The teaching of English has acquired a new meaning in recent years. The teacher's role, today, is to facilitate, guide and manage. Information technology has paved the way for students to move beyond the ambit of the subject and the Board exams help test the student's comprehension, knowledge, expression and application. So, students must know the appropriate answering techniques to perform well. Each question should be answered effectively, flawlessly and speedily within the time provided.

Tips to achieve quality in English

Reading skill requires practice and students must scan a passage and comprehend it. Some difficult or unfamiliar words in the passage can be unlocked by guesswork and by relating the words to the preceding and succeeding sentences.

- While reading the passage keep the questions that have been asked in mind. This way, locating the answers becomes easier
- Write precisely and adhere to the world limit
- Don't reproduce/repeat the words used in the question to avoid wasting time

For note making, the best method one can follow is 'skimming' or reading the passage with 'a bird's eye view.' Arrange the main ideas by labelling them as main section, sub-section and sub-sub section using decimal system for numbering on the suitable format.

Further, while answering the questions, try to follow the four 'C's - clarity, completeness, conciseness and correctness. This would make for effective writing. Also, when writing a notice, designing a post or drafting an advertisement, completeness is of special importance. To check whether or not you have provided a 'complete' answer, check it by asking yourself the 'W' questions - who, what, when, where, why, etc.

Students should also keep in mind that the literature section requires them to learn the point-wise framework of a lesson or poem, which helps in the construction of answers in short and long answer questions. Keep in mind that a long answer question should be addressed in two to three paragraphs. Also, it is better to write the name of the writer or poet instead of simply addressing them as 'the author/writer/poet.' Finally, it is best to strictly adhere to the word limit in the literature section.

Source TOI