध यव द should come naturally. Repetition of ideas in dialogue writing should be avoided. Section B ESSAY Question (a), (b) Narrative Essays These questions were the most popular among candidates. Candidates creativity and imagination were clearly noted. Some candidates tend to write lengthily about what they did prior to the incident which entailed loss of marks. Candidates scored fewer marks due to lengthy introductions which did not mention the topic. The term what happened next was satisfactorily narrated with varied interesting and creative ideas. Those who managed to show originality while using a wide range of accurate vocabulary and applied grammatical rules properly scored high marks. (c) Argumentative Essay This question was also quite popular. Many candidates. Many candidates were able to discuss the fact that money is a means and not the ultimate end of life. However, a lack of solid vocabulary was also noted. Many candidates seemed to lack confidence in how to write argumentative essays. Some candidates, however, showed a real mastery of the topic with good quality of words and, thus, scored good marks (d) Descriptive Essay This question was also quite popular. Dreams were creatively described. Most of the candidates scored good marks. Suggestions to Educators: The following mistakes were found in a number of scripts and are mentioned below to help for future preparation: Gender/Proper use of post-positions (क रक क च न). अपन पढ़ ई प र क instead of अपन पढ़ ई प र क. प र ज नक र instead of प र ज नक र. म र सभ म क स थ instead of म र सभ म क स थ. क ई क नह द ख instead of कस क नह द ख. Agreement of transitive and intransitive verbs with object/subject. उसन स र स म न रख instead of उसन स र स म न रख. म न त र त गय instead of म त र त गय. म न म क प र ब त बत य instead of म न म क प र ब त बत य. Formation of the Hindi script च ज, ध घ, भ, म, प त,, थ ठ, ड़ ढ़, झ ज. समज instead of समझ. ठक instead of ठ क. घन instead of धन.
Proper use of adjectives with masculine and feminine nouns: स र द त for स र द त, स र च ज़ for स र च ज. Use of adverbs, must be encouraged. ध र ध र, ज़ र ज़ र. Use of abstract nouns, must be bolstered. स दरत, सज वट, घबर हट. Inappropriate use of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions should be dissuaded. म हव स ब त करत ह ई आई म र न द न द य रह ह गय अनद ख आव ज़/अनस न य Wrong use of conjunction was often observed. जब... त. Use of excessive Urdu words should be discouraged. म फ़, श य, ह त, इज ज़त. Teachers are requested to encourage reading culture among candidates, and the latter are expected to read extensively to develop their language skills. Candidates are strongly advised to read Hindi books, online magazines and newspapers, and to make use of the oral form of communication i.e. speak Hindi in class. The practice of regular writing should also be encouraged. Note: It is to the advantage of the candidates to keep to the recommended word limit. Indicate Rough Work or cross out the rough work. Write exact number of words at the end of answered question. Write precisely the question number selected in the margin.
HINDI Paper 3201/02 Translation and Reading Comprehension General comments This paper was generally well attempted, with many candidates scoring the highest mark. Some candidates did not perform as expected, especially in Section A. Many were not able to correctly translate some of the words or phrases. Question 2 was specifically quite challenging with new sets of words and terms whereas candidates had no great difficulty in attempting Question 1. On a general note, candidates with a wide range of vocabulary and understanding scored quite well in Section B. The extract was similar to those from previous years. The overall performance of candidates was satisfactory. A large majority of candidates managed their time effectively and were able to complete their questions without any great difficulty. However, there were some who omitted or disregarded certain questions. Candidates are strongly advised to answer all questions. Candidates are advised to number their question correctly to avoid loss of marks. Candidates are also advised to read the comprehension passage carefully to find the answers. Comments on specific questions Section A Translation 1 Translate into English The medium of instruction in Mauritius being English Language, this question, as usual, was the most popular of all among candidates of all abilities and they scored quite well. Some of them, however, faced difficulties with specific words like हज़ र, आकष ण for instance for which very few candidates provided the correct answer. Confusions also arose regarding words like वजय, व दन etc which were simply transliterated as Vijay and Vandana respectively. Additionally, many candidates transliterated words like हषर, प ज, वजय, भकतगण. It was also noted that many candidates could not understand the very first sentence of this text. They translated as cats go in town for festivals or Divali is the most famous festival for द ल क य ह र क शहर कह ज त ह. Due to lack of mastery of general knowledge, some candidates failed to grasp that द ल is, in fact, Delhi, the capital city of India. In general, candidates performed well in other areas. Hindi numerals should be taught from lower classes and should be encouraged by educators. Regular reading of Hindi books and writing should also be encouraged. 2 Translate into Hindi Many candidates found this to be the most difficult question of the paper. Some avoided the question or left it incomplete and, consequently, did not score any marks. However, interesting responses were also noted from some candidates. Words like forms, three quarters, covered, seventy percent, plants, sources, oceans, natural, on the other hand, wells, reservoirs, lakes, snow and melting seemed quite complex for most candidates. Consequently, some of them lost considerable marks as they were unable to tackle this vocabulary.
Candidates are advised to read Hindi books, online magazines and newspapers, and to make use of the oral form of communication i.e. to speak Hindi in the classroom. The practice of regular writing should also be encouraged. Candidates are also advised to make proper use of library facilities offered to them. Teachers are advised that the themes of the texts may come from any field/area, and they should help candidates to prepare accordingly. Teachers should emphasize Hindi whole numbers and fractions as well. As well as the regular practice of vocabulary words, innovative and emerging topics must also be explored and candidates should be exposed to these terms during writing and during conversations in classes. Extracts from newspapers, magazines and other interesting books can also be used for this work. Section B Comprehension In this section, candidates were required to answer questions briefly. Those answers were usually found in the comprehension. Though some very long responses were also noted, most candidates scored good marks in this part of the paper. For tricky questions like no. 6 and no. 9, certain candidates were able to provide some original and insightful responses. However, a large variety of answers were also accepted, and in general, candidates performed well in Questions 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. Question 9 was an open inferential question where candidates were expected to make use of their own understanding and knowledge. Many came up with a variety of answers which were generally accepted. Still, a few candidates left blank spaces which entails loss of marks. Question 10 usually tests the candidates knowledge of vocabulary and their mastery of basic rules of grammar. While most candidates were able to explain the meaning of the words in an acceptable manner, those at the lower end could not attempt the same or they simply gave responses comprising many grammatical mistakes. Words like इक, अव क seemed to be complex to certain candidates. Candidates should practice answering these kinds of questions to obtain maximum marks in such questions. Usually, candidates answers need to be context-based.