Reading and Writing (अपठित-अवबोधनम्, रचना)
Comprehension and composition. Covers Unseen passage comprehension; Composition.
About this unit
This unit tests how well you can use Sanskrit, not only remember rules. अपठित-अवबोधनम् (unseen comprehension) gives a short prose passage you have not studied and asks for one-word answers, full-sentence answers, a title, and grammar points from the passage. रचना (composition) covers letter writing with fixed openings and closings, building sentences from given words, completing a story or dialogue, and translating simple Hindi or English sentences into Sanskrit.
Key ideas
- Read for the main idea first, then for details.
- Question words: कः/का/किम्, कुत्र, कदा, कथम्, किमर्थम्, कति.
- Grammar inside a passage: विशेषण-विशेष्य, कर्ता-क्रिया, synonyms (पर्याय) and antonyms (विलोम).
- Letter format: place and date, सम्बोधन, अभिवादन, body, and a closing like भवदीयः.
- Translation depends on correct कारक, agreement of verb with subject, and choice of lakara.
How to prepare
Read short Sanskrit stories (for example from the Panchatantra or Hitopadesha) every day and answer your own questions on them. Make a list of common letter phrases and learn them by heart. Practise translating ten simple sentences a day, checking the subject–verb agreement in each.
Topics in this chapter
Unseen passage comprehension
Understanding and answering questions on Sanskrit passages.
5 questionsComposition
Letter writing, sentence formation and translation.
5 questions