The Descriptive English section of the IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam tests your ability to communicate effectively in written English. With 60 minutes to complete four distinct sections—Essay (30 marks), Precis (30 marks), Comprehension (20 marks), and Business Correspondence (20 marks)—you need a well-rounded strategy to excel. This guide will help you navigate each section with expert tips and strategies.
1. Essay Writing (30 Marks)
Essay writing is the most crucial part of the Descriptive English section, as it carries the highest weightage. The essay tests your ability to present a coherent, structured, and logical argument on a given topic. You are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject, along with critical thinking.
Key Points to Remember:
- Stick to the Word Limit: Essays are usually between 250-300 words. Writing too much or too little can cost you marks.
- Structure is Key: Divide your essay into three parts—introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should define the topic and outline your argument. The body should present 2-3 key points, supported by examples or data. The conclusion should summarize the argument and suggest a future course of action or a solution.
- Be Clear and Concise: Avoid over-complicating sentences. Clarity of thought and expression is essential. Use simple and grammatically correct sentences.
- Relevant Content: Stick to the topic and avoid going off on tangents. Stay focused on the subject and ensure your arguments are well-supported with facts, statistics, or examples.
Practice Tip: Write on diverse topics such as economics, insurance, technology, social issues, and governance. Review editorials in major newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express to build strong arguments and perspectives.
2. Precis Writing (30 Marks)
Precis writing assesses your ability to compress a lengthy passage into a concise summary while retaining its essence. It requires strong comprehension and writing skills, as well as the ability to filter out irrelevant details.
Key Points to Remember:
- Read Carefully: Understand the core idea of the passage before you start writing. Identify the main points and supporting details.
- Be Objective: Your precis should reflect the tone of the original passage without including your personal opinions or interpretations.
- Maintain Proportionality: The precis should be approximately one-third the length of the original passage.
- Avoid Repetition: Use different words than the original text wherever possible, and ensure that you don’t repeat phrases or ideas.
Practice Tip: Practice writing precis from editorials or reports. Focus on capturing the crux of the article in a shorter format without losing the main idea.
3. Comprehension (20 Marks)
The comprehension section tests your ability to understand and analyze a given passage and answer questions based on it. You are expected to draw logical inferences and answer clearly.
Key Points to Remember:
- Understand the Passage: Skim through the passage to get an overview, then read it carefully for deeper understanding. Pay attention to the author’s tone and purpose.
- Direct Answers: Answer the questions directly and avoid unnecessary elaboration. Stick to what is asked and avoid adding extra information.
- Inference-based Questions: Some questions might require you to infer answers based on the passage. Be cautious in answering these by using clues from the text.
Practice Tip: Regularly practice comprehension exercises from past papers or sample texts. Focus on both direct and inference-based questions.
4. Business Correspondence (20 Marks)
This section involves writing formal letters or emails and tests your ability to communicate professionally. You may be asked to write complaint letters, inquiry letters, or official emails, among others.
Key Points to Remember:
- Follow a Formal Structure: Business letters should have a formal tone and follow a specific structure—salutation, introduction, body, conclusion, and sign-off.
- Be Professional: Maintain a polite and professional tone throughout the correspondence. Avoid slang or informal language.
- Clear and Purposeful: Ensure the purpose of your letter or email is clear in the first paragraph. The body should provide relevant details, and the conclusion should reiterate the request or purpose of the correspondence.
- Check Grammar and Spelling: Errors in grammar or spelling can lead to a loss of marks. Proofread before submitting.
Practice Tip: Familiarize yourself with different types of business correspondence. Practice writing letters and emails on various subjects to build your confidence and clarity.
Final Tips for Success:
- Time Management: Allocate time wisely to each section. Ideally, spend around 20-25 minutes on the essay, 15-20 minutes on the precis, 10-12 minutes on comprehension, and the remaining time on business correspondence.
- Proofread: Always leave a few minutes to proofread your work. Check for any grammatical or spelling errors.
- Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with structuring your thoughts quickly and clearly. Set aside time for regular practice, focusing on all four sections.
By mastering these skills, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the Descriptive English section of the IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam with confidence.